HK1078062B - Closure with internal flow control for a pressure openable valve - Google Patents

Description

Cover with internal flow control for a valve that can be opened under pressure

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a system for dispensing a product from a container. The system is particularly suitable for use as part of a squeezable flexible container or as a dispensing closure therefor.

Background of the invention and technical problems of the prior art

There are many types of packages that include (1) a squeezable container, (2) a dispensing system that extends as an integral part or fitment of the container, and (3) a product contained within the container. One such package employs a dispensing valve to release a stream of product fluid (which may be a liquid, paste or granular product). See, for example, U.S. patent No. 5839614. The package includes a flexible, resilient slit valve. The valve is normally closed and can withstand the weight of the product when the container is fully inverted so that the product does not leak out unless the container is squeezed.

For some types of products, such as glues, hair dyes, condiments, etc., it is desirable to provide a dispensing system that can more accurately control the discharge of the product. In particular, it would be desirable to more accurately control the location of product deposition and to provide a dispensing system that can afford such control while allowing a user to clearly view the location of product deposition. In addition, it would be advantageous if such an improved dispensing system could also more precisely control the direction of dispensing of the product, while providing a clear indication to the user as to the particular direction in which the product will be dispensed or is being dispensed.

While a relatively long, narrow, tapered nozzle may be employed to facilitate the dispensing of the product, allowing the user to more precisely control the location and direction of dispensing of the product, the use of such a long nozzle presents other problems. In particular, the product within a longer nozzle will continue to flow out of the nozzle even after the desired amount of product has been dispensed.

Consider, for example, the case where a relatively high viscosity product is dispensed from an inverted squeezable container through a relatively long nozzle. The longer nozzle must be initially filled with fluent product when the container is inverted. The user cannot know exactly when the product is released from the tip of the nozzle after inverting the container. For higher viscosity products, the user must squeeze the container to some extent to fill the nozzle, and therefore, the user cannot determine when the nozzle has been filled and when the first drop of product is released from the nozzle.

In addition, the user typically stops squeezing the container when the user sees that the desired amount of product has been dispensed from the nozzle tip and deposited on the receiving surface. However, the amount of product in the nozzle may continue to flow out of the nozzle before the user inverts the container or otherwise moves the system out of the dispensing position. Thus, such systems lack the desired ability to accurately control the termination of the flow of product out of the nozzle.

It is therefore desirable to provide an improved dispensing system which overcomes or at least mitigates the above-mentioned problems of product dispensing control.

It would also be desirable to provide an internal system that effectively prevents the flow of product through the system regardless of the orientation of the container and whether the container is squeezed or otherwise pressurized. Such internal sealing systems should be easily actuated to open the flow path when it is desired to dispense the product and to close the flow path when desired, so that inadvertent leakage of the product can be prevented when transporting or storing the container, which may be subject to external impact forces that increase the pressure within the container or cause a certain amount of product to be released.

U.S. patent No.6290108 discloses a prior art dispensing system that includes an embodiment having a longer nozzle and allowing a user to (1) more easily determine where the product will be deposited, (2) more easily control the initiation and termination of the flow of product out of the nozzle, and (3) employ a releasable internal seal for effectively preventing the flow of product through the system regardless of the orientation of the container and whether the container is squeezed or otherwise pressurized. However, when using such prior art systems in some applications, particularly where the system has a specific internal flow path size and is used to dispense highly viscous fluent products (e.g., mustard or mayonnaise), there are operational characteristics that users may find inconvenient in some cases. Since the system employs internal seals and a fixed spout on which is mounted a movable nozzle with a flexible slit-type valve that opens under pressure, there are in some cases inconvenient operating characteristics that may arise. The internal seal must first be opened (by moving the nozzle upwards) to allow the user to squeeze the product through the valve which can be opened under pressure. After such prior art dispensing systems have discharged the desired amount of high viscosity product and the valve reclosed, product can accumulate in the space between the top of the spout and the closed valve. If the user then operates the system to close the internal seal by moving the nozzle (and its associated valve) downwardly towards the spout, squeezing of the viscous product between the downwardly moving valve and the top end of the spout will cause the valve to open so that some product flows out through the valve until the nozzle reaches the bottom end of its movement (at which point the internal seal is fully closed). This is particularly inconvenient for food products such as mustard or mayonnaise, where small amounts of such products may remain outside the valve, even when the user has completed dispensing the product and has manipulated the dispensing system to fully close the internal seal. It would therefore be desirable to provide an improved dispensing system that can contain a relatively viscous product and that can be manipulated to form a closed internal seal such that the internal seal causes little or no fluid to flow through the flexible slit valve when the dispensing system is manipulated to fully close the internal seal.

It would also be advantageous if an improved dispensing system could function without the need for a hinged lid that must initially be moved to an open position to allow dispensing, which would obscure the user's view of a portion of the product dispensing fluid or the product release location. It would also be advantageous if the improved dispensing system did not employ any other type of separate overcap, closure or plug that would need to be removed prior to dispensing and that could be lost or misplaced.

It would also be advantageous if the improved dispensing system could be adapted for use with bottles, containers or packages having a variety of shapes and constructed from a variety of materials.

It would also be advantageous if the improved system could accommodate efficient, high quality, and low scrap rate high volume manufacturing techniques to produce products with consistent operating characteristics with respect to each other with high reliability.

The present invention provides an improved dispensing system that is adaptable to designs having the aforementioned advantages and features.

Summary of The Invention

The present invention provides a system for dispensing a product from a container in a manner that is better controllable by the user. The system may be adapted for the discharge of liquids, creams or particulate matter including powders. The user can more easily determine where the product will be deposited. The user can easily control the direction of the product flow. In addition, the start and stop of product flow can be more precisely controlled. The system includes a flexible slit valve positioned above the inner seal, and the system is operable to fully close the inner seal such that little or no fluid product will be discharged through the flexible slit valve, even when the fluid product is a relatively viscous product.

The dispensing system is adapted to dispense a product from a container having an opening. Portions of the dispensing system may be formed as an integral part of one end of such a container, or the system may be a separate component that is permanently or releasably attached to the container.

In a first embodiment of the present invention, a dispensing system includes a spout adapted to communicate with a container opening and defining (1) at least one discharge opening having a fixed geometry in a rest position relative to the container, and (2) a distal sealing surface distal to the discharge opening relative to the container.

The dispensing system includes a nozzle assembly mounted on a spout. The nozzle assembly is movable along the spout between a retracted, closed position and an extended, open position. The nozzle assembly includes a nozzle having (1) a dispensing passage surrounding at least a portion of the spout, and (2) a distal sealing surface sealingly engageable with the distal sealing surface of the spout when the nozzle assembly is in the retracted, closed position.

The nozzle assembly also includes a resiliently flexible valve. The valve is sealingly disposed on the dispensing passage of the nozzle at a location distal of the spout distal seal surface. The valve has an initially closed dispensing orifice that is openable in response to a pressure differential acting across the valve.

The first embodiment of the dispensing system further comprises a flow restrictor disposed on the nozzle dispensing passage at a location between the valve and the distal sealing surface of the nozzle so as to restrict flow toward the valve when the nozzle assembly is moved toward the retracted, closed position.

In a second embodiment of the invention, a dispensing system includes a spout in communication with a container opening, the spout having a deck (deck) defining at least one discharge opening having a fixed geometry at a rest position relative to the container. A nozzle assembly is mounted on the spout for movement between a retracted, closed position and an extended, open position. The nozzle assembly includes (a) a nozzle having a dispensing passage surrounding at least a portion of the spout; (B) a resiliently flexible valve (1) sealingly disposed over the dispensing passage of the nozzle at a location distal to the discharge orifice of the spout, and (2) having an initially closed dispensing orifice which is openable in response to a pressure differential acting across the valve; and (C) a flow restrictor disposed at a location between the valve on the nozzle dispensing passage and the discharge orifice of the nozzle deck.

The second embodiment of the dispensing system further comprises: (1) a distal seal groove formed on the spout deck or the nozzle, and (2) a distal seal bead on the other of the spout deck and the nozzle. The distal seal bead sealingly engages the distal seal groove when the nozzle assembly is in the retracted, closed position. A sealing groove may be formed in the spout deck around the discharge opening and a sealing bead may be formed on the flow restrictor.

One presently preferred form of dispensing system has a valve mounted near the distal head of the nozzle. The valve is preferably self-sealing and is biased to close when the pressure differential across the open valve drops below a predetermined amount. Alternatively, the dispensing system may employ a valve that remains open once it is opened, even if the pressure differential across the valve drops to zero. In addition, the dispensing structure of the present invention is adaptable to different types and sizes of valves.

Many other advantages and features of the invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention, the claims and the accompanying drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

The accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, partially in section, of a first embodiment of the dispensing system of the present invention incorporated in a dispensing closure that is formed separately from and releasably mountable on a container (not shown) having an opening to the interior thereof, the dispensing closure being shown with its components in a closed condition;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but FIG. 2 shows the dispensing closure with the internal seal in an open condition;

FIG. 3 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the components of the dispensing closure shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the exploded cover member shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a retainer ring for mounting the elastomeric valve within the nozzle of the first embodiment of the dispensing closure shown in FIGS. 1-4;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the retainer ring shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the retainer ring shown in FIGS. 5 and 6;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the distal end portion of the dispensing closure shown in an inverted orientation prior to dispensing product from the container;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8, but FIG. 9 shows the valve in the distal end of the dispensing closure in a substantially fully open configuration, in which pressurized product may be dispensed from the interior region adjacent the valve;

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view, partially in cross-section, of a second embodiment of the dispensing system of the present invention incorporated in a dispensing closure that is formed separately from and releasably mountable on a container (not shown) having an opening to the interior thereof, the dispensing closure being shown with its components in a closed condition;

FIG. 11 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the components of the dispensing closure of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the exploded cover member shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 10, but FIG. 13 shows the dispensing closure with the internal seal in an open condition;

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of a retainer ring for mounting the elastomeric valve within the nozzle of the second embodiment of the dispensing closure shown in FIGS. 10-13;

FIG. 15 is a side view of the retainer ring of FIG. 14; and

fig. 16 is a bottom plan view of the retainer ring of fig. 14 and 15.

Detailed Description

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, this specification and the accompanying drawings disclose only some specific forms as examples of the invention. However, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described. The scope of the invention is indicated in the claims.

For ease of description, most of the figures illustrating the invention show the dispensing system in a typical orientation that would be at the top of the container when the container is stored upright with its bottom down, and terms such as up, down, horizontal, etc. are given for this position. It will be understood, however, that the dispensing system of the present invention can be manufactured, stored, transported, used, and sold in orientations other than the position described.

The dispensing system of the present invention is suitable for use with a variety of conventional or special containers having various designs, the details of which, although not shown or described, will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art and an understanding of such containers. The container itself does not form part of the present invention.

A first embodiment of the dispensing system of the present invention is shown in fig. 1-9 in the form of a dispensing closure 30 (fig. 1) for a container (not shown). As can be seen in FIG. 3, the closure 30 has a main body 32 that includes a hollow, generally cylindrical base or skirt (skert) 34, an annular shoulder 36 extending radially inwardly from the top of the skirt 34, and a smaller diameter spout 38 extending upwardly from the interior of the shoulder 36.

As can be seen in fig. 3, the interior of the skirt 34 is formed with an internal female thread 40. The skirt 34 is adapted to receive the upper end of a container mouth or neck (not shown). Skirt threads 40 may matingly engage threads on the container mouth or neck.

Alternatively, the closure skirt 34 may be provided with some other container attachment means (not shown), such as snap-in beads or grooves (not shown) instead of threads 40, which may engage mating grooves or beads (not shown) in the container neck, respectively. The closure body 32 may be permanently attached to the container by induction melting, ultrasonic welding, gluing, etc., depending on the materials used for the closure body 32 and container. The closure body 32 may also be formed as an integral part or extension of the container.

The closure body skirt 34 may have any suitable configuration. The container may have an upwardly projecting neck or other portion for receipt in a particular configuration of the closure body 32, and the body of the container may have a different cross-sectional shape than the container neck and closure body skirt 34.

The closure 30 is adapted for use with a container having a mouth or other opening to provide access to the container interior and to the product contained therein. Such a product may be, for example, a liquid food product. The product may also be any other liquid, solid, or gaseous material, including but not limited to a powder, cream, food, personal care product, industrial or household product, or other chemical compound (e.g., a composition for use in activities involving manufacturing, commercial or household maintenance, construction, agriculture, etc.).

The container may generally be a squeezable container having a flexible wall that a user can grasp and squeeze or apply pressure to increase the internal pressure within the container to force the product out of the container through the closure 30. Such container walls are typically sufficiently inherently resilient so that when the squeezing forces are removed, the container wall returns to its normal, unstressed shape. This construction of a squeezable wall is preferred in many applications but is not necessary or preferred in other applications. For example, in some applications it may be desirable to use a substantially rigid container and pressurize the container interior at selected times with a piston or other pressurizing system.

As can be seen in fig. 1 and 3, an annular "crab's claw" seal 42 projects downwardly from the underside of the body shoulder 36. The seal 42 is adapted to sealingly engage the upper annular edge of a container (not shown) on which the closure 30 is mounted.

The preferred embodiment of the spout 38 has a generally circular cross-section throughout its length, with the diameter of the base 34 being greater than the maximum diameter of the spout 38. The spout 38 has an internal discharge passage 44 (fig. 3) that communicates with the interior of the container. The spout 38 also has a distal end portion that includes at least one discharge opening 46 (fig. 3 and 4) that opens outwardly from the spout discharge passage 44. Preferably, three such discharge openings 46 are provided, with a post 48 between each pair of adjacent discharge openings 46. Three such struts 48 are provided equidistantly around the end of the spout 38. The distal end of each strut 48 supports a disc 50 (fig. 3 and 4) located at the distal end of the three discharge openings 46. As can be seen in fig. 2, the disc 50 has an arcuate peripheral distal edge 52 which merges with a generally cylindrical peripheral surface 54, the peripheral surface 54 serving as a distal sealing surface at the distal end of the discharge orifice 46. The size, shape, and number of the vents 46 and struts 48 may vary. The profile of the disc surfaces 52 and 54 may also vary.

The spout 38 also has an outer proximal seal surface 56 (fig. 3) located proximal to the discharge opening 46. The proximal seal surface 56 is preferably cylindrical. The upper end of the proximal seal surface 56 terminates in an annular bead 57 (fig. 3) at the discharge opening 46.

Below the proximal seal surface 56 is an external male thread 58 (fig. 3 and 4) that surrounds the base of the spout 38. Multiple start threads may be used. Instead of the thread itself, a cam surface may be used.

The main body 32 of the dispensing closure is preferably molded from a thermoplastic material, such as polypropylene, to form a generally rigid, hard plastic structure. The particular material used to mold the body 32 does not form part of the present invention.

The dispensing cap 30 also includes a nozzle assembly, which in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3 includes a deformable tip or nozzle 60, a valve 70, and a collar or retaining ring 80. The nozzle 60 is adapted to be mounted on the spout 38. The nozzle 60 includes internal female threads 84 (fig. 2 and 3) for engaging the spout threads 58. If the spout 38 employs a cam surface or cam rather than the threads 58 themselves, the nozzle 60 would have an appropriate cam follower.

The interior of the nozzle 60 defines an interior dispensing passage 86 (fig. 3) that receives and extends around at least a portion of the spout 38, as shown in fig. 1. The nozzle 60 may be threaded onto the spout 38 via a threaded engagement to effect axial movement of the nozzle 60 along the spout 38 between a lower or retracted, closed position (fig. 1) and an upper or extended, open position (fig. 2).

Referring to fig. 3, the dispensing passage 86 of the nozzle 60 has a larger diameter lower portion 88 with threads 84. The nozzle 60 has a smaller diameter intermediate portion that forms a proximal seal surface 90. An annular bead 92 (fig. 3) is provided at the bottom of the nozzle's proximal seal surface 90.

The upper end of the nozzle 60 preferably has a further reduced diameter upper portion defining a generally cylindrical distal seal surface 96 (FIG. 3) axially outward of the nozzle's proximal seal surface 90. The nozzle distal seal surface 96 and the nozzle proximal seal surface 90 together define at least a portion of the nozzle dispensing passage 86.

An internal annular bead 95 (FIG. 3) is provided above the nozzle distal seal surface 96, and an internal annular channel 97 (FIG. 3) is provided above the bead 95 for receiving the retainer ring 80 as shown in FIG. 1.

The nozzle 60 terminates at its upper distal end in a dispensing opening 98 (fig. 3). The nozzle 60 defines an annular seat 100 (fig. 3) surrounding the underside of the nozzle dispensing opening 98, the seat 100 being adapted to adjust the position and retention of the valve 70 in the nozzle 60 as described below.

In the preferred embodiment shown, the valve 70 has the configuration and operating characteristics of a commercially available valve design, substantially as disclosed in the valve 46 of U.S. patent No. 5676289. The operation of this type of valve can be further described with reference to a similar valve shown at 3d in U.S. patent No. 5409144. Both of these patents are incorporated herein by reference to the extent they are pertinent and not inconsistent with this disclosure.

The valve 70 is flexible and is reconfigurable between (1) a closed, rest position (shown closed in the upright package of fig. 2 and closed in the inverted package of fig. 8) and (2) an active, open position (shown open in the inverted package of fig. 9). The valve 70 includes a flexible central portion, surface or head 130 (fig. 8) which has a concave configuration when not actuated (when viewed from the exterior) and has two mutually perpendicular and intersecting equal length dispensing slits 132 which together define a closed dispensing orifice. The intersecting slits 132 form four generally fan-shaped wings or lobes within the recessed central head portion 130. These wings may open outwardly from the intersection of the slits 132 in response to a sufficient increase in container pressure in a well-known manner as described in U.S. patent No. 5409144.

The valve 70 includes a skirt or sleeve 134 that extends from the central wall or head 130 of the valve. At the outer end of the sleeve 134 is a relatively thin annular flange 138 which extends peripherally from the sleeve 134 in an opposite angular orientation. The thin flange 138 merges with an enlarged thicker peripheral flange 140, the flange 140 having a generally dovetail-shaped cross-section (as shown in FIG. 8).

To seat the valve 70 in the nozzle 60, the frustoconical shape of the nozzle's annular seat 100 should be at the same angle as the angle of the adjacent surface of the dovetail valve flange 140.

The other surface of the valve flange 140 is clamped by the retainer ring 80 (fig. 1). The retainer ring 80 includes a peripheral or annular portion 150 (fig. 5) having an upwardly facing frustoconical annular clamping surface 152 (fig. 1 and 5) for engaging the inner surface of the valve flange 140 at an angle that matches the angle of the adjacent surface of the valve flange dovetail configuration.

The peripheral portion 150 of the retainer ring 80 includes an outwardly projecting shoulder or bead 158 (fig. 5 and 6) that can snap-fit engage the bead 95 (fig. 1) of the nozzle 60 to securely clamp the valve 70 in the nozzle 60. This arrangement provides secure gripping and retention of the valve 70 without requiring special internal support structures or bearings adjacent the inner surface of the valve cylindrical sleeve 134. This allows the area adjacent the inner surface of the valve cylindrical sleeve 134 to be substantially open without restriction to accommodate movement of the valve sleeve 134 as described below.

The retainer ring 80 includes a flow restrictor in the form of a central occlusion disk 160 (fig. 1, 5 and 6) connected to the annular portion 150 by bridge portions 162, thereby forming restricted flow openings 164 (fig. 5) between the disk 160, the annular portion 150 and the bridge portions 162.

The valve 70 is a resiliently flexible molded structure that is preferably molded from a thermoset elastomer such as silicone rubber, natural rubber, or the like. The valve 70 is preferably molded from silicone rubber such as that sold under the trademark DC94-595HC by Dow chemical of the United states. Such valves are generally inert in order to avoid reaction and/or degradation with the packaged product. However, the valve 70 may also be molded from other thermoset or other elastomeric materials, or from thermoplastic polymers or thermoplastic elastomers, including those based on materials such as thermoplastic propylene, ethylene, urethane, and styrene, and their halides.

The valve 70 may be molded with a slit 132. Alternatively, the valve slits 132 may be cut into the central head portion 130 of the valve 70 after molding by suitable conventional techniques.

When the valve 70 is properly installed in the nozzle 60 as shown in fig. 1 and 8, the central head 130 of the valve 70 is recessed within the nozzle 60. However, when the package is squeezed to dispense its contents through the valve 70, the valve head 130 is forced outwardly from its recessed position toward the end of the package and through the distal dispensing opening 98 (fig. 8 and 9).

The nozzle assembly (i.e., the nozzle 60, the valve 70, and the retainer ring 80) is adapted to be mounted on the spout 38, as shown in FIG. 1. The nozzle bead 92 and spout bead 57 have a profile that accommodates movement of the beads past one another when the spout and nozzle are assembled together by external forces. The nozzle 60 undergoes some temporary outward expansion or deformation so that the ribs slide past each other. The nozzle threads 84 may then be threaded onto the spout threads 58 or the nozzle threads 84 may simply be forcibly snapped onto the spout threads 58.

When the components are fully assembled and in the retracted, closed position shown in fig. 1, the central dispensing passage (passage 86 in fig. 3) of the nozzle extends around at least a portion of the spout 38. The nozzle proximal seal surface bead 92 sealingly engages the spout proximal seal surface 56 and/or the spout proximal seal surface bead 57 sealingly engages the nozzle proximal seal surface 90. The nozzle distal seal surface 96 sealingly engages the spout distal seal surface 54. This blocks the spout discharge opening 46 and prevents fluid from flowing out of the spout 38.

To dispense the product, the nozzle 60 is rotated on the spout 38 to move the nozzle to the raised open position shown in FIG. 2. The package is then inverted and squeezed. Fig. 8 shows the orientation of the valve 70 when the package is inverted prior to squeezing the container. The container is then squeezed to increase the pressure inside the container above the external ambient pressure. This forces product from the container toward the valve 70 and moves the valve 70 from the recessed or retracted position (fig. 8) toward the outwardly extending position (shown in fig. 9). This outward movement of the central head 130 of the valve 70 is accommodated by a relatively thin flexible sleeve 134. The sleeve 134 moves from an inwardly projecting rest position (as shown in fig. 8) to an outwardly biased stressed position, which may result from the sleeve 134 "rolling" outward on itself toward the outer end of the package (toward the position shown in solid lines in fig. 9). However, the valve 70 does not open (i.e., the slit 132 does not open) until the valve central head 130 has moved substantially all the way to the fully extended position (FIG. 9). In fact, as the valve head 130 begins to move outwardly, the valve head 130 is initially subjected to radially inward pressure, which tends to further resist opening of the slits 132. In addition, the central head 130 of the valve generally retains its inwardly concave configuration as it moves outwardly and even after it reaches the fully extended position. However, if the internal pressure is still high enough after the valve central head 130 has moved outwardly to the fully extended position, the slit 132 of the valve 70 opens to dispense fluent material (FIG. 9). The fluent material is then expelled or released through the open slits 132. For illustrative purposes, FIG. 9 shows a drop of liquid material 170 being discharged.

Due to the unique design described above, the dispensing of the fluent material from the nozzle assembly can be easily and accurately directed and controlled. The fluent material is readily observable when discharged onto the desired target area.

The above-described dispensing action of the valve 70 typically occurs only after (1) the nozzle 60 has been moved to the open position (fig. 2), (2) the package has been inverted, and (3) the container has been squeezed. When the difference between the internal and external pressures reaches a predetermined amount, the pressure on the inside of the valve 70 will cause the valve to open. Depending on the particular valve design, the open valve 70 may close when the pressure differential decreases, or the valve may remain open even when the pressure differential drops to zero. In a preferred embodiment showing a valve 70 for use in the first embodiment of the system shown in fig. 1-9, the valve is designed to close when the pressure differential drops to a predetermined amount.

When the squeezing force on the container is removed, the valve 70 closes and the valve head 130 retracts to its recessed rest position within the nozzle 60. If the container is inverted when the valve 70 is closed but the container is not squeezed, the weight of the fluent material acting on the valve 70 will not cause the valve 70 to open, or remain open.

Due to the engagement of nozzle rib 92 with spout rib 57 (fig. 2), the nozzle assembly is prevented from being unscrewed out of the fully open condition (fig. 2) and out of spout 38. However, in all positions of the nozzle 60 from fully closed (FIG. 1) to fully open (FIG. 2), the nozzle proximal seal surface bead 92 sealingly engages the spout proximal seal surface 56 and/or the spout proximal seal surface bead 57 sealingly engages the nozzle proximal seal surface 90. In all positions, the valve 70 remains on the disc sealing surface 54 of the spout and distal of the discharge opening 46.

After a certain amount of product has been dispensed and the package returned to its normal upright orientation (fig. 2), the fluid product remaining in the space below the occlusion disk 160 and above the spout disk 50 will tend to flow downwardly in the nozzle into the container under the force of gravity. In the preferred embodiment, the valve 70 closes when the squeezing force on the container is removed. Moreover, fluid product in the space below the shut-off valve 70 and above the occlusion disk 160 will tend to flow downwardly in the nozzle 60 under the force of gravity through the collar-defined flow openings 164. The fluid product in the nozzle 60 will continue to flow downwardly around the spout disk 50 and then through the spout 38 and back into the container. The less viscous liquid (e.g. water) will flow completely from the nozzle back into the container. The user may then rotate the nozzle 60 back to the retracted, sealed closed configuration shown in fig. 1.

The present invention is also particularly applicable to relatively viscous products that may not flow quickly from the upper portion of the nozzle 60 back into the container after a quantity of such product has been dispensed and the package returned to an upright position (fig. 2). A portion of such a sticky or thick product, such as a lotion, or a thick food product, such as mustard, may remain above the spout disk 50 (fig. 2) below the raised occlusion disk 160. When the nozzle 60 is rotated to return the nozzle 60 to the sealed closed configuration shown in fig. 1, the thicker product will be squeezed by the downwardly moving disk 160. Most of these products are squeezed downwardly around the periphery of the spout disk 50 and between the periphery of the spout disk 50 and the interior surface of the nozzle 60. Initially and for most of the downward movement of the nozzle 60, the peripheral space between the circumference of the spout disk 50 and the inner surface of the nozzle 60 is greater than the space defined by the flow openings 164 defined by the retaining ring. Thus, when product is squeezed between the downward movement barrier disc 160 and the spout disc 50, most of the product will be forced around the spout disc 50 into the container, and only a small amount of product will tend to be forced upward through the defined flow openings 164. For a given product viscosity, the internal dimensions of the cap passageway will be such that when the nozzle 60 is moved to the fully closed position shown in FIG. 1, the amount of product being squeezed upwardly through the defined flow openings 164 will be insufficient to significantly deform the valve 70, and the valve 70 will remain in the inwardly recessed position shown in FIG. 1, wherein the valve slit remains sealingly closed. However, in some embodiments, in some instances (if a soap dispensing package is used in a bath or bathtub), a small amount of upward leakage through the shut-off valve is acceptable to the user.

If the occlusion disk 160 is omitted, there is a possibility that closing the nozzle 60 (after dispensing the thicker product) will squeeze the product onto the interior surface of the valve 70 and cause the valve 70 to temporarily open a lesser amount such that an unacceptable amount of product will undesirably accumulate on the exterior surface of the valve 70. Thus, the present invention, which includes a barrier disc 160 defining flow openings 164 around it, significantly reduces the pressure of the viscous product against the underside of the valve 70 when the nozzle 60 is rotated downwardly to the fully closed position (FIG. 1), which eliminates or significantly reduces the possibility of the valve 70 being temporarily opened to release product when the nozzle 60 is closed.

The occlusion disk 160 may also be characterized as a diaphragm operable between the valve 70 and the top of the spout 38 and serving to slow the "piston action" of the spout disk 50 relative to the downwardly moving nozzle 60. The baffle system, including the occlusion disk 160 and the defined flow openings 164, serves to increase the resistance to upward flow so that most of the viscous product tends to flow through the path of least resistance created by the larger peripheral space between the circumference of the disk 50 and the interior surface of the nozzle 60.

During operation to dispense product out of the container via the raised nozzle 60 and the open slit valve 70, there must be sufficient pressure differential to open the valve 70 and keep the valve 70 open during this discharge. Thus, if the user squeezes the container to create an increased internal pressure, the flow rate of the product through the closure system including the openings 164 around the disc 160 below the valve 70 will be accompanied by a pressure drop of such a degree that the pressure at the valve 70 itself is somewhat lower than the pressure in the container. The size of the system, including the openings 164 around the disc 160, must be such that the pressure drop through the cover does not cause the pressure at the valve 70 to drop below the minimum pressure required to keep the valve open (for a given constant ambient pressure outside the valve and a constant flow rate at a given constant squeeze pressure inside the container).

Preferably, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, reducing the open height of the nozzle 60 from the fully closed position shown in FIG. 1 to the fully open position shown in FIG. 2 causes the volume between the interior of the valve 70 and the top of the spout 38 to decrease, which volume is occupied by the viscous product as it is dispensed and the nozzle 60 is then rotated back down to the fully closed position (FIG. 1).

A second embodiment of the invention is shown in fig. 10-16. In this second embodiment, elements that are the same and/or functionally similar to elements in the first embodiment shown in fig. 1-9 are identified by the same reference numerals as in fig. 1-9, except that the reference numerals in the second embodiment are followed by the appended letter "a".

A second embodiment of the dispensing system of the present invention is shown in fig. 10-16 in the form of a dispensing closure 30A (fig. 10) for a container (not shown). As can be seen in FIG. 11, the closure 30A has a main body 32A which includes a hollow generally cylindrical base or skirt 34A, an annular shoulder 36A extending radially inwardly from the top of the skirt 34A, and a smaller diameter spout 38A extending upwardly from the interior of the shoulder 36A.

As can be seen in fig. 11, the interior of the skirt 34A is formed with an internal female thread 40A. The skirt 34A is adapted to receive the upper end of a container mouth or neck (not shown). Skirt threads 40A may matingly engage threads on the container mouth or neck.

Alternatively, the closure skirt 34A may be provided with some other container attachment means (not shown), such as snap-in beads or grooves (not shown) in place of the threads 40A, which may engage with mating grooves or beads (not shown) at the container neck, respectively. The closure body 32A may be permanently attached to the container by induction melting, ultrasonic welding, gluing, etc., depending on the materials used for the closure body 32A and container. The closure body 32A may also be formed as an integral part or extension of the container.

The closure body skirt 34A may have any suitable configuration. The container may have an upwardly projecting neck or other portion for receipt in a particular configuration of the closure body 32A, and the body of the container may have a cross-sectional shape that is different from the container neck and closure body skirt 34A.

The closure 30A is adapted for use with a container having the features described above with respect to the container to which the first embodiment of the closure 30 is adapted.

As can be seen in fig. 10 and 11, an annular "crab's claw" seal 42A projects downwardly from the underside of body shoulder 36A. The seal 42A is adapted to sealingly engage the upper annular edge of a container (not shown) to which the closure 30A is mounted.

The preferred embodiment of the spout 38A has a generally circular cross-section throughout its length with the diameter of the base 34A being greater than the maximum diameter of the spout 38A. The spout 38A has an internal discharge passage 44A (FIG. 11) that communicates with the interior of the container. The spout 38A also has a distal end portion that includes at least one discharge opening 46A (fig. 11 and 12) that opens outwardly from the spout discharge passage 44A. Preferably, only one such vent 46A is provided.

The spout discharge opening is formed in a deck 50A (fig. 10 and 12) located on the top end of the spout 38A such that the discharge opening 46A has a fixed geometry at a rest position relative to the container. The cap layer 50A has a shallow annular sealing channel or groove 54A surrounding the vent opening 46A.

The spout 38A also has an outer proximal seal surface 56A (FIG. 11) that is located proximal to the discharge opening 46A. The proximal seal surface 56A is preferably cylindrical. The upper end of the proximal seal surface 56A terminates in an annular bead 57A (fig. 11).

Below the proximal seal surface 56A is an external male thread 58A (fig. 11 and 12) that surrounds the base of the spout 38A. Multiple start threads may be used. Instead of the thread itself, a cam surface may be used.

The main body 32A of the dispensing closure is preferably molded from a thermoplastic material, such as polypropylene, to form a generally rigid, hard plastic structure. The particular material used to mold the body 32A does not form part of the present invention.

The dispensing cap 30A also includes a nozzle assembly, which in the second embodiment shown in fig. 11 includes a deformable tip or nozzle 60A, a valve 70A, and a retaining ring or retaining ring 80A. The nozzle 60A is adapted to be mounted on the spout 38A. The nozzle 60A includes internal female threads 84A (fig. 10 and 11) for engaging the spout threads 58A. If the spout 38A employs a cam surface or cam rather than the threads 58A themselves, the nozzle 60A would have an appropriate cam follower.

The interior of the nozzle 60A defines an interior dispensing passage 86A (FIG. 11) that receives and extends around at least a portion of the spout 38A, as shown in FIG. 10. The nozzle 60A may be threaded onto the spout 38A by a threaded engagement to effect axial movement of the nozzle 60A along the spout 38A between a lower or retracted, closed position (FIG. 10) and an upper or extended, open position (FIG. 13).

Referring to fig. 11, the dispensing passage 86A of the nozzle 60A has a larger diameter lower portion 88A with threads 84A. The nozzle 60A has a smaller diameter intermediate portion that forms a proximal seal surface 90A. An annular bead 92A (fig. 11) is provided at the bottom of the nozzle's proximal seal surface 90A.

An internal annular bead 95A (FIG. 11) is provided above the nozzle proximal seal surface 90A and an internal annular channel 97A (FIG. 11) is provided above the bead 95A for receiving the retainer ring 80A as shown in FIG. 13.

The nozzle 60A terminates at its upper distal end in a dispensing opening 98A (fig. 11). The nozzle 60A forms an annular seat 100A (FIG. 11) around the underside of the nozzle dispensing opening 98A, which seat 100A can adjust the position and grip of the valve 70A in the nozzle 60A as described below.

In the preferred embodiment shown, the valve 70A has the same construction and operational characteristics as the valve 70 described in the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-9. The valve 70A includes a flexible central portion, surface or head 130A (fig. 11) which has a concave configuration when not actuated (when viewed from the exterior) and has two mutually perpendicular and intersecting equal length dispensing slits 132A (fig. 12) which together define a closed dispensing orifice. The intersecting slits 132A form four generally fan-shaped wings or lobes within the recessed central head portion 130A. These wings may open outwardly from the intersection of the slit 132A in response to increasing container pressure to a sufficient extent.

The valve 70A includes a skirt or sleeve 134A (fig. 11) that extends from a central wall or head 130A of the valve. At the outer end of the sleeve 134A is a relatively thin annular flange 138A which extends peripherally from the sleeve 134A in an opposite angular orientation. The thin flange 138A merges with an enlarged, thicker peripheral flange 140A, the flange 140A having a generally dovetail-shaped cross-section (as shown in FIG. 11).

To seat the valve 70A in the nozzle 60A, the frustoconical configuration of the nozzle's annular seat 100A (FIG. 11) should be angled at the same angle as the angle of the adjacent surface of the dovetail valve flange 140A.

The other surface of the valve flange 140A is clamped by the retainer ring 80A (fig. 13). The retainer ring 80A includes a peripheral or annular portion 150A (fig. 11 and 14) having an upwardly facing frustoconical annular clamping surface 152A (fig. 11 and 15) for engaging the inner surface of the valve flange 140A at an angle that matches the angle of the adjacent surface of the valve flange dovetail configuration.

The peripheral portion 150A of the retainer ring 80A includes an outwardly projecting shoulder or bead 158A (FIGS. 10 and 15) that is snappingly engageable with the bead 95A (FIG. 10) of the nozzle 60A to securely clamp the valve 70A in the nozzle 60A. This arrangement securely clamps and holds the valve 70A without requiring special internal support structures or bearings adjacent the inner surface of the valve cylindrical sleeve 134A. This allows the area adjacent the inner surface of the valve cylindrical sleeve 134A to be substantially open without restriction, thereby adjusting the movement of the valve sleeve 134A as the valve 70A opens and closes.

The retainer or retaining ring 80A includes a flow restrictor in the form of a central occlusion disk 160A (fig. 11, 14 and 16) that is connected to the annular portion 150A by bridge portions 162A, thereby forming restricted flow openings 164A (fig. 14) between the disk 160A, the annular portion 150A and the bridge portions 162A.

As can be seen in fig. 13 and 15, an annular distal sealing bead 96A projects downwardly from the bottom of the occlusion disk 160A for receipt in the spout sealing groove 54A for sealingly closing the spout opening 46A when the nozzle assembly is in the retracted, downward position (fig. 10).

In another embodiment (not shown), the sealing bead 96A may project upwardly on the spout deck 50A and the sealing groove 54A may be at the bottom of the occlusion disk 160A.

When the valve 70A is properly installed in the nozzle 60A as shown in FIG. 13, the central head 130A of the valve 70A is recessed within the nozzle 60A. However, when the package is squeezed to dispense its contents through the valve 70A, the valve head 130A is forced outwardly from its recessed position toward the end of the package and through the distal dispensing opening 98A (fig. 13).

The nozzle assembly (i.e., nozzle 60A, valve 70A and retaining ring or retainer ring 80A) is adapted to be mounted on the spout 38A as shown in fig. 10. The nozzle bead 92A and the spout bead 57A have a profile that accommodates movement of the beads past one another when the spout and nozzle are assembled together with an external force. The nozzle 60A has been somewhat temporarily expanded or deformed outwardly so that the ribs slide past each other. The nozzle threads 84A may then be threaded onto the spout threads 58A.

When the components are fully assembled and in the retracted, closed position shown in fig. 10, the central dispensing passage of the nozzle (passage 86A in fig. 11) extends around at least a portion of the spout 38A. The nozzle proximal seal surface bead 92A sealingly engages the spout proximal seal surface 56A and/or the spout proximal seal surface bead 57A sealingly engages the nozzle proximal seal surface 90A. The nozzle distal seal surface 96A sealingly engages the spout distal seal surface 54A. This blocks the spout discharge opening 46A and prevents fluid from flowing out of the spout 38A.

To dispense product, the nozzle 60A is rotated on the spout 38A to move the nozzle to the raised open position shown in FIG. 13. The package is then inverted and squeezed so that the valve 70A opens in the same manner as the valve 70 of the first embodiment described with reference to fig. 1-9.

Due to the unique design of the second embodiment, the dispensing of the fluent material from the nozzle assembly can be easily and accurately directed and controlled. The fluent material is readily observable when discharged onto the desired target area.

The above-described dispensing action of the valve 70A typically occurs only after (1) the nozzle 60A has been moved to the open position (fig. 13), (2) the package has been inverted, and (3) the container has been squeezed. When the difference between the internal and external pressures reaches a predetermined amount, the pressure on the inside of the valve 70A will cause the valve to open. Depending on the particular valve design, the open valve 70A may close when the pressure differential decreases, or the valve may remain open even when the pressure differential drops to zero. In a preferred embodiment showing a valve 70A for use in the second embodiment of the system shown in fig. 10-16, the valve 70A is designed to close when the pressure differential drops to a predetermined amount.

When the squeezing force on the container is removed, the valve 70A closes and the valve head 130A retracts to its recessed rest position within the nozzle 60A. If the container is inverted when the valve 70A is closed, but the container is not squeezed, the weight of the fluent material against the valve 70A will not cause the valve 70A to open, or remain open.

Due to the engagement of the nozzle rib 92A with the spout rib 57A (fig. 13), the nozzle assembly is prevented from being unscrewed out of the fully open condition (fig. 13) and out of the spout 38. However, in all positions of the nozzle 60A from fully closed (FIG. 10) to fully open (FIG. 13), the nozzle proximal seal surface bead 92A sealingly engages the spout proximal seal surface 56A and/or the spout proximal seal surface bead 57A sealingly engages the nozzle proximal seal surface 90A. In all positions, the valve 70A remains distal to the spout deck recessed surface 54A and the discharge opening 46A.

After a quantity of product has been dispensed and the package returned to its normal upright orientation (fig. 13), the fluid product remaining in the space below the occlusion disk 160A and above the spout deck 50A will tend to flow downwardly in the spout under the influence of gravity into the container. In the preferred embodiment, the valve 70A closes when the squeezing force on the container is removed. Moreover, fluid product in the space below the shut-off valve 70A and above the occlusion disk 160A will tend to flow downwardly in the nozzle 60A under the force of gravity through the flow openings 164A defined by the retainer ring. The fluent product in the nozzle 60A will continue to flow downwardly onto the spout deck 50A and then through the spout 38A and back into the container. The less viscous liquid (e.g., water) will flow completely from the nozzle 60A back into the container. The user may then rotate the nozzle 60A back to the sealed closed configuration shown in fig. 10.

The present invention is also particularly applicable to relatively viscous products that may not flow quickly from the upper portion of the nozzle 60A back into the container after a quantity of such product has been dispensed and the package returned to an upright position (fig. 13). A portion of such a sticky or thick product, such as a lotion or thick food product, such as mustard, may remain on the spout deck 50A below the raised occlusion disk 160A (fig. 13). When the nozzle 60A is rotated to return the nozzle 60A to the sealed closed configuration shown in fig. 10, the thicker product will be squeezed by the downwardly moving disk 160A. Most of these products will be squeezed down into the container through the spout 46A. Initially and for most of the downward movement of the nozzle 60A, the peripheral space between the opening 46A in the overlay 50A and the nozzle occlusion disk 160A is larger than the space created by the flow openings 164A defined by the retaining ring. Thus, when the viscous product is pushed by the downwardly moving occlusion disk 160, most of the product will be forced downwardly into the container through the spout opening 46A, and only a small amount of the product will tend to be forced upwardly through the defined flow openings 164A. For a given product viscosity, the internal dimensions of the cap passageway will be such that when the nozzle 60A is moved to the fully closed position shown in FIG. 13, the amount of product being squeezed upwardly through the defined flow openings 164A will be insufficient to significantly deform the valve 70A, which will remain in the inwardly recessed position shown in FIG. 13, wherein the valve slit remains sealingly closed. However, in some embodiments, a small amount of upward leakage through the shut-off valve may be acceptable to a user in some situations (e.g., soap dispensing packages used in a bath or bathtub).

If the occlusion disk 160A is omitted, there is a possibility that closing the nozzle 60A (after dispensing the thicker product) will squeeze the product onto the interior surface of the valve 70A and cause the valve 70A to temporarily open a lesser amount such that an unacceptable amount of product will undesirably accumulate on the exterior surface of the valve 70A. Thus, the present invention, which includes a occlusion disk 160A defining flow openings 164A around it, significantly reduces the pressure of the viscous product against the underside of the valve 70A when the nozzle 60A is rotated downward to the fully closed position (FIG. 10), which eliminates or significantly reduces the possibility of the valve 70A being temporarily opened to release product when the nozzle 60A is closed.

The occlusion disk 160A may also be characterized as a diaphragm operable between the valve 70A and the top of the spout 38A and serving to slow the "piston action" of the spout deck 50A relative to the downwardly moving spout 60A. The diaphragm system, including the occlusion disk 160A and the defined flow openings 164A, serves to increase the resistance to upward flow so that a majority of the viscous product tends to flow through the path of least resistance created by the larger open area under the disk 160A and the nozzle opening 46A.

During operation to dispense product from the container via the raised nozzle 60A and the open slit valve 70A, there must be sufficient pressure differential to open the valve 70A and keep the valve 70A open during this discharge. Thus, if the user squeezes the container to create an increased internal pressure, the flow rate of the product through the closure system including the openings 164A around the disc 160A below the valve 70A will be accompanied by a pressure drop to such an extent that the pressure at the valve 70A itself is somewhat lower than the pressure in the container. The system, including the openings 164A around the disc 160A, must be sized so that the pressure drop through the cover does not cause the pressure at the valve 70A to drop below the minimum pressure required to keep the valve open (for a given constant ambient pressure outside the valve and a constant flow rate at a given constant squeeze pressure inside the container).

It may be desirable to reduce the open height of the nozzle 60A from the fully closed position shown in fig. 10 to the fully open position shown in fig. 13 so that the volume between the interior of the valve 70A and the top of the spout 38A is reduced, which volume is occupied by the viscous product as it is dispensed and the nozzle 60A is thereafter rotated back down to the fully closed position (fig. 10).

If desired, the nozzle assembly may be provided with an attached or fully removable cover (not shown) to protect the valve 70 or 70A from damage and/or dirt and dust. Such a cover may be hinged to the nozzle assembly by a conventional or special snap-action hinge, or the cover may simply be tied to the nozzle assembly. The cover may also include an inwardly projecting plug or member which may be received in a recessed area of the valve 70 or 70A and which may serve as a means of sealing the valve 70 or 70A during handling of the package when subjected to an external force which may cause a momentary pressure increase within the nozzle 60 or 60A which may cause the valve to open, even when in the raised position.

In another contemplated modification, a releasable seal or removable label (not shown) may be initially attached to the top of the nozzle assembly. After the user removes such a removable liner, it may be stored by the user and then reapplied to the top of the cover (e.g., when the user later wishes to place the package in luggage while traveling). This may prevent damage to the valve and/or prevent dust and dirt from accumulating on the valve.

From the foregoing detailed description of the invention and from the illustrations thereof, it will be readily apparent that numerous other variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts or principles of this invention.

Claims (20)

1. A dispensing system for dispensing a product from a container having an opening, the system comprising:

a spout adapted to communicate with the container opening and defining (1) at least one discharge opening having a fixed geometry in a rest position relative to the container, and (2) a distal sealing surface distal to the discharge opening relative to the container;

a nozzle assembly mounted on the spout and movable between a retracted closed position and an extended open position, and including

(A) A nozzle having (1) a dispensing passage surrounding at least a portion of said spout, (2) a distal sealing surface sealingly engageable with said distal sealing surface of said spout when said nozzle assembly is in said retracted, closed position;

(B) a resiliently flexible valve (1) sealingly disposed over the dispensing passage of the nozzle at a location distal of the spout distal seal surface, and (2) having an initially closed dispensing orifice which is openable in response to a pressure differential acting across the valve; and

(C) a flow restrictor disposed on the nozzle dispensing passage at a location between the valve and the distal sealing surface of the nozzle so as to restrict flow toward the valve when the nozzle assembly is moved toward the retracted closed position.

2. The dispensing system of claim 1,

the spout defines a proximal seal surface on an exterior of the spout proximal to the discharge opening; and

the nozzle defines a proximal seal surface sealingly engageable with the proximal seal surface of the spout.

3. The dispensing system of claim 2,

the proximal seal surface of the nozzle comprises (1) a generally cylindrical seal surface, and (2) a radially inwardly projecting seal bead adjacent to and merging with the cylindrical seal surface of the nozzle;

the spout's proximal seal surface includes (1) a radially outwardly projecting seal bead, and (2) a generally cylindrical seal surface adjacent to and merging with the spout's seal bead;

the spout having a distal end portion including a disc distal to the discharge orifice;

said disc having an arcuate peripheral distal edge merging with a generally cylindrical peripheral surface defining said spout distal seal surface; and

a portion of the nozzle between the valve and the nozzle proximal seal surface has a generally cylindrical interior surface defining the nozzle distal seal surface for sealing engagement with the spout disc peripheral surface.

4. The dispensing system of claim 2,

the nozzle dispensing passage is at least partially defined by the nozzle distal seal surface and the nozzle proximal seal surface;

the spout is formed with an internal discharge passage communicating with the container opening and the spout discharge opening;

the spout having a distal portion forming the spout distal seal surface;

the spout discharge opening is adjacent to the distal end of the spout; and

the nozzle dispensing passage, the nozzle distal seal surface and the spout distal seal surface are configured relative to the spout discharge opening to establish communication between the valve and the spout discharge opening only when the nozzle assembly is moved away from the retracted, closed position.

5. The dispensing system of claim 1,

the system includes a hollow base for mounting the container to the container opening; and

the spout extends from the base.

6. The dispensing system of claim 1,

the valve is a self-closable valve;

said valve opening outwardly when the pressure acting on the side of said valve exposed to the opening of said container exceeds the pressure acting on the side of said valve exposed to the environment by a predetermined amount; and

the valve returns from the open state to the closed state after a pressure drop acting on the side of the valve exposed in the container opening.

7. The dispensing system of claim 1,

the container has external male threads;

the system is a dispensing closure formed separately from the container but releasably attachable to the container around the container opening;

the system includes a body having a hollow, generally cylindrical base with an internal female thread threadably engaged with the male thread on the container;

the spout extends from the hollow base;

the nozzle has external male threads; and

the nozzle has internal female threads engageable with external male threads of the spout.

8. The dispensing system of claim 1,

the valve has an annular flange;

said nozzle having a distal end with a radially inwardly directed flange forming an annular seat facing inwardly of said nozzle; and

the nozzle assembly including a retaining ring having an annular portion that engages the nozzle to retain the valve within the nozzle, and an annular flange of the valve is clamped against an annular seat of the nozzle by the retaining ring; and

the flow restrictor is formed as an integral part of the collar and comprises a central occlusion disc connected to the annular portion by bridge portions, thereby forming a restricted flow opening between the disc, the annular portion and the bridge portions.

9. The dispensing system of claim 8,

said collar portion is a generally annular ring which is adapted to be snap-fit into engagement with said nozzle;

the nozzle includes an internal annular channel;

the annular portion of the collar including a peripheral portion adapted to be received in the channel in a snap-fit engagement;

the annular flange of the valve has a dovetail-shaped cross-section forming a frustoconical outer surface and a frustoconical inner surface;

the nozzle having a central opening surrounded by an annular seat of the nozzle;

said nozzle annular seat being a frustoconical seat engaging said frustoconical outer surface of said valve annular flange; and

the retainer ring portion has a frustoconical clamping surface that engages the frustoconical inner surface of the annular flange of the valve to clamp the annular flange of the valve between the retainer ring and the annular seat of the nozzle.

10. The dispensing system in accordance with claim 1 in which said spout discharge is one of a plurality of identical discharge openings positioned radially.

11. A dispensing system for dispensing a product from a container having an opening, the system comprising:

a spout communicable with the container opening and having a deck defining at least one discharge opening having a fixed geometry at a rest position relative to the container;

a nozzle assembly mounted on the spout and movable between a retracted closed position and an extended open position, and including

A nozzle having a dispensing passage surrounding at least a portion of the spout,

a resiliently flexible valve (1) sealingly disposed over the dispensing passage of the nozzle at a location distal to the discharge orifice of the spout, and (2) having an initially closed dispensing orifice which is openable in response to a pressure differential acting across the valve; and

a flow restrictor disposed on the nozzle dispensing passage at a location between the valve and a discharge orifice of the nozzle deck;

a distal seal groove formed on one of the spout deck and the nozzle assembly; and

a distal sealing bead formed on the other of said spout deck and said nozzle assembly sealingly engageable with said distal sealing groove when said nozzle assembly is in said retracted, closed position.

12. The dispensing system of claim 11,

the spout defines a proximal seal surface on an exterior of the spout proximal to the discharge opening; and

the nozzle defines a proximal seal surface sealingly engageable with the proximal seal surface of the spout.

13. The dispensing system of claim 12,

the proximal seal surface of the nozzle comprises (1) a generally cylindrical seal surface, and (2) a radially inwardly projecting seal bead adjacent to and merging with the cylindrical seal surface of the nozzle; and

the spout proximal seal surface includes (1) a radially outwardly projecting seal bead, and (2) a generally cylindrical seal surface adjacent to and merging with the spout seal bead.

14. The dispensing system of claim 12,

the nozzle dispensing passage is formed at least partially along a proximal sealing surface of the nozzle;

the spout is formed with an internal discharge passage communicating with the container opening and the spout discharge opening;

the spout having a distal portion forming the distal sealing groove;

the spout discharge outlet is at a distal end of the spout; and

the nozzle dispensing passage, the distal seal bead and the distal seal groove are configured relative to the spout discharge opening to establish communication between the valve and the spout discharge opening only when the nozzle assembly is moved away from the retracted, closed position.

15. The dispensing system of claim 11,

the valve is a self-closable valve;

said valve opening outwardly when the pressure acting on the side of said valve exposed to the opening of said container exceeds the pressure acting on the side of said valve exposed to the environment by a predetermined amount; and

the valve returns from the open state to the closed state after a pressure drop acting on the side of the valve exposed in the container opening.

16. The dispensing system of claim 11,

the container has external male threads;

the system is a dispensing closure formed separately from the container but releasably attachable to the container around the container opening;

the system includes a body having a hollow, generally cylindrical base with an internal female thread threadably engaged with the male thread on the container;

the spout extends from the hollow base;

the nozzle has external male threads; and

the nozzle has internal female threads engageable with external male threads of the spout.

17. The dispensing system of claim 11,

the valve has an annular flange;

said nozzle having a distal end with a radially inwardly directed flange forming an annular seat facing inwardly of said nozzle; and

the nozzle assembly including a retaining ring having an annular portion that engages the nozzle to retain the valve within the nozzle, and an annular flange of the valve is clamped against an annular seat of the nozzle by the retaining ring; and

the flow restrictor is formed as an integral part of the collar and comprises a central occlusion disc connected to the annular portion by bridge portions, thereby forming a restricted flow opening between the disc, the annular portion and the bridge portions.

18. The dispensing system of claim 17,

said collar portion is a generally annular ring which is adapted to be snap-fit into engagement with said nozzle;

the nozzle includes an internal annular channel; and

the annular portion of the collar including a peripheral portion adapted to be received in the channel in a snap-fit engagement;

the annular flange of the valve has a dovetail-shaped cross-section forming a frustoconical outer surface and a frustoconical inner surface;

the nozzle having a central opening surrounded by an annular seat of the nozzle;

said nozzle annular seat being a frustoconical seat engaging said frustoconical outer surface of said valve annular flange; and

the retainer ring portion has a frustoconical clamping surface that engages the frustoconical inner surface of the annular flange of the valve to clamp the annular flange of the valve between the retainer ring and the annular seat of the nozzle.

19. The dispensing system in accordance with claim 11 in which said spout discharge opening is a generally circular opening.

20. The dispensing system of claim 11,

the system includes a hollow base for mounting the container to the container opening; and

the spout extends from the base.