EP1603808A1 - Closure device - Google Patents
Closure deviceInfo
- Publication number
- EP1603808A1 EP1603808A1 EP04710560A EP04710560A EP1603808A1 EP 1603808 A1 EP1603808 A1 EP 1603808A1 EP 04710560 A EP04710560 A EP 04710560A EP 04710560 A EP04710560 A EP 04710560A EP 1603808 A1 EP1603808 A1 EP 1603808A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- fluid container
- closure cap
- stud
- container according
- closure
- 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.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D47/00—Closures with filling and discharging, or with discharging, devices
- B65D47/04—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps
- B65D47/20—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge
- B65D47/2018—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge comprising a valve or like element which is opened or closed by deformation of the container or closure
- B65D47/2056—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge comprising a valve or like element which is opened or closed by deformation of the container or closure lift valve type
- B65D47/2081—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge comprising a valve or like element which is opened or closed by deformation of the container or closure lift valve type in which the deformation raises or lowers the valve port
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D47/00—Closures with filling and discharging, or with discharging, devices
- B65D47/04—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps
- B65D47/32—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps with means for venting
Definitions
- the invention relates to a fluid container comprising a closure device for closing the fluid container, which closure device comprises a movable closure cap provided with at least one outflow opening, which closure device comprises a stud corresponding with the outflow opening, the closure cap being able to move, under the influence of overpressure in the fluid container, in axial direction of the stud between a closing position and an outflow position, in which outflow position the outflow opening is free with respect to the stud.
- a container is known from European patent publication EP700353 and serves to store and use fluids including viscous substances such as soaps and shampoos and the like.
- the known closure cap is made of elastic material and contains a number of concentric folds intended to make the closure cap carry out a better axial movement along the stud. In this manner, the closure is improved and the closure cap can move back and forth like an accordion.
- a drawback of the known closure cap is that the dose rate strongly depends on the type of fluid enclosed in the container. As a result, with a relatively less viscous fluid, an undesirably large amount of fluid may flow out of the container, and with a relatively more viscous fluid, less fluid, or a considerably higher pressure may be needed to be able to dose the required amount of fluid.
- This object is achieved by a fluid container of the above type, whose closure cap comprises a snap ..one in order to undergo a relatively sudden deformation and move to the outflow position under the influence of a relatively high first overpressure, and to be maintained in the outflow position under the influence of a relatively low second overpressure.
- the snap zone comprises an annular middle part, which comprises a curve in which, during the provision of overpressure in the container, a pressure build-up may be created.
- the snap zone may comprise a weakening. Such a weakening offers the opportunity to achieve a more reliable and reproducible snap, which always occurs under roughly the same conditions at virtually always the same location.
- the snap zone has a smaller thickness than a part " of the closure cap located closer to the rims.
- the closure cap preferably has an inward conical form in the closing position and an outward conical shape in the outflow position. By such an inward conical shape, upon axial movement, the closure cap will be slightly compressed, so that the pressure build-up can be increased.
- the closure device comprises a return valve so that air can be sucked into the fluid container to compensate for the fluid flown out.
- the return valve serves as a so-called "double ventilation", with air flowing in via the outflow opening, when the overpressure in the bottle falls out because the user stops squeezing it. Because of the semi-stable opening position of the closure cap, the air can initially flow back via the outflow opening, so that the fluid jet is interrupted.
- the return valve may be designed with a slot provided in a rim piece which connects to the rim of the closure cap, which slot can be closed by a strip connected to the flexible closure cap.
- the stud comprises means for carrying out a slight axial movement.
- Such means may comprise a flexible transverse part on which the stud is provided.
- Such a stud with a flexible design may function as a return valve in that, when the air flows back and due to underpressure in the container, the stud carries out a slight inward movement. Further, such a flexible stud can prevent that, with too large pressure increases or accelerations, the closing device could be opened undesirably so that fluid could flow away in too large a dose.
- the stud By suing the flesdble suspension, in such a case, the stud initially moves along with the closure cap and a delay or slowing down of such phenomena is effected, so that the closure device has a slight lagging effect on the forces applied on it. This promotes the ease of use and prevents the container from being emptied undesirably.
- the stud may have a conical design.
- the outflow opening of the closure cap may comprise an upstanding rim which, in closing position, fittingly closes over a length around the stud.
- the upstanding rim is shortened in order to cut the fluid jet during the closing movement and thus create a clean closure without dripping or drawing fluid strings.
- Fig. 1 diagrammatically shows, in side elevational view, the fluid container according to the invention
- Fig. 2 diagrammatically shows, in side elevational view, the fluid container according to the invention, with the closure cap in closing position;
- Fig. 3 diagrammatically shows, in side elevational view, the fluid container according to the invention, with the closure cap in outflow position
- Fig. 4 diagrammatically shows, in side elevational view, the fluid container according to the invention, with air being sucked in via the outflow position
- Fig. 5 diagrammatically shows, in side elevational view, the fluid container according to the invention, with air being sucked in via a return valve;
- Fig. 6 diagrammatically shows an alternative embodiment of the fluid container according to the invention;
- Fig! 7 diagrammatically shows, in side elevational view, the fluid container according to Fig. 6;
- Fig. 8 shows, in cross section, a closure cap according to the preferred embodiment;
- Fig. 9a diagrammatically shows the snapping behavior of the closure cap of Fig. 8;
- Fig. 9b is a force-distance diagram which shows the snapping behavior at a position A-A in Fig. 9a.
- a (part of a) fluid container 1 is diagrammatically shown.
- the closure device 2 is shown in perspective view;
- Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view.
- the fluid container 1 is preferably manufactured from an inexpensive plastic, for instance LEP or L DPE, and may further comprise numerous types of fluids (not shown), while the material of the hning can be adjusted to the type of fluid enclosed.
- fluid will also be understood to comprise various viscous substances and semi-fluids such as soaps, shampoos and the like.
- the container 1 is locked by a closure device 2.
- the closure device 2 comprises a rim piece 3 of a relatively rigid material.
- the rim piece is coupled along a perimeter 4 with a flexible closure cap 5 comprising a central outflow opening 6.
- the wall 7 is shown to form a part of the fluid container 1.
- This wall 7 is usually somewhat reinforced or at least manufactured from rigid material, and, according to the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 2, it forms a cylindrical cavity in which the rim piece 3 and the closure cap 5 can be clamped, with the closure cap being held between the rim piece 3 and the wall 7.
- the rim piece 3 and closure cap 5 appear to consist of separate components, these components are connected to one another outside the plane of the drawing and both parts are preferably formed in one whole.
- the closure cap further comprises a lip 8 which, together with a slot 9 in the rim piece 3, forms a return valve 10, whose function will be further elucidated with reference to Fig. 5.
- an opening 11 is formed, that is to say, fluid can flow through an opening 11 in the rim piece, and the perimeter of the rim piece is at least substantially contiguous to the wall 7 of the fluid container 1.
- the rim piece 3 further comprises a stud 12 which connected through at least one transverse part 13 to the perimeter of the rim piece 3 in order to position the stud 12.
- the stud is positioned centrally in the opening 11 and fluid can flow all round through a star-shaped configuration of transverse part 13 contacting the stud 12.
- other configurations are also possible, for instance a configuration in which the stud 12 is positioned more near the perimeter of the rim and offers a passage only on one side for allowing fluid to flow through.
- the closure cap 5 is axially movably provided over the stud 12.
- the closure cap is shown in a closing position. In this position, the closure cap 5 closes the fluid container 1 and the fluid cannot flow out of it because the closure cap 5 fittingly closes around the stud 12.
- This position is the position of rest; i.e. only by providing an overpressure in the container 1, for instance by squeezing it, the closure cap can be moved out of this position.
- Fig. 3 shows how the closure cap 5 is brought into the outflow position. In this case, in the bottle, a relatively large overpressure is provided by squeezing it tightly for a moment.
- the closure cap 5 undergoes a deformation and moves from the closing position shown in Fig. 2 to the outflow position shown in Figure 3.
- the closure cap 5 has now moved in an axial direction along the stud 12 and thereby moves away from the stud 12.
- a space 14 is created around the stud so that fluid can flow out of the fluid container 1.
- the closure cap 5 is designed so that it undergoes a relatively sudden deformation by squeezing of the fluid container 1, and moves to the second outflow position shown. Once in this position, the closure cap 5 can be kept in the outflow position under the influence of a relatively low second overpressure. It is therefore not necessary for a consumer to keep squeezing the container tightly.
- Figs. 4 and 5 further show the return movement of the closure cap, when, after squeezing the fluid out of the container, the pressure is reduced, so that the closure cap jumps back to the position of rest shown in Fig. 2 where the closure cap 5 is in the closing position. Before it is in this position, however, an amount of air can flow through the outflow opening 6 into the bottle as shown according to arrows P.
- a return valve 10 has been provided in the rim piece, so that air can be sucked into the fluid container 1.
- a return valve 10 can be formed easily by a Up 8, which is part of the closure cap 5.
- the lip 8 is brought into a slot 9 and closes the container from the environmental air on one side 15.
- the lip In the position of rest, or while applying a certain overpressure, or when the fluid presses against it, the lip is pushed against side 15, so that the lip closes the container.
- the lip 8 can move to the side 16 facing away from the side 15, so that the air flows into the container via slot 9 as shown by arrow . Because the air can be sucked into the container 1 already at a relatively small underpressure, the container can be manufactured from a less rigid material, which reduces production costs.
- Figs. 6 and 7, finally, show a modification of the concept shown in Figs. 1-5 in which the stud 12 also can move flexibly because it is mounted on a flexible transverse part 17.
- the flexible transverse part 17 can comprise a slightly curved, for instance star-shaped suspension, so that the rigid middle stud 12 can carry out a slight axial movement under the influence of, for instance, a sudden acceleration, for instance by a shock caused by the bottle falling on the ground or by the bottle suddenly being squeezed.
- This embodiment initially prevents the outflow opening 6 from being opened because, in that case, the stud moves along with the closure cap 5 so that the outflow opening 6 remains closed.
- a outflow opening 6 is formed.
- Figs. 1-7 show the stud having a conical shape.
- the outflow opening of the closure cap can comprise a upstanding rim 18 which, in a closing position, fittingly closes over a length around the stud.
- a concentric thickening (not shown) can be provided for obtaining a line closure.
- Fig. 8 shows a further perspective view of a cross section of the closure cap 5 according to the invention.
- the closure cap 5 comprises a snap zone 19 in order to undergo a relatively sudden deformation and to move to a outflow position under the influence of a relatively high first overpressure, and to be maintained in the outflow position under the influence of a relatively low second underpressure.
- the snap zone 19 is shown in the
- FIG. 19 as an annular middle part which comprises a curve in which, during the application of an overpressure in the container, a pressure build-up may be created.
- the Figure shows a substantially uniform annular snap zone 19, other geometries like star-shaped zones or the like may achieve a similar effect.
- Analysis shows that inter alia the curve, the thickness and the geometry of the snap zone 19 influence the snap effect in connection with the invention, so that the skilled person, in practice, inter alia by means of finite element analysis, is capable of adjusting the perimeters mentioned in order to control an optimal snap behavior of the closure cap 5.
- the snap zone 19 is further provided with a relatively smaller thickness than the part 20 which is located closer to the perimeter of the closure cap 5.
- FIGs. 9a and 9b show a further preferred embodiment of the closure cap 5.
- the upstanding rim is shortened here. Through this shortening the fluid jet is better cut off during the closing movement so that dripping or the occurrence of fluid strings is prevented.
- the upstanding rim 18, in the position of rest, is substantially contiguous to the wall of the stud (not shown).
- the shortened part 21 comprises a top surface 22 oriented substantially transverse to the upstanding wall. Between the top surface 22 and the upstanding rim 18, a sharp transition 23 is present.
- closure cap 5 is illustrated in the position of rest 24 (closing position) wherein the closure cap comprises a concave conic form.
- outflow position 25 is illustrated. In this position a snap 26 has occurred, so that the closure cap can be kept in stable condition, by maintaining a relatively light overpressure in the container.
- Fig. 9b shows the force-distance diagram obtained by finite element analysis in the configuration shown in Fig. 9a.
- a thickness variation was applied at the position of line A- A.
- a movement initially requires relatively much force shown by the letter F
- the thickness By varying the thickness, the required maximum force can be adjusted, wherein the upper line 27 shows a force-distance curve with a relatively large thickness of the closure cap, and the lower line 28 shows the force -distance curve with a relatively less large thickness of the closure cap at the location of the line A-A.
- a force-distance diagram can be influenced by applying a weakening 29 which can be arranged at a certain position along the line R in the snap sone. Varying of the thickness of the closure cap 5 at the location of rim parts B and C also appears to influence the snap behavior.
- rim piece 3 and closure cap 5 may be formed from one material by injection molding. Further, it is also possible that multiple studs are used. Such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Closures For Containers (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
NL1022657 | 2003-02-12 | ||
NL1022657A NL1022657C2 (en) | 2003-02-12 | 2003-02-12 | Valve. |
PCT/NL2004/000107 WO2004076308A1 (en) | 2003-02-12 | 2004-02-12 | Closure device |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1603808A1 true EP1603808A1 (en) | 2005-12-14 |
Family
ID=32923869
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP04710560A Withdrawn EP1603808A1 (en) | 2003-02-12 | 2004-02-12 | Closure device |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1603808A1 (en) |
NL (1) | NL1022657C2 (en) |
TW (1) | TW200420474A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2004076308A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2895687B1 (en) * | 2006-01-02 | 2008-07-04 | Lvmh Rech | FLUID PRODUCT DISTRIBUTION NOZZLE, DISTRIBUTION DEVICE COMPRISING SUCH A NOZZLE, AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING |
DE102006017957B3 (en) * | 2006-04-13 | 2007-05-16 | Kunststofftechnik Waidhofen An | Self-closing valve, e.g. for a toiletries squeeze bottle, has a valve membrane with a dispensing opening released and closed by pressure difference |
TWI651070B (en) * | 2013-12-06 | 2019-02-21 | 瑞士商拜耳保健消費品股份有限公司 | Dispenser for dispensing flowable materials |
CA2944796A1 (en) * | 2014-04-04 | 2015-10-08 | Is/\Mi Vision Inc. | Valve closures |
DE102018208110A1 (en) * | 2018-05-23 | 2019-11-28 | F. Holzer Gmbh | Dispensing head and dispensing device for metered dispensing of liquid preparations and possible uses |
Family Cites Families (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4420101A (en) * | 1981-11-18 | 1983-12-13 | Diamond International Corp. | Squeeze bottle with self-venting dispensing closure |
GB2198418A (en) * | 1986-10-17 | 1988-06-15 | Hilcrest Design Ltd | Cap for a flexible container |
SE501740C2 (en) | 1993-06-04 | 1995-05-02 | Billy Nilson | Self-closing closure device for dispensing liquid substance, including a flexible membrane provided with deformation zones |
JPH0939990A (en) * | 1995-08-02 | 1997-02-10 | Toyo Seikan Kaisha Ltd | Self-sealing cap |
DE29818414U1 (en) * | 1998-10-15 | 1999-01-07 | Georg Menshen GmbH & Co KG, 57413 Finnentrop | Self-closing valve arrangement for a container dispensing opening |
-
2003
- 2003-02-12 NL NL1022657A patent/NL1022657C2/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
2004
- 2004-02-12 WO PCT/NL2004/000107 patent/WO2004076308A1/en active Search and Examination
- 2004-02-12 TW TW93103286A patent/TW200420474A/en unknown
- 2004-02-12 EP EP04710560A patent/EP1603808A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
See references of WO2004076308A1 * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
TW200420474A (en) | 2004-10-16 |
NL1022657C2 (en) | 2004-08-16 |
WO2004076308A1 (en) | 2004-09-10 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20050909 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PT RO SE SI SK TR |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Extension state: AL LT LV MK |
|
DAX | Request for extension of the european patent (deleted) | ||
RIN1 | Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected) |
Inventor name: BURGERS, EDWARD, VICTOR Inventor name: KUHN, PETRUS, HENRICUS, ALOYSIUS, NICOLAAS |
|
17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 20090415 |
|
RAP1 | Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred) |
Owner name: UNILEVER PLC |
|
RAP1 | Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred) |
Owner name: UNILEVER NV Owner name: UNILEVER PLC |
|
GRAP | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1 |
|
INTG | Intention to grant announced |
Effective date: 20140925 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN |
|
18D | Application deemed to be withdrawn |
Effective date: 20140902 |