Valve for decorative dispensing

Abstract

A dispensing valve is provided for dispensing a fluid substance. The dispensing valve is pressure-responsive, and may be of a self-closing type, or define a central discharge aperture through which a substance being dispensed flows. A substance contact surface of the dispensing valve defines one or more projections and/or recesses which can cooperate with the substance being dispensed to impart a contoured or shaped cross-sectional configuration to the substance. A decorative effect can thus desirably be achieved, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the dispensed substance, such as a whipped dessert topping, toothpaste, foamed construction material, etc.

1 . A dispensing valve for dispensing a substance from a supply of the substance, said dispensing valve comprising:
 a peripheral attachment portion by which said valve may be attached to a dispensing structure that has a discharge passage through which can be discharged a substance from a supply of said substance such that the discharging substance can pass through said valve into the ambient environment when said valve is in an open configuration;   a flexible, resilient, intermediate portion extending from said peripheral attachment portion; and   a flexible, resilient head extending from said intermediate portion, at least part of said valve head being outwardly deflectable to an open configuration when a sufficient pressure differential exists across said valve, said valve head having a substance contact surface for contacting said substance at least during discharge when said valve head is in said open configuration, said valve head substance contact surface defining at least one of a projection and a recess for contacting a portion of said substance as said substance is discharged through said valve when said valve is in said open configuration, wherein said valve head defines a central discharge aperture, said substance contact surface of said valve head defining a plurality of spaced apart ones of said projections or said recesses extending generally into said discharge aperture.   
   
   
       2 . The valve in accordance with  claim 1  for use in dispensing said substance from the dispensing structure that includes a housing that defines said discharge passage for the substance and that has a distal end discharge mouth, and in which said valve is initially separate from, but subsequently attachable to, said housing inwardly of said housing mouth. 
   
   
       3 . (canceled) 
   
   
       4 . (canceled) 
   
   
       5 . The valve in accordance with  claim 1  in which said valve is included in combination with a separate housing that (1) defines at least part of said dispensing structure, (2) contains said valve, and (3) that is adapted for being releasably or permanently mounted to a container. 
   
   
       6 . (canceled) 
   
   
       7 . (canceled) 
   
   
       8 . (canceled) 
   
   
       9 . (canceled) 
   
   
       10 . (canceled) 
   
   
       11 . (canceled) 
   
   
       12 . (canceled) 
   
   
       13 . A valve in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein said dispensing structure defines at least one discharge opening which joins said discharge passage in fluid communication with said discharge mouth, said intermediate portion of said valve closing said discharge opening in a closed configuration of said valve,
 said valve head being outwardly deflected to its open configuration by a pressure differential acting on said intermediate portion at said discharge opening defined by said housing.   
   
   
       14 . A valve in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein said housing defines a plurality of said discharge openings. 
   
   
       15 . A valve in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said substance contact surface is configured to effect shaping of the substance being dispensed. 
   
   
       16 . A valve in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said substance contact surface is configured to effect shear thinning of the substance being dispensed. 
   
   
       17 . A valve in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said at least one projection is generally aligned with a flow axis defined by said dispensing valve. 
   
   
       18 . A valve in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein at least one projection is positioned at an acute angle to a flow axis defined by said dispensing valve. 
   
   
       19 . A valve in accordance with  claim 18 , wherein said at least one projection is generally planar. 
   
   
       20 . A valve in accordance with  claim 18 , wherein said at least one projection is generally arcuate.