EP1161386A1

EP1161386A1 - Assembly for securing a dispenser

Info

Publication number: EP1161386A1
Application number: EP00903356A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Owen F. Vanbrocklin; Sergei Fedorjaczenko
Original assignee: Crown Cork and Seal Technologies Corp
Current assignee: Silgan Dispensing Systems Thomaston Corp
Priority date: 1999-01-19
Filing date: 2000-01-19
Publication date: 2001-12-12
Anticipated expiration: 2020-01-19
Also published as: EP1161386A4; EP1161386B1; AU2511600A; PL348861A1; PL205692B1; DE60044526D1; WO2000041951A1; MXPA01007293A; ATE470634T1

Abstract

An assembly (10) for securing and sealing a dispenser (90) to a flanged container (12) is provided. The assembly includes a sealing collet (26) formed from a resilient deformable molded polymeric material. The sealing collet has an outer surface having an outer diameter, and also has a continuous downwardly extending skirt (34) having a bottom portion thereof extending radially outwardly. The assembly also includes a retaining collar (28) formed from a substantially rigid material, which has a sleeve (56) about its periphery having an inner surface with a diameter sized to encase the skirt (34) of the sealing collet. A plurality of annular splines, grooves or a combination (64) thereof are provided on inner surface of the sleeve, and are positioned to engaged the outer surface of the sealing collet when the retaining collar is in the assembled position.

Description

ASSEMBLY FOR SECURING A DISPENSER

Related Applications

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.

60/116,394, filed January 19, 1999.

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an assembly for securing and sealing a

dispenser, such as a pump, a valve, or other dispensing means to a flanged

container. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved assembly

for securing a dispenser to a container without the necessity of complex mechanical

operations.

Background of the Invention

It is often 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 having an inwardly directed ledge is often provided to facilitate attachment of

a cap or dispensing device to the container.

Various methods are known for securing a dispenser onto a flanged

container. One such method is to provide the dispenser with a metal mounting ferrule. To attach the dispenser to the container, the bottom of the skirt of the

mounting furrule is deformed, or crimped, beneath the container flange to retain the

dispenser in place. Such a crimping operation, however, requires specialized

machinery made specifically for the crimping operation. Moreover, since each

dispenser must be positioned accurately, and then crimped, the process of crimping

the mounting furrules is relatively time consuming. Furthermore, set-up of the

crimping process requires precise adjustment of the crimping head in order to fully

crimp the mounting furrule onto the container. If the flange of the container varies

even slightly from the dimensions defined during set-up, the crimping process may

easily fail. If the flange is too small, a tight crimp may not occur, which can result in

leakage. If the flange is too large or if the height of the bottle varies from what is

expected, the forces necessary for crimping may crush the flange, thereby causing

the container to break. Such breaking of the container requires the assembly line to

be stopped so the broken container can be removed and the assembly line

machinery cleaned, and results in loss of the package, including the fragrance,

which is often particularly costly.

Another method for securing a dispenser onto a flanged container utilizes a

hard plastic collar having an annular recess which receives the flange. An annular

retaining rib snap-locks under the flange when installed. Such designs, however,

typically require the use of hard plastics, which are not effective for providing a liquid

seal and therefore require a gasket. As such, leakage problems often result. Moreover, as is the case with crimping, variances in flange dimensions can easily

cause failure. If the flange is too small, the retaining rib snap locks may not pull the

collar into sealing engagement with the container, which can result in leakage. If the

flange is too large, the retaining rib snap-locks may not fit properly underneath the

flange, which too can result in leakage and retention failure of the dispenser.

The disadvantages of the above discussed methods and assemblies are

substantially obviated by the assembly and method disclosed in U.S. Patent No.

4,773,553 to Van Brocklin, which is incorporated herein by reference. The assembly

disclosed therein comprises a mounting cup having a generally cylindrical skirt

around its periphery and a sealing collar. The sealing collar includes a sleeve

having a diameter sized to receive the sidewall of the flange, and sized to be

encased by the mounting cup. The end portion of the sleeve, which comprises a

plurality of spaced tabs, is in the path of movement of the mounting cup and is

deformed radially inwardly beneath the flange ledge thereby to secure the collar to

the flange.

The present invention is an improvement upon the method and assembly

described in the aforesaid U.S. Patent No. 4,773,553 as well as any other sealing

method and assembly employing a plastic collar and a mounting cup slideable over

the plastic collar, or equivalents thereof. What is desired, therefore, is an assembly which secures and seals a

dispenser, such as a pump or valve, to a flanged container, which is less expensive

than known assemblies to manufacture, which requires a reduced force to attach the

assembly to the container, which provides an increased retention force of the

components, which is aesthetically pleasing, and which can employ a standard collar

used with known crimped assemblies.

Summary of the Invention

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an assembly

which secures and seals a dispenser, such as a pump or valve, to a flanged container.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an assembly having the

above characteristics and which is less expensive than known assemblies to

manufacture.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an assembly having the

above characteristics and which requires a reduced force to attach the assembly to

the container.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an assembly having

the above characteristics and which provides an increased retention force of the

components. Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide an assembly having

the above characteristics and which is aesthetically pleasing.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide an assembly having

the above characteristics and which can employ a standard collar used with known

crimped assemblies.

These and other objects of the present invention are achieved by provision of

an assembly for securing and sealing a dispenser to a flanged container. The

assembly includes a sealing collet formed from a resilient deformable molded

polymeric material. The sealing collet has an outer surface having an outer diameter,

and also has a continuous downwardly extending skirt having a bottom portion thereof

extending radially outwardly. The assembly also includes a retaining collar formed

from a substantially rigid material, which has a sleeve about its periphery having an

inner surface with a diameter sized to encase the skirt of the sealing collet. The

retaining collar is slideable through a path of movement over the sealing collet to an

assembled position. The sleeve of the retaining collar deforms the bottom portion of

the skirt of the sealing collet radially inwardly to a position under the flange of the

container as the retaining collar is slid to the assembled position in order to maintain

the sealing collet and the retaining collar in the assembled position and to maintain the

seal between the sealing collet and the flange. A plurality of annular retaining rings, which preferably comprise splines, grooves or a combination thereof, are provided on

inner surface of the sleeve of the retaining collar, and are positioned to engage the

outer surface of the sealing collet when the retaining collar is in the assembled

position. The retaining rings are formed to such an extent that they cause the outer

surface of the sealing collet to deform therearound when the retaining collar is in the

assembled position to enhance the maintenance of the retaining collar on the sealing

collet in the assembled position.

In one embodiment, each of the splines has a frustoconical portion having an

upper end having a diameter less than the diameter of the inner surface of the sleeve

of the retaining collar and having a lower end having a diameter greater than the upper

end. Preferably, the lower end of the frustoconical portion of each of the splines has a

diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the inner surface of the sleeve of the

retaining collar. In other embodiments, the splines are barbed or partially rounded.

In another embodiment, each of the grooves has a frustoconical portion having

a lower end having a diameter greater than the diameter of the inner surface of the

sleeve of the retaining collar and having an upper end having a diameter less than the

lower end. Preferably, the upper end of the frustoconical portion of each of the

grooves has a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the inner surface of the

sleeve of the retaining collar. In other embodiments, the grooves partially rounded,

and the sleeve of the retaining collar includes a combination of splines and grooves. The invention and its particular features and advantages will become more

apparent from the following detailed description considered with reference to the

accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1 is a partially cross-sectional view of an assembly for securing and

sealing a dispenser to a flanged container in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a partially cross-sectional view of a sealing collet of the assembly for

securing and sealing a dispenser to a flanged container of FIG. 1 ;

Fig. 3 is a partially cross-sectional view of a retaining collar of the assembly for

securing and sealing a dispenser to a flanged container of FIG. 1 ;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged partially cross-sectional view of portion A of the retaining

collar of FIG. 3 showing a retaining collar having a plurality of frustoconical splines in

accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged partially cross-sectional view of portion A of the retaining

collar of FIG. 3 showing a retaining collar having a plurality of barbed splines in

accordance with a second embodiment of the invention; Fig. 6 is an enlarged partially cross-sectional view of portion A of the retaining

collar of FIG. 3 showing a retaining collar having a plurality of partially rounded splines

in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged partially cross-sectional view of portion A of the retaining

collar of FIG. 3 showing a retaining collar having a plurality of frustoconical grooves in

accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged partially cross-sectional view of portion A of the retaining

collar of FIG. 3 showing a retaining collar having a plurality of partially rounded

grooves in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged partially cross-sectional view of portion A of the retaining

collar of FIG. 3 showing a retaining collar having a combination of a plurality of

frustoconical grooves and a plurality of partially rounded splines in accordance with a

sixth embodiment of the invention;

Figs. 10-12 are partially cross-sectional views of the assembly for securing

and sealing a dispenser to a flanged container of FIG. 1 shown at various stages of

assembly; and Fig. 13 is a partially cross-sectional view of an assembly for securing and

sealing a dispenser to a flanged container in accordance with the present invention

before being placed on a container.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Referring first to FIG. 1 , an assembly 10 in accordance with the present

invention is shown. The assembly 10 is particularly suited for use with a container

12 of the type having a neck 14 with an opening 16 for dispensing product stored in

the container 12. The neck 14 includes a flange 18 which includes an upper surface

20 surrounding the opening 16, a sidewall 22 about its periphery and an inwardly

directed ledge 24 at the bottom of the flange 18. The container 12 is typically made

of glass, although other types of materials such as plastic or metal can be utilized.

Assembly 10 in accordance with the present invention is particularly suited for use

with cosmetic containers such as those containing perfume.

Assembly 10 includes a sealing collet 26 and a retaining collar 28. The

sealing collet 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 collet 26 includes a ring 30 having a floor 32

for contacting the upper surface 20 of the container flange 18. The sealing collet 26

also includes a skirt 34 extending from the ring 30. The skirt 34 has an inner

diameter 36 sized to receive the sidewall 22 of the flange 18, and preferably, the inner diameter 36 of the skirt 34 is slightly larger than the diameter of the flange

sidewall 22 to provide free-fitting application of the assembly 10 onto the flange 18

to facilitate assembly. The skirt 34 is preferably generally cylindrical and symmetric

with respect to axis 38. In addition, an annular gasket (not shown) may be provided

between the floor 32 and the upper surface 20 of the container flange 18. Such a

gasket may be desirable to enhance the seal between the sealing collet 26 and the

flange 18.

The sealing collet 26 can be designed to receive any number of different

types of dispensers including pumps, valves, shaker plug type valve, squeeze type

valves, and pouring type valves. The sealing collet 26 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 10.

Thus, the portion of the sealing collet 26 above the ring 30 is not described in detail

inasmuch as it can be changed and adapted to various types of dispensers

Referring in particular to FIG. 2, the bottom portion 42 of skirt 34 includes a

radially outwardly protruding member 44 located in the path of movement of the

retaining collar 28. More specifically, the skirt 34 includes an inclined camming

surface 46. When the retaining collar 28 moves downwardly it contacts camming

surface 46 and forces the protruding member 44 radially inwardly. Unlike the

assembly disclosed in the aforesaid U.S. Patent No. 4,773,553, and other prior art assemblies, skirt 34 is continuous. More specifically, skirt 34 does not include a

plurality of slots, cuts, indentations or slits defining a plurality or discrete tabs,

fingers, legs, claws, or the like, with or without webs. It has been found that by

providing a continuous skirt 34, the thickness of the skirt 34 can be reduced, thereby

decreasing the amount of material required for manufacturing the sealing collet 26

and thus the overall cost of the system 10 in general. The decreased thickness of

the skirt 34 also allows for the use of standard retaining collars typically used with

crimped assemblies. Thus, custom made retaining collars are not required, which

also reduces manufacturing costs.

Moreover, by providing a continuous skirt 34 having a reduced thickness, the

camming surface 46 can be provided with a lesser angle than was previously

required, thereby allowing the retaining collar 28 to slide more easily over the sealing

collet 26 without the sharp edges of the retaining collar 28 digging into the sealing

collet 26, and also thereby requiring less force to slide retaining collar 28 completely

over sealing collet 26. More specifically, U.S. Patent No. 4,773,553 disclosed that a

camming surface of the assembly disclosed therein has an angle with respect to a

vertical axis of between 30 and 60 degrees, most preferably 45 degrees. However,

camming surface 46 of skirt 34 preferably has an angle with respect to vertical axis

38 of less than 45 degrees and most preferably of less than 30 degrees. It is also

preferable that the sealing collet 26 be of a molded polymeric material which can be formed in a single piece. Alternatively, if necessary, the sealing collet 26 could be

formed in a plurality of pieces so long as the bottom portion 42 is deformable.

Also as shown in FIG. 2, the skirt 34 also includes a frustoconical portion 48.

The upper region 50 of frustoconical portion 48 has a diameter less than the

diameter of the flange 18 while the lower region 52 has a diameter equal to or

greater than the flange 18 diameter. As shown in FIG. 1 , when assembled, the

frustoconical portion 48 deforms slightly and contacts the flange 18 to provide an

annular area 54 of contact, and thereby providing a seal.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3-9, the retaining collar 28 will now be

described in detail. The retaining collar 28 is made of a material which is

substantially rigid, such as metal, hard plastic, wood or glass, and includes a sleeve

56 which has a shape symmetric with respect to common axis 38. More specifically,

the retaining collar 28 has a generally cylindrical shape, but may also have a

frustoconical shape symmetric with respect to central axis 38. The inner diameter

58 of the sleeve 56 is approximately equal to the outer diameter 60 of skirt 34. If

desired, the inner diameter 58 of the sleeve 56 can be slightly less than the outer

diameter 60 of skirt 34 so that the skirt 34 is slightly compressed between the flange

sidewall 22 and the inner surface 62 of the retaining collar 28. Inner surface 62

includes a plurality of retaining rings 64, as described fully below. Referring specifically now to FIGS. 4-6, retaining rings 64 may comprise a

plurality of annular splines 65 protruding inwardly from inner surface 62 of sleeve 56.

Splines 65 are located such that they are coincident with and engage an outer

surface 66 of skirt 34 when the retaining collar 28 is in the assembled position.

Splines 65 protrude to such an extent that splines 65 cause the outer surface 66 of

the skirt 34 to deform around splines 65 when the retaining collar 28 is in the

assembled position to enhance the maintenance of the retaining collar 28 in the

assembled position on the sealing collet 26. Preferably, splines 65 are formed by

rolling them on the inner surface 62 of the sleeve 56. By using this process to

create splines 65, splines 65 can be formed without causing any aesthetically

displeasing deformations on the smooth outer surface of the retaining collar 28, and

standard retaining collars typically used with crimped assemblies can be modified

rather than requiring the manufacture of more expensive custom made retaining

collars.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, each of splines 65 has a frustoconical

portion 68 having an upper end 70 with a diameter less than the diameter 60 of the

inner surface 62 of the sleeve 56 and having a lower end 72 with a diameter greater

than the upper end 70. Preferably, the lower end 72 of the frustoconical portion 68

of each of splines 65 has a diameter substantially equal to the diameter 60 of the

inner surface 62 of sleeve 56. FIG. 5 shows a sleeve 56 having splines 65 similar to those shown in FIG. 4, wherein each of splines 65 has a frustoconical portion 68.

However, in this embodiment, each of splines 65 also includes a backdrafted angle

74 in the upper surface 76 of each spline 65 to form a barb. FIG. 6 shows another

embodiment of the present invention wherein sleeve 56 includes a plurality of

splines 65 having a partially rounded portion 78. It should be understood that

although the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 may be used, the embodiments shown in

FIGS. 4 and 5 are preferred. The frustoconical configuration of these embodiments

allow for assembly with a lesser force, but once assembled, require a greater force

for disassembly because the upper ends 70 of splines 65 dig into the outer surface

66 of skirt 34.

Referring specifically now to FIGS. 7 and 8, retaining rings 64 may comprise

a plurality of annular grooves 79 recessed into inner surface 62 of sleeve 56.

Grooves 79 are located such that they are coincident with and engage an outer

Grooves 79 are formed to such an extent that grooves 79 cause the outer surface

66 of the skirt 34 to deform to substantially fill grooves 79 when the retaining collar

28 is in the assembled position to enhance the maintenance of the retaining collar

28 in the assembled position on the sealing collet 26. Preferably, grooves 79 are

formed by rolling them on the inner surface 62 of the sleeve 56. By using this

process to create grooves 79, grooves 79 can be formed without causing any

aesthetically displeasing deformations on the smooth outer surface of the retaining collar 28, and standard retaining collars typically used with crimped assemblies can

be modified rather than requiring the manufacture of more expensive custom made

retaining collars.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, each of grooves 79 has a frustoconical

portion 81 having a lower end 83 with a diameter larger than the diameter 60 of the

inner surface 62 of the sleeve 56 and having an upper end 85 with a diameter less

than the lower end 83. Preferably, the upper end 85 of the frustoconical portion 81

of each of grooves 79 has a diameter substantially equal to the diameter 60 of the

inner surface 62 of sleeve 56. FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of the present

invention wherein sleeve 56 includes a plurality of grooves 79 having a partially

rounded portion 87. It should be understood that although the embodiment shown in

FIG. 7 may be used, the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 is preferred. The

frustoconical configuration of this embodiment allows for assembly with a lesser

force, but once assembled, require a greater force for disassembly because the

upper ends 83 of grooves 79 dig into the outer surface 66 of skirt 34.

Referring specifically now to FIG. 9, retaining rings 64 may comprise a

combination of a plurality of annular splines 65 protruding from inner surface 62 of

sleeve 56 and a plurality of annular grooves 79 recessed into inner surface 62 of

sleeve 56. Preferably, grooves 79 and splines 65 are formed in one action by rolling

them on the inner surface 62 of the sleeve 56. More specifically, as grooves 79 are rolled, material is displaced to at the same time create splines 65. FIG. 9 shows

frustoconical grooves 79 and partially rounded splines 65. However, it should be

understood that various combinations of groove and spline configurations may be

used.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 10-12, the apparatus for assembling assembly

10 includes an annular ring or cup 80 that is movable downwardly in the direction of

arrow 82 to the position shown in FIG. 1 , which is the assembled position. The

annular ring or cup 80 is shown schematically and is connected to suitable

mechanical devices for moving the ring or cup 80 downwardly. The container 12 is

maintained in a stationary position, and the components slide only along the axis 38

which is an axis common to the retaining collar 28, the sealing collet 26 and the

container flange 18. The sealing collet 26 may be placed on the flange 18 in the

position shown in FIG. 10. Alternatively, if desired, the sealing collet 26 could be

placed at a position wherein there is a space between the floor 32 and the upper

surface 20 of the flange 18, and, as described above, a gasket may be provided

between the floor 32 and the upper surface 20 of the flange 18. The retaining collar

28 is placed over the sealing collet 26 and forced axially downwardly in the direction

of arrow 84 with respect to the container 12. The ring or cup 80 contacts the

retaining collar 28 and urges the retaining collar 28 downwardly (FIG. 10). The

sleeve 56 of the retaining collar 28 contacts the radially protruding member 44 of the

bottom portion 42 of the skirt 34, or more precisely, camming surface 46, and exerts a downward force on the entire sealing collet 26 (FIG. 11 ). In the instance where

the floor 32 is spaced from the flange 18 in an initial condition, the force of the

sleeve 56 against the protruding member 44 urges the entire sealing collet 26 axially

downwardly. In the instance where a gasket is disposed between the floor 32 and

the upper surface 20 of the flange 18, the force of the sleeve 56 against the

protruding member 44 crushes the gasket.

As the retaining collar 28 is forced further downwardly by the ring or cup 80,

the sleeve 56 urges the protruding member 44 and the camming surface 46 thereof

radially inwardly and thus deforms the bottom portion 42 to a position under the

ledge 24 of the flange 18, as shown in FIG. 12. Retaining collar 28 may then be

forced further downwardly to the fully assembled position shown in FIG. 1. It should

be understood that by a "ledge" it is meant an inward slot or groove which is capable

of receiving bottom portion 42. In certain instances, it may be desirable to include a

flange 18 having a continuous sidewall which extends to the shoulder 86 of the

container 12. In such instance, the ledge 24 would be simply an annular groove

sized to receive the deformed bottom portion 42.

The method of assembly has been described with the annular ring or cup 80

moving with respect to a stationary container 12. 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 12 and the various components upwardly

with respect to an annular ring or cup 80.

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 or cup 80 which contacts the retaining collar 28. If necessary, the

components could be assembled by a hand press. As shown in the assembled

version in FIG. 1 , the three components, the sealing collet 26, the retaining collar 28

and the container flange 18, are held in a substantially fixed position by the frictional

forces between the parts, enhanced by material on the outer surface 66 of the skirt

34 deforming around retaining rings 64, thereby inhibiting the removal of retaining

collar 28 from the sealing collet 26. The flange 18 is secured between the deformed

bottom portion 42 and the ring 30 to hold the assembly in a fixed position and to

maintain the seal between the sealing collet 26 and the flange 18.

As illustrated in FIG. 13, which shows assembly 10 before being placed on a

container, the components of assembly 10 may be preassembled at the time of

initial manufacture of assembly 10. More specifically, pump 90 may be affixed to

sealing collet 26 as described above, and retaining collar 28 may be partially slid

onto sealing collet 26. This allows the assembly 10 to be installed directly onto a

container without the necessity assembling the parts during installation onto the

bottle. This also allows for the inventorying of a single piece, instead of three or more separate pieces, which is often desirable.

The assembly 10 of the present invention may be employed to affix a spray

pump assembly 90 securely and sealingly in place on the flange 18 of a container

12. The spray pump assembly 90 is shown for purposes of illustration only as being

typical of those known in the art. The mode of operation of the assembly is similar to

that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,192,006 to Van Brocklin et al., which is hereby

incorporated by reference, and will not be explained in detail, since such will be

immediately obvious to one skilled in the art. The pump is actuated by manual

depression of actuator 92. In the embodiment shown, the actuator 92 is provided on

its lower perimeter with a flange 94, the upper surface 96 of which engages the

underside of a flange 98 disposed around the inner edge of the top 100 of retaining

collar 28. This combination of elements forms a highly convenient method of

maintaining the actuator 92 in place on the pump assembly 90 and avoids the

possibility of accidental displacement of the actuator 92 during use, transportation

and/or storage of the assembled product.

The present invention, therefore, provides an assembly which secures and

seals a dispenser, such as a pump or valve, to a flanged container, which is less

expensive than known assemblies to manufacture, which requires a reduced force to

attach the assembly to the container, which provides an increased retention force of the components, which is aesthetically pleasing, and which can employ a standard

collar used with known crimped assemblies.

Although the invention has been described with reference to a particular

arrangement of parts, features and the like, these are not intended to exhaust all

possible arrangements or features, and indeed many other modifications and

variations will be ascertainable to those of skill in the art.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An assembly for securing and sealing a dispenser to a flanged

container, the assembly comprising:

a sealing collet comprising a resilient deformable molded polymeric material,

said sealing collet having an outer surface having an outer diameter, and having a

continuous downwardly extending skirt having a bottom portion thereof extending

radially outwardly;

a retaining collar comprising a substantially rigid material, said retaining collar

having a sleeve about its periphery, the sleeve having an inner surface having a

diameter sized to encase the skirt of said sealing collet, said retaining collar slideable

through a path of movement over said sealing collet to an assembled position, the

sleeve of said retaining collar deforming the bottom portion of the skirt of said sealing

collet radially inwardly to a position under the flange of the container as said retaining

collar is slid to the assembled position, the sleeve of said retaining collar maintaining

said retaining collar in the assembled position on said sealing collet; and,

a plurality of annular retaining rings formed on the inner surface of the sleeve of

said retaining collar, said plurality of annular retaining rings positioned to engage the

outer surface of said sealing collet when said retaining collar is in the assembled

position, and dimensioned such that said plurality of annular retaining rings cause the

outer surface of said sealing collet to deform around said plurality of annular retaining

rings when said retaining collar is in the assembled position to enhance the maintenance of said retaining collar in the assembled position on said sealing collet.

2. An assembly according to Claim 1 wherein said plurality of annular

retaining rings comprises a plurality of annular splines protruding from the inner

surface of the sleeve of said retaining collar.

3. An assembly according to Claim 2 wherein the plurality of annular

splines have frustoconical portions having upper ends having a diameter less than the

diameter of the inner surface of the sleeve of said retaining collar and having lower

ends having a diameter greater than the diameter of the upper ends.

4. An assembly according to Claim 3 wherein the lower ends of the

frustoconical portions of the plurality of annular splines have a diameter substantially

equal to the diameter of the inner surface of the sleeve of said retaining collar.

5. An assembly according to Claim 2 wherein the plurality of annular

splines comprises a plurality of barbed annular splines.

6. An assembly according to Claim 2 wherein the plurality of annular

splines comprises a plurality of partially rounded annular splines.

7. An assembly according to Claim 1 wherein said plurality of annular retaining rings comprises a plurality of annular grooves recessed in the inner surface

of the sleeve of said retaining collar.

8. An assembly according to Claim 7 wherein the plurality of annular

grooves have frustoconical portions having lower ends having a diameter greater than

the diameter of the inner surface of the sleeve of said retaining collar and having

upper ends having a diameter less than the diameter of the lower ends.

9. An assembly according to Claim 8 wherein the upper ends of the

frustoconical portions of the plurality of annular grooves have a diameter substantially

10. An assembly according to Claim 7 wherein the plurality of annular

grooves comprises a plurality of partially rounded annular grooves.

11. An assembly according to Claim 1 wherein said plurality of annular

retaining rings comprises a plurality of annular grooves recessed in the inner surface

of the sleeve of said retaining collar and a plurality of annular splines protruding from

the inner surface of the sleeve of said retaining collar.

12. An assembly for securing and sealing a dispenser to a flanged

container, the assembly comprising: a sealing collet comprising a resilient deformable molded polymeric material,

continuous downwardly extending skirt having a bottom portion thereof extending

radially outwardly;

said retaining collar in the assembled position on said sealing collet; and,

a plurality of annular splines protruding inwardly from the inner surface of the

sleeve of said retaining collar, said plurality of annular splines positioned to engage the

position, and protruding to such an extent that said plurality of annular splines cause

the outer surface of said sealing collet to deform around said plurality of annular

splines when said retaining collar is in the assembled position to enhance the

maintenance of said retaining collar in the assembled position on said sealing collet.

13. An assembly according to Claim 12 wherein said plurality of annular

splines have frustoconical portions having upper ends having a diameter less than the diameter of the inner surface of the sleeve of said retaining collar and having lower

ends having a diameter greater than the diameter of the upper ends.

14. An assembly according to Claim 13 wherein the lower ends of the

15. An assembly according to Claim 12 wherein said plurality of annular

splines comprises a plurality of barbed annular splines.

16. An assembly according to Claim 12 wherein said plurality of annular

splines comprises a plurality of partially rounded annular splines.

17. An assembly for securing and sealing a dispenser to a flanged

container, the assembly comprising:

a sealing collet comprising a resilient deformable molded polymeric material,

continuous downwardly extending skirt having a bottom portion thereof extending

radially outwardly;

diameter sized to encase the skirt of said sealing collet, said retaining collar slideable through a path of movement over said sealing collet to an assembled position, the

said retaining collar in the assembled position on said sealing collet; and,

a plurality of annular grooves recessed in the inner surface of the sleeve of said

retaining collar, said plurality of annular grooves positioned to engage the outer

surface of said sealing collet when said retaining collar is in the assembled position,

and recessed to such an extent that said plurality of annular grooves cause the outer

surface of said sealing collet to deform to substantially fill said plurality of annular

grooves when said retaining collar is in the assembled position to enhance the

18. An assembly according to Claim 17 wherein said plurality of annular

upper ends having a diameter less than the diameter of the lower ends.

19. An assembly according to Claim 18 wherein the upper ends of the

frustoconical portions of said plurality of annular grooves have a diameter substantially

20. An assembly according to Claim 17 wherein said plurality of annular

grooves comprises a plurality of partially rounded annular grooves.

21. An assembly for securing and sealing a dispenser to a flanged

container, the assembly comprising:

a sealing collet comprising a resilient deformable molded polymeric material,

continuous downwardly extending skirt having at a bottom thereof a camming surface

protruding radially outwardly;

sleeve of said retaining collar deforming the camming surface of the skirt of said

sealing collet radially inwardly as said retaining collar is slid to the assembled position,

the sleeve of said retaining collar maintaining said retaining collar in the assembled

position on said sealing collet; and,

outer surface of said sealing collet to deform around said plurality of annular retaining rings when said retaining collar is in the assembled position to enhance the

22. An assembly according to Claim 21 wherein said plurality of annular

surface of the sleeve of said retaining collar.

23. An assembly according to Claim 22 wherein the plurality of annular

ends having a diameter greater than the diameter of the upper ends.

24. An assembly according to Claim 23 wherein the lower ends of the

25. An assembly according to Claim 22 wherein the plurality of annular

splines comprises a plurality of barbed annular splines.

26. An assembly according to Claim 22 wherein the plurality of annular

splines comprises a plurality of partially rounded annular splines.

27. An assembly according to Claim 21 wherein said plurality of annular

of the sleeve of said retaining collar.

28. An assembly according to Claim 27 wherein the plurality of annular

upper ends having a diameter less than the diameter of the lower ends.

29. An assembly according to Claim 28 wherein the upper ends of the

30. An assembly according to Claim 27 wherein the plurality of annular

grooves comprises a plurality of partially rounded annular grooves.

31. An assembly according to Claim 21 wherein said plurality of annular

the inner surface of the sleeve of said retaining collar.