Bottle Refill System With Liquid Transfer And Air Evacuation Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid refill systems require a complex setup with a filling interface between the bottle to be refilled and the source bottle, which complicates the refilling process and may involve structural modifications to the source bottle.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for refilling a bottle using a liquid transfer device and an air evacuation device that attach to the bottle to be refilled, allowing direct contact with the source bottle's actuating rod without introducing an intermediate filling interface, enabling efficient liquid transfer and air evacuation without modifying the source bottle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a filling interface is introduced between the bottle to be refilled and the source bottle, then liquid transfer can be achieved, but the system complexity increases and structural modifications to the source bottle are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidrefilling process simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the filling interface function from the source bottle by placing the liquid transfer device on the bottle to be refilled instead. The actuating rod of the source bottle directly contacts the liquid transfer device, eliminating the need for a separate filling interface on the source bottle and reducing system complexity while maintaining ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of placing the filling interface on the source bottle (conventional approach), the invention inverts the approach by placing the liquid transfer device on the bottle to be refilled. This inversion eliminates the need for structural modifications to the source bottle while achieving the same liquid transfer function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the bottle to be refilled is equipped with a removable pump or cap, then conventional operation is enabled, but the opening must be sealed during refilling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebottle operation flexibilityVSAvoidsealing requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid transfer device serves multiple functions: it seals the opening of the bottle to be refilled during refilling, transfers liquid from the source bottle, and allows for air evacuation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate sealing mechanisms while maintaining bottle operation flexibility through the removable pump or cap

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution simplifies the refilling process by eliminating the need for a filling interface and structural modifications to the source bottle, allowing for easy and efficient transfer of liquid from a larger source bottle to a smaller bottle, while ensuring air is evacuated outside the system.

Implementation Method 1

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

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPump: Pump

Implementation Method 2

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

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 3

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

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP4420790A1System and method for refilling a bottle with liquid
Publication Date: 2024.08.28 TECHNIPLAST
  • EP4420790A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4420790A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4420790A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Liquid refilling system for a bottle to be refilled (R) from a source bottle (5) containing liquid, comprising a pump (Ps) and a pump actuation rod (t) having an opening end (t1), the bottle (R) having 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 (5) to the bottle (R) under 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.