WO2007042145A2

WO2007042145A2 - Fluid product dispenser device

Info

Publication number: WO2007042145A2
Application number: PCT/EP2006/009368
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marco Pirovano
Original assignee: Pirovano S.R.L.
Priority date: 2005-10-12
Filing date: 2006-09-27
Publication date: 2007-04-19
Also published as: ITMI20051924A1; WO2007042145A3

Abstract

A fluid product dispenser device, of the type comprising a plurality of dispenser elements (2) each presenting a head (5) arranged to feed a determined quantity of a fluid to at least one dispensing port (4), said dispenser elements and said port being movable relative to each other such that said port and one of said elements are in alternate communication, and which comprises, associated with said port (4), valving means (10) which can either enable said fluids leaving from one of said heads (5) through said port (4) to flow into a container (11) provided below the port, or can sealedly connect the head (5) of the dispenser elements (2) to at least a first conduit (12) provided with a pump for handling said fluid, said valving means (10) comprising members for connection to a second conduit (14) for the passage of a detergent liquid to at least partially clean the valving means (10) and said first conduit (12) before each passage of a new fluid product.

Description

FLUID PRODUCT DISPENSER DEVICE

The present invention relates to a dispenser device for fluid products, such as chemical products, auxiliaries, dyes and the like, in accordance with the introduction to the main claim.

Devices are known for feeding a determined fluid product to dyeing plants, colour kitchens or any other plant needing to be fed with predetermined quantities of fluid. These devices present a plurality of three-way valves, each connected to a tank storing a pertinent fluid product and to a feed conduit in which they are mounted in series, next to each other.

When in use, these valves either allow free passage of the fluid dispensed by an upstream valve connected to the relative tank, or they intercept the feed conduit and connect the downstream portion of the same conduit to the tank. They also enable a transport, rinsing or volume make-up fluid to be fed into the conduit. This fluid is typically water and/or a product compatible with the various products to be dispensed.

The known solutions with three-way valves do not enable fluid to be dispensed batchwise, i.e. in single units, such as where containers are to be filled with a determined quantity (weight) of fluid, without the quantity to be dispensed becoming mixed with the aforesaid transport and/or rinsing fluid. In this respect, each time a product has been dispensed, that conduit portion to be exposed to the next product flow has to be washed. This is to prevent contamination of the new dispensed product by residues of the previously dispensed product and to enable the dispensed product to reach its destination "transported" by the compatible transport and/or wash fluid. Hence before the feed conduit is used for dispensing, it is totally occupied by the transport and/or wash fluid which must in no way mix with the final dispensed product. These devices present the known drawbacks due to the actual shape of the valves, which prevents their effective washing. In this respect, conventional three-way valves comprise undercuts in which the dispensed fluid becomes trapped. Hence residues of the dispensed product may remain within these undercuts and contaminate the next product to be dispensed.

It should also be noted that the three-way valves may leak as the gaskets wear.

This produces contamination which can give rise to dangerous chemical reactions.

Finally, there is the further drawback determined by the different distances between the various in-line positioned valves and the measuring instrument, with consequent different transport and/or rinsing fluid quantities present in the conduit, depending on the product to be dispensed.

Batch dispenser devices for fluid products are also known, for example from IT 1318228 in the name of Pirovano s.r.l., of the type comprising a plurality of delivery terminals, each connected to a tank containing said fluid product and comprising a dispensing valve, said terminals being independently rotatable between an operative position and an inoperative position, and a control member for said valve which operates it when the terminal is in its operative position with the valve in a position corresponding to a common discharge port for all the terminals, and means for moving said terminals between said two positions, said control member operating the valve to dispense thereby a predetermined quantity of fluid into a container (or several containers in succession) positioned below the discharge port. These dispensers do not enable processing equipment or units to be fed directly.

An object of the present invention is to provide a single dispenser device which can be advantageously used either for batch delivery (i.e. by units) or for directly feeding any other plant which is to be fed with predetermined quantities of fluid, for example dyeing plants, colour kitchens or process equipment. This and other objects are attained by a dispenser device for fluid products, in particular chemical, auxiliary and colouring products, in accordance with the technical teachings of the accompanying claims. Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description of a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment of the fluid product dispenser device, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a partly sectional schematic front view of a device of the present invention, while feeding process machine;

Figure 2 is a side view of a detail of the device of Figure 1 , while dispensing the components of a batch-prepared mixture into a container located on a weigher below the device; Figure 3 is a section through a valve member of the device of Figure 1 , the left side showing it in a first operative position, and the right side showing it in a second operative position.

With reference to said figures, a device of the invention comprises a support structure, indicated overall by 1 , to which are connected a plurality of rotary dispenser elements 2 (only two are shown in Figure 1 for simplicity) disposed along a circumference through the centre of which the longitudinal axis L of the device passes. The support structure presents an upper frame 1A to which a control member 3 is secured in a manner movable rectilinearly along the longitudinal axis L; a plurality of columns 1 B extend from said frame to act as a support for the dispenser elements and for horizontal arms 1C to which a drip collection plate 1A is secured, presenting, coaxially to the longitudinal axis L, a central discharge port 4 which is common to all the terminals. At this port, above said drip collection plate, an annular centering and support disc 4A is present for the dispensing valves 5 provided at the free end of the terminals 2. Each terminal is connected to actuators 6 which drive it in known manner. The terminals 2 are of conventional type and comprise a rigid fluid passage tube 2A provided at one end with a conventional dispensing valve 5, and a possible recycle tube 2B connected in conventional manner to a flexible pipe, not shown.

The control member 3 comprises a conventional gripper 3A with usual means 3B, 3B' for driving the actuators of the dispensing valve 5. The control member, of conventional type, will not be further described. The assembly formed by the gripper 3A and the intermediate part is arranged to be moved rectilinearly, parallel to the device longitudinal axis L, to bring the head 3A into an operative position in which it cooperates with the dispensing valve 5 or into an inoperative position (not shown) in which the terminal elements are able to rotate. By virtue of the particular positioning of the delivery terminals, these when in their operative position present the end part 5A of the dispensing valve substantially projecting from the surface which bounds the discharge port 4, i.e. the annular discharge disc 4A.

Below the port 4, valving means 10 are present comprising a slide 15 which is slidable on guides 15A secured to the horizontal arms 1C and on which a valve member 16 is mounted. The valve member 16 is connected to a pneumatic actuator 19 which moves it between a first operative position A in which the member lies at the port 4, and hence its axis H is superposed on the axis L, and a second operative position B in which the valve member does not interfere with the fluid leaving the head 5 through the port 4 and which, during dispensing, falls into the container 11.

The valve member 16 comprises a body 16A which defines a chamber 18 sealedly connected via a conventional gasket 56 to a likewise conventional hollow three-way joint 57. The joint presents a first opening 12A and a second opening 14A, the body 16A presenting at the opposite end to the joint a third opening 20 for connecting the chamber 18 to the dispensing head 5.

The first opening 12A is connected via a flexible pipe portion 12B to a first conduit 12 connected to a pump. A volumetric or similar mass meter 58 is provided downstream of the pump and presents a branch 59 connectable either to a drain or to one or to a plurality of process plants (not shown).

The second opening 14A is connected, possibly via an auxiliary pump, to a reservoir of detergent or wash liquid (not shown).

A valving element 21 is axially movable within the body 16A of the valve member 16. The valving element 21 presents a flange 210A sealedly engaging a suitable seat 50 provided within the body 16A of the enclosure. The flange separates the seat 50 into two environments 5OC and 5OD, each communicating with a respective valve via passages 51.

When pressurized fluid is fed into the environment 5OC, the valving element is caused to move into a first operative position C.

In this position, a conical wall of the valving element 21 is in sealed contact with the surface 21 B of a spherical body 52 housed in the chamber 18 and movable against a spring 54. The spherical body 52 is mounted on a stem slidable within a hole in a plate 55 fixed to the body 16A. The spring 54 is mounted about the stem between a ring fixed to the stem midway along its height and the plate.

When the valving element is in its first operative position it presses on the sphere 52, hence the spring 54 is loaded; consequently the third opening 20 is sealedly isolated. In contrast, when pressurized fluid is fed into the environment 5OD, the valving element 21 is made to move upwards to disengage from the spherical body 52 and connect the third opening 20 to the chamber 18.

The particular form of the valving element connection head 21A enables it to sealedly house the terminal part 5A of the valve 5.

For this purpose, a groove 60 is provided in the connection head, housing an

O-ring 60.

To complete the description, it should be noted that the valving element is provided with first channels 24 which, with the valving element in the first position C₁ have their mouth 24A located at the spherical body 52 to enable any collected detergent liquid to flow away.

The first channels 24 communicate with a second channel 25 provided in the walls of the body 16A and opening to the outside via a third channel 26 intercepted by a valve 26A.

The device is used in the following manner.

In the dispensing mode in which the device is used to feed a process plant, the valve member 16 is in its first operative position A, below the port 4. A dispenser element 2 is brought into the dispensing position with its valve 5 consequently superposed on the valve member 16. The valving element is in its first operative position C with the opening 20 not in communication with the chamber 18 (Figure 3, right side). The environment 5OD is then put under pressure and the valving element rises to reach its second operative position D

(Figure 3, left side). The valving element connection head 21 A hence sealedly engages the end portion 5A of the dispensing valve 5. In addition, the opening 20, in which the valve 5A is engaged, is connected to the chamber 18.

The valve 40, which connects the second conduit 14 to the chamber 18, is closed, as is the valve 26A. Dispensing of the product by the valve 5 then commences on operating the control member 3 in known manner.

The fluid product to be dispensed passes through the chamber 18 and the conduit 12 to reach the pump 13, its mass being measured by the mass meter of volumetric or other similar type 58, and is fed to a process plant in the required quantity.

When dispensing is complete, the valve 5 is closed.

A first "transport to destination" cycle for the dispensed product "tail end" remaining in the feed conduit is then commenced, by opening the valve 40 and the valve 26A and injecting detergent liquid through the conduit 14; in this stage a simultaneous first rinse is carried out, with discharge to the process unit to which the dispensed product was previously fed. Following this, a careful respective wash operation is carried out, after connecting the branch 59 to drain.

Further detergent liquid is then fed from the conduit 14 to pass into the chamber 18 and simultaneously into the end portion 5A of the valve 5.

The valve 40 is closed and, by feeding pressurized fluid into the environment

5OC, the valving element is brought into its first operative position C, disengaged from the end portion of the valve 5. Any detergent liquid remaining between the valving element 21 and the spherical body flows out through the channel 24, the valve 26A is closed and at the same time the dispenser element 2 is returned to its rest position.

In the batch dispensing mode, the actuator brings the slide 15 into its second operative position B (Figure 2), such that the valve member 16 does not interfere with the flow 100 leaving the valve 5. This movement is in no way hindered by the conduits 12 and 14, which are flexible in that portion close to the valve member 16.

A container 11 is disposed in known manner below the port 4 and the valve 5 is opened by the member 3 to dispense the fluid into the container 11 by gravity.

Advantageously the container 11 is disposed on a weigher 101 which electronically measures the fluid quantity dispensed.

In an alternative embodiment a further valve member is provided, mounted on the side 15 spaced from the first to enable the product to be dispensed to a further processing unit, for example while the first valve member is being washed.

Claims

1. A fluid product dispenser device, of the type comprising a plurality of dispenser elements (2) each presenting a head (5) arranged to feed a determined quantity of a fluid to at least one dispensing port (4), said dispenser elements and said port being movable relative to each other such that said port and one of said elements are in alternate communication, characterised by comprising, associated with said port (4), valving means (10) which can either enable said fluids leaving from one of said heads (5) through said port (4) to flow into a container (11) provided below the port, or can sealedly connect the head (5) of the dispenser elements (2) to at least a first conduit (12) provided with a pump for handling said fluid, said valving means (10) comprising members for connection to a second conduit (14) for the passage of a detergent liquid to at least partially clean the valving means (10) and said first conduit (12) before each passage of a new fluid product.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 , characterised in that the valving means comprise at least one slide (15) movable along guides provided below said port, said slide comprising at least one valve member (16) arranged to sealedly connect together either the head (5) of the desired dispenser element and the first conduit, or the first conduit, the second conduit and at least one chamber (12) of said valve member (16) which is encountered by the fluid product flow dispensed by said head, said slide being connected to mover means (19) arranged to move it between at least two operative positions: a first position (A) in which the valve member lies at the dispensing port such that each dispensing head can be sealedly connected to said valve member, and a second operative position (B) in which said valve member does not interfere with said port (4), such that the fluid leaving said dispensing head through said port can flow freely into a container (11) provided below the port.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that the valve member (16) is of the three-way type and presents a chamber comprising two openings (12A, 14A) for connecting the first conduit (12) and the second conduit (14) to the chamber respectively, and a third opening (20) for connecting the chamber (18) to the dispensing head, said chamber comprising a valving element (21) movable between a first operative position (C) in which it sealedly closes the third opening and a second operative position (D) in which it opens said third opening (23).

4. A device as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that the valving element presents a connection head (21A) shaped such that when said valving element is in its second operative position, it sealedly houses at least an end portion (5A) of the dispensing head (5) which is to dispense the fluid to be fed into the first conduit.

5. A device as claimed in claim 1 , characterised in that the valve member presents additional channels (24, 25, 26) for the outflow of any wash liquid which does not succeed in flowing out after washing.

6. A device as claimed in claims 4 and 5, characterised in that the additional channels comprise at least one first channel (24) provided at the base of the valving element connection head and at least one second channel (25) provided within the walls of the chamber of the valve member in a position such as to be connected to said first channel when the valving element lies in one or other of its two operative positions respectively.

7. A device as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that said second channel (25, 26) is intercepted by at least one valve member.

8. A device as claimed in claim 1 , characterised in that the second conduit comprises at the valve member a shutoff member (40) arranged to isolate said second channel from said chamber (18) during fluid product dispensing.

9. A device as claimed in claim 1 , characterised in that at least that portion of the first conduit (12B) and second conduit (14B) close to the valving means is flexible.

10. A device as claimed in claim 1 , characterised in that the dispenser elements (2) are rotary arms of equal dimensions disposed along the same circumference or circumferential arc, the dispensing port (4) being concentric with said circumference.