VALVE-CONTROLLED DISPENSING CLOSURE

Abstract

The invention relates to a dispensing closure for a container that holds a fluid, which can be tightly fitted into a container neck to ensure liquid-tightness of the container. The dispenser closure includes a plug body arranged to be inserted into the container neck and having a central fluid passage and having a peripheral air passage, a double-valve diaphragm comprising a flexible elastic material and arranged in a recess provided in an upper part of the plug body to cover the fluid passage and the air passage, and a plug cap sealing the double-valve diaphragm within the plug body having one or more slots arranged circularly and axially aligned with the air passage of the plug body and having a central orifice axially aligned with the fluid passage of the plug body. The double-valve diaphragm comprises a first valve section, and a second valve section.

Description

This application claims priority from European Patent Application No. 12181261.4, filed Aug. 21, 2012, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a dispensing closure for dispensing a liquid, such as perfume, from a container having an opening.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The document U.S. Pat. No. 7,681,750 describes a closure for a container that holds a free-flowing product. The container comprises a fixed lower part that can be fastened to a container neck that surrounds a container opening in order to seal the neck; a cover comprising a protruding connecting piece that forms a passage for the free-flowing product; a displaceable upper part that can be coaxially displaced on the lower part in and against the direction of the container between an outer resting position and an inner actuating position; a breaker or dish-shaped diaphragm valve that has a base consisting at least of a flexible elastic material and whose upper edge seals the underside of the upper part; perforations in the base of the diaphragm valve that are closed in the testing position of the upper part; and a diameter of the base that is greater than the inner cross section of the connecting piece. The outer end of the connecting piece continuously supports the base of the diaphragm valve, and the latter continuously pre-tensions the upper part in the direction of its resting position in such a way that, when axial pressure is exerted on the upper part in the direction of the container, the diaphragm valve is bent outwards, thus opening the perforations in the base.

However, if too much pressure is applied to the container in order to allow the fluid to eject the dispenser, air may enter the container through the fluid channel and any fluid may readily seep out as the pressure inside the fluid channel will then be different from the pressure outside the fluid channel, i.e., the atmospheric pressure. In order to avoid such leakage, a cap may be provided, as also disclosed by the aforementioned document.

The document US 2007/0284397 also discloses a dispensing closure having a plurality of nozzles in a plate arranged above a valve. The plurality of nozzles allows for spraying a mist or the like. Again, a cap is provided to prevent leakage.

Many other valve arrangements are known. For example, the document EP 1953432 shows an umbrella-type valve as a pressure relieve valve. In general, umbrella valves are elastomeric valve components that have a diaphragm shaped sealing disk or an umbrella shape. These elastomeric components are generally used as sealing elements in backflow prevention devices, or one-way valves, or the like. When mounted in a seat, the convex diaphragm flattens out against the valve seat and absorbs a certain amount of seat irregularities and creates a certain sealing force. The umbrella valve will allow forward flow once the head pressure creates enough force to lift the convex diaphragm from the seat, and so it will allow flow at a predetermined pressure in one way and prevent back flow immediately in the opposite way.

Such umbrella valves have a drawback of being large. For example, with a pressure of 5 mbar (0.5 kPa), the valve typically has a diameter of at least 8 cm.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses the problems of the prior art and provides a compact dispensing closure as defined in accordance with the present specification, with non-limiting illustrative embodiments summarized below. The present dispensing closure ensures liquid tightness even without a cap and is small enough to be used in, for example, perfume bottles, which have a standardized bottle neck diameter.

Thus, in accordance with a first non-limiting illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a dispensing closure (2) for a container (3) that holds a fluid, which can be tightly fitted into a container neck to ensure liquid-tightness of the container, comprises (a) a plug body (23) arranged to be inserted into the container neck and having a central fluid passage and having a peripheral air passage, (b) a double-valve diaphragm (22) consisting of a flexible elastic material and arranged in a recess provided in an upper part of the plug body (23) to cover the fluid passage and the air passage, and (c) a plug cap (21) for sealing the double-valve diaphragm (22) within the plug body (23) having one or more slots arranged circularly and axially aligned with the air passage of the plug body (23) and having a central orifice axially aligned with the fluid passage of the plug body (23), wherein the double-valve diaphragm (22) further comprises a first valve section, and a second valve section, wherein the first valve section is a normally closed valve (22d) having a slit-type central orifice (22a) and which seals the central fluid passage of the plug body (23) when in its resting position, and wherein the second valve section is an umbrella-type valve (22b) that is a normally closed valve and that seals the one or more slots of the plug cap (21) when in its resting position.

Other details and different variants of the invention are defined in the following additional non-limiting, illustrative embodiments of the present invention. For example, in accordance with a second non-limiting, illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the first non-limiting embodiment is modified so that the double-valve diaphragm (22) further comprises a valve seal (22c) arranged between the first valve section and the second valve section. In accordance with a third non-limiting illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the first non-limiting embodiment is modified so that the double-valve diaphragm (22) further comprises a valve seal (22c) arranged concentrically between the first valve section and the second valve section. In accordance with a fourth non-limiting illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the first, second and third non-limiting embodiments are further modified so that the double-valve diaphragm (22) further comprises the first valve section for fluid dispensing and the second valve section for air venting.

In accordance with a fifth non-limiting, illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the first non-limiting embodiment is modified so that the first valve section of the double-valve diaphragm (22) is arranged to open when a pressure is created in the central fluid passage of the plug body (23). In accordance with a sixth non-limiting, illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the first valve section of the double-valve diaphragm (22) is arranged to open when a depression (i.e., a suction or vacuum) is created in the central fluid passage (21d) of the plug cap (21). In accordance with a seventh non-limiting, illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth non-limiting embodiments of the present invention are further modified so that the second valve section of the double-valve diaphragm (22) is arranged to open when a depression (i.e., a suction or vacuum) is created in the central fluid passage of the plug body (23).

In accordance with an eighth non-limiting illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh non-limiting embodiments are further modified so that the plug body has an inner cylindrical elongated portion axially aligned with the central fluid passage for receiving a dip-tube (24). In accordance with a ninth non-limiting illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth non-limiting embodiments are further modified so that the plug body (23) has a plug-shape with an elongated circular main body (23d) for fitting into a neck of the container when assembled thereto and a disc-shaped top section (23e) that is formed to sit on top of the neck so as to seal it. In accordance with a tenth non-limiting, illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth non-limiting embodiments are further modified so that the top section (23e) has a welding ring (23f) on its upper surface, and the plug cap (21) has a slot arranged in its lower surface for receiving the welding ring.

In accordance with an eleventh non-limiting, illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a combination of a dispensing closure and a container for holding fluid is provided, wherein the dispensing closure is a dispensing closure (2) according to the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth or tenth non-limiting embodiment. In accordance with a twelfth non-limiting illustrative embodiment, the eleventh non-limiting embodiment is further modified so that the container holds perfume.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood with the help of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings illustrating non-limiting embodiments of the invention:

FIG. 1 shows a general overview of a fluid container on which is mounted a dispensing closure according to the present invention;

FIGS. 2a and 2b show a side view and a cross-sectional view, respectively, of the container with dispensing closure of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3a and 3b show a side view and an exploded view, respectively, of the main elements of the dispensing closure according to the present invention;

FIGS. 4a and 4b show a top view and a cross-sectional view, respectively, of the dispensing closure according to the present invention; and

FIG. 5 shows a schematic representation of air and fluid flow through the dispensing closure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A preferred embodiment of the dispensing closure according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the Figures. In particular, FIGS. 1 and 2 show fluid container 3 on which is mounted a dispensing closure 2 according to the present invention. The combination of container and fitted closure is referenced by general reference 1.

Container 3 may hold a free-flowing product, such as lotions, creams, perfumes or the like, and is typically provided with a neck having an outlet opening. The container may consist of a solid material, such as glass or ceramic, or also be made of plastic, whereby the walls of a plastic container may be rigid or flexible. The neck of container 3 may be provided with a thread allowing for a spray top to be fitted thereto in a manner well known in the art. Dispensing closure 2 basically corresponds to a plug that may be fitted into the neck of container 3 to seal it in a liquid-tight manner.

FIG. 3 shows in more detail the dispensing closure 2, also referred to as a plug. Plug 2 consists of three parts: a plug cap 21, a double-valve diaphragm 22 and a plug body 23. A tube or rod 24 may be fitted into the plug body so as to allow for transportation from liquid in container 3 to the plug for ejection from the plug. Plug body 23 has a top section for receiving double-valve diaphragm 22 and plug cap 21 is fitted on top of double-valve diaphragm 22 to seal the plug.

FIG. 4 shows a top view of the plug cap 21 and a cross-sectional view of the plug. As can be seen in FIG. 4, plug cap 21 is disk-shaped and is provided with a central opening 21d with one or more air venting slots 21c surrounding the central opening. In between the air venting slots 21c and central opening 21d, an internal ring seal 21a and an external seal ring 21b are provided for preventing leakage of liquid when a tube or cannula is inserted into a valve located below the plug cap, as will be explained in more detail hereafter.

Double-valve diaphragm 22 consists of a flexible elastic material, such as silicone, rubber or a plastic, such as polyethylene or a similar elastomeric material. Double-valve diaphragm 22 comprises a central valve section 22b, which has a central slit-type orifice 22a surrounded by a valve seal 22c. A peripheral section constituting an umbrella-type valve 22d is further provided surrounding the valve seal 22c. Such slit-type orifice is known as, for example, from the document U.S. Pat. No. 7,681,750 cited above, and which is incorporated herein by reference for all that it discloses. As shown, a plurality of slits extend in a cross- or star-shape diametrically through the centre of central valve section 22d at equal circumferential angular distances. The ends of the slits are located at an appropriate radial distance from the valve seal 22c.

Plug body 23 has a plug-shape with an elongated circular main body 23d for fitting into a neck of a container holding fluid and with a generally disc-shaped top section 23e that sits on top of the neck so as to seal it. Top section 23e has substantially the same external diameter as the neck of the container onto which the plug 2 is fitted. As an example, this diameter may be 15 mm, which is a standard FEA 15 size for a neck of perfume bottles. The abbreviation “FEA” used in this disclosure stands for “Fédération Européenne des Aérosols, ” which is an organization that sets industry standards in the European aerosol industry.

Main body 23d has an external elongated cylindrical portion for snugly fitting into the neck of a container 3. Ring seals 23a may be provided on the outer periphery of main body 23d to prevent leakage between the container and the plug. Main body 23d further has an internal elongated cylindrical portion, spaced apart from the external elongated cylindrical portion, which itself has a hollow dip tube seat 23c for receiving a dip-tube 24. One or more rings, in the example shown there are three rings, may be provided to prevent any air entrance from inside the container to the dip-tube.

Top section 23e is further provided on its top surface with a welding ring 23f to be fitted in a slot suitably arranged on the lower surface of plug cap 21, as shown, so as to ensure a seal-tight assembly between these elements, for example, by laser welding or the like, see also section C in FIG. 5. It further is provided with a central recess 23h delimited by side walls 23g that align with a further slot suitably arranged on the lower surface of plug cap 21 to ensure air-tight assembly between these elements. Recess 23h is configured to receive double-valve diaphragm 22 and is provided with air venting slots that suitably align axially with the air venting slots 21c of diaphragm 22. The internal elongated portion of main body 23d extends into this recess and has an upper hollow section 23b constituting a diaphragm deflection chamber. This is a space that is used when a dip-tube 24 is inserted to prevent any collision between the diaphragm and the tube. The sidewalls of this hollow section 23b constitute shoulders for receiving aligned therewith valve seal 22c of diaphragm 22.

Diaphragm 22 is fitted into recess 23h such that when plug cap 21 is fitted to close the plug, the valve seal 22c is compressed between the sidewalls and the plug cap thus ensures liquid-tightness of deflection chamber 23b. As shown in FIG. 4, these shoulders fix diaphragm 22 by dividing it into a circumferential valve section, an inner valve section constituting a normally closed valve having the slit-type orifice 22a, which is closed when the inner valve section is in its resting position, and an outer valve section constituting the umbrella-type valve 22b. The umbrella-style valve 22b is also a normally closed valve with the valve seat on the plug cap 21, and that closes the air venting slots of plug cap 21 when in its resting position. As can be understood from the above, umbrella-style valve 22b will then block the air venting slots 21c of plug cap 21.

The operation of the double-valve diaphragm according to the present invention will now be described with reference to FIG. 5. More specifically, double-valve diaphragm 22 has double concentrically valves comprising a normally closed orifice with a self-closing slit-type valve 22a and a normally closed umbrella-type valve 22b. When liquid is to be dispensed from the container, a suction is applied by a pump, or by a pressure applied to the container, through the slit-type orifice 22a. The slit-type orifice 22a opens so that liquid can flow outside of the container and the plug in the direction of arrow “way B” shown in FIG. 5. Because of this, a depression (i.e., a vacuum or suction) is created inside the container and liquid will exit dip-tube 24, and the plug 22, through the open orifice. This depression will be, for example when spraying perfume, around 5 to 10 mbar. Due to this depression, the umbrella-style valve will open thus allowing air to flow in through air venting slots 21c and the corresponding slots of plug cap 23 into container 3 in the direction of arrow “way A” shown in FIG. 5. Thus, the depression inside the container is created when an amount of liquid is dispensed. The sprayed volume should be replaced by air in order to have an equilibrium pressure inside and outside the container, which is obtained by the air flowing in by the umbrella-type valve that is opened due to the created depression.

Thus, when the valves are closed, liquid is retained in the reservoir by way of retention A and retention B, as shown in FIG. 5. This prevents any liquid splashing when the bottle is not connected to the cannular system or when the bottle has not a lid.

Most broadly, however, the present invention relates to a dispensing closure (2) for a container (3) that holds a fluid, which can be tightly fitted into a container neck to ensure liquid-tightness of the container. The dispensing closure (2) includes a plug body (23) arranged to be inserted into the container neck and having a central fluid passage and having a peripheral air passage, a double-valve diaphragm (22) consisting of a flexible elastic material and arranged in a recess provided in an upper part of the plug body (23) to cover the fluid passage and the air passage, and a plug cap (21) for sealing the double-valve diaphragm (22) within the plug body (23) having one or more slots arranged circularly and axially aligned with the air passage of the plug body (23) and having a central orifice axially aligned with the fluid passage of the plug body (23). Furthermore, in accordance with the present invention, the double-valve diaphragm (22) comprises a first valve section, and a second valve section, where the first valve section is a normally closed valve (22d) having a slit-type central orifice (22a) and that seals the central fluid passage of the plug body (23) when in its resting position, and where the second valve section is an umbrella-type valve (22b) that is a normally closed valve and that seals the one or more slots of the plug cap (21) when in its resting position.

Having described now the preferred embodiments of this invention, it will be apparent to one of skill in the art that other embodiments incorporating its concept may be used. It is felt, therefore, that this invention should not be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but rather should be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A dispensing closure for a container that holds a fluid, wherein the dispensing closure fits tightly into a container neck of the container to ensure liquid-tightness of the container, wherein the dispensing closure comprises:

(a) a plug body configured to insert into the container neck and the plug body has a central fluid passage and a peripheral air passage;

(b) a double-valve diaphragm comprising a flexible elastic material and arranged in a recess provided in an upper part of the plug body to cover the central fluid passage and the peripheral air passage of the plug body; and

(c) a plug cap that seals the double-valve diaphragm within the plug body, wherein the plug cap has one or more slots arranged circularly and axially aligned with the peripheral air passage of the central plug body, and the plug cap has a central orifice axially aligned with the central fluid passage of the plug body,

wherein

the double-valve diaphragm further comprises

a first valve section, and

a second valve section, wherein

the first valve section is a normally closed valve having a slit-type central orifice and the first valve section seals the central fluid passage of the plug body when in a first resting position, and

wherein the second valve section is an umbrella-type valve that is a normally closed valve and the second valve section seals the one or more slots of the plug cap when in a second resting position.

2. A dispensing closure according to claim 1, wherein said double-valve diaphragm further comprises a valve seal arranged between said first valve section and said second valve section.

3. A dispensing closure according to claim 1, wherein said double-valve diaphragm further comprises a valve seal arranged concentrically between said first valve section and said second valve section.

4. A dispensing closure according to claim 1, wherein said first valve section is disposed to dispense fluid and said second valve section is disposed for air venting.

5. A dispensing closure according to claim 1, wherein the first valve section of the double-valve diaphragm is arranged to open when a pressure is created in the central fluid passage of the plug body.

6. A dispensing closure according to claim 1, wherein the first valve section of the double-valve diaphragm is arranged to open when a depression is created in the central fluid passage of the plug cap.

7. A dispensing closure according to claim 1, wherein the second valve section of said double-valve diaphragm is arranged to open when a depression is created in the central fluid passage of the plug body.

8. A dispensing closure according to claim 1, wherein said plug body has an inner cylindrical elongated portion axially aligned with the central fluid passage in order to receive a dip-tube.

9. A dispensing closure according to claim 1, wherein said plug body has a plug-shape with an elongated circular main body for fitting into the container neck of the container when assembled thereto and a disc-shaped top section that is formed to sit on top of the container neck so as to seal the container neck.

10. A dispensing closure according to claim 9, wherein the top section has a welding ring on an upper surface of the tope section, and the plug cap has a slot arranged in lower surface of the plug cap that receives the welding ring.

11. A combination of the dispensing closure according to claim 1 and the container that holds fluid.

12. The combination of claim 11, wherein said container is a perfume container.

13. A dispensing closure according to claim 2, wherein said plug body has an inner cylindrical elongated portion axially aligned with the central fluid passage in order to receive a dip-tube.

14. A dispensing closure according to claim 3, wherein said plug body has an inner cylindrical elongated portion axially aligned with the central fluid passage in order to receive a dip-tube.

15. A dispensing closure according to claim 4, wherein said plug body has an inner cylindrical elongated portion axially aligned with the central fluid passage in order to receive a dip-tube.

16. A dispensing closure according to claim 5, wherein said plug body has an inner cylindrical elongated portion axially aligned with the central fluid passage in order to receive a dip-tube.

17. A dispensing closure according to claim 6, wherein said plug body has an inner cylindrical elongated portion axially aligned with the central fluid passage in order to receive a dip-tube.

18. A dispensing closure according to claim 7, wherein said plug body has an inner cylindrical elongated portion axially aligned with the central fluid passage in order to receive a dip-tube.