The instant invention relates to closures for spray bottles, and more particularly to vented closure assemblies having a vent that opens to facilitate spraying.
An exemplary embodiment describes a vented closure assembly for a container of a spray system where the closure assembly includes a closure and a separate dispensing fitment which are threaded to create a rotatable linear translation of the fitment.
The closure includes a closure body, a closure cap, and a living hinge connecting the closure cap to the closure body. During shipment, sale and storage the dispensing fitment is removed and the closure cap closed to fully seal the closure and container. In use, the operator opens the cap and assembles the dispensing fitment with the closure.
The closure body has an upper deck, a tubular hub extending downwardly from the upper deck, an annular outwardly threaded fitment neck extending upwardly from the upper deck and surrounding the hub, an annular recessed fitment seat surrounding the fitment neck, and a skirt extending downwardly from the closure deck for engagement with the container. The hub has a bottom wall and an entrance orifice within the bottom wall. The hub further includes a sleeve wall extending downwardly from the bottom wall for receiving therein a sprayer dispensing tube which extends from the bottom of the hub downwardly to the bottom of the container. In accordance with the invention, the recessed fitment seat has a vent hole radially spaced from the hub.
The dispensing fitment includes a fitment body, an arbor extending downwardly from the fitment body, an annular inwardly threaded sealing wall extending downwardly from the fitment body, a dispensing neck extending upwardly from the fitment body, and a flow conduit extending longitudinally through the arbor, the fitment body and the dispensing neck.
To assemble the components, the inwardly threaded sealing wall is threadably received with the outwardly threaded fitment neck of the closure while the arbor of the fitment is slidably and rotatably received in interfitting mated engagement within the hub. The dispensing fitment is thereafter rotatably and linearly movable relative to the closure body between a lower closed position in which a lower peripheral edge of the fitment sealing wall is in engagement with the recessed fitment seat to block the vent hole, and an upper open position in which the lower peripheral edge of the fitment sealing wall is spaced upwardly from the vent hole allowing air to pass through the vent hole.
The dispensing fitment preferably includes a radially extending actuator arm which is selectively manipulated by the user to rotate the fitment between the open and closed positions.
In order to facilitate proper rotational positioning of the fitment, the dispensing fitment includes a locating tab which engages with circumferentially spaced locating stops on the upper deck corresponding to the open and closed positions. In the preferred embodiment, the locating tab is formed on the bottom of the actuator arm.
A second exemplary embodiment includes a closure and a dispensing fitment which is rotatable (but not threaded).
The closure includes a closure body, a closure cap, and a living hinge connecting the closure cap to the closure body. During shipment, sale and storage the dispensing fitment is removed and the closure cap closed to fully seal the closure and container. In use, the operator opens the cap and assembles the dispensing fitment with the closure.
The closure body has an upper deck, a tubular hub extending downwardly from the upper deck, a recessed fitment seat surrounding the hub, and an outer skirt extending downwardly from the closure deck for engagement with the container. The hub has a bottom wall and an entrance orifice within the bottom wall. The hub further includes a sleeve wall extending downwardly from the bottom wall for receiving therein a sprayer dispensing tube which extends from the bottom of the hub downwardly to the bottom of the container. In accordance with the invention, the recessed seat has a vent hole radially spaced from the hub.
The dispensing fitment includes a fitment body, an arbor extending downwardly from the fitment body, a cantilevered arm extending radially outwardly from the arbor, a vent plug extending downwardly from a distal end of the cantilevered arm, a dispensing neck extending upwardly from the fitment body, and a flow conduit extending longitudinally through the arbor, the fitment body and the dispensing neck.
To assemble the components, the arbor of the fitment is slidably received in interfitting mated engagement within the hub such that cantilever arm rests on the upper surface of the recessed fitment seat. The dispensing fitment is thereafter rotatably movable relative to the closure body between an open venting position where the vent plug on the end of the cantilever arm is circumferentially displaced from, and not engaged with, the vent hole, and a closed position where the vent plug is circumferentially aligned with, and engaged with the vent hole. The cantilever arm is flexible to provide a spring bias for firm engagement of the vent plug with the vent hole. To maintain the dispensing fitment in assembled relation with the closure body, the arbor includes an annular locking ledge on an outside surface thereof which engages with a complementary annular groove formed on an inner surface of the hub. When assembled the annular ledge is snap received within the groove to prevent relative linear movement of the parts, but still allows for rotation of the arbor relative to the inner wall of the hub.
The dispensing fitment preferably includes a radially extending actuator arm which is selectively manipulated by the user to rotate the fitment between the open and closed positions.
In order to facilitate proper rotational positioning of the fitment, the dispensing fitment includes a locating tab which engages with circumferentially spaced locating stops on the upper deck corresponding to the open and closed positions. In the preferred embodiment, the locating tab is formed on the bottom of the actuator arm.
A third exemplary embodiment includes a closure and a dispensing fitment which is linearly movable (push-pull) (but not threaded).
The closure includes a closure body, a closure cap, and a living hinge connecting the closure cap to the closure body. During shipment, sale and storage the dispensing fitment is removed and the closure cap closed to fully seal the closure and container. In use, the operator opens the cap and assembles the dispensing fitment with the closure.
The closure body has an upper deck, a tubular hub extending downwardly from the upper deck, a recessed fitment seat surrounding the hub, and an outer skirt extending downwardly from the closure deck for engagement with the container. The hub has a bottom wall and an entrance orifice within the bottom wall. The hub further includes a sleeve wall extending downwardly from the bottom wall for receiving therein a sprayer dispensing tube which extends from the bottom of the hub downwardly to the bottom of the container. In accordance with the invention, the recessed seat has a vent hole radially spaced from the hub.
The dispensing fitment includes a fitment body having an annular sealing platform extending radially outwardly from the fitment body, a lower sealing surface formed on the sealing platform, an arbor extending downwardly from the fitment body, a dispensing neck extending upwardly from the fitment body, and a flow conduit extending longitudinally through the arbor, the fitment body and the dispensing neck.
To assemble the components, the arbor of the fitment is slidably received in interfitting mated engagement within the hub such that the lower surface of the annular sealing platform is positioned in facing engagement with the recessed seat. The dispensing fitment is linearly movable relative to the closure between a lower closed position in which the lower surface of the annular sealing platform engages the recessed fitment seat and blocks the vent hole, and an open venting position in which the lower surface of the annular sealing platform is spaced upwardly from the recessed fitment seat and allows air to pass through the vent hole.
To maintain the dispensing fitment in assembled relation with the closure body, the arbor includes an annular locking ledge on an outside surface thereof which engages with a complementary annular groove formed on an inner surface of the hub.
When assembled the annular locking ledge is snap received within the groove to limit relative linear movement of the parts, but still allows for linear displacement of the arbor relative to the inner wall of the hub between the open venting position and the lower closed position. In order to facilitate proper linear positioning of the fitment, the annular locking ledge is linearly displaceable within the annular groove formed on an inner surface of the hub. The annular groove has a lower edge wall corresponding to the lower closed position and an upper edge wall corresponding to the open venting position. The locking ledge and the groove cooperate to maintain the dispensing fitment in assembled relation with the closure body and provide positive locating positions of the dispensing fitment relative to the closure.
While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming particular embodiments of the instant invention, various embodiments of the invention can be more readily understood and appreciated from the following descriptions of various embodiments of the invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
Referring now to the drawings, an exemplary embodiment of the closure assembly is illustrated and generally indicated at 10 in
The closure assembly 10 of the present invention includes a closure 12 and a dispensing fitment 14 that cooperate to provide a rotatable venting arrangement, which is particularly useful for spray bottles for home and garden products. The closure 12 and dispensing fitment 14 are provided separately to the consumer, with the closure 12 removably secured to a spray bottle or other container. When ready to use the product, the consumer may assemble the dispensing fitment 14 with the closure, as described below, and then connect the hose portion of a spray handle (not shown) to the dispensing fitment 14 in order to dispense a product from the container.
The closure body also has an upper deck 26, and a tubular hub 28 that extends downwardly from the upper deck 26 for receiving the dispensing fitment 14 when the closure cap 18 is in an open position, as shown in
Extending downwardly from the bottom wall 30 is a sleeve wall 34 for receiving a dispensing tube (not shown), which runs to the bottom of the container. The dispensing tube provides a path through which liquid may be drawn from the bottom of the container to the tubular hub 28 so that it may be dispensed through the fitment body 36 and then through the trigger sprayer.
The dispensing fitment 14 has a fitment body 36 that can be assembled with the closure body 16 to form the closure assembly 10 shown in
To allow the product to be dispensed from the container, a dispensing neck 48 extends upwardly from the fitment body 36, and a flow conduit 50 extends longitudinally through the arbor 38, the fitment body 36 and the dispensing neck 48, as shown in the cross sectional view of
When a liquid volume is dispensed from a container using a trigger sprayer and air is not allowed to enter the container, the container walls begin to collapse inwards. This decreases the ability of the trigger sprayer to dispense liquid from the container, and it may cease the operation of the trigger sprayer entirely. The instant invention addresses this problem by including a sealable vent hole 52 defined on a recessed fitment seat 54 surrounding the hub 28, and radially spaced from the hub 28.
However, when using a container in a trigger spray system, it is also desirable for the user to be able to prevent bottle leakage when the liquid container is not in use. The instant invention allows the user to seal the vent hole 52 as needed to prevent inadvertent bottle leakage. As described below, the dispensing fitment 14 enables the consumer to selectively plug and open the vent hole 52 by rotating the fitment body 36 relative to the hub 28 of the closure body 16 to cause the fitment body 36 to move linearly within the hub 28.
An annular outwardly threaded fitment neck 80 extends upwardly from the upper deck 26 of the closure body 16 and surrounds the hub 28. An annular fitment seat 54 surrounds the threaded fitment neck 80. On the fitment body 36, an annular inwardly threaded sealing wall 82 extends downwardly from the fitment body. This inwardly threaded sealing wall 82 is threadably received with the outwardly threaded fitment neck 80 of the closure, and the arbor 38 is slidably and rotatably received in interfitting mating relation within the hub 28 of the closure body 16 so that the sealing wall 82 can be positioned in facing engagement with the recessed seat 54. Thus, the consumer may rotate the dispensing fitment 14 between an open venting position in which the sealing wall 82 is linearly displaced upwardly and not engaged with the recessed seat 54 and a closed position in which the sealing wall 80 engages the recessed seat 54 and blocks air flow through the vent hole 52.
In order to facilitate rotation of the dispensing fitment 14 within the hub 28 of the closure body 16, the dispensing fitment may include a radially extending actuator arm 60. To further facilitate rotation of the dispensing fitment 14 between the closed position and the open position, the lower surface 62 of the actuator arm 60 may include a locating tab 64 that extends downwardly from the actuator arm 60 and is capable of engaging a stop 66A corresponding to an open position and a stop 66B corresponding to the closed position. These stops 66A, 66B are circumferentially spaced on the closure deck 24 such that when a user rotates the actuator arm 60 until the locating tab 64 contacts the stop 66B corresponding the closed position, the lower peripheral edge 84 of the fitment sealing wall 82 is in engagement with the recessed fitment seat 54 to block the vent hole 52.
The closure assembly 10 may further include a sealing boss 35 within the flow conduit. The sealing boss 35 is connected to the hub 28 by a plurality of connecting ribs 76. The sealing boss 35 engages a lower end 78 of the arbor 28 when the dispensing fitment 14 is in the closed position, to prevent fluid from passing through the flow conduit 50. As the fitment 14 is rotated the bottom end of the arbor 38 is lifted out of engagement with the boss 35 to open the flow conduit.
Another exemplary embodiment of the closure assembly of the instant invention is illustrated and generally indicated at 110 in
The closure assembly 110 of the present invention includes a closure 112 and a dispensing fitment 114 that cooperate to provide a rotatable vented plug, which is particularly useful for spray bottles for home and garden products. The closure 112 and dispensing fitment 114 are provided separately to the consumer, with the closure removably secured to a spray bottle or other container. When ready to use the product, the consumer may insert the dispensing fitment 114 into the closure 112, as described below, and then connect the hose portion of a spray handle to the dispensing fitment in order to dispense a product from the container.
The closure body 116 also has an upper deck 126, and a tubular hub 128 that extends downwardly from the upper deck 126 for receiving the dispensing fitment when the closure cap 118 is in an open position, as shown in
Extending downwardly from the bottom wall 130 is a sleeve wall 134 for receiving a dispensing tube (not shown), which runs to the bottom of the container. The dispensing tube provides a path through which liquid may be drawn from the bottom of the container to the tubular hub 128 so that it may be dispensed through the dispensing fitment 114 and then through the trigger sprayer.
The dispensing fitment 114 has a fitment body 136 that can be inserted into the closure body 116 to form the closure assembly 110 shown in
To allow the product to be dispensed from the container, a dispensing neck 148 extends upwardly from the fitment body 136, and a flow conduit 150 extends longitudinally through the arbor 138, the fitment body 136 and the dispensing neck 148, as shown in the cross sectional views of
When a liquid volume is dispensed from a container using a trigger sprayer and air is not allowed to enter the container, the container walls begin to collapse inwards. This decreases the ability of the trigger sprayer to dispense liquid from the container, and it may cease the operation of the trigger sprayer entirely. The instant invention addresses this problem by including a sealable vent hole 152 defined on a recessed fitment seat 154 surrounding the hub 128, and radially spaced from the hub 128.
However, when using a container in a trigger spray system, it is also desirable for the user to be able to prevent bottle leakage when the liquid container is not in use. The instant invention allows the user to seal the vent hole 152 as needed to prevent inadvertent bottle leakage. As described below, the dispensing fitment 114 enables the consumer to selectively plug and open the vent hole 152 by rotating the fitment body 136 within the hub 128 of the closure body.
A cantilevered arm 156 extends radially outwardly from the arbor 138 of the fitment body 136, and a vent plug 158 extends downwardly from the cantilevered arm 156 so that the vent plug can be radially aligned with the vent hole. The arbor 138 is slidably and rotatably received in interfitting mating relation within the hub 128 of the closure body 116 so that the cantilevered arm is positioned in facing engagement with the recessed seat. Thus, the consumer may rotate the dispensing fitment 114 between an open venting position in which the vent plug 158 is circumferentially displaced and not engaged with the vent hole 152 and a closed position in which the vent plug 158 is circumferentially aligned and engaged with the vent hole 152. The cantilever arm 156 is flexible to provide a spring bias for firm engagement of the vent plug 158 with the vent hole 152.
In order to facilitate rotation of the dispensing fitment 114 within the hub 128 of the closure body 116, the dispensing fitment 114 may include a radially extending actuator arm 160. To further facilitate rotation of the dispensing fitment 114 between the closed position and the open position, the lower surface 162 of the actuator arm may include a locating tab 164 that extends downwardly from the actuator arm 160 and engages a stop 166A corresponding to an open position and a stop 166B corresponding to the closed position. These stops 166A, 166B are positioned such that when a user rotates the actuator arm 160 until the locating tab 164 contacts the stop 166B corresponding the closed position, the vent plug 158 engages and seals the vent hole 152.
Another exemplary embodiment of the closure assembly of the instant invention is illustrated and generally shown at 210 in
The closure assembly 210 of the present invention includes a closure 212 and a dispensing fitment 214 with a linearly displaceable vent sealing platform 215, which is particularly useful for spray bottles for home and garden products. The closure 212 and dispensing fitment 214 are provided separately to the consumer, with the closure 212 removably secured to a spray bottle or other container. When ready to use the product, the consumer may insert the dispensing fitment 214 into the closure 212, as described below, and then connect the hose portion of a spray handle (not shown) to the dispensing fitment 214 in order to dispense a product from the container.
The closure body 216 also has an upper deck 226, and a tubular hub 228 that extends downwardly from the upper deck for receiving the dispensing fitment 214 when the closure cap is in an open position, as shown in
Extending downwardly from the bottom wall is a sleeve wall 234 for receiving a dispensing tube (not shown), which runs to the bottom of the container. The dispensing tube provides a path through which liquid may be drawn from the bottom of the container to the tubular hub 228 so that it may be dispensed through the fitment 214 and then through the trigger sprayer.
The dispensing fitment 214 has a fitment body 236 that can be inserted into the closure body 216 to form the closure assembly 210 shown in
To allow the product to be dispensed from the container, a dispensing neck 248 extends upwardly from the fitment body 236, and a flow conduit 250 extends longitudinally through the arbor 238, the fitment body 236 and the dispensing neck 248, as shown in the cross sectional view of
When a liquid volume is dispensed from a container using a trigger sprayer and air is not allowed to enter the container, the container walls begin to collapse inwards. This decreases the ability of the trigger sprayer to dispense liquid from the container, and it may cease the operation of the trigger sprayer entirely. The instant invention addresses this problem by including a sealable vent hole 252 defined on a recessed fitment seat 254 surrounding the hub 228, and radially spaced from the hub 228.
However, when using a container in a trigger spray system, it is also desirable for the user to be able to prevent bottle leakage when the liquid container is not in use. The instant invention allows the user to seal the vent hole 252 as needed to prevent inadvertent bottle leakage. As described below, the dispensing fitment 214 enables the consumer to selectively plug and open the vent hole 252 by linearly moving the fitment body 236 within the hub 228 of the closure body 216.
An annular sealing platform 270 extends radially outwardly from the fitment body and the annular sealing platform 270 has a lower sealing surface 272 for engaging and sealing the vent hole 252. The arbor 238 is slidably received in interfitting mating relation within the hub 228 of the closure body 216 so that the lower sealing surface 272 of the sealing platform 270 is positioned in facing engagement with the recessed seat 254. Thus, the consumer may move the dispensing fitment 214 between an open venting position in which the lower sealing surface 272 is linearly displaced upwardly and not engaged with the vent hole 252 and a closed position in which the lower sealing surface 272 engages the fitment seat 254 and blocks the vent hole 252 so that fluid may not pass through the vent hole.
In order to enable a user to more easily move the fitment body between the open position and closed position, the annular locking ledge 240 on the outside of the arbor 238 engages an annular groove 244 on the inner surface of the hub. The annular groove 244 has a lower edge wall 245A corresponding to the lower closed position, and an upper edge wall 245B corresponding to an open venting position. The locking ledge 240 and the groove 244 cooperate to maintain the dispensing fitment 214 in assembled relation with the closure body 216 and provide positive locating positions of the dispensing fitment 214 relative to the closure 212.
The recessed fitment seat 254 may include an upstanding annular sealing wall 273 to secure the annular sealing platform in the closed position. The upstanding annular sealing wall 273 matingly engages with a peripheral edge 274 of the annular sealing platform 270 when the sealing platform 270 is in the closed position to create a better seal of the vent hole 252. The outer diameter of the peripheral edge 274 can be designed to be greater than the inner diameter of the upstanding annular sealing wall 273, forming a more secure press fit between peripheral edge 274 of the sealing platform 270 and sealing wall 273.
The hub 228 may further include a sealing boss 235 within the flow conduit 250, as shown in
For these reasons outlined herein, the instant invention is believed to represent a significant advancement in the art which has substantial commercial merit.
While there is shown and described herein certain specific structure embodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms herein shown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.
This application is a division of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/774,454, filed Sep. 10, 2015, which is a non-provisional filing of, and claims the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/788,089, filed Mar. 15, 2013, U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/788,362, filed Mar. 15, 2013, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/789,197, filed Mar. 15, 2013, the entire contents of which are all incorporated herein by reference.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 14774454 | US | |
Child | 16214250 | US |