Abstract:
A closure for a liquid container is provided between the container and a liquid dispenser head. The closure includes an intermediate body between the dispenser head and the container. The dispenser head can be rotated with respect to the container, without unscrewing the closure, except when the intermediate body is manually prevented from rotating.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a closure system between a dispenser head and container of a device for dispensing liquid. 
     Specifically, the present invention relates to the field of CRC (Child Resistant Container) closure systems, able to prevent opening of the container by a child. 
     In such field international legislation sets out that a CRC closure system must require a dual movement to obtain opening. 
     For example, a closure system having a dispenser head screwed into the neck of the container is not a CRC system. In fact, to open such a system it is sufficient to hold the container and turn the dispenser head to unscrew it from the neck. 
     For example, the closure system described in the patent U.S. Pat. No. 5,147,074, in the name of the Applicant, is not a CRC system. 
     Most of the CRC closure systems known today provide for a dispenser head which turns idly on the container, so that even holding the container still, the closure body, although rotated, does not separate from the container. To achieve separation in such systems a dual action of squeezing and rotation of the dispenser head must be exerted contemporarily. 
     One embodiment of such a system is described in document U.S. pat. No. 4,346,821. 
     However, one of the needs of the field is to provide for CRC closure systems which, when required, allow separation of the dispenser head from the container, for example so as to fill up the container or to fit the dispenser head to another container. 
     The CRC closure systems known of today do not satisfy such requirement, except by engaging the consumer with undue burden in separating the dispenser head from the container. 
     In addition, closure systems are known of in which the dispenser head is applied under pressure to the container, to the filler lines of the liquid. Such systems do not require screwing up. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The purpose of the present invention is to provide for a CRC closure system which overcomes the drawbacks of the known art and meets the aforesaid requirements. 
     A further purpose of the present invention is to create a CRC closure system for such devices too. 
     Such purpose is achieved by a closure system as described below. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The characteristics and advantages of the closure system according to the present invention will be evident from the description below, made by way of an indicative and non-limiting example, with reference to the attached figures, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view in separate parts of a dispenser device of a liquid, containing a closure system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  shows a cross-section view of the dispenser device in  FIG. 1 , with the parts assembled; 
         FIG. 3   a  shows a perspective view of the dispenser device in a configuration with the dispenser head detached and the intermediate body attached to the container; 
         FIG. 3   b  shows a perspective view of the dispenser device in a configuration with the dispenser head and intermediate body detached from the container; 
         FIG. 4  shows a cross section view of an intermediate body of the closure system; and 
         FIG. 5  shows a cross-section view of a frame of the closure system; 
         FIGS. 6   a ,  6   b  and  6   c ,  7   a  and  7   b ,  8   a  and  8   b  respectively show views of a neck and cap joined to it, fitted with the closure system according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     According to the present invention, a dispenser device  1 , for example of the trigger type, comprises a container  2  to contain the liquid to be dispensed, and a dispenser head  4 , for dispensing the liquid. 
     The container  2 , for example in the form of a bottle, comprises a neck  6 , comprising an annular neck wall  8  which extends around a longitudinal axis X and defines an aperture  10  for access to the inside of the container. 
     Preferably, the neck  6  comprises a neck notching, comprising at least one neck notch  11 , protruding externally from the neck wall  8 . For example the neck notching is composed of four neck notches  11   a , equally spaced angularly. 
     Preferably, in addition, the neck  6  comprises an annular beading  11   b , protruding externally from the neck wall  8 . For example, the beading  11   b  is continuous and divergent towards the neck notches  11   a.    
     The dispenser head  4  comprises, rather, a pumping mechanism for the aspiration of the liquid from the container and for dispensing towards the outside environment. 
     For example, the pumping mechanism comprises a suction duct  12 , which extends inside the container, to take up the liquid contained in it, and a pumping chamber  14 , defined by flexible walls  14   a , with which the suction duct  12  communicates. 
     In the embodiment shown, in addition, the pumping mechanism comprises a nozzle  16 , communicating with the pumping chamber  12 . 
     The dispenser head preferably comprises a trigger  18 , which can be rotated so as to interfere with the flexible walls  14   a  of the pumping chamber so as to deform them. 
     The deformation of the flexible walls leads to a reduction of the volume of the pumping chamber; so that the liquid contained in it is pushed towards the nozzle, from which it is dispensed outwardly. 
     Preferably, in addition, the pumping mechanism comprises valve mechanisms to consent/prevent aspiration of the liquid, consent/prevent dispensing of the liquid and consent/prevent aspiration of air. 
     The dispenser head comprises a frame  20 , for example of a tubular shape, extending mainly along a longitudinal axis X. 
     Preferably, in addition, the dispenser head comprises a cover  22 , supported by the body  20 ; the pumping mechanism is housed in the recess defined by the body  20  and by the cover  22 . 
     Preferably, in addition, the trigger  18  is supported by the body  20 , preferably hinged to it for rotation in the distal part of the neck of the container. 
     The releasable connection between the dispenser head and the container is made by a closure system. 
     The closure system comprises an intermediate body  30 , inserted on the neck  6 . The intermediate body  30  can be rotated on the neck  6  by performing a rotational movement, typically manually. 
     Preferably, the intermediate body  30  is annular and comprises an inner annular wall  32  and an outer annular wall  34 , which extend along the longitudinal axis X. The walls  32 ,  34  are spaced in a radial direction, (that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X), so as to form a pocket  36 . 
     The body of the dispenser head  4  is inserted in the pocket  36 . 
     The inner wall  32 , for example on the side facing the pocket  36 , has a threaded body, preferably continuous. 
     In one embodiment variation, the threading is composed of a series of interrupted threaded sections. For example, the threaded body comprises three threaded sections of equal extension, angularly distanced at 120°. 
     The inner wall  32 , on the other side, facing the neck of the container, also has at least one flexible tab  40 . 
     In the embodiment shown, a number of tabs positioned circumferentially, are provided. 
     Preferably, the tab  40  lies on a geometric plane inclined in relation to the plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X; specifically, the tab is inclined in the opposite direction to the direction of insertion of the intermediate body  30  onto the neck  6  of the container  2 , to invite coupling. 
     The tabs  40  of the intermediate body  30  and the beading  11   b  of the neck  6  form an example of means of coupling the intermediate body—neck which fix the intermediate body  30  to the neck  6 , consenting at most a limited longitudinal shift, to prevent separation. 
     Preferably, the neck-body means of coupling are snap action. 
     In fact, inserting the intermediate body  30  onto the neck  6 , the flexible tabs  40  are deformed, opening on contact with the beading  11   b , which is divergent in the direction of insertion of the intermediate body onto the neck, until they pass over it. Once past the beading the tabs close again automatically. 
     In the attempt to separate the intermediate body  30  from the neck  6 , pulling the intermediate body in the direction opposite to that of insertion, the tabs  40  push against the beading  11   b  and prevent unscrewing of the intermediate body from the neck. 
     According to a preferred embodiment, the intermediate body  30  comprises a first notching of the body, formed of at least one body notch  42 . The first body notching is made on the inner wall  32 , on the side facing the neck  6  of the container  2 . 
     With reference to the direction of insertion of the intermediate body  30  onto the neck  6 , the first body notch is upstream of the tabs  40 . 
     The first body notching and the neck notching form an example of body-neck means of interference, able to interfere with the free rotation of the intermediate body  30  on the neck  6  of the container  2 . 
     The body-neck interference mechanisms can be engaged to each other to be attached in rotation and yielding so as to move against each other by means of action equal to or greater than the predefined action of rotation. 
     In fact, by grasping the intermediate body and trying to rotate it on the neck using a mechanical torque creating a weaker action than the predefined rotational action, the body notches  42  and the neck notches  11   a  interfere with each other and prevent rotation. While if the action exerted is greater than the predefined rotation action, a distortion occurs, for example attributable to the body and/or neck notches which override each other, creating a relative rotation between the intermediate body and the neck of the container. 
     Preferably, in addition, the intermediate body  30  comprises a second notching, comprising a number of notches  44 . For example, the second notching protrudes from the inner wall  32 , on the bottom of this. 
     The frame  20  of the dispenser head comprises an annular frame wall  50 , which extends around the longitudinal axis X, between an extremity  52  proximal to the neck  6  and an extremity distal  54  to this. 
     Preferably, at the distal extremity  54 , the frame  20  comprises a seat  56 , for accommodating a portion of trigger  18 , so as to form a hinging. 
     Preferably, in addition, the frame  20  comprises a frame threading  58 , for example on the frame wall  50 , internally. 
     For example, the frame threading  58  is formed by a succession of interrupted threaded sections. For example, the frame threading comprises three threaded sections of equal extension, angularly spaced at 120°. 
     The frame threading  58  is suitable for screwing onto the body threading  38 . 
     The frame threading  58  and the body threading  38  form releasable means of coupling the frame-body. The frame-body means of coupling require a release action greater than the rotational action for release. 
     Preferably, in addition, the frame  20  comprises a frame notching, comprising at least one frame notch  60 . 
     For example, the frame notching is formed of a number of frame notches  60  protruding internally from the frame wall  50 , next to the proximal extremity  52 . 
     The second body notching and the frame notching form an example of frame-body means of interference, able to interfere with the rotation of the frame on the intermediate body. The frame-body interference mechanisms can be engaged to each other to be attached in rotation and are yielding so as to move against each other by means of action equal to or greater than the release action. 
     During normal use of the dispenser device  1 , a user, in a first hypothesis, grasps the dispenser head, for example, grasping the cover  22 , and turns it. 
     If the direction of rotation of the head is in the screw-on direction, the frame will not tend to unscrew from the intermediate body and transmits the action to the intermediate body. 
     If the action exerted is slight, the body-neck interference mechanism will not even allow rotation of the intermediate body in relation to the neck. No separation of the frame from the intermediate body will arise in any case. 
     If the action exerted is considerable the interference mechanism will not resist such action and the intermediate body is dragged in rotation in relation to the neck. In this case too however no separation of the frame and the intermediate body will occur. 
     If the direction in which the user operates on the dispenser head is to unscrew the frame from the intermediate body, the frame would tend to unscrew from the intermediate body, separating itself, but until the intermediate body is blocked manually, this does not occur. 
     In fact if the action exerted to unscrew is slight, the frame-body interference mechanism is effective and blocks rotation of the intermediate body in relation to the neck. However the unscrewing action is too slight to permit unscrewing. 
     If the action exerted in the unscrewing direction is considerable the frame-body interference mechanism will not resist such action and the intermediate body is dragged in rotation in relation to the neck. In this case too however no separation of the frame and the intermediate body will occur. 
     In other words, between the frame and the intermediate body there is a sort of clutch-effect. 
     If however the intermediate body is blocked in rotation, for example held by the user&#39;s other hand, and the direction of the action of the user is in the unscrewing direction, the frame is separated from the intermediate body by unscrewing. 
     In the same way as the frame of the dispenser head, a cap  100  can be coupled to the neck  6  of the container  2  (figures from  6   a  to  8   b ). 
     The cap  100  comprises a base  102  able to be placed over the aperture  10  of the container. 
     In one other variation, the base  102  is lower in the central part so as to be closer to the rim of the aperture  10  ( FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b ). 
     According to a further variation, the cap  100  comprises a sealing mechanism so as to form a seal with the neck  6  of the container. 
     For example, the sealing mechanism comprises an annular sealing wall  104 , protruding from the base  102  along the longitudinal axis X and in contact with the inner side of the neck  6 , to form an inner seal. 
     In addition, the cap  100  comprises an annular attachment wall  108 , protruding from the base  102  along the longitudinal axis X, able to engage with the intermediate body  30  of the closure system. 
     For example, the attachment wall  108  is positioned externally radial to the sealing wall  102 . 
     The attachment wall  108  is inserted into the pocket  36  of the intermediate body  30 . 
     The cap  100  comprises, in addition, a cap threading  110 , for example on the inner side of the attachment wall; the cap threading  110  is able to engage with the body threading  38  of the intermediate body  30 . 
     The cap threading  110  and the body threading form an example of releasable means of cap-body coupling and require a release action greater than the rotational action to enable release. 
     According to the examples, the cap  100  comprises an annular skirt  114 , protruding along the longitudinal axis X, outside the attachment wall  108 . 
     Preferably, the skirt  114  has such an extension as to overlay longitudinally the outer annular wall  34  of the intermediate body  30 . 
     The functioning of the cap-container system is analogous to the functioning of the dispenser head-container system. 
     Innovatively, the closure system according to the present invention creates a secure system and at the same time enables replacement of the container or topping up of the liquid contained in it. 
     Advantageously in addition the security system makes it possible to prevent accidental unscrewing of the frame from the intermediate body, for example due to transport vibrations, thanks to the frame-body interference mechanism. 
     It is clear that a person skilled in the art, in order to satisfy contingent requirements, may make modifications to the closure system described above. 
     For example, the releasable means of connection between the frame and the intermediate body, in one embodiment variation, are of the bayonet type. 
     In a further embodiment variation, the trigger is translatable for dispensing. 
     All these variations are to be considered as falling within the scope of protection defined by the following claims.