CLOSURE

Abstract

A dispensing closure for a flowable product is provided. The closure comprises a dispensing channel having a dispensing orifice, and a separate flow control member movable with respect to the dispensing channel. The flow control member is movable from a sealed position in which it prevents product flow through the dispensing orifice and an unsealed position in which fluid can flow around and/or within the flow control member to reach the dispensing orifice.

Claims

1-11. (canceled)

12. A dispensing insert comprising a moulded one-piece insert with a sidewall, at one end of the sidewall are a plurality of petals, wherein, associated with each of the petals, is an arcuate energising ring section.

13. The insert of claim 1, wherein the petals are generally triangular.

14. The insert of claim 1, wherein the energising ring sections are formed at the base of the petals

15. The insert of claim 1, wherein the petals are formed in a raised/open position whereby there is no post-formation slitting operation required to separate the petals.

16. The insert of claim 1, wherein the plurality of petals comprises four petals each having a respective energising ring section.

17. The insert of claim 1, wherein the geometry of the insert in the as-moulded condition is selected so that when the insert is inserted into a closure, and radially and/or axial inward pressure is applied to the insert by the closure, the petals close to provide a seal.

18. The insert of claim 1 in combination with a closure.

19. The combination of claim 7, wherein the closure has a depending annular projection which engages the energising ring sections when the insert is assembled into the closure, which helps to close the petals.

20. The combination of claim 6, wherein a snap-fit seal is achieved between an insert sealing bead and a corresponding projection on a surface of an inner radial wall of the dispensing closure.

21. The combination of claim 9, wherein the surface of the inner radial wall of the closure is formed so as to help retain the insert in place, by the inner radial wall having a reduced diameter at the lower end such that the insert has to be forced past this reduced diameter before reaching the section of the closure which has a slightly greater diameter, the diameter of the section of the closure, which is slightly reduced in diameter, is less than the maximum diameter of the insert, as measured in the plane of the annular sealing bead.

22. A method of providing a dispensing closure with a flow control insert, comprising the steps of: injection moulding an insert with a plurality of petals formed in an open position associated, with each of the petals having an associated arcuate energising ring section; and providing a dispensing closure, the closure has a depending annular projection which engages the energising ring sections when the insert is assembled into the closure; and using the closure to offer a positive pressure against the open petals to close them upon assembly to the closure, and using the depending annular projection to engage the energising ring sections to help close the petals.

Description

[0126] Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2 there is shown dispensing closure 5 formed according to an aspect of the present invention. The closure 5 comprises a base 10 and a lid 15. The base 10 and lid 15 are joined by a hinge 20.

[0127] The base 10 includes a top deck 25 with a depending sidewall 30.

[0128] The top deck 25 is provided with a dispensing orifice 35 defined by an annular wall 40. The wall 40 continues to a frustoconical wall section 42 and a J-shape connecting wall section 44 that connects to the top deck. Four (in this embodiment) abutment projections 43 depend from the underside of the wall section 42.

[0129] Radially outwards of the orifice, a dispensing channel sidewall 45 is provided and depends from the top deck. The sidewall 45 terminates with an open end 46. In advance of the end 46 a sealing bead 47 is provided and extends inwardly from the interior of the sidewall 45.

[0130] Referring now also to FIG. 3, a flow regulating insert 50 is provided. The insert 50 comprises a frustoconical head 52 from which depends four (in this embodiment) legs 54. Each of the legs 54 carries a spring foot 55. The head 52 includes an annular sealing bead 53.

[0131] The insert 50 is fitted into the dispensing channel sidewall 45 so that the insert head bead 53 passes over the sidewall sealing bead 47. The spring feet 55 engage against the sidewall end 46 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In this position the beads 47, 53 seal against each other, which in use prevents fluid from flowing through the dispensing channel to reach the orifice 35.

[0132] The closure 5 is connectable to a squeezable container filled with product (not shown) to form a pack.

[0133] Upon the application of positive pressure to the pack, the internal product flows towards dispensing channel.

[0134] Whilst the positive pressure is maintained upon the pack, product pushes against the insert 50 (there are no apertures in the insert in this embodiment). This causes the spring feet to flex so that the insert moves (axially “upwards” within the dispensing channel). This releases the seal between the beads so that product can pass around the insert to reach the aperture. The insert 50 can move up towards or to the wall section 42, whereupon the head 52 will abut against the spaced projections 43, between which product can flow.

[0135] Once the pressure is released the product will cease to flow. The resilient spring feet then pull the insert back down, recreating the seal and preventing any leakage of product.

[0136] FIG. 4 shows an insert 150 formed according to a further embodiment, having two spring feet 155.

[0137] FIG. 5 shows a cut away section of a closure 205 formed according to a further embodiment.

[0138] FIG. 6 shows a closure spout 360 formed in accordance with a further embodiment and based on the same general principles as described in relation to FIGS. 1 to 5.

[0139] FIG. 7 shows a closure 405 formed according to a further embodiment and based on the same flow control principles of FIGS. 1 to 6.

[0140] Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9 there is shown a dispensing closure 505 formed according to a further aspect of the present invention.

[0141] The closure 505 comprises a base 510 and a lid 515 joined by a first hinge 520.

[0142] The base 510 comprises a cylindrical sidewall partially closed at one end by an annular top deck 525. The centre of the top deck is open. Three flexible spokes 565 extend from the deck to support a central, generally frustoconical spigot 570.

[0143] The lid 515 includes a top plate 516 from the periphery of which a sidewall 517 depends. At the centre of the top plate 516 a sealing spigot 518 depends.

[0144] Attached to the base, generally opposite the hinge, is a strap 519 which in turn connects to a dispensing passage bearing part 575.

[0145] The part 575 includes a top deck 526 is provided with a dispensing orifice 535 defined by an annular wall 540. The wall 540 continues to a frustoconical wall section 542 and a connecting wall section 544 that connects to the top deck. Eight (in this embodiment) abutment projections 543 depend from the underside of the wall section 542.

[0146] Continuing from the wall section 542 a dispensing channel sidewall 545 is provided. The sidewall 545 terminates with an open end 546. At the end 546 a sealing bead 547 is provided and extends inwardly from the interior of the sidewall 545.

[0147] FIG. 8 shows the closure in an as-moulded condition. It will be noted that the closure is formed as a single piece.

[0148] To assemble the closure the part 575 is rotated over to engage the base. In this position (FIG. 9) the base spokes/arms are adjacent the open end 546. Operation of the closure is similar to the closure of FIGS. 1 to 7, with the base spigot movable by deformation of the spokes to unblock the dispensing channel.

[0149] FIGS. 10 and 11 shows a closure 605 formed according to a further embodiment.

[0150] The closure 605 comprises a base 610 and a lid 615, joined together by a hinge 620.

[0151] The base includes a top plate 625 with a plurality of dispensing apertures 626.

[0152] An orifice bearing part 675 is provided and connected to the base by a strap.

[0153] The part includes a rigid outer ring 676 and an inner flexible sealing disc 677 with a central dispensing orifice 678.

[0154] The closure is formed by sequential moulding, with the base, lid, strap and ring formed in a first moulding phase, followed by overmoulding of the sealing disc.

[0155] When the closure is assembled (FIG. 12) the part connects to the base, which places the sealing membrane/disc over the apertures. This blocks/seals the apertures.

[0156] Product pressure in use causes the membrane to be forced away from the apertures, allowing product to flow through the apertures and out of the disc orifice.

[0157] FIG. 13 shows a closure 710 formed according to a further embodiment. The closure is similar to the closure 610. In this embodiment the part is formed separate of the base/lid. It is formed with an outer ring which carries a membrane. The part is assembled onto the base and thereafter the closure 710 functions in a similar way to the closure 610.

[0158] FIGS. 14 to 18 illustrate a closure 805 formed according to a further embodiment.

[0159] The closure 805 comprises a base 810 and a lid 815.

[0160] The base comprises a dispensing spout 811.

[0161] The closure further comprises a rigid spigot bearing insert 812 (FIG. 17) locatable in the spout. The insert 812 comprises an outer ring 813 from which extend three spokes 814 that carry a central spigot 815.

[0162] The closure further comprising a flexible membrane 816 (FIG. 18) having a central dispensing aperture 817.

[0163] When assembled the membrane seals against the insert so that the spigot blocks the aperture, and in use positive product pressure pushes against the membrane to release the seal so that product can flow through the aperture.

[0164] The insert retains the membrane in the spout. The membrane fits into the spout and the insert clips into the spout to retain the membrane.

[0165] The base/lid, the insert and the membrane formed as three separate components which are assemblable together.

[0166] When in the rested position (no pressure applied to the pack or membrane) the flexible membrane sits upon and deforms to the contours of the rigid retention disc and central spigot feature seated underneath the flexible membrane.

[0167] The membrane is constructed of a TPE type material, whereas the retention disc is produced in HDPE or PP.

[0168] Upon the application of positive pressure to a pack, the internal product flows towards the membrane through the annual holes within the rigid retention disc to the membrane

[0169] Whilst the positive pressure is maintained upon the pack, the product pushes against the flexible membrane to release the “interference” seal on the central spigot feature.

[0170] Once the interference seal is broken, the product can flow over the central spigot and through the central hole within the flexible membrane component.

[0171] Once the pressure is released the product will cease to flow and the flexible membrane will return to its relaxed “seated” position and recreate the seal preventing any leakage of product.

[0172] Once the entire pack has been emptied, this device can be disposed of and completely recycled through standard typical recycling methods and processes.

[0173] FIGS. 19 to 24 illustrate a closure 905, 905a formed according to a further embodiment.

[0174] FIGS. 19 and 20 show similar principles. The closure 905, 905a comprises a base 910, 910a with a dispensing passage/spout 990, 990a. The dispensing passage includes a blocking member 995, 995a.

[0175] The closure further comprising a separate orifice-bearing insert (also see FIGS. 21 and 22) which is attached or attachable to the base so that in a resting position the blocking member blocks the orifice. The orifice-bearing insert is movable to a dispensing position to move the orifice away from the blocking member.

[0176] The blocking member is static and in this embodiment comprises a stud supported in the dispensing passage/channel by arms/spokes.

[0177] The orifice may be provided in a deformable disc/head 998, the disc can deform to move the orifice away from the blocking member. FIG. 23 shows the disc in a sealed position and FIG. 24 shows the disc having flexed away from the blocking member.

[0178] The insert is sealingly receivable in the base.

[0179] The disc is an inverted generally frusto-conical structure with a generally central aperture 997.

[0180] The insert includes a sealing skirt/wall around the aperture, depending from the underside of the disc.

[0181] The insert may include one or more supporting legs 998. The legs may include inclined feet 999 that can pass into the dispensing channel upon assembly and then engage under a free end of the channel to secure the insert into position.

[0182] FIGS. 25 and 26 show a closure 1005 formed according to a further embodiment.

[0183] FIGS. 27 and 28 show a closure 1105 formed a closure formed according to a further embodiment.

[0184] FIGS. 29 and 30 show a dispensing insert 1290 formed according to a further aspect of the present invention.

[0185] FIG. 29, for example, shows a one-piece moulded insert with a sidewall 1291. At one end of the sidewall are four generally triangular petals 1292, 1293, 1294, 1295 (in other embodiments different numbers of slits and consequential petals are possible). The petals are formed (e.g. by moulding) in a raised/open position; there is no post-formation slitting operation required to separate the petals (e.g. with slitting).

[0186] Associated with each of the petals (in this embodiment generally at the base thereof) is an arcuate energising ring section 1296, 1297, 1298, 1299.

[0187] The geometry of the insert in the as-moulded condition is selected so that when the insert is inserted into the closure, and radially and/or axial inward pressure is applied to the insert head by the closure, the petals close to provide a seal.

[0188] Referring now to FIG. 30, in this embodiment a snap-fit seal is achieved between the insert sealing bead 1300 and a corresponding projection 1301 on the surface of an inner radial wall 1302 of a dispensing closure 1303. The closure has a depending annular projection 1304 which engages the energising ring sections when the insert is assembled into the closure. This helps to close the petals/flaps.

[0189] In this embodiment the surface of the inner radial wall of the closure is formed so as to help retain the insert in place. This is achieved by the inner radial wall having a reduced diameter at the lower end such that the insert has to be forced past this reduced diameter before reaching the section of the closure which has a slightly greater diameter. The diameter of the section of the closure, which is slightly reduced in diameter, is less than the maximum diameter of the insert (as measured in the plane of the annular sealing bead).

[0190] Once in position the insert may function in the same way as a typical self-closing valve (formed by post-moulding slitting) i.e. when the container is squeezed the product is forced through the slits of the insert which open in response to the increase in pressure within the container.

[0191] Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments shown and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.