The invention relates to a dispensing closure comprising:

a closure body adapted to be attached to a container, said closure body having a deck provided with a dispensing orifice and having an outer skirt extending from the deck; and a lid having a lid top and a lid skirt that extends from the lid top towards a free end, said lid being adapted to be positioned in a closed position, in which the free end of the lid skirt engages the deck of the closure body.

Typical dispensing closures for edible products such as sauces have a so called flip-top, wherein the lid is connected to the body by a living hinge and can be flipped open when the product has to be dispensed from the dispensing orifice.

Particular products, such as sauces are hot-filled, which means that a container is filled with the hot substance, e.g. to destroy micro-organisms in the substance. After the container is filled it is capped, which means that the container is closed by assembling the container and a closure. After this assembly the filled and capped container is cooled by spraying a cooling liquid, e.g. water, on it. This cooling may in practise take for 20 minutes. A problem that occurs with dispensing closures, such as flip-top closures, which are cooled with water is that cooling water may end up and remain in the space that is defined between the deck of the closure body and the lid in the closed position, because the sealing between the lid and the deck is not watertight.

The present invention relates in particular to dispensing closures as described at the outset, wherein the closure has at least one drain passage to allow drainage of undesirable liquid that may exist under the lid in the closed position.

US 5.934.512 discloses such a dispensing closure in which a lid has drain holes in the lid.

The drain holes allow water, that is used to cool the container and the closure after the container is hot-filled, to drain. To assist in drainage this document proposes to turn the bottle on its side and air may be blown across the closure so as to force the water out of the drain holes.

The present invention has for an object to provide a dispensing closure which has an improved drainage of the liquid trapped under the closed lid. This object is achieved by a dispensing closure according to the preamble of claim 1 , wherein the lid is provided with one or more venting passages, which allows air to enter under the lid in the closed position.

According to the invention the liquid that is under the closed lid should be able to drain under the influence of gravity. However, due to the small size of the drain opening in relation to the surface tension of the liquid, in particular water, a capillary effect arises, which may prevent the liquid from draining. Moreover, the removal of liquid from the space between the lid and the deck of the closure body would create an underpressure, which hinders the drainage of the liquid. The proposed venting passage according to the invention prevents that an underpressure occurs in the space between the deck of the closure body and the lid. This improves the drainage of the liquid through the drain passage.

In a preferred embodiment at least one of the one or more venting passages is formed as a groove recessed in an inner side of the lid skirt, which groove extends from the free end of the lid skirt towards the lid top.

In a further preferred embodiment the groove has a width which is adapted to the surface tension of the liquid, such that the liquid cannot entirely fill the groove. Here use is made of the capillary effect, which prevents the liquid to enter a too narrow groove. Thereby it is prevented that liquid occludes the venting groove, which would prevent venting air from flowing in.

Preferably the venting groove extends up to the lid top so as to assure that venting air can always reach the space above the liquid that resides in the space between the deck of the closure body and the lid. In a further preferred embodiment a circumferential recess is formed on the inner side of the lid top, and wherein the groove adjoins said circumferential recess. The circumferential recess preferably has a width of the same order as the groove, such that the liquid cannot entirely fill the circumferential recess and it is assured that even if the space between the deck of the closure body and the lid would be entirely filled with liquid, venting air can always reach the top of the lid and end up above the liquid.

In a preferred embodiment the drain passage is formed by an indent in the free end of the lid skirt. This assures that the drain passage is at the lowest point and the liquid can drain without having to turn the container for example. Preferably the deck is provided with a slanting surface portion towards the location of the indent in the free end of the lid skirt when the lid is in the closed position. Thereby the drainage of the liquid is further promoted. In another embodiment the drain passage is formed by an indent in the deck and/or the outer skirt of the closure body. Also in this embodiment the deck may be provided with a slanting surface portion towards the location of the indent in the deck and/or the outer skirt of the closure body so as to promote the drainage of the liquid.

In a possible embodiment of the invention the lid is a flip-top lid which is attached to the closure body by a hinge, in particular a living hinge.

In a further embodiment at least one of the one or more venting passages is formed on a location on the inner circumference of the lid skirt opposite the location of the hinge.

Preferably said venting passage opens up in a recess formed under a finger tab formed on the lower end of the lid skirt. The opening of the venting passage is thereby shielded by the finger tab.

In a further embodiment the deck is provided with a slanting surface portion towards the location of the recess formed under the finger tab. Thereby fluid is promoted to flow towards the recess under the finger tab so as to enhance drainage of fluid from the space under the closed lid via the recess.

In a preferred embodiment a liquid guiding rib is formed on an inner side of the lid skirt, which liquid guiding rib extends towards the drain passage. The liquid guiding rib enhances the drainage of liquid trapped under the lid. The liquid guiding rib functions as a guiding means which interrupts the liquid surface and guides the liquid towards the drain passage to drain out.

To further promote drainage, one end of the guiding rib in the closed position of the lid preferably engages the deck of the closure body or only a small gap remains between the end of the rib and the deck.

In a further embodiment the guiding rib extends through a shallow recess formed in the inner surface of the skirt near the free edge of the skirt. The shallow recess slightly enlarges the drain passage and thereby enhances the drainage of the liquid.

In a further preferred embodiment a recess formed under a finger tab is formed on the lower end of the lid skirt, wherein the drain passage is located at said recess. The liquid guiding rib which is formed on the inner side of the lid skirt extends towards the drain passage at the recess under the finger tab. The aspect of the liquid guiding rib which extends towards a drain passage may also be applied separately from the aspect of the invention according to which the lid is provided with one or more venting passages.

In a possible embodiment the dispensing orifice is defined by a spout extending from the deck of the closure body, and wherein the lid top on an inner side thereof has a spud which cooperates with the spout to seal the dispensing orifice. The spud and the spout prevent that liquid which resides between the lid and the deck can enter into the dispensing orifice, which could cause growth of mold or other undesired micro-organisms.

In a possible embodiment the closure body furthermore includes an inner skirt which is adapted to cooperate with a neck portion of the container to attach the closure body to the container. The inner skirt may be provided with a female thread adapted to cooperate with a male thread on a container neck.

The invention also relates to a method of packaging a substance in a container, wherein: the container is hot-filled with the substance;

a dispensing closure as described in the above is provided and assembled with the container;

the assembly of the container and the dispensing closure is cooled by spraying a cooling liquid on the assembly;

the assembly is maintained in an upright position and the liquid is allowed to drain from the one or more drain passages.

Contrary to the prior art, the dispensing closure is optimised for draining water from under the closed lid, and the capped container does not have to be turned to move the water towards and out of the drain passages. Thus a dispensing closure with a more effective drain system is provided which allows an easier handling process after the cooling of the containers in which the containers may remain in an upright position.

The invention will be further elucidated with reference to the drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a view in perspective of a preferred embodiment of a dispensing closure according to the invention in an open state,

Fig. 2 shows a top elevational view of the dispensing closure of Fig. 1 in an opens state, Fig. 3 shows another view in perspective of the closure of Fig. 1 in an open state,

Fig. 4 shows a cross sectional view of the closure of Fig. 1 in an open state,

Fig. 5 shows a cross sectional view of the lid of the closure of Fig. 1 in an open state,

Fig. 6 shows a cross sectional view of the closure of Fig. 1 in a closed state,

Fig. 7 shows another cross sectional view of the closure of Fig. 1 in a closed state,

Fig. 8 shows a view in perspective of an alternative embodiment of a dispensing closure according to the invention in an open state,

Fig. 9 shows a cross sectional view of another preferred embodiment of a dispensing closure of the invention,

Fig. 10 shows a detail of the lid of the closure of Fig. 9 in cross section,

Fig. 11 shows in a view in perspective a detail of the lid of the closure of Fig. 9 in an open state,

Fig. 12 shows in a view in perspective yet another preferred embodiment of a dispensing closure according to the invention in an open state,

Fig. 13 shows a cross sectional view of the closure of Fig. 12 in a closed state,

Fig. 14 shows in a view in perspective yet another preferred embodiment of a dispensing closure according to the invention in an open state,

Fig. 15 shows a cross sectional view of the closure of Fig. 14 in a closed state,

Fig. 16 shows a detail indicated by A in Fig. 15, and

Fig. 17 shows a view in perspective from below of a front side of the closure of Fig. 14 in a closed state. Fig. 1 shows a flip-top dispensing closure 1 for a container containing a liquid or a fluid substance like a sauce. The dispensing closure 1 comprises a main closure body 2 and a flip- top lid 3 which is connected to the closure body 2 by a living hinge 4. The closure 1 is typically an injection moulded product in which the closure body 2, the lid 3 and the hinge 4 are made in one piece from a suitable plastics material, such as for example PE or PP.

In Figs. 1 - 5 the closure 1 is shown in an open state in which the lid 3 is flipped open. In Figs. 6 and 7 the closure 1 is shown in a closed state in which the lid 3 is arranged over the top side of the closure body 2.

The closure body 2 comprises a deck 5 and an outer skirt 6, which depends from the deck 5. The outer skirt 6 extends from the deck 5 towards a free end 18 which engages a shoulder portion of the container when the closure is assembled with the container.

The deck 5 has a dispensing orifice 16 which is defined by a spout 17 which extends from the upper side of the deck 5. The dispensing orifice 16 can be closed off by a self-closing valve (not shown) which may be arranged on the inner side of the closure body. Such a self-closing valve has in general a valve flange which may be arranged against a valve seat 20 formed in the closure body 2. Self-closing valves are known per se in the art, and will not be described here in detail, other than to mention that in general such valves have a slitted valve head which is opened by the pressure in the container when the container is for example squeezed. Often such self-closing valves are made from a silicone rubber.

The closure body 2 comprises an inner skirt 7, which is visible in the cross sectional view of Fig. 5. The inner skirt 7 has a female thread 8 on the inner side, which can cooperate with a male thread provided on a neck portion of the container so as to assemble the closure 1 and thee container. It is noted that also other means are possible to connect the closure to a container and that the present invention is by no means limited by the present example of a preferred embodiment. For example snap connections are also common to attach a dispensing closure to a container.

The lid 3 comprises a lid top 9 and a lid skirt 10 that extends from the top towards a free end 11. In the closed state, which is shown in Figs 5 and 6, the free end 11 of the lid skirt 10 is arranged against or almost against the deck 5 of the closure body 2. In the shown

embodiment the free end 11 engages the peripheral edge of the deck such that the lid skirt 10 lies substantially flush with the outer skirt 6 of the closure body 2, which gives the closure a nice look. It must however be noted that it is not essential that the lid skirt 10 and the outer skirt 6 are flush. The lid skirt may have a smaller diameter or dimension as the deck, or, may have a slight overhang with respect to the deck.

In Figs. 6 and 7 the lid 3 is in the closed position, in which the lid 3 is arranged over the top side of the closure body 2. In the closed state the lid and the top side, in particular the deck 5 of the closure body 2 define a space 21. This space may in general be filled with air.

However, when the closure 1 is assembled with a container which is hot-filled with a substance, e.g. a food stuff such as a sauce, the closure-container assembly may be cooled by a sort of shower. Due to this shower, the cooling liquid, in general water, may enter into the space 21 formed between the lid 3 and the deck 5 of the closure body 2 and remain there.

The lid 3 is provided with a snap collar 22 which fits over the spout 17. Both the spout 17 and the snap collar 22 have a bead 23 and 24, respectively, which in a closed position of the lid 3 cooperate to provide a snap engagement between the spout 17 and the snap collar 22. The beads 23 and 24 also provide partly a sealing, whereby the orifice 16 is sealed from the space 21 between the lid 3 and the deck 5 of the closure body 2. The lid 3 is furthermore provided with a spud 25, which is formed coaxial with the snap collar 22. The spud 25 engages a radial flange 26 of the spout 17 that extends radially inwards from the collar and defines the dispensing 16 orifice. In the closed state of the lid 3 the spud 25 and the radial flange 26 seal the orifice 16 from the space 21 between the lid 3 and the deck 5 of the closure body 2.

The snap collar 22 has a slot 33 formed in it, which provides some more flexibility in the collar. Thereby a too strong attachment (weld) between the snap collar 22 and the spout 17 can be avoided which might hamper a first opening of the flip-top lid 3.

At its free edge 11 the lid skirt 10 has two indents 12 at diametrical opposite sides as can be seen in Figs 1 and 3. When the lid 3 is closed, the indents 12 provide drain passages 13 (cf. Fig. 7) for fluid which may be present in the space 21 between the lid 3 and the deck 5.

A number of venting passages is formed on the inner side of the lid skirt 10. These venting passages are formed by grooves 14, 15.

The venting grooves 15 each extend from one of the indents 12 towards the lid top 9 as can be seen in Figs 1 , 3 and 7. Another venting groove 14 is located near an overhanging lift tab 29 of the lid 3, opposite the hinge 4. This venting groove 14 extends from the free edge 11 of the lid skirt 10 at the lift tab

29 to the lid top 9, as can be seen in Figs 1 and 6. The lift tab 29 has at an underside a recess 31 which adjoins the groove 14. The closure body 2 has a finger recess 30

corresponding to the position of the lift tab 29 of the lid 3. The finger recess 30 allows a user to put a finger under the lift tab 29 and lift the lid 3 to flip it open. Moreover, the finger recess

30 provides a passage for venting air to reach the recess 31 in the finger tab 29 and the venting groove 14 communicating therewith, as is best visible in Fig. 6.

In the lid top 9 a shallow circumferential recess 27 is formed at the radial outer side. The venting grooves 14 and 15 adjoin the circumferential recess 27. The venting grooves 14, 15 and the circumferential recess 27 form a venting system in which venting air can always reach the top of the closed lid 3 and end up above the level of the liquid that is trapped under the lid 3. Thereby it is prevented that a vacuum or underpressure is formed above the liquid under the lid 3, which would impede the drainage of the liquid through the drain passages 13.

The grooves 14, 15 have a width which is adapted to the surface tension of the liquid, such that the liquid cannot entirely fill the groove. Here use is made of the capillary effect, which prevents the liquid to enter a too narrow groove 14, 15. Thereby it is prevented that liquid occludes the venting grooves 14, 15, which would prevent venting air from flowing into the space under the lid 3.

The circumferential recess 27 preferably has a width of the same order as the grooves 14 and 15, such that the liquid cannot entirely fill the circumferential recess 27 due to the surface tension of the liquid. Thereby it is assured that even if the space 21 between the deck 5 of the closure body 2 and the lid 3 would be entirely filled with liquid, venting air can always reach the top of the lid 3 and end up above the liquid and assure the prevention of a vacuum.

In order to further promote the drainage of liquid from under the closed lid 3, slanting surface portions 28 are formed in the deck 5. The surface portions 28 are slanting towards the location of the corresponding indent 12 in the outer skirt 10 of the lid. Thereby the liquid on the slanting surface 28 can flow towards the corresponding drain passage 13 under the influence of gravity and flow out to the external. Due to the venting passages 14, 15 described in the above, the outflow of liquid does not create an underpressure under the lid 3 whereby the liquid can continue to flow out. The liquid can also drain via the recess 31 under the lift tab 29 (cf. Fig. 2). Hence the recess 31 can also serve to form a drain passage.

In Figs. 12 and 13 a similar embodiment of the closure is shown as in Figs. 1 - 7. In this embodiment of Figs 12 and 13, however, there are not only provided slanting surface portions 28 towards the location of the indents 12, but there is also formed a slanting surface 32 towards the recess 31 at the lift tab 29. The slanting surface 29 promotes the flow of liquid towards the recess 31 and out of the space 21 under the lid 3.

In an alternative embodiment, which is shown in Fig. 8, the drain passage is formed by an indent 112 in the deck 5 and the outer skirt of the closure body 2. Also in this embodiment the deck 5 may be provided with a slanting surface portion 28 towards the location of the indent 112 in the deck and the outer skirt of the closure body 2 so as to promote the drainage of the liquid. In this embodiment the skirt 10 of the lid 3 has a continuous free edge 11 without indents.

In Figs 9 - 11 another embodiment of the dispensing closure is shown which is similar to the embodiment shown in Figs 1 - 7. The same parts are therefore indicated by the same reference numerals and for a description is referred to the description in relation to Figs 1 - 7. Basically the only difference between the embodiment of Figs 9 - 11 and the embodiment of Figs 1 - 7 lies in the detail of the recess at the underside of the lift tab 29. In the embodiment of Figs 9 - 11 , the recess 131 has a larger dimension than the recess 31 in the embodiment of Figs 1 - 7. This larger recess 131 provides a better entrance of venting air into the groove 14.

In Figs 14 - 17 a preferred embodiment of the dispensing closure is shown, which is similar to the embodiment shown in Figs 12 - 13, with the difference that the venting groove 14 located near the overhanging lift tab 29 of the lid 3 is omitted, and instead a guiding rib 40 is formed on the inner side of the skirt 10 of the lid 3.

The lift tab 29 has at an underside a recess 31. The closure body 2 has a finger recess 30 corresponding to the position of the lift tab 29 of the lid 3. The finger recess 30 allows a user to put a finger under the lift tab 29 and lift the lid 3 to flip it open. Moreover, the finger recess 30 provides a passage for venting air to reach the recess 31 in the finger tab 29, but also to drain water from the space 21 under the lid 3 as will be explained.

The guiding rib 40 extends from the free edge 11 of the lid skirt 10 at the lift tab 29 to the lid top 9, as can be seen in Figs 14 and 15. Adjoining the recess 31 under the lift tab 29, a shallow recess 41 is formed in the inner surface of the skirt 10 near the free edge 11 of the skirt 10. The rib 40 extends through said recess 41. The recess 41 preferably has a slanting surface towards the free edge 11 of the lid skirt 10.

The end of the rib 40 that is located at the free edge 11 may, in the closed position of the lid, engage the slanting surface 32 as can be best seen in Fig. 16. However, there may also remain a small gap between the end of the rib 40 and the slanting surface 32. Openings 42 are formed on both sides of the rib 40 (see Fig. 17), which openings are defined by the slanting surface 32 and the recess 31 formed on the underside of the lift tab 29.

Surprisingly it was found that the rib 40 provides an improved drainage of liquid that is trapped under the lid 3 compared to the embodiment where a venting groove 14 is provided. The rib 40 functions as a guiding means which interrupts the liquid surface whereby the surface tension of the liquid is broken, and the liquid is guided towards the openings 42 to drain out.

In the above several embodiments of an injection moulded plastic dispensing closure according to the invention is described with reference to the figures. Such a dispensing closure is designed for packaging a substance in a container. In general the container is hot- filled with the substance. Next, the dispensing closure 1 is provided and assembled with the container. The assembly of the container and the dispensing closure 1 is cooled by spraying a cooling liquid, usually water, on the container-closure assembly. The assembly is maintained in an upright position and the liquid is allowed to drain from one or more of drain passages 13. Contrary to the prior art, the dispensing closure is optimised for draining water from under the closed lid 3, and the capped container does not have to be turned to move the water towards and out of the drain passages. Thus a dispensing closure with a more effective drain system is provided which allows an easier and thus cheaper handling process after the cooling of the containers.