From US 5,622, 283 a system for supplying paint is known where the paint is stored in a compressible bag. The known system comprises a hand-held container and also a supply assembly connected to the bag. The container has a supporting body for the bag and a hingeable and manually operated presser plate, so that the paint can be forced from the bag and supplied via the supply assembly.

A drawback to this known system is the limited volume of the bag, which restricts the field of application. Also, with the known system it is impossible to empty the bag to a satisfactory degree, which involves paint being wasted.

The invention has for its object to propose an improvement of the system, so that one or more of the aforesaid drawbacks may be obviated.

The invention, according to a first aspect thereof, provides a system according to claim 1.

Because of the movability of the supply assembly in the pressure direction vis- a-vis the container the bag can have a substantial volume without any adverse effect on the extent to which the substance can be forced from the bag. For when emptying the bag the volume of the bag becomes smaller and smaller and the supply assembly moves in the direction of the supporting plate.

It will be obvious that the supporting plate and the presser plate preferably are at least large enough for the bag to be situated fully between these plates, so that the bag can be emptied as thoroughly as possible.

Preferably, the passage in the container is such that the supply assembly can be moved more or less in the extension of the supporting plate until it is in an end position.

In one possible embodiment the presser plate is free of the supporting body at all its edges.

In a preferred embodiment the presser plate-at one of its edges-and the supporting body are provided with connecting means working in concert, which edge of the presser plate is situated away from the supply assembly.

In a simple embodiment the connecting means form a stationary arranged hinge joint between the presser plate and the supporting body.

In an advantageous embodiment the connecting means, viewed in the pressure direction, provide several connecting positions of the presser plate and the supporting body, such that when emptying the bag the connecting position effectively taken up by the connecting means comes to be ever closer to the supporting plate. In that process the connecting means may optionally provide a translatable hinge line vis-a-vis the supporting plate for the presser plate vis-a- vis the supporting body.

Advantageously, the connecting means comprise one or more connecting devices of the presser plate as well as one or more corresponding receiving configurations of the supporting body. For example, the supporting body at each connecting device is provided with a series of recesses situated one behind the other in the pressure direction.

Preferably, each connecting device is a spring connecting device, with the connecting device in the connected state slotted in a recess and being movable from one recess to the next recess as the spring action is overcome.

Preferably, each spring connecting device is formed by a spring flap provided with a hooked end capable of hooking into a corresponding receiving configuration.

For example, the spring flap has a following face such that on movement in the pressure direction of the presser plate the spring flap is released from a receiving configuration, and the spring flap has a hooking face such that in the opposite direction the spring flap hooks into the receiving configuration.

In a practically advantageous embodiment the presser plate on the side of the connecting devices is provided with one or more guiding devices while the supporting body is provided with one or more guiding devices working in concert therewith, such that the presser plate is guided in the pressure direction vis-a-vis the supporting body. Preferably, the presser plate is provided with two connecting devices with a guiding device between them.

Preferably, the presser plate is provided with a guiding device slidably fitting into the passage for the supply assembly.

For introducing and removing the bag it is preferred that the presser plate and <BR> <BR> the supporting body are such that the presser plate is removable, e. g. , because the presser plate can be tilted outward around a tilting axis parallel to the edge of the connecting means. In that case the supporting body at one or more positions situated away from the tilting axis advantageously forms a controllable stop for the presser plate which in the uncontrolled state will prevent the presser plate from tilting outward. In a practical embodiment the one or more stops are integral with the supporting body and the supporting body is deformable to such an extent that the presser plate can be released from the stop (s) and be tilted outward.

Preferably, the bag and the supply assembly form a whole that can be introduced into the container and removed from it. In that case it is advantageous when the passage in the container is open on the side of the presser plate for the lateral introduction and removal of the supply assembly in said passage.

In an advantageous embodiment the supply assembly and the bag form a whole which the user cannot undo, so that after being emptied the bag and the supply assembly are removed.

Preferably, the bag is provided with a first connector element and the supply assembly is provided with a second connector element, such that the bag and the supply assembly can be connected.

Preferably, the first and second connector elements after being connected form a permanent connection which the user cannot undo.

In an advantageous embodiment the first connector element is a female connector element provided with a bore, while the second connector element is a male connector element with a tubular section which fits in the bore of the female connector element, with the male connector element being provided with a supply channel for the substance to be supplied.

Preferably, the second connector section is constructed as a guiding device which works guiding with the container.

Preferably, the supply assembly is provided with a valve, preferably a self- closing valve.

In an advantageous embodiment the self-closing valve is a duckbill valve with a slit-shaped supply mouth formed by opposite flaps of the valve.

In an advantageous embodiment the self-closing valve further comprises a device supplying a closing force, which device is provided with spring parts which touch the flaps and so press the flaps of duckbill valve against each other under pre-compression.

In a practical embodiment the second connector element has a tubular boring section for the duckbill valve. In addition, provision may have been made that the element supplying a closing force is arranged over the duckbill valve and fixed with a snap connection.

In an advantageous embodiment the supply assembly comprises a cap which extends across the supply mouth.

Advantageously provision has been made for the first connector element to have a closing device for closing the supply channel, which closing device works with the second connector element such that the closing is cancelled when the first and second connector elements are connected.

In an advantageous embodiment the supporting body comprises a bottom as well as a top wall provided with the passage for the supply assembly. In that case the supporting body also comprises the supporting wall which is integral with the bottom and the top wall and opposite side walls.

Especially preferably, the container is designed to be hand-held.

Preferably, the container is designed such that the presser plate has a contact surface for moving the presser plate by hand.

Preferably, the presser plate and the supporting body can be enclosed by one hand.

Preferably, each side wall of the supporting body has a vertical edge on the side of the presser plate, which edge forms a recess open to the presser plate for the passing of the hand with which the presser plate is moved.

Preferably, the bag is block-shaped with a bottom, a top wall provided with the first connector element, side walls, and a wall touching the supporting plate and a wall touching the presser plate.

According to a second aspect thereof, the invention provides a system according to claim 36. In this case the connecting means, viewed in the pressure direction, provide several possible connecting positions of the presser plate and the supporting body, such that when emptying the bag the connecting position effectively taken up by the connecting means comes to be ever closer to the supporting plate. In that process the connecting means may optionally provide a translatable hinge line vis-a-vis the supporting plate for the presser plate vis-a-vis the supporting body.

This embodiment is advantageous for emptying the bag.

The invention further pertains to a container and to a bag, preferably provided with a supply assembly, for a system according to the invention.

The invention will be elucidated below with reference to the drawing. In the drawing: Fig. 1a shows, in perspective, a preferred embodiment of a container with accompanying supply assembly of a system according to the invention, with the bag to be housed in the container being left out; Fig. 1 b shows the container and supply assembly of Figure 1 a in front view; Fig. 1c shows the container and supply assembly of Figure 1a in side view; Fig. 1 d shows the container and supply assembly of Figure 1 a in rear view; Fig. 1 e shows the container and supply assembly of Figure 1 a in top view;

Fig. 1f shows the container and supply assembly in cross-section along the line A-A in Figure 1 d ; Fig. 1 h shows the container and supply assembly in cross-section along the line B-B in Figure 1d ; Fig. 1 g shows the container and supply assembly of Figure 1 a in bottom view; Fig. 2a shows, in perspective, the supporting body of the container of Figs. 1a- g ; Fig. 2b shows the supporting body of Figure 2a in side view; Figs. 3a-c show the presser plate of the container of Figs. 1 a-g in front view, rear view, and side view, respectively; Fig. 3d shows in detail the contact of a spring flap on the bottom of the supporting body; Figs. 4a-d show the supply assembly of the container according to Figures 1 a-g with the accompanying first connector element of the bag in perspective, side view, front view, and top view, respectively; Fig. 5 shows the supply assembly with the accompanying first connector element of Figure 4 in section; Figs. 6a, b show the second connector element of the supply assembly of Figures 4 and 5 in perspective and section, respectively; Figs. 7a, b show the flexible body of the self-closing valve of the supply assembly of Figures 4 and 5 in perspective and top view, respectively; Figs. 8a, b show the device supplying a closing force of the valve of the supply assembly of Figures 4 and 5 in perspective and side view, respectively; Fig. 9 shows, in perspective, a bag with the first connector element to be housed in the container; Fig. 10 shows, in perspective, another bag with the first connector element to be housed in the container.

With reference to the Figures 1-9 a preferred embodiment of the system for supplying a liquid or paste-like substance according to the invention will now be elucidated.

The system comprises a compressible bag 1 (see Figure 9) for receiving the substance to be supplied, in this example paint, such as automotive coating.

The system further comprises a supply assembly 2 (see Figures 4 and 5), which forms a supply channel 3 with a corresponding supply mouth 4 for supplying the substance from the bag 1.

The system in addition comprises a container 5 (see Figure 1) with a supporting body 6 (see also Figure 2) which at least comprises a supporting plate 7, and with a movable presser plate 8 (see Figure 3).

In this example the supporting body 6 is constructed as a one-piece plastic part.

The supporting body 6 and the presser plate 8 together form a chamber 9 for the incorporation therein of the bag 1, so that the bag 1 is positioned between the supporting plate 7 and the presser plate 8. The presser plate 8 can be moved in a pressure direction (arrow P in Figure 1D to the supporting plate 7 to force the substance from the bag 1.

The supporting body 6 is open on the side of the presser plate 8. Furthermore, the dimensions of the container 5 are such that the container 5 can be held in one hand. For instance, by placing the thumb against the supporting plate 7 while the other fingers are positioned against the presser plate 8, so that the presser plate 8 can be forced into the pressure direction.

In a region between the supporting plate 7 and the presser plate 8, in this example in a top wall 11 of the supporting body 6, the supporting body 6 is provided with a passage 12 for the supply assembly 2.

The passage 12 in this case is open on the side of the presser plate 8 for the lateral introduction and removal of the supply assembly 2 and the bag 1 already connected thereto. Also, the opening 12 extends to close to the supporting plate 7.

Alongside the opposite edges of the opening 12 there are parallel guiding ribs 13, which work with the corresponding guiding configurations 14, in this case projections slotted downwards, of the supply assembly 2.

These guiding means 13,14 working in concert are such that the supply assembly 2 is movably guided in the pressure direction vis-a-vis the supporting body 6 between a starting position going with the bag in the filled state (see Figure 7a) and a final position which is close to the supporting plate 7 and goes with the bag 1 in the empty state.

The presser plate 8-at one of its bottom edges-and the supporting body 6-in the region of the bottom wall 15-are provided with connecting means working in concert. The connecting means, viewed in the pressure direction, provide several possible connecting positions of the presser plate and the supporting body, such that when the bag 1 is emptied, the connecting position effectively taken up by the connecting means is moved closer to the supporting plate 7.

The presser plate 8 in this case is provided with two connecting devices 16 near the bottom corners, which connecting devices 16 are constructed as spring flaps.

The bottom wall 15 is provided with two series of recesses 17 situated one behind the other in the pressure direction, given here as openings drilled through the bottom wall 15, with a spring flap 16 in the connected state slotted in one recess 17 and being movable from one recess 17 to the next recess 17 as the spring action is overcome.

Figure 3d shows in detail the contact of a spring connecting device 16 on the bottom of the supporting body.

In the shown embodiment each spring connecting device 16 is formed by a spring flap provided with an outer end capable of hooking into a corresponding recess 17. In this case the spring flap 16 has a bent shape such that the side facing the supporting plate 7 forms a following face 18, such that on movement in the pressure direction of the presser plate (p) the spring flap 16 is released from the recess 17. Also the spring flap 16 has a hooking face 19, such that the spring flap in the opposite direction hooks into the recess 17.

Because the connecting devices 16 and the recesses 17 work in concert, on emptying the bag 1 the effect is achieved that the effective connecting point between the bottom edge of the presser plate 8 and the bottom wall 15 is moved gradually on in the direction of the supporting plate 7. When the presser plate 8 is released, the bottom edge cannot move back on account of the hooking action.

Furthermore, the cooperation between the connecting devices 16 and the recesses 17 results in a hinge line around which the presser plate 8 tilts when the bag 1 is emptied.

Especially in combination with the earlier-described movability of the supply assembly 2 vis-a-vis the supporting body in the pressure direction, the gradual movement of the effective connecting point between the presser plate and the supporting body (also in the pressure direction) has the effect that it is easy to empty the bag very thoroughly. As a result of this little residue remains in the bag, which is advantageous for the user as well as environment-friendly.

In the Figures 1f and 1h it can be recognised that the sides of the wall 7 and of the presser plate 8 facing the bag to be incorporated are provided with ribs 7a,

8a slotting inward and extending essentially vertically. These ribs 7a, 8a are staggered such that when the bag is emptied, the ribs of the presser plate 8 come to be situated between the ribs 7a of the wall 7. This measure likewise enhances the ability to empty the bag to a great extent, so that a minimal residue remains.

The presser plate 8 on the side of the connecting devices 16 is provided with a guiding device 20 at the centre of the bottom edge of the presser plate. The supporting body 6 is provided with a guiding slot 21, into which the guiding device 20 is slotted, such that the presser plate 8 is guided in the pressure direction vis-a-vis the bottom wall 15 of the supporting body 6.

At the top edge the presser plate 8 is provided with a guiding device 22, which fits slidably into the opening 12 for the supply assembly 2.

To introduce the bag 1 with the supply assembly 2 connected thereto into the chamber 9, provision has been made in the embodiment shown that the presser plate 8 and the supporting body 8 are such that the presser plate 8 can be tilted outward around a tilting axis parallel to the bottom edge.

On the bottom corners of the open front of the supporting body 6 there are stops 23, which stop the bottom edge of the presser plate 8. Recesses 24 in the side edges of the presser plate 8 make it possible to swing the presser plate 8 outward, in which process the stops 23 pass through the recesses 24.

Near the top wall 11 the supporting body 6 forms controllable stops 25 for the top corners of the presser plate 8. In the uncontrolled state the stops 25 prevent the presser plate 8 from tilting outward.

The stops 25 are integral wall sections of the supporting body 6. A ribbed profile or suchlike on the stops 25 makes it easy to push the stops 25 outward, so that

the presser plate 8 can pass between the stops 25 and the presser plate 8 can be tilted outward.

The bag 1 is provided with a first connector element 30 and the supply assembly 2 is provided with a second connector element 31 (see Figures 6a and 6b), such that the bag 1 and the supply assembly 2 can be connected. In one possible embodiment the first and second connector elements 30,31 after being connected form a permanent connection which the user cannot undo.

The first connector element 30 is a female connector element provided with a bore 32, while the second connector element 31 is a male connector element with a tubular section 33 which fits in the bore 32 of the female connector element 30.

The second connector element 31 is provided with a supply channel 3 for the substance to be supplied. In addition, the second connector element 31 is constructed as a guiding device which works in guiding concert with the container 5 by means of projections 14.

The supply assembly 2 is provided with a valve 34 which closes the outflow end of the supply channel 3, in this example a self-closing valve which will be elucidated below with reference to the Figures 5-8.

The valve 34 is a duckbill valve with a flexible body 35 (see Figures 7a, 7b), e. g. of rubber or an elastomeric plastic, which has a cilindrical section 35a and a conical section 35b.

The conical section 35b ends in a line-shaped top formed by opposite flaps 36 bounding the supply mouth 4. In the closed position of the valve 34 the flaps 36 touch one another.

The cylindrical section 35a fits onto a projecting tube section 42 of the second connector element 31.

The self-closing valve 34 further comprises a device 37 which makes contact with the flexible body 35 and supplies a closing force (see Figures 5 and 8a, 8b), which supplies a force constraining the flaps 36 into the closed position.

The device 37 supports the closing action of the flexible body 35, in which case it might even be possible that the flexible body itself is not closed normally but shows an aperture between the flaps 36.

The presence of the device 37 makes it possible on the one hand to achieve reliable closing of the supply mouth 4, so that for instance no substance will leak away when the container 5 is held upside down.

Preferably, provision has been made that the device 37 supplying a closing force is a pre-compression device 37 which presses the flaps 36 against one another under pre-compression in the closed position. As a result of this the pressure of the substance first has to be increased to such an extent, by operating the presser plate 8, that the pre-compression is overcome and the valve 34 opens prior to supply taking place.

The device 37 on the outside is arranged over the flexible body 35. The device 37 has a double-walled annular base 38 with an inner ring 38a positioned around the cylindrical section 35a and an outer ring 38b. The outer ring 38b has recesses 39 for hooked fingers 40, formed on the second connector element 31. At the bottom the hooked fingers 40 protrude between the rings 38a, 38b and form a snap connection with the base 38.

In the mounted state the body 35, in this exampe a bottom flanged edge 35c of the body 35, is fixed between the device 37 and the second connector element 31.

On the base 38 two spring parts 41 are mounted diametrically opposite one another, each of them in contact with the outside of a flap 36 and so constraining the flaps 36 into the closed position. In this example the spring parts 41 are constructed as arms running alongside the conical section, the free end of each of the arms touching the outside of the flap 36.

In order to guarantee that there can be no supply and/or leakage, e. g. , during storage and transport of the container, provision has been made for the supply assembly to comprise locking means which work with the closing force- supplying device 37 such that the flaps 36 are kept in the closed position.

In the shown embodiment these locking means comprise a cap 44, which extends across the valve 34 in the closed position of the cap. The cap 44 snaps onto a contour edge of the second connector element 31 (see Figure 5).

The end wall 45 of the cap 44 is provided with an annular locking rib 46. Each of the spring parts 41 is provided with a projection 47, which extends to underneath the end wall 45. In this case the ends of the two projections 47 are inside the locking rib 46, so that it is impossible for the projections 47 to move outward, as a result of which the flaps 36 are kept in their closed position. So as long as the cap 44 is present, the valve 43 is unable to open even when for instance pressure is exerted on the presser plate 8.

Also, it can be discerned in the Figures 4 and 5 that the first connector element 30 has a closing device 50 for closing the inflow end of the supply channel 3.

The closing device 50 works with the second connector element 31 in such a way that the closing is cancelled when the first and second connector elements

30,31 are connected. More particularly, the closing device 50 is a plug fitting into a seating, which is connected to the body of the connector element 30 via flexible arms 51. The tubular section 33 is provided with a head 52, which fits into the plug 50. It should be noted that such a closing is known as such from the prior art, such as EP 749 358 and EP 998 644.

The second connector element 31 and the first connector element 30 are interconnected by means of a snap connection at 55 in Figure 5, in which process the plug 50 is kept off its seating. Said snap connection may be so strong that it cannot be loosened by a user.

The shown container 5 can also be used to incorporate a bag which is smaller than the space available in the container 5. Figure 10 shows as an example a bag 60, into which for instance half a litre of paint can be received. The bag 60 has two rectangular side walls 61, three of the four sides of which are sealed together, and a bottom wall 62 which connects to the bottom edges of the side walls. The top sealing joint incorporates the connector element 30.