EP1076015B1 - Actuator for dispensing foam - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a foam head for a hand-operated, to be foamed Liquid-containing pressure vessel according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

From US-A-5 730 332 a foam head is known, whose features in the preamble of Patent claim 1 are reproduced. This foam head is for a hand-operated, too foaming liquid containing pressure vessel provided with a dispensing valve, the having a tubular valve stem. The foam head comprises a tubular Outlet, through which an outlet extends and the operation of the dispensing valve on whose valve stem is attachable; Furthermore, an expansion space for foaming the Liquid, with a bottom, an expansion space limiting side wall and a Dispensing opening above the bottom of the expansion space, wherein the outlet channel of the Auslaßstutzens, at its upper end with at least one radial passage opening is provided which connects the outlet channel with the expansion space is a discharge opening, seen in plan view of the foam head, mainly at a distance above the bottom of the Expansion space arranged. A plurality of foaming elements extends in small lateral distance from each other from the bottom to the region of the discharge opening to Foaming channels between the Verschäumungselementen to the outlet port about radial and paraxial direction to form.

EP-A-0 792 821 describes a foam head for a hand-operated, to be foamed Liquid containing pressure vessel with a dispensing valve, which is a tubular Valve shaft, wherein the foam head comprises: a tubular outlet port, through which an outlet channel extends and which for actuating the dispensing valve on the Valve stem is attachable; an expansion space for foaming the liquid, with a floor, a side wall bounding the expansion space, and a discharge opening above the bottom of the expansion space, wherein the outlet channel of the outlet is provided at its upper end with at least one radial passage opening, the Outlet channel connects with the expansion space.

In a foam head of EP-A-0 581 158 B1, the liquid to be foamed passes through Passage openings at the upper end of an outlet channel in one on the shaft of a Dispensing valve of the container attachable outlet radially and meets an oblique Wall in an expansion space, from which the foamable product is narrowed by several each exit from approximately parallel side walls exit slots is delivered.

From DE 40 05 094 C2 a spray gun with a foaming device is also known, the consists of a open at both ends, cylindrical tube, from the inner wall on inner tube end non-contacting rods radially distributed over equal circumferential angles protrude and serve for the foaming of a liquid.

Object of the present invention is the improvement of a foam head of the beginning mentioned known genus in that the foam head as a mass product universal for light and especially for difficult to foam liquids used and thereby as Mass produced economically.

The invention solves this problem in that the Verschäumungselemente from the ground free-standing in the direction of its outer, free end tapers and radially to the outlet Direction are offset from each other, such that the of the Verschäumungselementen formed friction surface with which the product to be foamed into contact, so strong it is increased that even difficult to foam products are verschäumbar.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the foaming each one have round cross-section or a square cross-section. Preferably, the Foaming elements directed approximately parallel to the outlet and can on different radii arcuately arranged around the outlet pipe around. Further For example, the foaming elements can be arranged in planes in front of each other at a distance run approximately parallel to each other and to the outlet. The outlet channel of the outlet may be in the range of the upper end and at the same height by several in Circumferential angular distances arranged passage openings with the expansion space be connected. Advantageously, the radial passage openings of the outlet channel in Outlet outlet arranged distributed over a circumferential angle of about 180 ° of the outlet. The height of the expansion space is preferably in the region of the passage openings of the Auslaßstutzens largest and reduced with respect to this radially outward. Further, from Advantage, if the bottom of the expansion space is in each case from the foot of the passage openings extends to the side wall of the foam head and with this one edge of the Dispensing opening forms. It is also advisable to move the floor of the expansion room upwards and form radially outwardly cupped curved. Finally, it can be provided that the baffle in the outlet port, the lower end of a peg-shaped Foaming element forms, which is coaxial with the outlet through the expansion space extends to the outside.

Fig. 1

eine erste Ausführungsform des Schaumkopfes mit einer Vielzahl von zu einer einzigen Abgabeöffnung gerichteten Verschäumungselementen runden Querschnitts in Draufsicht;

Fig. 2

einen Längsschnitt gemäß Schnittebene II-II in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3

eine Schnittansicht längs der Schnittebene III-III in Fig. 2 in vergrößertem Maßstab;

Fig. 4

den Ausschnitt Z in Fig. 2 in vergrößertem Maßstab;

Fig. 5

eine Unteransicht des Schaumkopfes in Richtung V-V in Fig. 2;

Fig. 6

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Schaumkopfes in Fig. 1 bis 5;

Fig. 7

eine zweite Ausführungsform eines Schaumkopfes mit im Querschnitt eckigen Verschäumungselementen in Draufsicht;

Fig. 8

den Schaumkopf in Fig. 7 in perspektivischer Ansicht;

Fig. 9

eine dritte Ausführungsform eines Schaumkopfes mit im Querschnitt gekrümmten, plattenförmigen Verschäumungselementen in Draufsicht;

Fig. 10

den Schaumkopf in Fig. 9 in perspektivischer Ansicht;

Fig. 11

eine vierte Ausführungsform eines Schaumkopfes mit plattenförmigen gewellten Verschäumungselementen in Draufsicht; und

Fig. 12

den Schaumkopf in Fig. 13 in perspektivischer Ansicht.

The invention with reference to the schematic drawing of several embodiments of a foam head is described in detail. Show it:

Fig. 1

a first embodiment of the foam head with a plurality of directed to a single discharge opening foaming elements round cross section in plan view;

Fig. 2

a longitudinal section along section plane II-II in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3

a sectional view taken along the sectional plane III-III in Figure 2 on an enlarged scale.

Fig. 4

the detail Z in Figure 2 on an enlarged scale.

Fig. 5

a bottom view of the foam head in the direction VV in Fig. 2;

Fig. 6

a perspective view of the foam head in Figures 1 to 5.

Fig. 7

a second embodiment of a foam head with angular cross-section Verschäumungselementen in plan view;

Fig. 8

the foam head in Figure 7 in perspective view.

Fig. 9

a third embodiment of a foam head with curved in cross-section, plate-shaped Verschäumungselementen in plan view;

Fig. 10

the foam head in Figure 9 in perspective view.

Fig. 11

a fourth embodiment of a foam head with plate-shaped corrugated Verschäumungselementen in plan view; and

Fig. 12

the foam head in Fig. 13 in a perspective view.

In Figs. 1 to 6 is a first embodiment of a foam head 20 for a hand-operated, known per se and therefore not shown, to be foamed liquid containing Pressure vessel shown with a dispensing valve, which is a tubular Valve stem has. The foam head 20 comprises a tubular outlet 22 (Fig. 2) through which a Outlet channel 24 extends and that for actuating the dispensing valve on the valve stem is attachable, an expansion space 26 for foaming the liquid with a bottom 28, an expansion space 26 limiting side wall 30 and a discharge opening 32 above the bottom 28 of the expansion space 26. The outlet channel 24 of the outlet 22 is at his upper end with at least one radial passage opening, but preferably with a plurality of passage openings 34 provided, which the outlet channel 24 with the expansion space 26th connect.

According to the invention, as in particular from Figs. 2 to 4 to is seen, the only discharge opening 32, in plan view of the Foam head 20 seen, mostly at a distance above the ground 28th the expansion space 26 is arranged. Furthermore, a stretches Variety of foaming elements 36 in a small lateral Distance from the bottom 28 of the expansion space 26 to in the region of the discharge opening 32 to foaming channels 38 between the foaming elements 36 in to the outlet 22 about radial and paraxial direction to form. By this configuration the foam head 20 with a variety of foaming elements 36, from a single discharge opening 32 laterally are enclosed by the foaming elements 36 formed friction surface with which the product to be foamed comes in contact, enlarged so much that even hard foamable products are foamed with this foam head 20 can.

According to Fig. 2, 4 and 6, the height of the expansion space 26 and the associated Verschäumungselemente 36 in at least one radial direction 40 from the outlet 22 to the side wall 30 of the Expansion space 26 from. This reduction in the height of the expansion space 26 and its associated Verschäumungselemente 36th is in the illustrated foam head 20 in a direction 40th provided, which runs perpendicular to a tangential plane 42 (Fig. 4), to the side facing away from the expansion space 26 of the Outlet 22 is applied so that the height of the expansion space 26 - in Fig. 4 to the left - is reduced. This direction 40 lies in the sectional plane II-II shown in Fig. 1 and forms with the main axis of the outlet 22 an acute angle, which opens towards the lower end of the foam head 20.

The foaming elements 36 are in to the tangential plane 42 and arranged to the outlet 22 parallel rows, wherein the Number of Verschäumungselemente 36 from a first, in Fig. 1st right row, in which also the outlet 22 a middle Foaming element 36 forms and is part of this series, decreases to a third series of foaming elements 36. As shown in FIG. 2, the foaming elements 36 are a preferably made of plastic uniformly shaped component the foam head 20 and from the bottom 28 in the direction of its outer, free end 42 tapers (Figures 3 and 4) so that the Verschäumungskanäle 38 are extended to the discharge opening 32 out. there the foaming elements 36 have a round cross-section and are arranged offset in adjacent rows against each other, so that a larger flow resistance, the foaming of the Fluid amplified. The extended to the discharge opening 32 Flow channels 38 thus contribute towards the discharge opening 32 increasing foam volume bill.

The outlet channel 24 of the outlet 22 is in the range of his upper end at the same height with several radial, in circumferential angle intervals over a circumferential angle of about 180 ° arranged, slot-like openings 34 provided which connect the outlet channel 24 with the expansion space 26.

The outlet channel 24 in the outlet 22 is at the top by a baffle 46 bounded and forms the lower end of a peg-shaped Foaming element 36, which is coaxial with the outlet 22 extends through the expansion space 26 to the outside. At the same time, the baffle 46 limits the radial, slot-shaped, approximately rectangular passage openings 34 of the outlet 22 up at a height that is only about a third the height of the expansion space 26 corresponds and thus the Verschäumungsstrecke for the liquid to be foamed in the expansion space 26 extended.

The baffle 46 is at its peripheral edge with axial passage openings 48 provided, which are approximately parallel to the main axis of the foam head 20 through the expansion space 26 extend.

The bottom 28 of the expansion space 26 extends from each Foot of approximately rectangular, slot-like openings 34 to the side wall 30 of the foam head 20 and forms with this one upper edge 50 of the discharge opening 32. The bottom 28 and the plane of the discharge opening 32 therefore close to the main axis the outlet 22 each one up and outside opening, acute or obtuse angles. The floor 28 the expansion space 26 is upwards and radially outwards cupped curved. In other embodiments, the Floor 28 of the expansion space 26 also one of the cup-shaped Training have different shape, in particular may also be a substantially straight, planar-shaped bottom 28th be provided.

In Fig. 5, the underside of the baffle 46 is preferred tapered circular cone formed coaxially in the Outlet channel 24 protrudes.

The outlet port 22 is surrounded by the conical side wall 30, extending from the edge 50 of the discharge port 32 to a lower outer annular shoulder 52 extends. A coat 54 consists of an upper part 56 and a lower part 58, the are connected by an outer shoulder 60. This outer shoulder 60 corresponds approximately to an inner shoulder 62, with which the Foam head 20 are supported on the edge of a container can.

The lower part 58 of the shell 52 is provided with locking strips 64, below the inner shoulder 62 over the circumference of a Inner wall 66 are arranged so that the locking bars 64 the edge of the container lid for fixing the foam head 20 engage under can.

The conical side wall 30 of the foam head 20 is at the Operating side with a handle in the form of a stepped, grooved finger dents 68 provided above the mantle 54 is attached and in the side wall 30 at the back of the outlet 22 passes.

The upper shell portion 56 is at the annular shoulder 52 in the area the foam head 20 through a film hinge 70 with the annular shoulder 52 of the shell 54 and on the operating side of the Foam head 20 through a predetermined breaking web 72 with the annular shoulder 52 connected so that the conical side wall 30th formed upper part of the foam head 20 relative to the jacket 54th can be pushed down to the dispensing valve actuate.

Depending on technical, the type of to be foamed Product and its foaming conditions may the foaming elements shaped differently and arranged be. Below are further embodiments Such Verschäumungselemente described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 16, the associated foam heads, with the exception of Foaming elements, the above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6 have described structure.

In the second embodiment of a foam head 20a in Fig. 7th and 8 are foaming members 36a on arc lines, respectively different radii arranged around the outlet 22a around, the one outlet 22a about concentric at a distance surrounded, so that a substantially uniform distribution of Foaming product can be achieved in the expansion space 26a can. In this case, the Verschäumungselemente 36 a different Cross sections, e.g. a non-round or preferably polygonal Cross section, exhibit. So have the foaming elements 36a in Fig. 7 has a triangular cross-section. In arrangement of foaming elements 36a polygonal cross-section It is recommended, seen in plan, a tip of this polygonal Cross-section of each foaming element 36a radially to Outlet 22a to judge, as shown in FIG. 7 with reference to the triangular Cross-section shows, in order to optimize this way Distribution of the product to be foamed in the expansion space 26a to reach.

According to Fig. 9 and 10 are in the event that in the radial Direction from an outlet 22b exiting, to be foamed Product a greater resistance through greater surface contact should be offered, foaming elements 36b respectively plate-shaped or lamellar shaped. A curvature of the plate-shaped Foaming elements 36b may each be the cutout a circular cylinder correspond to a radius of curvature, the increases with the radial distance from the outlet port 22b, as shown in FIG. 9 and 10 show. The Verschäumungselemente 36b are in arcuate Rows in the circumferential direction and radially to the outlet 22b arranged at a distance and offset from each other.

In Fig. 11 and 12 are foaming elements 36d at a distance from and preferably offset from each other in planes arranged, the at a distance approximately parallel to one another and to the tangential plane 42 on the rear side wall 30d of the foam head 20d in FIG. 13 run. The foaming elements 36d are in the direction wave-shaped in their main planes so that a good, the foaming promoting turbulence of the foam product is reached.

The foam head in each of the described embodiments is in the form of a one-piece plastic injection molding, e.g. made of polypropylene, as a mass-produced economically and therefore for disposable pressure packs with foamed products very much suitable.

Although above with reference to FIGS a foam head with swivel Top part has been described, which is in a delivery half and divided into an operating half, it is for the skilled person understand that the invention is also based on Foam heads refers, which no finger-ding or a similar Handle for actuating the foam head or the associated Have dispensing valve. Rather, embodiments are possible, the openings in the outlet and a Have discharge opening, which extends over a circumferential angle of 360 ° extend around the outlet of the foam head, and at where the bottom is in the shape of an inverted circular cone Funnel has. The actuation only in the axial direction can e.g. by detecting an annular shoulder at the lower end of such Foam head may be provided. In cross section, the foam head not only round, but also out of round or angular. Further the foaming elements 36 may be as required under the the discharge opening 32 formed level, or over these protrude out and possibly a different length to have. Furthermore, the foaming elements can be switched on and off the same foam head with each other with respect to their general form may be different, e.g. different Have cross sections, so e.g. from a combination of the above consist of foaming elements described.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

20, 20d

foam head

22, 22a, 22b,

tubular outlet

24

outlet channel

26, 26a

expansion space

28

ground

30, 30d,

Side wall

32

discharge opening

33

upper end

34

Through opening

36, 36a, 36b, 36d,

Verschäumungselemente

38

Verschäumungskanäle

40

level

42

tangent

44

Through openings

46

baffle wall

48

axial passages

50

upper edge

52

annular shoulder

54

coat

56

upper shell part

58

lower man part

60

outer shoulder

62

inner shoulder

64

snap-in strips

66

inner wall

68

finger Delle

70

film hinge

72

Breaking bridge

M

Focus

Claims (12)

1. Foam dispensing head (20) for a hand-operated pressurised container containing fluid to be foamed, comprising:

   a dispensing valve which has a tubular valve stem, the foam dispensing head comprising:

   a tubular outlet connection (22) though which an outlet duct (24) extends and which can be pushed onto the valve stem of the dispensing valve in order to operate the latter;

   an expansion chamber (26) for foaming the fluid, with a base (28), a side wall (30) delimiting the expansion chamber (26) and a dispensing orifice (32) above the base (28) of the expansion chamber (26), wherein the outlet duct (24) of the outlet connection (22) is provided at its upper end (32) with at least one radial through opening (34) which connects the outlet channel (24) to the expansion chamber (26),

   a plurality of foam generating elements which are disposed within the expansion chamber (26), wherein the foam generating elements are surrounded laterally by the single dispensing orifice (32) and extend at a small reciprocal distance from the base (28) of the expansion chamber (26) into the region of the single dispensing orifice (32) in order to form foam generation ducts (38) between the foam generating elements in the direction approximately radial and axially parallel with respect to the outlet connection (22),

   characterised in that

   the foam generating elements (36; 36a) which are free-standing from the base (28) are tapered in the direction of their outer free end (42) and are offset with respect to one another in the radial direction with respect to the outlet connection (22) in such a way that the friction surface formed by the foam generating elements (36) which comes into contact with the product to be foamed is so greatly enlarged that even products which are difficult to foam can be foamed.
2. Foam dispensing head as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the foam : generating elements (36) each have a round cross-section.
3. Foam dispensing head as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the cross-section of the foam generating elements (36a) is polygonal.
4. Foam dispensing head as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the foam generating elements (36) are directed approximately parallel to the outlet connection (22).
5. Foam dispensing head as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the foam generating elements (36) are disposed at different radii in a curve around the outlet connection (22).
6. Foam dispensing head as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the foam generating elements (36d) are disposed spaced from one another in planes which extend approximately parallel to one another and to the outlet connection (22).
7. Foam dispensing head as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the outlet duct (24) of the outlet connection (22) is connected in the region of its upper end and at the same height to the expansion chamber (26) by a plurality of through openings (34) disposed with circumferential angular spacing.
8. Foam dispensing head as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the radial through openings (34) of the outlet duct (24) in the outlet connection (22) are distributed over a circumferential angle of approximately 180° of the outlet connection (22).
9. Foam dispensing head as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the height of the expansion chamber (26) is greatest in the region of the through openings (34) of the outlet connection (22) and is reduced radially outwards relative thereto.
10. Foam dispensing head as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the base (28) of the expansion chamber (26) extends from the foot of the through openings (34) to the side wall (30) of the foam dispensing head (20) and with this latter forms an edge (50) of the dispensing orifice (32).
11. Foam dispensing head as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the base (28) of the expansion chamber (26) is curved upwards and radially outwards in a dish shape.
12. Foam dispensing head as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the baffle wall (46) in the outlet connection (22) forms the lower end of a lug-shaped foam generating element (36) which extends outwards through the expansion chamber coaxially with the outlet connection (22).

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