Abstract:
A dispensing closure assembly provides for the dispensing of fluid from a fluid container. The dispensing closure assembly includes a cap and a dispensing cover which is movably supported with respect to the cap. The dispensing cover includes a distal tip through which the fluid is dispensed. The cover further includes an outer surface extending from the distal tip and continuous therewith defining a fluid drainage surface where residual fluid drains. A finger contacting surface is provided on the cover and space from the fluid draining surface. A fluid containment well is defined between the fluid drainage surface and the finger contacting surface for retaining fluid drained therealong preventing fluid contact along the finger contacting surface.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of application of Ser. No. 09/809,333, filed on Mar. 15, 2001, now abandoned which is a continuation-in-part of International Application No. PCT/US99/20953, filed on Sep. 15, 1999, which claims benefit of Ser. No. 60/100,318, filed on Sep. 18, 1998. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a dispensing closure assembly for liquids of various viscosity. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a single dispensing closure assembly for precisely dispensing anaerobic adhesives and sealants of various viscosities. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Various designs for fluid dispensing closure assemblies are known which dispense the contents of a container over which the dispensing closure assembly is placed. Additionally, these closure assemblies provide for sealing the container between usages. These dispensing closure assemblies generally include a stationary cap which is attachable to the container of fluid and a cover which is movable with respect to the cap so as to open a dispensement passageway through the assembly and thereby place the contents of the container in fluid communication with a dispense opening in the cover so that the fluid may be dispensed. Such dispensing closure assemblies may be either twisted open and closed or pushed-pulled open and closed so as to effect the relative movement of the cap and cover. Many known dispensing closure assemblies also permit relative movement of the cap and the cover so as to vary the dispense opening so as to increase or decrease the flow rate of the dispensed fluid. 
     In addition to accounting for viscosity considerations, the nature of the fluid to be dispensed should also be considered. For example, since certain adhesives, such as cyanoacrylates, cure in presence of moisture, while others, such as anaerobics, cure in the absence of oxygen, the dispenser should be designed with the ability to accommodate the particular requirements of the adhesive to be dispensed while also providing a convenient method of selecting an appropriate and versatile means for doing so. 
     Anaerobic adhesives are characterized by curing in the absence of oxygen through contact with active metals, such as iron and copper. Many of the existing dispensing closure assemblies for anaerobic adhesives allow active metal contaminants thereinto through the dispense opening during the course of dispensing the adhesive. These contaminants have the deleterious effect of accelerating the curing mechanism in adhesive still contained within the dispense passageway which results in eventual blockage of the dispensing closure assembly. Once this occurs, an operator usually cuts such dispense assemblies proximal to the cured blockage in order to again allow for dispensing of the adhesive from the container. Cutting a dispensing closure assembly, however, may result in a differently-sized dispense orifice and thereby significantly change the dispense characteristics for the assembly. The drawback of contaminants into the dispensing closure assembly can be minimized by tailoring the size of the dispense orifice to the viscosity of the fluid being dispensed so as to provide for precise metering of the fluid therethrough. These problems are multiplied when the dispenser is involved in assembly-line operations such as in the automotive or electronics industries. 
     Adhesives as a general class of fluids useful in the present invention, however, exhibit a wide variety of viscosities, ranging from a fluid being less viscous than water to a flowable paste. The actual rheology of the adhesive used will depend on the intended application. Dispense assemblies having only a single-size dispense orifice may precisely dispense a bead of adhesive when the viscosity of the adhesive is suited to the geometry of the dispense orifice provided. If the same dispensing closure assembly is used for a different adhesive, however, the geometry of the dispense orifice may neither adequately contain adhesives having a lower viscosity nor adequately dispense adhesives having a higher viscosity. Additionally, it is generally desirable to provide a dispensing closure assembly which may accommodate a range of fluid viscosities so as to reduce the manufacturing costs of producing unique dispensing closure assemblies for fluids of narrow ranges of viscosities. 
     Towards this end, known dispensers have often attempted to accommodate a wide range of viscosities by providing dispensing closure assemblies having a range of selectably-sized dispense openings at the dispense tip. One such example is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,501,377, where a dispensing closure assembly includes a central cylindrical sealing post which is variably positionable within a conical or tapering cover wall so as to provide a full range of dispense opening areas at the dispense orifice. For a fluid of a given viscosity, precise dispensement thereof through a series of assembly closures and openings is suspect due to the fully variable cross-sectional area which may be provided at the dispense orifice. That is, the user is unlikely to precisely select an appropriate dispense opening area each time the dispensing closure assembly is opened. 
     Another example is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,927,065, which provides a dispense orifice of discretely changing dispense orifice sizes by positioning a central sealing post having a series of steps formed at its distal end within a cover having a cylindrical dispense aperture. From a closed position where the post extends through the dispense orifice, the post is withdrawn through the cover so as to place different-size steps within the dispense orifice to vary the geometric configuration at the dispense orifice. While providing a more repeatable variation in the dispense orifice, such a design may not be suitable for dispensing anaerobic fluids due to the contamination risk from the post extending out from the cover in the open position. The post is likely to contact the surface to which the adhesive is being applied and to collect particles of that surface which may, in turn, cure the adhesive on the post. For example, particles of brass or other active metals that collect on the post can cause the adhesive thereon to cure very quickly. Adhesive curing on the steps of the post will change the diameter of the post at that location, and thereby affect the dispensing characteristics of the dispensing closure assembly. Furthermore, as the post is exposed during application of the adhesive, the post is more susceptible to being bent or damaged. This too prevents precise dispensement of a fluid. And, from a manufacturing standpoint, it is often times difficult to mold a thin post having a complex geometry at its distal end due to the manner by which such molds accept the moldable plastic and by which the post is withdrawn from the mold in a direction towards its proximal end. 
     In addition, such designs may not be suitable in many applications because in the course of accommodating a wide range of viscosities, the user is left with more options than may be desirable for day-to-day applications in which precise metering of an adhesive is of paramount importance. For example, when a dispensing closure assembly allows a user to select between three dispense opening sizes depending upon the type of fluid to be dispensed, each time the user opens the dispensing closure assembly there is a risk that the user may incorrectly select an incompatibly-sized dispense opening. Should the user select too large a dispense opening for a low viscosity fluid, far too much fluid may be dispensed onto a high cost component which must then be either cleaned or discarded. The likelihood of the user selecting an incompatibly-sized dispense opening is higher still in manufacturing environments where the operator opens and closes the dispensing closure assembly many times during the course of use. 
     Furthermore, in many dispensing closure assemblies of the prior art, it is common for residual adhesive to cling to the dispense tip after use. Once the container, including the dispensing closure is uprighted, the residue adhesive will drip down the outer surface of the dispensing closure cover. Since many dispensing closure covers are manually actuated to move from an open to a closed position, it is quite common for the user to manually grasp the outer surface of the cover to effect such manual operation. Thus, the user would come in contact with any adhesive residue which drips down the side of the dispensing closure cover. Such adhesive residue and the risk of coming into contact therewith during operation, renders subsequent use of the dispensing closure assembly undesirable. 
     It is, therefore, desirable to provide a dispensing closing assembly which prevents residual adhesive from dripping to location which is to be contacted by the user during operation. This will enable the user to repeatedly use to the dispensing closure assembly with out risk of contacting the residual adhesive. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a dispensing closure assembly for dispensing fluid from a fluid container. The closure assembly includes a cap attachable to the open end of the container. The cap has a sealable dispensing port with a port opening for passage of fluid therethrough. A dispensing cover is movably supported over the cap. The dispensing cover is an elongate member having a dispensing tip at one end, a port engaging portion at the other end and a dispensing channel therebetween. The dispensing cover is movable between a closed position with the port engaging portion in engagement with the port for sealing the dispensing port. The dispensing cover is moveable to an open position permitting fluid communication between the dispensing port and the channel and the dispensing of fluid through the distal tip. The cover further includes an outer surface extending from and contiguous with the dispensing tip. This outer surface defines a fluid drainage surface where residual fluid from the dispensing tip flows. A finger contact surface is provided on the outer surface of the cover which is spaced from the dispensing tip. A fluid containment well is formed between the fluid drainage surface and the finger contacting surface for retaining fluid drained along the draining surface, preventing fluid contact with the finger contacting surface. 
     The dispensing tip desirably includes a first dispensing opening defined at the distal end thereof. This dispensing tip is configured to accommodate a standard luer cannula slip over the distal end for dispensement of fluid therethrough. The dispensing tip also desirably includes a score notch adjacent the distal end for severing the distal end therefrom. This defines a second larger dispensing opening. 
     The dispensing closure assembly of the present invention further desirably includes an overcap positionable over the cap and dispensing cover for closing the dispensing tip. The overcap defines an open-ended cavity including a cavity wall which is placed in sealed engagement with the dispensing tip by sealing and closing the dispensing tip. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the dispensing closure assembly of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2A is a side elevational view of the cap of the dispensing closure assembly of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the cap of the dispensing closure assembly of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the cover of the dispensing closure assembly of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the dispensing tip of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the dispensing closure assembly of FIG. 1 in the closed configuration. 
     FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the dispensing closure assembly of FIG. 1 in an open configuration. 
     FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the further embodiment of the dispensing closure assembly of the present invention. 
     FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the cap of the dispensing closure assembly of FIG.  7 . 
     FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of the dispensing cover of the dispensing closure assembly of FIG.  7 . 
     FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of the overcap of the dispensing closure assembly of FIG.  7 . 
     FIG. 11 is a bottom plan view of the overcap of FIG.  10 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to FIG. 1, the present invention provides a dispense closure assembly  10  for dispensing a fluid such as an anaerobic adhesive. Dispense closure assembly  10  includes a cap  12  and a cover  14 . Each of cap  12  and cover  14  may be formed of a suitable plastic by conventional manufacturing techniques. For example, cap  12  is desirably formed from high density polyethylene and cover  14  is desirably formed of a softer plastic such as polypropylene and the like. The material selected for both cap  12  and cover  14  should be breathable in that air may pass therethrough and inhibit premature curing of the fluid within assembly  10 . Cover  14  is longitudinally movable with respect to cap  12  from a closed position blocking fluid flow through cover  14  to an open position allowing precise fluid metering through cover  14 . In the present illustrative embodiment, dispensing closure  10  employs a push-pull arrangement to effect the relative longitudinal movement of cover  14  with respect to cap  12  between the open and closed positions, as will be described further hereinbelow. 
     Assembly  10  may dispense fluids having a viscosity anywhere in the range of 10 centipoise (cps) to 8,000 cps requiring no more than lightly compressing a flexible portion of the container (not shown) to which it is attached. Assembly  10  provides for the user to select from up to three possible sizes for a dispense opening through which the fluid is dispensed through cover  14  to a work surface. The selection of the proper dispense opening size is determined according to the viscosity of the fluid to be dispensed. The user need only make the selection prior to dispensing the contents of the container for the first time. The user may thereby dedicate dispensing closure assembly  10  to provide a dispense opening particularly suited to the fluid viscosity of the contents of the container. Once so dedicated, the user need only open and close dispensing closure assembly  10  prior to and after each use. The selection of the proper dispense opening size will be described in further detail hereinbelow. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 2A and 2B, cap  12  includes a base portion  16  and an elongate dispense valve portion  18 . Base portion  16  includes an elongate cylindrical outer wall  20  and an elongate cylindrical inner wall  22  coaxial with and radially inward with respect to outer wall  20 . A generally planar transverse support wall  24  spans across a distal extent of first cylindrical wall  20  and second cylindrical wall  22  and supports dispense valve portion  18 . Outer wall  20  includes an interior surface  26 , an exterior surface  28  and defines a cap opening  30  opposite transverse support wall  24 . Exterior surface  28  has formed thereon a plurality of circumferentially-spaced longitudinal gripping ribs  32  so as to assist manual gripping of cap  12  during both threading attachment with the adhesive container and longitudinally moving cover  14  with respect thereto. Base portion  16  of cap  12  further defines a proximal cap passageway  40  having a first portion  42  defined by inner wall  22  and a second portion  44  defined by transverse support wall  24  in coaxial alignment with first portion  42 . Proximal cap passageway  40  is in fluid communication with the interior of the container of adhesive fluid and forms the first stage of the fluid flowpath for dispensing fluid within the container through dispensing closure assembly  10 . 
     Interior surface  26  and inner wall  22  define an annular container receiving cavity  34  therebetween for fluid-tight engagement with a male connecting portion of the container of flowable anaerobic adhesive. Transverse support wall  24  desirably includes a depending annular sealing tooth  36  for enhanced sealing engagement with the annular rim of the male connecting portion of the container. Interior surface  26  has formed thereon a helical thread  38  so as to provide a threaded connection with the container. 
     Dispense valve portion  18  extends from transverse support wall  24  in registry with proximal cap passageway  40 . Dispense valve portion  18  includes a tubular conduit wall  46  and a coaxially-located cylindrical hub  48 . Conduit wall  46  terminates at a planar valve seat  50  which defines a cap dispense aperture  52 . Conduit wall  46  includes an interior conduit surface  46   a  and an exterior conduit surface  46   b . Interior conduit surface  46   a  further defines a distal cap passageway  54  communicating between proximal cap passageway  40  and cap dispense aperture  52 . Hub  48  is positioned in spaced registry with cap dispense aperture  52  and includes a planar lower hub surface  47  in registry with dispense aperture and an upstanding cylindrical hub surface  49  coaxial therewith. Hub  48  is connected to conduit wall  46  by three leg extents  57   a-c  extending from hub surface  47  to a location on interior conduit surface  46   a  adjacent planar valve seat  50 . Leg extents  57   a-c  are spaced so as to define three sealable openings  58   a-c  in fluid communication with cap dispense aperture  52 . 
     Exterior conduit surface  46   b  includes a first elongate cylindrical surface  60 , a second recessed elongate cylindrical surface  62 , an annular stop bead  64 , and a tapered annular skirt  66 . First cylindrical surface  60  is contiguous with second cylindrical surface  62  across an annular tapered rim  68 . Second cylindrical surface  66  is therefore bounded at a proximal end  66   a  by tapered rim  68  and at a distal end  66   b  by stop bead  64 . Tapered rim  68  and stop bead  64  provide for the relative longitudinal positioning of cap  12  and cover  14  in the closed and open positions as will be described hereinbelow. For manufacturing purposes, interior conduit surface  46   a  generally follows the contour of exterior conduit surface  46   b  at cylindrical surfaces  60  and  62 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1,  3 , and  4 , cover  14  is an elongate hollow member and includes an elongate hollow mechanical working portion  70  and an elongate hollow fluid conduit portion  72 . Fluid conduit portion  72  further includes a dispensing end  74  originally provided having a removable tip  76  attached thereto across a frangible neck  78 . Cover  14  includes an interior cover surface  80  and an exterior cover surface  81 . Interior cover surface  80  defines a cover interior  82  which includes a mechanical working space  83  defined by mechanical working portion  170  and a dispensing passageway  85  defined by fluid conduit portion  72 . 
     Mechanical working portion  70  of cover  14  defines a proximal cover opening  71  for receiving dispensing valve portion  18  of cap  12  therethrough. Mechanical working portion  70  further includes elements for cooperating with stop bead  64  and tapered rim  68  of cap  12  so as to define the closed and open configurations of dispensing closure  10 . Interior cover surface  80  includes an elongate cylindrical cover bushing surface  84  supporting an annular cover positioning rib  86  at one end thereof. With additional reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the relative alignment of cover positioning rib  86  along second cylindrical surface  62  of cap  12  provides the closed and open positions for the dispense closure assembly  10 . As cover  14  is moved between and open and closed position, annular stop bead  64  of cap  12  provides wiping sliding engagement with cover bushing surface  84  so as to prevent any fluid from passing therebetween. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 3,  5 , and  6 , fluid conduit portion  72  of cover  14  includes a valve section  88  defined by the geometry of interior cover surface  80  about sealable openings  58   a-c  of cap  12 . Valve section  88  is a contiguous stretch of interior cover surface  80  including an annular tapered surface  90 , a planar seating surface  92 , a flared passageway extent surface  94 , and a cylindrical hub-sealing surface  96 . Surfaces  90 ,  92 ,  94 , and  96  are formed to be coaxial with dispensing passageway  85 . As shown in FIG. 5, when dispensing closure assembly  10  is in the closed configuration, cover  14  provides sealing engagement with cap  12  so as to prevent fluid communication between sealable openings  58   a-c  and both ends of cover  14 . In the closed configuration a primary seal is established where planar seating surface  92  sealingly engages planar valve seat  50  and a secondary seal is established where hub-sealing surface  96  sealingly engages cylindrical hub surface  49 . As further shown in FIG. 5, a third sealing engagement is provided where stop bead  64  of cap  12  sealingly engages cover bushing surface  84  so as to provide a third sealing engagement between cap  12  and cover  14  below sealable openings  58   a-c . The primary seal prevents fluid flowing from sealable openings  58   a-c  towards dispensing end  74  while the secondary and third seals prevent liquid from flowing towards cover opening  71 . 
     FIG. 6 shows dispensing closure assembly  10  in an open configuration whereby cover  14  is longitudinally moved in the direction of arrow A from cap  12 . It is seen that in the open configuration that the primary and secondary seals are temporarily broken while the third seal provided between cover positioning rib  86  of cover  14  and stop bead  64  of cap  12  is maintained. As planar seating surface  92  and cylindrical hub sealing surface  96  no longer engage any part of cap  12 , sealable openings  58   a-c  are placed in fluid communication with dispensing passageway  85 . 
     With additional reference to FIG. 4, dispensing end  74  allows a user to select the size of a dispense orifice so as to provide for precise metering of the fluid therethrough. Frangible neck  78  is an annular member formed about a distal end  82   a  of cover interior  82  between a cylindrical tip  100  and removable tip  76 . Removable tip  76  is desirably formed having a cross-shaped component  77   a  presenting a pair of intersecting arcuate lower surfaces  79   a  and  79   b  and supporting a disc-shaped upper component  77   b . The cross-shape of component  77   a  is selected to minimize the amount of material required by removable tip  76  while the disc-shaped component  77   b  allows for hot runner molding of cover  14  at relatively faster cycling times. Removable tip  76  and frangible neck  78  are designed to expose a first dispensing port  102  defined by cylindrical tip  100  when removable tip  76  is either twisted or sheared from cover  14 . The material selected for cover  14  should be sufficiently brittle so as to minimize the occurrence of flashing about first dispensing port  102 . Flashing being any extraneous material or rough surface disposed about or occluding first dispensing port  102 . By minimizing the occurrence of flashing the present invention also minimizes the likelihood of entrapping particles which may provoke curing of the anaerobic adhesive across or within dispensing passageway  85 . Dispensing end  74  desirably provides an annular dispensing tip rim  101  about the proximal end of cylindrical tip  100 . 
     Referring again to FIG. 6, first dispensing port  102  is formed having a diameter selected to provide precise metering of fluids of medium viscosities and adequate metering characteristics for fluids having low viscosities. In order to better accommodate low viscosity fluids, cylindrical tip  100  is formed having a diameter which accommodates a luer slip cannula assembly  110  thereover in frictional engagement. Luer slip cannula assembly  110  is well known in the medical arts for dispensing medicaments and includes an elongate cannula  112  and a luer adapter  114  at one end thereof. Cannula  112  defines an elongate cannula passageway  116  and a cannula dispense port  118  having a diameter smaller than that provided by first dispensing port  102 . Cannula  112  thereby provides for even more precise metering of low viscosity fluids at cannula dispense port  118  than is provided by first dispensing port  102  at cylindrical tip  100 . 
     The uniform cross-sectional shape of cylindrical tip  100  and the severing of removable tip  76  ensure reproducible and reliable dispensing closure assembly  10  compatibility with luer adapter  114  in that there is no risk of a user over-cutting the dispense tip or of the assembly. After separating removable tip  76  therefrom, a user would simply slide luer adapter  114  over cylindrical tip  100  until abutting annular dispensing tip rim  101 . Luer slip cannula assembly  110  is also desirably formed from a breathable plastic material so as to inhibit premature curing of an anaerobic adhesive therein. The present invention further contemplates providing a luer slip cannula assembly  110  in kit form with dispensing closure assembly  110  for dispensing fluids having a low viscosity. 
     Dispensing closure assembly  10  also accommodates dispensement of fluids having a relatively high viscosity. Exterior cover surface  81  defines an annular mitre channel  104  adjacent cylindrical dispensing tip  100  for guiding a hand-held cutting device in severing cover  14  so as to expose a second dispensing port  106  having a diameter that is greater than the diameter of first dispensing port  102 . Mitre channel  106  is formed about a portion of dispensing passageway  85  having a diameter larger than provided through cylindrical tip  100 . Second dispensing port  108  is thereby better suited to accommodating and precisely metering fluids having a relatively high viscosity. Desirably, mitre channel  106  extends in substantially transverse coaxial alignment with dispensing passageway  85 . 
     As the container to which dispensing assembly  10  is mounted will indicate the particular fluid contained therein, a user will know prior to dispensing the fluid just how large a dispense orifice is required for precise metering of the fluid. For low and medium viscosity fluids, the user may choose to simply separate removable tip  76  from cover  14  and proceed to dispense. Or, for low viscosity fluids the user may couple a luer slip cannula assembly over cylindrical tip  100  so as to dispense through a smaller dispense orifice. Alternatively, for relatively high viscosity fluids, the user may cut cover  14  at miter channel  106  so as to expose a larger dispense orifice. Once the initial dispense orifice decision is made, the user need only open and close dispensing closure assembly  10  with each use. The present invention is thereby able to accommodate fluids of a range of fluid viscosities while also minimizing the occurrence of the user improperly selecting the size of the dispense orifice and dispensing copious amounts of fluid onto a work surface. 
     A user may close dispensing closure assembly  10  by applying a longitudinal closing force in the direction of arrow B, shown in FIG. 5, to force positioning rib  86  of cover  14  back towards tapered rim  68  of cap  12  until the primary and secondary seals are re-established. Once again, during the relative longitudinal movement of cover  14  and cap  12 , stop bead  64  of cap  12  continues to wipingly slide along cover bushing surface  84  to prevent fluid from passing therebetween into mechanical working space  83 . Exterior surface  81  of cover  14  is formed having a generally smooth contour to accommodate a user opening and closing dispensing closure assembly  10  many times in a day. Exterior surface  81  provides a number of rounded projections  98  and an annular exterior gripping bead  99  to further assist a user in opening and closing dispensing closure assembly  10 . 
     A further preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown with respect to FIGS. 7-11. Referring to FIG. 7, the present embodiment of the invention provides a dispense closure assembly  210  for dispensing a fluid such as an anaerobic adhesive. The dispense closure assembly of FIGS. 7-11 is substantially similar to the dispense closure assembly  10  of FIGS. 1-6, and therefore similar reference numerals are used to denote similar components. 
     Dispense closure assembly  210  includes a cap  212  shown in FIG. 8, a dispensing cover  214  shown in FIG.  9  and an overcap  215  shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. Each of the components of dispense closure assembly  210  may be formed of a suitable plastic by conventional manufacturing techniques. In a manner similar to that of the previously described embodiment, cover  214  is longitudinally movable with respect to cap  212  from a closed position blocking fluid flow to an open position allowing precise fluid metering through over cover  214 . The present embodiment of dispensing closure assembly  210  employs a push/pull arrangement whereby the user manually grasps the dispensing cover  214  to move it longitudinally with respect to cap  212  as will be described in further detail hereinbelow. 
     As with the previous embodiment, dispense closure assembly  210  may dispense fluid having a viscosity in the range of from 10 cps to 8,000 cps requiring no more than lightly compressing the flexible portion of the portion of the container (not shown) to which it is attached. Dispenser closure assembly  210  provides for the user to select from two possible sizes for a dispense opening through which fluid is dispensed through dispensing cover  214  and also provides for the use of a luer slip cannula to provide additional dispense opening sizes. The selection of the proper dispense opening size is determined according to the viscosity of the fluid to be dispensed. The user need only make the selection prior to dispensing the contents of the container for the first time. The user then dedicates the dispense closure  210  to provide a dispense opening particularly suited for the fluid viscosity of the contents of the container. Once so dedicated, the user need only open and close the dispense closure assembly  210  prior to and after each use. As will be described in further detail hereinbelow, the proper dispense opening size is selected in manner similar to that described above with respect to previous embodiment. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, cap  212  includes a base portion  216  and an elongate dispense valve  218 . Cap  212  is substantially similar to cap  12  described above with respect to FIGS. 2A and 2B. Base  216  is defined by an elongate cylindrical outer wall  220  and a transverse support wall  224 . Valve  218  extends upwardly from transverse support wall  224 . In the present illustrative embodiment, elongate cylindrical outer wall  220  extends upwardly from transverse support wall  224  so as to define an upward extent  224   a.  Cap  212  further includes an inner cylindrical wall  225  extending upwardly from transverse support wall  224  located radially inward from upward extent  224   a  of wall  224 . Extent  224   a  and wall  225  define an open ended annular recess  227 . Recess  227 , which will described in further detail hereinbelow, accommodates dispensing closure  214  in the closed position. 
     In manner similar to that described above, dispense valve  218  includes a lower cylindrical portion  260 , an upwardly extending cylindrical wall  262  and a radially extending annular stop bead  264  which progressively extend from transverse support wall  224 . Dispense valve  218  further includes a distally located valve hub  248  including a dispense aperture  252  therethrough. A valve seat  250  defined about the dispense aperture  252 . 
     As specifically shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, dispensing cover  214  is an elongate hollow member including valve engaging portion  270  at the lower end thereof and an elongate dispensing nozzle  275  extending upwardly therefrom. A dispensing tip  274  is formed at the upper end of nozzle  275 . Dispensing cover  214  is mountable over the dispense valve  218  of cap  212  as shown FIG. 7, in a manner substantially similar to that shown with respect to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6. Dispensing cover  214  is movable between an open position for the dispensing of fluid through dispensing tip  274  to a closed position as shown in FIG. 7 sealing dispense aperture  252  of valve hub  248 . 
     In the closed position, as shown in FIG. 7, a lower cylindrical extent  271  of valve sealing portion  270  is accommodated within the annular recess  227  formed between upper extent  224   a  of cylindrical outer wall  220  and inner cylindrical wall  225 . Such an arrangement helps maintain the dispensing cover  214  in a proper closed and seated position over dispense valve  218 . 
     Nozzle  275  of cover  214  is an elongate generally conical member having dispensing tip  274  and dispensing opening  282  defined at the distal end thereof so as to permit dispensing of adhesive fluid therethrough. In the present illustrative embodiment, dispensing opening  282  has a diameter of approximately 0.0352 mm which has been found to allow drain back of adhesive therethrough after dispensing. This prevents the adhesive from remaining at the opening  282 , which when cured could close the opening. Nozzle  275  is defined by a nozzle wall  277  having an inner surface  272  and an outer surface  276 . As shown in FIG. 7, the inner surface  272  of wall  277  adjacent opening  282  includes a conical taper  278  to facilitate drain back of adhesive at the dispensing opening  282 . 
     In a manner to similar to that shown in FIG. 6, the outer surface  274   a  of distal tip  274  is configured to accommodate a standard luer slip cannula assembly  110  in frictional engagement thereover. The outer surface  274   a  of tip  274  is specifically modified so as to appropriately match the configuration of a conventional luer slip cannula assembly so as to facilitate frictional retention thereover. 
     Also, in a manner similar to that described above, distal tip  274  includes a score notch  285  spaced from the distal end thereof at which location, the distal tip  274  may be severed so as to expose a larger dispense opening so as to permit dispensing of less viscous fluids. The inner surface  285   a  of nozzle  275  adjacent score notch  285 , is also conically tapered to aid in drain back of adhesive after use. 
     Dispensing cover  214  of the present embodiment further includes a fluid containment well  291  formed intermediate valve engaging portion  270  and nozzle  275 . Fluid containment well  291  is generally in the form of an open ended cup shaped member defined by a generally cylindrical side wall  293  and a bottom wall  294 . The cylindrical side wall  293  and bottom wall  294  form a containment well with the lower end of nozzle  275 . 
     After dispensing of adhesive fluid through dispensing tip  274 , any adhesive residue which is not drawn back into dispensing cover  214  may track down the outer surface  276  of nozzle  275  which is contiguous with the dispensing opening. As dispensing cover  214  is designed to be manually grasped and actuated by the user, the user may come in contact with residual adhesive which has tracked down the outer surface  276  of cover  214 . In order to prevent such contact, the present invention provides containment well  291  which collects any such residual adhesive which drains along the outer surface  276  of nozzle  275 . 
     Further, a manual grasping region  299  is defined between containment well  291  and lower cylindrical member  271 . This manual grasping region  299  is positioned below containment well  291  so that the adhesive which tracks down nozzle  275  is collected and contained above this region. Thus, the region at all times will be free from adhesive residue allowing the user to grasp the dispensing cover without risk of contacting residual adhesive. The manual grasping region  299  is constructed to be conveniently grasped with the users fingers. 
     As shown in FIG. 9, nozzle  275  may also include directional markings  295  in the form of double headed arrows. The directional markings  295  assist the user in determining the direction of movement of cover  214  with respect to cap  212 . 
     Dispensing well  291  further includes a radially outwardly directed annular sealing web  298  extending from adjacent an upper end of side wall  293 . Sealing web  298  is formed of a thin portion of the material forming dispensing cover  214  and due to its thinness is relatively deflectable. As will be described in further detail hereinbelow, sealing web  298  forms a seal with overcap  215  when it is placed thereover. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 7,  10  and  11 , overcap  215  is shown in further detail. Overcap  215  is an elongate member having a closed upper end  300 , an open lower end  302  and elongate generally cylindrical wall  304  extending therebetween. An interior cavity  306  is formed by wall  304  between closed end  300  and open end  302 . Overcap  300  is designed to be positioned over cap  212  and dispensing cover  214  to enclose cover  214  in its closed position. 
     As shown in FIG. 7, adjacent the upper end  300  thereof, cylindrical wall  304  of overcap  214  defines an upper interior cylindrical wall surface  307  which is designed for sealing engagement along the outer surface  274   a  of dispensing tip  274 . The sealed engagement between interior wall surface  307  of overcap  215  and the outer surface  274   a  of dispensing tip  274  provides a seal therebetween, thereby sealing dispense opening  282 . Furthermore, engagement between the interior wall surface  307  of overcap  215  and the outer surface  274   a  of dispensing tip  274  is such that a seal is provided even where the dispensing tip  274  is severed at notch  285  to provide a larger dispense opening, as the engagement is below notch  285 . 
     Wall  304  further includes a plurality of inwardly extending intermediate directional ribs  310  circumferentially spaced thereabout. Ribs  310  are provided so as to facilitate proper insertion of nozzle  275  into cavity  306 . The ribs  310  engage the distal end of nozzle  275  as it is inserted so as to properly locate nozzle  275  within cavity  306 . 
     The lower end of cavity  306  defined by wall  304  is constructed so as to engage sealing web  298  at an intermediate inner surface  309  thereof. This engagement provides a complete cylindrical seal therebetween. When the overcap  215  is positioned in closed position as shown in FIG. 7, a seal is provided between inner surface  309  of cylindrical wall  304  and cover  214  at sealing web  298 . As sealing web  298  is formed of a thin deflectable web-like material, deflectable sealing engagement is achieved. Any adhesive contained within well  291  cannot track to the manual grasping region  299  of cover  214  even where the closed and covered dispensing closure assembly is inverted. The seal between the inner surface  309  of cylindrical wall  304  and the sealing web  298  prevents passage of adhesive. 
     In order to more securely frictionally retain overcap  215  on cap  212 , overcap  215  includes an annular sealing flange  312  at the lower end thereof. Flange  312  extends radially outwardly from cylindrical wall  304  and is designed to engage in frictional relationship with the inner surface of upward extent  224  of cap  212 . This frictional relationship provides a secure snap fit engagement between the overcap  215  and cap  212 . 
     Additionally, in order to more securely retain overcap  215  on cap  212 , an inside surface  311  of wall  304  adjacent the lower end includes a plurality of similarly spaced elongate arcuate ribs  315  thereabout. Ribs  315  are spaced inwardly from open end  302  and are equally spaced circumferentially thereabout. In the present illustrative embodiment, three ribs are provided in circumferentially spaced relation about the inside surface  311  of wall  304 . Ribs  315  are designed for snap fit engagement with a cylindrical rim  317  extending about the upper end of inner wall  225 . This snap fit engagement provides additional frictional securement of overcap  215  on cap  212 . The snap fit engagement between dispensing cover  214  and overcap  215  may be overcome by a twisting motion of overcap  215  with respect to dispensing cover  214 . In this regard, a directional arrow  319  is provided on upper end  302  to provide the user with assistance in removal. 
     While the present invention has been shown and described in detail above, it will be clear to the person skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. That which is set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. The true scope of this invention is measured of course by the claims.