A retaining ring, a subassembly with said ring, and method of making the same

Abstract

A retaining ring (26, 26A) for a closure (24) includes a valve seat (140, 140A) and an annular wall (144. 144A) extending radially outwardly from, and axially above, the valve seat (140, 140A). The annular wall (144, 144A) has one or more retention projections (148, 148A) extending radially inwardly. The -retaining ring (26, 26A) has one or more shielding projections (156. 156A) extending from the valve seat (140, 140A) axially inwardly and radially inwardly. The retaining ring (26, 26A) is configured such that, with a valve (20, 20A) retained at the valve seat (140, 140A), the shielding projection (156, 156A) extends radially across a part of a head portion (96, 96A) of the valve (20, 20A) with the valve (20, 20A) in a closed configuration.

Description

A RETAINING RING, A SUBASSEMBLY WITH SAID RING, AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAMEPRIORITYXOOOTJ The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 690,628, filed on September 4, 2024, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002J ‘The present invention relates generally to closures containing dispensing valves, and more particularly relates to assemblies of valves within closures for dispensing a product from a container or other source, and methods of manufacturing closures and packages containing the assemblies.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONANDTECHNICAL PROBLEMS POSED BY THE PRIOR ART

[0003] One type of valve is a flexible, resilient, self-closing, slit-type valve that can be mounted at an opening of a package or container of a fluent substance, or alternatively mounted within a conduit for a fluent substance. Such valves typically have a single slit or have multiple slits which define a normally dosed orifice in an initially closed configuration or condition . The orifice opens to permit flow therethrough in response to either a sufficient pressure differential acting across opposite sides of the valve, or in response to mechanical engagement by;a sufficiently rigid article such as a^ probe, cannula, conduit, or feed / dram tool inserted through the valve. Such valves that open in response to a pressure differentia! are typically designed so that they automatically close to seal or shut off flow therethrough in response to a sufficient reduction of the pressure differential acting across the valve. Similarly, mechanically engageable valves aretypically designed so that they automatically close to seal or shut off flow therethrough upon removal of the engaging article.

[0004] Designs of such valves and of closures using such valves are illustrated in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,839,614 and 8.678,249. The descriptions of those patents are incorporated herein by reference thereto to the extent pertinent and to the extent not inconsistent herewith. Typically, the closure includes a body or base mounted on the container neck to define a seat for receiving the valve and includes a retaining ring or other structure for holding the valve on the seat in the base. See, for example, U.S. Patent No. 6,269,986. The valve is normally closed and can withstand the weight of the fluent product when the container is completely inverted so that the liquid will not leak out unless the container is squeezed. With such a system, the (id or cap need not be re- closed (although it is typically re-closed if the package is to be transported to another location, packed in a suitcase, etc.).

[0005] Conventional valves are suita ole for use with fluent substances, such as liquids and gases, including, inter ate, soaps, beverages, lotions, and creams. Conventional valves are preferably molded as a unitary structure (i.e.. one-piece structure) from a single substance or material which is flexible, pliable, somewhat elastic, and resilient. / This typically includes a silicone rubber, such as the silicone rubber sold by Dow Corning Corporation in the United States of 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.

[0006] Typically, such conventional valves are not formed from the same type of plastic as the accompanying closure and / or container, which may present difficulty during recycling. For example, the conventional valve may need to be disassembled from the retaining ring, closure, and / or container prior to, or during, the recycling process.

[0007] The inventors of the present invention have discovered that, at least in some applications, a valve formed from a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) may advantageously be recycled more readily than a conventional silicone valve, but may suffer from undesirable performance (e g., insufficient closing force, gaps between slits in the valve,etc.) compared to conventional valves prior to, during, or after, dispensing a fluent substance through the TPE valve.

[0008] The inventors of the present invention have determined that, for at least some applications in which some types of fluent substances are contained within a package or container, it may be desirable to provide a TPE valve that can suitably perform the functions of a conventional valve. However, the inventors have further determined that TPE type dispensing valves may have poor shape memory and may become distorted during shipping and handling. The distortion of the valve can negatively affect the sealing of the valve slits and potentially cause poor performance, such as leaking. The potential for valve distortion is particularly pronounced in bulk packaging and shipping of the valves, retaining rings, and closures with the valves and retaining rings assembled therein.

[0009] The inventors of the present invention have determined that it would be desirable to provide, at least for one or more types of applications, an improved valve retaining ring that can be configured for use with a dispensing valve, which may or may not be a TPE material valve, and that has one or more of the following features: (1 ) a protective or shielding structure to partially cover some valve features during bulk packaging and / or shipping, (2) ease of manufacture and / or assembly. (3) relatively low cost of manufacture and / or assembly, and / or (4) improved ease of recyclability.

[0010] The inventors of the present invention have discovered how to provide such a retaining ring, valve, and assemblies thereof that includes novel, advantageous features not heretofore taught or contemplated by the prior art, and which can accommodate designs having one or more of the above-discussed benefits or features.BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The inventors of the present invention have discovered how to provide an improved retaining ring especially suited for, but not limited to, a valve formed from aTPE material or other delicate (i.e.. less resilient as compared to silicone) valve materials. The inventive retaining ring and valve subassembly may be assembled with, or providedwithin, a closure for a container of a fluent substance, or a fluid handling system (such as a fluent substance dispensing system), that has an opening between the exterior and interior of the container or system at which the valve assembly can be installed.

[0012] In one broad form of the present invention, a retaining ring is provided for retaining a valve at an opening of a closure for a container. The retaining ring includes an annular valve seat surrounding a central axis. The retaining ring has an annular wall extending radially outwardly from the valve seat and extending axially above the valve seat. The annular wall includes at least one projection extending radially inwardly therefrom. The retaining ring further has at least one shielding projection extending from the valve seat both axially inwardly and radially inwardly relative to the central axis The at least one shielding projection is configured to extend radially across a part of a head portion of a valve in a closed configuration of the valve, when the valve is retained within the retaining ring. Preferably, the at least one shielding projection and / or the at least one retention projection are unitarily molded with the retaining ring without any crimping of the material of the retaining ring.

[0013] According to one aspect of the present invention, the retaining ring further includes a valve defining a head portion having at least one self-sealing slit, a peripheral attachment portion spaced radially from the head portion, and an intermediate portion extending radially from the head portion to the peripheral atachment portion. The retaining ring is configured such that the peripheral attachment portion of the valve is retained at the valve seat below the at least one projection and the at least one shielding projection extends radially across a part of the head portion with the valve in a closed configuration.

[0014] According to one aspect of the present invention, the valve is molded from a thermoplastic elastomer.

[0015] According to another aspect of the present invention, the at least one shielding projection is annular and extends continuously around the central axis.(0016] In one alternative form of the present invention, the at least one shielding projection has the form of a plurality of shielding projections separated by at least onegap, wherein the shielding projections extend from the valve seat circumferentially around the central axis.

[0017] In another form of the present invention, the at least one shielding projection is spaced axially below, and does not contact the head portion of the valve in the closed configuration of the valve.

[0018] According to yet another form of the present invention, the at least one shielding projection is spaced radially outwardly of the at least one self-sealing slit in the closed configuration of the valve.

[0019] In another form of the present invention, the at least one retention projection and the at least one shielding projection are molded to extend radially toward the central axis.

[0020] In another alternative form of the present invention, the at least one retention projection and / or the at least one shielding projection is crimped to extend radially toward the central axis.

[0021] According to another aspect of the present invention, the at least one shielding projection has a concave curved upper surface facing the head portion of the valve, and an opposite, lower surface configured to face an interior of a container when the subassembly is assembled at the opening of the container.

[0022] In yet another aspect of the present invention, the at least one shielding projection and the at least one retention projection are axially co-extensive with (i.e., they do not extend axially above or below beyond} the annular wall of the retaining ring.

[0023] According to another form of the present invention , the at least one shielding projection has a distal end defining an inlet orifice having a diameter that is less than a diameter of the head portion of the valve, with the diameters measured in the radial direction relative to the central axis.

[0024] In another form of the present invention, the retaining ring is provided in combination with a closure, the closure having a body with a dispensing orifice and means for attaching to an opening ina container, whereby the retaining ring is retained within theclosure at the dispensing orifice. Preferably, the retaining ring is provided in combination with a container of a fluent substance in the form of a package.

[0025] In still another broad form of the present invention, a method of manufacturing a closure for a container includes a step of providing a thermoplastic elastomer valve defining a head portion having at least one seif-sealing slit, a peripheral attachment portion spaced radially from the head portion, and an intermediate portion extending radially from the head to the peripheral attachment portion. The method includes the further step of providing a retaining ring defining a central axis and an annular valve seat surrounding the central axis. The retaining ring has an annular wall extending radially outwardly from the valve seat and extending axially above the valve seat, and at least one retention projection extending radially inwardly from the first annular wall. The retaining ring has at least one shielding projection extending radially and axially inwardly from the valve seat The method includes the step of providing a closure having a body with a dispensing orifice and means for attaching to an opening in a container. The method includes the step of assembling the valve within the retaining ring to form a subassembly such that the peripheral attachment portion of the valve is retained at the valve seat below the at least one retention projection and the at least one shielding projection extends radially across a part of the head portion with the valve in a closed configuration of the valve. The method includes the step of assembling the subassembly within the closure to form a closure assembly.

[0026] Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention, from the claims, and from the accompanying drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] In the accompanying drawings forming part of the specification, in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

[0028] FIG. 1 is an exploded, isometric view, taken from above, of a first embodiment of a retaining ring according to the present invention prior to beingassembled within a closure that will be installed upon a container of a fluent substance, and only a fragmentary upper portion of the container is illustrated in FIG 1 ;

[0029] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the assembled subassembly of the retaining ring and valve with a closure and a fragmentary upper portion of the container of FIG.4 * taken along a vertical plane containing the central axis of the retaining ring;

[0030] FIG, 3 is an enlarged, isometric view, taken from above, of only the subassembly of the retaining ring and valve of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 shows the valve in the closed condition or configuration;

[0031] FIG 4 is an isometric view, taken from below, of the subassembly of FIG. 3;

[0032] FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of the subassembly of FIG. 3;

[0033] FIG 6 is a top plan view of the subassembly of FIG. 3;

[0034] F IG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the subassembly of FIG. 3;

[0035] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the subassembly shown in FIG. 3, taken along plane 8-8 in FIG. 6;

[0036] FIG. 9 is an enlarged, isometric view, taken from above, of another embodiment of a subassembly of the retaining ring and valve of the present invention, and FIG. 9 shows the valve in the closed condition or configuration:

[0037] FIG. 10 is an isometric view, taken from below, of the subassembly of FIG. 9;

[0038] FIG. 11 is a front elevation view of the subassembly of FIG. 9;

[0039] :FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the subassembly of FIG. 9;

[0040] FIG. 13 is a bottom plan view of the subassembly of FIG. 9; and

[0041] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the subassembly shown in FIG. 9, taken along plane 14-14 in FIG. 12.DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0042] While the retaining ring, valve,;closure, and container of the present invention are susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, this specification and the accompanying drawings disclose only some specific forms as examples of the invention. The invention is not intended to be limited to only the embodiments so described, however.

[0043] :For ease of description and with reference to FIGS. 1-2, the subassembly18 of this invention is described, with reference to the drawings, in a generally horizontal orientation that the subassembly 18, including a valve 20 and a retaining member or retaining ring 26, would have when installed within a closure 24 in the form of a closure assembly 25 for further installation on a fluent substance container 30 or other dispensing system (not illustrated). The terms “axial" and“radial” are used herein with respect to an axis 32, generally defined by the center of the retaining ring 26. As employed herein, the phrase “ axially outwardly” refers to the direction upwardly in the figures (e.g., FIGS. 1-2), along the axis 32 with respect to the direction away from the interior of the container 30 upon which the closure 24 and the subassembly 18 could be installed. The phrase “axially inwardly” refers to the direction downwardly in the figures (e.g. , FIGS 1-2), along the axis 32 with respect to the direction into the interior of the container 30 upon which the closure 24 and the valve 20 could be installed. As employed herein, the phrase “radially inwardly" refers to a direction normal (i.e , perpendicular) to, and moving toward, the axis 32. The phrase "radially outwardly" refers to a direction normal to. and moving away from* the axis 32. It will be understood, however, that this invention may be manufactured, storedi transported, used, or sold in orientations other than the orientation shown.

[0044] The subassembly 18 of this invention is suitable for use with a variety of conventional or special fluent substance containers or systems (e g., fluent substance handling or processing systems, dispensing systems, machines, etc.) having various designs, the details of which, although not il ustrated or described, would be apparent to those having skill in the art and an understanding of such systems.

[0045] figures 1-8 illustrate a preferred, first embodiment of a subassembly 18 according to the present invention. The subassembly 18 contains the primary components of a valve 20 for selectively permiting communication through the valve 20 from one side of the valve 20 to the other side (e.g., into or out Of a fluent substance container 30 or dispensing system, conduit, or package) and a retaining ring 26 for retaining the valve 20 at the opening of the container 30. The subassembly 18 is especially adapted to be installed in a closure 24 (FIGS 1-2 only) to be attached or assembled at the opening of the container 30. The container 30 may be, for example, a flexible bag or a bottle. The subassembly 18 could also be installed on a reservoir, a fluent substance dispensing system, which contains a fluent substance at ambient atmospheric pressure or above ambient atmospheric pressure (including a system in which the pressure results from the static head of the fluent substance within the system and / or in which the system generates or otherwise creates apressurized fluent substance therein). It will be understood that in one broad aspect of the present invention, the retaining ring 26 alone embodies the invention, independently of any valve.

[0046] The closure 24 illustrated in FIGS, 1-2 includes a generally cylindrical base or body 34 and a lid 38 that is connected to the body 34 by a hinge (not visible). The body 34 defines a dispensing orifice 44 which is occluded or covered by the lid 38 in a closed position (as illustrated), and the lid 38 may be rotated away from the closed position into an open position (not illustrated).

[0047] Referring to FIG. 2, a top deck 48 of the body 34, which surrounds the dispensing orifice 44, connects to an outer wall or skirt 52 which is for surrounding a top end 56 of the container when the closure 24 is installed at the opening of the container 30. The body 34 further includes an attachment means in the form of screw threads 60 formating with threads 64 on the container 30. It will be understood that the body 34 may have other removable or non-removable attachment means or features for securing the body 34 at the opening or neck of the container 30, such as mating snap-fit beads, deformable and non-removable bands or flanges, toggle- clamps, friction fittings, locks, adhesives, welding, etc.

[0048] The hinge of the closure 24 may be of any suitable conventional or special design. For example, the hinge may be of a conventional snap-action type such as described in U.S. Patent No. 5, 356,017 or U.S. Patent No. 5,642,824, the details of which form no part of the present invention. The hinge could also be a non-snap-action type, such:as a strap or tether.

[0049] With reference to FIG. 2, the lid 38 includes a hollow plug seal 68 that extends axially inwardly therefrom to seal the dispensing orifice 44 when the lid 38 is in its closed position. The body 34, in the region surrounding the dispensing orifice 44, and / or the lid plug seal 68, are sufficiently flexible to accommodate elastic deformation to establish a leak-tight seal therebetween. The lid 38 may have other sealing or latching means such as snap fit beads, locks, tabs, etc. The lid 38 may mate with the body 44 in a wholly removable manner, such as mating screw threads, friction, or snap fit beads, etc. The lid 38 may be omited altogether in some applications.

[0050] The valve 20 is flexible, resilient, pressure-openable, self-closing, and of the slit-type. Forms of generally related kinds of slit-type valves are disclosed in the U S Patent Nos. 8,678,249 and 5,839,614. The descriptions ofthose patents are incorporated herein by reference thereto to the extent pertinent and to the extent not inconsistent herewith.

[0051] The valve 20 is suitable for use with fluent substances, such as liquids and gases, including, inter alia, soaps, beverages, food products, lotions, and creams. The valve 20 is preferably molded as a unitary structure (i.e., one-piece structure) from a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) material which is flexible, pliable, elastic, and resilient. This can include styrenic block copolymers (TPE-s), thermoplastic polyolefin elastomers (TPE-o), thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPE-u), or thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPE-v). Preferably, the valve 20 is unitarily formed from a TPE-s or TPE-o material. It is desirable in many applications that the valve material be substantially inert so as to avoid reaction with, and / or adulteration of, the fluent substence that comes into contact with the valve 20 More preferably, the valve 20 is formed from one of the following TPE materials: Engage®, manufactured by Dow Chemical Company, having offices at 1790 Building, Midland, Ml 48667; Monprene®, manufactured by Teknor Apex, having offices at 505Central Ave., Pawtucket, Rl 02861; Thermoiast®, manufactured by Kraiburg TPE Corporation, having offices at 4365 Hamilton Mill Rd , Buford, GA 30518; or Versaflex®, manufactured by PolyOne Corporation, having offices at 2700 Papin St., St. Couis, MO 63103. The valve 20 preferably has a durometer between about 20-30 on the Shore A scale.

[0052] While the valve 20 is illustrated as being formed from a material as a single substance that defines a unitary layer of material substance, it will be appreciated that for some applications the valve 20 may be formed from a material that is defined by two or more layers of different substances. For example, one layer of the valve material may be formed from a first TPE material, and one or more other layers of the valve material may be formed from coatings or laminations of one or more different substances.

[0053] The valve 20 has an initially “closed”, unactuated, substantially unstressed, rest position or configuration as illustrated in the figures. The valve 20 can be forced to an “open" position or configuration when a sufficiently high pressure differential acts across the opposite sides of the valve 20, or when the valve 20 is engaged by a sufficiently rigid article coming into contact with the valve 20 material.

[0054] With reference to FIG. 8, the valve 20 material has a first side 72 and a second side 76. In preferred applications, the first side 72 will face an interior of a fluent substance container 30 and the second side 76 will face an exterior, ambient environment. In other applications, the valve 20 may be contained wholly within a conduit or system for processing, dispensing, or handling a fluent substance.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 8, the valve 20 has an annular mounting flange or peripheral atachment portion 80. The peripheral atachment portion 80 may have any suitable configuration for being mounted to, attached to. connected with, or for otherwise accommodating, installation on or in a closure or a container. Typically, this may be achieved through a retention structure, such as the retaining ring 26, that can mate with a feature inside of the closure 24 or mate with a feature of a container in which the valve 20 may be installed.

[0065] The particular configuration of the peripheral atachment portion 80 illustrated in FIG. 8 may be characterized generally as a modified dove-tail configuration when viewed in a vertical cross sectional plane confining the central axis 32 (as shown in FIG. 8. The peripheral attachment portion 80 includes a first frustoconical surface and a second frustoconical surface for being retained within the retaining ring 26 as will be discussed in detail hereinafter. Preferably, the peripheral atachment portion 80 is somewhat resiliently compressed so as to accommodate the creation of a secure, leakresistant seal when the peripheral attachment portion 80 is compressively engaged within the closure 24 or a container 30.

[0057] With appropriate modification of the closure 24 or container 30, other shapes could be used for the peripheral attachment portion 80. Some other shapes of flange cross sections which could be employed on the valve 20 are illustrated in U.S. Patent No. 5,409,144. In some applications, it may be desirable to configure the peripheral attachment portion 80 for attachment to the closure 24 or container by means of adhesive, heat bonding, or other suitable means, bi-injection molding, etc.

[0058] As further shown in FIG. 8. extending generally radially inwardly toward the central axis 32, and away from the peripheral attachment portion 80 , the valve 20 includes a generally annular, intermediate portion or sleeve 92 that connects laterally between the peripheral atachment portion 80 to a central head portion or head 96. The head portion 96 is flexible and resilient When the valve 20 is in the closed position, condition, or configuration as shown in FIGS. 1-8, the intermediate portion 92 has a tubular configuration to locate the head portion 96 so that a part of the head portion 96 projects axially inwardly (e g., toward the interior of the container or system) beyond or below the peripheral atachment portion 80.

[0059] The intermediate portion 92 of the valve 20 is preferably configured for use in conjunction with a particular fluent substance supply system or containe r, and a specific type of fluent substance, so as to achieve the flow characteristics desired. For example, the viscosity and density of the fluent substance are factors to be considered. The rigidity and durometer of the valve material, and size and thickness of portions of both the head portion 96 and the intermediate portion 92, are additional factors to be considered.

[0060] As can be seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, the head portion 96 of the valve 20 has a generally circular configuration in plan view. The peripheral atachment portion 80, the intermediate portion 92, and the head portion 96 are all oriented in a generally circular configuration and concentric relationship relative to the central axis 32 (visible in FIG. 8). A fluid substance can be dispensed (i.e., discharged) through the valve 20 in a discharge flow direction axially outwardly generally along the axis 32 when the valve 20 opens, as will be discussed in detail hereinafter. An engagement article, such as the probe, can also be used to engage and open the valve 20 and to facilitate communication of a fluid substance through the valve 20.

[0061] Referring to FIG.8, the valve head 96 has an interior surface (axially inward) with a generally convex configuration when the valve 20 is in the closed configuration and viewed along a vertical cross sectional plane containing the axis 32. The interior surface of the head portion 96 has a planar and circular central region 112 extending laterally outwardly around the axis 32 when the valve 20 is in the closed configuration. The interior surface of the valve head 96 further defines or includes a laterally outwardly facing peripheral region 116.

[0062] The exterior surface of the valve head portion 96 has a concave configuration, when the valve 20 is in the closed configuration and viewed in FIG. 8 along a vertical cross sectional plane containing the axis 32. When the head portion 96 is -viewed in cross section, all of the head portion 96 is thicker than the relatively thin intermediate portion 92 of the valve 20[00631 While the first illustrated embodiment of the valve 20 has a distinct head portion 96, an intermediate portion 92, and a peripheral attachment portion 80, it will be understood that in one broad aspect of the present invention the valve 20 need not be limited to such a structu re . For example, in one conte mplated application of the valve 20, the peripheral attachment portion 80, if provided, could be a rigid member (e.g.. a thermoplastic ring or retaining) atached to the rest of the valve 20. As another example, the valve 20 may be provided just with a head portion 96 without one or both to the peripheral atachment portion 80 or the intermediate portion 92.

[0064] With reference to FIG. 6, the head portion 96 ofthe valve 20 has three selfsealing, intersecting slits 132 that each extend transversely and fully through the valve material. The slits 132 radiate generally from the center of the head portion 96. The slits 132 define openable flaps, segments, portions or triangular petals 136 in the valve head portion 96 to define a normally closed orifice. Each petal 136 has two transverse faces defined by the slits 132, and each transverse face seals against a confronting transverse face of an adjacent petal when the valve orifice is closed. Such valves have a slit orslits which define a normally closed orifice that opens to permit flow therethrough in response to an increased pressure differential across the valve (e.g., resulting from an increased pressure within the container when the container is squeezed, or from a reduced external ambient pressure compared to the pressure within the container). Such valves are typically designed so that they automatically close to shut off flow therethrough upon areduction of the pressure differential across the valve. Variations and forms of such openable portions are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 5.033,655 and 8.628,056. Thedescriptions of these patents are incorporated herein by reference thereto to the extent pertinent and to the extent not inconsistent herewith. It will be understood that the valve 20 may be provided with a greater number or lesser number of slits 132 depending onthe application. In some forms, not illustrated, the slits 132 may intersect at a location spaced from the central axis 32, or may intersect to form a plurality of dispensing orifices in the valve 20.

[0065] As best shown in FIG. 8, the retaining ring 26 is hollow and defines an ann ular valve seat 140 surrounding the central axis 32 for engaging or accommodating the peripheral attachment portion 80 of the valve 20. An annular wall 144 extends radially outwardly from the valve seat 140 and further extends axially outwardly above the valve seat 140. The annular wall 144 includes one or more retention projections 148 extending radially inwardly for the purpose of retaining the peripheral attachment portion 80 of the valve 20 at the valve seat 140. The annular wall 144 further defines a radially-outwardly extending flange 152 for mating with a snap fit bead 154, or other such mating feature, of the closure 24 (visible in FIG. 2) to maintain the retaining ring 26 at the dispensing orifice 44 of the closure 24 The retaining ring 26 further has a shielding projection 156 extending axially downwardly from the valve seat 140 and radially inwardly toward the central axis32. The shielding projection 156 is continuous, and extends in a fully annular configuration around the central axis 32. Importantly, the shielding projection 156 extends radially across a part of the head 96 of the valve 20 when the valve 20 is in a closed or resting configuration retained within the retaining ring 26 In one non-preferred embodiment of the invention (not illustrated), it will be understood that the shielding projection or shielding projections may extend from the annular wall instead of the valve seat portion of the retaining ring,

[0066] With reference to FIG, 8 again, the shielding projection 156 has a concave curved upper surface 160 feeing the head 96 of the valve 20, and an opposite, lower surface 164 configured to face an interior of a container 30.;The lower surface 164 is flat and does not extend axially below the farthest axial extent of the annular wall 144. The shielding projection 156 is spaced axially below the head 96 and is also spaced radially outwardly of the self-sealing slits 132 in the closed configuration of the valve 20. The shielding projection 156 has a terminal or distal end 168 defining an inlet orifice having a diameter D, in the radial direction, that is less than a diameter of the valve head 96;in the radial direction.

[0067] The valve seat 140 may include an aperture (not illustrated) located beneath each of the retention projections 148 to assist in molding of the retention projections 148. As can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 6, the retention projections 148 have the form of four arcuate tabs that are substantially flat and flush with the upper end of the annular wall 144 such that they do not extend axially above beyond the annular wall 144. The configuration of the retention .projections;148 and the shielding, projection 156 is advantageously compact

[0668] Advantageously, the retention projections 148 and the shielding projection 156 are molded unitarily in the positions illustrated to extend radially toward the central axis 32 thus eliminating the need for secondary manufacturing processes life crimping or welding portions of the retaining ring 26 In alternative embodiments discussed in greater detail below, the retention projections 148 and / or the shielding projection 156 may be formed from a secondary manufacturing processes like crimping or welding portions of the retaining ring 26. For example, the retention projections 148 may be formed bycrimping the annular wall 144 over the peripheral atachment portion 80 of the valve 20 while the shielding projection 166 is molded. As a further example, the retention projection 148 may be molded while the shielding projection 156 is formed by crimping the annular wall 144 or other portion of the carrier ring 26 over the valve head 96.

[0069] The inventors have found that the retaining ring 26 structure disclosed herein may address issues experienced by TPE material valves, particularly with respect to deformation, misalignment, or damage of the self-sealing slits 132 during manufacturing, storage, or shipping of the valve 20. The shielding projection 156 which extends across a portion of the valve head 96 may reduce or eliminate such issues, especially in a bulk packaging and shipping environment.

[0070] In one broad aspect of the invention, the invention may be limited to only the retaining ring disclosed herein. In another broad aspect of the present invention, the invention may include a subassembly of the valve and retaining ring only. In still a further broad aspect to the invention, the invention may include a closure assembly of the subassembly retained within a closure. In still another broad aspect of the present invention, the invention may include a package including the valve, the retaining ring, a closure, and a container of a fluent substance. The container and or closure may have any conventional or special design.

[0071] One method of assembling the subassembly 18 with a closure 40 and a container 44 of a fluent substance to form a package is next discussed. It will be understood that the method of assembly described herein is illustrative only, and there may be other methods of assembling the package. The valve 20 is molded from a TPE material having a resting or closed configuration as illustrated. The retaining ring 26 is preferably molded as a unitary article of manufacture from a more rigid plastic material. The peripheral atachment portion 80 of the valve 20 is forced axially Into the space between the valve seat 140 and the retention projections 148 of the annular wall 144 such that the valve 20 is secured within the retaining ring 26 to form the subassembly 18. In this configuration, the head portion 96 of the valve 20 is located below the valve seat 144 and axially above the shielding projection 156. The subassembly 18 may be safely stored or shipped in bulk.[0072} The closure 24, including the body 34 and the lid 38, is preferably molded as a unitary article of manufacture in the lid open position (not illustrated), and then the lid 38 is then placed into a sealing, frictional engagement with deck to occlude the dispensing orifice 44 of the body 34 (as shown in FIG. 2). The subassembly 18 is then mated axially with the closure 24 such that the flange 152 of the retaining ring 26 is forced past and retained by the bead 154 in the closure 24 to form a completed closure assembly 25. The closure assembly 25 is then shipped to a filler facility. The filler facility then fills the container 30 with a pre-determined amount or dose of a substance to be dispensed (not illustrated). With reference to FIG. 1. the closure 24 is brought into mating contact with the container 30 along the axis 32 by the filter such that the external threads 56 of the container 30 are received within the internal threads 60 of the closure 24 until the top end 56 of the container 30 contacts against the underside of the deck 48 to seal the container opening.[0073} Thefilted container 30, with the subassembly 18 and the closure 24 installed thereupon, is thus provided or sold to a consumer in the form of a completed package.

[0074] A second embodiment of a subassembly 18A of a retaining ring 26A and a valve 20A according to the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 9-14. The second illustrated embodiment of the subassembly 18A of the valve 20A and retaining ring 26A can be formed from the same material or materials which are discussed in detail above with respect to the first illustrated embodiment of the subassembly 18. Like elements between the first illustrated embodiment of the subassembly 18 and the second illustrated embodiment of the subassembly 18A are designated with the same numeral (the first embodiment having no suffix and the second embodiment having an “A" suffix).|0075] The second illustrated embodiment of the subassembly 18A has the same basic elements, and functions in the same basic manner, as the first illustrated embodiment of the subassembly 18. The valve 20A includes a peripheral attachment portion 80A, and an intermediate portion 92A connecting the peripheral atachment portion 80A to a head portion 96A The valve head 96A includes intersecting slits 132A arranged in the same manner as discussed above with respect to the first illustrated embodiment of the valve 20. The retaining ring 26A defines a central axis 32A and isfurther provided with a valve seat 140A and an annular wall 144A extending radially and axially outwardly of the valve seat 140A. The annular wall 144A includes a plurality of retention projections 148A extending radially inwardly to and a flange 152A for being received Within the closure 24.:

[0076] However, the second illustrated embodiment of the subassembly 18A shown in FIGS. 9-13 differs from the prior-discussed first illustrated embodiment of the subassembly 18 in that the retaining ring 26A has a modified arrangement of the shielding feature. With reference to FIG. 13, the retaining ring 26A includes a plurality of shielding projections 156A that extend axially and radially inwardly from the valve seat 140A. The shielding projections 156A extend almost 120 degrees about the axis 32A and are separated by a U-shaped space or gap 170A. Each shielding projection 156A terminates in a cantilevered distal end 168A that lies radially outwardly of the slits 132A in the valve head 96A and axially spaced below the valve head 96A. It will be understood that the retaining ring 26A may have a greater number or lesser number of shielding projections 156A depending on the desired flow characteristics for the application

[0077] Advantageously, the retention projections 148A and the shielding projections 156A are molded unitarily in the positions illustrated to extend radially toward the central axis 32A thus eliminating the need for secondary manufacturing processes like crimping or welding portions of the retaining ring 26A. In alternative embodiments, however, the retention projections 148A and / or the shielding projections 156A may be formed from a secondary manufacturing process like crimping or welding portions of the retaining ring 26A. For example, the retention projections 148A may be formed by crimpihg the annular wall 144A over peripheral attachment portion 80A of the valve 20A white the shielding projections 156A are molded. As a further example, the retention projections 148A may be molded while toe shielding projections 156A are formed by crimping the annular wall 144A or other portion of the carrier ring 26A over the valve head 96A. it will be understood that in one broad aspect of the present invention, the retaining ring 26A alone embodies the present invention, independently of any valve.

[0078] Itwill be appreciated that while various theories and explanations have been set forth herein with respect to how the component configurations and arrangements mayaffect the operation of the inventive retaining ring and assemblies thereof, there is no intention to be bound by such theories and explanations; Further it is intended that all structures falling witinn the scope of the appended claims are not to be otherwise excluded from the scope of the claims merely because the operation of such structures may not be accounted for by the explanations and theories presented herein.[0079J 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 retaining ring (26, 26A) for retaining a valve (20, 20A) at an opening of a closure (24) for a container (30), said retaining ring (26, 26A) comprising; an annular valve seat (140, 140A) surrounding a central axis (32, 32A); an annular wall (144, 144A) extending radially outwardly from said valve seat (140, 140A) and extending axially above said valve seat (140, 14GA), said annular wall (144, 144A) having at least one retention projection (148, 148A) extending radially inwardly; and at least one shielding projection (156, 156A) extending from said valve seat (140, 140A) axially inwardly and radially inwardly, said at feast one shielding projection (156, 156A) is configured to extend radially across a part of a head portion (96, 96A) of a valve (20. 20A) in a closed configuration with the valve (20. 20A) retained within said retaining ring (26, 26A). The retaining ring (26) according to preceding claim 1 wherein said at least one shielding projection (156) is annular and extends continuously around said central axis (32).

3. The retaining ring (26A) according to preceding claim 1 wherein said at least one shielding projection (156A) has the form of a plurality of shielding projections (156A) separated by ar least one gap (170A) and extending circumferentially around said central axis (32A),4. The retaining ring (26, 26A) according to any of preceding claims 1 -3 wherein said at least one retention projection (148, 148A) and said at least one shielding projection (156, 156A) are molded to extend radially toward said central axis (32, 32A).

5. The .retaining ring (26, 26A) according to any of preceding claims 1-3 wherein said at least one retention projection (148, 148A) and / or said at least one shielding projection (156, 156A) is crimped to extend radially toward said central axis (32. 32A)6. The retaining ring (26, 26A) according to any of preceding claims 1-5 wherein said at least one retention projection (148, 148A) and said at least one shielding projection (156, 156A) are axially co-extensive with said annular wall (144. 144A).

7. The retaining ring (26, 26A) according to any of preceding claims 1-6 in combination wth a valve (20, 20A), said valve (20, 20A) comprising: ahead portion (96, 96A) having at least one self-sealing sift (132, 132A), said valve (20, 20A) further defining a peripheral attachment portion (80, 80A) spaced radially from said head portion (96, 96A), and an intermediate portion (92, 92A) extending radially from said head portion (96, 96A) to said peripheral attachment portion (80, 80A); wherein said peripheral attachment portion (80, 80A) is retained at said valve;seat (140, 140A) below said at least one retention projection (148, 148A) and said at least one shielding projection (156, 156A) extends radially across a part of said head portion (96, 96A) with said valve (20, 2GA) in a closed configuration.

8. The retaining ring (26, 26A) and valve (20, 20A) combination according to preceding claim 7 wherein said valve (20, 20A) is molded from a thermoplastic elastomer.

9. The retaining ring (26, 26A) and valve (20, 20A) combination according to any of preceding claims 7-8 wherein said at least one shielding projection (156, 156A) is spaced axially below said head portion (96, 96A) of said valve (20, 20A) in said closed configuration of said valve (20, 20A).

10. The retaining ring (26, 26A) and valve (20, 20A) combination according to any of preceding claims 7-9 wherein said at least one shielding projection (156, 156A) is spaced radially outwardly of said at least one self-sealing slit (132, 132A) in said closed configuration of said valve (20. 20A).

11. The retaining ring (26, 26A) and valve (20, 20A) combination according to any of preceding claims 7-10 wherein said at least one shielding projection (156, 156A) has a concave curved upper surface (160) facing said head portion (96. 96A) and an opposite, lower surface (164) configured to face an interior of a container12. The retaining ring (26, 26A) and valve (20, 20A) combination according to any of preceding claims 7-11 wherein said at least one shielding projection (156, 156A) has a distal end (168, 168A) that defines an inlet orifice having a diameter (D) that is less than a diameter of said head portion (96) of said valve (20, 20A) relative to said central axis (32, 32A). ,13. The retaining ring (26, 26A) and valve (20, 20A) combination according to any of preceding claims 7*12 in further combination with a closure (24), said closure (24) having a body (34) with a dispensing orifice (44) and means (64) for attaching to an opening of a container (30), said retaining ring (26, 26A) and valve (20, 20A) retained within said closure (24) at said dispensing orifice (44).

14. The retaining ring (26, 26A), valve (20, 20A), and closure (24) combination according to claim 13 in further combination with a container (30) of a fluent substance, said retaining ring (26, 26A), said closure (24), and said container (30) of said fluent substance defining a package. <15.. A method of manufacturing a closure (24) tor a container (30), said method comprising the steps of: providing a thermoplastic elastomer valve (20, 20A) defining a head portion (96, 96A) having at least one self-sealing slit (132. 132A), said valve (20, 20A)further defining a peripheral attachment portion (80. 80A) spaced radially from said head portion (96, 96A) and an intermediate portion (92, 92A) extending radially from said;head portion (96, 96A)to said peripheral attachment portion (80, 80A); providing a retaining ring (26, 26A), said retaining ring (26, 26A) defining a central axis (32, 32A) and an annular valve seat (140, 140A) surrounding said centralaxis (32, 32A), said retaining ring (26, 26A) further defining an annular wall (144, 144A) extending radially outwardly from said valve seat (140, 140A) and extending axially above said valve seat (140, 140A), said annular wall (144, 144A) having at least one retention projection (148, 148A) extending radially inwardly, at least one shielding projection (156, 156A) extending from said valve seat (140, 140A) axially inwardly and radially inwardly; providing a closure (24) having a body (34) with a dispensing orifice (44) and means (60) for attaching to an opening in a container (30); assembling said valve (20, 20A) within said retaining ring (26. 26A) to form a subassembly (18, 18A) such that said peripheral atachment portion (80, 80A) is retained at said valve seat (140, 140A) below said at least one retention projection (148, 148A) and said at least one shielding projection (156, 156A) extends radially across a part of said head portion (96, 96A) with said valve (20, 20A) in a closed configuration; and assembling said subassembly (18, 18A) within said closure (24) to form a closure assembly (25).

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