ES2562333A2 - Closure with lid and removable membrane - Google Patents

Abstract

A closure (20, 2GA, 2GB) is provided for a system with an opening. The closure (20, 20A, 20B) has a body (24, 24A, 24B) with an outer end (32, 32B) and a through passage (30, 3GB) for communicating with the system opening. The body (24, 24A, 24B) has a membrane (60, 60B) mitially occluding the through passage (30, 30B). The closure (20, 20A, 20B) has a lid (26, 26A. 26B) to accommodate movement relative to the body (24. 24A, 24B) between a closed position restricting access to the through passage (30, 30B) and an open position permitting greater access to the through passage (30, 30B). The body (24, 24A, 24B) fuither has a separation member (70, 7GB) that can be engaged by a user to separate at least a part of the membrane (60, 60B) from the body (24, 24 A. 24B). The separation member (70, 70B) extends away from the membrane (60, 60B) and has a deployed configuration wherein the separation member (70, 70B) projects outwardly beyond the body outer end (32, 32B) when the lid (26, 26A, 26B) is in the open position. The separation member (70. 70B) further has the capability for assuming a stored configuration with the separation member (70, 70B) engaged by the lid (26, 26A, 26B) with the lid (26, 26A, 26B) in the closed position. Resiliency of the separation member (70, 70B) urges the separation member (70, 70B) [iota][iota][omicron][iota][eta] the stored configuration to the deployed configuration when the lid (26, 26A, 26B) is moved from the closed position to the open position.

Description

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SYNTHESIS OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the broad aspects of a form of the present invention, a closure is provided that allows or prevents communication between the exterior and the interior of a system having an opening between the exterior and the interior. The closure includes a body that is either (a) a separate structure that connects to the system in the opening, or (b) a structure shaped as a unitary portion of the system in the opening. The body has at least one outer end and a through passage that extends from the outer end through the body. The body also has a membrane that (a) initially occludes the passage and (b) is initially connected to the rest of the body.

The closure also includes a cover to accommodate its movement in relation to the closing body between (a) a closed position in the closing body that restricts access to the passage and (b) an open position that allows at least greater access to the passage.

The closure body also includes a separation member that a user engages to separate at least part of the membrane from the body. The separation member (1) extends from the membrane, (2) has an unfolded configuration where the separation member protrudes out beyond the outer end of the body when the lid is in the open position, and (3) has the ability to assume a storage configuration with the separation member hooked by the lid with the lid in the closed position and where the resilience of the separation member drives the separation member from the storage configuration to the configuration deployed when the lid moves from the closed position to the open position.

Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention, the claims and the attached figures.

It should be appreciated that the invention may include any or all of the features described above, include only one of the above characteristics, more than one of the above characteristics and any combination of the above characteristics. In addition, other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from a review of the entire specification including any claims and attached figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In the accompanying figures that are part of this specification similar numbers are used to designate similar parts through them.

Figure 1 is an isometric view of a first embodiment of a closure of the present invention shown in a closed condition and is installed in a first system in the form of a flexible sachet.

Figure 2 is an isometric view of a second embodiment of the closure of the present invention shown in a closed condition and is installed in a second system in the form of a resilient bottle.

Figure 3 is an isometric view of the closed closure shown in Figure 1 but Figure 3 shows only the closure with the lid closed before the closure is installed in the flexible sachet.

Figure 4 is a side elevation view of the closed closure shown in Figure 3.

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Figure 5 is an isometric view of the closure shown in Figure 1 but Figure 5 shows only the closure with the lid open in the condition as molded before the lid is closed and the closure is installed in the sachet flexible.

Figure 6 is an isometric view in detail of the closure shown in Figure 5 after a user opened the closure lid and the membrane of the closure body is removed.

Figure 7 is a top plan view of the closure shown in Figure 5 with the lid open and the membrane that initially closes the closure body in a sealed manner.

Figure 8 is a front elevation view of the open lid closure shown in Figure 5.

Figure 9 is a bottom view of the open lid closure shown in Figure 5.

Figure 10 is a sectional view of the open lid closure shown in Figure 7 along plane 10-10 of Figure 7.

Figure 11 is a very enlarged partial sectional view of the area within the circle labeled Fig. 11 in Figure 10.

Figure 12 is a sectional view of the open lid closure shown in Figure 7 along plane 12-12 of Figure 7.

Figure 13 is a sectional view that is similar to the view in Figure 12 but where the closure cover is shown in the closed position.

Figure 14 is an isometric view of a third embodiment of a closure of the present invention shown with the lid open in the condition as molded.

Figure 15 is a side elevation view of the closure shown in Figure 14.

Figure 16 is a side elevation view of the closure shown in Figure 14 but

Figure 16 shows the membrane removed from the closure body.

Figure 17 is a top plan view of the closure shown in Figure 14.

Figure 18 is a sectional view of the closure of Figure 17 along plane 18-18 of the

Figure 17

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

While this invention is capable of being performed in numerous different ways, this specification and the accompanying figures describe only some specific forms as examples of the invention. It is not intended that the invention be limited to the embodiments described herein and the scope of the invention will be set forth in the appended claims.

To facilitate the description, numerous figures illustrating the invention show embodiments in the typical orientation that the closure will have in the opening of a system in the form of a container in a vertical position and terms such as upper, lower, horizontal, etc. They are used with reference to this orientation. However, it is understood that the closure of this invention can be manufactured, stored, transported, used and sold in a different orientation than the orientations described.

The closure of this invention is suitable for use with a variety of conventional or special systems whose details, although not fully illustrated or described, will be apparent to those skilled in the art and with an understanding of such systems. The particular systems, by themselves, which are illustrated and described herein are not part and therefore

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both do not intend to limit the present invention. Experts will also understand that innovative and non-obvious inventive aspects are incorporated only in the exemplary closures described.

The closure is especially suitable for use in a system that is a contention system that contains a material or a substance in the form of a product (for example, an edible substance or a lotion) that can be dispensed or otherwise extracted. of the system through the open closure. The product can be, for example, a flowing material such as liquid, cream, powder, suspension or paste. If the system is a container and if the container and the closure are large enough, then the product can also be discrete portions of material (for example, food products such as nuts, candies, crackers, sweet cookies, etc. or non-products foodstuffs that include numerous articles, particles, granules, etc.) that can be removed through a manually opened closure of a container or spoon-lifted from a container or poured out of a container. Such materials may be, for example, a food product, a personal care product, an industrial product, a household product or other types of products. Such materials may be for internal or external use in humans or animals or for other uses (for example, activities related to medicine, manufacturing, commercial or domestic maintenance, construction, agriculture, etc.).

A first embodiment of a closure of the present invention is illustrated in Figures 1 and 3-13 wherein the closure is generally designated by reference number 20. In the first embodiment illustrated, closure 20 is provided. in the form of a separate closure that is adapted to connect to a system in the form of a containment system that typically contains a content such as a product or products consisting of articles or flowing material.

The system can be a containment system such as a foldable and flexible sachet or it can be a substantially rigid container (which can have somewhat flexible resilient walls), such as a bottle or tank. Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the closure 20 connected to a containment system that is a folding and flexible sachet 22. The system may be some other system that may include or be part of, for example, a medical device, a Processing machine, a dispenser, the deposit in a machine, etc., where the system has an opening into the system.

Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of the closure 20A (described in detail below) in a containment system that is a substantially rigid container 22A. The second embodiment of the closure 20A is identical to the first embodiment of the closure 20, except that the second embodiment of the closure 20A has a closure body base (not visible in Figure 2) that is adapted to engage with substantially rigid container 22A (as described in detail below) and which in general is known to an expert in the art of design and the manufacture of closures.

If the system is a containment system such as a container, then the containment system or a portion thereof can be made of a material suitable for the desired application (for example, a thin and flexible material for a sachet where such material it can be a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film or a polyethylene film and / or an aluminum foil or a thicker and less flexible material such as polyethylene or molded polypropylene for a stiffer container such as a bottle).

In applications where the closure is installed in a container such as a bottle or sachet, it is typically contemplated that after the closure manufacturer produces the closure (for example, by molding the closure 20 or 20A from a thermoplastic polymer) , then the closure manufacturer sends the closure to a container filling facility at another location where the container is either manufactured or otherwise provided and where the container is filled with a product. If the container is a folding sachet, then the closure may include an appropriate accessory portion that can be connected to the sachet when the sachet is produced and filled or when the sachet is produced but before the sachet is subsequently filled

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through the open closure or through open regions of the sachet walls that are subsequently sealed.

In the illustrated embodiments, the closure 20 or 20A (as well as a third embodiment of the closure 20B described hereinafter) is provided as a separately manufactured article, component or unit that is detachably connected. (for example, it is mounted or installed) in a system in the form of a contention system defined by a sachet or bottle. However, it will be appreciated that in some applications (not illustrated) it may be desirable that the closure be connected to a system in a manner that allows a user to remove the closure from the system. In addition, it may be desirable that the closure (or at least the body of the closure) be formed as a unitary part or extension of the system (for example, a bottle) where such a unitary part or extension also (i.e., simultaneously) defines a system end structure by itself.

The illustrated embodiments of the closure when initially formed separately from the containment system, are adapted to be connected with a containment system in an opening that provides access to the interior of the container and the contents (for example, a product contained in the same) after a portion of the closure is opened as described below.

The system itself, such as a bottle, sachet or other containment system by itself is not part of the broader aspects of the present invention by itself. The containment system or other system may have any appropriate configuration.

When the system is a bottle, the bottle typically includes an upper end portion or other appropriate structure somewhere in the bottle that defines the mouth or opening of the bottle and such an upper end portion of the bottle typically has a section configuration. transverse with which the closure (for example, closure 20A of Figure 2) is adapted to engage. The main body portion of the bottle may have another cross-sectional configuration that differs from the cross-sectional configuration of the upper end portion of the bottle in the opening of the bottle. On the other hand, the bottle can have a substantially uniform shape along its entire length or height without a portion of reduced size or different cross-section. The bottle may have a substantially rigid and slightly flexible wall or walls that can be held by the user.

The particular embodiment of the closure 20A illustrated in Figure 2 is especially suitable for use with a container that is a bottle that has a substantially flexible wall or walls that the user can compress or divert laterally inward to increase internal pressure. inside the container in order to force the product out of the container and through the open closure. In a bottle with flexible wall or walls, such flexible wall or walls typically have sufficient inherent resilience so that when compression forces are removed, the vessel walls return to normal form without tension.

In other applications it may be desirable to employ a substantially rigid container and pressurize the interior of the container in selected periods with a piston or other pressurization system or reduce the external ambient pressure in order to extract the material through the open closure.

On the other hand, if the closure has an appropriately large passage or access opening that can be opened to communicate with the containment system, then such closure can be used in a rigid container from which the content can be accessed ( for example, the product) through the open closure and withdraw the contents by pouring or removing the contents with a spoon or extracting the contents manually or with an instrument, etc.

In other applications, the content can be added to the contention system through the open closure.

In still other applications for use with a system that may be a product containment system or other type of system, the closure may function to allow or prevent the exit or entry of the ambient atmosphere or other substances in relation to the system in which the closure is installed.

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In the first embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 3-13, the closure 20 includes a closure body 24, a cover 26 and a connection structure in the form of an articulation 28 connecting the body 24 and the cover 26 (as best seen in Figures 3, 4, and 5). The closure body 24, the cover 26 and the articulation 28 are preferably molded as a unitary structure from an appropriate thermoplastic material, such as polyethylene, polypropylene or the like. In a presently preferred form of the closure 20, the body 24, the cover 26 and the joint 28 are molded together as a unitary structure from linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE). Other materials may be used instead.

The articulation 28 may be of any appropriate type. One form of a joint that can be used is the quick action type joint over the center. Other types of joints can be used. In some applications, the joint can be omitted completely and the cover does not have to be connected as a unitary part of the closure body. In alternative embodiments (not illustrated), the cover 26 can be a separate component that is adapted to be installed and completely removed from the closing body 22 or the cover 26 can be fixed in the closing body 24 with a band.

In the first illustrated embodiment of the closure 20, the cover 26 accommodates its movement in relation to the body 24 between (a) a closed position in the body (as shown in Figures 3 and 4) and (b) a open position (Figure 5) which, as shown in Figure 10, allows greater access to a through passage 30 in the body 24.

The manufacturer molds the closure 20 with the cover 26 in an open position. Next, the manufacturer brings the lid 26 to the closed position. Typically, the closed closure 20 is then sent to a sack maker and the sack maker installs the closure 20 in the sachet 22. The sachet 22 may already be filled with the product or the closure 20 may be installed in an empty sachet 22 which is subsequently filled with the product through an open bottom end of the sachet 22 which is then sealed sealed.

It is currently contemplated that most of the sachets manufacturers prefer to install the closure 20 in the sachet 22 with hot stamping techniques or ultrasonic sealing techniques (and the majority of the bottlers prefer to install the second embodiment of the closure 20A, such as shown in Figure 2, in a bottle 22A with the closure 20A properly configured for a snap fit or threaded joint as explained below). In an alternative installation process, closure 20 or 20A can be installed in the contention system (for example, sachet 22 or bottle 22A, respectively) with adhesive. The second embodiment of the closure 22A may have a body 24A with various configurations and connection characteristics (not visible in Figure 2) that are particularly useful for a container that has semi-rigid resilient walls or that has rigid walls. For example, the closure body 24A may have a cylindrical portion with a thread for threadedly engaging a coupling thread of the container 22A (Figure 2). Alternatively, the closure 20A and the container 22A may be provided with a fitting with appropriate pressure adjustment that resists the removal of the closure 20A by a user of the package. In addition, other means for providing a substantially non-separable or separable connection of closure 20 or 20A with the container are considered. These means may include the use of an appropriate mechanical locking system, friction welding of the closure with the container, etc.

The first illustrated embodiment of the closure 20 has a closure body 24 with an initially occluded through passage 30 and an external end 32 as best seen in Figure 10, which is a sectional view substantially along the plane 10- 10 of Figure 7. The through passage 30 extends from the outer end 32 through the body 24. The through passage 30 (when opened, as described below) communicates with an opening of the containment or sachet system 22 to allow the contents inside the sachet 22 to be removed or the sachet 22 to be added or filled with a substance or other substances to enter or exit.

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As best seen in Figure 10, the closure body 24 preferably includes a base 40 from which a nozzle 42 protrudes outward. The through passage 30 extends through both the base 40 and the nozzle 42. You will appreciate that the closure body 24 can take a variety of forms and does not need at all to have a discernible nozzle or base. In addition, it is understood that the through passage 30 and the nozzle 42 need not have circular cross sections as shown. The interior of the passage 30 and / or the nozzle 42 may be elliptical, polygonal or some irregular shape.

As best seen in Figure 10, the first illustrated embodiment of the closure 20 has a nozzle 42 that includes a lower portion 44 that has a lower inner surface 46 defined by a first circumference of the through passage 30. The nozzle 42 further includes an upper portion 48 having an upper inner surface 50 defined by a second (smaller) circumference of the through passage 30 (Figure 10). It can also be seen that the first circumference of the passing passage 30 need not be greater than the second circumference of the passing passage 30.

As best seen in Figures 3, 9, and 12, the closure body 24 may also have an optional alignment feature 52 to align the body 24 in relation to the contention or sachet system 22 during the installation of the closure 20 with the sachet 22. The alignment feature 52 is designed to interface with a coupling alignment portion of the installation system (not illustrated) which may be of a conventional or special appropriate design. While the alignment feature 52 is shown as a square groove that runs through the closure body 24 in the preferred embodiment, the alignment feature 52 may instead have a variety of geometries, such as a rounded groove or a polygonal groove In addition, the alignment feature may be provided in such a way that it does not run through the entire length of the closure body and may be one or more discrete cavities within the closure body (which are not illustrated). The alignment feature 52 does not have to be provided on a particular surface of the closure body.

In the past, with situations involving a package that includes a closure in a sachet, it was found that if the closure body is subjected to a torque in relation to the sachet, then it may increase the risk that the lower part of the closure body pierce the sachet. The alignment feature 52 illustrated in Figures 3, 9, and 12 may reduce the risk of the closure body 24 piercing the sachet 22. The alignment feature 52 described above may function to define a bevel or trim in order to minimize the probability that the lower corner of the body 24 pierces the sachet 22 with the application of a torque to the closing body 24.

The closure body 24 has a membrane 60 as best seen in Figures 5 and 10. The membrane 60 is initially connected to the closure body 24 to initially occlude the through passage 30 (Figure 10). The membrane 60 is connected with the rest of the closure body 24 on the upper inner surface 50 of the upper portion 48 of the nozzle 42 (as best seen in Figure 10). However, it will be understood that the membrane 60 may alternatively be connected with the closure body 24 on the lower inner surface 46 of the lower portion 44 of the nozzle 42. Alternatively, the membrane may also be provided on the base 40 of the closing body 24 to occlude the through passage 30.

The membrane 60 includes a peripheral portion 62 that connects with the upper inner surface 50 of the nozzle (Figure 11). In the presently preferred form of the first embodiment of the closure 20 illustrated in Figures 1 and 3-13, the peripheral portion 62 is a weakened area or region. The illustrated preferred form of the weakened area is a region of reduced thickness in the cross section compared to a portion laterally inward of the membrane 60 (as best seen in Figure 11). When a user of the closure 20 separates the membrane 60 from the closure body 24 (as described below), the weakened area allows the user to use a smaller force to remove the membrane 60 from the body 24. After the user separates the membrane 60 of the closing body 24, there may be a small

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remnant (not illustrated) of the peripheral portion 62 that remains connected to the body 24, while most of the membrane 60 is kept intact and separated from the closure body 24. In addition, other means for providing a portion are provided peripheral 62 with a weakened area. These means may include the use of a residual internal tension for the weakening of the material by subjecting the peripheral portion 62 to dynamic tension, die cutting, chemical attack or chemical treatment of the peripheral portion 62 to create the weakened area.

In the preferred arrangement as best illustrated in Figures 5, 10, and 12, the membrane 60 has an injection projection 63 extending outwardly of the membrane 60 at a substantially central location. Injection projection 63 defines the region in which the polymeric resin is injected into the mold. The central location of the injection projection 63 reduces the possibility of irregular filling of the peripheral portion 62 of the membrane 60 during injection molding of the closure 20. An irregular filling may result in gaps or perforations in the thin peripheral portion 62. By placing the injection projection 63 in the center of the membrane 60 or near it accommodates the symmetrical plastic flow of the projection 63 in the rest of the membrane 60 and through the peripheral portion 62 in the closure body 24. However , it will be understood that in the broadest terms of the present invention, the membrane 60 does not need to have an injection boss 63 located in the center of the membrane 60 or does not even need to have an injection boss 63.

The thickness of the membrane 60 increases laterally into the peripheral portion 62. In the preferred arrangement illustrated in Figure 11, the membrane 60 has a surface 64 that tilts in the opposite direction to the peripheral portion 62 and inwards of the system. This arrangement helps to concentrate the tension in the peripheral portion 62 in order to allow a user to separate the membrane 60 more easily from the closure body 24. It will be appreciated that in the broadest terms of the present invention, the membrane 60 does not it needs to have a surface 64 that extends inwards, into the system. For example, in some applications, the lower surfaces (i.e., the inner surfaces) of the peripheral portion 62 and the rest of the membrane 60 may be coplanar and the increase in the thickness of the membrane 60 may instead be projected upwards (it is say, out) and be taller than the peripheral portion 62.

The first illustrated embodiment of the closure 20 has a separation member 70 (Figures 5 and 10) extending from the membrane 60. The separation member 70 is designed for a user to engage in order to separate at least one part of the membrane 60 of the closure body 24 (as shown in Figure 6) and as explained below. Complete or partial removal of the membrane 60 may indicate to a subsequent user that at least a portion of the closure was violated. Therefore, the closure can function as a tamper-proof closure.

The separation member 70 has an unfolded configuration where the separation member 70 projects outwardly beyond the outer end 32 of the body when the cover 26 is in the open position (as shown in Figures 10 and 12). The separation member 70 also has the ability to assume a storage configuration with the separation member 70 engaged by the lid 26 when the lid 26 is in the closed position (as shown in Figure 13). The resilience of the separation member 70 drives the separation member 70 from the storage configuration to the configuration deployed when the lid 26 is brought from the closed position to the open position (as shown in Figure 12).

The closure 20 is initially molded with the lid 26 open and the separation member 70 in a "as molded" configuration that protrudes outward. Next, the lid 26 is closed to engage the upper part of the separation member 70 and force it to take the storage configuration (Figure 13). The closure 24 with the lid 26 closed can then be installed in a system, such as, for example, the sachet 22 (Figure 1). Subsequently, a user can open the lid 26 to expose the separation member 70 so that the inherent resilience of the separation member 70 causes the member 70 to move from the storage configuration to the deployed configuration.

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When the lid 26 returns to the open position, the separation member 70 may return either partially or completely to the deployed configuration. The deployed configuration may or may not be exactly the same as the configuration as the initial molding of the separation member 70 depending on whether the molded material has some permanent "stiffening" or deformation (inelastic). In the storage configuration, the separation member 70 has at least some elastic deformation. The behavior of the separation member 70 can be selectively adjusted by means of the choice of material, the amount of deformation of the storage configuration, the temporal length of the deformation in the storage configuration, environmental factors and even the use of an optional design that would provide an interaction of the traction force with an optional capture structure of the cover 26 (not shown).

The separation member 70 in the first illustrated embodiment of the closure 20 as best seen in Figure 10, includes a rod 72 extending outwardly from the membrane 60. The separation member 70 also includes a holding portion 74 extending laterally from the rod 72 (Figure 6). In the first embodiment of the closure illustrated in Figure 5, the lower end or base of the rod 72 has an arcuate curvature along the membrane 60. However, it will be appreciated that the rod 72 can be provided in a variety of configurations and extends from membrane 60 in a variety of configurations.

By providing the separation member 70 in the form of a rod 72 and a holding portion 74, a user can hold and remove the membrane 60 more easily. However, it will be understood that in the broadest terms of the present invention, the separation member 70 does not need to have a discernible rod 72 or a clamping portion 74. The separation member 70 may have any appropriate geometry that will allow a user to separate the membrane 60 from the closure body 24 by taking the separation member 70 between the user's thumb and finger or by taking it or hooking it with a tool.

As best seen in Figure 12, the radially oriented side out of the rod 72 protrudes from the bottom to define a lower end with rope 75 that has a greater thickness in the membrane 60 adjacent to the peripheral portion 62. This increase of the thickness helps to concentrate the tension in the peripheral portion 62 to allow a user to separate the membrane 60 more easily from the closure body 24. It will be appreciated that in the broadest terms of the present invention, the rod 72 need not have a greater thickness in the membrane 60 and in some applications may not have a change in thickness or may even have a decreased thickness in the membrane 60.

The first illustrated embodiment of the closure 20 has a fastener portion 74 with an arcuate configuration (as shown in Figure 5). It will be appreciated that the holding portion 74 can be provided in a variety of ways, such as an arc that is not symmetrical with respect to the rod 72 or an arc with a greater or lesser length or an arc of greater or lesser thickness than the one shown in Figure 5. On the other hand, the fastening portion 74 may take the form of a shape other than an arch, such as a ring, polygon or other protruding member suitable for being engaged by a user of the closure.

The fastening portion 74 having the shape of an arc in the first embodiment illustrated in Figure 5 has advantages such as providing a reduced height of the storage configuration of the separation member 70 and providing a reduced loading force in the Separation member 70 in the storage configuration. In addition, regardless of the shape of the holding portion 74, the ability of the separation member 70 to assume the storage configuration (Figure 13) allows the manufacturer to employ a high easily clamped rod 72 in the deployed configuration even when it can be done shorter to the lid 26. This decrease in the height of the lid 26 saves material and reduces the total size of the closure 20.

The second embodiment of the closure 20A shown in the contention system or bottle 22A of Figure 2 has a cover 26A connected to a body 24A. The base of the body 24A is configured to be installed in the neck of the container 22A. The top of the

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base 24A and overlapping cover 26A have the same configuration and function in the same manner as the corresponding structures in the first embodiment of the closure 20 described above with reference to Figures 1 and 3-13.

A third embodiment of the closure 20B is illustrated in Figures 14-18 and is substantially similar to the first embodiment of the closure 20 described above with reference to Figures 1 and 3-13. It is understood that the third embodiment It is not limited to any particular system and can be modified for incorporation into various systems including the contention system 22A (shown in Figure 2) which is substantially a rigid bottle.

The closure 20B is similar and operates in a manner similar to the first embodiment of the closure 20 described above with reference to Figures 1 and 3-13. The elements of the third embodiment of the closure 20B that are identically or functionally analog those of the first embodiment of the closure 20 are designated with reference numbers identical to those used in the first embodiment with the exception that the reference numbers of the third embodiment are followed by the capital letter B while that the reference numbers of the first embodiment are not followed by a letter.

The third embodiment of the closure 20B includes a body 24B, a cover 26B and an articulation 28B. The body 24B includes (1) a base 40B with a feature or alignment groove 52B, and (2) a nozzle 42B with an outer end 32B. A through passage 30B extends through the body 24B from the outer end 32B. Body 24B includes a membrane 60B that connects through passage 30B with a peripheral portion 62B. An injection projection 63B and a separation member 70B protrude upward from the membrane 60B. The separation member 70B includes a rod 72B and a holding portion 74B.

The third embodiment of the closure 20B differs mainly from the first embodiment of the closure 20 in that the third embodiment of the closure 20B has a different structure from the holding portion 74B of the separation member 70B (Figure 16). The different structure of the fastener portion 74B can provide certain desirable characteristics and facilitate fabrication. In other aspects, the third embodiment of the closure 20B functions in the same manner as the first embodiment of the closure 20 described above.

With reference to Figures 14 and 16, the closure 20B has a fastening portion 74B with the configuration of a partial spiral. It will be appreciated that the holding portion 74B can be provided in a variety of ways, such as a partial spiral with a different shape following the same path, a partial spiral with a longer or shorter length, a partial spiral with a greater or smaller pitch or a partial spiral of greater or lesser thickness than that shown in Figures 14 and 16.

The holding portion 74B of the third embodiment of the closure 20B, which has the form of a partial spiral has advantages such as, for example, contributing to a reduced storage height of the separation member 70B and a reduced loading force on the separation member in the storage configuration. With a reduced storage height of the separation member 70B, the lid 26B may be provided with a reduced height that thereby reduces the material used in the closure 20B and reduces the overall size of the closure 20B.

As best seen in Figures 16 and 17, the holding portion 74B of the third embodiment may also have one or more cavities 76B to assist a user in holding. While each cavity 76B shown in the third embodiment illustrated is in the form of a groove through the holding portion 70B, it will be appreciated that each cavity 76B may have a different geometry, such as an arcuate or polygonal groove and It can be provided with a variable depth. Although not illustrated, it will be appreciated that similar cavities may be provided in the holding portion 74 of the first embodiment of the closure 20 described above with reference to Figures 1 and 3-13.

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As best seen in Figures 16 and 17, the fastener portion 74B may be provided in addition to one or more protrusions 78B to assist a user in the restraint. While each protrusion 78B shown in the third embodiment illustrated is in the form of a partial toroid on the clamping portion 70B, it will be appreciated that each protrusion 78B may have different geometries, such as a raised polygon or a molded texture and It can be provided with varying heights. It will also be appreciated that similar protuberances can be provided in the holding portion 74 of the first embodiment of the closure 20.

The deployment height of the third embodiment of the separation member 70B (Figure 18) above the nozzle end 32B of the body is less than the deployment height of the separation member 70 of the first embodiment (Figure 12) above the nozzle end 32 of the body. However, a user can still easily hold the separation member 70B of the third embodiment. The lower deployment height of the separation member 70B of the third embodiment may provide a lower height of the separation member 70B in the storage configuration when the lid 26B is closed (not illustrated). The reduced height of the separation member 70B in the storage configuration allows a reduced height of the body 24B and a reduced height of the lid 26B. Therefore, the outer end 32B of the body 24B (which includes any nozzle) may extend a shorter distance from the body 24B and the through passage 30B may extend a shorter distance through the body 24B. The configuration of the separation member 70B of the third embodiment of the closure 20B is such that the cover 26B imparts a force on the separation member 70B when the separation member 70B is stored in the storage configuration. The force imparted by the lid 26B on the separation member 70B in the storage configuration may be less than the force imparted by the lid 26 on the separation member 70 of the first embodiment of the closure 20.

It will also be appreciated that the closure 20, 20A and 20B may be provided with a variety of configurations and / or structures of the dispensing passage.

From the previous detailed description of the invention and the illustrations thereof, it is easily observed that numerous other variations and modifications can be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concepts or principles of this invention.

5

10

fifteen

twenty

25

30

35

40

Four. Five

fifty

1. A closure (20, 20A, 20B) that can selectively allow or prevent communication between the exterior and interior of a system that has an opening between the exterior and the interior, CHARACTERIZED BECAUSE said closure (20, 20A, 20B) understands:

(A) a closing body (24, 24A, 24B) which is either (a) a separate structure that connects to said system in said opening or (b) a structure formed as a unitary portion of said system in said opening and wherein said body (24, 24A, 24B) has

(1) an external end (32, 32B) and a through passage (30, 30B) extending from said external end (32, 32B) through said body (24, 24A, 24B), and

(2) a membrane (60, 60B) that (a) initially occludes said passage (30, 30B), and (b) is initially connected to the rest of said body (24, 24A, 24B), and

(B) a cover (26, 26B) that accommodates its movement in relation to said body (24, 24A, 24B) between (a) a closed position on said body (24, 24A, 24B) that restricts access to said passage (30, 30B), and (b) an open position that allows at least greater access to said passage (30, 30B), where

said body (24, 24A, 24B) also includes a separation member (70, 70B) that a user engages to separate at least a part of said membrane (60, 60B) from said body (24, 24A, 24B), where said separation member (70, 70B) (1) extending from said membrane (60, 60B), (2) has an unfolded configuration wherein said separation member (70, 70B) protrudes outward beyond said end external (32, 32B) of the body when said lid (26, 26B) is in said open position, and (3) has the ability to assume a storage configuration with said separation member (70, 70B) engaged by said lid ( 26, 26B) with said cover (26, 26B) in said closed position and where the resilience of said separation member (70, 70B) drives said separation member (70, 70B) from said storage configuration to said configuration deployed when said cover (26, 26B) moves from said closed position to said open position.

2. The closure (20, 20A, 20B) according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED BECAUSE it is used with a system that includes a container (22, 22A) defining said opening and wherein said body (24, 24A, 24B) it is initially separated but connected in a non-separable manner with said container (22, 22A) in said opening.

3. The closure (20, 20B) according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED BECAUSE it is used with a system that is a flexible sachet (22) defining said opening and wherein part of said body (24, 24B) is an accessory adapted to securely seal it on said flexible sachet (22) in said opening.

4. The closure (20, 20A, 20B) according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED BECAUSE said body (24, 24A, 24B) includes

a base (40, 40B) and

a nozzle (42, 42B) protruding out of said base (40, 40B), and said through passage (30, 30B) extends through both, said base (40, 40B) and said nozzle (42, 42B ).

5. The closure (20, 20A, 20B) according to claim 4, CHARACTERIZED BECAUSE said membrane (60, 60B) is located within said nozzle (42, 42B).

6. The closure (20, 20A, 20B) according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED BECAUSE said cover (26, 26B) is connected to said body (24, 24A, 24B) by at least one connecting element (28, 28B ).

Claims (11)

5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 35 7. The closure (20, 20A, 20B) according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED BECAUSE said separation member (70, 70B) includes (1) a rod (72, 72B) extending outwardly of said membrane (60 , 60B), and (2) a holding portion (74, 74B) that extends laterally from said rod (72, 72B). 8. The closure (20, 20A, 20B) according to claim 7, CHARACTERIZED BECAUSE said holding portion (74, 74B) also has (1) at least one cavity (76, 76B) to assist a user in holding, and (2) at least one protuberance (78, 78B) to assist said user in securing. 9. The closure (20, 20A) according to claim 7, CHARACTERIZED BECAUSE said holding portion (74) has an arcuate configuration. 10. The closure (20A, 20B) according to claim 7, CHARACTERIZED BECAUSE said holding portion (74B) has the configuration of a partial spiral. 11. The closure (20, 20A, 20B) according to claim 7, CHARACTERIZED BECAUSE said rod (72, 72B) has a greater thickness in said membrane (60, 60B). 12. The closure (20, 20A, 20B) according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED BECAUSE said body (24, 24A, 24B) also has an alignment feature (52, 52B) to align said body (24, 24A, 24B ) in relation to said system during installation in said system. 13. The closure (20, 20A, 20B) according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED BECAUSE said membrane (60, 60B) includes a peripheral portion laterally outward (62, 62B) which is connected to said body (24, 24A, 24B) closing. 14. The closure (20, 20A, 20B) according to claim 13, CHARACTERIZED BECAUSE said peripheral portion (62, 62B) is a weakened area of reduced thickness in the cross section of said membrane (60, 60B). 15. The closure (20, 20A, 20B) according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED BECAUSE said storage configuration is an elastically deformed configuration. 16. The closure (20, 20A, 20B) according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED BECAUSE said membrane (60, 60B) includes an injection projection (63, 63B) extending outwardly of said membrane (60, 60B) . image 1