Components, devices and methods for dispensing fluid products

Abstract

A component for dispensing a fluid product, comprising a housing (44) having a mounting (42) with a dispensing opening (40) and a container (12) for containing the fluid product, a pumping device (45), a deflecting element (53) rotatable about a rotation axis (R), the deflecting element (53) being provided with a first channel (A) and a second channel (B), the first channel (A) and the second channel (B) being in fluid communication with each other and each having an open end (66) arranged radially with respect to the rotation axis (R) on the outer peripheral surface (65) of the rotatable deflecting element (53). The component further comprises a suction conduit (49), a delivery conduit (50) and a recirculation conduit (52), the suction conduit (49) being connected to the inlet of the pumping device (45) for drawing the fluid product from the said container (12) mounted on the mounting (42), the delivery conduit (50) fluidly connecting the outlet of the pumping device (45) to the said rotatable deflecting element (53), and the recirculation conduit (52) being arranged downstream of the deflecting element (53) for returning the fluid product to the container (12). The rotatable deflecting element (53) has at least one recirculation position (O) and at least one delivery position (I), in the recirculation position (O), the open end (66) of one of the channels faces the open end of the delivery conduit (50) to be in fluid communication with the delivery conduit (50), while the open end (66) of the other channel faces the recirculation conduit (52) to be in fluid communication with the recirculation conduit (52) so as to recirculate the fluid product to the container (12), and in the delivery position (I), the open end (66) of one of the channels faces the open end of the delivery conduit (50) to be in fluid communication with the delivery conduit (50), while the open end (66) of the other channel faces the dispensing opening (40) for dispensing the fluid product.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to components and methods for dispensing fluid products, particularly colored fluid products such as paints, pigments, coating compositions, etc., and to a dispenser comprising one or more such components and its use for preparing user-defined formulated products (such as paint formulated products) in the field of retrofit or repair applications, for example. Background Art

[0002] Components for dispensing fluid products are well known in the art and are typically associated with automatic dispensers for dispensing fluid products. Such machines may include multiple components for dispensing fluid products, each component being configured to deliver paints having different color, chroma, or brightness variations.

[0003] In dispensers known in the art, a delivery station is provided. A receptacle is placed in the delivery station and one or more products are delivered into the receptacle, and the one or more products can be drawn by corresponding components according to a predetermined delivery sequence to provide a formulated product requested by an operator.

[0004] Components known in the art typically include a pump (such as a positive displacement pump) and valve means, the valve means including one or more valve elements appropriately arranged along the pipeline through which the fluid product passes to selectively allow or block the passage of the fluid product in certain cases.

[0005] The fluid product in the container ages or degrades over time, for example, by drying, sedimentation, phase separation, and / or formation of agglomerated materials. Therefore, the product quality may deteriorate and there is a risk of clogging of the components or their parts.

[0006] Components have been developed to address this problem. Examples of such components known in the art are disclosed in US Patent Application US2017 / 0252766A1 and European Patent Application EP1.492.970B1. In these components, a rotatable valve member is arranged between the container of the fluid product and the piston pump, and the rotatable valve member is provided with at least three radial channels having different diameters from each other. An associated controller can operate the pump and the valve to draw liquid from the container and then either dispense the liquid via the channel of a selected-size valve driven to the dispensing position or clean the liquid from the pump to the container in the cleaning position to clean the channel of the valve. These prior art solutions can solve the clogging of the dispensing orifice, but they cannot provide efficient homogenization of the liquid product in the container to maintain high-quality drawing of the product even after long-term storage.

[0007] Another component is known from international patent application WO2018 / 041051A1. A component is disclosed in this document, which includes a valve element movable along the longitudinal direction of the housing. Depending on the position of the valve element, different pipes are put into fluid communication with each other so as to alternately obtain the above-mentioned conveying conditions or recirculation conditions.

[0008] In addition, the valve elements and / or pipe arrangements of all the above-cited prior art documents are designed to obtain main conveyance and precise conveyance at a relatively high flow rate so as to precisely achieve a set amount of the fluid to be conveyed.

[0009] Therefore, a disadvantage of the above-mentioned components known in the art is that manufacturing these components and installing these components in a dispenser are rather complicated. This significantly increases the costs and time required for manufacturing and maintaining the above-mentioned components.

[0010] Another disadvantage of the components known in the art is that the reciprocating arrangement of the pump, the reciprocating arrangement of the pipes in the housing, and the reciprocating arrangement of the tank containing the fluid product make the path traveled by the fluid product longer. This increases the conveyance time required for the fluid product to leave the component for its conveyance.

[0011] Another disadvantage of the above-mentioned components known in the art is that they are bulky. This means that the dispenser associated with the above-mentioned components requires a larger internal volume to accommodate these components, and thus the dispenser will in turn be larger.

[0012] Therefore, there is a need for a component for dispensing a fluid product and a corresponding dispensing method that mitigate or overcome at least one of the above-mentioned disadvantages in the current state of the prior art.

[0013] The applicant has designed, tested, and implemented the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and achieve these and other objectives and advantages. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] For the above purpose, according to the present invention, there is provided a component for dispensing a fluid product. The component includes a housing having a dispensing opening and including a mounting member for accommodating a container for the fluid product. The component further includes a pumping device, a pipe system including a suction pipe, a delivery pipe, and a recirculation pipe, and a valve device. The valve device includes a swivel element rotatable about a rotation axis, the swivel element being provided with a first channel and a second channel, the first channel and the second channel being in fluid communication with each other and each having an open end radially arranged relative to the rotation axis on the outer peripheral surface of the rotatable swivel element. The rotatable swivel element has at least one recirculation position and at least one delivery position. In the recirculation position, the fluid product conveyed via the suction pipe and the delivery pipe is recirculated to the container via the recirculation pipe. In the delivery position, the fluid product conveyed via the suction pipe and the delivery pipe is dispensed via the dispensing opening.

[0015] The present invention also relates to a dispenser for dispensing a fluid product, which comprises at least one such component.

[0016] The present invention also relates to a method for dispensing a fluid product, comprising:

[0017] (a) providing a pumping device and a housing having a mounting member with a dispensing opening and including a container for containing the fluid product;

[0018] (b) providing a valve device, the valve device including a deflecting element rotatable about a rotation axis, the deflecting element being provided with a first channel and a second channel, the first channel and the second channel being in fluid communication with each other and each having an open end radially disposed relative to the rotation axis on the outer peripheral surface of the rotatable deflecting element;

[0019] (c) actuating the pumping device to draw fluid from the container through an inhalation conduit and to convey the fluid product to a delivery conduit;

[0020] (d) driving the rotatable deflecting element to alternately place the deflecting element (i) in a recirculation position or (ii) in a delivery position, in the recirculation position, the fluid product conveyed through the inhalation conduit and the delivery conduit is recirculated to the container via a recirculation conduit, in the delivery position, the fluid product conveyed through the inhalation conduit and the delivery conduit is dispensed via the dispensing opening.

[0021] The method according to the present invention can in particular be implemented using the component for dispensing a fluid product according to the present invention or a dispenser comprising the components described herein.

[0022] The component for dispensing a fluid product according to the present invention has a compact and flexible design, enabling it to be used in a limited space environment, thereby occupying a relatively small volume in a dispenser incorporating the component. Thus, a characteristic advantage of the present invention is that the arrangement of the conduits and the arrangement of the rotatable deflecting element within the housing allow for a more compact housing, and thus, compared to components known in the art, the component is much smaller in volume, enabling it to be used in a limited space environment, such as in a dispenser of relatively compact dimensions.

[0023] Furthermore, the construction of the present invention enables the operator to easily access the components and avoids laborious maintenance operations. The components and methods according to the present invention allow the delivery of the desired amount of fluid product in a reliable, safe and economical manner with high precision and high speed. It can effectively reduce or prevent the aging, drying or degradation of liquid products during storage, and can efficiently homogenize the product and clean the pipeline for use. Therefore, the present invention can deliver high-quality fluids even from containers that have not been used for a long time, without or with limited aging (such as the drying or solidification of liquid products during storage in containers). In addition, the simple construction of the rotatable steering element makes the component and thus the dispensing machine associated therewith easy to control.

[0024] The fluid products used according to the present invention may particularly include colored fluid products or are colored fluid products. Therefore, the present invention is particularly suitable for preparing colored formulated products. It can be used, for example, to provide user-defined paint formulated products or coating compositions, especially in a body shop for finishing or repair purposes, such as for painting a vehicle body.

[0025] These and other alternative aspects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will be better understood with reference to the following description, the drawings and the appended claims. The drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate some non-limiting forms of embodiments of the present invention and, together with the specification, are used to describe the principles of the present disclosure. Description of the Drawings

[0026] In the drawings:

[0027] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a component for dispensing a fluid product according to the present invention, wherein the component is mounted on a support of a dispensing machine and a container is associated with the component;

[0028] Figure 2 is Figure 1 an exploded perspective view, wherein the component and the support are clearly visible;

[0029] Figure 3 is Figure 11 a partial schematic perspective view of a part of the dispensing machine shown in

[0030] Figure 4 is Figure 3 a partial schematic cross-sectional view of one of the components visible in

[0031] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along a first longitudinal section of the component visible in Figure 1 and the container associated therewith;

[0032] Figure 5a is Figure 5 an enlarged detailed view of a part of a cross-sectional view of

[0033] Figure 6 is Figure 5 another enlarged detailed view of a cross-sectional view of

[0034] Figure 7 is an enlarged detailed cross-sectional view taken along a second longitudinal section perpendicular to the first longitudinal section, as shown in Figure 6 the figure of

[0035] Figures 8A - 8C shows Figure 7 the enlarged details of , showing its operating sequence;

[0036] Figure 9 shows an alternative variant of a rotatable steering element that can be used in a component according to the present invention (cross-section as shown in Figure 7 )

[0037] Figure 10 shows a cross-sectional view of a component according to the present invention, the component having a rotatable steering element, and a fluid regulating device being associated with the steering element (cross-section as shown in Figure 5 )

[0038] Figure 11 is a schematic perspective view of a dispensing machine according to the present invention, the dispensing machine including a plurality of dispensing components of the present invention.

[0039] For ease of understanding, wherever possible, the same reference numerals have been used to identify the same common elements in the drawings. It is understood that the elements and features of one embodiment can be conveniently incorporated into other embodiments without further clarification. Detailed Description

[0040] As described above, the present invention relates to a component that includes a housing having a dispensing opening through which a fluid product is dispensed, for example, into a receiving container below. The dispensing opening can be appropriately designed and dimensioned according to the maximum flow rate that the component can dispense. The housing includes a mounting for a container that holds the fluid product. The shape and dimensions of the container are not particularly limited, but should allow an operator to operate it reasonably and, for common formulation purposes, be able to hold a sufficient amount of fluid product. Typically, the volume of the fluid product contained in the container ranges from 0.1 liters up to 5 liters, preferably in the range of 0.5 to 2 liters. According to the present invention, the container can be detachably assembled in the mounting so that it can be replaced or refilled once the fluid product contained therein is consumed. For example, the mounting can have an internal thread to engage with the neck of the container, which has an external thread to couple with the mounting. The component according to the present invention further includes pumping means, in particular a positive displacement pumping means, such as a bellows pump or a piston pump or a gear pump. The component according to the present invention further includes valve means that include a deflecting element rotatable about a rotational axis, the deflecting element being provided with a first channel and a second channel that are in fluid communication with each other and each having an open end terminating on the outer peripheral surface of the rotatable deflecting element. In this specification, the expression "in fluid communication" is used, which means that the recited elements (in this case, the first channel and the second channel) are interconnected in such a way as to allow fluid to flow from one element (channel) to the other element (channel). According to the present invention, the deflecting element can act as a three-way two-position valve, where the valve can assume at least two different configurations, according to which the inlet channel through which fluid enters the valve can selectively communicate with one or the other outlet channel for the fluid. The first channel and the second channel can have a configuration that is symmetric with respect to the rotational axis. The first channel and the second channel can be in fluid communication through a central hole and extend parallel to each other, leaving the central hole in a tangential manner. The channels can have substantially the same or different dimensions (e.g., in cross-section). For example, the first channel and the second channel can have substantially the same cross-section. The open ends of the above-mentioned channels can be located at corresponding positions on the outer peripheral surface of the deflecting element so as to be arranged to be disposed opposite each other at approximately 180° (e.g., 180° ± 5° or 180° ± 2°). The pumping means and the deflecting element can be independently driven by respective motors. The motor of the pump and the motor of the deflecting element can be included in the component, or can be external elements that are operatively connected to the pump and the deflecting element, respectively. For example, the motor can be mounted on a movable slide included in a dispenser associated with the component of the present invention. In this way, the slide can be driven to a position time after time, at which the slide is operatively connected to the component containing the fluid product to be dispensed, so that the motor mounted on the slide can appropriately operate the pumping means and the deflecting element.This is advantageous because even if multiple components can be accommodated in the machine simultaneously, the dispenser thus only requires one motor for the pumping device and one motor for the steering element. For example, the dispenser can accommodate multiple components according to the present invention, such as up to 13, each of which may have a container filled with a different fluid product. Drive elements can be provided that are connected to the respective motors and are also mounted on the slide, and the drive elements are configured to selectively engage the coupling means of the components to drive the pumping device or the steering element respectively.

[0041] The component according to the present invention may optionally include a stripping element that is close to or in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the rotatable steering element to clean the surface. Preferably, the stripping element can be formed by the wall of the housing that defines the dispensing opening.

[0042] As described above, the component according to the present invention further includes a suction conduit. The suction conduit is connected to the inlet of the pumping device that is used to draw the fluid product from the container mounted on the mounting member. The component further includes a delivery conduit. The delivery conduit is fluidly connected to the outlet of the pumping device and the rotatable steering element. In addition, the component includes a recirculation conduit. The recirculation conduit fluidly connects the steering element to the container for returning the fluid product to the container. The recirculation conduit is generally arranged downstream of the steering element. Here, "downstream" refers to a subordinate arrangement along the fluid path in the flow direction applied by the pump with respect to a specified reference element (such as the steering element as described above), and the pump draws the fluid product from the container via the suction conduit. The valve device includes the rotatable steering element as described above and may further include one or more check valves. For example, the valve device may include a check valve arranged along the suction conduit and / or a check valve arranged along the delivery conduit.

[0043] As described above, the rotatable steering element has at least one recirculation position and at least one delivery position. In the (one or more) recirculation positions, the open end of one of the channels faces the open end of the delivery conduit to be in fluid communication with the delivery conduit, while the open end of the other channel faces the open end of the recirculation conduit to be in fluid communication with the recirculation conduit, so that the fluid product is recirculated into the container. In the (one or more) delivery positions, the open end of one of the channels faces the open end of the delivery conduit to be in fluid communication with the delivery conduit, while the open end of the other channel faces the dispensing opening for dispensing the fluid product. Preferably, the rotatable steering element can have, for example, two recirculation positions and two delivery positions per complete rotation of the steering element about the axis of rotation. Herein, the steering element can be specifically configured such that rotating by the same angle (e.g., approximately 90°) allows changing between adjacent positions among the said positions. For example, in one of the recirculation positions, the first channel is in communication with the delivery conduit and the second channel is in communication with the recirculation conduit, while in the other recirculation position, conversely, the second channel is in communication with the delivery conduit and the first channel is in communication with the recirculation conduit. Similarly, in one of the delivery positions, the first channel is in communication with the delivery conduit and the second channel is in communication with the dispensing opening, while in the other delivery position, the second channel is in communication with the delivery conduit and the first channel is in communication with the dispensing opening.

[0044] The assembly according to the invention can optionally include fluid regulating means associated with the rotatable steering element, the fluid regulating means being configured to controllably handle the remaining amount of the fluid product contained in the channels of the rotatable steering element when the rotatable steering element rotates (e.g., when changing from the delivery position to the recirculation position or vice versa).

[0045] In an exemplary mode, when the steering element rotates about the axis of rotation, for example from the delivery position to the recirculation position or vice versa, the fluid regulating device performs a linear (translational) movement consisting of backward and forward strokes. In a preferred mode, depending on the situation, during the backward stroke, the fluid regulating device can suck in the fluid product droplets present in the first and second channels at the end of the previous dispensing or recirculation phase, while during the forward stroke, the fluid regulating device alternately delivers such fluid product droplets towards the recirculation pipe and / or the delivery pipe, in particular towards one or the other of these pipes that are fluidly connected to the said channels. In a preferred variant, the steering element rotates approximately 90° in each cycle. The fluid regulating device can be connected to the rotatable steering element by a mechanical connection such that the movement of the fluid regulating device is driven by the rotation of the rotatable steering element, and a guiding system is provided which prevents the rotation of the fluid regulating device by forcing the fluid regulating device to move according to the linear translational movement to perform the aforementioned linear (translational) movement. In a preferred embodiment, the mechanical connection allows the sliding of the fluid regulating device parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotatable steering element.

[0046] According to the present invention, the assembly may further include a coupling portion intended to allow the removable mounting of the assembly to the support means of the dispenser. The support means are capable of firmly holding the assembly of the present invention in place in a fixed manner, i.e., such that the assembly hardly moves during the operation of the dispenser. For example, the support means may include a plurality of fixing means, each of which is shaped to receive and hold the coupling portion of the said assembly. Different types of couplings known in the art that allow reversible mounting may be used, such as but not limited to threaded couplings, snap couplings, etc. The assembly can be held in a specific orientation by the fixing means, for example with the bottom of the container mounted to the assembly, facing upwards or any other desired orientation. The coupling portion of the assembly may be specific to the fluid product manufacturer. The assembly can be removed from the support means, thus allowing the installation of accommodation units for various different fluid products as needed to prepare a formulated product for a specific target, and allowing the replacement of the assembly once the contents of the container mounted to the assembly have been consumed.

[0047] According to the present invention, the component generally further includes an identification code, which is uniquely associated with the component and is configured to be read by a detection device (such as an optical barcode reader), and the detection device can be mounted on the above-mentioned movable slider, which also carries a motor for operating the pumping device and the steering element. Preferably, the identification code can be a two-dimensional barcode or a three-dimensional barcode, and the detection device is configured as a barcode reader known in the art. Alternatively, the detection device can include appropriate devices capable of identifying the identification code uniquely associated with each receiving unit based on RFID or NFC technology, which are known in the art. The detection device is operatively linked to a controller (such as a main controller operated by a command distributor), so that the distributor can detect which fluid product is contained in which component and use this information in the sequential preparation of the target formulated product. The controller is also operatively linked to the motor, actuator, and metering device of the distributor. The motor actuates the pumping device and the rotatable steering element, the actuator drives the slider to slide, and if there is a metering device, it can measure the amount of fluid product delivered by the component. The controller can include one or more processors known in the art, and the processors can be programmed to perform the above functions. The controller can be part of a computer system or connected to a computer system, which enables a user to control the operation of the distributor including the components according to the present invention and define the formulated product to be produced therefrom.

[0048] The component according to the present invention may further include an ergonomic handle, which protrudes from the front side opposite to the pumping device from the housing and is intended to be grasped by the operator operating the component.

[0049] As described above, the present invention thus also relates to a distributor for dispensing a fluid product. The distributor can be of any type known in the art as long as it includes at least one component according to the present invention. Examples of suitable distributors that can be used with the components of the present invention are, for example, Italian patent application IT 2018000006154 filed by the same applicant. For example, the distributor can include a plurality of components according to the present invention mounted along a linear support device. As described above, the distributor can also include a movable slider on which at least one motor is mounted, and the motor is used to drive the pumping device and / or the rotatable steering element to control the dispensing and / or recirculation of the corresponding fluid product when, for example, moving along a track extending parallel to the linear support device to a position where it is operatively connected to the component. As described above, the distributor can also selectively include a detection device (such as an optical barcode reader) for reading the identification code provided on at least one component. Preferably, the detection device can be mounted on the movable slider.

[0050] Referring to the accompanying drawings, an exemplary assembly for dispensing a fluid product according to the present invention will now be described, which is generally indicated by the reference numeral 11. The assembly and its components shown in the drawings are for illustrative purposes of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. For example, the features shown or described may be applied to or combined with other embodiments because they are part of one embodiment to produce another embodiment. It should be understood that the present invention should include all such modifications and variations.

[0051] Assembly 11 allows for the delivery of a quantity of fluid product drawn from a container 12, which is removably associated with assembly 11 by means of a mounting 42.

[0052] For example, container 12 may contain a colored fluid product having a volume in the range of 100 ml to 5 liters (e.g., 0.5 liters, 1 liter or 2 liters).

[0053] Assembly 11 according to the present invention includes a coupling portion 14 through which the assembly can be fixed to the support means of a dispenser, such as as seen in a depiction of a part of such a machine Figure 3 as shown.

[0054] The support means may include one or more fixing means 13 (which can be better seen in Figure 1 and Figure 2 ), each of which is intended to receive and hold the coupling portion 14 of the corresponding assembly 11.

[0055] Fixing means 13 may include a pair of support elements 15A, 15B which act as lateral guides when inserting and removing the assembly into and from fixing means 13, while supporting the assembly 13 from below and from the sides. To this end, support elements 15A, 15B are shaped to surround the sides of fixing means 13 and at least partially surround the bottom of fixing means 13.

[0056] Fixing means 13 may also include an auxiliary support member 18 which is fixed to support elements 15A, 15B and projects upwardly therefrom. Auxiliary support member 18 is configured to engage with a mounting 42 included in the assembly, which will be described in more detail below with particular reference to Figures 4 - 7 a cross-sectional view. For example, auxiliary support member 18 may include two arms 18A, 18B which are resilient to engage or disengage with mounting 42 correspondingly during the insertion or removal of assembly 11.

[0057] In Figure 3In [the figure], a part of the dispenser 10 provided with a support device is shown. The support device is elongated and can, in particular, linearly extend in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction X. In this figure, six fixing devices 13 for holding and supporting six components 11 are shown.

[0058] According to the exemplary part of the dispenser shown, a slider 20 ( Figure 3 and 4 ) is provided, which is movable on linear guides 21, 22 ( Figure 3 ) that define the guides for the slider 20.

[0059] The slider 20 can be attached, for example, both to the upper guide 21a and to the lower guide 21b.

[0060] Optionally, the slider 20 can also be attached to an electric guide 22 that extends parallel to and between the upper guide 21a and the lower guide 21b. A drive motor 23 is associated with the electric guide 22 and moves the slider 20 along the linear guides 21, 22.

[0061] Due to the linear guides 21, 22, the slider 20 can slide parallel to the longitudinal direction X.

[0062] In the example shown, the dispenser 10 further includes a digital scale 16 as a non - limiting example of a metering device adapted to meter the amount of fluid product that has been dispensed.

[0063] The scale 16 can be arranged on the slider 20 and includes a support plane 17 on which a receiving container 80 can be provided ( Figure 11 ), and different fluid products are dispensed into the receiving container 80 to obtain the desired formulated product.

[0064] According to the invention, the receiving container can be, for example, a top - open tank, cup or other container, having a substantially cylindrical or frustoconical shape and having a capacity suitable for containing the expected amount of the desired formulated product.

[0065] As Figure 3 shown, the slider 20 and the receiving container and the scale 16 placed on the support plane 17 by means of the slider 20 can move below all the components 11 to receive the dispensed fluid products required to obtain the desired color - formulated product through one or more of the components involved.

[0066] As Figure 4 better seen in [the figure], a first motor 46 and a second motor 55 are mounted on the slider 20. The first motor 46 is configured to drive the pumping device 45 of the component 11, while the second motor 55 is configured to drive a rotatable steering element 53 included in the valve device of the component 11.

[0067] For example, the first motor 46 can rotate a command pin 47 about a vertical axis Z. The rotation of the command pin 47 actuates the pumping device 45 in a manner that will be disclosed in more detail below.

[0068] The second motor 55 can rotate a shaft 59 that is connected to a drive shaft 56 to rotate the drive shaft 56. The drive shaft is mechanically connected to a rotatable steering element 53 and causes a controlled rotation of the steering element 53. Both the shaft 59 and the drive shaft 56 rotate about a horizontal axis Y. In one embodiment, the rotation of the shafts 59, 56 is controlled by a sensor (not shown) that reads the amount of rotation of a pole wheel 60 mounted on the shaft 59. In this way, the rotation of the rotatable steering element 53 can be controlled in a very reliable and precise manner.

[0069] It should be noted that advantageously, each component 11 does not have a motor device. In fact, when a fluid product is dispensed from a certain component 11, a slider 20 carrying the motor devices 46, 55 is provided corresponding to the motor devices 46, 55. Thus, the same motor 46 is operatively associated time and time again with a pump assembly 45 included in the component 11 from which the fluid product is dispensed. In fact, the motor 46 is mechanically connected to one of the pump assemblies 45 at a time to cause that pump assembly 45 to dispense the fluid product.

[0070] The dispenser according to the present invention can optionally include an optical reader 57 defining an optical detection device that is configured to detect an identification code uniquely associated with each component 11. The optical reader 57 can also be optionally provided on the slider 20, as Figure 4 shown.

[0071] For example, the optical reader 57 can be a barcode reader known in the art.

[0072] The aforementioned identification code uniquely associated with each component 11 can be configured to be an identification label of the fluid product contained in the container 12. For example, as Figure 1 and 2 shown, the component 11 according to the present invention includes a front wall 43 that is located in front of the container 12 and is configured to receive the identification label.

[0073] As Figure 1 and 2 shown, the component 11 can also include a handle 58, which allows an operator to easily grasp the component 11.

[0074] With particular reference to Figures 5 - 7 and those shown in 8A - 8C, the component 11 according to the present invention and its operation will now be described in more detail.

[0075] Component 11 includes a housing 44 having a dispensing opening 40 through which a fluid product can be dispensed into a receiving container below. The housing 44 also includes the above-mentioned mounting member 42 within which a threaded internal cavity 42A is defined for releasably receiving the container 12. To this end, the container 12 is provided with a neck 12A having an external thread which allows the container 12 to be screwed into the threaded internal cavity 42A.

[0076] Normally, the container 12 is inverted with the neck 12a facing downwards and the bottom upwards.

[0077] As mentioned above, the component 11 also includes a pumping device 45 of a type known in the art, for which the pumping device 45 will not be described in detail here. In the exemplary embodiment shown in the drawings, the pumping device 45 is configured as a bellows pump having a pumping element that reciprocates alternately, as Figure 5 shown by the double-headed arrow F therein.

[0078] According to the example described herein, there are a plurality of pipes 49, 50, 52 in the housing 44.

[0079] According to the invention, the component includes a suction pipe 49 connected to the inlet of the pumping device 45, a delivery pipe 50, and a recirculation pipe 52. The pumping device 45 is for drawing a fluid product from the container 12, the delivery pipe 50 fluidly connects the outlet of the pumping device 45 to the above-mentioned rotatable diverter element 53, and the recirculation pipe 52 fluidly connects the rotatable diverter element 53 to the container 12 for returning the fluid product to the container 12. Preferably, with reference to the flow of the fluid path, the recirculation pipe 52 is arranged downstream of the diverter element 53.

[0080] According to the exemplary embodiment described herein, the component includes a plurality of valve elements provided in appropriate positions in the housing 44.

[0081] Thus, check valves 51 are provided in the suction pipe 49 and also in the delivery pipe 50 to prevent the fluid product from flowing back into the container 12 accidentally along these pipes. In this embodiment, the fluid product can thus move from the container 12 along the suction pipe 49 to the pumping device 45 and along the delivery pipe 50 from the pumping device 45 to the diverter element 53.

[0082] According to this embodiment, as Figure 6Better visible in the figure, the check valve 51 includes a blocking pin 61 that is movable along the longitudinal axis of the pipe in which the respective valve is installed. The blocking pin 61 is normally held against its seat 62 by a spring 63, and the spring 63 is dimensioned to exert a defined elastic force. When the flow of the fluid product reaches the respective check valve 51, it overcomes the elastic force of the spring 63, thereby moving the blocking pin 61 away from its seat 62 and allowing the fluid product to pass through.

[0083] As described above, the assembly 11 according to the invention includes a rotatable steering element 53 that is configured to be received in one of the valve elements in the housing 44.

[0084] In one embodiment, the steering element 53 is rotatable about a rotation axis R that is substantially parallel to or corresponds to the horizontal axis Y.

[0085] In one embodiment, the steering element 53 has a spherical or cylindrical shape.

[0086] The steering element 53 includes a first channel A and a second channel B that are fluidly connected to each other through a central hole 64.

[0087] In the Figure 7 and 8A embodiment shown in Fig. -8C, the channels A and B extend parallel to each other and leave tangentially from the central hole 64. It should be noted that the channels A and B are arranged in a configuration that is symmetric with respect to the rotation axis R.

[0088] Preferably, the channels A and B extend in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis R.

[0089] The channels A and B extend between the central hole 64 and the respective end portions 66 that terminate on the outer peripheral surface 65 of the rotatable steering element 53. Due to the arrangement of the above-mentioned channels A and B, it should be noted that the end portions 66 of the two channels A and B are arranged opposite to each other at an angle of approximately 180° (e.g., 180° ± 5° or 180° ± 2°).

[0090] According to Figure 9 the exemplary specific construction of the steering element 53 shown in the figure, the channels A and B leave from opposite sides of the central hole 64 to be precisely aligned with each other. In this variant, the channels A and B extend along the same development axis K, where one axis is a straight extension of the other.

[0091] As Figure 10 shown in the figure, the rotatable steering element 53 may optionally include a socket 75 that is configured to at least partially receive a fluid regulating device 76. Figure 10The depicted fluid regulating device 76 includes a proximal end 76a and a distal end 76B. The proximal end 76a is received within the socket 75 and is in fluid communication with passageways A and B of the steering element 53. The distal end 76B projects outside the steering element 53. The distal end 76B is received within a corresponding aperture 77 formed in the housing 44. The proximal end 76a is shaped to define a mechanical connection with the steering element 53 such that rotation of the steering element 53 about the axis of rotation R (coinciding with the Figure 10 horizontal axis Y therein) also transmits the movement of the fluid regulating device 76. For this purpose, as an example, a key may be associated with the proximal end 76a, or equivalently, at least a portion of the circumferential outer surface of the proximal end 76a is shaped to serve as a key. A guide pin 78 is provided that engages the fluid regulating device 76 and is configured to cause the fluid regulating device 76 to undergo axial (i.e., along the horizontal axis Y) movement. In one possible embodiment, the guide pin 78 moves within a shaped path (not shown in the figure), thereby defining a system cam follower to apply the required axial movement to the fluid regulating device 76. In other words, due to the mechanical connection between the fluid regulating device 76 and the steering element 53, the fluid regulating device 76 would tend to rotate with the steering element 53. However, the rotation of the fluid regulating device 76 is prevented by the mechanical constraint of the guide pin 78, and a forward and backward linear movement is applied to the fluid regulating device 76 by the movement of the guide pin 78 within the shaped path, thereby converting the rotational movement into a translational movement. The function of the fluid regulating device 76 will be disclosed in more detail hereinafter during the disclosure of the operation of the assembly.

[0092] It should be noted that passageways A and B in Figure 10 are as configured in Figure 9 , but it is obvious that passageways A and B may also present an equivalent configuration as shown in Figure 7 .

[0093] In operation, the slider 20 is driven to a position where it is operatively connected to the assembly 11 and should be dispensed from the assembly 11, for example, in the manner explained above. Here, the first motor 46 rotates the control pin 47 about the vertical axis Z to in turn rotate the fins 48. Note that the backward and forward movements of the bellows pump are obtained by rotating the control pin 47 (and thus the fins 48) in opposite rotational directions (i.e., clockwise and counterclockwise).

[0094] The pumping device 45 actuated as described above draws a certain amount of fluid from the container 12. The amount of fluid drawn per stroke of the bellows is predetermined and is a function of the size and dimensions of the pump.

[0095] The fluid product leaving the container 12 enters the suction pipe 49 and as shown by the arrow F1 ( Figure 5 and 6)It travels along the suction conduit 49. Then, the fluid product reaches the check valve 51, which is installed upstream of the pumping device 45 along the suction conduit 49.

[0096] After reaching the pumping device 45, the fluid product changes its direction of travel and enters the delivery conduit 50 ( Figure 6 and 7 ), as shown by the arrow F2, and enters the check valve 51 installed in this conduit. Thereafter, the fluid product reaches the diverter element 53, through which the fluid product can alternatively be diverted either to the recirculation conduit 52 or to the dispensing orifice 40, which will be explained in more detail below.

[0097] Referring to Figure 7 and Figure 8B to the configuration shown in Figure 7 and 8B and as shown by the arrow F3 in

[0098] the diverter element 53 is placed in the recirculation position O, in which the delivery conduit 50 is in fluid communication with the recirculation conduit 52 so as to recirculate the fluid product into the container 12. Figure 8A and 8C Alternatively, referring to the configuration shown in

[0099] the diverter element 53 is placed in the delivery position I, in which the delivery conduit 50 is in fluid communication with the dispensing orifice 40 for dispensing the fluid product.

[0100] In the recirculation position O, the open end 66 of one of the channels faces the open end of the delivery conduit 50 so as to be in fluid communication with the delivery conduit 50, while the open end 66 of the other channel faces the open end of the recirculation conduit 52 so as to be in fluid communication with the recirculation conduit 52.

[0101] In the delivery position I, the open end 66 of one of the channels faces the open end of the delivery conduit 50 so as to be in fluid communication with the delivery conduit 50, while the open end 66 of the other channel faces the dispensing orifice 40.

[0102] In one embodiment, the rotatable diverter element 53 has two recirculation positions O and two delivery positions I per complete rotation about its axis of rotation R. In this embodiment, the diverter element 53 rotates through the same angle, for example approximately 90°, in the clockwise direction to subsequently reach each of said positions. Figure 8C The following table summarizes the sequence of positions reached by the diverter element 53 during a complete rotation about the axis of rotation R. It is apparent that the operation of the rotatable diverter element 53 is cyclic and after the position shown in Figure 7 in which the element has rotated approximately 270° from the start, the diverter element 53 returns to Figure 7 its initial position, inFigure 7 Initial position, complete a rotation of 360° of the full circle.

[0103] Therefore, under the conditions shown in the first and third columns ( Figure 7 and 8B ), the steering element 53 is in the recirculation position O defined above, while under the conditions shown in the second and fourth columns ( Figure 8A and 8C ), the steering element 53 is in the conveying position I.

[0104] The channels indicated in the row corresponding to "liquid inflow" face the conveying pipe 50, while the channels indicated in the row of "liquid outflow" alternately face the recirculation pipe 52 (the third row of the table) or the distribution opening 40 (the fourth row of the table).

[0105] Rotation angle of the steering element 53 0°( Figure 7 ) 90°( Figure 8A ) 180°( Figure 8B ) 270°( Figure 8C ) Liquid inflow Channel A Channel A Channel B Channel B Liquid outflow (to the container 12) Channel B -- Channel A -- Liquid outflow (to the dispensing opening 40) -- Channel B -- Channel A

[0106] It should be noted that the fluid product can be introduced into or discharged from the steering element 53 through channels A and B without distinction. Therefore, the fluid product can enter the steering element 53 through channel A and leave the steering element 53 through channel B, or vice versa.

[0107] This is advantageous because it minimizes the movement of the steering element 53 from one position to another and makes the steering element 53 very easy to control. This is also advantageous because the steering element 53 is very simple and inexpensive.

[0108] In some embodiments of the present invention, the diameters of channels A and B and thus also the diameters of their open ends are calibrated according to the required flow rate of the fluid product distributed in the conveying step.

[0109] As shown in the drawings, channels A and B can have the same dimensions and / or shapes. However, channels A and B can also have different dimensions and / or shapes from each other. In a specific variant, channels A and B have substantially the same cross-section, that is, the cross-sectional areas are the same or differ by less than 5%.

[0110] As in Figure 5aAs can be better seen in the enlarged view, the assembly 11 may further include a stripping element 41 which is close to or in contact with the outer peripheral surface 65 of the steering element 53. The stripping element 41 serves as a device for cleaning the outer peripheral surface 65 of the steering element 53 by applying a mechanical action, due to which, during the rotation of the steering element 53 about the rotation axis R, the outer peripheral surface 65 of the steering element 53 can be scraped. This is advantageous because dirt or possible residues of dried fluid products can be continuously removed from the outer peripheral surface 65 of the steering element 53 by the stripping element 41, thus keeping this outer surface clean. In a possible embodiment, the stripping element 41 is shaped as a ring and is received in a cavity 67 formed in the bottom of the assembly 11. Due to the presence of a spring element 69 below the support member 68, the support member 68 elastically locks the stripping element 41 in the cavity 67. Preferably, the spring element 69 is a disc spring which, due to its elastic force, continuously pushes the support member 68 upwards and, through the support member 68, pushes the stripping element 41, so that the stripping element 41 always remains close to the outer peripheral surface 65 of the steering element 53. In a possible embodiment, the assembly 11 includes a cover element 73 which closes the cavity 67 and protects the steering element 53, the stripping element 41 and the members 68, 69, otherwise all these members would be exposed on the bottom side of the assembly 11. For example, the cover element 73 can be fixed to the assembly 11 by fastening means such as screws. The cover element 73 is provided with a hole 74 which is configured to allow the fluid product to pass therethrough during the dispensing process. Thus, during the dispensing process, the hole 74 is substantially aligned with the channels A, B which guide the fluid product to the dispensing opening 40.

[0111] Referring to Figure 10 the exemplary embodiment, in which there is provided a fluid regulating device 76 which, during a 90° rotation of the steering element 53, first performs a backward stroke which moves in the direction indicated by the arrow S in Figure 10 and then performs a forward stroke which moves in the opposite direction, as indicated by Figure 10as shown by arrow D in [Figure 0]. It should be noted that even when the fluid regulating device 76 is fully received within the socket 75, a cavity 79 is defined in the portion of the socket 75 closest to the central hole 64 to ensure fluid communication between channels A and B. During the backward stroke S of the fluid regulating device 76, the cavity 79 increases its volume to accommodate a certain amount of fluid inhaled from channels A and B. During the subsequent forward stroke D, the regulating device 76 alternately conveys the fluid present in the cavity 79 to the delivery conduit 50 or the recirculation conduit 52 or both. In particular, the fluid present in the cavity 79 is conveyed to the (one or more) conduits that are in fluid communication with the cavity 79 via channels A and / or B. It should be noted that when the fluid is dispensed through the dispensing opening 40, the fluid regulating device 76 is inoperative since the deflecting element 53 is stationary. In fact, the fluid regulating device 76 operates only during the transition phase, i.e., during the rotation of the deflecting element 53, during which the deflecting element 53 reaches one of the four different positions shown in [Figure 1] and [Figure 3]. This embodiment is advantageous because after the dispensing phase ends, the fluid regulating device 76 sucks in the last fluid droplets remaining in the deflecting element 53 and then conveys these fluid droplets back into one of the channels 50, 52 formed in the housing 44. Figure 7 and 8A -8C. This embodiment is advantageous because after the dispensing phase ends, the fluid regulating device 76 sucks in the last fluid droplets remaining in the deflecting element 53 and then conveys these fluid droplets back into one of the channels 50, 52 formed in the housing 44.

[0112] In this way, the assembly 11 of this embodiment allows for more precise dispensing, preventing any additional droplets from falling after dispensing is complete. Advantageously, this allows the assembly 11 itself to remain cleaner and dispense the desired metered amount of fluid product with a high degree of precision and reliability.

[0113] The dispenser 10 may also include a controller, which is not shown in the figures and is of a type known in the art.

[0114] The controller is operably linked to the actuating means and / or linked to the metering means and / or linked to the delivery means, where the actuating means is embodied, for example, as a drive motor 23, the metering means is embodied, for example, as a digital scale 16, and the delivery means is embodied, for example, as a pump assembly 45. In use, the controller is configured to command the actuating means to sequentially move the receiving container to the dispensing position below one or more of the assemblies 11 via the slider 20 to receive a certain amount of fluid product dispensed from the corresponding assembly 11 and metered by the digital scale 16 to produce a formulated product according to a user-defined recipe. Thus, complex formulated products can be prepared from several different fluid components in a convenient and efficient manner according to a user-defined recipe. The present invention is particularly useful for preparing colored formulated products. For example, the present invention can be used, for example, in a body shop for painting a vehicle body to provide user-defined paint formulations, particularly for finishing or repair purposes.

[0115] Figure 11 An example of a dispenser for dispensing a fluid product is shown, which example includes at least one component 11 according to the present invention, where the dispenser is generally indicated by reference numeral 10.

[0116] As disclosed above and Figure 1 and 2 as shown, the dispenser 10 includes a dispensing area 70, and the above-mentioned support means are arranged in the dispensing area 70 to support a plurality of components 11. In this exemplary machine, a slider 20 carrying a scale 16 and a receiving container slides in the dispensing area 70 parallel to the longitudinal direction X to a conveying position substantially vertically below the component 11 provided in the support means. In Figure 11 In the dispenser 10 shown, for example, the support means can be configured to support up to 13 components 11, and these components 11 are arranged adjacent to each other in a row highlighted by a dashed rectangle. The dispenser includes a main chassis 71 and a sub-chassis 72, and the sub-chassis is provided, for example, on the right side of the main chassis 71 and at an angle to the main chassis. Some storage areas are provided in both the main chassis 71 and the sub-chassis 72, and these storage areas are configured to store a plurality of components 11, and those components to be arranged on the support means in the dispensing area 70 can be selected from these components. In the storage area of the main chassis 71, the components 11 can be arranged adjacent to each other, thereby defining a kind of support frame, which extends parallel to the longitudinal direction X above and below a row of components 11 provided in the dispensing area 70. In addition, the storage area of the sub-chassis 72 can also be configured as a plurality of support frames, and each support frame supports, for example, five components 11. Due to the storage area, the dispenser 10 can store a large number of components 11, for example, between 50 and 80 components 11.

[0117] As described above, the present invention also relates to a method for dispensing a fluid product.

[0118] According to a preferred operating mode of the aforementioned dispenser, the method includes:

[0119] (a) Providing a housing 44 and a pumping device 45, the housing 44 having a dispensing opening 40 and including a mounting 42 for a container 12 for containing a fluid product;

[0120] (b) Providing a valve device, the valve device including a deflecting element 53 rotatable about a rotation axis R, the deflecting element 53 being provided with a first channel A and a second channel B, the first channel A and the second channel B being in fluid communication with each other and each having an open end 66 radially arranged relative to the rotation axis R on the outer peripheral surface 65 of the rotatable deflecting element 53;

[0121] (c) Actuate the pumping device 45 to draw a fluid product from the container through a suction pipe 49 connected to the inlet of the pumping device 45 for drawing the fluid product from the container 12 mounted on the mounting 42 and to convey the fluid product to a delivery pipe 50 fluidly connecting the outlet of the pumping device 45 and the rotatable diverter element 53;

[0122] (d) Drive the rotatable diverter element 53 to alternately be in a recirculation position O or a delivery position I, in which recirculation position O, the open end 66 of one of the channels is aligned with the open end of the delivery pipe 50 and the open end 66 of the other channel is aligned with the open end of a recirculation pipe 52 which fluidly connects the diverter element 53 to the container 12 for returning the fluid product to the container 12, and in which delivery position I, the open end 66 of one of the channels is aligned with the open end of the delivery pipe 50 and the open end 66 of the other channel is aligned with the dispensing opening 40 for dispensing the fluid product.

[0123] The method may include driving the rotatable diverter element 53 to the recirculation position O as defined above and operating the pumping device to draw the fluid product from the container 12 via the suction pipe 49 and to recirculate the fluid product to the container via the recirculation pipe before dispensing the fluid product. Such recirculation before dispensing may be carried out, for example, when the container is newly installed or after a period of non-use, such as when no fluid product has been dispensed from the container for a predetermined time. Thus, the fluid product may be recirculated for a given amount of time, such as 1 minute or less, to effectively homogenize the fluid product and to clean the channels of the rotatable diverter element 53 before its use. Such operation does not generate waste. Information about the state and history of the components and of the container with the fluid product mounted on the components may be stored and acted upon accordingly when a particular component is operatively connected to the drive means of the dispenser and identified by a detection means such as a barcode reader mounted on the movable slide as described above. According to the invention, recirculation may also be carried out, for example, at predetermined intervals without subsequent dispensing of the fluid product, to avoid or counteract phase separation, agglomeration, sedimentation or other types of ageing or degradation of the fluid product during storage.

[0124] At the end of the dispensing cycle, when the quantity to be dispensed has been dispensed into the receiving container, there may still be a fluid product in the diverter element 53, such that there is a risk of overage due to, for example, drops of this material released from the diverter element 53 by mechanical agitation (during rotation). This can be prevented by the action of the fluid regulation device 76 which, when switched to the recirculation position, temporarily withdraws (by suction) the remaining fluid product in the diverter element 53 and then discharges it into the recirculation view and / or the delivery pipe as discussed above. Thus, in the method of the present invention, during the driving of the diverter element 53 about the said axis of rotation, the fluid regulation device 76 associated with the rotatable diverter element 53 can perform backward and forward strokes in order to respectively suck in drops of fluid product present in the first channel A and the second channel B and convey the drops of fluid product towards the recirculation pipe 52 and / or the delivery pipe 50.

[0125] Obviously, modifications and / or additions to the components and / or machines described so far can be made without departing from the field and scope of the present invention.

[0126] The present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples and those skilled in the art will of course be able to obtain many other equivalent forms of components or methods for dispensing fluid products having the characteristics as set out in the claims and all such will fall within the scope of protection thus defined.

Claims

1. A component for dispensing a fluid product, comprising: a housing (44) having a dispensing opening (40) and including a mounting (42) for a container (12) that houses the fluid product; a pumping device (45); a valve device including a deflecting element (53) rotatable about a rotation axis (R), the deflecting element (53) being provided with a first channel (A) and a second channel (B), the first channel (A) and the second channel (B) being in fluid communication with each other and each having an open end (66) radially arranged relative to the rotation axis (R) on the outer peripheral surface (65) of the rotatable deflecting element (53); a suction pipe (49) connected to the inlet of the pumping device (45), the pumping device (45) being adapted to draw the fluid product from the container (12) mounted on the mounting (42); a delivery pipe (50) fluidly connecting the outlet of the pumping device (45) and the rotatable deflecting element (53), a recirculation pipe (52) fluidly connecting the deflecting element (53) to the container (12) for returning the fluid product to the container, wherein the rotatable deflecting element (53) has at least one recirculation position (O) and at least one delivery position (I), in the recirculation position (O), the open end (66) of one of the channels faces the open end of the delivery pipe (50) to be in fluid communication with the delivery pipe (50), and the open end (66) of the other channel faces the recirculation pipe (52) to be in fluid communication with the recirculation pipe (52), thereby recirculating the fluid product to the container (12), in the at least one delivery position (I), the open end (66) of one of the channels faces the open end of the delivery pipe (50) to be in fluid communication with the delivery pipe (50), and the open end (66) of the other channel faces the dispensing opening (40) for dispensing the fluid product, wherein the pumping device (45) and the rotatable deflecting element (53) are independently driven by respective motors (46; 55), wherein the pumping device (45) and the rotatable deflecting element (53) include coupling means (48; 56) configured to engage with drive elements (47; 59) connected to the respective motors (46; 55); the drive elements (47; 59) and the respective motors (46; 55) are mounted on a movable slide (20) that is selectively engageable with the component when the component for dispensing the fluid product dispenses.

2. The component according to claim 1, characterized in that the first channel (A) and the second channel (B) have a configuration that is symmetric with respect to the rotation axis (R) with each other.

3. The component according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The first channel (A) and the second channel (B) are in fluid communication through a central hole (64); the first channel (A) and the second channel (B) extend parallel to each other and leave the central hole (64) in a tangential manner.

4. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein, the open ends (66) of the first channel (A) and the second channel (B) are located at corresponding positions on the outer peripheral surface (65) of the rotatable steering element (53) such that the open ends are arranged opposite to each other at an angle of 180°.

5. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein, the rotatable steering element (53) has two recirculation positions (O) and two delivery positions (I) for each complete rotation of the rotatable steering element (53) about its axis of rotation (R), wherein the steering element (53) reaches each of said positions by rotating the same angle, which is 90°.

6. The assembly according to claim 5, wherein, in one of the recirculation positions (O), the first channel (A) communicates with the delivery pipe (50) and the second channel (B) communicates with the recirculation pipe (52), while in the other recirculation position, the second channel (B) communicates with the delivery pipe (50) and the first channel (A) communicates with the recirculation pipe (52); and wherein in one of the delivery positions (I), the first channel (A) communicates with the delivery pipe (50) and the second channel (B) communicates with the distribution opening (40), while in the other delivery position (I), the second channel (B) communicates with the delivery pipe (50) and the first channel (A) communicates with the distribution opening (40).

7. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein, the pumping device includes a pump selected from a bellows pump, a piston pump, a gear pump, or a combination thereof.

8. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein, the valve device further includes a check valve (51) provided along the suction pipe (49), and / or a check valve (51) provided along the delivery pipe (50).

9. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein, it further includes a stripping element (41) which is close to or in contact with the outer peripheral surface (65) of the steering element (53) for cleaning the surface, wherein the stripping element (41) is shaped as an annulus and is received in a cavity (67) formed in the bottom of the assembly (11).

10. The assembly according to claim 9, wherein, Comprising a support member (68) which elastically locks the peeling element (41) in the cavity (67) due to the presence of a spring member (69) below the support member (68), the spring member (69) being a disc spring configured to push the support member (68) and the peeling element (41) upwards so that the peeling element (41) always remains close to the outer peripheral surface (65) of the steering element (53).

11. The assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, it comprises a coupling part (14) configured to allow the detachable mounting of the assembly into a matching fixing device (13) comprised in a support device of a dispenser (10).

12. The assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, it comprises an identification code which is uniquely associated with the assembly and is configured to be read by a detection device (57) mounted on a movable slide (20) comprised in the dispenser with which the assembly is associated.

13. The assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, it comprises an ergonomic handle (58) which protrudes from the front side opposite to the pumping device (45) from the housing (44) and is intended to be grasped by an operator operating the assembly.

14. The assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, it comprises a fluid regulating device (76) associated with the rotatable steering element (53) and configured to perform backward and forward strokes (S, D) during rotation of the steering element (53) about the rotation axis (R) so as to respectively suck in fluid product drops present in the first channel (A) and the second channel (B) and convey such fluid product drops to the recirculation pipe (52) and / or the delivery pipe (50).

15. The assembly according to claim 14, characterized in that, the fluid regulating device (76) is connected to the rotatable steering element (53) by a mechanical connection such that the movement of the fluid regulating device (76) is driven by the rotation of the rotatable steering element (53), and wherein a guiding system (78) is provided which allows the rotation of the rotatable steering element (53) to be converted into a linear translational movement of the fluid regulating device (76) so that the fluid regulating device (76) can perform the backward and forward strokes (S, D).

16. The assembly according to claim 12, characterized in that, the detection device (57) is an optical barcode reader.

17. A dispenser for dispensing a fluid product, comprising at least one assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

18. The dispenser according to claim 17, characterized in that, it comprises a plurality of assemblies according to any one of claims 1 to 16 mounted along a linear support device.

19. The dispenser according to claim 18, characterized in that, It further includes a movable slider (20), and at least one motor (46) is mounted on the movable slider (20) for driving the pumping device (45) and / or the rotatable steering element (53) to control the dispensing and / or recirculation of the corresponding fluid product when the movable slider (20) moves along a track (22) parallel to the linear support device to a position operably connected to the assembly.

20. The dispenser according to claim 19, wherein, it further includes a detection device (57) for reading an identification code set on the at least one assembly, and the detection device (57) is mounted on the movable slider (20).

21. The dispenser according to claim 20, wherein, the detection device (57) is an optical bar code reader.

22. A method for dispensing a fluid product, comprising: (a) providing a pumping device (45) and a housing (44) having a dispensing opening (40) and including a mounting member (42) for accommodating a container (12) of the fluid product; (b) providing a valve device including a rotatable steering element (53) rotatable about a rotation axis (R), the steering element (53) being provided with a first channel (A) and a second channel (B), the first channel (A) and the second channel (B) being in fluid communication with each other and each having an open end (66) radially arranged relative to the rotation axis (R) on the outer peripheral surface (65) of the rotatable steering element (53); (c) actuating the pumping device (45) for drawing the fluid product from the container (12) mounted on the mounting member (42) to extract the fluid product from the container (12) through a suction pipe (49) connected to the inlet of the pumping device (45) and conveying the fluid product to a conveying pipe (50), the conveying pipe (50) connecting the outlet of the pumping device (45) and the rotatable steering element (53); (d) driving the rotatable steering element (53) so that the rotatable steering element (53) is alternately in a recirculation position (O) or a delivery position (I), in the recirculation position (O), the open end (66) of one of the channels faces the open end of the conveying pipe (50) to be in fluid communication with the conveying pipe (50), and the open end (66) of the other channel faces the open end of a recirculation pipe (52), the recirculation pipe (52) fluidly connecting the steering element (53) to the container (12) for returning the fluid product to the container (12), in the delivery position (I), the open end (66) of one of the channels faces the open end of the conveying pipe (50) to be in fluid communication with the conveying pipe (50), and the open end (66) of the other channel faces the dispensing opening (40) for dispensing the fluid product. wherein said pumping device (45) and said rotatable steering element (53) are driven independently by respective motors (46; 55), wherein said pumping device (45) and said rotatable steering element (53) comprise coupling means (48; 56) configured to engage with drive elements (47; 59) connected to said respective motors (46; 55); said drive elements (47; 59) and said respective motors (46; 55) are mounted on a movable slide (20) which is selectively engageable with said assembly when said assembly for dispensing a fluid product dispenses the product.

23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that, said driving of said rotatable steering element (53) causes said rotatable steering element (53) to be in two recirculation positions (O) and two delivery positions (I) per complete revolution of said rotatable steering element (53) about said axis of rotation (R), wherein said driving rotates said steering element (53) by the same angle, which is 90°, to reach each of said positions, and wherein, in one of said recirculation positions (O), said first channel (A) communicates with said delivery pipe (50) and said second channel (B) communicates with said recirculation pipe (52), while in the other recirculation position, said second channel (B) communicates with said delivery pipe (50) and said first channel (A) communicates with said recirculation pipe (52); and wherein, in one of said delivery positions (I), said first channel (A) communicates with said delivery pipe (50) and said second channel (B) communicates with said dispensing opening (40), while in the other delivery position (I), said second channel (B) communicates with said delivery pipe (50) and said first channel (A) communicates with said dispensing opening (40).

24. The method according to claim 22 or 23, characterized in that, during the driving of said steering element (53) about said axis of rotation (R), a fluid regulating device (76) associated with said rotatable steering element (53) performs backward and forward strokes (S, D) in order to respectively suck in drops of the fluid product present in said first channel (A) and said second channel (B) and to deliver such drops of fluid product to said recirculation pipe (52) and / or said delivery pipe (50).

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