Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
' ' CA 02431941 2003-06-12
WO 02/49933 PCT/EP01/15085
Closure for an elastically recoverinq container
The invention relates to a closure for an elastically
recovering container, having a self-closing closure
unit with a membrane.
A self-closing membrane for discharging a free-flowing
substance in a controlled manner is known, for example,
from US Patent 5 390 805. The membrane is realized as a
hat-like blank. The hat periphery is clamped in between
jaw-like elements of a screw cap. The central region of
the membrane is indented counter to the discharge
direction.
Elastically recovering containers are known from
US Patent 3 395 836 and US Patent 4 252 257.
EP 0 386 495 proposes mounting a closure rotatably,
such that it is limited by stops, in a discharge space.
This leads alternately to throughflow release and a
blocking position in respect of the liquid medium which
is to be dispensed.
It is an object of the invention to form a closure of
the generic type in a structurally straightforward and
functionally reliable manner.
This object is achieved first and foremost in the case
of a closure having the features of Claim 1, this being
based on the fact that the membrane is formed with a
planar surface prior to installation and is secured
with clamping action around the periphery in the
closure, being deflected in cross-section in the
process.
Such a configuration results in a closure of the
generic type with increased use value. This is based in
the high level of functional reliability achieved. The
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transfer from the planar state to deflection of the
membrane secured with clamping action around the
periphery gives rise to surprisingly advantageous
discharging characteristics. The closing force and
opening action are balanced. The layer cross-section
comprises zones subjected to different stressing, this
producing a gap-forming inlet. The deflection curvature
extending, as it were, over an annular back makes its
contribution as fibers in tension. The intensity of the
securing with clamping action can be varied and thus
also becomes a parameter. It is advantageous if the
deflection is directed toward the container, that is to
say is directed toward the oncoming flow of the medium
which is to be discharged. The membrane expediently has
a central dispensing slit. It is possible for this to
be located along the diameter, that is to say to be a
longitudinal slit, or for it to be in the form of a
cross-slit. In a straightforward arrangement, the
membrane is secured with clamping action between an
upper closure part and a lower closure part. An
arrangement of the membrane which renders the latter
particularly stable for use purposes is achieved if the
lower closure part forms a clamping edge on a clamping
periphery. This clamping edge digs well, with good
anchoring action, into the elastic material layer of
the membrane. The clamping pressure can be used, at the
same time, in order to produce a sealing action. An
advantageous feature of the invention then consists in
that the upper closure part, starting from a clamping
zone formed by the clamping periphery of the lower
closure part, extends centrally inward and, directed
toward the container, runs to a location beneath the
clamping periphery. This results in a highly stable
structure, even in the case of a thin-walled
configuration. As a development here, it is
advantageous for the clamping periphery to be formed by
the free end of a tube which is rooted in the lower
closure part. A single-piece construction is present
CA 02431941 2003-06-12
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here. Furthermore, it is provided that the clamped-in
membrane is tensioned in the manner of an eardrum in
its central, free region. The region involved in the
opening action is thus clearly defined, it also being
possible for the eardrum-like tensioning to be utilized
in respect of making the dispensing slit of this
control element protrude in lip form. It is further the
case that the dispensing slit of the clamped-in
membrane has slit flanks which, in cross-section, run
in a V-shaped manner in relation to one another and
butt against one another in the region of the V-root.
This ensures that the flanks are held together, with
the effect of the dispensing slit being kept closed
over a small surface area. A further feature of the
invention consists in that the upper closure part and
the lower closure part combined are disposed in a
rotatable manner in a closure mount. For this purpose,
use is made of surfaces with related contours in
respect of the guiding and guided parts. In terms of
angle of rotation, it is ensured that the combined
upper closure part and lower closure part can be
rotated between a dispensing position and a secured
transporting position. A configuration of even
independent importance is then achieved in that the
lower closure part, together with the membrane, the
tube and a base, forms a discharge space which has a
through-passage opening in the base. As a result, a
quantity which is directly ready for discharge in each
case is present in front of the dispensing slit,
advantageously for example in the case of the use form
as an upside-down bottle. In respect of the secured
transporting position which has been indicated, it
proves to be beneficial that the pivoting capability of
the upper closure part and lower closure part combined,
on the one hand, makes it possible for the through-
passage opening in the base to be aligned with an
opening of the storage space of the container and, on
the other hand, allows this opening to be closed by a
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wall portion, and if appropriate one such of the base,
of the joined-together upper closure part and lower
closure part. In order to achieve advantageous
operating capability of the closure, provision is made
for an actuating protrusion to be formed on the upper
closure part for the purpose of pivoting the upper
closure part with the lower closure part about the axis
of rotation. An advantageous solution in terms of
installation is provided in that the closure mount, in
the region of its opening, has a flexibly attached
collar which secures the unit comprising the upper
closure part and lower closure part. It is ensured here
that the collar, when demolded, is aligned with a
cylindrical wall region of the closure mount. A
straightforward solution in terms of structure and
installation is achieved in that the collar is molded
on integrally, allowing for a weak point in the
direction of the closure-mount opening, and can be
folded in with snap action so as to be inclined in the
direction of the interior of the container. The collar
passes beyond a dead-center line and is thus fixed in
position. Correspondingly, the collar is formed in an
encircling manner without any interruptions. As far as
the geometrical configuration of the closure mount is
concerned, with the exception of the collar, it is
formed in the manner of a goblet. Goblet is intended to
mean a substantially hemispherical zone which is
adjoined in the upward direction by the usually
cylindrical periphery typical of goblets. In respect of
connecting the medium which is to be dispensed, it is
provided that the closure mount has an attachment
nozzle which is oriented centrally in the direction of
the container and has container-side nozzle tapering.
Such tapering forms the subject matter of German Patent
Application DE 19 824 714, this also in respect of a
particular latching system using an annular loop
latched over mating latching means of the container.
The annular loop widens in the circumferential
' ' CA 02431941 2003-06-12
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direction and, by virtue of the restoring force,
contracts tightly with latch-securing action. It then
proves to be advantageous for the upper closure part
and lower closure part combined, at least in part, to
have a cross-sectionally circular surface line, adapted
to the hollow mating contour of the closure mount.
Allowance is also made here for the upper closure part
and lower closure part combined, at least in part, to
have a spherical surface. Otherwise, it may also be the
case that the upper closure part combined with the
lower closure part, in part, has a surface
configuration which differs from the circular or
spherical shape by way of a flattened portion. This may
be done such that the flattened portion is located on
that region of the combined upper closure part and
lower closure part which is oriented outward when the
closure is in a position in which it is secured for
transportation. This achieves the situation where,
possibly also with the upper closure part and lower
closure part located in the secured transporting
position, the closure provides a flattened portion on
the upper side for use in the case of an upside-down
bottle, obviously with given features dimensioned
correspondingly.
It is further conceivable to have a solution in which
the lower closure part is rigidly connected to the
closure mount. Provision is made here for the
dispensing operation such that the upper closure part
has a pivotable closure cap gripping over it. The
arrangement here is one in which the closure cap has a
discharge opening which is to be aligned with a
dispensing opening of the upper closure part. It is
also the case with this version that the closure cap
can be moved into a secured transporting position, in
which the dispensing opening has a subregion of the
closure cap gripping over it with sealing action. Here
too, on account of the bushing-like formation, the
CA 02431941 2003-06-12
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' collar forms a movement-limiting means for the closure
cap. Accordingly, it is possible to achieve a
configuration in which, without an upper closure part
and a lower closure part being provided, the closure
cap interacts directly in a sealing manner with the
opening of the closure mount . It is then provided that
the closure cap has a circular cross-section which is
adapted to the lower hollow spherical region of the
closure mount: In this case, the closure cap has a
sphere truncated in the manner of a secant or is in the
form of a spherical segment. Also conceivable is a
variant in which the closure cap is in the form of a
cylinder truncated in the manner of a secant. In order
for the closure cap to be secured in a structurally
straightforward manner, it proves to be advantageous
for the secant; in relation to the discharge opening,
to be located on the far side of the axis of rotation.
This is because this can be utilized for self-securing
purposes.
The invention then relates to a membrane for forming a
self-closing valve in a container closure according to
the preamble of Claim 1 or according to Claim l, which
solution is characterized by the membrane being punched
out of a membrane blank produced with a planar surface.
Use is made of elastomeric material, for example SI,
PE, TPE or TEE. It is advantageous if the membrane has
a polygonal periphery line. This makes it possible to
avoid, for example, radial folds. Loss-free production
can even be achieved if the membrane has a uniform
hexagonal periphery line, that is to be comparable to
the hexagonal honeycomb structure.
The subject matter of the invention is explained in
more detail hereinbelow with reference to an exemplary
embodiment illustrated in the drawing, in which:
' ' CA 02431941 2003-06-12
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Figure 1 shows, in its basic version, the closure
according to the invention in vertical
section, with the container illustrated by
chain-dotted lines, the closure being located
in an intermediate position,
Figure 2 shows the closure in the closed position;
allowing an upside-down position,
Figure 3 shows the closure in the open position, i.e.
allowing the substance to be dispensed,
Figure 4 shows the closure in perspective
illustration,
Figure 5 shows' the closure in a closed position which
does not allow the upside-down position,
Figure 6 shows the closure in a modified embodiment,
located in the closed position,
Figure 7 shows the same embodiment in the open
position, i.e. ready for dispensing,
Figure 8 shows a further modification of the closure,
in the closed position,
Figure 9 shows the same embodiment in the open
position,
Figure 10 shows the closure with container in side vie,
showing the mounting specification,
Figure 11 shows a membrane in side view, surrounded by
the membrane blank produced with a planar
surface, the surrounding blank being
indicated by chain-dotted lines, and
' ' CA 02431941 2003-06-12
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- Figure 12 shows the plan view of Figure 11.
The closure, which is designated as a whole by V, is
accommodated in a cup-like cap part 1. The
substantially cylindrical wall 2 of the latter
terminates on the container side with a planar end
periphery 3. The end which is remote from the latter
merges into a head plate 4 of the cap part 1. This
slopes downward in the direction of the center of the
cap part at an acute angle to a horizontal.
The closure v or its cap part 1 may be associated with
a bottle-like container 5. The fastening means in this
respect, reversible or irreversible, are not
illustrated.
The container 5, realized as a so-called squeeze
bottle, consists of elastically recovering material.
Wall-surface portions at least can be squeezed. The
liquid medium which is to be discharged is thus
dispensed in a closure-controlled manner by
displacement.
The core of the closure V is formed by a membrane M.
This consists of elastomeric material, preferably of
plastics material.
The membrane M, which serves for forming a self-closing
valve, is produced by being punched out of a planar,
plate-like material. The corresponding membrane blank 6
can be gathered from Figures 11 and 12.
The planar surface, which is still present in
Figure 11, continues into the adjacent regions, that is
to say throughout the entire surroundings of the
membrane blank 6.
' ' CA 02431941 2003-06-12
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The outline-forming punch lines are designated 7 in
Figure 12. They result in a polygonal periphery line or
narrow surface 8 of the plate formation.
The polygonal periphery line or narrow surface 8 is of
uniform configuration, with the effect that the
membrane M has a hexagonal periphery line 8.
Membranes M with their outline configured in such a
manner are free of punching waste.
During punching, it is also possible, at the same time,
to provide for slitting, which can likewise be seen
from Figure 12, in order to achieve a dispensing slit
9. This is a single slit arranged along a diameter,
with imaginary:circle-arc connection of the corners of
the hexagon.
The length of the dispensing slit and thickness of the
membrane M can be used in order to achieve differently
acting closures.
The membrane M, which is produced with a planar
surface, is associated with the closure V with
inverting deflection along arrow x. In relative terms,
the periphery. line or narrow surface 8 has maintained
its original plane. This position is fixed by securing
with clamping action in the vicinity of the periphery.
It is sufficient, if appropriate, for all practical
purposes, if only the corner tabs of such a valve plate
are gripped by being secured with clamping action.
The illustrated deflection along arrow x is directed
toward the inside of the container, that is to say is
oriented in the direction of the container 5.
' CA 02431941 2003-06-12
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The position is such that the dispensing slit 9 of the
membrane M is located in the center, see Figure 4.
The membrane M is located in a closure unit which is
.5 accommodated in a rotatable manner in the cap part 1
and comprises an upper closure part 0 and a lower
closure part U . These parts form the clamping elements
for fixing the membrane. By virtue of the two above
mentioned elements being secured with clamping action,
the membrane M is secured in a functionally reliable
manner, the deflection along arrow x which can be
gathered from. the drawing being achieved, and finally
maintained, in the process. The upper closure part O
and lower closure part U are appropriately equipped in
order to achieve the securing with clamping action, for
which purpose the lower closure part U forms a clamping
edge 11 on its clamping periphery 10 oriented in the
direction of the head plate 4. The clamping edge, as
can be seen, penetrates into that region of the
membrane M which is to be fixed. A moderately tapered
clamping edge 11 is present, if appropriate with a
rounded end.
The abutment of the clamping edge 11 of the lower
closure part U is formed by a freely projecting,
rotationally symmetrical arm 12 of the upper closure
part 0. This projects in the direction of the center of
the closure V and, by corresponding projecting toward
the container, is responsible for the illustrated
deflection x. Overall, the upper closure part O there
forms an as it were scythe-like silhouette,
circumscribing an exposed inverted rim.
This is because the inside of the arm 12 tapers in
shallow conical form in the direction of the
approaching clamping periphery 10, so that the result,
in a sloping region achieved in this way, is a clamping
action which is beneficial for combining the two parts
' ' CA 02431941 2003-06-12
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0 and U. The procedure for this purpose is such that
the upper closure part O, starting from a clamping zone
formed by the clamping periphery 10 of the lower
closure part U, extends centrally inward and, directed
toward the container 5, runs to a location beneath the
clamping periphery 10. The clamped-in membrane M is
tensioned in the manner of an eardrum in its central,
free region 13. Moreover, in the region of the free
ends 12' of the rotationally symmetric arm 12, these
free ends giving rise to a pushing-out action, an
upwardly directed bend 14 is produced, this bend being
convex as seen from the side of the container 5. The
edge 11 and the smaller-diameter end 12' run
concentrically, in a radially offset manner in order to
achieve mutual overlapping.
The bend 14 in conjunction with the tensioning results
in advantageous discharging characteristics for the
medium which is to be dispensed. A gap-forming opening
contour of the dispensing slit 9 is achieved without
good self-closure being obstructed. It can be gathered
that the dispensing slit 9 in the clamped-in membrane M
has slit flanks 15 which, as seen in cross-section, run
in a V-shaped manner in relation to one another and
butt against one another in the region of the V-root.
The slit opening diverges toward the container.
The clamping periphery 10 forms the upwardly oriented
end, that is to say the end which is oriented in the
direction of the head plate 4, of the tube 16 which is
rooted in the lower closure part U. The tube is
substantially cylindrical, while conforming with the
demolding-specific requirements. The tube 16 may be
stepped on the inside, with the effect of reducing the
cross-section in the direction of the free end.
The upper closure part 0 and the lower closure part U
are connected to one another in the region of a central
' ' CA 02431941 2003-06-12
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zone 17 to form the said closure unit. A weld
connection may be provided. It would also be possible
to realize 17 as an adhesive joint. The lengths of the
two unit-forming parts are such that the abovedescribed
securing with clamping action is indeed achieved by the
clamping edge 11 of the tube 16, but the encircling
clamping edge does not result in any severing. Rather,
16 functions as a clamping ram.
The upper closure O and lower closure part U combined
in this way extend in a rotatable manner in a closure
mount 18. The axis of rotation about which the closure
unit carrying the membrane M rotates is designated y.
This geometrical axis of rotation y is embodied by a
dome-like formation of the closure unit and of the
closure mount 18. A spherical configuration which goes
beyond the equator is provided.
Bearing beads 19 are formed in order to minimize the
surface friction during rotation or pivoting of the
unit . These bearing beads are located on the inside of
the closure mount 18. They are located above the
equator and thus develop a certain arresting action in
respect of the closure unit. Such beads are also formed
as sealing lips in the drawing. No more specific
details will be given here.
The combined upper closure part 0 and lower closure
part U can be rotated between a dispensing position and
a secured transporting position. The dispensing
position; in respect of the basic version, can be
gathered from Figure 3, whereas the secured
transporting position can be gathered from Figure 2.
The respective end positions are defined by stops. The
corresponding stops are located such that the pivoting
capability of the upper closure part O and lower
closure part U combined, en the one hand, makes it
' ' CA 02431941 2003-06-12
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possible for a through-passage opening 20 in the base
to be aligned with an opening 21 of the storage space
22 of the container 5 and, on the other hand, allows
this opening 21 to be closed by a wall portion 23 of
the joined-together upper closure part O and lower
closure part U.
The wall portion may be supplemented, as is
illustrated, by a corresponding wall portion of a base
24 of the joined-together upper closure part O and
lower closure part U. This can be gathered from the
central position - for all practical purposes forming
the turning point of the rotary movement - of the
closure unit carrying the membrane M, this central
position being shown in Figure 1.
The through-passage opening 20 is located in the center
of the base 24. The latter, the tube 16 and the
membrane M form a discharge space 25 in the lower
closure part U.
The opening 26 located on the upper side of the
membrane M allows the substance approaching the
dispensing slit 9 to advance out of the discharge space
25, which forms an antechamber, and to advance outward
via the opening. This dispensing position can be
gathered, as has already been indicated, from Figure 3.
An actuating protrusion 27 is seated, such that it is
easily accessible for gripping purposes, on the upper
closure part O. This protrusion is an upwardly
projecting strip portion. A collar 28 forms a counter-
stop here. The collar is located in the region of a
closure-mount opening 29 and serves, at the same time,
as an arresting part for securing the unit comprising
the upper closure part O and lower closure part U once
the latter has been placed in position.
CA 02431941 2003-06-12
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The collar 28 is flexibly attached. When demolded (see
chain-dotted depiction in Figure 1), the collar 28 is
aligned with a cylindrical connecting region 30 between
the inner periphery of the head plate and the lower
portion of the closure mount 18. From this aligned
position with the connecting region 30, the collar 28
can be folded in. This then results in the situation
which is illustrated by solid lines in Figure 1. In
this case, the collar 28 is aligned with the head plate
4, having the same inclination a~s the latter. The
folding-in movement of the collar 28, which obviously
passes beyond a dead-center line, is defined via a weak
point 31. This.forms the material bridge between the
collar 28 and the closure-mount opening 29, which, as
can be gathered, decreases in inside diameter such that
the unit O/U i:s steadied or the reduced annular opening
can serve as limiting stops for the actuating
protrusion 27.
The collar 28 is formed in an encircling manner without
any interruptions. With the exception of the collar 28,
the closure mount 18 is formed in the manner of a
goblet; the concavely round, hollow lower portion is
adjoined by a cylindrical one, formed by the
cylindrical connecting region 30.
An attachment nozzle 32 is used in order to transfer
the liquid medium from the storage space 22 into the
region of the closure unit. The nozzle is seated at the
lowermost point of the closure mount 18. The free end
of the attachment nozzle 32 merges into nozzle tapering
33. This allows easy centering on the neck mouth of the
container 5 or opening 21 of the storage space 22.
As can be gathered from the drawing, the upper closure
part O and lower closure part U combined, at least in
part, have a cross-sectionally circular surface line,
adapted to the closure mount 18. Accordingly, they may
' CA 02431941 2003-06-12
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form a shallow-cylindrical closure-unit body. Even
deviations from this are conceivable, for example in
the form of a rotationally symmetrical cutting disk
(based on mutually opposite truncated cones).
It is even conceivable to have a configuration in which
the upper closure part 0 and lower closure part U
combined, at least in part, have a spherical surface.
Moreover, there is also a special form of the basic
version insofar as the upper closure part O combined
with the lower closure part U, in part, have a surface
configuration which differs from the circular or
spherical shape by way of a flattened portion 34. This
can be seen in use from Figure 2. It is oriented
outward, but is set back in relation to the top or the
upper side of the head plate 4. It is consequently
possible for the dispenser to be used as an upside-down
bottle.
If a correspondingly situation is not desired, it is
possible for the closure unit to be of spherical
configuration throughout, as can be gathered from
Figure 5. In this case, the outer surface of the
"sphere" there projects to a marked extent beyond the
upper side of the head plate 4. Accordingly, the
container cannot be set down in the manner explained.
The variant according to Figure 5 is of otherwise
comparable construction. The designations are adopted
from the basic version, for the most part without being
repeated in the text.
In contrast, in this case the head plate 4 runs
substantially horizontally. The collar 28 can be folded
in here with thermal fixing if snap action is not
envisaged.
' " CA 02431941 2003-06-12
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The development of the closure V which can be gathered
from Figures 6 and 7 provides a modification to the
extent that, in this case, the lower closure part U is
rigidly connected to the closure mount 18. Elements
with the same function are also designated here in a
manner corresponding to the basic version. The tube 16
has outer latching protrusions 35. These interact with
latching noses 36 of the upper closure part 0. In this
case too, the latter forms a rotationally symmetrical
arm 12, albeit one which continues into an upwardly
directed extension, creating a dispensing opening 37.
This extends from the opening 26. The dispensing
opening 37 is circumscribed by a frustoconical nozzle
38. The ends 12' of the encircling arm 12 run
integrally into the foot of the nozzle 38 at a corner.
The bends 14, accordingly, have strong abutments.
The upper closure part 'O has a closure cap 39 gripping
over it. The latter, of dome-like configuration, is
guided on the correspondingly formed upper closure part
0, to be precise in a stop-limited manner.
The said closure cap 39 itself contains a opening,
which creates a dispensing path. The opening comprises
an upwardly projecting discharge opening 40. The latter
can be aligned with the dispensing opening 37 of the
upper closure part 0. This gives rise to the open
position.
As can further be gathered from the illustration of the
drawing, the closure cap 39 can be moved into a secured
transporting position, in which the dispensing opening
37 has a subregion of the wall of the closure cap 39
gripping over it with sealing action (see Figure 6).
The discharge opening 40 has yet a further task to
perform, namely that of an actuating protrusion 27. The
actuating protrusion 27 here is formed directly in the
CA 02431941 2003-06-12
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manner of a bushing-like formation on the closure cap
39.
However, the bushing-like formation of the closure cap
39 is utilized, at the same time, in relation to stops.
It can be gathered that, on account of the bushing-like
formatiow, the abovedescribed collar 28 forms a
movement-limiting means for the closure cap 39.
The ready-for-dispensing open position of this version
can be gathered from Figure 7.
The variant according to Figure 8 has a reduced number
of components to the extent that the closure cap 39
there, pivoting about y, interacts directly in a
sealing manner with the opening 21 of the closure mount
18. The upper closure part O and lower closure part U
are dispensed.with. The closure cap 39 is realized as a
sphere or rotary cylinder. Keeping with the example of
a sphere, the closure cap 39 has an outline or cross-
section which goes beyond the equator and is adapted to
the lower hollow spherical region of the closure mount
18. The discharge opening 40 is configured in the
manner of a bushing, forming the actuating handle 27
explained above. In terms of stops, the same conditions
are provided as have been described for the variant of
Figures 6 and 7.
The closure cap 39, furthermore, has a sphere truncated
in the manner of a secant or is in the form of a
spherical segment. The secant 41, which serves as a
flow-connecting hollow or incoming-flow inlet, is
directed toward the opening 21. A cylindrical closure
cap 39 would have such a secant 41 in the same way. It
is located, in relation to the discharge opening 40, on
the far side of the axis of rotation y. The overhang in
this respect, directed toward the opening 21, is of
such a magnitude that there is still space for stop
' CA 02431941 2003-06-12
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beads 42 on the lateral surface, these beads
interacting with a horizontal latching protrusion 43 of
the closure mount 18, to be precise with the effect of
perceptible restored blocking of the end positions of
the closure cap 39 in each case.
The attachment nozzle 32, which adjoins the underside
of the closure mount 18, has a considerably larger
diameter than that of the basic version. Nevertheless,
in this case too, the attachment nozzle 32 of larger
cross-section has the abovedescribed nozzle tapering
33.
Figure 10 shows a mounting specification for the
closure unit 0/U by way of flattened portions 44, which
are provided at the two poles of a horizontal axis of
the sphere and are supported, with guidance, on
balanced vertically running mating walls 45 of the
closure mount l8. The basic geometrical shape of the
sphere is also depicted for comparison.
All features disclosed are (in themselves) pertinent to
the invention. The disclosure content of the
associated/attached priority documents (copy of the
prior application) is hereby also included in full in
the disclosure of the application, also for the purpose
of incorporating features of these documents in claims
of the present application.
