EP1714707B1 - Refillable foam pump - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to the field of foam pumps, the foam being produced by a liquid base substance placed in a tank, the pump being held by hand and producing foam during manual pressure exerted on the tank. It relates more particularly to the manufacturer of foam pumps from a mixture of air with a foaming liquid product.

The patent application WO 2004/078359 , deposited by AIRSPRAY, describes a foam pump whose foam projection head is movable in a vertical translation, a pressure on the movable head causing a foam projection. A system of return by a spring allows the head to rise automatically. Inside the pump, raising the head causes the loading of a dose of liquid product and a dose of air from the environment. The support on the head then causes the expulsion of the liquid product emulsified with air, by the mixer. However, this system makes it possible to deliver, at each support, a dose of foam calibrated according to the dimensions of the pump.

There are other systems for producing foam, as described by the patent WO 93/13829 filed by AIRSPRAY. This type of system comprises at least two tanks, at least one tank for the liquid product mixing with the air and at least one tank containing compressed air. This system delivers foam when a user presses the projection head, the amount of foam being defined by the duration of the support. However, this system requires the integration of a tank of compressed air, which complicates the assembly. In addition, this type of system can not be reloaded.

The US Patent 4,147,306 describes a foam production system to prevent defusing of the pump after the system has been placed upside down. The U.S. Patent No. 4,147,306 describes the preamble of claim 1.

The US Patent 4,156,505 discloses a foam producing system for eliminating fouling and providing a constant amount of foam at each use regardless of the time between each use.

The US Patent 3,973,701 discloses a foam pump for rapid and repeated cycle production without the residual foam in the pump interfering with the air inlet.

The present invention therefore aims to overcome one or more disadvantages of the prior art by creating a system for varying the amount of foam produced, while controlling the quality, and can be recharged by the user, the system Foam production is simple to manufacture and robust.

This objective is achieved by a rechargeable foam pump according to claim 1.

According to another feature, the shutter valve is diaphragm.

According to another feature, the dip tube has a constriction at its end immersed in the liquid.

According to another feature, the foam forming elements consist of two grids of dimensions and shape adapted to the outlet passage and spaced from one another by a perforated cylinder.

According to another feature, the cylindrical sheath is connected at its opposite end to the dispensing orifice to the dip tube.

According to another feature, the device comprises an additional grid at the dispensing orifice.

According to another feature, the foam-forming element may be constituted by a succession of rigid wires distributed in a cylindrical space and held together by a central element to give a brush shape.

According to another feature, bumps (15) seal the tank hermetically at the air inlet orifices (10) in the tank.

According to another feature, the reservoir is composed of two parts, a rigid part and a flexible part, the rigid part fitting on flexible parts of different volumes.

• La figure 1 représente un exemple de réalisation de la pompe.
• La figure 2 représente un exemple de réalisation du système de fabrication de la mousse.

The invention, its characteristics and its advantages will appear more clearly on reading the description made with reference to the figures referenced below:

• The figure 1 represents an embodiment of the pump.
• The figure 2 represents an embodiment of the foam manufacturing system.

The invention will now be described with reference to figures 1 and 2 . A deformable vial (1) sealed comprises a circular opening (20) to which is attached a tip (2) vial. A tight connection between the tip (2) and the bottle (1) is formed by a sealing device (21). The tip (2) comprises orifices (10) for the entry of air into the reservoir and an opening (11) for dispensing the foam. Without limitation, the pump has no other passage between the inside of the tank and the outside environment. A cover (3) is mounted on the tip (2) vial. The cover (3) comprises a plurality of functional elements including a connecting element (17) between the cover (3) and the end piece (2), a duct chamber (12) communicating on the one hand with an outlet (18) and on the other hand with the opening (11) for dispensing the foam, as well as bumps (15) closing the orifices. A device for forming the foam inside the tank (1, 2) comprises a mixer (6) opening onto the opening (11) for dispensing the foam. The mixer (6) is connected to a pipe (5) immersed in liquid (9). The mixer (6) is composed, inter alia, in a nonlimiting manner, of air inlets (13), sieve grids (7a, 7b), a needle (14) and a stop (16). ) of the needle. A membrane (4) is located inside the tank (1, 2) vis-à-vis the air inlets (10) and rests on a holding device (22) when it is not not asked. Without limitation, the membrane (4) is made by a single annular piece.

The air intake ports (10) are combined with a blocking device, such as a membrane, to allow air to circulate only in the direction of suction from the outside to the inside of the vehicle. tank. In the nonlimiting example of embodiment represented on the figure 1 , the diaphragm (4), disposed opposite the orifices (10), allows the air to pass in the case of suction and blocks the air, if the air comes out of the tank (1, 2). When the pressure inside the tank (1, 2) is greater than the outside pressure, a stream of air exiting through the openings (10) begins. According to the physical phenomenon of suction, the membrane (4h) is then plate against the openings (10). The pressure in the reservoir then holds the membrane against the opening and an elastic property of the material allows the membrane (4) to seal and prevent the flow of air to the outside of the bottle.

When the user releases its pressure on the tank, it returns to its original shape, thanks to the elastic properties of the deformable material of the tank. The return to its original form, creates a depression in the tank relative to the external pressure. The air is sucked into the tank (1, 2). The air enters through the openings (10) provided by pushing back the membrane (4b). The membrane then rests on the holding device (22). The air can therefore circulate only in the incoming direction.

The driving force of the pump is the pressure exerted by the user on the flexible bottle (1). When the user presses the deformable bottle (1), a pressure is exerted inside the tank and the membrane (4) closes the opening (10) of air supply. The volume of compressed air will exert a pressure on the liquid (9) base that will be propelled into the mixer (6) by the pipe (5) plunger. On the other hand, a portion of the air escapes through the mixer (6) through the openings (13) of the air inlet of the mixer (6). Foam is produced at the outlet (11) of the mixer (6), the outlet (11) of the mixer (6) being connected to the chamber (12) for dispensing the foam. When the user releases the pressure on the deformable bottle (1), thanks to the elastic properties of the material, the bottle (1) returns to its initial shape causing an aspiration of air. The membrane (4) which controls the air supply duct (10) will be pushed back, thus releasing the air inlet opening (10) into the tank (1, 2). The tank (1, 2) then fills with ambient air. Once its shape is found again, a new pressure of the user again causes the production of foam. Preferably, the pump operates while being held in place by the user.

The mouthpiece (2) of the bottle expels the foam through an opening (11) for dispensing the foam. The foam then passes into the hood (3), by a chamber (12) for dispensing the foam which provides guidance, the foam being available to the user at the outlet of the duct (18). The dispensing opening (11) of the foam connected to the mixer (6) and therefore does not communicate directly with the reservoir (1, 2).

The mixer (6) allows the emulsion of the liquid base product (9) with air to make foam. The liquid (9) base is fed to the mixer (6) by a pipe (5) plunger. The air is introduced into the mixer (6) by the arrivals (13) of air. The air enters the chamber of the mixer and comes into contact with the various elements of the mixer which are for example the grids and the needle. To produce foam, air and a liquid (9) containing a foaming agent are propelled simultaneously into the mixer (6). Similarly, the liquid enters the chamber of the mixer and comes into contact with the various elements of the mixer such as the inlet grille (7a) of the pipe (5) plunger, the gate (7b) output and the needle. To achieve an emulsion, the flow of the liquid (9) base is first disturbed by a needle (14) placed in a housing. By definition, the needle is a flow regulator. A stop (16) holds the needle (14) in place. When no pressure is exerted on the bottle by the user, the needle (14) closes the conduit of the liquid by a slight pressure exerted by its weight.

When the user exerts pressure on the deformable bottle, the product (9) is pushed back into the tube, the needle is lifted, allowing the liquid product (9) to pass, and modifies the flow of the liquid (9) creating a disturbance that starts the emulsion. The faster the flow of liquid, the more the needle is agitated. The needle indeed comprises a lower portion immersed in the liquid tube and a wider upper part to close the liquid duct at the needle seat. During a pressure exerted by the user, the air in the tank exerts a pressure on the liquid which is discharged into the pipe (5) plunger. The greater the pressure of the user, the greater the flow of foaming liquid is important. The higher the flow of liquid, the more the needle will be shaken violently. The agitation of the needle thus disturbs the flow of liquid. This disturbance on the one hand reduces the flow of liquid and on the other hand performs a first emulsion of the liquid product and begins the formation of foam.

On the other hand, the air is mixed with the liquid (9) partially emulsified at the first gate (7a) of the mixer (6) and at the second gate (7b) before reaching the opening (11) distribution. According to the pressure exerted by the user, the liquid is more or less emulsified after the needle (6) agitator and after the first or second filtering grid. Depending on the pressure exerted, the user will obtain a different type of foam, the foam being more or less light. The foam then passes through the distribution chamber (12) to exit through the outlet (18) of the chamber.

The fact of producing the foam by manual pressure on the deformable bottle (1) makes it possible to control the quality of foam. Indeed the foam has a different consistency depending on whether the user presses hard or soft. Moreover, depending on whether the user presses for a long time or for a short period of time, the quantity of foam produced is different. The amount of foam produced is not unlimited but a tank (1, 2) of large capacity allows to expel a large amount of air and foaming product to produce a large amount of foam. The bottle mouthpiece (2) fits onto a deformable bottle (1) by hermetically sealingly attaching it to a seal (21) at the circular opening (20) of the deformable bottle (1). A user can therefore adapt the deformable bottles (1) having a different volume, but with an opening of the same size, on the same mouthpiece (2) of the bottle. The size of the deformable bottles varies for example according to whether the bottle is more or less bulging or higher or lower. The different tank sizes adapt to particular uses. To produce a foam in abundance, a large capacity tank will be used and to produce only a small amount of foam, for example to save an expensive product, a small tank will be used. The more or less flexible nature of the tank also changes the flow rate and type of foam produced.

A particular embodiment of the mixer is represented in figure 2 . The conical mixer (6) is clamped in the nozzle (2). Air entrances (13) are arranged between plastic blades (23), represented by hatched elements. The blades (23) make the connection between the two grids (7a, 7b) sieving. The needle (14) is limited in its displacement height by the stop (16) and the conical shape of the head of the needle closes the arrival of the pipe (19) which also has a conical shape. The air present in the tank (1, 2) can thus be introduced into the mixer (6) through the openings (13).

In an exemplary embodiment, the pipe (5) immersed in the liquid is composed of several parts of pipe, of different diameter, nested in each other to retain the product along the conduit. The pipe (5) is for example fixed to the mixer by tight fitting, to be easily removable and changeable. In particular, longer or shorter pipes will be adapted to more or less deep deformable vials (1). Preferably, in order to use all the liquid product (9) base contained in the reservoir (1, 2), the lower end of the pipe opens at the base of the vial (1) deformable. The pump remains functional as long as the pipe (5) is immersed in the liquid (9).

The deformable bottle (1) of the pump is designed to be removed from the mouthpiece (2) of the bottle. The deformable bottle (1) comprises for example a rigid ring at its circular opening so that the tip (2) bottle can snap on. When the tank is disassembled, the user can fill it with liquid product (9) base. The pump is thus rechargeable by the user. A nonlimiting embodiment comprising a horizontal mark of maximum filling on the tank showing the level of the product by transparency, or inside the tank.

In an exemplary embodiment the cover (3) can move vertically relative to the tip (2), by a helical connection (17). In a high position of the cover (3), the foam pump is used as described above and in a low position of the cover (3), it closes the air supply ducts and expulsion of the foam . The bumps (15) of the cover (3) are each equidistant from the opening vis-à-vis, so that each opening is closed in the low position of the cover. In another embodiment, the cover (3) is in sliding pivot connection with the tip (2) of the bottle and the low position of the cover (3) relative to the mouthpiece (2) of the bottle is maintained by a interlocking system, replacing the helical connection.

In one embodiment, a utensil is added at the foam spraying head. The utensil is for example a plastic grid that filters the foam produced to change the consistency of the foam. Another example of a device is a cross which separates the jet of foam for example into four smaller jets. The invention thus allows adjustments to produce quantities but also different foam consistencies according to the accessories used or added.

It should be obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention allows embodiments in many other specific forms without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed. Therefore, the present embodiments should be considered by way of illustration but may be modified in the field defined by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (9)

1. Refillable pump for foam including a container for a liquid substance comprising one or more foaming agents, the container being closed by a distribution device, the distribution device comprising a distribution orifice (11) communicating with an outlet passage including one or more foam forming elements (7a, b), the outlet passage communicating with an element forming, on the one hand, a closure valve for introduction of air into the container and, on the other hand, with a passage having a variable flow rate which opens into the liquid by means of a dip tube (5), the container (1) being made from deformable elastic material, the closure valve closing when the container is deformed in order to drive off the liquid through the tube, the closure valve opening in order to allow air to enter the container during phases when the container resumes its initial shape, characterised in that the tube communicates with the outlet passage via a mixer (6) by which the liquid is driven off and is transformed into foam, the passage with a variable flow rate being associated with a needle valve (14) comprising a conical head and a narrower lower part dipping into the tube, the passage with a variable cross-section consisting of a sleeve with a cylindrical external shape, the internal shape thereof being adapted in order to produce abutment elements (16) for the needle (14) at one end of the sleeve and at a distance from this end a seat (19) for the needle (14) in such a way that when the needle (14) is in the abutted position of the abutment elements (16) the flow rate of liquid is at maximum and when the needle (14) rests on the seat (19) the liquid flow rate is zero.
2. Pump as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the closure valve has a membrane (4).
3. Pump as claimed in Claims 1 and 2, characterised in that the dip tube (5) includes a constriction at its end which dips into the liquid (9).
4. Pump as claimed in Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the foam forming elements consist of two meshes (7a, 7b) of dimensions and shape adapted to the outlet passage and spaced from one another by a perforated cylinder.
5. Pump as claimed in Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the cylindrical sleeve is connected by its end opposite the distribution orifice (11) to the dip tube (5).
6. Pump as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it includes an addition mesh at the level of the distribution orifice.
7. Pump as claimed in Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the foam forming element may consist of a succession of rigid wires distributed in a cylindrical space and are retained relative to one another by a central element to give the shape of a bottle brush.
8. Pump as claimed in the preceding claims, characterised in that bosses (15) hermetically seal the reservoir at the orifices (10) for inlet of air into the reservoir.
9. Pump as claimed in the preceding claims, characterised in that the reservoir is composed of two parts, a rigid part and a flexible part, the rigid part being adapted to flexible parts off different volumes.

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