A CLOSURE

Abstract

A self-piercing closure (15) for a container of the type having a laminar closing member, the closure (15) comprising a closure body and having a piercing member (35) for piercing a closing member in use, in which the piercing member (35) comprises a depending skirt (36), and in which the closure further comprising a self-closing valve sub-assembly (50) having a retaining member which retains a self-closing valve, the sub-assembly being located within the piercing member, whereby flowable media can be dispensed from a container through the self-closing valve following piercing of the closing member in use.

Description

The present invention relates generally to a closure and particularly to a self-piercing closure suitable for use in conjunction with a container of the type having a laminar closing member such as a foil panel which must be breached in order to gain access to the contents of the container.

Containers which are used for holding and dispensing food products, such as ketchup, often have foil membranes affixed over the mouth of the container.

It is known to provide self-piercing closures which include some means of breaching a laminar closing member, such as a cutting or piercing member which forms part of the closure and is suitable to cut or pierce the closing member.

EP1234778 describes a closure which pierces and cuts a panel out of the closing member and also lifts and retains it in the closure. However, this closure does not subsequently have the ability to regulate and control the flow of product subsequently leaving the container through the breached closing member.

The present invention seeks to address the problems with known self-piercing closures.

According to a first aspect there is provided a self-piercing closure for a container of the type having a laminar closing member, the closure comprising a closure body and having a piercing member for piercing a closing member in use, in which the piercing member comprises a depending skirt, and in which the closure further comprising a self-closing valve sub-assembly having a retaining member which retains a self-closing valve, the sub-assembly being located within the piercing member, whereby flowable media can be dispensed from a container through the self-closing valve following piercing of the closing member in use.

The term “within” may, for example, mean that the piercing member is generally annular and the valve assembly is positioned radially inside the member. In other words, the term does not have to mean that the assembly is enclosed, but merely “inboard” or bounded by the member, or that the periphery of the member is beyond the periphery of the assembly (for example when looking at the closure in plan view).

In some embodiments the assembly is formed separately from and is attachable to the piercing member.

Once piercing been carried out the user can then squeeze the container and force the product through the valve and an associated spout or orifice situated in the closure.

The term “piercing” is intended to cover any mechanism for penetrating the laminar closure member including cutting, piercing, slicing, tearing, punching and the like. The piercing member may therefore, for example, comprise cutting, piercing, slicing, breaking, rupturing, bursting or splitting means.

The closure body may be movable from a first position to a second position to activate the piercing member in use.

The body may include a spout movable from a raised, unactivated position to a depressed, activated position to move the closure from the first to the second position.

The closure body may comprise a deformable region for allowing it to move from the first to the second position. The deformable region may form part of the body or may be formed separately from the body and be integrated therein, for example, using a sequential moulding process.

The closure may be formed in the second position or in a position intermediate the first and second positions, and is moved to the first position prior to activation of the piercing member in use.

The closure may be movable from a first position to a second position to activate the piercing means. For example, a push button or a bistable support part, panel, sleeve or the like may be used.

The deformable region may be thinned to assist movement. The deformation may be achieved by a ‘rolling’ action in which part of the body turns in on itself, for example moving from an L-shape to a U-shape.

The closure may be formed in the second position or in a position intermediate the first and second positions, and then moved to the first position prior to activation. For example, if the closure is moulded from a thermoplastics material it can be moulded in the ‘activated’ position and then moved to the non-activated initial position before it has cooled. This sets the ‘memory’ of the material to the activated position so that in use it moves more easily away from the unpierced, rest position back to the activated position.

The closure may comprise a base and a lid. The base and lid may be connected together by a hinge. The piercing member may be provided on or by the base.

The sub-assembly is formed separately from the closure and also from the container.

The retaining member may comprise a body for receiving a self-closing valve, the body being receivable into the piercing member with the valve retained.

The valve may be retained in the retaining member by being crimped in place. Alternatively or addition, for example, the valve may be retained in the retaining member by being glued in place.

The retaining member body may have a crimping flange capable of being bent from an uncrimped position to a crimped position to retain the valve in the device. The crimping flange may comprise an upstanding wall.

The retaining member may comprise a circular upstanding wall and the crimping flange may comprise a circumferentially upstanding wall.

The crimping flange may be adapted to engage a flange of a valve.

The retaining member may comprise a bead for snap-fitting the sub-assembly into the piercing member.

The retaining member may be formed as a retaining ring.

The retaining member may be formed as a single-piece article.

The sub-assembly may be retained within the closure by means of a mechanical and/or a chemical fit. Alternatively or additionally the sub-assembly may be snap-fittable into the closure. For example the retaining member and/or closure body may comprise a bead for snap-fitting the device into the closure.

The retaining member may comprise a seat and/or a sloping surface for receiving a self-closing valve flange.

The retaining member may be formed as a retaining ring. The retaining member may, for example, be formed as a single-piece article.

The valve may be a non-laminar self-closing valve.

The valve may be formed from a thermoplastic vulcanisate (TPV) material.

The valve may be formed from a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) material.

The valve may be formed from a rubber material, such as nitryl rubber.

Combinations of different materials are possible. Bi-injected valves are possible.

The self-closing valve may comprise a flange, and the rigidity of the flange may be increased by the device.

The closure body may comprise an outer skirt and an inner skirt. The piercing member may be provided within the inner skirt. For example the piercing member may be formed as a piercing skirt.

The inner skirt may include formations for engaging a container neck, such as a screw thread and/or a snap bead.

The present invention also provides a container in combination with a closure as described herein.

The present invention also provide a method of forming a self-piercing closure as described herein, the method comprising the steps of: forming the closure body in the second position or in a position intermediate the first and second positions; and moving the closure body to the first position.

The method may further comprise the step of fitting a self-closing valve sub-assembly into the body.

The body is moulded from a thermoplastics material. The body may be moulded in the activated position and then moved to the unactivated position before it has cooled.

The present invention combines a valve into a self-piercing closure arrangement so that once the laminar closing member is breached the flow of product from the container is under the control of the self-closing valve which has benefits including smooth product flow and prevention of leakage.

The piercing member may be provided as an integral part of the closure body or may be provided as a separate component which is attachable to the closure body. In some embodiments the piercing member is bi-injection moulded with the remainder of the body.

The piercing member may be formed separately from and be attachable to the closure body. For example the member may be formed as a separate insert which can be clipped or otherwise connected into the body.

Closures according to the present invention are formed so that the closure does not have to be removed in order to pierce the closing member.

The closure may comprise a base and a lid, which may be connected together by a hinge such as a snap hinge. Such flip-top closures are increasingly common.

The piercing means may be carried on or by the base and similarly the self-closing valve may be carried on or by the base.

Valves according to the present invention may be formed from silicon or a silicon-based material.

The present invention also provides a closure fitted with a self-closing valve assembly as described herein.

According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a closure as described herein in combination with a retaining device for retaining a self-closing valve in a closure, the device comprising a body for receiving a self-closing valve and having a crimping flange capable of being bent from an uncrimped position to a crimped position to retain the valve in the device, the body being receivable into a closure with the valve retained, in which the crimping flange has a length in the range 0.5 mm to 4.0 mm.

The crimping flange may have a length in the range 0.5 mm to 4.0 mm, for example 1.0 mm to 2.50 mm.

The overall height of the device may be in the range 6.30 mm to 7.70 mm. In one embodiment the height is approximately 5.95 mm; in another the height is approximately 6.35 mm.

A further aspect provides a closure as described herein in combination with a retaining device for retaining a non-laminar, flange-presenting self-closing valve in a closure for a container in which the closure is adapted for direct connection with the container, the device being separate from the closure for the container and separate from the container, the device having a crimping flange for engaging the said valve flange to retain the valve in the device, the crimping flange being separate from the closure for the container and separate from the container, so that the device is fitted into the said closure for the container with the retained valve, and the crimping flange having a height in the range 1.10 mm to 2.50 mm.

The crimping flange height may, for example, be approximately 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 or 2.5 mm.

The overall height of the device may be in the range 5 mm to 8 mm, for example 6.30 mm to 7.70 mm. In one embodiment the height is approximately 5.95 mm; in another the height is approximately 6.35 mm.

The overall height of the device may be in the range 6.30 mm to 7.70 mm.

A further aspect provides a closure as described here in combination with a self-closing valve sub-assembly comprising a retaining device in combination with a self-closing valve, the retention device comprising retaining means for retaining a valve therein, the self-closing valve comprising a valve head and a peripheral flange which is engaged by the retaining means, in which the height of the peripheral flange is in the range of 1.25 mm to 2.5 mm.

The valve flange height may, for example, be approximately 1.25, 1.3, 1.35, 1.4, 1.45, 1.5, 1.55, 1.6, 1.65, 1.7 1.75, 1.8, 1.85. 1.9, 1.95, 2.0, 2.05, 2.1, 2.15, 2.2, 2.25, 2.3, 2.35, 2.4, 2.45, or 2.5 mm. In one embodiment the flange is approximately 1.52 mm; in another embodiment the height is approximately 2.03 mm

A further aspect provides a closure as described here in combination with a self-closing valve sub-assembly comprising a retaining device in combination with a self-closing valve, the retention device comprising a single piece article having crimping means for crimping a valve into the device prior to assembly, the crimping means comprises a crimping flange capable of being bent from an uncrimped position to a crimped position, the self-closing valve comprising a valve head and a peripheral flange which is engaged by the crimping flange in the crimped position, in which the height of the peripheral flange is in the range of 1.25 mm to 2.5 mm.

The valve flange height may, for example, be approximately 1.25, 1.3, 1.35, 1.4, 1.45, 1.5, 1.55, 1.6, 1.65, 1.7 1.75, 1.8, 1.85. 1.9, 1.95, 2.0, 2.05, 2.1, 2.15, 2.2, 2.25, 2.3, 2.35, 2.4, 2.45, or 2.5 mm. In one embodiment the flange is approximately 1.52 mm; in another embodiment the height is approximately 2.03 mm

A further aspect provides a closure as described here in combination with a self-closing valve sub-assembly comprising a retaining device in combination with a self-closing valve, the retaining device the retention device comprising retaining means for retaining a valve therein, the self-closing valve having a weight in the range of 0.05 g to 0.11 g.

A further aspect provides a closure as described here in combination with a self-closing valve sub-assembly comprising a retaining device in combination with a self-closing valve, the retaining device comprising a single piece article having crimping means for crimping a valve into the device prior to assembly, the crimping means comprises a crimping flange capable of being bent from an uncrimped position to a crimped position, the self-closing valve having a weight in the range of 0.05 g to 0.11 g.

The valve may, for example, have a weight of 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08 g, 0.09, 0.10 or 0.11 g.

The weight may, for example be in the range 0.05 g to 0.08 g, or 0.08 g to 0.11 g.

A further aspect provides a closure with a self-closing valve sub-assembly, comprising a valve retaining device a described herein and a flange-presenting self-closing valve as described herein, in combination with a closure for a container.

Where present, aspects and embodiments of the present invention may comprise or include some or all of the following features.

Where present, the crimping flange of aspects and embodiments of the present invention may comprise an upstanding wall.

The device may comprise a circular upstanding wall and the crimping flange may comprise a circumferentially upstanding wall.

The device may comprise a bead for snap-fitting the device into a closure.

The device may comprise a sloping surface for receiving a valve flange.

The device may be formed as a retaining ring.

The device may be formed as a single-piece article.

The crimping flange may be adapted to engage a flange of a valve.

Devices or sub-assemblies may further comprise a sealing bead.

The device may be snap-fittable into a closure.

The device and a closure may include co-operating sealing beads for fixing the device into the closure.

The valve may be a non-laminar self-closing valve.

The device may be formed separately from a closure and also from a container.

The valve may comprise a flange, and the rigidity of the flange may be increased by the device.

The device may be retained within a closure by means of a mechanical and/or a chemical fit.

The valve may be retained in the device by being crimped in place.

The valve may be retained in the device by being glued in place.

The present invention also provides a retaining device as described herein, in combination with a non-laminar self-closing valve.

The present invention also provides, in combination, a retaining device or assembly as described herein with a self-closing valve fitted and positioned in a closure.

The closure may comprise a wall for retaining the device in the closure.

The present invention also provides a method of forming a self-closing valve preassembly for a container closure as described herein, comprising the steps of:

• • providing a valve retaining device as described herein which is separate from the container closure in which the closure is adapted for direct connection with the container, and also from the container, said device having a crimping flange;
  • providing a non-laminar self-closing valve, said valve having a flange;
  • positioning said valve into said device;
  • crimping said crimping flange over said valve flange to retain the valve in the device.

The device may have an annular support surface and in which the flange is supported on the support surface such that after crimping the valve flange is trapped between the support surface and the crimping flange.

The crimping step may be performed without heating the crimping flange.

The crimping flange may be moveable from an uncrimped position. The crimping flange may be moved in the range 80 degrees to 200 degrees, for example 90 degrees to 180 degrees. In some embodiments the flange is moved substantially 90 degrees from said uncrimped position to said crimped position in the crimping set.

The method may further comprise the step of fitting the valve preassembly into a closure.

The method may further comprise the step of fitting the closure including the valve preassembly to a container.

Valves according to the present invention may be formed from silicon or a silicon-based material.

The valve may be formed from a thermoplastic vulcanisate (TPV) material.

The valve may be formed from a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) material.

The valve may be formed from a rubber material, such as nitryl rubber.

Combinations of different materials are possible. Bi-injected valves are possible.

The present invention also provides a closure fitted with a self-closing valve assembly as described herein.

Different aspects and embodiments of the invention may be used separately or together. For example, a device with a crimping flange in the ranges specified in combination with a valve having a peripheral flange in the ranges specified and a weight in the ranges specified.

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.

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

FIG. 1 is a section of a closure formed according to an embodiment of the present invention and shown in an as-moulded position;

FIG. 2 is a section illustrating the piercing mechanism of the closure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a closure formed according to an alternative embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a retaining member suitable for use with the closures of FIGS. 1 to 3;

FIG. 5 is a section of the member of FIG. 4 shown fitted with a valve and prior to retention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the sub-assembly of FIG. 5 following retention of the valve in the member; and

FIG. 7 is a section of the sub-assembly of FIG. 7;

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a device formed according to the present invention and without a valve in position;

FIG. 9 shows a cross-section through the device of FIG. 8 with a valve loosely in position;

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the device with a valve crimped in position;

FIG. 11 shows a cross-section through the device of FIG. 10 with a valve crimped in position;

FIG. 12 shows a cross-section of one half of the device with a valve crimped into position and with the device positioned in a closure;

FIG. 13 is a section of a device formed accordingly to a further embodiment;

FIG. 14 shows a device of the type shown in FIG. 13 fitted with a valve; and

FIG. 15 is a section of a valve sub-assembly formed according to a further embodiment.

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 or its connection to a closure.

Example embodiments are described below 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 alternate 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 and as well as individual embodiments the invention is intended to cover combinations of those embodiments as well. 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.

The terminology used herein to describe embodiments is not intended to limit the scope. The articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are singular in that they have a single referent; however, the use of the singular form in the present document should not preclude the presence of more than one referent. In other words, elements referred to in the singular can number one or more, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and/or “including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, items, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, items, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

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 idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

Referring first to FIG. 1 there is shown a closure generally indicated 15. The closure 15 comprises a body including a generally cylindrical base 20.

The closure 15 is fittable to a container neck (not shown) which at its open end is sealed by a laminar foil panel.

The base 20 comprises a top deck 21 from which depends a generally cylindrical outer sidewall 22 and a generally cylindrical inner sidewall 23 which includes internal screwthread formations 24 for engaging corresponding external screwthread formations on the container neck.

At the centre of the top deck 21 a deformable spout 25 is provided. At the centre of the spout 25 a piercing member 35 is provided.

FIG. 1 shows the closure in a post-moulding state, in which the spout 25 is in a fully depressed position and forms an inclined annulus.

The piercing member 35 comprises an annular piercing skirt 36 which depends from the spout and the free end of which is inclined to form a cutting blade 37. A retention bead 40 is formed on the inner surface of the piercing skirt 36.

At the end of the skirt opposite the blade a claw-like annulus 38 extends radially inwards and defines a dispensing orifice 39 at its centre.

In addition, a self-closing valve sub-assembly 50 is fitted into the piercing member 35, further details of which are given below.

By moulding the closure in the activated, or as in this embodiment in a position intermediate the activated and unactivated positions, it can be moved before final cooling to the unactivated position, but the ‘memory’ of the material will be set to the activated position. This makes subsequent movement from the unactivated to the activated position much easier.

FIG. 2 shows both the raised, unactivated (which in use would be how the closure would be provided on a product) and depressed, activated positions of the closure. In use the spout 25 is pushed down, carrying with it the piercing member 35 and the valve sub-assembly 50. The piercing member blade 37 will pierce the seal, allowing product from a container to flow through the valve 2.

In this embodiment, in the activated position the spout wall 25′ is inclined towards the body and in the unactivated position the spout wall 25″ is inclined away from the body.

In some embodiments it may be necessary for a degree of relative rotation of the closure with respect to the panel to be employed in order to result in a satisfactory breaching of the panel.

FIG. 3 shows a closure 115 including a flexible spout 125 formed according to an alternative embodiment. The spout 125 is shown in its moulded (down) position prior to pre-setting. In this configuration the spout has a generally corrugated form with two annular folds 126, 127. To pre-set the closure the spout is pushed up to an unactivated position. In other embodiments (not shown) annular folds are present in the spout wall in activated, unacvitated or intermediate positions.

FIG. 3 also shows a lid 130 (only part of which is shown) connected to a base 120 by a hinge 145. The lid 130 comprises a generally disc-shape top plate 131 from which depends a cylindrical sidewall 132.

Referring now to FIG. 4 there is shown a retaining member 1, which shall be referred to hereinafter as a retaining ring 1. The ring 1 consists of a moulded single-piece article/body with a so-called “chimney” in the form of a circular wall 10. This chimney 10 provides a surface for assembly machinery to handle the retaining ring 1. At the outer radial end of the chimney wall 10 another circular wall 12, which has the same rotational axis as chimney 10, extending upwards. This end of the wall 10 also includes an inner ring 9 that forms a seat 7.

Along the circumference of the radially outer surface of wall 12 is a projection in the form of an external sealing bead 13. At the end of wall 12 is a crimping flange 14 which in its uncrimped condition is an upstanding wall.

A flexible self-closing valve 2 typically has the features shown in FIG. 5. For instance, such a valve 2 has a head portion 3, which is thicker towards the edge than the centre and which has at least one slit 4 therein. The head portion is concave with respect to a container (not shown). This pre-stresses the valve so that it self-closes more easily.

A side-wall or connecting wall portion 6 connects the head portion 3 with a flange 8. Flange 8 is typically shaped such that it has a relatively substantial size in the form of a rim. It is this flange 8 which rests on the inner ring 9 and sits in the seat 7 of the retaining ring 1 when it is located correctly. This forms a self-closing valve sub-assembly 50 that can easily be manipulated.

In this embodiment, to crimp the valve 2 in place, the crimping flange 14 is bent over from the position shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 until it sandwiches the flange 8 between itself 14 and the sloping surface 11 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

Although in this embodiment the crimping flange 8 is shown as being bent over by 90 degrees radially inwards it should be understood that the angle through which it need be bent is not fixed.

The sub-assembly 50 can be fitted into a closure. In some embodiments, for example, the assembly 50 is fitted into a movable section of closure (such a spout section) and then moved together with that section to cause a liner to be pierced. In the case of the closure of FIGS. 1 to 3, for example, the sub-assembly 50 is fitted into the piercing member 35 by engagement of the beads 13, 40, with the upper part of the assembly fitting up into and being retained by the claw-like annulus 38.

Referring now to FIG. 8 there is shown a device 101, which shall be referred to hereinafter as a retaining ring 101. The ring 101 consists of a moulded single-piece article with a so-called “chimney” in the form of a circular wall 110. This chimney 110 provides a surface for assembly machinery to handle the retaining ring 101. At one end of the chimney 110 is a radially outwardly sloping surface 111a provided on an annular wall 111. At the outer radial end of this sloping surface 111 a seat is provided and then another circular wall 112, which has the same rotational axis as chimney 110, and extends upwards.

Along the circumference of the radially outer surface of wall 112 is a projection in the form of an external sealing bead 113. At the end of wall 112 is a crimping flange 114 which in its uncrimped condition is an upstanding wall which in this embodiment has a height H of approximately 1.1 mm. In a further embodiment a wall with a height of approximately 1.4 mm is provided.

A flexible self-closing valve 102 typically has the features shown in FIG. 9. For instance, such a valve 102 has a head portion 103, which is thicker towards the edge than the centre and which has at least one slit 104 therein. The head portion is concave with respect to a container (not shown). This pre-stresses the valve so that it self-closes more easily.

A side-wall portion 106 connects the head portion 103 with a flange 108. Flange 108 is typically shaped such that it has a relatively substantial size in the form of a rim. It is this flange 108 which rests on the sloping surface III of the retaining ring 101 when it is located correctly.

In this embodiment, to crimp the valve 102 in place, the crimping flange 114 is bent over from the position shown in FIG. 9 until it sandwiches the flange 108 between itself 114 and the sloping surface III as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

Also shown is a valve 102 with the crimping flange 114 bent over. Although the crimping flange 108 is shown as being bent over by 90 degrees radially inwards it should be understood that the angle through which it need be bent is not fixed. For instance, it has been found that the crimping flange 114 need only be bent over by a few degrees in order that it hold the valve 102 in place within the retaining ring 101. This is because the crimping flange 114 is bent over along the entire circumference of the retaining ring 101 and valve 102. Further, the crimping flange 114 could be bent over by more than 90 degrees so that it lies against and substantially parallel with the surface of flange 108.

In FIG. 12 a retaining ring 1 is shown with a valve 102 crimped in place. Further, the retaining ring 101 is positioned within a closure 120. The closure 120 has a circular wall 121 which has a rotational axis coincident with the axis of the retaining ring 101. Along the radially inner side of this wall 121 is a sealing bead 122 in the form of a projection.

At the upper end of wall 121 is another wall 124 which lies perpendicular to wall 121. This wall 124 extends radially inward from wall 121.

When the retaining ring 101 is fitted to the closure 120 it is pushed into the closure until the crimping flange 114 meets with the underside of wall 124. Further, sealing bead 113, on the radially outer side of wall 112 of the retaining ring 101, is provided such that it has an external diameter greater than that of the diameter of radially inner surface of sealing bead 122. Accordingly, the retaining ring 101 snap-fits into the closure 120 so that the two sealing beads 113, 122 form an interference seal in a manner well known in the art.

Alternative or additional methods of fitting the retaining ring 1 in the closure 120 are of course possible. Such methods could include glueing, corresponding screw threads and chemical means.

Further, although the valve 102 has been shown in this embodiment to be crimped into the retaining ring 1, in other embodiments it would be possible to glue or affix the valve 102 to the retaining ring 101 by other means such as by chemical means.

Further still, it has been found that contrary to expectation it has been possible to bend over the crimping flange 114 without the need to apply heat to soften the material.

Yet further, although only one valve 102 has been discussed it would be possible to design a retaining ring 101 which could have more than one valve 102 crimped into it. This might be useful if it was desired to have a closure with more than one dispensing orifice.

Although the advantages of the above described retaining ring have already been discussed, (improved rigidity to improve handleability and prevent accidental passing of the valve 102 through an orifice of a closure), further advantages may be gained. One such advantage is that the valve and retaining ring may be pre-assembled on a different production machine than the machines which are used to produce the closures or assemble the closures, if different therefrom. Further, because the valves and retaining ring can be assembled more quickly than the closure can be produced or assembled, a stock of these pre-assembled valves and retaining rings can be maintained, with obvious benefits.

Another advantage of the invention is that the rigidity of the flange of the valve is increased.

In FIG. 13 a ring on 201 formed according to an alternative embodiment is shown. The ring is generally the same as the ring 101 shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 except that the length H of the crimping flange 114 is approximately 1.4 mm, with an overall ring height of approximately 6.40 mm.

It has been found that this flange length gives particular benefits to the force required to pull the valve out of a sub-assembly, by greatly increasing the force required, in some embodiments by in excess of a 300% increase in valve pull out force.

The ring benefits from several beneficial features: i) extended crimping profile design—this will improve component processing quality, and increased valve pull out forces to improve transportation quality; ii) side bead 213 vertical increase—this allows a better ring feed in to an assembly machine giving better processing efficiencies; and iii) redesigned chimney 210 inside diameter—this allows a greater flexibility for the valve sub-assembly to closure assembly machines.

Referring now to FIG. 14 a valve sub-assembly 320 is shown. In this embodiment the retention ring 301 is generally the same as that shown in FIG. 6. In this embodiment the ring is combined with a valve 302 which is generally similar to the valve 102 shown in FIGS. 2 to 5. However, in this embodiment the height F of the flange 308 is significantly less, being approximately 1.52 mm.

In other embodiments (not shown) a reduced height flange may be used in combination with a retaining ring without an extended crimping flange.

In FIG. 15 a sub-assembly 420 formed according to an alternative embodiment is shown. A valve 402 is fitted into a retention ring 401. The valve has a weight of approximately 0.06 g. The ring has a crimping flange 414 having a height H of approximately 1.0 mm. The ring 401 has an overall height of approximately 6.05 mm.

In this embodiment the ring is a retainer device for retaining a non-laminar, flange-presenting self-closing valve in a closure for a container. The closure (not shown) is directly attachable to a container. The valve is mounted within the retainer device by the crimping flange. In doing so, the crimping flange extends entirely around the outer flange of the valve. The retainer device is separate from the closure which is used to close the container. As such, the closure is adapted for direct connection with the container. A lid (not shown) may also be associated with the closure. This lid may be either separate from the closure or attached to the closure.

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.

Claims

1. A self-piercing closure for a container of the type having a laminar closing member, the closure comprising a closure body and having a piercing member for piercing a closing member in use, in which the piercing member is a depending piercing skirt, and in which the closure further comprising a self-closing valve sub-assembly having a retaining member which retains a self-closing valve, the sub-assembly retaining member being located within and retained by the depending piercing skirt, whereby flowable media can be dispensed from a container through the self-closing valve following piercing of the closing member in use.

2. A closure as claimed in claim 1, in which the closure body is movable from a first position to a second position to activate the piercing member in use.

3. A closure as claimed in claim 2, in which the body includes a spout movable from a raised, unactivated position to a depressed, activated position to move the closure from the first to the second position.

4. A closure as claimed in claim 2, in which the closure body comprises a deformable region for allowing it to move from the first to the second position.

5. (canceled)

6. A closure as claimed in claim 1, in which the closure comprises a base and a lid.

7. A closure as claimed in claim 6, in which the base and lid are connected together by a hinge.

8. A closure as claimed in claim 6, in hick the piercing member is provided on or by the base.

9. A closure as claimed in claim 1, in which the retaining member comprises a body for receiving a self-closing valve, the body being receivable into the piercing member with the valve retained.

10. A closure as claimed in claim 9, in which the retaining member body has a crimping flange capable of being bent from an uncrimped position to a crimped position to retain the valve in the device.

11. A closure as claimed in claim 10, in which the crimping flange comprises an upstanding wall.

12. A closure as claimed in claim 1, in which the retaining member comprises a bead for snap-fitting the retaining member into the piercing skirt.

13. A closure as claimed in claim 1, in which the retaining member is formed as a retaining ring.

14. A closure as claimed in claim 1, in which the retaining member is formed as a single-piece article.

15. A closure as claimed in claim 1, in which the body comprises an outer skirt and an inner skirt.

16. A closure as claimed in claim 1, in which the piercing member is a generally annular piercing skirt the free end of which is inclined to form a cutting blade.

17-21. (canceled)

22. A self-piercing closure in combination with a container of the type having a laminar closing member, the closure comprising a closure body and having a piercing member for piercing a closing member in use, in which the piercing member comprises a depending skirt, said skirt extending into the interior of the closure body, and in which the closure further comprising a self-closing valve sub-assembly having a retaining member which retains a self-closing valve, the sub-assembly being housed inside and retained by the depending skirt, the sub-assembly retaining the valve independently of the depending skirt, whereby flowable media can be dispensed from a container through the self-closing valve following piercing of the laminar closing member in use.

23-24. (canceled)

25. A method of forming a self-piercing closure as claimed in claim 2, the method comprising the steps of:

forming the closure body in the second position or in a position intermediate the first and second positions; and

moving the closure body to the first position.

26. A method as claimed in claim 25, further comprising the step of fitting a self-closing valve sub-assembly into the body.

27. A method as claimed in claim 25, in which the body is moulded from a thermoplastics material.

28. A method as claimed in claim 25, which the body is moulded in the second position and then moved to the first position before it has cooled.