FLUIDIC PRODUCT DISPENSER

• US 20140189992A1
• Filed: 03/13/2014
• Published: 07/10/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: GAB Engineering & Development B.V
• Original Assignee: G.A.B. Development & Engineering B.V.
• Inventors: GANZEBOOM, Wilhelmus Everhardus
• Application Number:
  US14/207,935
• Publication Number:
  US 20140189992A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 29/402.08
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/1207 Dispensing from the bottom of the dispenser with a vertical piston
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/1208 by means of a flexible dispensing chamber
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 5/14 Foam or lather making devices for shaving A45D27/02
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/1002 the direction of the pressure stroke being substantially perpendicular to the major axis of the container B05B11/1009, B05B11/1015 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/1004 comprising a movable cylinder and a stationary piston
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/1015 actuated without substantial movement of the nozzle in the direction of the pressure stroke B05B11/1011 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/1022 actuated by pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/1087 Combination of liquid and air pumps
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 7/0031 with disturbing means promoting mixing, e.g. balls, crowns
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4973 Replacing of defective part

Abstract

A dispenser includes a housing holding an assembly, including a liquid reservoir, a pump for dispensing the fluid product, and an outlet nozzle. The pump includes a liquid chamber for containing a dose of the liquid product and a pressurizing device which allows liquid product to be drawn into or expelled from the liquid chamber. The dispenser further includes a shunting chamber including a first aperture allowing flow access to the reservoir, a second aperture allowing flow access to the outlet nozzle, and a third aperture allowing flow access to the liquid chamber. The third aperture is disposed off-axis with respect to the first and second apertures. The shunting chamber further includes a mechanically actuated governing device that has two states, one defining a flow path between the first and third apertures and one defining a flow path between the third and second apertures.

Claims

1. A method of conducting a maintenance operation on a dispenser for dispensing a fluid product, the dispenser comprising a housing for accommodating an assembly, the assembly comprising:

a liquid reservoir, for containing a liquid product;

a pump, connectable to the reservoir, for dispensing the fluid product using the liquid product as an input;

an outlet nozzle, serving to convey and dispense the fluid product from the pump,

whereby the pump comprises;

a liquid chamber, for containing a dose of the liquid product obtainable from the liquid reservoir, with an associated first compressor that allows liquid product to be drawn into or expelled from the liquid chamber;

an air chamber, for containing a dose of air, with an associated second compressor that allows air to be drawn into or expelled from the air chamber,

the method comprising;

opening the housing;

removing used parts comprising at least the liquid reservoir;

replacing the removed parts by replacement parts; and

closing the housing,

whereby, in said removal/replacement operation, at least one of the liquid chamber and air chamber is left in place in the housing, together with its associated compressor.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein, in said removal/replacement operation, the air chamber is left in place in the housing, together with its associated compressor.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the removed parts additionally comprise the outlet nozzle, and the replacement parts additionally comprise a replacement outlet nozzle.

4. A method according to claim 2, wherein the removed parts additionally comprise the outlet nozzle, and the replacement parts additionally comprise a replacement outlet nozzle.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the dispenser further comprises a shunting chamber comprising:

a first aperture allowing flow access to the liquid reservoir;

a second aperture allowing flow access to the outlet nozzle;

a third aperture allowing flow access to the liquid chamber;

a fourth aperture allowing flow access to the air chamber,

whereby the third aperture and fourth apertures are disposed off-axis with respect to the first and second apertures.

6. A method according to claim 4, wherein the removed parts additionally comprise the shunting chamber, and the replacement parts additionally comprise a replacement shunting chamber.

7. A method according to claim 4, wherein the connections between the shunting chamber on the one hand and the liquid and air chambers on the other hand are effected using a mating mechanism selected from the group comprising a pressure fit coupling, a click coupling and a bayonet coupling.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein the first and second compressors are each chosen from the group comprising a bellows, a balloon, a piston, a membrane and an impeller.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein:

the fluid product is foam;

the outlet nozzle comprises a turbulence generating member for generating turbulence in fluid passing therethrough.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein:

the fluid dispensed from the outlet nozzle is a spray;

the outlet nozzle comprises a constriction arranged in a flow path of the fluid.