EP2837427A1

EP2837427A1 - Refill system of a liquid container

Info

Publication number: EP2837427A1
Application number: EP13180348.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ming King Wong
Original assignee: Caseti Co Ltd; Max Time GmbH
Current assignee: Caseti Co Ltd; Max Time GmbH
Priority date: 2013-08-14
Filing date: 2013-08-14
Publication date: 2015-02-18
Anticipated expiration: 2033-08-14
Also published as: EP2837427B1; US20150047741A1

Abstract

Refill system (1) of a liquid container (3), wherein a conduit element (5) is fixed to the liquid container and has an upper part flow passage (9) having one end inside the container and the other end leading past the connection of the conduit element with the container and through at least one upper part radial opening (11) into a space (13) defined by the conduit element and the wall of the container, and wherein, in its first position, a closing element (31) having a first sealing portion (35) is capable of sealing the space liquid-tightly towards the outside.

Description

Technical Field

The invention relates to a refill system of a liquid container according to the preamble of claim 1.

Background Art

A refill system according to the preamble of claim 1 is disclosed in EP 1 744 955 B1 .

Extended Description of the Invention

The problem solved by the present invention is to further develop a refill system of a liquid container according to the preamble of claim 1 is improved with respect to its usability.
This problem is solved by a refill system of a liquid container comprising the features of claim 1. Preferable embodiments are set forth in the dependent claims.
The refill system of a liquid container according to the invention comprises a conduit element capable of communicating the inside with the outside of the liquid container and being fixedly and liquid-tightly connected to the liquid container, and a closing element capable of being in a first position which prevents a liquid flow through the conduit element and a second position which allows a liquid flow through the conduit element, being characterized in that the conduit element has an upper part with an upper part flow passage having one end inside the liquid container and the other end leading past the liquid-tight connection of the conduit element with the liquid container and subsequently through at least one upper part radial opening into a space defined by the conduit element and the wall of the liquid container, and in that, in its first position, the closing element having a first sealing portion is capable of sealing the space defined by the conduit element and the wall of the liquid container liquid-tightly towards the outside.
There are several advantages of such a refill system;
One, being that the described geometry of the flow passage of the conduit element having a sharp bend from the flow passage into the at least one radial opening and another from the radial opening into the described space is creating a labyrinth seal effect which is capable of decreasing the leakage of liquid from the inside of the liquid container towards its outside, in a state where the closing element is in its second position;
Another, being that opening and refilling functions are separated by providing the closing element for opening and closing the conduit element while having the conduit element being immovably fixed to the liquid container and representing a constant reference for an abutment of an external liquid tank in the refill procedure. In other words, there is no need to exercise any force on the conduit element, once the closing element has been opened. Liquid can simply pour through the conduit element into the liquid container while the liquid container and an external liquid tank serving as the refill source are held in a liquid sealed manner against each other;
And yet another, being that the use of the wall of the liquid container as part of the flow path extending the one of the flow passage of the conduit element serves to reduce the overall dimensions of the refill system. A synergetic effect is created between the conduit element and the wall of the liquid container, which is further capable of providing a liquid container in which the refill system is substantially hidden.
It is in particular advantageous that the conduit element has a lower part with a lower part flow passage that is symmetrical to the upper part flow passage and connected through at least one lower part radial opening to the space defined by the conduit element and the wall of the liquid container, when the closing element is in its second position and sealing the space defined by the conduit element and the wall of the liquid container liquid-tightly towards the outside, and the conduit element is capable of receiving a stem of a liquid donor tank by abutment to its lower part.
Thereby, the aforementioned labyrinth seal effect is further increased, because two additional sharp bends are added, one from the space into the lower part radial opening and another from the lower part radial opening into the lower part flow passage. The basic geometry and arrangement of the lower part allows it to have a seating that can receive stems of various sizes, including even very small stem sizes with regard to their length and diameter, without unnecessarily increasing the width of the refill system.
Further advantageous is a sealing element which is placed inside the lower part flow passage and interposed between the at least one lower part radial opening and the lower part flow passage, being capable of sealing the lower part flow passage liquid-tightly towards the outside by gravity and/or liquid pressure entering through the at least one radial opening, and being capable of letting liquid from the outside through the lower part flow passage and the at least one lower part radial opening.
Thus, the sealing element is hidden inside the lower part and capable of operating automatically, i.e. without requiring manual displacement. It serves as a fail-safe sealing means, when the closing element is in its first position or unintentionally left in its second position, and as a main sealing means, when the closing element is in its second position, in order to block a backflow of the liquid entering the liquid container during a refill process.
In another advantageous embodiment the closing element having a second sealing portion by means of which it is capable of closing, in its first position, a ventilation passage communicating the inside with the outside of the liquid container, and is capable of opening, in its second position, the ventilation passage.
The provision of a ventilation passage ensures that liquid can be filled into the liquid container much faster, because at the time of refilling air can exit the liquid container through the ventilation passage. It is further convenient that both, the flow passage and the ventilation passage, can be closed once the refill has been completed.
In that regard, it is advantageous that, in the first position of the closing element, the second sealing portion is interposed between the wall of the liquid container.
This particular use of the wall of the liquid container as part of the second sealing portion serves to reduce the overall dimensions of the refill system. A synergetic effect is created between the closing element and the wall of the liquid container, which is further capable of providing a liquid container in which the refill system is substantially hidden.
It is further advantageous that the closing element seals the ventilation passage from the flow passage by means of the first sealing portion.
Thereby the ventilation passage and the flow passage are separated and a mixing of the air and liquid, once they have entered their respective passage, is prevented.
In an advantageous embodiment the closing element is held movably on the conduit element to assume either one of the first and second position.
Such a closing element will be held, so that it can not fall off and get lost. Also, this arrangement is a compact way of providing the closing element and the conduit element in the refill system.
It is also advantageous that the closing element is capable of being unlocked from its first position by being rotated and subsequently moved away from the liquid container into its second position.
By requiring a movement in two different directions, an unintentional unlocking of the closing element can be avoided.
Advantageously, the closing element is capable of being pushed toward the liquid container and subsequently turned and locked into its first position.
In other words, requiring a two directional locking of the closing element ensures that an unintentional blocking of the flow passage during refill is less likely.
In a further advantageous embodiment the closing element is held, in its first position, by abutment against a first step portion on the distal side of the conduit element facing the liquid container, and in its second position, by gravity abutment against a second step portion being farther away from the liquid container than the first step portion.
The provision of distinct step portions on the conduit element is a measure to create a compact refill system with multifunctional parts that is also easy to manufacture.
It is in particular advantageous that an elastic element interposed between the closing element and the liquid container biases the closing element respectively against the first or second step portion.
Such an arrangement secures the closing element in its first position. The normal force applied to the closing element against the step portion results in higher friction between the closing element and the step portion which is less likely to be overcome unintentionally.
In that regard, it is advantageous that the elastic element is placed liquid permeably inside the space defined by the conduit element and the wall of the liquid container.
By placing the elastic element inside said space, the overall dimensions of the refill system are not increased or can even be further reduced.
Advantageously, the conduit element has a ring-like edge on its distal end, preferably of the lower part, being capable of being removably attached to a cover element for further protection of the refill system and/or liquid container and/or serving as an abutment for the closing element in its second position. This feature further demonstrates how multifunctional the conduit element is and is possible because the conduit element is fixedly connected to the liquid container.
In an advantageous refill system the closing element is retracted into a flange portion of the liquid container when being in the first position, and the closing element has a lateral or distal gripping area which protrudes from the liquid container in the first position of the closing element and allows a manual handling of the closing element in order to move it into its second position and vice versa.
Thereby, the refill system is protected by being substantially inside the liquid container and only protruding from the liquid container so far that it can be opened and closed.
Advantageously, the closing element comprises two hollow cylinder elements, wherein one element is abutted against the other. Thereby, only one of the elements can be replaced in case of damage. Further advantageously, one of these elements comprises the sealing portion or sealing portions while the other element serves as a gripping extension protruding to the outside and capable of allowing a manual movement of the closing element from its first position into its second position and vice versa. Thereby, only the one element serves for sealing and can be replaced alone in case of damage. Likewise, the other element can be chosen or replaced for the use of a refill system according to its specific dimensions. Further advantageously, the closing element comprises two hollow cylinder elements, wherein one element is fitted into the other. Thereby, the closing element can be easily manufactured to fit different sizes of refill systems, by combining the one cylinder element which remains constant in shape with the other cylinder element which is chosen depending on the dimensions of the refill system.
Further advantageously, the closing element is transferable from its first closed position to its second open position by manually releasing it and displacing it in a direction opposite to a direction in which a stem of a liquid donor tank is pushed against the conduit element for refilling. Thereby, an unintentional opening of the conduit element by the pushing movement of the stem can be avoided. Further, a displacement of the closing element towards the stem may be used as a visible indication that the conduit element is open and ready for refill.
It is in further advantageous to have a perfume bottle with said refill system.
The particular use in a perfume bottle (flacon) is desirable, because perfumes are often changed depending on the user's mood or specific occasions. By providing such an efficient refill system, small liquid containers can often be refilled with different fragrances.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment according to the invention, where the closing element is in a first position which prevents a liquid flow through the conduit element.
Fig. 2 shows the first embodiment according to the invention, where the closing element is in a second position which allows a two-way liquid flow through the conduit element into and out of a liquid container.
Fig. 3 shows a second embodiment according to the invention, where the closing element is in a first position which prevents a liquid flow through the conduit element.
Fig. 4 shows the second embodiment according to the invention, where the closing element is in a second position which allows a one-way liquid flow through the conduit element into a liquid container.

Description of the Embodiments

First Embodiment

Figures 1 and 2 show a refill system 1 according to a first embodiment that is arranged in a bottom part of a liquid container 3 which in this embodiment is a flacon. For the accommodation of the refill system 1 the liquid container 3 has a flange portion that is formed by the wall of the liquid container 3 towards its inside. Two openings, one for a conduit element 5 and another for a ventilation passage 7, lead parallel to each other through the flange portion and communicate the inside with the outside of the liquid container 3. The wall of the liquid container 3 between these two openings does not protrude outside the flange portion.
The conduit element 5 has basically the shape of a tube. It is fitted to the liquid container 3 and thereby fixedly and liquid-tightly connected to the liquid container 3 and has an upper part flow passage 9 with one end inside the liquid container 3 and the other end leading past the liquid-tight connection of the conduit element 5 with the liquid container 3 and subsequently through two upper part radial openings 11 into a space 13 defined between the conduit element 5 and the wall of the liquid container 3. In other words, the upper flow passage 9 has the shape of the turned upside down letter "T", as can be seen in Figures 1 and 2. The conduit element 5 has further a lower part with a lower part flow passage 15 that is basically symmetrical to the upper part flow passage 9, i.e. having the shape of the letter "T", and connected through two lower part radial openings 17 to the space 13 defined between the conduit element 5 and the wall of the liquid container 3. Of course, a single radial opening 11,17 instead of two radial openings 11,17 is sufficient.
A lower end 19 of the lower part, i.e. the end most distal from the liquid container 3, forms an "U"-shaped accommodation 19 whose opening is directed downwards and away from the liquid container 3, as can be seen in Figures 1 and 2. This accommodation 19 has an elastic ring insert 21 leading through its center hole directly into the lower part flow passage 15. On the elastic ring insert 21 a stem of a liquid donor tank, such as standardized in flacons and perfume bottles used by today's cosmetic industry, can be abutted liquid-tightly.
Additionally, the "U"-shaped accommodation 19 has on its tips a ring-like edge 23 that can be removably attached to a cover element for further protection of the refill system 1 and/or liquid container 3.
The basis of the "U"-shaped lower end of the lower part on its side facing the liquid container 3 forms a second step portion 25 out of two, which is a surface formed perpendicular to and around the lateral area of the lower part flow passage 15. From this surface two conduit element angled sections 27 opposed via the lower part flow passage 15 with an angle equal to or less than 90 degrees around the axis of the conduit element 5 extend perpendicular from the second step portion 25 in a direction towards the liquid container 3. Their top surface 29 facing the liquid container 3 forms a first step portion 29 out of two, which can also be regarded as being on the distal side of the conduit element 5 facing the liquid container 3. Accordingly, the second step portion 25 can be regarded as being farther away from the liquid container 3 than the first step portion 29.
A closing element 31 in the shape of a stepped hollow cylinder is held slidably and rotatable movable on the conduit element 5.
An inner step 33 of the closing element 31 has a first sealing portion 35 that seals the space 13 defined by the conduit element 5 and the wall of the liquid container 3 liquid-tightly towards the outside by mean of a ring seal 37 at an inner step portion that is proximal to the inside of the liquid container 3.
An intermediate step 39 of the closing element 31 has a second sealing portion 41 that is interposed between the wall of the liquid container 3 inside its flange portion and is capable of sealing the ventilation passage 7 which communicates the inside with the outside of the liquid container 3 depending on the position of the closing element 31 relative to the conduit element 5.
An outer step 43 has a lateral gripping area 45 and protrudes from the liquid container 3 to allow a manual handling of the closing element 31 in order to move it on the conduit element 5. The closing element 31 of the present embodiment assumes either one of a first and second distinct position.
The closing element 31 has two closing element angled sections 47 which are similar in shape and opposed to the conduit element angled sections 27 while being located inside the outer step 43 of the closing element 31. The closing element 31 is held in its first position by abutment of the two closing element angled sections 47 against the first step portion 29 on the distal side of the conduit element 5 facing the liquid container 3, and in its second position, by abutment of the two closing element angled sections 47 against the second step portion 25.
In both positions, the abutment is held by a biasing coil spring 49 that is placed liquid permeably inside the space 13 defined by the conduit element 5 and the wall of the liquid container 3 and interposed between the end of the inner step 33 of the closing element 31, which is proximal to the inside of the liquid container 3, and a step 51 of the wall of the liquid container 3, which is formed at the position where the conduit element 5 is fixedly and liquid-tightly connected to the liquid container 3. Of course, instead of a coil spring 49, any elastic element 49 may be used that is liquid permeable due to its form or material.
In the first position of the closing element 31, the first sealing portion 35 of the inner step 33 seals the space 13 defined between the conduit element 5 and the wall of the liquid container 3 between the lower part radial openings 17 and the upper part radial openings 11, thereby blocking and preventing any liquid flow through the conduit element 5 either from the outside towards the inside or vice versa. Further, the second sealing portion 41 of the intermediate step 39 seals together with the first sealing portion 35 the ventilation passage 7, thereby blocking any fluid flow through the ventilation passage 7.
In the second position of the closing element 31, the first sealing portion 35 of the inner step 33 seals the space 13 defined between the conduit element 5 and the wall of the liquid container 3 below the lower part radial openings 17 in a direction away from the liquid container 3, thereby allowing liquid flow through the conduit element 5 either from the outside towards the inside or vice versa. Further, the second sealing portion 41 of the intermediate step 39 is distant from the wall of the liquid container 3, thereby allowing fluid flow through the ventilation passage 7. So, even in its second position, the closing element 31 seals the ventilation passage 7 from the flow passage 9,15 by means of the first sealing portion 35.
The closing element 31 can be manually unlocked from its first position by gripping the lateral gripping area 45 and rotating it until the closing element angled sections 47 fall between the conduit element angled sections 27 after which the closing element 31 is subsequently automatically moved away from the liquid container 3 by means of the biasing coil spring 49 into its second position. It is, of course, also possible to do without the coil spring 49 and use only gravity by turning the liquid container 3 with the refill system 1 pointing downwards, such that the closing element 31 is automatically placed and held in its second position, once it has been rotated until the closing element angled sections 47 fall between the conduit element angled sections 27.
From the second position, the closing element 31 can be pushed toward the liquid container 3 against the biasing force of the coil spring 49 and subsequently turned and locked into its first position by bringing the surface of the closing element angled sections 47 and the top surface of the conduit element angled sections 27, i.e. the first step portion 29, in abutment.
Once the closing element 31 is in its second position, a stem of a liquid donor tank is brought into abutment with the elastic ring insert 21. The fluid can then flow through the center hole of the elastic ring insert 21 into the lower part flow passage 15 by means of liquid pressure from the liquid donor tank. Then the fluid is output through the lower part radial openings 17 into the space 13 which is defined between the conduit element 5 and the wall of the liquid container 3 and sealed from the outside by the first sealing portion 35 of the closing element 31. Once the fluid passes the coil spring 49, it enters through the upper part radial openings 11 into the upper part flow passage 9 and is then led to the inside of the liquid container 3. Meanwhile, the ventilation passage 7 is open, so that air can be let out of the liquid container 3 in exchange for fluid entering the liquid container 3 through the conduit element 5 as described above.

Second Embodiment

Figures 3 and 4 show a refill system 1 according to a second embodiment that is arranged in a bottom part of a liquid container 3 and similar to the refill system 1 described in the first embodiment, which is why only differences between the two shall be described in the following.
The closing element 310 has two hollow cylinder elements 311,312 with one element 311 having the inner step 33 and the intermediate step 39 and the other element 312 being loosely abutted against the one element 311 within its intermediate step 39 and surrounding the "U"-shaped end of the conduit element 5. Of course, instead of an abutment, the other element 312 may be fitted into the intermediate step 39.
The described closing element 310 having the two hollow cylinder elements 311,312 can also be applied to the first embodiment.
Further, a sealing ball 53, which shall be regarded as an example for a sealing element 53, is placed inside the lower part flow passage 15 and interposed between the lower part radial openings 17 and the lower part flow passage 15. Regardless of the position of the closing element 310 the sealing ball 53 can seal the lower part flow passage 15 liquid-tightly towards the outside by gravity and/or liquid pressure entering through the upper part radial openings 11, and also let liquid from the outside through the lower part flow passage 15 and the lower part radial openings 17.
The second embodiment further shows a covering enclosure 55 that is held to the liquid container 3 by a collar cylinder assembly 57 which is fixed to the liquid container 3 by means of a base plate 59 that is screwed to the liquid container 3.
The closing element 310 can be, similarly to the first embodiment, unlocked from its first position by gripping a gripping area 45 which, in this embodiment, is distal from the liquid container 3 and rotating it until the closing element 310 is automatically moved away from the liquid container 3 by means of the biasing coil spring 49 into its second position.
From the second position, the closing element 310 can be pushed toward the liquid container 3 against the biasing force of the coil spring 49 and subsequently turned and locked into its first position.
In another embodiment, which is not shown in the figures, instead of using angled sections and abutment surfaces, the outer side of the "U"-shaped accommodation 19 engages by means of a thread with the inner side of the closing element 310, such that the closing element 310 can be moved into either one of its first and second position by being screwed towards or away from the liquid container 3 along the conduit element 5. For such a configuration the gripping area 45 may be lateral, as in the first embodiment, or distal, as in the second embodiment. Regardless of the above embodiments, it shall be further mentioned, that a distal gripping area 45 can preferably be formed as a slit through the edge 23 of the U"-shaped accommodation 19 in any of these embodiments, such that a coin or a nail would be sufficient to turn and unlock the closing element, as in the first embodiment, or screw the closing element, as in the second embodiment, from its first position into its second position and vice versa.
In Figures 2 and 4, the respective fluid flow directions during refill are indicated with arrows.
Of course, the above described refill systems 1 can be used in various liquid containers, such as perfume bottles and flacons.

Claims

Refill system (1) of a liquid container (3), preferably a flacon, comprising
a conduit element (5) capable of communicating the inside with the outside of the liquid container (3) and being liquid-tightly connected to the liquid container (3), and
a closing element (31, 310) capable of being in a first position which prevents a liquid flow through the conduit element (5) and a second position which allows a liquid flow through the conduit element (5), characterized in that,
the conduit element (5) is fixedly connected to the liquid container (3) and has an upper part with an upper part flow passage (9) having one end inside the liquid container (3) and the other end leading past the liquid-tight connection of the conduit element (5) with the liquid container (3) and subsequently through at least one upper part radial opening (11) into a space (13) defined by the conduit element (5) and the wall of the liquid container (3),
in its first position, the closing element (31, 310) having a first sealing portion (35) is capable of sealing the space (13) defined by the conduit element (5) and the wall of the liquid container (3) liquid-tightly towards the outside.
Refill system (1) according to claim 1, wherein
the conduit element (5) has a lower part with a lower part flow passage (15) that is symmetrical to the upper part flow passage (9) and connected through at least one lower part radial opening (17) to the space (13) defined by the conduit element (5) and the wall of the liquid container (3), when the closing element (31, 310) is in its second position and sealing the space (13) defined by the conduit element (5) and the wall of the liquid container (3) liquid-tightly towards the outside, and
the conduit element (5) is capable of receiving a stem of a liquid donor tank by abutment to its lower part.
Refill system (1) according to claim 2, wherein
a sealing element (53) is placed inside the lower part flow passage (15) and interposed between the at least one lower part radial opening (17) and the lower part flow passage (15),
being capable of sealing the lower part flow passage (15) liquid-tightly towards the outside by gravity and/or liquid pressure entering through the at least one radial opening (17), and
being capable of letting liquid from the outside through the lower part flow passage (15) and the at least one lower part radial opening (17).
Refill system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein
the closing element (31, 310) having a second sealing portion (41) by means of which it is capable of closing, in its first position, a ventilation passage (7) communicating the inside with the outside of the liquid container (3), and is capable of opening, in its second position, the ventilation passage (7).
Refill system (1) according to claim 4, wherein
in the first position of the closing element (31, 310), the second sealing portion (41) is interposed between the wall of the liquid container (3).
Refill system (1) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein
the closing element (31, 310) seals the ventilation passage (7) from the flow passage (9, 15) by means of the first sealing portion (35).
Refill system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein
the closing element (31, 310) is held movably on the conduit element (5) to assume either one of the first and second position.
Refill system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein
the closing element (31, 310) is capable of being unlocked from its first position by being rotated and subsequently moved away from the liquid container (3) into its second position.
Refill system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein
the closing element (31, 310) is capable of being pushed toward the liquid container (3) and subsequently turned and locked into its first position.
Refill system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the closing element (31, 310) is held
in its first position, by abutment against a first step portion (29) on the distal side of the conduit element (5) facing the liquid container (3), and
in its second position, by gravity abutment against a second step portion (25) being farther away from the liquid container (3) than the first step portion (29).
Refill system (1) according to claim 10, wherein
an elastic element (49) interposed between the closing element (31, 310) and the liquid container (3) biases the closing element (31, 310) respectively against the first or second step portion (29, 25).
Refill system (1) according to claim 11, wherein
the elastic element (49) is placed liquid permeably inside the space (13) defined by the conduit element (5) and the wall of the liquid container (3).
Refill system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein
the conduit element (5) has a ring-like edge (23) on its distal end of the lower part being capable of being removably attached to a cover element for further protection of the refill system (1) and/or liquid container (3) and/or serving as an abutment for the closing element (31, 310) in its second position.
Refill system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein
the closing element (31, 310) is retracted into a flange portion of the liquid container (3) when being in the first position, and
the closing element (31, 310) has a lateral or distal gripping area (45) which protrudes from the liquid container (3) in the first position of the closing element (31, 310) and allows a manual handling of the closing element (31, 310) in order to move it into its second position and vice versa.
Perfume bottle (3) with a refill system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.