AU2006200223B2

AU2006200223B2 - Dispensing closure

Info

Publication number: AU2006200223B2
Application number: AU2006200223A
Authority: AU
Inventors: John Irwin
Original assignee: Irwin Packaging Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Irwin Packaging Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2005-01-19
Filing date: 2006-01-19
Publication date: 2012-08-02
Anticipated expiration: 2026-01-19
Also published as: AU2006200223A1

Abstract

P.\WPDOC L.NMpe cisp sing Co Complet.doc-19/01/06 - 14 5 According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a dispensing closure suitable for dispensing contents of a container, the dispensing closure in use being mounted across or on an opening of the container and including: a first closure member which includes a primary dispensing aperture; a second closure member associated with the first closure member and rotatable relative thereto, the second closure member 10 including one or more secondary dispensing apertures, the or each of which are adapted to dispense the contents of the container when the first and second closure members are moved relative to one another so that the primary and secondary dispensing apertures are aligned, the first and second closure members relatively rotatable about a hub disposed at a periphery of the secondary and primary closure members. 'I X A. -t- -- -- - - 118 - ...n 152

Description

C.\NRPonbl\DCC\CAB\4464557_1 DOC-17A7/2012 - I DISPENSING CLOSURE Field of the Invention [00011 The present invention relates generally to dispensing closures for use with containers which contain dispensable materials. The dispensable materials include for example granulated material such as salt, pepper, cheese, spices, toner, sugar, and the like. Background to the Invention [00021 It is known to provide closures suitable for dispensing granulated contents from containers. However, with some closures there is associated uncertainty relating to whether the contents have been tampered with. Others do not allow smooth control over the dispensing of a broad range of granulated sizes of contents. Still others do have moving parts which are not securely fastened to one another which reduces security of contents by inviting transport damage and vandalism. Humidity sometimes causes aggregation of granules in differing ways so as to provide many different sizes of aggregate, making it difficult to pour. Other known dispensing closures do not allow the flexibility of allowing spoon access to contents of containers. [00031 The present invention seeks to alleviate one or more of the abovementioned disadvantages. Summary of the Invention [00041 According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a dispensing closure, including: a lid with an annular lip to engage a container and a circular central section with a frangible portion covering an access opening, the lid having a raised rim to allow for another container to be stacked on top; and a rotatable cap positioned over the central section; wherein the lid has a recessed groove between the rim and the central section and the cap has a skirt with an annular bead that fits into the groove so that the C \RPorbISDCC\CAB\4464557_I DOC-17)7/12012 -2 bead is received in a relief profile of the groove in order to lock the cap to the lid, whilst permitting relative rotation; and wherein the cap is divided into sectors that are arranged to be dialled into alignment with the access opening, as required, the sectors being separated by radial ribs that are raised to facilitate hand rotation of the cap, with one sector having teardrop shaped holes to allow sprinkling of the contents of the container and another sector having a large dimension aperture to accommodate a spoon to access the contents of the container. [0005] Preferably, the dispensing closure of as defined in the first aspect, wherein the large dimension aperture extends from a centre of the cap at an angle in the order of at least 110 degrees, toward to a periphery of the cap. 100061 Preferably, the bead and relief profile are arranged for snap-fit connection. 100071 Preferably, the teardrop shaped holes are each radially arranged in the sector, with each hole being formed with an inner portion of smaller dimension than an outer portion located closer to a periphery of the cap, so as to facilitate control over sprinkling of differing sizes of granule through the or each hole. 100081 Preferably, a detent means is provided in order to cause the cap to dwell and be retained in a selected position relative to the lid, the detent means being projections and corresponding recesses on facing surfaces of the cap and lid. [0009] Preferably, the detent means includes a single projection and three recesses are provided to provide for a spoon access dwell, sprinkling dwell, and closed dwell. [00101 Preferably, six projections and recesses are provided for providing partial pour, partial sprinkle and a pour/sprinkle mix. 100111 Preferably the frangible portion is in the form of a membrane adapted to be held in an open position by a tab on a hinge line of the membrane. In one preferred embodiment, when the membrane is pressed into the container, the tab extends into the C QRPorbl\CC\CABW464557_ I DOC-1707/2012 -3 plane of the second closure member, causing it to deform and retain the membrane in an open position. The membrane may then be held out of the dispensing path. 100121 The dispensing closure is arranged so that the contents must pass through the primary aperture in the first closure member in order to be dispensed. Therefore, if the frangible membrane appears intact, a customer may be more confident that the container has not been tampered with. Thus, an increased degree of tamper evidence is maintained in part by having a hub which does not provide an aperture into the container. Brief Description of the Drawings 10013] In order to enable a clearer understanding of the present invention, preferred embodiments will hereinafter be described with reference to the attached drawings, and in those drawings: Figure 1 is a plan view of a component of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, being a secondary closure member having secondary dispensing apertures passing therethrough; Figure 2 is a plan view of a component of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, being a primary closure member having primary dispensing apertures passing through when opened; Figure 3 is a part side elevation section view of the component shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a side elevation and detail view of the component shown in Figure 2; Figure 5 is a plan view of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 is a sectioned side elevation view of the embodiment shown in Figure 5; C \NRPorbI\DCC\CAB464557_ I DOC.17/07/2012 -4 Figure 7 is a section detail view of a hub of the embodiment shown in Figures 5 and 6; Figure 8 is a section detail view of a periphery of the embodiment shown in Figures 5 - 7; Figure 9 is a section detail view of an aperture in a second closure member in the second preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 10 is a section detail view of a detent means between first and second closure members in the second preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure I1 is a plan view of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention having a frangible membrane with a tab disposed adjacent a hingeline so that the tab distends a second closure member and thereby holds the frangible membrane in an open position; Figure 12 is a plan view of a component of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, being a secondary closure member having teardrop-shaped sprinkling apertures; Figure 13 is a detail view of the sprinkling apertures of Figure 12; and Figure 14 is a section view of the sprinkling apertures of Figures 12 and 13. Description of Preferred Embodiments [00141 Referring to Figures 1 - 4 there is shown a first embodiment of dispensing closure suitable for controlling flow of dispensable granular contents from a container. An assembled closure is not shown, however, each component of the closure is shown separately in each Figure.

C :URPortbi\DCCCAB\44645S7_ .DOC-17/07/2012 -5 [0015] A lid, hereinafter referred to as a first closure member 12, is shown in Figures 2 and 4. The first closure member 12 includes an annular lip or engaging portion 50 which is adapted to engage with an opening end of a container (not shown). Ridges 52 increase friction between the first closure member 12 and the container opening end, by lightly interfering with, pressing into and deforming the container end to anchor the first closure member 12 into position. [00161 An access opening, hereinafter referred to as a primary dispensing aperture 16, is provided which in this embodiment is in the shape of a sector 20, extending from an annular lip region on a periphery of the primary closure member 12, across a circular central section of the primary closure member 12. The sector 20 can be removed so as to facilitate spoon access to the container. The angle subtended by the sector in this embodiment is approximately 1100 (though it may be of course up to approximately 1800) so as to provide a boxy opening, suitable for spoons to pass through and obtain contents. The sector 20 is preferably in the form of a frangible portion 17 provided to seal the aperture 16 before first use. The frangible portion 17 is adapted to be broken away and hinges inwards on a stem 19 when pressed. The stem 19 retains the frangible portion after opening so that it does not fall into the container to rattle around and interfere with the flow of contents during dispensing. 100171 A hub 22 is provided for facilitating rotation of a cap, hereinafter referred to as a second, or upper closure member 14, the hub 22 being disposed at a peripheral region 23 of the first closure member 12. The hub 22 includes a retaining means 25 in the form of a recessed groove between the rim and the central section. In particular, the groove has a relief profile or catch 36 suitable for retaining a corresponding bead 37 mounted on a peripheral skirt of the second closure member 14. The relief recess 90 is provided for snap-fit locking of the cap while still facilitating free rotation of the cap or second closure member 14 in the hub. [00181 The second, or upper closure member 14 is shown in Figures 1 and 3. The member 14 is generally in the form of a circular disc 15, and includes secondary C.NRPorbl\DCC\CAB\4464557_I DOC-17A)7/2012 -6 dispensing apertures 19 in the form of a pouring aperture 20 in the form of a sector pouring aperture 21 and a sprinkling aperture group 18 in the form of a plurality of apertures 25. The plurality 25 includes three circular sprinkling apertures 27 and five teardrop or keyhole apertures 29 each teardrop (229 in Figures 12 - 14) or keyhole 29 varying in cross-section so as to allow different sizes of granules and granule aggregates to be sprinkled through the apertures. [00191 In order to assemble the two closure members 12 and 14, the periphery of the second member 14 is snapped into place in the hub of the first member 12. The catches 36 and 37 engage, and the two members may be rotated relative to one another by the spoked handles 24. [00201 Stackability is facilitated by a raised, angled rim or bead 42 which extends around the periphery of the first closure element 12. The rim/bead 42 is adapted to insert into a base recess on adjacent containers and to support those containers when stacked. [00211 The absence of a central hub allows the primary dispensing apertures and the pouring apertures to be larger and sector-shaped so that faster pouring or sprinkling may be effected and so that spoons may access the container through the apertures when aligned. This allows added convenience for the user. A blind, peripheral hub with retaining means also inhibits tampering because the lid is more securely retained, and there is no access to the container except through the frangible membrane which generally remains open when the seal is broken. 100221 A second aspect of the invention is shown in Figures 5 - 11, in which like numerals denote like parts. A dispensing closure for controlling flow of dispensable contents from a container is shown, the closure generally indicated at 110, the closure including a first closure member 112 and a second closure member 114. The first closure member includes a primary dispensing aperture 116 and the second closure member 114 has secondary dispensing apertures 118 and 120. The primary and secondary closure members 112 and 114 respectively may be relatively moved by rotation about a hub 122 by operating a gripping means 124 in the form of a pair of projections 126, 127 extending C WRPorbl\DCC\CABW46457_ I DOC-7/7I2012 -7 upwardly from an upper surface 128 of the secondary closure member 114. The primary closure member 112 is disposed adjacent the dispensable contents (not shown) and the secondary closure member 114 is disposed remote from the contents, on an opposite side of the primary closure member 112. 100231 The primary dispensing aperture 116 has a frangible portion 117 which closes the aperture until a user first breaks the frangible portion to provide access to the contents. A hinge line is provided so that the frangible portion hangs downwards into the container to allow pouring or sprinkling therefrom. A tab 130 is provided in one embodiment shown in Figure 7 which provides for retention of the frangible portion in 117 an open position to allow unimpeded sprinkling. The tab distends the second closure member 114 which, by its flexibility, retains the tab 130 and frangible portion 117 in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the second closure member 114. 100241 The hub 122 is in the form of a boss 132 and a blind bore 134. The boss 132 includes a flange 136 (Figure 3) which is received in a cooperating recess 138 formed in the blind bore 134 when the closure is assembled. The boss 132 and flange 136 cooperating with recess 138 provide improved captivity of secondary closure member 114. [00251 A first secondary dispensing aperture 120 is a segment which aligns with the primary dispensing aperture 116 in order to provide pouring. A second secondary dispensing aperture 118 is a group of teardrop shaped apertures of varying sizes radially arranged in the sector. The varying sizes of aperture in group 118 provides sprinkling of granules of varying sizes. Each aperture 118 is formed with an inner portion of smaller dimension than an outer portion located toward a periphery of the cap. Greater control of sprinkling and dispensing is provided thereby. [00261 Each aperture 116, 118 or 120 is provided with a taper 40 of 45 0 in order to improve dispensing of contents. This feature alleviates retention of granules or other forms of contents on the side walls of the aperture, but the aperture is closed by an effective knife-edge which closes the container.

C \NRPor1\DCCCAB\464557_I DOC-17/07/2012 -8 [00271 Improved stacking of containers is provided by a raised edge 142 of the primary closure member. The raised edge takes the form of a stacking ring in order to provide increased grip on adjacent containers stacked on top of a container. 100281 Improved retention of the closure assembly is provided by a recess 146 which is disposed about an inner periphery of the primary closure member 112. A periphery of the second closure member 114 cooperates with the recess in order to discourage transport damage and vandalism. In the form shown in Figure 2, the recess 146 and periphery 148 of second closure member 114 are bevelled in order to provide improved retention and relative rotation of first and second closure members 112 and 114 respectively. 100291 Securing means 150 are provided in the form of ridges 152 which engage inner side walls of the container. This reduces transport damage from having the entire closure assembly lift off the container. 100301 Detent means 160 are provided in the form of projections 162 on the second closure member 114 and recesses 164 on the primary member 112. These means 160 provide stopping points for the second closure member 114 on its rotation about the first closure member 112. This more securely holds the second closure member 114 in a pouring, sprinkling or closed position to further enhance control of dispensing or enhance product retention within the container in transport. [00311 In operation, the closure assembly is pushed into a container and its various features provide improved control over dispensing or retention in the container. The closure assembly 110 is fitted to the container, and dispensing is provided by rotating the second closure member 114 relative to the first closure member 112 so that pouring, sprinkling or closing is selected, and that position is maintained by detents 160. 100321 Tamper evidence is enhanced by the absence of a through bore in the first closure member 112. The only entry for contents in normal use is through the breakthrough or frangible portion.

C\NRortbI\DCC\CABWA464557.1 DOC-17/07/20l12 -9 [00331 Finally, it is to be understood that various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be incorporated into the various constructions and arrangements of parts without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention. 100341 Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. [00351 The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

Claims

1. A dispensing closure, including: a lid with an annular lip to engage a container and a circular central section with a frangible portion covering an access opening, the lid having a raised rim to allow for another container to be stacked on top; and a rotatable cap positioned over the central section; wherein the lid has a recessed groove between the rim and the central section and the cap has a skirt with an annular bead that fits into the groove so that the bead is received in a relief profile of the groove in order to lock the cap to the lid, whilst permitting relative rotation; and wherein the cap is divided into sectors that are arranged to be dialled into alignment with the access opening, as required, the sectors being separated by radial ribs that are raised to facilitate hand rotation of the cap, with one sector having teardrop shaped holes to allow sprinkling of the contents of the container and another sector having a large dimension aperture to accommodate a spoon to access the contents of the container.

2. The dispensing closure of claim 1, wherein the large dimension aperture extends from a centre of the cap at an angle in the order of at least 110 degrees, toward to a periphery of the cap.

3. The dispensing closure of claim 1, wherein the bead and relief profile are arranged for snap-fit connection.

4. The dispensing closure of claim 1, wherein the teardrop shaped holes are each radially arranged in the sector, with each hole being formed with an inner portion of smaller dimension than an outer portion located closer to a periphery of the cap, so as to facilitate control over sprinkling of differing sizes of granule through the or each hole.

5. The dispensing closure of claim 1, wherein a detent means is provided in order to cause the cap to dwell and be retained in a selected position relative to the lid, the detent means being projections and corresponding recesses on facing surfaces of the cap and lid. C \RPorbl\DCC\CABA464557_I DOC-17A)7/2012

6. The dispensing closure of claim 5, wherein the detent means includes a single projection and three recesses are provided to provide for a spoon access dwell, sprinkling dwell, and closed dwell.

7. The dispensing closure of claim 6, wherein six projections and recesses are provided for providing partial pour, partial sprinkle and a pour/sprinkle mix.

8. A dispensing closure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the attached drawings.