Dispensing system with an internal releasable shipping seal and an extended tip containing a pressure openable valve

• US 6,290,108 B1
• Filed: 04/14/2000
• Issued: 09/18/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Seaquist Closures Limited (AptarGroup Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Seaquist Closures Limited (AptarGroup Incorporated)
• Inventors: Gross, Richard A.
• Primary Examiner(s): JACYNA, J CASIMER
• Application Number:
  US09/550,279
• Time in Patent Office: 522 Days
• Field of Search: 222/212, 222/213, 222/490-494, 222/519, 222/520, 222/523, 222/525, 222/545-547
• US Class Current: 222/494
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 47/2031 the element being formed by a slit, narrow opening or constrictable spout, the size of the outlet passage being able to be varied by increasing or decreasing the pressure B65D47/2025 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 47/242 moving helically

Abstract

A dispensing system is provided for dispensing a product from a container having an opening. The dispensing system includes a spout for communicating with the container opening. The spout defines at least one discharge aperture, a distal seal surface located distally of the discharge aperture, and a proximal seal surface located on the exterior of the spout proximally of the discharge aperture. A nozzle assembly is mounted on the spout for movement between a retracted, closed position and an extended, open position. The nozzle assembly includes a nozzle having a dispensing passage around at least a portion of the spout, a proximal seal surface for sealingly engaging the spout proximal surface, and a distal seal surface located outwardly of the nozzle proximal seal surface for sealingly engaging the spout distal seal surface when the nozzle assembly is in the retracted, closed position. The nozzle assembly also includes a resiliently flexible valve that is sealingly disposed across the nozzle dispensing passage at a location distally of the spout distal seal surface and has an initially closed dispensing orifice which opens in response to a pressure differential acting across the valve.

Claims

1. A dispensing system for dispensing a product from a container having an opening, said system comprising:

a body for projecting outwardly from said container and having a spout that terminates in a distal end and that defines (1) a discharge passage for communicating with said container opening, (2) at least one discharge aperture opening externally from said spout discharge passage and having a fixed geometry at a stationary location relative to said container, (3) a distal seal surface located distally of said discharge aperture relative to said container, and (4) a proximal seal surface located on the exterior of said spout proximally of said discharge aperture; and

a nozzle assembly which is mounted on said spout over said spout distal end for movement between a retracted, closed position and an extended, open position, and which includes (1) a nozzle, and (2) a valve carried by said nozzle, said nozzle having (a) a dispensing passage for communicating with said spout discharge aperture at least when said nozzle assembly is moved away from said retracted, closed position, (b) a proximal seal surface for sealingly engaging said spout proximal seal surface, and (c) a distal seal surface located outwardly of said nozzle proximal seal surface for sealingly engaging said spout distal seal surface when said nozzle assembly is in said retracted, closed position to prevent flow through said nozzle dispensing passage to said valve, said valve being a resiliently flexible valve sealingly disposed across said nozzle dispensing passage at a location distally of said spout distal seal surface when said nozzle assembly is in said retracted, closed position as well as when said nozzle assembly is in said extended, open position, and said valve having an initially closed dispensing orifice which opens in response to a differential between the pressure acting against the side of the closed valve exposed to ambient atmosphere and the pressure acting against the side of the closed valve exposed to the container opening.

2. The dispensing system accordance with claim 1 in which said valve is a self-closing valve.

3. The dispensing system in accordance with claim 2 in which

said valve opens outwardly when the pressure against the side of the valve exposed to the container opening exceeds the pressure acting against the side of the valve exposed to ambient atmosphere by a predetermined amount; and

said valve returns from an open condition to a closed condition after the pressure acting on the side of the valve exposed to the container opening decreases.

4. The dispensing system in accordance with claim 1 in which said system is a dispensing closure that is separate from, but releasably attachable to, said container around said container opening.

5. The dispensing system in accordance with claim 4 in which

said system includes said container;

said container has an external, male thread; and

said body has an internal, female thread for threadingly engaging said male thread on said container.

6. The dispensing system in accordance with claim 1 in which

said valve has an annular flange;

said nozzle has a distal end with a radially inwardly directed flange defining an annular seat facing the interior of said nozzle; and

said nozzle assembly includes a retainer engaged with said nozzle to retain said valve in said nozzle with said valve annular flange clamped by said retainer against said nozzle annular seat.

7. The dispensing system in accordance with claim 6 in which said retainer is a generally annular ring which is in a snap-fit engagement with said nozzle.

8. The dispensing system in accordance with claim 7 in which

said nozzle includes an internal, annular channel;

and

said retainer includes a peripheral portion adapted to be received in said channel in a snap-fit engagement.

9. The dispensing system in accordance with claim 7 in which

said valve annular flange has a dovetail cross section defining a frustoconical outer surface and a frustoconical inner surface;

said nozzle has a central opening surrounded by said nozzle annular seat;

said nozzle annular seat is a frustoconical seat engaging said frustoconical outer surface of said valve annular flange; and

said retainer has a frustoconical clamping surface engaging said frustoconical inner surface of said valve annular flange to clamp said valve annular flange between said retainer and said nozzle annular seat.

10. The dispensing system in accordance with claim 1 in which said valve is molded from a thermosetting elastomer.

11. The dispensing system in accordance with claim 1 in which said valve has an annular flange with an outer periphery defining a generally cylindrical outer surface.

12. The dispensing system in accordance with claim 1 in which

said body includes a hollow, generally cylindrical base adapted to be mounted on said container;

and

said spout extends from said base;

said spout has a length and has a generally circular, transverse cross section everywhere along its length; and

said base has a diameter which is greater than the diameter of said spout everywhere along the length of said spout.

13. The dispensing system in accordance with claim 1 in which

said nozzle proximal seal surface includes (1) a generally cylindrical seal surface, and (2) a radially inwardly projecting seal bead adjacent, and merging with, said nozzle cylindrical seal surface;

and

said spout proximal seal surface includes (1) a radially outwardly projecting seal bead, and (2) a generally cylindrical seal surface adjacent, and merging with, said spout seal bead.

14. The dispensing system in accordance with claim 1 in which

said spout has a distal end that includes a disk located distally of said discharge aperture;

said disk has an arcuate, peripheral, distal edge merging with a generally cylindrical, peripheral surface which defines said spout distal seal surface; and

a portion of said nozzle between said valve and said nozzle proximal seal surface has a generally cylindrical interior surface which defines said nozzle distal seal surface for sealingly engaging said spout disk peripheral surface.

15. The dispensing system in accordance with claim 1 in which said spout discharge aperture is one of a plurality of identical discharge apertures that are radially oriented.

17. The dispensing system in accordance with claim 6 in which

said valve flange has a dovetail cross section;

said valve flange outer surface and inner surface are each frustoconical; and

said retention cap flange annular clamping surface and said nozzle annular seat are each frustoconical.

16. A dispensing system for dispensing a product from a container having an opening, said system comprising:

a body for projecting outwardly from said container and having a spout that terminates in a distal end and that defines (1) a discharge passage for communicating with said container opening, (2) at least one discharge aperture opening externally from said spout discharge passage, (3) a distal seal surface located distally of said discharge aperture, and (4) a proximal seal surface located on the exterior of said spout proximally of said discharge aperture; and

a nozzle assembly which is mounted on said spout over said spout distal end for movement between a retracted, closed position and an extended, open position, and which includes (1) a nozzle, and (2) a valve carried by said nozzle, said nozzle having (a) a dispensing passage for communicating with said spout discharge aperture at least when said nozzle assembly is moved away from said retracted, closed position, (b) a proximal seal surface for sealingly engaging said spout proximal seal surface, and (c) a distal seal surface located outwardly of said nozzle proximal seal surface for sealingly engaging said spout distal seal surface when said nozzle assembly is in said retracted, closed position to prevent flow through said nozzle dispensing passage to said valve, said valve being a resiliently flexible valve sealingly disposed across said nozzle dispensing passage at a location distally of said spout distal seal surface when said nozzle assembly is in said retracted, closed position as well as when said nozzle assembly is in said extended, open position, and said valve having an initially closed dispensing orifice which opens in response to a differential between the pressure acting against the side of the closed valve exposed to ambient atmosphere and the pressure acting against the side of the closed valve exposed to the container opening;

said valve having an annular flange defining an outer surface and an inner surface;

said nozzle having a distal end;

said nozzle dispensing passage terminating in a dispensing opening at said nozzle distal end;

said nozzle defining an annular seat around said nozzle dispensing opening for engaging said valve flange inner surface;

said nozzle assembly including an annular retention cap in a snap-fit engagement with said nozzle at the distal end of said nozzle; and

said retention cap defining a central opening surrounded by an annular flange defining an annular clamping surface for engaging said valve flange outer surface to clamp said valve flange between said retention cap and said nozzle.

18. A dispensing system for dispensing a product from a container having an opening, said system comprising:

a body for projecting outwardly from said container and having a spout that terminates in a distal end and that defines (1) a discharge passage for communicating with said container opening, (2) at least one discharge aperture opening externally from said spout discharge passage, (3) a distal seal surface located distally of said discharge aperture, and (4) a proximal seal surface located on the exterior of said spout proximally of said discharge aperture; and

a nozzle assembly which is mounted on said spout over said spout distal end for movement between a retracted, closed position and an extended, open position, and which includes (1) a nozzle, and (2) a valve carried by said nozzle, said nozzle having (a) a dispensing passage for communicating with said spout discharge aperture at least when said nozzle assembly is moved away from said retracted, closed position, (b) a proximal seal surface for sealingly engaging said spout proximal seal surface, and (c) a distal seal surface located outwardly of said nozzle proximal seal surface for sealingly engaging said spout distal seal surface when said nozzle assembly is in said retracted, closed position to prevent flow through said nozzle dispensing passage to said valve, said valve being a resiliently flexible valve sealingly disposed across said nozzle dispensing passage at a location distally of said spout distal seal surface when said nozzle assembly is in said retracted, closed position as well as when said nozzle assembly is in said extended, open position, and said valve having an initially closed dispensing orifice which opens in response to a differential between the pressure acting against the side of the closed valve exposed to ambient atmosphere and the pressure acting against the side of the closed valve exposed to the container opening;

said spout having an external, male thread inwardly of said spout proximal seal surface; and

said nozzle having an internal, female thread inwardly of said nozzle proximal seal surface for engaging said spout external, male thread.

19. A dispensing system for dispensing a product from a container having an opening, said system comprising:

a spout for communicating with said container opening and defining (1) at least one discharge aperture having a fixed geometry at a stationary location relative to said container, (2) a distal seal surface located distally of said discharge aperture relative to said container, and (3) a proximal seal surface located on the exterior of said spout proximally of said discharge aperture; and

a nozzle assembly which is mounted on said spout for movement between a retracted, closed position and an extended, open position, and which includes (A) a nozzle having (1) a dispensing passage around at least a portion of said spout, (2) a proximal seal surface for sealingly engaging said spout proximal seal surface, and (3) a distal seal surface located outwardly of said nozzle proximal seal surface for sealingly engaging said spout distal seal surface when said nozzle assembly is in said retracted, closed position, and (B) a resiliently flexible valve that (1) is sealingly disposed across said nozzle dispensing passage at a location distally of said spout distal seal surface, and (2) has an initially closed dispensing orifice which opens in response to a pressure differential acting across said valve.

20. The dispensing system in accordance with claim 19 in which said nozzle dispensing passage is defined at least in part by said nozzle distal seal surface and said nozzle proximal seal surface.

21. The dispensing system in accordance with claim 19 in which

said system includes a hollow base for mounting to said container over said container opening; and

said spout extends from said base.

22. The dispensing system in accordance with claim 19 in which said spout defines an internal discharge passage which communicates with said container opening and with said spout discharge aperture.

23. The dispensing system in accordance with claim 19 in which said spout has a distal end defining said spout distal seal surface;

and said spout discharge aperture is adjacent said spout distal end.

24. The dispensing system in accordance with claim 19 in which said nozzle dispensing passage, said nozzle distal seal surface, and said spout distal seal surface are configured relative to said spout discharge aperture so as to establish communication between said valve and said spout discharge aperture only when said nozzle assembly is moved away from said retracted, closed position.

25. The dispensing system accordance with claim 19 in which said valve is a self-closing valve.

26. The dispensing system in accordance with claim 25 in which

said valve opens outwardly when the pressure against the side of the valve exposed to the container opening exceeds the pressure acting against the side of the valve exposed to ambient atmosphere by a predetermined amount;

and

said valve returns from an open condition to a closed condition after the pressure acting on the side of the valve exposed to the container opening decreases.

27. The dispensing system in accordance with claim 19 in which said system is a dispensing closure that is separate from, but releasably attachable to, said container around said container opening.

28. The dispensing system in accordance with claim 27 in which

said system includes said container;

said container has an external, male thread;

said system includes a body having a hollow, generally cylindrical base which has an internal, female thread for threadingly engaging said male thread on said container; and

said spout extends from said hollow base.

29. The dispensing system in accordance with claim 19 in which

said valve has an annular flange;

said nozzle has a distal end with a radially inwardly directed flange defining an annular seat facing the interior of said nozzle; and

said nozzle assembly includes a retainer engaged with said nozzle to retain said valve in said nozzle with said valve annular flange clamped by said retainer against said nozzle annular seat.

30. The dispensing system in accordance with claim 29 in which said retainer is a generally annular ring which is in a snap-fit engagement with said nozzle.

31. The dispensing system in accordance with claim 30 in which

said nozzle includes an internal, annular channel;

and

said retainer includes a peripheral portion adapted to be received in said channel in a snap-fit engagement.

32. The dispensing system in accordance with claim 30 in which

said valve annular flange has a dovetail cross section defining a frustoconical outer surface and a frustoconical inner surface;

said nozzle has a central opening surrounded by said nozzle annular seat;

said nozzle annular seat is a frustoconical seat engaging said frustoconical outer surface of said valve annular flange; and

said retainer has a frustoconical clamping surface engaging said frustoconical inner surface of said valve annular flange to clamp said valve annular flange between said retainer and said nozzle annular seat.

33. The dispensing system in accordance with claim 19 in which said valve is molded from a thermosetting elastomer.

34. The dispensing system in accordance with claim 19 in which said valve has an annular flange with an outer periphery defining a generally cylindrical outer surface.

35. The dispensing system in accordance with claim 19 in which

said nozzle proximal seal surface includes (1) a generally cylindrical seal surface, and (2) a radially inwardly projecting seal bead adjacent, and merging with, said nozzle cylindrical seal surface;

and

said spout proximal seal surface includes (1) a radially outwardly projecting seal bead, and (2) a generally cylindrical seal surface adjacent, and merging with, said spout seal bead.

36. The dispensing system in accordance with claim 19 in which

said spout has a distal end that includes a disk located distally of said discharge aperture;

said disk has an arcuate, peripheral, distal edge merging with a generally cylindrical, peripheral surface which defines said spout distal seal surface; and

a portion of said nozzle between said valve and said nozzle proximal seal surface has a generally cylindrical interior surface which defines said nozzle distal seal surface for sealingly engaging said spout disk peripheral surface.

37. The dispensing system in accordance with claim 19 in which said spout discharge aperture is one of a plurality of identical discharge apertures that are radially oriented.

38. A dispensing system for dispensing a product from a container having an opening, said system comprising:

a spout for communicating with said container opening and defining (1) at least one discharge aperture, (2) a distal seal surface located distally of said discharge aperture, and (3) a proximal seal surface located on the exterior of said spout proximally of said discharge aperture; and

a nozzle assembly which is mounted on said spout for movement between a retracted, closed position and an extended, open position, and which includes (A) a nozzle having (1) a dispensing passage around at least a portion of said spout, (2) a proximal seal surface for sealingly engaging said spout proximal seal surface, and (3) a distal seal surface located outwardly of said nozzle proximal seal surface for sealingly engaging said spout distal seal surface when said nozzle assembly is in said retracted, closed position, and (B) a resiliently flexible valve that (1) is sealingly disposed across said nozzle dispensing passage at a location distally of said spout distal seal surface, and (2) has an initially closed dispensing orifice which opens in response to a pressure differential acting across said valve;

said valve having an annular flange defining an outer surface and an inner surface;

said nozzle having a distal end;

said nozzle dispensing passage terminating in a dispensing opening at said nozzle distal end;

said nozzle defining an annular seat around said nozzle dispensing opening for engaging said valve flange inner surface;

said nozzle assembly including an annular retention cap in a snap-fit engagement with said nozzle at the distal end of said nozzle; and

said retention cap defining a central opening surrounded by an annular flange defining an annular clamping surface for engaging said valve flange outer surface to clamp said valve flange between said retention cap and said nozzle.

39. The dispensing system in accordance with claim 38 in which

said valve flange has a dovetail cross section;

said valve flange outer surface and inner surface are each frustoconical; and

said retention cap flange annular clamping surface and said nozzle annular seat are each frustoconical.

40. A dispensing system for dispensing a product from a container having an opening, said system comprising:

a spout for communicating with said container opening and defining (1) at least one discharge aperture, (2) a distal seal surface located distally of said discharge aperture, and (3) a proximal seal surface located on the exterior of said spout proximally of said discharge aperture; and

a nozzle assembly which is mounted on said spout for movement between a retracted, closed position and an extended, open position, and which includes (A) a nozzle having (1) a dispensing passage around at least a portion of said spout, (2) a proximal seal surface for sealingly engaging said spout proximal seal surface, and (3) a distal seal surface located outwardly of said nozzle proximal seal surface for sealingly engaging said spout distal seal surface when said nozzle assembly is in said retracted, closed position, and (B) a resiliently flexible valve that (1) is sealingly disposed across said nozzle dispensing passage at a location distally of said spout distal seal surface, and (2) has an initially closed dispensing orifice which opens in response to a pressure differential acting across said valve;

said spout having an external, male thread inwardly of said spout proximal seal surface; and

said nozzle having an internal, female thread inwardly of said nozzle proximal seal surface for engaging said spout external, male thread.