Improved foam pump
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foam pumps face challenges in creating consistent foam quality when dispensing hand cleansers with mechanical scrubbers, as the viscosity of the hand cleanser affects the infusion of air into the liquid, leading to variable foam quality and excessive operating force, especially when using sparging elements with higher viscosity foams.
Innovation Solution
A non-aerosol foam pump design that includes a liquid piston pump portion and an air pump portion, where air pressure is built up before the liquid is introduced, allowing for efficient infusion and consistent foam production by separating the activation and return strokes to manage the air and liquid volumes effectively, and optionally using a pair of foaming chambers to increase dwell time and balance the infusion process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If air and liquid are pumped simultaneously through a sparging element, then foam is generated, but variable foam quality results due to air compression and inconsistent air-to-liquid ratio
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pressurizing air in a dedicated air pump portion before liquid is introduced to the sparging element. This ensures air is already pressurized and ready for immediate infusion when liquid arrives, eliminating the air compression problem and ensuring consistent air-to-liquid ratio throughout the pumping stroke, thereby producing consistent foam quality.
2Stability of the object's composition
If higher viscosity hand cleanser is used to suspend mechanical scrubbers, then scrubber suspension is improved, but excessive operating force is required and air infusion efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the pumping function into separate air pump portion and liquid pump portion, each optimized for its specific task. The air pump pressurizes air independently before liquid arrival, allowing efficient air infusion even with higher viscosity liquids that contain suspended mechanical scrubbers. This segmentation enables the use of higher viscosity formulations for better scrubber suspension without requiring excessive operating force.
3Productivity
If air is introduced into liquid during pumping, then foam is created, but back pressure increases and infusion efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pressurizing air in advance in the air pump portion before liquid reaches the sparging element. This pre-pressurized air is then introduced into the liquid at the point of sparging, eliminating the need to compress air during the pumping stroke and thereby reducing back pressure while maintaining efficient foam generation.
4Ease of operation
If bellows pump or diaphragm pump is used, then pump deformation occurs during collapse, but air delivery is reduced and foam becomes watery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the pumping system into separate air and liquid pump portions with distinct operational phases. The air pump portion delivers air during the initial phase before liquid arrival, ensuring consistent air delivery independent of pump deformation issues. This segmentation eliminates the problem of reduced air delivery during pump collapse that occurs with bellows or diaphragm pumps.
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 ensures consistent foam quality throughout the dispensing process by priming the air chamber before engaging the liquid pump, reducing the operational force required and enhancing the air infusion process, resulting in a more balanced and efficient foam generation.
Implementation Method 1
during an activation stroke the air internal volume is reduced
Implementation Method 2
a liquid piston pump portion (116) having a liquid chamber (120) with a liquid internal volume and a liquid piston (122)
Implementation Method 3
enhancing the air infusion process, resulting in a more balanced and efficient foam generation
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a non-aerosol foam pump for use in association with an unpressurized liquid container and a foaming element comprising. The pump includes a liquid pump portion and an air pump portion. The liquid pump portion has a liquid chamber with a liquid internal volume and a shuttle liquid piston. The liquid chamber is in flow communication with the unpressurized liquid container and in flow communication with the foaming element. The air pump portion has an air chamber with an air internal volume. The air chamber is in flow communication with the foaming element. The liquid pump portion and the air pump portion have an activation stroke and a return stroke. During the activation stroke the air internal volume is reduced and during a beginning stage of the stroke the liquid internal volume remains the same and during a later stage the liquid internal volume is reduced.