DISPENSING CLOSURE WITH VALVE

Abstract

A dispensing closure for a container includes a base having an annular wall extending circumferentially around a central axis, a top wall coupled to the annular wall, and a controller mount coupled to the top wall. The dispensing closure also includes a product-discharge controller coupled to the controller mount of the base.

Description

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to a closure, and in particular, a dispensing closure. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a dispensing closure having a valve.

SUMMARY

A package in accordance with the present disclosure includes a container and a dispensing closure. The container is formed to include an interior product-storage region and a filler neck that defines an opening. The opening opens into the interior product-storage region. The dispensing closure is coupled to the filler neck.

In illustrative embodiments, the dispensing closure includes a controller mount and a product-discharge controller. The product-discharge controller is formed to include a product-discharge passageway.

In illustrative embodiments, the product-discharge controller includes a valve cradle and a flexible valve. The flexible valve is changeable between a normally-closed position and a pressurized-open position. In the normally-closed position, fluid material stored in the interior product-storage region of the container is blocked from exiting the product-discharge passageway. In the pressurized-open position, the fluid material passes through the product-discharge passageway in the event the container is squeezed to pressurize the fluid material stored in the interior product-storage region.

In illustrative embodiments, the valve cradle is coupled to the controller mount. The flexible valve lies axially between the cradle and an upper end of the controller mount. The valve cradle includes a center post and at least one arm. The center post is radially inward from the controller mount relative to a central axis of the dispensing closure. The at least one arm extends between the controller mount and the center post to establish the product-discharge passageway. The product-discharge passageway is offset from the central axis toward the controller mount.

Additional features of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the illustrative embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the disclosure as presently perceived.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dispensing closure in accordance with the present disclosure showing that the dispensing closure includes a base having a central axis and being formed to include a product-discharge outlet and a lid pivotally coupled to the base with a hinge to selectively open and close the product-discharge outlet;

FIG. 2 is a cross section of a package in accordance with the present disclosure showing the dispensing closure of Fig. I coupled to a filler neck of a container and further showing that the container is formed to include an interior-product storage region to store material therein, and further showing that the base of the dispensing closure includes an outer annular wall, an inner annular wall arranged radially inward from the outer annular wall coupled to the filler neck, a top wall coupled to and interconnecting the inner and outer annular walls, and a controller mount coupled to the top wall defining the product-discharge outlet;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross section of a portion of the dispensing closure taken along line A-A in FIG. 1 showing that the dispensing closure further includes a product-discharge controller that includes a valve cradle having a retention wall coupled to the controller mount and a center post arranged radially inward from the retention wall to cooperate with the retention wall to define a product-discharge passageway therebetween and further showing that the product-discharge controller includes a flexible valve mounted between the controller mount and the valve cradle in a normally-closed position in which the flexible valve engages the center post of the valve cradle to block the fluid material of the container from exiting the product-discharge passageway into the product-discharge outlet;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross section of a portion of the dispensing closure similar to FIG. 3 showing the flexible valve in a pressurized-open position in which a portion of the flexible valve is spaced axially away from the center post to define a gap therebetween so that the product-discharge passageway is in communication with the product-discharge outlet to allow the material to pass through the gap and out of the product-discharge outlet;

FIG. 5 is an exploded assembly view of the dispensing closure of FIG. 1 showing that the flexible valve is arranged axially between the product-discharge outlet and the valve cradle;

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the dispensing closure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross section of a portion of the dispensing closure taken along line A-A in FIG. 1 showing the flexible valve in the normally-closed position;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross section of a portion of the dispensing closure similar to FIG. 6 showing the flexible valve in the pressurized-open position;

FIG. 7A is an enlarged cross section of a portion of the dispensing closure taken along line A-A in FIG. 1 showing the flexible valve in the normally-closed position;

FIG. 7B is an enlarged cross section of a portion of the dispensing closure similar to FIG. 7A showing the flexible valve in the pressurized-open position;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the product-discharge controller of FIGS. 3 and 4;

FIG. 9 is an exploded assembly view of the product-discharge controller of FIGS. 3 and 4;

FIG. 10 is a detailed perspective view of a portion of the dispensing closure of FIG. 1 showing the flexible valve in the normally-closed position;

FIG. 11 is a detailed perspective view of a portion of the dispensing closure similar to FIG. 10 showing the flexible valve in the pressurized-open position;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the dispensing closure of FIG. 1 showing the lid in a closed position;

FIG. 13 is a cross section of the dispensing closure taken along line B-B in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged cross section of a portion of the dispensing closure taken along line B-B in FIG. 12 showing that an inner ring of the lid engages the flexible valve to block upward movement of the flexible valve when the lid is in the close position so that the fluid material is blocked from flowing past the product-discharge passageway;

FIG. 15 is a bottom view of the dispensing closure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 16 is a detailed bottom view of the dispensing closure of FIG. 1 with the product-discharge controller removed;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a dispensing closure in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 18 is an enlarged cross section of a portion of the dispensing closure taken along line C-C of FIG. 17 showing the flexible valve in the normally-closed position;

FIG. 19 is an enlarged cross section of a portion of the dispensing closure similar to FIG. 18 showing the flexible valve in the pressurized-open position;

FIG. 20 is an exploded assembly view of the dispensing closure of FIG. 17 showing that the valve cradle and the rest of the dispensing closure are formed as one piece;

FIG. 21 is a detailed exploded assembly view of a portion of the dispensing closure of FIG. 17 showing that the valve cradle and the cradle mount cooperate to form a valve recess to receive a portion of the valve to retain the valve therebetween;

FIG. 22 is a detailed perspective view of a portion of the dispensing closure of FIG. 17 showing the flexible valve in the normally-closed position;

FIG. 23 is a detailed perspective view of a portion of the dispensing closure similar to FIG. 22 showing the flexible valve in the pressurized-open position;

FIG. 24 is an enlarged cross section of a portion of the dispensing closure taken along line C-C of FIG. 17 showing the flexible valve in the normally-closed position;

FIG. 25 is an enlarged cross section of a portion of the dispensing closure similar to FIG. 24 showing the flexible valve in the pressurized-open position;

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the dispensing closure of FIG. 17 showing the lid in a closed position;

FIG. 27 is a cross section of the dispensing closure taken along line D-D in FIG. 26;

FIG. 28 is an enlarged cross section of a portion of the dispensing closure taken along line D-D in FIG. 26 showing that an inner ring of the lid engages both the flexible valve and the center post of the valve cradle to block upward movement of the flexible valve when the lid is in the closed position so that the fluid material is blocked from flowing past the product-discharge passageway;

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a dispensing closure in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 30 is a cross section of the product-discharge controller taken along line E-E in FIG. 35 showing the flexible valve in the normally-closed position;

FIG. 31 is a cross section of the product-discharge controller of the dispensing closure similar to FIG. 30 showing the flexible vale in the pressurized-open position;

FIG. 32 is an exploded assembly view of the dispensing closure of FIG. 29;

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of the valve cradle of the product-discharge controller of the dispensing closure of FIG. 29;

FIG. 34 is a detailed perspective view of a portion the dispensing closure of FIG. 29;

FIG. 35 is a perspective view of the product-discharge controller of the dispensing closure of FIG. 29 showing the flexible valve in the normally-closed position;

FIG. 36 is a perspective view of the product-discharge controller of the dispensing closure similar to FIG. 35 showing the flexible valve in the pressurized-open position;

FIG. 37 is an enlarged cross section of a portion of the dispensing closure taken along line F-F in FIG. 29;

FIG. 38 is an enlarged cross section of a portion of the dispensing closure taken along line F-F in FIG. 29;

FIG. 39 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the product-discharge controller for the dispensing closure of FIG. 29 showing that the flexible valve is formed to include flutes;

FIG. 40 is a bottom perspective view of the product-discharge controller of FIG. 39;

FIG. 41 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a dispensing closure in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 42 is an enlarged cross section of a portion of the dispensing closure taken along line G-G in FIG. 41;

FIG. 43 is an enlarged cross section of a portion of the dispensing closure taken along line G-G in FIG. 41 showing that the valve cradle and the rest of the dispensing closure are formed as one piece;

FIG. 44 is an exploded assembly view of the dispensing closure of FIG. 39;

FIG. 45 is a detailed perspective view of a portion of the dispensing closure of FIG. 39;

FIG. 46 is a detailed exploded assembly view of a portion of the dispensing closure of FIG. 39;

FIG. 47 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a dispensing closure in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 48 is an enlarged cross section of a portion of the dispensing closure taken along line H-H in FIG. 47 showing the flexible valve in the normally-closed position;

FIG. 49 is an enlarged cross section of a portion of the dispensing closure similar to FIG. 48 showing the flexible valve in the pressurized-open position;

FIG. 50 is a detailed perspective view of a portion the dispensing closure of FIG. 47 showing the flexible valve in the normally-closed position;

FIG. 51 is a detailed perspective view of a portion of the dispensing closure similar to FIG. 50 showing the flexible valve in the pressurized-open position;

FIG. 52 is a detailed perspective view of a portion the dispensing closure of FIG. 47 with the flexible valve removed;

FIG. 53 is an enlarged cross section of a portion of the dispensing closure taken along line H-H in FIG. 47 showing the flexible valve in the normally-closed position;

FIG. 54 is an enlarged cross section of a portion of the dispensing closure similar to FIG. 53 showing the flexible valve in the pressurized-open position;

FIG. 55 is a cross section of the dispensing closure of FIG. 47 with the lid in the closed position; and

FIG. 56 is an enlarged section view of the dispensing closure with the lid in the closed position show in FIG. 55 showing that an inner ring of the lid engages the flexible valve when the lid is in the closed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments may be shown. Indeed, embodiments may take many different forms and the present disclosure should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. As used in the specification, and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, “the”, include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

The terms “substantial” or “substantially” may encompass the whole as specified, according to certain embodiments, or largely but not the whole specified according to other embodiments.

A package 11 in accordance with the present disclosure is shown in FIG. 2. The package 11 includes a container 13 and a dispensing closure in accordance with the present disclosure. A first embodiment of the dispensing closure 10 is shown in FIGS. 1-16. A second embodiment of the dispensing closure 210 is shown in FIGS. 17-28. A third embodiment of the dispensing closure 310 is shown in FIGS. 29-40 with a first embodiment of a product-discharge controller 314 for the dispensing closure 310 shown in FIGS. 29-38 and a second embodiment of a product-discharge controller 614 for the dispensing closure 310 shown in FIGS. 39-40. A fourth embodiment of the dispensing closure 410 is shown in FIGS. 41-46. A fifth embodiment of the dispensing closure 510 is shown in FIGS. 17-56. Each dispensing closure is configured to couple to a filler neck 17 of the container 13 shown in FIG. 2.

The dispensing closures 10, 210, 310, 410, 510 shown and described in the present disclosure include a valve 22, 222, 322, 422, 522, 622 that is changeable between a normally-closed position in which fluid material 25 may pass through a product-discharge outlet 20, 220, 320, 420, 520 and a pressurized-open position in which the fluid material 25 is blocked from passing through the product-discharge outlet 20, 220, 320, 420, 520. The valve 22, 222, 322, 422, 522, 622 may comprise thermoplastic elastomer, polyolefin, or another non-silicone material and the rest of the dispensing closure 10, 210, 310, 410, 510 may comprise polypropylene or another suitable material. The container 13 may also comprise polypropylene or another suitable material.

The valve 22, 22, 322, 422, 522, 622 is configured to be recycled in a recycling stream for the material of the rest of the dispensing closure 10, 210, 310, 410, 510 or the rest of the package 11. For example, a method of making and using the package 11 according to the present disclosure could include providing a container 13, providing a dispensing closure 10, 210, 310, 410, 510, coupling the dispensing closure 10, 210, 310, 410, 510 to the container 13, dispensing fluid material 25 stored in the container 13, and recycling the package 11 in a stream for the material of the closure 10, 210, 310, 410, 510 and/or the container 13. The recycling stream could be a polypropylene stream, a HDPE stream, a LDPE stream, or any other suitable material contemplated herein or known in the art.

Container 13 includes a container body 15 and a filler neck 17 coupled to the container body 15 in an illustrative embodiment shown in FIG. 2. Container body 15 and filler neck 17 cooperate to form an interior product-storage region 19 of the container 13. An opening 21 formed in the filler neck 17 opens into the interior product-storage region 19. Closure retainers 23, or other suitable closure retainers such as threads, are coupled to the filler neck 17 as suggested in FIG. 2. The interior product-storage region 19 is configured to hold a product such as a flowable or fluid material 25. The fluid material 25 may be a food product, cosmetic product, industrial product, for example or other fluid substance or combination of substances. The fluid material 25 may be a non-Newtonian fluid, such as ketchup.

Dispensing closure 10 includes a base 12 formed to include a product-discharge outlet 20, a product-discharge controller 14 coupled to the base 12 and defining a product-discharge passageway 24, a hinge 16, and a lid 18 as suggested in FIGS. 1-2. The base 12 is adapted to be coupled to the filler neck 17 of the container 13 (or a different container). The product-discharge controller 14 controls flow of the fluid material 25 (or a different product) from the opening 21 of the container 13 and through the product-discharge passageway 24 into the product-discharge outlet 20. The hinge 16 defines a pivot axis 16P about which the lid 18 rotates to change from an open position to expose the product-discharge outlet 20, shown in FIG. 2, to a closed position to block the product-discharge outlet 20, shown in FIG. 12.

When the lid 18 is in the open position, a user may squeeze container body 15 or otherwise cause pressure to push up on an underside of the product-discharge controller 14 to change a flexible valve 22 of the product discharge controller 14 from a normally-closed position, shown in FIG. 3, to a pressurized-open position, shown in FIG. 4, to allow passage of the fluid material 25 through the product-discharge passageway 24 and into the product-discharge outlet 20. When the flexible valve 22 is in the normally-closed position, the fluid-material 25 may be blocked from flowing into the product-discharge outlet 20 via the product-discharge passageway 24. When the flexible valve 22 is in the pressurized-open position, the product discharge passageway 24 is in fluid communication with the product-discharge outlet 20 to allow passage of the fluid material 25 therethrough. When the lid 18 is in the closed position, the lid 18 secures the flexible-valve 18 in the normally-closed position and blocks the flexible valve 22 from changing to the pressurized-open position when a user squeezes the container body 15 or otherwise cause pressure to push up on an underside of the product-discharge controller 14.

The base 12 includes a first annular wall (i.e., an inner annular wall) 26 extending circumferentially around a central axis 23 of the dispensing closure 10, a second annular wall (i.e., an outer annular wall) 28 arranged radially outward from the first annular wall 26, a top wall 30 coupled to the first annular wall 26 and the second annular wall 28, and a controller mount 32 coupled to the top wall 30 as shown in FIGS. 5-7. The first annular wall 26 mounts to the filler neck 17 of the container 13 when the dispensing closure 10 is mounted on the container 13. Container retainers 34, or other suitable container retainers such as threads, are coupled to the first annular wall 26 as suggested in FIGS. 6 and 7. In some embodiments, the dispensing closure 10 may include only the first annular wall 26. In the illustrative embodiment, the base 12 further includes support ribs 99 coupled to the top wall 30, the second annular wall 28, and the first annular wall 26 to support the base 12 between the second annular wall 28 and the first annular wall 26.

The top wall 30 extends radially inward from upper ends 28U, 26U of the second annular wall 28 and the first annular wall 26, respectively, towards the central axis 23 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The top wall 30 is formed to include a first outer end 30B coupled to the upper end 26U of the first annular wall 26 and a second outer end 30A coupled to the upper end 28U of the second annular wall 28. The top wall 30 is also formed to include an inner end 30C coupled to the controller mount 32. The top wall 30 slopes upward from the second outer end 30A to the first outer end 30B, and also slopes upward from the first outer end 30B to the inner end 30C.

The controller mount 32 includes a cradle-support wall 36 and a valve retainer 38 coupled to an upper end 36U of the cradle-support wall 36 to define the product-discharge outlet 20 as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. The cradle-support wall 36 is coupled to the inner end 30C of the top wall 30. The cradle-support wall 36 has a lower end 36L that is arranged downward from the inner end 30C of the top wall 30. The cradle-support wall 36 extends upwardly from the lower end 36L such that the upper end 36U is arranged upward from the inner end 30C of the top wall 30. The valve retainer 38 extends radially inward from the upper end 36U of the cradle-support wall 36 to cooperate with the cradle-support wall 36 to define a cradle-receiving space 40 therebetween.

The cradle-support wall 36 is formed to include a lower segment 42A, a middle segment 42B, and an upper segment 42C that cooperate with the valve retainer 38 to define the cradle-receiving space 40 as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B The lower segment 42A extends axially between the lower end 36L and the middle segment 42B, the middle segment 42B extends axially between the lower segment 42A and the upper segment 42C, and the upper segment 42C extends axially between the middle segment 42B and the upper end 36U. The lower segment 42A also slopes radially inward from the lower end 36L toward the middle segment 42B. The middle segment 42B slopes radially outward from the lower segment 42A toward the upper segment 42C. The upper segment 42C is generally parallel to the central axis 23 from the middle segment 42B toward the upper end 36U.

The valve retainer 38 includes a radially-extending segment 44A and an axially-extending segment 44B as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. The radially-extending segment 44A is coupled to and extends radially inward from the upper end 36U of the cradle-support wall 36. The axially-extending segment 44B is coupled to and extends downward from the radially-extending segment 44B. The axially-extending segment 44B is spaced radially inward from the cradle-support wall 36 to define the cradle-receiving space 40 therebetween.

The valve retainer 38 also includes controller guides 46 coupled to an inner surface of the radially-extending segment 44A as shown in FIG. 16. The controller guides 46 engage the product-discharge controller 14 to guide the product-discharge controller 14 within the cradle-receiving space 40.

The product-discharge controller 14 includes a valve cradle 48 and the flexible valve 22 as shown in FIGS. 3-9. The valve cradle 48 is coupled to the controller mount 32 and the flexible valve 22 lies axially between the valve cradle 48 and the valve retainer 38. The flexible valve 22 is changeable between the normally-closed position, shown in FIGS. 3 and 10, and a pressurized-open position, shown in FIGS. 4 and 11. In the normally-closed position, the product-discharge passageway 24 is closed off from the product-discharge outlet 20 and the fluid material 25 is blocked from exiting the product-discharge passageway 24. In the pressurized-open position, the product-discharge passageway 24 is in fluid communication with the product-discharge outlet 20 and the fluid material 25 passes through the product-discharge passageway 24 in the event the container 13 is squeezed to pressurize the fluid material 25 stored in the interior product-storage region 19. The flexible valve 22 may be biased toward the normally-closed position in the absence of an external force or pressure.

The valve cradle 48 includes a retention wall 50 coupled to the controller mount 32, a center post 52 arranged radially inward from the retention wall 50, and arms 54 coupled to and interconnecting the retention wall 50 and the center post 52 as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. The retention wall 50, the center post 52, and arms 54 cooperate to define the product-discharge passageway 24 such that the product-discharge passageway 24 is offset from the central axis 23. The valve cradle 48 is rigid.

The retention wall 50 engages the cradle-support wall 36 to arrange the valve cradle 48 within the cradle-receiving space 40 as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. The retention wall 50 also engages the radially-extending segment 44A of the valve retainer 38 so that the radially-extending segment 44A, the retention wall 50, and the axially-extending segment 44B cooperate to define a valve-receiving recess 56 therebetween. The engagement of the retention wall 50 and the radially-extending segment 44B also blocks the fluid material 25 from passing between the radially-extending segment 44A and the retention wall 50 to encourage the fluid material 25 to the product-discharge passageway 24. The retention wall 50 has a lower end 50L, an upper end 50U, an inner surface 58, and an outer surface 60 as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. The inner surface 58 faces the center post 52 while the outer surface 60 faces the cradle-support wall 36.

The inner surface 58 of the retention wall 50 is formed to include an arm-support segment 58A, a valve-support segment 58B, and a valve-retaining segment 58C as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. The arm-support segment 58 is coupled to the arms 54 and is generally parallel to the center post 22. The valve-support segment 58B extends radially outward from the arm-support segment 58A to support the flexible valve 22 and interconnects between the arm-support segment 58A and the valve-retaining segment 58C. The valve-retaining segment 58C extends radially inward from the valve-support segment 58B to engage the flexible valve 22. The valve-retaining segment 58C also cooperates with the valve-support segment 58B to fix the flexible valve 22 between the two segments 58B, 58C.

The outer surface 60 of the retention wall 50 is formed to include a lower segment 60A, a middle segment 60B, and an upper segment 60C as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. The lower segment 60A is generally parallel to the center post 52 from the lower end 50L toward the middle segment 60B. The middle segment 60B extends radially outward from the lower segment 60A toward the upper segment 60C. The upper segment 60C extends radially inward from the middle segment 60B toward the upper end 50U so that the upper segment 60C is radially outward from the lower segment 60A.

As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, an upper end 42BU of the middle segment 42B of the cradle-support wall 36 engages an upper end 60BU of the middle segment 60B of the retention wall 50 to hold the valve cradle 48 in the cradle-receiving space 40. The upper end 60BU of the middle segment 60B is radially outward from a lower end 42BL of the middle segment 42B. As such, the middle segment 42B, the upper segment 42C, and the valve retainer 38 cooperate to compress the valve cradle 48 within the cradle-receiving space 40.

The center post 52 is formed to include a lower surface 62, an upper surface 64, and a radially-outward surface (i.e., outer surface) 66 extending between the lower surface 62 and the upper surface 64 as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. The lower surface 62 defines a lower opening 68 that opens upward into a lower hollow space 70 extending from the lower surface 62 toward the upper surface 64. An upper end 70U of the lower hollow space 70 is arranged axially downward from the upper surface 64. The upper surface 64 is axially downward from the upper end 50U of the retention wall 50. The upper surface 64 defines an upper opening 72 that opens axially downward into an upper hollow space 74 that extends from the upper surface 64 toward the lower surface 62. A lower end 74L of the upper hollow space 74 is arranged axially upward from the upper end 70U of the lower hollow space 70. As such, the center post 52 blocks the fluid material 25 from passing through the center post 52 into the product discharge outlet 20 to encourage the fluid material 25 into the product-discharge passageway 24. The fluid material 25 may be blocked from flowing directly along the axis within the valve cradle 48 and instead is encouraged to flow through the radially-offset product-discharge passageway 24. In the illustrative embodiment, a diameter D1 of the lower hollow space 70 is less than a diameter D2 of the upper hollow space 74. However, in other embodiments the diameters D1, D2 could be equal or D1 could be greater than D2. The center post 52 in the present embodiment is generally cylindrical, however in other embodiments the center post 52 may be any shape.

Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, an upper surface 54U of each arm 54 slopes downward from the retention wall 50 toward the center post 52. The downward slope of the upper surfaces 54U of the arms 54 allows the flexible valve 22 to move axially downward but blocks the flexible valve 22 from moving downward past the upper surfaces 54U and the lower surface 62 of the center post 52. This blocks the flexible valve 22 from becoming permanently displaced in response to a suction force applying to an underside of the flexible valve 22, such as from the container 13. A radially-inner end 54E of each arm 54 is arranged axially downward from the upper surface 64 of the center post 52. A lower surface 54L of each arm 54 is generally perpendicular to the central axis 23 and coplanar with the lower surface 62 of the center post 52.

The arms 54 are arranged circumferentially about the central axis 23 as shown in FIGS. 5, 9 and 15. In the illustrative embodiment, the valve cradle 48 includes six arms 54, however in other embodiments the valve cradle could include less than six arms 54 or more than six arms 54.

The flexible valve 22 includes an outer retention edge 76, an inner edge 78, and a main body 80 as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. The outer retention edge 76 is fixed between the valve-support segment 58B, the valve-retaining segment 58C, and the valve retainer 38 within the valve-receiving recess 56. The inner edge 78 is arranged radially inward from the outer retention edge 76. The main body 80 extends between and interconnects the outer retention edge 76 and the inner edge 78. As such, the flexible valve 22 extends between the inner surface 58 of the retention wall 50 and the outer surface 66 of the center post 52. The flexible valve 22 comprises thermoplastic elastomer, polyolefin, or any material free of silicone.

The outer retention edge 76 extends axially upward from the main body 80 into the valve-receiving recess 56 as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. The outer retention edge 76 includes a first upper surface 76A and a second upper surface 76B. The first upper surface 76A engages the valve-retaining segment 58C of the inner surface 58 of the valve cradle 48. The second upper surface 76B engages the radially-extending segment 44A of the valve retainer 38. The second upper surface 76B is axially upward from the first upper surface 76A. The valve-retaining segment 58C and the radially-extending segment 44A cooperate to block the outer retention edge 76 from moving axially upward when pressure is applied underneath the flexible valve 22, even when the pressure is sufficient to change the flexible valve 22 to the pressurized-open position. The outer retention edge 76 also engages the valve-support segment 56B and the axially-extending segment 44B.

The inner edge 78 extends circumferentially around the outer surface 66 of the center post 52 and is sized to selectively engage the outer surface 66 as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. Selectively engaging the outer surface 66 may form a seal between the inner edge 78 and the outer surface 66. In the normally-closed position, shown in FIG. 7A, the inner edge 78 engages the outer surface 66 to block the product-discharge passageway 24 from the product-discharge outlet 20. As such, the fluid material 25 is blocked from passing through the product-discharge passageway 24 into the product-discharge outlet 20. In the pressurized-open position, shown in FIG. 7B, the inner edge 78 is moved axially upward away from the upper surface 64 of the center post 52 and radially outward away from the outer surface 66 of the center post 52 to establish a gap 82 between the inner edge 78 and the center post 52. In the pressurized-open position, the product-discharge passageway 24 is open and in fluid communication with the product-discharge outlet. In the illustrative embodiment, the inner edge 78 is axially aligned with the upper surface 64 when the valve 22 is in the normally-closed position.

The main body 80 of the flexible valve 22 encourages the movement of the inner edge 78 between the normally-closed position and the pressurized-open position as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. The main body 80 pivots upward in response to applying pressure below the flexible valve 22 to provide the gap 82 and establish the pressurized-open position. In the illustrative embodiment, the main body 80 is generally perpendicular to the center axis 23 when the flexible valve 22 is in the normally-closed position.

To assemble the base 12 and the product-discharge controller 14, the flexible valve 22 is placed over the valve cradle 48 and the product-discharge controller is inserted into the cradle-receiving space 40 from below the product-discharge outlet 20 as suggested in FIGS. 5 and 9.

The lid 18 is coupled to the base 12 with the hinge 16 as shown in FIG. 5A. The lid 18 is changeable between an open position, shown in FIG. 5A, and a closed position, shown in FIG. 12. In the open position, the product-discharge outlet 20 is unobstructed and the flexible valve 22 is changeable between the normally-closed position and the pressurized-open position. In the closed position, the lid is rotated about the pivot axis 16B to block the product-discharge outlet 20 and fix the flexible valve 22 in the normally-closed position.

The lid 18 includes an annular wall 84, a top wall 86, an outer ring 88, and an inner ring 90 as shown in FIGS. 5A and 13. The annular wall 84 extends circumferentially around the central axis 23 when the lid 18 is in the closed position. The top wall 86 is coupled to the annular wall 84. The outer ring 88 is coupled to the top wall 86 and arranged radially inward from the annular wall 84. The inner ring 90 is coupled to the top wall 86 and arranged radially inward from the outer ring 88.

When the lid 18 is in the closed position, an inner surface 88S of the outer ring 88 engages an outer surface 36S of the cradle-support wall 36 as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. Also, a lower end 90L of the inner ring engages an upper surface 80U of the main body 80 of the flexible valve 22. The lower end 90L is arranged axially upward from the upper surface 64 of the enter post 52.

The annular wall 84 of the lid 18 and the second annular wall 28 of the base 12 cooperate to latch together when the lid 18 is in the closed position as shown in FIG. 13. While the present disclosure provides one configuration of latching the lid 18 and the base 12 together, other methods known in the art for securing the lid 18 to the base 12 to close the product-discharge outlet 20 may also be applied. In the illustrative embodiment, the annular wall 84 is formed to include a sloped segment 92 extending radially inward from the top wall 86 to a lower end 84L of the annular wall 84. The annular wall 84 is also formed to include a base retainer 94 coupled to the sloped segment 92 at the lower end 84L of the annular wall 84. The second annular wall 28 is formed to include a sloped segment 96 extending radially inward from a lower end 28L of the second annular wall 28 to an upper end 28U of the second annular wall 28. The second annular wall 28 is also formed to include a lid retainer 98 coupled to the sloped segment 96 at the upper end 28U of the second annular wall 84. The base retainer 94 engages the lid retainer 98 to secure the lid 18 in the closed position. The annular wall 84 and the second annular wall 28 are aligned radially.

The sloped segments 92, 94 allow a user to apply their thumb to the sloped segments 92, 94 and move their thumb upwardly along the sloped segment 94 to push the lid 18 upward to disengage the base retainer 94 from the lid retainer 98. The user can then rotate the lid 18 about the pivot axis 16P to change the lid 18 to the open position and expose the product-discharge outlet 20.

A second embodiment of the dispensing closure 210 in accordance with the present disclosure is shown in FIGS. 17-28. The dispensing closure 210 is similar to the dispensing closure 10. Accordingly, similar reference numbers in the 200 series are used to indicate similar features between the dispensing closure 210 and the dispensing closure 10. The disclosure of the dispensing closure 10 is hereby incorporated by reference herein for the dispensing closure 210 except for the differences described below.

Dispensing closure 210 includes a base 212 formed to include a product-discharge outlet 220, a product-discharge controller 214 coupled to the base 212 and defining a product-discharge passageway 224, a hinge 216, and a lid 218 as suggested in FIGS. 17 and 20. The base 212 is adapted to be coupled to the filler neck 17 of the container 13 (or a different container). The product-discharge controller 214 controls flow of the fluid material 25 (or a different fluid) from the opening 21 of the container 13 and through the product-discharge passageway 224 into the product-discharge outlet 220. The hinge 216 defines a pivot axis 216P about which the lid 218 rotates to change from an open position to expose the product-discharge outlet 220, shown in FIG. 17, to a closed position to block the product-discharge outlet 220, shown in FIG. 26.

When the lid 218 is in the open position, a user may squeeze container body 15 or otherwise cause pressure to push up on an underside of the product-discharge controller 214 to change a flexible valve 222 of the product discharge controller 214 from a normally-closed position, shown in FIG. 18, to a pressurized-open position, shown in FIG. 19, to allow passage of the fluid material 25 through the product-discharge passageway 224 and into the product-discharge outlet 220. When the flexible valve 222 is in the normally-closed position, the fluid-material 25 may be blocked from flowing into the product-discharge outlet 220 via the product-discharge passageway 224. When the flexible valve 222 is in the pressurized-open position, the product discharge passageway 224 is in fluid communication with the product-discharge outlet 220 to allow passage of the fluid material 25 therethrough. When the lid 218 is in the closed position, the lid 218 secures the flexible-valve 218 in the normally-closed position and blocks the flexible valve 222 from changing to the pressurized-open position when a user squeezes the container body 15 or otherwise causes pressure to push up on an underside of the product-discharge controller 214.

The base 212 includes a first annular wall 226 extending circumferentially around a central axis 223 of the dispensing closure 210, a second annular wall 228 arranged radially outward from the first annular wall 226, a top wall 230 coupled to the first annular wall 226 and the second annular wall 228, and a controller mount 232 coupled to the top wall 230 as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25. The first annular wall 226 mounts to the filler neck 17 of the container 13 when the dispensing closure 210 is mounted on the container 13. Container retainers 234, or other suitable container retainers such as threads, are coupled to the first annular wall 226 as suggested in FIGS. 24 and 25. In some embodiments, the dispensing closure 210 may include only the first annular wall 226. In the illustrative embodiment, the base 212 further includes support ribs 299 coupled to the top wall 230, the second annular wall 228, and the first annular wall 226 to support the base 212 between the second annular wall 228 and the first annular wall 226.

The top wall 230 extends radially inward from upper ends 228U, 226U of the second annular wall 228 and the first annular wall 226, respectively, towards the central axis 223 as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25. The top wall 230 is formed to include a first outer end 230B coupled to the upper end 226U of the first annular wall 226 and a second outer end 230A coupled to the upper end 228U of the second annular wall 228. The top wall 230 is also formed to include an inner end 230C coupled to the controller mount 232. The top wall 230 slopes upward from the second outer end 230A to the first outer end 230B, and is generally perpendicular to the central axis 223 from the first outer end 230B to the inner end 230C.

The controller mount 232 includes a cradle-support wall 236 and a valve retainer 238 coupled to an upper end 236U of the cradle-support wall 36 to define the product-discharge outlet 220 as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19. The product-discharge outlet 220 has a larger diameter than the product-discharge outlet 20. The cradle-support wall 236 is coupled to the inner end 230C of the top wall 30. The cradle-support wall 236 extends upwardly from the top wall 230 from a lower end 236L coupled to the top wall 230 to the upper end 236U and is generally parallel to the central axis 223. The valve retainer 238 is coupled to and extends radially inward from the upper end 236U of the cradle-support wall 236 to cooperate with the cradle-support wall 236 to define a cradle-receiving space 240 therebetween.

The controller mount 232 further includes cradle-mount ribs 237 coupled to and extending radially between the cradle-support wall 236 and the product-discharge controller 214 as shown in FIGS. 18-20. In the illustrative embodiment, the controller mount 232 includes six cradle-mount ribs 237 arranged circumferentially around the central axis 223. In other embodiments, the controller mount 232 may have more than six cradle-mount ribs 237 or less than six cradle-mount ribs 237. The cradle-mount ribs 237 cooperate with the cradle-support wall 236 and the valve retainer 238 to define the cradle-receiving space 240.

The product-discharge controller 214 includes a valve cradle 248 and the flexible valve 222 as shown in FIGS. 18-23. The valve cradle 248 is coupled to the controller mount 232 and the flexible valve 222 lies axially between the valve cradle 248 and the valve retainer 238. The flexible valve 222 is changeable between the normally-closed position, shown in FIG. 18, and a pressurized-open position, shown in FIG. 19. In the normally-closed position, the product-discharge passageway 224 is closed off from the product-discharge outlet 220 and the fluid material 25 is blocked from exiting the product-discharge passageway 224. In the pressurized-open position, the product-discharge passageway 224 is in fluid communication with the product-discharge outlet 220 and the fluid material 25 passes through the product-discharge passageway 224 in the event the container 13 is squeezed to pressurize the fluid material 25 stored in the interior product-storage region 19. The flexible valve 222 may be biased toward the normally-closed position in the absence of an external force or pressure.

The valve cradle 248 includes a retention wall 250 coupled to the controller mount 232, a center post 252 arranged radially inward from the retention wall 250, and arms 254 coupled to and interconnecting the retention wall 250 and the center post 252 as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19. The retention wall 250, the center post 252, and arms 254 cooperate to define the product-discharge passageway 224 such that the product-discharge passageway 224 is offset from the central axis 223. The valve cradle 248 is rigid. The valve cradle 248 and at least the controller mount 232 and/or the base 212 are formed as one piece. At least the controller mount 232 and/or the base 212 and the valve cradle 248 may be monolithic.

The retention wall 250 is coupled to the valve retainer 238 and the cradle-mount ribs 237 to arrange the valve cradle 248 within the cradle-receiving space 240 as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19. The retention wall 250 and the valve retainer 238 cooperate to define a valve-receiving recess 256 therebetween. The coupling of the retention wall 250 to the valve retainer 238 also blocks the fluid material 25 from passing between the valve retainer 238 and the retention wall 250 to encourage the fluid material 25 into the product-discharge passageway 224.

The retention wall 250 is formed to include an inner segment 250A coupled to the arms 254 and an outer segment 250B coupled between the inner segment 250A and the valve retainer 238 as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19. A radially-inner end 251 of the outer segment 250B is coupled to the outer segment 250B axially between an upper end 253 of the outer segment 250B and a lower end 255 of the outer segment 250B. The upper end 253 of the outer segment 250B, the inner segment 250A, and the valve retainer 238 cooperate to define the valve-receiving recess 236.

The center post 252 is formed to include a lower surface 262, an upper surface 264, and a radially-outward surface (i.e., outer surface) 266 extending between the lower surface 262 and the upper surface 264 as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19. The lower surface 262 defines a lower opening 268 that opens upward into a lower hollow space 270 extending from the lower surface 262 toward the upper surface 264. An upper end 270U of the lower hollow space 270 is arranged axially downward from the upper surface 264. The upper surface 264 defines an upper opening 272 that opens axially downward into an upper hollow space 274 that extends from the upper surface 64 toward the lower surface 262. A lower end 274L of the upper hollow space 274 is arranged axially upward from the upper end 270U of the lower hollow space 270. As such, the center post 252 blocks the fluid material 25 from passing through the center post 252 into the product discharge outlet 220 to encourage the fluid material 25 into the product-discharge passageway 224. The fluid material 25 may be blocked from flowing directly along the axis within the valve cradle 248 and instead may be encouraged to flow through the radially-offset product-discharge passageway 224. The center post 252 in the present embodiment is generally cylindrical, however in other embodiments the center post 252 may be any shape.

Referring to FIGS. 18 and 19, an upper surface 254U of each arm 254 slopes downward from the retention wall 250 toward the center post 252. The downward slope of the upper surfaces 254U of the arms 254 allows the flexible valve 222 to move axially downward but blocks the flexible valve 222 from moving downward past the upper surfaces 254U and the lower surface 262 of the center post 252. This blocks the flexible valve 222 from becoming permanently displaced in response to a suction force applying to an underside of the flexible valve 222, such as from the container 13. A radially-inner end 254E of each arm 254 is arranged axially downward from the upper surface 264 of the center post 252. A lower surface 254L of each arm 254 is generally perpendicular to the central axis 223 and coplanar with the lower surface 262 of the center post 252 and lower surfaces 237L of the cradle-mount ribs 237.

The arms 254 are arranged circumferentially about the central axis 223 as shown in FIG. 20. In the illustrative embodiment, the valve cradle 248 includes six arms 254, however in other embodiments the valve cradle could include less than six arms 254 or more than six arms 254. In the illustrative embodiment, each arm 254 is circumferentially aligned with a respective cradle-mount rib 237, however in other embodiments the arms 254 and the cradle-mount ribs 237 may be offset from each other.

The flexible valve 222 includes an outer retention edge 276, an inner edge 278, and a main body 280 as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19. The outer retention edge 276 is fixed between the inner segment 250A, the outer segment 250B, and the valve retainer 38 within the valve-receiving recess 256. The inner edge 278 is arranged radially inward from the outer retention edge 276. The main body 280 extends between and interconnects the outer retention edge 276 and the inner edge 278. As such, the flexible valve 222 extends between the outer segment 250B of the retention wall 250 and the outer surface 266 of the center post 252. The flexible valve 222 comprises thermoplastic elastomer, polyolefin, or any material free of silicone.

The outer retention edge 276 extends axially downward from the main body 280 into the valve-receiving recess 256 as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19. The valve retainer 238 blocks the outer retention edge 276 from moving axially upward when pressure is applied underneath the flexible valve 222, even when the pressure is sufficient to change the flexible valve 222 to the pressurized-open position. The outer retention edge 276 also engages the retention wall 250.

The inner edge 278 extends circumferentially around the outer surface 266 of the center post 252 and is sized to selectively engage the outer surface 266 as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 and suggested in FIGS. 22 and 23. Selectively engaging the outer surface 266 may form a seal between the inner edge 278 and the outer surface 266. In the normally-closed position, shown in FIG. 18, the inner edge 278 engages the outer surface 266 to block the product-discharge passageway 224 from the product-discharge outlet 220. As such, the fluid material 25 is blocked from passing through the product-discharge passageway 224 into the product-discharge outlet 220. In the pressurized-open position, shown in FIG. 19, the inner edge 278 is moved axially upward away from the upper surface 264 of the center post 252 and radially outward away from the outer surface 266 of the center post 252 to establish a gap 282 between the inner edge 278 and the center post 252. In the pressurized-open position, the product-discharge passageway 224 is open and in fluid communication with the product-discharge outlet 220. In the illustrative embodiment, the inner edge 278 is arranged axially downward from the upper surface 264 of the center post 252.

The main body 280 of the flexible valve 222 encourages the movement of the inner edge 278 between the normally-closed position and the pressurized-open position as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 and suggested in FIGS. 22 and 23. The main body 280 pivots upward in response to applying pressure below the flexible valve 222 to provide the gap 282 and establish the pressurized-open position. In the illustrative embodiment, the main body 280 slopes downward from the outer retention edge 276 to the inner edge 278 when the flexible valve 222 is in the normally-closed position.

To assemble the base 212 and the product-discharge controller 214, the flexible valve 222 is placed over the valve cradle 248 with the outer retention edge 276 being fed into the valve-receiving recess 256 from above the product-discharge outlet 220 as suggested in FIGS. 20 and 21.

The lid 218 is coupled to the base 212 with the hinge 216 as shown in FIG. 17. The lid 218 is changeable between an open position, shown in FIG. 17, and a closed position, shown in FIG. 26. In the open position, the product-discharge outlet 220 is unobstructed and the flexible valve 222 is changeable between the normally-closed position and the pressurized-open position. In the closed position, the lid 218 is rotated about the pivot axis 216B to block the product-discharge outlet 220 and fix the flexible valve 222 in the normally-closed position.

The lid 218 includes an annular wall 284, a top wall 286, an outer ring 288, and an inner ring 290 as shown in FIG. 17. The annular wall 284 extends circumferentially around the central axis 223 when the lid 218 is in the closed position. The top wall 286 is coupled to the annular wall 284. The outer ring 288 is coupled to the top wall 286 and arranged radially inward from the annular wall 284. The inner ring 290 is coupled to the top wall 286 and arranged radially inward from the outer ring 288.

When the lid 218 is in the closed position, an outlet retainer 288R of the outer ring 288 mates with a lid retainer 236R of the cradle-support wall 236 as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28. Also, a lower end 290L of the inner ring 290 engages an upper surface 280U of the main body 280 of the flexible valve 222. The lower end 90L is arranged axially downward from the upper surface 264 of the center post 252. An inner surface 290S of the inner ring 290 engages the outer surface 266 of the center post 252.

The annular wall 284 of the lid 218 and the second annular wall 228 of the base 212 cooperate to latch together when the lid 218 is in the closed position in the same manner as the annular wall 84 and the second annular wall 28 of the first embodiment of the dispensing closure 10. While the present disclosure provides one configuration of latching the lid 18, 218 and the base 12, 212 together, other methods known in the art for securing the lid 18, 218 to the base 12, 212 to close the product-discharge outlet 20, 220 may also be applied.

A third embodiment of the dispensing closure 310 in accordance with the present disclosure is shown in FIGS. 29-40. The dispensing closure 310 is similar to the dispensing closure 10, 210. Accordingly, similar reference numbers in the 300 series are used to indicate similar features between the dispensing closure 310 and the dispensing closure 10, 210. The disclosures of the dispensing closure 10, 210 is hereby incorporated by reference herein for the dispensing closure 310 except for the differences described below.

Dispensing closure 310 includes a base 312 formed to include a product-discharge outlet 320, a product-discharge controller 314 coupled to the base 312 and defining a product-discharge passageway 324, a hinge 316, and a lid 318 as suggested in FIGS. 29-31. The base 312 is adapted to be coupled to the filler neck 17 of the container 13 (or a different container). The product-discharge controller 314 controls flow of the fluid material 25 (or a different fluid) from the opening 21 of the container 13 and through the product-discharge passageway 324 into the product-discharge outlet 320. The hinge 316 defines a pivot axis 316P about which the lid 318 rotates to change from an open position to expose the product-discharge outlet 320, shown in FIG. 29, to a closed position to block the product-discharge outlet 320 (not shown).

When the lid 318 is in the open position, a user may squeeze container body 15 or otherwise cause pressure to push up on an underside of the product-discharge controller 314 to change a flexible valve 322 of the product discharge controller 314 from a normally-closed position, shown in FIG. 30, to a pressurized-open position, shown in FIG. 31, to allow passage of the fluid material 25 through the product-discharge passageway 324 and into the product-discharge outlet 320. When the flexible valve 322 is in the normally-closed position, the fluid-material 25 may be blocked from flowing into the product-discharge outlet 320 via the product-discharge passageway 324. When the flexible valve 322 is in the pressurized-open position, the product discharge passageway 324 is in fluid communication with the product-discharge outlet 320 to allow passage of the fluid material 25 therethrough. When the lid 318 is in the closed position, the lid 318 secures the flexible-valve 318 in the normally-closed position and blocks the flexible valve 322 from changing to the pressurized-open position when a user squeezes the container body 15 or otherwise cause pressure to push up on an underside of the product-discharge controller 314.

The base 312 includes a first annular wall (i.e., an inner annular wall) 326 extending circumferentially around a central axis 323 of the dispensing closure 310, a second annular wall (i.e., an outer annular wall) 328 arranged radially outward from the first annular wall 326, a top wall 330 coupled to the first annular wall 326 and the second annular wall 328, and a controller mount 332 coupled to the top wall 330 as shown in FIG. 37. The first annular wall 326 mounts to the filler neck 17 of the container 13 when the dispensing closure 310 is mounted on the container 13. Container retainers 334, or other suitable container retainers such as threads, are coupled to the first annular wall 326 as suggested in FIG. 37. In some embodiments, the dispensing closure 310 may include only the first annular wall 326. In the illustrative embodiment, the base 312 further includes support ribs 399 coupled to the top wall 330, the second annular wall 328, and the first annular wall 326 to support the base 312 between the second annular wall 328 and the first annular wall 326.

The top wall 330 extends radially inward from upper ends 328U, 326U of the second annular wall 328 and the first annular wall 326, respectively, towards the central axis 323 as shown in FIGS. 37 and 38. The top wall 330 is formed to include a first outer end 330B coupled to the upper end 326U of the first annular wall 326 and a second outer end 330A coupled to the upper end 328U of the second annular wall 328. The top wall 330 is also formed to include an inner end 330C coupled to the controller mount 332. The top wall 330 slopes upward from the second outer end 330A to the first outer end 330B, and also slopes upward from the first outer end 330B to the inner end 330C.

The controller mount 332 includes a cradle-support wall 336 and a valve retainer 338 coupled to an upper end 336U of the cradle-support wall 336 to define the product-discharge outlet 320 as shown in FIG. 38. The cradle-support wall 336 is coupled to the inner end 330C of the top wall 330. The cradle-support wall 336 has a lower end 336L that is arranged downward from the inner end 330C of the top wall 330. The cradle-support wall 336 extends upwardly from the lower end 336L such that the upper end 336U is arranged upward from the inner end 330C of the top wall 330. The valve retainer 338 extends radially inward from the upper end 336U of the cradle-support wall 336 to cooperate with the cradle-support wall 336 to define a cradle-receiving space 340 therebetween.

The cradle-support wall 336 is formed to include a lower segment 342A, a middle segment 342B, and an upper segment 342C that cooperate with the valve retainer 338 to define the cradle-receiving space 340 as shown in FIG. 38. The lower segment 342A extends axially between the lower end 336L and the middle segment 342B, the middle segment 342B extends axially between the lower segment 342A and the upper segment 342C, and the upper segment 342C extends axially between the middle segment 342B and the upper end 336U. The lower segment 342A also slopes radially inward from the lower end 336L toward the middle segment 342B. The middle segment 342B slopes radially outward from the lower segment 342A toward the upper segment 342C. The upper segment 342C is generally parallel to the central axis 323 from the middle segment 342B toward the upper end 336U.

The valve retainer 338 includes a radially-extending segment 344A and an axially-extending segment 344B as shown in FIG. 38. The radially-extending segment 344A is coupled to and extends radially inward from the upper end 336U of the cradle-support wall 336. The axially-extending segment 344B is coupled to and extends downward from the radially-extending segment 344B. The axially-extending segment 344B is spaced radially inward from the cradle-support wall 336 to define the cradle-receiving space 340 therebetween.

The valve retainer 338 also includes controller guides 346 coupled to an inner surface of the radially-extending segment 344A as shown in FIG. 32. The controller guides 346 engage the product-discharge controller 314 to guide the product-discharge controller 314 within the cradle-receiving space 340.

The product-discharge controller 314 includes a valve cradle 348 and the flexible valve 322 as shown in FIGS. 30-38. The valve cradle 348 is coupled to the controller mount 332 and the flexible valve 322 lies axially between the valve cradle 348 and the valve retainer 338. The flexible valve 322 is changeable between the normally-closed position, shown in FIGS. 30, 34 and 35, and a pressurized-open position, shown in FIGS. 31 and 36. In the normally-closed position, the product-discharge passageway 324 is closed off from the product-discharge outlet 320 and the fluid material 25 is blocked from exiting the product-discharge passageway 324. In the pressurized-open position, the product-discharge passageway 324 is in fluid communication with the product-discharge outlet 320 and the fluid material 25 passes through the product-discharge passageway 324 in the event the container 313 is squeezed to pressurize the fluid material 25 stored in the interior product-storage region 19. The flexible valve 322 may be biased toward the normally-closed position in the absence of an external force or pressure.

The valve cradle 348 includes a retention wall 350 coupled to the controller mount 332, a center post 352 arranged radially inward from the retention wall 350, and arms 354 coupled to and interconnecting the retention wall 350 and the center post 352 as shown in FIGS. 30, 31, and 38. The retention wall 350, the center post 352, and arms 354 cooperate to define the product-discharge passageway 324 such that the product-discharge passageway 324 is offset from the central axis 323. The valve cradle 348 is rigid, but less rigid than the cradles 48, 248 of previous embodiments.

The retention wall 350 engages the cradle-support wall 336 to arrange the valve cradle 348 within the cradle-receiving space 340 as shown in FIG. 38. The retention wall 350 also engages the radially-extending segment 344A of the valve retainer 338 so that the radially-extending segment 344A, the retention wall 350, and the axially-extending segment 344B cooperate to define a valve-receiving recess 356 therebetween. The engagement of the retention wall 350 and the radially-extending segment 344B also blocks the fluid material 25 from passing between the radially-extending segment 344A and the retention wall 350 to encourage the fluid material 25 to the product-discharge passageway 324. The retention wall 350 has a lower end 350L, an upper end 350U, an inner surface 358, and an outer surface 360 as shown in FIGS. 30, 31, and 38. The inner surface 358 faces the center post 352 while the outer surface 360 faces the cradle-support wall 336. The outer surface 360 extends radially inward as it extends radially upward from the lower end 350L to the upper end 350U.

The inner surface 358 of the retention wall 350 is formed to include an arm-support segment 358A, a valve-support segment 358B, and a valve-retaining segment 358C as shown in FIGS. 30, 31, and 38. The arm-support segment 358 is coupled to the arms 354 and extends radially inward toward the center post 322 as it extends axially upward from the lower end 350L to the valve-support segment 358B. The arm-support segment 358A is formed to include slots 355 opening at the lower end 350L and extending upwards towards the valve-support segment 358 to provide springiness to the valve cradle 348. The slots 355 may add flexibility to the cradle 348 to facilitate insertion into the cradle-receiving space 340. The valve-support segment 358B extends generally parallel to the central axis 323 from the arm-support segment 358A to support the flexible valve 322 and interconnects between the arm-support segment 358A and the valve-retaining segment 358C. The valve-retaining segment 358C extends radially inward from the valve-support segment 358B to engage the flexible valve 322. The valve-retaining segment 358C also cooperates with the valve-support segment 358B to fix the flexible valve 322 between the two segments 358B, 358C.

As shown in FIG. 38, an upper end 342BU of the middle segment 342B of the cradle-support wall 336 engages the lower end 350L of the retention wall 350 to hold the valve cradle 348 in the cradle-receiving space 340. The lower end 350U is radially outward from a lower end 342BL of the middle segment 342B. As such, the middle segment 342B, the upper segment 342C, and the valve retainer 338 cooperate to compress the valve cradle 348 within the cradle-receiving space 340.

The center post 352 is formed to include a lower surface 362, an upper surface 364, and a radially-outward surface (i.e., outer surface) 366 extending between the lower surface 362 and the upper surface 364 as shown in FIGS. 37 and 38. The upper surface 364 slopes radially inward from the outer surface 366 towards an upper end 352U of the center post 352. The lower surface 362 defines a lower opening 368 that opens upward into a lower hollow space 370 extending from the lower surface 362 toward the upper end 352U. An upper end 370U of the lower hollow space 370 is arranged axially downward from the upper end 352U. As such, the center post 352 blocks the fluid material 25 from passing through the center post 352 into the product discharge outlet 320 to encourage the fluid material 25 into the product-discharge passageway 324. The fluid material 25 may be blocked from flowing directly along the axis within the valve cradle 348 and instead may be encouraged to flow through the radially-offset product-discharge passageway 324.

Referring to FIG. 38, the upper end 352U of the center post 352 is arranged axially upward from a lower end 344BL of the axially-extending segment 344B. The upper end 352U is axially aligned with the upper end 350U of the retention wall 350. The lower surface 362 is axially downward from the lower end 350L of the retention wall 350. The center post 352 in the present embodiment is generally conical, however in other embodiments the center post 352 may be any shape.

Referring to FIG. 38, an upper surface 354U of each arm 354 slopes downward from the retention wall 350 toward the center post 352. The downward slope of the upper surfaces 354U of the arms 354 allows the flexible valve 322 to move axially downward but blocks the flexible valve 322 from moving downward past the upper surfaces 354U and the lower surface 362 of the center post 352. This blocks the flexible valve 322 from becoming permanently displaced in response to a suction force applying to an underside of the flexible valve 322, such as from the container 13. A radially-outer end 354E of each arm 354 is arranged axially upward from lower end 350L of the retention wall 350. The downward slopes of the arms 354 of the present embodiment are more organic and concave than the downward slopes of the arms 54, 254 in the first and second embodiments. The radially-outer end 354E cooperates with the valve-support segment 358B, the valve-retaining segment 348C, and the valve retainer 338 to define the valve-receiving recess 356.

The arms 354 are arranged circumferentially about the central axis 323 as shown in FIG. 33. In the illustrative embodiment, the valve cradle 348 includes three arms 354, however in other embodiments the valve cradle could include less than three arms 354 or more than three arms 354.

The flexible valve 322 includes an outer retention edge 376, an inner edge 378, and a main body 380 as shown in FIGS. 30 and 31. The outer retention edge 376 is fixed between the radially-outer ends 354E of each arm 354, the valve-support segment 358B, the valve-retaining segment 358C, and the valve retainer 338 within the valve-receiving recess 356. The inner edge 378 is arranged radially inward from the outer retention edge 376. The main body 380 extends between and interconnects the outer retention edge 376 and the inner edge 78. As such, the flexible valve 322 extends between the inner surface 358 of the retention wall 350 and the outer surface 366 of the center post 352. The flexible valve 322 comprises thermoplastic elastomer, polyolefin, or any material free of silicone.

The outer retention edge 376 extends axially upward from the main body 380 into the valve-receiving recess 356 as shown in FIG. 38. The outer retention edge 376 includes a first upper surface 376A and a second upper surface 376B. The first upper surface 376A engages the valve-retaining segment 358C of the inner surface 358 of the valve cradle 348. The second upper surface 376B engages the radially-extending segment 344A of the valve retainer 338. The second upper surface 376B is axially upward from the first upper surface 376A. The valve-retaining segment 358C and the radially-extending segment 344A cooperate to block the outer retention edge 376 from moving axially upward when pressure is applied underneath the flexible valve 322, even when the pressure is sufficient to change the flexible valve 322 to the pressurized-open position. The outer retention edge 376 also engages the valve-support segment 356B and the axially-extending segment 344B.

The inner edge 378 extends circumferentially around the outer surface 366 of the center post 352 and is sized to selectively engage the outer surface 366 as shown in FIGS. 37 and 38. Selectively engaging the outer surface 366 may form a seal between the inner edge 378 and the outer surface 366. In the normally-closed position, shown in FIGS. 30 and 38, the inner edge 378 engages the outer surface 366 to block the product-discharge passageway 324 from the product-discharge outlet 320. As such, the fluid material 25 is blocked from passing through the product-discharge passageway 324 into the product-discharge outlet 320. In the pressurized-open position, shown in FIG. 38, the inner edge 378 is moved axially upward away from the upper surface 364 of the center post 352 and radially outward away from the outer surface 366 of the center post 352 to establish a gap 382 between the inner edge 378 and the center post 352. In the pressurized-open position, the product-discharge passageway 324 is open and in fluid communication with the product-discharge outlet 320. In the illustrative embodiment, the inner edge 378 is axially downward from the upper end 352U when the valve 322 is in the normally-closed position.

The main body 380 of the flexible valve 322 encourages the movement of the inner edge 378 between the normally-closed position and the pressurized-open position as shown in FIGS. 30, 3135, and 36. The main body 380 pivots upward in response to applying pressure below the flexible valve 322 to provide the gap 382 and establish the pressurized-open position. In the illustrative embodiment, the main body 380 slopes axially downward from the outer retention edge 376 toward the inner edge 378 when the flexible valve 322 is in the normally-closed position.

To assemble the base 312 and the product-discharge controller 314, the flexible valve 322 is placed over the valve cradle 348 and the product-discharge controller is inserted into the cradle-receiving space 340 from below the product-discharge outlet 320 as suggested in FIG. 32.

Another embodiment of the product-discharge controller 614 for dispensing closure 310 is shown in FIGS. 39 and 40. The product-discharge controller 614 is similar to the product-discharge controller 314 except the arm-support segment 658A does not include slots 655. The flexible valve 622 of the product-discharge controller 614 is formed to include flutes 681 extending radially inward toward the inner edge 678 and extending axially outward away from the upper surface 680U of the main body 680 to facilitate moving the flexible valve 622 from the normally-closed position to the pressurized-open position. The flutes 681 may facilitate flexing and/or improve elasticity or flexibility of flexible valve 622. The central post 652 is similar to the central post 352 of the product-discharge controller 314.

The lid 318 is coupled to the base 312 with the hinge 316 as shown in FIG. 29. The lid 318 is changeable between an open position, shown in FIG. 29, and a closed position (not shown). In the open position, the product-discharge outlet 320 is unobstructed and the flexible valve 322 is changeable between the normally-closed position and the pressurized-open position. In the closed position, the lid is rotated about the pivot axis 316B to block the product-discharge outlet 320 and fix the flexible valve 322 in the normally-closed position.

The lid 318 includes an annular wall 384, a top wall 386, an outer ring 388, and an inner ring 390 as shown in FIG. 29. The annular wall 384 extends circumferentially around the central axis 323 when the lid 318 is in the closed position. The top wall 386 is coupled to the annular wall 384. The outer ring 388 is coupled to the top wall 386 and arranged radially inward from the annular wall 384. The inner ring 390 is coupled to the top wall 386 and arranged radially inward from the outer ring 388. When the lid 318 is in the closed position, the outer ring 388 and the inner ring 390 engage the cradle mount 332 and the product-discharge controller 314 in a similar manner to the outer ring 88 and the inner ring 90 of the first embodiment.

The annular wall 384 of the lid 318 and the second annular wall 328 of the base 312 cooperate to latch together when the lid 318 is in the closed position in the same manner as the annular wall 84 and the second annular wall 28 of the first embodiment of the dispensing closure 10. While the present disclosure provides one configuration of latching the lid 18, 218, 318 and the base 12, 212, 312 together, other methods known in the art for securing the lid 18, 218, 318 to the base 12,212, 312 to close the product-discharge outlet 20, 220, 320 may also be applied.

A fourth embodiment of the dispensing closure 410 in accordance with the present disclosure is shown in FIGS. 41-46. The dispensing closure 410 is similar to the dispensing closure 10, 210, 310. Accordingly, similar reference numbers in the 400 series are used to indicate similar features between the dispensing closure 410 and the dispensing closure 10, 210, 310. The disclosures of the dispensing closure 10, 210, 310 is hereby incorporated by reference herein for the dispensing closure 410 except for the differences described below.

Dispensing closure 410 includes a base 412 formed to include a product-discharge outlet 420, a product-discharge controller 414 coupled to the base 412 and defining a product-discharge passageway 424, a hinge 416, and a lid 418 as suggested in FIGS. 41 and 42. The base 412 is adapted to be coupled to the filler neck 17 of the container 13 (or a different container). The product-discharge controller 414 controls flow of the fluid material 25 (or a different fluid) from the opening 21 of the container 13 and through the product-discharge passageway 424 into the product-discharge outlet 420. The hinge 416 defines a pivot axis 416P about which the lid 418 rotates to change from an open position to expose the product-discharge outlet 420, shown in FIG. 41, to a closed position to block the product-discharge outlet 420 (not shown).

When the lid 418 is in the open position, a user may squeeze container body 15 or otherwise cause pressure to push up on an underside of the product-discharge controller 414 to change a flexible valve 422 of the product discharge controller 414 from a normally-closed position, shown in FIG. 43, to a pressurized-open position (not shown) to allow passage of the fluid material 25 through the product-discharge passageway 424 and into the product-discharge outlet 420. When the flexible valve 422 is in the normally-closed position, the fluid-material 25 may be blocked from flowing into the product-discharge outlet 420 via the product-discharge passageway 424. When the flexible valve 422 is in the pressurized-open position, the product discharge passageway 424 is in fluid communication with the product-discharge outlet 420 to allow passage of the fluid material 25 therethrough. When the lid 418 is in the closed position, the lid 218 secures the flexible-valve 418 in the normally-closed position and blocks the flexible valve 422 from changing to the pressurized-open position when a user squeezes the container body 15 or otherwise causes pressure to push up on an underside of the product-discharge controller 414.

The base 412 includes a first annular wall 426 extending circumferentially around a central axis 423 of the dispensing closure 410, a second annular wall 428 arranged radially outward from the first annular wall 426, a top wall 430 coupled to the first annular wall 426 and the second annular wall 428, and a controller mount 432 coupled to the top wall 430 as shown in FIG. 42. The first annular wall 426 mounts to the filler neck 17 of the container 13 when the dispensing closure 410 is mounted on the container 13. Container retainers 434, or other suitable container retainers such as threads, are coupled to the first annular wall 426 as suggested in FIGS. 42. In some embodiments, the dispensing closure 410 may include only the first annular wall 426. In the illustrative embodiment, the base 412 further includes support ribs 499 coupled to the top wall 430, the second annular wall 428, and the first annular wall 426 to support the base 412 between the second annular wall 428 and the first annular wall 426.

The top wall 430 extends radially inward from upper ends 428U, 426U of the second annular wall 428 and the first annular wall 426, respectively, towards the central axis 423 as shown in FIG. 42. The top wall 430 is formed to include a first outer end 430B coupled to the upper end 426U of the first annular wall 426 and a second outer end 430A coupled to the upper end 428U of the second annular wall 428. The top wall 430 is also formed to include an inner end 430C coupled to the controller mount 432. The top wall 430 slopes upward from the second outer end 430A to the first outer end 430B, and is generally perpendicular to the central axis 223 from the first outer end 430B to the inner end 430C.

The controller mount 432 includes a cradle-support wall 436 and a valve retainer 438 coupled to an upper end 436U of the cradle-support wall 436 to define the product-discharge outlet 420 as shown in FIGS. 42 and 43. The cradle-support wall 436 is coupled to the inner end 430C of the top wall 430. The cradle-support wall 436 extends upwardly from the top wall 430 from a lower end 436L coupled to the top wall 430 to the upper end 436U and is generally parallel to the central axis 423. The valve retainer 438 is coupled to and extends radially inward from the upper end 436U of the cradle-support wall 436 to cooperate with the cradle-support wall 436 to define a cradle-receiving space 440 therebetween.

The product-discharge controller 414 includes a valve cradle 448 and the flexible valve 422 as shown in FIGS. 42-46. The valve cradle 448 is coupled to the controller mount 432 and the flexible valve 422 lies at least partially axially between the valve cradle 448 and the valve retainer 438. The flexible valve 422 is changeable between the normally-closed position, shown in FIG. 43, and a pressurized-open position (not shown). In the normally-closed position, the product-discharge passageway 424 is closed off from the product-discharge outlet 420 and the fluid material 25 is blocked from exiting the product-discharge passageway 424. In the pressurized-open position, the product-discharge passageway 424 is in fluid communication with the product-discharge outlet 420 and the fluid material 25 passes through the product-discharge passageway 424 in the event the container 13 is squeezed to pressurize the fluid material 25 stored in the interior product-storage region 19. The flexible valve 422 may be biased toward the normally-closed position in the absence of an external force or pressure.

The valve cradle 448 includes a retention wall 450 coupled to the controller mount 432, a center post 452 arranged radially inward from the retention wall 440, and arms 454 coupled to and interconnecting the retention wall 450 and the center post 452 as shown in FIGS. 43, 44, and 46. The retention wall 450, the center post 452, and arms 454 cooperate to define the product-discharge passageway 424 such that the product-discharge passageway 424 is offset from the central axis 423. The valve cradle 448 is rigid. The valve cradle 448 and at least the controller mount 432 and/or the base 412 are formed as one piece. At least the controller mount 432 and/or the base 412 and the valve cradle 448 may be monolithic.

The retention wall 450 is coupled to the cradle-support wall 436 and the arms 454 to arrange the valve cradle 448 within the cradle-receiving space 440 as shown in FIGS. 42 and 46. The retention wall 450, the valve retainer 438, and the cradle-support wall 436 cooperate to define a valve-receiving recess 456 therebetween. The coupling of the retention wall 450 to the cradle-support wall 436 also blocks the fluid material 25 from passing between the retention wall 450 and the cradle-support wall 436 to encourage the fluid material 25 into the product-discharge passageway 424.

The retention wall 450 is formed to include radially-inner end 450A coupled to the arms 454 and a radially-outer end 450B coupled to the cradle-support wall 436 as shown in FIG. 43. The radially-outer end 450B is coupled to the cradle-support wall 436 axially between the lower end 436L and the upper end 436U. The retention wall 450 extends perpendicular to the central axis 423 between the radially-inner end 450A and the radially-outer end 450B.

The center post 452 is formed to include a lower surface 462, an upper surface 464, and a radially-outward surface (i.e., outer surface) 466 extending between the lower surface 462 and the upper surface 464 as shown in FIG. 43. The upper surface 464 defines an upper opening 472 that opens axially downward into a hollow space 474 that extends from the upper surface 464 toward the lower surface 462. The hollow space 474 is in fluid communication with an inner edge 478 of the flexible valve 422. The lower surface 462 is formed to include a lower opening 468 that opens upward into the hollow space 474. The upper surface 464 is axially upward from the retention wall 450, while the lower surface 462 is axially downward from the retention wall 450. The center post 452 in the present embodiment is generally cylindrical, however in other embodiments the center post 452 may be any shape.

The center post 452 further includes a vent flap 457 coupled to the lower surface 462 for pivotable movement about a pivot axis 457P as shown in FIGS. 42, 43, and 44. The vent flap 457 is movable between an open position, shown in FIG. 43, and a closed position (not shown). In the open position, a free end 457E of the vent flap 457 is spaced axially downward from the lower surface 462 to define a gap 459 to allow fluid material 25 to pass downward therebetween when the flexible valve 422 is in the normally-closed position. Fluid material 25 may flow through the gap 459, for example, if leftover fluid 25 is between the valve 422 and the lid 418. In the closed position, the free end 457E engages the lower surface 462 to block fluid material 25 from passing upward through the gap 459 when the flexible valve is in the pressurized-open position. Upward pressure below the center post 452 may cause the vent flap 457 to close. As such, the center post 452 blocks the fluid material 25 from passing through the center post 452 into the product discharge outlet 420 to encourage the fluid material 25 into the product-discharge passageway 424. The fluid material 25 may be blocked from flowing directly along the axis within the valve cradle 448 and instead may be encouraged to flow through the radially-offset product-discharge passageway 424 when a user applies pressure to the fluid material 25 below the product-discharge controller 414.

Referring to FIGS. 42 and 43, an upper surface 454U of each arm 454 slopes downward from the retention wall 450 toward the center post 452. The downward slope of the upper surfaces 454U of the arms 454 engages a main body 480 of the flexible valve 422 to block the flexible valve 422 from moving downward past the upper surfaces 454U and the lower surface 462 of the center post 452. This blocks the flexible valve 422 from becoming permanently displaced in response to a suction force applying to an underside of the flexible valve 422, such as from the container 13. A radially-inner end 454E of each arm 454 is arranged axially downward from the upper surface 464 of the center post 452 and is coupled to the outer surface 466.

The arms 454 are arranged circumferentially about the central axis 423 as shown in FIG. 46. In the illustrative embodiment, the valve cradle 448 includes four arms 454, however in other embodiments the valve cradle could include less than four arms 454 or more than four arms 454.

The flexible valve 422 includes an outer retention edge 476, an inner edge 478, and a main body 480 as shown in FIGS. 42 and 43. The outer retention edge 476 is fixed between the valve retainer 438, the retention wall 450, and the cradle-support wall 436 within the valve-receiving recess 456. The inner edge 478 is arranged radially inward from the outer retention edge 476. The main body 480 extends between and interconnects the outer retention edge 476 and the inner edge 478. As such, the flexible valve 422 extends between the cradle-support wall 436 the outer surface 466 of the center post 452. The flexible valve 422 comprises thermoplastic elastomer, polyolefin, or any material free of silicone.

The outer retention edge 476 extends axially upward from the main body 480 into the valve-receiving recess 456 as shown in FIGS. 42 and 43. The valve retainer 438 blocks a first segment outer retention edge 476A from moving axially upward when pressure is applied underneath the flexible valve 422, even when the pressure is sufficient to change the flexible valve 422 to the pressurized-open position. A second segment of outer retention edge 476B extends axially upward from valve-receiving recess 456. The first segment of the outer retention edge 476A also engages the retention wall 450 and the cradle-support wall 436.

The inner edge 478 extends circumferentially around the outer surface 466 of the center post 452 and is sized to selectively engage the outer surface 466 as shown in FIGS. 42, 43, and 45. Selectively engaging the outer surface 466 may form a seal between the inner edge 478 and the outer surface 466. In the normally-closed position, shown in FIG. 43, the inner edge 478 engages all of the outer surface 466 located above the radially-inner end 454E of each arm 454 to block the product-discharge passageway 424 from the product-discharge outlet 420. As such, the fluid material 25 is blocked from passing through the product-discharge passageway 424 into the product-discharge outlet 420. In the pressurized-open position (not shown) the inner edge 478 is moved axially upward away from the upper surface 464 of the center post 452 and radially outward away from the outer surface 466 of the center post 452 to establish a gap (not shown) between the inner edge 478 and the center post 452. In the pressurized-open position, the product-discharge passageway 424 is open and in fluid communication with the product-discharge outlet 420. In the illustrative embodiment, an upper end 478U of the inner edge 478 extends axially upward away from the upper surface 464 of the center post 452 when the flexible valve 422 is in the normally-closed position.

The main body 480 of the flexible valve 422 encourages the movement of the inner edge 478 between the normally-closed position and the pressurized-open position. The main body 480 pivots upward in response to applying pressure below the flexible valve 422 to provide the gap and establish the pressurized-open position. In the illustrative embodiment, the main body 480 slopes downward from the outer retention edge 476 to a lower end 478L of the inner edge 278 when the flexible valve 422 is in the normally-closed position.

The main body 480 is formed to include a first arch 483 extending circumferentially around the center axis 423 and a second arch 485 extending circumferentially around the center axis 423 as shown in FIG. 43. The first arch 483 is radially outward from the second arch 485. Both arches 483, 485 extend axially upward away from the arms 454 when the flexible valve 422 is in the normally-closed position. The arches 483, 485 facilitate moving the flexible valve 422 between the normally-closed position and the pressurized-open position.

To assemble the base 412 and the product-discharge controller 414, the flexible valve 422 is placed over the valve cradle 448 with the outer retention edge 476 being fed into the valve-receiving recess 456 from above the product-discharge outlet 420 as suggested in FIGS. 44 and 46.

The lid 418 is coupled to the base 412 with the hinge 416 as shown in FIG. 41. The lid 418 is changeable between an open position, shown in FIG. 41, and a closed position (not shown). In the open position, the product-discharge outlet 420 is unobstructed and the flexible valve 422 is changeable between the normally-closed position and the pressurized-open position. In the closed position, the lid 418 is rotated about the pivot axis 416B to block the product-discharge outlet 420 and fix the flexible valve 422 in the normally-closed position.

The lid 418 includes an annular wall 484 and a top wall 486. The annular wall 484 extends circumferentially around the central axis 423 when the lid 418 is in the closed position. The top wall 486 is coupled to the annular wall 484. When the lid 418 is in the closed position, the top wall 486 engages the upper end 436U of the cradle-support wall 436 and is close to or in confronting relation to the upper end 478U of the inner edge 478. Accordingly, if a user squeezes the container 13 or pressurizes the fluid material 25 below the product-discharge controller 414, the upper end 478U engages the top wall 486 to blocks the valve 422 moving at all or moving minimally without providing a gap between the inner edge 478 and the outer surface 466.

The annular wall 484 of the lid 418 and the second annular wall 428 of the base 412 cooperate to latch together when the lid 418 is in the closed position in the same manner as the annular wall 84 and the second annular wall 28 of the first embodiment of the dispensing closure 10. While the present disclosure provides one configuration of latching the lid 18, 218, 318, 418 and the base 12, 212, 312, 412 together, other methods known in the art for securing the lid 18, 218, 318, 48 to the base 12, 212, 312, 412 to close the product-discharge outlet 20, 220, 320, 420 may also be applied.

A fifth embodiment of the dispensing closure 510 in accordance with the present disclosure is shown in FIGS. 47-56. The dispensing closure 510 is similar to the dispensing closure 10, 210, 310, 410. Accordingly, similar reference numbers in the 500 series are used to indicate similar features between the dispensing closure 510 and the dispensing closure 10, 210, 310, 410. The disclosures of the dispensing closure 10, 210, 310, 410 is hereby incorporated by reference herein for the dispensing closure 510 except for the differences described below.

Dispensing closure 510 includes a base 512 formed to include a product-discharge outlet 520, a product-discharge controller 514 coupled to the base 512 and defining a product-discharge passageway 524, a hinge 516, and a lid 518 as suggested in FIGS. 47-49. The base 512 is adapted to be coupled to the filler neck 17 of the container 13 (or a different container). The product-discharge controller 514 controls flow of the fluid material 25 (or a different fluid) from the opening 21 of the container 13 and through the product-discharge passageway 524 into the product-discharge outlet 520. The hinge 516 defines a pivot axis 516P about which the lid 518 rotates to change from an open position to expose the product-discharge outlet 520, shown in FIG. 47, to a closed position to block the product-discharge outlet 520, shown in FIG. 55.

When the lid 518 is in the open position, a user may squeeze container body 15 or otherwise cause pressure to push up on an underside of the product-discharge controller 514 to change a flexible valve 522 of the product discharge controller 514 from a normally-closed position, shown in FIG. 48, to a pressurized-open position, shown in FIG. 49, to allow passage of the fluid material 25 through the product-discharge passageway 524 and into the product-discharge outlet 520. When the flexible valve 522 is in the normally-closed position, the fluid-material 25 may be blocked from flowing into the product-discharge outlet 520 via the product-discharge passageway 524. When the flexible valve 522 is in the pressurized-open position, the product discharge passageway 524 is in fluid communication with the product-discharge outlet 520 to allow passage of the fluid material 25 therethrough. When the lid 518 is in the closed position, the lid 518 secures the flexible-valve 518 in the normally-closed position and blocks the flexible valve 522 from changing to the pressurized-open position when a user squeezes the container body 15 or otherwise causes pressure to push up on an underside of the product-discharge controller 514.

The base 512 includes a first annular wall 526 extending circumferentially around a central axis 523 of the dispensing closure 510, a second annular wall 528 arranged radially outward from the first annular wall 526, a top wall 530 coupled to the first annular wall 526 and the second annular wall 528, and a controller mount 532 coupled to the top wall 530 as shown in FIGS. 53 and 54. The first annular wall 526 mounts to the filler neck 17 of the container 13 when the dispensing closure 510 is mounted on the container 13. Container retainers 534, or other suitable container retainers such as threads, are coupled to the first annular wall 526 as suggested in FIGS. 53 and 54. In some embodiments, the dispensing closure 510 may include only the first annular wall 526. In the illustrative embodiment, the base 512 further includes support ribs 599 coupled to the top wall 530, the second annular wall 528, and the first annular wall 526 to support the base 512 between the second annular wall 528 and the first annular wall 526.

The top wall 530 extends radially inward from upper ends 528U, 526U of the second annular wall 528 and the first annular wall 526, respectively, towards the central axis 523 as shown in FIGS. 53 and 54. The top wall 530 is formed to include a first outer end 530B coupled to the upper end 526U of the first annular wall 526 and a second outer end 530A coupled to the upper end 528U of the second annular wall 528. The top wall 530 is also formed to include an inner end 530C coupled to the controller mount 532. The top wall 530 slopes upward from the second outer end 530A to the first outer end 530B, and is generally perpendicular to the central axis 523 from the first outer end 530B to the inner end 530C.

The controller mount 532 includes a cradle-support wall 536 and a valve retainer 538 coupled to an upper end 536U of the cradle-support wall 536 to define the product-discharge outlet 520 as shown in FIGS. 48 and 49. The cradle-support wall 536 is coupled to the inner end 530C of the top wall 530. The cradle-support wall 536 extends upwardly from the top wall 530 from a lower end 536L coupled to the top wall 530 to the upper end 536U and is generally parallel to the central axis 523. The valve retainer 538 is coupled to and extends radially inward from the upper end 536U of the cradle-support wall 536 to cooperate with the cradle-support wall 536 to define a cradle-receiving space 540 therebetween.

The product-discharge controller 514 includes a valve cradle 548 and the flexible valve 522 as shown in FIGS. 48-56. The valve cradle 548 is coupled to the controller mount 532 and the flexible valve 522 lies at least partially axially between the valve cradle 548 and the valve retainer 538. The flexible valve 522 is changeable between the normally-closed position, shown in FIG. 48, and a pressurized-open position, shown in FIG. 49. In the normally-closed position, the product-discharge passageway 524 is closed off from the product-discharge outlet 520 and the fluid material 25 is blocked from exiting the product-discharge passageway 524. In the pressurized-open position, the product-discharge passageway 524 is in fluid communication with the product-discharge outlet 520 and the fluid material 25 passes through the product-discharge passageway 524 in the event the container 13 is squeezed to pressurize the fluid material 25 stored in the interior product-storage region 19. The flexible valve 522 may be biased toward the normally-closed position in the absence of an external force or pressure.

The valve cradle 548 includes a retention wall 550 coupled to the controller mount 532, a center post 552 arranged radially inward from the retention wall 540, arms 554 coupled to and interconnecting the retention wall 550 and the center post 552, and a cradle skirt 549 coupled to and extending downwardly from the retention wall 550 as shown in FIGS. 48 and 49. The retention wall 550, the center post 552, arms 554, and the cradle skirt 549 cooperate to define the product-discharge passageway 524 such that the product-discharge passageway 524 is offset from the central axis 523. The valve cradle 548 is rigid. The valve cradle 548 and at least the controller mount 532 and/or the base 512 are formed as one piece. At least the controller mount 532 and/or the base 512 and the valve cradle 548 may be monolithic. In some embodiments, the valve cradle 548 may not include the cradle skirt 549.

The retention wall 550 is coupled to the cradle-support wall 536 and the arms 554 to arrange the valve cradle 548 within the cradle-receiving space 540 as shown in FIGS. 48 and 49. The retention wall 550, the valve retainer 538, and the cradle-support wall 536 cooperate to define a valve-receiving recess 556 therebetween. The coupling of the retention wall 550 to the cradle-support wall 536 also blocks the fluid material 25 from passing between the retention wall 550 and the cradle-support wall 536 to encourage the fluid material 25 into the product-discharge passageway 524.

The retention wall 550 is formed to include radially-inner end 550A coupled to the arms 554 and a radially-outer end 550B coupled to the cradle-support wall 536 as shown in FIGS. 48 and 49. The radially-outer end 550B is coupled to the cradle-support wall 536 axially between the lower end 536L and the upper end 536U. The retention wall 550 extends perpendicular to the central axis 523 between the radially-inner end 550A and the radially-outer end 550B.

The center post 552 is formed to include a lower surface 562, an upper surface 564, and a radially-outward surface (i.e., outer surface) 566 extending between the lower surface 562 and the upper surface 564 as shown in FIGS. 48 and 49. The upper surface 564 defines an upper opening 572 that opens axially downward into a hollow space 574 that extends from the upper surface 564 toward the lower surface 562. The hollow space 574 is in fluid communication with an inner edge 578 of the flexible valve 522. The lower surface 562 is formed to include a lower opening 568 that opens upward into the hollow space 574. The upper surface 564 is axially upward from the retention wall 550, while the lower surface 562 is axially aligned with the retention wall 550. The center post 552 in the present embodiment is generally cylindrical, however in other embodiments the center post 552 may be any shape.

The upper opening 572 has a smaller diameter than the lower opening 568 and also has a shorter axial length than the axial length between the lower opening 568 and an upper end 574U of the hollow space 574 as suggested in FIGS. 48 and 49. Fluid material 25 may flow through the upper opening 572, for example, if leftover fluid 25 is between the valve 522 and the lid 518.

Referring to FIGS. 48 and 49, each arm 554 extends perpendicular to the central axis 523 from the retention wall 550 toward the center post 552. The arms 554 engage a main body 580 of the flexible valve 522 to block the flexible valve 522 from moving downward past the arms 554 and the lower surface 562 of the center post 552. This blocks the flexible valve 522 from becoming permanently displaced in response to a suction force applying to an underside of the flexible valve 522, such as from the container 13. The arms 554 are coplanar with the bottom surface 562 and the retention wall 550.

The arms 554 are arranged circumferentially about the central axis 523 as shown in FIG. 52. In the illustrative embodiment, the valve cradle 548 includes four arms 554, however in other embodiments the valve cradle could include less than four arms 554 or more than four arms 554.

The flexible valve 522 includes an outer retention edge 576, an inner edge 578, and a main body 580 as shown in FIGS. 48 and 49. The outer retention edge 576 is fixed between the valve retainer 538, the retention wall 550, and the cradle-support wall 536 within the valve-receiving recess 556. The inner edge 578 is arranged radially inward from the outer retention edge 576. The main body 580 extends between and interconnects the outer retention edge 576 and the inner edge 578. As such, the flexible valve 522 extends between the cradle-support wall 536 and the outer surface 566 of the center post 552. The flexible valve 522 comprises thermoplastic elastomer, polyolefin, or any material free of silicone.

The outer retention edge 576 extends axially upward from the main body 580 into the valve-receiving recess 556 as shown in FIGS. 48 and 49. The valve retainer 538 blocks a first segment outer retention edge 576A from moving axially upward when pressure is applied underneath the flexible valve 522, even when the pressure is sufficient to change the flexible valve 522 to the pressurized-open position. A second segment of outer retention edge 576B extends axially upward from valve-receiving recess 556. The first segment of the outer retention edge 576A also engages the retention wall 550 and the cradle-support wall 536.

The inner edge 578 extends circumferentially around the outer surface 566 of the center post 552 and is sized to selectively engage the outer surface 566 as shown in FIGS. 48-51. Selectively engaging the outer surface 566 may form a seal between the inner edge 578 and the outer surface 566. In the normally-closed position, shown in FIG. 48, the inner edge 578 engages all of the outer surface 566 located above the arms 554 to block the product-discharge passageway 524 from the product-discharge outlet 520. As such, the fluid material 25 is blocked from passing through the product-discharge passageway 524 into the product-discharge outlet 520. In the pressurized-open position, shown in FIG. 59, the inner edge 578 is moved axially upward away from the upper surface 564 of the center post 552 and radially outward away from the outer surface 566 of the center post 552 to establish a gap 582 between the inner edge 578 and the center post 552. In the pressurized-open position, the product-discharge passageway 524 is open and in fluid communication with the product-discharge outlet 520. In the illustrative embodiment, an upper end 578U of the inner edge 578 extends axially upward away from the upper surface 564 of the center post 552 when the flexible valve 522 is in the normally-closed position.

The main body 580 of the flexible valve 522 encourages the movement of the inner edge 578 between the normally-closed position and the pressurized-open position as suggested in FIGS. 48-51. The main body 580 pivots upward in response to applying pressure below the flexible valve 522 to provide the gap 582 and establish the pressurized-open position. In the illustrative embodiment, the main body 580 extends perpendicular to the central axis 523 from the outer retention edge 576 to a lower end 578L of the inner edge 578 when the flexible valve 522 is in the normally-closed position.

The main body 580 is formed to include an arch 583 extending circumferentially around the center axis 523 as shown in FIGS. 48-51. The arch 583 extends axially upward away from the arms 554 when the flexible valve 522 is in the normally-closed position. The arch 583 facilitates moving the flexible valve 522 between the normally-closed position and the pressurized-open position.

To assemble the base 512 and the product-discharge controller 514, the flexible valve 522 is placed over the valve cradle 548 with the outer retention edge 576 being fed into the valve-receiving recess 556 from above the product-discharge outlet 520 as suggested in FIGS. 50-52.

The lid 518 is coupled to the base 512 with the hinge 516 as shown in FIG. 47. The lid 518 is changeable between an open position, shown in FIG. 47, and a closed position, shown in FIG. 55. In the open position, the product-discharge outlet 520 is unobstructed and the flexible valve 522 is changeable between the normally-closed position and the pressurized-open position. In the closed position, the lid 518 is rotated about the pivot axis 516B to block the product-discharge outlet 520 and fix the flexible valve 522 in the normally-closed position.

The lid 518 includes an annular wall 584, a top wall 586, an outer ring 588, and an inner ring 590 as shown in FIG. 47. The annular wall 584 extends circumferentially around the central axis 523 when the lid 518 is in the closed position. The top wall 586 is coupled to the annular wall 584. The outer ring 588 is coupled to the top wall 586 and arranged radially inward from the annular wall 584. The inner ring 590 is coupled to the top wall 586 and arranged radially inward from the outer ring 588.

When the lid 518 is in the closed position, an inner surface 588S of the outer ring 588 engages an outer surface 536S of the cradle-support wall 536 as shown in FIGS. 55 and 56. An inner surface 590S of the inner ring 590 surrounds the inner edge 578 of the flexible valve 522. The inner edge 578 provides a seal between the inner ring 590 and the upper opening 572. Accordingly, if a user squeezes the container 13 or pressurizes the fluid material 25 below the product-discharge controller 514, any fluid 25 which may exit through the upper opening 572 is contained between the center post 552 and the inner ring 590. If any fluid 25 does exit while the lid 518 is in the closed position, the fluid 25 may pass back through the upper opening 572 and back into the container 13.

The annular wall 584 of the lid 518 and the second annular wall 528 of the base 512 cooperate to latch together when the lid 518 is in the closed position in the same manner as the annular wall 84 and the second annular wall 28 of the first embodiment of the dispensing closure 10. While the present disclosure provides one configuration of latching the lid 18, 218, 318, 418, 518 and the base 12, 212, 312, 412, 512 together, other methods known in the art for securing the lid 18, 218, 318, 48, 58 to the base 12, 212, 312, 412, 512 to close the product-discharge outlet 20, 220, 320, 420, 520 may also be applied.

While the central posts 52, 252, 352, 452, 552, 652 are shown and described to include at least one hollow space, it is appreciated that the central posts 52, 252, 352, 452, 552 may be entirely solid to encourage the fluid material 25 to flow through the product-discharge passageway 24, 224, 324, 424, 524.

The base 12, 212, 312, 412, 512 or any component thereof may be formed of a rigid thermoplastic material and the flexible valve 22, 222, 322, 422, 522, 622 may be formed of a flexible thermoplastic material. In some embodiments, valve 22, 222, 322, 422, 522, 622 may be formed of thermoplastic elastomer and base 12, 212, 312, 412, 512 may be formed of polypropylene, for example, which may aid in recyclability of dispensing closure 10, 210, 310, 410, 510. Valve 22, 222, 322, 422, 522, 622 may be made of a non-silicone material to facilitate recycling and/or valve 22, 222, 322, 422, 522, 622. The dispensing closure 10, 210, 310, 410, 510 with the valve 22, 222, 322, 422, 522, 622 may be recyclable with the container 13 as a package 11. The dispensing closure 10, 210, 310, 410, 510 having the valve 22, 222, 322, 422, 522, 622, individually or as a part of a package 11, may be recyclable in a polypropylene or other material stream.

Product-discharge controllers 14 and 314 may be configured to be inserted into a different dispensing closure. Likewise, valves 22, 222, 322, 422, 522, 622 may be configured to be inserted into a different dispensing closure having a valve cradle.

It is understood that dispensing closure 10, 210, 310, 410, 510, and/or any component thereof, may be made of any of a variety of materials, including, but not limited to, any of a variety of suitable plastics material, any other material, or any combination thereof. Suitable plastics material may include, but is not limited to, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene (PS), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), crystallized polyethylene terephthalate (CPET), mixtures and combinations thereof, or any other plastics material or any mixtures and combinations thereof. It is understood that multiple layers of material may be used for any of a variety of reasons, including to improve barrier properties, or to provide known functions related to multiple layer structures. The multiple layers, if included, may be of various materials, including but not limited to those recited herein.

It is further understood that dispensing closure 10, 210, 310, 410, 510, and/or any component thereof, may be substantially rigid, substantially flexible, a hybrid of rigid and flexible, or any combination of rigid, flexible, and/or hybrid, such as having some areas be flexible and some rigid. It is understood that these examples are merely illustrative, are not limiting, and are provided to illustrate the versatility of options available in various embodiments of dispensing closure 10, 210, 310, 410, 510, and/or any component thereof.

It is further understood that any of a variety of processes or combination thereof may be used to form dispensing closure 10, 210, 310, 410, 510, and/or any component thereof, or any layer or substrate used therein. For example, any component, layer, or substrate, or combination thereof, may be compression molded, thermoformed, injection molded, injection stretch blow molded, blow molded, extrusion blow molded, coextruded, subjected to any other suitable process, or subjected to any combination thereof. In some embodiments, dispensing closure 100, 500, and/or any component thereof may be formed substantially of injection molded and/or thermoformed suitable plastics material, although other materials and forming processes may be used instead of or in addition to injection molding and thermoforming, respectively. Various materials and/or processes may be used to form dispensing closure 10, 210, 310, 410, 510, and/or any component thereof, as will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. In some embodiments, dispensing closure 10, 210, 310, 410, 510, and/or any component thereof, may be substantially a one-piece design and/or substantially formed as an integral or unitary structure.

It is understood that, while some directional terms are used herein, such as top, bottom, upper, lower, inward, outward, upward, downward, etc., these terms are not intended to be limiting but rather to relate to one or more exemplary orientations, positions, and/or configurations of dispensing closure 10, 210, 310, 410, 510, and/or any component thereof. It is dispensing closure 10, 210, 310, 410, 510, and/or any component or portion thereof may be inverted or re-oriented to face or point a different direction without departing from the nature of dispensing closure 10, 210, 310, 410, 510 disclosed herein.

CAD models were used in the preparation of the drawings forming part of the present disclosure. The drawings have been made to scale and the relative dimensions and proportions may be taken from the drawings except for the container 13 shown in FIG. 2.

These and other modifications and variations may be practiced by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope, which is more particularly set forth in the appended claims. In addition, it should be understood that aspects of the various embodiments may be interchanged in whole or in part. Furthermore, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the foregoing description is by way of example only, and it is not intended to limit the scope of that which is described in the claims. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the exemplary description of the versions contained herein.

The following numbered clauses include embodiments that are contemplated and non-limiting:

Clause 1. A package comprising a container and a dispensing closure.

Clause 2. The package of clause 1, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the container is formed to include an interior product-storage region

Clause 3. The package of clause 2, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the container includes a filler neck.

Clause 4. The package of clause 3, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the filler neck define an opening arranged to open into the interior-product storage region.

Clause 5. The package of clause 4, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the dispensing closure is coupled to the filler neck.

Clause 6. The package of clause 5, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the dispensing closure includes a controller mount and a product-discharge controller.

Clause 7. The package of clause 6, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the product-discharge controller is formed to include a product-discharge passageway.

Clause 8. The package of clause 7, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the product-discharge controller includes a valve cradle and a flexible valve.

Clause 9. The package of clause 8, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the flexible valve is configured to change between a normally-closed position in which fluid material stored in the interior product-storage region of the container is blocked from exiting the product-discharge passageway and a pressurized-open position in which the fluid material passes through the product-discharge passageway in the event the container is squeezed to pressurize the fluid material stored in the interior product-storage region.

Clause 10. The package of clause 9, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the valve cradle is coupled to the controller mount.

Clause 11. The package of clause 10, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the flexible valve is arranged to lie axially between the valve cradle and an upper end of the controller mount.

Clause 12. The package of clause 11, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the valve cradle includes a center post and at least one arm.

Clause 13. The package of clause 12, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the center post is arranged radially inward from the controller mount relative to a central axis of the dispensing closure.

Clause 14. The package of clause 13, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the at least one arm extends between the controller mount and the center post to establish the product-discharge passageway such that the product-discharge passageway is offset from the central axis toward the controller mount.

Clause 15. The package of clause 14, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the flexible valve includes an inner edge that extends circumferentially around an outer surface of the center post and engages the outer surface of the center post such that the product-discharge passageway is blocked to establish the normally-closed position and is moved upward and/or radially outward away from the center post such that a gap is defined between the outer surface of the center post and the inner edge of the flexible valve so that the product-discharge passageway is open to establish the pressurized-open position.

Clause 16. The package of clause 15, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the inner edge of the flexible valve is arranged axially downward from an upper end of the center post when the flexible valve is in the normally-closed position.

Clause 17. The package of clause 14, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the flexible valve comprises material free of silicone.

Clause 18. The package of clause 17, wherein the flexible valve comprises thermoplastic elastomer.

Clause 19. The package of clause 14, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the fluid material is blocked from passing through the center post of the valve cradle.

Clause 20. The package of clause 14, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the dispensing closure includes an annular wall.

Clause 21. The package of clause 20, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the dispensing closure further includes a top wall coupled to the annular wall and extending radially inward from an upper end of the annular wall.

Clause 22. The package of clause 21, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the dispensing closure further includes the controller mount coupled to the top wall.

Clause 23. The package of clause 22, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the controller mount includes a cradle-support wall extending upwardly from the top wall.

Clause 24. The package of clause 23, any other suitable clause, or any combination of

suitable clauses, wherein the controller mount further includes a valve retainer extending radially inward from an upper end of the cradle-support wall to define a product-discharge outlet of the dispensing closure.

Clause 25. The package of clause 24, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the top wall has an outer end coupled to the annular wall and an inner end coupled to the cradle-support wall.

Clause 26. The package of clause 25, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the top wall slopes upward from the outer end towards the inner end.

Clause 27. The package of clause 26, any other suitable clause, or any combination out suitable clauses, wherein a lower end of the cradle-support wall is arranged axially downward from the inner end of the top wall.

Clause 28. The package of clause 24, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the cradle-support wall is formed to include a lower segment, a middle segment, and an upper segment.

Clause 29. The package of clause 28, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the lower segment extends axially between a lower end of the cradle-support wall and the middle segment.

Clause 30. The package of clause 29, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the middle segment extends axially between the lower segment and the upper segment.

Clause 31. The package of clause 30, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the upper segment extends axially between the middle segment and the upper end of the cradle-support wall.

Clause 32. The package of clause 31, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the lower segment slopes radially inward from the lower end of the cradle-support wall toward the middle segment.

Clause 33. The package of clause 32, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the middle segment slopes radially outward from the lower segment toward the upper segment.

Clause 34. The package of clause 33, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, where the upper segment is parallel to the central axis from the middle segment to the upper end of the cradle-support wall such that the lower segment, the middle segment, and the upper segment cooperate with the valve retainer to define a cradle-receiving space therebetween.

Clause 35. The package of clause 34, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the valve cradle further includes a retention wall coupled to the at least one arm and arranged radially outward from the center post.

Clause 36. The package of clause 35, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the retention wall is configured to engage the cradle support wall to arrange the valve cradle within the cradle-receiving space.

Clause 37. The package of clause 36, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the retention wall has a lower end and an upper end.

Clause 38. The package of clause 37, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the retention wall is formed to include an inner surface facing the center post.

Clause 39. The package of clause 38, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the inner surface is formed to include an arm-support segment, a valve-support segment, and a valve-retaining segment.

Clause 40. The package of clause 39, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the arm-support segment is coupled to the at least one arm.

Clause 41. The package of clause 40, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the valve-support segment interconnects between the arm-support segment and the valve-retaining segment.

Clause 42. The package of clause 41, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the valve-retaining segment extends radially inward from the valve-support segment to engage a portion of the flexible valve.

Clause 43. The package of clause 42, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the arm-support segment is parallel to the center post from the lower end of the retention wall towards the valve-support segment.

Clause 44. The package of clause 42, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the valve-support segment extends radially outward from the arm-support segment towards the valve-retaining segment to support the flexible valve.

Clause 45. The package of clause 44, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the valve-retaining segment cooperates with the valve-support segment to fix the portion of the flexible valve between the valve-retaining segment and the valve-support segment.

Clause 46. The package of clause 42, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein a radially outer end of the at least one arm is coupled to the arm-support segment axially upward from the lower end of the retention wall.

Clause 47. The package of clause 46, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the at least one arm cooperates with the valve-support segment and the valve-retaining segment to fix the portion of the flexible valve between an upper surface of the at least one arm, the valve-support segment, and the valve retaining segment.

Clause 48. The package of clause 47, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the arm-support segment is formed to include at least one slot opening at the lower end of the retention wall and extending upward towards the valve-support segment.

Clause 49. The package of clause 42, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the portion of the flexible valve is an outer retention edge of the flexible valve.

Clause 50. The package of clause 37, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the retention wall is formed to include an outer surface facing the cradle-support wall.

Clause 51. The package of clause 50, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clause, wherein the outer surface is formed to include a lower segment, a middle segment, and an upper segment.

Clause 52. The package of clause 51, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the lower segment is parallel to the center post from the lower end of the retention wall towards the middle segment.

Clause 53. The package of clause 52, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the middle segment extends radially outward from the lower segment towards the upper segment.

Clause 54. The package of clause 53, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the upper segment extends radially inward from the middle segment towards the upper end of the retention wall so that the upper segment is radially outward from the lower segment.

Clause 55. The package of clause 54, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein an upper end of the middle segment of the cradle-support wall engages an upper end of the middle segment of the retention wall to hold the valve cradle in the cradle-receiving space.

Clause 56. The package of clause 55, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the upper end of the middle segment of the retention wall is radially outward from a lower end of the middle segment of the cradle-support wall such that the middle segment of the cradle-support wall, the upper segment of the cradle-support wall, and the valve retainer cooperate to compress a portion of the valve cradle within the cradle-receiving space.

Clause 57. The package of clause 37, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein a lower surface of the center post is axially downward from the lower end of the retention wall.

Clause 58. The package of clause 37, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein an upper end of the middle segment of the cradle-support wall engages the lower end of the retention wall to hold the valve-cradle in the cradle-receiving space.

Clause 59. The package of clause 58, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the lower end of the retention wall is radially outward from a lower end of the middle segment of the cradle-support wall such that the middle segment of the cradle-support wall, the upper segment of the cradle-support wall, and the valve retainer cooperate to compress the valve cradle within the cradle-receiving space.

Clause 60. The package of clause 37, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the valve retainer includes a radially-extending segment extending radially inward from the upper end of the cradle-support wall and an axially-extending segment extending downward from the radially-extending segment.

Clause 61. The package of clause 60, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the axially-extending segment is spaced radially inward from an inner surface of the retention wall of the valve cradle.

Clause 62. The package of clause 61, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the axially-extending segment, the radially-extending segment, and the inner surface cooperate to fix an outer retention edge of the flexible valve therebetween.

Clause 63. The package of clause 62, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the outer retention edge of the valve includes a first upper surface and a second upper surface arranged axially upward from the first upper surface so that the valve cradle engages the first upper surface and the radially-extending segment of the valve retainer engages the second upper surface.

Clause 64. The package of clause 37, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the flexible valve is arranged to extend between an inner surface of the retention wall and an outer surface of the center post.

Clause 65. The package of clause 24, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the valve retainer includes a radially-extending segment extending radially inward from the upper end of the cradle-support wall and an axially-extending segment extending downward from the radially-extending segment.

Clause 66. The package of clause 65, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the axially-extending segment is spaced radially inward from the cradle-support wall to define a cradle-receiving space therebetween.

Clause 67. The package of clause 66, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the valve retainer further includes at least one controller guide coupled an inner surface of the radially-extending segment.

Clause 68. The package of clause 67, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the at least one controller guide is configured to engage the upper end of the cradle-support wall and an upper end of an outer retention edge of the flexible valve.

Clause 69. The package of clause 66, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the valve cradle further includes a retention wall coupled to the at least one arm and arranged radially outward from the center post.

Clause 70. The package of clause 69, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the retention wall is configured to engage the cradle-support wall to arrange the valve cradle within the cradle-receiving space.

Clause 71. The package of clause 70, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the retention wall is further configured to engage the radially-extending segment of the valve retainer so that the retention wall, the radially-extending segment, and the axially-extending segment cooperate to define a valve-receiving recess therebetween.

Clause 72. The package of clause 70, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the retention wall is further configured to engage the radially-extending segment of the valve retainer to block fluid material from passing between the radially-extending segment and the retention wall.

Clause 73. The package of clause 66, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein an upper end of the center post is arranged axially upward from a lower end of the axially-extending segment of the valve retainer.

Clause 74. The package of clause 24, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein an upper surface of the center post is arranged axially downward from the valve retainer.

Clause 75. The package of clause 14, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein an upper surface of the at least one arm slopes downward from the controller mount towards the center post.

Clause 76. The package of clause 14, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein a radially-inward end of the at least one arm is arranged axially downward from an upper end of the center post.

Clause 77. The package of clause 14, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein a lower surface of the at least one arm is perpendicular to the central axis.

Clause 78. The package of clause 14, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein a lower surface of the at least one arm is coplanar with a lower surface of the center post.

Clause 79. The package of clause 14, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the valve cradle further includes a retention wall coupled to the at least one arm and arranged radially outward from the center post to cooperate with the at least one arm and an outer surface of the center post to define the product-discharge passageway.

Clause 80. The package of clause 79, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein an upper end of the center post is axially downward from an upper end of the retention wall.

Clause 81. The package of clause 79, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein an upper end of the center post is axially aligned with an upper end of the retention wall.

Clause 82. The package of clause 79, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the upper end of the center post is axially upward from an upper surface of the retention wall.

Clause 83. The package of clause 14, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the center post is cylindrical.

Clause 84. The package of clause 14, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the center post is conical.

Clause 85. The package of clause 14, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the center post is formed to include a lower surface, an upper surface, and a radially-outward surface extending between the lower surface and the upper surface.

Clause 86. The package of clause 85, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, the lower surface defining an opening that opens upward into a hollow space extending from the lower surface towards the upper surface.

Clause 87. The package of clause 86, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein an upper end of the hollow space is arranged axially downward from the upper surface of the center post.

Clause 88. The package of clause 86, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the hollow space is a lower hollow space and the upper surface defines an upper opening that opens axially downward into an upper hollow space extending from the upper surface towards the lower surface.

Clause 89. The package of clause 88, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein a lower end of the upper hollow space is arranged axially upward from an upper end of the lower hollow space.

Clause 90. The package of clause 88, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the lower hollow space has a first diameter and the upper hollow space has a second diameter that is less than the first diameter.

Clause 91. The package of clause 86, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the upper surface of the center post slopes radially inward from the outer surface towards an upper end of the center post.

Clause 92. The package of clause 14, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the controller mount includes a cradle-support wall extending upwardly from the top wall and a valve retainer extending radially inward from an upper end of the cradle-support wall to define a product-discharge outlet of the dispensing closure.

Clause 93. The package of clause 92, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the valve cradle further includes a retention wall coupled to the at least one arm and arranged radially outward from the center post.

Clause 94. The package of clause 93, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the flexible valve includes an outer retention edge fixed axially between the valve retainer and the retention wall, an inner edge arranged radially inward from the outer retention edge, and a main body extending between the outer retention edge and the inner edge.

Clause 95. The package of clause 94, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the inner edge of the flexible valve is sized to engage an outer surface of the center post to establish the normally-closed position so that the fluid material is blocked from passing through the product-discharge passageway into the product-discharge outlet.

Clause 96. The package of clause 95, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the main body of the flexible valve pivots upward in response to applying pressure below the flexible valve to provide a gap between the outer surface of the center post and the inner edge of the flexible valve to establish the pressurized-open position so that the product-discharge passageway is in fluid communication with the product-storage discharge outlet for fluid material to pass through.

Clause 97. The package of clause 94, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the main body of the flexible valve is formed to include at least one arch extending circumferentially around the center axis to encourage moving the flexible valve from the normally-closed position to the pressurized-open position.

Clause 98. The clause 97, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the at least one arch extends axially upward away from the at least one arm when the flexible valve is in the normally-closed position.

Clause 99. The package of clause 94, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the inner edge of the flexible valve extends axially upward away from the main body to engage at least a portion of an outer surface of the center post and/or the inner edge further extends axially upward away from an upper end of the center post when the flexible valve is in the normally-closed position.

Clause 100. The package of clause 94, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the main body engages an upper surface of the at least one arm when the flexible valve is in the normally-closed position.

Clause 101. The package of clause 94, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the main body of the flexible valve is formed to include at least one flute extending radially inward from an upper surface of the main body to facilitate moving the flexible valve from the normally-closed position to the pressurized-open position.

Clause 102. The package of clause 94, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the retention wall and the valve retainer cooperate to define a valve-receiving recess for the outer retention edge to fix the outer retention edge therebetween.

Clause 103. The package of clause 102, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein at least a portion of the outer retention edge extends axially upward from the main body into the valve-receiving recess.

Clause 104. The package of clause 102, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the outer retention edge extends axially downward from the main body into the valve-receiving recess.

Clause 105. The package of clause 102, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the retention wall is formed to include an inner segment coupled to the at least one arm and an outer segment coupled between the inner segment and the valve retainer.

Clause 106. The package of clause 105, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein a radially-inner end of the outer segment is coupled to the outer segment axially between an upper end of the outer segment and a lower end of the outer segment.

Clause 107. The package of clause 106, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the upper end of the outer segment, the inner segment, and the valve retainer cooperate to define the valve-receiving recess.

Clause 108. The package of clause 102, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein a lower surface of the center post is axially downward from a lower surface of the retention wall.

Clause 109. The package of clause 108, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein at least a portion of the outer retention edge extends axially upward from the valve-receiving recess.

Clause 110. The package of clause 102, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the retention wall is formed to include a radially-outer end coupled to the cradle-support wall and a radially-inner end coupled to the at least one arm.

Clause 111. The package of clause 110, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the retention wall extends perpendicular to the central axis between the radially-outer and the radially-inner end.

Clause 112. The package of clause 112, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the at least one arm extends perpendicular to the central axis between the radially-inner end of the retention wall and a lower end of the center post.

Clause 113. The package of clause 14, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the at least one arm blocks the valve from moving axially downward from a lower end of the center post.

Clause 114. The package of clause 14, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the main body slopes axially downward the cradle mount towards the center post.

Clause 115. The package of clause 14, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein an upper surface of the center post defines an upper opening that opens axially downward into a hollow space extending from the upper surface towards a lower surface of the center post such that the hollow space is in fluid communication with the inner edge of the flexible valve.

Clause 116. The package of clause 115, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the lower surface of the center post is formed to include a lower opening that opens axially upward into the hollow space.

Clause 117. The package of clause 116, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the center post further includes a vent flap coupled to the lower surface of the center post to pivotally rotate about a pivot axis between the vent flap and the lower surface between an open position in which a portion of the vent flap is spaced apart axially downward from the lower surface to define a gap to allow fluid material to pass downward therebetween when the flexible valve is in the normally-closed position and a closed position in which the portion of the vent flap engages the lower surface to block fluid material from passing upward therebetween when the flexible valve is in the pressurized-open position.

Clause 118. The package of clause 14, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the controller mount and the valve cradle are formed together as one piece.

Clause 119. A dispensing closure for a container comprising a base and a product-discharge controller.

Clause 120. The dispensing closure of clause 119, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the base includes an annular wall extending circumferentially around a central axis of the dispensing closure.

Clause 121. The dispensing closure of clause 120, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the base further includes a top wall coupled to the annular wall and extending radially inward towards the central axis.

Clause 122. The dispensing closure of clause 121, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the base further includes a controller mount coupled to the top wall.

Clause 123. The dispensing closure of clause 122, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the controller mount includes a cradle-support wall.

Clause 124. The dispensing closure of clause 123, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the controller mount further includes a valve retainer coupled to an upper end of the cradle-support wall and extending radially inward towards the central axis.

Clause 125. The dispensing closure of clause 124, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the valve retainer establishes a product-discharge outlet of the dispensing closure.

Clause 126. The dispensing closure of clause 125, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the product-discharge controller has a valve cradle formed to include a product-discharge passageway.

Clause 127. The dispensing closure of clause 126, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the product-discharge controller further includes a flexible valve configured to change between a normally-closed position in which the product-discharge passageway is closed off from the product-discharge outlet and a pressurized-open arrangement in which the product-discharge passageway is in fluid communication with the product-discharge outlet.

Clause 128. The dispensing closure of clause 127, wherein the valve cradle cooperates with the valve retainer of the controller mount to fix an outer retention edge of the flexible valve therebetween.

Clause 129. The dispensing closure of clause 128, wherein the flexible valve includes the outer retention edge, an inner edge arranged radially inward from the outer retention edge, and a main body extending between the outer retention edge and the inner edge.

Clause 130. The dispensing closure of clause 129, wherein the valve cradle includes a retention wall coupled to the cradle-support wall, a center post arranged radially inward from the retention wall, and at least one arm extending between the retention wall and the center post to establish the product-discharge passageway such that the product-discharge passageway is offset from the central axis.

Clause 131. The dispensing closure of clause 130, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the inner edge of the flexible valve engages the center post of the valve cradle when the flexible valve is in the normally-closed position and is spaced apart axially and/or radially from the center post when the flexible valve is in the pressurized-open position.

Clause 132. The dispensing closure of clause 130, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the dispensing closure further comprises a lid coupled to the base with a hinge of the dispensing closure and being configured to change between a closed position in which the lid closes the product-discharge outlet and an open position in which the lid is rotated about a pivot axis defined by the hinge to open the product-discharge outlet.

Clause 133. The dispensing closure of clause 132, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the lid includes an annular wall extending circumferentially around an axis of the lid and a top wall coupled to the annular wall.

Clause 134. The dispensing closure of clause 133, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the lid further includes an outer ring coupled to the top wall and arranged radially inward from the annular wall.

Clause 135. The dispensing closure of clause 134, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the lid further includes an inner ring coupled to the top wall and arranged radially inward from the outer ring.

Clause 136. The dispensing closure of clause 135, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein an inner surface of the outer ring is configured to engage an outer surface of the cradle-support wall.

Clause 137. The dispensing closure of clause 136, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the inner surface of the outer ring is formed to include an outlet retainer extending radially inward from the outer ring.

Clause 138. The dispensing clause of clause 137, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the outer surface of the cradle-support wall is formed to include an outer-wall retainer extending radially outward from cradle-support wall so that the outlet retainer mates with the outer-wall retainer when the lid is in the closed position.

Clause 139. The dispensing closure of clause 135, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein a lower end of the inner ring is configured to engage an upper surface of the main body of the flexible valve when the lid is in the closed position.

Clause 140. The dispensing closure of clause 135, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein a lower end of the inner ring is spaced apart axially upward from an upper end of the center post when the lid is in the closed position.

Clause 141. The dispensing closure of clause 135, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein a lower end of the inner ring is spaced apart axially downward from an upper end of the center post when the lid is in the closed position.

Clause 142. The dispensing closure of clause 141, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein an inner surface of the inner ring engages an outer surface of the center post when the lid is in the closed position.

Clause 143. The dispensing closure of clause 130, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the base and the valve cradle are formed together as one piece.

Clause 144. A method of making and using a package comprising providing a container.

Clause 145. The method of clause 144, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the package is formed to include an interior product-storage region.

Clause 146. The method of clause 145, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the package further includes a filler neck defining an opening arranged to open into the interior-product storage region.

Clause 147. The method of clause 146, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, the method further comprising providing a dispensing closure.

Clause 148. The method of clause 147, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the dispensing closure includes a product-discharge controller that is formed to include a product-discharge passageway.

Clause 149. The method of clause 148, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the product-discharge controller includes a valve cradle and a flexible valve being configured to change between a normally-closed position in which fluid material stored in the interior product-storage region of the container is blocked from exiting the product-discharge passageway and a pressurized-open position in which the fluid material passes through the product-discharge passageway in the event the container is squeezed to pressurize the fluid material stored in the interior product-storage region.

Clause 150. The method of clause 149, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, the flexible valve comprising a material free of silicone.

Clause 151. The method of clause 150, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, further comprising coupling the dispensing closure to the filler neck to provide a package.

Clause 152. The method of clause 151, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, further comprising dispensing the fluid material from the interior-product storage region.

Clause 153. The method of clause 152, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, further comprising recycling the package in a polypropylene stream.

Clause 154. The dispensing closure of clause 119, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, further comprising the base being configured to be mounted on a container.

Clause 155. The dispensing closure of clause 154, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the base includes a controller mount.

Clause 156. The dispensing closure of clause 155, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the controller mount includes a cradle-support wall and a valve retainer.

Clause 157. The dispensing closure of clause 156, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the valve retainer is coupled to the cradle-support wall and extends radially inward towards a central axis of the dispensing closure.

Clause 158. The dispensing closure of clause 157, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the valve retainer establishes a product-discharge outlet of the dispensing closure.

Clause 159. The dispensing closure of clause 158, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the product-discharge controller includes a valve cradle and flexible valve.

Clause 160. The dispensing closure of clause 159, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the valve cradle is formed to include a product-discharge passageway.

Clause 161. The dispensing closure of clause 160, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the flexible valveis configured to change between a normally-closed position in which the product-discharge passageway is closed off from the product-discharge outlet and a pressurized-open position in which the product-discharge passageway is in fluid communication with the product-discharge outlet.

Clause 162. The dispensing closure of clause 161, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the valve cradle includes a retention wall and a center post.

Clause 163. The dispensing closure of clause 162, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the retention wall is coupled to the cradle-support wall.

Clause 164. The dispensing closure of clause 163, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the center post is arranged radially inward from the retention wall to cooperate with the retention wall to define the product-discharge passageway therebetween.

Clause 165. The dispensing closure of clause 164, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the product-discharge passageway is offset from the central axis.

Clause 166. The dispensing closure of clause 165, any other suitable clause, or any combination of suitable clauses, wherein the flexible valve is axially-retained between the retention wall and valve retainer of the controller mount and engages the center post when the flexible valve is in the normally-closed position and is separated from the center post when the flexible valve is in the pressurized open position.

Claims

1. A package comprising a container formed to include an interior product-storage region and a filler neck defining an opening arranged to open into the interior-product storage region, anda dispensing closure coupled to the filler neck, the dispensing closure including a controller mount and a product-discharge controller that is formed to include a product-discharge passageway, the product-discharge controller including a valve cradle and a flexible valve being configured to change between a normally-closed position in which fluid material stored in the interior product-storage region of the container is blocked from exiting the product-discharge passageway and a pressurized-open position in which the fluid material passes through the product-discharge passageway in the event the container is squeezed to pressurize the fluid material stored in the interior product-storage region,wherein the valve cradle is coupled to the controller mount and the flexible valve is arranged to lie axially between the cradle and an upper end of the controller mount, the valve cradle includes a center post arranged radially inward from the controller mount relative to a central axis of the dispensing closure and at least one arm extending between the controller mount and the center post to establish the product-discharge passageway such that the product-discharge passageway is offset from the central axis toward the controller mount.

2. The package of claim 1, wherein the controller mount includes a cradle-support wall extending upwardly from the top wall and a valve retainer extending radially inward from an upper end of the cradle-support wall to define a product-discharge outlet of the dispensing closure, and the valve cradle further includes a retention wall coupled to the at least one arm and arranged radially outward from the center post.

3. The package of claim 2, wherein the flexible valve includes an outer retention edge fixed axially between the valve retainer and the retention wall, an inner edge arranged radially inward from the outer retention edge, and a main body extending between the outer retention edge and the inner edge.

4. The package of claim 3, wherein the inner edge of the flexible valve is sized to engage an outer surface of the center post to establish the normally-closed position so that the fluid material is blocked from passing through the product-discharge passageway into the product-discharge outlet.

5. The package of claim 4, wherein the main body of the flexible valve pivots upward in response to applying pressure below the flexible valve to provide a gap between the outer surface of the center post and the inner edge of the flexible valve to establish the pressurized-open position so that the product-discharge passageway is in fluid communication with the product-storage discharge outlet for fluid material to pass through.

6. The package of claim 3, wherein the retention wall and the valve retainer cooperate to define a valve-receiving recess for the outer retention edge to fix the outer retention edge therebetween.

7. The package of claim 1, wherein the flexible valve includes an inner edge that extends circumferentially around an outer surface of the center post and engages the outer surface of the center post such that the product-discharge passageway is blocked to establish the normally-closed position and is moved upward away from the center post such that a gap is defined between the outer surface of the center post and the inner edge of the flexible valve so that the product-discharge passageway is open to establish the pressurized-open position.

8. The package of claim 7, wherein the inner edge of the flexible valve is arranged axially downward from an upper end of the center post when the flexible valve is in the normally-closed position.

9. A dispensing closure for a container, the dispensing closure comprising a base configured to be mounted on a container, the base including a controller mount having a cradle-support wall and a valve retainer coupled to the cradle-support wall and extending radially inward towards a central axis of the dispensing closure, the valve retainer establishing a product-discharge outlet of the dispensing closure, anda product-discharge controller having a valve cradle formed to include a product-discharge passageway and a flexible valve configured to change between a normally-closed position in which the product-discharge passageway is closed off from the product-discharge outlet and a pressurized-open position in which the product-discharge passageway is in fluid communication with the product-discharge outlet,wherein the valve cradle includes a retention wall coupled to the cradle-support wall and a center post arranged radially inward from the retention wall to cooperate with the retention wall to define the product-discharge passageway therebetween such that the product-discharge passageway is offset from the central axis, and wherein the flexible valve is axially-retained between the retention wall and valve retainer of the controller mount and engages the center post when the flexible valve is in the normally-closed position and is separated from the center post when the flexible valve is in the pressurized open position.

10. The package of claim 9, wherein the flexible valve comprises material free of silicone.

11. The package of claim 10, wherein the flexible valve comprises thermoplastic elastomer.

12. The package of claim 9, wherein the fluid material is blocked from passing through the center post of the valve cradle.

13. The package of claim 9, wherein the dispensing closure includes an annular wall, a top wall coupled to the annular wall and extending radially inward from an upper end of the annular wall, and the controller mount coupled to the top wall, the controller mount including a cradle-support wall extending upwardly from the top wall and a valve retainer extending radially inward from an upper end of the cradle-support wall to define a product-discharge outlet of the dispensing closure.

14. The package of claim 9, wherein an upper surface of the at least one arm slopes downward from the controller mount towards the center post.

15. The package of claim 9, wherein the valve cradle further includes a retention wall coupled to the at least one arm and arranged radially outward from the center post to cooperate with the at least one arm and an outer surface of the center post to define the product-discharge passageway.

16. The package of claim 9, wherein the at least one arm blocks the valve from moving axially downward from a lower end of the center post.

17. A dispensing closure for a container, the dispensing closure comprising a base including an annular wall extending circumferentially around a central axis of the dispensing closure, a top wall coupled to the annular wall and extending radially inward towards the central axis, and a controller mount coupled to the top wall, the controller mount including a cradle-support wall and a valve retainer coupled to an upper end of the cradle-support wall and extending radially inward towards the central axis, the valve retainer establishing a product-discharge outlet of the dispensing closure, anda product-discharge controller having a valve cradle formed to include a product-discharge passageway and a flexible valve configured to change between a normally-closed position in which the product-discharge passageway is closed off from the product-discharge outlet and a pressurized-open arrangement in which the product-discharge passageway is in fluid communication with the product-discharge outlet,wherein the valve cradle cooperates with the valve retainer of the controller mount to fix an outer retention edge of the flexible valve therebetween, the flexible valve including the outer retention edge, an inner edge arranged radially inward from the outer retention edge, and a main body extending between the outer retention edge and the inner edge, the valve cradle including a retention wall coupled to the cradle-support wall, a center post arranged radially inward from the retention wall, and at least one arm extending between the retention wall and the center post to establish the product-discharge passageway such that the product-discharge passageway is offset from the central axis.

18. The dispensing closure of claim 17, wherein the inner edge of the flexible valve engages the center post of the valve cradle when the flexible valve is in the normally-closed position and is spaced apart axially from the center post when the flexible valve is in the pressurized-open position.

19. The dispensing closure of claim 17, wherein the dispensing closure further comprises a lid coupled to the base with a hinge of the dispensing closure and being configured to change between a closed position in which the lid closes the product-discharge outlet and an open position in which the lid is rotated about a pivot axis defined by the hinge to open the product-discharge outlet.

20. The dispensing closure of claim 17, wherein the base and the valve cradle are formed together as one piece.