Abstract:
A spurt-resistant spout for a dispensing structure includes (1) an internal tubular portion having a through bore connecting a dispensing orifice of the spout with the interior of the container, and (2) a surrounding wall portion surrounding the tubular portion. The tubular portion and the surrounding wall portion are sized and located so that little or no fluid is retained in and across the spout bore so as to prevent, or minimize, obstruction of the bore.

Description:
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. The invention is especially suitable for a dispensing structure for dispensing high viscosity fluids from a dispensing orifice normally closed by a lid. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND TECHNICAL PROBLEMS POSED BY THE PRIOR ART 
     A variety of packages that include dispensing systems on containers have been developed for household products such as shampoos, lotions, food products and other substances. Such containers typically have a neck defining an open upper end on which is mounted a dispensing closure. The dispensing closure for these kinds of containers typically has a dispensing spout which is covered with a removable lid. 
     The closure typically has a closure deck or top wall and a depending skirt with an inside bead or thread for attachment to a container. The closure deck includes a dispensing orifice through which a fluid can be dispensed. Depending on the surface tension of the fluid being dispensed through the closure orifice and the coefficient of friction between the fluid and the closure, the fluid tends to cling to the underside of the closure deck and form a layer beneath the dispensing orifice after a dispensing operation. The resulting layer of fluid has a thickness generally dependent on the fluid viscosity. 
     The lid is typically reclosed to cover the orifice. When the lid is subsequently removed quickly from the closure deck prior to a dispensing operation, the outward movement of the lid has a tendency to immediately cause the fluid in the layer to “spurt”, “burp” or otherwise be propelled out of the orifice prior to a controlled, intentional dispensing. The burping of the fluid can cause spatter on the user&#39;s band or clothing or dripping on an exterior surface of the container. 
     It would be desirable to provide an improved dispensing structure wherein a dispensing orifice in a deck is normally closed by a closure lid which is openable away from a closure deck and wherein the dispensing structure is resistant to propelling fluid upon separation of the lid from the deck. 
     In addition, it is desirable that the improved dispensing structure design function well with a wide range of fluids, including high viscosity liquids and low viscosity liquids. It would also be beneficial if such an improved dispensing structure design could function well with fluids having different surface tension characteristics. 
     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 a squeezable, fluid holding container so as to eliminate or minimize the propelling or spurting of fluid from a discharge orifice of the dispensing structure during removal or disengagement of a lid which normally closes the discharge orifice. The structure includes a body for closing an opening of the container. The body includes a closure deck having a discharge orifice ordinarily closed by a removable lid. Within the body, and extending from the closure deck, is (1) a conduit, such as a tube, surrounding the orifice and forming a flow channel or passage into the orifice, and (2) a surrounding wall structure, such as an outer ring, around the conduit. 
     In one embodiment, the surrounding wall structure extends deeper into the container than does the conduit, i.e., the conduit extends to a free end which is recessed upwardly from a free end of the surrounding wall structure. 
     The surrounding wall structure controls the formation of a “meniscus” of a layer of fluid formed within the discharge structure. The “meniscus” is understood to be a convex or concave surface of a column or layer of liquid. The conduit is sized to extend just beyond the meniscus in order to pierce through the layer of fluid, creating an air path from the interior of the container to the exterior of the container. The conduit acts to break the fluid layer that might otherwise form behind the orifice, thus relieving any pressure behind the layer that would tend to cause the product to “burp” or spurt when the lid is quickly opened. The passage within the conduit is sized such that the surface tension of the fluid resists flow into the conduit. Thus, flow into the conduit will only occur when positive pressure is applied to the contents of the container. Reduced interior pressure (i.e., partial vacuum) created by the container panels returning to their normal position after being squeezed, clears the conduit of fluid. 
     The diameter and height of the surrounding wall structure and the conduit can vary depending on the fluid and the environment. For example, larger diameters and less height differential are anticipated to be advantageous for more viscous fluids than less viscous, thinner fluids due to the shape and size of the formed meniscus. 
     The surrounding wall structure can be provided in the form of a ring member extending downwardly from the closure deck or can be formed as a part of the surrounding containment wall of the dispensing structure or container. 
     In another embodiment, the conduit extends into the dispensing structure as far inwardly as the inner end of the surrounding wall. 
     In both embodiments, the surrounding wall structure serves to encourage a meniscus to form around the conduit so as to minimize or prevent fluid accumulation in the conduit. The surrounding wall structure allows residual fluid to drip down the surrounding wall structure away from the conduit so as to minimize the tendency of the fluid to enter the conduit. 
     According to the invention, the dispensing structure can include a lid which may be hinged to, tethered to, or completely removable from, the body of the structure. 
     The dispensing structure of the present invention may be formed as a unitary part of the container. Alternatively, the dispensing structure may be formed as a separate piece which can be subsequently mounted to the container. Such a dispensing structure in the form of a closure can be designed for attachment to the top of the container by means of a threaded engagement or snap-on engagement. 
     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 drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the accompanying drawings forming part of the specification, in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same, 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a first embodiment of the dispensing structure of the present invention shown with the lid open; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view taken generally along plane  2 — 2  of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view similar to  FIG. 2 , but  FIG. 3  shows an amount of fluid within the dispensing structure; 
         FIG. 3A  is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment dispensing structure; 
         FIG. 4  is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the dispensing structure, and  FIG. 4  shows the dispensing structure mounted on a container. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, this specification and the accompanying drawings disclose two specific forms as examples of the invention. The invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments so described, and the scope of the invention will be pointed out in the appended claims. 
     For ease of description, the dispensing structure of this invention is described in a typical upright position, and terms such as upper, lower, horizontal, etc., are used with reference to this position. It will be understood, however, that the structure may be manufactured and stored in orientations other than the one described. 
     A first embodiment of a dispensing structure of the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3  and is designated generally therein by the reference numeral  40 . The dispensing structure  40  is provided in the form of a closure  40  which is adapted to be mounted on a container (not illustrated in FIGS.  1 - 3 ). The container` typically has a conventional mouth or opening formed by a neck or other suitable structure. The neck typically has (but need not have) a circular cross-sectional configuration, and the body of the container may have another cross-sectional configuration, such as an oval cross-sectional shape, for example. 
     The container may be a squeezable container having a flexible wall or walls which can be grasped by the user and compressed to increase the internal pressure within the container so as to squeeze the product out of the container through the closure when opened. The container wall typically has sufficient, inherent resiliency so that when the squeezing forces are removed, the container wall returns to its normal, unstressed shape. Such a structure may be preferred in some applications, but may not be necessary or preferred in other applications. For example, the container may be rigid or substantially rigid and other: means used to cause a dispensing force on the fluid within the container. 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , the closure  40  includes a base or body  46  and preferably includes a lid  48  connected to the base or body  46  with a hinge  47 . The lid  48  is adapted to be moved between (1) a closed position (not illustrated) in which the lid  48  is sealingly engaged with the closure body  46  to prevent unintentional dispensing of a fluid from the container to which the closure is mounted, and (2) the illustrated open position in which the lid  48  is disengaged from the top of the closure body to permit dispensing of the liquid through the closure. 
     Preferably, the hinge  47  is a snap-action hinge formed integrally with the lid  48  and body  46  in a unitary structure. The illustrated snap-action hinge  47  may be a conventional type described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,403,712. Other hinge structures may be employed, including a “floppy” living film hinge. However, it is preferable to employ a snap-action hinge so as to be able to readily maintain the hinge  47  and lid  48  in the open position during the dispensing of the liquid from the container. 
     The base or body  46  is preferably injectionmolded, along with the hinge  47  and lid  48 , from a thermoplastic material compatible with the container contents. 
     The body  46  includes an annular mounting skirt or lower wall  56 . The skirt or wall  56  defines an opening  37  ( FIG. 2 ) which is adapted to receive the container neck and which is adapted to completely encompass the container neck opening. 
     The wall  56  may have suitable attachment means (e.g., a conventional thread  55  ( FIG. 2 ) or conventional snap-fit bead (not illustrated)) for engaging a suitable container cooperating means, such as a complementary thread or bead on the container neck, to secure the closure body  46  to the container. The closure body  46  and container could also be fixed together by induction melting, ultrasonic melting, gluing, or the like. The closure could also be formed as a unitary part of the container neck. 
     Formed at the top of the annular mounting skirt  36  is a top wall portion or deck  58 . The deck  58  extends racially inwardly over the opening  57  defined by the annular mounting skirt  56 . The deck  58  defines a smaller, dispensing orifice  60  located above the opening  57  defined by the mounting skirt  56 . 
     The container and closure  40  may be normally stored in the upright orientation wherein the closure  40  is at the top of the container. The orifice  60  would be above the opening defined by the container neck when the closure  40  is mounted on the container. The closure lid  48  would typically be closed over the body deck  58  when liquid is not being dispensed from the container. 
     The deck  58  includes a raised platform  70 . The lid  48  includes an annular ring  72  having a beveled surface  72 a which is adapted to be guided by an edge  70 a of the platform  70  when the lid  48  is closed over the body  46 . The beveled surface  72 a acts to center the lid  48  onto the platform  70  of the body  46 . 
     The deck  58  also includes a spout  80 . The spout  80  extends in a smooth, curved transition from the platform  70  so as to define a continuously curving first sealing surface. The platform  70  extends outwardly of, and extends continuously around, the spout  80 . The orifice  60  extends through an outer end of the spout  80 . In order to use the closure  40 , the lid  48  is opened to the position illustrated in FIG.  1 . Then the container, with the closure  40 , mounted thereon, is tilted forwardly and downwardly. Fluid can then be squeezed out of the container through the spout  80  and dispensing orifice  60 . 
     Within the lid  48 , and particularly concentrically located within the annular ring  72 , is a collar  84  having a beveled lip  85  and an annular seal bead  86  that defines a continuously curving second sealing surface. The collar  84  is located such that when the lid  48  is closed to engage the body  46 , the second sealing surface of the bead  86  sealingly engages the exterior first sealing surface of the spout  80 . 
     The lid  48  includes an outer annular wall  90  having a rim  91  which abuts top shoulders  92 a,  92 b (shown in  FIG. 1 ) of the skirt  56  when the lid  48  is pushed onto the body  46 . The lid  48  also includes a rib  93  on a side thereof opposite the hinge  47 . The rib  93  establishes a snap-fit engagement with a lip  94  provided on the body skirt  56  when the lid  48  closed over the body  46 . As an alternate to the rib and lip arrangement, other interengaging or interlocking formations can be provided on the lid  48  and the body  46  to achieve a mutually engaged configuration. Alternatively, no positive engagement or interlocking of the lid wall  90  to the body  46  need be provided. 
     The skirt  56  includes a ribbed surface  56 a which facilitates a person gripping the body  46  and unscrewing the body from a container (not shown). A crescent shaped recess  96  is included at the front of the body  46  opposite the hinge  47  to accommodate a person&#39;s finger or thumb below the lip  94  and rib  93  as the closed lid  48  is pried from the body  46 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the spout  80  has an inside surface  100 . Extending downwardly from the inside surface  100  is a conduit, such as a tube  104 . In the preferred embodiment, the tube  104  has an annular cross-section, although other geometries, such as oval or polygonal cross sections or other surrounding cross-sections, are encompassed by the invention. The tube  104  terminates at a free end  106  defining an inlet orifice  108 . The tube  104  merges into the spout  80  and defines a flow passage  109  extending between the dispensing orifice  60  and the inlet orifice  108 . 
     A surrounding wall structure, such as an outer ring  110 , surrounds the tube  104  and depends from an inside surface  114  of the deck  58 , particularly from the platform  70 . The surrounding wall structure  110  in the preferred embodiment has an annular cross-section, but also can have other geometries such as oval or polygonal cross-sections or other surrounding cross-sections. 
     The surrounding wall structure  110  terminates in a free end  118 . The free end  118  of surrounding wall structure  110  extends inwardly toward the container to, a greater extent than does the free end  106  of the inner tube  104 . Although the surrounding wall structure  110  is illustrated as an inwardly projecting ring, the invention also contemplates that the surrounding wall structure  110  could be incorporated as a thicker part of the surrounding skirt  56  of the body  46  or of the container (not shown). 
     An annular lip seal  124  projects from the lower surface of the deck  58  and is resiliently deflected against the upper edge of the container neck, adjacent the container neck opening, so as to provide a leak-tight seal between the closure body  46  and the container neck. The seal  124  surrounds the outer ring  110 . Of course, other types of closure body/container seals may be employed. 
     The tube  104  in cooperation with the outer ring  110  prevents the spout  80  from burping, spurting, oozing, or otherwise propelling fluid through the orifice  60  when the lid  48 , particularly the inner seal bead  86 , is pulled away from the spout  80 . How this works to prevent such spurting can be explained with reference to FIG.  3 .  FIG. 3  illustrates the condition of the body  46  after a quantity of fluid has been dispensed. Some fluid  126  is retained on the inside surfaces  100  and  114  of the deck  58  between the tube  104  and the outer ring  110  and between the outer ring  110  and an annular, interior side surface  1130  of the deck  58 . By locating and sizing the tube  104  and outer ring  110  according to the characteristics of the particular fluid and the environment (such as the ambient atmospheric pressure), the liquid  126  forms an annular meniscus  134  between the outer ring  110  and the tube  104 . The meniscus  134  is defined between an outer surrounding edge  134 a (on the ring  110 ) and an inner surrounding edge  134 b (on the outer tube  104 ). 
     The tube  104  extends at least just slightly beyond the meniscus  134  is order to project through the layer of fluid  126  which clings to the inside surface  108 . The inlet orifice  108  is thus open to the interior of the container (not shown), and the passage  109  through the spout  80  is maintained clear of fluid  126 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 3 , an inside diameter D of the tube  104  is advantageously sized for the particular surface tension of the fluid  126  such that the fluid  126  resists flow into the tube  104 . Flow through the tube  104  will only occur when positive pressure is applied, (i.e., when the container is squeezed, or the liquid within the container is urged through the tube  104  by other means). If the container is a squeeze type of container, then a negative pressure or vacuum is temporarily created by the container when the walls of the container return to their normal position after being squeezed. This acts to clear the tube  104  of most, if not all, of the fluid that may have remained in the passage  109 . 
     Diameters and heights of the outer ring  110  and tube  104  will vary depending on the characteristics of the fluid and the environment. For example, larger diameters and less height differential are anticipated to be advantageous for more viscous liquids compared to less viscous liquids owing to the different meniscus effects of the liquids. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an alternate, and presently preferred, embodiment of a dispensing structure in the form of a closure  140  that includes a lid  148  which is shown covering a closure body  146  which in turn is engaged with a container C. The body  146  includes a depending skirt  156 . The skirt  156  defines an open area  157  and has an interior thread  158  which co-acts with a thread  159  of the container C to secure the body  156  to the container C. 
     A dispensing orifice  160  is defined in an outer end of a nozzle  180  which extends radially inwardly from the skirt  156 . The nozzle  180  extends from a shoulder  192  defined at the upper periphery of the skirt portion  156 . 
     The lid  148  includes an internal sealing collar  184  for sealing against the nozzle  180 . The lid  148  has a bottom surface  193  which fits onto the shoulder  192  when the lid  148  is pushed onto the closure  146 . 
     The lid  148  also includes a centering ring  201  for centering the lid onto the nozzle  180  during installation. A sealing bead or other sealing arrangement (not shown) can be provided on the nozzle  180  or sealing collar  184 , if desired. 
     The nozzle  104  includes a conduit or tube  204  which extends inwardly toward the container C. The tube  204  has a free end  206  defining an inlet orifice  208 . The tube  204  defines a passage  209  extending from the inlet orifice  208  to the dispensing orifice  160 . A surrounding wall structure  210  extends from the nozzle  180  to a free end  218 . The free ends  206  and  218  are preferably located at an equal depth inside the body  146 . 
     The upper end of the tube  204  merges with the nozzle  180  at a frustoconical section  219  which defines a transition from an inner diameter D 1  to a larger diameter D 2  at the dispensing orifice  160 . The larger diameter D 2  increases the thickness of the stream of the fluid which is dispensed. This may be advantageous if it is desired to dispense, for example, a wide ribbon of mustard on a hot dog. 
     The section  219  and larger diameter orifice  160  provide a collection region  220  for any fluid which may flow up the tube  204  after the lid  148  is closed. This provides a larger volume for relieving pressure from behind and around such fluid. This can prevent or minimize such pressure from blowing fluid out of the collection region  220  through the orifice  160  when the lid  148  is subsequently opened. 
     The tube  204  has a length L 1  between the free end  206  and the transition section  219 . As the lid  148  is opened, the tube  204  provides a flow resistance along its length L 1  to prevent, or at least minimize, the ingress of fluid from the underside of the body  146 . 
     The surrounding wall structure  210  is sized and located to encourage the formation of a meniscus in an annular volume  221  between the surrounding wall structure  210  and the tube  204 . Also, the presence of the surrounding wall structure  210  encourages fluid which is held within the annular volume  221  to drip down the inside of the surrounding wall structure  210  rather than down the outside of the tube  204 . This removes some dripping fluid from the vicinity of the tube  204  to further prevent or minimize ingress of the fluid into the tube  204  as the lid opens. The total length of the passage  209  is indicated as L 2  in FIG.  4 . The distance from the orifice  160  to the transition section  219  is designated L 3 . The surrounding wall structure  210  has an inside diameter designated D 3 . 
     According to one embodiment of the invention which is contemplated for use in dispensing yellow mustard, the dimensions are: D 1 =0.110 inch, D 2 =0.187 inch, D 3 =0.50 inch, L 1 =0.34 inch, L 2 =0.50 inch, and L 3 =0.097 inch. 
     As with the previously described embodiment, the tube  204  and surrounding wall structure  210  can be annular in cross-section or can be oval or another closed geometric shape. Between the skirt  156  and the surrounding wall structure  210  is a plug seal  224  which tightly fits within the container C. 
     Although no hinge is shown in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the lid  148  can be connected to the body  146  by a hinge such as shown in  FIG. 1 , or a tether or other means, or not connected at all. 
     Although in each illustrated embodiment, the closure is illustrated as having only a single dispensing tube (such as tube  104  in FIG.  3 ), it will be appreciated that more than one tube may be employed in applications wherein that is desired. For example, it may be desirable to employ three or four relatively small diameter tubes within the larger diameter surrounding wall structure  110  shown in FIG.  3 A. This has the advantage of accommodating a desirably large dispensing flow. However, because each individual tube has a relative small cross-section, the tendency of the fluid to free-flow into an  and through the small tubes, when the dispensing pressure is removed, will be significantly minimized, if not eliminated. 
     It will also be appreciated that the tube or tubes need not have a circular cross-sectional configuration. Other suitable cross-sectional configurations may be employed. For example, the tube or tubes may each have a flow passage (e.g., passage  109  in  FIG. 3 ) which has a polygon cross-section. In one contemplated embodiment, the passage may have a rectangular cross-section which is relatively small in one direction (i.e., the width of the rectangle) and relatively large in the other direction (i.e., the length of the rectangle). This would provide a relatively large amount of surface area in the flow passage relative to the cross-sectional flow area. This would lead to prevent the fluid from free-flowing into and/or through the passage when the dispensing pressure is removed. 
     It will be readily observed from the foregoing detailed description of the invention and from the illustrations thereof that numerous other variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concepts or principles of this invention.