Patent Publication Number: US-9834327-B2

Title: Device for refilling a container

Description:
The invention relates to the area of container refills, notably to the area of refills for individual perfume bottles. 
     Perfumes are usually presented in bottles where the esthetic appearance has been designed. Such bottles with a designed esthetic appearance are complex and expensive to produce. Thus, when the perfume bottle is empty, it is preferable to refill it again rather than throw it away. Refills comprising a vessel that has a less designed esthetic appearance are known for this, generally in the form of a simple cylindrical bottle. Such refills comprise the perfume which is intended to refill the esthetically designed perfume bottle again. During the refilling process, the perfume is transferred from the refill into the bottle. 
     Such refills allow, on the one hand, a perfume to be kept in the esthetically designed bottle and, on the other hand, a reserve of perfume to be kept in a simple refill which can provide a capacity in excess of that of the perfume bottle, a same refill therefore being able to serve for filling a same bottle a plurality of times. Furthermore, the use of a refill enables the production challenge to be reduced for the distribution of the perfume. 
     According to an embodiment, the invention supplies a flow device comprising a body, the body comprising:
         a fitting portion which is intended to be mounted in a sealing manner on a liquid vessel,   a transfer portion which extends from the fitting portion and comprises a pouring spout which is arranged on an end opposite the fitting portion,   a flow duct comprising a flow outlet which is situated on a side face of the spout and a flow inlet which is situated in an inside space of the fitting portion,   an air supply duct comprising an air inlet which is situated on a side face of the transfer portion and an air outlet which is situated beyond the flow inlet in the direction of the fitting portion,       

     the flow device further comprising a cap which is translationally movable with respect to the body along a sliding axis, 
     in which the flow outlet forms a first valve seat of a first valve, the air inlet forms a second valve seat of a second valve which is separate from the first valve, the cap comprising a first valve which is suitable for cooperating with the first valve seat in order to close the flow duct and a second valve which is suitable for cooperating with the second valve seat in order to close the air supply duct, the device further comprising a restoring element which exerts a restoring force on the cap with respect to the body toward a closed position in which the first valve and the second valve are held on the first valve seat and on the second valve seat respectively in response to an opposing force. 
     One idea which provides the basis of the invention is to supply a refilling device which is simple to manufacture without requiring too large a number of parts. Another aspect of the invention starts from the idea of supplying a refilling device which is simple to use and does not require a significant number of steps in order to ensure the refilling of a container. 
     According to embodiments, such a flow device can comprise one or several of the following characteristics. 
     According to an embodiment, the air inlet is situated on a side face of the transfer portion between the spout and the fitting portion. 
     According to an embodiment, the air inlet is situated on a side face of the transfer portion between the spout and the fitting portion, a supporting wall of the cap being situated beyond the air inlet in the direction of the fitting portion, the supporting wall being intended to cooperate with a container to be filled by the container pressing against the supporting wall so as to exert the opposing force to the restoring force. 
     According to an embodiment, the air inlet forming the second valve seat and the second valve are situated in an inside space of the cap situated between the supporting wall of the cap and the fitting portion. A clearance between the fitting portion and the cap ensures the circulation of the air from the outside of the cap to the inside space of the cap. The air entering into the air duct circulates from part of the cap surrounding the fitting portion to the air inlet via the inside space of the cap separating the cap from the fitting portion then the inside space of the cap separating the cap from the transfer portion. 
     Such an embodiment allows the refill to be supplied with air from the surrounding air, without requiring interaction with the air contained in the bottle to be filled. The lack of interaction between the air supplying the refill and the air contained in the bottle allows the bottle to be filled to its maximum capacity. 
     According to an embodiment, an outside surface of the outer supporting wall of the cap comprises a rib. In a preferred manner, the outside surface of the supporting wall comprises a plurality of ribs. Such ribs allow a passage or passages of air to be created between the opening in the container and the outside surface of the supporting wall of the cap so as to facilitate the evacuation of the air contained in the container to be refilled. 
     According to an embodiment, the device further comprises a blocking device which is suitable for blocking the cap by sliding with respect to the body along the sliding axis of the cap so as to keep, on the one hand, the first valve on the first valve seat and, on the other hand, the second valve on the second valve seat. Such a blocking device avoids any unwanted opening of the valves. 
     According to an embodiment, the blocking device is also suitable for blocking the cap by sliding with respect to the body along the sliding axis of the cap so as to keep the first valve away from the first valve seat and, on the other hand, the second valve away from the second valve seat. By means of said embodiment, the valves can be kept in the open position so as to allow the liquid to flow in a continuous manner from the refill. Said embodiment avoids having to maintain pressure on the upper supporting surface of the cap so as to keep the valves open. 
     According to an embodiment, the flow outlet is oriented at an oblique angle with respect to an axis of the flow duct. Such an oblique angle of the flow outlet with respect to the axis of the flow duct allows for a better flow of the liquid in the container. 
     According to an embodiment, the side face of the transfer portion comprises a groove, the groove extending from the fitting portion to the second valve seat. In an advantageous manner, the second valve is facing the groove in the open position of the flow device. Such a groove allows air to pass from the clearance between the cap and the fitting portion to the second valve. 
     According to an embodiment, the invention also provides a refilling device which comprises a refill containing a liquid or pasty product and a flow device such as described above mounted on the refill. 
     The invention also provides a refill assembly comprising a refilling device such as described above and a container to be refilled, in which the length of the flow duct situated in the spout beyond the supporting wall of the cap of the flow device is greater than or equal to two thirds of the length of a neck of the container into which the spout is intended to be inserted. The length of the flow duct and the length of a neck of the container are defined along an axis of the flow duct. Such a length of the spout with respect to the neck of the container provides a good flow of the liquid into the bottle without risking the liquid spilling outside the bottle due to capillarity. 
     According to an embodiment, the spout has an outside diameter which is less than half the inside diameter of the neck of the container. Such a diameter of the spout ensures good evacuation of the air contained in the container and avoids flow blockages due to not being able to evacuate the air from the bottle. 
     According to an embodiment, the air supply duct and the flow duct are separate. Such separation between ducts allows liquid to flow from a liquid refill into a container without the air which is intended to replace the liquid evacuated from the refill troubling the flow of liquid into the container. 
    
    
     
       The invention will be better understood, and other aims, details, characteristics and advantages of the same will appear more clearly in the course of the following description of several specific embodiments of the invention, given purely for purposes of illustration and without limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of a refilling device which comprises a flow device which is intended to cooperate with a container and is positioned so as to be able to cooperate with the container; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of a refilling device which comprises a flow device which is composed by a body and a cap and is intended to be mounted on a refill; 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the assembly in  FIG. 2  mounted in a closed position of the flow device; 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  are sectional views of a detail of the first valve and of the second valve of the flow device in  FIG. 3  respectively; 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of a refill assembly which comprises a flow device which cooperates with a container to be refilled, the flow device being therefore in an open position; 
         FIG. 6  is a sectional view of the assembly in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  are sectional views of a detail of the first valve and of the second valve of the flow device in  FIG. 6  respectively; 
         FIG. 7C  is a sectional view of a detail of the refill assembly in  FIG. 5  showing the pathway of the fluids through the flow device; 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic view in perspective showing an embodiment of the flow device in  FIG. 1  which comprises a blocking system; 
         FIGS. 9A to 9D  show sections of the main portion of the transfer part taken in section along the axes A-A′ to D-D′ respectively in  FIG. 8 . 
     
    
    
     A list of the references used in the figures is given below for information purposes only.
           1 . Refilling device     2 . Container     3 . Refill     4 . Flow device     5 . Body of device  4       6 . Fixing part of body  5       7 . Cap of  4       8 . Opening of  3       9 . Neck of  3       10 . Screw thread of  9       11 . Screw thread of  6       12 . Transfer part of  5       13 . Main portion of  12       14 . Insertion portion of  12       15 . Restoring element     16 . Flexible rods of  15       17 . Connecting ring of  15       18 . Side wall of  7       19 . Supporting wall of  7       20 . Hollow distal tube of  7       21 . Outside face of  19       22 . Rib of  21       23 . Outside side wall of  6       24 . Inside face of  23       25 . Plate of  6       26 . Inside face of  25       27 . Distal end of  9       28 . Inside side wall of  6       29 . Flow duct     30 . Air supply duct     31 . Flow inlet     32 . Area of  26  delimited by wall  28       33 . Flow outlet     34 . Distal end of  14       35 . Outside side face of  34       36 . Distal face of  33       37 . Axis of  29       38 . First valve seat
           A. Distal portion of  38     B. Proximal portion of  38           39 . Air inlet     40 . Outside side face of  13       41 . Second valve seat     42 . Proximal section of  30       43 . Air outlet     44 . Pin of  49       45 . Sliding axis of  7       46 . Inside wall of  7       47 . Inside face of  19       48 . Groove of  49     A. First section   B. Second section         49 . Blocking device     50 . Distal bulge of first valve     51 . Proximal bulge of first valve     52 . Proximal end of  46       53 . Bulge of second valve     54 . Neck of  2       55 . Edge of  54       56 . Groove     57 . Space between  53  and  56       58 . Liquid entering through flow inlet  31       59 . Liquid circulating in  29       60 . Liquid leaving through  33       61 . Air circulating between  18  and  6       62 . Air circulating through  57       63 . Air circulating between  46  and  66       64 . Space between  21  and  55       65 . Circular cylindrical surface of  40       66 . Distal bulge of inside wall  46       67 . Distal cylindrical surface of  40         

     In a general manner, the terms “inside” and “proximal” qualify elements that are close to or oriented toward the refill  3  and/or the sliding axis  45  of the cap  7 . In contrast, the terms “outside” and “distal” qualify elements which are remote from or oriented in the opposite direction to the refill  3  and/or the sliding axis  45  of the cap  7 . 
       FIG. 1  shows a side view of a refilling device  1  which comprises a flow device  4  which is intended to cooperate with a container  2 , for example a perfume bottle, a perfume dispenser, a spray or any other container  2  which is intended to contain liquid. The refilling device  1  is positioned upside down opposite said container  2 . The refill assembly  1  contains a liquid, for example perfume, which is intended to be transferred into the container  2 . The refilling device  1  comprises a refill  3  in which is stored the liquid which is intended to refill the container  2 . The refilling device  1  further comprises a flow device  4 . In a closed position of the flow device  4 , the liquid contained in the refill  3  is not able to flow. In an open position of the flow device  4 , the liquid contained in the refill  3  is able to flow outside the refilling device  1 . 
     The flow device  4  comprises a body  5 . Said body  5  comprises a fixing part  6  which is mounted in a sealing manner on the refill  3  in any appropriate manner, for example by means of complementary screw threads of the refill  3  and of the flow device  4 , by means of a bayonet system comprising a sealing ring or similar. The flow device comprises a cap  7  which is mounted so as to be translationally movable on the body  5  along a sliding axis  45 . 
     In the closed position of the flow device  4 , the cap partially surrounds the fixing part  6  of the body  5 . In contrast, and such as can be seen in  FIG. 5 , in the open position of the flow device  4 , the cap  7  advantageously surrounds the fixing part  6  of the body  5  in an integral manner. 
     So as to transfer the liquid contained in the refilling device  1  into the container  2 , the refilling device  1  is arranged upside down above the container  2 , i.e. so that the flow device  4  is opposite an opening  8  in the container  2 . 
       FIG. 2  shows an exploded view of a refilling device which comprises a flow device which is composed of a body and a cap and is intended to be mounted on a refill. 
     The refill  3  is in the form of a bottle, a cylinder or similar. Said refill  3  comprises a neck  9 . The neck  9  of the refill  3  comprises a screw thread  10  on an outside side face. An inside part of the neck  9  forms the opening  8 . 
     The fixing part  6  of the body  5  comprises an inside screw thread  11  which is complementary to the screw thread  10  of the neck  9 . The body comprises a transfer part  12 . Said transfer part  12  comprises a main portion  13  and an insertion portion  14 . The main portion  13  of the transfer part  12  connects the insertion portion  14  to the fixing part  6  of the body  5 . The fixing part  6 , the main portion  13  and the insertion portion  14  all have a form that is substantially circular cylindrical. The fixing part  6  has a diameter that is greater than the diameter of the main portion  13 . The main portion  13  has a diameter that is greater than the diameter of the insertion portion  14 . 
     A restoring element  15  surrounds the transfer part  12 . Said restoring element  15  comprises three deformable flexible rods  16  which are arranged at regular spacings around the transfer part  12 . Each flexible rod  16  is fixed on the fixing part  6  of the body  5 . The ends of the three flexible rods  16  which are opposite the fixing part  6  are connected together by a connecting ring  17  which surrounds the transfer part  12 . When a force is applied on the connecting ring  17 , the three flexible rods  16  are compressed and the connecting ring  17  slides along the transfer part  12 . When said force is no longer applied on the connecting ring  17 , the three flexible rods  16  as well as the connecting ring  17  resume their starting position. 
     The cap  7  comprises a hollow circular cylindrical side wall  18 , a supporting wall  19  and a hollow distal tube  20 . The supporting wall  19  connects the side wall  18  and the hollow distal tube  20 . An outside surface  21  of the supporting wall comprises a plurality of ribs  22 . Said ribs  22  extend radially from the hollow distal tube  20 , in a preferred manner at regular spacings. The supporting wall  19  comprises, for example, three ribs  22  which surround the hollow distal tube at regular spacings. 
       FIG. 3  shows a sectional view of the assembly in  FIG. 2  which is mounted in a closed position of the flow device. 
     The fixing part  6  of the body  5  comprises a circular cylindrical outside side wall  23 . Said outside side wall  23  surrounds the neck  9  of the refill  3 . The inside screw thread  11  of the fixing part  6  which is complementary to the screw thread  10  of the neck  9  is situated on an inside face  24  of the outside side wall  23  of the fixing part  6 . 
     The fixing part comprises a plate  25 . Said plate  25  is developed in a plane which is perpendicular to the outside side wall  23 . An inside face  26  of the plate  25  rests on a distal end  27  of the neck  9 . 
     The fixing part  6  also comprises a circular cylindrical inside side wall  28 . Said inside side wall  28  is developed in a parallel manner to the outside side wall  23 . The inside side wall  28  has an outside diameter which is complementary to the diameter of the opening  8  of the neck  9 , that is to say is less than and close to the diameter of the opening  8 . 
     The sealing between the fixing part  6  and the neck  9  is obtained by any appropriate means, for example by cooperation between the screw thread  10  of the neck  9  and the screw thread  11  of the outside side wall  23 . Said sealing can also be obtained as a result of complementarity in form between the opening  8  in the neck  9  and the inside side wall  28  of the fixing part  6 . Said sealing could also be obtained by a seal (not shown) for example situated between the plate  25  and the neck  9 . 
     The body  5  comprises a flow duct  29  and an air supply duct  30 . 
     The flow duct  29  crosses the main portion  13  and the insertion portion  14  of the transfer part  12  of the body  5 . The flow duct  29  also crosses the plate  25  of the fixing part  6  of the body  5 . A flow inlet  31  of the flow duct  29  opens out onto an area  32  of the inside face  26  of the plate  25  delimited by the inside side wall  28 , that is to say in the opening  8  in the neck  9 . An outlet  33  of the flow duct  29  opens out at one end  34  of the insertion portion  14  of the transfer part  12  which is opposite the main portion  13  of the insertion part  12 . More particularly, the flow outlet opens out onto a side face  35  of the end  34  of the insertion portion  14 . 
     In an advantageous manner, the flow outlet  33  comprises, within the thickness of the wall of the insertion portion  14 , a distal face  36  which is inclined with respect to an axis  37  of the flow duct  29 . Said distal face  36  forms, for example, an angle in the order of 45° with respect to the axis  37  of the flow duct  29 . The flow outlet  33  forms a first valve seat  38  on the outside side face  35  of the insertion part  14 . 
     The air supply duct  30  crosses the main portion  13  of the transfer part  12 . An air inlet  39  of the air supply duct  30  opens out onto an outside side face  40  of the main portion  13 . In a preferred manner, the air inlet opens out at one end of the outside side face  40  which is opposite the fixing part  6 . Said air inlet  39  forms a second valve seat  41  which is separate from the first valve seat  38 . The air supply duct  30  crosses the plate  25  of the fixing part  6 . The air supply duct  30  comprises a proximal section  42  which protrudes into the inside space of the fixing part  6  delimited by the inside side wall  28  of the fixing part  6 . An air outlet  43  of the air supply duct  30  opens out at the end of the proximal section  42  which is opposite the plate  25 . In an advantageous manner, the air outlet  43  opens out into the refill  3  beyond the neck  9 . 
     An inside diameter of the side wall  18  of the cap  7  is complementary to an outside diameter of the outside side wall  23  of the fixing part  6 . Said complementarity allows the cap  7  to be displaceably guided by the outside side wall  23  of the fixing part  6 . The displaceable guiding of the cap  7  is effected along a sliding axis  45 . The displaceable guiding of the cap  7  is realized in a non-sealing manner such that a clearance between the side wall  18  of the cap  7  and the side wall  23  of the fixing part  6  allows the air to pass. 
     The hollow distal tube  20  of the cap  7  surrounds the insertion portion  14  of the transfer part  12  at least in part along the sliding axis  45 . Said tube  20  forms a first valve which is intended to cooperate with the first valve seat  38  as explained below with respect to  FIGS. 4A and 7A . 
     The cap  7  comprises an inside wall  46  which protrudes from an inside face  47  of the supporting wall  19  toward the plate  25  of the fixing part  6 . As explained in more detail with regard to  FIGS. 4B and 7B , said inside wall  46  of the cap  7  forms a second valve which is intended to cooperate with the second valve seat  41 . 
     The restoring element  15  is supported, on the one hand, by the plate  25  and, on the other hand, by the inside face  47  of the supporting wall  19 . In the absence of an opposing force, the restoring element  15  is in an equilibrium position or is compressed between the supporting wall  19  and the plate  25  so as to keep the cap  7  away from the fixing part  6  along the sliding axis  45 . 
       FIG. 4A  shows a sectional view of a detail of the first valve of the flow device in  FIG. 3 , that is to say in a closed position of the flow device. 
     In said closed position of the flow device  4 , the hollow distal tube  20  of the cap  7  surrounds the outside side face  35  of the insertion portion  14  of the transfer part  12  in an integral manner. A distal end which is opposite the supporting wall  19  of the hollow distal tube  20  comprises a bulge  50  on its inside face. Said bulge  50  is supported by a distal portion  38 A of the first valve seat  38 . Said distal portion  38 A is formed by a circular cylindrical surface of the outside face  35  delimiting the distal end of the flow outlet  33 , i.e. the end of the flow outlet  33  opposite the fixing part  6 . Furthermore, the inside face of the hollow distal tube  20  comprises a proximal bulge  51  which is supported by a second portion  38 B of the first valve seat  38 . Said second portion  38 B of the first valve seat  38  is formed by a circular cylindrical surface of the outside face  35  delimiting the end of the flow outlet  33 , i.e. the end of the flow outlet  33  closest to the main portion  13 . For reasons of simplicity of production, the distal bulge  50  and the proximal bulge  51  are advantageously developed over the entire outside contour of the insertion portion  14 . The distal bulge  50  and the proximal bulge  51  together form the first valve which is complementary to the first valve seat  38 . The supporting of the distal bulge  50  and of the proximal bulge  51  by the outside face  35  of the insertion portion  14  ensures the sealing of the first valve and blocks the flow duct  29 . 
       FIG. 4B  shows a sectional view of a detail of the second valve of the flow device in  FIG. 3 , that is to say in an open position of the flow device. 
     The inside wall  46  of the cap  7  is developed along the main portion  13  of the transfer portion  12 . A proximal end  52  of the inside wall  46 , i.e. opposite the supporting wall  19 , comprises a bulge  53  on the inside face of the inside wall  46 . Said bulge  53  forms the second valve which is complementary to the second valve seat  41 . The bulge  53  is supported by a circular cylindrical surface  65  of the outside side face  40  of the main portion  13 . The circular cylindrical surface  65  by which the bulge  53  is supported delimits the proximal end of the second valve seat  41 , i.e. the end of the second valve seat closest to the fixing part  6 . The support of the bulge  53  is advantageously realized over the entire contour of the main portion  13 . Said support ensures the sealing of the second valve  41  and blocks the air supply duct  30 . 
     In said closed position of the flow device  4 , the liquid contained in the refill  3  is not able to flow outside the refill  3 . The tightness of the refill  3  is ensured on the one hand by the cooperation between the fixing part  6  and the neck  9 , on the other hand, by the support of the bulges  50 , 51  and of the bulge  53  on the first valve seat  38  and on the second valve seat  41  respectively. 
     In one embodiment variant, the inside wall  46  of the cap  7  comprises a distal bulge  66 . In the closed position of the flow device, said distal bulge  66  is supported in a sealing manner on a distal cylindrical surface  67  of the outside side face  40  of the main portion  13 . Said distal cylindrical surface  67 , on which the distal bulge  66  is supported in a sealing manner, delimits the distal end of the second valve seat  41 . The support of the distal bulge  66  is advantageously realized over the entire contour of the main portion  13 . Said sealing support of the distal bulge  66  on the distal cylindrical surface  67  avoids, in the closed position of the flow device, the liquid contained in the refill polluting the space between the cap  7  and the insertion part  12  by infiltrating along the distal cylindrical surface  67  of the main portion  13 . 
       FIG. 5  shows a side view of a refill assembly  1  which comprises a flow device  4  which cooperates with a container  2  to be refilled, the flow device  4  being therefore in an open position. 
     So as to allow the transfer of liquid contained in the refill  3  into the container  2 , the hollow distal tube  20  of the cap  7  is inserted into the opening  8  in the container  2 , for example into a neck  54 . To do this, the inside diameter of the hollow distal tube  20  is smaller than the diameter of the opening in the neck  54 . 
     In a specific embodiment, the diameter of the insertion portion  13  is smaller than half, plus or minus 10%, the diameter of the opening in the neck  54 . 
     In a specific embodiment, the length along the sliding axis  45  of the insertion portion is greater than or equal to two thirds of the length of the neck  54  along said same sliding axis  45 . 
     The insertion of the distal tube  20  into the neck  54  of the container  2  brings the supporting wall  19  of the cap  7  into contact with an edge  55  of the neck  54 . More specifically, the ribs  22  of the outside face  21  of the supporting wall  19  are brought into contact with the edge  55  of the neck  54 . A space  64  is thus maintained between the outside surface  21  located between two ribs and the edge  55  of the neck  54 . 
     In order to carry out the liquid transfer from the refill  3  toward the container  2 , the refill assembly  1  is pressed against the neck  54  of the container  2  so that the neck  54  exerts a force, which opposes the force exerted by the restoring element  15 , on the supporting wall  19 . The force exerted by the neck  54  causes the cap  7  to slide along the sliding axis  45 . The sliding of the cap  7  moves the cap  7  closer to the fixing part  6  along the sliding axis  45  such that the side wall  18  of the cap  7  surrounds the outside side wall  23  of the fixing part  6  of the body  5  in an integral manner. In said open position, the flow device  4  allows the liquid contained in the refill  3  to flow by gravity from the refill  3  into the container  2 . 
     As is visible in  FIG. 6 , during the sliding of the cap along the sliding axis  45  from the closed position of the flow device  4  to the open position of said flow device  4 , the insertion portion  14  slides into the hollow distal tube  20  of the cap  7 . Likewise, during said sliding, the proximal end  52  of the inside wall  46  of the cap  7  moves closer to the fixing part  6  of the body  5 . The sliding of the insertion portion  14  into the hollow distal tube  20  opens the first valve. Likewise, the inside wall  46  moving closer to the fixing part  6  opens the second valve. The sliding of the cap  7  can be limited by the non-sealing stop of the side wall  18  of the cap  7  on the refill  3  or even by the non-sealing abutment of the inside wall  46  of the cap  7  against the plate  25  of the fixing part  6 . 
       FIG. 7A  shows a sectional view of a detail of the first valve of the flow device in an open position of the flow device. 
     The sliding of the insertion portion  14  into the hollow distal tube  20  of the cap  7  brings about the displacement of the bulges  50  and  51  of the hollow distal tube  20  with respect to the first valve seat  38 . Typically, the sliding of the cap  7  with respect to the body  5  brings about the opening of the first valve. In fact, once the distal bulge  50  of the hollow distal tube  20  moves so as to be opposite the flow outlet  33 , i.e. the distal bulge  50  is no longer supported by the distal portion  38 A of the first vale seat  38 , the tightness of the first valve is no longer assured. As the tightness of the first valve is no longer assured, the liquid contained in the refill  3  is able to flow by gravity from the refill  3  through the flow duct  29  and to be evacuated via the flow outlet  33 . In the open position, the distal bulge  50  is advantageously supported by the proximal portion  38 B of the first valve seat so as to allow maximum flow through the flow outlet  33 . 
     In a preferred manner, the proximal bulge  51  is in constant sealing contact with the outside side face  35  of the insertion portion  14 . Said sealing contact is advantageously maintained during the sliding of the proximal bulge  51  along the insertion portion  14 . Such a constant sealing contact avoids any pollution of the cap  7  by liquid ingress between the cap  7  and the insertion portion  14  of the transfer part  12 . 
       FIG. 7B  shows a sectional view of a detail of the second valve of the flow device in an open position of the flow device. 
     When the proximal end  52  of the inside wall  46  of the cap  7  moves closer to the fixing part  6  of the body  5 , the bulge  53  of the inside wall  46  moves along the main portion  13  of the transfer part  12 . The movement of the bulge  53  of the inside wall  46  brings said bulge  53  opposite a groove  56  of the outside face  66  of the main portion  13 . The bulge  53  and the groove  56  being opposite creates a space  57  between the bulge  53  and the outside face  66  of the main portion  13 , the bulge  53  no longer being supported by the second valve seat  41 . Said space  57  brings about the opening of the second valve such that the air supply duct  30  is no longer blocked. 
     In the variant in which the inside wall  46  comprises a distal bulge  66 , the distal bulge  66  is also opposite the groove  56  so as not to block the passage of air when the flow device is in the open position. 
     As is visible in  FIG. 7C , when the flow device  4  is in the open position, the liquid contained in the refill  3  is able (arrow  58 ) to enter into the flow duct  29 . The liquid circulates therefore (arrow  59 ) by gravity from the flow inlet  31  to the flow outlet  33 . As the first valve is open, the liquid contained in the flow duct is evacuated (arrow  60 ) by gravity into the container  2  via the flow outlet  33 . 
     So as to ensure pressure equilibrium, and therefore to replace the liquid of the refill  3  that has fallen into the container  2 , the surrounding air, i.e. outside the refilling device  1  and outside the container  2 , enters into the refill  3 . More specifically, the surrounding air circulates from the outside of the flow device  4  toward the air supply duct  30  via (arrow  61 ) the clearance between the cap  7  and the fixing part  6  of the body  5 , then (arrow  62 ) through the space  57  separating the bulge  53  of the inside wall  46  and the groove  56  of the main portion  13  of the transfer part  12 , then (arrow  63 ) into the clearance separating the inside face of the inside wall  46  and the outside face  40  of the main portion  13  to the air inlet  39 . The surrounding air thus enters into the air supply duct  30  to the air outlet  43  which opens out into the refill  3 . 
     The air contained in the container  2  to be refilled is evacuated through the space  64  between the edge  55  of the neck  54  of the container  2  and the outside surface  21  of the supporting wall  19  of the cap  7  situated between two ribs  22 . 
       FIG. 8  is a schematic view in perspective showing an embodiment of the flow device  4  which comprises a blocking device  49 . 
     The blocking device  49  comprises a groove  48  which is situated on the outside face of the outside side wall  23  of the fixing part  6  of the body  5 . Said groove  48  comprises a first section  48 A which is developed in a parallel manner to the sliding axis  45  of the cap  7 . The groove  48  also comprises a second section  48 B which is developed in a perpendicular manner to the sliding axis  45  of the cap  7 . 
     The inside face of the side wall  18  of the cap  7  comprises a pin  44  which is accommodated in the groove  48 . The pin  44  cooperates with the groove  48  so as to limit the movement of the cap  7  with respect to the body  5 . The first section  48 A of the groove  48  limits the freedom of movement of the cap  7  with respect to the body  5  along the sliding axis  45 . The second section  48 B of the groove  48  limits the freedom of rotary movement of the cap  7  with respect to the body  5 . 
     In a position which is blocked for movement along the sliding axis  45  of the cap  7 , the pin  44  is accommodated in a second section  48 B of the groove  48  outside the extension of the first section  48 A of the groove  48 . The translational displacement of the cap  7  along the sliding axis  45  is therefore blocked by the abutment of the pin  48  against the walls of the second section  48 B of the groove  48 . 
     A single rotation of the cap  7  allows the pin  44  to be displaced into the second section  48 B of the groove  48  so as to bring said pin  44  into the extension of the first section  48 A of the groove  48 . When the pin  44  is accommodated in the extension of the first section  48 A, the cap  7  moves freely along the sliding axis  45  with respect to the body  5 . In said position of the pin  44 , in the first and second section  48 A,  48 B at the same time, pressure on the supporting wall of the cap  7 , which opposes the restoring element  15 , allows the cap  7  to slide along the sliding axis  45  and therefore to pass from the closed position to the open position of the flow duct  4 . During said sliding, the pin  44  is moved in the groove  48  along the first section  48 A. 
     When the pressure applied on the supporting wall  19  of the cap  7  is suppressed, the restoring element  15  returns the pin  44  into the extension of the second section  48 B of the groove  48 . A single rotation of the cap  7  therefore allows the sliding of the cap  7  along the sliding axis  45  to be blocked again. 
     In an embodiment not shown, the groove  48  comprises a third section. Said third section is developed in a parallel manner to the second section  48 B of the groove  48 . Said third section is fitted tightly to the first section  48 A at one end of said first section  48 A which is opposite the second section  48 B. 
     When a force opposing the restoring element  15  brings the pin  44  into the extension of the third section, that is to say into an open position of the flow device  4 , a single rotation of the cap  7  allows the pin  44  to be housed in the third section outside the extension of the first section  48 A of the groove  48 . When it is housed in the third section outside the extension of the first section  48 A, the pin  44  blocks the translational displacement of the cap  7  with respect to the body  5  along the sliding axis  45  by means of abutment of the pin  44  against the walls of the third section. Said third section allows the flow device  4  to be blocked in an open position, in an analogous manner to the blocking of the flow device  4  by the second section  48 B in the closed position. 
       FIG. 9A  shows a section of the main portion  13  of the transfer part  12  taken along the axis A-A′ of  FIG. 8 . In said section, the inside wall  46  of the cap surrounds the distal circular cylindrical surface  67  of the main portion  13 . 
       FIG. 9B  shows a section of the main portion  13  of the transfer part  12  taken along the axis B-B′ of  FIG. 8 . 
       FIG. 9C  shows a section of the main portion  13  of the transfer part  12  taken along the axis C-C′ of  FIG. 8 . In said section, the bulge  53  is sealingly supported by the circular cylindrical surface  65  of the outside side face  40  of the main portion  13 . Said sealing support prevents the passage of outside air to the air supply duct  30 . 
       FIG. 9D  shows a section of the main portion  13  of the transfer part  12  taken along the axis D-D′ of  FIG. 8 . 
     In the open position of the flow device, the bulge  53  of the wall  46  is opposite the groove  56  at a distance  57  such that the tightness of the second valve  41  is no longer assured and the air is able to reach the inlet  39  of the air supply duct  30 . 
     The technique described above in order to realize a refill assembly can be used in all types of areas in which a refill is intended to contain liquid that is more or less viscous in order to refill an empty container, for example within the framework of refills for individual perfume bottles, refills for essential oil bottles, for body cream or similar. 
     Although the invention has been described in connection with several specific embodiments, it is very obvious that it is in no way limited to these and that it includes all the equivalent techniques of means described as well as their combinations if they are within the framework of the invention. 
     For example, a refill can have any appropriate form, on the one hand, for containing a product in liquid or viscous form and, on the other hand, for receiving the flow device such as described above. Thus, the refill can be in the form of a cylindrical tube comprising a neck with a screw thread, or even a pocket with a flexible wall on which the flow device is thermo-welded or even a cube or a sphere comprising an opening in which the flow device or similar is able to be force fitted. 
     Likewise, different sizes of refills can be provided. A refill can thus contain a quantity of product which allows a partial filling of a container to be effected, a single complete filling of said container or, in contrast, a plurality of fillings of a same container. 
     Moreover, within the framework of a refill containing a product having a viscosity such that the product is not able to flow by simple gravity, an ejecting device can be provided. Such an ejecting device is, for example, constituted by a piston which is housed in contact with the product of the refill, the piston being displaced in the refill in order to eject the product. In a variant, the refill is formed by a flexible outside shell, for example in the form of a pocket containing the product; the refill can therefore be pressed by a user in order to eject the product. 
     The first valve and the second valve, which are shown in the description above and in the figures in the form of bulges  50 ,  51  and  53 , can be realized in numerous other forms. The bulges  50 ,  51  and  53  can be replaced by flexible lips, grooves in which are accommodated O-ring seals, reliefs or any other appropriate form which allows tightness to be ensured. 
     Likewise, the restoring element can be in any form or material that is appropriate for exerting a restoring force. Thus, the restoring element is in the form of three resilient rods which are connected by a ring in the description above but it could be in the form of a spring, a plurality of rods with shape memory produced in methyl polyoxymethylene or any other element which is suitable for exerting a restoring force. 
     The use of the verb “to comprise”, “to include” or “to encompass” and its conjugated forms does not exclude the presence of elements or stages other than those mentioned in a claim. The use of the indefinite article “a” or “an” for an element or a stage does not exclude, unless otherwise specified, the presence of a plurality of such elements or stages. 
     In the claims, any reference signs between brackets should not be interpreted as a limitation of the claim.