Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02690890 2010-01-20
Title
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING OZONE
CONTAINING FLUID AND FOAM
Scope of the Invention
[0001] This invention relates to a method and apparatus of generating ozone
containing
fluids including foam and, more particularly, to a method of dispensing and
dispensers for
dispensing fluids containing ozone, preferably as a foam of ozonated air and
liquid.
100021 This invention also relates to an advantageous construction of a pump
for use in
dispensing fluids with or without ozone.
Background of the Invention
100031 Many fluids are known as useful for cleaning and disinfecting.
100041 Ozone (03) is a strong oxidizing agent having an oxygenation potential
more than
1.5 times that of chlorine and approximately 1.2 times that of hydrogen
peroxide. Ozone is
normally produced by passing an oxygen-containing gas through ultraviolet
light or a corona
discharge. Ozone has been shown to be a relatively reactive oxidant capable of
destroying
pathogenic microorganisms. Ozone naturally decomposes into oxygen within
relatively short
periods of time.
[0005] Presently known devices do not provide for adequate methods or
apparatus for
generation and dispensing of small amounts of ozone as can be useful, for
example, in hand
cleaning soap dispensers.
[00061 Piston pumps are known for engagement in the neck of a fluid containing
bottle to
dispense fluid from the bottle. Such known pumps suffer a disadvantage as to
the limited
volume which can be provided in compartments formed in the pump, particularly
compartments to receive air.
Summary of the Invention
[00071 To at least partially overcome some of these disadvantages of
previously known
devices, the present invention provides a method of generating ozone
containing fluid
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comprising drawing atmospheric air into an air compartment, generating ozone
within the air
compartment, discharging the ozonated air from the air compartment and mixing
the
ozonated air with a flowable fluid to form a ozonated fluid air mixture.
Preferably, the
method is carried out in a pump having the air compartment, more preferably
with the air
compartment having a volume which varies with operation of the pump.
Preferably, the
ozonated fluid-air mixture are dispensed in the form of a foam.
[00081 To at least partially overcome other disadvantages of the previously
known
devices, the present invention provides a construction for a piston pump to be
received in a
neck of a container having a compartment outside the neck of a greater
diameter than the
diameter of the neck.
10009] An object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus
for
generating ozone containing fluids, preferably, as a foam in small amounts as
suitable for use
in dispensing from, for example, wall mounted hand cleaning fluid dispensers.
[0010] Another object is to provide a novel arrangement for a pump assembly,
preferably
one adapted to generate ozone with an air compartment within the pump.
[0011] In one aspect, the present invention provides a method of generating
ozone
containing fluid comprising:
drawing atmospheric air into an air compartment,
generating ozone within the air compartment from air in the air compartment by
conversion within the compartment of oxygen in the air within the compartment
into ozone
to form ozonated air,
discharging the ozonated air from the air compartment,
mixing the ozonated discharged air with a flowable fluid to form a ozonated
fluid-
air mixture, and
passing the ozonated fluid-air mixture out a discharge outlet.
[0012] In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of
generating ozone
containing fluid comprising:
providing a pump having an air compartment,
CA 02690890 2010-01-20
operating the pump in a cycle of operation including the steps of drawing
atmospheric air into the air compartment and discharging air from the air
compartment,
generating ozone within the air compartment from air in the air compartment by
conversion within the air compartment of oxygen in the air within the air
compartment into
ozone to form ozonated air in the air compartment,
mixing the ozonated air with a flowable fluid to fon n a ozonated fluid-air
mixture,
and
passing the ozonated fluid-air mixture out a discharge outlet.
100131 Preferably, the method involves generating ozone within the air
compartment by
radiating air in the compartment with radiation adequate to convert the oxygen
into ozone.
Preferably, the radiation is ultraviolet radiation and the step of generating
ozone creates an
initial ozone concentration in the air in the compartment of at least 0.1 %
immediately after
creating the ozone, more preferably, with the initial ozone concentration to
be in the range of
0.05% to 5%. Preferably, the liquid is capable of foaming and the method
includes passing
the ozonated air and flowable fluid simultaneously through a foam generator to
generate
foam for discharge out of the discharge outlet.
100141 Preferably, the pump has a liquid chamber in communication with a
reservoir
containing the flowable fluid and the cycle of operation of the pump includes
the steps of
drawing liquid into the liquid compartment, discharging liquid from the liquid
compartment
including discharging the liquid from the liquid compartment before mixing the
liquid with
the ozonated air.
[00151 Preferably, the pump comprises a housing and an impeller movable within
the
housing such as a piston or rotor with the air compartment and liquid
compartment formed
within the housing between the housing and the impeller. Preferably, the
impeller is movable
relative the housing in a cycle of operation in which the air compartment has
a variable
volume which changes from a minimum volume to a maximum volume and with the
step of
generating ozone in each cycle including generating ozone when the volume of
the air
compartment is proximate its maximum. Preferably, the pump may be selected
from a piston
pump and a rotary displacement pump.
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100161 Preferably, the air compartment is defined at least in part by a wall
of the housing
which transmits ultraviolet radiation and the method includes passing
ultraviolet radiation
through the wall into the air compartment to irradiate air in the air
compartment with
radiation adequate to convert the oxygen in the air into ozone.
100171 Preferably, the method includes controlling the generation of ozone in
the air
chamber such that if a predetermined period of time passes after last
generation of ozone
without discharge of air from the air compartment, then additional ozone is
generated within
the air compartment as to compensate for natural decomposition of the ozone
into oxygen.
100181 In another aspect, the present invention provides a hand cleaner
dispenser
dispensing ozone containing fluid onto a user's hand comprising:
a fluid containing reservoir,
a pump mechanism including a housing and an impeller movable within the
housing,
an air compartment and a liquid compartment formed within the housing between
the housing and impeller,
the impeller movable relative the housing in a cycle of operation (a) to
successively draw atmospheric air into the air compartment and discharge air
from the air
compartment and (b) to successively draw liquid from the reservoir into the
liquid
compartment and discharge liquid from the liquid compartment,
the air compartment defined at least in part by a wall of the housing which is
transmits ultraviolet radiation,
an emitter of ultraviolet radiation when activated directs ultraviolet
radiation
through the wall into the air compartment to irradiate air in the air
compartment with
ultraviolet radiation adequate to convert oxygen in the air in the air
compartment into ozone
forming ozonated air, and
a mixing chamber for simultaneous passage of ozonated air which has been
discharged from the air compartment and fluid which has been discharged from
the liquid
compartment.
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[00191 Preferably, the pump mechanism is selected from a piston pump and a
rotary
displacement pump.
[0020] Where the pump is a piston pump, a preferred arrangement is with the
piston
pump attached to a fluid containing reservoir with the air compartment
provided to be
external of the reservoir with a wall of the housing forming the air
compartment being
accessible to provide for a radiation of air within the air compartment via an
ultraviolet
emitter. To provide for increased volume of the air chamber, the air chamber
can
advantageously be provided to have a diameter which is greater than a diameter
of an outlet
from the fluid containing reservoir.
Brief Description of the Drawings
100211 Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become
apparent
from the following description taken together with the accompanying drawings
in which:
10022] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional side view showing the
combination of-
a piston pump assembly in accordance with a first aspect of the present
invention with the
piston in a fully extended position; a fluid containing reservoir; and an
ultraviolet radiation
emitter;
10023] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the pump assembly the same
as in
Figure 1 but with the piston in a fully retracted position;
100241 Figure 3 is a perspective view of the piston of the pump assembly shown
in
Figure 1;
[00251 Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of an automated fluid
dispenser
incorporating a pump assembly, reservoir and emitter as shown in Figure 1;
[00261 Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a manually operated
fluid
dispenser incorporating the pump assembly, reservoir and emitter of Figure 1;
[0027] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional side view showing a second embodiment of
a pump
assembly in a retracted position in combination with a dispenser and emitter;
[0028] Figure 7 is a schematic elevation view of the front of a dispenser in
accordance
with a third embodiment of the present invention;
[0029] Figure 8 is a pictorial rear view of the pump assembly of Figure 7;
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100301 Figure 9 is a front perspective exploded view of the pump of Figure 7;
100311 Figure 10 is a rear view in cross-section through the mixing pump shown
in
Figure 7; and
[00321 Figure 11 shows a fourth embodiment of a dispenser using a corona
discharge
unit in combination with a rotary foam pump.
Detailed Description of the Drawings
100331 Reference is made first to Figures 1, 2 and 3 which show a first
embodiment of a
pump assembly generally indicated 10 in combination with a fluid containing
reservoir 60
and an ultraviolet radiation emitter 99. Pump assembly 10 comprises two
principal elements,
a piston chamber-forming member or body 12 and a piston forming element or
piston 14
which has a configuration similar to that disclosed in U.S. Patent Application
Publication US
2009/0145296 to Ophardt et al published June 11, 2009, the disclosure of which
is
incorporated herein by reference.
[00341 The piston chamber-forming body 12 has three cylindrical portions
illustrated to
be of different radii, forming three chambers, an inner chamber 20, an
intermediate chamber
22, and an outer chamber 24, all coaxially disposed about an axis 26. The
intermediate
cylindrical chamber 22 is of the smallest radii. The outer cylindrical chamber
24 is of a
radius which is larger than that of the intermediate cylindrical chamber 22.
The inner
cylindrical chamber 20 is of a radius greater than that of the intermediate
cylindrical chamber
22 and, as well, is shown to be of a radius which is less than the radius of
the outer
cylindrical chamber 24.
10035] The inner chamber 20 has an inlet opening 28 and an outlet opening 29.
The
inner chamber has a cylindrical chamber side wall 30. The outlet opening 29
opens into an
inlet end of the intermediate chamber 22 from an opening in a shoulder 31
forming an outer
end of the inner chamber 20. The intermediate chamber 22 has an inlet opening,
an outlet
opening 32, and a cylindrical chamber side wall 33. The outlet opening 32 of
the
intermediate chamber 22 opens into an inlet end of the outer chamber 24 from
an opening in
a shoulder 34 forming the inner end of the outer chamber 24. The outer chamber
24 has an
inlet opening, outlet opening and a cylindrical chamber side wall 36.
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100361 Piston 14 is axially slidably received in the body 12. The piston 14
has an
elongate stem 38 upon which four discs are provided at axially spaced
locations. An inner
flexing disc 40 is provided at an innermost end spaced axially from an
intermediate flexing
disc 42 which, in turn, is spaced axially from an outer sealing disc 44. The
inner disc 40 is
adapted to be axially slidable within the inner chamber 20. The intermediate
disc 42 is
adapted to be axially slidable within the intermediate chamber 22.
100371 The intermediate disc 42 has a resilient peripheral edge which is
directed
outwardly and adapted to prevent fluid flow inwardly yet to deflect to permit
fluid flow
outwardly therepast. Similarly, the inner disc 40 has a resilient outer
peripheral edge which is
directed outwardly and is adapted to prevent fluid flow inwardly yet to
deflect to permit fluid
flow outwardly therepast.
10038] The outer sealing disc 44 is adapted to be axially slidable within the
outer
cylindrical chamber 24. The outer sealing disc 44 extends radially outwardly
from the stem
38 to sealably engage the side wall 36 of the outer chamber 24, and prevent
flow therepast
either inwardly or outwardly. The outer sealing disc 44 carries an upwardly
inwardly
extending cylindrical tube 300 such that an annular central fluid sump 302 is
defined inside
the tube 300 between the tube 300 and the stem 38 above outer disc 44. As seen
in Figures 1
and 2, the piston chamber-forming body 12 has an inwardly extending
cylindrical recess 304
sized to receive the tube 300 therein but with clearance to provide for fluid
passage
therebetween.
100391 The piston 14 essentially forms, as defined between the inner disc 40
and the
intermediate disc 42, an annular inner compartment 64, sometimes referred to
herein as a
liquid compartment or inner liquid compartment, which opens radially outwardly
as an
annular opening between the discs 40 and 42. Similarly, the piston 14
effectively forms
between the intermediate sealing disc 42 and the outer sealing disc 44 an
annular outer
compartment 66, sometimes referred to herein as an air compartment or an outer
air
compartment, which opens radially outwardly as an annular opening between the
discs 42
and 44.
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[00401 The stem 38 has an outermost hollow tubular portion 202 with a
cylindrical side
wall 204 generally coaxially about the central axis 26 defining a central
passageway 46
within the tubular portion 202. The central passageway 46 extends from an
outlet 48 at the
outermost end 50 of the stem 38 centrally through the stem 38 to a closed
inner end 52.
100411 The cylindrical side wall 204 of the hollow tubular portion 202 of the
stem 38
extends radially of the central axis 26 from an inner side wall surface 206 to
an outer side
wall surface 207. An inlet passageway 54 provides communication through the
stem 38 into
the central passageway 46. The inlet passageway 54 extends through the
cylindrical side
wall 204 from an inner opening 208 in the inner side wall surface 206 to an
outer opening
210 in the outer side wall surface 207. The inlet passageway 54 has its outer
opening 210
located on the stem 38 in between the outer disc 44 and the intermediate disc
42. The inlet
passageway 54 in extending from the inner opening 208 to the outer opening 210
radially
outwardly and axially outwardly so as to provide the inner opening 208 located
on the stem
38 axially inwardly from the outer opening 210. The inlet passageway 54
extends about an
inlet axis extending in a flat plane including the central axis 26 and with
the inlet axis in that
flat plane extending at an angle to the central axis 26 as the inlet axis
extends radially
outwardly and axially outwardly.
100421 The inlet passageway 54 has its inner opening 208 at a height above the
height of
its outer opening 210.
[00431 A foam inducing screen 56 is provided in the central passageway 46
intermediate
between the inner opening 208 and the outlet 48. The screen 56 may be
fabricated of plastic,
wire or cloth material. It may comprise a porous ceramic measure. The screen
56 provides
small apertures through which an air and liquid mixture may be passed to aid
foam
production as by production of turbulent flow through small pores or apertures
of the screen
thereof in a known manner.
100441 The piston 14 carries an engagement flange or disc 62 on the stem 38
outward
from the outer sealing disc 44. The engagement disc 62 is provided for
engagement by an
activating device in order to move the piston 14 in and out of the body 12.
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10045] The piston chamber-forming body 12 carries an inwardly directed annular
flange
306 which is threaded on a radially inwardly directed surface and adapted to
threadably
engage in a sealed manner with the threads on the neck 58 of the container 60.
The neck 58
extends, as seen in Figure 1, downwardly into an outwardly extending annular
cavity formed
between the flange 306 and a cylindrical portion defining the inner chamber
20.
100461 Figures 1 and 2 show the ultraviolet radiation emitter 99 as being
positioned
proximate an exterior surface 309 of a wall 310 of the body 12 within which
the outer
chamber 24 is defined. The emitter 99 is adapted to emit ultraviolet radiation
radially
through this wall 310 into the outer air compartment 66 so as to generate
ozone in the outer
compartment 66 by converting oxygen of the air within the outer compartment 66
into ozone.
The emitter 99 is preferably operated in a controlled manner such that
ultraviolet radiation is
emitted into the air compartment 66 at times when the ultraviolet radiation
emitted will
impinge upon air within the outer air compartment 66. Thus, for example, it is
preferable to
emit radiation via the emitter 99 into the air compartment 66 as when the air
compartment 66
contains air as, for example, when the outer disc 44 is in a position below
the emitter 99,
such as when the piston 14 is in the fully extended position as shown in
Figure 1 and
positions reasonably proximate thereto such as in positions in which the
piston 14 is closer to
the extended position shown in Figure 1 than to the retracted position shown
in Figure 2.
[0047] In the first embodiment of the pump assembly 10 as shown in Figure 2,
in the
fully retracted position, the air chamber 66 contains substantially no air
and, therefore, in the
retracted position shown in Figure 2, emitted radiation from the emitter 99
will not
practically serve to generate ozone in the air compartment. The emitter 99 may
be controlled
in a manner to be operated to emit radiation provided that any radiation
emitted will
reasonably impinge upon air within the air chamber 66.
[00481 In a withdrawal stroke with movement from the retracted position of
Figure 2 to
the extended position of Figure 1, the volume between the inner disc 40 and
the intermediate
disc 42 decreases such that fluid is displaced outwardly past the intermediate
disc 42 to
between the intermediate disc 42 and the outer disc 44. At the same time, the
volume in the
annular outer compartment 66 between the intermediate disc 42 and the outer
disc 44
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increases, with such increase being greater than the volume decrease in the
annular inner
compartment 64 between the inner disc 40 and the intermediate disc 42 such
that in addition
to the fluid displaced outwardly past intermediate disc 42, what is referred
to herein as
inhaled material namely air, liquid and/or foam is drawn inwardly via the
outlet 48, central
passageway 46, and the inlet passageway 54 into the annular outer compartment
66 between
the intermediate disc 42 and the outer disc 44.
[0049] In a retraction stroke from the position of Figure 1 to the position of
Figure 2, the
volume in the annular outer compartment 66 between the intermediate disc 42
and the outer
disc 44 decreases such that what is referred to herein as exhaled material
namely air, any
ozone generated, liquid and/or foam in the annular outer compartment 66 and in
the central
passageway 46 above the screen 56 is forced under pressure out through the
screen 56. The
gas comprising air and any ozone present plus the liquid simultaneously
passing through the
screen 56 are mixed and commingled producing foam which is discharged out the
outlet 48.
At the same time, in the retraction stroke, the volume in the annular outer
compartment 66
between the inner disc 40 and the intermediate disc 42 increases drawing
liquid from inside
the fluid containing reservoir or container past the inner disc 40.
[0050] Reciprocal movement of the piston 14 between the retracted and extended
positions will successively draw and pump precise amounts of liquid from the
container and
mix such liquid with air drawn from the atmosphere and dispense the liquid
commingled
with the air as a foam.
100511 Preferably, in the course of one cycle of the piston 14, ozone is
generated from
oxygen in the air compartment to create ozonated air which is discharged in
the retraction
stroke so as to mix with the liquid and form ozonated air-liquid mixture as
foam.
[0052] In a typical withdrawal stroke, the inhaled material includes material
in the inlet
passageway 54 and the central passageway 46, whether inwardly or outwardly of
the screen
56, at the end of the last retraction stroke. Such material may typically
include foam which
substantially fills the central passageway 46 outward of the screen, and foam,
liquid and/or
air and ozone in the central passageway 46 inwardly of the screen 56 and foam,
liquid and/or
air and ozone in the inlet passageway 54.
CA 02690890 2010-01-20
100531 The annular outer compartment 66 is, in effect, a closed bottom
compartment
forming a major sump whose bottom is defined by the outer disc 44, sides are
defined by the
side wall 36 and the inner side wall surface 206 of the stem 38 and with an
overflow outlet
defined by the inner opening 208 of the inlet passageway 54. Within this major
sump, the
annular central sump 302 is defined within the tube 300 with the sump volume
of the central
sump 302 being the volume of liquid which may be retained within the tube 300
above the
outer disc 44 against over flow out the inlet passageway 54 to the central
passageway 46.
100541 In a retraction stroke, the material in the annular outer compartment
66 is forced
out of the outer compartment 66 via the outer opening 210 of the inlet
passageway 54. In the
retraction stroke, the expelled material includes air, and any ozone generated
and due to a
venturi effect, the air being expelled through the outer opening 210 of the
inlet passageway
54 entrains liquid and foam in the central sump 302 in the annular outer
compartment 66 and
draws the level of material in the sump down typically to the height of outer
opening 210 of
the inlet passageway 54. Subsequently, in the next withdrawal stroke, the
inhaled material is
drawn into the annular outer compartment 66 via the inlet passageway 54 and,
simultaneously, a next allotment of liquid from the annular inner compartment
64 is forced
from the annular inner compartment 64 past the intermediate disc 42 into the
annular outer
compartment 66. The inhaled material and the allotment of liquid come to sit
in the central
sump 302 with the liquid at the bottom of the sump, the foam above the liquid
and air above
the foam. With the passage of time, foam in the sump will tend to coalesce,
that is, separate
into air and liquid, with such coalesced liquid increasing the level of liquid
in the sump. In
so far as the level of liquid in the central sump 302 is below the inner
opening 208 liquid will
not flow due to gravity from the outer compartment 66 into the central
passageway 46.
100551 Operation of the pump assembly illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 will draw
liquid out
of a container 60 creating a vacuum therein. The pump assembly is preferably
adapted for
use with a collapsible container 60. Alternatively, a suitable vent mechanism
may be
provided if desired as, for example, for use in a non-collapsible container to
permit
atmospheric air to enter the container 60 and prevent a vacuum being built up
therein.
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100561 Both the piston 14 and the body 12 may be formed as unitary elements or
from a
minimal number of elements from plastic as by injection molding.
100571 Reference is now made to Figure 4 which shows a liquid soap dispenser
generally
indicated 70 utilizing the pump assembly 10 of Figures 1 to 3 secured in the
neck 58 of a
sealed, collapsible container or reservoir 60 containing liquid hand soap 68
to be dispensed.
Dispenser 70 has a housing generally indicated 78 to receive and support the
pump assembly
and the reservoir 60. Housing 78 is shown with a back plate assembly 80 for
mounting
the housing, for example, to a building wall 82. A support plate 84 extends
forwardly from
the back plate assembly 80 to support and receive the reservoir 60 and pump
assembly 10.
The bottom support plate 84 has a forwardly opening 86 therethrough. The
reservoir 60 sits
supported on the support plate 84 with the neck 58 of the reservoir 60
extending through
opening 86 and secured in the opening as by a friction fit, clamping and the
like.
[0058] An actuator slide plate 314 is slidably mounted to the housing 78 for
limited
vertical movement in the direction indicated by the arrow 316. In a known
manner, the
housing 78 may have two side plates with one side plate 315 on each lateral
side thereof
which extends downwardly from the support plate 84. The actuator slide plate
314 may
extend laterally between these side plates 318 of the dispenser and be engaged
within vertical
slide grooves 320 and 322 shown in each side plate 315 to guide the slide
plate 314 in
vertical sliding. The actuator slide plate 314 has a forwardly opening cavity
322 formed
therein such that the piston 14 may be slid rearwardly into the cavity 322 so
as to receive the
engagement flange 62 within the cavity and couple the piston 14 to the slide
plate 314 such
that vertical sliding of the slide plate 314 slides the piston 14 coaxially
within the body 12.
100591 The back plate assembly 80 is shown to include an interior plate 324
and a rear
cover 326 forming a cavity 328 therebetween. The emitter 99 is shown as
mounted to the
interior plate 324 in an aperture passing therethrough. A motor 330 is
schematically shown
as provided in the cavity 328 which rotates about axis 331 and output shaft
332 carrying a
rotating wheel 334 coaxially with the shaft. A crank pin 336 is mounted at one
circumferential location on the wheel. The crank pin 336 is received within a
rearwardly
opening horizontally extending slot in the slide plate 314. With rotation of
the shaft 332 and
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wheel 334, engagement between the crank pin 336 and the slide plate 314 will
cause the slide
plate 314 to slide vertically upwardly and downwardly in a reciprocal manner
relative to the
housing 70.
100601 Within the cavity 328, there is schematically shown a control mechanism
330 and
a power source 332. The control mechanism 330 controls the manner of
distribution of
power to the motor 330 and emitter 99. A sensing device 340 is provided on the
plate 324 as,
for example, to sense the presence of a user's hand underneath the discharge
outlet 48 of the
pump 10 and activate the operation of the pump 10 in known manners. This
sensing device
340 is also connected to the control mechanism 330. The control mechanism 330
may have
various manners for remotely communicating with control systems or other
devices and, in
this regard, a communication mechanism 334 is shown in the cavity 328
connected to the
control mechanism 330 which may comprise various means for wired or wireless
communication with external communication devices and controllers such as
through
preferred WI-FI connections with the Internet and external computerized
controls.
100611 The control mechanism 330 in controlling the rotation of the motor 330
controls
and is aware of the relative location of the piston 14 relative to the piston
chamber-forming
body 12. As a function of the position of the piston 14 with the body 12, the
control
mechanism 330 can control when ultraviolet radiation is emitted by the emitter
99. The
control mechanism 330 can, as well, control the amount of ultraviolet
radiation emitted by
the emitter 99 as to, for example, intensity and duration. Preferably in a
cycle of operation,
the control mechanism 330 controls the emitter 99 to emit radiation into the
air compartment
66 adequate to generate ozone in the air in a concentration useful for
destroying pathogens.
The amount of such ozone is not to be limited, however, preferably, the
initial concentration
of ozone after generation is at least 0.05% ozone, more preferably, at least
0.1% ozone. As
used in this application, the percent of ozone is the volumentric percent of
molecules of
ozone in the gas at 20 C.
100621 Preferably, in each cycle of operation of a pump, adequate ozone is
generated so
as to provide the desired levels of ozone in the air in the air compartment.
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100631 The control mechanism is also to be operated in a manner so as to
maintain an
adequate concentration of ozone in air in the air compartment having regard
firstly to the
natural decomposition of ozone into oxygen with the passage of time and having
regard to
the time that has passed since the pump was first operated in the cycle of
operation to
dispense air. For example, if some time has passed since the pump was last
cycled, the
control mechanism may generate additional ozone at periodic intervals so as to
replace ozone
in the air compartment which has decomposed back into oxygen. For example, if
there is no
operation of the pump, then ozone may again be generated every fifteen minutes
or every
half hour. As well, the amount of radiation which maybe generated in each
successive
generation of ozone can be suitably controlled by the control mechanism,
possibly to provide
for energy efficient generation.
100641 During the period of time when the dispenser is not expected to be
used, then the
control mechanism can, for example, discontinue the generation of ozone and
with
knowledge that it has discontinued generation of ozone, if the pump mechanism
is to be
cycled when the ozone would be depleted in the air compartment, the control
mechanism
could ensure that adequate ozone is generated before the dispenser is
permitted to be cycled.
The control mechanism may be able to generate ozone in a significantly small
period of time
as by increasing the energy of the radiation emitted through one emitter or by
emitting
radiation through a number of emitters simultaneously.
100651 As to the power supply 332 which may be used, the power supply may
comprise
permanent hardwired AC electrical supply or, for example, replaceable
batteries.
100661 Reference is made to Figure 5 which illustrates a second embodiment of
a
dispenser which is adapted to be manually operated. The manually operated
dispenser of
Figure 5 is substantially identical to the automated dispenser shown in Figure
4 with the
exception that the motor, its shaft, wheel and crank pin are removed.
100671 In the manually operated embodiment of the dispenser of Figure 5
between the
side plates 315 of the dispenser, there is carried at a forward portion an
actuating lever 88
journalled for pivoting about a horizontal axis at 90. The lever 88 carries an
arm 94 to
engage the actuator slide plate 314 such that manual movement of the lower
handle end 96 of
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CA 02690890 2010-01-20
lever 88 towards the right in the direction indicated by arrow 98 slides the
slide plate 314 and
therefore piston 14 inwardly in a retraction pumping stroke. On release of the
lower handle
end 96, a spring 102 disposed between the housing 78 and the slide plate 314
biases the slide
plate 314 downwardly to move the lever and the piston 14 to the fully
withdrawn position
seen in Figure 4.
[00681 The slide plate 314 is adapted to permit manual coupling and uncoupling
of the
piston 14 as is necessary to remove and replace reservoir 60 and pump assembly
10.
10069] The manually operated embodiment in Figure 5 continues to have the
control
mechanism 330, power source 332, communication unit 334 and sensor 340 as in
the
embodiment of Figure 4. While not necessary, to assist the control mechanism
in controlling
the operation of the pump assembly 10, preferably a mechanism is provided
whereby the
controller will know the relative position of the piston 14 in the body. This,
for example, can
be accomplished by a magnet 350 carried in the slot of the slide plate 314
whose position
may be sensed by a magnetic sensor or sensors 352 carried on the interior
plate 324 and
coupled to the control mechanism.
100701 The manual movement of the lever 88 may be utilized to generate
electrical
energy which can be used to charge the power source with the power source, for
example, being rechargeable batteries or capacitors.**
[00711 Other mechanisms for moving the piston 14 as shown in Figures 4 and 5
can be
provided including other mechanized and motorized mechanisms.
10072] In use of the dispenser 70, once exhausted, the empty, collapsed
reservoir 60
together with the attached pump 10 are removed and a new reservoir 60 and
attached pump
may be inserted into the housing. Preferably, the removed reservoir 60 with
its attached
pump 10 are both made entirely out of recyclable plastic material which can
easily be
recycled without the need for disassembly prior to cutting and shredding.
[0073] It is to be appreciated that in the first embodiment of Figures 1 to 3,
the inner disc
40 and the intermediate disc 42 form a first stepped pump and, similarly, the
intermediate
disc 42 and the outer disc 44 form a second stepped pump. The first pump and
second pump
are out of phase in the sense that in any one retraction or extension stroke
while one pump is
CA 02690890 2010-01-20
drawing fluid in, the other is discharging fluid out. This is not necessary in
accordance with
the present invention.
[0074] Reference is made to Figure 6 which shows a second embodiment of a pump
assembly 10 of the present invention with the piston 14 in an extended
position. The pump
assembly 10 of Figure 6 is similar to that of Figures 1 to 3 but modified to
show a number of
different features.
[0075] In a first difference, the air compartment 66 in the fully retracted
position
continues to have a volume which will contain air. Thus, as seen in the fully
retracted
position in Figure 6, there continues to be a volume of air in the air
compartment 66. This
has the advantage that radiation from the emitter 99 can be emitted into the
chamber 66 at all
times during a cycle of operation and still impinge on air in the air
compartment. However,
the relative volume of the air chamber 66 in the fully retracted position may
be selected so as
to ensure that there is adequate pressurization of air in the air compartment
66 in a cycle of
operation for dispensing of air and fluid from the discharge outlet 48.
100761 The relative volume of air which may be in the air compartment 66 in
Figure 6 in
a fully retracted position may, for example, be selected to be merely enough
air that radiation
emitted by the emitter 99 will have sufficient air to impinge on to create the
ozone. Of
course, in accordance with the first embodiment of the pump assembly 10 shown
in Figures l
and 2, likely a preferred arrangement is to control the operation of the
emitter 99 so as to
only emit radiation at times when the radiation will impinge upon air in the
chamber having
regard to the relative position of the piston 14 in the body 12 in a cycle of
operation.
100771 As a second difference, the embodiment of Figure 6 differs from the
embodiment
of Figure 1 in that the foam producing screen 56 has been eliminated and
replaced by a
nozzle member 156 disposed proximate the outlet 48 to at least partially
atomized fluid when
liquid and air pass therethrough simultaneously. Nozzle member 156 is shown to
always be
open to provide communication between the atmosphere and the central
passageway 46. The
nozzle member 156 receives the ozonated air and the liquid and further mixes
them in
passage therethrough to discharge an ozonated air and liquid mixture. The
ozonated air and
16
CA 02690890 2010-01-20
the liquid are mixed firstly in being passed together through the inlet
passageway 56 and the
passageway 46.
[0078] In a third difference, the inlet passageway 54 extend ends normal to
the axis 26
rather than being inclined.
[0079] As a fourth difference in Figure 6, the inner chamber 20 is of a
smaller diameter
than the intermediate chamber 22 and the intermediate chamber 22 is of a
smaller diameter
than the outer chamber 24. In Figure 6, the inner disc 40 and the intermediate
disc 42 form a
first stepped pump and the intermediate disc 42 an the outer disc 44 form a
second stepped
pump. The two stepped pumps are in phase in a sense that both operate to
discharge fluid
outwardly on a retraction stroke and to draw fluid in between their respective
discs on an
extension stroke. In an extension stroke, the inner pump effectively serves to
draw liquid
from the reservoir and between the inner disc 40 and the intermediate disc 42
and to
discharge it past the intermediate disc 42 between the intermediate disc 42
and the outer disc
44. The second pump serves to draw air inwardly into between the intermediate
disc 42 and
the outer disc 44 in a withdrawal stroke and to discharge liquid and air
outwardly through the
outlet 48 in a retraction stroke.
10080] A fifth difference of Figure 6 is that the outer wall of the body 12
has a constant
outer diameter extending radially outwardly a constant amount about the
threaded portion
306 and the wall 310.
100811 A sixth difference in Figure 6 is that the wall 310 defining the outer
chamber 24 is
extended axially outwardly to beyond the discharge end 48 of the piston 14
when the piston
is in the fully retracted position. This has the advantage that the piston in
the retracted
position is protected by the body 12 against contact or damage and this can be
of assistance
in avoiding the need for a cap. Additionally, as a seventh difference in
Figure 6, an optional,
removable cap 340 is shown removably engaged to the outer end of the wall 310
and
enclosing the piston 14 within the outer chamber 24 as can be advantageous to
seal the piston
14 within the chamber 24 against contamination prior to use by removal of the
cap.
[0082] In the embodiments of Figures 1, 2 and 6, merely a single emitter 99
has been
shown. However, one or more emitters may be provided in various positions
about the air
17
CA 02690890 2010-01-20
compartment 66. For example, two or more emitters 99 may be provided as
circumferentially
spaced locations about the wall 310 of the body 12 yet located to not impede
the ability of the
reservoir 60 and its pump assembly to be coupled and uncoupled to the
dispenser 70.
[00831 One emitter 99 is shown in solid lines in Figure 1 as emitting
radiation radially
into the air chamber 66. Air within the air compartment 66 may be irradiated
by radiation
from an emitter disposed at any direction. For example, as shown in Figure 4,
a second
emitter 99a is shown adapted to direct radiation axially through a thin walled
axially
extending shoulder 311 into the air compartment 66.
10084] The wall of the air compartment 66 through which radiation from the
emitter 99 is
to emit radiation needs to be formed of a material which permits the radiation
emitted to pass
therethrough. While the entire wall 310 circumferentially entirely about the
axis 26 may
transmit radiation, merely a window portion of the wall 310 may permit
radiation to pass
therethrough and thus form a window for radiation to be orientated aligned
with the emitter
99.
10085] While a portion of the wall may be adapted to permit radiation to pass
therethrough into the air compartment 66, it is also within the scope of the
invention that other
portions of the wall 310, the body 12 and piston 14 defining the air
compartment 66 be
provided so as to not transmit ultraviolet radiation therethrough thus, for
example, serve to
entrap radiation therein by reflecting radiation back into the air chamber or,
alternatively,
absorbing radiation against its transmission as to a user or other portions of
the dispenser
where it is not desired. The dispenser 70 may have protective covers or
shrouds (not shown)
to prevent radiation fi-om being transmitted out of the air compartment as,
for example, a
protective cylindrical radiation impermeable or reflective shroud which might
encircle the
pump assembly 10 outside of the reservoir when the pump assembly is installed
on the
dispenser 70.
100861 A significant advantage of the provision of ozone in an air compartment
in a pump
as disclosed is that the ozone assists in disinfecting internal parts of the
pump and the
discharge outlet of the pump in contact with the ozone so as to prevent the
growth of
pathogens within the pump assembly and dispenser itself. This advantage is in
addition to the
18
CA 02690890 2010-01-20
advantage that the ozone assists in killing pathogens after it is dispensed
as, for example, on a
person's hands or another use as to which the dispensed ozonated air-liquid
mixture or foam
may be used.
[0087] One particularly useful purpose for the ozonated foam is for use as a
foam plug to
block discharge of gas odors from waterless urinals. The ozone in killing
pathogens assists in
reducing odor in gasses from such toilet systems.
[00881 The preferred embodiments show in Figure 1 and Figure 6 two different
arrangements of piston pumps useful in arrangement for generating ozone
internally within a
variable volume air chamber within the pump. However, particular
configurations of pumps
which can be used for generation of ozone therein is not limited to these two
embodiments.
For example, in any of the various pumps shown in the following U.S. patents
may be useful
for creation of ozone by a radiation of the air within the air chambers formed
therein:
U.S. Patent Application Publication US 2009/0145297 to Ophardt, published June
11, 2009;
U.S. Patent Application Publication US 2006/0237483 to Ophardt, published
October 26,
2006; and U.S. Patent 6,409,050 to Ophardt, issued June 25, 2002.
100891 Two examples of dispensers for dispensing foam have been disclosed as
Figures 4
and 5. Various other automated mechanisms may be utilized for dispensing foam.
For
example, a dispenser disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication US
2009/0084082 to
Ophardt could readily be adapted to use a pump assembly and emitter as shown
in Figure 1.
100901 Reference is made to Figures 7 to 10 which show a rotary foam pump of
the type
disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication US 2009/020034 to Ophardt et
al, published
August 13, 2009, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
100911 As shown, the foam dispensing apparatus 410 includes a mixing pump 412
having
an air inlet 414 in communication with atmospheric air and a liquid inlet 416
in communication
with foamable fluid 417 from a reservoir 418 via a fluid feed tube 415. The
mixing pump 412
has an outlet 420 from which mixed air and liquid are discharged to pass
through a foam
generator 421 to produce foam 423 which is discharged out a discharge opening
or outlet 422
for use.
19
CA 02690890 2010-01-20
[0092] As seen in Figure 9, the pump 412 has a rotor chamber-forming member
comprising a principal housing member 425 and a cap-like closure member 426. A
compartment 427 is defined inside the housing member 425 within which a ring
member 428
is provided located keyed thereto against rotation as by an axial key 490
which extends
radially inwardly on the housing member 425 being received in a keyway slot
491 in the ring
member 428. An interior chamber 429 is defined inside the housing member 425
axially
between an inner axially directed side wall 430 of the housing member 425 and
an axially
directed outer side wall 432 on the closure member 426, and radially inwardly
of a radially
inwardly directed end wall 431 of the ring member 428 which end wall 431 is at
varying
radial distances from a rotor axis 435.
[0093] A rotor member 434 is received in the interior chamber 429 journalled
for rotation
about the rotor axis 435 by being mounted on a rotor axle 436. The rotor axle
436 as has an
axially extending slot 479 open at an inner end which is adapted to be
received in two
complementary slot-like openings 446 through a central hub 444 of the rotor
member 434.
The rotor axle 436 may be slid axially through the rotor member 434 for
coupling against
relative rotation. An inner end of the rotor axle 436 has cylindrical bearing
surfaces 437
coaxially about the rotor axis 435 for engagement with coaxial bearing
surfaces in a blind
bearing bore 498 formed in the inner side wall 430 of the housing member 425.
The rotor
axle 436 extends through a bearing opening 438 in the closure member 426 for
coaxial
journaling therein preferably in sealed engagement with the bearing opening
436.
[0094] An outer end of the rotor axle 436 carries a coupling member 439 as for
quick
connection and disconnection with a driving mechanism to rotate the rotor axle
436.
10095] Figure 7 schematically illustrates an electric motor 462 which drives a
first driven
gear 463 which in turn drives a second gear 464 which in turn drive third gear
465 coupled
the coupling member 439 of the rotor axle 436 of the mixing pump 412.
[0096] The rotor axle 436 preferably is a rigid unitary axle member which
carries the
coupling member 439 at an outer end and cylindrical bearing surfaces 437 at
its inner end.
The rotor axle 436 is adapted for coupling with the vaned rotor member 434 for
rotation of the
rotor member 434 in unison with the rotor axle 436.
CA 02690890 2010-01-20
[00971 The rotor member 434 has an axially extending central hub 444 with the
axially
extending openings 446 extending therethrough for receipt of and coupling to
the rotor axle
436. A plurality of resilient vanes 445 extend radially outwardly from the
central hub 444
with the vanes 445 spaced angularly from each other. Each vane 445 has an end
surface 447
to be closely adjacent to or to engage the end wall 431 of the interior
chamber 429, an inner
side surface 448 to be closely adjacent to or engage the inner side wall 430
and an outer side
surface 449 to be closely adjacent to or engage the outer side wall 432. The
end wall 431 of
the interior chamber 429 provided by the ring member 428 has a radial distance
from the rotor
axis 435 which varies circumferentially, that is, angularly about the rotor
axis 435. As seen in
Figure 10, the radial distance or radius of the end wall 431 is shown to be
relatively constant
other than over bump section 433 where the radius is reduced.
100981 Between each two adjacent vanes 446 and inside the end wall 431 and
side walls
430 and 432, a vane chamber 455 is defined. The volume of each chamber 455
depends on
the configuration that each of its two vanes assumes. In Figure 10, the rotor
member 435 is
rotated clockwise. On one vane 445 first engaging the bump section 433, the
vane is
deflected reducing the volume of the vane chamber 455 following the deflected
vane 455.
The volume of that vane chamber 455 will decrease until the following vane 445
engages the
bump section. The outlet 420 is open into any vane chamber 455 until the
following vane 445
for that vane chamber 455 first engages the bump section. Thus, a discharge
sector may be
defined as that angular sector during which any vane chamber 455 is decreasing
in volume
and open to the outlet 420.
[00991 With reference to a trailing vane 445 defining a vane chamber, the
discharge sector
is shown as the angular sector 451.
[01001 For any vane chamber 455, once a leading vane 445 clears the bump
section 433,
as the trailing vane 445 moves down the clockwise side of the bump section
433, the volume
of the vane chamber 455 will increase, until the trailing vane 445 clears the
bump section. A
suction sector arises during which any one vane chamber 455 increases in
volume. With
respect to a trailing vane 445 defining a vane chamber 455, the suction sector
is shown as the
angular sector 452.
21
CA 02690890 2010-01-20
101011 Between the suction sector 452 and the discharge sector 45 1, there
arises a mixing
section 450, with reference to a trailing vane 445 of a vane chamber 455,
during which the
volume of the vane chamber 455 is relatively constant and next open to any one
of the air inlet
414, fluid inlet 416 or outlet 420.
[01021 The volume of each of the plurality of vane chambers 455 decreases in
volume
when each vane chamber 455 is open to the discharge section 451 and increases
in volume
when each vane chamber 455 is open to the suction section 452.
10103] The air inlet 414 and the liquid inlet 416 are provided through the end
wall 431 at
an angular location where each vane chamber 455 is open to the suction sector
452.
[01041 The outlet 420 is provided through the end wall 431 at an angular
location where
each vane chamber 455 is open to the discharge sector 451.
101051 Figure 8 shows three ultraviolet radiation emitters 99 which are
arranged so as to
emit radiation through the radially extending end wall 499 of the housing
member 425 and
into the compartment 427 so as to irradiate air within the compartment 427
forming ozone
therein.
[01061 Figure 10 schematically shows in dashed line circles the approximate
axial location
where each of the emitters 99 are located. The emitters 99 will emit radiation
into each of the
vane chambers 455 as the vane members 45 rotate internally. The radiation may
in fact be
directed parallel the axis of rotation into each of the compartments 55 or
merely selected of the
compartments. The radially extending end wall 499 of the housing member 425 is
to be
provided to permit ultraviolet radiation to be transferred therethrough.
101071 With rotation of the rotor member 434, each vane chamber 455 will in
sequence
pass through the suction sector 452, then the mixing sector 450 and then the
discharge sector
45 1. The increase in volume of each vane chamber in the suction section draws
air into the
vane chamber via the air inlet 414 and fluid into the vane chamber via the
liquid inlet 416. In
rotation of the vane chamber through the mixing sector, the air, ozone and
fluid within the
vane chamber experience some mixing as due at least partially to the higher
density of the
fluid compared to the air, due to the tendency of the fluid to flow downwardly
under gravity
and due to the relative orientation of the vanes forming the vane chamber
coming to assume
22
CA 02690890 2010-01-20
different relative vertical orientations. On each vane chamber 455 passing
through the
discharge sector 451, the decrease in vane volume will discharge air, ozone
and fluid in the
vane chamber out of the vane chamber through the outlet 420.
[01081 As shown in Figure 1, the reservoir 418 is connected to the fluid inlet
416 as by a
tube 415.
10109] The outlet 420 on the housing member 427 is shown as connected by an
outlet tube
419 to an inlet to the foam generator 421. The foam generator 421 comprises a
rigid foaming
tube having one or more foam inducing screens therein preferably fabricated of
plastic, wire or
cloth material or comprising, for example, a porous ceramic material. Each
screen provides
small apertures through which air, ozone and liquid may be simultaneously
passed to aid foam
production as by the production of turbulent flow through the small pores or
apertures of the
screen. Foam 423 produced in the foam generator 421 exits the discharge outlet
422.
101101 In a preferred manner of operation, the foam dispensing apparatus 410
is
incorporated as part of a dispensing apparatus including a mechanism for
rotating the rotor
axle 436 when dispensing is desired. Preferably, the rotor member 434 may be
rotated as by
the electric motor 462 for a desired period of time to dispense a desired
amount of foam. For
example, in an automated electronic dispenser, dispensing may be activated as
by a user
engaging an activation button or by a touchless sensor sensing the presence of
a user's hand
under the discharge outlet. A control mechanism then operates the electric
motor 462 for a
period of time rotating the rotor axle 436 and the rotor member 434 drawing
air and fluid into
the mixing pump 412 and forcing mixed air and fluid from the mixing pump to
pass through
the foam generator 421 and, hence, discharge foam from the foam generator 421
out of the
discharge outlet 422 onto a user's hands.
101111 The relative size of the vane chambers 455, the speed of rotation of
the rotor
member 434 and the length of time that the rotor member 434 is rotated can be
used to
dispense desired quantities of fluid and air as foam.
101121 Having regard to the number of rotations of the rotor which is desired
to dispense a
single dose of foam and the speed with which ozone can be generated from the
air inside the
pump by irradiation with radiation from the emitters, levels of radiation can
be selected as
23
CA 02690890 2010-01-20
appropriate to create foam with desired levels of ozone. For example, insofar
as the volume of
the compartment 427 is relatively small and the number of rotations of the
rotor member 434
may be required for each dose, then the concentration of ozone within the
compartments may
be selected to be relatively high say, for example, up to 5% prior to
dispensing any dosage of
foam. On the other hand, insofar as the irradiation can quickly produce ozone,
an initial
concentration of ozone can be created which is closer to the desired level of
ozone in the foam
to be dispensed and additional ozone can be created while the rotor member is
being rotated.
101131 Other forms of rotary pumps may be utilized as, for example, in which
the inlets
for liquid and air are provided in different rotary members at axially spaced
locations. The
irradiation by the emitters with ultraviolet light preferably may produce
ozone in the air in any
of the rotary sectors through which the compartments are rotated whether or
not those sectors
are sectors in which the volume of a compartment is reduced.
101141 Reference is made to Figure 11 which shows a fourth embodiment of a
dispenser
510 in accordance with the present invention. The dispenser 500 includes a
rotary foam pump
502 which has a liquid inlet 504 in fluid communication with fluid from a soap
reservoir 506.
The pump has an air inlet 508 in communication with atmospheric air, however,
with the
atmospheric air to be drawn into the rotary foam pump to pass from an air
inlet 512 through a
desiccant air filter 514 which serves to remove moisture from the air and then
through a
corona discharge chamber 516 and hence to the pump air inlet 500. The corona
discharge
chamber 516 may be of a known type in which an electric discharge between two
electrodes
520 and 522 passes through the air forming ozone from oxygen in the air.
Oxygenated air thus
is provided to the air input to the rotary foam pump 502. The rotary foam pump
502 draws in
the ozonated air together with liquid from the reservoir 506, mixes it within
a foam generator
518 and dispenses the foam out outlet 524.
[01151 Insofar as the corona discharge chamber 516 is upstream from an air
inlet to a
pump, the nature of the pump is not limited to being a rotary foam pump and
may comprise
any manner of pump including piston pumps and the like.
24
CA 02690890 2010-01-20
101161 A control board 530 is illustrated for control of the corona discharge
chamber 516,
however, it is appreciated that the control board could control also the
operation of the rotary
foam pump as well as otherwise control the operation of the dispenser.
101171 The invention has been described with reference to preferred
embodiments. For a
definition of the invention, reference is made to the following claims.
