Fluid dispensing valve

A fluid dispensing valve comprising:

• a fluid container defining a cavity for enclosing a source of fluid to be dispensed, and wherein the fluid container includes a top peripheral edge;
• a detachable cover which sealingly and matingly cooperates with the top peripheral edge of the fluid container, and which further includes a first surface facing in a direction towards the cavity of the fluid container, and a second, opposite surface which faces outwardly relative thereto, and wherein the detachable cover has a first and second opening which individually extend through both the first and second surfaces, and which couples a surrounding ambient environment to the cavity of the fluid container, and wherein the second surface defines a sipping spout, and the first opening is formed in the sipping spout, and wherein the sipping spout extends generally outwardly relative to the second, outwardly facing surface of the detachable cover, and further has a distal end, and wherein the first opening is formed in the distal end thereof, and wherein the first opening and the sipping spout are coupled in fluid flowing relation relative to an internal cavity of a valve housing;
• a valve housing made integral with the first surface of the detachable cover, and which is defined by a wall which extends substantially perpendicularly outwardly relative to the first surface of the detachable cover, and which further defines an internal cavity, and wherein the internal cavity of the valve housing is substantially aligned with the first opening formed in the detachable cover, and the wall of the valve housing has a passageway formed therein;
• and
• a valve control element having a main body defined by a partially deformable sidewall which is sized so as to be telescopingly received within the cavity defined by the valve housing, and wherein the deformable sidewall when disposed, at least in part, in juxtaposed relation relative to the passageway formed in the wall of the valve housing deforms when a vacuum is created in the valve housing, and wherein the deformable sidewall of the valve control element has a portion which has a variable thickness dimension, and wherein the valve control element includes a movable adjustment indicator, and wherein the position of the adjustment indicator relative to the valve housing orients a given thickness of the portion of the wall of the valve control element relative to the passageway formed in the wall of the valve housing, and wherein a selected thickness of the wall of the valve control element corresponds to a predetermined fluid flow rate of fluid which passes through the fluid dispensing valve when the valve housing is exposed to the vacuum, and wherein the deformable sidewall has a variable height dimension, and wherein the valve control element further includes a post which is located in spaced relation relative to the deformable sidewall and which limits the movement of the deformable sidewall.

A fluid dispenser comprising:

• a housing having a wall which defines an internal cavity for a fluid;
• a lid for attaching to the housing, and wherein the lid substantially closes the internal cavity, and wherein the lid includes a substantially rigid wall, and wherein the substantially rigid wall defines a passageway to the internal cavity;
• and
• a movable cylindrically shaped valve element removably mated to the wall of the lid, and wherein a portion of the movable valve is configured to deform under the influence of a vacuum applied to the internal cavity, and wherein a selective positioning of the movable valve element relative to the passageway formed in the substantially rigid wall of the lid selects the deforming portion of the movable valve element, and wherein the portion of the movable valve element includes a thickness dimension, and wherein the thickness dimension varies when measured in a direction along the circumference of the movable valve element.