Related Applications

[001] This application claims priority from Australian provisional patent application no. 2019900686 filed on 3 March 2019, the contents of which are incorporated by reference.

Technical Field

[002] The invention relates to a one-way valve for a dispenser, a dispensing pouch for containing a liquid having a normally closed valve that is openable to dispense a quantity of the liquid, and a method of forming such a valve and dispensing pouch.

Background

[003] It is desirable to dispense quantities of a liquid or liquid like material, such as viscous soaps, food, drinks and lotions, from a container. Accordingly, various types of dispenser packages and pouches have been developed.

[004] Australian Patent No. 588655 discloses a dispenser pouch formed from a pair of superimposed panels that are heat-sealed together to define a liquid reservoir therein. The dispenser pouch includes tapered-down neck at a lower end of the pouch that communicates with the reservoir to retain a pre-measured charge of the liquid therein. Narrow overlying and unsealed panel portions at the termination of the neck form a normally closed valve that opens when a predetermined external pressure is applied to the pouch.

[005] A problem with this dispenser pouch relates to operation of the valve, in particular, undesirable leakage through the valve and undesired closure of the valve in use that causes intermittent or interrupted dispensing problems.

[006] The invention disclosed herein seeks to overcome one or more of the above identified problems or at least provide a useful alternative. Summary

[007] In accordance with a first broad aspect there is provided, a one-way valve for a dispenser, the dispenser including a reservoir and a spout in fluid communication with the reservoir, the spout leading to the normally closed valve, the normally closed valve including a pair of flat and adjacently arranged valve walls defining a normally closed rectangular and straight passage, wherein the valve and passage are openable in response to the application of a an external pressure at least one of toward or at the spout to dispense the quantity of the liquid and being re-closable in response to removal of such pressure, and wherein at least one of the valve walls is shaped so as to provide a reinforcement means intermediate the passage so as to substantially retain the width and shape of at least one of the valve walls proximate the reinforcement means.

[008] In an aspect, an entry and exit of the passage of the valve are narrower in plan form view in comparisons to the width of the passage proximate to the reinforcement means.

[009] In another aspect, the valve walls are relatively flatter proximate the reinforcement means relative to the valve walls proximate entry and exit of the passage.

[0010] In yet another aspect, the reinforcement means is a channel arranged to transversely span the passage.

[0011] In yet another aspect, the channel is located about intermediate the entry and exit of the passage.

[0012] In yet another aspect, the base of the channel is located away from the opposing other of the panel portions.

[0013] In yet another aspect, wherein the channel is rectangular.

[0014] In yet another aspect, wherein the channel is narrower than the passage. [0015] In yet another aspect, the spout includes opposing inner sides that converge toward one another in a direction toward the valve.

[0016] In accordance with a second broad aspect there is provided dispenser including a valve as defined in any one of the previous claims.

[0017] In accordance with a third broad aspect there is provided dispensing pouch for selectively dispensing a quantity of a liquid, the dispensing pouch including a reservoir portion and a spout portion in fluid communication with the reservoir portion, the spout portion leading to a normally closed valve including a pair of flat and adjacently arranged valve walls defining a normally closed rectangular and straight passage, wherein the valve and passage are openable in response to the application of a an external pressure at least one of toward or at the spout portion to dispense the quantity of the liquid and being re-closable in response to removal of such pressure, and wherein at least one of the valve walls is shaped so as to provide a reinforcement means intermediate the passage so as to substantially retain the width and shape of at least one of the valve walls proximate the reinforcement means.

[0018] In an aspect, the dispensing pouch is substantially formed from opposing panels that are heat sealed together apart for the panel walls.

[0019] In accordance with a fourth broad aspect there is provided A dispensing pouch for selectively dispending a quantity of a liquid, the dispensing pouch including a reservoir portion and a spout portion in fluid communication with the reservoir portion, the spout portion leading to a normally closed valve including a pair of flat and adjacently arranged valve walls defining a normally closed rectangular and straight passage, wherein the valve and passage are openable in response to the application of a an external pressure at least one of toward or at the spout portion to dispense the quantity of the liquid and being re-closable in response to removal of such pressure, and wherein at least one of the valve walls include a channel arranged transverse to the passage.

[0020] In accordance with a fifth broad aspect there is provided, a method for forming a one-way valve for a dispensing pouch, the method including the steps of: Providing a forming arrangement having a cold die and an opposing heated die having a heat insulting insert with a channel therein; Inserting two panels composite plastic material between the cold and hot dies; Applying heat and pressure to the heated die such that the two panels are substantially sealed about the periphery thereof so to form a reservoir and a spout leading to the valve, the heat insulting portion forming the valve with unattached opposing valve walls defining a substantially straight passage between a valve entry at the spout to a valve exit, with one of the valve walls having a cross channel formed by the channel of the heat insulting portion; Allowing the formed dispensing pouch to cool such that the valve entry and exit of the passage are slightly relax relative to the passage proximate the cross channel.

Brief Description of the Figures

[0021] The invention is described, by way of non-limiting example only, by reference to the accompanying figures, in which;

[0022] Figure l is a top view illustrating a dispensing pouch for dispensing of a liquid;

[0023] Figure 2 is a detailed top view illustrating a spout portion and valve of the dispensing pouch;

[0024] Figure 3 is a side view illustrating the pouch with a pressure applied to a reservoir thereof so as to curve or spoon the spout portion and seal the valve;

[0025] Figure 4 is a top view illustrating the upper and lower panels of the dispending pouch;

[0026] Figure 5 is a perspective view illustrating a pressure being applied to the spout portion of the pouch. It is important, when dispensing product, to keep the nozzle/ spout area flat, so the product will pass through the canal without activating the nip points;

[0027] Figure 6 is a perspective view illustrating a heat sealing plate with a fitted insert having a milled cross section channel void;

[0028] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a silicone profile for the opposing cold sealing die;

[0029] Figure 8 is a side sectional view illustrating a forming assembly with the heat insulating die plate on top of the opposing cold sealing die; and [0030] Figure 9 to 12 show views illustrating a heat insulating die insert for fitting with the forming assembly;

[0031] Figure 13a is a top view illustrating a second example of the dispenser with a larger pouch and having an insert for promotion of flow;

[0032] Figure 13b is a side view illustrating the second example of the dispenser;

[0033] Figure 14a is a bottom view illustrating the insert for the second example of the dispenser;

[0034] Figure 14b is a side view illustrating the insert; and

[0035] Figure 15 is a perspective view illustrating a plurality of the second example of the dispensers being formed in a mold with the inserts fitted thereto.

Detailed Description

[0036] Referring to Figures 1 to 5 there is shown a dispenser 5 in the form of a dispensing pouch 10 for selectively dispending a quantity of a liquid 11. The liquid is preferably a viscous liquid or liquid like substance such as, but not limited to, a gel, cream, food product or the like. The range of viscosities may be in the range of about that of water, being 1 centipoise, to that of a highly viscous liquid in the range of 3,000 centipoises.

[0037] The dispensing pouch 10 includes a reservoir or reservoir portion 12 and a spout or spout portion 14 in fluid communication with the reservoir portion 12, the spout portion 14 leads to and terminating at a normally closed valve 16 including a pair of flat and adjacently arranged valve walls 18 defining a normally closed rectangular and straight passage 20.

[0038] The valve 16 and the passage 20 are openable in response to the application of an external pressure at least one of toward or at the spout portion 14 to dispense the quantity of the liquid and being re-closable in response to removal of such pressure. At least one of the valve walls 18 is shaped so as to provide a reinforcement means 22 intermediate the passage 20. In this example, the reinforcement means 22 is provided in the form of a cross channel 23 formed in one of the valve walls 18. The channel 23 being arranged transverse to and spanning across the passage 20.

[0039] In more detail, the dispensing pouch 10 is formed from a pair of superimposed panels 24 that are sealably coupled together to define the reservoir portion 12, the spout portion 14 and the valve 16. The superimposed panels 24 are preferably plastic and superimposed over each other during manufacture and heat-sealed together substantially about periphery edges 15 thereof. An upper end 19 of the dispenser pouch 10 is preferably left open during initial stages of the packaging process to fill the pouch 11 with the liquid 11.

[0040] After filling, the overlying panel portions 24 at the upper end 19 of the pouch 10 are also heat-sealed together. The valve walls 18 that define the passage 10 are formed from unattached portions of the pairs of panels 24. The specifics of the method of manufacturing, specific the valve 16 and passage 20 are further details below. A suitable plastic for the superimposed panels 24 may be composite material including Polyethylene and Nylon. More specifically, in this example, the material of the superimposed panels 24 may be 80um Polyethylene, 30um Nylon and reverse printed 18um PET or PVdC + tie layers.

[0041] The reservoir portion 12 may be larger and relatively more voluminous in comparison to the spout portion 14. The reservoir portion 12 may have any suitable shape, but in this example is generally rectangular in plan form view having an internal end 26 and internal opposing sides 28. The reservoir portion 12 becomes rounded between the internal opposing sides 28 when filled with the liquid. The external perimeter of the reservoir portion 12 may take any suitable shape, but may generally follow that of the internal shape, in this case, being generally rectangular. The reservoir portion 12 may be deep on one side such as is the case of a deep drawn arrangement.

[0042] The spout portion 14 includes a spout entry 30 that communicates with the reservoir portion 12, a spout exit 32 that communicates with the passage 20 of the valve 16 and internal inner opposing side walls 31 that taper inwardly and converge from the spout entry 30 to the spout exit 32. The spout entry 30 may step inwardly and be relatively narrower in comparison to the internal opposing sides 28 of the reservoir portion 12. The spout exit 32 may be relatively narrower in comparison to the spout entry 30 so that the spout portion 14 is generally trapezoidal in plan form about an elongate centre axis“X” that in this example also defines the centre axis and a plane of symmetry for the reservoir portion 12 as well as the overall pouch 10. The spout exit 32 may be relatively wider in plan form view in comparison to the passage 20 that extends intermediate from the spout exit 32

[0043] The spout portion 14 provides a charging chamber 34 therein communicating with reservoir portion 12 to receive and retain a pre-measured charge of the liquid 11. Each of the inner opposing side walls 31 defines an acute angle“A” relative to the centrally disposed longitudinal axis“X”. The angle“A” is preferably selected from the range of from 5° to 30°. More preferably, approximately 10° to 16°.

[0044] The valve 16 begins at the spout exit 32, and continues as the straight passage 20 to the valve exit 21 at a dispending end 23 of the pouch 10. The passage 20 is substantially narrower relative to the spout exit 32. The passage 20 in this example is about 3 to 7 mm in width.

[0045] The opposing outer sides 35 of the spout portion 14 are likewise angled relative to the inner opposing side walls 31, and the opposing outer sides 35 extend past the spout exit 32 and along side and conversing toward the straight passage 20. The opposing outer sides 35 terminating at the valve exit 21 being spaced apart and wider than the straight passage 20. The valve exit 21 is at the tip 37 of the di spending pouch 10.

[0046] The geometry of the spout portion 14 results in the spout portion 14, and in particular the valve 16, becoming curved or“spooning” if pressure is applied to the pouch 10, such as at location“P” of the reservoir portion 12 as shown in Figure 3. This curving of the valve 16 crimps or pinches together of overlying and unattached portions of panels 24, specifically the valve walls 18, defining the valve 16 and passage 20. This crimping or pinching results in the pouch 10 being in a sealed condition, and the valve being in a closed condition. Of course, the pouch 10 almost always has some pressure applied thereto and as such that valve 16 adopts a normally closed condition that becomes increasingly sealed when pressure is applied to the reservoir portion 12. The tip 37 may move up or down.

[0047] In this example, when the spout portion 14 is curve, the pinching of the valve walls 18 typically occurs at two locations. A first pinch or seal point 50 is located at or proximate the entry 17 to the passage 20 of the valve 16, and a second pinch or seal point 52 is located at or proximate the exit 21 of the valve 16 near the tip 37. The sealing at the first and second seal points 50, 52 typically occurs or increases when the spout portion 14 curves as is shown in Figure 3. The first and second seal points 50, 52 arise to increased film tension of valve walls 18 that become pressed against one another.

[0048] It is noted that the valve walls 18 at the cross channel 23 are formed to be relatively flat and thereby fully contact one another with no or minimal gaps when in the seal condition and thereby providing the normally close valve 16. In particular, the cross channel 23 keeps the valve walls 18 proximate thereto, on either side of the channel 23, relatively flat and as such the valve 16 is less prone to leakage when the dispensing pouch 10 is relaxed and the spout portion is relatively flat. Accordingly, the valve walls 18 proximate the cross channel 23 provide a third seal 55 to assist to inhibit uncontrolled flow. The overall sealing arrangement thereby improving the operation on the one-way valve 16 and assisting to seals the internal liquid 11 from the external environment thereby assisting the reduce contamination.

[0049] In use, when a predetermined level of external pressure is applied toward or at the spout portion 14, that may include indicia 36 (such as a sticker or mark) to indicate where to press, the valve 16 will open to dispense the pre-measured charge of liquid from charging chamber 26 and through passage 20. The predetermined level of external pressure may be applied by hand in direction“T” as best shown in Figure 5.

[0050] In particular, to dispense the pre-measured charge of the liquid 11, a user may directly by applying finger pressure to the spout portion 14 in a downward sliding movement of the fingers in direction“T”. This movement straightens the spout portion 14 and, in particular, the passage 20 of valve 14 to release the first, second, and third seal points 50, 52, 55 to an open condition thereby allowing flow of the liquid 11. Advantageously, the channel 23 provides increased space (cross sectional area of the passage 20) and structure within the passage 20 intermediate thereto which assist to maintain a consistent flow of the liquid in the open condition.

[0051] Turning now to a method of manufacture and referring to Figure 6 to 12, the dispending pouch 10, more specifically the spout portion 14 and valve 16 may be formed by a forming arrangement 100 including a heat insulating die plate 102, an opposing cold sealing die 104 and a heat insulating die insert 106.

[0052] The heat insulating die insert 106 includes milled cross section channel void 108 that is used to form the cross channel 23 of the passage 20. The opposing cold sealing die 104 is provided as a silicone profile 110 that may be about 3 to 4 mm thick. A heat plate 114 is used to apply heat to the heat insulating die plate 102 and a cool plate 116 is located to support and cool the opposing cold sealing die 104.

[0053] The insert 106, as best shown in Figures 9 to 12, includes a body 117 having an I- shaped cross section extending between its opposing ends 118. The body 117 includes the machined channel void 108, a securing aperture 115 to connect the insert 106 with die 102 and a plurality of cooling apertures 120 extending between opposing sides 122 of the body 117. The insert 106 is used to“negatively” form the cross channel 23. It is noted that machined channel void 108 may be about 1mm to 2mm deep and about 3mm to 4 mm wide. The cross section shape and apertures 120 provide linear and lengthwise ventilation.

[0054] In use, the solid thermostatically controlled heated die 102 applies pressure and heat to the two opposing panels 24 of material against the opposite cold plate 116 with the silicon profile gasket 104. This allows control pressure and heat transfer, in particular, about the milled cross section channel void 108 of the insert 106 such that movement of film material of the opposing panels 24 is controlled in the passage 20 area without direct heat applied to passage and channel area, with no or negative pressure applied to the channel area. This allows formation of a negative formed“box-style” cross channel 23. The cross channel 23 in the passage 20 of the valve 16 assists to keep the nozzle 16 free from unwanted liquid product movements as well as secure sealing from the outside environment.

[0055] It is noted that after heat sealing the passage sides 25 may move slightly toward the centre axis“X” at the valve 16 entry and exits 17, 19 due to“tension ease”. The cross channel 23, however, retains the structure and film stability and therefore the valve 16 entry and exits 17, 19 may become slightly relaxed. The passage sides 25 may therefore be slightly bowed in plan form view as best shown in Figure 2 with the widest point of the passage 20 being at all about the cross channel 23. The relaxing of the valve 16 entry and exits 17, 19 assists to promote liquid flow once initiated in the opened condition. [0056] Referring now to Figures 13a to 15, there is shown a second example of the dispenser 205 in which like sequences of numerals (i.e 5, 205 etc) denote like parts. In this example, the dispenser 205 has a deep draw pack or pouch 210 which has a larger volume reservoir portion 212 and the spout portion 214 is fitted with a flow promotion device 280 to assist fluid, such as a soap or cell, move from the pouch 210 toward the normally closed valve 216. The reservoir portion 212 in this case may be a more voluminous rectangular or square prism as best shown in Figure 13b.

[0057] The normally closed valve 216 is formed and functions in the same manner as defined above in relation to the first example and is therefore not described in any further detail here. Accordingly, like the first example, the valve 216 has a similar cross channel 223 across the passage 220. However, due to the increased volume of the reservoir portion 212 the flow promotion device 280 is included in this example to assist to draw and pump fluid from the reservoir portion 212 toward the normally closed valve 216.

[0058] More specifically, the flow promotion device 280 may be provided in the form of an insert 282, best shown in Figures 14a and 14b, that is fitted to the dispenser 205 during manufacture as shown in Figure 15. The insert 282 may be provided in the form of a dome 284 formed from a moulded resilient plastic that may be compressed flat when depressed.

[0059] The dome 284 may have a diameter“D’ of about 25mm to 30mm, in this example 28mm. An overall height of about 8 to 12mm, in this example 10mm and a mouth width of about 8 to 12mm, in this example, 10mm. The uncompressed volume capacity may be about 25ml. However, of course, the dome 284 may be adapted to different sizes and capacities as required.

[0060] The dome 284 has a rim 285 includes a cross arrangement 286 which is located at an opposing side to a mouth 287 defined between inward facing tabs 288. The cross arrangement 286 is formed from two cross sections 290a, 290b that may be resiliently compressed. Between the tabs 288 and the cross arrangement 296 is defined the internal volume 291 of the dome 284. The dome 284 functions as a pump that when initially released may draw fluid from the reservoir portion 212 into its internal volume 291. The dome 284 may then be depressed by a use to expel the fluid, and action of depressing the dome 284 also opens the value 216 which allows the fluid to be expelled from the dispenser 205. [0061] The second example of the dispenser 205 is formed in a similar manner to the first example with two panels 224 that are heat welded or sealed together within a forming arrangement 300. However, the insert 282 is also fitted between the panels 224 as best shown in Figure 15 and is retained between the two panels 224 once sealed. It is also noted that due the size of the reservoir portion 212, the dispenser 205 may further include a housing (not shown) that may be used to hold and support the pouch 210. The housing may have body slightly larger than the reservoir portion 212 and be of a similar shape. The spout portion 214 may extend from the housing so that the flow promotion device 280 may be accessed and depressed which then allows valve 216 to become opened and the fluid delivered from the dispenser 205 in a similar way to that described above in relation to the first example.

[0062] Advantageously, the valve, namely the cross channel and method of formation thereof provide an improved one way valve, also known as flap valve, by substantially totally closing of the dispensing passage from external environment, thus avoiding product contamination. Moreover, the valve having the cross-channel also increases flow rate in an open condition and eliminates leaks or drips in the closed condition. The combination of material choice, the sealing die design and sealing method ensure total control of the two opposing panels of material.

[0063] In particular, the material of the panels in the channel area will move slightly as result of natural film tensions when the heating and sealing action is removed. The created cross channel, formed by negative pressure in the centre of the passage during manufacture, seeks to stability and flatten the passage of the valve proximate the cross-channel thereby allowing the passage entry and exit to slightly relax. This calculated tension control ensures maximum film stability in the valve area and improves the sealing of the valve as well as the continuity of flow in use.

[0064] The dispenser may take various forms, shapes and sizes, and, in particular, the valve may be utilised with different types of dispensers or the like, without limitation.

[0065] Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. [0066] The reference in this specification to any known matter or any prior publication is not, and should not be taken to be, an acknowledgment or admission or suggestion that the known matter or prior art publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the field to which this specification relates.

[0067] While specific examples of the invention have been described, it will be understood that the invention extends to alternative combinations of the features disclosed or evident from the disclosure provided herein.

[0068] Many and various modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention disclosed or evident from the disclosure provided herein.