Refill liquid container
The present invention provides a container system for liquids such as spray fragrances. The system includes a parent container ( 110 ) and a child container ( 120 ). The parent container provides a first cavity ( 113 ) for confining a liquid, and couples detachably to the child container for refilling the child container through a supply opening ( 111 ) in the parent container. The child container has a cavity ( 126 ) for the liquid, a dispensing mechanism for dispensing liquid, and a valve assembly ( 124 ) for filling or topping up liquid into the child container from the parent. The valve ( 124 ) opens when the parent container is coupled to the child container. Either the parent or the child container system further includes a movable part ( 127 ) which automatically urges liquid from the parent container to the child container, so that when the two containers are together the child container is always full. However, when the child container is separated it can be operated as a self-contained dispenser.
1. A container system for liquids, including a parent container and a child container, in which:
the parent container provides a first cavity for confining a liquid, and is configured to couple detachably to the child container for refilling the child container through a supply opening in the parent container, and
the child container provides a second cavity for confining a liquid, and comprises a dispensing mechanism for dispensing liquid from the second cavity, and a fluid transfer assembly for controlling liquid flow into the child container through a refill opening, forming a channel between the first cavity and the second cavity to allow liquid flow when the parent container is coupled to the child container;
wherein the container system includes a movable part which, in one direction of travel, urges liquid from the parent container to the child container, this movement being brought about as a consequence of the coupling of the child container to the parent container;
wherein as soon as the child container is connected to the parent container, the consequent movement of the movable part automatically draws a sufficient amount of liquid from the first cavity into the second cavity to refill the child container for further use; and
a securing mechanism for the detachable coupling and securing of the child container to the parent, so that the dispensing mechanism of the child container is operable to dispense liquid from the parent while the child container is secured to the parent container.
2. A container system according to claim 1 , wherein the child container contains the movable part, and further comprises a restoring means for storing a restoring force as liquid is expelled from the second cavity, so that when the child container is disconnected from the parent container dispensing of liquid causes the second cavity to contract, and, when the parent container and the child container are coupled together again, the restoring means releases the restoring force so as to expand the second cavity to the original state, thereby drawing liquid from the first cavity into the second cavity.
3. The container system according to claim 1 , wherein:
the fluid transfer assembly includes a first valve assembly that seals the refill opening when the containers are separated,
wherein the child container further comprises a restoring means for storing a restoring force as liquid is expelled from the second cavity, such that, when the child container is separated from the parent container, dispensing of liquid causes the second cavity to contract, and when the parent container and the child container are coupled together again, the restoring means releases the restoring force so as to expand the second cavity to the original state, thereby drawing liquid from the first cavity into the second cavity.
4. A container system according to claim 2 , wherein the second cavity is defined by a bellows.
5. A container system according to claim 4 , wherein the bellows that defines the second cavity is resilient, so as itself to constitute the restoring means, and the bellows is compressed under atmospheric pressure when liquid is expelled from the second cavity by the dispensing mechanism.
6. A container system according to claim 2 , wherein the second cavity is defined by a piston.
7. A container system according to claim 2 , wherein the restoring means is a spring, which is compressed under atmospheric pressure when liquid is expelled from the second cavity by the dispensing mechanism.
8. A container system according to claim 2 , wherein the second cavity is defined by an elastic diaphragm that stretches across the child container, which itself constitutes the movable part and the restoring means, the diaphragm is arranged to store energy as it is being pushed into the second cavity under atmospheric pressure while liquid is expelled from the second cavity by the dispensing mechanism, and releases the stored energy by expanding the second cavity when the parent container is coupled to the child container, thereby drawing liquid from the first cavity into the second cavity.
9. A container system according to claim 2 , wherein the fluid transfer assembly includes a valve effective to seal the child container when the two containers are separated.
10. A container system according to claim 9 , further including an elongate connecting means between the valve and the second cavity.
11. A container system according to claim 10 , wherein the connecting means is a flexible tube fixed at one end to the valve and at the other to the movable part.
12. A container system according to claim 11 , wherein the flexible tube is a connection bellows.
13. A container system according to claim 10 , wherein the connecting means is a substantially rigid tube slidably coupled to the movable part.
14. A container system according to claim 3 , wherein the parent container further comprises a second valve assembly for sealing the supply opening.
15. A container system according to claim 14 , wherein the valve assemblies resiliently protrude from their respective containers, and the coupling of the parent container and the child container causes the first valve assembly and the second valve assembly to retreat into their respective containers until the containers are decoupled.
16. A container system according to claim 1 , wherein Previously presented parent container comprises the movable part, and which is a part of an actuator assembly for pressurizing the first cavity through the action of coupling the parent container and the child container, such that coupling the parent container with the child container engages the actuator assembly and drives liquid from the first cavity into the second cavity.
17. A container system according to claim 16 , wherein the actuator assembly comprises a piston and a compression chamber, the compression chamber having one or more through-holes into the sealed first cavity allowing air or liquid from the first cavity into the compression chamber, and the first cavity is pressurized by pushing the piston into the compression chamber.
18. A container system according to claim 17 , wherein the actuator assembly further comprises a spring for returning the piston to a suspended position above the compression chamber.
19. A container system according to claim 18 , wherein the actuator assembly surrounds the supply opening.
20. A container system according to claim 1 , wherein the parent container has an air hole to enable liquid to be drawn from the first cavity into the second cavity by drawing air into the first cavity through the air hole.
21. A container system according to claim 1 , wherein, when the child container is coupled to the parent container, liquid is dispensed by the dispensing mechanism drawing liquid from the first cavity without causing the second cavity to collapse.