WO2007010561A1

WO2007010561A1 - Fluid dispensing device

Info

Publication number: WO2007010561A1
Application number: PCT/IT2005/000407
Authority: WO
Inventors: Claudio Bandi
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-07-15
Filing date: 2005-07-15
Publication date: 2007-01-25
Anticipated expiration: 2008-01-15
Also published as: EP1907298A1

Abstract

Pressure device (100, 400) for dispensing fluid substances (L). Such device comprises: a bottle (101, 401) such as to define a room (102, 402) at least partly fillable with the substances to be dispensed; a bucket (3) moving inside the room. The bucket is configured for dividing the room into a first chamber (300, 300’), delimited by the bucket and by an access end (109, 406) of the bottle, and into a second chamber (200, 200’) delimited by the bucket and by a bottom end (106, 428) of the bottle. Moreover, in an operating status of the device, such first and second chamber are not in communication with each other and house the fluid substances to be dispensed and a propellant (G) under pressure, respectively. The device is characterized in that it comprises valve means (19) acting as check valve for allowing the introduction of the propellant into the second chamber through the bottle access end.

Description

Fluid dispensing device DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a pressure device for dispensing fluid substances. In particular, such device is of the type comprising a bottle such as to define a chamber for housing such substances and a moving bucket inside such chamber.

For dispensing fluid or semi-fluid substances, in particular liquids or creams, dispensing devices are known and widely used, provided with a single chamber adapted for containing the substance to be dispensed and obtained inside a bottle, generally of elongated shape. In particular, such chamber is delimited at a first end by a measuring device or dispenser and at a second end by a moving bucket. The dispenser is, for example, a nozzle provided with valve, while the bucket represents a chamber sealing element for preventing both air inlet into the same and outlet of the fluid substance from the bottle. In such devices, the dispensing of the fluid substance is obtained by compressing and elastically deforming the dispenser. Such compression is transmitted to the fluid substance which, in this way, .comes out of the nozzle. Moreover, the bucket is configured so as to move inside the chamber only towards the dispenser, so as to assist the compression of the fluid substance into the chamber .

In addition, other known dispensing devices provide for the bucket to be able to move inside the bottle so as to delimit two different chambers not communicating with one another. A first chamber contains the substance to be dispensed whereas the second chamber generally houses a gas under pressure. Such gas acts as propellant, that is, it provides the bucket with the necessary thrust for compressing the fluid substance contained into the first chamber and making the compressed substance come out through a valve nozzle.

As known to those skilled in the art, these latter dispensing devices are generally made of metal, for example aluminium. As a consequence, the devices thus manufactured are expensive. Moreover, such devices require complex methods and specific machinery both for assembling the bucket to the bottle and for filling the second chamber with the gas under pressure. The object of the present invention is to provide a pressure device for dispensing fluid substances of the type comprising a bottle and a bucket which should be advantageous as compared to the currently known devices mentioned above. Such object is achieved by a device as defined by the annexed claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the device of the invention are defined by the dependent claims .

The features and advantages of the present invention will appear clearly from the following detailed description of an exemplifying and non/limiting embodiment thereof with reference to the annexed drawings, wherein:

- Figure 1 shows an exploded perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a device for dispensing fluid substances in accordance with the invention comprising a bottle, a bucket and an end element;

- Figures 2A and 2B show a perspective and partly cutaway view of a bucket of the device of figure 1;

- Figure 3 shows a perspective cutaway view of the end element of the device of figure 1;

- Figure 4 shows a perspective cutaway view of the bottle of the device of figure 1;

- Figure 5A shows a longitudinal section view of a portion of the device of figure 1 in an assembly step of the bucket and bottle;

- Figure 5B shows a longitudinal section view of a portion of the device of figure 1 in an assembly step of the end element to the bottle and to the bucket;

- Figure 6 shows a perspective exploded view of a further embodiment of the device for dispensing fluid substances of the invention comprising a further bottle, the bucket of figure 1 and a bottom closing element;

- Figure 7 shows a partly cutaway view of a portion of the bottle of the device of figure 6; - Figures 8A and 8B show a perspective view of the closing element of figure 6 viewed in the direction of arrow F and laterally, respectively;

- Figure 9 shows a longitudinal section view of a portion of the device of figure 6 in an assembly step of the bucket to the further bottle;

- Figure 10 and Figure 13 show a longitudinal section view of the device of figure 1 and of the further device of figure 6, respectively, in a pressurisation step;

- Figure 11 and Figure 14 show a longitudinal section view of the device of figure 1 and of the further device of figure 6, respectively, in a closing step of the devices themselves;

- Figure 12 and Figure 15 show a longitudinal section view of the device of figure 1 and of the further device of figure 6 in a filling step with a fluid to be dispensed.

With reference to figures 1, 2A, 2B, 3 and 4, a preferred embodiment of a device 100 for dispensing fluid substances in accordance with the present invention shall now be described. Same or analogous elements and components are indicated in the figures by same reference numerals .

Preferably, device 100 of the invention is applied in the dispensing of liquids under pressure and is applicable, for example, in the cosmetic field.

Such device 100 comprises a bottle (bottle) 101 of elongated shape, preferably cylindrical, such as to define an inner space 102 at least partly fillable with the fluid substances to be dispensed. Preferably, bottle 101 is made of a plastic material by moulding and/or blowing.

For example, the plastic material used may be polypropylene or nylon.

In particular, as shown in figures 1 and 4, the bottle 101 is provided, at an upper end 103, with an access opening 104 to the inner space 102. Such access opening 104 is delimited by a circular rim 104'.

Moreover, at a lower end 105, bottle 101 is closed by a bottom wall 106 convex towards space 102 and made enbloc with the bottle itself.

It should be noted that an inner cylindrical wall 107 of the bottle 101 is shaped so as to comprise, at said upper end 103, a portion of wall 108 inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the bottle 101. In particular, such inclined wall 108 extends by the entire circumference of the bottle 101 and substantially is frusto-conical with greater circumference at the access opening 104.

The above inclined wall 108 is such as to allow the pressurisation of device 100 as explained in detail hereinbelow.

Moreover, a bucket 3, advantageously manufacturable in a single piece in plastic material by moulding (for example polypropylene) is insertable inside space 102 at the upper end 103 of the bottle 101. In particular, bucket 3 is insertable through the circular access opening 104.

In addition, device 100 comprises an end element or neck 109, of substantially tubular shape, attachable to bottle 101 at said access opening 104. Such neck 109 attached to bottle 101 represents an access end to device

100.

In particular, neck 109 is made of a plastic material by moulding (for example, polypropylene) and comprises a portion 110 for the insertion and attachment to bottle 101 and a tubular body 111. Moreover, at an upper opening 112 of neck 109, the tubular body 111 ends with a rim 113 protruding outwards of the neck itself.

As shown in detail in figure 3, the insertion and attachment portion 110 is delimited at the bottom by an abutment wall 114 substantially orthogonal to the axis of neck 109, Moreover, a circular abutment rib 115 protrudes outwards neck 109 to be attached to the circular rim 104' of the bottle 101. Such abutment wall 114 is jointed to rib 115 by a connecting wall 115'.

In addition, circular concentric relieves 120 having triangular section are obtained on the top of rim 113 protruding from the tubular body 111.

It should be noted that an inner wall 116 of neck 109 exhibits a first portion of substantially cylindrical shape at the upper opening 112. On the other hand, a second portion of the inner wall 116 is shaped so as to comprise a first rim 117 protruding inwards neck 109 and a first inclined wall 118. In particular, the latter wall 118 is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of neck 109 so as to substantially be frusto-conical. I more detail, such wall 118 is inclined starting from the first rim 117 outwards neck 109, that is, the smaller circumference of the frusto-conical wall 118 is at such first protruding rim 117.

It should be noted that such first rim 117 as well as the first inclined wall 118 extend along the entire inner circumference of neck 109. Moreover, the first inclined wall 118 is jointed at the bottom to the abutment wall 114. It should be further noted that the first rim 117 and the first inclined wall 118 are shaped to engage with bucket 3 during the assembly of device 100, as explained in detail hereinafter. As shown in figures 2A and 2B, bucket 3 comprises a frame 14 of substantially cylindrical shape and provided with a base wall 15. Such base wall 15 is overlapped by an annular wall 16 and by a tubular body 17 coaxial to one another and both orthogonal to said base wall 15 of frame 14. It should further be noted that the tubular body 17 and the annular wall 16 are separate from one another by a first circular space 24.

In more detail, bucket 3 comprises sealing means 18, 19 and 20 attached to the above frame 14 and such as to interact with the inner cylindrical wall 107 of the bottle 101 when bucket 3 is inserted and made to slide inside the latter. Preferably, such sealing means is a circular wall 20 attached as a collar to the cylindrical frame 14 of the bucket 3. In particular, such circular wall 20 is concave outwards bucket 3, that is, towards the inner wall 107. Such concave wall 20 comprises respective ends or flexible lips 18 and 19, in particular, a flexible upper lip 18 and a flexible lower lip 19. Moreover, a circular end 22 of the annular wall 16 opposed to the base wall 15 is provided with a flexible rim 21. In particular, such flexible rim 21 protrudes from wall 16 in a direction opposite to the first space 24. Moreover^- the annular wall 16 comprises a plurality of recesses or slots 23 of the through type and substantially equally spaced from one another. Such slots 23 extend in such annular wall 16 in a longitudinal direction, from the circular end 22 towards the base wall 15. In this way, slots 23 interrupt the continuity of the flexible rim 21 but without reaching the base wall 15.

It should be noted that a circular rim 25 of the base wall 15 is delimited by the annular wall 16. Such circular rim 25 comprises a plurality of further recesses or slots 26 circumferentially arranged, each being radially aligned with a respective longitudinal slot 23 of the annular wall 16.

It should further be noted that the tubular wall 17 of the bucket 3 has a greater length than that of the annular wall 16 and is assimilable to a tang for allowing the housing of a suitable valve.

With reference to figure 4, it should be noted that at the bottom wall 106 of the bottle 101 there is realised orientation means 119 of the bottle itself. In particular, such orientation means is a positioning key 119 comprising a tooth protruding from the bottom wall 106 outwards bottle 101. Such positioning key provides a unique reference for the orientation of the entire device 100 during the assembly step.

Advantageously, such unique orientation allows quick assembly of additional components on device 100. For example, once a front position for device 100 has been decided, it is possible to fit dispensing caps or put adhesive labels on bottle 101 so that they are aligned with such position. In addition, with such unique orientation associated to device 100, the production lines of devices 100 may be realised by simpler and less expensive alignment equipment that that currently used.

The assembly of device 100 can be described with reference to figures 1, 5A and 5B. In particular, in figures 5A and 5B, elements and components equal or analogous to those shown in the previous figures are indicated with the same reference numerals .

In a first assembly step of device 100 of the invention, bucket 3 is introduced inside bottle 101 through the access opening 104. Moreover, bucket 3 is pushed and made to axially slide inside space 102 so that the lower lip 19 seals with the inner cylindrical wall

107 of the bottle 101. In a second assembly step of device 100, portion 110 of neck 109 is inserted into the access opening 104 of the bottle 101 so as to bring rib 115 in abutment with the corresponding circular rim 104' of the bottle 101.

At this point, neck 109 is coaxial with bottle 101 and is welded to the latter by suitable equipment that combines mechanical pressure and ultrasounds. Such equipment is known to those skilled in the art.

Afterwards, bucket 3 is pushed in the direction of arrow E (that is, from inside space 102 towards the upper ^" opening 112 of neck 109) ^'until the flexible rim 21 of the bucket 3 itself engages with the first protruding rim 117 of neck 109. In more detail, at the first inclined wall 118, the flexible rim 21 of the bucket 3, at first gradually bends towards the axis of the bottle 101 and then engages snap-wise with the first protruding wall 117.

In addition, the circular rim 25 of the bucket 3 moves in abutment with the abutment wall 114 of neck 109 locking bucket 3 in a first fixed position. In other words, in such first position bucket 3 cannot axially shift relative to bottle 101 anymore.

Moreover, in such first fixed position, the lower lip 19 of the bucket 3 is sealed with the inner cylindrical wall 107 of the bottle 101, that it, it adheres to such wall 107 with a lower end. On the other hand, the upper lip 18 of the bucket 3 is separated from the inclined wall 108 by a circular passage interspace since such lip 18 and the adjacent inclined wall 108 do not contact one another. Following the assembly of the bucket 3 and of neck 109 to bottle 101, it is possible to carry out a step of introducing a propellant under pressure inside device 100. In particular, in an operating status of device 100, such propellant provides the necessary energy for dispensing the fluid substance from the device itself.

Such step of introducing the propellant inside device

100 or pressurisation step is schematically shown in figure 10.

For example, the propellant introduced may be a gas at the liquid or compressed state (for example, a hydrocarbon gas such as butane or butane-propane) or compressed air.

For example, let us assume that the propellant is a compressed gas G, represented in figure 10 by arrows. Such compressed gas G is introduced into device 100 by a suitable injector 601 of known type. In particular, such injector 601 is inserted into neck 109 welded to bottle

101 through the upper opening 112 so as to be sided to bucket 3. Moreover, injector 601 ensures a dual seal with neck 109 and with bucket 3 by annular sealing gaskets 603 . it should be noted that during the pressurisation step, the flexible rim 21 of the bucket 3 is held pressed against the inner wall 116 of neck 109 so that the same bucket 3 cannot disengage the corresponding first protruding rim 117 by axially shifting relative to the first fixed position.

As shown in figure 10, gas G is injected under pressure into device 100 starting from a main duct 602 of injector 601. Such duct 602 branches off at bucket 3 and gas G pushed under pressure can flow through the longitudinal slots 23 and those arranged circumferentially 26 obtained on bucket 3 itself.

Moreover, the compressed gas G can flow into the circular interspace comprised between the upper lip 18 and the inclined wa-11 108 of the bottle 101.

At this point, the pressure of the injected gas G acts on the lower lip 19 to bend it for allowing access of gas G itself below bucket 3. In other words, with bucket 3 in the first fixed position, the injected gas can expand inside a portion of space 102 delimited by bucket 3 itself and by the convex bottom wall 106. Such portion of space 102 is assimilable to a pressurisation chamber 200 or first chamber for device 100. It should be noted, in particular, that at the end of the injection of the_ pressurised gas G, the lower lip 19 of the bucket 3 elastically returns to the sealing position with the inner cylindrical wall 107 of the bottle 101. In this way, the injected gas G cannot return towards injector 601. In other words, the lower lip 19 of the bucket 3 acts as check valve for the injected gas which thus remains trapped into the first chamber 200.

With reference to figure 11, a subsequent closing step of device 100 is described. In particular, such closing step is carried out by a valve 701, for example of the type without float. Such valve 701 is first rested and then mechanically pushed inside tang 17 of the bucket 3. Such mechanical thrust bends the flexible rim 21 of the bucket 3, disengaging it from the first protruding rim 117. In this way, bucket 3 can axially move inside bottle 101 towards the convex bottom wall 106 taking up a second position.

In such second position, the upper lip 18 of the bucket is below the inclined wall 108, then it seals with the inner cylindrical wall 107 of the bottle 101 similarly to what already happened with the lower lip 19.

At this point, valve 701 is locked to neck 109 by seaming.

In particular, this is obtained by deforming a bendable end 702 of valve 701 by pliers 703 so as to make it adhere to rim 113 protruding from neck 109.

It should be noted that the circular protrusions 102 with triangular section present above rim 113 ensure a seal with a gasket provided at the bendable ends 702 of valve 701.

With reference to figure 12, a filling step of device 100 with the fluid substance to be dispensed is described. For example, such fluid substance is a liquid under pressure L indicated by arrows in figure 12. In such step, the liquid under pressure L is injected inside bottle 101 at the upper opening 112 of neck 109 welded to bottle 101.

In particular, as known to those skilled in the art, the filling with liquid L occurs through valve 701 by a further injector 801 arranged for injecting the liquid through a stem 802 of valve 701.

During the filling step, the hydraulic pressure of liquid L introduced into bottle 101 pushes bucket 3 towards the bottom wall 106. In fact, following the sealing effect of the upper lip 18 of the bucket 3 with the inner cylindrical wall 107 of the bottle 101, liquid L under pressure injected through valve 701 cannot reach the first chamber 200 but builds up in a second chamber 300 of the bottle 101 delimited by valve 701 and by bucket 3. Similarly, the lower lip 19 prevents the flow of gas G contained into the first chamber 200 towards the second one 300, that is, the two chambers 200 and 300 are not in communication with one another. Moreover, the shifting of the bucket 3 following the filling with liquid L reduces the volume of the first chamber 200 compressing, as a consequence, the propelling gas G contained therein. In this way, such gas G builds up the necessary energy for allowing, afterwards, the dispensing of liquid L contained in the second chamber 300.

In operating conditions, device 100 of the invention dispenses liquid L contained in the second chamber 300 each time such chamber is placed in communication with the outside of the bottle 101 through suitable nozzle ducts (not shown) . For example, this occurs concurrently with the pressure exerted on a nozzle (not shown in figure 12) which controls the opening/closing of such ducts . In particular, with such ducts open, the pressure exerted by the propelling gas G inside the first chamber 200 is transmitted to bucket 3 and hence to the liquid that comes out of device 100.

It should be noted, moreover, that device 100 in operating conditions is capable of dispensing liquid L contained therein in any position it is held.

With reference to figures 6, 7, 8A, 8B and 9, an embodiment of a further device 400 for dispensing fluid substances in accordance with the invention shall now be described. Elements and components equal or analogous to those described with reference to device 100 are indicated in the above figures with same reference numerals.

Such further device 400 can be used for dispensing fluids under pressure as well.

Such device 400 comprises a further bottle 401 of elongated shape, preferably cylindrical, such as to define a further inner space 402 at least partly fillable with the fluid substances to be dispensed. Preferably, bottle 401 is made of a plastic material by moulding and/or blowing (for example polypropylene or nylon) .

Moreover, a bucket 3 similar to that used in device 100, is insertable into space 402 at a lower end 403 of the bottle 401. In particular, bucket 3 is insertable through a base opening 404 of the bottle 401. Such base opening 404 is reclosable by a bottom element or bottom 405, also advantageously made of a plastic material by moulding.

It should be noted that bottle 401 has an upper access end 406 tapered relative to a main body 401' so as to form a further neck 409. At a further access opening

412 to bottle 401, such neck 409 ends with a further rim

413 protruding outwards bottle 401 itself.

As shown in detail in figure 7, the further neck 409 is internally shaped similarly to neck 109 of device 100. In fact, a further inner wall 116' of neck 409 exhibits a first portion of substantially cylindrical shape at the access opening 412. Moreover, a second portion of the inner wall 116 comprises a further first rim 117' protruding towards space 402 and further inclined wall 118'. This latter wall 118' is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the bottle 401 so as to substantially be frusto-conical.

It should be noted that the first rim 117' and the inclined wall 118' extend along the entire inner circumference of neck 409 .at the connecting portion of the bottle 401 between neck 409 and the main body 401'. Such connecting portion also comprises an abutment wall 412', substantially orthogonal to the axis of the bottle 401.

Moreover, a further inner cylindrical wall 407 of the main body 401' of the bottle 401 comprise, in the proximity of the above inclined wall 118', a plurality of protrusions or shaped septa 413. In particular, each shaped septum 413 is assimilable to a plane- inclined towards the lower end 403 of the bottle 401 so as to mechanically interact with bucket 3 during assembly.

Moreover, as shown in figure 8B, bottom 405 has a substantially discoidal shape and comprises a central portion 427 such as to determine a convex surface 428.

Such central portion 427 of the bottom 405 is edged by a flange 429.

In particular, the central portion 427 is insertable into space 402 of the bottle 401 through the base opening 404. In this way, the respective convex surface 428 represents a bottom wall for said space 402.

Moreover, as shown in figure 8A, in position opposed to the convex surface 428, bottom 405 comprises sealing ribs 430, for example cross-shaped. Advantageously, the convex surface 428 and the opposed sealing ribs 430 are such as to ensure greater resistance of the bottom 405 to the pressure developed inside bottle 401.

In addition, bottom 405 comprises further orientation means 431, 431' of the bottle 401 relative to bottom 405 itself. Such orientation means is a first positioning key

431 and a second positioning key 431'. In particular, in the example shown in figure 8A, the first key 431 is of the type comprising a relief of flange 429 adjacent the central portion 427. With the assembly of the bottom 405 to bottle 401, such first key 431 engages with a corresponding orientation slit 432 obtained in the lower end 403 of the bottle 401 itself. Moreover, the second positioning key 431' preferably is a tooth protruding from one of ribs 430 so as .to be aligned with the first positioning key 431. Such second positioning key 431' is similar to the orientation means 119 of device 100.

It should be noted that the first 431 and the second

431' positioning keys allow assembling bottom 405 and bottle 401 in an orientated manner. In other words, similarly to key 119 of the first device 100, such keys

431, 431' provide a unique reference for the orientation of the entire further device 400.

It should further be noted that the positioning keys

431, 431' of the bottom 405 can have other shapes than those described with reference to figure 8A although maintaining the same purpose. For example, such keys can comprise suitably shaped slots.

The assembly of the further device 400 for dispensing fluid can be described with reference to figures 6 and 9. In particular in figure 9, elements and components equal or analogous to those shown in the previous figures are indicated with same reference numerals.

In a first assembly step of device 400, bucket 3 is introduced inside bottle 401 through the base opening 404. Moreover, bucket 3 is pushed and made to slide inside space 402 towards the upper end 406 of the bottle"

401 until the flexible rim 21 of the bucket 3 itself engages with the first protruding rim 117' of neck 409.

In more detail, at the first inclined wall 118', the flexible rim 21 first gradually bends towards the axis αf the bottle 401 and then engages snap-wise the protruding rim 117' .

In addition, the circular rim 25 of the bucket 3 moves in abutment with the abutment wall 412' of the bottle 401 locking bucket 3 in a first fixed position. In such first position, bucket 3 cannot axially shift relative to bottle 401.

Moreover, in the first fixed position, the lower lip

19 of the bucket 3 is sealed with the further inner wall 407 of the bottle 401. On the other hand, the upper lip

18 is bent towards the axis of the bottle 401 at the shaped septa 413. In other words, such bent upper lip 18 remains detached from the inner wall 407 so that the lower lip 19 and the upper opening 412 are in communication with each other through the longitudinal 23 and circumferentially arranged slots 26 provided in bucket 3.

In a second step of assembly of the further device

400, the base opening 404 of the bottle 401 is closed by bottom 405. In particular, bottom 405 is first oriented to make the positioning key 431 match the corresponding orientation slit 432. Afterwards, the central portion 427 of the bottom 405 is pushed inside space 402 to move flange 429 in abutment against the rim of opening 404. Finally, bottom 405 is welded to bottle 401 by known equipment which combines mechanical pressure and ultrasounds .

Similarly to what described with reference to device 100, following the assembly of the bucket 3 and of the bottom 405 to bottle 401, a propellant under pressure can be introduced inside the further device 400.

Such pressurisation step is schematically shown in figure 13 and, for example, the propellant introduced can be a gas G at the liquid or compressed state. For example, such gas G is introduced into device 400 by injector 601 inserted into bottle 401 through the access opening 412. Such injector 601 ensures dual seal with bottle 401 and with bucket 3 through the annular gaskets 603. During the pressurisation step, the flexible rim 21 of the bucket 3 is kept pressed against the inner wall 116' of neck 409 preventing bucket 3 from disengaging the first protruding rim 117'.

As shown in figure 13, gas G is injected under pressure through a main duct 602 of injector 601 and pushed under pressure it can flow through slots 23 and 26 obtained on bucket 3 (not shown in figure 13) .

Moreover, the upper lip 18 of the bucket 3 is bent at the shaped septa 413 and therefore it allows the flow of gas G so that the latter can reach the lower lip 19. At this point, the pressure of gas G acts on the lower lip 19 bending it for allowing, access of gas G itself below bucket 3.

Similarly to the pressurisation step described for device 100, the injected gas G expands into a portion of space 402 delimited by bucket 3 itself and by the convex surface 428 of the bottom 405. Such portion of space 402 comprises a first pressurisation chamber or further first chamber 200' of device 400. Also in this case, at the end of the injection of the pressurised gas G, the lower lip 19 of the bucket 3 elastically returns to the sealing position with the inner wall 407 of the bottle 401, thus the injected gas G remains trapped inside the first chamber 200'. With reference to figures 14 and 15, subsequent closing and filling steps of the further device 400 are described. Such steps are similar to those described for device 100.

In particular, the closing of device 400 is obtained by valve 701 (for example, without float) . Such valve 701 is rested and mechanically pushed inside tang 17 of^" the bucket 3 for disengaging the flexible rim 21 from the protruding rim 117'. In this way, bucket 3 can axially move inside bottle 401 towards the convex bottom surface 428 taking up a second position.

In such second position, the upper lip 18 of the bucket 3 is below the shaped septa 413, then it elastically seals with the inner wall 407 of the bottle 401 similarly to what already occurred for the lower lip 19.

At this point, valve 701 is locked to bottle 401 by seaming, that is, by deforming the bending end 702 of valve 701 by pliers 703 so as to make it adhere to rim 413 protruding from neck 409. The filling step of device 400 with the liquid L to be dispensed is described with reference to figure 15. In particular, the liquid under pressure L is injected into bottle 401 at the upper end 406 of the bottle itself. Moreover, as known to those skilled in the art, the filling with liquid L occurs through stem 802 of valve 701 by injector 801 similar to that described with reference to device 100.

During the filling step, the hydraulic pressure of liquid L introduced into bottle 401 pushes bucket 3 towards the convex bottom surface 428. In fact, following the sealing effect of the upper lip 18 of the bucket 3 with the inner wall 407 of the bottle 401, liquid L under pressure injected through valve 701 cannot reach the first chamber 201' but builds up in a further second chamber 300' of the bottle 401 delimited by valve 701 and by bucket 3. Similarly, the lower lip 19 prevents the flow of gas G contained in the first chamber 200' towards the second one 300', that is, the two chambers 200' and 300' are not in communication with each other.

Moreover, gas G is compressed in the first chamber 200' following the shifting of th bucket 3 due to the filling with liquid L. In this way, such gas G. builds up the necessary energy for allowing, afterwards, the dispensing of liquid L contained in the second chamber 300' .

In operating conditions, also the further device 400 is capable of dispensing liquid L contained therein in any position it is held. The fluid dispensing devices 100 and 400 of the invention exhibit multiple advantages as compared to known devices .

In the first place, the shape of the bucket 3 allows introducing the propelling gas G into the first chambers 200, 200' comprised between bucket 3 and the respective bottom walls 106 and 428, through the upper openings 112 and 412 of the bottles 101 and 401, that is, from the side opposed to said bottom walls. Moreover, the operation of pressurisation of devices 100 and 400 requires quite simple and inexpensive equipment to be carried out.

The essential components of devices 100, that is, bottles 101 and 401, bucket 3, neck 109 and bottom 405 are made of a plastic material easily recyclable. This allows a considerable reduction of the costs for manufacturing devices 100 and 400 as compared to metal devices .

Moreover, the amount of propelling gas G used to operate such devices 100 and 400 is less than that used in conventional dispensing devices.

It should be noted, moreover, that the flexible sealing lips 18, 19 of the bucket 3 are only a preferred example of valve means acting as check valve. In fact, the same inventive concept can provide for further embodiments of the above valve means associable to bucket 3 and/or to bottles 101, 401.

It is clear that a man skilled in the art may make further changes and variants to the device described in the present invention in order to meet specific and incidental needs, all falling within the scope of protection of the invention as defined in the "following claims.

Claims

1. Device (100; 400) for dispensing under pressure fluid substances (L) , such device comprising: a bottle (101; 401) such as to define a room (102; 402) at least partly tillable with the substances to be dispensed; a bucket (3) moving inside the room, said bucket being configured for dividing the room into a first chamber (300; 300'), delimited by the bucket and by an access end (109; 406) of the bottle, and in a second chamber (200; 200') delimited by the bucket and by a bottom end (106; 428) of the bottle; in an operating status of the device, said first and second chamber being not in communication with each other for housing the fluid substances to be dispensed and a propellant (G) under pressure, respectively, characterised in that said device is provided with valve means (19) acting as check valve for allowing the introduction of the propellant into the second chamber through the bottle access end.

2. Device (100; 400) in accordance with claim 1, wherein said valve means (19) is associated with the bucket (3) .

3. Device (100; 400) in accordance with claim 2, wherein said valve means comprises a first flexible lip (19) attached to a cylindrical frame (14) of the bucket (3) .

4. Device (100; 400) in accordance with claim 3, wherein the bucket (3) further comprises a second flexible lip (18) coupled to the first lip (19) for forming a circular collar wall (20) for said frame (14) .

5. Device (100; 400) in accordance with claim 4, wherein the frame (14) of the bucket (3) further comprises a base wall (15) overlapped by an annular wall (16) and by a tubular body (17) substantially orthogonal to said base wall.

6. Device (100; 400) in accordance with claim 5, wherein said annular wall (16) is coaxial with the tubular body (17) and comprises a flexible rim (21) at an end (22) opposed to the base' wall (15).

7. Device (100; 400) in accordance with claim 6, wherein said annular wall (16) and said base wall (15) respectively comprise longitudinal slits of through type

(23) and slots arranged circumferentially (26) for allowing the flow of the propellant (G) under pressure from the access end (109; 406) of the bottle (101; 401) to the second chamber (200; 200' )•

8. Device (100; 400) in accordance with claim 6, wherein said tubular body (17) of the bucket (3) comprises a tang for allowing the housing of a valve ( 701 ) .

9. Device (100; 400) in accordance with claim 8, wherein in the operating status of the device, said first

(19) and second (18) flexible lips are sealed with an inner wall (107; 407) of the bottle (101; 401) for keeping the first chamber (300; 300') containing the fluid substances (L) and the second chamber (200; 200') containing the propellant (G) non in communication with each other.

10. Device (100; 400) in accordance with claim 9, wherein starting from a sealing position with the inner wall (107; 407) of the bottle (101; 401), the first lip

(19) bends during the introduction of the propellant (G) into the second chamber (200; 200'), said first lip being capable of elastically returning in sealing position with said inner wall for trapping the propellant into the second chamber.

11. Device (100) in accordance with claim 9, wherein bottle (101) has a cylindrical shape and comprises an access opening (104) at an upper end (103) for allowing the introduction of the bucket (3) into room (102) .

12. Device (100) in accordance with claim 11, wherein the inner wall (107) of the bottle (101) is shaped so as to comprise an inclined wall (108) substantially frusto- conical at said access opening (104) .

13. Device (100) in accordance with claim 11, further comprising an end element (109) attachable to bottle (101) at said upper end (103) .

14. Device (100) in accordance with claims 6 and 13, wherein said end element (109) is substantially tubular and includes at a first inner wall (116) a first protruding rim (117) and a first inclined wall (118), said protruding rim being capable of engaging with the flexible rim (21) of the bucket (3) in a device assembly step.

15. Device (100) in accordance with claim 14, wherein in such assembly step, the first flexible lip (19) is sealed with the inner wall (107) of the bottle (101) and the second lip (18) is arranged at the inclined wall (108) being detached from the latter.

16. Device (100) in accordance with claim 1, wherein said first chamber (200) is delimited by a bottom wall (106) enbloc with bottle (101) and convex towards said chamber.

17. Device (100) in accordance with claim 16, wherein said bottom wall (106) comprises first device orientation means (119) .

18. Device (400) in accordance with claim 9, wherein bottle (401) has a cylindrical shape and comprises an access opening (404) at a lower upper end (403) for allowing the introduction of the bucket (3) into the xσom (402) .

19. Device (400) in accordance with claim 18, further comprising a bottom closing element (405) attachable to bottle (101) at said lower end (403) for closing the access opening (404) to room (402).

20. Device (400) in accordance with claim 19, wherein the access end (406) of the bottle (401) includes at a second inner wall (llβ¹), a further first protruding rim (117 ') and a further first inclined wall (118'), said protruding rim being capable of engaging with the flexible rim (21) of the bucket (3) in a device assembly step.

21. Device (400) in accordance with claim 20, wherein in such assembly step, the first flexible lip (19) is sealed with the inner wall (401) of the bottle (401) and the second lip (18) is kept bent at shaped septa (413) obtained in said wall.

22. Device (400) in accordance with claim 19, wherein said bottom closing element (405) comprises a convex bottom wall (428) for delimiting the second chamber (20O¹ ) .

23. Device (400) in accordance with claim 22, wherein said bottom element (405) comprises second orientation means (431, 431') for orientating said element relative to bottle ( 401 ) .

24. Device (400) in accordance with claim 23, wherein said orientation means comprises a first positioning key (431) and at least one second orientation key (431 ') adjacent to each other.

25. Device (100; 400) in accordance with claims 1, 13 and 18, wherein bottle (101; 401), bucket (3), the end element (109) and the bottom element (405) are made of a plastic material by moulding and/or blowing.