Squeeze bottle dispensing closure with vent valve

Abstract

A closure is provided for use in a squeeze-type container that defines a discharge opening communicating with the container interior in which the fluid product is contained. The closure includes a body for being mounted to the container over the container opening. An insert member is mounted in the body. In one embodiment, the insert member defines a dispensing orifice through which the container contents can be dispensed, and the closure body defines a vent aperture adjacent the insert member for cooperating with the insert member to define a vent passage between the container opening and the ambient atmosphere. A resilient sealing lip is defined by the insert member for sealingly engaging the interior surface of the closure body around the vent aperture in a closed position. The sealing lip is shifted out of sealing engagement to an open position when the ambient atmospheric pressure exceeds the pressure within the container, and this permits equalization of the container pressure the ambient atmospheric pressure. A lid is provided for being moved to a closed position on the closure body, and the lid has a plug member for being sealingly received in the dispensing orifice of the insert member to occlude the dispensing orifice. In another embodiment, the dispensing orifice and vent aperture are separately defined within, and by, the closure body.