Closure for nebulizable liquid containers

Abstract: The closure structure comprises a disk-like element with an optionally threaded axial ring (3), to be used in particular for nebulizable liquid containers. Furthermore a substantially perpendicular or inclined tubular element (8) extends on the disk-like element, is monolithic therewith and is connected to a coupling (9), which is internal to the ring (3), for a liquid drawing duct (10). The tubular element has a first end shaped like a dispenser nozzle and a second threaded end for coupling to a gun (17) for dispensing gases, mixtures of gases and/or fluids under pressure.

Description: The present invention relates to a closure for containers of nebulizable liquids, for example paints, oils, etc. Dispensers substantially constituted by two concentric tubular elements are currently used to spray nebulizable liquids; the inner tubular element is connected to a pressurized air duct and the outer one is connected to a liquid drawing duct which extends perpendicular from said outer tubular element inside a threaded ring to be screwed to the mouth of a liquid container. During periods of non-use, the dispenser is unscrewed from the container, and a ring closure is placed on said container. In order to spray nebulizable liquids it is therefore currently necessary to have available a compressed air hose, a dispenser and the container usually in a sealed package with a tear-open closure membrane. Known from CH-A-270,917 and from US-A-3,180,580 is a closure for nebulizable liquid containers as defined in the precharacterizing part of claim 1. The aim of the present invention is to provide a closure which, optionally provided to a nebulizable liquid container, can also be used as a dispenser by means of a simple coupling to a compressed-air dispenser gun. A consequent primary object is to provide nebulizable liquid containers with a sort of disposable dispenser. Another object is to provide a closure which can be manufactured on a large scale and at low cost for example by molding thermoplastic materials, by pressure die-casting metallic material, etc. Not least object is to provide a closure which can be marketed even individually and used as a low-cost dispenser. This aim, these objects and others which will become apparent hereinafter are achieved by a closure for nebulizable liquid containers as defined in the appended claims. Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description of an embodiment thereof, illustrated only by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, wherein: figure 1 is a perspective view of a closure according to the invention, arranged on a nebulizable liquid container; figure 2 is a side view of the closure of figure 1 during operation as nebulizable liquid dispenser, coupled to a liquid container and to a gun for dispensing pressurized gas; figure 3 is a perspective view of the mouth of the container, of the closure according to the invention and of the end of the gun for dispensing pressurized gas; figure 4 is a sectional view of the closure according to the invention, coupled to the gun for dispensing gas under pressure. With reference to the above figures, the closure according to the invention is generally indicated by the reference numeral 1 and comprises a disk-like element 2 from which an axial ring 3 extends downward; said ring is conveniently provided with an internal thread 4 for coupling on a complementarily threaded mouth 5 which extends from a nebulizable liquid container 6, for example paint, oil, etc. Advantageously, said mouth 5 is provided with a tear-open sealing membrane 7 in order to preserve the integrity of the contents prior to sale. According to the invention, a tubular element 8 extends diametrically on said disk-like element, is monolithic therewith, perpendicular to the axis and connected to an axial coupling 9 provided inside the ring 3. Said coupling 9, which is appropriately grooved or threaded, is suitable for being inserted inside a tube 10 for drawing the liquid of the container 6. Still according to the invention, said tubular element 8 has a first end 11 which is tapered like a dispenser nozzle with a portion of internal duct 12 which has a reduced diameter and is blended, by means of a frustum-shaped portion 13, to the rest of the duct 14, which has a greater diameter, of said element 8. A second end 15 of the element 8 is threaded and is suitable for coupling to a complementarily threaded end portion 16 of a known gun 17 for dispensing gases, mixtures of gases and/or fluids under pressure, for example compressed air. The dispenser 18 of the gun 17 thus penetrates inside the tubular element 8 and defines, inside the duct 14, a chamber 100 in which nebulization occurs between the compressed air and the liquid, which is drawn from the inside of the container 6 by negative pressure. The closure 1 is completed by a vent hole 19 which passes axially through the disk-like element 2. From what has been described above it can therefore be easily understood that the structure according to the invention has the dual function of closure suitable for opening the sealing membrane 7 and of dispenser when it is necessary to spray the liquid of the container 6. In this case the simple coupling of the gun 17, conveniently supplied with compressed air, is necessary. The closure according to the invention can be either included in the package of the container 6 and thus disposed when said container has depleted its contents, or can be sold separately for use on any container provided with a mouth. Naturally, the ring 3 may also be not threaded but provided with annular grooves, or may even be smooth, to be coupled by means of simple insertion on the mouth. As regards the preferred materials, they can either be of the thermoplastic type or be pressure die-cast metals so that large-scale and low-cost production is allowed. In practice it has thus been observed that the closure according to the invention has achieved the intended aim and objects. In practice, the materials employed, so long as compatible with the contingent use, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to the requirements. Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the scope of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims: Closure (1) for nebulizable liquid containers (6) comprising a disk-like element (2), an annular ring (3) extending perpendicularly from said disk like element (2), connection means (4) formed on said annular ring (3) for engagement with complementary engagement means formed on the mouth (5) of a nebulizable liquid container (6), a tubular element (8) formed on and extending transversely across said disk-like element (2), said tubular element having a first end (11) having an internal duct (12) defining a dispenser nozzle, a second end (15) having means for connection to a gun (16, 17, 18) for dispensing pressurized fluid, and a duct (14) interconnecting said internal duct (12) and said second end (15), a coupling (9) extending substantially perpendicularly from said disk-like element (2) at an opposite side thereof with respect to said tubular element (8), said coupling being in fluid communication with and extending from said tubular element (8) for drawing liquid from a nebulizable liquid container (6), characterized in that said disk-like element (2), said annular ring (3), said tubular element (8), said first end (11), said internal duct (12) defining said dispenser nozzle, said duct (14), said second end (15) and said means for connection to a gun (16, 17, 18) for dispensing pressurized fluid are all formed monolithically, whereby said closure (1) is disposable. Closure for nebulizable liquid containers according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a nebulization chamber (100) defined within said duct (14) in said tubular element (8) and being penetratable by a dispenser (18) of a gun (16, 17, 18) for dispensing pressurized fluid at a location above said coupling (9). Closure for nebulizable liquid containers according to claim 2, characterized in that said nebulization chamber (100) has an internal diameter substantially equal to the internal diameter of said duct (14) and said second end (15).

Inventors: COZZA OSCAR, COZZA, OSCAR
Applicants: ANI OFF MEC SPA, OFFICINE MECCANICHE A.N.I. S.P.A.
Application year: 1991
Main classification: B05B7
IPC codes: B05B7