Fluid dispensing valve and method

Details Fluid dispensing valve and method Fluid dispensing valve and method

1998-08-18

2001-03-06

Walczak, David J. (Department: 3751)

Valves and valve actuation

Fluid actuated or retarded

Flexible wall expansible chamber reciprocating valve actuator

C251S061000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06196521

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a valve and method useful for dispensing anaerobic, reactive fluids, and in particular, cyanoacrylate fluids.
2. Related Art
As shown by Webster, U.S. Pat. No. 5,660,370, a two port valve is shown having a flexible sheet member. However, the materials of the valve are not such that an anaerobic, reactive fluid such as cyanoacrylate fluid, flowing therethrough would not cure therein. Accordingly, the valve would require disassembly after each use for cleaning and/or maintenance. Further, in Webster, a flexible sheet member is extended into a recess to permit non-planar flow between the two holes on a flat non-flexing sheet member. In order to operate the valve, the combination of a solenoid and a vacuum source is required. Additional variations of valves are shown by Farrell et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,496,009, and Webster, U.S. Pat. No. 4,848,722, which include a flexible sheet member employing voids at the interface in combination with a vacuum or solenoid to achieve non-planar fluid flow.
Another diaphragm valve is shown by Hunkapiller, U.S. Pat. No. 4,703,913, which forms a fluid tight seal between a valve block and a resilient diaphragm, and uses a vacuum means to lift the diaphragm from the valve block to establish fluid flow. Graham et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,273,066, incorporates a moisture sensitive material to control the flow of fluid through a valve. Neither reference provide a body made of an anaerobic, reactive fluid resistant material.
From above, there is a need for a valve made of an anaerobic, reactive fluid (e.g., cyanoacrylate fluid) resistant material and one which allows for planar flow of the fluid through the valve.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In a first general aspect of the present invention is provided a valve having a flexible diaphragm positioned to control fluid flow through a valve body, wherein the valve body is made of an anaerobic, reactive fluid resistant material. This aspect allows proper valving for cyanoacrylate or like fluid with lower maintenance costs and fewer parts. It further provides a valve allowing for planar flow of fluid therethrough.
In a second general aspect in accordance with the present invention is provided a valve having a first body section, a second body section made of an anaerobic, reactive fluid resistant material, and a flexible diaphragm positioned between the first and second body section to control fluid flow through the valve. This aspect provides the same advantages as the first aspect.
In a third general aspect of the present invention is provided a method of dispensing anaerobic, reactive fluids including the steps of providing a fluid dispensing valve having at least a portion thereof made of an anaerobic, reactive fluid resistant material, and dispensing the anaerobic, reactive fluid using the fluid dispensing valve. This aspect provides a method of dispensing cyanoacrylate or like fluid with lower maintenance time and cost.
In a fourth general aspect is provided a fluid dispensing valve having: a fluid body section having a recessed area with adjacent port holes positioned thereon; a retainer block section attached to the fluid body section; a flexible flat substantially uniform diaphragm contained within the recessed area of the fluid body section in interfacial contact with the adjacent port holes positioned thereon; an upper valve cap section having a recessed area and a bias port therein, the upper valve cap section being attached to the retainer block section; and wherein sufficient stress is provided to the periphery of the flexible flat diaphragm to substantially retard the loss of pressurized fluid during pressurized fluid dispensing periods while enabling substantially planar fluid flow between the adjacent port holes positioned on the recessed flat surface of the rigid fluid body section; and means for introducing a fluid through the bias port of the upper valve cap section in a manual or programmed manner to flex or relax the diaphragm, thereby enabling the diaphragm to control substantially planar fluid flow between the adjacent port holes.
The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of preferred embodiments of the invention.


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