US 5,842,645 AGranted

Device for generating foam in a shower

OwnerGilles Degongre, Denis Degongreinventors

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Abstract

The device is used to generate foam and is installed between a conventional shower head and the corresponding water pipe. The device features a foam generator that uses air, water and a foaming liquid to generate foam inside a chamber located in the body of the device. A method for generating foam is also disclosed. In the device, the chamber is located under the container that provides the foaming liquid and is provided with a jet that receives deviated water and atomizes the water therein. Air is drawn inside the chamber. Foam is generated as the air, water and foaming liquid are mixed inside the chamber. The foam then flows out of the device through a spout. Operation of the device is achieved through the use of a rotative manual selector, by which the user selects various modes, including a soaping mode where only foam is generated. The device can allow a water economy of up to 75% of the water that could have been used otherwise and thus prevents natural resources from being wasted.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A device for generating foam for use with a shower head or the like, the device comprising:

a body, said body comprising a spout;
a water circuit in the body, the water circuit having a water inlet for connection to a source of pressurized water, and a water outlet for directing water to the shower head;
at least one container that provides a foaming liquid;
a foam generator that uses air, water and said foaming liquid to generate foam inside the body, the foam generator comprising:
a chamber located under the container, the chamber being in communication with the spout to direct said foam outside the body;
a foaming liquid flow path that directs foaming liquid to the chamber from the container, the foaming liquid flow path having an outlet in the chamber;
a jet arranged to receive water from the water channel and atomize said water inside said chamber;
and
an air inlet to provide air into the chamber
a water deviator connected to the water circuit and operable to selectively deviate at least a fraction of the pressurized water towards the foam generator, the water deviator comprising a water valve set inside the water circuit, the water valve being movable between a first position where the pressurized water flows only towards the water outlet and a second position where the pressurized water is deviated through a water channel, the water channel having one end in fluid communication with the water valve and another end directing water to the foam generator;
and
a manual control connected to the water deviator and operable from outside the body.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.