DE3486370T2 - Device with removable container for cleaning device. - Google Patents

Abstract

The container has indentures 210 and 212 in its front surface and on its rear surface there are corresponding indentures which engage with abutments 268 of a docking port 68. An insert in the top of the bottle neck has a pair of nozzles 236 and 238 therein. Nozzle 236 is an inlet for compressed air supplied through tube 154 while nozzle 238 is connected to a tube 246 extending to the bottom of the container and forms an outlet for cleaning fluid to conduit 150. A collar rotatable on the bottle neck by movement of an integral handle 218 between indentures 210 and 212 has a pair of cam grooves 226 into which lugs 262 are engaged so that the container is moved axially to engage nozzles 236 and 238 through sealing disc 264 with nipples 256 and 258 of a V-shaped clip 254 which fits within the docking housing 250, is located by projections 260 and carries the lugs 262.

Description

The present invention relates to cleaning devices and, in particular, to an improved device or machine for cleaning surfaces such as carpets, floors, and the like.

In carpet cleaning machines, a liquid is applied to the carpet and the dirty liquid is removed with a suction nozzle. Generally, an air-liquid separator is provided to separate the air from the dirty waste liquid and release air into the atmosphere. A cleaning fluid may be added to the liquid. Usually, the liquids drip into a spray nozzle as they are located above the spray nozzle. The liquids may be mixed in a mixing manifold. A typical example of such carpet cleaning devices is described in U.S. Patent 2,986,764, issued June 6, 1961 to D. C. Krammes. Other systems use various arrangements of containers, valves and controls to perform carpet cleaning. However, despite these numerous efforts with regard to cleaning floors and carpets, no machine has yet been proposed for domestic use which effectively cleans surfaces such as carpets, floors and the like, is easy to use and is sufficiently inexpensive to be attractive for domestic use.

The device according to the invention to be described offers improved arrangements of containers for cleaning fluid, e.g. shampoos and concentrated cleaning solutions, fresh liquids, e.g. clean water, and for receiving waste liquids. The device has a nozzle for ejecting the liquids onto the surface to be cleaned and for receiving the waste liquid from the surface. Both the separation of the waste liquid and the air and the discharge of the liquids are carried out jointly by means of a suction and air pressure generated in a housing to which a common air pump is connected. The machine is further provided with means for detachably attaching the containers to the frame of the machine and for controlled and optional application of the liquids with different concentrations of the cleaning liquid and the fresh liquid.

Briefly, a machine for cleaning surfaces, e.g. carpets, floors, etc., has a frame. An air pump is attached to the frame. A housing connected to the pump has a suction inlet and outlets for pressurized air. A suction nozzle is attached to the frame at the end of the frame located adjacent to the surface to be cleaned. In addition, a liquid discharge nozzle is attached to the frame at the end adjacent to the surface to be cleaned. A plurality of containers for concentrated cleaning liquid, fresh and waste liquid are used. The containers are detachably attached to the frame and the housing, with a connection connecting the housing and the waste liquid container so that from the air and liquid fed into the housing, the waste liquid is fed separately into the waste liquid container. A connection for air and waste liquid from the suction nozzle is connected to the suction inlet of the housing. A coupling between the pressurized air outlets, the cleaning fluid reservoir and the fresh fluid reservoir ensures that they are pressurized. Another coupling is connected between the outlets from the fresh fluid and cleaning fluid reservoirs, with the coupling allowing fresh and cleaning fluid to flow together to an outlet to the fluid ejection nozzle to apply fresh and cleaning fluid to the surface. This coupling uses a simplified mixing and valving operation to control the flow of fluid to the fluid ejection nozzle and provide selected concentrations of cleaning fluid and fresh fluid.

The invention relates to a device for use in a cleaning machine according to the preceding description, which has a container, e.g. for concentrated cleaning liquid, and a docking recess for the container.

EP-A-0038724 describes such a device in which the container is a bottle having a screw thread on its neck for engaging with a corresponding thread on the docking recess, thus forming a support cover for the bottle.

According to the invention, in order to enable the container to be easily attached to and removed from the machine, the container comprises: a collar rotatably enclosing the container, a cam surface on the collar for cooperating with a corresponding cam surface on the docking recess to lock the collar in the docking recess, and means on the collar and the container defining an initial angular insertion position of the collar on the container and a locked angular insertion position of the collar on the container.

Short description of the drawings

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cleaning device,

Figure 2 is a side view of the cleaning device of Fig. 1,

Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the cleaning device,

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the spray nozzle of the cleaning device,

Figure 5 is a plan view of a control switch and mixer in its closed basic position,

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of Fig. 5,

Figure 7 is a top view of the control switch and mixer in its stain treatment position,

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of Fig. 7,

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the trigger and patch actuation assembly,

Figure 10 is a plan view of a portion of the water tank and separator assembly,

Figure 11 is a combination of a cross-sectional view taken along line 11-11 of Figure 10 and a fluid schematic of the fluid system of the cleaning device.

[Figures 12 to 17 are omitted.]

Figure 18 is a side view of a cleaning fluid cartridge according to the present invention,

Figure 19 is a plan view taken along line 19-19 of Figure 18,

Figure 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 20-20 of Figure 18,

Figure 21 is a perspective view of a cuff according to the present invention,

Figure 22 is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge and docking port according to the present invention.

A cleaning device according to the present invention is shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 with a frame 30 to which two wheels 32 are attached by means of a support 34. As shown in Figure 2, in their operating position the wheels enable the cleaning device to be moved over the surface to be cleaned. The wheels are brought into the storage position by rotating them forwards or counterclockwise in Figure 2 and coming to rest under the front end of the frame 30. From the upper end of the frame 30 extends a handle 36 with a trigger device 38 for fluid activation and a spot actuator 40. At the front end of the frame is arranged a spray nozzle 42 for applying cleaning fluid mixtures to the surface to be cleaned and a suction nozzle 46 is arranged on a tube 44 for removing fluids from the surface to be cleaned.

A water tank 48 and a waste fluid or return tank 50 are connected as a unit with a handle 52. The tanks are removably mounted on the frame 30 and secured thereto by a cam lock 54 which engages the bottom of the waste fluid tank 50. An upper housing 56 mounted on the frame 30 above the tank unit includes an air fluid separator 58, a motor 60 and a pump or fan 62 as shown in Figure 3. An opening 57 is provided in the upper housing 56 so that the fluid in the separator 58, which has a transparent body, can be observed. An electrical switch 63 operates the motor 60 and power is supplied via an electrical cable 65.

As shown in Figure 2, a container or cartridge containing a detergent, shampoo or other concentrated cleaning fluid 64 having a sleeve 66 is disposed at the docking port 68 in the upper housing 56. The cleaning fluid is mixed with water from the water reservoir and applied through the spray nozzle 42.

Initially, the water tank 48 is filled with fluid and placed on the frame 30 and secured by means of a cam lock 54. A cartridge 64 of concentrated cleaning fluid is mounted on a docking port 68. The system is now ready for use. As will be described in more detail below, the cleaning device operates by actuating the motor 63, which motor operates the fan and pump 62 to create a force which discharges a mixture of cleaning fluid and water from the spray nozzle 42 onto the surface, as well as creating a vacuum which draws fluid into the suction nozzle 46. When the actuator 38 is in its normal position, no fluid is dispensed. By pressing the actuator 38, the amount of fluid dispensed from the spray nozzle 42 can be controlled. When a stubborn stain or particularly soiled surface needs to be cleaned, the stain actuator 40 is actuated to increase the detergent to water mix ratio. The dirty or waste fluid from the suction nozzle 46 is directed to the separator 58 where the air is separated from the dirty fluid which is directed into the waste fluid container 50. The air is returned to the spray nozzle 42 by the fan/pump 62. Once cleaning is completed, the container assembly is removed by releasing the cam lock 54 and the contents of the waste fluid container 50 are emptied. This operation can be repeated.

The spray nozzle 42, shown in detail in Figure 4, is an air venturi system which draws in and sprays a cleaning fluid mixture onto the cleaning surface. The spray nozzle 42 includes an air manifold having two complementary pieces 70 and 72 connected along a line or plane 74 (see Figure 2). As shown in detail in Figure 4, with the upper air manifold 72 removed, the nozzle of the air manifold is substantially fan-shaped and has a plurality of nozzle channels 76 extending therethrough. Provided integrally with the air manifold is an inlet tube or conduit 78 which is connected to a source of compressed air or the outlet of the fan 62. Disposed within the air manifold is a fluid manifold 80 having a plurality of fingers 82 extending therefrom and lying in the nozzle channels 76. Supports 84 and 85, which are integral with the air distribution elements 70 and 72, hold the fluid distributor 80 and its fingers 82 centrally within the air distributor and support 84 and nozzle channels 76. The fluid distributor 80 has an inlet 86 which extends through the rear wall of the air distributor and is connected to the supply of the cleaning fluid mixture by means of a pipe 88.

The air introduced into the line 78 moves through the air manifold around the liquid manifold 80 and fingers 82 and exits through the nozzle channels 76. The restriction of the air by the nozzle channels creates a venturi effect whereby cleaning fluid mixture is sucked or drawn from the fingers 82 and forcefully sprayed onto a surface to be cleaned. Although the system is designed to operate on a pure suction principle, it is preferable to pressurize the supply of cleaning fluid mixture so that a uniform flow of cleaning fluid mixture to the spray nozzle 42 is maintained. Since the main force for drawing the cleaning fluid mixture is provided by the venturi effect created by the air manifold, the pressure exerted on the cleaning fluid supply is substantially lower than that exerted on the air manifold.

The cleaning fluid mixture delivered to the spray nozzle 42 by means of the tube 88 comes from a control switch and mixer shown in detail in Figures 5 to 8 and operated by means of the trigger actuator 38 shown in detail in Figure 9 and the spot actuator 40. A mixing V or connector 90 located on the frame 30 has a mixing outlet connected to a hose 88, a water inlet connected to a hose 92 and a cleaning fluid inlet connected to a hose 94. The water from the hose 92 and the cleaning fluid from the hose 94 are mixed in the V 90 and directed to the outlet hose 58. Engaged with one side of the outlet hose 88 is an anvil 96 and adjacent to one side of the water inlet hose 92 is an anvil 98. Pivotally connected to the frame 30 at 100 is a pivot arm 102 having hammers 104 and 106, respectively, on opposite sides of the pivot axis 100. A biasing device or spring 108 is received in a spring housing 110 on the frame 30 and engages the pivot arm 102 about a post 112. The biasing device or spring 108 biases the pivot arm 102 in a counterclockwise direction in Figure 5. A slot 114 in the pivot arm 102 receives a control link or wire 116 which is connected to the patch actuator 40 and the trigger device 38.

Without actuation of the trigger device 38 or spot actuator 40, the spring 108 rotates the pivot arm 102 to the initial position shown in Figure 5 so that the hammer 104 is pressed against the anvil 96, whereby the hose 88 at the outlet of the mixer 90 is completely compressed. This is particularly shown in the cross section of Figure 6. In this position no cleaning fluid mixture is directed to the spray nozzle 42. When the electric motor is actuated, only air is blown onto the surface to be cleaned. If desired, this can achieve air drying.

With movement of the control wire 116 to the right, the pivot arm 102 rotates counterclockwise, moving the hammer 104 away from the anvil 96 to begin opening the closed outlet hose 88. Depending on the amount of movement of the wire 116 and the pivoting rotation of the pivot arm 102, the flow rate of the cleaning fluid mixture can be controlled. The pivot arm 102 can be rotated to a position that allows unobstructed flow of the outlet hose 88 as well as unobstructed flow from the water inlet hose 92. Further movement of the wire 116 to the right and rotation of the pivot arm 102 counterclockwise causes the hammer 106 to engage the water inlet hose 92 and restrict its flow into the mixing V 90. The allowable amount of restriction of the water inlet 92 is defined by a stop 118 and is shown in Figures 7 and 8. The restricted position of the water inlet hose 92 defines a particular ratio of concentrated cleaning fluid from hose 94 and water from hose 92 for removing stubborn residues or stains and is known as the stain position.

It is thus clear that the swivel arm 102 is actuated successively from a first position according to Figure 5, in which the outlet is narrowed by the anvil 96 and the hammer 104 for a flow rate of zero, over several first intermediate angular positions with different narrowings of the outlet for defining different flow rates and over several second intermediate angular positions with different narrowings of the water inlet 92 by the anvil 98 and hammer 106 for defining the mixing ratio. There is therefore only one arrangement that can control both the flow rate of the cleaning fluid mixture delivered and the mixing ratio of the cleaning fluid. water. If necessary, the pivot arm can be reshaped so that the hammer 106 begins to constrict the water inlet hose 92 while the hammer 104 also constricts the outlet hose 88.

The operation of the pivot arm 102 is controlled via the wire 116 by means of the spot actuator 40 and trigger 38 shown in detail in Figure 9. The spot actuator 40 is pivotally mounted on the handle 36 at 120, as is the trigger 38. The control wire 116 is connected to a post 122 on the spot actuator 40. The post 122 lies in an elongated slot 124 in the trigger 38. The spot actuator 40 extends from the top of the handle, while the trigger 38 extends from the bottom of the handle. This allows operation when controlling with the same hand that is used to hold and control the cleaning device. The spot actuating device 40 can be controlled with the thumb and the trigger device 38 with the other fingers which grip around the handle 36.

As shown in Figure 9, rotation of the trigger 38 from the initial position in the counterclockwise direction causes rotation of the spot actuator 40 in the counterclockwise direction and moves the control wire 116 to the right. The trigger 38 is designed so that the total angular displacement through which it can be moved is limited so that by means of the control wire 116 the pivot arm 102 can be rotated from the fully constricted position of the outlet hose 88 of the mixer 90 to the fully released position of the outlet hose 88 and without constricting the water inlet hose 92. The constriction of the water inlet hose 92 by the hammer 106 is produced by the further movement produced by the spot actuator 40. Rotation of the patch actuator 40 in a counterclockwise direction moves the wire 116 further to the right without further movement of the trigger 38 because the post 122 rides in the slot 124. It should be noted that the patch actuator 40 is to be actuated independently of the trigger 38 because of the slot 124. The biasing means 108 of the pivot arm 102 is strong enough to clamp the outlet hose 88 and, via the wire 116, to hold the patch actuator 40 and the trigger 38 in their position shown in Figure 9.

The water line 92 and the cleaning fluid line 94 of the mixing V part 90 are connected to the fluid circuit shown in Figure 11. A block 126 has an air connection 128 and a water connection 130. An air inlet nipple 132 and a water outlet nipple 134 are provided on the top of the water tank 48. A hose 136 extends downward from the water outlet nipple 134 to the bottom of the water tank 48. The nipples 132 and 134 are received in connections 128 and 130, respectively, of the block 126. As will be explained in more detail below, the block 126 is attached to the separator 58, with the nipples 132 and 134 being received during the attachment of the tank assembly to the frame according to Figure 10. A ball 138 in the water connection 130 acts as a shut-off valve so that backflow into the water tank 48 is avoided.

Connected to the other end of the water connector 130 is a first coupling 140 having a main outlet 142 connected to the mixed water inlet hose 92 and a restricted outlet 144. The axis of the inlet of the coupling 140 coincides with the axis of the restricted outlet 144 and is perpendicular to the axis of the main outlet 142. The cross-sectional area of the main outlet 142 is substantially larger than the cross-sectional area of the restricted outlet 144. For example, the main outlet may have a cross-sectional area four times larger than the restricted outlet.

A second coupling 146 is connected to the first coupling 140 around the restricted outlet 144. A first cleaning fluid inlet 148 of the coupling 146 is connected to the concentrated cleaning fluid container 64 by means of a hose 150. The restricted outlet 144 serves as a second inlet to the second coupling 146. The outlet 152 of the second coupling 146 is connected to the fluid inlet hose 94 of the mixer 90. The fan or pump 62 supplies pressurized air via a hose 154 to an inlet of the concentrated cleaning fluid container 64 and via a hose 156 to the water container 48 via the air connection 128. The first outlet of the pump 62 is connected to the air distributor of the spray nozzle 42 via a line 158.

When the outlet hose 88 of the mixer 90 is fully restricted, no fluid flows into the circuit of Figure 11. As soon as the restriction of the outlet hose 88 is removed, water under pressure leaves the container 48 through a hose 136, nipple 134 and port 132, thereby raising the shut-off valve 138 and flowing through the main outlet 142 and the hose 92 to the mixing valve 90.

Similarly, concentrated cleaning fluid flows from the container 64 via line 150 and coupling 146 to hose 94 and mixer 90. In this condition, very little, if any, water exits the restricted outlet 144 of the first coupling 140 into the second coupling 146.

For spot treatment or other operating condition where the water inlet hose 92 is restricted, the flow in the main outlet 142 of the coupling 140 is reduced and, as a result, the flow in the restricted outlet 144 is increased. Although this flow introduces water into the concentrated cleaning fluid, it does not dilute it as compared to the mixture in the unrestricted water line flow. It also increases the pressure in the hose 94. This allows a greater flow rate of the concentrated cleaning fluid into the mixer 90 and the resulting cleaning fluid mixture exiting the mixer 90 has a substantially increased ratio of cleaning fluid to water.

As can be seen from the circuit of Figure 11, the system's water and cleaning fluid supplies are under pressure. This creates a uniform control of the fluids such that the mixing ratio and flow rate can be ensured. The system also takes advantage of the natural siphoning action resulting from the venturi spray nozzle 42.

The pressure exerted by the pump 62 through the hoses 154 and 156 on the concentrated cleaning fluid supply and the water supply, respectively, is small compared to the total air pressure delivered to the venturi spray nozzle 42 through the line 158. Although the pressure supplied through the hoses 154 and 156 is small, it is very important that it be constant so that the desired mixing ratio and flow rates are maintained. It should also be noted that by placing the water outlet at the top of the container 48 and locating the second passage 144 of the coupling 140 vertically, the effect of gravity helps to further reduce the amount of fluid flowing through the restricted passage 144 into the concentrated cleaning fluid coupling 146.

The single cartridge 64 with the collar 66 is shown in Figures 18 through 21. The cartridge 64 has a non-circular body 200 with a neck 202 extending therefrom. Threaded portions 204 on the neck 202 receive a cap 206. A peripheral edge 208 on the neck 202 retains the collar 66 between the top of the cartridge and the edge 208 such that the collar can rotate with respect to the cartridge 64 without axial movement between the collar and the cartridge. The sides of the cartridge adjacent to the top have four indentations 210, 212, 214 and 216. The indentations 210 and 212 receive a handle 218 extending from the collar 66 for defining two different positions of the collar with respect to the body. As will be explained in more detail below, when the handle 218 is in a recess 210, the sleeve 66 is in its initial angular position suitable for insertion into the docking port 68 of the cleaning device. When the sleeve 66 is rotated counterclockwise in Figure 19, the handle is received in a recess 212 which defines a final locked angular position of the sleeve in the docking port. It should also be noted that the recess 210 allows the handle to be substantially received within the body 200, thus allowing for easier packaging.

The collar 66 has two cam recesses 220 for receiving two projections on the docking port of the cleaning device. Each recess 220 has an entry slot 222 on the top of the collar, each connected to a sloped portion 224 followed by a horizontal locking portion 226. Two tabs 260 (Figure 22) on the docking port 68 are received in the entry slots 222 and the collar is rotated with respect to the body, thereby moving the entire assembly axially without rotation of the cartridge 64. The tabs 260 slide down along the sloped portion 224 and along the portion 226 to lock the collar and cartridge in place in the docking port. The locking portion 226 prevents reverse rotation due to vibration or use of the cleaning device. Since the cartridge is part of a pressurized fluid system, it is important that the docking is tight and secure for the cleaning device to work properly. The alignment and the airtight connection is therefore critical. As shown in Figure 21, the collar 66 is formed of two pieces connected by a one-piece hinge 228. The collar is wrapped around the neck 202 below the edge 208 with a latch 232 engaging the top of a catch 230.

Recesses 214 and 216 receive shoulders or wedges in the docking port, aligning the cartridge and preventing it from being rotated during axial insertion into the docking section by hand as well as by rotation of the collar 66.

An insert 234 is received in the upper opening of the bottle neck 202 with two nozzles 236 and 238 thereon. As will be described below, these nozzles are aligned with ports in the docking port, with one nozzle 236 being an air inlet and one nozzle 238 being a fluid outlet. The insert 234 has two peripheral edges 240 that engage and seal the insert with the interior of the neck 202. As previously discussed, this is a pressurized storage system and so this seal must be maintained. An axial keyway 242 is provided in the insert 234 and is received in a key 244 that runs along the interior of the neck 202. This aligns the insert 234 and nozzles 236 and 238 with the cartridge and thereby the sleeve. This ensures alignment of the nozzle and the appropriate inlet and outlet of the docking port. A hose 246 extends from the bottom of the body 200 to the fluid outlet nozzle 235.

The cartridge 64 in the docking port 68 is shown in detail in Figure 22. The docking port is an assembly comprising a docking housing 250 attached to the upper housing 56. Two opposing slots 252 are provided in the docking housing 250. A U-shaped bracket 254 is inserted into the docking housing with two nipples 256 and 258 extending through the housing 250 for receiving the air inlet line 154 from the outlet of the pump and the cleaning fluid supply hose 150 leading to the second coupling 146 (see Figure 11). The outer edges of the U-shaped bracket 254 have projections 260 which engage the bottom of the slots 252 in the docking housing, thereby retaining the bracket therein. Two tabs 262 extend to the interior of the docking housing. These tabs form complementary cam surfaces that engage with the cam recesses 220 in the sleeve 66 A molded rubber sealing washer 264 is received in the U-shaped bracket 254.

By using a bracket 254 inserted through the docking housing, it can be made of a hard material that is suitable for numerous insertions on the cam surface. For example, it can be made of Delrin plastic. This reduces the cost of the overall device by making this molded bracket out of such an expensive material rather than making the entire docking housing in this way. The molded rubber gasket 264 provides an airtight seal as it receives the nozzles 236 and 238 on the container and deforms as the container is moved axially in the docking housing. Two shoulders 266 and 268 extend from the housing wall 56 and form guides or wedges for the cartridge recesses 214 and 216.

As seen in Figures 2 and 22, the cartridge 64 resides in a chamber in the upper housing 56 with the neck portion 202 extending into a recess portion and the body 200 residing in a cavity portion of the chamber. The cavity encloses at least three sides of the body.

A cartridge 64 of concentrated cleaning fluid can be attached to the docking port 68 by aligning the cartridge's indentations 214 and 216 with shoulders 266 and 268 of the housing, respectively. The sleeve 66 is placed in the initial or insertion position defined by the handle 218 located in the body's indentation 210. The body and sleeve are moved axially until the docking port's tabs 262 are received in the entry slots 222 on the top of the sleeve. The sleeve 66 is then rotated by means of the handle 218, which is accessible from outside the cavity, thereby moving the body and sleeve axially during rotation of the sleeve. The indentations 214 and 216 engage the shoulders 266 and 268, preventing the cartridge 64 from rotating. The sleeve is rotated to its final or closed position in which the handle 218 is received in the recess 212 on the body. In this position, orifices in the nozzles 236 and 238 are aligned and received in openings in the base of the nipples 256 and 258. The insert 234, which has a keyway, ensures alignment of the nozzles with the body and the cam recess 220 of the sleeve with the tabs 262 ensures the initial alignment, as do the indentations 214 and 216 of the body and the shoulders 266 and 268 of the housing ensure the initial alignment of the body and the nozzles during the axial movement of the body produced by the rotation of the sleeve 66.

Claims (16)

1. Apparatus for use in a cleaning device having a container (64) and a docking recess (68) for the container, the container comprising: a collar (66) rotatably enclosing the container, a cam surface (220) on the collar for cooperating with a corresponding cam surface (262) on the docking recess to lock the collar in the docking recess, and means (218, 212) on the collar and the container defining an initial insertion angular position of the collar on the container and a final locked angular position of the collar on the container. 2. The device of claim 1 having two spaced openings (256, 258) in a base wall (254) of the docking recess and two laterally spaced orifices (236, 238) in the container for mating with the openings, wherein the cam surfaces on the sleeve and the docking recess have an initial engagement position such that in the initial angular insertion position of the sleeve on the container, the orifices on the container are aligned with the openings in the docking recess. 3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the orifices are each located on a respective nozzle extending over the container neck, and the nozzles extend into a respective opening. 4. Device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the openings are located in a deformable sealing layer between the body and the nozzles. 5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the recess has at least one longitudinal key and the container has a longitudinal keyway for aligning and limiting rotation of the container in the docking recess. 6. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the sleeve has a handle extending therefrom and accessible from outside the docking recess. 7. The device of claim 6, wherein the handle and the container are shaped so that the handle engages the container in the insertion angular position and in the locked angular position. 8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4 with a cavity extending from the docking recess with a non-circular cross-section, the container having a non-circular cross-section at least in the cavity and being secured against rotation by engaging the walls of the cavity. 9. The device of claim 8, wherein the container has a neck portion in the docking recess, and the collar encloses the neck and has a handle extending therefrom and accessible from outside the cavity. 10. The device of claim 9, wherein the cavity encloses three side walls of the container and leaves a portion of a fourth side wall and a portion of the sleeve exposed, and wherein the sleeve device has a portion in the docking recess and a portion in the cavity and the handle extends from the cavity portion of the sleeve. 11. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the camming surfaces of the docking recess include at least one radially extending tab and the collar includes a circumferential camming recess to receive the tab and move the container axially forward when the collar is rotated. 12. The device of claim 11, wherein two of the tabs extend from the recess and the collar has two cam recesses, one for each tab. 13. A device according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the or each cam recess has at least one entry slot on the top of the sleeve means for receiving the tab. 14. A device according to claim 13, wherein the or each cam recess has an inclined portion extending from the entrance slot to produce the axial movement upon rotation of the sleeve. 15. A device according to claim 14, wherein the or each cam recess has at least one planar portion extending from a corresponding inclined portion to provide the locking. 16. Device according to one of claims 11 to 15, wherein the tab is made of a different material than the docking recess and is mounted in it.