Foam dispenser having selectively pressurized cartridge
First Claim
1. A foam dispenser, comprising:
- a housing;
a cartridge received within said housing, said cartridge comprising an interior having a liquid section and an air section;
an air compressor in selective communication with said air section;
a foam generating head;
an outlet air conduit extending between said air section and said foam generating head;
an outlet liquid conduit extending between said liquid section and said foam generating head; and
wherein said air compressor generates a pressure head in said air section, said pressure head separately forcing both air and liquid respectively through said outlet air and liquid conduits to said foam generating head.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A foam dispenser having a selectively pressurized cartridge that includes a dispenser housing maintaining a motor driving an air compressor with a compressed air conduit extending therefrom. Also maintained within the dispenser is a foam generating head that receives air and liquid conduits that include dispensing valves. A control circuit controls the motor and dispensing valves, and further is interconnected with a hand sensor positioned in association with the dispensing head. In one embodiment of the invention, a disposable and replaceable cartridge of liquid soap or the like is adapted to sealingly and removably receive the compressed air conduit as well as the liquid and air outlet conduits, along with a vent valve and a pressure sensor, the vent valve and pressure sensor communicating with a control circuit. In another embodiment, the various conduits, valves and sensors, as well as the dispensing head, comprise a portion of the cartridge. The control circuit, upon sensing the presence of the user'"'"'s hands, activates the motor and air compressor to generate a pressure head in the cartridge and the dispensing valves are activated when the pressure sensor determines that a pressure head sufficient for dispensing has been generated. The motor and compressor are turned off at an appropriate time in association with the activation of the dispensing valves. The vent valve is activated at the end of the dispensing cycle.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A foam dispenser, comprising:
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a housing; a cartridge received within said housing, said cartridge comprising an interior having a liquid section and an air section; an air compressor in selective communication with said air section; a foam generating head; an outlet air conduit extending between said air section and said foam generating head; an outlet liquid conduit extending between said liquid section and said foam generating head; and wherein said air compressor generates a pressure head in said air section, said pressure head separately forcing both air and liquid respectively through said outlet air and liquid conduits to said foam generating head. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A foam dispenser, comprising:
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a housing; and a cartridge received within said housing, said cartridge comprising an interior having a liquid section and an air section, air in said air section being in direct contact with liquid in said liquid section, said cartridge further being adapted to receive a compressed air inlet and liquid and compressed air outlets. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification