Delivery Device for Fluid Products and Relative Delivery Method

Abstract

A delivery device for fluid products including a plurality of containers, each able to contain a predetermined fluid and connected to an associated delivery unit. The device also includes a support on which the containers are mounted, able to rotate to position sequentially, at different moments of time according to one or more predetermined sequences, at least some of the delivery units in a predetermined delivery seating, to deliver corresponding quantities of fluid to obtain a desired fluid composition. The delivery device contains stirrers, associated with the containers to mix the fluids contained in the containers. At least some of the stirrers are able to be selectively activated, independently of each other, to maintain the corresponding fluid in optimum conditions to allow an efficient delivery by the corresponding delivery unit disposed in the delivery seating.

1 . Delivery device for fluid products comprising:
 a plurality of containers, each able to contain a predetermined fluid and connected to an associated delivery unit,   a support on which said plurality of containers is mounted, able to rotate to position sequentially, at different moments of time according to one or more predetermined sequences, at least some of said delivery units in a predetermined delivery seating, to deliver corresponding quantities of fluid to obtain a desired fluid composition, and   stirrer means, associated with the containers and able to mix the fluids contained in said containers,   wherein each stirrer comprises an oblong rod disposed axially along the height of the container and stirrer blades protruding radially from the rod, wherein each container is provided with a motor mechanically connected to said rod to drive its rotation,   the delivery device further comprising an electronic card provided with a plurality of electric connectors, each suitable to be connected by an electric feed cable to one associated of said motors, and wherein said electronic card is further provided with a microprocessor unit having digital outputs independently drivable and connected, directly or indirectly, to said connectors, to selectively activate, one or more stirrers, driving the corresponding motors.   
     
     
         2 . The delivery device as in  claim 1 , wherein the stirrer means are able to be selectively activated independently of the movement of the rotary support and/or its direction of rotation. 
     
     
         3 . Device The delivery device as in  claim 1 , wherein the stirrer means can be driven continuously or periodically, for predetermined or variable periods of stirring, depending on the type of colorant contained and/or a predetermined delivery sequence. 
     
     
         4 . The delivery device as in  claim 1 , wherein each delivery unit is provided with a piston unit and a disk type delivery valve activatable between two distinct open conditions and a closed condition. 
     
     
         5 . The delivery device as in  claim 4 , comprising first and second actuation means able to cooperate with each delivery unit, when positioned in the delivery seating, to drive respectively the corresponding disk type delivery valve, between the specific open condition and the closed condition, and the corresponding piston unit. 
     
     
         6 . The delivery device as in  claim 4 , wherein each of said disk type delivery valves has at least a first delivery position with a greater flow rate, a second delivery position with a lower flow rate and a third closed position. 
     
     
         7 . The delivery device as in  claim 6 , comprising first and second actuation means able to cooperate with each delivery unit, when positioned in the delivery seating, to drive respectively the corresponding disk type delivery valve, between the specific open condition and the closed condition, and the corresponding piston unit,
 wherein the first actuation means are able to assume an inactive position in which they do not interfere mechanically with the delivery valves during the rotation of the support.   
     
     
         8 . The delivery device as in claim from  4 , wherein the disk type delivery valves are made of ceramic material. 
     
     
         9 . The delivery device as in  claim 1  wherein the rotary support is movable in two opposite directions of rotation to position, according to one or more predetermined delivery sequences, the delivery units in the delivery seating to minimize the absolute angle of rotation of the support during the delivery sequence. 
     
     
         10 . A method to deliver fluid products in a delivery device as in  claim 1 , comprising:
 providing a plurality of containers, each able to contain a predetermined fluid and connected to an associated delivery unit, and   using a rotary support, on which said plurality of containers is mounted, to position sequentially at least some of said delivery units, at different moments of time according to one or more predetermined sequences, in a predetermined delivery seating, to deliver corresponding quantities of fluid to obtain a desired fluid composition, and   wherein a stirrer means associated with the containers mixes the fluids contained therein,   wherein at least some of the stirrer means are selectively activated, independently of each other, to keep the corresponding fluid in optimum conditions to allow an efficient delivery by the corresponding delivery unit disposed in the delivery seating.   
     
     
         11 . The method as in  claim 10 , wherein the stirrer means are selectively activated independently of the movement of the rotary support and/or its direction of rotation. 
     
     
         12 . The method as in  claim 10 , wherein the stirrer means of each container continuously or periodically drivable, for predetermined or variable periods of stirring, depending on the type of colorant contained and/or a predetermined delivery sequence. 
     
     
         13 . The method as in  claim 10 , wherein each delivery unit is provided with a disk type delivery valve, which is activated by first actuation means between at least two distinct open conditions and a closed condition, and a piston unit of a selected delivery unit positioned in the delivery seating is driven by second actuation means. 
     
     
         14 . The method as in  claim 13 , wherein each of said disk type delivery valves is switchable between at least a first delivery position with a greater flow rate, a second delivery position with a lower flow rate and a third closed position. 
     
     
         15 . The method as in  claim 10 , wherein the support is moved in two opposite directions of rotation to position, according to one or more predetermined delivery sequences, the delivery units in the delivery seating to minimize the absolute angle of rotation of the support during the delivery sequence. 
     
     
         16 . The method as in  claim 10 , wherein during the rotation of the support the position of each delivery unit in proximity with said delivery seating is detected by detection means.