Patent ID: 6996956

Claim:
A fluid dispenser, comprising: a. a housing having an internal chamber, said housing comprising: (1) an inlet for receiving a fluid product into said housing and being in fluid communication with said internal chamber, and (2) a discharge port through which fluid product may exit said housing, said discharge port having an interior surface and being in fluid communication with said internal chamber; and b. a valving rod disposed in said housing and being movable within said internal chamber between an open position, in which fluid product may flow through said internal chamber and exit said housing via said discharge port, and a closed position, in which fluid product is substantially prevented from flowing through said internal chamber, said valving rod comprising: (1) a central bore, (2) at least one inlet for receiving a cleaning solvent, said inlet being in fluid communication with said bore, and (3) one or more outlet ports in fluid communication with said bore, said outlet ports being capable of directing cleaning solvent radially outwards from said or and against said interior surface of said discharge port when said valving rod is in said closed position to facilitate the removal of at least a portion of any fluid product or derivatives thereof that may be in adherence with said interior surface of said discharge port.