Dual-Pump Foam Dispenser for High-Alcohol Hand Cleaner Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hand cleaner foam dispensers struggle to effectively mix and deliver two different liquid streams as a foamed product, particularly with compositions containing high alcohol concentrations, which limits the development of advantageous foam characteristics for hand cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A hand cleaner foam dispenser with two pump arrangements that simultaneously discharge a first liquid and air through a first foam inducing member and a second liquid into a mixing chamber, with the option to also discharge second air through a second foam inducing member, allowing for the simultaneous mixing and dispensing of all fluids and gases as a foamed product.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single pump arrangement is used to dispense liquid from a single reservoir, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to mix and deliver two different liquid streams as a foamed product is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The single pump arrangement is segmented into two separate pump arrangements, each responsible for dispensing a different liquid stream. This segmentation enables the mixing and delivery of two different liquid streams as a foamed product while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The dual pump arrangement system is designed to perform multiple functions: dispensing different liquid streams, mixing them, incorporating air, and delivering them as a unified foamed product. This multi-functionality increases adaptability while the integrated design keeps complexity controlled
2Reliability
If high alcohol concentration compositions are used to enhance cleaning, then cleaning efficacy is improved, but difficulties in producing advantageous foam characteristics increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameters of the liquid streams by using two different compositions with complementary properties. One stream contains high alcohol concentration for cleaning efficacy, while the other stream contains foaming agents and surfactants. By adjusting the ratio and parameters of these two streams, advantageous foam characteristics are achieved despite the high alcohol content
Solution Approach 2:
The second liquid stream acts as an intermediary that mediates between the high alcohol concentration composition and the desired foam characteristics. It introduces foaming agents, surfactants, and foam stabilizers that enable proper foam formation and stability, allowing the high alcohol composition to maintain cleaning efficacy while producing advantageous foam
3Reliability
If proprietary cleaning compositions with specific additives are used, then cleaning performance is improved, but legal protection restrictions limit the use of particular compositions
Solution Approach 1:
The proprietary cleaning composition is segmented into two separate liquid streams. One stream contains the proprietary alcohol-based cleaning agents, while the other stream contains the proprietary foaming agents, surfactants, and foam stabilizers. This segmentation allows each composition to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining legal protection and flexibility in selection
Solution Approach 2:
The dual pump system provides universality by allowing different proprietary compositions to be used in different streams. Users can select from various proprietary cleaning compositions and proprietary foaming compositions, combining them to achieve optimal cleaning performance and foam characteristics without being restricted by single-composition limitations
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables the creation of a foamed product with improved foam characteristics for hand cleaning by effectively mixing and dispensing two different liquid streams, overcoming the limitations of single-reservoir dispensers and enhancing cleaning efficacy with high-alcohol compositions.
Implementation Method 1
a first pump arrangement operative to draw the first liquid from the first reservoir and to draw first air from the atmosphere and to simultaneously discharge the first liquid and the first air through a first foam inducing member into a mixing chamber; a second pump arrangement operative to draw the second liquid from the second reservoir and to discharge the second liquid into the mixing chamber
Implementation Method 2
discharge the first liquid and the first air through a first foam inducing member into a mixing chamber; discharge the second liquid and the second air through a second foam inducing member into the mixing chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A hand cleaner foam dispenser with a first pump arrangement that discharges a first liquid and first air from the atmosphere through a first foam inducing member into a mixing chamber and a second pump arrangement that discharges a second liquid into the mixing chamber, and in which there is a simultaneous discharge of the first liquid, first air and the second liquid from the mixing chamber through an outlet foam inducing member to produce a foamed product delivered onto a person's hand. Preferably, the second pump arrangement may discharge not only the second liquid, but also second air drawn from the atmosphere and discharge the second liquid and the second air through a second foam inducing member into the mixing chamber.