TWO FLUID PUMP

• US 20130206794A1
• Filed: 02/13/2013
• Published: 08/15/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: GOJO Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: GOJO Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: McNulty, John J., Ciavarella, Nick E.
• Application Number:
  US13/766,477
• Publication Number:
  US 20130206794A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 222/136
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/1202 dispensing dosed volume A47K5/1201 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/1215 applied by a peristaltic action
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/14 Foam or lather making devices for shaving A45D27/02
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/16 with mechanical drive food mixers A47J43/04
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/1084 each liquid or other fluent material being pumped by a separate pump
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 9/0413 with reciprocating pumps, e.g. membrane pump, piston pump, bellow pump B05B9/0409 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/3261 Flexible containers having several compartments

Abstract

Pumps with housing and a diaphragms located within the housing are disclosed herein. A diaphragm connected to an actuator separates the housing into a first chamber and a second chamber. Each chamber includes a one-way inlet valve and a one-way outlet valve. Movement of the actuator in a first direction causes the volume of the first chamber to contract and causes the first fluid to be expelled from the first chamber while causing the volume of the second chamber to expand and draw in the second fluid through the second one-way inlet valve. Movement of the actuator in the second direction has the opposite effect causing the first fluid to be drain to the first chamber and the second fluid to be expelled through the second one-way outlet valve. The first and second fluid combine in a mixing chamber and form a foam, which is expelled at an outlet.

Claims

1. A pump comprising:

a housing;

a diaphragm located within the housing;

the diaphragm separating the housing into a first chamber and a second chamber;

a first one-way inlet valve for allowing a first fluid into the first chamber;

a first one-way outlet valve for allowing the first fluid out of the first chamber;

a second one-way inlet valve for allowing a second fluid into the second chamber;

a second one-way outlet valve for allowing the second fluid out of the second chamber;

an actuator connected to the diaphragm;

wherein movement of the actuator in a first direction causes the volume of the first chamber to contract and causes the first fluid to be expelled from the first chamber and causes the volume of the second chamber to expand and draw in the second fluid through the second one-way inlet valve; and

movement of the actuator in the second direction causes the volume of the first chamber to expand drawing the first fluid past the first one-way inlet valve into the first chamber and contracts the second chamber causing the volume of the second fluid to be expelled through the second one-way outlet valve.

2. The pump of claim 1 further comprising a mixing chamber for receiving the first fluid and the second fluid.

3. The pump of claim 2 further comprising an outlet nozzle for dispensing the mixture of the first fluid and the second fluid as a foam.

4. The pump of claim 1 wherein the actuator passes through a wall of the pump.

5. The pump of claim 1 wherein the actuator is a piston.

6. The pump of claim 1 wherein the diaphragm is an elastomeric element.

7. The pump of claim 1 wherein the diaphragm is a rubber element.

8. The pump of claim 1 further comprising a first reservoir for holding the first fluid and a second reservoir for holding the second fluid.

9. A dispenser comprising:

a dispenser housing and a pump system;

the pump system includes a housing and a diaphragm;

the diaphragm separates the housing into two chambers;

the diaphragm having a first position that reduces the volume of the first chamber and expands the volume of the second chamber;

the diaphragm having a second position that expands the volume of the first chamber and reduces the volume of the second chamber;

wherein movement of the diaphragm to the first position causes fluid to be expelled from the first chamber and fluid to be drawn into the second chamber; and

wherein movement of the diaphragm to the second position causes fluid to be expelled from the second chamber and fluid to be drawn into the first chamber.

10. The dispenser of claim 9 further comprising a mixing chamber for receiving the first and second fluids.

11. The dispenser of claim 9 wherein the pump reciprocates at a speed greater than about 60 cycles per minute.

12. The dispenser of claim 9 wherein the actuator comprises a piston.

13. The dispenser of claim 9 wherein the actuator passes through a wall of a housing of the pump.

14. A method of creating a foam comprising:

providing a pump having a first chamber and a second chamber separated by a diaphragm;

providing a first fluid comprising an acid and a second fluid comprising a base;

moving the diaphragm to a first position causing the first fluid to be pumped to a mixing chamber and the second fluid to be drawn into the second chamber; and

moving the diaphragm to a second position causing the second fluid to be pumped to the mixing chamber and the first fluid to be drawn into the first chamber;

wherein a chemical reaction occurs between the first fluid and the second fluid that causes the formation of gas and the mixture is expelled as a foam.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein at least one of the first and second fluids contains a wax.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein operating the pump from the first position to the second position and back to the first position occurs at rate that is greater than about 60 cycles per second.

17. The method of claim 14 comprising operating the pump at a frequency sufficient to agitate the first and second fluids in the mixing chamber.

18. A refill unit for a two fluid foam dispenser comprising:

a first reservoir and a second reservoir formed between two sheets of material;

a first tube extending to the first reservoir and a second tube extending to the second reservoir;

the first tube and second tube at least partially surrounded by the sheets of material;

a mixing chamber, wherein the mixing chamber is in fluid communication with the first and second tubes; and

an outlet nozzle downstream of the mixing chamber;

wherein a first fluid from the first fluid reservoir and a second fluid from the second fluid reservoir are combined in the mixing chamber and form a foam that is dispensed out of the nozzle.

19. The refill unit of claim 18 further comprising a first valve and a second valve having a sufficient cracking pressure to prevent inadvertent discharge.

20. The refill unit of claim 18 further comprising a roller actuator, wherein the roller actuator is configured to compress the first and second tubes through at least a portion of travel that includes sheet material.