초록 ▼

A valve having a sleeve comprising a sleeve wall including an inner surface; and a plug positioned within the sleeve, the plug comprising at least one portion that is elastically deformable. The plug forms a blind hole extending into the plug from one end thereof to define a plug side wall, and a fl

A valve having a sleeve comprising a sleeve wall including an inner surface; and a plug positioned within the sleeve, the plug comprising at least one portion that is elastically deformable. The plug forms a blind hole extending into the plug from one end thereof to define a plug side wall, and a flow passage that extends through the plug side wall that is either open or openable. The plug defines a valve closed position in an unstressed state, yet is capable of elastically deforming to define a flow channel between the plug and the sleeve in a valve open position. A dispenser containing such a valve is also provided.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A valve, comprising: (a) a plug comprising a plug first end, a plug second end, a blind hole created within the plug that extends from the plug first end to a blind hole bottom and that is spaced apart from the plug second end, a plug side wall extending radially outwardly from the blind hole to

1. A valve, comprising: (a) a plug comprising a plug first end, a plug second end, a blind hole created within the plug that extends from the plug first end to a blind hole bottom and that is spaced apart from the plug second end, a plug side wall extending radially outwardly from the blind hole to an outer surface of the plug and a flow passage that extends through the plug side wall that is either open or openable; and(b) a tube that is partially disposed within the blind hole, the tube comprising an internal channel, at least one open end that is in fluid communication with the internal channel, a tube sidewall extending radially outwardly from the internal channel to an outer surface of the tube, and a tube hole extending through the tube sidewall,wherein the plug has at least one section having an outer diameter that is elastically deformable and elongatable lengthwise so that the outer diameter of the plug in the at least one section decreases when the plug is elastically deformed in the presence of a normal force that is applied to the plug via the tube. 2. The valve of claim 1, wherein the at least one section of the plug that is elastically deformable is made from a material comprising a rubber. 3. The valve of claim 1, wherein the tube is rotatable within the blind hole so that the tube hole can be in or out of circumferential alignment with the plug flow passage. 4. The valve of claim 1, wherein the tube hole is not in axial alignment with the plug flow passage when the plug is in an unstressed state. 5. The valve of claim 1, wherein the plug comprises at least a section of increased diameter along a length of the plug for fitting within a container opening and/or container neck. 6. A valve, comprising: (a) a bushing comprising a first end and an opposing second end;(b) a tube slidably disposed within at least the first end of the bushing, the tube comprising an internal channel, an open end in fluid communication with the internal channel, a sidewall extending radially outwardly from the internal channel to an exterior surface of the tube, and a tube hole extending through the sidewall that is in fluid communication with the internal channel and open end; and(c) an elastically deformable cap covering the bushing second end, the cap comprising an flow passage that is either open or openable,wherein the cap flow passage is out of alignment with the tube hole when the elastically deformable cap is in an unstressed state but is capable of aligning with the tube hole when the cap is stressed sufficiently to elastically deform the cap, and wherein the tube hole is optionally positioned in a portion of the tube that is disposed within the bushing when the elastically deformable cap is in an unstressed state. 7. The valve of claim 6, wherein a distal section of the tube extends beyond the second end of the bushing, wherein the tube hole is located in the distal section, and wherein the elastically deformable cap seals the tube hole closed when the elastically deformable cap is in an unstressed state. 8. A dispenser, comprising: (a) a container comprising a container opening and a container body;(b) an annular sealing member that is defined by an inner wall of the container opening, by a separate annular body disposed within the container opening, or a combination thereof; and(c) a valve, the valve comprising: i) a plug positioned within the annular sealing member, the plug comprising at least one portion that is elastically deformable and elongatable lengthwise having an outer diameter, a blind hole extending into the plug from one end thereof to define a plug side wall, and a flow passage that extends through the plug side wall that is either open or openable; andii) a tube partially disposed within the plug blind hole, the tube comprising an internal channel, at least one open end that is in fluid communication with the internal channel, a tube sidewall extending radially outwardly from the internal channel to an outer surface of the tube, and a tube hole extending through the tube sidewall,wherein the plug elastically deforms and elongates lengthwise with displacement of the tube so that the outer diameter of the plug in the at least one section decreases when the plug is elastically deformed in the presence of a normal force that is applied to the plug via the tube to convert the valve from a normally closed position to an open position.