Universal spill proof cap

Abstract

Disclosed are novel universal spill proof caps for after market use.

1 . A sealing and dispensing closure for an outlet opening of a container containing a consumable beverage, and comprising: 
 a) a closure body adapted to be assembled to the outlet opening of the container, said closure body including a tubular spout of substantial height and which is adapted to communicate with the outlet opening of the container and through which the liquid contained in the container is adapted to be dispensed,    b) a self sealing dispensing valve which includes a marginal annular flange, and which is movable by either external or internal pressure on the container between a closed position and an open position: and    c) means mounting said self sealing dispensing valve below said spout and including an inwardly facing annular surface below said spout, with said marginal annular flange of said valve overlying said annular surface, an annular shoulder below said spout, and an annular retaining ring supported by said annular shoulder below said spout and engaging the side of the marginal annular flange opposite the annular surface.    
   
   
       2 . The closure as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the closure body further includes an internally threaded sleeve which is adapted to be threadedly joined to the outlet opening of the container and which has a predetermined axial height, and wherein said spout has a height which at least equals about one half the predetermined axial height of the sleeve.  
   
   
       3 . The closure as defined in  claim 2 , wherein the diameter of the spout is substantially less than the diameter of the threaded sleeve, and wherein the spout is coaxially joined to the threaded sleeve by means of a generally flat annular flange.  
   
   
       4 . The closure as defined in  claim 3  further comprising a flexible liner positioned within the threaded sleeve of the closure body for sealably engaging the outlet opening of the container when the closure is threadedly assembled thereon.  
   
   
       5 . A container for containing and dispensing a consumable beverage and comprising: 
 a) a container having a flexible body portion and an externally threaded outlet opening,    b) a sealing and dispensing closure joined to the outlet opening of the container and comprising 
 (i) a closure body which includes a tubular spout of substantial height and which communicates with the outlet opening of the container and through which the liquid contained in the container is adapted to be dispensed, said spout having an internal bore which includes an inwardly facing annular surface and an annular shoulder spaced below said annular surface,  
 (ii) a self sealing dispensing valve mounted below said spout and being movable by either external or internal pressure on the container between a closed position and an open position, said self-sealing dispensing valve including a marginal flange overlying said annular surface, and  
 (iii) an annular retaining ring supported by said annular shoulder and engaging the side of the marginal flange opposite the annular surface.  
   
   
   
       6 . The package as defined in  claim 5 , wherein said outlet opening of said container is externally threaded, and wherein said closure body includes an internally threaded sleeve which is threadedly joined to the outlet opening of the container.  
   
   
       7 . The package as defined in  claim 6 , wherein the threaded sleeve of the closure body has a predetermined axial height, and wherein said spout has a height which at least equals about one half the predetermined axial height of the sleeve.  
   
   
       8 . The package as defined in  claim 7 , wherein the diameter of the spout is substantially less than the diameter of the threaded sleeve, and wherein the spout is coaxially joined to the threaded sleeve by means of a generally flat annular flange.  
   
   
       9 . The package as defined in  claim 5 , wherein the self sealing dispensing valve is configured so as to assume a generally downwardly concave configuration which is wholly below the spout.  
   
   
       10 . A sealing and dispensing closure for an outlet opening of a flexible container containing a consumable beverage, and comprising 
 a closure body including an internally threaded sleeve which is adapted to be threadedly joined to the outlet opening of the container and which has a predetermined axial height, and a tubular spout extending axially outwardly from the threaded sleeve a substantial distance and which is adapted to communicate with the outlet opening of the container and through which the liquid contained in the container is adapted to be dispensed,    a self sealing dispensing valve mounted below said spout, and which is movable by either external or internal pressure on the container between a closed position and an open position.    
   
   
       11 . The closure as defined in  claim 10 , wherein said spout has an axial height which is at least about one half the predetermined axial height of the sleeve.  
   
   
       12 . The closure as defined in  claim 10 , wherein the diameter of the spout is substantially less than the diameter of the threaded sleeve, and wherein the spout is coaxially joined to the threaded sleeve by means of a generally flat annular flange.  
   
   
       13 . The closure as defined in  claim 10 , wherein the self sealing dispensing valve is configured so as to assume a generally downwardly concave configuration which is wholly below the spout.  
   
   
       14 . The closure as defined in  claim 13 , wherein said spout extends axially outwardly from the threaded sleeve a distance which is at least about one half the predetermined axial height of the threaded sleeve.