adapter

Abstract

An easily attachable adapter for connecting a dispensing container to a refill container. The adapter and one or more containers are structured so that the adapter snaps easily and securely onto the container and can be easily rotated by the consumer without applying excessive force. The adapter features a snap-on pipe having one or more retention and guide recesses.

Description

[Background technology]

[0001] In recent years, much concern has been expressed about the amount of solid plastic waste that accumulates in oceans and landfills. While plastic has many desirable properties for consumer products, it would be beneficial to make better use of our plastic packaging, such as by reusing it. One way that we can encourage the reuse of packaging is by offering refills to replenish the contents of the container once it is empty, rather than discarding it.

[0002] While consumers are interested in minimizing discarded plastic, there are obvious competing interests such as convenience and ease of use. For example, a successful refill idea must provide a means for refilling the container that likely does not require significant effort, and its mode of operation should preferably be clear to the consumer.

[0003] Various refills have been proposed, including those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,794,474 to Mueller et al., U.S. Patent Application No. 2007 / 0289670 to Johns et al., and WO 2018 / 114301 to Cesare et al.

[0004] One approach to refilling is to use a coupling device to allow for easy transfer of the contents from the refill to the primary package. Coupling devices and the like are known in the art for a variety of purposes. Some of these devices are described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 237286A, U.S. Patent No. 10,029,903B, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 345744A to Wuhlstein, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 291277A to Perez, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 069552A to Liu et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 270266A to Lee, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 146174A to Zinn et al., and Korean Patent No. 201100672 to Cheol. 84A, Behar U.S. Patent Publication No. 2005 / 205151A, Klein German Patent No. 20308059U1, U.S. Patent No. 6,659,145B, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002020637A, British Patent No. 2,342,347A, U.S. Patent No. 6,237,649B, U.S. Patent No. 5,884,678A, WO 9,321,103A1, U.S. Patent No. 4,347,879A, U.S. Patent No. 3,945,617A, U.S. Patent No. 3,156,272A, and U.S. Patent No. 2,773,521A.

[0005] Important features of closures and refills are the way they are attached to the container and the manner in which they are opened by the consumer. Ideally, attachment of the closure during manufacturing should be quick and secure. The manner in which the consumer opens and reseals the closure should be convenient and easily apparent.

[0006] U.S. Patent No. 8,365,933 to Jackel discloses a dispensing closure that can be separated from a container by a rotational movement. The closure includes a cylindrical snap-on pipe. The snap-on closure can be pressed onto a spout, where the two interacting elements move together or over each other due to their flexibility. The container has a pressing device designed to engage at least one recess in the snap-on pipe to axially move the dispensing closure when the closure is rotated, so that at least one threaded segment of the snap-on pipe is pressed onto at least one threaded segment of the dispensing element, thereby releasing the dispensing closure from the spout.

[0007] WO 2018 / 220013 to Cesare et al. discloses a snap-on / thread-on closure featuring a cylindrical snap-on pipe including threads designed to mate with the external threads on the bottle's neck. The pipe includes a resistance recess and a guide recess. The resistance recess and the guide recess accommodate a push-in element on the bottle's shoulder, allowing the closure to be unscrewed. The cylindrical snap-on pipe threads can pass axially over the bottle threads, thereby facilitating removal of the closure. Removal is also facilitated by interruptions in the external threads on the neck and / or the internal threads of the snap-on pipe, as well as the flexible material from which the closure is formed.

[0008] US Patent No. 5,992,656 to Dujardia et al. relates to a plastic closure having recesses for engaging projections at the base of a container neck to create a locking and snap-type connection.

[0009] Imbery et al., US Pat. No. 5,145,080, discloses a container neck projection received in a closure recess to prevent relative rotation between the closure and the container.

[0010] Canadian Patent No. 2098544A1 relates to a connector for connecting two containers together so that the contents can be poured from one container to another without spilling. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0011] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 8,794,474 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent Application No. 2007 / 0289670 [Patent Document 3] International Publication No. 2018 / 114301 [Patent Document 4] US Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 237286 [Patent Document 5] U.S. Patent No. 10,029,903 [Patent Document 6] US Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 345744 [Patent Document 7] US Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 291277 [Patent Document 8] US Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 069552 [Patent Document 9] US Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 270266 [Patent Document 10] US Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 146174 [Patent Document 11] Korean Patent No. 20110067284 [Patent Document 12] U.S. Patent Publication No. 2005 / 205151 [Patent Document 13] German Patent No. 20308059U1 [Patent Document 14] U.S. Patent No. 6,659,145 [Patent Document 15] US Patent Application Publication No. 2002020637 [Patent Document 16] British Patent No. 2342347 [Patent Document 17] U.S. Patent No. 6,237,649 [Patent Document 18] U.S. Patent No. 5,884,678 [Patent Document 19] International Publication No. 9321103 [Patent Document 20] U.S. Patent No. 4,347,879 [Patent Document 21] U.S. Patent No. 3,945,617 [Patent Document 22] U.S. Patent No. 3,156,272 [Patent Document 23] U.S. Patent No. 2,773,521 [Patent Document 24] U.S. Patent No. 8,365,933 [Patent Document 25] International Publication No. 2018 / 220013 [Patent Document 26] U.S. Patent No. 5,992,656 [Patent Document 27] U.S. Patent No. 5,145,080 [Patent Document 28] Canadian Patent No. 2098544 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0012] The present invention relates to a device for facilitating the refilling of containers. The device comprises an easily attachable adapter for connecting a dispensing container to a refill container. The adapter and one or more containers are structured so that the adapter easily and securely snaps onto the container and can be easily rotated by the consumer without applying excessive force. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] The adapter comprises two chambers with openings, one for attaching the adapter to the dispensing container and the other for attaching the adapter to the refill. The adapter thus functions to connect the dispensing container and the refill and to allow transfer of contents from the refill to the dispensing container. Transfer can be direct from one adapter chamber to the other, or there may be a passageway connecting them.

[0014] The snap-on / twist-off feature is facilitated by the presence of a cylindrical snap-fit ​​pipe open at one end that defines the first adapter chamber. An opposing second adapter opening may be defined by a wall forming a second adapter chamber having a second adapter opening, which threads onto or into the refill container in a conventional manner. The connection between the second adapter chamber and the container may also be a conventional snap-fit ​​configuration. Alternatively, the connection between the refill and the dispensing package may also be snap-on / twist-off. Alternatively, the connection between the dispensing container and the adapter may be conventional, and the connection between the adapter and the refill may be snap-on / twist-off.

[0015] A wide variety of configurations are possible for the adapter, including a snap-on threaded connection between one end of the adapter and the dispensing container and a conventional threaded or snap-on connection with the other end of the adapter having the refill, a snap-on threaded connection between one end of the adapter with the refill container and a conventional threaded or snap-on connection with the other end of the adapter having the dispensing container, or snap-on threaded connections on both ends of the adapter, one with the dispensing container and the other with the refill, or a conventional threaded or snap-on connection with the dispensing container on one end of the adapter and the refill on the other end of the adapter.

[0016] The cylindrical snap-on pipe has a first fastening projection, which may be an internal snap bead, for fastening the first adapter opening to the first container. Preferably, the first container is a dispensing container, but it may also be a refill container, or again, both the refill container and the dispensing container may have a snap-on / turn-off connection.

[0017] The cylindrical snap-on pipe has a first proximal end adjacent the passageway or second chamber and an opposing second distal end at the opening. The cylindrical snap-on pipe includes at least one retention or resistance recess at its second end, and the cylindrical snap-on pipe defines opposing first and second walls of the retention recess. The retention recess preferably receives a lug on the container neck when the adapter is snapped onto the container in the closed position, which helps orient the adapter in the correct closed position.

[0018] In one embodiment, the first and second walls of the retention recess have different slopes, such that one wall may be steeper than the other, with the steeper wall preventing rotation beyond a predetermined point in the non-opening direction. In another embodiment, the slopes of the first and second retention recess walls are essentially the same at each point at the same axial vertical height. The use of symmetrical first and second resistance walls is advantageous in that they are easier to manufacture than walls with varying angles.

[0019] The second distal end of the cylindrical snap-on pipe also includes a guide recess. The guide recess includes a first guide recess wall having an upward slope that matches the downward slope of the cylindrical snap-on pipe thread relative to the container when the container is oriented so that the adapter is above the container. The guide recess also includes a second guide recess wall that includes a downward slope in the opening direction.

[0020] In the adapter-open rotation direction, the first guide recess wall allows the cylindrical snap-on pipe to descend axially toward the container, and the second wall allows the cylindrical snap-on pipe to ascend relative to the container. The descending and ascending of the snap-on pipe can occur when a lug on the container neck contacts the first and second guide recess walls, but preferably the lug does not contact the first and second guide recess walls and is at least partially received within the guide recess. The push element does not need to contact the guide recess walls, and the guide recess provides space for the moment of the biasing element as the closure rotates in harmony with the angle of the bottle neck and snap-on pipe thread.

[0021] When the snap-on pipe is snapped onto the container from above, a protrusion, e.g., a thread, on the snap-on pipe passes over a protrusion, e.g., a thread, on the container, such that the protrusion on the container is above the protrusion on the snap-on pipe. Thus, the container protrusion above the snap-on pipe holds the adapter on the container. The flexibility of the material from which the closure is made and the presence of recesses help make the snap-on pipe flexible enough to allow the threads of the container to pass over the threads of the snap-on pipe.

[0022] The second guide recess wall is at an angle that allows the protrusion on the container neck and the snap-on pipe to slide past each other, i.e., unscrew. The protrusion(s) on the snap-on pipe maintain their axial position relative to the protrusion(s) on the container to which the adapter is attached throughout most of the opening movement, until they reach approximately the end of the second guide recess wall. The bottle protrusions hold the adapter on the bottle until the adapter is rotated to a position where one or more of the protrusions are blocked, e.g., a position where the container protrusions are not above the adapter protrusions, thereby releasing the adapter from the container. Thus, the guide recess walls should not be in a position that prevents removal of the adapter from the container at that time, since the container protrusions remain in a position that holds the adapter on the container until the adapter is rotated to a position where one or both of the protrusions are blocked.

[0023] In embodiments where only one side of the adapter is configured for snap-on / swivel-off, the other side of the adapter has a second inner wall with a second fastening projection for fastening the second wall to a second container, which may be the same size or a different size than the first container. Preferably, the projections on the second wall and second container are conventional bottle neck threads. Alternatively, the second wall can be connected to the second container using conventional snap-in technology.

[0024] As indicated above, at least one container includes a lug, preferably located on its shoulder, that is received in the retaining recess when the adapter is located on the container in the snap-on / closed position. The lug can also function to contact the rim of the snap-on pipe as the adapter rotates open, then encounter the first and second guiding recess walls, lowering and then raising the adapter relative to the container neck to help ensure that the mating protrusions on the container and the snap-on pipe remain aligned, the bottle protrusions being above the snap-on pipe protrusions until a point is reached where one or more protrusions are interrupted, e.g., the container protrusions are interrupted, thereby releasing the adapter from the container.

[0025] For a more complete understanding of the above and other features and advantages of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dispensing bottle, refill, and adapter according to the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view from above and one side of the snap-on threaded side of the adapter of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view from above and at another angle of the snap-on threaded side of the adapter of the present invention. [Figure 4]FIG. 4 is a perspective view from above of the standard thread side of the adapter of the present invention for embodiments in which only one side of the adapter is snap-on / turn-off or both sides of the adapter include standard threads. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a dispensing bottle coupled to a refill bottle using the adapter of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a front view of the dispensing bottle with the adapter removed. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a front view of the dispensing bottle with a portion cut away and the adapter in the closed position. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a front view of the primary dispensing bottle with the adapter rotated to the open position and a portion cut away. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a front view similar to FIG. 7 of an alternative embodiment dispensing bottle with the adapter in the closed position and partially broken away, but with symmetrical resistive recess walls. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] As seen in FIG. 1 , the adapter 14 of the present invention may be used with a dispensing bottle 10 (see also FIG. 6 ) and a refill bottle 11. The dispensing or primary bottle may be more robust than the refill bottle and intended for multiple uses by the consumer. The reusability of the dispensing bottle conserves plastic and plastic waste. The refill bottle may be thinner and contain less plastic than the primary bottle, and therefore suitable for one or several uses. Alternatively, the refill bottle may be made from a more robust material and may be used multiple times.

[0028] Transfer cap or adapter 14 (FIG. 2) generally comprises two sides, preferably at least one side being a snap-fit ​​threaded side 16 for mating with, for example, the opening of dispensing bottle 10. A second side 18 (FIG. 4) may have one or more elongated protrusions, preferably standard threads 20, for mating with complementary protrusions, preferably threads 78 on neck 22 of refill bottle 11 (FIGS. 1 and 6). Alternatively, side 18 may also include the snap-fit ​​threaded feature of side 16 or conventional snap-in technology.

[0029] As best seen in Figure 3, the snap-on threaded side 16 of the adapter 14 includes an outer wall 30 and an inwardly and generally parallel cylindrical snap-on pipe 32. A rim 36 on the snap-on pipe 32 defines a first adapter opening, and the inwardly residing snap-on pipe defines a first adapter chamber 31.

[0030] On the opposite side 18, an opposing second adapter opening 40 defined by a wall 42 forms the perimeter of a second adapter chamber 44 (FIG. 4).

[0031] Fluid passes freely from the first adapter opening through the first adapter chamber 31 to the second adapter chamber 44 and out through the second adapter opening. Optionally, one or more passages 50 (FIG. 3) are disposed between the first and second adapter chambers, also allowing fluid flow between the first and second adapter chambers.

[0032] As best seen in Figure 3, the cylindrical snap-on pipe 32 preferably has on its inner wall one or more first fastening projections 54 for fastening the first adapter opening to a first container, and when only one side of the adapter is snap-on / turn-off, the second adapter wall 42 (Figure 4) has one or more second fastening projections 20 for fastening the second adapter wall to a second container, which may be the same or different size as the first container. The second fastening projection(s) 20 are preferably conventional threads, while the first fastening projection(s) 54 are preferably beads for a snap fit.

[0033] The cylindrical snap-on pipe 32 (FIG. 3) has a first proximal end adjacent the passageway 50 (or adjacent the second adapter chamber when the passageway 50 is not present) and an opposing second end at the rim 36. The cylindrical snap-on pipe 32 includes at least one retention recess 60 intercepting the rim 36 at the second end. The embodiment of FIG. 3 includes two opposing retention recesses. The cylindrical snap-on pipe defines opposing first and second walls 64, 46 of the retention recess. The retention recess 60 is sized and shaped to receive a lug 70 on the container 10 (FIG. 6) when the adapter is in a closed position relative to the container, as described below.

[0034] In one embodiment, the slope of the first and second retention recess walls 64, 46 is such that the slope of one of the first and second resistance recess walls is less than the slope of the other of the first and second recess sides at at least one point at the same axial height. In this embodiment, the steep slope of one of the walls preferably prevents movement of the lug toward that wall, thereby preventing the closure from opening in that direction. With particular reference to FIG. 7 , the steep wall 46, together with the steep right side wall of the lug 70, prevents rotation in the closed (clockwise) direction.

[0035] Alternatively, the slope on the first and second retention recess walls may be the same or essentially the same at each point at the same axial height, in which case the recesses function primarily to ensure that the adapter is properly oriented on the bottle after it is snapped onto the bottle. Figure 9 illustrates this embodiment, where it can be seen that for resistance recess 102, the slope of walls 106 and 104 is the same at each axial height. In such cases, other structure may be added, if necessary, to ensure that the adapter rotates in only one direction. One example is teeth on the adapter that can engage with ratchets on the bottle's neck or shoulder to prevent rotation in an undesired direction.

[0036] The second, distal end of the cylindrical snap-on pipe is also molded to include one or more guide recesses 80 that similarly interrupt the rim 36. The embodiment of Figure 3 includes two opposing guide recesses, which are best seen in Figures 7, 8, and 9. The guide recesses include a first guide recess wall 72 that matches with descending the cylindrical snap-on pipe threads relative to the container when the container is oriented so that the adapter is on top of the container. Then, further assuming the container is oriented so that the adapter is on top of the container, adjacent to the first guide recess wall is a second guide recess wall 82 that includes a downward slope.

[0037] The upwardly extending wall 72 of the guide recess has a slope within the range of 90 to 135 degrees relative to a horizontal line drawn through the section 36 of the bottom rim, followed by a wall 82 extending downward at a gentler slope within the range of 0 to 10 degrees, particularly 4 to 10 degrees, relative to a horizontal line drawn through the intersection 75 of the wall 74 (FIG. 8) and the pipe bottom 36. The upper walls 58 of the lugs 70 and 108 preferably do not contact the first and second guide walls during rotation. Rather, the guide recess allows free rotation of the snap-on pipe 30 in harmony with the pitch of the threads of the bottle neck and snap-on pipe, while the push-on element 50 or 108 is accommodated within the space of the guide recess. The pitch of the threads of the snap-on pipe and bottle neck is similar to the slope of the wall 74, i.e., 0 to 10 degrees, particularly 4 to 10 degrees.

[0038] The bottom rim of the snap-on pipe extending between the resistance recess and the guiding recess is preferably at least 2 mm and a maximum of 5 mm, particularly 2-4 mm, in length, thereby maximizing the durability of the closure, including facilitating a good, comfortable, tight fit of the adapter to the bottle. The distance between the resistance recess and the guiding recess is measured along the bottom rim section 36 from the point where wall 64 or 106 meets the bottom end or rim 36 of the snap-on pipe to the point where guiding recess wall 80 begins to rise at the beginning of wall 72.

[0039] With particular reference to the asymmetrical resistance wall embodiment shown in Figures 7 and 8, the adapter is configured such that when in the closed position over the container, the lug 70 is fully or partially received within the recess 60, as seen in Figure 7. As the adapter is rotated in the adapter-opening direction (typically counterclockwise), the lug 70 exerts a force against the recess wall 64, forcing the snap-on pipe slightly upward and then into contact with the rim 36. Rotating the closure in the opening direction results in an axial upward movement resulting from the angle of the threads on the bottle neck and snap-on pipe. The first guide recess wall 72 in contact with the lug 70 then allows the cylindrical snap-on pipe to be lowered axially towards the container, and the second guide recess wall 82 coordinates with the cylindrical snap-on pipe rising relative to the container so that the protrusion 54 on the snap-on pipe maintains an axial position below the protrusion or thread 73 on the bottle neck 74 until the adapter is rotated to a position near location 75 in FIG. 8, and due to blocking of one or more of the bottle neck and snap-on pipe protrusions, there is no container protrusion 78 above the snap-on pipe protrusion 54 to hold the cylindrical protrusion on the container, and the adapter is released from the container.

[0040] The operation of the embodiment with symmetrical resisting recess walls shown in FIG. 9 is similar to that just described for FIGS. 7 and 8. Rotating the closure in the opening direction results in axial upward movement resulting from the angle of the threads on the bottle neck and snap-on pipe. However, while steep wall 46 functions to prevent rotation in the closing direction once lug 70 reaches the wall in FIGS. 7 and 8, the embodiment of FIG. 9 does not include steep wall; walls 106, 104 are symmetrical. However, the angle of the protrusion may prevent further rotation in the closing direction once lug 108 is in the position shown in FIG. 9. Also, as mentioned above, other features, such as teeth on the adapter, may be provided, if desired, to engage a ratchet on the bottle and thus prevent further movement.

[0041] For embodiments in which the resistance recess walls are asymmetric, lug 70 may include a leading (130) and trailing (132) with different slopes, Figure 6. Rear wall slope 132 is gentler, facilitating a slight upward push with wall 64, while front wall slope 130 is steeper, harmonizing with its role with wall 46 in stopping further rotation in the closing direction. For embodiments in which the resistance recess walls are symmetric, walls 112 and 111 may be symmetric as well (Figure 9).

[0042] The adapter of the present invention facilitates the transfer of fluid from the refill to the dispensing container and is easy to use: it can be snapped onto the container (refill and / or dispensing), which is often a more economical method of manufacture while allowing for easy removal by rotation, i.e., twisting, by the consumer.

[0043] Although threads, snap beads, and other protrusions are generally shown herein as being on the inside of the snap pipe and on the outside of the bottle neck, this can be reversed if desired, so that the protrusion(s) are on the outside of the snap pipe and on the inside of the bottle neck.

[0044] When it is said herein that the slope of each resistance recess wall at each axial height is essentially the same, it means that at each axial height, the angle of the wall relative to the snap-on pipe rim is within 10% of the angle of the opposite resistance recess wall at the same axial height. Preferably, the wall angle is within 5%, most particularly within 1%, more preferably within 0.5%, of the angle of the opposite recess wall at each axial height, and even more preferably the angles are the same.

[0045] The exact height and shape of the resistance recess may be affected by the material from which the snap-on pipe is made, and may therefore be adjusted after the plastic part has been tested.

[0046] The adapter may be made from any durable material such as polypropylene, high density polyethylene, or metal.

[0047] When the adapter is referred to as rotating towards an open position, this means that the adapter is rotating towards a position where it is released from the container, and when the adapter is referred to as rotating towards a closed position, this means that the adapter is rotating towards a position where it is fully secured to the container with the lugs received in the resistance recesses.

[0048] It is, of course, to be understood that the particular forms of the invention illustrated and described herein are represented merely as examples and that certain changes may be made therein without departing from the clear teachings of the disclosure.

[0049] Accordingly, reference should be made to the following appended claims in determining the full scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An adapter (14) having first and second adapter openings with first and second fastening projections, the second adapter opening (40) is opposite the first adapter opening and is defined by a wall (42) forming a second adapter chamber (44) having the second adapter opening; the wall of the second adapter opening has a second fastening projection (20) for fastening the wall (42) of the second adapter opening to a second container; the second container has the same size as the first container or a different size than the first container; a) a cylindrical snap-on pipe (32) opening defines a first adapter chamber and a first adapter opening; liquid is free to move between said first adapter chamber and said second adapter chamber, optionally through a passageway (50) between said first adapter chamber and said second adapter chamber; the cylindrical snap-fit ​​pipe (32) has a first fastening projection (54) for fastening the first adapter opening to the first container (10); b) the cylindrical snap-on pipe (32) has a proximal first end and an opposite distal second end; c) said cylindrical snap-on pipe (32) includes at least one retention recess (60) at said second end; d) said cylindrical snap-on pipe defines opposing first and second walls (64, 46) of said retention recess (60); e) the second end of the cylindrical snap-fit ​​pipe (32) is shaped to include a guide recess (80) with a first guide recess wall (72) that mates with lowering a fastening lug of the cylindrical snap-fit ​​pipe against a container when the container is oriented such that the adapter is over the container and the adapter is rotated in an open direction; the guide recess includes a second guide recess wall (82), the second guide recess wall including a downward slope when the certain container is oriented such that the adapter is above the certain container; the adapter is configured such that when the adapter is on the container in a closed position, a lug (70) on the container can be received wholly or partially within the retaining recess (60), and when the adapter is rotated in an adapter-opening rotation direction, the lug (70) exerts a force against the recess wall (64), forcing the snap-on pipe slightly upward and then into contact with the rim (36); When the adapter is rotated in the opening direction, an axial upward movement can be caused due to the angle of the fastening protrusion of the bottle neck and the snap-on pipe, and then the first guide recess wall (72) allows the cylindrical snap-on pipe to move axially downward toward the certain container; the second guide recess wall (82) mates with the cylindrical snap-on pipe being raised relative to the certain container such that the fastening protrusions (54) on the snap-on pipe can maintain their axial position below the fastening protrusions (73) on the bottle neck (74) until the adapter is rotated to a position where, due to interruption at one or more of the bottle neck and snap-on pipe protrusions, the fastening protrusions (78) on the certain container are not above the fastening protrusions (54) on the snap-on cylinder for holding the cylinder fastening protrusions on the certain container, allowing the adapter to be released from the certain container. An adapter (14).

2. 2. The adapter of claim 1, wherein one or both of the first (54) and second (20) fastening projections are threaded for mating with threads on a container neck.

3. 3. The adapter according to claim 1, wherein the fastening projections of the snap-fit ​​pipe are on the inner wall of the snap-fit ​​pipe.

4. 4. The adapter according to claim 1, wherein the fastening projection of the snap-fit ​​pipe is at least one snap bead.

5. 5. An adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 4, adapted to partially receive a lug (70) on the first container within the retaining recess (60) when the adapter is closed on the first container.

6. 6. An adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the adapter is configured to receive a lug (70) on a container (10) in the guide recess when the container is rotated to an open position.

7. 7. An adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first and second retaining recess walls (106, 104) have slopes that are essentially the same at each point at the same axial height.

8. 8. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the wall of the second adapter opening is a second snap-on pipe.

9. The adapter of claim 8 , wherein the second snap-on pipe includes at least one retaining recess and at least one guiding recess.

10. 10. An adapter as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the guide recesses (80) are configured to receive lugs (70) on the container (10) and are shaped to accommodate lowering and subsequent raising of the adapter when rotated in the opening direction to facilitate sliding of the snap-on pipe fastening lugs (54) over the fastening lugs of the container neck and / or the fastening lugs of the snap-on pipe until a break in the fastening lugs of the container neck and the adapter (14) is reached and the adapter is released from the container.

11. 11. The adapter (14) of any one of claims 1 to 10, in combination with a container (10) having lugs (70) and fastening protrusions, wherein the retaining recesses (60) of the snap-on pipe (32) of the adapter receive all or part of the lugs therein when the adapter is in the closed position, and the lugs contact the rim (36) of the snap-on pipe (32) when the adapter is rotated in the open position, and the guide recess (72, 82) walls allow the adapter to move downward and then upward relative to the container, whereby the fastening protrusions (54) on the snap-on pipe (32) slide against the fastening protrusions on the container and maintain their axial position, and the fastening protrusions of the container hold the adapter on the container until the adapter is rotated to a point where one or more of the fastening protrusions of the container and the fastening protrusions of the snap-on pipe are interrupted and the adapter is released from the container.

12. 12. An adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the blocking of one or both of the container and snap-on pipe protrusions is such that release of the adapter from the container occurs when there is no container protrusion above the snap-on pipe protrusion, thereby releasing the adapter from the container.

13. 12. The adapter of claim 11, wherein the protrusion(s) (54) on the snap-on pipe are internal to the snap-on pipe (32) and the protrusion(s) on the bottle neck are external to the bottle neck.

14. 14. An adapter as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the upwardly extending wall (72) of the guide recess has a slope in the range of 90 degrees to 135 degrees relative to a horizontal line drawn through the section (36) of the bottom rim, and then has a wall (82) extending downwardly at a gentle slope in the range of 0 degrees to 10 degrees relative to a horizontal line drawn through the intersection (75) of the wall (74) and the pipe bottom (36).

15. An adapter as described in claim 1, wherein the first and second retaining recess walls have a slope, and the slope of one of the first and second retaining recess walls (64, 46) is less at at least one point than the slope of the other of the first and second recess side surfaces at a point at the same axial height.

16. An adapter as described in claim 14, wherein the gentle slope is between 4 degrees and 10 degrees.

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