Dispensing closure
First Claim
1. A dispensing closure assembly for a container, comprising:
- an outer closure body including an upper tubular portion, and a lower skirt portion configured for attachment to an associated container;
a valve retainer comprising a central support stem positioned within said tubular portion;
a flexible valve member positioned on said support stem and extending from said support stem outwardly to a peripheral valve seat within said tubular portion, said valve member being movable from a first closed position in which said valve member bears against said valve seat, to a second position wherein at least a portion of the periphery of said valve member is spaced from said valve seat to permit flow through said tubular portion; and
a liquid seal lip extending inwardly of said valve seat for engagement with said flexible valve member intermediate said support stem and said valve seat to limit the surface area of said valve member against which liquid pressure within said container acts.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A dispensing closure assembly includes an outer closure body having an upper tubular portion which can function as a mouthpiece for users. The closure assembly includes a flexible valve member mounted within the tubular portion of the closure body for dispensing of liquids or like contents by either the application of suction by a consumer, or by squeezing the associated container. By the provision of a liquid seal lip which coacts with an inside surface of the flexible valve member, the closure assembly can be configured to facilitate convenient use by consumers, while avoiding undesirable leakage attendant to normal handling during use.
29 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A dispensing closure assembly for a container, comprising:
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an outer closure body including an upper tubular portion, and a lower skirt portion configured for attachment to an associated container;
a valve retainer comprising a central support stem positioned within said tubular portion;
a flexible valve member positioned on said support stem and extending from said support stem outwardly to a peripheral valve seat within said tubular portion, said valve member being movable from a first closed position in which said valve member bears against said valve seat, to a second position wherein at least a portion of the periphery of said valve member is spaced from said valve seat to permit flow through said tubular portion; and
a liquid seal lip extending inwardly of said valve seat for engagement with said flexible valve member intermediate said support stem and said valve seat to limit the surface area of said valve member against which liquid pressure within said container acts. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A dispensing closure assembly for a container, comprising:
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an outer closure body including an upper tubular portion, and a lower skirt portion configured for attachment to an associated container;
a central support stem positioned within said tubular portion;
a flexible valve member positioned in said tubular portion, one of said support stem and said tubular portion defining an annular valve seat, said flexible valve member extending from the other of said support stem and tubular portion and bears against said valve seat in a first, closed position of said flexible valve member, said valve member being movable from said first closed position to a second position wherein at least a portion of the periphery of said valve member is spaced from said valve seat to permit flow through said tubular portion; and
a liquid seal lip extending from said one of said support stem and said tubular portion for engagement with said flexible valve member intermediate;
(1) the other of said support stem and tubular portion; and
(2) said valve seat, to limit the surface area of said valve member against which liquid pressure within said container acts. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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Specification