Abstract: A valve arrangement for a liquid dispensing unit includes a discharge nozzle having a central bore, the bore having a central axis, an inner wall, and an edge forming a valve seat; a movable valve element cooperating with the bore to control liquid flow out of the nozzle; the valve element including a valve stem extending along the central axis; a device for reciprocally moving the valve element along the central axis; a valve base mounted at the end of the valve stem for contacting the valve seat to seal closed the nozzle, the valve base including a shear step at the outer circumferential edge thereof, and a seal area adjacent the shear step for contacting the valve seat for shutting off liquid flow when the valve is in a closed position; a plurality of arms projecting from the valve stem for guiding the valve stem with respect to the inner wall of the bore, the arms being spaced from the valve base; and a single fin extending from an outer periphery of the valve base in a direction perpendicular to the axis