Patent ID: 6427874
Filing Date: 2002-08-06
Classification: B65D,F16K,Y10T

Abstract:
A dispensing valve for fluid product packaging of the type having a container with a discharge opening therein, comprising:a marginal valve portion shaped to seal about the discharge opening of the container; a valve head portion having a marginal edge, interior and exterior sides, and an orifice extending therebetween which is at least initially closed to preclude fluid flow therethrough and opens to permit fluid flow therethrough in response to a predetermined discharge pressure differential applied across said valve head portion; a connector sleeve having a resiliently flexible construction, with one end thereof connected with said marginal valve portion, and an opposite end thereof connected with the marginal edge of said valve head portion, whereby when the pressure differential across said valve head portion is greater than the predetermined discharge pressure differential, said valve head portion shifts outwardly in a manner which causes said connector sleeve to double over and extend rollingly, and thereby apply a torque to said valve head portion which assists in opening said orifice; and wherein said exterior side of the valve head portion includes a curved portion configured to assume a generally concave orientation when said orifice is closed, and a generally convex orientation when said orifice is open, such that inward compression and torque applied to said valve head portion by said connector sleeve combine to resiliently maintain said orifice open, whereby the minimum pressure differential across said valve head portion required to maintain fluid flow through said orifice is substantially less than said predetermined discharge pressure differential, so as to provide greater ease of dispensing and flow control.