Closures for a flowable product

Abstract

A closure for a flowable product is provided. The closure comprises a base (15) and a lid (20). The base comprises a flowable product dispensing passage (30) along the longitudinal length of the base extending from a first end of the base to a second end of the base. The base further comprises a sealing element (40) configured to be coupled within the dispensing passage of the base such that the dispensing passage is sealed and the flowable product cannot pass through the dispensing passage. Additionally, the base comprises a pressing element (50) configured to be pressed and displaced between a first operational position and a second operational position such that when the pressing element is at the first operational position the pressing element does not contact with the sealing element (40) and the flowable product cannot pass through the dispensing passage, and when the pressing element is at the second operational position, the pressing element contacts and breaks the sealing element (40) and the flowable product can pass through the dispensing passage.

1 . A closure for a flowable product comprising:
 a base and a lid, the base and the lid being joint together by a hinge such that the lid is movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the base extends longitudinally from a first end to a second end,   wherein the base comprises a flowable product dispensing passage along the longitudinal length of the base extending from the first end to the second end of the base,   wherein the base comprises a sealing element configured to be coupled within the dispensing passage of the base such that the dispensing passage is sealed and the flowable product cannot pass through the dispensing passage,   wherein the base further comprises a pressing element configured to be pressed and displaced between a first operational position and a second operational position such that when the pressing element is at the first operational position the pressing element does not contact with the sealing element and the flowable product cannot pass through the dispensing passage, and when the pressing element is at the second operational position, the pressing element contacts and breaks the sealing element and the flowable product can pass through the dispensing passage.   
     
     
         2 .- 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein the closure is a flip-top closure and the base is connectable to a dispensing opening of a container, specifically an edible oil container. 
     
     
         17 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein the base further comprises a substantially cylindrical sidewall, an annular top platform and a cylindrical dispensing spout situated in the centre of the platform. 
     
     
         18 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein the pressing element comprises an annular outer collar, a central hub and a plurality of spokes extending from the annular outer collar to the central hub. 
     
     
         19 . The closure of  claim 18 , wherein a plurality of through-holes are defined between corresponding spokes and the through-holes, the spokes, the central hub and the annular outer collar are arranged to control the flux of flowable product when flowing through the dispensing passage such that the gurgling of the flowable product is at least partially reduced. 
     
     
         20 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein the pressing element is substantially circular-shaped and the pressing element comprises a cross-sectional profile defined including an first slope comprising a continuous increase of the height of the pressing element from an initial height to a maximum height during a first part of the diameter of the pressing element, and a second slope comprising a continuous decrease of the height of the pressing element from the maximum height to a second height during a second part of the diameter of the pressing element. 
     
     
         21 . The closure of  claim 20 , wherein the pressing element comprises a substantially cylindrical side wall configured to be connected to an inner portion of the dispensing passage by a plurality of frangible bridges. 
     
     
         22 . The closure of  claim 21 , wherein the pressing element and the base are joint together by a hinge such that, when the pressing element is first opened with a sufficient force to overcome the force present in the frangible bridges, the pressing element is pivotable, via the hinge, between the first operational position and the second operational position. 
     
     
         23 . The closure of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more tamper evident elements frangibly connected to the lid, wherein the base comprises one or more recesses into which the corresponding tamper evident element is engaged such that, when the tamper evident elements are separated with respect to the lid, the tamper-evident elements move into the corresponding recess. 
     
     
         24 . The closure of  claim 23 , wherein the tamper-evident elements comprise marks, wherein the marks are adapted to be visible when the lid is in a closed position and the marks are not visible when the is displaced into the corresponding recess after the lid is opened for the first time. 
     
     
         25 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein the pressing element comprises one or more cutting elements situated at a lower surface of the pressing element, wherein when the pressing element is at the first operational position the cutting elements do not touch the sealing element and when the pressing element is at the second operational position the cutting elements puncture and break the sealing element. 
     
     
         26 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises one or more arcuated slots and the lid comprises one or more spaced apart connectors, wherein the connectors are adapted to mate with the slots using a snap fit locking mechanism. 
     
     
         27 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein the base, the lid and the sealing element are made of the same material, specifically the material is polyolefin. 
     
     
         28 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing element comprises a stretched film and the stretched film is configured to break and retract without any material separation upon contact of the pressing element with the sealing element, specifically the sealing element is thinner than 100 microns. 
     
     
         29 . A kit for containing and dispensing a flowable product comprising:
 a container comprising an interior space for housing the flowable product and a filling and dispensing spout,   the closure of  claim 1 , wherein the base of the closure is configured to be attached to the filling and dispensing spout.