U.S. patent application number 11/586035 was filed with the patent office on 2007-05-03 for dispensing closure for containers.
This patent application is currently assigned to The Procter & Gamble Company. Invention is credited to Alex James Orchard, Filip Vangeel.
Application Number | 20070095864 11/586035 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35789372 |
Filed Date | 2007-05-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070095864 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Vangeel; Filip ; et
al. |
May 3, 2007 |
Dispensing closure for containers
Abstract
The present invention relates to a dispensing closure suitable
for dispensing pourable product from a container. More
specifically, the present invention is directed to a "flip-top"
type closure operated by an actuating means.
Inventors: |
Vangeel; Filip; (Vilvoorde,
BE) ; Orchard; Alex James; (Brussels, BE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY;INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DIVISION
WINTON HILL BUSINESS CENTER - BOX 161
6110 CENTER HILL AVENUE
CINCINNATI
OH
45224
US
|
Assignee: |
The Procter & Gamble
Company
Cincinnati
OH
45224
|
Family ID: |
35789372 |
Appl. No.: |
11/586035 |
Filed: |
October 25, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/556 ;
222/111 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 47/0828 20130101;
B65D 2251/1066 20130101; B65D 2251/1025 20130101; B65D 47/0871
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/556 ;
222/111 |
International
Class: |
B65D 47/00 20060101
B65D047/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 28, 2005 |
EP |
05110104.6 |
Claims
1. A dispensing closure suitable for being mounted on a container,
said container having a dispensing opening and being suitable for
containing a pourable product in its interior volume, wherein said
dispensing closure comprises: (a) a base member comprising a means
for attachment to said container, a draining canal adapted to
communicate with the interior volume of said container, and a
discharging means; (b) a cap comprising a sealing means for
securing said cap onto said base member thereby covering said
discharging means in a tight manner vis-a-vis the content of said
container; (c) a means of articulation of said cap with respect to
said base member between a open position whereby said discharging
means is uncovered and a closed position whereby said discharging
means is covered by said cap; said means of articulation joining
said cap to said base member; (d) a flexible member lodged within
said base member and comprising a locking means adapted to
inter-engage said sealing means so as to maintain said cap in its
closed position; said flexible member further comprising an
actuating means which under actuation is capable of disengaging
said locking means from said sealing means; (e) complementary means
located in said cap and in said flexible member capable of
releasing said cap back towards its open position once said locking
means have been disengaged from said sealing means.
2. A dispensing closure according to claim 1, wherein said base
member is substantially cylindrical.
3. A dispensing closure according to claim 1, wherein said means
for attachment is a cooperative thread.
4. A dispensing closure according to claim 1, wherein said base
member further comprises a deflecting stem projecting upwardly from
the base member.
5. A dispensing closure according to claim 4, wherein said
deflecting stem surrounds said discharging means.
6. A dispensing closure according to claim 1, wherein said
discharging means is a pouring spout.
7. A dispensing closure according to claim 1, wherein said sealing
means is at least one hook.
8. A dispensing closure according to claim 1, wherein said cap
possesses a lip portion and a lip stem projecting downwardly from
said lip portion and extending around the perimeter of said lip
portion.
9. A dispensing closure according to claim 8, wherein said base
member further comprises a receiving recess adapted to tightly fit
said lip stem.
10. A dispensing closure according to claim 1, wherein said means
of articulation is a hinge-type assembly.
11. A dispensing closure according to claim 10, wherein said
hinge-type assembly is selected from the group of pivot-hinge,
butterfly-hinge and three-legged-hinge.
12. A dispensing closure according to claim 1, wherein said
actuating means is a pushing button.
13. A dispensing closure according to claim 1, wherein said
flexible member is a strap.
14. A dispensing closure according to claim 1, wherein said locking
means is a clasp element.
15. A dispensing closure according to claim 1, wherein said
flexible member further comprises a resiliently deformable
portion.
16. A dispensing closure according to claim 1, wherein said
complementary means take the form of a cooperative combination of a
flexible piece and a corresponding fixed structural element,
wherein said flexible piece is elastically stressed when compressed
by said structural element.
17. A dispensing closure according to claim 16, wherein said
flexible piece is located on the upper lip of said flexible member,
and said structural element is located on said cap.
18. A dispensing closure according to claim 16, wherein said
flexible piece is a flexible arm, and said structural element is in
the form of a flange.
19. A dispensing closure according to claim 17, wherein said base
member comprises a skirt and a deck and wherein said deck is
further provided with an aperture adapted such as to permit said
structural element to traverse through said deck and come into
contact with said flexible piece.
20. A dispensing closure according to claim 1, wherein said
pourable product is a liquid.
21. A container closure assembly, comprising: (a) a container
having a body portion for holding container content, a lower closed
end for supporting said container, an upper end including a means
of attachment thereon adapted to receive and affix a dispensing
closure for containers; and (b) a dispensing closure according to
claim 1 mounted on said container.
22. A method of dispensing the content of a container comprising
the steps of: (a) providing a container closure assembly according
to claim 21 wherein said cap is in its closed position; (b)
actuating said actuating means so as to release said cap back to
its open position; (c) pouring the required amount of the container
content through said discharging means; (d) mechanically closing
said cap back towards its closed position.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a closure suitable for
dispensing pourable product from a container. More specifically,
the present invention is directed to a "flip-top" type closure
operated by an actuating means.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Dispensing closures for containers are commonly known in the
art and may be based on various opening mechanisms such as "push
and turn", "twist and turn", "twist to open" or "push and pull".
Those closures are commonly used in combination with containers
designed to contain products such as food, beverages, personal care
products, pharmaceutical or cosmetic products. Typical types of
dispensing closures are for example described in EP-B1-0378488
(turn open), U.S. Pat. No. 5,305,932 (snap-on), U.S. Pat. No.
2,004,015507 (push and pull) or WO 03/050033 (twist to open). The
specific type of flip-top closures is described for example in WO
2004/110889, EP-A1-0 567 374, EP-A1-0 379 775, U.S. Pat. No.
5,551,607 or U.S. Pat. No. 5,762,216.
[0003] Although the above-types of closures will generally function
satisfactorily in the applications for which they are designed,
they typically only permit slow dispensing of limited amount of
fluids. However, in certain circumstances, it is required to
dispense the contained products much faster and in a relatively
large quantity. This is typically the case in the context of liquid
detergent containers. It has indeed been discovered that the users
of containers equipped with the corresponding dispensing closures
primarily seek for the fastest possible delivery of the contained
liquid detergent into an appliance or receptacle. Most commonly
used closures for containers adapted for delivering liquid
detergent compositions, which are typically viscous liquids by
nature, are described e.g. in EP-B1-0 109 704. Those dispensing
closures typically consist of two separate parts: a spouted
transition piece and a screw-type cap. Although the spouted piece
allows for precise pouring of the viscous liquid into the intended
receptacle, the cap is however often seen as difficult and/or too
long to open and may easily get lost.
[0004] Another drawback associated with the use of the above
dispensing system is that under usage, liquid detergent
compositions may be spilled in the area where liquid detergent is
consumed and/or on the user's hands which may lead to skin
irritation or even burns. This often occurs when the
above-mentioned cap is also used as a dosing means.
[0005] It is therefore an objective of the present invention to
provide a dispensing closure suitable for dispensing pourable
product from a container which provides fast dispensing of the
contained product, which is easy-to-use, mess-free and which
overcomes the above-mentioned drawbacks.
[0006] It has now been found that the above objective can be met by
providing a dispensing closure 1 according to the present
invention.
[0007] Advantageously, the dispensing closure 1 according to the
present invention exhibits improved opening/closing ergonomics. It
is therefore possible, in a preferred embodiment of the invention,
to operate the dispensing closure 1 using a single finger of the
hand used to hold the container 2 to which the dispensing closure 1
is attached.
[0008] A further advantage associated with the dispensing closure 1
according to the present invention is that due to the relatively
large pouring opening, the container 2 in combination to which the
dispensing closure is used, is easily refillable.
[0009] It is still another advantage that the dispensing closure 1
of the present invention requires a minimum number of components,
which greatly facilitates its manufacture and assembly, and
substantially reduces the associated production costs.
[0010] Other advantages and more specific properties of the
dispensing closure 1 according to the present invention will be
clear after reading the following description of the invention in
combination with the attached drawings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The present invention relates to a dispensing closure 1
suitable for being mounted on a container 2, the container 2 having
a dispensing opening 3 and being suitable for containing a pourable
product in its interior volume, wherein the dispensing closure 1
comprises: [0012] (a) a base member 6 comprising a means for
attachment 9 to the container 2, a draining canal 11 adapted to
communicate with the interior volume of the container 2, and a
discharging means 12; [0013] (b) a cap 16 comprising a sealing
means 17 for securing said cap 16 onto said base member 6 thereby
covering said discharging means 12 in a tight manner vis-a-vis the
content of said container 2; [0014] (c) a means of articulation 26
of the cap 16 with respect to the base member 6 between a open
position whereby the discharging means 12 is uncovered and a closed
position whereby the discharging means 12 is covered by said cap
16; the means of articulation 26 joining the cap 16 to the base
member 6; [0015] (d) a flexible member 30 lodged within the base
member 6 and comprising a locking means 34 adapted to inter-engage
the sealing means 17 so as to maintain the cap 16 in its closed
position; the flexible member 30 further comprising an actuating
means 35 which under actuation is capable of disengaging the
locking means 34 from the sealing means 17; [0016] (e)
complementary means 40,41 located in the cap 16 and in the flexible
member 30 capable of releasing the cap 16 back towards its open
position once the locking means 34 have been disengaged from the
sealing means 17.
[0017] In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to
a container closure assembly, comprising: [0018] (a) a container 2
having a body portion 4 for holding the container content, a lower
closed end for supporting the container 2, an upper end including a
means of attachment 10 thereon adapted to receive and affix a
dispensing closure for containers; [0019] (b) a dispensing closure
1 as above-indicated, mounted on the container 2.
[0020] The present invention further encompasses a method of
dispensing the content of a container 2 comprising the steps of:
[0021] (a) providing a container closure assembly as
above-described, wherein the cap 16 is in its closed position;
[0022] (b) actuating the actuating means 35 so as to release the
cap 16 back towards its open position; [0023] (c) pouring the
required amount of the container content through the discharging
means 12; [0024] (d) mechanically closing the cap 16 back towards
its closed position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] FIG. 1 is a cross-section view of a container closure
assembly according to the present invention. The assembly
comprising a container 2 onto which is mounted a dispensing closure
1 according to another embodiment of the invention.
[0026] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a dispensing closure 1
according to the invention in its closed position.
[0027] FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a dispensing closure 1
according to the invention in its open position.
[0028] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a dispensing
closure 1 according to the invention in its open position, which
shows the base member 6, the cap 16 and the flexible member 30
separately.
[0029] FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of a dispensing closure 1
according to another embodiment of the present invention in its
open position.
[0030] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of a dispensing closure 1 according
to the invention in its open position.
[0031] FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of a dispensing closure 1
according to the invention from which the base member 6 has been
removed and which represents the flexible member 30 and the cap 16
in its closed position.
[0032] FIG. 8 is a top view of a dispensing closure 1 according to
the invention in its open position.
[0033] FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of a dispensing closure
1 according to the invention in its closed position.
[0034] FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of a dispensing closure
1 according to the invention from which the base member 6 has been
removed and which represents the flexible member 30 and the cap 16
in its closed position.
[0035] FIG. 11 is a bottom view of FIG. 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0036] For the purposes of promoting and understanding the
principles of the present invention, reference will be made to the
embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will
be used to describe the same. While this invention is susceptible
of embodiments in many different forms, this specification and the
accompanying drawings discloses specific forms as examples of the
invention. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to
the embodiment so described.
[0037] In a first embodiment, the present invention is directed to
a dispensing closure 1 suitable for being mounted onto a container
2 having a dispensing opening 3.
[0038] Referring now to FIG. 1, a dispensing closure 1 according to
a first embodiment of the invention is represented which is mounted
onto a container 2.
Container 2
[0039] In a preferred embodiment, the container 2 comprises a body
portion 4 for holding container content, a lower closed end for
supporting said container 2, an upper end including a neck 5
delimiting a dispensing opening 3. The dispensing closure 1 of the
present invention may be securely mounted onto said container 2,
via its base member 6, using any means of attachment commonly know
to those skilled in the art including cooperative threads,
crimping, clipping means, heat sealing force fitting, clasp
elements, snap-fit bead, groove arrangements, and mixtures
thereof.
[0040] Preferably, the dispensing closure 1 of the invention is
provided with an inner female thread 9 typically located in the
base member 6, as described hereinafter, and the container neck 5
is provided with a male thread 10 formed adjacent its dispensing
opening 3. Typically, the dispensing closure 1 is mounted onto the
container 2 with the female thread 9 of the base member 6 screwed
on the male thread 10 of the container 2.
[0041] Alternatively, the container 2 may not need having a neck 5.
Instead the container 2 may consist of a just a body portion 4 with
a dispensing opening 3. The dispensing closure 1 of the present
invention is suitable for use with a variety of conventional or
special containers having various designs, the details of which,
although not illustrated or described, would be apparent to those
skilled in the art. The container 2 may have a rigid wall or walls,
or may have a somewhat flexible wall or walls.
[0042] In a preferred aspect of the invention, the dispensing
closure 1 is a separate element which is adapted to be removably or
non-removably mounted, via its base member 6, to a previously
manufactured container 2 which has a dispensing opening 3 to the
container interior. In an alternative execution, the dispensing
closure 1 may be formed as a unitary part, or extension, of the
container 2. The dispensing closure 1 is adapted to be used with a
container 2 having a dispensing opening 3 to provide access to the
container interior volume and to a product contained therein, which
is preferably a pourable product. However, the dispensing closure 1
of the invention may be used with many products, including but not
limited to, relatively low or high viscosity liquids, creams, gels,
suspensions, mixtures, lotions, pastes, particulates, granular
products, and mixtures thereof. Typical products for use in the
present invention may be those constituting a food product, a
personal care product, an industrial or household cleaning product,
or other compositions of matter for use in activities involving
manufacturing, commercial or household maintenance, construction,
agriculture.
[0043] Preferably, said pourable product is a liquid composition,
more preferably a viscous liquid composition, most preferably a
laundry liquid detergent composition.
Base Member 6
[0044] The dispensing closure 1 according to the present invention
comprises as a first element, a base member 6. FIG. 2 shows a top
perspective view of the dispensing closure 1 according to the
invention comprising a base member 6 with a cap 16 in its closed
position.
[0045] The base member 6 is intended to be mounted onto a container
2 using any suitable means of attachment as indicated above.
Suitable means of attachment are designed so as to provide secure
sealing between the dispensing closure 1 and the container 2
vis-a-vis its content.
[0046] The base member 6 may have any suitable configuration, form
or dimension for accommodating an upwardly projecting neck 5 or
portion of a container 2. In a preferred execution of the present
invention, the base member 6 has a substantially trapezoidal shape
when seen from the top, as represented in FIG. 8. The base member 6
is comprised of two distinct parts: a skirt 8 and a deck 7. The
skirt 8 generally forms the external and surrounding wall of the
base member 6 and extends substantially towards the container
direction, typically parallel to the neck 5 of the container 2. The
deck 7 which typically extends substantially transversely to the
longitudinal axis of the container 2 is generally substantially
flat and horizontal.
[0047] More specifically, and as shown in FIG. 9, the means for
attachment 9 is preferably located onto the inner wall of the base
member 6.
[0048] As shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 8, the base member 6 further
comprises a draining canal 11 adapted to communicate with the
interior volume of the container 2 such as to dispense the
container content via the discharging means 12, when the cap 16 is
in its open position.
[0049] Discharging means 12 for use herein may be readily
recognized and selected by those skilled in the art. Preferably,
said discharging means 12 is a pouring spout. In a more preferred
execution, the discharging means 12 is a beveled spout which
extends upwardly from the base member 6, preferably from the deck
7. Such preferred spout allows better control and more precise
dispensing of the container content, especially viscous liquids
such as liquid detergents. It is preferred that said discharging
means 12 has a substantially annular shape.
[0050] In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention,
said discharging means 12 is surrounded by a deflecting stem 13
which projects upwardly from the base member 6. Preferably, the
height of the deflecting stem 13 is lower than that of the
discharging means 12 so as not to affect the dispensing function of
said discharging means 12. Also, it is preferred that the shape and
dimension of the deflecting stem 13 cooperates with the cap 16 so
as to ensure improved sealing of said cap 16 vis-a-vis the content
of the container 2. Typically, the deflecting stem 13 is of annular
shape and has an outer diameter 14 and an inner diameter 15.
Preferably, the outer diameter 14 of said deflecting stem 13 is
flush with that of the cap 16. The deflecting stem 13 also centers
the cap 16 and support said cap 16 from radial deflection.
[0051] In a highly preferred execution, the deflecting stem 13 is
located in such a way as to form spacing between said discharging
means 12 and said deflecting stem 13. Said spacing may preferably
take the form of a circular drainer 44 adapted to recuperate any
pourable product contained within the container 2, preferably
viscous liquid product, which would not have been properly
dispensed from said discharging means 12. Also, said spacing is
preferably provided with apertures (not represented) communicating
with the interior of the container 2 so as to permit the
recuperated product to be drained back into the container 2.
Additionally, said apertures will also constitute air intake means
adapted to allow air to penetrate into the container 2 in response
to the evacuation of its content and thereby contribute to a better
dispensing of the container content, preferably viscous
liquids.
[0052] The constituting parts of the base member 6 are formed from
any suitable material commonly known in the art. Preferably, said
parts are all formed from heat sealable thermoplastic materials
such as polyethylene or polypropylene single piece. Accordingly,
and in a preferred execution of the invention, the base member 6 is
a monolithic piece.
Cap 16
[0053] The dispensing closure 1 according to the present invention
is further provided with a cap 16, the role of which is to cover
the discharging means 12 in a tight manner vis-a-vis the content of
the container 2. FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 show a top perspective view of a
cap 16 respectively in its closed and open position.
[0054] The cap 16 for use herein may have any suitable
configuration, form or dimension for accommodating the discharging
means 12 comprised in the dispensing closure 1 of the present
invention. Suitable caps 16 for use herein will easily be
recognized by those skilled in the art. In a preferred execution,
the cap 16 has a substantially rounded shape which will allow
proper covering of said discharging means 12. Preferably, the cap
16 has a concave form with the concavity turned towards the
direction of the base member deck 7. The cap 16 for use in the
present invention may optionally, but preferably, comprise a
transition piece 19 which makes the junction between said cap 16
and said means of articulation 26. Typically, said transition piece
19 comprises an inner surface 20 and an outer surface 21.
[0055] The cap 16 for use herein, preferably possesses a lip
assembly including a lip portion 22 and a preferably annular lip
stem 23 which projects downwardly from the lip portion 22 and
extends around the perimeter of the lip portion 22. In that
preferred embodiment, the base member 6, and preferably the deck 7
is provided with a receiving recess 24 adapted to tightly fit the
lip stem 23 so as to achieve a further improved sealing of said cap
16 onto the base member 6. According to a preferred embodiment,
said receiving recess 24 is of annular shape so as to conform to
the preferred annular lip stem 23 and tightly circumvents said
deflecting stem 13. According to an even more preferred embodiment,
said cap 16 is provided with an additional plug seal in the form of
a secondary annular wall 43 extending downwardly from the inner
surface 18 of the cap 16. It is preferred that the dimensions of
said secondary annular wall 43 are adapted so that it can fit into
said circular drainer 44 and the diameter of said secondary annular
wall is slightly inferior to that of the inner diameter of said
deflecting stem 13. According to this other preferred execution of
the present invention, a further improved sealing of said cap 16
vis-a-vis the content of the container 2 is obtained.
[0056] The cap 16 comprises a sealing means 17 for securing said
cap 16 onto said base member 6 thereby providing secure sealing
vis-a-vis the content of the container 2.
[0057] Said sealing means 17 is designed so as to inter-engage
locking means 34 comprised in the flexible member 30 as described
hereinafter. In a highly preferred embodiment, the sealing means 17
is at least one hook, preferably two hooks.
[0058] In a preferred execution of the present invention, said
sealing means 17 is located in the lip stem 23 at selected
locations. In such a preferred execution, the above-described
receiving recess 24 may be provided with apertures 25 adapted to
permit said sealing means 17 to traverse through said base member
6, preferably said deck 7 and thereby inter-engage said locking
means 34 located in said flexible member 30. Preferably, said
sealing means 17 is positioned in the lip stem 23 at the opposite
side with respect to the hinge assembly which will be described
hereinafter. More preferably, said sealing means 17 are located
diametrically opposite to the means of articulation 26, as will be
described below.
[0059] The cap 16 for use in the present to the present invention
may be formed from any suitable material commonly known in the art.
Preferably, said cap 16 is formed from heat sealable thermoplastic
materials such as polyethylene or polypropylene single piece.
Means of Articulation 26
[0060] According to the present invention, and as represented in
particular in FIG. 3, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the cap 16 is mounted via
a means of articulation 26 onto the base member 6, preferably onto
the deck 7 of said base member 6, between a closed position whereby
said discharging means 12 is completely covered by said cap 16 and
a open position whereby said discharging means 12 is completely
uncovered. According to a preferred execution of the present
invention, when the cap 16 is in its completely open position, the
cap 16 forms an angle of at least 180.degree. with respect to the
substantially horizontal plan formed by the base member deck 7.
Accordingly, the user is allowed to watch and control the
discharging means 12 during the whole course of the dispensing
operation.
[0061] The means of articulation 26 joins the cap 16 to the base
member 6 and is typically designed so as to permit said cap 16 to
pivot around a pre-determined axis. Suitable means of articulation
26 for use herein will easily be recognized by those skilled in the
art. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention,
the means of articulation 26 is a hinge-type assembly which may be
conventionally known hinges selected from the group of pivot-hinge,
"butterfly-hinge" and "three-legged-hinge" also known as living
hinge.
[0062] In one preferred execution, and as represented in FIG. 3 and
FIG. 4, the means of articulation 26 is in the form of a
pivot-hinge comprising a pivotation piece 27 and a pivot 28.
According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention,
the means of articulation 26 is a three-legged hinge comprising
three articulation legs. In still another preferred embodiment, the
means of articulation 26 is butterfly-hinge 29, as represented in
FIG. 5.
[0063] In another aspect of the invention, said means of
articulation 26 may be adapted so as to elastically force the cap
16 back towards its open position. More specifically, the means of
articulation 26 shall be designed such that the energetically
stable position is the open position. Also, when said cap 16 is
mechanically pivoted towards the closed position, the means of
articulation 26 is subjected to bending and/or compressive
deformation which in response creates an elastic restoring force
which forces said cap 16 back towards its open position, in
particular to its completely open position.
[0064] A suitable means of articulation 26 according to this other
aspect of the invention is described e.g. in WO 2004/110889.
However, other suitable configurations may be easily recognized by
those skilled in the art.
[0065] The means of articulation 26 for use herein may be formed
from any suitable material commonly known in the art. Preferably,
said means of articulation 26 is formed from the same material as
that used to form the cap 16 and/or the base member 6. According to
one embodiment, the base member 6, the cap 16 and the means of
articulation 26 may be formed as a single piece, preferably from
the same thermoplastic material such as polyethylene or
polypropylene. According to this specific embodiment, the different
parts may be advantageously molded within a single injection
molding operation which therefore involves both a simple and
economical manufacturing process.
Flexible Member 30
[0066] The dispensing closure 1 according to the present invention
further comprises a flexible member 30. FIG. 4 is an exploded
perspective view of the dispensing closure 1 according to the
invention in its open position, wherein are represented the base
member 6, the cap 16, the means of articulation 26 and the flexible
member 30 separately. As for FIG. 7, this is a top perspective view
of the dispensing closure 1 according to the invention from which
the base member 6 has been removed and which represents the
flexible member 30 and the cap 16 in its closed position.
[0067] The flexible member 30 is lodged within the base member 6 in
a suitable housing 31. The flexible member 30 may have any suitable
configuration, form or dimension for accommodating the
configuration of the base member 6 and in particular the internal
volume of the base member 6. In a preferred execution of the
present invention, wherein the base member 6 has a substantially
cylindrical shape fused with a substantially square shape, as
represented in the accompanying drawings, the flexible member 30 is
provided with a similar overall shape as represented in FIG. 11. In
such a preferred execution, the flexible member 30 is in the form
of a substantially thin strap having substantially the same height
as that of the skirt 8 and which is provided with an upper lip 32
and lower lip 33.
[0068] The flexible member 30 for use herein comprises as a first
element a locking means 34 which is adapted to inter-engage said
sealing means 17. Suitable locking means 34 for use herein will be
readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Examples of suitable
locking means 34 include but are not limited to hooks, clasp
elements, protrusions, apertures, spigots or plugs.
[0069] Sealing means 17 and locking means 34 shall imperatively be
selected so as they cooperate to form a locking system. Such
locking systems are well within the competence of the skilled
person.
[0070] The locking systems for use in the present invention, allow
said locking means 34 to securely inter-engage said sealing means
17 in such a way that the cap 16 is efficiently maintained in its
closed position onto the base member 6 even when the container 2 on
which the dispensing closure 1 of the present invention is mounted,
is involuntarily dropped on the floor.
[0071] According to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, said locking means 34 is a clasp element as represented
in particular in FIG. 7 and FIG. 10. This specific locking means 34
is particularly well adapted to inter-engage the hooks located in
the preferred cap 16 for use in the present invention.
[0072] The flexible member 30 further includes an actuating means
35 which is an integral part of said flexible member 30. The
actuating means 35 may have any suitable configuration, form or
dimension for accommodating the configuration of the flexible
member 30. As will be easily appreciated by those skilled in the
art, multiple configurations may be suitably used for such an
actuating means 35.
[0073] The actuating means 35 is, when actuated, capable of
disengaging said locking means 34 from said sealing means 17
thereby causing said cap 16 to be released back towards its open
position due to the antagonist restoring force generated by the
elastic deformation of said means of articulation 26 when said cap
16 is mechanically forced towards its closed position.
[0074] According to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, said actuating means 35 is in the form of a pushing
button, as represented in the accompanying drawings. Said pushing
button may be of any shape commonly known in the art, including but
not limited to circular, square, rectangular, ovoid or triangular.
More preferably, said pushing button has a square shape, preferably
provided with a centrally positioned cavity 36 so as to facilitate
the pushing action by a finger of the user.
[0075] The actuating means 35 may be located at any suitable
position provided it is easily accessible by the user's fingers.
Such suitable positions may be readily identifiable by the person
skilled in the art. However, according to a preferred execution of
the invention, the actuating means 35 advantageously projects out
from the skirt 8 via an opening 37 created into the skirt 8 for
that purpose. According to a more preferred embodiment, said
actuating means 35 is located at a specific position (see e.g. FIG.
3) nearby the means of articulation 26 so as to provide improved
opening/closing ergonomics. Preferably, said actuating means 35 is
operated by using one finger of the same hand that is used to hold
the container 2 during the dispensing operation. Furthermore, it is
preferred that said actuating means 35 be fixed to a pivot stem 38
so that said actuating means 35 is allowed to pivot around a
fictive axis when said actuating means 35 is under actuation
without said actuating means 35 being unfavourably displaced during
actuation.
[0076] In a preferred aspect, the flexible member 30 is provided
with a resiliently deformable portion 39 which is temporarily and
elastically stressed when said actuating means 35 is mechanically
actuated and which provides a restoring force back towards the
normal position of said actuating means 35 once said actuation
operation is removed.
[0077] Preferably, the resiliently deformable portion 39 is an
accordion-like spring as represented for example in FIG. 7. The
flexible member 30 for use herein may be optionally provided with
an additional spring means (not represented) suitably located and
which is designed such as to provide a further improved restoring
force, as above described.
[0078] In the normal course of a closing/opening operation, while
said cap 16 is in its closed position, the actuating means 35 is
mechanically actuated so as to make said flexible member 30
translating within the housing 31 thereby disengaging said locking
means 34 from said sealing means 17. Due to the restoring force
created into the resiliently deformable portion 39 during actuation
of the actuating means 35, said flexible member 30 is resiliently
forced back towards its initial position into the housing 31.
[0079] The flexible member 30 for use herein may be formed from any
suitable material commonly known in the art. Preferably, said
flexible member 30 is formed from the same material as that used to
form the cap 16 and/or the base member 6 and/or the means of
articulation 26. According to preferred embodiment, the flexible
member 30 may be formed as a single piece, preferably from the same
thermoplastic material such as polyethylene or polypropylene.
According to this specific embodiment, the different parts of the
flexible member 30 may be advantageously molded within a single
injection molding operation which involves therefore a both simple
and economical manufacturing process.
Complementary Means 40,41 Capable of Releasing Said Cap 16 Back to
its Open Position
[0080] The dispensing closure 1 of to the present invention further
comprises complementary means 40,41 capable of releasing said cap
16 back towards its open position once said locking means 34 have
been disengaged from said sealing means 17.
[0081] Complementary means 40,41 for use in the present invention
are located in said cap 16 and in said flexible member 30. Suitable
complementary means 40,41 for use herein will easily be recognized
by those skilled in the art, as this is well within the common
practice in the field. Typically, said complementary means 40,41
are based on a spring-like effect.
[0082] According to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, said complementary means 40,41, take the form of a
cooperative combination of a flexible piece 40 and a corresponding
fixed structural element 41. Preferably, said flexible piece 40 is
elastically stressed when compressed by said structural element
41.
[0083] In a very preferred execution, said flexible piece 40 is
located in the flexible member 30, preferably on its upper lip 32
and nearby the actuating means 35. As for the corresponding
structural element 41 it is preferably located on the cap 16, even
more preferably located on the inner surface 20 of the transition
piece 19. According to such a preferred execution, the deck 7 may
preferably be provided with an aperture 42 adapted such as said
structural element 41 is able to traverse through the deck 7 and
come into contact with the flexible piece 40, such as shown in FIG.
4.
[0084] In a highly preferred embodiment of the present invention,
the flexible piece 40 is a flexible arm, preferably an inclined
flexible arm, and the structural element 41 is in the form of a
flange, preferably a sharp flange, more preferably a sharp and
beveled flange, as represented in FIG. 4. However, the present
invention is not so limited. The flexible piece 40 and the
structural element 41 shall be configured so as they cooperate to
form a dynamic spring-like system. Such dynamic spring-like systems
are well within the competence of the skilled person.
[0085] The complementary means 40,41 are aimed at releasing,
preferably pushing, said cap 16 back towards its open position and
are preferably able to quickly flip open said cap 16 over an angle
of preferably at least 180.degree. with respect to the horizontal
plan formed by the deck 7.
[0086] According to a highly preferred execution of the present
invention and in the normal course of an opening operation, while
said cap 16 is in its closed position, the structural element 41
does not put any elastic stress on the flexible piece 40. However,
when the actuating means 35 is mechanically actuated, said flexible
member 30 translates within the housing 31. Concurrent to said
translation motion, and due the particular shapes and
configurations of the structural element 41 and the flexible piece
40, the structural element 41 increasingly compresses said flexible
piece 40 downwardly, putting an increasing elastic stress on it.
When said flexible member 30 has translated enough to disengage
said locking means 34 from said sealing means 17, the cap 16 is
pushed back towards its open position due to the energy stored when
said flexible piece 40 is compressed thereby creating an upwardly
restoring force parallel to a fictive vertical axis. Also, due to
the restoring force created into the resiliently deformable portion
39 during actuation of the actuating means 35, said flexible member
30 is resiliently forced back towards its initial position into the
housing 31 when said mechanical actuation is discontinued.
[0087] In the context of the present invention, it is preferred
that said complementary means 40,41 are integrally part of the
specific elements they are located in. More specifically and
according to a highly preferred embodiment, said flexible piece 40
is preferably integrally part of said flexible member 30 and said
structural element 41 is preferably integrally part of said cap
16.
Container Closure Assembly
[0088] In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to
a container closure assembly, comprising: [0089] (a) a container 2
having a body portion 4 for holding the container content, a lower
closed end for supporting the container 2, an upper end including a
means of attachment thereon adapted to receive and affix a
dispensing closure for containers; [0090] (b) a dispensing closure
1 according to the invention, mounted on the container 2. A Method
of Dispensing the Content of a Container 2
[0091] The present invention further encompasses a method of
dispensing the content of a container 2 comprising the steps of:
[0092] (a) providing a container closure assembly according to the
invention, wherein said cap 16 is in its closed position; [0093]
(b) actuating said actuating means 35 so as to release said cap 16
back towards its open position; [0094] (c) pouring the required
amount of the container content through said dispensing means;
[0095] (d) mechanically closing said cap 16 back towards its closed
position.
[0096] Use of a container closure assembly according to the
invention, for dispensing a liquid composition.
[0097] In a further embodiment, the present invention is directed
to the use of a closure assembly according to the present invention
for dispensing a liquid composition, preferably a liquid detergent
composition, most preferably a liquid laundry detergent
composition.
[0098] The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be
understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values
recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension
is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally
equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension
disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "about 40 mm".
[0099] All documents cited in the Detailed Description of the
Invention are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference;
the citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission
that it is prior art with respect to the present invention. To the
extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document
conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a
document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition
assigned to that term in this document shall govern.
[0100] While particular embodiments of the present invention have
been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those
skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can
be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims
to all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of
this invention.
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