Non-Aerosol Foam Pump with Sequential Air and Liquid Compression
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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 they struggle with viscosity ranges and the simultaneous pumping of air and liquid, leading to variable foam quality and excessive operating force.
Innovation Solution
A non-aerosol foam pump design that includes a liquid pump portion and an air pump portion, where air pressure is built up before liquid is introduced, using a shuttle liquid piston and a foaming element with a sparging element to ensure efficient air infusion and consistent foam production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If air and liquid are pumped simultaneously, then the pump structure is simpler, but the foam quality becomes variable due to air compression
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by compressing air in a dedicated air pump portion before the liquid is pumped into the foaming element. This pre-compression of air ensures consistent air pressure is available when liquid is introduced, eliminating the variable foam quality caused by simultaneous pumping and air compression. The air pump portion prepares the air medium in advance, so when liquid and air meet in the foaming element, both are at optimal pressure for consistent foam generation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If liquid viscosity is increased to suspend mechanical scrubbers, then scrubber suspension is improved, but the force required to pump increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the pumping function into two separate pump portions: an air pump portion and a liquid pump portion. This segmentation allows each pump to be optimized for its specific medium - the air pump handles gas compression while the liquid pump handles viscous liquid with mechanical scrubbers. By separating these functions, the liquid pump doesn't need to overcome air compression resistance, reducing the force required while maintaining high viscosity for scrubber suspension.
3Productivity
If air is introduced into liquid during pumping, then foam is created, but back pressure increases due to liquid viscosity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional approach by having the air pump portion compress air and the liquid pump portion pump liquid separately, rather than introducing air into liquid during the pumping process. This inversion eliminates the back pressure issue because the air compression and liquid pumping occur in parallel independent systems. When both streams meet in the foaming element, they mix without the air needing to force its way through viscous liquid during compression, thus reducing back pressure while maintaining foam creation productivity.
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 design ensures consistent foam quality by priming the air chamber before engaging the liquid pump, reducing the viscosity-related issues and excessive force required, resulting in a more efficient and balanced dispensing process.
Implementation Method 1
during the activation stroke the air internal volume is reduced
Implementation Method 2
a foaming element with a sparging element to ensure efficient air infusion
Data Source
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.