Centrifugal pumping and foaming device

A pack comprising:

• a pumping and foaming device comprising (i) a mixing unit where air and a foamable fluid are conveyed and pre-mixed into a mixture of the air and the foamable fluid,
• wherein the mixing unit comprises an outlet leading into a disc chamber in which a processing element is positioned, the mixing unit further comprises an air inlet and a fluid inlet each at different radial positions in the mixing unit relative to the outlet of the mixing unit,
• the air inlet configured for the air to enter the mixing unit through the air inlet and flow through an air conduit in the mixing unit,
• the fluid inlet configured for the foamable fluid to enter the mixing unit through the fluid inlet and flow through a fluid conduit in the mixing unit,
• the air and fluid conduits are perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the processing element and merge with each other prior to the mixing unit outlet;
• (ii) a foaming unit where the mixture of the air and the foamable fluid is foamed into a foam;
• and
• (iii) the processing element comprising circulation holes communicating a first side of the processing element with a second side of the processing element opposite the first side, the processing element rotatable with respect to the foaming unit, such that the rotation of the processing element sucks the air and the foamable fluid by centrifugal forces into the mixing unit, wherein the same rotation of the processing element with respect to the foaming unit drives the mixture of air and fluid under a shear stress effective for the mixture to be foamed;
• and
• a fluid container for storing the foamable fluid.

A system comprising a pack and a machine to which the pack is connectable for providing a fluid foam, the pack comprising:

• a pumping and foaming device comprising (i) a mixing unit where air and a foamable fluid are conveyed and pre-mixed into a mixture of the air and the foamable fluid,
• wherein the mixing unit comprises an outlet leading into a disc chamber in which a processing element is positioned, the mixing unit further comprises an air inlet and a fluid inlet each at different radial positions in the mixing unit relative to the outlet of the mixing unit,
• the air inlet configured for the air to enter the mixing unit through the air inlet and flow through an air conduit in the mixing unit,
• the fluid inlet configured for the foamable fluid to enter the mixing unit through the fluid inlet and flow through a fluid conduit in the mixing unit,
• the air and fluid conduits are perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the processing element and merge with each other prior to the mixing unit outlet;
• (ii) a foaming unit where the mixture of the air and the foamable fluid is foamed into a foam;
• and
• (iii) the processing element comprising circulation holes communicating a first side of the processing element with a second side of the processing element opposite the first side, the processing element rotatable with respect to the foaming unit, such that the rotation of the processing element sucks the air and the foamable fluid by centrifugal forces into the mixing unit, wherein the same rotation of the processing element with respect to the foaming unit drives the mixture of air and fluid under a shear stress effective for the mixture to be foamed;
• the pack further comprising a fluid container for storing the foamable fluid;
• the machine comprising an air entry and a driver to entrain in rotation the processing element within the pumping and foaming device.