Foam-generating pump sprayer

A hand-held, foam-spraying apparatus for producing a foam comprising a liquid matrix containing discrete air bubbles and comprising in cooperative combination:

• (a) a trigger-operated hand dispensing pump, including an atomizing nozzle, for drawing a foamable liquid from a container and ejecting it into the atmosphere through the atomizing nozzle, thereby forming a spray from such liquid and projecting the spray in a predetermined pattern outwardly from the atomizing nozzle, and
• (b) foam-forming means operatively associated with the dispensing pump for producing foam from the spray using air external to the apparatus and without substantially modifying the predetermined spray pattern, the foam-forming means consisting essentially of (1) a screen having a size generally in the range of about 60 to 200 mesh U.S. Sieve Series and which is retained in the path of the spray, and (2) means for introducing air into the spray so that the spray is permitted to foam upon contact with the screen, said means for introducing air comprising the peripheral edge portion of the screen disposed outwardly of the spray pattern at the point it intercepts the screen whereby air is permitted to enter from the front;
• the foam-forming means permitting the passage of substantially all the spray therethrough without contact except by the screen and being effective for generating a relatively dry foam having reduced tendency to drip when deposited on a vertical surface.