PRESSURIZED CANS WITH COMPRESSED AIR

The present invention relates to an improved refill system for pressurized containers, in particular for pressurized cans of the BOV (bag-on-valve) type.

Containers with bag-on-valve (BOV) technology for pressurized products are known on the market. Such containers consist of a main body comprising a bag therein, containing the product to be dispensed, and a dispensing valve placed at the mouth of the container and to which the bag is welded. Such types of containers are filled, in the space between the bag and the main body, with a fluid under pressure, such as for example compressed air, which, when the valve is opened, compress the bag causing the leakage of the product contained therein .

Such types of packaging systems are used because of their multiple advantages, among which we mention:

- the possibility to dispense almost all the product contained therein (content evacuation rate above 90%) ;

- the possibility to select the type of dispensing (continuous or predetermined dosage dispensing) ;

- the minimizing of the contamination of the contained product ;

- the easy and safe fill;

- the possibility to dispense the product regardless of the orientation of the container.

However, because of the structure these containers have, refilling them is complicated. For this reason, once the product contained in the bag is exhausted, generally such containers are not retrieved/reused even if still intact and thus potentially reusable.

Such aspect has some problems from an environmental point of view due to the disposal of such containers, once thrown away.

In order to cope with this problem, refill systems for pressurized containers able to allow any user to refill them, even in unspecialized locations, have been created .

In some cases, for example, refilling is performed by pouring preset amount of product from a tank to the pressurized receptacle.

However, the known refill systems are not always functional; for example, refill products having a higher viscosity, such as for example creams or oils, is complicated .

An object of the present invention is to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks and in particular to provide a refill system for pressurized containers which is particularly efficient and easy to use even at home, and that allows the refill with any type of liquid.

A further object of the present invention is to safely manage even just partial fills of product.

These and other objects are achieved by providing a refill system for pressurized containers as set forth in claim 1.

Further features of the refill system are object of the dependent claims.

The features and advantages of a refill system according to the present invention will be more apparent from the following exemplary and non-limiting disclosure, referred to the attached schematic drawings in which: - figure 1 is a partially sectional schematic view of an embodiment of a refill system for pressurized containers according to the present invention;

- figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a further embodiment of a refill system for pressurized containers according to the present invention;

- figure 3 is a partially sectional view of a first embodiment of a detail of figure 1;

- figure 4 is a partially sectional view of a second embodiment of a detail of figure 1;

- figure 5 is a partially sectional view of a further detail of the refill system of figure 1.

With reference to the attached figures, an improved refill system, overall denoted by 10, is showed. The refill system 10 according to the present invention is specifically usable to refill pressurized containers 6. With pressurized containers, reference is particularly made to containers which evacuate the product contained therein through the pressure of a compressed fluid therein, generally compressed air, such as for example the bag-in-can or bag-on-valve systems. Such containers 6, as visible in figure 1, comprise a bag 11, or other deformable container, therein, containing in turn the product to be dispensed, and a dispensing valve (not illustrated) , directly connected to the bag 11.

As illustrated in figure 1, the refill system 10 comprises a tank 1 configured to contain a refill liquid. The refill system 10 comprises pressure generation means 12 placed at the tank 1 and configured to generate pressure inside the tank 1.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the refill system 10, illustrated in figure 3, the pressure generation means 12 are pneumatic means. More details about the pressure generation means are provided below in the present disclosure.

The refill system 10 further comprises at least one pipe 2, 4 connected to the tank 1 and connectable to the container 6 to be refilled. Such pipe 2, 4 is configured to fluidly connect the tank 1 to the container 6 to be refilled. In particular, the pipe 2, 4 has an end 501 suitable for coupling with the container 6 to be refilled .

The refill system 10 comprises a pump 3 placed downstream the tank 1 and connected to the pipe 2, 4. The pump 3 is configured to transfer the refill liquid from the tank 1 towards the container 6, along the pipe 2, 4. It should be noted that such pump 3 can be for example electrical or pneumatic.

In particular, the refill system 10 comprises a first pipe 2 upstream the pump 3 which connects the pump 3 to the tank 1. The refill system further comprises a second pipe 4 downstream the pump 3 and configured to connect the pump 3 to the container 6.

The second pipe 4 has the above-mentioned end 501 suitable for coupling with the container 6 to be refilled .

Preferably, the end 501 of the pipe 4 comprises an injector 5 comprising a coupling portion 502 suitable for coupling with the container 6 to be refilled, in particular with the dispensing valve of the container 6. Preferably such injector 5 have sealing means and a quick engagement /disengagement system to allow the connection to the container 6 when refilling, and the disconnection from the container 6 once the refill is finished. It should be noted that, in accordance with a preferred embodiment, the refill system 10 comprises a casing 20 wherein at least the tank 1, the pressure generation means 12, the first pipe 2 and the second pipe 4 and the pump 3 are comprised.

Such casing 20 is portable and allows to promote the transport of the refill system 10.

Preferably, the refill system 10 comprises a support 21, visible in figure 2. Such support 21 comprises a portion 210 configured to accommodate the container 6 to be refilled. In particular, such portion 210 is conformed complementarily to the base of the container 6, and is arranged such that the container 6 being refilled can rest thereon. Advantageously the container 6 being refilled can be held in a stable and vertical position. The above-mentioned support 21 is inserted into the casing 20 if comprised in the refill system 10.

Such casing 20 further comprises a cover 40 to allow access to the tank 1, which is placed inside the casing 20. The cover 40 is placed preferably at the bottom, as visible in figure 2.

The refill system 10 in accordance with the present invention comprises a control unit 7 which is placed in signal communication with the pump 3. In particular, the control unit 7 is configured to actuate the pump 3 so as to dose the refill liquid transfer in the container 6 to be refilled.

Preferably, the control unit 7 is configured to deactivate the pump 3 after a predetermined time period. Such predetermined time period can be preselected according to the volume of the container 6 the refill system 10 is sized to. In particular, the activation of the pump 3 is timed each time by setting a predetermined time period even as a function of the viscosity of the product to be transferred in the container 6.

Furthermore, according to the type of product to be refilled, and thus according to the type of the viscosity thereof, the refill system 10 can be provided with typologies of pumps able to dispense different peak pressures, allowing to safely manage the overdosing situations and limiting potential dangerous excessive pressures inside the container 6.

Optionally, the refill system 10 comprises a load cell (not illustrated in the attached figures) configured to be placed below the tank 1. The load cell allows to read the weight of the liquid being transferred from the tank 1 to the container 6, as the weight difference corresponds, by the factor of its density, to the volume of liquid injected in the container 6.

If the pressure generation means 12 are pneumatic means, as mentioned above, preferably the pressure generation means 12 are also placed in signal communication with the control unit 7, to be actuated by the control unit

7 itself.

Even preferably, the refill system 10 comprises a display

8 placed in signal communication with the control unit 7 and configured to display parameters related to the refill liquid transfer.

Advantageously, a user can monitor the operation of the system 10. For example, an illustrated parameter can be the refill status of the container 6.

Optionally, the control unit 7 and the display 8 are included in the casing 20. Alternatively, the control unit 7 and/or the display 8 are separated from the casing 20. In accordance with such alternative, the control unit 7 can be suitable for coupling with the pump 3 and/or to the pressure generation means 12 and/or to the sensors through wireless connection.

The refill system 10 preferably comprises one or more sensors (not illustrated) in signal communication with the control unit 7.

Each sensor is configured to detect a respective parameter related to the refill liquid transfer and to transmit a signal representative of such parameter to the control unit 7.

For example, the sensors can be configured to detect a signal indicative of the fill status of the container 6 and/or a signal indicative of the refill liquid flow in delivery from the pump 3.

For example, the refill system 10 comprises one or more pressure sensors, configured to send a signal to the control unit 7 when the pressure inside the container 6 reaches a predetermined limit value. The control unit 7 is configured in turn to stop the pump 3 when receiving such signal .

As an alternative to the pressure sensors, the use of a pump 3 which is self-limiting, i.e. , configured to autonomously stop when reaching a predetermined limit pressure, can be expected.

Optionally, the refill system 10 also comprises signalling means (not illustrated in the attached figures) in signal communication with the control unit 7 and configured to provide an indication of the refill status of the container 6, such as for example "complete refill", "refill in progress" or "waiting for refill start". For example, the signalling means can be light means, configured to illuminate with different colours as a function of the refill status. For example, the signalling means can comprise two or more LEDs.

The control unit 7 is configured to receive such signals representative of such parameters related to the refill liquid transfer, and to actuate the pump 3 and/or the pressure generation means 12 as a function of such parameters .

The described refill system 10 is portable and is reusable to refill different containers 6 or one same container 6 in different moments.

In order to drive the control unit 7, the refill system 10 comprises for example one or more buttons 221, 222, preferably placed on the casing 20. For example, the refill system 10 comprises a first button 221 configured to turn on the control unit 7, and/or a second button 222 configured to start the spill of refill liquid of the container 6.

Preferably, the pneumatic means comprise a vibration pump 61 and a duct 62 connected to the vibration pump 61. In particular, the vibration pump 61 is configured to push air into the tank 1 through the duct 62, thus generating an increase in pressure inside the tank 1. Still preferably, the pneumatic means comprise a check valve 63 connected to the tank 1 and to the duct 62. The check valve 63 is configured to avoid the return of air from the tank 1 towards the vibration pump 61. Advantageously the check valve 63 and the vibration pump 61 ensure the maintenance of the pressure of the refill liquid in the tank 1. The presence of pneumatic means advantageously allows also to obtain a refill system 10 with compact size and guarantees of high working pressures.

Preferably, the tank 1 comprises a partition wall 65 which is slidable. Such partition wall 65 is configured to separate the air under pressure generated by the vibration pump 61 and the refill liquid. The partition wall 65 allows to interrupt the refill once the refill liquid is exhausted and thus to avoid that the air accidentally arrives inside the bag 11.

In a second embodiment, alternative of the first and illustrated in figure 4, the pressure generation means 12 are mechanical means and comprise a piston 52 configured to be pushed into the tank 1.

For example, as visible in figure 4, the piston 52 comprises a plate 53 connected to a spiral screw 54, configured to push the plate 53 into the tank 1. Alternatively, the piston 52 could for example be pushed by a lever (not illustrated) adapted to generate the pushing force on the piston 52 inside the tank 1.

The piston 52 can be moved manually or by an electric motor. In the second case, the electric motor is also placed in signal communication with the control unit 7 and can be actuated by the control unit 7.

Preferably, the refill system 10 comprises a safety valve 9 connected to the pipe 2, 4 and configured to limit the pressure inside the pipe 2, 4 to a pre-determined pressure value.

More preferably, the safety valve 9 is placed at the second pipe 4.

Still preferably, the pre-determined pressure value corresponds to the test pressure value of the type of container 6. Such value varies depending on the type of container to be refilled. For example, a typical test pressure value for BOV pressurized containers is 12 bars. The pre-determined pressure value can be a fixed value when manufacturing the refill system 10 or a variable value, adjustable by the user.

Still preferably, the safety valve 9 comprises a needle shutter 43, a perforated plug 44 and a spring 45 placed between the shutter 43 and the perforated plug 44, as visible in figure 5. In particular, the spring 45 is calibrated to a discharge pressure value and is configured to discharge excesses of pressure through the perforated plug 44.

Optionally, the refill system 10 can comprise further safety valves.

The operation of the refill system 10 is described below. When a pressurized-type container 6 is exhausted, and thus the need to refill it arises, the refill system 10 is used to fill the bag 11 placed inside the container 6.

In particular, the refill system 10 is connected to the container 6, and more specifically to the bag 11, by means of an injector 5 compatible with the dispensing valve of the container 6 to be refilled.

The refill liquid is pumped from the tank 1 to the container 6 through the pump 3, actuated by a control unit 7.

The pumping occurs also because of the pressure generation means 12, configured to generate pressure inside the tank 1, which generate a further pushing of the refill liquid towards the container 6. Indeed, the pressure generation means 12 assist in overwhelming the pressure of the compressed air in the container 6, in particular between the bag 11 and the inside of the container 6, but also the viscosity of the refill product .

Advantageously, therefore, containers 6 can be effectively refilled even with particularly viscous refill liquids.

Once the container 6 is filled, the control unit deactivates the pump 3 and/or the pressure generation means 12.

From the performed description, the features of the system being object of the present invention are clear, as well as the related advantages are clear.

It is clear, finally, that the system thus conceived is susceptible of several modifications and variations, all falling within the invention; furthermore, all the details are replaceable by technically equivalent elements. In practice, the used materials, as well as the size, can be any depending on the technical requirements .