Dispensing valve

Abstract

A dispensing valve is provided for dispensing fluid products. The valve includes a marginal portion, a flexible valve head portion with a discharge orifice therein, and a flexible connector sleeve having one end connected with the valve marginal portion and the opposite end connected with the valve head portion adjacent a marginal edge thereof.

1 - 38 . (canceled)  
   
   
       39 . 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 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; and wherein  
   said second leg portion of said connector sleeve portion is inclined radially inwardly from its first end portion at said second end portion of said first leg portion toward said connector sleeve opposite end portion at said valve head portion and extends axially outwardly to locate the entire valve head portion exterior of said valve marginal portion; and    said connector sleeve opposite end portion defined by said second leg portion includes a change of direction more toward said head portion than the rest of said second leg.    
   
   
       40 . A dispensing valve as set forth in  claim 39 , wherein: 
 said first leg portion of said connector sleeve portion extends generally radially inwardly and is oriented to form an acute included angle with said second leg portion of said connector sleeve portion as measured between the exterior surfaces thereof.    
   
   
       41 . A dispensing valve as set forth in  claim 39 , wherein: 
 said second leg portion of said connector sleeve portion is longer than said first leg portion of said connector sleeve portion.    
   
   
       42 . A dispensing valve as set forth in  claim 39 , wherein: 
 said first and second leg portions of said connector sleeve portion are configured to define a generally J-shaped connector sleeve portion.    
   
   
       43 . A dispensing valve as set forth in  claim 39 , wherein: 
 said second end portion of said second leg portion of said connector sleeve portion is connected to said valve head portion such that there is no open space between said connector sleeve portion and the periphery of said valve head portion.    
   
   
       44 . A dispensing valve as set forth in claim, wherein: 
 said central area of said valve head portion is of substantially uniform thickness.    
   
   
       45 . A dispensing valve as set forth in  claim 39 , wherein: 
 in said valve head portion outwardly beyond said central area, said valve head portion includes at least a certain outer portion having a greater thickness than the thickness of the central area of said valve head portion.    
   
   
       46 . A discharge valve as set forth in  claim 39 , wherein: 
 said valve head portion has (1) an exterior surface which can interface with the external ambient environment, and (2) an interior surface which can interface with a fluid product;    said exterior surface has a generally concave shape when said orifice is in its closed position; and    said interior surface has a generally convex shape when said orifice is in its closed position.