REFILLING METHOD AND REFILLABLE BOTTLE

Abstract

The present invention relates to a refillable bottle (10) comprising a lid (1) that can be connected to an applicator (2) and a storage portion (3) that can be connected to the applicator (2), in which the lid (1), the applicator (2) and the storage portion (3) are connected together using screw threads in the lid (1), the applicator (2) and the storage portion (3). A method for refilling a bottle (10) is also described, the bottle (10) comprising a lid (1) that can be connected to an applicator (2) and a storage portion (3) that can be connected to the applicator (2), in which the method comprises the following steps: disconnecting the storage portion (3) from the applicator (2) by means of a first unscrewing action, and connecting a refill (20) to the applicator (2), in which the force required to perform the first unscrewing action is greater than the force required to perform a second unscrewing action, the second unscrewing action being understood to be the action performed to disconnect the lid (1) from the applicator (2).

Claims

1-14. (canceled)

15. Refillable bottle (10), comprising: a lid (1) connectable to an applicator (2), and a storage portion (3) connectable to the applicator (2), wherein: the connection between the lid (1), applicator (2) and storage portion (3) occurs through the arrangement of threads on the lid (1), in the applicator (2) and in the storage portion (3), the connection between the lid (1) and the applicator (2) occurs by means of an internal thread of the lid (1A) and of an external thread of the applicator (40), wherein an angulation range of the internal thread of the lid (1A) with the external thread of the applicator (2) is between 3.50 to 6.0 degrees, and the connection between the storage portion (3) and the applicator (2) occurs by means of an internal thread of the applicator (40A) and of an external thread of the storage portion (30), wherein an angulation range of the internal thread of the applicator (40A) with the external thread of the storage portion (30) is between 0.50 to 1.90 degrees.

16. Refillable bottle (10) according to claim 15, wherein: a pitch of the internal thread (1A) is situated in the range between 3.0 mm to 3.5 mm, and a pitch of the external thread of the applicator (40) is situated in the range between 8 mm and 11 mm.

17. Refillable bottle (10) according to claim 16, wherein the pitch of the internal thread (1A) is 3.3 mm and the pitch of the external thread of the applicator (40) is 10 mm.

18. Refillable bottle (10) according to claim 15, wherein: the internal thread of the applicator (40A) has a pitch between 2.0 mm and 3.0 mm, and the external thread of the storage portion (30) has a pitch between 2.0 mm and 3.0 mm.

19. Refillable bottle (10) according to claim 18, wherein the pitch of the internal thread of the applicator (40A) is 2.5 mm and the pitch of the external thread of the storage portion (30) is 2.5 mm.

20. Refillable bottle (10) according to claim 15, wherein the bottle (10) comprises a height (H7) lower than 100 mm, while a width (L) of the bottle (10) is situated in the range between 50 mm to 55 mm.

21. Refillable bottle (10) according to claim 20, wherein the height (H7) is 93 mm and the width (L) is 52.5 mm.

22. Refillable bottle (10) according to claim 15, wherein the refillable bottle (10) is a deodorant bottle.

23. Refillable bottle (10) according to claim 15, wherein the storage portion (3) is replaceable by a refill (20).

24. Refillable bottle (10) according to claim 15, wherein the applicator (2) comprises an applicator ball (2A).

25. Method for refilling a bottle (10), comprising the steps of: providing a bottle (10) comprising: a lid (1) connectable to an applicator (2), by means of an internal thread of the lid (1A) and of an external thread of the applicator (40), wherein an angulation range of the internal thread of the lid (1A) with the external thread of the applicator (2) is between 3.50 to 6.0 degrees, and a storage portion (3) connectable to an applicator (2), by means of an internal thread of the applicator (40A) and of an external thread of the storage portion (30), wherein an angulation range of the internal thread of the applicator (40A) with the external thread of the storage portion (30) is between 0.50 to 1.90 degrees, disconnecting the storage portion (3) from the applicator (2) and by means of a first unscrewing action, and connecting a refill (20) to the applicator (2).

26. Refilling method according to claim 25, further comprising the step of disconnecting the lid (1) from the applicator (2) by performing a second unscrewing action.

27. Refilling method, according to claim 26, wherein the bottle (10) is a deodorant bottle comprising an applicator ball (2A).

28. Refill (20) usable in the refillable bottle (10) of claim 15.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0019] The present invention shall be described as follows, in more detail based on an execution example represented in the drawings. The figures show:

[0020] FIG. 1—is a perspective representation of an embodiment of the refillable bottle proposed in the present invention;

[0021] FIG. 2—is a representation of the refillable bottle proposed in the present invention, wherein FIG. 2(a) is a representation of the bottle and FIG. 2(b) is a representation of the refill able to be used in the refillable bottle;

[0022] FIG. 3—is a representation of an embodiment of the refillable bottle proposed in the present invention, indicating the steps to be caried out for the refilling of the bottle to occur;

[0023] FIG. 4—is an internal representation of an embodiment of the lid which integrates the refillable bottle proposed in the present invention, wherein FIG. 4(a) illustrates the internal thread of the lid and FIGS. 4(b), 4(c) and 4(d) illustrate dimensions of said lid.

[0024] FIG. 5—is a representation of the storage portion which integrates the refillable bottle proposed in the present invention, wherein FIG. 5(a) is a frontal representation, FIG. 5(b) is a sectional representation and FIG. 5(c) is a featured representation of the thread element of the storage portion;

[0025] FIG. 6—is a featured representation of the refill lid, wherein FIG. 6(a) illustrates the internal thread thereof, while FIG. 6(b) illustrates the frontal view and FIG. 6(c) is a featured representation of the internal thread;

[0026] FIG. 7—illustrates the applicator which is used in the bottle proposed in the present invention, wherein FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b) illustrate the external thread of the applicator;

[0027] FIG. 8—illustrates a sectional view of the applicator used in the refillable bottle proposed in the present invention, further illustrating the structural arrangement of the applicator.

[0028] FIG. 9—is a sectional view of the refillable bottle proposed in the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 10—is an additional representation of the applicator, illustrating the structural arrangement thereof;

[0030] FIG. 11—is a featured representation of detail B1 illustrated in FIG. 10.

[0031] FIG. 12—is an additional representation of the storage portion which integrates the refillable bottle proposed in the present invention;

[0032] FIG. 13—is a featured representation of detail B2 illustrated in FIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

[0033] As observed in FIGS. 1 to 13, the present invention describes a refilling method as well as a refillable bottle 10 (also referenced just as bottle 10). In an exemplary way only, the teachings of the present invention are applied to bottles 10 popularly known as roll-on, such as deodorant bottles, anyway, it must be emphasized that said fact must not be considered as being a limiting characteristic. It is thus understood that the teachings of the present invention can be applied to any type of bottles and packages.

[0034] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 13, the bottle 10 comprises a lid 1, an applicator 2 and a storage portion 3. The storage portion 3 can be understood as being the portion which stores the product to be applied by the user. Applicator 2 can, for example, contain an applicator ball 2A, thus configuring a roll-on bottle.

[0035] In summary, the teachings of the present invention enable the refilling of the bottle 10 (such as, for example, a bottle 10 of roll-on deodorant).

[0036] More specifically, the teachings of the present invention approach the concept of conemorse in bottle 10 proposed in the present invention. Thus, bottle 10 can be used simply unscrewing the lid 1, without unscrewing the portion which holds the product, that is, the storage portion 3.

[0037] Thus, the conemorse concept refers to the fitting of threads with specific profile and angulation which, when fitted—female part and male part—the force required to unscrew (unscrewing action) is much greater in storage portion 3 than in the lid 1.

[0038] The proposed bottle 10 basically comprises a lid 1, an applicator 2 and a storage portion 3. Said elements can, exemplarily, be made from polypropylene and polyethylene resins.

[0039] Bottle 10 proposed in the present invention is configured as being a refillable bottle, in this sense, it is proposed that the storage portion 3 is replaceable by a refill 20.

[0040] In this manner, the refilling of bottle 10 is performed through replacing the storage portion 3 and reusing the applicator set (lid 1 with applicator 2). This refilling concept has as main purpose reducing residues, since, with the use of the refill 20 the discard of the applicator set is avoided (regular lid 1 and applicator 2), so that the only part destined to recycling will be the storage portion 3, already used.

[0041] In this embodiment proposed for the refillable bottle 10, the configuration of the threads which couple the portion 3 to the applicator 2, provides a greater unscrewing force (unscrewing action) to the set of lid thread 1 with the external thread of the applicator bottle 2 around 50% to 80% more, measured in lb/in.

[0042] For use of the bottle 10, the lid 1 must be removed unscrewing it (unscrewing action) in the counterclockwise direction, the application/transfer of the product to the skin is made through the turn of the applicator ball 2A in direct contact with the skin, the turn being made through circulatory movements of the applicator ball 2A on the skin.

[0043] To carry out the refilling, the applicator 2 must be removed from the portion 3 and, consequently the replacement of the portion 3 with a new bottle with the product (refill 20), screwing it to the applicator 2 in clockwise direction.

[0044] The angulation range to provide these differences in forces between these sets was considered around: 0.50 to 1.90 degrees for the internal thread of the applicator 2 with the external thread of the bottle 3, added to the angulation range of the thread of the lid 1 with the external thread of the housing 3 between 3.50 to 6.0 degrees.

[0045] This angulation/degree premise between the threads provides the difference in force in the threading of the sets, that is, it is what prevents that when opening the lid 1 the housing 2 is simultaneously unscrewed from the bottle 3. If this were to occur, it would generate discomfort and difficulty to the user at the moment of use of the product, that is, without these angulations, the set (bottle 10) would not function perfectly.

[0046] The FIG. 2(a) of the present application is a representation of the bottle 10, while the FIG. 2(b) illustrates the refill 20 to be used in place of the storage portion 3. FIG. 3 is a representation of the necessary steps for replacing the storage portion 3, thus performing the refilling of the bottle 10 proposed in the present invention.

[0047] Thus, in a step A the storage portion 3 must be unscrewed (unscrewing action), subsequently, in a step B the lid 20A of the refill 20 must be removed, and subsequently (step C) the refill 20 must be threaded on the lid 1 and applicator 2 set.

[0048] FIG. 4 illustrates a representation of an embodiment of the lid 1 which integrates the refillable bottle 10 proposed in the present invention, wherein FIG. 4(a) is an internal representation of the referred lid 1, indicating the internal thread thereof 1A. FIG. 4(b) illustrates the lid 1 and some of its dimensions, so it is proposed that this comprises a height A in the range of 40.0 millimeters as well as a start angle α relative to a vertical plan in the range between 2° to 5°, so that a value of 3° is considered as preferred.

[0049] FIG. 4(c) indicates that the lid 1 comprises a diameter B in the upper portion thereof (upper diameter of lid B), around 42 mm and a diameter in its lower portion (lower diameter of the lid C) around 46 mm. A thickness D of the lid is situated in the range from 1 mm to 1.6 mm, wherein a value of 1.4 mm is considered preferred.

[0050] FIG. 4(d) illustrates in greater details the arrangement proposed for the internal thread 1A of the lid, thus, a starting height of the thread E is proposed in the range between 4.0 mm to 5 mm, wherein a value of 4.7 mm can be considered as preferred. A first start diameter of the thread F is situated at approximately 41.0 mm, and a second start diameter of the thread G is situated at 43.0 mm. Finally, the thread pitch of internal thread 1A is situated in the range between 3.0 mm and 3.5 mm, so a value of 3.3 mm is considered preferred. Moreover, it is proposed that the internal thread 1A be a three-entry thread.

[0051] FIG. 5 illustrates in greater details the configuration proposed for the storage portion 3 and refill 20. Referring to FIG. 5(a) it is proposed that the storage portion 3 comprises a height H in the range from 50 mm to 60 mm, so a value of 55 mm is considered preferred. The height of the nozzle and thread 1 is situated in the range between 10 and 16 mm, so a value of 14.5 mm is considered preferred.

[0052] Referring to FIG. 5(b) it is proposed that the storage portion 3 comprises a greater external diameter J in the range of 45 mm to 50 mm (preferably 48.5 mm) and a nozzle diameter K between 39 mm to 44 mm (preferably 42 mm). A lower diameter L in the storage portion 3 is situated in the range from 50 mm to 55 mm, wherein a value of 52.5 is considered preferred. The storage portion 3 further defines a start angle α relative to the vertical plane in the range from 2° to 5°, wherein the value of 3° is considered preferred. A thickness M of the storage portion 3 is situated in the range between 1.0 mm to 1.5 mm, wherein the value of 1.2 mm is considered preferred.

[0053] FIG. 5(c) is a featured representation of the thread element of the storage portion 30 (external thread of the storage portion 30). Referring to said figure, it is proposed that the nozzle comprises a height N between 8 mm to 11 mm (a value of 9 mm is considered preferred), while a third thread start diameter O assumes a preferred value of 42 mm, and a fourth thread start diameter P assumes a preferred value of 44 mm.

[0054] Still referring to FIG. 5(c), a thread start height Q assumes a preferred value of 1.15 mm and the pitch of the thread element of the storage portion 3 is of 2.5 mm. Additionally, it is proposed that the thread of the storage portion 30 has an entry and length of 720°.

[0055] FIG. 6 is a featured representation of the lid 20A of the refill 20, lid 20A which comprises an internal thread 21, and is endowed with a height R preferably of 16 mm, such as illustrated in FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b). The lid 20A further comprises an upper diameter S being preferably 46 mm and a lower diameter T being preferably 48 mm.

[0056] A fifth thread start diameter V assumes a preferred value of 43 mm and a sixth thread start diameter U assumes a preferred value of 45 mm. A thread start height X has a preferred vale of 0.65 mm, such as illustrated in FIG. 6(c). Further, it is proposed that the pitch of the thread element 21 be 2.5 mm and that the thread 21 is an entry thread.

[0057] FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate the applicator 2 which integrates the bottle 10 proposed in the present invention. It is observed from FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b) the external thread of the applicator 40 and, referring to FIG. 7(a) it is proposed that the height of the applicator Y is preferably 37.5 mm.

[0058] FIG. 8 illustrates a sectional view of the applicator 2, further illustrating the internal thread of the applicator 40A. Furthermore, FIG. 8 allows a clear visualization of the structural arrangement of the applicator 2, further indicating the main dimensions thereof. The preferred values for the dimensions shown in FIG. 8 are shown in the following table:

TABLE-US-00001 D1 42 mm D2 38 mm D3 34.5 mm D4 24.0 mm D5 43.0 mm D6 45.0 mm D7 48.0 mm H1 19.0 mm H2 17.0 mm H3 9.8 mm H4 0.65 mm A1 1.1 mm A2 1.2 mm α 3°

[0059] Additionally, it is proposed that the pitch of the external thread 40 is of 10 mm and the length thereof 180°, wherein the external thread 40 is a three-entry thread. The pitch of the internal thread 40A is of 2.5 mm, wherein the internal thread 40A is an entry thread.

[0060] FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the bottle 10 proposed in the present invention, wherein from said figure the arrangement proposed for the applicator ball 2A is observed, this having a diameter D8 of 1.4 inches (35.56 mm).

[0061] Further, from FIG. 9, the representation of the heights H5, H6 and H7 is observed, whereby these assume preferred values of 41 mm, 53 mm and 93 mm, respectively. It is understood from FIG. 9 that the height H7 represents the height of the refillable bottle 10, whereby this is preferably lower than 100 mm.

[0062] Referring to FIGS. 8, 9, 10 and 11 it is observed that the arrangement of the applicator ball 2A in the applicator 2 occurs such that the applicator 2 defines a substantially vertical portion 50 (a tilt of up to approximately 3° would be acceptable) which defines in its external surface the external thread 40 of the applicator 2, so that the vertical portion 50 has a first end 51 (upper end) slightly inclined in the direction of the applicator ball 2A (that is, “into” the bottle), wherein said tilt defines the diameter D3 (third diameter of the applicator D3).

[0063] The second end 51A of vertical portion 50 is connected to a step projection 52 which increases the diameter of the applicator 2, thus defining the diameter D7 and the internal thread 40A of the applicator, such as illustrated in FIG. 8.

[0064] Referring to FIGS. 8, 9, 10 and 11, it is observed that from the vertical portion 50, at a point of its height coincident with the external thread start 40, there is the start of a third projection 53 which projects into the applicator 2 and which defines touch points 54 between the applicator ball 2A and the third projection 53. The referred touch points 54, which are configured as a projection from the third projection 53, can be better observed from pictures 9, 10 and 11.

[0065] From the referred touch point 54, there is defined a concave portion 55 limited by a tooth 56, wherein from the referred tooth 56, there begins a corrugated stretch (reference 57) which reduces the diameter of the applicator 2, so that, at the end of the corrugated stretch there are substantially vertical portions 58 and 59 connected by a step 60. Still from FIGS. 8, 9, 10 and 11, it is observed that from vertical portion 59 there begins a crib equipped with a horizontal segment 61 connected to the vertical portion 59 through a curved segment 62.

[0066] It is emphasized that FIG. 10 illustrates the detail B1, which detail is more clearly illustrated in FIG. 11, wherein the contours of the applicator ball 2A, the touch point 54, the concave portion 55 and the tooth 56 are observed.

[0067] As regards the touch points 54, it is proposed that these be configured as straight surfaces and endowed with a determined tilt β, so that, in a preferred embodiment, said tilt β of the touch point 54 assumes a value of 45°, according to the featured representation of FIG. 11.

[0068] FIGS. 5(b) and 12 allow a better visualization of the arrangement introduced in the storage portion 3 which integrates the proposed bottle 10. It is noted that the lateral surface 60 of the storage portion 3 is configured as a flat surface and endowed with a slight tilt defined by angle α, so the lateral surface 60 defines a step 61 thus configuring the diameter K and providing a surface 62 which comprises the thread element of the storage portion 3.

[0069] From the surface 62 there is defined a new step 63 aiming to connect the surface 62 to a connecting surface 64, wherein the upper surface ES of the connecting surface 64 establishes a point for placing a sealing element 65 (preferably circular), wherein the sealing element 65 establishes a connection between the storage portion 3 and the applicator 2, such as observed in detail B2 prominently illustrated in FIG. 13. FIG. 9 further allows the visualization of the sealing element 65.

[0070] Still referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, it is noted that the location point of the sealing element 65 in the applicator 2 is configured as a crib 70 formed by the surface that is opposite to the surface that defines the corrugated stretch 57 and the vertical portion 58. Further referring to FIG. 10, it is observed that the crib 70 is placed at a point in height of the applicator 2 situated between the internal thread thereof 40A and the external thread thereof 40.

[0071] In this manner there is described the arrangement introduced in the refillable bottle 10, whereby bottle 10 is endowed with adequate functionality and improvement in the use thereof as regards the possibility of refilling the bottle, thus avoiding the discard of lid 1 and applicator 2. Thus, there is provided a bottle 10 with greater efficiency and convenience in the use and manufacture thereof, said advantages being related to the possibility of refilling of bottle 10 and related to environmental benefits.

[0072] Furthermore, it is also highlighted that the description carried out for the storage portion 3 is also valid for the refill 20.

[0073] In harmony with the previously made description, the present invention further describes a refill 20 usable in a refillable bottle 10.

[0074] Having described an example of preferred embodiment, it must be understood that the scope of the present invention covers other possible variations, being solely limited by the contents of the attached claims, wherein the possible equivalents are included.