Patent Grant
RE49597
This invention relates to a valvular conduit for serving as a mixing device and/or for control of the resistance to flow through the conduit and, more particularly, to a valvular conduit including a Tesla valvular conduit for mixing of fluid streams preferably gas and liquid streams as in the manner of a foam generator, preferably in a dispenser of hand cleaning and disinfecting fluids.
Many foam generators are known particularly as in the context of hand cleaner dispensers generating a hand cleaning foam comprising a mixture of air and a foamable hand cleaning fluid. Typical foam generators include one or more screens providing small apertures for passage of the air and fluid therethrough to create turbulence and generate foam. Porous sponges are also used as foam generators. Combinations of screens and porous sponges are known for use as foam generators as, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,601,736 to Ophardt et al, issued Aug. 5, 2003, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference and U.S. Pat. No. 7,337,930 to Ophardt, issued Mar. 4, 2008, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
The inventors of the present invention have appreciated that previously known pumps incorporating such foam generators suffer the disadvantages that they are formed from a number of parts, leading to increased cost for manufacture and assembly.
The present inventors have also appreciated that foam generators which utilize such screens and sponges for foam generation typically require supporting structure such as housings which increase the complexity of manufacture and increase the number of parts required to form a foam generator.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,329,559 to Tesla, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, teaches what is known and is referred to herein as a Tesla valvular conduit which provides for relatively low resistance flow in one direction through the conduit yet high resistance flow in an opposite direction. The present inventors have appreciated that valvular conduits similar to the Tesla valvular conduit have not been configured which are advantageous for ease of construction and manufacture.
Pumps are known for the simultaneous discharge of a liquid from a reservoir bottle and air from the atmosphere. One example of such a pump is U.S. Pat. No. 5,271,530 to Uehira et al, issued Dec. 21, 1993. The inventors of the present invention have appreciated that such previously known pumps suffer the disadvantages that they are formed from a large number of parts, and are complex in their manufacture of the different parts leading to increased costs for manufacture and assembly.
The present inventors have appreciated that pumps are known which use diaphragm members, however, it is appreciated that disadvantages arise in respect of the construction of known diaphragm members so as to facilitate their manufacture and advantageous sealing engagement with other elements of the pumps.
To at least partially overcome some of these disadvantages of the previously known devices, the present invention provides an improved construction for a valvular conduit, preferably a Tesla valvular conduit. To at least partially overcome some of these disadvantages of the previously known devices, the present invention provides a valvular conduit, preferably a Tesla valvular conduit, as a foam generator. To at least partially overcome some of these disadvantages of the previously known devices, the present invention provides a pump assembly and a dispenser including a valvular conduit for mixing and preferably generation of foam. To at least partially overcome some of these disadvantages of the previously known devices, the present invention provides the use of a valvular conduit, preferably a Tesla valvular conduit, for mixing and a method of using a valvular conduit to mix two or more fluid streams and, preferably, as a foam generator.
In a first aspect, the present invention uses a valvular conduit, preferably Tesla valvular conduit, as a foam generator, and provides a method of using a valvular conduit, preferably a Tesla valvular conduit, as a foam generator, preferably in a foaming pump assembly. In another aspect, the present invention provides an improved construction for a valvular conduit, preferably a Tesla valvular conduit, in which a plug member is coaxially received within a bore in a sleeve member and in which passageways are defined between the plug member and the sleeve member within interior walls configured to permit mixing of fluid flowing through the passageways in at least one direction, preferably, with the relatively free passage of fluid through the passageways upstream but increased the resistance to downstream flow of the fluid through each passageway. In another aspect, the present invention provides an improved construction for a valvular conduit, preferably a Tesla valvular conduit, in which a plug member is coaxially received within a bore in a sleeve member and the sleeve member is coaxially received within a bore in a tube member, and in which passageways are defined both between the plug member and the sleeve member and between the sleeve member and the tube within interior walls configured to permit mixing of fluid flowing downstream through the passageways and, preferably, relatively free passage of fluid through the passageways upstream but increased the resistance to flow of the fluid through each passageway downstream. In another aspect, the present invention provides a foaming piston pump assembly formed from a minimum of unitary elements, each preferably formed by injection molding, by the use of a valvular conduit as a foam generator.
In one preferred embodiment, the invention provides a valvular conduit comprising a plug member coaxially received within a sleeve bore in a sleeve member with a plug channelway in an outer wall surface of the plug member open radially outwardly in opposition with a sleeve inner wall surface of the sleeve bore to define between each plug channelway and the sleeve inner wall surface a plug passageway for flow of fluid and in which the plug passageway has plug passage interior walls configured to mix gas and/or fluids on passage downstream therethrough. Preferably, the plug passageway interior walls are configured to provide a plurality of mixing portions in series within the plug passageway, with each mixing portion configured to split flow downstream from an upstream main channel into a first channel and a second channel separate from the first channel, the first channel merging with the second channel into a downstream main channel with the first channel directing flow through the first channel where the first channel merges with the second channel in a first direction and the second channel where the second channel merges with the first channel directing flow through the second channel in a second direction different than the first direction. The mixing portions preferably permit relatively free passage of fluid through the plug passageway upstream but increase the resistance to flow of the fluid through the plug passageway downstream. Preferably, fluids such as two liquids or air and a liquid are passed downstream through the conduit for mixing and, in the case of simultaneous passage of air and a foamable liquid through the conduit, foam is generated. Preferably, the conduit may be used to restrict or substantially prevent flow downstream yet permit relatively free flow upstream. Preferably, the valvular conduit is a Tesla valvular conduit. Preferably, each of the sleeve member and the plug member is injection molded as a unitary element. Preferably, at least one and preferably both of the sleeve member and the plug member carry a radially extending end wall with an array of openings axially through the end wall through which fluids such as air and liquids can be passed for mixing and, in the case of mixtures of air and foamable liquids, foam can be generated. Preferably, when each of the plug member and the tube member carry end walls with an array of openings through each, the openings at one end wall are in overlapping registry with the openings at the other end wall and provide an array of reduced cross-sectional area apertures for fluid flow and advantageous generation of foam.
In one aspect, the present invention provides a mixing pump assembly discharging a first fluid mixed with a second fluid, the pump assembly having:
a first pump to discharge the first fluid,
a second pump to discharge the second fluid,
a first element and a second element defining a passageway therebetween,
the first element having a bore therethrough along an axis defined within a circumferential radially inwardly directed inner wall surface,
the second element having a circumferential radially outwardly directed outer wall surface with a channelway in the outer wall surface open radially outwardly to the outer wall surface,
the second element is received coaxially within the bore with the outer wall surface in opposed engagement with the inner wall surface defining between each channelway and the inner wall surface, the passageway with an entrance into the passageway and an exit from the passageway spaced downstream along the passageway from the entrance,
the passageway defined between each channelway and the inner wall surface to have passageway interior walls configured to provide a plurality of mixing portions in series within the passageway,
each mixing portion configured to split flow downstream from an upstream main channel into a first channel and a second channel separate from the first channel,
the first channel merging with the second channel into a downstream main channel with the first channel directing flow through the first channel where the first channel merges with the second channel in a first direction and the second channel, where the second channel merges with the first channel, directing flow through the second channel in a second direction different than the first direction,
each mixing portion configured to split flow downstream from an upstream main channel into a first channel and a second channel separate from the first channel,
the first channel merging with the second channel into a downstream main channel with the first channel directing flow through the first channel where the first channel merges with the second channel in a first direction and the second channel, where the second channel merges with the first channel, directing flow through the second channel in a second direction different than the first direction,
wherein the second fluid discharged by the second pump and first fluid discharged by the first pump are simultaneously forced through the entrance into the passageway, through the passageway, and out the exit,
each passageway defined between each channelway and the inner wall surface to have passageway interior walls configured to provide a plurality of mixing portions in series within the passageway,
each mixing portion configured to split flow downstream from an upstream main channel into a first channel and a second channel separate from the first channel,
the first channel merging with the second channel into a downstream main channel with the first channel directing flow through the first channel where the first channel merges with the second channel in a first direction and the second channel, where the second channel merges with the first channel, directing flow through the second channel in a second direction different than the first direction to mix the flow through the first channel and the flow through the second channel on the first channel merging with the second channel,
the second direction and the first direction form a merge angle therebetween of greater than 90 degrees.
Preferably, in the second aspect, the pump assembly comprising a piston chamber-forming body about the longitudinal axis and a piston member, the piston member coupled to the piston chamber-forming body with the piston member reciprocally coaxially slidable about the axis relative the piston chamber-forming body in a cycle of operation between a retracted position and an extended position to define there between both: (a) a the first pump having a compartment with a variable volume to draw the first fluid from a first fluid reservoir and discharge the first fluid; and (b) the second pump with a fluid compartment having a variable volume to draw in the second fluid and discharge the second fluid, with the piston member comprising the first element and the second element. Preferably, the exit is open to a discharge outlet downstream from the exit, the first fluid and the second fluid forced from the exit flow from the exit downstream out the discharge outlet. Preferably, the second fluid is atmospheric air. Preferably, the first fluid is a hand cleaning fluid capable of foaming, the second fluid is atmospheric air; the exit is open to a discharge outlet downstream from the exit, the first fluid and the second fluid are forced from the exit to flow from the exit downstream out the discharge outlet, the passageway comprising a foam generator wherein in passage of the air and the first fluid downstream through the plurality of mixing portions, the air and the first fluid are mixed to form a foam of the air and the first fluid discharged from the exit and out the discharge outlet downstream from the exit. Preferably, the second pump draws in the atmospheric air via the discharge outlet upstream through the passageways. Preferably, a merge angle between the second direction and the first direction is greater than 90 degrees so that flow downstream provides a downstream resistance to flow and flow upstream opposite to flow provides an upstream resistance to flow that is less than the downstream resistance to flow.
In a third aspect, the present invention provides a foaming pump discharging a hand cleaning fluid mixed with air as a foam from a discharge outlet having:
a piston liquid chamber-forming body about a longitudinal axis,
a piston member,
the piston member coupled to the piston liquid chamber-forming body with the piston member reciprocally coaxially slidable about the axis relative the piston liquid chamber-forming body in a cycle of operation between a retracted position and an extended position to define therebetween both:
(a) a liquid pump to draw a fluid from a fluid reservoir and discharge the fluid, and
(b) an air pump to draw in atmospheric air and discharge the air;
the piston member comprising a first piston element and a second piston element defining a foam generator therebetween,
the first piston element having a bore therethrough along an axis defined within a circumferential radially inwardly directed inner wall surface,
the second piston element having a circumferential radially outwardly directed outer wall surface with at least one channelway in the outer wall surface open radially outwardly to the outer wall surface,
the second piston element received coaxially within in the central passageway with the outer wall surface in opposed engagement with the inner wall surface defining between each channelway and the inner wall surface a passageway with an entrance and an exit spaced downstream along the passageway from the entrance,
wherein with reciprocal movement of the piston member axially relative the piston liquid chamber-forming body air discharged by the air pump and fluid discharged by the liquid pump are simultaneously forced through the entrance into the passageway, through the passageway, and out the exit to a discharge outlet,
each plug passageway defined between each plug channelway and the inner wall surface to have passageway interior walls configured to provide the foam generator as a plurality of mixing portions in series within the passageway,
each mixing portion configured to split flow downstream from an upstream main channel into a first channel and a second channel separate from the first channel,
the first channel merging with the second channel into a downstream main channel with the first channel directing flow through the first channel where the first channel merges with the second channel in a first direction and the second channel, where the second channel merges with the first channel, directing flow through the second channel in a second direction different than the first direction.
In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a mixing conduit for mixing a first fluid and a second fluid simultaneously forced in a downstream direction through a passageway in the conduit,
the conduit comprising a first element and a second element defining the passageway therebetween,
the first element having a bore therethrough along an axis defined within a circumferential radially inwardly directed inner wall surface,
the second element having a circumferential radially outwardly directed outer wall surface with a channelway in the outer wall surface open radially outwardly to the outer wall surface,
the second element received coaxially within in the bore with the outer wall surface in opposed engagement with the inner wall surface defining between each channelway and the inner wall surface the passageway with an entrance into the passageway and an exit from the passageway spaced downstream along the passageway from the entrance,
the passageway defined between each channelway and the inner wall surface to have passageway interior walls configured to provide a plurality of mixing portions in series within the passageway,
each mixing portion configured to split flow downstream from an upstream main channel into a first channel and a second channel separate from the first channel,
the first channel merging with the second channel into a downstream main channel with the first channel directing flow through the first channel where the first channel merges with the second channel in a first direction and the second channel, where the second channel merges with the first channel, directing flow through the second channel in a second direction different than the first direction. The fourth aspect preferably includes:
a first feed channel for directing the first fluid to the entrance and a second feed channel for directing the second fluid to the entrance.
In a fifth aspect, the present invention provides a method of mixing a first fluid and a second fluid comprising:
simultaneously forcing the first fluid and the second fluid in a downstream direction through a passageway in the conduit,
the conduit comprising a first element and a second element defining the passageway therebetween,
the first element having a bore therethrough along an axis defined within a circumferential radially inwardly directed inner wall surface,
the second element having a circumferential radially outwardly directed outer wall surface with at least one channelway in the outer wall surface open radially outwardly to the outer wall surface,
the second element received coaxially within in the bore with the outer wall surface in opposed engagement with the inner wall surface defining between each channelway and the inner wall surface the passageway with an entrance and an exit spaced downstream along the passageway from the entrance,
the passageway defined between each channelway and the inner wall surface to have passageway interior walls configured to provide a plurality of mixing portions in series within the passageway,
each mixing portion configured to split flow downstream from an upstream main channel into a first channel and a second channel separate from the first channel,
the first channel merging with the second channel into a downstream main channel with the first channel directing flow through the first channel where the first channel merges with the second channel in a first direction and the second channel, where the second channel merges with the first channel, directing flow through the second channel in a second direction different than the first direction.
In a sixth aspect, the present invention provides use of a valvular conduit to mix a first fluid and a second fluid by simultaneously forcing the first fluid and the second fluid in a downstream direction through a passageway in the conduit,
the conduit comprising a first element and a second element defining the passageway therebetween,
the first element having a bore therethrough along an axis defined within a circumferential radially inwardly directed inner wall surface,
the second element having a circumferential radially outwardly directed outer wall surface with at least one channelway in the outer wall surface open radially outwardly to the outer wall surface,
the second element received coaxially within the bore with the outer wall surface in opposed engagement with the inner wall surface defining between each channelway and the inner wall surface the passageway with an entrance and an exit spaced downstream along the passageway from the entrance,
the passageway defined between each channelway and the inner wall surface to have passageway interior walls configured to provide a plurality of mixing portions in series within the passageway,
each mixing portion configured to split flow downstream from an upstream main channel into a first channel and a second channel separate from the first channel,
the first channel merging with the second channel into a downstream main channel with the first channel directing flow through the first channel where the first channel merges with the second channel in a first direction and the second channel, where the second channel merges with the first channel, directing flow through the second channel in a second direction different than the first direction.
In a seventh aspect, the present invention provides a valvular conduit comprising:
a first element and a second element defining the passageway therebetween,
the first element having a bore therethrough along an axis defined within a circumferential radially inwardly directed inner wall surface,
the second element having a circumferential radially outwardly directed outer wall surface with a channelway in the outer wall surface open radially outwardly to the outer wall surface,
the second element received coaxially within the bore with the outer wall surface in opposed engagement with the inner wall surface defining between each channelway and the inner wall surface the passageway with an entrance into the passageway and an exit from the passageway spaced downstream along the passageway from the entrance,
the passageway defined between each channelway and the inner wall surface to have passageway interior walls configured to provide a plurality of mixing portions in series within the passageway,
each mixing portion configured to split flow downstream from an upstream main channel into a first channel and a second channel separate from the first channel,
the first channel merging with the second channel into a downstream main channel with the first channel directing flow through the first channel where the first channel merges with the second channel in a first direction and the second channel, where the second channel merges with the first channel, directing flow through the second channel in a second direction different than the first direction,
a first feed channel for directing the first fluid to the entrance and a second feed channel for directing the second fluid to the entrance,
each mixing portion configured to split flow downstream from an upstream main channel into a first channel and a second channel separate from the first channel,
the first channel merging with the second channel into a downstream main channel with the first channel directing flow through the first channel where the first channel merges with the second channel in a first direction and the second channel, where the second channel merges with the first channel, directing flow through the second channel in a second direction different than the first direction.
In an eighth aspect, the present invention provides a valvular conduit comprising:
an elongate sleeve member and an elongate center plug member,
the sleeve member extending from a first sleeve end to a second sleeve end about a longitudinal axis
the plug member extending from a first plug end to a second plug end about the longitudinal axis,
the sleeve member having a sleeve side wall with a circumferential inwardly directed sleeve inner wall surface, preferably circular in cross-section normal the axis, defining a sleeve bore within the sleeve member extending along the axis,
the plug member having a cylindrical circumferential outwardly directed plug outer wall surface, preferably circular in cross-section normal the axis,
at least one plug channelway in the plug outer wall surface of the plug member open radially outwardly along its length to the plug outer wall surface of the plug member,
the plug member received coaxially within in the sleeve bore with the plug outer wall surface of the plug member in opposed engagement with the sleeve inner wall surface of the sleeve member defining between each plug channelway and the sleeve inner wall surface of the sleeve member a plug passageway for flow of fluid,
each plug passageway defined between each plug channelway and the sleeve inner wall surface of the sleeve member to have plug passageway interior walls,
the plug passageway interior walls configured to provide a plurality of mixing portions in series within the plug passageway, each mixing portion configured to split flow downstream from an upstream main channel into a first channel and a second channel separate from the first channel, the first channel merging with the second channel into a downstream main channel with the first channel directing flow through the first channel where the first channel merges with the second channel in a first direction and the second channel where the second channel merges with the first channel directing flow through the second channel in a second direction different than the first direction. Preferably, the second direction is different from the first direction to mix the flow through the first channel and the flow through the second channel on the first channel merging with the second channel, as with the second direction and the first direction forming a merge angle therebetween of at least 90 degrees so that flow downstream provides a downstream resistance to flow and flow upstream opposite to flow downstream provides an upstream resistance to flow that is less than the downstream resistance to flow. Preferably, the plug passageway the interior walls are configured to permit the relatively free passage of fluid upstream but to subject the fluid to rapid reversals of direction when the fluid is forced through the plug passageway downstream to thereby increase resistance to movement of the fluid through the plug passageway downstream compared to resistance to movement of the fluid upstream, as with the valvular conduit preferably comprising a Tesla valvular conduit.
Preferably such a valvular conduit includes:
an elongate tube member,
the tube member extending from a tube first end to a tube second end about the longitudinal axis, the tube member having a tube side wall with a circumferential inwardly directed tube inner wall surface, preferably circular in cross-section normal the axis, defining a tube bore within the tube member extending along the axis,
the sleeve member having a cylindrical circumferential outwardly directed sleeve outer wall surface preferably circular in cross-section normal the axis,
at least one sleeve channelway in the sleeve outer wall surface of the sleeve member open radially outwardly along its length to the sleeve outer wall surface,
the sleeve member received coaxially within the tube bore with the sleeve outer wall surface of the sleeve member in opposed engagement with the tube inner wall surface of the tube member defining between each sleeve channelway and the tube inner wall surface of the tube member a sleeve passageway for flow of fluid, each sleeve passageway defined between each sleeve channelway and the tube inner wall surface of the tube member to have sleeve passageway interior walls, and
the sleeve passageway interior walls configured to provide a plurality of the mixing portions in series along the sleeve passageway.
In a ninth aspect, the present invention provides a foam dispenser comprising:
as a foam generator, a valvular conduit including a passageway configured to mix air and fluid when forced in a flow through the passageway downstream by splitting the flow into at least two portions that are directed into different directions and merged in the passageway when the portions have different directions of flow,
an air pump for discharge of the air from the atmosphere to the passageway for flow downstream through the passageway to a discharge outlet,
a fluid pump for dispensing fluid to each passageway for flow downstream through each passageway to the discharge outlet simultaneously with the flow downstream through each passageway of the air discharged by the air pump. Preferably, the valvular conduit is a Tesla valvular conduit in which the passageway permits the relatively free passage of the air and the fluid through the passageway upstream but subjects the air and the fluid to the different directions of flow when the air and the fluid is forced through the passageway downstream. Preferably, the passageway increases resistance to movement of the fluid through the passageway downstream compared to resistance to movement of the fluid through the passageway upstream. Preferably, the foam dispenser is a hand cleaner dispenser that dispenses a hand cleaning fluid such as a foamable liquid soap and a foamable disinfecting fluid mixed with the air as a foam.
As a 1st feature, the present invention provides a mixing pump assembly discharging a first fluid mixed with a second fluid, the pump assembly having:
a first pump to discharge the first fluid,
a second pump to discharge the second fluid,
a first element and a second element defining the passageway therebetween,
the first element having a bore therethrough along an axis defined within a circumferential radially inwardly directed inner wall surface,
the second element having a circumferential radially outwardly directed outer wall surface with a channelway in the outer wall surface open radially outwardly to the outer wall surface,
the second element received coaxially within the bore with the outer wall surface in opposed engagement with the inner wall surface defining between each channelway and the inner wall surface, the passageway with an entrance into the passageway and an exit from the passageway spaced downstream along the passageway from the entrance,
the passageway defined between each channelway and the inner wall surface to have passageway interior walls configured to provide a plurality of mixing portions in series within the passageway,
each mixing portion configured to split flow downstream from an upstream main channel into a first channel and a second channel separate from the first channel,
the first channel merging with the second channel into a downstream main channel with the first channel directing flow through the first channel where the first channel merges with the second channel in a first direction and the second channel, where the second channel merges with the first channel, directing flow through the second channel in a second direction different than the first direction,
each mixing portion configured to split flow downstream from an upstream main channel into a first channel and a second channel separate from the first channel,
the first channel merging with the second channel into a downstream main channel with the first channel directing flow through the first channel where the first channel merges with the second channel in a first direction and the second channel, where the second channel merges with the first channel, directing flow through the second channel in a second direction different than the first direction,
wherein the second fluid discharged by the second pump and first fluid discharged by the first pump are simultaneously forced through the entrance into the passageway, through the passageway, and out the exit,
each passageway defined between each channelway and the inner wall surface to have passageway interior walls configured to provide a plurality of mixing portions in series within the passageway,
each mixing portion configured to split flow downstream from an upstream main channel into a first channel and a second channel separate from the first channel,
the first channel merging with the second channel into a downstream main channel with the first channel directing flow through the first channel where the first channel merges with the second channel in a first direction and the second channel, where the second channel merges with the first channel, directing flow through the second channel in a second direction different than the first direction to mix the flow through the first channel and the flow through the second channel on the first channel merging with the second channel,
the second direction and the first direction form a merge angle therebetween of greater than 90 degrees.
As a 2nd feature, the present invention provides a mixing pump assembly as claimed in the 1st feature wherein:
the pump assembly comprising a piston chamber-forming body about the longitudinal axis and a piston member,
the piston member coupled to the piston chamber-forming body with the piston member reciprocally coaxially slidable about the axis relative the piston chamber-forming body in a cycle of operation between a retracted position and an extended position to define there between both:
(a) the first pump having a compartment with a variable volume to draw the first fluid from a first fluid reservoir and discharge the first fluid; and
(b) the second pump with a fluid compartment having a variable volume to draw in the second fluid and discharge the second fluid,
the piston member comprising the first element and the second element.
As a 3rd feature, the present invention provides a mixing pump assembly as claimed in the 1st 2nd feature wherein the exit is open to a discharge outlet downstream from the exit, the first fluid and the second fluid forced from the exit flow from the exit downstream out the discharge outlet.
As a 4th feature, the present invention provides a mixing pump assembly as claimed in the 1st, 2nd or 3rd feature wherein the second fluid is atmosphere air.
As a 5th feature, the present invention provides a mixing pump assembly as claimed in the 3rd feature wherein:
the first fluid is a hand cleaning fluid capable of foaming,
the second fluid is atmospheric air;
the exit is open to a discharge outlet downstream from the exit,
the first fluid and the second fluid forced from the exit flow from the exit downstream out the discharge outlet,
the passageway comprising a foam generator wherein in passage of the air and the first fluid downstream through the plurality of mixing portions, the air and the first fluid are mixed to form a foam of the air and the first fluid discharged from the exit and out the discharge outlet downstream from the exit.
As a 6th feature, the present invention provides a mixing pump assembly as claimed in the 5th feature wherein the second pump with a fluid compartment draws in the atmospheric air via the discharge outlet upstream through the passageways.
As a 7th feature, the present invention provides a mixing pump assembly as claimed in any one of the 1st to 6th features wherein the merge angle therebetween is greater than 90 degrees so that flow downstream provides a downstream resistance to flow and flow upstream opposite to flow provides an upstream resistance to flow that is less than the downstream resistance to flow.
As an 8th feature, the present invention provides a foaming pump discharging a hand cleaning fluid mixed with air as a foam from a discharge outlet having:
a piston liquid chamber-forming body about a longitudinal axis,
a piston member,
the piston member coupled to the piston liquid chamber-forming body with the piston member reciprocally coaxially slidable about the axis relative the piston liquid chamber-forming body in a cycle of operation between a retracted position and an extended position to define therebetween both:
(a) a liquid pump having a liquid compartment having a variable volume to draw a fluid from a fluid reservoir and discharge the fluid, and
(b) an air pump having an air compartment having a variable volume to draw in atmospheric air and discharge the air;
the piston member comprising a first piston element and a second piston element defining a foam generator therebetween,
the first piston element having a bore therethrough along an axis defined within a circumferential radially inwardly directed inner wall surface,
the second piston element having a circumferential radially outwardly directed outer wall surface with at least one channelway in the outer wall surface open radially outwardly to the outer wall surface,
the second piston element received coaxially within in the central passageway with the outer wall surface in opposed engagement with the inner wall surface defining between each channelway and the inner wall surface a passageway with an entrance and an exit spaced downstream along the passageway from the entrance,
wherein with reciprocal movement of the piston member axially relative the piston liquid chamber-forming body air discharged by the air pump and fluid discharged by the liquid pump are simultaneously forced through the entrance into the passageway, through the passageway, and out the exit to a discharge outlet,
each plug passageway defined between each plug channelway and the inner wall surface to have passageway interior walls configured to provide the foam generator as a plurality of mixing portions in series within the passageway,
each mixing portion configured to split flow downstream from an upstream main channel into a first channel and a second channel separate from the first channel,
the first channel merging with the second channel into a downstream main channel with the first channel directing flow through the first channel where the first channel merges with the second channel in a first direction and the second channel, where the second channel merges with the first channel, directing flow through the second channel in a second direction different than the first direction.
As a 9th feature, the present invention provides a mixing conduit for mixing a first fluid and a second fluid simultaneously forced in a downstream direction through a passageway in the conduit,
the conduit comprising a first element and a second element defining the passageway therebetween,
the first element having a bore therethrough along an axis defined within a circumferential radially inwardly directed inner wall surface,
the second element having a circumferential radially outwardly directed outer wall surface with a channelway in the outer wall surface open radially outwardly to the outer wall surface,
the second element received coaxially within in the bore with the outer wall surface in opposed engagement with the inner wall surface defining between each channelway and the inner wall surface the passageway with an entrance into the passageway and an exit from the passageway spaced downstream along the passageway from the entrance,
the passageway defined between each channelway and the inner wall surface to have passageway interior walls configured to provide a plurality of mixing portions in series within the passageway,
each mixing portion configured to split flow downstream from an upstream main channel into a first channel and a second channel separate from the first channel,
the first channel merging with the second channel into a downstream main channel with the first channel directing flow through the first channel where the first channel merges with the second channel in a first direction and the second channel, where the second channel merges with the first channel, directing flow through the second channel in a second direction different than the first direction,
a first feed channel for directing the first fluid to the entrance and a second feed channel for directing the second fluid to the entrance.
As a 10th feature, the present invention provides a method of mixing a first fluid and a second fluid comprising:
simultaneously forcing the first fluid and the second fluid in a downstream direction through a passageway in the conduit,
the conduit comprising a first element and a second element defining the passageway therebetween,
the first element having a bore therethrough along an axis defined within a circumferential radially inwardly directed inner wall surface,
the second element having a circumferential radially outwardly directed outer wall surface with at least one channelway in the outer wall surface open radially outwardly to the outer wall surface,
the second element received coaxially within in the bore with the outer wall surface in opposed engagement with the inner wall surface defining between each channelway and the inner wall surface the passageway with an entrance and an exit spaced downstream along the passageway from the entrance,
the passageway defined between each channelway and the inner wall surface to have passageway interior walls configured to provide a plurality of mixing portions in series within the passageway,
each mixing portion configured to split flow downstream from an upstream main channel into a first channel and a second channel separate from the first channel,
the first channel merging with the second channel into a downstream main channel with the first channel directing flow through the first channel where the first channel merges with the second channel in a first direction and the second channel, where the second channel merges with the first channel, directing flow through the second channel in a second direction different than the first direction.
As an 11th feature, the present invention provides use of a valvular conduit to mix a first fluid and a second fluid by simultaneously forcing the first fluid and the second fluid in a downstream direction through a passageway in the conduit,
the conduit comprising a first element and a second element defining the passageway therebetween,
the first element having a bore therethrough along an axis defined within a circumferential radially inwardly directed inner wall surface,
the second element having a circumferential radially outwardly directed outer wall surface with at least one channelway in the outer wall surface open radially outwardly to the outer wall surface,
the second element received coaxially within the bore with the outer wall surface in opposed engagement with the inner wall surface defining between each channelway and the inner wall surface the passageway with an entrance and an exit spaced downstream along the passageway from the entrance,
the passageway defined between each channelway and the inner wall surface to have passageway interior walls configured to provide a plurality of mixing portions in series within the passageway,
each mixing portion configured to split flow downstream from an upstream main channel into a first channel and a second channel separate from the first channel,
the first channel merging with the second channel into a downstream main channel with the first channel directing flow through the first channel where the first channel merges with the second channel in a first direction and the second channel, where the second channel merges with the first channel, directing flow through the second channel in a second direction different than the first direction.
As a 12th feature, the present invention provides a valvular conduit comprising:
a first element and a second element defining the passageway therebetween,
the first element having a bore therethrough along an axis defined within a circumferential radially inwardly directed inner wall surface,
the second element having a circumferential radially outwardly directed outer wall surface with a channelway in the outer wall surface open radially outwardly to the outer wall surface,
the second element received coaxially within the bore with the outer wall surface in opposed engagement with the inner wall surface defining between each channelway and the inner wall surface the passageway with an entrance into the passageway and an exit from the passageway spaced downstream along the passageway from the entrance,
the passageway defined between each channelway and the inner wall surface to have passageway interior walls configured to provide a plurality of mixing portions in series within the passageway,
each mixing portion configured to split flow downstream from an upstream main channel into a first channel and a second channel separate from the first channel,
the first channel merging with the second channel into a downstream main channel with the first channel directing flow through the first channel where the first channel merges with the second channel in a first direction and the second channel, where the second channel merges with the first channel, directing flow through the second channel in a second direction different than the first direction,
a first feed channel for directing the first fluid to the entrance and a second feed channel for directing the second fluid to the entrance,
each mixing portion configured to split flow downstream from an upstream main channel into a first channel and a second channel separate from the first channel,
the first channel merging with the second channel into a downstream main channel with the first channel directing flow through the first channel where the first channel merges with the second channel in a first direction and the second channel, where the second channel merges with the first channel, directing flow through the second channel in a second direction different than the first direction.
As a 13th feature, the present invention provides a valvular conduit comprising:
an elongate sleeve member and an elongate center plug member,
the sleeve member extending from a first sleeve end to a second sleeve end about a longitudinal axis,
the plug member extending from a first plug end to a second plug end about the longitudinal axis,
the sleeve member having a sleeve side wall with a circumferential inwardly directed sleeve inner wall surface circular in cross-section normal the axis defining a sleeve bore within the sleeve member extending along the axis,
the plug member having a cylindrical circumferential outwardly directed plug outer wall surface circular in cross-section normal the axis,
at least one plug channelway in the plug outer wall surface of the plug member open radially outwardly along its length to the plug outer wall surface of the plug member,
the plug member received coaxially within in the sleeve bore with first plug end proximate the first sleeve end and the plug outer wall surface of the plug member in opposed engagement with the sleeve inner wall surface of the sleeve member defining between each plug channelway and the sleeve inner wall surface of the sleeve member a plug passageway for flow of fluid,
each plug passageway defined between each plug channelway and the sleeve inner wall surface of the sleeve member to have plug passageway interior walls,
the plug passageway interior walls configured to provide a plurality of mixing portions in series within the plug passageway,
each mixing portion configured to split flow downstream from an upstream main channel into a first channel and a second channel separate from the first channel,
the first channel merging with the second channel into a downstream main channel with the first channel directing flow through the first channel where the first channel merges with the second channel in a first direction and the second channel where the second channel merges with the first channel directing flow through the second channel in a second direction different than the first direction.
As a 14th feature, the present invention provides a valvular conduit as claimed in the 13th feature wherein the second direction being different from the first direction to mix the flow through the first channel and the flow through the second channel on the first channel merging with the second channel.
As a 15th feature, the present invention provides a valvular conduit as claimed in the 14th feature wherein each mixing portion having the upstream main channel, a fork, the first channel, the second channel separate from the first channel, a merge, and the downstream main channel,
each mixing portion configured to split the flow from the upstream main channel at the fork into the first channel and the second channel separate from the first channel,
the first channel merging at the merge with the second channel into the downstream main channel with the first channel directing flow through the first channel at the merge in the first direction and the second channel directing flow through the second channel at the merge in the second direction different than the first direction,
the second direction being different from the first direction to mix the flow through the first channel and the flow through the second channel at the merge.
As a 16th feature, the present invention provides a valvular conduit as claimed in the 13th, 14th or 15th feature wherein mixing portions are configured so that flow downstream provides a downstream resistance to flow downstream and flow up stream opposite to flow downstream provides an upstream resistance to flow that is less than the downstream resistance to flow.
As a 17th feature, the present invention provides a valvular conduit as claimed in the 13th, 14th, 15th or 16th feature wherein the second direction and the first direction form a merge angle therebetween of at least 90 degrees so that flow downstream provides a downstream resistance to flow and flow upstream opposite to flow provides an upstream resistance to flow that is less than the downstream resistance to flow.
As an 18th feature, the present invention provides a valvular conduit as claimed in the 13th, 14th, 15th or 16th feature wherein the second direction and the first direction form a merge angle therebetween selected from the group consisting of: at least 90 degrees, at least 120 degrees, and of at least 150 degrees.
As a 19th feature, the present invention provides a valvular conduit as claimed in any one of the 13th to 18th features wherein the interior walls are configured to permit the relatively free passage of fluid upstream but to subject the fluid to rapid reversals of direction when the fluid is forced through the plug passageway downstream to thereby increase resistance to movement of the fluid through the plug passageway downstream compared to resistance to movement of the fluid upstream.
As a 20th feature, the present invention provides a valvular conduit as claimed in any one of the 13th to 19th features comprising a Tesla valvular conduit.
As a 21st feature, the present invention provides a valvular conduit as claimed in any one of the 13th to 20th features wherein each plug passageway extends longitudinally along the plug member.
As a 22nd feature, the present invention provides a valvular conduit as claimed in any one of the 13th to 21st features wherein the at least one plug channelway comprises a plurality of the plug channelways circumferentially spaced from each other about the plug member.
As a 23nd feature, the present invention provides a valvular conduit as claimed in any one of the 13th to 22nd features including:
an elongate tube member,
the tube member extending from a tube first end to a tube second end about the longitudinal axis,
the tube member having a tube side wall with a circumferential inwardly directed tube inner wall surface circular in cross-section normal the axis defining a tube bore within the tube member extending along the axis,
the sleeve member having a cylindrical circumferential outwardly directed sleeve outer wall surface circular in cross-section normal the axis,
at least one sleeve channelway in the sleeve outer wall surface of the sleeve member open radially outwardly along its length to the sleeve outer wall surface,
the sleeve member received coaxially within the tube bore with first plug end proximate the first sleeve end and the sleeve outer wall surface of the sleeve member in opposed engagement with the tube inner wall surface of the tube member defining between each sleeve channelway and the tube inner wall surface of the tube member a sleeve passageway for flow of fluid,
each sleeve passageway defined between each sleeve channelway and the tube inner wall surface of the tube member to have sleeve passageway interior walls,
the sleeve passageway interior walls configured to provide a plurality of the mixing portions in series along the sleeve passageway.
As a 24th feature, the present invention provides a valvular conduit as claimed in the 23nd feature wherein each sleeve passageway extends longitudinally along the sleeve member.
As a 25th feature, the present invention provides a valvular conduit as claimed in the 23nd or 24th feature wherein the at least one sleeve channelway comprises a plurality of the sleeve channelways circumferentially spaced from each other about the sleeve member.
As a 26th feature, the present invention provides a valvular conduit as claimed in the 23nd, 24th or 25th feature including a transfer passage directing flow of the fluid radially between each plug passageway at the first end of the plug member and each sleeve passageway at the first end of the sleeve member,
downstream flow in the plug passageways being axially from the second end of the plug member toward the first end of the plug member, and
downstream flow in the sleeve passageways being axially from the first end of the sleeve member toward the second end of the sleeve member.
As a 27th feature, the present invention provides a valvular conduit as claimed in any one of the 13th to 25th features wherein downstream flow in the sleeve passageways being axially from the first end of the sleeve member toward the second end of the sleeve member,
the sleeve member including a radially extending sleeve end wall closing the sleeve bore at the second end of the sleeve member but for an array of end wall openings axially through the sleeve end wall,
the end wall openings in communication with the plug passageway at the second end of the sleeve member.
As a 28th feature, the present invention provides a valvular conduit as claimed in any one of the 13th to 25th features wherein downstream flow in the plug passageways being axially from the second end of the plug member toward the first end of the plug member;
the plug member including a radially extending end flange at the second end of the plug member received in the sleeve bore at the second end to close the sleeve bore but for an array of end flange openings axially through the end flange,
the end flange openings in communication with the plug passageway at the second end of the sleeve member.
As a 29th feature, the present invention provides a Tesla valvular conduit as claimed in the 27th feature wherein the plug member including a radially extending end flange at the second end of the plug member received in the sleeve bore at the second end axially inwardly of the end wall to close the sleeve bore but for an array of end flange openings axially through the end flange,
the end flange openings in communication with the plug passageway at the second end of the sleeve member,
the end wall openings in communication with the plug passageway at the second end of the sleeve member via the end flange openings.
As a 30th feature, the present invention provides a valvular conduit as claimed in the 29th feature wherein:
the end wall has an end wall inner surface directed axially inwardly into the sleeve bore;
the end wall openings passing through the end wall inner surface with each opening providing a respective cross-sectional area for fluid flow in the end wall inner surface,
the end flange has an end flange outer surface directed axially outwardly, the end flange openings passing through the end flange inner surface with each opening providing a respective cross-sectional area for fluid flow in the end flange outer surface,
the end flange inner surface engaged with the end wall inner surface with each of the end flange openings in overlapping registry with a respective one of the end wall openings providing at the interface of the end flange inner surface and the end wall outer surface a cross-sectional area for fluid flow less than both the cross-sectional area for fluid flow of the respective end flange openings in the end flange outer surface and the cross-sectional area for fluid flow of the respective end wall openings in the end wall inner surface.
As a 31st feature, the present invention provides a valvular conduit as claimed in the 26th feature wherein the tube bore is closed at the first end of the tube member,
the first end of the sleeve member is spaced axially away from the first end of the tube member toward the second end of the tube member, and
the transfer passage is defined axially between the closed first end of the tube member and the first end of the sleeve member.
As a 32nd feature, the present invention provides a valvular conduit as claimed in the 31st feature wherein at the second end of the sleeve member, the sleeve outer wall surface sealable engaging with the tube inner wall surface to form a circumferential seal preventing fluid flow axially between the sleeve member and the tube member, spaced toward the second end of the sleeve member from the sleeve passageways.
As a 33rd feature, the present invention provides a valvular conduit as claimed in the 30th feature wherein the tube bore is open at the second end of the tube member, the tube member extending beyond the end wall of the sleeve member, the tube bore beyond the end wall of the sleeve member providing a discharge passage extending to a discharge outlet provided as an open second end of the tube member.
As a 34th feature, the present invention provides a valvular conduit as claimed in any one of the 23rd to 26th features wherein the tube member is injection molded as an integral element.
As a 35th feature, the present invention provides a valvular conduit as claimed in any preceding feature wherein the plug member is injection molded as an integral element.
As a 36th feature, the present invention provides a valvular conduit as claimed in any preceding feature wherein the sleeve member is injection molded as an integral element.
As a 37th feature, the present invention provides a valvular conduit as claimed in any one of the 13th to 22nd features wherein:
an air pump for discharge of air from the atmosphere to each plug passageway for flow downstream through the plug passageway to a discharge outlet,
a fluid pump for dispensing fluid from a fluid containing reservoir to each plug passageway for flow downstream through each plug passageway to the discharge outlet simultaneously with the flow downstream through each plug passageway of the air discharged by the air pump.
As a 38th feature, the present invention provides a valvular conduit as claimed in the 37th feature wherein the liquid pump comprises a piston pump with a piston chamber-forming body defining a fluid chamber coaxially about the axis, the fluid chamber open at an outer axial end,
a piston member coaxially slidably received in the fluid chamber for coaxial reciprocal sliding along the axis relative the piston chamber-forming body to dispense the fluid to each plug passageway, the piston-forming element comprising the sleeve member.
As a 39th feature, the present invention provides a valvular conduit as claimed in the 38th feature wherein the piston-forming element comprising the tube member.
As a 40th feature, the present invention provides a valvular conduit as claimed in any one of the 35th to 36th features wherein the piston-forming element including the tube member is injection molded as an integral element.
As a 41st feature, the present invention provides a valvular conduit as claimed in any one of the 35th to 37th features wherein the plug member is injection molded as an integral element.
As a 42nd feature, the present invention provides a valvular conduit as claimed in any one of the 35th to 37th features wherein the sleeve member is injection molded as an integral element.
As a 43rd feature, the present invention provides a foaming pump discharging a hand cleaning fluid mixed with air as a foam from a discharge outlet having:
a piston liquid chamber-forming body about a longitudinal axis,
a piston member,
a foam generator carried by the piston member having a passageway with an entrance and an outlet,
the piston member coupled to the piston liquid chamber-forming body with the piston member reciprocally coaxially slidable about the axis relative the piston liquid chamber-forming body in a cycle of operation between a retracted position and an extended position to define therebetween both:
(a) an air pump having an air compartment having a variable volume to draw in atmospheric air into the air compartment and discharge the air into the entrance; and
(b) a liquid pump having a liquid compartment having a variable volume to draw a fluid from a fluid reservoir and discharge the fluid to the entrance,
wherein with reciprocal movement of the piston member axially relative the piston chamber-forming body air discharged by the air pump and fluid discharged by the liquid pump are simultaneously forced through the entrance into the passageway, downstream through the passageway, and out the exit to a discharge outlet,
characterized by:
the piston member comprising an elongate sleeve member and an elongate center plug member,
the sleeve member extending from a first sleeve end to a second sleeve end about the axis,
the plug member extending from a first plug end to a second plug end about the axis,
the sleeve member having a sleeve side wall with a circumferential radially inwardly directed sleeve inner wall surface about the axis defining a sleeve bore within the sleeve member extending along the axis,
the plug member having a circumferential radially outwardly directed plug outer wall surface about the axis,
at least one plug channelway in the plug outer wall surface of the plug member open radially outwardly relative the axis along its length to the plug outer wall surface of the plug member,
the plug member received coaxially within in the sleeve bore with first plug end proximate the first sleeve end and the plug outer wall surface of the plug member in opposed engagement with the sleeve inner wall surface of the sleeve member defining between each plug channelway and the sleeve inner wall surface of the sleeve member a plug passageway forming a first portion of the passageway,
each plug passageway defined between each plug channelway and the sleeve inner wall surface of the sleeve member to have plug passageway interior walls,
the plug passageway interior walls configured to provide a plurality of mixing portions in series within the plug passageway,
each mixing portion configured to split flow downstream from an upstream main channel into a first channel and a second channel separate from the first channel,
the first channel merging with the second channel into a downstream main channel with the first channel directing flow through the first channel where the first channel merges with the second channel in a first direction and the second channel where the second channel merges with the first channel directing flow through the second channel in a second direction different than the first direction to mix the flow through the first channel and the flow through the second channel on the first channel merging with the second channel,
wherein in passage of the air and the fluid downstream through the plurality of mixing portions, the air and the first fluid are mixed to form a foam of the air and the fluid discharged from the exit and out the discharge outlet downstream from the exit.
As a 44th feature, the present invention provides a foaming pump as claimed in the 43rd feature wherein:
the inwardly directed sleeve inner wall surface is circular in cross-section normal the axis, and
the outwardly directed plug outer wall surface is circular in cross-section normal the axis.
As a 45th feature, the present invention provides a foaming pump as claimed in the 43rd or 44th feature wherein:
the discharge outlet is open to atmospheric air, and
the air pump draws in the atmospheric air via the discharge outlet upstream through the foam generator into the air compartment.
As a 46th feature, the present invention provides a foaming pump as claimed in the 43rd feature wherein each mixing portion having the upstream main channel, a fork, the first channel, the second channel separate from the first channel, a merge, and the downstream main channel,
each mixing portion configured to split the flow from the upstream main channel at the fork into the first channel and the second channel separate from the first channel,
the first channel merging at the merge with the second channel into the downstream main channel with the first channel directing flow through the first channel at the merge in the first direction and the second channel directing flow through the second channel at the merge in the second direction different than the first direction,
the second direction being different from the first direction to mix the flow through the first channel and the flow through the second channel at the merge.
As a 47th feature, the present invention provides a foaming pump as claimed in any one of the 43rd to 46th features wherein the interior walls are configured so that flow downstream provides a downstream resistance to flow downstream and flow up stream opposite to flow downstream provides an upstream resistance to flow that is less than the downstream resistance to flow.
As a 48th feature, the present invention provides a foaming pump as claimed in any one of the 43rd to 47th features wherein the second direction and the first direction form a merge angle therebetween of at least 90 degrees so that flow downstream provides a downstream resistance to flow and flow upstream opposite to flow provides an upstream resistance to flow that is less than the downstream resistance to flow.
As a 49th feature, the present invention provides a foaming pump as claimed in any one of the 43rd to 48th features wherein the interior walls are configured to permit the relatively free passage of fluid upstream but to subject the fluid to rapid reversals of direction when the fluid is forced through the passageway downstream to thereby increase resistance to movement of the fluid through the passageway downstream compared to resistance to movement of the fluid upstream.
As a 50th feature, the present invention provides a foaming pump as claimed in any one of the 43rd to 49th features wherein:
the at least one plug channelway comprises a plurality of the plug channelways circumferentially spaced from each other about the plug member, and
each plug passageway extends longitudinally along the plug member.
As a 51st feature, the present invention provides a foaming pump as claimed in any one of the 43rd to 50th features including:
an elongate tube member,
the tube member extending from a tube first end to a tube second end about the longitudinal axis,
the tube member having a tube side wall with a circumferential inwardly directed tube inner wall surface circular in cross-section normal the axis defining a tube bore within the tube member extending along the axis,
the sleeve member having a cylindrical circumferential outwardly directed sleeve outer wall surface circular in cross-section normal the axis,
at least one sleeve channelway in the sleeve outer wall surface of the sleeve member open radially outwardly along its length to the sleeve outer wall surface,
the sleeve member received coaxially within the tube bore with first plug end proximate the first sleeve end and the sleeve outer wall surface of the sleeve member in opposed engagement with the tube inner wall surface of the tube member defining between each sleeve channelway and the tube inner wall surface of the tube member a sleeve passageway forming a second portion of the passageway,
each sleeve passageway defined between each sleeve channelway and the tube inner wall surface of the tube member to have sleeve passageway interior walls,
the sleeve passageway interior walls configured to provide a plurality of the mixing portions in series along the sleeve passageway.
As a 52nd feature, the present invention provides a foaming pump as claimed in the 51st feature wherein:
the at least one sleeve channelway comprises a plurality of the sleeve channelways circumferentially spaced from each other about the sleeve member, and each sleeve passageway extends longitudinally along the sleeve member.
As a 53rd feature, the present invention provides a foaming pump as claimed in the 51st or 52nd feature including a transfer passage directing flow of the fluid radially between each plug passageway at the first end of the plug member and each sleeve passageway at the first end of the sleeve member,
downstream flow in the plug passageways being axially from the second end of the plug member toward the first end of the plug member, and
downstream flow in the sleeve passageways being axially from the first end of the sleeve member toward the second end of the sleeve member.
As a 54th feature, the present invention provides a foaming pump as claimed in any one of the 51st to 53rd features wherein downstream flow in the sleeve passageways being axially from the first end of the sleeve member toward the second end of the sleeve member,
the sleeve member including a radially extending sleeve end wall closing the sleeve bore at the second end of the sleeve member but for an array of end wall openings axially through the sleeve end wall,
the end wall openings in communication with the plug passageway at the second end of the sleeve member.
As a 55th feature, the present invention provides a foaming pump as claimed in any one of the 51st to 53rd features wherein downstream flow in the plug passageways being axially from the second end of the plug member toward the first end of the plug member;
the plug member including a radially extending end flange at the second end of the plug member received in the sleeve bore at the second end to close the leeve bore but for an array of end flange openings axialy through the end flange,
the end flange openings in communication with the plug passageway at the second end of the sleeve member.
As a 56th feature, the present invention provides a foaming pump as claimed in the 55th feature wherein the plug member including a radially extending end flange at the second end of the plug member received in the sleeve bore at the second end axially inwardly of the end wall to close the sleeve bore but for an array of end flange openings axially through the end flange,
the end flange openings in communication with the plug passageway at the second end of the sleeve member,
the end wall openings in communication with the plug passageway at the second end of the sleeve member via the end flange openings.
As a 57th feature, the present invention provides a foaming pump as claimed in the 53rd feature wherein the tube bore is closed at the first end of the tube member,
the first end of the sleeve member is spaced axially away from the first end of the tube member toward the second end of the tube member, and
the transfer passage is defined axially between the closed first end of the tube member and the first end of the sleeve member,
at the second end of the sleeve member, the sleeve outer wall surface sealable engaging with the tube inner wall surface to form a circumferential seal preventing fluid flow axially between the sleeve member and the tube member, spaced toward the second end of the sleeve member from the sleeve passageways, and
the tube bore is open at the second end of the tube member, the tube member extending beyond the end wall of the sleeve member, the tube bore beyond the end wall of the sleeve member providing a discharge passage extending to the discharge outlet provided as an open second end of the tube member.
Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken together with the accompanying drawings in which:
Reference is made to
The reservoir 12 is a non-collapsible reservoir in the sense that as the fluid 13 is drawn from the reservoir 12 by operation of the pump assembly 11 with the discharge of the liquid 13 from the reservoir a vacuum comes to be developed within the reservoir as in the gas 18, being substantially air, in the reservoir 12 above the fluid 13.
The reservoir 12 defines an interior 19 with the interior 19 enclosed but for having an outlet port 20 formed in a cylindrical externally threaded neck 21 of the reservoir 12. The neck 21 of the reservoir 12 is sealably engaged on an internally threaded downwardly extending collar tube 22 on the piston chamber-forming body 14 with a preferred but optional resilient annular seal ring 22 (best seen in
In the preferred embodiment as seen in
The three major elements are assembled with the piston-forming element 15 affixed to the diaphragm-forming component 16 to form a piston member P and with the piston member P coupled to the piston chamber-forming body 14 for movement between an extended position as seen in
A liquid pump generally indicated 26 is formed by the interaction of the piston-forming element 15 and the piston chamber-forming body 14 and an air pump generally indicated 28 is formed notably by interaction of the diaphragm-forming component 16 and the piston chamber-forming body 14. In moving from the extended position of
An optional air relief valve 30 is provided between the diaphragm-forming component 16 and the piston chamber-forming body 14 to permit atmospheric air to flow from the atmosphere into the interior 19 of the reservoir 12 to relieve any vacuum that may develop within the reservoir 12.
As seen on
Inside the center tube 33, a stepped fluid chamber 50 is defined having a cylindrical outer chamber 51 and a cylindrical inner chamber 52 with the diameter of the inner chamber 52 being less than the diameter of the outer chamber 51. Each chamber is coaxial about the axis 31. Each chamber has a cylindrical chamber wall, an inner end and an outer end. The outer end of the inner chamber 52 opens into the inner end of the outer chamber 51. An annular shoulder 53 closes the inner end of the inner chamber 51 about the outer end of the outer chamber 52. The inner chamber is open via slotways 620 in a centering guide tube 621 at an axial inner end 55 of the fluid chamber 50 into an axially inwardly opening socket 56 at the inner end 32 of the piston chamber-forming body 14 which socket 56 is adapted to secure an upper end of the dip tube 25 such that the dip tube 25 provides communication for fluid 13 from the bottom of the reservoir 12 into the inner chamber 52.
The piston-forming element 15 is coaxially slidably received within the piston chamber-forming body 14 providing the liquid pump 26 therebetween. The configuration of the liquid pump 26 has some similarities to a pump as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,975,360 to Ophardt, issued Nov. 2, 1999, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
The piston member P is coaxially slidable relative to the piston chamber-forming body 14 between a retracted position as seen in
The intermediate disc 60 has an elastically deformable edge portion which engages the side wall of the outer chamber 51 to substantially prevent fluid flow axially inwardly therepast yet to deflect away from the side wall of the outer chamber 51 to permit fluid to pass axially outwardly therepast. The intermediate disc 60 with the outer chamber 52 form a second one-way liquid valve 160 permitting liquid flow merely outwardly therebetween.
An annular fluid compartment 66 is defined in the fluid chamber 50 radially between the center tube 33 and the piston-forming element 15 axially between the inner disc 59 and the intermediate disc 60 with a volume that varies in a stroke of operation with axial movement of the piston-forming element 15 relative to the piston chamber-forming body 14. The fluid compartment 66 has a volume in the extended position greater than its volume in the retracted position. Operation of the liquid pump 26 is such that in a retraction stroke, the volume of the fluid compartment 66 decreases creating a pressure within the fluid compartment 66 which permits fluid flow radially outwardly past the inner disc 59 and axially outwardly past the intermediate disc 60 such that fluid is discharged axially outwardly past the intermediate disc 60 through openings 81, best seen on
As best seen on
The diaphragm member 70 includes a discharge tube 78 that extends radially outwardly on the end cap 71 defining therein a discharge passageway 79 and providing communication from the central bore 75 outwardly to the dispensing or discharge outlet 29 open to the atmosphere. A plurality of openings 81 are provided through the side wall 72 of the central tube 74 to provide communication radially through the central tube 74 proximate the bore inner end 76.
The piston member P is provided by the piston-forming element 15 and the diaphragm-forming component 16 fixedly secured together against removal under normal operation of the pump assembly 11 with the central stem 58 received in a frictional force-fit relation within the central tube 74. With the piston-forming element 15 and the diaphragm-forming component 16 fixed together, the piston-forming element 15 is coaxially engaged within the fluid chamber 50 and the diaphragm-forming component 16 is engaged with the piston chamber-forming body 14 with the annular first end 73 of the diaphragm member 70 coupled to the piston chamber-forming member 14 against removal and forming a seal with the annular seal arrangement 99 preventing flow therebetween into and out of the annular air compartment 68 of the air pump 28.
The diaphragm-forming component 16 is preferably formed as an integral member from a resilient material having an inherent bias such that the diaphragm side wall 72 will assume an expanded inherent condition as shown in
With the piston member P formed by the piston-forming element 15 and the diaphragm-forming component 16 coupled to the piston chamber-forming body 14 as shown in
In use of the foam dispenser 10 as shown in
The foam generator 80 includes notably a valvular conduit 200 seen on
Reference is made to
As best seen in
Reference is made to
The plug member 232 is securely fixedly coupled to the sleeve member 210 within the sleeve bore 175 yet permits axial flow therebetween of air and fluid in the valvular conduit 200 via the plug passageways 244 defined between the sleeve inner wall surface 212 and the plug channelways 236 in the plug member 232.
As can be seen in
As seen in
For flow from the first plug end 233 towards the second plug end 234, all flow is initially entirely within an upstream portion of the main channel 264 defined circumferentially between the left side wall 251 and the right side wall 252. The flow through the main channel 264 is split by the left divider vane 254 into two portions, each to flow through a separate channel. A first channel is a left side channel 265 which extends to the left of the left divider vane 254 between the left divider vane 254 and the left side wall 251 while a second channel is a remaining portion of the main channel 264 defined to the right of the left divider vane 254 between the left divider vane 254 and the right side wall 252. The plug passageway 244 may be considered to have a left fork 266 at the apex 256 where the left side channel 265 splits from the main channel 264. The left side channel 265 is shown to extend as a substantially linear portion 267 past the left side wall 257 of the left divider vane 254 to where the left side channel 265 is provided with an arcuate return portion 268 that directs flow towards the right and, preferably, at least partially, axially inwardly and into a left merge 269 where the left side channel 265 merges with the remaining portion of the main channel 264 forming after the left merge 269 a downstream portion of the main channel 264 defined circumferentially between the left side wall 251 and the right side wall 252. Axially outwardly of the left merge 269, all flow is within another upstream portion of the main channel 264 between the left side allwall 251 and the right side wall 252 until the flow engages the right divider vane 255 where the apex 260 of the right divider vane 255 splits flow at a right fork 270 into two portions each to flow through a separate channel. A first channel is a right side channel 271 to the right of the right divider vane 255 while a second channel is a remaining portion of the main channel 264 extending to the left of the right divider vane 255. The right side channel 271 is defined between the right side wall 262 of the right divider vane 255 and the right side wall 252. The right side channel 271 extends as a substantially linear portion 272 past the right side wall 262 of the right divider vane 255 to where the right side channel 271 is provided with an arcuate return portion 273 spaced from the arcuate end wall 263 of the right divider vane 255 which directs flow towards the left and, preferably, at least partially axially inwardly and into a right merge 274 where the right side channel 271 merges with the remaining portion of the main channel 264 forming after right merge 274 another downstream portion of the main channel 264 defined circumferentially between the left side wall 251 and the right side wall 252. Axially outwardly of the right merge 274, all flow is within another upstream portion of the main channel 264 between the left side wall 251 and the right side wall 252 until the flow engages the next left divider vane 254.
A left mixing portion 501 is defined in the plug passageway 244 by the combination of: the upstream portion of the main channel 264; the left divider vane 254; the left fork 266; as a first channel 503, the left side channel 265; as a second channel 504, the remaining portion of the main channel 264; the left merge 269; and a downstream portion of the main channel 264. A right mixing portion 502 is defined in the plug passageway 244 by the combination of: the upstream portion of the main channel 264; the right divider vane 255: the right fork 270: as a first channel 505, the right side channel 271; as a second channel 506, the remaining portion of the main channel 264; the right merge 274 and a downstream portion of the main channel 264. The left mixing portion 501 alternate with the right mixing portions 502 providing in series successive mixing portions, each defined in the plug passageway 244 by the combination of: the upstream portion of the main channel 264; a divider vane; a fork; a first channel; a second channel; a merge; and a downstream portion of the main channel 264. The plug passageway interior walls are configured to provide a plurality of such mixing portions in series within the plug passageway. Each mixing portion is configured to split flow downstream from the upstream main channel into the first channel and the second channel separate from the first channel. The first channel merges with the second channel into a downstream main channel with the first channel directing flow through the first channel where the first channel merges with the second channel in a first direction and the second channel where the second channel merges with the first channel directing flow through the second channel in a second direction different than the first direction. The second direction is different from the first direction to mix the flow through the first channel and the flow through the second channel on the first channel merging with the second channel. The mixing portions are configured so that flow downstream provides a downstream resistance to flow downstream and flow upstream opposite to flow downstream provides an upstream resistance to flow that is less than the downstream resistance to flow. Preferably, the second direction indicated by the arrow 507 on
As illustrated in
In contrast, with downstream flow through the plug passageway 244 that is axial outward flow through the plug passageway 244 from the first plug end 233 to the second plug end 234, in upstream flow through the plug passageway 244, that is axial inward flow from the second plug end 234 towards the first plug end 233, the upstream flow is typically principally through the main channel 264 with the flow effectively bypassing the left side channel 265 and the right side channel 271 and thus upstream flow is relatively freely with less resistance to downstream flow. As can be seen in
In accordance with the preferred embodiments of the present invention, at the left merge 269 the direction of downstream flow from the left side channel 265 is at a left merge angle approximately 90 degrees to the downstream flow through the main channel 264 and similarly at the right merge 273, the direction of downstream flow from the right side channel 271 is at a right merge angle approximately normal to the downstream flow through the main channel 264. The left merge angle and the right merge angle can be selected so as to provide for a desired interference between the downstream flow in the main channel 264 at each merger as can be advantageous, on one hand, to provide advantageous mixing at the merger and, on the other hand, to provide advantageous resistance to downstream flow.
As will be apparent to a person skilled in the art, the mixing and the resistance to flow which will occur due to flow through each plug passageways 244 will be dependent on factors including the nature of the material being passed through the passageway 244, that is, the nature of the liquid from the reservoir, the relative proportions of the air and the fluid from the reservoir, their temperatures and the speed or velocity of the flows of each. The speed or velocity of the downstream flows will be, to some extent, a function of the volume of the fluid from the reservoir and volume of the air that are injected into the plug passageway 236 at the first plug end 233 with time as well as the cross-sectional areas of the plug channelway 244 along its length recognizing that with increased volumetric discharge into the first plug end 233 of the plug passageway 244, the resistance to downstream flow will increase. By reducing the merge angles as, for example, from 90 degrees to, say, 60 degrees or less, the resistance to flow in the secondary direction can be reduced albeit with some reduction of mixing and turbulence at each merger. By increasing the merge angles from 90 degrees to say 120 degrees, the resistance to downstream flow at each merger can increase the mixing and turbulence at each merger. The mere splitting of the downstream flow at each fork into a side channel and the main channel which is then combined at each merger, in effect, provides a repeated splitting and mixing action which is advantageous for mixing of the air and fluid. The left merge angle and the right merge angle may each be increased from 90 degrees as, for example, to 150 degrees or to approach 180 degrees. When the angles are 180 degrees, then the downstream flow from the left side channel 265 and the right side channel 271 is approximately opposite to the flow through the main channel 264 so as to increase the resistance to fluid flow downstream and with such resistance at sufficiently high volumetric flow rates can, depending on the ratio of volumetric flow through a side channel at each merger compared to that though the main channel, substantially prevent downstream flow of the air and the fluid. Providing the resistance to flow downstream to substantially increase with an increase in the pressure of the air and the volume of the fluid injected with time into the first plug end 233 can be advantageous so as, for example, to act as a dampening mechanism so as to prevent in the case of the application of an excess force 101 downwardly onto the end cap 71 to resist undue downward movement of the piston-forming element 15 and the diaphragm-forming component 16 relative to the piston chamber-forming body 14 as may be advantageous, for example, to prevent the undesired high velocity discharge of the air and/or the fluid from the discharge outlet 29.
In the preferred embodiment, as shown in
As seen in
Referring to
As seen in
As seen in
As seen in
As can be seen in
In the preferred embodiment as illustrated, for example, in
The radially extending sleeve end wall 216 closes the sleeve bore 75 at the second sleeve end 215 but for the end wall openings 217. When inserted into the sleeve bore 75, as shown in
As can be seen in
In movement between the extended and retracted positions, the inner disc 59 on the stem 58 of the piston-forming element 15 is received within the smaller diameter cylindrical inner chamber 52 of the piston chamber-forming body 14 and the intermediate disc 60 is received within the larger diameter cylindrical outer chamber 51 of the piston chamber-forming body 14 with each of the inner disc 59 and the intermediate disc 60 effectively acting respectively as the first one-way valve 159 and the second one-way valve 160 such that in a cycle of operation in a retraction stroke moving from an extended position to a retracted position, fluid from the reservoir is discharged in the outer chamber 51 axially outwardly past the intermediate disc 60 to flow axially outwardly past the locating divider flange 226 through its openings 227 and into the openings 81. Thus, the liquid pump 26 in a retraction stroke discharges fluid from the reservoir axially upwardly. The air pump 28 in the retraction stroke with a reduction of volume of the annular air compartment 68 compresses the air within the air compartment 68 so as to discharge air axially outwardly via the exterior channels 222 annularly between the center tube 33 and the center tube 74 outwardly to the openings 81. The liquid pump 26 and the air pump 28 in a retraction stroke simultaneously discharge fluid from the reservoir and air from the atmosphere radially inwardly through the openings 81 and hence axially outwardly notably through the plug passageways 244 to the discharge passageway 79.
Reference is made to
In the preferred embodiment as illustrated in
From the extended and operative position of
In accordance with the preferred embodiments, the major components of the pump assembly 11, namely, the piston chamber-forming body 14, the piston-forming element 15 and the diaphragm-forming component 16 are each formed as an integral element preferably by injection molding. This has the advantage of reducing the number of elements required as is of assistance in reducing the ultimate costs of manufacturing and assembling the resultant product. The diaphragm-forming component 16 in the preferred first embodiment is preferably configured so as to facilitate injection molding of the diaphragm-forming component 16 as from a resilient preferably elastomeric matter.
It is not necessary but preferred that the diaphragm-forming component 16 may be formed as an integral element. It could be formed from a plurality of elements which are subsequently assembled. Each of the piston chamber-forming body 14 and the piston-forming element 15 which, while preferably are unitary elements, may each be formed from a plurality of elements.
The diaphragm-forming component 16 and its diaphragm member 70 preferably have sufficient resiliency that from an unassembled condition as illustrated, for example, in
In the preferred embodiment, the piston chamber-forming body 14 is preferably formed from relatively rigid plastic material.
The return flange 38 is shown as being a number of circumferentially spaced segments on the outer tube 36 with portions of the outer tube 36 between the return flange segments where the vent channels 45 are provided. Providing the return flange 38 as circumferentially spaced segments can assist in manufacture of the piston chamber-forming body 14, however, is not necessary and the return flange 38 may extend circumferentially about the entirety of the outer tube 36.
The foam generator 80 preferably creates turbulence on the simultaneous passage of liquid and air therethrough as is advantageous to provide for preferred foam of the fluid and air.
While the piston-forming element 15 is preferably formed as a unitary element from injection molding, this is not necessary and the piston-forming element may be formed from a plurality of elements. The liquid pump 26 is illustrated as comprising a stepped pump arrangement so as to minimize the number of components forming the liquid pump 26. Rather than provide the liquid pump 26 to be formed merely between the stepped fluid chamber 50 and the piston-forming element 15, a fluid chamber could be utilized having a constant diameter and a separate one-way inlet valve may be provided between this chamber and the reservoir as in a manner, for example, disclosed in the liquid pump of U.S. Pat. No. 7,337,930 to Ophardt et al, issued Mar. 4, 2008, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
In the first preferred embodiment, the diaphragm-forming component 16 is illustrated as including and formed with the discharge tube 78. This is a preferred arrangement for providing the pump assembly 11 to have the diaphragm-forming component 16 and the piston-forming element 15 each formed as a separate integral element. In other arrangements, however, the discharge tube 78 may form part of the piston-forming element 15 extending radially from an upper end of the piston-forming element 15 and with the diaphragm-forming component 16 simplified so as to have the central bore 75 extend upwardly through the end cap 17 to an opening for annular engagement about the piston-forming element 15 axially inwardly from the radially outwardly extending discharge tube. Such a modified diaphragm-forming component would continue to have a flexible annular diaphragm member coaxially about the piston-forming element 15 spanning between an axial outer piston end of the piston-forming element 15 and the piston chamber-forming body 14 to define a variable volume annular air compartment therebetween.
In accordance with the first embodiment, it is preferred that the diaphragm member 70 be utilized in a position that the central axis 31 is generally vertical, however, this is not necessary and generally a principal requirement in any oriented use of the pump assembly 11 is that the fluid 13 in the reservoir 12 be at a height below the entranceway in the reservoir 12 to the air relief passageway 106. In one modification of the dispenser as illustrated in
As seen on
The diaphragm-forming component 16 is engaged with the piston chamber-forming body 14 with the sealing member 85 and the air relief valve member 83 engaged on the upper surface 39 of the bridge flange 34 and the locating flange 82 disposed axially inwardly of the stopping surface 41 of the return flange 38 as seen in
The air relief valve member 83 comprises an annular disc which extends from an axially outwardly and radially inwardly inner end axially inwardly and radially outwardly to a distal end in engagement with the upper surface 39 of the bridge flange 34.
The sealing member 85 extends from an axially outwardly and radially outwardly inner end radially inwardly and axially inwardly to a distal end in engagement with the upper surface 39 of the bridge flange 34.
The stop foot member 84 is provided in between the air relief valve member 83 and the sealing member 85 and extends axially inwardly from an axially outer end to a foot stop surface at a distal end.
As seen in
Referring to
As can be seen in
The first end 73 of the diaphragm member 70 includes the sealing member 85 which is an annular disc that extends axially inwardly and radially inwardly to the distal end 91 that is in sealed engagement with the upper surface 39 of the bridge flange 34 of the annular seat arrangement 99 of the piston-forming body 14 to form an annular seal preventing flow between the sealing member 85 and the annular seat arrangement 99 in all positions of the first end 73 of the diaphragm member 70 and the annular seat arrangement 99 between the outer position of
The first end 73 of the diaphragm member 70 carries the air relief valve member 83 which extends axially inwardly and radially outwardly to its distal end which is in engagement with the upper surface 39 of the bridge flange 34. The air relief valve member 83 is resilient with an inherent bias to return to an inherent position and when deflected from the inherent position attempts to return to the inherent position. The distal end of the air relief valve member 83 is in engagement with the upper surface 39 of the bridge flange 34 in all positions between the outer position of
In use of the foam dispenser 10, when a user applies the downward force 101 to the end cap 71 as indicated by the schematic arrow in
Referring to
As can be seen in
As seen in
The interaction of the air relief valve member 83, the air relief valve seat surface and the air relief passageway forms the air relief valve 30 across the air relief passageway that opens and closes the air relief passageway dependent upon the relative axial position of the piston-forming member 15 and the liquid chamber-forming body 14. In the position of
The optional air relief valve 30 is not necessary and the annular first end 73 of the diaphragm member 70 may merely be fixedly sealably engaged on the bridge flange 34.
Reference is made to
Reference is made to
In the second preferred embodiment as seen in
These four major elements are assembled with the sleeve member 210 and the plug member 232 affixed to the piston-forming element 15 forming a piston member P and with the piston-forming element 15 of the piston member P coupled to the piston chamber-forming body 14 for movement between an extended position as seen in
A liquid pump 26 is formed by the interaction of the piston-forming element 15 and the piston chamber-forming body 14 and an air pump 28 is formed notably by interaction of the piston-forming element 15 and the piston chamber-forming body 14. In moving from the extended position of
The piston chamber-forming body 14 is disposed about a central axis 31 and has an axially inner end 32 and an axially outer end 29. The piston chamber-forming body 14 includes a center tube 33 disposed coaxially about the axis 31, open at the axially outer end 129 and closed at an axially inner end 32 by an end wall 302 including a center locating tube 301. The collar tube 22 extends upwardly from the center tube 33 coaxially radially outwardly about the center tube 33.
Inside the center tube 33, there is defined an axially outer air chamber 300, a stepped fluid chamber 50, and a transfer chamber 303.
The stepped fluid chamber 50 is defined having a cylindrical axially outer chamber 51 and a cylindrical axially inner chamber 52 with the diameter of the inner chamber 52 being less than the diameter of the outer chamber 51. Each chamber 51 and 52 is coaxial about the axis 31. Each chamber 51 and 52 has a cylindrical chamber wall, an inner end and an outer end. The axial outer end of the inner chamber 52 opens into the axial inner end of the outer chamber 51. An annular shoulder 53 closes the inner end of the inner chamber 52 about the outer end of the outer chamber 51.
The inner chamber 52 is open at an axial inner end 55 of the fluid chamber 50 into the transfer chamber 303 at the axially inner end 32 of the piston chamber-forming body 14 closed by the end wall 302. Transfer ports 304 extend radially through the center tube 33 to provide communication between the interior 19 of the reservoir 12 and the interior of the center tube 33 into the inner chamber 52.
The air chamber 300 is defined within the center tube 33 open axially outwardly to the axially outer end 29. The axially outer end of the outer chamber 51 opens into the air chamber 300. The air chamber 300 is defined within an outer wall portion 305 of the center tube 33 having a larger diameter than the diameter of the outer chamber 51.
As best seen in
The piston-forming element 15 is coaxially slidable relative to the piston chamber-forming body 14 between a retracted position as seen in
The outer disc 61 engages the side wall of the outer chamber 51 in a manner to substantially prevent fluid flow axially inwardly or outwardly therepast. The intermediate disc 60 has an elastically deformable edge portion which engages the side wall of the outer chamber 51 to substantially prevent fluid flow axially inwardly therepast yet to deflect away from the side wall of the outer chamber 51 to permit fluid to pass axially outwardly therepast. The intermediate disc 60 with the outer chamber 52 form a second one-way liquid valve 160 permitting liquid flow merely outwardly therebetween.
An annular fluid compartment 66 is defined in the fluid chamber 50 radially between the center tube 33 and the piston-forming element 15 axially between the inner disc 59 and the outer disc 61 with a volume that varies in a stroke of operation with axial movement of the piston-forming element 15 relative to the piston chamber-forming body 14. The fluid compartment 66 has a volume in the extended position greater than its volume in the retracted position. Operation of the liquid pump 26 is such that in a retraction stroke, the volume of the fluid compartment 66 decreases creating a pressure within the fluid compartment 66 which permits fluid flow radially outwardly past the inner disc 59 and axially outwardly past the intermediate disc 60 such that fluid is discharged axially outwardly past the intermediate disc 60 and via the liquid ports 65 into the internal passageway 62. In a withdrawal stroke, the volume of the liquid compartment 66 increases such that with the intermediate disc 60 preventing fluid flow axially outwardly therepast, the increasing volume.
As best seen in
The air compartment 68 is defined radially between the center tube 33 and the stem 58 axially between the outer disc 61 and the air disc 306 with a volume that varies in a stroke of operation with axial movement of the piston-forming element 15 relative to the piston chamber-forming body 14. The air compartment 68 has a volume in the extended position greater than its volume in the retracted position. Operation of the air pump 28 is such that in a retraction stroke, the volume of the air compartment 68 decreases creating a pressure within the air compartment 68 which discharge air via the air ports 67 into the internal passageway 62. In a withdrawal stroke, the volume of the air compartment 68 draws air and the fluid from the internal passageway 62.
The piston-forming element 15 has on the central stem 58 axially inwardly of the annular inner disc 59 a vent disc 308 which extends radially outwardly into sealed engagement with an interior wall 309 of the transfer chamber 303 of the center tube 33 axially inwardly of the transfer ports 304. The vent disc 308 and interior wall 309 cooperate in a manner as described in the above noted Canadian Patent Application 2,875,105, to provide the air relief valve 30 such that if a sufficient vacuum condition may exist in the reservoir 12, flow is permitted between the vent disc 308 and the interior wall 309 from the internal passageway 62 into the interior 19 of the reservoir 12, such that with the internal passageway 62 open to the atmosphere through the discharge outlet 29, atmospheric air may relieve a vacuum condition in the reservoir 12.
In the use of the foam dispenser 10 as shown in
The internal passageway 62 within the central stem 58 includes proximate the outer open end 64 an enlarged foaming chamber 69. While not shown, one or more additional foam generating components may optionally be provided in foaming chamber 69, for example, as screens and a porous foam inducing sponge that may extend across the internal passageway 62, for example, supported at an axially inner end of the foaming chamber 69 in a manner as described in the above noted Canadian Patent Application 2,875,105. On
As best seen in
The sleeve side wall 211 extends from a first sleeve end 214 to a second sleeve end 215 defining a central sleeve bore 175 within the sleeve member 210 extending along the axis 31. At the second sleeve end 215, the sleeve member 210 includes a radially extending sleeve end wall 216 closing the sleeve bore 75 at the second sleeve end 215 but for an array of end wall openings 217 axially through the sleeve end wall 216.
The sleeve inner wall surface 212 is circular in any cross-section, normal the longitudinal axis 31. In this regard, the sleeve inner wall surface 212 is preferably cylindrical.
The sleeve outer wall surface 312 of the sleeve member 210 is circular in any cross-section normal the axis 31 and preferably cylindrical between the first sleeve end 214 and the second sleeve end 215. Four air sleeve channelways 336, four mixing sleeve channelways 436 as well as an annular air manifold channelway 314 and an annular liquid manifold channelway 316 are provided in the sleeve outer wall surface 312. Each air sleeve channelway 336, mixing sleeve channelway 436, air manifold channelway 314 and liquid manifold channelway 316 is a channelway that is cut radially inwardly into the sleeve member 210 from the sleeve outer wall surface 312 forming a channelway in the sleeve outer wall surface 312 opening radially outwardly along the length of each channelway to the sleeve outer wall surface 312. Each annular air manifold channelway 314 and each annular liquid manifold channelway 316 extends annularly about the sleeve inner wall surface 312. Each air sleeve channelway 336 is open axially into the air manifold channelway 314 at an axially outer end and into the liquid manifold channelway 316 at an axially inner end. Each air sleeve channelway 336 provides communication between the air manifold channelway 314 and the liquid manifold channelway 316. Each mixing channelways 436 provides communication between the liquid manifold channelway 314 and the first sleeve end 214. The mixing channelways 436 are open axially at an axially inner end in the liquid manifold channelway 316 and at the first sleeve end 214.
Referring to
With the sleeve member 210 received coaxially within the tube member 74, the cylindrical sleeve outer wall surface 312 is in opposed close opposition on engagement with the cylindrical tube inner wall surface 418 so as to prevent any substantial air or fluid flow therebetween other than through sleeve passageways generally indicated 320 defined between the tube inner wall surface 318 and each of the air manifold sleeve channelways 314, the air sleeve channelways 336, the annular liquid manifold channelway 316, and the mixing sleeve channelways 436. Such sleeve passageways 320 together provide for flow longitudinally between air manifold sleeve channelways 314 and the first sleeve end 214. The air sleeve channelways 336 and the mixing sleeve channelways 436 in the second embodiment are configured to be substantially the same as the plug channelways 336 in the first embodiment and configured to provide the sleeve passageways 320 with successive mixing portions in series along the sleeve passageway 320 that will mix any air and fluid that are passed downwardly axially inwardly therethrough in the same manner that the plug channelways 344 in the third embodiment mix any air and fluid that are passed downstream axially outwardly therethrough. Flow downstream, that is axially inwardly, through the sleeve passageways 320 where formed by the air sleeve channelways 336 and mixing sleeve channelways 436 that is towards the first sleeve end 214 increases the resistance to downstream flow of the fluid, and upstream flow that is axially outwardly, through sleeve passageways 320 where formed by the air sleeve channelways 336 and mixing sleeve channelways 436 that is the towards the second sleeve end 215 is relatively freely without the increased resistance to upstream flow that is caused by flow downstream through the splitting of the downstream flow. The flow upstream axially towards the first sleeve end 214 is to be considered flow in a first direction and the flow downstream axially towards the second sleeve end 215 is considered flow in a second direction opposite to the first direction.
As seen in
With the plug member 232 received coaxially within the sleeve member 210, the cylindrical plug outer wall surface 235 is in opposed engagement with the cylindrical sleeve inner wall surface 212 so as to prevent any substantial air or fluid flow therebetween other than through plug passageways 244 defined between each plug channelway 236 and the sleeve inner wall surface 212 for flow of fluid. Four such plug passageways 244 are provided with each providing for fluid flow longitudinally between an axially inner end of the plug passageway 244 opening axially inwardly at the first plug end 233 and an axially outwardly into the annular mixing cavity 241 at the second plug end 234.
The plug channelways 336 in the second embodiment are configured to be substantially the same as the plug channelways 336 in the first embodiment and configured to provide the plug passageways 244 that will mix any air and fluid that are passed downstream axially inwardly therethrough in the same manner that the plug passageways 244 in the first embodiment mix any air and fluid that are passed downstream axially inwardly therethrough. As in the first embodiment, in the second embodiment, the plug passageways 244 have left mixing portions 501 alternating with right mixing portions 502 providing in series successive mixing portions in the plug passageway 236. The plug passageways 244 in the second embodiment are thus configured to be substantially the same as the plug passageways 244 in the first embodiment and configured with successive mixing portions in series along the plug passageways 244 to mix the air and fluid that are simultaneously passed downstream axially outwardly therethrough and by such mixing of the air and liquid, foam of the air and fluid is generated. As in the first embodiment downstream flow from the first plug end 233 towards the second plug end 234 increases the resistance to flow of the fluid from the first plug end 233 to the second plug end 234, and upstream flow through the plug channelway 236 from the first plug end 233 to the second plug end 234, is relatively freely without the increased resistance to flow that is caused by downstream through the splitting of the downstream flow. As in the first embodiment, in the second embodiment, upstream flow from the second plug end 234 to the first plug end 233 is to be considered flow in a primary direction and the downstream flow from the first plug end 233 to the second plug end 234 may be considered flow in a secondary direction opposite to the primary direction.
Axially outwardly from the second plug end 234, plug member 232 carries an end flange 238 having an array of end flange openings 239 extending axially therethrough. The end flange 238 is coupled to the center plug member 232 by support beams 240 which effectively define between the second plug end 234 and the end flange 238, an annular mixing cavity 241.
In the second embodiment, the sleeve member 210 and the plug member 232 are fixed together in a desired rotational orientation against relative angular rotation by an arrangement not shown but preferably similar to the spline key 225 and the complementary keyway 248 described regarding the third embodiment.
The sleeve end wall 216 has an end wall inner surface 243 directed axially inwardly into the sleeve bore 175 with the end wall openings 217 passing through the end wall inner surface 243 with each opening 217 providing a respective cross-sectional area for fluid flow in the end wall inner surface 243. The end flange 238 of the plug member 232 has an end flange outer surface 344 directed axially outwardly. The end flange openings 239 pass through the end flange outer surface 344 with each end flange opening 239 providing a respective cross-sectional area for fluid flow in the end flange outer surface 344. The end flange outer surface 344 is engaged with the end wall inner surface 243 with each of the end flange openings 239 in overlapping registry with a respective one of the end wall openings 217 providing at the interface of the end flange outer surface 344 and the end wall inner surface 243 a cross-sectional area for fluid flow less than both the cross-sectional areas for fluid flow of the respective end flange openings 239 in the end flange outer surface 344 and the cross-sectional area for fluid flow of the respective end wall openings 217 in the end wall inner surface 243. As described with the first embodiment providing such a reduced cross-sectional area for fluid flow can assist in the advantageous production of advantageous foam of air and liquid simultaneously being passed therethrough.
In the preferred embodiment as illustrated, for example, in
The radially extending sleeve end wall 216 closes the sleeve bore 175 at the second end 215 of the sleeve member 210 but for the end wall openings 217. When inserted into the sleeve bore 75, as shown in
As can best be seen in
In the retraction stroke, the air pump 28 forces air through the air port 67 into the annular air channelway 314 which acts in the manner of an annular manifold header from which the air flows into the air sleeve channelways 336 and, hence, into the annular liquid channelway 316. Simultaneously, the liquid pump 26 forces the fluid into the annular liquid channelway 426. The annular liquid channelway 426 effectively serves as an initial mixing chamber for mixing of the air and the fluid and, as well, as a manifold header for directing the mixture of air and fluid simultaneously downstream into the mixing sleeve channelways 436. The mixture of air and fluid flows downstream through the mixing sleeve channelways 436 to the axially inner first sleeve end 214 of the sleeve member 210 and into the transfer chamber 303 which serves as another mixing chamber open to the axially inner openings of the plug passageways 236 following which the mixture flows downstream through the plug passageways 236 from the first plug end 233 to the second plug end 234 and, hence, into the annular mixing chamber 276 before passage through the plug end flange and the vent disc 208 and into a discharge mixing chamber 69 and, hence, to be discharged downstream out the discharge outlet 29 as foam.
The mixing of the air and the fluid from the reservoir provides for the formation of a foam of the air and the fluid which such mixing and foam generation assisted notably by the passage downstream through the sleeve passageways 320 where formed by the mixing sleeve channelways 436 and through the plug passageways 244 which can provide adequate foaming. The inclusion of the various mixing chambers such as the transfer chamber 303, the annular mixing chamber 276 and the discharge mixing chamber 69 as well as the overlapping screen structure formed by the end flange 238 and the sleeve end wall 217 and the openings therethrough can be advantageous, however, each is not necessary.
In a return stroke, in moving from a retracted condition such as shown in
Reference is made to
Reference is made to
As can be seen, the radial depth of plug channelway 536 increases from its first end 537 to its second end 538 and, as well, the circumferential width of the plug channelway 536 increases from its first end 537 to its second end 538. Thus, the cross-sectional area of the plug channelway 536 normal the axis 31 increases from its first end 537 to its second end 538. As well, the radial depth of each of the plug passageways 236 increases from the first plug end 233 to the second plug end 234 thus increasing the cross-sectional area of each plug passageway 236 normal the axis 31 so as to accommodate in the flow in a downward direction from the transfer chamber 303 towards the discharge outlet 29 an increase in volume of the mixture of the fluid and air as can be advantageous with the sequential generation of foam in flow in the downward direction through each plug passageway 236.
Reference is made to
In the embodiment of
Reference is made to
Reference is made to
In the preferred embodiments, the reservoir 12 is shown as being a non-collapsible reservoir with an air relief valve 30 to permit atmospheric air to relieve any vacuum that may be developed in the reservoir. The reservoir 12, notably as in the fourth embodiment of
The preferred embodiments illustrate arrangements in which air is drawn into the air compartment 68 by drawing atmospheric air upstream through the foam generator 80 into the air compartment. This can be advantageous as, for example, to draw back air foam and the liquid from the foam generator 80 and notably from the discharge outlet 29 so as to prevent possible dripping from the discharge outlet 29 when the pump assembly 11 is not used, however, this is not necessary. Rather, a separate arrangement may be provided to permit atmospheric air to be drawn into the air compartment 68. For example, a separate air pump one-way inlet valve could be provided, for example, through where the tube 33 defines the air compartment 68.
In each of the embodiments, the liquid pump 26 and the air pump 28 are illustrated as being in phase, that is, each is operated in the same stroke of operation, in each of the embodiments illustrated in the retraction stroke. Firstly, pumps could be arranged in which there is simultaneous discharge of air and liquid and both the liquid pump 26 and the air pump in a withdrawal stroke. As well, the liquid pump 26 and the air pump 28 can be arranged to operate out of phase as, for example, with the liquid from the liquid pump 26 being injected into a liquid sump, for example, in the air compartment 68 and operation of the air pump 28 serving to simultaneously discharge the fluid in the sump together with air into the foam generator.
In each of the embodiments, the plug member 232 is shown as having an outer surface 235 which is circular in any cross-section along the axis 31 and preferably cylindrical and adapted to complementarily mate in the sleeve bore 175 having its sleeve inner wall surface that is circular in any cross-section along the axis. Various cross-sectional shapes along the axis could be provided other than circular which would provide for closely opposed or engaged interaction between the plug outer wall surface 235 and the sleeve inner wall surface 212 so as to permit plug passageways 244 to be defined therebetween. Such shapes could include, for example, oval shapes and other parts which are arcuate or polygonal shapes accommodating receipt of a tubular plug member 232 coaxially within a complementary sleeve bore 175. Insofar as the complementary cross-sectional shapes are not circular, then their engagement may provide for suitable relative rotational location of the plug member 232 within the sleeve member 210 as can be advantageous.
In the second embodiment as illustrated in
While the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, many modifications and variations will now occur to a person skilled in the art. For a definition of the invention, reference is made to the following claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2923831 | Mar 2016 | CA | national |
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1329559 | Tesla | Feb 1920 | A |
| 2231477 | Palmer | Feb 1941 | A |
| 3532316 | Mathes | Oct 1970 | A |
| 4316673 | Speer | Feb 1982 | A |
| 5265636 | Reed | Nov 1993 | A |
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 15458597 | Mar 2017 | US |
| Child | 17331983 | US |
