WO2015097607A2

WO2015097607A2 - Product container suited to be associated with a dispensing device suited to dispense said product and related dispensing system

Info

Publication number: WO2015097607A2
Application number: PCT/IB2014/067114
Authority: WO
Inventors: Evans Santagiuliana
Original assignee: Taplast S.P.A.
Priority date: 2013-12-24
Filing date: 2014-12-19
Publication date: 2015-07-02
Also published as: ITVI20130313A1; WO2015097607A3

Abstract

The invention is a container (1; 101; 201; 301; 401; 501; 601) suited to contain a fluid and to be associated with a dispensing device (50; 350) suited to dispense the fluid (F), the container (1; 101; 201; 301; 401; 501; 601) comprising a first portion (2) that defines a volume (V) suited to contain the fluid (F) and a second portion (3; 203; 303) provided with connection means (10) for connection to the dispensing device (50; 350), the container (1; 101; 201; 301; 401; 501; 601) also comprising a conveyance channel (20; 420) suited to convey the fluid (F) and having an inlet (21; 421) that communicates with the volume (V) and an outlet (22; 422) arranged at the level of the second portion (3; 203; 303). This conveyance channel (20; 420) is made in a single piece with the container (1; 101; 201; 301; 401; 501; 601) and the outlet (22; 422) ends in an interface portion (70; 170; 270; 370; 470; 570) for conveying the fluid (F) to the dispensing device (50; 350), wherein the interface portion (70; 170; 270; 370; 470; 570) comprises at least one opening (74; 274; 374; 474) positioned in a central area of the second portion (3; 203; 303) of the container (1; 101; 201; 301; 401; 501; 601), the opening (74; 274; 374; 474) being suited to receive a portion (56; 356) of the dispensing device (50; 350) that is inserted therein.

Description

PRODUCT CONTAINER SUITED TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH A DISPENSING DEVICE SUITED TO DISPENSE SAID PRODUCT AND RELATED DISPENSING SYSTEM

FIELD OF APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns the technical field of systems for dispensing products.

In particular, the present invention concerns a product container that can be associated with device for dispensing the product, preferably in the form of a liquid or a foam product or an atomized or nebulized product.

The invention also concerns a dispensing system or set comprising said container and the device for dispensing said product.

DESCRIPTION OF THE STATE OF THE ART

In the field of systems for dispensing products, preferably in the form of a fluid or a foam product or an atomized or nebulized product, the use of dispensing devices is known, which are applied to containers, typically made of plastic, that when pressed by a hand allow the product to be dispensed.

Here below reference is generically made to products, preferably meaning fluids or foams.

These types of product dispensing systems are used in several fields. Such products can be found, for example, in the fields of bathroom cleaning, window cleaning, oven or furniture cleaning, or are used to dispense soaps, shampoos, face cleansers, or hand care products, hair products, skin care products, shaving foams, or even to dispense detergents for animals like dogs and cats.

The product is dispensed through these systems by a user who properly presses a movable element of the dispensing device and thus causes a given quantity of fluid and/or air to be drawn (sucked) from the underlying container.

In the systems of known type, the dispensing device is applied to a terminal area of the container, or neck, through suitable connection means, for example through suitable threaded profiles (screwing operation), or through suitable bayonet or snap-in or pressure systems.

In the systems of known type, furthermore, the dispensing device comprises a drawing pipe which is inserted in the container and through which a given quantity of fluid is drawn in order to be dispensed.

If a foam product must be dispensed, advantageously, the foam is generated by properly mixing said given quantity of fluid with air, also the latter being preferably drawn from the container.

In a first type of dispensing system of known type, the drawing pipe is constituted by a thin tube that projects from the bottom of the dispensing device. The thin tube is inserted in the container at the moment when the device is fixed to the neck of the container.

In a different type of dispensing system of known type, the drawing pipe is made directly inside the container. The drawing pipe is typically defined by a channel created in the walls of the container, which extends from an inlet hole provided in an area near the bottom to an outlet hole provided in an area of the neck of the container at the level of the dispensing device application area. The dispensing device in this case will have no drawing pipe and instead will be provided with an inlet hole suited to be sealingly connected to the outlet hole of the drawing pipe.

These dispensing systems belonging to the state of the art, however, pose some drawbacks.

A first drawback posed by said dispensing systems or sets is represented by their construction complexity, in particular by the complexity of the steps of assembly of the dispensing device on the container.

During the assembly steps, in fact, special care must be paid in order to direct the dispensing device correctly with respect to the neck of the container, in such a way as to correctly align the inlet hole of the dispensing device with the outlet hole of the drawing pipe on the container, and preferably to make them coincide with each other.

This alignment results particularly difficult in the cases where the device is connected to the neck of the container by means of a screwing operation, so that the actual direction of the dispensing device with respect to the outlet hole of the drawing pipe is given by the end-of-stroke position obtained through the screwing operation.

In any case, and independently of the type of connection provided between the dispensing device and the container, the assembly operations require special care, and therefore time, in order to ensure that the alignment between the hole in the dispensing device and the outlet hole of the drawing pipe is as correct as possible.

Furthermore, in some cases, for example in the case of assembly by screwing, it is difficult to obtain a perfect alignment and this affects the efficiency of the dispensing device in terms of the actual quantity of fluid sucked in by means of the drawing pipe.

It is therefore evident from the above that there is the need to identify alternative solutions which are more functional than the known solutions.

The main object of the present invention is therefore to solve or at least partially overcome the problems that characterize the solutions known in the art.

In particular, it is a first object of the invention to provide a dispensing system or set that makes it possible to simplify the operations necessary for its assembly. It is another object of the invention to provide a dispensing system or set that makes it possible to reduce assembly times.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a dispensing system or set that makes it possible to reduce production costs compared to the systems of known type.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a dispensing system or set that makes it possible to ensure higher dispensing efficiency compared to the systems of known type.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention is based on the general concept that it is possible to provide a system for dispensing a fluid comprising a container and a dispensing device suited to be applied to said container, wherein said system can be assembled in a simple manner with no need to pay special care to the orientation of the dispensing device with respect to the container.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, the subject of the same is a container suited to contain a fluid and to be associated with a device for dispensing said fluid, said container comprising a first portion that defines a volume for containing said fluid and a second portion provided with connection means suited to ensure connection to said dispensing device, said container furthermore comprising at least one channel suited to convey said fluid and having at least one inlet that communicates with said volume and at least one outlet arranged at the level of said second portion, wherein said at least one conveyance channel is made in a single piece with said container and wherein said at least one outlet ends into an interface portion for conveying said fluid to said dispensing device, said interface portion comprising at least one opening positioned in a central area of said second portion of said container, said at least one opening being suited to receive at least one part of said dispensing device that is inserted therein.

Preferably, the interface portion comprises also a collection chamber into which the outlet of said conveyance channel ends.

According to a first preferred embodiment, the collection chamber is defined by a collection element removably associated with the second portion of the container. According to a different preferred embodiment, the collection chamber is carried out as a single piece within the second portion of the container.

In one of the preferred embodiments, the collection chamber develops around a main axis and extends over 360°.

In a different embodiment, the collection chamber develops around a main axis and extends for less than 360°.

In a further embodiment, the collection chamber comprises two or more portions that develop around a main axis, at least one of said portions being suited to communicate with at least one conveyance way belonging to the dispensing device.

In a further preferred embodiment, the interface portion is defined by the terminal area of the outlet of said conveyance channel.

Advantageously, the opening of the interface portion is suited to communicate with at least one fluid conveyance way belonging to the dispensing device.

The container preferably comprises at least one further inlet suited to allow the introduction of air coming from the dispensing device or from the outside into said volume.

The conveyance channel is properly created in the walls of the container.

Preferably, the inlet of the conveyance channel communicates with the volume inside the container in an area near the bottom of the first portion of the container.

Preferably, the opening of the interface portion comprises a circular edge.

According to another aspect of the present invention, its subject includes a system for dispensing a fluid of the type comprising a container suited to contain said fluid and a dispensing device suited to be associated with said container, wherein said container is carried out according to the description provided above. The dispensing device preferably comprises a suction/compression chamber and a suction inlet suited to communicate with the opening of the interface portion of the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further advantages, objects and characteristics, as well as further embodiments of the present invention are defined in the claims and will be illustrated in the following description, with reference to the enclosed drawings; in the drawings, corresponding or equivalent characteristics and/or component parts are identified by the same reference numbers. In particular:

- Figure 1 shows an axonometric view of a device for dispensing a fluid associated with a container in order to obtain a dispensing system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 2 shows a side sectional view of the dispensing system of Figure 1 ;

- Figures 3 and 4 show a longitudinal sectional view of the dispensing system of Figure 2 in different operating steps;

- Figures from 5 to 8 show variant embodiments of the system of Figure 2;

- Figures 9 and 10 show a longitudinal sectional view of the dispensing system of

Figure 8 in different operating steps;

- Figures 1 1 and 12 show further variant embodiments of the system of Figure 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In the following description related to the figures, some particular embodiments of the present invention will be illustrated but, obviously, the present invention is not limited to said particular embodiments; rather, the particular embodiments described below clarify various aspects of the present invention, the object and the scope of which are defined by the claims.

The examples of embodiment of the invention described below refer in particular to systems for dispensing detergent products.

It is clear that the solution proposed herein can be applied also to systems for dispensing perfumes or food products, or any other fluid in general that must be drawn from a container and conveyed towards the outside in the form of a liquid or a foam product or an atomized or nebulized product.

A non-limiting example of embodiment of a dispensing system or set that is the subject of the present invention, comprising a container that is also the subject of the present invention, is shown in Figure 1.

More particularly, the dispensing system indicated as a whole by 100 comprises a container 1 and a dispensing device 50 associated with it.

The container 1 preferably comprises a rigid container suited to hold a detergent fluid F to be dispensed.

The container 1 defines a volume V suited to contain the fluid F to be dispensed. The container 1 is provided with connection means 10 for connection to the dispensing device 50. In the embodiment illustrated herein, the connection means 10 comprise a tubular element or neck 1 1 provided with a threaded edge 12. Said threaded edge 12 is suited to be coupled with a corresponding threaded profile 51 belonging to the dispensing device 50, so that the dispensing device 50 can be associated with the underlying container 1 through a screwing operation. It is clear, however, that said connection means 10 can be made in different shapes, compatible with the shape of the connection area between the container and the dispensing device. For example, the threaded profiles can be replaced by any type of connection system of the known type, such as bayonet or snap-in or pressure systems.

Concerning the dispensing device 50, in this embodiment it is provided with means suited to dispense said detergent fluid F in the form of a fluid, meaning to dispense the fluid F in the same form in which it is contained in the container 1. More particularly, the dispensing device 50 first of all comprises connection means 52 for connection to the container 1. In the embodiment described herein and as explained above, the connection means 52 comprise a threaded profile 51. The threaded profile 51 is advantageously made in an annular edge or ring nut 54. It is clear, analogously to that which has been described above, that the connection means 52 can be made in different shapes, compatible with the shape of the connection area between the container and the dispensing device, for example bayonet or snap-in or pressure systems.

The dispensing device 50 comprises also dispensing means constituted by a suction/dispensing unit 53. The suction/dispensing unit 53 is suited to draw the fluid L, in this case a detergent liquid, from the container 1 in order to convey it towards the outside.

The construction details of the suction/dispensing unit 53 are not described herein as they belong to the known art. However, it is possible to identify a suction/compression chamber 55 for the fluid F and at least one suction inlet 56 for the fluid F suited to be inserted in the container 1. The suction/dispensing unit 53 comprises at the top an actuator element 57 in turn comprising an operating button 57, also called spout or cap. The cap 57 communicates with the suction/compression chamber 55 and allows a predefined quantity of the fluid F to be dispensed from the suction/compression chamber 55 towards the outside, through an outlet mouth 58, when the cap 57 is pushed downwards towards the container 1.

The suction/dispensing unit 53 furthermore preferably comprises elastic means 66 that, once the dispensing operation has been completed, ensure that the cap 57 returns to its rest position.

At the level of the suction inlet 56 there are valve means 60, preferably a ball 60, suited to regulate the passage of fluid from the inside of the container 1 into the suction/compression chamber 55, as is explained in greater detail below.

The suction inlet 56 preferably comprises a hollow cylinder. In this case, the ball 60 preferably acts at the upper end of the hollow cylinder 56 in order to allow and/or inhibit the passage of fluid into the hollow cylinder 56.

The suction/dispensing unit 53, furthermore, preferably comprises an air recovery way 61 that is suited to replace the quantity of fluid dispensed with a quantity of air inside the container 1 during the dispensing operation, as explained below.

While the embodiment illustrated herein is described only by way of example, in variant embodiments of the invention the dispensing device can be made in a different way, for example in such a way as to allow a product to be dispensed in the form of foam, and therefore through a suitable system intended to mix the fluid with air.

Again, in variant embodiments the dispensing device may include no air recovery way, especially in the cases where collapsible containers are used.

According to the present embodiment of the invention, the container 1 comprises a first portion 2 and a second portion 3. In particular, the first portion 2 comprises side walls 5 and a bottom 6 of the container 1, while the second portion 3 constitutes the upper portion of the container 1.

The first portion 2 substantially defines the volume V suited to contain the fluid F to be dispensed.

The side walls 5 and the bottom 6 that constitute the first portion 2 of the container 1 and define said volume V are preferably made of a plastic material. The second portion 3 of the container 1 is provided with the connection means 10 for connection to the dispensing device 50, as described above.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, the first portion 2 of the container 1 comprises a channel 20 that extends from an inlet 21 that communicates with said volume V to an outlet mouth 22 arranged at the level of the second portion 3. The inlet 21 of the channel 20 communicates with said volume V preferably in an area near the bottom 6 of the container 1.

This guarantees that all the fluid F is collected from the bottom 6 of the container 1 and flows through the channel 20.

The channel 20 is preferably made in a single piece with the side walls 5 of the container 1, more preferably in a single piece during the moulding of a plastic material with which the container 1 is made.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the outlet mouth 22 of the channel 20 ends in an interface portion 70 for conveying the fluid F to the dispensing device 50.

In the preferred embodiment described herein, the interface portion 70 is defined by a collection element 71 removably associated with an inner annular edge 72 of the container 1. The shape of the inner annular edge 72 preferably matches the shape of the collection element 71. More preferably, the inner annular edge 72 has a circular shape suited to receive the collection element 71 that is configured as a cylindrical portion.

The collection element 71 comprises an inlet way 73 at the level of the outlet mouth 22 of the channel 20 and a housing seat 74 for the suction inlet 56 of the suction/dispensing unit 53.

The housing seat 74 is preferably positioned centrally with respect to the second portion 3 of the container 1.

In particular, the centre housing seat 74 preferably has a circular cross section suited to accommodate the hollow cylindrical portion that defines the suction inlet 56.

Therefore, the collection element 71 substantially has the shape of a cup and preferably defines an annular collection chamber 71a extending circumferentially over 360° with respect to a longitudinal development axis X of the container 1. Advantageously, when the dispensing device 50 is associated with the container 1, in the case at hand through a screwing operation, the suction inlet 56 is inserted in the centre housing seat 74 of the collection element 71.

Still advantageously, thanks to the central position of the housing seat 74, the suction inlet 56 is inserted in said seat independently of how the dispensing device 50 is screwed on the container 1, that is, independently of how the threaded profiles of the two portions being connected are made.

Therefore, the flow of the fluid F coming from the channel 20 is always guaranteed with the maximum efficiency, independently of how the dispensing device 50 is connected to the container 1 and thus independently of the type of mutual connection means (screwing means as in this case, or snap-in, bayonet, pressure means, etc.).

In preferred variant embodiments of the invention, the collection chamber may not extend circumferentially and completely over 360°. In fact, the collection chamber may extend over a sector of circumference, that is, over less than 360°. Again, the collection chamber may comprise two or more communicating portions arranged circumferentially side by side, each portion extending over less than 360°. Preferably, in this case the channel 20 ends in one of said portions. In variant embodiments of the invention, the channel 20 ends in at least two portions or even in all of the portions.

The centre housing seat 74 of the collection element 71 makes it possible to obtain an advantage compared to the known art according to which, to obtain the maximum dispensing efficiency, with no blocking, the parts must be carefully connected to each other or the connection means must coincide perfectly (for example, the threaded profiles must be made perfectly, so as to obtain a precise end-of- stroke point).

According to the present invention, instead, the making of the connection means is simplified and no special care is required regarding their sizing.

This results in reduced production times and/or costs of the components of the dispensing system.

Furthermore, during the assembly steps no special care is required for the perfect alignment of the parts to be connected, which further contributes to reducing the system's assembly times and/or costs.

The operation of the dispensing system 100 of the present embodiment of the invention is briefly described with reference to Figures 2, 3 and 4.

Before the dispensing operation, meaning in the rest condition shown in Figure 2, in the suction/compression chamber 55 there is the fluid F to be dispensed, which flowed therein during the recovery step following a preceding dispensing operation, as is described below, for example with reference to Figure 4.

The user then pushes on the spout 57, as shown in Figure 3. During said pushing action, or dispensing step, the fluid F is dispensed from the suction/compression chamber 55 towards the outside through the outlet mouth 58.

At the same time, the valve means 60, in particular the ball 60, close the suction inlet 56 between the suction/compression chamber 55 and the collection chamber 71a.

A given quantity of air A flows into the container 1 through the air recovery way 61 while a given quantity of fluid Fl is conveyed into the collection chamber 71a through the channel 20.

The dispensing step ends when the spout 57 reaches its end of stroke, as shown in the operating position of Figure 3, or otherwise when the user releases the spout 57 in advance.

Once the spout 57 has been released, it returns to its initial operating position, shown in Figure 4 and corresponding to the operating position of Figure 2.

During this step, or recovery step, the quantity of fluid Fl is conveyed from the collection chamber 71a to the suction/compression chamber 55 through the automatic opening of the valve means 60.

A given quantity of fluid will be preferably conveyed to the suction/compression chamber 55 directly from the channel 20 that draws it from the bottom 6 of the container 1.

At the end of the recovery step, inside the suction/compression chamber 55 there is the fluid ready for the new dispensing operation.

Figure 5 shows a variant embodiment of the dispensing system 100 of Figure 2, more particularly a variant embodiment of the container 101.

The container 101 differs from the container 1 described above only in that the interface portion 170 is made in a single piece with the container 101.

Figure 6 shows another variant embodiment of the dispensing system 100 of Figure 2, more particularly a variant embodiment of the container 201.

The container 201 differs from the container 1 described above only in that the interface portion 270 substantially corresponds to the outlet mouth 22 of the channel 20 in which a centre housing seat 274 is defined for the suction inlet 56 of the suction/dispensing unit 53 of the dispensing device 50.

The centre housing seat 274 is still preferably positioned centrally with respect to the second portion 203 of the container 201.

In particular, the centre housing seat 274 preferably has a circular cross section suited to accommodate the hollow cylindrical portion that defines the suction inlet 56.

In this embodiment, the interface portion 270 does not define a collection chamber of the type described above. Preferably, in this embodiment of the invention, during the recovery step the suction/compression chamber 55 is filled with fluid that flows therein directly from the channel 20 that draws it from the bottom 6 of the container 1.

Figure 7 shows a variant embodiment of the dispensing system 100 of Figure 2. The container 301 differs from the container 1 described above in that the interface portion 370 substantially corresponds to the outlet mouth 22 of the channel 20 in which a centre housing seat 374 is defined for the suction inlet 356 of the suction/dispensing unit 353 of the dispensing device 350.

In particular, the centre housing seat 374 preferably has a circular cross section suited to accommodate the cylindrical portion that defines the suction inlet 356. The suction inlet 356 of the suction/dispensing unit 353 preferably comprises an external hollow circular portion 356a suited to be inserted in the centre housing seat 374 and an internal hollow portion 356b for the passage of the fluid F.

A collection chamber 371 is defined between the external hollow circular portion 356a and the internal hollow portion 356b.

The position of the centre housing seat 374 makes it possible to obtain the same advantages described above with reference to the embodiment of the dispensing device 350 and its assembly on the container 301.

Concerning the operation of the dispensing system 100 of the present embodiment, it is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, described above with reference to Figures 2, 3 and 4.

Figure 8 shows a variant embodiment of the dispensing system 100 of Figure 2. The dispensing system 100 differs from the embodiments described above due to the different construction structure of the container 401, while the dispensing device 50 is substantially the same as the one previously described.

More particularly, the container 401 comprises a container bag 40 Γ and a supporting element 410.

In the dispensing system 100, in particular, the container bag 40 Γ will be preferably of the disposable type suited to be used for a limited period of time until it wears out, after which it will be advantageously replaced with a new full container.

The container bag 40 Γ, therefore, preferably constitutes a spare element of the dispensing system 100.

The container bag 40 Γ constitutes a non-rigid container of the at least partially flexible type, meaning collapsible and/or deformable, suited to contain the fluid F to be dispensed.

The container bag 40 Γ, hereinafter simply referred to as container for the sake of simplicity, comprises a first portion 2 and a second portion 3. In particular, the side walls 5 and the bottom 6 of the container 40 Γ belong to the first portion 2, while the second portion 3 constitutes the upper portion of the container 40 . The first portion 2 constitutes a bag that defines the volume V suited to contain the fluid F to be dispensed.

The side walls 5 and the bottom 6 that constitute the first portion 2 of the container 40 are preferably made in a plastic or plasticized film (if necessary heat sealed along some closing edges 7, 8) suited to contain the fluid F.

The first portion 2 actually defines a collapsible/deformable casing particularly suited to assume a substantially flattened and compact shape when it is empty and suited to be comfortably filled with the product F (fluid) by the manufacturer or spare parts supplier.

The second portion 3 of the container 40 is provided with connection means 10 for connection to the dispensing device 50. In the embodiment illustrated herein, the connection means 10 comprise a tubular element or neck 1 1 provided with a threaded edge 12, analogously to that which has been described with reference to the previous embodiments.

The second portion 3 of the container 40 Γ comprises a rigid portion 13 at the level of the connection means 10.

The rigid portion 13 preferably comprises a properly shaped portion made of a rigid material, in which said connection means 10 are defined, in the case at hand the neck 11 and its threaded edge 12.

More preferably, the rigid portion 13 comprises a layer of a rigid plastic material made in a single piece with the neck 1 1, more preferably moulded together with it. The rigid portion 13, furthermore, is preferably heat-sealed to the side walls 5 of the first portion 2.

It is evident, however, that in variant embodiments of the invention the rigid portion 13 can be made in a different way and properly associated with the connection means 10 and with the first underlying portion 3 of the container 40 Γ. The first portion 3 of the container 40 comprises two seats 43 la, 43 lb suited to receive the supporting element 410.

The two seats 431a, 431b are substantially the same and each of them preferably comprises a channel or pocket 431a, 431b that substantially develops over the entire longitudinal extension of the container 40 Γ.

Advantageously, the volume V containing the fluid F is enclosed and sealed with respect to each one of said pockets 431a, 431b. This is preferably obtained by providing a corresponding tight edge 407a, 408a preferably obtained through a heat sealing process.

The container 401 with the seats 431a, 431b is suited to receive the supporting element 410, as explained above.

The supporting element 410 preferably comprises a base portion 481 from which two rods 481a, 481b extend.

The two rods 481a, 481b are slidingly inserted in the corresponding pockets 431a, 431b of the container 1 and they are fitted in corresponding recesses 433a, 433b provided in the rigid portion 13.

The supporting element 410 is preferably made of a rigid material. The supporting element 410 is preferably made of a plastic rigid material, more preferably through a moulding process.

The rigid portion 413 together with the supporting element 410 allow the dispensing device 50 and the dispensing system 100 in its whole to be supported. The container 401 comprises also a channel 420 that extends from an inlet 421 communicating with said volume V to an outlet mouth 422 arranged at the level of the second portion 3.

The inlet 421 of the channel 420 communicates with said volume V preferably in an area near the bottom 6 of the container 401.

A first part of the channel 420 is preferably made in a single piece with the side walls of the container 401, more preferably it is obtained by providing a corresponding tight edge 420a. The tight edge 420a is preferably obtained by means of a heat sealing process.

A second part of the channel 420 ending in the outlet mouth 422 is preferably made in a single piece with the rigid portion 13.

The outlet mouth 422 of the channel 420 preferably ends in an interface portion 470. The interface portion 470 comprises a collection element 471 removably associated with an inner annular edge 472 defined on the rigid portion 13 of the container 401. The shape of the inner annular edge 472 preferably matches the shape of the collection element 471. More preferably, the inner annular edge 472 has a circular shape suited to receive the collection element 471, the latter being configured as a cylindrical portion. The collection element 471 comprises an inlet way 473 at the level of the outlet mouth 422 of the channel 420.

The interface portion 470 comprises also a housing seat 474 for the suction inlet 56 of the suction/dispensing unit 53.

The housing seat 474 is obtained from an annular edge 474a made in the rigid portion 13.

The centre housing seat 474 is preferably positioned centrally with respect to the second portion 3 of the container 1.

In particular, the centre housing seat 474 preferably has a circular cross section suited to accommodate the outer cylindrical portion of the suction/compression chamber 55.

Advantageously, when the dispensing device 50 is associated with the container 401, in the case at hand by screwing, the external cylindrical portion of the suction/compression chamber 55 is inserted in the centre housing seat 474 of the rigid portion 13 and the suction inlet 56 is inserted in the collection element 471. The position of the centre housing seat 474 makes it possible to obtain the same advantages described above with reference to the embodiment of the dispensing device 50 and its assembly on the container 401.

The rigid portion 13 preferably comprises also a further channel 490 suited to place the inside of the container 401 in communication with the air recovery way 61 of the dispensing device 50.

In particular, Figure 8 shows the rest condition of the dispensing system 100, while Figure 9 shows the dispensing step and Figure 10 the release step.

Figure 1 1 shows a variant embodiment of the dispensing system 100 of Figure 8, more particularly of the container 501.

The container 501 differs from the container 401 described above only in that the interface portion 570 is made in a single piece with the container 401.

Figure 12 shows a variant embodiment of the dispensing system 100 of Figure 8, more particularly a variant embodiment of the container 601.

The container 601 differs from the container 401 described above only in that it is not provided with the supporting element 410 and the respective seats 431a, 43 lb suited to accommodate said supporting element 410. In this embodiment of the invention, the container is preferably rigid and preferably made of a plastic material.

While the embodiments illustrated herein are described only by way of non- limiting examples, in other variant embodiments the container can be made in a different manner. For example, the invention may include several channels located at the periphery of the container and communicating with the inner volume of the container on one side and with the collection chamber on the other side.

It has thus been shown that the present invention allows all the set objects to be achieved. In particular, the invention makes it possible to provide a system for dispensing a fluid in which the operations necessary for its assembly are simplified compared to the systems of known type.

While the present invention has been described with reference to the particular embodiments shown in the figures, it should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated and described herein; on the contrary, further variants of the embodiments described herein fall within the scope of the present invention, which is defined in the claims.

Claims

1) Container (1; 101; 201 ; 301; 401; 501 ; 601) for containing a fluid, suited to be associated with a dispensing device (50; 350) suited to dispense said fluid (F), said container (1 ; 101 ; 201 ; 301 ; 401; 501 ; 601) comprising a first portion (2) that defines a volume (V) for containing said fluid (F) and a second portion (3; 203; 303) provided with connection means (10) for connection to said dispensing device (50; 350), said container (1 ; 101; 201 ; 301 ; 401; 501 ; 601) furthermore comprising at least one conveyance channel (20; 420) of said fluid (F) having at least one inlet (21 ; 421) that communicates with said volume (V) and at least one outlet (22; 422) arranged at the level of said second portion (3; 203; 303), characterized in that said at least one conveyance channel (20; 420) is made in a single piece with said container (1; 101 ; 201 ; 301 ; 401; 501 ; 601) and in that said at least one outlet (22; 422) ends in an interface portion (70; 170; 270; 370; 470; 570) for conveying said fluid (F) to said dispensing device (50; 350), wherein said interface portion (70; 170; 270; 370; 470; 570) comprises at least one opening (74; 274; 374; 474) positioned in a centre area of said second portion (3; 203; 303) of said container (1; 101 ; 201 ; 301 ; 401 ; 501; 601), said at least one opening (74; 274; 374; 474) being suited to receive at least one part (56; 356) of said dispensing device (50; 350) inserted therein.

2) Container (1 ; 101 ; 301 ; 401 ; 501 ; 601) according to claim 1), characterized in that said interface portion (70; 170; 370; 470; 570) furthermore comprises a collection chamber (71a; 371) in which said at least one outlet (22; 422) of said at least one conveyance channel (20; 420) ends.

3) Container (1; 301 ; 401 ; 601) according to claim 2), characterized in that said collection chamber is defined by a collection element removably associated with said second portion (3; 303) of said container (1 ; 101 ; 301 ; 401; 601).

4) Container (101; 501) according to claim 2), characterized in that said collection chamber is made in a single piece in said second portion (3) of said container (101 ; 501).

5) Container (1 ; 101 ; 301 ; 401; 501; 601) according to any of the claims from 2) to 4), characterized in that said collection chamber is developed around a main axis and extends for 360°.

6) Container according to any of the claims from 2) to 4), characterized in that said collection chamber is developed around a main axis and extends for less - than 360°.

7) Container according to claim 6), characterized in that said collection chamber comprises two or more portions that are developed around a main axis, at least one of said portions being suited to communicate with at least one conveyance way belonging to said dispensing device (50; 350).

8) Container (201 ; 301) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said interface portion (270; 370) is defined by the end area of said outlet (22) of said at least one conveyance channel (20).

9) Container (1; 101; 201; 301 ; 401 ; 501; 601) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one opening (74; 274; 374; 474) of said interface portion (70; 170; 270; 370; 470; 570) is suited to communicate with at least one conveyance way (56; 356) of the fluid (F) belonging to said dispensing device (50; 350).

10) Container (1; 101; 201; 301 ; 401; 501; 601) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one further inlet

(490) suited to allow the introduction in said volume (V) of air (A) coming from said dispensing device (50; 350) or from the outside.

1 1) Container (1 ; 101 ; 201 ; 301 ; 401 ; 501; 601) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one conveyance channel (20; 420) is made in the walls of said container (1 ; 101 ; 201 ; 301; 401; 501 ; 601).

12) Container (1; 101 ; 201 ; 301; 401 ; 501 ; 601) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one inlet (21; 421) of said at least one conveyance channel (20; 420) communicates with said volume (V) in an area that is near the bottom (6) of said first portion (2) of said container (1 ; 101 ; 201; 301 ; 401; 501; 601).

13) Container (1 ; 101 ; 201; 301; 401; 501; 601) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one opening (74; 274; 374; 474) comprises an edge that is circular in shape.

14) System (100) for dispensing a fluid (F), of the type comprising a container (1 ; 101 ; 201 ; 301 ; 401 ; 501 ; 601) suited to contain said fluid (F) and a dispensing device (50; 350) suited to be associated with said container (1; 101 ; 201 ; 301 ; 401 ; 501 ; 601), characterized in that said container (1; 101 ; 201 ; 301; 401; 501 ; 601) is made according to any of the preceding claims.

15) System according to claim 14), characterized in that said dispensing device (50; 350) comprises a suction/compression chamber (55) and in that it comprises a suction inlet (56; 356) suited to communicate with said at least one opening (74; 274; 374; 474) of said interface portion (70; 170; 270; 370; 470; 570).