SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REFILLING A BOTTLE WITH LIQUID

Abstract

Liquid refilling system of a bottle to be refilled (R) from a source bottle (S) containing liquid, comprising a pump (Ps) and a pump actuation rod (t) which has an opening end (t1), the bottle (R) comprising an opening (O) and being equipped, at the opening, with a liquid transfer device (12) and an air evacuation device (14), the bottle (R) being inverted above the source bottle such that: -the liquid transfer device (12) is in contact with the opening end (t1) and is configured to allow the passage of liquid from the source bottle (S) to the bottle (R) under the successive actions of downward vertical pressure on the bottle (R) and release of the pressure, -and the air evacuation device (14) is configured to allow air to be evacuated from the inside of the bottle to be refilled to the outside thereof. Contents of the summary. Figure for the summary: Fig. 10.

Description

Title of the invention: SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REFILLING A BOTTLE WITH LIQUID Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of liquid refilling, or refilling, a bottle to be refilled from a source bottle called a refill. The present invention relates more particularly to a system for refilling a bottle to be refilled from a refill with liquid and also to a method for refilling a bottle to be refilled from a refill with liquid. Prior art

[0002] Various systems are known for refilling a bottle with liquid to be refilled from a source bottle.

[0003] There is, however, a need to design a new liquid refill system that is simple to use from the user's point of view in order to simply and efficiently refill a bottle to be refilled with a liquid from a liquid refill, when the bottle to be refilled is equipped with either a removable pump or a cap closing the latter, without introducing a filling interface between the bottle to be refilled and the refill. Statement of the invention

[0004] The invention thus relates to a system for transferring liquid from a bottle to be refilled from a source bottle containing liquid, the source bottle comprising a pump and a rod for actuating the pump which has an open end, the bottle to be refilled comprising a bottom and an opening opposite the bottom and being equipped, at the level of the opening, with a liquid transfer device and an air evacuation device, the bottle to be refilled being in an inverted position above the source bottle in such a way that: -on the one hand, the liquid transfer device is in contact with the opening end of the pump actuating rod and is configured to allow the passage of liquid from the source bottle to the bottle to be refilled under the successive actions of downward vertical support on the bottle to be refilled and release of the support, -and, on the other hand, the air evacuation device is configured to allow air to be evacuated from the inside of the bottle to be refilled to the outside thereof.

[0005] The aforementioned system makes it possible to simply and efficiently transfer liquid contained in the source bottle to the inverted bottle which is to be refilled. The gestures for implementing such a system are particularly simple for the user since he simply has to press on the inverted bottle which is to be refilled to convey liquid inside the latter via the pump of the source bottle. Prior to this operation, the user simply has to install on the bottle to be refilled the liquid transfer device and the air evacuation device, after removing either the removable pump fitted to this bottle or a cap closing the latter. The liquid transfer device and the air evacuation device are generally mounted / fixed in a removable manner on the bottle to be refilled. In the aforementioned system, a filling interface is not introduced as an intermediate part between the bottle to be refilled and the refill. This system makes it possible to refill a smaller bottle (for example 20 ml) which can be used during transport, with a source bottle of larger capacity (e.g. 100 ml) which is not transported.

[0006] According to other possible characteristics: -the liquid transfer device is a valve device which is capable of occupying, on the one hand, an open position in which liquid can be transferred through said device to refill the bottle to be refilled and, on the other hand, a closed position preventing any passage of liquid; -the air evacuation device comprises a conduit open at its two opposite ends, which has a first end arranged next to the liquid transfer device and communicating with the air external to the bottle to be refilled, the conduit extending inside the bottle to be refilled to a second opposite end communicating with the interior of the bottle to be refilled;

[0007] -the liquid transfer device and the air evacuation device are part of at least one part which is removably attached to the bottle to be refilled; said at least one part therefore integrates the two devices and is mounted on the bottle, which makes it possible to simply put the two devices in place on the bottle;

[0008] - said at least one part is fixed to the bottle to be refilled by screwing or by rattling;

[0009] - said at least one part fixed to the bottle to be refilled comprises a wall arranged opposite the opening of the bottle to be refilled and which carries the liquid transfer device and the air evacuation device;

[0010] - the wall is pierced in its thickness at the right of the first end of the conduit air exhaust; -the liquid transfer device comprises a contact zone oriented opposite the opening end of the pump actuating rod and which is configured to come into sealing contact with said opening end; the contact zone generally takes the form of a cavity or a receptacle used to receive in a sealing manner the opening end of the pump actuating rod of the source bottle; -the contact area takes the form of a cavity configured to come into contact with sealed manner with the emerging end of the pump actuating rod which has an external diameter within a predetermined range of external diameters. The cavity may be delimited by a generally frustoconical wall which flares towards the emerging end of the rod and whose opening / inclination angle relative to the vertical may be between 5 and 40°.

[0011] The invention also relates to a method for refilling with liquid a bottle to be refilled comprising a bottom and an opening opposite the bottom, from a source bottle containing liquid and equipped with a pump provided with an actuating rod, the method comprising the following steps: - fixing a liquid transfer device and an air evacuation device to the opening of the bottle to be refilled, - turning over the bottle to be refilled thus equipped and positioning the liquid transfer device against an open end of the actuating rod of the pump of the source bottle, - downward vertical support on the bottle to be refilled so as to push the pump actuating rod inside the source bottle and release of the support in order to transfer a quantity of liquid from the source bottle to the bottle to be refilled through the liquid transfer device, while air present in the bottle to be refilled is evacuated outside the latter via the air evacuation device.

[0012] The method has the same advantages as those mentioned above in relation to the system and they will therefore not be repeated.

[0013] According to other possible characteristics: - the bottle to be refilled being equipped with a removable stopper or a removable pump, the method comprises a step of removing the removable stopper or the removable pump before fixing the liquid transfer device and the air evacuation device to the opening of the bottle to be refilled; -the source bottle is previously equipped with a diffusion device which surmounts the pump and the method includes a preliminary step of removing the diffusion device in order to leave free access to the opening end of the pump actuating rod. Brief description of the drawings

[0014] Other characteristics and advantages will appear during the description which follows, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0015] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] is a schematic view in longitudinal section of a bottle with recharge R equipped with a pump according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0016] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a schematic view in longitudinal section showing a first step of unscrewing the pump from the refill bottle R of [Fig. 1];

[0017] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a second step of removing the pump from the refillable bottle R of [Fig.2];

[0018] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a third step of installing a transfer part on the refillable bottle R of [Fig.3];

[0019] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a schematic view in longitudinal section showing a fourth step of screwing the transfer part onto the refillable bottle R of [Fig.4];

[0020] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a schematic view similar to [Fig.5] and showing an alternative embodiment of the part screwed onto the refillable bottle R of [Fig.4];

[0021] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is a partial schematic view of the upper part of the source bottle S equipped with a diffuser;

[0022] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] is a schematic view similar to [Fig.7] and showing a step of removing the diffuser;

[0023] [Fig.9] [Fig.9] is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a complete refilling system according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0024] [Fig. 10] [Fig. 10] is an enlarged partial schematic view of the system of [Fig.9];

[0025] [Fig. 11] [Fig. 11] is an enlarged schematic view of part of the system of [Fig. 10];

[0026] [Fig.l2A] [Fig.l2A] is a partial schematic view similar to [Fig. 11] and showing a cavity for receiving a first emerging end of the rod according to an alternative embodiment;

[0027] [Fig. 12B] [Fig. 12B] is a partial schematic view similar to [Fig. 11] and showing the receiving cavity of [Fig.12A] for receiving a second emerging end of the rod according to an alternative embodiment;

[0028] [Fig.l3A] [Fig.l3A] is a partial schematic view similar to [Fig. 11] and showing an alternative embodiment of a liquid transfer device in the closed position;

[0029] [Fig. 13B] [Fig. 13B] is a partial schematic view of the alternative embodiment of the liquid transfer device of [Fig. 13A] in the open position;

[0030] [Fig. 14] [Fig. 14] is a schematic view in longitudinal section of a refillable bottle R provided with a stopper according to another embodiment of the invention. Description of the embodiments

[0031] The invention which is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings relates to including a system for refilling a bottle or container with liquid and an associated method. Generally, the bottle to be refilled or refilled has already been used to dispense 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 almost empty.

[0032] [Fig. 1] represents a bottle R to be refilled with liquid which, here, is provided with a removable pump P mounted on the bottle by means of a ring B which is removably fixed to the bottle R. In this example the ring B is provided with an internal thread Fi which is screwed onto an external thread provided on the external surface of the neck C of the bottle. The part B1 of the ring B surrounding the neck C is surmounted by a part B2 which is configured to enclose a part PI of enlarged diameter of the pump P, thus making it possible to maintain the pump in a fixed axial position relative to the bottle R. The pump P is conventionally equipped with a dip tube T which extends inside the bottle R to the bottom F of the latter.

[0033] The user wishing to refill the bottle R with liquid must first remove the pump P. To do this, he unscrews the ring B using one hand ([Fig.2]) and removes the assembly formed by the pump and the ring secured to the latter ([Fig.3]), thus releasing the upper opening O of the bottle which is delimited externally by the neck C of the bottle and which is arranged opposite the lower base F.

[0034] As shown in [Fig. 4], the user then manually grasps between his fingers (two fingers are sufficient) a part 10 which integrates, on the one hand, a liquid transfer device 12 and, on the other hand, an air evacuation device 14. In this example, for the sake of simplicity, the part 10 and the two devices are in one piece and for example manufactured by injection molding.

[0035] The part 10 which can be considered as a transfer ring comprises a body which has a generally cylindrical shape of capsule or stopper comprising a first substantially flat wall 16, for example in the form of a disc and a second substantially cylindrical wall 18 which extends perpendicular to the first wall 16, from the external periphery of the latter, in the form of a skirt. The second wall 18 carries an internal thread 18a on its internal surface to cooperate with the external thread Fe of the neck C of the bottle to be refilled R. The first wall 16 carries the two devices 12 and 14 which are arranged one next to the other. These devices will be described later.

[0036] As shown in [Fig. 5], the user inserts the two devices carried by the central part of the part 10 into the opening O of the bottle to be refilled R and screws the part onto the neck C of the bottle by means of the respective threads 18. At the end of screwing, the first wall 16 is held firmly in abutment against the upper edge b of the neck C of the bottle by means of a peripheral part of this wall 16, while the central part of this wall is arranged opposite the opening O of the bottle. Alternatively, the part 10 may be provided with snap-on members intended to snap onto the neck of the bottle to be refilled, for example onto a lower edge of the neck.

[0037] Generally, the liquid transfer device 12 may be a valve device which is capable of occupying, on the one hand, an open position in which liquid can be transferred through said device to refill the bottle to be refilled R and, on the other hand, a closed position preventing any passage of liquid.

[0038] In [Fig.5], the device 12 is of the ball valve type. A ball 12a is trapped in a cage 12b which extends axially from a through orifice 12c arranged in the first wall 16 away from the latter (on the internal face 16a of the first wall 16 facing the opening O), in the same direction as the skirt 18. The cage 12b is shaped so as to allow axial movement of the ball 12a between, on the one hand, a low position, shown in [Fig. 5], where the ball is retained axially under the effect of gravity by a reduced passage section 12d of the cage arranged opposite the orifice 12c but which is axially perforated so as to allow liquid to pass (in this position the ball is spaced from the orifice 12d passing through the wall 16) and, on the other hand, a high position in which the ball 12a is pressed against the orifice 12c and closes the latter.

[0039] As shown in [Fig. 5], the wall 16 also comprises on its external face 16b an arrangement forming a receptacle for receiving one end of an actuating rod of a pump of a source bottle as will be seen later. This arrangement comprises a substantially cylindrical peripheral edge 20 which extends axially away from the external face 16b and which externally delimits a central zone 22 (contact zone) forming a cavity or receptacle for receiving a pump rod. In this example, the cavity 22 is cylindrical in shape and the edge 20 has on the inner edge a flared shape (e.g.: frustoconical) in order to facilitate the movement of approach and engagement of the pump rod in the cavity. The cavity 22 can encroach on a fraction of the thickness of the wall 16 and communicates via the bottom of the cavity with the through-orifice 12c.

[0040] The air evacuation device 14 comprises, for its part, a hollow conduit 14a open at its two opposite ends, which comprises a first end 14al arranged next to the liquid transfer device 12 and communicating with a hole 24 passing through the first wall 16 and opening onto the outside of the bottle. The conduit 14a extends inside the bottle to be refilled R to a second opposite end 14a2 communicating with the inside of the bottle to be refilled. Here the second opposite end 14a2 is positioned close to the bottom F. In an alternative embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 6], the internal face 16a of the first wall is shaped so as to comprise a hollow chimney 26 which extends axially parallel to the skirt 18 away from the internal face 16a, around the hole 24 and which is sized to receive a terminal portion of the conduit 14a including the end 14al. The conduit 14a thus fitted into the chimney is held firmly in position. In this variant, the air exhaust conduit is attached to the transfer part 10.

[0041] Figures 7 and 8 illustrate two successive steps carried out on a conventional type source bottle S (refill) filled with liquid (for example with a capacity of 80 or 100 ml) which comprises a pump Ps mounted on the bottle and a diffuser D surmounting the pump. Liquid is conventionally dispensed by pressing on the diffuser D, which has the effect of pushing in the pump, opening the internal valve mechanisms of the pump and sucking up liquid via a dip tube arranged inside the bottle.

[0042] In [Fig.8], the user removes the diffuser D to reveal the actuating rod t of the pump Ps and more particularly its open end.

[0043] The refillable bottle R of [Fig. 5] is then turned over, the part 10 closing the opening O being arranged below the bottom F of the bottle. The bottle R is positioned above the source bottle S in such a way that the liquid transfer device 12 is in contact with the opening end of the actuating rod t ([Fig. 9]).

[0044] [Fig. 10] is an enlarged partial view of the system shown in [Fig.9] and which is composed of the refillable bottle R equipped with the transfer part or ring 10 and the source bottle S. [Fig. 11] is an even more enlarged partial view essentially showing the operation of the two devices 12 and 14 in relation to the actuating rod t and the air external to the bottle R.

[0045] More particularly, the opening end t1 of the actuating rod t is engaged in the cavity 22 (contact zone) opposite in order to come into sealed contact with the latter. The dimensions of the cavity 22 are adapted to the dimensions (external diameter) of the end t1 of the rod to obtain sealed contact.

[0046] As illustrated in [Fig. 10], when the user performs a pumping action on the bottle to be refilled R, that is to say when he performs successive actions of downward vertical support on the bottle to be refilled R, so as to push the actuating rod t of the pump Ps inside the source bottle S, and of releasing the support (as indicated by the double vertical arrow in the figure), the user operates the source bottle in a conventional manner in order to extract liquid therefrom (except that the diffuser used in conventional use has been removed): liquid contained in the bottle is thus conveyed (from the bottom to the top) through the pump Ps whose internal valves are open to the opening end tl of the actuating rod. The liquid conveyed under pressure (due to the pumping action) passes through the orifice 12c and lifts the ball 12a which moves away from the valve seat and abuts against the reduced passage section 12d (open valve). The liquid flows axially (here vertically) in the passage and passes through the open valve to enter the bottle to be refilled and fill it, as indicated by the vertical arrow. Liquid (a given quantity or dose) is thus transferred from the source bottle to the bottle to be refilled, through the liquid transfer device, following the user's pumping action. To continue filling the bottle R, the user must repeat the pumping actions as described above.

[0047] While a quantity of liquid is being transferred from the source bottle to the bottle to be refilled through the liquid transfer device, as explained above, air present in the bottle to be refilled is discharged outside the latter through the air discharge device. More particularly, as illustrated in Figures 10 and 11, under the action of the introduction of the liquid into the bottle (liquid pressure) air is forced to enter the conduit 14a through the upper end 14a2 and circulates inside the latter to the lower opposite end 14al where it passes through the hole 24 to be discharged into the outside air surrounding the bottle. This air circulation continues as long as liquid is being transferred to the bottle. The user can stop the refilling (refilling) process whenever desired.

[0048] Figures 12A-B illustrate an alternative embodiment in which the liquid transfer device of the preceding figures has been modified in its external part (contact zone) intended to receive the opening end of the actuating rod of the pump Ps' of the source bottle.

[0049] In this variant, the contact zone located on the external face 16b of the wall 16 takes the form of a cavity 22' configured to come into sealed contact with the emerging end tl' ([Fig.l2A]) or tl” ([Fig.l2B]) of the actuating rod of the pump Ps'. This cavity 22' which is delimited by the peripheral edge 20' is flared, here frustoconical, so as to be able to accommodate, in a sealed manner, external diameters of actuating rods included in a predetermined range of external diameters. In [Fig.l2A], an emerging end tl' of rod t' having an enlarged external diameter is shown in contact with the flared internal surface of the cavity 22'.The contact here circular is sealed with respect to the outside (the weight of the bottle R on the end tl' contributes to ensuring the fluid seal), so that the liquid emerging from the end tl' enters under pressure directly into the orifice 12c, then passes through the open valve, without there being any leakage of liquid to the outside and without external air entering the cavity 22'. [Fig.l2B] shows that an emerging end tl” of rod t” of pump Ps” having a reduced external diameter can also come into sealed contact with the flared internal surface of the cavity 22'. The truncated cone shape of the cavity 2' is . defined, for example, by a cone angle between 5 and 40° relative to the vertical.

[0050] Figures 13A-B illustrate an alternative embodiment in which the liquid transfer device 12” is also a valve device which is capable of occupying, on the one hand, an open position in which liquid can be transferred through said device to refill the bottle to be refilled and, on the other hand, a closed position preventing any passage of liquid. However, here, the device does not comprise a ball but a blade 12a” which is mounted against the internal face 16a of the wall and the distal end 12al” of which is arranged, at rest (valve in closed position preventing the transfer of liquid), against the through orifice 12b” used for the passage of liquid ([Fig.l3A]). The blade 12a” is fixed (for example by gluing) against the internal face 16a over a part 12a2” of its length and the remaining part comprises a thinned portion 12a3” and the free distal end 12al”.The thin portion 2a3” provides the free distal end 12al”, with the flexibility (capacity to deform elastically repeatedly over time without degrading) which allows it to move in flexion (by rising as shown in [Fig.l3B]) under the action of an upward flow of liquid coming out of the opening end tl (valve in the open position for transferring the liquid). Everything that has been described concerning the previous mode and variants also applies here. It should also be noted that the cavity for receiving the opening end of the rod t for actuating the pump of the source bottle can also adopt the shape of figures 12A-B.

[0051] As shown in [Fig. 14], the refillable bottle R' can alternatively be equipped with a removable cap B' which is, here, screwed onto the neck of the bottle. To refill the contents of this bottle as indicated above, it is sufficient to remove this cap by unscrewing it, then to introduce the transfer part or ring 10 as indicated in Figures 4 and 5 described above. The preceding description also applies to the bottle R'.

Claims

Claims

1. System for refilling a bottle to be refilled (R) with liquid from a source bottle (S) containing liquid, the source bottle comprising a pump (Ps) and a rod (t) for actuating the pump which has an opening end (tl), the bottle to be refilled comprising a bottom (F) and an opening (0) opposite the bottom and being equipped, at the level of the opening, with a liquid transfer device (12) and an air evacuation device (14), the bottle to be refilled being in an inverted position above the source bottle in such a way that: -on the one hand, the liquid transfer device (12) is in contact with the opening end (tl) of the rod for actuating the pump and is configured to allow the passage of liquid from the source bottle (S) to the bottle to be refilled (R) under the successive actions of downward vertical support on the bottle to be refilled and release of the support, -and, on the other hand,the air evacuation device (14) is configured to allow air to be evacuated from the inside of the bottle to be refilled to the outside thereof.,

2. Liquid refill system for a refillable bottle according to claim 1, characterized in that the liquid transfer device (12) is a valve device which is capable of occupying, on the one hand, an open position in which liquid can be transferred through said device to refill the refillable bottle and, on the other hand, a closed position preventing any passage of liquid.

3. Liquid refill system for a bottle to be refilled according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the air evacuation device (14) comprises a conduit (14a) open at its two opposite ends, which has a first end (14al) arranged next to the liquid transfer device (12) and communicating with the air external to the bottle to be refilled, the conduit (14a) extending inside the bottle to be refilled to a second opposite end (14a2) communicating with the interior of the bottle to be refilled.

4. Liquid refill system for a refillable bottle according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the liquid transfer device (12) and the air evacuation device (14) are part of at least one part (10) which is removably attached to the refillable bottle (R).

5. System for refilling a refillable bottle with liquid according to claim indication 4, characterized in that said at least one part (10) is fixed to the bottle to be refilled by screwing or snapping.

6. Liquid refill system for a bottle to be refilled according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that said at least one part (10) fixed to the bottle to be refilled comprises a wall (16) arranged opposite the opening (0) of the bottle to be refilled and which carries the liquid transfer device (12) and the air evacuation device (14).

7. Liquid refill system for a refillable bottle according to claims 3 and 6, characterized in that the wall (16) is pierced in its thickness at the level of the first end (14al) of the air evacuation duct.

8. Liquid refill system for a bottle to be refilled according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the liquid transfer device (12) comprises a contact zone (22) oriented opposite the opening end (tl) of the pump actuating rod and which is configured to come into sealed contact with said opening end.

9. Liquid refill system for a refillable bottle according to claim 8, characterized in that the contact zone takes the form of a cavity (22) configured to come into sealing contact with the opening end (tl) of the pump actuating rod which has an external diameter included in a predetermined range of external diameters.

10. Method for refilling with liquid a bottle to be refilled comprising a bottom (F) and an opening (0) opposite the bottom, from a source bottle (S) containing liquid and equipped with a pump (Ps) provided with an actuating rod (t), the method comprising the following steps: - fixing on the opening (0) of the bottle to be refilled a liquid transfer device (12) and an air evacuation device (14), - turning over the bottle to be refilled (R) thus equipped and positioning the liquid transfer device (12) against an open end (tl) of the actuating rod of the pump of the source bottle, - downward vertical support on the bottle to be refilled (R) so as to push the actuating rod (t) of the pump inside the source bottle and releasing the support in order to transfer a quantity of liquid from the source bottle to the bottle to be refilled through the liquid transfer device (12),while air present in the bottle at, recharge is discharged outside the latter via the air discharge device (14).

11. Method for refilling a bottle to be refilled with liquid according to claim 11, characterized in that the bottle to be refilled (R) being equipped with a removable stopper (B') or a removable pump P), the method comprises a step of removing the removable stopper or the removable pump before fixing, on the opening (O) of the bottle to be refilled, the liquid transfer device (12) and the air evacuation device (14).

12. Method for refilling a bottle to be refilled with liquid according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the source bottle (S) is previously equipped with a diffusion device (D) which surmounts the pump (Ps) and the method comprises a prior step of removing the diffusion device (D) in order to leave free access to the opening end (tl) of the pump actuating rod.

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