U.S. patent application number 10/555490 was filed with the patent office on 2006-11-09 for valve closure.
This patent application is currently assigned to Crown Packaging Technology Inc.. Invention is credited to Christopher Paul Ramsey.
Application Number | 20060249545 10/555490 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33427239 |
Filed Date | 2006-11-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060249545 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ramsey; Christopher Paul |
November 9, 2006 |
Valve closure
Abstract
A valve closure for a container, having a body, a valve and a
lid. The valve is positioned across the opening of the container
and itself has an opening through which the contents of the
container may be dispensed. The lid is moveable relative to the
body between open and closed positions and is shaped to block the
valve opening, when the lid is in its closed position. The lid has
a projection, which forms a peripheral seal around the valve
opening, when the lid is in its closed position, and within the
periphery of the projection, the shape of the lid substantially
conforms to the shape of the valve and/or body, to minimise the
volume therebetween.
Inventors: |
Ramsey; Christopher Paul;
(Oxfordshire, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WOODCOCK WASHBURN LLP
ONE LIBERTY PLACE, 46TH FLOOR
1650 MARKET STREET
PHILADELPHIA
PA
19103
US
|
Assignee: |
Crown Packaging Technology
Inc.
11535 S. Central Avenue
Alsip
IL
60803-2599
|
Family ID: |
33427239 |
Appl. No.: |
10/555490 |
Filed: |
April 28, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
April 28, 2004 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP04/04466 |
371 Date: |
July 5, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/494 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 47/2031
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/494 |
International
Class: |
B65D 35/38 20060101
B65D035/38 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 7, 2003 |
EP |
03252865.5 |
Claims
1. A closure for a container, comprising: a body, a valve, having
an opening through which the contents of the container may be
dispensed, a lid, moveable between open and closed positions
relative to the body, and shaped to block the opening in the valve,
when the lid is in its closed position, an annular projection
formed on the lid, wherein the projection forms an annular
peripheral seal around the valve opening when the lid is in its
closed position, and wherein the shape of the lid within the
periphery of the projection substantially conforms to the shape of
the body and/or valve within the peripheral seal, such that when
the lid is in its closed position it contacts the body and/or valve
over substantially the whole of the area thereof within the
peripheral seal to minimize the volume therebetween.
2. A closure according to claim 1, wherein the body has a sealing
face and the projection on the lid engages with the sealing face of
the body to form a peripheral seal around the valve opening.
3. A closure according to claim 2, wherein the projection and the
sealing face of the body are adapted to form a bore seal
therebetween.
4. A closure according to claim 1, wherein the valve is formed
integrally with the body.
5. A closure according to claim 1, wherein the valve is a
self-closing valve having a flange adapted to be constrained by the
closure body, a valve head defining the valve opening and a
connecting wall therebetween.
6. A closure according to claim 5, wherein the valve connecting
wall has a substantially linear configuration to allow the shape of
the lid within the projection to substantially conform to the shape
of the body and/or valve within the peripheral seal.
7. A closure according to claim 1, wherein the lid has a plug
inside the periphery of the projection and the plug is shaped to
substantially confirm to the shape of the body/valve within the
peripheral seal.
8. A closure according to claim 1, wherein the valve is independent
from the body and retained therein by a clip.
9. A closure/container combination comprising a container, a valve
having an opening through which the contents of the container may
be dispensed, a closure, being moveable between open and closed
positions relative to the container, and shaped to block the
opening in the valve, when the closure is in its closed position, a
projection formed on the closure, wherein the projection forms a
peripheral seal around the valve opening when the closure is in its
closed position, and wherein the shape of the closure within the
periphery of the projection substantially conforms to the shape of
the container and/or valve within the peripheral seal when the lid
is in its closed position, to minimize the volume therebetween.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a closure used to seal a
container having a valve. In particular, the closure is designed to
prevent leakage from the valve during transport or storage of the
container.
[0002] Many liquid food products (e.g. honey and sauces such as
tomato sauce) are now packaged in containers incorporating a valve,
which is used to control dispensing of the product. Also, liquid
toiletries, such as shower gel are packaged in such containers,
because the valve allows the container to be stored in an inverted
position without substantial loss of product, whilst allowing easy
dispensing of the product upon activation of the valve. In many
cases, a self-closing valve is preferred. A self-closing valve
opens in response to increased product pressure in the container,
achieved for example by a user squeezing the container. When the
product pressure is relieved, the valve automatically assumes a
closed configuration in which the valve opening is substantially
sealed. However, such valves are known to leak a little over time
and may be activated accidentally during mishandling or
pressure/temperature variation during transport.
[0003] To overcome these problems, it is known to provide an
overcap for the valve, which prevents the valve from opening or
leaking, during prolonged storage or transport. Many different
types of overcap arrangement are described in the prior art.
Conventional overcap designs are concerned with preventing leakage
from the dispensing orifice in the valve.
[0004] In contrast, the present invention is based upon the
acceptance that all valves will leak to some degree, but the level
of leakage may be controlled to acceptable levels by reducing the
volume of the cavity into which leakage can occur.
[0005] Accordingly, the present invention provides a closure for a
container, having a body, a valve with an opening through which the
contents of the container may be dispensed and a lid, moveable
between open and closed positions relative to the body and shaped
to block the opening in the valve when the lid is in its closed
position, characterised in that the lid has a projection designed
to form a peripheral seal around the valve opening, when the lid is
in its closed position and the shape of the lid, within the
periphery of the projection substantially conforms to the shape of
the body and/or valve within the peripheral seal, to minimise the
volume therebetween.
[0006] Therefore, the closure according to the invention has an
open position, in which the contents of the container may be
dispensed and a closed position (for transport or storage), where
the closure lid defines a peripheral, fluid tight seal around the
valve opening. The shape of the lid within the boundary of this
peripheral seal is closely matched to the shape of the valve and
surrounding closure parts lying within the periphery of the seal.
In this way, the volume into which the valve may leak is minimised
and any leakage that occurs is limited to an acceptable level in
the eyes of the user.
[0007] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the closure
comprises a body, which carries the valve and is designed to engage
the container neck, either removeably (using a screw thread
arrangement, for example) or permanently (using a snap-fit
arrangement, for example). The closure also has a lid, which is
capable of moving relative to the body between open and closed
positions. When the lid is in its open position, the contents of
the container may be dispensed through the opening in the valve.
However, when the lid is in its closed position, it blocks the
valve opening, preventing substantial leakage from the valve.
[0008] Unlike the sealing systems described in the prior art, the
lid is not intended to prevent leakage entirely, instead the aim of
the invention is to minimise the volume into which leakage may
occur, thus controlling the leakage to acceptable levels. If the
volume is sufficiently small, then the leakage will form a thin
film and surface tension prevents a drip forming. Thus, the surface
appears clean.
[0009] Accordingly, in the present invention, the lid is provided
with a projection, which is adapted to form a fluid-tight,
peripheral seal around the valve opening. The fluid-tight seal may
be formed by the lid projection applying pressure directly to the
valve around the valve opening. However, in some cases this is not
desirable, particularly where the valve is made from a material
which is prone to creep when subjected to an applied load. Such
creep may reduce the effectiveness of the peripheral seal over time
or may affect the normal dispensing operation of the valve.
[0010] An advantage of the present invention is that the peripheral
seal may be provided by interaction between the two most suitable
surfaces. Therefore, if the valve is prone to creep, the projection
may be arranged to cooperate with the closure body, rather than the
valve and thereby create an effective fluid tight seal.
Advantageously, the lid projection and the closure body are
designed to form a bore seal therebetween, when the lid is in its
closed position.
[0011] In order to minimise the volume into which leakage may
occur, the shape of the lid, within the periphery of the projection
must closely match the shape of the valve and/or body of the
closure within the peripheral seal, when the lid is in its closed
position. In addition, if the valve is prone to creep and the
peripheral seal is therefore formed between the lid projection and
the closure body, the shape of the valve protruding from the
closure body must be relatively simple, to enable close matching of
the portion of the lid within the projection and the portion of the
closure body and valve within the peripheral seal.
[0012] The present invention will now be described, by way of
example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which
[0013] FIG. 1 shows a valve sealing arrangement according to a
first embodiment of the invention, comprising a conventional
self-closing valve not prone to excessive creep and a lid, shown in
its closed position.
[0014] FIG. 2 shows a valve sealing arrangement according to a
second embodiment of the invention, comprising a conventional
self-closing valve not prone to excessive creep and a lid, shown in
its closed position
[0015] FIG. 3 shows a closure according to a third embodiment of
the invention, having a self-closing valve prone to creep and lid,
shown in its closed position.
[0016] Wherever possible, like components have been referenced
using the same reference numerals.
[0017] According to FIGS. 1 and 2, a valve sealing arrangement
comprises a conventional self-closing valve 1 held in a body 2 by a
clip 3 and a lid 5, moveable relative to the body 2 between open
and closed positions. The body 2 may either form part of a
container or a closure. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the clip is shown
attached to the internal surface of the body 2, although it will be
appreciated that the relative positions of the body 2 and the clip
3 may be reversed and the clip 3 may be attached to the external
surface of the body 2. The clip 3 clamps the valve 1 in the body 2,
by means of a snap fit connection 23 between the body 2 and the
clip 3.
[0018] The valve 1 comprises a securement flange 11, connected to a
valve head 15 by a connecting wall 12. The valve head takes the
form of an inwardly concave dish, with an opening 17 provided in
the centre thereof. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the connecting wall 12 of the
valve 1 takes the form of a V-shaped elbow, although many different
connecting wall configurations are known from the prior art. For
example, the connecting wall may have a loose folded configuration,
which functions like a rolling diaphragm upon opening of the valve
or a simple linear configuration, which simply stretches slightly,
as the valve opens.
[0019] Referring now to FIG. 1, the lid 5 is provided with an
annular projection 51, which encircles the valve opening 17. The
annular projection 51 is designed to apply an axial sealing force F
to the valve head 15, which is braced by the opposing support 31
provided by the clip 3. The interaction between the annular
projection 51, the valve head 15 and the support 31, produces the
sealing force F, which creates a fluid-tight seal A around the
periphery of the valve opening 17. The shape of the lid within the
periphery of the projection 51, closely matches the shape of the
valve head 15 within the periphery of the annular seal A. Thus, the
volume defined between the lid 5 and the valve head 15 within the
periphery of the annular seal A is reduced to a minimum, thereby
minimising the volume of leakage that can occur from the valve
opening 17.
[0020] FIG. 2 shows an alternative valve sealing arrangement, in
which no force is applied to the valve head 15. This may be an
important consideration where the design of the valve head is
critical and therefore the application of forces to the valve head
for a prolonged period is undesirable. In this arrangement, the
body 2 is designed to apply a radial sealing force F to the
connecting wall 12. The dimensions of the aperture in the body 2,
through which the valve head 15 protrudes, are chosen to provide
the necessary radial sealing force F to form a fluid-tight annular
seal A. In this arrangement, the lid 5 has an annular flange 55,
which is arranged to form a bore seal with an annular collar 25
provided in the body 2. The tip 56 of the annular flange 55 may
also be designed to form a face seal within the recess 21 formed in
the body 2 adjacent to the collar 25.
[0021] The fluid-tight seal A extends around the periphery of the
valve head 15 and thereby encompasses the valve opening 17. The
shape of the lid 5 within the periphery of the annular flange 55,
closely matches the shape of the valve 1 within the periphery of
the annular seal A. Thus, the volume defined between the lid 5, the
valve head 15 and valve connecting wall 12 within the periphery of
the annular seal A is reduced to a minimum. Thereby minimising the
volume of leakage that can occur from the valve opening 17.
[0022] Referring now to FIG. 3, which shows a closure according to
the present invention having a valve, which is made from a material
that is prone to creep or distortion when subjected to an applied
load for prolonged periods, for example TPE. The advantage of TPE
is that it can be used to produce valves at low cost and is
suitable for sequential moulding with other materials such as rigid
polypropylene (PP).
[0023] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, a TPE valve 1 is
sequentially moulded to a rigid polypropylene ring 16. The
polypropylene ring 16 is clipped into a closure body 2 and is held
in place by a bead 22. The valve has a dish-shaped, inwardly
concave valve head 15, which is connected to the polypropylene ring
16 by a connecting wall 12. The closure also includes a removable
lid 5, which is closed on the body 2 and secured in position by
means of a snap fit arrangement 24. The lid 5 does not apply any
forces to the valve 1, because this could cause distortion.
Instead, the lid 5 has an annular flange 55, which is designed to
co-operate with the closure body 2 to form a peripheral fluid-tight
seal around the valve opening 17. The annular flange 55 is arranged
to form a bore seal within an annular channel 21 provided in the
body 2. The tip of the annular flange 55 may also be designed to
form a face seal within the annular channel 21 as previously
described with reference to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2. Thus,
the annular flange 55, may be adapted to form a fluid-tight
peripheral seal A in the form of a bore seal, a face seal or a
combination of the two.
[0024] The fluid-tight seal A extends around the periphery of the
valve head 15 and thereby encompasses the valve opening 17. The
shape of the lid 5 within the periphery of the annular flange 55,
closely matches the shape of the valve 1 within the periphery of
the annular seal A. Thus, the volume defined between the lid 5, the
valve head 15 and valve connecting wall 12 within the periphery of
the annular seal A is reduced to a minimum. Thereby minimising the
volume of leakage that can occur from the valve opening 17.
[0025] The embodiments described above are provided as an
illustration of the invention only and many other configurations of
valve and arrangements of the closure will be apparent to the
person skilled in the art. The invention is ideally suited to
liquid seals, where the reduction in leakage volume allows positive
surface tension effects to occur. However, the invention is also
suitable for gas seals (for example for processed and/or
aseptically filled foods) where a hermetic quality seal is
required. The valve closure according to the invention can meet
this requirement and thus a separate foil seal is not required
(e.g. closures for sauce bottles often need a barrier foil under
the closure).
* * * * *