Apparatus for delivering a fluid and methods relating thereto

1. Apparatus for delivering a fluid to a location, the apparatus comprising:

a fluid supply means for supplying fluid,

wherein the fluid supply means for supplying fluid is in fluid communication with a reservoir having a variable volume,

wherein said reservoir includes a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet via which fluid may be delivered to the location,

wherein said fluid outlet communicates with a dosing means for dosing which is arranged to deliver a predetermined amount of fluid to said location, and

wherein said dosing means for dosing communicates with a positive displacement pump.

2. A method of delivering a fluid to a location wherein said fluid is a liquid colourant and is supplied into a plastics material, the method using the apparatus according to claim 1 and comprising:

(i) delivering fluid from a fluid supply means to a reservoir which has a variable volume; and

(ii) delivering fluid from the reservoir to the location.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said reservoir is collapsible.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 , said apparatus being arranged to deliver fluid to a premixer stage of plastics forming equipment.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said apparatus includes a fluid conduit for passage of fluid from the fluid supply means for supplying fluid to the reservoir via a fluid inlet wherein said conduit is connected to the reservoir by a means for connecting which is not a valved connection.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said fluid supply means for supplying fluid comprises a receptacle having an outlet means, the outlet means including an opening for passage of fluid and a region surrounding the opening, wherein said region is movable from a first storage position to a second operative position in which it tapers towards said outlet.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1 , the apparatus including non-invasive monitoring means for monitoring the contents of the reservoir, said monitoring means being arranged to monitor the reservoir to give an indication of at least one of whether it contains a gas and whether the amount of gas in the reservoir is above a predetermined level.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein said monitoring means monitors the reservoir at a position which is closer to the inlet than to the outlet of the reservoir.

9. Apparatus according to claim 1 , which includes a control means which is arranged to communicate with a dosing means for dosing and with a monitoring means for monitoring the contents of the reservoir and wherein said control means is arranged to operate a signal means for signalling to an operator when the fluid supply means for supplying fluid needs to be replaced.

10. Apparatus for delivering a fluid to a location, the apparatus comprising:

a fluid supply means for supplying fluid,

wherein the fluid supply means for supplying fluid is in fluid communication with a reservoir having a variable volume, and wherein the reservoir includes an outlet via which fluid may be delivered to the location,

wherein said apparatus includes a fluid conduit for passage of fluid from the fluid supply means for supplying fluid to the reservoir via a fluid inlet wherein said conduit is connected to the reservoir by a connection means for connecting which is not a valved connection.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein said fluid conduit is releasably connected to the fluid supply means for supplying fluid.

12. Apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein said fluid supply means for supplying fluid includes a valve member arranged to cooperate with a valve member associated with said fluid conduit, whereby the two valve members define a valve means associated with a connection between the conduit and fluid supply means for supplying fluid, wherein said fluid supply means for supplying fluid incorporates a valve having an opening in which is arranged an operating member for controlling the flow of fluid through the valve; and said fluid conduit incorporates a connector for connection to the valve, wherein said connector comprises sealing means for sealing arranged to sealingly engage the valve and actuation means for contacting said operating member of the valve for opening/closing it, wherein the connector is arranged to be releasably connected to the valve so that the sealing means for sealing sealingly engages the valve prior to the actuation means co-operating with the operating member to allow the flow of fluid between the valve and the connector.

13. Apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein said reservoir is collapsible.

14. Apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein said reservoir includes a fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, and wherein said fluid outlet communicates with a dosing means which is arranged to deliver predetermined amounts of fluid to said location.

15. Apparatus according to claim 10 , said apparatus being arranged to deliver fluid to a premixer stage of plastics forming equipment.

16. Apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein said fluid supply means comprises a receptacle having an outlet means, the outlet means including an opening for passage of fluid and a region surrounding the opening, wherein said region is movable from a first storage position to a second operative position in which it tapers towards said outlet.

17. Apparatus according to claim 10 , the apparatus including non-invasive monitoring means for monitoring the contents of the reservoir, said monitoring means being arranged to monitor the reservoir to give an indication of at least one of whether it contains a gas and whether the amount of gas in the reservoir is above a predetermined level.

18. Apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein said monitoring means monitors the reservoir at a position which is closer to the inlet than to the outlet of the reservoir.

19. Apparatus according to claim 10 , which includes a control means which is arranged to communicate with a dosing means for dosing and with a monitoring means for monitoring the contents of the reservoir and wherein said control means is arranged to operate a signal means for signalling to an operator when the fluid supply means needs to be replaced.

20. Apparatus for delivering a fluid to a location, the apparatus comprising:

a fluid supply means for supplying fluid,

wherein the fluid supply means for supplying fluid is in fluid communication with a reservoir having a variable volume,

wherein the reservoir includes an outlet via which fluid may be delivered to the location,

wherein said fluid supply means for supplying fluid comprises a receptacle having a receptacle outlet,

wherein the receptacle outlet includes an opening for passage of fluid and a region surrounding the opening, and

wherein said region is movable from a first storage position to a second operative position in which it tapers towards said receptacle outlet.

21. Apparatus according to claim 20 , wherein said reservoir is collapsible.

22. Apparatus according to claim 20 , wherein said reservoir includes a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, wherein said fluid outlet communicates with a dosing means which is arranged to deliver predetermined amounts of fluid to said location.

23. Apparatus according to claim 20 , said apparatus being arranged to deliver fluid to a premixer stage of plastics forming equipment.

24. Apparatus according to claim 20 , the apparatus including non-invasive monitoring means for monitoring the contents of the reservoir, said monitoring means being arranged to monitor the reservoir to give an indication of at least one of whether it contains a gas and whether the amount of gas in the reservoir is above a predetermined level.

25. Apparatus according to claim 20 , which includes a control means which is arranged to communicate with a dosing means for dosing and with a monitoring means for monitoring the contents of the reservoir and wherein said control means is arranged to operate a signal means for signalling to an operator when the fluid supply means for supplying fluid needs to be replaced.