Closure for a Container

Abstract

In the field of containers there is a need for a re-usable closure that conveniently provides a user with control over access to the contents of the container. A closure ( 40; 71; 91 ), for a container ( 30 ), comprises a closure member ( 45; 93 ) and a key member ( 45; 94 ). The closure member ( 45; 93 ) includes an opening ( 51 ) formed in communication with a concealed sealing member ( 52; 73 ). The sealing member ( 52; 73 ) is moveable between a closed position towards which it is resiliently biased and an open position. The opening ( 51 ) defines a conduit ( 53 ) for either dispensing the contents of the container ( 30 ) or adding contents to the container ( 30 ). The closure member ( 45; 93 ) also includes and access channel ( 54; 97 ) in communication with the sealing member ( 52; 73 ). The key member ( 45; 94 ) includes an engagement portion ( 56 ) that is co-operable with the access channel ( 54; 97 ), whereby the engagement portion ( 56 ) is moveable within the access channel ( 54; 97 ), so as to move the sealing member ( 52; 73 ) into the open position, when the closure member ( 45; 93 ) and the key member ( 45; 94 ) are releasably engaged together.

1 . A closure, for a container, comprising a closure member and a key member, the closure member including an opening formed in communication with a concealed sealing member, the sealing member being moveable between a closed position towards which it is resiliently biased and an open position, the opening defining a conduit for at least one of dispensing the contents of the container or adding contents to the container; the closure member further including an access channel in communication with the sealing member; and the key member including an engagement portion that is co-operable with the access channel, whereby the engagement portion is moveable within the access channel, so as to move the sealing member into the open position, when the closure member and the key member are releasably engaged together.  
   
   
       2 . A closure according to  claim 1  wherein one of the engagement portion and the access channel includes at least one protrusion and the other of the engagement portion and the access channel includes at least one co-operable first recess.  
   
   
       3 . A closure according to  claim 1  or  claim 2  wherein one of the engagement portion and the access channel includes at least one second recess in communication with a respective first recess and extending at an angle therefrom, the or each second recess including an elongate member moveably secured therein, the elongate member extending through one of the engagement portion and the closure member whereby the elongate member is moveable by a respective protrusion into engagement with the sealing member, so as to move the sealing member into the open position, when the closure member and the key member are releasably engaged together.  
   
   
       4 . A closure according to any preceding claim wherein the closure member is formed integrally with the container; and/or removably or fixedly secured to the container.  
   
   
       5 . A closure according to  claim 4  wherein the container includes a tamper-evident member disposed between the closure member and the container.  
   
   
       6 . A closure according to any preceding claim wherein one of the closure member and the key member includes at least one first engagement member and the other of the closure member and the key member includes at least one further engagement member that is engageable with the first engagement member, so as to permit the releasable engagement of the key member and the closure member when the sealing member is in at least one of the open position and the closed position.  
   
   
       7 . A closure according to any preceding claim wherein the closure member includes a shield member that conceals the sealing member, the shield member permitting the dispensing of the contents of the container or the addition of contents to the container, but preventing a person from moving the sealing member via the conduit.  
   
   
       8 . A closure according to  claim 7  wherein the shield member is secured within the conduit.  
   
   
       9 . A closure according to  claim 7  wherein the shield member includes at least one leg extending therefrom, the or each leg being receivable within a respective cavity in the sealing member, whereby the shield member is moveable against a biasing force between a position displaced from the sealing member and a position adjacent to the sealing member.  
   
   
       10 . A closure according to  claim 9  wherein at least one said leg includes a first locking member that is engageable with a further locking formation in a said cavity, whereby the shield member is lockable in the position adjacent to the sealing member so as to prevent movement of the sealing member to the open position.  
   
   
       11 . A closure according to either of claims  9  or  10  wherein the conduit includes at least one retention member, the or each retention member preventing removal of the shield member.  
   
   
       12 . A closure according to any preceding claim wherein the sealing member includes a substantially rigid frame, the frame including at least one spring member protruding therefrom, the or each spring member resiliently biasing the sealing member towards the closed position.  
   
   
       13 . A closure member according to  claim 12  wherein the sealing member further includes a first sealing portion co-operable with the conduit in the closure member to seal the conduit, and a second sealing portion arranged to prevent the dispensing of the contents of the container and the addition of contents to the container via the access channel.  
   
   
       14 . A closure according to  claim 13  wherein the first sealing portion includes a stopper and the conduit includes a co-operable seal, the stopper and the seal combining to seal the conduit.  
   
   
       15 . A closure member according to any preceding claim wherein the closure member has a substantially circular cross-sectional profile and includes a liner; the access channel has a substantially circular cross-section and is disposed between the liner and an outer wall of the closure member; and the engagement portion of the key member defines a hollow tube having a substantially circular cross-section.  
   
   
       16 . A closure member according to  claim 15  wherein the key member includes one of a spout; a nozzle; and a nipple.  
   
   
       17 . A closure according to any preceding claim wherein the closure member includes a removeable cap.  
   
   
       18 . A closure according to any preceding claim wherein the closure member includes at least one tamper-evident seal, the or each tamper-evident seal sealing at least one of the opening and the access channel of the closure member.