JFIj-I-I GJ¾i^^

The present invention relates to a filling system for filling a liquid medium, especially a volatile medium, into a fluid supply, such as a reservoir, and also to a filling device and a nozzle device for use in such a filling system.

Various filling system exist for filling a volatile medium into a reservoir. One such filling device is disclosed in WO-A- 1995/026772.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide an improved filling system, and also to a filling device and a nozzle device for use in such a filling system.

In one aspect the present invention provides a filling system for delivering a fluid medium from a container to a fluid supply, the filling system comprising : a nozzle device fluidly connectable to a container; and a filling device for receiving the nozzle device and fluidly connectable to a fluid supply; wherein the nozzle device comprises a nozzle assembly which is fluidly connectable to the container, and the nozzle assembly comprises one of a male or female connector and a valve unit which is fluidly connected to the container; wherein the connector of the nozzle assembly includes one of at least one track, which has axial and circumferential components, or at least one follower; wherein the filling device comprises a filling assembly, and the filling assembly comprises the other of the male or female connector, which is counterpart to and interengageable with the connector of the nozzle assembly, and a valve unit which is fluidly connectable to the fluid supply; wherein the connector of the filling assembly includes the other of the at least one track, which has axial and circumferential components, or the at least one follower; whereby, on interengaging the connectors of the nozzle and filling assemblies and applying a rotational force to the connector of the nozzle assembly relative to the connector of the filling assembly, the one of the at least one track or follower of the connector of the nozzle assembly engages the other of the at least one track or follower of the connector of the filling assembly to cause the connector of the nozzle assembly to move axially in a first direction relative to the connector of the filling assembly from a first, closed position, in which the valve units of the nozzle and filling assemblies are closed, to a second, open position, in which the valve units of the nozzle and filling assemblies are open, and so providing a fluid communication path between the container and the fluid supply, and, on releasing the rotational force, the one of the at least one track or follower of the connector of the nozzle assembly engages the other of the at least one track or follower of the connector of the filling assembly to cause the connector of the nozzle assembly to move axially in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, relative to the connector of the filling assembly from the second, open position, in which the valve units of the nozzle and filling assemblies are open, to the second, closed position, in which the valve units of the nozzle and filling assemblies are closed, and so closing a fluid communication path between the container and the fluid supply.

In another aspect the present invention provides a nozzle device connectable to a container and for use with a filling device in delivering a fluid medium from the container to a fluid supply, the nozzle device comprising : a nozzle assembly which is fluidly connectable to the container and comprises one of a male or female connector and a valve unit which is fluidly connected to the container; wherein the connector of the nozzle assembly includes one of at least one track, which has axial and circumferential components, or at least one follower, which is interengageable with the other of the at least one track, which has axial and circumferential components, or the at least one follower on a connector of the filling device.

In a further aspect the present invention provides a nozzle device connectable to a container and for use with a filling device in delivering a fluid medium from the container to a fluid supply, the nozzle device comprising : a nozzle assembly which is fluidly connectable to the container and comprises one of a male or female connector and a valve unit which is fluidly connected to the container; wherein the connector of the nozzle assembly includes one of at least one track, which has axial and circumferential components, or at least one follower, which is interengageable with the other of the at least one track, which has axial and circumferential components, or the at least one follower on a connector of the filling device; whereby, on interengaging the connectors of the nozzle and filling assemblies and applying a rotational force to the connector of the nozzle assembly relative to the connector of the filling assembly, the one of the at least one track or follower of the connector of the nozzle assembly engages the other of the at least one track or follower of the connector of the filling assembly to cause the connector of the nozzle assembly to move axially in a first direction relative to the connector of the filling assembly from a first, closed position, in which the valve units of the nozzle and filling assemblies are closed, to a second, open position, in which the valve units of the nozzle and filling assemblies are open, and so providing a fluid communication path between the container and the fluid supply, and, on releasing the rotational force, the one of the at least one track or follower of the connector of the nozzle assembly engages the other of the at least one track or follower of the connector of the filling assembly to cause the connector of the nozzle assembly to move axially in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, relative to the connector of the filling assembly from the second, open position, in which the valve units of the nozzle and filling assemblies are open, to the second, closed position, in which the valve units of the nozzle and filling assemblies are closed, and so closing a fluid communication path between the container and the fluid supply.

In a still further aspect the present invention provides a filling device connectable to a fluid supply and for use with a nozzle device in delivering a fluid medium from a container to the fluid supply, the filling device comprising : a filling assembly fluidly connectable to a fluid supply and comprising one of a male or female connector and a valve unit which is fluidly connected to the fluid supply; wherein the connector of the filling assembly includes one of at least one track, which has axial and circumferential components, or at least one follower, which is interengageable with the other of the at least one track, which has axial and circumferential components, or the at least one follower on a connector of the nozzle device. In a still further aspect the present invention provides a filling device connectable to a fluid supply and for use with a nozzle device in delivering a fluid medium from a container to the fluid supply, the filling device comprising : a filling assembly fluidly connectable to a fluid supply and comprising one of a male or female connector and a valve unit which is fluidly connected to the fluid supply; wherein the connector of the filling assembly includes one of at least one track, which has axial and circumferential components, or at least one follower, which is interengageable with the other of the at least one track, which has axial and circumferential components, or the at least one follower on a connector of the nozzle device; whereby, on interengaging the connectors of the nozzle and filling assemblies and applying a rotational force to the connector of the nozzle assembly relative to the connector of the filling assembly, the one of the at least one track or follower of the connector of the nozzle assembly engages the other of the at least one track or follower of the connector of the filling assembly to cause the connector of the nozzle assembly to move axially in a first direction relative to the connector of the filling assembly from a first, closed position, in which the valve units of the nozzle and filling assemblies are closed, to a second, open position, in which the valve units of the nozzle and filling assemblies are open, and so providing a fluid communication path between the container and the fluid supply, and, on releasing the rotational force, the one of the at least one track or follower of the connector of the nozzle assembly engages the other of the at least one track or follower of the connector of the filling assembly to cause the connector of the nozzle assembly to move axially in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, relative to the connector of the filling assembly from the second, open position, in which the valve units of the nozzle and filling assemblies are open, to the second, closed position, in which the valve units of the nozzle and filling assemblies are closed, and so closing a fluid communication path between the container and the fluid supply. Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described hereinbelow by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a filling device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, as fitted to a reservoir;

Figure 2 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the filling device of Figure i ;

Figure 3 illustrates a vertical sectional view (along section I-I in Figure 1) of the filling device of Figure 1;

Figure 4(a) illustrates a perspective view of the housing of the connector assembly of the filling device of Figure 1;

Figure 4(b) illustrates a plan view of the housing of Figure 4(a);

Figure 4(c) illustrates in enlarged scale detail A of the housing of Figure 4(b);

Figure 4(d) illustrates an underneath plan view of the housing of Figure 4(a);

Figure 4(e) illustrates a sectional view (along section II-II in Figure 4(b)) of the housing of Figure 4(a);

Figure 5 illustrates a perspective view of a nozzle device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, as fitted to a container;

Figure 6 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the nozzle device of Figure 5;

Figure 7 illustrates a longitudinal sectional view (along section III-III in Figure 1) of the nozzle device of Figure 5; Figure 8(a) illustrates a perspective view of the nozzle of the nozzle assembly of the nozzle device of Figure 5;

Figure 8(b) illustrates one end view of the nozzle of Figure 8(a);

Figure 8(c) illustrates the other end view of the nozzle of Figure 8(a);

Figure 8(d) illustrates one side view of the nozzle of Figure 8(a) from a first direction;

Figure 8(e) illustrates another side view of the nozzle of Figure 8(a) from a second direction, orthogonal to the first direction;

Figure 8(f) illustrates a first sectional view (along section IV-IV in Figure 8(c)) of the nozzle of Figure 8(a);

Figure 8(g) illustrates a second sectional view (along section V-V in Figure 8(c)) of the nozzle of Figure 8(a);

Figure 9 illustrates a vertical sectional view of the nozzle device of Figure 5 as fitted to the filling device of Figure 1, but prior to rotation of the nozzle device relative to the filling device in opening the valve units of the nozzle and filling devices;

Figure 10 illustrates a vertical sectional view of the nozzle device of Figure 5 as fitted to the filling device of Figure 1, following rotation of the nozzle device relative to the filling device to open the valve units of the nozzle and filling devices; and

Figure 11 illustrates a vertical sectional view of the nozzle device of Figure 5 as fitted to the filling device of Figure 1, following release of the rotational force as applied to the nozzle device relative to the filling device and the valve units of the nozzle and filling devices returned to the closed configurations.

Figures 1 to 4 illustrate a filling device 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention as fitted to a reservoir 2.

The filling device 1 comprises a body 3 which is fluidly connected to the reservoir 2, and a connector assembly 7 by which a filling nozzle 69 of a container 67 is fluidly connected to the body 3, such as to allow for filling of the reservoir 2.

The body 3 includes a first chamber 9 for receiving a fluid medium, in this embodiment a volatile liquid medium, and a first flow channel 11 which fluidly connects the chamber 9 to the reservoir 2.

Volatile mediums include volatile anaesthetics for general anaesthesia, such as desflurane, halothane, enflurane, isoflurane and sevoflurane.

In this embodiment the chamber 9 includes a support 15 for supporting a valve element 47, as will be described in more detail hereinbelow.

In this embodiment the body 3 includes a first attachment section 16, here a threaded section, for attachment of the connector assembly 7 to the body 3.

In this embodiment the body 3 includes a second chamber 17 for receiving fluid medium from the reservoir 2, and a second flow channel 18 which fluidly connects the second chamber 17 to the reservoir 2.

In this embodiment the body 3 includes a drain connector 19 by which a drain unit is fluidly connected to the body 3, and a third flow channel 20 which fluidly connects the second chamber 17 to the drain connector 19. In this embodiment the body 3 includes a second attachment section 21, here a threaded section, for attachment of a valve member 22 to the body 3 and within the second chamber 17.

In this embodiment the body 3 includes a valve member 22 which is operable to provide for closure of the fluid communication path between the second chamber 17 and the second and third flow channels 18, 20 when in normal operation and opening of the fluid communication path between the second chamber 17 and the second and third flow channels 18, 20 in order to allow for draining of the fluid medium from the reservoir 2.

The connector assembly 7 comprises a housing 23, as particularly illustrated in Figures 4(a) to (e), for receiving a filling nozzle 69 of a container 67, which is attached to the body 3, and a valve unit 25 which is fluidly connected to the first chamber 9 of the body 3.

In this embodiment the housing 23 includes an attachment section 27, here a threaded section, which is counterpart to the first attachment section 17 on the body 3 by which the housing 23 is attached to the body 3.

The housing 23 includes a connector 31, in this embodiment in the form of a generally tubular element, which includes a cavity 33 for receiving the filling nozzle 69 of the container 67.

The connector 31 includes at least one track 35 which has axial and circumferential components, in this embodiment defined by a partial, helical thread 36, and is configured to receive at least one follower 85 on the filling nozzle 69 of the container 67, such that the filling nozzle 69 of the container 67 is fitted to the connector 31 by rotation and, with this rotation, the filling nozzle 69 of the container 67 is caused to move axially into the connector 31 as a consequence of the at least one follower 85 on the filling nozzle 69 of the container 67 passing along the at least one track 35 in the connector 31. In this embodiment the connector 31 includes a plurality of tracks 35, here two tracks, and here defined by a plurality of partial, helical threads 36, and the filling nozzle 69 of the container 67 includes a counterpart plurality of followers 85, as will be described in more detail hereinbelow.

In this embodiment the tracks 35 are arranged in opposed, symmetrical relation.

In this embodiment the tracks 35 are arranged as multi-start partial threads.

In this embodiment the connector 31 includes at least one stop 37, here as defined by an end of the thread 36, which acts to engage a counterpart at least one stop 87 on the filling nozzle 69 of the container 67 and thereby limit the rotation of the filling nozzle 69 of the container 67 in the connector 31.

In this embodiment the connector 31 includes two stops 37, here as defined by the ends of the two partial threads 36.

The housing 23 includes a valve seat 41, in this embodiment at one distal end thereof, and a valve aperture 43 within the valve seat 41 such that the valve seat 41 surrounds the valve aperture 43.

In this embodiment the valve seat 41 has an annular form.

In this embodiment the valve aperture 43 is co-axial with the connector 31.

In this embodiment the housing 23 includes an insertion guide 45 at a proximal end thereof, by which the filling nozzle 69 of the container 67 is required to be inserted into the connector 31 in at least one predetermined angular orientation, whereby the filling nozzle 69 of the container 67 is aligned to the at least one track 35 of the connector 31. The valve unit 25 comprises a valve element 47, and a biasing element 51 which acts normally to bias the valve element 47 against the valve seat 41, and thereby close the fluid communication path between the connector 31 and the body 3.

In this embodiment the valve element 47 includes a valve stem 53 and a valve body 55, which is supported by the valve stem 53.

In this embodiment the valve stem 53 includes first and second valve stem parts 53a, b which extend co-axially and to opposite sides of the valve body 55.

In this embodiment the first valve stem part 53a is located in the support 15 in the body 3, such that movement of the valve element 47 is guided thereby.

In this embodiment the biasing element 51 is disposed about the first valve stem part 53a and engages between the support 15 in the body 3 and the valve body 55.

In this embodiment the second valve stem part 53b extends through the valve aperture 43 and into the cavity 33 of the connector 31.

The connector assembly 7 further comprises a biasing unit 61 which acts to bias the distal end of the filling nozzle 69 of the container 67 when inserted into the connector 31.

In this embodiment the biasing unit 61 comprises an engagement element 62 which is disposed within the connector 31 and a biasing element 63 which acts to bias the engagement element 62 proximally within the connector 31, and thereby bias the filling nozzle 69 of the container 67 axially outwardly of the connector 31. In this embodiment the engagement element 62 comprises an annular element which is disposed at the inner periphery of the connector 31 and includes an aperture 64 through which extends the second valve stem part 53b of the valve element 47.

In this embodiment the engagement element 62 is slideably disposed to the second valve stem part 53b, and held captive thereto by a stop 65, here in the form of a clip.

In this embodiment the biasing element 63 comprises a spring element, here a wave spring.

Figures 5 to 8 illustrate a nozzle device 66 which is attached to a container

67 containing the fluid medium and adapted to be fitted to the connector assembly 7 of the filling device 1.

The nozzle device 66 comprises an attachment 68 which is attached to the container 67 from which fluid medium is to be dispensed, and a nozzle assembly 69 which is fluidly connected to the container 67 by the attachment

68 and configured to be insertable into the connector 31 of the filling device 1.

In this embodiment the attachment 68 comprises a cap 70 which is attached to a neck 71 of the container 67 and includes an aperture 72 through which fluid medium can be delivered, and a fixing member 73, here in the form of an annular washer, which acts to hold the nozzle assembly 69 captive to the cap 70.

In this embodiment the cap 70 includes a thread 75 which is threadedly- engaged to a counterpart thread 76 on the neck 71 of the container 67.

The nozzle assembly 69 comprises a nozzle 79 which is configured so as to be insertable into the connector 31 of the filling device 1, and a valve unit 81 which is disposed within the nozzle 79 and operable between a closed position in which the container 67 is closed by the nozzle assembly 69 and an open position in which fluid medium can pass from the container 67.

The nozzle 79 comprises a body member 83, in this embodiment having a generally cylindrical form, which is insertable into the cavity 33 of the connector 31 of the filling device 1.

The body member 83 includes at least one follower 85 which has axial and circumferential components, in this embodiment defined by a partial, helical thread 86, and is configured to slideable within the at least one track 35 on the connector 31 of the filling device 1, such that the nozzle 79 is fitted to the connector 31 by rotation of the nozzle device 66, and, with this rotation, the nozzle 79 is caused to move axially into the connector 31 as a consequence of the at least one follower 85 on the body member 83 of the nozzle 79 passing along the at least one track 35 on the connector 31.

In this embodiment the at least one follower 85 on the nozzle 79 and the at least one track 35 on the connector 31 are configured such that the nozzle 79 is maintained in an inserted, filling position only while holding the container 67 rotationally in position, and otherwise the nozzle 79 is moved axially outwardly by operation of the biasing unit 61. With this configuration, emptying of the container 67 is prevented while an operative is not present to hold the container 67 rotationally in the inserted, filling position, and yet, by virtue of the gearing of the track/follower arrangement, the force required to maintain the container 67 rotationally in position, and thereby providing for filling of the reservoir 2 from the container 67, can be quite low, and so requiring less effort on the part of the operative. This contrasts with existing systems, in which a container is displaced only axially, and an operative is required to maintain a force, which is relatively high, on the container, in order to maintain the filling operation. In this embodiment the body member 83 includes a plurality of followers 85, here two followers, and here defined by two partial threads 86, which are counterpart to the tracks 35 on the connector 31 of the filling device 1.

In this embodiment the followers 85 are arranged in opposed, symmetrical relation.

In this embodiment the followers 85 are arranged as multi-start partial threads.

In this embodiment the nozzle 79 includes at least one stop 87, here located at an end of the thread 86, which acts to engage the counterpart at least one stop 37 on the connector 31 of the filling device 1 and thereby limit the rotation of the nozzle 79 of the nozzle device 66 in the connector 31 of the filling device 1.

In this embodiment the nozzle 79 includes two stops 87, here at the respective ends of the two partial threads 86.

The body member 83 includes a valve seat 88, in this embodiment at one, distal end thereof, and a valve aperture 89 within the valve seat 88, such that the valve seat 88 surrounds the valve aperture 89.

In this embodiment the valve seat 88 has an annular form.

In this embodiment the valve aperture 89 is co-axia! with the nozzle 79.

The valve unit 81 comprises a valve element 91, a support 92 which is disposed at one, proximal end of the nozzle 79, and a biasing element 93 which is supported by the support 92 and acts normally to bias the valve element 91 against the valve seat 88, and thereby close the fluid path between the nozzle 79 and the container 67. In this embodiment the valve element 91 comprises a body member 95, here extending axially within the nozzle 79, and a valve seal 97 which is supported by the body member 95, here at one distal end thereof. With this configuration, the valve unit 81 is operated by displacement of the valve element 91, here axially within the nozzle 79, from a closed, seated position, in which the valve seal 97 is seated on the valve seat 88 of the nozzle 79, to an open position, and the valve element 91 is returned to the closed position by the action of the biasing element 93.

Operation of the above-described filling device 1 and nozzle device 66 will be described hereinbelow with reference to Figures 9 to 11 of the accompanying drawings.

In a first step, an operative locates the nozzle 79 of the nozzle assembly 69 of the nozzle device 66 within the cavity of the connector 31 of the connector assembly 7 of the filling device 1, as illustrated in Figure 9.

In this embodiment the guide 45 on the connector 31 requires that the nozzle 79 has a predefined rotational position in relation to the connector 31.

When so fitted, and without applying any axial force to the container 67, the container 67 is supported by the filling device 1 through the engagement of the nozzle 79 and the connector 31.

Subsequently, the operative rotates the container 67, and hence the nozzle assembly 69 as attached thereto, in relation to the connector 31 of the filling device, as illustrated in Figure 10.

With this rotation, the at least one follower 85 on the nozzle 79 passes along the at least one track 35 on the connector 31, causing the nozzle 79 to move axially inwards into the connector 31 against the bias of the biasing unit 61, which causes the valve element 91 of the valve unit 81 of the nozzle assembly 69 to engage the valve element 47 of the valve unit 25 of the connector assembly 7, in this embodiment the second valve stem part 53b of the valve stem 53 of the valve element 47.

With continued rotation, the valve unit 25 of the connector assembly 7 is opened, ahead of the valve unit 81 of the nozzle assembly 69, with the valve body 55 being moved off the valve seat 41 of the filling device 1 and providing for communication between the first chamber 9 in the body 3 of the filling device 1 and the connector 31. By providing for the valve unit 25 of the connector assembly 7 to be opened before the valve unit 81 of the nozzle assembly 69, fluid communication is established with the reservoir 2 before delivering liquid medium from the container 67.

With further continued rotation, the valve unit 81 of the nozzle assembly 69 is opened, with the valve body 95 being moved off the valve seat 89 of the nozzle device 66 and providing for communication between the container 67 and the reservoir 2.

In this embodiment the rotation of the nozzle 79 within the connector 31 is limited by the at least one stop 87 on the nozzle 79 engaging the at least one stop 37 on the connector 31.

This filling configuration is maintained for so long as the operative maintains sufficient rotational force as to overcome the biasing force of the biasing unit 61, which acts to bias the nozzle 79 outwardly of the connector 31.

When the operative releases the rotational force on the container 67, either intentionally or inadvertently, the biasing unit 61 acts to displace the nozzle device 66 axially, by causing rotation of the nozzle device 66 in relation to the connector assembly 7 of the filling device 1 and so causing closure of the valve unit 25 of the filling device 1 and the valve unit 81 of the nozzle device 66, as illustrated in Figure 11. With this rotation caused by the biasing unit 61, the at least one follower 85 on the nozzle 79 passes along the at least one track 35 on the connector 31, causing the nozzle 79 to move axially outwards from the connector 31.

With continued rotation, the valve unit 25 of the connector assembly 7 is closed, ahead of the valve unit 81 of the nozzle device 66, with the valve body 55 being moved onto the valve seat 41 by the biasing element 51 of the filling device 1 and closing the fluid communication path between the first chamber 9 in the body 3 of the filling device 1 and the connector 31. By providing for the valve unit 25 of the connector assembly 7 to be closed before the valve unit 81 of the nozzle device 66, the reservoir 2 is closed before the container 67 can be removed from the filling device 1.

With further continued rotation, the valve unit 81 of the nozzle device 66 is closed, with the valve body 95 being moved onto the valve seat 89 by the biasing element 93 of the nozzle device 66 and thereby closing the fluid communication path between the container 67 and the reservoir 2.

Finally, it will be understood that the present invention has been described in its preferred embodiments and can be modified in many different ways without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.