Dispensing closure, package and method of manufacture

• US 7,255,250 B2
• Filed: 06/22/2004
• Issued: 08/14/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Berry Plastics Corporation (Berry Global Group Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Owens-Illinois Closure, Inc.
• Inventors: Pugne, Darin M.
• Primary Examiner(s): JACYNA, J CASIMER
• Application Number:
  US10/874,036
• Publication Number:
  US 20050279781A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,148 Days
• Field of Search: 222/556
• US Class Current: 222/556
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 47/0804 integrally formed with the base element provided with the spout or discharge passage
• 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: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49876 by snap fit
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49947 by applying separate fastener

Abstract

A dispensing closure includes a base having a lid integrally connected to the base by a hinge. The base has a deck with a central portion, a dispensing opening in the in the central portion, and a peripheral portion surrounding the central portion. The peripheral portion includes a raised wall partially surrounding the central portion, and having a greatest height adjacent to the hinge and decreasing in height around the central portion. The wall has an inner surface that blends with the central portion of the deck to form a concave channel surrounding the central portion of the deck. The channel surface has a base that is angled with respect to the peripheral portion down and away from the raised wall.

Claims

1. A dispensing closure that includes:

a base having a lid integrally connected to said base by a hinge, said base having a deck with a central portion, a dispensing opening and a peripheral portion surrounding said central portion,

said central portion of said deck being domed and having a greatest height at said dispensing opening,

said peripheral portion including a raised wall partially surrounding said central portion, said raised wall having its greatest height adjacent to said hinge and decreasing in height around said central portion,

said wall having an inner surface that blends with said central portion to form a concave channel surrounding said central portion, said channel surface having a base that is angled with respect to said peripheral portion down and away from said wall.

2. The dispensing closure set forth in claim 1 wherein said domed central portion of said deck is substantially conical.

3. The dispensing closure set forth in claim 1 wherein said domed central portion of said deck has a greatest height equal to said greatest height of said raised wall.

4. The dispensing closure set forth in claim 1 including interlocking beads on said lid and said base for holding said lid in a closed position over said base.

5. The dispensing closure set forth in claim 1 wherein said channel is arcuate in cross section adjacent to said hinge.

6. The dispensing closure set forth in claim 5 wherein said arcuate cross section of said channel varies in radius around said central portion.

7. The dispensing closure set forth in claim 1 wherein said base includes inner and outer skirts extending from said deck, and radial ribs integrally interconnecting said skirts.

8. The dispensing closure set forth in claim 1 including a flexible dispensing valve mounted to said base within said dispensing opening.

9. A dispensing closure that includes:

a base having a lid integrally connected by a hinge to said base,

said base having a deck with a domed central portion, a dispensing opening, and a peripheral portion surrounding said domed central portion, and

a flexible dispensing valve mounted to said base within said dispensing opening,

said peripheral portion including a raised wall partially surrounding said central portion, said raised wall having a greatest height adjacent to said hinge and decreasing in height around said central portion to zero height diametrically opposite said hinge,

said wall having an inner surface that blends with said domed central portion to form a concave channel surrounding said domed central portion, said channel being arcuate in cross section adjacent to said hinge and having a base that is angled with respect to said peripheral portion down and away from said wall.

10. The dispensing closure set forth in claim 9 wherein said arcuate cross section of said channel varies in radius around said central portion.

11. The dispensing closure set forth in claim 9 wherein said domed central portion of said deck has a greatest height equal to said greatest height of said raised wall.

12. The dispensing closure set forth in claim 9 including interlocking beads on said lid and said base for holding said lid in a closed position over said base.

13. The dispensing closure set forth in claim 9 wherein said base includes inner and outer skirts extending from said deck, and radial ribs integrally interconnecting said skirts.

14. The dispensing closure set forth in claim 9 wherein said deck has an annular wall underlying said deck around said dispensing opening and an annular channel on an undersurface of said deck interiorly adjacent to said annular wall, wherein said valve has a peripheral ledge with a bead received in said channel, and wherein a retaining ring is secured within said annular wall and captures said peripheral ledge between said ring and said undersurface of said deck.

15. The dispensing closure set forth in claim 14 wherein a central portion of said valve is angled inwardly from said dispensing opening, and wherein said lid has an annular bead that is received between said central portion of said valve and an inner periphery of said dispensing opening in a closed position of said lid over said base.

16. The dispensing closure set forth in claim 15 wherein said valve has an external bead around said central portion adjacent to said peripheral ledge for engaging and temporarily holding said valve within said dispensing opening until said retaining ring is secured to said base.

17. The dispensing closure set forth in claim 14 wherein said retaining ring includes a collar and a flange extending radially outwardly from said collar, said retaining ring being symmetrical on opposite sides of said flange.

18. The dispensing closure set forth in claim 17 including nubs on said flange for engaging said peripheral ledge of said valve.

19. A dispensing package for fluid products, which includes:

a container having a body for holding a product to be dispensed and a finish extending from said body, and a dispensing closure that includes;

a base having a lid integrally connected to said base by a hinge, said base having a deck with a central portion, a dispensing opening and a peripheral portion surrounding said central portion,

said central portion of said deck being domed and having a greatest height at said dispensing opening,

said peripheral portion including a raised wall partially surrounding said central portion, said raised wall having its greatest height adjacent to said hinge and decreasing in height around said central portion,

said wall having an inner surface that blends with said central portion to form a concave channel surrounding said central portion, said channel surface having a base that is angled with respect to said peripheral portion down and away from said wall.

20. The dispensing package set forth in claim 19 wherein said domed central portion of said deck is substantially conical.

21. The dispensing package set forth in claim 19 wherein said domed central portion of said deck has a greatest height equal to said greatest height of said raised wall.

22. The dispensing package set forth in claim 19 including interlocking beads on said lid and said base for holding said lid in a closed position over said base.

23. The dispensing package set forth in claim 19 wherein said channel is arcuate in cross section adjacent to said hinge.

24. The dispensing package set forth in claim 23 wherein said arcuate cross section of said channel varies in radius around said central portion.

25. The dispensing package set forth in claim 19 wherein said base includes inner and outer skirts extending from said deck, and radial ribs integrally interconnecting said skirts.

26. The dispensing package set forth in claim 19 including a flexible dispensing valve mounted to said base within said dispensing opening.

27. A dispensing closure that includes:

a base having a lid integrally connected to said base by a hinge, said base having a deck with a central portion, a dispensing opening, a peripheral portion surrounding said central portion, and a flexible dispensing valve mounted to said base within said dispensing opening,

said peripheral portion including a raised wall partially surrounding said central portion, said raised wall having its greatest height adjacent to said hinge and decreasing in height around said central portion,

said wall having an inner surface that blends with said central portion to form a concave channel surrounding said central portion, said channel surface having a base that is angled with respect to said peripheral portion down and away from said wall.

28. The dispensing closure set forth in claim 27 wherein said deck has an annular wall underlying said deck around said dispensing opening and an annular channel on an undersurface of said deck interiorly adjacent to said annular wall, wherein said valve has a peripheral ledge with a bead received in said channel, and wherein a retaining ring is secured within said annular wall and captures said peripheral ledge between said ring and said undersurface of said deck.

29. The dispensing closure set forth in claim 28 wherein a central portion of said valve is angled inwardly from said dispensing opening, and wherein said lid has an annular bead that is received between said central portion of said valve and an inner periphery of said dispensing opening in a closed position of said lid over said base.

30. The dispensing closure set forth in claim 29 wherein said valve has an external bead around said central portion adjacent to said peripheral ledge for engaging and temporarily holding said valve within said dispensing opening until said retaining ring is secured to said base.

31. The dispensing closure set forth in claim 28 wherein said retaining ring includes a collar and a flange extending radially outwardly from said collar, said retaining ring being symmetrical on opposite sides of said flange.

32. The dispensing closure set forth in claim 31 including nubs on said flange for engaging said peripheral ledge of said valve.

33. A dispensing package for fluid products, which includes:

a container having a body for holding a product to be dispensed and a finish extending from said body, and a dispensing closure that includes;

a base having a lid integrally connected to said base by a hinge, said base having a deck with a central portion, a dispensing opening, a peripheral portion surrounding said central portion, and a flexible dispensing valve mounted to said base within said dispensing opening,

said peripheral portion including a raised wall partially surrounding said central portion, said raised wall having its greatest height adjacent to said hinge and decreasing in height around said central portion,

said wall having an inner surface that blends with said central portion to form a concave channel surrounding said central portion, said channel surface having a base that is angled with respect to said peripheral portion down and away from said wall.

34. The dispensing package set forth in claim 33 wherein said deck has an annular wall underlying said deck around said dispensing opening and an annular channel on an undersurface of said deck interiorly adjacent to said annular wall, wherein said valve has a peripheral ledge with a bead received in said channel, and wherein a retaining ring is secured within said annular wall and captures said peripheral ledge between said ring and said undersurface of said deck.

35. The dispensing package set forth in claim 34 wherein a central portion of said valve is angled inwardly from said dispensing opening, and wherein said lid has an annular bead that is received between said central portion of said valve and an inner periphery of said dispensing opening in a closed position of said lid over said base.

36. The dispensing package set forth in claim 35 wherein said valve has an external bead around said central portion adjacent to said peripheral ledge for engaging and temporarily holding said valve within said dispensing opening until said retaining ring is secured to said base.

37. The dispensing package set forth in claim 34 wherein said retaining ring includes a collar and a flange extending radially outwardly from said collar, said retaining ring being symmetrical on opposite sides of said flange.

38. The dispensing package set forth in claim 37 including nubs on said flange for engaging said peripheral ledge of said valve.