DISPENSING CLOSURE HAVING A FLOW CONDUIT WITH KEY-HOLE SHAPE

Abstract

A dispensing closure has a flow conduit that provides a sufficient flow restriction to prevent unwanted spurting of the product when the container is initially opened. The dispensing closure includes a closure body with an upper deck and a flow conduit extending through the upper deck. The flow conduit includes an entry orifice having an entrance axis and an exit orifice having an exit axis. The entrance axis is parallel to, but not co-linear with, the exit axis to provide a non-linear flow path from an interior of the closure to the exterior of the closure.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features which are characteristic of the dispensing closure are set forth in the appended claims. However, the dispensing closure, together with further embodiments and attendant advantages, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing Figures.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the dispensing closure constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of thereof as taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatical view thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, the dispensing closure 10 of the instant invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1-4. As will hereinafter be more fully described, the instant dispensing closure 10 includes a unique flow conduit arrangement, which includes an offset, obstructed, and non-linear flow path. The unique arrangement provides anti-spurting in upright containers as well as “suck-back” for cleaner product dispensing, i.e. “clean pour”.

Generally, the dispensing closure 10 comprises a closure body 20, a closure lid 130 and a living hinge structure 140 hingeably connecting the closure lid 130 to the closure body 20. The closure body 20 has an upper deck 30 and a skirt 40 depending from the upper deck 30 where the skirt 40 is configured and arranged to mount to a product container (not shown). Preferably, the product container is a conventional squeeze-type container. Preferably, the skirt 40 is internally threaded for threaded mounting on a product container (See FIG. 2). However, it is to be understood that other skirt mounting arrangements are also contemplated within the scope of the invention, and the invention should not be limited to the inwardly threaded skirt as the only means for mounting.

A flow conduit generally indicated at 50 extends through the upper deck 30 for the passage of a viscous product, such as mustard. The flow conduit 50 is generally defined by an interior wall 50C, an exterior wall 50F, and a bottom wall 50G (baffle). The flow conduit 50 includes an entrance orifice 50A (inside the container) having an entrance axis X and an exit orifice 50B (outside the container) having an exit axis Y. Generally, the entrance axis X is offset from the exit axis Y to provide a non-linear flow path (see arrows F) from the interior of the closure 10 to the exterior of the closure. More specifically, the flow conduit 50 is expanded to the side of the exit orifice 50B, and the entrance orifice 50A is located in the bottom wall 50G, but offset from the exit orifice 50B. The entrance axis X is thus parallel to but not co-linear with the exit axis Y. Referring briefly to FIG. 2, it is noted that the overall shape of the flow conduit 50 when viewed from the bottom is a key-hole shape.

The bottom wall 50G of the conduit thus prevents the direct flow of product (see arrows P—FIG. 1A) into the flow conduit along the exit axis Y and acts as a baffle to counter product head pressure created by either storing the product in an inverted condition, or head pressure created when an upright container is quickly inverted to dispense product. Flow of the product is shown by arrow F.

The baffling effect is also enhanced by the passage of the product from the container, through the small entrance orifice 50A and into the interior of the flow conduit 50. The velocity of the product will increase as it travels through the entrance orifice 50A. However, the velocity of the product then decreases as it travels into the larger interior volume of the flow conduit 50 before it leaves through the exit orifice 50B. Spurting thus occurs into the interior of the flow conduit 50 and not directly out of the exit orifice. Accordingly, when the container is inverted, and is rapidly shaken up and down by a user to dispense the product, the product first decelerates into the larger volume interior flow conduit 50, and does not spurt out the exit orifice 50B. When pressure is applied to the squeeze container, the product is then forced out of the exit orifice 50B.

It is to be noted that the dimensions of the flow conduit 50 are adjustable, depending upon the viscosity of the product stored within an interior of the dispensing closure 10. For example, if lower viscosity mustard is contained within the interior of the dispensing closure 10, it may be desirable for the flow conduit 50 to be smaller in size or dimension to achieve a lower flow rate. In the preferred embodiment as shown, the exit orifice 50B is circular, and is somewhat smaller than the entrance orifice 50A.

Based on the disclosure above, the present invention provides a one-piece dispensing closure. Also, the invention provides a one-piece dispensing closure having a “clean-pour” dispensing characteristic. Furthermore, the invention provide a one-piece dispensing closure having a sufficient flow restriction within the flow path to counter product head pressure created when an upright container is quickly inverted and/or shaken to dispense product.

It would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made to the illustrated embodiments without departing from the spirit of the embodiments. All such modifications and changes are intended to be covered by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A dispensing closure for a highly viscous food condiment comprising: a closure body;a closure lid; anda living hinge structure hingeably connecting said closure lid to said closure body,said closure body including an upper deck,a skirt depending from the upper deck, said skirt being configured and arranged to mount to a product container, anda flow conduit extending through said upper deck, said flow conduit including an entrance orifice having an entrance axis and an exit orifice having an exit axis,said entrance axis being stepped from said exit axis whereby said flow conduit provides a non-linear flow path from an interior of said closure to an exterior of said closure,said entrance axis being parallel to said exit axis,said entrance orifice being larger than said exit orifice.

2. The dispensing closure of claim 1 wherein said exit orifice is circular, and said entrance orifice is non-circular.

3. The dispensing closure of claim 1 wherein said flow conduit has a key-hole shaped cross-section.