SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REFILLING LIQUID INTO A BOTTLE

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of liquid refilling, or refilling, of a refillable bottle from a source bottle called a refill. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system for refilling at least one refillable bottle from a refill via a refilling interface, and also to a method for refilling at least one refillable bottle from a refill via a refilling interface. Previous technique

[0002] French patent FR 3 037 577 describes a system for refilling a bottle with liquid, which includes: a first bottle containing liquid and comprising a base at one end and an opening for the liquid to exit the bottle at the opposite end, the opening being located above the base; a second bottle to be refilled with the liquid from the first bottle, the second bottle comprising a base at one end and a pump mounted on the bottle at the opposite end, the pump being equipped with a vent that is capable of being opened or closed depending on the position of the pump, the second bottle being in an inverted position with the pump located below the base of said bottle; a filling interface disposed between the two bottles and comprising, on the one hand, a liquid passage for the transfer of the pressurized liquid from the first bottle to the inverted second bottle through the open vent of the pump of said second bottle and, on the other hand,an air passage for the evacuation of air contained in the second inverted bottle towards the outside of said bottle.

[0003] Such a system is used to refill bottles without having to remove the pump attached to them and without altering the design of existing bottles on the market. Indeed, such a pump is often mounted on the bottle in such a way as to make its removal impossible, or very difficult, without damaging the pump and / or the bottle.

[0004] Several examples of particularly satisfactory filling interfaces are described in this document. However, there is a need to design a new filling interface that is even simpler for the user to refill a refillable bottle with liquid from a refillable container, using this interface. Description of the invention

[0005] The invention thus relates to a system for refilling a bottle with liquid, comprising: at least one first bottle S containing liquid and comprising a base at one end and an opening for the liquid to exit the bottle at an opposite end, the opening being located above the base; at least one second bottle R to be refilled with the liquid from the first bottle S, the second bottle comprising a base at one end and a pump mounted on the bottle at an opposite end, the pump being equipped with at least one vent port which is capable of being opened or closed depending on the position of the pump, the second bottle R being in the inverted position with the pump located below the base of said bottle; a filling interface disposed between the two bottles and comprising, on the one hand, at least one liquid passage for the transfer of the pressurized liquid from the first bottle S to the inverted second bottle R through said at least one open vent port of the pump of said second bottle and, on the other hand,at least one air passage for the evacuation of air contained in the second inverted bottle R towards the outside of said bottle, characterized in that the filling interface comprises an elastically deformable valve comprising two parts which are elastically deformable under the action of a downward vertical force, called deformation, exerted on the second inverted bottle R and having a predetermined intensity, each part of the valve comprising a portion of said at least one liquid passage, the two parts of the valve comprising: a first part arranged opposite the pump of the second inverted bottle R and configured to support the pump without deforming under the action of a downward vertical force, called the indentation force, which is exerted on the second inverted bottle R so as to push the pump inside this second bottle in order to open said at least one vent orifice, a second part arranged, on the one hand, below the first part and against it and, on the other hand, opposite or inside the opening of the first bottle S, the second part being configured to occupy two states, namely a first elastically undeformed state in which the portion of said at least one liquid passage extending inside the second undeformed part of the valve is obstructed and,a second elastically deformed state in which the second part is elastically deformed and the portion of said at least one liquid passage is no longer obstructed, the second elastically deformed state being obtained under the action of a downward vertical force exerted on the second inverted flask R and which has an intensity at least equal to the predetermined intensity of the deformation force.

[0006] The aforementioned system allows for the simple and efficient transfer of pressurized liquid from the first bottle to the bottle to be refilled, using the liquid from the first bottle. This is achieved by employing a two-part elastically deformable valve as the filling interface and applying appropriate force to first depress the pump, then deform the valve to transfer the liquid and thus refill the bottle. The user is particularly simple to operate: they simply invert the bottle to be refilled, position it against the elastically deformable valve, and press down on the inverted bottle. The user does not need to previously secure the bottle to any component, including the elastically deformable valve.Furthermore, the elastically deformable two-part valve does not use moving parts such as metal springs (e.g., stainless steel) which are difficult to recycle.

[0007] Depending on other possible characteristics: the pump mounted on the second inverted bottle R comprises a fixed part at one end of which extends, away from the fixed part, a sliding rod which is able to adopt, on the one hand, a position pushed in inside the fixed part and said at least one vent of the pump is open in this pushed-in position and, on the other hand, an extension position relative to the fixed part and said at least one vent of the pump is closed in this extension position, the first part of the valve being arranged opposite the fixed part and the sliding rod of the pump and comprising, on the one hand, a first receptacle configured to serve as a support for the fixed part of the pump and, on the other hand, a second receptacle configured to serve as a support for the rod of the pump;the first receptacle and the second receptacle have respectively a flared shape towards the fixed part and the pump rod so that, on the one hand, the first receptacle is configured to serve as a support for fixed pump parts of different dimensions (belonging to a predetermined range of dimensions or external diameters of fixed pump parts) and, on the other hand, the second receptacle is configured to serve as a support for pump rods of different dimensions (belonging to a predetermined range of dimensions or external diameters of pump rods); the first receptacle and the second receptacle have respectively a flared shape towards the fixed part and the pump rod which is configured to serve as a support respectively for a fixed pump part and the pump rod which have an inclination with respect to the vertical;the inclination with the vertical is generally less than 15°, or even 10°; the flared shape of each receptacle is frustoconical; the frustoconical shape of the first receptacle is defined by a cone angle between 80 and 100° and / or the frustoconical shape of the second receptacle is defined by a cone angle between 5 and 25°; the portion of said at least one liquid passage which extends inside the second part of the valve is made in two parts which are disjointed when the second part of the valve is not deformed and which communicate with each other when the second part of the valve is deformed; the filling interface includes an intermediate piece which is mounted on the first bottle S and on which the valve rests;the second part of the valve is arranged against the intermediate support piece in such a way that, when the second part of the valve is not deformed, the two disjointed parts of the portion of said at least one liquid passage open onto the intermediate support piece and, when the second part of the valve is deformed, the two parts of the portion of said at least one liquid passage move away from the intermediate support piece. ;

[0008] The invention also relates to a method for refilling a bottle with liquid, characterized in that the method is implemented using a system that includes: at least one first bottle S containing liquid and comprising a base at one end and an opening for the liquid to exit the bottle at an opposite end, the opening being located above the base; at least one second bottle R to be refilled with the liquid from the first bottle S, the second bottle comprising a base at one end and a pump mounted on the bottle at an opposite end, the pump being equipped with at least one vent port which is capable of being opened or closed depending on the position of the pump, the second bottle R being in an inverted position with the pump located below the base of said bottle; a filling interface disposed between the two bottles and comprising a valve comprising a first and a second elastically deformable parts, each having a portion of at least one liquid passage for the transfer of the pressurized liquid from the first bottle S to the inverted second bottle R; andat least one air passage for the evacuation of the air contained in the second inverted bottle R to the outside of said bottle, the pump of the second inverted bottle R being supported by the first part of the valve arranged opposite and the second part of the valve being arranged, on the one hand, below the first part and against it and, on the other hand, opposite or inside the opening of the first bottle S, the process comprising: the application on the second inverted bottle R of a downward vertical force, called a forcing force, having an intensity less than a predetermined intensity which corresponds to a deformation force, so that the pump of the second inverted bottle, supported against the first part of the valve, is forced into the inside of this second inverted bottle without deformation of the valve, in order to open said at least one vent of the second inverted bottle, when the valve is not deformed said at least one liquid passage being obstructed and preventing the transfer of the pressurized liquid from the first bottle S to the second inverted bottle R, the application on the second inverted bottle R of a downward vertical force having an intensity at least equal to the predetermined intensity of the deformation force in order to elastically deform the first and second parts of the valve,and to clear said at least one liquid passage of any obstruction to allow the transfer of the pressurized liquid from the first bottle S to the second inverted bottle R.

[0009] The process has the same advantages as those mentioned above in relation to the system and therefore they will not be repeated.

[0010] Furthermore, in practice, the two forces applied to the inverted bottle (to be refilled) can be applied sequentially, simply by increasing the intensity of the applied force (increasing the pressure). However, depending on the circumstances, the two forces can be applied separately, first achieving a depressed state (with or without the user stopping the action), then increasing the force to deform the valve and thus allow refilling.

[0011] Depending on other possible characteristics: to transfer liquid from the first bottle S to the second inverted bottle R: either the liquid present in the first bottle is already under pressure when the force of intensity at least equal to the predetermined intensity of the deformation force is applied; either pressure is applied to the liquid present in the first bottle during the implementation of the process (the pressurization of the liquid can in particular be carried out when the forces are applied or even after); the first part of the valve comprising, on the one hand, a first receptacle of flared shape configured to serve as a support for a fixed part of the pump of the second inverted bottle and, on the other hand, a second receptacle of flared shape configured to serve as a support for the rod of said pump, the second inverted bottle being inclined with respect to the vertical in such a way that the fixed part of the pump and the rod of said pump inclined with respect to the vertical are in support respectively against the first receptacle and the second receptacle (the inclination with the vertical is generally less than 15°, or even 10°). Brief description of the drawings

[0012] Other features and advantages will become apparent in the following description, given solely as a non-limiting example and with reference to the attached drawings, on which: [ Fig. 1 ] There figure 1 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of part of a liquid refilling system from a source bottle S according to an embodiment of the invention; [ Fig. 2 ] There figure 2 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a complete liquid refilling system for a bottle R from a source bottle S, including the part of the system of the figure 1 according to an embodiment of the invention; [ Fig. 3A ] There figure 3A is a simplified schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the internal mechanism of a refillable bottle equipped with a pump in its rest position; Fig. 3B ] There figure 3B is a schematic view showing the internal mechanism of the refillable bottle of the figure 3A when the pump is in the depressed position; [ Fig. 4 ] There figure 4 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the complete system of the figure 2 bottle R is being refilled with liquid; [ Fig. 5 ] There figure 5 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a complete refilling system according to another embodiment; [ Fig. 6A ] There figure 6A is a schematic view of the system of the figure 5 with a pump of different dimensions; Fig. 6B ] There figure 6B is a schematic view of the system of the figure 6A showing a misalignment of the pump with the vertical; [ Fig. 7A ] There figure 7A is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a partial refilling system according to a first embodiment variant; [ Fig. 7B ] There figure 7B is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the complete refilling system including the partial system of the figure 7A bottle R is being refilled with liquid; Fig. 8A ] There figure 8A is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a partial refilling system according to a second embodiment variant; [ Fig. 8B ] There figure 8B is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the complete refilling system including the partial system of the figure 8A bottle R is being refilled with liquid; Fig. 9A ] There figure 9A is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a partial refilling system according to a third embodiment variant; [ Fig. 9B ] There figure 9B is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the complete refilling system including the system part of the figure 9A bottle R is being refilled with liquid; Fig. 10A ] There figure 10A is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a partial refilling system according to a fourth embodiment variant; [ Fig. 10B ] There figure 10B is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the complete refilling system including the partial system of the figure 10A bottle R is being refilled with liquid. Description of the implementation methods

[0013] The invention described below with reference to the accompanying drawings relates to a system for refilling a bottle or container with liquid and an associated method. Generally, the bottle to be refilled or recharged has already been used to dispense a liquid such as a fragrance or other liquid that has been consumed, and the bottle must therefore be refilled to the extent that it is empty or nearly empty.

[0014] There figure 1 This represents part of an embodiment of the refilling system in which the bottle to be refilled is not shown. Only a source bottle or container S (refill) containing liquid and a specific filling interface are illustrated. In particular, the source bottle S comprises, at one of its two opposite ends (lower end), a base F and, at its opposite upper end, a neck C bordering an opening O through which the liquid can enter or exit the bottle. The source bottle S also includes a dip tube or suction tube T which extends, here substantially vertically, inside the bottle to a distance close to its base so as to be able to draw, through its lower end T1, as much of the liquid L contained in the bottle as possible.The upper end T2 is connected to the filling interface which will be described below and which acts as a leak-proof valve in the system state of the . figure 1 In this embodiment, the outer casing of the bottle S is rigid and contains pressurized liquid L. The liquid can be conditioned under a pressure, for example, of approximately 6 to 8 bar. The volume of liquid contained in the source bottle can be, for example, 300 mL. It should be noted, however, that other alternative embodiments are possible for the source bottle, such as those described in relation to the... figures 7A à 10B .

[0015] As depicted on the figure 1 A filling interface 10 is mounted on the source bottle S to ensure a seal at its opening O. More specifically, the filling interface 10 comprises a two-part valve that is elastically deformable when subjected to a compressive force (along the vertical axis Z) of appropriate magnitude. This force is called the deformation force. For an applied force less than the magnitude corresponding to the deformation force, the two parts of the valve do not deform and maintain the undeformed and sealed position shown in the figure. figure 1 Elastic deformation of a part refers to a mechanical deformation of that part within certain proportions or dimensions (i.e., with a limited amplitude of deformation that depends on the material of the part and the intensity of the force applied to it) when it is subjected to a specific stress. When the deformation force ceases to be applied, the part returns to its original shape, and the process can be repeated many times over time without damaging the part. In the example described, the valve is made entirely of plastic without the use of any metal springs.

[0016] The valve comprises a first part 12 and a second part 14 (both elastically deformable) arranged one above the other and in mechanical contact with each other. In the example shown, the two valve parts 12 and 14 are mechanically engaged with each other, for example, fitted together or snapped into place. The second (lower) valve part 14 is positioned opposite the opening O of the bottle S and, more specifically, rests against the upper free edge B of the neck C surrounding the opening. In a variant not shown, the second valve part can penetrate inside the neck of the bottle and thus its opening.

[0017] The second part 14 of the valve comprises a first portion of a liquid passage or conduit, and the first part 12, which will be described later, comprises a second portion of the liquid passage or conduit. The complete liquid passage (formed by the first and second portions of the liquid passage) extending through both parts 12 and 14 of the valve, when open (free of any obstruction), establishes fluid communication between the inside of the source flask S and the outside of the valve. It allows the extraction of pressurized liquid from the source flask, transferring it out of the valve and, as will be seen later, into a refilling flask that will be fluidically connected to the valve.

[0018] The first portion of the liquid passage extending into the second part 14 of the valve comprises two disjoint parts P1 and P2 which, in the undeformed state of the valve of the figure 1 do not allow for fluidic communication to be established between these two parts.

[0019] The part of the system represented at the figure 1 It also includes an intermediate piece 16 which is mounted on the source bottle S and against which the valve rests. The intermediate piece 16 is, for example, a ring that is mounted both on the neck C of the source bottle and on the second part 14 of the valve so as to hold this second part firmly against the edge B of the bottle to ensure the sealing of the valve-bottle assembly. It should be noted that the ring 16 is, here more specifically, snapped onto the lower edge R of the neck (opposite the upper edge B), but it could nevertheless be attached to the bottle differently in other embodiments not shown (for example, by screwing onto an external thread of the neck C). In the undeformed position of the figure 1 The two disjointed parts P1 and P2 each open at one of their opposite ends onto an inner face 16a of the intermediate part 16. This inner face 16a thus obstructs / plugs the free end opposite each of the two parts P1 and P2, and therefore blocks the liquid passage of the valve. This assembly is thus leak-proof with respect to the liquid contained in the source bottle. The ring 16 also has a central opening 16b in which the two valve parts extend axially (here vertically), one above the other. The central opening 16b is aligned with the opening O of the bottle.

[0020] The first valve portion 12 is positioned above the second valve portion 14 and is engaged / fixed to the latter, for example, by mechanical snap-fitting or interlocking of the two portions. The first portion 12 is also positioned above the intermediate piece 16 so as to cover and rest upon it. The first portion 12 comprises a second liquid passage section P3, extending vertically, which communicates fluidly at one end with the second portion P2 of the first liquid passage section and opens to the outside of the valve at its opposite end.

[0021] The first part 12 of the valve also includes a passage or conduit P4 for air which extends through this first part, from a first free end P4.1 to a second opposite free end P4.2, each free end opening onto the outside of the valve.

[0022] The first part 12 of the valve comprises a first receptacle 18 having a generally flared or funnel-shaped form which is open to the outside of the valve (oriented upwards on the figure 1 ) and which has a narrowed portion at the bottom 18a of the receptacle 18. In the illustrated example, the general flared shape is substantially frustoconical and has a symmetry of revolution around the central axis A, here vertical.

[0023] The first part 12 further comprises a second receptacle 20 disposed inside the first receptacle 18 and, more particularly, at the bottom 18a of the latter. This second receptacle 20 takes the form of a cavity formed inside the first part 12 of the valve and extending downwards over the figure 1 , away from the bottom 18a. The end P4.1 of the passage P4 opens into the bottom 20a of the second receptacle 20 and the opposite end P4.2 opens onto one of the external side walls of the first part 12 of the valve. The second portion P3 of the liquid passage extends from the bottom 18a of the first receptacle 18 towards the second part 14 of the valve and the second part P2 of the first portion of the liquid passage.

[0024] More specifically, in the example shown on the figure 1 , the second part 14 of the valve may include a body having a general disc shape with, on the one hand, a first peripheral portion 14a which is sandwiched between the free edge B of the neck of the bottle and an internal lower face 16a1 of the intermediate piece 16 and, on the other hand, a second central portion 14b which is axially thicker than the peripheral portion 14a and which extends axially into the opening 16b of the intermediate piece 16 until it comes into contact with the lower face of the first part 12 of the valve. The peripheral portion 14a incorporates the part P1 of the liquid passage portion which extends axially (vertically) until it contacts the lower face 16a1 of the intermediate part 16. The peripheral portion 14a is also connected by its lower face to the end T2 of the dip tube (this end T2 is for example fitted into a recess made in the lower face of the peripheral portion 14a).The central portion 14b incorporates part P2 of the first liquid passage portion, which extends substantially in a bend, including a horizontal portion extending to the inner face 16a of the intermediate piece, more specifically to a portion of the inner face 16a that here forms a bearing surface 16a2, for example, frustoconical in shape (flared downwards). Part P2 also includes a vertical portion extending from the horizontal portion to the lower face of the first valve portion 12, aligned with portion P3 of the latter. The second valve portion 14 also includes one or more engagement portions 14c extending axially upwards from the upper face of the central portion 14b, so as to engage within the first valve portion 12, in one or more corresponding cavities of complementary shapes.In the illustrated example, the engagement portion 14c takes the form of an annular wall which may have one or more protruding elements (e.g., bosses) radially on its outer face so as to form one or more axial retainers when this wall 14c is engaged inside the first part 12 of the valve.

[0025] The first valve part 12 may more specifically comprise a body having a central portion 12a engaged inside the opening 16b of the intermediate piece 16. An annular recess 12b is provided in the central portion 12a to receive the annular wall 14c described above. Depending on the shape and number of the engagement portions 14c of the second valve part 14, the central portion 12a is shaped accordingly and complementaryly. These engagement means constitute a possible example of means for interlocking or snapping the two valve parts together.In general, and regardless of the shape and number of the engagement portions 14c, the assembly of the two valve parts 12 and 14 with the intermediate piece 16 mounted on the neck of the bottle S ensures a seal, here cylindrical, between the inner face of the neck 16d of the piece 16, which borders the central opening 16b, and the outer face of the central portion 12a of the first valve 12, which is engaged in the central opening 16b. In the example described, the cylindrical contact occurs between the inner face of the neck 16d and an outer peripheral portion 12d, which is radially engaged with the annular wall 12c. The outer peripheral portion 12d, together with the most central portion of the central part 12a, provides a peripheral recess to accommodate the annular wall 12c.Other forms and engagement possibilities between the two valve parts 12 and 14 are of course conceivable, and these parts may even have different configurations. The central part 12a also incorporates the fluid passage portion P3, which, in this case, is offset radially from the central axis of the part by being positioned inside the cavity 12b. The body of the first valve part 12 also includes a peripheral part 12c that extends radially away from the central part 12a and has an annular groove 12c1 open downwards, into which the upper peripheral free edge 16c, bordering the opening 16b of the intermediate part 16, is axially engaged. The peripheral part 12c thus formed has an axially extending outer skirt 12c2, substantially annular, which externally delimits the cavity 12c1.This peripheral part 12c thus formed covers the upper free edge 16c of the intermediate part 16 and, in the position of the . figure 1 The first valve portion 12 thus rests against this upper free edge. In this figure, the upper free edge 16c, along this axial section, has a generally triangular shape, and the bottom of the cavity 12c1 rests on the apex of the triangle. It should be noted, however, that other shapes of the upper free edge of the intermediate piece 16 can alternatively be used to contribute to the seal between the intermediate piece 16 and the peripheral portion 12c of the body of the first valve portion 12. The liquid passage portion P4 extends in an angled shape, first vertically in the central portion 12a from the end P4.1, then horizontally in this portion, and finally in the peripheral portion 12c, exiting laterally from the second valve portion 12 at the end P4.2.

[0026] The shapes of the first and second valve sections just described can, of course, vary, provided they retain the same functional characteristics. Specifically, they are elastically deformable and, in an elastically undeformed state, ensure a seal at the opening O of the source bottle. They incorporate liquid passages with two disjointed portions in an elastically undeformed state of the second valve section, and these disjointed portions communicate fluidly with each other in an elastically deformed state. Furthermore, the first valve section 12 is configured to act as a support without deforming under the action of a downward vertical force whose intensity is less than the intensity of the deformation force required to cause the valve to deform elastically.

[0027] A complete liquid refilling system according to one embodiment is shown in the figure 2 This system includes the liquid refill formed by the first source container or bottle S described above and a second container or bottle R (single bottle) to be refilled / refilled with liquid from the refill 12.

[0028] The second bottle R comprises a base located at one end and a pump mounted on the bottle, not necessarily in a removable manner, at the opposite end. The pump is equipped with at least one vent that can be opened or closed depending on the pump's position relative to the bottle (depressed or not depressed, i.e., at rest). The second bottle R is generally a conventional type of bottle, meaning that when used in the traditional way, a plunger or dispenser, not shown here, is usually mounted on the pump to allow it to be actuated from a rest position (not depressed), and thus to dispense liquid conventionally from the bottle. For the implementation of the invention, the plunger or dispenser is removed to allow access, from outside the bottle, to a protruding part of the pump mechanism, namely the pump actuating rod.As shown on the . figure 2 For example, a cap C1 is crimped onto the neck of the bottle R, notably to prevent the pump P from being removed and to seal the bottle. The bottle R is generally made of a rigid material, for example glass or aluminum.

[0029] As depicted on the figure 2 Bottle R is in an inverted position relative to a normal and conventional operating position, meaning that the pump P of bottle R is located below its base (not shown). The inverted bottle R is brought, pump downwards, above and into contact with the filling interface 10.

[0030] THE figures 3A And 3B illustrate an example of a possible implementation of a conventional refillable R-type bottle. On the figure 3A Bottle R is at rest (not in use) with its pump in the raised position and on the figure 3B The bottle is in use with its pump depressed in the lower position. Generally, the bottle R comprises a container 1, for example rigid, containing liquid, and a pump 2 mounted through the opening 3 of the bottle. The pump pump has an upper part that slides vertically within a fixed part 4. The fixed part 4 is attached to the bottle at its upper end 4a by means of the crimp cap C1 described above. The hollow fixed part 4 of the pump extends inside the bottle and has, at its lower end 4b, a suction tube t that dips into the liquid in the bottle. The hollow fixed part 4 of the pump also includes a lower valve Cb, for example of the ball type, which is closed in the position of the figure 3A to prevent liquid from passing from the bottle into chamber 4c of the hollow fixed part 4 of the pump. The upper moving part of the pump includes a hollow actuating rod 5 which protrudes, by an upper end 5a opening beyond the capsule C1, and which rests at its opposite lower end 5b on a piston-forming piece 6. The piston-forming piece 6 is mounted on a return spring 7 and is able to slide vertically in chamber 4c of the fixed part 4 of the pump. At the lower end 5b of the actuating rod 5, a high valve Ch, for example of the ball type, is provided to allow, depending on the position of the valve, here of the ball (valve closed in the position of the figure 3A ), the passage of liquid from chamber 4c into the actuating rod 5. The bottle R also includes a dispensing plunger or diffuser 8 mounted on the open end 5a of the actuating rod and on which the user exerts downward vertical pressure (as indicated by the arrow in the figure 3B ) in order to dispense liquid from the container, through the pump, and then outside. Note that when the user presses the dispensing button 8 ( figure 3B The pump actuator rod 5 is pushed into the lowered position. In this position, a peripheral orifice o1 surrounding the actuator rod 5 is open to allow the passage of compensating outside air into the fixed part 4 of the pump. Furthermore, in this position, the piston 6 on which the actuator rod 5 rests descends below an opening o2 in the wall of the fixed part 4 of the pump. Thus, the outside air surrounding the bottle can be introduced through the peripheral orifice o1 around the rod, then through the opening o2 in the wall to enter the container and compensate for the volume of liquid dispensed. The passage thus created for compensating air (orifice o1 and opening o2) when the pump is pushed down constitutes a venting of the bottle R, which is used in the embodiment of figures 2 And 4(after removing the distributor tappet) figures 3A-B ) to introduce liquid into the inverted bottle R to be refilled, from the liquid in the source bottle. When the bottle R is inverted and liquid is thus introduced into the container, the air present in this container passes through the suction tube t, the chamber 4c of the fixed part 4 of the pump and the actuator rod 5 to be expelled to the outside as will be seen later.

[0031] As depicted on the figure 2 The pump of the second inverted bottle R comprises a fixed part 30 which protrudes outside the bottle, beyond the crimped cap C1 (this fixed part here has a substantially cylindrical shape) and, at a free end of this fixed part, an axially sliding rod 32 extends axially away from the fixed part (downwards on the figure 2 ). This rod 32 is able to occupy two positions, namely an extended position relative to the fixed part 30, in which the vent of the pump is closed, and a pushed-in position inside the fixed part 30, in which the vent of the pump is open, as well as the internal valves of the pump mechanism.

[0032] When the inverted bottle R is brought by a user into contact with the valve of the filling interface 10, the fixed part 30 of the pump is pressed, by its outer periphery (here, a free edge forming an external diameter of the fixed part), against the flared inner face 18b (internal truncated cone) of the first receptacle 18 of the first part 12 of the valve, while the rod 32 is pressed into the cavity 20 (second receptacle). The rod 32 comes into contact, by its free end 32a, with the bottom 20a of this cavity, and the internal conduit of the rod thus communicates with the end P4.1 of the passage P4. This passage thus communicates with the interior of the rod and with the fluid path that passes through the internal mechanism of the pump and provides access to the reservoir of bottle R.In this embodiment example, the cavity 20 has a generally cylindrical internal shape, but in other embodiment examples, the cavity can take on other shapes.

[0033] During this support, the user applies a downward vertical force to the inverted bottle R along the arrow F1 ( fig. 2 This force of a specific magnitude is called the indentation force and causes the pump to be indented inside the bottle, specifically, in this case, the axial rod 32 to be indented (retracted) into the fixed part 30, which opens the vent of the bottle R. The indentation force required to indent the pump, and thus open the vent, corresponds to a force of a specific magnitude, for example, on the order of 2.5 kg. By applying this force to the first part 12 of the valve, the user does not deform it. Thus, the two separate liquid sections P1 and P2 are not joined (the liquid passage is obstructed), and the pressurized liquid in the source bottle S cannot be transferred from this bottle to the bottle R. The magnitude of this force is less than the deformation force mentioned above.

[0034] There figure 4 illustrates the liquid transfer phase from the source bottle to the inverted bottle R. This phase is implemented when the user applies a downward vertical force to the inverted bottle R along the arrow F2 ( fig. 3 ) which has an intensity at least equal to the intensity of the deformation force mentioned above. In the example described, the applied force is 3 kg. The applied force F2 is transmitted to the valve and, in particular, to the areas of it that are in contact with the pump of the bottle to be refilled. More specifically, the fixed part 30 presses against the inner face 18b of the flared receptacle 18, and the stem 32 presses against the bottom 20a of the cavity 20, which elastically deforms the two valve parts 12 and 14. Part 12 is crushed by vertical compression, which causes external bending or buckling of the cylindrical skirt 12c2, and the upper peripheral free edge 16c of the intermediate part 16 penetrates the bottom of the groove 12c1, into the material of part 12.Thus, not only is a seal ensured between the intermediate piece 16 and the first valve portion 12 as described above (cylindrical contact between the neck 16d and the portion 12d of the central part 12a of the first valve portion 12), but the engagement of the free edge 16c (with the shape described or a functionally equivalent shape) in the groove of the intermediate piece 16 improves / reinforces this seal. It should also be noted that the external bending of the skirt 12c2 provides an elastic effect similar to that of a spring, which helps to return the first valve portion to its original, undeformed shape when the vertical support force ceases. The interaction between the free edge 16c (with the shape described or a functionally equivalent shape) and the groove of the intermediate piece 16 also helps to return the first valve portion to its original, undeformed position.Simultaneously, the insertion of part 12 into the opening 16b vertically deforms the lower part 14 in its central area, which is not held between the intermediate piece 16 and the edge B of the bottle S. This downward elastic deformation (in the central opening O) of the central part tends to move this part away from the inner face 16a2 of the intermediate piece 16, which separates the open ends of parts P1 and P2 from the inner face 16a2. Fluid communication between the two parts P1 and P2 is thus enabled, and, insofar as the liquid L of the bottle is under pressure in the bottle S, the pressure exerted on the liquid causes it to circulate in the dip tube, in portions P1, P2, and P3, in the space between the bottom 18a of the receptacle and the fixed part, and then inside the latter through the vent hole, into the reservoir of the bottle R.Correspondingly, when liquid is transferred from bottle S to bottle R, air contained in the latter is evacuated by the internal mechanism of the depressed pump (internal valves open) to the end 32a of the rod, then into the passage P4 before escaping outwards from the interface 10, as indicated by the lateral arrow f.

[0035] The implementation of the system of the figure 4 This allows for the simple and efficient transfer of liquid from the source bottle S to the refilling bottle R, without needing to disassemble the pump from the latter. It utilizes an elastically deformable valve filling interface that does not employ any moving parts such as metal springs or other components. Only the elastic deformation capacity of the two valve sections is used to transition from a closed or obstructed state to an open state, allowing the transfer of pressurized liquid. The elastic deformation of the valve opens the liquid passage portion, which is divided into two separate parts, thus establishing liquid communication between these two parts that, in the valve's undeformed position, are separated from each other.

[0036] THE figures 5 And 6illustrate (refilling condition with a deformation force F2 applied by the user) another embodiment of the invention in which the filling interface can adapt to different pump diameters of the bottle to be refilled. Indeed, existing pumps on the market have fairly similar configurations, but their dimensions may vary depending on the manufacturer. Thus, a pump A manufactured by one manufacturer may have, for the fixed part 30, a diameter of 9.3 mm and an opening length of 8.7 mm. figure 2 and, for the rod 32, a diameter of 3mm and an open length of 7.3mm, whereas a pump B manufactured by another manufacturer may have, for the fixed part 30, a diameter of 12.1mm and an open length of 8mm. figure 2 and, for rod 32, a diameter of 3.7mm and an outward length of 7mm.

[0037] To be able to adapt and therefore interface with pumps whose dimensions may differ from one pump to another, the two receptacles of the filling interface, in particular of the first part 12 of the valve, have respectively a flared shape towards the outside of the valve, for example frustoconical, towards the fixed part 30 and the rod 32 of the pump of the bottle R. With such a configuration of the filling interface, on the one hand, the first receptacle is configured to serve as a support for fixed parts of pumps whose dimensions may vary from one pump to another and, on the other hand, the second receptacle is configured to serve as a support for pump rods whose dimensions may vary from one pump to another.

[0038] There figure 5 This schematically illustrates a filling interface 10' in which only the first part of the valve 12' has been modified compared to part 12 in the previous figures. The second part 14 remains unchanged.

[0039] The first part of the valve 12' includes the first receptacle 18' of substantially frustoconical shape with its inclined inner face 18b', like the receptacle 18 of the previous figures and which receives the fixed part 30' of the pump P' of the bottle R' which rests on its outer peripheral edge 30a'.

[0040] The first part of the 12' valve also includes a second 20' receptacle whose cavity has been modified and now has an upward-facing flared shape, just like the 18' shape, with an inclined 20b' inner face.

[0041] On the figure 5 the diameter of the rod 32' corresponds to the diameter of the bottom 20a' of the flared cavity 20.

[0042] There figure 6A represents a bottle R" with a pump P" of different dimensions than those of bottle R' of the figure 5 and illustrates how the 12' valve portion accommodates the 30" and 32" components of pump P".

[0043] As shown in this figure, the external diameter of the fixed 30" part is greater than that of the fixed 30' part of the figure 5 and thus comes to rest by its outer peripheral edge 30a" against a contact zone Z1 of the inclined face 18b' which is higher, that is to say further away from the bottom 18a' of the cavity, than on the figure 5 Under the vertical bearing force exerted by the outer peripheral edge 30a" against the inclined face 18b', the receptacle 18' deforms in the contact zone Z1 by hollowing out, the part of the inclined face 18b' located above this zone on the figure 6A tightens a little by closing the flare angle and the part of the inclined face 18b' located below the contact zone Z1 also deforms by flaring further (opening of the flare angle) under the effect of the weight exerted on the inclined face.

[0044] Meanwhile, the 32" rod, whose diameter is greater than that of the 32' rod of the figure 5 cannot reach the bottom 20a' of the flared cavity 20' and rests, by its outer peripheral edge 32a" against a contact zone Z2 of the inclined face 20b' of the cavity, at a distance from the bottom 20a', thus leaving a free space between the free end of the rod 32" and the bottom 20a', and laterally deforms the inclined face of the cavity as shown in the figure 6A .

[0045] In the examples illustrated in figures 5 And 6AA watertight seal is achieved between the outer peripheral edge 30a' (resp. 30a") of the fixed part 30' (resp. 30") and the inclined face 18b', as well as between the outer peripheral edge 32a' (resp. 32a") of the rod 32' (resp. 32") and the bottom 20a' or the inclined face of the cavity 20b'. The inclined face 18b' of the first receptacle 18' (resp. 18) has a taper generally between 80 and 100° and, for example, on the order of 90° (cone angle or flare angle between the two opposite walls visible in the longitudinal section of the figures 5 And 6A and which form a cone) to accommodate a plurality of diameters of fixed pump parts within a predetermined range. Similarly, the inclined face 20b" of the second receptacle 20' has a shallower taper, generally between 5 and 25° and, for example, on the order of 20° (angle of the cone or angle of flare between the two opposite walls visible in the longitudinal section of the figures 5 And 6A and which form a cone) to be able to accommodate a plurality of pump rod diameters from a predetermined range.

[0046] There figure 6B resumes the configuration of the figure 6A (The following principle also applies to other pump and rod sizes as illustrated on the figure 5 ) and illustrates the fact that the refillable bottle R" can, despite being inclined relative to the vertical at which the bottle S is arranged, generally within an angular range of 15° or less, or even 10°, allow the implementation of the process as described above. Thus, with an inclined refillable bottle R", the fixed part 30" of the pump and the pump actuating rod 32" are inclined accordingly, and operational contact with the receptacles 18' and 20' is ensured: The external diameter of the fixed part of the pump 30" bears against a contact zone Z1' of the inclined face 18b' by its external peripheral edge 30a', which, due to its flexibility, deforms elastically relative to the contact zone Z1 of the figure 6A on the side where the bottle is tilted (on the diametrically opposite side, the outer peripheral edge 30a" remains in contact with a contact zone Z1" that is higher than Z1' and less deformed); the stem 32" rests, by its outer peripheral edge 32a", against a contact zone Z2' of the inclined face 20b' of the flared cavity 20' which, thanks to its flexibility, deforms elastically relative to the contact zone Z2 of the figure 6A on the side where the bottle is tilting (on the diametrically opposite side the outer peripheral edge 32a" remains in contact with a contact area Z2" higher than Z2' and less deformed).

[0047] The actions of pump depression and deformation of the elastically deformable valve in two parts as described above are therefore possible even with an inclination of the bottle to be refilled.

[0048] For example, the first part of the valve 12, 12' is made of a flexible material such as an elastomer and the same is true for the second part of the valve 14. The intermediate part 16 (e.g., snap-on ring) is, for example, made of a rigid material to avoid any deformation during the implementation of the elastically deformable valve, for example, polypropylene.

[0049] It should be noted that the flared shape of the first receptacle 18 of the figures 1 , 2 And 4 already allowed for the accommodation of pumps with fixed part dimensions that differ from one to another.

[0050] In the mode shown in the previous figures, the liquid is under pressure inside the rigid source flask. figures 7A-10B illustrate different possible implementation variations for putting the liquid in the source bottle under pressure.

[0051] THE figures 7A-7B illustrate a first embodiment in which the source bottle S1 comprises a rigid outer casing E that encloses a flexible, deformable pouch Ps subjected to the pressure of a gas present in the space between the casing and the pouch. Everything described previously concerning the two-part valve 12 (respectively 12'), 14 and the intermediate piece 16 applies here. However, here the intermediate piece 16 is fixed to the neck C' of the outer casing E, and the second part 14' of the valve is slightly modified by the addition of a vertical internal cylindrical skirt 14'a (or vertical extension elements) which allows the neck c of the pouch to be pinched between this vertical extension 14'a and the inner face of the neck C' of the casing E, thus holding the pouch inside the casing. In this variant, the source bottle does not have a dip tube. The figure 7A represents the partial system in an undeformed state of the valve. figure 7B represents the complete system with a refillable R bottle that is inverted and pressed against the 10" filling interface of the partial system of the figure 7A The deformation force F2 causes the valve to deform and open (as explained in detail above for the mode of figures 1 à 4 ) in order to be able to transfer pressurized liquid from bottle S1 to bottle R.

[0052] THE figures 8A-8B illustrate a second form of realization that differs from the first form of realization of figures 7A-B because the source bottle S2 does not have a rigid casing surrounding the flexible, deformable bag Ps. Thus, to pressurize the liquid in the bag, the user compresses the bag Ps with their hand M as shown in the diagram. figure 7B .

[0053] THE figures 9A-9B illustrate a third embodiment in which the source bottle S3 comprises a syringe-forming body S3.1 which is provided, at its upper end, with a neck c1 on which the intermediate part 16 is mounted as described above and which cooperates at its opposite lower end with a piston S3.2 mounted in a fixed support, for example arranged on a horizontal support SH. The syringe-forming body S3.1 contains liquid L which is trapped in the internal volume delimited by the inner face of the body wall, the valve portion 14 at the top, and the upper face of the piston S3.2. When the user presses on the inverted bottle R with the deformation force F2, as in the other embodiments and variants, the valve deforms elastically to open it and, simultaneously, the syringe-forming body S3.1 slides down inside the piston S3.1.2 (arrow Fv), which exerts a pressure p on the liquid which is pushed into the liquid passage of the valve freed from any obstruction, thus allowing the transfer of liquid from bottle S3 to bottle R.

[0054] THE figures 10A-10B illustrate a third embodiment in which the source bottle S4 comprises a bellows-shaped body S4.1, which has, at its upper end, a neck c2 on which the intermediate part 16 is mounted, as described above. The opposite end of the bellows-shaped body S4.1 is, for example, disposed on a horizontal support SH. The bellows-shaped body S4.1 contains liquid L, which is trapped within the internal volume delimited by the inner face of the body wall, the valve portion 14 at the top, and the inner face of the lower end of the bellows-shaped body S4. When the user presses on the inverted bottle R with the deformation force F2, as in the other embodiments and variants, the valve deforms elastically to open it and, simultaneously, the bellows-shaped body S4.1 compresses as it collapses (arrow Fv), which exerts pressure on the liquid which is pushed into the liquid passage of the valve freed from any obstruction, thus allowing liquid to be transferred from bottle S4 to bottle R.

[0055] It should be noted that, in the various variants described above, the filling interface can take any form among those described above with reference to the figures 1 à 6B .

Claims

1. A system for refilling a bottle with liquid, comprising: - at least a first bottle (S) containing liquid and comprising a bottom at one end and an opening for the liquid to exit the bottle at an opposite end, the opening being located above the bottom, - at least a second bottle (R) to be refilled with the liquid from the first bottle (S), the second bottle comprising a bottom at one end and a pump mounted on the bottle at an opposite end, the pump being equipped with at least one vent port which is capable of being opened or closed depending on the position of the pump, the second bottle (R) being in the inverted position with the pump located below the bottom of said bottle, - a filling interface disposed between the two bottles and comprising, on the one hand, at least one liquid passage for transferring the liquid under pressure, from the first bottle (S) to the second inverted bottle (R) through said opened at least one vent port of the pump of said second bottle and, on the other hand, at least one air passage for the evacuation of the air contained in the second inverted bottle (R) towards the outside of said bottle, characterized in that the filling interface includes an elastically deformable valve comprising two parts (12, 14) which are elastically deformable under the action of a downward vertical force, called deformation force, exerted on the second inverted bottle (R) and having a predetermined intensity, each part (12, 14) of the valve comprising a portion (P1, P2, P3) of said at least one liquid passage, the two parts of the valve comprising: - a first part (12) disposed opposite the pump of the second inverted bottle (R) and which is configured to be used as a support for the pump without deforming under the action of a downward vertical force, called depression force, which is exerted on the second inverted bottle (R) so as to depress the pump inside this second bottle in order to open said at least one vent port, - a second part (14) disposed, on the one hand, below the first part (12) and against it and, on the other hand, opposite or inside the opening (O) of the first bottle (S), the second part (14) being configured to be in two states, namely a first non-elastically deformed state in which the portion (P1, P2) of said at least one liquid passage which extends inside the second non-deformed part of the valve is obstructed and, a second elastically deformed state in which the second part (14) is elastically deformed and the portion of said at least one liquid passage is no longer obstructed, the second elastically deformed state being obtained under the action of a downward vertical force which is exerted on the second inverted bottle (R) and which has an intensity at least equal to the predetermined intensity of the deformation force.

2. The system for refilling a bottle with liquid according to claim 1, characterized in that the pump mounted on the second inverted bottle (R) comprises a fixed part (30) at one end of which extends, away from the fixed part, a sliding pin (32) which is capable of adopting, on the one hand, a depressed position inside the fixed part and said at least one vent port of the pump is open in this depressed position and, on the other hand, an extended position relative to the fixed part (30) and said at least one vent port of the pump is closed in this extended position, the first part (12) of the valve being disposed opposite the fixed part (30) and the sliding pin (32) of the pump and comprising, on the one hand, a first receptacle (18) configured to be used as a support for the fixed part (30) of the pump and, on the other hand, a second receptacle (20) configured to be used as a support for the pin (32) of the pump.

3. The system for refilling a bottle with liquid according to claim 2, characterized in that the first receptacle (18) and the second receptacle (20) respectively have a flared shape towards the fixed part (30) and the pin (32) of the pump so that, on the one hand, the first receptacle (18) is configured to be used as a support for fixed parts of pumps of different dimensions and, on the other hand, the second receptacle (20) is configured to be used as a support for pins of pumps of different dimensions.

4. The system for refilling a bottle with liquid according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the first receptacle (18) and the second receptacle (20) respectively have a flared shape towards the fixed part and the pin of the pump which is configured to be used as a support respectively for a fixed pump part and for the pin of the pump which have an inclination relative to the vertical.

5. The system for refilling a bottle with liquid according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the flared shape of each receptacle (18, 20) is frustoconical.

6. The system for refilling a bottle with liquid according to claim 5, characterized in that the frustoconical shape of the first receptacle (18) is defined by a cone angle comprised between 80° and 100° and / or the frustoconical shape of the second receptacle (20) is defined by a cone angle comprised between 5° and 25°.

7. The system for refilling a bottle with liquid according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the portion of said at least one liquid passage which extends inside the second part (14) of the valve is made in two parts (P1, P2) which are disjointed when the second part of the valve is not deformed and which communicate with each other when the second part of the valve is deformed.

8. The system for refilling a bottle with liquid according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the filling interface includes an intermediate piece (16) which is mounted on the first bottle (S) and on which is supported the valve.

9. The system for refilling a bottle with liquid according to claims 7 and 8, characterized in that the second part of the valve is arranged against the intermediate piece (16) in such a way that, when the second part (14) of the valve is not deformed, the two disjointed parts (P1, P2) of the portion of said at least one liquid passage open onto the intermediate piece (16) and, when the second part (14) of the valve is deformed, the two parts (P1, P2) of the portion of said at least one liquid passage move away from the intermediate piece (16).

10. A method for refilling a bottle with liquid, characterized in that the method is implemented using a system which comprises: - at least a first bottle (S) containing liquid and comprising a bottom at one end and an opening for the liquid to exit the bottle at an opposite end, the opening being located above the bottom, - at least a second bottle (R) to be refilled with the liquid from the first bottle (S), the second bottle comprising a bottom at one end and a pump mounted on the bottle at an opposite end, the pump being equipped with at least one vent port which is capable of being opened or closed depending on the position of the pump, the second bottle (R) being in the inverted position with the pump located below the bottom of said bottle, - a filling interface disposed between the two bottles and comprising a valve comprising a first (12) and a second (14) elastically deformable parts which each include a portion (P1, P2, P3) of at least one liquid passage for the transfer of the liquid under pressure, from the first bottle (S) to the second inverted bottle (R) and, at least one air passage (P4) for evacuating the air contained in the second inverted bottle (R) towards the outside of said bottle, the pump of the second inverted bottle (R) being supported on the first part (12) of the valve disposed opposite thereto and the second part (14) of the valve being disposed, on the one hand, below the first part (12) and against it and, on the other hand, opposite or inside the opening of the first bottle (S), the method comprising: - the application to the second inverted bottle (R) of a downward vertical force, called depression force, having an intensity less than a predetermined intensity which corresponds to a deformation force, so that the pump of the second inverted bottle supported against the first valve part is depressed inside this second inverted bottle without deformation of the valve, in order to open said at least one vent port of the second inverted bottle, when the valve is not deformed, said at least one liquid passage being obstructed and preventing the transfer of the liquid under pressure from the first bottle (S) to the second inverted bottle (R), - the application to the second inverted bottle (R) of a downward vertical force having an intensity at least equal to the predetermined intensity of the deformation force in order to elastically deform the first and second valve parts, and to free said at least one liquid passage from any obstruction to allow the transfer of the liquid under pressure from the first bottle (S) to the second inverted bottle (R).

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, to transfer liquid from the first bottle (S) to the second inverted bottle (R): - either the liquid present in the first bottle is already under pressure when the force of intensity at least equal to the predetermined intensity of the deformation force is applied; - or a pressure is applied to the liquid present in the first bottle during the implementation of the method.

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the first part (12) of the valve comprising, on the one hand, a first receptacle (18) of flared shape configured to be used as a support for a fixed part (30) of the pump of the second inverted bottle and, on the other hand, a second receptacle (20) of flared shape configured to be used as a support for the pin (32) of said pump, the second inverted bottle being inclined relative to the vertical in such a way that the fixed part of the pump and the pin of said pump inclined relative to the vertical are respectively supported against the first receptacle (18) and the second receptacle (20).