Packaging Knowledge | A Brief Introduction to Foam Pump Technology Principles, Manufacturing Processes, and Application Scenarios
Introduction: A foam pump is a precision device that uses physical foaming technology to convert liquids into fine foam. It is widely used in personal care, medical disinfection, and household cleaning. Its core technology involves gas-liquid mixing and microporous filtration to achieve liquid atomization. The following analysis covers three aspects: technical principles, production processes, and application scenarios. The content of this article is for reference only by procurement professionals within the Youpin community:
ONE
Technical Principles
1. Gas-Liquid Mixing Mechanism
Foam pumps achieve dynamic gas-liquid ratio control through an internal gas-liquid mixing chamber:
Negative pressure liquid suction: When the pump head is pressed, the piston movement creates negative pressure, drawing liquid from the reservoir into the pump chamber;
Air intake: Simultaneously, external air is drawn in through side wall intake ports, with a gas-to-liquid ratio typically ranging from 1:3 to 1:5 (by volume);
Turbulent mixing: High-speed flowing liquid and air form turbulence within the mixing chamber, initially generating a gas-liquid mixture.
Foam net structure: The core component is a multi-layer stainless steel or nylon microporous filter net (pore size 10–50 μm). When liquid passes through the filter net under high pressure, it is cut into tiny droplets, which combine with air to form uniform foam;
Foam stability: Surfactants (such as sodium laureth sulfate) are added to reduce liquid surface tension and extend foam retention time.
3. Anti-backflow design
A dual-valve system (bottom check valve + outlet check valve) ensures that the liquid and air channels are sealed when not pressed, preventing liquid evaporation or contamination.
TWO
Manufacturing Process
Pump body material: The main body is made of chemically corrosion-resistant PP (polypropylene) or PETG (polyethylene terephthalate), with food-grade certification;
Foam net: 316L stainless steel or food-grade nylon, with uniform pore sizes formed through laser perforation or micro-pore sintering processes;
Seals: Fluororubber or silicone gaskets, resistant to aging and compatible with high acid-alkali liquids.
2. Precision Manufacturing Process
Injection molding: The pump body and gas-liquid mixing chamber are injection molded using high-gloss molds (mirror polishing Ra ≤ 0.1 μm) to reduce flow resistance;
Filter mesh processing: Laser perforation accuracy of ±2 μm, or sintering process to form a porous structure from metal powder at high temperatures;
Automated assembly: Robotic arm assembly of the gas-liquid mixing chamber and filter mesh, with a gas tightness test pressure of 0.4 MPa and a leakage rate of <0.1%.
3. Quality control standards
Foam testing: Using a 50 cps viscosity liquid (simulating hand sanitizer), single foam output volume of 0.4cc-2cc, foam density of 0.05–0.1 g/cm³;
Durability verification: Foam quality degradation rate <15% after 5,000 presses;
Microbial protection: Some medical-grade pump bodies include UV sterilization processes, compliant with ISO 13485 standards.
