WO2020092371A1

WO2020092371A1 - Dispensing closure for a container

Info

Publication number: WO2020092371A1
Application number: PCT/US2019/058567
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kenneth W. Phillips; Curt F. PRUSKO
Original assignee: Aptargroup, Inc.
Priority date: 2018-10-29
Filing date: 2019-10-29
Publication date: 2020-05-07

Abstract

A dispensing closure (40) includes a base (44) defining an inlet end (46) for being attached at the opening of a container and an outlet end (47) defining a dispensing orifice (48), a vent passage (104) defining an external venting orifice (108) and an internal venting orifice (112), and a venting valve (120) at the internal orifice (112) tor permitting in-venting. The closure (40) includes a flexible, resilient button (56) attached to the base (44) and a piston (60) is attached to the button (56). The piston (60) is movable relative to the base (44) and has a first, unactuated position occluding the dispensing orifice (48), and a second, actuated position where at least a portion of the piston (60) moves away from and exposes the dispensing orifice (48) to permit flow of a fluent substance through the closure (40).

Description

DISPENSING CLOSURE FOR A CONTAINER

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a dispensing closure for a container of a fluent substance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

AND

TECHNICAL PROBLEMS POSED BY THE PRIOR ART

[0002] Closures are employed to selectively prevent or permit communication between the exterior and interior of a container (e.g., bottle, flexible pouch, machine, vessel, etc.) through an opening in the container. A typical closure includes at least (1) a receiving structure (e.g., a body, base, fitment, etc.) arranged at the opening to the container interior, and (2) a closing element (e.g., a lid, cover, cap, valve, seal, etc.) that is cooperatively received by the receiving structure.

[0003] The receiving structure of the closure can typically be either (1) a separate structure that can be attached at the container opening, and that defines a passage through the structure for communicating with the container opening and the container interior, or (2) an integral structure that is a unitary portion of the container, and which defines a passage through the structure such that the passage functions as the opening to the container. Also, the closing element may be formed together with the receiving structure as a unitary article, or the receiving structure and closing element may be separately made and then assembled.

[0004] The closing element typically is movable relative to the receiving structure passage between (1) a closed position for completely, or at least partially, occluding the passage, and (2) an open position for completely, or at least partially, exposing the passage. Some closures may include additional elements (e.g., freshness seals, dispensing valves, tamper-evident features, child safety features, locking elements, etc.).

[0005] A closure may be provided on a rigid, flexible, or collapsible container of one or more fluent substances (e.g., liquids, gels, granules, powders, oils, lotions, creams, cleaning solutions, etc.). A container may be inverted by a user to dispense, or assist in dispensing, the substance from the container through the opened closure. Alternatively, the closure might be located at the bottom end of a container and might function as a gravity-fed spigot or tap for dispensing the fluent substance without the need for the user to invert the container. The container with the closure mounted thereon, and the fluent substance or substances stored therein, may be collectively characterized as a“package” that may be encountered by a consumer.

[0006] One type of prior art dispensing closure is a push button type that has a deformable button or membrane which is pressed by a user to move a plunger or piston out of sealing engagement with a fixed body. One such push button type dispensing closure is designated as a model 800235 detergent tap, which is manufactured and sold by Worldwide Dispensers (a subsidiary of DS Smith), having an office in Lester Prairie, Minnesota, USA.

[0007] Such a prior art type of tap is typically used on a container having a secondary aperture or vent hole. The vent hole is typically covered with a threaded vent cap, which may be partially unscrewed from a mating thread on the container to partially expose the vent hole to the ambient atmosphere. Exposure of the vent hole on the container allows for inventing of air into the container interior to improve the characteristics and speed of the flow of the dispensed fluent product from the container interior.

[0008] The inventors of the present invention have determined that such prior art dispensing closures may not be suitable for cleanly dispensing certain fluent substances, such as laundry detergent. For example, such prior art dispensing closures may be prone to the accumulation of residual fluent substance on the closure after the dispensing process, which may lead to the formation of undesirable drips. Furthermore, such prior art closures may not dispense a fluent substance in a controlled manner.

[0009] The inventors of the present invention have determined that it may be desirable to provide a dispensing closure capable of venting without the additional cost and complexity of a secondary vent hole and/or vent cap on the container.

[0010] The inventors have considered that it would be beneficial to provide an improved dispensing closure that provides a better, more reliable flow, and better flow cut-off (cessation of flow) than the prior art closures and taps. [0011] The inventors have considered that it would be beneficial to provide an improved dispensing closure that is more easily actuated or operable by one hand of a user, and yet is resistant to accidental opening.

[0012] The inventors of the present invention have also determined that it would be desirable to provide an improved dispensing closure that can be configured for use with a container of a fluent substance so as to have one or more of the following advantages: (i) an improved ease of manufacture and/or assembly, (ii) a reduced cost of manufacture and/or assembly, and (iii) the capability to accommodate optional tamper-resistant features or other features.

[0013] The inventors of the present invention have invented a novel structure for a dispensing closure for use with a container wherein the dispensing closure addresses one or more of the above-described problems, and includes various advantageous features not heretofore taught or contemplated by the prior art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] In the accompanying drawings forming part of the specification, in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

[0015] Fig. 1 is an isometric view, taken from above and in front, of a dispensing closure of the present invention for being installed at the opening of a container (not illustrated);

[0016] Fig. 2 is an isometric view, taken from above and behind, of the dispensing closure illustrated in Fig. 1 ;

[0017] Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the dispensing closure illustrated in Fig. 1 ;

[0018] Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of the dispensing closure illustrated in Fig. 1 ;

[0019] Fig. 5 is a right-side elevation view of the dispensing closure illustrated in Fig. 1 ;

[0020] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the dispensing closure illustrated in Fig. 1, taken generally along the plane 6-6 in Fig. 3, and Fig. 6 shows the piston and button in a first, unactuated position; [0021] Fig. 7 is an isometric, cross-sectional view, taken from above and in front, generally along the plane 6-6 in Fig. 3;

[0022] Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the dispensing closure illustrated in Fig. 1, taken generally along the plane 8-8 in Fig. 3, and Fig. 8 shows the piston and button in a first, unactuated position;

[0023] Fig. 9 is an isometric, cross-sectional view, taken from above and behind, generally along the plane 8-8 in Fig. 3;

[0024] Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a dispensing closure of the present invention for being installed at the opening of a container (not illustrated) showing the piston and button in a first, unactuated position;

[0025] Fig. 11 is an isometric view, taken from above, of another embodiment of a piston of a dispensing closure according to the present invention;

[0026] Fig. 12 is an isometric view, taken from above, of yet another embodiment of a piston of a dispensing closure according to the present invention;

[0027] Fig. 13 is an isometric view, taken from above, of still another embodiment of a piston of a dispensing closure according to the present invention; and

[0028] Fig. 14 is an isometric view, taken from above, of another embodiment of a piston of a dispensing closure according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029] While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, this specification and the accompanying drawings disclose only specific forms as examples of the invention. The invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments so described, and the scope of the invention will be pointed out in the appended claims.

[0030] For ease of description, many figures illustrating the invention show embodiments of a dispensing closure in the typical orientation that the closure would have when located at the opening of a container, the container in the form of an upright laundry detergent bottle having an opening at the bottom of a side wall thereof, and terms such as“inward”,“outward”,“upper”, “lower",“axial",“radial”,“lateral”, etc., are used with reference to this orientation. The term “axially upward” is to be understood as in the direction along a central axis defined by the direction of travel of the piston of the closure toward ab unactuated, closed position of the piston, and“axially downward” is to be understood as in the opposite direction along the central axis defined by the direction of travel of the piston toward an open, actuated position or configuration of the piston. The term“radially inward” is to be understood as in the radial direction toward the aforementioned central axis of the piston. The term“radially outward” is to be understood as in the radial direction away from the aforementioned central axis of the piston. It will be understood, however, that the closures of this invention may be manufactured, stored, transported, used, and sold in an orientation other than the orientation described and illustrated.

[0031] The closures of this invention are especially suitable for use with a variety of conventional or special containers, the details of which, although not fully illustrated or described, would be apparent to those having skill in the art and an understanding of such containers. The particular containers described herein are not intended to limit 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 closures alone.

[0032] The closures described herein are especially suitable for use on a container that contains a fluent material or substance in the form of a liquid detergent or soap that can be dispensed, or otherwise discharged, from the container through the opened closure. Such fluent substances may be, for example, a personal care product, a food product, an industrial product, a household product, or other types of products. Such substances may be for internal or external use by humans or animals, or for other uses (e.g., activities involving medicine, commercial or household maintenance, agriculture, manufacturing, etc.).

[0033] A first embodiment of a dispensing closure of the present invention is illustrated in Figs. 1-9, wherein the closure is designated generally by the reference number 40. The first illustrated embodiment of the closure 40 has the form of a separate article that is configured to be attached or assembled to a container (not illustrated) at the container opening, the container having the form of a bottle that would typically contain a fluent substance. [0034] It will be understood that the container may be any conventional type, such as a collapsible, flexible pouch, or may be a generally rigid bottle that has somewhat flexible, resilient walls. The container, or a portion thereof, may be made from a material suitable for the intended application. For example, the container may be a pouch made from a thin, flexible material, wherein such a material could be a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film or a polyethylene film and/or an aluminum foil. Alternatively, a more rigid container in the form of a bottle could be made from a thicker, less flexible material such as molded polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinylchloride, glass, or other materials,

[0035] In applications wherein the closure is mounted to a container such as a bottle, it is contemplated that typically, after the closure manufacturer would make the closure (e.g., by molding the closure from a thermoplastic polymer), the closure manufacturer will then ship the closure to a container filler facility at another location where the container is either manufactured or otherwise provided, and where the container is filled with a product prior to installation of the closure. If the container is a collapsible pouch, then the closure may include a suitable fitment portion that can be sealed or otherwise attached to the pouch as the pouch is being made and filled, or as the pouch is being made but before the pouch is subsequently filled through the open closure or through open regions of the pouch walls that are later sealed closed.

[0036] In the first illustrated embodiment of the closure 40 in Figs. 1 -9, the closure 40 is provided as a separately manufactured article, component, or unit for being screw threaded onto the threaded open end of the container. It will be appreciated, however, that in some applications, it may be desirable for the closure 40 to be snap fitted onto a container or attached to a container in a tamper-resistant manner that would not allow a user to easily remove the closure 40. Further, it may be desirable for the closure (or at least the base of the closure) to be formed as a unitary part, or extension, of the container (e.g., a bottle) wherein such a unitary part or extension also (i.e., simultaneously) defines an end structure of the container, per se.

[0037] The container, per se, does not form a part of the broadest aspects of the present invention. The container may have any suitable configuration.

[0038] The first embodiment of the closure 40 illustrated in the Figs. 1 -9 is especially suitable for use with a container that is a large bottle having a somewhat rigid walls wherein the contents of the container can flow under the force of gravity form the inside of the container through the opened closure and to an exterior of the container.

[0039] In other applications, it may be desirable to employ to pressurize the container interior at selected times with a piston or other pressurizing system (not illustrated), or to reduce the exterior ambient pressure to suck the material out through the open closure.

[0040] In some other applications, it may be desirable to also accommodate filling or refilling of the container with the fluent contents through the opened closure 40 into the container interior.

[0041] With reference now to Fig. 8, the dispensing closure 40 includes the basic components of a hollow closure body or base 44 for being located at the opening of a container, a flexible, resilient button 56 connected to the base 44, a relatively rigid piston 60 connected to the button 46, and a venting valve or valve assembly 120 mounted in the base 44. An optional cap or cover may be provided as illustrated in Figs. 1-9 to prevent the button 56 from being inadvertently actuated during shipping or handling. The button 56 is provided for being pressed downwardly by a finger or thumb of a user of the closure 40, thus moving the piston 60 axially downwardly out of engagement with a dispensing orifice 48 of the base 44 to permit flow of a fluent material from the container through the base 44. When the user ceases to press against the button 56, then the resiliency of the button 56 returns the piston 60 axially upwardly to permit the piston 60 to re-seal against the dispensing orifice 48 of the base 44 and to return the piston 60 to its normally closed position (Figs. 1-9). The closure 40 may provide improved one-handed operation for a user and quick cut-off when dispensing of a fluent material is ceased.

[0042] The closure base 44, piston 60, and valve assembly 120 components (discussed in detail below) are preferably formed or molded as separate structures from a suitable rigid thermoplastic material such as polypropylene or polyethylene. Other materials may be employed instead.

[0043] The button 56 is molded as a separate structure from a suitable elastomeric material such as a synthetic, thermosetting polymer, including silicone rubber, such as the silicone rubber sold by Dow Coming Corporation in the United States if America under the trade designation D.C. 99-595 and RBL-9595-40. Another suitable silicone rubber material is sold in the United States of America under the designation Wacker 3003-40 by Wacker Silicone Company. The button 56 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. For example, a particular non-silicone material that may be employed is ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber ("EPDM"), such as sold in the United States of America under the designation Grade Z1118 by Gold Key Processing, Inc. having an office at 14910 Madison Road, Middlefield, Ohio 44062, United States of America. Another non-silicone material that may be employed is nitrile rubber, such as sold in the United States of America under the designation Grade GK0445081-2 by Graphic Arts Rubber, having an office at 101 Ascot Parkway, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio 44223, United States of America. It is desirable in many applications that the material be substantially inert to avoid reaction with, and/or adulteration of, the fluent substance or substances that encounter the button 56. Other materials may be employed instead.

[0044] The separately molded components of the base 44, piston 60, venting valve 120, and button 56 are then subsequently assembled into the dispensing closure 40. It will be understood that in alternative designs (not illustrated), one or more of the basic components or subcomponents may be separately or sequentially formed or molded (such as through bi-injection molding). Alternatively, the basic components may be molded initially as one connected structure, and then broken apart, and then re-assembled into an operative combination. Further, it will be understood that in an alternate embodiment (not illustrated), the base 44 may be unitarily formed or molded as an extension of the open end of the container and need not be a separately formed article of manufacture.

[0045] With reference to Figs. 1 and 8, the closure base 44 includes a generally cylindrical skirt or outer wall having an inlet portion or inlet end 46 for being located at the opening of a container and an outlet end 47 defining a dispensing orifice 48 (visible in Fig. 8). The closure base 44 is hollow, having an internal surface or surfaces 49 (Fig. 8) to define a through passage 50 (Fig. 2) to communicate with an interior of the container which contains a fluent substance to be dispensed. While the closure base 44 is illustrated as having a generally cylindrical shape, it will be appreciated, however, that the base 44 may take a variety of forms and need not be limited to a cylindrical shape. For example, the outer wall may be square, elliptical, polygonal, or some other, irregular cross-sectional shape.

[0046] Referring to Fig. 8, the interior of the base 44 is provided with an internal wall or plug seal that extends inwardly toward the container interior when the closure 40 is connected to the container opening. Internal, female screw threads in the base 44 surround the plug seal for mating with a male threaded fitting surrounding the opening of the container (not illustrated). It will be appreciated that other conventional or special means of connecting the closure base 44 to the container could be employed, such as mating snap-fit beads, bi-injection molding, adhesives, mechanical locks, spin welding of the closure to the container, etc.

[0047] If the closure base 44 is to be used on a flexible pouch (not illustrated), then it is presently contemplated that the closure base 44 inlet end would have a suitable fitment configuration (e.g., such as that shown and described in PCT/US2013/043065, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety) for being sealed with the pouch, and most pouch manufacturers will prefer to install the closure base 44 inlet end at an opening formed in the pouch with heat sealing techniques or ultrasonic sealing techniques.

[0048] Still referring to Fig. 8, the closure base 44 includes a somewhat cylindrical dispensing or front chamber to accommodate the travel of the piston 60 along a substantially vertical central axis (Figs. 5 and 6). An upper or top end of the front chamber has a circular opening and annular retention walls to receive and hold the button 56 therein, which will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter. A lower or bottom end of the front chamber terminates at the outlet end 47 and the dispensing orifice 48 in the form of a circular opening or hole in communication with the through passage 50 for permitting communication of a substance through the closure 40 (e.g., dispensing or filling). An annular guide surface or retention ring 96 surrounds a cylindrical shaft portion of the piston 60 to limit the piston 60 to substantially axial movement toward or away from the dispensing orifice 48. A downwardly depending internal wall or wall portion 250 at the outlet end 47 is surrounded by an outer wall or wall portion 240 that is sloping downwardly in the direction toward the container opening. The outer wall 240 at the outlet end 47 has a leading portion 200 and a trailing portion 210, with the trailing portion 210 extending axially further from the button 56 than the leading portion 200 for improved dispensing and drip retention and/or minimization, as will be discussed below.

[0049] Referring to Figs. 1 and 3, the base 44 includes pair of gripping flanges or projections 100 on either side of the front chamber, laterally of the button 56, for providing a gripping surface to the fingers of a user of the dispensing closure 40.

[0050] Referring now to Figs. 5-8, the elastomeric button 56 is force fit to the top end of the front chamber. It will be understood that the button 56 may be clamped, glued, molded, welded, snap-fit or otherwise removably or permanently secured to the base 44. In its unactuated, resting position, the button 56 assumes a dome-like shape and has a central cylindrical sheath extending downwardly from the inside of the button 56 for receiving an upper post or end 84 of the piston 60 (each visible in Fig. 6). When the piston 60 is fitted and secured within the sheath of the button 56, the piston 60 hangs beneath the button 56 within the front chamber. As will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter, when a force applied to the button 56 causes downward movement or deflection of the button 56 during actuation of the closure 40 by a user, the piston 60 is forced from a first, unactuated position (Figs. 6-9) occluding or sealing against the dispensing orifice 48, and the post 60 moves to a second, actuated position where a distal portion or end 88 of the piston 60 is spaced axially downwardly of the dispensing orifice 48. Resiliency of the button 56 is sufficient to return the piston 60 to its first, unactuated position such that the distal end 88 of the piston 60 re-seals or occludes the dispensing orifice 48. It will be understood that the button 56 could be spring biased (not illustrated) such that the button 56 need not be sufficiently resilient to return the piston 60 to its unactuated position. Furthermore, the button 56 could have other shapes depending on application or the shape of the open top end of the front chamber of the base 44.

[0051] With reference now to Figs. 8 and 9, which show the features of the piston 60, the piston 60 has a somewhat cylindrical structure. The post or proximal end 84 has an annular groove or retention feature for receiving an annular bead of the cylindrical internal sheath of the button 56. The piston 60 distal end 88 is flaring and circular for evenly and firmly contacting the outlet end 47 of the base 44 to occlude or seal off the orifice 48 (as discussed below). As previously discussed above, the cylindrical shaft portion of the piston 60 is received within the annular guide 96 formed in the interior of the front chamber of the base 44 to restrict the piston 60 to movement only along its vertical (central) axis. It will be understood that the annular guide surface 96 in the form of a ring could take many forms that function to restrict or limit movement of the piston, such as mating ribs to substantially limit or restrict the lateral or radial travel of the piston 60.

[0052] Referring to Figs. 8 and 9, the distal end 88 of the piston 60 has a tapered, sloping shape from the front toward the back thereof, in the direction of the inlet end 46 and the container to minimize or inhibit the retention of residual fluent substance on the piston 60 after dispensing. Specifically, the distal end 88 has a thinner edge portion 220 sealing against the front of the internal annular wall 250 to occlude the dispensing orifice 48 and the distal end 88 expands to a thicker edge portion 230 sealing against the rear of the internal annular wall 250 to occlude the dispensing orifice 48. The piston 60 includes a raised annular rim 260 that surrounds the dispensing orifice 48 of the base 44.

[0053] Referring now to Figs. 8 and 9, the base 44 includes a vent passage 104 concealed behind the button 56 (in the direction toward the container opening). The vent passage 104 connects between an external venting orifice 108 and an internal venting orifice 112 in the form of a cylindrical tube. A venting valve 120 or valve assembly is located at the internal venting orifice 112 and includes a spherical sealing member or ball valve 124 and a cage or vent chamber 128. The vent chamber 128 allows for ingress or egress of a gas but holds the spherical ball valve 124 at or near the internal venting orifice 112. The venting valve 120 is

advantageously located within the inlet end 46 of the base 44 such that the container need only have a single opening which will decrease cost and complexity of the associated container. The valve 124 allows for inventing of ambient air to improve the flow characteristics of the fluent substance being dispensed through the base 44 while preventing or at least minimizing, the escape of a fluent substance (e.g., detergent) through the vent passage 104.

[0054] Various modifications and alterations to the venting valve 120 will become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention. Illustrative embodiments and examples are provided as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. For example, with reference to Fig. 8, the ball-type venting valve 120 may be replaced by an appropriately-sized umbrella valve or other functionally equivalent check valve, together with the appropriate supporting structure, to allow in-venting of air into the container interior, while preventing, or at least minimizing, the escape of a fluent substance (e.g., detergent) through the vent passage 104.

[0055] The detailed operation and function of the dispensing closure 40 will next be described with initial reference to Figs. 1 and 2. Typically, a user, such as a customer, will encounter the closure 40 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, with the closure 40 installed upon the bottom of a lateral or side wall of a container of a fluent substance~the closure 40, container, and fluent substance within the container together defining a package.

[0056] The closure 40 is presented to a user in its non-dispensing, closed configuration with the button 56 oriented in an unstressed, domelike configuration as illustrated in Figs. 1-3. The piston 60 is held within the button 56 at its first, non-dispensing location sealing against the dispensing orifice 48 to prevent flow of the fluent substance from the interior of the base 44 to the exterior ambient environment. The button 56 is sufficiently resilient to prevent, or at least minimize, the likelihood of the inadvertent opening or unseating of the piston 60 from engagement with the dispensing orifice 48 and prevent leakage of the fluent substance. The distal end 88 of the piston 60 is located in a confronting relationship relative to the dispensing orifice 48 to prevent, or at least minimize, the likelihood of the inadvertent translation of the piston 60 during shipping or handling of the package, or from increased pressures that may be developed within the package. The distal end 88 of the piston defines a substantially flat exterior surface that is recessed the outlet end 47 when the piston 60 is in said first, unactuated position. An optional cap or cover is be provided to prevent accidental impact of the button 56, the cap being removed prior to operation by a user.

[0057] The user can begin to dispense the fluent substance from the container through the closure 40 by gripping the closure base 44 projections 100 and initially pressing downwardly with a thumb against the button 56. The user will overcome the inherent stiffness of the button 56 when a sufficient pre-determined force is applied to deflect it inwardly to carry the piston 60 axially downwardly. Contact between the annular guide surface 96 and the piston 60 cylindrical exterior surface restricts movement of the piston 60 axially downwardly out of engagement with the internal annular wall 250 to open the dispensing orifice 48. In other words, as the user presses against the button 56, the piston 60 moves from its unactuated, initial position into its actuated position out of contact with the internal annular wall 250.

[0058] The force of gravity on the fluent substance in the container carries the fluent substance from the container interior, through the inlet end 46 of the base 44, through the passage 50 to the dispensing orifice 48 of the outlet end 47, and down to a target dispensing location such as a cup or other receptacle.

[0059] When the user ceases to press against the button 56, the resiliency of the button 56 carries the piston 60 axially upwardly back into sealing contact with the internal annular wall 250 to occlude the dispensing orifice 48, returning the piston 60 to its initial, non-dispensing configuration or position. The inventors have found that the arrangement of the closure 40 may provide an improved, more reliable flow, and better flow cut-off (cessation of flow) than the prior art closures and taps. The closure 40 is especially suitable for viscous fluent substances having a viscosity between about 40 mPa s and about 600 mPa s, such as liquid laundiy detergent. In addition, the inventors have found that the dispensing closure 40 described herein may be mass produced for less cost compared to current taps and dispensing closures that have additional complex components such as metal springs etc., and the closure 40 may be more easily actuated or operated by one hand of a user, and yet is still readily resistant to accidental opening. The inventors have further found that the placement of the venting valve 120, which is advantageously located within the inlet end 46 of the base 44, allows the container to only have a single opening which will decrease the cost and complexity of the associated container and eliminate the need for a secondary venting cap or closure at the eliminated separate vent opening of the container. The valve 120 allows for inventing of ambient air to improve the flow characteristics of the fluent substance being dispensed through the base 44. The valve 120 advantageously prevents egress of the fluent substance out of the vent orifice 108 while permitting ingress of gases such as the ambient atmosphere.

[0060] A second embodiment of a dispensing closure according to the present invention is illustrated in Fig. 10 and is designated generally by the numeral 40. The numbered features of the second embodiment of the closure 40 illustrated in Fig. 10 are analogous to features of the first embodiment of the closure 40 of Figs. 1 -9 that share the same number. The second embodiment of the closure 40 differs from the first embodiment above in that the second embodiment of the closure 40 includes a modified piston 60 distal end 88 and dispensing orifice 48 of the closure base 44. The distal end 88 includes a frustoconical sealing surface 270 and the dispensing orifice 48 of the base 44 has the form of a mating or second frustoconical sealing surface 280. The geometry of the piston 60 and base 44 sealing surfaces 270/280 is believed to provide advantageous flow and cessation of flow compared to prior art dispensers and taps. Advantageously, the piston 60 distal end 88 is flush with the outlet end 47 of the base 44 to cut off any residual fluent material that may remain at or near the orifice 48.

[0061] Figs. 1 1-14 illustrate additional embodiments of the piston 60 discussed above. It will be understood that the exit orifice 48 and outlet end 47 of the base 44 as previously discussed would need to be modified to conform to the shapes and structures of these additional embodiments of the piston 60 to form a fluid tight seal when the piston 60 is in its closed, nondispensing position.

[0062] With reference to Fig. 11, the third embodiment of the piston 60 includes a central cylindrical post 300 with a distal end having a flat, annular sealing surface 310 for sealing against the outlet end 47 of the base 44, the sealing surface 310 surrounded by an upraised rim 320. The distal end of the piston 60 includes a series of channels or recesses 330 to capture residual fluent substance during the movement of the piston 60 between the first and second positions when dispensing. The exterior or bottom surface 340 of the distal end of the piston 60 includes a convex, pointed cone structure to minimize dripping after the closure 40 has ceased to be actuated by a user.

[0063] With reference to Fig. 12, the fourth embodiment of the piston 60 includes a central cylindrical post 300 with a distal end having a flat, annular sealing surface 310 surrounded by an upraised rim 320. The distal end of the piston 60 includes a series of channels or recesses 330 to capture residual fluent substance during the movement of the piston 60 between the first and second positions when dispensing. A series of arcuate ribs 350 extend between the annular sealing surface 310 and the post 300. [0064] With reference to Fig. 13, the fifth embodiment of the piston 60 includes a central cylindrical post with a distal end 88 having a pyramidal shape.

[0065] With reference to Fig. 14, the sixth embodiment of the piston 60 includes a central cylindrical post with a distal end 88 having a frusto-pyramidal shape.

[0066] Various modifications and alterations to this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention. Illustrative embodiments and examples are provided as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A dispensing closure (40) for use with a container having an opening between an exterior of the container and an interior of the container where a fluent substance may be stored, said dispensing closure (40) comprising:

A. a base (44) having

i. an inlet end (46) for being located at the opening of the container, ii. an outlet end (47) defining a dispensing orifice (48), and

iii. an interior surface (49) defining a through passage (50) between said inlet end (46) and said outlet end (47) for communicating with the container interior to permit the flow of a fluent substance through said base (44), and

iv. a vent passage (104) defining an external venting orifice ( 108) and an internal venting orifice (112) facing the container interior;

B. a venting valve (120) located at said internal orifice (112) for permitting inventing of air between the ambient exterior of the container and the container interior;

C. a flexible, resilient button (56) attached to said base (44);

D. a piston (60) attached to said button (56) and movable relative to said base (44), said button (56) and said piston (60) having

i. a first, unactuated position wherein said piston (60) occludes said dispensing orifice (48), and

ii. a second, actuated position where at least a portion of said piston (60) is spaced away from said dispensing orifice (48) to permit flow of a fluent substance through said closure (40).

2. The dispensing closure (40) in accordance with claim 1 wherein said venting valve (120) has the form of a ball valve including a spherical sealing member (124) and a vent chamber (128) restricting movement of said spherical sealing member (124) away from said internal venting orifice (112).

3. The dispensing closure (40) in accordance with claim 1 wherein said internal venting orifice (112) is located within said inlet end (46) of said base (44).

4. The dispensing closure (40) in accordance with claim 1 wherein said external venting orifice (108) is concealed behind said button (56).

5. The dispensing closure (40) in accordance with claim 1 wherein said outlet end (47) has a leading portion (200) and a trailing portion (210), said trailing portion (210) extending axially further from said button (56) than said leading portion (200).

6. The dispensing closure (40) in accordance with claim 1 wherein said piston (60) includes a proximal end (84) attached to said button (56) and a distal end (88) for occluding said dispensing orifice (48).

7. The dispensing closure (40) in accordance with claim 6 wherein said distal end (88) of said piston (60) is tapered from a thicker edge portion (230) to a thinner edge portion (220).

8. The dispensing closure (40) in accordance with claim 6 wherein said distal end (88) of said piston (60) defines a substantially flat exterior surface that is recessed within said outlet end (47) when said piston (60) is in said first, unactuated position.

9. The dispensing closure (40) in accordance with claim 1 wherein said base (44) includes an annular guide surface (96) surrounding a portion of said piston (60).

10. The dispensing closure (40) in accordance with claim 1 wherein said outlet end (47) of base (44) includes an external annular wall (240) and an internal annular wall (250) and said piston (60) seals against said internal annular wall (250).

11. The dispensing closure (40) in accordance with claim 1 wherein said piston (60) includes a raised annular rim (260) that surrounds said dispensing orifice (48) of said base (44).

12. The dispensing closure (40) in accordance with claim 1 wherein said piston (60) includes a first frustoconical sealing surface (270) and said dispensing orifice (48) of said base (44) includes a second frustoconical sealing surface (280), said first frustoconical sealing surface (270) sealing against said second frustoconical sealing surface (280) when said button (56) and said piston (60) are in said first, unactuated position.

13, The dispensing closure (40) in accordance with claim 1 wherein said piston (60) includes i. a central shaft portion (300),

ii. a substantially flat annular sealing surface (310) located laterally outwardly of said shaft portion (300),

iii. an annular raised wall (320) surrounding said sealing surface (310), and iv. at least one recessed surface (330) located between said shaft portion (300) and said annular sealing surface (310).

14. The dispensing closure (40) in accordance with claim 13 wherein said piston (60)

includes a lower conical surface (340) beneath said annular sealing surface (310).

15. The dispensing closure (40) in accordance with claim 13 wherein said piston (60)

includes at least one arcuate rib (350) extending between said shaft portion (300) and said annular sealing surface (310).

16. The dispensing closure (40) in accordance with claim 1 wherein said piston (60) includes a distal end (88) having the form of a triangular pyramid.

17. The dispensing closure (40) in accordance with claim 1 wherein said piston (60) includes a distal end (88) having the form of a frusto-rectangular pyramid.

18. The dispensing closure (40) in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a pair of projections (100) extending laterally outwardly from said base (44), said projections (100) located on either side of said button (56).

19. The dispensing closure (40) in accordance with claim 1 in combination with a container of a fluent substance having a viscosity between about 40 mPa-sand about 600 mPa-s, said dispensing closure (40), said container, and said substance together defining a package.

20. The dispensing closure (40) in accordance with claim 1 in combination with a container of a fluent substance, said container having only one opening between an exterior of the container and an interior of the container.

21. The dispensing closure (40) in accordance with claim 1 in which said base (44) is one of:

A. a separate structure for being attached to the container at the container opening; and

B. an integral structure that is a unitary part of a container formed at the container

opening.

22. A dispensing closure (40) for use with a container having an opening between an exterior of the container and an interior of the container where a fluent substance may be stored, said dispensing closure (40) comprising:

A. a base (44) having

i. an inlet end (46) for being located at the opening of the container, ii. an outlet end (47) defining a dispensing orifice (48), said outlet end (47)

having a leading portion (200) and a trailing portion (210), said trailing portion (210) extending axially beyond said leading portion (200), and

iii. an interior surface (49) defining a through passage (50) between said inlet end (46) and said outlet end (47) for communicating with the container interior to permit the flow of a fluent substance through said base (44); B. a flexible, resilient button (56) attached to said base (44); and

C. a piston (60) attached to said button (56) and movable relative to said base (44), said button (56) and said piston (60) having

i. a first, unactuated position wherein said piston (60) occludes said

dispensing orifice (48), and

ii, a second, actuated position where at least a portion of said piston (60) is spaced away from said dispensing orifice (48) to permit flow of a fluent substance through said closure (40).

23. A dispensing closure (40) for use with a container having an opening between an exterior of the container and an interior of the container where a fluent substance may be stored, said dispensing closure (40) comprising:

A. a base (44) having

iii. an interior surface (49) defining a through passage (50) between said inlet end (46) and said outlet end (47) for communicating with the container interior to permit the flow of a fluent substance through said base (44), and iv. a vent passage (104) defining an external venting orifice (108) and an internal venting orifice (112) facing the container interior;

C. a flexible, resilient button (56) attached to said base (44);

i. a first, unactuated position wherein said piston (60) occludes said

dispensing orifice (48), and ii, a second, actuated position where at least a portion of said piston (60) is spaced away from said dispensing orifice (48) to permit flow of a fluent substance through said closure (40).

24. The dispensing closure (40) in accordance with claim 23 wherein said venting valve (120) has the form of a ball valve including a spherical sealing member (124) and a vent chamber (128) restricting movement of said spherical sealing member (124) away from said internal venting orifice (112).

25. The dispensing closure (40) in accordance with any of claims 23-24 wherein said internal venting orifice (112) is located within said inlet end (46) of said base (44).

26. The dispensing closure (40) in accordance with any of claims 23-25 wherein said external venting orifice (108) is concealed behind said button (56).

27. The dispensing closure (40) in accordance with any of claims 23-26 wherein said outlet end (47) has a leading portion (200) and a trailing portion (210), said trailing portion (210) extending axially further from said button (56) than said leading portion (200).

28. The dispensing closure (40) in accordance with any of claims 23-27 wherein said piston (60) includes a proximal end (84) attached to said button (56) and a distal end (88) for occluding said dispensing orifice (48).

29. The dispensing closure (40) in accordance with claim 28 wherein said distal end (88) of said piston (60) is tapered from a thicker edge portion (230) to a thinner edge portion (220).

30. The dispensing closure (40) in accordance with claim 28 wherein said distal end (88) of said piston (60) defines a substantially flat exterior surface that is recessed within said outlet end (47) when said piston (60) is in said first, unactuated position.

31. The dispensing closure (40) in accordance with any of claims 23-30 wherein said base (44) includes an annular guide surface (96) surrounding a portion of said piston (60).

32. The dispensing closure (40) in accordance with any of claims 23-31 wherein said outlet end (47) of base (44) includes an external annular wall (240) and an internal annular wall (250) and said piston (60) seals against said internal annular wall (250).

33. The dispensing closure (40) in accordance with any of claims 23-32 wherein said piston (60) includes a raised annular rim (260) that surrounds said dispensing orifice (48) of said base (44).

34. The dispensing closure (40) in accordance with any of claims 23-33 wherein said piston (60) includes a first frustoconical sealing surface (270) and said dispensing orifice (48) of said base (44) includes a second frustoconical sealing surface (280), said first frustoconical sealing surface (270) sealing against said second frustoconical sealing surface (280) when said button (56) and said piston (60) are in said first, unactuated position.

35. The dispensing closure (40) in accordance with any of claims 23-34 wherein said piston (60) includes

i. a central shaft portion (300),

ii. a substantially flat annular sealing surface (310) located laterally

outwardly of said shaft portion (300),

36. The dispensing closure (40) in accordance with claim 35 wherein said piston (60)

37. The dispensing closure (40) in accordance with claim 35 wherein said piston (60) includes at least one arcuate rib (350) extending between said shaft portion (300) and said annular sealing surface (310).

38. The dispensing closure (40) in accordance with any of claims 23-37 wherein said piston (60) includes a distal end (88) having the form of a triangular pyramid.

39. The dispensing closure (40) in accordance with any of claims 23-37 wherein said piston (60) includes a distal end (88) having the form of a frusto-rectangular pyramid.

40. The dispensing closure (40) in accordance with any of claims 23-39 further comprising a pair of projections (100) extending laterally outwardly from said base (44), said projections (100) located on either side of said button (56).

41. The dispensing closure (40) in accordance with any of claims 23-40 in combination with a container of a fluent substance having a viscosity between about 40 mPa-s and about 600 mPa-s, said dispensing closure (40), said container, and said substance together defining a package.

42. The dispensing closure (40) in accordance with any of claims 23-41 in combination with a container of a fluent substance, said container having only one opening between an exterior of the container and an interior of the container.

43. The dispensing closure (40) in accordance with any of claims 23-42 in which said base (44) is one of:

B. an integral structure that is a unitary part of a container formed at the container opening.

44. A dispensing closure (40) for use with a container having an opening between an exterior of the container and an interior of the container where a fluent substance may be stored, said dispensing closure (40) comprising:

A. a base (44) having

i. an inlet end (46) for being located at the opening of the container, ii. an outlet end (47) defining a dispensing orifice (48), said outlet end (47) having a leading portion (200) and a trailing portion (210), said trailing portion (210) extending axially beyond said leading portion (200), and iii. an interior surface (49) defining a through passage (50) between said inlet end (46) and said outlet end (47) for communicating with the container interior to permit the flow of a fluent substance through said base (44);

B. a flexible, resilient button (56) attached to said base (44); and