Fluid handling – Line condition change responsive valves – Direct response valves
Patent
1999-06-30
2000-10-10
Huson, Gregory L.
Fluid handling
Line condition change responsive valves
Direct response valves
137526, 251127, F16K 1514
Patent
active
061291161
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to sealing devices, and more particularly to a device for sealing an opening in a container of a vacuum cleaner or other suction device for collecting dust or other fine material. A preferred embodiment is suitable for picking up and collecting fine toner particles from a photocopying machine.
A problem with suction devices for collecting toner particles is leakage of the toner from the collecting bag or other container. Because the particles are so fine, even the slightest imperfection in a seal leads to escape of the toner and a consequent mess. Existing containers are provided either without any closure member or with a closure member which has one or more disadvantages.
G.B. Patent Application 2109092 discloses a dust filter bag with a check valve flap of resilient material which is hinged at one side and is biassed to close an opening. However, such an arrangement can have uneven sealing pressure around the edges of the flap and dust particles, or other contaminants, could accumulate around the hinge leading to possible incomplete closure of the flap.
The disclosure of GB 1043327 is also relevant, but this relates to a different technical field from the present invention. Here, the sealing device is associated with an inlet for air or other gas which diffuses into a liquid. To assist satisfactory aeration, part of the inlet has a hyperboloid shape. A sealing cover for the inlet is mounted on a central bolt (FIG. 3) or on radially extending ribs (FIGS. 4 and 5).
The present invention seeks to provide an improved sealing arrangement.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sealing device comprising a resilient closure member arranged in a fluid flow passage. wherein the closure member can be selectively opened, to allow the passage of air. or closed by seating against a peripheral surface of a wall of the passage. characterised in that a dome is provided integral with the passage and located downstream of the closure member in the direction of fluid flow and arranged to direct the flow of material, and in that the closure member is supported at a central region thereof by a stem element mounted on the dome.
A particular advantage of this arrangement is that there is no obstacle upstream of the closure member which could cause clogging or build-up of dust etc which might interfere with the sealing action. For example if a piece of string or other material snags at a location upstream of the closure member it could permanently extend through the closure orifice and prevent correct seating of the closure member, leading to leakage of dust. By locating the stem element downstream of the closure member, any snagged items or clogged materials are clear thereof. Thus they do not interfere with closure of the member and there is a good chance that, when the member is opened again, any blockage or snagging is cleared by the next flow of air. This support arrangement for the closure member constitutes a separate aspect of the present invention.
The dome protects the closure member from accumulations of dust and also creates an air flow downstream of the closure member to carry dust well away therefrom.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a sealing device for suction cleaning apparatus comprising a generally circular resilient closure member arranged in a passage for dust-carrying air, wherein the closure member can be selectively opened, to allow the passage of air, or closed by seating against a peripheral surface of the passage, the peripheral surface constituting part of a sphere, characterised in that the closure member is protected from dust or other fine material by a dome arranged to direct the flow of material, and in that the closure member is held by an element such that it is depressed when it engages the peripheral surface and its edges engage the surface with a contact pressure.
The part-spherical nature of the peripheral valve-sealing surface ensures that an optimal seal is provided over the entire su
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Convac, Ltd.
Huson Gregory L.
Kim Joanne Y.
LandOfFree
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