Vertically Stacked Vessel Foam Generator for Compact Spa Applications

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing foam production devices for wellness and hygiene applications are limited by their small capacity, require significant space, and cannot be manually moved, as they produce a relatively small volume of foam and are not efficient in water and foam-forming component usage.

Innovation Solution

A device with multiple vertically stacked vessels that increase the surface area for foam generation, allowing for larger foam bubbles and reduced water and foam-forming component consumption, featuring adjustable air introduction and water level control systems to optimize foam production and reuse of settled components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a single large vessel is used for foam generation, then a large volume of foam can be produced, but the device occupies a large amount of space and cannot be moved manually

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefoam volumeVSAvoiddevice footprint
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The device divides the foam generation system into multiple separate vessels (at least two vessels) arranged vertically in a tiered configuration. Each vessel independently generates foam, and the combined foam volume from multiple vessels achieves the required large foam output without needing a single large vessel, thus reducing the device's overall footprint and improving portability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The vessels are arranged vertically in a tiered configuration, transitioning from a horizontal spread layout to a vertical stacking layout. This dimensional change allows multiple foam generation surfaces to be stacked upward, increasing foam production capacity while minimizing the horizontal footprint of the device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Quantity of substance

If more water and foaming component are used, then a larger volume of foam can be produced, but resource consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefoam volumeVSAvoidwater and foaming component consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The device incorporates a drainage system with channels that collect water and foaming components that settle out of the generated foam. These recovered liquids are redirected back into the vessels for reuse in subsequent foam generation cycles, reducing waste and minimizing the consumption of water and foaming components while maintaining high foam volume output.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Productivity

If the surface area for foam generation is increased, then more foam can be produced per unit time, but the device occupies more space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefoam production rateVSAvoiddevice footprint
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple vessels with foam generation surfaces are stacked vertically in a tiered arrangement. This vertical stacking increases the total foam generation surface area available for producing foam per unit time, while the compact vertical configuration minimizes the horizontal footprint of the device, thereby increasing productivity without proportionally increasing the device's occupied space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Quantity of substance

If conventional single-vessel devices are used, then the device structure is simple, but the amount of foam produced is relatively small compared to size

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefoam volumeVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device uses multiple separate vessels (at least two) instead of a single vessel, with each vessel having its own foam generation surface and being independently filled with the water-foaming agent mixture. This segmentation allows the combined foam output to be significantly larger than that of a single vessel of comparable individual size, while the modular nature of the segmented design keeps the overall structure relatively simple and manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 device efficiently produces a large volume of foam in a compact space with reduced resource consumption, enabling targeted foam generation and increased bubble size, while being portable and adaptable to various applications.

Implementation Method 1

devices for blowing in air are designed such that the air is introduced over a large area along the bottom of the vessels

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAeration: Aeration

Implementation Method 2

the vessels are arranged and designed such that water and the foaming component that settle out of the generated foam within the device can flow back into at least one of these vessels

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSedimentation: Sedimentation

Data Source

PatentEP4115971B1Compact device for producing foam for spa and / or hygiene applications
Publication Date: 2023.10.25 KLAFS GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4115971B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4115971B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4115971B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for generating foam for wellness and/or hygiene applications, comprising a vessel for filling with a mixture of water and a foam-forming component, wherein the vessel has a device for blowing air into the mixture to generate the foam. According to the invention, the device has at least two vessels arranged vertically one above the other in a tiered configuration for filling with the mixture, wherein the vessels have the device for blowing air into the mixture to generate the foam, and wherein the vessels are open towards an outlet area such that the foam generated in the vessels is concentrated in the outlet area.