Adaptor for connecting a fluid package to a dispenser bottle

Abstract

Adapters, systems, and methods are provided that can be used to refill a fluid dispenser bottle. An adapter is used to connect a fluid package to a dispenser bottle. The adapter includes a duct configured to convey a fluid being transferred from the fluid package to the dispenser bottle; a fluid package coupler coupled with the duct and configured to couple with the fluid package so as to place the duct in fluid communication with the fluid package; a dispenser bottle coupler coupled with the duct and configured to couple with the dispenser bottle so as to place the duct in fluid communication with the dispenser bottle; and at least one orifice disposed offset from the duct for venting the dispenser bottle when fluid is transferred from the fluid package to the dispenser bottle.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An adapter for connecting a fluid package to a dispenser bottle, the adapter comprising:
 a duct configured to convey a fluid being transferred from the fluid package to the dispenser bottle;   a fluid package coupler coupled with the duct and configured to couple with the fluid package so as to place the duct in fluid communication with the fluid package;   a dispenser bottle coupler coupled with the duct and configured to couple with the dispenser bottle so as to place the duct in fluid communication with the dispenser bottle; and   at least one orifice disposed offset from the duct for venting the dispenser bottle when fluid is transferred from the fluid package to the dispenser bottle.   
     
     
         2 . The adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the duct is configured to discharge fluid transferred from the fluid package to the dispenser bottle offset from the at least one orifice. 
     
     
         3 . The adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the duct extends beyond both ends of the at least one orifice. 
     
     
         4 . The adapter of  claim 3 , wherein the duct extends into the dispenser bottle when the dispenser bottle coupler is coupled with the dispenser bottle. 
     
     
         5 . The adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the duct has a discharge cross section from which fluid transferred from the fluid package to the dispenser bottle is discharged, the discharge cross section having an area less than an area of a receiving cross section of the dispenser bottle across which the discharged fluid passes. 
     
     
         6 . The adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid package coupler comprises a threaded interface configured to couple with a complementarily configured threaded interface of the fluid package. 
     
     
         7 . The adapter of  claim 6 , wherein the fluid package coupler comprises a female coupler configured to couple with a male coupler of the fluid package. 
     
     
         8 . The adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the dispenser bottle coupler comprises a threaded interface configured to couple with a complementarily configured threaded interface of the dispenser bottle. 
     
     
         9 . The adapter of  claim 8 , wherein the dispenser bottle coupler comprises a female coupler configured to couple with a male coupler of the dispenser bottle. 
     
     
         10 . The adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one orifice comprises a plurality of orifices, each of the orifices being disposed offset from the duct. 
     
     
         11 . The adapter of  claim 10 , wherein the orifices comprise four orifices. 
     
     
         12 . The adapter of  claim 11 , wherein the orifices are uniformly distributed around the duct. 
     
     
         13 . The adapter of  claim 1 , further comprising a one-way valve configured to inhibit fluid flow from the dispenser bottle to the fluid package. 
     
     
         14 . The adapter of  claim 1 , further comprising a valve operable to control flow of the fluid through the duct. 
     
     
         15 . The adapter of  claim 1 , further comprising a rotary valve operable to control flow of the fluid through the duct. 
     
     
         16 . A system for refilling a dispenser bottle with a fluid; the system comprising:
 a reservoir for storing a quantity of the fluid; and   an adapter configured to couple the reservoir with the dispenser bottle, the adapter comprising
 a duct configured to convey a quantity of the fluid being transferred from the reservoir to the dispenser bottle, 
 a reservoir coupler coupled with the duct and configured to couple with the reservoir so as to place the duct in fluid communication with the reservoir, 
 a dispenser bottle coupler coupled with the duct and configured to couple with the dispenser bottle so as to place the duct in fluid communication with the dispenser bottle, and 
 at least one orifice disposed offset from the duct for venting the dispenser bottle when the quantity of the fluid is transferred from the reservoir into the dispenser bottle. 
   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the reservoir is flexible so that it can be deformed using hand pressure to increase pressure within the reservoir to promote transfer of fluid from the reservoir to the dispenser bottle. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the reservoir comprises a plurality of impermeable membrane panels bonded together to form a flexible fluid retaining body. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the membrane panels include two or more bottom panels forming a gusseted base for the reservoir, the gusseted base configured so that the reservoir will remain in an upright orientation when placed on a horizontal support surface. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the reservoir comprises:
 an inlet/outlet port configured to couple with the reservoir coupler so as to place the reservoir in fluid communication with the duct; and   at least one hanging opening, each hanging opening being configured to receive a support member so that the reservoir can be suspended in an inverted orientation in which the inlet/outlet port is oriented to discharge fluid downward into the dispenser bottle.   
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the reservoir comprises a carrying handle opening disposed in an area having a top panel of the reservoir bonded to a side panel of the reservoir. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 16 , further comprising a valve operable to control flow of the fluid through the duct. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 16 , further comprising a rotary valve operable to control flow of the fluid through the duct. 
     
     
         24 . A method for refilling a dispenser bottle with a fluid, the method comprising:
 coupling an adapter fitting to the dispenser bottle;   coupling the adapter fitting to a reservoir containing the fluid;   transferring a quantity of the fluid from the reservoir, through the adapter fitting, and into the dispenser bottle; and   venting the dispenser bottle via at least one orifice in the adapter fitting during the transfer of the quantity of the fluid into the dispenser bottle.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising coupling the adapter fitting to the dispenser bottle. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising deforming the reservoir so as to increase pressure in the reservoir to promote the transfer of the quantity of the fluid into the dispenser bottle. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising orienting the reservoir in an inverted orientation and orienting the dispenser bottle in an upright orientation so that the quantity of the fluid is transferred in a downward direction from the reservoir into the dispenser bottle. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , comprising hanging the reservoir in the inverted orientation. 
     
     
         29 . A method for refilling a dispenser bottle with a viscous fluid, the method comprising:
 providing a flexible reservoir containing the viscous fluid, the flexible reservoir formed from a plurality of flexible membrane panels including two or more bottom panels that form a gusseted base configured to support the flexible reservoir in an upright orientation when placed on a horizontal support surface;   placing the flexible reservoir in an inverted orientation, wherein the viscous fluid does not flow out of the flexible reservoir through an open orifice in the flexible reservoir; and   deforming the flexible reservoir so as to increase pressure in the flexible reservoir to eject a quantity of the viscous fluid through the open orifice into the dispenser bottle.