US3746218A

US3746218A - Attaching a dispensing valve to a pressurized dispenser

Info

Publication number: US3746218A
Application number: US00180646A
Authority: US
Inventors: M Risdon; R Meyer
Original assignee: Sterigard Corp; IRVINE IND CO
Current assignee: Sterigard Corp; IRVINE IND CO
Priority date: 1971-09-15
Filing date: 1971-09-15
Publication date: 1973-07-17
Anticipated expiration: 1990-07-17

Abstract

A dispensing valve is secured to a standard dome of a pressurized dispenser through a lock ring and a depending plug portion of the dispensing valve housing. The lock ring, around an undercut section on its external radial surface, lies in conforming and compressive engagement with the inner radial surface of a bead which bounds the opening through the dome. The lock ring is forced tightly against the bead by the plug through complementary tapered surfaces of the two. The taper of the lock ring exceeds that of the plug to allow the plug to overtravel and elastically expand the lock ring during its assembly with the lock ring to be sure that an annular, radially outwardly extending flange of the plug underlies the extreme interior, axial end of the lock ring.

Description

[ ATTACHING A DISPENSING VALVE TO A PRESSURIZED DISPENSER [75] Inventors: Merle G. Risdon, Norwalk; Ronald A. Meyer, Mission Viejo, both of Calif.

[73] Assignee: Sterigard Corporation, Irvine Industrial Company, Santa Ana, Calif.

[22] Filed: Sept. 15, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 180,646

1 51 July 17,1973

3,262,721 7/1966 Knight 285/DIG. 22 3,056,852 10/1962 Sachs 285/DlG. 22 1,041,445 10/1912 Dittrich 222/394 2,993,629 7/1961 Ruhnke 222/567 x 3,270,924 9/1966 Kitabayashi 222/394 Primary ExaminerSamuel F. Coleman Assistant Examiner-Norman L. Stack, Jr. Attorney-E. Roderick Cline et al.

[57] ABSTRACT A dispensing valve is secured to a standard dome of a pressurized dispenser through a lock ring and a depending plug portion of the dispensing valve housing.

:J-;S.(:CIL e lock i g around an d t tion on its exterd 6 67 24 5 nal radial surface, lies in conforming and compressive 1 fi g g i"335 556"6 engagement with the inner radial surface of a bead which bounds the opening through the dome. The lock ring is forced tightly against the bead by the plug through complementary tapered surfaces of the two. [56] References Cited The taper of the lock ring exceeds that of the plug to UNITED STATES PATENTS allow the plug to overtravel and elastically expand the 2,755,973 7/1956 Campbell 222/394 lock ring during its assembly with the lock ring to be 3,434,636 3/1969 Kachman 222/567 sure that an annular, radially outwardly extending fi y et al 331 5 flange of the plug underlies the extreme interior, axial axton 2,214,732 9/1940 Kraft 220/245 em! the lock 541,203 6/1895 Hall 220/245 10 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures i l I 1 42 Patented July 17, 1973 I 3,746,218

.4 TTOPA/E V5 ATTACHING A DISPENSING VALVE TO A PRESSURIZED DISPENSER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates in general to the art of dispensers for containing pressurized products and, more in particular, to an improved means for attachment of a dispensing valve used to selectively discharge product from such a dispenser which is characterized by the compressive engagement of a plug and a lock ring against the inside of a standard dome's bead or curl.

Pressurized fluid dispensers are extremely popular. Briefly, pressurized dispensers maintain a product to be dispensed under pressure for selective dispensation through a dispensing valve. The pressure is maintained by a propellant. I

A standard pressurized dispenser has a body portion closed at its bottom by a closure cap and closed at its top by a dome. The dome has an annular bead or curl bounding an opening into the interior of the dispenser. This bead provides the purchase for the dispensers dispensing valve. A typical assembly has a valve cup with an annular bead which overlies the complementary bead of the dome. The cup is attached to the dome by crimping the cup wall below the bead of the dome such that the valve cups bead and the crimped areas of the cup wall clamp the domes bead between them. This crimping is done by multichucked crimping apparatus which expands the portions of the wall of the valve cup radially outward beneath the bead of the dome. Because of the requirement for radial movement of the crimping chucks to crimp the valve cup, spaces are left between crimped areas.

Often these uncrimped areas of the cup do not bear sufficiently hard against the sealant used between the cup and the dome to seal the interior of the dispenser. Obviously, when the seal is ineffective a dispenser must be rejected.

Moreover, the requirement for crimping of the valve cup to the dome entails considerable tool expense and maintenance problems. For example, the crimping chucks must be maintained in excellent condition and closely synchronized if the desired number of crimp joints and degree of crimping are to be efiected.

Another problem confronted with the use of valve cups to mount the dispensing valve of pressurized dispensers is in the compatibility of product with material from which the cups are made. While protective coatings are available, they are not always efi'ective because of uncoated areas resulting from the fabrication of the cups. Because of cost consideration, cup material, typically tinplated steel, is coated in a preformed, flat condition. After coating, the cup is shaped and fabricated. During fabrication, a hole is punched for the stem of the dispensing valve. The wall of this hole is not coated. In addition, the bead and the annular channel between the bead and the stem mounting portion of the valve is formed which can cause cracking of the coating to expose the metal. Metal exposure is also caused by scratching of the coating which occurs during valve cup fabrication, feeding to assembly areas, and assembly in a dispenser.

In short, the conversion of a flat sheet into a valve cup of complex configuration adversely affects the protective coating. Obviously, the necessity for punching holes destroys the protective effect of the coating in these areas. Moreover, crimping, bending and handling of the cups have a tendency to crack or otherwise expose the bare coating of the metal to the product within the dispenser.

As a consequence of the inability to fully protect valve cups with protective coatings, compatibility between product and cups presents serious problems. Chemical reaction between the cup and product and consequent spoilage of product is an example of such an imcompatibility problem. Another problem is in anodic attack between two different metals which often occurs because of exposed metal of the valve cup.

Still another area where the prior art of valve cups have proven troublesome is in their assembly with the dispensing valve and to the dispenser. The great majority of dispensing valves previously used have their valve housing crimped to the valve cup. The valve cup is subsequently crimped to the dome of the dispenser. The necessity for a double crimp can complicate assembly or comprimise the dispensing valve.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention overcomes problems of product compatibility with metal valve cups, unreliability of the seal between the valve cups and their domes, relatively complicated assembly procedures, and the problems attendant with expensive amd maintenance prone crimping equipment.

Briefly, the present invention contemplates the use of an annular lock ring which, in assembly in a pressurized dispenser, bears in compression against the inner surface of a standard bead or curl of the dispenser and is secured in this position and aided in its compressive engagement by a plug section of the dispensing valves housing.

More particularly, the present invention provides a dispensing valve for a pressurized dispenser which has a lock ring adapted to be received in the opening bounded by a head or curl of a standard dome of a dispenser body. The lock ring has an external diameter which exceeds the smallest diameter of the head or curl with which it is to be used. The wall thickness of the lock ring is sufficiently thin to allow the bead to contract the ring as a portion of the ring passes below the bead during assembly. The plug of the dispensing valve housing is subsequently inserted in the lock ring to compressively engage it and urge it into tight, abutting relationship with the interior surface of the bead.

An even more particular form of the invention contemplates an improved dispensing valve which has a housing with a plug section. At the base of the plug section, an annular locking flange extends radially outward from the adjacent annular surface of the plug section. In assembly, the flange at the base of the plug section engages the lock ring at its base along the latters bottom marginal edge. This engagement prevents propellant pressure within the dispenser from forcing the housing through the top of the dome. The plug section is externally tapered with the taper converging towards the bottom of the housing. The lock ring has an inner annular surface for receiving the plug section which is also axially tapered and which also converges in the same direction as the taper of the plug section. The taper of the lock rings inner surface, however, is greater than that of the plug section. The complementary tapers of the plug section on the lock ring allow the plug section during assembly to move axially further inwardly of the dispenser than the position it occupies after assembly to be sure that the annular flange of the plug section completely clears the bottom marginal edge of the lock ring. A clearance is provided between an annular rib at the top of the tapered plug section and the axially adjacent portion of the lock ring to accommodate this overtravel. In a charged dispenser, propellant pressure will force the plug section upwardly with respect to the lock ring so that the annular flange of the plug section engages the lock ring. The annular rib at the top of the plug section has a diameter which is substantially the same as the diameter of the counterbore of the lock ring immediately adjacent the lock rings taper. The lock ring, where it engages the bead or curl, is undercut to conform to the surface of the bead it engages and to underlie it. By having a portion of the lock ring underlying the bead when the lock ring is assembled, there is considerable resistance against internal pressure within the dispenser.

The dispensing valve also has means for selectively discharging product from a pressurized dispenser. These means may include, for example, a barrel having a translatable plug spring-biased towards a closed position, and an external actuator for unseating the plug from a tip seal allowing the product to be discharged through a nozzle.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description, appended claims and drawmgs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES FIG. 1 is an elevational view, mostly in half section and partly fragmented, of the dispensing valve and pressurized dispenser of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view in elevation in area 2 of FIG. 1, illustrating in detail the cooperation between the lock ring, plug section and dome bead of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference initially to FIG. 1, a pressurized dispenser having a dispensing valve 12 and a dispenser preassembly 14 is shown in elevation.

The dispensing valve includes a valve housing 15 and valve mechanism 16. The latter is adapted to selectively discharge productfrom the interior of dispenser l0.

Dispenser preassembly 14 forms a container which has a body 18 closed by a bottom closure cap 20 and a cover or dome 22.

The dome is attached to the body of the dispenser as along an annular circumferential seam 24. A similar seam provides the attachment of bottom cap 20 to body 18. Dome 22 has an annular bead or curl 26 which bounds an opening 28 through the dome and into the interior of the dispenser. The dome, body and body closure cap illustrated are typical of those found as such in the prior art.

Housing 15 of dispensing valve 12 generally includes a barrel 30, a plug section 32 and an intermediate or pedestal section 34. Valving mechanism 16 is disposed in barrel for selective discharge of product from the dispenser. A passage 36 between a chamber 38 within the barrel provides communication from the interior of the dispenser, through the pedestal, through the barrel and out of a nozzle 40 at the extreme anterior end of the barrel when valving mechanism 16 is actuated.

Plug section 32 is secured in place on dome 22 through a cooperating lock ring 42. The plug section is hollow for the passage of product through it. Lock ring 42 for its part compressively engages the interior radial surface of bead 26. A skirt 33 extends from the lock ring proper to cover the dome and provide for means attaching an overcap. An overcap is used for keeping the valve clean, decorative purposes, and to prevent inadvertent discharge of product as during shipment.

FIG. 2 illustrates more clearly plug 32 and lock ring 42. The lock ring has an annular undercut portion 46 which conforms in shape to the abutting curved surface of bead 26. In a practical example, the undercut of section 46 on a radius basis was 0.020 inch with a polyethylene lock ring.

The inner axial annular surface of lock ring 42, indicated by reference numeral 48, is axially tapered with the taper converging towards the bottom of the dispensing valve. An end 50 of the lock ring defines an annular shoulder for engagement by a cooperating annular rib or flange 52 of plug 32.

Plug 32 has an externally tapered, annular surface 54 which converges in the same direction as tapered surface 48 of lock ring 42, but not as fast. Stated in different words, the taper of the interior surface of the lock ring is slightly greater than the taper of the exterior surface of the plug. In assembly, as shown in FIG. 2, the exterior annular surface of plug 32 bears in compressive engagement against the lower portion of surface 48 of the lock ring to force the lock ring proper into intimate compressive engagement with bead 26 to effect a seal there, and to effect a seal along and around the engaged surfaces. Above the annular zone of compressive engagement between the tapered surfaces of the lock ring and the plug exists an annular clearance space 55. This clearance, which may be illustrated slightly exaggerated, results from thedifference to taper between the surfaces. Even with space '55, the lock ring is sufficiently stiff, the diameters of undercut 46 are sufiiciently larger than the corresponding diameters of bead 26, and the force exerted by plug 32 through its externally tapered surface 54 on the lock ring is sufficiently high, that the intimate, compressive, sealing engagement between the undercut and the bead exists. It has been found that elimination of space 55 to obtain compressive engagement between the surfaces where the space was improves creep resistance. Thus in many applications it is preferred to eliminate space 55 entirely. 7 Lock ring 42 has an annular, right cylindrical counterbore 56 immediately above the upper terminus of an annular transition tapered surface 58. Plug 32 has an external radial, externally tapered flange or rib 62, the largest diameter of which closely approaches the diameter of counterbore 56. Rib 62, in assembly as shown in FIG. 2, is spaced slightly above tapered transition surface 58 of lock ring 42. This clearance allows plug 32 to move axially further down with respect to lock ring 42 than is shown in FIG. 2 during assembly. Overtravel, as well, is possible because of the unequal tapers between the outside surface of plug 32 and the inside surface of lock ring 42. This overtravel facility assures that external flange 52 of plug 32 completely clears the bottom of lock ring 42-and the flange expands into engagement with shoulder 50. When the dispenser is pressurized, internal pressure within the dispenser will force flange 52 against shoulder 50. The amount of engagement between the surfaces of the plug and lock ring increases the greater the distance between shoulder 50 and flange 52.

The lock ring extends axially a relatively large distance from undercut 46 to shoulder 50. This distance allows the lock ring to flex or expand as flange 52 passes through it during assembly and encounters progressively smaller diameters along surface 48. It should also be noted that flange 52 has a maximum diameter no larger than the diameter of surface 48 radially inward of bead 26 (in other words, at the same axial position as the bead).

With reference again to FIG. 1, valving mechanism 16 further includes a plug 64, a stem 66, a head 68, a spring 70, a closure cap 72 and an actuator 74. Spring 70 biases plug 64 toward nozzle 40 to maintain the valve in a normally closed position. The spring is purchased between the inside end of closure cap 72 and plug 64. The closure cap is secured to a barrel 30 through a flange, not shown. Actuator 74 is purchased on closure cap 72 and is coupled to stem 66 through head 68. counterclockwise rotation of the actuator causes it to bear against the interior surface of head 68 moving stem 66 to the right in the Figure along with plug 64 to discharge product through nozzle 40. An annular feather edged cup seal 78 contacts chamber 38 in a zonearound its entire bounding circumference and prevents product from escaping out of the rear of the valve.

Dispenser is assembled by inserting lock ring 42 into hole 28, which is bounded by bead 26. This insertion will contract the lock ring until it is free to expand when undercut 46 is radially inward of bead or curl 26. However, the diameter of the undercut portion is slightly larger than the interior diameter of the bead and therefore the lock ring will be in compressive engagement with the bead. Next, plug section 32 is forced inwardly of the lock ring and expands the lock ring below the curl for the passage of flange 52 of the plug. The plug section itself will contract slightly because of the action of the lock ring on it during insertion and even slightly when completely assembled. Upper flange or rib 62 will bottom on transition tapered surface 58 indicating that flange 52 has completely cleared shoulder 50 of lock ring 42. The externally tapered surface of the plug section will bear tightly against the cooperating tapered surface of the lock ring during the insertion of the plug into the lock ring. In any event, once flange 52 of plug 32 clears the bottom of the lock ring and the dispenser is subsequently pressurized, flange 52 will move upwardly into engagement with shoulder 50.

The difference of tapers between the internal surface of the lock ring and the external surface of the plug, obviously, allows for this overtravel facility. Notwithstanding the differences in tapers, the plug section, when assembled, bears in compressive engagement against the lock ring to further urge the lock ring into intimate and compressive engagement with curl or bead 26.

As previously mentioned, in a practical embodiment of the present invention the lock ring was made of polyethylene. The plug and the balance of valve housing was made of polypropylene. Obviously, because of the contraction required of the plug section and even more so because of the expansion of the lock ring during assembly, the materials of each must be relatively resilient.

The present invention has been described with reference to a certain preferred embodiment. The spirit and scope of the appended claims should not, however, necessarily be limited to the foregoing description.

What is claimed is:

1. An improved dispensing 'valve for use with a pressurized dispenser of the type having a dome with an annular bead bounding an opening therethrough into the interior of the dispenser, the improved dispensing valve comprising:

a. a housing having as its base a plug, a longitudinal axis for lying on the axis of the opening through the dome, and passage means for product passage from the interior of the dispenser to atmosphere;

b. selectively actuatable valving means in the housing for selectively dispensing product from the dispenser;

c. a lock ring having an axial bore and an annular, external groove defining an undercut which has a surface conforming to the surface of the bead for sealing engagement therewith and for interference with the bead in both directions axially of the housing, the lock ring extending axially below the annular groove to an annular, radially extending shoulder, the extended section of the lock ring defining an annular section capable of flexural expansion radially outward from the axis of the housing below the bead;

d. the plug having an annular external flange for expanding the extended section of the lock ring below the annular groove and for underlying the shoulder to provide interference between the plug and the lock ring in an axially upward direction; and

. the bore in the extended section of the lock ring having an annular internal surface and the plug having an annular external surface above the flange for interference with each other to radially expand the extended section and force the annular groove into intimate compressive engagement with the bead.

2. The improved dispensing valve claimed in claim 1 wherein:

the annular internal surface of the lock ring is axially tapered with the taper converging towards the shoulder, and the annular external surface of the plug is axially tapered with the taper converging towards the flange, the taper of the internal surface of the lock ring being greater than the taper of the external surface of the plug.

3. The improved dispensing valve claimed in claim 2 wherein:

the plug and the lock ring have means for permitting the flange of the plug to move axially past the shoulder of the lock ring during assembly to ensure that the flange clears the shoulder.

4. The improved dispensing valve claimed in claim 3 wherein the permitting means includes:

an annular rib on the plug above the externally ta pered surface thereof, the rib having a diameter greater than the diameter of the internally tapered surface of the lock ring, a counterbore in the lock ring above the internally tapered annular surface thereof, the counterbore having a diameter to receive the rib, a transition surface of the lock ring between the counterbore and the tapered annular surface of the lock ring, and the axial distance between the rib and the flange exceeding the axial distance between the transition surface and the shoulder to permit the flange to move past the shoulder during assembly until the rib abuts the transition surface.

5. The improved dispensing valve claimed in claim 1 wherein the diameter of the annular groove is slightly greater than the corresponding diameter of the bead to provide radial interference between the two.

6. The improved dispensing valve claimed in claim 5 wherein:

7. In combination with a pressurized dispenser of the type having a dome with an annular bead bounding an opening therethrough into the interior of the dispenser, an improved dispensing valve for the selective dispensation of product comprising:

a. a housing having a plug at its base, a longitudinal axis, and passage means for product passage from the interior of the dispenser to atmosphere;

b. selectively actuable valving means in the housing for selectively dispensing product from the dispenser;

. a lock ring having an axial bore and an annular, external groove defining an undercut which has a surface conforming to the surface of the bead, the annular groove being in sealing and compressive engagement with the bead and in interference with the bead in both longitudinal directions of the housing to prevent the lock ring from leaving the bead, the lock ring extending axially below the annular groove to an annular, radially extending shoulder, the extended section of the lock ring defining an annular section capable of flexural expansion radially outward from the longitudinal axis of the housing below the bead;

d. the plug having an annular external flange for expanding the extended section of the lock ring below the annular groove, the annular flange underlying the shoulder and being in interference therewith in an upwardly direction along the longitudinal axis; and

e. the bore in the extended section of the lock ring having an annular internal surface and the plug having an annular external surface above the flange, the two surfaces being in interference with each other with the plug radially expanding the extended section of thelock ring and forcing the an nular groove into intimate compressive engagement with the bead.

8. The improved dispensing valve claimed in claim 7 wherein:

9. The improved dispensing valve claimed in claim 8 wherein the plug and the lock ring each has means for permitting the flange of the plug to move axially past the shoulder of the lock ring during assembly to ensure that the flange clears the shoulder.

10. The improved dispensing valve claimed in claim 9 wherein the permitting means of the plug and lock ring includes:

an annular rib on the plug above the externally tapered surface thereof, the rib having a diameter greater than the diameter of the internally tapered surface of the lock ring, a counterbore in the lock ring above the internally tapered annular surface thereof and receiving the rib, a transition surface of the lock ring between the counterbore and the tapered annular surface of the lock ring, the axial distance between the rib and the flange exceeding the axial distance between the transition surface and the shoulder to permit the flange to move past the shoulder during assembly until the rib abuts the transition surface.

an annular rib on the plug above the externally tapered surface thereof, the rib having a diameter greater than the diameter of the internally tapered surface of the lock ring, a counterbore in the lock ring above the internally tapered annular surface thereof and receiving the rib, a transition surface of the lock ring between the counterbore and the tapered annular surface of the lock ring, the axial distance between the rib and the flange exceeding the axial distance between the transition surface and the shoulder to permit the flange to move past the shoulder during assembly until the rib abutsthe transition surface.

27 g UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,746,218 Dated July 17. 1973 Igventor s Merle G. Risdon and Ronald A. Meyer It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

I" I "I In the Specification: Column 2 line 19, "comprimise" should be --compromise--.

In the Claims: Claim 7, column 7, line 29, "actuable" should be --actuatable--. Claim 10, colunm 8, lines 38 through 50 should be deleted.

Signed and sealed this 2nd day of April 197b,.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD I LFLETGHEILJR. C. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents

Claims

1. An improved dispensing valve for use with a pressurized dispenser of the type having a dome with an annular bead bounding an opening therethrough into the interior of the dispenser, the improved dispensing valve comprising: a. a housing having as its base a plug, a longitudinal axis for lying on the axis of the opening through the dome, and passage means for product passage from the interior of the dispenser to atmosphere; b. selectively actuatable valving means in the housing for selectively dispensing product from the dispenser; c. a lock ring having an axial bore and an annular, external groove defining an undercut which has a surface conforming to the surface of the bead for sealing engagement therewith and for interference with the bead in both directions axially of the housing, the lock ring extending axially below the annular groove to an annular, radially extending shoulder, the extended section of the lock ring defining an annular section capable of flexural expansion radially outward from the axis of the housing below the bead; d. the plug having an annular external flange for expanDing the extended section of the lock ring below the annular groove and for underlying the shoulder to provide interference between the plug and the lock ring in an axially upward direction; and e. the bore in the extended section of the lock ring having an annular internal surface and the plug having an annular external surface above the flange for interference with each other to radially expand the extended section and force the annular groove into intimate compressive engagement with the bead.

2. The improved dispensing valve claimed in claim 1 wherein: the annular internal surface of the lock ring is axially tapered with the taper converging towards the shoulder, and the annular external surface of the plug is axially tapered with the taper converging towards the flange, the taper of the internal surface of the lock ring being greater than the taper of the external surface of the plug.

3. The improved dispensing valve claimed in claim 2 wherein: the plug and the lock ring have means for permitting the flange of the plug to move axially past the shoulder of the lock ring during assembly to ensure that the flange clears the shoulder.

4. The improved dispensing valve claimed in claim 3 wherein the permitting means includes: an annular rib on the plug above the externally tapered surface thereof, the rib having a diameter greater than the diameter of the internally tapered surface of the lock ring, a counterbore in the lock ring above the internally tapered annular surface thereof, the counterbore having a diameter to receive the rib, a transition surface of the lock ring between the counterbore and the tapered annular surface of the lock ring, and the axial distance between the rib and the flange exceeding the axial distance between the transition surface and the shoulder to permit the flange to move past the shoulder during assembly until the rib abuts the transition surface.

6. The improved dispensing valve claimed in claim 5 wherein: the annular internal surface of the lock ring is axially tapered with the taper converging towards the shoulder, and the annular external surface of the plug is axially tapered with the taper converging towards the flange, the taper of the internal surface of the lock ring being greater than the taper of the external surface of the plug.

7. In combination with a pressurized dispenser of the type having a dome with an annular bead bounding an opening therethrough into the interior of the dispenser, an improved dispensing valve for the selective dispensation of product comprising: a. a housing having a plug at its base, a longitudinal axis, and passage means for product passage from the interior of the dispenser to atmosphere; b. selectively actuable valving means in the housing for selectively dispensing product from the dispenser; c. a lock ring having an axial bore and an annular, external groove defining an undercut which has a surface conforming to the surface of the bead, the annular groove being in sealing and compressive engagement with the bead and in interference with the bead in both longitudinal directions of the housing to prevent the lock ring from leaving the bead, the lock ring extending axially below the annular groove to an annular, radially extending shoulder, the extended section of the lock ring defining an annular section capable of flexural expansion radially outward from the longitudinal axis of the housing below the bead; d. the plug having an annular external flange for expanding the extended section of the lock ring below the annular groove, the annular flange underlying the shoulder and being in interference therewith in an upwardly direction along the longitudinal axis; and e. the bore in the extended section of the lock ring having an annular internal surface and the plug having an annular external surface above the flange, the two surfaces being in interference with each other with the plug radially expanding the extended section of the lock ring and forcing the annular groove into intimate compressive engagement with the bead.

8. The improved dispensing valve claimed in claim 7 wherein: the annular internal surface of the lock ring is axially tapered with the taper converging towards the shoulder, and the annular external surface of the plug is axially tapered with the taper converging towards the flange, the taper of the internal surface of the lock ring being greater than the taper of the external surface of the plug.

10. The improved dispensing valve claimed in claim 9 wherein the permitting means of the plug and lock ring includes: an annular rib on the plug above the externally tapered surface thereof, the rib having a diameter greater than the diameter of the internally tapered surface of the lock ring, a counterbore in the lock ring above the internally tapered annular surface thereof and receiving the rib, a transition surface of the lock ring between the counterbore and the tapered annular surface of the lock ring, the axial distance between the rib and the flange exceeding the axial distance between the transition surface and the shoulder to permit the flange to move past the shoulder during assembly until the rib abuts the transition surface. an annular rib on the plug above the externally tapered surface thereof, the rib having a diameter greater than the diameter of the internally tapered surface of the lock ring, a counterbore in the lock ring above the internally tapered annular surface thereof and receiving the rib, a transition surface of the lock ring between the counterbore and the tapered annular surface of the lock ring, the axial distance between the rib and the flange exceeding the axial distance between the transition surface and the shoulder to permit the flange to move past the shoulder during assembly until the rib abuts the transition surface.