초록 ▼

An inner container is disposed within an outer container containing an amount of foamable liquid sufficient to provide a substantial foam production capacity. The dual-container foam dispenser is provided with a porous diffusing element having material surface characteristics optimally suited for di

An inner container is disposed within an outer container containing an amount of foamable liquid sufficient to provide a substantial foam production capacity. The dual-container foam dispenser is provided with a porous diffusing element having material surface characteristics optimally suited for diffusing pressurized air into stationary foamable liquid located within the inner container, thereby producing high-quality foam. The inner container is provided with an upper valve and a lower valve, each biased open by a return-action biasing force. The valves open to permit flow in either direction between the containers, depending upon system pressure changes during different stages in the foam production cycle, to prevent leakage of foam out of the device and to permit refilling the inner container.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] A dual-container foam dispenser comprising:an outer container for receiving a foamable liquid;an inner container disposed within the outer container and comprising an upper valve and a lower valve, each valve being biased open with a biasing force to provide fluid communication bet

[ We claim:] [1.] A dual-container foam dispenser comprising:an outer container for receiving a foamable liquid;an inner container disposed within the outer container and comprising an upper valve and a lower valve, each valve being biased open with a biasing force to provide fluid communication between the outer and inner containers;a porous diffusing element disposed within the inner container in communication with an air receiving passage which selectively receives pulses of air under pressure, the pores of the diffusing element being substantially uniform and microscopic;a foam outlet in fluid connection with the inner container and located above the upper valve;a homogenizing filter disposed between the inner container and the foam outlet;wherein when the pulse of air under pressure is supplied to and through the pores of the diffusing element and into the inner container, (i) a sufficient pressure is created within the inner container to overcome the biasing force of the upper and lower valves closing each valve and substantially precluding fluid flow between the inner and outer containers, (ii) the flow of air through the diffusing element pores into the inner container generates a foam from the foamable liquid in the inner container substantially external to the diffusing element, and (iii) forces the foam upward through the inner container, through the homogenizing filter, and out the foam dispenser through the foam outlet; andwherein when pressure in the inner container falls below the biasing force alleviating any pressure gradient existing between the inner and outer containers, fluid flow is permitted in either direction between the inner and outer containers through the upper and lower valves to prevent leakage of foam out of the foam outlet and permit the levels of any fluids in the inner and outer containers to become equalized.