MXPA00006814A - Dispensing closure for package containing a consumable beverage - Google Patents

Abstract

A sealing and dispensing closure for the outlet opening of a package, such as a flexible plastic bottle (12) containing a consumable beverage. The closure comprises a closure base (20) which is threaded onto the outlet opening (14) of the bottle, and a removable overcap (40) which is pivotally connected to the closure base . The closure base includes a spout (25) having a self-sealing dispensing valve (28) therein which is movable from a lowered closed position to a raised open position by an increased pressure in the bottle resulting from the squeezing of the bottle. The valve is positioned at a recessed location within the spout so as to preclude access to the valve by the consumer when the valve is lifted to its raised open position, and the overcap includes a post (50) which seats in the upper end of the spout when the overcap is mounted on the closure base, and so as to form a hermetically sealed chamber above the valve which prevents the valve from lifting to its raised position in the event the bottle is inadvertently squeezed.

Description

CLOSURE DISTRIBUTOR FOR CONTAINERS THAT CONTAIN A CONSUMABLE DRINK BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a closure for sealing the outlet opening of a container, such as a flexible plastic bottle, containing a consumable beverage or other liquid, where this beverage can be distributed through the closure, squeezing the container. In the beverage industry, closures for containers, such as bottles, have typically been of the screw type, which are repeatedly removed and resealed, when the contents of the bottle are to be emptied. However, recently, an increasing number of container closures include distribution valves, which allow the contents to flow through the closure for consumption, without the removal of the closure. The most widely used distribution closure of this type is the closing of distribution of pull and push, similar to that used in many liquid soap containers for washing dishes. However, the pulling and pushing closure has significant drawbacks when used with a beverage container. For example, the closure requires the user to manually pull the discharge tube to open it and push it to close it, which can contaminate the closure. Also, if the user does not close this discharge tube, the container will leak, since this discharge tube remains open. The patent application of E.U.A :, Serial No. 08 / 519,492 (of which WO 97/08073 claims priority), filed on August 25, 1995, discloses an improved closure of the type described, in which the self-sealing distribution valve is disposed in a discharge tube of the closure, so that the valve automatically moves to the open position raised by the increased pressure in the bottle, which results from compressing the bottle. The application also discloses a top cover, which can be assembled to enclose the discharge tube and prevent the valve from being raised to its open position. In addition, the application discloses the use of an internal seal, which closes, in sealed form, the outlet opening of the bottle and must be removed in order to distribute the beverage from the bottle. The international patent application, number PCT / US97 / 00507 (Aptargroup, Inc.) discloses a closure for a container, having a manifold valve, disposed through the base of the closure, which opens to allow flow therethrough, in response to the Increased pressure inside the container and closes to stop the flow through it, by removing the increased pressure. A dispersion diverter is included in the base of the container out of the valve and defines a plurality of distribution openings. German patent application DE 196 12 561 (Weener Plastik GmbH &CO KG) discloses a similar arrangement for a closure membrane, placed in the outlet channel of a closure for a container. It is also known from Patent Abstracts of Japan, vol. 097, no. 003, of March 31, 1997 and JP 08301330 (NIFCO INC), of November 19, 1996, provide a cover which prevents the liquid from escaping from a discharge tube of a container, when this container rotates with the lid in a closed state and can be opened or closed by lightly pressing a pressure member. While the closure described in the above reference applications is seen to represent a significant improvement in the art, further improvements have been considered convenient. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a closure, of the type described, which includes additional advantages and improvements. It is a more specific object of the present invention to provide a closure for a container or bottle containing beverages, in which the distributor valve, self-sealing, is inaccessible to the consumer, in order to discourage the violation or damage to this valve, which could interfere with your ability to function properly. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a closure, of the type described, which includes a top cover, which can be assembled, removably, to cover and enclose the discharge pipe of the closure, when the drink is not distributed, and where the top cover and the discharge pipe include a matching structure to more effectively prevent movement of the valve to its raised open position when the bottle is inadvertently tightened. Seen from a further aspect, the present invention provides a sealing and distributor closure for an outlet opening of a container, which contains a consumable beverage or other liquid, and which comprises a closure base adapted to be assembled to the outlet opening of the container. container, this closure base includes an internally threaded sleeve, and a tubular discharge conduit, which is adapted to communicate with the outlet opening of the container through which the liquid contained in the container is adapted to be distributed, this tube discharge includes an upper edge, an upper cover, configured for selective movement between a covering position, mounted on the base of the closure and enclosing the discharge tube of the closure base, and a removed position, in which the tube discharge is exposed and the liquid can be distributed through it, this top cover includes a central post, which is placed so that it coaxially overlaps the discharge tube, when the top cap is in the position of coverage, and a self-sealing dispensing valve mounted within the discharge tube and that can be moved by the pressure within the package, from a lower closed position to an open position elevated, characterized in that the valve is mounted at a location by the height of the discharge tube, so that the valve is, at least substantially, completely spaced below the upper edge of the discharge tube, when the valve is in its raised open position. , in order to effectively prevent access to the valve by the consumer, and also comprises a sealing element to seal the post to the discharge tube, when the top cover is in the position of coverage and thus provide a space sealed hermetically in the tube discharge, between the post and the valve, which acts to prevent the valve from moving from its closed position inferior to its position Open high SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The foregoing objects and advantages and others of the present invention are achieved by the provision of a seal and distributor seal, which comprises a closure base adapted to be assembled to the outlet opening of the container, which includes a tubular discharge conduit, which is adapted to communicate with the outlet opening of the container and through which the liquid contained in the container is adapted to be distributed. The discharge tube includes an upper edge, and the self-sealing distributor valve is mounted within the discharge tube and can be moved by the pressure within the container, from a lower closed position to a raised open position. Likewise, the valve is mounted at a location by the height of the discharge tube, so that this valve is, at least substantially, completely spaced below the upper edge of the discharge tube, when the valve is in its raised open position. . Thus, the valve is inaccessible to the consumer, while the liquid is distributed. The closure, according to the present invention, also includes an upper cover, and this upper cover is connected to the base of the closure for selective movement between a covering position, which encloses the discharge tube of the closure base, and a position Removed, in which the discharge tube is exposed and the liquid can be distributed through it. This top cover includes a central post, which is placed to be received coaxially in the discharge tube, when the top cover is in its covering position, and the post is sealed in the discharge tube, when the top cover is in the cover position, so as to provide a hermetically sealed space in the discharge tube, between the post and the valve, which act to prevent the valve from moving from its closed position inferior to its raised open position. This prevents the escape when the top cover is in its position of cover, in case the container is inadvertently tightened. The closure may also include an internal seal, placed inside the internally threaded sleeve, to fit and close in a sealed manner the outlet opening of the container, when the closure is threadedly assembled there, so that the user of the container must first remove the closure from the exit opening, and then remove the inner seal from the entry opening, and then reassemble the closure, before the beverage can be distributed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Some of the objects and advantages of the present invention have been pointed out, others will appear from the description that follows, when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view, with separate pieces, of a container closure, which incorporates the features of the present invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of the internal construction of the upper lid of the closure, taken along the line 2-2 in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side elevation view, partially in section, illustrating the closure in position, to be assembled in the outlet opening of a bottle; Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 2, but illustrating the closure assembled to the bottle, with the top cover pivoted to its removed position, and showing the effect of increased pressure inside the bottle, which causes the valve rises to its raised open position and distributes the beverage contained in the bottle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring more particularly to the drawings, Figure 1 illustrates a closure 10, which incorporates the features of the present invention, and which is adapted to be assembled to a flexible bottle 12 of plastic or other container of the consumer, to form a sealed container, which typically contains a consumable beverage. As seen in Figures 3 and 4, the bottle 12 includes a tubular outlet opening 14, externally tapped, or "finished", to which the closure is threadedly assembled, in the manner described below. The closure 10 includes an internal seal 16, which is sealed to the outlet opening 14 of the bottle 12 by a conventional induction heating process or the like. With the induction seal, a vacuum tight seal can be supplied to maintain the integrity of the beverage. This internal seal 16 also eliminates the possibility of leakage during the distribution and storage of the container. In addition, the internal seal 16 prevents the beverage in the bottle from coming into contact with the shut-off valve of the closure, as will be described below, until the seal 16 is removed. For ease of removal, the seal 16 may include pull-off tabs 18. , as is conventional.

This closure 10 further includes a closure base 20, which has a sleeve 22, internally threaded, which is threadedly connected to the outlet opening 14 of the bottle. A sealing ring 23, annular, flexible, is formed inside the sleeve 22 at the base of the internal threads, for the purposes indicated below. The closure base 20 also includes a discharge tube 25, which communicates with the outlet opening 14 of the bottle and through which the beverage, contained in the bottle, is adapted to be dispensed. This discharge tube 25 is of a substantial vertical height and includes an upper edge 26. A self-sealing distributor valve 28 is mounted within the discharge tube at a median location along the vertical height of the discharge tube. The valve 28 may be of the type described, for example, in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,213,236 and 5,271,531, the descriptions of which are incorporated herein by reference, and the valve 28 comprises an outer flange 30, which is attached to a body. central 31, by means of a flexible peripheral band 32. The central body 31 includes transverse grooves 33, and the valve is normally self-oriented to a lower closed position, as seen in Figure 3, so that the grooves 33 ( and the valve) close. In generating a pressure below the valve, the central body 31 rises or extends to an elevated position, as seen in Figure 4, causing the slits 33 (and the valve) to open. In the specific embodiment illustrated, the central body 31 normally assumes a concave configuration to the interior in its lower closed position, as seen in Figure 3, and is inverted to a convex configuration to the exterior in its elevated position, as seen in FIG. Figure 4. As will also be seen, the valve 28 is disposed at a sufficient distance below the upper edge 26 of the discharge tube 25, so that the valve is spaced below the upper edge, when the valve is raised to its raised open position. . This positioning of the valve inside the discharge tube prevents access to the valve by the consumer, thus preventing any possible violation with or damage to the valve. The self-sealing distributor valve 28 allows the beverage to be dispensed from the bottle 12 by increasing the pressure inside the bottle, for example, by squeezing this bottle. Once the pressure is released, the valve automatically returns to its lower closed position, thus preventing leakage. This self-sealing valve 28 is retained in the discharge tube with its flange 30 seated against an internal annular support 36 in the discharge tube 25.

Likewise, the lower side of the rim 30 is supported by means of a retaining ring 38, which is seated under pressure in an annular groove 39, in the discharge tube, and which is located immediately below the support 36. The closure 10 of the present invention also includes an upper lid 40, which is in the form of an annular ring 42, which is joined in a central dome 44. This rim 42 of the upper lid is pivotally connected to the base 20 of the closure by means of a flexible fin 46, for the selective movement between a covering position (Figure 3), in which the dome 44 encloses the discharge tube 25 of the closure base 20, and a removed position (Figure 4), in which the discharge tube is exposed and the liquid can be distributed through it. Preferably, the base 20 of the closure, the top cap 40 and the connecting tab 46 are integrally molded from a suitable plastic material, such as polypropylene. The base 20 of the closure includes an outer lip 47, at the upper edge, above the threaded sleeve 22 on the side opposite the fin 46, and which is engaged by a peripheral rim 48 inside the rim 42 of the top cap, in order to retain, in a releasable manner, the top cover in the covered position. This top cover can be released and easily pivoted to the removed position, by pressing laterally on the dome 44 of the top cover. This upper cover 40 further includes a central post 50, which is placed inside the dome 44 and to be received coaxially in the upper portion of the discharge pipe 25, when the upper cover is pivoted to the covering position. The post 50 is hollow, to minimize the amount of the plastic material employed, and is supported by three integral radial ribs, 52, see Figure 2. Further, the interior of the discharge tube 25 includes a sealing lip 54, flexible, circumferential, which is adapted to engage the circumferential periphery of the post 50 when the top cover is in its covering position, so as to supply a space 55, hermetically sealed (Figure 3) in the discharge pipe 25, between the post 50 and valve 28. This hermetically sealed space acts to prevent the valve from moving from its closed lower position to its raised open position. To assemble the closure 10 to the outlet opening 14 of the bottle, the internal seal 16 can be initially mounted within the threaded sleeve 22 of the closure base 30, so as to be placed immediately below the sealing rib 23. The closure is then threaded onto the bottle, which causes the inner seal 16 to engage the upper edge of the opening 14. Alternatively, the seal 16 may be initially applied to cover the outlet opening 14, before the closure is assembled there. Once the closure 10 is assembled in the bottle 12, the resulting container is passed under an induction sealant, to induce a flow of current and thus heat, within the aluminum layer of the induction seal 16. This heat causes a bond between the sealing layer and the opening of the bottle, which maintains the integrity of the contents of the bottle. During use, the consumer must first unscrew the closure 10 from the outlet opening 14, and remove the internal seal 16. This closure is then reassembled on the outlet opening, causing the sealing rib 223 to engage, in a sealed manner, to the upper surface of the outlet opening 14, see Figure 4. When the beverage is to be dispensed, the top cover 40 is pivoted to its removed position, pressing laterally into the dome 44 of this top cover. By tightening the bottle 12, the increase in the resulting pressure in the bottle causes the valve 28 to rise to its raised open position (Figure 4), and the beverage is distributed through the discharge pipe 25. Upon release of the bottle, the internal pressure returns to normal, and the valve 28 automatically returns to its lower closed position.

Claims (8)

1. CLAIMS 1. A seal seal and distribution for an outlet opening of a container containing a consumable beverage or other liquid, this closure comprises: a closure base, adapted to be assembled to the outlet opening of the container, this base closure includes an internally threaded sleeve and a discharge tube, which is adapted to communicate with the outlet opening of the container and through which the liquid contained within the container is adapted to be dispensed, this discharge tube includes an upper edge; an upper lid, configured for selective movement between a cover position, mounted on the closure base and enclosing the discharge tube of the closure base, and a removed position, where the discharge tube is exposed and the liquid is removed. can distribute through it, this top cover includes a central post, which is placed so that it coaxially overlaps the discharge tube, when the top cover is in the cover position and a self-sealing distribution valve, mounted inside of the discharge tube and that can be moved by the pressure inside the container, from a lower closed position to a raised open position, characterized in that the valve is mounted at a location through the height of the discharge tube, so that valve is, at least substantially, completely spaced below the upper edge of the discharge tube, when the valve is in its raised open position, so as to effectively edit the access to the valve by the consumer, and further comprises a sealing element, to seal the post to the discharge tube, when the top cover is in the cover position and thus provide a hermetically sealed space in the discharge tube, between the post and the valve, which acts to prevent the valve from moving from its closed position lower than its raised open position.
2. 2. The closure, as defined in claim 1, wherein the central post is received coaxially in the discharge tube, when the upper cover is in the covered position, and in which the sealing element comprises a circumferential flexible lip, integrally joined to the discharge tube, for coupling to the circumferential periphery of the post.
3. 3. The closure, as defined in claim 2, further comprising a circumferential seal, placed in the internally threaded sleeve of the closure base, to be coupled, in sealed form, to the outlet opening of the passage, when this closure is assembled there threadedly.
4. 4. The closure, as defined in claim 3, further comprising an internal seal, placed inside the internally threaded sleeve, to engage and close, in sealed form, the outlet opening of the container, when this closure is threadedly assembled therein.
5. 5. The closure, as defined in claim 1, wherein the top cover is integrally connected to the base of the closure, by means of a flexible flap, formed between the base of the closure and the top cover, so that this top cover can pivot between the covered position and the removed position.
6. 6. The closure, as defined in claim 1, wherein the base of the closure, the top cover and the connecting flap are integrally molded of a plastic material.
7. 7. The closure, as defined in claim 1, wherein the discharge tube has a diameter, which is substantially less than the diameter of the internally threaded sleeve, and where this discharge tube is coaxially attached to the internally threaded sleeve, by means of of an annular flange, generally flat.
8. 8. A container for a consumable beverage or other liquid, this container comprises: a flexible plastic bottle, which includes an externally threaded, tubular outlet opening, characterized in that the container further comprises a closure, as defined in any of claims 1 to 7, which is threadedly mounted on the outlet opening.