CLIAMS:1. A dispensing closure assembly for dispensing a product/s from the container, the closure assembly comprising:

a body having a deck and a skirt extending from the deck for engaging the container;
an oblong orifice or multiple inline dispensing orifices or an oblong orifice with multiple sub-orifices, located at the lower half of the deck, opposite to the lid joint; and
a lid attached to the deck with a hinge on the opposite side of said orifice.

2. The dispensing closure assembly of claim 1, wherein the container have one or more compartment.

3. The dispensing closure assembly of claim 1, wherein the container engaging section includes an exterior skirt portion which engages a peripheral rim formed on an upper edge of the container.

4. The dispensing closure assembly of claim 1, wherein the lid is formed with a recessed peripheral rim which accommodates annular lid skirt when lid is in the close position.

5. The dispensing closure assembly of claim 1, is the integral part of the container or a separate assembly which releasably or permanently attached to the container.

6. The dispensing closure assembly of claim 1, wherein said closure further comprising an orifice sealing member/s or spud/s extending from the end wall of the lid end wall and which is/are adapted to sealingly engage dispensing orifice peripheral surface/s, when the lid moves from the open to closed position.

7. The dispensing closure assembly of claim 1, wherein said skirt has an internal thread or a snap-fit bead or groove/s for engaging a container thread or bed or groove/s, respectively.

8. The dispensing closure assembly of claim 1, wherein an upwardly and outwardly extending projection on said closure engages inwardly directed bead on a sidewall or skirt of the lid to maintain said lid in said closed position.

9. The dispensing closure assembly of claim 1, wherein the lid is connected to the closure body with snap action or floppy hinge/s.

10. The dispensing closure assembly of claim 1, wherein the closure dispenses product/s in ribbon like extrudate/s or noodle like extudates.
,TagSPECI:DISPENSING CLOSURE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION:

The present invention relates to a dispensing closure that is either disposable or reusable. The dispensing closure is either integral part of the container or a separate assembly which may permanently or releasably attached to the container. In particular, the present invention provides a dispensing closure for uniform and efficient spreadability of the one or more semisolid or liquid products.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:

The dispensing closure systems for semisolid and liquid products, such as jellies, pastes, honey, resin, glue etc. are generally known. These typically include a closure body provided with a dispensing orifice of a suitable dimension to permit passage of the products or wide mouth bottle without a dispensing closure.

There are many dispensing closures known for semisolid and/or liquid products. Currently available dispensing closures have a number of disadvantages, such as closures dispense the product through a single round shape opening, which may dispense a large amount of the product at a time, thus user needs to take lots of effort to spread the product after dispensing. The use of such dispensing closures is often accompanied by spillage, product wastage, and possibly unhygienic conditions due to left over on the closure system which gets exposed to outer environment and gets spoiled.

Another disadvantage associated with available dispensing closure system for semisolid and liquid product is that, the dispensing closure system typically lack of capability to have a clean “cut-off” of the product immediately after dispensing.

Another disadvantage associated with known dispensing closure for semisolid and liquid product is that, the dispensing closure system dispense more than one product at a time typically lack of capability to have uniform and efficient spreadability while dispensing.

A major disadvantage arising from the use of currently available closures is that the user cannot effectively spread the material while dispensing on the required surface. Also, in some cases it is observed to be bulky, creating problem of handling leading to an impact on the shelf life of the product due to increased void space. There is need for a dispensing closure system that avoids aforesaid problems.

There have been many patent applications for a liquid or semisolid dispensing closure. International Publication No. WO2011/146438 describes a container cap which includes a spout extending upwardly from the upper surface of the cap. U.S. Design Patent No. 136,098 describes a container cap with a long spout extending upwardly from the upper surface of the cap. However, these results in increase in void space of the container, subsequently increasing the size.

International Publication No. WO2009/099508 describes a container cap with a pressure-dispensing valve, and has an outwardly extending head and which has at least three peripheral walls. However, these lead to increase in void space of the container and are also bulky.

Indian Patent, IN 1347/MUMNP/2002 discloses a dispensing closure which contains a squeezable container of the press-and-breathe type comprising of an elongated or oblong dispensing orifice at the center of the inner cap and which can be closed with the help of a lid cap. The major drawback of this closure is, at the time of spreading it requires a large angle of contact, and thus the lid cap used to touche the surface on which it is being applied. Thus, the lid cap creates resistance while using and also product remains stuck to the peripheral wall of the lid cap, which may results in contamination and unhygienic conditions. Another drawback of this closure is that, whenever there is very less product remaining in the container, it is difficult to pour the product, as it takes time to accumulate at the center. And in some embodiments, the lid is a separate entity and is removable which is not considered to be user friendly, and can be misplaced easily and cannot control the dispensing flow.

The above constructions have drawbacks of as they are bulky, have complex parts which are difficult to use or are also not very cost efficient.

So, there is a need of a dispensing closure which will have a suitable orifice and can overcome all the above disadvantages. In particular, the dispensing closure should have relatively few, simple mechanical parts, should not have excessive void space and also at the same time it should provide uniform and efficient spreadability while dispensing. It should spread more than one product, uniformly and efficiently. It should be less bulky and should exhibit good spreadability even with less amounts of product remains in the container and have better dispensing control. It may also be advantageous if such an improved closure system could accommodate in bottles, containers, or packages which having variable shapes and are having variable material of construction. Further, it would also be desirable if such an improved system could accommodate efficient, high-quality, large volume manufacturing techniques with a reduced product reject rate to produce a system with consistent operating characteristics.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:

The present invention provides an improved dispensing closure assembly which solves the aforementioned disadvantages in the prior arts. Specifically, the present invention provides an assembly for dispensing a product from a container in a way that can be better controlled by the user and which can be more hygienic and user friendly. The assembly is suitable for dispensing liquid and semisolid products like honey, creams, jellies etc. The user can easily ascertain the dispensing location and easily spread the product on the dispensing surface and at the same time can more precisely control the flow of the material, irrespective of the volume remains.

In one of the general aspects, the present invention provides a dispensing closure assembly which can be adapted for use in dispensing a product from the container having an opening. The dispensing closure assembly can be integral part of the container or the dispensing closure may be a separate assembly which can be permanently or releasably attached to the container.

In another aspect, the invention provides a dispensing closure assembly which includes an oblong orifice or multiple inline orifices or an oblong orifice with multiple sub-orifices for dispensing a ribbon of product. The present aspect of the invention provides a dispensing closure assembly that includes a closure body having 1) a closure deck, 2) a skirt extending from the closure deck for engaging a container and 3) a spout extending from the closure deck, located at the lower half of the deck, opposite to lid joint and the spout including an oblong dispensing orifice or a multiple inline dispensing orifices or an oblong dispensing orifice with sub-orifices.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides a dispensing closure assembly which includes a multiple inline orifices or an oblong orifice with multiple sub-orifices for dispensing a ribbon of more than one product. The present aspect of the invention provides a dispensing closure assembly that includes a closure body having 1) a closure deck, 2) a skirt extending from the closure deck for engaging a container and 3) a spout extending from the closure deck, located at the lower half of the deck, opposite to lid joint and the spout including a multiple inline dispensing orifices or an oblong dispensing orifice with sub-orifices, wherein said orifices or sub-orifices attached to the multi-compartment container.

Another aspect of the invention provides a dispensing closure assembly which has provided a improved flow and dispensing properties and which enhance the “suck-back” effect to provide a clean “cut-off” of the product. A dispensing closure assembly according to this aspect of the invention provides for smooth flow of the product from the container opening up-to the dispensing orifice, while minimizing the volume defined by the closure system spout and thereby provides increased “suck-back,” when used in conjunction with a flexible container creating vacuum, and an abrupt “cut-off” of product compared to prior art devices.

Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention, along with claims and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an exemplary dispensing closure.

FIG. 2 is a back perspective view of an exemplary dispensing closure.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the exemplary dispensing closure.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the exemplary dispensing closure.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the exemplary dispensing closure.

FIG. 6 is a back perspective view of an alternate exemplary dispensing closure.

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of an alternate exemplary dispensing closure.

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of an alternate exemplary dispensing closure.

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of an alternate exemplary dispensing closure.

FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of an alternate exemplary dispensing closure.

FIG. 11 is a side view of an alternate exemplary dispensing closure.

FIG. 12 is a top view of an alternate exemplary dispensing closure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

According to any of the embodiments, the closure is of a type used for dispensing product that is provided as a separate assembly or integral part of the container. Such product may include but not limited to, comestible product such as food paste, jelly or jam. However the closure could also be used with many other products, including but not limited to, a personal care product, an industrial or household cleaning product, adhesive products or other chemical composition.

The dispensing closure of this invention is suitable for use with variety of conventional or special container or packaging material having various shape, designs, the details of which, although not illustrated or described, would be apparent to those having skill in the art and an understanding of such containers. The container per se described herein from no part of and thereof is not intend to limit the present invention. The container with which the closure assembly may be used would typically be a squeezable container having a flexible wall or walls which can be grasped by the user and squeezed or compressed to increase the internal pressure within the container so as to force the product out of the container and through the closure. The container wall typically has sufficient, inherent resiliency so that when the squeezing force are removed, the container wall return to its normal, unstressed shape. Such squeezable wall container is preferred in many application excluding applications where pressurized or piston system are involved.

The dispensing closure is suitable for use in multi-compartment squeezable containers, in which more than one substance can be stored. The multi-compartment container is use for more than one product or different concentration of the same product/s.

For the ease of the description, most of the figures illustrating the invention show a dispensing system in the typical orientation that it would have at the top of the container when the container is stored upright on its base. It will be understood, however, that the dispensing system of this invention may be manufactured, stored, transported, used, and sold in an orientation other than the position described.

Referring to FIG 1-5, a dispensing closure for a container is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. A dispensing closure 10 is adapted to be formed as part of or separately mounted on a container (not illustrated) that would typically contain a dispensing substance.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, the closure assembly 10 has the closure body 11 which includes hallow, generally cylindrical base or skirt 12, and annular shoulder 13 extending radially inwardly from the top of the skirt 12. The dispensing closure system also includes a spout 17 extending upwardly from the inner portion of the shoulder 13 and located on the desk away from the center of the deck, opposite to lid joint. A lid 14 is preferably hingedly connected to the closure body 11 with snap action hinge 15. A floppy hinge (not illustrated) may be used. A lid 14 includes a sidewall or skirt 16 from which hinge 15 extend to the body 11.

The exemplary closure system 10 includes an oblong or elongated dispensing orifice 18 formed in the spout 17 for permitting dispensing of a product/s in a ribbon like extrudate. The dispensing orifice 17 is defined by a dispensing orifice peripheral surface 19. The dispensing orifice peripheral surface 19 includes a front portion 20 and a back portion 21, wherein both are substantially parallel to each other. The dispensing orifice peripheral surface 19 also includes a pair of rounded lateral portions 22. It will be understood, however, that the dispensing orifice peripheral surfaces 19, 20, 21 need not form continuous single surface but may be discrete surfaces at different elevations or angles with respect to one another.

The closure skirt 12 could be provided with some container connecting means, such as a thread or a snap-fit bead or groove (not illustrated) for engaging a container thread or bed or groove (not illustrated), respectively, in the container neck. The closure body 11 could also permanently attached to the container by means of gluing, ultrasonic welding, induction melting or like, depending on materials used for the closure body 11 and in the container. The closure body 11 could also be formed as an integral part of the container, or extension, of the container.

The lid 14 optionally includes an orifice sealing member or spud 23 which extends from a lid end wall 26 and which is adapted to sealingly engage dispensing orifice peripheral surface 19 when the lid 14 moves from the open position to closed position (not illustrated). The orifice sealing member 23 includes an orifice sealing member back portion 24 and the orifice sealing member front portion 25. It will be understood, however, that the orifice sealing member 23 is of complementary shape relative to the shape of spout 17.

FIGS. 6 illustrate another exemplary closure system 10 according to the invention.

Referring to FIG 7and 8, a dispensing closure for a container is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. A dispensing closure 101 is adapted to be formed as part of or separately mounted on a container (not illustrated) that would typically contain a dispensing substance.

As can be seen in FIG. 7 and 8, the closure assembly 101 has the closure body 102 which includes hallow, generally cylindrical base or skirt 103, and annular shoulder 104 extending radially inwardly from the top of the skirt 103. The dispensing closure system also includes a spout 105 extending upwardly from the inner portion of the shoulder 104 and located at the lower half of the deck, opposite to the lid joint. A lid 106 is hingedly connected to the closure body 102 with snap action hinge 107. A floppy hinge (not illustrated) may be used. A lid 106 includes a sidewall or skirt 108 from which hinge 106 extend to the body 102.

The exemplary closure system 101 includes inline dispensing orifices 109 formed in the spout 105 for permitting dispensing of a product/s in a one or more ribbon like extrudate or noodle like extudate. The inline dispensing orifices 109 are defined by a dispensing orifice peripheral surface 110. The dispensing orifice peripheral surface 110 includes a front portion 111 and a back portion 112, wherein both are substantially parallel to each other. The dispensing orifice peripheral surface 110 also includes a pair of rounded lateral portions 113. It will be understood, however, that the dispensing orifice peripheral surfaces 110, 111, 112, 113 need not form continuous single surface but may be discrete surfaces at different elevations or angles with respect to one another.

The closure skirt 108 could be provided with some container connecting means, such as a thread or a snap-fit bead or groove (not illustrated) for engaging a container thread or bed or groove (not illustrated), respectively, in the container neck. The closure body 102 could also permanently attached to the container by means of gluing, ultrasonic welding, induction melting or like, depending on materials used for the closure body 102 and in the container. The closure body 102 could also be formed as an integral part of the container, or extension, of the container.

The lid 106 includes an orifice sealing member or spud 114 which extends from a lid end wall 115 and which is adapted to sealingly engage dispensing orifice peripheral surface 105 when the lid 106 moves from the open position to closed position (not illustrated). The orifice sealing member 114 includes an orifice sealing member back portion 116 and the orifice sealing member front portion 117. It will be understood, however, that the orifice sealing member 114 is of complementary shape relative to the shape of the dispensing orifice105.

Referring to FIG 9 and 10, a dispensing closure for a container is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. A dispensing closure 151 is adapted to be formed as part of or separately mounted on a container (not illustrated) that would typically contain a dispensing substance.

As can be seen in FIG. 9 and 10, the closure assembly 151 has the closure body 152 which includes hallow, generally cylindrical base or skirt 153, and annular shoulder 154 extending radially inwardly from the top of the skirt 153. The dispensing closure system also includes inline spouts 155 extending upwardly from the inner portion of the shoulder 154 and located at the lower half of the deck, opposite to the lid joint. A lid 156 is hingedly connected to the closure body 152 with snap action hinge 157. A floppy hinge (not illustrated) may be used. A lid 156 includes a sidewall or skirt 158 from which hinge 156 extend to the body 152.

The exemplary closure system 151 includes inline spouts 155 for permitting dispensing of a product/s in a one or more ribbon like extrudate or noodle like extudate. The inline dispensing orifices 155 are defined by a dispensing orifice peripheral surface 159. The dispensing orifice peripheral surface 159 includes hallow, cylindrical portion 160. It will be understood, however, that the dispensing orifice peripheral surfaces 159,160 need not form continuous single surface but may be discrete surfaces at different elevations, shapes or angles with respect to one another.

The closure skirt 158 could be provided with some container connecting means, such as a thread or a snap-fit bead or groove 163 specifically shown in Fig. 10, for engaging a container thread or bed or groove (not illustrated), respectively, in the container neck. The closure body 152 could also permanently attached to the container by means of gluing, ultrasonic welding, induction melting or like, depending on materials used for the closure body 152 and in the container. The closure body 102 could also be formed as an integral part of the container, or extension, of the container.

The lid 156 includes an orifice sealing members or spuds 161 which extend from a lid end wall 162 and which is adapted to sealingly engage dispensing orifice peripheral surface 155 when the lid 156 moves from the open position to closed position (not illustrated). The orifice sealing member 161 includes an orifice sealing member cylindrical portion 162. It will be understood, however, that the orifice sealing member 114 is of complementary shape relative to the shape of the dispensing orifice155.

Referring to FIG 11 and 13, a dispensing closure for a container is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. A dispensing closure 171 is adapted to be formed as part of or separately mounted on a container (not illustrated) that would typically contain a dispensing substance.

As can be seen in FIG. 11 and 13, the closure assembly 171 has the closure body 172 which includes hallow, generally cylindrical base or skirt 173, and annular shoulder 174 extending radially inwardly from the top of the skirt 173. The dispensing closure system also includes oblong spout 175 extending upwardly from the inner portion of the shoulder 174 and located at the lower half of the deck, opposite to the lid joint. A lid 176 is hingedly connected to the closure body 172 with snap action hinge 177. A floppy hinge (not illustrated) may be used. A lid 176 includes a sidewall or skirt 178 from which hinge 176 extend to the body 172.

The exemplary closure system 171 includes an oblong or elongated dispensing orifice 179 formed in the spout 175 for permitting dispensing of a product/s in a one or more ribbon like extrudate or noodle like extudate.. The dispensing orifice 179 is defined by a dispensing orifice peripheral surface 180. The dispensing orifice peripheral surface 180 includes a front portion 181 and a back portion 182, wherein both are substantially parallel to each other. The dispensing orifice peripheral surface 180 also includes a pair of rounded lateral portions 183. It will be understood, however, that the dispensing orifice peripheral surfaces 180, 181, 182 need not form continuous single surface but may be discrete surfaces at different elevations or angles with respect to one another. The dispensing orifice 179 further includes sub-orifices 184 which are specifically shown in Fig.12 and 13, which are at the sub-level to the upper dispensing orifice peripheral surface 180. The sub-orifices 184 gives a better control while dispensing and same time the substantial space created in-between the sub-orifices 184 and upper dispensing orifice peripheral surface 180 helps to clean cut-off effect.

The closure skirt 172 could be provided with some container connecting means, such as a thread or a snap-fit bead or groove 189 specifically shown in Fig. 13, for engaging a container thread or bed or groove (not illustrated), respectively, in the container neck. The closure body 171 could also permanently attached to the container by means of gluing, ultrasonic welding, induction melting or like, depending on materials used for the closure body 171 and in the container. The closure body 171 could also be formed as an integral part of the container, or extension, of the container.

The lid 176 optionally includes an orifice sealing member or spud 185 which extends from a lid end wall 186 and which is adapted to sealingly engage dispensing orifice peripheral surface 179 when the lid 176 moves from the open position to closed position (not illustrated). The orifice sealing member 185 includes an orifice sealing member back portion 187 and the orifice sealing member front portion 188. It will be understood, however, that the orifice sealing member 185 is of complementary shape relative to the shape of the dispensing orifice 179.

The dispensing closure system of Fig. 1to 12, could be provided with some cap closing means (not illustrated), such as, an upwardly and outwardly extending projection/s on said closure and inwardly directed bead on a sidewall or skirt of the lid. So, that such projection/s engages inwardly directed bead on a sidewall or skirt of the lid to maintain said lid in said closed position.