Control of fluid flow

• US 5,699,821 A
• Filed: 08/15/1994
• Issued: 12/23/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Joseph R. Paradis
• Original Assignee: Joseph R. Paradis
• Inventors: Paradis, Joseph R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Kevin
• Application Number:
  US08/290,136
• Time in Patent Office: 1,226 Days
• Field of Search: 251/149.8, 251/149.6, 251/149.1, 604/83, 604/256, 604/283, 604/905, 604/167, 604/249, 137/903, 137/1
• US Class Current: 137/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/1418 Threaded type
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/1468 Containers characterised by specific material properties
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/1481 with connection retaining means, e.g. thread or snap-fit
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/1487 with friction fit, e.g. connecting tubes directly to a protruding port
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/02 Access sites
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/26 Valves closing automatically on disconnecting the line and opening on reconnection thereof check valves A61M39/24
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0318 Processes

Abstract

A flow control device with an inlet for fluid and a normally open slotted movable member sealing the inlet and closing the slot. The unsealing of the inlet and the opening of the slot permits the passage of fluid therethrough. The movable member extends by a channel, which can be open or closed, between the inlet and an outlet and has a portion which is expandable laterally. A member external to the flow control device, such as the tip of a Luer taper, can activate the movable member by depressing it to open the slot and allow the flow of fluid.

Claims

1. A flow control device comprising:

an inlet for the flow of fluid;

an outlet connected to said inlet and disposed with respect thereto to serve as a conduit for flow from said inlet; and

slidable movable means having a normally open slotted and compressible head for sealing said inlet, said inlet closing the slot from a completely open to a completely closed condition when said head is within said inlet, and a flexible body including a channel extending to said outlet for permitting flow through said head to said outlet when said inlet is unsealed.

2. A flow control device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said inlet extends to a tapered bore which is spaced from said movable means, and the slot of said head is opened when said head is moved into said tapered bore.

3. A flow control device in accordance with claim 2 wherein said tapered bore extends to a second bore within which said flexible body is expandable outwardly with respect to the axis of said outlet.

4. A flow control device in accordance with claim 3 wherein said flexible body is spaced from said second bore to permit expansion and contraction during the opening and closing of said slot.

5. A flow control device in accordance with claim 1 further including means for permitting the activation of said movable means by a member external to the flow control device which does not penetrate the slot of said head, wherein said moveable means terminates in said head sealing said inlet and said head can be moved from said inlet by the external member.

6. A flow control device in accordance with claim 1 wherein an inner flow passage extends continuously from said slot to said outlet.

7. A flow control device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the slot of said head is in the form of a multi-sided geometric figure with opened segments when said head is in a non-sealing position.

8. A flow control device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said head has a depressed surface that is sealingly complementary to and non-penetrable by the tip of a Luer taper at the entrance to said inlet.

9. A flow control device as defined in claim 1 wherein said inner flow passage extends into said outlet and is movable therein from an equilibrium position, whereby the removal of a force causing said inner flow passage to move into said outlet opening the slot causes the inner flow passage to return to its equilibrium position closing the slot.

10. A flow control device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said head comprises an outer peripheral surface having grooves extending in the direction of movement of said head.

11. A method of controlling fluid flow which comprises the steps of:

(1) sealing an inlet by a normally open slotted flexible stopper which compresses into said inlet, said inlet closing the slot of said stopper; and

(2) slidably depressing said stopper to open the slot and permit the flow of fluid therethrough.

12. The method of claim 11 further including the step of depressing said stopper by applying the tip of a Luer taper thereto without engaging said slot.

13. The method of claim 11 further including the step of depressing said stopper to cause the expansion thereof and open the slot therein to permit the passage of fluid therethrough.

14. The method of controlling fluid flow in accordance with claim 11 wherein the depression of said stopper spontaneously opens the slot to permit the flow of fluid therethrough.

15. A flow control device comprising:

an inlet for the flow of fluid;

an outlet;

a conduit connecting said inlet to said outlet to enable fluid flow from said inlet to said outlet;

a normally open slotted and compressible head movably disposed between said inlet and said outlet, wherein said inlet closes the slot when said head is within said inlet, sealing said inlet, and said slot is opened when said head is moved out of said inlet, allowing fluid to flow through said conduit.

16. A flow control device in accordance with claim 15, wherein a portion of said conduit proximate said inlet is a tapered bore, and the slot is opened when said head is moved into said tapered bore.

17. A flow control device in accordance with claim 15, wherein said head has a depressed surface that is sealingly complementary to and non-penetrable by the tip of a Luer taper at the entrance of said outlet.

18. A flow control device in accordance with claim 15, wherein said head comprises an outer peripheral surface having grooves extending in the direction of movement of said head.

19. A flow control device in accordance with claim 15, further comprising a valve body including said inlet and said outlet, said valve body having an exterior surface with at least one flat portion.

20. A flow control device in accordance with claim 16, further comprising a valve body including said inlet and said outlet, said valve body having an exterior surface with a rectangular cross-section.