Importance

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Abstract

A dispenser valve assembly for controlling the discharge of fluid contents from a container, the container having a lid with an opening in the lid; the valve assembly comprising a valve seat and a flexible sheet, the flexible sheet having an aperture therein, the flexible sheet having an inner surface facing the valve seat and an outer surface facing the container lid, the valve seat including: (a) a floor, (b) at least one passageway through the floor for admitting the fluid contents from the container, (c) a projection member having a seating surface that cooperates with the aperture in the sheet to provide a first valve, wherein the seating surface seals the aperture and thereby closes the first valve when the contents of the container is not under pressure, and (d) at least one retainer for holding a peripheral portion of the flexible sheet in contact with the lid such that a peripheral portion of the sheet is retained in contact with the lid and another peripheral portion of the sheet is not retained in contact with the lid to provide a second valve and the portion of the sheet not retained in contact with the lid, contacts the lid and closes the second valve when the contents of the container is under pressure; wherein by applying pressure to the inner surface of the sheet, the sheet is displaced from the seating surface and the contents of the container can be dispensed through the aperture in the flexible sheet, and when the pressure on the inner surface of the sheet is less than the pressure on the outer surface, the container is vented by air that passes through the opening in the lid, between the lid and the peripheral portions of the sheet not retained in contact with the lid, and into the container through the at least one passageway in the floor of the valve seat.

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First Claim