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One-Piece dispensing system and method for making same

  • US 6,230,940 B1
  • Filed: 11/02/1999
  • Issued: 05/15/2001
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/02/1999
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A dispensing system for communicating with, and dispensing a product from, a discharge opening of a dispensing end structure on a container wherein an annular mounting flange extends radially inwardly adjacent said opening, said system comprising:

  • a dispensing valve molded from at least one material to define a flexible, resilient structure having a flexible, central head portion, a sleeve extending outwardly from said flexible, central head portion, and a surrounding marginal portion;

    said head portion having intersecting slits that define a normally closed dispensing orifice which opens when the pressure in the interior of the container exceeds the pressure on the exterior of the valve by a predetermined amount;

    said marginal portion being connected with said sleeve and having a generally annular wall defining a generally annular groove which is open radially outwardly for receiving said mounting flange, said wall being (1) sufficiently flexible to temporarily deform as said wall is forced against said mounting flange to accommodate seating of said mounting flange in said groove, and (2) sufficiently resilient to accommodate the retention of said mounting flange in said groove by adjacent portions of said wall; and

    said groove being defined at a location along said annular wall to locate said sleeve and head portion within said discharge opening when said valve head portion is closed while said valve is sealingly disposed with respect to said discharge opening.

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