EP1957187A2

EP1957187A2 - Fluid dispenser

Info

Publication number: EP1957187A2
Application number: EP06806494A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Renatus Petrus Cornelis Meeuwisse; Michiel Jacobus Johannes Langeveld
Original assignee: Lenteq LP
Current assignee: Stibbe Management BV
Priority date: 2005-10-21
Filing date: 2006-10-23
Publication date: 2008-08-20
Also published as: WO2007045512A3; WO2007045512A2

Abstract

The invention relates to a dispenser apparatus (1) for dispensing fluids such as paint or hair- dye colorants. The dispenser apparatus comprises one or more dispensing units (2), which at least comprise a receptacle for holding directly or indirectly a fluid and a corresponding pump means (40) for dispensing said fluid. Furthermore, the dispenser apparatus comprises a movable, preferably rotatable support structure (10) for supporting said dispensing units. The apparatus also comprises a stationary dispensing station (107) at least comprising pump actuating means (110) for selectively actuating the pump means. According to the invention the support structure (10) and/or each dispensing unit comprises two parallel spaced apart mutually fixed support plates (11,12) which provides a solid support for the receptacles.

Description

FLUID DISPENSER

The present invention relates to fluid dispenser in particular for dispensing paint or hair dye.

There has been long the desire of retail paint sellers to have fast acting relatively inexpensive automatically or manually operated fluid dispensers that can readily and efficiently mix a variety of colorants to obtain and reproduce whatever paint color a customer desires. Also in beauty shops there was the need for fast, efficient and inexpensive hair dye dispensers so that can have available a wide variety of colors he can select from.

In WO 2005/082510 such fluid dispensers have been described. Its contents are incorporated herein.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an alternative dispenser apparatus.

This object is achieved by a dispenser apparatus for dispensing fluids such as paint or hair- dye colorants, said dispenser apparatus comprising:

- one or more dispensing units, at least comprising a receptacle for holding directly or indirectly a fluid and a corresponding pump means for dispensing said fluid,

- a movable, preferably rotatable support structure for supporting said dispensing units, and

- a stationary dispensing station at least comprising pump actuating means for selectively actuating said pump means, wherein the support structure and/or each dispensing unit comprises two parallel spaced apart mutually fixed support plates.

By using two spaced apart support plates according to the invention a stiff support structure for or in the dispensing units is provided, which at the same time is light and cheap to manufacture. In an embodiment each of the receptacles has coupling means for coupling the receptacle to the movable support structure, which coupling means 'at least partly establish the fixation between the support plates. The coupling means thus function as stiffening elements between the support plates.

In an embodiment each of the dispensing units has a connector for connecting the pump means with the support structure, which connectors at least partly establish the fixation between the support plates. The connector preferably comprises attachment means for attachment to the respective plates, thereby establishing the fixation between the support plates. The connectors function as stiffening means between the support plates.

Because the coupling means of the receptacles and/or the connector for the pump, which elements are needed anyhow, are coupling to both of the support plates and thus form a part of a fixation and a stiffening arrangement, additional dedicated coupling and stiffening means for the support structure can be omitted, which leads to a lighter and also economically advantageous solution.

In a further embodiment the support plates are provided with a plurality of openings, each opening in one of the support plates forming a pair with a corresponding opening in the other plate, wherein the the respective centers of the corresponding openings of a pair are aligned with each other, and each pair of openings is designed for receiving the coupling means of the receptacle.

In an embodiment the coupling means comprise at least one engagement member for engaging behind the edge region of at least one of the openings of a pair in the support plates, wherein the opening (s) concerned and the coupling means are shaped such that in a first position of the coupling means with respect to the opening, the coupling means can be inserted into the opening (s) and in a second position of the coupling means with respect to the opening (s) the engagement means engage behind the edge region of the opening (s) so as to prevent removal of the coupling means from the pair of openings. This type of coupling means achieves a tight clamping connection between the receptacle and the support structure, while still a quick connection is possible.

In an embodiment the coupling means of the receptacles are adapted to couple with the support plates by inserting them into the pair of openings and rotating them. This "insert and turn" coupling allows an easy and quick placement and removal of the receptacles in and out of the dispenser apparatus, e.g. in case a receptacle is empty.

In an embodiment the openings in the support plates have a length and a width, said width being smaller than the length. The engagement members in the position of the coupling means, in which the engagement means engage behind the edge region of the openings, are substantially aligned with the width axis of the opening.

In an embodiment the opening in the lower plate is smaller than the corresponding opening of the same pair in the upper plate.

In an embodiment the length axes of the respective openings of a pair extend under an angle, preferably 90° with respect to each other. By this measure is assured that the coupling means are engaged from two orthogonal directions by the edges of the openings of one pair. Thereby is achieved a solid lateral support for the coupling means of the receptacles, so as to keep the receptacles upright, also during movement of the movable support.

In an alternative embodiment each dispensing unit is a single unit which can be mounted on and dismounted from said support structure. In such embodiment the pumping means does not have to dismounted in the dispenser apparatus for cleaning, replacement or reparation purposes with the risk on leakage in the dispenser. In contrast, the whole dispensing unit may be taken out of the dispenser and the pumping means may be dismounted on a more suitable location.

In an embodiment said support plates in a dispensing unit support said receptacle and said pumping means of each dispensing unit. In an embodiment each of said pumping means is arranged at a circular circumference of said support structure and said receptacles are arranged in two or more concentrical circles on said support structure, said support plates being arranged and designed such that each dispensing unit may be mounted or dismounted without the need to dismount one or more other dispensing units. In such embodiment an overall stiff assembly of support structure, which may be a single circular support plate, and dispensing units may be obtained, whereby still each dispensing unit can be easily mounted and dismounted on the support structure.

This application also relates to a dispenser apparatus for dispensing fluids such as paint or hair- dye colorants, said dispenser apparatus comprising: - one or more dispensing units, at least comprising a receptacle for holding directly or indirectly a fluid and a corresponding pump means for dispensing said fluid,

- a rotatable support structure for supporting said dispensing units, and - a stationary dispensing station at least comprising pump actuating means for selectively actuating said pump means, wherein each dispensing unit is a single unit which can be mounted on and dismounted from said support structure, and wherein each of said pumping means is arranged at a circular circumference of said support structure and said receptacles are arranged in two or more concentrical circles on said support structure, said dispensing units being arranged and designed such that each dispensing unit may be mounted or dismounted without the need to dismount one or more other dispensing units.

The invention will be described in more detail in the following description with reference to the drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of part of a dispenser apparatus according to the invention,

Fig. 2 shows a cross sectional view of the region of the apparatus of Fig. 1, where a dispensing unit is coupled to the support structure, Fig. 3 shows a perspective view seen from below of the coupling means of a receptacle for the dispenser apparatus of Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 shows an elevational view seen from below of a lower support plate of the dispenser apparatus of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 5 shows a connector for connecting pump means to the support means of the dispenser apparatus of Fig. 1,

Fig. 6 shows a segment of a support ring for the pump means of the dispenser apparatus of Fig. 1,

Fig. 7 shows a side view of a part of the dispenser apparatus according to the invention,

Fig. 8 shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a dispenser apparatus according to the invention,

Fig. 9 shows a perspective view of a part of the embodiment of Fig. 8, comprising three dispensing units.

Fig. 10 shows a perspective bottom view of the part of the embodiment shown in Fig. 9, and

Figs. 11 and 12 show two perspective views of a dispensing unit of the alternative embodiment of Fig. 8.

In Fig. 1 is shown a part of a dispenser 1 for automatically dispensing a colorant. The dispenser has a number of canisters 2 that are mounted on a support structure 10. The support structure 10 is adapted to support twenty four canisters 2, but for the sake of clarity only three of them have been depicted. The canisters 2 are placed in an upright fashion on the support structure 10.

The support structure 10 comprises an upper support plate 11 and a lower support plate 12 which are parallel and are spaced apart. The plates 11 and 12 are preferably of metal. In the upper support plate 11 are provided openings 13. The openings 13 preferably are provided in the upper support plate 11 by punching. In the lower support plate

12 are provided openings 14, preferably by punching. In the mounted state as depicted in Fig. 1, each of the openings 14 in the lower support plate 12 is positioned in line with a corresponding opening

13 in the upper plate 11 and form a pair. Of a pair, the opening 14 in the lower plate 12 is smaller than the corresponding opening 13 in the upper plate 11.

The openings 14 have a length I₂ and a width w₂ (cf . Fig. 4) . The width W₂ of the openings 14 is smaller than the length I₂. The openings 13 in the upper plate 11 have a width W₁ which is smaller than the length I₁. The length axes I₁ and I₂ of the respective openings 13 and 14 of a pair extend under an angle, preferably 90° with respect to each other.

In Fig. 7 is shown a side view of the dispenser apparatus 1 without canisters 2 placed on the support structure 10. The support structure 10 has a center shaft 100 which extends through two central holes 15 and 16 in the support plates 11 and 12 respectively. The central shaft 100 is connected to the two plates 11 and 12 and is rotatably supported by bearings in a base table 102. The support structure 10 is thus rotatable around the axis of the central shaft. The lower support plate 12 is supported underneath by supporting wheels or rollers 101 which are mounted in the base table 102 by means of bearings. The support structure 10 is rotated by means of drive means 103, in particular comprising a worm wheel 104 which is as such known from WO 2005/082510.

Inside the canisters 2 is provided a stirring mechanism 29, which can be rotated by means of a stirring shaft 28. Such a stirring mechanism is as such known from WO 2005/082510 and will not be described in more detail here.

The canisters 2 have coupling means 21 for coupling the canister 2 with the support structure 10 (see Fig. 3) . The coupling means 21 comprise an outlet part 25 of the canister 2 and an engagement member 22 shaped as an elongate body. The engagement member 22 is attached to a lower side 24 of the outlet part 25 of the canister 2.

The engagement member 22 has a length I₃ and a width w₃ which are such that if the length axis of the engagement member is aligned with the lenght axis I₂ of the opening 14, the engagement member 22 can be inserted through the opening until the lower side 24 of the outlet part 25 engages the upper face 12a of the lower support plate 12. At its shorter ends the engement member 22 has undercut parts 23. The undercuts at each side provide a receiving space 26 between the lower side 24 of the outlet part 25 and the undercut part 23 of the engagment member 22. The receiving spaces 26 are designed to receive parts of the circumferential edge region of the opening 14. After the insertion in the opening 14 of the egagement member 22 the engagement member can be rotated so as to misalign the engagement member 22 with the opening. In the misaligned position the undercut parts 23 engage behind the opposing edges of the opening 14 and prevent an axial movement in upward direction of the canister 2 with respect to the support plate 12.

Although the embodiment of the coupling means with the "engagement by rotation" feature is seen as advantageous, it is particularly stressed that within the scope of the present invention it is not considered the only manner to couple the canisters to the support plates. It is for instance envisaged that the coupling means have two opposing engagement members, possibly made of a resilient material, which in a first position fit through the opening and after insertion are moved to a spread apart position in which they engage behind opposing edge regions of the opening.

The outlet part 25 has an elongate substantially box shaped configuration with rounded shorter sides. In the outlet part 25 is incorporated a connnection socket 27, in which a tube can be inserted as will be described hereinafter. The socket 27 is in fluid communication with the inside of the canister 2 and has a sealing ring 27a (see Fig. 1) . On the outer periphery of the supporting structure 10 are arranged pump means 40 for pumping the fluid out of their corresponding canister 2 as can be seen in Figs. 1, 2 and 7. The pumping means 40 are as such known from WO 2005/082510 and their functioning will not be described here in great detail. In Fig. 1 is shown only one pumping means 40 for clarity, in Fig. 7 are visible two pumping means 40. In the shown embodiment however there are in practice arranged twenty-four pumping means 40 on the periphery of the supporting means 10. The pumping means 40 have a cylinder body 40b inside which a piston is arranged that defines a suction chamber into which colorant can be sucked by pulling the piston upwards by means of a piston rod 40c. Afterwards the colorant can be expelled by moving the piston downwards .

The dispenser device 1 has a stationary dispensing station 107 which is shown in Fig. 7. The stationary dispensing station 107 is as such known from WO 2005/082510 and will be briefly described here. For its a more detailed description of its working is referred to WO 2005/082510. The stationary dispensing station 107 comprises pump actuating means 110 for actuating the pump means 40 by engaging its piston rod 40c and pulling it upwards or pushing it downwards. The pump means have retaining flanges 108, 109 which cooperate with a retaining element 106 of the stationary dispenser station 107 to provide a counter force such that during the pulling or pushing action of the pump actuating means 110, the pump means 40 remain in position. The pump means 40 are further provided with valve means 105 to close of the passage between the canister 2 and the pump cilinder 40b after the piston has been moved to its most upward position.

In Fig. 5 a connector 50 is shown which is arranged at the peripheral edge of the support plates 11 and 12 as can be seen in Figs. 1 and 2. The connector 50 has a box shaped connector casing 59 which has a front wall 59f, a rear wall 59e and side walls 59a. The front wall 59f defines a slot 59g at the front. The side walls 59a has guiding grooves 59b, 59c extending parallel to the front wall 59f. The pump means 40 has coupling plates 41 and 42 which can be slidably inserted from above into the grooves 59c and 59b respectively in the side walls 59a of the connector casing 59 as can also be seen in Fig. 2.

Adjacent the side walls 59a of the casing 59 are arranged attachment members 52-55 with through bores 52a-55a. Through the bores 53a and 55a fixation rods can be inserted, one of which is visible in Fig. 1 and indicated by reference numeral 60. The fixation rods 60 in the mounted state extend through a hole 41, 42 at the edge region of each of the lower support plate 12 and through holes 43, 44 in the upper support plate 11. At the peripheral edge of the lower plate 12, between the holes 41 and 42 is provided a recessed region 45 which extends substantially in peripheral direction. The recessed region 45 has a shallow recess 45a for receiving a part of the rear wall 59e of the casing 59. The recessed region 45 further has a deeper recess 45b for receiving a drive lug 58 which is provided on the connector 50.

The connector 50 comprises a socket 57. In the socket 57 is provided a sealing ring 57a. One end of a tube 30 can be received in a sealing manner in the socket 57 and with its other end in the socket 27 of the coupling means of the canister 2. The socket 27 is in fluid communication with the pump means 40. The tube 30 thus interconnects the inside of the canister 2 with the pump means 40, such that by actuating the pump means 40, fluid, such as a colorant can be dispensed from the canister 2. If the canister 2 is positioned near to the outer periphery of the support structure 10, the tube 30 can be relatively short as is depicted in Fig. 2. If the canister 2 is positioned further inwards, the corresponding tubes 30 which are visible in Fig. 1 will be longer and extend between the upper support plate 11 and lower support plate 12 from the canister 2 towards the connector 50 at the peripheral edge of the support structure 10.

On the upper side of the socket 57 is provided a positioning lug 51. The positioning lug 51 in the mounted state is received within a positioning slit 110 in the periphery of the upper support plate 11.

At a distance above the peripheral region of the support structure 10 is arranged a support ring 80 for supporting the top end 40a of the pumping means 40. Thereto the support ring 80 has holes 84 through which in the mounted state the top ends 40a of respective pump means

40 extend as is shown in Fig. 1. The support ring 80 is constituted by ring segments 81, one of which is shown in Fig. 6. The ends 82 and 83 of adjacent ring segments have hook means 85a, 85b or other engagement means for connecting the segments 81. The ends 82 and 83 are fixed to each other by means of a bolt and nut attachment (see Fig. 1) .

In use the support means 10 are rotatable by means of drive means 103. The worm wheel 104 of the drive means 103 engages one after the other the consecutive the drive lugs 58 of the connectors 50 mounted on the periphery of the support means 10. The connector 50 has a position detection lip 580 which is detectable with a detection sensor. The use of a detection lip 580 and a detection sensor is as such known from WO 2005/082510 and will not be described extensively here. The detection lip 580 is positioned such that in use it will move through the worm wheel 104 of the drive means 103. This allows for a more compact design.

The drive means 103 as well as the detection sensor are connected to a control unit. The respective positions where the pump means 40 are arranged at the periphery of the support means 10 are indexed. Upon an input signal representing a particular color combination, the control means will move the pump means 40 corresponding to the canisters 2 containing the necessary colorants for that particular color combination along the stationary dispensing station 107 which is also connected to the control unit. The stationary dispensing station 107, and in particular its pump actuating means consecutively actuate the pump means 40 corresponding to the selected colorants. In this manner a paint or a hairdye of a certain color can automatically be composed, by providing the control unit with a corresponding input signal, e.g. a color code.

Figs. 8-10 show an alternative embodiment of a dispenser unit according to the invention generally indicated with the reference number 201. The dispenser 201 comprises twenty-four dispensing units 202 which are mounted on a support structure comprising a circular support plate 203. Each of the dispensing units comprises a canister 204 and a pumping means 205. The canisters 204 of the dispensing units 202 are arranged in three (imaginary) circles, an outer circle, a middle circle and an inner circle. The outer circle comprises twelve canisters 204. The middle and inner circle each comprise six canisters 204. The pumping means 205 of the twenty-four dispensing units 202 are arranged at the circumference of the support plate 203. Each of the pumping means 205 is connected with one of the canisters 204. When these pumping means 205 are followed in tangential direction along the circumference of the support plate 203 six dispensing unit groups having each four dispensing units may be distinguished. In each dispensing unit group the canisters 204 may consecutively be arranged in the following order, a first pumping means 205 being connected to a canister 204 on the outer circle, a second pumping means 205 being connected to a canister 204 on the middle circle, a third pumping means 205 being connected to a canister 204 on the outer circle, and a fourth pumping means 205 being connected to a canister 204 on the inner circle. The dispenser further comprises a ring comprising ring plates 206.

In Fig. 9 the support plate 203 is shown with only three dispensing units 202. The canister 204 of the dispenser unit 202a is arranged at the outer circle. The canister 204 and the pumping means 205 are supported by two parallel spaced apart mutually fixed support plates 208. The canister 204 and the pumping means 205 of the dispensing unit 202b and 202c of which the canister 204 is arranged on the middle and inner circle respectively are also supported by two parallel spaced apart mutually fixed support plates 208. In these dispensing units 202b and 202c the support plates 208 are also used to bridge the distance between the circumference of the support plate 203 at which the pumping means 205 is arranged and the location of the respective canister 204, i.e. middle or inner circle. By using the two spaced apart support plates 208 in the dispensing units 202a, 202b and 202c, a stiff support structure in the dispensing units is provided, which at the same time is light and cheap to manufacture.

When substantially all dispensing units 202 are mounted on the support plate 203, the sandwich construction of the support plates 208 of the dispensing units 202 also gives an overall stiffness to the assembly of support plate 203 and the dispensing units 202. For instance on each radial folding line between two dispensing units having a canister 204 arranged on the outer circle, another dispensing unit 202 is arranged having a canister 204 on the middle or inner circle. Furthermore, as the support plates 208 of the dispensing units 202 having a canister on a middle or inner circle are indented to make place for the canisters 204 on the outer circle no (radial) folding lines remain after placement of the dispensing units on the support plate 203. All possible radial lines in the support plate 203 will be overlapped by at least one of the sandwich constructions of support plates 208. The result is that the support plate 203 with substantially all dispensing units will have a stiffness comparable to the sandwich construction shown in Fig. 1.

As both the canister 204 and the pumping means 205 are mounted on the sandwich support plates 208 construction, the dispensing unit can be mounted on and dismounted from the support plate 203 as a single unit. This has the advantage that for replacement, reparation or cleaning of the pumping means 205, the pumping means does not have to be dismounted in the dispenser apparatus which gives a considerable risk on leakage. The single dispensing unit 202 may be taken out of the dispenser apparatus and brought to a more suitable location before the pumping means is dismounted from the dispensing unit 202. Furthermore, it is advantageous that all dispensing units are designed in such a way that each dispensing unit 202 may be mounted or dismounted on the support plate 203 without the need to dismount any other dispensing unit 202. In particular, the indentations in the support plates 208 of the dispensing units having a canister on the middle or inner circle make this possible. Moreover, the presence of the indentations in combination with the arrangement of the canisters on the support plate 203 and the use of sandwich support plates 208 in the dispensing unit 202, help to increase the stiffness of the whole construction.

In Fig. 10 a bottom view of the embodiment as shown in Fig. 9 is depicted. In this view is shown how the dispensing units 202 may be mounted on the support plate 203 by using a number of bolts 209 (or other connection means) per dispensing unit. The bolts 209 are easy accessible from the bottom side of the support plate 203, so that a single dispensing unit 202 can easily be fixed or released for mounting and dismounting of the respective dispensing unit 202.

In Figs. 11 and 12 two views of a single dispensing unit is shown.

Such single dispensing unit will now be described in more detail. The canister 204 is arranged in two openings in the support plates 208. The connection may be designed as explained in relation to the support plates 10 and 11 of the embodiment of Figure 1, or any other suitable connection. Between the two support plates 208 runs a conduit 210 to fluidly connect the canister 204 and the pumping means 205. The conduit 210 ends at the side of the pumping means 205 in a pump mounting plate 211, on which the pumping means releasably is mounted. As explained above it may be desirable to dismount the pumping means for cleaning, replacement or reparation purposes. The pump mounting plate 211 comprises for locking the pumping means in its position a slide-click connection which can easily be operated to remove the pump. Slide-click connections as such are known. As explained above the indentations 212 in the support plates 208 are provided to save space in which the canisters of the outer ring can be placed. This provision of indentations 212 does not only make a more dense arrangement of canisters possible, but also contributes to a more overall stiffness of the construction. In figure 11, the stirring shaft 213of the canister is shown as well as the bolts 209 for mounting the dispensing units 202.

All further details and parts of the dispenser may be carried out as described hereinabove in relation to the dispenser of Figs. 1-7 or as known from WO 2005/082510, or any other dispenser apparatus known in the art.

Claims

1. Dispenser apparatus for dispensing fluids such as paint or hair- dye colorants, said dispenser apparatus comprising: - one or more dispensing units, at least comprising a receptacle for holding directly or indirectly a fluid and a corresponding pump means for dispensing said fluid, - a movable, preferably rotatable support structure for supporting said dispensing units, and - a stationary dispensing station at least comprising pump actuating means for selectively actuating said pump means, wherein the support structure and/or each dispensing unit comprises two parallel spaced apart mutually fixed support plates.

2. Dispenser according to claim 1, wherein each of the receptacles has coupling means for coupling the receptacle to the movable support structure, which coupling means at least partly establish the fixation between the support plates.

3. Dispenser according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the dispensing units has a connector for connecting the pump means with the support structure, which connectors at least partly establish the fixation between the support plates.

4. Dispenser according to claim 3, wherein the connector comprises attachment means for attachment to the respective plates, thereby establishing a fixation between the support plates.

5. Dispenser according to claim 2, in which the support plates are provided with a plurality of openings, each opening in one of the support plates forming a pair with a corresponding opening in the other plate, wherein the the respective centers of the corresponding openings of a pair are aligned with each other, and each pair of openings is designed for receiving the coupling means of the receptacle.

6. Dispenser according to claim 5, wherein the coupling means comprise at least one engagement member for engaging behind the edge region of at least one of the openings of a pair in the support plates, wherein the opening (s) concerned and the coupling means are shaped such that in a first position of the coupling means with respect to the opening, the coupling means can be inserted into the opening (s) and in a second position of the coupling means with respect to the opening (s) the engagement member engages behind the edge region of the opening (s) so as to prevent removal of the coupling means from the pair of openings.

7. Dispenser according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the coupling means of the receptacles are adapted to couple with the support plates by inserting them into the pair of openings and rotating them.

8. Dispenser according to any of the claims 5-7, wherein the openings have a length and a width, said width being smaller than the length.

9. Dispenser according to claim 8, wherein the engagement member in the second position is substantially aligned with the width axis of the opening.

10. Dispenser according to any of the claims 5-9, wherein the opening in the lower support plate is smaller than the corresponding opening of the same pair in the upper support plate.

11. Dispenser according to any of the claim 8, wherein the length axes of the respective openings of a pair extend under an angle, preferably 90° with respect to each other.

12. Dispenser according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the dispenser comprises a drive mechanism for driving said movable support structure and said one or more dispensing units mounted on said movable support structure.

13. Dispenser according to claim 12, wherein the driving mechanism comprises a worm drive and the movable support or the dispensing units comprise a drive lug that is engageable by the worm drive so as to push along the movable support.

14. Dispenser according to claims 3 and 13, wherein the lug is provided on the connector.

15. Dispenser according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the connector has a position detection lip, which is detectable by suitable detection means, which detection lip is positioned near the lug in such a manner that it moves along with the lug through the worm drive.

16. Dispenser according to claim 3, wherein the receptacle has an outlet portion which is connected with the connector by means of a separate tubular member.

17. Dispenser according to claim 1, wherein each dispensing unit comprises two parallel spaced apart mutually fixed support plates.

18. Dispenser according to claim 17, wherein each dispensing unit is a single unit which can be mounted on and dismounted from said support structure.

19. Dispenser according to claim 18, wherein each of said pumping means is arranged at a circular circumference of said support structure and said receptacles are arranged in two or more concentrical circles on said support structure, said support plates being arranged and designed such that each dispensing unit may be mounted or dismounted without the need to dismount one or more other dispensing units.

20. Dispenser according to claim 17, wherein said receptacles are arranged in three concentrical circles on said support structure and wherein a dispensing unit group is arranged on said support structure which in tangential direction along said circumference of said support structure comprises consecutively a dispensing unit having a receptacle on the outer ring, a dispensing unit having a receptacle on the middle ring, a dispensing unit having a receptacle on the outer ring, and a dispensing unit having a receptacle on the inner ring.

21. Dispenser according to claim 20, wherein said dispenser comprises six dispensing units groups having such arrangement being arranged consecutively along said circumference of said support structure .

22. Dispenser apparatus for dispensing fluids such as paint or hair- dye colorants, said dispenser apparatus comprising:

- a rotatable support structure for supporting said dispensing units, and

- a stationary dispensing station at least comprising pump actuating means for selectively actuating said pump means, wherein each dispensing unit is a single unit which can be mounted on and dismounted from said support structure, and wherein each of said pumping means is arranged at a circular circumference of said support structure and said receptacles are arranged in two or more concentrical circles on said support structure, said dispensing units being arranged and designed such that each dispensing unit may be mounted or dismounted without the need to dismount one or more other dispensing units.

23. Dispenser according to claim 22, wherein each dispensing unit comprises two parallel spaced apart mutually fixed support plates supporting said receptacle and said pumping means.

24. Dispenser according to claim 22, wherein said receptacles are arranged in three concentrical circles on said support structure and wherein a dispensing unit group is arranged on said support structure which in tangential direction along said circumference of said support structure comprises consecutively a dispensing unit having a receptacle on the outer ring, a dispensing unit having a receptacle on the middle ring, a dispensing unit having a receptacle on the outer ring, and a dispensing unit having a receptacle on the inner ring.

25. Dispenser according to claim 24, wherein said dispenser comprises six dispensing unit groups having such arrangement, said six dispensing unit groups being arranged consecutively along said circumference of said support structure.