U.S. patent application number 14/233749 was filed with the patent office on 2014-07-03 for self closing flow control device with adjustable actuator element for container closures.
The applicant listed for this patent is Kateryna Davy-Dova, Jan Essebaggers. Invention is credited to Kateryna Davy-Dova, Jan Essebaggers.
Application Number | 20140183154 14/233749 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51015961 |
Filed Date | 2014-07-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140183154 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Essebaggers; Jan ; et
al. |
July 3, 2014 |
SELF CLOSING FLOW CONTROL DEVICE WITH ADJUSTABLE ACTUATOR ELEMENT
FOR CONTAINER CLOSURES
Abstract
The invention relates to a spill proof self-closing flow control
device (SCFCD) with adjustable actuator element for flexible or
rigid containers with fluids. The SCFCD comprises a spout (2), a
flexible valve-retaining element and a container closure element
(12). The valve-retaining element is a one-part component
consisting of an actuator element (9), a cylindrical valve holder
(11) and a valve (10) for alternately opening and closing the
flow-through orifice. In the various embodiments two or three
pressure chambers are formed with pressures P1, P2 and P3
controlling the flow control device, separated by the
valve-retaining element. In a first, second and fourth embodiments
the actuator element is configured to move the valve in the
downstream direction by an under pressure in the first chamber
thereby bringing the valve in the open position, while in a third
embodiment, the actuator element opens the valve in the upstream
direction. Provisions are foreseen to increase the fluid outflow
from container by externally adjusting the opening/closing force of
the actuator element.
Inventors: |
Essebaggers; Jan; (Foster
City, CA) ; Davy-Dova; Kateryna; (Foster City,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Essebaggers; Jan
Davy-Dova; Kateryna |
Foster City
Foster City |
CA
CA |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
51015961 |
Appl. No.: |
14/233749 |
Filed: |
July 4, 2012 |
PCT Filed: |
July 4, 2012 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IB2012/053390 |
371 Date: |
January 18, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13189970 |
Jul 25, 2011 |
|
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|
14233749 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
215/311 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 47/2075 20130101;
B65D 47/2068 20130101; B65D 47/32 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
215/311 |
International
Class: |
B65D 51/16 20060101
B65D051/16 |
Claims
1. A self-closing flow control device (SCFCD) (1) for a bottle (7)
with a bottleneck (6), holding a drinking fluid (8), wherein said
self-closing flow control device is detachably or permanently
connected to said bottleneck, comprising; a) a spout (2) with a
mouthpiece (5) and a connecting threaded cylinder (4) screwed onto
said bottleneck; and b) a flexible valve retaining element (3)
comprising an actuator element (9), an axially moveable cylindrical
valve holder (11) and in the upstream direction a primary valve
(10) with integrated air inlet valve (26); and c) a bottle closure
element (12), with at its center a flow-through orifice (19), on
the upper side a stationary cylinder (21) and on the lower side at
its periphery of the cylindrical rim (13) air and leak tight
connected with a seal (16) to the rim (17) of bottleneck (6) and on
the top side via the cylindrical rim (18) of the actuator element,
and airtight seal (25) connected to the periphery of said spout,
while at the same time an air passage (31) is provided, through the
threading of the connecting cylinder (4), which closure element
(12) forming a barrier for the fluid stored in the bottle; and d)
said valve holder (11), slides in axial direction airtight within
said open ended concentric stationary cylinder (21), which extends
in the downstream direction as an integral part from said bottle
closure element, thereby forming three distinct pressure chambers
`A`, `B` and `C` of which chamber `A` is formed between said spout
and said valve retaining element with pressure P2, chamber `B` is
formed between the bottle closure element and valve retaining
element which is maintained at the ambient pressure P1 while
chamber `C` is basically the inside of said bottle at a pressure
P3; and e) said cylindrical valve holder (11) holds at the bottom
side a one directional primary valve (10), with a flow-through
passage (29), which opens and closes the flow-through orifice (19),
while at its center provided with a one directional air inlet valve
(26); and f) said primary valve (10) is normally closed when P2
equals P1 (P2=P1) and opens a flow through path (29) when the
suction pressure P2 drops below the atmospheric/ambient pressure P1
(P2<P1), while the secondary air inlet valve (26) opens when the
bottle pressure P3 drops below the ambient pressure P1 (P3<P1)
and air flows back into the bottle (7), replacing the volume of
fluid taken from the bottle.
2. Said self-closing flow control device of claim 1 in which the
actuator element (9) of said valve retaining element (3) is
pre-stressed in such away that it urges said primary valve closed,
when the self-closing flow control device is not in use, while the
area of the actuator element (9) is large enough to overcome the
pre-stressed force and the primary valve opens when suction is
applied on the spout.
3. Said self-closing flow control device of claim 1, wherein an
axial movable valve holder (11) is provided with an axial seal
(24), sliding concentric and air tight in axial direction within
said stationary cylinder (21), which is an integral part of said
bottle closure element (12), allowing said primary valve to open
and close said flow-through orifice (19), in said bottle closure
element, thereby preventing fluid and air leakage through the axial
sliding seal.
4. Said self-closing flow control device of claim 1, wherein said
valve retaining element (3) comprises an actuator element (9),
which at its center is integrally connected to said valve holder
(11) to said primary valve (10) and air inlet valve (26),
configured into one-piece component made of a flexible material of
which said actuator element (9) is resiliently deformable having an
undulated shape or ridge (37).
5. Said self-closing flow control device of claim 1, wherein said
primary valve allows a fluid to flow in one direction from the
bottle to the mouth, while a secondary air inlet valve allows air
to flow in the opposite direction into the bottle, of which said
air inlet valve is incorporated into said primary valve in the main
fluid stream.
6. Said self-closing flow control device of claim 1, wherein said
air inlet valve of claim 5 can be configured as a one-way slit
valve (27, 34), or one-way air inlet check valve (38) in the
primary valve (10) or closing an air passage in the outer rim area
or periphery (40) of the bottleneck closure element (12) with air
inlet check valve (39), (45), or (47), which is closed when the
pressure within the bottle P3 is higher than the ambient air
pressure P1 or suction pressure P2.
7. (canceled)
8. Said self-closing flow control device of claim 1, wherein the
resilient closingforce of said valve-retaining element (3) is
assisted by a spring (not shown) or other type of forcing means, to
urge the primary valve to close.
9. A self-closing flow control device (SCFCD) (100) for a bottle
(108) with a bottleneck (107), holding a drinking fluid (109),
wherein said self-closing flow control device is detachably or
permanently connected to said bottleneck, comprising; a) a flexible
valve retaining element (101) with a spout and a mouthpiece (102),
integrally connected to an actuator element (103); and b) a disc
type bottle closure element (110), with at its center a
flow-through orifice (123); and c) a threaded closure cylinder
(106) extending downwards over said bottleneck, having a screw
thread inside for attachment to said bottleneck, while clamping at
the upper side with an integral top ring (105) of said threaded
closure cylinder, the actuator element (103) and the closure
element (110) at its periphery (111) air and leak tight to the rim
(112) of bottleneck (107); and d) a cylindrical valve holder (115)
at the top integrally connected to said mouth piece (102) and a
mouth opening (119) in the down stream direction while in the
upstream direction a two-way valve (114) integrally attached to
said valve holder (115); and d1) said two way valve (114) being
flexible constructed in such away that the valve, having a flexible
rim (125), can easily pass through said flow-through orifice (123)
in the upstream direction, but cannot move back easily, thereby
allowing higher pressure inside the bottle than the external
atmospheric pressure; d2) said two way valve (114) connected to
said valve holder via a plurality of valve stems (116, 124), which
extends in the axial direction between the valve (114) and high up
in the valve holder (124), while adequately strong in radial
direction assuring a certain rigidness of the construction of the
valve stems and the valve holder, thereby being able to push the
valve open against the force acting on the valve by the pressure
difference over the valve and assuring a flow path from the bottle
to the mouth opening (119), when someone sucks on the spout; e)
said actuator element (103) of said valve retaining element (101)
urges said two way valve (114) to open and close said centrally
located flow-through orifice (123) in said bottleneck closure
element (110), which forms a barrier for the fluid held in the
bottle, thereby forming three distinct pressure chambers `A`, `B`
and `C`, wherein chamber `A`, is formed by the inside of the valve
holder (115), with a mouth opening at the top and said valve at the
bottom, which is in direct communication with chamber `B` through
the air and fluid passage (113) at the lower end of said valve
holder, wherein chamber `B` is formed by the inside of said
mouthpiece (102) the outside side of said valve holder (115), the
lower side of the actuator element (103) and the top side of said
bottle closure element (110) and a chamber `C` which is basically
the inside of said bottle; and said two way valve (114) is normally
closed when P2 equals P1 (P2=P1) and opens a flow through path
(118) when the suction pressure P2 drops below the
atmospheric/ambient pressure P1 (P2<P1), while the same valve
(114) opens when the bottle pressure P3 drops below the ambient
pressure P1 (P3<P1) and air flows back into the bottle (108),
replacing the volume of fluid taken from the bottle.
10. Said self-closing flow control device according to claim 9,
wherein said actuator element (103) is made of a flexible resilient
material having an undulated shape or ridge (37) in
cross-section.
11. Said self-closing flow control device of claim 9, wherein the
surface-area of the actuator element (103) on which the suction
pressure P2 acts, is substantially larger than the surface-area of
the valve (114) on which the inside gas pressure P3 of the
container acts.
12. (canceled)
13. (canceled)
14. (canceled)
15. (canceled)
16. Said self-closing flow control device of claims 1 and 9 with a
valve-retaining element (3, 101), wherein the closing force of said
resilient valve retaining element acting on the primary valve
externally adjusted by valve opening adjustment means or
cylindrical urging member (50) within the self closing flow control
device (1, 100) or separate closure adjustment piece (51) e.g. by
rotation/twisting/pulling/pushing/screwing or snap-on to a desired
suction pressure for opening the valve.
17. (canceled)
18. (canceled)
19. Said self-closing flow control device of claim 9 in which said
closure element (110) is on the top side, provided with a
cylindrical spout guide (130), for axial guidance of the valve
holder (115).
20. A self-closing flow control device (SCFCD) (150) for a bottle
or container (159) with a bottleneck (158), holding a drinking
fluid (160), wherein said self-closing flow control device is
detachably or permanently connected to said bottleneck, comprising:
a) a spout with a mouthpiece (151) having a suction opening (152)
at the top and which is at the bottom integrally connected to a
threaded closing cylinder (157) screwed onto said bottleneck,
allowing fluid to pass from the bottle to the suction opening (152)
of spout/mouthpiece (151); and b) a bottle closure element (154)
within said spout that closes off the bottleneck by being leak and
airtight pressed by said threaded closing cylinder (157) onto the
rim of said bottleneck (158) and having at its center a
flow-through orifice (163); and c) a flexible resilient valve
actuator element (153) that is pre-stressed and flexes towards the
interior of the bottle (159) holding at it center a one directional
primary valve (156) that opens and closes said flow-through orifice
(163), while held in place at its periphery (164) by said threaded
cylinder (157) in combination with said spout/mouthpiece (151) and
said closure element (154) while having flow-through openings (155)
at its periphery; and d) a one directional secondary air inlet
valve (165), integrated in said primary valve (156) allowing
ambient air to flow into said bottle when the pressure within the
bottle becomes lower than the ambient outside pressure; and e) a
dust/closure cap (170) for hygienic and/or extra closure purposes
when the bottle with SCFCD is not used or in storage; and f) said
one directional primary valve (156) is normally closed when P2
equals P1 (P2=P1) and opens a flow through path (161) when the
suction pressure P2 drops below the atmospheric/ambient pressure P1
(P2<P1), while the one directional secondary air inlet valve
(165) opens when the bottle pressure P3 drops below the ambient
pressure P1 (P3<P1) and air flows back into the bottle (159),
replacing the volume of fluid taken from the bottle.
21. Said self-closing flow control device of claim 20 in which said
actuator element (153) flexes towards the interior of the bottle or
container and is pre-stressed in such away that the exerted force
F.sub.1 keeps the primary valve (156) closed, when the self-closing
flow control device is not in use and P3>P1, while the circular
cross-sectional projected area of the valve with diameter `d` is
large enough to overcome the pre-stressed force `F.sub.1` and the
primary valve opens when suction is applied to the spout with
P2<P3 and the pre-stressed force is smaller than the suction
force on the valve [F.sub.1<.pi./.sub.4*d.sup.2*(P3-P2)], in
which P3 is the pressure in the bottle, P2 the suction pressure in
the spout and P1 the ambient pressure.
22. Said self-closing flow control device of claim 20, wherein said
actuator element (153), is at its center integrally connected to
said primary valve (156) and said secondary air inlet valve (165),
configured into one-piece component made of a flexible material of
which said actuator element is resiliently deformable, by virtue of
its shape and material.
23. Said self-closing flow control device of claim 20, wherein said
primary valve (156) opens and closes said flow-through orifice,
allowing a fluid to flow in one direction from the bottle to the
mouth, while said secondary air inlet valve (165) allows air to
flow in the opposite direction into the bottle, of which said air
inlet valve can be incorporated into said primary valve in the main
fluid stream, or outside this stream in said bottleneck closure
element (154) and whereby said secondary air inlet valve acts
independently from said primary valve, each having its own
operating characteristics.
24. Said self-closing flow control device of claim 20, wherein said
air inlet valve can be configured as a one-way slit valve with a
plurality of slits (166), or one-way air a inlet check valve (38)
within the primary valve or opening and closing an air passage in
the outer rim of the bottleneck closure element (12, 154), which is
(are) closed when the pressure within the bottle is higher than the
ambient air pressure.
25. Said self-closing flow control device of claim 20, wherein the
openingforce of said actuator element (153) is assisted by a small
pressure difference .DELTA.p over the actuator element caused by
the outward fluid flow on the lower side of the actuator element,
by proper shaping the flow channel using a flow restriction on the
periphery of said flow channel, e.g. a ridge (171) or other
cylindrical restriction in the out flow path (161) that causes the
valve to flexes away from the interior of the bottle and opens the
primary valve more easily and whereby the projected surface area of
said actuator element (153) is substantially larger than the
projected area of the primary valve (156), respectively projected
area of the flow-through orifice (163).
26. Said self-closing flow control device of claim 20 applicable
for single serve beverages, temporarily stored in rigid or flexible
handheld containers or bottles, which may or may not hold, a dust
cap (170), provided for hygienic purposes and for extra sealing
during storage.
27. Said self-closing flow control device of claim 20 holding a
flexible/resilient valve actuator element (153) with an integrated
primary valve (156) that opens and closes a flow-through orifice
(163), whereby the valve clicks away from the valve seat, when
suction is applied to the spout and clicks back onto its seat, when
the suction stops and the SCFCD is not in use.
28. (canceled)
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The invention relates to a container closure with a
self-closing flow control device, axisymmetric in shape with an
actuator element for rigid or semi rigid/flexible fluid containers
which prevents spilling and leaking when the container is tipped
over or overturned and easy to manufacture and use. The actuator
element opening force is adjustable to increase a liquid outflow
from the container for users with low suction capabilities such as
toddlers, children, elderly people, etc. or for active users on-the
go.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In U.S. Pat. No. 6,290,090 B1, a self-closing flow control
element is described, comprising a spout that is leak tight
attached to a housing enclosure that holds a spring, a centrally
perforated membrane, a hollow valve stem with flow through opening
in the bottom and in the top, a valve stem guide and a valve. The
hollow valve stem is attached to the perforated membrane on one
side and to the valve on the other side. When suction is applied to
the spout, the membrane moves the valve in the downstream
direction, thereby allowing fluid to flow through an opening in the
valve stem, the valve stem itself and the perforated membrane to
the mouth. When the suction stops, a spring closes the valve
against the pressure inside the container. The fluid opening to the
valve extends through a flexible tube to the bottom of the
container to allow emptying of the container completely. An air
vent is provided within the valve stem guide, compensating for the
reduction in pressure inside the container, when inside pressure
drops below atmospheric pressure. The potential drawback of the
above solution is in the arrangement of the valve stem guide, which
protrudes into the container in such away that the container cannot
be fully emptied unless an internal straw is used. In addition this
solution requires a special configuration, which adds to the number
of parts, thus affecting its reliability and increases the cost of
manufacturing and assembly of the spout closure.
[0003] The present invention overcomes the above-mentioned
drawbacks, by eliminating the valve stem guide in the container and
placing the air inlet valve either within the one-way primary
valve, or in the container closure element. The self-closing flow
control device is thereby provided with an actuator element
integrally connected via a valve holder to a primary valve, that
opens a flow-through orifice in the downstream direction, while the
exiting fluid volume in the container is replaced by air that flows
back into the container through the secondary (air inlet) valve, as
will become clear in the description of the first and second
preferred embodiment below. The entire self-closing flow control
device can be constructed from only three parts namely the spout,
valve retaining element and the container closure element, thereby
enhancing the reliability of the container closure means.
[0004] In WO 01/92133 A2, a flow control device is described in
which the extruded portion of the membrane acts as a spout, and the
valve opens in the upstream direction. The drawback of this
solution is that the valve stem guide protrudes far into the
container, thereby not allowing the container to be fully emptied
and is not optimized in terms of parts used for its configuration,
thus making the product more expensive to produce and also less
reliable. The spout and the perforated membrane are combined into
one-piece component of resilient material, making the mouthpiece of
the spout very flimsy. A better conceptual solution has been
described in the present patent application in a third preferred
embodiment, thereby reducing the height of the valve holder and
integrating the valve with the extruded portion of the perforated
membrane and providing a plurality of valve stems, that at the same
time adds strength and stability to the mouthpiece of the spout. In
this embodiment the valve holder within the container has been
eliminated thereby providing a flow-through orifice in the
container closure element which is opened and closed by a valve
connected to the centrally perforated membrane, with a mouthpiece
and a valve holder integrally connected to the valve by valve stems
which at the same time reinforces the valve holder of the spout.
These improvements become clear in the detail description of the
third preferred embodiment below.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The object of the invention is to provide an optimized
self-closing closure cap (adjustable or non-adjustable) for single
serve liquid-holding bottles and containers that prevents the
spilling of liquid when the bottle/container is accidentally tipped
over or overturned, for drinking on the go and in awkward situation
e.g. while driving in the car, when sporting, cycling, hiking etc.
This objective is reached by providing the drinking means with a
valve that automatically closes the bottle/container opening, when
not being used and no suction is applied. There are four disclosed
embodiments of the present invention making it applicable for
different type of fluids (carbonated or still drinks), stored in
containers of different shape and material, flexible or rigid.
[0006] The first embodiment of the present invention comprises a
self-closing flow control device with a spout for drinking from a
bottle or handheld container. The self-closing flow control device
is activated by suction on the spout, whereby a centrally
perforated membrane type element (further called `actuator
element`) lifts a primary valve from a flow-through orifice, which
closes the inside of the container from the outside. The inside of
the container can be of a higher or equal gas pressure than the
external atmospheric pressure. The self-closing flow control device
comprises a spout with a mouthpiece, integrated or air tight
connected to a housing or closing cylinder, which holds a
pre-stressed actuator element, integrally connected to a central
tube element, acting as a valve holder, that extends in the
upstream direction. This valve holder is connected to a plurality
of valve stems, (with a minimum of one), which are connected to the
primary valve, in such away that when the actuator element moves up
or down, the valve moves with it. The valve opens and closes a
flow-through orifice in the center of a container neck closure
element that at its periphery is leak tight connected to the rim of
the container neck. The actuator element, valve holder and valve
are integrated into one-piece component, which is made of a
resilient material. By prestressing the actuator element during
assembly of the self-closing flow control devise, the actuator
element pulls the valve firmly onto its seat of the flow-through
orifice. The lower side of the actuator element is held at
atmospheric pressure due to one or more openings in the
housing/closing cylinder of the flow control devise, while the
upper side of the actuator element has a direct connection with the
opening of the spout. By suction on the spout, a pressure
difference is created over the actuator element, which opens the
primary valve in the downstream direction of the fluid flow from
the container, when the container is brought into drinking
position. The valve closing area, respectively the orifice area is
substantially smaller than the active surface area of the actuator
element. A small pressure difference over the actuator element will
thereby result in a relatively large force to open the valve
against the resilient force that normally keeps the valve closed.
The combination of the valve diameter, the resilient force and
actuator diameter is thereby an essential part of the invention,
enabling the self-closing flow control devise to work. When the
pressure inside the container drops below atmospheric pressure, by
the reduced fluid level, ambient air flows into the container
through a secondary valve (air inlet valve), which is provided
within the primary valve. This air inlet valve is one-way valve and
opens only when the container pressure drops below the atmospheric
pressure, thereby replacing the volume of the reduced fluid amount
in the container. Thus described, the flow control devise securely
closes off the inside of the handheld container against any
spillage or when not in use. This embodiment is ideally suited for
still and slightly carbonated beverages in a flexible
container.
[0007] In a second embodiment of the invention, air inlet valves
are placed in the containerneck closure element, allowing a
continuous airflow into the container, when suction on the spout is
applied, thus preventing deformation and distortion of the
container shape and making it applicable to both; flexible and
rigid containers. This solution is well suited for still and
slightly carbonated beverages stored in rigid containers.
[0008] Unlike the self-closing flow control devise of the first and
second embodiments, with the valve opening in the downstream
direction, a third embodiment of this invention has a valve opening
a flow-through orifice in the upstream direction. The valve is
activated by a pressure difference over an actuator element, when
suction is applied on the spout. The valve is thereby connected via
a plurality of valve stems to a valve holder, which in turn is
connected to the actuator element, having a protrusion in the
downstream direction that acts at the same time as a spout. The
valve stems are radially placed as protuberances on the inside of
the valve holder, thereby improving the rigidness of this cylinder,
while in addition a spout guide is provided, to improve the
stability of the spout. This solution is well suited for carbonated
beverages with an increased internal pressure, but requires a
flexible container.
[0009] A fourth embodiment has been described, which is a
simplified version of the first embodiment, in which only two
pressure chambers are used, without compromising the advantage of a
non spilling spout and no spillage will occur, when the bottle or
container is accidentally overturned.
[0010] For a number of instances, it is desirable that the opening
force of the actuator element is adjustable, for users with low
suction capabilities, such as elderly, toddlers, hospital use etc.,
as well as active users looking for an increased outflow of fluid
from the container. The opening force of the actuator element is
externally adjusted either by rotation/twisting/pulling/pushing or
snap-on means added to the self closing closure cap used for all
types of containers flexible and rigid, metal or plastic. In
addition, if used with the flexible container, the actuator element
can be adjusted in such as way that by squeezing the bottle (in the
`first`, `second` and `fourth` embodiments below), a continuous
outflow of liquid can be obtained, which will automatically stop
when the squeezing ceases.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is an axial cross-section of a first preferred
embodiment and application of the present invention for a
self-closing flow control device with actuator element opening a
valve in the downstream direction.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a top view of FIG. 1 showing the spout,
axisymmetric in shape, screwed onto a cylindrical container
neck.
[0013] FIG. 3 is an enlargement view `S` of FIG. 1, showing details
of the self-closing flow control device with the primary valve in
the open position, and a secondary valve (air inlet slit valve) in
the closed position.
[0014] FIG. 4 is an enlargement view `T` of FIG. 1, showing details
of the self-closing flow control device with the primary valve in
the closed position, and the slit valve in the open position,
allowing air to flow into the container.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a detail cross-sectional top view A-A of FIG. 3
with the primary valve in the open and the slit valve in the closed
position.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a detail cross-sectional top view B-B of FIG. 4
with the primary valve in the closed and the slit valve in the open
position.
[0017] FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view `U` of FIG. 1,
showing details of the self-closing flow control device with a
skirt.
[0018] FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view `V` of FIG. 1,
showing details of the self-closing flow control device with a
ridge in the actuator element adding flexibility to the actuator
element, as needed.
[0019] FIG. 9 shows a second preferred embodiment of the
self-closing flow control device wherein the slit valve in the
primary valve is replaced by a self-closing, one-way air valve.
[0020] FIG. 9A shows an enlarged detail `W` of FIG. 9, with the
primary and secondary valve in the closed position.
[0021] FIG. 9B shows a cross-sectional top view C-C of FIG. 9A.
[0022] FIG. 10 shows a second embodiment of the self-closing flow
control device, in which one-way air valves are applied in the
container closure element.
[0023] FIG. 10A shows an enlargement view `X` of FIG. 10, of a
one-way air valve.
[0024] FIG. 11 is an axial cross-section of a second preferred
embodiment and application of the present invention with air inlet
openings in the peripheral area of the container neck closure
element, closed off by a flexible washer, that also acts as a seal
for the container neck.
[0025] FIG. 11A shows an enlarged view `Y` of FIG. 11.
[0026] FIG. 12 is an axial cross-section of a second preferred
embodiment and application of the present invention with air inlet
openings in the peripheral area of the container neck closure
element, closed off by a flexible washer as part of the container
neck closure element.
[0027] FIG. 12A shows an enlarged view `Z` of FIG. 12.
[0028] FIG. 13 is an axial cross-section of a third preferred
embodiment and application of the present invention for a
self-closing flow control device with actuator element opening a
valve in the upstream flow direction, wherein the actuator element
pulls the valve closed by a resilient force of the actuator
element.
[0029] FIG. 13A is a partial cross-sectional top view D-D of FIG.
13 showing the spout axisymmetric in shape, screwed onto a
container neck.
[0030] FIG. 14 shows a partial enlarged view `XX` of FIG. 13.
[0031] FIG. 15 is an axial cross-section of the third preferred
embodiment and application of the present invention for a
self-closing flow control device with actuator element wherein the
valve is opened by a pressure difference (P1-P2) over the actuator
element.
[0032] FIG. 16 shows a cylindrical extension within the actuator
element, while the valve is in the closed position.
[0033] FIG. 17 is a partial top cross-sectional view E-E of FIG.
16.
[0034] FIG. 17A is an enlarged view of FIG. 17.
[0035] FIG. 18 shows a cylindrical extension within the actuator
element, while the valve is in the open position.
[0036] FIG. 19 shows an enlarged view `YY` of FIG. 15 of the valve
holder and a detail of the flexible valve, which is brought into
position by one directional flexing structure of the valve through
the orifice in the container closure element.
[0037] FIG. 20 shows a means to adjust the valve closure force by
the actuator element for a valve that opens in the downstream
direction.
[0038] FIG. 21 shows an enlarged detail `ZZ` of FIG. 20.
[0039] FIG. 22 shows a means to adjust the valve closure force by
the actuator element for a valve that opens in the upstream
direction.
[0040] FIG. 23 shows an enlarged detail `Z-Z` of FIG. 22.
[0041] FIG. 24 is an axial cross-section of a fourth preferred
embodiment and application of the present invention for a
self-closing flow control device with actuator element
incorporating integrally a (primary/secondary) valve, shown in the
closed position, which valve opens in the downstream direction.
[0042] FIG. 25 shows an axial cross-section of the fourth preferred
embodiment of FIG. 24 with actuator element holding the valve,
which valve is in the open position, allowing fluid to be withdrawn
from the container. The valve is held closed by a resilient force
of the actuator element and opens when a sufficient pressure
difference (P3-P2) exists over the valve surface area.
[0043] FIG. 26 shows a cross-sectional top view F-F of FIG. 24.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0044] The present invention is now described in detail for the
first preferred embodiment of the self-closing flow control device
thereby referring to FIGS. 1-8, however, not limited thereto. The
drawings of FIGS. 1-8 disclose one specific embodiment;
axisymmetric in shape, while in FIGS. 9-12 a number of alternative
solutions are shown as second embodiments of the invention. The
self-closing flow control device has been described for a single
serve bottle holding a drinking fluid. In this description the
bottle is normally stored in the upright position and may be rigid
or flexible depending on the opted embodiments. The bottle as such,
however, is not part of this invention. The drawings as used to
describe this invention refer to this upright position of the
bottle, whereby the orientation of the self-closing flow control
device is described in the same direction. Terms as upper/topside,
bottom, horizontal etc. refer to this position of the bottle and
closure cap. Although the invention has been described as being a
closure cap for a single serve bottle, the invention is not
restricted thereto and is applicable to all type of rigid or
flexible containers of different designs holding a beverage or
drinking fluid for consumption.
[0045] The first preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in
FIG. 1, with a top view in FIG. 2 of which an enlargement `S` and
`T` of FIG. 1 is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. A self-closing flow
control device assembly 1, comprising a spout 2 that is either
detachable or integrally connected to a closing cylinder 4 having a
inner screw thread, connecting to an outer screw thread of a
bottleneck 6, which is part of a bottle 7, holding a drinking fluid
8. The self-closing flow control device assembly 1, comprises
further a flexible actuator element 9, at its center integrally
connected to a valve holder 11, with at its lower end a primary
valve 10, that opens and closes a flow-through orifice 19. The
bottleneck 6 is closed off with a disc type bottle closure element
12 having a cylindrical periphery 13, with a wall thickness 14 of
which the lower side 15 is leak tight connected with a seal 16 to
the rim 17 of bottleneck 6. The upper side of cylinder 13 is
connected to the cylindrical rim 18 of the actuator element 9. The
bottle closure element 12 has a central flow-through orifice 19,
with at its periphery a valve seat 20. The upper side of the bottle
closure element 12 is at its center integrally connected to a
stationary cylinder element 21 with a height 22, large enough to
allow the valve holder 11, which is integrally connected to primary
valve 10 to move at least 1/4 of the diameter 23'' of orifice 19,
in axial direction. The valve holder 11 as part of the actuator
element 9 fits coaxial within the stationary cylinder element 21
with a leak and airtight axial sliding seals 24 between the valve
holder 11 and the stationary cylinder element 21. The upper side of
the cylindrical rim 18, as integral part of the actuator element 9,
has an airtight seal 25 with the inner rim of spout 2. The one-way
primary valve 10 holds at its center a secondary (one-way air
inlet) valve 26. This air inlet valve 26 can be a slit valve having
a plurality of slits 27 (with a minimum of one slit, while on the
drawings 3 slits are depicted). These slits are normally closed and
preferably shaped as part of a half globe 28, which is an integral
part of the primary valve 10 in such a way that when pressure P3
inside the bottle is higher than or equal to the external
atmospheric pressure P1, the slit valve is forced into the closed
position. The circumference of primary valve 10 is integrally
connected to the cylindrical valve holder 11 with spoke type
elements 30 but at the same time has at its periphery a
flow-through opening 29 allowing an open connection between the
mouthpiece 5 with the inside of bottle 7, when the primary valve 10
is lifted from its seat 20. The actuator element 9, valve holder
11, primary valve 10 and secondary valve 26 configured preferably
into one component of a resilient material, called a `valve
retaining element` 3, while the remainder parts of the self-closing
flow control device 1 are made of a harder less flexible plastic
material. Thus described, a self-closing flow control device
assembly 1 comprising three pressure chambers A, B and C, of which
each chamber can have different pressures respectively P2, P1 and
P3 in which P1 is the external atmospheric pressure. Chamber `A` is
confined to the spout opening 33; inside of the spout 2; and upper
side of the valve-retaining element 3. Chamber `B` is confined to
the lower side of the actuator element 9, valve holder 11 and
stationary cylinder 21 closed off by axial sliding seal 24, upper
side of the bottle closure element 12 and its periphery cylinder
13. In cylinder 13 a plurality of openings 31 are provided,
allowing ambient air to flow freely in and out through the
threading of cylinder 4 and a circumferential air space 32 around
cylinder 13, thereby keeping the pressure in chamber `B` at the
atmospheric pressure P1. Chamber `C` is defined as the inside of
bottle 7 at P3.
[0046] The working principle of the self-closing flow control
device 1 is thus as follows: the bottle 7 with its contents 8 is
normally stored in the upright position whereby the pressure in
chamber `A` is equal to the pressure in chamber `B`, being P1. The
primary valve 10 is positioned on its seat 20, closing off the
inside of the bottle 7 from the outside. The pressure P3 in chamber
`C` can be higher than P1 but not substantially lower. When
drinking, the bottle 7 is held upside down in a drinking position
and the pressure in the spout 2 is lowered to P2, causing a
pressure difference P1-P2 over the actuator element 9. The actuator
element 9 moves in the downstream direction, thereby lifting the
primary valve 10 from its seat 20, resulting in a outflow of fluid
8 through orifice 19 and open flow area 29 to spout opening 33 and
to the mouth. When drinking is stopped the pressure P2 within the
spout opening 33 returns to the ambient pressure P1 and the primary
valve 10 returns to its seat 20 by the resilient force of the valve
retaining element 3 and the fluid outflow from the bottle is
stopped. As fluid is withdrawn from the bottle, the pressure P3 in
chamber `C` may drop below the ambient pressure P1. This pressure
difference P3-P1 will than open the globular slit valve 26/28
causing an inward air flow through the open slit valve 34 (FIG. 6),
bringing the inside pressure of the bottle to pressure P1. This
inflow of ambient air will persist as long as P3<P1, while no
inflow of air will take place when P3>P1. The valve closing
force caused by the resilience of the valve-retaining element 3 is
one parameter in determining the maximum pressure P3 that can exist
in the bottle 7. Another parameter in the proper functioning of the
self-closing flow control device 1 is the active surface area of
the actuator element 9 in relation to the flow-through area of the
orifice 19. The maximum opening force `F` acting on the valve by
suction on the spout is determined as
F=.pi./4*(D.sup.2-d.sub.1.sup.2)*(P1-P2)+.pi./4*d.sub.2.sup.2*(P3-P2),
in which P3>P2 and P1>P2, and where .pi.=3.14. This force F
shall be larger than the resilient closing force of the
valve-retaining element 3. Various provisions can be made to
increase or decrease the resilient valve closing force of the
valve-retaining element 3, e.g. by adding a ridge 37 to the
actuator element 9 as shown in FIG. 8 and/or by changing the
rigidness of the valve retaining element material and/or by adding
additional closing means such as a spring (not shown) etc. Instead
of a slit valve 26 of FIGS. 1-8, a one-way air inlet valve 38 of
the type as shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 respectively enlargements
FIGS. 9A/B and 10A can be applied within the primary valve 10 of
FIG. 3. In order to enhance the flow characteristics of the fluid,
a skirt 36 can be added as shown in FIG. 7.
[0047] The above-described first preferred embodiment of the
invention is applicable for flexible bottles that regain their
shape when the air volume replaces the volumetric amount of fluid,
withdrawn from the bottle.
[0048] In a second embodiment one or more one-way air inlet valves
39 in the outer rim area 40 of the bottle closure element 12 of
FIGS. 10 and 10A are provided. In this case ambient air in chamber
`B` can freely flow into the bottle, when the pressure P3 becomes
less than the ambient air pressure P1. The air valve assembly 39 is
of a resilient material that closes off an opening 41 by an air
inlet valve 42 in the bottle closure element 12. Valve 42 is drawn
on its seat by a valve stem and three or more flexible
protuberances 43 in star shape, thereby holding the air inlet valve
39 closed. Other provisions can be used to allow ambient air to
flow into the bottle by openings 44 in the circumferential area of
the bottle closure element 12, which are closed off by a flexible
resilient closure ring 45 as shown in FIGS. 11 and 11A, which at
the same time provides a seal 46 between the rim of the bottleneck
17 and the rim of the bottle closure element 12. In a similar way a
flexible resilient closure ring 47 can be provided as shown in
FIGS. 12 and 12A, which is held in place by a boss 48 of bottle
closure element 12. The above solutions as depicted in FIGS. 9-12
and 9A, 9B, 10A, 11A, 12A are applicable to the second preferred
embodiment of the self-closing flow control device 1, wherein a
actuator element and valve are applied moving downstream, when
suction is applied to the spout and fluid is withdrawn from a
bottle. This embodiment is well suited for rigid containers.
[0049] A third embodiment is of a type whereby the valve moves
upstream, when suction is applied to the spout, which is
substantially different from the first and second embodiments of
this invention and further in detail described hereinafter.
[0050] The description of this third preferred embodiment relates
to a self-closing flow control device 100, which is axisymmetric in
shape and of which a longitudinal cross-section is shown in FIGS.
13 and 15 with a top view in FIG. 13A, while an enlarged detail
view XX is shown in FIG. 14 and an enlarged detail view YY in FIG.
19. FIG. 13 represents the self-closing flow control device holding
a valve that closes off the inside of the bottle from the outside
in its rest position, while in FIG. 15 the valve is in the active
open position. The self-closing flow control device 100, consisting
of a flexible spout 101 with a mouthpiece 102, being an integral
part of an actuator element 103 with its periphery 104 sealingly
connected to the periphery 111 of a bottle closure element 110 by
the top of a closure cylinder 105 extending downwards 106 over a
bottleneck 107, having on its inside screw thread, that connects
with a screw thread of a bottleneck 107, being part of a flexible
bottle 108, holding a drinking fluid 109. The bottleneck 107 is
closed off by a bottle closure 110, which at its periphery 111 is
sealingly connected to the rim 112 of the bottleneck 107, while at
the center a flow-through orifice 123 is provided, that is normally
closed off by a valve 114. The flexible spout 101, having a
cylindrical mouth piece 102, is on the top side integrally
connected to a valve holder 115, while at the lower side this valve
holder 115 is connected to valve 114 by a plurality of valve stems
116 (with a minimum of one), which valve closes off orifice 123 in
bottle closure 110. The actuator element 103 is pre-stressed, in
such away, that it pulls the valve close to its seat 117. The lower
part of the valve holder 115 has a flow through path 118 between
the valve stems 116 allowing fluid 109 to pass when the valve 114
is in the open position, as shown in FIG. 15. The configuration as
shown in FIGS. 15 and 18 show three chambers A, B and C, in which 3
different pressures can prevail Chamber `A` is defined by the
inside of the valve holder 115, with an open end 119 at the top and
the valve 114 at the bottom. Chamber `B` is defined by the inside
of mouthpiece 102 the outside of the valve holder 115, the lower
side of the actuator element 103 and the upper side of the bottle
closure element 110. Chamber `C` is the inside of bottle 108,
closed off by bottle closure 110 and valve 114, when the system is
not in use. Chamber `B` has at the lower site of the valve holder
115 an open connection with chamber `A`. In its rest/closed
position, the pressure in chamber `A` is equal to pressure in
chamber `B`, being the external atmospheric pressure P1, while in
chamber `C` a different pressure P3 can exist, which pressure can
be larger, lower or equal to the external atmospheric pressure P1.
When sucking on the self-closing flow control device 100, the
pressure in chamber `A` will reduce below atmospheric pressure P1
to P2 (P2<P1). This results in a pressure difference (P1-P2)
over the actuator element 103 causing the actuator element to move
downwards. As the valve 114 is indirectly connected to the actuator
element 103 via the valve holder 115 and mouthpiece 102, the valve
will be pushed open, thereby moving in the upstream direction. This
pressure difference (P1-P2) causes the actuator element 103 to move
against the resilient closing force of the pre-stressed actuator
element and the inside pressure of the bottle P3. When the bottle
is turned upside down in the drinking position, the fluid 109 can
now freely flow downstream to the spout and to the mouth. When
drinking stops, the pressure difference P1-P2 becomes zero and the
valve 114 returns to its seat 117, by the resilient force of the
pre-stressed actuator element 103. Thus described a self-closing
flow control device 100, holding a valve that closes automatically
when drinking is stopped. This embodiment can be provided with, a
dust cap 120 for cleanliness of the spout, which can be attached
through a hinge 121 to the closure cylinder 106 or can be snapped
onto this cylinder. Both the dust cap and the self-closing spout
can be further completed with a tamper evident band 122 between the
self-closing spout and the bottle and at the interface of dust cap
120 with closure cylinder 106, both not shown on the drawings. As
the spout 101 shall move only in axial direction, a spout guide 130
can be added, which is an integral part of the bottle closure 110
and extending thereof in the down flow direction between the valve
holder 115 and the mouthpiece 102 of the spout 101 as shown in
FIGS. 16-18, but with a height h1 (131) less than (h2-h3)
(132/133). The thickness of this spout guide 130 shall allow
adequate clearance with mouthpiece 102 and valve holder 115, in
order to allow free air passage to chamber `B`. The valve 114 is of
a flexible resilient material and is larger in diameter than the
orifice 123 and needs to be brought in place through this orifice
123. In order to accomplish this, the rim 125 of the valve 114 is
made to bend inwards (FIG. 19), while passing through the orifice
123, after which it bends backwards in such a way that it will
remain in place and closes off the orifice 123 effectively, even
when the internal pressure of chamber `C` at P3 is substantially
higher than the external atmospheric pressure P1.
[0051] For the above-described embodiments the valve-retaining
element can be made externally adjustable in such away that the
valve is opened at different suction pressures P2. This is
accomplished by a spout 2, having at the inside a cylindrical
urging member 50, which is an integral part thereof, that will
change the closing force of the valve retaining element 3 on the
valve 10 by pushing the cylindrical urging member 50 into the
actuator element 9 at some location close to the outer rim 52 of
the actuator element as shown in FIG. 20, and of which an
enlargement is shown in FIG. 21, thereby increasing the closing
force on the valve 10 and visa versa. The spout 2 is thereby
further screwed down onto the container neck 4, deforming the
flexible actuator element at its periphery 52 and 53. This will
result at the same time in a reduction of the active surface area
of the actuator element, thereby increasing the suction pressure
difference (P1-P2) to open the valve but at the same time allowing
a higher internal pressure P3 in the container. A similar means is
provided for a self-closing spout as shown in FIG. 22, with a
detail view in FIG. 23. The spout 5/102 is thereby connected by a
cylindrical element 51 being an integral part thereof, by a screw
thread 54 to either the rim of the bottle closure element 12, or
the bottle closure cylinder 4 (not shown). By screwing down the
spout 5/102 onto the bottle closure cylinder 4, the urging member
50 increases/decreases the resilient opening/closing force on the
valve 10/114.
[0052] The fourth preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in
FIGS. 24 and 25, with a cross sectional top-view F-F in FIG. 26. A
self-closing flow control device assembly 150, comprising a spout
151 with a suction opening 152, which spout is either detachable or
integrally connected to a bottle closing cylinder 157 having an
inner screw thread, connecting to an outer screw thread of a
bottleneck 158, which is part of a bottle or container 159, holding
a drinking fluid 160. The self-closing flow control device assembly
150 comprises further a flexible actuator element 153, which at its
center is integrally connected to a valve 156 that opens and closes
a flow-through orifice 163. The bottleneck 158 is closed off by a
disc type bottle closure element 154 having a cylindrical periphery
164 that fits at the upper side leak tight within the threaded
closing cylinder 157 and at its lower side leak tight to the rim of
bottleneck 158. The bottle closure element 154 has a central
flow-through orifice 163, which is opened and closed by the valve
156. The one-way primary valve 156 holds at its center a secondary
(one-way air inlet) valve 165. This air inlet valve 165 can be a
slit valve having a plurality of slits 166 with a minimum of one
slit, while on the drawing (FIG. 26) 3 slits are depicted. These
slits are normally closed and preferably shaped as part of a half
globe 167, which is an integral part of the primary valve 156 in
such a way that when pressure P3 inside the bottle is higher than
or equal to the external atmospheric pressure P1 (P3.gtoreq.P1),
the slit valve is forced into the closed position. The primary
valve 156 is integrally connected to the actuator element 153,
which is of a flexible/resilient material that keeps the valve 156
in the closed position, when not in use. This is accomplished by
pressing the actuator element 153 at its periphery 155 down with a
force `F.sub.1` greater than the circular cross sectional surface
area of the orifice 163 times the pressure difference over the
valve 156 [F.sub.1.gtoreq..pi./4*d.sup.2*(P3-P1)], in which
P3>P1, d is the valve diameter and .pi.=3.14. The actuator
element 153 however, has at the same time at its periphery one or
more flow-through opening(s) 168 allowing an open connection
between the mouthpiece 151 with the inside of bottle 160, when the
primary valve 156 is lifted from its seat 169. The actuator element
153 and the valve 156, are preferably made of one component of a
flexible/resilient material, while the remainder parts of the
self-closing flow control device 150 are made of a harder (less
flexible) thermo plastic material.
[0053] Thus described, a self-closing flow control device assembly
150 comprising two pressure chambers `D` and `E` of which each
chamber can have different pressures respectively P1 and P3 to
start with, whereby P1 is the external atmospheric pressure and P3
the internal pressure in the bottle 160. Chamber `D` is defined as
a space formed between the spout 151, the valve-actuator element
153 and the primary/secondary valve 156/165, with pressure P1.
Chamber `E` is defined as the inside of bottle 159 with a pressure
P3.
[0054] The working principle of the self-closing flow control
device 150 is as follows: The bottle 159 with its contents 160 is
normally stored in the upright position closed off by the present
flow control device 150, whereby the pressure in chamber `D` is
equal to P1. The primary valve 156 is positioned on its seat 169,
closing off the inside of the bottle 159 from the outside. The
pressure P3 in chamber `E` can be higher than P1 but not
substantially lower (P3.gtoreq.P1). When drinking, the bottle 159
is held upside down in a drinking position and the pressure in the
spout 151 is lowered to P2, causing a pressure difference (P3-P2)
over the projected valve area 156. The primary valve 156 is lifted
from its seat 169, thereby moving the actuator element in the
downstream flow direction, resulting in a outflow of fluid (Arrow
161) through orifice 163 and open flow area 168 in the actuator
element to spout opening 152 to the mouth. When drinking is stopped
the pressure P2 within the spout 151 returns to the ambient
pressure P1 and the primary valve 156 returns to its seat 169 by
the resilient force of the valve actuator element 153 and the fluid
outflow from the bottle is stopped. As fluid is withdrawn from the
bottle, the pressure P3 in chamber `E` may drop below the ambient
pressure P1. This pressure difference P1-P3 will than open the
globular slit valve 165 causing an inward air flow through the open
slits 166 (FIG. 26), bringing the inside pressure of the bottle to
pressure P1. This inflow of ambient air will persist as long as
P3<P1, while no inflow of air will take place when
P3.gtoreq.P1.
[0055] The valve opening force F.sub.1 caused by pressure
difference over the valve 156 is one parameter that causes the
valve to open to a certain degree. Another parameter in the proper
functioning of the self-closing flow control device 150 is a force
F.sub.2 that acts on the active surface area
[.pi./.sub.4*(D.sup.2-d.sup.2)] of the actuator element 153 (in
which D is the active outside diameter of the actuator element and
d the diameter of the Orifice 163). The additional force F.sub.2
needs to be experimentally determined, which is zero to start with
but is positive when there is a fluid flow from chamber `E` to `D`
causing a slight pressure difference .DELTA.p over the
valve-actuator element. This force F.sub.2 will assist the opening
force F as described above and which can be described by
F.sub.2=[.pi./.sub.4*(D.sup.2-d.sup.2)]*.DELTA.p, in which .DELTA.p
needs to be experimentally determined, when there is an outward
fluid flow. The maximum opening force `F` acting on the valve by
suction on the spout is than determined as F=F.sub.1+F.sub.2 in
which F.sub.1=.pi./.sub.4*d.sup.2*(P3-P2), and
F.sub.2=.pi./.sub.4*(D.sup.2-d.sup.2)*.DELTA.p.
[0056] This force F shall be larger than the resilient closing
force of the valve-actuator element 153. Various provisions can be
made to increase or decrease the resilient valve closing force of
the valve-actuator element 153, e.g. by adding a circumferential
ridge (not shown) and/or by changing the rigidness of the valve
actuator element material and/or by adding additional closing means
such as a spring (not shown) etc. The channel effect between the
valve-actuator element 153 and the bottle closure element 154 may
be shaped in such away to maximize the pressure difference .DELTA.p
over the valve-actuator element, e.g. by providing a
circumferential ridge 171 on the closure element 154.
[0057] The actuator element can also be made in such away that the
valve 156 clicks away from the orifice opening 163 when the
pressure difference (P3-P2) over the valve 156 and actuator element
153 reaches a predetermined value and clicks back onto its seat 169
when the suction on the spout 151 is terminated.
[0058] All provisions of air inlet valves as described before are
also applicable to this fourth embodiment. For hygienic purposes
and other reasons, a dust cap 170 (not further described), can be
applied to close off the flow control element 150.
* * * * *