System for attaching two tubular members and container for liquids equipped with said attachment system

The present invention relates to an attachment system for attaching together two tubular members comprising two tubular members, rotational attachment members and longitudinal attachment members. The rotational attachment members comprise a plurality of attachment elements which are disposed in angularly spaced relationship along the first tubular member to define a plurality of seats between two successive attachment elements and a plurality of reference elements disposed in angularly spaced relationship along the second tubular member and at least partially accommodated in respective seats. The longitudinal attachment members comprise a plurality of stop surfaces disposed in angularly spaced relationship along the first tubular member and a plurality of abutment elements formed on the second tubular member, each abutment element extending in the longitudinal direction and cooperating with a respective stop surface. The invention also relates to a liquid container having said attachment system.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an attachment system for attaching two tubular members.

The present invention also relates to a liquid container equipped with said attachment system.

Particularly, the present invention may be used for attaching the neck of a liquid container to a tubular member that is part of a closure having a safety seal, or a pourer, which are designed to be stably attached to the container.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Containers with a tubular member attached to their neck are known, for example, from documents U.S. Pat. No. 4,497,415, WO 9804474 and EP 1313649. The step of attaching the tubular member to the neck is carried out automatically by capping machines, which apply a force in the direction in which the tubular member is fitted onto the neck, for the former to be stably attached to the latter.

While these technical solutions are suitable for glass container applications, they are found to be inadequate in plastic container applications. In the latter case, the container body is flexible and does not oppose an adequate resistance to the capping load to ensure attachment of the tubular body like in a glass container. For this reason, plastic containers, e.g. made of PET, have a finish arranged on the neck below the mouth. This finish allows the capping machine to grasp the finish using a fork, thereby acting as a resistance element opposing resistance to the capping load.

Alternatively, the thickness of the container walls may be increased to withstand this capping load.

While the finish is useful from a structural point of view, it is certainly detrimental from an aesthetic point of view.

A further attachment system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,927,531.

The above discussion of the prior art shows that there is still a need for an attachment system for attaching two tubular members that can provide such attachment with a reduced attachment load. Also, there is the need for a liquid container that allows attachment of the tubular member of a closure or a pourer to the neck of the container body with a reduced capping load and hence without using a finish and/or a container with thicker walls.

In view of the above discussed prior art, the object of the present invention is to fulfill the above need, while obviating the prior art drawbacks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, this object is fulfilled by an attachment system for attaching two tubular members comprising a first tubular member extending along a longitudinal axis, a second tubular member extending along said longitudinal axis, and attached to said first tubular member, rotational attachment members for rotatably attaching said first tubular member to said second tubular member, longitudinal attachment members for attaching said first tubular member to said second tubular member in said longitudinal axis, wherein said rotational attachment members comprise a plurality of attachment elements formed on said first tubular member and arranged in angularly spaced relationship along said first tubular member to define a plurality of seats between two successive attachment elements, each seat being angularly delimited at its opposite sides by two successive attachment elements, a plurality of reference elements formed on said second tubular member, and arranged in angularly spaced relationship along said second tubular member and at least partially housed in respective seats of the attachment elements, each reference element cooperating with the two successive attachment elements defining the seat in which said reference element is at least partially housed, for rotatably attaching said first tubular member to said second tubular member, said longitudinal attachment members comprise a plurality of stop surfaces formed on said first tubular member and arranged in angularly spaced relationship along said first tubular member, a plurality of abutment elements formed on said second tubular member, each abutment element extending along the longitudinal axis and cooperating with a respective stop surface for longitudinally attaching said first tubular member and said second tubular member, each abutment element being defined by a tab attached to the second tubular member at a base portion thereof, said tab radially extending from the base portion to an end portion, at least part of the tab being elastically deformable along an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis.

In an aspect of the present invention, said transverse axis lies on a plane perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.

In another aspect of the present invention, said at least part of the tab comprises at least said end portion.

In a further aspect of the present invention, said tab extends along the longitudinal axis between an upper portion and a lower portion, said upper portion of the tab engaging with a respective stop surface.

In another aspect of the present invention, said tab extends on a plane parallel to said longitudinal axis.

In a further aspect of the present invention, from a configuration in which said second tubular member is released from said first tubular member, said second tubular member is coupled to said first tubular member by a coupling movement along said longitudinal axis and in a coupling direction, said tab progressively bending from the lower portion toward the upper portion during said coupling movement.

In another aspect of the present invention, said bending of the tab allows the end portion to pass through a respective seat and the second tubular member to move relative to said first tubular member until said tab snaps underneath the respective stop surface thereby said upper portion of the tab engages said respective stop surface.

In a further aspect of the present invention, said attachment elements project out of the first tubular member toward said second tubular member and comprise two opposed attachment surfaces, said reference elements project out of the second tubular member toward said first tubular member, each reference element having two opposed reference surfaces engaging with respective attachment surfaces of two successive attachment elements.

In another aspect of the present invention, each reference element comprises a projection that extends from the second tubular member on a plane perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.

In a further aspect of the present invention, the stop surfaces are arranged in longitudinally offset relationship to said attachment elements.

In another aspect of the present invention, said stop surfaces lie on a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

In a further aspect of the present invention, each attachment element comprises two opposed lead-in surfaces.

In another aspect of the present invention, said first tubular member and said second tubular member lie one over the other at least along a longitudinal portion thereof.

In a further aspect of the present invention, said first tubular member is a neck portion of a liquid container and said second tubular member is a part of a closure or a pouring device, said second tubular member being coaxially disposed outside said neck.

In another aspect of the present invention, said first tubular member and said second tubular member define parts of a closure for a liquid container.

In a further aspect of the present invention, said longitudinal attachment members are designed to provide an irreversible attachment along the longitudinal axis in the direction of separation of said first tubular member from said second tubular member and vice versa.

In a further aspect of the present invention, the object is fulfilled by a liquid container comprising a liquid container comprising a container body having a neck, said neck extending from the container body along a longitudinal axis and ending with a mouth that defines an orifice, a tubular member, particularly of a closure or a pourer, disposed around said neck, attached to said neck and having an inner surface facing said neck and an outer surface, rotational attachment members for rotatably attaching said tubular member to said neck, longitudinal attachment members for attachment of said tubular member to said neck along said longitudinal axis, wherein said rotational attachment members comprise a plurality of attachment elements formed on said neck and arranged in angularly spaced relationship along said neck to define a plurality of seats between two successive attachment elements, each seat being angularly delimited at its opposite sides by two successive attachment elements, a plurality of reference elements formed on said inner surface of the tubular member, and arranged in angularly spaced relationship along said tubular member and at least partially housed in respective seats of the attachment elements, each reference element cooperating with the two successive attachment elements that define the seat in which said reference element is at least partially housed, for rotatably attaching said tubular member to said neck, said longitudinal attachment members comprise a plurality of stop surfaces formed on said neck and arranged in angularly spaced relationship along said neck, a plurality of abutment elements formed on said inner surface of the tubular member, each abutment element extending along the longitudinal axis and cooperating with a respective stop surface for longitudinally attaching said tubular member to said neck, each abutment element being defined by a tab attached to the inner surface of the tubular member at a base portion thereof, said tab radially extending from the base portion to an end portion, at least part of the tab being elastically deformable along an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis.

Preferably, from a configuration in which said tubular member is released from said neck, said tubular member is coupled to said neck by a coupling movement along said longitudinal axis and in a coupling direction, said tab progressively bending from the lower portion toward the upper portion during said coupling movement.

Preferably, said bending of the tab allows the end portion to pass through a respective seat and the tubular member to move relative to said neck until said tab snaps underneath the respective stop surface thereby said upper portion of the tab engages said respective stop surface.

Preferably, said attachment elements project out of the neck toward said tubular member and comprise two opposed attachment surfaces lying on planes parallel to the longitudinal axis, said reference elements project out of the tubular member toward said neck, each reference element having two opposed reference surfaces engaging with respective attachment surfaces of two successive attachment elements.

Preferably, each reference element comprises a projection that extends from the tubular member on a plane perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.

Preferably, said attachment members are formed at said mouth.

Preferably, the stop surfaces are disposed below the attachment members with respect to the orifice.

Preferably, said stop surfaces lie on a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Preferably, each attachment element comprises two opposed lead-in surfaces.

Preferably, said longitudinal attachment members are designed to provide an irreversible attachment along the longitudinal axis in the direction of separation of said tubular member from said neck vice versa.

Even when this is not expressly stated, the individual features as described with reference to the particular embodiments shall be intended as auxiliary to and/or interchangeable with other features described with reference to other exemplary embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the figures, numeral1generally designates a liquid container of the present invention.

The container1comprises a container body, whose upper portion is only shown, and which is referenced10in the figures, having a neck11and a mouth12defining an orifice13. The neck11extends from the container body10along a longitudinal axis X-X and ends with the mouth12. The neck11embodies a first tubular member.

Advantageously, the container body10is made of plastic, e.g. PET. Alternatively, the container body10may be also made of glass.

The container1comprises a second tubular member20, at least one longitudinal portion thereof being disposed around the neck11and attached to such neck11.

For simplicity, reference will be made hereinafter, without limitation, to the neck11and the tubular member20as first and second tubular members attached together by the attachment system of the present invention.

In this example, the tubular member20has an inner surface21facing the neck11and an outer surface22. Therefore, the tubular member20is coaxially disposed outside the neck11such that the tubular member20and the neck11lie one over the other along a longitudinal portion.

In an alternative embodiment, the first tubular member11and the second tubular member20define parts of a closure.

Advantageously, the tubular member20is made of plastic, e.g. PP or PC.

According to one embodiment, the tubular member20embodies a part of a closure designed to close the mouth12, particularly the closure part that is designed to be attached to the neck11. Alternatively, the tubular member20may embody a part of a pourer designed to be attached to the neck11.

It should be noted that the tubular member20is attached to the neck11by translation of the tubular member20relative to the neck11, along the longitudinal axis X-X and in the coupling direction referenced A in the figures, from a free position to an attached position. This assembly step, in which the tubular member20is attached to the neck11is known as capping.

In order to attach the tubular member20to the neck11and hold it attached thereto, the container11comprises rotational attachment members30for rotatably attaching the tubular member20to the neck11, and longitudinal attachment members40for attaching the tubular member20to the neck11along the longitudinal axis X-X.

According to one embodiment, the longitudinal attachment members40are designed to provide an irreversible attachment along the longitudinal axis X-X in the direction of separation of the tubular member20from the neck11and vice versa.

The rotational attachment members30comprise a plurality of attachment elements formed on the neck11and angularly spaced along the neck11to define a plurality of seats between two successive attachment elements. For simplicity, reference will be made below to the three attachment elements31,32,33and two seats34,35as shown in the figures. The seat34is defined by the two successive attachment elements31,32, whereas the seat35is defined by two attachment elements32,33. Each seat, e.g. the seat34, is angularly delimited, on opposite sides, by two successive attachment elements, in this example the two attachment elements31and32.

In other words, the attachment elements are adjacent along the neck11and separated by the seats defined by two successive attachment elements.

According to one embodiment, each seat is open at its top, at its bottom and externally, toward the tubular member20. Therefore, the seat is angularly delimited by two successive attachment elements and internally delimited by the outer surface of the neck11. Each seat extends angularly along a length L1.

The rotational attachment members30also comprise a plurality of reference elements formed on the tubular member20, e.g. on the inner surface21. These reference elements are angularly spaced along the tubular member20and are at least partially housed in respective seats of the attachment elements.

For simplicity, reference will be made below to the two reference elements36,37as shown in the figures.

Each reference element cooperates with the two successive attachment elements defining the seat in which the reference element is at least partially accommodated for rotatably attaching the tubular member20to the neck11. In this example the reference element36is partially housed in the seat34and cooperates with the two successive attachment elements31,32that define the seat34.

According to one embodiment, the attachment elements project out of the neck11toward the tubular member20and comprise two opposed attachment surfaces, in this example lying on planes parallel to the longitudinal axis X-X.

In this example, the attachment elements31,32comprise two opposed attachment surfaces31a,31band32a,32blying on planes substantially parallel to each other and parallel to the longitudinal axis X-X.

Since the seat34is angularly delimited by the two attachment surfaces31band32a, these two attachment surfaces31b,32aare found to be angularly spaced at a distance that is equal to the length L1of the seat34.

It shall be noted that the attachment surface31bof the attachment element31substantially faces the attachment surface32aof the next attachment element32.

According to one embodiment, the reference elements project out of the tubular member20, in this example the inner surface21, toward the neck11. Each reference element has two opposed reference surfaces engaged with respective attachment surfaces of two successive attachment elements.

In this example, the reference element36has two opposed reference surfaces36a,36bengaged with the attachment surfaces31bto32aof the two successive attachment elements31,32. It shall be noted that this engagement prevents the rotation of the tubular member20relative to the neck11, excepting residual clearances due to production tolerances.

Particularly, the reference element36angularly extends between the two reference surfaces36a,36balong a distance L2that is equal to or slightly smaller than the length L1of the seat34, in this example slightly smaller than the length L1for proper, interference-free engagement.

According to one embodiment, each reference element comprises a projection that extends from the tubular member20, in this example the inner surface21, on a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X-X.

Advantageously, the attachment elements are formed at the mouth12of the neck11of the container body10.

The longitudinal attachment members40comprise a plurality of stop surfaces formed on the neck11and angularly spaced along the neck, and a plurality of abutment elements formed on the tubular member20, e.g. on the inner surface21.

Each abutment element extends along the axis X-X and cooperates with a respective stop surface for longitudinally attaching the tubular member to the neck11.

For simplicity, reference will be made below to the two stop surfaces41,42cooperating with two abutment elements43,44as shown in the figures.

According to one embodiment, the stop surfaces41,42are longitudinally offset, and in this example are placed below the attachment elements31,32, particularly below the attachment surfaces31a,31b,32a,32b, relative to the orifice13.

Here, the abutment elements43,44are also placed below the reference element36.

In the example as shown in the figures, two abutment elements43,44are placed below each reference element36and adjacent thereto.

The two abutment elements43,44are angularly spaced along the tubular member20by the length L3that is greater than the length L2, where such length L3is measured as a minimum distance. Nevertheless, further configurations may be envisaged, in which the abutment elements43,44are spaced at a smaller distance, as long as they at least partially engage their respective stop surfaces41,42.

According to one embodiment, the stop surfaces41,42lie on a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X-X.

In this example, the stop surfaces41,42are defined by a portion of the attachment elements31,32, particularly by a portion of the lower surfaces of the attachment elements31,32.

According to one embodiment, the stop surfaces41,42project out of the neck11toward the tubular member20and the abutment elements43,44project out of the tubular member20, in this example the inner surface21, toward the neck11.

In this example, the abutment elements43,44radially project out of the tubular member20, in this example the inner surface21, and extend along the longitudinal axis X-X, advantageously on a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis X-X.

Each abutment element43,44comprises an abutment surface43a,44aengaged with a respective stop surface41,42.

According to one embodiment, each abutment element, e.g. the abutment element43, is defined by a tab attached to the tubular member20, in this example the inner surface21, at a base portion43b. The tab43radially extends from the base portion43bto an end portion43c. Particularly, the tab43extends along the longitudinal axis X-X, advantageously on a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis X-X, between an upper portion, defined by the abutments surface43aand a lower portion43d.

Advantageously, at least part of the tab43is a elastically deformable along an axis Y-Y transverse to the longitudinal axis X-X. Advantageously, this part of the tab43comprises at least the end portion43c. In this example, the entire tab43is elastically deformable.

Advantageously, the transverse axis Y-Y lies on a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X-X.

More particularly,

According to one embodiment, each of the attachment element31,32comprises two opposed lead-in surfaces31c,31dand32c,32d.

These lead-in surfaces31c,31dand32c,32dextends from the attachment surfaces31a,31band32a,32btowards the orifice13.

For example, the lead-in surface31dextends from the attachment surface31b.

Particularly, each lead-in surface extends on a plane that is inclined to the longitudinal axis X-X which, as mentioned above, corresponds to the direction in which the tubular member20is fitted onto the neck11during capping.

It shall be noted that, in the example as shown in the annexed figures, the rotational attachment members30and the longitudinal attachment members40are arranged to form a plurality of attachment assemblies arranged in angularly spaced relationship, where each attachment assembly comprises both members30and40. According to a different embodiment, the rotational attachment members30may be alternated with the longitudinal attachment members40. Here, the reference elements36will be alternated with the abutment elements43,44on the tubular member20. The attachment elements31,32may also be alternated with the stop surfaces41,42on the neck11.

The assembly of the container1from a configuration in which the tubular member20is free from the neck11and hence not attached thereto will be now described. In this configuration, the tubular member20is released from the neck11.

The tubular member20is coupled to the neck11by a coupling movement along the longitudinal axis X-X and in a coupling direction, referenced A in the figures. As the tubular member20is fitted along the longitudinal axis X-X and in the direction A, the abutment elements43,44, particularly the lower portions of the abutment elements43,44come to engagement with the lead-in surfaces31d,32crespectively. This will allow the reference element36to be centered with respect to the seat34and hence to the attachment surfaces31b,32athat delimit the seat34which are designed for engagement of the abutments surfaces36a,36b.

Due to the conformation of the lead-in surfaces31d,32cand the elasticity of the abutment elements43,44, the abutment elements43,44will progressively bend from the lower portion43dto the upper portion43a. Such bending will allow the end portion43cof each abutment element43to pass through the seat34and hence the tubular member20to move relative to the neck11until the abutment elements43,44fully snap underneath the stop surfaces41,42, thereby the abutment surfaces43a,44aengage the stop surfaces41,42themselves. Such engagement prevents any translation of the tubular member20in the direction opposite to the fit-on direction A. Typically, the container1has members that can also stop the translational movement of the tubular member20in the direction A at the longitudinal position in which the abutments surfaces43a,44aengage the stop surfaces41,42. These members may consist of a ridge formed on the neck11, for abutment of a portion of the tubular member20, typically the lower end edge of the tubular member20or, as shown in the figures, the lower portions of the abutment elements43,44or a flange of the pourer abutting the mouth12.

At the same time as longitudinal attachment is provided by the engagement of the abutment elements43,44with the stop surfaces41,42, the abutment surfaces36a,36bof the reference element36engage the attachment surfaces31b,32athat delimit the seat34to rotatably attach the tubular member20to the neck11.

Therefore, the attachment system of the present invention was found to fulfill the above mentioned objects.

Those skilled in the art will obviously appreciate that a number of changes and variants may be made to the arrangements as described hereinbefore to meet incidental and specific needs.

For example, unless otherwise imposed by evident technical limitations, any feature described in a preferred embodiment may be clearly used in another embodiment, with appropriate adaptations.

Likewise, the continuity of the components of the tubular member may be broken in any manner, as long as no functional alteration to the relevant component is caused thereby.

Also, slight tapers may be imparted to the portions described above as having an annular, cylindrical shape, in response to technological requirements.

All the changes will fall within the scope of the invention, as defined in the following claims.