WO2020075208A1

WO2020075208A1 - Dispensing machine for dispensing fluid or semi-fluid products and corresponding dispensing method

Info

Publication number: WO2020075208A1
Application number: PCT/IT2019/050218
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andrea ALVISI; Alessandro Caprara; Andrea Parrino
Original assignee: Corob S.P.A.
Priority date: 2018-10-10
Filing date: 2019-10-10
Publication date: 2020-04-16
Also published as: IT201800009326A1

Abstract

Dispensing machine for dispensing a fluid product, comprising a plurality of cartridges (!2a-l2j) containing at least one fluid product (P) associated with a mobile support device (13) able to allow the positioning of one cartridge at a time in correspondence of a dispensing station (D) where a container (14) is disposed to be fdled with the fluid product contained inside the cartridge (12a-12j). The dispensing machine comprises a thruster device (24) disposed in the dispensing station (D) and configured to translate bi-directionally into and out of the cartridge by means of suitable drive means (25) and to engage with a piston (36) that defines a mobile wall of a chamber (51), with variable volume, of the cartridge (12a) containing the fluid product (P) and which separates the chamber (51) from the outside with a with a fluidic seal.

Description

“DISPENSING MACHINE FOR DISPENSING FLUID OR SEMI-FLUID PRODUCTS AND CORRESPONDING DISPENSING METHOD”

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a dispensing machine for dispensing fluid or semi-fluid products, such as for example products used in the field of cosmetics, foodstuffs, for the production of paints or other, and a corresponding dispensing method.

By way of a non-limiting example, the following description will refer in particular to a machine for dispensing a fluid product in the field of cosmetics, for example for dispensing a foundation, a nail varnish, a hair dye, or suchlike.

Moreover, in the following description with the term“fluid or semi-fluid product” we mean a product consisting of a single fluid or semi-fluid component or a mixture of fluid or semi-fluid components, or a mixture of fluid products.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the field of cosmetics, machines or apparatuses for dispensing fluid products, for example foundations, hair dyes, nail varnishes or suchlike are known.

In these dispensing machines, substantially, different receptacles are inserted, each of which can contain a determinate type of fluid product. These known machines comprise a nozzles center, which groups together a number of delivery nozzles equal to the number of receptacles, each nozzle being connected to a respective receptacle by means of dedicated feed pipes. Each nozzle can be associated with a valve system able to selectively allow or prevent the passage of the fluid product toward the user’s container.

Typically, the user’s container is disposed below the nozzle center to allow it to be correctly filled with the fluid product(s) dispensed.

In some versions, the receptacles containing the fluid products to be dispensed are mounted on a rotating table, which carries the container from which the dispensing has to be performed to the proximity of, for example above, the user’s container to be filled.

Examples of this type of machines known in the state of the art are described in the prior patent documents n. US-B2-7.185.789 and WO-A1-2014/043018. These known machines for dispensing fluid products have several disadvantages. First of all, the fluid product to be dispensed inside the user’s container can often be subject to unwanted contamination by external agents, for example due to contact with parts of the machine during the transfer from the initial containing receptacles installed on board the machine to the final container.

Consider, for example, that if a receptacle is replaced with another that contains a different fluid product, the latter on its way to the user’s container flows along a respective pipe, and subsequently passes through a respective nozzle, which the fluid product previously dispensed had previously passed through. It is clear that in the machines known in the state of the art, one disadvantage is the fact that traces of fluid products previously delivered can mix, in an undesired manner, with the fluid product being delivered.

Another disadvantage of known dispensing machines is that, if dispensing products of a pharmaceutical, cosmetic or foodstuff nature, or in general products intended for personal care, the pipes, valves, the pumps and nozzles in contact with the product should be periodically cleaned and sanitized. This operation introduces a considerable difficulty in managing the apparatus, and a high risk of contamination if this operation is not performed effectively. The problem of possible contamination entails risks for the health of the end user, such as allergic reactions, or pathologies deriving from the transmission of fungi or bacteria harmful to human health.

Another disadvantage of known dispensing machines is that it is not possible to precisely trace the components dispensed due to the presence of fixed parts of the machine in contact with the product.

Another disadvantage of known dispensing machines is due, for example, to the non-optimal accuracy and repeatability of the dispensing of the fluid product. Moreover, these known machines often prove to be complicated to use.

These known machines are also bulky and usually have a rather complex shape, which makes them unsuitable for example for installation in points of sale points the user could go to buy his/her own fluid product or a mixture of fluid products, for example in a perfume store or a cosmetic products, or grocery, store but also in a paint shop, or similar. To overcome one or more of these disadvantages, other types of machines or apparatuses for dispensing fluid products have also been developed in the state of the art. These machines comprise a plurality of closed cartridges, containing the various products to be delivered, and a movement mechanism which allows to take, one at a time, the cartridge containing the product to be delivered to a dispensing station. Examples of this type of machines or apparatuses are described in the patent applications n. US 2017/0151538, EP 1.093.842 and WO 2017/103634.

Other limitations and disadvantages of conventional solutions and technologies will be clear to a person of skill after reading the remaining part of the present description with reference to the drawings and the description of the embodiments that follow, although it is clear that the description of the state of the art connected to the present description must not be considered an admission that what is described here is already known from the state of the prior art.

There is therefore the need to perfect a machine and a method for dispensing a fluid product which can overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the state of the art.

One purpose of the present invention is to provide a machine for dispensing a fluid product in which possible risks of contamination of the fluid product which has to be dispensed in the user’s container, for example by bacteria, dirt or residues of other fluid products previously dispensed by the machine, are eliminated or reduced to a minimum.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a machine for dispensing a fluid product that is accurate, in which the processes can be repeated in a precise and reliable manner.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a machine for dispensing a fluid product which is simple and intuitive to use for the staff of a point of sale of the fluid product and/or for the end user him/herself, for example in a perfume store, or in a cosmetics store, in a grocery store, in a paint shop or other.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a dispensing machine for a fluid product which has a small bulk, and which is also provided with an aesthetically agreeable and compact shape. Another purpose of the present invention is to guarantee the traceability of the fluid product delivered, so that it is possible to trace the container that has delivered a determinate fluid product inside the user’s container.

Another purpose of the present invention is to perfect an effective method for dispensing a fluid product which limits to a minimum the possibilities of contamination of the fluid product delivered.

The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims. The dependent claims describe other characteristics of the invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

In accordance with the above purposes, one purpose of the invention is a machine for dispensing a fluid product inside a container, comprising a plurality of cartridges containing at least one fluid product supported by a support device in a releasable manner, wherein each cartridge is defined by a chamber, with variable volume, containing the fluid product, and delimited by fixed lateral walls, and by at least one mobile wall, defining a piston which separates the chamber from the outside with a fluidic seal. The chamber is also provided with a dispensing aperture through which the fluid product can exit to be dispensed into the container.

According to one aspect of the invention, the dispensing machine comprises a thruster device disposed in a dispensing station where a container to be filled is disposed, and configured to translate bi-directionally into and out of one of the cartridges by means of suitable drive means in order to engage with the piston as above.

According to embodiments described here, each cartridge is provided with a first end through which the thruster device can enter and exit, and a second end, in which the dispensing apertur is disposed positioned directly above, and in the proximity of the container to be filled.

Advantageously, by means of the present dispensing machine, the fluid product to be delivered from the cartridge substantially never comes into contact with pipes or fixed parts of the machine, but it is delivered directly from the cartridge to the container. In fact, the fluid product is acted upon by the piston inserted with a fluidic seal in the cartridge and thrust in an effective and secure manner by the thruster device.

The cartridge can initially be sealed and comprise a removable lid associated with the first end and a removable cap associated with the second end.

The dispensing machine can comprise a spout that can be applied to the second end of the cartridge so that it is communicating with the dispensing aperture.

In alternative embodiments, the spout is integrated in a single body with the cartridge and it is provided that the operator, before installing the cartridge on the device that supports it, removes closing means to put the dispensing aperture in communication with the outside. For example, the closing means can comprise a removable film, or a weakened portion intended to be broken or perforated.

The thruster device can comprise a head able to be inserted through a recess made in the piston, which is hollow inside.

The piston of the cartridge can comprise a rounded end shaped in a manner correlated to the shape of the bottom of the cartridge or possibly shaped in a manner so as to also fill the internal shape of the spout in order to guarantee its complete emptying.

The cartridge can comprise at least one identification label (for example a bar code, a tag of the RFID type, etc.) able to be recognized by a reader installed on board the machine.

The thruster device can comprise at least one sensor configured to detect the proximity of the piston of the cartridge.

In one embodiment, the thruster device can comprise a sliding block which can be translated linearly and bi-directionally along a guide; the sliding block is driven by an electric motor by means of corresponding motion transmission means.

The device to support the cartridges comprises a disk rotatable by means of suitable drive means. In this way, thanks to the rotation of the disk, it is possible to carry on each occasion the cartridge from which the fluid product has to be delivered in correspondence with the dispensing station, below the thruster device, and above the container to be filled.

The disk of the support device can comprise a series of seatings where the cartridges can be disposed ring-like in a vertical position with the first end facing upward and the second end facing downward.

The seatings of the support device can comprise a plurality of clips for the snap-in insertion of the cartridges.

In alternative embodiments, the support device can be fixed, and drive means are provided to move the thruster device above the cartridge from which on each occasion the delivery of the fluid product has to occur. In this embodiment, the dispensing station is therefore mobile, together with the container to be filled, which will then be taken to an exit bay in order to be removed by the operator once the delivery cycle has been completed.

The present machine can comprise at least one interface to set the functioning parameters of the machine and the desired properties for the at least one fluid product dispensed in the container.

The present machine can also comprise at least one spectrophotometer to automatically recognize the characteristics of the user’s skin, for example if the present machine is used in the cosmetic field.

Another purpose of the invention is a method for dispensing a fluid product, comprising: positioning at least one cartridge of a plurality of cartridges containing a fluid product and housed in a support device in correspondence with a dispensing station where a container is disposed to be filled with the fluid product contained inside the cartridge, wherein the fluid product is contained in a chamber, with variable volume, delimited by fixed lateral walls and by at least one mobile wall, defining a piston which separates the chamber from the outside with a fluidic seal, a dispensing aperture also being provided through which the fluid product can be dispensed into the container; exerting a pressure on the fluid product contained in the chamber by means of a thrusting action of a thruster device on the piston, in correspondence with a first end of the cartridge; following the thrusting action of the thruster device on the piston, dispensing a quantity of the fluid product from the dispensing aperture, disposed in a second end of the cartridge which is positioned directly above, and in the proximity of, the container so that the fluid product dispensed that exits from the chamber enters directly into the container without coming into contact with other parts of the dispensing machine.

The present method can comprise at least one step of moving the thruster device nearer to the piston at a first approach speed and at least one step of dispensing the fluid product from the cartridge to the container which occurs at a second speed, lower than the first approach speed.

These and other aspects, characteristics and advantages of the present disclosure will be better understood with reference to the following description, drawings and attached claims. The drawings, which are integrated and form part of the present description, show some embodiments of the present invention, and together with the description, are intended to describe the principles of the disclosure.

The various aspects and characteristics described in the present description can be applied individually where possible. These individual aspects, for example aspects and characteristics described in the attached dependent claims, can be the object of divisional applications.

It is understood that any aspect or characteristic that is found, during the patenting process, to be already known, shall not be claimed and shall be the object of a disclaimer.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

- fig. 1 is a front perspective view of a machine for dispensing a fluid product according to the present invention;

- fig. 2 is a three-dimensional view of the internal parts of the machine for dispensing a fluid product according to the present invention in accordance with a first embodiment;

- fig. 3 is a schematic and longitudinal section view of a cartridge containing a fluid product;

- fig. 4 is a schematic and longitudinal section view of a step of dispensing a fluid product inside a container by means of the present dispensing machine;

- fig. 5 is a schematic and longitudinal section view of another step of completing the dispensing of the fluid product in the container;

- fig. 6 is an enlarged three-dimensional view of some internal parts of the machine for dispensing a fluid product according to the present invention in accordance with another embodiment;

- fig. 7 is a partial, enlarged front view of the parts inside the machine visible in fig. 6.

To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings. It is understood that elements and characteristics of one embodiment can conveniently be incorporated into other embodiments without further clarifications.

DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

We will now refer in detail to the various embodiments of the present invention, of which one or more examples are shown in the attached drawings. Each example is supplied by way of illustration of the invention and shall not be understood as a limitation thereof. For example, the characteristics shown or described insomuch as they are part of one embodiment can be adopted on, or in association with, other embodiments to produce another embodiment. It is understood that the present invention shall include all such modifications and variants.

Before describing these embodiments, we must also clarify that the present description is not limited in its application to details of the construction and disposition of the components as described in the following description using the attached drawings. The present description can provide other embodiments and can be obtained or executed in various other ways. We must also clarify that the phraseology and terminology used here is for the purposes of description only, and cannot be considered as limitative.

With reference to the attached drawings, fig. 1 shows a machine 10 for dispensing a fluid product according to the invention, which can be used in particular but not exclusively in the field of cosmetics.

The machine 10 comprises a casing 11 inside which a series of cartridges l2a- I2j are housed, see also fig. 2, each of which contains at least one fluid product which can be dispensed by the machine 10, for example a component to produce a foundation. In particular, it is possible to provide that two cartridges, for example the cartridges 12a and 12b, contain a base fluid product to produce a foundation, while other cartridges, for example from 12c to 12h, contain fluid products to be added to the base fluid product contained in the cartridges 12a and 12b.

These cartridges 12a and 12b containing the base fluid products will be those which will presumably be consumed more quickly, therefore it is possible to provide two other cartridges, for example the cartridges 12i and 12j, that are spares for the cartridges 12a and 12b containing the base fluid products.

The cartridges 12a-12j are disposed in an upside down position on a support device 13 able to allow the positioning of at least one cartridge, for example the cartridge 12a, in correspondence with a container 14 into which to dispense the fluid product contained inside the cartridge 12a.

The support device 13 can comprise, for example, a disk 19 where the cartridges 12a-12j are disposed ring-like. The support device 13 is able to maintain the cartridges in a substantially vertical direction.

A series of seatings 15 to support and hold the cartridges 12a-12j in position are positioned on the disk 19, for example by means of a plurality of clips 16, which allow a snap-in insertion of each cartridge 12a-12j in the corresponding seating 15.

The disk 19 also comprises, on the periphery, a series of notches 17 in which corresponding spouts 40 associated with each of the cartridges 12a- 12j can be inserted.

The support device 13 can be made to rotate, in one direction or the other, by means of corresponding drive means, for example an electric motor 18 connected to the disk 19 or a central shaft to support the disk 19 by means of suitable motion transmission members. The support device 13, thanks to this rotation movement, is able to selectively carry one cartridge 12a-12j at a time into a dispensing station D, where the container 14 to be filled with the fluid product is also disposed.

The container 14 is disposed in a dispensing compartment 20 located directly below the cartridge which in that moment is delivering the fluid product, for example the cartridge 12a.

The dispensing compartment 20 can be delimited by walls 21 made in the machine 10.

Moreover, the container 14 can be disposed on a drawer 22 able to be extracted from a base structure 23 of the machine 10.

The machine 10 comprises a thruster device 24 configured to translate bi- directionally, see for example the double arrow T, into and out of the cartridge which at that time is disposed above the container 14, for example the cartridge 12a.

The thruster device 24, in order to perform this bi-directional translation, comprises suitable electric or pneumatic drive means, for example an electric motor 25 to drive a sliding block 26 mobile along a guide 27.

The sliding block 26 can comprise, for example, a nut associated with a grub screw 28 disposed along the guide 27 and able to be made to rotate by means of transmission members 29 cooperating with the electric motor 25.

A rod 30 with a suitably shaped head 31 at the bottom can be connected to the sliding block 26

Each of the cartridges 12a-12j, see for example the cartridge 12a of fig. 3, is provided with a first end 32 closed by a removable lid 33 and a second end 34 closed by a removable cap 35.

In some embodiments, in each cartridge 12a-12j a chamber 51 is defined, with variable volume, containing the fluid product, and delimited by fixed lateral walls 52, and by at least one mobile wall, defining a piston 36 which separates the chamber 51 from the outside with a fluidic seal. The chamber 51 is also provided with a dispensing aperture 53 through which the fluid product can be dispensed into the container 14.

In one embodiment, the thruster device 24 is able to enter and exit the cartridge 12a-12j through the first end 32, while the dispensing aperture 53 is disposed in the proximity of the second end 34.

According to some embodiments, each of the cartridges 12a-12j is disposable and - once the fluid product contained therein has ran out - is removed from the support device 13 and disposed of.

According to alternative embodiments, each of the cartridges 12a-12j, once the fluid product contained therein has run out, can be re-used, after having been refilled with the fluid product. For this purpose, the cartridge can comprise a suitable aperture, of the closable type, to allow it to be filled, for example disposed in the proximity of the first end 32, under the lid 33.

The piston 36, for example made of rubber or similar material, is able to cooperate with the thruster device 24, in particular with the head 31 of the thruster device 24.

The piston 36, in order to cooperate even more effectively with the head 31 of the thruster device 24, can be internally hollow and have a recess 50 for the entry of the thruster device 24.

Moreover, the piston 36 can comprise a rounded end 49 so as to suitably and precisely adapt to the shape of the bottom of the cartridge 12a-12j.

In the chamber 51 is contained a fluid product P, which advantageously is isolated from the outside environment. Therefore, in the situation of fig. 3, the cartridge 12a is closed and hermetically sealed, before its first use.

Each cartridge 12a-12j contains a determinate type of fluid product P and can be equipped with an identification label 37, for example a label 37 of the RFID type, attached externally to the surface of the cartridge 12a- 12j and readable by a suitable reader 38 installed on board the machine 10.

In addition to recognizing the cartridge 12a-12j which is installed on the support device 13 of the machine 10, the reading of this label 37 can also send a consent signal to a control unit or card of the machine to start its functioning.

The thruster device 24 can also be equipped with a sensor 39 able to determine whether the thruster device 24 is in the proximity of the piston 36 of the cartridge 12a-12j. This sensor 39 can be used, for example, to regulate the speed at which the thruster device 24 is lowered toward the piston 36. For example, it is possible to provide that in an approach step, the thruster device 24 proceeds at a first speed, whereas when the sensor 39 detects the proximity of the piston 36, the thruster device 24 is slowed down to a second speed lower than the first speed, so that the step of dispensing the fluid product occurs in a more uniform and precise manner, while the approach to the piston 36 of the thruster device 24 occurs in a more rapid manner.

In one embodiment, a second sensor is provided, not shown, which can be inserted on the thruster device 24 to detect the contact with the piston 36, a contact that determines the start of the dispensing travel. The cartridge 12a- 12j is installed in one of the seatings 15 of the support device 13 substantially in the position shown in fig. 2 and fig. 4. The cartridge 12a-12j is fixed in position on these seatings by means of the snap-in clips 16. Before the cartridge 12a-12j is installed, the lid 33 and the cap 35 are removed.

The spout 40 is mounted at the end 34 of the cartridge 12a-12j, configured to deliver the fluid product only following a thrust thereof by the piston 36. The spout 40 can be equipped with a unidirectional valve or suchlike inside.

Substantially, therefore, from the first end 32 of the cartridge, for example the cartridge 12a, the thruster device 24 enters acting on the piston 36, thrusting it toward the second end 34 and thus determining the outflow of the fluid product P from the second end 34, by falling directly into the container 14, located directly above and in the proximity of the exit end 34, see fig. 4.

It should be noted that the dispensing occurs according to modes known in the state of the art. In particular, knowing the geometry of the cartridge, the dispensing machine 10 is able to correlate the quantity of fluid to be delivered with the travel of the thruster device 24, so as to suitably command the displacement of the latter on the basis of the quantity of fluid product to be delivered.

The thrust of the thruster device 24 stops when the correct quantity of fluid product P has been delivered into the container 14. Therefore, for example, it could stop in the situation of fig. 4.

Fig. 5 shows the situation in which the piston 36 has arrived in correspondence with the bottom of the cartridge 12a and therefore all the fluid product P contained therein has been delivered.

Therefore, if the cartridge 12a-12j is full and not yet used, the piston 36 will be in the position of fig. 3, while if it has already been even only partially used, the piston 36 will be in an intermediate position along the cartridge 12a-12j, for example as shown in fig. 4. Therefore, for the subsequent delivery, the sensor 39 associated with the thruster device 24 will detect that the piston 36 is in this intermediate position.

With reference to figs. 6 and 7, an alternative embodiment of the thruster unit 24 is shown.

In this embodiment, unlike the one previously described with reference to fig. 2, in which the rod 30 was rigidly connected to the sliding block 26, this rod 30 can slide with respect to the body 26’. The body 26’ comprises a through hole, which extends along its direction of longitudinal extension, intended to receive the rod 30, as shown by the dashed line in fig. 7.

For this purpose, the thruster unit 24 comprises an abutment head 55, attached to one end of the rod 30 on the opposite side with respect to the head 31 intended to come into contact with the piston 36.

Also in this embodiment, as in the one described above, transmission members 29 are provided able to make the grub screw 28 disposed along the guide 27 rotate, so as to determine the bi-directional translation of the thruster device 24.

In this embodiment, a set of sensors is provided which define the sensor 39.

According to the example version shown in figs. 6 and 7, the sensor 39 is disposed in the proximity of the top of the thruster device 24.

In this embodiment, the set of sensors comprises a first sensor 39A and a second sensor 39B.

According to embodiments provided here, these sensors are configured as proximity, or contact, sensors of a type known in the state of the art and able to detect the position of the thruster device 24 in order to respectively signal to a control and management unit of the machine when to command a variation in the speed of movement of the thruster device 24 and when the dispensing of the fluid product is starting, as will be described in more detail below.

During functioning, also in this embodiment, the thruster unit 24 is initially moved by the electric or pneumatic drive means as above, which - by means of the transmission members 29 - determine the lowering of the rod 30 toward the piston 36.

When the head 31 contacts the piston 36, it determines a resistant force which opposes the lowering of the thruster unit 24. This resistant force determines the relative sliding of the rod 30 and the body 26’. In this way, the abutment head 55 moves from a lowered position shown with a solid line in fig. 7, to a raised position shown with a dashed line in this same figure.

Specifically, when the abutment head 55 leaves the lowered position, the first sensor 39A ceases to detect the presence of the abutment head 55. When this occurs, the control and management unit which commands the functioning of the machine commands the drive means in order to reduce the speed of movement of the rod 30 which passes from the first approach speed to the second speed as above.

Subsequently, the second sensor 39B detects that the abutment head 55 has reached the raised position and communicates to the control and management unit that in this instant the dispensing of the fluid product is starting. In this condition, in fact, the head 31 begins to press on the piston 36 so as to determine the start of the dispensing.

The cartridge l2a- 12j, after the removal of the lid 33 and the cap 35, can be positioned in the corresponding seating 15 of the support device 13, for example by means of a corresponding door 41 associated with the casing 11 of the machine 10, see fig. 1.

The dispensing compartment 20 where the container 14 is housed in which the fluid product P is dispensed, or a mixture of fluid products removed in sequence and in correct quantities from a plurality of cartridges 12a-12j, can be closed by means of a corresponding door 42.

The machine 10 can also comprise an interface 43, for example of the touchscreen type, by means of which the user can manually set the type of fluid product or mixture of fluid products he/she wishes to be dispensed into the container 14.

In the event the machine 10 is used in the cosmetic field and for making a foundation or other personalized skin product, it is possible to provide the installation of a spectrophotometer 44, able to recognize the color of the user’s skin and therefore identify the best parameters for making the foundation or other skin product.

It is also possible to provide in the present machine 10 a mixing compartment 45, provided with a corresponding door 46, where the container 14 is inserted once the dispensing operation in the dispensing compartment 20 has terminated.

Any mobile member whatsoever can be provided in this mixing compartment 45, able to hold the container 14 in position and shake it appropriately, so as to promote the mixing of the fluid products contained therein.

At the end of the dispensing process in the dispensing compartment 20, moreover, it is possible to provide a unit to automatically close the container 14, for example by applying a pressure cap or suchlike, when the container 14 is still in the dispensing compartment 20.

The machine 10 can also provide a slit 47 for the exit of an adhesive label, for example having a bar code or suchlike, to be applied to the container 14 at the end of the dispensing process and thus bearing information about the fluid product dispensed inside the container 14.

The machine 10 can also provide a surface 48 to support a series of empty containers 14 which the user can remove and insert into the dispensing compartment 20.

The cartridges l2a-12j are loaded one by one inside the machine 10, through the door 41 which allows access to at least one of the seatings 15 of the support device 13.

Each cartridge l2a-l2j, once the lid 33 and the cap 35 have been removed and the spout 40 has been mounted, is inserted in a snap-in manner, by means of the clips 16, in the support device 13.

Once the insertion of one cartridge 12a- 12j has been completed, to insert a subsequent cartridge it is sufficient to make the support device 13 rotate around the axis V, by means of the corresponding electric motor 18.

Once the cartridges l2a-l2j are all correctly positioned in the support device 13 of the machine 10, the machine 10 is ready to be used.

The cartridges l2a-l2j are preferably equipped with an identification label 37, therefore at each installation of a cartridge 12a-12j, the reader 38, which is in a fixed position and mounted on board the machine, provides to recognize them.

The user inserts an empty container 14 into the dispensing compartment 20, opening the door 42, and selects the desired fluid product, or the desired mixture of fluid products, by means of the interface 43. Alternatively or in combination, the user can also use the spectrophotometer 44.

At this point, the machine 10 chooses the cartridge 12a-l2j from which to deliver at least part of the fluid product contained therein, therefore the support device 13 places it directly above the container 14 positioned in the dispensing compartment 20.

In order to proceed with dispensing the fluid product, as previously mentioned, the thruster device 24 is driven so that it acts on the piston 36 and takes it to the correct position along the cartridge l2a-l2j, which means that a correct quantity of fluid product has been delivered into the container 14.

As mentioned, the approach movement of the thruster device 24 to the piston 36 can occur more quickly than the actual dispensing step, that is, when the thruster device 24 is in contact and acts on the piston 36. This thanks to the sensor 39 which communicates to the machine 10 when the thruster device 24 is in the proximity of the piston 36.

In one embodiment, the control and management unit which commands the functioning of the machine memorizes the last position reached by the piston 36 of each cartridge 12a-l2j at the previous delivery. Tn this way, the machine can perform a double check which makes it more reliable, because it is possible to verify, by means of the sensor 39, whether the piston 36 is actually in the expected position that had been memorized.

It is possible that another fluid product has to be delivered inside the container 14, therefore at the end of a first dispensing, the thruster device 24 is recalled and the support device 13 is rotated so as to present another cartridge l2a -12j directly above the container 14, so as to deliver another type of fluid product, in the correct quantity, by means of a new lowering of the thruster device 24.

When the right quantity and type of a desired fluid product, or mixture of fluid products, in accordance with the result set by the user on the interface 43 has been dispensed into the container 14, the container 14 can be closed by means of the closing unit possibly provided in the dispensing compartment 20.

The container 14 can be removed from the dispensing compartment 20 by opening the door 42 and possibly driving the extractable drawer 22.

The container 14 capped and with the chosen fluid product can possibly be inserted in the mixing compartment 45.

Moreover, an adhesive label provided by the machine 10 through the slit 47 can be applied to the container 14 indicating the fluid product or the mixture of fluid products inside the container 14.

It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the dispensing machine for dispensing a fluid product as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention.

It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms of dispensing machine for dispensing a fluid product, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

In the following claims, the sole purpose of the references in brackets is to facilitate reading: they must not be considered as restrictive factors with regard to the field of protection claimed in the specific claims.

Claims

1. Dispensing machine for dispensing a fluid or semi-fluid product inside a container (14), comprising a plurality of cartridges (12a-12j) containing at least one fluid or semi-fluid product (P) supported by a support device (13), in each of said cartridges (12a- 12j) a chamber (51) being defined, with variable volume, containing the fluid product, said chamber (51) being delimited by fixed lateral walls (52), and by at least one mobile wall, defining a piston (36) which separates said chamber (51) from the outside with a fluidic seal, and also being provided with a dispensing aperture (53) through which the fluid product can exit from said chamber (51); the dispensing machine also comprises a thruster device (24) comprising at least one sensor (39) configured to detect the position of said piston (36) inside the cartridge (12a-12j), and disposed in a dispensing station (D) where said container (14) to be filled is disposed, and configured to translate bi directionally into and out of one of said cartridges (12a-12j) by means of suitable drive means (25) and to engage with said piston (36); each of said cartridges (12a- 12j) is provided with a first end (32) through which said thruster device (24) can enter and exit, and a second end (34), in which said dispensing aperture (53) is disposed, and positioned directly above, and in the proximity of, said container (14) so that the dispensed fluid product that exits from said chamber (51) enters directly into said container (14) without coming into contact with other parts of the dispensing machine.

2. Machine as in claim 1, characterized in that said cartridge (12a-12j) is initially sealed and comprises a removable lid (33) associated with said first end (32) and a removable cap (35) associated with said second end (34).

3. Machine as in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises a spout (40) that can be applied to the second end (34) of said cartridge (12a-12j) so that it is communicating with said dispensing aperture (53).

4. Machine as in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, in correspondence with said second end (34), each cartridge (12a-12j) comprises a spout (40) integrated in a single body with said cartridge (12a-12j) in which closing means are provided, which can be removed before use, to put said dispensing aperture (53) in communication with the outside.

5. Machine as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said thruster device (24) comprises a head (31) able to be inserted through a recess (50) made in said piston (36), which is hollow inside.

6. Machine as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said piston (36) of the cartridge (12a-12j) comprises a rounded end (49), shaped in a manner correlated to the shape of the bottom of the cartridge (l2a-12j).

7. Machine as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said cartridge ( 12a- 12j) comprises at least one identification label (37) able to be recognized by a reader (38) installed on board the machine.

8. Machine as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said thruster device (24) comprises a sliding block (26) which can be translated linearly and bi-directionally along a guide (27), said sliding block (26) being driven by electric or pneumatic drive means (25) by corresponding motion transmission means (28, 29).

9. Machine as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said support device (13) comprises a disk (19) rotatable by suitable drive means (18).

10. Machine as in claim 9, characterized in that said disk (19) of the support device (13) comprises a series of seatings (15) where said cartridges (12a- 12j) can be disposed ring-like in a vertical position with said first end (32) facing upward and said second end (34) facing downward.

11. Machine as in claim 10, characterized in that said seatings (15) of the support device (13) comprise a plurality of clips (16) for the snap-in insertion of the cartridges (12a-12j).

12. Machine as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it comprises at least one interface (43) to set the functioning parameters of the machine and the desired properties for the at least one fluid product (P) dispensed in said container (14).

13. Machine as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it comprises at least one spectrophotometer (44) to automatically recognize the characteristics of the user’s skin.

14. Machine as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said sensor (39) is disposed in the proximity of the top of said thruster device (24).

15. Machine as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said sensor (39) comprises a first sensor (39A) and a second sensor (39B), configured as proximity or contact sensors able to detect the position of said thruster device (24), in order to respectively signal to a control and management unit of the machine when to command a variation in the speed of movement of said thruster device (24) and when the dispensing of said fluid product is beginning.

16. Method for dispensing a fluid or semi-fluid product in a container, comprising: supplying a plurality of cartridges (l2a-12j) housed in a support device (13) and containing a fluid or semi-fluid product (P), in a chamber (51) with variable volume delimited by fixed lateral walls (52), and by at least one mobile wall, defining a piston (36) which separates said chamber (51) from the outside with a fluidic seal, a dispensing aperture (53) also being provided through which the fluid product can exit from said chamber (51); in a dispensing station (D) of the dispensing machine, exerting a pressure on the fluid product (P) contained in said chamber (51) by means of a thrusting action of a thruster device (24) on said piston (36), in correspondence with a first end (32) of said cartridge (12a), and detecting the position of said piston (36) inside the cartridge (12a- 12j) by means of at least one sensor (39) comprised in said thruster device (24); following the thrusting action of said thruster device (24) on said piston (36), dispensing a quantity of said fluid product from said dispensing aperture (53), disposed in a second end (34) of said cartridge (12a) which is positioned directly above, and in the proximity of, said container (14) so that the fluid product dispensed that exits from said chamber (51) enters directly into said container (14) without coming into contact with other parts of the dispensing machine.

17. Method as in claim 16, characterized in that it comprises at least one step of moving the thruster device (24) nearer to the piston (36) at a first approach speed and at least one step of dispensing the fluid product from the cartridge

(12a-12j) to the container (14) which occurs at a second speed, lower than the first approach speed.