A stopper for deformable containers, incorporating an elastic diaphragm dispenser with a self-closing orifice, and method for the manufacture thereof

A stopper for deformable containers, comprising a dispensing device in the form of an elastic diaphragm (21) having at least one cross cut forming a self-closing orifice which opens to dispense out a product present within the container as a predetermined pressure is applied to the container from outside, and closes to automatically cut off the delivery of the product on removal of said pressure. The diaphragm (21) is attached permanently and tightly in an irreversible manner to an inner flange (12) of the tubular wall (2) of the stopper intended for engagement with the container and merely laid on, without adhering to, the convex surface (16) of the top wall (1) of the stopper which is connected detachably to the tubular wall (2) and constitutes a temporary covering element. The elastic diaphragm (2) is formed by a molding process performed directly within the stopper cavity using a predetermined metered amount of a thermoplastic elastomer material which is compressed against the inner surfaces of the caity to thereby permanently and tightly attach the edge (20) of the diaphragm (21)to just the flange (12) of the tubular wall (2) and make it detachable from the top wall (1) of the stopper, and then performing at least one through cut in the area corresponding to said top wall of the stopper. The advantage is thus provided of making the stopper and self-closing dispensing device a unitary construction, and forming the elastic diaphragm from a thermoplastic elastomer material.