Self-Piercing Closure with a Self-Closing Valve

Abstract

A self-piercing closure for a container includes a laminar closing member, a closure body, and a piercing member for piercing a closing member. After piercing of the closing member, a self-closing valve of the closure dispenses flowable media from the container. In some examples, the piercing member is formed separately from the closure body, and is attachable to the closure body. The closure body may include a deformable region, and deformation of the deformable region may allow the closure body to move from a first position to a second position. Movement of the closure body from the first position to the second position may activate the piercing means.

1 . A self-piercing closure for a container having a laminar closing member, the closure comprising a closure body, a piercing member for piercing the closing member, and a self-closing valve for dispensing flowable media from the container following piercing of the closing member, the piercing member formed separately from and attachable to the closure body, and the piercing member retaining the self-closing valve in the closure. 
     
     
         2 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The closure as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the piercing member comprises snap-fit means for attaching it to the body. 
     
     
         16 . The closure as claimed in  claim 15 , in which the piercing member and body comprise co-operating snap-fit engagement means. 
     
     
         17 . The closure as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the piercing member is formed as a separate insert which can be connected into the body from underneath. 
     
     
         18 . The closure as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the piercing member comprises a plurality of cutting teeth. 
     
     
         19 . The closure as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the closure body is movable from a first position to a second position to activate the piercing means. 
     
     
         20 . The closure as claimed in  claim 19 , in which the closure body comprises a deformable region for allowing it to move from the first to the second position. 
     
     
         21 . The closure as claimed in  claim 20 , in which the deformable region is thinned. 
     
     
         22 . The closure as claimed in  claim 20 , in which deformation of the deformable region is achieved by a rolling action. 
     
     
         23 . The closure as claimed in  claim 19 , in which the closure is formed in the second position and moved to the first position prior to activation. 
     
     
         24 . The closure as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the closure comprises a base and a lid. 
     
     
         25 . The closure as claimed in  claim 24 , in which the base and lid are connected together by a hinge. 
     
     
         26 . The closure as claimed in  claim 25 , in which the piercing means is carried on or by the base. 
     
     
         27 . The closure as claimed in  claim 26 , in which the self-closing valve is carried on or by the base. 
     
     
         28 . A container having a self-piercing closure, the closure comprising:
 a laminar closing member;   a closure body;   a piercing member for piercing the closing member, the piercing member formed separately from and attachable to the closure body; and   a self-closing valve for dispensing flowable media from the container following piercing of the closing member, the piercing member retaining the self-closing valve in the closure.   
     
     
         29 . A self-piercing closure for a container having a laminar closing member, the closure comprising a closure body and having piercing means for piercing the closing member, the closure further comprising a self-closing valve for dispensing flowable media from the container following piercing of the closing member, in which the closure body is movable from a first position to a second position to activate the piercing means and in which the closure is formed in the second position and moved to the first position prior to activation. 
     
     
         30 . The closure as claimed in  claim 29 , in which the closure body comprises a deformable region for allowing it to move from the first to the second position. 
     
     
         31 . The closure as claimed in  claim 30 , in which the deformable region is thinned. 
     
     
         32 . The closure as claimed in  claim 31 , in which deformation of the deformable region is achieved by a rolling action. 
     
     
         33 . The closure as claimed in  claim 32 , in which the closure comprises a base and a lid connected together by a hinge, and in which the piercing means is carried on or by the base.