Valve or insert for a dispensing closure

Abstract

A self-closing valve for a dispensing closure, comprising a generally cylindrical sidewall and a valve head that are joined by a generally U-shape hinge portion.

Description

[0001] VALVE OR INSERT FOR A DISPENSING CLOSURE

[0002] The present invention relates generally to a valve and particularly, although not exclusively, to a self-closing valve for a closure.

[0003] Self-closing dispensing valves are well known and are typically mounted in a dispensing closure that is mounted on a squeezable container. Well known applications then include edible substances such as ketchups and honey, or personal care products such as bodycare and haircare. When the container is squeezed the interior is pressurised and the valve opens; when the pressure is relieved the valve automatically closes.

[0004] The present invention seeks to provide improvements in or relating to selfclosing valves.

[0005] An aspect of the present invention provides a self-closing valve for a dispensing closure, comprising a generally cylindrical sidewall and a valve head that are joined by a generally U-shape hinge portion.

[0006] The hinge portion may be in the form of an annulus at the periphery of a generally circular valve head.

[0007] The valve may be configured to be received directly in a dispensing closure. The valve may further comprise a chimney portion upstanding from the sidewall.

[0008] The valve may have a snap-fitment design e.g. with a snap-fit lip (which may extend radially outwards and axially downwards from a sidewall).

[0009] The valve may further comprise snap fit engagement means for fixing the valve in a dispensing closure.

[0010] The snap fit engagement means may be in the form of a flexible annular lip which and extends from the sidewall, for example outwards and downwards.

[0011] The snap geometry may be flexible. Therefore the valve is capable overcoming of bigger tolerances. The valve can be integrated into a wide range of closures without a big change in the moulds.

[0012] Due to the flexibility of the material (e.g. LLDPE) and the snap geometry, the valve is also tight on the outside by its own.

[0013] With a snap fit the assembly does not require a welding operation to fix the valve in the closure.

[0014] The valve may be mono-material. The valve may consist of a single piece i.e. a one-piece construction (e.g. moulded).

[0015] A solid ring may have some advantages: o fast de-moulding; o fast assembly (just snap into the closure); o more reliable process as no welding is required; o can be easily integrated in the closing equipment, which is needed anyhow.

[0016] A proportion of recycled material (up to 100%) may be used to make valves in accordance with the present invention.

[0017] Various different materials may be suitable for the valve. Particular materials may provide certain advantages.

[0018] Silicone rubber valves are, for example, fit for purpose, but silicone poses a recycling problem because containers and dispensing closure are typically made from recyclable plastics material such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP); however, the silicone material cannot be recycled and therefore disturbs the recycle streams of the containers and closures.

[0019] This recycling problem could be solved by using a different material, for example a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), which has the advantage that it can be processed and recycled like thermoplastic materials. However, a disadvantage of TPE compared to silicone rubber is that TPE grades having similar mechanical properties are often not suitable for use with different food products.

[0020] In some embodiments the valve may be made from a plastomer material.

[0021] In some embodiments the valve may be made from an ethylene based plastomer.

[0022] In some embodiments the valve may be made from a polyolefin elastomer material.

[0023] In some embodiments the valve may be made from an injectable thermoplastic polyolefin elastomer.

[0024] Examples of materials which may be used include ethylene-octene copolymer such as Engage 8401 from Dow and ethylene based octene-1 plastomer such as the Queo 8320 from Borealis.

[0025] In some embodiments the valve may be made from a Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) material.

[0026] The valve may be formed from material which has a Shore hardness in the range 40 A to 90 A, for example approximately 40 A, 74 A, 83 A or 84 A. The valve may be formed from material which has a Shore hardness in the range 60 A to 80 A. The shore hardness is measured according to ISO 868:2003 standards.

[0027] The softer the material is, the more flexible the valve opens and closes. This means that if a very soft material can be used, the wall thickness of the valve could possibly be thickened (easier to fill and manufacture in quality) but would have the same opening forces.

[0028] In some embodiments the valve head is concave (with respect to the product in an associated container).

[0029] The valve may provide a dispensing orifice. The orifice may be formed, for example, by through slits through the valve head. The slits form a dispensing orifice that opens upon pressurisation of a container.

[0030] Slits may form a cross configuration intersecting at the centre of the valve head, thus dividing the valve head in four generally equal sections. The slits may be made in the valve head after moulding (e.g. injection moulding or injection compression moulding).

[0031] The valve may head may have a generally uniform thickness.

[0032] The thickness of the valve head may be in the range 0.20 mm to 0.50mm, for example 0.20 mm to 0.30mm such as approximately 0.25mm. In some embodiments, for example, a softer material (e.g. Shore A 40) may be used together with a thicker valve head (e.g. 0.40mm or 0.50mm).

[0033] The thickness of the hinge portion may be less than the valve head and the sidewall.

[0034] The thickness of the valve head may be less than the sidewall.

[0035] The diameter of the valve may be in the range 10mm to 15mm, for example 12.7mm. The diameter of the valve head may be in the range 6mm to 10mm, for example approximately 8mm.

[0036] The diameter can also be used to create different flexibilities on the valve, and the slots can be made smaller or larger and therefore work for different applications (e.g. water, ketchup, cream).

[0037] A further aspect provides a flow regulation insert for a dispensing closure, the insert comprises snap fit engagement means for engaging a dispensing closure, the snap fit engagement means comprises a flexible annular lip.

[0038] The present invention also provides a closure having a self-closing valve or an insert as described herein. Combinations with containers (filled with product) are also conceived.

[0039] Different aspects and embodiments may be used separately or together. The present invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0040] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a valve formed according to the present invention;

[0041] Figure 2 is a side view of the valve of Figure 1 ;

[0042] Figure 3 is a plan view of the valve of Figure 2;

[0043] Figure 4 is a section of the valve of Figure 2 taken along line A-A;

[0044] Figure 5 is a magnified view of the region X of Figure 4;

[0045] Figure 6 shows the valve of Figure 1 when dispensing;

[0046] Figure 7 shows the valve of Figure 1 when venting;

[0047] Figures 8 and 9 show a closure base fitted with the valve of Figure 1 ;

[0048] Figure 10 is a section of the closure of Figures 8 and 9;

[0049] Figure 11 shows the closure of Figure 10 with the valve during the dispensing phase; and

[0050] Figures 12 to 15 show side, plan, section and magnified views of a valve formed according to a further embodiment.

[0051] 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.

[0052] 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.

[0053] 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.

[0054] 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.

[0055] Referring first to Figures 1 to 5 there is shown a self-closing valve generally indicated 10.

[0056] The valve 10 comprises a generally cylindrical sidewall 15 which accommodates a valve head 20. The valve head 20 is concave (towards product, in use) and is connected to the sidewall 15 by a generally U-shape hinge portion 25.

[0057] Radially outwards of the hinge portion 25 a cylindrical chimney portion 30 upstands from the sidewall 15.

[0058] An annular fixing lip 35 extends radially outwards and downwards from the exterior of the sidewall 15.

[0059] The valve head 20 is slit in a cross pattern to define four generally equal quadrant “petals” 40a-d. In this embodiment the valve 10 is formed by injection moulding of LLDPE (at the centre of the valve head), demoulded and then subsequently slit.

[0060] In use, the valve head petals lift (upwards and outwards, facilitated by the hinge portion) and separate as product is forced out (Figure 6).

[0061] When product pressure is relieved the valve head closes and goes beyond the rest position to allow venting (Figure 7).

[0062] Referring now also to Figures 8 to 10, the valve 10 is shown fitted into the base 50 of a dispensing closure. The closure also has a lid 60 joined to the base 50 by a hinge 65. The lid is not shown in Figures 8 and 9 for purposes of clarity.

[0063] The base 50 comprises a disc-shape top deck 51 and a side skirt 52 depending from the periphery thereof. An upstanding spout 53 is provided at the centre of the top deck.

[0064] Depending from the underside of the top deck 51 and radially inwards of the side skirt 52 is an inner skirt 54. The interior of the inner skirt 54 is provided with a screw thread formation 55 for engaging a corresponding formation (not shown) on a container.

[0065] The end of the spout 53 is partially closed by a radially inwardly extending wall portion 56. The interior of the spout 53 is provided with a retention bead 57. Figure 10 shows part of the closure lid 60. The lid 60 includes a top plate 62 with a depending outer sealing spigot 64 which seals around the outside of the base spout, an annular seal 66 which rests on the spout wall portion 56, and an inner spud 68 which sits above the valve head when the lid is closed onto the base and helps to prevent the valve from opening inadvertently.

[0066] The valve is push / snap fitted into interior of the base spout 53. The lip 35 is forced over the bead 57 and is deformed radially inwards. The lip 35 is flexible and this means it cannot take up differences in the tolerances of valve size / closure size. In practice this means that as well as helping to fix the valve in position (without requiring any welding) the lip serves to isolate the working part of the valve from the closure e.g. by preventing ovalisation of the valve. The chimney 30 abuts the underside of the wall portion 56.

[0067] Figure 11 illustrates the valve head as the resistance ratio of the length of the petal crests is overcome.

[0068] Figures 12 to 15 show a valve 110 formed according to a further embodiment. The valve 110 is of the same type as the valve 10. In this embodiment the valve has dimensions substantially as indicated.

[0069] Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail herein 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

CLAIMS1. A self-closing valve for a dispensing closure, comprising a generally cylindrical sidewall and a valve head that are joined by a generally U-shape hinge portion.

2. A valve as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a chimney portion upstanding from the sidewall.

3. A valve as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising snap fit engagement means.

4. A valve as claimed in claim 3, in which the snap fit engagement means is a flexible annular lip which and extends from the sidewall.

5. A valve as claimed in any preceding claim, consisting of a single piece.

6. A valve as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the valve is made from a polyolefin elastomer material.

7. A valve as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the valve is formed from material has a Shore hardness in the range 50 A to 90 A.

8. A valve as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the valve head is concave.

9. A valve as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the valve head is provided with one or more slits defining a dispensing orifice.

10. A valve as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the valve head has a generally uniform thickness.

11. A valve as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the thickness of the valve head is in the range 0.20 mm to 0.30mm.

12. A valve as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the thickness of the hinge portion is less than the valve head and the sidewall.

13. A valve as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the diameter of the valve is in the range 10mm to 15mm.

14. A flow regulation insert for a dispensing closure, the insert comprises snap fit engagement means for engaging a dispensing closure, the snap fit engagement means comprises a flexible annular lip.

15. A closure having a self-closing valve or an insert as claimed in any preceding claim.

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