Patent ID: 7207501

Claim:
An apparatus for generating foam, comprising: (a) a diffuser unit; (b) a housing defining a central axis and having a proximal end, a distal end and an internal chamber within which is positioned the diffuser unit; (c) a first conduit in communication with the proximal end of the housing for supplying a gaseous stream to the diffuser unit; (d) a second conduit in communication with the proximial end of the housing for supplying a water and foam mixture to the diffuser unit; and (e) an outlet located at the distal end of the housing for expelling an aerated water and foam mixture from the housing; wherein said diffuser unit includes a conically shaped dispersing element aligned with the central axis of said housing; wherein the water and foam mixture supplied to said diffuser unit flows on a flow axis aligned with the central axis of the housing, and wherein the conically shaped element is aligned with the flow axis of the water and foam mixture; and wherein the diffuser unit transforms the water and foam mixture supplied to the diffusing unit to a thin film.