Closure for a container

Abstract

A closure valve for a container is disclosed. The container has a cap region defining a substantially tubular channel through which contents of a container can exit. The valve has a body portion ( 20 ) housed within the channel and moveable between a closed position, which prevents flow of contents, and an open position which allows flow. Internal pressure within a container, acts to cause movement to the open position. A head portion ( 28 ) of the body portion ( 20 ) seals the outer aperture of the channel when in the closed position. A flange ( 21 ) is located within and spans the channel, whereby excess pressure within the container acts on the flange ( 21 ) to move the body portion to an open position, in order to allow fluid contents to pass therethrough, the flange includes one or more apertures. Moreover, the closure valve includes one or more resilient elements ( 30 ) operably connected to the valve body portion ( 20 ) and biased to retain the body portion ( 20 ) in the channel closing position.

1 . A closure valve for a container, the container having a cap region defining a substantially tubular channel through which contents of a container can exit, the valve having a body portion ( 20 ) housed within the channel and moveable between a closed position preventing flow of contents and an open position allowing flow,
 said movement to the open position being operable by increased internal pressure within a container,   the body portion ( 20 ) including a head portion ( 28 ), sealing the outer aperture of the channel when in the closed position,   a flange ( 21 ) located within and spanning the channel, excess pressure within the container acting on the flange ( 21 ) to move the body portion to an open position,   the flange ( 21 ) including one or more apertures ( 26 ) allowing fluid contents to pass there-through,   the closure valve including one or more resilient elements ( 30 ) operably connected to the valve body portion ( 20 ) and biased to retain the body portion ( 20 ) in the channel closing position.   
     
     
         2 . A closure valve according to  claim 1 , wherein the channel includes a stop member ( 22 ) to limit the extent of inward movement into a container of the body portion ( 20 ) along the channel. 
     
     
         3 . A valve according to  claim 1 , wherein the channel narrows ( 23 ) to engage the flange ( 21 ) and prevent exit of the body portion from the channel. 
     
     
         4 . A closure valve according to  claim 1 , wherein the body portion ( 20 ) is hollow. 
     
     
         5 . A closure valve according to  claim 1 , wherein the flange ( 21 ) is integral with the body portion. 
     
     
         6 . A closure valve according to  claim 1 , wherein the or each resilient element ( 30 ) is integral with the body portion ( 20 ) and so configured to undergo tension stress on movement of the body portion to open the valve. 
     
     
         7 . A closure valve according to  claim 1 , wherein the or each resilient member is an elongate element engaging the end wall of the channel. 
     
     
         8 . A closure valve according to  claim 7 , wherein the valve has four resilient members ( 30 ) evenly spaced around the body portion. 
     
     
         9 . A valve according to  claim 6 , wherein the or each resilient member ( 30 ) has an arcuate configuration. 
     
     
         10 . A closure valve according to  claim 1 , wherein the upper exterior-facing the surface of the flange is curved or tapered to assist flow of unrequired material back into the container. 
     
     
         11 . A closure valve according to  claim 1 , wherein the flange is orientated perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the channel.