COMPACT DEVICE FOR PRODUCING FOAM FOR WELLNESS AND/OR HYGIENE APPLICATIONS

Abstract

The device includes a vessel to be filled with a mixture of water and a component producing foam, where the vessel comprises a device for blowing air into the mixture to produce foam. It is provided according to the disclosure that the device comprises at least two vessels to be filled with the mixture arranged one above the other in a vertical direction in tiers, where the vessels comprise the device for blowing air into the mixture to produce foam, where the vessels are open towards an outlet region such that the foam produced in the vessels is merged in the outlet region.

Claims

1. A device for producing foam for wellness and/or hygiene applications with a vessel to be filled with a mixture of water and a component producing foam, where said vessel comprises: a device for blowing air into said mixture to produce foam, wherein said device comprises at least two vessels to be filled with said mixture arranged one above the other in a vertical direction in tiers, where said vessels comprise said device for blowing air into said mixture to produce foam, and where said vessels are open towards an outlet region such that the foam produced in said vessels is merged in said outlet region.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said vessels have openings facing said outlet region and a height between the bases of said vessels and upper sides of said vessels increases towards said openings, where said upper sides are preferably formed to be curved.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein said vessels are arranged and configured in relation to one another such that water and said component producing foam, which deposit from the foam produced within said device, can flow back into at least one of said vessels so that foam can be produced again with this water.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein said devices for blowing air in are configured such that the air is introduced over a large area along the bases of said vessels.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein said devices for blowing air in comprise bubble plates, membranes, or films.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein said bubble plates, membranes, or films are configured such that no water or as little water as possible and component producing foam can flow back through said bubble plates, membranes, or films when no air is blown in.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein said devices for blowing air in comprise a controllable ventilation unit which controls the amount of air introduced into said vessels, where a separate ventilation unit is preferably connected to each vessel.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein said the device comprises a water level adjustment system in said vessels.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein said water level adjustment system in said vessels is preferably connected to an external water supply and/or a water tank.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein said water tank comprises a water temperature control unit and/or a cold pack.

11. The device according to claim 8, wherein said device comprises a component addition producing foam which is connected to said water level adjustment system.

12. The device according to claim 8, wherein said device comprises a disinfectant addition which is connected to said water level adjustment system.

13. The device according to claim 1, wherein said vessels are enclosed in a housing which comprises a foam outlet opening from said outlet region.

14. The device according to claim 1, wherein a tube is connected to said foam outlet opening, where a shower head with a controllable foam outlet is preferably connected to said tube.

15. The device according to claim 1, wherein said device comprises a battery for operating said device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Embodiments of the disclosure shall be explained in more detail hereafter with reference to drawings,

[0029] where:

[0030] FIG. 1 shows a schematic sectional view of a first embodiment of the device according to the disclosure,

[0031] FIG. 2 shows a schematic sectional view of a second embodiment of the device according to the disclosure,

[0032] FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of a third embodiment of the device according to the disclosure, and

[0033] FIG. 4 shows a top view from above onto the base areas of the vessels of the third embodiment, and

[0034] FIG. 5 shows a schematic sectional view of a fourth embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] It applies to the following embodiments that like parts are designated by like reference characters. Where a figure contains reference characters which are not explained in more detail in the associated figure description, then reference is made to preceding or subsequent figure descriptions.

[0036] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of device 1 according to the disclosure. Device 1 of the first embodiment comprises three vessels 2, 3, 4 arranged one above the other. Vessels 2, 3, 4 have the same base areas and are arranged in tiers one above the other. The vessels each have lateral openings 22, 23, 24 which open vessels 2, 3, 4 toward an outlet region 5. The upper sides or ceilings of vessels 2, 3, 4 are formed to be slanted toward openings 22, 23, 24 so that the height of vessels 2, 3, 4 increases toward openings 22, 23, 24. Arranged at the base of vessels 2, 3, 4 are respective membranes 7 through which air bubbles can be introduced into individual vessels 2, 3, 4 by way of air supply 8. Each vessel 2, 3, 4 is assigned a single ventilation unit.

[0037] In addition, vessels 2, 3, 4 have inlets 12 through which a mixture of water, a component producing foam, and disinfectant can be introduced into vessels 2, 3, 4. Inlets 12 are connected to a mixing tap, to which a water supply 16, a supply line 10 for component producing foam and a supply line 11 for disinfectant are in turn connected. Water supply 16 is connected upstream of the mixing tap to a flow-type heat exchanger 27 with which the water temperature and therefore ultimately the foam temperature can be adjusted according to the user's wishes.

[0038] Outlet region 5 comprises a foam outlet opening 6 to which a tube 25 is connected A foam outlet head 26 is in turn connected to this tube 25.

[0039] The foam production by way of device 1 according to the first embodiment shall be explained hereafter.

[0040] For this purpose, the mixture of water, the component producing foam, and disinfectant is supplied to three vessels 2, 3, 4 via supply lines 12, where a predetermined ratio is able to be set at the mixing tap. The supply to the vessels is controlled by valves at the ends of supply lines 12.

[0041] The water level of the mixture of water, the component producing foam, and disinfectant is controlled separately for each vessel 2, 3, 4 by way of the sensors. Air is blown into the mixture in vessels 2, 3, 4 via respective membrane 7 by way of air supply 8, where air supply 8 is realized by way of separate ventilation units. This produces foam. The foam produced in respective vessel 2, 3, 4 rises and is guided from the upper sides of housings 2, 3, 4 through respective openings 22, 23, 24 into outlet region 5. The foam produced in vessels 2, 3, 4 is merged accordingly in outlet region 5 and then delivered together through foam outlet opening 6 into tube 25. The foam then travels through tube 24 to foam outlet head 26 and thereby ultimately finally to the user.

[0042] Due to the interaction of the sensors with the valves in inlets 12, the water level of the mixture in respective vessels 2, 3, 4 can be kept within a preferred range in which the foam can be produced particularly efficiently. In addition, the foam quantity and foam quality can also be adjusted by way of a controlled air supply 8 by use of the ventilation units, where this is advantageously possible for each vessel due to the separate ventilation units.

[0043] FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of device 1 according to the disclosure, where the device is suitable in particular for mobile use. Device 1 of the second embodiment comprises a water tank 9 into which the mixture of water, the component producing foam, and disinfectant can also be introduced in order to supply vessels 2, 3, 4 with the mixture from there. However, the component producing foam and the disinfectant can also be admixed downstream of water tank 9 or directly into vessels 2, 3, 4. Water tank 9 can there have a mobile temperature control unit with which the foam temperature can be adjusted. In addition, device 1 of the second embodiment has a bundled air supply 8 and is driven overall by a battery 27.

[0044] In contrast to the first embodiment, lowermost vessel 2 of the second embodiment has a larger base area, where this base area is arranged in part below outlet region 5. Water and the component producing foam that deposit from the foam in outlet region 5 then flow back into lowermost vessel 2 and can be reused. This makes the second embodiment particularly efficient in terms of water consumption. Another difference from the first embodiment is that the upper sides of vessels 2, 3, 4 are curved. The foam is thereby guided particularly gently in the direction of outlet region 5.

[0045] FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show a third embodiment of device 1 according to the disclosure. Device 1 of the third embodiment comprises three round vessels 2, 3, 4 arranged one above the other. Lower vessel 2 has the largest base area and upper vessel 4 has the smallest base area. The size of the base area of middle vessel 3 is between the base area of lower vessel 2 and of upper vessel 4. Three vessels 2, 3, 4 are arranged one above the other in a cascade arrangement such that the base areas completely overlap in a horizontal direction.

[0046] In the third embodiment, three vessels 2, 3, 4 are enclosed by a housing 28 in the shape of a truncated cone. The base area of truncated cone-shaped housing 28 is the upper edge of lower vessel 2. The housing projects vertically upwardly on one side of housing 28. Middle vessel 3 and upper vessel 4 abut against this vertical side of housing 28. FIG. 4 shows how the edges of the three base areas of three vessels 2, 3, 4 have a common point when viewed from above. Housing 28 is open at the sectional surface of the truncated cone shape and then comprises the foam outlet opening 6.

[0047] The three vessels each comprise round bubble plates 7 at their base. Bubble plates 7 are connected to an air supply 8 via a common supply line. The third embodiment furthermore comprises a water tank 9. The water tank is connected to three vessels 2, 3, 4 by way of a mixing tap and corresponding supply lines 12. The component producing foam and disinfectant can be admixed to the water in the mixing tap through a supply line 10 for the component producing foam and a supply line 11 for disinfectant. Attached at the end of these supply lines 12 are respective controllable valves which can control the supply of the mixture of water, soap, and disinfectant into vessels 2, 3, 4.

[0048] Vessels 2, 3, 4 also each comprise a sensor 13 which can measure a surface level of the water in the respective vessel. Various possible sensors for this are known to the person skilled in the art.

[0049] The difference in foam production by way of device 1 according to the third embodiment 1 shall be explained hereafter.

[0050] In the third embodiment, the foam from respective vessel 2, 3, 4 rises to foam outlet opening 6 arranged at the top, where the foam which is formed in lower vessel 2 merges with the foam from middle vessel 3 and pushes it upwards. The foam from lower and middle vessel 2, 3 then merges with the foam from upper vessel 4 and likewise pushes it further upwards. As a result, the foam is conveyed upwardly through foam outlet opening 6 out from housing 28.

[0051] Due to the arrangement of vessels 2, 3, 4 and housing 28, water that separates from the foam within housing 28 is passed back into one of vessels 2, 3, 4 and can be used there again for foam production.

[0052] A fourth embodiment is shown in FIG. 5 and is shown in a horizontal sectional view. The fourth embodiment comprises the same three vessels 2, 3, 4 and the same housing 100 as the third embodiment. Disposed at the base of each of the three vessels is likewise one bubble plate 7 each which is connected to an air supply 8 via common supply lines.

[0053] Unlike the third embodiment, device 1 of the fourth embodiment is connected to a water supply 16. Water supply 16 is connected only to upper vessel 4 by way of a valve. Upstream of the valve, component producing foam and disinfectant are admixed to the water in a mixing tap by way of a supply line 10 for the component producing foam and a supply line 11 for disinfectant.

[0054] Upper vessel 4 comprises an overflow 14 through which water is transferred to middle vessel 3 once it exceeds the preferred water level in upper vessel 4. Middle vessel 3 also comprises such an overflow 14, where the excess water is transferred to lower vessel 2 accordingly. Disposed in the lower vessel is a float switch 15 which stops the water supply via water supply 16 once the water level in lower vessel 2 is in the preferred range. The water level can therefore be kept in the preferred range in the three vessels by way of a single controlled valve 12. In an embodiment that is not shown, upper vessel 4 and middle vessel 3 can also comprise such float switches 15 so that the water level also in upper vessel 4 and in middle vessel 3 can always be kept in a preferred range, even if the foam production and therefore the water consumption in lower vessel 2 does not take place due to a defect.

[0055] It is to be noted that the shape of the base areas, the number and the arrangement of the vessels relative to one another according to the features of claim 1 allow for a variety that is not shown in the figures. An embodiment without a housing around the vessels is also conceivable.

REFERENCE CHARACTERS

[0056] 1 device [0057] 2 lower vessel [0058] 3 middle vessel [0059] 4 upper vessel [0060] 5 outlet region [0061] 6 foam outlet opening [0062] 7 bubble plate/membrane [0063] 8 air supply [0064] 9 water tank [0065] 10 supply line for the component producing foam [0066] 11 supply line for disinfectant [0067] 12 supply line [0068] 13 sensor [0069] 14 overflow [0070] 15 float switch [0071] 16 water supply [0072] 22 opening of the lower vessel [0073] 23 opening of the middle vessel [0074] 24 opening of the upper vessel [0075] 25 tube [0076] 26 foam outlet head [0077] 27 battery [0078] 28 housing