DISPENSING APPARATUS AND RELEASABLY CONNECTED FLUID CONTAINER FOR USE IN SUCH DISPENSING APPARATUS

Abstract

Apparatus for dispensing a plurality of fluids, comprising a plurality of fluid containers and a carrier on which a plurality of pumps is mounted. Each one of said plurality of fluid containers is releasably connectable to an associated pump of said plurality of pumps via a connector assembly thereby forming a fluid connection between the fluid container and the associated pump. The connector assembly comprising a first connector to the associated pump and a mating second connector to the respective fluid container and wherein at least one of said plurality of fluid containers comprises a refill opening for refilling the fluid container.

Claims

1. Apparatus for dispensing a plurality of fluids, comprising a plurality of fluid containers (2) and a carrier (3) on which a plurality of pumps (35) is mounted, and wherein each one of said plurality of fluid containers (2) is releasably connectable to an associated pump (35) of said plurality of pumps via a connector assembly thereby forming a fluid connection between the fluid container (2) and the associated pump (35), the connector assembly (29, 32) comprising a first connector (32) to the associated pump (35) and a mating second connector (29) to the respective fluid container (2) and wherein at least one of said plurality of fluid containers (2) comprises a refill opening for refilling the fluid container.

2. Dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the carrier (3) is controllably moveable.

3. Dispensing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the controllably moveable carrier comprises a rotatable turntable (3).

4. Dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a retainer assembly (30) for releasably engaging and disengaging with an engaging means (46) of the fluid container (2).

5. Dispensing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the retainer assembly (30) comprises a lever mounted on a pivot axis, which lever comprises an operating handle (30) on a first side of the pivot axis and an arm (31) for operatively engaging with the connector assembly on a second remote side of the pivot axis with respect to the first side.

6. Dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a closing means (37) for operatively engaging with the refill opening to close and open the refill opening.

7. Dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing apparatus is a paint dispenser and the plurality of fluid containers comprise colourants, such as colourants for decorative paint.

8. Dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a controller comprising a processor and an electronic memory, for controlling at least one parameter indicative for an amount of fluid dispensed from at least one of said plurality of fluid containers (2).

9. Dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a user-machine interface (7, 7), wherein the user-machine interface (7, 7) comprises at least one user input for controlling at least a maintenance operation or a dispensing operation.

10. Dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a guide (40) for guiding and aligning the plurality of fluid containers (2) during an installation operating of such fluid container (2) in the dispensing apparatus (1).

11. Dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a housing (20, 23) at least partly enclosing the plurality of fluid containers (2) and the plurality of pumps (35), the housing comprising a maintenance gate (22), the maintenance gate (22) is formed such that at least one of said plurality of fluid containers is manually removable through the maintenance gate (22).

12. Releasably connectable fluid container for use in the dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a connector (29) for connecting to the mating connector (32) of the dispensing apparatus (1), and further comprising a refill opening for refilling the releasably connectable fluid container.

13. Releasably connectable fluid container, according to claim 12, wherein the fluid container is adapted to be manually inserted in and manually removed from the dispensing apparatus (1) through the maintenance gate (22) of the housing (20, 23) of the dispensing apparatus.

14. Releasably connectable fluid container, according to claim 12, comprising engaging means (46) for releasably engaging and disengaging with the retainer assembly (3) of the dispensing apparatus (1).

15. Method of replacing a selected fluid container in a dispensing apparatus, the selected fluid container comprising a refill opening for refilling the selected fluid container, and the method comprising the steps of disconnecting a fluid connection between the selected fluid container and an associated connected pump (35) of the dispensing apparatus; releasing the selected fluid container from the associated pump by disconnecting a mating connector assembly (29, 32) between the selected fluid container and the associated pump (35); introducing a replacement container under the formation of a fluid connection between the replacement container and the associated pump.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description and the accompanying schematical drawings which are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:

[0037] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a dispensing apparatus for dispensing a plurality of fluids according to the present invention in conjunction with an external computer system;

[0038] FIG. 2A is a schematic perspective view of a dispensing apparatus with a housing in a closed state according to the present invention;

[0039] FIG. 2B is a schematic perspective view of a dispensing apparatus with a housing in an opened state according to the present invention;

[0040] FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective detail of a turntable and guide system of a dispensing apparatus according to the present invention;

[0041] FIG. 4A is a schematic cross-section of a turntable with a disengaged fluid container of a dispensing apparatus according to the present invention;

[0042] FIG. 4B is a schematic cross-section of a turntable with an engaged fluid container of a dispensing apparatus according to the present invention; and

[0043] FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-section of a refillable fluid container according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same reference numerals have been used to identify the same or similar elements throughout the several views.

[0045] It is noted that the drawings are schematic, not necessarily to scale and that details that are not required for understanding the present invention may have been omitted. The terms upward, downward, below, above, and the like relate to the embodiments as oriented in the drawings, unless otherwise specified. Further, elements that are at least substantially identical or that perform an at least substantially identical function are denoted by the same numeral, where helpful individualised with apostrophe suffixes.

[0046] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an example of a dispensing apparatus 1 for dispensing a plurality of fluids, such as (components of) paints, paint colourants, hair dyes, shampoos, foundations and the like. The apparatus can be used for dispensing numerous recipes and formulas of the said products and can be located e.g. at a retailer of decorative paints, a hairdresser, a warehouse, or a factory. This particular dispensing apparatus 1 is an automated version and includes a horizontal turntable 3, with a plurality of fluid containers 2 mounted along its circumference. Optionally the apparatus may comprise an enclosing housing around the plurality of fluid containers. The fluid containers 2 in this example comprise a refill opening which is closable and re-openable by means of a (screw) cap 12. Each fluid container 2 is releasably connected with a pump 35 and a dispense valve 39 via a connector assembly. The turntable 3 can be rotated between discrete positions, e.g. twelve or sixteen positions including a central dispensing position where the dispensed fluid 10 is dispensed in a receptacle, in this example a bucket 5 on an adjustable shelf 6. The apparatus 1 includes a base 4 made e.g. by injection moulding a polymer. A computer 8 for entering and storing information, such as customer data and recipes, and generating instructions for driving the turntable, pumps and valves, is positioned on a separate stand 9, also supporting a user interface 7 for rendering information to the user and providing input means. Further information regarding suitable turntables and procedures for driving the various components, are disclosed in, for instance, European patent applications EP 800 858, EP 1 492 970, EP 1 688 652, and EP 2 198 950.

[0047] FIG. 2A schematically illustrates another example of a dispensing apparatus 1 for dispensing a plurality of fluids with a housing in a closed state. Normally during operation of the dispensing apparatus 1, the access door 21 and the maintenance gate 22 are closed. The dispensing apparatus 1 has an enclosing housing 20 and a top cover 23. The maintenance gate 22 is formed as a hatch in the top cover 23. A user interface unit 7 has been mounted on the housing 20. The dispensing apparatus 1 comprises a shelf 6 on which a receptacle can be placed to receive the sequentially dispensed fluids at the central dispensing position.

[0048] FIG. 2B shows the dispensing apparatus 1 of FIG. 2A wherein the door 21 and the maintenance gate 22 are opened. The plurality of fluid containers 2 is visible through the opening of the door 21 and maintenance gate 22, including one fluid container 2 which is elevated with respect to the other fluid containers 2. The elevation indicates that the handle 30 of the retainer means has been pivoted into the disengaged downward position. The door 21 comprises a pump actuator 15 which interacts with the top of associated pump of the plurality of pumps 35. The head of the pump 35 at the central dispensing position will be positioned in between two flaps of the pump actuator 15 during a rotation of the turntable 3. If, in operation, the fluid container is placed in the connected state an upward and downward movement of the pump actuator 15 results in an upward and downward movement of the pump 35, which is, in contrast to the depicted state of the fluid container 2 during normal operation, in fluid connection with the fluid container 2, thereby pumping a volume of fluid from the fluid container 2 into or towards the pump 35 such that by opening a valve (not shown) a volume of fluid 10 is dispensed into a receptacle located at the shelf 6. The releasably connectable fluid container 2, 2 is refillable through a refill opening 37, which is in this embodiment closable and openable by means of an associated (screw) cap.

[0049] The elevated fluid container 2 is in a disengaged position in which the fluid connection between the fluid container and the pump and valve is interrupted. By means of an arm (not shown in FIG. 2B) on a distal end of the handle 30, the fluid container 2 has been elevated. This assists the user to remove the fluid container 2 through the hatch of the maintenance gate 22 while the pump 35 and associated valve remain mounted on the turntable 3.

[0050] FIG. 3 shows a perspective detail of the turntable and guide system of the dispensing apparatus. Turntable 3 comprises several openings, protrusions, holes and slits, such as positioning holes 49, which are used to measure the movement of the turntable by means of a light and photocell (not shown), and slits 43, 43 in which guide frame 40 and the connector 32, pump 35 and retainer assembly 30, 31 are mounted and fastened by means of a snap connection. To accommodate the pump 35, valve and retainer assembly 30 a plurality of slots 42 are provided around the circumference of the turntable 3.

[0051] FIG. 4A shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the turntable 3 and guide system of FIG. 3 wherein a fluid container 2 has been inserted in registration with the guide means 40. The screw cap 37 has been screwed on the refill opening of the fluid container after a refill operation. The turn table is driven by an electric rotational drive motor 45. The male connector portion 32 which is mounted on the turntable 3 has been mated with the female connector portion 29 of the fluid container 2. In the currently depicted state the fluid connection between the fluid container 2 and the pump 35 has not yet been completed. The fluid container 2 rests on the arm portion 31 of the retainer assembly 30. To complete the fluid connection via the connector assembly 32, 29 the handle of the retainer assembly 30 is moved upward towards the housing of the pump 35, thereby pivoting the arm 31 downward and urging the female connector 29 of the fluid container 2 over the male connector 32 opening the fluid connection between the fluid container 2 and the pump 35 and valve 39 as depicted in FIG. 4B.

[0052] FIG. 5 shows schematic cross-section of a refillable fluid container 2. The fluid container 2 comprises a refill opening in a top portion of the injection moulded fluid container 2. An associated screw cap 37 is applied to enable manually closing and opening thereof. Engaging means 46 comprise a surface which in operation engages with the arm portion 31 of the retainer means of the dispensing apparatus to aid in connecting and/or disconnecting the fluid container 2 with respect to the dispending apparatus 1. The fluid container 2 further comprises a female connector portion 29 configured to form a mating engagement with the male connector portion 32 of the dispensing apparatus while further sealing the fluid container 2 in disengaged state, to prevent leaking of the fluid from within the fluid container 2.

[0053] Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention. The terms a or an, as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term plurality, as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. A plurality may also indicate a subset of two or more, out of a larger multitude of items. The term another, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms including and/or having, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term coupled, as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly. The term fluid as used herein, is defined as any flowable material that can be dispensed by the apparatus according to the present invention. Examples of fluids include liquids, pastes, granulates, and powders.

[0054] Elements and aspects discussed for or in relation with a particular embodiment may be suitably combined with elements and aspects of other embodiments, unless explicitly stated otherwise. The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.