DISPENSING CLOSURE WITH OBSTRUCTED, OFFSET, NON-LINEAR FLOW PROFILE

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 offset from 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 cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a dispensing closure constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 1A is a diagrammatical view thereof showing the flow path;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a dispensing closure constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a diagrammatical view thereof showing the flow path;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a dispensing closure constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a top view thereof;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view thereof as taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a bottom view thereof; and

FIG. 6A 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. 1-6. 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 both in upright and inverted containers as well as “suck-back” for cleaner product dispensing, i.e. “clean pour”.

Generally, each of the embodiments includes a closure body 20 having an upper deck 30, and a skirt 40 depends from the upper deck 30 where the skirt 40 is configured and arranged to mount to a product container (not shown), such as a conventional squeeze-type container or an inverted-type container. Preferably, the skirt 40 is internally threaded for threaded mounting on a product container. 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.

Referring briefly to FIGS. 3-6, this embodiment includes a closure lid 130 and a living hinge structure 140 connecting the closure lid 130 to the closure body 20. It is to be understood that any of the embodiments may optionally include a closure lid 130, and the lack of such a lid in any of the illustrated embodiments is not to be construed as a limitation. In fact, most of the commercial embodiments will likely include a lid structure. However, for purposes of describing the preferred flow conduits, it was not deemed necessary to show the lid 130 in each embodiment.

Referring back to FIGS. 1 and 1A, a flow conduit 50 extends through the upper deck 30 for the passage of a viscous product, such as a food condiment (i.e. ketchup or 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. In each of the embodiments, the entrance axis X is offset from the exit axis Y to provide a non-linear flow path (see arrows F2) from an interior 60 of the closure 10 to an exterior 100 of the closure 10.

In the first embodiment as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 1A, the entrance orifice 50A is located in the side-wall of the flow conduit 10, wherein the entrance axis X is perpendicular to the exit axis Y. 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 F2.

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 60 of the dispensing closure 10. For example, ketchup has a lower viscosity than mustard. If ketchup is contained within the interior 60 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 volume for the ketchup. It is also noted, that the invention is equally applicable to viscous products other than food condiments, such as shampoos, gels, etc.

Now referring to FIGS. 2 and 2A, a second embodiment of the dispensing closure illustrated and generally indicated at 10A. In this second embodiment, the flow conduit 50 is expanded to the side, and the entrance orifice 50A is located in a bottom wall 50G, but offset from the exit orifice 50B. The entrance axis X is parallel to but not co-linear with the exit axis Y. Again, the bottom wall 50G of the flow conduit prevents the direct flow of product (see arrows P—FIG. 2A) into the flow conduit 50 along the exit axis Y. Flow of the product is shown by arrow F2.

All of the operational descriptions provided herein above for the first embodiment of the dispensing closure 10 are applicable to the second embodiment of the dispensing closure 10A as well.

Now referring to FIGS. 3-6, a third embodiment of the dispensing closure is illustrated and generally indicated at 10B. As mentioned previously, the embodiment of the dispensing closure 10B has a closure lid 130 attached to the closure body 20 of the dispensing closure. A living hinge structure 140 is used to connect the closure lid 130 and the closure body 20 to control the movement of the closure lid 130.

The flow conduit 50 includes a suspended central disc 110, which forms a bottom wall of the conduit. The central disc 110 is suspended within the flow conduit 50 by four downwardly depending arms (120 A-D), each distal end of the depending arms (120A-D) being attached to the central disc 110 and each proximal end of the depending arms (120A-D) being attached to the interior wall 50C of the flow conduit 50.

In a preferred embodiment, the four depending arms (120A-D) are equally spaced around an outer edge of the central disc 110. Alternatively, more than four arms or less than four depending arms (120A-D) may be dispersed in a non-uniform manner along the outer edge of the central disc 110.

The third embodiment 10B is essentially a modification of the first “side-entry” embodiment 10, but with four entrance orifices 50A having entrance axes X that are perpendicular to the exit axis Y.

Based on the disclosure above, the embodiments provide a one-piece dispensing closure. Also, the embodiments provide a one-piece dispensing closure having a “clean-pour” dispensing characteristic. Furthermore, the embodiments provide a one-piece dispensing closure having a sufficient flow restriction within the flow path 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.

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 comprising: 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 entry orifice having an entrance axis and an exit orifice having an exit axis, said entrance axis being offset from said exit axis to provide a non-linear flow path from an interior of said closure to an exterior of said closure.

2. The dispensing closure of claim 1 wherein said entrance axis is parallel to said exit axis.

3. The dispensing closure of claim 1 wherein said entrance axis is perpendicular to said exit axis.

4. The dispensing closure of claim 1 wherein said entrance orifice is larger than the exit orifice.

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

6. A dispensing closure comprising: a closure body;a closure lid; anda living hinge structure hingeably connecting said closure lid to sad 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 offset from said exit axis to provide a non-linear flow path from an interior of said closure to an exterior of said closure.

7. The dispensing closure of claim 6 wherein said entrance axis is parallel to said exit axis.

8. The dispensing closure of claim 6 wherein said entrance axis is perpendicular to said exit axis.

9. The dispensing closure of claim 6 wherein said entrance orifice is larger than the exit orifice.

10. The dispensing closure of claim 6 wherein the exit orifice is circular and the entrance orifice is non-circular.