Patent ID: 7543724

Claim:
A dispensing system for a container that has an opening to the container interior where a product may be stored, said dispensing system comprising: (A) a body for extending from said container at said opening, said body including (1) a base for being mounted to, and extending from, said container, (2) a support column projecting outwardly from said base, and (3) a product discharge passage through said base and support column; (B) a dispensing valve that comprises flexible, resilient material defining (a) a mounting skirt disposed around said body support column, and (b) an outwardly extending, narrowing dispensing head, said valve mounting skirt defining (a) an interior sealing surface engaging said body support column, and (b) an annular shoulder, said valve head defining a normally closed dispensing orifice which opens to permit flow therethrough in response to a pressure differential across said valve; and (C) a clamp member surrounding at least a portion of said valve skirt, said clamp member having (1) a retention lip that (a) defines an aperture through which said valve head projects, and (b) is engaged with said valve skirt annular shoulder to retain said valve skirt around said body support column, and (2) a retention flange that is engaged with said body to prevent said clamp member from moving outwardly relative to said body and valve; wherein said body defines at least one slot and an angled lead-in surface adjacent said at least one slot for being temporarily engaged by said at least one retention flange as said clamp member is being mounted on said body whereby said retention flange moves along said lead-in surface.