US3181743A - Dispensing closures of the collapsible wall type - Google Patents

Description

May 4, 1965 s. M. LIBIT ETAL 7 3,181,743

DISPENSING CLOSURES OF THE COLLAPSIBLE WALL TYPE Filed June 19 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 'Ji gnZ E q 43 h 47 INVENTORS y 1965 s. M. LIBIT ETAL 3,181,743

DISPENSING CLOSURES OF THE COLLAPSIBLE WALL TYPE Filed June 19, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR? Sidney M. Llbri Arthur Weslez Newby BY M ai f y 1965 s. M. LlBlT ETAL 3,181,743

DISPENSING CLOSURES OF THE COLLAPSIBLE WALL TYPE Filed Jufie 19, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 JL' 20 Q7 21 J" 22 4 22c 63 9; 3

INVENTOR5 Sidner. M. Libzi United States Patent "ice 3,181,743 DISPENSING CLOSURES OF THE COLLAPSIBLE WALL TYPE Sidney M. Libit, 441 Lakeside Terrace, Glencoe, Iii, and Arthur Wesley Newby, 1265 Schaumburg Road, Eigin,

Iii.

Filed June 19, 1961, Ser. No. 117,901 9 Claims. (Cl. 222 528) This invention relates to dispensing type closures for receptacles containing fluent material which, for conciseness in the description and claims, is sometimes referred to as a dispensing-closure device. More particularly the invention has reference to a combined dispensing spout and valve, preferably of one-piece construction, capable of occupying two principal positions: one, in which a resilient nozzle is in a position to pour or dispense the contents of the receptacle, i.e. on and the other in which the nozzle is bent upon itself, on a line intermediate its length, to pinch shut the bore of the nozzle and is there retained, i.e. off, until released for subsequent use. Specifically, in a principal aspect, the invention comprehends a device as aforesaid in which a resilient, but not flaccid, nozzle, while in the off position is restrained by forces applied in two directions, one of which is applied substantially in the direction of the axis of the bent-over portion of the nozzle and the other of which is applied substantially transversely to the said axis whereby maximum utilization of the pinching action is realized. In another aspect a force applied predominantly transversely to said axis is thus relied upon.

The invention is further characterized by features which enable the device to be readily molded of a plastic com position in one piece; for example, a plastic such as polyethylene having shape-retaining properties but sufficiently resilient so that it is capable of being repeatedly deformed in certain respects to attain the desired function.

Another object is to provide a device as aforesaid in which the size and shape of the bore of the resilient nozzle to its outer surface are so arranged that the strains of tension and compression developed in the wall of the nozzle are also utilized in obtaining reliable, leak-proof pinching shut of the nozzle.

A further object is to provide a device as aforesaid in which the valve action may be made structurally independent of that portion of the device by which the same is incorporated with the receptacle in order that the device has universal application without modification of the principal features and their function.

Still another object is to provide a device in accordance with theforegoing which gives rise to no extraordinary problems in the fabrication of the molds or the molding operation such as the need for retractable core portions and the complicated operating mechanism therefor. As termed in the industry stripping of the piece parts is a direct pull.

Another object is to provide a device as aforesaid which may be molded with the nozzle in a position lending itself to automatic handling in a machine wherein the nozzle may be suitable manipulated and placed in an initial off position in order that the device may be expeditiously attached to the receptacle by automatic machinery of a standard type. Thus, following filling of the receptacle the closure may be incorporated therewith and the goods immediately packed. However, if desired, the nozzle may, following molding, remain open" and filling accomplished through the bore thereof accompanied by suitable venting of air.

3,181,743 Patented May 4, 1965 An additional object is to provide a device as aforesaid which includes a base having an upper face adapted to receive an abutting plunger for forcing the devices into operative relation with receptacles having either a beaded neck or a punched hole in one wall, in each of which cases the base is provided with a skirt or a male portion respectively as will be pointed out; or the base, where an atomized spray with no alteration in the fundamental features or function of the valve.

Another object is to provide, ina modified form of the device, means for stoppering the exit of the nozzle to guard against clogging of the exit end thereof and/ or contamination of the contents of the receptacle by foreign matter.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will'become apparent from the ensuing description which, taken with the accompanying drawings, disclose various forms which the invention device may assume in practice.

In these drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a device embodying the principles of the invention shown in off position;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1 but showing the device as stripped from the mold;

FIG. 3 is a vertical, medial cross section of the device of FIG. 1 showing the same in off position;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to that of FIG. 3 but showing the device as reconstituted following molding and in on position; I

FIG. 5 is an elevational view taken in the'direction of the arrows 5-5 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the device in the ofi position of FIG. 1;.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the'device in the on position of FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a partial cross section taken along the line 99 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a vertical medial cross section of a preferred form of nozzle;

FIG. 11 is a transverse cross section of the nozzle shown in FIG. 10, taken on the line 1111;

FIG. 11 is a vertical medial cross section of an alterative form of nozzle;

FIG. 13 is a cross section taken on the line 13- -13 of FIG. 12; V

FIG. 14 is a combined side-elevational view and cross section of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 15 is a partial end elevational view of the device taken in the direction of the arrows 1515 in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a combined side elevational view and cross section of another embodiment, shown on;

FIG. 17 is a view of the device of FIG. 16, shown off;

FIG. 17:: is a view, similar to FIG. 17, of a modified form of the embodiment of FIGS. 16 and 17;

FIG. 18 is a partial cross section taken on the line 1s 1s of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a partial view to illustrate an alternative mode of releasably maintaining the nozzle in off condition;

FIG. 20 is an end elevation of the features shown in FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a partial view to illustrate a modification of FIG. 19, further characterized by means for stoppering the exit of the nozzle;

FIG. 22 is an end elevation of the modification of FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a partial view to show still another alternattive construction for releasably maintaining the nozzle in off condition and additionally closing the bore thereof;

FIG. 24 is a cross section taken on the line 24-24 of FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 illustrates, in elevation, an alternative form of nozzle for spray dispensing; and

FIG. 26 is a top plan view of the nozzle of FIG. 25.

In the following description and claims, where reference is sometimes made to a valve the term is to be understood in its broad sense as means for permitting or interrupting passage of the fluent contents of the receptacle, and not necessarily in the conventional sense of two separate mechanical parts functioning in an obturating manner and, where use is made of the noun pinc or the verb to pinch the same are intended to describe such manipulation of a tube of flexible or resilient material which is of generally shape-retaining character and which, when bent or folded upon itself to induce a collapsing of the wall and closing of the bore thereof, will prevent flow of fluent material therethrough. In certain embodiments to be described the tube may be compound, i.e. a tube within a tube so that joint pinching occurs, the inner tube, through which flow occurs, being effectively closed against flow by force exerted through the outer tube whereby the outer tube simply amplifies such closing. The bore of the outer tube is not necessarily a fluid passage.

Regarded broadly, the invention comprises a dispensing type closure, namely of a type which, when in an open position (on) will permit dispensing of the fluent contents of a receptacle with which the closure is incorporated and which, when in closed position, will interrupt flow. As so characterized the device may be described alternatively as a combined valve and dispensing device. Desirably the device is molded of a plastic composition, e.g., polyethylene, which is of a generally shaperetaining nature and is characterized by the property that it may be flexed repeatedly, within the anticipated life of the device. To this end the cross sections which are subjected to repeated flexing are suitably dimensioned and proportioned and, where certain parts require some rigidity, they may be otherwise dimensioned and proportioned. Thus, the invention device is preferably molded in one piece.

Before proceeding with the broad outline of the principal features of the invention device it is to be noted that such features are essentially distinct from that portion of the device by means of which the same is attached to, or incorporated with the receptacle. Accordingly the invention closure may be fabricated for any type of attachment such as to a screw-threaded or beaded neck of a receptacle, for snap type engagement in an aperture in a wall of the receptacle, or for integra- .tion with the receptacle, e.g. a squeeze-type bottle such as by molding the base of the closure simultaneously therewith or, assuming the availability of a suitable cement, the base may be united with the receptacle by adhesion; or the desired union may be effected by fusion or other autogenous process.

The invention closure is characterized by the provision of a base outwardly from which a resilient nozzle protrudes and which, when in a so-called normal or on position with the axis of the nozzle essentially straight, has its bore in fluid communication with the interior of the receptacle for dispensing and, when the nozzle is pinched by bending the same to position some outer portion of said axis at substantially to the inner portion of said axis, the bore is closed, i.e. off. In a preferred embodiment of the invention novel means are provided for accomplishing pinching in an effective manner whereby the nozzle, when off, is subjected to two principal forces, one applied substantially in the direction of the axis of the bent-over end of the nozzle and the other in a direction substantially normal to said axis. In practice it has been found that such forces are to be applied to provide a disposition of the respective axes of the portions of the nozzle extending away from each side of the line of pinch at an included angle of somewhat less than 90, say in the range of from 40 to 50. It is also preferred to dispose that portion of the nozzle intermediate the line of pinch and the junction of the nozzle with the base at an angle displaced from the vertical in a direction toward the pinch whereby the portions of the nozzle on each side of the pinch line are more readily caused to occupy the just-mentioned included angle. To accomplish that end means are provided for retaining the resilient nozzle in the desired displaced position and which means are particularly adapted for initial positioning of the nozzle by the use of automatic machinery following molding. In another aspect the invention provides releasable means for reliably retaining the free, i.e. bent over end of the nozzle in off position and, in a subsidiary aspect, to provide for closing the outer end of the nozzle bore to preclude entry of foreign matter which may clog the same and/ or affect the fluent material deleteriously during periods of non-use. in still another aspect the invention contemplates a form of spout constituted as a tube within a tube. Exteriorly the spout is reasonably rigid for use in pouring and has a flaccid tubular appendage therein joined by one end to the spout, the other end being open. Thus upon bending of the spout the appendage is pinched by the outer wall to terminate flow.

Turning now to FIGS. 1 to 9 there is shown an exempliiieative device embodying the principles of the invention comprising a body 10 having a hollow cylindrical lateral :wall including a base 11 and a skirt 1?. depending therefrom. For exactness of reference the base 11 and skirt 12 are defined as lying above and below the plane XX respectively. Such skirt is illustrated only to show one of several modes of attaching the device to a receptacle 13, e.g. by means of a screw-threaded connection to the neck thereof. The base 11 may also be provided with an inner bead 15 adapted to bear on the end of the neck of the receptacle 13 when it is desired to supplement the seal afforded by the screw-threaded connection referred to above. As previously pointed out, the means of attachment forms no part of the invention per se and therefore elaboration is deemed unnecessary; similarly with respect to the bead 15.

The body 10, including the base 11 and skirt 12 (or other attaching part) are comparatively rigid, i.e. shaperetaining except for those portions thereof which are to be deformed or flexed during molding, initial arrangement of the parts and subsequent function; and may be provided with any desired surface configuration whether for functional or esthetic purposes. For example the top may be fiat or slightly crowned to receive a price label or impression as is the custom in retail merchandising; and the exterior of the lateral surface may be knurled or fluted. At its center the base 11 is preferably recessed to define a generally cup-shaped portion or well ll! including a bottom annular wall 18. The well 17 is so dimensioned and proportioned as to be comparatively shaperetaining, but yet take some moderate flexing as imparted by manipulation of the nozzle in a manner to be described subsequently and therefore to mitigate against rupture due to fatigue. Like considerations obtained with respect to the skirt 12 and bead since the former may be desirably stretched slightly to improve the screwthreaded fit, and the latter to yield to provide a seal.

Protruding upwardly from the bottom wall 13 is a flexible nozzle 22. In FIG. 2'the full lines indicate the nozzle as molded and, in FIG. 4 the broken lines indicate the same as molded and the full lines as it appears in on position. It will be understood that the junction of the nozzle 22 with the base 11 need not be at the bottom of a cup or well therein as illustrated and described exemplificatively, but that such junction may be directly on the upper face of the base. The embodiment of the example is preferred since, by dropping the basal portion of the nozzle below such upper face, the required useful length of nozzle may be provided with a lesser overall height of the device as a whole. Moreover one may, if desired, provide some moderate degree of flexure to the bottom wall 18 in order that'bending of the nozzle does not subject its juncture with said wall to undesired stress. Stated differently the lower end of the nozzle and the wall 18 may share in the flexing action thereby to reduce the possibility of fatigue failure in this region.

From a consideration of FIGS. 2 and 4 and having regard to the broken lines, it will be observed that the device of the example is adapted to molding in one piece, there being no re-entrant angles, transverse projections or apertures of a character requiring retractable cores in the mold. .Such re-entrant angles or transverse projections as may be required-and these are to be described subsequently-are so configured that the finished part may be stripped from the halves of the mold by momentary deformation of the piece part in the regions of such reentrant angles or transverse projections.

As shown by the broken lines in FIG. 4 the distal end of the nozzle maybe of the type termed snip tip in the trade and as indicated at 24. Such feature may be requested by customers to make doubly certain that the contents of thereceptacle .do not leak during shipment and other handling following filling, and prior to use by the consumer. However, rigorous testing has demonstrated that the seal effected by the nozzle in its closed position is completely reliable in itself. Although the device is preferably made commercially available in closed, i.e. off position, as in FIG. 1, a customer may prefer to ship his product wit-h the nozzle unbent. In such case the snip tip '24 or other temporary closure is required.

To insure reliable operation, namely that the pinching of the nozzle will occur uniformly along the same line each time the nozzle is bent upon itself, it is preferred to arrange the thickness of the wall of the nozzle so that the bend line or pinch will occur repetitively in the same place upon each actuation, as by weakening'the wall of the nozzle in a predetermined region. To this end the nozzle wall is reduced in thickness in an area extending on each side of the bend line, i.g. as indicated in FIG. 4 at A. Such increase in resiliency or flexibility over a restricted portion of the nozzle length may be more or less than the proportions indicated. For further example, the nozzle may, in a region adjacent its junction with the wall 18, be simply thickened or'may be otherwise rigidified, as by webs between the lateral Wall of the well 17 and the nozzle or by localized interior or exterior ribbing applied to the nozzle. That extent of the nozzle beyond the plane B, being comparatively rigid relative to the portion A, serves both as a handle for bending the nozzle and as part of the means for retaining the nozzle in off position, as will be detailed hereinafter.

A preferred mode of establishing the uniform, repetitive pinch referred to in the preceding paragraph comprises a pair of mutually opposite projection or nubs 31 carried in any suitable manner on the base, as on the opposite interior faces 32 of a recess 33 (FIGS. 6 and 9), of which the well 17 is a continuation. FIGS. 3 and 6 show the nozzle in off position with the line of pinch governed by the nubs 31 in cooperation with the latching means to be described. I

In order that the nozzle 22 may, upon initial positioning of the same following molding, be located behind, so to speak, the nubs 31, whereafter is remains during use of the closure a clearance space 41 is provided. This latter is a continuation of the recess 33 and is made large enough, to accommodate without interference, the offset of the nozzle below the plane B (FIG. 4). Such initial positioning of the nozzle is best accomplished by the use of a suitable thrusting instrumentality applied to the nozzle in the region and in the direction indicated by the arrow C (FIG. 2) whereby the nozzle may be forced past the nubs 31 to take up the position of FIG. 4.

.Such operation may be readily accomplished by automatic machinery. By reason of the offset imparted to,

the lower portion of the nozzle the same will assume a partiallypinched condition. Since the nozzle is initially circular such partial pinching will transform the circular configuration theretofore existing into a more or less elliptical or fiat sided oval configuration. The resulting widthwise increase in diameter (corresponding to the major axis of the new configuration) assures To actuate the device from the on position (FIG. 4)

to the o position (FIG. 3) the distal end of the nozzle is rotated digitally substantially for releasable engagement by latching or detent members 43-43 provided adjacent the outer end of the recess 32. Such members 4343 are desirably conformed as in FIG. 5, namely with chamfered or rounded entering surfaces 44 merged with outwardly inclined faces 45, jointly defininga throat sufiiciently narrower than the coactive diameter of the nozzle to provide detent action. Thus thefree end of the nozzle may be thrust into the space defined hetween the members 43 whereby the same is retained pending further actuation to on. Such latter step is facilitated by the inclination of the faces 4545. Entry of the finger tip under the nozzle for reverse actuation, i.e. release from the latchingmeans, is provided by a concave depression in the base 11 about the free end of the nozzle (FIGS. 3. and 5). Upon release the inherent resiliency of the material of which the nozzle is comprised will bias the same to open position (FIG. 4). FIG. 8 illustrates the nozzle disengaged from the latching means.

From FIG. 3 it will be noted that, in the preferred embodiment, the nubs 31 are so positioned in a transverse sense with respect to the axis MM of the inner end 'of the nozzle and in a vertical sense with respect to said end and the detent members 43-43 as to provide an included angle at the pinch of substantially 45. It has been determined that while a larger angle, say 90, may provide reliable closure of the nozzle bore the smaller angle is preferred. However if such angle is too sharp the hazard of cracking of the material at the pinch is presented. That is to say predetermination of the angle of pinch depends on the following factors: (1) the resistance of the material to failure following repeated bending, (2) the desired tightness of the pinch which may be less for the viscous and pulverulent fluent materials e.g. hand lotion and may be more for the relatively less viscous, e.g. naphtha, and (3) the resiliency of the material which, in the caseof an included angle which is too sharp, will tend to release the nozzle from the latching means.

It will be apparent from FIG. 3 that when the nozzle is off it is subject to two principal forces, one, due to the reactive force of the nubs 31 acting substantially transversely to the axis of the nozzle which may be resolved into a vertical and a horizontal component and the other due to the rententive force of the latching means which, while having a direction which is principally vertical, may be resolved into horizontal and vertical components. Thus, the pinch is effected by the sums of such components applied, as described, in a predetermined manner by the interaction of the parts described.

In the foregoing connection it is to be understood that the portions of the nozzle on either side of the pinch may be said to have distinct axes intersecting at the desired included angle. However, considering these axes in the light of the actual situation, the said axes are joined by an arcuate axis portion.

Alternatively the nubs 31-31 may be dispensed with and the forces required to maintain the nozzle in off condition provided otherwise. For example, in FIGS. 14 and 15 the distal end of the nozzle 22a is provided with a shoulder 51 adapted to bear against the inner face 52 of a projection 53 or equivalent portion of the base 11 while the reduced end 54 of the nozzle is snugly engaged in a slot 55 in the projection 53. If desired the slot 55 may take the form of the space defined by the cooperating members 43-43 (FIG. 8). In either case the friction of the abutted parts and the direction of the forces exerted on the stressed nozzle have been found adequate to maintain the position of FIG. 14. It will be apparent that, assuming the nozzle to be essentially vertical in its unlatched or on position the same may be actuated to off by applying suitable bending force digitally and engaging the parts in the manner shown in FIG. 14.

Experience has demonstrated that complete pinching off of the nozzle and therefore optimum interruption of flow may be realized by modifications in the wall of the nozzle, particularly in the region of pinching, i.e. over a region whereat the nozzle is deformed from its relaxed cross section (on) to the stressed cross section induced upon pinching (off). Thus, in FIGS. 10 and 11 there is shown a nozzle 22b in which the wall F on one side thereof is thicker than on the opposite side G, the thicker wall being on the side where bending occurs. The arrow D indicates the direction of bending. In this form of nozzle the thinner side wall, upon folding, stretch and draw itself into a wrapped relation with the thicker wall, whereby the bore of the nozzle may be more readily reconstituted into the straight line representing complete closure of the bore. Desirably the thinner wall extends over somewhat more than 180 of the periphery and is arranged to merge smoothly with the thicker wall since abrupt change in curvature is likely to give rise to fatigue failure. It will be understood that, although such variation in wall thickness is illustrated as extending over the whole length of the nozzle the function to be served thereby may be obtained by limiting the same to the region of pinching, as previously mentioned.

Another alternative yielding the result set forth in the preceding paragraph is shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 wherein the nozzle 22c has an elliptical cross section with the major axis NN representing the fold line. Such cross section may be a flat sided oval with similar advantages. The arrow B shows the direction of bending.

Alternative modes of assuring a reliable pinch are depicted in FIGS. 16 to 18. In these examples the nozzle assumes a compound form in which a tubular appendage within the nozzle, when pinched, is relied upon for interrupting flow. Thus, adverting to FIG. 16 the nozzle 101 comprises an outer or principal tubular member 102 which may of any of the configurations described in connection with FIGS. 4, 10 or 12, i.e. of variable Wall thickness in different regions longitudinally thereof or of variable wall thickness regarded in transverse cross section.

S For clarity and comprehensiveness of disclosure, however, FIGS. 16 to 18 illustrate a tubular member of uniform wall thickness. Member 102 is incorporated with the base 103 in any of the several modes heretofore detailed in respect of FIGS. 1 to 4, viz. in a manner such that flexure of the nozzle to accomplish the pinch is not inhibited.

Merged with the tubular member 102 adjacent the exit end thereof and Within the same is an inner tubular appendage 108. Both member 102 and appendage 103 are, transversely regarded, homologous except that appendage 108 has a substantially thinner wall than the member 102. In point of fact the appendage 108 is desirably flaccid in order to yield readily under compressive forces applied by bending of the member 102. Thus upon such bending of the member 101 to the OE condition (FIG. 17) the walls of the same, being comparatively more rigid than the appendage 108, will readily compress this latter to pinch the same closed and, as indicated at H (FIG. 17), interrupt flow through the bore thereof. Stated otherwise, the member 102 functions analogously to a vise. Any suitable latching means may be utilized to retain the member 101 in off position, e.g. a flexible finger 11 similar to the member 63 of FIG. 19 to be detailed hereinafter.

If desired the appendage 108 may be made of such length that the pinch imparted to the member 102 will in turn, pinch the extreme end 112 of the appendage, as indicated at J (FIG. 17a).

In the embodiments of FIGS. 16 and 17a it will be apparent that molding of the nozzle, base and latch are possible Without the use of retractable cores. The overhang of the latch member 111 need not protrude more than suffices to engage over the distal end of the nozzle 101 and, being short, is readily deformed during stripping of the piece part from the mold.

It is sometimes desirable to provide the invention device in a form wherein entry of foreign matter into the exit end of the nozzle bore may be precluded. To this end the modifications of FIGS. 19 to 24 are referred to. In FIGS. 19 and 20 the nozzle 22d terminates in a flat end 61 juxtaposed, in sealing relation, with a congruent pad 62 provided on the interior face of a resilient latch 63. The latch has a projection 64 to engage over the nozzle to retain the latter in off position. The outer face of the projection is chamfered, as shown, to facilitate engagement. Disengagement is effected by digitally displacing the latch to permit the nozzle to assume on position by virtue of the bias inherent therein.

In the modification of FIGS. 21 and 22 the faces 61 and 62 are replaced by a button or protuberance 65 adapted to intromit the bore of the nozzle 22e. Depending upon the biasing forces of the nozzle and latch 63 the projection 64 may be eliminated and the nozzle retained by the protuberance 65 acting as a detent.

The further form of FIGS. 23 and 24 embodies a resilient latch 68 having a recess 60 receiving the end of the nozzle 22) as shown. Operation is believed to be evident from the description heretofore given in connection with FIGS. 19 to 22.

The invention device may be adapted to dispensing of the fluid as a spray or as a mist. Turning to FIGS. 25 and 26 the nozzle 25g is shown provided with an exit end in the form of a membrane 71 having perforations 72 of any convenient size and number for dispensing the fluid as a plurality of discrete streams when used with a squeeze type plastic receptacle or other container having means for applying pressure to the fluid contents. Alternatively the nozzle may terminate in a single pinhole bore and an air tube of a well-known type fitted within the closure for atomizing action. For adapting the latter the necessary modification may be readily made in the body 11, all in accordance with conventional practice in that regard.

From FIG. 2 it will be apparent that the invention device is completely adapted to molding in one piece. The

only re-entrant portions are -the mobs 31 and portions of the latching members 43. However these elements may be so arranged with respect to adjacent portions of the not Wish to be limited thereto since many modifications may be made and we, therefore, contemplate by the appended claims to cover any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of our invention.

We claim:

1. A dispensing closure comprising a base, means forming part of said base for attaching the closure to a receptacle to dispense the fluent contents thereof, said base having portions defining a well therein including a bottom Wall and a lateral wall, a nozzle of resilient but generally shape-retaining material extending from said bottom wall and spaced away from said lateral wall, said base having a passage in fluid communication with the bore of the nozzle adapted to communicate with the interior of the receptacle when the closure is attached to the receptacle, the bore of said nozzle, when the same is deformed by bending the same upon itself along a line intermediate its length to collapse the wall thereof being pinched closed to interrupt flow from the receptacle to the exit end of the nozzle, means intermediate said lateral wall and nozzle to rigidify said nozzle over a region thereof substantially coextensive .with said lateral wall, and releasable latching means coactive with the nozzle when in bent condition to maintain closed condition of the nozzle, the force exerted by the latching means, when released, permitting the nozzle, by virtue of its inherent resiliency, to restore itself to open condition for flow therethrough.

2. A closure in accordance with claim 1 in which said latching means and nozzle are arranged to provide an included angle of bend in a range of from to 50.

3. A closure in accordance with claim 1 further characterized in that the wall of the nozzle intermediate said rigidified region and the exit end thereof is provided with a weakened section to facilitate said bending and pinching.

4. A dispensing closure for a receptacle containing fluent material comprising a base including means for attaching the closure to the receptacle, a tubular member of generally shape-retaining, resilient material protruding outwardly from said base when in open position and having an outer, open end, a tubular appendage positioned within the bore of said member, both ends of said appendage being open and one end thereof being joined around its entire periphery to the interior of said member adjacent said outer end thereof, said appendage being flaccid and said member being substantially more shape-retaining than said appendage whereby said member and appendage may be bent jointly to collapse the walls of the member and appendage to interrupt flowfrom the receptacle, and means positioned on said base to engage the member adjacent the distal end thereof to releasably retain said member in bent condition.

5. A device in accordance with claim 4 further characterized in that said member is provided with a region intermediate the ends thereof which is weakened to induce a line of bending in said region, the inner end of said appendage terminating at or inwardly beyond said bend line.

6. A dispensing closure for a receptacle containing fluent material comprising a body having a base and means to attach the closure to the receptacle, said base having an outer, principal surface, said surface having a recess defined by lateral walls extending inwardly from said surface and a bottom wall extending between said lateral walls, a nozzle of shape-retaining, resilient material joined to and extending outwardly from said bottom wall, the bore of the nozzle having fluid com- Z munication with the interior of the receptacle, the axis of the bore at said bottomj wall being a principal axis, means on said base engaging saidnozzle to *disp lacean outer portion of said nozzle eccentrically with respect to said axis, to provide an axis for the inner portion of the nozzle which is generally inclined to said principal axis at an acute angle, said nozzle engaging means defining a line about which said outer nozzle portion may be bent to close the bore thereof, and releasable latching means on said base coactive with said nozzle when the same is bent toretain said nozzle in bent position, the

relation between line'o f junction of said nozzle and bot tom wall, said engaging means and latchingmeans being so interrelated that when the nozzle is in said bent position the included angle of bend is in the range of from 40 to 50. 7 I

7. A dispensing closure for a receptacle containing fluent material comprising a base having means to attach the closure to the receptacle, said base having means forming a well therein including a lateral wall surface and a bottom wall surface extending across the inner end of said lateral wall surface, an outwardly-extending dispensing nozzle of generally shape-retaining resilient material joined to said bottom wall surface and protruding outwardly of the well, means extending between said lateral wall surface and nozzle to restrict flexure of the nozzle in a region adjacent the junction of the nozzle with the bottom wall surface, said nozzle having a weakened portion intermediate said region and the exit end thereof whereby the same may be bent in said portion to collapse the wall thereof to pinch the bore of the nozzle closed to interrupt flow therethrough, and releasable retain ng means on said base to engage the exit end of the nozzlewhen the same is bentto bore-closing position.

8. A dispensing closure for a receptacle'containing fluent material comprising a base having means for attachingthe closure to the receptacle, a nozzle of generally shape-retaining, resilient material protruding outwardly from said base in open position, the borezof said nozzle being adapted for fluid communication with the interior of the receptacle for flow therefrom when said nozzle is in open position, the wall of said nozzle, when the same is bent upon itself along a line intermediate its length, collapsing to pinch the bore of the nozzle closed to interrupt flow, said line of bending being perpendicular to said axis, means on said base to releasably retain said nozzle in bent position, the resiliency of the nozzle being so predetermined as to bias the same toward open position upon release of said releasable retaining means, and means extending laterally between said nozzle and base to rigidify the nozzle in a zone adjacent'the base and thereby to establish a bend at the same point along the length of the nozzle upon each bending operation.

9. A dispensing closure for a receptacle containing fluent material comprising a base having means forattaching the closure to the receptacle, a nozzle of generally shape-retaining, resilient material protruding outwardly from said base in open position, the bore of said nozzle being adapted for fluid communication with the interior of the receptacle for flow therefrom when said nozzle is in open position, the wall of said nozzle, when the same is bent upon itself along a line intermediate its length, collapsing to pinch the bore of the nozzle closed to interrupt flow, a wall portion of the length of said nozzle over j a region intermediate the length thereof and extending on either side of said line of bending having a wall which I 11 nipulate the nozzle, and means on said base positione on that side of the nozzle toward which it is adapted to bend to releasably retain said nozzle in bent position, the resiliency of the nozzle being so predetermined as to bias thesarne toward open position upon release of said releasable retaining means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,893,611 7/59 Akers 222-541 X 2,893,612 7/59 Akers 222-536 2,957,614 10/60 Krajcovic 222-530 X 5 FOREIGN PATENTS 212,738 1/61 Austria. 1,215,061 4/60 France. 1,227,631 8/60 France.

10 LOUIS J. DEMBO, Primary Examiner.

RAPHAEL M. LUPO, Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. A DISPENSING CLOSURE COMPRISING A BASE, MEANS FORMING PART OF SAID BASE FOR ATTACHING THE CLOSURE TO A RECEPTACLE TO DISPENSE THE FLUENT CONTENTS THEREOF, SAID BASE HAVING PORTIONS DEFINING A WELL THEREIN INCLUDING A BOTTOM WALL AND A LATERAL WALL, A NOZZLE OF RESILIENT BUT GENERALLY SHAPE-RETAINING MATERIAL EXTENDING FROM SAID BOTTOM WALL AND SPACED AWAY FROM SAID LATERAL WALL, SAID BASE HAVING A PASSAGE IN FLUID COMMUNICATION WITH THE BORE OF THE NOZZLE ADAPTED TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE INTERIOR OF THE RECEPTACLE WHEN THE CLOSURE IS ATTACHED TO THE RECEPTACLE, THE BORE OF SAID NOZZLE, WHEN THE SAME IS DEFORMED BY BENDING THE SAME UPON ITSELF ALONG A LINE INTERMEDIATE ITS LENGTH TO COLLAPSE THE WALL THEREOF BEING PINCHED CLOSED TO INTERRUPT FLOW FROM THE RECEPTACLE TO THE EXIT END OF THE NOZZLE, MEANS INTERMEDIATE SAID LATERAL WALL AND NOZZLE TO RIGIDIFY SAID NOZZLE OVER A REGION THEREOF SUBSTANTIALLY COEXTENSIVE WITH SAID LATERAL WALL, AND RELEASABLE LATCHING MEANS COACTIVE WITH THE NOZZLE WHEN IN BENT CONDITION TO MAINTAIN CLOSED CONDITION OF THE NOZZLE, THE FORCE EXERTED BY THE LATCHING MEANS, WHEN RELEASED, PERMITTING THE NOZZLE, BY VIRTUE OF ITS INHERENT RESILIENCY, TO RESTOR ITSELF TO OPEN CONDITION FOR FLOW THERETHROUGH.

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