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
  • B65D47/2031—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 the element being formed by a slit, narrow opening or constrictable spout, the size of the outlet passage being able to be varied by increasing or decreasing the pressure

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a closure used to seal a container having a valve.
• the closure is designed to prevent leakage from the valve during transport or storage of the container.
• liquid food products e.g. honey and sauces such as tomato sauce
• containers incorporating a valve which is used to control dispensing of the product.
• liquid toiletries such as shower gel are packaged in such containers, because the valve allows the container to be stored in an inverted position without substantial loss of product, whilst allowing easy dispensing of the product upon activation of the valve.
• a self-closing valve is preferred.
• a self-closing valve opens in response to increased product pressure in the container, achieved for example by a user squeezing the container. When the product pressure is relieved, the valve automatically assumes a closed configuration in which the valve opening is substantially sealed.
• such valves are known to leak a little over time and may be activated accidentally during mishandling or pressure / temperature variation during transport.
• an overcap for the valve, which prevents the valve from opening or leaking, during prolonged storage or transport.
• Many different types of overcap arrangement are described in the prior art.
• Conventional overcap designs are concerned with preventing leakage from the dispensing orifice in the valve.
• the present invention is based upon the acceptance that all valves will leak to some degree, but the level of leakage may be controlled to acceptable levels by reducing the volume of the cavity into which leakage can occur.
• the present invention provides a closure for a container, having a body, a valve with an opening through which the contents of the container may be dispensed and a lid, moveable between open and closed positions relative to the body and shaped to block the opening in the valve when the lid is in its closed position, characterised in that the lid has a projection designed to form a peripheral seal around the valve opening, when the lid is in its closed position and the shape of the lid, within the periphery of the projection substantially conforms to the shape of the body and/or valve within the peripheral seal, to minimise the volume therebetween.
• the closure according to the invention has an open position, in which the contents of the container may be dispensed and a closed position (for transport or storage) , where the closure lid defines a peripheral, fluid tight seal around the valve opening.
• the shape of the lid within the boundary of this peripheral seal is closely matched to the shape of the valve and surrounding closure parts lying within the periphery of the seal. In this way, the volume into which the valve may leak is minimised and any leakage that occurs is limited to an acceptable level in the eyes of the user.
• the closure comprises a body, which carries the valve and is designed to engage the container neck, either removeably (using a screw thread arrangement, for example) or permanently (using a snap-fit arrangement, for example) .
• the closure also has a lid, which is capable of moving relative to the body between open and closed positions. When the lid is in its open position, the contents of the container may be dispensed through the opening in the valve. However, when the lid is in its closed position, it blocks the valve opening, preventing substantial leakage from the valve.
• the lid is not intended to prevent leakage entirely, instead the aim of the invention is to minimise the volume into which leakage may occur, thus controlling the leakage to acceptable levels. If the volume is sufficiently small, then the leakage will form a thin film and surface tension prevents a drip forming. Thus, the surface appears clean.
• the lid is provided with a projection, which is adapted to form a fluid-tight, peripheral seal around the valve opening.
• the fluid-tight seal may be formed by the lid projection applying pressure directly to the valve around the valve opening.
• this is not desirable, particularly where the valve is made from a material which is prone to creep when subjected to an applied load. Such creep may reduce the effectiveness of the peripheral seal over time or may affect the normal dispensing operation of the valve.
• peripheral seal may be provided by interaction between the two most suitable surfaces. Therefore, if the valve is prone to creep, the projection may be arranged to cooperate with the closure body, rather than the valve and thereby create an effective fluid tight seal.
• the lid projection and the closure body are designed to form a bore seal therebetween, when the lid is in its closed position.
• the shape of the lid, within the periphery of the projection must closely match the shape of the valve and/or body of the closure within the peripheral seal, when the lid is in its closed position.
• the shape of the valve protruding from the closure body must be relatively simple, to enable close matching of the portion of the lid within the projection and the portion of the closure body and valve within the peripheral seal.
• FIGURE 1 shows a valve sealing arrangement according to a first embodiment of the invention, comprising a conventional self-closing valve not prone to excessive creep and a lid, shown in its closed position.
• FIGURE 2 shows a valve sealing arrangement according to a second embodiment of the invention, comprising a conventional self-closing valve not prone to excessive creep and a lid, shown in its closed position
• FIGURE 3 shows a closure according to a third embodiment of the invention, having a self-closing valve prone to creep and lid, shown in its closed position.
• a valve sealing arrangement comprises a conventional self-closing valve 1 held in a body 2 by a clip 3 and a lid 5, moveable relative to the body 2 between open and closed positions.
• the body 2 may either form part of a container or a closure.
• the clip is shown attached to the internal surface of the body 2, although it will be appreciated that the relative positions of the body 2 and the clip 3 may be reversed and the clip 3 may be attached to the external surface of the body 2.
• the clip 3 clamps the valve 1 in the body 2, by means of a snap fit connection 23 between the body 2 and the clip 3.
• the valve 1 comprises a securement flange 11, connected to a valve head 15 by a connecting wall 12.
• the valve head takes the form of an inwardly concave dish, with an opening 17 provided in the centre thereof.
• the connecting wall 12 of the valve 1 takes the form of a V-shaped elbow, although many different connecting wall configurations are known from the prior art.
• the connecting wall may have a loose folded configuration, which functions like a rolling diaphragm upon opening of the valve or a simple linear configuration, which simply stretches slightly, as the valve opens .
• the lid 5 is provided with an annular projection 51, which encircles the valve opening 17.
• the annular projection 51 is designed to apply an axial sealing force F to the valve head 15, which is braced by the opposing support 31 provided by the clip 3.
• the interaction between the annular projection 51, the valve head 15 and the support 31, produces the sealing force F, which creates a fluid-tight seal A around the periphery of the valve opening 17.
• the shape of the lid within the periphery of the projection 51 closely matches the shape of the valve head 15 within the periphery of the annular seal A.
• the volume defined between the lid 5 and the valve head 15 within the periphery of the annular seal A is reduced to a minimum, thereby minimising the volume of leakage that can occur from the valve opening 17.
• Figure 2 shows an alternative valve sealing arrangement, in which no force is applied to the valve head 15. This may be an important consideration where the design of the valve head is critical and therefore the application of forces to the valve head for a prolonged period is undesirable.
• the body 2 is designed to apply a radial sealing force F to the connecting wall 12.
• the dimensions of the aperture in the body 2, through which the valve head 15 protrudes, are chosen to provide the necessary radial sealing force F to form a fluid-tight annular seal A.
• the lid 5 has an annular flange 55, which is arranged to form a bore seal with an annular collar 25 provided in the body 2.
• the tip 56 of the annular flange 55 may also be designed to form a face seal within the recess 21 formed in the body 2 adjacent to the collar 25.
• the fluid-tight seal A extends around the periphery of the valve head 15 and thereby encompasses the valve opening 17.
• the shape of the lid 5 within the periphery of the annular flange 55 closely matches the shape of the valve 1 within the periphery of the annular seal A.
• the volume defined between the lid 5, the valve head 15 and valve connecting wall 12 within the periphery of the annular seal A is reduced to a minimum. Thereby minimising the volume of leakage that can occur from the valve opening 17.
• FIG 3 which shows a closure according to the present invention having a valve, which is made from a material that is prone to creep or distortion when subjected to an applied load for prolonged periods, for example TPE.
• TPE rigid polypropylene
• a TPE valve 1 is sequentially moulded to a rigid polypropylene ring 16.
• the polypropylene ring 16 is clipped into a closure body 2 and is held in place by a bead 22.
• the valve has a dish-shaped, inwardly concave valve head 15, which is connected to the polypropylene ring 16 by a connecting wall 12.
• the closure also includes a removable lid 5, which is closed on the body 2 and secured in position by means of a snap fit arrangement 24.
• the lid 5 does not apply any forces to the valve 1, because this could cause distortion. Instead, the lid 5 has an annular flange 55, which is designed to co-operate with the closure body 2 to form a peripheral fluid-tight seal around the valve opening 17.
• the annular flange 55 is arranged to form a bore seal within an annular channel 21 provided in the body 2.
• the tip of the annular flange 55 may also be designed to form a face seal within the annular channel 21 as previously described with reference to the embodiment shown in figure 2.
• the annular flange 55 may be adapted to form a fluid-tight peripheral seal A in the form of a bore seal, a face seal or a combination of the two.
• the fluid-tight seal A extends around the periphery of the valve head 15 and thereby encompasses the valve opening 17.
• the shape of the lid 5 within the periphery of the annular flange 55 closely matches the shape of the valve 1 within the periphery of the annular seal A.
• the volume defined between the lid 5, the valve head 15 and valve connecting wall 12 within the periphery of the annular seal A is reduced to a minimum. Thereby minimising the volume of leakage that can occur from the valve opening 17.
• valve closure can meet this requirement and thus a separate foil seal is not required (e.g. closures for sauce bottles often need a barrier foil under the closure) .

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Closures For Containers (AREA)
• Valve-Gear Or Valve Arrangements (AREA)
• Seal Device For Vehicle (AREA)

Priority Applications (7)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=33427239

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (10)

Cited By (5)

Families Citing this family (12)

Citations (6)

Family Cites Families (4)

• 2004
  • 2004-04-28 EP EP04729845A patent/EP1622814B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2004-04-28 BR BRPI0410017-4A patent/BRPI0410017A/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2004-04-28 CA CA2524477A patent/CA2524477C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2004-04-28 WO PCT/EP2004/004466 patent/WO2004099024A1/en active IP Right Grant
  • 2004-04-28 DE DE602004012733T patent/DE602004012733T2/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2004-04-28 MX MXPA05011982A patent/MXPA05011982A/es active IP Right Grant
  • 2004-04-28 ES ES04729845T patent/ES2303069T3/es not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2004-04-28 US US10/555,490 patent/US20060249545A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2004-04-28 AT AT04729845T patent/ATE390365T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2004-04-28 PL PL04729845T patent/PL1622814T3/pl unknown

Patent Citations (6)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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