GB1592560A

GB1592560A - Dispensing closures

Info

Publication number: GB1592560A
Application number: GB5259377A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1977-12-17
Filing date: 1977-12-17
Publication date: 1981-07-08

Description

(54) DISPENSING CLOSURES (71) I, SIDNEY M. LIBIT of 441 Lakeside Terrace, Glencoe, Illinois, United States of America, a citizen of the United States of America, do hereby declare the invention, for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Closures of plastics materials for receptacles for fluent substances have been known wherein a membrane closes the pouring opening but which is adapted to be punctured at the time access to the contents is desired. However, those known to me are unnecessarily complicated, unreliable, and include features mitigating against economical molding.Moreover, parts of the device have been formed so as to protrude beyond the generally circular outline such devices are given in order that the same may be assembled rapidly by automatic machinery, viz. by the use of a spinning chuck which grips the device and rotates the same into tight engagement with the neck of the receptacle by means of interengaging threads. For these and other reasons the packaging industry has not adopted them.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention there is provided an integrally formed dispensing closure having body means for securement to means defining a pouring opening through which the contents of a receptable may be dispensed, said opening adapted to be opened and closed by means of said closure to permit flow and to terminate flow respectively, said closure being formed of resilient but generally shape retaining plastics material, said body means including a circular top, a cylindrical recess being formed in a portion of said top with said recess having an integrally formed floor constituted as a thin membrane and adapted to be puncturable or rupturable to provide a pouring opening, a flexible arm or bail integrally formed with the body means and connected at at leat one end and carrying a sharp puncturing member or adapted to receive a pressure member portion of said membrane respectively capable of penetrating or rupturing said membrane upon application of digital force to the arm or bail or to the penetrating or rupturing member for penetrating or rupturing the membrane whereby the bail may be flexed to permit positioning of the point of the sharp member confronting the membrane whereupon the member may be thrust through to permit displacement thereof so as to rupture the membrane or whereby the bail and rupturing member may be displaced so as to rupture the membrane to provide a pouring opening therethrough when the member is withdrawn, and being formed so as to serve to close the opening formed in the membrane following puncturing or rupturing.

In one aspect the invention device comprises a generally cylindrical body or base preferably molded from a plastics composition characterized by good elastic memory, i.e., resiliency coupled with return to the asmolded condition upon removal of deforming forces. The body has means to attach the same to means defining the exit of the container, e.g. a threaded neck or a rib and groove combination for push-on assembly by force applied axially of the receptacle. Such attaching means are conventional and are not believed to require elaboration. Integrally molded with the body is a bail extending peripherally of the base and a combined punch and stopper is secured to one segment of the bail. The dimensions and resilience of the material are such that the bail may be readily deformed by the fingers to fulfill the functions hereinafter to be ascribed thereto.At the axis of the closure and in the top wall thereof the device being of generally cylindrical form-there is a recess having a membrane as a floor. This membrane is so dimensioned as to be readily punctured for pouring of the contents. The punch carried by the bail is so positioned that the punch may be displaced from an idle position to a position whereat the punch may be thrust through the membrane. Preferably, the punch has a cylindrical guide portion engaged in a complementary bore surround ing the membrane in order to steady the punch during the membrane-piercing operation. In order to preserve a non-interfering position of the bail and punch when the same are out of use, detent means may be provided.The arrangement of the several parts of the closure is such that the piece part may be stripped from the mold by a direct pull, thus dispensing with the inordinate expense of movable cores which are incorporated in the mold only at considerable cost, and reduce the production rate.

Reverting to the recess and its cooperative punch, it is advantageous to form the lateral wall of the recess such that a corner is formed between the floor and the lateral wall; furthcr that the point of the punch, in idle position, lies in said corner. Accordingly, initial lifting of the bail to actuate the punch is effective to swing the punch into a position normal to the membrane, whereafter continued swinging of the bail and steering of the punch, combined with force applied to the shank of the punch will thrust the apex of the punch through the membrane. Stated otherwise, no particular attention need be paid to guiding of the punch once it has been started into the recess.

BRiEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRA W ING Fig. I is a perspective view of a closure in accordance with one aspect of the invention Fig. 2 is a combined si(','.' elevation and cross section of the closure - í rig. I; Fig. 3 is a partial cross section taken on the line 3--3 of Fig. I; Fig. 4 is a cop plane view of a modified form of the closure of Fig.I; Fig. 5 is a partial cross section taken on the line 55 of Fig. 4; Fig. ('is a perspective view of another form of closure embodying the principles of the invention; Fig. 7 is a partial cross section taken on the line 7--7 of Fig. 6, in the idle condition; Fig. 8 is a cross section similar to that of Fig. 7 but with the bail and punch in a partially actuated condition; Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8, but showing a further stage of actuation; Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9 but in the final position, with the just-formed pouring opening scaled; Fig.II is a partial cross section taken on the line I ll I, of Fig. 6; Fig. 12 is a top plan view of another embodiment, in the idle or unopened condition; Fig. 13 is a vertical medial cross section, partly in side elevation, of the form of closure shown in Fig. 12, but with the pouring opening punched and sealed; Fig. 14a is a partial cross section on the line 14 14 of Fig. 12 in one condition; Fig. 14b is a partial cross section on the line 14-14 of Fig. 12 in another condition; Fig. 15 is a top plan view of a further modification showing the bail extending over an angle of almost 360Q; Fig. 16 is a medial vertical cross section with some parts in side elevation of still another modification; Fig. 17 is a cross section taken on the line 17 17 of Fig. 16;; Fig. 18 is a combined cross section and side elevation showing still another embodiment in idle position; Fig. 19 is a view similar to that of Fig. 18 in partially actuated position; Fig. 20 is a combined cross section and side elevation of a further embodiment; Fig. 21 is a cross section taken on the line 21 21 of Fig. 20; Fig. 22 is a cross sectional detail of a modified form; Fig. 23 is a detail of a position of Fig. 22 with the membrane separated; Fig. 24 is a perspective view of a modification of that form of the invention shown in Figs. 18 and 19; Fig. 25 is a fragmentary cross section taken on the line 25 25 of Fig. 24; Fig. 26a is a detail to illustrate the relation between the piercing point and its cavity; Fig. 26b is similar to Fig. 26a except that the piercing point has been shifted toward piercing position;; Fig. 26c is similar to Fig. 26b to show the piercing point just before being thrust through the membrane; and Fig. 26d shows piercing completed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Turning to Figs. 1 and 2 there is shown a one-piece closure embodying the principles of the invention comprising a base 10 of any desired form, usually a hollow cylinder, slightly tapered for esthetic reasons, having an annular skirt 11 which, in the example, has an internal thread 14 to engage a complementary thread on the neck of the receptacle (not shown). The base has a top wall 15 which may be sealed with respect to the neck of the receptacle by a liner or sealing ring, as is common. The closure is desirably molded of a plastics composition, e.g. polyethylene or polypropylene, characterized by good plastic memory, viz. capable of being elastically deformed and then of restoring itself to its as-molded condition.

The top 15 has a recess 21, say cylindrical, having a bottom wall 16 (Fig. 3) and a lateral wall 17. The floor of the recess is of a thickness calculated to resist any pressure which may build up in the receptacle but yet capable of being easily pierced, simply by finger pressure applied to that portion of the aforementioned bail associated with a punch 27 to be described.

A flexible bail 25 is defined as a separate portion of the top 15 separated therefrom by a substantially semicircular slit 26, permitting flexure of the bail from the as-molded position of Fig. 1 to the flexed position indicated by broken lines in Fig. 2. The bail is provided with a punch 27 having a shank 27b and terminating at its free end in a point 27a. Consequently, when access is to be had to the contents of the receptacle for the first time, the punch 27 is brought over to the broken-line position of Fig. 2 by bending the bail and the punch is thrust inwardly of the closure. In this way the wall 16 is pierced by the point 27a. See the enlarged detail of Fig.

3. In order that the piercing operation may not generate tags depending from the margin of the opening, it is within contemplation to arrange that the periphery of the floor 16 be beveled, as shown, to provide a peripheral gutter thin enough to ensure that any vestiges or tags of the plastic composition left by the piercing operation are minimized. It will be obvious that, if left in place, these tags could interfere with fluid flow from the receptacle.

Although Fig. 3 shows the thin periphery of the floor 16 as knife-edged, sufficient material will be left to ensure against unintended dislodgement of the circular floor portion 16.

In order guide the punch 27 during its movement toward and during piercing, it is desirable to form the shank of the punch as a pilot 29 of a diameter which will have a sliding fit within the lateral wall 17.

From the foregoing it will have become apparent that the consumer will purchase a receptacle and cap which is tamper proof and which may be placed in service by deforming the bail 25 from the position of Fig. 1 to the position of Fig. 2. At the end of this operation the thumb may press upon the bail to force the point 28 through the membrane 16. Following piercing, the bail and punch are withdrawn and the user may discard the punched-out membrane. Thereafter the pilot 29 may serve as a cork closing off the recess 21 and sealing the contents of the receptacle.

While the form of device described in connection with Figs. I and 2 may be easily molded it may, due to its out-of-round character, present some difficulty if applied to the receptacle by an automatic capping machine. Accordingly, there is disclosed an alternative (Figs. 4 and 5) having a cylindrical configuration for at least a portion 31 of its height to be gripped by the rotary chuck of a capping machine. In this case the bail 25a will lie within the confines of the chuck jaws.

It will be understood that, although the form of invention shown in Figs. I and 2 includes threads 14, these are eliminated in the case of a cap which is engaged with the receptacle through bead-and-groove means, requiring only straight thrust for assembly.

It will be understood that the clearance gap 26 or 32 will be minimal, having in mind the exigencies involved in fabricating the molds and molding the parts. By so doing the bail 25a may be actuated between active and inactive positions without hindrance and, in the case of capping by means of a chuck, the bail may be grasped along with the skirt 11, without harmful deformation. As seen in Fig.

5, a notch 34 may be provided to accept the fingernail upon initial lifting of the bail.

Figs. 6 through 11 relate to another modification wherein the base 41 and its mode of attachment to the receptacle are as described above. In this case the top 42 has a radially directed channel 55 to receive a piercing element 44 extending radially inwardly of the bail 45, this latter being similar to the bail 25 and displaceable in similar manner. The top 42 has a recess 47 meeting the channel 55, said recess having a lateral wall 48 and a bottom wall 49, the two walls meeting to form a sharp corner 51. It is to be noted that the bottom wall of the recess is somewhat thinner than adjacent parts of the closure and serves as a puncturable membrane in the same way as the wall 16 previously described. The piercing element 44 is normally nested within a branch recess 55. Desirably the element 44 is retained in the recess 55 by detent action as shown in Fig. 11.The element 44 is easily dislodged from the recess when the bail 45 is lifted.

To open the closure for the first time the bail 45 is lifted (Fig. 8) and, at the same time, the point 52 is brought against the lateral wall 48 of the recess 40. Continued displacement of the bail will cause the point to shift gradually until it is located in the corner 51.

Fig. 8 shows the point in the process of sliding along the wall 48. As the bail is displaced further the element 44 will rotate about its point as a fulcrum until it is vertical or substantially so. Now, as the pressure applied to the butt end of the element 44 (Fig. 9) is increased, the point 52 will be forced through the membrane 49 to form the pouring exit (Fig. 10).

For convenience of exposition the thickness of the pierced membrane has been exaggerated intentionally. In practice, this thickness will be only a few thousandths of an inch. Experimental models have demonstrated that a clean hole, free of tags, is punched out. However, it will be understood that a shoulder (not shown) may be provided just behind the point 52, to shear any tags which may remain following piercing.

Another embodiment is illustrated in Figs.

12, 13, 14a and 14b. A strap extends from the body of the closure and a piercing element is carried at the distal end of the strap. This strap is secured to the body of the closure in such a way that an automatic capping machine may be availed of without interfer ing with the strap or punch. The particular improvement disclosed in Figs. 12, 13. 14a and 14b comprises a punch 61 having two diameters; one, 6 lea, of some selected diameter, based on the flow rate, and another, 61b, of greater diameter, meeting the smaller in a shoulder 61c. This latter has a working surface designed to sever the tags left as a result of the piercing operation. Stated otherwise, the point 61d will penetrate the membrane 63 (Fig. 14a) and will be followed by the shoulder 61c which shears any tags left by the piercing operation.Thus, a clean pouring hole 67 (Fig. 14b) is realized. It will be noted that the portion 61b of the punch is guided with a sliding fit in a bore 68 in the closure body whereby to steady the punch 61a in its stroke towards and during the membrane-piercing tag-clearing step.

Fig. 15 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment in which the resiliency of a slender, flexible bail 71 is relied upon to permit easy location of the guiding portion 71a of the punch within the bore 71b. By means of this construction there is no need to fold the bail over as shown, for example, in Fig. 13 and, moreover, there is no obstruction to a capping machine chuck.

Figs. 16 and 17 show a closure embodying the principles of the invention in a situation where the pouring opening is desirably located near the outer periphery of the closure rather than at the center.

In this embodiment, the piercing element 81 is as before, and is secured at its basal end to the bail 45b. A saddle 82 frictionally receives the element 81 in its initially assembled position, the saddle including resilient elements 84--84 defining a throat 85. Thus, following molding of the part with the element 81 directed axially, the element 81 may be bent over to be detachably held in the saddle 82 pending initial use of the closure. The broken line representation of the element 81 on the left of Fig. 16 shows the as-molded position thereof. It is believed that the construction and operation of this form of the invention will have become evident from the preceding description.

Figs. 18 and 19 illustrate still another embodiment in which a member 91 is joined by one end to the bail 92 which functions similarly to the several forms of bail hereinbefore referred to. A piercing element 93 is located at the distal end of the member 91 and functions to pierce the membrane 95 in the same way as those piercing members heretofore described. In this form of the invention it is unnecessary to use any special care in directing the piercing element 93 into the bore 96 but simply to lift the bail 92 at its left-hand side, as seen in Fig. 19 and to swing it clockwise using the abutment of the finger 97 against the wall 98 as a fulcrum. The arrangement of the parts is such that rotation of the member 91 directs the element 93 into the bore 96 and toward membrane-piercing position.Compared to previously-described embodiments a single movement of the member 91 replaces the two movements otherwise required, viz., location of the piercing element in its bore and thrusting movement to effect piercing.

A modification of that form of the invention shown in Figs. 18 and 19 is seen in Figs.

24 and 25. In this case, the piercing point 140 is part of a member 141 molded integrally with the substantially semi-circular bail 143 similarly to the parts 91 and 92 (Fig. 18).

When the bail 143 is lifted the piercing point 140 functions in the same way as the member 93. However to assure that the member 93 will have adequate rigidity and to avoid the tendency to buckle, the member 141 is provided with two additional elements 126146 flanking the point 140. These elements 126-146 are each associated with a well 130 similar to the well 96 (Fig. 18). Thus, when the member 141 is pivoted to active position the two flanking elements 146-146 move therewith, the relationship of the parts being such that the stiffness of the point 140 is supplemented and piercing of the membrane 150 made more reliable.However, if a venting type of cap is desired, and gas under pressure in the receptacle is to be vented prior to full opening of the pouring hole, the floor of the wells 130 130 may be made sufficiently thin, and the points 126-126 sufficiently sharp to enable the additional venting holes to be realized.

Figs. 26a to 26d are details to show several positions of the point 140 in relation to a well 130. In view of the preceding description these several figures are not believed to require elaboration.

In order to provide a low profile it may be advantageous to arrange the bail in such a way that no part thereof will protrude outwardly beyond the top of the closure.

Thus, turning to Figs. 20 and 21 the bail 99 may lie in a plane which is inclined at an acute angle with respect to the horizontal plane. By so doing the fixed part 101 of the bail may be at the top and the displaceable part 102 near the bottom. In this case the piercing member 103 will lie adjacent the lateral wall or skirt 104 of the closure. In order to hold the bail and piercing member in the idle position just described, a seat 110 is provided, this latter having a pair of resilient wings to grasp the member 103 but allow easy disengagement thereof. The foregoing feature amounts to a detent between member 103 and the bifurcated seat 110.

Another modification is depicted in Fig.

22. The principal feature shown by this embodiment is means by which the membrane is separated from the body of the closure and then discarded, as compared to those forms hereinbefore described wherein vestiges of the punched membrane may or may not be completely severed. To this end the pouring opening 120 is molded with a membrane 121 obturating the same. The periphery of the membrane may be feathered to facilitate severance. Protruding outwardly from the membrane is a post 124 forming a pressure member and provided with corrugations (a single corrugation being possible), each of which is a conical frustum, with the larger diameter toward the membrane. The distal end of the strap or bail 126 has a boss 127 provided with a straight, blind hole 128.

The diameter of the latter relative to the maximum diameter of the post 124 is such that a tight, "corking" effect is realized. The parts are molded so that the bail 126 is folded back free from the position shown. Upon initial use the boss 127 is forced over the post 124 to relaize a jam fit. The bail may then be given reverse movement to break the membrane loose from the opening 120 and thus enable pouring therethrough. It will be apparent that the reverse slope or rake 128 of the teeth of the post 124 will augment the grip of the boss 127 on the post.

Following the foregoing manipulation the receptacle is closed by forcing the boss 127 into the opening 120. To this end the fit therebetween can be made as snug as desired depending upon the nature of the fluid contents of the receptacle. In any event there is no danger of losing the stopper represented by the boss 127. If desired, the broken out membrane 121 and the post 124 may be separated and the latter discarded.

In order that piercing of the membrane may be accomplished with the least effort, it is preferred that the piercing point have an apex of less than 90 .

WHAT I CLAIM IS: 1. An integrally formed dispensing closure having body means for securement to means defining a pouring opening through which the contents of a receptacle may be dispensed, said opening adapted to be opened and closed by means of said closure to permit flow and to terminate flow respectively, said closure being formed of resilient but generally shape retaining plastics material, said body means including a circular top, a cylindrical recess being formed in a portion of said top with said recess having an integrally formed floor constituted as a thin membrane adapted to be puncturable or rupturable to provide a pouring opening, a flexible arm or bail integrally formed with the body means and connected at at least one end and carrying a sharp puncturing member or adapted to receive a pressure member portion of said membrane respectively capable of penetrating or rupturing said membrane upon application of digital force to the arm or bail or to the penetrating or rupturing member for penetrating or rupturing the membrane whereby the bail may be flexed to permit positioning of the point of the sharp member confronting the membrane whereupon the member may be thrust through to permit displacement thereof so as to rupture the membrane or whereby the bail and rupturing member may be displaced so as to rupture the membrane to provide a pouring opening therethrough when the member is withdrawn, and being formed so as to serve to close the opening formed in the membrane following puncturing or rupturing.

2. A closure having means for securement to means defining a pouring opening through which the contents of a receptacle may be dispensed, said opening being adapted to be opened and closed by means of said closure to permit flow and to terminate flow respectively, said body means including a circular top, said closure being in one piece and comprising resilient but generally shape retaining plastics composition, a recess in said top, said recess having an integrally formed floor constituted as a readily puncturable membrane and adapted to be rupturable to provide a pouring opening, a flexible bail of substantially semicircular configuration integrally formed with the body and connected by its ends thereto, the bail carrying a sharp puncturing member intermediate its ends whereby the bail may be flexed about its ends to position the point of the sharp member confronting the membrane and the member may be thrust through the membrane to present a pouring opening when the member is withdrawn.

3. A closure as claimed in claim 2, in which said member has an annular shoulder adapted to shear tags left around the periphery of the punched opening.

4. A closure as claimed in claim 2 or 3, in which said member is a cone having an apex angle less then 90o.

5. A closure as claimed in any of claims I to 4, further characterized by detent means to retain the bail in a predetermined idle position pending manipulation of the member.

6. A closure as claimed in any of claims I to 5 in which the recess has a lateral wall surrounding the membrane adapted to be engaged by the point of the member to guide the member toward and during puncturing movement.

7. A closure as claimed in claim 6 in which the lateral wall of the recess is substantially perpendicular to the floor thereof, the wall and floor meeting in a corner, the point of the member, in the idle position, resting with its point in the corner, whereby initial use of the member will cause rotation thereof about its point and will

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.

closure and then discarded, as compared to those forms hereinbefore described wherein vestiges of the punched membrane may or may not be completely severed. To this end the pouring opening 120 is molded with a membrane 121 obturating the same. The periphery of the membrane may be feathered to facilitate severance. Protruding outwardly from the membrane is a post 124 forming a pressure member and provided with corrugations (a single corrugation being possible), each of which is a conical frustum, with the larger diameter toward the membrane. The distal end of the strap or bail 126 has a boss

127 provided with a straight, blind hole 128.

The diameter of the latter relative to the maximum diameter of the post 124 is such that a tight, "corking" effect is realized. The parts are molded so that the bail 126 is folded back free from the position shown. Upon initial use the boss 127 is forced over the post 124 to relaize a jam fit. The bail may then be given reverse movement to break the membrane loose from the opening 120 and thus enable pouring therethrough. It will be apparent that the reverse slope or rake 128 of the teeth of the post 124 will augment the grip of the boss 127 on the post.

Following the foregoing manipulation the receptacle is closed by forcing the boss 127 into the opening 120. To this end the fit therebetween can be made as snug as desired depending upon the nature of the fluid contents of the receptacle. In any event there is no danger of losing the stopper represented by the boss 127. If desired, the broken out membrane 121 and the post 124 may be separated and the latter discarded.

In order that piercing of the membrane may be accomplished with the least effort, it is preferred that the piercing point have an apex of less than 90 .

WHAT I CLAIM IS: 1. An integrally formed dispensing closure having body means for securement to means defining a pouring opening through which the contents of a receptacle may be dispensed, said opening adapted to be opened and closed by means of said closure to permit flow and to terminate flow respectively, said closure being formed of resilient but generally shape retaining plastics material, said body means including a circular top, a cylindrical recess being formed in a portion of said top with said recess having an integrally formed floor constituted as a thin membrane adapted to be puncturable or rupturable to provide a pouring opening, a flexible arm or bail integrally formed with the body means and connected at at least one end and carrying a sharp puncturing member or adapted to receive a pressure member portion of said membrane respectively capable of penetrating or rupturing said membrane upon application of digital force to the arm or bail or to the penetrating or rupturing member for penetrating or rupturing the membrane whereby the bail may be flexed to permit positioning of the point of the sharp member confronting the membrane whereupon the member may be thrust through to permit displacement thereof so as to rupture the membrane or whereby the bail and rupturing member may be displaced so as to rupture the membrane to provide a pouring opening therethrough when the member is withdrawn, and being formed so as to serve to close the opening formed in the membrane following puncturing or rupturing.
2. A closure having means for securement to means defining a pouring opening through which the contents of a receptacle may be dispensed, said opening being adapted to be opened and closed by means of said closure to permit flow and to terminate flow respectively, said body means including a circular top, said closure being in one piece and comprising resilient but generally shape retaining plastics composition, a recess in said top, said recess having an integrally formed floor constituted as a readily puncturable membrane and adapted to be rupturable to provide a pouring opening, a flexible bail of substantially semicircular configuration integrally formed with the body and connected by its ends thereto, the bail carrying a sharp puncturing member intermediate its ends whereby the bail may be flexed about its ends to position the point of the sharp member confronting the membrane and the member may be thrust through the membrane to present a pouring opening when the member is withdrawn.
3. A closure as claimed in claim 2, in which said member has an annular shoulder adapted to shear tags left around the periphery of the punched opening.
4. A closure as claimed in claim 2 or 3, in which said member is a cone having an apex angle less then 90o.
5. A closure as claimed in any of claims I to 4, further characterized by detent means to retain the bail in a predetermined idle position pending manipulation of the member.
6. A closure as claimed in any of claims I to 5 in which the recess has a lateral wall surrounding the membrane adapted to be engaged by the point of the member to guide the member toward and during puncturing movement.
7. A closure as claimed in claim 6 in which the lateral wall of the recess is substantially perpendicular to the floor thereof, the wall and floor meeting in a corner, the point of the member, in the idle position, resting with its point in the corner, whereby initial use of the member will cause rotation thereof about its point and will

direct the member into a position essentially normal to the membrane.
8. A closure as claimed in claim 7, in which the member has a shank portion having a diameter providing a sliding fit within the lateral wall of the recess, the diameter of the member adjacent its point being less than the diameter of the shank portion to define an annular shoulder, the face of the shoulder being at right angles t,) the axis of the member to shear any tatax, remaining after operation of the member to pierce the membrane.
9. A one piece dispensing closure of material which is resilient but generally shape retaining including means to attach the same to a receptacle for fluent material.

said closure comprising a cup-shaped body comprising a skirt and a top wall, a flexible bail of substantially U-shaped configuration, the free ends of the legs thereof merging with the body, means defining a circular recess in said top, said recess having an integrally formed floor comprising a puncturable membrane, a member adapted to puncture the membrane when force inwardly of the recep tacle is applied, said member comprising a shank joined to the bight of the U and a conical piercing end extending from the shank and coaxially therewith, said puncturing member being of smaller diameter than the shank to define a shoulder therewith. the puncturing member being forme so as to close the opening formed in the membrane following puncturing.
10. A closure as claimed in claim 9, further characterized by detent means on said body to receive said puncturing member in idle position.
II. A closure as claimed in claims 9 or 10 in which said shoulder lies in a plane at right angles to the axis of movement of the puncturing-sealing member, and has a cutting face to shear any tags extending from the punctured membrane following puncturing.
12. A one-piece closure of resilient material for use with a container for a fluent substance comprising a body having means to attach the closure to the receptacle, a bail secured to the body, said body having a top, a hollow tubular guide extending outwardly of said top, the bore of the guide, in the asmolded condition being obturated by an integrally formed membrane adapted to be rupturable to provide a pouring means, and a punch mounted by one end on the bight of the U, the punch being so located as to be insertable in said bore upon bending of the bail, said punch having a piercing point which, upon force being applied thereto, penetrates said membrane.
13. A closure as claimed in claim 12, further characterized by means carried on said punch adapted to shear tags left at the periphery of the bore following penetration of the membrane.
14. A closure as claimed in claim 12 in which the body has a top and an exterior cylindrical skirt; the bail is substantially circular and disposed, in the idle condition, in a position such that its principal plane is at an acute angle to the horizontal, the punch, in the idle position thereof lying closely adjacent the skirt and the length of the punch being so determined as not to protrude beyond said top.
15. A closure as claimed in claim 14, further characterized by detent means retaining the punch closely adjacent said skirt.
16. A one-piece closure of resilient material for use with a container for a fluent substance comprising a body having means to attach the closure to the container said body being substantially of inverted cupshape including an end wall, a substantially U-shaped bail joined to the body by the legs of the U, the bail, in its idle position, being substantially coplanar with said end wall, an elongated element mounted by one end on the bight of the U and having a piercing point at the other end, said element being coplanar with the pricipal plane of the bail, a pair of members flanking the elongated element, said top wall having recesses to receive the free end of respective ones of said members, the bail, when bent away from idle position biasing the element and members into pivotal relation with the associated recesses and concurrently forcing the piercing point through the integrally formed floor of its associated recess to realize a pouring hole from the interior of the container to atmosphere when the bail is moved reversely to withdraw the element.
17. A closure substantially as herein described and illustrated with reference to Figs.

1 to 5, Figs. 6 to 11, Figs. 13 and 14, Fig. 15, Figs. 16 and 17, Figs. 18 and 19 and as modified in Figs. 24 and 25 as elaborated by Figs. 26a to 26d, Figs. 20 and 21, or Figs. 22 and 23.