Patent ID: 6616016
Filing Date: 2003-09-09
Classification: B65D

Abstract:
A dispensing closure system for a container that has an opening to the container interior where a product may be stored, said dispensing closure system comprising:a body for extending from said container at said opening, said body including a deck defining an aperture; a lid movable between a closed position confronting said deck and an open dispensing position moved away from said closed position; and a dispensing valve disposed with respect to said body at said deck aperture, said valve including: (a) a marginal portion sealingly engaged with said body and retained at said body; (b) a head portion that (1) is laterally inwardly of said marginal portion, (2) has an exterior side for interfacing with ambient environment, and (3) has an interior side for interfacing with the product, said head portion including a normally closed orifice which opens to permit flow therethrough in response to a pressure differential across said valve; and (c) a resilient, flexible, connector sleeve having an interior surface for interfacing with the product and having an exterior surface for interfacing with ambient environment, said connector sleeve having (1) a first leg connected with said marginal portion, (2) a second leg connected with said head portion to locate said head portion spaced laterally inwardly of said first leg to facilitate outward movement of said head portion when dispensing product from the container, and (3) an arcuate junction portion joining said first and second legs, said arcuate junction portion having a generally outwardly protruding, convex configuration when viewed from outside of said body, said valve being positioned on said body so that said junction portion projects from said deck aperture beyond at least a portion of said deck when said valve orifice is closed but said lid is in said open dispensing position, said arcuate junction having a generally outwardly facing surface for being engaged by said lid to elastically deform said junction portion inwardly when said lid is in said closed position thereby preventing said connector sleeve from rolling far enough outwardly with said head portion to a position where said valve orifice would open when subjected to a sufficient pressure differential.