Modular Squeeze Foamer Housing for Adjustable Air-Liquid Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foam dispensing devices have suboptimal air-liquid mixing, leading to unsatisfactory foam quality, complex structures, and a fixed air-to-liquid ratio, making them difficult to adapt for different foam qualities and requiring separate designs for varying ratios.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing device with a modular housing system comprising interchangeable first and second housing parts, allowing adjustable air-to-liquid ratios through varying opening configurations and positions, combined with an annular air and liquid passage design and a conical, flexible valve body for improved mixing and sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single fixed housing structure is used, then the device structure is simple, but the air-to-liquid ratio cannot be adjusted for different foam qualities
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into a first housing part and a second housing part that can be mounted in different positions relative to each other. The first housing part contains multiple openings arranged in a circular pattern, while the second housing part has corresponding openings and blockages. By rotating the second housing part to different angular positions, different combinations of openings are aligned, enabling adjustment of the air-to-liquid ratio without requiring multiple complete housing designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing assembly transitions from a static fixed structure to a dynamic adjustable structure. The second housing part can be rotated to different angular positions (0°, 60°, 120°, 180°, 240°, 300°) relative to the first housing part, allowing the device to adapt its air-to-liquid mixing characteristics dynamically based on the desired foam quality, while still using the same physical components.
2Reliability
If separate dispensing devices are designed for different air-to-liquid ratios, then each device is optimized for a specific foam quality, but the overall device complexity and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single dispensing device housing is designed to perform multiple functions by allowing the second housing part to be mounted in different angular positions. The same physical housing assembly can produce different foam qualities (from fine to coarse) by simply changing the rotational position of the second housing part, eliminating the need to manufacture and stock multiple specialized dispensing devices for different applications.
3Volume of moving object
If bendy air and liquid passages are used, then the housing structure is compact, but the stream speed decreases and foam quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The air passage and liquid passage are designed with smooth curved transitions rather than sharp bends. The passages use gradual arcs and rounded corners to guide the flow from the container interior to the dispensing opening, minimizing turbulence and energy loss while maintaining a compact housing structure. This allows the housing to remain space-efficient without sacrificing stream velocity and foam quality.
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
Enables flexible adjustment of air-to-liquid ratios without additional parts, enhancing foam quality and homogeneity, and simplifies the device structure for improved performance across different foamable liquids.
Implementation Method 1
The valve body is a disc-shaped flexible element which is held at the circumference and is pressed against the mouths of the liquid passage and the air passage by means of a spring
Implementation Method 2
After the container has been squeezed, the container will essentially return to its original state, either by the elasticity of the container itself or by restoring means
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b~1c
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a dispensing device for dispensing a foam, comprising a manually compressible container (2) for storing a liquid and air, which container comprises an opening (3), a rigid housing to be fitted in or on the opening, the housing comprising an air passage (11) and a liquid passage (9) and a valve body (6) which, in a rest position, covers a mouth of the liquid passage and a mouth of the air passage in a sealing manner (4a, 4c) and which, during dispensing, opens the mouth of the liquid passage and the mouth of the air passage in order to allow mixing of air and liquid to take place in the dispensing passage (13). The invention is characterized in that the housing comprises a first housing part (4) and a second housing part (20), the first and the second housing parts being mountable in several position with respect to each other, the ratio between the amounts of liquid and air to be dispensed upon compressing the container being dependent on the position in which the first and second housing parts are mounted with respect to each other.