Foaming cleaning liquid supply device

Abstract

To provide a foaming cleaning liquid supply device that can generate and supply a large amount of foaming cleaning liquid in a short time and can be made to be small so as to be advantageous for being incorporated in an automatic dispenser.SOLUTION: A foaming cleaning liquid supply device is used for supplying foaming cleaning liquid to the inside of a predetermined container after generating the foaming cleaning liquid. An internal space of a cylinder 10 is divided into an uppermost part section S1 and two-stage lower layer sections S2, S3 by mesh materials 20, 30, 40 in a plurality of positions. Mixed liquid of detergent undiluted solution, dilution water, and air flowing into the uppermost part section S1 passes through the mesh materials 20, 30, 40 subsequent to the first stage successively while increasing its foam amount, and is supplied to the inside of the container from an outlet nozzle 50.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a foaming cleaning liquid supply device used to supply foaming cleaning liquid into a predetermined container such as a bucket. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in car washes, workers have immersed a cloth or sponge in a foaming cleaning solution obtained by stirring water and detergent in a bucket-like container while mixing in air, and then used the cloth or sponge to wash the vehicle body. It has also been practiced to spray the foaming cleaning solution onto the vehicle body and then use the cloth or sponge to wash the vehicle body.

[0003] Meanwhile, a foaming nozzle has been proposed as a prior example (see Patent Document 1). This Patent Document 1 describes a method of spraying a chemical agent mixture into the interior of a foaming tube equipped with a mesh (foaming mesh), and mixing air into the spray of the chemical agent mixture, causing it to collide with the mesh, thereby creating and releasing a foamy chemical agent. This Patent Document 1 also describes a method of spraying the foamy chemical agent released from the foaming nozzle into a bathtub for cleaning. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 05-245414 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally, in car washes, it is often more beneficial for workers to purchase and use foaming cleaning liquid sold in vending machines than to use foaming cleaning liquid that they have made themselves, as this saves time and reduces labor.

[0006] The present invention was made under the above circumstances, and aims to provide a foaming cleaning liquid supply device that can generate and supply a large amount of foaming cleaning liquid in a short period of time and that can be easily made small so that it can be advantageously incorporated into a vending machine. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The foaming cleaning liquid supply device according to the present invention is used to supply foaming cleaning liquid into a predetermined container after it has been produced.

[0008] This foaming cleaning liquid supply device is configured so that the internal space of a cylinder that forms a downward flow path for the foaming cleaning liquid is divided into an uppermost compartment that does not have mesh material at its upper end opening and multiple lower compartments located below the uppermost compartment by mesh material arranged in multiple stages, and the mixture of detergent concentrate, dilution water and air that flows into the uppermost compartment generates foaming cleaning liquid, increasing the amount of foam as it passes sequentially through the mesh material from the first stage onwards that divides the lower compartment into multiple stages, and the foaming cleaning liquid that has passed through the mesh material in the lowest stage is supplied into the container via an outlet nozzle.

[0009] According to the above configuration, a first mesh layer is provided at the bottom of the top compartment, and second and subsequent mesh layers are provided at the bottom of each of the multiple lower compartments. Therefore, after a mixture of detergent concentrate, dilution water, and air flows into the top compartment and is agitated to generate foamed cleaning liquid, the foamed cleaning liquid flows downward through the first mesh layer and then through the second and subsequent mesh layers, increasing its foam volume as it reaches the outlet nozzle and is then discharged from the outlet nozzle and supplied into the container. The amount of foamed cleaning liquid supplied into the container can be controlled by adjusting the amount of mixture flowing into the top compartment, and the supply rate of the foamed cleaning liquid can be controlled by increasing or decreasing the amount of mixture flowing into the top compartment. Furthermore, since the downward flow path for the foamed cleaning liquid can be formed in a straight line, the supply device can be easily miniaturized, and a large amount of foamed cleaning liquid can be generated and supplied in a short time by minimizing the decrease in the flow rate of the foamed cleaning liquid.

[0010] The present invention can employ a configuration including a joint member whose lower end is connected to the upper end opening of the cylinder, and a liquid passage connected to the upper end of the joint member, the liquid passage being a passage for diluted detergent liquid obtained by mixing stock detergent liquid and dilution water, the liquid passage having an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the upper end opening of the cylinder, and a plurality of atmosphere-opening windows provided in the peripheral wall of the joint member, such that when the diluted detergent liquid drops from the liquid passage into the upper end opening of the cylinder, air is taken in through the atmosphere-opening windows and mixed into the diluted detergent liquid, thereby generating the mixed liquid containing stock detergent liquid, dilution water, and air. In this configuration, the diluted cleaning liquid drops into the upper end opening of the cylinder from the liquid passage, which has an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the upper end opening of the cylinder, and air is taken in through the atmosphere-opening windows to mix the diluted cleaning liquid with the air, thereby generating a mixed liquid of stock detergent liquid, dilution water, and air that flows into the uppermost compartment.

[0011] In the present invention, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which the lower end of the liquid passage is positioned below the atmosphere-opening window, thereby preventing droplets of diluted cleaning liquid falling from the liquid passage and droplets of the resulting mixture of detergent concentrate, diluted water, and air from flying out of the atmosphere-opening window.

[0012] In the present invention, it is desirable that the mesh size of the first mesh be the largest, and that between adjacent meshes, the mesh size of the lower mesh be smaller than the mesh size of the upper mesh. In this way, the bubbles of the foaming cleaning liquid flowing down the downward flow path become finer with each passing mesh, improving the cleaning ability of the foaming cleaning liquid itself when it is released from the outlet nozzle and supplied into the container.

[0013] In the present invention, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which the length dimension of the lower compartment is set to be at least 1.5 times the inner diameter dimension of the cylindrical body.This makes the length dimension of the lower compartment such that it is not filled with the foaming cleaning liquid that flows in after passing through the mesh material of each stage, and prevents the foaming cleaning liquid from accumulating excessively in the lower compartment and becoming stagnant in the downward flow path. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] The foaming cleaning liquid supply device of the present invention can generate and supply a large amount of foaming cleaning liquid in a short time, and can be easily miniaturized for convenient incorporation into vending machines. Therefore, in car washes and other such situations, workers can conveniently purchase and use foaming cleaning liquid sold in vending machines. Furthermore, the present invention can optimize the amounts of water and detergent used to generate foaming cleaning liquid, thereby saving water and detergent compared to conventional methods in which workers prepare foaming cleaning liquid by roughly adding detergent and water to a container. Furthermore, since foaming cleaning liquid is generated by the foaming cleaning liquid supply device of the present invention, splashing of cleaning liquid to the surrounding area is eliminated and labor and time are reduced compared to conventional methods in which workers use tap water pressure to spray water from a water hose into a container containing detergent, thereby entraining air. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view of a foaming cleaning liquid supply device according to the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional side view of a foaming cleaning liquid supply device according to the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] FIG. 1 is a side view of a foaming cleaning liquid supply device according to the present invention. The foaming cleaning liquid supply device 100 shown in the figure has a vertically straight cylindrical body 10 that forms a downward flow path for foaming cleaning liquid. The lower end of a joint member 60 is connected to the upper end of the cylindrical body 10. A screw 61 is inserted through a screw hole 60c formed in a peripheral wall 60a of the joint member 60, and the tip of the screw 61 is abutted against the peripheral wall of the joint member 60, thereby fixing the joint member 60 to the cylindrical body 10. A mixer injector 70 is connected to the upper end of the joint member 60, and an outlet nozzle 50 is connected to the lower end of the cylindrical body 10. FIG. 2 is a schematic longitudinal side view of a foaming cleaning liquid supply device according to the present invention. The cylindrical body 10 has an internal space that is divided into an uppermost section S1 and two lower sections S2 and S3 below the uppermost section S1 by three mesh members 20, 30, and 40 arranged in three stages.

[0017] 1 and 2, the mixer injector 70 utilizes the Venturi effect. Dilution water (e.g., tap water) flows into an inlet (not shown) of the mixer injector 70. As the dilution water flows through the mixer injector 70, which functions as a Venturi tube, a detergent concentrate stored in a separate tank is sucked up by the Venturi effect through a tube (not shown) connected to the throat (not shown) of the mixer injector 70 and mixed with the dilution water. This produces a diluted detergent liquid, a mixture of the detergent concentrate and the dilution water, which then flows through the internal passage of the mixer injector 70 as a liquid passage 70a. The liquid passage 70a is connected to the joint member 60, and a drop port 71b at the lower end of the liquid passage 70a faces an upper end opening 11, which does not have a mesh material, of the uppermost section S1 of the cylindrical body 10. The inner diameter D1 of the liquid passage 70a is smaller than the inner diameter D2 of the upper end opening 11 of the cylindrical body 10. As a result, the diluted detergent liquid that has passed through the liquid passage 70 a falls into the upper end opening 11 of the cylindrical body 10 .

[0018] The joint member 60 has a peripheral wall 60a provided with a plurality of open-air windows 60b, which function as an air supply means. The diluted detergent solution drops into the upper opening 11 of the cylinder 10 through a drop port 71b at the lower end of a liquid passage 70a connected to the joint member 60. Air is taken in through the open-air windows 60b and mixed into the diluted detergent solution, generating a mixture containing the concentrate detergent, dilution water, and air. The mixture then flows into the uppermost section S1. As shown in FIG. 2 , a guide tube 71 is provided at the lower end of the mixer-injector 70, and the liquid passage 70a is extended so that the drop port 71b at the lower end of the liquid passage 70a is positioned below the open-air windows 60b. This configuration prevents splashes of the diluted cleaning solution dropping from the liquid passage 70a and splashes of the mixture of the concentrate detergent, dilution water, and air from flying out of the open-air windows. In this embodiment, the joint member 60 provided with the atmospheric opening window 60b is used as the air supply means, but the air supply means is not limited to this configuration, and for example, a means for supplying air to the dilution water in the flow path using an electric pump via a tube connected to the flow path can also be used.

[0019] Of the two lower compartments S2 and S3, an outlet nozzle 50 is connected to the lower end of the lowermost compartment S3, that is, to the lower end of the cylindrical body 10.

[0020] In the illustrated example, the cylindrical body 10 and the outlet nozzle 50 are aligned vertically. The cylindrical body 10 is formed by connecting three short pipes 12, 13, and 14 in a vertically aligned fashion. In the illustrated example, two fittings 15, 15 used to connect the short pipes 12, 13 to each other and the short pipes 13, 14 to each other each include upper and lower inner adapters 16, 16 that provide a seal, and an outer adapter 17 that covers the inner adapters 16, 16. In the upper fitting 15, the lower end of the top short pipe 12 is inserted into the upper inner adapter 16, and the upper end of the middle short pipe 13 is inserted into the lower inner adapter 16. Similarly, in the lower fitting 15, the lower end of the middle short pipe 13 is inserted into the upper inner adapter 16, and the upper end of the lowest short pipe 14 is inserted into the lower inner adapter 16. The lower end of the lowest short pipe 14 is inserted into and connected to an adapter 18 that provides a seal and is equipped on the outlet nozzle 50 .

[0021] In the foaming cleaning liquid supply device having the above configuration, when a mixture of undiluted detergent, dilution water, and air flows into the top compartment S1 formed by the internal space of the cylindrical body 10, it is agitated within the top compartment S1 to generate foaming cleaning liquid. The foaming cleaning liquid thus generated is forced down the flow path by its own weight and the water pressure of the dilution water, passing through the first mesh material 20 separating the top compartment S1 from the upper lower compartment S2 while increasing its foam volume, and then flows into the upper lower compartment S2. Furthermore, the foaming cleaning liquid thus flowing into the upper lower compartment S2 passes through the second mesh material 30 separating the upper lower compartment S2 from the lower lower compartment S3 while increasing its foam volume, and then flows into the lower lower compartment S3. Similarly, the foamed cleaning liquid that flows into the lower lower compartment S3 passes through the third layer of mesh material 40 arranged at the lower end of the lower lower compartment S3, increasing the amount of foam, and flows into the outlet nozzle 50, and is then discharged from the outlet nozzle 50 and supplied to a container such as a bucket not shown.

[0022] Here, by adjusting the amount of mixed liquid flowing into the uppermost compartment, for example by controlling the inflow time of the dilution water, it is possible to adjust the amount of foaming cleaning liquid supplied to the container from the outlet nozzle 50 in one continuous operation to an amount that corresponds to the amount filling the container. Therefore, the foaming cleaning liquid in the container can be used for washing a car, etc.

[0023] The foamed cleaning liquid generated in the uppermost section S1 is subjected to a forced downward flow action from the upstream of the flow path and passes through the first mesh material 20, the second mesh material 30, and the third mesh material 40 in this order as described above, and the bubbles become finer and the amount of foam increases as it passes through each mesh material 20, 30, 40. Therefore, the cleaning ability of the foamed cleaning liquid itself discharged from the outlet nozzle 50 and supplied into the container is improved compared to the cleaning ability of the foamed cleaning liquid generated in the uppermost section S1.

[0024] The mesh size of the mesh materials 20, 30, 40 of each stage is the largest in the first stage mesh material 20, and between the second stage mesh material 30 and the third stage mesh material 40, the mesh size of the third stage mesh material 40, which is the lower stage, is smaller than the mesh size of the second stage mesh material 30, which is the upper stage. Therefore, the bubbles of the foaming cleaning liquid flowing down the downward flow path pass through the mesh materials 20, 30, 40 of each stage in order, thereby reliably increasing the fineness of the bubbles, and further improving the cleaning ability of the foaming cleaning liquid itself supplied into the container.

[0025] The mesh size of each layer of mesh material 20, 30, and 40 is expressed as the number of meshes per inch (2.54 cm). The mesh of the mesh material is composed of materials such as crossed metal wires or synthetic fibers. According to this notation, if the mesh size of the first layer of mesh material 20 is 40 mesh, the mesh size of the second layer of mesh material is 60 mesh, and the mesh size of the third layer of mesh material is 80 mesh, the foaming cleaning solution dispensed into the container will exhibit cleaning capabilities suitable for washing automobile bodies and windows that are contaminated with oil stains and dust. Note that the mesh sizes are not limited to this combination and can be adjusted according to various circumstances. For example, the mesh size of the first layer of mesh material 20 can be selected from the range of 20 to 30 mesh, the mesh size of the second layer of mesh material from 30 to 40 mesh, and the mesh size of the third layer of mesh material from 60 to 80 mesh. In this case, it is desirable to set the mesh materials in each stage in consideration of their combination and their mutual balance so as to achieve optimal cleaning performance.

[0026] On the other hand, if a foaming cleaning liquid is generated in the uppermost compartment S1 by the inflow of a mixture of the detergent concentrate, dilution water and air as described above, and the foaming cleaning liquid is passed through the first mesh material 20 and flows down to the upper lower compartment S2, and then the foaming cleaning liquid in the lower compartment S2 is passed through the second mesh material 30 and flows down to the lower lower compartment S3, there is a concern that too much foaming cleaning liquid will accumulate and pool in each of the compartments S1, S2 and S3, filling each of the compartments S1, S2 and S3 with foaming cleaning liquid, making it impossible to smoothly supply the foaming cleaning liquid from the outlet nozzle 50 to the container.

[0027] One effective solution to this problem would be to reduce the amount of the mixture of the detergent concentrate, dilution water, and air that flows in. However, doing so could result in a situation where it takes too long for the required amount of foaming cleaning liquid to be smoothly supplied from the outlet nozzle 50 to the container.

[0028] Therefore, in this embodiment, the length H1 of the top compartment S1, the length H2 of the upper lower compartment S2, and the length H3 of the lower lower compartment S3 are at least 1.5 times longer than the inner diameter D3 of the cylindrical body 10 shown in FIG. 1 . This prevents excessive accumulation of foamed cleaning liquid in each compartment S1, S2, and S3, allowing the required amount of foamed cleaning liquid to be smoothly supplied to the container from the outlet nozzle 50 in a short time. Specifically, the inner diameter D3 of the cylindrical body 10 is approximately 32 mm, and the length H1 of the top compartment S1, the length H2 of the upper lower compartment S2, and the length H3 of the lower lower compartment S3 are each approximately 70 mm, thereby preventing the above-mentioned situation from occurring. Furthermore, transparent clear tubes are used for the three short tubes 12, 13, and 14 forming the cylindrical body 10, allowing the foamed cleaning liquid in each compartment S1, S2, and S3 to be visually observed from the outside. This has the advantage of making it easy to know when the above-mentioned situation is likely to occur.

[0029] In the above-described embodiment, the internal space of the cylindrical body 10 is partitioned by three mesh members 20, 30, and 40 arranged in three stages into an uppermost section S1, which does not have mesh material at the upper end opening 11, and two lower sections S2 and S3 below the uppermost section S1. However, the internal space of the cylindrical body 10 may be partitioned by multiple mesh members arranged in more than three stages into an uppermost section not having mesh material at the upper end opening and multiple lower sections below the uppermost section. In this case, it is preferable that the mesh size of the mesh material in the first stage be the largest, and that the mesh size of the mesh material in the lower stage be smaller than the mesh size of the mesh material in the adjacent stages. Alternatively, the internal space of the cylindrical body 10 may be partitioned by two mesh members arranged in two stages into an uppermost section not having mesh material at the upper end opening and one lower section below the uppermost section. In this case, too, it is desirable that the mesh size of the second-tier mesh material be smaller than that of the first-tier mesh material. Furthermore, although this embodiment is based on the assumption that normal water pressure and concentrate detergent solution are used, when tap water is used for dilution water, if the water pressure is extremely low in some areas or depending on the composition of the concentrate detergent, it is desirable to configure the number of mesh materials, mesh size, etc. accordingly.

[0030] In the above embodiment, a mixer injector utilizing the Venturi effect is used as a means for generating foaming cleaning liquid in the top section S1, but other means may also be used in this regard, such as a means for supplying the detergent concentrate to the dilution water using an electric pump. [Explanation of symbols]

[0031] 10 Cylinder 11 Top opening 12 short tube 13 Short tube 14 Short tube 15 Joints 16 Inner adapter 17 Outer adapter 18 Adapters 20, 30, 40 mesh material 50 outlet nozzle 60 Joint material 60a Peripheral wall 60b Atmospheric release window 60c screw hole 61 Bis 70 Mixer Injector 70a Liquid passage 71b Fallout 71 Guide tube 100 Foaming cleaning liquid supply device S1 Top Section S2, S3 lower section D1 Inner diameter of liquid passage D2 Inner diameter of upper opening D3 Inner diameter of the cylinder H1 Length dimension of top section H2,H3 Length dimension of lower compartment

Claims

1. A foaming cleaning liquid supply device used to supply foaming cleaning liquid into a predetermined container after it is generated, The internal space of a cylinder that forms a downward flow path for foaming cleaning liquid is divided into an uppermost compartment that does not have mesh material at its upper end opening and multiple lower compartments located below the uppermost compartment by multiple mesh materials arranged in multiple stages, and a mixture of detergent concentrate, dilution water and air that flows into the uppermost compartment generates foaming cleaning liquid, increasing the amount of foam as it passes through the mesh materials from the first stage onwards that divide the lower compartment into multiple stages, and the foaming cleaning liquid that has passed through the mesh material at the bottom stage is supplied into the container via an outlet nozzle.This foaming cleaning liquid supply device is configured as follows.

2. a joint member having a lower end connected to the upper end opening of the cylindrical body, and a liquid passage connected to the upper end of the joint member, The liquid passage is a passage for diluted detergent liquid obtained by mixing the concentrate detergent and dilution water, and the inner diameter of the liquid passage is formed smaller than the inner diameter of the upper end opening of the cylindrical body, A foaming cleaning liquid supply device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of atmospheric opening windows are provided on the peripheral wall of the joint member, and when the diluted detergent liquid falls from the liquid passage into the upper end opening of the cylinder, air is taken in through the atmospheric opening windows and mixed into the diluted detergent liquid, thereby producing the mixed liquid containing the detergent concentrate, diluted water, and air.

3. 3. The bubble generating device according to claim 2, wherein the lower end of said liquid passage is located below said atmospheric opening window.

4. A foaming cleaning liquid supply device as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the mesh size of the mesh material is largest in the first layer of mesh material, and between adjacent layers of mesh material, the mesh size of the lower layer of mesh material is smaller than the mesh size of the upper layer of mesh material.

5. 3. The foaming cleaning liquid supply device according to claim 1, wherein the length of said lower compartment is set to be at least 1.5 times the inner diameter of said cylindrical body.

Images