Patent ID: 7152763

Claim:
A closure for a container having a container neck, the closure comprising: an adapter formed from a first thermoplastic material and having a housing with a passage extending through the adapter, the adapter including a first end and a second end, at least one adapter connector on the adapter at or near the first end, and a valve attachment surface formed on the adapter at or near the second end; a valve made from a second thermoplastic material, the valve having a flexible central portion with at least one valve opening, and an outer peripheral portion molded to the adapter at the valve attachment surface using a multi-material injection process so as to form an adapter and valve assembly; and a base having: a top with a periphery from which a skirt depends; at least one base connector adapted to engage with the at least one adapter connector such that the adapter and valve assembly can be directly connected to the base by engagement of the adapter connector with the base connector; and a base opening arranged near the base connector to be in fluid communication with the valve opening of the adapter and valve assembly installed on the base; wherein the base separates the adapter and valve assembly from the container.