EP1871546A1

EP1871546A1 - Cleaning device

Info

Publication number: EP1871546A1
Application number: EP06732977A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Renautus Petrus Cornelis Meeuwisse
Original assignee: Lenteq LP
Current assignee: Stibbe Management BV
Priority date: 2005-04-01
Filing date: 2006-04-03
Publication date: 2008-01-02
Also published as: NL1028681C2; WO2006104385A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a cleaning device for cleaning a dispensing aperture (11) or the like with a cleaning fluid, and to a method in which such a cleaning device is used. The cleaning device comprises a cleaning housing (1) which at least partially bounds a cleaning compartment (6) and can be placed against or around the dispensing aperture in a sealing manner. The cleaning housing comprises an inlet (3) for feeding in the cleaning fluid, an outlet (4) for discharging the cleaning fluid, and at least one channel for forming a cleaning jet, which channel opens out in the cleaning compartment. The cleaning housing comprises a cup-shaped wall, which wall delimits the cleaning compartment and can be placed with a free circumferential end in a sealing manner against or around the dispensing aperture.

Description

Cleaning device

The invention relates to a cleaning device for cleaning a dispensing aperture with a cleaning fluid, and also a method for cleaning such a dispensing aperture.

More particularly, the invention relates to a dispensing device for dispensing fluids which comprises a cleaning device for cleaning a dispensing aperture of a dispensing device.

In certain dispensing devices it is possible that a residue of the flowable substance dispensed by such a dispensing device may remain behind on the outside of the generally closable dispensing aperture. This can occur, for example, in the case of dispensing devices for dispensing a paint, hair dye or the like. Since such flowable substances can dry out, it is necessary to remove the residues from the outside of the dispensing aperture, so that when the device is next used the residues that have been left behind do not impede the dispensing and also do not soil the dispensed flowable substance.

For cleaning such a dispensing aperture it is known to use a brush device to brush the dispensing aperture clean on the outside after a fluid has been dispensed. However, such a brush device itself does need to be cleaned regularly, for example daily. Furthermore, the mechanically rotating movement of such a brush device is susceptible to faults. The known brush device takes up a relatively large amount of space here, so that it is difficult to install in a dispensing device in such a way that efficient use can be made of the brush device. American patent publication US 5,524,656 discloses as an alternative a cleaning device which cleans the dispensing aperture by means of a cleaning fluid after the flowable substance has been dispensed. Said cleaning device comprises a cleaning housing which during use is placed in a sealing manner against or around the dispensing aperture, so that a cleaning compartment is created between the cleaning housing and the dispensing aperture. The cleaning device comprises an inlet through which cleaning fluid flows into an inlet chamber. Said inlet chamber is connected to the cleaning compartment by way of several channels. Said channels are provided in the form of a circle around the axial centre line of the dispensing aperture. The cleaning device further comprises an outlet chamber which is connected to the outlet of the cleaning housing, and is connected by at least one outflow aperture to the cleaning compartment .

The cleaning fluid for cleaning the dispensing aperture is pumped or sucked into the cleaning housing by way of the inlet and passes through the channels to the cleaning compartment. In the cleaning compartment the fluid coming out of the channels comes into contact with the dispensing aperture, so that it flushes away the residues of the flowable substance that has been dispensed through the dispensing aperture. After that, the cleaning fluid used is discharged, with the residues that have been flushed away, through the outflow aperture to the outlet chamber, and from there through the outlet and out of the cleaning housing.

The known cleaning device according to the abovementioned US publication has the disadvantage, however, that it is relatively inefficient at cleaning the dispensing aperture of the dispensing device. Moreover, the construction of the known device is complex, and as a result of this has relatively large dimensions.

A further disadvantage of the known cleaning device is that a certain quantity of fluid that is left behind in the cleaning compartment at the end of cleaning of the dispensing aperture first has to be removed from .the latter, for example being removed by suction, before the cleaning housing can be taken away from the dispensing aperture. If the cleaning housing is removed earlier, part of the cleaning fluid may leak out of the cleaning compartment. This is undesirable, since the fluid can soil the dispensing device and can also go into the collection container into which the various fluids are dispensed.

It is, however, desirable to keep the time required for emptying ^■ the .cleaning compartment after cleaning as short as possible, . in order to ensure that a number of fluids can be dispensed quickly in succession. The shorter the time required for cleaning a dispensing aperture, the quicker it will be possible to complete a dispensing cycle in which several fluids, for example dye fluids, are being dispensed.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved cleaning device with which a dispensing aperture can be cleaned simply and efficiently by means of a cleaning fluid.

A first aspect of the invention provides a cleaning device according to claim 1.

By providing the cleaning housing with a cup-shaped, at least partially flexible wall whose free circumferential end can be placed in a sealing manner against or around the dispensing aperture, it is possible in a simple way, with a simple embodiment of the cleaning device, to obtain a sealing connection on the dispensing aperture.

In one- embodiment, during use an axial centre line of the channel lies substantially in line with an axial centre line of a dispensing aperture to be cleaned.

By making the axial centre line of the channel forming the cleaning jet substantially coincide with the axial centre line of the dispensing aperture (in other words, the centre of the cleaning jet substantially corresponds to the centre of the dispensing aperture) during cleaning of the dispensing aperture, it is ensured that the residues of the flowable substance remaining behind after dispensing are removed efficiently from the dispensing device. It has in fact been found that, owing to the fact that the at least one cleaning jet is directed at the centre of the dispensing aperture, the residues of the flowable substance remaining behind on the closed dispensing aperture are easily flushed away because of the flow profile obtained by this arrangement. It is advantageously possible here to adapt the diameter and/or shape of the channel in order to obtain an optimum cleaning jet. It can be particularly advantageous here to make the shape of the channel correspond substantially to the shape of the dispensing aperture.

The cleaning device preferably comprises a separate inlet for each channel. The advantage of this is that a separate feed flow of cleaning fluid is obtained for each channel, with the result that the feed of cleaning fluid can be optimized for the channel. As a result of this, the best, possible cleaning jet is obtained.

In a preferred embodiment the cleaning device comprises one channel for forming a cleaning jet. By making use of only one channel, a relatively powerful and rapid flow is obtained, so that the residues on the dispensing aperture can easily be flushed away.

A part of the inlet advantageously forms the channel. Since a continuous flow of cleaning fluid is fed into the inlet, it is advantageous to make the inlet or at least a part of said inlet function as a channel for forming the cleaning jet. Dispensing with a compartment between the inlet and the channel, such as, for example, an inlet chamber, makes it possible to form a compact cleaning housing. By making a part of the inlet form the channel, it is ensured here that turbulence is prevented in the feed flow to the channel, so that a relatively better cleaning jet is obtained.

In a preferred embodiment an outflow aperture of the channel in the assembled state lies at a higher level than an aperture of the outlet which opens into the cleaning compartment. The cleaning fluid and the residues of flowable substance removed with the cleaning fluid are discharged through the outflow aperture of the outlet into the cleaning compartment. Since the latter lies at a lower level than the outflow aperture of the channel, the fluid in the cleaning compartment which has not yet been sucked away will be situated at a level which is lower down than the outflow aperture of the channel. As a result of this, the presence of this fluid which is sucked out of the cleaning compartment does not have any effect - or does not have any negative effect - on the cleaning jet coming out of the channel. The cleaning housing advantageously comprises a flexible wall which is designed to be placed in a sealing manner against or around the dispensing aperture.

In a preferred embodiment the cleaning housing is fitted on an arm which is movable between an inactive position, in which a flowable substance can be dispensed from the dispensing aperture, and an active position, in which the cleaning housing is placed against or around the dispensing aperture in order to clean the latter. With such an arm, the cleaning housing can be placed more easily against or around the dispensing aperture in order to clean- the latter, while it is also possible in the same position of the dispensing aperture to dispense a flowable substance without the cleaning housing impeding the dispensing operation.

Such an embodiment is particularly advantageous in the case of a dispensing device with a number of metering apertures which can each be moved to the same dispensing position in order to dispense there a respective flowable substance of, for example, a different colour, it also being possible in the metering position to clean the dispensing aperture from which a flowable substance has been dispensed. The movement of the arm between the active and the inactive position is preferably linked to the operation of a valve body by means of which the dispensing aperture can be closed. Designing the operation of the movement of the arm in this way means that, if desired, the cleaning housing is moved automatically to the active position after a flowable substance has been dispensed from the dispensing aperture.

In a possible embodiment of the cleaning device according to the invention, said cleaning device can be provided with a mechanism by means of which drips, hanging residue or the like of flowable substance can be removed from the dispensing aperture before the cleaning housing is placed around or against the dispensing aperture. The drips, hanging residue or the like are preferably collected by the collection container into which the flowable substance to be dispensed has been metered beforehand. The advantage of such a mechanism is that the flowable substance remaining behind on the dispensing aperture is at least partially removed, so that it is ensured that the outside of the cleaning housing does not become soiled and/or the metering accuracy is not adversely affected. In a preferred embodiment this mechanism is in the form of a scraping or cutting mechanism which severs the abovementioned drips, hanging residue or the like. This scraping or cutting mechanism can be in the form of, for example, a horizontal wire or a cutting element, such as a wire-shaped piece of spring steel, which is fixed on one side.

The mechanism can be mounted in a suitable position in the dispensing device. The mechanism is preferably mounted on the cleaning housing or on the arm on which the cleaning housing is mounted. In the case of such an embodiment it is possible to use an acceleration mechanism which converts the constant movement of the cleaning housing/arm into a brief rapid movement of the mechanism, so that the drips, hanging residue or the like are easily removed, in particular severed. Such an acceleration mechanism can be produced by connecting the mechanism in a spring-loaded manner to the cleaning housing/arm and making the latter run along a cam, the cam tensioning the spring through the constant movement of the cleaning housing/arm, until the mechanism has gone past the cam, so that the mechanism springs into the original position, in this way the mechanism, in particular the cutting or scraping part of said mechanism, will go at relatively high speed through the drips, hanging residue or the like of flowable substance.

A second aspect of the invention provides a cleaning device according to claim 18.

Such a cleaning device comprises a valve, which valve in an open position allows a gas flow, in particular an air flow, to the cleaning compartment, and in a closed position prevents such an air flow. With such an embodiment, it is an easy and quick operation at the end of the cleaning of a dispensing aperture to suck away the cleaning fluid still remaining in the cleaning compartment (with the residues of paint or the like which have been flushed away from the dispensing aperture or have remained behind there) . For this purpose, after the cleaning operation the valve is opened to allow air into the feed line, so that during the operation of sucking away of the cleaning fluid virtually no new cleaning fluid is sucked into the cleaning compartment. This means that the cleaning compartment can be emptied very quickly before the cleaning housing is taken away from the dispensing aperture.

In one embodiment the valve is fitted in a cleaning fluid feed line. By making the air used for rapid emptying of the cleaning compartment enter the cleaning compartment through the cleaning fluid feed line, it is ensured that a relatively powerful jet of air is obtained in the channel, which jet of air can blow away any cleaning fluid which may have been left behind on the dispensing aperture .

The valve can be any suitable valve which permits a gas flow to the cleaning device after cleaning of the dispensing aperture. In one embodiment the valve is fitted in a branch of the cleaning fluid feed line. In such an embodiment the feed of cleaning fluid during the cleaning operation is not impeded by the presence of a valve.

In one embodiment the valve is situated above a main part of the feed line, which main part connects the inlet to a stock container . Fitting the valve above the main part means that the valve need not come into contact with the cleaning fluid. This is advantageous, since the cleaning fluid can have an adverse effect on the functioning of the valve. In particular, it means that should the valve be open, no cleaning fluid can flow out of the valve either.

The cleaning device according to the invention is particularly advantageous for a dispensing device according to claim 19. Such dispensing devices are used for the successive dispensing of a number of different dye fluids which when mixed, possibly in a base fluid, produce a paint or hair dye of a desired colour. For further details and a description of the functioning of such dispensing devices reference is made, inter alia, to WO 2005/082510, the content of which is incorporated herein by means of reference.

The invention also relates to a method for cleaning a dispensing aperture, in which use is made of a cleaning device according to the invention. This method is described in claim 20.

The invention will be explained further below on the basis of the description of an exemplary embodiment with reference to the drawing, in which:

Figure 1 shows a disassembled perspective view of an embodiment of a cleaning housing of a cleaning device according to the invention; Figure 2 shows a cross section of a second embodiment of a cleaning housing which is placed against a dispensing device with dispensing aperture;

Figure 3 shows the movement mechanism of the cleaning device according to Figure 1; and Figure 4 shows the cleaning device in combination with an operating part of a valve body which is placed in a dispensing aperture of a dispensing device.

Figure 1 shows a cleaning housing which is indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral 1. The cleaning housing 1 comprises a cup-shaped wall 2, an inlet 3, an outlet 4, and a channel-containing part 5.

Figure 2 shows an alternative embodiment of a cleaning housing in cross section, in which said cleaning housing is placed against a dispensing device 10 with a dispensing aperture 11 to be cleaned. The dispensing device 10 is a dispensing device for dispensing several flowable substances, it being possible to dispense each of the flowable substances from its own dispensing aperture, which in each case is moved to the same metering position. For this purpose, the dispensing device comprises for each flowable substance a pump which comprises the dispensing aperture, preferably at an underside. The various pumps and reservoirs for flowable substance are, for example, fitted on a movable, in particular rotatable, construction, so that the pump concerned and the corresponding reservoir can be moved to the metering position for the purpose of dispensing the desired flowable substances in succession.

In the embodiment shown the dispensing device 10 comprises a valve body 12, in which the dispensing aperture 11 is fitted. The valve body 12 comprises a disc which together with another disc 13 forms a metering valve which can be opened and/or closed by rotating the discs 12, 13 relative, to each other. Such a dispensing device 10 is described in greater detail in the publication WO 2005/082510 referred to in the introduction, which publication is incorporated herein by reference. Said dispensing device 10 is used in particular for mixing different colours of paint or hair dye in order to produce a paint/hair dye which has a certain desired colour. The cleaning device can, however, also be used for cleaning dispensing apertures of other dispensing devices or other suitable objects to be cleaned with cleaning fluid.

The cup-shaped wall 2 is placed around the dispensing aperture in such a way that said cup-shaped wall rests in a sealing manner against the dispensing device. For this purpose, in the embodiment of Figure 1 at least the end of the cup-shaped wall 2 facing the dispensing device is made of a flexible design. This can be achieved by making the cup-shaped wall of a flexible material, for example a soft plastic, and/or making the cup-shaped wall 2 relatively thin. In the alternative embodiment of Figure 2 a separate sealing element 2a is provided in the form of an O-ring fitted on the cup-shaped wall 2. It will probably be clear that any other sealing element suitable for the application can also be used. This separate sealing element can be moulded onto the cup-shaped wall, for example by means of co-extrusion. It is also possible to fix the sealing element in another suitable manner on the cup-shaped wall 2. The cup-shaped wall 2 (and the sealing element 2a) , ^■ together with the dispensing device 10 against which the cleaning housing is placed, delimits a cleaning compartment 6. Cleaning fluid can be pumped or sucked into said cleaning compartment 6 in order to clean the dispensing aperture 11 of the dispensing device 10. For. the feed of the cleaning fluid the figure shows a feed line 7 which is connected, possibly by way of a pump, by one end (not shown) to a cleaning fluid reservoir. The other end of the feed line is connected by way of a connecting part 7a to the inlet 3 of the cleaning housing 1. For the discharge of the cleaning fluid a discharge line 8^" is connected by way of a connecting part 8a to the outlet 4 of the cleaning housing 1. The discharge line 8 conveys the cleaning fluid, possibly by way of a suction pump, to a cleaning fluid reservoir. The part 5 comprising a channel is placed (Figure 1) /has been placed (Figure 2) in the end of the inlet 3, so that the channel forms the end of the inlet 3. The channel is shaped in such a way that the cleaning fluid flowing into the channel through the inlet is formed into a relatively powerful cleaning jet. It is also possible, if desired, to make the inlet 3 open out directly into the cleaning compartment 6, with the end of the inlet 3 also forming the channel from which the cleaning jet enters the cleaning compartment 6.

The raising of the outflow aperture of the cleaning jet obtained by the use of the part 5 has, however, a number of advantages. First, the raising brings the outflow aperture of the cleaning jet closer to the dispensing aperture 11 to be cleaned, so that said cleaning jet flows more powerfully against the dispensing aperture. Secondly, the raising prevents used cleaning fluid which is on the bottom of the cleaning compartment 6 during use from impeding the emergence of the cleaning jet. Used cleaning fluid should be understood here as meaning cleaning fluid which has flowed in a cleaning jet against the dispensing aperture, it being possible for this cleaning fluid also to contain a quantity of flowable substance which has been flushed from the dispensing device 10, in particular the dispensing aperture 11. This used cleaning fluid must be discharged through the outlet of the cleaning housing to a cleaning fluid reservoir. Thirdly, the use of a loose part 5 has the advantage that the diameter and the shape of the channel are easy to adapt to/optimize for the dispensing aperture 11 to be cleaned.

The above is also possible if no separate part 5 is provided, but in this case a different cleaning housing 1 must be provided for each diameter/cross section of the channel. It is also possible to provide a raising of the outflow aperture of the channel relative to the bottom by designing the cleaning housing itself in this way.

When the cleaning housing is in the position shown in Figure 2 relative to the dispensing aperture 11 to be cleaned, the axial centre line A-A of the channel is placed in such a way that it corresponds substantially to the axial centre line of the dispensing aperture 11. This means that the cleaning jet coming out of the channel is directed towards the centre of the dispensing aperture 11 to be cleaned. The result is that the residues of flowable substance which have remained behind on the dispensing aperture after the dispensing of said flowable substance are efficiently flushed away by the cleaning fluid.

A suction pump is advantageously used in the discharge line 8, both for supplying cleaning fluid from a cleaning fluid reservoir to the cleaning housing 1 and for discharging the cleaning fluid through the discharge line 8. Such a suction pump has the advantage that a partial vacuum occurs in the cleaning compartment 6. Such a partial vacuum in the cleaning compartment 6 is advantageous, since it causes the cup-shaped wall 2 to be, as it were, sucked against the dispensing device 10, so that a good seal is obtained between the cleaning housing 1 and the dispensing device 10. Near the cleaning fluid reservoir a one-way valve, for example a non-return valve, is provided in the feed line 7, so that after use of the cleaning device cleaning fluid remains in the feed line. This means that for a subsequent use the feed line 7 does not have to be refilled with cleaning fluid. It is also advantageous to provide such a one-way valve in the discharge line 8.

When the suction pump (and/or possibly a pump in the feed line) is activated, cleaning fluid will be sucked out of a cleaning fluid reservoir and conveyed through the feed line 7 to the cleaning housing 1. Here the cleaning fluid will be guided through the channel, so that a cleaning jet which flows powerfully against the dispensing aperture 11 of dispensing device 10 is formed. This powerful cleaning jet will flush away into the cleaning compartment 6 the residues which have remained behind on or near the dispensing aperture. Here the used cleaning fluid will be sucked through the outlet 3 and be discharged by way of the discharge line 8 to a cleaning fluid reservoir.

A branch 40 is provided in the feed line 7, in which branch a valve 41 is provided, which valve in an open state allows an air flow to the cleaning compartment, and in a closed state does not allow such an air flow.

The air valve 40 is provided with an aperture 42 through which air can be sucked in when the valve 40 is open. As an alternative, it is also possible to connect the valve to a line which is connected to a gas reservoir.

The valve can be, for example, an electromagnetic valve which is operated by means of an operating cable 43. In an alternative embodiment the valve can be in the form of a valve which in a first position can allow cleaning fluid to pass through, and in a second position can allow air to pass through (so in that case the second position is the open position for the air valve, and the first position is the closed position) .

The valve 41 is fitted above the feed line 7, so that the cleaning fluid in the feed line 7 cannot come into contact with the parts of the valve 41. Such contact of cleaning fluid with the valve can in fact cause poor functioning of the valve, and is therefore undesirable. Furthermore, by placing the valve 41 above the feed line 7, cleaning fluid is prevented from leaking out through the aperture 42 of the valve 41. The length of the branch is, for example, at least 20 - 80 mm.

When the cleaning of the dispensing aperture has been completed the valve 41 is opened. The resistance to the suction of air through the open valve 41 is much lower than the resistance to the suction of cleaning fluid through the feed line 7. This means that after opening of the valve 41 virtually only air will be sucked by the suction pump into the cleaning compartment, instead of cleaning fluid. As a result, the cleaning fluid (and any paint/dye residues or the like) still present in the cleaning compartment is quickly and easily sucked out of the cleaning compartment. The cleaning housing can then be removed from the dispensing aperture, without the risk of the cleaning fluid leaking and/or passing into the collection container in which the dispensed fluid has collected.

Since the valve 41 is fitted in the cleaning fluid feed line, the channel of the part 5 forms a powerful jet of air which can blow away any cleaning fluid still remaining on the dispensing aperture. As an alternative, it is possible also to fit an active valve in the cleaning fluid feed line, which active valve can be opened in order to permit a cleaning fluid flow to the cleaning housing, and can be closed in order to prevent such a flow. Such an active valve is not present in the embodiment shown.

The valve 41 - and in the embodiment shown therefore also the branch 40 - is preferably fitted in a position as close as possible to the inlet 3. This means that when the air valve 41 opens, only a small quantity of cleaning fluid needs to be sucked in before air goes into the cleaning compartment.

As an alternative to causing a gas flow to flow to the cleaning compartment through the cleaning fluid feed line, it is also possible to provide a separate feed line for air or another gas. In such an embodiment, at the end of the cleaning cycle the cleaning fluid feed line is closed and the feed line for air or another gas is opened, so that the suction pump sucks air instead of cleaning fluid into the cleaning compartment, with the result that the cleaning fluid and any paint/dye residues still present in the cleaning compartment are quickly removed from it. In this way the cleaning compartment is quickly and efficiently emptied.

The cleaning fluid can come from the same cleaning fluid reservoir as that to which the used cleaning fluid is discharged. In such a case it is advantageous to use a relatively large cleaning fluid volume, so that the "pollutants" in the cleaning fluid have relatively little influence. It is possible here to use means or methods which are known per se, such as filters, settling of the pollutants and the like, in order to keep the volume of cleaning fluid relatively clean. It is also possible to provide a number of cleaning fluid reservoirs, with the cleaning fluid being used serially, i.e. a first flushing operation with relatively soiled cleaning fluid, and then a second flushing operation with cleaner cleaning fluid. It is also possible to make the choice between clean and already used cleaning fluid dependent upon the flowable substance which is dispensed through the corresponding dispensing aperture. It is, for example, conceivable in a dispensing device by means of which different colours are dispensed that light colours require the use of a relatively clean cleaning fluid, while for darker colours a slightly soiled cleaning fluid can be used.

Figure 3 shows an operating mechanism 20 which can be used to move the cleaning housing 1 between an inactive position, in which it is possible to dispense a flowable substance from a dispensing device 10 without the cleaning housing 1 in the process impeding the dispensing of a flowable substance to a collection container, and an active position, in which the cleaning housing is placed against or around the dispensing aperture in order to clean said dispensing aperture after the dispensing of a flowable substance. The operating mechanism 20 comprises a movable arm 21 on which the cleaning housing 1 is fitted. The arm 21 is mounted so as to be tiltable and slidable on a shaft 22, which shaft 22 is connected to a frame or the like. The operating mechanism 20 further comprises a spring 23 which can move the arm 21 to a certain preferred position, which in the embodiment shown is the inactive position.

The arm 21 comprises an aperture through which the cleaning housing is placed. Said aperture is shaped in such a way that the cleaning housing 1 can tilt slightly relative to the arm 21. It is also possible if desired to adapt the cleaning housing 1 for this purpose by, for example, providing two cams fitted diametrically opposite each other (one of which is indicated by the reference numeral 9 in Figure 1) , which cams ultimately lie on the edge of the aperture and in this way make tilting of the cleaning housing 1 relative to the arm 21 possible. The cams can also be provided on the edge of the aperture itself. Such an ability of the cleaning housing 1 to tilt is advantageous, since it means that the cleaning housing can automatically position itself correctly relative to the plane of the dispensing device 10 against which the cleaning housing 1 is placed when it is being taken into the active position. Figure 4 shows the cleaning device of Figure 3 mounted near a valve operating mechanism for operating a valve body which keeps the dispensing aperture closed when flowable substance is not being dispensed. The valve operating mechanism comprises an operating arm 30, the ends 30a and 30b of which are designed to open and close respectively the valve of the dispensing device which is placed in the metering position. A cleaning operating arm 31, non-rotatably connected to the operating arm 30, is provided on the operating arm 30.

Figure 4 shows the cleaning device in the inactive position, in which it is held by the spring 23. If after a flowable substance has been dispensed through the dispensing aperture in the metering position, the operating arm 30 is then rotated in order to close the valve in the dispensing aperture, the cleaning housing 1 is moved by means of the cleaning operating arm 31 to the active position by acting upon the cam 32 provided on the arm 21, so that the spring 23 is compressed. The movement of the cleaning housing 1 will comprise a horizontal component in order to take the cleaning housing 1 below the dispensing aperture, and a vertical component in order to place the cleaning housing 1 against the dispensing device. The horizontal component is needed to permit dispensing from the dispensing aperture to a collection container placed below the dispensing aperture when the cleaning housing is in the inactive position. The vertical component is needed to place the cleaning housing 1 in a sealing manner against the dispensing device 10.

After cleaning of the dispensing aperture by means of the cleaning device, the cleaning housing will return to the inactive position as a result of the spring tension in the compressed spring 23. The embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 4 further comprises a scraping mechanism 24, which is mounted on the arm 21 and is designed to remove drips, hanging residue or the like of the flowable substance from the dispensing aperture when the cleaning housing 1 is being placed around or against the dispensing aperture. The scraping mechanism 24 comprises a scraping element 25, which moves along the dispensing aperture while the cleaning housing 1 is moving to the active position so that said scraping element fulfils the intended function, i.e. during this movement the scraping element cuts the drips, hanging residue or the like away from the dispensing aperture, so that they fall into the collection container placed below the dispensing aperture. In this way it is ensured that the outside of the cleaning housing 1 is not soiled and/or the metering accuracy is not adversely affected.

The scraping element 25, which is placed in a substantially horizontal position, is fixed on the arm 21 by means of a retaining device 26. The scraping element 25 is preferably of a thin and/or sharp design, so that it easily passes through drips, hanging residue and the like. In a very suitable embodiment the scraping element 25 is a wire-type element such as a steel wire or the like. It is possible, if desired, to give the scraping element 25 flexibility in the vertical direction, so that the scraping element 25 rests with slight pre-tension against the dispensing device when it is in use, so that it can perform its function in the optimum manner. In an alternative embodiment it is possible to use an acceleration mechanism which converts the constant movement of the arm 21 into a short rapid movement of the scraping element 25, so that the scraping element 25 easily cuts through the flowable substance. Such an acceleration mechanism can be produced by connecting the scraping element 25 in a spring-loaded manner to the arm 21 and moving the latter along a cam, in such a way that through the constant movement of the arm 21 the scraping element 25 is first retained, subsequently springs past the cam and then runs in a rapid movement along the dispensing aperture.

The embodiment of the cleaning device according to the invention described above provides a number of advantages compared with the cleaning devices making use of a cleaning fluid which are known from the prior art. An important advantage here is the simple design of the cleaning housing, which also makes it possible to make the cleaning housing relatively small. This latter fact provides a number of further advantages, since a reactive small cleaning housing is easy to install in an existing dispensing device and relatively little cleaning fluid per cleaning operation is required, so that the cleaning fluid in the cleaning fluid reservoir does not have to be replenished so often. Less maintenance is therefore needed. Furthermore, such a ^• smaller cleaning housing has the advantage that a small surface area of the dispensing aperture becomes wet during the cleaning, with the result that a smaller quantity of cleaning fluid is also left behind on the dispensing device after the cleaning housing has moved to the inactive position.

Claims

1. Cleaning device for cleaning a dispensing aperture or the like with a cleaning fluid, comprising a cleaning housing which at least partially delimits a cleaning compartment and can be placed against or around the dispensing aperture in a sealing manner, the cleaning housing comprising an inlet for feeding in the cleaning fluid, an outlet for discharging the cleaning fluid, and at least one channel for forming a cleaning jet, which channel opens out in the cleaning compartment, characterized in that the cleaning housing comprises a cup-shaped wall, which wall delimits the cleaning compartment and is at least partially flexible so that during use it can be placed with a free circumferential end in a sealing manner against or around the dispensing aperture.

2. Cleaning device according to claim 1, in which the cleaning device comprises a valve, which valve in an open position allows a gas flow, in particular an air flow, to the cleaning compartment, and in a closed position prevents such an air flow.

3. Cleaning device according to claim 2, in which the valve is fitted in a cleaning fluid feed line.

4. Cleaning device according to claim 2, in which the feed line comprises at least the inlet and a feed line for the cleaning fluid.

5. Cleaning device according to claim 3, in which the valve is fitted in a branch of the cleaning fluid feed line, and in which the valve is preferably situated above a main part of the feed line, which main part connects the inlet to a stock container for cleaning fluid.

6. Cleaning device according to claim 1, in which the cleaning device comprises a suction pump in a discharge line of the cleaning device.

7. Cleaning device according to claim 1, in which during use an axial centre line of the channel lies substantially in line with an axial centre line of a dispensing aperture to be cleaned.

8. Cleaning device according to claim 1, in which the cleaning device comprises a separate inlet for each channel.

9. Cleaning device according to one or more of claims 1 - 8, in which the cleaning device comprises one channel.

10. Cleaning device according to one or more of claims 1 - 9, in which a part of the inlet forms the channel .

11. Cleaning device according to one or more of claims 1 - 10, in which an outflow aperture of the channel in the assembled state lies at a higher level than an aperture of the outlet which opens into the cleaning compartment.

12. Cleaning device according to one or more of claims 1 - 11, in which an axis of the outlet runs parallel to the axis of the channel .

13. Cleaning device according to one or more of claims 1 - 12, in which the cleaning housing comprises a flexible wall which is designed to be placed in a sealing manner against or around the dispensing aperture.

14. Cleaning device according to one or more of claims 1 - 13, in which the cleaning housing comprises a separate part to be placed in said housing, which separate part forms the channel.

15. Cleaning device according to one or more of claims 1 - 14, in which the cleaning device comprises a mechanism by means of which drips, hanging residue or the like of flowable substance can be removed from the dispensing aperture before placing the cleaning housing around or against the dispensing aperture.

16. Cleaning device according to one or more of claims 1 - 15, in which the cleaning housing is fitted on an arm which is movable between an inactive position, in which a flowable substance can be dispensed from the dispensing aperture, and an active position, in which the cleaning housing is placed against or around the dispensing aperture in order to clean the latter.

17. Cleaning device according to claim 16, in which the movement of the arm between the active and the inactive position is linked to the operation of a valve body by means of which the dispensing aperture can be closed.

18. Cleaning device for cleaning a dispensing aperture or the like with a cleaning fluid, comprising a cleaning housing which at least partially delimits a cleaning compartment and can be placed against or around the dispensing aperture in a sealing manner, the cleaning housing comprising an inlet for feeding in the cleaning fluid, an outlet for discharging the cleaning fluid, and at least one channel for forming a cleaning jet, which channel opens out in the cleaning compartment, characterized in that the cleaning housing comprises a valve, which valve in an open position allows a gas flow, in particular an air flow, to the cleaning compartment, and in a closed position prevents such an air flow.

19. Dispensing device for dispensing fluids, such as, for example, paint or hair dye colouring fluids, comprising:

- a frame, - a carousel which is rotatable relative to the frame and comprises a number of dispensing units, each dispensing unit comprising at least one container for directly or indirectly holding a fluid, and

- a stationary dispensing station for dispensing a fluid from a dispensing aperture of a dispensing unit which is placed in a dispensing position relative to the dispensing station, the dispensing device further comprising a cleaning device according to one or more of the preceding claims, the cleaning device being designed to clean a dispensing aperture after a fluid has been dispensed.

20. Method for cleaning a dispensing aperture, comprising the following steps:

- placing a cleaning housing in a sealing manner against or around the dispensing aperture, in such a way that a closed cleaning compartment is produced, - sucking a cleaning fluid from a cleaning reservoir into the cleaning compartment in order to clean the dispensing aperture,

- sucking air or another gas into the cleaning compartment in order to clear cleaning fluid and any paint or dye residues or the like from the cleaning compartment, and - removing the cleaning housing from the dispensing aperture.

21. Method according to claim 20, in which the air is sucked into the cleaning compartment through the cleaning fluid inlet, a valve being provided in the feed line in order to make the air flow possible in it.