WO2014181217A2

WO2014181217A2 - Device for dispensing fluids

Info

Publication number: WO2014181217A2
Application number: PCT/IB2014/061085
Authority: WO
Inventors: Evans Santagiuliana
Original assignee: Taplast S.P.A.
Priority date: 2013-05-08
Filing date: 2014-04-29
Publication date: 2014-11-13
Also published as: ITVI20130129A1; WO2014181217A3

Abstract

The invention is a device for dispensing a fluid held inside a container (C), comprising: a suction duct (240) suited to communicated with the fluid held inside the container (C), a dispenser duct (440) in communication with the outer space with respect to the volume (V) enclosed by the container (C), a suction/compression chamber (300) that can communicate with the suction duct (240) and the dispenser duct (440), a connection element (200) suited to fix the dispensing device to the container (C), an actuator element (400) slidingly coupled with the connection element (200) so that it is free to translate along a pre-determined direction with respect to the connection element (200), wherein the fluid can be drawn from the container (C) and dispensed towards the outside following the translation of the actuator element (400), wherein the suction/compression chamber (300) is defined by at least one between the connection element (200) and the actuator element (400) so that the suction/compression chamber (300) is at least partially outside the container (C) when the dispensing device is fixed to the container (C). The invention concerns also a system for containing and dispensing fluids (F).

Description

DEVICE FOR DISPENSING FLUIDS.

FIELD OF APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION

The invention concerns devices for pumping and dispensing fluids. In greater detail, the present invention concerns a pumping device suited to dispense fluids that are held in a container and suited to be coupled with the neck of the container. The present invention is particularly effective for pumping and dispensing fluid foods, liquid detergents, creams, perfumes and similar substances.

DESCRIPTION OF THE STATE OF THE ART

In the state of the art there are various types of pumps for fluids stored inside a container.

The dispensing pumps of the known type are generally constituted by a suction/compression chamber defined by a hollow body and suited to draw/compress the fluid to be dispensed. The suction/compression chamber communicates with a suction duct that draws the fluid from a container and a dispenser duct that conveys the fluid towards the outside. A first valve is positioned in the pump in such a way as to alternatively close and open the passage between the suction/compression chamber and the suction duct. On the other hand, there is a second valve intended to close and open the passage that places the suction/compression chamber in communication with the dispenser duct.

The operation of a dispensing pump includes a suction step and a dispensing step. During the suction step, when the liquid is drawn from the container in which it is held and conveyed to the suction/compression chamber, the first valve is open while the second is closed. In this way the fluid is allowed to pass from the container into the suction/compression chamber, and at the same time any fluids present outside the pump cannot be drawn into the suction/compression chamber through the dispenser duct. Vice versa, during the dispensing step the first valve is closed while the second is open, in such a way as to allow the fluid to flow outwards through the dispenser duct, as well as to prevent the fluid from flowing back from the suction/compression chamber into the container.

For example, the German utility model document DE 299 08 586 U l describes a dispensing pump in which the first valve is constituted by a small ball suited to abut against a projecting annular element of the suction/compression chamber, so as to form a tight area. The second valve, instead, is constituted by a first tight piston suited to slide vertically along the walls of the suction/compression chamber. In its turn, the first piston is slidingly coupled and coaxial with a second piston, the inside of which is provided with a longitudinal cavity. The longitudinal cavity that is provided inside the second piston constitutes a portion of the duct dispensing the liquid from the suction/compression chamber towards the outside. Furthermore, said portion of the dispenser duct communicates with the suction/compression chamber via suitable through holes made in the walls of the second piston. The second valve is constituted by two annular edges of the first piston that are suited to be coupled with corresponding grooves provided on the external surface of the second piston. In the mutual position of the first and second piston, in which the edges are coupled with the corresponding grooves, the valve is closed and the fluid cannot flow through the holes communicating with the dispenser duct.

The European patent EP 1 379 336 B l discloses an improved version of the dispensing pump just described above. In it, the first piston is structured in such a way as to form three tight areas for the fluid inside the suction/compression chamber.

A considerable limitation of the dispensing pumps known in the art lies in that, when the pump is mounted on the container in which the fluid is held, the hollow body that defines the suction/compression chamber is situated inside the container. More specifically, the suction/compression chamber is located in a portion of the volume enclosed by the container that is under the connection element between the bottle's neck and the pump. Said connection element is also known as the "cap" of the pump.

The position of the suction/compression chamber poses considerable technical limitations to the design of a dispensing pump.

First of all, the presence of the chamber inside the container causes a reduction of the useful volume enclosed by the container. In fact, the volume occupied by the suction/compression chamber is taken from the volume that could be occupied by the fluid inside the container.

Furthermore, as the suction/compression chamber must be introduced in the container through the neck of the latter, its size is limited by the size of the container's neck. The suction/compression chamber therefore must have such lateral dimensions that allow it to pass through the container's neck when it is introduced in the container. For example, if the suction/compression chamber is defined by cylindrical walls, the diameter of the cylinder defining the chamber must necessarily be smaller than the diameter of the bottle's neck.

Now, it is recommendable to have suction/compression chambers with the largest possible volume, so that large quantities of fluid can be contained therein, as desired. Increased capacity of the suction/compression chamber means that a larger volume of fluid is pumped towards the outside on each individual dispensing cycle. However, in the devices known in the art an increase in the capacity of the suction/compression chamber would go to the detriment of the useful volume inside the container, as just explained above. Furthermore, considering again the explanation provided above, in the devices known in the art the suction/compression chamber cannot develop in the lateral direction (width) but only in the longitudinal direction (length). Therefore, when facing the problem of how to increase the volume of the suction/compression chamber, a designer can only increase its length but not its width. In any case, also the length of the suction/compression chamber has a maximum limit since, clearly, it cannot exceed the length of the container. Furthermore, an excessively long suction/compression chamber is not recommendable, as it would lengthen in a not desirable manner the stroke of the liquid compression piston or pistons inside the container, thus making the fluid dispensing step more complex.

In the light of the explanations provided above, it is one object of the present invention to provide a fluid dispensing pump that can considerably reduce the drawbacks described with reference to the devices known in the art.

For example, it is one object of the present invention to provide a dispensing pump that is capable of dispensing a larger quantity of fluid on each dispensing cycle compared to the pumps known in the art.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a pump for fluids which is suited to be applied to a container and whose component parts do not reduce the effective volume of the container where the fluid is held.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a pump for fluids whose suction/compression chamber is shorter than the similar pumps available in the state of the art, assuming that it has the same volume.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a pump for fluids that is equipped with a suction/compression chamber whose lateral dimensions do not have a maximum limit. In particular, it is one of the objects of the present invention to provide a pump for fluids that is equipped with a suction/compression chamber whose lateral dimensions exceed the diameter of the neck of the container to which the pump is applied.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a pump for fluids having a simplified structure compared to the devices for analogous uses known in the art. In particular, it is one object of the present invention to provide a pump that has a smaller number of component parts than the analogous devices known in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention is based on the innovative concept according to which many limitations and many drawbacks of the pumps for fluids known in the art can be eliminated or, at least, considerably reduced by providing a pump for fluids in which the suction/compression chamber is positioned, at least partially, outside and above the container to which the pump is applied. This object can be achieved by providing for the suction/compression chamber to be defined, at least partially, by an actuator element or a connection element that is such as to ensure the application of the pump to the neck of the container.

Based on this consideration, the invention proposes a device for dispensing a fluid held inside a container. The dispensing device comprises a suction duct suited to communicate with the fluid held inside the container and a dispenser duct in communication with the outside with respect to the volume enclosed by the container. The device comprises also a suction/compression chamber that can communicate with the suction duct and with the dispenser duct and a connection element suited to fix the dispensing device to the container. The device comprises also an actuator element that is slidingly coupled with the connection element so that it is free to translate along a predetermined direction with respect to the connection element, said fluid being suited to be drawn from the container and dispensed towards the outside following the translation of the actuator element. The suction/compression chamber is defined by at least one between the connection element and the actuator element, in such a way that the suction/compression chamber is at feast partially outside the container when the dispensing device is fixed to the container.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the suction /compression chamber is completely outside the container when the dispensing device is fixed to the container.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the suction/compression chamber is defined by a portion of the surface of the coupling element.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the suction/compression chamber is defined by a portion of the surface of the actuator element.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the dispensing device furthermore comprises a tight membrane that is slidingly coupled with the walls of the suction/compression chamber, in such a way as to translate in a direction parallel to the translation direction of the actuator element.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the membrane is rigidly fixed to the actuator element, in such a way as to translate integrally with the actuator element.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the dispensing device comprises also a suction valve suited to alternatively allow and prevent the passage of a generic fluid between the suction duct and the suction/compression chamber. Furthermore, according to this embodiment of the invention, the dispensing device comprises also a dispensing valve suited to alternatively allow and prevent the passage of a generic fluid between the dispenser duct and the suction/compression chamber.

According to an embodiment of the invention, at least one between the suction valve and the dispensing valve comprises the membrane.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the dispensing valve comprises the membrane and the membrane comprises sealing means suited to cooperate with the dispenser duct so as to form a tight area that is such as to close a communication opening between the dispenser duct and the suction/compression chamber.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the sealing means of the membrane comprise a projecting annular element formed on the side of the membrane facing towards the dispenser duct.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the sealing means of the membrane comprise two annular edges, the dispensing valve comprising a union element rigidly fixed to the actuator element. The union element comprises an annular opening suited to place the dispenser duct in communication with the suction/compression chamber. The union element comprises also two annular grooves, each one of which is suited to cooperate with a corresponding annular edge of the, in such a way as to close the annular communication opening when the annular grooves of the union element cooperate with the corresponding annular edges of the membrane.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the suction valve comprises the membrane. According to this embodiment of the invention, the membrane is provided with at least one through opening suited to place the suction duct in communication with the suction/compression chamber.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the membrane is provided with a projecting annular element suited to cooperate with a projecting annular element formed on the surface of the connection element facing towards the membrane, in such a way as to prevent communication between the suction/compression chamber and the suction duct.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the membrane comprises a projecting annular element suited to cooperate with an annular opening provided in the suction duct, in such a way as to form a tight area.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the suction valve and the dispensing valve both comprise the same membrane. The membrane can thus serve both the function of suction valve and the function of dispensing valve. This can be obtained by allowing the membrane to translate within a limited range from a top dead centre to a bottom dead centre. When the membrane is at the top dead centre, the dispensing valve is closed. When the membrane is at the bottom dead centre, the suction valve is closed.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the actuator element comprises a first portion and a second portion that are distinct and suited to be rigidly fixed to each other.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the dispensing device comprises elastic means suited to exert a force on the actuator element and on the connection element that is such as to maintain the actuator element and the connection element at a maximum predetermined mutual distance.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, a system for containing and dispensing fluids is provided, which comprises a neck and a dispensing device according to one of the embodiments claimed in the attached claims, the dispensing device being fixed to the neck of the container by means of the connection element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be highlighted in the following description of the embodiments of the device according to the present invention that are illustrated in the drawings. In the drawings, identical and/or similar and/or corresponding component parts are identified by the same reference numbers or letters. In particular, in the figures:

- Figure l shows a perspective side view of a container for fluids to which a pump according to the present invention can be applied;

- Figure l b shows a perspective side view of a system for containing and dispensing fluids comprising a container to which a dispensing device according to the present invention is applied;

- Figure 2a shows a longitudinal exploded cross-sectional view of a dispensing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

- Figure 2b shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a dispensing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention in the rest position;

- Figure 2c shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a dispensing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention during the dispensing step;

- Figure 2d shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a dispensing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention during the suction step;

- Figure 2e shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a dispensing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention in the locked position;

- Figure 2f shows a perspective side view of a system for containing and dispensing fluids comprising a container to which a dispensing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied;

- Figure 3a shows a longitudinal exploded cross-sectional view of a dispensing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

- Figure 3b shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a dispensing device according to the second embodiment of the present invention in the rest position;

- Figure 3c shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a dispensing device according to the second embodiment of the present invention during the dispensing step;

- Figure 3d shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a dispensing device according to the second embodiment of the present invention during the suction step; - Figure 3e shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a dispensing device according to the second embodiment of the present invention in the locked position;

- Figure 3 shows a perspective side view of a system for containing and dispensing fluids comprising a container to which a dispensing device according to the second embodiment of the present invention is applied;

- Figure 4a shows a longitudinal exploded cross-sectional view of a dispensing device according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

- Figure 4b shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a dispensing device according to the third embodiment of the present invention in the rest position;

- Figure 4c shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a dispensing device according to the third embodiment of the present invention during the dispensing step;

- Figure 4d shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a dispensing device according to the third embodiment of the present invention during the suction step;

- Figure 4e shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a dispensing device according to the third embodiment of the present invention in the locked position;

- Figure 4f shows a perspective side view of a system for containing and dispensing fluids comprising a container to which a dispensing device according to the third embodiment of the present invention is applied;

- Figure 5a shows a longitudinal exploded cross-sectional view of a dispensing device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

- Figure 5b shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a dispensing device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention in the rest position;

- Figure 5c shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a dispensing device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention during the dispensing step;

- Figure 5d shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a dispensing device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention during the suction step;

- Figure 5e shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a dispensing device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention in the locked position; - Figure 5f shows a perspective side view of a system for containing and dispensing fluids comprising a container to which a dispensing device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is applied;

- Figure 6a shows a longitudinal exploded cross-sectional view of a dispensing device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

- Figure 6b shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a dispensing device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention in the rest position;

- Figure 6c shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a dispensing device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention during the dispensing step;

- Figure 6d shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a dispensing device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention during the suction step;

- Figure 6e shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a dispensing device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention in the locked position;

- Figure 6f shows a perspective side view of a system for containing and dispensing fluids comprising a container to which a dispensing device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention is applied;

- Figure 7a shows a longitudinal exploded cross-sectional view of a dispensing device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention;

- Figure 7b shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a dispensing device according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention in the rest position;

- Figure 7c shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a dispensing device according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention during the dispensing step;

- Figure 7d shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a dispensing device according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention during the suction step;

- Figure 7e shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a dispensing device according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention in the locked position;

- Figure 7f shows a perspective side view of a system for containing and dispensing fluids comprising a container to which a dispensing device according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention is applied. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention is described here below with reference to some specific embodiments, as shown in the attached drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated in the following detailed description and shown in the figures but, rather, the embodiments described herein simply exemplify different aspects of the present invention, the purpose of which is defined in the claims.

Further modifications and variants of the present invention will be clear for the expert in the art. Consequently, the present description must be considered as including all the modifications and/or variants of the present invention, the scope of which is defined in the claims.

The attached drawings represent a set of three Cartesian axes, wherein the oriented z-axis indicates the vertical direction and the plane xy must be understood as a horizontal plane, orthogonal to the vertical direction of the z- axis. Therefore, a direction, axis or plane will be referred to as "vertical" ("horizontal") in the case, respectively, of a direction, axis or plane substantially parallel (orthogonal) to the direction of the z-axis. In particular, a motion or a direction will be referred to as "upward" ("downward") to mean a vertical motion or direction, in the positive (negative) sense of the z-axis.

Here below, and in the entire patent application, expressions of place like "above" or "below" are always to be understood as referred to an oriented axis that indicates the vertical direction. Therefore, given a set of three Cartesian axes, in which the z-axis indicates the vertical direction, the expression "point A above (below) point B" is used to express the concept according to which the segment of the z-axis oriented in the direction from the orthogonal projection of point B on the z-axis to the orthogonal projection of point A on the z-axis is oriented in the positive (negative) sense of the z-axis.

Figure la shows an example of a fluid container C.

The container C has a longitudinal axis that, in the illustration provided in Figure la, is parallel to the z-axis. The container C or a portion of the same can feature cylindrical symmetry with respect to the longitudinal axis of the container C. As previously explained, in the set of Cartesian axes shown in Figure l a, as well as in the continuation of the description, the plane xy can be imagined as a horizontal plane and the direction z as a vertical direction, orthogonal to the plane xy. The container C delimits an inner cavity with volume V, which defines the maximum capacity of the container C. For example, in the case where the container C contains a liquid, V is the maximum volume of the liquid that can be contained in the container C without overflowing. Here below, a space will be defined as "external" to the container C or "outside" the same to indicate the portion of space not included in the cavity with volume V and not occupied by the container C. Therefore, when reference is made to an object that is "external to" or positioned "outside" the container C, this will mean that each portion of the object in question is situated in the space outside the container C, meaning in the portion of space that is complementary to the space occupied by the volume V and by the container C.

The container C comprises also a neck N provided with an opening I that places the volume V in communication with the external space with respect to the container C. The opening I is defined by a preferably circular edge of the neck N. In this way, through the opening I, a fluid can be introduced in the volume V from the outside or drawn from the volume V to be conveyed outside the container. The neck N of the container C can be in a substantially cylindrical hollow shape, with longitudinal axis coinciding with the longitudinal axis of the container C. In this way, the neck N comprises an annular side wall that, in the reference system of Figure 1 , develops along the vertical axis z. The annular wall of the neck N defines a cavity inside the neck N. The neck N is also limited by a top end and a bottom end. The top end of the neck N comprises the edge of the annular wall defining the opening I that places the internal cavity of the neck N in communication with the outside. The bottom end of the neck N comprises also a second annular edge that is rigidly fixed to the container C. The second annular edge included in the bottom end of the neck N defines a second opening that places the volume V enclosed by the container C in communication with the internal cavity of the neck N.

The surface of the annular wall of the neck N facing towards the outside of the container C can advantageously be provided with coupling means T, suited to allow a dispensing device according to the present invention to be fixed to the container C, In particular, as described more extensively below, the dispensing device is provided with appropriate coupling means suited to cooperate with the coupling means T in such a way as to allow the dispensing device to be applied to the container C.

Figure l b shows a system 2000 for containing and dispensing fluids, comprising a container C and a dispensing device or, simply, a pump 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The container C can, for example, be of the type shown in Figure l a.

The pump 1000 comprises a connection element 200 suited to be fixed to the container 1000. The connection element 200, generally known also as "cap", can be fixed, for example, to the neck N of the container C shown in Figure l a. The connection element 200 thus allows the pump 1000 to be applied to the container C, as described in greater detail below.

Furthermore, the pump 1000 comprises an actuator element or, simply, an actuator 400 that can be translated in both senses of the z-axis. As explained here below, a user can operate the pump 3 00 by means of the actuator element 400 in such a way as to make it translate with respect to the connection element 200. More specifically, a translation of the actuator element 400 along the direction and in the sense indicated by the arrow E sets the pump 1000 ready for the dispensing step. During this step, a specific quantity of the fluid contained in the container C can be conveyed from the pump 1000 to the outside of the container C. Vice versa, when the actuator element 400 is translated along the direction and in the sense indicated by the arrow A, the pump operates in the suction step. During suction, a certain quantity of fluid present in the container C is drawn and conveyed inside the pump 1000.

As shown in Figure 1 b, the connection element 200 and the actuator element 400 are located outside the container C when the pump is fixed to the container C. Some embodiments of the pump 1000 according to the present invention are described here below.

Figures from 2a to 2f schematically illustrate a first embodiment of the pump 1000 according to the present invention.

Figure 2a shows an exploded view of the pump 1000 according to the first embodiment of the invention, in which the component parts can be individually recognized. Figure 2b, instead, shows the pump 1000 fixed to a container C in a rest position, ready for the dispensing step.

With particular reference to Figures 2a and 2b, the pump 1000 comprises an actuator element 400 limited at the top by a top wall 416 and laterally by an annular wall 412. The annular wall 412 develops along a substantially vertical direction. Both the top wall 416 and the annular wall 412 of the actuator element 400 comprise an outer side facing towards the outside of the pump 1000 and an inner side opposite the outer side and facing towards the inside of the pump 1000.

The pump 1000 comprises also a dispenser duct 440 that is firmly fixed to the actuator element 400. The dispenser duct 440 can be formed as an integral part of the actuator element 400.

The dispenser duct 440 communicates with the outside through its outlet opening 441. The dispenser duct 440 comprises also an inlet opening 447, through which the dispenser duct 440 can communicate with a suction/compression chamber 300 located inside the pump 1000. The dispenser duct 440 allows the fluid to be conveyed from the suction/compression chamber 300 towards the outside.

The dispenser duct 440 comprises a first portion 442 that develops along a first direction and communicates with the outside through the outlet opening 441. In the embodiment shown in Figures from 2a to 2f the first portion 442 of the dispenser duct 440 develops along a substantially horizontal direction. The dispenser duct 440 comprises also a second portion 444 that develops along a second direction and comprises the inlet opening 447. In the embodiment shown in Figures from 2a to 2f the second portion 443 of the dispenser duct 440 develops along a substantially vertical direction. The first portion 442 and the second portion 443 of the dispenser duct 440 are connected by an intermediate portion 444, in which the dispenser duct 440 follows a curvilinear outline. The width of the first portion 441 of the dispenser duct 440 can advantageously be smaller than the width of the second portion 443.

The actuator element 400 is provided with a dispensing valve 460 that can alternatively assume an open position and a closed position. In the closed position, the dispensing valve 460 prevents communication between the suction/compression chamber 300 and the dispenser duct 440. Therefore, no fluid can flow between the suction/compression chamber 300 and the dispenser duct 440 when the dispensing valve 460 is closed. In particular, when the dispensing valve 460 is closed, the fluid contained in the suction/compression chamber 300 cannot be conveyed towards the outside through the outlet opening 441 of the duct 440, while the fluid present outside the suction/compression chamber cannot flow into it through the dispenser duct 440. In this way, during the suction step, when the fluid is drawn from the container, the dispensing valve 460 is preferably closed, in such a way as to prevent the air that is outside the pump from being sucked inside the suction/compression chamber 300 through the dispenser duct 440. Vice versa, when the dispensing valve 460 is open, the suction/compression chamber 300 communicates with the outside through the dispenser duct 440. The dispensing valve 460 is open during the dispensing step, in such a way as to allow the fluid to flow freely between the suction/compression chamber 300 and the dispenser duct 440.

As can be observed, for example, in Figure 2b, the dispensing valve 460 is housed in the intermediate portion 444 of the dispenser duct. The dispensing valve 460 comprises a movable sealing element 462 and a projecting annular element 464 that is formed on the walls of the dispenser duct 440. The movable sealing element 462 may comprise a substantially spherical body suited to abut against the annular projection 464 in such a way as to form an annular tight area. In this way, the valve 460 is closed when the movable sealing element 462 abuts against the annular projection 464 forming an annular tight area, as shown in Figure 2d. Vice versa, the valve 460 is open when the movable sealing element 462 is not in contact with the annular projection 464, as shown in Figure 2c. It can be observed that the movable sealing element 462 is constrained so that it remains inside or in close proximity to the intermediate portion 444 of the dispenser duct 440. In fact, the movable sealing element cannot get inside the second portion 443 of the dispenser duct 440 towards the inlet opening 447, as this movement is made impossible by the action of the annular projection 464. Furthermore, the curvature of the intermediate portion 444 and the difference in width between the first portion 442 and the second portion 443 of the dispenser duct 440 prevent the movable sealing element 462 from moving from the intermediate portion 444 towards the outlet opening 441 through the first portion 442 of the dispenser duct 440.

Again with particular reference to Figures 2a and 2b, the pump 1000 comprises also a connection element 200, suited to allow the dispensing device or pump 1000 to be applied to the container C holding the fluid. A gasket 920, shown in Figure 2a, can be positioned between the container C and the pump 1000 in such a way as to improve tightness when the pump 1000 is applied or fixed to the container C. In other embodiments of the invention not illustrated in the figures, the gasket 920 can be omitted and the connection element 200 can be in direct contact with the neck N of the bottle C.

The connection element 200 is limited laterally by an annular wall 210. The annular wall 210 comprises an inner sub-wall 212 and an outer sub-wall 218, both substantially cylindrical and coaxial with each other. In Figures from 2a to 2f the common longitudinal axis of the sub-walls 212 and 2 18 is vertical.

Always with reference to Figures 2a and 2b, the diameter of the inner sub-wall 212 is smaller than the diameter of the outer sub-wall 218, so that the outer sub- wall 21 8 and the inner sub-wall 212 define an annular cavity 214. The inner sub- wall 212 and the sub-wall 218 are connected by means of an annular connection portion 216 of the annular wall 210. The annular connection portion lies on a plane that is substantially orthogonal to the common axis of the inner and outer sub-walls 212 and 21 8. Preferably, the inner sub-wall 212 is longer than the outer sub-wall 218.

The inner sub-wall 212 of the annular wall 210 comprises an upper portion 212u and a lower portion 212d, separated by a separator element 220. When the pump 1000 is mounted on the container C, as shown in Figure 2b, the separator element 220 is located at the level of the opening I through which the container C communicates with the outside.

The separator element 220 comprises an annular disc that lies on a substantially horizontal plane and develops radially from a circular opening 241 to the inner sub-wall 212 of the side wall 210. The separator element 220 comprises a lower surface 250 that is suited to abut against the neck N of the container C or the gasket 920. According to the first embodiment of the invention, the lower surface 250 is advantageously flat. The separator element 220 comprises also an upper surface 230, opposite the lower surface 250 and facing towards the inside of the pump 1000. According to the first embodiment of the invention, also the upper surface 230 is preferably flat. The planes on which the lower surface 250 and the upper surface 230 of the separator element lie are both substantially parallel to the horizontal plane xy. In particular, when the pump 1000 is mounted on the container C as shown in Figure 2b, the lower surface 250 and the upper surface 230 of the separator element are substantially parallel to the plane where the opening I lies, which ensures connection between the volume V enclosed by the container C and the space outside the container C.

When the pump 1000 is applied to a container C, as shown for example in Figure 2b, the separator element 220 makes it possible to distinguish what portions of the pump 1 000 are certainly outside the container C. In fact, with reference to Figure 2b, given a horizontal plane passing through the separator element 220, two half-spaces are defined: a first half-space below and a second half-space above the given plane. The pump 1000 is made in such a way that the container C is completely contained in the first half-space, therefore all the portions of the pump contained in the second half-space are necessarily outside the container C. Figure 2b shows, in particular, that the suction/compression chamber 300 is located in the second half-space and, therefore, outside the container C. In other words, a horizontal plane that passes through the separator element 220 of the connection element 200 being drawn, the container C and the suction/compression chamber 300 are located in two opposite half-spaces defined by the plane when the pump 1000 is mounted on the container C. This is obtained, as previously clarified, by properly arranging the connection means 270 below the separator element 220 and so that the separator element 220 limits at the bottom a suction/compression chamber 300 obtained in a cavity of the actuator element 400 or of the connection element 200.

As specified above, the separator element 220 develops around an opening 241 that allows the suction/compression chamber 300 to communicate with the suction duct 240. The opening 241 , preferably circular, will be referred to as the outlet opening of the suction duct 240.

The suction duct 240 allows the fluid to be conveyed from the volume V enclosed by the container C to the suction/compression chamber 300. The suction duct 240 comprises an upper portion 244 that is firmly fixed to the connection element 200 and comprises the outlet opening 241. Furthermore, the suction duct 240 comprises a substantially tubular lower portion 246 connected to the upper portion 244. The lower portion 246 comprises an end portion 246u suited to be fixed to an end portion 245 of the upper portion 244. Advantageously, the inner diameter of the end portion 245 of the upper portion 244 is almost equal to the outer diameter of the end portion 246u of the tubular lower portion 246, so that the upper portion 244 and the lower portion 246 can be connected by simply fitting the end 246u of the lower portion 246 into the end 245 of the upper portion 244 of the suction duct 240. The lower portion 246 of the suction duct 240 also comprises a further end portion not shown in the figures and comprising an inlet opening of the suction duct 240. This end portion of the suction duct 240 is suited to be immersed in the fluid held inside the container C.

The upper portion 244 of the suction duct 240 comprises a suction valve 260. When closed, the suction valve 260 prevents the passage of the fluid between the suction/compression chamber 300 and the suction duct 240. In particular, when the suction valve 260 is closed, the fluid held in the container C cannot be conveyed into the suction/compression chamber 300 from the inside of the container C through the suction duct 240. Vice versa, when the suction valve 260 is open, the fluid can flow freely between the suction/compression chamber 300 and the suction duct 240.

The suction valve 260 is advantageously positioned in proximity to the outlet opening 241 of the suction duct 240. In particular, the suction valve 260 is advantageously positioned between the end 246u of the lower portion 246 and the outlet opening 241 of the suction duct 240. The suction valve 260 comprises a movable sealing element 262 and a housing 264 that is obtained in the suction duct 240. The movable sealing element 262 may comprise a spherical body, analogously to that which has been described with reference to the dispensing valve 460. The housing 264 for the movable sealing element 262 is limited at the top by a projecting element 266 and at the bottom by a projecting annular surface 268 suited to form an annular tight area with the movable sealing element 262. When the fluid contained in the suction/compression chamber is compressed, the pressure of the fluid pushes the movable sealing element 262 towards the projecting annular surface 268 so that the spherical element 262 and the annular surface 268 form an annular tight area. In this configuration, shown for example in Figure 2c, the dispensing valve 260 is closed and there is no communication between the suction/compression chamber 300 and the suction duct 240. Vice versa, if a negative pressure is generated in the suction/compression chamber 300, the spherical element 262 is pushed towards the inside of the suction/compression chamber 300, so that it moves away from the projecting annular surface 268. In this configuration, shown for example in Figures 2b and 2d, the suction valve 260 is open and the suction/compression chamber is in communication with the suction/compression duct 240. It should be noted that the stroke of the sealing element 262 is limited at the top by the projecting element 266 formed on the inner wall of the suction duct 240. In this way, the spherical sealing element 262 is constrained so that it remains in the housing 264 and, moreover, cannot get into the suction/compression chamber 300 through the outlet opening 2 1 of the dispenser duct 240.

Again with reference to Figures 2a and 2b, the connection element 200 comprises connection means 270 suited to cooperate with the coupling means T positioned on the neck N of the container C in such a way as to fix the pump 1000 to the container C. The connection means 270 are preferably positioned on the side of the lower portion 212d of the inner sub-wall 212 of the annular wall 210 that is opposite the side facing towards the annular cavity 214. Said side faces towards the neck N of the container C when the pump 1000 is mounted on the container C. The connection means 270, for example, may comprise a thread suited to be coupled with a thread formed on the neck N of the container C. Alternatively, the connection means 270 may comprise means suited to connect the connection element 200 to the neck N of the container by means of a fixing mechanism. In general, the connection means 270 of the connection element 200 and the coupling means T on the neck N of the container C may comprise any means suited to fix two components among those known to the expert in the art and suitable for the intended purpose.

It should be noted that, since the separator element 220 is positioned between the upper portion 212u and the lower portion 212d of the inner sub-wall 212, the separator element 220 is situated above the connection means 270 with respect to the reference system shown in Figures 2a and 2b. In particular, the position of the connection means 270 with respect to the separator element 220 is such that, when the pump 1000 is mounted on the container C, the lower surface 250 of the separator element 220 comes into contact with or is directed towards a portion of the neck N of the container C or a gasket 920. In particular, the pump 1000 is designed so that, when it is mounted on the container C, the lower surface 250 of the acparator clement 220 is directed towards the preferably circular edge of tho neck N of the container C defining the opening I. The opening I places the volume V in communication with the outside of the container C, as previously described. Therefore, when the pump 1000 is mounted on the container C, the separator element 220 is necessarily positioned above and outside the container C.

The upper portion 212u of the inner sub-wall 212 of the annular wall 210 and the separator element 220 define a cavity 280 inside the connection element 200. More specifically, the cavity 280 is defined laterally by the inner surface 212is of the upper portion 212u of the inner sub-wall 212 of the annular wall 210. Furthermore, the cavity 280 is limited at the bottom by the upper surface 230 of the separator element 220. The cavity 280 is therefore completely above the connection means 270.

The cavity 280 can feature a cylindrical symmetry. As illustrated below, the suction/compression chamber 300 of the pump 1000 is obtained inside the cavity 280.

As shown in Figure 2b, the actuator element 400 is slidingly coupled with the connection clement 200 so that it can be translated with respect to the coupling element 200. The direction of translation of the actuator element 400 is parallel to the direction of the vertical axis z. The coupling is obtained by means of the outer annular walls 412 of the actuator element 400 that are accommodated in the annular cavity 214 defined by the inner sub-wall 212 and by the outer sub-wall 218 of the side wall 210 of the connection element 200. In this way, the diameter of the annular wall 412 of the actuator element is included between the diameter of the inner sub- wall 212 and the diameter of the outer sub-wall 218 of the side wall 210 of the connection element 200.

The pump 1000 comprises also a tight membrane 500. More specifically, the membrane 500 comprises a first annular wall 520 suited to be slidingly fitted in the surface 212is that delimits the suction/compression chamber 300. The membrane 500 comprises also a second substantially cylindrical wall 560 whose diameter is smaller compared to that of the first wall 520. The second wall 560 of the membrane 500 thus defines a through hole 540 with circular cross section. According to the first embodiment of the invention, the membrane 500 is suited to be fixed to a portion of the dispenser duct 440 in such a way that it can be translated integrally with the actuator element 400 and with the dispenser duct 440 that is firmly fixed to the actuator element.

As shown in Figures 2a and 2b, the second wall 560 of the membrane 500 is fixed to a portion 448 of the dispenser duct 440 placed in proximity to the inlet opening 447 of the dispenser duct 440. For this purpose, the diameter of the through hole 540 defined by the second wall 560 can substantially be equal to the outer diameter of the portion 448 of the dispenser duct 440, so that the portion 448 of the dispenser duct 440 can be introduced through the hole 540.

The membrane 500 can be fixed to the dispenser duct 440 or, in general, to the actuator element 400 in any way suited to guarantee that a tight area is created between the second wall 560 of the membrane 500 and the surface of the dispenser duct 440 to which the membrane is fixed. Figures 2a and 2b show an example of how the membrane can be fixed to the actuator element 400. The membrane is fixed to an externally tapered portion 448 of the dispenser duct 440. In this way, the tapered portion 448 forms a first recess 449 suited to cooperate with the second wall 560 of the membrane 500. The reaction exerted by the contact with the first recess 449 prevents the membrane 500 from moving with respect to the actuator element 400 along the direction and in the positive sense of the vertical axis z. A second recess is furthermore created in proximity to the inlet opening 447 of the dispenser duct 440, using a union element 600.

The union element 600 comprises a tubular portion 610 whose outer diameter is almost equal to the inner diameter of the second portion 443 of the dispenser duct 440. The tubular portion 610 defines a substantially cylindrical inner cavity that communicates with the outside through a first opening 612 and a second opening 614 respectively positioned at the level of a first end and of a second end, opposite each other. An annular surface 616 develops laterally from the second end of the tubular portion 610 towards the inside with respect to the tubular portion 610.

The first end of the tubular element 610 is introduced inside the second portion 443 of the dispenser duct 440 through the inlet opening 447 and fixed to it. For example, the union element 600 can be fixed to the dispenser duct 440 through a fixing mechanism that is such that elements projecting from the external surface of the tubular portion 610 of the union element 600 cooperate with corresponding recesses formed on the internal surface of the second portion 443 of the dispenser duct 440. The union element 600 is thus fixed to the dispenser duct 440 in proximity to its inlet opening 447. Therefore, the inlet opening 447 of the dispenser duct 440 comprises the opening 614 located at the second end of the tubular portion 610 of the union element 600. When the union element 600 is fixed to the dispenser duct 440, the annular surface 616 projects towards the outside with respect to the surface of the dispenser duct 440 facing towards the outside of the duct. A second recess is thus formed, which serves as abutment element for a portion of the second wall 560 of the membrane 500, opposite the portion of the second wall 560 abutting against the first recess 449. In this way, the membrane 500 is prevented from moving with respect to the actuator element 400 along the direction and in the negative sense of the vertical axis z. The position of the membrane 500 with respect to the dispenser duct 440 and the actuator element 400 thus remains unchanged.

The pump 1000 comprises also an elastic element 800 that may comprise, for example, a helical spring, a bellows spring, an elastomeric element or, in general, any means with high elastic properties. The elastic element 800 is suited to exert such a force on the actuator element 400 and on the connection element 200 as to maintain the actuator element 400 and the connection element 200 at a predetermined maximum distance from each other.

According to the first embodiment of the invention, the spring is interposed between the membrane 500 and the upper surface 230 of the separator element 220 of the connection element 200. The elastic element 800 is not essential for the present invention and in other embodiments not shown in the figures it can be omitted.

As shown in Figure 2b, the suction/compression chamber 300 is obtained in the cavity 280 of the connection element 200 and is defined by the membrane 500 as well as by the connection element 200. More precisely, the suction/compression chamber 300 is defined at the bottom by the upper surface 230 of the separator element 220 of the connection element 200, at the top by the membrane 500 and at the sides by the inner surface 212is of the inner sub-wall 212 of the side wall 210 of the connection element 200. The volume and size of the suction/compression chamber 300 thus vary according to the position of the membrane 500 with respect to the connection element 200. The suction/compression chamber is in communication with the dispenser duct 440 through its inlet opening 447 and with the suction duct 240 through its outlet opening 241.

It should be noted that, when the pump 1000 is mounted on the container C, the suction/compression chamber 300 is completely outside the container C, as shown in Figure 2b. This is due to the fact that the suction/compression chamber 300 is limited at the bottom by the upper surface 230 of the separator element 220 of the connection element 200. As previously observed, the separator element is above and outside the container C when the pump 1000 is applied to the container. Since the suction/compression chamber 300 is above the separator element 220, it will be above and outside the container C, too.

Figure 2b shows the pump 1000 while at rest, ready for the dispensing step. The operation of the pump 1000 during the dispensing and suction steps is respectively illustrated in Figures 2c and 2d.

During the dispensing step, shown in Figure 2c, a force is applied to the actuator element 400 along the direction and in the sense defined by the arrow E, meaning a force oriented in the negative sense of the vertical axis z. For example, it is possible to apply a pressure to the top wall 416 of the actuator element 400. The actuator element 400 is thus translated, as a consequence of the force applied to it, along the same direction and in the same sense as that of the applied force, meaning along the direction and in the sense defined by the arrow E. The membrane 500 is translated integrally with the actuator element, determining a reduction in the volume of the suction/compression chamber 300. The pressure of the fluid or fluids contained inside the suction/compression chamber thus increases due to the reduction in the volume of the suction/compression chamber 300. The pressure exerted by the fluid inside the suction/compression chamber 300 thus pushes the movable sealing element 462 of the dispensing valve 460 towards the outlet opening 441 of the dispenser duct 440, thus causing the dispensing valve 460 to open. At the same time, the pressure of the fluid inside the suction/compression chamber 300 pushes the movable sealing element 262 of the suction valve 260 towards the projecting annular surface 268, so that the movable element 262 and the annular surface 268 form an annular tight area, thus bringing the suction valve 260 to the closed position. Since the suction valve 260 is closed, during the dispensing step any undesired flow of the fluid from the suction/compression chamber 300 back into the suction duct 240 is avoided. On the other hand, since the dispensing valve 460 has been opened, for the fluid there is an open channel that places the suction/compression chamber 300 in communication with the outside. Thus, due to the effect of the pressure forces, the fluid contained in the suction/compression chamber 300 first flows into the second portion 443 of the dispenser duct 440, then is pushed through the intermediate portion 444 until reaching the first portion 442 of the dispenser duct, and finally is dispensed towards the outside through the outlet opening 441 of the dispenser duct 440. The route of the fluid during the dispensing step is schematically shown by the arrow EF. The dispensing operation ends, for example, when the pressure of the fluid inside the suction/compression chamber 300 decreases until reaching such a value that the dispensing valve 460 cannot be kept open, or when the actuator element 400 is at the end of stroke, or when in the suction/compression chamber 300 there is no more fluid to be dispensed.

The suction step follows the dispensing step and is schematically shown in Figure 2d. A force is applied to the actuator element along the direction and in the sense defined by the arrow A, meaning in the positive sense of the vertical axis z. This force can be exerted manually. If elastic means 800 are provided, as shown in Figures from 2a to 2e, the force can be exerted on the actuator element 400 by the elastic means 800 that, typically, were compressed during the previous dispensing step. The actuator element 400 is thus translated in the positive sense of the z-axis due to the action of the force exerted on it. The membrane 500 is translated integrally with the actuator element 400, determining an increase in the volume of the suction/compression chamber 300. Due to the increased volume, the pressure of the fluid or fluids inside the suction/compression chamber 300 decreases. The negative pressure created in this way in the suction/compression chamber 300 pushes the movable element 462 of the dispensing valve 460 and the movable element 262 of the dispensing valve 240 towards the suction/compression chamber. The movable element 462 thus abuts against the projecting annular element 464, thus forming an annular tight area that closes the dispensing valve 460. On the other hand, the movable element 262 of the dispensing valve 260 moves away from the annular surface 268, interrupting the annular tight area between the movable element 262 and the annular surface 268. The movable element 262 is thus pushed towards the projecting element 266 that limits the area 264 housing the movable element 262 at the top. This movement of the movable element 262 causes the suction valve 240 to open. The difference in pressure thus causes the fluid held inside the container C to flow into the suction duct through its inlet opening that is immersed in the fluid and not shown in the figures. Once it has entered the lower portion 246 of the dispenser duct 240, the fluids flows into the upper portion 244 and, from there, enters the suction/compression chamber through the outlet opening 241 of the dispenser duct 240. At the end of the suction step, the pump 1000 returns to the rest position shown in Figure 2b, ready for the successive dispensing and suction cycle.

Figure 2e shows the pump 1000 in the locked position. The pump 1000 can be provided with suitable locking means in such a way as to keep the actuator element 400 locked in a predetermined position, thus preventing it from being translated with respect to the connection element 200. Figure 2e shows that the actuator element 400 is locked in the end-of-stroke-position, in which it is at the minimum distance from the connection element 200.

Figure 2f shows a system 2000 suited to contain and dispense fluids, comprising the dispensing device 1000 according to the first embodiment of the invention applied to a container C.

The pump 1000 according to the first embodiment of the invention offers many advantages compared to the known dispensing pumps.

First of all, the suction/compression chamber is positioned at least partially outside the container holding the liquid to be dispensed. This makes it possible to avoid reducing the useful volume inside the container due to the presence of the suction/compression chamber in the container itself. Being positioned at least partially outside the container, the portion of the suction/compression chamber positioned outside the container can be designed in such a way that it can assume any desired shape and size. In fact, the container to which the pump has to be applied does not determine any limit to the lateral and longitudinal dimensions of the suction/compression chamber, contrary to that which happens in the devices requiring that the suction/compression chamber be positioned inside the container. In particular, it is possible to design a suction/compression chamber in any desired width and, therefore, even with width exceeding the diameter of the container's neck. The volume of the suction/compression chamber can thus be increased as desired.

Furthermore, as the suction/compression chamber is completely obtained in a cavity of the connection element 200, it is not necessary to introduce in the pump a further hollow body inside which there is the suction/compression chamber. The pump according to the first embodiment of the invention thus makes it possible to eliminate a component part compared to the analogous pumps known in the art. In addition to simplifying the design of the device, this makes it possible to considerably reduce production times and costs.

Figures from 3 a to 3f schematically show a second embodiment of the pump 1000 according to the present invention.

Figure 3a shows an exploded view of the pump 1000 according to the second embodiment of the invention, in which the component parts can be individually recognized. Figure 3b, instead, shows the pump 1000 fixed to a container C in a rest position, ready for the dispensing step.

With particular reference to Figures 3a and 3b, the pump 1000 according to the second embodiment of the invention comprises an actuator element 400, a connection element 200, a dispenser duct 440, a suction duct 240 with the dispensing valve 260 that are substantially analogous to the corresponding parts or elements described with reference to the first embodiment of the invention. Shape, functionality and characteristics of the elements mentioned with reference to the first and to the embodiment of the invention are therefore identical or analogous.

The second embodiment of the invention differs from the first one due to the embodiment of the dispensing valve 460 that does not comprise a spherical movable element suited to obtain a sealing effect with a projecting annular element provided on the internal surface of the dispenser duct. The dispensing valve 460 according to the second embodiment of the invention, instead, comprises the membrane 500 and a union element 600.

The union element 600 comprises a substantially cylindrical portion 610 defining a cavity 630 inside it. In particular, the cavity 630 is defined laterally by the inner surface 610i of the cylindrical portion 610 of the connection element. The cavity 630 communicates with the outside through an opening 612 that is provided at the level of a first end portion of the cylindrical portion 610. Furthermore, the cavity 630 communicates with the outside via a plurality of through holes 620 made in the side walls of the cylindrical portion 610 in such a way as to place the inner surface 61 Oi and the outer surface 6 l 0o of the cylindrical portion 610 in communication with each other. A bottom annular element 650 limits the cavity 630 at the bottom. The bottom annular element 650 is fixed to a second end portion of the cylindrical portion 610 opposite the first end in proximity to which the opening 612 is located.

The union element 600 is fixed to a portion 448 of the dispenser duct 440. In the example of the second embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 3b, the union element 600 is rigidly fixed to the portion 448 of the dispenser duct 400 through a snap-in mechanism in which two annular recesses formed in the inner surface 610i of the cylindrical portion 610 match corresponding annular projections formed on the surface of the portion 448 of the dispenser duct 440 exposed towards the outside of the dispenser duct 440. The union element 600 is mounted on the portion 448 of the dispenser duct so that one portion of the cavity 630 is included in the dispenser duct 440 and that the through holes 620 can place the dispenser duct 440 in communication with the suction/compression chamber 300. Therefore, the holes 620 serve the function of inlet opening of the dispenser duct 440 that corresponds to the function served by the opening 447 in the first embodiment of the invention previously described.

The tight membrane 500 is slidingly coupled with the side walls of the suction/compression chamber 300. More specifically, the membrane 500 comprises a first annular wall 520 suited to slidingly fit in the annular surface 212is of the connection element 200 that delimits the suction/compression chamber 300 laterally, analogously to that which has been described with reference to the first embodiment of the invention. Still analogously to that which happens in the first embodiment of the invention, the membrane 500 comprises also a substantially cylindrical second wall 560, whose diameter is smaller than that of the first wall 520.

According to the second embodiment of the invention, an upper annular lip 562 projects from a first end portion of the second cylindrical wall 560, said upper annular lip 562 being connected to the cylindrical wall 560 by means of a connecting portion that has a substantially flat annular surface 582. As explained here below, the annular surface 582 is suited to abut against an annular surface 472 obtained from a recess in the external surface of the dispenser duct 440, in such a way as to limit the stroke of the membrane 500 with respect to the dispenser duct 440. Furthermore, a second end portion of the cylindrical wall 560, opposite the first end, comprises a lower annular lip 564.

The dispensing valve 460 according to the second embodiment of the invention comprises the upper annular lip 562 and the lower annular lip 564 of the membrane 500. The dispensing valve 460 comprises also an upper annular groove 662 obtained in the external surface 610o of the cylindrical portion 610 of the union element 600 and a lower annular groove 664 obtained, instead, in the surface of the bottom annular element 650 of the union element 600. The upper annular lip 562 is suited to cooperate with the upper annular groove 662 in such a way as to form an upper annular tight area. Analogously, the lower annular lip 564 is suited to cooperate with the lower annular groove 664 in such a way as to form a lower annular tight area. The dispensing valve 460 is closed when the annular lips 562 and 564 cooperate with the corresponding annular grooves 662 and 664 forming the two respective annular tight areas.

Advantageously, each one of the annular lips 562 and 564 comprises two surfaces, each one of which cooperates with corresponding surfaces belonging to the annular grooves 662 and 664. In this way, both the upper annular lip 562 and the lower annular lip 564 form two sealing rings when they cooperate, respectively, with the upper annular groove 662 and with the lower annular groove 664. This configuration of the lips and of the annular grooves ensures the improved tightness of the dispensing valve 460.

The pump 1000 according to the embodiment shown in Figure 3b comprises an elastic element 800 having the same characteristics and functions described above with reference to the first embodiment of the invention. According to the second embodiment of the invention, the elastic element 800 is interposed between the annular bottom element 650 of the union element 600 and the upper surface 230 of the separator element 220 of the connection element 200 facing towards the suction/compression chamber 300.

Figure 3b shows the pump 1000 according to the second embodiment of the invention when at rest, ready for the dispensing step. The operation of the pump 1000 during the dispensing and the suction step is respectively illustrated in Figures 3c and 3d and is analogous to the operation of the pump 1000 according to the first embodiment described above.

The dispensing step is schematically illustrated in Figure 3c. The actuator element 400 is translated along the direction and in the sense defined by the arrow E, meaning in the negative sense of the vertical axis z indicated in the figure.

The fluid pressure increase in the suction/compression chamber 300 exerts such a force on the membrane 500 that the latter is translated with respect to the actuator element 400 in the vertical direction indicated by the arrow E but in the opposite sense. This means that the membrane 500 is translated in the positive sense of the vertical axis z with respect to the actuator element 400. The translation of the membrane 500 in the positive sense of the z-axis with respect to the actuator element 400 determines the creation of an annular opening 463 between the lower annular lip 564 of the membrane 500 and the lower annular groove 664 of the union element 600. The dispensing valve 460 is thus open. The translation of the membrane 500 with respect to the actuator element 400 continues until the annular fiat surface 582 of the membrane 500 abuts against the annular abutment surface 472 obtained in the external surface of the dispenser duct 440. The annular surface 472 stops the translational motion of the membrane 500 with respect to the actuator element 400 and maintains the membrane 500 stationary at its top dead centre.

The fluid pressure in the suction/compression chamber 300 causes the dispensing valve 460 to open and the suction valve 260 to close. The suction valve 260 closes as the movable sealing element 262 is pushed towards the annular projection 268 of the suction duct 240, in such a way as to form with it an annular tight area. Due to the action of the pressure forces, the fluid contained in the suction/compression chamber 300 flows through the annular opening 463, enters the dispenser duct 440 and is then dispensed in the external environment through the outlet opening 441 of the dispenser duct 440. The route of the fluid during the dispensing step is schematically shown by the arrow EF.

The suction step follows the dispensing step and is schematically shown in Figure 3d. The actuator element 400 is translated along the direction and in the sense defined by the arrow A, meaning in the positive sense of the vertical axis z, as previously described with reference to the first embodiment of the invention. As in the case of the first embodiment of the invention, the force that causes the translation of the actuator element can be supplied in any way from the outside, or can even be generated by the elastic element 800.

Due to the negative pressure generated in the suction/compression chamber 300 following the increase in volume, the membrane 500 is translated downwards, that is, in the negative sense of the z-axis, with respect to the actuator element 400. The membrane 500 is thus translated with respect to the actuator clement 400 until the upper annular edge 562 and the lower annular edge 564 come into contact, respectively, with the upper annular groove 662 and the lower annular groove 664. The actuator element 400 and the membrane 500 are thus pushed towards each other so that the upper annular edge 562 forms an upper annular tight area in cooperation with the upper annular groove 662 and that the lower annular edge 564 forms a lower annular tight area in cooperation with the lower annular groove 664. In this way, the holes 620 made in the union element 600 are intercepted by the membrane 500 and the suction/compression chamber 300 is insulated from the dispenser duct 440. In this configuration, the dispensing valve 460 is closed.

The negative pressure generated in the suction/compression chamber causes the dispensing valve 460 to close and the dispensing valve 260 to open. The movable element 262 of the dispensing valve 260, in fact, is pushed towards the inside of the suction/compression chamber 300, thus eliminating the sealing effect produced with the projecting annular surface 268 and thus allowing communication between the suction/compression chamber 300 and the suction duct 240.

Due to the negative pressure present in the suction/compression chamber 300, the fluid contained in the volume V enclosed by the container C flows into the suction duct 240 through its inlet opening not shown in the figures. The fluid present in the suction duct 240 is then pushed towards the outlet opening 241 and from there it flows into the suction/compression chamber 300. Since the dispensing valve 460 is closed, the fluids that may be present outside the pump 1000 cannot flow into the suction/compression chamber 300 due to the negative pressure generated therein.

Figure 3e shows the pump 1000 in the locked position. Analogously to that which has been explained with reference to Figure 2e, the pump 1000 according to the second embodiment of the present invention can be provided with appropriate locking means suited to keep the actuator element 400 locked in a position in which the actuator element 400 and the connection element 200 are at a minimum allowed distance from each other.

Figure 3f shows a system 2000 suited to contain and dispense fluids, comprising the dispensing device 1000 according to the second embodiment of the invention ap lied to a container C.

The pump 1000 guarantees the advantages due to the presence of the suction/compression chamber outside the container C, which have already been illustrated in the description concerning the first embodiment of the invention. Furthermore, the pump 1000 according to the second embodiment of the invention makes it possible to reduce the number of component parts compared to the first embodiment, as it does not need any movable sealing element included in the dispensing valve 460. It can also be observed that, as the function of dispensing valve is served by the action of the membrane 500 and the union element 600 combined together, it is not necessary to include any projecting annular surface or other components of the dispensing valve inside the dispenser duct 440. The structure of the dispenser duct 440 can thus be simplified.

Figures from 4a to 4f schematically show a third embodiment of the pump 1000 according to the present invention.

If not expressly indicated otherwise, it should be understood that the description of a part or a set of parts identified by a given reference number, provided with regard to the preceding embodiments, is considered valid for the part or set of parts having the same reference number according to the third embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4a shows an exploded view of the pump 1000 according to the third embodiment of the invention, in which the component parts can be individually recognized. Figure 4b, instead, shows the pump 1000 fixed to a container C in a rest position, ready for the dispensing step.

With particular reference to Figures 4a and 4b, the pump 1000 according to the third embodiment of the invention comprises an actuator element 400, an elastic element 800, a union element 600, a membrane 500, a connection element 200, a gasket 920 and a tubular element 246 suited to constitute a lower portion of a suction duct.

The actuator element 400 comprises an top wall 416 and an annular side wall 412. The annular side wall 412 develops in the vertical direction z in Figures from 4a to 4f. The top wall 416 and the annular wall 412 define a cavity 480 inside the actuator element 400.

The outer annular wall 412 of the actuator element 400 is slidingly housed in an annular cavity 214 defined by the outer annular sub-wall 218 and by the inner annular sub-wall 212 of the connection element 200, analogously to that which happens in the previous embodiments. The actuator element 400 can thus be translated along the vertical axis z with respect to the connection element 200. The actuator element 400 comprises also a housing 434, defined by a substantially cylindrical wall 432 that develops starting from the top side 416 of the actuator element 400 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane on which the top wall 416 lies. In Figures from 4a to 4f, the cylindrical wall 432 develops in a substantially vertical direction. An elastic element 800 can be arranged in the housing 434, as described below. Furthermore, the surface of the wall 432 facing towards the cavity 434 is connected to a union element 600 as described below.

The dispenser duct 440 is included in the actuator element 400, analogously to that which happens in the previous embodiments. As in the previous embodiments, the dispenser duct comprises a first portion 442 comprising the outlet opening 441, a second portion 443 comprising the inlet opening 447 and an intermediate portion 444 that connects the first portion 442 to the second portion 443. It can be noted that according to the third embodiment of the invention the dispenser duct 440 is shorter than in the previous embodiments. As shown in Figure 4b, a dispensing valve 460 is included in the dispenser duct, analogously to the situation described with reference to the first embodiment of the invention. Thus, the dispensing valve 460 comprises a movable sealing element 462 and a projecting annular clement 464 formed inside the second portion 443 of the dispenser duct 440. According to the third embodiment of the invention, the projecting annular element 464 is preferably formed in proximity to the inlet opening 447. The operation of the dispensing valve 460 according to the third embodiment of the invention is analogous to the operation described with reference to the dispensing valve 460 according to the first embodiment of the invention.

The connection element 200 comprises an annular side wall 21 0. The annular wall 210 comprises an inner sub-wall 212 and an outer sub-wall 218, both substantially cylindrical and coaxial with each other. The inner sub-wall 212 and the outer sub-wall 218 develop along a substantially vertical direction. The diameter of the inner sub- wall 212 is smaller than the diameter of the outer sub- wall 218, so that the outer sub-wall 218 and the inner sub-wall 212 define an annular cavity 214. The inner sub-wall 212 and the sub-wall 21 8 are connected by means of an annular connection portion 216 of the annular wall 210. The annular connection portion lies on a plane that is substantially orthogonal to the common axis of the inner and outer sub-walls 212 and 218. Preferably, the inner sub-wall 212 is slightly shorter than the outer sub-wall 218.

Λ portion of the annular wall 412 of the actuator element 400 is housed in the annular cavity 214 defined by the inner sub- wall 2 12 and by the outer sub-wall 218 of the connection element 200. The actuator element 400 is thus free to translate along the vertical axis z with respect to the connection element 200. The connection element 200 comprises connection means 270 suited to cooperate with suitable coupling means T formed on the annular surface of the neck N of the container C so as to allow the application of the pump 1000 to the container C. The connection means 270 are formed on a portion of the surface of the inner sub-wall 212 opposite the surface facing towards the annular cavity 214. The portion of the surface of the sub-wall 212 on which the connection means 270 are formed is suited to be directed towards the neck N of the container C. For example, the connection means 270 may comprise a thread or elements of a fixing connection like projections or recesses in a portion of the inner surface of the cylindrical sub- wall 212.

The connection element 200 comprises also a separator element 220. The separator element 220 comprises an upper side 230, suited to be directed towards the suction/compression chamber 300, and a lower side 250 opposite the upper side 230 and directed towards the connection means 270. In this way, the lower side 250 of the separator element 220 is suited to be directed towards the container C when the pump 1000 is applied thereto, as shown in Figure 4b. The separator element 220 is positioned above the connection means 270.

The upper side 230 of the separator clement 220 comprises an inner projecting annular element 232, an intermediate projecting annular element 234 and an outer projecting annular element 236. The diameter of the intermediate projecting annular element 234 is larger than the diameter o the inner projecting annular element 232 and the diameter of the outer projecting annular element 236 is larger than the diameter of the intermediate projecting annular element 234. The inner projecting annular element 232, the intermediate projecting annular element 234 and outer projecling annular element 236 present on the upper side 230 of the separator element 220 are suited to cooperate with corresponding projecting elements formed on one side of the membrane 500 so as to form three distinct annular tight areas, as described in greater detail below.

The separator element 220 comprises a first portion 252 and a second portion 254, such that the thickness of the first portion 252 on the average exceeds the thickness of the second portion 254. The second portion 254 is separated from the first portion 252 by an opening 256 that develops from the upper side 230 to the lower side 250 of the separator element 220.

The portion of the lower side 250 belonging to the first portion 252 of the separator element 220 is preferably flat. As shown in Figure 4b, a portion of the lower side 250 belonging to the first portion 252 is suited to come into contact with the container C to which the pump is applied or with a gasket 920 interposed between the pump 1000 and the container C. Thus, the connection means 270 are arranged in such a position with respect to the separator element 220 that, when the pump 1000 is mounted on the container C, the portion of the lower side 250 belonging to the first portion 252 of the separator element is suited to be directed towards the annular edge of the neck N of the container C that defines the opening I for communication between the outside and the inside of the container C. In this way, the separator element 220 is positioned above and outside the neck N of the container C and, in general, of the container C when the pump 1000 is applied to the container C.

In this way, the separator element 220 according to the third embodiment of the invention makes it possible to distinguish what portions of the pump 1000 are certainly outside the container C when the pump 1000 is applied to the container C, analogously to that which has been described above with reference to the separator element 220 according to the first embodiment of the invention. With reference to Figure 4b, we should consider, for example, a horizontal plane passing through the separator element 220 and the opening 256. Two half-spaces are defined by the plane taken in consideration, meaning a first half-space below the given plane and one half-space above the given plane. According to the above, the pump 1000 is constructed in such a way that the container C is entirely contained in the first half-space below the horizontal plane taken in consideration. Therefore, all the portions of the pump contained in the second half-space are necessarily outside the container C. Figure 4b shows, in particular, that the suction/compression chamber 300 is entirely located in the second half- space and, therefore, above and outside the container C. In other words, a horizontal plane that passes through the separator element 220 of the connection element 200 and through the opening 256 being drawn, the container C and the suction/compression chamber 300 are located in two opposite half-spaces defined by the plane, when the pump 1000 is mounted on the container C. This is obtained, as previously clarified, by properly arranging the connection means 270 below the separator element 220 and so that the separator element 220 limits at the bottom a suction/compression chamber obtained in a cavity of the actuator element 400.

Also the portion of the lower side 250 belonging to the second portion 254 is substantially flat and is positioned along the z-axis at a level that is above the level of the portion of the lower side 250 belonging to the first portion 252. In this way, when the pump 1000 is applied to the container C, an opening 257 is created between the lower side 250 of the separator element 220 and the portion of the container C near which the pump 1000 is applied. The opening 257 is in communication with the opening 256 and with the volume V enclosed by the container C through the neck N of the container C. In this way, thanks to the openings 256 and 257, the volume V enclosed by the container C communicates with the space towards which the upper side 230 of the separator element 220 is directed.

The connection element 200 comprises also a pin 224, suited to be accommodated in a housing 614 provided in the union element 600. More particularly, the pin 224 comprises a base 228 rigidly fixed to the separator element 220 and a tapered portion 226 that develops from the base 228 in a direction that is substantially parallel to the direction of the lateral sub-walls 212 and 218. Between the base 228 of the pin 224 and the separator element 220 there is an opening 241 that is such as to place the suction duct 240 in communication with the suction/compression chamber 300. The opening 24 1 thus constitutes the outlet opening of the suction duct 240.

The union element 600 is provided with a housing 614, suited to accommodate the tapered portion 226 of the pin 224 in such a way as to rigidly fix the union element 600 to the connection element 200. When the union element 600 is fixed to the pin 224, the outer wall of the housing 614 and the wall of the base 228 of the pin 224 form a substantially cylindrical smooth annular surface without steps. As explained below, an inner wall of the membrane 500 is suited to slide along this annular surface.

The union element 600 comprises a substantially cylindrical portion 610 defining a cavity 632 that communicates with the outside through an upper opening 612. The upper opening 612 is formed at the level of a first end portion of the cylindrical portion 610. The outer surface of the cylindrical portion 610 then forms an annular abutment surface 6 10as in proximity to a second end portion opposite the first end and located in proximity to the housing 614. Said abutment surface is suited to abut against the membrane 500, as described in greater detail below.

The first end portion of the cylindrical portion 610 is slidingly coupled with the surface of the wall 432 facing towards the cavity 434 of the actuator element 400. The actuator element 400 can thus be translated along the vertical direction z with respect to the union element 600 fixed to the connection element 200. The union element 600 is coupled with the actuator element 400 in such a way that the cavity 632 defined by the cylindrical portion 10 of the union element 600 communicates with the cavity 434 defined by the cylindrical wall 432 of the actuator element, thus forming a single cavity in which an elastic element 800 can be introduced, as shown in Figure 4b.

The pump 1000 according to the third embodiment of the invention comprises also a membrane 500. The membrane 500 comprises an upper side 5 12, suited to be directed towards the cylindrical portion 610 of the union element 600, and a lower side 514 opposite the upper side 512 and suited to be directed towards the connection element 200.

Analogously to the pump 1000 according to the first and the second embodiment of the present invention, the membrane 500 of the pump 1000 according to the third embodiment of the invention comprises a first annular wall 520 and a second annular wall 560 whose diameter is smaller than the diameter of the first annular wall 520.

The first annular wall 520, or outer wall, is suited to be slidingly coupled with the surface of the annular wall 412 of the actuator element 400 facing towards the cavity 480. The annular wall 520 forms a tight unit with the inner surface of the annular wall 12.

The second annular wall 560, or inner wall, defines a substantially cylindrical through hole 540. The longitudinal axis of symmetry of the cylindrical hole 540 will be defined as the longitudinal axis of the membrane 500. The membrane 500 can feature a cylindrical symmetry with respect to its longitudinal axis that, in the Figures from 4a to 4e, is parallel to the vertical axis z.

The hole 540 is suited to accommodate the pin 224 in which the union element 600 is fitted, in such a way as to constrain the membrane 500 and translate it according to an axis that is parallel to the direction of development of the pin 224, meaning in the vertical direction z indicated, in the figures. The second annular wall 560 is thus coupled with a substantially cylindrical annular surface formed by the base 228 of the pin 224 and by the outer surface of the union element 610 that defines the housing 614. Even the second annular wall 560 of the membrane 500 forms a tight unit with the surface with which it is coupled. The membrane 500 comprises one or more communication holes 544 that develop from the upper surface 512 to the lower surface 5 14 of the membrane 500. If the communication holes 544 are more than one, they are preferably made so that their distance from the longitudinal axis of the membrane 500 is substantially the same.

The lower side 514 of the membrane 500 comprises three projecting annular elements 532, 534 and 536 that are all coaxial with one another. More specifically, on the lower side 5 14 of the membrane 500 there are an inner projecting annular element 532, an intermediate projecting annular element 534 and an outer projecting annular element 536. The diameter of the intermediate projecting annular element 534 is larger than the diameter of the inner projecting annular element 532. In its turn, the diameter of the outer projecting annular element 536 is larger than the diameter of the intermediate projecting annular element 534. The inner projecting annular element 532, the intermediate projecting annular element 534 and the outer projecting annular element 536 of the membrane 500 cooperate, respectively, with the inner projecting annular element 232, the intermediate projecting annular element 234 and the outer projecting annular element 236 of the connection element 200 in such a way as to form three corresponding coaxial annular tight areas. In particular, the outer projecting annular elements 536 and 236 of the membrane 500 and of the connection element 200 cooperate in such a way as to form an outer annular tight area. The intermediate projecting annular elements 534 and 234 of the membrane 500 and of the connection element 200 cooperate in such a way as to form an intermediate annular tight area. Finally, the inner projecting annular elements 532 and 232 of the membrane 500 and of the connection element 200 cooperate in such a way as to form an inner annular tight area. As is described in greater detail below, the inner projecting annular elements 532 and 232 are included in the suction valve 260 and are suited to alternatively form and interrupt the inner annular tight area, thus causing the suction valve 260 to be respectively closed and opened.

The membrane 500 can be translated along the vertical direction z with respect to the connection element 200. The translation of the membrane 500 can take place between a top dead centre and a bottom dead centre. The membrane 500 is at the top dead centre when the annular abutment surface 10as abuts against the upper side 512 of the membrane 500, as illustrated for example in Figures 4b and 4d. Vice versa, the membrane 500 is at the bottom dead centre when the membrane 500 is at such a distance from the connection element 200 that the inner projecting elements 232 and 532 cooperate in such a way as to form the inner annular tight area. The membrane 500 at the bottom dead centre is illustrated, for example, in Figure 4c. It can thus be observed that the membrane 500 is constrained so as to assume a position that is limited at the top by the abutment surface I 0as of the union element 600 and at the bottom by the upper surface 230 of the separator element 220 of the connection element. In particular, independently of the position assumed during its translational motion, the membrane 500 is constrained to remain above the separator element 220. When the membrane 500 is at the boltom dead centre the inner projecting annular elements 232 and 532 of the connection element and of the membrane 500 form the inner annular tight area that intercepts the outlet opening 241 of the suction duct 240, thus preventing communication between the suction duct 240 and the suction/compression chamber 300 that is substantially formed inside the cavity 480 defined by the actuator element 400, as explained below. In this configuration of the membrane 500, the suction valve 260 is closed. As shown for example in Figure 4c, when the suction valve 260 is closed, an inner annular area 482 is formed that develops radially from the inner wall 560 of the membrane 500 to the inner annular tight area formed by the inner projecting annular elements 232 and 532, respectively of the connection element 200 and of the membrane 500. Said inner annular area 482 is limited at the top by the annular portion of the lower side 5 14 of the membrane 500 included between the inner wall 560 of the membrane 500 and the inner projecting annular element 532 of the membrane 500. When the suction valve 260 is closed, the inner annular area 482 is separated and tightly insulated from the suction/compression chamber 300. Furthermore, the inner annular area 482 is in communication with the suction duct 240 through its outlet opening 241 .

On the other hand, when the membrane 500, starting from the bottom dead centre, translates in the positive direction of the vertical axis z so as to move away from the connection element 200, an annular opening 263 is formed between the inner annular projecting elements 232 and 532 of the connection element 200 and of the membrane 500, as shown for example in Figure 4d. The opening 263 interrupts the tight area, thus allowing communication between the suction duct 240 and the suction/compression chamber 300 through the communication hole or the plurality of communication holes 544 of the membrane 500. In this configuration of the membrane 500, the suction valve 260 is open. With the suction valve 260 open, it is no more possible to identify an inner annular area, like the area 482 shown in Figure 4c, tightly insulated from the suction/compression chamber 300.

It can be observed that, as shown in Figures from 4b to 4e, the intermediate and outer annular tight areas respectively formed by the intermediate projecting annular elements 234, 534 and by the outer projecting annular elements 236, 536 maintain their respective tightness independently of the position of the membrane 500 with respect to the connection element 200. Therefore, an outer annular area 486 is created, that develops in radial direction from the intermediate annular tight area to the outer annular tight area. This outer annular area 486 is constantly separated and tightly insulated from the suction/compression chamber 300. The outer annular area 486 is also in communication with the volume V enclosed by the container C through the opening 257 that is present between the connection element 200 and the container C and the opening 256 formed through the thickness of the separator element 220, as shown in Figure 4b.

Again with reference to Figures 4a and 4b, the suction/compression chamber 300 is obtained inside the cavity 480 defined by the top side 416 and by the annular wall 412 of the actuator element. Thus, differently from the pump 1000 according to the preceding embodiments, the suction/compression chamber 300 is defined at the top and at the sides by the actuator element 400. In particular, the suction/compression chamber 300 is defined at the top by the top wall 416 and laterally by the annular wall 412 of the actuator element 400. Furthermore, the suction/compression chamber 300 is defined at the bottom by the membrane 500 and by the connection element 200. In particular, the suction/compression chamber 300 is limited at the bottom by a portion of the upper side 514 of the membrane 500 and by a portion of the upper side 230 of the separator element 220.

The suction/compression chamber 300 can be placed in communication with both the suction duct 240 and the dispenser duct 440.

Even according to this embodiment of the invention, when the pump 1000 is mounted on the container C, the suction/compression chamber 300 is located outside the container C. This is due to the fact that the suction/compression chamber 300 is delimited at the bottom by the separator element 220 and that the separator element 220 is located above and outside the container C when the pump is mounted on the container C.

Finally, an elastic element 800 can optionally be interposed between the union element 600 and the actuator element 400 in such a way as to maintain the actuator element 400 and the connection element 200 compressed in a position of maximum mutual distance.

Figure 4b shows the pump 1000 according to the third embodiment of the invention when at rest, ready for the dispensing step. The operation of the pump 1000 during the dispensing and suction steps is respectively illustrated in Figures 4c and 4d.

During the dispensing step illustrated in Figure 4c, the actuator element 400 is translated along the direction and in the sense defined by the arrow E. Analogously to the situation described above, the decrease in the volume of the suction/compression chamber following the translation of the actuator element 400 causes an increase in the pressure of the fluid contained in the suction/compression chamber 300. This in turn causes the upward movement of the movable sealing element 462 of the dispensing valve 460 and the opening of the same dispensing valve 460. Furthermore, the pressure exerted by the fluid in the suction/compression chamber 300 pushes the membrane 500 and translates it in the direction defined by the arrow E, so that it moves near the connection element 200. The translation of the membrane 500 continues until it reaches the bottom dead centre shown in Figure 4c. As previously indicated, in this position the inner projecting annular element 232 of the connection element 200 cooperates with the inner projecting annular element 532 of the membrane 500 in such a way as to form the inner annular tight area. This closes the suction valve 260, preventing communication between the suction/compression chamber 300 and the suction duct 240. The fluid contained in the suction/compression chamber 300 can therefore flow into the dispenser duct 460 and, from there, be conveyed towards the outside through the outlet opening 441 of the dispenser duct 460. The route of the fluid during the dispensing step is schematically shown by the arrow EF.

During the suction step illustrated in Figure 4d, the actuator element 400 is translated in the direction and sense defined by the arrow A. The negative pressure created in the suction/compression chamber 300 causes the dispensing valve 460 to close, with the movable sealing element 462 that cooperates with the projecting annular element 464 of the dispenser duct 440 in such a way as to form an annular tight area. The negative pressure in the suction/compression chamber 300, furthermore, causes the translation of the membrane 500 along the direction and in the sense defined by the arrow A. This means that the membrane moves away from the connection element 200, interrupting the tight area between the inner projecting annular elements 232 and 532 of the connection element 200 and of the membrane 500. An opening 263 is thus formed between the inner projecting annular elements 232 and 532 and causes the opening of the suction valve 260. The fluid held in the container C can thus be conveyed from the suction duct 240 to the suction/compression chamber 300 passing through the outlet opening 241 of the suction duct 240 and the communication holes 544 present in the membrane 500. The route of the fluid during the suction step is schematically shown by the arrow AF.

Figure 4e shows the pump 1000 in the locked position. The pump 1000 can be provided with suitable locking means in such a way as to keep the actuator element 400 locked in a predetermined position, thus preventing it from translating with respect to the connection element 200. Figure 4e shows that the actuator element 400 is locked in the end-of-stroke-position, in which it is at the minimum distance from the connection element 200.

Figure 4f shows a system 2000 suited to contain and dispense fluids, comprising the dispensing device 1000 according to the third embodiment of the invention applied to a container C.

As the suction/compression chamber is entirely obtained inside the actuator element, the third embodiment of the present invention, given the same capacity of the suction/compression chamber, makes it possible to reduce the size of the actuator element compared to the preceding embodiments. The pump according to the third embodiment of the present invention thus has considerably limited size and production costs.

Figures from 5a to 5f schematically show a fourth embodiment of the pump 1000 according to the present invention.

The fourth embodiment of the present invention is very similar to the third embodiment just described above, except for the construction of the suction valve. Only the differences between the fourth and the third embodiment of the invention are described here below. It is understood that when not expressly indicated otherwise here below, the explanation provided with reference to the third embodiment of the invention can be applied to the fourth embodiment of the invention, too.

With reference to Figures 5a and 5b, the pump 1000 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention comprises a membrane 500 that comprises an upper side 5 12 and a lower side 5 14 opposite the upper side 512. The membrane 500 then comprises a first outer wall 520 and a second inner wall 560 whose diameter is smaller than that of the outer wall.

The lower side 5 14 of the membrane 500 comprises an intermediate projecting annular element 534 and an outer projecting annular element 536. Differently from the membrane 500 according to the third embodiment shown, for example, in Figures 4a and 4b, the membrane according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention does not have an inner projecting annular element.

Again with reference to Figures 5a and 5b, the intermediate projecting annular element 534 of the membrane 500 is suited to cooperate with an intermediate projecting annular element 234 of the connection element 200 in such a way as to form an intermediate annular tight area.

Analogously, the outer projecting annular element 536 of the membrane 500 is suited to cooperate with an outer projecting annular element 236 of the connection element 200 in such a way as to form an outer annular tight area. As in the case of the preceding embodiment of the invention, between the outer and the intermediate annular tight areas an outer annular area 486 is created, which is tightly insulated from the suction/compression chamber 300 and in communication with the volume V enclosed by the container C through the opening 257 between the connection element 200 and the container C and the opening 256 formed through the thickness of the connection element 200.

The inner wall 560 of the membrane 500 comprises an annular edge 566 suited to cooperate with an annular wall 243 that defines the annular outlet opening 241 of the suction duct 240 so as to form an annular tight area. In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures from 5a to 5e the annular wall 243 is formed as an integral part of the connection element 200. The suction valve 260 of the pump according to the fourth embodiment thus comprises the annular edge 566 of the inner wall 560 of the membrane 500 and the annular wall 243 of the suction duct 240. When the annular edge 566 cooperates with the annular wall 243, the outlet opening 241 of the suction duct is sealed and the suction duct 240 is insulated from the suction/compression chamber 300. In this configuration of the system, the suction valve 260 is closed, as shown in Figure 5c. Vice versa, when the annular edge 566 is moved away from the annular wall 243, the annular tight area that closes the outlet opening 241 of the suction duct 240 is interrupted, thus allowing communication between the suction duct 240 and the suction/compression chamber 300. In this configuration, the suction valve is open, as shown in Figure 5d.

Analogously to the case of the third embodiment of the invention, the membrane 500 is suited to be translated along the vertical axis /.. between a top dead centre and a bottom dead centre. The membrane 500 is at the top dead centre when the annular abutment surface 610as formed in the union element 600 abuts against the upper side 512 of the membrane 500, as illustrated for example in Figures 5b and 5d. Vice versa, the membrane 500 is at the bottom dead centre when the annular edge 566 of the inner wall 560 of the membrane 500 cooperates with the annular wall 243 in such a way as to form an annular tight area. The membrane 500 at the bottom dead centre is illustrated, for example, in Figure 5c.

Figure 5b shows the pump 1000 according to the fourth embodiment of the invention when at rest, ready for the dispensing step. The operation of the pump 1000 during the dispensing and suction steps is respectively illustrated in Figures 5c and 5d. The operation of the pump 1000 according to the fourth embodiment of the invention during the suction and dispensing steps is analogous to the operation of the pump 1000 according to the third embodiment of the invention during the corresponding steps, except for the differences described below.

During the dispensing step schematically shown in Figure 5c, the translation of the actuator element 400 along the direction and in the sense defined by the arrow E, meaning in the negative sense of the vertical axis z, causes a compression of the fluid inside the suction/compression chamber 300. This, in its turn, causes the opening of the dispensing valve 460, as previously described with reference to Figure 4c. The compression of the fluid in the suction/compression chamber 300 furthermore exerts a pressure on the upper side 512 of the membrane 500 so as to push the membrane 500 and translate it along the negative sense of the axis z so that it moves near the connection element 200. The translation of the membrane 500 with respect to the connection element 200 ends when the membrane 500 reaches the bottom dead centre. When the membrane 500 is at the bottom dead centre, the annular edge 566 of the inner wall 560 cooperates with the annular wall 243 of the suction duct 240, closing the suction valve 260. The fluid contained in the suction/compression chamber 300 can thus be dispensed towards the outside through the dispenser duct 440, following the route schematically indicated by the arrow EF.

During the suction step schematically illustrated in Figure 5d, the translation of the actuator element 400 along the direction and in the sense defined by the arrow A, meaning in the positive sense of the vertical axis z, generates a negative pressure inside the suction/compression chamber 300. The movable sealing element 462 is thus pushed towards the projecting annular element 464 of the dispenser duct 440, in such a way as to form an annular tight area that closes the dispensing valve 460, as previously described with reference to Figure 4d. At the same time, the negative pressure in the suction/compression chamber 500 pushes the membrane 500 so that it is translated in the positive sense of the vertical axis z. The translation of the membrane 500 with respect to the connection element 200 continues until the membrane reaches the top dead centre. The annular tight area between the annular edge 566 and the annular wall 243 is interrupted, leaving an annular opening between the annular edge 566 and the annular wall 243 so as to place the suction duct 260 in communication with the suction/compression chamber 300. The suction valve 260 is thus open and the fluid can flow from the suction duct 240 into the suction/compression chamber 300 following a route that is schematically indicated by the arrow AF. It can be observed that the outer and intermediate annular areas are maintained tight during the entire translation of the membrane 500, analogously to that which has been explained with reference to the third embodiment of the invention.

Figure 5e shows the pump 1000 in the locked position, in which suitable locking means maintain the actuator element 400 locked in the position in which it is at the minimum distance from the connection element 200.

Figure 5f shows a system 2000 suited to contain and dispense fluids, comprising the dispensing device 1000 according to the fourth embodiment of the invention applied to a container C.

The pump 1000 according to the fourth embodiment thus makes it possible to further reduce the complexity of the component parts, since there is no need for inner projecting annular elements on the sides of the membrane 500 and of the connection element 200.

Figures from 6a to 6e schematically show a fifth embodiment of the pump 1000 according to the present invention.

The fifth embodiment of the invention differs from the third embodiment, described with reference to Figures from 4a to 4f, substantially due to the construction of the dispensing valve 460. Only the differences between the fifth and the third embodiment of the invention are described here below. It is understood that, when not expressly indicated otherwise here below, the explanation provided with reference to the third embodiment of the invention can be applied to the fifth embodiment of the invention, too.

With reference to the Figures 6a and 6b, the pump 1000 according to the fifth embodiment of the invention comprises an actuator element 400. The actuator element 400 comprises a top wall 416 and an outer annular wall 412. The outer annular wall 412 develops in the vertical direction z in Figures from 6a to 6e. The top wall 416 and the annular wall 412 define a cavity 480 inside the actuator element 400.

The outer annular wall 412 of the actuator element 400 is slidingly housed in an annular cavity 214 defined by the outer annular sub-wall 218 and by the inner annular sub-wall 212 of the connection element 200, like in the previous embodiments. The actuator element 400 can thus be translated along the vertical axis z with respect to the connection element 200.

The actuator element 400 comprises also a housing 434, defined by a first annular wall 432 that develops starting from the top wall 4 16 of the actuator element 400 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane on which the top wall 416 lies. In Figures from 6a to 6e the first annular wall 432 develops along the vertical direction defined by the z-axis.

An elastic element 800 can be positioned in the housing 434, as described with reference to the third embodiment of the invention. Furthermore, the surface of the wall 432 facing towards the cavity 434 is slidingly connected to a union element 600, once again as described with reference to the third embodiment of the invention.

The dispenser duct 440 is partially included in the actuator element 400, analogously to that which happens in the previous embodiments. In particular, the first portion 442 of the dispenser duct 440 is completely enclosed in the actuator element 400. The first portion 442 develops along a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the vertical direction defined by the z-axis and includes the outlet opening 441. The second portion 443 of the dispenser duct 440, which substantially develops along the vertical direction z, instead is only partially enclosed in the actuator element 440, as a sub-portion of the second portion 443 is enclosed in the union element 600, as explained below. Even the intermediate portion 444, which connects the first portion 442 to the second portion 443, is completely enclosed in the actuator element 400.

The actuator element 400 according to the fifth embodiment of the invention comprises also a second annular wall 436, which is coaxial with the first cylindrical annular wall 432 and whose diameter is larger than the diameter of the latter. The first annular wall 432 and the second annular wall 436 thus define an annular cavity 438 in communication with the intermediate portion 444 of the dispenser duct 440 and with the main cavity 480 defined by the outer annular wall 412 and by the top side 416 of the actuator element. As will be explained below, the annular cavity 443 constitutes a sub-portion of the second portion 443 of the dispenser duct 440.

The pump 1000 according to the fifth embodiment of the invention comprises a union element 600. The element 600 comprises a substantially cylindrical housing 614 and a substantially cylindrical portion 610, like the union element 600 according to the third embodiment of the invention, in particular, the cylindrical portion 6 10 defines a cavity 632 that communicates with the outside through an upper opening 612. The upper opening 612 is formed at the level of a first end portion of the cylindrical portion 610. The longitudinal axis of the housing 614 coincides with the longitudinal axis of the cavity 232. The outer surface of the cylindrical portion 610 then forms an annular abutment surface 610as in proximity to a second end portion opposite the first end and located in proximity to the housing 614. Said abutment surface 610as is suited to abut against the membrane 500, as described above and as described again below. The union element 600 is firmly fixed to the connection element 200 in the manner described with reference to the third embodiment of the invention and to Figures 4a and 4b. The tapered portion 226 of the pin 224 integral with the connection element 200 is accommodated inside the housing 614 of the union element 600 so that the outer wall of the housing 614 and the wall of the base 228 of the pin 224 form a substantially cylindrical smooth annular surface with no steps, which can be coupled with an inner wall 560 of the membrane 500. The union element 600 according to the fifth embodiment of the invention comprises also an annular wall 616 whose diameter is larger than the diameter of the cylindrical portion 610 and is coaxial with the cylindrical portion 610. The cylindrical portion 610 and the annular wall 616 thus define an annular cavity 638. The annular cavity 638 communicates with the outside through an annular opening 638o positioned near the first end portion of the union element 600. Furthermore, the annular cavity 638 communicates with the outside through one or more communication holes 61 8 made near the second end portion of the union element 600. if the communication holes 618 are more than one, they are made in such a way that they are all at the same distance from the common longitudinal axis of the cylindrical portion 610 and of the outer annular wall 616. The annular cavity 638 constitutes a second sub-portion of the portion 443 of the dispenser duct 440, as described here below.

The union element 600 is slidingly coupled with the actuator element 400. The first end portion of the cylindrical portion 610 is slidingly coupled with the surface of the wall 432 facing towards the cavity 434 of the actuator element 400, as described above with reference to the third embodiment of the invention. When the actuator element 400 and the union element 600 are coupled together, the cavity 632 defined by the cylindrical portion 610 of the union element 600 communicates with the cavity 434 defined by the cylindrical wall 432 of the actuator element, thus forming a single cavity in which an elastic element 800 can be introduced, as shown in Figure 6b. Furthermore, the external surface of the outer annular wall 616 of the union element 600 is slidingly coupled with the surface of the second annular wall 436 of the actuator element 400 facing towards the annular cavity 438.

As shown in Figures 6a and 6b, the invention may comprise a safety mechanism comprising an annular projection 437 formed on the internal surface of the second annular wall 436 and suited to be coupled with a corresponding annular projection 617 formed on the external surface of the outer annular wall 616, in such a way as to prevent the actuator element 400 and the union element 600 from being spaced by a mutual distance exceeding a predetermined maximum distance. In particular, the maximum predetermined distance is achieved when the annular projection 437 of the second annular wall 436 cooperates with and abuts against the annular projection 617 of the outer annular wall 616.

As shown in Figure 6b, when the union element 600 is connected to the actuator element 400, the annular cavity 638 defined by the cylindrical element 610 and by the outer annular wall 616 of the union element 600 communicates, through the opening 638o, with the annular cavity 438 defined by the first annular wall 432 and by the second annular wall 436 of the actuator element 400 forming a single annular cavity. This annular cavity formed in this way constitutes the second portion 443 of the dispenser duct 440. The second portion 443 of the dispenser duct 440 communicates, near a first end, with the intermediate portion 444 of the dispenser duct 440 and, near the second end, opposite the first end, with the cavity 480 defined inside the actuator element through the communication holes 61 8 of the union element 600. Therefore, the communication holes 61 8 coincide with the inlet opening 447 of the dispenser duct 440.

The pump 1000 according to the fifth embodiment of the invention comprises a membrane 500 having an upper side 5 12 and a lower side 5 14. The membrane 500 then comprises a first outer wall 520 and a second inner wall 560 whose diameter is smaller than that of the outer wall 520.

The membrane 500 is tight, as described above, with the outer annular wall 520 that is slidingly coupled with the surface of the annular wail 412 of the actuator element 400 facing towards the cavity 480. Furthermore, the inner annular wall 560 is coupled with a substantially cylindrical annular surface formed by the base 228 of the pin 224 and by the outer surface of the union element 610 that defines the housing 614.

The lower side 5 14 of the membrane 500 comprises three projecting annular elements 532, 534 and 536, as in the third embodiment of the invention. In particular, on the lower side 514 of the membrane 500 there are an inner projecting annular element 532, an intermediate projecting annular element 534 and an outer projecting annular element 536, all coaxial with one another. The annular elements 532, 534 and 536 that project from the lower side 514 of the membrane 500 cooperate, respectively, with the annular elements 232, 234 and 236 that project from the upper side 230 of the separator element 220 of the connection element 200 in such a way as to form, respectively, an inner annular tight area, an intermediate annular tight area and an outer annular tight area, as previously described with reference to the third embodiment of the invention. The inner projecting annular elements 532 and 232 are included in the suction valve 260 and are suited to alternatively form and interrupt the inner annular tight area, thus causing the suction valve 260 to be respectively closed and opened, as described with reference to the third embodiment of the invention. Furthermore, an outer annular area 486 develops in radial direction from the intermediate annular tight area to the outer annular tight area. This outer annular area 486 is constantly separated and tightly insulated from the suction/compression chamber 300. The outer annular area 486 is also in communication with the volume V enclosed by the container C through the opening 257 between the connection element 200 and the container C and the opening 256 formed through the thickness of the separator element 220.

According to an embodiment of the invention not illustrated in the figures, the suction valve comprises an annular edge formed on the inner wall 560 of the membrane 500 and suited to cooperate with an annular wail that defines the outlet opening 241 of the dispenser duct 240 so as to form an annular tight area. According to this embodiment, the suction valve is formed in a way that is similar to the suction valve according to the fourth embodiment of the invention, described above with reference to Figures from 5a to 5e. Therefore, according to this embodiment of the invention, the membrane 500 is not provided with the inner annular element 532 and the connection element 200 is not provided with the inner annular element 232, whose functions are performed, instead, respectively by the annular edge present on the inner wall of the membrane and by the annular wall formed near the outlet opening of the dispenser duct. However, the membrane and the connection element may comprise the corresponding intermediate projecting annular elements 534, 234 and outer projecting annular elements 536, 236.

Again with particular reference Lo Figures 6a and 6b, according to the fifth embodiment of the invention the upper side 5 12 of the membrane 500 comprises an upper projecting annular element 516 suited to cooperate with the dispenser duct 440 in such a way as to alternatively open and close the dispensing valve 460, as described in greater detail below.

Like the membrane according to the third embodiment described above, the membrane 500 according to the fifth embodiment can be translated in the vertical direction z between a top dead centre and a bottom dead centre. The top dead centre is reached when the upper surface 512 of the membrane 500 abuts against the annular abutment surface 610as defined by the cylindrical portion 610 of the union element 600, as shown in Figures 6b and 6d. On the other hand, the bottom dead centre is reached when the membrane 500 is at such a distance from the connection element 200 that the inner projecting elements 232 and 532 cooperate in such a way as to form the inner annular tight area, as shown in Figure 6c.

According to the Fifth embodiment of the present invention, the dispensing valve 460 comprises a portion of the membrane 500 and a portion of the dispenser duct 440. In greater detail, the dispensing valve 460 comprises the upper projecting element 5 16 and an annular portion of the upper side 512 that develops radially from the inner wall 560 towards the upper projecting annular element 516. Furthermore, the dispensing valve 460 comprises an end portion of the dispenser duct 440 located in proximity to the inlet opening 447 with which the upper projecting annular element 16 is suited to cooperate.

Furthermore, according to the fifth embodiment of the invention, the suction valve 260 comprises the inner projecting elements 532 and 232 formed, respectively, on the lower surface 514 of the membrane 500 and on the upper surface 230 of the separator element 220 of the connection element 200, similarly to the suction valve 260 according to the third embodiment of the invention.

The suction valve 260 and the dispensing valve 460 can be alternatively opened and closed through the translational movement of the membrane 500 along the vertical axis z.

When the membrane 500 is at the top dead centre of its translation range shown in Figure 6d, a portion of the upper side 512 of the membrane 500 intercepts the inlet opening or openings 447 of the dispenser duct 440. The upper projecting annular element 516 formed on the upper side 12 of the membrane 500 is then coupled with an end portion of the dispenser duct 440 located in proximity to the inlet opening 447 in such a way as to form an annular tight area. Once the annular tight area has been formed, the dispenser duct 440 is insulated from the suction/compression chamber 300. The dispensing valve 460 is therefore closed. At the same time, an opening 263 is formed between the inner projecting annular elements 532 and 232, in such a way as to place the suction duct 240 in communication with the suction/compression chamber 300 via the communication through holes 544 present in the membrane 500. With the membrane 500 at the top dead centre, the suction valve 260 is therefore open.

When, instead, the membrane 500 is at the bottom dead centre shown in Figure 6c, the inner projecting annular elements 532 and 232 cooperate in such a way as to form an annular tight area that separates the suction duct 240 from the suction/compression chamber 300. The suction valve 260 is thus closed. As shown for example in Figure 6c, when the suction valve 260 is closed, an inner annular area 482 is formed that develops radially from the inner wall 560 of the membrane 500 towards the inner annular tight area formed by the inner projecting annular elements 232 and 532. This inner annular area 482 is separated and tightly insulated from the suction/compression chamber 300 when the suction valve 260 is closed. Furthermore, the inner annular area 482 is in communication with the suction duct 240 through its outlet opening 241 . With the membrane 500 at the bottom dead centre, instead, the dispensing valve 460 is open, as an annular opening 463 is created between the end portion of the dispenser duct 460 near which there is the inlet opening 471 and the annular portion of the upper side 5 12 of the membrane 500 belonging to the dispensing valve 460.

According to the fifth embodiment of the invention, therefore, the suction valve 260 can be closed only when the dispensing valve 460 is open. The contrary is true as well, so that the dispensing valve 460 can be closed only when the suction valve 260 is open. According to the fifth embodiment of the invention, the suction/compression chamber 300 is obtained inside the cavity 480 defined by the top side 416 and by the annular wall 412 of the actuator element, like in the pump 1000 according to the third embodiment of the invention. The suction/compression chamber 300 can be placed in communication with both the suction duct 240 and the dispenser duct 440. Thus, the suction/compression chamber 300 is defined at the top by the top side 416 and laterally by the annular wall 412 of the actuator element 400. Furthermore, the suction/compression chamber 300 is defined at the bottom by the membrane 500 and by the connection element 200. Even according to this embodiment, when the pump 1000 is mounted on the container C, the suction/compression chamber 300 is located outside the container C.

Figure 6b shows the pump 1000 according to the fifth embodiment of the invention when at rest, ready for the dispensing step. The operation of the pump 1000 during the dispensing and suction steps is respectively illustrated in Figures 6c and 6d.

During the dispensing step illustrated in Figure 6c, the actuator element 400 is translated in the direction and sense defined by the arrow E. The compression of the fluid inside the suction/compression chamber 300 causes a translation of the membrane 500 in the direction and sense defined by the arrow E, so that the membrane 500 moves away from the abutment surface 210as of the cylindrical element 610 and from the inlet opening 447 of the dispenser duct 400, approaching the connection element 200. As soon as the top side 512 of the membrane 500 loses contact with the annular abutment surface 610as, an annular opening 463 is formed between the top side 512 of the membrane and the portion of the dispenser duct 440 that is near the inlet opening 447. The opening 463 allows communication between the suction/compression chamber 300 and the dispenser duct 440 through its inlet opening 447, thus determining the opening of the dispensing valve 460. The translation of the membrane 500 continues until it reaches the bottom dead centre shown in Figure 6c. As previously indicated, in this position the inner projecting annular element 232 of the connection element 200 cooperates with the inner projecting annular element 532 of the membrane 500 in such a way as to form the inner annular tight area. This closes the suction valve 260, preventing communication between the suction/compression chamber 300 and the suction duct 240. The fluid contained in the suction/compression chamber 300 can therefore flow into the dispenser duct 440 and, from there, be conveyed towards the outside through the outlet opening 44 1 of the dispenser duct 440. The route of the fluid during the dispensing step is schematically shown by the arrow EF.

It can be noted that during the dispensing step the dispensing valve 460 generally opens before the suction valve 260 has closed. In fact, the suction valve closes only when the membrane 500 has reached the end of stroke during its downward translational motion, arriving at the bottom dead centre. On the other hand, the dispensing valve 460 starts opening as soon as the downward translational motion of the membrane 500 starts. This characteristic is shared by the pumps known in the art. Therefore, it is desirable to minimize the delay time between the opening of the dispensing valve 460 and the closing of the suction valve 260 during the dispensing step. According to the present invention, the delay time can be minimized by making the stroke of the membrane 500 between the top dead centre and the bottom dead centre as short as possible. In addition or alternatively to that, it is possible to increase the diameter of the upper projecting element 5 16 or of the inner projecting annular element 532 in such a way as to increase the flow rate of the dispensing valve 460 and of the suction valve 260, respectively. This means that it is possible to increase the diameter of the annular tight areas formed by the membrane with the dispenser duct 440 and with the suction duct 240 so that, with the membrane at the same distance from the dispenser duct 440 and from the suction duct 240, the dispensing valve 460 and the suction valve 260 respectively ensure the largest possible flow of fluid. In this way, it is possible to reduce the translation range of the membrane without reducing the flow of fluid through the dispensing valve 460 and the suction valve 260. During the suction step schematically shown in Figure 6d, the translation of the actuator element in the direction and in the sense defined by the arrow A, that is, in the positive sense of the vertical axis z, generates a negative pressure inside the suction/compression chamber 300 that causes the membrane 500 to be translated in the positive sense of the vertical axis z, in accordance with the translation of the actuator element 400. As soon as the membrane 500 starts moving away from the separator element 220 of the connection element 200, the annular tight area between the inner projecting annular element 532 of the membrane 500 and the inner projecting annular element 232 of the separator element 220 of the connection element 220 is interrupted, thus giving origin to the formation of an annular opening 263 between the inner projecting annular elements 232 and 532. The suction duc 240 is placed in communication with the suction/compression chamber 300 through the opening 263. The suction valve 260 is thus open. The translation of the membrane 500 with respect to the connection element 200 continues until the membrane reaches the top dead centre. In this configuration, the upper side 5 12 of the membrane 500 abuts against the abutment surface 610as of the union element 600. Furthermore, a portion of the upper side 5 12 and the upper projecting annular element 516 intercept the inlet openings 447 of the dispenser duct 440, in such a way as to insulate the dispenser duct 440 from the suction/compres ion chamber 300. Therefore, the dispensing valve 460 closes. The fluid can thus flow from the suction duct 240 into the suction/compression chamber 300 following a route that is schematically indicated by the arrow AF. The outer and intermediate annular areas are maintained tight during the entire translation of the membrane 500, analogously to that which has been explained with reference to the third embodiment of the invention. Since the dispensing valve is closed, no fluid that may be present outside the pump 1000 can flow into the suction/compression chamber 300 during the suction step.

The outer annular area 486 remains insulated from the suction/compression chamber independently of the position of the membrane 500 with respect to the connection element 200 and to the dispenser duct 440 and independently of the open or closed position of the suction valve 260 and of the dispensing valve 460.

Figure 6e shows the pump 1000 in the locked position, in which suitable locking means maintain the actuator element 400 locked in the position in which it is at the minimum distance from the connection element 200.

Figure 6f shows a system 2000 suited to contain and dispense fluids, comprising the dispensing device 1 000 according to the fifth embodiment of the invention applied to a container C.

The pump 1000 according to the fifth embodiment of the invention is such that a single membrane 500 can serve the function of a dispensing valve and of a suction valve. This is obtained by allowing the membrane to be translated between a top dead centre, in which the dispensing valve 460 is closed and the suction valve 260 is open, and a bottom dead centre, in which the suction valve 260 is closed and the dispensing valve 460 is open. In this way, the pump 1000 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention does not include any valve needing movable spherical elements. The number of component parts of the pump 1000 can thus be further reduced compared to the preceding embodiments of the invention, thus ensuring money and time savings.

Furthermore, both the suction valve and the dispensing valve comprise the membrane as their single movable part. Therefore, the number of movable parts in the dispensing device is reduced. This ensures higher reliability and increased sturdiness of the pump according to the present invention, as the movable parts are the most sensitive and the most subject to damage and malfunctions.

Figures from 7a to 7f schematically show a sixth embodimen of the pump 1000 according to the present invention.

The sixth embodiment of the invention differs from the fifth embodiment substantially for the actuator element. All the other component parts have the same shape and functions as the corresponding parts of the pump 1000 according to the fifth embodiment of the invention.

With particular reference to Figures 7a and 7b, the actuator element 400 comprises an upper portion 452 and a lower portion 454, suited to be rigidly fixed to each other.

The upper portion 452 comprises a top wall 416, suited to be connected to a side annular wall 412 belonging to the lower portion 454. The upper portion 452 comprises also a wall 435 that develops in the vertical direction from the side of the top wall 416 facing towards the lower portion 454. The wall 435 is suited to cooperate with the second annular wall 436 of the lower portion 454, in such a way as to define a portion of the dispenser duct 440, as described in greater detail below.

The lower portion 454 comprises a first annular wall 432 and a second annular wall 436 that is coaxial with the first annular wall 432 and whose diameter is larger than the diameter of the first annular wall 432, similarly to that which happens in the fifth embodiment of the invention. The first annular wall 432 defines a substantial ly cylindrical cavity 434. The first annular wall 432 and the second annular wall 436 then define an annular cavity 438.

An annular separator element 426 develops in radial direction on a substantially horizontal plane between the second annular wall 436 and the outer annular wall 412. A cavity 480 is defined laterally by the outer annular wall 412 and at the top by the horizontal separator element 426.

The annular cavity 438 defined by the first annular wall 432 and by the second annular wall 436 communicates with the cavity 480 through an opening located near the lower end portion of the annular cavity 438. The annular cavity 438 communicates with the outside also through a second opening 438ua located near the upper end portion of the annular cavity 438.

A substantially circular wall 422 is formed near the end portion of the first annular wall 432 opposite the end facing towards the cavity 480, in such a way as to close the top of the cavity 434 defined by the first annular wall 432. The surface of the circular wall 422 opposite the surface facing towards the cavity 434 comprises a projecting annular element 424 suited to be coupled with a projecting annular element 414 formed on the surface of the top wall 416 facing towards the lower portion 454. The mutual engagement of the projecting annular elements with each other allows the upper portion 452 to be fixed to the lower portion 454 more easily. For example, the projecting annular elements 424 and 414 may be configured in such a way as to obtain a fixing mechanism.

Similarly, a protruding element 428 may be formed on the surface of the annular separator element 426 opposite the surface facing towards the cavity 480. The protruding element 428 is suited to be coupled with a portion of the inner surface of the top wall 416 in such a way as to make it easier to fix the upper portion 452 to the lower portion 454.

As shown in Figure 7b, when the upper portion 452 is fixed to the lower portion 454, the dispenser duct 440 is defined. In particular, a sub-portion of the second portion 443 of the dispenser duct comprises the annular cavity 438 defined by the first annular wall 434 and by the second annular wall 436. The first portion 442 of the dispenser duct 440 is then defined by a portion of the top wall 416 and by an extension 427 of the annular separator element 426. The extension 427 develops along the same plane on which the separator element 426 lies. The intermediate portion 444 of the dispenser duct 440 is limited by the opening 438ua through which the second portion 443 communicates with the intermediate portion 444 and by a second vertical wall 435s formed on the surface of the top wall 416 facing towards the dispenser duct 440. It can be observed that, while the first vertical wall 435 develops from the top wall 416 to the separator element 426, the second vertical wall 435s is shorter than the first vertical wall 435, so that an opening is left between the second vertical wall 435s and the separator element 426, through which the first portion 442 of the dispenser duct 440 communicates with the intermediate portion 444.

The union element 600 is slidingly coupled with the first annular wall 432 and with the second annular wall 436 exactly like in the fifth embodiment of the invention.

An elastic element 800 may be present inside the cavity defined by the cylindrical portion 610 of the union element 600 and by the first annular wall 432, as previously described with reference to the fifth embodiment of the invention.

According to the sixth embodiment of the invention, the suction/compression chamber 300 is limited at the top by the annular separator element 426. Furthermore, the suction/compression chamber 300 is limited laterally by the outer side wall 412 and at the bottom by the membrane 500 and by the separator element 220 of the connection element 200, similarly to that which happens in the fifth embodiment of the invention.

The operation of the pump 1000 according to the sixth embodiment during the suction and dispensing steps is respectively illustrated in Figures 7c and 7d and is completely equivalent to the operation of the pump 1000 according to the fifth embodiment of the invention in the corresponding steps. Therefore, for details on the operation of the pump 1000 according to the sixth embodiment of the invention reference should be made to the description provided with reference to Figures 6c and 6d.

Figure 7e shows the pump 1 000 in the locked position, in which suitable locking means maintain the actuator element 400 locked in the position in which it is at the minimum distance from the connection element 200.

Figure 7f shows a system 2000 suited to contain and dispense fluids, comprising the dispensing device 1000 according to the sixth embodiment of the invention applied to a container C.

It should be noted that it is possible to include an actuator element 400 comprising two distinct portions in each one of the embodiments from the first to the fourth, although these embodiments are not illustrated in the figures.

In addition to the advantages described with reference to the previous embodiments, the pump 1000 according to the sixth embodiment ensures more flexibility in the design and appearance of the pump 1000. In fact, since the actuator element is constituted by two distinct portions, it is relatively easy to modify its appearance in such a way as to meet the most varied practical and aesthetic needs. For example, it is possible to have a series of upper portions, each with a different aspect, so that they can be alternatively fixed to the same lower portion. If the upper part is fixed to the lower part by means of a quick mechanism like, for example, a fixing mechanism, it is thus easy to modify the appearance of the pump by replacing an upper portion with another one that is more suitable for one's needs.

The pump 1000 according to the present invention can be made with different materials. Preferably, most of the elements that make up the pump 1000 can be made with one or more plastic materials. The elastic element may also comprise a metallic material. Preferably, the plastic material with which the membrane is made is different from the plastic material or the plastic materials with which the actuator element and the connection element are made. In particular, the material with which the membrane 500 is made is selected so that the membrane achieves optimal tightness together with the walls of the suction/compression chamber and with the cylindrical surface with which the inner annular wall of the membrane cooperates, if necessary.

According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the suction/compression chamber is partially housed inside the container and partially located outside it, when the device is mounted on the container.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments described above, for the expert in the art it is clear that it is possible to make modifications, variants and improvements of the present invention based on the explanations provided above and within the scope of the attached claims without departing from the subject and scope of the invention. In addition to that, the aspects that are assumed to be known to the experts in the art have not been described in order to avoid uselessly putting the invention described herein in the shade. Consequently, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above but is limited exclusively by the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. Device for dispensing a fluid held inside a container (C), said dispensing device comprising:

- a suction duct (240) suited to communicate with said fluid held inside said container (C);

- a dispenser duct (440) in communication with the outside with respect to the volume (V) enclosed by said container (C);

- a suction/compression chamber (300) that can communicate with said suction duct (240) and said dispenser duct (440);

- a connection element (200) suited to fix said dispensing device to said container (C);

- an actuator element (400) slidingly coupled with said connection element (200) so that it is free to translate along a predetermined direction with respect to said connection element (200), said fluid being suited to be drawn from said container (C) and dispensed towards the outside following the translation of said actuator element (400);

said suction/compression chamber (300) being defined by at least one between said connection element (200) and said actuator element (400) in such a way that said suction/compression chamber (300) is at least partially outside said container (C) when said dispensing device is fixed to said container (C).

2. Dispensing device according to claim 1, characterized in that said suction/compression chamber (300) is completely outside said container (C) when said dispensing device is fixed to said container (C).

3. Dispensing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said suction/compression chamber (300) is defined by a portion of the surface of said coupling element (200).

4. Dispensing device according to any of the claims from 1 to 3, characterized in that said suction/compression chamber (300) is defined by a portion of the surface of said actuator element (400).

5. Dispensing device according to any of the claims from 1 to 4, also comprising a tight membrane (500) slidingly coupled with the walls of said suction/compression chamber (300) in such a way as to translate in a direction parallel†o the. translat ion direction of said a tmlor el jnent (400

6. Dispensing device according to claim 5, characterized in that said membrane (500) is rigidly fixed to said actuator element (400) in such a way as to translate integrally with said actuator element (400).

7. Dispensing device according to any of the claims from 1 to 5, also comprising:

- a suction valve (260) suited to alternatively allow and prevent the passage of a fluid between said suction duct (240) and said suction/compression chamber (300),

- a dispensing valve (460) suited to alternatively allow and prevent the passage of a fluid between said dispenser duct (440) and said suction/compression chamber (300).

8. Dispensing device according to claims 7 when dependent on claim 5, characterized in that at least one between said suction valve (240) and said dispensing valve (460) comprises said membrane (500).

9. Dispensing device according to claim 8, characterized in that said dispensing valve (460) comprises said membrane (500), said membrane (500) comprising sealing means suited to cooperate with said dispenser duct (440) in such a way as to form a tight area that is such as to close a communication opening between said dispenser duct (440) and said suction/compression chamber (300).

10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that said sealing means comprise a projecting annular element (516) formed on the side (512) of said membrane (500) facing towards said dispenser duct (440).

1 1. Dispensing device according to claim 9, characterized in that said sealing means comprise two annular edges (562, 564), said dispensing valve (460) comprising a union element (600) rigidly fixed to said actuator element (400), said union element (600) comprising an annular opening (620) suited to place said dispenser duct (440) and said suction/compression chamber (300) in communication with each other, said union element (600) also comprising two annular grooves (662, 664) each one of which is suited to cooperate with a corresponding annular edge (562, 564) of said membrane (500), in such a way as to close said annular communication opening (620) when said annular grooves (662, 664) of said union element (600) cooperate with the corresponding annular edges (562, 564) of said membrane (500).

12. Dispensing device according to any of the claims from 8 to 1 1 , characterized in that said suction valve (260) comprises said membrane (500), said membrane (500) being provided with at least one through opening (544) suited to place said suction duct (240) in communication with said suction/compression chamber (300).

13. Dispensing device according to claim 12, characterized in that said membrane (500) is provided with a projecting annular element (532) suited to cooperate with a projecting annular element (232) formed on the surface of said connection element (200) facing towards said membrane (500), in such a way as to prevent communication between said suction/compression chamber (300) and said suction duct (240).

14. Dispensing device according to claim 12, characterized in that said membrane (500) comprises a projecting annular element (530) suited to cooperate with an annular opening provided in said suction duct (240) in such a way as to form a tight area.

15. Dispensing device according to any of the claims from 8 to 14, characterized in that both said suction valve (260) and said dispensing valve (460) comprise said membrane (500).

16. System for containing and dispensing fluids (F), comprising:

- a container (C) comprising a neck (N);

- a dispensing device according to any of the preceding claims, said dispensing device being fixed to said neck (N) of said container (C) through said connection element (200).