WO1995011855A1

WO1995011855A1 - Container connection device, fluid dispensing assembly therefor and container provided therewith

Info

Publication number: WO1995011855A1
Application number: PCT/BR1994/000032
Authority: WO
Inventors: Carlos Fernando Carvalho Motta; Francisco De Assis Reis Freitas
Original assignee: Imi Cornelius Brasil Ltda.
Priority date: 1993-10-26
Filing date: 1994-10-26
Publication date: 1995-05-04
Also published as: BR9304369A; AU8101594A; NZ275768A; CN1139414A; AU679285B2

Abstract

A connection device (1) for containers (13) suitable for holding fluids, concentrates and the like which are engageable to a liquid pre- and post-mix dispensing apparatus and/or a source of fluid extracting assembly (10) are proposed wherein said connection device has a cavity housing internal valve means (5, 9, 15, 15', 15', 25, 26, 27, 28) for closing and opening controllable passages so as to simultaneously direct flows (Qu1, Qu2) of fluids of different viscosity (u1, u2) in opposite directions through said cavity when said connection device is coupled by an actuator device (2) thereby forming said fluid extracting assembly (10). As a result thereof stainless steel containers, plastic pockets suction pumps and the like in known liquid dispensing systems are replaced by disposable containers for storing and delivering concentrates within a fluid dispensing system when coupled by the fluid extracting assembly (10).

Description

Container connection device, fluid dispensing assembly therefor and container provided therewith.

Background of the invention

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to fluid connection components, specifically to connection and extraction devices for containers and more particularly for containers engageable to equipments within a liquid dispensing system that processes two or more fluids having different viscosity to dispense a final fluid.

Among the many systems for dispensing a final prod- uct resulting from the combination of two or more fluids hav¬ ing different viscosity are equipments basically including a source of gaseous fluid, a container for storing beverage con¬ centrate, generally called syrup and the beverage-dispensing machine, which combines these two fluids having different viscosity with water and dispenses cold gaseous beverages com¬ monly known as soft drinks.

The Prior Art Within a dispensing system having equipments for dispensing soft drinks the fluids of different viscosity cir¬ culate through tubes linked by way of standard connection com¬ ponents already quite simplified between a pressurisation source, a suction pump, one or more containers containing the concentrate and the beverage-dispensing machine.

Containers holding the syrup are usually made of stainless steel and with undesirably large dimensions, which are returned after use afterwards submitted to to cleaning for removing the residues, thereby generating additional costs. On the other hand, these containers obliges the user of the ma¬ chine to maintain the same product stored for an undesirable period of time.

In another known embodiment, the syrup is packed in plastic pockets , which have the disadvantage of not en¬ during pressurisation, requiring the employ of suction pumps or another mechanism additional to the container besides the small capacity.

The use of any of these reservoirs requires the availability of assemblies having differentiated couplings for each of the pressurisation devices and/or suction devices. The need for having an easier and user friendly dispensing system is not satisfied due to the dimensions of the contain¬ ers as well as to the maintenance and operational costs asso- ciated therewith.

Therefore, it is most desirable to replace such costly componentry by more simple, disposable containers which do not involve new technology so as to eliminate the con¬ straints cited above. Such containers can be, for instance, the disposable plastic bottles of the PET type, which, can be engaged by the low-cost, reliable, simple and un-complicated connection device and extracting assembly of the present in¬ vention, for storing and delivering the concentrate within a fluid dispensing system.

Objects of the invention

In a first aspect the invention relates to a con- nection device placed on the neck of the container, preferably but not exclusively to the neck of a disposable commercial bottle holding the concentrate, maintaining it sealed with re¬ spect to the environment and in immediate availability to be included in the process of preparing beverage, and in a second aspect to a fluid-extracting assembly actuating on the neck of this bottle which is formed by the above-mentioned connection device and by a second device couplable thereto, for control¬ ling the passage of two fluids having different viscosity through the neck of said bottle.

The second device, in turn, is engageable with a source of pressurisation and with the beverage-dispensing ma¬ chine.

Therefore, the devices of the present invention ena- ble the replacement of the syrup holding containers employed in the prior art by low-cost disposable bottles, and the elim¬ ination of suction pumps or additional mechanisms.

The present invention is described for a preferred application embodiment, for instance, in disposable bottles containing concentrate for obtaining a gaseous beverage, but its use not being limited to this type of container.

Summary of the Invention

According to the principles of the present invention a connection device securable to the neck of a bottle of the PET type renders said bottle engageable with the machines men¬ tioned previously. The device is provided with tamper- sensitive means for protecting and identifying the type and origin of the concentrate and internal blocking valve means for a perfect tightness thereof. This connection device is obtained with a low pro¬ duction cost, by virtue of the ingenious space disposition of the internal flow-blocking elements and the resilient proper¬ ties of their materials, which are placed within the neck and establish isolated flow paths closed by a sealing-wax in the upper portion during the storage. Sanitary plastic materials such as high and low density polyethylene, centroprene or equivalent rubbers are employed in the manufacture thereof. The liquid-extracting assembly is suitable for insuflating a gaseous fluid for the extraction of concentrate out of the container, in a substantially simultaneous manner and through its neck. The liquid-extracting assembly of the invention is formed by the connection device secured to the neck of the bottle and by a second device provided with actuating members to engage normally closed selfblocking elements of the con¬ nection device upon the coupling of the same. Due to said cou- pling the bottle containing the concentrate remains in fluid communication with the gaseous source and with the pre and/or post mix liquid-dispensing machine.

The bottle with the extraction assembly applied can operate in any position from 360° with respect to the horizon- tal plane, that is to say, the work positions of the container can be entry both downwards and upwards, with three possibil¬ ities of extracting liquid from the container, namely, by pressure, by gravity and by pumping, and all the combinations thereof. The first device of the extracting assembly engageable with the neck of the bottle of concentrate has:

- engagement means compatible with the respective means exist¬ ing at the neck of known containers such as threads,

- a tamper-sensitive means, for instance, a tamper-proof seal- ing for ensuring the tightness and quality of the concentrate,

- devices for tightly receiving the coupling concentrate- dispensing piece of the extracting assembly, a barrier region provided with guide devices such as re¬ cesses to be engaged by respective engagement shoulders of the concentrate-dispensing complementary coupling piece of the present assembly,

- and a plurality of valve obturating elements associated with passages and courses for the flow of fluids having different viscosity, such as C02 or compressed air by a first flow course and liquid concentrate by the other flow course in op¬ posite directions, through the neck of the disposable bottle, generically called internal valve devices.

The connection also has a tube that extends as far as the bottom of the bottle, for both pressurization of the interior and for collecting fluid from the interior and con¬ ducting it to the dispensing machine, depending upon the oper¬ ation mode.

The complementary distal device of the bottle of the present extracting assembly, which couples the device located at the neck, has:

- independent connection ends for insufflating C02 and ex¬ tracting fluid, simultaneously interconnecting the bottle with a source of pressurisation and the dispensing machine; - actuating means at the cap portion, which forms a sealing, and valve closing means located at the first device engageable with the neck of the bottle; and

- means engaging with engageable surfaces disposed at the first connection device engageable with the neck of the bottle for establishing the tightness of the interconnection.

As a result of the teachings of the present in¬ vention, he suction pumps, the reservoirs of stainless steel and the pockets of the prior art are eliminated and replaced by the known disposable bottles. Besides this unexpected ap- plication of the disposable bottles of the PET type, the user has the possibility of storing different concentrates with a rapid replacement of flavours, with a considerable reduction of space and costs by eliminating equipment that is indispen¬ sable in the prior art. These and other features and advantages of the pres¬ ent invention will become more apparent when taken in conjunc¬ tion with the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment and the following drawings.

Description of the Drawings

- Figure 1 shows a partial longitudinal section view of a known PET bottle containing syrup and the liquid- extracting assembly formed by the two mutual coupling means dismembered before their operation. Such a situation is typi¬ cal during the storage of the concentrate. - Figure 2 shows an enlarged longitudinal section view of the first connection device secured by conventional means to the neck of the bottle and a view of a diametral sec- tion thereof;

Figure 3 shows a longitudinal section view of the second couplable and distal device, which together with the device of figure 3 forms the liquid-extracting assembly and a lower view in diametral section; and

- Figure 4 shows a partial longitudinal section view similar to figure 1, but with the internal prolongation ele¬ ment displaced from its central position for collecting liquid from the bottom.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

The connection device 1 shown in Fig. 1 is secured to the neck 14 of a known bottle 13 and the coupling device 2 for engaging the container to the beverage-dispensing device by connection tubes to be linked at the respective distal ends 11 and 12, just before the coupling.

During the first mode of application, namely storage of the concentrate in the bottle 13, only the device 1 is se¬ cured to the neck 14.

The body of the device 1 defines a cavity delimited by a continuous skirt wall 19a, the height of which is delim¬ ited by peripheral upper 3 and lower 4 edges and a cap 23 pro¬ vided with tamper-sensitive means disposed at the peripheral upper edge 3, being open on the opposed perimetrical edge 4 to the interior 16 of the container 13. The skirt 19a is inter- nally provided with conventional threads 24 or similar means for engagement with the neck 14 of the container 13.

According to the preferred embodiment, the reference number 19b indicates a cylindrical wall having a smaller diam¬ eter than the diameter of the neck 14 with a peripheral face and an internal face opposite each other, which extend along said cavity. The cylindrical internal wall 19b and the periph¬ eral wall 19a are joined by bridges alternating with the tamper-sensitive means of the cap 23 so as to define a periph¬ eral circular space for receiving the neck 14 of the container 13. The inner face of the cylindrical wall 19b delimits a cen¬ tral space, which extends longitudinally from the portion of the cap 23 to the opposed open end along a first upper end re- gion 17a, suitable for receiving the support device 2, an intermediate barrier region 17b and a lower end region 17c. The reference numbers 9, 26, 27, 28 indicate internal valve means through which fluids with different viscosity Qul and Qu2 can pass, in opposed directions between the upper and lower end regions 17a,17c substantially at the same time.

The suspended device 2 shown in figure 1 forms, to¬ gether with the device 1, the fluid-extracting assembly and its inclusion in the figure is intended to facilitate the understanding of the claimed assembly. The device 2 will still be described with reference to figure 3.

Figure 2 shows an enlarged view of the device 1 in longitudinal section and a diametral section therof.

Again, the two concentric cylindrical walls 19a, 19b, the cap 23 and the three regions 17a, 17b and 17c are in¬ dicated.

The upper region 17a is hollow and the walls form a seat suitable for receiving and guiding guide elements 29 of the device 2 during the insertion thereof. The region 17b is substantially located at the half of the length of the device, its cross area is devided into passages 5,15,15' ,15", usually closed when the container is not in use. The passage 5 can be crossed by a first fluid Qul, and the passages 15,15',15" can be crossed by a second fluid Qu2, both of a different viscosity and in a substantially si¬ multaneous manner in opposed directions between the upper and lower end regions 17a,17c, when the container is in use, by inserting the device 2 into the end region 17a of the device 1. The view in diametral section show the central pas¬ sage 5 for establishing a first communication by a fluid of a first viscosity Qul and a plurality of passages 15,15',15" disposed around said central passage 5 for establishing an¬ other communication by a fluid of a second viscosity Qu2 and isolated from the first one. The reference numbe 25 indicates cuts engageable with complementary projecitons 29, formed in the device 2. The radial distribution of the cuts 25 is spe¬ cific of the contents of the bottle for the purpose of ensur¬ ing the correct composition of the concentrate in dispensing the beverage and help in the tightness thereof.

The ineternal valve device 26,27,28 is a final flow- controlling element that extends axially by the region 17a, The final flow-controlling element has a tubular body 27 with two opposed and distal ends and with obturating portions 26 adjacent one of said ends of the body, forming a single piece. One end is open an turned to the intermediate region 17b, end¬ ing at a bead aligned with the central passage 5. The opposed distal end terminates in a narrowing 28 with a normally closed passage bore that blocks the central passage 5. The blocked portions 26 are distributed radially around said bead at the open end and maintains the passages 15,15',15" normally closed. The final flow-controlling device 26,27 is kept in a central position by a spacer 32 connected by arms 33,33',33" to the internal wall 19b of the device 1. The spacer 32 in longitudinal section has two opposed H-shaped concavities. Both concavities are communicated by a central bore 35. One concavity receives the narrowing 28. The opposed concavity re¬ ceives a prolongation element 8 by means of an adaptation 34. The passage bore in the narrowing 38, the central bore 35 of the spacer 32 and the prolongation elemento 8 are aligned and can be crossed by said first fluid during the use of the con¬ tainer.

The annular chamber 9 is open in the direction of the lower region 17c and blocked in the direction of the upper region 17a of the device 1 by the plurality of passages 15,15',15", located in the region 17b, which are normally closed by the respective obturating planes 26 from the lower region 17c. The obturating portions 26 control the second of the two fluid communication between the two end regions 17a and 17c.

Although the figure illustrates the bottle in the normal position for the mode of storing the concentrate, the central location of the prolongation element 8 corresponds to the condition in which the bottle operates with the entry di¬ rected downwardly.

The final flow-controlling element 26,27 canb e a valve of the Vernier or duck-bill type and is manufactured from a resilient material. It should be noted that the command of the flows in opposed directions of the first and second fluids occurs within the circular section and the height of the neck 14 of a PET-type bottle. Figure 3 shows a longitudinal section of the distal device 2 couplable to the top of the device 1 of figure 1 and a lower view thereof.

The devide 2 distal with respect to the bottle bas¬ ically comprises: - a body formed by a peripheral skirt 28 with shoul¬ ders for facilitating maintenance;

- a lower coupling face 32, delimited by the perime¬ ter of the peripheral skirt 28, being engageable at the por¬ tion of the sealing 23 and on the peripheral skirt 19a of the device 1;

- a pair of distal connection ends 11, 12 for con¬ nection by respective tubes retained on shoulders 21 and 22 to a gaseous source and to the liquid-dispensing machine; and a retractile central actuator 31 under spring action and a plurality of fixed actuators 6 distributed con¬ centrically around the actuator 31 and cooperating with each other, surrounded by the internal wall of the skirt 28.

The actuators 6, 31 actuate in the direction of in¬ sertion, cross the tap 23 and simultaneously engage the final flow-controlling element 26,27 for opening the normally closed passages 5,15,15',15" in the device 1 and establishing two in¬ dependent fluid communication between the free end of the de¬ vice 1 and the pair of distal ends 11, 12 of the device 2, when both are led to the reciprocal coupling. The actuator 31 is formed by a rod with a first closed end and the opposit end open. The rod 31 is retractile and tensioned by a spring 30, which limits its displacement to two end positions aligned with the axis and that correspond to respective conditions of blocking and simultaneous conduction of first and second fluids.

The closed end of the rod 31 is downstream of the distal connection 11. The opposite open end is engageable with the bead of the upper end of the element 26, 27 shwon in figure 2. The rod 31 has a non-through axial bore 39 inter- cepted by a transverse bore 34, forming a "T" at the proximity of the closed end. The rod 31 is guided by guide surfaces 35 near said closed end. The bores 34 are blocked by said guide surfaces 35. The internal diameter of the distal end 11 extends in the direction of the rod 31 and is greater from a given distance to create the cavity 36 located upstream of the guide surfaces 35. Said cavity 36 is suitable for receiving the up¬ per end of the rod 31 provided with the bore 34 during the re- traction of the rod 31.

The actuators 6 have the form of prominences and, in the present example, are conical claws. The conical claws 6 have a penetration end to cross the cap 23 and a back upper flank as seat of a portion of the open end of the actuator 31. The tensioning force of the spring 30 maintains the rod 31 impelled against said back upper flank of the claws 6. This situation occurs with the device 2 uncoupled from the de¬ vice 1, and there is no communication between any pair of distal ends 11, 12 and the coupling face 32 at the side of the free end of the device 2.

The claws 6 perforate the cap 23 and maintain the mutual coupling between the devices 1 and 2 in a rigid manner. The reciprocal coupling between the devices 1 and 2 overcomes the tensioning force of the spring 30 and the rod 31 retracts into the cavity 36 sliding along the guide walls 35 and leav¬ ing the bore 34 unblocked within the cavity 36. Simultane¬ ously the rod 31 presses the bead of the final control element 27, opening by transmission the normally closed bore at the opposite end 28 and unblocking the central passage 5. A first fluid communication Qu^% between the distal end 11 connectable to a gaseous source and the interior 16 of the bottle 13 forms through the extracting assembly of the in¬ vention. The first one of said fluids floods the chamber 36, crosses the rod 31 by the radial and axial bores 34 and 39 of the device 2, passes to the device 1 through the central pas¬ sage 5 and the internal wall of the final control elemento 27, the bore at the end 28 and the bore 35 of the spacer 32 and the open section of the prolongation element 8, the insufflated gas reaching the interior 16. Simultaneously, the claws 6 actuate on the blocked portions 26, opening the normally closed passages 15,15 ',15" in the device 1 and with the retraction of the rod 31 the annular passage 38 appears, which is formed by the separation of the end portion of the rod 31 of the back upper flank of the claws 6 and that communicates to the distal end 12 through the annular chamber 10 in the device 2.

A second fluid communication Qu2 in opposed direc¬ tion to that of Qul is established between the distal end 12 engageable with a dispensing machine and the interior 16 of the claw 13. The second fluid Qu2 leaves the interior 16 of the container 13 impelled by the insufflation of the first fluid towards the distal end 12. This flow Qu2 follows a course isolated from the previous one, crosses the lower re- gion 17c the chamber 9, the passages 15,15',15" in the region 17b, the annular passage 38 formed by the retraction of the rod 31, the annular open chamber 10 to the distal end 12, connectable to the dispensing machine.

In the lower plane view of the device 2 the refer- ence number 28 indicates the peripheral skirt that forms the body of the device 2, a radial distribution of shoulders 29 and the penetration flanks of the claws 6 seen from the coupl¬ ing face 32. The radial distribution of shoulders 29 is inteded to engage a respective radial distribution of recesses 25 located in the device 1, to ensure the tightness of the ex¬ tracting assembly. The penetration flanks of the claws 6 per¬ forate the sealing 23, cross the upper region 17b and rest in the region 17c with retention in the region 17b.

Figure 4 is a view in longitudinal section of the device 1 of figure 2, but with the prolongation element 8 con¬ nected to the chamber 9.

The prolongation element 8 acts as a fisher and in fluid communication with the distal end 12 when the devices 1 and 2 are coupled. In this mode of use, the entrey of the bottle is di¬ rected upwards, that is, upright, so that the liquid is "caught" by the prolongation element 8 and conducted to the chamber 9 as a result of the injection of fluid through the central passage 5. The normal or inverted orientation of the disposable bottle determines the positioning of the prolongation element 8.

The extracting assembly of the present invention further permits that only CO will be utilized, so that there will not be eny rist of contaminating the surrounding air, which would cause the presence of undesired taste and odor in the product. In this way, oxidation of the product is also avoid, due to the absence of oxygen. The connection device and the extracting assembly of the present invention are not exclusive of the present embod¬ iment described. The containers provided with the connection device and the extracting assembly are equally suitable for use in different areas and with different liquids, among which the following are pointed out:

- concentrates of juices and natural or artificial effusions of fruits and herbs;

- juices and natural or artificial effusions of fruits and herbs; - concentrates of natural or artificial soft-drinks;

- concentrates of milk products and its derivatives;

- concentrates of alcoholic beverages;

- alcoholic beverages;

- concentrates of chemical products and detergents; - chemical and detergent products.

Therefore, although the invention has been described in terms of a particular embodiment and application, any per¬ son skilled in the art, based on these teachings, can generate additional configurations and modifications without the risk of departing from the spirit or extending the scope of the in¬ vention as claimed. Consequently, it will be understood that the figures and descriptions disclosed here are given as an example to facilitate the understanding of the invention and not to limit its scope.

Claims

1. A connection device (1) for containers (13) suit¬ able for holding fluids, concentrates and the like, engageable to a liquid pre- and post-mix dispensing apparatus and/or a source of fluid, comprising a body formed by a continuous pe¬ ripheral skirt (19a) having opposite upper (3) and lower (4) perimetric edges, a cover portion (23) provided with tamper- sensitive means and disposed at said upper perimetric edge (3) and an opening at the opposite edge (4) delimiting a cavity for receiving a neck portion (14) of the container (13) and sealing its inner space (16) against the environment, the con¬ nection device (1) being characterised in that the cavity houses internal valve means (5,9,15,15' ,15",25,26,27,28) for closing and opening controllable passages so as to simultane- ously direct flows (Qul,Qu2) of fluids of different viscosity (ul,u2) in opposite directions through said cavity.

2. A connection device (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that said internal valve means (5,9,15,15' ,15",25,26,27,28) are susceptible of introduction in said neck portion (14) of said container (13).

3. A connection device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the cavity includes a cylindrical wall (19b) having a smaller diameter than the diameter of the neck (14), with opposed peripheral and internal faces, said cylindrical wall (19b) and peripheral wall (19a) joined by al¬ ternate bridges with the tamper-sensitive means of said cover portion (23), the peripheral face of the cylindrical wall (19b) and the internal face of the peripheral skirt (19a) of the device (1) delimiting a circular space for receiving the neck (14) of the container (13) and the inner face of the cy¬ lindrical wall (19b) delimiting a central region that presents in longitudinal direction a first upper end region (17a) adja¬ cent to the cover portion (23), suitable for receiving an actuator device, a barrier region (17b) and a lower end region (17c), adjacent to and in continuation with each other, the end regions (17a,17c) being isolated from each other by said internal valve means (5,9,15,15' ,25,26,27) housed in the intermediate barrier region (17b) and in the lower region (17c), said internal valve means (5,9,15,15' ,15",25,26,27) be¬ ing operable for directing said fluids of different viscosity (Qul,Qu2) substantially at the same time in opposed directions through the upper and lower end regions (17a,17c) of said con¬ nection device (1).

4. A connection device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that said fluids of differ- ent viscosity (Qul,Qu2) comprise a first flow of gas (Qul) and a second flow of liquid (Qu2).

5. A connection device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that said internal valve means comprise a central passage (5) which traverses the intermediate region (17b) and the end region (17c), to be flooded with a first fluid (Qul), and a plurality of substan¬ tially equal passages (15,15' ,15") , distributed in the form of a ring around and isolated from said central passage (5), to be flooded with a second fluid (Qu2).

6. A connection device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that said plurality of pas¬ sages (15,15',15") and said passage (5) are normally closed passages.

7. A connection device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the centrally disposed passage (5), suitable for being flooded with a first fluid, traverses an annular chamber (9) flooded by said second fluid (Qu2), said chamber (9) perimetrically delimited by the inter¬ nal face of said cylindrical wall (19b) along the end region (17c), said chamber (9) being communicable with the intermedi¬ ate barrier region (17b) by said plurality of normally closed passages (15,15',15") and open on the opposite end.

8. A connection device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the internal valve means comprise a final control element (26,27) that controls flow of said first and second fluids having different viscosity (Qul,Qu2), formed by a centrally engageable obturator portion (27) for blocking and directing the flow of said first fluid (Qul) through said central passage (5) and a plurality of obturator portions (26) integral therewith and peripherally engageable to block and direct the flow of said second fluid (Qu2) through said passages (15,15' ,15") .

9. Connection device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that said centrally engageable obturator portion (27) comprises a shoulder to be actuated by a first actuator means (31) of said actuator de¬ vice (2) so as to communicate by a first fluid (Qul) a central space of said end regions (17a,17b) through said normally closed passage (5) in an open condition, and said plurality of peripherally engageable obturator portions (26) comprising plane surfaces to be actuated by second actuator means (6) of said actuator device (2) so as to communicate by said second fluid (Qu2) a respective space other than said central space of said end regions (17a,17b) through respective normally closed passages (15,15' ,15") in an open condition substan¬ tially at the same time.

10. A connection device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the final control ele- ment (26,27,28) comprises a Vernier or duck-bill valve type.

11. A connection device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the final control ele¬ ment (26,27,28) is expansible.

12. A connection device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the final control ele¬ ment (26,27,28) is made of sanitary material.

13. A connection device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that it further comprises a prolongation element (8) with a first end being engageable with said centrally obturator portion (27) so as to be in alignment with the central passage (5) and a distal end for conducting a fluid through said device (1) and a remote place therefrom.

14. A connection device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that it further comprises a prolongation element (8) with a first end communicating to said annular chamber (9) and a distal end for conducting a fluid through said device (1) and a remote place therefrom.

15. A fluid-extracting assembly (10) suitable for use with a container (13) engageable with a pre- and postmix liquid dispensing apparatus, characterised by comprising first and second coupling devices to join each other: the first (1) of said devices (1,2) as defined in any of claims 1 through 14; and

- the second device (2) comprising:

- a body formed by a peripheral skirt (28) with two substantially opposite connection end sides (32,11,12); a first end side defining a coupling face (32) engageable with said first device (1) and the opposite con¬ nection end side thereof formed by a pair of distal ends (11,12) for fluid connection by tubes respectively connecting said fluid-extracting assembly to said liquid dispensing appa¬ ratus and said fluid source; - the coupling face (32) comprising a peripheral edge and an adjacent internal wall of said peripheral skirt (28) for resting on the cover portion (23) and respectively engaging the peripheral portion of the skirt (19a) of said de¬ vice (1), further comprising first (31) and second actuator means (6) that cooperate with each other; the first actuator means (31) being spring loaded and substantially central and the second actuator means formed by a plurality of fixed claw-shaped protrusions (6) distributed in the form of a ring and hanging around said actuator means (31) and between the latter and the internal skirt wall (28) so as to be received in a first end cavity re¬ gion (17a) adjacent the cover portion (23) of said connection device (1) ; the first spring loaded actuator means (31) being formed by a stem (31) engageable with a shoulder of said cen¬ trally obturator portion (27) on said final control element (26,27,28), so as to direct a first fluid communication by said first fluid (Qul) between a substantially central cross section area portion at the free end connection side on said first device (1) and one (11) of the two distal ends (11,12) of the second device (2);

- and said plurality of claws (6) each thereof com¬ prising two opposed reverse sides comprising a seat engageable by a peripheral portion of the stem (31) on one side thereof and on the reverse side abutting means for penetration said cover portion (23) and engaging said plurality of peripherally actuable obturator portions (26) of said final control element (26,27,28), so as to direct a second fluid communication by a second fluid (Qu2) between a further cross section area at said free end on the first device (1) and the other (12) of the two connection ends (11,12) of the device (2);

- when said first and second devices (1,2) are mutu¬ ally engaged.

16. An assembly according to claim 15, characterised in that said spring loaded stem (31) comprises an inner bore (33) running the length thereof and opened at one end thereof being intercepted by at least one radial bore (34) so as said stem (31) internally to be flooded by said first fluid (Qul); and

- a variable peripheral passage region (38) defined by an outer portion at the opposite end of said stem (31) and said seat on the reverse side of the plurality of claws (6) so as to be flooded by said second fluid (Qu2), upon a stroke of said spring loaded stem (31).

17. An assembly (10) according to any of the preced¬ ing claims, characterised in that said fluids of different viscosity (Qul,Qu2) comprise a first flow of gas (Qul) and a second flow of liquid (Qu2).

18. A container (13) engageable to a liquid pre- and/or post-mix dispensing apparatus and to a source of a fluid characterised by comprising a connection device (1) de¬ fined in any of claims 1 to 14.

19. A container (13) engageable to a liquid pre- and post-mix dispensing apparatus and to a source of a fluid, characterised by comprising a fluid-extracting assembly as de¬ fined in any of claims 15 to 17.