# US 12,179,397 B2 · Valve > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,179,397 B2 - Document ID: US12179397B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/600,784 - Filed: 2020-04-13 - Published: 2022-06-09 - Granted: 2024-12-31 - Earliest claimed: 2019-04-11 - Assignees: Obrist Closures Switzerland GmbH - Applicants: Obrist Closures Switzerland GmbH - Inventors: Martin Bull; Peter Pargen - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12179397B2 ## CPC - B29C 45/0046: {Details relating to the filling pattern or flow paths or flow characteristics of moulding material in the mould cavity} - B29C 45/1676: {using a soft material and a rigid material, e.g. making articles with a sealing part} - B65D 47/2031: {the element being formed by a slit, narrow opening or constrictable spout, the size of the outlet passage being able to be varied by increasing or decreasing the pressure (B65D47/2025 takes precedence)} - B29C 2045/0027: {Gate or gate mark locations} - B29L 2031/56: Stoppers or lids for bottles, jars, or the like {, e.g. closures} - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES - B29L: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES ## Abstract A bi-injection moulded self-closing valve assembly is described. The assembly comprises a valve overmoulded on an insert. The overmoulded valve is injected using side gating of the mould. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A self-closing valve assembly comprising a valve overmoulded on an insert, in which the insert is formed by lateral injection, and in which the overmoulded valve is injected by: generally central injection; off-centre injection; or lateral injection to form a valve injection point, in which the valve includes a valve head in which one or more slit lines are to be formed, and in which the valve injection point is located away from the one or more slit lines. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which the insert includes a side wall and the valve injection point is located on one end of the side wall. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) An assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which the valve includes a side wall and the valve injection point is located on one end of the side wall. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) An assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which the valve includes a valve head and the valve injection point is located generally centrally on the valve head. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) An assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which the insert is a retaining ring. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) An assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which the valve is formed from a TPE material. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) An assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which the insert is formed from polypropylene. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) An assembly as claimed in claim 1, comprising a side gated polypropylene ring and a side gated TPE valve. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) An assembly as claimed in claim 1, comprising a side gated polypropylene ring and a centre gated TPE valve. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) An assembly as claimed in claim 1, comprising a side gated polypropylene ring and an off-centre gated TPE valve. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) An assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which the valve comprises an injection moulded body formed from a TPE material, the injection moulded body includes a peripheral sidewall and a central valve head, in which an injection gate for the body is formed away from a centre of the valve head. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) An assembly as claimed in claim 11, in which the injection gate is formed in the peripheral sidewall. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) An assembly as claimed in claim 1, comprising a valve sub-assembly, comprising a self-closing valve and an outer retaining ring, formed by a bi-injection moulding process, the ring is injected using a side gated injection process and the valve is injected using a side gated injection process. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A method of forming a valve sub-assembly according to claim 1, comprising the steps of injection moulding the insert using a lateral gate and overmoulding the valve using a lateral gate, further comprising the step of slitting the valve to provide one or more slits, in which the one or more slits are formed so as not to coincide with an infection gate vestige thereon. ### Claim 15 A self-closing valve comprising an injection moulded body formed from a TPE material, the injection moulded body includes a peripheral sidewall and a central valve head, in which an injection gate for the body is formed away from a centre of the valve head wherein the central valve head includes one or more slit lines, and in which the injection gate for the body is located away from the one or more slit lines. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) A method of forming a self-closing valve according to claim 14, comprising the step of injection moulding the valve with an off-centre injection gate. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) A method as claimed in claim 16, further comprising the step of slitting the valve, in which the slit/s are formed so as not to coincide with an injection gate vestige thereon.