SELF-SEALING CONTAINER CLOSURE

Abstract

A sealing closure for dispensing fluid includes a closure body. The closure body has an attachment portion configured to attach to a container containing fluid, a dispensing portion, and a conduit connecting the attachment portion and dispensing portion and configured to direct fluid from the attachment portion to the dispensing portion. The sealing closure further includes a spring lid attached to the dispensing portion. The spring lid has a first portion coupled to the closure body, a second portion not attached to the closure body. The second portion is configured to contact the closure body when a pressure of the fluid is below a threshold, and flex to separate from the closure body when the pressure of the fluid meets or exceeds the threshold to create an opening for dispensing the fluid.

Claims

1. A sealing closure for dispensing fluid, the sealing closure comprising: a closure body having: an attachment portion configured to attach to a container containing fluid; a dispensing portion; and a conduit connecting the attachment portion and dispensing portion and configured to direct fluid from the attachment portion to the dispensing portion; a spring lid attached to the dispensing portion, the spring lid having: a first portion coupled to the closure body; and a second portion not attached to the closure body, the second portion being configured to contact the closure body when a pressure of the fluid is below a threshold, and flex to separate from the closure body when the pressure of the fluid meets or exceeds the threshold to create an opening for dispensing the fluid.

2. The sealing closure of claim 1, further comprising: a flexible seal on the dispensing portion of the closure body, the flexible seal being configured to contact the second portion of the spring lid when the pressure of the fluid is below the threshold.

3. The sealing closure of claim 2, wherein the flexible seal is composed of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE).

4. The sealing closure of claim 2, further comprising: a first part of the flexible seal that is attached to the second portion of the spring lid, and is configured to contact the second portion of the spring lid when it flexes to separate from the closure body when the pressure of the fluid meets or exceeds the threshold; and a second part of the flexible seal that is not attached to the second portion of the spring lid and creates the opening when the second portion of the spring lid flexes to separate from the closure body when the pressure of the fluid meets or exceeds the threshold.

5. The sealing closure of claim 1, wherein the spring lid is composed of aluminum.

6. The sealing closure of claim 1, further comprising: a chamber at the dispensing portion of the closure body; and a rim surrounding the chamber that contacts the spring lid.

7. The sealing closure of claim 6, wherein the rim is composed of polypropylene.

8. The sealing closure of claim 7, wherein the spring lid has a layer of polypropylene on a side configured to contact the rim, the layer of polypropylene coupling the spring lid to the rim in the first portion.

9. The sealing closure of claim 8, wherein pressure that meets or exceeds the threshold can be generated by a human hand squeezing a container attached to the sealing closure.

10. A fluid vessel comprising: the sealing closure of claim 1 coupled to the container containing the fluid.

11. The fluid vessel of claim 10, wherein the sealing closure is coupled to the container by threads in the conduit.

12. The fluid vessel of claim 10, wherein the sealing closure is welded to the container.

13. The fluid vessel of claim 10, wherein the sealing closure is riveted to the container.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing of a self-sealing closure according to an embodiment.

[0007] FIG. 2 is a perspective drawing of a self-sealing closure according to an embodiment.

[0008] FIG. 3 is a perspective drawing of a self-sealing closure according to an embodiment.

[0009] FIG. 4 is a perspective drawing of a self-sealing closure according to an embodiment, attached to a fluid container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0010] The present disclosure describes various embodiments of closures having a flexible valve that is closed below a threshold squeeze force applied to the container. Reducing the volume of the container by squeezing, results in achieving a sufficient pressure buildup that enables dispensing of a product (i.e. a pressure threshold). The fluent product in the various embodiments may be contained in a plastic or aluminum tube, a flexible standup package or the like that is able to be squeezed (i.e. a container). The container may be configured to screw onto a thread or may be riveted, glued, co-molded etc. to the sealing closure.

[0011] The sealing closure includes a chamber, seal, and spring lid. Varying the dimensions of the chamber, seal and spring lid allow an infinite range of flow rates and required squeeze forces, without jeopardizing the integrity of the seal. In some embodiments, the squeeze forces to open the valve can be generated by a human hand squeezing the container of fluid. Embodiments of the seal provide a barrier able to withstand atmospheric moisture (75% relative humidity at 30° C.) for 3 months. This would prevent the container contents either drying out or becoming damp for this period, whilst also allowing easy dispensing.

[0012] In one embodiment the sealing closure is configured to screw onto a thread which is integrated into a container. The closure body may be manufactured from polypropylene and co-molded with thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) which is located in at least one part of the rim of a chamber of the closure body. A leaf spring composed of spring aluminum (or other metal) with a coating of polypropylene (or other polymer) on one side is heat welded in place over the chamber exit. A thin film is laid on the TPE to prevent the TPE welding to the lid in the exit area. The film can be a dissimilar polymer that does not weld to polypropylene. This protective film is removed after the heat welding step. During welding the lid is welded around the chamber opening which includes a portion of the TPE either side of the opening. This improves the seal and prevents escape of the product during dispensing. The resultant opening creates a single stream, which improves the dispensing and the ability of the seal to shut off the flow of product when it closes. In other embodiments, the opening is configured to provide multiple streams.

[0013] FIG. 1 shows a self-sealing closure according to one embodiment. The closure comprises a chamber 1 with rim 1a and thread 1b. A section of the opening to chamber 1 is lined with flexible TPE seal 3. The closure incorporating the chamber is configured to screw onto a flexible container. Spring lid 2 is shown before welding over the opening of chamber 1. Surface 1a depicts the rim of the chamber to which a first portion of lid 2 is welded. In this example surface 1a is polypropylene. The underside of spring lid 2 is coated with polypropylene. When the first portion of spring lid 2 is welded into position a protective non-welding film is placed over a portion of TPE 3. The film defines the opening as this area under the protective film will not be welded. The sections of TPE 3 that are adjacent to the exit are welded to the underside of the spring lid. Material dispensed from the closure in this example exits at right angles to the thread 1b.

[0014] Thread 1b can be used to attach the closure to a container containing the fluid (see FIG. 4). In other words, thread 1b can engage threads on the container to couple the closure to the container in a sealing manner.

[0015] When the fluid is not under pressure, the second portion of lid 2 that is not attached to the closure body rests in contact with the closure body or the seal 3. When resting in contact with seal 3, the spring lid 2 forms a sealing contact with seal 3. This sealing contact prevents ingress or egress of atmospheric gases and moisture, or the contained fluid.

[0016] FIG. 2 depicts an embodiment of the closure configured to dispense product in line with the thread. Lid 2 is shown in an open position. Product under pressure (not shown) lifts the spring lid 2 where it is not welded to the closure (e.g. the polypropylene rim 1a) at the chamber exit 8. TPE welded to lid 2 at position 4 adjacent the chamber exit stretches allowing the spring lid to flex open, when the threshold pressure is applied to the container/fluid. TPE at the chamber exit 8 is not welded to the lid due to the presence of temporary film between the TPE and lid during welding. Pivot point 5 is created during opening, and represents a boundary between where lid 2 is welded to the closure body 7 and not welded to the closure body 7.

[0017] FIG. 2 shows a dispensing configuration of the sealing closure, when fluid is under pressure meeting or exceeding the threshold, and being dispensed. In this situation, the second portion of the lid 2 flexes away from the closure body 7 and seal 3, creating an opening allowing the fluid to flow out of the container.

[0018] In some embodiments, the opening is configured to open to a predetermined size for a variety of pressures. In other embodiments, the opening is configured to expand to a greater size in proportion to the applied pressure, to accommodate variable flow rates. Moreover, the size of the opening can be adjusted depending on the viscosity of the fluid product to be dispensed, and the generally desired amount needed per use. For example, a container of sunscreen may have a larger opening for large volume dispensation of the product, whereas an ointment container may have a smaller opening for dispensing a small portion. Similarly, an opening for toothpaste may be larger (even given the smaller amount needed) because the large opening facilitates a reasonable flow speed with the high viscosity of the fluid.

[0019] The closure can also be configured to open in response to different pressures depending on the target user. For example, in a container for operation by a toddler or child, the pressure threshold for dispensing fluid may be lower than a container for operation by an adult. Similarly, in a container for operation by an elderly or arthritic person, the pressure threshold may be lower than a container for operation by a healthy adult.

[0020] FIG. 3 shows a threaded conduit 12 used to attach closure body 7 to a flexible container such as a plastic or aluminum tube. Lid 2 is shown welded in position to the rim of the chamber which includes a section of TPE at positions 4 and 9. In FIG. 3, the sealing contact between lid 2 and closure body 7 is shown.

[0021] FIG. 4 is a perspective drawing of a self-sealing closure according to an embodiment, attached to a fluid container 10. In the embodiments of FIGS. 1-3, the closure body 7 is coupled to the fluid container 10 by threads 1b inside threaded conduit 12, which engage counterpart threads on the closure body 7. In other embodiments, the closure body 7 is sealingly attached to the fluid container 10 by welding or riveting. The container 10 may be a plastic or aluminum tube, a flexible standup package or the like that is able to be squeezed (i.e. a container).

[0022] Although the invention has been described with reference to embodiments herein, those embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention. Modifications to those embodiments or different embodiments may fall within the scope of the invention.