Dispensing closures and dispensers

Abstract

A dispensing closure for a squeeze bottle comprises an outer element, an intermediate element and an inner element. The outer element (3) comprises an outwardly-deflectable diaphragm (35) surrounding an outlet opening (36). The intermediate element (5) comprises an annular seat (57) underlying the outlet opening (36) of the outer element and support structure (56) for the annular seat, with an inflow opening (552) through the annular seat (57) and an outflow opening (551) through the intermediate element around the annular seat (57). The inner element comprises a blocking portion (48; 148) and support structure (46; 146) mounting the blocking portion in the closure aligned with the annular seat. The diaphragm has an inward closed position in which the annular seat of the intermediate element engages around the outlet opening to block flow, and an outwardly-deflected position in which it allows outflow through the outflow opening and outlet opening. The blocking portion of the inner element has a closed position in which it blocks the inflow opening (552) through the annular seat, and an inwardly-deflected position to allow inflow such as venting or suck-back.

Claims

1. A dispensing closure comprising an outer element, an intermediate element and an inner element, wherein the outer element comprises an outwardly-deflectable diaphragm surrounding an outlet opening, the intermediate element comprises an annular seat underlying the outlet opening of the outer element and support structure for the annular seat, with a central inflow opening through the annular seat and at least one peripheral outflow opening through the intermediate element around the annular seat, and the inner element comprises a blocking portion consisting of a single, flexible limb connected to a support structure such that the blocking portion seals the central inflow opening; the diaphragm having an inward, closed position in which the annular seat of the intermediate element engages the outlet opening to block flow, and an outwardly-deflected position away from the closure without further constraint from any portion of the closure for outflow through the outflow opening and outlet opening, and the blocking portion of the inner element having a closed position in which the single, flexible limb it blocks the inflow opening through the annular seat, said single, flexible limb movable to an inwardly-deflected position to open the inflow opening upon exposure to negative pressure.

2. The dispensing closure of claim 1 in which the outer element comprises a cap component to be secured onto or into a neck of a container.

3. The dispensing closure of claim 1 in which the support structure for the annular seat consists of one or more support limbs or spokes.

4. The dispensing closure of claim 3 in which the one or more support limbs or spokes have a channel cross-section for rigidity.

5. The dispensing closure of claim 1 wherein the inner element is a push-fit into or onto the outer element and/or into or onto the intermediate element.

6. The dispensing closure of claim 5 in which the inner element has an annular mounting formation which engages in a corresponding inwardly-directed retaining formation of the outer element or of the intermediate element.

7. The dispensing closure of claim 1 wherein the inner element is a circular component having an annular mounting formation comprising an outward flange that extends below an inwardly-directed portion of the outer element, for said outward flange to lie between said inwardly-directed portion and the edge of a container neck in an assembled dispenser.

8. The dispensing closure of claim 1 wherein the inner element, outer element and intermediate element are made from thermoplastic material.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Embodiments of our proposals are now described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

(2) FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a first dispensing closure embodying our proposals;

(3) FIG. 2 is an enlarged diametral cross-section through the assembled closure in the closed position;

(4) FIGS. 3 and 4 are a top view and bottom view of the assembled closure;

(5) FIGS. 5 and 6 show the positions of the components in the outflow and recovery conditions;

(6) FIG. 7 shows the closure on a squeezable container, to constitute a dispenser;

(7) FIG. 8 is an exploded view of a second dispensing closure embodying our proposals;

(8) FIG. 9 is a bottom (inside) view of the second closure;

(9) FIG. 10 is an enlarged diametral cross-section through the closure in the closed position;

(10) FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a dispenser, being a third embodiment of our proposals;

(11) FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view through the closure of the FIG. 11 dispenser along its long axis, and

(12) FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view through the closure of the FIG. 11 dispenser along its short axis.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(13) Referring firstly to FIGS. 1 to 7, a first embodiment of a dispensing closure 2 comprises an outer cap element 3 also constituting an outer valve element, an inner valve element 4 and an intermediate element or valve seat element 5, each moulded in one piece from polypropylene. The outer element 3 includes a securing cap portion with a cylindrical side wall 31 having an inner thread 32 for engaging a container neck (not shown), and a top wall with an outer surround portion 34 of structural thickness, like the side wall 31, and a much thinner diaphragm 35 extending over most of the central region. The diaphragm wall 35 lies very slightly higher than the surround wall 34, defining a step formation on the interior presenting a snap engagement where the intermediate element 5 fixes in: see FIG. 2.

(14) The diaphragm wall 35 is generally planar in the rest condition shown, and has a central outlet opening defined or surrounded in annular surround portion 36 which presents an inwardly-facing annular sealing surface 352 which is conical in formsee FIGS. 5 and 6.

(15) The intermediate element or valve seat element 5 is a generally planar annular component resembling a spoked wheel, having a peripheral mounting ring 51 with a radially-outward snap formation 53 engageable in the corresponding radially-inward snap formation 33 of the outer element, and a set of inwardly (downwardly)-directed annular snap ribs 59 for engaging the inner element 4 described below. A set of eight support limbs 56 in the form of radial spokes supports a central coaxial annular surround or seal seat ring 57 defining a central flow opening (inflow opening) 552. The limbs 56 have a channel form (see FIG. 4) to resist inward and outward bending. The central seal seat ring 57 is essentially fixed in the closure. The upper (outer) side of the ring 57 has a generally conical face 571 complementing the conical seal face 352 of the outer diaphragm wall 35 around the opening 36, forming a valve seat region for the outer diaphragm wall.

(16) The limbs 56 divide the space around the seat ring 57 into eight open segments, each constituting part of an outflow flow opening 551.

(17) The inner valve element 4 is circular and has a peripheral mounting ring portion 41 having upwardly-directed snap rings 43 which engage with the downwardly-directed snap rings 59 of the intermediate element: see FIGS. 2, 5 and 6.

(18) Around the fixed periphery of the diaphragm 135 a series of indentations 351 is formed. This three-dimensional curving of the thin diaphragm wall increases its stiffness against bending, i.e. improves the restoration force of the valve.

(19) An outer flange 42 projects out radially from around the mounting ring portion 41 and engages the underside of the cap surround 34, improving the seal and location, and being engaged or trapped by the top edge of the container neck (not shown) when this is inserted. The flange 42 constitutes a sealing ring, obviating the separate sealing ring which is commonly used. It also prevents the valve components from falling down out of the cap and into the container.

(20) The inner valve blocking portion is constituted by a coaxial circular boss 48 mounted at one side to the outer ring through a single flexible radial limb 46. A central disc structure 47 underlies the outwardly-projecting boss 48 to improve axial location: as seen in FIGS. 2 and 5 the boss can fit or plug up inside the central opening 552 of the intermediate element seat ring 57 to close it off, with sealing engagement between the periphery of the boss and an annular sealing region 572 to the inside and underside of the seat ring 57. The edge of the disc 47 engages the underside of the ring 57 to hold the boss 48 level. The support limb 46 has an intermediate cranked or corrugated portion 461, with folds running across the limb direction to inhibit twisting.

(21) As mentioned, the intermediate seat disc 5 is generally rigid, while the outer diaphragm 35 and the limb mounting 46 of the inner blocking portion 48 are flexible by virtue of their shape and thin structure. These flexible components have an as-moulded conformation which, relative to what is shown in FIG. 2, is angled towards the intermediate element 5 so that, when assembled as seen in FIG. 2, they have been deformed out against their resilience. This energizes the sealing engagements in the rest position. In the absence of substantial pressure difference across the closure, it remains closed and protects the container contents. Also, it will not drip or splash.

(22) FIG. 7 shows schematically a dispenser comprising the closure 2 fixed onto a squeezable container 1 by screwing onto a neck of the container.

(23) FIG. 5 shows the outflow (dispensing) condition (in which the container may be tipped or inverted, but not necessarily so). When the container is squeezed, outward liquid pressure acts to bulge the diaphragm wall 35 outwardly as shown in FIG. 5, whereas the rigid seat disc 5 does not bulge. The relative movement disengages the sealing regions 352,571 and opens the outlet 36 for the outflow of product. In FIG. 5 arrows x show the diaphragm movement and A the outflow of product through the outflow openings 551 and outlet opening 36. Under outward pressure the inner valve element 48 continues to block the central opening 552, as in the rest position.

(24) When the dispensing pressure is relieved the squeeze container recovers and a negative pressure difference arises. FIG. 6 shows the situation: the diaphragm wall 35 returns promptly to its flat start condition and seals against the seat ring 57 at 571. Return flow through the outflow openings 551 is therefore shut off.

(25) The negative pressure difference acts also on the central blocking portion 48 of the inner valve element 4, pushing it inwardly out of its sealing seat 571 (arrow y) and deflecting it inwardly by flexion of the support limb 46. The resulting tilting movement of the blocking boss 48 opens up the central inflow opening 552opening widest at the side opposite the limb 46for the entry of compensation air shown by arrow B, and any liquid product present at the outlet can also be sucked back into the container. Once the pressures equalize the valve returns to the slightly tensioned closed position of FIG. 2.

(26) FIGS. 8 to 10 show a second embodiment of closure which differs from the first embodiment primarily in the nature of the inner valve element 104. A central circular boss 148 is provided as before to constitute the blocking portion, but this is now supported centrosymmetrically by a set of three thin springy limbs 146, each consisting of a combination of radial portions 1462 and circumferential portions 1461 to combine length with thinness giving a very low deflection force. At the same time the symmetrical arrangement of limbs 146 means that the blocking boss 148 moves axially without tilting when it opens, and also is kept perpendicular to the axis in the closed position. This makes a better seal in the closed position, although the dimension of the opening available in the open condition may be slightly less than available in the first embodiment.

(27) Another difference in this embodiment is that the central opening 136 is provided with an outward nozzle formation 137, formed integrally with the diaphragm 135.

(28) In other respects, the operation of the second embodiment is similar to that of the first.

(29) FIG. 11 shows a dispenser with a third embodiment of closure. In this embodiment the squeeze container 101 is oval in horizontal section with a long axis and a short axis, and the closure 202 is similarly oval in form to complement the shape envelope of the container 101. The active components of the closure (outer valve element combined with cap 203, intermediate element 205, inner valve element 204) are generally similar to those of the second embodiment described above, but the outer cap surround 231 is extended to an oval form to blend in with the shape of the container 101. The container in fact has a standard circular (cylindrical) neck 111 with a circular opening, and the cap component has an internal cylindrical skirt 239 which fits around this, having an inward retaining rib 232 engaging an outward rib 112 on the container neck. Accordingly, the top surface of the closure has a larger oval non-deforming surround portion 234, with the circular diaphragm 235 localised in the centre.

(30) A further feature of this embodiment is the provision of a hinged outer cover cap 221, moulded integrally with the cap element and outer valve element and connected via a live hinge 222. The underside of the cap has an axially-projecting closure plug 223 shaped and positioned to push down on the annular surround at the outlet 236 when the cap is closed, holding the outflow passage shut so that liquid cannot leak through the closure and into the cap. To maintain this engagement the cap's outer edge makes a snap engagement 224a, 224b with the closure surround 231.