Refilling Inverted Bottle Pump via Pressurized Liquid and Gas Passage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bottles equipped with pumps become difficult or impossible to refill when empty, as removing the pump without damage is challenging.
Innovation Solution
A system that allows refilling a bottle with liquid by inverting the bottle to be refilled and using its pump to introduce pressurized liquid from a source bottle through a filling interface, which includes a liquid passage and a gas passage for evacuating gas, without needing to remove the pump from the bottle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the pump is mounted on the bottle in a conventional manner, then the bottle can be equipped with a pump for liquid dispensing, but the pump cannot be removed without damaging the pump or the bottle when refilling is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The pump mounting structure is segmented into a removable pump unit and a bottle interface. The pump can be detached from the bottle by removing the cap assembly, allowing the bottle to be refilled without damaging either component. The pump remains functional after removal and can be reattached to the refilled bottle.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump mounting system transitions from a static permanent attachment to a dynamic removable attachment. The pump can be easily removed and reattached multiple times, providing flexibility for refilling operations while maintaining a secure connection during use.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the bottle is designed with a pump mounted on it, then the bottle can dispense liquid, but refilling becomes impossible or very difficult without damaging components
Solution Approach 1:
The pump is designed with a preliminary removable mounting structure that anticipates future refilling needs. The cap assembly is designed to be easily removed, allowing the pump to be detached before refilling occurs, preventing any damage to the pump or bottle during the refilling process.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap assembly serves as an intermediary between the pump and the bottle. By removing the cap, the pump is disconnected from the bottle, creating a safe intermediate state that allows refilling without direct contact between the refilling process and the pump components, thus protecting their integrity.
3Ease of operation
If an external action is used to refill the bottle, then the pump can remain mounted, but the refilling process becomes complex and requires demounting operations
Solution Approach 1:
The bottle-refill system is designed to be self-service through a simple manual process. The user removes the cap, detaches the pump, refills the bottle through the opening, and reattaches the pump. This eliminates the need for complex external refilling equipment or systems while maintaining ease of operation.
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
Enables easy and effective refilling of bottles without damaging the pump or bottle, using conventional bottles and maintaining their design, by utilizing the pump's vent orifice and gas passage to transfer liquid under pressure.
Implementation Method 1
at least one liquid passage disposed between the two bottles for the transfer of the liquid under pressure from the first bottle S to the inverted second bottle R
Implementation Method 2
at least one gas passage P2 for the evacuation of the gas contained in the inverted second bottle R to the exterior of said bottle
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns a system for refilling a bottle with liquid, which comprises: a first bottle (S) containing liquid, a second bottle (R) to be refilled with the liquid from the first bottle (S), the second bottle being in an inverted position and comprising a pump mounted on the bottle and equipped with a vent orifice that can be open or closed depending on the position of the pump, a filling interface connecting the two bottles, the interface comprising a liquid passage disposed between the two bottles for the transfer of the liquid under pressure from the first bottle (S) to the inverted second bottle (R) via said vent orifice of the pump of the second bottle when open and a gas passage for the evacuation of gas contained in the inverted second bottle (R) to the exterior of the bottle.