Dispensing closures

Abstract

A dispensing closure (10) is provided. The dispensing closure comprises an actuator disc (20) and a base (15). The disc is pivotally mounted on the base and is pivotable between a closed position (Fig. 1) which prevents fluid product dispensing and an open position (Fig. 2) which allows product fluid dispensing. Additionally, the base comprises a coupling surface (22) for welding the dispensing closure to a container.

Description

[0001] DISPENSING CLOSURES

[0002] The present disclosure relates to dispensing closures for containers. The present disclosure further relates to containers including such closures.

[0003] BACKGROUND

[0004] Disc top dispensing closures for containers are known. In closures of this type, which are typically formed from injection moulded plastics, a spout is formed as part of a disc-like lid which is pivotably connected to a closure cap or base for rocking or tilting movement between open and closed positions. Such container and closure combinations may contain and dispense products in the form of, for example, particulates, pastes, creams, liquids, granules, or aerosols.

[0005] Normally, standard containers e.g., plastic tubes include a shoulder and a tube sleeve made from polyethylene (PE). Typically, a polypropylene (PP) dispensing closure is also provided. Because the materials and mixtures of them do not produce a permanent, firmly bonded join, it is the purpose of the shoulder to connect the dispensing closure and the tube sleeve by screwing or snapping on one to the other. Beyond this the shoulder has no further purpose but does make e.g., a decisive difference to the weight of the container.

[0006] Examples of the present disclosure seek to at least partially reduce one or more of the aforementioned problems.

[0007] SUMMARY

[0008] According to a first aspect, a dispensing closure is provided. The dispensing closure comprises an actuator disc and a base. The disc is pivotally mounted on the base and is pivotable between a closed position which prevents fluid product dispensing and an open position which allows product fluid dispensing. Additionally, the base comprises a coupling surface for welding the dispensing closure to a container.

[0009] According to this first aspect, a dispensing closure is provided including a base with a coupling surface for welding the dispensing closure to a container. As a result, the base (and thus the dispensing closure) can be joined directly to the container (i.e. without the need of an intermediate element e.g., a shoulder) such that a “shouderless" container can be obtained. This saves weight when the container is manufactured since no separate “shoulder1' to join the dispensing closure to the container is needed. For example, the closure may have a relatively low weight between 5 and 10 grams (specifically 5.8 grams) for the 50 mm version and between 3 and 5 grams (specifically 3.4 grams) for the 35 mm version. Additionally, the fact that the dispensing closure is welded to the container ensures a seamless and tight joint between such elements.

[0010] Such a characteristic makes possible to ensure satisfactory fastening of the dispensing head on the container, thereby making the device not only satisfactorily leak tight at the assembly line but also aesthetically attractive. Such a combination of closure and container is likewise given a high degree of impact resistance.

[0011] According to an example, a container is provided. The container comprises a hollow elongated body extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end. The body further comprises flexible walls. Moreover, the first end of the container’s body is open for the introduction of a flowable product and closeable after the introduction the flowable product. The container further comprises a dispensing closure according to the first aspect. The coupling surface of the base of the dispensing closure is welded to an inner portion of the container’s body situated at or near the second end of the container’s body.

[0012] Compared to conventional containers including a further element e.g., a shoulder to attach the dispensing closure to the container, the present container saves a relatively high quantity of material. At the same time, the welded dispensing closure forms a homogeneous unit with the container, thus avoiding unwanted residues in the dispensing closure and opening up new possibilities in container design for the container manufacturer. The “shoulderless" container thus enables the manufacturing of an ecological, lightweight, functional, sustainable and, above all, cost-conscious packaging.

[0013] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0014] Non-limiting examples of the present disclosure will be described in the following, with reference to the appended drawings, in which: Figure 1 schematically illustrates a perspective view of an example of a closure in a closed position;

[0015] Figure 2 schematically illustrates a perspective view of the closure in an open position;

[0016] Figure 3 schematically illustrates an exploded, cross-sectional view of the closure;

[0017] Figure 4 shows the closure depicted in figures 1 - 3 welded to a container.

[0018] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES

[0019] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a perspective view of an example of a closure in a closed position. Figure 2 schematically illustrates a perspective view of the closure in an open position. Referring to Figures 1 and 2 there is shown a disc-top or toggleaction style dispensing closure generally indicated 10. The closure 10 comprises a base 15 and a lid 20 (or actuator disc) pivotally mounted to the base 15. This way, the lid 20 may be displaced between an “open" position (figure 2) and a “closet position (figure 1) with respect to the base 15.

[0020] In examples, the closure 10 may be a two-piece closure and can be made of a single material e.g., polyethylene. A two-piece mono material solution is lightweight and fully recyclable with current recycling processes. In further examples, the material from which the base and lid are formed may be different e.g. different types of a polymeric material such as polypropylene. Specifically, the lid may be made of polypropylene. In some other examples, the closure may be manufactured as a single-piece closure

[0021] The base 15 is mountable on a container neck (see figure 4) by welding the base to the contained neck, as will be explained later on, such that a “shoulderless" container e.g., a plastic tube is obtained. Compared with conventional tubes, such “shoulderless" tube saves material. At the same time, the welded closure forms a homogenous unit between the container and the closure, thereby avoiding unwanted residues in the closure.

[0022] The size of the base 15 (and the corresponding lid 20) may be adjusted in accordance with its objective and can thus be varied for different flowable products applications. As can be seen in figure 1 , the base 15 extends longitudinally between a first end 15a and a second end 15b. The base 15 comprises a first cylindrical sidewall 16, a second cylindrical sidewall 17 and an inclined transition portion 18 situated between an end of the first cylindrical sidewall 16 and an end of the second cylindrical sidewall 17. As shown in this example, the height of the first cylindrical sidewall 16 (arrow A) may be different with respect to the height of the second cylindrical sidewall 17 (arrow B). For example, the height of the second cylindrical sidewall 17 may be higher than the height of the first cylindrical sidewall 16. The second cylindrical sidewall 17 comprises a notch or cut-out portion 19.

[0023] Specifically, the second cylindrical sidewall 17 is arranged radially inwardly (i.e., closer to a geometric center of the base 15) with respect to the first cylindrical sidewall 16. The inclined transition portion 18 is situated radially inwardly with respect to the first cylindrical sidewall 16 and radially outwardly with respect to the second cylindrical sidewall 17.

[0024] The second cylindrical sidewall 17 may define a substantially vertical plane. The inclined transition portion 18 may define another plane. The plane defined by the inclined transition portion 18 may be arranged at an angle with respect to the substantially vertical plane defined by the second cylindrical sidewall 17. The angle may be between approximately 90 degrees and 100 degrees.

[0025] Two diametrically opposed pivot projections or trunnions (not visible in the figures) are provided in the lid 20 which are configured to engage in corresponding sockets / recesses 60 in the interior of the second cylindrical sidewall 17. Only one of these recesses is shown in figure 3. This allows, in use, the lid 20 to pivot with respect to the base 15.

[0026] As shown in figure 3, an outer coupling portion 22 of the first sidewall 16 is configured to be directly welded (i.e. without an intermediate piece between the elements to be welded) and sealingly couple with an inner coupling portion of the container’s neck. The outer coupling portion 22 is situated at or near the first end 15a of the base. A locking element or lock member (not shown) may also be provided with the closure (for example across the notch 19). The locking element may be displaced between a locked and an unlocked position. When the locking element is in a locked position, the lid 20 cannot be pushed down (accidentally or deliberately). This could be useful for avoiding accidental opening and could be useful, for example, for preventing the lid being pushed down by a child. However, when the lock member is an unlocked position, the lid can be freely displaced between and open and a closed position with respect to the base.

[0027] As can be seen in figure 3, the base 15 further comprises a flange 50 which is situated spaced apart and radially inwardly with respect to the second cylindrical sidewall 17. The flange 50 extends substantially perpendicular with respect to a horizontal plane defined by the base. Moreover, the base 15 comprises a recess 51 in between the flange 50 and the second cylindrical sidewall 17. When the dispensing closure is an open configuration, and a user squeezes the container to which, in use, the dispensing closure is attached, the first and second sidewalls 16, 17 may be pressed in the direction of the arrow (arrow C) and will use the recess 51 to soften the pressure as the sidewalls 16, 17 and the recess 51 absorb the energy. This limits the amount of damage that can happen to the lid when a user squeezes the container. For example, the fact that the pivot projections are disengaged with respect to corresponding recess 60 (and thus the fact that the lid can be is detached with respect to the base), due to the pressure exerted while squeezing the container, is avoided.

[0028] The base 15 further comprises a plate 40 situated in a space formed in the interior of the base 15. The plate 40, in this example, is a substantially circular plate. In this example, the plate 40 is integrally formed with the base 15 of the closure. In some other examples not shown, an outer rim of the plate may act as a coupling surface for attaching the plate within space formed in the interior of the base.

[0029] As commented above, the plate 40 may be situated within a space in the interior of the base 15 and thus a seal can be defined such that flowable liquid cannot pass through the closure 10 with the exception of the liquid that flows via a dispensing channel 42, when the lid is situated in an open position. The dispensing channel 42 commences with a dispending inlet 42a on the underside of the plate 40 and terminates with an opening 42b forming part of the lid (which can also be seen in figure 2). In the closed position of the dispensing closure, the opening 42b is blocked and in the open position of the dispensing closure the opening 42b is unblocked and a dispensing path is established between the container and the opening, through the base and then through a channel in the lid. The dispensing channel 42 is thus suitable to dispense a flowable medium previously stored in a container to which the closure, in use, is welded.

[0030] As shown in figure 3, the lid 20 may be generally disc-like, with a circular or oval top plate 70 and a sidewall 71 depending from the periphery thereof. The top plate 70 includes a pressing depression 73 for manually pivoting the lid to an open position. The lid may comprise a tamper-evident element for indicating that the disc has been displaced from an initially closed position to the open position.

[0031] As can be seen in figure 4, a container 80 e.g., a plastic tube is also provided. The plastic material used can any known type which is suitable for injection-moulding. The plastic material used may be e.g., polyethylene (PE).

[0032] The tube 80 may be a squeezable tube having flexible walls. The tube 80 can have walls which can be grasped by the user and squeezed or compressed to increase the internal pressure within the tube so as to force the product out of the container and through the dispensing closure welded to such tube. Such a flexible tube wall typically has sufficient, inherent resiliency so that when the squeezing forces are removed, the container wall returns to its normal, unstressed shape.

[0033] Following the example, the tube comprises a hollow elongated tube body 80a for enclosing the contents of the tube. The tube body extends longitudinally from a first end 80b to a second end 80c. The first end 80b corresponds to the discharge end. Once the plastic tube 80 has been filled with its contents, it is closed by virtue of the second, open end 80c of the tube body being welded together with itself, the first end 80c of the tube body 2 then having a flatter shape.

[0034] A closure 10 as hereinbefore described may also be provided. The closure is welded directly to the container without the need of an intermediate piece e.g., a shoulder between the closure and the container. Specifically, an outer coupling portion of the first sidewall of the closure is welded with an inner coupling portion (not visible) situated at or near the first end 80b of the container. For example, the closure can be welded to the tube by thermal welding e.g., using friction, hot jaws, laser or ultrasound.

[0035] In case ultrasound energy is employed, the ultrasonic frequencies used may be between 20 kHz and 100 kHz. The energy consumed may be less than 1200 joules, preferably less than 600 joules, for example between 200 and 500 joules. Such a weld may be produced over a period of between 0.05 and 2 seconds. As commented above, in a variant example, a friction weld or laser weld may be used.

[0036] The container and the closure may be made of the same material. In some other examples, the container may be made e.g. from polyethylene (PE) and the dispensing closure may be made e.g., from polypropylene (PP).

[0037] The final manufactured tube may be constituted of only three pieces, namely the closure (manufactured as a two-pieces closure with the base and the lid) and the tube. The final manufactured tube thus requires only a small number of component parts in its production. As a result, material can be saved. The manufactured tube requires also a relatively small amount of energy for its manufacturing. Further, the final manufactured tube is also easily recycled.

[0038] Although only a number of examples have been disclosed herein, other alternatives, modifications, uses and / or equivalents thereof are possible. Furthermore, all possible combinations of the described examples are also covered. Thus, the scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by particular examples but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims that follow.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A dispensing closure comprising an actuator disc, and a base, wherein the disc is pivotally mounted on the base and is pivotable between a closed position which prevents fluid product dispensing and an open position which allows product fluid dispensing, and wherein the base comprises a coupling surface for welding the dispensing closure to a container.

2. A dispensing closure according to claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a first a first cylindrical sidewall, a second cylindrical sidewall and an inclined transition portion situated between the first cylindrical sidewall and the second cylindrical sidewall.

3. A dispensing closure according to claim 1 , wherein the second cylindrical sidewall comprises a notch or cut-out portion.

4. A dispensing closure according to any of claims 2 - 3, wherein the second cylindrical sidewall is arranged radially inwardly with respect to the first cylindrical sidewall and the inclined transition portion is situated radially inwardly with respect to the first cylindrical sidewall and radially outwardly with respect to the second cylindrical sidewall.

5. A dispensing closure according to any of claims 2 - 4, wherein a plane defined by the inclined transition portion is arranged at an angle of between 91 and 100 degrees with respect to a substantially vertical plane defined by the second cylindrical sidewall.

6. A dispensing closure according to any of claims 2 - 5, wherein the height of the first sidewall is smaller than the height of the second sidewall.

7. A dispensing closure according to any of claims 2 - 6, wherein the first sidewall and the second sidewall are integrally formed with the base.

8. A dispensing closure according to claim any of claims 2 - 7, wherein the actuator disc comprises two diametrically opposed pivot projections for engaging in corresponding recesses situated in an inner part of the second cylindrical sidewall such that the actuator disc can be pivoted with respect to the base.

9. A dispensing closure according to claim any of claims 2 - 8, wherein the coupling surface corresponds to an outer portion of the first sidewall.

10. A dispensing closure according to claim any of claims 2 - 9, wherein the base further comprises a flange spaced apart with respect to an inner surface of the second sidewall, wherein the flange is situated radially inwardly with respect to the second sidewall such that a recess is formed between the second cylindrical sidewall and the flange.

11. A dispensing closure according to any of claims 1 - 10, wherein a space is formed in the interior of the base and a substantially circular plate is situated within the space.

12. A dispensing closure according to claim 11 , wherein the plate is integrally formed with the base.

13. A dispensing closure according to any of claims 11 - 12, further comprising a dispensing channel, in use, extending between a dispensing inlet situated on the underside of the plate and an opening situated in the actuator disc.

14. A dispensing closure according to claim 13, wherein the opening is a frontal dispending outlet.

15. A dispensing closure according to any of claims 13 - 14, wherein when the closure is a closed position the opening is blocked and when the closure is an open position the opening is unblocked, and a dispensing path is established between the container and the opening such that a flowable medium previously stored in the container can be dispensed.

16. A dispensing closure according to any of claims 1 - 14, wherein the actuator disc comprises a substantially circular or oval top plate and a depending sidewall.

17. A dispensing closure according to claim 16, wherein the top plate includes a pressing depression for manually pivoting the lid to an open position18. A dispensing closure according to any of claims 1 - 17, further comprising a lock member movable between a lock position in which the disc cannot be pivoted between an open position and a closed position and an unlocked position in which the disc can be pivoted between an open position and closed position.

19. A dispensing closure according to any of claims 1 - 18, wherein the disc and the base are formed from the same material.

20. A dispensing closure according to any of claims 1 - 19, wherein the disc comprises a tamper-evident element for indicating that the disc has been displaced from an initially closed position to the open position.21 . A container comprising: a hollow elongated body extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end, wherein the tube body comprises flexible walls, wherein the first end is open for the introduction of a flowable product and closeable after the introduction the flowable product, a dispensing closure according to any of claims 1 - 20, wherein the coupling surface of the base of the dispensing closure is welded to an inner coupling portion of the container’s body situated at or near the second end of the container’s body.

22. A container according to claim 21 , wherein the container and the dispensing closure are formed from different materials.

23. A container according to claim 22, wherein the container is made of polyethylene and the closure is made of polypropylene.

24. A container according to claims 21 - 23, wherein the welding of the dispensingclosure and the container define a sealing between them such that water and air tightness is provided by the sealing.

25. A container according to claims 21 - 24, wherein the dispensing closure is welded to the container using thermal welding, specifically using friction, laser or ultrasound.

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