HK1168077B - Dispensing closure - Google Patents

Description

Dispensing closure

This application claims priority and benefit of ownership to U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/186,066 entitled DISPENSING CLOSURE filed on 11.6.2009, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Background

Containers for pourable solid and/or liquid food products are often provided with a dispensing fitting (e.g., a spout, nozzle, or other such opening) to allow controlled passage of the food product (i.e., provide greater control than the open end of a bottle, jar, or other container). A cap or cover is typically provided to close the dispensing adapter to prevent inadvertent spillage.

Disclosure of Invention

The present application relates to dispensing closures for use with a wide variety of pourable materials. Contemplated dispensing closures may, for example, include a closure configured to facilitate consistent and controlled pouring of a fluid (e.g., a viscous fluid, such as a syrup product).

Accordingly, in one embodiment, an exemplary closure includes a body having an outer skirt configured to be assembled with a container, a panel extending radially inward from the skirt, and a spout extending from the panel in a direction opposite the skirt. The spout surrounds a central portion of the plate, wherein the central portion of the plate defines at least a first aperture having a leading edge substantially flush with a front portion of the spout and a trailing edge radially spaced from a rear portion of the spout by a portion of the plate.

According to another inventive aspect of the present application, an exemplary closure includes a body and a lid. The body has an outer skirt configured to be assembled with a container, and a panel extending radially inward from the skirt. The plate defines a first aperture and second and third apertures spaced from the first aperture, the second and third apertures each being substantially smaller than the first aperture. The cover is movable between a closed position covering the first, second and third apertures and an open position uncovering the first, second and third apertures.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of an exemplary dispensing closure shown in an open position;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the dispensing closure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the dispensing closure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the dispensing closure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a left side view of the dispensing closure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a right side view of the dispensing closure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of the dispensing closure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is another upper perspective view of the dispensing closure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9A is a top plan view of the dispensing closure of FIG. 1 assembled with a container in a center rotated position, the container in a pouring orientation;

FIG. 9B is a top plan view of the dispensing closure of FIG. 1 assembled with a container in an off-center rotated position, the container being in a pouring orientation;

FIG. 9C is a top plan view of another exemplary dispensing closure assembled with a container in a center rotated position, the container in a pouring orientation;

FIG. 9D is a top plan view of the dispensing closure of FIG. 1 assembled with a container in an off-center rotated position, the container being in a pouring orientation;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of a dispensing aperture arrangement for dispensing the closure;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of another dispensing aperture arrangement for dispensing a closure;

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of yet another dispensing aperture arrangement for dispensing a closure;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another exemplary dispensing closure assembled with a container;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of yet another exemplary dispensing closure assembled with a container; and

fig. 15 is a perspective view of another exemplary dispensing closure assembled with a container.

Detailed Description

The present application relates to dispensing closures for the controlled passage of contained pourable products. In accordance with the inventive aspects of the present application, a dispensing closure may be configured for consistent and controlled pouring of a viscous fluid (e.g., a syrup product). Although the present application describes exemplary embodiments for use in dispensing pancake syrup products, it should be understood that many of the inventive features of the present application can be used to dispense other types of pourable solid and/or fluid substances, including, for example, decorative ingredients on other food products, coffee creamers, other coffee companion or flavorings, oils, flavorings, seasonings, fertilizers, bird's foods, sugars and sauces, as well as pourable dairy products, pourable fruit and juice products, jams, gels, and preserves.

According to an inventive aspect of the present application, a dispensing closure may be provided with a middle plate defining at least one dispensing aperture, and a spout extending from the middle plate and at least partially surrounding the aperture. In one such embodiment, the dispensing aperture may have an edge of a portion of the plate spaced from the spout such that the dispensing aperture is smaller than the inner perimeter of the spout. A reduced size dispensing orifice within the spout helps prevent excess fluid from passing through the dispensing closure, while a larger spout (i.e., larger relative to the dispensing orifice) can help retain incompletely dispensed fluid (i.e., remaining on the middle plate). For example, the larger orifices may be sized to surround the distribution hole and the at least one vent hole in the middle plate.

Fig. 1-9B illustrate various views of an exemplary embodiment of a dispensing closure 10. The closure includes a body portion 20 having an outer skirt 21 for assembly with a bottle or container 15 (such as shown in fig. 9A and 9B), and a plate portion 23 extending radially inwardly from the skirt 21. In the embodiment of fig. 1-9B, the plate portion extends radially inward from the upper end of the skirt 21. In other embodiments, (e.g., the cap dispenser 310 of fig. 15, described in more detail below), the plate portion may be radially spaced from the skirt, and/or may be disposed between the upper and lower ends of the skirt. The skirt may include internal threads 22 for threaded assembly with the container, as shown in fig. 7. Other assembly mechanisms, such as a snap fit or interference fit (not shown), may also be utilized. The plate portion defines at least one dispensing aperture 30, and one or more vent apertures 35, 36 (described in more detail below). The plate 23 may, but need not, include a raised portion 24 in which the dispensing aperture 30 is disposed. A lid 50 is provided for covering the dispensing aperture 23 to prevent flow from the aperture when the lid 50 is in a sealed position (not shown) relative to the body 20. In the embodiment of fig. 1-9B, the lid 50 is hingedly connected (e.g., by a hinge portion 51) to the body 20 at the outer skirt 21 and is integral with the body 20 for pivoting between a closed or covering position and an open or uncovered position. Any suitable hinge arrangement may be utilized between the body 20 and the lid 50. One example of a hinge arrangement for a dispensing closure is described in U.S. patent No. 5,642,824, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. In addition, as shown more clearly in FIG. 8, support ribs 52 or other stiffening structures may be provided in the cover 50, for example, to stiffen the hinge portion of the cover. In other embodiments, such as shown in fig. 13, the lid 150 can be separable from the body 120 such that the lid can be attached to the body in a closed position (e.g., via a snap-fit arrangement) and detached from the body in an open position.

The exemplary lid 50 includes an outer wall 53, the outer wall 53 being aligned with the outer skirt 21 when the lid 50 is in the closed position. The exemplary body 20 includes a recessed shoulder 25 sized to receive the edge 55 of the outer wall 53. Any suitable type of retention engagement may be provided between the body and the lid when the lid is in the closed position, in the example shown the outer edge of the outer wall 53 includes an inwardly projecting rib 56 that interlocks with the outwardly projecting rib 26 on the recessed shoulder 25 of the body 20 to provide a snap-fit engagement between the body 20 and the lid 50. Such a closure engagement is also shown in U.S. patent No. 6,935,543, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

In the exemplary embodiment, spout portion 40 extends upwardly from plate 23 to at least partially surround central portion 27 of plate 23 and dispensing aperture 30. The spout 40 may be angled or shaped relative to a perpendicular to the plate 23, for example, to better direct or control the dispensing flow, or to minimize dripping on the dispenser or container. In the illustrated example, the spout 40 includes a full periphery having a first or front portion 41 immediately adjacent the dispensing aperture 30 and a second or rear portion 42 immediately adjacent the hinge 51. To prevent excessive pouring of the contents of the container, the apertures (e.g., dispensing apertures and vent apertures) may be sufficiently smaller than the inner periphery of the spout such that the central portion 27 of the plate 23 helps regulate or restrict flow. In one embodiment, the apertures account for less than half of the total radially extending area within the spout (e.g., between 25% and 50% of the total area within the spout, or approximately 33% of the total area within the spout). Although in the illustrated embodiment the front portion 41 of the spout 40 is an arcuate portion having a first radius and the rear portion 42 of the spout is an arcuate portion having a second radius that is smaller than the first radius such that the spout 40 forms a teardrop shape when viewed in a top view, the spout 40 may be provided in many different shapes and sizes. Other shapes of the spout may be provided, including, for example, circular (as shown, for example, in fig. 13 and 14) and oval shaped spouts, as well as spouts having non-arcuate portions.

To facilitate consistent pouring, one or more vents may be provided in the plate portion of the dispensing closure separate from the dispensing aperture to allow air to enter the container as the contained fluid is dispensed through the dispensing aperture, thereby preventing erratic squirting of the dispensed fluid during pouring. In one embodiment, the vent may be positioned proximate to a hinge portion of the lid such that the vent is not blocked by the dispensed fluid when the container is tilted for pouring. The vent hole may be any suitable size, although in one embodiment it is sufficiently smaller than the dispensing hole, yet large enough to admit sufficient air.

Although a single vent hole 35a, 35c may be utilized (as shown in fig. 11 and 12), multiple vent holes 35, 36 may be provided (e.g., as shown in the embodiments of fig. 1-10). Other embodiments may use three or more vents of varying sizes and locations.

To facilitate retention of all undispensed fluid, the inner surface of the lid 50 may be provided with a protrusion 50, for example, sized and positioned to engage the spout in fluid-tight engagement to prevent fluid from collecting between the spout 40 and the outer wall 53 of the lid 50. The protrusion may be provided around the spout for sealing engagement with an outer surface of the lid on the spout, although in another embodiment the protrusion may be received in a lid on the spout (not shown) of the lid for sealing engagement with an inner surface of the spout. Such a protrusion may be formed, for example, as a solid plug or circumferential wall or flange shaped to match the inner surface of the spout. In the illustrated embodiment, the lid 50 includes a circumferential flange portion 60 extending from an inner surface for receipt in the spout 40 when the lid 50 is in the closed position.

To facilitate alignment of the protrusion 60 with the spout 40 during closure of the lid 50, the rear portion 42 of the spout 40 may be provided with a thickened portion having an inwardly sloping chamfered surface 44, said inwardly sloping chamfered surface 44 guiding the trailing edge of the protrusion 60 into the spout 40 during closure. Likewise, an external protruding lip on the front of the spout (described in more detail below) may also be used to guide the protrusion 60 into the spout 40 during closing. Alternatively, a similar chamfered guide surface may be provided on the outer surface of the protrusion (not shown) to facilitate closing. Additionally or alternatively, as shown, the rear portion 42 of the spout 40 may be sloped downward (i.e., progressively shorter toward the hinge) to reduce interference between the spout 40 and the protrusion 60 during closing.

To prevent over-pressurization of the fluid-tight central chamber (defined by central portion 27 of plate 23, spout 40, protrusion 60 and the inner surface of the lid), one or more venting channels or grooves 48 may be provided to allow pressurized air (e.g., when the closed container is heated) to escape from the central chamber. The chimney 48 may be small enough to substantially prevent the passage of contained fluids (e.g., prevent leakage or dripping). The air passage 48 may be provided, for example, in the inner surface of the spout (as shown in the illustrated embodiment), on the outer surface of the protrusion, or through the top of the lid. In one embodiment, the vent slot 48 may be provided with a 0.015 "radius at its edge.

To facilitate the draining of undispensed fluid on the central panel portion 27 back into the container and to minimize fluid entrapment between the protrusion 50 and the central panel portion 27 when closed, the leading edge 31 of the dispensing orifice 30 may be flush with the inner surface of the spout front 41. In other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 10, a small flange or gap g (e.g., 0.020 ") may be provided between the front portion 41b of the spout 40b and the leading edge 31b of the dispensing orifice 30 b.

In accordance with the inventive aspects of the present invention, the dispensing closure may be configured to accommodate consistent pouring of fluid over a range of dispensing orifice orientations. For example, the cocked or rotated position of the dispensing orifice 30 may result from the dispensing closure 10 being off-center from the container 15, which may result from, for example, a different threaded engagement between the closure 10 and the container 15. This eccentric position can be measured as the angle θ between the transverse centre line L of the dispensing hole 30 and a vertical plane V extending perpendicularly to the horizontal pouring axis H about which the respective container 15 is tilted to pour the contained fluid F (see fig. 9B). In the case of a container 15 provided with a handle or narrow cross-section (e.g. to facilitate gripping by a user), the pouring axis may be substantially perpendicular to the plane of the handle 16 or narrow cross-section bisecting the container (such that the bottle bisecting plane is coplanar with the vertical plane V). Alternatively, the pouring axis may be inclined or skewed from perpendicular to the bottle bisecting plane, depending on the pouring method of the user.

A number of features may also be provided to accommodate this eccentric orientation. For example, the front of the spout may be provided with an outwardly projecting lip on the extended periphery of the spout, which may reduce dispensed fluid dripping onto the central panel of the dispensing cap when pouring by tilting or rotating the dispensing orifice through an angle. In the embodiment shown, the front portion 41 of the spout 40 is provided with an external protruding lip 43. Although in one embodiment the lip 43 extends on a circumference having an angle of more than 90 ° at the front, the size of the lip may vary. In another embodiment, the lip 43 may extend over a circumference or circumference having an angle greater than the dispensing orifice circumferential angle β, or the angle of the dispensing orifice leading edge arc (e.g., greater than about 100 °). In yet another embodiment, the lip 43 can extend over a circumference or circumference having an angle greater than the angle contained by the dispensing orifice (e.g., greater than about 120), wherein the angle is formed by a line intersecting the outermost edge of the direction of rotation of the dispensing orifice 30 and the center point of the leading arc. In the illustrated embodiment, as shown in fig. 2, the lip 43 extends over the periphery of the spout front with an angle a greater than 120 ° (e.g., an angle between 120 ° and 180 ° or an angle of approximately 160 °).

As another example, the dispensing orifice can be provided with an arcuate leading edge that extends such that when the dispensing orifice is tilted or rotated at an angle relative to a vertical plane (e.g., when the dispensing closure is rotationally off-center on the container), the vertical plane intersects a portion of the arcuate dispensing orifice. In one embodiment, the arcuate leading edge of the dispensing closure is sized such that pouring of the contained fluid is substantially unaffected by the rotationally off-center position of the transverse centerline L of the aperture 30 relative to a vertical plane V (e.g., an angle θ of up to 15 °, 30 °, or 45 °), wherein the vertical plane V is perpendicular to the pouring axis. In the embodiment shown, the leading edge 31 of the dispensing orifice 30 extends over a peripheral angle β of substantially 100 ° (see fig. 2). Although in one embodiment the dispensing orifice has a rear edge that is flat or inward (i.e., extends toward the front edge) such that the size of the dispensing orifice is reduced (and the amount of sheet material within the spout is increased), for example, to prevent excessive pouring of the contained flow, a dispensing orifice having a curved front edge can be any suitable overall shape, such as circular or oval. In the illustrated example, the dispensing orifice 30 includes a rear or inner edge 32 that is substantially parallel to an arcuate front or outer edge, forming a C-shaped or smiley face shaped orifice. In one such embodiment, the dispensing orifice 30 can be sized and shaped to limit the unpressurized flow of the tortilla syrup product to less than 5 ml/sec (e.g., approximately 3.5 ml/sec) at room temperature (500-. This restricted flow can be maintained as a consistent flow using the vent structure described herein. In another embodiment, as shown in fig. 12, a dispensing aperture 30a having an arcuate front or outer edge 31a may be provided with a straight or flat rear or inner edge 31a, forming a D-shaped or semi-circular aperture (or other cross-section than circular or elliptical), which also reduces the size of the dispensing aperture (e.g., as compared to a circular aperture) while maintaining an extended front arcuate edge.

As yet another example, the plurality of vent apertures 35, 36 of the closure 10 can be arranged such that, when the transverse centerline L of the dispensing aperture 30 is tilted or rotated at an angle θ (see fig. 9B) relative to a vertical plane V perpendicular to the pouring axis and the container 15 is sufficiently inclined for pouring (i.e., inclined about the pouring axis), at least one of the vent apertures 35, 36 remains sufficiently open to the head of air (i.e., above the contained fluid F) to the container 15 during pouring, and in one such embodiment, the vent aperture 35 is positioned substantially entirely outside of a horizontal line H that is tangent to the rotationally outer edge 34 of the dispensing aperture 30 (i.e., opposite the dispensing aperture 30). In such an embodiment, the first vent hole 35 remains clear when the closure 10 is rotated off-center at the angle θ and the container 15 is tilted such that the contained fluid F extends to the uppermost edge of the dispensing aperture 30 (and substantially blocks the second vent hole 36). In the illustrated embodiment, two opposing vent holes 35, 36 are positioned adjacent the spout rear 42 and adjacent the hinge 51 for air ingress during pouring.

In the embodiment of fig. 1-9B, as shown in fig. 9A, radial tangents T1 and T2 to the outer edge of the dispensing orifice 30 extend outward of radial tangents T3 and T4 to the outer edge of the vents 35, 36 (the tangents intersect the leading edge arc center point) such that the dispensing orifice contains an angle greater than the angle γ contained by the vents. This arrangement may position the vent apertures 35, 36 at a sufficient distance from the dispensing aperture to provide adequate venting during pouring, and in another embodiment, as shown in fig. 9C and 9D, the dispensing aperture 30 ' and vent apertures 35 ', 36 ' may be sized and positioned such that radial tangents T1 ' and T2 ' to the outer edges of the dispensing aperture 30 ' are also substantially tangential to the outer edges of the vent apertures 35 ', 36 ' such that the dispensing aperture includes an angle ' that is substantially equal to the vent angle γ (e.g., both angles are substantially 100 °). When the closure 10 ' is rotationally off-center at an angle θ ' and the container 15 ' is tilted such that the contained fluid F extends to the uppermost edge of the dispensing aperture 30 ' (which may (but need not) coincide with a tangent T1 '), the vent apertures 35 ', 36 ' remain unobstructed, and in other embodiments the ratio of the angle contained by the dispensing aperture to the angle contained by the vent aperture may range from approximately 0.8 to 1.5, from 1.0 to 1.3, or from 1.1 to 1.25.

According to another aspect of the invention, the shape and location of the dispensing orifice and the vent may be such as to present an attractive pattern which is decorative or visible. For example, as shown in the embodiment of fig. 1-8, the vent hole 35 and the dispensing hole 30 may be shaped and positioned to form the eyes and mouth, respectively, of a "smiley face". To further assist in the desired pattern or the like, one or more features may be marked, molded or otherwise formed on the central panel portion 27. For example, as shown, a tile 29 may be provided to represent the appearance of a nose on a "smiley face" pattern. Other decorative or pictorial patterns may additionally or alternatively be utilized.

Although in one embodiment the dispensing closure is provided in injection molded plastic (e.g., polypropylene), the dispensing closure may be provided in many different materials. One of ordinary skill in the art would know how to mold the dispensing closure described herein based on the present disclosure and using conventional molding techniques.

In other embodiments, the dispensing closure of the invention described herein may include one or more of the above-described inventive features in combination with other inventive elements. For example, in one embodiment, the dispensing closure may be provided with a separate cap for additional functionality. For example, in the exemplary dispensing closure 110 of fig. 13, the lid 150 is separate from the dispensing closure body portion 120 such that the lid 150 may be removed, for example, to serve as a bowl for heating or dispensing a controlled amount of fluid. The body 120 includes a skirt 121, and the skirt 121 may be, but is not required to be, configured to be threadably engaged with the container 115. The lid 150 may be configured for snap-fit engagement with the body 120 to cover the dispensing aperture 130 and the vent apertures 135, 136 disposed in the deck portion 123 radially inward of the spout 140 and skirt 121. The apertures 130, 135, 136 may be identical in shape, size, location and orientation to the apertures 30, 35, 36 of the dispensing closure 10 shown in fig. 1-9B described above, but need not be, for example, to accommodate the off-center orientation of the dispensing closure 130. The lid 150 may be provided with a protrusion (not shown) that fits into the spout 140 to provide a fluid seal in the lid closed position, but is not required.

In another embodiment, the dispensing closure may be adapted for consistent orientation on the container bottle, for example, to eliminate or reduce any over-center of the dispensing closure during pouring. In the exemplary embodiment of fig. 14, the dispensing closure 210 is oblong or oval in horizontal cross-section corresponding to the oblong open end of the container bottle 215, including a skirt 221 configured to snap-fit (i.e., non-threaded) connect to the container bottle 215. Although this connection may substantially prevent the dispensing aperture 230 from tilting relative to the bottle bisecting plane (perpendicular to the conventional pouring axis), the spout 240 and apertures 230, 235, 236 (disposed in the plate portion 223 radially inward of the spout 240) may still be configured (e.g., as described above) to accommodate the eccentric orientation of the dispensing aperture 230 resulting from the skewed pouring axis of the dispensing aperture 230. For example, the apertures 230, 235, 236 may, but need not, conform to the shape, size, location and orientation of the apertures 30, 35, 36 of the dispensing closure 10 shown in fig. 1-9B and described above. The hinged lid 250 includes a protrusion 260 that fits into the spout 240 to provide a fluid seal in the lid closed position.

In a further embodiment, the dispensing closure may be formed with an integral handle, thereby aligning the dispensing aperture with a handle bisecting vertical plane that is perpendicular to a conventional pouring axis. In the exemplary embodiment of fig. 15, dispenser body 320 is oblong or elliptical in horizontal cross-section corresponding to the oblong open end of container bottle 315, and includes a skirt 321 configured to snap-fit (i.e., non-threaded) connect to container bottle 315. In addition, the body 320 is provided with an integral handle portion 328 extending from the outer skirt 321. As shown, the handle portion 321 can be positioned such that the handle bisecting plane also bisects the dispensing aperture 330. While this arrangement prevents the dispensing aperture 330 from tilting relative to the handle bisecting plane (perpendicular to the conventional pouring axis), the spout 340, the dispensing aperture 330, and the vents 335, 336 can still be configured (e.g., as described above) to accommodate the eccentric orientation of the dispensing aperture 330 caused by a skewed pouring axis. For example, the apertures 330, 335, 336 may, but need not, conform to the shape, size, location and orientation of the apertures 30, 35, 36 of the dispensing closure 10 shown in fig. 1-9B and described above.

As shown, the outer skirt 321 of the dispensing closure 310 extends over the central panel 323 (in which the apertures 330, 335, 336 are disposed) forming an upper rim with a spout 340, such that the skirt 321 and spout 340 form an outer wall radially inward of the skirt 321 and spout 340, from which the panel 323 is recessed. This configuration eliminates all portions of the plate outside of the spout 340, which helps prevent the build-up of fluid debris around the spout 340. Spout 340 is configured to form a well, which may be contoured to retain all remaining fluid that is not dispensed and to drain that fluid back into container 315.

Although in the illustrated embodiment, the lid 350 is sized and shaped to be closely received in the spout 340 such that the outer perimeter of the lid 350 provides a fluid seal with the spout 340, many different types of lids may be utilized. As shown, the lid 350 may be provided with a hinged connection that aligns with the handle portion 328. The button element 338 disposed on the handle 328 is configured to pivot the lid 350 from the closed position to the open position when depressed by a user (e.g., by engaging the lid 350 below a hinge point on the lid to pivot the lid upward).

Still other variations may be made to the exemplary embodiments described herein. For example, the dispensing closure may be provided without a spout portion, without a lid, or without any vent hole.

While various inventive aspects, concepts and features of the inventions may be described and illustrated in connection with the exemplary embodiments, these various aspects, concepts and features may be used in many alternative embodiments, either individually or in various combinations and sub-combinations thereof. All such combinations and sub-combinations herein are intended to be within the scope of the present invention unless explicitly indicated as being excluded. Additionally, various alternative embodiments as to the various aspects, concepts and features of the inventions-such as alternative materials, structures, configurations, methods, alternatives as to form, fit and function, and so on-are described herein, but such descriptions are not intended to be a complete or exhaustive list of available alternative embodiments, whether presently known or later developed. Those skilled in the art may readily adopt one or more of the inventive points, concepts or features into additional embodiments and uses within the scope of the present inventions even if such embodiments are not expressly disclosed herein. Additionally, even though some features, concepts or aspects of the inventions may be described herein as being a preferred arrangement or method, such description is not intended to suggest that such feature is required or necessary unless expressly so stated. Additionally, exemplary or schematic values and ranges may be included to assist in understanding the present disclosure; however, such values and ranges are not to be construed in a limiting sense, and are intended to be critical values or ranges only if so stated. Moreover, while various aspects, features and summaries may be expressly identified herein as being inventive or forming part of an invention, such identification is not intended to be exclusive, but rather there are inventive aspects, summaries and features that are fully described herein and which are not expressly identified as such or as part of a specific invention. Descriptions of exemplary methods or processes are not limited to inclusion of all steps as being required in all cases, nor to the order that the steps are presented to be construed as required or necessary unless expressly so stated. Also, the various features of the dispensing closure described above and claimed below are considered as separate component parts which may serve their function by themselves. It is therefore contemplated that the apparatus and arrangements of the invention may be devised based on the teachings herein with virtually any combination or permutation of any one or more of these individual features, and not necessarily some or all of the other features. It is thus contemplated that substantially any combination or permutation of any one or more of these features may be used to claim arrangements, devices and combinations of devices.

Claims (22)

1. A closure, comprising:

a body having an outer skirt configured to be assembled with a container, a plate extending radially inward from the skirt, and a spout extending from the plate in a direction opposite the skirt, the spout surrounding a central portion of the plate, wherein the central portion of the plate defines at least a first aperture having a leading edge substantially flush with a front portion of the spout and a trailing edge radially spaced from a rear portion of the spout by a portion of the central portion of the plate, wherein at least a portion of the front portion of the spout is inclined with respect to a perpendicular to the plate, wherein the front portion of the spout is arcuate and has a first radius, and the rear portion of the spout is arcuate and has a second radius that is smaller than the first radius; and

a lid movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the lid comprises a protrusion extending from an inner surface of the lid, the protrusion sized to be received in the spout when the lid is in the closed position, wherein the protrusion comprises a radially outer surface forming a fluid seal with a radially inner surface of the spout, and the inner surface of the spout further comprises a groove configured to define at least one channel between the protrusion and the spout when the lid is in the closed position;

wherein the central portion of the plate further defines a second aperture proximate the rear of the spout and a third aperture proximate the second aperture and distal from the first aperture,

wherein the first aperture is a dispensing aperture and the second and third apertures are vent apertures to allow air from outside the container to enter the container when fluid is dispensed out of the container through the dispensing aperture,

wherein the front edge of the distribution hole forms an arc with a center point, the outer edge of the distribution hole and the center point of the arc form a distribution hole included angle, the outermost edges of the second and third holes and the center point of the arc form a vent hole included angle, and the ratio of the distribution hole included angle to the vent hole included angle is 0.8-1.5;

wherein the first, second, and third apertures are coplanar.

2. The closure of claim 1, wherein the front portion of the spout includes an outer protruding lip.

3. The closure of claim 2, wherein the lip extends around a circumference of between 120 ° and 180 ° of the front portion of the spout.

4. The closure of claim 1, wherein the rear portion of the spout includes a convex upper surface.

5. The closure of claim 1, wherein a wall thickness of a rear portion of the spout is greater than a wall thickness of a front portion of the spout.

6. The closure of claim 1, wherein the lid is hingedly connected to the body distal to the first aperture.

7. The closure of claim 1, wherein the first aperture comprises parallel front and rear arcuate edges.

8. A closure, comprising:

a body having an outer skirt configured to be assembled with a container, and a plate extending radially inward from the skirt, a central portion of the plate defining a first aperture and second and third apertures spaced from the first aperture, the second and third apertures each being substantially smaller than the first aperture; and

a lid movable between a closed position covering the first, second and third apertures and an open position uncovering the first, second and third apertures,

wherein the first aperture is a dispensing aperture and the second and third apertures are vent apertures to allow air from outside the container to enter the container when fluid is dispensed out of the container through the dispensing aperture;

the front edge of the distribution hole forms an arc with a central point, the outer edge of the distribution hole and the central point of the arc form a distribution hole included angle, the outermost edges of the second hole and the third hole in rotation form a vent hole included angle with the central point of the arc, and the ratio of the distribution hole included angle to the vent hole included angle is 0.8-1.5;

wherein the first, second, and third apertures are coplanar.

9. The closure of claim 8, wherein the first aperture comprises parallel front and rear arcuate edges.

10. The closure of claim 8, further comprising a spout extending from the panel radially inward of the skirt and in a direction opposite the skirt, the spout surrounding the first, second, and third apertures.

11. The closure of claim 10, wherein the first aperture and the spout are configured such that when the closure is assembled with a container, pouring of a contained fluid from the container is substantially unaffected by a rotationally off-center position of a transverse centerline of the aperture of approximately 45 ° relative to a vertical plane that is substantially perpendicular to a pouring axis of the container.

12. A closure, comprising:

a body having an outer skirt configured to be assembled with a container, a plate extending radially inward of the skirt, and a spout extending from the plate at an angle to a perpendicular to the plate and in an opposite direction from the skirt, the spout surrounding a central portion of the plate, wherein the central portion of the plate defines a first aperture having a leading edge substantially flush with a front portion of the spout and a trailing edge spaced radially from a rear portion of the spout by a portion of the central portion of the plate, and second and third apertures each substantially smaller than the first aperture; and

a lid movable between a closed position covering the first, second and third apertures and an open position uncovering the first, second and third apertures,

wherein the first aperture is a dispensing aperture and the second and third apertures are vent apertures to allow air from outside the container to enter the container when fluid is dispensed out of the container through the dispensing aperture,

wherein the front edge of the distribution hole forms an arc with a center point, the outer edge of the distribution hole and the center point of the arc form a distribution hole included angle, the distribution hole included angle is larger than 90 degrees, the outermost edges of the second hole and the third hole in rotation form vent hole included angles with the center point of the arc, and the ratio of the distribution hole included angle to the vent hole included angle is 0.8-1.5;

wherein the first, second, and third apertures are coplanar;

wherein the lid includes a protrusion extending from an inner surface of the lid, the protrusion sized to be received in the spout when the lid is in the closed position, the protrusion including a radially outer surface that forms a fluid-tight seal with a radially inner surface of the spout, and the inner surface of the spout further including a groove configured to define at least one channel between the protrusion and the spout when the lid is in the closed position.

13. The closure of claim 12, wherein the vent included angle is greater than 90 °.

14. The closure of claim 12, wherein the included angle of the dispensing aperture is at least 120 °.

15. The closure of claim 12, wherein the lid is hingedly connected to the body distal to the first aperture.

16. The closure of claim 12, wherein the first aperture is sized and shaped to limit unpressurized flow of a liquid having a viscosity of 500 brookfield to less than 5 ml/sec.

17. The closure of claim 12, wherein the first aperture is sized and shaped to limit unpressurized flow of a liquid having a viscosity of 140 brookfield to less than 20 ml/sec.

18. The closure of claim 12, wherein the first aperture and the spout are configured such that when the closure is assembled with a container, pouring of a contained fluid from the container is substantially unaffected by a rotationally off-center position of a transverse centerline of the aperture of approximately 30 ° relative to a vertical plane that is substantially perpendicular to a pouring axis of the container.

19. The closure of claim 12, wherein the first aperture and the spout are configured such that when the closure is assembled with a container, pouring of a contained fluid from the container is substantially unaffected by a rotationally off-center position of a transverse centerline of the aperture of approximately 45 ° relative to a vertical plane that is substantially perpendicular to a pouring axis of the container.

20. The closure of claim 12, wherein the first, second and third apertures account for less than half of a total radially extending area within the spout.

21. The closure of claim 12, wherein the first, second and third apertures account for between 25% and 50% of the total radially extending area within the spout.

22. The closure of claim 12, wherein the first aperture is sized and shaped to limit unpressurized flow of a liquid having a viscosity of 140 brookfield to less than 3.5 ml/sec.