Device for containing and dispensing a fluid substance and method for assembling same

Abstract

Device for containing and dispensing a fluid substance, comprising: a container having an opening for accessing the cavity of the container and means for removably connecting a first connecting element to the container at the opening; a bag-shaped member made of a deformable material, the bag-shaped member comprising: at least a first portion adapted to be received in the cavity of the container, a neck, and a flange extending transversely to the neck of the bag-shaped member at the opening of the neck; a pump; an annular nut element connected to the first connecting element and adapted to connect the pump and the bag-shaped member to the first connecting element; the first connecting element comprising a body having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion and the lower portion defining a tubular through-seating portion which, when the body is inserted into the neck of the bag-shaped member, is adapted to receive the neck and at least partially receive the pump. The present invention also discloses a method for assembling a device for containing and dispensing a fluid substance.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for containing and dispensing a fluid substance and a method for assembling the same. Background Art

[0002] It is known that liquid and paste-like fluid substances are encapsulated in a container and dispensed from the container by manually actuating a pump mounted on the mouth of the corresponding container. Actuation of the pump draws a predetermined amount of fluid substance from the container, and if the container is rigid, a vacuum is formed inside the container. If no air enters the container (which usually occurs at the contact and sliding areas of the pump on the pump body), or if the container does not include a bottom that can move in a sealed manner along the inner cylindrical surface of the container, the vacuum will prevent further extraction and dispensing of the substance.

[0003] However, the latter system for compensating for the reduction in the internal volume of the container and maintaining the internal pressure constant in response to the reduction in the internal volume of the container is quite laborious and expensive.

[0004] Alternative systems have been provided for introducing the fluid to be dispensed into a bag-like member made of a deformable and flexible material, which in turn includes a neck connected to a dispensing pump. The bag-like member is introduced into an external airtight container after being filled by the pump.

[0005] In addition, systems using bag-like members are generally used in "airless" type systems.

[0006] For example, such apparatuses are shown in Japanese Patent Applications JP 05 031790 and JP 05 031791. In these documents, the bag-like member has a neck from which a flange projects laterally, and in use, the flange rests against the clearance edge of the neck of the external container.

[0007] Document US2004 / 0112921 also discloses associating the pump with the neck of the bag-like member by means of an annular nut element that is screwed onto the neck of the external container. In this way, the pump is held in a sealed manner against the flange projecting from the neck of the bag-like member, while providing a passage for air to flow from the outside to the space between the outer surface of the bag-like member and the inner surface of the container, so as to allow the bag-like member to contract as the amount of fluid substance dispensed by the pump increases.

[0008] In these apparatuses, after the fluid substance dispensing is completed, the annular nut that holds the pump is unscrewed and removed from the neck of the container, while the bag-like member remains inside the container. If the bag-like member is contained in a glass container, this poses a problem for the proper handling of the apparatus, as the two elements should be disposed of separately. In addition, it is difficult to manually remove the bag-like member from the external container.

[0009] The solutions to this problem are illustrated in patents EP 2 243 557 and EP 3 037 174, where the dispensing device provides means for connecting a pouch and a pump to one or more connecting elements, which in turn are connected to the neck of a rigid container adapted to receive the pouch. After the substance contained in the pouch has been completely dispensed, the means allow the connecting elements to be removed from the neck of the container and simultaneously the pouch to be removed from the outer container. In these devices for filling a pouch with a substance to be dispensed, when the pouch is empty, the pouch should be associated with the connecting elements, then inserted into the rigid container, and then filled with the substance to be dispensed. The pouch can only be filled when it has been inserted into the rigid container.

[0010] US2011 / 024452 teaches a device for dispensing a fluid substance, which includes an outer container adapted to receive a refill, the refill including a deformable pouch containing the fluid substance to be dispensed and being received in a protective element. The upper part of the protective element includes a stepped portion adapted to rest on the upper free edge of the outer container and form a support surface for the upper flange of the deformable pouch, and a portion for blocking the connecting element of the refill, which, when the connecting element of the refill is blocked by the end portion, can in turn block the flange of the pouch against the stepped portion of the upper part of the protective element to connect the pump to the refill and connect the refill to the outer container. Summary of the Invention

[0011] An object of the present invention is to provide a device for containing and dispensing a fluid substance, which allows a predetermined amount of the fluid substance to be dispensed to be filled into the pouch in an alternative manner described in the prior art and when the pouch has not been inserted into the relevant container, and yet the device also allows the pouch to be removed from the container after the substance contained in the pouch has been dispensed.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for containing and dispensing a fluid substance, which is easy to manufacture and reliable and safe to use.

[0013] A further object is to provide a device that is more sustainable from an environmental and ecological perspective and that allows at least some of its components to be partially reused.

[0014] These and other objects are achieved by providing a device for containing and dispensing a fluid substance as taught by the technical teachings of the embodiments of the present invention. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015] Additional features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the description of a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment of a device for containing and dispensing a fluid substance, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0016] Figure 1 A sectional schematic view of a device according to the present invention is shown.

[0017] Figure 2A 、 Figure 2B Schematic perspective views of a first component of the device, taken from two different angles, are shown.

[0018] Figure 3A And Figure 3B Show, respectively, when Figure 2A 、 Figure 2B The first component shown is associated with a container, a sectional schematic view of the first component and an enlarged schematic view of a detail indicated by arrow W1 of Figure 3A .

[0019] Figure 4A 、 Figure 4B Schematic perspective views of a second component of the device, taken from two different angles, are shown.

[0020] Figure 4C A sectional schematic view of the first component and the second component when the first component and the second component are associated with each other and with a container (the container is only partially shown) is shown.

[0021] Figure 4D And Figure 4E Show Figure 4A Sectional schematic views of a lower portion of the second component of

[0022] Figure 5 A sectional schematic view of a third component of the device associated with a conventional pump for dispensing a fluid substance is shown.

[0023] Figure 6A 、 Figure 6B Two sectional schematic views of the first component, the second component and the third component are shown at different scales when the first component, the second component and the third component are associated with each other and with a pump, with a dispensing cover part and with a cover part and when the assembly is associated with a container (the container is only partially shown).

[0024] Figure 7 A sectional schematic view of possible steps for assembling the device and refilling the device is shown.

[0025] Figure 8 A sectional schematic view of a first step for disassembling the device is shown.

[0026] Figure 9A , Figure 9B , Figure 9C shows a cross-sectional schematic view of a partially assembled device and an enlarged view of a detail indicated by arrow W2 of Figure 9A , and a second view of the detail of FIG. 2 when the protection element is also associated with the partially assembled device,

[0027] Figure 10A , Figure 10B shows Figure 1 a cross-sectional schematic view of another component of the device of DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Referring to Figures 1 to 6B , which show a device for containing and dispensing a fluid substance according to the present invention, the device comprising a container 1 having an opening 1A ( Figure 3A ) for accessing a cavity 2 of the container and having means 3 (described in detail below) for removably connecting a first connecting element 4 to the container at the opening 1A.

[0029] The device further comprises a bag-like member 5 made of a deformable material, the bag-like member being adapted to contain a predetermined amount of the fluid substance to be dispensed and comprising: at least one first portion 5E ( Figure 1 ), the at least one first portion being adapted to be received within the cavity 2 of the container and in turn defining a cavity 5C adapted to contain the fluid substance to be dispensed; a neck 5A ( Figure 4C ), the neck being offset from an end of the first portion 5E of the container and having an opening 5B ( Figure 4C ) for accessing the cavity 5C of the first portion 5E of the bag-like member; a connecting portion 5F between the neck and the first portion 5E; and a flange 5D ( Figure 4C ), the flange extending transversely to the neck of the bag-like member at the opening 5B of the neck;

[0030] In the context of the present invention, the expression transversely extending flange is used to denote a flange extending in a direction not parallel to the longitudinal axis X1 ( Figure 1 ).

[0031] The device further comprises a pump 6 ( Figure 5 ), which can be manually actuated to draw the fluid substance from the bag-like member 5 and supply the fluid substance to the outside, for example through a dispensing rod 6A of the pump connected to a member 10 for actuating the pump and dispensing the substance. The pump 6 is at least partially received within the neck 5A of the bag-like member 5.

[0032] The device further comprises an annular nut element 7 which is connected to said first connecting element 4, for example the annular nut element is connected to said first connecting element in a snap - coupling manner, and the annular nut element is adapted to connect said pump 6 and said bag - like member 5 to said first connecting element 4.

[0033] According to the invention, the first connecting element 4 comprises a tubular body 8 having an upper part 8H ( Figure 4A ) and a lower part 8K, the upper part and the lower part defining a tubular through - seat 8C ( Figure 4C ), which tubular through - seat is adapted to at least partially receive and preferably completely receive the neck 5A of the bag - like member 5 and to at least partially receive the pump 6 when the pump 6 is inserted into the neck. The upper part 8H comprises: an upper opening 8A delimited by a wall 8E for resting at least a part of said flange 5D of the neck 5A of the bag - like member 5 (as Figure 4C shown); and connecting means 8F, 8G ( Figure 5 ) adapted to cooperate with opposed connecting means 7B, 7C ( Figure 4B ) provided in the annular nut element 7 for stably constraining the first connecting element 4 and the annular nut element 7 to each other such that the annular nut element 7 - - when the annular nut element is connected to the first connecting element 4 and the pump 6 - - also constrains the first connecting element 4 and said at least a part of the flange 5D to each other. In this way, even when the first connecting element 4 is released from the container 1, the bag - like member remains stably associated with the system consisting of the first connecting element 4, the annular nut 7 and the pump 6 (as Figure 8 shown).

[0034] Still according to the invention, the lower part 8K of the first connecting element 4 comprises a lower opening 8B and opposed connecting means 8D which are adapted to cooperate with connecting means 3 provided at the access opening 1A of the container 1 (described in more detail below) for removably connecting the tubular body of the first connecting element 4 to the container.

[0035] Preferably, the openings 8A and 8B of both the upper part 8H and the lower part 8K have different maximum transverse dimensions D3 and D4 from each other, wherein the upper opening 8A has a transverse dimension D3 smaller than the transverse dimension D4 of the lower opening 8B.

[0036] According to the invention, the maximum transverse dimension D1 ( Figure 3A ) of the opening 1A of the container is greater than or equal to the maximum transverse dimension D7 ( Figure 4C and Figure 7) such that it is allowed to insert at least a first part 5E of the bag-like member 5 containing a predetermined amount of the fluid substance to be dispensed into the container 1, and then to allow the first connecting element 4 to be connected to the container 1, or the container to be connected to the first connecting element, to allow, after the first part 5E of the bag-like member Figure 8 ) has been emptied of the substance to be dispensed and after the first connecting element 4 has been disconnected from the container 1, the first part 5E of the bag-like member Figure 8 ) to be removed from the container 1, wherein when the first part 5E of the bag-like member is inserted into the container 1 and when the first part 5E of the bag-like member 5 is removed from the container 1, they remain stably constrained to the first connecting element 4, at least the bag-like member 5, the ring nut element 7 and the pump 6.

[0037] Preferably, the device 3 for removably connecting the first connecting element 4 to the container at the opening 1A comprises: a second connecting element 9 having a first connecting member 9A Figure 3B ) which is adapted to cooperate with a counter-connecting member 1C Figure 3B ) provided at the access opening 1A of the container 1 and is adapted to stably connect the second connecting element to the upper edge of the container 1; and a second connecting member 9K Figure 2A ) which is adapted to cooperate with a counter-connecting member 8L Figure 4A ) of the body 8 of the first connecting element 4 to removably connect the first connecting element to the second connecting element 9 and finally to the container 1 in a removable manner.

[0038] More particularly, the second connecting element 9 is preferably provided with an annular body 9C Figure 3B ) having an outermost wall 9D which includes the first connecting member 9A which includes, for example, a step 9E at the inner face of the wall 9D which is adapted to snap-fit with a corresponding step 1E in the outer face of the upper edge of the container 1 Figure 3B ).

[0039] The steps 9E and 1E are complementary such that by pushing the second connecting element 9 coaxially and downwardly along the neck of the container 1, the two steps are stably joined to each other, thereby constraining the two components and preventing relative axial movement.

[0040] Internally, the body 9C has a wall 9F which is adapted to abut against the upper face 1F Figure 3B ) of the edge of the container when the steps 9E and 1E are joined to each other.

[0041] The second connecting member 9K is provided, for example, at the upper face 9I of the body 9C, and the second connecting member is adapted, for example, to cooperate with the opposing connecting member 8L ( Figure 4A ) of the first connecting element 4 to obtain a removable connection such as a snap connection. For this purpose, for example, the opposing connecting member 8L has two arcuate protrusions which are adapted to penetrate into corresponding openings 9G ( Figure 2A 、 Figure 2B ) provided in the upper face 9I of the body 9C of the second connecting element and to rotate in a track 9H provided below the said upper face 9I, so as to removably connect the first connecting element and the second connecting element to each other. Advantageously, the opposing connecting member 8L has an end portion 8L' ( Figure 4B ) which is adapted (for example with a slight interference fit) to penetrate into a travel end seat 9H' ( Figure 2B ), such that there is at least a partial locking of the connection of these two parts, and on the other hand, when the first connecting element 4 is manually associated with the second connecting element 9 (for example in the case where a refilling device is associated with a container, as described below), the end of the travel can be felt.

[0042] Preferably, the container 1 has a neck 1K ( Figure 3B ) the outer face of which has a stepped portion 1E for stable connection with the second connecting element 9.

[0043] It is clear that the cylindrical structure of the container 1 is an exemplary embodiment, but the container 1 can have any shape common to those skilled in the art, such as having a square cross-section, an oval cross-section, a conical shape, etc.

[0044] The container 1 can be made of a rigid material, such as glass, or of a material similar to that used for containing cosmetics, such as, for example: aluminium, plastic, wood, cardboard, ceramic.

[0045] As discussed below, after the substance contained in the pouch 5 has been completely dispensed, the assembly formed by the container 1 and the second connecting element 9 can be reused, and this allows the device to have an advantage in terms of environmental sustainability.

[0046] The volume of the container 1 is larger than the volume of the full pouch.

[0047] The pouch 5 is preferably made of a thermoplastic material such as, for example: PP, PE, LDPE, HDPE, but it is also possible to provide a pouch made of another deformable material suitable for containing a fluid substance such as, for example, aluminium-plastic coated paper, or a pouch made of a material composed of multiple layers, such as PP+PA, PP+EVOH, PE+PA, PE+EVOH, which are in any case of a conventional type for those skilled in the art.

[0048] As described above, the first connecting element 4 comprises a tubular body 8 which has an upper portion 8H( Figure 4A ) and a lower portion 8K, the upper and lower portions defining a tubular through-seat 8C( Figure 4C ), which is adapted to receive at least partially and preferably completely the neck 5A of the bag-like member 5 and to receive at least partially the pump 6. When associated with the second connecting element 9, the tubular body is preferably coaxial with the longitudinal axis X1 of the container of the bag-like member of the second connecting element.

[0049] Connecting means 8F( Figure 4A ) are adapted to cooperate with opposed connecting means 7C( Figure 5 ) provided in the annular nut element 7 so as to stably axially constrain the first connecting element 4 and the annular nut element 7 to each other, and the connecting means comprise a stepped portion 8J( Figure 4C ), which is for example at the outer face of the tubular wall of the upper portion 8H of the body 8, which is adapted to cooperate in a snap-fit manner with a corresponding stepped portion 7J( Figure 5 and Figure 10A ) of the annular nut element 7, the corresponding stepped portion being provided in the inner face 7B( Figure 10A ) of the tubular body 7A of the annular nut and at the lower opening 7F( Figure 3B ) of the body 7A. The stepped portions 8J and 7J are complementary such that - by pushing the annular nut coaxially and downwards along the first connecting element 4 - the stepped portions are coupled to each other, stably constraining the two components and preventing relative axial movement (as Figure 6A shown).

[0050] Connecting means 8G( Figure 4A ) are adapted to cooperate with opposed connecting means 7B( Figure 5 ) provided in the annular nut element 7 so as to rotatably connect the first connecting element 4 and the annular nut element 7 to each other, preventing relative rotation, and the connecting means comprise gear teeth 8( Figure 4A ), which are for example at the outer face of the tubular wall of the upper portion 8H of the body 8, the gear teeth being adapted to cooperate with corresponding opposed gear teeth 7L( Figure 5 and Figure 10A ) of the annular nut element 7, the opposed gear teeth being provided in the inner face 7B( Figure 10A ) of the tubular body 7A of the annular nut. The gear teeth 8Q and 7L are complementary such that by pushing the annular nut coaxially and downwards along the first connecting element 4, the two gear teeth engage with each other, stably constraining the two components and preventing relative rotation.

[0051] The lower portion 8K of the tubular body 8 of the first connecting element 4Figure 4A ) forms an annular appendage which forms a kind of protruding step relative to the upper part 8H of the body 8. As mentioned above, two arc-shaped protrusions 8L for removably connecting the first connecting element 4 and the second connecting element 9 are offset from the appendage and are angularly spaced from each other. The lower part 8K - at its lower end - has an outermost annular flat surface 8R, a middle annular notch and an inner tubular wall 8T.

[0052] When the second connection element 9 is connected to the container 1, the annular flat surface 8R is adapted to abut against a flange 9E ( Figure 3B ). Moreover, as described below, this surface is also suitable for facilitating the automatic filling of bags, since it can come into contact with the resting surface of a station for filling bags (in Figure 4E A portion of the rest surface is schematically shown in FIG.

[0053] The middle annular notch 8S forms a seat for inserting the protective element 116 ( Figure 9A ) of the upper edge, the protective element has a thickness S1 substantially equal to the transverse dimension D8 ( Figure 4D ), thereby forcing the upper edge of the second container 116 into the gap.

[0054] The inner tubular wall 8T is suitable for stabilizing the position of the bag 5 when the bag is associated with the first connecting element 4 and ensures the coaxiality of the bag and the element 4, and when the bag 5 is merely placed on the element 4 and has not yet been stably constrained on the element 4 by the ring nut 7. For this purpose, the tubular wall 8T is preferably dimensioned so that its end portion is aligned with at least one upper section T1 ( Figure 4C ) contacts and surrounds the upper section, and the first portion is configured to be closely located below the portion 5F of the bag-like member for connection with the neck 5A.

[0055] The tubular wall 8T also defines the maximum lateral overall dimension that the bag 5 may have when it is completely filled with the substance to be dispensed. Figure 4C As shown, the inner diameter D12 of the tubular wall 8T must be greater than or equal to the maximum transverse outer diameter D7 of the bag 5 when fully filled with the substance to be dispensed and less than or equal to the minimum diameter D1 of the opening of the container 1 .

[0056] Along the outer face of the inner tubular wall, the inner tubular wall 8T has a plurality of vertical relief portions 8U ( Figure 4A ), these release portions are adapted to allow external air to flow into space S5 ( Figure 1) This space is formed between the outer face of the pouch 5 and the inner face of the container 1. Such air circulation is necessary if a vacuum pump is used as it allows the pouch 5 to collapse as the substance contained therein is dispensed. When the pouch 5 is inserted into the container, the release portion 8U also allows air to flow out of the container (as described below).

[0057] The connecting element also has through-holes 8V in the flange 8E ( Figure 4B ) which are designed to increase the air circulation from the inside to the outside of the container when the pouch is inserted and also allow the pouch to collapse if the pump is of the vacuum type.

[0058] Since it is considered that the stepped portion 7J of the ring nut 7 does not extend over the entire circumference of the outer wall of the ring nut but only over the circular arc of the circumference, there is no airtight connection between the ring nut 7 and the first connecting element 4, so additional air exchange also occurs.

[0059] As described above, the ring nut element 7 has means 7D adapted to stably connect the pump 6 to the ring nut, which means includes, for example, a ring flange 7M ( Figure 10B ) which is offset from the inner surface of the tubular wall 7E of the ring nut element 7, and the innermost clearance edge 7N of the ring flange 7M is adapted to be snap-fitted into a ring notch 6B provided on the outer face of the body 6A of the pump 6 ( Figure 5 ) to stably connect the pump to the ring nut. The ring notch 6B of the body of the pump 6 is defined at the lower part by a ring flange 6C ( Figure 6B ) which has a lower ring flat surface 6D(5) which, when the pump is stably connected to the ring nut element 7 and when the ring nut element is stably connected to the first connecting element 4, is adapted to abut against the flange 5D of the neck 5A of the pouch 5 and stably lock the flange of the neck of the pouch to the first connecting element 4 such that the assembly including the pump 6, the ring nut element 7, the pouch and the first connecting element 4 is an assembly in which the components are stably connected to each other. Then, by connecting the first connecting element 4 to the second connecting element 3, the assembly can be removably connected to the container, as shown in the figure above (and as Figure 6A and Figure 6B shown).

[0060] The ring nut 7 also has a vertical abutment 7K at the ring flange 7M ( Figure 10A ) which is adapted to support and further improve the connection between the pump and the ring nut.

[0061] For those skilled in the art, the pump 6 is of a conventional type and will not be described in detail below.

[0062] Preferably, the pump is of the vacuum type and is adapted, for example, to generate a maximum vacuum (relative to ambient pressure) between about 400 and 800 mbar in the bag 5, and more preferably to generate a maximum vacuum equal to about 600 mbar in the bag. The bag 5 is completely deformed or collapsed within this maximum pressure value range, and the fluid substance contained in the bag has been dispensed. Thus, in the present context, the expression deformable bag is used to indicate that the walls of the bag have completely collapsed at the pressure value generated by the pump.

[0063] In the case of a vacuum pump, a sealing member 20 is preferably provided between the annular flange 6C of the pump and the flange 5D of the neck 5A of the bag 5 ( Figure 6B ), which ensures an airtight connection between the pump and the bag.

[0064] The device further comprises: a common member 10 for dispensing and actuating the pump, connected to the upper rod 6F ( Figure 6A ) of the pump 6; and a float 11 connected to the lower rod 6G ( Figure 1 ). For a person skilled in the art, both the member 10 and the float 11 are of conventional type and will not be described in detail hereinafter.

[0065] The device further comprises a conventional cover 12 adapted to cover the still exposed part of the device provided above the second connecting element 9. Preferably, the inner tubular surface 12A ( Figure 6A ) of the cover is in contact with the outer surface 7H ( Figure 10A ) of the annular nut 7, and the cover abuts against the lower shoulder 7I of the annular nut and the flat upper surface 9G ( Figure 2A ) of the second connecting element 9 at the lower part (as Figure 6A shown).

[0066] The fluid substance to be dispensed can be of any type, but is preferably pasty, gel-like, foundation-like, slurry-like, etc.

[0067] In the context of the present invention, the expression "stable constraint" is used to indicate the following constraint, i.e., when constrained to each other, when these elements are subjected to the common forces for handling the device during the respective steps of use and / or loading and / or removal, they do not separate from each other (which will be shown in detail below). For example, when the first connecting element 4 is separated and moved away from the second connecting element 9 and thus away from the container, the annular nut 7 and the first connecting element 4 do not release from each other, and the bag-like member 5 also does not release from the annular nut 7 and the first connecting element 4. Therefore, by moving the annular nut element 7 away from the container 1, the bag-like member 5 is also automatically removed from the container. Obviously, although the bag-like member can be separated from the annular nut element and the first connecting element, such an operation requires applying a significantly larger appropriate force to the bag-like member, which is much larger than the force that usually acts on the bag-like member during the above operation. Similar considerations should also apply to the stable connection of the pump 6 to the annular nut 7 for stably connecting the annular nut 7 to the first connecting element 4 and for stably connecting the second connecting element 9 to the neck 1K of the container 1.

[0068] Preferably, all the components of the device are coaxial with the longitudinal axis X1 of the device, and this facilitates the assembly of the components of the device.

[0069] Furthermore, preferably, again for the purpose of facilitating assembly, all the components of the device, in particular the first connecting element and the second connecting element, the annular nut and the pump, have a symmetrical shape with respect to a common central symmetry axis X1, and more preferably, they have a circular cross-section.

[0070] The method for assembling the device according to the present invention can be carried out in two different ways.

[0071] Both of these ways provide for first stably connecting the second connecting element 9 to the neck 1k of the container 1. For this purpose, for example, the second connecting element 9 is positioned on the neck 1K of the container and then pushed down until the connecting means 3, so as to be snap-coupled to each other. Thus, according to the first assembly method, the empty bag-like member 5 is associated with the first connecting element 4 (the flange 5D of the neck 5A of the bag-like member 5 is abutted against the corresponding flange 8E of the body 8 of the first connecting element 4), then the empty bag-like member 5 is inserted into the container 1, and the first connecting element 4 is (removably) connected to the second connecting element 9 (such as in this case Figure 4CAs shown). For this purpose, for example, the first connecting element 4 is positioned on the second connecting element 9 and slightly rotated to enclose the connecting device 9A, 8D (a bayonet type in the illustrated embodiment). Subsequently, the pouch 5 is filled with a predetermined amount of the substance to be dispensed. Then, the pump 6 is connected to the pouch and the first connecting element, and the annular nut 7 is connected to the first connecting element 4 by pushing the annular nut downward, and at the same time a part of the pump and the float are inserted into the pouch until the connecting devices 7C, 8F of the annular nut and the first connecting element 4 are snap-coupled to each other.

[0072] A second method for assembling the device according to the present invention provides for filling a predetermined amount of the substance to be dispensed into the pouch outside the container 1, that is, when the pouch is not inserted into the container 1, and then inserting the pouch into the container 1 when the pouch has received the predetermined amount of the substance to be dispensed (as Figure 7 shown).

[0073] As outlined below, this second assembly method allows the reuse of the container 1 and the second connecting element 9 after the last use and after removing from the container the pouch that has emptied the fluid substance and the associated components (pump 6, annular nut 7 and first connecting element 4) associated with the pouch.

[0074] According to this second assembly method, the refill device 100 is associated with the container 1 and the second connecting element 9 ( Figure 7 ), and the refill device includes: a pouch 105 that has been filled with a predetermined amount of the substance to be dispensed; and a first connecting element 104; an annular nut 107; a pump 106; and a member 110 for actuating the pump and dispensing the substance, all of which are the same as above. Therefore, the refill device 100 will not be described in detail below, and the components of the refill device will use the same reference numerals as the corresponding components described with reference to Figure 1 , Figures 2A - 2B , Figures 4A - 4E , Figure 5 , Figures 6A - 6B , but with 100 added to indicate.

[0075] The refill device 100 is associated with the container 1 by inserting a part 105E of the pouch 105 into the cavity 2 of the container 1 until the first connecting element 4 abuts against the second connecting element 9, and the two elements are connected to each other by their respective removable connecting devices 9A, 8D (bayonet type in the illustrated embodiment).

[0076] To facilitate the insertion of the bag-shaped member 105 filled with the substance to be dispensed into the seat portion 2 of the container 1, the volume of this seat portion is preferably greater than the volume of the portion 105E of the bag-shaped member to be inserted into the seat portion. In the final step of inserting the bag-shaped member, due to the fact that the connection between the annular nut 107 and the first connecting element 104 is not sealed, the air present in the seat portion 2 of the container can further flow out. Advantageously, a through-hole is also provided in the annular nut 107, which allows air exchange between the inside and the outside of the container 1, and allows air exchange between the outside and the inside of the container 1, as well as air exchange through the through-hole 8V and the gap generated by the release portion 8U provided in the first connecting element.

[0077] After the refilling device is inserted into the container 1, the assembled device is exactly the same as the above-mentioned device.

[0078] After the fluid substance is completely dispensed, the bag-shaped member 5 together with the first connecting element 4, the annular nut 7, and the pump 6 can be easily removed from the container 1 (as Figure 8 shown). For example, for this purpose, the first connecting element 4 is slightly rotated to open the connecting devices 9A, 8D (a bayonet type in the illustrated embodiment), and the first connecting element can be separated from the second connecting element 9 by pulling up the assembly, which includes the empty bag-shaped member 5, the first connecting element 4, the annular nut 7, the pump 6, and the dispensing and actuating member 10 that are stably connected to each other. After the empty bag-shaped member and the associated components are removed, the container 1 can be reused by being associated with the refilling device 100. In this way, the container can be reused infinitely, which has an absolute advantage from the perspective of environmental and ecological sustainability.

[0079] As Figure 9A shown, the refilling device 100 includes a protection element 116, which is adapted to protect the portion 105V of the bag-shaped member 105 filled with the substance to be dispensed that protrudes from the first connecting element 4 at the lower part ( Figure 9A ). For this purpose, the height of this element 116 is equal to or slightly greater than H5 of this protruding portion.

[0080] Preferably, to facilitate the insertion of the bag-shaped member 105 into the protection element 106, the protection element is open at the lower part and is thus tubular in shape.

[0081] Preferably, for the purpose of recycling, the protection element is made in the following ways: made of paper material, such as including at least one paper layer; or made of metal, such as a tin strip; or made of plastic material, such as recyclable plastic material, such as PET-PP-PE. Preferably, the protection element has a thickness S1 between 0.2 mm and 2 mm, and more preferably equal to about 1 mm.

[0082] As described above, the protection element 116 is removably connected to the first connecting element 104. For this purpose, preferably an intermediate annular notch 108S ( Figure 9C ) forms a seat for inserting the upper edge of the protection element 116 ( Figure 9B ), the protection element having a thickness S1 which is substantially equal to the transverse dimension D8 of the notch 8S of the first connecting element 4 ( Figure 4D ), so that the upper edge of the second container 116 is forced into the notch. In this case, in order to improve the stability of the protection element 116, a part 108T of the first connecting element is in contact with the inner face of the upper section of the protection element 116 (as Figure 9B shown).

[0083] Furthermore, preferably, the maximum transverse dimension D101 ( Figure 9A ) of the protection element 116 is smaller than the maximum transverse dimension D108 ( Figure 4A ) of the lower part 8K of the connecting element 4, in order to facilitate the operation of filling the pouch, since the lower outer edge 108R ( Figure 9C , Figure 9B ) of the connecting element 104 remains outside the protection element.

[0084] In order to use the refilling device, it is necessary to remove the protection element 116 and thus insert the refilling device into the container 1, as described above.

[0085] Thus, the purpose of the protection element 116 is to protect the pouch 105 (usually made of a material with limited thickness and thus relatively fragile) during storage and transport of the refilling device and preferably also during loading of the pouch.

[0086] The pouch 105 is loaded in a manner similar to that described above. As described above, the empty pouch 105 is associated with the first connecting element 104, the protection element is also preferably associated with the first connecting element 104, and then the first connecting element and the pouch are associated with a filling station 115 having a through-hole (partially shown in Figure 9C ), the pouch to be filled is inserted into the through-hole delimited by the edge 115A, the edge against which the lower edge 108R of the first connecting element 104 abuts (as Figure 9C shown). As described above, starting from the filling step, the pouch is advantageously protected by the protection element 116. Thus, as described above, the pouch is filled by associating a pump and an annular nut with the pouch and the first connecting element.

[0087] Finally, it should be noted that the embodiments described so far are provided by way of non-limiting examples, and many variations falling within the same inventive concept can be provided, also for example applicable to the stable and / or removable connecting devices described so far, which variations can be different from those shown so far and are conventional in any case for a person skilled in the art.

Claims

1. Device for containing and dispensing a fluid substance, said device comprising: - a container (1) having an access opening (1A) for accessing the cavity of said container and connection means for removably connecting a first connection element (4) to said container at said access opening (1A); - a bag-shaped member (5) made of a deformable material, said bag-shaped member being adapted to contain a predetermined amount of said fluid substance to be dispensed and comprising: at least a first portion (5E) adapted to be received within the cavity of said container, and said first portion in turn defining a cavity adapted to contain said fluid substance to be dispensed; a neck (5A) offset from the end of said first portion (5E) of said bag-shaped member (5), and said neck having an opening (5B) for accessing the cavity of said first portion (5E) of said bag-shaped member; a connecting portion (5F) between said neck and said first portion (5E); and a flange (5D) extending transversely to said neck of said bag-shaped member at the opening (5B) of said neck; - a pump (6) capable of being manually actuated to draw said fluid substance from said bag-shaped member (5) and supply said fluid substance to the outside, wherein said pump (6) is at least partially received within said neck (5A) of said bag-shaped member (5); - an annular nut element (7) connected to said first connection element (4) and adapted to connect said pump (6) and said bag-shaped member (5) to said first connection element (4); characterized in that: - said first connection element (4) comprises a body (8) having an upper portion (8H) and a lower portion (8K), said upper portion and said lower portion defining a tubular through-seat (8C) adapted to: at least partially receive said neck (5A) of said bag-shaped member (5), and at least partially receive said pump when said pump (6) is inserted into said neck; - wherein said upper portion (8H) comprises an upper opening (8A) and connection means, said upper opening being defined by a wall (8E) for resting at least a portion of said flange (5D) of said neck (5A) of said bag-shaped member (5), and the connection means of said upper portion (8H) being adapted to cooperate with opposed connection means provided in said annular nut element (7) for stably constraining said first connection element (4) and said annular nut element (7) to each other, so that said annular nut element (7): when said annular nut element is connected to said first connection element (4) and said pump (6), said annular nut element also constrains said first connection element (4) and at least a portion of said flange (5D) to each other; and such that when said first connection element (4) is released from said container (1), said bag-shaped member remains stably associated with the assembly formed by said first connection element (4), said annular nut element (7) and said pump (6); - The lower portion (8K) of the first connecting element (4) includes a lower opening (8B) and opposing connecting means, the opposing connecting means of the lower portion (8K) being adapted to cooperate with the connecting means of the container (1) provided at the access opening (1A) of the container (1) to removably connect the body (8) of the first connecting element (4) to the container; - And, the lateral dimension of the access opening (1A) of the container is greater than or equal to the maximum lateral dimension of the bag-like member (5), so that when a predetermined amount of the fluid substance to be dispensed is contained in the first portion (5E) of the bag-like member (5), it is allowed to insert at least the first portion (5E) of the bag-like member into the container (1), and then to connect the first connecting element (4) to the container (1), or to connect the container to the first connecting element, so as to allow the first portion of the bag-like member to be removed from the container (1) after the dispensed substance in the first portion (5E) of the bag-like member has been emptied and the first connecting element (4) has been disconnected from the container (1), - Wherein, when the first portion (5E) of the bag-like member is inserted into the container (1) and when the first portion (5E) of the bag-like member (5) is removed from the container (1), at least the bag-like member (5), the ring nut element (7) and the pump (6) remain stably constrained to the first connecting element (4).

2. The device for containing and dispensing a fluid substance according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ring nut element is connected to the first connecting element in a snap-fit manner.

3. The device for containing and dispensing a fluid substance according to claim 1, characterized in that, The tubular through-seating portion is adapted to completely accommodate the neck.

4. The device for containing and dispensing a fluid substance according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper opening (8A) of the upper portion (8H) and the lower opening (8B) of the lower portion (8K) of the first connecting element (4) have different maximum lateral dimensions, wherein the upper opening (8A) has a lateral dimension smaller than the lateral dimension of the lower opening (8B).

5. The device for containing and dispensing a fluid substance according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The connecting means for removably connecting the first connecting element (4) to the container (1) at the access opening (1A) of the container (1) includes a second connecting element (9), the second connecting element having a first connecting member (9A), the first connecting member being adapted to cooperate with an opposing connecting member provided at the access opening (1A) of the container (1) and being adapted to stably connect the second connecting element to the upper edge of the container (1); And the second connecting element has a second connecting member (9K), the second connecting member being adapted to cooperate with the opposing connecting member of the body (8) of the first connecting element (4) to removably connect the first connecting element to the second connecting element (9) and the container (1).

6. The device for containing and dispensing a fluid substance according to claim 5, characterized in that: The lower part (8K) of the first connecting element (4) includes connecting means for removably connecting a protection element (116) to the first connecting element when the first connecting element (4) and the bag-like element (5) are not associated with the container (1), the protection element being adapted to protect a part (105V) of the bag-like element that is filled with a substance to be dispensed and that projects from the first connecting element (4) at the lower part.

7. The device for containing and dispensing a fluid substance according to claim 6, characterized in that, The connecting means for connecting the protection element (116) of the lower part (8K) are provided near opposing connecting means of the lower part (8K) for removably connecting the first connecting element (4) to the container (1).

8. The device for containing and dispensing a fluid substance according to claim 6, characterized in that, Outside the connecting means for connecting the protection element (116) of the lower part (8K), the lower part (8K) of the first connecting element (4) includes an abutment surface (8R) adapted to cooperate with an opposing abutment surface (9E) of the second connecting element (9) and / or with a resting surface (115A) of a station (115) for filling the bag-like element.

9. The device for containing and dispensing a fluid substance according to claim 8, characterized in that, The abutment surface is an annular flat surface.

10. The device for containing and dispensing a fluid substance according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The lower part (8K) of the first connecting element (4) terminates at the lower part in a tubular wall (8T) dimensioned to contact at least one part (T1) of the bag-like element when the bag-like element (5) is associated with the first connecting element (4), so as to stabilize the position of the bag-like element (5).

11. The device for containing and dispensing a fluid substance according to claim 10, characterized in that, At least one part (T1) of the bag-like element includes a part of the bag-like element immediately below the part of the bag-like element for connection to the neck (5A).

12. The device for containing and dispensing a fluid substance according to claim 5, characterized in that, The lower part (8K) of the first connecting element (4) terminates at the lower part in a tubular wall (8T) adapted to contact the inner wall of the second connecting element (9) and / or the inner wall of the neck of the container, and the tubular wall has a plurality of vertical release portions (8U) along an outer face of the tubular wall, the vertical release portions being adapted to allow external air to enter a space (S5) formed between an outer face of the bag-like element (5) and an inner face of the container (1).

13. The device for containing and dispensing a fluid substance according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The first connecting element (4) comprises: The first connecting means (8F) of the first connecting element (4), which is adapted to cooperate with an opposing connecting means provided in the ring nut element (7), the first connecting means (8F) axially and stably constraining the first connecting element (4) and the ring nut element (7) to each other, and the first connecting means comprising a stepped portion (8J) which is adapted to cooperate in a snap-fit manner with a corresponding stepped portion (7J) of the ring nut element (7), the corresponding stepped portion being provided in the inner face (7B) of the tubular body (7A) of the ring nut element and at the lower opening of the tubular body (7A); wherein the stepped portion (8J) and the corresponding stepped portion (7J) are complementary so that by pushing the ring nut element coaxially and downwardly along the first connecting element (4), the stepped portion (8J) and the corresponding stepped portion (7J) are joined to each other to stably constrain the stepped portion (8J) and the corresponding stepped portion (7J) and prevent relative axial movement; and the second connecting means (8G) of the first connecting element, which is adapted to cooperate with a further opposing connecting means provided in the ring nut element (7), the second connecting means (8G) being adapted to connect the first connecting element (4) and the ring nut element (7) to each other so as to prevent relative rotation, and the second connecting means comprising gear teeth (8Q) which are adapted to cooperate with corresponding opposing gear teeth (7L) of the ring nut element (7), the opposing gear teeth being provided in the inner face (7B) of the tubular body (7A) of the ring nut element, the gear teeth (8Q) and the opposing gear teeth (7L) being complementary so that by pushing the ring nut element coaxially and downwardly along the first connecting element (4), the gear teeth (8Q) and the opposing gear teeth (7L) are engaged with each other to stably constrain the gear teeth (8Q) and the opposing gear teeth (7L) and prevent relative rotation.

14. The device for containing and dispensing a fluid substance according to claim 13, characterized in that, The stepped portion (8J) is at the outer face of the tubular wall of the upper part (8H) of the body (8).

15. The device for containing and dispensing a fluid substance according to claim 13, characterized in that, The gear teeth (8Q) are at the outer face of the tubular wall of the upper part (8H) of the body (8).

16. A method for assembling a device for containing and dispensing a fluid substance according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that, The method uses a refilling device (100) for refilling a container (1), the container having an access opening (1A) for accessing the cavity of the container and having connecting means for removably connecting a first connecting element of the refilling device to the container at the access opening (1A); wherein the refilling device comprises: - A bag-shaped member made of a deformable material, the bag-shaped member being filled with a predetermined amount of the fluid substance to be dispensed and comprising: at least a first portion filled with the substance to be dispensed and adapted to be received within a cavity of the container, and the first portion in turn defining a cavity adapted to receive the fluid substance to be dispensed; a neck deviating from an end of the first portion of the bag-shaped member, and the neck having an opening for accessing the cavity of the first portion of the bag-shaped member; a connecting portion between the neck and the first portion; and a flange extending transversely to the neck of the bag-shaped member at the opening of the neck; - A pump capable of being manually actuated to draw the fluid substance from the bag-shaped member and supply the fluid substance to the outside, wherein the pump is at least partially received within the neck of the bag-shaped member; - An annular nut element connected to the first connecting element and adapted to connect the pump and the bag-shaped member to the first connecting element; - Wherein the first connecting element includes a body having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion and the lower portion defining a tubular through-seat adapted to: at least partially receive the neck of the bag-shaped member, and at least partially receive the pump when the pump is inserted into the neck; - Wherein the upper portion includes an upper opening and connecting means, the upper opening being bounded by a wall for resting at least a portion of the flange of the neck of the bag-shaped member; the connecting means of the upper portion is adapted to cooperate with opposed connecting means provided in the annular nut element for stably constraining the first connecting element and the annular nut element to each other, such that the annular nut element: when the annular nut element is connected to the first connecting element and the pump, the annular nut element also constrains the first connecting element and at least a portion of the flange to each other; and such that when the first connecting element is released from the container (1), the bag-shaped member remains stably associated with the refilling device and the assembly formed by the first connecting element, the annular nut element and the pump; - The lower portion of the first connecting element includes a lower opening and opposed connecting means, the opposed connecting means of the lower portion being adapted to cooperate with the connecting means of the container (1) provided at the access opening (1A) of the container (1) for removably connecting the body of the first connecting element to the container; - Wherein the lateral dimension of the access opening (1A) of the container is greater than or equal to the maximum lateral dimension of the bag-shaped member when the bag-shaped member is filled with a predetermined amount of the substance to be dispensed, The method includes: - When the bag-shaped member is not inserted into the container (1), outside the container (1), filling the bag-shaped member with a predetermined amount of the fluid substance to be dispensed, - Subsequently, when the bag-like member has received a predetermined amount of the substance to be dispensed and when the bag-like member has also been stably connected to the first connecting element, the ring nut element and the pump, insert the bag-like member into the container (1).

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein The ring nut element is connected to the first connecting element in a snap-fit manner.

18. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The tubular through-seat portion is adapted to completely receive the neck of the bag-like member.

19. The method according to one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that, The protective element (116) is removably connected to the first connecting element, and the protective element is adapted to protect the bag-like member. - Remove the protective element (116) before inserting the bag-like member into the container (1).

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein Before filling the bag-like member, associate the protective element (116) with the first connecting element.

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