Bottle filling device with retractable cannula

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for filling a bottle (19) with a liquid product, comprising a container (1) with a neck (4) defining a longitudinal axis (L). The device includes a transfer head (3) with a cannula (7) having a liquid conduit (8) and an air conduit (9). The cannula (7), fixed to the neck (4), has a free end (10), a first transverse opening (11) for the liquid conduit (8) and a second transverse opening (12) for the air conduit (9), both located at the same level outside the container (1). The conduits open into the container (1). The transfer head (3) includes a piston (13) movable along the cannula (7), obstructing or unobstructing the transverse openings (11, 12) depending on its position. (See Figure 3 for abbreviations.)

Description

Title of the invention: Device for filling a bottle with a retractable cannula. TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of devices for filling a container with a liquid. It relates more particularly to devices for refilling, that is to say, for refilling (or "refilling", according to a common neologism), a bottle.

[0002] The present invention aims, as preferred but not exclusive applications, at refilling perfume bottles, as well as refilling bottles of liquid cosmetic products. STATE OF THE ART

[0003] Cosmetic and perfumery products, such as perfumes (including eau de parfum, eau de toilette, eau de Cologne), are generally presented in liquid form. Such a liquid product is marketed in a bottle, often a glass bottle, which is suitable for the presentation and distribution of the product.

[0004] Empty bottles are generally discarded. To avoid throwing away bottles that are often aesthetically pleasing, distinctive, and enhance the perceived value of the product they contain, and to reduce waste, the product is sometimes contained in a refill pack. This refill pack is a simple container designed to be returned in a more elaborately designed case. The case can thus facilitate product dispensing and also be aesthetically pleasing and enhance the product's perceived value through its shape, materials, etc.

[0005] This type of solution is generally well-suited to cream jars and certain oils. However, a system comprising a refill and a container can be complex to implement. Such an assembly can be heavy or fragile if a glass refill is intended for use in a glass jar (contact between two glass elements increases the risk of breakage).

[0006] Devices have therefore been developed to allow a perfume bottle to be refilled from another container which can be called a "source", which allows the bottle to be filled one or more times.

[0007] The general objective of these devices is to allow for simple and reliable filling of the bottle, without risk of splashing or overflow. Source containers with a flexible pouch have been considered (thus avoiding the need to draw air back into the container during perfume dispensing to fill a bottle), but these containers present compatibility problems with certain Perfumes, and especially those with flexible pouches, don't offer a smooth and complete flow by gravity. Furthermore, with very liquid formulas, the flexible pouch system isn't ergonomic because it's difficult to handle. Finally, for products like perfumes, which contain alcohol, there can be compatibility issues between the alcohol and the materials used to manufacture the flexible pouches.

[0008] Document EP2336079 discloses a device that aims to solve these problems. This device comprises a source container with a head having a poppet valve and two conduits, namely a liquid flow conduit and an air return conduit, arranged parallel to each other in a cannula extending from the neck of the source container to a nozzle located away from the reservoir of the container. The liquid inlet in the liquid flow conduit and the air outlet in the air return conduit are both located at the valve seat, in or near the neck of the source container. Near the nozzle, the liquid outlet is located lower (during filling) than the air inlet.

[0009] The device proposed in this document is nevertheless imperfect. The cannula extending from the neck of the source container and intended to be inserted into the bottle to be filled is unsightly. Furthermore, it requires the source container to be fitted with an elongated and complex cap. Protruding from the neck of the container, this cannula, which has a relatively small cross-section, is susceptible to breakage. In addition, due to the distance required for the proper functioning of the device between the air inlet and the liquid outlet, the portion of the cannula located between these two points becomes immersed in the liquid at the end of the filling process (until the liquid reaches the air inlet, which stops the filling). However, this portion of the cannula is potentially exposed to impurities between fillings, which can contaminate or soil the product in the bottle being filled. Description of the invention

[0010] The present invention aims to remedy all or part of the disadvantages of the prior art mentioned above.

[0011] To this end, the invention relates to a device for filling a bottle with a liquid product, comprising a container having a neck forming an opening of the container and defining an axis of the neck called the longitudinal axis, and a reservoir containing said liquid product.

[0012] The filling device further comprises a transfer head, the transfer head having a straight cannula extending longitudinally. The cannula has a liquid conduit and an air conduit extending within the cannula. The cannula has a free end. The cannula is rigidly fixed to the neck of the container.

[0013] The cannula has a first transverse opening leading into the liquid conduit and a second transverse opening leading into the air conduit. The first and second transverse openings are located at the same level on the longitudinal axis, outside the container. The liquid conduit and the air conduit each open into the container, longitudinally opposite the free end of the cannula.

[0014] The transfer head includes a piston that moves in translation along the cannula between a position called the low position in which the piston closes the first transverse opening and the second transverse opening, and a position called the high position in which the first transverse opening and the second transverse opening are free.

[0015] The filling device proposed within the framework of the present invention thus makes it possible to fill, in particular to refill, a bottle with a liquid product from a container constituting the source of the liquid product. Filling is achieved via a simple pressure movement on the container.

[0016] The device proposed within the framework of the present invention allows the use of liquid and air conduits with large cross-sections. This is made possible by the fact that the seal is achieved transversely when the cannula of the device is in the retracted position, that is, perpendicular to the direction of extension of the liquid and air conduits. Sealing conduits opening longitudinally is indeed all the more complex to achieve as the conduit openings are wider.

[0017] When retracted, the cannula is protected from damage and soiling. Furthermore, the laterally opening conduits are completely protected when the cannula is retracted, so that no dust or dirt can accumulate in them.

[0018] The liquid conduit opens into the container at a first longitudinal level and the air conduit opens into the container at a second longitudinal level. The second level may be further longitudinally from the mouth of the container than the first level.

[0019] Alternatively or in addition, the cross-sectional area of ​​the liquid conduit is substantially constant, the cross-sectional area of ​​the air conduit is substantially constant, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the liquid conduit is greater than the cross-sectional area of ​​the air conduit. By substantially, we mean within ±20%.

[0020] The filling device may include a return device tending to bring the piston to the lower position in the absence of external force applied to the transfer head.

[0021] The transfer head may include a sleeve forming a side wall of said transfer head and which is fixedly mounted on the neck of the container.

[0022] The cannula and the sleeve can be formed as a single unit.

[0023] The filling device may further include a movable nozzle that translates within the sleeve.

[0024] The piston may include a seat which is in contact with an inner surface of the nozzle when the piston is in the lowered position.

[0025] The filling device can be configured so that when the piston is in the lower position, an end surface of the piston is in the same transverse plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis as the free end of the cannula.

[0026] The piston may include at least two annular seals which are in contact with the cannula 4 and which are configured so that when the piston is in the lower position at least one of said seals is located longitudinally on one side of the first opening and the second opening and at least another of said seals is located longitudinally on the other side of the first opening and the second opening, so that the liquid conduit and the air conduit are closed.

[0027] The transfer head of the filling device may include a mechanism comprising a retaining device on the neck of the bottle configured to tighten onto the neck of the bottle when the piston is in the raised position and generate resistance to the withdrawal of the container from the neck of the bottle

[0028] This mechanism may include at least one jaw, the at least one jaw having an end and an arm, the piston having a transverse plate through which the arm of the at least one jaw passes, the at least one jaw being configured such that when the transfer head is pressed longitudinally on the neck of the bottle to bring the piston to the raised position, the piston actuates the jaw to bring its end closer to the longitudinal axis so that the end of the at least one jaw bears against an external surface of the neck of the bottle. The at least one jaw may include a cavity adapted to cooperate mechanically with a thread in the neck of the bottle in order to generate resistance to the withdrawal of the container from the neck of the bottle.

[0029] Alternatively, the mechanism may include at least one transversely movable hook and a tongue, the mechanism being configured so that when the transfer head is pressed longitudinally on said neck of said bottle to bring the piston to the high position, the tongue comes to rest on a surface of an actuating part of the hook and causes the translation of the hook in the direction of the longitudinal axis L, so that the hook bears on an external surface of the neck of the bottle.

[0030] The mechanism may include a pin carried by the piston inserted into a track fixed relative to the cannula, the pin progressing in the track with the movement The longitudinal piston track is configured so that when the piston is brought to its upper position from its lower position by longitudinal pressure from the dispensing head on the bottle neck, and then the pressure is released, the pin assumes a stable longitudinal position in the track while the mechanism holds the bottle neck. Then, further longitudinal pressure from the dispensing head on the bottle neck and a further release of pressure frees the bottle neck from the mechanism. The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a filling device as defined above and a bottle, in which, when the filling head is pressed longitudinally on the bottle neck, the free end of the cannula is positioned longitudinally within the bottle at a desired filling level. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0031] Other advantages, purposes and particular features of the present invention will become apparent from the following non-limiting description of at least one particular embodiment of the devices and methods of the present invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: • [Fig.1] is a schematic perspective view of a filling device according to one embodiment of the invention; • [Fig.2] is a schematic cross-sectional view of a filling device according to an embodiment of the invention, showing in particular the transfer head it comprises; • [Fig.3] is a schematic cross-sectional view of an assembly comprising the device of [Fig.1] and a bottle, during the filling of said bottle; • [Fig.4] is a schematic three-dimensional view of an assembly comprising the filling device of [Fig.2] connected to a bottle; • [Fig.5] is a schematic cross-sectional view of an assembly comprising a filling device according to another embodiment of the invention and a bottle, during the filling of said bottle; • [Fig.6] is a schematic cross-sectional view of a transfer head that can be used in the invention, which is a variant of the transfer head of the device in [Fig.5]; • [Fig.7] is a schematic view of an assembly comprising a filling device according to another embodiment of the invention and a bottle; • [Fig.8] is a schematic view of a transfer head that can be used in a filling device according to yet another embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] The present description is given as a non-limiting example of an embodiment.

[0033] Figure 1 is a schematic view of an example of a filling device for filling a bottle with a liquid product. The filling device comprises a container 1 that forms a reservoir 2 for holding a liquid product, for example, a perfume. The liquid contained in container 1 is intended to refill a bottle, for example, a perfume bottle, once the latter has been totally or partially emptied during its use.

[0034] The filling device includes a neck which defines a longitudinal axis L, and on which a transfer head 3 is fixed.

[0035] The reservoir 2 can be made of various materials, for example glass, plastic material, metal, etc. Advantageously, but not necessarily, the wall of the container is opaque.

[0036] The filling device is intended to be placed above the bottle to be filled, with the transfer head oriented downwards, and to allow the bottle to be filled by gravity.

[0037] For this purpose, the transfer head 3 must selectively allow or prohibit the passage of the product from the container to the bottle.

[0038] Figure 2 shows in cross-section the transfer head 3 of a filling device according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0039] In a filling device according to the present invention, the transfer head 3 is fixed to the neck 4 of the container 1.

[0040] For example, the neck 4 may have a thread 5 onto which a corresponding thread 6 of the transfer head is screwed and tightened. Once the transfer head is tightly tightened onto the neck 4, it is immobilized, and its removal would require unscrewing. Optionally, elements of the neck may be provided to resist unscrewing the transfer head, or, alternatively, the transfer head may have a friction device, which creates resistance to unscrewing, by friction, when the transfer head is fully screwed onto the container 1.

[0041] Alternatively, the transfer head 3 can be snapped onto the neck 4. Alternatively or in addition, a bonding can be provided between the transfer head 3 and the neck 4.

[0042] The transfer head 3 includes a cannula 7 that extends longitudinally (in the direction of the longitudinal axis L) and is fixed relative to the neck 4. The cannula 7 can be fixed directly to the neck 4 or via an assembly of several parts. In the embodiment shown here, the cannula 7 is fixed directly at the neck 4 of the container 1 in that it is formed by the same part as the corresponding thread 6 which is engaged with the thread 5 of the container 1.

[0043] Two conduits extend longitudinally in the cannula 7, namely a liquid conduit 8 and an air conduit 9.

[0044] The cannula has a so-called free end 10 which is the distal end of the cannula 7 opposite the reservoir 2.

[0045] The liquid conduit 8 and the air conduit 9 open laterally, on a lateral wall of the cannula, near the free end 10. More particularly, the cannula has a first transverse opening 11 opening into the liquid conduit 8 and a second transverse opening 12 opening into the air conduit 9.

[0046] On the side of the cannula longitudinally opposite the free end 10, the liquid conduit 8 and the air conduit 9 open into the container 1. The liquid conduit 8 opens into the container 1 at a first level N1. The air conduit 9 opens into the container 1 at a second level N2. In the embodiment shown here, the second level N2 is further longitudinally from the mouth of the container 1 than the first level N1. In other words, when the container 1 is positioned with the transfer head downwards, to perform gravity filling of a bottle, the air outlet in the container (at the second level N2) is higher than the liquid inlet in the liquid conduit (at the first level N1).

[0047] The transfer head further comprises a piston 13. The piston 13 is a part mounted movable in longitudinal translation on the cannula 7.

[0048] In particular, the piston 13 can be translated along the cannula 7 between a so-called low position and a so-called high position. The terms "low" and "high" refer to the orientation of the container 1 when filling a bottle: the container is then placed above the bottle, with the transfer head facing downwards, to allow transfer by gravity.

[0049] In [Fig.2], the piston 13 is shown in the lowered position. In this embodiment, the piston 13 also forms the tip of the transfer head.

[0050] In the lowered position, the piston closes the first transverse opening and the second transverse opening. To ensure a seal for the product between the cannula 7 and the piston 13, the piston 13 advantageously comprises at least two seals 17. In the example shown, with the piston 13 in the lowered position, one annular seal is above the first transverse opening 11 and the second transverse opening 12, and another annular seal is below the first transverse opening 11 and the second transverse opening 12.

[0051] Alternatively, and depending on the dimensions of the liquid and air conduits, a seal without a gasket can be achieved. At a minimum, it is necessary to ensure that any spontaneous flow of the product is prevented when the piston is in the lowered position.

[0052] Alternatively, one or more of the seals of the embodiments described above may take the form of a lip or other flexible element, which may be attached to the wall 27 or the cannula 14, or be monobloc with the wall 27 or the cannula 14. Such a lip or other flexible element makes it possible to locally fill the gaps, while ensuring sealing and low friction between the parts.

[0053] Generally, the seal must be sufficient to prevent liquid from escaping the container. However, the means that achieve the seal must create as little resistance (particularly through friction) as possible to the movement of the piston. Indeed, the greater this resistance, the greater the force the return mechanism must exert on the piston, and consequently, the greater the force the user must exert on the container during filling.

[0054] A return device 14, which in the example shown comprises a helical spring, tends to maintain and return the piston 13 to its lowered position. Thus, unless a force is exerted to bring and / or maintain the piston 13 in its upper position, the piston assumes the lowered position and prevents the liquid product contained in the container 1 from escaping.

[0055] In the example shown, the piston has an end surface 15. When the piston 13 is in its lowered position, the end surface 15 lies in the same transverse plane (perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L) as the free end 10 of the cannula 7. The lateral surfaces of the cannula 7's end are thus completely covered and protected by the piston 13 when it is in its lowered position. The cannula is then said to be fully retracted.

[0056] Alternatively, it is possible to provide that when the piston 13 is in the lower position, the free end of the cannula 10 protrudes slightly from the end surface 15. Such an arrangement simplifies the positioning of the transfer head on the neck of the bottle to be filled, as it is easy to introduce the free end of the cannula into the neck of said bottle to be filled.

[0057] In the embodiment shown in [Fig. 2], the transfer head comprises an outer sleeve 16. The sleeve 16 forms an outer wall that constitutes most or all of the lateral surface of the transfer head 3. In the embodiment shown in [Fig. 2], the sleeve 16 is formed from the same part as the cannula 7. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the piston 13 comprises an outer wall 18 mounted to move in translation within the sleeve 16, with a small clearance relative to its inner wall. Guiding means, such as longitudinal grooves forming a slide for lugs, may be present between the outer wall 18 and the sleeve 16.

[0058] Thus, when the piston is in the lowered position, the transfer head has the general appearance of a regular cylinder. To fill a bottle 19, the piston The piston is brought into contact with the upper surface of the neck of a bottle to be filled and is pressed vertically (i.e., longitudinally, with the container positioned above the bottle and the longitudinal axis vertical). The piston 13 then enters the sleeve 16 and is brought to its raised position. Figure 4 illustrates this transfer configuration. When in its raised position, the piston is above the first transverse opening 11 and the second transverse opening 12, which are thus unobstructed. The liquid can then flow, and air can pass from the bottle to the container to compensate for the dispensed liquid.

[0059] The difference in level in the container between the air outlet (second level N2) and the liquid inlet (first level NI) ensures the slight pressure difference in the liquid which allows the liquid to flow and the air to return in compensation.

[0060] Furthermore, when the air outlet is close to the bottom of container 1, during filling the air compensating for the transferred liquid is not released into the liquid contained in container 1 but directly into the air present in the container. This limits the noise that can occur when air is released into the liquid in the container.

[0061] Alternatively, or in addition to this difference in level, a difference in cross-sectional area between the liquid conduit and the air conduit can facilitate or even cause the flow of liquid and the return of air to compensate for the volume of liquid transferred. In this case, the cross-sectional area of ​​the liquid conduit must be greater than that of the air conduit. The average cross-sectional area of ​​the liquid conduit compared to the average cross-sectional area of ​​the air conduit can be a relevant reference.

[0062] Thus, with an appropriate difference in cross-section between the liquid conduit and the air conduit, it is possible to make them open at the same level, longitudinally, into the container 1 (in its neck or reservoir).

[0063] Figure 3 represents an assembly comprising a variant of the device figures 1 and 2 and a bottle 19, during a filling of bottle 19. The filling device of [Fig.3] is similar to that of [Fig.2], and we can therefore refer to the description given above, with the difference that the device of [Fig.3] has a nozzle as described below.

[0064] In the embodiment of [Fig.3], the piston 13 is thus not directly interfaced with the sleeve 16. The transfer head 3 here includes a nozzle 20. The nozzle 20 is mounted to move in translation within the sleeve 16. In particular, the nozzle 20 has an outer wall 18' mounted to move in translation within the sleeve 16, with a small clearance.

[0065] Guiding means may be present between the outer wall 18' and the sleeve 16.

[0066] The nozzle 20 also includes a transverse wall 21. The transverse wall 21 has a central orifice. The piston has a seat 22 adapted to bear against the inner surface of the nozzle, in particular around the central orifice. When the piston 13 is in its lowered position, it thus bears against the inner surface of the nozzle 20, under the effect of the return mechanism 14. A stop can limit the longitudinal movement of the nozzle 20. Thus, with the piston in its lowered position, the outer surface of the transverse wall 21, the end surface 15 of the piston 13, and the free end 10 of the cannula 7 can be in the same transverse plane. The cannula 7 is then completely retracted.

[0067] To achieve the transfer configuration shown in [Fig.3], the container 1 is positioned above the bottle 19, the container being positioned with the transfer head at the bottom and above the neck 23 of the bottle 19.

[0068] The piston 13 is brought into contact with the neck 23 of the bottle 19. The user then presses the container downwards, longitudinally, against the return mechanism 14. While the spring forming the return mechanism is compressed, the neck 23 of the bottle 19 pushes the piston upwards until the piston reaches its stop in its upper position. The central opening of the nozzle 20 allows the neck 23 of the bottle 19 to pass through. Thus, at the beginning of the piston's movement under the force exerted on the container 1, only the piston 13 moves upwards along the cannula 7, and the nozzle 20 does not move relative to the sleeve 16. Before the piston reaches its upper position, the nozzle 20 comes into contact with the shoulders of the bottle 19 and retracts as needed into the sleeve 16.

[0069] While the piston is pushed towards its high position, the cannula 7 (in particular its free end 10) descends into the neck 23 of the bottle 19 and into its internal volume 24.

[0070] When the container 1 is pushed against the bottle 19, the first transverse opening 11 and the second transverse opening 12 of the cannula 7 are located at the maximum level at which the bottle 19 is to be filled.

[0071] With the first transverse opening 11 and the second transverse opening 12 free, the liquid in the reservoir 2 of the container 1 can flow into the bottle 19. A volume of air corresponding to that of the transferred liquid passes from the bottle to the container through the air conduit.

[0072] As indicated above, the difference in level in container 1 between the air outlet and the liquid inlet (the air outlet being higher) allows the liquid to flow out and the air to return in compensation.

[0073] The filling stops automatically when the first transverse opening 11 and the second transverse opening 12 pass below the surface of the liquid transferred into the bottle. In particular, the liquid covers the inlet of the air channel (i.e., the second transverse opening 12). At this moment, the liquid prevents air from entering the air duct. Since the compensation of the transferred liquid volume by air can no longer occur, the liquid flow stops.

[0074] Alternatively, the user can voluntarily stop the transfer before the liquid reaches this level by lifting the container 1 in relation to the neck 23 of the bottle 19.

[0075] In all cases, when the container is removed from the neck 23 of the bottle 19, the return device 14 pushes the piston 13 back to its lower position, in which it closes the first transverse opening 11 and the second transverse opening 12. With the liquid conduit and the air conduit closed, the flow of the product is stopped. During its return to the lower position, the seat 22 of the piston 13 bears against the transverse wall 21 of the nozzle 20, which is thus also pushed back to its initial position (cannula retracted).

[0076] The tip 20 may include a stop 25 which blocks the tip in translation when returning to the initial position, and defines the lower position of the piston 13.

[0077] The filling (and stopping the filling) of a bottle with the embodiment of the invention shown in [Fig.2] is similar, except that in the absence of a nozzle, only the piston moves in translation in the device, vis-à-vis the cannula and the sleeve.

[0078] Fig. 5 represents an assembly comprising a filling device according to another embodiment and a bottle 19.

[0079] The filling device used in [Fig. 5] is essentially identical to that of [Fig. 3]. In particular, the transfer head 3 comprises a piston 13 movable in longitudinal translation on the cannula 7 which has a liquid conduit 8 and an air conduit 9 configured as in the embodiments previously described, and a nozzle 20 movable in translation in a sleeve 16.

[0080] The device in [Fig.5] differs from that in [Fig.3] in that the transfer head 3 has a mechanism which allows the container to be held on the bottle with the piston in the high position during the filling of the bottle 19.

[0081] In this case, in the example embodiment of [Fig. 5], the mechanism comprises two jaws 26. The jaws 26 have an end 27 and an arm 28. The arm 28 of each jaw is pivotally mounted so that the end 27 of the jaw can be moved away from or towards the longitudinal axis L by pivoting the arm 28. The jaw 26 further comprises an elastic element 29 which tends to return the arm to a position away from the longitudinal axis L.

[0082] The arm 28 of each jaw 26 passes through a transverse plate 30 of the piston, via an orifice formed in the transverse plate 30. The orifice of the plate 30 being offset transversely with respect to the pivot axis of the jaw 26, the interaction between the edge of the orifice and the arm 28 tend to bring the end 27 of the jaw closer to the longitudinal axis L while the piston 13 is moved towards its upper position.

[0083] Thus, when the piston is in the raised position, the end 27 of the jaws 26 bears against an external surface 31 of the neck of the bottle 19. The end advantageously has a cavity 32 which can engage on a thread of the neck of the bottle 19. This improves the connection between the transfer head and the neck of the bottle and limits the risk of accidental withdrawal of the container occurring during the filling of the bottle.

[0084] Incidentally, when the container 1 is thus connected to the bottle 19, the piston is held in the high position and the transfer of product can take place.

[0085] It may also be advantageous that the user not need to maintain vertical pressure on the container during bottle filling. To this end, the mechanism can be configured to ensure that the transfer head remains locked onto the bottle neck until the head is intentionally unlocked during use. Such a mechanism is shown in [Fig. 6].

[0086]

[0087] The mechanism of the device in [Fig. 6] comprises two jaws 26. The jaws 26 are mounted to pivot about axes 33. When the piston is moved to its upper position, the piston 13 (and in particular its plate 30 in the example shown) interacts with the jaws 26. Initially, it interacts with the end 27 of the jaw, which is rounded here, initially holding it away from the longitudinal axis L. Then, as it moves upward, it interacts with a rocker arm 34 of each jaw 26. This has the effect of pivoting each jaw 26 so that the end 27 of the jaw approaches the longitudinal axis L.

[0088] When the piston 13 is in its upper position, as shown in [Fig. 6], the ends 27 of the jaws 26 cooperate with the neck of the bottle to be filled (not shown in [Fig. 6]) to create resistance to the withdrawal of the transfer head from the neck of the bottle. A retaining device is thus obtained. In particular, the ends 27 can deform upon contact with the neck to create an interaction with it.

[0089] When the user wishes to disconnect the container 1 from the bottle 19, a vertical pull on the container allows this disconnection, the jaw disengaging from the neck of the bottle.

[0090] Figure 7 represents another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a system is provided in addition to the retaining device comprising jaws described with reference to Figure 6, to ensure that the container is held on the bottle during the filling of a bottle, as long as no new pressure is exerted on the container.

[0091] In [Fig.7], the sleeve 16 and the nozzle 20 are shown transparent for to make certain elements of the transfer head mechanism visible.

[0092] Thus, in the device of [Fig.7], the mechanism includes a pin 35 which is linked to the nozzle 20. The pin is introduced into a track 37 formed in a fixed part vis-à-vis the container, for example a part linked to the cannula or monobloc with the cannula.

[0093] The pin 35 can advance in the track 37. The pin 35 can be formed by a curved rod 36, for example metallic, one end of which is linked to the tip 20 and the other end is inserted into the track 37.

[0094] Track 37 comprises a longitudinal portion 38 and a terminal portion 39 forming a loop.

[0095] This mechanism is also shown in [Fig.8] according to another view.

[0096] As the pin progresses along the track with the longitudinal movement of the piston, the track 37, and in particular its terminal portion 39, are configured such that when the piston is brought to the upper position by longitudinal pressure from the transfer head 3 on the neck of the bottle 19 and then the pressure is released, the piston 13 is held in the upper position by the pin. To achieve this, the pin is lodged, under the effect of the return means 14, in a recess in the track 37.

[0097] To allow the piston 13 to return to its lower position, the user applies further longitudinal pressure. This pressure causes the pin 35 to advance into the terminal portion 39 of the track 37, and finally allows the pin to reach the longitudinal portion 38 of the track 37. This type of system, in which each successive pressure allows the piston to move alternately from one position to another, is sometimes referred to as a "click" system.

[0098] As indicated above, in the embodiment of [Fig.7], when the piston is in the high position, the transfer head is held by clamping the jaws 26 on the neck of the bottle 19 to be filled, as explained with reference to [Fig.6].

[0099] Figure 8 shows a transfer head that can be used in another embodiment of the invention. In order to make certain elements of the transfer head mechanism visible, the sleeve and the nozzle have been omitted in Figure 8.

[0100] The device in [Fig. 8] has the same "click" mechanism as that in [Fig. 7]. Therefore, [Fig. 8] shows the track 37 along which the pin 35, formed by one end of an "S"-shaped rod 36, moves, the other end of which is connected to the tip (not shown in [Fig. 8]).

[0101] The retaining device of the embodiment of [Fig. 8] further comprises hooks 40, in this case two hooks 40 in the example shown. Each hook 40 comprises an actuating part 41 and one or more tabs 42. The hooks 40 are mounted on the end piece 20 (not shown in [Fig. 8]), and are movable in transverse translation (perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L).

[0102] The device further comprises tabs 43. The tabs 43 are attached to a fixed part facing the container, for example a part attached to the cannula, or are integral with the cannula. One tab 43 is positioned opposite each of the hooks 40. The piston is shown in [Fig. 8] in its lowered position.

[0103] When the piston is brought to the upper position by pressure of the container on the neck of the bottle to be filled, each tab 43 comes into contact with a surface of the actuating part 41 of the corresponding hook 40 and causes the translation of the hook 40 in the direction of the longitudinal axis L. The tab 43 must therefore be sufficiently rigid to move the hook 40 without bending (or with little bending) and may have reinforcing ribs for this purpose.

[0104] The translation of the hook 40 in the direction of the longitudinal axis L brings the legs 42 into contact with the neck of the bottle 19, and where appropriate into mechanical interference with a thread (or other relief) of the neck of the bottle 20, thus preventing the separation of the container from the bottle during filling.

[0105] The container is removed by applying further pressure to it, causing the pin 35 to advance in the track 37 and return to the longitudinal portion 38 of the track 37 as explained above with reference to [Fig. 7]. When the piston 13 returns to its lower position, also pulling the nozzle 20 with it, the tabs 43 no longer press the hooks 40 towards the longitudinal axis and the hooks 40 disengage from the neck of the bottle, due to the elasticity of the tabs 42 and / or any other return mechanism.

[0106] This allows the disconnection between the bottle 19 and the container 1.

[0107] It should be noted that the mechanism contained in the transfer head is not visible from outside the head. In particular, the mechanism is not visible from the end of the head, which is blocked by the piston except during the transfer phases.

[0108] The filling device proposed within the scope of the present invention thus allows for the easy filling of a bottle from a container holding a liquid product. The filling procedure is simple and intuitive, as it simply consists of placing the container above the bottle to be filled and pressing the filling head of the container onto the neck of the bottle.

[0109] Furthermore, the device configuration allows the use of relatively wide channels for the liquid and for the return air to compensate for the delivered liquid. This allows for rapid and consistent transfer of the liquid. The filling device proposed within the scope of the present invention also allows for automatic stopping of the filling process when a certain product level is reached in the bottle (or alternatively, a simple and intuitive manual stop). In certain embodiments of the invention, unintentional disconnections between the container and the bottle are avoided by using a mechanism that creates resistance to their disconnection.

[0110] The filling device proposed in the context of the present invention is particularly well suited to filling a perfume bottle. [YES] Nomenclature of reference signs: • 1: container • 2: reservoir 3: Transfer head 4: col 5: Neck thread 6: Corresponding thread of the transfer head 7: cannula 8: Liquid conduit 9: Air duct 10: free end of the cannula 11: First transverse opening 12: Second transverse opening 13: piston 14: reminder device 15: piston end surface 16: sleeve 17: Piston seals 18: outer wall of the piston 18': outer wall of the tip 19: bottle 20: nozzle 21: transverse wall of the nozzle 22: piston seat 23: neck of the bottle 24: internal volume of the bottle 25: Tip stop 26: bit 27: end of the jaws 28: Bit arms 29: elastic element of the jaws 30: transverse plate of the piston 31: external surface of the neck 32: cavity at the end of the jaws : pivot axes of the jaws : tilting arm of the jaws : pawn : stem : track longitudinal section of the track : final section of the track : hooks : hook actuation part : hook legs : tab : reinforcing ribs of the tabs.

Claims

Demands

1. A device for filling a bottle with a liquid product, comprising a container (1) having a neck (4) forming an opening of the container (1) and defining an axis of the neck called the longitudinal axis (L), and a reservoir (2) containing said liquid product, the filling device further comprising a transfer head (3), the transfer head (3) having a straight cannula (7), which extends longitudinally, said cannula (7) having a liquid conduit (8) and an air conduit (9) which extend into the cannula (14), the cannula (7) having a free end (10), said cannula (7) being rigidly fixed to the neck (4) of the container (1), the cannula (7) having a first transverse opening (11) opening into the liquid conduit (8) and a second transverse opening (12) opening into the air conduit (9),the device being characterized in that the first transverse opening (11) and the second transverse opening (12) are located at the same level on the longitudinal axis (L), outside the container (1), the liquid conduit (8) and the air conduit (9) each opening into the container (1), longitudinally opposite the free end (10) of the cannula (7), the transfer head (3) comprising a piston (13) movable in translation along the cannula (7) between a position called the low position in which the piston (13) closes the first transverse opening (11) and the second transverse opening (12), and a position called the high position in which the first transverse opening (11) and the second transverse opening (12) are free.

2. Filling device according to claim 1 in which the liquid conduit (8) opens into the container at a first longitudinal level (NI) and the air conduit opens into the container at a second longitudinal level (N2), the second level (N2) being further longitudinally away from the mouth of the container (1) than the first level (NI).

3. Filling device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the cross-section of the liquid conduit (8) is substantially constant, the cross-section of the air conduit (9) is substantially constant, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the liquid conduit (8) is greater than the cross-sectional area of ​​the air conduit (9).

4. Filling device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a return device (14) tending to bring the piston (13) into the lower position in the absence of external force applied to the transfer head (3) on the piston (13).

5. Filling device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the transfer head (3) comprises a sleeve (16) forming a side wall of said transfer head (3) and which is fixedly mounted on the neck (4) of the container (1).

6. Filling device according to claim 5, wherein the cannula (7) and the sleeve (16) are formed as a single piece.

7. Filling device according to claim 5 or claim 6, further comprising a nozzle (20) movable in translation in the sleeve (16).

8. Filling device according to claim 7, wherein the piston (13) has a seat (22) which is in contact with an inner surface of the nozzle (20) when the piston (13) is in the lower position.

9. Filling device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein when the piston (13) is in the lower position, an end surface (15) of said piston (13) is in the same transverse plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (L) as the free end (10) of the cannula (7).

10. A filling device according to any one of the preceding claims in which the piston (13) has at least two annular seals (17) which are in contact with the cannula (7) and which are configured such that when the piston (13) is in the lower position, at least one of said seals (17) is located longitudinally on one side of the first opening (11) and the second opening (12) and at least one other of said seals (17) is located longitudinally on the other side of the first opening (11) and the second opening (12), so that the liquid conduit (8) and the air conduit (9) are closed.

11. Filling device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the transfer head (3) includes a mechanism comprising a retaining device on the neck (23) of the bottle (19) configured to clamp onto the neck (23) of the bottle (19) when the piston (13) is in the high position and generate a resistance to the withdrawal of the container (1) vis-à-vis the neck (23) of the bottle (19).

12. Filling device according to claim 11, wherein the mechanism comprises at least one jaw (26), the at least one jaw (26) having an end (27) and an arm (28), the piston (13) comprising a transverse plate (30) through which the arm (28) of the at least one jaw (26) passes, the at least one jaw (26) being configured such that when the transfer head (3) is pressed longitudinally on said neck (23) of said bottle (19) to bring the piston (13) into the high position, the piston (13) actuates the jaw (26) to bring its end (27) closer to the longitudinal axis (L) so that the end (27) of the at least one jaw (26) bears against an external surface (31) of the neck (23) of the bottle (19).

13. Filling device according to claim 12, wherein the end (27) of at least one jaw (26) has a cavity (32) adapted to cooperate mechanically with a thread (35) of the neck (23) of the bottle (19) in order to generate a resistance to the withdrawal of the container (1) vis-à-vis the neck (23) of the bottle (19).

14. A filling device according to claim 11, wherein the mechanism comprises at least one transversely movable hook (40) and a tab (43), the mechanism being configured such that when the transfer head (3) is pressed longitudinally on said neck (23) of said bottle (19) to bring the piston (13) into the upper position, the tab (43) comes to rest on a surface of an actuating part (41) of the hook (40) and causes the translation of the hook (40) in the direction of the longitudinal axis (L), so that the hook (40) bears against an external surface of the neck (23) of the bottle (19).

15. A filling device according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the mechanism comprises a pin (35) inserted into a track (37) formed in a part fixed relative to the cannula (7), the pin (35) progressing in the track (37) with the longitudinal movement of the piston (13), the track (36) being configured such that when the piston (13) is brought to the top position from its position

16. low pressure by longitudinal pressure of the transfer head (3) on the neck (23) of the bottle (19) then the pressure is released, the pin (35) takes a stable longitudinal position in the track (37) while the mechanism holds the neck of the bottle, then, a new longitudinal pressure of the transfer head (3) on the neck (23) of the bottle (19) and a new release of pressure allows the neck (23) of the bottle to be freed from the mechanism. Assembly comprising a filling device according to one of the preceding claims and a bottle (19), in which when the filling head (3) is pressed longitudinally on the neck (23) of the bottle (19), the free end (10) of the cannula (7) is positioned in the bottle (19) longitudinally at a desired filling level.