# US 8,464,915 B2 · Dispensing cap with automatic valve for containers for transporting and dispensing liquid or creamy substances > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,464,915 B2 - Document ID: US8464915B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/176,611 - Filed: 2011-07-05 - Published: 2012-01-12 - Granted: 2013-06-18 - Earliest claimed: 2010-07-06 - Assignees: CAPSOL S.p.A. - Applicants: Ivan Maria Rovelli - Inventors: Ivan Maria Rovelli - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8464915B2 ## CPC - 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)} - B65D 47/08: having articulated or hinged closures {(B65D55/16 takes precedence)} - 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 ## Abstract A dispensing cap with automatic valve for containers for transporting and dispensing liquid or creamy substances, including ways for its sealed fixing to a container neck, and a dispensing port associated with the automatic valve, the valve containing a body formed of soft plastic material and provided with ways for its fixing to the cap, and at least one first and one second flexible flap able to assume a closed position, the first and the second flap being formed in at least two different planes, such that when the pressure inside the can equals the external pressure they assume a rest position in which a passage space is present between them to enable air to pass. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A dispensing cap with automatic valve for containers for transporting and dispensing liquid or creamy substances, comprising means for sealed fixing the cap to a container neck, and a dispensing port opening towards the outside of the cap and associated with said automatic valve, the valve comprising a body formed of soft plastic material and means for fixing the valve to the cap, and at least one first and one second flexible flap able to assume a closed position in which, when the valve is subjected to a pressure from inside the container less than a determined value, the flaps, by resting on each other, form a seal to prevent the substance in the container from escaping, and an open position in which said flaps, when the pressure from inside the container acting on said valve exceeds said predetermined value, flex to enable fluid dispensing, said first and said second flap are formed in at least two different planes, such that when the pressure inside the container equals the external pressure they assume a rest position in which between the lower surface of the first flap and the upper surface of the second flap at least one slit is present, enabling air to pass. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A cap as claimed in claim 1, when in the rest position, the lower surface of the first flap is spaced from the upper surface of the second flap by a distance between 0.05 and 1.5 mm. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein said flaps have a thickness between 0.2 mm and 3 mm. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pressure of predetermined value is a function of the flap thickness and of the material from which the valve is formed. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein when in the rest position, the lower surface of the first flap is substantially in contact with the upper surface of the second, but without forming an airtight seal. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein two first and two second flaps are present. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein, preceding in the clockwise direction, the valve is formed from a first flap, a second flap, a further first flap, and a further second flap, each of the respective first and second flaps being mutually offset by 90°. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) A cap as claimed in claim 6, wherein the flaps assume the shape of a circular sector. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said flaps is dimensioned to be seen to be slightly superposed on the adjacent flap when viewed in plan. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for fixing the valve to the cap comprise an undercut connection. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein said valve is housed in a seat provided in the cap, and presents a flange of greater dimensions than the seat such that even if the valve becomes released from the undercut, it cannot escape from the container. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein said valve is formed from a member of the group consisting of thermoplastic rubber, styrene ethylene butadiene styrene, linear low density polyethylene and silicone. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A cap as claimed in claim 1, comprising a cover movable between a first position in which it does not interfere with said valve, and a second position in which said cover presses on at least one of said flaps such as to prevent it from opening and hence ensure a seal. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A cap as claimed in claim 1, when in the rest position, the lower surface of the first flap is spaced from the upper surface of the second flap by a distance between 0.05 and 0.15 mm. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) A cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein said flaps have a thickness between 0.2 mm and 0.4 mm.