Patent ID: 8146781

Claim:
A dispensing cartridge for viscous condiments comprising: a generally tubular housing including a sidewall having opposite first and second end portions and including an inturned generally flat flange that is generally normal to said sidewall adjacent said first end portion, said flange defining a first opening; a valve assembly securedly heat bonded to said housing flange, said valve assembly positioned in an overlying relationship to said first opening and including a support member with raw inner and outer edges and a perforate member with at least one dispensing opening, said support member outer edge being positioned adjacent an inside surface of said sidewall; a bead of hot melt adhesive for sealing said support member outer edge, said hot melt adhesive being disposed between said support member outer edge and said sidewall, said hot melt adhesive contacting and sealing said support member outer edge; a first closure member removably secured to said valve assembly in overlying relationship to said dispensing opening, said first closure member including a folded tab portion; and a through opening in said support member, said through opening defined by said support member inner edge and resulting in an air gap between said perforate member and said first closure member; wherein said support member inner edge is adapted such that any steam created within said support member during an application of said hot melt adhesive to said support member outer edge may migrate out of said support member through said inner edge, into said air gap and be released into said tubular housing through said at least one dispensing opening.