Abstract

A very compact foam-generating element for use in conjunction with a trigger-actuated dispenser is characterized by its insensitivity to its manner of attachment to and adjustment on the dispenser and features a combination of foam forming means located upstream of an expansion chamber having a nozzle at its inlet and terminated downstream by screening means, the screening means, expansion chamber and nozzle cooperating to produce a tightly packed, fine textured foam of even consistency by extending the time of treatment of the semi prepared foam received from the foam forming means, the screening means meanwhile adding air and further breaking up the liquid. The foam forming means provides non-contact jetting of the liquid through an aspirating chamber into a foam forming chamber having a diameter or cross section that is substantially the same as that of the aspirating chamber. The diameter or cross section of the expansion chamber preferably is substantially larger than that of the foam forming chamber. In one embodiment the foam-generating element is adapted to fit over the nozzle of a trigger-type dispenser; in another embodiment the element replaces the nozzle altogether; and in further embodiments the element is incorporated within the molded structure of trigger-actuated piston type and bellows type dispensers to form integral foam dispensers.