Refill systems for pressurized cans

Abstract

A refill system for pressurized containers may include: a tank configured to contain a refill product; a pressure source configured to generate pressure inside the tank; at least one pipe configured to connect the tank to a container to be refilled, wherein the at least one pipe has an end suitable for coupling with the container to be refilled; a pump downstream of the tank, wherein the pump is connected to the at least one pipe and wherein the pump is configured to transfer the refill product into the container to be refilled; and a control unit, in signal communication with the pump, wherein the control unit is configured to actuate the pump so as to transfer the refill product into the container to be refilled.

1 . A refill system for pressurized containers, the refill system comprising:
 a tank configured to contain a refill liquid;   pressure generation means at the tank, wherein the pressure generation means is configured to generate pressure inside the tank;   at least one pipe connected to the tank, wherein the at least one pipe is configured to fluidly connect the tank to a container to be refilled, wherein the at least one pipe has an end suitable for coupling with the container to be refilled;   a pump downstream of the tank and connected to the at least one pipe, wherein the pump is configured to transfer the refill liquid into the container to be refilled; and   a control unit, in signal communication with the pump, wherein the control unit is configured to actuate the pump so as to transfer a dose of the refill liquid into the container to be refilled.   
     
     
         2 . The refill system  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a casing that comprises at least the tank, the pressure generation means, the at least one pipe, and the pump.   
     
     
         3 . The refill system of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure generation means is a pneumatic means in signal communication with the control unit and that can be actuated by the control unit. 
     
     
         4 . The refill system of  claim 3 , wherein the pneumatic means comprises:
 a vibration pump; and   a duct connected to the vibration pump;   wherein the vibration pump is configured to push air into the tank through the duct.   
     
     
         5 . The refill system of  claim 4 , wherein the pneumatic means further comprises:
 a check valve connected to the tank and to the duct;   wherein the check valve is configured to avoid return of the air from the tank toward the vibration pump.   
     
     
         6 . The refill system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a safety valve connected to the at least one pipe;   wherein the safety valve is configured to limit pressure inside the at least one pipe to a predetermined pressure value.   
     
     
         7 . The refill system of  claim 6 , wherein the safety valve comprises:
 a needle shutter;   a perforated plug; and   a spring between the needle shutter and the perforated plug;   wherein the spring is calibrated to a discharge pressure value, and   wherein the spring is configured to discharge through the perforated plug.   
     
     
         8 . The refill system of  claim 1 , wherein an end of the at least one pipe that is connectable to the container to be refilled comprises an injector comprising a coupling portion suitable for coupling with the container to be refilled. 
     
     
         9 . The refill system of  claim 1 , wherein the control unit is configured to deactivate the pump after a predetermined time period. 
     
     
         10 . The refill system Refill system ( 10 ) according to  claim 9  of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a display in signal communication with the control unit; 
 wherein the display is configured to display parameters related to the transfer of the refill liquid. 
 
     
     
         11 . A refill system for pressurized containers, the refill system comprising:
 a tank configured to contain a refill product;   a pressure source configured to generate pressure inside the tank;   at least one pipe configured to connect the tank to a container to be refilled, wherein the at least one pipe has an end suitable for coupling with the container to be refilled;   a pump downstream of the tank, wherein the pump is connected to the at least one pipe and wherein the pump is configured to transfer the refill product into the container to be refilled; and   a control unit, in signal communication with the pump, wherein the control unit is configured to actuate the pump so as to transfer the refill product into the container to be refilled.   
     
     
         12 . The refill system of  claim 11 , wherein the refill product is liquid. 
     
     
         13 . The refill system of  claim 11 , wherein the pressure source is pneumatically operated. 
     
     
         14 . The refill system of  claim 11 , wherein the pressure source is electrically operated. 
     
     
         15 . The refill system of  claim 11 , wherein the pressure source is manually operated. 
     
     
         16 . The refill system of  claim 11 , wherein the control unit is further configured to deactivate the pump as a function of a predetermined time period. 
     
     
         17 . The refill system of  claim 11 , wherein the control unit is further configured to deactivate the pump as a function of a fill status of the container to be refilled. 
     
     
         18 . The refill system of  claim 11 , wherein the control unit is further configured to deactivate the pump as a function of a pressure inside the container to be refilled. 
     
     
         19 . The refill system of  claim 11 , wherein the control unit is further configured to deactivate the pump as a function of a weight of the refill product inside the container to be refilled. 
     
     
         20 . The refill system of  claim 11 , wherein the control unit is further configured to deactivate the pump as a function of a viscosity of the refill product.