WO2016020372A1

WO2016020372A1 - Improvements in or relating to push-pull closures

Info

Publication number: WO2016020372A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/067926
Authority: WO
Inventors: Patrick Schmidt
Original assignee: Obrist Closures Switzerland Gmbh
Priority date: 2014-08-07
Filing date: 2015-08-04
Publication date: 2016-02-11
Also published as: GB201414042D0; JP3211486U

Abstract

A push-pull closure (1) is provided and comprises: a base (15) attachable to a container and including a fixed dispensing spout (50); and a mobile cap 810). The cap is movable with respect to the spout between an open position in which flowable product can be dispensed through the spout and a closed position in which the spout is blocked. The spout comprises a generally tubular body and a stem (55) is supported within the spout. The mobile cap comprises a dispensing orifice at one end and an inner wall (100) and an outer wall (105) extends from that end between which the spout body is slidably received. In the closed position the mobile cap is sealed against the stem both at or towards the dispensing orifice end and at or towards the opposite end of the inner wall whereby to form a separation chamber between the stem and the cap to prevent seepage from the orifice in use.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO PUSH-PULL CLOSURES

The present invention relates generally to closures and particularly to push-pull closures.

Many containers, for example plastic bottles containing fluids (e.g. beverages or cleaning fluids), have closures or caps which are twisted or pulled to open a passage for dispensing the liquid and provide a seal to close the container and prevent leakage when not in use. Push/pull type closures generally comprise a mobile cap and a fixed spout, the cap blocking fluid flow in a closed position and allowing flow in an open position.

The present invention seeks to provide improvements in or relating to push-pull closures and particularly, although not exclusively, concerning the sealing performance of the closure.

In a first aspect the present invention provides a push-pull closure comprising a base attachable to a container and including a fixed dispensing spout, and a mobile cap which is movable with respect to the spout between an open position in which flowable product can be dispensed through the spout and a closed position in which the spout is blocked, the spout comprises a generally tubular body and a stem is supported within the spout, the mobile cap comprises a dispensing orifice at one end and an inner wall and an outer wall extends from that end between which the spout body is slidably received, in which in the closed position the mobile cap is sealed against the stem both at or towards the dispensing orifice end and at or towards the

I opposite end of the inner wall whereby to form a separation chamber between the stem and the cap to prevent seepage from the orifice in use.

A further aspect provides a push-pull closure comprising a base attachable to a container and including a fixed dispensing spout, and a mobile cap which is movable with respect to the spout between an open position in which flowable product can be dispensed through the spout and a closed position in which the spout is blocked, the spout comprises a generally tubular body and a stem is supported within the spout, the mobile cap comprises a dispensing orifice at one end and an inner wall and an outer wall extends from that end between which the spout body is slidably received, in which in the closed position the mobile cap is sealed against the stem at two or more points to prevent seepage from the orifice in use.

A further aspect provides a push-pull closure comprising a base attachable to a container and including a fixed dispensing spout, and a mobile cap which is movable with respect to the spout between an open position in which flowable product can be dispensed through the spout and a closed position in which the spout is blocked, the spout comprises a generally tubular body and a stem is supported within the spout, the mobile cap comprises a dispensing orifice at one end and an inner wall and an outer wall extends from that end between which the spout body is slidably received, in which in the closed position a separation chamber is formed between the mobile cap and the stem to prevent seepage from the orifice in use.

A further aspect provides a dispensing closure comprising a base attachable to a container and including a generally central opening surrounded by a fixed dispensing spout, and a push-pull cap which is movable with respect to the spout between an open position in which flowable product can be dispensed through the spout and a closed position in which the spout is blocked, the spout comprises a generally tubular body and a stem is supported within the spout, the cap comprises a pouring aperture at one end and an inner wall and an outer wall extends from that end between which the spout body is slidably received, in which in the closed position the free end of the inner wall is sealed against the stem to prevent product entering the spout.

In aspects and embodiments of the present invention the stem may be sealed against the inner wall of the cap. For example the stem may be sealed against the inner wall at two or more points.

The inner wall may comprise a stop bead for preventing removal of the cap from the base.

The base may include screw thread formations for engaging cooperating formations on a container. Alternatively the base may be non-removably attachable to a container, for example by being provided with a snap bead or the like.

Closures formed in accordance with the present invention may comprise five sealing zones:

The closure may be an external push-pull closure, with a mobile cap on a fixed spout; the spout forming part of a base which is attachable to a container neck. In some embodiments the closure has five sealing zones. In some embodiments a closures is formed with one or more of the sealing zones illustrated in Figure 4.

The present invention provides a closure as described herein.

The present invention provides a closure as described herein in combination with a container.

Different aspects and embodiments of the invention may be used separately or together.

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

The present invention is more particularly shown and described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure I is a side view of a closure formed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a section of the closure of Figure I ;

Figure 3 is a section of a known closure having the same external shape as the closure of Figures I and 2; Figure 4 is a section of the closure of Figure I illustrating differences over the closure of Figure 3; Figures 5 and 6 are sections of the closure of Figures I to 3 illustrating connection of the inner spout/stem to the base, and illustrating sealing points;

Figure 7 shows the closure of Figures I to 6 in an open position; and Figure 8 is a section of a closure formed in accordance with the present invention shown with example dimensions and interference.

In the following description, all orientational terms, such as upper, lower, radially and axially, are used in relation to the drawings and should not be interpreted as limiting on the invention.

Example embodiments are described below in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to embody and implement the systems and processes herein described. It is important to understand that embodiments can be provided in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein.

Accordingly, while embodiments can be modified in various ways and take on various alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and described in detail below as examples. There is no intent to limit to the particular forms disclosed and as well as individual embodiments the invention is intended to cover combinations of those embodiments as well. On the contrary, all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the appended claims should be included. Elements of the example embodiments are consistently denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings and detailed description where appropriate.

The terminology used herein to describe embodiments is not intended to limit the scope. The articles "a," "an," and "the" are singular in that they have a single referent; however, the use of the singular form in the present document should not preclude the presence of more than one referent. In other words, elements referred to in the singular can number one or more, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," and/or "including," when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, items, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, items, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein are to be interpreted as is customary in the art. It will be further understood that terms in common usage should also be interpreted as is customary in the relevant art and not in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

Referring first to Figures I and 2 there is shown a push-pull closure generally indicated 10. The closure I comprises a base 15 which is attachable to the opening of a container (not shown), and a mobile push-pull cap 10. The base 15 comprises a top deck 20 and a generally cylindrical sidewall 25 which depends from the periphery of the deck 20. The interior of the sidewall 25 includes a screw thread 30 for engaging a corresponding threaded portion on a container (such as a container neck).

An annular seal 35 depends from the underside of the deck 20 and in this embodiment is adapted to fit inside the bore of a container neck to provide a seal. An annular sealing projection 40 also depends from the underside of the deck, radially between the sidewall 25 and the seal 35. In this embodiment the projection 40 is adapted to provide a top seal by sealing against the top of a container neck rim.

At the centre of the deck 20 a generally circular opening 45 is provided, from which extends a generally cylindrical spout body 50.

The spout body 50 is generally tubular. A stem 55 extends through the centre of the body 50. The stem 55 is generally frusto-conical with a narrow end 60 and a wide end 65. The end 60 extends beyond the free end of the body 50. The end 65 extends beyond the opening 45 into the interior of the base 20.

The exterior of the body 50 is provided with an annular retention bead 70.

The interior of the body 50 is provided with a first sealing bead 75 and a second sealing bead 80. The cap 10 comprises an inclined top wall 85 at the centre of which is an aperture 90 surrounded by an upstanding annular wall 95. An inner wall 100 and an outer wall 105 depend from the top wall 85.

The outer wall 105 terminates just above the deck 20 when the cap is in the closed position. The wall 105 is provided with an internal retention bead I 10 at the free end thereof for engagement with the spout body bead 70 to hold the cap stably in the closed position.

The inner wall 100 extends through the opening 45 and terminates at approximately the same axial position as the end 65 of the stem 55. The exterior of the free end of the wall 100 is provided with an annular bead I 15.

In the closed position shown in Figures I and 2 the outer wall bead I 10 engages under the spout body bead 70 to hold the cap 10 stably. The body seals 75, 80 seal against the outer surface of the inner wall 100.

The interior of the annular wall 95 seals against the stem end 60. The end 65 of the stem 60 seals against the inner surface of the inner wall 100. This means that a double seal is formed between the seals at the ends of the stem. A separation chamber 120 is therefore formed within the inner wall to help prevent fluid entering the spout and escaping from the aperture 90 when the cap is in the closed position. Figure 3 shows a known closure 201 and in Figure 4 it is compared to the closure I of Figures I and 2. In Figures 5 and 6 the closure I is shown in the closed position.

Depending from around the opening 45 are a plurality (for example three) generally L- shape spokes 47 (between which fluid can flow). The short leg of each spoke 47 connects to the base end 65 of the stem 55 to position it within the base.

In this embodiment there are five sealing points: i)/ii) sealing beads 75, 80 seal against the inner wall 100; iii) the interior of the wall 95 seals against the stem end 60; iv) the end 65 of the stem 60 seals against the inner surface of the inner wall 100; and v) the outer wall bead I 10 seals against the outside of the body 50.

Figure 7 shows the closure I in the open position. The mobile cap 10 is lifted axially upwards with respect to the base 15. The bead I 10 has been pulled over the bead 70. The cap 10 lifts until the bead I 15 abuts against the underside of the wall 46 surrounding the opening 45. The bead I 10 still seals against the body wall 50. The beads 75, 80 remain sealed against the wall 100. The wall 100 is pulled away from the stem end 65 and no longer seals and the wall 95 is pulled away from the stem end 60 and no longer seals so that a flow path through the spout and out of the aperture 90 is established. Figure 8 shows a closure 301 formed according to an alternative embodiment with particular dimensions and interferences shown.

Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments shown and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

I . A push-pull closure comprising a base attachable to a container and including a fixed dispensing spout, and a mobile cap which is movable with respect to the spout between an open position in which flowable product can be dispensed through the spout and a closed position in which the spout is blocked, the spout comprises a generally tubular body and a stem is supported within the spout, the mobile cap comprises a dispensing orifice at one end and an inner wall and an outer wall extends from that end between which the spout body is slidably received, in which in the closed position the mobile cap is sealed against the stem both at or towards the dispensing orifice end and at or towards the opposite end of the inner wall whereby to form a separation chamber between the stem and the cap to prevent seepage from the orifice in use.

2. A push-pull closure comprising a base attachable to a container and including a fixed dispensing spout, and a mobile cap which is movable with respect to the spout between an open position in which flowable product can be dispensed through the spout and a closed position in which the spout is blocked, the spout comprises a generally tubular body and a stem is supported within the spout, the mobile cap comprises a dispensing orifice at one end and an inner wall and an outer wall extends from that end between which the spout body is slidably received, in which in the closed position the mobile cap is sealed against the stem at two or more points to prevent seepage from the orifice in use.

3. A push-pull closure comprising a base attachable to a container and including a fixed dispensing spout, and a mobile cap which is movable with respect to the spout between an open position in which flowable product can be dispensed through the spout and a closed position in which the spout is blocked, the spout comprises a generally tubular body and a stem is supported within the spout, the mobile cap comprises a dispensing orifice at one end and an inner wall and an outer wall extends from that end between which the spout body is slidably received, in which in the closed position a separation chamber is formed between the mobile cap and the stem to prevent seepage from the orifice in use.

4. A dispensing closure comprising a base attachable to a container and including a generally central opening surrounded by a fixed dispensing spout, and a push-pull cap which is movable with respect to the spout between an open position in which flowable product can be dispensed through the spout and a closed position in which the spout is blocked, the spout comprises a generally tubular body and a stem is supported within the spout, the cap comprises a pouring aperture at one end and an inner wall and an outer wall extends from that end between which the spout body is slidably received, in which in the closed position the free end of the inner wall is sealed against the stem to prevent product entering the spout.

5. A closure as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the stem is sealed against the inner wall of the cap.

6. A closure as claimed in claim 5, in which the stem is sealed against the inner wall at two or more points.

7. A closure as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the inner wall comprises a stop bead for preventing removal of the cap from the base.

8. A closure as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the base includes screw thread formations for engaging cooperating formations on a container.

9. A closure as claimed in any of claims I to 7, in which the base is non-removably attachable to a container.

10. A closure as claimed in any preceding claim and comprising five sealing zones:

1 1 . A closure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.

1 2. A closure as claimed in any preceding claim in combination with a container.