Liquid dispenser

Abstract

A liquid dispenser having an outlet for dispensing liquid, mixing means for mixing liquid and gas, liquid supply means, and gas supply means, the outlet, mixing means, liquid supply means and/or gas supply means are so arranged that in a first condition liquid and gas may be supplied by the liquid supply means and gas supply means respectively through the mixing means to the outlet thereby dispensing foamed liquid from the outlet, or in a second condition liquid may be supplied to the outlet, thereby dispensing unfoamed liquid from the outlet.

1 . A liquid dispenser comprising,
 an outlet for dispensing liquid,   mixing means for mixing liquid and gas,   liquid supply means, and   gas supply means,   wherein the outlet, mixing means, liquid supply means and/or gas supply means are so arranged that in a first condition liquid and gas may be supplied by the liquid supply means and gas supply means respectively through the mixing means to the outlet thereby dispensing foamed liquid from the outlet, or in a second condition liquid may be supplied to the outlet, thereby dispensing unfoamed liquid from the outlet.   
     
     
         2 . A dispenser as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein in the second condition liquid is supplied through the mixing means to the outlet. 
     
     
         3 . A dispenser as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the liquid is soap. 
     
     
         4 . A dispenser as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the gas is air. 
     
     
         5 . A dispenser as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the gas supply means is so arranged that it may be put in a first condition for supplying gas to the mixing means thereby providing foamed liquid, or in a second condition where gas is not supplied to the mixing means thereby providing unfoamed liquid. 
     
     
         6 . A dispenser as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the mixing means comprises one or more shear regions. 
     
     
         7 . A dispenser as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the mixing means comprises one or more of the following components: mesh, gauze, baffle, orifice, mixing manifold, and passageway. 
     
     
         8 . A dispenser as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a check valve to prevent liquid being pumped into the gas supply means. 
     
     
         9 . A dispenser as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a return valve so arranged as to reduce drips after liquid is dispersed from the outlet. 
     
     
         10 . A dispenser as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the return valve comprises a poppet valve. 
     
     
         11 . A nozzle for a liquid dispenser, the nozzle comprising the features as claimed in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         12 . A nozzle for a liquid dispenser comprising,
 an outlet for dispensing liquid,   mixing means for mixing liquid and gas,   liquid supply means, and   gas supply means so arranged that it may be put in a first condition for supplying gas to the mixing means thereby providing foamed liquid, or in a second condition where gas is not supplied to the mixing means thereby providing unfoamed liquid,   wherein the outlet, mixing means, liquid supply means and/or gas supply means are so arranged that in a first condition liquid and gas may be supplied by the liquid supply means and gas supply means respectively through the mixing means to the outlet thereby dispensing foamed liquid from the outlet, or in a second condition liquid may be supplied to the outlet, thereby dispensing unfoamed liquid from the outlet.   
     
     
         13 . The nozzle of  claim 12  wherein in the second condition liquid is supplied through the mixing means to the outlet. 
     
     
         14 . The nozzle of  claim 12  wherein the mixing means comprises one or more shear regions. 
     
     
         15 . The nozzle of  claim 14  wherein the mixing means comprises one or more of the following components: mesh, gauze, baffle, orifice, mixing manifold, and passageway. 
     
     
         16 . The nozzle of  claim 1 , further comprising a check valve to prevent liquid being pumped into the gas supply means. 
     
     
         17 . The nozzle of  claim 1 , further comprising a return valve so arranged as to reduce drips after liquid is dispersed from the outlet. 
     
     
         18 . The nozzle of  claim 17  wherein the return valve comprises a poppet valve.