Foam Soap Dispenser Mechanism With Anti-Drip Nozzle Clearing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional wall-mounted soap dispensers face issues with high viscosity liquid soap, requiring large quantities for effective application and leading to excess soap remaining in the dispenser, which drips and wastes product, while foam dispensers still experience nozzle drips due to liquid reversion.
Innovation Solution
A compact dispenser mechanism with a liquid chamber, air chamber, and foaming chamber, utilizing a single moving actuator mechanism with a diffuser to efficiently mix liquid and air, preventing foam reversion to liquid and incorporating a one-way valve and resilient linkage for controlled dispensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If liquid soap with high viscosity is used in traditional dispensers, then the soap can cling to hands without running off, but a large quantity of soap is required and excess soap remains in the dispenser outlet causing drips
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state of the soap product from liquid to foam by introducing air and applying mechanical agitation. This parameter change allows the soap to be dispensed as a light, airy foam that applies easily to hands without the viscosity-related problems of liquid soap, including excessive quantity requirements and dripping issues
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses pneumatic principles by introducing air into the soap product through a nozzle and using a piston to create pressure that forces the air-soap mixture through a diffuser. This pneumatic action transforms the liquid soap into foam, solving the contradiction between proper application characteristics and product waste
2Loss of substance
If foam dispensers are used to reduce liquid soap quantity, then less liquid is required for effective application, but foam accumulated in nozzles reverts to liquid causing nozzle drips
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary action by completely evacuating the nozzle and air chamber of foam residue before the dispensing cycle ends. The piston retracts fully, creating a vacuum that sucks any remaining foam back into the liquid chamber, preventing it from reverting to liquid and dripping from the nozzle
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the dispensing system into distinct chambers (liquid chamber, air chamber, foaming chamber) with clear separation. The nozzle is designed as a separate component that can be completely cleared of residue, preventing the reversion problem that occurs in integrated nozzle designs
3Ease of manufacture
If a compact dispenser mechanism with minimal components is designed, then it is cost-effective for disposable refill packs, but achieving efficient foam mixing becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple functions into the piston component: it acts as both the air chamber piston and the liquid chamber piston, and also serves as the drive mechanism for the diffuser. This consolidation reduces the total number of parts while maintaining efficient foam mixing capability through the integrated diffuser design
Solution Approach 2:
The single piston serves multiple functions: pressurizing air in the air chamber, pressurizing liquid soap in the liquid chamber, and driving the diffuser to create foam. This multi-functionality reduces component count and manufacturing cost while maintaining effective foam production
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
The solution allows for efficient foam production with reduced liquid usage, minimizing waste and enabling a compact, cost-effective design suitable for disposable refill packs, preventing drips and ensuring reliable operation with minimal components.
Implementation Method 1
the diffuser defining a plurality of distributed channels, each channel having a predetermined cross section such that in use the liquid is forced through the channels and enters the foaming chamber as a plurality of jets, such that the liquid in the jets intermingles with air in the foaming chamber
Implementation Method 2
displacement of which simultaneously reduces the volume of both the liquid and air chambers and forces the air and liquid within the respective chambers to separately enter the foaming chamber
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b~2d
AI summary
A dispenser mechanism (1) for a foamed product comprises a liquid chamber (9) and air chamber (10), each compressed by a common actuator mechanism (6a, 6b), wherein the liquid and air simultaneously enter a foaming chamber (15). The liquid is forced through a diffuser (18a) defining a plurality of distributed channels (18e), each channel (18e) having a predetermined cross section such that in use the liquid is forced through the channels and enters the foaming chamber as a plurality of jets. The dispenser mechanism (1) provides a particularly advantageous arrangement for producing foam and may be arranged to prevent the foam dripping from an outlet after the end of a dispensing cycle.