Fastener for pump

Abstract

The pump fastener (1), made by plastic film forming, includes a skirt (11), an annular disc (13), and a receiving sleeve (14) defining a receiving groove (L) formed by a molding pin that is forcefully removed during demolding. The receiving groove (L) includes an inwardly projecting inlet annular rib (15), characterized in that the inlet annular rib (15) includes a retaining section (16) for engaging with a fastening flange (R2) and a demolding section (17) for engaging with the molding pin during demolding.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to fasteners or rings for mounting dispensers on the neck of containers. This type of fastening ring is used in the perfume, cosmetics, or pharmaceutical industries for permanently or detachably mounting dispensers such as pumps, valves, and plugs onto containers of fluid, granular, or powdered products. Background Technology

[0002] In the prior art, fasteners are known to be manufactured by plastic molding. These fasteners typically define a vertical axis of symmetry and include a skirt that engages with (in or around) a neck, an annular disc axially resting on the neck, an optional sealing ring extruded between the neck and the annular disc, and a receiving sleeve in which a dispensing fastening flange is securely received. The receiving sleeve defines a receiving groove formed by a molding pin forcibly removed during demolding. The receiving groove includes an inlet annular rib that projects inward, thereby narrowing the opening of the receiving groove. The dispensing body fastening flange is held within the receiving groove by this inlet annular rib. Generally, the inlet annular rib is a continuous annular pad with a constant cross-section.

[0003] It is easy to understand that during demolding, the molding pin forming the receiving groove applies significant stress to the inlet annular rib. Therefore, the molding pin, made of metal, deforms the rib. The aim is to make this deformation temporary and elastic, not permanent. The rib must not be scratched, rubbed, curled, or stretched by the pin. Care should be taken to keep the rib intact as much as possible. Typically, the rib will suffer minor damage. To give the rib increased elastic deformation capacity during demolding, it is common practice to form ribs at cylindrical walls that allow for reversible expansion.

[0004] However, in some cases, greater durability of the flange in the receiving groove is required. However, it is not possible to increase the radial protrusions of the ribs, because otherwise it would be impossible to remove the pin without damaging the ribs. The cylindrical wall in which the ribs are formed also has elastic deformation limitations.

[0005] In other cases, the ribs must be placed at a lower position, such as at the annular disc, which can only provide very limited elastic deformation capacity. Thus, removing the pin often results in damage to the annular ribs. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The objective of this invention is to preserve the integrity of the entry ribs as much as possible during demolding. In other words, the ribs should retain their original molded state after the molding pins are removed. Another objective is to avoid complicating the molding and demolding operations or forcing the use of special plastic materials.

[0007] Therefore, this invention proposes that the inlet annular rib includes a retaining section for engaging with the fastening flange and a demolding section for engaging with the molding pin during demolding. Thus, only the demolding section is subjected to stress from the demolding pin, while the retaining section is not subjected to stress from the pin and therefore remains undamaged. Even if the demolding section is damaged during demolding, it is not a problem because the demolding section has no impact on the durability of the flange. The demolding section is positioned ahead of the pin removal path, acting as a protector or shield for the retaining section. Alternatively, conventional raised pads are divided into multiple segments, with only a portion of the pad functioning to hold the flange in the groove, while another portion of the pad is already used for demolding or removing the pin to protect the portion specifically designed for retaining.

[0008] Advantageously, the retaining section and the demolding section each include a retaining surface and a cam surface, respectively, facing the interior of the receiving groove. The slope defined by the cam surface relative to the vertical axis is greater than the slope defined by the retaining surface relative to the vertical axis. Therefore, the larger slope of the demolding section ensures that the pin will engage with the cam surface of the demolding section and move away from the retaining surface of the retaining section during removal. Of course, before and after molding, the molded pin is in contact with both the retaining surface and the cam surface, as the molded pin forms both the retaining surface and the cam surface. However, during demolding, due to the increased slope of the cam surface, the pin will only maintain contact with the cam surface: the retaining surface will not contact the pin but needs to move radially outward through the demolding section, which may even be damaged by the pin in the process.

[0009] According to a non-limiting example, the slope of the cam surface is 1 to 10 degrees larger than that of the retaining surface, advantageously 2 to 6 degrees larger, and preferably about 3 to 5 degrees larger.

[0010] According to one feature of the invention, the retaining sections and the demolding sections can be arranged alternately. The retaining sections and the demolding sections can be adjacent or separated by gaps. For example, ten retaining sections and ten demolding sections can be arranged alternately.

[0011] On the other hand, the retaining section protrudes more radially inward than the demolding section. Additionally, the retaining section has a greater axial height than the demolding section. The demolding section can generally be shaped like a smaller retaining section.

[0012] In addition, the demolding surface is offset axially downward relative to the retaining surface, giving the inlet annular rib an upper serrated configuration.

[0013] The invention is particularly advantageous when the axis of the inlet annular rib is close to or at approximately the same axial height as the annular disk, thus reducing the elastic deformation capacity during demolding.

[0014] The present invention also defines a fluid product dispenser, which includes a fluid product container, a dispensing component such as a pump or valve, and fasteners as defined above for mounting the dispenser on the fluid product container.

[0015] The invention is characterized by retaining areas based on the receiving groove inlet ribs of the protective contact fastening flange. These retaining areas contact the cam area, which is located ahead of the pin removal path and will be subjected to the impact of the pin, potentially causing damage. This ensures that the retaining areas remain intact after the pin is removed and can fully perform their retaining function. Attached Figure Description

[0016] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to exemplary, but not limiting, embodiments of the invention, which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

[0017] In the attached image:

[0018] Figure 1 This is a vertical cross-sectional view of the fluid distributor according to the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 This is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of the fastener according to the invention.

[0020] Figure 3 Through Figure 2 A horizontal cross-sectional view of the fastener.

[0021] Figure 4a It is along the way Figure 2 and 3 An enlarged sectional view of the retaining section of the fastener, and

[0022] Figure 4b Is with Figure 4a Similarly, along another line through Figure 2 and 3 A cross-sectional view of the demolding section of the fastener. Detailed Implementation

[0023] Figure 1 The dispenser includes a container R, a dispenser P, and the fastener 1 for the present invention. Alternatively, the dispenser may also include a mounting ring F that fits around the dispenser 1.

[0024] The fluid product container R is not critical to the present invention, and therefore can be made of any suitable material and have any shape. The container R includes a neck R1 that projects upward and defines an opening RO allowing access to the interior of the container. The neck R1 includes an outwardly projecting annular reinforcement R2. Thus, the reinforcement R2 defines a downward-facing annular shoulder. The neck R1 also defines an upper annular edge R3.

[0025] The dispensing component P can be a pump or a valve. The dispensing component includes a body P1, which defines a fastening flange P2 and is equipped with an immersion tube P3. The dispensing component P also includes an actuator P4, which is covered by a push rod P5. Therefore, by pressing the push rod P5, the actuator P4 is inserted into the body P1, thereby pumping out a dose of pressurized fluid product in the case of a pump, or opening an outlet valve in the case of a valve. Similarly, the type of dispensing component P is not critical to this invention. The body P1 only needs to include a protruding fastening flange P2.

[0026] The fastener 1 of the present invention is symmetrical along the vertical axis X and includes a skirt 11 that engages with a neck R1. In an embodiment illustrating the invention, the skirt 11 includes fastening teeth 12 that engage below an annular reinforcement R2. The skirt 11 may be continuous, as in this example, or it may be slit to form flexible claws spaced apart by the slits. The fastener 1 also includes an annular disc 13 that extends radially inward from the upper end of the skirt 11. The annular disc 13 can be used to press a neck seal G against the upper annular edge R3 of the neck R1. Due to the annular configuration of the disc, the radial deformation capability of the disc 13 is very low. The fastener 1 also includes a receiving sleeve 14 that extends upward from the inner circumference of the disc 13. The receiving sleeve 14 includes a cylindrical portion 141 extending upward from the inner circumference of the disc 13, and an annular pressure plate 142 extending radially inward from the upper end of the cylindrical portion 141. An annular pressure plate 142 forms a central opening 143 at its center, through which the actuating rod P4 of the dispensing member P extends. An inlet annular rib 15 is formed on the inner wall of the cylindrical portion 141, protruding radially inward. Therefore, the receiving sleeve 14 defines a receiving groove L, the inlet of which is narrowed by the protrusion of the inlet annular rib 15. Figure 1 As can be seen, the annular fastening flange P2 of the distributor P is placed within the receiving groove L, surrounded by the cylindrical portion 141, and sandwiched between the inlet annular rib 15 and the annular pressure plate 142. Therefore, the distributor P is held within the receiving sleeve 14 in a completely stable, even sealing, manner. This is a very common configuration for fasteners in the perfume, cosmetics, and even pharmaceutical industries.

[0027] This invention relates to the entrance annular rib 15, which will now be referred to... Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4a and Figure 4b Provide a detailed description.

[0028] from Figure 2It is immediately apparent that the inlet annular rib 15 is not constant or regular in its periphery. Instead, the inlet annular rib 15 defines alternating retaining sections 16 and demolding sections 17 with different configurations. Each retaining section 16 is connected to two adjacent demolding sections 17, and vice versa. The retaining sections 16 and demolding sections 17 may be adjacent, or conversely, they may be separated by a gap. It can also be noted that the axial height or range of the retaining sections 16 is greater than that of the demolding sections 17. Figure 3 It can also be noted that the radial thickness of the retaining section 16 is greater than that of the demolding section 17. In summary, the retaining section 16 is higher and / or more prominent than the demolding section 17.

[0029] Reference Figure 4a and 4b It can be noted that each of the retaining sections 16 includes a retaining surface 161, which faces upward and slopes inward toward the receiving groove L. This retaining surface 161 can be said to form a first support for the retaining section 16 within the receiving housing L. (See again...) Figure 1 It can be understood that the retaining surface 161 will be in contact with the inner edge of the annular flange P2 of the dispensing member P.

[0030] It can also be noted that each of the demolding sections 16 forms a cam surface 171, which is also upward and inclined into the receiving groove L. The axial level of the cam surface 171 is different from that of the retaining surface 161: in fact, it can be seen that the cam surface 171 is deployed slightly lower than the retaining surface 161 so that the annular rib 15 has a serrated shape.

[0031] Figure 4a This is a cross-sectional view through retaining rib 16. The retaining surface 161 of the retaining rib extends as an inclined plane at an angle α to the vertical line Y. Figure 4b This is a cross-sectional view through the demolding rib 17. The cam surface 171 of the demolding rib has an inclined plane at an angle β to the vertical line Y. According to the invention, this angle β is greater than this angle α. For example, angle α can be 38.5°, while angle β can be 42°. These values ​​are merely examples. In fact, there is a difference between angle α and angle β, with angle β always being larger, and the difference can vary from 1 to 10°, advantageously from 2 to 6°, and preferably between 3 and 5°.

[0032] Fastener 1 is traditionally manufactured by plastic molding. A molding pin (not shown) defines an outer mold cavity corresponding to the inner wall of fastener 1. Therefore, the molding pin includes a molding head that forms the interior of a receiving groove L. The head of the molding pin thus includes protruding and recessed contours that correspond in opposite directions to the retaining section 16 and the release section 17. After plastic material is injected around the molding pin, the molding pin must be removed from the interior of fastener 1. However, the inlet annular rib 15 extends radially inward; therefore, the molding pin must be forcibly removed by forcefully deforming the receiving sleeve 14, particularly its cylindrical wall 141. This is very common in fastener molding in the perfume, cosmetic, and even pharmaceutical industries.

[0033] According to the present invention, the molding pin head will first engage with the demolding section 17, and the retaining section will be free from stress. Therefore, the demolding section 17 may eventually be damaged or deteriorated due to the molding pin, but the retaining section 17 will remain intact and can perform its retaining function of the annular flange P2. In fact, since the slope of the cam surface 171 of the demolding section 17 is steeper or greater than the slope of the retaining surface 161, the demolding pin will engage and press against the cam surface 171 and move away from the retaining surface 161, keeping the retaining surface intact.

[0034] The release section 17 of the present invention allows for the creation of fasteners with greater retaining force, or it can be arranged as an annular rib on the annular disc 13 to reduce radial deformation. In fact, damage to the release section 17 is not significant as long as the retaining section 16 remains intact or substantially intact. To ensure the integrity of the retaining section 16, the release sections are preferably located immediately adjacent to the retaining sections and are sufficiently numerous. In the example used to illustrate the invention, there are ten retaining sections and ten release sections. The retaining sections and release sections may extend at an angle within the same or similar range.

[0035] According to the invention, the fastener is arranged such that the annular rib 15 of its receiving groove L fully functions, because the retaining section 16 is protected by the demolding section 17.

Claims

1. A fastener (1) for mounting a dispensing member (P) on the neck (R1) of a fluid product container (R), the dispensing member (P) comprising a body (P1) forming a fastening flange (P2), the fastener (1) being plastically molded, the fastener (1) defining a vertical axis (X, Y) and comprising: - Skirt (11) that joins the neck (R1). - An annular disc (13) is axially placed on the neck (R1), and a washer (G) is pressed between the neck and the annular disc. - A receiving sleeve (14) securely receives a fastening flange (P2) of a dispensing member (P). The receiving sleeve (14) defines a receiving groove (L) formed by a molding pin forcibly pulled out during demolding. The receiving groove (L) includes an inlet annular rib (15) that projects inward to narrow the opening of the receiving groove (L). The fastening flange (P2) is held within the receiving groove (L) by the inlet annular rib (15). The inlet annular rib (15) is characterized by comprising a retaining section (16) for engaging with a fastening flange (P2) and a demolding section (17) for engaging with a molding pin during demolding. The retaining section (16) and the demolding section (17) include a retaining surface (161) and a cam surface (171), respectively. The retaining surface and the cam surface face the interior of the receiving groove (L). The slope of the cam surface (171) relative to the vertical axis (X, Y) is greater than the slope of the retaining surface (161) relative to the vertical axis.

2. The fastener (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The slope of the cam surface (171) is 1 to 10 degrees greater than that of the retaining surface (161).

3. The fastener (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The slope of the cam surface (171) is 2 to 6 degrees greater than that of the retaining surface (161).

4. The fastener (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The slope of the cam surface (171) is 3 to 5 degrees greater than that of the retaining surface (161).

5. The fastener (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The holding section (16) and the demolding section (17) are arranged alternately.

6. The fastener (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The retaining section (16) protrudes more radially inward than the demolding section (17).

7. The fastener (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The retaining section (16) has a higher axial height than the demolding section (17).

8. The fastener (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The holding section (16) and the demolding section (17) are connected.

9. The fastener (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The demolding section (17) is axially offset downward relative to the retaining section (16), so that the inlet annular rib (15) has an upper serrated configuration.

10. The fastener (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The entrance annular rib (15) is axially close to the annular disk (13) or located at approximately the same axial height as the annular disk, which reduces the elastic deformation capacity during demolding.

11. The fastener (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The components are pumps or valves.

12. A fluid product dispenser, comprising a fluid product container (R), a dispenser (P), and a fastener (1) for mounting the dispenser (P) onto the fluid product container (R) according to any one of claims 1-11.

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