Valve for ostomy pouch
First Claim
1. A valve that is sealable to an associated container having an interior, the valve adapted to permit and stop flow of fluid from the container interior, the valve comprising:
- a valve body sealable to the container, the valve body having a stem receiving region formed therein, the valve body including a fluid receiving region in communication with the container interior;
a stem mounted to the valve body, the stem having a hollow central portion and a sealed upper portion, the stem positioned in the stem receiving region and adapted for rotation within the stem receiving region, the stem including a stem opening in a portion of a wall thereof, the stem being rotatable between an open position to align the stem opening with the valve body fluid receiving region to permit flow from the fluid storage region through the valve, and a closed position to misalign the stem opening with the valve body fluid receiving region to stop flow through the valve,the stem having a grasping region spaced from the valve body, the grasping region adapted to rotate the stem within the stem receiving region to move the valve between the open and closed positions; and
a detent providing indication of the valve in one or both of the open and closed positions, wherein the detent includes a projection element extending from the valve body configured to operate in conjunction with mating portions formed in the grasping region, wherein the projection element has a curved shape defining contact edges and a central receiving region in the direction of the stem, wherein the mating portions include a first mating portion having a complementary arcuate shape configured to cooperate with the projection element, wherein the first mating portion moves into contact with the projection element as the grasping region is rotated toward the closed position, wherein one of the contact edges provides a resistance as the first mating portion contacts the contact edge, wherein a continuation rotation of the grasping region overcomes the resistance and moves the first mating portion beyond the contact edge into the receiving region in the closed position, wherein the contact edges provide a resistance to move the first mating element beyond the closed position, wherein the detent provides a tactile indication as the first mating portion moves into the receiving region after overcoming the resistance provided by one of the contact edges, wherein the projection element releasably holds the first mating portion in the receiving region in the closed position, wherein the valve stem is configured to rotate 360°
such that a further rotation of the grasping region overcomes the resistance provided by the other contact edge and moves the valve to an open position.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A valve that is sealable to an associated container having an interior fluid storage region is adapted to permit and stop flow of fluid from the fluid storage region. The valve includes a valve body sealable to the container and a stem mounted to the valve body having a portion in flow communication with the fluid storage region. The stem is movable relative to the valve body between an open position to permit flow from the fluid storage region through the valve, and a closed position to stop flow through the valve. The stem has a grasping region spaced from the valve body. The grasping region is adapted rotate the stem to move the valve between the open and closed positions. The grasping region has first and second sides. One of the sides has a tactile indicator to provide indication of the position of the valve, the other of the side is devoid of the tactile indicator.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A valve that is sealable to an associated container having an interior, the valve adapted to permit and stop flow of fluid from the container interior, the valve comprising:
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a valve body sealable to the container, the valve body having a stem receiving region formed therein, the valve body including a fluid receiving region in communication with the container interior; a stem mounted to the valve body, the stem having a hollow central portion and a sealed upper portion, the stem positioned in the stem receiving region and adapted for rotation within the stem receiving region, the stem including a stem opening in a portion of a wall thereof, the stem being rotatable between an open position to align the stem opening with the valve body fluid receiving region to permit flow from the fluid storage region through the valve, and a closed position to misalign the stem opening with the valve body fluid receiving region to stop flow through the valve, the stem having a grasping region spaced from the valve body, the grasping region adapted to rotate the stem within the stem receiving region to move the valve between the open and closed positions; and a detent providing indication of the valve in one or both of the open and closed positions, wherein the detent includes a projection element extending from the valve body configured to operate in conjunction with mating portions formed in the grasping region, wherein the projection element has a curved shape defining contact edges and a central receiving region in the direction of the stem, wherein the mating portions include a first mating portion having a complementary arcuate shape configured to cooperate with the projection element, wherein the first mating portion moves into contact with the projection element as the grasping region is rotated toward the closed position, wherein one of the contact edges provides a resistance as the first mating portion contacts the contact edge, wherein a continuation rotation of the grasping region overcomes the resistance and moves the first mating portion beyond the contact edge into the receiving region in the closed position, wherein the contact edges provide a resistance to move the first mating element beyond the closed position, wherein the detent provides a tactile indication as the first mating portion moves into the receiving region after overcoming the resistance provided by one of the contact edges, wherein the projection element releasably holds the first mating portion in the receiving region in the closed position, wherein the valve stem is configured to rotate 360°
such that a further rotation of the grasping region overcomes the resistance provided by the other contact edge and moves the valve to an open position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A valve that is sealable to an associated container having an interior, the valve adapted to permit and stop flow of fluid from the container interior, the valve comprising:
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a valve body sealable to the container; and a stem mounted to the valve body having a portion in flow communication with the container interior, the stem movable relative to the valve body between an open position to permit flow from the container interior through the valve, and a closed position to stop flow through the valve, the stem having a grasping region spaced from the valve body, the grasping region adapted to rotate the stem to move the valve between the open and closed positions, wherein the grasping region includes an enlarged end portion having first and second side surfaces formed on opposing sides of the enlarged end portion, one of the side surfaces having a tactile indicator to provide indication of the position of the valve, the other of the sides being devoid of the tactile indicator , wherein the tactile indicator is defined by a raised portion on one of the side surfaces, and the other side surface is devoid of the raised portion, wherein the raised portion provides a tactile indication of the valve position by touch and visual distinctions. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 20)
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14. An ostomy pouch, comprising:
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a pouch having first and second walls sealed to one another at about their respective peripheries defining an interior fluid storage region, an inlet and an outlet; and a valve sealed to the first and second walls at about the outlet, the valve adapted to permit and stop flow of fluid from the fluid storage region, the valve having a valve body and a stem mounted to the valve body having a portion in flow communication with the fluid storage region, the stem movable relative to the valve body between an open position to permit flow from the fluid storage region through the valve, and a closed position to stop flow through the valve, the stem having a grasping region spaced from the valve body, the grasping region adapted to rotate the stem to move the valve between the open and closed positions, wherein the grasping region includes an enlarged end portion having first and second side surfaces formed on opposing sides of the enlarged end portion, one of the side surfaces having a tactile indicator to provide indication of the position of the valve, the other of the sides being devoid of the tactile indicator wherein the tactile indicator is defined by a raised portion on one of the side surfaces, and the other side surface is devoid of the raised portion, wherein the raised portion provides a tactile indication of the valve position by touch and visual distinctions. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification