Valve or insert for a dispensing cap

Abstract

A self-closing valve for a dispensing closure includes a generally cylindrical sidewall and a valve head connected by a generally U-shaped hinge portion.

Description

[0001] The present invention generally relates to a valve, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to a self-closing valve for sealing.

[0002] Self-closing dispensing valves are well-known and are typically installed in dispensing caps on squeezeable containers. Well-known applications include edible substances such as ketchup and honey, or personal care products such as body and hair care products. When the container is squeezed, the interior is pressurized and the valve opens; when the pressure is released, the valve automatically closes.

[0003] The present invention aims to provide an improvement to the self-closing valve.

[0004] One aspect of the invention provides a self-closing valve for dispensing a cap, comprising a generally cylindrical sidewall and a valve head connected by a generally U-shaped hinged portion.

[0005] The hinged portion can be annular in shape, located on the outer periphery of a generally circular valve head.

[0006] The valve can be configured to receive directly in the dispensing cap.

[0007] The valve may also include a chimney section extending upward from the side wall.

[0008] The valve may have a snap-fit ​​design, such as a snap-fit ​​lip (which can extend radially outward and axially downward from the sidewall).

[0009] The valve may also include a snap-fit ​​engagement device for securing the valve in the dispensing cap.

[0010] The snap-fit ​​engagement device can be in the form of a flexible annular lip that extends from the sidewall, for example, outward and downward.

[0011] The snap-fit ​​geometry can be flexible. Therefore, the valve can overcome larger tolerances. The valve can be integrated into various caps without requiring major changes to the mold.

[0012] Due to the flexibility of the material (such as LLDPE) and the snap-fit ​​geometry, the valve itself is also sealed externally.

[0013] The valve is secured in the cover without welding due to the snap-fit ​​mechanism.

[0014] The valve can be made of a single material.

[0015] Valves can be composed of a single piece, i.e., a one-piece structure (e.g., molded).

[0016] Solid rings can have several advantages: o Quick demolding; o Quick assembly (simply snap into the cap); o A more reliable process because it eliminates the need for welding; It can be easily integrated into capping devices that are needed no matter what.

[0017] The valve according to the invention can be manufactured using a certain proportion of recycled materials (up to 100%).

[0018] Various materials can be used for valves. Specific materials can offer certain advantages.

[0019] For example, silicone rubber valves are suitable for the application, but silicone rubber causes recycling problems because containers and dispensing caps are usually made of recyclable plastic materials such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), or polypropylene (PP); however, silicone rubber materials cannot be recycled, thus interfering with the recycling flow of containers and caps.

[0020] This recycling problem can be addressed by using different materials, such as thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs), which have the advantage of being processed and recycled like thermoplastics. However, one disadvantage of TPEs compared to silicone rubber is that TPE grades with similar mechanical properties are generally not suitable for use with different foods.

[0021] In some embodiments, the valve may be made of a plastic material.

[0022] In some embodiments, the valve may be made of vinyl plastic.

[0023] In some embodiments, the valve may be made of a polyolefin elastomer material.

[0024] In some embodiments, the valve may be made of an injectable thermoplastic polyolefin elastomer.

[0025] Examples of materials that can be used include ethylene-octene copolymers, such as Engage 8401 from Dow, and vinyloctene-1 plastomers, such as Queo 8320 from Borealis.

[0026] In some embodiments, the valve may be made of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) material.

[0027] The valve can be formed from a material having a Shore hardness in the range of 40 A to 90 A, such as approximately 40 A, 74 A, 83 A, or 84 A. The valve can also be formed from a material having a Shore hardness in the range of 60 A to 80 A. Shore hardness is measured according to ISO 868:2003.

[0028] The softer the material, the more flexible the valve is in opening and closing. This means that if a very soft material can be used, the valve wall thickness may be increased (easier to fill and manufacture with high quality), but the same opening force will be achieved.

[0029] In some embodiments, the valve head is concave (relative to the product in the associated container).

[0030] The valve may provide a dispensing orifice. The orifice may be formed, for example, through a through-slot passing through the valve head. The slot is formed so that the dispensing orifice opens when the container is pressurized.

[0031] The grooves can be formed in a cross-shaped configuration intersecting at the center of the valve head, thus dividing the valve head into four approximately equal parts. The grooves can be formed in the valve head after molding (e.g., injection molding or injection compression molding).

[0032] The valve head can have a roughly uniform thickness.

[0033] The thickness of the valve head can be in the range of 0.20 mm to 0.50 mm, for example, 0.20 mm to 0.30 mm, such as about 0.25 mm. In some embodiments, for example, a softer material (e.g., Shore A 40) can be used with a thicker valve head (e.g., 0.40 mm or 0.50 mm).

[0034] The thickness of the hinged section can be less than that of the valve head and sidewall.

[0035] The thickness of the valve head can be less than that of the sidewall.

[0036] The valve diameter can be in the range of 10mm to 15mm, for example, 12.7mm. The valve head diameter can be in the range of 6mm to 10mm, for example, approximately 8mm.

[0037] The diameter can also be used to create different levels of flexibility in the valve, and the groove can be made smaller or larger, thus making it suitable for different applications (such as water, ketchup, cream).

[0038] On the other hand, a flow regulating insert for dispensing caps is provided, the insert including a snap-fit ​​engagement device for engaging the dispensing caps, the snap-fit ​​engagement device including a flexible annular lip.

[0039] The present invention also provides a cap having a self-closing valve or insert as described herein. Combinations with a container (filled with product) are also conceived.

[0040] Different aspects and embodiments can be used individually or together.

[0041] The invention will now be described in more detail by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1This is a perspective view of the valve formed according to the present invention; Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Side view of the valve; Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A plan view of the valve; Figure 4 It is the section AA along the line. Figure 2 The cross-section of the valve; Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A magnified view of region X; Figure 6 It shows Figure 1 The valve's condition during distribution; Figure 7 It shows Figure 1 The valve's condition during exhaust; Figure 8 and Figure 9 It shows the assembly with Figure 1 The valve's sealing base; Figure 10 yes Figure 8 and Figure 9 The cross-section of the cap; Figure 11 It shows Figure 10 The condition of the cap and valve during the dispensing phase; and Figures 12 to 15 A side view, plan view, cross-sectional view and enlarged view of a valve formed according to another embodiment are shown.

[0042] Example embodiments are described below in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to emulate and implement the systems and processes described herein. It is important to understand that embodiments may be provided in many alternative forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein.

[0043] Therefore, while embodiments may be modified in various ways and take various alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown in the accompanying drawings and described in detail below as examples. There is no intention to limit oneself to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the appended claims should be included. Elements of the exemplary embodiments are consistently denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings and detailed description.

[0044] The terminology used herein to describe embodiments is not intended to be limiting. The articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are singular because they refer to a single object; however, their use in the singular form herein should not preclude the existence of more than one object. In other words, an element mentioned in the singular form may be one or more unless the context explicitly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprising,” “including,” and / or “comprises,” when used herein, specify the presence of the stated feature, item, step, operation, element, and / or component, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, items, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0045] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) shall be interpreted in accordance with the conventions of the field. It will be further understood that commonly used terms shall also be interpreted in accordance with the conventions of the relevant field, rather than in an idealized or overly formal sense, unless explicitly defined herein.

[0046] In the following description, all directional terms, such as up and down, are used relative to the accompanying drawings and should not be construed as limiting the invention.

[0047] First refer to Figures 1 to 5 This shows a self-closing valve generally labeled 10.

[0048] Valve 10 includes a generally cylindrical sidewall 15 that houses a valve head 20. The valve head 20 is concave (facing the product during use) and is connected to the sidewall 15 via a generally U-shaped hinge portion 25.

[0049] On the radially outer side of the hinged portion 25, the cylindrical chimney portion 30 extends upward from the sidewall 15.

[0050] The annular fixing lip 35 extends radially outward and downward from the outside of the sidewall 15.

[0051] The valve head 20 is slotted in a cross pattern to define four roughly equal quadrant “petals” 40a-d.

[0052] In this embodiment, valve 10 is formed by injection molding of LLDPE (at the center of the valve head), demolded, and then subsequently slotted.

[0053] During use, as the product is extruded, the valve head petals lift (upwards and outwards, facilitated by the hinge) and separate. Figure 6 ).

[0054] When the product pressure is released, the valve head closes and moves beyond the resting position to allow venting. Figure 7 ).

[0055] Still referencing Figures 8 to 10The valve 10 is shown assembled into the base 50 of the dispensing cap. The cap also has a cover 60 connected to the base 50 via a hinge 65. For clarity, the cover is not shown. Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown in the image.

[0056] The base 50 includes a disc-shaped top deck 51 and side skirts 52 extending downward from its outer periphery. A nozzle 53 extending upward is provided at the center of the top deck.

[0057] Extending downwards from the underside of the top deck 51 and radially inside the side skirt 52 is the inner skirt 54. The inner skirt 54 has a threaded structure 55 for engaging a corresponding structure (not shown) on the container.

[0058] The end of the nozzle 53 is partially closed by a radially inwardly extending wall portion 56. A retaining flange 57 is provided inside the nozzle 53.

[0059] Figure 10 A portion of the cap 60 is shown. The cap 60 includes a top plate 62 having a downwardly extending outer sealing pin 64 that seals around the outside of the base nozzle, an annular seal 66 resting on the nozzle wall portion 56, and an inner insert 68 positioned above the valve head when the cap is closed to the base and helps prevent the valve from opening accidentally.

[0060] The valve is pushed / clamped into the interior of the base nozzle 53. The lip 35 is forced over the flange 57 and deformed radially inward. The lip 35 is flexible, meaning it can compensate for differences in valve / cap size tolerances. In practice, this means that in addition to helping to hold the valve in place (without requiring any welding), the lip also serves to isolate the working part of the valve from the cap, for example, by preventing the valve from ovality. The chimney 30 abuts against the underside of the wall portion 56.

[0061] Figure 11 The valve head is shown when the resistance ratio of the petal tip length is overcome.

[0062] Figures 12 to 15 A valve 110 formed according to another embodiment is shown. Valve 110 is of the same type as valve 10. In this embodiment, the valve has dimensions substantially as shown.

[0063] Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail herein, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments shown, and that various changes and modifications can be made to it by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A self-closing valve for dispensing a cap, comprising a generally cylindrical sidewall and a valve head connected by a generally U-shaped hinged portion.

2. The valve according to claim 1, further comprising a chimney portion extending upward from the sidewall.

3. The valve according to claim 1 or claim 2 further includes a snap-fit ​​engagement device.

4. The valve according to claim 3, wherein the snap-fit ​​engagement device is a flexible annular lip extending from the sidewall.

5. The valve according to any of the preceding claims is composed of a single component.

6. The valve according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the valve is made of a polyolefin elastomer material.

7. The valve according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the valve is formed of a material having a Shore hardness in the range of 50 A to 90 A.

8. The valve according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the valve head is concave.

9. The valve according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the valve head is provided with one or more grooves defining a dispensing orifice.

10. The valve according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the valve head has a substantially uniform thickness.

11. The valve according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the thickness of the valve head is in the range of 0.20 mm to 0.30 mm.

12. The valve according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the thickness of the hinged portion is less than that of the valve head and the sidewall.

13. The valve according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the diameter of the valve is in the range of 10 mm to 15 mm.

14. A flow regulating insert for dispensing a cap, the insert including a snap-fit ​​engagement device for engaging the dispensing cap, the snap-fit ​​engagement device including a flexible annular lip.

15. A cover having a self-closing valve or insert according to any of the preceding claims.

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