Claims

1. A fluid-dispensing valve comprising:a chamber containing a fluid;an aperture for dispensing pressurized fluid from the chamber; anda spring plate adjacent to the aperture having:(a) a peripheral rim extending about the aperture;(b) a sealing member abutting the aperture; and(c) a plurality of springs extending from the peripheral rim to the sealing member, said springs biasing the sealing member to close the aperture when the fluid pressure is less than a predetermined limit and allowing the sealing member to open the aperture when the fluid pressure exceeds the limit.

2. The fluid-dispensing valve of claim 1 wherein the springs extend in a radial pattern from the sealing member to the peripheral rim.

3. The fluid-dispensing valve of claim 1 further comprising an aperture plate containing the aperture, and wherein the spring plate abuts the aperture plate.

4. The fluid-dispensing valve of claim 1 wherein the springs comprise a flat curved shape.

5. The fluid-dispensing valve of claim 1 wherein the springs comprise a web of U-shaped members extending between the sealing member and the peripheral rim allowing a range of elastic deformation in response to fluid pressure on the sealing member.

6. The fluid-dispensing valve of claim 1 wherein the sealing member is substantially planar.

7. The fluid-dispensing valve of claim 1 wherein the spring plate is substantially planar when the aperture is closed, and wherein the springs elastically deform to move the sealing member away from the aperture in the open position.

8. The fluid-dispensing valve of claim 1 wherein the peripheral rim comprises a flat ring.

9. A fluid-dispensing valve comprising:a chamber containing a fluid;an aperture plate having an aperture for dispensing pressurized fluid from the chamber; anda substantially planar spring plate abutting the aperture plate, said spring plate having:(a) a peripheral rim extending about the aperture;(b) a sealing member abutting the aperture; and(c) a plurality of flat curved springs suspending the sealing member from the peripheral rim, said springs biasing the sealing member against the aperture to close the aperture when the fluid pressure is less than a predetermined limit, and deforming to move the sealing member away from the aperture to thereby open the aperture when the fluid pressure exceeds the limit.

10. The fluid-dispensing valve of claim 9 wherein the springs extend in a radial pattern from the sealing member to the peripheral rim.

11. The fluid-dispensing valve of claim 9 wherein the springs comprise a web of U-shaped members extending between the sealing member and the peripheral rim allowing a range of elastic deformation in response to fluid pressure on the sealing member.

12. The fluid-dispensing valve of claim 9 wherein the sealing member is substantially planar.

13. The fluid-dispensing valve of claim 9 wherein the peripheral rim comprises a flat ring.