Abstract: An integrated valve assembly (10, 110, 210, 310, 410) is provided for pressure-responsive flow control for associated components, such as for nutritional administration to patients. The valve assembly includes a first connector element (12, 112, 212, 312, 412) and a second connector element (14, 114, 214, 314, 414), which are joined to each other, and which respectively define a first, internal flow passage (20, 120, 220, 320, 420) and a second internal flow passage (28, 128, 228, 328, 428). A valve member (40, 140, 240, 340, 440), which may comprise a resiliently deformable slit valve, is positioned between the first connector element (12, 112, 212, 312, 412) and the second connector element (14, 114, 214, 314, 414) for providing pressure-responsive flow control between the first, internal flow passage (20, 120, 220, 320, 420), and the second, internal flow passage (28, 128, 228, 328, 428).

Abstract: The present invention provides for efficient random access to the contents of files encoded with two or more layers of standard or custom encoding. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a file of transaction messages are encoded by dividing the file into multiple discretely-sized, blocks of data are independently encoded. When information in a certain transaction message within the unencoded file is requested, only the encoded block(s) containing that transaction message is decoded.

Abstract: A flow control element is provided with a resilient sealing flange biased to seal in-venting passages in a housing around the element. The element also includes a self-sealing, pressure-openable, dispensing valve. The element and housing can be combined to form a dispensing structure that can function to discharge a fluent material product out of the dispensing structure through the dispensing valve while simultaneously venting exterior ambient air (or other exterior ambient environment fluent material) into the dispensing structure.

Abstract: A valve system is provided with a wall portion that includes an inlet side, an outlet side, at least one aperture extending between the inlet and outlet sides, and a valve seat on the outlet side. One preferred form of the valve system also includes a movable valve member having a spout, a mounting portion, a toggle portion, and at least one seal surface for sealingly engaging the wall portion valve seat when the valve member is toggled to a closed position to prevent flow from the wall portion aperture through the spout.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser is provided with a fluid containment unit and a support unit. The fluid containment unit includes a bulb, a nipple, and a tether connecting the bulb to the nipple. The support unit includes a face plate, a retaining ring, and a releasable latch for securing the face plate and retainer ring together to clamp between them the fluid containment unit when the fluid containment unit is in a folded configuration locating the bulb and nipple in communication with each other.

Abstract: A valve system is provided with a wall portion that includes an inlet side, an outlet side, at least one aperture extending between the inlet and outlet sides, and a valve seat on the outlet side. One preferred form of the valve system also includes a movable valve member having a spout, a mounting portion, a toggle portion, and at least one seal surface for sealingly engaging the wall portion valve seat when the valve member is toggled to a closed position to prevent flow from the wall portion aperture through the spout.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser is provided with a fluid containment unit and a support unit. The fluid containment unit includes a bulb, a nipple, and a tether connecting the bulb to the nipple. The support unit includes a face plate, a retaining ring, and a releasable latch for securing the face plate and retainer ring together to clamp between them the fluid containment unit when the fluid containment unit is in a folded configuration locating the bulb and nipple in communication with each other.

Abstract: A dispensing system is provided for being sealingly disposed with respect to, and dispensing a product from, a discharge opening of a container wherein an annular mounting flange extends radially inwardly adjacent the opening. The valve is molded from a material to define a flexible, resilient structure having a head portion and a surrounding marginal portion. The head portion has 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. The marginal portion is connected with the head portion and has a generally annular wall defining a generally annular groove which is open radially outwardly for receiving the mounting flange. The annular wall is sufficiently flexible to elastically deform as the wall is forced against the mounting flange to accommodate sealing of the mounting flange in the groove.

Abstract: A dispensing structure, and a package with a dispensing structure, is provided with a valve. In one embodiment, the dispensing structure is a multi-piece fitment. The multi-piece fitment includes a base for mounting to the container and a valve carrier for mounting to the base. A flexible, self-sealing slit-type valve is mounted within the carrier. In another embodiment, a fitment is mounted in the opening of a thin-walled, flexible, collapsible container, and the flexible valve is mounted in the fitment. In yet another embodiment, a package includes a container having a corner wall defining an opening, and a fitment is sealingly mounted to the corner wall at the opening. A valve is disposed within the fitment. A removable and disposable cover extends from the container over the fitment and at least a portion of the corner wall to define a hermetically sealed volume around the fitment. The cover may be pulled away from the container to expose the fitment.

Abstract: A dispensing system is provided for dispensing liquid from a container. The system includes a discharge conduit defining a flow passage for establishing fluid communication with liquid from the container. A resilient valve is provided to extend across the discharge flow passage. The valve has an interior side for being contacted by the liquid and an exterior side exposed to ambient external atmosphere. The valve defines a dispensing orifice that opens when pressure on the valve interior side exceeds the pressure on the exterior side by a predetermined amount. A resilient baffle is located upstream of the valve.

Abstract: A dispensing package for fluid products and the like comprises a container shaped to receive and retain a fluid product therein, and includes a discharge aperture therethrough. A self-sealing closure includes a marginal flange portion, and a head portion with an orifice which opens and closes in response to the application of a predetermined discharge pressure. The flange portion of the closure is positioned about and encloses the discharge aperture, and is constructed from a thermoplastic material, which is heat fused to the container to form a secure interconnection and fluid seal therebetween.

Abstract: A dispensing system is provided for dispensing liquid from a container. The system includes a discharge conduit defining a flow passage for establishing fluid communication with liquid from the container. A resilient valve is provided to extend across the discharge flow passage in an initial, substantially non-deformed, closed configuration. The valve has an interior side for being contacted by the liquid and an exterior side exposed to ambient external atmosphere. The valve defines a normally closed dispensing orifice that is displaceable outwardly to an open configuration when the pressure on the valve interior side exceeds the pressure on the valve exterior side by a predetermined amount, and is displaceable inwardly to an open configuration when the pressure on the valve exterior side exceeds the pressure on the valve interior side by a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A dispensing structure, and a package with a dispensing structure, is provided with a valve. In one embodiment, the dispensing structure is a multi-piece fitment. The multi-piece fitment includes a base for mounting to the container and a valve carrier for mounting to the base. A flexible, self-sealing slit-type valve is mounted within the carrier. In another embodiment, a fitment is mounted in the opening of a thin-walled, flexible, collapsible container, and the flexible valve is mounted in the fitment. In yet another embodiment, a package includes a container having a corner wall defining an opening, and a fitment is sealingly mounted to the corner wall at the opening. A valve is disposed within the fitment. A removable and disposable cover extends from the container over the fitment and at least a portion of the corner wall to define a hermetically sealed volume around the fitment. The cover may be pulled away from the container to expose the fitment.

Abstract: A dispensing valve closure (10) is provided which includes a closure body (12) and a cap (14). A self-sealing dispensing valve (16) is disposed within the closure (10) and is held in place with a retaining ring (18). An inner seal (20) is also placed within the closure (10) to allow for sealing on a package.

Abstract: A dispensing valve closure (10) is provided which includes a closure body (12) and a cap (14). A self-sealing dispensing valve (16) is disposed within the closure (10) and is held in place with a retaining ring (18). Drain holes (50-56) allow drainage of any fluids built up under the cap (14).

Abstract: A dispensing valve closure (10) is provided which includes a closure body (12) and a cap (14). A self-sealing dispensing valve (16) is disposed within the closure (10) and is held in place with a retaining ring (18). An inner seal (20) is also placed within the closure (10) to allow for sealing on a package.

Abstract: A closure is provided for a container opening. The closure includes a base for mounting to the container and a lid movable between a closed position and an open position. The lid and base are connected by a bistable, snap-action hinge structure of the type that includes a web having a central portion between two wider ends wherein an arcuate film hinge connects the base to the web along one side of the web between the ends and wherein an arcuate film hinge connects the lid to the web along another side of the web between the ends. The hinge structure includes an abutment surface located so that when the lid is in a closed position, the abutment surface extends adjacent the web's central portion from an elevation adjacent one of the film hinges to an elevation that is preferably adjacent or higher than the other film hinge. The abutment surface is contacted by the web's central portion as the lid is closed or opened whereby the position of the web is controlled.

Abstract: A tamper-evident closure is provided with a base having a deck with a discharge aperture. A lid is included for covering the discharge aperture on the base. The lid defines a latch aperture. The base has a resilient locking lever that projects from the base deck and through the lid latch aperture when the lid is closed. The lever engages the lid and holds the lid closed. A tamper-indicating element is provided on the lid to prevent operation of the lever. The element is attached to the lid with frangible portions which can be broken when sufficient force is applied to remove at least a part of the element and permit operation of the lever whereby another part of the element remains on the lid to provide evidence that part of the element has been removed.

Abstract: A dispensing closure is provided for an opening in an squeeze-type container and includes a body defining a dispensing passage for communicating between the container interior and the container exterior through a container opening. A flexible, self-sealing valve is mounted in the body for opening in response to increased container pressure. A retaining ring is provided for retaining the valve in the body.

Abstract: A dispensing structure, and a package with a dispensing structure, is provided with a valve. In one embodiment, the dispensing structure is a multi-piece fitment. The multi-piece fitment includes a base for mounting to the container and a valve carrier for mounting to the base. A flexible, self-sealing slit-type valve is mounted within the carrier. In another embodiment, a fitment is mounted in the opening of a thin-walled, flexible, collapsible container, and the flexible valve is mounted in the fitment. In yet another embodiment, a package includes a container having a corner wall defining an opening, and a fitment is sealingly mounted to the corner wall at the opening. A valve is disposed within the fitment. A removable and disposable cover extends from the container over the fitment and at least a portion of the corner wall to define a hermetically sealed volume around the fitment. The cover may be pulled away from the container to expose the fitment.