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

• This invention relates to a valve for dispensing a product (e.g., a fluent material) from a container or other source of the product.
• a product e.g., a fluent material
• the valve is particularly suitable for incorporation in a dispensing closure for use with a squeezable container.
• packages which include (1) a container, (2) a dispensing system extending as a unitary part of, or as an attachment to, the container, and (3) a product contained within the container.
• One type of such a package employs one or more dispensing valves for discharging one or more streams of product (which may be a gas, liquid, cream, powder, or particulate product). See, for example, U.S. Patent No. 5,271,531, No. 6,112,951, and No.
• the valve is a flexible, resilient, self-sealing, slit-type valve at one end of a bottle or container which typically has resiliently flexible sidewalls which can be squeezed to pressurize the container interior.
• the valve is normally closed and can withstand the weight of the product when the container is completely inverted, so that the product will not leak out unless the container is squeezed.
• the valve opens.
• Such a valve can be designed so that it can also be opened merely by subjecting the exterior side of the valve to a sufficiently reduced pressure (e.g., as by sucking on the valve).
• Such a type of valve can also be designed to stay open, at least until the pressure differential across the valve drops below a predetermined value.
• Such a valve can be designed to snap closed if the pressure differential across the open valve drops below a predetermined amount.
• the valve can also be designed to open inwardly to vent air into the container when the pressure within the container is less than the ambient external pressure, and this accommodates the return of the resilient container wall from an inwardly squeezed condition to the normal, unstressed condition.
• Such a resilient valve typically includes a central head portion which is recessed inwardly from surrounding portions of the valve which project outwardly.
• the U.S. Patent No. 6,230,940 illustrates one form of such a valve mounted in the dispensing opening of a closure body by means of a groove in the valve exterior which receives a mounting flange of the closure.
• valve may also be advantageous to provide an improved valve that would dispense a product accurately without premature or undesired product discharge, but with good product cut-off at the termination of dispensing and with little or no mess of product left on the exterior of the valve or package containing the valve.
• the present invention provides a dispensing valve that may include one or more of the above-discussed, desired features.
• the present invention provides an improved dispensing valve for a fluent material dispensing system.
• a fluent material dispensing system could include, for example, a container that has an opening to the container interior, and the valve could be mounted in the opening.
• the valve can be easily operated by the user to dispense fluent material in a desired direction to a target region that can be readily observed during dispensing.
• the dispensing valve comprises flexible, resilient material defining (a) a mounting base, and (b) a narrowing dispensing head extending outwardly from the base to a dispensing tip defined in an end portion of the dispensing head.
• the valve dispensing head defines a normally closed dispensing orifice which opens to permit flow therethrough in response to a pressure differential across the valve.
• the ' dispensing head has a tapering wall with a thickness that continuously decreases along most of its height at least to the tip.
• the tip has a wall thickness that is equal to, or less than, the smallest thickness of the tapering wall.
• the valve can function easily in a way that allows the user to readily view, target, and control the dispensing of fluent material.
• FIG. 1 is an exploded, isometric view of an exemplary dispensing system in the form of a separate dispensing closure which includes a preferred embodiment of the dispensing valve of the invention, and the dispensing closure is shown in FIG. 1 in a non-dispensing configuration, after installation on a container but with the overcap removed, and from a vantage point generally above, or from the top of, the closure;
• FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the system in FIG. 1, but FIG. 2 shows the overcap installed;
• FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but FIG. 3 shows the closure prior to installation on the container;
• FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the plane 4-4 in FIG. 3;
• FIG. 5 is a isometric view of the closure body
• FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the closure body shown in FIG. 5;
• FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the closure body shown in FIGS. 5 and 6;
• FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the plane 8-8 in FIG. 6;
• FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the plane 9-9 in FIG. 6;
• FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the plane 10-10 in FIG. 6;
• FIG. 11 is a isometric view of the preferred embodiment of the valve from a vantage point generally above, or from the top of, the valve;
• FIG. 12 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken generally along the plane
• FIG. 13 is a isometric view of the clamp member of the closure from a vantage point generally above, or from the top of, the clamp member;
• FIG. 14, is a bottom view of the clamp member shown in FIG. 13;
• FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the plane 15-15 in
• FIG. 14
• FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the overcap shown in FIG. 1;
• FIG. 17 is a front, isometric view of a second form of the dispensing system that incorporates the dispensing valve of the present invention and that is in the form of a separate closure having a hinged overcap, but FIG. 17 omits the valve and clamp member component;
• FIG. 18 is a front, isometric view of a third, or alternate, form of a dispensing system that incorporates a second embodiment of the dispensing valve of the present invention wherein the dispensing system is in the form of a separate dispensing closure shown in a non-dispensing configuration, after installation on a container but with the overcap removed, and from a vantage point generally above, or from the top of, the closure;
• FIG. 19 is a view similar to FIG. 18 , but with the third form of the dispensing closure removed to reveal all the detailed structure of the top of the container which is adapted for receiving the dispensing closure;
• FIG. 20 is an isometric view of the second embodiment of the dispensing valve employed in the third form of the dispensing closure, and the valve is viewed from a vantage point generally above, or from the top of, the valve;
• FIG. 21 is an isometric view of the clamp member of the third form of the dispensing closure shown in FIG. 18 from a vantage point generally above, or from the top of, the clamp member;
• FIG. 22 is an isometric view of the closure body which is adapted to receive the valve and clamp member of the third form of the dispensing closure illustrated in FIG. 18, and the isometric view of the closure body is taken from a vantage point generally above, or from the top of, the closure body;
• FIG. 23 is an isometric view of the overcap for the third form of the closure illustrated in FIG.18, and the isometric view of the overcap is taken from a vantage point generally above, or from the top of, the overcap;
• FIG. 24 is side elevation view of the overcap shown on FIG.23;
• FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the plane 25-25 in FIG. 24;
• FIG. 26 is a top plan view of the third form of the dispensing closure on the container with the overcap installed as shown in FIG. 27;
• FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the plane 27-27 in •FIG. 26;
• FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the plane 28-28 in
• FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the plane 29-29 in FIG. 28;
• FIG. 30 is a side elevational view of the second embodiment of the valve shown in FIG. 20;
• FIG. 31 is a top plan view of the second embodiment of the valve;
• FIG. 31A is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the plane 31 A-31 A in FIG. 31;
• FIG. 3 IB is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the plane 31B-3 IB in FIG. 31;
• FIG. 32 is a bottom plan view of the clamp member shown in FIG. 21 ;
• FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional view of the clamp member taken generally along the plane 33-33 in FIG. 32;
• FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view of the clamp member taken generally along the plane 34-34 in FIG. 33;
• FIG. 35 is a bottom plan view of the closure body shown in FIG. 22;
• FIG. 36 is a top plan view of the third form closure body illustrated in FIG. 35;
• FIG. 37 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the plane 37-37 in FIG. 36;
• FIG. 38 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the plane 38-38 in
• FIG. 36
• FIG. 39 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the plane 39-39 in FIG. 36;
• FIG.40 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the plane 40-40 in FIG. 37;
• FIG.41 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the plane 41-41 in FIG. 38;
• FIG.42 is a top plan view of the third form of the dispensing closure with the overcap installed, but with the dispensing closure removed from the container;
• FIG.43 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the plane 43-43 in
• FIG. 42; and FIG. 44 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the plane 44-44 in FIG. 42;
• valve of this invention may be manufactured, stored, transported, used, and sold in an orientation other than the position described.
• valve of this invention is suitable for use with a variety of conventional or special dispensing systems, including containers having various designs, the details of which, although not illustrated or described, would be apparent to those having skill in the art and an understanding of such containers.
• container and closure, per se, that are described herein form no part of, and therefore are not intended to limit, the valve of the present invention. It will also be understood by those of ordinary skill that novel and non-obvious inventive aspects are embodied in the described valve alone.
• FIGS. 1-16 illustrate a first embodiment of the dispensing valve of the present invention as part of a dispensing closure system that is designated generally by reference number 20 in FIG. 1.
• the system 20 that includes the dispensing valve is provided in the form of a separate closure 20 which is adapted to be mounted or installed on a container 22 (FIGS. 1 and 2) that would typically contain a fluent material.
• the container 22 includes body 24 and a neck 26 as shown in FIG. 2.
• the neck 26 defines an opening 28 to the container interior.
• the container neck 26, in the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 has an external, male thread 29 for engaging the closure 20.
• the body 24 of the container 22 may have any suitable configuration, and the upwardly projecting neck 26 may have a different cross-sectional size and/or shape than the container body 24. (Alternatively, the container 22 need not have a neck 26, per se. Instead, the container 22 may consist of just a body with an opening.)
• the container body 24 may have a rigid wall or walls, or may have a somewhat flexible wall or walls.
• At least a body or base portion of the closure 20 optionally may be provided as a unitary portion, or extension, of the top of the container 22.
• the closure 20 is a separate article or unit (e.g., a dispensing closure 20) which can be either one-piece or multiple pieces, and which is adapted to be removably, or non-removably, installed on a previously manufactured container 22 that has an opening 28 to the container interior.
• a dispensing closure 20 will be more simply referred to as the closure 20.
• the illustrated, preferred form of the closure 20 is adapted to be used with a container 22 having an opening 28 to provide access to the container interior and to a product contained therein.
• the closure 20 can be used to dispense many materials, including, but not limited to, relatively low or high viscosity liquids, creams, gels, suspensions, mixtures, lotions, etc. (such as a material constituting a food product, a beverage product, a personal care product, an industrial or household cleaning product, or other compositions of matter (e.g., compositions for use in activities involving manufacturing, commercial or household maintenance, construction, agriculture, medical treatment, military operations, etc.)).
• the container 22 with which the closure 20 may be used would typically be a squeezable container having a flexible wall or walls which can be grasped by the user and squeezed or compressed to increase the internal pressure within the container so as to force the product out of the container and through the opened closure.
• a flexible container wall typically has sufficient, inherent resiliency so that when the squeezing forces are removed, the container wall returns to its normal, unstressed shape.
• Such a squeezable container is preferred in many applications but may not be necessary or preferred in other applications. For example, in some applications it may be desirable to employ a generally rigid container, and to pressurize the container interior at selected times with a piston or other pressurizing system, or to reduce the exterior ambient pressure so as to suck the material out through the open closure.
• closure 20 It is presently contemplated that many applications employing the closure 20 will conveniently be realized by molding at least some of the components of the closure 20 from suitable thermoplastic material or materials.
• suitable thermoplastic material such as, but not limited to, polypropylene.
• the closure components may be separately molded— and may be molded from different materials. The materials may have the same or different colors and textures.
• the particular illustrated closure 20 includes three basic components, (1) a body 30, (2) a dispensing valve 32 of the present invention which is adapted to be mounted on the body 30, and (3) a decorative cone or clamp member 34 that retains the valve 32 on the upper part of the body 30.
• An optional overcap 36 is provided to cover the valve 32. The overcap 36 can be moved to expose the valve 32 for dispensing.
• the overcap 36 is movable between (1) a closed position over the body 30, clamp member 34, and valve 32 (as shown in FIG.
• the overcap 36 may be a separate component which is completely removable from the closure body 30 (as in the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-16), or the overcap 36 may be tethered to the body with a strap, or the overcap 36 may be hinged to the body 30 so as to accommodate pivoting movement from the closed position to an open position (as shown in FIG.
• the body 30 includes a base 40 for extending from the container (when the closure body 30 is mounted on the container 22 as shown in FIG. 2).
• a peripheral collar 44 (FIG. 8) extends around the base 40 and is connected to the base 40 with at least one bridge 48 in the preferred embodiment.
• FIG. 6 there are two bridges 48. At least one slot 50 (FIG. 6) is defined in the body 30. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, there are two slots 50 defined between the body base 40 and the surrounding collar 44.
• a spout or support column 54 projects outwardly from the base 40.
• a discharge passage 56 extends through the support column 54 and base 40 so as to be in communication with the container opening 28 when the base 40 is installed on the container neck 26 (FIG.
• the interior of the base 40 defines an internal, female thread 58 for threadingly engaging the container neck external, male thread 29 (FIG. 2) when the dispensing closure body 30 is installed on the container neck 26.
• the closure body base 40 could be provided with some other container connecting means, such as a snap-fit bead or groove (not illustrated) for engaging a container neck groove or bead (not illustrated), respectively.
• the closure body base 40 could instead be permanently attached to the container 22 by means of induction melting, ultrasonic melting, gluing, or the like, depending on materials used for the closure body base 40 and container 22.
• the closure body base 40 could also be formed as a unitary part, or extension, of the container 22.
• the closure body base 40 may have any suitable configuration for accommodating an upwardly projecting neck 26 of the container 22 or for accommodating any other portion of a container received within the particular configuration of the closure body base 40— even if a container does not have a neck, per se.
• the main part of the container body 24 may have a different cross-sectional shape than the container neck 26 and closure body base 40.
• An optional seal or liner may be sealed across the top of the container neck 26 or, alternatively, may be sealed across an interior region or underside of the upper portion of the closure body base 40.
• the closure body base 40 may be provided with an interior, annular seal member (not illustrated) extending downwardly from the underside of the upper portion of the closure body base 40.
• Such a seal member could be conventional "plug" profile seal, a "crab's claw” seal, a flat seal, a V seal, or some other such conventional or special seal, depending upon the particular application and depending upon whether or not a liner is employed.
• the closure body base 40 has a generally annular configuration.
• the closure body base 40 may have other configurations.
• the closure body base 40 might have a prism or polygon configuration adapted to be mounted to the top of a container neck having a polygon configuration.
• prism or polygon configurations would not accommodate the use of a threaded attachment, but other means of attachment could be provided, such as a snap-fit bead and groove arrangement, adhesive, or the like.
• the preferred form of the closure body support column 54 has an exterior surface 60 which has a frustoconical shape.
• the upper end of the closure body base 40 preferably defines an upwardly facing, annular, flat shoulder 64 against which the bottom end of the dispensing valve 32 can be disposed (FIG. 2).
• the closure body base 40 preferably has a tapered or frustoconical exterior surface 68 above the bridges 48 and above the slots 50 (FIGS.
• the frustoconical surface 68 functions as a lead-in surface to facilitate assembly of the components as described in detail hereinafter.
• valve 32 is especially suitable for being mounted to the closure body spout or support column 54 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
• the valve 32 is a pressure-actuatable, flexible, slit-type valve which is held on the outside of the spout or support column 54 by means of the clamp member 34 as described in detail hereinafter.
• the valve 32 is preferably molded as a unitary structure from material which is flexible, pliable, elastic, and resilient.
• This can include elastomers, such as a synthetic, thermosetting polymer, including silicone rubber, such as the silicone rubber sold by Dow Coming Corp. in the United States of America under the trade designation D.C. 99-595-HC.
• silicone rubber such as the silicone rubber sold by Dow Coming Corp. in the United States of America under the trade designation D.C. 99-595-HC.
• Another suitable silicone rubber material is sold in the United States of America under the designation Wacker 3003-40 by Wacker Silicone Company. Both of these materials have a hardness rating of 40 Shore A.
• the valve 32 could also be molded from other thermosetting materials or from other elastomeric materials, or from thermoplastic polymers or thermoplastic elastomers, including those based upon materials such as thermoplastic propylene, ethylene, urethane, and styrene, including their halogenated counterparts.
• the valve 32 includes a base 80.
• the base has the form of a peripheral mounting skirt 80 for being clamped by the clamp member 34 against the body support column 54.
• the valve base or skirt 80 defines an interior sealing surface 82 (FIG. 12).
• the interior sealing surface 82 has a frustoconical configuration to matingly engage, and seal against, the preferred frustoconical form of the exterior surface 60 of the support column 54.
• the valve skirt 80 also defines a peripheral annular groove 88 (FIGS. 11 and 12) which opens laterally or radially. The bottom of the groove 88 is defined by an annular shoulder 89.
• the valve 32 includes a flexible, outwardly extending, narrowing dispensing head 90 as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, and the head 90 extends outwardly from an upper region of the skirt 80 to a dispensing tip.
• the head 90 extends over the interior volume defined within the flexible base or skirt 80.
• the head 90 is generally convex (and, in the preferred embodiment is pointed or dome shaped) as viewed from the exterior of the valve 32 relative to the interior volume (see FIGS. 11 and 12).
• the valve head 90 has an interior surface 92 (FIG. 12) that interfaces with the interior volume (and with the product in the container 22).
• the interior surface 92 is frustoconical below the curved inside surface of the valve head tip. As shown in FIG.
• the valve head 90 has an exterior surface 96 which interfaces with the ambient environment.
• the exterior surface 96 narrows, converges, or tapers, but such a narrowing configuration need not be uniform or even continuous.
• the valve head 90 has a continuous taper or narrowing over most of its height.
• the distal end or tip of the valve 32 is smaller in cross-sectional size than the base or skirt 80.
• the exterior surface 96 is frustoconical between the valve head curved tip and a location just above the skirt 80 where the head 90 curves to a vertical orientation at the upper edge of the groove
• the region defined by the exterior surface 96 and interior surface 92 is a wall having a tapering configuration below the valve tip.
• the valve 32 has a generally circular configuration about a central longitudinal axis 99 extending through the valve 32 (FIG. 12).
• the head 90 of the valve 32 has a dispensing orifice.
• the orifice is defined by one or more slits 100 (FIG. 12).
• the four radiating slits 100 may be alternatively characterized as two intersecting cross slits 100. A lesser or greater number of slits 100 could be used.
• the slits 100 preferably extend transversely through head portion 90 between the exterior surface 96 and the interior surface 92.
• the slits 100 extend laterally from a common origin on the longitudinal axis 99 to define four flaps or petals 104 (FIG.
• Each slit 100 terminates in a radially outer end that is also the bottom end of the slit.
• the slits 100 are of equal length, although the slits 100 could be of unequal length.
• each slit 100 is planar, and the plane of each slit
• the 100 contains the central, longitudinal axis 99 of the valve 32.
• the slits 100 diverge from an origin on the longitudinal axis 99 and define equal size angles between each pair of adjacent slits 100 so that the flaps 104 are of equal size.
• the four slits 100 diverge at 90 degree angles to define two mutually perpendicular, intersecting, longer slits.
• the slits 100 are formed so that the opposing side faces of adjacent valve flaps 104 closely seal against one another when the dispensing orifice is in its normal, fully closed position. The length and location of the slits 100 can be adjusted to vary the predetermined opening pressure of the valve 32, as well as other dispensing characteristics.
• the tip portion or tip of the valve head 90 includes at least the upper end portions of the slits 100.
• the valve head In the preferred illustrated embodiment of the valve head
• the valve tip portion or tip is defined as the region within the angle X (FIG. 12).
• the tip wall thickness (C in FIG. 12) is equal to, or less than, the smallest thickness of the tapering wall between the exterior surface 96 and the interior surface 92.
• the slits 100 each extends downwardly from the tip portion into the tapering wall below the tip portion to define an outside vertical lateral edge 107 parallel to the longitudinal axis 99.
• a typical size valve 32 molded from silicone has four slits 100.
• the valve dispensing orifice may be defined by structures other than the illustrated slits 100. If the orifice is defined by slits, then the slits may assume many different shapes, sizes and/or configurations in accordance with those dispensing characteristics desired. For example, the orifice may also include five or more slits, particularly when larger or wider streams are desired, and/or the product is a particulate material or a liquid containing aggregates.
• the dispensing valve 32 may be easily configured for use in conjunction with a particular container, and a specific type of product, so as to achieve the exact dispensing characteristics desired.
• the viscosity and density of the fluid product can be factors in designing the specific configuration of the valve 32 for liquids, as is the shape, size, and strength of the container.
• the rigidity and durometer of the valve material, and size and shape of the valve head 90, are also important in achieving the desired dispensing characteristics, and can be matched with both the container and the material to be dispensed therefrom.
• the valve 32 is especially suitable for dispensing flowable products, such as liquids or even gases, powders, particulates, or granular material, as well as suspensions of solid particles in a liquid.
• the valve 32 is particularly suitable for dispensing shampoos, liquid toothpaste, thin oils, thick lotions, water, and the like.
• portions of the valve 32 may assume different shapes and sizes, particularly in accommodating the type of container and product to be dispensed therefrom.
• the predetermined opening pressure of the valve 32 may be varied widely in accordance with those dispensing criteria desired for a particular product.
• Flow characteristics of the dispensed product can also be adjusted substantially, such as for relatively wide column-like streams, thin needle-like streams, multiple streams, variations thereof, and the like.
• valve 32 In one presently preferred form of the valve 32 illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, the various dimensions designated with letters in FIGS. 12 have preferred values as follows:
• the width A of two aligned slits 100 across the diameter is 0.140 inch.
• the maximum inside diameter B of the valve head interior surface 92 at the bottom of the surface 92 is 0.168 inch.
• the thickness C of the valve head 90 at the distal end of the tip (where all four slits 100 meet) is 0.020 inch.
• the distance D from the lowermost point of each slit 100 on the exterior surface 96 of the valve head 90 to the top of the slits 100 at the exterior of the tip of the valve head 90 is 0.055 inch.
• the height E from the bottom of each slit 100 to the top of the slit 100 at the exterior of the tip of the valve head 90 is 0.115 inch.
• the distance F from the bottom of the frustoconical exterior surface 96 of the valve head 90 to the top of the valve head 90 is 0.150 inch.
• the height G from the upper edge of the annular groove 88 to the top of the slits 100 at the exterior of the tip of the valve head 90 is 0.165 inch.
• the maximum thickness T 1 of each valve slit 100 at the lowermost point of the slit on the exterior surface of the valve head 90, as measured perpendicular to the valve head interior surface 92, is 0.023 inch.
• the maximum thickness T 2 of the wall of the valve head 90 at the lowermost point of the slit on the interior surface of the valve head 90, as measured perpendicular to the valve head interior surface 92, is 0.031 inch.
• the maximum thickness T 3 of the wall of the valve head 90 at the bottom of the valve head frustoconical exterior surface 96 (at the bottom of dimension F), as measured perpendicular to the interior surface 92, is 0.037 inch.
• the tip portion at the top of the preferred embodiment of the valve head 90 has a circular arc interior surface (i.e., partially spherical) and a circular arc exterior surface (i.e., partially spherical), and the angle X of the circular arc is 136 degrees.
• the wall of the tip is an arcuate (i.e., partially spherical) wall having a uniform thickness equal to the smallest thickness of the tapering wall extending downwardly from the tip.
• the angle Y of the valve head exterior frustoconical surface 96 relative to the central, longitudinal axis 99 is 30 degrees.
• the angle Z of the valve head frustoconical interior surface 92 to the central, longitudinal axis 99 is 22 degrees.
• the wall thickness of the illustrated preferred embodiment of the valve head 90 continuously decreases over (along) most of its height at least up to the tip portion or tip (i.e., at least up to the lines defining the angle X in FIG. 12).
• the wall thickness of the tip is preferably equal to, or less than, the smallest thickness of such a tapering wall.
• the overall maximum external diameter of the valve head 90 just above the groove 88 is about 0.250 inch.
• the radius of the exterior surface of the valve head tip is 0.067 inch, and the concentric interior surface at the tip has a radius of 0.047 inch.
• the width A of the two aligned slits 100 across the valve diameter is preferably in the range of between about 30% and about 80% of the maximum inside diameter B of the valve head interior surface 92 (at the bottom of the surface 92).
• the thickness C of the valve head 90 at the end of the tip is between about 30% and about 80% of the maximum thickness T 3 of the wall of the valve head 90.
• the height G from the upper edge of the annular groove 88 to the top fo the slits at the exterior of the tip of the valve head 90 is between about 30% and about 180% of the maximum inside diameter B of the valve head interior surface 92 at the bottom of the surface 92.
• valve 32 normally remains in the closed configuration shown in FIGS. 1, 11, and 12 unless it is subjected to opening forces.
• the valve 32 can be moved to an open configuration by applying a sufficiently large pressure differential across the valve head 90 when the valve 32 is in the closed configuration so that the pressure acting on the exterior of the valve head 90 is lower than the pressure acting on the interior of the valve head 90.
• a pressure differential forces the valve petals or flaps 104 upwardly (i.e., outwardly) to the open position.
• the opening pressure differential can be achieved by pressurizing the interior of the container 22 to which the closure 20 is mounted.
• the container 22 would have a flexible wall which can be squeezed inwardly by the user to increase the pressure within the container 22.
• the valve 32 could also be opened by a user sucking on the valve with enough force to lower the pressure on the valve head exterior surface 96 sufficiently below the internal pressure acting against the valve head interior surface 92 to cause the valve petals 104 to deflect outwardly. If the container 22 on which the closed valve 32 is mounted inadvertently tips over after the overcap 36 is removed, then the product still does not flow out of the valve 32 because the valve 32 remains closed.
• the valve 32 is designed to withstand the weight of the fluid on the inside of the valve 32 when the container 22 is completely inverted.
• the valve 32 is designed to open only after a sufficient amount of pressure differential acts across the valve—as by the user sucking on the end of the valve 32 with sufficient force and/or squeezing the container 22 with sufficient force (if the container 22 is not a rigid container).
• valve 32 When dispensing product through the preferred form of the valve 32 in the open condition, if the differential pressure across the valve 32 decreases sufficiently, then the inherent resiliency of the valve 32 will cause it to close. The valve 32 will then assume the closed position illustrated in FIGS. 1, 11, and 12. However, it is contemplated that the valve 32 could also be designed for a "once-open, stay-open" operation by using an appropriate shape for the valve head 90 with appropriate dimensions for the valve head thickness and slit lengths.
• the petals of the valve 32 open outwardly only when the valve head 90 is subjected to a predetermined pressure differential acting in a gradient direction wherein the pressure on the valve head interior surface 92 exceeds—by a predetermined amount— the local ambient pressure on the valve head exterior surface 96.
• the product can then be dispensed through the open valve 32 until the pressure differential drops below a predetermined amount, and the petals 104 then close completely.
• the valve 32 can be designed to be flexible enough to accommodate in- venting of ambient atmosphere as described in detail below, then the closing petals 104 can continue moving inwardly to allow the valve to open inwardly as the pressure differential gradient direction reverses and the pressure on the valve head exterior surface 96 exceeds the pressure on the valve head interior surface 92 by a predetermined amount.
• valve 32 it may be desirable for the valve 32 not only to dispense the product, but also to accommodate such in- venting of the ambient atmosphere (e.g., so as to allow a squeezed container (on which the valve is mounted) to return to its original shape).
• in-venting capability can be provided by selecting an appropriate material for the valve construction, and by selecting appropriate thicknesses, shapes, and dimensions for various portions of the valve head 90 for the particular valve material and overall valve size.
• the shape, flexibility, and resilience of the valve head, and in particular, of the petals 104 can be designed or established so that the petals 104 will deflect inwardly when subjected to a sufficient pressure differential that acts across the head 90 and in a gradient direction that is the reverse or opposite from the pressure differential gradient direction during product dispensing.
• a reverse pressure differential can be established when a user releases a squeezed, resilient container 22 on which the valve 32 is mounted.
• the resiliency of the container wall (or walls) will cause the wall to return toward the normal, larger volume configuration.
• the volume increase of the container interior will cause a temporary drop in the interior pressure.
• valve 32 provides an improved dispensing valve with the capability for allowing the user to readily view, target, and control the dispensing of the fluent material from the valve.
• the valve 32 can function to dispense a product accurately while minimizing the likelihood of accidental, premature, or undesired product discharge, and while providing good product cut-off at the termination of dispensing with little or no mess of product left on the exterior of the valve (or package containing the valve).
• the closed valve can minimize, or at least reduce, the likelihood either of the product drying out in the package or being contaminated.
• the illustrated preferred embodiment of the valve 32 has a sleek, directional appearance. Because the valve head tapers (becomes narrow) toward the end of the tip portion (where the intersecting slits 100 meet), and because the wall thickness is thinner in the tip portion, the valve has less resistance to opening than some other valve configurations that lack such a configuration. Thus, the valve 32 can be easier to open (e.g., requiring less squeezing pressure on a container to which the valve is mounted). Because the wall of the valve 32 is increasingly thicker in the direction away from the dispensing tip portion , the valve 32 can exhibit a desired, sufficient re-closing strength to close the petals 104 in response to a predetermined decrease in differential pressure across the open valve petals.
• the illustrated preferred form of the valve 32 can be installed so that the bottom annular surface of the valve 32 is seated close to, or in engagement with, the annular shoulder 64 of the body 30.
• the valve 32 is held tightly engaged with the body spout or support column 54 by the clamp member 34.
• the clamp member 34 functions to retain the valve 32 in the proper position and also provides a decorative or aesthetic function of covering a lower portion of the valve 32 and a lower portion of the body 30.
• the clamp member 34 preferably defines a frustoconical portion 120.
• the upper end of the frustoconical portion 120 extends radially laterally inwardly toward the valve 32 to define an annular, distal lip or retention lip 122.
• the retention lip 122 defines an aperture 124 through which the valve head 90 projects as can be seen in FIG. 2.
• the clamp member annular, retention lip 122 is received in the valve skirt annular groove 88 to retain the valve skirt 80 around the body support column 54.
• the valve skirt interior surface 82 sealingly engages the exterior surface 60 of the support column 54.
• the clamp member 34 includes at least one, and preferably two, legs 125 (FIG. 15) which project inwardly (i.e., downwardly).
• a retention flange 130 extends from each clamp member leg 126.
• each clamp member leg 126 projects through one of the body slots 50 so that the retention flange 130 at the bottom of each leg 126 extends beneath, and is engaged with, a bottom edge of the closure body base 40 (FIG. 3).
• the valve 32 is first disposed on the support column 54 of the closure body 30, and then the clamp member 34 is pushed down over the valve 32 until the clamp member lip 122 is received in the valve annular groove 88.
• the valve 32 is sufficiently resilient to temporarily deform so as to accommodate the proper seating of the clamp member Hp 122 in the valve annular groove 88.
• each clamp member leg flange 130 engage the body base frustoconical surface (i.e., lead-in surface) 68 and slide downwardly therealong.
• the clamp member legs 126 expand or spread apart laterally outwardly so that the flanges 130 move along the body base frustoconical surface 68 to the bottom edge (i.e., outer edge) of the frustoconical surface 68 and then move vertically downwardly through the slots 50 between the closure body base 40 and the surrounding closure body collar 44 so that the flanges 130 can snap under the bottom of the closure body base 40 owing to the inherent resiliency of the material from which the clamp member 34 is made (e.g., polypropylene in a presently preferred embodiment).
• the material from which the clamp member 34 e.g., polypropylene in a presently preferred embodiment
• the clamp member 34 functions to maintain the lower portion of the valve skirt 80 in compression against the closure body support column
• the closure body 30 includes an optional, special feature to aid in the installation of the preferred embodiment of the clamp member 34.
• the closure body 30 preferably includes two pairs of guide ribs 135 (FIG. 5). Each bridge 48 is associated with a pair of the guide ribs 135 (FIG. 5). Each guide rib 135 projects upwardly from a bridge 48. Each rib 135 is located at an edge of a bridge 48 adjacent one of the slots 50. Each rib 135 has an angled surface 137 (FIG. 5).
• each slot 50 terminates at each end adjacent one of the guide rib slanted surfaces 137.
• the clamp member leg flanges 130 might not be positioned exactly in registration with the closure body slots 50. If there is such a slight misalignment as the clamp member 34 is lowered onto the body 30, the angled surfaces 137 of the guide ribs 135 will serve to properly guide the clamp member legs 126 so that the legs 126 and flanges 130 become properly registered with, and can pass through, the slots 50. Also, once the components are assembled, the ends of the bridges 48 at the bottom of the rib angled surfaces 137 prevent relative rotation between the clamp member 34 and the body 30 (and valve 32).
• the clamp member 34 includes a peripheral lip 140 at the lower end of the frustoconical portion 120.
• the Hp 140 includes an angled, inwardly facing surface 142 and a generally cylindrical outwardly facing surface 144.
• the lip 140, and its surfaces 142 and 144 provide an aesthetic function in cooperation with the upper end of the closure body collar 44.
• the upper end of the closure body collar 44 has a peripheral Hp 160 (FIGS. 9 and 10) which is adapted to fit laterally inwardly of, and adjacent, the clamp member Hp 140 when the clamp member 34 is installed over the valve 32 and body 30 (as illustrated in FIG. T).
• the body collar peripheral lip 160 defines a laterally outwardly facing, angled or frustoconical surface 162 (FIG. 10).
• the clamp member bottom Hp inner surface 142 has the same shape or angle as the shape or angle of the closure body collar Hp outer surface 162 so that when the clamp member 34 is installed as shown in FIG. 3, the surfaces 142 and 162 are generally parallel, and can be in substantially mating engagement.
• the system can accommodate manufacturing tolerances that affect the final vertical position or location of the components. For example, depending upon the "as- manufactured" location of the upper horizontal surface of the clamp member flanges 130 relative to the vertical location of the clamp member peripheral Hp 140 (FIG.
• the lip 140 could be spaced upwardly a small amount from the top end of the closure body collar 44 after the components are assembled.
• Such a small upward spacing resulting from manufacturing tolerances will be less aesthetically objectionable because the closure body collar Hp 160 extends upwardly closely behind (i.e., radially inwardly from) the clamp member lip 140.
• the slanted surface 162 of the closure body collar lip 160 would be immediately visible in the gap between the bottom of the clamp member lip 140 and the upper end of the closure body collar 44. This would limit the inward extent of the gap and would provide a more "finished" appearance.
• the angle of the larger frustoconical exterior surface of the frustoconical portion 120 of the clamp member 34 is preferably designed to generally match the angle Y of the head 90 of the valve 32 (see FIGS. 12 and 1) so that the closure 20 (after removal of any overcap 36) appears to. the user to have a sleek, generally smooth, tapering or narrowing configuration which assists in helping the user target the dispensing of the product to a desired target region.
• the overall tapering design of the dispensing system provides or enhances a capability to more easily direct the discharge of the product being dispensed from the closure 20.
• the generally smooth, clean, tapering configuration is also relatively easy to keep clean.
• valve 32 The sealing of the valve 32 against its interior surface 82 is effected through a combination of longitudinally and laterally directed force components, and this is very effective in providing proper sealing, and this arrangement accommodates ease of assembly.
• the valve 32 does not need to have a peripheral bottom flange subjected to purely vertical compression forces.
• the bottom of the valve skirt 80 can be modified.
• annular space or volume 170 adjacent the clamp member frustoconical portion 120 just below the bottom of the valve 32 there is an annular space or volume 170 adjacent the clamp member frustoconical portion 120 just below the bottom of the valve 32.
• the bottom of the valve 32 could be designed to include additional material that would occupy some or all of the void space 170 of the illustrated embodiment in FIG. 3.
• the use of the clamp member 34 with the snap fit legs 126 and flanges 130 eliminates the need for special, smaller snap beads on the closure body 30 per se.
• the overcap 36 is adapted to be threadingly engaged with the closure body 30.
• the closure body collar thread segments 74 are adapted to be received in a threading engagement with female thread segments or grooves 180 (FIG. 16) which are defined in the overcap 36.
• the overcap 36 has a skirt 184 and a top portion 186.
• the female grooves or female thread segments 180 are formed in the lower portion of the inside surface of the overcap skirt 184 (FIG. 16).
• the overcap top portion 186 is preferably provided with a downwardly open, partially spherical surface 188 (FIG. 16) for covering the outer, distal end surface of the valve head 90 (as shown in FIG. 2) when the overcap 36 is installed.
• the close fitting relationship between the overcap surface 188 and the valve head 90 serves to prevent unintended opening of the valve 32 during shipping, storage, and handling if the container 22 is accidentally subjected to impact forces of a magnitude that would be sufficient to cause opening of the valve 32 in the absence of the overcap.
• FIG. 17 illustrates a second or alternate form of the dispensing system 2OA for use with the first embodiment of the valve 32 of the present invention.
• FIG. 17 does not illustrate the complete assembly of all of the components of the second form of the dispensing system 2OA. Rather, FIG. 17 illustrates only the closure body 30A with an attached lid 36A.
• the valve 32 described above with reference to FIGS. 1-16
• a clamp member such as the clamp member 34 described above with reference to FIGS. 1-16
• Many of the features of the second form of the closure body 3OA are identical with the features of the first form of the closure body 30 described above with reference to FIGS. 1-16.
• the second form of the closure body 30A has a modified peripheral collar 44 A which does not have exterior male thread segments (such as the male thread segments 74 illustrated in FIG. 5 for the first form of the closure body 30). Further, the second form of the closure body collar 44 A has an upper end defining a generally flat, annular shoulder 190A against which the bottom of the overcap 36A is adapted to be disposed when the overcap 36A is in the closed position (not illustrated).
• the second form of the closure body collar 44 A also is attached to the overcap 36A with a hinge 194A.
• the hinge 194A may be of any suitable type (such as, for example, a snap-action hinge).
• the particular design and configuration of the hinge 194A forms no part of the present invention of the valve 32.
• closure body 3OA radially inwardly of the collar 44 A are substantially identical with the features of the first form of the closure body 30 described above with reference to FIGS. 1-16.
• the second form of the closure body 3OA can receive the valve and clamp member (such as the valve 32 and clamp member 34 described above with reference to the first form of the illustrated in FIGS. 1-16).
• valve 32 may be provided with, or require, a different configuration of the valve base or skirt 80.
• the modified form of the skirt 80 might not receive or surround any internal member (e.g., internal support column 54 or the like), and such a modified skirt might be instead alternatively characterized or described as a base, mounting flange, mounting portion, or the like. Indeed, in other contemplated embodiments (not illustrated), such a valve base need not be mechanically clamped in position.
• valve base could be (1) molded as a unitary part of an adjacent component (e.g., a container, a closure, or other part of a dispensing system), or (2) attached by thermal or adhesive bonding to such an adjacent component.
• an adjacent component e.g., a container, a closure, or other part of a dispensing system
• FIGS. 18-44 illustrate a third form of the dispensing system 2OB which incorporates a second, preferred embodiment of a dispensing valve 32B (FIGS. 1 and 20).
• the third form of the system is a dispensing closure adapted for use with a container 22B (FIGS. 18 and 19). Unlike the container 22 used with the first form of the dispensing closure as described above with reference to FIG.
• the container 22B does not have a threaded neck, but instead incorporates a different, special configuration.
• the container 22B (FIG. 19) includes a body 24B and neck 26B having a reduced diameter collar 29B which projects upwardly from an annular shoulder 3 IB and which defines an opening 28B to the container interior.
• a flat, annular shoulder 3 IB extends radially around the collar 29B.
• the container neck 26B includes a radial flange 25B (FIGS. 19 and 28) and a plurality of vertically oriented serrations or teeth 27B which do not extend radially outwardly as far as the periphery of the flange 25B.
• the serrations or teeth 27B have a generally isosceles triangle shaped transverse cross section (i.e., the transverse cross section as taken on a plane passing through the serrations 27B wherein the plane is oriented generally perpendicular to a central longitudinal axis of the container neck 26B).
• the container 22B may have any suitable shape.
• the container neck flange 25B and serrations 27B could have diameters as large as, or larger than, the diameter of the container body 24B.
• the container body 24B may be a rigid wall, or may be a somewhat flexible wall.
• the container 22B may be used to dispense a variety of materials and may be conveniently made by molding from a suitable thermoplastic material or materials in the same way as described above in detail with respect to the container 22 illustrated in FIG. 1.
• the third form of the dispensing closure system 2OB preferably includes at least three basic components, (1) a body 30B, (2) the preferred, second embodiment of the dispensing valve 32B which is adapted to be mounted on the body 3OB, and (3) a decorative cone or clamp member 34B that retains the valve 32B on the upper part of the body 3OB.
• an optional overcap 36B is provided to cover the valve 32B.
• the overcap 36B can be moved or removed to expose the valve 32B for dispensing, and FIG. 18 shows the system with the overcap removed.
• the overcap 36B is moveable between (1) a closed position over the closure clamp member 34B and valve 32B (as shown in FIGS.
• the closure body 3OB includes a base 4OB for being mounted to, an extending from, the container 22B (when the closure body 3OB is mounted on the container 22B as shown in FIG. 28).
• the closure body base 4OB includes a lower wall or collar 44B which defines two arcuate slots 45B (FIG.
• each slot 45B the wall 44B extends radially inwardly (as can be seen in FIGS. 37 and 40) to define a retention shoulder or flange 46B.
• a peripheral array of serrations or teeth 47B At the top of the closure base wall 44B there is a peripheral array of serrations or teeth 47B (FIG. 22).
• a radially inwardly extending, frustoconical shoulder 48B At the top the teeth or serrations 47B there is a radially inwardly extending, frustoconical shoulder 48B (FIGS. 22, 37, 38 and 39) which can function as a lead-in surface during assembly as described hereinafter.
• the upper portion of the closure body base 4OB includes a cylindrical wall 52B and a frustoconical surface 68B extending radially inwardly from the top of the wall 52B.
• the frustoconical surface 68B includes a recess 69B for containing identifying information or indicia (and such information could include the mold cavity number, for example).
• a spout or support column 54B projects outwardly from the upper portion of the closure body base 40B.
• a discharge passage 56B extends through the support column 54B and through the base 4OB so as to be in communication with the container interior when the closure body base 4OB is installed on the container neck 26B (FIG. 27).
• the support column 54B includes an upper frustoconical surface 57B (FIG. 38), an intermediate frustoconical surface 58B (FIG.38), and a lower frustoconical surface 6OB.
• At the bottom of the lower frustoconical surface 6OB is an annular shoulder 64B against which the bottom end of the dispensing valve 32B can be disposed (FIG. 28).
• Projecting downwardly from the inside of the support column 54B is an internal conduit 71B (FIG. 38) for being received in the mouth or opening 28B of the container neck as shown in FIG. 28.
• the conduit or tube 7 IB (FIGS. 27 and 28) provides an effective seal with the container 22B.
• suitable seal structures could be provided instead.
• Such a seal structure could be a "crab's claw” seal, a flat seal, a "V” seal, or some other such conventional or special seal, depending upon the particular application and depending upon whether or not a liner is employed.
• the interior of the closure body base 4OB includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced anti-rotation teeth or ribs
• the interior of the closure body base 4OB also includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced inner abutment ribs 75B located at the top of the anti-rotation ribs 73B.
• the abutment ribs 75B engage, and seat upon, the annular shoulder 3 IB which surrounds the container spout 29B. The abutment ribs 75B thus locate the closure body 3OB vertically at the desired location on top of the container 22B.
• the second embodiment of the valve 32B (when used in the third form of the dispensing system 20B) is adapted to be mounted on the closure body spout or support column 54B as shown in FIGS. 43 and 44.
• the second embodiment of the valve 32B is a pressure- actuatable, flexible, slit-type valve which is held on the outside of the spout or support column 54B by means of the clamp member 34B as described in detail hereinafter.
• the second embodiment of the valve 32B is preferably molded as a unitary structure from material which is flexible, pliable, elastic, and resilient.
• the valve 32B can be molded from the same materials as the first embodiment valve 32 described above.
• the valve 32B is similar to, and includes the unique features of, the first embodiment valve 32 described above with reference to the first embodiment of the system illustrated in FIGS. 1-16.
• the second embodiment of the valve 32B includes a base 8OB (FIGS. 30, 31A and 31B).
• the base 80B functions as a peripheral mounting skirt 80B for being clamped by the clamp member 32B against the closure body 3OB as illustrated in FIGS. 43 and 44.
• the valve 32B is sealingly engaged with the frustoconical surface 6OB of the closure body 30B as illustrated in FIGS. 43 and 44.
• At least part of the valve skirt 8OB defines an interior sealing surface 82B (FIGS. 31 A and 3B).
• the interior sealing surface 82B has a frustoconical configuration to matingly engage, and seal against, the preferred frustoconical form of the exterior surface 6OB of the closure body support column 54B as can be seen in FIG. 43.
• the valve base or skirt 8OB also defines an outwardly opening annular groove 88B (FIGS. 3 IA and 3 IB), and one lower side surface of the groove 88B is defined by a peripheral, annular shoulder 89B (FIGS. 31 A and 31B) which has a frustoconical surface.
• the frustoconical surface of the shoulder 89B diverges relative to the frustoconical interior sealing surface 82B as can be seen in FIG. 31 A.
• the frustoconical surface of the shoulder 89B and the frustoconical interior sealing surface 82B may be characterized as defining exterior surface portions of an annular mounting flange 86B (FIGS. 31 A and 3 IB).
• the flange 86B also preferably has an annular, flat bottom surface 85B (FIGS. 31 A and 31B).
• valve 32B has a generally cylindrical surface 87B extending upwardly from the bottom of the annular groove 88B.
• the top of the cylindrical surface 87B terminates at, and defines, the upper end of the valve skirt or base 80B.
• the valve 32B includes a flexible, outwardly extending, narrowing, dispensing head 9OB.
• the head 9OB extends outwardly from the top of the base or skirt 8OB to a dispensing tip.
• the head 9OB extends over the interior volume defined within the valve 32B.
• the head 9OB is generally convex (and, in the preferred embodiment is dome shaped) as viewed from the exterior of the valve 32B relative to the interior volume (see FIGS. 3 IA and 31B).
• the valve head 9OB has an interior surface 92B (FIG. 31B) that interfaces with the product in the container 22B.
• the interior surface 92B tapers or slants outwardly and is preferably frustoconical below the curved inside surface of the valve head tip.
• the surface 92B as viewed in FIG. 3 IB need not have a uniform or constant taper or slant, and could be curved.
• the valve head 9OB has an exterior surface 96B which interfaces with the ambient environment.
• the exterior surface 96B narrows, converges, or tapers, but such a narrowing configuration need not be uniform or even continuous.
• the surface 96B as viewed in FIG. 3 IB could be slightly curved.
• the valve head 9OB has a continuous taper or narrowing at least over most of its height so as to cooperate with, and follow, the general tapering configuration of the clamp member 34B.
• the distal end or tip of the valve 32A is smaller in cross-sectional size than the skirt flange 86B.
• the exterior surface 96B is frustoconical between the valve head curved tip and the upper end of the skirt 8OB.
• the region defined by the exterior surface 96B and interior surface 92B is a wall having a tapering configuration below the valve tip.
• valve 32B has a generally circular configuration about a central longitudinal axis 99B extending through the valve 32B (FIG. 31B).
• the head 9OB of the valve 32B has a dispensing orifice.
• the orifice is defined by one or more slits IOOB (FIG. 31B).
• the four radiating slits IOOB may be alternatively characterized as two intersecting cross slits IOOB. A lesser or greater number of slits IOOB could be used.
• the slits IOOB preferably extend transversely through head portion 9OB between the exterior surface 96B and the interior surface 92B.
• the slits IOOB extend laterally from a common origin on the longitudinal axis 99B to define four flaps or petals 104B (FIG. 31) which can flex outwardly to selectively permit the flow of product from the container 22B through the valve 32B.
• Each slit IOOB terminates in a radially outer end that is also the bottom end of the slit, hi the illustrated preferred form of the valve, the slits 10OB are of equal length, although the slits IOOB could be of unequal length.
• each slit IOOB is planar, and the plane of each slit IOOB contains the central, longitudinal axis 99B of the valve 32B.
• the slits IOOB diverge from an origin on the longitudinal axis 99B and define equal size angles between each pair of adjacent slits IOOB so that the flaps 104B are of equal size.
• the four slits IOOB diverge at 90 degree angles to define two mutually perpendicular, intersecting, longer slits.
• the slits IOOB are formed so that the opposing side faces of adjacent valve flaps 104B closely seal against one another when the dispensing orifice is in its normal, fully closed position.
• the length and location of the slits IOOB can be adjusted to vary the predetermined opening pressure of the valve 32B, as well as other dispensing characteristics.
• the tip portion or tip of the valve head 9OB includes at least the upper end portions of the slits IOOB.
• the tip portion or tip is defined as a uniform wall thickness region above (outwardly from) the tapering wall thickness between the exterior surface 96B and the interior surface 92.
• the slits 10OB each extends downwardly from the tip portion into the tapering wall below the tip portion to define an outside vertical lateral edge 107B parallel to the longitudinal axis 99B.
• valve 32B In the presently preferred, second embodiment of the valve 32B illustrated in FIGS. 20, 30, 31, 31 A and 3 IB, a typical size valve 32B molded from silicone has four slits IOOB. It is to be understood that the valve dispensing orifice may be defined by structures other than the illustrated slits IOOB. If the orifice is defined by slits, then the slits may assume many different shapes, sizes and/or configurations in accordance with those dispensing characteristics desired. For example, the orifice may also include five or more slits, particularly when larger or wider streams are desired, and/or the product is a particulate material or a liquid containing aggregates.
• the dispensing valve 32B is preferably configured for use in conjunction with a particular container, and a specific type of product, so as to achieve the exact dispensing characteristics desired.
• the viscosity and density of the fluid product can be factors in designing the specific configuration of the valve 32B for liquids, as is the shape, size, and strength of the container.
• the rigidity and durometer of the valve material, and size and shape of the valve head 90B, are also important in achieving the desired dispensing characteristics, and can be matched with both the container and the material to be dispensed therefrom.
• the valve 32B is especially suitable for dispensing flowable products, such as liquids or even gases, powders, particulates, or granular material, as well as suspensions of solid particles in a liquid.
• the valve 32B is particularly suitable for dispensing shampoos, liquid toothpaste, thin oils, thick lotions, water, and the like.
• portions of the valve 32B may assume different shapes and sizes, particularly in accommodating the type of container and product to be dispensed therefrom.
• the predetermined opening pressure of the valve 32B may be varied widely in accordance with those dispensing criteria desired for a particular product.
• Flow characteristics of the dispensed product can also be adjusted substantially, such as for relatively wide column-like streams, thin needle-like streams, multiple streams, variations thereof, and the like.
• FIGS. 1 In one presently preferred form of the second embodiment of the valve 32B illustrated in FIGS.
• valve head 9OB many of the dimensions of the valve head 9OB are the same as the corresponding dimensions of the first embodiment of the valve 32 described above with reference to FIG.12 for the dimensions A, B, C, D, E, F, G, T 1 , T 2 , X, Y, and Z.
• FIG. 12 dimensions are each identical to dimension E, and dimension T 3 is identical to dimension T 2 .
• the tip portion at the top of the preferred embodiment of the valve head 9OB has a circular arc interior surface (i.e., partially spherical) and a circular arc exterior surface (i.e., partially spherical), and the angle of the circular arc is 136 degrees.
• the wall of the tip is an arcuate (i.e., partially spherical) wall having a uniform thickness equal to the smallest thickness of the tapering wall extending downwardly from the tip between the surfaces 96B and 92B.
• the wall thickness of the illustrated preferred form of the valve head 9OB continuously decreases over (along) most of the height from the top of the base or skirt 8OB at least to the valve tip portion.
• the wall thickness of the valve tip portion is preferably equal to, or less than, the smallest thickness of such a tapering wall.
• the overall maximum external diameter of the valve head 9OB at the top of the base or skirt 8OB is about 0.250 inch.
• the radius of the exterior surface of the valve head tip is 0.067 inch, and the concentric interior surface at the tip has a radius of 0.047 inch.
• the width A of the two aligned slits IOOB across the valve diameter is preferably in the range of between about 30% and about 80B% of the maximum inside diameter of the valve head interior surface 92B (as measured at the bottom of the slits IOOB).
• the thickness of the valve head 9OB at the end of the tip is between about 30% and about 80% of the maximum thickness of the wall of the valve head 9OB at the top of the base or skirt 8OB.
• the height of the valve head 9OB from the top of the base or skirt 8OB to the top of the slits at the exterior of the tip of the valve head 9OB is between about 30% and about 180B% of the maximum inside diameter of the valve head interior surface 92B at the bottom of the slits IOOB.
• valve 32B Operation of the valve 32B is the same as described for first embodiment valve 32 illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12.
• the illustrated preferred embodiment of the valve 32B provides an improved dispensing valve with the capability for allowing the user to readily view, target, and control the dispensing of the fluent material from the valve.
• the valve 32B can function to dispense a product accurately while minimizing the likelihood of accidental, premature, or undesired product discharge, and while providing good product cut-off at the termination of dispensing with little or no mess of product left on the exterior of the valve (or package containing the valve).
• the closed valve can minimize, or at least reduce, the likelihood either of the product drying out in the package or being contaminated.
• valve 32B has a sleek, directional appearance. Because the valve head tapers (becomes narrow) toward the end of the tip portion (where the intersecting slits IOOB meet), and because the wall thickness is thinner in the tip portion, the valve has less resistance to opening than some other valve configurations that lack such a configuration. Thus, the valve 32B can be easier to open (e.g., requiring less squeezing pressure on a container to which the valve is mounted). Because the wall of the valve 32B is increasingly thicker in the direction away from the dispensing tip portion , the valve 32B can exhibit a desired, sufficient re-closing strength to close the petals 104B in response to a predetermined decrease in differential pressure across the open valve petals.
• the valve 32B is preferably installed so that (1) the annular interior sealing surface 82B of the valve 32B is seated in engagement with the annular surface 64B of the body 3OB, and (2) the valve flange bottom surface 85B is seated on the annular shoulder 64B of the body 30B.
• the valve 32B is held tightly engaged with the body spout or support column 54B by the clamp member 34B.
• the clamp member 34B functions to retain the valve 32B in the proper position and also provides a decorative or aesthetic function of covering a lower portion of the valve 32B and a lower portion of the body 30B.
• the clamp member 34B preferably has a frustoconical portion 120B and a lower cylindrical wall 121B. At the upper end of the frustoconical portion 120B, the clamp member 34 extends radially laterally inwardly toward the valve 32B to define an annular, distal lip or retention lip 122B
• the retention lip 122B defines an aperture 124B through which the valve 32B projects as can be seen in FIG. 2.
• the clamp member annular, retention Hp 122B is received in the valve skirt annular groove 88B to retain the valve skirt 8OB around the body support column 54B so that the valve skirt interior surface 82B sealingly engages the exterior surface 6OB of the support column
• the clamp member 34B includes at least one, and preferably two, retention flanges 130B (FIGS. 32, 33, and 34) which extend radially inwardly.
• each clamp member flange 130B extends under the body teeth or serrations 47B so that the retention flange 130B is engaged with the bottom ends of the closure body teeth
• the clamp member 34B also has radially inwardly projecting splines or teeth 133B which engage the closure body anti-rotation teeth 47B (as shown in FIG. 29) to prevent relative rotation between the clamp member 34B and body 30B.
• the clamp member 34B cylindrical wall 12 IB includes a radially outwardly projecting snap-fit retention bead 135B (FIGS. 21 and 23) for cooperating with the overcap 36B.
• the clamp member 34B also includes a radially outwardly projecting bottom flange 137B.
• each clamp member flange 130B engages the body base annular shoulder or frustoconical surface 48B (i.e., lead-in surface) and slides downwardly along it.
• the clamp member flanges 130B expand or spread apart laterally outwardly (temporarily and elastically) so that the flanges 130B first move along the frustoconical surface 48B of the body base 4OB to the bottom edge (i.e., outer edge) of the teeth 47B at the lower end of the frustoconical surface 48B and then move vertically downwardly along the teeth 47B so that the flanges 130B can snap under the bottoms of the closure body teeth 47B (FIG. 44) owing to the inherent resiliency of the material from which the clamp member 34B is made (e.g., polypropylene in a presently preferred embodiment).
• the sealing of the valve interior surface 82B against the body surface 6OB (FIG. 44) is effected through a combination of longitudinally and laterally directed force components, and this is very effective in providing proper sealing, and this arrangement accommodates ease of assembly.
• third embodiment clamp member splines 133B and closure body teeth 47B eliminates any necessity for rotationally orienting the clamp member 34B and closure body 30B during assembly.
• the clamp member 34B functions to maintain the lower portion of the valve skirt 8OB (including the flange 86B) in compression against the closure body support column 54B, and preferably also against the closure body upwardly facing shoulder 64B (FIG. 44). This arrangement locks together the three components (i.e., the valve 32B, the body 3OB, and the clamp member 34B) in the desired assembled relationship with the appropriate sealing surfaces tightly engaged.
• the angle of the large frustoconical exterior surface of the frustoconical portion 120B of the clamp member 34B is preferably designed to generally match the angle of the head 90B of the valve 32B (see FIGS. 44 and 18) so that the closure 20B
• the overcap 36B is adapted to be engaged in a snap-fit relationship with the closure body 3OB.
• the overcap 36B has a skirt 184B (FIG. 25) and a top portion 186B (FIG. 25).
• An internal bead 185B is provided in the lower portion of the inside surface of the overcap skirt 184B (FIG. 25) to snap over, and engage, the clamp member bead 135B as shown in FIG. 44.
• the overcap top portion 186B is preferably provided with a downwardly open, arcuate surface 188B (FIG. 25) in a flange 189B for covering the outer, distal end surface of the tip portion of the valve head 9OB (as shown in FIG .44) when the overcap 36B is installed.
• valve head 9OB serves to prevent unintended opening of the valve 32B during shipping, storage, and handling if the container 22B is accidentally subjected to impact forces of a magnitude that would be sufficient to cause opening of the valve 32B in the absence of the overcap.
• FIGS. 27 and 28 can next be mounted to the container 22B as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28.
• the assembly is pushed down over the container neck 26B until the inwardly facing sides of the closure body base flanges 46B ride over the container neck flange 25B.
• the closure body base flanges 46B and wall 44B temporarily and elastically deflect radially outwardly until the top surface of the flanges 46B reach the bottom of the container neck flange 25B and then return to the undeflected position under the container neck flange 25B (FIG. 28).
• the abutment ribs 75B inside the closure body 3OB limit the downward movement of the closure body 30B.
• the bottom of the overcap skirt 184B can be pushed down on the clamp member flange 137B during installation of the dispensing assembly (i.e., the assembly of the overcap 36B, valve 32B 5 clamp member 34B, and body 30B) on the container neck 26B.
• the engagement of the closure body teeth or ribs 73B with the container neck teeth 27B prevents relative rotation between the dispensing assembly and the container.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Closures For Containers (AREA)
• Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
• Media Introduction/Drainage Providing Device (AREA)
• Safety Valves (AREA)

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Publications (2)

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ID=38833902

Family Applications (1)

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Cited By (2)

Families Citing this family (13)

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• 2006
  • 2006-06-21 US US11/472,013 patent/US20070295764A1/en not_active Abandoned
• 2007
  • 2007-05-03 WO PCT/US2007/010764 patent/WO2007149149A2/en active Application Filing
  • 2007-06-21 AR ARP070102743A patent/AR061572A1/es unknown

Patent Citations (2)

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