WO2021205393A2

WO2021205393A2 - Bracket for supporting a container

Info

Publication number: WO2021205393A2
Application number: PCT/IB2021/052957
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gabriele PETRANGELI; Francesco FIORENTINO
Original assignee: Seko S.P.A.
Priority date: 2020-04-09
Filing date: 2021-04-09
Publication date: 2021-10-14
Also published as: WO2021205393A3; IT202000007678A1

Abstract

A bracket (1) configured for supporting a pouch (4) comprises a fixing portion (2), configured for fixing the bracket (1) to a wall, an engaging portion (3) that extends from the (2) and is configured to receive and hold a pouch (4) along a guide housing (23), a sleeve (11) carrying a cable connector (5) configured to selectively engage a port (6) of a pouch (4), wherein the sleeve (11) is slidingly engaged in a guide seat (12) delimited in the engagement portion (3), relative to which it can be moved along a connection direction (7) between a raised position and a position lowered.

Description

BRACKET FOR SUPPORTING A CONTAINER

The present invention relates to a bracket for supporting a collapsible container of the type used in a liquid distribution system.

The use of collapsible containers to contain a liquid has been known for some time.

In general, such collapsible containers, hereinafter referred to simply as containers, are configured as a bag, possibly transparent or partially transparent to check the presence of liquid inside them, and include a port or a connection interface that can be connected, in fluid communication, to a distribution system through which to dispense the liquid contained therein.

Preferably, the delivery of the liquid from the container takes place via suction, following which deformation is determined with consequent crushing of the container walls.

In order to avoid that the mutual adhesion of the container walls occludes the way out of the liquid from the container itself, preventing the dispensing, it is known to use internal inserts configured to keep the container walls mutually spaced and guarantee the presence of a passage for the escape of the liquid.

The container can be connected tightly and removably to a suction connector, to be replaced with a new container when the liquid contained inside is exhausted or close to exhaustion. In general, it is observed that due to the conformation of the container and the suction system there is always a residual amount of liquid inside the collapsible container that cannot be sucked.

The container, during its replacement, is disconnected from the suction connector itself, thus leaving open the door through which the liquid, in use, comes out. Any accidental leakage of residual liquid causes contamination of the container installation compartment. In the event that the liquid contained in the container is a chemical substance that is hazardous to health, this leakage also represents a danger to the safety of the personnel in charge of replacing the collapsible container.

To avoid the loss of residual liquid, the use of a container closure element to be applied to the door through which the liquid comes out can be envisaged.

This system, however, does not allow to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks since until the moment in which the closing element is not applied to the liquid outlet port, the risk of contamination remains.

A further solution provides for the use of a valve operatively connected to the door from which the liquid comes out and can be selectively moved between an opening position, in which it allows the liquid to flow out through the outlet door of the container and a closed position in which it closes the exit door.

The actuation of this valve is determined by the movement of the suction connector relative to the container, promoting high safety use. According to a solution known in the field, in fact, the suction connector is hinged movably to a support bracket for supporting the collapsible container.

In practice, after having positioned the container on the support bracket, the suction connector is inserted into the outlet port of the collapsible container, thus moving the valve into the open position. Conversely, removing the suction connector from the container outlet port returns the seal valve to a closed position.

EP1317381A1 describes a container comprising a closure valve and a relative support provided with a suction connector hinged to the support itself.

This solution is not free from drawbacks. To ensure correct suction, it is necessary to ensure a seal between the suction connector and the valve present in the collapsible container, sealing ensured by deformable elements, fins, and annular gaskets placed along the suction connector.

Since the suction connector is hinged to the support, its movement takes place along a curvilinear trajectory causing excessive and inhomogeneous rubbing of the sealing elements against the internal walls of the valve, with consequent damage to the same and loss of the seal. This damage requires the replacement of the damaged intake connector or at least the sealing elements to ensure the correct functioning of the support.

The object of the present invention is therefore to allow in a simple, reliable, efficient and economical way to produce a support bracket for supporting a collapsible container in which the bracket comprises a suction connector capable of ensuring an efficient seal with the collapsible container valve.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a support bracket for supporting a collapsible container which is practical and easy to use and with reduced maintenance.

The specific object of the present invention is a bracket configured for supporting a pouch, in which the bracket can comprise a fixing portion, configured for fixing the bracket to a wall or to a support plate, an engagement portion which is protrudes from the fastening portion and is configured to accommodate and retain a pouch along a guide housing, a sleeve carrying a hollow connector configured to selectively engage a door of a pouch, wherein the sleeve is slidably engaged in a guide seat delimited in the engagement portion, whereby the sleeve can be moved with respect to the guide seat in translation along a connection direction, between a raised position and a lowered position.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the sleeve can be fitted at least partially around the connector and connected thereto by means of a one degree of freedom hinged connection, adapted to allow rotation of the connector with respect to the sleeve about the connection direction.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, one of the sleeve and the connector can comprise at least one flange and the other between the connector and the sleeve can comprise at least a pair of annular protuberances mutually spaced to delimit a seat engageable by the at least one flange, wherein the at least one flange engaged in the seat delimited between the at least one pair of annular protuberances defines a rotating connection.

According to an additional aspect of the present invention, the previously described bracket can comprise a lever articulated at a first end to the bracket and at a second end thereof to the sleeve so as to cause the lifting or lowering of the sleeve relative to the engagement portion, in translation along the connection direction, following respectively the raising or lowering of the lever relative to the engagement portion.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the sleeve can have two appendages which protrude externally, opposite each other, and engage corresponding openings delimited along the lateral sides of the lever and shaped like elongated slots, in which the lever is hinged to the bracket around an engagement direction orthogonal to the connection direction.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the lever can be substantially "L" shaped, and the sleeve can have two appendages which extend outwardly opposite each other and engage corresponding openings delimited along the lateral sides of the lever and shaped as circular ones, in which the lever defines further openings configured as elongated slots which extend along the lateral sides of the lever and are aligned along a direction parallel to the direction of connection.

According to an additional aspect of the present invention, the lever defines a through hole to allow the connector to pass through the lever.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the guide seat can have at least one protrusion that extends inside the guide seat itself and is configured to engage at least one corresponding linear seat made along the sleeve, acting as a guide along the direction of connection.

The specific object of the present invention also forms a pouch which can comprise a port for the outflow of a liquid contained in the pouch, in which the port is configured to be engageable by a connector, a valve movable slidingly and selectively along the port in translation along a direction of connection between an open position in which it allows the liquid to come out of the pouch and a closed position in which it prevents the liquid from coming out of the pouch, in which the valve has a top portion configured to be engageable by coupling shape from the connector, in which the door has an internal shoulder configured for the selective abutment with a first abutment and a second abutment present along the valve, in which the first abutment and the second abutment are adapted to respectively define the opening position and the closed position.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the pouch valve can have a bottom portion that delimits at least one through opening, the through opening selectively placing the top portion in fluid communication with the inside of the pouch.

A further specific object of the present invention is a reservoir system comprising at least one bracket and at least one pouch described above, in which the pouch is configured to be operably connected to the at least one bracket, in which the top portion of the valve and the end bottom of the connector can be connected tightly to each other via an interference connection, in which the interference connection has a greater degree of interference than the engagement of the valve along the port.

According to another aspect of the invention, the connector can have an annular element at the bottom end, in which the annular element defines a stop for the engagement of the connector along the top portion of the valve.

The advantages offered by the bracket according to the present invention are evident.

In particular, the bracket according to the invention is configured to firmly support a collapsible container and comprises a movable suction connector to selectively engage, hermetically, an outlet door present in the collapsible container.

The suction connector is configured to facilitate its connection to a vacuum source and has an engaging end to determine a tight fit with the outlet port of the collapsible container, in the absence of sealing elements such as O-rings or flexible elements subject to wear and damage, if placed in contact with chemical substances, to the advantage of greater reliability.

The present invention will now be described, for illustrative but not limitative purposes, according to its preferred embodiments, with particular reference to the Figures of the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a support bracket according to the invention, in a release position, and of a collapsible container separated from each other;

Figures 2 and 3 show side section views of some components of the support bracket according to the invention and of a collapsible container associated with it, respectively in a release position (Figure 2) and in an engagement position (Figure 3);

Figures 4 and 5 show front sectional views of some components of the support bracket according to the invention and of a collapsible container associated with it, respectively in a release position (Figure 4) and in an engagement position (Figure 5);

Figures 6 and 7 show perspective views respectively from above and from below of some components of the support bracket according to the invention and of the relative collapsible container;

Figure 8 shows an exploded perspective view of the support bracket according to the invention, of the relative collapsible container as well as of a casing for their containment;

Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the support bracket according to the invention;

Figure 10 shows a perspective view of a support bracket according to the invention and a collapsible container connected to it;

Figure 11 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of a support bracket according to the present invention;

Figure 12 shows a top view of a support bracket according to the present invention to which a collapsible container is connected.

In the Figures identical reference numbers will be used for similar elements.

In the attached Figures, a preferred embodiment of a bracket according to the invention, configured to support a collapsible container and to selectively connect it to a suction line, is wholly indicated with 1.

In particular, the bracket 1 is configured to support and hold in position a collapsible container, in which a liquid to be dispensed is contained, and to connect it selectively, in fluid communication, with a suction and distribution line through which the liquid contained in the collapsible container itself it is selectively aspirated and distributed to one or more users. The operation of a liquid suction and distribution line, configured to suck a liquid from at least one collapsible container, is considered within the reach of the person skilled in the art and for this reason it will not be further described below, given that such suction and distribution line is not the specific object of the present invention.

The bracket 1 comprises a fixing portion 2, configured to connect the bracket 1 to a wall or to a support and an engagement portion 3, which protrudes from the fixing portion 2, and is configured to selectively house and hold a collapsible container 4, hereinafter referred to as a "pouch" for the sake of brevity.

The bracket 1 comprises a connector 5, shaped like a hollow tubular element and configured to selectively engage a port 6 of a pouch 4 and to be connected to a suction line.

The connector 5 is operable in movement relative to the engagement portion 3 along a connection direction 7 (see Figures 1 to 5) and can be rotated around this connection direction 7 (see Figure 10).

With the expression connection direction 7 we mean the direction along which the connector 5 is selectively connected, in engagement, in the port 6 of the collapsible container.

The connector 5 has a bottom end 8, which extends along the connection direction 7 and which can be selectively engaged in the port 6, and a top end 9 configured to be connected to a suction line.

Preferably, the top end 9 extends along a delivery direction 10 which is inclined with respect to the connection direction 7. The connector 5 is therefore preferably configured as a tubular pipette although it is understood that alternative embodiments are possible, not shown in the attached Figures, in which the connector 5 is configured as an elongated tubular element and has the bottom end 8 and the top end 9 mutually aligned along the connection direction 7.

The connector 5 is rotatably housed inside a sleeve 11 around the connection direction 7.

The sleeve 11 is slidably engaged in a guide seat 12 delimited along the engagement portion 3, at an end opposite the fixing portion 2.

The guide seat 12 defines a complementary guide to the sleeve 11, to guide the latter relative to the engagement portion 3, keeping it aligned along the connection direction 7.

With reference to the preferred embodiment illustrated in the attached Figures, the sleeve 11 is cylindrical and the guide seat 12 delimits a circular opening. It is understood that alternative embodiments are possible in which, for example, the sleeve 11 is configured as a prism and, in this case, the guide seat 12 delimits a square, rectangular, triangular or more generally, complementary opening to the conformation of the base of the sleeve 11 of prismatic shape.

The sleeve 11 is fitted at least partially around the connector 5.

According to a preferred embodiment, the sleeve 11 comprises at least one flange 13, which extends orthogonal to the connection direction 7, and delimits a circular opening, not shown in detail in the attached Figures, in which the connector 5 is held by a rotatable connection.

In this regard, the connector 5 has at least one pair of annular protrusions 14 spaced axially from each other, along the connection direction 7, so as to define an annular seat which can be engaged by the at least one corresponding flange 13 (see Figures 2-5).

The number of pairs of annular protrusions 14 corresponds to the number of flanges 13. By way of example but not of limitation, in the attached Figures 2-5, the sleeve 11 comprises two flanges 13 spaced apart from each other and the connector 5 comprises two pairs of annular protrusions 14 spaced apart, each engageable by a respective flange 13, to promote a more stable connection between the connector 5 and the sleeve 11 itself.

In practice, the connector 5 and the sleeve 11 are axially constrained to each other, meaning that they cannot move relative to each other along the connection direction 7, and are free to rotate each other around the connection direction 7.

According to an alternative embodiment not shown in the attached Figures, the positioning of the at least one flange 13 and of the at least one pair of annular protrusions 14 respectively to the sleeve 11 and to the connector 5 is reversed with respect to what was previously described. In other words, the at least one flange 13 protrudes externally from the connector 5, aligned orthogonal to the connection direction 7, and is configured to engage an annular seat delimited between at least one corresponding pair of annular protuberances 14 which protrude inside the sleeve 11, starting from the inner surface of the sleeve 11 itself.

The top end 9 can be rotated around the connection direction 7 with an angle of 360° (see for example Figure 10 wherein some possible positions for the dispensing direction 10 are shown), to the advantage of a high flexibility of use bracket 1.

In fact, if there are obstacles at the bracket 1, it is possible to rotate the connector 5 around the connection direction 7 to position the top end 9 to promote the connection of the latter to a suction line. By way of example but not limited to, the sleeve 11 includes two half-shells that can be mutually connected, through a shape or snap connection, to facilitate the assembly between the connector 5 and the sleeve 11 itself.

As said, the connector 5 can be slidably operated along the connection direction 7 to engage/disengage a port 6 of a pouch 4 supported by the bracket 1.

According to a preferred embodiment, the bracket 1 comprises a lever 15 for selectively moving the sleeve 11, translating it along the connection direction 7, lifting it or lowering it relative to the engagement portion 3.

In this regard, the lever 15 is articulated at one end to the bracket 1 and at an opposite end to the sleeve 11 carrying the connector 5.

The sleeve 11 has two appendages 16 which protrude externally from the sleeve 11 itself, opposite each other, and engage corresponding openings 17 made along the lateral sides of the lever 15 (see Figures 1, 9 and 10).

With reference to the embodiment illustrated in the attached Figures 1-10, the lever 15 is hinged to the support 1 so as to be able to rotate around an engagement direction 18, which is orthogonal to the connection direction 7 and substantially parallel to a plane of connection identified by the fixing portion 2, that is to say a plane along which the fixing portion 2 abuts against a wall or a plate to which the bracket 1 can be connected.

According to this version, the openings 17 are configured as elongated slots along a direction orthogonal to the engagement direction 18, so as to allow the appendages 16 to rotate and slide along the openings 17.

The rotation of the lever 15 from a raised position (Figures 2 and 4) towards a lowered position (Figures 3 and 5) determines the lowering of the sleeve 11, and therefore of the connector 5, by means of a translation along the connection direction 7, and its engagement in the port 6 of the pouch 4. Vice versa, the lifting of the lever 15 from a lowered position (Figures 3 and 5) towards a raised position (Figures 2 and 4) causes the lifting of the sleeve 11, and therefore of the connector 5, through a translation along the connection direction 7, and its disengagement from the port 6.

The lever 15 has, along the openings 17, internal abutments 17', which protrude inside the openings and are configured to selectively limit the movement of the appendages 16 along the respective openings 17.

More in detail, the internal abutments 17' are configured to selectively lock the appendages 16 in position and keep, for example, the lever 15 in the raised position to facilitate the insertion or removal of a pouch 4 relative to the bracket 1 (see e.g. Figure 1). The internal abutments 17' are also configured to yield elastically if the appendages 16 are forced into movement along the openings 17 to thus allow the movement of the appendages 16 themselves in addition to the position of the internal abutments 17'.

The lever 15 has a through hole 19 to allow the connector 5 to pass through the lever 15 itself in the absence of interference (see Figures 1 and 10).

In practice, the through hole 19 allows the relative mobility of the connector 5 with respect to the lever 15 during the lifting or lowering of the latter.

A further version of the lever is illustrated in the attached Figure 11 and indicated with 150. This version differs from the previous one in relation to its conformation and to the connection between the lever 150, the bracket 1 and the sleeve 11.

The lever 150 has a substantially "L" shape. In other words, the lever 150 has an elongated central body at one end of which two mutually spaced arms extend, in which the arms are orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the development of the central body of the lever 150.

In particular, the lever 150 has circular openings 170 which are engaged by the appendages 16 to define a connection rotating around a direction parallel to the direction of engagement 18.

The lever 150 is connected to the bracket 1 by means of a connection at least sliding along the connection direction 7. The lever 150, in fact, has further openings 171 which are configured as elongated slots which extend along the lateral sides of the lever 150, aligned along a direction parallel to the connection direction 7.

In practice, the lever 150 is connected to the support 1 and to the sleeve 11 so as to be able to translate along the direction 7 to be then raised and lowered to pursue the same purposes described in relation to the previous embodiment.

In the description that follows, reference will be made to the lever 15 although it is understood that similar considerations apply to the lever 150.

As said, the sleeve 11 is slidably engaged along the engagement portion 3 of the bracket 1, at the guide seat 12.

The guide seat 12 has at least one protrusion 20 which extends inside the guide seat 12 itself and is configured to engage a corresponding linear seat 21 made along the sleeve 11, to guide the sleeve 11 itself along the connection direction 7 (see Figure 12).

Preferably, the guide seat 12 has two protrusions 20 which protrude inside the guide seat 12 itself, for the engagement of corresponding linear seats 21 so as to facilitate the sliding of the sleeve 11, along the connection direction 7, keeping it aligned and avoiding blocks or jamming (see for example Figures 2, 3 and 12).

The pouch 4 has, at the port 6, a flange element 22 configured to selectively engage a corresponding guide housing 23 delimited along the engagement portion 3. The guide housing 23 is configured to receive an edge portion of the flange element 22.

The flange element 22 is constrained to the port 6, for example it is made in a single piece with the same, and defines a slide that can be slidably engaged in the guide housing 23. In practice, by means of the flange element 22, the pouch 4 can be selectively inserted into the bracket 1 (see Figures 2-5 and 10) and retained in the same in a hanging configuration or extracted from it, see Figure 1 in which the pouch 4 is spaced from the bracket 1 with the element a flange 22 aligned with guide housing 23.

The flange element 22 is shaped in such a way as to ensure, when completely inserted in the guide housing 23, the alignment of the port 6 to the connector 5 along the connection direction 7, with the pouch 4 supported by the bracket 1.

The port 6 of the pouch 4 defines a seat that can be engaged from the bottom end 8 of the connector 5 and defines a housing for a valve 24.

The valve 24 is substantially cylindrical shaped and can be moved selectively in translation, along a connection direction which, in use, is aligned with the connection direction 7, between a closed position, in which it hermetically occludes the door 6, preventing the exit of the liquid contained in the pouch 4 (see Figures 2 and 4) and an open position, to allow the liquid to exit through the port 6 (see Figures 3 and 5).

In the attached Figures 6 and 7 some components are shown in detail, such as the connector 5, the flange element 22, the door 6 and the valve 24, the positioning of which is arbitrary to facilitate the intelligibility of their characteristics.

A pouch 4 comprising a port 6 and a valve 24 configured to be selectively coupled to the connector 5 of the bracket 1 also forms the subject of the present invention.

The port 6 has an internal shoulder 25 which acts as an abutment forthe valve 24, limiting its displacement between two limit positions.

The shoulder 25 has a top surface and a bottom surface, opposite each other. The valve 24 has a top portion 26, configured to be engaged, by means of a shape coupling, from the bottom portion 8 of the connector 5, and a bottom portion 27 which delimits at least one through opening 28.

The top portion 26 and the bottom portion 27 are both cylindrical in shape. In particular, the bottom portion 27 has an external diameter smaller than that of the top portion 26, causing a restriction along the valve 24. The external diameter of the bottom portion 27 corresponds to the internal diameter of the internal shoulder 25, so that the bottom portion 27 is configured to engage the internal shoulder 25 with interference.

This restriction defines a first abutment 29 adapted to selectively abut against the top surface of the internal shoulder 25, as a function of the position of the valve 24 along the direction of connection 7.

The valve 24 has an annular protuberance which protrudes externally from the bottom portion 27 and which defines a second abutment 30 adapted to selectively abut against the bottom surface of the internal shoulder 25 as a function of the position of the valve 24 along the direction of connection 7.

The first abutment 29 and the second abutment 30 are mutually spaced along the connection direction 7 so as to define respective end-of-stroke positions for the valve 24 along the port 6.

The connector 5 has an annular element 31 at the bottom end 8 which defines an abutment for the engagement of the connector 5 along the top portion 26 of the valve 24.

It is noted that the bottom end 8 engages the top portion 26 of the valve 24 with interference.

The degree of interference in the connection between the connector 5 and the top portion 26 of the valve 24 is greater than the degree of interference in the connection between the valve 24 and the port 6 of the pouch 4 to ensure a tight connection between the connector 5 and the valve 24 itself during the movement of the latter, both in the opening and closing phases.

The bracket 1 according to the present invention allows a tight engagement between the connector 5 and the valve 24 of a pouch 4 in absence of any gasket or elastic sealing element, to the advantage of high reliability even in the presence of chemicals which may be harmful to the material that makes up the traditional elastic sealing elements, thus overcoming a drawback affecting the state of the art described. The at least one through opening 28 is configured to selectively place the top portion 26 of the valve 24 in fluid communication with the interior of the pouch 4, depending on the position of the valve 24 along the port 6 of the pouch 4 itself.

As will be better described later, the internal shoulder 25 of the port 6 allows to isolate at least one through opening 28.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the valve 4 has an elongated element 32 which starts from the bottom of the bottom portion 27 and has a cross section (partially illustrated in Figure 8). Preferably, the bottom of the bottom portion 27 is blind.

The elongated element 32 acts as a spacer capable of ensuring the presence of at least one passage for the fluid exiting the pouch 4 following the deformation of the walls of the pouch 4 itself determined by the suction action. Such an elongated element 32 is within the reach of the person skilled in the art and will not be further described.

The bracket 1 is configured to be connected, in a removable way, to a support plate 33.

Figure 8 schematically shows an exploded view of a bracket 1 in proximity to a support plate 33.

The support plate 33, in turn, is designed to be connected in a manner within the reach of the person skilled in the field, to a structure or wall at which the installation of at least one bracket 1 is planned.

According to a preferred embodiment, the bracket 1 is configured to be hooked to the support plate 33.

More precisely, the fixing portion 2 has a plurality of hooks 34 which protrude from the bracket 1, on the opposite side to that from which the engagement portion 3 starts, and are configured to engage in respective openings 35 delimited along the plate support 33.

The support plate 33 has a plurality of respective openings 35 to allow the positioning of at least one bracket 1 along various portions of the support plate 33 itself, as well as for the positioning of several brackets 1 along the same support plate 33, for example, in a position horizontally side by side with each other.

A shaped lid 36 can be applied to the support plate 33 to define, with it, a containment and protection casing for the at least one bracket 1 connected to the support plate 33 as well as for the at least one pouch 4 supported by the at least one bracket 1 (see the exploded diagram shown in Figure 8).

The operation of the bracket 1 according to the present invention is briefly reported below.

To connect a pouch 4 to the bracket 1, the connector 5 is placed in the raised position, lifting the lever 15, freeing access to the guide housing 23 along the engagement portion 3 of the bracket 1 (see Figure 1).

Then, the flange element 22 is inserted inside the guide housing 23 placing the port 6 of the pouch 4 facing the connector 5 (see Figures 2 and 4) and the lever 15 is lowered to engage the connector 5 in port 6 (see Figures 3 and 5).

During the engagement of the connector 5 in the port 6, the bottom end 8 engages the top portion 26 of the valve 24, pushing it in translation along the connection direction 7, until the first abutment 29 abuts against the shoulder 25. The latter hinders the further advancement of the valve 24 in lowering along the connection direction 7, allowing firm engagement between the bottom end 8 and the top portion 26, thus ensuring a tight connection.

As the valve 24 moves downwards along the connection direction 7, the second abutment 30 is moved away from the internal shoulder 25 as well as the at least one through opening 28, bringing it facing the inside of the pouch 4. The at least one through opening 28 being in fluid communication with the top portion 26 of the valve 24, in turn, places the connector 5 in fluid communication with the interior of the pouch 4.

To remove the pouch 4 from the bracket 1, it proceeds in the reverse order, i.e. the lever 15 is lifted, lifting the sleeve 11 and then the connector 5 along the connection direction 7.

The bottom end 8 of the connector 5 is translated along the direction of connection 7 causing the return of the valve 24, lifting it. The interference between the connector 5 and the top portion 26 of the valve 24, in fact, is greater than the degree of interference between the valve 24 and the port 6.

Therefore, the connector 5 in engagement with the valve 24 is able to cause its lifting without slipping out of it, until the second abutment 30 abuts against the internal shoulder 25 and, more precisely, against the bottom surface of the internal shoulder 25.

With the second abutment 30 against the shoulder 25, a seal is established between the door 6 and the bottom portion 27 of the valve 24 occluding the at least one through opening 28 which is not further facing inside the pouch 4.

The further translation of the connector 5 in lifting along the connection direction 7 determines the disengagement of the bottom end 8 from the top portion 26, as the shoulder 25 precludes the further advancement of the valve 24 along the connection direction 7. According to an alternative version not shown in the attached Figures, the bracket 1 is without the lever 13 and the movement of the sleeve 11 along the guide seat 12 occurs manually by acting directly on the sleeve 11 itself.

According to this version, the sleeve 11 comprises appendages 16 diametrically opposite to each other which act as gripping elements to facilitate the movement of the sleeve 11 along the connection direction 7, between a raised and a lowered position, as well as vice versa.

The bracket 1 according to the present invention allows to pursue the intended purposes, providing a solution able to overcome the drawbacks of the state of the art with reference to reliability, since it does not have elastic sealing members subject to mechanical wear, due to their rubbing, as well as chemical wear by the substances dispensable from the pouch 4.

Furthermore, the bracket 1 can be used to replace the brackets provided with a movable connector of the prior art, in favour of a high flexibility of use.

In the foregoing, the preferred embodiments have been described and variants of the present invention have been suggested, but it is to be understood that those skilled in the art will be able to make modifications and changes without thereby departing from the relative scope of protection, as defined by the claims attached.

Claims

1. Bracket (1) configured to support a pouch (4), wherein said bracket (1) comprises: a fixing portion (2), configured for the connection of the bracket (1) to a wall or to a support plate (33); an engaging portion (3) which protrudes from said fixing portion (2) and is configured to receive and retain a pouch (4) along a guide housing (23); a sleeve (11) carrying a hollow connector (5) configured to selectively engage a port (6) of a pouch (4); wherein said sleeve (11) is slidably engaged along a guide seat (12) delimited in said engagement portion (3), whereby said sleeve (11) can be moved with respect to said guide seat (12) translating along a connection direction (7), between a raised position and a lowered position.

2. Bracket (1) according to claim 1, wherein said sleeve (11) is at least partially fitted around said connector (5) and is connected to the latter by means of a hinge connection with a single degree of freedom, suitable to allow rotation of said connector (5) with respect to said sleeve (11) around said connection direction (7).

3. Bracket (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein one among said sleeve (11) and said connector (5) comprises at least one flange (13) and the other among said connector (5) and said sleeve (11) comprises at least a pair of annular protrusions (14) spaced apart to each other to delimit a seat engageable by said at least one flange (13), wherein said at least one flange (13) engaged in said seat delimited between said at least a pair of annular protrusions (14) defines a rotating connection.

4. Bracket (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a lever (15, 150) articulated at a first end to said bracket (1) and at a second end thereof to said sleeve (11) so as to determine the raising or lowering of said sleeve (11) relative to said engagement portion (3), translating along said connection direction (7), respectively following the raising or lowering of said lever (15, 150) relative to said engagement portion (3).

5. Bracket (1) according to claim 4, wherein said sleeve (11) has two appendages (16) which protrude externally, opposite each other, and engage corresponding openings (17) delimited along the lateral sides of said lever (15) and shaped as elongated slots, wherein said lever (15) is hinged to said bracket (1) around an engagement direction (18) orthogonal to said connection direction.

6. Bracket (1) according to claim 4, wherein said lever (150) is substantially L-shaped, and wherein said sleeve (11) has two appendages (16) which extend outwardly opposite each other and engage corresponding openings (170) delimited along the lateral sides of said lever (150) and circular shaped, wherein said lever (150) delimits further openings (171) configured as elongated slots which develop along the lateral sides of said lever (150) and are aligned along a direction parallel to said connection direction (7).

7. Bracket (1) according to any one of the claims from 4 to 6, wherein said lever (15, 150) delimits a through hole (19) to allow the passage of said connector (5) through said lever (15, 150).

8. Bracket (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said guide seat (12) has at least one protrusion (20) which extends inside said guide seat (12) and is configured to engage at least one corresponding linear seat (21) provided along said sleeve (11), acting as guide along said connection direction (7).

9. Pouch (4) comprising a port (6) for delivering a liquid contained in said pouch (4), wherein said port (6) is configured to be engageable by a connector (5), a valve (24) slidingly and selectively movable along said port (6) translating along a connection direction (7) between an open position wherein it allows the outlet of the liquid from said pouch (4) and a closed position wherein it prevents the outlet of the liquid exiting from said pouch (4), wherein said valve (24) has a top portion (26) configured to be engageable by shape coupling by said connector (5) and wherein said port (6) has an internal shoulder (25) configured for selective abutment against a first abutment (29) and a second abutment (30) provided along said valve (24), wherein said first abutment (29) and said second abutment (30) are adapted to define said opening and closing positions respectively.

10. Pouch (4) according to claim 9, wherein said valve (24) has a bottom portion (27) which delimits at least one through opening (28), said through opening (28) selectively placing said top portion (26) in fluid communication with the inside of said pouch (4).

11. Tank system comprising at least a bracket (1) according to any one of the claims 1 to 8 and at least a pouch (4) according to any one of claims 9 and 10, wherein said pouch (4) is configured to be operatively connected to said at least one bracket (1), wherein said top portion (26) of said valve (24) and said bottom end (8) of said connector (5) are mutually connectable by means of an interference connection, wherein said interference connection has a higher degree of interference with respect to the engagement of said valve (24) along said port (6).

12. Tank system according to claim 11, wherein said connector (5) has an annular element (31) at said bottom end (8), wherein said annular element (31) defines a stopping abutment for the engagement of said connector (5) along said top portion (26) of said valve (24).