EP1328450A1

EP1328450A1 - Device for fixing a dispenser on a bottle neck

Info

Publication number: EP1328450A1
Application number: EP01976399A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Firmin Garcia; Jean-Jacques Ligny
Original assignee: Valois SAS
Current assignee: Aptar France SAS
Priority date: 2000-10-23
Filing date: 2001-10-11
Publication date: 2003-07-23
Anticipated expiration: 2021-10-11
Also published as: DE60105306D1; US20030205591A1; ES2227286T3; FR2815610A1; CN1212960C; JP2004512240A; CN1471488A; EP1328450B1; US6772913B2; JP3771535B2; FR2815610B1; BR0114890A; WO2002034646A1; DE60105306T2

Abstract

The invention concerns a device for fixing a dispensing member on the neck (41) of a container (4), said device comprising a ring (2) forming an annular support flange (20) designed to be urged in support, with an optionally interposed joint (5), on the top of the neck and a peripheral skirt (21) designed to enclose the neck, the skirt forming tabs (22) defining free ends (220). The invention is characterised in that the tabs comprise each at least a deformation zone (221, 222, 223), the tabs being deformed inwards when the free ends are axially pressed.

Description

DEVICE FOR ATTACHING A DISPENSER TO THE NECK OF A BOTTLE

The present invention relates to a fixing device for fixing a dispensing member to the neck of a container, and more generally a fluid dispenser using such a fixing member. In the packaging of perfumes, cosmetics or pharmaceutical products, it is frequent to package the fluid product in a dispenser which comprises a container forming a reservoir, a dispensing member in the form of a pump, a valve or any distribution head. To fix the dispensing member on the container, in general at the level of its neck, it is known to use fixing devices which provide a sealed fixing of the dispensing member on the neck of the container.

There are several techniques that allow fasteners to hook onto the neck of the container. There are three main types of fastening known, namely screwing, crimping and snap-fastening. In screw fixing, the external wall of the neck must have a thread. In the latching and crimping techniques, it is necessary for the external wall of the neck to have an appropriate profile making it possible to cooperate by latching or by crimping. In general, it is common to make the collar with a reinforcement which projects radially outwards so as to define a lower rim which extends inwards to join a narrowed part of the collar which is then connected to a shoulder. formed by the tank body. This is a completely classic design for a container neck. With such a collar provided with a reinforcement and a lower rim, it is possible to snap or crimp below the lower rim.

We will focus more specifically on the type of snap fastening. There are already many snap fastening devices on a collar provided with a reinforcement and a lower flange. This type of snap fastener usually uses a ring forming an annular support flange which comes to bear on the upper end of the neck, as well as a peripheral skirt which extends around the neck and which has internal projecting profiles which come to cooperate with the lower rim of the neck. Thus, the ring is fixed to the neck by taking support on the one hand on the neck at the support flange and under the flange at the profiles formed by the skirt. Again, there are several techniques for bringing the internal protruding profiles of the skirt below the bottom edge. According to a technique described in document US Pat. No. 4,773,553, an outer hoop engaged around the ring, and more particularly around the skirt, is used to deform the skirt below the lower rim. The skirt can be formed by a continuous cylinder, but it can also be in the form of aligned peripheral tabs. Before the hoop is engaged, the skirt has external projections which are displaced by the flow of material below the lower rim by the hoop which is forced down on the ring. In this technique, the hoop is used to deform a part of the skirt from the outside to the inside under the lower edge. There are also other techniques, such as that described in document FR 2 769 860 which relates to a fixing system, the skirt of the ring having an internal continuous projecting cord which comes to lodge in force below the lower rim. In this fixing system, the hoop which covers the ring does not participate in the fixing below the lower edge, but only fulfills an aesthetic purpose by masking the fixing ring. It should be noted that with this fixing system, the passage of the internal snap-on cord on the neck reinforcement has the effect of expanding the ring, so that it is not possible to mount a covering band which comes into contact with the ring at the level of the internal locking cord. In this document FR 2 769 860, provision is made to make a shoulder in the ring so that a space is created between the hoop and the skirt of the ring at the level of the snap-fastening cord. Thus, the skirt can freely deform outwards without damaging or being hindered by the covering band. The fixing carried out by the first system described in document US Pat. No. 4,773,553 achieves a very good non-removable fixing since the skirt of the ring is blocked under the lower flange by the hoop which comes to cover it. However, it is not possible to mount the hoop on the ring before mounting the ring on a container neck. On the other hand, the fixing carried out by the system of document FR 2 769 860 certainly allows prior mounting of the covering band on the ring but the fixing is not reliable since nothing comes to block the cord. clicks under the lower edge. It is therefore possible to remove the ring from the collar with some effort.

The present invention aims to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art by defining a secure and non-removable fixing device which can be put in place on the neck of a container while its covering band is already in place. In addition, neither the ring nor the hoop need to achieve a recess so that the hoop can come into contact with the skirt permanently, even when mounting the fixing device on the neck of a container.

Document EP 0 806 248 describes a device for fixing a pump or a valve to a neck provided with a reinforcement. The fixing device comprises a ring, a hoop and a sleeve. The ring forms a skirt engaged in the hoop. The sleeve is also engaged in the hoop under the skirt of the ring. In this position, the sleeve protrudes below the hoop so that by mounting this device on a container neck, the lower end of the sleeve comes into bearing contact on the shoulder of the container which constrains it to move inside the hoop in the direction of the ring. Going back inside the hoop, the sleeve deforms the lower end of the skirt of the ring thanks to a chamfered surface which is received between the hoop and the skirt. In the final position, the lower end of the skirt is strongly deformed inwardly under the reinforcement of the container. In this fixing device of the prior art, an additional element is therefore used, namely the sleeve, to deform the skirt inwards. This additional element must not only be manufactured, certainly by molding, but it must still be pre-assembled in the hoop. This implies the use of specific molding and mounting tools which entail an additional cost.

The present invention seeks to remedy these drawbacks of the prior art.

To achieve these goals, the present invention provides a fixing device for fixing a dispensing member on the neck of a container, said device comprising a ring forming an annular support flange intended to come into abutment, with a seal possibly interposed , on the top of the neck and a peripheral skirt intended to surround the neck, the skirt defining a free end above which is formed at least one deformation zone, the skirt deforming inwards at the level of the deformation when a thrust is exerted axially on its free end, prevention means being provided to prevent the skirt from deforming towards the outside, characterized in that the free end of the skirt is in contact with the means of prevention after deformation of the inward deformation zone. The skirt is necessarily deformed inwards since it is prevented from being deformed outwards by the means of prevention which may be in the form of a covering band engaged around and preferably in contact of the skirt.

Unlike document US Pat. No. 4,773,553, the covering band is not used to push the skirt under the lower edge, but simply to prevent its deformation towards the outside. The deformation of the skirt inward is entirely generated by the push on its free end.

The subject of the invention is also a fluid product dispenser comprising:

- A container defining a body forming a reservoir for the fluid, said body forming a shoulder from which extends a neck, said neck being provided with a reinforcement which projects radially outward so as to define a rim lower which extends inward to join a narrowed part of the neck which is connected to the shoulder of the body, - a dispensing member, such as a pump or a valve, mounted on the neck of the container, and - a fixing device for fixing a dispensing member on the neck of the container, said device comprising a ring forming an annular support flange intended to come into abutment, with an optionally interposed seal, on the top of the neck and a peripheral skirt intended to surround the neck, the skirt defining a free end, the skirt comprising at least one deformation zone situated at the level of the lower rim, the skirt deforming inwards under the rim, bearing with its free end on the shoulder of the body. According to one embodiment, the deformation zone may include a local reduction in the wall thickness of the skirt. On the other hand, the skirt can form legs separated by longitudinal slots.

Advantageously, the deformation zone comprises an outer groove and an inner groove. The internal groove, during the deformation towards the inside, is housed under the lower rim and thus fixes the ring on the neck of the container.

According to another characteristic, the deformation zone comprises an internal rib able to move by pivoting inwards when a thrust is exerted axially on the free end of a tab. More specifically, the inner rib engages under the lower edge of the neck, moving not only inward but also driving down the rest of the ring, which contributes to strongly support the support flange on the upper end of the neck. One can thus achieve a seal at this level, possibly without using a neck seal. According to a practical embodiment, the rib is defined by two internal grooves.

According to another characteristic, the legs are separated by non-deformable skirt segments, the free ends of the legs forming protrusion relative to the skirt segments, when the legs are not deformed, and come substantially into contact with the shoulder of the body when the legs are deformed.

The invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings which give, by way of nonlimiting examples, an embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are views in partial vertical cross section through a fixing device according to the invention during mounting on a neck,

FIG. 3 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1 with the fixing device according to the invention fixed on the neck,

- Figure 4 is a plan view of the interior of the skirt of the fixing device of Figures 1 to 3, and - Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 of a variant skirt.

In FIGS. 1 to 3, only the upper right part of a fluid dispenser has been shown showing the right part of a container neck engaged with a fixing device of which only the right part is shown. It goes without saying that the left part of the neck and of the fastening device are completely identical by mirror symmetry. This is why it has been shown only the right part in an enlarged manner to show the details more clearly.

As a whole, the fluid dispenser comprises a container, a dispensing member for example a pump or a valve and a fixing device for fixing the dispensing member to the container.

The container 4 is of a completely conventional type defining a body forming a reservoir for containing the fluid product. The body at its upper end forms a shoulder 45 from which extends a neck 41. The neck is provided with a reinforcement 42 which projects radially outward so as to define a lower rim 43. This rim lower which extends inwards joins a narrowed part 44 of the neck which is connected to the shoulder 45 of the body. At its upper end 46, the neck

41 forms an annular sealing ring 460.

There are many containers, flasks or bottles incorporating these characteristics. The fixing device of the invention makes it possible to fix a pump, a valve or another form of dispensing head on the neck 41 of the container 4.

To do this, the fixing device comprises a ring 2 forming receiving means (not shown) for fixedly holding the pump or the valve. In general, the ring forms a latching housing in which a flange formed by the body of the pump or of the valve is latched. The snap-in housing forms the central part of the ring with a through hole for the actuating rod of the pump or the valve. Around the latching housing (not shown), extends an annular support flange 20 intended to come into abutment, with a seal 5 possibly interposed, on the top 46 of the neck, so as to crush the seal 5 or the flange 20 on a sealing ring 460. On its outer periphery, the support flange 20 is connected downwards to a peripheral skirt 21, and upwards to a socket 24. The skirt 21 and the socket 24 can be located in alignment with each other. This is precisely the case in Figures 1 to 3, so that the outer wall of the ring forms a circular cylinder.

The peripheral skirt 21 has an internal diameter which allows it to engage on the neck 41 of the container 4. In this way, the skirt 21 surrounds the neck 41 with a non-tight contact or a slight clearance. In any event, mounting the skirt on the collar must not be hindered by excessive friction. Since the neck 41 is formed with a reinforcement 42 of greater diameter, it can be said that the internal diameter of the skirt 21 is substantially equal to or slightly greater than the external diameter of the reinforcement

42 which forms a cylindrical outer wall 47. The peripheral skirt 21 further forms legs 22 connected to the skirt by one of their ends and extending downward in the figures to end in free ends 220. The legs 22 can extend side side by side over the entire periphery of the skirt 21, being spaced apart by slots, or alternatively, the tabs 22 can be distributed regularly over the periphery of the skirt 21 with non-deformable skirt segments 23 interposed between them, as can be seen in Figure 4. The legs 22 extend in the extension of the continuous part of the skirt 21 which is connected to the support flange 20. Before mounting on the neck, neither the skirt 21, nor the legs 22, nor the skirt segments 23 have an inner diameter less than the outside diameter of the neck 41 so that the skirt 21 with its legs and its skirt segments can be placed on the neck 41 of the container 4 without deformation.

According to the invention, the lugs 22 each comprise at least one deformation zone allowing the lugs to deform inwards under the rim 43. The deformation of the lugs 22 inwards has the effect of reducing the internal diameter of the skirt 21 so that part of the legs can be received at the narrowed part 44 of the neck 41 below the rim 43. The deformed legs 22 preferably come into contact pressed against the rim 43 so as to strongly press the support flange 20 or the seal 5 on the top 46 of the neck 41 so as to provide a seal at this location. According to the invention, the deformation of the legs 22 is obtained by exerting an axial thrust on their free ends 220. This is achieved when the free ends 220 of the legs 22 come into contact with the shoulder 45 of the container 4 during assembly of the device of fixing on the neck of the container. In FIG. 1, the tabs 22 are not yet fully engaged on the neck of the container: their free ends 220 are still distant from the shoulder 45. In FIG. 2, the ring 2 has not yet reached its final position on the neck 41, but the free ends 220 of the legs 22 are already in contact with the shoulder 45. By continuing to press axially downwards on the ring 2, the legs 22 undergo a deformation because they are resting on the shoulder 45 with their free ends 220. This is shown in FIG. 3. The collar 20 is then in leaktight support on the top 46 of the neck, directly or by through the joint 5, and the legs 22 are deformed inwardly under the flange 43. The deformation of the legs 22 inwardly has the effect of reducing their height. It is therefore necessary to form the legs 22 with a length greater than the skirt segments 23, when the embodiment of FIG. 4 has been chosen. In the extended position, as shown in FIG. 1 and 2, the free ends 220 lugs 22 protrude downward relative to the free ends 230 of the skirt segments 23. Once deformed, as shown in FIG. 3, the free ends 220 of the lugs 22 are situated substantially at the same level as the free ends 230 of the skirt segments 23.

The deformation of the legs so as to come into pressing contact against the rim 43 is made possible by the presence of suitable deformation zones. In the embodiment shown, the deformation zones are in the form of a hinge having preferential folding zones. These folding or deformation zones are obtained by a local or peripheral reduction in the wall thickness of the skirt at the tabs. An outer groove 220 allows the tab 22 to be folded inwards with an angle which corresponds approximately to that formed by the flange 43. To promote this folding inwards, the tabs 22 can also be formed with an inner groove. 222. On the other hand, to allow the tabs 22 to keep their substantially vertical orientation, the tabs are formed with an additional internal groove 223 located below the internal groove 222. This second internal groove 223 allows the tabs 22 to bend again to resume an orientation substantially similar to that of the skirt 21. It can be seen for example in FIG. 3 that the lower part of the tabs 22 below the groove

223 is tilted somewhat outward and downward. Between the two internal grooves 222 and 223, the tabs 22 form an internal rib

224 adapted to come into pressing contact against the rim 43. The function of these grooves and ribs is to allow the tabs to deform inwardly to bring part of the tabs in pressing contact against the rim 43 of the neck. It is also advantageous and sought after that the deformation of the tabs 22 under the rim 43 causes axial pulling of the ring 2 so as to press the support flange 20 against the top 46 of the neck 41. This axial pulling is carried out by the deformation of the tabs 22 which bears under the rim 43. The folding of the tabs at the level of the groove 223 which is housed just below the rim 43 may for example have the effect of moving the grooves 221 and 222 downward so to perform this downward axial pull. The rib 224 thus serves as a pivot point under the rim 43 for pulling the collar down on the top 46 of the neck 41. According to the invention, the fixing device advantageously comprises, in addition to the ring 2, a hoop 3 engaged around and in contact with the peripheral skirt 21. The hoop 3 comprises a body 30 forming a lower end 31 and an upper end 32 folded inwardly to bear on the bush 24 of the ring. This hoop 3 makes it possible to dress the ring 2 in an aesthetic manner. In the present invention, this hoop 3 fulfills an additional function, namely that of prevention means for preventing the tabs 22 of the skirt 21 from deforming towards the outside. The tabs 22 are thus forced to deform inwards under the rim of the neck. To perform this function of prevention means, the hoop 3 simply extends along the skirt 21 in contact with the tabs 22 when the latter are in their extended position as shown in FIG. 1 and 2. When the ends lower 220 of the legs 22 come into contact with the shoulder 45, as shown in FIG. 2, the hoop 3 is always in contact with the legs 22. The legs 22 cannot therefore deform outwards. By continuing to press the ring 2, the tabs 22 are forced to deform inward as shown in Figure 3 so as to disengage from the hoop 3. In the final position, the lower end 31 of the hoop 3 is located approximately at the same level as the lower ends 220 of the legs 22, that is to say near the shoulder 45. The legs are at this point in contact with the hoop which thus prevents the legs from extending towards the 'outside. This stop function for the free ends of the legs can also be provided by the shoulder by forming it for example with a stop profile.

It should be noted that the hoop 3 does not directly participate in the deformation of the legs 22, and does not even ensure their blocking under the rim 43. In addition, it should be noted that the hoop 3 can be engaged on the ring 2 before mounting the ring 2 on the neck of a container as can be seen in Figures 1 to 3. Indeed, the ring 2 does not need to extend or expand when engaged on the neck so that its outside diameter is constant throughout the duration of the mounting operation. In addition, the part of the ring which secures it to the neck of the container is deformed only when the ring is in the final position on the neck of the container.

In this embodiment, the means used to prevent the legs from deforming towards the outside are constituted by the covering hoop 3. Of course, one can imagine other means ensuring the same function which can for example be realized or formed directly by the fixing ring 2, or even the container 4.

FIG. 5 shows a variant of a ring skirt which is not formed with lugs: on the contrary, the skirt 21 is here continuous on its periphery with the exception of window 225 which are located at the level of the deformation zone 221 which can be in the form of grooves and / or ribs, or more generally in the form of local variations in the wall thickness of the skirt. The windows 225 allow the deformation zone sections 221 located between to freely deform inwardly without interfering with or interfering with.

Thanks to the invention, there is a fixing system in one or two pieces (ring or ring + hoop) which ensures a solid and final fixing and whose assembly is particularly simple. The technique of attachment to a neck uses the fact of resting on the shoulder of the container to move or deform a part or part of a part under the rim of the neck.

Claims

claims

1 .- Fixing device for fixing a dispensing member to the neck (41) of a container (4), said device comprising a ring (2) forming an annular support flange (20) intended to come to bear, with a seal (5) possibly interposed on the top of the neck and a peripheral skirt (21) intended to surround the neck, the skirt defining a free end (220) above which is formed at least one deformation zone ( 221, 222, 223), the skirt deforming inwards at the deformation zone when a thrust is exerted axially on its free end, prevention means (3) being provided to prevent the skirt (22 ) to deform outwards, characterized in that the free end of the skirt is in contact with the prevention means after deformation of the deformation zone inwards.

2. A fixing device according to claim 1, in which the deformation zone comprises a local decrease in the wall thickness of the skirt.

3.- Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the deformation zone comprises an outer groove (221) and an inner groove (223).

4.- Device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the deformation zone comprises an inner rib (224) capable of moving when a thrust is exerted axially on the free end of the skirt.

5.- Device according to claim 4, wherein the rib (224) is defined by two internal grooves (222, 223).

6.- Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the prevention means comprising a covering hoop (3) engaged around and in contact with the peripheral skirt (21).

7.- Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the skirt (21) forms legs separated by longitudinal slots.

8.- Device according to claim 7, wherein the legs (22) are separated by non-deformable skirt segments (23), the free ends (220) of the legs (22) projecting relative to the skirt segments (23 ).

9.- Fluid product distributor comprising:

- A container (4) defining a body forming a reservoir for the fluid, said body forming a shoulder (45) from which extends a neck (41), said neck being provided with a reinforcement (42) which makes protruding radially outwards so as to define a lower rim (43) which extends inwards to join a narrowed part (44) of the neck which is connected to the shoulder (45) of the body,

a dispensing member, such as a pump or a valve, mounted on the neck of the container, and

- a fixing device (2, 3) for fixing a dispensing member to the neck of the container, said device comprising a ring (2) forming an annular support flange (20) intended to come into abutment, with a seal ( 5) possibly interposed, on the top (46) of the neck and a peripheral skirt (21) intended to surround the neck, the skirt defining a free end (220), the skirt comprising at least one deformation zone (221, 222, 223) located at the lower rim (43), the skirt deforming inwards under the rim, bearing with its free end on the shoulder of the body.

10. A fixing device according to claim 9, wherein the deformation zone comprises a local decrease in the wall thickness of the skirt.

1 1.- fluid product device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the prevention means (3) are provided to prevent the skirt from being deformed towards the outside.

12.- Device according to claim 9, 10 or 11, wherein the deformation zone comprises an outer groove (221).

13.- Device according to claim 9, 10, 1 1 or 12, wherein the deformation zone comprises an inner groove (223) which is received under the lower flange (43).

14.- Device according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the deformation zone comprises an internal rib

(224) which engages under the rim (43) with a pivoting movement inwards.

15.- Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the skirt (21) forms legs separated by longitudinal slots.

16.- Device according to claim 15, wherein the legs (22) are separated by non-deformable skirt segments (23), the free ends (220) of the legs (22) projecting relative to the skirt segments, when the legs are not deformed, and come substantially into contact with the shoulder of the body when the legs are deformed.

17.- Device according to any one of claims 9 to 15, wherein the prevention means comprising a covering hoop (3) engaged around and in contact with the peripheral skirt (21).