Bi-directional operating closure for a liquid container

Abstract

A bi-directional closure to dispense liquid through the open mouth of a container having a projecting handle. The closure includes a closing member fitting into the container open mouth to seal the mouth and the closing member has a pair of spaced outlet ports. A lid is rotatably mounted relative to the closing member and has a pair of spaced liquid pouring openings and a pair of spaced air holes and an operating lever is mounted on one of the closing member and lid and projects therefrom for rotating one relative to the other. When the lid is in a home position relative to the closing member with the operating lever aligned with the container handle the pair of outlet ports of the closing member are sealed. Rotation of the lid relative to the closing member in one direction from the home position by a predetermined amount to a first position by moving the operating lever aligns a respective one of the lid pouring openings with a closing member outlet port and one of the lid air holes with the other of the closing member outlet ports. Rotation of the lid relative to the closing member in a second direction opposite to the first direction by a predetermined amount to a second position by operating the lever aligns the other of the lid pouring openings with the other outlet port of the closing member and the lid one other air hole with the closing member one outlet port. The arrangement permits use by a person who uses either the right or left hand.