Foam-at-a-distance dispensing systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dispenser systems experience foam breakdown in lengthy intervals, resulting in liquid formation at the bottom of the dispense tube, leading to inconsistent foam dispensing.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates an above-deck nozzle portion, a reservoir, a foam pump with separate liquid and air pump chambers, and a multi-lumen dispense passage, allowing sequential activation of diaphragms to maintain foam quality by pumping liquid and air in a controlled ratio through a mixing portion before dispensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If air and liquid are mixed together below the counter to form foam that is pumped up a long dispense tube, then the foam can be dispensed above the counter, but the foam in the dispense tube breaks down and forms liquid at the bottom of the tube during lengthy time periods between dispenses
Solution Approach 1:
The dispense tube is divided into multiple separate lumens (at least one liquid lumen and at least two air lumens) that remain separate throughout the dispensing path. This segmentation prevents premature mixing and foam breakdown in the tube, allowing consistent foam dispensing at the outlet.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid and air are pumped separately through dedicated chambers and lumens to the mixing portion, where mixing occurs just before dispensing. This preliminary separation prevents foam formation during transport, maintaining stability until the moment of dispensing.
2Device complexity
If a single pump chamber is used to pump both air and liquid, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to control the air-liquid ratio and prevent foam breakdown is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The pump is divided into separate air pump chambers and liquid pump chambers, each dedicated to pumping a specific substance. This segmentation enables independent control of air and liquid flow rates, ensuring consistent air-liquid ratio and reliable foam dispensing.
Solution Approach 2:
Separate pump chambers act as intermediaries that independently control and deliver air and liquid to the mixing portion. This intermediary structure allows precise control of each component's delivery, maintaining foam quality and consistency.
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 configuration ensures consistent foam dispensing by maintaining the air-liquid ratio and preventing foam breakdown, providing a stable and effective dispensing mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
The foam pump is disposed below the counter and includes at least one liquid pump chamber in fluid communication with the reservoir, at least one air pump chamber, and a pump outlet
Implementation Method 2
The mixing portion is disposed between the multi-lumen dispense passage and the dispenser outlet
Data Source
AI summary
A dispensing system includes an above-deck nozzle portion, a reservoir for holding fluid, a foam pump, a multi-lumen dispense passage, and a mixing portion. The above-deck nozzle portion has a dispenser outlet and is disposed above a counter. The foam pump is disposed below the counter and includes at least one liquid pump chamber in fluid communication with the reservoir, at least one air pump chamber, and a pump outlet. The multi-lumen dispense passage includes an inlet, an outlet, at least one liquid lumen, and at least two air lumens. The inlet is in fluid communication with the pump outlet, the outlet is in fluid communication with the dispenser outlet, and the at least one liquid lumen and the at least two air lumens are each in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet of the multi-lumen dispense passage. The mixing portion is disposed between the multi-lumen dispense passage and the dispenser outlet.