FOAM PRODUCTION EQUIPMENT AND FOAM

Abstract

The invention relates to foam production equipment comprising:a first module (A) comprising a principal outlet and delivering at said principal outlet a mixture comprising a principal liquid and at least one surfactant,a second module (B) coupled to the principal outlet of the first module (A) and producing a foam which comprises at least the principal liquid, the at least one surfactant and at least one principal active product, from the mixture delivered by the principal outlet of the first module (A), the mixture comprising the at least one principal active product or the second module (B) comprising, in addition, means configured such that the foam produced by the second module (B) comprises the at least one principal active product, characterized in that said at least one principal active product is chosen from dyes, fluorescent products, chemical and/or biological labels, irritant products, gases, products which destroy the muscle and/or thinking capacities of a living being and radar reflectors. The invention also relates to a foam which can be produced by such equipment and which advantageously has an expansion coefficient greater than 10.

Claims

1. An apparatus for producing foam comprising: a first module (A) comprising a main outlet and delivering at said main outlet a mixture comprising a main liquid and at least one surfactant, a second module (B) coupled to the main outlet of the first module (A) and producing a foam that comprises at least the main liquid, the at least one surfactant and at least one main active product, from the mixture delivered by the main outlet of the first module (A), the mixture comprising the at least one main active product or the second module (B) additionally comprising means configured so that the foam produced by the second module (B) comprises the at least one main active product, characterized in that said at least one main active product is selected from dyes, fluorescent products, chemical and/or biological markers, irritant products, gases, products that destroy the muscular and/or thought capacities of a living being and radar reflectors.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the foam produced by the apparatus has an expansion coefficient of greater than 10.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the mixture delivered by the main outlet of the first module comprises the at least one main active product and this first module comprises: either a single reservoir (1) which comprises the main liquid, the at least one surfactant and the at least one main active product, this reservoir being connected to the main outlet (2) of the first module, or a main reservoir (11) that comprises the main liquid, said main reservoir (11) being connected to a main inlet (13) of a main pipe (14), and a first reservoir (15) that comprises the at least one surfactant and the at least one main active product, said first reservoir (15) being in fluidic communication (16) with a first secondary inlet (17) of the main pipe (14), said main pipe (14) being connected to the main outlet (12) of the first module, or a main reservoir (11) that comprises the main liquid and the at least one surfactant, said main reservoir (11) being connected to a main inlet (13) of a main pipe (14), and a first reservoir (15) that comprises the at least one main active product, said first reservoir (15) being in fluidic communication (16) with a first secondary inlet (17) of the main pipe (14), said main pipe (14) being connected to the main outlet (12) of the first module, or a main reservoir (11) that comprises the main liquid and the at least one main active product, said main reservoir (11) being connected to a main inlet (13) of a main pipe (14), and a first reservoir (15) that comprises the at least one surfactant, said first reservoir (15) being in fluidic communication (16) with a first secondary inlet (17) of the main pipe (14), said main pipe (14) being connected to the main outlet (12) of the first module, or a main reservoir (21) that comprises the main liquid, said main reservoir (21) being connected to a main inlet (23) of a main pipe (24), a first reservoir (25) that comprises the at least one surfactant, said first reservoir (25) being in fluidic communication (26) with a first secondary inlet (27) of the main pipe (24), and a second reservoir (28) that comprises at least one main active product, said second reservoir (28) being in fluidic communication (29) with a second secondary inlet (30) of the main pipe (24), said main pipe (24) being connected to the main outlet (22) of the first module, or a main inlet (33) of a main pipe (34) connected to an intake of the main liquid, a first reservoir (35) which comprises the at least one surfactant and the at least one main active product, said first reservoir (35) being in fluidic communication (36) with a first secondary inlet (37) of the main pipe (34), said main pipe (34) being connected to the main outlet (32) of the first module, or a main inlet (43) of a main pipe (44) connected to an intake of the main liquid, a first reservoir (45) which comprises the at least one surfactant, said first reservoir (45) being in fluidic communication (46) with a first secondary inlet (47) of the main pipe (44), and a second reservoir (48) which comprises the at least one main active product, said second reservoir (48) being in fluidic communication (49) with a second secondary inlet (50) of the main pipe (44), said main pipe (44) being connected to the main outlet (42) of the first module.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the second module also comprises means configured so that the foam produced by the second module comprises the at least one main active product and the first module comprises: either a single reservoir (51) which comprises the main liquid, the at least one surfactant and optionally at least one secondary active product, this reservoir (51) being connected to the main outlet (52) of the first module, or a main reservoir (61) which comprises the main liquid, and optionally at least one secondary active product, said main reservoir (61) being connected to a main inlet (63) of a main pipe (64), and a first reservoir (65) which comprises the at least one surfactant, said first reservoir (65) being in fluidic communication (66) with a first secondary inlet (67) of the main pipe (64), said main pipe (64) being connected to the main outlet (62) of the first module, or a main reservoir (61) which comprises the main liquid, said main reservoir (61) being connected to a main inlet (63) of a main pipe (64), and a first reservoir (65) which comprises the at least one surfactant and optionally at least one secondary active product, said first reservoir (65) being in fluidic communication (66) with a first secondary inlet (67) of the main pipe (64), said main pipe (64) being connected to the main outlet (62) of the first module, or a main reservoir (61) which comprises the main liquid and the at least one surfactant, said main reservoir (61) being connected to a main inlet (63) of a main pipe (64), and a first reservoir (65) which comprises at least one secondary active product, said first reservoir (65) being in fluidic communication (66) with a first secondary inlet (67) of the main pipe (64), said main pipe (64) being connected to the main outlet (62) of the first module, or a main reservoir (71) which comprises the main liquid, said main reservoir (71) being connected to a main inlet (73) of a main pipe (74), a first reservoir (75) which comprises the at least one surfactant, said first reservoir (75) being in fluidic communication (76) with a first secondary inlet (77) of the main pipe (74), and a second reservoir (78) which comprises at least one secondary active product, said second reservoir (78) being in fluidic communication (79) with a second secondary inlet (80) of the main pipe (74), said main pipe (74) being connected to the main outlet (72) of the first module, or a main inlet (83) of a main pipe (84) connected to an intake of the main liquid, a first reservoir (85) which comprises the at least one surfactant and optionally at least one secondary active product, said first reservoir (85) being in fluidic communication (86) with a first secondary inlet (87) of the main pipe (84), said main pipe (84) being connected to the main outlet (82) of the first module, or a main inlet (93) of a main pipe (94) connected to an intake of the main liquid, a first reservoir (95) which comprises the at least one surfactant, said first reservoir (95) being in fluidic communication (96) with a first secondary inlet (97) of the main pipe (94), and a second reservoir (98) which comprises at least one secondary active product, said second reservoir (98) being in fluidic communication (99) with a second secondary inlet (100) of the main pipe (94), said main pipe (94) being connected to the main outlet (92) of the first module.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the second module comprises a main inlet (101, 111, 121) connected to the main outlet of the first module, said main inlet (101, 111, 121) being connected: either to at least one main nozzle (102), a grid (103) being positioned downstream of said at least one main nozzle (102), and, upstream of said at least one main nozzle (102), means configured for producing a blast (104) in the flow direction of the mixture present at the main inlet (101, 111, 121) of the second module, or to at least one main nozzle (112), a gas inlet area (114) in the form of a housing being positioned downstream of said at least one main nozzle (112), the longitudinal axis of this inlet area (114) being parallel or identical to the spraying axis of said at least one main nozzle (112), and downstream of this inlet area (114), a grid (113) positioned over the outlet of the inlet area (114), or to a final reservoir (122), said final reservoir comprising a sparging system (123).

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the means configured for producing a blast comprise a fan or a pyrotechnic system.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the single reservoir of the first module or the main reservoir of the first module have an inlet connected to a pyrotechnic system, or to a compressed gas storage and/or production system (214).

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the single reservoir of the first module or the main reservoir of the first module are under a pressure greater than the atmospheric pressure.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the pyrotechnic system comprises an explosive composition.

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the compressed gas storage and/or production system comprises a compressor and/or a pressurized gas cylinder.

11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the foam produced by the second module also comprises at least one additive.

12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the first module comprises at least one third reservoir (140, 160, 201) which comprises the at least one additive, said third reservoir (140, 160, 201) being in fluidic communication with a third secondary inlet (141, 161, 202) of the main pipe of the first module.

13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that said at least one additive is selected from surfactants different from the at least one surfactant.

14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the mixture delivered at the main outlet of the first module has a content of additive that varies from 0.0001% to 10% by weight, relative to the total weight of the mixture delivered at the main outlet of the first module.

15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that, when they are present, the fluidic communications of the reservoirs with the secondary inlets are carried out by means of mixers (135, 139, 142, 155, 159, 162, 175, 196, 200, 203).

16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the apparatus comprises a control system (166) that controls the operation, when they are present, of the valve (156) and/or of the mixers (155, 159, 162) and/or of the means configured for producing a blast (165).

17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the means configured so that the foam produced by the second module comprises the at least one main active product, comprise an addition device which comprises a supplementary reservoir (180) which comprises the at least one main active product, the supplementary reservoir (180) being connected to at least one means capable of adding the at least one main active product to the mixture present at the main inlet of the second module.

18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that, when the main inlet of the second module is connected to at least one main nozzle, the means capable of adding the at least one main active product to the mixture present at the main inlet of the second module comprises at least one supplementary nozzle (181), the flow of the at least one main active product being in the same direction as the flow of the mixture present at the main inlet of the second module.

19. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the main liquid is selected from a freshwater, a seawater, an oil, an alcohol and/or a mixture of these liquids.

20. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said at least one surfactant is selected from protein-based surfactants obtained by hydrolysis of animal or plant proteins or synthetic-based surfactants derived from the chemical industry or else any molecule capable of generating a foam.

21. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the content of surfactant in the mixture delivered at the main outlet of the first module varies from 1% to 10% by weight, relative to the total weight of the mixture present at the main outlet of the first module.

22. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said at least one secondary active product is selected from dyes, fluorescent products, chemical and/or biological markers, irritant products, gases, products that destroy the muscular and/or thought capacities of a living being and radar reflectors.

23. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said at least one main active product and/or said at least one optional secondary active product are selected from irritant products and products that destroy the muscular and/or thought capacities of a living being, more particularly said at least one main active product and/or said at least one optional secondary active product are capsaicin, capsicum oleoresin or a derivative thereof and nonivamide.

24. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that they are present in the mixture at the main outlet of the first module, the at least one main active product and the at least one optional secondary active product each have a content that varies from 0.1% to 10% by weight, relative to the total weight of the mixture delivered at the main outlet of the first module.

25. A foam capable of being produced by the apparatus as claimed in claim 1.

26. The foam as claimed in claim 25, characterized in that the main active product is located in the wall of the bubbles of the foam and/or in the form of gas inside the bubbles of the foam and/or in the form of fine liquid or solid particles in suspension inside the bubbles of the foam.

27. A motor vehicle, ship or aircraft comprising the apparatus as defined in claim 1.

28. A process for producing foam, comprising the following steps: i) a first module that delivers at the main outlet a mixture comprising a main liquid and at least one surfactant, then ii) a second module connected to the main outlet of the first module that produces a foam which comprises the main liquid, the at least one surfactant and at least one main active product, it being understood that the foam produced has an expansion coefficient of greater than 10 characterized in that said at least one main active product is selected from dyes, fluorescent products, chemical or biological markers, irritant products, gases, products that destroy the muscular or thought capacities of a living being and radar reflectors.

Description

[0170] Other advantages and features of the invention will appear more clearly on examining the detailed description of the various modes of implementation of the invention, which are in no way limiting, and of the appended drawings, in which:

[0171] FIGS. 1a to 1e schematically present various embodiments of the first module;

[0172] FIGS. 2a to 2e schematically present various embodiments of the first module;

[0173] FIGS. 3a to 3c schematically present various embodiments of the second module;

[0174] FIG. 4 schematically presents an apparatus for producing foam according to a first embodiment;

[0175] FIG. 5 schematically presents an apparatus for producing foam according to a second embodiment;

[0176] FIG. 6 schematically presents an apparatus for producing foam according to a third embodiment;

[0177] FIG. 7 schematically presents an apparatus for producing foam according to a fourth embodiment;

[0178] FIG. 8 schematically presents an apparatus for producing foam according to a fifth embodiment;

[0179] FIG. 9 schematically presents an apparatus for producing foam according to a fifth embodiment.

[0180] FIGS. 1a to 1e describe the various modes of implementation of a first module A in the first variant of the apparatus according to the invention.

[0181] In FIG. 1a, the first module comprises a single reservoir 1 which comprises the main liquid, the at least one surfactant and the at least one main active product, this reservoir 1 being connected to the main outlet 2 of the first module.

[0182] In FIG. 1b, the first module comprises a main reservoir 11 which comprises the main liquid, and optionally the at least one surfactant or the at least one main active product, said main reservoir 11 being connected to a main inlet 13 of a main pipe 14, and a first reservoir 15 which comprises the at least one surfactant and/or the at least one main active product, said first reservoir 15 being in fluidic communication 16 with a first secondary inlet 17 of the main pipe 14, said main pipe being connected to the main outlet 12 of the first module.

[0183] In FIG. 1c, the first module comprises a main reservoir 21 which comprises the main liquid, said main reservoir 21 being connected to a main inlet 23 of a main pipe 24, a first reservoir 25 which comprises the at least one surfactant, said first reservoir 25 being in fluidic communication 26 with a first secondary inlet 27 of the main pipe 24, and a second reservoir 28 which comprises the at least one main active product, said second reservoir being in fluidic communication 29 with a second secondary inlet 30 of the main pipe 24, said main pipe 24 being connected to the main outlet 22 of the first module.

[0184] In FIG. 1d, the first module comprises a main inlet 33 of a main pipe 34 connected to an intake of main liquid, a first reservoir 35 which comprises the at least one surfactant and the at least one main active product, said first reservoir 35 being in fluidic communication 36 with a first secondary inlet 37 of the main pipe 34, said main pipe 34 being connected to the main outlet 32 of the first module.

[0185] In FIG. 1e, the first module comprises a main inlet 43 of a main pipe 44 connected to an intake of main liquid, a first reservoir 45 which comprises the at least one surfactant, said first reservoir 45 being in fluidic communication 46 with a first secondary inlet 47 of the main pipe 44, and a second reservoir 48 which comprises the at least one main active product, said second reservoir 48 being in fluidic communication 49 with a second secondary inlet 50 of the main pipe 44, said main pipe 44 being connected to the main outlet 42 of the first module.

[0186] FIGS. 2a to 2e depict the various modes of implementation of a first module A in the second variant of the apparatus according to the invention.

[0187] In FIG. 2a, the first module comprises a single reservoir 51 which comprises the main liquid, the at least one surfactant and optionally at least one secondary active product, this reservoir 51 being connected to the main outlet 52 of the first module.

[0188] In FIG. 2b, the first module comprises a main reservoir 61 which comprises the main liquid, and optionally the at least one surfactant or at least one secondary active product, said main reservoir 61 being connected to a main inlet 63 of a main pipe 64, and a first reservoir 65 which comprises the at least one surfactant and/or optionally the at least one secondary active product, said first reservoir 65 being in fluidic communication 66 with a first secondary inlet 67 of the main pipe 64, said main pipe 64 being connected to the main outlet 62 of the first module.

[0189] In FIG. 2c, the first module comprises a main reservoir 71 which comprises the main liquid, said main reservoir being connected to a main inlet 73 of a main pipe 74, a first reservoir 75 which comprises the at least one surfactant, said first reservoir 75 being in fluidic communication 76 with a first secondary inlet 77 of the main pipe 74, and optionally a second reservoir 78 which comprises at least one secondary active product, said second reservoir 78 being in fluidic communication 79 with a second secondary inlet 80 of the main pipe 74, said main pipe 74 being connected to the main outlet 72 of the first module.

[0190] In FIG. 2d, the first module comprises a main inlet 83 of a main pipe 84 connected to an intake of main liquid, a first reservoir 85 which comprises the at least one surfactant and optionally at least one secondary active product, said first reservoir 85 being in fluidic communication 86 with a first secondary inlet 87 of the main pipe 84, said main pipe 84 being connected to the main outlet 82 of the first module,

[0191] In FIG. 2e, the first module comprises a main inlet 93 of a main pipe 94 connected to an intake of main liquid, a first reservoir 95 which comprises the at least one surfactant, said first reservoir 95 being in fluidic communication 96 with a first secondary inlet 97 of the main pipe, and optionally a second reservoir 98 which comprises at least one secondary active product, said second reservoir 98 being in fluidic communication 99 with a second secondary inlet 100 of the main pipe 94, said main pipe 94 being connected to the main outlet 92 of the first module.

[0192] FIGS. 3a to 3c depict various modes of implementation of a second module B.

[0193] In FIG. 3a, the second module comprises a main inlet 101 connected to the main outlet of the first module, said main inlet 101 being connected to at least one main nozzle 102, a grid 103 being positioned downstream of said at least one main nozzle 102, and, upstream of said at least one main nozzle 102, means configured for producing a blast 104 in the flow direction of the mixture present at the main inlet 101 of the second module.

[0194] In FIG. 3b, the second module comprises a main inlet 111 connected to the main outlet of the first module, said main inlet 111 being connected to at least one main nozzle 112, a gas inlet area 114 in the form of a housing being positioned downstream of said at least one main nozzle 112, the longitudinal axis of this inlet area 114 being parallel or identical to the spraying axis of said at least one main nozzle 112, and downstream of this inlet area, a grid 113 positioned over the outlet of the inlet area 114.

[0195] In the case of FIG. 3b, this embodiment of the second module functions as follows: the mixture at the main outlet of the first module arrives at the main inlet of the second module 111 and is sprayed by means of at least one main nozzle 112 across the inlet area 114. This produces a Venturi effect which supplies a gas to the mixture.

[0196] Everything is then sprayed onto a grid 113 that makes it possible to produce the foam bubbles.

[0197] In FIG. 3c, the second module comprises a main inlet 121 connected to the main outlet of the first module, said main inlet 121 being connected to a final reservoir 122, said final reservoir comprising a sparging system 123.

[0198] FIG. 4 presents a first mode of implementation of the foam production apparatus according to the invention.

[0199] This apparatus comprises a main pipe 131 having a main inlet 132. This main inlet is connected to an intake of main liquid. The intake of main liquid possibly being as defined above.

[0200] The apparatus comprises a first reservoir 133 which comprises the at least one surfactant as defined above.

[0201] The first reservoir 133 is in fluidic communication with a first secondary inlet 134 of the main pipe 131.

[0202] The fluidic communication is carried out by means of a mixer 135.

[0203] Preferably, the mixer 135 operates with a suction system via the Venturi effect or via an injection pump.

[0204] Downstream of this first mixer 135, a valve 136 is present on the main pipe 131.

[0205] This apparatus comprises a second reservoir 137 which comprises the at least one main active product as defined above.

[0206] The second reservoir 137 is in fluidic communication with a second secondary inlet 138 of the main pipe 131. This second secondary inlet 138 is located downstream of the first secondary inlet 134.

[0207] The fluidic communication is carried out by means of a mixer 139.

[0208] Preferably, the mixer 139 operates with a suction system via the Venturi effect or via an injection pump.

[0209] This apparatus according to FIG. 4 also comprises a third reservoir 140 which comprises the at least one additive as defined above.

[0210] The third reservoir 140 being in fluidic communication with a third secondary inlet 141 of the main pipe 131. This third secondary inlet 141 is located downstream of the second secondary inlet 138.

[0211] The fluidic communication is carried out by means of a mixer 142.

[0212] Preferably, the mixer 142 operates with a suction system via the Venturi effect or via an injection pump.

[0213] The main pipe 141 is connected to at least one main nozzle 143. The number of main nozzles is not limiting in the apparatus according to the invention. However, this number is preferably between 1 and 12.

[0214] A grid 144 is located downstream of said at least one main nozzle 143.

[0215] Means configured for producing a blast 145 are located upstream of said at least one main nozzle 143 in order to produce a blast in the flow direction of the mixture present at the main inlet of the second module. In this FIG. 4, the means for producing a blast comprise a fan.

[0216] In order to operate the apparatus according to FIG. 4, the main inlet 132 is connected to an intake of main liquid. This main liquid then passes through the valve 136 in order to reach the first mixer 135. The main liquid is thus mixed with the at least one surfactant present in the first reservoir 133 and connected to the main pipe 131 by means of the first secondary inlet 134.

[0217] The mixture thus obtained arrives in the second mixer 139. The mixture is thus mixed with the at least one main active product present in the second reservoir 137 and connected to the main pipe 131 by means of the second secondary inlet 138.

[0218] The mixture thus obtained arrives in the third mixer 142. The mixture is mixed with the at least one additive present in the third reservoir 140 and connected to the main pipe 131 by means of the third secondary inlet 141.

[0219] The mixture thus obtained is sprayed by means of at least one main nozzle 143 onto a grid 144. Means configured for producing a blast 145 produce the bubbles of the foam by spraying gas into the mixture present on the grid 144.

[0220] FIG. 5 presents a second mode of implementation of the foam production apparatus according to the invention.

[0221] This apparatus takes up the elements from the apparatus according to FIG. 4. Consequently, the references of the common elements in FIG. 5 are the same as for FIG. 4 increased by 20.

[0222] This apparatus comprises the elements 151 to 165 which are arranged and which operate in the same way as above for the corresponding elements in FIG. 4.

[0223] This apparatus according to FIG. 5 also comprises a control system 166 controlling the operation of the valve 156, of the mixers 155, 159, 162 and of the means configured for producing a blast 165.

[0224] FIG. 6 presents a third mode of implementation of the foam production apparatus according to the invention.

[0225] This apparatus comprises a main pipe 171 having a main inlet 172. This main inlet is connected to an intake of main liquid. The intake of main liquid possibly being connected in the same way as described above.

[0226] The apparatus comprises a first reservoir 173 which comprises the at least one surfactant as defined above.

[0227] The first reservoir 173 is in fluidic communication with a first secondary inlet 174 of the main pipe 171.

[0228] The fluidic communication is carried out by means of a mixer 175.

[0229] Preferably, the mixer 175 operates with a suction system via the Venturi effect or via an injection pump.

[0230] Downstream of this first mixer 175, a valve 176 is present on the main pipe 171.

[0231] The main pipe 171 is connected to at least one main nozzle 177.

[0232] A grid 178 is located downstream of said at least one main nozzle 177.

[0233] Means configured for producing a blast 179 are located upstream of said at least one main nozzle 177 in order to produce a blast in the flow direction of the mixture present at the main inlet of the second module. In this FIG. 6, the means for producing a blast comprise a fan.

[0234] The second module also comprises an addition device for adding the at least one active product which comprises a supplementary reservoir 180 which comprises the at least one main active product, said supplementary reservoir 180 being connected to at least one supplementary nozzle 181, the flow of the at least one active product being in the same direction as the flow of the mixture present at the inlet of the second module.

[0235] In order to operate the apparatus according to FIG. 6, the main inlet 172 is connected to an intake of main liquid. This main liquid then passes through the valve 176 in order to reach the first mixer 175. The main liquid is thus mixed with the at least one surfactant present in the first reservoir 173 and connected to the main pipe 171 by means of the first secondary inlet 174.

[0236] The mixture thus obtained is sprayed by means of at least one main nozzle 177 onto a grid 178. Means configured for producing a blast 179 produce the bubbles of the foam by spraying gas into the mixture present on the grid 178.

[0237] Added to this mixture by means of the supplementary nozzle 181 is the at least one main active product stored in the supplementary reservoir 180.

[0238] FIG. 7 presents a fourth mode of implementation of the foam production apparatus according to the invention.

[0239] This apparatus comprises a main reservoir 193 which comprises the main liquid as defined above.

[0240] This reservoir 193 may in particular be under a pressure greater than the atmospheric pressure.

[0241] This reservoir 193 is connected to the inlet 192 of a main pipe 191.

[0242] The apparatus comprises a first reservoir 194 which comprises the at least one surfactant as defined above.

[0243] The first reservoir 194 is in fluidic communication with a first secondary inlet 195 of the main pipe 191.

[0244] The fluidic communication is carried out by means of a mixer 196.

[0245] Preferably, the mixer 196 operates with a suction system via the Venturi effect or via an injection pump.

[0246] Downstream of this first mixer 196, a valve 197 is present on the main pipe 191.

[0247] This apparatus comprises a second reservoir 198 which comprises the at least one main active product as defined above.

[0248] The second reservoir 198 is in fluidic communication with a second secondary inlet 199 of the main pipe 191. The second secondary inlet 199 is located downstream of the first secondary inlet 195.

[0249] The fluidic communication is carried out by means of a mixer 200.

[0250] Preferably, the mixer 200 operates with a suction system via the Venturi effect or via an injection pump.

[0251] This apparatus according to FIG. 7 also comprises a third reservoir 201 which comprises the at least one additive as defined above.

[0252] The third reservoir 201 being in fluidic communication with a third secondary inlet 202 of the main pipe 191. This third secondary inlet 202 is located downstream of the second secondary inlet 199.

[0253] The fluidic communication is carried out by means of a mixer 203.

[0254] Preferably, the mixer 203 operates with a suction system via the Venturi effect or via an injection pump.

[0255] The main pipe 191 is connected to a final reservoir 204. This final reservoir 204 comprises a sparging device 206. This sparging device is supplied by means of a reservoir 205 under pressure greater than the atmospheric pressure.

[0256] In order to operate the apparatus according to FIG. 7, the main reservoir 193 is filled with main liquid, everything being under a pressure greater than the atmospheric pressure.

[0257] The main liquid flows through the main inlet 192 of the main pipe 191. This main liquid then passes through the valve 197 in order to reach the first mixer 196. The main liquid is thus mixed with the at least one surfactant present in the first reservoir 194 and connected to the main pipe 191 by means of the first secondary inlet 195.

[0258] The mixture thus obtained arrives in the second mixer 200. The mixture is thus mixed with the at least one main active product present in the second reservoir 198 and connected to the main pipe 191 by means of the second secondary inlet 199.

[0259] The mixture thus obtained arrives in the third mixer 203. The mixture is mixed with the at least one additive present in the third reservoir 201 and connected to the main pipe 191 by means of the third secondary inlet 202.

[0260] The mixture thus obtained is stored in a final reservoir 204. In this final reservoir 204, a gas is made to bubble by means of a sparging system 206. The sparging system 206 makes it possible to produce the foam. This sparging system 206 is supplied by means of a reservoir 205 which comprises the gas under pressure greater than the atmospheric pressure.

[0261] FIG. 8 presents a fifth mode of implementation of the foam production apparatus according to the invention.

[0262] This apparatus comprises a main pipe 211. This main pipe is connected on the one hand to a single reservoir 212 which comprises the main liquid, the at least one surfactant and the at least main active product.

[0263] This single reservoir comprises an inlet 213 connected to a pyrotechnic system or to a compressed gas storage and/or production system 214.

[0264] This main pipe also comprises a valve 215 and is connected on the other hand to at least one main nozzle 216.

[0265] A grid 217 is located downstream of said at least one main nozzle 216.

[0266] The means configured for producing a blast 218 are located upstream of said at least one main nozzle 216 in order to produce a blast in the flow direction of the mixture present at the main inlet of the second module. In this FIG. 8, the means for producing a blast comprise a fan.

[0267] In order to operate the apparatus according to FIG. 8, the single reservoir 212 comprises a main mixture which comprises the main liquid, the at least one surfactant and the at least one main active product. This main mixture is driven towards the pipe 211 by means of the pyrotechnic system or the compressed gas storage and/or production system 214 connected to the inlet 213 of the single reservoir 212.

[0268] After having passed through the valve 215, the main mixture is sprayed by means of at least one main nozzle 216 onto a grid 217. Means configured for producing a blast 218 produce the bubbles of the foam by spraying gas into the mixture present on the grid 217.