Dispensing closure

Abstract

A dispensing closure for a flowable product is provided. The closure has: a dispensing orifice; a pre-dispensing chamber with an inlet; and a valve member. The valve member is movable between a first position in which inlet is blocked and a second position in which inlet is unblocked and is in fluid communication with the orifice.

1 . A dispensing closure for a flowable product, the closure having:
 a dispensing orifice;   a pre-dispensing chamber with an inlet; and   a valve member translatable within said chamber between a first position and a second position, wherein in said first position said chamber inlet is blocked by said valve member and said valve member is movable away from said chamber inlet in response to product flow such that in the second position the inlet is unblocked and is in fluid communication with said dispensing orifice through said chamber.   
     
     
         2 - 3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . The closure as claimed in  claim 1 , in which said valve member moves generally axially within said chamber. 
     
     
         5 . The closure as claimed in  claim 1 , in which said chamber is generally bucket-like. 
     
     
         6 . The closure as claimed in  claim 1 , in which said valve member includes an inlet. 
     
     
         7 . The closure as claimed in  claim 1 , in which said valve member includes a spout. 
     
     
         8 . The closure as claimed in  claim 7 , in which said orifice has an orifice sidewall and said valve member spout extends into said dispensing orifice sidewall. 
     
     
         9 . The closure as claimed in  claim 7 , in which the spout includes in inlet. 
     
     
         10 . The closure as claimed in  claim 7 , in which said inlet is provided in the region of a base of said spout. 
     
     
         11 . The closure as claimed in  1 , in which the closure includes a base and a lid. 
     
     
         12 . The closure as claimed in  claim 11 , in which said lid is moveable between an open position and a closed position. 
     
     
         13 . The closure as claimed in  claim 11 , in which when said lid is in the closed position said valve member is caused to be in the first position. 
     
     
         14 . The closure as claimed in  claim 11 , in which said lid and said base are joined by a hinge. 
     
     
         15 . The closure as claimed in  claim 11 , in which said lid includes a spigot. 
     
     
         16 . The closure as claimed in  claim 14 , in which said spigot is capable of pushing said valve member to the first position. 
     
     
         17 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A dispensing closure in combination with a container for a flowable product, the closure having:
 a dispensing orifice;   a pre-dispensing chamber with an inlet; and   a valve member translatable within said chamber between a first position and a second position, wherein in said first position said chamber inlet is blocked by said valve member so that product from the container cannot enter the chamber, and said valve member is movable away from said chamber inlet in response to product flow such that in the second position the inlet is unblocked and said container is in fluid communication with said dispensing orifice through said chamber.   
     
     
         22 . The closure as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the closure comprises a tamper evident member. 
     
     
         23 . The closure as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the valve member includes a disc-like main platform. 
     
     
         24 . The closure as claimed in  claim 1 , in which said valve member includes a plurality of tabs which conform to the shape of the interior of said chamber so that they act as a guide when the valve member moves within the chamber. 
     
     
         25 . The closure as claimed in  claim 1 , in which said valve member includes an inlet and an outlet, and in which when said valve is in the second position product enters the chamber through the chamber inlet and travels to the valve member inlet and then travels to the valve member outlet for final discharge through the dispensing orifice. 
     
     
         26 . A dispensing closure for a flowable product, the closure having:
 a dispensing orifice;   a pre-dispensing chamber with an inlet; and   a valve member movable between a first position in which the chamber inlet is blocked and product cannot flow into the chamber and a second position in which inlet is unblocked and is in fluid communication with the orifice, in which the valve member is translatable within the chamber between the first and second position, and in which the valve member is movable away from the chamber inlet in response to product flow so that product can flow from the chamber inlet through the chamber to reach the dispensing orifice when the valve is in the second position in the second position.