MXPA97001324A

MXPA97001324A - Distribution package for a liquid product visc

Info

Publication number: MXPA97001324A
Application number: MXPA/A/1997/001324A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Flak Frank
Original assignee: Owensbrockway Plastic Products Inc
Priority date: 1996-02-21
Filing date: 1997-02-21
Publication date: 1998-10-30

Abstract

The present invention relates to a distribution container for a liquid product, characterized in that it comprises: (a) an integrally molded plastic container having a flexible body portion with an upper outer portion, an integral recessed portion, recessed inwardly with With respect to the upper outer portion, the recessed portion has a base wall and at least one side wall extending upwardly from the base wall and having an outlet in the base wall of the recessed portion, and (b) ) a valve assembly mounted on the recessed portion, the valve assembly has an opening communicating with the outlet of the container, the valve assembly has a valve portion movable from a closed to an open position to provide access to the exterior in a manner that a liquid product can be supplied

Description

DISTRIBUTION PACKAGE FOR A VISCOUS LIQUID PRODUCT FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to distribution containers for a liquid product and in particular to a distribution container comprising a novel flexible plastic container, and a novel valve assembly for distributing the liquid product from the plastic container.

BACKGROUND AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In the distribution of viscous products from flexible plastic containers, it is common to use a threaded closure with a valve therein, which is manually operable to open and close the opening of the finish on which the closure is threaded. The closure includes an internal skirt on which the threads are formed for coupling with the threads on the finish and an outer skirt having the configuration of the container. An arrangement of the valves is provided in the closure. In a type of closure for a threaded container, an oscillating or tilting valve arrangement is provided as shown, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 3,516,581 wherein an oscillating or tilting valve is Ref. 24200 moved in a pivoting manner between a closed position that cuts off the flow from the container and an open position that provides communication to the outside of the closure. In another type of closure that is used with a threaded container, a valve arrangement includes a valve which has a concave surface on the threaded portion of the closure which is engaged by a convex surface on a portion that is pivoted on the same between the open and closed positions as shown, for example, in United States Patent No. 3,702,165. In still another form of the arrangement used in packaging or packaging for condiments, a portion of the closure is pivotally moved to allow the flow of the seasoning out of a number of openings as shown for example in the United States of America Patents. Nos. 1,033,688, 1,033,689, 2,361,958, 3,303,971, 3,383,019 and 5,192,005. In another type of container as shown in U.S. Patent No. 5,213,325, a plastic upper part is provided with a monobloc body with a recess portion substantially in the shape of a T on which a cap is placed, with one portion of the lid releasably attached and another portion having a T-shape for closing a non-centralized circular duct or channel over the container. Such distribution containers have several disadvantages which in some cases include the cost of manufacture and the cost of the materials. Among the objects of the present invention are to provide a dispensing container wherein the plastic container is modified to receive a valve system that requires less plastic material; which allows to increase the number of cavities in a mold; which is easier to mold; the cost of which is less than the cost of the current packaging; wherein the functionality of the valve system is maintained; and which decreases the wasted space that allows more product to be provided in the volume of the container and that reduces the space of the container, facilitating or making more efficient the cost of storage and the use of the shelf space or storage. According to the invention, the dispensing package comprises a plastic container having a recessed surface in the container portion and an opening in the recessed portion of the container. The container has a flexible portion which can be depressed to distribute the product through the opening. A valve system is snapped into a position superimposed on the opening and includes a valve member manually movable from a closed position to an open dispensing position. In a way, the valve system comprises a lining snapped in position and a swing or swivel valve pivotally moved on the lining. The oscillating or tilting valve includes an opening which in one position is closed and in another position is open to provide communication with the opening in the container so that the product can be dispensed by depressing the container. The oscillating or tilting valve has a discharge passage through which the liquid product flows to the outside of the oscillating or tilting valve. Otherwise, the oscillating or tilting valve is pivotally moved directly into the recess on the plastic container. Otherwise, the valve system consists of a lining having an opening and a valve element hinged to the lining and movable towards the position that opens and closes the opening the lining. In another form, the valve system comprises a valve element which engages a complementary surface on the container opening and is movable between the closed position and the open position. The recess on a portion of the plastic container is preferably on the upper surface of the container and extends transversely from the upper surface. The recess may extend partially through the upper surface of the container or completely through the upper surface of the container. In some forms, the plastic container has a modified upper surface to minimize the accumulation of the liquid product adjacent to the outlet opening of the container.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the distribution container in which the invention takes shape. FIG. 2 is a fragmentary exploded view of the distribution container. FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 1, which shows the open distribution position. FIG. A is a view similar to that of FIG. 3, which shows the closed position. FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of a lining forming a part of the package. FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the valve that forms part of the package. FIG. 7 is an exploded, fragmentary perspective view of a modified form of the package. FIG. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of another modified form of the package.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a modified form of the valve assembly. FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the valve assembly of FIG. 9 in a position on a container. FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line 11-11 in FIG. 10. FIG. 12 is a top plan view of a modified dispensing package. FIG. 13 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken along line 13-13 in FIG. 12. FIG. 14 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of an additional modified form of the package. FIG. 15 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of an additional modified form of the package. FIG. 16 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 16-16 in FIG. fifteen.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES Referring to FIGS. 1-6, the dispensing package 20 in which the invention takes shape, comprises a hollow plastic container 22 and a valve assembly 24. The container 22 has flexible opposite walls 26 and is shown here as being generally oval in shape. its cross section, which has a long axis and a short axis. The container 22 further includes an inwardly extending recess 28, which extends transversely between the walls 26 and defines portions 30 of the upper wall. The recess 28 includes a base wall 29 and side walls 31 that extend upwardly from the base wall 29. The valve assembly 24 is positioned in the recess 28 and in the closed position has an upper wall which is therein. flat than the 30 portions of the top wall. The container 22 includes a finish 32 defining an opening 33 in the lower wall 29 of the recess 28, which has an annular bead or rim 34 thereon. The valve assembly 24 comprises a plastic gasket 36 and a plastic valve element 38. The gasket. 36 comprises a transverse wall 40 extending between the side walls 42 and the end walls 44. The transverse wall 40 has an opening 46 through which a portion of the opening 33 of the finish 32 of the container 22 is superimposed and is further smaller than the opening in the finish 32. The underside of the transverse wall 40 is formed with an annular plug seal 49 and an interrupted annular flange 50 which cooperates with the finish 32 as shown in Figures 3 and 4. The transverse wall 40 also includes an integral cylindrical wall 52 extending upwards. The lining of the container and the valve element are made of plastic material such as polypropylene, polyethylene, PVC or PET or other organic polymers or copolymers. The valve element 38 comprises a generally flat upper wall 54, which extends downwardly from the side walls 56 and the end walls 58, 60. The side walls 56 are provided with protrusions 62 extending outward, which are They snap into openings or depressions 64 in the inner surface of the side walls 42 of the lining to provide a pivoting action of the valve member 38 relative to the lining 36. The valve element 38 is further provided with a seal of ring plug 66 and a partial ring seal 68 on its underside cooperating with the cylindrical portion 52 of the lining 36 in a manner substantially similar to that of US Pat. No. 3, 516,581 incorporated herein by reference. The valve member 38 also includes a distribution passageway 70 which extends from the area of the cylindrical wall 52 to the end wall 60. When the valve member is in the open position as shown in FIG. 3 and the flexible walls 26 of the container are depressed, the liquid content passes through the opening 33 in the finish 32 and thereafter through the opening 53 defined by the cylindrical wall 52 to the passageway 70 and outwardly to the Exterior. In this position, the wall 68 directs the contents towards the passageway 70. When the valve member 38 is in the closed position as shown in FIG. 4, the opening 53 of the cylindrical wall is sealed. Referring to FIG. 7, in this modified form of the dispensing package, the valve assembly 24a consists of the valve element 36a which is mounted directly on the side walls 31a of the recess 28a of the container 22a and cooperates and is sealed against a cylindrical wall 32a which extends upwards, at the base of the recess 28a. The underside of the valve element 36a is identical to that of FIG. 6. Referring to FIG. 8, in this modified form of the dispensing package, the valve assembly 24b is substantially identical to that shown in FIGS. 1-6 except that it is placed in a recess 28b that extends along the longitudinal axis of the container 22b and extends from one end of the oval configuration and ends before reaching the other end. The valve element 38b is pivotally moved towards the lining (not shown) about an axis parallel to the axis of the upper part of the container and is pressed on the left as seen in FIG. 8 to open into the discharge passageway (not shown) so that the product can be distributed. In the modified form of the package shown in FIGS. 9-11, the valve assembly 24c comprises a liner 36c which is substantially identical to the lining 36. A valve member 38c is connected by an integral hinge 72 to the liner 36c and has a seal seal 74 on it. the underside thereof, which engages the opening 52c defined by the cylindrical wall 52c on the lining 36c. In this way, the recess 28c extends transversely from the container which is generally rectangular in cross section and has a long axis and a short axis. A slotted diaphragm valve of the elastic elastomeric material can be mounted on or inserted into the opening 52c such that when the container is depressed, the liquid product will be distributed. In such an arrangement, the valve element 38c could function as an overcap to prevent distribution during normal handling and transport, and the seal of clogging may not be necessary. Such grooved fittings are shown in U.S. Patent Nos. 1,206,661, 1,242,654, 1,825,553, 2,175,052. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the container has recesses 76 extending inwardly, which extend internally to the depth of the base wall 29c. This reduces the space above the base wall and minimizes the accumulation of the viscous product at the corners of the container. In the modified form of the package shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the valve assembly 24d is provided in a recess 29d extending along the axis of a container having a rectangular cross section for only a portion of the longitudinal axis. Otherwise, the assembly 24d is similar to that shown in FIGS. 1-6. In a modified form of the package shown in FIG. 14, the valve assembly 24e is such that a segmented annular portion 78 extends downwardly from the liner 36e through the opening 33e in the finish 32e. Each segment 78 includes a flange 80 that snaps under the finish to hold or retain in its position the lining 36e. In the modified form of the dispensing package shown in FIGS 15, 16, the valve assembly 24f comprises a lining 36f which snaps through the opening 33 in a manner similar to that shown in FIG. 14. The lining 36f includes a concave surface 82 which is engaged by a convex portion 84 on the valve member 38f to bring a distribution passageway 70f in and out of its position with an opening 86 in the lining 36f by a tilting action or crank lever. The valve member 38f is pivotally moved to the lining 36f by the engagement of the protuberances 62f with the openings 64f in the lining. The valve member 38f can be pushed inward to open as shown in FIG. 15 or can be provided with a projection on the other end to lift the valve element 38f to the open position as shown in the United States of America Patent No. 4, 399,928, incorporated herein by reference. It may thus have been observed that distribution containers have been provided which require less plastic material; that allow portions of it to be made in molds that have a larger number of cavities; which have complete portions easier to mold; and which provide an appropriate control of the viscous product that is distributed; and which reduce the space necessary to provide the necessary volume of the container.

It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known by the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is the conventional one for the manufacture of the objects to which it relates.

Having described the invention as above, priority is claimed as contained in the following

Claims

R E I V I N D I C A C I O N S

1. A dispensing package for a liquid product, characterized in that it comprises: (a) a plastic container, the container has a flexible body portion and an outer portion, an integral recessed portion, recessed inward with respect to the outer portion, the recessed portion has a base wall and opposite side wall portions that extend upwardly from the base wall portion and that have an outlet in the base wall of the recessed portion, and (b) a valve assembly mounted on the portion recessed, the valve assembly has an opening communicating with the outlet of the container, the valve assembly has a portion of the valve movable from a closed position to an open position to provide access to the exterior such that the product liquid can be distributed by pressing the flexible body portion.

2. The dispensing package according to claim 1, characterized in that the valve assembly comprises a lining having an opening communicating with the outlet of the container and a valve member associated with the opening in the lining and movable inside and outside of the container. the open position and the closed position on the container.

3. The dispensing package according to claim 2, characterized in that the container has a finish comprising an annular wall surrounding the outlet in the base wall of the container and the lining, and the annular wall has means of interengaging thereon.

4. The dispensing package according to claim 3, characterized in that the annular finish wall extends axially outward with respect to the base wall of the container.

5. The dispensing package according to claim 4, characterized in that the interengaging means comprise annular flange means on the annular wall and the lining.

6. The dispensing package according to claim 3, characterized in that the annular finish wall extends axially inwardly with respect to the base wall of the container.

7. The dispensing package according to claim 6, characterized in that the interengaging means comprise a plurality of projections on the lining which extend through the opening in the finish and couple the free end of the annular wall.

8. The dispensing package according to claim 2, characterized in that the valve assembly comprises a pivoting or oscillating valve element pivotally moved on the lining and having an opening therein which communicates with the outlet of the lining in a position of the oscillating or tilting valve and a distribution passage towards the outside which communicates with the opening in the oscillating or tilting valve to allow the distribution of the liquid product and which closes the communication with the outlet in another position of the oscillating or tilting valve.

9. The distribution container according to claim 8, characterized in that the opening in the base wall of the recess in the container is larger than the opening in the lining.

10. The dispensing package according to claim 1, characterized in that the valve assembly comprises an oscillating or tilting valve element pivotally moved to the side walls of the recess and having a distribution passage adapted to communicate with the outlet on the container in such a way that in one position the outlet is closed to the communication with the outlet on the container and in another position the distribution container is in communication with the outlet of the container.

11. The dispensing package according to claim 10, characterized in that the outlet in the base wall of the container comprises a finish defining an outlet extending outwardly from the base wall, towards the valve member.

12. The distribution container according to claim 1, characterized in that the assembly of the valve comprises a lining which has an opening communicating with the outlet in the base wall of the recess in the container, means of interengagement between the lining and the outlet of the container, the valve assembly includes a manually operated valve element, connected to the lining by an integral hinge, the valve element being movable in and out in a sealing relationship with the opening in the lining.

13. The dispensing package according to claim 1, characterized in that the valve assembly comprises a lining which has an opening communicating with the outlet in the base wall of the recess in the container, elastic diaphragm means associated with the opening in the container. the lining, means of intercoupling between the lining and the outlet of the container, the valve assembly includes a manually operated valve element, connected to the lining by an integral hinge, the valve element is movable in and out in a superimposed relationship with the opening in the lining.

14. The dispensing package according to claim 1, characterized in that the valve assembly comprises a lining, means for interengaging between the lining and the outlet of the container, a valve element pivotally mounted on the lining, the lining and the element of the valve. the valve has arcuate interlocking surfaces, an opening in the arcuate surface of the lining communicates with the outlet in the base wall of the container, the valve member has a distribution passageway extending to the outside of the valve element of such so that the valve element can be rotated to bring the distribution passage in and out of communication with the opening in the lining.

15. The dispensing package according to any of claims 1-14, characterized in that the container has an upper portion and a lower portion, the recess is on the upper portion of the container.

16. The dispensing package according to claim 15, characterized in that the recess extends generally through the full width of the upper portion.

17. The dispensing package according to claim 16, characterized in that the upper portion of the container has a generally oval cross section and the recess extends through the short axis of the cross section.

18. The dispensing package according to claim 15, characterized in that the upper portion of the container has a generally oval cross section having a long axis and a short axis, and the recess extends from the periphery of the cross section along of a portion of the longitudinal axis of the cross section.

19. The dispensing package according to claim 15, characterized in that the upper portion of the container has an elongated cross section with a long axis and a short axis, the upper portion having at least one recess directed inward, formed adjacent to the first recess mentioned , to minimize the accumulation of the product.

20. The dispensing package according to claim 15, characterized in that the upper portion of the container is transversely elongated and the recessed portion of the container is in the upper portion of the container adjacent to the body portion, whereby a recess with ends is defined open with the body portion.

21. The dispensing package according to claim 14, characterized in that the valve assembly has an outer surface which conforms to the contour of the adjacent surfaces of the outer portion when the valve assembly is in the closed position. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a dispensing package that includes a plastic container having a recessed surface in a portion of the container and an opening in the recessed portion of the container and a valve system in a position superimposed with respect to the opening and which includes a valve element that can be manually moved from a closed position to an open dispensing position. The container has a flexible portion which can be depressed for distribution of the product through the opening. In one form, the valve system comprises a lining and an oscillating or tilting valve pivotally moved on the lining. the tilting valve includes a discharge passage which is closed and opened so that the product can be distributed by pressing the container. In another form, the oscillating or tilting valve is pivotally moved directly into the recess on the plastic container. In another form, the valve system consists of a gasket having an opening and a valve element hinged or hinged to the gasket. In another form, the valve system comprises a valve element that engages a surface on the container opening and is movable by a tilting action. The recess may extend partially through the upper surface of the container or completely through the upper surface of the container. In some forms, the plastic container has a modified upper surface to minimize the accumulation of the liquid product adjacent to the outlet of the container.