Dispensing valve for fluids
First Claim
1. A dispensing valve for fluids comprising:
- a. a valve body comprising;
(1) a first elongate channel having a rigid exterior wall defining a generally annular passage extending from a fluid inlet end to an actuator end; and
(2) a fluid discharge outlet intermediate said inlet end and said actuator end;
b. a valve port wall intermediate said inlet end and said discharge outlet, said valve port wall defining a valve port;
c. a resilient valve seal moveable from a closed position in which said valve seal occludes said valve port to an open position in which said valve seal does not occlude said valve port; and
d. a resilient actuator operatively connected to said resilient valve seal and operatively engaging said valve body so that said resilient actuator exerts a closing force on said resilient valve seal biasing said resilient valve seal towards said closed position, said resilient actuator exhibiting a nonlinear relationship between said closing force and displacement of said resilient valve seal from said closed position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A dispensing valve for fluids is disclosed which provides for ease of use by requiring only a minimal force exerted on the valve actuator to maintain the valve in an open position. A resilient valve actuator having the characteristics of a nonlinear spring is provided at an actuator end of the valve body and operatively connected to a plunger; with the opposite end of the plunger mounting a resilient valve seal that serves to pen and close a plurality of port openings. The valve may be manufactured with a variety of port configurations to provide for the dispensing of fluids of varying viscosities. The valve body and actuator are formed to allow the dispensing valve to be sterilized through high levels of radiation and through high temperature steam and chemical sterilization processes without degrading the valve structure or operation.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A dispensing valve for fluids comprising:
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a. a valve body comprising;
(1) a first elongate channel having a rigid exterior wall defining a generally annular passage extending from a fluid inlet end to an actuator end; and
(2) a fluid discharge outlet intermediate said inlet end and said actuator end;
b. a valve port wall intermediate said inlet end and said discharge outlet, said valve port wall defining a valve port;
c. a resilient valve seal moveable from a closed position in which said valve seal occludes said valve port to an open position in which said valve seal does not occlude said valve port; and
d. a resilient actuator operatively connected to said resilient valve seal and operatively engaging said valve body so that said resilient actuator exerts a closing force on said resilient valve seal biasing said resilient valve seal towards said closed position, said resilient actuator exhibiting a nonlinear relationship between said closing force and displacement of said resilient valve seal from said closed position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A dispensing valve for fluids comprising:
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a. a valve body comprising;
(1) a first elongate channel having a rigid exterior wall defining a generally annular passage extending from a fluid inlet end to an actuator end; and
(2) a fluid discharge outlet intermediate said inlet end and said actuator end;
b. a valve port wall intermediate said inlet and said discharge outlet, said valve port wall defining a valve port;
c. a resilient valve seal moveable from a closed position in which said valve seal occludes said valve port to an open position in which said valve seal does not occlude said valve port; and
d. a resilient actuator operatively connected to said resilient valve seal and operatively engaging said valve body so that said resilient actuator exerts a closing force on said resilient valve seal biasing said resilient valve seal towards said closed position, said resilient actuator exhibiting a nonlinear relationship between said closing force and displacement of said resilient valve seal from said closed position;
whereine. said valve body, said valve port wall, said resilient valve seal, and said resilient actuator being formed from materials selected for their ability to withstand gamma and cobalt irradiation exposure of at least 5.0 MRAD.
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Specification