Dual orifice venting bottle closure

Abstract

A closure assembly, wherein said closure assembly comprises at least a first and a second orifice, wherein said second orifice comprises a venting material, and wherein said venting material is substantially permeable to gases and wherein said venting material is substantially impermeable to liquids.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/834,872 filed Aug. 2, 2006.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a dual orifice closure. More specifically, the present invention relates to a dual orifice closure assembly useful for dispensing liquids from one orifice and venting from a second orifice.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As liquid compositions are packaged into consumer ready packages, air is often times trapped at the top of the container before it can be sealed. The air trapped at the top of the container (headspace) often results in an air bubble, which disrupts the composition within the bottle if the bottle is rotated. In instances where a specific design is created within the liquid composition in the container, the air bubble can cause damage to the design during shipping. Additionally, many liquids are sensitive to gases, such as oxygen. When containers are filled with such liquids, the presence of atmospheric gases reduces shelf-life, and thereby increases costs to the manufacturer. Headspace can generally be reduced by “topping off” the container with a sufficient amount of the composition as to prevent air from remaining at the top of the container. However, this technique is difficult to automate, and therefore must typically be performed by hand. Additionally, “topping off” often results in overflow of the liquid composition, which creates a hazardous condition on a production line.

A known method for eliminating headspace is to vent liquid-filled containers. One technique involves a pressure system comprising pieces of rubber, metal springs, and/or soft films (preferably vinyl chloride) being used to lift and open vent orifices in a closure when internal pressure reaches a given threshold value. Another technique is to provide elaborate passages in a closure whereby gases may leave the system but liquid losses are minimized. A third system, which may be called the pinorifice system, employs one or more tiny orifices in rubber, metal, or plastic diaphragms which render the material permeable to gases. Yet another system, commonly called a positive displacement pump, or piston system, employs a mechanism which pushes a composition to the top of a container via a rising piston or pump. However, none of the aforementioned methods effectively eliminates headspace from a container.

Therefore, a need still exists for a closure which allows for venting of gases during packaging, while eliminating escape of liquid contents and also eliminates headspace in a container. A need also exists to allow easy dispensing, from the same venting closure, of the contents of the package by a consumer. Additionally, a need exists for a closure which allows venting of gases on a large scale.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention meets the aforementioned needs by providing a closure assembly, wherein said closure assembly comprises at least a first and a second orifice, wherein said second orifice comprises a venting material, and wherein said venting material is substantially permeable to gases and wherein said venting material is substantially impermeable to liquids.

The present invention is also directed to a method of venting gases comprising the steps of filling a container with a composition, expelling gases through a venting material, and sealing the closure after headspace is eliminated.

While the invention will be described in connection with certain embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to these embodiments. On the contrary, the invention includes all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in, and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with a general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the invention.

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the closure assembly angled from above;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the closure assembly angled from below;

FIG. 3 is a lateral cross sectional view of the closure assembly;

FIG. 4 is a view of the top of the closure assembly;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the closure assembly;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the top of the closure assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the specification concludes with claims that particularly point out and distinctly claim the invention, it is believed the present invention will be better understood from the following description.

As used herein, the term “substantially gas-permeable,” means that the material described generally allows gases to pass through it.

As used herein, the term “substantially liquid-impermeable,” means that the material described generally resists the movement of liquids through the material. Therefore, the material behaves as a barrier to liquids.

As used herein, the term “substantially air-tight,” means that the seal generally resists the entry and escape of air/gases around the seal.

Referring to the figures, and specifically FIGS. 1 and 2, a closure assembly 1 comprises a base 2, and lid 3. The lid 3 is designed with at least a first closure portion 4 capable of sealing the first orifice 5 and a second closure portion 6 capable of sealing the second orifice 7. It is also contemplated that the base 2 may be designed to comprise more than two orifices. The first closure portion 4 and second closure portion 6 may also comprise a first sealing means 8 and a second sealing means 9 to reinforce the integrity of the seals around the first 5 or second orifices 7. The first sealing means 8 and second sealing means 9 may be plugs comprising a material selected from the group consisting of plastic, rubber, cork, or other material known in the art capable of creating a seal when applied to an orifice. Preferably, the seal is substantially air-tight when the lid 3 is in the closed position. The first closure portion 4 and second closure portion 6 may or may not be physically connected to one another. Preferably the first 4 and second 6 closure portions are connected by a bending means 10, located medially between them. The bending means 10 may comprise flexible plastic, a hinge, or any other bending means known in the art. The bending means 10 may also be molded directly to the base 2.

The bending means 10 may be positioned medially between the first closure portion 4 and second closure portion 6 so that the first closure portion 4 and second closure portion 6 can open and close independently of one another. Accordingly, the first closure portion 4 may operate to expose the first orifice 5 and the second closure portion 6 may operate to expose the second orifice 7. The base 2 may be knurled or serrated on its outside surface 11 for ease of handling, and it is illustrated as having a securing means such as threads 12, for securing to a matching means, such as threads, on a container. Preferably, the first closure portion 4 is removable from the first orifice 5, while remaining attached to the base 2 at a bending means 10. Therefore the bending means 10 may operate to physically attach the first closure portion 4 to the second closure portion 6 and to attach the lid 3 to the base 2. The bending means 10 may attach to the base 2 with an attaching means comprising an adhesive, a hooking mechanism, a matching means wherein an extension of the lid is inserted into the base at a coplanar location 15 on the base, or by another attaching means known in the art. The bending means 10 may also be molded to the base 2 during production, which would obviate the need for an attaching means.

The second orifice 7 comprises a venting material 13. The average diameter of the first orifice 5 is preferably about 20% to about 60% of the average diameter of the inside wall 14 of the base 2. The average diameter of the second orifice 7 is preferably about 30% to 50% of the size of the first orifice 5. The venting material 13 comprises a material which is substantially gas-permeable and substantially liquid-impermeable. Non-limiting examples of venting materials 13 are woven or non-woven fabrics, thin flexible plastics such as polyethylene, polypropylene, mylar, and polytetrafluoroethylene. Polytetrafluoroethylene is most preferred. The venting material 13 has a preferred thickness of from about 10% to about 25% of the diameter of the second orifice 7.

The second orifice 7 also comprises a means for securing the venting material in place. The venting material 13 may be secured to the surface surrounding the second orifice 7, either above or below the second orifice 7, by applying an adhesive material to the edges of the venting material 13 and affixing the venting material 13 to the base 2, either above or below the second orifice 7. Alternately, the venting material 13 may be secured inside the second orifice 7 by lodging the venting material 13 in between threads, or by using an adhesive where the venting material 13 comes into contact with the inner wall of the second orifice 7. Where the venting material 13 is secured either above or below the second orifice 7, the venting material 13 is slightly larger in average diameter than the second orifice 7. Where the venting material 13 is secured inside the second orifice 7, the venting material 13 is preferably slightly less than the diameter of the inside wall 14 of the second orifice 7. However, threads may also be cut into the second orifice 7 inside wall 14, so that the venting material 13 is not smaller in average diameter than the average diameter of the inside wall 14. Also, in another embodiment, the venting material 13 may be molded into the second orifice 7 during fabrication of the closure assembly 1.

In operation, after a container is filled with a composition, the closure assembly 1 is secured to a container. The first orifice 5 is sealed by the first closure portion 4 of the lid 3. The second orifice 7 remains physically exposed to the outside environment. Pressure within the container is increased by various means, and gases are released through the venting material 13, and expelled through the second orifice 7, which eliminates headspace. After gases are expelled, the second orifice 7 is sealed by the second closure portion 6. Pressure may be increased internal to the second orifice 7 by build up of gases produced during reaction of various ingredients of the liquid composition, by applying a force to the exterior of a flexible container to physically force gases/air through the second orifice 7, or by other methods known in the art. In one embodiment, atmospheric pressure may be reduced external to the container to vent gases via a vacuum.

It is also contemplated that other embodiments, comprising a plurality of orifices for gas venting and a plurality of orifices for composition dispensing may be employed.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm.”

All documents cited herein are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to the present invention. To the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this written document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to the term in this written document shall govern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is, therefore, intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A closure assembly comprising a base, wherein said base comprises a first and a second orifice, wherein said second orifice comprises a venting material, and wherein said venting material is substantially gas-permeable and wherein said venting material is substantially liquid-impermeable.

2. A closure assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a lid, wherein said lid comprises a first and second closure portion.

3. A closure assembly according to claim 2, wherein said first and second closure portions are physically connected by a bending means.

4. A lid according to claim 2, wherein said first closure portion further comprises a sealing means which is operable to seal said first orifice.

5. A lid according to claim 2, wherein said second closure portion further comprising a sealing means which is operable to seal said second orifice.

6. A closure assembly according to claim 1, wherein said venting material is selected from the group consisting of a woven or non-woven fabric, polyethylene, polypropylene, mylar, and polytetrafluoroethylene.

7. A method of venting gases comprising the steps of filling a container with a composition, expelling gases through a venting material, and sealing the orifice after headspace is eliminated.

8. A method of venting gases with the closure assembly of claim 1 comprising the steps of:

a) filling a container with a composition,

b) affixing the closure assembly to the container,

c) sealing the first orifice,

d) increasing internal pressure inside of the container to expel gases through the second orifice, and

e) sealing the second orifice after gas is expelled.

9. A method of venting gases with the closure assembly of claim 1 comprising the steps of:

a) filling a container with a composition,

b) affixing the closure assembly to the container,

c) sealing the first orifice,

d) decreasing atmospheric pressure outside of the container to expel gases through the second orifice, and

e) sealing the second orifice after gas is expelled.