Patent ID: 7077296

Claim:
A dispensing valve for fluid product packaging of the type having a container with a discharge opening therein, comprising: a valve marginal portion; a valve head portion including a central area with an orifice 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 the valve head portion; a connector sleeve portion having a first end portion thereof connected with said valve marginal portion and an opposite end portion thereof connected with said valve head portion; and wherein said valve head portion has an exterior surface which interfaces with the environment and an interior surface which can interface with a fluid product in the container, said exterior surface and said interior surface, at least at radially inner portions thereof, become closer to each other at least in part of said central area to provide a thinner construction in said part of said central area with reduced thickness adjoining said orifice; said connector sleeve portion comprises (1) a first leg portion that defines (a) said first end portion of said connector sleeve portion which is connected to said valve marginal portion and (b) a second end portion, and (2) a second leg portion that defines (a) a first end portion connected to said second end portion of said first leg portion and (b) said opposite end portion of said connector sleeve portion which is connected to said valve head portion, said first leg portion extending generally radially inwardly in an orientation to form an acute included angle with said second leg portion as measured between the exterior surfaces thereof.