US 4,408,702 A · Automatic dispenser cap

Abstract

An automatic dispensing cap for dispensing product contained in a squeeze-type container. A two-way valve-head comprising an upper disc closure is constructed so that it seats on the top edge of the inverted conical spout of the cap. In a preferred embodiment, the disc closure has a centrally-located air bore and depending tubular stem. Upon application of manual squeeze pressure, the valve-head unseats from the cap spout allowing product to flow through. When the squeeze pressure is released, a lower cruciform portion of the two-way valve-head acts as a spring to seat the upper disc closure, cutting off the flow of product, and allowing air to reenter the container through the central disc air bore and the tubular stem. An inverted cup-shaped check-valve closes the central air bore of the tubular stem during the dispensing phase, to prevent product from exiting therethrough. In another embodiment, primarily useful with a squeeze tube, the central disc and central stem are solid; and the check-valve is eliminated. An alternatively shaped container is disclosed which is designed to be hung in inverted position.

Claims27

Dependent claims

A cap, for dispensing product contained in a squeeze container having a mouth at one end, comprising in combination:

a hollow body portion with a circular section substantially symmetrical about a central axis, having at one end an enlarged opening including means for connecting said body portion in liquid-tight relation to the mouth of said container, and having at its other end a frustoconical outwardly-projecting spout tapering from a larger internal diameter to a smaller outer spout opening symmetrically disposed about said axis;
a valve-head comprising a disc for seating in liquid-tight relation against the outer edge of said smaller spout opening, a stem with one end centered on the inner face of said disc and projecting into said frustoconical spout along said central axis, a plurality of resilient flexible members fixed to and extending radially outward from the surface of said stem adjacent its inner end, the outer ends of said flexible members being curved in outwardly-directed convex relation to the principal axis of said hollow body portion, and with their ends bearing against the inner surface of said frustoconical spout in tangential relation thereto;
wherein said valve-head disc is responsive to squeeze pressure exerted on said container to unseat from said spout opening, and wherein said plurality of resilient members is constructed and arranged to provide spring bias between said valve-head and the inner surface of said frustoconical spout which operates to reseat said valve-head disc on said spout opening upon release of said squeeze pressure.

An apparatus for dispensing fluid product which comprises in combination:

a flexible squeeze container for containing said product, said container having a mouth at one end, and being constructed and arranged to compress inwardly upon application of external squeeze pressure;
a dispensing cap including a hollow body portion with a circular section substantially symmetrical about a central axis, having at one end an enlarged opening connected in liquid-tight relation to the mouth of said flexible container, and having at its other end a frustoconical outwardly-projecting spout including a spout opening symmetrically disposed about said axis;
a valve-head comprising a disc for seating in liquid-tight relation against the outer edge of said spout opening, a stem with one end centered on the inner face of said disc and projecting into said frustoconical spout along the central axis thereof, a plurality of resilient flexible members fixed to and extending radially outwardly from the surface of said stem adjacent its other end, the outer ends of said flexible members being curved in outwardly-directed convex relation to the principal axis of said hollow body portion, the end portions of said flexible members bearing against the inner surface of said frustoconical spout in slideable tangential relation thereto;
wherein said valve-head disc is responsive to squeeze pressure exerted on said flexible container to unseat from said spout opening, and wherein said plurality of resilient members is constructed and arranged to provide spring bias between said valve-head and the inner surface of said frusto-conical spout, thereby operating to reseat said valve-head disc on said spout opening upon release of said squeeze pressure.

1 more element

A valve-head for seating a spout opening in a dispensing cap having a frustoconical spout and an enlarged opening for connection with a mouth of a squeeze container, comprising in combination:

a valve-head disc for seating in liquid-tight relation against the outer edge of said spout opening;
a stem with one end centered on the inner face of said disc and constructed to project into said frustoconical spout along a central axis thereof;
and
a plurality of resilient flexible members fixed to and extending radially outward from said stem adjacent the other end thereof, said members being constructed and arranged to slideably engage an inner wall of said spout with the end portions of said members in slideable tangential relation thereto;
wherein said valve-head disc is constructed to respond to squeeze pressure exerted on said container to unseat from said spout opening, and wherein said plurality of resilient members are constructed to provide spring bias to reseat said valve-head on said spout opening upon release of said squeeze pressure.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Automatic dispenser cap

Life of this patent

Automatic dispenser cap

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims27