RU2794926C2 - Method and system for liquid distribution - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: liquid distribution.

SUBSTANCE: group of inventions relates to a system and method for distributing a liquid, as well as a device, a reservoir and a restrictive element for use with the system or the method. The liquid distribution system comprises a liquid distribution device and at least one reservoir for storing the liquid to be distributed. The liquid distribution device contains the first connecting means. At least one reservoir contains the second connecting means. The first and the second connecting means are configured to interact to establish a detachable connection of the liquid distribution device to at least one reservoir. The system further includes means for preventing replenishment of at least one reservoir. The liquid distribution device contains the first fastening element and at least one reservoir. Alternatively, the replenishment prevention means includes the second fastening element that interacts with the first fastening element. The first and the second fastening elements are a pin protruding from the bottom of the liquid dispenser and the recess that is made in the top of the reservoir or in the top of the replenishment prevention means, or vice versa. The liquid distribution method includes the following steps, at which at least one reservoir is filled with a liquid to be distributed, a liquid distribution device is provided, a liquid distribution device is connected to said at least one reservoir, and the liquid distribution device is actuated. Once filled, the reservoir is provided with a means to prevent the reservoir from being refilled. The liquid distribution device comprises the first fastening element and at least one reservoir or replenishment prevention means comprising the second fastening element that interacts with the first fastening element. The first and second fasteners are described above.

EFFECT: integrity and durability of goods is ensured.

26 cl, 31 dwg

Description

The invention relates to a liquid distribution system that comprises a liquid distribution device and at least one reservoir for storing a liquid to be distributed, wherein the liquid distribution device comprises a first connecting means and said at least one reservoir comprises a second connecting means, said first and second connecting the means are configured to interact to releasably connect the liquid distribution device to said at least one reservoir. Such a liquid distribution system is known, for example, from US 7,178,702 or from WO 2008/082289 A1.

Nowadays, consumer goods are increasingly being sold over the Internet. This applies not only to clothes, shoes and electronics, but also to daily purchases. This trend has an impact on the design of goods, which must be adapted to be transported in small quantities or even individually, possibly in combination with other types of goods. Moreover, since physical inspection of the goods prior to purchase is not possible, and since the retailer is the link between the consumer and the manufacturer, it is increasingly important to ensure that the integrity of the goods cannot be compromised so that the consumer receives exactly the product he ordered.

Another concern in product design today is durability.

To solve this problem, the invention is to provide a liquid distribution system that satisfies both the requirements of electronic commerce and the requirement of durability. According to a first aspect of the invention, these objects are achieved by providing a liquid distribution system with means for preventing replenishment of said at least one reservoir. Such refill prevention effectively ensures that the product in the tank is in fact the product ordered by the consumer, typically a branded product. Moreover, the refill prevention means also serves to prevent or at least reduce liquid leakage during transport of the reservoir.

When said at least one reservoir comprises a neck which defines a liquid filling opening, it is preferred that the refill prevention means comprise a restrictive element which almost completely closes the filling opening. By reducing the size of the opening in the reservoir, it becomes nearly impossible to introduce liquid into the reservoir through the neck, making refilling commercially unattractive.

Obviously, to allow liquid distribution, an opening must be present, but the opening contained in the restrictive element has a cross section that is substantially smaller than the cross section of the fill opening.

In one embodiment of the invention, the system includes a valve that closes the opening in the restrictive element. Such a valve, which may be a one-way valve, ensures that liquid cannot be introduced into the reservoir, but at the same time allows liquid to flow from the reservoir into the dispenser without restriction.

To further prevent refill, the opening may form part of a narrow tube that extends into the reservoir. This additionally prevents the flow of liquid into the tank through the restrictive element.

In order to prevent removal of the restrictive element, it is preferable that it be attached to the neck of said at least one reservoir. This allows the tanks to be sold separately and the tanks to be connected to a liquid distribution device already owned by the consumer, such as from a previous purchase.

In one embodiment of the invention, the opening for filling said at least one reservoir is closed with a lid and, in the state for transport or storage, the liquid distribution device is connected to the outside of the reservoir or its lid. Due to the detachable connection of the device to the outside of the tank or its lid during transport and operation, instead of transporting a complete, assembled system, all tanks can be filled, closed in the same way and can be handled in the same way, regardless of whether they were sold together with or without liquid distribution device.

The restrictive element can be releasably connected to the liquid distribution device. Thus, it can be automatically inserted into the neck of the tank and fixed therein after the liquid distribution system is assembled.

The system according to the invention may comprise a plurality of reservoirs, each of which is configured to be connected in series with a liquid distribution device. Thus, one device can be reused and does not need to be disposed of when the first reservoir is exhausted. This leads to a more efficient use of resources and a reduction in waste.

In one embodiment of the invention, the liquid distribution device comprises a liquid inlet that has a free diameter that is less than that of a standard dip tube. This prevents the device from being provided with a dip tube and then used in conjunction with another reservoir that does not contain a refill prevention, such as a reservoir from a competing brand.

To prevent parts of the system from being used by competitors, the liquid dispenser and the at least one reservoir or refill preventer may further comprise cooperating fasteners.

In one embodiment of the invention, the fasteners may be a pin protruding from the bottom of the liquid dispenser and a recess that is formed in the top of the reservoir or refill prevention means. By changing the position of the pin and notch, distribution systems can be provided for different brands.

When the recess is made in the restrictive element, the fasteners do not affect the design of the tank.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the liquid dispenser and/or said at least one reservoir is at least partially made of recycled plastic material, in particular recycled plastic consumer waste. By using recycled plastic material for large parts of the dispenser and tank, the use of resources is further reduced.

In one embodiment of the invention, the liquid dispenser comprises a spring-loaded actuator that is made from a virgin plastic material. This virgin plastic material may perform better than recycled material, which may be important for some highly stressed parts of the distribution system.

In yet another embodiment of the liquid distribution system, said at least one reservoir comprises an inner reservoir for storing the liquid to be dispensed and an outer reservoir, wherein the outer reservoir is provided with an opening to allow air to enter the space defined between the inner and outer reservoirs. Such a reservoir, also known as a "bag-in-bottle" and which the applicant brought to the market under the trademark Flair®, prevents contact of the liquid with the environment, which is an additional guarantee of the quality of the liquid. Moreover, this structure additionally prevents refilling, since the outer reservoir will be almost completely filled with air when all liquid has been dispensed from the inner reservoir. This air further prevents liquid from entering the inner reservoir.

In one embodiment of the system, the inner reservoir may be made from recycled plastic material. The inner reservoir has less of an effect on the appearance of the system than the outer reservoir, which may be made from a first-hand plastic material.

The invention also relates to a liquid distribution method, which includes the following steps: filling at least one reservoir with a liquid to be distributed, providing a liquid distribution device, connecting the liquid distribution device to said at least one reservoir, and actuating the liquid distribution device. Such a method is also described, at least implicitly, in the two prior art documents cited.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, after filling the tank is provided with a means to prevent filling the tank. The merits of such a replenishment prevention facility have been discussed above.

The replenishment prevention means may be located on said at least one reservoir before the liquid distribution device is connected to the reservoir, since the reservoir is still freely accessible thereafter.

In one embodiment of the invention, the reservoir may be closed with a lid after filling the reservoir. The tank can then be separately sold to a consumer who already owns a suitable distribution device.

In another embodiment of the invention, the liquid distribution device may be releasably connected to the outside of the tank or to the lid for the purpose of transport or storage. Thus, the whole system is sold as a whole, but it is assembled only after it is received by the end user.

In another embodiment of the invention, the refill prevention means is releasably connected to the liquid distribution device and is located on said at least one reservoir when connected to it.

liquid distribution device. Thus, after filling with the reservoir, only one operation needs to be carried out, that is, the positioning of the dispenser on the reservoir, which contains the refill prevention means.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the liquid dispenser and/or said at least one reservoir is at least partially made of recycled plastic material, in particular recycled plastic consumer waste. The benefits of using recycled material have been discussed above.

The invention will now be illustrated by means of a number of exemplary embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the respective elements are designated by reference numerals that increase by "100", while:

in fig. 1 is an exploded side view showing a first embodiment of a liquid distribution system in accordance with the present invention;

in fig. 2-6 are views which correspond to FIGS. 1 and which show alternative embodiments of the liquid distribution system;

in fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a reservoir containing a refill prevention means in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

in fig. 8 is an enlarged view showing part VIII of the replenishment preventing means of FIG. 7;

in fig. 9-12 are views that correspond to FIGS. 7 and 8 and which show further embodiments of the invention;

in fig. 13 is a perspective view showing the replenishment prevention means shown in FIG. 9 and 10;

in fig. 13A is a side view showing the refill preventing means of FIG. 13;

in fig. 14 is a view showing a longitudinal section along lines XIV-XIV of FIG. 13;

in fig. 15 is an enlarged view showing the part indicated as XV in FIG. 14;

in fig. 16 is a bottom view showing the dispenser illustrated in FIG. 1, wherein the replenishment prevention means is connected to the dispenser;

in fig. 17 is a perspective view showing a cross section of the line XVII-XVII distributor of FIG. 16;

in fig. 18 is an enlarged view showing the part indicated by the arrow XVIII in FIG. 17;

in fig. 19 is a bottom view showing the dispenser of FIG. 16 - 18, without replenishment prevention;

in fig. 20 is an enlarged view showing the part indicated by XX in FIG. 19 and illustrating how the free cross-sectional area of the inlet is reduced to prevent insertion of a standard dip tube;

in fig. 21 and 22 are views which correspond to FIGS. 19 and 20 and which show a further embodiment of the invention;

in fig. 23 is a plan view showing the reservoir of FIG. 11, which contains a replenishment prevention means, illustrating a possible configuration of the opening therein;

in fig. 24 is an enlarged view showing part XXIV of FIG. 23;

in fig. 25 and 26 are views corresponding to FIGS. 23 and 24 and showing another embodiment of the invention;

in fig. 27 is a view showing a lid that includes a restrictor of the type shown in FIG. 7 and 8;

in fig. 28 is a view showing a distribution device and a connecting device;

in fig. 29 is a view showing the cover of FIG. 27, which is placed on the tank; And

in fig. 30 is a view showing the dispenser of FIG. 28, which is connected to the reservoir of FIG. 29.

The liquid distribution system 1 comprises a liquid distribution device 2 and a reservoir 3 configured to store the liquid to be distributed (FIG. 1). The distribution device 2 comprises a first connection means 4, for example, tabs 23 (FIGS. 17, 18) extending inwardly, and the reservoir 3 contains a second connection means 5, for example, protruding ribs, which cooperates with the first connection means 4 to form a releasable connection of the device 2 distribution and reservoir 3. Examples of such first and second connecting means are described in the aforementioned document WO 2008/082289 A1. In accordance with the present invention, the liquid distribution system 1 comprises a means 6 which is configured to prevent the reservoir 3 from being replenished.

In the embodiment shown, this refill prevention means comprises a restrictive element 7 which is inserted into a filling opening 8 which is defined by the neck 9 of the container 3. The restricting element 7 almost completely closes the filling opening 8. It contains a stopper 10, the outer diameter of which essentially corresponds to the diameter of the opening for filling and which is limited by the neck 9. Protrusions 11 located at a distance from each other on the outer surface of the stopper 10 (Fig. 13, 13A) serve to fix the restrictive element 7 in the neck 9.

The hole 12 is made in the Central part of the restrictive element 7 (Fig. 14, 15). This opening 12 has a cross-sectional area which is substantially smaller than the cross-sectional area of the filling opening 8. Opening 12 forms part of a narrow tube 13 which extends downward from plug 10 into reservoir 3. In the embodiment shown, opening 12 is closed by a valve 14. This valve comprises a disc 15 which is connected to an annulus 16 by a number of curved connecting arms 17 which extend along a part of the circumference of the disk 15 and one end of which is attached to the disk 15 and the other end of which is attached to the ring 16. When the disk 15 is subjected to suction to actuate the dispensing device 2, the disk 15 rises from the valve seat 18 surrounding the opening 12 and the arms 17 stretch and turn inward. In this way, the liquid can be drawn from the reservoir 3 through the tube 13 to the hole 12 and further into the device 2.

However, when the distributor is not actuated, the disc 15 is spring-loaded towards the valve seat 18 by the connecting arms 17 and the valve 14 remains closed. Thus, liquid cannot leak out of reservoir 3. Moreover, any attempt to refill reservoir 3 through opening 12 will fail, as disk 15 will be pressed against the valve seat and will close the inlet to reservoir 3.

In another embodiment of the restrictor 107, the valve 114 is essentially cup-shaped and located in the flared portion 118 of the tube 113, where it is held by a plurality of tabs 45 (FIGS. 7, 8, 27). In this case, the valve 114 is not movable, but instead can be deformed so as to create a connection between the tube 113 and the outer space. In this case, when suction occurs due to the actuation of the dispensing device 2, the cup valve 114 contracts somewhat, thus creating a narrow slot-like opening 112 between the side wall of the cup valve 114 and the side wall of the flared portion 118. Here again, since no suction valve is created 114 will remain closed and will prevent liquid from leaking out of reservoir 3 or preventing liquid from being introduced into reservoir 3 in order to attempt to refill reservoir 3.

In these two embodiments, the tube 13, 113 is comparatively short and it only extends into the top of the tank 3.

In yet another embodiment of the restrictor 207, the tube 213 is long enough to reach the bottom 220 of the reservoir 203 (FIG. 11). In this embodiment, opening 212 is even smaller than in the other two embodiments, and is not closed off by a valve. In this case, the length of the tube 213 forms a sufficient barrier to replenishment. When attempting to inject liquid through the long and narrow tube 213, the resistance will be so great that no useful amount of liquid can be replenished. In this embodiment, the tube 213 may have a non-circular cross section, for example, it may have a cross section with notches 219 (FIGS. 23, 24), an elliptical cross section, or it may have a very small cross section (FIGS. 25 and 26).

The embodiment of the restrictor 207, which includes a tube 213 that extends almost to the bottom 220 of the tank, is particularly useful in the case of a standard tank 203, that is, a tank with a single wall.

In an expedient embodiment of the invention, the reservoir 3 is a so-called bag-in-bottle or Flair® reservoir. Such a Flair® reservoir comprises a flexible inner reservoir (bag) which contains the liquid to be dispensed and an outer reservoir (bottle) which is stronger and stronger and provides stability. Air can enter the space between the inner and outer tanks to fill the space left after liquid distribution. In this Flair® tank, the liquid never comes into contact with air, so its quality is guaranteed. What's more, the device can be used in any position as the inner reservoir is air-free. The Flair® tank contains an air opening 21, which in this case is located in the lower section 20 (FIGS. 7, 9).

Since the restrictor 7 blocks any flow of liquid when the distributor 2 is not actuated, there is no need for an air valve in the port 21.

The dispenser may be any type of dispenser, for example, a trigger dispenser of the type described in the prior art documents mentioned above, an OpUs pre-compression trigger dispenser 2 (FIG. 1) of the present applicant, a trigger sprayer 102 (FIG. 2) OpAd with pre-compression as proposed by the present applicant, other types of trigger sprayers 202, 302 (FIGS. 3, 4), a hand pump 402 (FIG. 5), or some other type of dispenser 502 as shown in FIG. 6.

In the embodiment shown, the distributor device 2 comprises an outer rim 22 which contains a first connecting means 4, which in this embodiment comprises three circumferentially spaced protrusions 23 (FIG. 16). The device 2 additionally contains an inner rim 24, which is designed to engage with the seal 9 of the tank 3 (Fig. 17, 18). Device 2 has a flat bottom 25, which allows device 2 to be rotated relative to neck 9 when device 2 is connected to tank 3 and when device 2 is disconnected from tank 3. Inlet 26 in the bottom allows liquid to be drawn into device 2, into pump chamber 27. Piston 28 reciprocates in the pumping chamber 27, when the user actuates the trigger 29, the piston and trigger are returned by a spring (not shown). The movement of the piston pressurizes the liquid, which then flows through the pre-compression valve 30 into the tube 31, which leads to the nozzle 32.

In order to prevent the distribution device 2 from being used together with an unsuitable reservoir, i.e. a reservoir that is filled with another brand of liquid, the distributor 2 and the reservoir 3 or restrictive element 7 comprise cooperating fasteners. In the embodiment shown, the distributor device 2 comprises a first finger-shaped fastening element 33 which protrudes from the bottom 25. The second fastening element is a recess 34 in the upper surface of the restrictive element 7. In this case, the recess 34 is annular, so that the distributor 2 can be connected to the tank 3 in any angular position. Other brand fluid may have a different pin and notch radial position. This ensures that the distribution device 2 can only be used in conjunction with a suitable container 3.

Here, the first and third embodiments of the restrictive element 7, 207 have corresponding recesses 34, 234 spaced at the same radius from their center, which implies that they can be used with the same distribution device 2. The second embodiment of the restrictive element 107, on the other hand, does not contain a recess in this position. Therefore, this embodiment cannot be used with this spreader 2, since the protruding pin 33 will prevent proper insertion of the restrictor 107 into the inner edge 24 all the way to the bottom 25 of the spreader 2.

Moreover, in order to prevent a user from inserting a dip tube into the dispenser 2 so that it can be used with a standard reservoir filled with liquid from a different manufacturer than that of the dispenser 2, the inlet 26 may have a free diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the dip tube. In the embodiment of the dispenser 2 shown in FIG. 19, 20, this is achieved by placing an obstacle 35 in a standard size inlet 26A. In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 21, 22, on the other hand, the structure of the distribution device 2 is adapted to accommodate a small inlet 26B.

As indicated above, the restrictor 7 can be releasably connected to the dispenser 2 before it is located in the tank 3. This is shown in FIG. 16 - 18. Once the distribution device 2 is installed on the neck 9 of the reservoir 3, the restrictor 7 is stuck into the neck 9 and its protrusions 11 on the plug 10 will be engaged from the inside of the neck 9, thus fixing the restrictor 7 in the reservoir 3 and blocking any flow liquid through hole 8 for filling. When the dispenser 2 is subsequently disconnected from the reservoir 3, for example after all the liquid has been exhausted, the restrictor 7 will remain fixed in the reservoir 3 and the dispenser 2 can be used in conjunction with a new reservoir 3 which contains its own restrictor 7.

Such a reservoir 3 with a restrictive element 7 can be formed by a releasable connection with a restrictive element, in this example, the second embodiment of the restrictive element 107 with a cover 36 (Fig. 27). The lid 36 may comprise a connection means which is similar to the first connection means 4 of the dispenser 2, for example by extending inwardly with tabs 42 so that it can be sealed connected to the neck 9 of the container 3. Here again, when the lid 36 is mounted on the neck 9 of the container 3 , after it has been filled with liquid (FIG. 29), the restrictor 107 will be fixed inside the neck 9. When the cover 36 is subsequently removed to connect the reservoir 3 to the dispenser 2, the restrictor 107 will remain fixed inside the neck 9 of the reservoir , blocking hole 8 for filling.

Instead of assembling the distribution device 2 and reservoir 3 at a manufacturing plant, the distribution device may be loosely connected to the reservoir 3 for transport or storage and may be assembled by the end user. In this way, all tanks 3 can be filled, closed and handled in the same way, whether they are delivered with or without a distribution device 2, as a replacement for the first tank 3. For this purpose, a separate connecting device 37 (Fig. 28). This connector 37 comprises a first annular portion 38 comprising protruding ribs 43 which imitate a second connector 5 on the neck 9 of the container, and the connector 37 can be connected to the lip 22 and tabs 23 of the dispenser 2. The connecting device 37 further has a substantially L-shaped strip 44 and a second annular portion 39 at the end of the strip 44 containing three protrusions 40 that can be inserted into the three holes 41 of the cover 36. These three holes 41 are formed by forming tabs 42 36. The connector 37 can not only serve to temporarily connect the device 2 to the tank 3, but can also be a trigger retainer when the first annular part 38 is attached to the edge 22 and the L-shaped strip 44 is engaged with the back of the trigger 29 (Fig. 30).

The invention allows one distribution device to be used more than once with a number of tanks. In this way, the generation of unnecessary waste by discarding a fully functional dispenser is avoided. To prevent mishandling of the system by combining the device with a reservoir that is refilled with liquid of unknown origin, the system contains a refill prevention feature. Thus, the quality of the liquid to be dispensed can be guaranteed. Moreover, the system contains various means to prevent mishandling, which consists in combining the device with reservoirs other than the reservoirs intended for it. The tanks and distribution device are mostly made from recycled plastic materials, in particular recycled plastic from consumer waste, further reducing resource use and greenhouse gas emissions. In this way, a feedback system is formed in which empty tanks can be easily recycled and the distribution device continues to be used for a long period of time.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown.

Claims (33)

1. A liquid distribution system comprising a liquid distribution device and at least one reservoir for storing a liquid to be distributed, wherein the liquid distribution device comprises a first connecting means and said at least one reservoir comprises a second connecting means, wherein said first and second the connecting means are configured to interact in order to releasably connect the liquid distribution device with the specified at least one reservoir, while the liquid distribution system additionally contains a means for preventing replenishment of the specified at least one reservoir, while the liquid distribution device comprises a first fastening element and at least one reservoir or replenishment prevention means comprises a second fastening element that interacts with the first fastening element, characterized in that the first and second fastening elements are a pin protruding from the bottom of the liquid distribution device and a recess that is made in the upper part of the reservoir or at the top of the replenishment prevention facility, or vice versa. 2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one reservoir comprises a neck that defines a liquid filling port, and the refill prevention means comprises a restrictive element that almost completely closes the filling port. 3. The system according to claim 2, characterized in that the recess is made in the restrictive element. 4. The system according to claim. 2 or 3, characterized in that the restrictive element contains an opening, the cross-sectional area of which is essentially less than the cross-sectional area of the opening to fill. 5. The system according to claim. 4, characterized in that the valve closes the hole in the restrictive element. 6. System according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the opening forms part of a narrow tube that extends into the reservoir. 7. The system according to any one of paragraphs. 2-6, characterized in that the restrictive element is fixed in the neck of the said at least one reservoir. 8. The system according to claim 7, characterized in that the opening for filling said at least one reservoir is closed with a lid and, in the state for transportation or storage, the liquid distribution device is connected to the outside of the reservoir or its lid. 9. The system according to any one of paragraphs. 2-6, characterized in that the restrictive element is detachably connected to the liquid distribution device. 10. The liquid distribution system according to any one of paragraphs. 1-9, characterized in that each reservoir of the plurality of reservoirs is configured to be connected in series with a liquid distribution device. 11. The system according to any one of paragraphs. 1-10, characterized in that the liquid distribution device contains a liquid inlet, which has a free diameter that is less than the diameter of the dip tube. 12. The system according to any one of paragraphs. 1-11, characterized in that the liquid distribution device and/or said at least one reservoir is at least partially made of recycled plastic material, in particular recycled plastic consumer waste. 13. The system of claim. 12, characterized in that the liquid distribution device contains a spring-loaded actuator, which is made of primary plastic material. 14. The liquid distribution system according to any one of paragraphs. 1-13, characterized in that said at least one reservoir comprises an inner reservoir for storing the liquid to be dispensed and an outer reservoir, wherein an opening is made in the outer reservoir to allow air to penetrate into the space defined between the inner and outer reservoirs. 15. The system according to claim 12 or 14, characterized in that the inner tank is made of recycled plastic material. 16. A liquid distribution method, which includes the following steps, in which: filling at least one reservoir with the liquid to be dispensed, - provide for the presence of a liquid distribution device, - connecting the liquid distribution device to said at least one reservoir, and - actuate the liquid distribution device, wherein, after filling, the reservoir is provided with a means to prevent the reservoir from being replenished, and wherein the liquid distribution device comprises a first fastening element and at least one reservoir or replenishment prevention means comprises a second fastening element that interacts with the first fastening element, characterized in that the first and second fasteners are a pin protruding from the bottom of the liquid dispenser and a recess that is made in the top of the reservoir or in the top of the replenishment prevention means, or vice versa. 17. The method of claim. 16, characterized in that the means of preventing replenishment is placed on the specified at least one tank before connecting the liquid distribution device to the tank. 18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that after filling the reservoir is closed with a lid. 19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that the liquid distribution device is detachably connected to the outside of the tank or to the lid for the purpose of transportation or storage. 20. The method of claim. 16, characterized in that the refill prevention means is detachably connected to the liquid distribution device and is located on said at least one reservoir when the liquid distribution device is connected to it. 21. The method according to any one of paragraphs. 16-20, characterized in that after dispensing the liquid from the tank, the liquid distribution device is disconnected from the tank and connected to a new tank that is filled with liquid. 22. The method according to any one of paragraphs. 16-21, characterized in that the liquid distribution device and/or said at least one reservoir is at least partially made of recycled plastic material, in particular recycled plastic consumer waste. 23. A liquid distribution device for use in a liquid distribution system according to any one of paragraphs. 1-15 or in the method according to any one of paragraphs. 16-22. 24. A reservoir for use in a liquid distribution system according to any one of paragraphs. 1-15 or in the method according to any one of paragraphs. 16-22. 25. A container according to claim 24, characterized in that the neck defines a filling opening, the restrictor is attached to the neck, and the lid closes the filling opening. 26. A restrictive element for use in a liquid distribution system according to any one of paragraphs. 2-15 or in the tank according to item 25.

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