MXPA01003670A - Dispensing structure wich has a lid with a pressure-openable valve - Google Patents

Abstract

A dispensing structure (20, 20A) is provided for discharging the contents from the interior of a container (22). The structure includes a body (40, 40A) for extending from the container (22). The body (40) defines a dispensing opening (92, 92A) and a sealing surface (94, 94A) around the dispensing opening (92, 92A). A lid (30, 30A) is provided for movement between open and closed positions. The lid (30, 30A) has a frame defining a lid dispensing passage (116, 116A) through the lid (30, 30A). The lid (30, 30A) includes a flexible valve (80, 80A) that is disposed within the lid frame across the lid dispensing passage (116, 116A). The flexible valve (80, 80A) has self-sealing slits (266) which open to permit flow therethrough in response to increased pressure on the side of the valve (80, 80A) facing the container (22) when the lid (30, 30A) is closed.

Description

DESPACHADORA STRUCTURE THAT HAS THE COVER WITH A VALVE THAT OPENS AT PRESSURE TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to a system for dispensing a product from a container. This invention is more particularly related to the system incorporating a dispensing valve that is especially suitable for use with a container from which a substance from the container can be discharged through the valve when the internal pressure of the container is increased.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND TECHNICAL PROBLEMS POSED BY THE PREVIOUS TECHNIQUE A variety of packaging, including packaging or dispensing containers, has been developed for personal care products such as shampoos, lotions, etc., as well as for other materials. The containers typically have a neck defining an open upper end on which a dispensing closure is mounted. One type of dispenser closure for this type of container has a self-sealing slot-type dispensing valve that opens with the flexible pressure mounted on the closure over the container opening. When the container is squeezed, the valve opens its slot, and the fluid content of the container is discharged through the open slots of the valve. The valve automatically closes or discontinues the flow of fluid through it by removing the increased pressure - or even if a container is inverted so that the valve is subject to the weight of the contents inside the container. The designs of the closures using the valves are illustrated in US Pat. Nos. 5,271,531 and 5,033,655. Typically, the closure includes a body mounted on the container neck to hold the valve over the container opening. A cover can be provided to cover the valve during transport and when in the container it is not being used otherwise. See, for example, FIGURES 31-34 of U.S. Patent No. 5,271,531. The cover can be designed to prevent valve leakage under certain conditions. The cap can also keep dust and dirt from the valve and / or can protect the valve from damage. The present invention has determined that it would be advantageous to provide an improved dispensing structure having a lid and a flexible slot valve and which may have various modes of operation in a container. It would be particularly beneficial to provide such a dispensing structure with the ability in a first mode of operation to accommodate the removal of product from the container with a spoon or by pouring the contents. It would be beneficial to provide a second mode of operation for accommodating the jet of a product stream through the valve. It would also be desirable to provide the improved dispensing structure to cover the product in the container while at the same time accommodating gas ventilation through the valve. This would allow, for example, the heating in the microwave oven of a food product in the container adhered to the steam of other gases conducted outside in the heating process can easily escape through the valve. Such improved dispatcher structure should also accommodate designs that allow incorporation of the dispatcher structure as a unitary part, or extension, of the container and could also accommodate designs that separately mount the dispatcher structure on the container in a secure manner. It would also be great if the improved dispensing structure could easily be adapted to be manufactured from a different variety of materials. Furthermore, it would be desirable if the improved dispensing structure could be provided with a design that could accommodate high-quality, high-volume manufacturing techniques with a reduced product rejection ratio. Preferably, the improved dispatch structure should also accommodate high-speed manufacturing techniques that produce products that have consistent operating characteristics from unit to unit, with high reliability. The present invention provides an improved dispensing structure that can accommodate designs that have the benefits and features mentioned above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect of the present invention, a dispensing structure is provided to discharge the contents of the interior of a container. The dispensing structure includes a body extending from the container. The body defines the dispensing opening to establish communication between the exterior and interior of the container. The body has a sealing surface around the body dispensing opening. A dispensing structure includes a lid having a structure defining a lid dispenser passage through the lid. The lid also includes a flexible valve that is positioned within the lid structure through the lid dispensing passage. The valve has self-sealing grooves that open to allow flow through you are in response to the increased pressure on one side of the valve facing the container when the lid is closed. The lid can have movements between (1) a closed position on the dispensing opening of the body whereby the contents of the container can be dispensed through the dispensing opening in the valve, and (2) an open position away from the dispensing opening for accommodate and discharge the contents of the container through the dispensing opening without flowing through the valve. The lid, when in the closed position, is in sealing relationship with the body sealing surface. In a preferred embodiment described in detail below, the body sealing surface is annular and defines at least a portion of the body dispensing aperture. The lid has a sealing member for sealingly coupling the body sealing surface when the lid is in the closed position. In particular, the cap includes an annular flange extending inwardly. The annular cap tab defines a sealing member for sealingly coupling the body sealing surface when the cap is in the closed position. When the lid is closed, the container can be tightened to dispense a product that can flow out of the container through the valve. Also, when the lid is closed, the container can be heated, as in a microwave oven, and any gas generated during heating can escape by venting through the valve. If you want to remove the product from the container, with a spoon, the lid, with the valve fastened inside it, to move to the open position. A spoon can then be inserted into the container. Alternatively, with the lid in the open position, the container can be inverted, and the product can be poured out of the container. Various advantages and features of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention, from the claims and from the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the attached drawings that are part of the specification, and in which similar numbers are used to designate similar parts through it; FIGURE 1 is a fragmented perspective view of a first embodiment of the dispensing structure of the present invention comprising a separate closure that is mounted on the container having a bonded lid shown in an open position; FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the bottom of the first embodiment of the closure in an open position shown removed from the container; FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of a first embodiment of the open closure; FIGURE 4 is a bottom plan view of the first embodiment of the open closure; FIGURE 5 is a transverse body view taken generally along plane 5-5 in FIGURE 4; FIGURE 6 is a very enlarged view similar to FIGURE 5, but in FIGURE 6 the transverse body view plane is taken perpendicular to the plane of FIGURE 5, and FIGURE 6 shows the closure in the closed condition with a label or releasable cover placed on the top of the closed lid; FIGURE 7 is a view similar to FIGURE 5, but FIGURE 7 shows the cap components in a schematic view; FIGURE 8 is a greatly enlarged plan view of the cap valve taken generally along the plane 8-8 in FIGURE 7; FIGURE 9 is a perspective view of the valve; FIGURE 10 is a side elevational view of the valve; FIGURE 11 is a very enlarged fragmented view similar to FIGURE 6, but FIGURE 11 shows the release cover or label promoted from the top of the lid and shows the inverted closure in a dispensing mode; FIGURE 12 is a perspective view similar to FIGURE 1, but FIGURE 12 shows a second embodiment of the dispensing structure of the present invention comprising a separate closure adapted to be mounted on a container (not shown), and FIGURE 12 shows the closure with a lid attached in the open position; FIGURE 13 is a top plan view of the second embodiment of the dispensing structure shown in FIGURE 12; FIGURE 14 is a bottom plan view of the second embodiment of the dispensing structure shown in FIGURE 12; FIGURE 15 is a cross-sectional body view taken generally along the plane 15-15 in FIGURE 14, FIGURE 16 is a greatly enlarged view similar to FIG.

FIGURE 15, but in FIGURE 16 the plane of the transverse body view is taken generally perpendicular to the plane of view of FIGURE 15 and FIGURE 16 shows the second embodiment of the dispensing structure in a closed condition; and FIGURE 17 is a view similar to FIGURE 15, but FIGURE 17 shows the cap components in a schematic view.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES Since this invention is capable of being exemplified in many different forms, this specification of the accompanying drawings describes only some specific forms as examples of the invention. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the described modalities. The scope of the invention is defined in the appended claims. For ease of description, the dispensing structure of this invention will be described in different operating positions. It should be understood, however, that the dispensing structure of this invention can be manufactured, stored, transported, used and sold in different orientations to the positions described. In a presently preferred embodiment of the dispensing structure of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1-11 in the form of a dispenser closure generally designated in many of the figures by the reference number 20. The dispensing structure or closure 20 is It may be appreciated, however, that it is contemplated that in some applications it may be desirable for the dispensing structure to be formed as a unitary part, or as an extension of the container, as a separately manufactured unit for mounting to the upper part of the container. 22. The container 22 typically has a conventional mouth 24 (FIGURE 1) that provides access to the interior of the container and the product contained therein. The product can be, for example, a liquid edible product. The product can also be any other solid, liquid or gaseous material, including but not limited to, food products, personal care products, household or industrial cleaning products, paint products, or wall patch products, or other chemical compositions (for example, to be used in activities involving manufacturing, home or commercial maintenance, construction, remodeling and agriculture), etc. The container 22 can typically have a neck or other suitable structure defining the mouth 24 of the container. The neck may have (but is not necessary, a circular transverse body configuration, and the container body 22 may have another transverse body configuration, such as an oval transverse body shape, for example. having a substantially constant shape throughout its entire length or height without any reduced or different size neck portion in the transverse body The container 22 can typically be the squeezable container having a flexible wall or walls that can be fastened by a user and compressed to increase the internal pressure of the container 22 to tighten the product out of the container 22 through the closure 20 when the closure 20 is open Such containers typically have sufficient inherent flexibility so that when the tightening forces are remove, the wall of the container returns to its normal, unstressed form. applications, but may not be necessary or preferred in other applications. In fact, the container 22 can be substantially rigid. A piston may be provided in the rigid container to assist in dispensing a product, especially a relatively viscous product. The dispensing or closing structure 20 comprises a body base 40, and a cover 30 that includes a structure (described in detail below) and a valve 80 type slot that can be opened by flexible pressure mounted inside the structure. The closure body 40 defines a skirt 82 having a conventional thread 84 as shown in FIGURE 2 for coupling the neck of the container neck (not shown in FIGURE 2) to secure the closure body 40 to the neck of the container 22 The closure body 40 and the container 22 can also be connected in a released manner with a snap-fit cord and notch., or by other means. Alternatively, the closure body 40 can be permanently fixed to the container 22 by means of induction melting, ultrasonic melting, adhesive or the like, depending on the materials used for the closure container. In addition, the closure 20 may, in some applications, be formed as a unitary part, or extension of the container 22. The upper portion of the closure skirt 82, the closure body 40 defines an annular shoulder 86 extending radially inwardly ( FIGURE 1) . Preferably, as seen in FIGURE 6, the annular flexible "crab floor" seal 88 projects from the lower portion of the closure body shoulder 86 adjacent to the upper end of the container neck to provide a seal leak tight between the closure body 40 and the neck of the container. Of course, other types of body seals / closure container may be employed. Projecting outwards (i.e., upwards in FIGURES 5 and 6) of the closure body shoulder 86 is an annular receiving portion or mouthpiece 90 having an open distal end that can be closed by the cap 30. The portion 90 of The annular housing defines an internal dispenser opening 92 (FIGURE 5) to establish communication between the exterior and the interior of the container. At least part of the opening 92 is defined by a generally annular sealing surface 94 (FIGURE 5) on the inside of the annular receiving portion 90. The lid 30, when closed, functions as a cover when the product is not being dispensed from the container. In addition, a label or other releasable seal member or cover, such as the label 96 (FIGURE 6), can be secured on top of the closed lid 30 so that the closed lid 30 can also function as a lid substantially leak tight to prevent air ingress and / or product discharge from the container when the container is subjected to an intentional or unnoticed impact that may temporarily increase the pressure inside the container. The lid 30, with the releasable label 96 secured to it, will prevent discharge of the container during transport of the container, during storage and while the container is being displayed in a store, or while the container is being stored. initially stored by a user. The lid 30 is preferably hingedly connected to the closure body 40 with a snap-action hinge 98 (FIGURE 1). Such hinge is described in U.S. Patent 5,642,824, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference thereto. In an alternative embodiment, the lid does not need to be connected with a pressure action hinge. A flexible hinge can be used instead. In addition, in another embodiment (not shown), no hinge needs to be employed. The lid can be completely separated, and completely removed from the closure body. In the first embodiment of the closure illustrated in FIGURES 1-11, the lid 30 includes a side wall or skirt 100 (FIGURE 5) of which the hinge 98 extends to the body 40. As shown in FIGURE 6, the skirt 100 being a lid has a top portion 102, intermediate shoulder 104, and lower part 106. The lower part 106 has a seating surface 108 (FIGURES 1 and 6). When the lid 30 is closed, the seating surface 108 couples the annular shoulder 110 defined in the closure body 40 to the upper part of the closure body skirt 82. The cover 30 includes an annular end wall 114 defining the central dispensing passage 116 (FIGURE 6). When the lid 30 is closed, the dispensing passage 116 is generally in alignment with the opening 92-closure body buffer that is defined at least in part by the exit surface 94. In the preferred embodiment, the cap 30 has a sealing ring or a sealing member 120 that is spaced from the valve 80. The cap sealing member 120 projects from the cap end wall 114 (FIGURE 7). The sealing member 120 is an annular sealing flange defining a generally cylindrical outer surface 124 for sealingly coupling the sealing body sealing surface 94, when the cover 30 is closed (FIGURE 6). The diameter of the outer surface 124 of the lid sealing flange is slightly larger than the diameter of the smaller opening defined by the body sealing surface 94. This creates an interference fit and consequently establishes an airtight seal to the liquid. If desired, the sealing body sealing surface 94 may include an annular seal bead (not shown) to improve the sealing action. As shown in FIGURE 7, the lid sealing ring 120 has an annular bead 126 that extends radially inwardly. And also, the cap end wall 114 includes an angled clamping surface or seating surface 128 that faces the valve 80. The valve 80 is adapted to be clamped against the seating or clamping surface 128 by means of a retaining ring 130 (FIGURE 7). The retaining ring 130 includes a sleeve 132, an annular shoulder 134, and an annular collar 136. The collar 136 is joined to the outer periphery of the shoulder 134 to define a retaining rim 138. As shown in FIGURE 6, when the retaining ring 130 is inserted into the cover 30, the retaining ring rim 138 is received adjacent the cap sealing ring cord 126 in a press fit coupling. The retainer ring 130 includes an angled fastening surface 140 for coupling a portion of the valve 80 and holding the valve 80 tightly against the cap fastening surface or seating surface 128 shown in FIGURE 6. The valve 80 is designed to effectively retained in its position within the closure cap 30 by the retaining ring 130 (FIGURES 6 and 7). Together, the cap skirt 100 and the end wall 114 can be characterized as a "structure" to define the dispenser passage 92 and hold the valve 80 held in place by the retainer ring 130. In some alternative designs (not illustrated), the lid skirt 100 and the separate retaining ring 130 can be removed, and the remaining portion of the lid can be configured as necessary to function as a structure to define the passage 92 delivery and hold the valve 80 In the preferred form of the illustrated valve 80, the valve 80 has a known design that employs a resilient, flexible material that can be opened to deliver fluid. The valve 80 can be made of elastomeric thermosetting materials such as silicone, natural rubber and the like. It is also contemplated that valve 80 may be made of thermoplastic elastomer based on materials such as propylene, ethylene, urethane and styrene thermoplastics including its halogenated counterpart. A valve that is similar to valve 80 and that is functionally analogous thereto is described in U.S. Patent No. 5,439,143. However, the valve 80 has a peripheral flange structure (described in detail below) that defers from the flange structure of the valve shown in US Patent No. 5,439,143. The description of the valve described in U.S. Patent No. 5,439,143 is incorporated herein by reference to a relevant extent and to an extent not inconsistent therewith. As illustrated in FIGS. 8-10, the valve 80 includes a flexible central portion wall 264 having a concave non-driven configuration (when viewed from the outside) and defining two intersecting mutually perpendicular equalizing slots 266. length. The intersecting grooves 266 define four petals or fins in a generally sector-like fashion in the concave central wall 264. The flaps open outwardly from the points of intersection of the grooves 266, in response to the pressure increase of the container to a sufficient extent, in the well known manner described in US Patent No. 5,439,143. The valve 80 includes a skirt 268 (FIGURES 9 and 10) extending from the central valve wall or face 264. At the outer end of the skirt 268 there is a thin annular flange 270, which extends peripherally of the skirt 268 in an orientation angular. The thin flange 270 terminates in an enlarged, thicker peripheral flange 272 having a transverse body in the form of a generally dovetail (as can be seen in FIGURE 6). To accommodate the seating of the valve 80 in the closure cap 30, the seating or holding surface 128 of the closure cap 30 has a frusto-conical configuration and has the same angle as the angle of the dovetail configuration of a flange. valve. One side of the valve flange 272 is positioned against the closure cap seating surface 128. The other surface of the valve flange 272 is held by the retaining ring 130. As illustrated in FIGURE 6, the annular retaining ring retaining surface 140 is angled or has a frusto-conical configuration. When the retaining ring 130 is mounted on the lid 30, the spacing between the clamping surface 140 of the retaining ring 130 and the closing cap valve seating surfaces 128 increases with the increased valve distance from the center of the housing. valve 80 as can be seen in FIGURE 6. The configuration defines an annular cavity with a transverse body having a dovetail shape which generally conforms to the dovetail shape of the valve flange 272. The configuration generally holds and holds the valve 80 without requiring special internal support structures or support members adjacent to the interior surface of the valve cylindrical skirt 268. This allows the adjacent region of the inner surface of the valve cylindrical skirt 268 to substantially open, release and clear to accommodate movement of the valve skirt 268 as described below. If desired, the valve 80 can be retained in the closure cap 30 without the retainer ring 130. For example, the valve 80 may be attached to the closure cap 30 with adhesive or may be directly molded onto the closure cap 30 to create a weld defined by the interface solidification of the molten portions of the materials. Valve 80 can be molded with slots 266.

Alternatively the valve grooves 266 can subsequently be cut into the wall or face 264 of the valve 80 by suitable conventional techniques. When the valve 80 is properly mounted within the closure cap 30 as illustrated in FIGURE 6, the central wall or face 264 of the valve 80 is slotted into the closure cap 30. However, when the container 22 (FIGURE 1) is squeezed to dispense a content through the valve 80, then the central valve wall or face 264 is forced out from its slotted position towards the end of the lid 30. In some applications, it is desirable to provide the releasable label or cover 96 of the cap 30 on the valve 80. In order to use the closure 20 for dispensing product or other fluids through the valve 80, the label or cover 96 must first be removed by the user. During use, the container 22 is typically inverted and tightened to increase the pressure within the container 22 above the ambient outside atmospheric pressure. This forces the product into the container towards the valve 80 and forces the valve 80 from its slotted or retracted position (illustrated in FIGURE 6) to the extended outward position (FIGURE 11). The outward displacement of the central face 264 of the valve 80 is accommodated by the relatively thin flexible skirt 268. The skirt 268 moves from the rest position that occurs outward to a pressurized position displaced outward, and this occurs by the skirt 268"rolling" along itself outward toward the outside of layer 30 ( to the position shown in FIGURE 11). However, the valve 80 does not open (i.e., the slots 266 do not open) until the central valve face 264 has moved substantially to a fully extended position beyond the dispensing passage 116. In fact, as the central valve wall 264 begins to move outwards, the central valve wall 264 is initially subjected to radially inwardly directed compressive force which tends to additionally resist the opening of the slots 266. Also, the The central valve wall 264 generally retains its concave inward configuration as it moves outwards even after it reaches the fully extended position. However, when the internal pressure becomes sufficiently high after the central valve wall 264 moves outward to its fully extended position, then the slot 266 of the valve 80 begins to open to deliver product (FIGURE 11). The product is then ejected or discharged through the open slots 266. For purposes of illustration, FIGURE 11 shows drops 280 of a liquid product being discharged. When the closure 20 is initially manufactured assembled in the container 22, the closure 20 is typically accommodated initially in the closed condition (FIGURE 6). This is also the condition in which the container 22 can conveniently be transported in a user's suitcase while the user is traveling. It will be appreciated that the product can be dispensed through the valve 80 when the lid 30 is in its closed orientation as shown in FIGURE 11. However, in some applications, it should. It would also be desirable to allow steam and other gases to be vented through the valve 80 when the container is heated with the lid 30 closed (and the label or cover 96 is removed or not installed at first). In such applications, it might also be preferable to provide a separate protective hatch out of the dispensing passage and the feature is described in detail below with reference to a second embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 12-17. Whether or not a gate is used, the vessel can be placed in a microwave oven, and the product and inside the container to be heated with microwave energy. As gas or steam is generated for the heating process, the pressure will increase inside the vessel. Eventually, the pressure becomes sufficiently high so that the valve 80 is forced to the open configuration to allow the escape or venting of the vapor or gas. The use of the valve 80 with the small slots allows ventilation of the gas or steam while still providing a sufficient cover on a product inside the container to avoid significant splashing of the liquid product out of the container if the product bursts or spills into the container. container. Subsequently, after completing the microwave heating the product can be dispensed from the container through the valve 80 in the manner previously described with reference to FIGURE 11. The use of the closure 20 with the valve 80 for venting hot gases is advantageously compared to conventional microwaveable heating packages that require a portion of the package to be opened by the user first to establish a ventilation passage. The closure of the present invention is not only more convenient, but also safer, especially if handled by children. It will also be appreciated that the closure 20 of the present invention can be used to allow venting of gases that accumulate from a product within the container even when the container is not subjected to microwave energy. For example, over a period of time, some products may undergo a chemical reaction that may generate gas against the container and / or gas pressure may accumulate inside the container due to high ambient temperatures or reduction in ambient pressures (eg. example, air transport). The valve 80 in the closure of the present invention will allow the bases to be vented to the ambient atmosphere (and the label or cover 96 is removed (or not originally installed)). This can prevent the bulge of the container. It will also be appreciated that the lid 30 can be moved to its fully open position (FIGURE 1) to allow access to the interior of the container. This provides another mode of operation. Specifically, the product within the container can then be poured out of the container through the closure body dispenser opening 92. Alternatively, a spoon, or other instrument, can be inserted into the container 22 through the dispensing opening by removing part of the product. In some applications, it may be desirable to provide a metallized sheet membrane or liner (not shown) through the bottom surface of the closure body shoulder 86 to occlude the body release opening 92. The liner could alternatively be sealed in the container on top of the container opening. In any case, the liner would first have to be broken to provide communication with the interior of the container. A second embodiment of the dispensing structure of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 12-17. The second mode in the dispensing structure has the form of a removable, separate 20A closure. The dispensing or closing structure 20A includes a cover 30A, a body base 40A, and a groove-type valve 80A that can be opened by flexible pressure. The closure body 40A defines a skirt 82A having a conventional thread 84A as defined in FIGURE 15 for coupling a thread on the neck of the container (not shown in FIGURE 15) to secure the closure body 40A to the neck of the container. . The closure body 40A of the container can also be releasably connected with a snap bead and snap or by other means. Alternatively, the closure body 0A can permanently be attached to the container by means of induction melting, ultrasonic melting, adhesive, and the like, depending on the materials used for the closure container. In addition, the closure may, in some applications, be formed as a unitary part or extension of the container.

The upper part of the closing flap 82A, the closure body 40A defines an annular shoulder 86A radially extended inwardly (FIGURES 1 and 15). Preferably, as seen in FIGURE 15, an annular flexible "crab clamp" shaped seal 88A projects from the lower portion of the closure body shoulder 86A adjacent the upper end of the container neck to provide a seal leak tight between the closure body 40A and the neck of the container. Of course, other types of body seals / closure container can be used. Projecting outwards (i.e. ascendingly in FIGS. 15 and 16) from the closure body shoulder 86A is a housing portion, wall, or annular receiving nozzle 90A having an open distal end that can be closed by the cap 30A. The annular housing wall, nozzle or portion 90A defines an internal dispensing opening 92A (FIGURE 15) to establish communication between the exterior and interior of the container. At least part of the exterior of the annular wall or nozzle 90A defines a body sealing surface 94A (FIGURES 15 and 16). The lid 30A, when closed, functions as a cover when a product is not being dispensed from the container. The cap 30A is preferably hingedly connected to the closure body 40A with a press action hinge 98A (FIGURE 12) that is identical to the hinge 98 described above with reference to the first embodiment of the dispensing structure illustrated in FIGURES 1- eleven. Alternatively, the cap 30A can be completely separated, and completely removed from the closure body 40A. In a second embodiment of the closure 20A illustrated in FIGS. 12-17, the cover 30A includes a side wall or skirt 100A (FIGURES 12 and 15) which extends the hinge 98A of the body 40A. As shown in FIGURES 14 and 16, the cap skirt 100A has a seating surface 108A. When the lid 30A is closed (FIGURE 16), the seating surface 108A couples an annular shoulder 110A defined in the closure body 40A on the upper part of the closing body skirt 82A. The cap 30A includes an annular end wall 114A defining a central dispensing passage 116A (FIGURE 16). When the lid 30A is closed, the dispensing passage 116A is generally in alignment with the closure body dispensing opening 92A which is at least partially defined by the annular wall or nozzle 90A. The cap 30A has a sealing ring or a member 120A of sealing projecting from the cap end wall 114A (FIGURES 16 and 17). The sealing member 12OA is an annular sealing flange defining a generally cylindrical surface 124A for sealingly engaging the sealing body sealing surface 94A when the cap 30A is closed (FIGURE 16). Preferably, the lid sealing surface 124A includes an annular seal cord 125A to improve the sealing action. The diameter of the cord 125A is slightly smaller than the diameter of the die sealing surface 94A. This creates an interference fit and consequently establishes an airtight seal to the liquid. As shown in FIGURE 16, the lid sealing ring 120A has an annular bead 126A extending radially inwardly. Also, the cap end wall 114A includes a frusto-conical, angled clamping surface to the seating surface 128A that faces the valve 80A. The valve 80A is adapted to be clamped against the seating or holding surface 128A by a retaining ring 130A (FIGURES 16 and 17). The valve 80A has the same structure as the valve 80 described above for the first embodiment of the closure 20 illustrated in FIGS. 12-17. As shown in FIGURE 16, when the retaining ring 130A is inserted into the cap 30A, a peripheral edge of the retaining ring is received adjacent the cap seal ring cord 126A to hold the ring 130A in the coupling of the cap. pressure adjustment. The retaining ring 130A includes a frusto-conical clamping surface 140A, angled, for coupling one side of the valve flange to hold the airtight valve 80A against the cap seating surface 128A. The second embodiment of the closure 20A includes a unique structure on the outer side of the lid 30A. In particular, supported on the periphery of the cap end wall 114A is a non-removable protective gate, cage or disc comprising three support arms 302A (FIGURE 14) and the central deflecting member or gate member 304A. The member 304A has a generally disk-like configuration as can be seen in FIGURE 14. The member 304A is generally positioned in alignment with the dispensing passage 116A in the cap end wall 114A. In this way, member 304A is also in alignment with valve 80A. This gate structure over passage 116A to the dispenser is most beneficial in a closure 20A where the purpose of valve 80A is only to provide a vent for packing. The central gate member 304A will prevent hot vapors or gases from being discharged directly outward as a jet or stream a significant distance beyond the cap end wall 114A. The central gate member 304A will cause the vent vapor or stream to be dissipated laterally around the upper outer portion of the cap end wall 114A. With ventilation systems, it is preferable to provide a relatively strong valve 80A. Because the 80A valve could only be used for ventilation and not for product discharge, gate 304A would not be impacted by the product. Instead, it is desirable to ship the product, the lid 30A is moved to the fully open position. The container can then be inverted to point the dispensing closure body nozzle 90A generally downward. The product can then be poured out of the container through the nozzle 90A. Alternatively, if the nozzle 90A is relatively large, a spoon or other instrument can be inserted through the nozzle to remove desired quantities of the product. It may also be desirable in many applications to provide a liner, membrane or inner metallized sheet (not shown) through the top of the mouth of the container or secured to the interior surface of the closure body shoulder 86A to occlude the dispensing opening 92A. This would ensure leak tightness and freshness until the user removes or otherwise destroys the integrity of the liner, membrane or foil. It will be readily apparent from the above detailed description of the invention and from the illustrations thereof that numerous other variations and modifications may be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel or main concepts of this invention.

Claims (14)

1. CLAIMS 1. A dispensing structure to discharge the contents of the interior of a container, the dispensing structure comprises: a body that extends from the container, the body defines a dispensing opening for establishing communication between the exterior and interior of the container, and the body has a sealing surface around the body dispensing opening; and a lid having a structure defining a lid dispensing passage through the lid, the lid includes a flexible valve that is positioned within the lid structure through the lid dispensing passage and having self-sealing grooves that they open to allow flow therethrough in response to the increased pressure on the side of the valve that faces the container when the lid is closed, the lid moves between (1) from a closed position on the body dispensing opening whereby the contents of the container can be dispensed through the dispensing opening of the valve, and (2) in an open position away from the dispensing opening so that the contents of the container can be poured through the opening Dispatcher without flowing through the valve, the lid, when in its closed position is in sealing relationship with the body sealing surface.
2. 2. The dispensing structure according to claim 1, wherein the body is formed separately from the container; and the body has a skirt with an internal thread for threadably coupling an external thread in the container to allow the body to be removably mounted to the container.
3. 3. The dispensing structure according to claim 1, wherein the body is a unitary part of the container.
4. 4. The dispensing structure according to claim 1, wherein the lid is hingedly connected to the body.
5. The dispensing structure according to claim 1, wherein the valve has a peripheral flange with a transverse body in the form of a dovetail; and the lid structure has a superior frusto-conical seating surface for coupling one side of the valve flange.
6. The dispensing structure according to claim 5, wherein the cap includes a retaining ring that is separate from the structure, which is in snap-fit engagement with the structure, and which defines a lower frustroconical seating surface, to couple another side of the valve flange to hold the valve flange between the surfaces and upper and lower frusto-conical seating.
7. The dispensing structure according to claim 1, wherein the body sealing surface is annular and defines at least a portion of the body dispensing opening; and the cap has a sealing member that separates from the valve and that is an inwardly extending annular sealing flange defining a generally cylindrical outer surface for sealingly coupling the body sealing surface when the cap is closed.
8. The dispensing structure according to claim 1, wherein the body has a generally annular wall defining the body dispensing opening and having an outer surface defining the body sealing surface; and the cap has a sealing member which is an inwardly extending annular sealing flange which is spaced apart from the valve having a generally cylindrical inner surface for sealingly coupling the body sealing surface when the cap is closed.
9. 9. The dispensing structure according to claim 7 or 8 wherein one of the body sealing surfaces and the lid sealing flange includes a seal bead.
10. The dispensing structure according to claim 1, wherein the lid includes a releasably adhesive cover secured to the lid structure on the lid dispensing passage.
11. 11. The dispensing structure according to claim 1, wherein the body includes a liner below and which occludes the dispensing opening. The dispensing structure according to claim 1, wherein the lid includes a protective cage extending from the lid structure through the lid dispensing passage and over the valve. The dispensing structure according to claim 1, wherein the lid has a sealing member that is a unitary extension of the lid structure. The dispensing structure according to claim 1, wherein the body sealing surface is annular and defines at least a portion of the body dispensing opening.; the lid includes an annular flange extending inwardly; the valve defines a peripheral flange; and one of the valve flanges and the annular cap flange defines a sealing member for sealingly sealing the body sealing surface when the cap is in the closed position.