Valve

Details Valve Valve

1999-05-12

2001-09-25

Rivell, John (Department: 3753)

Fluid handling

Processes

C251S149100, C251S339000, C137S614040

Reexamination Certificate

active

06293293

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to improvements in and associated with valves, valve seals and their methods of manufacture.
BACKGROUND ART
Reference throughout this specification shall now be made to the present invention being used in fluid transfer applications. However, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be employed in other applications, not necessarily being just the transfer of fluid. For example, the present invention may be employed to allow the transfer of a fine particulate material such as a powder.
Valves are used in numerous applications to control the flow of a fluid from one point or container to another point or container. Valve assemblies are preferably manufactured from plastic materials as this reduces manufacturing cost and time, allowing a large number of valve assemblies to be produced with a high degree of conformity in shape and quality.
When moulding plastic material into the components of a valve it is desirable that the number of individual parts employed is minimised. If the majority of a valve assemblies components could be moulded from one single component this is of great advantage.
As the number of separate components employed increases so does:
a) the number of separate tools required in the manufacturing process, increasing the capital start up costs for the manufacturer and associated manufacturing costs, and
b) a slow down in the manufacturing process time as a large number of components need to be firstly formed and finished and then assembled together to form the finished product, and
c) an increase in the amount of waste material generated in the manufacturing process as a consequence of the increase in the number of parts formed.
For example, in one instance when a valve assemble must include a separate latch component the cost of manufacturing and its associated process time increases.
In some instances where separate components are required in a valve assembly, collapsible cores within the moulds are required. These collapsible cores enable undercuts to be formed within the components manufactured, and are typically used to construct threads on bottles. Each of the cores required are expensive to purchase and to also fit into the manufacturing machinery.
The number of parts employed in a valve assembly can also be minimised by using “snap fit” assembly techniques. Components can be retained in place in the valve assembly by using complimentary shapes which when pushed or ‘snapped’ together will hold the components in place.
A valve which could be manufactured from plastic material and which also could be assembled as a “snap fit” without any additional adhesives or attachment components would be of great advantage to the manufacturer. A “snap fit” assembly process again reduces the number of components of the valve and hence will also reduce the manufacturing time associated with assembling the valve.
A valve that solved any or all of the above problems would be a great advantage over the prior art. Specifically a valve which could be manufactured from plastic materials, which incorporated a minimum number of separate components and which could be “snap fit” assembled together would be of great advantage over the prior art.
It is an object of the present invention to address the foregoing problems or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.
Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description that is given by way of example only.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a valve assembly capable of engagement with a fluid port and capable of being opened to create a fluid path,
where the valve assembly includes,
a valve head for closing a fluid flow path to a fluid port associated with the valve assembly,
a housing,
at least one engagement element formed integrally with the housing,
the valve assembly characterised in that to open the valve assembly the valve head is driven into an engagement element, deforming the valve head and creating a fluid path through and the valve assembly.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of constructing a valve assembly substantially as described above, the method of construction characterised by the step of integrally forming at least one engagement element in the housing during construction of the valve assembly.
According to yet another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a valve assembly that includes an elastically resilient valve head located within a housing, whereby movement of the valve head within the housing causes the valve head to deform and open or close the valve assembly. According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of opening a valve assembly characterised by the steps of
(a) forcing a valve head against an engagement element, and
(b) deforming at least a portion of the valve head against the engagement element, and
(c) creating a fluid path through the valve assembly past the deformed valve head.
A valve assembly may be defined as any arrangement of a number of components with two configurations, being an open configuration and a closed configuration. In a closed configuration, the valve assembly (when associated with a fluid port) will prevent fluid flowing from the fluid port into one end of the valve assembly and out of another end of the valve assembly. In an open configuration the valve assembly will allow fluid to flow from an associated fluid port into the valve assembly and out another end of the valve assembly.
In a preferred embodiment where the valve assembly is capable of engagement with a fluid port, the valve assembly may include a connector to facilitate engagement between the two elements. Such a connector (formed for example by a tube or hose) could engage the valve assembly with a fluid port, ensuring fluid can flow from one to the other and also that fluid does not leak out through the connector and away from either the valve assembly or fluid port.
Reference throughout this specification being made to the present invention being used in conjunction with fluids and facilitating the creation of a fluid path. The term “fluid” may be defined as any type of material that can flow relatively easily through a path created in a valve assembly. For example, a fluid may consist of a gas, liquid or a fine particulate powder. Further, the term fluid path is used to describe a channel or guide through which a fluid may travel.
In a preferred embodiment the valve head may include an elastically deformable cup mounted on the end of a substantially straight stem. It is envisioned that in this embodiment the deformable cup will have approximately twice the diameter of the stem to extend out well past the edges of the stem.
Alternative embodiments of the present invention may not employ an elastically deformable cup mounted on a straight stem as the valve head. For example, a single elastic component or any other combination of elastically deformable component may be employed as the valve head. Any type of componentry can be used which can easily deform to create a fluid path after being driven into an engagement member and then afterwards allow the original shape of the component to return, closing the fluid path.
Reference throughout this specification shall now be made to the valve head as being an elastically deformable cup mounted on a semi-ridged straight valve stem. However, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other forms of valve head may be used in conjunction with the present invention and reference to the above should in no way be seen as limiting.
It is envisioned in a preferred embodiment that the cup end of the valve head will be used to cover and close a section of the fluid path normally formed through the valve assembly. Once the cup is deformed a fluid path is created around the deformed sides of the cup, allowing fluid to flow through the valve assembly around and past the valve

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Valve does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Valve, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Valve will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2481952