WO2009079711A1

WO2009079711A1 - Container dispensing closure

Info

Publication number: WO2009079711A1
Application number: PCT/AU2008/001901
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kemitha Abeysinghe; Yi He
Original assignee: Inoventure Intelligent Technology Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2007-12-24
Filing date: 2008-12-23
Publication date: 2009-07-02
Also published as: AU2008341029A1

Abstract

A dispensing closure (10) for a container, the closure (10) comprising a first part (11) for connection to the container and a second part (12) moveably connected to the first part (11). The first part (11) being in open communication with the container contents, and the second part (12) having a chamber (24) which, in a closed condition of the closure (10) is open to the first part (11) but closed to the external environment, and in an open condition of the closure (10) is sealed against communication with the first part (11) and open to said external environment. The closure (10) also being adapted to provide continuous dispensing of the container contents by partly effecting movement of the second part (12) of the closure (10) from the closed to the open condition.

Description

CONTAINER DISPENSING CLOSURE

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a dispensing closure for containers and more particularly to a dispensing closure that facilitates dispensing, in one form of operation, a measured quantity of the container contents and in another form of operation a controlled flow of the contents from the container.

The dispensing closure is particularly suitable for domestic use in dispensing powdered or granular contents but may also be used in other environments and may be used to dispense liquids.

BACKGROUND ART

Any discussion of documents, devices, acts or knowledge in this specification is included to explain the context of the invention. It should not be taken as an admission that any of the material forms a part of the prior art base or the common general knowledge in the relevant art in Australia or elsewhere on or before the priority date of the disclosure herein.

Dispensing lids or closures for dispensing a measured amount of the contents of a container are known and generally require a two handled operation. Furthermore, it is not possible with existing closures that dispense a measured quantity to also dispense a continuous flow of contents when desired.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved dispensing closure for a container, which closure is capable of dispensing a measured quantity of the container contents or alternatively a continuous flow of the contents.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a dispensing closure for a container, said closure comprising a first part for connection to said container and a second part moveably connected to said first part, said first part being in open communication with the container contents, and said second part having a chamber which, in a closed condition of said closure is open to said first part but closed to the external environment, and in an open condition of said closure is sealed against communication with said first part and open to said external environment. Preferably movement of said second part from said closed to said open condition is adapted for single handed operation.

Preferably said movement from said closed to said open condition may be partly effected to provide continuous dispensing of said container contents.

Preferably said second part is moveably connected to said first part by a pivotal connection.

In accordance with a practical preferred embodiment, in said closed condition said closure preferably provides a planar outer surface whereby said container may be oriented, when not in use, with said closure at the bottom of said container supporting the container thereon. In this practical preferred embodiment, it is preferred that said movement of said closure from said open to said closed condition is achieved by standing said container on said closure.

In accordance with further practical preferred embodiments, said closure may be disposed at the top or on a side of said container.

In accordance with a practical preferred embodiment, said second part preferably has a projection extending outwardly beyond the perimeter of said closure for facilitating said pivotal movement.

Preferably said projection comprises a stepped curved portion on said second part extending outwardly beyond the general circumference of said closure whereby a user may conveniently operate said closure to an open position by holding it in one hand and using a thumb of that hand to actuate said pivotal movement.

In accordance with further practical preferred embodiments, said pivotal movement of said second part of said closure may be facilitated by applying pressure to a selected portion of said second part, or by pulling a selected portion of said second part outwards of said closure.

In a practical preferred embodiment, said closure is preferably of circular shape whereby it is adapted for connection to a cylindrical container. In further practical preferred embodiments, said closure may be of rectangular or any other suitable shape, whereby it is adapted for connection to a matched suitably shaped container.

Preferably said closure is provided with a protective lid or covering for storage and/or transportation purposes, said protective lid or covering ensuring that said container contents does not undesirably spill or leak.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood and put into practical effect there shall now be described in detail preferred constructions of a container dispensing closure in accordance with the invention. The ensuing description is given by way of non-limitative example only and is with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is an exploded view of the parts comprising a dispensing closure made in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present embodiment; Fig. 2 is an underside view of the closure of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3 is a top view of the closure of Fig. 1 ; Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the closure of Fig. 1 ; Fig. 5 is a sectional side elevation of the closure of Fig. 1 , shown in a closed position; Fig. 6 is a perspective view from below, of the closure of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 7 is similar to Fig. 5, this time with the closure shown in a half open position;

Fig. 8 is a perspective side view of the closure of Fig. 7; Fig. 9 is a sectional side of the closure of Fig. 1 , this time shown in a fully open position; and,

Fig. 10 is a perspective side view of the closure of Fig. 9.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In Figs. 1 to 10 there is shown a container dispensing closure 10 (hereinafter simply referred to as "closure 10") of any suitable form, for example a granular or powdered contents dispensing closure as shown, made in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Although shown in the drawings as being a granular or powdered contents dispensing closure 10 it should be understood that closure 10 may be embodied in many - A - other forms and as such the invention is not limited to the specific example provided.

Closure 10 according to the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 10 is adapted for a cylindrical container (not shown) for containing and dispensing powdered or granular material such as laundry detergent, for example. As shown in the drawings, closure 10 consists essentially of a first or main part 11 and a second or dispensing part 12. Dispensing part 12 is pivotally connected to main part 11 by abutments 13 that are located in respective indentations 14 in main part 11. Covers 15 and 16 attached to respective parts 11 and 12 are for cosmetic purposes only.

As is evident in Fig. 3, for example, main part 11 has circumferentially extending ribs 17 enabling closure 10 to be attached onto an end of the cylindrical container (not shown) which has a suitable attaching end. The connection may be a threaded connection or any other suitable means for connecting closure 10 to a container.

In the embodiment shown in the drawings, it can be seen that dispensing part 12 has a circumferentially extending stepped projection 18 enabling a user to cause pivoting movement of dispensing part 12 as will become apparent herein below. Although shown in the drawings as including an outwardly extending stepped projection 18 to enable a user (not shown) to selectively open and close closure 10, it will be appreciated that dispensing part 12 of closure 10 may be pivotally moved with respect to main part 11 in many other ways, such as, for example, by depressing or pulling on a portion of dispensing part 12 as desired. A skilled person would appreciate these and many other ways of pivoting dispensing part 12 with respect to main part 11 , and as such, the present invention should not be construed as limited to the specific example provided.

In this specific embodiment shown in the drawings, it can be seen that an abutment 19 on the inside of main part 11 locates into a suitable indentation 20 on dispensing part 12 to positively locate dispensing part 12 in the closed position. By forcing the pivotal movement of dispensing part 12, there is sufficient resilience or give between abutment 19 and indentation 20 to allow the pivotal movement to proceed. As is more evident in Figs. 5, 7 and 9, dispensing part 12 has a base portion 21 and a flange portion 22 forming a divider between two chambers within closure 10. A first chamber 23 is in open communication with the contents of the container at all times and therefore the contents are able to move into chamber 23 when the container is inverted so that closure 10 is at the bottom end. At the same time with closure 10 in the closed or non- dispensing position, the contents of the container are also able to move into a second chamber 24 between base portion 21 and flange portion 22 of dispensing part 12. Therefore, by inverting and, if necessary, shaking the container, both chambers 23 and 24 are filled with the contents of the container.

In order to dispense a measured quantity of the contents, a user is able to pick up the container in one hand and while placing the thumb of that hand on the stepped projection 18 (or otherwise in the case of further embodiments - not shown) cause pivotal movement of dispensing part 12 to the position shown in Fig. 9. In the position shown in Fig. 9, closure 10 is in a fully open position whereby the contents of second chamber 24 are dispensed through an opening 25 between base portion 21 and the bottom 26 of main part 11. At the same time, flange portion 22 moves into a position forming a wall between the first chamber 23 and the second chamber 24. In this position, no further contents are able to move into second chamber 24 and therefore the amount dispensed is the entire amount initially contained in second chamber 24.

In some situations, it may be desirable to dispense an amount other than the measured amount contained in second chamber 24 and in this situation, a user merely controls the amount of pivotal movement of dispensing part 12 so that it assumes a partly open position as shown in Fig. 7. In this case, it is possible to have a continuous flow of the contents through opening 25 since flange portion 22 does not reach a position where it forms a complete closure between chambers 23 and 24. In this situation, a continuous flow of the contents may be achieved.

In some situations, by virtue of the nature of the contents, it may be necessary to provide some horizontal shaking of the container to aid in dispensing the contents in a continuous flow. Likewise, in the case of contents which do not readily flow, it may be necessary to shake the container before opening closure 10 to dispense a measured quantity.

The closure 10 of the above described embodiment may be constructed utilising any of the available manufacturing techniques, but is preferably moulded or fabricated from a plastics material. Clearly other materials may also be suitable. Whilst the described embodiment is for dispensing powdered or granular materials, it will be appreciated that closure 10 could also be used to dispense liquids. In such circumstances, closure 10 of the present invention may require a suitable seal (not shown) disposed at base portion 21 and/or at flange portion 22 in order to eliminate or reduce undesirable leakage.

After dispensing a measured quantity of the contents of a closure, it is a simple matter (in the embodiment shown in the drawings) to return closure 10 to the closed position (Fig. 5) merely by placing it back on a flat surface with the container on top of closure 10. The weight of the container then causes dispensing part 12 to pivot back to the original closed position on main part 11.

Although shown in the drawings as being a closure 10 that is preferably disposed at the base of a container, it will be appreciated that closure 10 could also be readily disposed at the top or on a side of a container. Accordingly, the present invention should not be construed as limited to the specific example provided.

Most current containers containing substances that require measuring are sold with a measuring device. Dispensing measured content requires that the closure of the container be opened and the content poured or scooped up into the measuring device to obtain the correct dose. This process results in spills, needs both hands to operate, can be slow, and may need more than one attempt to get the correct amount. The very fact that the closure is fully open can result in all of the contents of the container spilling out if not handled with utmost care.

The dispensing closure 10 described herein is the solution to all of the above issues by providing the following features:

1) Fully or partially open closure does not allow the container to be emptied by accident.

2) Offers a user the option of dispensing a measured dose, or controlled flow of the contents.

3) Allows single handed operation. 4) Faster dispensing of measured contents compared to commonly available devices. Dispenses the contents in one step, instead of many steps involved in existing devices.

5) The closure is at a constant ready to be dispensed state whilst placed on a flat surface (in the case of the closure being disposed at the base, of a container, or top of a container if inverted prior to use).

6) May be opened and closed using a thumb depending on the size and weight of the container.

7) It is a simple matter to return the closure to the closed position merely by placing it back on a flat surface with the container on top of the closure (again, in embodiments where the closure is located at the base or top of the container). Use of the weight of the container is utilised to cause the closure of the container.

As is evident from the above, closure 10 of the present invention has the ability to dispense a measured quantity of a substance inside a container and also allows unmeasured but controlled flow of the contents. The closure 10 also prevents the contents from accidentally spilling from the container. A major advantage of the present invention is the single handed operation for domestic situations. The amount to be dispensed can be altered to suit individual applications. With the closure 10 in the closed position, the contents of the container flow into the dispensing part 12 of the closure 10 and, in some situations, shaking of the container may be necessary to aid in the filling of the dispensing part 12. Clearly, the closure 10 is at a constant ready to be dispensed state whilst placed on a flat surface as the dispensing part 12 becomes filled with the container contents automatically when the container is not in use.

Whilst the above described embodiment relates to a cylindrical container, clearly closures 10 of other shapes such as rectangular, for example, may be readily envisaged by persons skilled in the art. Although not shown in the drawings, closure 10 may be provided with a protective lid or covering for storage and/or transportation purposes. Such a protective lid or covering would ensure that the container contents does not undesirably spill or leak. While this invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of further modification(s). The present invention is intended to cover any variations, uses or adaptations of the invention following in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice within the art to which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth.

Finally, as the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit of the essential characteristics of the invention, it should be understood that the above described embodiments are not to limit the present invention unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Various modifications and equivalent arrangements are intended to be included within the spirit and scope of the invention and the appended claims. Therefore, the specific embodiments are to be understood to be illustrative of the many ways in which the principles of the present invention may be practiced.

Where the terms "comprise", "comprises", "comprised" or "comprising" are used in this specification, they are to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components referred to, but not to preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integer, step, component to group thereof.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A dispensing closure for a container, said closure comprising a first part for connection to said container and a second part moveably connected to said first part, said first part being in open communication with the container contents, and said second part having a chamber which, in a closed condition of said closure is open to said first part but closed to the external environment, and in an open condition of said closure is sealed against communication with said first part and open to said external environment.

2. The dispensing closure as claimed in claim 1 , wherein movement of said second part from said closed to said open condition is adapted for single handed operation.

3. The dispensing closure as claimed in claim 2, wherein said movement from said closed to said open condition may be partly effected to provide continuous dispensing of said container contents.

4. The dispensing closure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said second part is moveably connected to said first part by a pivotal connection.

5. The dispensing closure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein in said closed condition said closure provides a planar outer surface whereby said container may be oriented, when not in use, with said closure at the bottom of said container supporting the container thereon.

6. The dispensing closure as claimed in claim 5, wherein said movement of said closure from said open to said closed condition is achieved by standing said container on said closure.

7. The dispensing closure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said closure is adapted to be disposed at the top or on a side of said container.

8. The dispensing closure as claimed in claim 4, wherein said second part includes a projection extending outwardly beyond the perimeter of said closure for facilitating said pivotal movement.

9. The dispensing closure as claimed in claim 8, wherein said projection comprises a stepped curved portion on said second part extending outwardly beyond the general circumference of said closure whereby a user may conveniently operate said closure to an open position by holding it in one hand and using a thumb of that hand to actuate said pivotal movement.

10. The dispensing closure as claimed in claim 4, wherein said pivotal movement of said second part of said closure may be facilitated by applying pressure to a selected portion of said second part, or by pulling a selected portion of said second part outwards of said closure.

11. The dispensing closure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said closure is of circular shape whereby it is adapted for connection to a cylindrical container.

12. The dispensing closure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein said closure is of rectangular or any other suitable shape, whereby it is adapted for connection to a matched suitably shaped container.

13. The dispensing closure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said closure is provided with a protective lid or covering for storage and/or transportation purposes, and wherein, said protective lid or covering ensures that said container contents do not undesirably spill or leak.