EP0290431B1

EP0290431B1 - An assembly and method for securing and sealing a dispenser to a flanged container

Info

Publication number: EP0290431B1
Application number: EP86906194A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Owen F. Van Brocklin
Original assignee: Risdon Corp
Current assignee: Crown Risdon USA Inc
Priority date: 1986-09-30
Filing date: 1986-09-30
Publication date: 1993-03-17
Anticipated expiration: 2006-09-30
Also published as: EP0290431A1; DE3688081T2; WO1988002297A1; DE3688081D1; EP0290431A4

Abstract

An assembly for securing and sealing a dispenser, such as a pump or valve, to a flanged container (10). The assembly comprises a mounting cup (24) having a generally cylindrical skirt (50) around its periphery and a sealing collar (26) including a sleeve (32) having a diameter sized to receive the sidewall (20) of the flange (16) and sized to be encased by the mounting cup (24). The end portion of the sleeve (32), preferably a plurality of spaced tabs (46), is in the path of movement of the mounting cup (24) and is deformed radially inwardly beneath the flange ledge (22) thereby to secure the collar (26) to the flange (16).

Description

The present invention relates to a method and assembly for securing and sealing a dispenser, such as a pump, a valve or other dispensing means with respect to a flanged container. More particularly, the present invention relates to an assembly and method for securing a dispenser to a container without the necessity of complex mechanical operations.
It is desirable to secure a dispenser such as a pump, a valve, or other dispensing means to a container for storing a liquid product. A typical container may be made of glass and have a neck with an opening for dispensing the product. A flange is included around the opening and has an inwardly directed ledge.
An assembly in accordance with the invention can be used with a pump of the type disclosed in US-A-4,173,297 to Pettersen defining the closest prior art. The Pettersen patent discloses a pump that is mounted with respect to the container through use of a metal mounting ferrule, also termed a mounting cup. The bottom of the skirt of the mounting cup is deformed beneath the container flange to retain the pump and associated seal in place. Such crimping operation requires specialized machinery made specifically for such crimping operation. Thus, filling of the bottle must be accomplished adjacent a relatively complex crimping device. Moreover, since each dispenser must be positioned, and then crimped, the process of crimping the mounting cups is relatively time consuming. In certain applications, it may be desirable to avoid an appearance wherein the end of the mounting cup is crimped, and this is particularly the case in certain cosmetic applications wherein the outward appearance of the package is important.
In designs where the mounting cup has been crimped, it may be desirable to provide an additional appearance sleeve which fits over the mounting cup and obscures the crimped portion of the mounting cup. The use of an additional sleeve adds to the cost of the components and assembly of the components.
It has been proposed to use a hard plastic collar having an annular recess which receives the flange, or bead as it is also termed. An annular retaining rib snap-locks under the flange or bead when installed. Such designs are dislcosed in US-A- 4,216,883, US-A-4,193,551 and US-A- 4,073,398. The latter patent discloses a retainer collar that holds the annular retaining rib beneath the container flange. The snap-locking feature of such designs typically requires use of hard plastics which are not effective for providing a liquid seal.
Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide, an assembly and a method for securing and sealing a dispenser with respect to the flange of a container in a simplified fashion which requires relatively unsophisticated equipment for assembly. In accordance with one aspect of the invention it is desired to provide an assembly and a method for securing and sealing which does not require crimping of the metal mounting cup beneath the flange of the container. In accordance with another object of the invention, it would be desirable to avoid use of an appearance sleeve for obscuring the crimped portion of the mounting cup.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided an assembly for securing and sealing a dispenser with respect to a container of the type having a neck with an opening for dispensing a product, the neck having a flange surrounding the opening, the flange having a cylindrical sidewall about its periphery and an inwardly directed ledge at the bottom thereof, the assembly comprising:
a mounting cup comprising a substantially rigid material, said cup having a skirt about at least a portion of its periphery, the cup slideable through a path of movement over the container flange from an unassembled position to an assembled position; and
a sealing collar comprising a resilient deformable molded polymeric material, said collar having a central opening for receiving said dispenser, the assembly being characterized in that:
said sealing collar includes a sleeve having a diameter sized to receive the flange and sized to be encased by said mounting cup skirt, a portion of said sleeve having a frustoconical shape and including an upper region having a diameter less than said flange diameter and a lower region having a diameter at least equal to said flange diameter, said frustoconical portion deforming to provide an annular area of contact between the sleeve and the flange sidewall and a snug, frictional fit therebetween in the unassembled position of said mounting cup, said sleeve including means protruding into the path of movement of the mounting cup, said means being forced by said mounting cup to a position under said ledge as the mounting cup moves to an assembled position, said sleeve having an interior surface consisting essentially of a cylindrical shape adjacent said inwardly directed ledge of said container in the unassembled position of said mounting cup, said interior surface deforming radially inwardly under said ledge in the assembled position of said mounting cup.
In one embodiment the collar has a ring including a floor that is in contact with the upper surface of the flange in the assembled position. The sleeve depends from the ring wherein the sleeve has a diameter sized to receive the sidewall of the flange, but also is sized to be encased by the mounting cup skirt. The means may be an end portion of the sleeve protruding in the path of movement of the skirt. When the sealing collar and mounting cup are assembled, the sleeve forces the protrusion inwardly to a position beneath the flange of the container thereby securing the collar to the flange.
The container flange, the mounting cup and the sealing collar may all be symmetric to a central axis. During assembly of the components, the axes of the mounting cup, the sealing collar and the flange may be placed in a coincident relation and assembled by moving the three components together. More specifically, the container, and thus the flange, may be held in a stationary position. The sealing collar and the mounting cup may be placed on the container flange, and the mounting cup may be urged in an axial direction toward the flange. The mounting cup skirt as it slides with respect to the sealing collar sleeve thus forces and deforms the protruding end portion radially inwardly and into a position beneath the ledge of the flange. Thus, the flange is securely grasped at one end by the ring and at the other end by the deformed end portion of the sleeve of the sealing collar. Thus, a secure seal is provided.
In a particular arrangement, the skirt of the mounting cup includes a radially outwardly directed step. The portion of the mounting cup skirt above the step has an inner diameter slightly less than the outer diameter of the sealing collar sleeve. The surface of the mounting cup skirt frictionally engages the outer surface of the sleeve of the sealing collar to retain the components in an assembled position with respect to each other. The skirt may also include a second radially stepped portion which contacts the ring and holds it in position when the components are assembled.
The end portion of the sleeve may include a plurality of slots around its periphery. The slots may define a plurality of deformable tabs which are deformed as the mounting cup moves through its path of movement.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for securing and sealing a dispenser with respect to a container of the type having a neck with an opening for dispensing a product, the neck having a flange surrounding the opening, the flange including a cylindrical sidewall about its periphery and an inwardly directed ledge at the bottom thereof, the method comprising:
maintaining a mounting cup, a sealing collar and the flange on a common axis, said mounting cup having a substantially cylindrical skirt symmetric with respect to said common axis, said sealing collar comprising a resilient deformable polymeric material; and assembling the flange, the mounting cup and the sealing collar by movement along said common axis; and being characterized by:
said sealing collar including a sleeve having a diameter sized to receive the flange and sized to be encased by the mounting cup skirt, a portion of said sleeve having a frustoconical shape and including an upper region having a diameter less than said flange diameter and a lower region having a diameter at least equal to the flange diameter;
forcing the sealing collar downwardly over the flange to deform said frustoconical portion of said sleeve to provide an annular area of contact between the sleeve and the flange sidewall and a snug, frictional fit therebetween in an unassembled position of the mounting cup;
said sleeve including means protruding into the path of movement of the mounting cup, said sleeve having an interior surface consisting essentially of a cylindrical shape adjacent the inwardly directed ledge of said container when in the unassembled position of the mounting cup; and
moving said mounting cup to an assembled position wherein said mounting cup deforms the interior surface of the sleeve radially inwardly under the ledge in the assembled position of said mounting cup.
The assembly with the present invention is particularly simple in design and requires only two components in addition to the container flange. The components are assembled by urging the mounting cup and the sealing collar towards the container flange in an axial direction. No sophisticated mechanical devices are necessary for assembling the components and the components are assembled by axial movements of the mounting cup. The advantage of the simplified assembly is important. In many applications, the person filling the bottles may not have access to sophisticated machinery for crimping, and therefore, a device which permits ease in assembly is particularly desirable. In addition, the mounting cup does not require crimping. Thus, the appearance of the bottom of the mounting cup is attractive and an additional appearance sleeve is unnecessary. Additional advantages of an assembly and method in accordance with the invention will be apparent from the brief description of the drawings and a detailed description of the invention which follows.
The invention will be further described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

FIG. 1 is a sectional view taken along the common axis of the components of the assembly, and shows the components prior to assembly;
FIG. 2 is a view similar to that shown in FIG. 1 with the exception that the components have been assembled;
FIG. 3 is a top view of the sealing collar shown in FIGS. 1-2;
FIG. 4 is the bottom view of the sealing collar shown in FIGS. 1-3;
FIG. 5 is a side view partially broken away of the sealing collar shown in FIGS. 1-4;
FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view of another embodiment of the invention prior to assembly; and
FIG. 7 is a view similar to that of FIG. 6 after assembly.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a container 10 of the type having a neck 12 with an opening 14 for dispensing product stored in the container as shown. The neck includes a flange 16 which includes an upper surface 18 surrounding the opening 14, a sidewall 20 about its periphery and an inwardly directed ledge 22 at the bottom of the flange. The container is typically made of glass, although other types of materials such as plastic or metal can be utilized. An assembly in accordance with the present invention is particularly suited for use with cosmetic containers such as those containing perfume.
An assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention includes a mounting cup 24 and a sealing collar 26. The sealing collar 26 comprises a deformable material, and preferably a resilient deformable material such as polyethylene, including linear low density polyethylene, rubber elastomers, or vinyl. The sealing collar 26 includes a ring 28 having a floor 30 for contacting the upper surface 18 of the container flange. The collar includes a sleeve 32 extending from the ring 28. The sleeve has an inner diameter sized to receive the sidewall 20 of the flange, and the inner diameter 34 of the sleeve is slightly less than the diameter of the flange wall 20 to provide a snug, frictional fit. The sleeve 32 is generally cylindrical and symmetric with respect to axis 36. The upper end of sleeve 32 includes an annular protrusion 38 which is shaped to be received by the interior surface of a step in the mounting cup 24, and such will be described hereinafter.
The sealing collar 26 can be designed to receive any number of different types of dispensers including pumps, valves, shaker plug type valves, squeeze type valves, and pouring type valves. The collar includes a central opening 40 for receiving the dispenser, such as a pump, and includes other structures which are designed specifically for the type of dispenser to be used with the assembly. Thus, the portion of the sealing collar above the ring is not described in detail inasmuch as it can be changed and adapted to various types of dispensers.
Referring in particular to Figures 3, 4 and 5, the end portion of sleeve 32 includes a radially outwardly protruding member 42 located in the path of movement of the mounting cup 24. More specifically, the sleeve includes a plurality of slots 44 about its periphery. The slots 44 define a plurality of deformable tabs 46. It is preferred that the tabs 46 include an inclined camming surface 48 (See FIG. 5). When the mounting cup moves downwardly it contacts camming surface 48 and forces each of the tabs radially inwardly. The camming surface preferably has an angle with respect to the vertical axis 36 of between 30 and 60 degrees, most preferably 45 degrees. It is preferable that the sealing collar be of a molded polymeric material which can be formed in a single piece. Alternatively, if necessary, the collar could be formed in a plurality of pieces so long as the tabs 46 are deformable.
As shown particularly well in Figure 5, the sleeve 32 also includes a frustoconical portion 33. The upper region 35 has a diameter less than the diameter of the flange while the lower region 37 has a diameter equal to or greater than the flange diameter. As shown in Figure 2, when assembled, the frustoconical portion deforms slightly and contacts the flange to provide an annular area 39 of contact.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the mounting cup 24 will now be described in detail. The mounting cup is preferably made of a material which is substantially rigid, such as metal, hard plastic, wood or glass. The cup 24 includes a skirt 50 which has a shape symmetric with respect to common axis 36. More specifically, the mounting cup has a generally cylindrical shape, but may also have a frustoconical shape symmetric with respect to central axis 36. The skirt 50 includes a first stepped portion 52 and a second stepped portion 54. Both steps 52 and 54 are directed radially outwardly from central axis 36 so that the entire cup can be placed over both the sealing collar and the container flange. The inner diameter 56 of the portion of the cup between steps 52 and 54 is approximately equal to the outer diameter of sleeve 32. If desired, the inner diameter 56 of the cup can be slightly less than the outer diameter of sleeve 32 so that the sleeve is slightly compressed between the flange sidewall 20 and the interior surface of the mounting cup.
Both steps 52 and 54 are at an angle with respect to central axis 36 so as to match respectively the angles on annular protrusion 38 and camming surface 48. More specifically, as shown in Figure 2, in an assembled position, the step portion 52 contacts the upper surface 39 of annular protrusion 38 and forces the ring 28 into contact with the upper surface 18 of the flange. Also, as shown in a comparison between Figures 1 and 2, the step portion 54 contacts the camming surface 48 and forces the tab 46 radially inwardly beneath ledge 22. It should be understood that by a "ledge" it is meant an inward slot or groove which is capable of receiving tab 46. In certain instances, it may be desirable to include a flange having a continuous sidewall which extends to the shoulder 60 of the bottle. In such instance, the ledge would be simply an annular groove sized to receive the deformed tab 46. The method and apparatus for assembling the various components will be described with respect to Figure 2.
The apparatus for assembling the device includes an annular ring 62 that is movable downwardly in the direction of arrow 64 to the position shown in Figure 2. The annular ring is shown schematically and is connected to suitable mechanical devices for moving the ring downwardly. The container is maintained in a stationary position, and the components slide only along the axis 36 which is an axis common to the mounting cup, the sealing collar and the container flange. The sealing collar 26 may be placed on the flange in the position shown in Figure 1. Alternatively, if desired, the sealing collar could be placed at a position wherein there is a space between the ring 28 and the upper surface 18 of the flange. The mounting cup 24 is placed over the sealing collar 26 and forced axially downwardly with respect to the container. The ring 62 contacts the step 52 and urges the cup downwardly. The stepped portion 54 contacts the camming surface 48 and exerts a downward force on the entire sealing collar. In the instance where the ring 28 is spaced from the flange 16 in an initial condition, the force of the step 54 against the camming surface 48 urges the entire sealing collar axially downwardly. During movement of the sealing collar with respect to the flange, the tabs 46 are blocked from radially inward movement until they reach the position shown in Figure 2. The collar ring 28 when it contacts the upper surface of the flange limits further movement of the collar with respect to the flange. Thereafter, as the mounting cup 24 is forced axially downwardly by the annular ring 62, the step 54 urges the camming surface radially inwardly and thus deforms the tabs to the position shown in Figure 2.
The method of assembly has been described with the annular ring 62 moving with respect to a stationary container. It should be understood that it is the relative movement which produces the assembly of the various components, and it is also possible to move the container and the various components upwardly with respect to an annular ring.
Referring to Figures 6 and 7, another embodiment of the invention is shown. The container and sealing collar are identical to those shown in Figures 1-5. The mounting cup 68 includes an annular retaining ring 70 which protrudes radially inwardly beneath the deformed tabs 46 when in an assembled position. More specifically, the mounting cup 68 is made of a plastic material having a small degree of flexibility which permits it to slightly deform radially outwardly as it rides over sleeve 32. When tabs 46 are deformed, retaining ring 70 snaps into the position shown in Figure 7 beneath deformed tabs 46. The snap-lock provided by ring 70 assists in maintaining the various components in assembly.
As can be appreciated, the method of assembly is particularly simple and does not require complicated machinery. The only required step is the reciprocating of an annular ring which contacts one of the step portions of the mounting cup. If necessary, the components could be assembled by a hand press. As shown in the assembled version in Figure 2, the three components, the sealing collar, the mounting cup and the container flange are held in a substantially fixed position by the frictional forces between the parts. The flange is secured between the deformed tab 46 and the ring 28 to hold the assembly in a fixed position. Although it is desirable to use an assembly according to the present invention to avoid the necessity of a subsequent crimping operation, in some instances it may be desirable to crimp the terminal end 70 of the mounting cup around the deformed tabs. This would particularly be the case if a crimped appearance were to be desired.
In summary, the present invention provides an extremely simplistic method of assembling the various components, and provides for an assembly that does not require crimping. The frictional forces between the components maintain the components in a fixed assembled position. The assembly is useful not only for pumps but also may be adapted for various types of dispensers including pumps, valves, shaker plug type valves, squeeze type valves and pouring type valves.
It should be understood tht although specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein in detail, such description is for purposes of illustration only and modifications may be made thereto by those skilled in the art within the scope of the invention.

Claims

An assembly for securing and sealing a dispenser with respect to a container (10) of the type having a neck (12) with an opening (14) for dispensing a product, the neck having a flange (16) surrounding the opening, the flange having a cylindrical sidewall (20) about its periphery and an inwardly directed ledge (22) at the bottom thereof, the assembly comprising:
a mounting cup (24) comprising a substantially rigid material, said cup (24) having a skirt (50) about at least a portion of its periphery, the cup slideable through a path of movement over the container flange (16) from an unassembled position to an assembled position; and
a sealing collar (26) comprising a resilient deformable molded polymeric material, said collar (26) having a central opening for receiving said dispenser, the assembly being characterized in that:
said sealing collar (26) includes a sleeve (32) having a diameter sized to receive the flange (16) and sized to be encased by said mounting cup skirt (50), a portion of said sleeve (32) having a frustoconical shape (33) and including an upper region (35) having a diameter less than said flange diameter and a lower region (37) having a diameter at least equal to said flange diameter, said frustoconical portion (33) deforming to provide an annular area of contact between the sleeve (32) and the flange sidewall (20) and a snug, frictional fit therebetween in the unassembled position of said mounting cup (24), said sleeve (32) including means (48) protruding into the path of movement of the mounting cup, said means (48) being forced by said mounting cup (24) to a position under said ledge (22) as the mounting cup moves to an assembled position, said sleeve (32) having an interior surface consisting essentially of a cylindrical shape adjacent said inwardly directed ledge (22) of said container (10) in the unassembled position of said mounting cup (24), said interior surface deforming radially inwardly under said ledge (22) in the assembled position of said mounting cup (24).
As assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said skirt (50) has a step (54) protruding radially outwardly with respect to a central axis of said mounting cup, and at least a portion of said mounting cup (24) above said step (54) has an inner diameter (56) substantially equal to the outer diameter of said sealing collar sleeve (52), said inner diameter (56) of said mounting cup wall frictionally engaging the outer diameter of said sealing collar (26) to retain said mounting cup (24) in an assembled position with respect to said container (10).
An assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said skirt (50) has an annular retaining ring (70) projecting inwardly from said skirt (50), said retaining ring (70) and skirt (50) adjacent said retaining ring (70) deforming outwardly as said retaining ring (70) slides over said collar sleeve (32), said ring (70) returning to its undeformed condition beneath said deformed portion of said collar (26) to maintain said collar (26) and mounting cup (24) in said assembled position.
An assembly as claimed in claim 1,2 or 3, wherein said mounting cup (24) comprises a hard plastic material and said collar (20) comprises a soft plastic material.
An assembly as claimed in claim 1,2,3 or 4, wherein said flange sidewall (20) has an outer diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of a portion of said sealing collar sleeve (32) to provide a tight frictional fit between said sleeve (32) and said flange sidewall (20) in said assembled position.
An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said means (48) protruding into said path of movement of said mounting cup (24) includes a camming surface (48) being forced radially inwardly to a position beneath said ledge (22).
An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein an end portion of said sleeve (32) includes a plurality of slots (44) about its periphery, said slots (44) defining a plurality of deformable tabs (46) about the periphery of the end portion of said sleeve (32), said tabs (46) being deformed as said mounting cup (24) moves through its path of movement.
An assembly as claimed in claims 6 and 7, wherein said tabs (46) include said camming surface (48).
An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, including means (28;33) for limiting travel of said sleeve (32) with respect to said container flange (16) to provide for alignment of said assembly and said flange ledge (22).
An assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein said limiting means (28;33) comprises a ring (28) integral with the sealing collar (26), said ring (28) including a floor (30) contacting said flange (16) in said assembled position, said sleeve (32) depending from said ring (28).
An assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein said limiting means (28;33) comprises said frustoconical portion (33) of said sleeve (32) having a diameter less than the diameter of said flange sidewall (20), said frustoconical portion (33) contacting said flange sidewall (20) and deforming to seat said collar (26) on said flange (16).
A method for securing and sealing a dispenser with respect to a container (10) of the type having a neck (12) with an opening (14) for dispensing a product, the neck (12) having a flange (16) surrounding the opening, the flange including a cylindrical sidewall (20) about its periphery and an inwardly directed ledge (22) at the bottom thereof, the method comprising:
maintaining a mounting cup (24), a sealing collar (26) and the flange (16) on a common axis, said mounting cup (24) having a substantially cylindrical skirt (50) symmetric with respect to said common axis, said sealing collar (26) comprising a resilient deformable polymeric material; and assembling the flange (16), the mounting cup (24) and the sealing collar (26) by movement along said common axis; and being characterized by:
said sealing collar (26) including a sleeve having a diameter sized to receive the flange (16) and sized to be encased by the mounting cup skirt (50), a portion of said sleeve (32) having a frustoconical shape (33) and including an upper region (35) having a diameter less than said flange diameter and a lower region (37) having a diameter at least equal to the flange diameter;
forcing the sealing collar downwardly over the flange to deform said frustoconical portion of said sleeve (32) to provide an annular area of contact between the sleeve (32) and the flange sidewall (20) and a snug, frictional fit therebetween in an unassembled position of the mounting cup;
said sleeve (32) including means (48) protruding into the path of movement of the mounting cup (24), said sleeve (32) having an interior surface consisting essentially of a cylindrical shape adjacent the inwardly directed ledge (22) of said container (10) when in the unassembled position of the mounting cup; and
moving said mounting cup to an assembled position wherein said mounting cup (24) deforms the interior surface of the sleeve radially inwardly under the ledge in the assembled position of said mounting cup (24).