WO2009136781A1 - Squeeze foamer - Google Patents

Squeeze foamer Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2009136781A1
WO2009136781A1 PCT/NL2008/000124 NL2008000124W WO2009136781A1 WO 2009136781 A1 WO2009136781 A1 WO 2009136781A1 NL 2008000124 W NL2008000124 W NL 2008000124W WO 2009136781 A1 WO2009136781 A1 WO 2009136781A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
passage
foam
air
squeeze foamer
liquid
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/NL2008/000124
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Marcus Cornelis Jacobus Tepas
Peter Jozef Jan Albertz
Casper Kleiman
Original Assignee
Rexam Airspray N.V.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Rexam Airspray N.V. filed Critical Rexam Airspray N.V.
Priority to PCT/NL2008/000124 priority Critical patent/WO2009136781A1/en
Publication of WO2009136781A1 publication Critical patent/WO2009136781A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05BSPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B11/00Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
    • B05B11/01Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use characterised by the means producing the flow
    • B05B11/04Deformable containers producing the flow, e.g. squeeze bottles
    • B05B11/047Deformable containers producing the flow, e.g. squeeze bottles characterised by the outlet or venting means
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47KSANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
    • A47K5/00Holders or dispensers for soap, toothpaste, or the like
    • A47K5/14Foam or lather making devices
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05BSPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B7/00Spraying apparatus for discharge of liquids or other fluent materials from two or more sources, e.g. of liquid and air, of powder and gas
    • B05B7/0018Spraying apparatus for discharge of liquids or other fluent materials from two or more sources, e.g. of liquid and air, of powder and gas with devices for making foam
    • B05B7/0025Spraying apparatus for discharge of liquids or other fluent materials from two or more sources, e.g. of liquid and air, of powder and gas with devices for making foam with a compressed gas supply
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05BSPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B11/00Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
    • B05B11/0005Components or details
    • B05B11/0027Means for neutralising the actuation of the sprayer ; Means for preventing access to the sprayer actuation means
    • B05B11/0032Manually actuated means located downstream the discharge nozzle for closing or covering it, e.g. shutters
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05BSPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B11/00Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
    • B05B11/01Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use characterised by the means producing the flow
    • B05B11/04Deformable containers producing the flow, e.g. squeeze bottles
    • B05B11/042Deformable containers producing the flow, e.g. squeeze bottles the spray being effected by a gas or vapour flow in the nozzle, spray head, outlet or dip tube
    • B05B11/043Deformable containers producing the flow, e.g. squeeze bottles the spray being effected by a gas or vapour flow in the nozzle, spray head, outlet or dip tube designed for spraying a liquid
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05BSPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B7/00Spraying apparatus for discharge of liquids or other fluent materials from two or more sources, e.g. of liquid and air, of powder and gas
    • B05B7/0018Spraying apparatus for discharge of liquids or other fluent materials from two or more sources, e.g. of liquid and air, of powder and gas with devices for making foam
    • B05B7/0025Spraying apparatus for discharge of liquids or other fluent materials from two or more sources, e.g. of liquid and air, of powder and gas with devices for making foam with a compressed gas supply
    • B05B7/0031Spraying apparatus for discharge of liquids or other fluent materials from two or more sources, e.g. of liquid and air, of powder and gas with devices for making foam with a compressed gas supply with disturbing means promoting mixing, e.g. balls, crowns
    • B05B7/0037Spraying apparatus for discharge of liquids or other fluent materials from two or more sources, e.g. of liquid and air, of powder and gas with devices for making foam with a compressed gas supply with disturbing means promoting mixing, e.g. balls, crowns including sieves, porous members or the like

Definitions

  • a squeeze foamer is a foam dispensing device having a reservoir filled with a foamable liquid and air which is squeezed to produce a quantity of foam.
  • a drawback of the known squeeze foamer is that the intake of air may cause a squeaking sound. Such squeaking sound is undesirable since a user of the squeeze foamer may find such noise annoying. As a result, a less attractive product is obtained.
  • An object of an aspect of the invention is to provide a squeeze foamer in which the intake of air in the reservoir results in an undesired sound, in particular a squeaking sound is substantially avoided.
  • An aspect of the invention provides a squeeze foamer according to the preamble of claim 1 , characterized in that that the foam-forming assembly further comprising an air intake passage separate from the dispensing passage and the liquid passage, and an air inlet valve in said air intake passage, said air inlet valve comprising an annular lip, said annular lip having a curved shape.
  • the squeaking noise of the annular lip of the air inlet valve can substantially be avoided by providing a curved shape in the annular lip. Due to the curved shape substantial resonance resulting in a squeaking noise is decreased.
  • the air intake passage comprises a plurality of inlet holes, wherein said inlet holes are unevenly distributed over the circumference of the dispensing assembly. It has been found that the distribution of the air inlet holes over the cirumference of the foam- forming assembly has an effect on the resonance of the annular lip. In particular, an even distribution of the air inlet holes over the circumference of the foam-forming assembly may have a positive effect on the resonance of the annular lip. By avoiding an even distribution of the air inlet holes results in less chance of an undesired noise of the annular lip.
  • the annular lip is convex towards the interioir of the container. The provision of a convex shape towards the interior of the container provides an adequate sealing of the air intake pasage during pressurization of the container of the squeeze foamer.
  • a rii is provided in the foam-forming assembly, said ril forming a sealing surface for said annular lip.
  • the air intake passage is close. It has been found that the provision of a ril may decrease the resonance of the annular lip during the intake of air in the container.
  • an uneven distribution of the air inlet holes over the circumference of the foam-forming assembly and/or the provision of a ril forming a sealing surface for said annular lip may be provided in combination with a non-curved lip to decrease the noise level of an annular lip during the intake of air in the container.
  • the squeeze foamer according to the preamble of claim 1 is characterized in that the valve body is clamped between two housing parts, and a rotational stop is provided in said foam-forming assembly to avoid rotation of said two housing parts with respect to each other. Rotation of the housing parts of the foam-forming assembly between which the valve body is clamped may result in deformation of the valve body. As a result, the valve body may no longer function properly. In particular, the deformation of the valve body may lead to a different opening pressure of the valve body and/or leakage.
  • the rotational stop may be arranged to prevent rotation directly between the two parts or via other parts of the foam-forming assembly.
  • the squeeze foamer according to the preamble of claim 1 is characterized in that the foam-forming assembly comprises two parts mounted on each other, the two parts having at least two circumferential stops in axial direction, said two circumferential stops being arranged concentrically at a different radii.
  • a circumferential stop comprises one or more stops which provide a circumferential contact surface for a part mounted on the part having the stop.
  • Such construction is in particular desirable when one of the two parts is the part defining the mouths of the air passage and liquid passage, as tilting and/or deformation of this part may lead to an inproper sealing between the valve body and the mouths of the air and/or liquid passage.
  • each circumferential stop comprises a number of stops arranged on a circle.
  • the squeeze foamer according to the preamble of claim 1 is characterized in that the foam-forming assembly comprises two parts mounted on each other, a liquid or air channel sealing connection between the two parts being provided by press-fitting a smaller cylindrical tube of one part in a larger cylindrical tube of the other part, the material of the larger cylindrical tube being relative soft with respect to the material of the smaller cylindrical tube.
  • the squeeze foamer according to the invention may be combined with any other foam dispensing device.
  • the reservoirs of both squeeze foamers may be integrated in a single bottle having two reservoirs.
  • a foam-forming assembly may be mounted, the dispensing openings of the foam-forming assembly being arranged to dispense a foam at substantially the same location.
  • Fig. 1 shows a cross section of a first embodiment of a dispensing device according to the invention
  • Fig. 2a shows a cross section of the embodiment of Figure 1 during dispensing of a foam
  • Fig. 2b shows the right-hand side half of Figure 2a
  • Fig. 2c shows the left-hand side half of Figure 2a
  • Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the second housing part
  • Fig. 4a shows a perspective top view of the third housing part
  • Fig. 4b shows a perspective bottom view of the third housing part
  • Fig. 5 shows a view correponding to Fig. 2c of an alternative embodiment of a squeeze foamer in rest state.
  • Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a dispensing device according to the invention.
  • the dispensing device is denoted overall by reference numeral 1.
  • the dispensing device 1 is of the squeeze foamer type.
  • Such a squeeze foamer dispenses a foam through a dispensing opening as a result of a container being squeezed. After it has been squeezed, the container will return to the original state, either by the elasticity of the container itself or by restoring means which are provided in order to return the container to its original state.
  • the foam which can be formed using the dispensing device 1 may be suitable for various different uses, such as, for example, as soap, shampoo, shaving foam, washing-up liquid, sun-tan lotion, after-sun lotion, washing liquid, skincare products and the like.
  • the dispensing device is shown in the rest position, that is to say that the container is not being squeezed.
  • a squeeze foamer can be operated by hand.
  • the illustrated squeeze foamer can be held in a hand during delivery. It is also possible to install it or a similar dispensing device into a holder which is to be attached, for example, to the wall, similar to holder which can, for example, be found in public toilets.
  • the dispensing device 1 comprises a manually compressible container 2 containing a liquid and air.
  • the container has an opening 3 on which a foam-forming assembly is fitted.
  • the container 2 may have any suitable shape, for example a shape having an elliptical or a circular cross section.
  • the foam-forming assembly is substantially circular-symmetrical around a center axis of symmetry A-A.
  • the foam-forming assembly comprises a housing with a first housing part 20, a second housing part 4 and third housing part 5.
  • the third housing part 5 is attached to the container 2 by means of a threaded connection, the first housing part 20 and the second housing part 4 being clamped in a sealing manner between the container 2 and the third housing part 5.
  • the third housing part 5 may be attached by means of a snap connection, a welded connection, an airtight seal or another suitable connection on or in the container 2.
  • the foam-forming assembly comprises a substantially conical valve body 6 which is clamped near clamping section 6a between the second housing part 4 and the third housing part 5.
  • the valve body 6 is made from a flexible, preferably elastic material. Silicone, such as for example liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR), has proved to be a particularly suitable material for the valve body 6.
  • LSR liquid Silicone Rubber
  • the air is, relative to the liquid, situated at the top of the container 2. This liquid and this air can be turned into a foam by means of the dispensing device 1 , which is dispensed through a dispensing opening 8 in the sealing cap 7.
  • a liquid passage is provided which runs from the liquid in the container via a number of openings 9a and/or 9b in the first housing part 20 to an annular mouth 10 in the second housing part 4 (between the circular edges 4a and 4b) of the liquid passage.
  • an air passage is provided which runs from the air at the top of the container 2 via the tube 11 to three mouths 12 (of which one is shown in Figures 1 and 2) of the air passage.
  • both the annular mouth 10 and the mouths 12 are sealed by the valve body 6.
  • none of the mouths 10, 12 are in fluid communication with one of the three entry ports 30 of the dispensing passage (of which only one is shown in the Figure 1).
  • the mouths 12 of the air passage and the entry ports 30 of the dispensing passage are substantially arranged on the circumference of an imaginary circle (see also figure 3), and border on the sealing edge 4a of the second housing part 4 which sealing edge 4a forms an annular sealing surface for the valve body 6.
  • the annular mouth 10 of the liquid passage is located at the upper side of the sealing edge 4a.
  • Each of the mouths 12 of the air passage is at least partially surrounded by a sealing surface 4c.
  • each mouth 12 is surrounded by the sealing surface 4c and a part of the annular sealing surface 4a.
  • the mouths 10, 12 Upon actuation of the dispensing device, i.e. compressing the container 2, the mouths 10, 12 will at a certain moment be opened because the valve body will detach from the sealing surface 4a, as shown in figure 2a, 2b and 2c. As a result, the liquid passage and the air passage come almost simultaneously in communication with a dispensing passage via the entry ports 30. As a consequence, the liquid and air will mix and form a foam in the dispensing passage.
  • the dispensing passage runs through the central part of the valve body 6, in which a sieve element 13 with two small sieves is arranged, to the dispensing opening 8 of the sealing cap 7.
  • the air passage contains one or more air ducts which bring the air in the container in fluid communication with the mouths of the air passage which, in the rest position, is covered by the valve body.
  • the liquid passage correspondingly contains one or more liquid ducts which bring the liquid in the container in fluid communication with the mouth of the liquid passage which, in the rest position, is covered by the valve body.
  • valve body 6 will be discussed in more detail.
  • the valve body 6 is sealing Iy clamped between the second housing part 4 and the third housing part 5. Furthermore, the valve body is retained by the annular edge 4a, edge 4c at each of the mouths of the air passage and the sieve element 13. In order, in the rest position, to achieve a better sealing along the circular edges 4a and 4c, the valve body 6 is fitted with some axial pretension between the second housing part 4 and the third housing part 5.
  • a rotational stop is arranged between these housing parts 4, 5.
  • Such deformation could come into existence due to the rotational movement of the container with respect to the foam-forming assembly when mounting the foam-forming assembly on the container in case the rotational stop would be absent.
  • Such deformation is undesirable since the deformation may lead to different opening pressures of the valve body 6 and/or leakage of the valve body 6.
  • the rotational stop comprises a number of teeth 32 on the second housing part 4 ( Figure 3) and a number of teeth 31 ( Figure 4a) on the third housing part 5 which cooperate to prevent rotation between the second and third housing parts 4, 5. Any other means to prevent rotation between the second housing part 4 and the third housing part 5 may also be applied, such means is regarded to be rotational stop.
  • the valve body 6 has an arcuate section 6c which, in the rest position, is located, at least partly, in the mouth of the liquid passage.
  • This arcuate section 6c has the advantage that, as a result of the liquid column in the container and the liquid passage which, in the rest position, presses on the valve body, an improved sealing is obtained at point 4a. This is due to the fact that the arcuate section 6c is pushed in, as a result of which the sides of the arch are pushed sideways. As a result, the outside of the arcuate section 6c is pushed towards the clamp 6a, and the inside of the arcuate section 6c is pushed against the circular edge 4a as well as against the circular edge 4c, which increases the sealing action.
  • the cross section of the arcuate section 6c which extends inside the liquid passage is not of a symmetrical design, but that a top of the arcuate section 6c is situated relatively close to the edge 4a, i.e. that the top of the arcuate section 6c is closer to the edge 4a than to the edge 4b.
  • the arcuate section 6c will, under the pressure of the liquid column, in particular press against the edge 4a, resulting in a good sealing here.
  • the mouth is efficiently sealed off by the valve body 6 without a great clamping force being required.
  • a top can be provided near both edges of the liquid passage in order to achieve the advantageous very strong clamping effect of the arcuate section of the valve body on both edges.
  • the cross section of the arcuate section of the valve body then resembles the back of a camel, the two tops of the valve body representing the humps of the camel.
  • the valve body 6 On the side situated on the outside of the clamping section 6a, the valve body 6 has an annular sealing lip 6b which serves as a valve for an air inlet valve which allows air into the container 2 when a certain reduced pressure is created in the container 2 as a result of the liquid in the container 2 being dispensed.
  • the sealing lip 6b normally seals the passage of the container 2 towards the outside, but will allow a flow of air from outside into the container 2 through the air inlet openings 15 (only one shown) when there is a reduced pressure in the container 2.
  • the annular sealing lip 6b has a curved shape. Due to the curved shape, the annular sealing lip 6b will substantially less resonate during the intake of air into the container 2. As a result a squeaking noise or undesired sound due to resonance is avoided.
  • the shape of the sealing lip is convex towards the interior of the container 2 with respect to the air intake passage. Any other suitable curved shape may also be applied.
  • FIGS. 4a and 4b show a perspective top and bottom view of the third housing part 5, respectively, having an uneven distribution of the air inlet holes 15 over the circumference over the third housing part 5.
  • the dispensing device 1 furthermore comprises a sealing cap 7. Relative to the third housing part 5, this sealing cap 7 can be moved at least into an open position, as shown in Fig. 1 , and a closed position (towards the top in the drawing, relative to the housing). In the closed position, a projecting section 5b of the third housing part 5 is moved into the dispensing opening 8 so that no foam can be dispensed through the dispensing opening 8.
  • the air inlet passage which, via the valve body 6b and the opening 15, leads to the interior of the container 2, is sealed when the sealing cap is placed in the closed position.
  • the sealing cap 7 still has a number of upwardly pointing fingers which engage with complementary fingers on the third housing part 5. These intermating fingers form further sealings in the closed position.
  • a gasket 29 is provided between the first housing part 20 and the container to provide a seal between the first housing part 20 and the container 2.
  • a gasket 29 has the advantage that a proper sealing is obtained between the foam-forming assembly and the container 2. Irregularities in the sealing surface of the container 2 or the first housing part 20, for instance caused by manufacturing, may be taken into account by the material of the gasket 29 which preferably is elastic.
  • the first housing part 20 and the second housing part 4 are mounted on each other.
  • a sealing connection is provided in the liquid passage which runs from the first housing part 20 to the second housing part 4.
  • This sealing connection is obtained by press-fitting relative small cylindrical tubes 25 on the second housing part 4 in relative large cylindrical tubes 26 on the first housing part 20.
  • the outer diameter of the smaller cylindrical tubes 25 is equal or slightly larger than the inner diameter of the larger cylindrical tubes 26.
  • the material of the larger cylindrical tubes 26 is softer than the material of the smaller cylindrical tubes 25, so that the large cylindrical tubes 26 are deformed when the first housing part 4 and second housing part 5 are mounted on each other.
  • the material of the second housing part 4 is relative hard as it defines the sealing surfaces of the mouths 10 and 12, the second housing part 5 comprises the smaller cylindrical tubes.
  • first housing part 20 and the second housing part 4 circumferential axial stops are provided at different radii to obtain a stiff connection between the first housing part 20 and the second housing part 4.
  • annular rim 27 is arranged as a first circumferential stop which rests against the second housing part 4. Furthemore, the ends of the cylindrical tubes of the first housing part 20 rest against the second housing part 4, therewith providing a second circumferential stop.
  • both the annular mouth 10 of the liquid passage and the mouths 12 of the air passage will substantially simultaneously come in communication with each other and the entry ports 30 of the dispensing passage.
  • a mixture of air and liquid will come into existence, which as a result of the pressure which is caused by compressing the container, will flow into the dispensing passage via the entry ports 30.
  • This mixture of air and liquid will then flow through the constriction and small sieves, which will produce an (improved) foam.
  • This foam will flow down through the dispensing passage towards the dispensing opening 8, where it will be dispensed.
  • valve body 6 thus as it were successively rolls over the annular edge 4a during dispensing as a result of which the liquid and air can flow via the dispensing passage to the dispensing opening, creating a foam in the dispensing passage.
  • the liquid which flows through the opening 9a to the annular mouth 10 is not able to reach a space 21 which is situated between the first housing part 4 and the third housing part 20.
  • This space 21 connects the space 22 just above the air inlet valve 6b to the interior of the riser 11.
  • the air which enters through the air inlet valve 6b during aeration of the container 2 following the dispensing of a certain amount of liquid will successively flow through the spaces 22 and 21 and through the riser 11 into the top section of the container 2.
  • the air is prevented from passing through the liquid in the container 2 prior to the aeration of the container 2.
  • the latter has the disadvantage that a foam may already be formed in the container 2 as the air required for aerating the bottle flows through the liquid.
  • An advantage of the embodiment of the dispensing device 1 is that the annular mouth of the liquid passage and the distribution of the mouths of the air passage over the circumference of a circle, distribute the liquid and the air over a relatively large surface area, resulting in a relatively good mixing. This advantage is also achieved when one or both of the annular mouths extend over less than 360 degrees or are subdivided into several openings which together form an interrupted annular opening. Such embodiments are considered to fall within the scope of protection of the invention.
  • valve body it is possible to design the valve body to be stiff and to press or pull it against the second housing part 4 using a spring element.
  • the spring When the pressure in the container is increased, the spring will then be compressed or extended, respectively, creating a gap between the valve body 6 and the third housing part 4.
  • the advantageous rolling effect described above will not occur.
  • Another advantage of the embodiment of the dispensing device 1 is that as a result of the central opening 14 which is provided in the valve body, the stream of liquid and/or the stream of air does not have to turn corners of 90 degrees or more. By providing this opening 14, the stream of liquid and the stream of air can maintain their speed, thus resulting in a better mixture of the liquid and the air.
  • the valve body 6 is designed to be substantially conical as a result of which the speed of the stream of liquid and the stream of air is maintained even more effectively.
  • the conical shape has the advantage that a sieve element assisting the production of foam can be fitted in the cone.
  • the illustrated embodiment of the dispensing device has the advantage that the liquid to be dispensed moves in a direction relative to the direction of the center axis of symmetry while it is being dispensed. This is made possible by the specific construction of the dispensing device and aids the production of a foam of the desired quality.
  • the arcuate section 6c of the valve body 6 supports the sealing between the second housing part 4 and the valve body 6. As a result, a better sealing is achieved in the rest position, i.e. when the container 2 is not being squeezed, thus reducing the risk of liquid leaking from the dispensing device.
  • the arcuate section 6c creates a pressure threshold value, at which the valve body becomes detached from the second housing part 4, ensuring an improved foam of constant quality.
  • Figure 5 shows a left-hand side half of an alternative embodiment of a squeeze foamer according to the invention. Most parts of this embodiment correspond to the parts of the embodiment of Figure 1 , and are indicated with the same reference numerals.
  • the sealing lip 6b of the embodiment of Figure 5 is a non-curved lip. Due to the presence of the circumferential ril 40 on which the free end of sealing lip 6b sealingly rests during the intake of air, preferably in combination with an uneven circumferential distribution of two or more air inlet openings 15, a squeaking sound of the sealing lip 6b during intake of air in the container 2 of the squeeze foamer is substantially avoided.

Abstract

The invention relates to a squeeze foamer for dispensing a foam characterized in that the foam-forming assembly comprises an air intake passage (15) separate from the dispensing passage (30) and the liquid passage (9), and an air inlet valve (6) in said air intake passage, said air inlet valve (6) comprising an annular lip (6b), said annular lip having a curved shape.

Description

Short title: Squeeze foamer.
The present invention relates to a squeeze foamer. A squeeze foamer is a foam dispensing device having a reservoir filled with a foamable liquid and air which is squeezed to produce a quantity of foam.
Squeeze foamers are known. For instance, the publication WO2007/086730 describes a squeeze foamer. A similar squeeze foamer is described in co-assigned PCT application no. PCT/NL2007/000304. The whole contents of both PCT applications are hereby incorporated by reference.
A drawback of the known squeeze foamer is that the intake of air may cause a squeaking sound. Such squeaking sound is undesirable since a user of the squeeze foamer may find such noise annoying. As a result, a less attractive product is obtained.
An object of an aspect of the invention is to provide a squeeze foamer in which the intake of air in the reservoir results in an undesired sound, in particular a squeaking sound is substantially avoided.
An aspect of the invention provides a squeeze foamer according to the preamble of claim 1 , characterized in that that the foam-forming assembly further comprising an air intake passage separate from the dispensing passage and the liquid passage, and an air inlet valve in said air intake passage, said air inlet valve comprising an annular lip, said annular lip having a curved shape.
It has surprisingly be found that the squeaking noise of the annular lip of the air inlet valve can substantially be avoided by providing a curved shape in the annular lip. Due to the curved shape substantial resonance resulting in a squeaking noise is decreased.
In an embodiment, the air intake passage comprises a plurality of inlet holes, wherein said inlet holes are unevenly distributed over the circumference of the dispensing assembly. It has been found that the distribution of the air inlet holes over the cirumference of the foam- forming assembly has an effect on the resonance of the annular lip. In particular, an even distribution of the air inlet holes over the circumference of the foam-forming assembly may have a positive effect on the resonance of the annular lip. By avoiding an even distribution of the air inlet holes results in less chance of an undesired noise of the annular lip. In an embodiment, the annular lip is convex towards the interioir of the container. The provision of a convex shape towards the interior of the container provides an adequate sealing of the air intake pasage during pressurization of the container of the squeeze foamer.
In an embodiment a rii is provided in the foam-forming assembly, said ril forming a sealing surface for said annular lip. When the annular lip rests against the ril the air intake passage is close. It has been found that the provision of a ril may decrease the resonance of the annular lip during the intake of air in the container.
It is remarked that the an uneven distribution of the air inlet holes over the circumference of the foam-forming assembly and/or the provision of a ril forming a sealing surface for said annular lip, may be provided in combination with a non-curved lip to decrease the noise level of an annular lip during the intake of air in the container.
According to another aspect of the invention, the squeeze foamer according to the preamble of claim 1 is characterized in that the valve body is clamped between two housing parts, and a rotational stop is provided in said foam-forming assembly to avoid rotation of said two housing parts with respect to each other. Rotation of the housing parts of the foam-forming assembly between which the valve body is clamped may result in deformation of the valve body. As a result, the valve body may no longer function properly. In particular, the deformation of the valve body may lead to a different opening pressure of the valve body and/or leakage.
By preventing rotation of the two parts with respect to each other by arranging a rotational stop in the foam-forming assembly, a different opening pressure of the valve body and/or leakage may be avoided.
The rotational stop may be arranged to prevent rotation directly between the two parts or via other parts of the foam-forming assembly.
According to another aspect of the invention, the squeeze foamer according to the preamble of claim 1 is characterized in that the foam-forming assembly comprises two parts mounted on each other, the two parts having at least two circumferential stops in axial direction, said two circumferential stops being arranged concentrically at a different radii. A circumferential stop comprises one or more stops which provide a circumferential contact surface for a part mounted on the part having the stop. By providing two circumferential stops in axial direction at different radii, a tilting and/or deforming of the two parts with respect to each other is substantially avoided resulting in a stiffer construction. Such construction is in particular desirable when one of the two parts is the part defining the mouths of the air passage and liquid passage, as tilting and/or deformation of this part may lead to an inproper sealing between the valve body and the mouths of the air and/or liquid passage.
In an embodiment, each circumferential stop comprises a number of stops arranged on a circle.
According to another aspect of the invention, the squeeze foamer according to the preamble of claim 1 is characterized in that the foam-forming assembly comprises two parts mounted on each other, a liquid or air channel sealing connection between the two parts being provided by press-fitting a smaller cylindrical tube of one part in a larger cylindrical tube of the other part, the material of the larger cylindrical tube being relative soft with respect to the material of the smaller cylindrical tube.
The squeeze foamer according to the invention may be combined with any other foam dispensing device. In particular it may be possible to combine two squeeze foamers which can simultaneously be depressed to dispense a foam at substantially the same location. For instance, the reservoirs of both squeeze foamers may be integrated in a single bottle having two reservoirs. On each reservoir a foam-forming assembly may be mounted, the dispensing openings of the foam-forming assembly being arranged to dispense a foam at substantially the same location.
The invention will be explained in more detail below by means of an exemplary embodiment in which reference will be made to the attached drawing, in which:
Fig. 1 shows a cross section of a first embodiment of a dispensing device according to the invention; Fig. 2a shows a cross section of the embodiment of Figure 1 during dispensing of a foam;
Fig. 2b shows the right-hand side half of Figure 2a;
Fig. 2c shows the left-hand side half of Figure 2a;
Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the second housing part;
Fig. 4a shows a perspective top view of the third housing part; Fig. 4b shows a perspective bottom view of the third housing part; and
Fig. 5 shows a view correponding to Fig. 2c of an alternative embodiment of a squeeze foamer in rest state. Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a dispensing device according to the invention. The dispensing device is denoted overall by reference numeral 1. The dispensing device 1 is of the squeeze foamer type. Such a squeeze foamer dispenses a foam through a dispensing opening as a result of a container being squeezed. After it has been squeezed, the container will return to the original state, either by the elasticity of the container itself or by restoring means which are provided in order to return the container to its original state.
The foam which can be formed using the dispensing device 1 may be suitable for various different uses, such as, for example, as soap, shampoo, shaving foam, washing-up liquid, sun-tan lotion, after-sun lotion, washing liquid, skincare products and the like.
The dispensing device is shown in the rest position, that is to say that the container is not being squeezed. Such a squeeze foamer can be operated by hand. However, it is also possible to push the container in using a device intended for the purpose.
The illustrated squeeze foamer can be held in a hand during delivery. It is also possible to install it or a similar dispensing device into a holder which is to be attached, for example, to the wall, similar to holder which can, for example, be found in public toilets.
The dispensing device 1 comprises a manually compressible container 2 containing a liquid and air. The container has an opening 3 on which a foam-forming assembly is fitted. The container 2 may have any suitable shape, for example a shape having an elliptical or a circular cross section.
The foam-forming assembly is substantially circular-symmetrical around a center axis of symmetry A-A. The foam-forming assembly comprises a housing with a first housing part 20, a second housing part 4 and third housing part 5. The third housing part 5 is attached to the container 2 by means of a threaded connection, the first housing part 20 and the second housing part 4 being clamped in a sealing manner between the container 2 and the third housing part 5. Alternatively, the third housing part 5 may be attached by means of a snap connection, a welded connection, an airtight seal or another suitable connection on or in the container 2. Furthermore, the foam-forming assembly comprises a substantially conical valve body 6 which is clamped near clamping section 6a between the second housing part 4 and the third housing part 5. The valve body 6 is made from a flexible, preferably elastic material. Silicone, such as for example liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR), has proved to be a particularly suitable material for the valve body 6. In the shown position of the dispensing device, the air is, relative to the liquid, situated at the top of the container 2. This liquid and this air can be turned into a foam by means of the dispensing device 1 , which is dispensed through a dispensing opening 8 in the sealing cap 7. In order to make mixing of the liquid and the air possible, a liquid passage is provided which runs from the liquid in the container via a number of openings 9a and/or 9b in the first housing part 20 to an annular mouth 10 in the second housing part 4 (between the circular edges 4a and 4b) of the liquid passage.
For the air, an air passage is provided which runs from the air at the top of the container 2 via the tube 11 to three mouths 12 (of which one is shown in Figures 1 and 2) of the air passage. In the rest position shown, both the annular mouth 10 and the mouths 12 are sealed by the valve body 6. In the rest position none of the mouths 10, 12 are in fluid communication with one of the three entry ports 30 of the dispensing passage (of which only one is shown in the Figure 1).
The mouths 12 of the air passage and the entry ports 30 of the dispensing passage are substantially arranged on the circumference of an imaginary circle (see also figure 3), and border on the sealing edge 4a of the second housing part 4 which sealing edge 4a forms an annular sealing surface for the valve body 6. At the upper side of the sealing edge 4a the annular mouth 10 of the liquid passage is located. Each of the mouths 12 of the air passage is at least partially surrounded by a sealing surface 4c. In the shown embodiment each mouth 12 is surrounded by the sealing surface 4c and a part of the annular sealing surface 4a. The above configuration of the mouths 10, 12, entry ports 30 and sealing surfaces 4a, 4c is more clearly shown in Figure 3, in which a perspective view of the second housing part 4 is shown.
Upon actuation of the dispensing device, i.e. compressing the container 2, the mouths 10, 12 will at a certain moment be opened because the valve body will detach from the sealing surface 4a, as shown in figure 2a, 2b and 2c. As a result, the liquid passage and the air passage come almost simultaneously in communication with a dispensing passage via the entry ports 30. As a consequence, the liquid and air will mix and form a foam in the dispensing passage.
The dispensing passage runs through the central part of the valve body 6, in which a sieve element 13 with two small sieves is arranged, to the dispensing opening 8 of the sealing cap 7.
Generally, the air passage contains one or more air ducts which bring the air in the container in fluid communication with the mouths of the air passage which, in the rest position, is covered by the valve body. The liquid passage correspondingly contains one or more liquid ducts which bring the liquid in the container in fluid communication with the mouth of the liquid passage which, in the rest position, is covered by the valve body.
Now, the valve body 6 will be discussed in more detail. At the point 6a, the valve body 6 is sealing Iy clamped between the second housing part 4 and the third housing part 5. Furthermore, the valve body is retained by the annular edge 4a, edge 4c at each of the mouths of the air passage and the sieve element 13. In order, in the rest position, to achieve a better sealing along the circular edges 4a and 4c, the valve body 6 is fitted with some axial pretension between the second housing part 4 and the third housing part 5.
To avoid any deformation of the valve body 6 due to rotation of the second housing part 4 with respect to the third housing part 5 a rotational stop is arranged between these housing parts 4, 5. Such deformation could come into existence due to the rotational movement of the container with respect to the foam-forming assembly when mounting the foam-forming assembly on the container in case the rotational stop would be absent. Such deformation is undesirable since the deformation may lead to different opening pressures of the valve body 6 and/or leakage of the valve body 6.
The rotational stop comprises a number of teeth 32 on the second housing part 4 (Figure 3) and a number of teeth 31 (Figure 4a) on the third housing part 5 which cooperate to prevent rotation between the second and third housing parts 4, 5. Any other means to prevent rotation between the second housing part 4 and the third housing part 5 may also be applied, such means is regarded to be rotational stop.
The valve body 6 has an arcuate section 6c which, in the rest position, is located, at least partly, in the mouth of the liquid passage. This arcuate section 6c has the advantage that, as a result of the liquid column in the container and the liquid passage which, in the rest position, presses on the valve body, an improved sealing is obtained at point 4a. This is due to the fact that the arcuate section 6c is pushed in, as a result of which the sides of the arch are pushed sideways. As a result, the outside of the arcuate section 6c is pushed towards the clamp 6a, and the inside of the arcuate section 6c is pushed against the circular edge 4a as well as against the circular edge 4c, which increases the sealing action.
In this case, it is particularly advantageous that the cross section of the arcuate section 6c which extends inside the liquid passage is not of a symmetrical design, but that a top of the arcuate section 6c is situated relatively close to the edge 4a, i.e. that the top of the arcuate section 6c is closer to the edge 4a than to the edge 4b. As a result of this shape, the arcuate section 6c will, under the pressure of the liquid column, in particular press against the edge 4a, resulting in a good sealing here. As the liquid passage is sealed on the other side by the clamp at section 6a, the mouth is efficiently sealed off by the valve body 6 without a great clamping force being required.
In an alternative embodiment in which the valve body 6 is not sealingly mounted to one of the sides of the mouth, a top can be provided near both edges of the liquid passage in order to achieve the advantageous very strong clamping effect of the arcuate section of the valve body on both edges. The cross section of the arcuate section of the valve body then resembles the back of a camel, the two tops of the valve body representing the humps of the camel.
On the side situated on the outside of the clamping section 6a, the valve body 6 has an annular sealing lip 6b which serves as a valve for an air inlet valve which allows air into the container 2 when a certain reduced pressure is created in the container 2 as a result of the liquid in the container 2 being dispensed. The sealing lip 6b normally seals the passage of the container 2 towards the outside, but will allow a flow of air from outside into the container 2 through the air inlet openings 15 (only one shown) when there is a reduced pressure in the container 2.
According to an aspect of the invention, the annular sealing lip 6b has a curved shape. Due to the curved shape, the annular sealing lip 6b will substantially less resonate during the intake of air into the container 2. As a result a squeaking noise or undesired sound due to resonance is avoided. The shape of the sealing lip is convex towards the interior of the container 2 with respect to the air intake passage. Any other suitable curved shape may also be applied.
To further decrease any chance on resonance of the annular lip 6b, the air inlet openings 15 are unevenly distributed over the circumference of the foam forming assembly, for instance three groups of two air inlet openings. It has been found that such uneven distribution has a positive effect on the prevention of resonance in the sealing 6b. Figures 4a and 4b show a perspective top and bottom view of the third housing part 5, respectively, having an uneven distribution of the air inlet holes 15 over the circumference over the third housing part 5.
The dispensing device 1 furthermore comprises a sealing cap 7. Relative to the third housing part 5, this sealing cap 7 can be moved at least into an open position, as shown in Fig. 1 , and a closed position (towards the top in the drawing, relative to the housing). In the closed position, a projecting section 5b of the third housing part 5 is moved into the dispensing opening 8 so that no foam can be dispensed through the dispensing opening 8. The air inlet passage which, via the valve body 6b and the opening 15, leads to the interior of the container 2, is sealed when the sealing cap is placed in the closed position. The sealing cap 7 still has a number of upwardly pointing fingers which engage with complementary fingers on the third housing part 5. These intermating fingers form further sealings in the closed position.
A gasket 29 is provided between the first housing part 20 and the container to provide a seal between the first housing part 20 and the container 2. A gasket 29 has the advantage that a proper sealing is obtained between the foam-forming assembly and the container 2. Irregularities in the sealing surface of the container 2 or the first housing part 20, for instance caused by manufacturing, may be taken into account by the material of the gasket 29 which preferably is elastic.
The first housing part 20 and the second housing part 4 are mounted on each other. A sealing connection is provided in the liquid passage which runs from the first housing part 20 to the second housing part 4. This sealing connection is obtained by press-fitting relative small cylindrical tubes 25 on the second housing part 4 in relative large cylindrical tubes 26 on the first housing part 20. To obtain a sealing connection the outer diameter of the smaller cylindrical tubes 25 is equal or slightly larger than the inner diameter of the larger cylindrical tubes 26.
Advantageously the material of the larger cylindrical tubes 26 is softer than the material of the smaller cylindrical tubes 25, so that the large cylindrical tubes 26 are deformed when the first housing part 4 and second housing part 5 are mounted on each other. As it is preferably that the material of the second housing part 4 is relative hard as it defines the sealing surfaces of the mouths 10 and 12, the second housing part 5 comprises the smaller cylindrical tubes.
Between the first housing part 20 and the second housing part 4 circumferential axial stops are provided at different radii to obtain a stiff connection between the first housing part 20 and the second housing part 4. At the outer circumference of the first housing part 20 an annular rim 27 is arranged as a first circumferential stop which rests against the second housing part 4. Furthemore, the ends of the cylindrical tubes of the first housing part 20 rest against the second housing part 4, therewith providing a second circumferential stop.
When the container 2 is squeezed, the pressure in the container 2 will increase. Initially, the increasing pressure will ensure that the arcuate section 6c of the valve body 6 is pressed more strongly against the annular edge 4a, resulting in an improved sealing between the valve body 6 and the annular edge 4a. When the pressure in the container 2 is increased further by squeezing the latter, the arcuate section 6c will at some point move down, as a result of which it will detach from the annular edge 4a, as shown in Figures 2a, 2b and 2c.
At the moment the valve body 6 becomes detached from the annular sealing edge 4a, both the annular mouth 10 of the liquid passage and the mouths 12 of the air passage will substantially simultaneously come in communication with each other and the entry ports 30 of the dispensing passage. As a consequence, a mixture of air and liquid will come into existence, which as a result of the pressure which is caused by compressing the container, will flow into the dispensing passage via the entry ports 30.
This mixture of air and liquid will then flow through the constriction and small sieves, which will produce an (improved) foam. This foam will flow down through the dispensing passage towards the dispensing opening 8, where it will be dispensed.
The valve body 6 thus as it were successively rolls over the annular edge 4a during dispensing as a result of which the liquid and air can flow via the dispensing passage to the dispensing opening, creating a foam in the dispensing passage.
The liquid which flows through the opening 9a to the annular mouth 10 is not able to reach a space 21 which is situated between the first housing part 4 and the third housing part 20. This space 21 connects the space 22 just above the air inlet valve 6b to the interior of the riser 11. As a result, the air which enters through the air inlet valve 6b during aeration of the container 2 following the dispensing of a certain amount of liquid, will successively flow through the spaces 22 and 21 and through the riser 11 into the top section of the container 2. The air is prevented from passing through the liquid in the container 2 prior to the aeration of the container 2. The latter has the disadvantage that a foam may already be formed in the container 2 as the air required for aerating the bottle flows through the liquid.
By forming a space 21 , the production of foam in the container 2 during aeration is thus prevented in a constructionally simple manner. In an alternative embodiment, it is possible, to provide an air duct through the first housing part 4 or the second housing part 5, which air duct connects the air inlet valve with the interior of the riser, so that the container can be aerated without air having to flow through the liquid in the container.
An advantage of the embodiment of the dispensing device 1 is that the annular mouth of the liquid passage and the distribution of the mouths of the air passage over the circumference of a circle, distribute the liquid and the air over a relatively large surface area, resulting in a relatively good mixing. This advantage is also achieved when one or both of the annular mouths extend over less than 360 degrees or are subdivided into several openings which together form an interrupted annular opening. Such embodiments are considered to fall within the scope of protection of the invention.
In an alternative embodiment, it is possible to design the valve body to be stiff and to press or pull it against the second housing part 4 using a spring element. When the pressure in the container is increased, the spring will then be compressed or extended, respectively, creating a gap between the valve body 6 and the third housing part 4. As a result, it will be possible to form and to dispense a foam. However, in such an embodiment the advantageous rolling effect described above will not occur.
Another advantage of the embodiment of the dispensing device 1 is that as a result of the central opening 14 which is provided in the valve body, the stream of liquid and/or the stream of air does not have to turn corners of 90 degrees or more. By providing this opening 14, the stream of liquid and the stream of air can maintain their speed, thus resulting in a better mixture of the liquid and the air. In this case, it is furthermore advantageous that the valve body 6 is designed to be substantially conical as a result of which the speed of the stream of liquid and the stream of air is maintained even more effectively. In addition, the conical shape has the advantage that a sieve element assisting the production of foam can be fitted in the cone. By fitting it in the conical shape, the total height of the housing is reduced, Generally, the illustrated embodiment of the dispensing device has the advantage that the liquid to be dispensed moves in a direction relative to the direction of the center axis of symmetry while it is being dispensed. This is made possible by the specific construction of the dispensing device and aids the production of a foam of the desired quality.
Another advantage of the embodiment of the dispensing device 1 is that the arcuate section 6c of the valve body 6 supports the sealing between the second housing part 4 and the valve body 6. As a result, a better sealing is achieved in the rest position, i.e. when the container 2 is not being squeezed, thus reducing the risk of liquid leaking from the dispensing device. In addition, the arcuate section 6c creates a pressure threshold value, at which the valve body becomes detached from the second housing part 4, ensuring an improved foam of constant quality.
The above-described embodiments of a squeeze foamer have been described in a position where the cap points downwards. All references to above and/or below are made relative to this position. The dispensing device is designed to be used in this position. In this case, the sealing cap 7 is designed such that the dispensing device can stand on this sealing cap 7, whereas the container 2, due to its convex top, is not suitable to stand on this top. However, it is possible to provide an embodiment in which the dispensing device can indeed be turned upside down (inverted with respect to the position shown) in order to dispense foam and/or rest. Such embodiments are deemed to fall within the scope of protection of this invention.
Figure 5 shows a left-hand side half of an alternative embodiment of a squeeze foamer according to the invention. Most parts of this embodiment correspond to the parts of the embodiment of Figure 1 , and are indicated with the same reference numerals.
In contrast to the embodiment of Figure 1, the sealing lip 6b of the embodiment of Figure 5 is a non-curved lip. Due to the presence of the circumferential ril 40 on which the free end of sealing lip 6b sealingly rests during the intake of air, preferably in combination with an uneven circumferential distribution of two or more air inlet openings 15, a squeaking sound of the sealing lip 6b during intake of air in the container 2 of the squeeze foamer is substantially avoided.
For further details of the construction of the embodiments of the squeeze foamer, reference is made to WO2007/086730 and PCT application no. PCT/NL2007/000304, the contents of which are hereby incorporated in its entirety.
It will be clear to the person skilled in the art that all individual features which have been mentioned with respect to one of the aspects can also be applied in an embodiment according to one of the other aspects of the invention. Such embodiments are thus deemed to fall within the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS 12
1. Squeeze foamer for dispensing a foam, comprising a compressible container for storing a liquid and air, and a foam-forming assembly mountable on or in an opening of said container, wherein the foam-forming assembly comprises a housing having an air passage and a liquid passage, each of which ending in a mouth and being in communication with a dispensing passage which ends in a dispensing opening, and a valve body which, in a rest position, covers the mouth of the liquid passage and the mouth of the air passage in a sealing manner in order to prevent a flow from the liquid passage and the air passage to the dispensing passage, and which, during dispensing, opens the mouth of the liquid passage and the mouth of the air passage in order to allow mixing of air and liquid to take place in the dispensing passage, characterized in that the foam-forming assembly further comprising an air intake passage separate from the dispensing passage and the liquid passage, and an air inlet valve in said air intake passage, said air inlet valve comprising an annular lip, said annular lip having a curved shape.
2. The squeeze foamer of claim 1 , wherein said air inlet valve comprises a clamping section supporting said annular lip which is configured to be clamped in said foam-forming assembly.
3. The squeeze foamer of claim 1 , wherein said annular lip is integral with said valve body.
4. The squeeze foamer of claim 1 , wherein said annular lip extends radially outwardly.
5. The squeeze foamer of claim 1 , wherein said air inlet passage comprises a plurality of inlet holes, wherein said inlet holes are unevenly distributed over the circumference of the dispensing assembly.
6. The squeeze foamer of claim 1 , wherein said annular lip is convex towards the interioir of the container.
7. The squeeze foamer of claim 1 , wherein said compressible container is manually compressible.
8. The squeeze foamer of claim 1 , wherein a ril is provided in the foam-forming assembly, said ril forming a sealing surface for said annular lip.
9. The squeeze foamer of claim 1 , wherein said air intake passage partially is delimited by two housing parts mounted on each other.
10. The squeeze foamer of claim 1 , wherein said valve body is clamped between two housing parts, and wherein a rotational stop is provided in said foam-forming assembly to avoid rotation of said housing parts with respect to each other.
11. The squeeze foamer of claim 1 , wherein a gasket is provided between said container and said foam-forming assembly.
12. The squeeze foamer of claim 1 , wherein the foam-forming assembly comprises two parts mounted on each other, the two parts having at least two circumferential stops in axial direction, said two circumferential stops being arranged concentrically at a different radius.
13. The squeeze foamer of claim 1 , wherein each circumferential stop comprises a number of stops arranged on a circle.
14. The squeeze foamer of claim 1, wherein the foam-forming assembly comprises two parts mounted on each other, a liquid or air channel sealing connection between the two parts being provided by press-fitting a smaller cylindrical tube of one part in a larger cylindrical tube of the other part, the material of the larger cylindrical tube being relative soft with respect to the material of the smaller cylindrical tube.
15. The squeeze foamer of claim 1 , wherein a housing part which defines the mouths of the liquid and air passage is made of a relative stiff material compared with a further housing part mounted on the housing part.
PCT/NL2008/000124 2008-05-06 2008-05-06 Squeeze foamer WO2009136781A1 (en)

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WO2012138220A1 (en) 2011-04-05 2012-10-11 Rexam Airspray N.V. Foam-forming assembly and squeeze foamer
WO2014044833A1 (en) * 2012-09-21 2014-03-27 Twist Beauty Packaging Airspray N.V. System for dispensing a foam of a fluid product
US10189614B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2019-01-29 Bissell Homecare, Inc. Container and cap assembly
US10225885B2 (en) 2014-04-17 2019-03-05 S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Electrical barrier for wax warmer
US10616954B2 (en) 2014-04-17 2020-04-07 S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Electrical barrier for wax warmer
US11634314B1 (en) 2022-11-17 2023-04-25 Sharkninja Operating Llc Dosing accuracy
US11647860B1 (en) 2022-05-13 2023-05-16 Sharkninja Operating Llc Flavored beverage carbonation system
US11738988B1 (en) 2022-11-17 2023-08-29 Sharkninja Operating Llc Ingredient container valve control
US11745996B1 (en) 2022-11-17 2023-09-05 Sharkninja Operating Llc Ingredient containers for use with beverage dispensers
US11751585B1 (en) 2022-05-13 2023-09-12 Sharkninja Operating Llc Flavored beverage carbonation system
US11871867B1 (en) 2023-03-22 2024-01-16 Sharkninja Operating Llc Additive container with bottom cover
US11925287B1 (en) 2023-03-22 2024-03-12 Sharkninja Operating Llc Additive container with inlet tube
US11931704B1 (en) 2023-07-18 2024-03-19 Sharkninja Operating Llc Carbonation chamber

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Cited By (23)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9107823B2 (en) 2010-03-10 2015-08-18 Nuvo Research Inc. Foamable formulation
US10646441B2 (en) 2010-03-10 2020-05-12 Nuvo Pharmaceuticals Inc. Foamable formulation
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US10293357B2 (en) 2011-04-05 2019-05-21 Rexam Airspray N.V. Foam-forming assembly and squeeze foamer
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US9566595B2 (en) 2011-04-05 2017-02-14 Rexam Airspray N.V. Foam-forming assembly and squeeze foamer
US9662619B2 (en) 2012-09-21 2017-05-30 Twist Beauty Packaging Airspray N.V. System for dispensing a foam of a fluid product
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WO2014044833A1 (en) * 2012-09-21 2014-03-27 Twist Beauty Packaging Airspray N.V. System for dispensing a foam of a fluid product
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US10894639B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2021-01-19 Bissell Inc. Container and cap assembly
US10647481B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2020-05-12 Bissell Inc. Container and cap assembly
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US10616954B2 (en) 2014-04-17 2020-04-07 S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Electrical barrier for wax warmer
US11647860B1 (en) 2022-05-13 2023-05-16 Sharkninja Operating Llc Flavored beverage carbonation system
US11751585B1 (en) 2022-05-13 2023-09-12 Sharkninja Operating Llc Flavored beverage carbonation system
US11634314B1 (en) 2022-11-17 2023-04-25 Sharkninja Operating Llc Dosing accuracy
US11738988B1 (en) 2022-11-17 2023-08-29 Sharkninja Operating Llc Ingredient container valve control
US11745996B1 (en) 2022-11-17 2023-09-05 Sharkninja Operating Llc Ingredient containers for use with beverage dispensers
US11871867B1 (en) 2023-03-22 2024-01-16 Sharkninja Operating Llc Additive container with bottom cover
US11925287B1 (en) 2023-03-22 2024-03-12 Sharkninja Operating Llc Additive container with inlet tube
US11931704B1 (en) 2023-07-18 2024-03-19 Sharkninja Operating Llc Carbonation chamber

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