Dispensing – Outlet element operated by pressure of contents – Spring form – resilient or compressible flow controller or...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-02
2001-02-13
Shaver, Kevin (Department: 3754)
Dispensing
Outlet element operated by pressure of contents
Spring form, resilient or compressible flow controller or...
Reexamination Certificate
active
06186374
ABSTRACT:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
Not applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not applicable.
REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX
Not applicable.
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a system for dispensing a product from a container. This invention is more particularly related to a system incorporating a dispensing valve which is especially suitable for use with a container from which a substance can be discharged from the container through the valve when the interior container pressure is increased.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND TECHNICAL PROBLEMS POSED BY THE PRIOR ART
A variety of packages, including dispensing packages or containers, have been developed for personal care products such as shampoo, lotion, etc., as well as for other materials. Such containers typically have a neck defining an open upper end on which is mounted a dispensing closure.
One type of dispensing closure for these kinds of containers has a flexible, pressure-openable, self-sealing, slit-type dispensing valve mounted in the closure over the container opening. When the container is squeezed, the valve slits open, and the fluid contents of the container are discharged through the open slits of the valve. The valve automatically closes to shut off fluid flow therethrough upon removal of the increased pressure—even if the container is inverted so that the valve is subjected to the weight of the contents within the container.
Designs of closures using such valves are illustrated in the U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,271,531 and 5,033,655. Typically, the closure includes a body mounted on the container neck to hold the valve over the container opening.
A lid can be provided for covering the valve during shipping and when the container is otherwise not in use. See, for example, FIGS. 31-34 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,271,531. Such a lid can be designed to prevent leakage from the valve under certain conditions. The lid can also keep dust and dirt from the valve and/or can protect the valve from damage.
The inventor of the present invention has determined that it would be advantageous to provide an improved dispensing structure that has a lid and a flexible, slit valve and that can have multiple modes of operation on a container. It would be particularly beneficial to provide such a dispensing structure with the capability in a first operational mode for accommodating the removal of product from the container with a spoon or by pouring. It would be beneficial to provide a second mode of operation for accommodating the squirting of a stream of product through the valve.
It would also be desirable to provide such an improved dispensing structure for covering the product in the container while at the same time accommodating venting of gases through the valve. This would permit, for example, microwave heating of a food product in the container because steam or other gases driven off in the heating process could readily escape through the valve.
Such an improved dispensing structure should also accommodate designs which permit incorporation of the dispensing structure as a unitary part, or extension, of the container and which also accommodate designs that separately mount the dispensing structure on the container in a secure manner.
It would also be beneficial if such an improved dispensing structure could readily accommodate its manufacture from a variety of different materials.
Further, it would be desirable if such an improved dispensing structure could be provided with a design that would accommodate efficient, high-quality, large volume manufacturing techniques with a reduced product reject rate.
Preferably, the improved dispensing structure should also accommodate high-speed manufacturing techniques that produce products having consistent operating characteristics unit-to-unit with high reliability.
The present invention provides an improved dispensing structure which can accommodate designs having the above-discussed benefits and features.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the present invention, a dispensing structure is provided for discharging the contents from the interior of a container. The dispensing structure includes a body for extending from the container. The body defines a dispensing opening for establishing communication between the exterior and interior of the container. The body has a sealing surface around the body dispensing opening.
The dispensing structure includes a lid for accommodating movement between (1) a closed position over the body dispensing opening, and (2) an open position away from the body closed position. The lid comprises a frame defining a lid dispensing passage through the lid and a flexible valve that is disposed within the lid frame across the lid dispensing passage. The valve has self-sealing slits which open to permit flow therethrough in response to increased pressure on the side of the valve facing the container when the lid is closed. When the lid is closed, the container can be squeezed to dispense a flowable product out of the container through the valve. Also, when the lid is closed, the container can be heated, as in a microwave oven, and any gases generated during the heating can escape by venting through the valve. When the lid is closed, a peripheral part of the valve seals against the body sealing surface, and the body sealing surface helps hold the valve in the closed lid when product is dispensed through the valve in the closed lid.
If it is desired to remove product from the container with a spoon, the lid, with the valve held therein, can be moved to the open position. A spoon can then be inserted into the container. Alternatively, with the lid in the open position, the container can be inverted, and the product can be poured out of the container.
Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention, from the claims, and from the accompanying drawing.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4728006 (1988-03-01), Drobish et al.
patent: 5390805 (1995-02-01), Bilani et al.
patent: 5642824 (1997-07-01), Hess, III et al.
patent: 6006960 (1999-12-01), Gross
patent: 6089419 (2000-07-01), Gross
Cartagena Melvin A.
Rockey Milnamow & Katz Ltd.
Seaquist Closures Foreign, Inc.
Shaver Kevin
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