Abstract:
An improved dispensing closure system for dispensing a product from a container includes an elongate or oblong dispensing orifice for dispensing a ribbon of product. The dispensing closure system also includes a spout having a dispensing orifice that is oriented at an angle relative to the closure deck and relative to the flow direction of product from the orifice. The closure system provides for an abrupt “cut-off” of product and thus provides for the dispensing of product in a clean and controlled manner without mess. The closure system also incorporates conical geometries in transition surfaces extending from the container opening to the dispensing orifice. The conical geometries of the transition surfaces provides for a smooth transition of product flow from the container opening to the dispensing orifice, while minimizing the volume defined by the closure system spout and thereby providing increased “suck-back” and an abrupt “cut-off” of product compared to prior art devices.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)  
       [0001]    This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/591,576, filed Jun. 9, 2000. 
     
    
     
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
         [0002]    Not applicable.  
         REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX  
         [0003]    Not applicable.  
         TECHNICAL FIELD  
         [0004]    The invention relates to resealable dispensing closure systems. More particularly, the invention relates to resealable dispensing closure systems for dispensing a ribbon of spreadable product, such as viscous food product, from a container, such as a squeeze bottle, in a clean, controlled manner.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND TECHNICAL PROBLEMS POSED BY THE PRIOR ART  
         [0005]    Dispensing closure systems for viscous food products, such as jellies, pastes, etc. are generally known. They typically include a closure body provided with a dispensing orifice of suitable dimension to permit passage of the food products.  
           [0006]    Known dispensing closures for viscous food products are characterized by a number of disadvantages. For example, such closure systems do not provide for dispensing of a ribbon of product in a manner that maximizes the amount of product and that reduces the amount of user effort required to spread the product after dispensing. Another example of the disadvantages associated with known dispensing closure systems for viscous food products is that such dispensing closure systems typically lack the capability to make a clean “cut-off” of product immediately after dispensing has occurred. As such, use of such dispensing closures is often accompanied by spillage, product waste, and possibly unsanitary conditions as the product left on the closure system may be exposed to ambient conditions and become spoiled.  
           [0007]    This problem stems in part from the geometrical limitations imposed on many dispensing closure systems. Typically, the transition from the container geometry, which is typically a round container opening, to the geometry of the dispensing orifice is characterized by abrupt transitions in the internal closure surfaces. The closure geometry is also related to the ability of the closure to provide a clean “cut-off” of product. Since product “cut-off” is a result of the vacuum created when a squeezable container is reformed to its original shape, it is desirable to minimize the volume within the closure system in order to maximize the amount of “suck-back” that occurs when the vacuum is created and thus maximize the retractive force applied to the extrudate of product to make a clean “cut-off.” It would therefore be desirable to provide a dispensing closure system which provides favorable flow transitions from the container geometry to the dispensing orifice, yet which a enables sufficient “suck-back” to foster a clean “cut-off” for a variety of products of different viscosities and flow properties.  
           [0008]    It would also be advantageous if such an improved closure system could accommodate bottles, containers, or packages which have a variety of shapes and that are constructed from a variety of materials. Further, it would be desirable if such an improved system could accommodate efficient, high-quality, large volume manufacturing techniques with a reduced product reject rate to produce a system with consistent operating characteristics.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    The present invention provides an improved dispensing closure system which addresses the aforementioned disadvantages in the prior art. Specifically, the present invention provides a system for dispensing a product from a container in a way that can be better controlled by the user. The system is especially suitable for dispensing viscous liquids, creams, pastes, jellies, etc. The user can easily ascertain the location where the product will be deposited and then deposit a ribbon-like extrudate of the product. The user can readily control the direction of product flow. Further, the starting and stopping of the product flow can be more precisely controlled. The product flow “cuts off” or terminates cleanly with little or no mess on the system exterior.  
           [0010]    The dispensing closure system is adapted for use in dispensing a product from a container having an opening. The dispensing system may be formed as a unitary part of an end of such a container, or the system may be a separate assembly that is permanently or releasably attached to the container. The features of the containers on which the exemplary closure system may be used form no part of the invention described and claimed herein.  
           [0011]    A primary aspect of the invention provides a dispensing closure system that includes an oblong dispensing orifice for dispensing a ribbon of product. Specifically, this aspect of the invention provides a dispensing closure system that includes a closure body having (1) a closure deck, (2) a skirt extending from the closure deck for engaging a container and (3) a spout extending from the closure deck, the spout including a dispensing orifice peripheral surface defining an oblong dispensing orifice.  
           [0012]    Another primary aspect of the invention provides a dispensing closure system that includes a spout having a dispensing orifice that is oriented at an angle relative to the closure deck or relative to the flow direction of product from the orifice. In a preferred embodiment, this aspect of the invention provides a dispensing closure system that includes a closure body having (1) a closure deck, (2) a skirt extending from the closure deck for engaging a container and (3) a spout extending from the closure deck, the spout including (A) a dispensing orifice peripheral surface defining a dispensing orifice, (B) a rear wall extending to a rear spout end surface, and (C) a front wall extending to a front spout end surface, the rear wall extending further from the closure deck than the front wall. A dispensing closure system according to this aspect of the invention provides for an abrupt “cut-off” of product immediately after dispensing has occurred and thus provides for the dispensing of product in a clean and controlled manner without mess.  
           [0013]    Another aspect of the invention provides a dispensing closure system which has improved flow and dispensing properties and which enhances the “suck-back” effect to provide a clean “cut-off” of product compared to prior art devices. This aspect of the invention derives from applicants&#39; discovery, quite unexpectedly, that favorable flow properties and a clean “cut-off” are provided by the use of conical geometries in transition surfaces that extend at least part of the way from the container opening to the dispensing orifice. As used herein, the term “conical geometry” refers to surfaces which, entirely or in part, extend in a path that has the geometry of a conic section. That is, such surfaces, when viewed in cross section, have the profile of conic sections, including parabolic or hyperbolic geometry. In an exemplary embodiment, this aspect of the invention provides a dispensing closure system having (1) a closure deck, (2) a skirt extending from the closure deck for engaging a container and (3) a spout extending from the closure deck, the spout including (A) a dispensing orifice peripheral surface defining a dispensing orifice (B) a rear wall extending to a rear spout end surface, and (C) a front wall extending to a front spout end surface, at least one of the rear wall and front wall having a transition surface extending at least partially from the closure deck to the dispensing orifice peripheral surface, the transition surface having a conical geometry. A dispensing closure system according to this aspect of the invention provides for a smooth transition of product flow from the container opening to the dispensing orifice, while minimizing the volume defined by the closure system spout and thereby provides increased “suck-back,” when used in conjunction with a flexible container creating a vacuum, and an abrupt “cut-off” of product compared to prior art devices.  
           [0014]    Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention, from the claims, and from the accompanying drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]    The accompanying drawings form part of the specification, and like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary dispensing closure system in the form of a separate dispensing closure according to a preferred embodiment of the invention shown in an open position and from a vantage point generally above or from the top of the exemplary closure system;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the exemplary dispensing closure of FIG. 1, illustrated from a vantage point generally beneath or from the underside of the closure system;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 3 is a top view of the exemplary dispensing closure of FIG. 1;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  4 - 4  of FIG. 3;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  5 - 5  of FIG. 3;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  6 - 6  of FIG. 3;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  7 - 7  of FIG. 3;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  8 - 8  of FIG. 3;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  9 - 9  of FIG. 3;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  4 - 4  of FIG. 3, but with lid of the exemplary closure in a closed position;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of the exemplary closure body of FIG. 1;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 12 is an enlarged, top view of the exemplary closure of FIG. 1;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along lines  13 - 13  of FIG. 12;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  14 - 14  of FIG. 13;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 14A is an enlarged, fragmentary portion of FIG. 14;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 14B is an enlarged, fragmentary portion of FIG. 14;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 15 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention showing another preferred spout and orifice configuration;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  16 - 16  of FIG. 15, but with the lid of the exemplary closure in a closed position;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 17 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention showing another preferred spout and orifice configuration;  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  18 - 18  of FIG. 17, but with the lid of the exemplary closure in a closed position;  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 19 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention showing another preferred spout and orifice configuration;  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  20 - 20  of FIG. 19, but with the lid of the exemplary closure in a closed position;  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 21 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention showing another preferred spout and orifice configuration;  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  22 - 22  of FIG. 21, but with the lid of the exemplary closure in a closed position;  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 23 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention showing another preferred spout and orifice configuration; and  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  24 - 24  of FIG. 23, but with the lid of the exemplary closure in a closed position. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0042]    While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, this specification and the accompanying drawings disclose only some specific forms as examples of the invention. The invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments so described, however. The scope of the invention is pointed out in the appended claims.  
         [0043]    For ease of description, most of the figures illustrating the invention show a dispensing system in the typical orientation that it would have at the top of a container when the container is stored upright on its base, and terms such as upper, lower, horizontal, etc., are used with reference to this position. It will be understood, however, that the dispensing system of this invention may be manufactured, stored, transported, used, and sold in an orientation other than the position described.  
         [0044]    The dispensing system of this invention is suitable for use with a variety of conventional or special containers having various designs, the details of which, although not illustrated or described, would be apparent to those having skill in the art and an understanding of such containers. The container per se described herein forms no part of and therefore is not intended to limit the present invention. It will also be understood by those of ordinary skill that novel and non-obvious inventive aspects are embodied in the described exemplary closure systems alone.  
         [0045]    An exemplary embodiment of a dispensing closure system  30  according to the invention is illustrated in FIGS.  1 - 14 . The dispensing closure system  30  is adapted to engage a container (not illustrated). As can be seen in FIG. 1, the closure system  30  has a closure body  32  which includes a hollow, generally cylindrical base or skirt  34 , and annular shoulder  36  extending radially inwardly from the top of the skirt  34 . The dispensing closure system also includes a spout  38  extending upwardly from the inner portion of the shoulder  36 . As can best be seen in FIG. 2, the interior of the skirt  34  defines an internal, female thread  40 . The skirt  34  is adapted to receive and threadingly engage the upper end of a container mouth (not illustrated). The skirt thread  40  is adapted to matingly engage a thread on the container mouth or neck. A lower edge of the closure skirt  34  includes a number of slots or recesses  37  which are utilized by automated machinery to turn the closure body  32  and thereby unscrew the closure body  32  to remove it from an injection mold.  
         [0046]    Alternatively, the closure skirt  34  could be provided with some other container connecting means, such as a snap-fit bead or groove (not illustrated) in place of the thread  40  for engaging a container groove or bead (not illustrated), respectively, in the container neck. The closure body  32  could also be permanently attached to the container by means of induction melting, ultrasonic melting, gluing, or the like, depending on materials used for the closure body  32  and in the container. The closure body  32  could also be formed as a unitary part, or extension, of the container.  
         [0047]    The closure body skirt  34  may have any suitable configuration. The container could have an upwardly projecting neck or other portion for being received within the particular configuration of the closure body  32 , and the main part of the container may have a different cross-sectional shape than the container neck and closure body skirt  34 .  
         [0048]    The closure system  30  is adapted to be used with a container having a mouth or other opening to provide access to the container interior and to a product contained therein. The product may be, for example, a comestible product such as a food paste, jelly or jam. The closure  30  is especially suitable for dispensing the viscous product in a ribbon-like extrudate. However, the closure  30  could also be used with many other materials, including, but not limited to, relatively low viscosity liquids, particulates, etc. as constituting a food product, a personal care product, an industrial or household cleaning product, or other chemical compositions (e.g., compositions for use in activities involving manufacturing, commercial or household maintenance, construction, agriculture, etc.).  
         [0049]    The container with which the closure system may be used would typically be a squeezable container having a flexible wall or walls which can be grasped by the user and squeezed or compressed to increase the internal pressure within the container so as to force the product out of the container and through the closure  30 . The container wall typically has sufficient, inherent resiliency so that when the squeezing forces are removed, the container wall returns to its normal, unstressed shape. Such a squeezable wall container is preferred in many applications but may not be necessary for preferred in other applications. For example, in some applications it may be desirable to employ a generally rigid container and pressurize the container interior at selected times with a piston or other pressurizing system.  
         [0050]    Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a lid  150  is preferably hingedly connected to the closure body  32  with a snap action hinge  152 . Such a hinge is disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,642,824, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference thereto. In an alternate embodiment, the lid  150  need not be connected with a snap-action hinge. A floppy hinge may be used instead. Further, in another embodiment (not illustrated), the hinge  152  may be omitted entirely, and the lid  150  can be completely separate, and completely removable, from the closure body. In some applications, the lid  150  be omitted altogether.  
         [0051]    In the exemplary closure system  30 , the lid  150  includes a sidewall or skirt  154  from which the hinge  152  extends to the body  32 . The lid skirt  154  has a lid seating surface  156 . When the lid  150  is closed, the lid seating surface  156  engages the annular shoulder  36  defined on the closure body  32  at the top of the closure body skirt  34 .  
         [0052]    Referring additionally to FIGS. 3, 11,  12 ,  14  and  14 A, in accordance with a primary feature of the invention, the exemplary closure system  30  includes an oblong or elongated dispensing orifice  52  formed in the spout  38  for permitting dispensing of a product in a ribbon like extrudate. The dispensing orifice  52  is defined by a dispensing orifice peripheral surface  86 . As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the dispensing orifice peripheral surface  86  includes a front portion  90  and a back portion  91  which is substantially parallel to the front portion  90 . The dispensing orifice peripheral surface  86  also includes a pair of rounded lateral portions  88  (FIG. 1). This unique shape of the dispensing orifice  52  permits a user to dispense a ribbon of product in a controlled manner and reduces or eliminates effort required to spread the product after it is dispensed from the container.  
         [0053]    As best illustrated in FIGS.  1 - 10  and  12 , the outer periphery of the spout  38  includes a closure deck  35  (FIGS.  4 - 6 ) having a seating surface  33  formed thereon. The spout  38  is formed by four spout walls or portions that extend upward from the closure deck  35 . A front spout wall  44  extends upward from the closure deck  35  to a spout front wall end surface  82  (FIGS.  4 - 6  and  14 A). A rear spout wall  46  extends from the closure deck  35  upward to a spout rear wall end surface  84  (FIGS.  4 - 6  and  14 A). The front spout wall  44  and rear spout wall  46  are on opposite sides of the closure body  32 . The spout  38  also includes a pair of lateral or side walls that extend upward from the closure deck  35  to lateral end surfaces. A right spout wall  49  extends upward from the closure deck  35  to a lateral end surface  87 , and a left spout wall  48  extends upward from the closure deck  35  to a lateral end surface  87  (FIG. 7). In the illustrated embodiment, the spout front wall end surface  82 , the spout rear of wall end surface  84  and the lateral end surfaces  87  form a continuous surface. It will be understood, however, that the invention contemplates other end surface configurations and that the end surfaces  82 ,  84  and  87  need not form a continuous single surface but may be discrete surfaces at different elevations or angles with respect to one another.  
         [0054]    The lid  150  includes an orifice sealing member or “spud”  160  which extends from a lid end wall  158  and which is adapted to sealingly engage the dispensing orifice peripheral surface  86  when the lid  150  is pivoted from the open position (illustrated in FIG. 1) to a closed position (illustrated in FIG. 10). The orifice sealing member  160  includes an orifice sealing member back portion  162  and the orifice sealing member front portion  164 . The terms “front” and “back” as used here reflect the position of the orifice sealing member  160  when the lid  150  is in the closed position. As will be recognized, the orifice sealing member  160  is of a complementary shape relative to the shape of the dispensing orifice  52 .  
         [0055]    Referring specifically to FIGS. 13, 14 and  14 A, the dispensing orifice  52  is defined by the dispensing orifice peripheral surface  86 , which, in the exemplary embodiment, includes a spout upwardly extending surface  74 , a spout interior sealing bead  78  and a spout outwardly tapered surface  80 . As seen in FIG. 14A, the dispensing orifice peripheral surface  86  extends upward from a front spout interior shoulder  72  and from a rear spout interior shoulder  70 .  
         [0056]    Referring specifically to FIG. 14B, the orifice sealing member  160  includes a tapered surface  170 ,  174  around its periphery. Specifically, the orifice sealing member back portion  162  includes orifice sealing member back portion intermediate surface  174  and the orifice sealing member front portion  164  includes a orifice sealing member front portion intermediate surface  170 . As will be recognized, the intermediate surfaces  170  and  174  together with intermediate surfaces on the side portions of the orifice sealing member  160  form a continuous surface that extends around the periphery of the orifice sealing member  160 . Owing to the taper of the intermediate surfaces, the orifice sealing member  160  is permitted to sealingly engage the dispensing orifice peripheral surface  86  without undue interference as the lid  150  is pivoted to its closed position. End surfaces  166 ,  168  define an orifice sealing member plane which forms an acute angle with the central axis or plane of the orifice sealing member  160 . As can be seen from a cross-section illustrated in FIG. 14B, the orifice sealing member front portion  164  and the orifice sealing member back portion  162  may extend from the lid end wall  158  at an angle that is slightly greater than 90 degrees and thus outward from one another. This provides a resilient bias with regard to the orifice sealing member  160  which is useful to enhance the sealing engagement with the dispensing orifice peripheral surface  86 . The sealing bead  78  on the interior of the closure body spout  38  improves sealing engagement with the external surface of the orifice sealing member  160 .  
         [0057]    Referring to FIGS. 14 and 14A, in accordance with another primary feature of the invention, the front spout wall end surface  82  and the back spout wall end surface  84  define and orifice plane (P) which extends at an acute angle relative to an axis (A) of the closure body  32  or which is not parallel to a plane defined by the closure body seating surface  33 . The axis (A) is preferably defined by the flow direction of the product through the orifice  52 . Owing to the upwardly extending surfaces  74  (FIG. 14) of the dispensing orifice peripheral surface  86 , the product being dispensed tends to flow parallel to those surfaces through the dispensing orifice  52 . Owing to the angled orifice, the spout rear wall  46  extends from the closure deck  35  to a higher elevation then does the spout front wall  44 . The spout lateral wall end surfaces  87  join the spout front wall end surface  82  and the spout rear wall end surface  84  to form a continuous surface within the orifice plane (P). This aspect of the invention provides enhanced “cut-off” of the product and therefore reduces the possibility of spillage or product waste.  
         [0058]    In accordance with another primary feature of the invention, conical transition surface geometries are utilized on the closure body  32  in order to improve the transition of product flow from the container opening to the dispensing orifice  52  and to improve product “cut-off” by reducing the volume beneath the spout  38 . FIGS. 4, 5 and  6  are respective cross-sections taking along lines  4 - 4 ,  5 - 5  and  6 - 6  in FIG. 3, which is a top view of an exemplary closure system according to the invention. As can be seen in FIGS.  4 - 6 , an annular “crabs claw” seal  42  projects downwardly from the closure body seating surface  33  and is adapted to sealingly engage the upper, annular edge of the container (not illustrated) on which the closure  30  is mounted. In accordance with the invention, the spout front wall  44  includes a spout front wall interior transition surface  51  which, in this exemplary embodiment, at least partially follows a parabolic path from the closure deck  35  to the dispensing orifice peripheral surface  86 . Similarly, the spout rear wall  46  includes a spout rear wall interior transition surface  57  which, in this exemplary embodiment, at least partially follows a parabolic path from the closure deck  35  to the dispensing orifice peripheral surface  86 . As can also be seen from FIGS.  4 - 6 , the spout front wall  44  also includes an exterior surface  59  which follows a parabolic path from the closure deck  35  to the spout front wall end surface  82 . Similarly, to provide substantially uniform spout wall thicknesses, the spout rear wall  46  includes an exterior surface  65  which follows a parabolic path from the closure deck  35  to the spout rear wall end surface  84 . It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the exterior surfaces of the spout front wall  44  and the spout rear wall  46  do not necessarily have to be of a conical geometry but may be of other geometries as needed for particular aesthetic and/or functional requirements of the particular closure system.  
         [0059]    FIGS.  7 - 9  are cross-sections taken along lines  7 - 7 ,  8 - 8  and  9 - 9  in FIG. 3, respectively. In this exemplary embodiment, the internal transition surfaces of the lateral portions of the spout  38  do not include conical geometries. Rather, the spout left wall  48  and spout right wall  49  include interior surfaces which extend in a generally vertical direction and which may include a tapered portion which extends inward to the dispensing orifice peripheral surface  86 . It will be understood however by those of ordinary skill in the art that conical geometries may be employed on the internal surfaces of the spout left and right walls without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The spout left wall  48  includes an interior surface  68  which includes a generally vertical surface and an inwardly tapered surface extending towards the dispensing orifice peripheral surface  86 . The spout left wall  48  also includes an exterior surface  61  which extends according to a conical geometry from the closure deck  35  to the end surface  87  of the spout left wall. Similarly, the spout right wall  49  includes an interior surface  66  which has a generally vertical surface and an inwardly tapered surface. The spout right wall  49  also includes an exterior surface  63  which extends from the closure deck  35  to the right wall end surface  87  according to a conical geometry.  
         [0060]    [0060]FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate another exemplary closure system  230  according to the invention. In this embodiment, the spout front wall  244  extends at a more gradual slope from the closure deck  235  to the front wall end surface  282  according to a conical geometry, but at a more gradual slope than in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS.  1 - 14 . Moreover, the front wall end surface  282  forms a much larger angle with the spout front wall exterior surface  259  compared to the corresponding surfaces in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS.  1 - 14 . This provides a smoother finish which is easier to clean. The spout front wall  244  includes an internal transition surface  251  which extends from the closure deck  235  at least partially to the dispensing orifice peripheral surface  286  according to a conical geometry, preferably a parabola. Similarly, the spout rear wall  246  includes any internal transition surface  257  that extends according to a conical geometry which is steeper and therefore different from the conical geometry of the spout front wall internal transition surface  251 . As can be seen in FIG. 16, the orifice sealing member  260  is provided with an angled end surface  266  which accommodates entry of the orifice sealing member  260  into the angled dispensing orifice  252  when the lid  250  closes.  
         [0061]    [0061]FIGS. 17 and 18 illustrate another exemplary closure system  330  according to the invention. In this embodiment, the spout walls are formed with a substantially vertical portion and a more abrupt transition from the closure deck  335 . The spout front wall  344  includes an internal transition surface  351  which is of a substantially constant radius extending from the closure deck  335  to a vertical portion  366  of the front spout wall  344 . Similarly, the rear spout wall  346  includes an internal transition surface  357  which is of a substantially constant radius extending from the closure deck  335  to the vertical portion  366 . External transition surfaces  359  and  365  are formed as curved surfaces of a substantially constant radius. In contrast to the previously described embodiments, the orifice sealing member  360  in this embodiment is adapted to engage an outer surface of the spout  338 . To that end, the spout  338  is provided with a tapered outer surface  371  (FIG. 17) extending around its periphery. Similarly, the orifice sealing member  360  is provided with an inner tapered surface  362 . Also in contrast to the previously described embodiments, the orifice is not angled relative to the closure deck  335 .  
         [0062]    [0062]FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate yet another exemplary closure system  430  according to the invention. In this embodiment, the vertical portion  466  of the spout wall is larger compared to the embodiment described relative to FIGS. 17 and 18. The internal transition surface  451  of the spout front wall  444  follows a path of a substantially constant radius from the closure deck  435  to the vertical portion  466 . Similarly, the internal transition surface  457  of the spout rear wall  446  follows a path of a substantially constant radius from the closure deck  435  to the vertical portion  466 . External transition surfaces  459  and  465  are also provided with constant radii. As is apparent from the figures, the radii of these transition surfaces, both internal and external, are smaller than the radii of the transition surfaces of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, thereby reducing the material cost to manufacture the exemplary closure system  430 . In this embodiment, the orifice sealing member  460  is adapted to engage in the interior surface of the spout  438 .  
         [0063]    [0063]FIGS. 21 and 22 illustrate yet another exemplary closure system  530  according to the invention. In this embodiment, the dispensing orifice  552  is angled differently compared to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS.  1 - 14 . That is, the front spout wall  544  extends to substantially the same elevation from the closure deck  535  as the elevation of the rear spout wall  546 . Both the front spout wall  544  and the rear spout wall  546  include internal transition surfaces. The front spout wall internal transition surface  551  extends according to a conical geometry from the closure deck  535  to the dispensing orifice peripheral surface  586 . The rear spout wall internal transition surface  557  extends according to a conical geometry from the closure deck  535  to the dispensing orifice peripheral surface  586 . External transition surfaces  559  and  565  are also provided on the front spout wall  544  and rear spout wall  546 , respectively. As can be seen by the detail in FIG. 22, the dispensing orifice peripheral surface  586  includes an inwardly tapered surface  585  which extends inward from the front spout wall end surface  582  and the rear spout wall end surface  584  to form an interference fit with the orifice sealing member  560  when the lid is in the closed position shown in FIG. 22.  
         [0064]    [0064]FIGS. 23 and 24 illustrate yet another exemplary closure system  630  according to the invention. In this embodiment, the closure is provided with internal transition surfaces of a substantially constant radius and a spout wall with a substantially vertical portion  666  and an angled orifice plane. The orifice sealing member  660  is adapted to engage an outer surface of the spout  638  and does not include a tapered end. That is, the peripheral wall  662  of the orifice sealing member  660  extends to substantially the same elevation relative to the lid end wall  658  around the entire periphery of the orifice sealing member  660 . The front spout wall  644  includes an internal transition surface  651  which extends from the closure deck  635  to the vertical portion  666  along a path of a substantially constant radius. Similarly, the rear spout wall  646  includes an internal transition surface  657  which extends from the closure deck  635  to the vertical portion along a path of substantially constant radius. External transition surfaces  659  and  665  are provided to transition from the closure deck thickness to the vertical portion thickness.  
         [0065]    It will be readily apparent from the foregoing detailed description of the invention and from the illustrations thereof that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concepts or principles of this invention. For example, although the closure assembly of the invention is exemplified by a threaded engagement with the container, the invention contemplates other fastening techniques and implements for securing the closure assembly to the container. For example, since the invention provides a closure assembly that obviates the need for relatively large sealing forces to be applied via threads on the closure assembly and container finish, threadless fastening of the closure assembly relative to the container is contemplated by the invention. Such fastening might incorporate a friction fit facilitated by a closure assembly having a skirt with an inside diameter sized to provide a sliding or telescoping engagement with a smooth, threadless container finish. In such an embodiment, the fitment and closure body would be provided with abutment surfaces, for example, a bayonet type interlock or fastening implement, which permit installation of the closure assembly on the container, but which may be configured, for example, by relative rotation of the closure body and container, to restrict upward movement of the closure body relative to the container.