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EP-4735346-A1 - FLOW REGULATION INSERT

EP4735346A1EP 4735346 A1EP4735346 A1EP 4735346A1EP-4735346-A1

Abstract

A flow regulation insert (10) for a dispensing closure is provided. The insert comprises a generally cylindrical body including a sidewall (20) closed at one end and open at the other end. The sidewall comprises one or more flow apertures (40), and the body is receivable in a dispensing closure (50).

Inventors

  • BULL, MARTIN
  • MOORMANN, Lukas

Assignees

  • Obrist Closures Switzerland GmbH

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20240627

Claims (15)

  1. 1 . A flow regulation insert for a dispensing closure, the insert comprising a generally cylindrical body including a sidewall closed at one end and open at the other end, the sidewall comprises one or more flow apertures, in which the or each aperture is formed as a window in the sidewall, and in which the body is receivable in a dispensing closure.
  2. 2. An insert as claimed in claim 1 , in which the or each aperture defines a flow path into the interior of the body which is generally orthogonal to a main axis of the body.
  3. 3. An insert as claimed in claim 1 , in which the or each aperture defines a flow path into the interior of the body which is generally parallel to a main axis of the body.
  4. 4. An insert as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the sum of the circumferential extent of the or each aperture is in the range 60° to 90°.
  5. 5. An insert as claimed in any preceding claim comprising three or four apertures.
  6. 6. A closure as claimed in claim 5, in which each aperture extends over 20- 30 degrees of the circumference of the sidewall.
  7. 7. An insert as claimed in any preceding claims wherein said sidewall comprises a lower bucket portion and an upper attachment portion, wherein said upper attachment portion has a larger diameter than the lower bucket portion.
  8. 8. An insert according to claim 7, wherein said sidewall comprises a transition region connecting/between said upper attachment portion and said lower bucket portion and wherein said apertures are formed in this transition region.
  9. 9. An insert as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the body comprises a retention bead.
  10. 10. An insert as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the interior of the sidewall comprises a plurality of axial ribs.
  11. 11. A flow control insert as claimed in any preceding claim in combination with a closure.
  12. 12. A combination as claimed in claim 11 , in which the closure comprises an undercut portion which extends into the open end of the sidewall.
  13. 13. A combination as claimed in claim 11 or claim 12, in which the closure includes a top deck with a dogleg portion that extends into the open end of the insert sidewall.
  14. 14. A combination as claimed in claim 13, in which a spout defining a closure dispensing orifice is connected to the dogleg portion.
  15. 15. A combination as claimed in any of claims 11 to 13 and fitted to a container.

Description

FLOW REGULATION INSERT The present disclosure relates generally to dispensing closures and particularly, although not exclusively, to a flow control device for a dispensing closure. A dispensing closure is one which is typically held in place on, and associated with, the mouth of a container. They have an orifice which is associated with the orifice in the container such that the contents (flowable product) of the container may be dispensed via the orifice in the closure. Such dispensing closures often also comprise a lid which may be hinged to the dispensing closure and which may be formed integrally therewith (known, for example, as a flip-top dispensing closure). The purpose of the lid is often to seal the orifice in the closure so that, in the closed position, no product may be dispensed whether deliberately or accidentally. The present invention provides or relates to improvements in or relating to dispensing. Some aspect and embodiments provide or relate to a flow control device, such as a flow control insert or a flow regulation insert. Some aspects and embodiments provide or relate to a dispensing closure. Some aspects and embodiments provide or relate generally to a closure and particularly, although not exclusively, to a dispensing closure including flow control functionality. An aspect of the present invention provides a flow regulation insert for a dispensing closure, the insert comprising a generally cylindrical body including a sidewall closed at one end and open at the other end, the sidewall comprises one or more flow apertures, and the body is receivable in a dispensing closure. In some embodiments the or each aperture defines a flow path into the interior of the body which is generally orthogonal to a main axis of the body. In some embodiments the or each aperture defines a flow path into the interior of the body which is generally parallel to a main axis of the body. The or each aperture may be formed as a cut-out at the open end of the sidewall. Alternatively the open end of the sidewall may have a closed diameter and the or each aperture may be formed as a window in the sidewall. In some embodiments annular windows (e.g. three) on the insert allow a tortuous path for the product to flow through before reaching the orifice. Embodiments of the present invention can offer a fully recyclable solution, whilst minimising change parts and costs for (e.g. valved closures) and in-feed assembly tracks. The orifice size, insert window channel sizes and number of windows can be altered depending upon the product viscosity. In some embodiments the insert comprises a lower, bucket portion and an upper, attachment portion. A further aspect provides a flow regulation insert for a dispensing closure, the insert comprising a generally cylindrical body including a sidewall closed at one end and open at the other end, the sidewall comprises one or more flow apertures, in which the or each aperture is formed as a window in the sidewall, and in which the body is receivable in a dispensing closure. In some embodiments the sum of the circumferential extent of the or each aperture is in the range 60° to 90°, for example in the range 70° to 80°. The sum of the opening (or overall opening) of the apertures/windows may be from 60 to 90°, preferably 70 to 80° of the sidewall circumference (of the 360°). In other words, if a sectional view is made on a horizontal plane at the level of the windows, 60° to 90° of the sidewall is a hole and 270° to 300° of the sidewall is a wall. The or each aperture may extend over 20-30 degrees of the circumference of the sidewall. For example the or each aperture may extend over approximately 23 degrees or over approximately 26 degrees of the circumference of the sidewall. In some embodiments a plurality of apertures are provided and all apertures have substantially the same circumferential extent; in other embodiments different apertures have different circumferential extents. In some embodiments the insert comprises, or consists of (only), three or four apertures. Each aperture extends over 20-30 degrees of the circumference of the sidewall. The sidewall may comprise a lower bucket portion and an upper attachment portion, wherein the upper attachment portion may have a larger diameter than the lower bucket portion. The sidewall may comprise a transition region connecting/between an upper attachment portion and a lower bucket portion and apertures may be formed in this transition region. Inserts formed in accordance with the present invention may consist of a single piece moulding. Embodiments of the present invention can, for example, be used to replace silicone and thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) valves with a simple, fully recyclable insert that can be fed and assembled using existing assembly equipment to offer the consumer an improved dispensing system (as opposed to an open orifice) whilst being fully recyclable and potentially moulded in post-consumer resin (PCR). In s