LIQUID DISPENSER

• US 20130140331A1
• Filed: 08/09/2011
• Published: 06/06/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Wallgate Limited
• Original Assignee: Wallgate Limited
• Inventors: Renfrew, Andrew Boulton
• Application Number:
  US13/816,436
• Publication Number:
  US 20130140331A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 222/190
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/14 Foam or lather making devices for shaving A45D27/02

Abstract

A liquid dispenser having an outlet for dispensing liquid, mixing means for mixing liquid and gas, liquid supply means, and gas supply means, the outlet, mixing means, liquid supply means and/or gas supply means are so arranged that in a first condition liquid and gas may be supplied by the liquid supply means and gas supply means respectively through the mixing means to the outlet thereby dispensing foamed liquid from the outlet, or in a second condition liquid may be supplied to the outlet, thereby dispensing unfoamed liquid from the outlet.

Claims

1. A liquid dispenser comprising,

an outlet for dispensing liquid,

mixing means for mixing liquid and gas,

liquid supply means, and

gas supply means,

wherein the outlet, mixing means, liquid supply means and/or gas supply means are so arranged that in a first condition liquid and gas may be supplied by the liquid supply means and gas supply means respectively through the mixing means to the outlet thereby dispensing foamed liquid from the outlet, or in a second condition liquid may be supplied to the outlet, thereby dispensing unfoamed liquid from the outlet.

2. A dispenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein in the second condition liquid is supplied through the mixing means to the outlet.

3. A dispenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein the liquid is soap.

4. A dispenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gas is air.

5. A dispenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gas supply means is so arranged that it may be put in a first condition for supplying gas to the mixing means thereby providing foamed liquid, or in a second condition where gas is not supplied to the mixing means thereby providing unfoamed liquid.

6. A dispenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mixing means comprises one or more shear regions.

7. A dispenser as claimed in claim 6, wherein the mixing means comprises one or more of the following components:

mesh, gauze, baffle, orifice, mixing manifold, and passageway.

8. A dispenser as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a check valve to prevent liquid being pumped into the gas supply means.

9. A dispenser as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a return valve so arranged as to reduce drips after liquid is dispersed from the outlet.

10. A dispenser as claimed in claim 9 wherein the return valve comprises a poppet valve.

11. A nozzle for a liquid dispenser, the nozzle comprising the features as claimed in claim 1.

16. The nozzle of claim 1, further comprising a check valve to prevent liquid being pumped into the gas supply means.

17. The nozzle of claim 1, further comprising a return valve so arranged as to reduce drips after liquid is dispersed from the outlet.

18. The nozzle of claim 17 wherein the return valve comprises a poppet valve.

12. A nozzle for a liquid dispenser comprising,

an outlet for dispensing liquid,

mixing means for mixing liquid and gas,

liquid supply means, and

gas supply means so arranged that it may be put in a first condition for supplying gas to the mixing means thereby providing foamed liquid, or in a second condition where gas is not supplied to the mixing means thereby providing unfoamed liquid,

wherein the outlet, mixing means, liquid supply means and/or gas supply means are so arranged that in a first condition liquid and gas may be supplied by the liquid supply means and gas supply means respectively through the mixing means to the outlet thereby dispensing foamed liquid from the outlet, or in a second condition liquid may be supplied to the outlet, thereby dispensing unfoamed liquid from the outlet.

13. The nozzle of claim 12 wherein in the second condition liquid is supplied through the mixing means to the outlet.

14. The nozzle of claim 12 wherein the mixing means comprises one or more shear regions.

15. The nozzle of claim 14 wherein the mixing means comprises one or more of the following components:

mesh, gauze, baffle, orifice, mixing manifold, and passageway.