CA2309568A1 - Fluid dispensing closure - Google Patents
Fluid dispensing closure Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2309568A1 CA2309568A1 CA 2309568 CA2309568A CA2309568A1 CA 2309568 A1 CA2309568 A1 CA 2309568A1 CA 2309568 CA2309568 CA 2309568 CA 2309568 A CA2309568 A CA 2309568A CA 2309568 A1 CA2309568 A1 CA 2309568A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- dispensing
- vent
- nozzle
- closure
- housing
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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- Closures For Containers (AREA)
Abstract
A fluid dispensing closure which incorporates a dispensing valve to control fluid flow through the closure and a vent passageway to vent air into the container as necessary. The closure includes a dispenser spout offset from the axis of the closure and capable of mating engagement with a receiving container. The dispenser spout has a fluid passageway with a spring-biased ball valve seated therein. A vent passageway is also formed in the closure which includes a gravity loaded ball valve to close the vent passageway according to the position of the closure. A removable overcap sealingly encloses the dispenser spout and vent to capture any fluid leakage.
Description
FLUID DISPENSING CLOSURE
Relation Applications This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/136,152 filed on May 27, 1999.
Background Of The Invention I. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a fluid dispensing closure for selectively dispensing fluids such as juices into a desired container and, in particular, to a dispenser matingly engageable with a receiving container and including, in combination, a spring-biased dispensing valve and a vent valve.
II. Description of the Prior Art A variety of closures have been developed for selective control of fluid flow from a container. The most common closure incorporates a valve which may be rotated or otherwise manually opened and closed to dispense fluid from the container. The dispensing closure is typically situated near the bottom of the container allowing gravity to force fluid through the closure.
However, commercial beverage dispensers incorporate mechanical dispensing means associated with the housing.
Examples include milk and juice dispensers which have external dispensing systems. Bulk beverage containers are internally replaced as needed. These containers must be capable of preventing fluid leakage during transport while also preventing contamination of the contents and dispensing closure. In order to ensure smooth dispensing #19248 v2 - App. for Fluid Dispensing Closure of the fluid, a venting system allowing air to replace the dispensed liquid should be included in the dispensing closure. The closure will cooperate with the dispensing machine to facilitate on demand pouring of fluids such as juice or milk.
III. Summary of the Present Invention The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior known dispensers by providing a dispensing closure which incorporates a spring-biased dispensing valve and vent valve within the confines of the closure.
The fluid dispensing closure of the present invention includes a substantially cylindrical base adapted to be threadably attached to the container. A cylindrical dispensing spout extends from the base. The dispensing spout is offset from the axis of the base but provides fluid communication with the container. A valuing member is disposed within the dispenser spout to control fluid flow therethrough. In a preferred embodiment the valuing member comprises a spring-biased ball seated within the dispenser spout to control fluid flow. The dispenser spout is offset from the central axis of the closure to accommodate a vent valve. The vent includes a vent passageway in communication with a vent aperture. A ball captured within the passageway selectively closes the vent aperture according to the position of the closure to selectively facilitate venting of the dispensing closure.
The dispenser includes means for receiving a removable overcap which encloses the dispensing spout and vent to capture any potential fluid leakage. The overcap includes a rim bead adapted to engage an annular groove extending around the spout and vent. The cap can be simply removed and attached by flexing the cap. The dispenser spout is provided with an 0-ring seal to facilitate sealing engagement with a receiving container. Upon insertion of the spout into the receiver container, the spring-biased ball valve is displaced from its valve seat allowing fluid to flow through the spout. Gravity will cause the vent ball to close off the vent aperture thereby ensuring that fluid flows through the spout and not the vent.
Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
IV. Brief Description of the Drawing The present invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the views and in which:
FIGURE 1 is an exploded view of the dispensing closure in conjunction with a fluid container and a dispensing mechanism;
FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of a fluid dispensing closure embodying the present invention, and having a cut-away section showing the internal closure construction;
FIGURE 3 is a bottom perspective view of the closure;
and FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view thereof with the cap removed.
Relation Applications This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/136,152 filed on May 27, 1999.
Background Of The Invention I. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a fluid dispensing closure for selectively dispensing fluids such as juices into a desired container and, in particular, to a dispenser matingly engageable with a receiving container and including, in combination, a spring-biased dispensing valve and a vent valve.
II. Description of the Prior Art A variety of closures have been developed for selective control of fluid flow from a container. The most common closure incorporates a valve which may be rotated or otherwise manually opened and closed to dispense fluid from the container. The dispensing closure is typically situated near the bottom of the container allowing gravity to force fluid through the closure.
However, commercial beverage dispensers incorporate mechanical dispensing means associated with the housing.
Examples include milk and juice dispensers which have external dispensing systems. Bulk beverage containers are internally replaced as needed. These containers must be capable of preventing fluid leakage during transport while also preventing contamination of the contents and dispensing closure. In order to ensure smooth dispensing #19248 v2 - App. for Fluid Dispensing Closure of the fluid, a venting system allowing air to replace the dispensed liquid should be included in the dispensing closure. The closure will cooperate with the dispensing machine to facilitate on demand pouring of fluids such as juice or milk.
III. Summary of the Present Invention The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior known dispensers by providing a dispensing closure which incorporates a spring-biased dispensing valve and vent valve within the confines of the closure.
The fluid dispensing closure of the present invention includes a substantially cylindrical base adapted to be threadably attached to the container. A cylindrical dispensing spout extends from the base. The dispensing spout is offset from the axis of the base but provides fluid communication with the container. A valuing member is disposed within the dispenser spout to control fluid flow therethrough. In a preferred embodiment the valuing member comprises a spring-biased ball seated within the dispenser spout to control fluid flow. The dispenser spout is offset from the central axis of the closure to accommodate a vent valve. The vent includes a vent passageway in communication with a vent aperture. A ball captured within the passageway selectively closes the vent aperture according to the position of the closure to selectively facilitate venting of the dispensing closure.
The dispenser includes means for receiving a removable overcap which encloses the dispensing spout and vent to capture any potential fluid leakage. The overcap includes a rim bead adapted to engage an annular groove extending around the spout and vent. The cap can be simply removed and attached by flexing the cap. The dispenser spout is provided with an 0-ring seal to facilitate sealing engagement with a receiving container. Upon insertion of the spout into the receiver container, the spring-biased ball valve is displaced from its valve seat allowing fluid to flow through the spout. Gravity will cause the vent ball to close off the vent aperture thereby ensuring that fluid flows through the spout and not the vent.
Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
IV. Brief Description of the Drawing The present invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the views and in which:
FIGURE 1 is an exploded view of the dispensing closure in conjunction with a fluid container and a dispensing mechanism;
FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of a fluid dispensing closure embodying the present invention, and having a cut-away section showing the internal closure construction;
FIGURE 3 is a bottom perspective view of the closure;
and FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view thereof with the cap removed.
V. Detailed Description of A Preferred Embodiment of the Present Invention Referring first to Figures 1, 2 and 4, there is shown a closure 10 for selectively dispensing a fluid from a bulk container 100 into a dispensing system 110. In a preferred embodiment, the closure 10 is designed to dispense a liquid such as juice from a replaceable bulk container 100. The closure 10 must prevent fluid leakage during transport and storage of the bulk container 100 but must be compatible with the dispensing system 110 for dispensing of the fluid contents.
The closure 10 of the present invention includes a housing 12 adapted to be threadably secured to a neck 102 of the container bottle 100. The housing 12 includes an annular extension surface 14 having a plurality of protrusions 16 to facilitate gripping during attachment to the container 100.
Extending from the housing 12 is a fluid nozzle 18 through which the fluid is dispensed. The nozzle 18 has a tubular configuration smaller in diameter than the housing 12 and, as shown in Figures 1-3 is off-set from the central vertical axis of the closure 10. The nozzle 18 is configured to matingly engage the dispensing system 110 as will be subsequently described. The nozzle 18 includes an inner fluid passageway 20 within which is seated a valve assembly 22 for controlling fluid flow through the nozzle 18. The valve assembly 22 has a valve seat 24 and a spring-biased valve ball 26 which seals within the valve seat 24 to block fluid flow. A coil spring 28 biases the ball 26 towards the closed position against the seat 24.
Also disposed within the housing 12 is a vent 30 which allows air to replace the dispensed fluid within the container 100. The vent assembly 30 is molded directly within the closure 10 in close proximity to the fluid nozzle 18. The vent 30 comprises a cylindrical passageway 32 in communication with a vent throughbore 34. A vent ball 35 is captured within the cylindrical passageway 32 for movement between a closed position seated within the throughbore 34 and an open position allowing flow through the vent 30. A plurality of protrusions 38 within the passageway 32 keeps the vent ball 36 within the vent passageway 32. The weight of the vent ball 36 serves to close the throughbore 34 by sealing the top of the cylindrical passageway 32. However, as fluid is dispensed from the container 100, a vacuum builds within the housing 12 until the force is sufficient to lift the vent ball 36 from the valve seat 32. This unseating of the vent ball 36 causes air to vent through the closure 10. This enables the fluid to dispense smoothly through the closure 10.
As best shown in Figures 1 and 2, a containment cap 40 is selectively attached to the closure 10. The closure 10 includes an annular rim 42 which encircles not only the nozzle 18 but also the vent passageway 34. The cap 40 has an annular bead 44 on an inside rim of the cap 40, which is received within the rim 42. With the cap 40 positioned on the closure 10, contaminants are kept from the dispensing nozzle 18 prior to use. Additionally, because the cap 40 encircles both the nozzle 18 and the vent assembly 30, any fluid leakage from either passageway will be captured within the cap 40.
The closure 10 is designed to selectively dispense fluid from a container 100 into a dispensing system 110.
Referring to Figure 1, the closure 10 is secured to the container 100 upon filling of the container 100 at the supplier. During transport and storage, the cap 40 is maintained on the closure 10. Prior to use, the cap 40 is removed and the nozzle 18 is inserted into the dispensing system 110. The nozzle 18 sealingly engages a receptor 112, which includes means 114 for pushing the valve ball 26 away from the seat 24. The dispensing of fluid from the container 100 is now controlled by the dispensing system 110. Once the container 100 has been emptied, the container 100 and its closure 10 are removed from the dispensing system 110 allowing the valve ball 26 to seat, thereby closing valve 22. This prevents any escaping of residual fluid as the empty containers 100 are being replaced with full ones.
The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom as some modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the appended claims.
What is claimed is:
The closure 10 of the present invention includes a housing 12 adapted to be threadably secured to a neck 102 of the container bottle 100. The housing 12 includes an annular extension surface 14 having a plurality of protrusions 16 to facilitate gripping during attachment to the container 100.
Extending from the housing 12 is a fluid nozzle 18 through which the fluid is dispensed. The nozzle 18 has a tubular configuration smaller in diameter than the housing 12 and, as shown in Figures 1-3 is off-set from the central vertical axis of the closure 10. The nozzle 18 is configured to matingly engage the dispensing system 110 as will be subsequently described. The nozzle 18 includes an inner fluid passageway 20 within which is seated a valve assembly 22 for controlling fluid flow through the nozzle 18. The valve assembly 22 has a valve seat 24 and a spring-biased valve ball 26 which seals within the valve seat 24 to block fluid flow. A coil spring 28 biases the ball 26 towards the closed position against the seat 24.
Also disposed within the housing 12 is a vent 30 which allows air to replace the dispensed fluid within the container 100. The vent assembly 30 is molded directly within the closure 10 in close proximity to the fluid nozzle 18. The vent 30 comprises a cylindrical passageway 32 in communication with a vent throughbore 34. A vent ball 35 is captured within the cylindrical passageway 32 for movement between a closed position seated within the throughbore 34 and an open position allowing flow through the vent 30. A plurality of protrusions 38 within the passageway 32 keeps the vent ball 36 within the vent passageway 32. The weight of the vent ball 36 serves to close the throughbore 34 by sealing the top of the cylindrical passageway 32. However, as fluid is dispensed from the container 100, a vacuum builds within the housing 12 until the force is sufficient to lift the vent ball 36 from the valve seat 32. This unseating of the vent ball 36 causes air to vent through the closure 10. This enables the fluid to dispense smoothly through the closure 10.
As best shown in Figures 1 and 2, a containment cap 40 is selectively attached to the closure 10. The closure 10 includes an annular rim 42 which encircles not only the nozzle 18 but also the vent passageway 34. The cap 40 has an annular bead 44 on an inside rim of the cap 40, which is received within the rim 42. With the cap 40 positioned on the closure 10, contaminants are kept from the dispensing nozzle 18 prior to use. Additionally, because the cap 40 encircles both the nozzle 18 and the vent assembly 30, any fluid leakage from either passageway will be captured within the cap 40.
The closure 10 is designed to selectively dispense fluid from a container 100 into a dispensing system 110.
Referring to Figure 1, the closure 10 is secured to the container 100 upon filling of the container 100 at the supplier. During transport and storage, the cap 40 is maintained on the closure 10. Prior to use, the cap 40 is removed and the nozzle 18 is inserted into the dispensing system 110. The nozzle 18 sealingly engages a receptor 112, which includes means 114 for pushing the valve ball 26 away from the seat 24. The dispensing of fluid from the container 100 is now controlled by the dispensing system 110. Once the container 100 has been emptied, the container 100 and its closure 10 are removed from the dispensing system 110 allowing the valve ball 26 to seat, thereby closing valve 22. This prevents any escaping of residual fluid as the empty containers 100 are being replaced with full ones.
The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom as some modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the appended claims.
What is claimed is:
Claims (12)
- Claim 1. A dispensing closure adapted to control the flow of fluid from a container, said dispensing closure comprising:
a housing adapted to be attached to the container;
a nozzle extending from said housing in fluid communication with the container, said nozzle having a valve assembly for selectively preventing fluid flow through said nozzle; and a vent formed in said housing proximate said nozzle, said vent including a vent opening and a valve member for selectively closing said vent opening. - Claim 2. The dispensing closure as defined in claim 1 and further comprising a cap detachably mounted to said closure, said cap enclosing said nozzle and said vent opening to selectively prevent fluid leakage from said closure.
- Claim 3. A dispensing closure for selectively dispensing fluid from a container into a receiving system, the dispensing closure comprising:
a housing having an inner threaded surface for threaded attachment to the container, and an outer surface;
a dispensing nozzle contained within the housing and having a dispensing end and a receiving end, a valve assembly for selectively dispensing fluid through the nozzle, the valve assembly being contained within the dispensing end of the nozzle;
a vent contained within the housing at a location displaced from the nozzle. - Claim 4. The dispensing closure as described in claim 3, wherein the dispensing nozzle is laterally displaced from the vertical central axis of the housing.
- Claim 5. The dispensing closure as described in claim 4, wherein the valve assembly contained within the dispensing nozzle comprises:
a circular aperture at the dispensing end of the nozzle, a valve ball sized to fit sealingly within the circular aperture, and a coil spring anchored within the receiving end and the valve ball, the valve ball being biased against and thereby selectively sealing the circular aperture. - Claim 6. The dispensing closure as described in claim 3, wherein the vent comprises an opening and a valve member for selectively closing the vent opening.
- Claim 7. The dispensing closure as described in claim 6 wherein the valve member consists of a vent ball that rests upon the opening within the vent.
- Claim 8. The dispensing closure as described in claim 3, further comprising a cap detachably mounted to the closure, the cap enclosing both the nozzle and the vent.
- Claim 9. A dispensing closure for selectively dispensing fluid from a container into a receiving system, the dispensing closure comprising:
a housing having an inner threaded surface for threaded attachment to the container, and an outer surface, the housing being substantially cylindrical about a central vertical axis;
a dispensing nozzle contained within the housing and having a dispensing end and a receiving end, the nozzle being laterally displaced from the vertical central axis of the housing;
a valve assembly for selectively dispensing fluid through the nozzle, the valve assembly being contained within the dispensing end of the nozzle and having: a circular aperture at the dispensing end of the nozzle; a valve ball sized to fit sealingly within the circular aperture; and a coil spring anchored within the receiving end and the valve ball, such that the valve ball is biased by the spring against the circular aperture, thereby sealing the aperture; and a vent contained within the housing at a location displaced from the nozzle, the vent comprising an opening and a valve member for selectively closing the vent opening. - Claim 10. The dispensing closure as described in claim 9, wherein the valve member of the vent consists of a vent ball that rests upon the opening within the vent.
- Claim 11. The dispensing closure as described in claim 9, further comprising a cap detachably mounted to the closure, the cap enclosing both the nozzle and the vent.
- Claim 12. The dispensing closure as described in claim 9, wherein the dispensing nozzle is integrally molded within the housing, and wherein the vent is formed within the housing at a location displaced apart from the dispensing nozzle.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US13615299P | 1999-05-27 | 1999-05-27 | |
| US60/136,152 | 1999-05-27 | ||
| US57656600A | 2000-05-22 | 2000-05-22 | |
| US09/576,566 | 2000-05-22 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2309568A1 true CA2309568A1 (en) | 2000-11-27 |
Family
ID=26834048
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2309568 Abandoned CA2309568A1 (en) | 1999-05-27 | 2000-05-26 | Fluid dispensing closure |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2309568A1 (en) |
Cited By (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2007105968A1 (en) * | 2006-03-10 | 2007-09-20 | Axial Technologies Limited | Seal for the flow switch valve housing outlet |
| CN1950262B (en) * | 2004-05-05 | 2011-04-27 | 可口可乐公司 | Carbonated beverage dispenser |
| CN108348110A (en) * | 2015-11-04 | 2018-07-31 | 艺康美国股份有限公司 | Distribution system and component can be refilled |
| CN109330429A (en) * | 2018-12-14 | 2019-02-15 | 九牧厨卫股份有限公司 | A kind of negative pressure sustained release mechanism and bathtub |
| US11618612B2 (en) | 2019-02-27 | 2023-04-04 | Container Packaging Systems, LLC | Vented pour spout |
-
2000
- 2000-05-26 CA CA 2309568 patent/CA2309568A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN1950262B (en) * | 2004-05-05 | 2011-04-27 | 可口可乐公司 | Carbonated beverage dispenser |
| WO2007105968A1 (en) * | 2006-03-10 | 2007-09-20 | Axial Technologies Limited | Seal for the flow switch valve housing outlet |
| CN108348110A (en) * | 2015-11-04 | 2018-07-31 | 艺康美国股份有限公司 | Distribution system and component can be refilled |
| CN108348110B (en) * | 2015-11-04 | 2020-12-04 | 艺康美国股份有限公司 | Refillable dispensing system and components |
| CN109330429A (en) * | 2018-12-14 | 2019-02-15 | 九牧厨卫股份有限公司 | A kind of negative pressure sustained release mechanism and bathtub |
| US11618612B2 (en) | 2019-02-27 | 2023-04-04 | Container Packaging Systems, LLC | Vented pour spout |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Dead |