Tubular product replenishment system

Abstract

A system for replenishing a tubular product in a release device includes a filling assembly and a release device; the filling assembly includes a filling base, a filling tubular product socket, and a filling cap; the release device includes a release device tubular product socket, a tubular product socket carrier, and a pushback component to vertically advance and retract the tubular product socket carrier within the release device. The filling tubular product socket is substituted for the release device tubular product socket by: (1) removing the filling base from the filling cap while the filling tubular product socket remains engaged with the filling cap; (2) engaging the filling base with the release device tubular product socket and then pulling the filling base away from the tubular product socket carrier to remove the release device tubular product socket from the tubular product socket carrier; (3) engaging the filling cap, along with the filling tubular product socket engaged therewith, to the tubular product socket carrier; and (4) pulling the filling cap away from the tubular product socket carrier to remove the filling cap.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the field of tubular products and corresponding dispensers, and in particular to the field of refilling tubular products. Background Art

[0002] Tubular products, such as lipstick and deodorant, typically use dispensers with a push-pull mechanism. Rotating a threaded spindle raises and lowers the receptacle holding the tubular product vertically. In existing dispenser systems, once the tubular product is depleted, only the outer shell of the dispenser can be reused, while the push-pull mechanism must be discarded. The present invention provides a system that allows for replenishing the tubular product without discarding the push-pull mechanism. This promotes recycling, conserves resources, and reduces costs for consumers. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of the above-mentioned deficiencies in the prior art, an object of the present invention is to provide a tubular product replenishment system, which facilitates users to replace used tubular products with tubular product replenishments.

[0004] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a system for replenishing tubular products in a dispenser. The system includes a filling assembly and a dispenser; the filling assembly includes a filling base, a filling tubular product socket for carrying the filling tubular product, and a filling cap; the dispenser includes a dispenser tubular product socket for carrying the dispenser tubular product, a tubular product socket carrier, and a pushing and retracting component to enable the tubular product socket carrier to be vertically advanced and retracted in the dispenser; the filling base is detachably engaged with the filling tubular product socket and / or the filling cap by a first retaining force; the filling cap is detachably engaged with the filling tubular product socket by a second retaining force; the second retaining force is stronger than the first retaining force; the dispenser tubular product socket and the tubular product socket carrier are detachably engaged by a third retaining force; the filling base is detachably engaged with the dispenser tubular product socket by a fourth retaining force. The fourth retention force is stronger than the third retention force; the filling tubular product socket and the tubular product socket carrier are detachably engaged by a fifth retention force; the fifth retention force is stronger than the second retention force; the preset steps of replacing the dispenser tubular product socket with the filling tubular product socket include: (1) removing the filling base from the filling cover while the filling tubular product socket is still engaged with the filling cover; (2) engaging the filling base with the dispenser tubular product socket and then pulling the filling base away from the tubular product socket carrier to remove the dispenser tubular product socket from the tubular product socket carrier; (3) engaging the filling cover together with the filling tubular product socket engaged therewith to the tubular product socket carrier; and (4) pulling the filling cover away from the tubular product socket carrier to remove the filling cover.

[0005] Specifically, the filling base is detachably engaged with the filling tubular product socket and / or the filling cover by mechanical or magnetic means; the filling cover is detachably engaged with the filling tubular product socket by mechanical or magnetic means; the dispenser tubular product socket is detachably engaged with the tubular product socket carrier by mechanical or magnetic means; the filling base is detachably engaged with the dispenser tubular product socket by mechanical or magnetic means; and the filling tubular product socket is detachably engaged with the tubular product socket carrier by mechanical or magnetic means.

[0006] Preferably, the mechanical or magnetic method for detachably coupling the filling cap and the filling tubular product socket is substantially the same as the mechanical or magnetic method for detachably coupling the filling base and the dispenser tubular product socket; the mechanical or magnetic method for detachably coupling the dispenser tubular product socket and the tubular product socket carrier is substantially the same as the mechanical or magnetic method for detachably coupling the filling tubular product socket and the tubular product socket carrier.

[0007] According to one embodiment, the filling base is provided with an upper portion which is close to the filling tubular product receptacle; the upper portion of the filling base engages with an upper portion of the dispenser tubular product receptacle which is remote from the tubular product receptacle carrier.

[0008] According to one embodiment, the filling base is provided with a plurality of vertical rib members extending along the inner wall of the filling base; the plurality of vertical rib members are frictionally fitted with the outer wall of the receptacle for filling tubular products, thereby establishing a first line of retention force between the filling base and the receptacle for filling tubular products; alternatively or additionally, the filling cover is provided with a bottom edge, which is frictionally fitted or snapped with the periphery of the filling base, thereby establishing a first line of retention force between the filling base and the filling cover.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the filling cap is provided with an annular rib member on its inner wall; the tubular product filling socket is provided with a plurality of particles on its outer wall, and an annular rib limiting member is provided below the plurality of particles; the annular rib member is detachably engaged with the plurality of particles, thereby establishing a second retaining force between the filling cap and the tubular product filling socket, and when the annular rib member is engaged with the plurality of particles, it is limited by the annular rib limiting member.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the dispenser tubular product socket is provided with a plurality of L-shaped supports at its bottom end; the plurality of L-shaped supports engage with the openings at the bottom end of the tubular product socket carrier, thereby establishing a third retention force between the dispenser tubular product socket and the tubular product socket carrier.

[0011] According to one embodiment, a metal sheet is fixed to the bottom end of the dispenser tubular product socket; a magnet magnetically attracted to the metal sheet is fixed to the bottom end of the tubular product socket carrier, thereby establishing a third retention force between the dispenser tubular product socket and the tubular product socket carrier.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the filling base is provided with an annular rib member arranged around the inner wall thereof; the tubular product receptacle of the dispenser is provided with a plurality of pellets arranged around the outer wall thereof; an annular rib-shaped limiting member is provided below the plurality of pellets; the annular rib member is detachably engaged with the plurality of pellets, thereby establishing a fourth retention force between the filling base and the tubular product receptacle of the dispenser; when the annular rib member engages with the plurality of pellets, the annular rib-shaped limiting member is retained in position.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the tubular product filling socket is provided with a plurality of L-shaped supports at its bottom end, and the plurality of L-shaped supports are engaged with the openings at the bottom end of the tubular product socket carrier, thereby establishing a fifth retention force between the tubular product filling socket and the tubular product socket carrier.

[0014] According to one embodiment, a metal sheet magnetically attracted to a magnet is fixed to the bottom end of the tubular product filling socket, and a magnet magnetically attracted to the metal sheet is fixed to the bottom end of the tubular product socket carrier, thereby establishing a fifth retaining force between the tubular product filling socket and the tubular product socket carrier. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 1 is an exploded view of the filling assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 2 It is an exploded view of the dispenser according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 3 FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a filling base and a filling cap when they are joined according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the filling base when it is removed from the filling cap according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 5 1 is a cross-sectional view of a filling base engaged with a tubular product receptacle of a dispenser according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 A partially enlarged cross-sectional view of .

[0021] Figure 7 1 is a cross-sectional view of a filling base together with a dispenser tubular product receptacle when removed from a tubular product receptacle carrier according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 8 1 is a cross-sectional view of a filling cap and a filled tubular product socket engaged therewith when engaged with a tubular product socket carrier according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 9is Figure 8 a close-up cross-sectional view of the filling of the tubular product receptacle.

[0024] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the filling of the tubular product receptacle from the filling cap according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 11 is a perspective view of the release of the tubular product receptacle of the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 12 is a perspective view of the tubular product receptacle carrier of the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 13 is a perspective view of the filling of the tubular product receptacle of the second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Figures 1 to 10 A first embodiment of the present invention is shown, providing a system to refill a release 20. The system comprises a filling assembly 10 and a release 20. The filling assembly 10 comprises a filling base 11, a filling tubular product receptacle 12 carrying a filling tubular product 13, and a filling cap 14. The release 20 comprises a release tubular product receptacle 21 carrying a release tubular product 22, a tubular product receptacle carrier 23, and a pushback member 24 to allow the tubular product receptacle carrier 23 to be advanced and retracted vertically within the release 20. The pushback member 24 is known in the art and is not described in detail here. A first retention force is applied to allow the filling base 11 to be releasably engaged with the filling tubular product receptacle 12 and / or the filling cap 14. A second retention force is applied to allow the filling cap 14 to be releasably engaged with the filling tubular product receptacle 12. The second retention force is stronger than the first retention force. A third retention force is applied to allow the release tubular product receptacle 21 to be releasably engaged with the tubular product receptacle carrier 23. A fourth retention force is applied to allow the filling base 11 to be releasably engaged with the release tubular product receptacle 21. The fourth retention force is stronger than the third retention force. A fifth retention force is applied to allow the filling tubular product receptacle 12 to be releasably engaged with the tubular product receptacle carrier 23. The fifth retention force is stronger than the second retention force.

[0029] The releasable engagement between the following components can be achieved in different ways, for example mechanically, magnetically, or the like: the filling base 11 and the filling tubular product receptacle 12 and / or the filling cap 14, the filling cap 14 and the filling tubular product receptacle 12, the release tubular product receptacle 21 and the tubular product receptacle carrier 23, the filling base 11 and the release tubular product receptacle 21, and the filling tubular product receptacle 12 and the tubular product receptacle carrier 23. The mechanical way can be a friction fit, a mating catch, or the like.

[0030] In this embodiment, the filling base 11 is provided with a plurality of vertical ribs 112 extending along an inner wall 113 of the base. The plurality of vertical ribs 112 frictionally engage with an outer wall 121 of the tubular product filling receptacle 12, thereby establishing a primary retention force between the filling base 11 and the tubular product filling receptacle 12. Alternatively or additionally, the filling cap 14 may be provided with a bottom edge 143 that frictionally engages or snaps into place with a perimeter 115 of the filling base 11, thereby establishing a primary retention force between the filling base 11 and the filling cap 14.

[0031] In this embodiment, the filling cap 14 and the filling tubular product receptacle 12 are detachably coupled in substantially the same manner as the filling base 11 and the dispenser tubular product receptacle 21 are detachably coupled; the dispenser tubular product receptacle 21 and the tubular product receptacle carrier 23 are detachably coupled in substantially the same manner as the filling tubular product receptacle 12 and the tubular product receptacle carrier 23 are detachably coupled.

[0032] More specifically, the filling cap 14 is provided with an annular rib 141 on its inner wall 142. The tubular product filling receptacle 12 is provided with a plurality of particles 122 on its outer wall 121, with an annular rib-shaped limiting member 123 positioned below the particles 122. The annular rib 141 is removably engaged with the particles 122, thereby establishing a second retention force between the filling cap 14 and the tubular product filling receptacle 12. When the annular rib 141 engages with the particles 122, the annular rib-shaped limiting member 123 restrains the filling cap 14 and the tubular product filling receptacle 12. The filling base 11 has an upper portion 111 proximal to the tubular product filling receptacle 12. The upper portion 111 of the filling base 11 engages with the upper portion 211 of the dispenser tubular product receptacle 21, which is spaced apart from the tubular product receptacle carrier 23. The upper portion 111 of the filling base 11 is provided with an annular rib member 114, which is arranged around the inner wall 113. The upper portion 211 of the dispenser tubular product receptacle 21 is provided with a plurality of pellets 214, which are arranged around its outer wall 215. An annular rib-shaped limiting member 216 is provided below the pellets 214. The annular rib member 114 is removably engaged with the pellets 214, thereby establishing a fourth retention force between the filling base 11 and the dispenser tubular product receptacle 21. When the annular rib member 114 engages with the pellets 214, the annular rib-shaped limiting member 216 restrains the engagement.

[0033] A metal sheet 25 (a steel sheet in this embodiment) is fixed to the bottom end 213 of the dispenser tubular product receptacle 21. A magnet 26, magnetically attracted to the metal sheet 25, is fixed to the bottom end 232 of the tubular product receptacle carrier 23, thereby establishing a third retaining force between the dispenser tubular product receptacle 21 and the tubular product receptacle carrier 23. A metal sheet 15 (a steel sheet in this embodiment), magnetically attracted to the magnet 26, is fixed to the bottom end 125 of the tubular product filling receptacle 12, thereby establishing a fifth retaining force between the tubular product filling receptacle 12 and the tubular product receptacle carrier 23.

[0034] The preset steps for replacing the dispenser tubular product receptacle 21 with the filling tubular product receptacle 12 include: (1) removing the filling base 11 from the filling cap 14 while the filling tubular product receptacle 12 is still engaged with the filling cap 14; (2) engaging the filling base 11 with the dispenser tubular product receptacle 21, and then pulling the filling base 11 away from the tubular product receptacle carrier 23 to remove the dispenser tubular product receptacle 21 from the tubular product receptacle carrier 23; (3) engaging the filling cap 14 together with the filling tubular product receptacle 12 engaged therewith to the tubular product receptacle carrier 23; and (4) retracting the tubular product receptacle carrier 23 within the dispenser 20, and then pulling the filling cap 14 away from the tubular product receptacle carrier 23 to remove the filling cap 14.

[0035] Figures 11-13 The second preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown below. In this embodiment, mechanical means are used to detachably connect the dispenser tubular product receptacle 21 and the tubular product receptacle carrier 23, as well as the receptacle 12 for filling tubular products and the tubular product receptacle carrier 23. More specifically, the dispenser tubular product receptacle 21 is provided with a plurality of L-shaped supports 212 at its bottom end 213. These L-shaped supports 212 engage with openings 231 at the bottom end 232 of the tubular product receptacle carrier 23, thereby establishing a third level of retention between the dispenser tubular product receptacle 21 and the tubular product receptacle carrier 23. The filling tubular product receptacle 12 is provided with a plurality of L-shaped supports 124 at its bottom end 125. These L-shaped supports 124 engage with openings 231 at the bottom end 232 of the tubular product receptacle carrier 23, thereby establishing a fifth level of retention between the filling tubular product receptacle 12 and the tubular product receptacle carrier 23. Other features of this embodiment are generally similar to those of the first embodiment and are not further described here.

[0036] The above embodiments are preferred embodiments of the present invention, but the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above embodiments. Any changes, modifications, substitutions, combinations, and simplifications without departing from the spirit and principles of the present invention are equivalent replacement methods and are included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A tubular product replenishment system for replenishing tubular products in a dispenser, the system comprising a filling assembly and a dispenser; Filling components include: Filling base, a filled tubular product receptacle for carrying a filled tubular product, and Filling cap; Releasers include: A dispenser tubular product socket for carrying a dispenser tubular product, Tubular product socket carrier, and A push-and-retract component to vertically advance and retract the tubular product socket carrier within the dispenser; The filling base is detachably engaged with the tubular product filling socket and / or the filling cover by a first retaining force; the filling cover is detachably engaged with the tubular product filling socket by a second retaining force; the second retaining force is stronger than the first retaining force; The dispenser tubular product socket and the tubular product socket carrier are detachably engaged by a third retaining force; the filling base and the dispenser tubular product socket are detachably engaged by a fourth retaining force; the fourth retaining force is stronger than the third retaining force; The tubular product receptacle is detachably coupled to the tubular product receptacle carrier via a fifth retention force; the fifth retention force is stronger than the second retention force; The filling tubular product socket replaces the dispenser tubular product socket by the following steps: (1) removing the filling base from the filling cap while the filling tubular product socket is still engaged with the filling cap; (2) engaging the filling base with the dispenser tubular product socket and then pulling the filling base away from the tubular product socket carrier to remove the dispenser tubular product socket from the tubular product socket carrier; (3) engaging the filling cap together with the filled tubular product socket engaged therewith to the tubular product socket carrier; and (4) pulling the filling cap away from the tubular product socket carrier to remove the filling cap.

2. The tubular product replenishment system according to claim 1, wherein: The filling base is detachably coupled to the tubular product filling socket and / or the filling cover by mechanical or magnetic means; the filling cover is detachably coupled to the tubular product filling socket by mechanical or magnetic means; the dispenser tubular product socket is detachably coupled to the tubular product socket carrier by mechanical or magnetic means; the filling base is detachably coupled to the dispenser tubular product socket by mechanical or magnetic means; and the tubular product filling socket is detachably coupled to the tubular product socket carrier by mechanical or magnetic means.

3. The tubular product replenishment system according to claim 2, wherein: The mechanical or magnetic method for detachably coupling the filling cap to the filling tubular product socket is the same as the mechanical or magnetic method for detachably coupling the filling base to the dispenser tubular product socket; the mechanical or magnetic method for detachably coupling the dispenser tubular product socket to the tubular product socket carrier is the same as the mechanical or magnetic method for detachably coupling the filling tubular product socket to the tubular product socket carrier.

4. The tubular product replenishment system of claim 1, wherein: The filling base is provided with an upper portion which is close to the filling tubular product socket; the upper portion of the filling base is engaged with the upper portion of the dispenser tubular product socket, and the upper portion of the dispenser tubular product socket is away from the tubular product socket carrier.

5. The tubular product replenishment system of claim 1, wherein: The filling base is provided with a plurality of vertical ribs extending along the inner wall of the filling base; the plurality of vertical ribs are frictionally matched with the outer wall of the filling tubular product socket, thereby establishing a first retention force between the filling base and the filling tubular product socket.

6. The tubular product replenishment system of claim 1, wherein: The filling cover is provided with a bottom edge that frictionally fits or snaps into place with the periphery of the filling base, thereby establishing a first retention force between the filling base and the filling cover.

7. The tubular product replenishment system of claim 1, wherein: The filling cap is provided with an annular rib component on its inner wall; the tubular product filling socket is provided with a plurality of particles on its outer wall, and an annular rib limiting component is provided below the plurality of particles; the annular rib component is detachably engaged with the plurality of particles, thereby establishing a second retaining force between the filling cap and the tubular product filling socket, and when the annular rib component is engaged with the plurality of particles, it is limited by the annular rib limiting component.

8. The tubular product replenishment system of claim 1, wherein: The releaser tubular product socket is provided with a plurality of L-shaped supports at its bottom end; the plurality of L-shaped supports are buckled with the openings at the bottom end of the tubular product socket carrier, thereby establishing a third retention force between the releaser tubular product socket and the tubular product socket carrier.

9. The tubular product replenishment system of claim 1, wherein: A metal sheet is fixed to the bottom end of the releaser tubular product socket; a magnet magnetically attracted to the metal sheet is fixed to the bottom end of the tubular product socket carrier, thereby establishing a third retention force between the releaser tubular product socket and the tubular product socket carrier.

10. The tubular product replenishment system of claim 1, wherein: The filling base is provided with an annular rib-shaped component, which is arranged around the inner wall thereof; the discharger tubular product socket is provided with a plurality of pellets, which are arranged around the outer wall thereof; An annular rib-shaped limiting component is provided below the plurality of particles; the annular rib component is detachably engaged with the plurality of particles, thereby establishing a fourth retention force between the filling base and the dispenser tubular product socket. When the annular rib component is engaged with the plurality of particles, the annular rib-shaped limiting component is used to limit the position.

11. The tubular product replenishment system of claim 1 , wherein: The tubular product filling socket is provided with a plurality of L-shaped supports at its bottom end, and the plurality of L-shaped supports are buckled with the openings at the bottom end of the tubular product socket carrier, thereby establishing a fifth retention force between the tubular product filling socket and the tubular product socket carrier.

12. The tubular product replenishment system of claim 1, wherein: The metal sheet magnetically attracted to the magnet is fixed to the bottom end of the tubular product filling socket, and the magnet magnetically attracted to the metal sheet is fixed to the bottom end of the tubular product socket carrier, thereby establishing the fifth retaining force between the tubular product filling socket and the tubular product socket carrier.

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