The invention relates to a device for fastening a cap or dispensing device to a container neck, comprising a number of protruding clamping members arranged distributed in peripheral direction of the neck on the neck, wherein at least two of the clamping members each comprise a first segment extending in a direction from a body of the container to an open end of the neck, and a second segment extending substantially in the peripheral direction of the neck from an outer end of the first segment facing toward the open end. Such a fastening device is for instance known from WO 2012/083310 A2.

It is known to provide a cap or dispensing device, such as a spray head with a trigger- operated pump, with internal screw thread which co-acts with external screw thread on a neck of a container, for instance a bottle. The cap or dispensing device can then be screwed onto the container. Such a screw thread connection has the drawback that multiple full turns are necessary to achieve a strong connection, whereby the screwing process requires a relatively large amount of time. This manner of fastening a cap or dispensing device to a container is thereby less suitable for application in fast-running filling or assembly lines. In containers which are not rotation- symmetrical it is furthermore difficult to properly align a dispensing device when it is being screwed onto the container. Finally, when a gasket is received between the cap or dispensing device and the container, it is difficult to properly set a pressure force acting on the gasket, which may result in problems in respect of the sealing.

The fastening device described in the above stated document WO 2012/083310 A2 already partially obviates these problems. The known device has two clamping members which lie opposite each other and which comprise in side view successively an inclining segment, a horizontal segment and yet another inclining segment, as well as two vertical segments connecting to the ends of the horizontal segment. Two reverse L-shaped clamping members are arranged between the clamping members. The fastening device is intended for co-action with a cap or dispensing device with internal protrusions. By first sliding the cap or dispensing device onto the neck of the container, wherein the internal protrusions are carried between the clamping members, and then rotating the cap or dispensing device through a small angle, whereby the protrusions enter into engagement with the clamping members, a bayonet connection can be brought about. The additional inclining segments, these protruding above the L-shaped clamping members as seen in longitudinal direction of the neck, serve here to guide the protrusions when the cap or dispensing device is rotated, the so-called lead-in. Because such a bayonet connection is created more quickly than a screw connection, it is suitable for containers which are filled and closed in fast-running production lines. In addition, with a bayonet connection the final position of the cap or dispensing device is accurately determined by contact of the protrusions with the first segments of the clamping members, simplifying alignment of the dispensing device in case of a non-rotation-symmetrical container. Because the final position is accurately determined, this is also the case for a pressure force exerted on a gasket which may be arranged between the container and the cap or dispensing device.

The known fastening device however has the drawback that a complex mould is required for manufacture thereof, since a part of the clamping members is non-releasable. Due to the second inclining segment, the overall height of the clamping members is furthermore relatively great, this necessitating a longer neck, which results in additional material use and weight.

The invention therefore has for its object to provide an improved fastening device. According to a first aspect of the invention, this is achieved in a device of the above described type in that a free outer end of the second segment remote from the first segment is chamfered or curved in the peripheral direction of the neck on a side directed toward the body of the container. The second segment can hereby provide for the lead-in, eliminating the need for an additional inclining segment and associated additional height of the neck. A gradual lead-in is particularly important when a compressible gasket is received between the cap or dispensing device on one side and the container on the other.

In order to ensure a strong connection between the cap or dispensing device on one side and the container on the other the chamfered or curved free outer end can extend over at most half a length of the second segment in the peripheral direction of the neck. A considerable part of the second segment thus remains available for clamping a corresponding protrusion of the cap or dispensing device.

In an embodiment of the fastening device at least one of the clamping members can comprise a third segment, which extends substantially parallel to the first segment and connects to the second segment close to a transition between the chamfered or curved free outer end and a straight part thereof. With this third segment a protrusion of the cap or dispensing device can be enclosed, whereby a rotation in opposite direction for releasing the bayonet connection is impeded and the bayonet connection is thus locked. With a specific design of the third segment a rotation in opposite direction can even be made impossible, whereby the bayonet connection is thus fixed permanently.

For an optimal lead-in of protrusions of the cap or dispensing device into the fastening device of the container each of the clamping members can comprise a first segment and a second segment with chamfered or curved free outer end. Connecting forces are thus absorbed evenly distributed in peripheral direction in the constructions of the cap or dispensing device on one side and the container on the other. Such a fastening device can be provided with four clamping members, two of which comprise a third segment. In this case half the clamping members only fulfil the primary function of connection through clamping, while the remaining clamping members additionally provide for a locking of the bayonet connection or for a permanent fixation of the cap or dispensing device on the container.

For a uniform distribution of the connecting forces the four clamping members can be arranged uniformly distributed on the neck, and the respective clamping members with third segment and without third segment can in each case be placed diametrically opposite each other in pairs.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a fastening device of the above described type is provided, wherein a part of the second segment adjacent to the first segment is chamfered or curved in radial direction of the neck and the radially chamfered or curved part is bounded on either side by a guide edge. The radially chamfered or curved part enables a protrusion of a cap or dispensing device to be pressed over the second segment in the direction of the body of the container, whereby a snap connection is thus in fact created. Such a snap connection can be brought about even more quickly than a bayonet connection, making this embodiment highly suitable for application in fast-running assembly and filling lines. The guide edges moreover ensure that the protrusion is slid over the clamping member at an accurately determined position in peripheral direction, so that the cap or dispensing device is automatically aligned.

When at least one of the guide edges encloses an angle with the radial direction of the neck, and therefore does not extend transversely of the neck, the second segment can still take a releasing form despite the presence of the two guide edges. A simpler mould can thereby suffice in production.

According to a third aspect, the invention provides a fastening device of the above described type, wherein the second segment has a greater stiffness than the first segment. The clamping member can hereby generate a relatively great clamping force in the direction of the body of the container. This is particularly important when a relatively rigid gasket is clamped between the container and the cap or dispensing device.

In a fastening device which is manufactured from a single material and wherein the first segment has a thickness in the peripheral direction of the neck and the second segment has a thickness in the direction from the body to the open end of the neck, this greater stiffness can be achieved in simple manner when the thickness of the second segment is greater than the thickness of the first segment.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, a fastening device of the above described type is provided, wherein the first segment takes substantially the form of a right triangle with a base in the peripheral direction of the neck, a leg connecting to the second segment and an oblique side defining a guide track for an internal protrusion of the cap or dispensing device. By embodying the first segment as a triangle instead of as a beam a clamping member is obtained which is able to withstand relatively great forces in the peripheral direction of the neck. The greater width or thickness of the first segment moreover effectively prevents a protrusion of a cap or dispensing device from being able to slide thereover due to a brief deformation. This prevents the protrusion from shooting past the clamping member, as it were, when the cap or dispensing device is fastened to the neck of the container with great force.

In an embodiment of the fastening device a side of the second segment lying opposite the chamfered or curved side can be substantially parallel to an end edge of the neck. This ensures that the clamping member has a releasing form.

In another embodiment of the fastening device each second segment can be located at the same distance from an end edge of the neck as the second segments of the other clamping members. Because the smallest distance between one of the clamping members and the end edge ultimately determines the height of the neck, the height can be minimized when all clamping members are located at the same distance from the end edge.

In yet another embodiment of the fastening device the neck can have a reduced wall thickness at the position of its end edge. The surface area of the end edge is hereby smaller, and the surface pressure thereby greater, this providing for an optimal seal, particularly when a gasket is received between the container and the cap or dispensing device.

The invention also relates to a container comprising a body and a neck with an open end connecting thereto, wherein the neck is provided with a fastening device of the above described type.

The invention also relates to a cap or dispensing device which is provided with a skirt or jacket fitting around the neck of such a container and having a number of internal protrusions configured to co-act with the clamping members of the fastening device.

And finally, the invention also comprises an assembly of a container as described above and a cap or dispensing device as described above.

The invention will now be elucidated on the basis of a number of embodiments, referring to the accompanying drawings in which corresponding components are designated with reference numerals increased by 100 at a time, and in which:

Fig. 1A and IB are respectively a front view and a side view of a container with a neck on which an embodiment of the fastening device according to the invention is arranged;

Fig. 2A and 2B are views corresponding to Fig. 1A and IB of the container with a cap fastened thereto.

Fig. 2C is a top view of the cap of Fig. 2A and 2B, in which details are visible through openings; Fig. 3A and 3B are views corresponding to Fig. 1 A and IB of a container with a dispensing device fastened thereto;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a neck of a container with a first embodiment of the fastening device according to the invention thereon;

Fig. 5A and 5B are respectively a side view and a front view of the fastening device according to Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a neck of a container with a second embodiment of the fastening device according to the invention thereon;

Fig. 7A and 7B are respectively a side view and a front view of the fastening device according to Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a neck of a container with a third embodiment of the fastening device according to the invention thereon;

Fig. 9A, 9B and 9C are respectively a side view, a front view and a top view of the fastening device according to Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a neck of a container with a fourth embodiment of the fastening device according to the invention thereon;

Fig. 11 A and 1 IB are respectively a side view and a front view of the fastening device according to Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a neck of a container with a fifth embodiment of the fastening device according to the invention thereon; and

Fig. 13A, 13B and 13C are respectively a side view, a front view and a top view of the fastening device according to Fig. 12.

A container 1, for instance for a liquid to be sprayed or atomized, has a bottom 2, a peripheral side wall 3 and a shoulder 6, these together forming a body of the container 1. A neck 4 with an end edge 5 which bounds an opening connects to shoulder 6 (Fig. 1A-B). Arranged on neck 4 is a device 7 with which a cap 8 (Fig. 2A-C) or a dispensing device 9 (Fig. 3A-B) can be fastened to container 1.

The fastening device 7 comprises a number of protruding clamping members 10, 11 arranged distributed in peripheral direction on neck 4. In the shown embodiment the fastening device 7 comprises a pair of diametrically opposite first clamping members 10 and a pair of diametrically opposite second clamping members 11 (Fig, 4, 5). The dimensions in peripheral direction of the first and second clamping members 10, 11 and the space which is left free therebetween is adapted to the dimensions and intermediate space of internal clamping protrusions 35 which are arranged in the cap 8 or dispensing device 9.

Cap 8 here has a peripheral wall 36 and an upper wall 37. Extending inside cap 8 is a second wall 38, which is concentric with the peripheral wall 36 and which carries on it inner side the clamping protrusions 35. This second wall 38 fits with slight clearance around the neck 4 of container 1. Extending inside second wall 38 is a third wall 39 which is concentric with the second wall 38 and is configured to be close-fittingly received in the neck 4 of container 1. Cap 8 thus forms a seal of container 1.

The dispensing device 9 comprises a housing 40 in which is accommodated a pump (not shown here) which is operated by a trigger 41 mounted pivotally in the housing 40. When trigger 41 is operated, the pump draws in liquid from container 1 and pressurizes this liquid. When it reaches a determined pressure, the liquid is dispensed in the form of a jet or mist via an outflow opening 42. A similar construction with clamping protrusions as in cap 8 is further incorporated in housing 40, so that dispensing device 9 can be fastened in similar manner to the neck 4 of container 1.

Each first clamping member 10 of fastening device 7 comprises a first segment 12 which extends in a direction from the body of container 1, so from shoulder 6 to the end edge 5 of neck 4. In the drawing the first segment 12 is oriented substantially vertically. A second segment 13 of clamping member 10 extends from an end of first segment 12 lying closest to end edge 5. The second segment 13 is oriented substantially in the peripheral direction of neck 4, so substantially horizontally in the drawing.

According to an aspect of the invention, a free outer end 14 of the second segment, which is directed away from first segment 12, is chamfered on its side directed toward the body of container 1, so toward shoulder 6. In the shown embodiment the underside of second segment 13 is thus provided with a chamfering 15. Owing to this chamfering 15 one of the clamping protrusions 35 of cap 8 or of dispensing device 9 can be gradually introduced into a space 21 between the second segment 13 and a peripheral edge 23 of shoulder 6, the so-called lead-in. Hereby, the clamping force between cap 8 or dispensing device 9 on one side and the neck 4 of container 1 on the other increases gradually. When a gasket is arranged between these two components, as will be discussed below, this gasket will be gradually compressed.

How gradually the compression takes place depends on the angle a of the chamfering 15 relative to edge 23. This is the angle a in a flat plane, when neck 4 is as it were unwound or rolled out. In practice this angle a will vary between 5°-60°, preferably between 10°-45°, and will more preferably be between 15°-30°. Together with the thickness of the second segment 13, this angle a also determines the length of the chamfering 15 in peripheral direction. The free outer end 14 with the chamfering 15 preferably extends over at most half the length of the second segment 13, this in order to leave a sufficiently large part where second segment 13 has its full thickness and strength. The free outer end 14 with chamfering 15 preferably extends over 0.1-0.45 times the length of the second segment 13, and more preferably over 0.2-0.4 times the length. In the shown embodiment each second clamping member 11 further likewise comprises a first segment 16 extending in the direction from the body of container 1 to end edge 5 and a second segment 17 extending from the first segment 16 in peripheral direction, in the same direction as the second segment 13 of first clamping member 10. This second segment 17 of each second clamping member 11 is also provided on its free outer end 18 with a chamfering 19, which is directed toward the body of container 1, so toward shoulder 6. The protrusion 35 of cap 8 or dispensing device 9 co-acting with the second clamping member 11 is here thus also introduced evenly and gradually into a space 22 between the second segment 17 and the edge 23.

In this embodiment the sides of all clamping members 10, 11 directed toward the end edge 5 are otherwise substantially parallel to this end edge 5, and they also all he at the same distance from end edge 5. Hereby, the second segments 13, 17 of the first and second clamping members 10, 11 therefore have no parts which protrude and could thereby pose a problem in the releasing of neck 4 with fastening device 7 from a mould.

According to another aspect of the invention, the second segment 13, 17 of each clamping member 10, 11 is stiffer than the first segment 12, 16. For this purpose a thickness d2 of the second segment 13, 17, measured in the direction from shoulder 6 to end edge 5, is in the shown embodiment greater than a thickness dl of the first segment 12, 16, measured in the peripheral direction of neck 4. Because neck 4 and fastening device 7 are formed integrally from a single material, a greater thickness translates directly into a greater stiffness. In the shown embodiment neck 4 and fastening device 7 are otherwise formed from PET.

In the shown embodiment each first clamping member 10 is further provided with a third segment 20 which extends substantially parallel to the first segment 12 and which closes the space 21. In the shown embodiment the third segment 20 connects to the second segment 13 at the position of an end of chamfering 15, where the second segment 13 regains its full thickness. The third segment 20 here has on the side which, when protrusion 35 is introduced, comes into contact therewith first, deemed the front edge in peripheral direction, a chamfered or inclining surface 24, whereby protrusion 35 can pass the third segment 20 in relatively simple manner. The opposite rear edge of third segment 20 lies substantially perpendicularly of the wall of neck 4, whereby the protrusion 35 can pass third segment 20 only by exertion of a determined untwisting moment in opposite direction. The further the third segment 20 protrudes from the neck, the greater the necessary untwisting moment. Owing to the presence of the third segment 20, the cap 8 or dispensing device 9 cannot come loose from container 1 unintentionally by being accidentally twisted in opposite direction. When the third segment 20 is high enough, cap 8 or dispensing device 9 is even fixed permanently on the container.

In the shown embodiment each first clamping member 10 is also provided with a fourth segment 25 which extends at an angle to edge 23 from the point where the first and second segment 12, 13 converge. This fourth segment 25 forms a guide track for a protrusion 35 of cap 8 or dispensing device 9 when this protrusion is pushed under the second segment 17 of second clamping member 11 by the chamfering 19. A triangular empty space 26 is formed between first segment 12, fourth segment 25 and edge 23.

In a second embodiment of fastening device 107 the first and fourth segment of the first clamping member 110 have in fact been combined into a single segment 127, wherein the empty space has been eliminated (Fig. 6, 7). This first segment 127 here takes the form of a right triangle, wherein the part resting on edge 123 forms a base, the part extending from edge 123 to second segment 113 is the leg, and the oblique side once again forms a guide track 125. The thus formed first segment 127 is particularly robust and can withstand great forces when a bayonet connection is brought about by twisting the cap 8 or the dispensing device 9 onto the neck 104. Because the empty space of the first embodiment is as it were filled up in this embodiment, a protrusion 35 of the cap 8 or dispensing device cannot readily spring back after inadvertently passing the first segment. This bayonet connection can thereby not be accidentally twisted through to a position in which protrusions 35 would protrude into an empty space. As a result of the poor fit of the protrusions 35, which are intended to be clamped in the first clamping member 110, such a position would not be stable.

In this embodiment it can otherwise be seen that an upper part 128 of the neck 104, directly below the end edge 105, has a reduced wall thickness. This is the result here of the production method of container 101, which is formed by an extrusion blow moulding process. This smaller wall thickness has the result that the surface area of end edge 105 is relatively small, and the surface pressure thereby relatively high. A gasket (not shown here) placed on end edge 105 is hereby compressed to relatively great extent when the cap 8 or dispensing device 9 is fastened to the neck 104 of container 101 in a combined pressing and twisting movement.

With the exception of the slightly different shape of the edge 123, which is incorporated in the shoulder 106, all other components are identical to the first embodiment, and will thus not be discussed in further detail here. This embodiment can otherwise be embodied in a different plastic than the first embodiment, for instance HDPE.

In a third embodiment of fastening device 207 a part 229, 230 of the second segment 213, 217 adjacent to the first segment 212, 216 of each clamping member 210, 211 is chamfered in radial direction, i.e. transversely of the peripheral direction (Fig. 8, 9). Each chamfered part 229, 230 is bounded on either side by guide edges 231L, 231R, 232L, 232R. The left-hand guide edges 231L, 232L here lie in line with an edge of the first segment 212, 216 of each clamping member 210, 211, while the right-hand guide edge 231R at the first clamping member 210 lies in line with the rear edge of the third segment 220. Owing to the chamfered parts 229, 230 the cap 8 or dispensing device 9 can be pressed straight down onto the neck 204 of the container, wherein the protrusions 35 are slid over the chamfered parts 229, 230 of second segments 213, 217 and into the spaces 221, 222, thus forming a snap connection. Two of the protrusions 35 are here also enclosed non-rotatably in the spaces 221 so that the snap connection cannot be broken inadvertently. With an intentional exertion of force on cap 8 or dispensing device 9, the protrusion 35 can however ultimately be moved over third segment 220 in the direction of the free outer end 214 of second segment 213, so to the right in the drawing. The snap connection can thus ultimately be released in the manner of a bayonet connection. Cap 8 or dispensing device 9 can of course also be fastened to neck 204 via a bayonet connection by a combined pressing and twisting motion.

In this embodiment the left-hand guide edge 231L, 232L is oriented substantially radially relative to the wall of neck 204, while the right-hand guide edges 231R, 232R are oriented at an angle relative to the radial, substantially parallel to a tangent to neck 204 at the position of the left- hand guide edge 231L, 232L. Owing to this angle the right-hand guide edge 231R, 232R is releasing in a two-part mould. A front edge 233 of the second segment 213 of each first clamping member 210 is for this reason also placed at an angle to the radial direction.

Since this embodiment is further identical to the first embodiment, the remaining components will not be discussed in further detail here.

A fourth embodiment of the fastening device 307 is in fact a combination of the second and third embodiments of Fig. 6-9. In this embodiment, which can once again be manufactured from HDPE, the first and fourth segment are once again combined into a single triangular segment 327 in the manner of the second embodiment. Parts 329, 330 of second segments 313, 317 of the first and second clamping members 310, 311, adjacent to first segments 312, 316, are additionally chamfered in radial direction on the side directed toward end edge 305, this in the manner of the third embodiment. These chamfered parts 329, 330 are in turn bounded by left-hand and right-hand guide edges 331L, 331R, 332L, 332R, wherein the left-hand guide edges 331L, 332L are oriented radially and the right-hand guide edges 331R, 332R enclose an angle with the radial direction.

All other components are identical to the components of previous embodiments, and will therefore not be discussed further here.

A fifth embodiment of the fastening device 407 is distinguished from the above discussed embodiments mainly in that the second clamping members 411 comprise no segment extending in the direction from shoulder 406 to end edge 405, but solely a segment 417 extending in peripheral direction (Fig. 12, 13). Only two protrusions 35 of cap 8 or dispensing device 9 are thus enclosed non-rotatably in the spaces 421 of the first clamping members 410, and the remaining protrusions 35 are clamped only between the second clamping members 411 and the edge 423. In this embodiment the second segments 413 of first clamping members 411 are once again chamfered in radial direction over a part 429, while the second clamping members 411 have a chamfered side 430 over their whole length. The chamfered part 429 of the second segment 413 of each first clamping member 410 is once again bounded on both sides by a guide edge 431L, 431R, although in this embodiment the guide edges 431L, 431R are oriented substantially parallel and substantially radially. The front edge 433 of the free outer end 414 of each second segment 413 and an end edge 434 of the triangular segment 427 are here however placed at an angle to the radial direction in order to achieve the releasing form.

Other components are once again identical to the components of previous embodiments, and will therefore not be discussed further here.

The invention thus enables a strong connection with good liquid-tightness to be realized between a container and a cap or a dispensing device with relatively few operations and in a short time. Although the invention is described above with reference to a number of embodiments, it will be apparent that it is not limited thereto but can be varied in many ways. Instead of a chamfered part, a curved part could thus also be used to allow gradual introduction of the protrusions to take place.