Ventilation flap closure with two dispensing openings

Abstract

The invention also relates to a system having a container and such a closure, wherein the closure is directly or indirectly attached or attachable to the container. A closure (100) for a container, the closure comprising a base element (200) and a flap (300) attached to the base element by a hinge (500) such that the flap is movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the closure comprises a spout (400) for dispensing a fluid material. The spout has a first dispensing opening (410) and a second dispensing opening (420), and the spout additionally comprises a ventilation opening (430).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] The present invention relates to a closure for a container and a system with a container and such a closure. Such a closure is generally used for dispensing a product contained in the container, to which the closure is attached.

[0003] The product to be dispensed is generally a fluid product, such as a liquid or a powdery or granular product, for example in the food or beverage field, but also in other applications, such as for cleaning substances, detergents or other products.

[0004] The present invention particularly relates to a closure having a flap which is attached to a base element by a hinge, and such a flap can move between an open position and a closed position, and the flap generally rotates about the hinge and about a rotation axis between its open position and its closed position.

[0005] Such a closure is known, for example, from EP 2 121 466 B1.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide an enhanced closure for a container and an enhanced system comprising a container and such a closure. The object of the present invention lies particularly in providing an enhanced closure or system which is particularly user-friendly and gives the user the possibility of dispensing different amounts of the fluid stored in such a container and which is easier to dispense through the enhanced closure.

[0007] This object is solved by a closure for a container and a system with a container and such a closure as described hereinafter.

[0008] The closure according to the invention comprises a base element and a flap which is attached to the base element by a hinge so that the flap can move between an open position and a closed position. Preferably, the flap rotates between its open position and its closed position about a rotation axis.

[0009] The closure according to the invention further comprises a mouth for dispensing a fluid material, wherein the mouth can be a separate element, attachable or attached to the base element, but the mouth can also be integrally formed with the base element.

[0010] According to the invention, the mouth has a first dispensing opening and a second dispensing opening which are separated from each other and have different sizes and / or different cross-sectional forms. Alternatively, the mouth has a ventilation opening which is separated from the first dispensing opening and the second dispensing opening and is arranged at least partly between the first opening and the second opening.

[0011] The advantage of such a closure is that it provides two separate dispensing openings with different dispensing or pouring characteristics, enabling the user to select one of the dispensing openings, i.e., the dispensing opening whose dispensing or pouring characteristics are more suitable for the currently desired dispensing activity. Thus, in case the user wants to dispense a large amount of fluid, the user can select one of the dispensing openings, for example, the dispensing opening that is larger than the other dispensing opening, thereby reducing the time spent. Alternatively, in case the user wants to dispense a smaller amount of fluid, or the user wants to more precisely control the amount of fluid to be dispensed, the user can also select the dispensing opening that is smaller than the other dispensing opening.

[0012] The vent opening is additionally provided and is at least partially located between the first dispensing opening and the second dispensing opening, ensuring more controlled dispensing, especially since it at least partially separates the first dispensing opening from the second dispensing opening and enables air to enter the container controllably through the vent opening during dispensing. Thus, the clear arrangement of the three separate openings not only provides a controlled dispensing activity, avoiding potentially undesirable turbulence of the fluid to be dispensed and ensuring, at least to a large extent, a substantially laminar dispensing flow of the fluid to be dispensed, but also provides the user with a clear guidance on how to correctly control the dispensing, typically by tilting the container so as to pour the liquid through one of the two dispensing openings, which can be selected by the direction of tilting the container. The clearer separation between each opening, i.e., between the two dispensing openings and the vent opening, indeed further assists the user in terms of how to operate the device and provides a clear guidance on the amount of tilting of the container necessary or most convenient for producing a controlled and substantially laminar fluid dispensing.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment, the first dispensing opening and the second dispensing opening are arranged opposite to each other in the circumferential direction of the closure. The advantage of this arrangement is that by tilting the container in one direction or in the opposite direction, the user can simply select the system, especially the direction in which the container with the closure is tilted, in order to select one of the dispensing openings. Thus, the tilting directions are as separated from each other as possible, making it easier for the user to make a clear selection and also limiting the potential impact of the user's imprecise matching of the correct tilting direction.

[0014] In a further preferred embodiment, the first opening and the second opening are axially symmetric with respect to an axis parallel to the axis of rotation, and the flap rotates about this axis when moving between the open position and the closed position. This axis is preferably not only a horizontal axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the flap but also extends through the middle of the closure.

[0015] In this sense and in connection with the description of the closure according to the invention, the closure has a vertical axis or z-axis extending in the vertical direction. If the base element has a substantially cylindrical outer form or a cylindrical skirt, as is usually or often the case, see also the embodiments shown after this specification, this vertical axis or z-axis is also the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical base element or skirt. The upward direction of this vertical axis or z-axis is the orientation direction of the flip-top, which defines the upper part of the closure, while the downward direction of this vertical axis or z-axis is the direction in which the base or the base element is positioned, which defines the lower part of the closure. Thus, the lower part of the closure is the part of the closure that is attached or attachable to the container, and the upper part of the closure is the part of the closure where the flip-top is arranged, on the opposite side of the closure that is attached or attachable to the container.

[0016] In addition to this vertical axis or z-axis, there are also two horizontal axes, a transverse axis or x-axis and a longitudinal axis or y-axis, which are normal to each other and normal to the vertical axis or z-axis, thus defining a coordinate system. The longitudinal axis or y-axis extends through the middle of the closure and through the middle or center of the hinge, while the transverse axis or x-axis extends normal to it.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment, the first opening and the second opening are adjusted and positioned such that the main pouring direction or the substantially pouring direction of the first opening is positioned opposite to the main pouring direction or the substantially pouring direction of the second opening. The main pouring direction or the substantially pouring direction of the opening is usually the direction in which the container is tilted in order to optimally use the dispensing opening, and when the container is tilted, the fluid usually first dispenses through the center of the dispensing opening.

[0018] The pouring directions of the first opening and the second opening are preferably parallel to the plane defined by the axis of rotation and the vertical axis or z-axis of the closure, and when the flip-top moves between the open position and the closed position, the flip-top rotates around this axis of rotation. The pouring direction is particularly preferably in the direction in the plane defined by the vertical axis or z-axis and the transverse axis or x-axis.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment, in a downward top view along the vertical axis or z-axis from above the closure, the middle or center of the hinge defines the 12 o'clock position, where the first opening and the second opening are arranged such that their centers or symmetry axes, preferably the transverse axis or x-axis, are respectively in the 3 o'clock position and the 9 o'clock position, and the openings in the closure are axially symmetrically arranged.

[0020] These arrangements have the particular advantage that the first opening and the second opening are not only arranged in opposite directions, but also when the flip-top is in its open position, it is always in a side position, regardless of which dispensing opening the user uses, thus ensuring that the flip-top does not interfere with the dispensing activity and the flow of the fluid to be dispensed.

[0021] According to a further preferred embodiment, the height of the mouth, in particular the height of the mouth relative to the pedestal of the base element or the upper plane of such pedestal of the base element, is constant over a peripheral angular distance of more than 180°, preferably over a peripheral angular distance of more than 210° or even 240°. Additionally, the mouth has a raised or recessed or reduced height at the angular position closest to the hinge, wherein the raised or recessed or reduced height extends over a peripheral angular distance of at least 30°, preferably over a peripheral angular distance of at least 60° or even at least 90°, and the recess preferably extends in the peripheral direction between 80° and 160°, preferably between 90° and 140°, and further preferably between 100° and 130°.

[0022] The advantage of this specific arrangement is that, when the device is correctly manipulated and in case the user selects one of the dispensing openings and the dispensing direction, the constant height over most or even the main part of the peripheral region of the closure supports a controlled, in particular laminar, dispensing flow through each dispensing opening. However, it also has advantages even in case of incorrect manipulation of the device, i.e., for example, when the user tilts the container away from the hinge, in the direction of the 6 o'clock position with respect to the above top view, the dispensing flow remains substantially laminar while avoiding liquid dripping onto the closure, in particular onto the neck or other parts of the base element. However, in the peripheral direction where the hinge is provided and in the vicinity of the peripheral direction where the closure is located when in its open position, a recess or a protrusion is provided in this peripheral direction, thus avoiding the use of more material, thereby reducing the weight of the closure. Additionally, during the opening and closing of the flap rotating about the axis of rotation, any undesired contact between parts of the flap and the mouth is also avoided, thereby ensuring smooth opening and closing of the flap and avoiding any wear of parts of the mouth or the flap, as such wear may affect the sealing performance of the closure when the flap is in the closed position.

[0023] Additionally, depending on the type of hinge used to connect the base element and the flap, there may be more space for parts of the hinge, thus providing more flexibility in the selection and design of the hinge while also avoiding any potential undesired contact between parts of the hinge or the flap and parts of the mouth, thereby also avoiding wear of parts of the mouth or the flap that may affect the sealing of the closure.

[0024] These specific arrangements not only provide more flexibility for the design of the hinge, but also for the design of the mouthpiece, especially the dimensions of the mouthpiece, particularly in the radial or peripheral direction, including both in the absolute dimensions and in relation to the overall dimensions of the closure or the base element. In particular, the protrusion or depression can provide a possibility to expand the radial extension of the mouthpiece and move the mouthpiece closer to the hinge, while still avoiding contact between any part of the hinge or the flap and the part of the mouthpiece, as these parts can approach or even partially enter the protrusion or depression. This has particular advantages in cases where a larger amount of fluid needs to be dispensed while still keeping the overall dimensions of the closure limited.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, to ensure the above advantages, the closure has only one such protrusion or depression, especially in the area closest to the hinge. At the same time, to ensure smooth dispensing and laminar flow while keeping the height of the mouthpiece constant in other respects, both are used for dispensing through one of the dispensing openings when the container and the closure are used in the correct form and also in the case of user misoperation of the device, as described above.

[0026] According to a preferred embodiment, the minimum height of the protrusion or depression is at most 70%, preferably at most 60%, and preferably in the range of 50% to 70% of the maximum height of the mouthpiece. It has been found that these values are preferred ranges to achieve the above advantages in a particularly preferred manner.

[0027] According to a further specific preferred embodiment, the mouthpiece includes a web disposed within the opening of the mouthpiece, and the web bridges the mouthpiece opening, thereby defining the first opening and the second opening on opposite sides of the web. Additionally, the web itself has an inner opening that defines the ventilation opening. The specific advantage of this arrangement is that the three openings, namely the two dispensing openings and the ventilation opening, are clearly separated, and the web is easy to manufacture, especially by injection molding.

[0028] Depending on the specific implementation, the web is positioned below the minimum height of the mouthpiece or below it with respect to the vertical axis or the z-axis. Preferably, with respect to its height or its vertical axis or the z-axis, the web is positioned on or substantially on the horizontal plane corresponding to the pedestal or pedestal portion of the base element. In one embodiment, the web is designed and positioned such that at each angular position of the mouthpiece, the upper plane of the web is positioned below the upper edge of the mouthpiece. In a specific embodiment, the upper plane of the web is at least 2 mm, preferably at least 3 mm, below the upper edge of the mouthpiece at the angular position where the raised depression has the minimum height. The advantage of this arrangement is that there is a distance between the web and the upper edge of the mouthpiece, preferably at any angular position of the mouthpiece, which further ensures an undisturbed distribution and a substantially laminar flow of the fluid to be distributed.

[0029] In a specific embodiment, the web includes an inner extension wall surrounding the ventilation opening, which extends from the web into the inward or downward direction. The advantage of this inner extension wall is that the ventilation opening is more clearly separated from the distribution opening, ensuring that even if the user's operation of the device is not completely correct, such as strongly tilting the container, the fluid is only distributed through one of the distribution openings, avoiding the fluid from entering or even being distributed through the ventilation opening, at least until the device is misoperated to a certain extent.

[0030] According to a specific embodiment, the closure provides a base element having a tongue member extending upward from the upper region or upper plane of the base element (having a component in the vertical direction or in that direction or at least in the vertical direction or in the convergent direction), wherein the flap has a protrusion extending outward from the flap in a direction normal (or at least having a normal component) to the vertical axis or the z-axis. The tongue and the protrusion are arranged such that they interact with each other to form a bistable system, wherein when the flap is in a predetermined second angular range, the flap is pushed in the direction towards its fully open position. This arrangement provides a more defined positioning for the flap, especially in its fully open position. In this regard, the advantages of the protrusion or depression are also particularly mentioned, as according to such a specific embodiment, the closure may require more space for the hinge or the tongue and the protrusion supporting the opening and closing of the flap. In a specific embodiment, the tongue can even partially extend into the raised or depressed portion of the mouthpiece, especially when the flap is in its fully open position or in a position where the flap is in its bistable position, and in the bistable position, the flap is pushed in the direction towards the fully open position or into the closed position and is only slightly taken out of the bistable position.

[0031] The inventor has found that it is particularly preferred in operation to select the sizes of the first opening and the second opening such that the larger opening is at least 1.5 times, preferably at least 2 times, and further preferably at least 2.5 times larger than the smaller opening. In addition, with regard to the size of the ventilation opening, the inventor has found that it is particularly preferred when the size of the smaller dispensing opening is at least 1.2 times, preferably at least 1.5 times, and further preferably at least 2 times larger than the size of the ventilation opening.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the curvature of the first opening, particularly at the radially outer point, is different from the curvature of the second opening, particularly at the radially outer point, preferably in opposite angular positions. Preferably, with respect to the horizontal axis (x-axis) normal to the vertical axis (z-axis) of the closure, the curvature of the larger of the first or second openings at the relatively radially outer position is less than the curvature of the smaller of the first or second openings. This supports the dispensing or pouring characteristics of the dispensing opening.

[0033] Preferably, the flap has an inner sealing wall that extends from the inner side of the flap and is arranged and positioned such that when the flap is in its closed position, the inner sealing wall is in sealing contact with the mouthpiece, preferably with the inner region of the mouthpiece, so that both the first opening and the second opening as well as the ventilation opening are sealed by the interaction of the inner sealing wall with the mouthpiece. The advantage of this arrangement is that when the flap is in the closed position, all the openings are automatically sealed against the outside, including the ventilation opening.

[0034] It must also be noted that in the case of this arrangement, in the hinge region or in a region close to the hinge, the protrusion or depression of the above-mentioned mouthpiece has a particular advantage, namely that it avoids the early contact of the inner sealing wall with the mouthpiece during the closing movement of the flap, which, as mentioned above due to the hinge, is a rotational movement. Thus, it is possible to ensure the maintenance of the sealing performance, and this is also the case during the long-term use (service life) of the closure with multiple cycles of opening and closing the flap.

[0035] The invention also relates to a system having a container with the above-mentioned closure, where the closure can be attached or is attached to the container, or where the closure is integrally formed with the container. If the closure can be attached or is attached to the container, both the closure and the container include fastening means that can interact with each other. In the case where the closure is integrally formed with the container, it is possible to manufacture the system at least partially as a unit system, for example, a base element or a part of the base element can be integrally formed with a part of the container. It is also possible to fasten the closure and the container together by various attachment systems, such as by welding or gluing, to form such a system.

[0036] These and other advantages of the closure and system according to the present invention will become more apparent in the following figures showing preferred embodiments of the closure according to the present invention.

[0037] Figure 1 A perspective view showing an embodiment of the closure according to the present invention, with the flap in its fully open position;

[0038] Figure 2 Shows according to Figure 1 A top view in the direction along the vertical axis z-axis of the embodiment of the closure according to the present invention shown in

[0039] Figure 3 Shows Figure 1 And Figure 2 A sectional view of the embodiment shown in

[0040] Figure 4 Shows Figure 1 And Figure 2 A partial sectional view of the embodiment shown in the plane defined by the x-axis and the z-axis, with the flap in its fully open position;

[0041] Figure 5 A sectional view in the plane defined by the y-axis and the z-axis of another embodiment according to the present invention, with the flap in an intermediate position between its fully open and its fully closed positions; and

[0042] Figure 6 Shows as Figure 5 A sectional view of the embodiment shown in

[0043] Figure 1 A perspective view showing an embodiment of the closure 100 according to the present invention, which includes a base element 200 with a cylindrical skirt 210, a mouthpiece element or mouth 400, and a flap 300 attached to the base element 200 via a hinge 500. The flap 300 is in its fully open position so that the mouth 400 can freely dispense fluid. The mouth 400 extends beyond the base element 200 with its mouth wall 405, especially above or outside the pedestal 220 of the base element 200, while the height of the mouth wall 405 is substantially constant or unchanged over the main part of its periphery, but the mouth 400 has a protrusion or depression 490 at the angular position close to the hinge 500.

[0044] Figure 2 Shows as Figure 1Top view of the illustrated embodiment in the direction vertically downward along the vertical z-axis from the upper position. From Figure 2 As can be well seen from Figure 2 , the interior of the orifice wall 405 of the orifice 400 has an opening 480, which is divided into a first dispensing opening 410, a second dispensing opening 420, and a ventilation opening 430. The orifice 400 further includes a web 450, which completely separates the first dispensing opening 410 from the second dispensing opening 420, while the ventilation opening 430 is provided within the web 450.

[0045] In this top view, in the vertically downward direction along the longitudinal axis z-axis, the position of the hinge or the middle or center of the hinge marks the 12 o'clock position, while the center of the first dispensing opening 410 is at the 9 o'clock position and the center of the second dispensing opening 420 is at the 3 o'clock position. The web 450 extends substantially along the y-axis, separating the first dispensing opening 410, which is located on the left side in this view, from the second dispensing opening 420, which is located on the right side in this view.

[0046] The 3 o'clock position and the 9 o'clock position respectively mark the main or basic pouring directions of the first dispensing opening 410 and the second dispensing opening 420, which is also the preferred arrangement in other embodiments. In addition, both the first dispensing opening 410 and the second dispensing opening 420 are axially symmetric with respect to the x-axis, which is also the preferred arrangement in other embodiments.

[0047] In the present embodiment, the first dispensing opening 410 is larger than the second dispensing opening 420, and in this specific embodiment, the cross-sectional area of the first dispensing opening 410 is approximately 60 mm², while the cross-sectional area of the second dispensing opening 420 is approximately 24 mm². The cross-sectional area of the ventilation opening 430 is approximately 16 mm² larger. Although the two dispensing openings 410, 420 always have different sizes, in other embodiments, the specific selection of the cross-sectional area can be adapted to the specific situation. Preferably, the orifice opening is always smaller than both the first dispensing opening 410 and the second dispensing opening 420.

[0048] In Figure 1 and Figure 2 It can also be seen from the two figures that the recess 490 extends in the region around the 12 o'clock position and from the 12 o'clock position and extends at an angular distance of approximately 120°, while the angular region of the orifice 400 with a constant height extends at an angular distance of approximately 240° (also see Figure 4 and the corresponding description below).

[0049] From Figure 2It can also be seen that both the first dispensing opening 410 and the second dispensing opening 420 have a cross-section that is substantially U-shaped or V-shaped, which is highly preferred for the controlled pouring or dispensing of liquids, especially in connection with the ventilation opening 430 provided between the first dispensing opening 410 and the second dispensing opening 420, and especially in connection with the web 450 that separates the two dispensing openings. Although other cross-sectional forms are possible, this specific U-shaped or V-shaped cross-section is preferred and is also applicable to other embodiments.

[0050] Figure 3 shows an embodiment of the closure as Figure 1 shown, but in a cross-sectional view. As can be seen, in this embodiment, the nozzle 400 is a separate element that is inserted into and fixed to the base element 200. However, it must also be mentioned that in other embodiments, it is also possible to form the nozzle integrally with the base element.

[0051] The nozzle wall 405 has a constant height h1 measured from the pedestal 220 of the base element 200 over most of its circumference, while the nozzle wall 405 has a protrusion or depression 490 near the hinge 500. The depression 490 has its minimum height h2 at the position closest to the hinge 500 in the circumferential direction of the nozzle wall 405. In this embodiment, the depression 490 extends over an angular range of approximately 130°, and the height of the nozzle wall 405 measured relative to the pedestal 220 of the base element 200 gradually increases from its lowest height h2 at the position closest to the hinge 500 until it reaches its maximum height h2 and then remains constant over the remaining area or circumferential range of the nozzle wall 405.

[0052] From Figure 3 it can be clearly seen that, as a separate element, the nozzle 400 is inserted and fixed to the base element 200, which is fixed in this embodiment by snap-fit attachment in this embodiment. The nozzle 400 is also integrally formed with the web 450, which includes the ventilation opening 430. The web 450 also includes an inner extension wall 435 surrounding the ventilation opening 430. The particular advantage of this inner extension wall 435 is that the liquid to be dispensed is at least to some extent prevented from entering the ventilation opening 430, thus ensuring the correct function of the closure even if the user's potential manipulation is imperfect, and thus especially ensuring proper and laminar dispensing of the liquid over a wide range.

[0053] Figure 3Also visually shown is the interaction between a tongue 260 extending in an upward direction from a pedestal 220 of a base element 200 and a protrusion 360 extending from the flip 300, substantially in an outward or radially outward direction. Due to the flexibility and elasticity of the tongue 260, in this position of the flip 300, the tongue 260 does apply a force on the flip 300 via the protrusion 360, which pushes or holds the flip 300 in its fully open position.

[0054] Figure 4 Shows a partial cross-sectional view of the embodiment as Figure 3 shown in the plane defined by the x-axis and the z-axis, with the flip 300 in its fully open position (so when referring Figure 3 to, it is a partial cross-sectional view from the left side).

[0055] Due to the front side (relative to Figure 4 the view shown) being cut away, the recess 490 of the mouth 400 or the mouth wall 405 is very obvious, with its minimum height near the hinge and the height increasing gradually in both directions until reaching the maximum height where it remains constant, as explained above.

[0056] Figure 5 Shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the closure 100 according to the present invention, and this cross-section is very similar to the demonstration of the first embodiment as Figure 3 shown, however the flip 300 is in an intermediate position closer to the closed position of the flip 300. This embodiment is very similar to the embodiment shown in the previous figures, so the same reference numerals are used to refer to the same or similar elements.

[0057] From Figure 5 it can be clearly seen that the recess 490 of the mouth wall 405 provides sufficient space for other elements of the flip 300, especially for the inner seal wall 320 extending from the inner side of the flip 300, which at least avoids the contact of the inner seal wall 320 with a part of the mouth wall 405 to a certain extent, and this avoids wear at these very important parts, which has a major effect on the sealing ability of the closure.

[0058] Figure 6 Shows the embodiment as Figure 5 shown, however, the flip 300 is in its fully closed position. As can be clearly seen in Figure 6 it, the inner seal wall 320 seals against the inner part of the mouth wall 405, and in the recessed area (490, especially see Figure 5 ) the seal wall 320 has a stepped or angled part, which seals against the corresponding part of the mouth wall 405.

[0059] Such an implementation thus has the particular advantage that the sealing performance and capabilities are not only at a high level after manufacture, but also, due to the avoidance of wear, these sealing capabilities are maintained during the use of the closure member for the reasons given above, ensuring a long life of the closure member.

[0060] The expert is well aware that various modifications can be made to the embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims, and that any feature disclosure related to the embodiments or the general description is important for implementing the invention, whether alone or in any combination thereof.

Claims

1. Closure (100) for a container, the closure having: - a base element (200), - a flap (300) attached to the base element (200) by a hinge such that the flap (300) is movable between an open position and a closed position, Among them, the closure (100) comprising a mouthpiece (400) for dispensing a fluid material, wherein the mouthpiece (400) has a first dispensing opening (410) and a second dispensing opening (420), the first dispensing opening (410) and the second dispensing opening (420) being separated from each other and having different sizes and / or different cross-sectional forms, wherein the mouthpiece (400) additionally has a ventilation opening (430) which is separated from the first dispensing opening (410) and the second dispensing opening (420) and is at least partially arranged between the first dispensing opening (410) and the second dispensing opening (420).

2. The closure (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first dispensing opening (410) and the second dispensing opening (420) are arranged opposite each other in the circumferential direction of the closure (100).

3. The closure member (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first dispensing opening (410) and the second dispensing opening (420) are axially symmetric about an axis (x-axis) parallel to the axis of rotation, the flap (300) rotating about the axis of rotation when moving between the open position and the closed position.

4. The closure member (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first dispensing opening (410) and the second dispensing opening (420) are adjusted and positioned such that the main pouring direction of the first dispensing opening (410) is opposite to the main pouring direction of the second dispensing opening (420), wherein the pouring directions of the first dispensing opening (410) and the second dispensing opening (420) are parallel to the plane defined by the axis of rotation and the vertical axis (z-axis) of the closure (100), and the flap rotates about the axis of rotation when moving between the open position and the closed position.

5. The closure member (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, In a top view looking down along the vertical axis (z-axis) from above the closure, the middle or center of the hinge (500) defines the 12 o'clock position, wherein the first dispensing opening (410) and the second dispensing opening (420) are arranged such that, in the case where the first dispensing opening and the second dispensing opening (410, 420) are axially symmetric, their centers or axes of symmetry are respectively located at the 3 o'clock position and the 9 o'clock position.

6. The closure (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The height (h1) of the mouthpiece (400) or the mouthpiece wall (405) is constant over a peripheral angular distance of more than 180°, wherein the mouthpiece (400) has a protrusion or depression (490) or a reduced height at the angle or peripheral position closest to the hinge (500), wherein the protrusion or depression (490) or the reduced height extends over a peripheral angular distance of at least 30° of the mouthpiece (400) or the mouthpiece wall (405).

7. The closure member (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that, The closure (100) has only one protrusion or depression (490).

8. The closure member (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that, The minimum height (h2) of the protrusion or depression (490) is at most in the range of 70% of the maximum height (h1) of the mouth wall (405) of the pedestal (220) of the base element (200).

9. The closure member (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that, The mouth (400) includes a web (450) that is disposed within the opening (480) of the mouth (400) or within the mouth wall (405) of the mouth (400) and bridges the mouth wall (405) or the opening (480) of the mouth (400), thereby defining the first distribution opening (410) and the second distribution opening (420) on opposite sides of the web (450), wherein the web (450) itself has an inner opening that defines the ventilation opening (430).

10. The closure (100) according to claim 9, characterized in that, The web (450) is positioned below the minimum height (h2) of the mouth wall (405) relative to the vertical axis (z-axis).

11. The closure (100) according to claim 9, characterized in that, The web (450) is positioned at or substantially at a level corresponding to the pedestal (220) or pedestal portion of the base element (200) relative to the vertical axis (z-axis).

12. The closure (100) according to claim 9, characterized in that, The web (450) is designed and positioned such that the upper plane of the web (450) is positioned below the upper edge or the minimum height (h2) of the mouth wall (405) or the mouth (400) at each angular or peripheral position of the mouth (400).

13. The closure member (100) according to claim 9, characterized in that, The web (450) is designed and positioned such that the upper plane of the web (450) is positioned at least 2 mm below the upper edge of the mouth wall (405) or the mouth (400) at the angular or peripheral position of the protrusion or the depression (490) having its minimum height (h2).

14. The closure (100) according to claim 9, characterized in that, The web (450) includes an inner extension wall (435) that surrounds the ventilation opening (430) and extends from the web (450) in an inward or downward direction.

15. The closure member (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The base element (200) has a tongue member (260) extending from an upper region or upper plane of the base element (200) in an upward direction along a vertical axis (z-axis), wherein the flap (300) has a protrusion (360) extending outwardly from the flap (300) in a direction normal to the vertical axis (z-axis), and the tongue member (260) and the protrusion (360) are positioned and arranged such that during the movement of the flap (300) between its fully closed position and its fully open position, the protrusion (360) and the tongue member (260) contact each other over a first predetermined angular range of their positions relative to the base element (200) during the movement of the flap (300) between its fully closed position and its fully open position, so that the protrusion (360) exerts a force in an inward direction on the tongue member (260), and the tongue member (260) exerts a reaction force on the protrusion (360) such that when the flap (300) is within a second predetermined angular range relative to the base element (200), the reaction force supports the movement of the flap (300) in a direction towards its fully open position, wherein the tongue member (260) or its outer surface at least partially extends in an inward direction in its upper portion.

16. The closure (100) according to claim 15, characterized in that, The closure member (100) is designed and arranged such that during its movement between its fully open position and its fully closed position, there is at least one position of the flap (300) where the tongue member (260) at least partially extends into a protrusion or recess (490) of the mouthpiece (400).

17. The closure (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first dispensing opening (410) is at least 1.5 times larger in size than the second dispensing opening (420).

18. The closure member (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ventilation opening (430) is smaller in size than each of the first and second dispensing openings, and the smaller of the first and second dispensing openings (410, 420) is at least 1.2 times larger in size than the ventilation opening (430).

19. The closure member (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The curvature of the first dispensing opening (410) at a radially outward point is different from the curvature of the second dispensing opening at a radially outward point at an angularly opposite position.

20. The closure member (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The curvature of the larger of the first and second dispensing openings (410, 420) is less at a radially outward position relative to a horizontal axis (x-axis) normal to the vertical axis (z-axis) of the closure member than the curvature of the smaller of the first and second dispensing openings (410, 420).

21. The closure (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flap (300) has an inner sealing wall (320) that extends from the inner side of the flap (300) and is arranged and positioned to make sealing contact with the mouthpiece (400) such that both the first and second dispensing openings (410, 420) and the ventilation opening (430) are sealed by the interaction of the inner sealing wall (320) with the mouthpiece (400).

22. A system comprising a container and a closure according to claim 1, wherein the closure (100) is directly or indirectly attached or attachable to the container.

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