Flow regulation insert

Abstract

A flow regulation insert (10) for a dispensing closure is provided. The insert comprises a generally cylindrical body including a sidewall (20) closed at one end and open at the other end. The sidewall comprises one or more flow apertures (40), and the body is receivable in a dispensing closure (50).

Description

[0001] FLOW REGULATION INSERT

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to dispensing closures and particularly, although not exclusively, to a flow control device for a dispensing closure.

[0003] A dispensing closure is one which is typically held in place on, and associated with, the mouth of a container. They have an orifice which is associated with the orifice in the container such that the contents (flowable product) of the container may be dispensed via the orifice in the closure.

[0004] Such dispensing closures often also comprise a lid which may be hinged to the dispensing closure and which may be formed integrally therewith (known, for example, as a flip-top dispensing closure). The purpose of the lid is often to seal the orifice in the closure so that, in the closed position, no product may be dispensed whether deliberately or accidentally.

[0005] The present invention provides or relates to improvements in or relating to dispensing.

[0006] Some aspect and embodiments provide or relate to a flow control device, such as a flow control insert or a flow regulation insert.

[0007] Some aspects and embodiments provide or relate to a dispensing closure. Some aspects and embodiments provide or relate generally to a closure and particularly, although not exclusively, to a dispensing closure including flow control functionality.

[0008] An aspect of the present invention provides a flow regulation insert for a dispensing closure, the insert comprising a generally cylindrical body including a sidewall closed at one end and open at the other end, the sidewall comprises one or more flow apertures, and the body is receivable in a dispensing closure.

[0009] In some embodiments the or each aperture defines a flow path into the interior of the body which is generally orthogonal to a main axis of the body.

[0010] In some embodiments the or each aperture defines a flow path into the interior of the body which is generally parallel to a main axis of the body.

[0011] The or each aperture may be formed as a cut-out at the open end of the sidewall. Alternatively the open end of the sidewall may have a closed diameter and the or each aperture may be formed as a window in the sidewall.

[0012] In some embodiments annular windows (e.g. three) on the insert allow a tortuous path for the product to flow through before reaching the orifice.

[0013] Embodiments of the present invention can offer a fully recyclable solution, whilst minimising change parts and costs for (e.g. valved closures) and in-feed assembly tracks.

[0014] The orifice size, insert window channel sizes and number of windows can be altered depending upon the product viscosity.

[0015] In some embodiments the insert comprises a lower, bucket portion and an upper, attachment portion.

[0016] A further aspect provides a flow regulation insert for a dispensing closure, the insert comprising a generally cylindrical body including a sidewall closed at one end and open at the other end, the sidewall comprises one or more flow apertures, in which the or each aperture is formed as a window in the sidewall, and in which the body is receivable in a dispensing closure.

[0017] In some embodiments the sum of the circumferential extent of the or each aperture is in the range 60° to 90°, for example in the range 70° to 80°.

[0018] The sum of the opening (or overall opening) of the apertures / windows may be from 60 to 90°, preferably 70 to 80° of the sidewall circumference (of the 360°). In other words, if a sectional view is made on a horizontal plane at the level of the windows, 60° to 90° of the sidewall is a hole and 270° to 300° of the sidewall is a wall.

[0019] The or each aperture may extend over 20-30 degrees of the circumference of the sidewall. For example the or each aperture may extend over approximately 23 degrees or over approximately 26 degrees of the circumference of the sidewall. In some embodiments a plurality of apertures are provided and all apertures have substantially the same circumferential extent; in other embodiments different apertures have different circumferential extents.

[0020] In some embodiments the insert comprises, or consists of (only), three or four apertures. Each aperture extends over 20-30 degrees of the circumference of the sidewall.

[0021] The sidewall may comprise a lower bucket portion and an upper attachment portion, wherein the upper attachment portion may have a larger diameter than the lower bucket portion.

[0022] The sidewall may comprise a transition region connecting / between an upper attachment portion and a lower bucket portion and apertures may be formed in this transition region.

[0023] Inserts formed in accordance with the present invention may consist of a single piece moulding.

[0024] Embodiments of the present invention can, for example, be used to replace silicone and thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) valves with a simple, fully recyclable insert that can be fed and assembled using existing assembly equipment to offer the consumer an improved dispensing system (as opposed to an open orifice) whilst being fully recyclable and potentially moulded in post-consumer resin (PCR).

[0025] In some embodiments the design is a single-piece polypropylene (PP) insert, assembled to a modified (in some embodiments) closure orifice; this can, for example, be used to give a horizontal baffle to guard against fluid hammer I hydrostatic shock.

[0026] The body may comprise a surface formation, such as a retention bead, for engaging a closure. The closure may, for example, comprise a corresponding surface formation (e.g a bead).

[0027] In some embodiments the interior of the sidewall comprises a plurality of axial ribs.

[0028] The present invention provides a flow control insert as described herein in combination with a closure.

[0029] The closure may comprise an undercut portion which extends into the open end of the sidewall.

[0030] The closure may include a top deck or plate with a dogleg portion that extends into the open end of the insert sidewall. Extension of the top deck into the sidewall has been found by the inventors to improve flow.

[0031] A spout defining a closure dispensing orifice may be connected to the dogleg portion. This may, for example, be at the centre of a top plate.

[0032] The closure may, for example, be a flip-top dispensing closure with a base (in which the insert is received) and a lid joined by a hinge.

[0033] The present invention also provides combinations of closures and inserts fitted to containers (e.g. squeezable containers).

[0034] The present invention provides a flow control insert fitted into a closure and in combination with a container filled with flowable product, such as a condiment (e.g. ketchup or mustard).

[0035] The present invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0036] 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. 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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 idealised or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

[0039] In the following description, all orientational terms, such as upper and lower are used in relation to the drawings and should not be interpreted as limiting on the invention.

[0040] Referring first to Figures 1 to 4 there is show a flow regulation insert generally indicated 10.

[0041] The insert 10 comprises a generally circular cylindrical sidewall 20. The sidewall 20 comprises a lower, bucket portion 25 and an upper attachment portion 30. The portion 25 is closed by a bottom plate 35 at one end of the sidewall; the portion 30 is open at the other end of the sidewall.

[0042] Three (in this embodiment) flow apertures 40a, 40b, 40c are formed in (away from the ends of) the sidewall 20. In this embodiment the apertures are formed in the upper attachment portion 30, just above the bucket portion 25.

[0043] In this embodiment each of the flow apertures 40a, 40b, 40c is generally arcuate (viewed in plan) and extends over approximately 26° of the circumference of the sidewall (extending therethrough). The sum of the circumferential extent of the apertures is therefore approximately 78°. The interior of the portion 30 is provided with a plurality of ribs 45.

[0044] The portion 25 is provided with three scoops 27a, 27b, 27c which corresponding with, and are axially aligned with (“beneath”) respective flow apertures 40a, 40b, 40c.

[0045] The portion 30 has a larger diameter than the portion 25. First 32 and second 34 inward steps are present in the sidewall of the portion 30. The apertures are formed in this transition region between the portions.

[0046] Referring now also to Figure 5, the insert 10 is shown fitted into a dispensing closure spout 50 (the rest of the closure is not shown and in other embodiments the insert is fitted into closures with different configurations other than a spout).

[0047] The spout 50 comprises a top deck 55 and a depending spout sidewall 60.

[0048] The spout sidewall 60 includes an interior retention bead 65. The upper portion 30 of the insert is effectively a corresponding retention bead, which engages the bead 65 when the insert is inserted.

[0049] The top deck 55 is a dog-leg shape, with a first deck portion 56, a second deck portion 57 and a transition portion 58.

[0050] At the centre of the top deck 55 a depending annular flow channel 59 is provided.

[0051] When the insert 10 is in position the sidewall upper portion 30 fits under the deck portion 56. The transition portion 58 and the deck portion 57 extends into the open end of the upper portion 30.

[0052] Figure 6 illustrates product flow through the insert 10 I closure 50 from an associated container (not shown).

[0053] A tortuous path ensures product 70 does not flow unhindered out of the container.

[0054] The geometry of the insert and the closure determines dispensing behaviour.

[0055] The undercut geometry of the closure provided by the top deck aids clean product cut-off and venting.

[0056] Figures 7 to 10 show an insert 150 formed according to a further embodiment. The insert 150 is similar to the insert 50. In this embodiment the circumferential extent of the apertures 140a, 140b, 140c is approximately 23°. The sum of the circumferential extent of the apertures is therefore approximately 72°.

[0057] Testing of various aperture sizes has shown that if apertures are too large and if apertures are too small the squeeze pressure will be too high. Testing of various aperture sizes has shown that if the sum of the opening of the windows is below 60°, the squeeze pressure is too high, i.e. uncomfortable for the user while if the sum of the opening of the windows is above 90°, in use the condiment might be able to flow out of the dispensing closure without pressure on the container or during shaking of the container.

[0058] Figure 11 and Figure 12 illustrate the results of experiments relating to dispensing forces in respect of the insert 50 (Figure 11 ) and the insert 150 (Figure 12).

[0059] Figure 11

[0060] • Average pressure: 22,03N

[0061] • Average compression: 16,52mm

[0062] • Average weight disp.: 31 ,75g

[0063] • Test product: Jutro

[0064] Figure 12

[0065] • Average pressure: 27,54N

[0066] • Average compression: 16,79mm

[0067] • Average weight disp. : 31 , 18g

[0068] • Test product: Jutro

[0069] The embodiment shown in Figures 13 to 21 is a single polypropylene insert 210 assembled to a closure orifice region 270. This gives a horizontal baffle to guard against fluid hammer I hydrostatic shock. The three annular windows on the insert 210 allow a tortuous path (see Figure 21 ) for the product to flow through before reaching the orifice. In this embodiment the windows 240a, 240b, 240c are formed as cut-outs at the open end of the sidewall of the upper portion 230.

[0070] In a similar way to the closure of Figure 5, the closure includes a top plate 255 with a dog-leg portion 256, 257, 258 which extends into the “top” of the insert to improve flow and venting. This design offers a fully recyclable solution, whilst minimising change parts and costs for existing closures and in-feed assembly tracks.

[0071] Orifice size, insert window channel sizes and number of windows can be altered depending upon the product viscosity.

[0072] Although an example has been disclosed herein, other alternatives, modifications, uses and / or equivalents thereof are possible.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A flow regulation insert for a dispensing closure, the insert comprising a generally cylindrical body including a sidewall closed at one end and open at the other end, the sidewall comprises one or more flow apertures, in which the or each aperture is formed as a window in the sidewall, and in which the body is receivable in a dispensing closure.

2. An insert as claimed in claim 1 , in which the or each aperture defines a flow path into the interior of the body which is generally orthogonal to a main axis of the body.

3. An insert as claimed in claim 1 , in which the or each aperture defines a flow path into the interior of the body which is generally parallel to a main axis of the body.

4. An insert as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the sum of the circumferential extent of the or each aperture is in the range 60° to 90°.

5. An insert as claimed in any preceding claim comprising three or four apertures.

6. A closure as claimed in claim 5, in which each aperture extends over 20-30 degrees of the circumference of the sidewall.

7. An insert as claimed in any preceding claims wherein said sidewall comprises a lower bucket portion and an upper attachment portion, wherein said upper attachment portion has a larger diameter than the lower bucket portion.

8. An insert according to claim 7, wherein said sidewall comprises a transition region connecting / between said upper attachment portion and said lower bucket portion and wherein said apertures are formed in this transition region.

9. An insert as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the body comprises a retention bead.

10. An insert as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the interior of the sidewall comprises a plurality of axial ribs.

11. A flow control insert as claimed in any preceding claim in combination with a closure.

12. A combination as claimed in claim 11 , in which the closure comprises an undercut portion which extends into the open end of the sidewall.

13. A combination as claimed in claim 11 or claim 12, in which the closureincludes a top deck with a dogleg portion that extends into the open end of the insert sidewall.

14. A combination as claimed in claim 13, in which a spout defining a closure dispensing orifice is connected to the dogleg portion.

15. A combination as claimed in any of claims 11 to 13 and fitted to a container.

Images