CA2267016A1

CA2267016A1 - Flexible vented self-sealing dispensing valve

Info

Publication number: CA2267016A1
Application number: CA 2267016
Authority: CA
Inventors: Timothy J. Fuchs
Original assignee: Owens Illinois Closure Inc
Current assignee: BPrex Healthcare Brookville Inc
Priority date: 1998-04-02
Filing date: 1999-03-26
Publication date: 1999-10-02
Also published as: EP0947440A1; US6062436A; US6298554B1

Abstract

A squeeze-type container package that comprises a flexible resilient container body and a self-sealing closure assembly mounted to the mouth of the container body. The self-sealing closure assembly includes a dispensing valve of one-piece integrally molded elastic construction having an annular base, an internal wall portion that extends radially inwardly and axially from the base, and a mouth portion that includes a slit opening oriented diametrically of the annular base. Internal stresses within the wall portion bias the slit to the closed position.
An annular lip that extends radially outwardly from the valve cooperates with an annular internal rib on the closure for venting the interior of the container body to atmosphere when the container body is released following dispensing of product.

Description

_. . _ _ _ ' . . - _-..._ _...-.~-CA 02267016 1999-03-26 i~~, r'.~r_ R~C:/jg 1793 FLEXIBLE V&,VTED SELF-SF,,~g,Ir;~G Dl'SPENS1NG VALVE
The preseztt invent; on is directed to a self-seal ing clasuz~e assembly for a resilient squeeze-type container package. and more particularly to self sealing valve and method of construction for such an assexnbly_ >~gr un tn~ummar;v of the Invention It has heretofore been proposed tcy provide a squeeze-type container package for dispensing viscous products, such as toothpaste, that includes a resilient self closing valve mounted on a closture assembly at the container mouth. The valve is of resilient elastorneric composition and includes a dispensing; opening that is normally closed by internal resiliency of the valve maieri:xl. When the flexible container is ~ to sq ueezed to dispense product, internal pressure forces the product thxough the valve opening. 'V4'hen the container is released, negative pressure within the container retracts the product at the container opening, so that the valve opening is closed both by the tvegative pressure of retracting product and internal resiliency of the valve material. In valves of this type of conventional desigym, it is typically necessary to cut the dispensing 1 ~ openang in the valve in a secondary operation after moldiz3b of the valve body.
It is a general object of the present invention to provide a self closing valve o~ the described ehaxaeter. and a ttmthod of fabrication. in which the dispensing opening is fabricated in the valve durxn~ molding; of the ~~alve body in a uztitary integp"ally zttolded construction, and thus does not require a secondary operation to form the dispensing ~ L!,r - _ . , _ ._._ :-~.:. __. ._ _,. __' ca o226~oi6 1999-os-26 1~J0, 016 f. r opcnyng. Another ot~ject of the present in~~ention is to provide a valve and method of construction of the described character in which the valve cooperates with the closure when assembled to a squeeze-ty-l.~-~ dispensi.:g package automatically to vent air into th~a package when the container bog y is released following a dispensing operation.
'Yet ;mother of the present Invention is to provide a self closing valve, a method of fabrication, a valve and closure assembly, azoi a squeeze-type container package that achieve one or more of the foregoing; oUjecti.ves, and may be readily and inexpensively fabricated employing otherw-ise conventional teehnolo~,ry.
A valve for a self sealing dispensing closure in accordance with one aspect of the present invention takes the form of a one-piece construction of integrally rrrolded elastic cumpositio~n that has an anr!ular base, an internal wall portion that extends radiallv and axially from the armular base, and a mouth portion that includes a slit oriented diametrically of the annular base. The wall portion of the valve is internally stressed for resiliently biasing the slit closed. A pair of lugs ane provided on the wall portion of the valve diametrically opposed to each other and orthogonal to the slit opening vn a side of the wall portion remote fiom the annular base, with the lugs being internally stressed for assisting the wall portion in resiliently biasin,; the slit openinf; to a closed position. Ribs on the mouth portion of the val~~e extend along each side of the slit opening, and are internally stressed for tt'raintaining diametric orientation of the slit opening.
The valve is mounted in accordance with another aspect of the invention in a self sealuig closure assembly that includes a plastic closurE shell having a central opening at which the slit opening; of the valve is disposed. In accordance with a third aspect of the invention, the closure assembly is mounted on a resilient container body.

-_= .... ' .~L':- ~_. ._ ...~=-.CA 02267016 1999-03-26 ~I'~!. f.il'F~
The valve has a pet~ipheral rib that extends radially outwardly from the annular base.
which is captured by a basket within the closure tyainst the base wall of the closuxe. A
penpheral lip extends radially outwardly from the' rib, and normally engages an annular internal rib on the base ~~~all of the closure. When the resilient container is released follo.vng dispensing of product, i ~egati~~e pressure within the container pulls the lip from the annular nb on tile closure. tnd tl:e internalwolurrte of the container is vented to atmosphere around the lip through a series of channels between the valve rib and the clUSUre base, and throu~~ an opening in the bns);et that captures the valve against the closure base.
1 ~.:a Brief >rles~ritotion of yhe Dray~~ring,~
The invention, tog:ther with additional objects, features and advantag-rs thereof: will be best mderstood ~rc~m the following description, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings in whichv >rlG. 1 is a perspective «ew of ;3 closure and container package in 1 ~ accordance with a presently preferred embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a tjragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale of the container finish and closure in the embodi_r~.ent of F'1G. 1;
F1GS. 2A c~nd ?B are fragmentary sectioztal views on an enlarged scab of the portions of FIG. 2 within the respective circles 2A and 2B;
'!~ FIG. ~3 is a sectional W ew similar to that of FIG. 2 but taken from a c~ireetian 94 degrees offset from that in FICr. 2;

...._. _ _. _ _ . _ : , . __ ._ : ..._ . .. . -. TCA 02267016 1999-03-26 i~~;~', i.~': ~F~ . _ T"IG. .t is a perspective vew of the closure assembly in the container package of FIG. 1:
FIG. 5 is hn exploded perspective v;ie.w of the closure assembly illustrated in F1G. ~;
TOGS. 6 and 7 a~~e top plan view and a side elevational view of the closure i Ilustrated in FIGS. ~. and 5:
FIGS. 8 arol ~ aae top plan and side elevational views of the basket illustrated in FIG. 5;
FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the self closing valve in the assembly of FIGS.
(U ~and~;
FIG. 1 1 is a sectiona view W lcen subittantially along the line 11-1 I of F1G.
lU;
FIG. 12 is a bottom plant view- of the valve illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 1 1 as fabricated; and FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 13-13 in FIG.
1 _.

- --TcA o226~oi6 1999-os-26 1~0. i~l2fi ~.,.GFn,; ,~'-~'a , y _ . _ . _ _ .. _. _ tl~c.,~lhd Desrrintinct of Prefcrr~d 1~:.ml~ndimer~
FIG. 1 illuatxates r~~ squeeze-type container package 20 in accordance with one aspect of the present im~et~tton as comprising a container 22 of flexible resilient composition such as blow-molded plastic. Container 22 has a body 24 and an open mouth 2G surrounded by an e~ctemally threaded cylindrical finish 28. A closure assembly _>0 is mounted to finish 28. Closure assembly 30 (FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5) includes a closure or o'vercap 32, a basket 34 mounted within closure 32, and a self closing valve 36 captured by basket 34 within closure 32. Container 22 may be fabricated of any suitable rnaterial by any suitable technique, such as polyropylene or an extrusionlblow-molding 1 t.'~ operation.
Referring to FIGS. ~.-7, closure 32 has a flat base wall 38 and a circumferentially continuous pez~ipheral skirt a-0. Skirt 40 includes suitable means for a$'ixing closure 32 and closure assembly 3 U to finish 28 of container 22, Such as internal threads 42 (FIG. 2) fur coupling with externa.I threads 44 on the container finish. A
i ~ central opening 46 in closure base wall 38 prov<Les for dispensing; of product from within the container package. A shoui der 47 c?~tend.s around the inside of closure 32 at the juncture of skixt 40 and the undersurface of base wall 38. Shoulder 47 has a radially inwardly extending lip 48 at controlled axial sF~acing from base wall 38, for purposes IU
be described. Closure s2 rxiay be formed of any suitable material employing any suitable ~U tnanufactunng technique, such as polypropylene fabricated in an injection molding operation.
Basket 34 (~'1GS. 5. 8 and 9) includes a cylindrical peripheral wall 50 from which a flat base 52 extends radial .v inwardly. A channel 54 is foirned around the major . ._ ~~.,i -Y LJ . _ . __,'CA 02267016 1999-03-26 '' portion of base 52 adjacent tv wall SU, being interrupted by a radial rib 56.
A thz~ough-opening 58 extends throu~'t b,3se 5' within c:hmnel ~4 at a position diametrically opposite rib 56. A cylindrical collar GO is can-ied ruithin base 52 by three angularly spaced radial spokes 6?. The interior of colla~° 60 and the area exterior to collar GU
L~etw~een spokes 6? are open for passage of product from within the container package, .r, skirt 63 depends fi~om base 52 beneath channel :54 adjacent to wall 50.
Peripheral wall 5U has an outwardly projecting ledge 61, frvt~t which wall 50 slopes radially inwardly to the axial end of basket 34. Basket 34 may hey formed by suitable techniques and of suitable composition, such as polypropylene for-rned in an injection molding operation.
i o Self-closing valve 3G is illustrated in yeater detail in FIGS. 10 and 11.
Valve 3Ei includes an annular circurnferentially <;ontinuous base 64 that terminates at its upper end (in the orientation of FICxS. ?-3 and 10) in a radially outwardly extending circ.umferentially continuous rib b6. r1 circu:mferentially continuous lip 68 extends radially vutw~u-dly fxom rib 66, being positioned beneath the upper surface of rib 6G and i ~ n f thinner and m ore resilien t constructi on than, the rib. Four radially oriented slots 70 extend along the upper surface of rib G6 at 90 <ie~ee spacing; from each other. At the low er end of annular base 6~1, a wall portion '~2 extends radially inwardly and axially uprr-ardly, being coupled to the lower end of basE; 64 by the concave resilient wall portion 74. The inner end of v~~all portion 72 terminates in a slit opening 76 that extends ~u diametrically of valve 3G. The pair of circumlerentially and radially extending Lugs 78 are formed on the underside of wall portion 72. A pair of diametrically extending opposed ribs 80 are disposed an either side of slit opening 76. Valve 36 may be unitarily formed of suitable elastic plastic composition such as thermoplastic elastomer, preferably in an injection molding or other s~.iitable opera.tion_ ~ ; : ~~,I _. . . _:;rca o226~oi6 1999-os-26 I~I'~, ~12F
FIGS. 12-13 illuat;:ate valve 36 as initially formed. Elements in FIGS. 12-13 that axe identical as formed and as used are indicated by correspondingly identical reference nu~xaerals, and elr,ments that are re-oriented between fornaation and use are indicated in FIGS. t ?-13 by con-esponding reference nurz~crals followed by the suffix "a."
s fn the valve 36 as formed, wall poztion 72a is intially~ cylindrical, and the inte~~ral ribs 78a extend axially' along the ou~er surface of wall portion 72a. The inner edge of wall portion 72a terminates in a c.~.~linurical mouth 76a. that is surrounded a circumferential rib 80a that has diametrically opposed interruptions 80b. The as-formed configuration of valve 36 illustrated in FIGS. 1'? and 13 preferably has no internal residual stresses, and IU is substantially stress-free in the configuration as shown. Following fabrication and cooling, the interior portion of valve 36, including wall portion 72a and ribs 80a forming cylindrical opening 76a, is inverted by being m~;ed upwardly in the direction 82 in 1r IG.
13, so that wall portion 7?a ana opening 76a invert to the configuration illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11. Tn this configuration, opening 76a assumes the conF~guration of a l 5 diametric slit 76. Internal stresses within wall portion 72 and lugs 78 hold slit 76 closed, while ribs 80 maintain the diametric orientation of the slit. These internal stresses tend to re-invert fihe valve; but such re-inversion is prevented by abutment at slit 76, and by basket 34 in assembly as will be ~~escribed.
Referring now to FIGS. ?-3) valve 36 is captured in assembly between basket 34 and base wall 38 of closure 32. Specifically, valve 36 is placed on basket 34, at~.d basket 34 is inserted into closure 3f~. W'hen the sloping outer surface of wall 50 abuts lip ~8 on shoulder 47. the shoulder is camined ra.dially outwardly until shoulder 61 snaps beneath lip 48. The spacing; behvet~n lip 48 and base rwah 38 is such as to hold basket 34 - -CA 02267016 1999-03-26 IJIJ, f~l''r~
._..... _.. .... : ir~:~°~ -re'- -..-- ,_ fulr~ly in assembly. pat this point. rib 66 on valve 36 is sandwiched in assembly behveen base 52 of basket 34 and the opposing internal surface of closure base wall 38. Lip 68 on valve s6 normally resiliently engages an annular internal rib 84 on closure base wall 3$, and basket through-opening 58 (FIG ?~) and. basket rib 56 (FIG. 2B) underlie valve lip 68. Slots 70 on valve rib 66 cooperate with the opposing inner surface of valve base wall ;s8 to form radial passages for venting the interior o.f container 20, as will be described. Skirt 63 on basket 34 is disposed in assembly adjacent to the interior of container finish 28, with the axial shoulder 65 on wall 50 sealing against the upper edge of the cantainer finish. The uppar edge of bask-=t collar 60 engages lugs 78 on valve 36 to support slit opening 76 within opening 46 01~ closure 32, and to prevent re-ixwersion of the valve under negative pressure when container 22 is released.
C.'losure assembly 30 is prefabricated, as is container 22. After container 22 is filled with product, closure assembly 30 is W'zxed to finish 28 of container 22. 'fhe packager who fills and caps the container is usually different from the party ox parties who fabz-icate the container an:i the closure assembly. Zn this connection, closure assembly' 30, including closure 32, basket 3~t and valve 36, may be fabricated as a subassembly and shipped to the packager without the valve or basket falling out of the closure. This saves shipping costs and handling casts at the packager. When it is desired to dispense product, body 24 of container ?2 is manually squeezed, so that the viscous product within the container applies presswe to the underside of valve 36 through basket collar 60 and the spaces between spokes 62. This pressure moves wall portion 72 of valve 36 upwardly in the orientation of FICrS. ~!-3, and opens slit 76 against the resilient forces applied thereto by ribs 80, lugs 78 and wall portion 72. The pressure within ~5 :,,_~, ;,~;~_,~ _. _ "--, CA 02267016 1999-03-26 ~T~~~. ~~c~ F. --container ?2 also urges lip 68 :~f valve ,6 against rib 84 on closure base 38.
so that a produca is dispensed from within the container.
When the containc~r~ is released following dispensation of product, negative pressure within the container and the force of withdrawing product, coupled with the internal biasing forces of valve :i6, return valve 36 to the closed positioned illustrated in the drawings. Tn the maantime, the negative pressure within container 22 urges valve lip 68 dournwaxdly away from closure rib 84 to provide for venting of the container interior through slots 70 and throubh-opening S8. Rib 56 within channel 54 oi;' basket 3.~ prevents Lip 68 from sealing against the opposing surface of basket 34, which mil;ht otherwise block this ventiltg operation.

Claims

1.
A valve for a self-sealing dispensing closure, said valve comprising a one-piece construction of integrally molded elastic composition that has an annular base, an internal wall portion that extends radially inwardly and axially from said base, and a mouth portion that includes a slit opening oriented diametrically of said annular base, said wall portion being internally stressed for resiliently biasing said slit closed.

2.
The valve set forth in claim 1 wherein said one-piece construction further includes logs on said wall portion that extend radially and axially along said wall portion, said lugs being internally stressed for resiliently biasing said slit closed.

3.
The valve set forth in claim 2 wherein said lugs are disposed on a side of said wall portion remote from said annular base.

4.
The valve set forth in claim 3 wherein said lugs are diametrically opposed to each other and orthogonal to said slit.

5.
The valve set forth in any preceding claim wherein said one-piece construction further includes ribs on said mouth portion that extends along each side of said slit, said ribs being internally stressed for maintaining diametric orientation of said slit.

6.
The valve set forth in any preceding claim wherein said one-piece construction further includes a peripheral rib that extends radially outwardly from said annular base for attachment to a closure shell.

7.
The valve element set forth in claim 6 wherein said one-piece construction further includes a peripheral lip that extends radially outwardly from said peripheral rib, said rib and said lip being circumferentially continuous, and said lip being thinner and more flexible than said rib.

8.
The valve element set forth in claim 7 wherein said peripheral rib has at least one radial slot in a surface thereof remote from said lugs.

9.
The valve element set forth in claim 8 comprising a circumferential array of said radial slots angularly spaced from each other.

10.
A valve element for making the valve set forth in any preceding claim that comprises a one-piece construction of integrally molded elastic composition having an annular base, a web portion that extends radially inwardly from said base, a mouth portion that extends axially from an inner periphery of said web portion to a circular opening coaxial with said annular base, and a cylindrical lip that extends axially inwardly from said opening and having diametrically opposed gaps, such that axial inversion of said web and mouth portions positions said lip radially outwardly of said opening with said gaps permitting said lip to form diametrically opposed external ribs that configure said opening as a diametric slit, and such that internal residual stresses in said web portion bias said slit closed.

11.
The valve element set forth in claim 10 wherein said one-piece construction further includes a pair of diametrically opposed lugs on said web portion at 90° spacing from said gaps in said lip, such that internal residual stresses in said tugs following axial inversion of said web and mouth portions bias said slit closed.

12.
A method of making the valve set forth in any claim 1-9 that comprises the steps of:
(a) forming a valve element of one-piece integrally molded elastic composition having an annular base, a web portion that extends radially inwardly from said base, a mouth portion that extends axially from an inner periphery of said web portion to a circular opening coaxial with said base, and a diametrically split lip that extends axially inwardly from said surrounding said opening, and (b) axially inverting said web and mouth portions of said valve element such that said split lip forms opposed diametrically extending external ribs that configure said opening as a diametric slit between said ribs, and said web portion is internally stressed to bias said slit closed.

13 13.
The method set forth in claim 12 wherein said step (a) includes forming diametrically opposed lugs on said web portion at 90° spacing from the splits in said lip, such that, upon completion of said step (b), internal residual stresses in said lugs bias said slit closed.

14.
A self-sealing closure assembly that comprises:
a plastic closure shell having a central opening, and a self-sealing valve as set forth in any preceding claim 1-9 secured within said shell.

15.
The closure assembly set forth in claim 14 wherein said one-piece construction further includes lugs on said wall portion that extend radially axially along said wall portion, said lugs being internally stressed for resiliently biasing said slit closed, and means, for securing said valve within said closure shell while supporting said lugs against axial movement away from said opening.

16.
The closure assembly set forth in claim 15 wherein said securing means comprises an annular wall having means for engaging said closure shell for securing said valve and said securing means within said shell.

17.
The closure assembly set forth in claim 16 wherein said wall has an annular shoulder that is received by snap fit within an annular lip on said closure shell.

18.
The closure assembly set forth in claim 17 wherein said shoulder on said wall has a conical surface for camming said lip outwardly to receive said shoulder by snap fit.

19.
The closure assembly set forth in any preceding claim 14-18 wherein said valve has a peripheral rib that extends radially outwardly from said base, said assembly further comprising means secured to said shell and capturing said valve at said shell opening.

20.
The closure assembly set forth in claim 19 wherein said closure shell has an internal rib surrounding said opening and wherein said one-piece construction further includes a peripheral lip that extends radially outwardly from said peripheral rib in engagement with said internal rib.

21.
The closure assembly set forth in claim 20 wherein said peripheral rib has at least one radial slot in a surface thereof remote from said lugs.

22.
The closure assembly set forth in claim 21 comprising a circumferential array of said radial slots angularly spaced from each other.

23.
The closure assembly set forth in claim 22 wherein said means has a through-opening that underlies said lip on said valve.

24.
The closure assembly set forth in claim 23 in combination with a resilient container body having an open month to which said self-sealing closure assembly is secured, said valve opening under pressure when said body is squeezed, and said slot, said lip and said through-opening venting said body when said body is released.