Valve assembly

Abstract

A valve assembly includes an elongated valve body, an elastomeric sheath laterally enclosing the outside surface of the valve body with the sheath being sealed to the valve body at its ends spaced apart in the elongated direction. An inlet channel extends in the elongated direction from one end of the valve body for receiving a fluid from a container, such as a flexible container. An outlet channel is located at the opposite end of the valve body extending in the elongated direction for discharging the fluid received in the inlet channel. At least one port extends outwardly from the inlet channel to the outside surface of the valve body so that the fluid can flow between the outside surface and the elastomeric sheath causing the sheath to expand. The fluid between the outside surface of the valve body and the sheath flows to at least one other port in the valve body directed inwardly to the outlet channel so that the fluid can be discharged. The sheath prevents back flow from the outlet channel into the container.

Description

VI--VI 6--6 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 5 of still another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIII--VIII 8--8 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9a is an elevational view of the valve assembly of the present invention mounted on a fireplace bellows-type flexible container; and

FIG. 9b is an elevational view of the arrangement shown in FIG. 9a rotated through 90°.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In FIG. 1, a bellows-like flexible container 10 is shown with a valve assembly 12 mounted on one end of the container. The valve assembly 12 is constructed so that fluid within the container 10 is dispensed when the container is compressed.

In FIG. 2, one embodiment of valve assembly 12 is shown including a valve body 14 elongated in the direction extending between an inlet end 16 and an outlet end 18. When the valve body 14 is placed on a dispensing container, the inlet end 16 is in communication with the inside of the container.

An inlet channel 20 extends from the inlet end 16 for a portion of the length of the valve body 14. As viewed in FIG. 2, the inlet channel extends for approximately one-third of the length. The opposite end of the inlet channel 20 from the inlet end 16 branches into four separate ports 22, spaced equi-angularly apart and extending to the outside surface 14a of the valve body 14. Spaced toward the outlet end 18 of the valve body are ports 24, which extend inwardly from the outside surface 14a spaced equi-angularly apart and terminate at the inner end of an outlet channel 26. The outlet channel 26 is axially aligned with the inlet channel 20, and the two channels are spaced apart in the elongated direction of the valve body.

Encircling the outside surface 14a and in normally tight fitting contact with the outside surface is an elastomeric sheath 28. As shown in FIG. 2, the elastomeric sheath extends from adjacent the inlet end 16 to adjacent the outlet end 18 of the valve body. At each of its ends, spaced apart in the elongated direction of the valve body, the sheath 28 is sealed to the outside surface 14a of the valve body. As shown in FIGS. 3a, 3b, and 3d, the sheath 28 is stretched when it is placed on the valve body so that it fits tightly about the valve body forming a closure of the openings of the ports 22, 24 extending through the outside surface of the valve body 14.

As viewed in FIG. 2, the sheath is secured to the outside surface of the valve body 14 by O-ring-like members 30 seated into recesses 32 in the outside surface of the valve body. The particular means used for sealing off the opposite ends of the sheath may vary depending on the type of materials used and the characteristics of the fluid being dispensed. In addition to O-ring members 30, the sheath can be sealed by thermal or chemical bonding operations or by the use of adhesives.

If the container 10 in FIG. 1 is squeezed or compressed in its long direction, the contents will flow out through the valve assembly 12, passing first through the inlet channel 20 into the valve body 14. As the fluid flows out of the inlet channel 20, it passes into one of the four ports 22 and flows generally radially outwardly to the outside surface 14a of the valve body. The pressure of the fluid causes the elastomeric sheath 28 to expand outwardly so that the fluid flows between the outside surface 14a of the valve body and the inside surface of the elastomeric sheath until it reaches one of the other set of ports 24 for flow radially inwardly. The fluid from the ports 24 flows into the inner end of the outlet channel 26, and then passes through the outlet channel for discharge from the valve assembly.

When the fluid is not flowing through the valve assembly 12, the elastomeric sheath 28 forms a block or closure for each of the ports 22, 24 at the outside surface of the valve body 14. As a result, contaminants cannot flow through the valve assembly back into the container. When the fluid causes the sheath 28 to expand the flow of the fluid will block any contaminants from passing into the container. Once the fluid reaches the ports 24, the elastomeric sheath will contract and block the ports 24 at the outside surface 14a of the valve body 14, so that backflow into the container through the outlet channel 26 assembly is prevented.

In FIG. 4, the structure of the valve assembly is the same as in FIG. 2, however, an elongated rigid tubular section 34 is located around and slightly outwardly from the elastomeric sheath 28. The tubular section 34 provides a restraint for the radially outwardly movement of the sheath 28. If there is a tendency for the sheath to expand in an uncontrolled manner, the tubular section 34 limits its outward movement. The tubular section 34 is needed only under particular circumstances and is not a required element of the valve assembly.

In FIGS. 5 and 6, another embodiment is shown of the invention. Valve assembly 112 has a valve body 114, with a inlet end 116, and an outlet end 118. The valve body 114 is elongated in the inlet-outlet direction.

The valve body has an inlet channel 120 extending from the inlet end 116 for about a quarter of the length between the ends of the valve body. As distinguished from the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, a single port 122 extends from the end of the inlet channel 120, spaced inwardly from the inlet end 116, to the outside surface 114a of the valve body. On the diametrically opposite side of the valve body, another port 124 extends radially inwardly from the outside surface to the inner end of an outlet channel 126. The openings to the ports 122, 124 in the outside surface of the valve body are spaced apart in the elongated direction. This particular arrangement prevents channeling of the flow between the elastomeric sheath 128 and the outside surface 114a of the valve body 114. Accordingly, the flow exiting from the port 122 travels around the valve body between the outside surface 114a and the inside surface of the sheath 128 to the inlet into the port 124.

As can be seen in FIG. 5, the opposite ends of the elastomeric sheath 128 are sealed to the outside surface 114a of the valve body 114 by O-rings 130.

In FIG. 6, the port 122 is shown intermediate its inlet and outlet ends. In addition, the elastomeric sheath 128 fits tightly against the outside surface 114a of the valve body 114 providing closures for the ports 122, 124. The valve assembly 112 operates in the same general manner as the valve assembly 12 with the elastomeric sheath 128 being expanded outwardly only when fluid is forced from a container into the inlet channel 120 for flow through and about the valve body to the outlet channel 126.

In FIGS. 7 and 8, yet another embodiment of the valve assembly is shown. As distinguished from the previous embodiments, this embodiment has a valve assembly 212, including an elongated valve body 214. The valve body extends in its elongated direction between an inlet end 216 and an outlet end 218. As distinguished from the embodiment in FIGS. 5 and 6, the valve assembly 212 has two ports 222, branched outwardly from the downstream end of an inlet channel 220. The ports 222 are located 180° apart, each extending to the outside surface 214a of the valve body. Spaced along the outside surface 214a from the ports 222 is another pair of ports 224 extending inwardly from the outside surface and terminating at the inner or upstream end of an outlet channel 226. While in FIG. 7, the ports 222 and 224 appear to be in the same plane, the ports 224 are actually rotated 90° with regard to the ports 222 for the same effect as in the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6, that is, to prevent channeling of the fluid flowing through the valve assembly.

An elastomeric sheath 228 laterally encloses the outside surface of the valve body from a location adjacent the inlet end 216 to a location adjacent the outlet end 218 so that the sheath covers the openings of the ports 222, 224 in the outside surface of the valve body. As in the previous embodiment, the ends of the elastomeric sheath 228 are sealed to the outside surface of the valve body 214 by O-rings 230. The O-rings seats within recesses 232. As mentioned above, it is also possible to use other sealing means for securing the opposite ends of the sheath so that the fluid being dispensed through the valve assembly does not by-pass around the ports 224 extending to the outlet channel 226.

As can be seen in FIG. 8, the ports are located diametrically opposite one another. The other ports 224 would be spaced from the illustrated ports by 90°.

In FIGS. 9a and 9b, another container 310 is illustrated with a valve assembly 312 projecting from the top of the container transversely of its height. The walls of the container are in the form of a fireplace bellows, note FIG. 9a, so that by pressing the sides inwardly toward one another, the fluid is dispensed through the valve assembly 312.

While the containers 10 and 310 are both flexible containers, it would be possible to provide a container arrangement not of a flexible construction, but of a collapsible construction where a portion of the container is telescopically movable into another portion for dispensing the fluid. A person skilled in the art would appreciate that a variety of container constructions could be used with the valve assembly of the present invention.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the inventive principles, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

Claims

1. A fluid dispensing assembly including a container and a dispensing valve for dispensing fluid from the container and preventing any backflow of contaminants into the container during and following the dispensing of the fluid, said container having an outlet and being capable of discharging fluid from the container when a compressing force is applied to the fluid within the container, said dispensing valve including an elongated valve body having an inlet end and an outlet end spaced apart in the elongated direction and an outside surface extending in the elongated direction between the inlet end and the outlet end, said inlet end connected to the container outlet for receiving fluid flow therefrom, an inlet channel located within said valve body and having a first end at said inlet end of said valve body and a second end spaced from the first end toward the outlet end of said valve body with said inlet channel arranged for receiving fluid from the container, at least one first port in said valve body extending from the second end of said inlet channel through said valve body to the outside surface so that said first port opens through said outside surface, an outlet channel located within said valve body and having a first end located adjacent the outlet end of said valve body and a second end spaced from the first end in the direction toward the inlet end of said valve body, at least one second portion port in said valve body extending from said second end of said outlet channel to the outside surface of said valve body so that said second port opens through said outside surface and is spaced from said first port where said first port opens through said outside surface, an elastomeric sheath laterally enclosing said outside surface of said valve body and extending over said first and second ports and forming closures for said first and second ports, said elastomeric sheath prior to placement around said valve body has an inside diameter smaller than the diameter of the outside surface of said valve body so that the sheath is stretched and fits tightly around said valve body, said elastic sheath being elastically deformable between a first position forming the closure of the said first and second ports at the outside surface of said valve body and a second position spaced outwardly from said first and second ports so that flow through said inlet channel into said first port enters between said outside surface of said valve body and said sheath and flows therebetween to said second port and then through said second port to said outlet channel for discharge from the first end of said outlet channel, and said elastomeric sheath being in sealed engagement with said valve body in the direction of flow through said valve body upstream downstream from said second port and downstream upstream from said first port in relation to the direction of flow through said valve body so that flow entering between the outside surface of said valve body and said sheath passes only through said first and second ports.

2. A fluid dispensing assembly, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said valve body having a central axis extending in the elongated direction and a plurality of said first ports and said second ports with said first and second ports being angularly spaced apart around the central axis.

3. A fluid dispensing assembly, as set forth in claim 2, wherein there is an equal number of said first ports and said second ports and said first and second ports are equi-angularly spaced apart around the central axis.

4. A fluid dispensing assembly, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said inlet channel, outlet channel, first and second ports are each defined by a transversely extending curvilinear surface.

5. A fluid dispensing assembly, as set forth in claim 4, wherein said inlet channel, outlet channel, first and second ports are circular in transverse cross-section.

6. A fluid dispensing assembly, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said elastomeric sheath is formed of synthetic rubber.

7. A fluid dispensing assembly, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said elastomeric sheath is formed of natural rubber.

8. A fluid dispensing assembly, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said elastomeric sheath is formed of gutta percha.

9. A fluid dispensing assembly, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said elastomeric sheath is formed of a flexible plastics material.

10. A fluid dispensing assembly, as set forth in claim 1, wherein an O-ring is located at each of the opposite ends of said elastomeric sheath spaced apart in the elongated direction and secures said elastomeric sheath in sealed engagement with the outside surface of said valve body.

11. A fluid dispensing assembly, as forth in claim 1, wherein the opposite ends of said elastomeric sheath spaced apart in the elongated direction are thermally sealed to the outside surface of said valve body.

12. A fluid dispensing assembly, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the opposite ends of said elastomeric sheath spaced apart in the elongated direction are chemically bonded to the outside surface of said valve body.

13. A fluid dispensing assembly, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the opposite ends of said elastomeric sheath spaced apart in the elongated direction are adhesively secured to the outside surface of said valve body.

14. A fluid dispensing assembly, as set forth in claim 1, wherein one said first port extends from said inlet channel to the outside surface of said valve body and one said second port extends from the outside surface of said valve body to said outlet channel and said first port and second port being located on diametrically opposite sides of said valve body.

15. A fluid dispensing assembly, as set forth in claim 1, wherein two said first ports extend diametrically oppositely outwardly from said inlet channel and two said second ports extend diametrically oppositely outwardly from said outlet channel and said first ports being spaced 90° apart with respect to said second ports.

16. A fluid dispensing assembly, as set forth in claim 1, wherein a rigid tubular section laterally encloses and is spaced radially outwardly from said elastomeric sheath in the first position thereof and limits the radially outward displacement of said elastomeric sheath in the second position thereof.

17. A fluid dispensing assembly, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said container is flexible.

18. A fluid dispensing assembly, as set forth in claim 17, wherein said container is a bellows-like manner member.

19. A fluid dispensing assembly, as set forth in claim 17, wherein said container is a flexible fireplace bellows-type container.

20. A fluid dispensing assembly, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said contained container is collapsible for supplying fluid to said valve body when said container is collapsed.

21. A fluid dispensing assembly, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first port extends to said outside surface at a location closer to the inlet end of said valve body than said second port.

22. A fluid dispensing assembly, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said valve body is formed of a plastics material.

23. A fluid dispensing assembly, as set forth in claim 22, wherein said valve body is formed of Teflon.

24. A fluid dispensing assembly, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said inlet channel and outlet channel are in alignment in the elongated direction of said valve body with the second end of said inlet channel and the second end of said outlet channel being spaced apart in the elongated direction.