US008579159B2

(12) United States Patent (10) Patent No.: US 8,579,159 B2

Ciavarella (45) Date of Patent: Nov. 12, 2013
(54) SQUEEZE ACTION FOAM PUMP FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS

(75) Inventor: Nick E. Ciavarella, Seven Hills, OH 3. 6. 1999,

(US) GB 2301812 12/1996
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
(73) Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc., Akron, OH
(US) European Patent Office Search Report Issued Jan. 7, 2011 in EP
Application 09 150 800.2.
(*) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
patent is extended or adjusted under 35 * cited by examiner
U.S.C. 154(b) by 1228 days. Primary Examiner — Lien Ngo
(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Califee, Halter, & Griswold
(21) Appl. No.: 12/009,536 LLP
(22) Filed: Jan. 18, 2008 (57)
A ABSTRACT
foam dispenser includes a foam pump communicating with
(65) Prior Publication Data the contents of a container holding a foamable liquid. The
foam pump includes a pump body, a passage extending
US 2009/O184136A1 Jul. 23, 2009 through the pump body from an inlet to an outlet, an inlet
valve including an inlet flow regulator, and an outlet valve
(51) Int. Cl. including an outlet flow regulator. The inlet receives foam
B67D 7/70 (2010.01) able liquid from the container. The inlet valve and outlet valve
(52) U.S. Cl. are positioned in the passage to define (a) an inlet stage, (b) an
USPC ........................................... 222/135.222/190 outlet stage, and (c) a transition stage. A liquid port extends
through the pump body and communicates with the transition
(58) Fist of Classist stall,O6 215. 321.7 321.8 stage, and an air port extends through the pump body and
- ------ --- - s s s 239733 o communicates with the outlet stage. A liquid bellows sur
See application file for complete search history rounds the liquid port and an air bellows surrounds the air
port. The liquid bellows contains the foamable liquid and is
movable between an expanded Volume and a contracted Vol
(56) References Cited ume, and expels at least a portion of the foamable liquid to the
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
passage through the liquid port when moved from its
expanded volume to its contracted volume. The air bellows
4,168,020 A 9, 1979 Benson contains air and is movable between an expanded Volume and
4,330,071 A 5, 1982 Ohlson a contracted Volume, and expels at least a portion of the air to
4,880,161 A * 1 1/1989 Wright .......................... 239,330 the passage through the air port when moved from its
5,445,288 A * 8/1995 Banks .......... 222,95 expanded Volume to its contracted Volume.
5,462,208 A * 10/1995 Stahley et al. 222?2O7
6,446,840 B2 * 9/2002 Ophardt et al. ............... 222, 190 27 Claims, 2 Drawing Sheets

N
3.

NSS

s
U.S. Patent Nov. 12, 2013 Sheet 1 of 2 US 8,579,159 B2

Z \,%sAL' %Si
uooSP<r

FIG.-
U.S. Patent Nov. 12, 2013 Sheet 2 of 2 US 8,579,159 B2

22
 US 8,579,159 B2
1. 2
SQUEEZE ACTION FOAM PUMP FIG. 2 is a general perspective view of a valve embodiment
that is used for both an inlet valve and an outlet valve; and
TECHNICAL FIELD FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the valve of FIG. 2.
The invention herein resides in the art of foam pump, DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
wherein a foamable liquid and air are combined to dispense a
foam product. More particularly, the invention relates to a In FIG. 1, the pump of this invention is shown in cross
pump wherein air and foamable liquid are pumped through section, and designated generally by the numeral 10. The
separate components into a common chamber and are pump 10 consists of a body 12 providing a passage 14 from an
extruded through a screen member to create a uniform foam. 10 inlet 16 to an outlet 18 thereof. The inlet 16 fluidly commu
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION nicates with a source of liquid, for example, with a Volume of
soap S within a container 20. Actuation of the pump 10 serves
For many years, it has been known to dispense liquids, such to dispense the liquid at outlet 18. In this case, the liquid is the
as Soaps, sanitizers, cleansers, disinfectants, and the like from soap S provided by the container 20, but other liquids and
a dispenser housing maintaining a refill unit that holds the 15 other liquid sources could be employed.
liquid and provides the pump mechanisms for dispensing the An inlet valve 22a, an outlet valve 22b. 25 and a mixing
liquid. The pump mechanism employed with Such dispensers cartridge 27 are placed in passage 14 in series, as shown, from
has typically been a liquid pump, simply emitting a predeter inlet 16 to outlet 18. The inlet valve 22a and outlet valve 22b
mined quantity of the liquid upon movement of an actuator. are preferably identical to reduce the number of parts needed
Recently, for purposes of effectiveness and economy, it has to construct the pump 10. In a particular embodiment, both
become desirable to dispense the liquids in the form of foam, inlet valve 22a and outlet valve 22b are shaped and function
generated by the interjection of air into the liquid. Accord as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and described herein. Because this
ingly, the standard liquid pump has given way to a foam valve can be either an inlet valve or and outlet valve, no
generating pump, which necessarily requires means for com designation of “a” of “b' is used. Those designations are used,
bining the air and liquid in Such a manner as to generate the 25 however, in FIG. 1 to help describe the functioning of the
desired foam. invention.
Typically, foam pumps include an air pump portion and a In FIGS. 2 and 3, valve 22 includes a conical wall 26 on the
fluid pump portion—the two requiring communication to end of a stem 28, with the apex 30 of the conical wall 26 being
ultimately create the foam. Such pumps have been provided secured to the stem 28 and widening as it extends away from
through various types of pump structures, as know by those 30 stem 28 to base32. Fins 34 extend radially from stem 28. Any
familiar with the foam pump arts. This invention provides a number offins 34 may be employed, but four fins 34 offset at
particularly compact foam pump of a structure heretofore
unknown in the art. 90 degrees, as shown, are sufficient. As seen in FIG.1, the fins
and the base of inlet valve 22a extend to contact the sidewall
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 36 defining passage 14. Similarly, the fins and the base of
35 outlet valve 22b extend to contact the sidewall 36. The fins
A foam dispenser in accordance with this invention help to stabilize each valve 22a, 22b in passage 14, and the
includes a foam pump communicating with the content of a conical walls function to regulate flow of the soap S through
container holding a foamable liquid for dispensing. The foam the passage 14. The conical walls are flexible so they can
pump includes a pump body, a passage extending through the collapse in the direction of arrow A to permit fluid to be forced
pump body from an inlet to an outlet thereof, an inlet valve 40 therethrough, but will resist flow in the opposite direction due
including an inlet flow regulator, and an outlet valve including to contact between the conical walls and the sidewall 36.
an outlet flow regulator. The inlet receives foamable liquid The conical wall 26a of inlet valve 22a and the conical wall
from the container. The inlet valve and outlet valve are posi 26b of valve 22b serve to define the following stages of
tioned in the passage Such that the inlet flow regulator and the passage 14. An inlet stage 40 is defined between inlet 16 and
outlet flow regulator define (a) an inlet stage from the inlet to 45 the conical wall 26a. A transition stage 44 is defined between
the inlet flow regulator, (b) an outlet stage from the outlet flow conical wall 26a and conical wall 26b. And an outlet stage 46
regulator to the outlet, and (c) a transition stage from the inlet is defined between conical wall 26b and outlet 18. A liquid
flow regulator to the outlet flow regulator. A liquid port bellows 50 fluidly communicates with transition stage 44 of
extends through the pump body and communicates with the passage 14 through a liquid port 52, and is sealed at its base 54
transition stage, and an air port extends through the pump 50 to post 56 extending outwardly around the liquid port 52. The
body and communicates with the outlet stage. A liquid bel liquid bellows 50 is resilient such that it can be forced in the
lows Surrounds the liquid port and is sealed to the pump body, direction of arrow B to a contracted volume, and, from this
and an air bellows surrounds the airport and is sealed to the contracted State, will spring back in the direction opposite
pump body. The liquid bellows contains the foamable liquid arrow B to an expanded volume (FIG. 1). When forced to the
and is movable between an expanded Volume and a contracted 55 contracted volume, any soap S within the liquid bellows 50
Volume, and expels at least a portion of the foamable liquid to will be forced into transition stage 44, and the conical wall
the passage through the liquid port when moved from its 26a of inlet valve 22a will prevent movement of any soap Sin
expanded volume to its contracted volume. Similarly, the air transition stage 44 in the direction of inlet 16. Thus conical
bellows contains air and is movable between an expanded wall 26b of outlet valve 22b is forced to flex to permit soap S
Volume and a contracted Volume, and expels at least a portion 60 to advance from transition stage 44 to outlet stage 46. When
of the air to the passage through the airport when moved from the liquid bellows 50 is thereafter permitted to spring back to
its expanded Volume to its contracted Volume. its expanded Volume, a vacuum is created in transition stage
44, and the conical wall 26b of outlet valve 22b will prevent
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS the vacuum from drawing Soap and/or air into transition stage
65 44 from the outlet stage 46. Instead, conical wall 26a of inlet
FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of the foam pump of this valve 22a will flex to permit soap S to advance from inlet
invention; stage 40 into transition stage 44. Thus, when the passage 14 is
 US 8,579,159 B2
3 4
full of soap S. actuation of liquid bellows 50 causes a dose of an airport extending through said pump body and commu
soap S to be advanced toward and out of outlet 18, and nicating with said outlet stage and said air chamber.
releasing of the liquid bellows 50 causes a new dose of soap 2. The foam dispenser of claim 1, wherein air is drawn into
S to be drawn into passage 14. the air chamber through the outlet when the air bellows are
An air bellows 60 fluidly communicates with outlet stage moved from the contracted volume to the expanded volume.
46 of passage 14 through airport 62, and is sealed at its base 3. The foam dispenser of claim 1, wherein the structure of
64 to post 66 extending outwardly around airport 62. As with the inlet valve and the outlet valve is identical such that the
liquid bellows 50, the air bellows 60 is resilient and can be valves are interchangeable.
forced to a contracted Volume and can spring back to an 4. The foam dispenser of claim 1, wherein the inlet valve
expanded volume. When forced to the contracted volume, any 10 and the outlet valve are configured such that they may be
air within the air bellows 60 will be forced into outlet stage 46, selectively positioned within the passage.
and the conical wall 26b of outlet valve 22b will prevent soap 5. The foam dispenser of claim 1, wherein at least one of the
S and air in outlet stage 46 from advancing in the direction of inlet valve and the outlet valve comprises a conical wall, a
inlet 16. Instead, the air must advance toward outlet 18, stem, and one or more fins extending radially from the stem.
through the space occupied by spacer 25 and through the 15 6. The foam dispenser of claim 1, wherein at least one of the
mixing cartridge 27. When the air bellows 60 is thereafter inlet valve and the outlet valve comprises a flexible conical
permitted to spring back to its expanded Volume, air is drawn wall such as to permit fluid flow in a first direction and resist
into air bellows 60 through outlet 18. fluid flow in a second direction opposite the first direction.
The pump 10 is intended to be used by actuating, i.e., 7. The foam dispenser of claim 1, wherein at least one of the
compressing, both liquidbellows 50 and air bellows 60 at the inlet valve and the outlet valve comprises one or more fins
same time. From the foregoing description of each of those configured to contact a sidewall of the passage to stabilize the
bellows, it should be appreciated that by simultaneously com valve within the passage.
pressing both liquid bellows 50 and air bellows 60, air and 8. The foam dispenser of claim 1, wherein at least one of the
soap S will be caused to mix at outlet stage 46. First, the soap liquid bellows and the air bellows are configured to move
S and air will form a coarse mix at a premix stage defined by 25 from the contracted volume to the expanded volume without
spacer 25, but this coarse mix will then be forced through a the use of a biasing mechanism.
mesh screen, or, as shownhere, a mixing cartridge 27 to create 9. The foam dispenser of claim 1, wherein both the inlet
a uniform foam for dispensing at outlet 18. The mixing car valve and the outlet valve comprise a flexible conical wall
tridge 27 is sufficiently shown in FIG.1 as tube 70 bounded on such as to permit fluid flow in a first direction and resist fluid
an inlet side by screen 72 and on an outlet side by screen 74. 30 flow in a second direction opposite the first direction and one
Thus, when both liquid bellows 50 and air bellows 60 are or more fins configured to contact a sidewall of the passage to
actuated at the same time, a dose of foamed soap is created at stabilize the valve within the passage.
mixing cartridge 27 and dispensed at outlet 18. 10. The foam dispenser of claim 1, wherein the liquid
bellows and the air bellows are configured such that they can
The invention claimed is: 35 be compressed Substantially simultaneously from the
1. A foam dispenser, comprising: expanded Volume to the contracted Volume.
a container holding a foamable liquid for dispensing: 11. The foam dispenser of claim 1, wherein the transition
a pump body; stage of the passage is substantially rigid and no portion of the
a Substantially straight passage extending through said transition stage is collapsible.
pump body from an inlet to an outlet thereof, said inlet 40 12. A refill unit, comprising:
receiving foamable liquid from said container; a container holding a foamable liquid for dispensing:
an inlet Valve including an inlet flow regulator and an outlet a body portion comprising an inlet, an outlet, and a Sub
valve including an outlet flow regulator, the inlet valve stantially straight passage extending from the inlet to the
and outlet valve being positioned in said Substantially outlet, the inlet configured to receive the foamable liquid
straight passage Such that said inlet flow regulator and 45 from the container,
said outlet flow regulator define: an inlet stage from said an inlet valve positioned within the substantially straight
inlet to said inlet flow regulator, an outlet stage from said passage between the inlet and outlet;
outlet flow regulator to said outlet, and a transition stage an outlet valve positioned within the substantially straight
from said inlet flow regulator to said outlet flow regula passage between the inlet valve and the outlet, wherein
tor; 50 the position of the inlet valve and the outlet valve within
a spacer positioned in said Substantially straight passage the Substantially straight passage define a first portion of
between said outlet valve and said outlet; the Substantially straight passage between the inlet valve
a liquidbellows sealed to an exterior of said pump body and and the outlet valve and a second portion of the Substan
defining a liquid chamber, said liquid bellows being tially straight passage between the outlet valve and the
movable between an expanded Volume and a contracted 55 outlet;
Volume and adapted to expel at least a portion of a liquid a spacer positioned within the Substantially straight pas
within the liquid chamber when moved from said sage between the outlet valve and the outlet;
expanded Volume to said contracted Volume; a liquid pump in fluid communication with the first portion
a liquid port extending through said pump body and com of the passage, the liquid pump configured: to draw the
municating with said transition stage and said liquid 60 foamable liquid from the container, through the inlet
chamber; valve, through the first portion of the passage, and into
an air bellows sealed to said exterior of said pump body and the liquid pump; and to expel the foamable liquid from
defining an air chamber, said air bellows being movable the liquid pump, through the first portion of the passage,
between an expanded Volume and a contracted Volume through the outlet valve, and into the second portion of
and adapted to expel at least a portion of a Volume of air 65 the passage; and
within the air chamber when moved from said expanded an air pump in fluid communication with the second por
Volume to said contracted Volume; and tion of the passage, the air pump configured: to draw in
 US 8,579,159 B2
5 6
air through the outlet, through the second portion of the 24. A foam dispenser, comprising:
passage, and into the air pump; and to expel the air from a container holding a foamable liquid for dispensing:
the air pump and into the second portion of the passage a pump body;
to mix with the foamable liquid expelled from the liquid a Substantially straight passage extending through said
pump. pump body from an inlet to an outlet thereof, said inlet
13. The refill unit of claim 12, wherein the liquid pump and receiving foamable liquid from said container;
the air pump are sealed to the exterior of the body portion of an inlet valve including an inlet flow regulator and an outlet
the refill unit. valve including an outlet flow regulator, the inlet valve
14. The refill unit of claim 12, wherein the liquid pump and and outlet valve being positioned in said passage Such
the air pump are separate components configured to operate 10 that said inlet flow regulator and said outlet flow regu
Substantially simultaneously. lator define: an inlet stage from said inlet to said inlet
15. The refill unit of claim 12, wherein the structure of the flow regulator, an outlet stage from said outlet flow
inlet valve and the outlet valve is identical such that the valves regulator to said outlet, and a transition stage from said
are interchangeable. inlet flow regulator to said outlet flow regulator;
15 a spacer positioned in said passage between said outlet
16. The refill unit of claim 12, wherein at least one of the valve and said outlet;
inlet valve and the outlet valve comprise a flexible conical a liquidbellows sealed to an exterior of said pump body and
wall such as to permit fluid flow in a first direction and resist defining a liquid chamber, said liquid bellows being
fluid flow in a second direction opposite the first direction. movable between an expanded Volume and a contracted
17. The refill unit of claim 12, wherein at least one of the Volume and adapted to expel at least a portion of a liquid
inlet valve and the outlet valve comprise one or more fins within the liquid chamber when moved from said
configured to contact a sidewall of the passage to stabilize the expanded Volume to said contracted Volume;
valve within the passage. a liquid port extending through said pump body and com
18. The refill unit of claim 12, wherein the inlet valve and municating with said transition stage and said liquid
the outlet valve are one-way valves configured to permit fluid 25 chamber;
flow in a first direction and resist fluid flow in a second an air bellows sealed to said exterior of said pump body and
direction opposite the first direction. defining an air chamber, said air bellows being movable
19. A refill unit, comprising: between an expanded Volume and a contracted Volume
a container holding a foamable liquid for dispensing: and adapted to expel at least a portion of a Volume of air
a body portion comprising an inlet, an outlet, and a Sub 30 within the air chamber when moved from said expanded
stantially straight passage extending from the inlet to the Volume to said contracted Volume;
outlet, the inlet configured to receive the foamable liquid an airport extending through said pump body and commu
from the container, nicating with said outlet stage and said air chamber, and
an inlet valve positioned within the substantially straight wherein the liquid bellows and the air bellows are sealed to
passage between the inlet and outlet; 35 opposing sides of the pump body.
an outlet valve interchangeable with the inlet valve and 25. The foam dispenser of claim 1, wherein the spacer
positioned within the Substantially straight passage forms one or more chambers for mixing the liquid from the
between the inlet valve and the outlet, wherein the inlet liquid bellows and the air from the air bellows.
valve and the outlet valve have an identical structure; 26. A foam dispenser, comprising:
a spacer positioned within the Substantially straight pas 40 a container holding a foamable liquid for dispensing:
sage between the outlet valve and the outlet; a pump body;
a liquid pump in fluid communication with the passage, the a Substantially straight passage extending through said
liquid pump configured to draw the foamable liquid pump body from an inlet to an outlet thereof, said inlet
from the container into the liquid pump and expel the receiving foamable liquid from said container;
foamable liquid from the liquid pump into the passage; 45 an inlet valve including an inlet flow regulator and an outlet
and valve including an outlet flow regulator, the inlet valve
an air pump in fluid communication with the passage, the and outlet valve being positioned in said passage Such
air pump configured to draw in air through the outlet into that said inlet flow regulator and said outlet flow regu
the air pump and expel the air from the air pump into the lator define: an inlet stage from said inlet to said inlet
passage to mix with the foamable liquid expelled from 50 flow regulator, an outlet stage from said outlet flow
the liquid pump. regulator to said outlet, and a transition stage from said
20. The foam dispenser of claim 1, wherein the inlet valve, inlet flow regulator to said outlet flow regulator;
the outlet valve, and the spacer are stacked in the passage Such a spacer positioned in said passage between said outlet
that the inlet valve is adjacent the outlet valve and the outlet valve and said outlet;
valve is adjacent the spacer. 55 a liquidbellows sealed to an exterior of said pump body and
21. The foam dispenser of claim 1 further comprising at defining a liquid chamber, said liquid bellows being
least one screen positioned in the passage between the spacer movable between an expanded Volume and a contracted
and the outlet. Volume and adapted to expel at least a portion of a liquid
22. The foam dispenser of claim 1 further comprising a within the liquid chamber when moved from said
mixing cartridge positioned in the passage between the spacer 60 expanded Volume to said contracted Volume;
and the outlet, the mixing cartridge having a tube, an inlet a liquid port extending through said pump body and com
screen, and an outlet screen. municating with said transition stage and said liquid
23. The foam dispenser of claim 22, wherein the inlet chamber;
valve, the outlet valve, the spacer, and the mixing cartridge an air bellows sealed to said exterior of said pump body and
are stacked in the passage Such that the inlet valve is adjacent 65 defining an air chamber, said air bellows being movable
the outlet valve, the outlet valve is adjacent the spacer, and the between an expanded Volume and a contracted Volume
spacer is adjacent the mixing cartridge. and adapted to expel at least a portion of a Volume of air
 US 8,579,159 B2
7
within the air chamber when moved from said expanded
Volume to said contracted Volume;
an airport extending through said pump body and commu
nicating with said outlet stage and said air chamber;
wherein the spacer forms one or more chambers for mixing 5
the liquid from the liquidbellows and the air from the air
bellows; and
wherein the spacer forms a first chamber and a second
chamber, and wherein the first chamber is in fluid com
munication with the second chamber by a first orifice, 10
and wherein the liquid and the air are mixed together in
the first chamber to form a mixture, and wherein the
mixture is forced through the first orifice to the second
chamber.
27. The foam dispenser of claim 26 further comprising a 15
mixing cartridge positioned in the passage between the spacer
and the outlet, the mixing cartridge having a tube, an inlet
screen, and an outlet Screen, wherein the second chamber of
the spacer is in fluid communication with the mixing car
tridge by a second orifice, and wherein the mixture is forced 20
through the second orifice to the mixing cartridge.
k k k k k