SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REFILLING A VISCOSE LIQUID FROM A BOTTLE

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of refilling, or re-filling, a refillable bottle from a source bottle called a refill. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system for refilling a refillable bottle from a refill and also to a method for refilling a refillable bottle from a refill. Previous technique

[0002] Various systems and methods exist for transferring liquid from one bottle to another in order to refill the latter.

[0003] However, when the liquid to be transferred is viscous, typically an oil, a shower gel..., the transfer is more difficult to carry out and sometimes requires the use of relatively complex systems.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need for a system and a method to transfer a viscous liquid from a source bottle to a refill bottle in a simple and efficient manner. US8925593 relates to a bottle refilling device comprising a transfer system with two moving parts, enabling the transfer of liquid from a refill to a bottle without overflow, without contact with the user, and with automatic stoppage of the flow when the bottle is full. Description of the invention

[0005] The invention thus relates to a system for refilling a bottle with liquid from a source bottle containing a viscous liquid, the bottle to be refilled having an opening located above the bottom and the source bottle having an opening and a bottom opposite the opening, the source bottle containing the viscous liquid being inverted so that its opening is located above the opening of the bottle to be refilled, the system comprising: a liquid passage extending between the source bottle and the bottle to be refilled, opening at one end into the inside of the bottle to be refilled, and adapted to connect the source bottle and the inside of the bottle to be refilled so as to allow the transfer of liquid from the source bottle to the bottle to be refilled through the liquid passage, the liquid passage comprising a liquid conduit having the opening end of the liquid passage and extending axially at least partially inside the bottle to be refilled, an air passage separate from the liquid passage and extending from the inside to the outside of the bottle to be refilled through the opening of the bottle to be refilled so as to allow air to be evacuated from the bottle to be refilled while liquid is transferred from the source bottle to the bottle to be refilled,a part surrounding the liquid conduit coaxially and providing with the liquid conduit one or more radial spaces defining a reduced air passage cross-section adapted to the viscosity of the liquid, the reduced air passage cross-section being disposed inside the refilling bottle above the opening end of the liquid conduit so as to stop, or at least slow down, the rise of liquid in the refilling bottle, and therefore the flow of liquid in said refilling bottle, when the liquid level in the refilling bottle reaches the reduced air passage cross-section.

[0006] The aforementioned system allows for the simple and efficient transfer of a viscous liquid from the source bottle to the refill bottle located below. The operating procedure for such a system is particularly simple for the user. Furthermore, the system's design is such that the flow of liquid from the source bottle to the refill bottle is automatically stopped, or at least slowed down, without any user intervention.To achieve this, the cross-sectional area of ​​the air passage is locally reduced (by design) in the portion of the system located above the opening of the liquid passage, inside the bottle to be refilled. This ensures that when the liquid flows into the bottle, causing the liquid level to rise to the reduced cross-sectional area, the liquid cannot, or at least can only with great difficulty, continue to rise through this reduced cross-sectional area. This reduction is due to the liquid's viscosity and the dimensions of the reduced cross-sectional area, which are adapted to that viscosity. The local reduction or restriction of the air passage cross-sectional area is considered relative to the generally larger cross-sectional area of ​​the air passage in the remaining portion of the system's air passage.This system configuration (flow restriction zone) allows control of the refill level in the bottle to be refilled. In some embodiments, depending on the liquid's viscosity and the available flow areas, the liquid flows from the source bottle to the bottle to be refilled by simple gravity or by creating pressure inside the source bottle, for example, by manually deforming the deformable external walls of the source bottle through compression. It should be noted that this system is particularly suited to liquids with a viscosity of at least 20 to 25 centipoise. Furthermore, the internal flow area of ​​the liquid passage also depends on the liquid's viscosity and will be larger the more viscous the liquid.It should be noted that refilling the bottle can take several seconds, or even several tens of seconds, but should not exceed several minutes, and in particular, no more than 5 minutes. For example, the internal passage area for the liquid in an oil may be smaller than that for a shower gel. Depending on the system configuration, the liquid and air passages may each be made up of at least two sections that are either separated in a blocked or closed position, or joined in a position allowing fluid to pass through these passages (liquid flowing and air rising).In an alternative configuration, the liquid and air passages can be pre-formed and, for example, mounted on one of the two bottles (e.g., the source bottle on top). Simply placing the source bottle in an inverted position, with the liquid passage inserted into the opening of the bottle to be refilled, allows the liquid to be transferred. Furthermore, depending on the configuration, the system can be designed so that, in the installed position, the assembly formed by the source bottle and the bottle to be refilled is mechanically secured by internal fastening means between certain system components.

[0007] Depending on other possible characteristics: The part surrounding an outer surface of the liquid conduit has an end end that is configured to engage radially in a radially hollowed annular portion of the outer surface of the liquid conduit; generally, the end end does not come into contact with the bottom of the radially hollowed annular portion in order to leave an open passage section between the two elements; the part surrounding the liquid conduit is mounted on the bottle to be refilled; the air passage extends from the bottle to be refilled to the source bottle and is suitable for communicating the interior of the bottle to be refilled and the bottom of the source bottle so as to allow air to rise from the bottle to be refilled to the bottom of the source bottle, while liquid is transferred from the source bottle to the bottle to be refilled;It should be noted that in one variant, the air passage extending from the bottle to be refilled to the source bottle is suitable for connecting the inside of the bottle to be refilled and the inside of the source bottle so as to allow air to rise from the bottle to be refilled to the source bottle, while liquid is transferred from the source bottle to the bottle to be refilled; the system includes a liquid transfer device mounted on the source bottle and which includes the liquid conduit; the part surrounding the liquid conduit is mounted on the liquid transfer device; the liquid transfer device also includes an air conduit which is part of the air passage and which extends inside the source bottle towards the bottom of the latter;the liquid transfer device comprises two rings mounted to rotate relative to each other, namely one ring comprising, on the one hand, the liquid conduit which forms a first portion of the liquid passage and, on the other hand, a first portion of the air passage and, a ring comprising, on the one hand, a second portion of the liquid passage and, on the other hand, a second portion of the air passage;The two rings are capable of occupying, on the one hand, a blocking position in which the two portions of the liquid passage and the two portions of the air passage of the two respective rings are not in fluidic communication with each other and, on the other hand, a transfer position in which the two portions of the liquid passage and the two portions of the air passage of the two respective rings are in fluidic communication with each other so as to allow the transfer of liquid from the source bottle to the bottle to be refilled through the two portions of the liquid passage which are in fluidic communication with each other, and to transfer the air contained in the bottle to be refilled to the source bottle through the reduced passage section of the air passage and the two portions of the air passage in fluidic communication with each other; the system includes a sealing gasket forming a fluidic communication interface between the two rings.

[0008] The invention also relates to a method for refilling a refillable bottle with liquid from a source bottle containing a viscous liquid in a system comprising, on the one hand, a refillable bottle having an opening disposed above the bottom and, on the other hand, a source bottle containing viscous liquid and having an opening and a bottom opposite the opening, the source bottle being inverted so that its opening is disposed above the opening of the refillable bottle, the method comprising the following steps: liquid flow from the source bottle to the bottle to be refilled via a liquid passage which opens at an open end inside the bottle to be refilled, in which the liquid rises; evacuation of air contained in the bottle to be refilled through an air passage separate from the liquid passage and extending from the inside to the outside of the bottle to be refilled through the opening of the bottle to be refilled, while the liquid level rises in the bottle to be refilled; stopping or braking the rise of liquid in the bottle to be refilled, and therefore the flow of liquid into the bottle to be refilled via the liquid passage, when the liquid level in the bottle to be refilled reaches a reduced passage section of the air passage which is disposed inside the bottle to be refilled above the open end of the liquid passage;The stopping or slowing of the liquid flow in the bottle being refilled is due to the adaptation between the reduced cross-section of the air passage and the viscosity of the liquid.

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

[0010] Depending on other possible characteristics: The liquid passage includes a liquid conduit which is provided with the opening end of the liquid passage and which extends axially at least partially inside the bottle to be refilled; prior to the steps of liquid flow, air evacuation, and stopping or braking the rise of the liquid, the method includes a preliminary step in which the opening end of the liquid conduit, which is fixed to the source bottle, is introduced into the bottle to be refilled; the system includes two rings mounted to rotate relative to each other, namely one ring comprising, on the one hand, the liquid conduit which forms a first portion of the liquid passage and, on the other hand, a first portion of the air passage, and another ring comprising, on the one hand, a second portion of the liquid passage and, on the other hand,a second portion of the air passage; one ring is fixed to the source bottle and the other ring is fixed to the bottle to be refilled, with the open end of the liquid conduit inserted into the bottle to be refilled; when only one ring is fixed to the source bottle by a first portion, the second portion, including the liquid conduit, can be positioned on the bottle to be refilled, with the open end of the liquid conduit inserted into the bottle to be refilled; when the ring is screwed onto the bottle to be refilled, the process includes a step in which a relative rotational movement between the two bottles, and therefore between the two rings, is carried out in order to establish fluid communication between the two portions of the liquid passage and the two portions of the air passage of the two respective rings, and thus,to allow the flow of liquid from the source bottle to the bottle to be refilled through the two portions of the fluidic communication liquid passage and the upward movement of air contained in the bottle to be refilled through the reduced passage cross-section of the air passage and the two portions of the fluidic communication air passage; the air contained in the bottle to be refilled is transferred from the bottle to be refilled to the source bottle via the air passage; the system includes a component surrounding the liquid conduit coaxially and providing one or more radial spaces with the liquid conduit defining the reduced passage cross-section of the air passage; when the liquid conduit is withdrawn from the bottle to be refilled, the component surrounding the liquid conduit scrapes the outer surface of the liquid conduit up to its opening end. A relative movement is thus produced between, on the one hand, the component surrounding the liquid conduit,in particular, an open end of this part and, on the other hand, the outer surface of the liquid conduit. It should be noted that during this phase of removing the liquid conduit from the bottle to be refilled, the part may remain mounted on the bottle to be refilled. However, when the open end of the part surrounding the liquid conduit reaches the open end of the liquid conduit, either the liquid conduit continues its extraction, on its own, from the bottle and the open end of the part surrounding the liquid conduit slides over the open end of the liquid conduit, or the liquid conduit is shaped, in particular at its free open end, to pull the part with it during its removal, for example by hooking its open end as it passes. Brief description of the drawings

[0011] 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 axial cross-sectional view of part of a liquid refilling system comprising a refillable bottle according to an embodiment of the invention; [ Fig. 2 ] There figure 2 is a schematic axial cross-sectional view of part of a liquid refilling system comprising a source bottle equipped with a liquid transfer device according to an embodiment of the invention; [ Fig. 3 ] There figure 3 is a schematic axial cross-sectional view of a complete liquid refilling system including the bottle to be refilled from the figure 1 and the source bottle of the figure 2 in the inverted position, being mounted on the bottle to be refilled; Fig. 4 ] There figure 4 is a schematic axial cross-sectional view of the complete system of the figure 3 mounted on the refillable bottle; Fig. 5 ] There figure 5 is a schematic axial cross-sectional view of the system of the figure 4 after rotation of one of the rings of the liquid transfer device and start of filling the bottle to be refilled; [ Fig. 6 ] There figure 6 is a schematic view of the system of the figure 5 showing the stopping or slowing of the filling of the bottle to be refilled; [ Fig. 7 ] There figure 7 is a schematic axial cross-sectional view of the system of the figure 6 during the removal of the ring from the liquid transfer device that was engaged inside the bottle to be refilled; [ Fig. 8A ] There figure 8A is a schematic cross-sectional view of one possible embodiment of a device for restricting an air passage section; [ Fig. 8B ] There figure 8B is a schematic cross-sectional view of another possible embodiment of a device restricting an air passage section; [ Fig. 8C ] There figure 8C is a schematic cross-sectional view of another possible embodiment of a device for restricting an air passage section; [ Fig. 8D ] There figure 8D is a schematic cross-sectional view of another possible embodiment of a device for restricting an air passage section; [ Fig. 9 ] There figure 9 is a schematic axial cross-sectional view of a liquid refilling system according to a first embodiment; [ Fig. 10 ] There figure 10 is a schematic axial cross-sectional view of a liquid refilling system according to a second embodiment; [ Fig. 11A ] There figure 11A is a schematic axial cross-sectional view of a liquid refilling system according to a third embodiment during placement on a bottle to be refilled; [ Fig. 11B ] There figure 11B is a schematic axial cross-sectional view of the system of the figure 10 after refilling the refillable bottle; [ Fig. 12A ] There figure 12A is a schematic axial cross-sectional view of a liquid refilling system according to a fourth embodiment during a first phase of the withdrawal of the liquid conduit from the liquid transfer device that was engaged inside the bottle to be refilled; Fig. 12B ] There figure 12B is a schematic axial cross-sectional view of the system of the figure 12A during a second phase of the removal of the liquid conduit. Description of the implementation methods

[0012] The invention described below with reference to the accompanying drawings relates in particular to a system for refilling a bottle or container with liquid from a source bottle or container, and an associated method. Generally, the bottle to be refilled has already been used to dispense a liquid, such as a fragrance or other liquid, which has been consumed, and the bottle must therefore be refilled if it is empty or nearly empty. The liquid to be transferred from the source bottle to the bottle to be refilled is viscous, i.e., it is, for example, an oil, a gel, a serum, etc. However, water and alcohol, in particular, are not among the liquids that can be transferred under the present invention. The viscous liquids that the system according to the invention intends to transfer from a source bottle to a bottle to be refilled typically have a minimum viscosity of approximately 20 to 25 centipoise.

[0013] There figure 1 represents a bottle or container to be refilled 10 which has, at its lower end, a base 12 and, at its opposite upper end, an opening 14.

[0014] Typically, such a bottle is equipped, in a known manner, with a pump 16 connected at its upper end to a liquid dispensing device or diffuser 18 and, at its opposite lower end, to a dip tube 20 intended to be immersed in the liquid contained in the bottle. A ring 22 with an internal thread is mounted on a shoulder of the pump body 16 and is intended to be screwed onto a complementary external thread of the bottle neck 24.

[0015] In the example shown on the figure 1 The assembly consisting of the pump 16, the diffuser 18, and the dip tube 20 is removed from the bottle 10, leaving a hollow piece 26 installed in the opening 14. This hollow piece 26 is axially centered (along the vertical axis Z) within the opening. The piece 26 is removably fixed by an end 26a mounted on the inner rim 24a of the neck 24, which defines the opening 14. This is achieved, in particular, by forcing the end 26a onto the annular rim 24a. The piece 26 extends to an opposite end 26b, called the terminal end, following a generally convergent shape. The piece has at its first end 26a a first diameter defining a first opening (this first diameter cooperates with the peripheral rim 24a) and extends continuously to its terminal end 26b, where it has a second diameter reduced in relation to the first diameter and which defines a second opening smaller than the first opening.Part 26, for example, has a general shape of revolution around the Z-axis and takes, for example, the general shape of a skirt. Part 26 is thus constricted around the Z-axis at its end end 26b and exhibits a certain radial elasticity (part 26 is made of a flexible plastic material) allowing this end end to be moved radially when it encounters another part and, in particular, as will be seen later, when a liquid conduit is introduced into the refillable bottle 10 and into part 26. According to an alternative (not shown), part 26 can be mounted in the opening 14 of the refillable bottle 10 after removal of the assembly including the pump 16.

[0016] Alternatively, the refillable bottle 10 may not include the assembly consisting in particular of the pump 16 and, thus, may only be fitted with a cap 28 screwed onto the neck 24 of the bottle. As shown on the right-hand side of the figure 1 The cap 28 has, in its radially internal portion relative to the external skirt 28a, which has an internal thread 28b, a cylindrical wall or collar 28c. This wall 28c forms an annular space with the skirt 28a in which the threaded neck 24 of the bottle and the skirt 26 of the refillable bottle 10 are housed when the cap 28 is screwed onto the latter, thus closing the opening 14. It should be noted that the refillable bottle can be made of various rigid (e.g., glass) or flexible materials. It should also be noted that the part 26 can have different shapes from those described above.

[0017] There figure 2 represents a rigid or flexible source bottle or container 30, which contains a viscous liquid as defined above and of which at least a part will be transferred to the bottle to be refilled 10 of the figure 1 .

[0018] The source bottle 30 comprises a base 32 and an opening 34 opposite the base which is arranged, on the figure 2 , above the bottom but which will be positioned underneath when bottle 30 is turned upside down as shown in the figure 3 The bottle 30 is here equipped with a liquid transfer device 40 which is fixed to the bottle, for example by screwing (although other methods of fixing can be envisaged) onto the threaded neck 36 of the bottle, and which comprises two parts mounted rotating relative to each other and each forming a ring.

[0019] The liquid transfer device 40 thus comprises a first ring 42 which is directly fixed, for example by screwing onto the neck 36. The first ring 42 comprises a double concentric ring structure having a first internal structure which includes a central body 44 disposed perpendicular to the opening 34. The central body 44 comprises, on the one hand, a first portion 46 which extends substantially transversely relative to the vertical axis Z passing through the axial opening 34 of the bottle and over the entire width or diameter of this opening and, on the other hand, a second portion 48 which extends substantially axially from the outer periphery of the first portion 46, downwards on the figure 2 and rests by means of an internal rim located at its distal end 48a on a peripheral sealing gasket J1 disposed between the internal rim and the upper edge 36a of the threaded neck 36. The central body 44 is located outside the bottle 30 and hermetically seals the opening 34 of the latter. A skirt 50, offset radially externally relative to the distal end 48a of the second portion 48, extends axially downward opposite the threaded neck 36. The skirt 50 is provided, on its internal surface opposite the threaded neck 36, with an internal thread 50a allowing it to be screwed onto the neck.

[0020] The double concentric ring structure of the first ring 42 also includes a second external structure that forms an outer ring 52 concentrically surrounding the first internal structure (44, 46, 48) described above. During user manipulation of the system, this second external ring structure 52 can be used as a finger rest to indirectly grasp the bottle 30.

[0021] It should be noted that the first portion 46 of the transverse extension of the central body 44, for example, has the shape of a plate or a disc pierced through its thickness by two through orifices O1 and O2 arranged diametrically opposite each other with respect to the central axis of the opening 34. The first opening O1 opens, on the inner side of the first ring 42, into a space communicating directly with the interior of the source bottle (arranged below the opening O1 on the figure 2 ). Regarding the second opening O2, the central body 44 has, in its internal part oriented towards the interior of the bottle 30 and radially offset with respect to the central axis of the opening 34, a portion thickened compared to the thickness of the first portion 46 in which the first opening O1 is made. This thickened portion is pierced along its entire thickness so as to define an axial chimney 44a opening at one end (upper on the figure 2 ) on the second opening O2. A conduit C1 is forced into this chimney 44a, from the opposite end (lower on the figure 2 ) of the latter, and extends axially downwards towards the bottom 32 of the bottle. Conduit C1 thus opens, at its lower end ( fig 2 ) which is opposite the upper end opening onto the second opening O2, near the bottom 32.

[0022] The liquid transfer device 40 also includes a second ring 60 which is mounted axially on the first ring 42, that is, in the axial extension thereof, and is fixed to this first ring by fitting an axial engagement portion 62 inside the first ring 42. More particularly, on the figure 2 , the axial engagement part 62 takes the form of a substantially cylindrical wall provided on its external surface with ratcheting member(s) (e.g. radial fingers) which cooperate with one or more complementary retaining members (e.g. radial peripheral collar) arranged on the internal face of the external structure forming external ring 52, when the second ring 60 is axially engaged inside the first ring 42.

[0023] The second ring 60 also includes, on the side opposite to the side where the axial engagement portion 62 is located, a body 64 which extends axially in a direction opposite to the direction of extension of the axial engagement portion 62. This body 64 has a radial extension (or overall size) less than that of the axial engagement portion 62 insofar as the body 64 is intended to cooperate with the neck 24 of the bottle to be refilled 10 (the neck 24 generally has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the neck 36 of the source bottle which has a larger capacity), in particular by a portion which is fixed, for example by screwing onto the neck 24, and by a radially internal portion which is engaged inside the neck 24. The body 64 thus includes a central portion 66, located substantially vertically above the first ring 42 and which extends along an axial height away from the first ring 42.The central part 66 comprises, in a manner centered axially around the Z axis, a central liquid conduit C2 which extends away from the body 64 (here towards the top of the . figure 2 ) up to an open end C2.1. The conduit C2 also includes a locally hollowed annular portion C2.2 on its outer surface (reduced outer surface area or reduced outer diameter). This hollowed portion is positioned at a distance from the open end C2.1 and its opposite end. The central portion 66 may also include, in a position radially external to the conduit C2, a cylindrical wall or collar 66a and, in a position radially external to the collar 66a, an axial skirt 66b having an internal thread 66b1. The assembly formed by the conduit C2 and the collar 66a is intended to engage inside the opening 14 of the refill bottle 10, while the axial skirt 66b is intended to cooperate externally with the threaded neck 24 and to surround the neck.The second ring 60 here has a shoulder 68 which extends substantially transversely from the outer periphery of the body 64 and the axial engagement part 62 integral with this shoulder extends axially perpendicularly to the latter. An annular rim or collar 70, also integral with the shoulder 68, extends axially perpendicularly to the latter, in a radially internal position relative to the axial engagement part 62 and has an internal diameter adapted to engage around the first portion 46 of transverse extension of the central body 44. More particularly, a fixed sealing gasket J2 is positioned between the first portion 46 of the first ring 42 (in particular the face of the first portion 46 from which the chimney 44a extends) and the body 64 of the second ring 60 (in particular the face of the body 64 which is opposite to the face from which the skirt 66b and the collar 66a extend).This seal J2 has two openings, O1' and O2', drilled through its thickness, which correspond geometrically to the openings O1 and O2. This seal J2 thus forms a fluid communication interface between the two rings assembled together. The flange 70, arranged around the internal structure 44 of the first ring, ensures radial positioning and alignment of the seal J2.

[0024] Furthermore, body 64 is not solid, as the axial section of the might suggest. figure 2 Indeed, this body 64 is structured internally in such a way as to provide, on the one hand, a portion for the passage of liquid and, on the other hand, a portion for the passage of air, as will be seen later in the context of the operation of the liquid recharging system.

[0025] There figure 2 This also illustrates the fact that the visible part of the second ring 60, which here is an upper part, can be protected by a cap or cover 72 (optional) that covers it until it is used to transfer liquid from this source bottle. As shown on the figure 2 , this hood 72 can for example have internal conformations allowing, on the one hand, the hood to be wedged in position by its bottom on the conduit C2 and, on the other hand, to be attached radially on the external skirt 66b of the second ring.

[0026] There figure 3 illustrates a subsequent step in installing the system on the bottle to be refilled 10 of the figure 1 and the source bottle 30 (including the possible cap 72 of the figure 2 (has been removed) is turned over so that its base 32 is positioned above its opening 34. The source bottle 30 is positioned so that the opening 34 is positioned above the bottle to be refilled 10. In the position of the figure 3 The upper end of the conduit C1, located near the bottom 32, is positioned in an area of ​​the bottle containing air, not liquid. The liquid initially present in this area flows down towards the liquid transfer device 40 when the bottle is inverted. It should be noted that during this operation, the user can grasp the source bottle 30, particularly via the outer ring structure 52 of the first ring 42.

[0027] More specifically, the liquid transfer device 40, which is mounted on the source bottle 30, is positioned above the bottle to be refilled 10 (this device 40 is also inverted, and the top and bottom, upper and lower orientations... mentioned above in the description of the figure 2 are to be reversed on the figure 3 ). The second ring 60 is positioned above the opening 14 of the bottle to be refilled 10 and is lowered vertically so that the liquid conduit C2 enters axially (progressively) through the opening 14 of the bottle to be refilled and into the latter by passing through the hollow piece or skirt 26 (funnel-shaped piece).

[0028] Continuing the downward movement ( figure 4 Inside the hollow part 26, which is constricted at its end 26b, the central part 66 of the body 64 comes to an axial stop against the neck 24 of the refillable bottle 10. More specifically, this stop is the result of the outer skirt 66b being fully screwed onto the threaded neck 24. It should be noted that the insertion of the collar 66a into the opening 14 of the bottle and the part 26 thus allows this part to be pinched between the collar and the skirt in the position illustrated in the figure. figure 4 In this position, the terminal end 26b is located in an axial position corresponding to the axial position of the locally hollowed annular portion C2.2 of the duct C2. As shown on the figure 4 The terminal end 26b is offset from the reduced-diameter outer surface of the conduit C2 by a small radial distance extending around the entire conduit (similar to an annular space E1 arranged between the terminal end 26b of part 26 and the locally hollowed annular portion C2.2). In other words, the terminal end 26b is not in contact with the bottom of the locally hollowed annular portion C2.2, where the diameter of the outer surface of the conduit is radially opposite the terminal end 26b. This offset thus defines a reduced fluid passage cross-section whose dimensions are adjusted according to the viscosity of the liquid to be transferred into the refilling bottle. It should be noted that other embodiments are conceivable to provide one or more radial spaces, here referenced E1, with reduced passage cross-section(s) between the end 26b and the outer surface of the conduit C2. The two elements 26b and C2.2 together form, locally, a restriction device for a section of passage on the path of the air passage between the two bottles.

[0029] Thus, the more viscous the liquid, the greater the radial gap between the terminal end 26b and the restriction C2.2 can be. It should be noted that it is not the total cross-sectional area between the part 26 and the conduit C2 that matters (for example, the entire annular cross-sectional area), but rather the radial gap or distance between the end 26b and the opposing outer surface C2.2 (along a radial direction) of the conduit C2, which defines the radial flow restriction or reduced cross-sectional area. This gap or distance can be on the order of 1 / 10th or a few 1 / 10ths of a millimeter. Thus, for a cooking oil, the radial distance between the two elements is, for example, 0.1 mm, or even less than this value, and for a shampoo, the radial distance between the two elements is, for example, on the order of 0.5 to 0.8 mm. In general, the restriction of the air passage cross-section is adapted to the viscosity of the liquid.

[0030] Similarly, the internal cross-section of the C2 conduit is greater the more viscous the liquid. For example, for a cooking oil, the internal cross-section can be around 20 mm² (i.e., an internal flow diameter of 5 mm, for example), while for a shampoo, which is more viscous, the cross-section can be close to 150 mm² (i.e., an internal flow diameter of 14 / 15 mm, for example).

[0031] In the position of the figure 4 The liquid transfer device 40 is attached to the bottle to be refilled (by screwing it on) via its second ring 60. Alternative attachment methods, or no method at all, may be used, as will be seen later. In this position, no flow of liquid from the inverted bottle 30 can occur because the liquid transfer device 40 is in a closed or blocked position.

[0032] The user then rotates one of the two bottles 10 and 30 relative to the other in order to rotate the ring 42 and 60 that is attached to the bottle to be rotated relative to the other ring. In this example, it is the bottle to be refilled 10 that rotates around the vertical axis Z (under the action of the user's fingers), thus causing the second ring 60 to rotate relative to the first ring 42, which remains fixed, as well as to the seal J2, which also remains static. In particular, during this movement, the axial engagement portion 62, which is axially locked relative to the outer ring structure 52, rotates within it, as does the entire second ring 60, to which portion 62 is attached, and in particular the body 64.

[0033] Thus, after rotation, the liquid transfer device 40 is in the position of the figure 5 where it can be seen that the body 64 of the second ring 60 has a liquid passage portion 65 in the form of a bent channel. This channel is now positioned so as to establish fluid communication between the conduit C2, centered on the central axis of the opening 14 of the bottle 10, and an opening 65a offset laterally or radially with respect to the conduit C2, which is in fluid communication with the opening O1' of the seal J2 and the opening O1 corresponding to the first ring 42. The channel 65 and the conduit C2, together with the opening O1' of the seal J2 and the opening O1 defined in the first portion 46 of the first ring, form a liquid passage extending between the source bottle 30 and the bottle to be refilled 10.

[0034] Similarly, after rotation ( figure 5 ), we see that the body 64 of the second ring 60 has an air passage portion 67, for example in the form of a channel, which is positioned so as to put in fluidic communication the interior of the bottle to be recharged 10 (in its part or space E2 which is jointly delimited by the part 26 and the conduit C2) with an opening 67a offset laterally or radially and which is in fluidic communication with the opening O2' of the seal J2 and the opening O2 corresponding to the first ring 42, and therefore with the air conduit C1. The opening 67a is offset laterally with respect to the conduit C2 and the channel 67 is arranged laterally with respect to the channel 65. The annular space E2 between the part 26 and the conduit C2, the air passage portion 67, the opening O2' of the seal J2, the opening O2 of the first ring 42 and the conduit C1 together form an air passage, separate from the liquid passage, which extends from the refill bottle 10 to the source bottle 30.

[0035] In accordance with the foregoing, the first ring 42 thus comprises, on the one hand, a first portion of the liquid passage formed by the opening O1 defined in the first portion 46 of the first ring 42 and, on the other hand, a first portion of the air passage (conduit C1, opening O2' of the seal J2, and opening O2 of the first ring 42). The second ring 60 comprises, on the one hand, a second portion C2 of the liquid passage (channel 65 and conduit C2) and, on the other hand, a second portion 67 of the air passage. It should be noted that the annular space E2 delimited between the part 26 and the conduit C2, including the air passage cross-section restriction device described above (26b and C2.2), defines a portion of the air passage that is in permanent fluidic communication with the second portion 67 of the air passage.

[0036] It should be noted, however, that the two rings can have other configurations in which the liquid passage portion (respectively, the air passage portion) of each ring can take on a different shape. For example, the liquid passage portion of the first ring can be enlarged (instead of being reduced to the opening O1 in portion 46) and more closely resemble a channel.

[0037] In the locked or closed position of the figure 4 , the two portions of the liquid passage and the two portions of the air passage of the two respective rings 42, 60 are not in fluidic communication with each other.

[0038] In the transfer or opening position of the figure 5 , the two portions of the liquid passage and the two portions of the air passage of the two respective rings 42, 60 are in fluidic communication with each other so as to allow the transfer of liquid from the source bottle 30 to the bottle to be recharged 10 through the two portions of the liquid passage (O1, O1', 65 and C2) which are in fluidic communication with each other, and to transfer or expel the air contained in the bottle to be recharged 10 which rises in the source bottle 30 (in the area where the upper end of the conduit C1 opens, near the bottom 32) through the air passage section restriction device described above (26b and C2.2), the downstream annular space E2 between the part 26 and the conduit C2 and through the two portions of the air passage (67, O2', O2 and C1) in fluidic communication with each other.

[0039] More specifically, when the transfer device 40 of the liquid refill system is in the transfer position of the figure 5 , the liquid contained in the source bottle above flows, here for example by simple gravity, through the liquid passage defined above (O1, O1', 65 and C2) and exits through the opening end C2.1, notably in the form of drops or a stream (due to the viscosity of the product) to begin filling the bottle.

[0040] There figure 6 This illustrates the filling state of the bottle 10 when the transferred liquid L reaches the level (axial position along Z) where the end end 26b of the part 26 forms, with the radially reduced local section C2.2 (groove), a flow restriction device that defines a restricted passage zone (reduced passage area) for the rising airflow. Under these conditions, due to the small dimensions of this restricted passage zone (for example, on the order of 1 / 10 e < mm difference between the end end 26b and the opposite groove C2.2), the passage area available to the liquid is too small for the liquid to freely pass through this zone, given its viscosity, and continue rising in the bottle. Consequently, the air contained between the bottle 10 and the part 26 can no longer escape through this zone.Thus, the rise of the liquid in bottle 10 is automatically stopped (and therefore the flow of liquid from the source bottle), or at least slowed down at this point (filling control), without any user intervention (since the stopping or slowing mechanism is solely due to the compatibility between the liquid's viscosity and the reduced flow area). Generally, this position can be reached after several seconds or tens of seconds. Furthermore, at least one of the two bottles can be transparent, allowing the user to determine that refilling is complete, either when the liquid level no longer rises, or barely rises, in the transparent bottle being refilled, or when the liquid level no longer falls in the transparent source bottle.

[0041] After reaching the position of the figure 6 The user closes the liquid transfer device by reversing the steps described above, starting from the figure 4 and thus rotates the second ring 60 in the opposite direction in order to move from the position of the figure 6 to the position of the figure 4 When the liquid and air passage portions of the two respective rings are no longer in fluidic communication with each other, the user can then decide to remove the second ring 60 from the refillable bottle 10 of the liquid transfer device 40 by lifting it vertically as shown in the diagram. figure 7 .

[0042] During this step, the liquid conduit C2 slides axially against the end end 26b of the skirt 26, elastically deforming this end radially outwards. This deformation scrapes the outer surface of the conduit up to its opening end C2.1. This action cleans the outer surface of the conduit C2 by removing any liquid droplets that may have accumulated there, which then fall into the bottle. This action is made possible, firstly, by the fact that the part 26 is fixed to the bottle 10 and, secondly, by the fact that the diameter of the part 26 at its end end 26b is smaller (in its undeformed elastic state) than the outer diameter of the outer surface of the conduit C2, outside the passage reduction zone C2.2.

[0043] THE figures 8A-8D illustrate, following cross-sectional views relative to the Z axis passing through the opening of the bottle to be refilled, several possible embodiments of the air passage restriction zone (reduced air passage section) arranged between part 26 and liquid conduit C2 and therefore of a device restricting an air passage section which defines this zone.

[0044] There figure 8A represents the embodiment described above in relation to the previous figures and according to which an annular groove C2.2 is made in the outer surface of the duct C2 and thus forms, with the inner surface opposite the outlet end 26b, a peripheral radial space E1 (ring or crown) which defines the reduced passage section of the air passage.

[0045] There figure 8B illustrates another possible embodiment in which two recesses or hollows C2.21' and C2.22', here diametrically opposed, are made in the outer surface of the duct C2' and thus each form, with the inner surface opposite the outlet end 26b, a local radial space which locally defines a reduced passage section of the air passage.

[0046] There figure 8C illustrates another possible embodiment in which three recesses or hollows C2.21", C2.22" and C2.23", here distributed at an angular distance of 120° from each other, are made in the outer surface of the duct C2" and thus each form, with the inner surface opposite the outlet end 26b, a local radial space which locally defines a reduced passage section of the air passage.

[0047] It should be noted that a different number of radial spaces can thus be arranged on the outer surface of the liquid conduit, with a different arrangement and shape.

[0048] Alternatively, as illustrated on the figure 8D The outer surface of duct C2 is not locally modified, but part 26.1 can adopt a configuration, for example, locally thinned radially at its end end to define a reduced air passage cross-section. Here, three recesses or recesses 26.11, 26.12, and 26.13, for example, distributed at an angular distance of 120° from each other, are made in the inner surface of the end end 26.1b of part 26.1 and thus each form, together with the outer surface facing duct C2, a local radial space that locally defines a reduced air passage cross-section. A different number of recesses, with a different arrangement, can also be considered, or even one or more other local configurations of the part surrounding duct C2.

[0049] There figure 9 This illustrates an alternative embodiment in which part 26' (this part, for example skirt-shaped, coaxially surrounds the liquid conduit C2 and, together with the liquid conduit C2, creates one or more radial gaps defining the reduced cross-section of the air passage) is supported not by the refillable bottle 10', but by the source bottle 30. This alternative is used when it is not necessary to clean the external surface, and in particular the opening end C2.1 of the conduit, after transferring the liquid and filling the refillable bottle. This can be useful when the liquid does not adhere to surfaces. The refillable bottle thus has one less part and forms a conventional type of bottle.

[0050] In the example of the figure 9 the part is mounted around the collar 66a, between the latter and the axial skirt 66b. In this way, when mounting the liquid transfer device on the neck 24 of the bottle to be refilled 10', and in particular when screwing the second ring 60' onto this neck, the part 26' is always inserted between the inner surface of the neck 24 and the collar 66a;

[0051] However, when removing the liquid transfer device, as shown in the figure 9 Part 26' is also removed as it is linked to the second ring 60'. The other elements described with reference to the previous figures are also part of this variant and are not repeated.

[0052] There figure 10 illustrates another embodiment which differs from the previous embodiments and variants in that the second ring 60" of the liquid transfer device is no longer mounted on the neck 24 of the bottle to be refilled but is simply inserted inside the neck by the collar 66a which still rests against the part 26. The skirt 66b of the previous figures is omitted and an external skirt 66b" extends coaxially to the collar and the neck 24, substantially in line with the external ring structure 52 of the first ring 42. To achieve this, the second ring 60" is slightly modified by radially widening its body 64" so that the skirt 66b" extends axially from its outer periphery.As shown in the figure, the user's fingers are placed on the outer skirt 66b" to rotate the second ring 60" relative to the first ring 42, thus opening or closing the liquid transfer device as required. The user's other hand can grasp the first ring screwed onto the bottle 30 during this rotation of the second ring to prevent the bottle from rotating. The other elements described with reference to the preceding figures are also part of this variant and are not repeated.

[0053] This variant is advantageous because it is not screwed onto the neck of the refillable bottle and therefore does not require a second ring with a thread adapted to that of the bottle neck. The transfer device in this variant is thus more universal, as it can interface with a wide variety of refillable bottles (with or without threads) without the need for a specific mounting system.

[0054] THE figures 11A-B illustrate another embodiment which differs from the previous embodiments and variants in that the refilling system includes a separate liquid passage and air passage which are both permanently in fluidic communication with the bottle to be refilled as soon as the liquid transfer device D is partially introduced into the neck opening of the bottle to be refilled ( fig. 11A ) and positions itself against the latter ( fig. 11B The liquid transfer device D always occupies a single position allowing the transfer of liquid from the source bottle 30 to the refill bottle and simultaneously a reverse flow of air from the refill bottle to the source bottle. The refill bottle 10 is identical to that of the figures 1 à 7 This variant is simpler to achieve and easier to implement than the previous mode and variants.

[0055] In this variant, the liquid transfer device D takes, for example, the form of a ring B1, a first part of which, forming a skirt B1.1, is screwed onto the neck 36 of the source bottle, as with the skirt 50 of the figure 2 and of which a second part B1.2 extends axially from the first part and extends transversely / radially to partially close the opening of the source bottle 30. The second part B1.2 incorporates, within its transverse extension, on one side oriented towards the interior of the source bottle 30, the air duct C1, for example fitted into a chimney B1.21, and on the opposite side oriented towards the exterior of the source bottle, a liquid duct C2' similar to duct C2. The second part B1.2 thus incorporates, within the thickness of its transverse extension, an air passage portion P1 communicating with duct C1 and opening into an annular space delimited by an external collar that extends axially away from the second part B1.2 and coaxially surrounds duct C2'. The same arrangement was provided in the mode of the figure 5 with the collar 66a at the outlet of the air passage portion 67. The duct C2' has the same characteristics as the duct C2 with its localized external section reduction C2.2' and its open end C2.1'.

[0056] As depicted on the figure 11B The duct C2' is inserted into the opening 14 of the neck 24 so as to bear against the upper edge of the latter, with the flange B1.22 bearing radially against the part 26 and the reduced air passage thus formed between the end 26b of the part 26 and the external cross-sectional restriction C2.2' of the duct. Thus, the same arrangement as that described above is achieved in this variant with the same advantages.

[0057] As in the embodiment and variants described above, stopping or braking the rise of the liquid in the bottle to be recharged (and therefore stopping or braking the transfer of liquid) is achieved in the same way with the same advantages.

[0058] THE figures 12A-B illustrate another variant of the implementation which adopts the mode of figures 1 à 7 but which differs from it in two aspects: on the one hand, the liquid conduit C2" has a free opening end C2.1" which is shaped as an external rim or shoulder, and, on the other hand, the part 26 mounted on the inner rim 24a of the neck 24 of the refillable bottle 10 can be axially disassembled / removed from the latter when removing the second ring 60" of the liquid transfer device 40" ( figs. 12A And 12B) as a result of the engagement of the free end of the shaped C2.1" against the open end 26b of the part 26, which has the effect of pulling the part 26 upwards by disengaging it from the inner rim 24a of the neck 24.

[0059] As depicted on the figure 12B The part 26 is thus carried by the second ring 60", and therefore removed from the refilling bottle, while being held against the end of the C2" conduit of the latter. Thus, the refilling bottle, which has just been refilled, can be quickly reused by replacing either the assembly fitted with the pump 16 of the figure 1 that is, the cap 28 in this figure. Part 26 can, for example, be manually removed from the second ring 60".

[0060] When removing the C2" conduit from the bottle to be refilled ( fig. 12A ), it should be noted that the open end 26b always performs a cleaning function by scraping the drops of liquid remaining on the outer surface of the conduit, all the way to end C2.1".

[0061] Other means of mechanical cooperation between the second ring 60 and the part 26 can alternatively be considered to allow the part 26 to be removed with the second ring 60.

[0062] Everything that has been described previously in the context of the description of the implementation method of figures 1 à 7 applies to the different variants described after this method, except in the case of technical incompatibility between the forms of embodiment.

Claims

1. A system for recharging with liquid a vial to be recharged (10) from a source vial (30) containing a viscous liquid, the vial to be recharged having an aperture (14) disposed above the bottom (12) and the source vial (30) having an aperture and a bottom (32) opposite to the aperture, the source vial (30) containing viscous liquid being inverted such that its aperture is disposed above the aperture (14) of the vial to be recharged (10), the system comprising: - a liquid passage (O1, 01', 65, C2) which extends between the source vial (30) and the vial to be recharged (10) by opening out through an opening end (C2.1) inside the vial to be recharged (10) and which is able to put into communication the source vial and the interior of the vial to be recharged so as to allow the transfer of liquid from the source vial to the vial to be recharged through the liquid passage, the liquid passage comprising a liquid conduit (C2) provided with the opening end (C2.1) of the liquid passage and which extends axially at least partly inside the vial to be recharged (10), - an air passage (14, 67, O2', 02, C1) distinct from the liquid passage and which extends from the interior to the exterior of the vial to be recharged through the aperture (14) of the vial to be recharged so as to allow the discharge of air from the vial to be recharged while liquid is transferred from the source vial to the vial to be recharged, - a part (26) surrounding the liquid conduit (C2) coaxially and providing with the liquid conduit one or several radial spaces (E1; C2.21', C2.22'; C2.21", C2.22", C2.23") defining a reduced passage section (26b, C2.2) of the air passage which is adapted to the viscosity of the liquid, the reduced passage section of the air passage being disposed inside the vial to be recharged (10) above the opening end (C2.1) of the liquid conduit so as to stop, or at least slow down, the rise of liquid in the vial to be recharged (10), and therefore the flow of liquid in said vial to be recharged, when the liquid level in the vial to be recharged reaches the reduced passage section (26b, C2.2) of the air passage.

2. The system for recharging with liquid a vial to be recharged according to claim 1, characterized in that the part (26) surrounding an external surface of the liquid conduit includes a terminal end (26b) which is configured to engage radially in a radially recessed annular portion (C2.2) of the external surface of the liquid conduit. (C2)3. The system for recharging with liquid a vial to be recharged according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the part (26) surrounding the liquid conduit is mounted on the vial to be recharged (10).

4. The system for recharging with liquid a vial to be recharged according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the air passage (14, 67, 02', 02, C1) extends from the vial to be recharged to the source vial and is able to put into communication the interior of the vial to be recharged and the bottom (32) of the source vial so as to allow the rise of air from the vial to be recharged towards the bottom of the source vial, while liquid is transferred from the source vial to the vial to be recharged.

5. The system for recharging with liquid a vial to be recharged according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it includes a liquid transfer device (40) mounted on the source vial (30) and which comprises the liquid conduit (C2).

6. The system for recharging with liquid a vial to be recharged according to claim 5, characterized in that the part (26') surrounding the liquid conduit (C2) is mounted on the liquid transfer device (40).

7. A system for recharging with liquid a vial to be recharged according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the liquid transfer device (40) also comprises an air conduit (C1) which forms part of the air passage and which extends inside the source vial (30) toward the bottom (32) of the latter.

8. A system for recharging with liquid a vial to be recharged according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the liquid transfer device (40) comprises two rings (42, 60) rotatably mounted relative to each other, namely a ring (60) comprising, on the other hand, the liquid conduit (C2) which forms a first portion of the liquid passage and, on the other hand, a first portion of the air passage and a ring (42) comprising, on the one hand, a second portion of the liquid passage and, on the other hand, a second portion of the air passage.

9. The system for recharging with liquid a vial to be recharged according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the two rings (42, 60) are able to occupy, on the one hand, a blocking position in which the two portions of the liquid passage and the two portions of the air passage of the two respective rings are not in fluid communication with each other and, on the other hand, a transfer position in which the two portions of the liquid passage and the two portions of the air passage of the two respective rings are in fluid communication with each other so as to allow the transfer of liquid from the source vial (30) to the vial to be recharged (10) through the two portions of the liquid passage which are in fluid communication with each other, and to transfer the air contained in the vial to be recharged (10) to the source vial (30) through the reduced passage section (26b, C2.2) of the air passage and the two portions of the air passage in fluid communication with each other.

10. A method for recharging with liquid a vial to be recharged from a source vial containing a viscous liquid in a system comprising, on the one hand, a vial to be recharged (10) having an aperture (14) disposed above the bottom (12) and, on the other hand, a source vial (30) containing viscous liquid and having an aperture and a bottom (32) opposite to the aperture, the source vial (30) being inverted such that its aperture is disposed above the aperture (14) of the vial to be recharged (10), the method comprising the following steps: - flowing of liquid from the source vial (30) to the vial to be recharged (10) via a liquid passage (01, O1', 65, C2) which opens out through an opening end (C2.1) inside the vial to be recharged (10) in which the liquid rises, - discharge of the air contained in the vial to be recharged (10) through an air passage (14, 67, O2', 02, C1) distinct from the liquid passage and which extends from the interior to the exterior of the vial to be recharged through the aperture (14) of the vial to be recharged, while the liquid level rises in the vial to be recharged, - stopping or slowdown of the rise of liquid in the vial to be recharged (10), and therefore of the flowing of liquid in the vial to be recharged via the liquid passage (O1, O1', 65, C2) , when the liquid level in the vial to be recharged reaches a reduced passage section (C2.2, 26b) of the air passage which is disposed inside the vial to be recharged above the opening end (C2.1) of the liquid passage, the stopping or slowdown of the rise of liquid in the vial to be recharged (10) being due to the adaptation between the reduced passage section of the air passage and the viscosity of the liquid.

11. The method for recharging with liquid a vial to be recharged according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the liquid passage comprises a liquid conduit (C2) which is provided with the opening end (C2.1) of the liquid passage and which extends axially at least partly inside the vial to be recharged (10).

12. The method for recharging with liquid a vial to be recharged according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, prior to the steps of flowing of liquid, discharge of air and stopping or slowdown of the rise of liquid, the method comprises a prior step during which the opening end (C2.1) of the liquid conduit (C2) which is fixed to the source vial (30) is introduced inside the vial to be recharged (10).

13. The method for recharging with liquid a vial to be recharged according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the air contained in the vial to be recharged (10) is transferred from the vial to be recharged (10) to the source vial (30) via the air passage (14, 67, O2', 02, C1).

14. The method for recharging with liquid a vial to be recharged according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that the system includes a part (26) surrounding the liquid conduit (C2) coaxially and providing with the liquid conduit one or several radial spaces (E1; C2.21', C2.22'; C2.21", C2.22", C2.23") defining the reduced passage section (C2.2, 26b) of the air passage.

15. The method for recharging with liquid a vial to be recharged according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, during the removal of the liquid conduit (C2; C2'; C2") from the vial to be recharged (10), the part (26) surrounding the liquid conduit scrapes the external surface of the liquid conduit to its opening end (C2.1; C2.1'; C2.1").