초록 ▼

A dispenser mechanism 1 for a foamed product comprises a liquid chamber 9 and air chamber 10, each compressed by a common actuator mechanism 6a, 6b, wherein the liquid and air simultaneously enter a foaming chamber 15. The liquid is forced through a diffuser 18a defining a plurality of distributed c

A dispenser mechanism 1 for a foamed product comprises a liquid chamber 9 and air chamber 10, each compressed by a common actuator mechanism 6a, 6b, wherein the liquid and air simultaneously enter a foaming chamber 15. The liquid is forced through a diffuser 18a defining a plurality of distributed channels 18e, each channel 18e having a predetermined cross section such that in use the liquid is forced through the channels and enters the foaming chamber as a plurality of jets. The dispenser mechanism 1 provides a particularly advantageous arrangement for producing foam and may be arranged to prevent the foam dripping from an outlet after the end of a dispensing cycle.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A dispenser mechanism for a foamed product comprises: a liquid chamber arranged to receive a liquid product; an air chamber arranged to receive air; an actuator mechanism; and a foaming chamber, the actuator mechanism comprising a shaft, displacement of which simultaneously reduces the volume of

1. A dispenser mechanism for a foamed product comprises: a liquid chamber arranged to receive a liquid product; an air chamber arranged to receive air; an actuator mechanism; and a foaming chamber, the actuator mechanism comprising a shaft, displacement of which simultaneously reduces the volume of both the liquid and air chambers and forces the air and liquid within the respective chambers to separately enter the foaming chamber, wherein the foaming chamber is formed integrally within the shaft and the dispenser mechanism further comprising a diffuser located in the shaft through which the liquid enters the foaming chamber, the diffuser defining a plurality of distributed channels, each channel having a predetermined cross section such that in use the liquid is forced through the channels and enters the foaming chamber as a plurality of jets where the liquid of the jets intermingles with air in the foaming chamber. 2. A dispenser mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuator mechanism comprises a first and a second piston located on the shaft, each piston acting on a respective one of the liquid and air chambers. 3. A dispenser mechanism as claimed in claim 2, wherein a liquid chamber is in the form of a cylinder into which the first piston extends to pressurise the liquid in the liquid chamber and wherein the foaming chamber is formed in the shaft. 4. A dispenser mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuator mechanism is biased to a rest position where the pistons associated with each respective chamber are withdrawn to their maximum extent from their respective chambers. 5. A dispenser mechanism as claimed in claim 4, wherein in the rest position the liquid chamber is sealed by its associated piston. 6. A dispenser mechanism as claimed in claim 4, wherein the action of the actuator mechanism returning to its rest position sucks air into the air chamber via an outlet of the dispenser mechanism, causing any foam remaining in the outlet to be sucked back into the air chamber. 7. A dispenser mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the liquid chamber has a piston and a one way valve to permit liquid to enter the chamber when the piston is withdrawn from the chamber, wherein the dispenser mechanism includes a transport cap arranged to prevent accidental operation of the actuator mechanism in transit and to keep the actuator mechanism in a fully depressed position where the piston of the liquid chamber is in contact with the one way valve and maintains the valve in a closed position. 8. A dispenser mechanism for a foamed product comprises: a liquid chamber arranged to receive a liquid product; an air chamber arranged to receive air; an actuator mechanism; and a foaming chamber, the actuator mechanism comprising a shaft, displacement of which simultaneously reduces the volume of both the liquid and air chambers and forces the air and liquid within the respective chambers to enter the foaming chamber, wherein the foaming chamber is formed integrally within the shaft and a diffuser is located in the shaft through which the liquid enters the foaming chamber, the diffuser defining a plurality of distributed channels, each channel having a predetermined cross section such that in use the liquid is forced through the channels and enters the foaming chamber as a plurality of jets, wherein the diffuser is in the form of a rigid disc located within the shaft, wherein the inner wall of the shaft and the diffuser define the plurality of distributed channels. 9. A dispenser mechanism as claimed in claim 8 wherein the diffuser has recesses about its outer periphery, which recesses define with the inner wall of the shaft said plurality of channels. 10. A dispenser mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the diffuser comprises a rigid disc with a plurality of apertures extending there through. 11. A dispenser mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shaft comprises an upper component and a lower component, each moulded as a single piece, wherein the upper component includes a first piston and a diffuser, the lower component includes a second piston and an outlet passage of the mechanism. 12. A dispenser mechanism as claimed in claim 11, wherein the upper component of the shaft further comprises a retaining disc integrally moulded with the upper component, an edge of the retaining disc and an inner wall of the shaft being arranged to engage with each other to lock the upper and lower components together. 13. A dispenser mechanism as claimed in claim 1, arranged to be manually operated. 14. A dispenser mechanism as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a user interface for receiving a single stroke actuation by a user, for dispensing a predetermined quantity of product to the user on a full stroke of the dispenser mechanism and a linkage mechanism for transferring any displacement of the user interface to the dispensing mechanism, wherein the linkage mechanism permits the user interface to be operated to the full extent permitted by the interface and transmit to the dispenser mechanism only as much of the operation of the interface as is required to permit the dispenser mechanism to dispense the predetermined amount of product. 15. A dispenser mechanism as claimed in claim 14, wherein the linkage mechanism comprises a resilient device arranged between the interface and the dispenser mechanism, the properties of the resilient device being such as to fully actuate the dispenser mechanism on operation of the interface but which resilient device absorbs any excess movement of the interface to prevent damage to the dispenser mechanism. 16. A dispenser mechanism as claimed in claim 15, wherein the linkage mechanism comprises a first plate connected to the user interface and arranged to move with the user interface, a second plate connected to the dispenser mechanism, and at least one resilient member arranged to act between the first plate and the second plate, the resilient member being selected such that it will cause the two plates to be displaced together in response to any movement of the user interface to cause the dispenser mechanism to be operated but which, when the dispenser mechanism reaches the end of its travel, permits the first plate to continue to be displaced whilst the second plate remains substantially stationary. 17. A dispenser mechanism as claimed in claim 14 for dispensing soap and arranged to be wall mounted and permit single handed one stroke operation. 18. A dispenser mechanism as claimed in claim 8, wherein the periphery of the diffuser is smooth with ridges or recesses formed on the inner wall of the shaft.