U.S. patent application number 14/496735 was filed with the patent office on 2015-01-15 for dispensing closure and spout.
The applicant listed for this patent is Obrist Closures Switzerland GmbH. Invention is credited to Mark D. Kiel, Thomas O'Connor, Richard J. Page.
Application Number | 20150014370 14/496735 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46159984 |
Filed Date | 2015-01-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150014370 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kiel; Mark D. ; et
al. |
January 15, 2015 |
DISPENSING CLOSURE AND SPOUT
Abstract
A dispensing closure for a flowable product, the closure
comprising means for causing a varying product discharge
direction.
Inventors: |
Kiel; Mark D.; (Bensenville,
IL) ; Page; Richard J.; (Lake Villa, IL) ;
O'Connor; Thomas; (Chicago, IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Obrist Closures Switzerland GmbH |
Reinach |
|
CH |
|
|
Family ID: |
46159984 |
Appl. No.: |
14/496735 |
Filed: |
September 25, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
PCT/EP2013/056633 |
Mar 27, 2013 |
|
|
|
14496735 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
222/564 ;
222/566 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 47/147 20130101;
B65D 47/06 20130101; B65D 47/0833 20130101; B65D 47/127 20130101;
B05B 1/3405 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/564 ;
222/566 |
International
Class: |
B67D 3/00 20060101
B67D003/00; B65D 35/38 20060101 B65D035/38 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 29, 2012 |
GB |
1205637.0 |
Claims
1. A dispensing closure for a flowable product, the closure
comprising means for causing a varying product discharge
direction.
2. The closure as claimed in claim 1, in which, in use, the
discharge direction is caused to be at least partly sinuous.
3. The closure as claimed in claim 1, in which the closure
comprises a spout.
4. The closure as claimed in claim 3, in which the spout includes
one or more interior flow-directing surfaces.
5. The closure as claimed in claim 4, in which the surfaces
comprise one or more ramps.
6. The closure as claimed in claim 4, in which the surfaces are
arranged in a spiral pattern.
7. The closure as claimed in claim 3, in which the spout comprises
one or more flow-directing slots.
8. The closure as claimed in claim 3, in which the spout is
movable.
9. The closure as claimed in claim 3, in which the spout is a
movable in response to product flow therethrough.
10. The closure as claimed in claim 1, in which the closure is
movable between an open position and a closed position.
11. The closure as claimed in claim 1, in combination with a
container.
12. The closure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flowable product
is a condiment.
13. A spout with one or more integral flow-directing means to cause
a varying, non-linear product discharge direction for a flowable
product passing through the spout.
14. The spout as claimed in claim 13, in which, in use, the
discharge direction is caused to be at least partly sinuous.
15. The spout as claimed in claim 13, further including one or more
interior flow-directing surfaces.
16. The spout as claimed in claim 15, in which the surfaces
comprise one or more ramps.
17. The spout as claimed in claim 15, in which the surfaces are
arranged in a spiral pattern.
18. The spout as claimed in claim 13, further comprising one or
more flow-directing slots.
19. The spout as claimed in claim 13, wherein the spout is
flexible.
20. The spout as claimed in claim 19, wherein the spout is operable
to oscillate in response to the passage of product passing
therethrough.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of PCT
International Application PCT/EP2013/056633, which was filed Mar.
27, 2013, and which claims priority to Great Britain Patent
Application No. 1205637.0, filed Mar. 29, 2012, the entire contents
of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their
entirety for all purposes.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] Aspects relates generally to a dispensing closure and
particularly, although not exclusively, to a dispensing closure for
a flowable product.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY
[0003] There are a huge variety of dispensing closures for
dispensing products such as liquids, gels, pastes, semi-solid
products and the like. In known dispensing closures the direction
in which the product is discharged is constant and linear. This
means that if it is required to produce a pattern using the product
then the entire pack must be moved to cause a variation in
discharge direction.
[0004] According to an example, there is provided a dispensing
closure for a flowable product, the closure comprising means for
causing a varying product discharge direction.
[0005] The closure can comprise means for causing a varying,
non-linear product discharge direction.
[0006] Dispensing closures formed according to an example can
therefore be configured to introduce deliberate variation in the
discharge direction. This allows, for example, non-linear discharge
without the need to have off-linear movement of the closure.
[0007] In use, the discharge direction may be caused to be partly
sinuous. For example a "squiggle" pattern may be established by a
closure which forces a change in direction of the product as it is
discharged.
[0008] The closure may comprise a spout. Spouts forming an integral
part of a closure are envisaged, as are separate spouts which are
attached or attachable to a closure body. The spout may be formed
from the same or a different material as the rest of a closure. For
example, in some embodiments spouts may be formed from `soft`
material. Elastomeric materials such as thermoplastic elastomers or
silicone may be used.
[0009] The spout may include one or more interior flow-directing
surfaces, for example one or more ramps arranged in a spiral
pattern. Where a plurality of ramps are provided they may be
discrete. Additionally or alternatively the spout may comprise one
or more flow-directing slots.
[0010] In some embodiments the spout itself is fixed so that
flow-directing surfaces are used to introduce variation in the
discharge direction. Alternatively or additionally the spout may be
movable, for example in response to product flow therethrough. In
an example, the spout can be flexible. The spout can oscillate or
otherwise move in response to the passage of a product through the
spout.
[0011] The closure may be movable between an open and a closed
position. The closure may therefore include a dispensing passage
which can be blocked or unblocked depending on the configuration of
the closure. In some embodiments, for example, part of the closure
can be rotated to move the closure between the open and closed
positions.
[0012] In an example, a condiment dispensing closure comprising a
closure as described herein is provided. Particular utility is
found with condiments such as mustards, ketchups and the like. Such
products have a relatively higher viscosity at a given temperature,
such as typical room temperature for example, which can contribute
to a varying discharge direction of the product since flow rate is
inversely proportional to viscosity. Thus, the relatively more
viscous products can flow at a reduced rate through the spout,
whereby to enable a synergistic interaction with the spout and the
flow directing means whereby to cause a varying discharge
direction, which varying direction is typically maintained as the
product settles, again, due to the relatively viscous nature of the
product.
[0013] According to an example, there is provided a closure as
described herein in combination with a container. A dispensing pack
comprising a dispensing closure and a suitable container is
therefore envisaged.
[0014] According to an example, there is provided a discharge spout
for a dispensing closure, the spout comprising means for causing a
varying product discharge direction therefrom.
[0015] The spout described herein may therefore be used as part of
the dispensing closure described herein.
[0016] According to an example, there is provided a spout with one
or more integral flow-directing means to cause a varying,
non-linear product discharge direction for a flowable product
passing through the spout.
[0017] Further particular and preferred aspects are set out in the
accompanying independent and dependent claims. Features of the
dependent claims may be combined with the features of the
independent claims as appropriate, and in combination other than
those explicitly set out in the claims.
[0018] The present invention will now be more particularly
described, by way of example only, with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0019] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a dispensing closure formed
according to example in use.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a dispensing closure formed
according to an example.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an alternative example.
[0022] FIG. 4 is a perspective magnified view of a spout region of
a closure of the type shown in FIG. 2.
[0023] FIG. 5 is a magnified view of the spout region of a closure
of the type shown in FIG. 3.
[0024] FIG. 6 is a side view of a closure formed according to an
alternative example.
[0025] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the closure FIG. 6.
[0026] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the closure of FIGS. 6 and 7
shown with a dust cap removed.
[0027] FIG. 9 is a side view of the closure of FIGS. 6 to 8 shown
attached to a container.
[0028] FIG. 10 is an illustration of a closure formed according to
an alternative example, shown in use.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] Example embodiments are described below in sufficient detail
to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to embody and
implement the systems and processes herein described. It is
important to understand that embodiments can be provided in many
alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to the
examples set forth herein.
[0030] Accordingly, while embodiments can be modified in various
ways and take on various alternative forms, specific embodiments
thereof are shown in the drawings and described in detail below as
examples. There is no intent to limit to the particular forms
disclosed. On the contrary, all modifications, equivalents, and
alternatives falling within the scope of the appended claims should
be included. Elements of the example embodiments are consistently
denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings and
detailed description where appropriate.
[0031] The terminology used herein to describe embodiments is not
intended to limit the scope. The articles "a," "an," and "the" are
singular in that they have a single referent, however the use of
the singular form in the present document should not preclude the
presence of more than one referent. In other words, elements
referred to in the singular can number one or more, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood
that the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," and/or
"including," when used herein, specify the presence of stated
features, items, steps, operations, elements, and/or components,
but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other
features, items, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or
groups thereof.
[0032] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and
scientific terms) used herein are to be interpreted as is customary
in the art. It will be further understood that terms in common
usage should also be interpreted as is customary in the relevant
art and not in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly
so defined herein.
[0033] Referring first to FIG. 1 there is shown a dispensing
closure generally indicated 10 and connected to a container 15. The
closure 10 is, in this embodiment, a flip top closure including a
base 20 and a lid 25 connected together by a hinge 30. The base 20
includes a spout or nozzle 35 through which product (in this
embodiment mustard) 40 is discharged. As described in more detail
below, when the closure 10 is used to discharge product it can be
moved in a generally linear direction A whilst producing a
generally sinuous or "squiggle" pattern 45.
[0034] FIG. 2 shows a closure 110 of the same general type as the
closure 10 shown in FIG. 1. The closure 110 includes a discharge
spout 135 for causing the varying product discharge direction.
Similarly, FIG. 3 shows a closure 210 with a discharge spout
235.
[0035] The closure 110 of FIG. 2 operates using the principles
described in relation to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 shows a closure base 320
including a dispensing orifice 350 which terminates with a
dispensing spout 335.
[0036] The spout 335 is generally cylindrical and in this
embodiment is formed from a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). The
interior surface 336 of the spout 335 is provided with four
circumferentially spaced spiral ramps 337 which project radially
inwardly.
[0037] In use, product is forced through the orifice 350 and into
the interior of the spout 335 whereupon it passes over the ramps
337. This prevents the product from following a simple linear flow
path and instead introduces a vortex-like effect causing the fluid
to spiral as it exits the spout to cause a varying product
discharge direction.
[0038] The closure 210 of FIG. 3 operates using the principles
described in relation to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative
embodiment in which a base 420 is again provided with a spout 435.
In this embodiment the spout 435 is again generally cylindrical and
in this case is provided with four mutually spaced, separate spiral
slots 438 extending from its free end. The slots are generally
longitudinal i.e. they run along the length of the spout in the
general direction of product flow. There is only one discrete ramp
on the interior of each part of the nozzle i.e. the ramps do no
contact each other or extend from each other and each forms less
than a complete turn. The slots 438 function in a similar way to
the ramps 337 of the closure nozzle 335 in as much as they force a
non-linear flow path into discharging product.
[0039] FIGS. 6 to 8 show a closure 510 formed according to an
alternative embodiment. The closure base 520 is provided with a
central nozzle 522 which defines a dispensing passageway that
terminates with a discharge spout 535. The spout 535 is provided
with flow direction control means (not shown).
[0040] The nozzle 522 is rotatable with respect to the base 520 as
illustrated by arrow B in FIG. 7 to cause an internal dispensing
passage to be opened and closed by rotation in the clockwise and
anti-clockwise directions.
[0041] The closure 510 is further provided with a removable cap
555.
[0042] Referring now to FIG. 10 there is shown a closure 610 formed
according to an alternative embodiment. The closure 610 comprises a
base 620 with a turret-like upstand 624 from which extends a
generally tubular discharge spout 635. The spout 635 is formed from
a TPE material and is thus flexible and resilient. Due to the
length of the spout 635 and the thickness of the material from
which it is formed it is not entirely self-supporting; in other
words it has a tendency to move. When product is forced through the
spout 635 it is caused to oscillate in direction C so product is
dispensed in a sinuous pattern 645.
[0043] Although illustrative embodiments have been disclosed in
detail herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is
to be understood that these are not limited to the precise examples
shown and that various changes and modifications can be effected
therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope
and spirit as defined by the appended claims and their
equivalents.
* * * * *