Abstract:
A connection system between a dispenser head of a liquid and a container of a liquid includes a base area of a structure and a flange screwed tight onto the neck of the container. Free rotation of the structure is prevented by a resistant torque, but the base area of the structure is made in such a way as to allow the accidental rotation of the head without unscrewing the flange.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The object of the present invention is an anti-unscrewing connection system between the dispenser head and the container of a dispenser device of a liquid, e.g. trigger operated. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Usually, the dispenser head, in which are housed the means that permit the suction of the liquid and its outside dispensing, when operated by the trigger, is connected to the neck of the container by screwing up. 
         [0003]    This connection system is of very simple construction and the most widespread in the sector. 
         [0004]    Nevertheless, above all during transport operations, the dispenser device is subject to repeated vibrations and sometimes occasional knocks; these external factors affect the screwing up in the sense that they cause its release. 
         [0005]    This fact is particularly undesired, due to the consequent loss of liquid contained in the device. 
         [0006]    An example of a dispensing device with an head suitable to idly rotate on a container is disclosed in EP-A-0097094; anyway, the joining system disclosed in such document has an high uncertainty on repeatability of the results. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The object of the present invention is to make a connection system between the dispenser head and the container of a dispenser device, e.g. trigger operated, that overcomes the drawbacks spoken about with reference to the state of the art and satisfies the above requirements. 
         [0008]    Such object is achieved by a connection system between a dispenser head of a liquid and a container of the liquid, comprising: 
         [0009]    a base area of a structure of the head and a neck of the container; 
         [0010]    a flange firmly screwed to the neck of the container, wherein unscrewing occurs by applying an unscrewing torque, wherein the flange comprises an annular lip which engages the base area of the structure binding it axially to the same; 
         [0011]    wherein the free rotation of the structure is prevented by a torque resistant to rotation developed by the contact of the base area of the structure; and 
         [0012]    wherein the base area of the structure is made in such a way that the torque resistant to rotation is inferior to the unscrewing torque, to enable the accidental rotation of the head without unscrewing the flange. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  represents a section view of the dispenser device, which integrates the connection system according to an embodiment variation of the invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  shows a separate-part view of a dispenser head and of a closing flange of the device in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  shows a section view of a structure of the dispenser head in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  represents a section view of an intermediate body of the dispenser head in the  FIG. 2 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  shows the dispenser device of the  FIG. 1  with assembled parts. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0018]    With reference to the attached illustrations, by  1  has been generally indicated a dispenser device of a liquid. 
         [0019]    The device  1  comprises a container  2  for containing liquid to be dispensed, comprising a neck  4  defining a mouth for accessing the inside of the container. The neck  4  has a container axis X. 
         [0020]    In particular, the mouth of the neck  4  is delimited by a support crown  6 , e.g., lying on a plane perpendicular to the container axis X. 
         [0021]    The device  1  includes a dispenser head  10  associable with the container  2 , and in particular with the neck  4  of this. 
         [0022]    The dispenser head  10  comprises a supporting structure  12  to which are variably connected the head components. 
         [0023]    The structure  12  comprises a structure body  14 , elongated along the container axis X, between a base area  15   a  close to the mouth of the container and an opposite summit area  15   b , spaced out along the container axis X. 
         [0024]    In particular, the structure  12 , in the base area, is fastened to the container by means of a connection system comprising at least a protruding leg  16 , overhanging from the structure body  14  along the container axis X. 
         [0025]    In the embodiment represented, a plurality of legs  16  are envisaged, arranged in a ring, angularly spaced out from each other. 
         [0026]    The leg  16 , at the opposite extremity to the structure body  14  from which it overhangs, has an annular flap  18 , protruding outwards radially, so as to form a hook pattern. 
         [0027]    In other words, the annular flap  18  consists of a radial relief towards the outside at the free end of the leg. 
         [0028]    The annular flap  18  gradually slims down towards the bottom, meaning distally from the structure body, so as to offer a limited contact surface with the other components of the device. 
         [0029]    In particular, the flap  18  is delimited on the bottom by a pair of support surfaces  20   a ,  20   b  converging towards the bottom, each with truncated cone shape, so as to create a thickness that slims towards the extremity. 
         [0030]    According to a preferred embodiment, the support surface  20   b , which is turned towards the inside, forms an angle a with the direction of the container axis X between 50° and 30°, preferably 40°. 
         [0031]    Between the flap  18  and the structure body  14  an inter-space  22  is created. 
         [0032]    The connection system between the dispenser head  10  and the container  2  also comprises an intermediate body  30  comprising an annular support base  32 , ring shaped. 
         [0033]    Above the annular base  32 , the intermediate body  30  also has an annular seat  34 , suitable for accommodating the base area  15   a  of the structure, and in particular the flap  18  of the legs  16 . 
         [0034]    Preferably, the annular seat  34  is counter-shaped with respect to the extremity of the structure, meaning shaped following the pattern of the two support surfaces  20   a ,  20   b  of the flap  18 . 
         [0035]    Preferably, the opening corner of the surfaces of the annular seat  34  is greater than the angle formed between the support surfaces  20   a ,  20   b  of the flap  18 , meaning the seat is more open that the extremity of the flap  18 . 
         [0036]    For example, in a preferred embodiment, the surfaces of the annular seat form angles between 50° and 30°, preferably equal to 45°, with the direction of the container axis X. 
         [0037]    Preferably, the intermediate body  30  comprises an annular outer defining wall  36 , protruding axially from the annular base  32 , on which faces the support surface  20   a  of the annular flap  18 . 
         [0038]    Preferably, furthermore, the intermediate body  30  comprises an annular engagement wall  38 , radially spaced out internally from the outer defining wall  36 , and preferably with greater axial extension. 
         [0039]    Facing onto the engagement wall  38  is the other support surface  20   b  of the annular flap  18 . 
         [0040]    By preference, the engagement wall  38  diverges as it moves away from the annular base  32 . 
         [0041]    Preferably, furthermore, in the proximity of the free extremity, distal from the annular base  32 , the engagement wall  38  comprises an external annular protrusion  40 . 
         [0042]    The annular seat  34  is arranged between the outer defining wall  36  and the engagement wall  38 . 
         [0043]    According to a preferred embodiment furthermore, the intermediate body  30  comprises an inner defining wall  42 , protruding axially from the annular base  32 , radially inside the engagement wall  38 , arranged around the through opening of the ring-shaped base  32 . 
         [0044]    Preferably, furthermore, in the proximity of the free extremity, distal from the annular base  32 , the inner defining wall  42  comprises an internal annular protrusion  44 . 
         [0045]    The connection system also comprises a closing flange  50  suitable for screwing onto the neck  4  of the container  2 . 
         [0046]    As some laboratory tests have shown, the screwing torque of the flange on the neck, i.e. the unscrewing torque, is generally comprised between 30 N·cm and 120 N·cm, preferably between 40 N·cm and 90 N·cm, generally equal to 60 or 50 N·cm. 
         [0047]    The flange  50  comprises an annular side wall  52 , having internal threading and, by preference, on the outside, a knurled gripping surface. 
         [0048]    The flange  50  also comprises an annular lip  54 , radially internally protruding from the side wall  52 . 
         [0049]    The lip  54  is flexible for interference with the base of the structure  12 ; in particular, the lip  54  is flexible in the sense of being suitable for expanding radially outwards. 
         [0050]    E.g., the flange  50  has a crack  56 , arranged radially outside the lip  54 , all around this, so that it is structurally weakened. 
         [0051]    Preferably, furthermore, the lip  54  has an invitation chamfer  58 , to invite fitting the base area  15   a  of the structure  12 . 
         [0052]    The connection system also comprises a crown-shaped seal support  60 , flat. 
         [0053]    The seal support is resting on the crown of the mouth of the container  2  and on this rests the intermediate body  30  with its own annular base  32 . 
         [0054]    The dispenser head  10  is fitted on the intermediate body  30 . 
         [0055]    In particular, the base area  15   a  rests on the neck  4 , e.g., by means of the intermediate body  30 . 
         [0056]    In particular, the legs  16  of the structure  12  rest inside the annular seat  34 , so the flap  18  is accommodated in the annular seat. 
         [0057]    The engagement wall  38  penetrates inside the structure, so that the annular protrusion  40  is in contact with the inner surface of the leg  16  of the structure  12 , creating a hook. 
         [0058]    The flange  50  is screwed onto the neck  4  of the container  2  and the lip  54  is arranged in the inter-space  22  between the flap  18  and the structure body  14 . 
         [0059]    The lip  54  has a radial extension inwards such as to radially pass beyond the outer defining wall  36 , so as to engage with its portion the flap  18  to secure it axially. 
         [0060]    In other words, the lip  54  pushes the flap  18  into the annular seat  34  and keeps the intermediate body  30  and the seal support  60  on the neck  4  of the container  2 . 
         [0061]    The dispenser head  10  also comprises operating means for dispensing the liquid outside. For example, the operating means comprise a trigger  70 , connected to the structure  12 , to rotate. 
         [0062]    The dispenser head  10  also comprises means of suctioning the liquid from the container and for dispensing it outside. 
         [0063]    For example, the suction and dispensing means comprise a pumping element  78  consisting of a deformable diaphragm  80 , supported in the structure  12 , and of a rod  82 , sliding inside the structure  12 , dragged by the deforming diaphragm  80 . 
         [0064]    The diaphragm  80  is engageable with the trigger  70  to be deformed. 
         [0065]    The membrane  80  delimits a pressure chamber  90 , in connection with a dispensing pipe  100  with outside outlet. 
         [0066]    Preferably, furthermore, the dispenser head  10  comprises a nozzle  200 , arranged at the extremity of the dispenser pipe  100 , turnable to open and close the pipe. 
         [0067]    Preferably, furthermore, the dispenser head  10  comprises valve means for adjusting the suction and the dispensing of the liquid. 
         [0068]    Furthermore, preferably, the dispenser head  10  comprises a covering  110 , supported by the structure  12 , inside which are contained the suction and dispenser means and the valve means. 
         [0069]    The structure  12 , though firmly connected to the container by the screwing up of the flange  50 , is in contact with the components, the rotation of which is blocked, only on limited surface portions. 
         [0070]    In particular, the flaps  18  of the legs  16  are in contact with the lip  54  of the flange  50  only for the part of this protruding radially internally from the outer defining wall  36 . 
         [0071]    Furthermore, the flap  18  is in contact with the bottom of the annular seat  34  only on a limited surface deriving from exiguous chamfers and from the deformation of the materials, inasmuch as the sloping surfaces of the annular seat  34  have different slope angles compared to the support surfaces  20   a ,  20   b  of the flap. 
         [0072]    Furthermore, the contact between the engagement wall  38  and the frame is limited to the protrusion  40 . 
         [0073]    Consequently, vibrator phenomena or accidental knocks affecting the dispenser head cause the head to rotate with respect to the container; such rotation is not however transmitted to the flange, which remains firmly screwed onto the container neck. 
         [0074]    Innovatively, the connection system according to the present invention is particularly reliable inasmuch as it avoids or strongly limits the accidental unscrewing of the flange. 
         [0075]    Advantageously, furthermore, the connection system is releasable, to allow topping up the container or its replacement. 
         [0076]    It is obvious that a technician in the field, in order to satisfy contingent requirements, could make changes to the dispenser device or to the connection system described above. 
         [0077]    For example, the operating trigger, in a variation of embodiment, is translatable to start the dispensing of the liquid 
         [0078]    Such variations are also contained within the protection scope as defined by the following claims.