GB2500686A

GB2500686A - A dispensing closure

Info

Publication number: GB2500686A
Application number: GB1205637.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Thomas O'connor; Mark Kiel; Richard Page
Original assignee: Obrist Closures Switzerland GmbH
Current assignee: Obrist Closures Switzerland GmbH
Priority date: 2012-03-29
Filing date: 2012-03-29
Publication date: 2013-10-02
Anticipated expiration: 2032-03-29
Also published as: GB2500686B; US20150014370A1; WO2013144265A1; GB201205637D0

Abstract

A dispensing closure for a flowable product, the closure comprising means for causing a varying product discharge direction. For example, a food product such a s mustard or ketchup, may be dispended in a squiggle pattern. The closure includes a spout which has one or more integral flow-directing means such as ramps or slots which may be in a spiral formation.

Description

A DISPENSING CLOSURE

The present invention relates generally to a dispensing closure and particularly a dispensing closure for a flowable product.

There are a huge variety of dispensing closures for dispensing products such as liquids, gels, pastes, semi-solid products and the like. In known dispensing closures the direction in which the product is discharged is constant and linear. This means that if it is required to produce a pattern using the product then the entire pack must be moved to cause a variation in discharge direction.

The present invention seeks to address the shortcomings of known dispensing closures.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a dispensing closure for a tlowable product, the closure comprising means for causing a varying product discharge direction.

According to an alternative aspect of the present invention there is provided a dispensing closure for a flowoble product, the closure comprising means for causing a varying, non-linear product discharge direction.

Dispensing closures formed according to the present invention are therefore configured to introduce deliberate variation in the discharge direction. This allows, for example, non-linear discharge without the need to have off-linear movemeni of the closure. I. C * * S S *C

In use, the discharge direction may be caused to be partly sinuous. For example a 0s*Ste * "squiggle" pattern may be established by a closure which forces a change in direction n.e of the product as it is discharged. Ce"

The closure may comprise a spout. Spouts forming an integral part of a closure are envisaged, as are separate spouts which are attached or atlachable to a closure * body. The spout moy be formed from the same or a different material as the rest of a e$c closure. For example, in some embodiments spouts may be formed from soft' material.

Elastomeric materials such as thermoplastic elastomers or silicone may be used.

The spout may include one or more interior flow-directing surfaces, for example one or more ramps arranged in a spiral pattern. Where a plurality of ramps are provided they may be discrete. Additionally or alternatively the spout may comprise one or more flow-directing slots.

In some embodiments the spout itself is fixed so that flow-directing surfaces are used to introduce variation in the discharge direction. Alternatively or additionally the spout may be movable, for example in response to product flow therethrough.

The closure may be movable between an open and a closed position. The closure may therefore indude a dispensing passage which can be blocked or unblocked W depending on the configuration of the closure. In some embodiments, for example, part of the closure can be rotated to move the closure between the open and closed positions.

The present invention also provides a condiment dispensing closure comprising a closure as described herein. The present invention may find particular utility with condiments such as mustards, ketchups and the like.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided o closure as described herein in combination with a container. A dispensing pack comprising a dispensing closure and a suitable container is therefore envisaged.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a discharge spout for a dispensing closure, the spout comprising means for causing a varying product discharge direction therefrom.

The spout described herein may therefore be used as part of the dispensing closure * .. *.e * . described herein. **. 0�*

Further particular and preferred aspects of the present invention are set out in the accompanying independent and dependent claims. Features of the dependent *. : claims may be combined with the features of the independent claims as appropriate, * * * and in combination olher Ihan those explicitly set out in the claims. en

The present invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an illustration of a dispensing closure formed according to the present invention in use; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a dispensing closure formed according to the present invention; Figure 3 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 is a perspective magnified view of a spout region of a closure of the type shown in Figure 2; Figure 5 is a magnified view of the spout region of a closure of the type shown in Figure 3; Figure 6 is a side view of a closure formed according to an alternative embodiment; Figure 7 is a perspective view of the closure Figure 6; Figure 8 is a perspective view of the closure of Figure 6 and 7 shown with a dust cap removed; Figure 9 is a side view of the closure of Figures 6 to 8 shown attached to a container; and Figure 10 is an illustration of a closure farmed according to an alternative embodiment and shown in use.

Referring first to Figure 1 there is shown a dispensing closure generally indicated 10 and connected to a container 15. The closure 10 is, in this embodiment, a flip top closure including a base 20 and a lid 25 connected together by a hinge 30. The base 20 includes a spout or nozzle 35 through which product (in this embodiment mustard) 40 is *...

discharged. As described in more detail below, when the closure 10 is used to discharge product it can be moved in a generally linear direction A whilst producing a generally sinuous or squiggle" pattern 45.

3. Figure 2 shows a closure 110 of the same general type as the closure 10 shown in Figure 1. The closure 110 includes a discharge spout 135 for causing the varying product discharge direction. Similarly. Figure 3 shows a closure 210 with a discharge spout 235.

The closure 110 of Figure 2 operates using the principles described in relation to Figure 4.

Figure 4 shows a closure base 320 including a dispensing orifice 350 which terminates with a dispensing spout 335.

The spout 335 is generally cylindrical and in this embodiment is formed from a thermoplastic elastomer [WE). The interior surface 336 of the spout 335 is provided with four circumferentially spaced spiral ramps 337 which project radially inwardly.

In use, product is forced through the orifice 350 and into the interior of the spout 335 whereupon it passes over the ramps 337. This prevents the product from following a simple linear flow path and instead introduces a vortex-like effect causing the fluid to spiral as it exits the spout to cause a varying product discharge direction.

The closure 210 of Figure 3 operates using the principles described in relation to FigureS, Figure 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment in which a base 420 is again provided with a spout 435, In this embodiment the spout 435 is again generally cylindrical and in this case is provided with four mutually spaced, separate spiral slots 438 extending from its free end. The slots are generally longitudinal i.e. they run along the length of the spout in the general direction of product flow. There is only one discrete ramp on the interior of each part of the nozzle i.e. The ramps do no contact each other or extend from each other and each forms less than a complete turn. The slots 438 function in a similar way to the ramps 337 ot the closure nozzle 335 in as much as they force a non-linear flow path into discharging product.

Figures 6 to 8 show a closure 510 formed according to an alternative embodiment. The closure base 520 is provided with a central noule 522 which detines a dispensing passageway that terminates with a discharge spout 535. The spout 535 is provided with flow direction control means (not shown).

The nozzle 522 is rotatable with respect to the base 520 as illustrated by arrow B in Figure 7 to cause an internal dispensing passage to be opened and closed by rotation in the clockwise and anti-clockwise directions. * * * * **

The closure 510 is further provided with a removable cap 555.

Referring now to Figure 10 there is shown a closure 610 formed according to an alternative embodiment. The closure 610 comprises a base 620 with a turret-like upstand 624 from which extends a generally tubular discharge spout 635. The spout 635 is formed from a TPE material and is thus flexible and resilient. Due lo the length of the spout 635 and the thickness of the material from which it is formed it is not entirely self-supporting; in other words it has a tendency to move. When product is forced through the spout 635 it is caused to oscillate in direction C so product is dispensed in a sinuous pattern 645.

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. * * * * .. *

S..... * . S... S. S *SS

Claims

CLAIMS1. A dispensing closure for a flowable product. the closure comprising means for causing a varying product discharge direction.
2. A dispensing closure for a flowable product the closure comprising means for causing a varying, non-linear product discharge direction.
3. A closure as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which, in use, the discharge direction is caused to be at least partly sinuous.
4. A closure as claimed in any preceding claim) in which the closure comprises a spout.
5. A closure as claimed in Claim 4, in which the spout includes one or more interior flow-directing surfaces.
6. A closure as claimed in Claim 5, in which the surfaces comprise one or more ramps.
7. A closure as claimed in Claim 5 or Claim 6, in which the surfaces are arranged in a spiral pattern.
8. A closure as claimed in any of Claims 4 to 7, in which the spout comprises one or more flow-directing slots.
9. A closure as claimed in any of Claims 4 toS, in which the spout is movable.
10. A closure as claimed in any of Claims 4 to 9, in which the spout is a mdvable in *.: 30 response to product flow therethraugh.
11. A closure as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the closure is movable between an open position and a closed position.
12. A dispensing closure substantially as hereinbefore described with reterence to, and as shown, in the accompanying drawings.
13. A condiment dispensing closure comprising a closure as claimed in any preceding claim.
14. A closure as claimed in any preceding claim in combination with a container.
15. A discharge spout for a dispensing closure, the spout comprising means for causing a varying product discharge direction therefrom.
16. A discharge spout substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings. * * * * ** * * ** ** * **.* ** . * * . * * ***