US4728006A — Flexible container including self-sealing dispens…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 371 words

A flexible package for storing and dispensing a fluid material through a discharge orifice in response to manually applied forces and for automatically ceasing the dispensing operation when said manually applied forces are removed, said package also being resistant to leakage when stored with its discharge orifice downwardly oriented intermediate dispensing cycles, said package comprising: (a) a resiliently deformable container for housing said fluid material, said container exhibiting a degree of flexibility sufficient to permit deformation thereof in response to manual forces applied thereto and a degree of resilience sufficient to return automatically to its undeformed condition when said manually applied forces are removed therefrom, said container including said discharge orifice; and (b) a self-sealing dispensing valve which opens at a predetermined threshold pressure which is greater than the maximum hydraulic head pressure of the fluid material in said container when said discharge orifice is downwardly oriented, said self-sealing dispensing valve being sealingly secured about its periphery across said discharge orifice of said container, said dispensing valve having a centrally located portion comprised of resilient material, said centrally located portion exhibiting a predetermined concave shape while in a substantially unstressed condition when said valve is sealingly secured across said discharge orifice of said container, said valve being oriented relative to said discharge orifice so that said centrally located resilient portion is inwardly concave when said container is in an undeformed condition, said concave shaped resilient portion of said valve including at least one substantially linear slit extending through its thickness from its innermost surface to its outermost surface, said valve exhibiting an ability to undergo inversion from a closed, inwardly concave, sealed and leak-resistant position to an open, outwardly convex, unsealed position when said manually applied forces increase the pressure inside said container beyond the threshold opening pressure of said valve, whereby fluid material is discharged from said container through said slit in said valve as long as said manually applied forces on said container maintain an internal pressure exceeding said threshold opening pressure of said valve, said valve further exhibiting an ability to automatically cut-off said fluid material discharge by returning to a closed, inwardly concave, sealed and leak-resistant position whenever said manually applied forces are removed from said container.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 371 words

A flexible package for storing and dispensing a fluid material through a discharge orifice in response to manually applied forces and for automatically ceasing the dispensing operation when said manually applied forces are removed, said package also being resistant to leakage when stored with its discharge orifice downwardly oriented intermediate dispensing cycles, said package comprising: (a) a resiliently deformable container for housing said fluid material, said container exhibiting a degree of flexibility sufficient to permit deformation thereof in response to manual forces applied thereto and a degree of resilience sufficient to return automatically to its undeformed condition when said manually applied forces are removed therefrom, said container including said discharge orifice; and (b) a self-sealing dispensing valve which opens at a predetermined threshold pressure which is greater than the maximum hydraulic head pressure of the fluid material in said container when said discharge orifice is downwardly oriented, said self-sealing dispensing valve being sealingly secured about its periphery across said discharge orifice of said container, said dispensing valve having a centrally located portion comprised of resilient material, said centrally located portion exhibiting a predetermined concave shape while in a substantially unstressed condition when said valve is sealingly secured across said discharge orifice of said container, said valve being oriented relative to said discharge orifice so that said centrally located resilient portion is inwardly concave when said container is in an undeformed condition, said concave shaped resilient portion of said valve including at least one substantially linear slit extending through its thickness from its innermost surface to its outermost surface, said valve exhibiting an ability to undergo inversion from a closed, inwardly concave, sealed and leak-resistant position to an open, outwardly convex, unsealed position when said manually applied forces increase the pressure inside said container beyond the threshold opening pressure of said valve, whereby fluid material is discharged from said container through said slit in said valve as long as said manually applied forces on said container maintain an internal pressure exceeding said threshold opening pressure of said valve, said valve further exhibiting an ability to automatically cut-off said fluid material discharge by returning to a closed, inwardly concave, sealed and leak-resistant position whenever said manually applied forces are removed from said container.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 16 words

The flexible package of claim 1, wherein said self-sealing dispensing valve is comprised of silicone rubber.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 21 words

The flexible package of claim 1, wherein said concave shaped portion of said self-sealing dispensing valve is of substantially uniform thickness.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 50 words

The flexible package of claim 1, wherein said self-sealing dispensing valve is sealingly secured across said neck on said container by means of a valve securement member engaging said neck, said valve securement member and said valve being sealingly secured to one another by co-injection molding from dissimilar polymeric materials.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 28 words

The flexible package of claim 1, wherein said concave shaped portion of said self-sealing dispensing valve is integrally molded across the discharge orifice of said resiliently deformable container.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 24 words

The flexible package of claim 1, wherein said concave shaped portion of said self-sealing dispensing valve contains a multiplicity of non-intersecting substantially linear slits.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 19 words

The flexible package of claim 6, wherein said non-intersecting substantially linear slits are aligned substantially parallel to one another.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 25 words

The flexible package of claim 1, wherein said centrally located concave shaped portion of said self-sealing dispensing valve is not rigidly constrained about its periphery.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 49 words

The flexible package of claim 8, wherein said centrally located concave shaped portion of said self-sealing dispensing valve is secured to one end of a resilient annular sidewall, the other end of said resilient annular sidewall being sealingly secured about its periphery across said discharge orifice of said container.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 25 words

The flexible package of claim 1, wherein said deformable container includes means for storing said container with its discharge orifice downwardly oriented intermediate dispensing cycles.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 22 words

The flexible package of claim 10, wherein said means for storing said container with its discharge orifice downwardly oriented comprises suspension means.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 23 words

The flexible package of claim 10, wherein said means for suspending said container comprises a hook located at the bottom of said container.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 18 words

The flexible package of claim 12, wherein said hook is rotatably secured to the bottom of said container.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 24 words

The flexible package of claim 1, wherein said deformable container is comprised of plastic and said discharge orifice comprises a neck on said container.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 25 words

The flexible package of claim 14, wherein said self-sealing dispensing valve is sealingly secured across said neck on said container by means of interlocking flanges.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 77 words

The flexible package of claim 14, wherein said self-sealing dispensing valve is sealingly secured across said neck on said container by means of a valve securement member engaging said neck, said valve securement member having a concentrically aligned circular orifice in its uppermost surface, said circular orifice having a diameter at least equal to the maximum diameter of the concave shaped portion of said self-sealing dispensing valve, as measured at the periphery of said concave shaped portion.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 67 words

The flexible package of claim 16, including an auxiliary sealing member releasably secured to said valve securement member, said auxiliary sealing member having a size and shape substantially coninciding with the outermost surface of the concave shaped portion of said self-sealing dispensing valve to prevent opening thereof at pressures in excess of the threshold opening pressure of said valve prior to removal of said auxiliary sealing member.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 381 words

A flexible package for storing and dispensing a fluid material through a discharge orifice in response to manually applied forces and for automatically ceasing the dispensing operation and venting the package to the atmosphere when said manually applied forces are removed, said package also being resistant to leakage when stored with its discharge orifice downwardly oriented intermediate dispensing cycles, said package comprising: (a) a resiliently deformable plastic bottle for housing said fluid material, said bottle exhibiting a degree of flexibility sufficient to permit deformation thereof in response to manual forces applied thereto and a degree of resilience sufficient to return automatically to its undeformed condition when said manually applied forces are removed therefrom, said bottle including said orifice, said orifice comprising a neck on said bottle; and (b) a self-sealing dispensing valve which opens at a predetermined threshold pressure which is greater than the maximum hydraulic head pressure of the fluid material in said bottle when said discharge orifice is downwardly oriented, said self-sealing dispensing valve being sealingly secured about its periphery across said discharge orifice of said bottle, said dispensing valve having a centrally located portion comprised of resilient elastomeric material, said centrally located portion exhibiting a predetermined concave shape while in a substantially unstressed condition when said valve is sealingly secured across valve being oriented relative to said discharge orifice so that said centrally located elastomeric portion is inwardly concave when said bottle is in an undeformed condition, said concave shaped elastomeric portion of said valve including at least one substantially linear slit extending through its thickness from its innermost surface to its outermost surface, said valve exhibiting an ability to undergo inversion from a closed, inwardly concave, sealed and leak-resistant position to an open, outwardly convex, unsealed position when said manually applied forces increase the pressure inside said container beyond the threshold opening pressure of said valve, whereby fluid material is discharged from said bottle through said slit in said valve as long as said manually applied forces on said bottle maintain an internal pressure exceeding said threshold opening pressure of said valve, said valve further exhibiting an ability to automatically cut-off said fluid material discharge by returning to a closed, inwardly concave, sealed and leak resistant position whenever said manually applied forces are removed from said bottle.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 381 words

A flexible package for storing and dispensing a fluid material through a discharge orifice in response to manually applied forces and for automatically ceasing the dispensing operation and venting the package to the atmosphere when said manually applied forces are removed, said package also being resistant to leakage when stored with its discharge orifice downwardly oriented intermediate dispensing cycles, said package comprising: (a) a resiliently deformable plastic bottle for housing said fluid material, said bottle exhibiting a degree of flexibility sufficient to permit deformation thereof in response to manual forces applied thereto and a degree of resilience sufficient to return automatically to its undeformed condition when said manually applied forces are removed therefrom, said bottle including said orifice, said orifice comprising a neck on said bottle; and (b) a self-sealing dispensing valve which opens at a predetermined threshold pressure which is greater than the maximum hydraulic head pressure of the fluid material in said bottle when said discharge orifice is downwardly oriented, said self-sealing dispensing valve being sealingly secured about its periphery across said discharge orifice of said bottle, said dispensing valve having a centrally located portion comprised of resilient elastomeric material, said centrally located portion exhibiting a predetermined concave shape while in a substantially unstressed condition when said valve is sealingly secured across valve being oriented relative to said discharge orifice so that said centrally located elastomeric portion is inwardly concave when said bottle is in an undeformed condition, said concave shaped elastomeric portion of said valve including at least one substantially linear slit extending through its thickness from its innermost surface to its outermost surface, said valve exhibiting an ability to undergo inversion from a closed, inwardly concave, sealed and leak-resistant position to an open, outwardly convex, unsealed position when said manually applied forces increase the pressure inside said container beyond the threshold opening pressure of said valve, whereby fluid material is discharged from said bottle through said slit in said valve as long as said manually applied forces on said bottle maintain an internal pressure exceeding said threshold opening pressure of said valve, said valve further exhibiting an ability to automatically cut-off said fluid material discharge by returning to a closed, inwardly concave, sealed and leak resistant position whenever said manually applied forces are removed from said bottle.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 21 words

The flexible package of claim 18, wherein said concave shaped portion of said self-sealing dispensing valve is of substantially uniform thickness.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 24 words

The flexible package of claim 18, wherein said concave shaped portion of said self-sealing dispensing valve contains a multiplicity of non-intersecting substantially linear slits.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 19 words

The flexible package of claim 20, wherein said non-intersecting substantially linear slits are aligned substantially parallel to one another.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 25 words

The flexible package of claim 18, wherein said centrally located concave shaped portion of said self-sealing dispensing valve is not rigidly constrained about its periphery.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 49 words

The flexible package of claim 22, wherein said centrally located concave shaped portion of said self-sealing dispensing valve is secured to one end of a resilient annular sidewall, the other end of said resilient annular sidewall being sealingly secured about its periphery across said discharge orifice of said container.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 25 words

The flexible package of claim 18, wherein said self-sealing dispensing valve is sealingly secured across said neck of said bottle by means of interlocking flanges.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 78 words

The flexible package of claim 24, wherein said self-sealing dispensing valve is sealingly secured across said neck of said bottle by means of a valve securement member engaging said bottle neck, said valve securement member having a concentrically aligned circular orifice in its uppermost surface, said circular orifice having a diameter at least equal to the maximum diameter of the concave shaped portion of said self-sealing dispensing valve, as measured at the periphery of said concave shaped portion.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 67 words

The flexible package of claim 25, including an auxiliary sealing member releasably secured to said valve securement member, said auxiliary sealing member having a size and shape substantially coinciding with the outermost surface of the concave shaped portion of said self-sealing dispensing valve to prevent opening thereof at pressures in excess of the threshold opening pressure of said valve prior to removal of said auxiliary sealing member.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 26 words

The flexible package of claim 18, wherein said deformable plastic bottle includes means for storing said bottle with its discharge orifice downwardly oriented intermediate dispensing cycles.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 17 words

The package of claim 27, wheein said means for suspending said plastic bottle is integrally molded therewith.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 24 words

The flexible package of claim 27, wherein said means for suspending said plastic bottle comprises a hook secured to the bottom of said bottle.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 19 words

The flexible package of claim 29, wherein said hook is rotatably secured to the bottom of said plastic bottle.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 29 words

The flexible package of claim 27, wherein said means for storing said bottle with its discharge orifice downwardly oriented comprises means for standing said bottle on a horizontal surface.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 46 words

The flexible package of claim 31, wherein said plastic bottle includes a bottom wall, wherein the discharge orifice is located in the bottom wall of said plastic bottle and said means for standing said bottle on a horizontal surface comprises an extension of said bottom wall.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 380 words

A flexible package for storing and dispensing a fluid material through a discharge orifice in response to manually applied forces and for automatically ceasing the dispensing operation when said manually applied forces are removed, said package also being resistant to leakage when stored with its discharge orifice downwardly oriented intermediate dispensing cycles, said package comprising: (a) a resiliently deformable container for housing said fluid material, said container exhibiting a degree of flexibility sufficient to permit deformation thereof in response to manual forces applied thereto and a degree of resilience sufficient to return automatically to its undeformed condition when said manually applied forces are removed therefrom, said container including said discharge orifice; and (b) a self-sealing dispensing valve which opens at a predetermined threshold pressure which is greater than the maximum hydraulic head pressure of the fluid material in said container when said discharge orifice is downwardly oriented, said self-sealing dispensing valve being releasably and sealingly secured about its periphery across said discharge orifice in said container, said dispensing valve having a centrally located portion comprised of resilient material, said centrally located portion exhibiting a predetermined concave shape while in a substantially unstressed condition when said valve is sealingly secured across said discharge orifice of said container, said valve being oriented relative to said discharge orifice so that said centrally located resilient portion is inwardly concave when said container is in an undeformed condition, said concave shaped resilient portion of said valve including at least one substantially linear slit extending through its thickness from its innermost surface to its outermost surface, said valve exhibiting an ability to undergo snap-through buckling and inversion from a closed, inwardly concave, sealed and leak-resistant position to an open, outwardly convex, unsealed position when said manually applied forces increase the pressure inside said container beyond the threshold opening pressure of said valve, whereby fluid material is discharged from said container through said slit in said valve as long as said manually applied forces on said container maintain an internal pressure exceeding said threshold opening pressure of said valve, said valve further exhibiting an ability to automatically cut-off said fluid material discharge by undergoing snap-back buckling back to a closed, inwardly concave, sealed and leak resistant position whenever said manually applied forces are removed from said container.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 380 words

A flexible package for storing and dispensing a fluid material through a discharge orifice in response to manually applied forces and for automatically ceasing the dispensing operation when said manually applied forces are removed, said package also being resistant to leakage when stored with its discharge orifice downwardly oriented intermediate dispensing cycles, said package comprising: (a) a resiliently deformable container for housing said fluid material, said container exhibiting a degree of flexibility sufficient to permit deformation thereof in response to manual forces applied thereto and a degree of resilience sufficient to return automatically to its undeformed condition when said manually applied forces are removed therefrom, said container including said discharge orifice; and (b) a self-sealing dispensing valve which opens at a predetermined threshold pressure which is greater than the maximum hydraulic head pressure of the fluid material in said container when said discharge orifice is downwardly oriented, said self-sealing dispensing valve being releasably and sealingly secured about its periphery across said discharge orifice in said container, said dispensing valve having a centrally located portion comprised of resilient material, said centrally located portion exhibiting a predetermined concave shape while in a substantially unstressed condition when said valve is sealingly secured across said discharge orifice of said container, said valve being oriented relative to said discharge orifice so that said centrally located resilient portion is inwardly concave when said container is in an undeformed condition, said concave shaped resilient portion of said valve including at least one substantially linear slit extending through its thickness from its innermost surface to its outermost surface, said valve exhibiting an ability to undergo snap-through buckling and inversion from a closed, inwardly concave, sealed and leak-resistant position to an open, outwardly convex, unsealed position when said manually applied forces increase the pressure inside said container beyond the threshold opening pressure of said valve, whereby fluid material is discharged from said container through said slit in said valve as long as said manually applied forces on said container maintain an internal pressure exceeding said threshold opening pressure of said valve, said valve further exhibiting an ability to automatically cut-off said fluid material discharge by undergoing snap-back buckling back to a closed, inwardly concave, sealed and leak resistant position whenever said manually applied forces are removed from said container.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 286 words

A flexible package for storing and dispensing a fluid material through a discharge orifice in respone to manually applied forces and for automatically ceasing the dispensing operation when said manually applied forces are removed, said package also being resistant to leakage when stored with its discharge orifice downwardly oriented intermediate dispensing cycles, said package comprising: (a) a resiliently deformable container for housing said fluid material, said container exhibiting a degree of flexibility sufficient to permit deformation thereof in response to manual forces applied thereto and a degree of resilience sufficient to return automatically to its undeformed condition when said manually applied forces are removed therefrom, said container including said discharge orifice; and (b) a self-sealing dispensing valve which opens at a predetermined threshold pressure which is greater than the maximum hydraulic head pressure of the fluid material in said container when said discharge orifice is downwardly oriented, said self-sealing dispensing valve being sealingly secured about its periphery across said discharge orifice of said container, said dispensing valve having a centrally located portion comprised of resilient material, said centrally located portion exhibiting a predetermined concave shape while in a substantially unstressed condition when said valve is sealingly secured across said discharge orifice of said container, said valve being oriented relative to said discharge orifice so that said centrally located resilient portion is inwardly concave when said container is in an undeformed condition, said concave shaped resilient portion of said valve including a multiplicity of non-intersecting substantially linear slits extending through its thickness from its innermost surface to its outermost surface, said valve exhibiting an ability to undergo inversion from a closed, inwardly concave, sealed and leak-resistant position to an open, outwardly convex, unsealed position when said manually

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 286 words

A flexible package for storing and dispensing a fluid material through a discharge orifice in respone to manually applied forces and for automatically ceasing the dispensing operation when said manually applied forces are removed, said package also being resistant to leakage when stored with its discharge orifice downwardly oriented intermediate dispensing cycles, said package comprising: (a) a resiliently deformable container for housing said fluid material, said container exhibiting a degree of flexibility sufficient to permit deformation thereof in response to manual forces applied thereto and a degree of resilience sufficient to return automatically to its undeformed condition when said manually applied forces are removed therefrom, said container including said discharge orifice; and (b) a self-sealing dispensing valve which opens at a predetermined threshold pressure which is greater than the maximum hydraulic head pressure of the fluid material in said container when said discharge orifice is downwardly oriented, said self-sealing dispensing valve being sealingly secured about its periphery across said discharge orifice of said container, said dispensing valve having a centrally located portion comprised of resilient material, said centrally located portion exhibiting a predetermined concave shape while in a substantially unstressed condition when said valve is sealingly secured across said discharge orifice of said container, said valve being oriented relative to said discharge orifice so that said centrally located resilient portion is inwardly concave when said container is in an undeformed condition, said concave shaped resilient portion of said valve including a multiplicity of non-intersecting substantially linear slits extending through its thickness from its innermost surface to its outermost surface, said valve exhibiting an ability to undergo inversion from a closed, inwardly concave, sealed and leak-resistant position to an open, outwardly convex, unsealed position when said manually

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 86 words

applied forces increase the pressure inside said container beyond the threshold opening pressure of said valve, whereby fluid material is discharged from said container through said slits in said valve as long as said manually applied forces on said container maintain an internal pressure exceeding said threshold opening pressure of said valve, said valve further exhibiting an ability to automatically cut-off said fluid material discharge by returning to a closed, inwardly concave, sealed and leak-resistant position whenever said manually applied forces are removed from said container.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 86 words

applied forces increase the pressure inside said container beyond the threshold opening pressure of said valve, whereby fluid material is discharged from said container through said slits in said valve as long as said manually applied forces on said container maintain an internal pressure exceeding said threshold opening pressure of said valve, said valve further exhibiting an ability to automatically cut-off said fluid material discharge by returning to a closed, inwardly concave, sealed and leak-resistant position whenever said manually applied forces are removed from said container.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 394 words

A flexible package for storing and dispensing a fluid material through a discharge orifice in response to manually applied forces and for automatically ceasing the dispensing operation and venting the package to the atmosphere when said manually applied forces are removed, said package also being resistant to leakage when stored with its discharge orifice downwardly oriented intermediate dispensing cycles, said package comprising: (a) a resiliently deformable plastic bottle for housing said fluid material, said bottle exhibiting a degree of flexibility sufficient to permit deformation thereof in response to manual forces applied thereto and a degree of resilience sufficient to return automatically to its undeformed condition when said manually applied forces are removed therefrom, said bottle including said orifice; said orifice comprising a neck on said bottle; and (b) a self-sealing dispensing valve which opens at a predetermined threshold pressure which is greater than the maximum hydraulic head pressure of the fluid material in said bottle when said discharge orifice is downwardly oriented, said self-sealing dispensing valve being sealingly secured about is periphery across said discharge orifice of said bottle, said dispensing valve having a centrally located portion comprised of resilient elastomeric material, said centrally located portion exhibiting a predetermined concave shape while in a substantially unstressed condition when said valve is sealingly secured across said discharge orifice of said container, said valve being oriented relative to said discharge orifice so that said centrally located elastomeric portion is inwardly concave when said container is in an undeformed condition, said concave shaped elastomeric portion of said valve including a multiplicity of non-intersecting substantially linear slits radially oriented about its center and extending through its thickness from its innermost surface to its outermost surface, said valve exhibiting an ability to undergo inversion from a closed, inwardly concave, sealed and leak-resistant position to an open, outwardly convex, unsealed position when said manually applied forces increase the pressure inside said container beyond the threshold opening pressure of said valve, whereby fluid material is discharged from said container through said slits in said valve as long as said manually applied forces on said bottle maintain an internal pressure exceeding said threshold opening pressure of said valve, said valve further exhibiting an ability to automatically cut-off said fluid material discharge by returning to a closed, inwardly concave, sealed and leak-resistant position whenever said manually applied forces are removed from said bottle.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 394 words

A flexible package for storing and dispensing a fluid material through a discharge orifice in response to manually applied forces and for automatically ceasing the dispensing operation and venting the package to the atmosphere when said manually applied forces are removed, said package also being resistant to leakage when stored with its discharge orifice downwardly oriented intermediate dispensing cycles, said package comprising: (a) a resiliently deformable plastic bottle for housing said fluid material, said bottle exhibiting a degree of flexibility sufficient to permit deformation thereof in response to manual forces applied thereto and a degree of resilience sufficient to return automatically to its undeformed condition when said manually applied forces are removed therefrom, said bottle including said orifice; said orifice comprising a neck on said bottle; and (b) a self-sealing dispensing valve which opens at a predetermined threshold pressure which is greater than the maximum hydraulic head pressure of the fluid material in said bottle when said discharge orifice is downwardly oriented, said self-sealing dispensing valve being sealingly secured about is periphery across said discharge orifice of said bottle, said dispensing valve having a centrally located portion comprised of resilient elastomeric material, said centrally located portion exhibiting a predetermined concave shape while in a substantially unstressed condition when said valve is sealingly secured across said discharge orifice of said container, said valve being oriented relative to said discharge orifice so that said centrally located elastomeric portion is inwardly concave when said container is in an undeformed condition, said concave shaped elastomeric portion of said valve including a multiplicity of non-intersecting substantially linear slits radially oriented about its center and extending through its thickness from its innermost surface to its outermost surface, said valve exhibiting an ability to undergo inversion from a closed, inwardly concave, sealed and leak-resistant position to an open, outwardly convex, unsealed position when said manually applied forces increase the pressure inside said container beyond the threshold opening pressure of said valve, whereby fluid material is discharged from said container through said slits in said valve as long as said manually applied forces on said bottle maintain an internal pressure exceeding said threshold opening pressure of said valve, said valve further exhibiting an ability to automatically cut-off said fluid material discharge by returning to a closed, inwardly concave, sealed and leak-resistant position whenever said manually applied forces are removed from said bottle.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1991-03-01	1991-08-31	1992-03-01	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1995-03-01	1995-08-31	1996-03-01	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1999-03-01	1999-08-31	2000-03-01	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Flexible container including self-sealing dispensing valve to provide automatic shut-off and leak resistant inverted storage

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