Valve
A valve ( 100 ) includes a base ( 110 ) defining a central axis ( 114 ). The valve ( 100 ) includes a post ( 118 ) connected to the base ( 110 ) and extending axially outwardly from the base ( 110 ), in the direction along the central axis ( 114 ). The valve ( 100 ) includes at least one flow aperture ( 122 ) in one or both of the base ( 110 ) and/or the post ( 118 ). The valve ( 100 ) further includes a flexible membrane ( 126 ) having an orifice ( 130 ) and having a non-dispensing configuration wherein the orifice ( 130 ) is located proximate to the post ( 118 ) to minimize communication through the valve ( 100 ). The flexible membrane ( 126 ) has a dispensing configuration wherein the orifice ( 130 ) is moved away from the post ( 118 ) for establishing communication through the valve ( 100 ).
1. A valve to permit selective communication therethrough, said valve comprising:
a base defining a central axis;
a post connected to said base;
at least one flow aperture in said base and/or said post; and
a flexible membrane having an orifice and having a non-dispensing configuration wherein said orifice is located proximate to said post to minimize communication through said valve, and said flexible membrane having a dispensing configuration wherein said orifice is moved away from said post for establishing communication through said valve, wherein said flexible membrane includes a peripheral wall for sealing against a portion of said base and a transverse wall extending inwardly of said peripheral wall and defining said orifice, and said peripheral wall defines a top end and a bottom end, wherein said transverse wall extends from said bottom end and is located axially inwardly of said top end with said flexible membrane in said non-dispensing configuration, relative to said central axis.
2. The valve according to claim 1 wherein said base and said flexible membrane are a unitary structure.
3. The valve according to claim 1 wherein said base and said post are a unitary structure.
4. The valve according to claim 1 wherein said base, said post, and said flexible membrane are a unitary structure.
5. The valve according to claim 1 wherein said base, said post, and said flexible membrane are an injection molded unitary structure formed from a thermoplastic elastomer.
6. The valve according to claim 1 wherein said base and said flexible membrane are connected by a hinge.
7. The valve according to claim 1 wherein said base and said flexible membrane are connected by a hinge and have a planar, as-molded configuration, and wherein said flexible membrane is configured to be rotated about said hinge away from said planar, as-molded configuration into said non-dispensing configuration such that said orifice is located around said post.
8. The valve according to claim 1 wherein said at least one flow aperture has the form of a pair of diametrically opposing flow apertures extending through each of said base and said post.
9. The valve according to claim 1 wherein said post is cylindrical and terminates in a distal end.
10. The valve according to claim 1 wherein said post includes a distal end that extends axially outwardly of said flexible membrane in said non-dispensing configuration, relative to said central axis.
11. The valve according to claim 1 wherein said post terminates in a distal end having a frustoconical cross-sectional shape, when viewed in a vertical plane containing said central axis.
12. The valve according to claim 1 wherein said post terminates in a flat distal end.
13. The valve according to claim 1 wherein said transverse wall is flat with said flexible membrane in said non-dispensing configuration.
14. The valve according to claim 1 wherein said base includes an outer wall surrounding said post and an inner wall extending laterally inwardly from said outer wall.
15. The valve according to claim 1 wherein said flexible membrane does not contact, and is spaced laterally from, a lateral surface of said post with said flexible membrane in said non-dispensing configuration.
16. The valve according to claim 1 wherein said flexible membrane seals against a lateral surface of said post with said flexible membrane in said non-dispensing configuration.
17. A valve to permit selective communication therethrough, said valve comprising:
a base defining a central axis;
a post connected to said base;
at least one flow aperture in said base and/or said post; and
a flexible membrane having an orifice and having a non-dispensing configuration wherein said orifice is located proximate to said post to minimize communication through said valve, and said flexible membrane having a dispensing configuration wherein said orifice is moved away from said post for establishing communication through said valve; wherein said flexible membrane does not contact, and is spaced axially outwardly from, a distal end of said post with said flexible membrane in said non-dispensing configuration.
18. The valve according to claim 1 wherein said flexible membrane seals axially against a distal end of said post with said flexible membrane in said non-dispensing configuration.
19. The valve according to claim 1 wherein said orifice of said flexible membrane is circular.
20. The valve according to claim 1 wherein said flexible membrane is resilient and configured to move from said dispensing configuration to said non-dispensing configuration when said flexible membrane is subjected to a pressure differential below a predetermined threshold.
21. The valve according to claim 1 wherein said base includes an outer wall surrounding said post, said outer wall includes a flange extending laterally outwardly therefrom.
22. A valve to permit selective communication therethrough, said valve comprising:
a base defining a central axis;
a post connected to said base;
at least one flow aperture in said base and/or said post; and
a flexible membrane having an orifice and having a non-dispensing configuration wherein said orifice is located proximate to said post to minimize communication through said valve, and said flexible membrane having a dispensing configuration wherein said orifice is moved away from said post for establishing communication through said valve; wherein said base includes an outer wall surrounding said post, said outer wall includes a flange extending laterally outwardly therefrom, said flange includes a channel to accommodate movement of said flexible membrane relative to said base.
23. The valve according to claim 1 in combination with a closure for a container, said valve arranged in said closure at a location that is axially inward of an opening of said closure.
24. The valve according to claim 1 in combination with a closure for a container, said valve including a flange extending laterally outwardly therefrom and said closure including at least one projection for engaging said flange to retain said valve.