Abstract: A dispensing apparatus for dispensing a product from a container under pressure of a propellant by means of a composite piston (138). The apparatus has a valve (104) operated by means of an actuator (108) and a lever (166). The actuator co-operates with the valve and lever by means of a screw thread arrangement (110), such that turning actuator relative to the lever varies the flow rate of product out of the apparatus. The valve is a hollow cylindrical tube (104) which is open at one end and closed at the second end, either permanently or by means of a flap valve (112) which allows insertion of the product. A number of ports (116) are arranged around the circumference of the tube (104) adjacent to the second end to allow product to flow through the valve when the lever is operated.