Valves and valve actuation – With correlated flow path – Valve operated by joining flow path sections
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-06
2001-05-22
Buiz, Michael (Department: 3753)
Valves and valve actuation
With correlated flow path
Valve operated by joining flow path sections
C251S323000, C251S339000, C137S223000, C137S228000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06234450
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to a combined connector and valve which can be used in the evacuation of air from a closed space. In particular the invention is related to manufacturing processes which are conducted in vacuum e.g in the manufacture of fibre reinforced composites, in which a vacuum bag is used.
In use the vacuum bag has to be evacuated and therefore means are required in order to connect an air line to the vacuum bag in order to evacuate the bag and also to prevent air from re-entering the bag after the vacuum has been created.
Hitherto these means have been in the form of a separate connector and valve in which the valve is attached to the connector by a screw thread which is sealed or partially sealed by means of a suitable material in tape form. The valve is of a non-return type and can be automatically opened when the valve is attached to an air line, the air line being attached to the valve body by means of a standard snap fitting.
The present invention seeks to provide a combined connector and valve which avoids the need for a screw threaded connection between the connector and the valve body thereby eliminating a source of leakage.
Accordingly the present invention provides a unitary connector and valve arranged to be connectable to a container to be evacuated, the connector including a housing, a spring loaded valve member located in a bore in the housing, the housing having clamping means enabling the housing to be sealingly attached to a container to be evacuated, and connecting means enabling an air line to be attached to the housing.
The valve member can be retained in the housing by means of a shoulder on the valve member contacting a shoulder of the bore in the housing.
The valve member can include a sealing member in contact with the bore in the housing.
The connector can include a guide member located and secured in the bore of the housing.
The guide member can extend into a bore in the valve member.
The connector can include a spring located between the guide member and the valve member.
The guide member can be secured in position by means of a cir-clip.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4171119 (1979-10-01), Lamson
patent: 4917353 (1990-04-01), Riley
patent: 5082244 (1992-01-01), Krier et al.
patent: 0270302 (1988-06-01), None
patent: 1245822 (1971-09-01), None
patent: 1350254 (1974-04-01), None
patent: 2204836 (1988-11-01), None
Buiz Michael
Krishnamurthy Ramesh
Williams Morgan & Amerson P.C.
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