Connection system, caps, and adapters

Abstract

The connection system comprises a cap (1) and an adapter (2), the cap (1) and the adapter (2) including cooperating components of a fastening mechanism for reversibly joining them. The cap (1) includes a first cap-side conduit (11), and the adapter (2) includes a first adapter-side conduit (21). The cap (1) further includes a valve element (3), the valve element (3) is movable relative to the cap body (13) from a closed position in which the valve element (3) closes the first cap-side conduit (11) to an open position in which it does not close. When the cap (1) is inserted into the adapter (2), the adapter (2) engages with the valve element (3), and the locking action of the cap (1) relative to the adapter (2) moves the valve element (3) from the closed position to the open position, forming a fluid communication between the first cap-side conduit (11) and the first adapter-side conduit (21).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of devices for docking a container containing a fluid to a base station. The present invention relates to a connection system, a cap, and an adapter of the type mentioned above, which are described in the preamble of the corresponding independent claims.

Background Art

[0002] For example, WO2022 / 106600A2 discloses a water conditioning unit for a cleaning device. This unit comprises a base unit configured to provide water and an additive to be mixed with the water. The base unit comprises a plurality of docking adapters, each docking adapter being configured to attach an additive container. For example, the base unit is used for hair care or cosmetic applications, and the additive provided from the container may be a shampoo or a coloring agent.

[0003] BRP10703394-0A2 discloses a water supply port installed on a wall and a hose connection component. The hose connection component is connected to the water supply port by a plug-in connection. When the plug-in connection is tightened by rotating a part of the connection component, a valve formed by a concentric cylinder in the water supply port is rotated and opened.

[0004] US2010 / 147297A1 discloses a plug-in joining connector for a fluid transfer hose.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a connection system, a cap, and an adapter of the type mentioned above that enable a container to be easily and simply connected to a base unit.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] These objectives are achieved by the connection systems, caps, and adapters according to the corresponding independent claims.

[0007] The connection system comprises a cap and an adapter, the cap and adapter including cooperating components of a fastening mechanism for reversibly joining the cap to the adapter, the cap including a first cap-side conduit, the adapter including a first adapter-side conduit, and the cap including a valve element, the valve element being movable relative to the cap body from a closed position where the valve element closes the first cap-side conduit to an open position where it does not close.

[0008] When the cap is inserted into the adapter, the adapter engages with the valve element, and the locking action of the cap against the adapter moves the valve element from the closed position to the open position, forming a fluid communication between the first cap-side conduit and the first adapter-side conduit.

[0009] This allows the cap to open automatically, while simultaneously creating a fluid connection between the cap and the container to which the cap is attached, and the adapter and the base device to which the adapter is attached.

[0010] This connection system is particularly suitable for use with liquids having relatively high viscosity. This connection system can be combined with a base unit to which the adapter is connected. In this way, the liquid is supplied to the base unit via the adapter. The liquid may be, for example, liquid soap, shampoo, colorant, cosmetic, conditioner, or catalyst used in hair care or body care.

[0011] In one embodiment, the locking action is rotation, and specifically the valve element is a valve plate.

[0012] In one embodiment, the rotation caused by the locking action rotates the valve element, thereby aligning the first cap-side conduit with the first valve conduit. The first valve conduit is aligned with the first adapter-side conduit by a preceding action of inserting the cap into the adapter. If the valve element is a valve plate, the first cap-side conduit is a through hole or opening provided in the valve plate. The locking action aligns such a first valve opening with the first cap-side conduit, forming a fluid communication between the first cap-side conduit and the first adapter-side conduit, which is already aligned with the first valve opening.

[0013] In one embodiment, the fastening mechanism is a push-fit joint, specifically the cap includes at least two radially extending studs, and the adapter includes at least two push-fit slots.

[0014] This enables a simple and reliable fastening mechanism. In one embodiment, the cap includes a second cap-side conduit, and the adapter includes a second adapter-side conduit. The valve element closes the second adapter-side conduit when in the closed position and does not close the second adapter-side conduit when in the open position. When the cap is inserted into the adapter, the locking action of the cap relative to the adapter creates a fluid communication between the second cap-side conduit and the second adapter-side conduit.

[0015] This allows for the implementation of a compensating air conduit via a second conduit to replace the liquid flowing out of the container through the first conduit.

[0016] In one embodiment, the second adapter-side conduit is in fluid communication with the ambient air. This allows the surrounding air to compensate for the spilled liquid.

[0017] In one embodiment, the second cap-side conduit includes a check valve configured to prevent liquid from flowing out of the cap through the second cap-side conduit.

[0018] In one embodiment, the second cap-side conduit is designed to extend toward the distal end of the container to which the cap is attached. This eliminates the need for a check valve.

[0019] In one embodiment, the connection system includes a product detection electrode, at least on the cap, a first product detection electrode located inside the cap, and the adapter includes contact pins arranged to form an electrical connection with the first product detection electrode when the cap is inserted into the adapter.

[0020] The inside of the cap is the side that communicates fluidly with the inside of the container to which the cap is attached. By placing a first product detection electrode in the cap, it is possible to determine the presence of liquid in the container. The first product detection electrode may be implemented as a central pin or central screw. In one embodiment, this pin or screw also functions as an axis that rotatably holds a valve element or valve plate.

[0021] In one embodiment, the connection system includes a second product detection electrode located within a first adapter-side conduit.

[0022] This allows the presence of liquid inside the container to be measured with only a single sensing electrode, and the cap requires only a single sensing electrode and associated contact elements. The measuring current can flow through the liquid surrounding the inside of the cap, and through the first cap-side conduit and the first adapter-side conduit to the second product sensing electrode.

[0023] In one embodiment, both product detection electrodes are disposed on the adapter and are part of the adapter. In this case, the first product detection electrode is part of the adapter and is configured to pass through the cap when the cap is inserted into and locked to the adapter. After passing through the cap, the first product detection electrode reaches a space that is in fluid communication with the space of the container to which the cap is attached. Typically, the first product detection electrode is disposed at the center of the cap and coincides with the rotation axis of the connection part, i.e., its longitudinal axis.

[0024] In one embodiment, at least two radially extending studs have different diameters, and at least two insertion slots have different widths respectively corresponding to the diameters of the studs.

[0025] Thereby, the cap can be inserted into the adapter at only one angular position. The cap is part of the connection system. The cap includes a cooperating part of a fastening mechanism for reversibly joining the cap to the adapter, a first cap-side conduit, and a valve element. The valve element is movable relative to the cap body from a closed position where the valve element closes the first cap-side conduit to an open position where it does not close.

[0026] In one embodiment, the cap includes exactly three parts, namely a cap body, a valve element, and a pin that functions as an axis about which the valve element rotates relative to the cap body.

[0027] In one embodiment, the cap includes exactly two parts, namely a cap body and a valve element, and the valve element is rotatable relative to the cap body via a snap-fit connection.

[0028] The adapter is part of a connection system. The adapter includes a cooperating part of a fastening mechanism for reversibly joining a cap to the adapter, a first adapter-side conduit, a receptacle defining a cylindrical insertion axis, a first adapter-side conduit disposed within or on the front face of the adapter, a second adapter-side conduit, a protrusion (specifically, a stud extending outwardly parallel to the insertion axis) or a recess (specifically, a hole extending inwardly parallel to the insertion axis), and at least one contact pin for forming an electrical connection with a cooperating cap.

[0029] The insertion axis can be defined by the inner surface of the receptacle that follows the shape of the side surface of the cylinder. The insertion axis is parallel to the axis of the cylinder.

[0030] The front face or contact surface of the adapter is one face of the adapter configured to be adjacent to or in contact with the front face of the cap inserted and locked into the adapter. The front face is at least substantially perpendicular to the insertion axis corresponding to the longitudinal axis of the adapter.

[0031] The base device includes an adapter and further includes a pump configured to pump a replacement fluid, typically air, into the second adapter-side conduit.

[0032] Further embodiments are apparent from the dependent claims of the present invention. Hereinafter, the subject matter of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments schematically shown in the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0033] [Figure 1] It is a figure which shows the cap attached to a container. [Figure 2] It is a figure which shows the adapter attached to a base station (not shown). [Figure 3] It is an exploded view which shows a cap and an adapter. [Figure 4a] It is a figure which shows the cap prepared to be inserted linearly into an adapter. [Figure 4b] This figure shows a cap ready to be inserted linearly into the adapter. [Figure 5a] This figure shows the cap fully inserted into the adapter. [Figure 5b] This figure shows the cap fully inserted into the adapter. [Figure 6a] This figure shows the adapter with the cap rotated to the locked position. [Figure 6b] This figure shows the adapter with the cap rotated to the locked position. [Figure 7] This figure shows alternative embodiments of the cap and adapter. [Figure 8] This figure shows alternative embodiments of the cap and adapter. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0034] As a general rule, in drawings, similar or functionally similar parts are indicated by the same reference numeral.

[0035] Figures 1 and 2 show the main interface elements of the connection system. The connection system includes a cap 1 for a bottle or container 5 and an adapter 2 which is part of a device that supplies liquid from the container 5. The cap 1 is detachably connected to the adapter 2. When the cap 1 is connected to the adapter 2, a valve inside the cap 1 opens, and when the cap 1 is removed from the adapter 2, the valve closes again.

[0036] The connection is formed by moving cap 1 and adapter 2 linearly toward each other, and then rotating them relative to each other. The axis of this rotation defines the longitudinal axis of the connection. The direction of the linear motion is the direction of the longitudinal axis. When angular positions are mentioned below, they are understood to refer to rotations about the longitudinal axis.

[0037] Cap 1 (Figure 1) includes a cap body 13 on which a valve plate 3 is rotatably disposed. The outer circumference of the valve plate 3 is surrounded by a tubular projection of the cap body 13. The cap body 13 includes a stopper 17 at one point on its outer circumference, projecting radially inward. The stopper 17 cooperates with a recess 33 on the outer circumference of the valve plate 3 to restrict the angular rotation of the valve plate 3 relative to the cap body 13. In the first closed angular position of the valve plate 3, the first valve opening 31 and the second valve opening 32 of the valve plate 3 are not aligned with the corresponding conduits in the cap body 13, thus closing the corresponding conduits. In the second open angular position, the openings are aligned with each conduit, thus opening the corresponding conduits. The recess 33 of the valve plate 3 is designed to cooperate with a projection 23 on the front surface of the adapter 2, and the two studs 14 are designed to cooperate with the insertion slot 24 of the adapter 2 (Figure 2).

[0038] Figure 2 further illustrates the adapter 2. The adapter 2 comprises a receptacle 25 into which the cap body 13 is inserted, and a first adapter-side conduit 21 and a second adapter-side conduit 22, which are aligned with the first valve opening 31 and the second valve opening 32, respectively, when the cap body 13 is inserted. An O-ring 29 is positioned at the end of the first adapter-side conduit 21 that faces the first valve opening 31 when the cap 1 is inserted into the adapter 2.

[0039] Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the cap 1 and adapter 2, along with further elements not previously described (see Figure 6b, which shows these elements in an assembled state). These elements include a gasket 16 positioned to form a liquid-tight seal between the container 5 and the cap body 13; a first cap-side conduit 11 and a second cap-side conduit 12 extending from the front surface of the cap body 13 facing the valve plate 3 into the interior of the container 5; a check valve in the form of a duckbill valve 18 provided on the second cap-side conduit 12; an O-ring 19 provided between the first cap-side conduit 11 and the valve plate 3; a screw or pin 37 for rotatably attaching the valve plate 3 to the cap body 13; a contact pin 26 located on the adapter 2 for electrical connection to the pin 37 when the cap 1 is inserted into the adapter 2; and a counter nut 28 for attaching the adapter 2 to the housing of a base unit (not shown) from which liquid from the container 5 is supplied.

[0040] Figures 4a to 6b show a series of operations when connecting the cap 1 to the adapter 2. Figures 4a, 5a, and 6a are perspective views, and Figures 4b, 5b, and 6b are cross-sectional views. In Figures 4a and 4b, the cap 1 is aligned with the adapter 2 and ready for insertion. The angular position of the cap 1 around its longitudinal axis is set so that the stud 14 of the cap 1 aligns with the insertion slot 24 of the receptacle 25. Because the sizes of the stud 14 and the insertion slot 24 are different, there is only one angle at which alignment is possible. In Figures 5a and 5b, the cap 1 is at the same angular position as the adapter 2, but is pushed into the adapter 2 along its longitudinal direction and has reached its end position. At this time, the valve plate 3 is in contact with or near the contact surface or front surface of the adapter 2. The projection 23 provided on the front surface of the adapter 2 engages with the recess 33 of the valve plate 3. In an alternative embodiment, a projection on the valve plate 3 engages with a recess on the front surface of the adapter 2. This engagement fixes the angular position of the valve plate 3 to the angular position of the adapter 2. In this position, the first valve opening 31 and the second valve opening 32 of the valve plate 3 are aligned with the first adapter-side conduit 21 and the second adapter-side conduit 22, respectively. In Figures 6a and 6b, the cap 1 is rotated relative to the adapter 2. Because the angular position of the valve plate 3 is fixed to the angular position of the adapter 2, the valve plate 3 is rotated relative to the cap body 13. This relative rotation aligns the first cap-side conduit 11 and the second cap-side conduit 12 with the first valve opening 31 and the second valve opening 32, and therefore also with the first adapter-side conduit 21 and the second adapter-side conduit 22. As a result, the connection is open to the flow through the two conduits between the container 5 and the base device to which the adapter 2 is connected. To remove container 5 from adapter 2, perform the operations in the reverse order.

[0041] Figures 7 and 8 show an embodiment in which the first valve opening 31 and recess 33 are realized by the same physical hole provided in the valve plate 3. Thus, the first adapter-side conduit 21 passes through the projection 23. There is no need to place an O-ring 29 on the adapter 2. The operation is the same as the previously described embodiment. The projection 23, provided on the front of the adapter 2 and incorporated into the first adapter-side conduit 21, engages with the recess 33 of the valve plate 3, so the recess 33 also functions as the first valve opening 31. When the valve plate 3 is rotated relative to the cap body 13, the end of the first adapter-side conduit 21 slides along the O-ring 19 of the cap 1 and aligns with the first cap-side conduit 11. As a result, only one O-ring is required and the shape of the valve plate 3 is simplified.

[0042] In one illustrated embodiment, the first cap-side conduit 11 and the first adapter-side conduit 21 are designed to carry liquid from the container 5 through the adapter 2. The second cap-side conduit 12 and the second adapter-side conduit 22 are designed to carry a displacement fluid, typically air, from the adapter 2 to the container 5. The base device may include a pump that forces the displacement fluid into the container 5, thereby pushing and accelerating the fluid flow back into the base device (assuming the container 5 has no other openings). A check valve (in this case, a duckbill valve 18) is positioned to prevent liquid from flowing out through the second cap-side conduit 12.

[0043] In one embodiment, the check valve 18 is either not provided or is provided on the adapter 2 instead of the cap 1. Alternatively, an extension conduit may be provided to extend the second cap-side conduit 12 from the cap 1 to the distal end of the container 5. In this case, when the container 5 is placed upside down with the cap 1 in its lowest position, the open end of the extension conduit is located above the liquid level in the container 5, so that no liquid flows into the extension conduit.

[0044] In one embodiment, the second adapter-side conduit 22 is open to ambient air rather than extending into the base device. In this case, the liquid is drawn out of the container 5 by gravity alone or by a pump located behind the first adapter-side conduit 21. Ambient air is drawn in through the second adapter-side conduit 22 and replaces the liquid.

[0045] In one embodiment, the second cap-side conduit 12, the second adapter-side conduit 22, and the second valve opening 32 are not provided. Instead, the cap 1 or container 5 includes another opening through which air can flow in or out of the liquid, and / or the container 5 is flexible and contracts when the liquid flows out.

[0046] On the one hand, the pin 37 may be a thread and function as the central axis of the valve plate 3. In one embodiment, the central axis is implemented by a central rotatable snap-fit ​​connection between the valve plate 3 and the cap body 13. In one embodiment, there is no central axis of the valve plate 3; instead, the valve plate 3 is rotatably held by its outer circumference. This can be achieved by a groove provided inside a tubular projection extending longitudinally from the cap body 13 on which the valve plate 3 is positioned.

[0047] Furthermore, pin 37 functions as a first electrode for detecting the presence of liquid in the system. The end of pin 37, which extends through cap 1, is located inside container 5. A further electrode 27 is located within the first adapter-side conduit 21. The presence of liquid in the space between the end of pin 37 and the further electrode 27 can be detected by measuring the electrical impedance between them. The electrical connection to pin 37, which is part of cap 1, is formed by a contact pin 26, which is part of adapter 2.

[0048] The pin 37 may be configured to extend further into the interior of the container 5. This allows the impedance measurement to estimate not only the presence of liquid but also the amount of liquid present in the container 5. The insulating sheath around the pin 37 determines the minimum liquid level. If the liquid level falls below this minimum level, the impedance between the electrodes becomes very high, indicating that the container 5 is empty.

[0049] In one embodiment not shown, both electrodes are part of the cap 1, and the cooperating electrical contacts are located on the cap 1 and the adapter 2. For example, such contacts are located on the studs 14 of the cap 1 and can contact corresponding contacts in the insertion slots 24 of the adapter 2.

[0050] In another embodiment, both electrodes are part of the adapter 2. In this case, the cap 1 may be provided with a third conduit for the liquid, and the valve plate 3 may be provided with a corresponding third valve opening. The third valve opening is connected to an electrode on or within the adapter 2. When the valve plate 3 is in the open angle position, the adapter 2 is positioned to communicate with the liquid through the third valve opening.

[0051] In one embodiment, the base unit to which the adapter 2 is attached includes an electronic circuit for measuring the impedance between two electrodes and determining the filling state of the container 5 to which the cap 1 is attached. The filling state may include an "empty" state and a "full" state. In one embodiment, the filling state includes a value representing the degree to which the container 5 is filled. The circuit may be configured to measure the impedance intermittently to prevent electrolysis of the liquid. The circuit may be configured to measure the impedance at least every 0.1 seconds, or at least every 1 second, or at least every 5 seconds.

[0052] In one embodiment, the circuit is configured to determine the effective filling state of the container 5 only after the container 5 has been attached to the adapter 2 and a pump that draws liquid from the container 5 has been operated for a specific delay time. This ensures that the first adapter-side conduit 21, including the electrode 27, is filled with liquid.

[0053] In one embodiment not shown, the cap 1 is not provided with an O-ring 19 and / or the adapter 2 is not provided with an O-ring 29, and the cap body 13, valve plate 3 and / or adapter 2 are molded and / or manufactured from a material that forms a sufficient liquid-tight connection.

[0054] Although the present invention has been described in this embodiment, it should be clearly understood that the present invention is not limited thereto and can be concretized and implemented in various ways within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A connection system, Cap (1), Equipped with adapter (2), The cap (1) and the adapter (2) include cooperating components of a fastening mechanism for reversibly joining the cap (1) to the adapter (2), The cap (1) includes a first cap-side conduit (11), and the adapter (2) includes a first adapter-side conduit (21). The cap (1) includes a valve element (3), and the valve element (3) is movable relative to the cap body (13) from a closed position in which the valve element (3) closes the first cap-side conduit (11) to an open position in which it does not close. A connection system in which, when the cap (1) is inserted into the adapter (2), the adapter (2) engages with the valve element (3), and the locking action of the cap (1) relative to the adapter (2) moves the valve element (3) from the closed position to the open position, thereby forming a fluid communication between the first cap-side conduit (11) and the first adapter-side conduit (21).

2. The connection system according to claim 1, wherein the cap (1) is attached to the container (5).

3. The aforementioned locking action is rotation, Specifically, the valve element is a valve plate (3), as described in claim 1 or claim 2.

4. The fastening mechanism is a slip-on joint, Specifically, the cap (1) includes at least two radially extending studs (14), The connection system according to claim 3, wherein the adapter (2) includes at least two plug-in slots (24).

5. The cap (1) includes a second cap-side conduit (12), The adapter (2) includes a second adapter-side conduit (22), The valve element (3) closes the second adapter-side conduit (22) when it is in the closed position, and does not close the second adapter-side conduit (22) when it is in the open position. The connection system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein when the cap (1) is inserted into the adapter (2), the locking action of the cap (1) relative to the adapter (2) forms a fluid communication between the second cap-side conduit (12) and the second adapter-side conduit (22).

6. The connection system according to claim 5, wherein the second adapter-side conduit (22) is in fluid communication with the ambient air.

7. The connection system according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the second cap-side conduit (12) includes a check valve configured to prevent liquid from flowing out of the cap (1) through the second cap-side conduit (12).

8. Product detection electrode, at least the cap (1) is provided with a first product detection electrode disposed inside the cap (1), The connection system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the adapter (2) includes a contact pin (26) configured to form an electrical connection with the first product detection electrode when the cap (1) is inserted into the adapter (2).

9. The connection system according to claim 8, further comprising a second product detection electrode (27) disposed within the first adapter-side conduit (21).

10. The at least two radially extending studs (14) have different diameters. The connection system according to any one of the prior claims dependent on claim 4, wherein the at least two insertion slots (24) have different widths corresponding to the diameter of the stud (14).

11. A cap (1) which is part of the connection system described in any one of the preceding claims, the cap (1) is A collaborating component of a fastening mechanism for reversibly joining the cap (1) to the adapter (2), The first cap-side conduit (11) and The valve element (3) is included The valve element (3) is movable relative to the cap body (13) from a closed position in which the valve element (3) closes the first cap-side conduit (11) to an open position in which it does not close.

12. The cap (1) according to claim 11, comprising exactly three parts: the cap body (13), the valve element (3), and a pin (37) that functions as an axis on which the valve element (3) rotates relative to the cap body (13).

13. The cap (1) according to claim 11, comprising exactly two parts, namely the cap body (13) and the valve element (3), wherein the valve element (3) is rotatable relative to the cap body (13) via a snap-fit ​​connection.

14. An adapter (2) which is part of the connection system according to claims 1 to 10, wherein the adapter (2) is A collaborating component of a fastening mechanism for reversibly joining the cap (1) to the adapter (2), The first adapter-side conduit (21) and A receptacle (25) that defines the insertion axis of the cylinder, An adapter (2) comprising a first adapter-side conduit (21) disposed inside or on the front surface of the adapter, and at least one of a second adapter-side conduit (22), a projection (23) specifically a stud extending outward parallel to the insertion axis, or a recess specifically a hole extending inward parallel to the insertion axis, and a contact pin (26) for forming an electrical connection with a cooperative cap.

15. A base device, The adapter (2) described in claim 14 is provided, A base device further comprising a pump configured to pump a displacement fluid, typically air, into the second adapter-side conduit (22).

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