Abstract: A dispensing closure (18) for a container (10) of liquid product (70, 72) which is sealed by a piercable diaphragm (16). The closure includes a piercing member 924) which is moveable through a predetermined distance towards the container and which has a cutting edge arranged to pierce the diaphragm to form a dispensing aperture. At the end of its movement towards the interior of the container, the piercing member is arranged to plug the dispensing aperture against escape of the product when the container is inverted prior to dispensing. The closure is particularly useful for liquid products which tend to separate into a lighter (70) and heavier (72) fraction during storage. The closure prevents dripping of the lighter fraction when the container is inverted and allows the heavier fraction to displace the lighter fraction adjacent to the dispensing aperture before dispensing occurs.

Abstract: A dispensing closure (1) incorporating a flexible, self-closing valve (5) and a transport seal for preventing accidential dispensing of product through the valve during transportation and storage of a filled container. The closure includes a cover (4), which is adapted to move axially between raised and lowered positions, to actuate the transport seal. The transport seal comprises a sealing plate (8), located between the valve and the container opening, which partially occludes the container opening but defines at least one dispensing orifice (9). To form the transport seal, the cover is lowered so that it presses part of the flexible valve against the sealing plate around the dispensing orifice/s, thereby blocking the dispensing passageway to the valve.