U.S. patent application number 13/972053 was filed with the patent office on 2014-02-27 for valve-controlled dispensing closure.
This patent application is currently assigned to APTAR France S.A.S.. The applicant listed for this patent is APTAR France S.A.S.. Invention is credited to Amir Feriani, Jason Hatton, Christian Tache.
Application Number | 20140054330 13/972053 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46934428 |
Filed Date | 2014-02-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140054330 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Feriani; Amir ; et
al. |
February 27, 2014 |
VALVE-CONTROLLED DISPENSING CLOSURE
Abstract
The invention relates to a dispensing closure for a container
that holds a fluid, which can be tightly fitted into a container
neck to ensure liquid-tightness of the container. The dispenser
closure includes a plug body arranged to be inserted into the
container neck and having a central fluid passage and having a
peripheral air passage, a double-valve diaphragm comprising a
flexible elastic material and arranged in a recess provided in an
upper part of the plug body to cover the fluid passage and the air
passage, and a plug cap sealing the double-valve diaphragm within
the plug body having one or more slots arranged circularly and
axially aligned with the air passage of the plug body and having a
central orifice axially aligned with the fluid passage of the plug
body. The double-valve diaphragm comprises a first valve section,
and a second valve section.
Inventors: |
Feriani; Amir; (Auvernier,
CH) ; Tache; Christian; (Peseux, CH) ; Hatton;
Jason; (Essexville, MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
APTAR France S.A.S. |
Le Neubourg |
|
FR |
|
|
Assignee: |
APTAR France S.A.S.
Le Neubourg
FR
|
Family ID: |
46934428 |
Appl. No.: |
13/972053 |
Filed: |
August 21, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/494 ;
222/211 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B05B 11/047 20130101;
B05B 11/00442 20180801; B05B 11/0039 20180801; B05B 11/3047
20130101; B65D 51/1644 20130101; B65D 47/2031 20130101; B05B
11/0008 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/494 ;
222/211 |
International
Class: |
B65D 35/38 20060101
B65D035/38; B65D 37/00 20060101 B65D037/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 21, 2012 |
EP |
12181261.4 |
Claims
1. A dispensing closure for a container that holds a fluid, wherein
the dispensing closure fits tightly into a container neck of the
container to ensure liquid-tightness of the container, wherein the
dispensing closure comprises: (a) a plug body configured to insert
into the container neck and the plug body has a central fluid
passage and a peripheral air passage; (b) a double-valve diaphragm
comprising a flexible elastic material and arranged in a recess
provided in an upper part of the plug body to cover the central
fluid passage and the peripheral air passage of the plug body; and
(c) a plug cap that seals the double-valve diaphragm within the
plug body, wherein the plug cap has one or more slots arranged
circularly and axially aligned with the peripheral air passage of
the central plug body, and the plug cap has a central orifice
axially aligned with the central fluid passage of the plug body,
wherein the double-valve diaphragm further comprises a first valve
section, and a second valve section, wherein the first valve
section is a normally closed valve having a slit-type central
orifice and the first valve section seals the central fluid passage
of the plug body when in a first resting position, and wherein the
second valve section is an umbrella-type valve that is a normally
closed valve and the second valve section seals the one or more
slots of the plug cap when in a second resting position.
2. A dispensing closure according to claim 1, wherein said
double-valve diaphragm further comprises a valve seal arranged
between said first valve section and said second valve section.
3. A dispensing closure according to claim 1, wherein said
double-valve diaphragm further comprises a valve seal arranged
concentrically between said first valve section and said second
valve section.
4. A dispensing closure according to claim 1, wherein said first
valve section is disposed to dispense fluid and said second valve
section is disposed for air venting.
5. A dispensing closure according to claim 1, wherein the first
valve section of the double-valve diaphragm is arranged to open
when a pressure is created in the central fluid passage of the plug
body.
6. A dispensing closure according to claim 1, wherein the first
valve section of the double-valve diaphragm is arranged to open
when a depression is created in the central fluid passage of the
plug cap.
7. A dispensing closure according to claim 1, wherein the second
valve section of said double-valve diaphragm is arranged to open
when a depression is created in the central fluid passage of the
plug body.
8. A dispensing closure according to claim 1, wherein said plug
body has an inner cylindrical elongated portion axially aligned
with the central fluid passage in order to receive a dip-tube.
9. A dispensing closure according to claim 1, wherein said plug
body has a plug-shape with an elongated circular main body for
fitting into the container neck of the container when assembled
thereto and a disc-shaped top section that is formed to sit on top
of the container neck so as to seal the container neck.
10. A dispensing closure according to claim 9, wherein the top
section has a welding ring on an upper surface of the tope section,
and the plug cap has a slot arranged in lower surface of the plug
cap that receives the welding ring.
11. A combination of the dispensing closure according to claim 1
and the container that holds fluid.
12. The combination of claim 11, wherein said container is a
perfume container.
13. A dispensing closure according to claim 2, wherein said plug
body has an inner cylindrical elongated portion axially aligned
with the central fluid passage in order to receive a dip-tube.
14. A dispensing closure according to claim 3, wherein said plug
body has an inner cylindrical elongated portion axially aligned
with the central fluid passage in order to receive a dip-tube.
15. A dispensing closure according to claim 4, wherein said plug
body has an inner cylindrical elongated portion axially aligned
with the central fluid passage in order to receive a dip-tube.
16. A dispensing closure according to claim 5, wherein said plug
body has an inner cylindrical elongated portion axially aligned
with the central fluid passage in order to receive a dip-tube.
17. A dispensing closure according to claim 6, wherein said plug
body has an inner cylindrical elongated portion axially aligned
with the central fluid passage in order to receive a dip-tube.
18. A dispensing closure according to claim 7, wherein said plug
body has an inner cylindrical elongated portion axially aligned
with the central fluid passage in order to receive a dip-tube.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority from European Patent
Application No. 12181261.4, filed Aug. 21, 2012, the entire
disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a dispensing closure for
dispensing a liquid, such as perfume, from a container having an
opening.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The document U.S. Pat. No. 7,681,750 describes a closure for
a container that holds a free-flowing product. The container
comprises a fixed lower part that can be fastened to a container
neck that surrounds a container opening in order to seal the neck;
a cover comprising a protruding connecting piece that forms a
passage for the free-flowing product; a displaceable upper part
that can be coaxially displaced on the lower part in and against
the direction of the container between an outer resting position
and an inner actuating position; a breaker or dish-shaped diaphragm
valve that has a base consisting at least of a flexible elastic
material and whose upper edge seals the underside of the upper
part; perforations in the base of the diaphragm valve that are
closed in the testing position of the upper part; and a diameter of
the base that is greater than the inner cross section of the
connecting piece. The outer end of the connecting piece
continuously supports the base of the diaphragm valve, and the
latter continuously pre-tensions the upper part in the direction of
its resting position in such a way that, when axial pressure is
exerted on the upper part in the direction of the container, the
diaphragm valve is bent outwards, thus opening the perforations in
the base.
[0004] However, if too much pressure is applied to the container in
order to allow the fluid to eject the dispenser, air may enter the
container through the fluid channel and any fluid may readily seep
out as the pressure inside the fluid channel will then be different
from the pressure outside the fluid channel, i.e., the atmospheric
pressure. In order to avoid such leakage, a cap may be provided, as
also disclosed by the aforementioned document.
[0005] The document US 2007/0284397 also discloses a dispensing
closure having a plurality of nozzles in a plate arranged above a
valve. The plurality of nozzles allows for spraying a mist or the
like. Again, a cap is provided to prevent leakage.
[0006] Many other valve arrangements are known. For example, the
document EP 1953432 shows an umbrella-type valve as a pressure
relieve valve. In general, umbrella valves are elastomeric valve
components that have a diaphragm shaped sealing disk or an umbrella
shape. These elastomeric components are generally used as sealing
elements in backflow prevention devices, or one-way valves, or the
like. When mounted in a seat, the convex diaphragm flattens out
against the valve seat and absorbs a certain amount of seat
irregularities and creates a certain sealing force. The umbrella
valve will allow forward flow once the head pressure creates enough
force to lift the convex diaphragm from the seat, and so it will
allow flow at a predetermined pressure in one way and prevent back
flow immediately in the opposite way.
[0007] Such umbrella valves have a drawback of being large. For
example, with a pressure of 5 mbar (0.5 kPa), the valve typically
has a diameter of at least 8 cm.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention addresses the problems of the prior
art and provides a compact dispensing closure as defined in
accordance with the present specification, with non-limiting
illustrative embodiments summarized below. The present dispensing
closure ensures liquid tightness even without a cap and is small
enough to be used in, for example, perfume bottles, which have a
standardized bottle neck diameter.
[0009] Thus, in accordance with a first non-limiting illustrative
embodiment of the present invention, a dispensing closure (2) for a
container (3) that holds a fluid, which can be tightly fitted into
a container neck to ensure liquid-tightness of the container,
comprises (a) a plug body (23) arranged to be inserted into the
container neck and having a central fluid passage and having a
peripheral air passage, (b) a double-valve diaphragm (22)
consisting of a flexible elastic material and arranged in a recess
provided in an upper part of the plug body (23) to cover the fluid
passage and the air passage, and (c) a plug cap (21) for sealing
the double-valve diaphragm (22) within the plug body (23) having
one or more slots arranged circularly and axially aligned with the
air passage of the plug body (23) and having a central orifice
axially aligned with the fluid passage of the plug body (23),
wherein the double-valve diaphragm (22) further comprises a first
valve section, and a second valve section, wherein the first valve
section is a normally closed valve (22d) having a slit-type central
orifice (22a) and which seals the central fluid passage of the plug
body (23) when in its resting position, and wherein the second
valve section is an umbrella-type valve (22b) that is a normally
closed valve and that seals the one or more slots of the plug cap
(21) when in its resting position.
[0010] Other details and different variants of the invention are
defined in the following additional non-limiting, illustrative
embodiments of the present invention. For example, in accordance
with a second non-limiting, illustrative embodiment of the present
invention, the first non-limiting embodiment is modified so that
the double-valve diaphragm (22) further comprises a valve seal
(22c) arranged between the first valve section and the second valve
section. In accordance with a third non-limiting illustrative
embodiment of the present invention, the first non-limiting
embodiment is modified so that the double-valve diaphragm (22)
further comprises a valve seal (22c) arranged concentrically
between the first valve section and the second valve section. In
accordance with a fourth non-limiting illustrative embodiment of
the present invention, the first, second and third non-limiting
embodiments are further modified so that the double-valve diaphragm
(22) further comprises the first valve section for fluid dispensing
and the second valve section for air venting.
[0011] In accordance with a fifth non-limiting, illustrative
embodiment of the present invention, the first non-limiting
embodiment is modified so that the first valve section of the
double-valve diaphragm (22) is arranged to open when a pressure is
created in the central fluid passage of the plug body (23). In
accordance with a sixth non-limiting, illustrative embodiment of
the present invention, the first valve section of the double-valve
diaphragm (22) is arranged to open when a depression (i.e., a
suction or vacuum) is created in the central fluid passage (21d) of
the plug cap (21). In accordance with a seventh non-limiting,
illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the first,
second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth non-limiting embodiments of
the present invention are further modified so that the second valve
section of the double-valve diaphragm (22) is arranged to open when
a depression (i.e., a suction or vacuum) is created in the central
fluid passage of the plug body (23).
[0012] In accordance with an eighth non-limiting illustrative
embodiment of the present invention, the first, second, third,
fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh non-limiting embodiments are
further modified so that the plug body has an inner cylindrical
elongated portion axially aligned with the central fluid passage
for receiving a dip-tube (24). In accordance with a ninth
non-limiting illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the
first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth
non-limiting embodiments are further modified so that the plug body
(23) has a plug-shape with an elongated circular main body (23d)
for fitting into a neck of the container when assembled thereto and
a disc-shaped top section (23e) that is formed to sit on top of the
neck so as to seal it. In accordance with a tenth non-limiting,
illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the first,
second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth
non-limiting embodiments are further modified so that the top
section (23e) has a welding ring (23f) on its upper surface, and
the plug cap (21) has a slot arranged in its lower surface for
receiving the welding ring.
[0013] In accordance with an eleventh non-limiting, illustrative
embodiment of the present invention, a combination of a dispensing
closure and a container for holding fluid is provided, wherein the
dispensing closure is a dispensing closure (2) according to the
first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth
or tenth non-limiting embodiment. In accordance with a twelfth
non-limiting illustrative embodiment, the eleventh non-limiting
embodiment is further modified so that the container holds
perfume.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The invention will be better understood with the help of the
following detailed description and the accompanying drawings
illustrating non-limiting embodiments of the invention:
[0015] FIG. 1 shows a general overview of a fluid container on
which is mounted a dispensing closure according to the present
invention;
[0016] FIGS. 2a and 2b show a side view and a cross-sectional view,
respectively, of the container with dispensing closure of FIG.
1;
[0017] FIGS. 3a and 3b show a side view and an exploded view,
respectively, of the main elements of the dispensing closure
according to the present invention;
[0018] FIGS. 4a and 4b show a top view and a cross-sectional view,
respectively, of the dispensing closure according to the present
invention; and
[0019] FIG. 5 shows a schematic representation of air and fluid
flow through the dispensing closure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] A preferred embodiment of the dispensing closure according
to the present invention will now be described with reference to
the Figures. In particular, FIGS. 1 and 2 show fluid container 3 on
which is mounted a dispensing closure 2 according to the present
invention. The combination of container and fitted closure is
referenced by general reference 1.
[0021] Container 3 may hold a free-flowing product, such as
lotions, creams, perfumes or the like, and is typically provided
with a neck having an outlet opening. The container may consist of
a solid material, such as glass or ceramic, or also be made of
plastic, whereby the walls of a plastic container may be rigid or
flexible. The neck of container 3 may be provided with a thread
allowing for a spray top to be fitted thereto in a manner well
known in the art. Dispensing closure 2 basically corresponds to a
plug that may be fitted into the neck of container 3 to seal it in
a liquid-tight manner.
[0022] FIG. 3 shows in more detail the dispensing closure 2, also
referred to as a plug. Plug 2 consists of three parts: a plug cap
21, a double-valve diaphragm 22 and a plug body 23. A tube or rod
24 may be fitted into the plug body so as to allow for
transportation from liquid in container 3 to the plug for ejection
from the plug. Plug body 23 has a top section for receiving
double-valve diaphragm 22 and plug cap 21 is fitted on top of
double-valve diaphragm 22 to seal the plug.
[0023] FIG. 4 shows a top view of the plug cap 21 and a
cross-sectional view of the plug. As can be seen in FIG. 4, plug
cap 21 is disk-shaped and is provided with a central opening 21d
with one or more air venting slots 21c surrounding the central
opening. In between the air venting slots 21c and central opening
21d, an internal ring seal 21a and an external seal ring 21b are
provided for preventing leakage of liquid when a tube or cannula is
inserted into a valve located below the plug cap, as will be
explained in more detail hereafter.
[0024] Double-valve diaphragm 22 consists of a flexible elastic
material, such as silicone, rubber or a plastic, such as
polyethylene or a similar elastomeric material. Double-valve
diaphragm 22 comprises a central valve section 22b, which has a
central slit-type orifice 22a surrounded by a valve seal 22c. A
peripheral section constituting an umbrella-type valve 22d is
further provided surrounding the valve seal 22c. Such slit-type
orifice is known as, for example, from the document U.S. Pat. No.
7,681,750 cited above, and which is incorporated herein by
reference for all that it discloses. As shown, a plurality of slits
extend in a cross- or star-shape diametrically through the centre
of central valve section 22d at equal circumferential angular
distances. The ends of the slits are located at an appropriate
radial distance from the valve seal 22c.
[0025] Plug body 23 has a plug-shape with an elongated circular
main body 23d for fitting into a neck of a container holding fluid
and with a generally disc-shaped top section 23e that sits on top
of the neck so as to seal it. Top section 23e has substantially the
same external diameter as the neck of the container onto which the
plug 2 is fitted. As an example, this diameter may be 15 mm, which
is a standard FEA 15 size for a neck of perfume bottles. The
abbreviation "FEA" used in this disclosure stands for "Federation
Europeenne des Aerosols, " which is an organization that sets
industry standards in the European aerosol industry.
[0026] Main body 23d has an external elongated cylindrical portion
for snugly fitting into the neck of a container 3. Ring seals 23a
may be provided on the outer periphery of main body 23d to prevent
leakage between the container and the plug. Main body 23d further
has an internal elongated cylindrical portion, spaced apart from
the external elongated cylindrical portion, which itself has a
hollow dip tube seat 23c for receiving a dip-tube 24. One or more
rings, in the example shown there are three rings, may be provided
to prevent any air entrance from inside the container to the
dip-tube.
[0027] Top section 23e is further provided on its top surface with
a welding ring 23f to be fitted in a slot suitably arranged on the
lower surface of plug cap 21, as shown, so as to ensure a
seal-tight assembly between these elements, for example, by laser
welding or the like, see also section C in FIG. 5. It further is
provided with a central recess 23h delimited by side walls 23g that
align with a further slot suitably arranged on the lower surface of
plug cap 21 to ensure air-tight assembly between these elements.
Recess 23h is configured to receive double-valve diaphragm 22 and
is provided with air venting slots that suitably align axially with
the air venting slots 21c of diaphragm 22. The internal elongated
portion of main body 23d extends into this recess and has an upper
hollow section 23b constituting a diaphragm deflection chamber.
This is a space that is used when a dip-tube 24 is inserted to
prevent any collision between the diaphragm and the tube. The
sidewalls of this hollow section 23b constitute shoulders for
receiving aligned therewith valve seal 22c of diaphragm 22.
[0028] Diaphragm 22 is fitted into recess 23h such that when plug
cap 21 is fitted to close the plug, the valve seal 22c is
compressed between the sidewalls and the plug cap thus ensures
liquid-tightness of deflection chamber 23b. As shown in FIG. 4,
these shoulders fix diaphragm 22 by dividing it into a
circumferential valve section, an inner valve section constituting
a normally closed valve having the slit-type orifice 22a, which is
closed when the inner valve section is in its resting position, and
an outer valve section constituting the umbrella-type valve 22b.
The umbrella-style valve 22b is also a normally closed valve with
the valve seat on the plug cap 21, and that closes the air venting
slots of plug cap 21 when in its resting position. As can be
understood from the above, umbrella-style valve 22b will then block
the air venting slots 21c of plug cap 21.
[0029] The operation of the double-valve diaphragm according to the
present invention will now be described with reference to FIG. 5.
More specifically, double-valve diaphragm 22 has double
concentrically valves comprising a normally closed orifice with a
self-closing slit-type valve 22a and a normally closed
umbrella-type valve 22b. When liquid is to be dispensed from the
container, a suction is applied by a pump, or by a pressure applied
to the container, through the slit-type orifice 22a. The slit-type
orifice 22a opens so that liquid can flow outside of the container
and the plug in the direction of arrow "way B" shown in FIG. 5.
Because of this, a depression (i.e., a vacuum or suction) is
created inside the container and liquid will exit dip-tube 24, and
the plug 22, through the open orifice. This depression will be, for
example when spraying perfume, around 5 to 10 mbar. Due to this
depression, the umbrella-style valve will open thus allowing air to
flow in through air venting slots 21c and the corresponding slots
of plug cap 23 into container 3 in the direction of arrow "way A"
shown in FIG. 5. Thus, the depression inside the container is
created when an amount of liquid is dispensed. The sprayed volume
should be replaced by air in order to have an equilibrium pressure
inside and outside the container, which is obtained by the air
flowing in by the umbrella-type valve that is opened due to the
created depression.
[0030] Thus, when the valves are closed, liquid is retained in the
reservoir by way of retention A and retention B, as shown in FIG.
5. This prevents any liquid splashing when the bottle is not
connected to the cannular system or when the bottle has not a
lid.
[0031] Most broadly, however, the present invention relates to a
dispensing closure (2) for a container (3) that holds a fluid,
which can be tightly fitted into a container neck to ensure
liquid-tightness of the container. The dispensing closure (2)
includes a plug body (23) arranged to be inserted into the
container neck and having a central fluid passage and having a
peripheral air passage, a double-valve diaphragm (22) consisting of
a flexible elastic material and arranged in a recess provided in an
upper part of the plug body (23) to cover the fluid passage and the
air passage, and a plug cap (21) for sealing the double-valve
diaphragm (22) within the plug body (23) having one or more slots
arranged circularly and axially aligned with the air passage of the
plug body (23) and having a central orifice axially aligned with
the fluid passage of the plug body (23). Furthermore, in accordance
with the present invention, the double-valve diaphragm (22)
comprises a first valve section, and a second valve section, where
the first valve section is a normally closed valve (22d) having a
slit-type central orifice (22a) and that seals the central fluid
passage of the plug body (23) when in its resting position, and
where the second valve section is an umbrella-type valve (22b) that
is a normally closed valve and that seals the one or more slots of
the plug cap (21) when in its resting position.
[0032] Having described now the preferred embodiments of this
invention, it will be apparent to one of skill in the art that
other embodiments incorporating its concept may be used. It is
felt, therefore, that this invention should not be limited to the
disclosed embodiments, but rather should be limited only by the
scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *