Compact device for generating foam for health and / or hygiene applications.

Abstract

This invention relates to an apparatus for generating foam for health and / or hygiene applications, the apparatus comprising a tank designed to be filled with a mixture of water and foam-forming components, wherein the tank has means for injecting air into the mixture to generate foam. According to the invention, the apparatus comprises at least two containers arranged in a layered configuration, one on top of the other in a vertical direction, for being filled with the mixture, wherein each container includes means (22, 23) for injecting air into the mixture to generate foam, and wherein the container opens toward an outlet region such that the foam generated in the container aggregates together in the outlet region.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for generating foam for health and / or hygiene applications, according to the general concept of independent claim 1.

[0002] This device comprises at least two levels arranged vertically, one above the other. Each level has an open foam-generating surface and a device for blowing air in, and is arranged such that a mixture of water and foam-forming components can be distributed on the foam-generating surface, and air can be blown into the mixture through the openings in the foam-generating surface by means of the air-blowing device to generate foam. The levels extend to an outlet region such that the foam generated in the levels combines in the outlet region.

[0003] For example, a device according to the general concept of independent claim 1 is known from EP 4 115 971 A1. Here, the layer includes a container whose horizontal base is configured as a foam-generating surface. With the aforementioned device, a relatively large amount of foam can indeed be generated in a relatively small space. However, further improvements are needed to achieve a device that is as compact as possible and generates as much foam as possible for health and / or hygiene applications.

[0004] The objective of this invention is to provide such a device.

[0005] This task is solved by the features of independent claim 1.

[0006] Accordingly, if the foam-generating surface is inclined relative to the horizontal plane of the outlet area, a solution to the problem according to the invention is provided.

[0007] Therefore, the significant base area can be reduced while the area of ​​the foam-generating surface remains unchanged. The applicant has thus recognized that, on the one hand, the inclined foam-generating surface improves and simplifies the distribution of the mixture, and on the other hand, a higher foam volume per unit area of ​​the foam-generating surface can be achieved. Accordingly, consistent or even higher foam volumes can be produced from a smaller overall base area and a smaller overall equipment volume.

[0008] As used in this invention, "air" is intended to refer to breathing air as well as any other gas mixture that can be used for foam generation. However, breathing air or ambient air is preferred.

[0009] The mixture distributed on the foam-forming surface preferably contains 0.2% to 3% foam-forming component. For normal operation, this proportion is preferably 1%, although this proportion may vary depending on the foam formation rate.

[0010] Advantageous embodiments of this disclosure are the subject of the sub-claims.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment, the foam-generating surfaces have an angle between 3° and 45° between themselves and the horizontal plane. Within this range, a particularly compact device can be achieved while resulting in improved foam production. Preferably, the angle is between 5° and 20°, and particularly preferably 10°. This allows the effect achieved by the tilting of the foam-generating surfaces to be further enhanced.

[0012] According to another particularly preferred embodiment, the device has four levels. By arranging the four levels one on top of the other, sufficient foam can be generated for health and / or hygiene applications, while the installation space remains within an acceptable and advantageous range.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the area of ​​each foam-generating surface is between 50 and 1500 cm². 2 Between 300 and 900 cm 2 Between. This total area of ​​the foam-generating surface allows for foam generation at a favorable rate without making the equipment too large.

[0014] According to another preferred embodiment, the device has a housing with a foam outlet opening following the outlet area. This allows the generated foam to be selectively discharged from the device for health and / or hygiene applications. Preferably, various orifices can be inserted into the housing as inspection outlet openings. In this way, the application method can be adjusted. It is also preferred that the housing has a depth of 6000 to 70000 cm. 3 The volume between 30,000 and 50,000 cm³ is particularly preferred. 3 This volume allows for a favorable trade-off between the foam generation rate and the size of the equipment.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, each level includes at least one fluid inlet, preferably at least two fluid inlets, more preferably three fluid inlets, arranged above the upper end of the foam-generating surface and configured such that the mixture from the fluid inlets flows across the foam-generating surface. Therefore, the mixture can be distributed on the foam-generating surface in a relatively simple manner by design. Simultaneously, the slope of the foam-generating surface can be used for distribution, and a thin layer of the mixture can be obtained on the foam-generating surface, which is advantageous for foam generation. Preferably, the device is arranged such that the flow rate of the mixture introduced through the liquid inlets is adjustable. This allows for adjustment of the thickness of the levels on the foam-generating surface and maximizes foam generation.

[0016] Advantageously, the reservoir is arranged along the upper end of the foam-generating surface, separated from the foam-generating surface by a weir, and is arranged such that at least one liquid inlet fills the reservoir, and when the reservoir is full, the mixture flows through the weir onto the foam-generating surface. By using the reservoir in conjunction with at least one fluid inlet, it is structurally simple to uniformly distribute the mixture along the entire length of the weir or reservoir onto the foam-generating surface. Preferably, the reservoir and the weir are arranged along the entire upper end of the foam-generating surface. Furthermore, the mixture reaches the foam-generating surface via the weir along the entire upper end of the foam-generating surface. Accordingly, the entire area of ​​the foam-generating surface can be utilized.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the tiered liquid inlets are connected to a common water reservoir and a foam-generating component reservoir, each having at least one pump arranged to pump water from the water reservoir and foam-generating component from the component reservoir to the liquid inlets. This allows for precise adjustment of the foam-forming component to water ratio in the mixture, resulting in an increased foam generation rate. Furthermore, specialized pumps tailored to the properties of the foam-forming component can be used.

[0018] Preferably, the flow rate of the mixture through the liquid inlet can be adjusted by controlling the pump.

[0019] More preferably, the water reservoir has a volume of 2.5 to 4.5 L, particularly preferably 3.0 to 4.0 L, and the foam-forming component reservoir has a volume of 0.2 to 1.0 L, especially preferably 0.4 to 0.6 L. In this way, sufficient foam generation can be ensured, while the equipment is still designed to be compact.

[0020] Preferably, the water reservoir is designed as a drawer within the housing. This allows the water reservoir to be easily removed and refilled.

[0021] In a particularly preferred embodiment, a discharge channel is arranged along the lower end of the foam-generating surface, such that a mixture flowing over the foam-generating surface without generating foam therefrom is collected and discharged through the discharge channel. The discharge channel preferably has a slope to allow the mixture to flow away. This prevents excess mixture from falling in and wetting or damaging the foam generated by lower layers.

[0022] Preferably, the discharge channel has two ramps that slope downwards from a central position to the edge of the discharge channel. This allows excess mixture to be effectively discharged through the discharge channel.

[0023] More preferably, the discharge tank and water reservoir are arranged such that the mixture collected by the discharge tank is fed into the water reservoir. This allows the mixture to be recycled. Crucially for this embodiment, at least one pump in the water reservoir is also adapted for use with the mixture.

[0024] According to a preferred embodiment, the layer beneath the foam-generating surface includes a wedge-shaped cavity, which is part of a device for blowing in air. At least one fan is connected to the wedge-shaped cavity in such a way that the fan pumps air into the cavity, and the air then exits through openings in the foam-generating surface. This allows for efficient supply of air to the openings in the foam-generating surface. Simultaneously, the device remains compact and eliminates the need for complex air supply to each individual opening.

[0025] Preferably, the device for blowing air is configured such that the overall volumetric flow rate through the openings of the layered foam-generating surfaces can be set between 10 and 500 L / min, preferably between 200 and 400 L / min. At this volumetric flow rate, particularly efficient foam generation is achieved.

[0026] In another preferred embodiment, at least two levels of wedge-shaped cavities are connected to a common air supply unit, which includes at least one fan, preferably two fans. This allows for component storage. Simultaneously, it makes the device design more compact.

[0027] Preferably, the housing has an air inlet through which at least one fan located within the housing draws air into the common air supply. This allows fresh air to be supplied to the fan. Simultaneously, the fan is unaffected by external factors, making the operation of the equipment safer.

[0028] According to another embodiment, the device has two centrifugal fans, preferably arranged on the left and right sides of the level, with the outlets of the two centrifugal fans horizontally oriented and in opposite directions and connected to the wedge-shaped cavity. Due to the high efficiency of the centrifugal fans, the device can efficiently supply air. Furthermore, by positioning the centrifugal fans near the level, the device can remain compact.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the opening of the foam-generating surface has a diameter of 0.002 to 0.2 cm. 2 Preferably, the diameter is 0.006 to 0.15 cm. 2 The cross-sectional area between the two sides is preferably circular. This cross-sectional area and shape have been shown to favor the foam generation rate. It also exhibits minimal backflow resulting in the mixture entering the wedge-shaped cavity.

[0030] Preferably, one of the openings on the foam-generating surface exists at intervals of 0.25 to 2.0 cm on the foam-generating surface.2 The openings are evenly distributed across the foam-generating surface over an area of ​​[area]. This provides an improved foam generation rate.

[0031] According to a preferred embodiment, each foam-generating surface has a U-shaped member surrounding one of the openings of the foam-generating surface. The U-shaped member opens in the direction of the upper end of the foam-generating surface and forms a groove around the opening. Preferably, the upward-pointing legs of the U-shaped member are stably lowered relative to the height of the foam-generating surface and merged into the foam-generating surface. This also results in an improved foam generation rate.

[0032] In another particularly preferred embodiment, the device has a battery that powers the device in such a way that it can be used in a mobile manner. This allows the compact device to operate independently of a power source and be taken into humid environments such as shower rooms and steam rooms.

[0033] According to another preferred embodiment, the device has a control system arranged such that when the device is started, the air-blowing device is activated first, before the mixture is pumped to the foam-generating surface through the liquid inlet. This effectively prevents the mixture from flowing back into the wedge cavity. Preferably, the amount of air and mixture introduced can be regulated by the control system. Furthermore, the foam generation rate can be actively controlled and adapted to health and / or hygiene applications.

[0034] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for generating foam for health and / or hygiene applications from a mixture of water and foam-generating components using an apparatus according to one of the above embodiments. This method allows for a high foam generation rate to be achieved with a very compact apparatus, which is highly advantageous for many health and / or hygiene applications, even in limited spaces.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment of the method, the foam-generating component is coconut soap. This allows for a high foam generation rate and is suitable for many health and / or hygiene applications, with additional positive effects on the user.

[0036] According to another preferred embodiment of the method, in addition to water, ice is also present in the water reservoir of the corresponding device. This, in turn, generates cool foam, enabling additional health and / or hygiene applications.

[0037] Embodiments of the present invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0038] The attached diagram shows: Figure 1 A, Figure 1 B is a schematic oblique view from different angles of a first embodiment of the device according to the present invention. Figure 2A This is a schematic perspective view of the first portion of the housing according to a first embodiment of the device based on the present invention. Figure 2B This is a schematic perspective view of a water storage tank in the form of a drawer, representing a first embodiment of the device according to the present invention. Figure 2C This is a schematic perspective view of the opening of the housing according to a first embodiment of the device of the present invention. Figure 2D This is a schematic perspective view of the frame of the housing according to a first embodiment of the device according to the present invention. Figure 3 A schematic perspective view of the components of a first embodiment of the device according to the invention: a water reservoir, a component reservoir, two centrifugal fans, four foam-generating surfaces, an orifice, a battery, and a knob, without the remaining components of the device. Figure 4 A schematic perspective view of the components of the first part of the housing of the device according to a first embodiment of the present invention: four foam generating surfaces and an internal frame. Figure 5 A detailed view of the foam-generating surface according to a first embodiment of the device of the present invention. Figure 6 A horizontal cross-sectional view through a first embodiment of the device according to the invention. Figure 7 A horizontal cross-sectional view through a first portion of the housing of a first embodiment of the device according to the invention, and Figure 8 A, Figure 8 B is a schematic oblique view from a different angle of a second embodiment of the device according to the invention, without the housing, water reservoir, component reservoir, and connection of the reservoir.

[0039] In the following embodiments, the same parts are indicated by the same reference numerals. If the reference numerals included in the drawings are not discussed in detail in the related description of the drawings, refer to the preceding or subsequent description of the drawings.

[0040] Figure 1 A and Figure 1 B shows schematic perspective views from different angles of a first embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention. The device 1 has a housing comprising a first portion 2 having a foam outlet 9 in an orifice 3, a frame 4, and a water reservoir 5 in the form of a drawer, the water reservoir 5 being insertable into the frame 4 below the first portion 2 of the housing. Thus, the frame 4 encloses the first portion 2 of the housing and the water reservoir 5. The frame 4 is provided with two knobs 6, an opening for a battery 7, and an inlet for a component reservoir 8.

[0041] Figure 2A The first part 2 of the housing is shown, which has an air inlet and an opening for the component storage 8 at the rear. Figure 2B A detailed view of a water reservoir 5 in the form of a drawer is shown. The water reservoir may be made of transparent plastic and fits into the bottom side of the first part 2 of the housing. Figure 2C An orifice 3 is shown, which has a foam outlet opening 9 and can be attached to the first part 2 of the housing. Figure 2D A frame 4 extending around the first part 2 of the housing and the water storage tank 5 is shown.

[0042] Figure 3 The internal components of a first embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention are shown, such as four foam-generating surfaces 10, a component reservoir 8, two centrifugal fans 11, two water pumps 12, a component pump 13, and a battery 7, as well as externally visible components (e.g., a water reservoir 5, an orifice 3, and a knob 6). In this respect, Figure 3 The components shown are arranged relative to each other as in the device 1 according to the first embodiment. Accordingly, the four foam generating surfaces 10 are arranged one on top of the other and inclined relative to the foam outlet 9. The component reservoir 8, battery 7, two centrifugal fans 11, water pump 12 and component pump 13 are arranged above the water reservoir 5 on adjacent sides of the foam generating surfaces 10, such that the internal components can be compactly housed in the first part 2 of the housing, and the component reservoir 8 and battery 7 can be accessed through their respective openings or inlets in the frame 4.

[0043] Figure 4 An internal frame 15 and four foam-generating surfaces 10 are shown. The internal frame 15 is arranged within the first part 2 of the housing, and internal components are attached to the internal frame 15. The frame 15 forms a space around the foam-generating surfaces 10, in which foam is generated, and this space is separated from the rest of the internal components. The foam-generating surfaces 10 have a discharge channel 14 along their entire lower end. Furthermore, the foam-generating surfaces 10 have openings 16 uniformly distributed on the foam-generating surfaces 10 and surrounded by U-shaped elements 17. The U-shaped elements 17 open towards the upper end of the foam-generating surfaces 10 and form grooves around the openings 16. The upwardly pointing legs of the U-shaped elements 17 are stably lowered relative to the height of the foam-generating surfaces 10 and merged into the foam-generating surfaces 10. This... Figure 5 This is particularly evident in the detailed view of the foam-generating surface 10.

[0044] Figure 6A horizontal cross-sectional view through a first embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention is shown. In this view, a foam-generating surface 10 can be seen, with a discharge channel 14 arranged at its lower end. Adjacent to the discharge channel 14 is an outlet area, followed by a foam outlet opening 9. Further, two centrifugal fans 11 can be seen, each centrifugal fan 11 arranged on the side adjacent to the foam-generating surface 10 and oriented to draw in air through an air inlet at the rear of the first part 2 of the housing and blow it into a cavity behind the foam-generating surface 10. Adjacent to the foam-generating surface 10 are also a component reservoir 8 on one side in front of the centrifugal fans 11, and a battery 7 on the other side below the centrifugal fans 11.

[0045] Figure 7 A vertical sectional view through the first section 2 of the shell is shown, where the section axis A is drawn to... Figure 6 In the cross-sectional view, four stages 18 and their respective foam-generating surfaces 10 can be seen. Each stage 18 has a fluid inlet 19 disposed above the upper end of its respective foam-generating surface 10 and arranged such that the mixture from the fluid inlet 10 flows across the foam-generating surface. In this respect, each stage 18 has a reservoir 20 along the upper end of the foam-generating surface 10, which is separated from the foam-generating surface 10 by a weir 21 and is arranged such that the fluid inlet 19 fills the reservoir 20, and when the reservoir 20 is full, the mixture flows across the weir 21 onto the foam-generating surface 10. The fluid inlets 19 of the stages 18 are connected to a water pump 12 and a component pump 13 via a hose system 24. Thus, the water pump 12 can supply water from the water reservoir 6 to its respective stage 18 via the hose system 24 and its respective fluid inlet 19, and the component pump 13 can supply foam-generating components from the component reservoir 8 to its respective stage 18 via the hose system 24 and its respective fluid inlet 19. Then, the mixture of water and foam-generating components supplied separately flows through the weir 21 over the foam-generating surfaces 10 of their respective levels 18.

[0046] Each level 18 has a wedge-shaped cavity 22 below the foam-generating surface 10, which ultimately forms a common cavity connected to the respective fan openings 23 of the two centrifugal fans 11. Now, when the centrifugal fans 11 pump air into the common cavity and thus into the wedge-shaped cavity 22, the air exits through the opening 16 in the foam-generating surface 10 and forms foam bubbles in the mixture of water and foam-generating components flowing through the foam-generating surface 10. These foam bubbles then move toward the outlet area and eventually exit the device 1 through the foam outlet opening 9. The foam thus generated can then be used for health and / or hygiene applications. Since in some cases not all the mixture of water and foam-generating components flowing through the foam-generating surface 10 is converted into foam, the mixture is collected in the discharge channel 14 at the lower end of the foam-generating surface 10 and from there is guided into the water reservoir 5. The manner in which the mixture is guided from the end of the drain trough 14 into the water reservoir 5 is not shown in the figure. The collection basin is located between the discharge channel 14 and the foam outlet opening 9 of the foam generating surface 10 of the lowest level 18. Additional mixtures that settle from the generated foam are collected in the collection basin, and the collected mixtures are then directed to a water storage tank.

[0047] The amount and composition of the foam produced can be adjusted by knob 6, which can be used to control the air supply from centrifugal fan 11 and the mixture supply from water pump 12 and component pump 13.

[0048] Figure 8 A and Figure 8 B shows a schematic oblique view from a different angle of a second embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention, without the housing, water reservoir, component reservoir, and connection of the reservoir. In contrast to the first embodiment, the centrifugal fan 11 is rotated 90°, with each fan opening 23 pointing downwards. To connect the wedge-shaped cavities 22 of the stage 18 to the centrifugal fan 11, the second embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention has two air ducts 25 that connect to the fan openings 22 and connect them to the wedge-shaped cavities 22 of the stage 18. Another difference between the second embodiment example and the first embodiment example is that the foam-generating surface 10 does not have the U-shaped element 17, but only the opening 16, which... Figure 8 Not shown in A. Furthermore, according to the example of the second embodiment, device 1 has three fluid inlets 19 in each level 18.

[0049] Figure Labels 1 device Part 1 3-hole opening 4-frame 5 water storage tank 6 knobs 7 batteries 8-component storage 9. Foam outlet opening 10 Foam-generating surfaces 11 Centrifugal Fan 12 water pumps 13-component pump 14 emission channels 15 frames 16 openings 17 U-shaped components 18 levels 19 Liquid Inlet 20 storage units 21 Weir 22 wedge-shaped cavity 23 Fan openings 24 Hose System 25 air ducts

Claims

1. An apparatus for generating foam for health and / or hygiene applications, the apparatus comprising: At least two levels are arranged vertically, one on top of the other, each level having an open foam-generating surface and a device for blowing air in, and arranged such that a mixture of water and foam-forming components can be distributed on the foam-generating surface, and air can be blown into the mixture through the openings in the foam-generating surface by means of the device for blowing air in to generate foam, wherein the levels lead to an outlet region such that the foam generated in the levels combines in the outlet region, characterized in that the foam-generating surface is inclined relative to the horizontal plane in a direction toward the outlet region.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The foam generating surface has an angle between the foam generating surface and the horizontal plane, which is between 3° and 45°, preferably between 5° and 20°, and more preferably 10°.

3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Each of the layers includes at least one liquid inlet, preferably at least two liquid inlets, more preferably three liquid inlets, which are arranged above the upper end of the foam-generating surface and arranged such that the mixture from the liquid inlets flows through the foam-generating surface.

4. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The reservoir is arranged along the upper end of the foam-generating surface, the reservoir is separated from the foam-generating surface by a weir and is arranged such that the at least one liquid inlet fills the reservoir, and when the reservoir is full, the mixture flows through the weir onto the foam-generating surface.

5. The device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The liquid inlet of the hierarchy is connected to a common water storage tank and a foam-generating component storage tank, each of which includes at least one pump arranged to pump water from the water storage tank and the foam-generating component from the component storage tank to the liquid inlet.

6. The device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that, The discharge channel is arranged along the lower end of the foam-generating surface, and the discharge channel is arranged such that the mixture flowing through the foam-generating surface without generating foam therefrom is collected and discharged by the discharge channel, wherein the discharge channel preferably has a slope so that the mixture can flow out.

7. The device according to claims 5 and 6, characterized in that, The discharge channel and the water storage tank are arranged such that the mixture collected by the discharge channel is supplied to the water storage tank.

8. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The layer below the foam-generating surface includes a wedge-shaped cavity, which is part of the device for blowing air in, and at least one fan is connected to the wedge-shaped cavity in such a way that the at least one fan pumps air into the wedge-shaped cavity, and then the air exits through the opening of the foam-generating surface.

9. The device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The wedge-shaped cavities of at least two levels are connected to a common air supply unit, which includes at least one fan, preferably two fans.

10. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The openings on the foam-generating surface have a spacing of 0.002 and 0.2 cm. 2 The cross-sectional area between them is preferably 0.006 and 0.15 cm. 2 The cross-sectional area between them, and preferably circular.

11. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, Each of the foam-generating surfaces includes a U-shaped element arranged around one of the openings of the foam-generating surface. The U-shaped element opens toward the upper end of the foam-generating surface and forms a groove around the opening. Preferably, the upward-pointing legs of the U-shaped element continuously decrease in height relative to the foam-generating surface and merge into the foam-generating surface.

12. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that, The device includes a battery that powers the device in such a way that the device can be used in a mobile manner.

13. A method for generating foam for health and / or hygiene applications using the apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The foam-forming component is coconut soap.

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that, In addition to water, ice is also present in the water reservoir of the device according to claim 5.

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