Valve-controlled dispensing closure

Abstract

The invention relates to a dispensing closure for a container that holds a fluid, which can be tightly fitted into a container neck to ensure liquid-tightness of the container. The dispenser closure includes a plug body arranged to be inserted into the container neck and having a central fluid passage and having a peripheral air passage, a double-valve diaphragm comprising a flexible elastic material and arranged in a recess provided in an upper part of the plug body to cover the fluid passage and the air passage, and a plug cap sealing the double-valve diaphragm within the plug body having one or more slots arranged circularly and axially aligned with the air passage of the plug body and having a central orifice axially aligned with the fluid passage of the plug body. The double-valve diaphragm comprises a first valve section, and a second valve section.

1 . A dispensing closure for a container that holds a fluid, wherein the dispensing closure fits tightly into a container neck of the container to ensure liquid-tightness of the container, wherein the dispensing closure comprises:
 (a) a plug body configured to insert into the container neck and the plug body has a central fluid passage and a peripheral air passage;   (b) a double-valve diaphragm comprising a flexible elastic material and arranged in a recess provided in an upper part of the plug body to cover the central fluid passage and the peripheral air passage of the plug body; and   (c) a plug cap that seals the double-valve diaphragm within the plug body, wherein the plug cap has one or more slots arranged circularly and axially aligned with the peripheral air passage of the central plug body, and the plug cap has a central orifice axially aligned with the central fluid passage of the plug body,   wherein   the double-valve diaphragm further comprises   a first valve section, and   a second valve section, wherein   the first valve section is a normally closed valve having a slit-type central orifice and the first valve section seals the central fluid passage of the plug body when in a first resting position, and   wherein the second valve section is an umbrella-type valve that is a normally closed valve and the second valve section seals the one or more slots of the plug cap when in a second resting position.   
     
     
         2 . A dispensing closure according to  claim 1 , wherein said double-valve diaphragm further comprises a valve seal arranged between said first valve section and said second valve section. 
     
     
         3 . A dispensing closure according to  claim 1 , wherein said double-valve diaphragm further comprises a valve seal arranged concentrically between said first valve section and said second valve section. 
     
     
         4 . A dispensing closure according to  claim 1 , wherein said first valve section is disposed to dispense fluid and said second valve section is disposed for air venting. 
     
     
         5 . A dispensing closure according to  claim 1 , wherein the first valve section of the double-valve diaphragm is arranged to open when a pressure is created in the central fluid passage of the plug body. 
     
     
         6 . A dispensing closure according to  claim 1 , wherein the first valve section of the double-valve diaphragm is arranged to open when a depression is created in the central fluid passage of the plug cap. 
     
     
         7 . A dispensing closure according to  claim 1 , wherein the second valve section of said double-valve diaphragm is arranged to open when a depression is created in the central fluid passage of the plug body. 
     
     
         8 . A dispensing closure according to  claim 1 , wherein said plug body has an inner cylindrical elongated portion axially aligned with the central fluid passage in order to receive a dip-tube. 
     
     
         9 . A dispensing closure according to  claim 1 , wherein said plug body has a plug-shape with an elongated circular main body for fitting into the container neck of the container when assembled thereto and a disc-shaped top section that is formed to sit on top of the container neck so as to seal the container neck. 
     
     
         10 . A dispensing closure according to  claim 9 , wherein the top section has a welding ring on an upper surface of the tope section, and the plug cap has a slot arranged in lower surface of the plug cap that receives the welding ring. 
     
     
         11 . A combination of the dispensing closure according to  claim 1  and the container that holds fluid. 
     
     
         12 . The combination of  claim 11 , wherein said container is a perfume container. 
     
     
         13 . A dispensing closure according to  claim 2 , wherein said plug body has an inner cylindrical elongated portion axially aligned with the central fluid passage in order to receive a dip-tube. 
     
     
         14 . A dispensing closure according to  claim 3 , wherein said plug body has an inner cylindrical elongated portion axially aligned with the central fluid passage in order to receive a dip-tube. 
     
     
         15 . A dispensing closure according to  claim 4 , wherein said plug body has an inner cylindrical elongated portion axially aligned with the central fluid passage in order to receive a dip-tube. 
     
     
         16 . A dispensing closure according to  claim 5 , wherein said plug body has an inner cylindrical elongated portion axially aligned with the central fluid passage in order to receive a dip-tube. 
     
     
         17 . A dispensing closure according to  claim 6 , wherein said plug body has an inner cylindrical elongated portion axially aligned with the central fluid passage in order to receive a dip-tube. 
     
     
         18 . A dispensing closure according to  claim 7 , wherein said plug body has an inner cylindrical elongated portion axially aligned with the central fluid passage in order to receive a dip-tube.