WO2002007868A1

WO2002007868A1 - Dispenser device with terminals comprising rotary joints

Info

Publication number: WO2002007868A1
Application number: PCT/EP2001/006674
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marco Emilio Pirovano
Original assignee: PIROVANO Srl
Current assignee: PIROVANO Srl
Priority date: 2000-07-21
Filing date: 2001-06-13
Publication date: 2002-01-31
Anticipated expiration: 2003-01-21
Also published as: AU2001279657A1; ITMI20001680A1; IT1318227B1; ITMI20001680A0

Abstract

A dispenser device for fluid products, of the type comprising a plurality of dispensing terminals (2), each comprising a dispensing valve (5), said terminals (2) being movable, independently of each other, between an operative position (P) and an inoperative position (N), and a control member (3) for said valve (5), which controls this latter when the terminal is in its operative position and said valve lies in a position corresponding with a discharge port (4) common to all the terminals, means (6) for moving said terminals (2) between said two positions, and hinging means (16) for said terminals to enable them to undergo said movement, in which the hinging means comprise for each terminal (2) a rotary joint (16) rigidly

Description

DISPENSER DEVICE WITH TERMINALS COMPRISING ROTARY JOINTS

The present invention relates to a dispenser device for fluid products in accordance with the precharacterising part of the main claim.

In known devices in which the dispensing valves, connected to support terminals, are movable with rotational or translational movement, said terminals in the case of rotational movement have one of their ends hinged to a fixed support structure, to enable the valves to undergo a rotational movement from a rest position to a dispensing position. However, in the case of translational movement the terminals and/or valves are connected to means for moving them with to-and-fro movement between the rest and dispensing positions. The valves are connected to the respective product storage vessels by feed conduits for the fluid to be delivered, these comprising at least one section formed of flexible material, to enable the feed valve to move into the dispensing or rest position under the effect of said rotational or translational movement.

Because of stresses due to the rotational or translational movement of the terminals, the flexible conduits wear with the passage of time and have to be replaced. Moreover, a pipe breakage can cause serious environmental damage due to the pollution which can derive from the escape of the substances contained in the vessels connected to the valves. Pipe replacement is relatively lengthy and complicated, and involves relative long periods in which the device cannot be used.

An object of the present invention is to provide a dispenser device with terminals in which the feed pipes for the fluid to be delivered are not subject to wear deriving from the terminal oscillations.

A further object of the present invention is to limit the overall dimensions of the device or at least maintain them substantially equal to those of known devices.

These and further objects which will be apparent to an expert of the art are attained by a device in accordance with the characterising part of the main claim.

The present invention will be more apparent from the accompanying drawings provided by way of non-limiting example, in which:

Figure 1 is a simplified schematic cross-section through a device according to the invention: Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a dispensing element of the invention; Figures 3A,B,C.D,E show, respectively, schematic side views in two possible operating positions, a view from below, and side views in the direction of the arrows F,G of Figure 3B, of a joint according to the invention; Figure 4 is an enlarged schematic cross-section therethrough;

Figures 5A,B,C and 6A,B,C show, respectively, a front view, a view from below and a section taken on the line 5C and the line 6C of the two component parts of the joint.

With reference to Figure 1, this shows a possible embodiment of a device of the invention, comprising a support structure, indicated overall by 1, to which a plurality of dispensing elements 2 are secured (in Figure 1, only two are shown for simplicity) disposed along one and the same circumference, through the centre of which there passes a longitudinal axis L of the device. The support structure presents an upper headframe 1 A to which a control member 3 movable rectilinearly along the longitudinal axis S is secured; from said headframe there extend a plurality of columns IB, to act as a support for horizontal arms 1C to which there is fixed a cover plate ID presenting, centrally and coaxially to the longitudinal axis S, a discharge port 4 common to all the dispensing valves. This port advantageously presents an annular support and centering disc 4A for the dispensing valves 5 provided at the free ends of the terminals 2. The dispensing terminals 2 are connected to the fixed structure 1 of the device in such a manner as to be all disposed along one and the same circumference and to be able to be moved rotationally between an inoperative position N and an operative position P. Advantageously, when in its operative position P the dispensing valve 5 provided on each dispensing terminal 2 is at a level Al less than the level A2 of said valve when in its inoperative position N.

To enable it to move rotationally between the two positions N and P, each of the terminals 2 is connected to a fluid-tight rotary joint 16 described in detail hereinafter.

Advantageously, all the dispensing terminals 2 have the same length B, equal to the distance between the hinging axis of the rotary joints and the centre of the discharge port 4.

Preferably the hinging point Z of the dispensing terminals 2 is provided just above the plane ID in which the discharge port 4 lies, so that when in their operative position the terminals 2 are substantially parallel to said plane ID. The terminals 2 are of conventional type and comprise a rigid pipe 2A for fluid passage, at one end of which there is provided a dispensing valve 5, and possibly a rigid recycle pipe

2B connected in the conventional manner to a flexible pipe, not shown. The dispensing valves 5 are of conventional type and present in the usual manner a plurality of actuators for regulating the passage diameter of the fluid emission hole 5A between a maximum value S]yj and a minimum value S_m.

The maximum diameter of the fluid emission hole S] [ is usually 35 mm. The conventional valves 5 also have a relatively small lateral dimension or width L, to enable a plurality of terminals to be disposed side by side along a circumference of the smallest possible diameter, to hence limit the overall dimensions of the device.

The rotary joint 16 is in two parts 17, 18 shaped such as to form, when the terminal is in its operative position (Figure 3), a substantially parallelepiped body with its lateral walls 17A, 17B and 18 A, 18B blending and coplanar with each other. In particular, the two parts of the joint are shaped such that the joint presents a lateral dimension, i.e. a width LI, which is less than or equal to the width L of the dispensing valves 5 fitted to the other end of the terminal 2. In this manner the presence of the rotary joint 16 enables rotary terminals to be formed, as in known devices, which are disposed side by side without having to increase the overall dimensions of the device.

The joint is also shaped such as to always ensure a fluid passage cross-section greater than or equal to the maximum achievable in the dispensing valve 5.

To attain said objects the two component parts 17, 18 of the joint have an outer shape similar and specular to each other, both presenting a portion 17C, 18C for connection respectively to a fluid feed conduit 17 and to one end of the terminal 2. Said connection portions 17C, 18C have a width substantially equal to the overall width LI of the joint; from each of these there extends a discoidal flange 17D, 18D to act as a hinge. The flange 17D presents a cylindrical cage structure 20 A extending perpendicular to said flange, to lodge in a seat 20B provided in the other flange 18D; said cage 20A and said seat 20B are mutually concentric and are coaxial to the axis of rotation Z of the joint. The flange 17D presents a recessed seat 21 A coaxial to the hinging axis Z and receives the head 22 A of a screw 22B engaging in a threaded seat in a pin 23 extending from the other flange 18D coaxial to the hinging axis Z. The cage 20A and the relative seat 20B of the two flanges 17D, 18D present only four contact surfaces SI, S2, S3, S4 of small extension and two seats 26A, 26B respectively, for a usual lip seal gasket and a ring seal gasket. A plurality of holes 27 are provided at the seat 26A to enable a part of the seat 26A to be filled by the fluid passing through the joint, in order to expand the gasket lip and improve the seal. The rotary joint is secured to a flat support element IE of the device support structure by screws 28A which engage in threaded seats 28 of the joint.

By virtue of the joint of the invention, the conduits 7 feeding the pressurised fluid dispensing terminals 2 are no longer subjected to any stress deriving from the movement of the terminals, and can hence be constructed of rigid materials. Advantageously, the end portions 17C and 18C of the joint 16 comprise, in their inner surfaces, seats of pocket or threaded type to be able to weld or screw to them a welded or threaded end of the terminal 2 on one side, and a welded or threaded portion of an elbow conduit 7A on the other.

The control member 3 presents a conventional head 3A comprising usual means 3B, 3B' for operating the actuators 5A of the dispensing valve 5. As the head 3 A is of conventional type it will not be described in detail hereinafter, nor will the actuators 3C housed in the intermediate part 3D rigidly fixed to the head 3 A. The combined head 3 A and intermediate part 3C can be moved rectilinearly, parallel to the longitudinal axis S of the device, to enable the head 3 A to be brought into an operative position M in which it cooperates with the dispensing valve 5, or into an inoperative position (not shown) to enable the terminals 2 to be rotated. For moving the head 3 A and the intermediate part 3C there are provided an actuator 9 with its rod 9 A fixed to the intermediate part 3C, and guide elements 10. Advantageously, the movable member presents a cylindrical guard 11 within which a portion of the intermediate part 3C and the head 3 A can slide telescopically when they are raised.

Because of the particular positioning of the dispensing terminals 2, these when in their operative position present the dispensing valve substantially resting on the edge bounding the discharge port 4, i.e. the annular centering disc 4A. Consequently, when the valve delivers the desired quantity of fluid, it can no longer in any way soil the surface ID in which the port 4 is provided, and, at the same time, as the valve 5 is closer to the container 15 to be filled (shown schematically in Figure 1), the side walls of this latter are less soiled than with known devices. Moreover, the valve 5 can be easily cleaned by washing it directly when in its operative position P.

The joint can be constructed of any material suitable for the purpose, such as stainless steel, brass, bronze, PVC, PP, POM and other usual plastic or metal materials.

Finally, it should be noted that the aforedescribed embodiment has been provided by way of example only, and that numerous variants are possible all falling within the same inventive concept. For example, the joint of the invention could be used in fluid product dispensing devices of a type different from the aforedescribed, in which for example the axis of rotation of all the terminals pertains again to a common circumference but lies above the operative and inoperative positions of the terminals.

Claims

1. A dispenser device for fluid products, of the type comprising a plurality of dispensing terminals (2), each comprising a dispensing valve (5), said terminals (2) being movable, independently of each other, between an operative position (P) and an inoperative position (N), and a control member (3) for said valve (5), which controls this latter when the terminal is in its operative position and said valve lies in a position corresponding with a discharge port (4) common to all the terminals, means for moving said terminals (2) between said two positions, and hinging means (16) for said terminals to enable them to undergo said movement, characterised in that said hinging means comprise for each terminal (2) a rotary joint (16) rigidly secured to a support structure (IE).

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the terminals (2) are connected to mover means (6) which move them with rotational or translational movement.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that at least that portion (7 A) of the fluid feed conduits (7) connected to the rotary joint (16) is constructed of a rigid material.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the lateral dimension (LI) of the rotary joint is less than or equal to the lateral dimension (L) of that part (5) of the dispensing terminal (2) presenting the greatest lateral dimension.

5. A device as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that that part of the dispensing terminal presenting the greatest lateral dimension is the dispensing valve (5).

6. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the cross-section of the passage through the rotary joint (16) for the fluid to be delivered is always greater than or equal to the maximum cross-section of the fluid delivery passage in the dispensing valve (5).

7. A device as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that the fluid passage cross- section of the rotary joint is always greater than or equal to a circumference having a diameter of 35 mm.

8. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that when the terminal (2) is in its operative position (P), the rotary joint (16) is of substantially parallelepiped form.

9. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the rotary joint (16) comprises two parts (17, 18) presenting a pair of lateral walls (17A, 17B, 18A, 18B), the walls of said two pairs on each side being mutually coplanar and parallel to those provided on the other side.

10. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the rotary joint (16) is formed in only two parts (17, 18) and comprises seal and connection means (23, 22A, 22B) for said two parts.

11. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the rotary joint (16) comprises two parts (17, 18) presenting a portion (17C, 18C) for connecting the joint (16) to one end of the dispensing terminal (2) and, respectively, to a feed conduit (7 A) for the fluid to be delivered, and a discoidal portion (17D, 18D) integral with said connection portion and acting as a hinge.

12. A device as claimed in claim 11, characterised in that one (17D) of the discoidal parts comprises a cylindrical cage (20A) extending perpendicular to said discoidal part (17D), the other discoidal part comprising a seat (20B) for housing said cage (20A), said seat (20B) and cage (20A) being mutually concentric and coaxial to the axis of rotation (Z) of the joint.

13. A device as claimed in claim 12, characterised in that the cage (20 A) and the relative seat (20B) present only four contact surfaces.

14. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the connection means (23, 22A, 22B) for the two components (17, 18) of the rotary joint (16) are housed within the joint.

15. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the valve (5) when in its operative position (P) is positioned directly above the discharge port (4).

16. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the hinging and rotation axis of the joint (16) is provided between the two working positions (N, P).

17. A device as claimed in claim 16, characterised in that the hinging axis of the rotary joints (16) is coplanar with the operative position (P) of the terminals (2).

18. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that all the joints (16) are connected to a support structure (IB) along one and the same circumference or circumferential arc.

19. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that when in their operative position (P) the terminals (2) are substantially parallel to the plane (ID) in which the discharge port (4) lies.

20. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the discharge port (4) comprises a centering element (4A) which makes contact with the valves (5) when these are in their operative position (P).

21. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the control member (3) comprises automatic mover means (9. 9A) and guide means (10) for moving the control member between its operating position (M) and the position of noninterference.

22. A rotary joint for connecting a dispensing terminal (2) of a fluid product dispenser device in accordance with the precharacterising part of claim 1, characterised in that said joint is formed as claimed in the characterising part of claims 1-14.