MACHINE FOR PREPARING FLUID PRODUCTS AND METHOD FOR PREPARING A FORMULATION OF FLUID PRODUCTS BY MEANS OF SUCH A MACHINE

Abstract

A machine for preparing fluid products has a dispensing module with a tank for fluid products. The tank is connected to a pump device for dispensing measured quantities of fluid product in an operating dispensing zone of the dispensing module. The dispensing module has a transport device for transporting a container from an inlet to an outlet which are different from each other, by passing through the operating dispensing zone in which the container is selectively located. The machine further includes an inlet and an outlet which are mutually different, for introducing and removing to/from the machine a container, in which to dispense measured quantities of fluid products to obtain a finished fluid product. The inlet of the machine communicates with continuity of transport with an inlet of a dispensing module, and the outlet of the machine communicates with continuity of transport with an outlet of a dispensing module.

Claims

1. A machine for preparing fluid products, comprising at least one dispensing module comprising at least one tank for fluid products which is connected to at least one respective pump device for dispensing upon request measured quantities of at least one respective fluid product in at least one operating dispensing zone of the dispensing module, the dispensing module comprising at least one transport device for transporting a container from a module inlet to a module outlet which are different from each other, by passing through at least one operating dispensing zone in which the container can be selectively located, the machine further comprising at least one inlet and at least one outlet which are mutually different, respectively, for introducing and removing to/from the machine at least one container, in which to dispense measured quantities of fluid products in order to obtain a finished fluid product, there being defined between the inlet and the outlet a transport path for the at least one container, the inlet communicating with continuity of transport with at least one module inlet of a dispensing module and the outlet communicating with continuity of transport with at least one module outlet of a dispensing module.

2. The machine according to claim 1, comprising at least two dispensing modules which are adjacent to each other and through which the transport path passes between the inlet and the outlet, the containers being transported along the transport path which passes sequentially all the dispensing modules, the containers being selectively located in one or more operating dispensing zones in order to receive a measured quantity of fluid products which is predetermined in accordance with a formulation of finished fluid product.

3. The machine according to claim 1, wherein at least two dispensing modules are positioned one on the other and define at least two levels of the machine, the transport path comprising at least one vertical transport device for transporting the containers from one level to another along the transport path from the inlet to the outlet.

4. The machine according to claim 1, comprising at least one vertical transport device for lifting the containers from the module outlet of a dispensing module to a higher level at the outlet of the machine.

5. The machine according to claim 3, wherein at least one vertical transport device is a lifter or elevator or descender.

6. The machine according to claim 3, wherein each level comprises one, two or three dispensing modules, each of which preferably comprises sixteen tanks of fluid products.

7. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the transport device of each dispensing module comprises horizontal transport members which are preferably formed by means of motorized roller conveyors.

8. The machine according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the dispensing modules comprises a dispensing selector for selectively dispensing quantities of fluid product from approximately 20 ml to approximately 1000 ml.

9. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the containers are individually transported on platforms along the transport path.

10. The machine according to claim 9, wherein each platform transports a container which is inserted in an adapter.

11. The use of a machine according to claim 1 for preparing formulations which are defined by the user, each formulation comprising a plurality of fluid products to be dispensed into a respective container, the fluid products being stored in the one or more tanks of the at least one dispensing module, the formulations each being associated with a respective identification code which is applied to a container, the preparation of a formulation including the introduction of a container into the machine through the inlet thereof before the container in which the preceding formulation of the sequence is prepared is discharged from the outlet of the machine.

12. The use of a machine according to claim 11, wherein, during the introduction of the container into the machine, the identification code is read in order to retrieve the stored formulation which is associated with the identification code.

13. A method for preparing formulations defined by the user from a plurality of fluid products which can be dispensed, comprising the steps of: storing a group of formulations of finished fluid products each comprising a plurality of fluid products which can be dispensed; supplying to the inlet of a machine according to claim 1 a plurality of containers in which to dispense the fluid products, each container being provided with an identification code which is associated with one of the formulations of finished fluid products; retrieving the stored formulation which is associated with the identification code; transporting with a transport system the containers in the machine along a transport path in which the containers pass sequentially the dispensing modules and are located under one or more operating dispensing zones for dispensing fluid products which are predetermined by the respective formulation of finished fluid product which is associated with the identification code which is set out on the container in order then to be discharged from the outlet of the machine; wherein the dispensing of fluid products into a container for preparing a formulation of finished fluid product has started before the container relating to a preceding formulation is discharged from the outlet of the machine.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Additional features and advantages will be appreciated from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment with reference to the appended drawings which are given by way of non-limiting example and in which:

[0034] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a machine for preparing lacquers for bodies incorporating aspects of the present invention, including six dispensing modules which are arranged on two levels;

[0035] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the interior of one of the dispensing modules of the machine of FIG. 1;

[0036] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a roller conveyor portion for supplying containers to the machine of FIG. 1;

[0037] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the roller conveyor of FIG. 3;

[0038] FIG. 5 is a schematic front view of the movement of the containers of fluid products in the machine of FIG. 1; and

[0039] FIGS. 6a-6d schematically show additional embodiments of possible arrangements and combinations of dispensing modules for producing other embodiments of the machine for preparing lacquers of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of an embodiment of the machine 10 for preparing lacquers for bodies and more generally finished fluid products. The machine 10 is modular and is constructed by juxtaposing and functionally connecting a number of dispensing modules which are generally designated 12 in such a manner that they are adjacent to each other in accordance with definable configurations and in accordance with specific requirements. The dispensing modules 12 preferably all have a spatial requirement which is substantially equal even if it is not excluded that the machine may comprise dispensing modules having multiple or sub-multiple dimensions of the modules 12, for example, dimensions corresponding to a pair of modules 12 which are juxtaposed. The dispensing modules 12 preferably all have similar functions, being capable of dispensing one or more fluid products which are contained in one or more tanks 34 (see FIG. 2) which are received inside the respective dispensing module 12. As will be described in detail below, inside the dispensing modules 12 there are provided dispensing systems which allow the fluid products to be dispensed into containers B which are supplied in the machine 10 from an inlet E as far as an outlet U.

[0041] In the embodiment of FIG. 1, there are generally a total of six dispensing modules 12 and they are arranged on two levels: three dispensing modules 12′ are arranged on an upper level, positioned one above the other and aligned with three other corresponding dispensing modules 12″ which are arranged on a lower level. The dispensing modules 12′, 12″ on the same level are preferably fixed to each other at a side. Two dispensing modules 12′, 12″ positioned one above the other are also preferably fixed to each other.

[0042] Each upper dispensing module 12′ is preferably provided with a cover 16 which affords access to the interior in order to fill or refill the tanks 34 of fluid product. However, the lower dispensing modules 12″ can be constructed to be removable with a frame structure which is fixed and a carriage or cartridge which is movable on rollers 14. The lower dispensing modules 12″ can thereby be removed from the machine 10 at least partially in order to access the tanks 34 and thereby to be able to fill them or refill them.

[0043] The front portion of each dispensing module 12 is preferably covered by a front panel 18 which may be completely or partially transparent or semi-transparent. In some cases, the front panel 18 may be able to be opened or removable, completely or partially, in order to afford access when necessary to the front portion of the dispensing module 12, where the fluid products are dispensed into the containers B. In the front portion of each dispensing module 12, there is provided a horizontal transport system for containers B which, in the embodiment of the Figure, is constructed by means of motorized roller conveyors 20. In particular, the motorized roller conveyors 20 comprise roller conveyor portions, each of which has an extent which is substantially equal to the front width of each dispensing module 12 so as to completely cover the entire extent in terms of width of the machine 10, at each of the two levels. Preferably, the roller conveyors 20 extend laterally at a side of the machine 10 in order to define the inlet E and the outlet U of the containers. Alternatively, the inlet E and/or the outlet U of the containers B can be formed by means of other transport systems, such as, for example, transporter belts or robot arms, or more simply by using inclined planes, on which the containers B can slide in order to be introduced into and discharged from the machine 10. Naturally, the transport system for the containers B may be of a type different from the roller conveyor 20 and may completely or partially comprise transporter belts or other systems of the type generally known.

[0044] At the side of the machine 10 opposite the inlet E and the outlet U of the containers B, there is provided a vertical transport system for the containers B from one level to another of the machine 10. In particular, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the vertical transport system comprises a lifter 22 which is capable of receiving at least one container B from a level and transporting it to another level of the machine 10. More specifically, in the non-limiting example of FIG. 1, the lifter 22 comprises a platform 24 which can be moved upwards or downwards, as indicated by the arrow S of FIG. 1. The platform 24 is provided to receive at least one container B which is urged thereon by the roller conveyor 20 of the upper level, and to transfer it onto the roller conveyor 20 of the lower level of the machine 10. In this regard, there may be provided a movement system on the lifter 22 and/or on the platform 24, for example, motorized rollers 26, or any other system which is capable of moving a container B from the platform 24 to the roller conveyor 20 of the lower level. An alternative system to the motorized rollers 26 may comprise a pusher member which is associated with the lifter 22 or other functionally similar systems.

[0045] In FIG. 1, the inlet E is aligned with the roller conveyor 20 of the upper level of the machine 10. The inlet E comprises an inlet roller conveyor portion 20a on which one or more containers B can be placed so as to be supplied sequentially inside the machine, in particular to the first module 12 of the machine 10. Slightly below the inlet roller conveyor 20a, there is provided a similar outlet roller conveyor 20b which receives the containers B at the end of the dispensing operations of the fluid products for the production of the lacquers according to the formulations required. The outlet roller conveyor 20b receives the containers B from an outlet lifter 23, which is similar to the lifter 22 and which removes them from the outlet of the last dispensing module which the containers B pass through during their path through the machine 10.

[0046] In the machine 10, there can be produced formulations of lacquers in different quantities for containers B having different capacities. To this end, the containers B are received in respective adapters 27 which are carried by platforms in the form of slides 25. The adapters 27 allow the opening of containers B having a different height and width to be positioned at the same height and at the centre with respect to dispensing nozzles 21 for fluid products.

[0047] There is mounted on the machine 10 an electronic processor which regulates the general operation of the devices, including the control of the dispensing of the fluid products by one or more dispensing modules 12, by coordinating it with the transport of the containers B and the stoppage thereof at the dispensing module(s) from which the fluid products necessary for the specific formulation of lacquer desired are dispensed. Preferably, the functions of the machine 10 and the programming of the formulations, similarly to the calibration and maintenance operations, are carried out by interfacing as known with an operator by means of a screen 28 and a keyboard 30. The calibration can also be carried out individually and independently for each dispensing module 12. Naturally, the programming and the control and the interrogation of the state of the machine can be carried out by means of any other type of data-processing interface and system, for example, by means of a remote administration system, such as a remote server, a cluster of servers, a service or an application in the cloud, as well as a remote terminal which communicates with the machine, for example, a tablet, a smart phone, a computer or any other system of the generally known type.

[0048] With reference to FIG. 2, there is illustrated merely by way of example the formation of a dispensing module 12 which, for the sake of clarity of illustration, does not have the external covering casing. As indicated above, for dispensing fluid products there can be used any dispensing device of known type, even if for the construction of the machine 10 it has been found to be particularly advantageous and effective to use the dispensing device which is developed and produced by the same Applicant and which is described in detail in the patent application WO2020/165822, the description content of which is integrally claimed and incorporated herein by reference. Without going into detail, which the person skilled in the art may understand from a reading of the document WO2020/165822, there is set out here an overview of the dispensing device which is preferably used in the machine 10 in order to form the dispensing modules 12, in particular for dispensing a plurality of fluid products.

[0049] As can be seen in FIG. 2, a dispensing module 12 may comprise a support structure 31 having a platform 32 which supports a rotary table 33 or turntable. Tanks 34 of fluid products are mounted on the rotary table 33. Each tank 34 is connected to a pumping group 35 arranged below. Inside each tank 34, there is mounted an agitator (not illustrated) for the fluid product which is connected to a mechanism which moves it during the rotation of the rotary table 33. Alternatively, each agitator can be provided with a movement system with autonomous motorization.

[0050] A motor 36 is connected to the rotary table 33, for example, by means of the engagement of a pinion with a tooth arrangement 33′ which is formed on the periphery of the rotary table 33. In this manner, the rotary table 33 can be rotated selectively, preferably in both rotation directions, so as to carry the desired pumping group 35 into alignment with an operating dispensing zone 40 which is positioned at the front of the dispensing module 12. The roller conveyor 20 is preferably fixed to the support structure 31 and is controlled in known manner by a motor 41 which controls, for example, a system of pulleys and belts which are connected to the rollers of the roller conveyor 20. The roller conveyor 20 can transport and support a slide 25, on which the adapter 27 for a container B is mounted. As a result of the roller conveyor 20, the container B can be transported below the nozzle 21 into the operating dispensing zone 40, in which one or more fluid products which are contained in the tanks 34 can be dispensed inside the container B in accordance with the formulation of lacquer desired.

[0051] The pumping group 35 comprises a volumetric pump, for example, an alternating volumetric pump of the type described in the above-mentioned document WO2020/165822. The pump communicates with a respective tank of fluid product 34 through an intake pipe. The pumping group 35 also comprises a valve group. The pump communicates with the valve group which can be switched into different positions so as to dispense the fluid product which is pumped by the pump into a container which is positioned under it and which is supported on the roller conveyor 20. The valve group can be switched in order to carry out precise dispensing, with minimal quantities, for example, in order to obtain a sample of lacquer, or it can be switched in order to dispense greater quantities of fluid product, where necessary to produce a greater quantity of lacquer. The valve group can also be switched in order to carry out the recirculation of the fluid product by re-introducing it into the tank 34.

[0052] In the operating dispensing zone 40 there is mounted a motor group for actuating the pump of the pumping group 35 which is located in the operating dispensing zone 40 following the rotation of the rotary table 33. A valve actuator group is also mounted in the operating dispensing zone 40 in order to control the valve group of the pumping group 35 which is located in the operating dispensing zone 40 following the rotation of the rotary table 33.

[0053] The dispensing module 12 described above is particularly advantageous because it allows precise dispensing with a very high resolution. The dispensing nozzles always remain clean and the recirculation of the fluid product in the tank 34 is carried out until the last drop. The dispensing module 12 does not need periodic calibration. This results from the fact that the dye dispensing circuits are quite short, the pumping group is not substantially subjected to wear. The dispensing module 12 allows a high level of working flexibility, being able to dispense the same fluid product both in large quantities, with a high flow rate in order to reduce the dispensing times, and in extremely small quantities with great precision and resolution. These particular features of the dispensing module 12 allow a compact machine, having limited dimensions, but still capable of dispensing both into relatively large containers, for example, having the capacity of several litres, and into extremely small containers which are used for samplings, for example, of 100 cc. This constitutes a substantial advantage in the field of retouching operations and repairs for vehicles in the bodies because it is possible initially to produce different samples of formulations of lacquers and to test if it is the most appropriate shade for the retouching work, using in this step minimal quantities of fluid products. Subsequently, the high precision and repeatability of the dispensing modules, as a result inter alia of the volumetric rather than gravimetric dispensing of the fluid products, in addition to all the other technical characteristics set out above, allow the production of a lacquer according to the formulation desired, in the appropriate quantity, with a shade which is identical to the shade of the preselected sample without any need for subsequent corrections or waste of fluid product.

[0054] Another advantage of the dispensing module 12 is the possibility of completely recirculating the fluid products in the tanks 34 through a dedicated recirculation pipe, which is preferably connected to the tank with spacing from the intake pipe. In this manner, the complete recirculation of the fluid product is promoted, which promotes the elimination of air from the fluid product and prevents the drying out or the separation of the fluid product. The recirculation operation of the fluid products in the tanks 34 can be carried out at regular intervals, for example, in the recirculation downtimes of the dispensing module 12, so as to also keep the fluid products which are used less frequently, but which are nevertheless equally costly with respect to the products used more frequently, in a state mixed and ready for use.

[0055] FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate in greater detail a roller conveyor 20, the features of which are similar to those of the inlet roller conveyor 20a and outlet roller conveyor 20b. The roller conveyor 20 comprises a pair of micro-switches 42 which detect the presence or absence of two corresponding screws which can be screwed so as to project at the side of the slide 25 into holes 44. The presence or absence of the two screws constitutes a recognition code of the dimensions of the container B which is received on the slide 25 with the adapter 27. There can substantially be formed four combinations of presence/absence of screws in the holes 44 which can be detected/not detected by the micro-switches 42 in order to establish the size of the container B on the slide 25. The mechanical detection system for the dimensions of the containers B which are carried by the slides 25 constitutes a security element for preventing the dispensing of an incorrect quantity of fluid products in the machine from exceeding the capacity of the container being processed. Naturally, it is possible to provide another physical detection system for the characteristics of the container B, for example, by means of sensors of different types, or by means of artificial vision systems. The number of screws and micro-switches may also be different from that set out, a single screw being sufficient to identify with the presence/absence thereof two formats of different containers. Generally, there is needed a number n of screws for identifying a number of different containers which is at most equal to 2{circumflex over ( )}n possible combinations of absence/presence of the screws or the other elements which is capable of being detected in on/off modes by the micro-switches 42 or by sensors with similar functionalities.

[0056] It is possible to arrange on the roller conveyor 20 a proximity sensor 46 which detects the presence of the slide 25, for example, in a central position, corresponding to the operating dispensing zone 40 for the correct centring of the opening of the container B under the dispensing nozzle. In the zone of the roller conveyor 20 corresponding to the operating dispensing zone 40, it is also possible to provide a weighing device which is formed, for example, by means of load cells which are associated with the rollers of the roller conveyor 20, in order to weigh the container B if it is necessary or desirable to control the fluid products being dispensed into the container B by weight.

[0057] FIG. 5 schematically illustrates the movement of the containers of fluid products inside the machine of FIG. 1. The vertical transport system arranged between the upper level and the lower level of the machine 10, which in the non-limiting example of the Figure is formed by means of the lifter 22, is integrated in the horizontal transport system of the containers B, which in the non-limiting example of the Figure is formed by means of the roller conveyors 20. There is thereby generally defined a continuous transport system for the containers B from the inlet E to the outlet U, as schematically depicted in FIG. 5. The arrows indicate the progressive path of the containers B in the machine 10. At the inlet E, the containers B are empty and are preferably placed on the inlet roller conveyor 20a. The containers B are inserted in the respective adapters 27 which are mounted on the slides 25.

[0058] Each container B is provided with an identification code 48, for example, a bar code, QR code, an RFID tag or other identification code which is, for example, applied to the container B with an adhesive or printed or using another known system. The identification code 48 is associated with a corresponding formulation in the electronic processor. The identification code can be read when the container B is introduced into the machine 10 in order to carry out the correct dispensing of the fluid products necessary for the formation of the corresponding formulation.

[0059] Before the inlet into the first dispensing module 12, the identification code 48 of a container B is read so as to retrieve the relative formulation from the memory of the processor. The dimensions of the container B are then checked with the detection system with micro-switches described above. If the dimensions of the container B do not correspond to those associated with the identification code 48, there is generated a warning or an alarm and the container B does not continue into the machine 10. It is further possible to check whether there is a sufficient quantity in the machine 10, in the various tanks 34, of all the fluid products necessary for producing the formulation. If a predetermined fluid product is not present at sufficient quantities, there is generated a warning or an alarm and the container B does not continue into the machine 10. In fact, the quantities of fluid product present in each tank 34 are stored in the machine 10. The stored quantities are updated, in an increasing manner, after each filling or refilling operation of a tank 34. The quantities stored are further updated, in a decreasing manner, before each fluid product is dispensed so that the stored quantity is always precise or at most too low with respect to the real quantity if an interruption to the electrical energy occurs during the dispensing operation.

[0060] The containers B are transported along the upper level of the dispensing modules 12′, where they can where applicable be filled with one or more fluid products by being located below the operating dispensing zones 40′ of the upper level. From the upper level, the containers B are lowered by the lifter 22 to the lower level of the dispensing modules 12″, where they can where applicable be filled with one or more fluid products by being located below the respective operating dispensing zones 40″ of the lower level. The containers B are then raised by the lifter 23 in order to be transferred to the outlet U, where there is preferably arranged the outlet roller conveyor 20b, by which it is possible to remove the containers B with the finished lacquers in accordance with the various formulations which are programmed in the machine 10.

[0061] A particular feature of the machine 10 is the fact that a plurality of containers B can be moved simultaneously, each of which can be transported under a given dispensing module 12 for dispensing specific fluid products which are defined by the formulation of lacquer desired. This flexibility of transport of the containers B inside the machine 10, together with the distributed presence of the various fluid products in the various dispensing modules 12, allows a greater productivity than the known machines to be obtained, together with a more articulated automation which avoids the presence of an operator at the start and end of the preparation of each formulation of lacquer.

[0062] FIG. 5 illustrates the most “overcrowded” case, in a manner of speaking, in which the machine 10 manages and controls the simultaneous movement of containers B which are positioned in the dispensing zone of a respective dispensing module 12, on the lifters 22 and 23, and on the inlet roller conveyors 20a and 20b. In accordance with the length thereof, there can be lined up a plurality of containers B which are at the inlet and at the outlet and which are introduced and removed automatically to/from the machine 10 gradually as the formulations of lacquers progress. FIG. 5 depicts the more general example, in which the containers B have different dimensions. The machine 10 is capable of processing equally well the production of samples of lacquers, for example, of 100 ml or less, for example, also of 20 ml, and the production of greater quantities, up to 1000 ml and sometimes even more, for example, for retouching and repair operations of great surfaces of bodies of motor vehicles. Furthermore, it is not necessary for the containers B to be moved sequentially in the machine 10 by necessarily being located under the dispensing zone of each dispensing module 12. For example, if, for the formulation of a lacquer, it is necessary to dispense fluid products which are stored only on-board the last dispensing module 12, the container B can be transported directly without any additional interruptions into this position, provided that along the transport path there are not present any other containers B which are in a stopped state for receiving the dispensing of fluid products in any intermediate dispensing module 12.

[0063] In the preceding description, reference has been made by way of example to the machine of FIGS. 1 and 5, in which the dispensing modules 12 are arranged on two levels with three modules each. If the dispensing modules 12 each comprised 16 tanks, the machine as described herein is capable of processing lacquers, the formulations of which comprise any number of components which are selected from a maximum number of 96 potentially different components. This configuration allows the maximum capacity of use required by some of the more complex systems for formulating lacquers for the current needs for repairing and retouching bodies, particularly in the case in which the formulation system requires fluid products to be mixed in proportions which are not too dissimilar to each other.

[0064] Other systems for formulating lacquers also provide for one or more bases or resins which constitute approximately 50% of the total of the lacquer to be dispensed. In order to comply with these formulation requirements, one or more dispensing modules 12 can be configured so as to dispense a single base which is stored in a tank with large dimensions and which is received in the dispensing module 12 or, if necessary, which is positioned outside the machine 10. Preferably, the dispensing of the base or bases is carried out after the dyes have been dispensed inside the container B, which is initially empty. The one or more dispensing modules 12 which are dedicated to dispensing the bases are therefore arranged at the end of the path of the containers B, slightly before the outlet U of the machine.

[0065] The modularity of the machine also allows different requirements to be met, for example, where the space available is small, or if it is necessary to manage a smaller number (or also a larger number) of fluid products or to store greater quantities thereof, for example, for specific products with a wider use.

[0066] In relation to this last requirement, it is possible to dedicate more than one tank 34, in the same dispensing module or in different dispensing modules, to the same fluid product. This allows the production of a greater stored reserve of one or more fluid products with more frequent use, leaving, for example, only one tank dedicated to products with less frequent use. For example, if a fluid product is used in the majority of formulations, it could be stored in more than one dispensing module 12 so as to allow the simultaneous formulation of a plurality of lacquers having the same fluid product, and the simultaneous dispensing into a plurality of containers B which are arranged under different dispensing modules 12.

[0067] If it is necessary to use and manage a reduced number of fluid products, the machine can be configured as in the example of FIG. 6a, which does not have, with respect to FIGS. 1 to 5, the pair of central dispensing modules 12. The configuration of the example of the machine illustrated in FIG. 6a thus comprises two levels, each of which comprises two juxtaposed dispensing modules 12. In the case of dispensing modules which each comprise sixteen tanks of fluid product, this configuration of the machine is capable of storing and dispensing a maximum of sixty four different fluid products.

[0068] If the number of fluid products to be stored and managed is even less, the machine can be configured as in the example of FIG. 6b, which provides only for two dispensing modules 12 which are positioned one above the other and which are operationally connected by a lifter 22. The machine of FIG. 6b also provides, as in the preceding examples, for an outlet lifter 23. In the case of dispensing modules each comprising sixteen tanks of fluid product, this configuration of the machine is capable of storing and dispensing a maximum of thirty two different fluid products and simultaneously managing in the machine three different containers B. The space occupied by the machine of FIG. 6b is minimal because the outline is limited to the width and the depth of a single dispensing module 12.

[0069] In the example of FIG. 6c, there is illustrated a simpler variant of the machine of FIG. 6b without the outlet lifter 23. The containers B are urged onto an outlet roller conveyor which may be motorized or idle. Alternatively, there may be provided a simple outlet platform which is preferably inclined in a chute-like manner in order to promote the discharge of the containers B from the machine. This configuration maintains the main characteristics of the machine of FIG. 6b but is more economical. A similar solution, with a platform or chute, for discharging the containers B may naturally be used in any machine configuration, regardless of the number of dispensing modules 12 which form it.

[0070] In the example of FIG. 6d, there is illustrated a variant of the machine which is even simpler, wherein two dispensing modules 12 are positioned side by side. The machine of the example of FIG. 6d does not provide for any lifter because the path of the containers B extends from the inlet E at one side of the machine 10 and develops horizontally through the dispensing modules 12 as far as the outlet U.

[0071] What is set out above provides indications for a person skilled in the art for producing different configurations of machines from those illustrated, also using only one dispensing module 12, or by combining a given number thereof in various manners, on one or more levels, by providing vertical transport systems for transferring containers from one level to another, and horizontal inlet and outlet transport systems which are combined continuously with the transport systems of the containers on-board each module 12.

[0072] The modular configuration of the machine 10 does not exclude the fact that, in place of two or more dispensing modules, there can be introduced a special component having dimensions which are equal to a corresponding multiple of dispensing modules. For example, there may be provided a special dispensing module having a height and depth which are equal to one of the dispensing modules 12 and, for example, double the width. Such a special double dispensing module could, for example, receive a dispensing system which is supplied by large tanks in order to dispense in large quantities bases and resins in a formulation system which provides for them.

[0073] Naturally, the principle of the invention remaining the same, the forms of embodiment and details of construction may be varied widely with respect to those described and illustrated, without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention.