Dispensing closure with pressure-actuated flexible valve

Claim 1

A dispensing closure suitable for an opening in a squeeze-type container which has cooperating means for engagement by said closure to secure said closure on said container, said closure comprising: a body for attachment to said container at said container opening to define a dispensing passage for communication between the container interior and exterior through said container opening; a flexible, self-sealing valve of the type which opens in response to increased container pressure, said valve being disposed in said body across said dispensing passage; and said body having a skirt with securing means for engaging said cooperating means on said container, said body further having top wall extending inwardly from said skirt to define said dispensing passage and to define a receiving cavity means for receiving said valve, said body including flexure means for permitting outward displacement of said receiving cavity means with a minimum of distortion, said flexure means including an annular channel located in said top wall radially outwardly of said receiving cavity means and opening upwardly around said receiving cavity means to define ar educed thickness section of said top wall to accommodate elongation of said section when said top wall is engaged by said container.