The present invention relates generally to devices for the controlled delivery of fluids and particularly, although not exclusively, to a fluid flow control features and container closures incorporating fluid flow control.

An aspect of the present invention provides a dispensing closure for a container, the closure comprising a body including a dispensing orifice through which flowable product from a container can be dispensed, the closure comprises a valve member movable between a closed position in which product cannot flow through the orifice and an open position in which product can flow through the orifice, the valve member is biased to the closed position and is movable to the open position, the closure comprises biasing means for biasing the valve member to the closed position, the biasing means comprises one or more spring members.

The spring members may, for example, comprise one or more spring fingers. A plurality of fingers, for example two, three or four, may be provided in some embodiments. Alternatively or additionally, the spring members may comprise one or more flexible legs.

Spring members may include a component of axial extension and/or a component of radial extension.

In some embodiments the valve member is formed as a pressure member.

In some embodiments the valve member is formed as a suspended hub.

The valve member may be generally rigid. For example the valve member may be formed from a rigid thermoplastic material, such as polypropylene or polyethylene. Spring-like functionality is provided based on structure rather than as a result of an inherent material property (cf. thermoplastic elastomers).

The valve member may axially reciprocate (along a main axis of the closure) between closed and open positions.

In some embodiments the closure comprises a chamber (for example provided on or by the body), a pressure member (which may be formed separately of the body) and a sealing member (which may be formed separately of the body and/or the pressure member).

In some embodiments at least one spring member is formed on the valve member. Alternatively or additional at least one spring member may be provided on or by the body.

Some embodiments provide a 2-piece device. Other embodiments use a 3-piece assembly, for example. Some embodiments provide or relate to a mono-material (e.g. polypropylene or polyethylene) two- or three-piece closure with a valve-like function.

Some embodiments are formed as a mono-polymer fully-recyclable closure.

Some embodiments provide or relate to a mono 2-piece version with a valve-like function (but not tight).

Some aspects and embodiments are provided as a flow restrictor system.

In some embodiments a closure lid is provided, which may perform a final seal within the dispensing orifice to prevent leakage.

In some embodiments the closure may be provided as a two-piece design, one part is a closure with two side holes entering into one orifice, and the other part is a spring disc that moves forward under pressure to reveal the holes to dispense, and when the pressure is released the springs return the disc into its sealing position.

Some aspects and embodiments provide a mono-polymer, fully-recyclable closure.

In some embodiments the closure comprises a pressure disc and a spring sealing disc.

Some embodiments include a sealing member, a pressure member and a chamber, in which the sealing member creates a sealed area between the pressure member and the chamber, the sealed area limits the amount of product entering this area, and the spring fingers maintain a positive pressure, creating a seal.

A further aspect provides a pack comprising a closure in combination with a filled container, in which whilst the filled container is in its relaxed state, with no positive external pressures being applied, a sealing disc prevents any product from flowing between disc channels and a closure chamber through to a closure orifice to be dispensed, once positive external pressures are applied, these external pressures must overcome the residual energy with spring fingers to allow the sealing disc to move forward, releasing the product to be dispensed, once these external pressures have been removed, the spring fingers automatically return the sealing disc to its home position recreating the sealed chamber to prevent any further dispensing.

The pack may be formed with a closure as described herein. In some embodiments the spring sealing disc resists hydrostatic shock via transit placed upon the closure and pack to prevent leakage during transportation of filled packs.

In some embodiment the pressure disc houses the sealing disc and mates with the chamber to create an elongated tortuous flow path, to allow and restrict the flow of the product through a series of predetermined flow holes

In some embodiments the pressure disc holds back the top load weight of the product to limit the amount of pressure exerted upon the spring fingers to combat any automatic and unwanted dispensing.

Some embodiments comprise a closure having one or more vents, or positive air flow channels, to allow air to enter the container between dispensing. The flow paths may be kept away from the product sealed chamber to prevent any air reaching the product to eliminate any degradation of the product.

A further aspect provides a flip-top dispensing closure comprising a base and a lid joined by a hinge, the closure further comprises a flow control insert, the insert comprises an inlet and an outlet, the insert has a tortuous flow path.

A further aspect provides a flip-top dispensing closure comprising a base and a lid joined by a hinge, the closure further comprises a flow control insert, the insert comprises an inlet and an outlet, the insert has (e.g. consists of) five flow paths in a generally axially contra-flowing arrangement.

Flip-top dispensing closures may include a tamper-evident system comprising two rings frangibly joined together, the rings are split apart upon first opening of the closure by lifting of the lid.

In some embodiments a lower ring drops and an upper ring is retained in the lid.

In some embodiments the insert is formed as a drinking spout.

Some aspects and embodiments relate to a spout insert for a closure (for example a tamper-evident closure).

Some embodiments provide a 2-piece device. Other embodiments use a 3-piece assembly, for example.

In some aspects and embodiments a spout device is formed as an integral part of a closure. In other aspects and embodiments a device is formed separately and is attachable to a closure.

Different aspects and embodiments of the invention may be used separately or together. Further particular and preferred aspects of the present invention are set out in the accompanying independent and dependent claims. Features of the dependent claims may be combined with the features of the independent claims as appropriate, and in combination other than those explicitly set out in the claims. Each aspect can be carried out independently of the other aspects or in combination with one or more of the other aspects.

The present invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figures I shows a device formed according to a further embodiment and provided as a shower gel variant and shown in a sealed position;

Figures 2 and 3 are magnified view of the flow control parts of the closure in a sealed condition;

Figure 4 shows the closure chamber and Figure 5 shows a section of the closure chamber;

Figures 6 to 8 show the pressure disc;

Figure 9 shows the pressure disc installed onto the chamber;

Figures I O to 12 show the sealing disc;

Figure I 3 shows the closure in an activated condition;

Figure 14 shows a device formed as a beverage closure;

Figures 15 and I 6 show the flow control assembly of the closure;

Figure 17 shows a sectional view of a condiment closure;

Figure 18 illustrates the closure chamber;

Figures 19 to 21 show the sealing disc;

Figures 22 and 23 show the pressure disc;

Figures 24 to 33 show a two-piece design;

Figures 34 to 38 show a two-piece design formed according to a further embodiment; Figures 39 to 41 show a closure formed according to a further embodiment;

Figures 42 to 46 show a closure formed according to a further embodiment;

Figures 47 to 51 show a closure formed according to a further embodiment and Figures 52A to 52J show various views of the closure;

Figures 53 to 58 show a closure formed according to a further embodiment and Figures 59A to 591 show various views of the closure;

Figure 60 illustrates the venting slots of Figure 59H; and

Figure 61 shows a closure device formed in accordance with the present invention.

The example embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to embody and implement the systems and processes herein described. It is important to understand that embodiments can be provided in many alternative forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein.

Accordingly, while embodiments can be modified in various ways and take on various alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and described in detail below as examples. There is no intent to limit to the particular forms disclosed. On the contrary, all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the appended claims should be included. Elements of the example embodiments are consistently denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings and detailed description where appropriate.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein are to be interpreted as is customary in the art. It will be further understood that terms in common usage should also be interpreted as is customary in the relevant art and not in an idealised or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

In the following description, all orientational terms, such as upper, lower, radially and axially, are used in relation to the drawings and should not be interpreted as limiting on the invention.

Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments shown and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. Figures I shows a dispensing closure 5 formed according to an embodiment of the present invention and provided, for example, as a shower gel variant. The closure 5 is shown in a sealed position.

Figures 2 and 3 are magnified view of the flow control parts of the closure in a sealed condition.

The closure 5 comprises a closure body 10 including a sunken top deck 15 with a tubular dispensing conduit 20 leading to a circular terminal dispensing orifice 25.

Depending from the deck 15, concentrically outboard of the conduit 20 is a chamber 30 (in this embodiment formed as an open-ended annular skirt). Towards the free end of the chamber an internal annular retention bead 32 is provided. Concentrically outboard of the chamber 30 is a sealing skirt 35. Figure 4 shows the closure chamber and Figure 5 shows a section of the closure chamber.

A pressure disc 40 fits into the open end of the chamber 30. Figures 6 to 8 also show the pressure disc.

The pressure disc 40 comprises an end plate 42 provided with three (in this embodiment) arcuate inlet slots 44. Upstanding from the end plate 42, slight radially inboard of the periphery, is an annular sidewall 46. The exterior of the sidewall is provided with a sidewall retention bead 48. Concentrically radially within the sidewall 46 and the slots 44 an inner annular wall 49 upstands from the plate 42 (show best in Figure 8).

Figure 9 shows the pressure disc 40 installed into the chamber 30. The sidewall retention bead 48 engages over the chamber retention bead 32.

A valve member is provided in the form of a sealing disc 50. Figures 10 to 12 also show the sealing disc 50.

The sealing disc 50 comprises a cylindrical sidewall 52. At one end of the cylindrical sidewall 52 an external sealing bead 54 is provided. At the other end of the sidewall 52 an annular deck 56 is provided. Upstanding from the deck 56 is a cylindrical chimney 58. Also upstanding from the deck 56 are four (in this embodiment) helical spring members 60.

In this embodiment all parts are designed to be injection moulded in polypropylene or polyethylene although other materials could be utilised.

It is envisaged that the spring sealing disc 50 may, for example, be moulded then assembled to the pressure disc 40 as one stage then finally assembled to the closure for ease of manufacture.

The chimney 58 fits around the conduit 20 and the sealing bead 54 fits against the interior of the annular sidewall 46. Figure I 3 shows the closure in an activated condition. Operation of the closure is described below.

The design is envisaged to be used, for example, with any dispensing fluid for instance personal care cleaning products, drinks or sauce condiments, however in this instance the design is shown within a shower gel and beverage sports closure. This design will be suitable for inverted packs (condiments, shower gels etc.) and upright packs (beverages, shampoos etc.)

The design comprises three parts: a closure body 10; a pressure disc 40; and a spring sealing disc 50.

All parts are designed to be injection moulding in polypropylene or polyethylene although other materials could be utilised. It is envisaged that the spring sealing disc will be moulded then assembled to the pressure disc as one stage then finally assembled to the closure (or spout) for ease of manufacture. However, a three-part assembly could be utilised.

Once assembled, the sealing disc 50 creates a sealed area between the pressure disc 40 and the closure chamber 30. This area will limit the amount of product entering this area, and the spring fingers moulded onto the sealing disc will maintain a positive pressure creating a seal.

Depending upon the bottle material, geometry and weight, as well as the specific product viscosity, it is envisaged that the number and thickness of the spring fingers as well as the poly material can be altered and adapted to fine tune the dispensing and sealing performances of this design.

Whilst the filled pack is in its relaxed state i.e. no positive external pressures are being applied, the sealing disc 50 is preventing any product from flowing between the disc channels 44 and the closure chamber 30 through to the orifice 25 to be dispensed. Once positive external pressures are applied, these external pressures must overcome the residual energy with the spring fingers 60 to allow the sealing disc 50 to move forward releasing the product to be dispensed.

Once these external pressures have been removed, the spring fingers 60 automatically return the sealing disc 50 to its home position recreating the sealed chamber 30 to prevent any further dispensing.

The spring sealing disc 50 can also help resist any hydrostatic shock via transit placed upon the closure and pack to prevent any leakage during transportation of filled packs.

One or more small vents, or positive air flow channels may be provided (e.g. around the periphery) to allow air to enter the bottle between dispensing. These vent channels can, for example, vary in number, design and size but should be small enough for air to flow one way but not the product to flow or escape. These flow paths must also be kept away from the product sealed chamber to prevent any air reaching the product to eliminate any degradation of the product.

The pressure disc 40 has been designed also to be moulded in polypropylene or polyethylene (or similar) and its purposes are to house the sealing disc 50, to mate with the closure chamber 30 to create an elongated tortuous flow path, to allow and restrict the flow of the product through a series or predetermined flow holes (in this instance there are three radially spaced slot holes, but the number and shape can be altered in relation to product viscosity, for example). A further purpose of the pressure disc 40 is to hold back the top load weight of the product to limit the amount of pressure exerted upon the spring fingers 60 to combat any automatic and unwanted dispensing.

Although not show in these images a closure lid could be provided and could perform a final seal within the closure orifice to prevent any further leakage.

Figure 14 shows a device formed as a beverage closure 105.

The closure 105 includes a base 106 and a lid 107 joined by a hinge 108. A separate flow control assembly is provided in the form of a spout body I 10, a pressure disc 140 and a sealing disc I 50.

Figures 15 and I 6 show the flow control assembly of the closure. The closure 105 functions in a similar way to the closure 5.

Figure 17 shows a sectional view of a three-piece condiment closure 205. Figure 18 illustrates the closure chamber 230. Figures I 9 to 21 show the sealing disc 250. Figures 22 and 23 show the pressure disc 240.

The closure 205 functions in a similar way to the closure 5.

Figures 24 to 33 show a two-piece closure 305. One part is a closure body 310 with two side holes 322, 324 entering from a conduit 320 closed at one end by a “bow tie” shape end plate 323 and leading to one orifice 325 (see Figures 24 to 26). The other part is a spring disc 350 (see Figures 27 to 29) that moves forward under pressure to reveal the holes 322, 324 to dispense (Figures 30 and 31 ), and when the pressure is released the springs 360 return the disc into its sealing position (Figures 32 and 33).

The deck 356 of the spring disc 350 includes a central, “bow tie” shape opening 357 which slidably mates with the correspondingly shaped, blind-ended conduit 320.

Both parts 310, 350 may be formed in PR, for example, making it a mono polymer fully recyclable closure. Figures 34 to 38 show a two-piece closure 405 formed according to a further embodiment.

One part is a closure body 410 with two side holes 422, 424 entering from a blind ended conduit 420 leading to one orifice 425. The other part is a spring disc 450 that moves forward under pressure to reveal the holes 422, 424 to dispense (Figure 38), and when the pressure is released the springs 460 return the disc into its sealing position (Figure 37). The spring disc 450 is captive in the chamber 430, in this embodiment by virtue of a segmented retention bead 432.

Figures 39 to 41 show a closure formed according to a further embodiment.

In this embodiment a rectangular orifice 557 on the sealing disc and a corresponding rectangular inletdefining stirrup 526 on the conduit is provided as opposed to the “bow tie” shape. This can aide assembly and tooling function.

Figures 42 to 46 show a closure 605 formed according to a further embodiment. Compared with the closure 505, spring fingers 660 are provided on the closure body 610 rather than the sealing disc 650.

Figures 47 to 52 show a closure 705 formed according to a further embodiment.

The closure 705 comprises a body 710 and a valve member in the form of a spring disc 750.

The body 710 comprises a base 71 I and a lid 712 joined by a hinge 71 3. The base 71 I includes a top deck 715 with a central orifice 725. A first cylindrical wall 716 depends from the top deck radially outwards of the orifice. A second cylindrical 717 wall depends from the top deck radially outwards of the first cylindrical wall. The free end of the second cylindrical wall is provided with a snap bead 718. A third cylindrical wall 719 depends from the periphery of the top deck. The third cylindrical wall has an internal screw thread formation 722.

The spring disc 750 includes a base plate 770 with a central inlet orifice 771. A chimney 772 upstands from the plate around the orifice. At the top of the chimney four inclined spokes 773 extend and support a valve head 774; product outlets 775 are formed between the spokes. Two spring legs 776 also extend from the base plate. Two diametrically opposed side fins 777 extend from either side of the base plate and each fin carries an upper 778 and a lower retention bead 779.

The spring disc 750 is received in the body base 71 I as shown in Figure 48. The upper and lower retention beads of the side fins 777 pass over the second cylindrical wall snap bead 718. The chimney 772 is slidably received in the first cylindrical wall 716 and the valve head 774 enters the closure body dispensing orifice 725. The springs 776 push against the underside of the top deck 715 and this maintains the spring disc 750 in the position shown in Figure 48, in which the dispensing orifice is blocked. In use, when pressure is applied to the underside of the spring disc 750 this pushes it axially upwards against the biasing action of the springs 776 to the position shown in Figure 49. The head 774 is pushed upwards and out of the dispensing orifice 725; product can now flow through the chimney 772, through the outlets 775 between the spokes 773 and through the dispensing orifice 725. The flow path is illustrated by the arrow.

The closure body 710 is usable with or without the spring disc valve member 750.

The closure 705 may be used, for example in the food market or the body care market.

In this embodiment the closure is formed as a mono material construction instead of, for example, a thermoplastic elastomer (TRE) valve.

Figures 52A to 52J show various view of the closure: perspective closed; perspective open and exploded; perspective open; underplan open; section along line A-A; plan open; valve open; closure open; closure closed; valve.

Figures 53 to 59 show a closure 805 formed according to a further embodiment.

The closure 805 comprises a base 81 I and a lid 812 joined by a hinge 81 3. The base 81 I includes a top deck 815 with a central orifice 825. A first cylindrical wall 816 depends from the top deck beneath the orifice. A second cylindrical 817 wall depends from the top deck radially outwards of the first cylindrical wall. The interior of the second cylindrical wall is provided with an annular groove 823. A third cylindrical wall 819 depends from the periphery of the top deck. The third cylindrical wall has an internal screw thread formation 822.

The orifice 825 includes an internal snap bead 826 which engages with a corresponding bead 827 on a lid spigot 828.

Figure 58 shows more detail about the region of the orifice 825. In the centre of the orifice three spring legs 880 extend radially inwards from the first cylindrical wall 816. The legs 880 carry a central valve hub 882. The legs 880 and hub 882 form a generally triskelion arrangement. In this embodiment this orifice arrangement is formed as an integral part of the closure body. In other embodiments, for example, it could be formed as a separate component.

The closure also comprises a flow cup 885. The cup 885 comprises a top plate 886 and a sidewall 887.

The top plate includes a central aperture 888. The sidewall 887 includes an annular rib 889. The cup 885 is received in the second cylindrical wall, with the rib 889 snapping into the groove 823.

The hub 882 seats onto the aperture 888 and prevents product flow.

When product pressure increases (e.g. when an associated container is squeezed) the hub 882 is forced away from the aperture 888 against the biasing force provided by the springs 880. Product can flow through the cup aperture, around the hub (between the legs) and through the orifice 825.

Other (optional features):

• Usable with or without valve

• First splash is directed to sidewall

• Opening forces of valve can be adjusted by different plugs

Figures 59A to 591 show various views of the closure: perspective closed; perspective open and exploded; perspective open; underplan open sectional open; plan open; magnified view of region X; section along line B-B; valve sealed and lid closed.

Figure 60 illustrates the venting slots of Figure 59H. There may be adjustments to increase the venting slots and reduce pre-pressure of the valve. This could be used, for example to adapt the closure for use with pasty products.

Figure 61 shows a flip-top closure 990 formed in accordance with the present invention. The closure 990 comprises a base 991 and a lid 992 (joined by a hinge 993).

Within the base and lid a flow control dispensing device/member is provided. The member comprises first and second parts 995, 996 which together form a tortuous flow path leading from inlets 994 in the first part 995 to an outlet 997 in the second part 996, in this embodiment consisting of five flow paths a- e.

This embodiment includes a tamper-evident system comprising two rings 998, 999 frangibly joined together.

The rings are split apart upon first opening of the closure (by lifting of the lid). In this embodiment a lower ring 998 drops and an upper ring 999 is retained in the lid.

Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments shown and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.