Patent ID: 7959042

Claim:
A metering valve for use with a pressurised dispensing container, the metering valve comprising a valve stem assembly co-axially slidable within an annular metering chamber defined between the valve stem assembly and a substantially cylindrical chamber body, the metering valve further comprising an outer seal extending between the valve stem assembly and the chamber body to seal off an outer duct of the valve stem assembly from the metering chamber when the valve stem assembly is in a non-dispensing position and an inner seal extending between the valve stem assembly and the chamber body, the valve stem assembly comprising a straight, central passage extending from an open inner end of the valve stem assembly to a mid-point of the valve stem assembly located longitudinally within the metering chamber, wherein the valve stem assembly further comprises at least two elongated openings in a wall of the valve stem assembly to allow radially-directed flow between an exterior of the valve stem assembly and the central passage, the elongated openings being located to extend either side of the inner seal when the valve stem assembly is in the non-dispensing position; wherein the valve stem assembly comprises at least two parts which include a stem part or parts and a cap part with the cap part being slidingly received on the stem part or parts, and wherein the cap part comprises a bore and the stem part or parts comprises a tubular extension that is received within the bore when the cap part is assembled with the stem part or parts.