The present invention relates generally to the refilling and reuse of packaging.

Overproduction and consumption of single-use plastics is an increasing problem on a global scale. Recycling of plastics materials plays an important part in reducing environmental impact, but in addition there are significant benefits to refilling and reusing packaging.

The present invention seeks to provide improvements in or relating to refilling on containers, such as homecare container products, such as cleaning products.

An aspect of the present invention provides a refilling device comprising a donor container and a closure, the closure is movable with respect to the donor container, or vice versa, between a closed position of the device in which product cannot flow from the donor container and an open position of the device in which product can flow from the donor container, the closure includes attachment means for attachment to a recipient container, the closure is attachable to the recipient container in the closed position and thereafter the device is movable to the open position.

The present invention may, therefore, be based on a two-phase process: first the device is connected to a recipient container (with the closure in a closed position so that product cannot flow from the donor container); and second the closure is moved to the open position so that product can flow from the donor container to the recipient container.

In some embodiments, the movement to attach the closure to the container is continued to move the closure to the open position. In other words, for example, the same type of movement is used both to attach the closure and cause it to open. In some embodiments the closure is rotatable with respect to the recipient container to engage the attachment means. The closure may be rotatable with respect to the donor container to move the device to the open position. Other forms of movement, such as axial, may be used in different embodiments.

The donor container may be rotatable with respect to the closure to move the device to the open position.

The attachment means may comprise a screw thread formation (for cooperating with a formation on a recipient container, for example).

A continuous thread formation may be used (e.g. a 28/410 continuous thread); or a discontinuous thread formation.

Threads may be left handed or right handed.

Threads may be single start or multi start.

The closure and the donor container may comprise cooperating screw thread formations. Alternatively or additionally snap beads may be used.

The device may be configured so that rotation is used to attach the closure to the recipient container with the closure in the closed position and, subsequently, further rotation causes the closure to move to the open position such that product can flow from the donor container to the recipient container.

In some embodiments opening of the device at end of the turn to attach is achieved with a left hand thread (booster).

The different opening phases may be achieved through differences in the thread formations of the closure : recipient container interaction and the thread formations of the closure : donor container. For example, a property of the thread formations of the closure : recipient container may be greater than that of the closure : donor container. Alternatively, a property of the thread formations of the closure : recipient container may be less than that of the closure : donor container. Alternatively or additionally the thread orientations may be opposite.

The closure may be connected to the donor container using a left-handed screw thread formation and the closure may be connected to the recipient container using a right-handed screw thread formation, or vice versa, whereby movement of the closure from the closed to the open position occurs after connection to the recipient container.

The device may comprise end stops for first and second unscrewing phases.

Examples of thread properties include: the orientation of the thread (left- and right-handed) thread pitch (the distance from a point on the thread to the point on the next thread); thread angle (the distance between the sides of a thread); helix angle (the angle made by the thread’s helix and its relation to the thread axis).

The closure may be connected to the donor container using screw thread formations having a first pitch and the closure is connected to the recipient container using screw thread formations having a second pitch, the first and second pitches being different whereby movement of the closure from the closed to the open position occurs after connection to the recipient container.

The closure may be connected to the donor container using screw thread formations having a first helix angle and the closure is connected to the recipient container using screw thread formations having a second helix angle, the first and second angles being different whereby movement of the closure from the closed to the open position occurs after connection to the recipient container.

The closure may be connected to the donor container using screw thread formations having a first thread angle and the closure is connected to the recipient container using screw thread formations having a second thread angle, the first and second angles being different whereby movement of the closure from the closed to the open position occurs after connection to the recipient container.

Alternatively or additionally differential friction could be used to define a sequence of movements between the donor/closure/recipient. This could, for example, be achieved using different materials or coatings.

The closure may comprise an outer part and an inner part. The outer part may be connectable to the donor container. The attachment means may be provided on or by the inner part.

The outer part may be moveable relative to the inner part to move the closure between closed and open positions.

In some embodiments vent means are provided to assist with flow of product from the donor container to the recipient container. The vent means may comprise a vent tube, for example.

The closure may comprise a lid, such as a flip-top lid.

Some embodiments provide for a re-sealing function when the device is removed.

Some embodiments can be considered as child safe; a system which is not accessible without tools or a bottle. In some embodiments the donor container is refillable. The donor container may, for example be refilled at a refilling station.

In some aspects and embodiments the product to be refilled may be a liquid or a gel; in other aspects and embodiments granular or powdered substances (e.g. washing powder) may be provided for.

The present invention also provides a refill pack comprising a device as described herein and with the donor container filled with refill product.

The present invention also provides a recipient container in combination with a device or pack as described herein.

The recipient container may have a primary dispensing opening and a secondary refill opening. In some embodiments the device can be received by either the primary or secondary dispensing opening to refill the recipient container.

Different aspects and embodiments of the invention may be used separately or together.

Further particular and preferred aspects of the present invention are set out in the accompanying independent and dependent claims. Features of the dependent claims may be combined with the features of the independent claims as appropriate, and in combination other than those explicitly set out in the claims.

The present invention is more particularly shown and described, by way of example, in the accompanying drawings.

The example embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to embody and implement the systems and processes herein described. It is important to understand that embodiments can be provided in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein.

Accordingly, while an embodiment can be modified in various ways and take on various alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and described in detail below as examples. There is no intent to limit to the particular forms disclosed. On the contrary, all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the appended claims should be included. Elements of the example embodiments are consistently denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings and detailed description where appropriate.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein are to be interpreted as is customary in the art. It will be further understood that terms in common usage should also be interpreted as is customary in the relevant art and not in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

All orientational terms are used in relation to the drawings and should not be interpreted as limiting on the invention.

Referring first to Figures 1 and 2 there is shown a refill device generally indicated 10.

The device 10 comprises a donor container 20 and a closure 30.

The container 20 is generally frusto-spherical, with a neck 21. The neck 21 includes a circumferential snap bead 23. In this embodiment the container has a capacity of approximately 60ml.

The closure 30 is generally cylindrical and comprises an outer part 31 and an inner part 32. The outer part 31 includes a donor container engaging portion 33 and a recipient container engaging portion 34.

The donor container engaging portion 33 includes an internal groove 35 into which the bead 23 fits. The portion 33 extends to the container 20.

The recipient container engaging portion 34 has a slightly increased diameter and includes an internal screw thread formation 36.

At the transition between the portions 33, 34 an upturned generally V-section annular wall 37 extends and defines a flow aperture at its centre.

The inner part 32 has a cylindrical sidewall 38 with an external screw thread formation 39 for cooperating with the formation 36. The sidewall 38 also has an internal screw thread formation 40, in this embodiment formed from separate thread portions 40a with intervening vent slots 41.

A central plug member 42 extends from one end of the sidewall 38 and, in the closed position shown, blocks the flow aperture.

A cylindrical vent tube 45 is provided and connects into the plug member, extending into the container 20. The tube 45 is carried on a ring 46 that fits onto the interior of the neck, and is held in place by spokes 47.

This embodiment is therefore formed in four parts (container plus two-part closure plus vent tube). The two closure parts and the vent tube are formed by injection moulding and the container is formed by extrusion blow moulding. In some embodiments a mono-material device is provided.

Figures 3A to 3E illustrate the working mechanism of the device 10.

In Figure 3A the device is shown, with the container 20 filled with product 50. The device 10 is presented to a recipient container 60 having a neck 61 with an external screw thread formation 62.

In Figure 3B the device is screwed down onto the container neck 61 , with the formation 40 of the inner part engaging the formation 62. It will be noted that in this initial rotation phase there is no relative movement between the inner and outer parts, so that the flow aperture remains sealed by the plug member.

Once the inner part is fully screwed onto the neck, continued rotation causes the outer part to rise up the inner part (Figure 3C) by virtue of the interaction between the formations 36, 39. This moves the plug member out of the flow aperture so that product can flow from the container 20 through into the container 60. This is therefore a gravity system, with venting possible through the tube 45. In tests an evacuation time of approximately 10 seconds was achieved for approximately 60ml of water.

By rotating the device in the opposite direction the outer part first moves back down relative to the inner part, reinstating the plug into the flow aperture (Figure 3D) and providing a resealing function when the device is removed. Continued rotation then causes the inner part to rotate off the neck 61 of container 60, thus providing for, as shown, the complete separation of container 60 from the refill device 10 (Figure 3E).

In this embodiment the thread between the donor container / bottle and the inner part / casing (grey part, 32) is a standard thread (right turn).

The thread on the closure (red part, 30) is a functional thread with a left turn.

When the consumer places the refill on the recipient bottle, the grey part screws on, until it comes to a first end stop.

The consumer then continues to screw in the same direction. At this time, the outer red part starts to turn against the grey inner part (due to the left turn thread) and opens the valve until it comes to the second (final) end stop. The donor container content releases into the recipient bottle.

When the refill gets unscrewed from the bottle, the action is reversed. That means the outer red and inner grey parts turn against each other and close the internal valve, before the grey part unscrews from the recipient bottle. Therefore there is a re-sealing of the refill.

The venting tube lets the air into the container of the refill in a controlled way. This can help with the release time.

In this embodiment the device can be refilled. Figures 4A to 4E illustrate refilling of the device 10 from a station 70. The refilling process is effectively the reverse of the dispensing process of Figures 3A to 3E.

Figures 5 and 6 show a recipient container 160.

Figure 5 shows a refill device 10, fitted to the primary dispensing outlet of the container. The container 160 also has a secondary aperture, shown closed by a cap 180.

Figure 6 shows the refill device 10 fitted to the secondary aperture. Also shown is a trigger spray pump 185 fitted to the primary dispensing outlet.

Figures 7 and 8 show a refill device 210 as configured in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. The device 210 is similar to the device 10 except there is no venting function.

The respective embodiments of (i) Figs. 1-6 and (ii) Figs. 7,8 are each therefore formed in three parts (container plus two-part closure). The two closure parts are formed by injection moulding and the container is formed by extrusion blow moulding. A refill device 310 formed according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in Figures 9 to 14.

This embodiment is formed as a two-part device, for example a container 320 formed from polyethylene and a one-piece closure 390 formed from polyethylene. The closure may be formed by injection moulding, for example. The container may be formed by extrusion blow moulding or by injection stretch blow moulding, for example.

In this embodiment the container 320 is a 50ml bottle with flat sides 328 and a neck 321 having an external screw thread formation 329.

The closure 390 is generally cylindrical and comprises a donor container engaging portion 391 and a recipient container engaging portion 392.

The portion 391 includes an internal screw thread formation which engages the neck formation. An end-stop function is provided by a foldable collar 393 (or flaps) at the free end of the portion 391.

The portion 392 has a slightly wider diameter than the portion 391 and comprises an internal screw thread formation 394.

The portion is closed by a lid 399, in this embodiment a hinged lid. Here a straight hinge is shown. Other options: a butterfly hinge may be used, so that the lid does not tend to close itself.

At the transition between the portions 391 and 392 an internal partition 395 is provided. The partition 395 comprises a first annular sealing plug 396 which extends into the bore of the container neck 321 when the closure is in the closed/sealing position. In addition the partition comprises a second annular sealing plug 397 which is oppositely oriented so that it fits sealingly into the bore of a recipient container 360 as is depicted in Figs. 12-14. Radially between the first and second plugs one or a plurality of flow apertures 398 are provided in the partition.

In the closed position sealing is provided between the recipient container or refill bottle 360 and the transfer closure 390 of refill device 310. The sealing is maintained as the closure is initially screwed onto a recipient container neck 361. Once the closure is screwed on, subsequently the refill bottle 320 can be unscrewed (rising up inside the portion 391) so that the donor container neck 321 lifts away from the partition and the plug is removed from the bore of the neck so that product can flow through the partition aperture/s.

This could be achieved, for example, by first grasping and turning the closure with respect to the recipient container 360 and then grasping and turning the refill bottle 320 with respect to the closure. Alternatively or additionally grasping and turning the refill bottle 320 could result first in rotation of the closure onto the recipient container neck 361 (without rotation of the bottle with respect to the closure) and then further turning could result in rotation of the bottle with respect to the closure to move the device to an open position in which product can flow from the donor to the recipient container. The first option requires some form of differential rotation force requirement between: the bottle and the closure; and the closure and the recipient neck. That could, for example, be achieved by differential friction and/or screw thread pitch/inclination.

In an example, the thread between the recipient container 160 and the inner part 32 of the refill device 10 is a standard thread with a right turn (for example, PCO 1810 or PCO 1881), and the thread on the outer part 31 is a functional thread with a left turn. When the consumer puts the refill device 10 on the recipient container 160, they screw the inner part 32 on, until it comes to a first end stop. The consumer then continues the screwing motion, in the same direction of rotation; the outer part 31 starts to turn against the inner part 32 (due to the left turn thread) and opens the internal valve until it comes to the second (final) end stop. The contents are then released into the recipient container 160. When the refill device 10 is unscrewed from the recipient container 160, the action is reversed. The outer part 31 and the inner part 32 turn against each other and close the internal valve, before the inner part 31 unscrews from the bottle. Through this action, there is a re-sealing of the refill device 10.

Optional: snap bead (segment) for supporting re-closing functionality.

Operation of the device is illustrated in Figures 9 to 14.

Figure 9/10

Step 1) Lid closed, Refill closed.

Figure 11

Step 2) Lid opened, Refill closed.

Figure 12

Step 3) Refill screwed onto the packaging 360 (e.g. a trigger spray pack); Refill still closed.

Figure 13/14

Step 4) Further screwing opens the refill and the content can be released into the packaging. Evacuation can, for example be improved by squeezing the bottle.

Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments shown and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.