Flow control closure

A flow control closure is provided. The closure having a body member with a base wall, a body skirt, and a spout extending from the base wall away from the body skirt; a lid member with a top wall and a lid skirt, the lid member being movable between an open position and a closed position, the top wall having a seal positioned to engage the spout when the lid member is in the closed position; and a hinge member that joins the lid member with the body member. The spout can include an orifice with an outer profile having a first diameter and an inner profile having a second diameter, the orifice can include one or more uvulas that partially obstructs the first diameter. The flow control closure can be molded as one unitary piece.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many different kinds of packaged products, such as food, beverages and pharmaceuticals, can be dispensed from a container. Certain products, such as condiments, can be difficult to dispense depending on their properties.

Due to viscosity and other properties, controlling flow of a product can also be challenging. For example, it can be desirable be able to more precisely control a flow of a product such as salad dressing or ketchup, such that a dish is not overly doused in said product. As such, there is a need for a closure that can provide enhanced flow control for dispensing a product.

Similarly, it can also be desirable to be able to more accurately control a location for dispensing, such that a product is only dispensed to a desired area, such as a specific region on a plate. As such, there is also a need for a closure that can provide precision dispensing when dispensing a product.

Moreover, multicomponent closures can be cumbersome to assemble and be less user and environmentally friendly. For example, at screw cap can easily be misplaced or lost. Thus, there is a need to create a closure as a singular unit that is preferably fully recyclable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure generally relates to a closure. More specifically, the disclosure relates to a closure with enhanced flow control suitable for use with a bottle, a jar, a container, or the likes.

An aspect of this disclosure relates to a closure including: a body member comprising a base wall, a body skirt, and a spout extending from the base wall away from the body skirt; a lid member comprising a top wall and a lid skirt, the lid member being movable between an open position and a closed position, the top wall having a seal positioned to engage the spout when the lid member is in the closed position; and a hinge member that joins the lid member with the body member, wherein the base wall includes a back portion proximal to the hinge member and a front portion distal from the hinge member, the spout includes an orifice positioned toward the front portion, away from the back portion, and toward a top rim of the spout.

Another aspect of this disclosure relates to an orifice including an outer profile having a first diameter and an inner profile having a second diameter that is different from the first diameter; the orifice includes at least one uvula, and the first diameter of the orifice being partially obstructed by the at least one uvula.

A further aspect of this disclosure relates to a guide lug on the lid member positioned to align the lid member with the body member when the lid member transitions from the open position to the closed position. The guide lug includes a horizontal surface that is parallel to the top wall, wherein the horizontal surface of the guide lug is positioned to contact the top rim of the spout when the lid member transitions from the open position to the closed position.

An additional aspect of this disclosure relates to the spout extending from the base wall from a middle portion of the base wall to the front portion of the base wall, the spout is skewed funnel shaped with the orifice biased toward the front portion of the base wall.

Yet another aspect of this disclosure relates to the lid member, the body member, and the hinge member being molded as one unitary piece.

Before explaining the disclosed embodiment of the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the particular arrangement shown, since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced figures of the drawings. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative rather than limiting. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will be described in detail herein specific embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is an exemplification of the principles of the invention. It is not intended to limit the invention to the specific illustrated embodiments. The features of the invention disclosed herein in the description, drawings, and claims can be significant, both individually and in any desired combinations, for the operation of the invention in its various embodiments. Features from one embodiment can be used in other embodiments of the invention.

As shown inFIGS.1-8, the embodiments of this disclosure include a closure100. The closure100can include a lid member200and a body member300. A hinge member400can be provided to join the lid member200to the body member300and enables the lid member200to reversibly move between an open position (as shown inFIGS.1-2and5-6) for dispensing a flowable material into or out of a container and a closed position (as shown inFIG.3) for securing the contents of the container.

The lid member200can include a top wall210, a lid skirt220that forms a side wall for the lid member200, and a lid shoulder230at the juncture of the top wall210and the lid skirt220. One or more first engaging beads240can be provided on an interior surface of the lid skirt220to be mated with a corresponding second engaging beads340on the body member300to secure the closure100in the closed position. Moreover, one or more top ledges250can be provided on an exterior surface of the lid skirt220. The top ledge250can allow a user to open the closure100from the closed position with greater ease. For example, by pushing a finger against the top ledge250upwards to open the lid member200away from the body member300.

A seal260can further be provided in an interior surface of the top wall210that extends from a top edge262to a bottom edge264. In an embodiment, the seal260can take a form of a mono seal.

One or more guide lugs270can also be provided in an interior of the lid member200. In an embodiment, the guide lugs270can protrude from an interior surface along the top wall210, the lid shoulder230, and the lid skirt220. As shown inFIG.2, each guide lug270can include a horizontal surface272that is parallel with the top wall210and a vertical surface274that is parallel with the lid skirt220. A transitional surface276can be provided between the horizontal surface272and the vertical surface274such that the horizontal surface272does not transition into the vertical surface274in a right angle. The transitional surface276can be a flat surface at an angle relative to the horizontal surface272and the vertical surface274. Alternatively, the transitional surface276can be a curved surface that transitions the horizontal surface272into the vertical surface274. The guide lugs270can be used to provide an alignment feature that aids the lid member200in engaging the body member300when the closure100transitions from the open position to the closed position.

The body member300can engage the closure100to a container. The body member30can include a base wall310and a body skirt320with a body shoulder330at the junction of the base wall310and the body skirt320. One or more second engaging beads340can be provided on an exterior surface of the body shoulder330that can be mated with the first engaging beads240of the lid member200when the closure100is in the closed position. In some embodiments, the second engaging beads340can be provided on an exterior surface of the body skirt320instead of or in addition to being provided on the body shoulder330. One or more threads380can be provided on an interior surface of the body skirt320(seeFIGS.8A-8D), which can be mated with corresponding engaging beads on a container or on a neck of the container. Alternatively, the body member300can engage the container through other means such as through a snug fit. Further, a second wall can be provided on the body member300to create a double-wall configuration. In the double-wall configuration, the threads380can be provided on the second wall, and the second wall can engage the container instead of the body skirt320.

One or more bottom ledges350can be provided on an exterior surface of the body skirt320. The bottom ledge350can allow the user to open the closure100from the closed position with greater ease in conjunction with the top ledge250of the lid member200. For example, the user can hold the container while resting a thumb on the bottom ledge350on one hand and presses the thumb of the other hand against the top ledge250to open the lid member200away from the body member300by applying forces toward generally opposite directions.

A spout360can extend from a middle portion312of the base wall310and can include an orifice370having a noncircular opening371for dispensing. In some embodiments, the spout360can be a funnel in shape. In some embodiments, the middle portion312that the spout360extends from can be a center of the base wall310. In further embodiments, the spout360can be the shape of a skewed funnel, biased toward a front portion314of the base wall310. For reference, a back portion316of the base wall310is also shown onFIGS.1-2and5-6. In some embodiments, the spout360can extend and skew toward a front half of the base wall310. In further embodiments, the spout360can extend and skew toward a front third of the base wall310. In yet further embodiments, the sprout360can extend and skew toward a front quarter of the base wall310. The forward bias of the sprout360can allow the orifice370to be further away from the lid member200when the closure100is in the open position. When the closure100is attached to a container and flipped upside-down for dispensing, the lid member200can drape lower and results in an intermediate position or an as-used position as shown inFIG.4. The forward bias of the spout360can reduce an encroachment from the lid member200when the orifice370is being used to dispense a product.

The orifice370can be elevated away from a horizontal plane defined by a bottom edge222of the lid member200formed by the lid skirt220as shown inFIG.1. In some embodiments, the horizontal plane defined by a bottom edge222of the lid member200can be lower than a horizontal plane defined by the base wall310such that the entire lid member200is positioned lower than the base wall310when the closure100is in the open position. In some embodiments, a first height of the spout360can be at least 25% of a second height of the lid skirt220. In further embodiments, the first height of the spout360can be at least 50% of the second height of the lid skirt220. In yet further embodiments, the first height of the spout360can be at least 75% of the second height of the lid skirt220. Moreover, the orifice370can be positioned slightly below a rim362of the spout360. The rim362can have a shape that is a top-halve of a torus that can assist with a flow of the product while preventing drippage.

As shown inFIGS.2,5-7B, the orifice370can include one or more uvulas372. The uvulas372can each be in a shape of a curved triangle or a curved trapezoid. For example, in the embodiment shown inFIGS.7A and7B, each uvula372can include a first convex side373, a second convex side374, a first concave side375, and a second concave side376, which together form a curved trapezoid. As shown inFIGS.7A and7B, the first convex side373of each uvula372together form an outer profile377of the orifice370. Further, the second convex side374of each uvula together form an inner profile378of the orifice370. The inner profile378can be formed by an imaginary line, such that the uvulas372need not be connected with one another proximal to the inner profile378. In other embodiments, the uvulas372can be of shapes such that the inner profile378is formed by consecutive sides of the uvulas372.

In the specific embodiment shown inFIGS.7A, the outer profile377together with the inner profile378can be shown in two concentric circles, with the outer profile377having a first diameter D1that is different from a second diameter D2of the inner profile378. In this example, the first diameter D1can be larger than the second diameter D2. In other embodiments, the inner profile378and/or the outer profile377of the orifice370need not be in a shape of a circle; other geometrical shapes such as a square, a rectangle, a triangle, or the like can also be employed.

As shown inFIG.7A, the first diameter D1can be partially obstructed by the uvulas372, whereas the second diameter D2can remain unobstructed. By having multiple distinct diameters, D1, D2, the orifice370can enhance dispensing control and can create an improved draw-back effect when the flow of the product is stopped, such as when the user relaxed squeeze of the container, resulting in more effectively pulling the product back inward.

FIG.7Billustrates an orifice370A according to an additional exemplary embodiment. The primary difference being a geometry of the uvulas372with respect to the outer profile377of the orifice370A. In this exemplary embodiment, uvulas372are biased toward a center of the orifice370A. Here, the first diameter D1is completely obstructed by the uvulas372until at least the third diameter D3. Therefrom, the third diameter D3can be partially obstructed by the uvulas372, whereas the fourth diameter D4can remain unobstructed.

As can be appreciated, additional distinct diameters can also be created—either through modifying shapes of the uvulas372and/or through other means—and are within the scope of this disclosure. Further, in certain embodiments, the uvulas372can be omitted, resulting in the orifice370having one single opening and diameter.

When the closure100is in the closed position (as shown inFIG.3), the seal260can engage the rim362so that the orifice370is sealed by the seal260to prevent the product from leaking out of the closure100. In some embodiments, a shape of the seal260can correspond to the outer profile377of the orifice; thus, only one seal260is needed to seal the orifice370despite the orifice370having multiple distinct diameters therein (such as configurations shown inFIGS.7A and7B). In addition, the seal260can be used with different configurations of the orifice370so long as the outer profile372remains generally unchanged, which can reduce design and manufacturing cost.

In some embodiments, when the closure100is in the closed position, the bottom edge264of the seal260can abut or be proximal to the uvulas372to provide enhanced sealing. In certain embodiments, when the closure100is in the closed position, the top edge262of the seal260can be flush with a horizontal plane defined by the highest point of the rim362.

In embodiments where the spout360is forwardly skewed, the guide lug270can be used to align the lid member200with the body member300when the closure100is transitioning from the open position to the closed position. Referring toFIGS.8A-8D, when transitioning from the open position to the closed position, the lid member200approaches the body member300at an angle until the horizontal surface272and/or the transitional surface276of the guide lug270abut the rim362. Therefrom, the user can apply a lateral force to drag the lid member200slightly forward, until the vertical surface274of the guide lug270clears a front edge364of the rim362, such that the user can apply additional vertical force to close the closure100, thereby completing the transition from the open position to the closed position. The interaction of the horizontal surface272and the transitional surface276of the guide lugs270together with the rim362serve to align the lid member200properly into the body member300, ensuring that the seal260can properly seal the orifice370.

In some embodiments, the guide lugs270can omitted if alignment can be achieved without the aid of the guide lugs270. For example, in the double-wall configuration, where the front edge364of the rim362is distanced from a vertical plane defined by the forward-most point of base skirt320, the seal260can be positioned such that the seal260engages the spout360with alignment happening naturally during the transition of the closure100from the open position to the closed position. Similarly, in embodiments where the orifice370is more centrally positioned relative to the base wall310, the guide lugs270can omitted if alignment can be achieved without the aid of the guide lugs270.

In certain embodiments, a spout wall366can be provided in an underside of the body member300(as shown inFIG.6). The spout wall366can form a tunnel368that allows the product to flow through and be dispensed out of the orifice370. The tunnel368can be of a different shape than the spout360. For example, the spout360can be of a skewed funnel when viewed from above the body member200, whereas the tunnel360can be an un-skewed funnel or reduced-skew when viewed from the underside of the body member200.

The hinge member400can join the lid member200with the body member300. In some embodiments, the hinge member400can join a rear end of the body skirt320with a front end of the lid skirt220. In certain embodiments, the hinge member400can be positioned toward a proximal to the body shoulder330on the body member300, and distal from the lid shoulder230on the lid member200. The hinge member400can be made of various types of hinges, one of which is discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 10,336,512, titled “Closure System With Hinge Having Uniform Thickness And Elevated Center”, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The hinge member400can be flexible, permitting the lid member200to have slight lateral movements when a generally lateral force is applied on the lid member200. When the closure100transitions from the opening position to the closed position, the lid member200pivots among an axis A defined by the hinge member400toward the body member300. The lateral movements can allow the guide lugs270to be dragged across the rim362toward the front edge364while dragging the seal260into the spout360when the guide lugs270abut the rim362. Further, when the user cease to apply the lateral force after closing the closure100(as shown inFIG.3), the hinge member400can spring backward—away from a vertical plane defined by the top ledge250and the bottom ledge350—pulling the lid member200laterally against the body member300, ensuing that the closure100remains in the closed position unless otherwise open by the user.

In embodiments with increased hinge distance where the orifice370is at a further distance from the hinge member400, the guide lugs270can be omitted due to a larger swing arc by the lid member200as it encroaches upon the body member300. The larger swing arc can result in a more gradual approach angle, allowing the seal260to enter the spout more easily360without needing the guide lugs270for alignment. Such embodiments can be deployed in the double-wall configuration given the orifice370is typically further away from the hinge member400than in a single-wall configuration. For example, in embodiments where the hinge distance (as measured from the axis A to the orifice370) is more than twice than a height of the spout360(as measured from the base wall310to the top of the rim362), the guide lugs270may be omitted.

In some embodiments, the closure100can be molded using one single material, creating one unitary piece. Suitable materials for molding the closure100can include plastics, such as high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, polypropylene, or the like. The unitary one-piece nature can reduce manufacturing cost of producing the closure100, while allowing the entire closure100to be recyclable.

Specific embodiments of a flow control closure according to the present invention have been described for the purpose of illustrating the manner in which the invention can be made and used. It should be understood that the implementation of other variations and modifications of this invention and its different aspects will be apparent to one skilled in the art, and that this invention is not limited by the specific embodiments described. Features described in one embodiment can be implemented in other embodiments. The subject disclosure is understood to encompass the present invention and any and all modifications, variations, or equivalents that fall within the spirit and scope of the basic underlying principles disclosed and claimed herein.