초록 ▼

The present invention provides an improved valve. This valve opens and closes in response to a change in the physical environment of the valve. This valve is particularly suited as a relief valve in a microwave system-based, closed vessel digestion procedure. This valve includes a pressure-deformabl

The present invention provides an improved valve. This valve opens and closes in response to a change in the physical environment of the valve. This valve is particularly suited as a relief valve in a microwave system-based, closed vessel digestion procedure. This valve includes a pressure-deformable, resilient wall member having a fluid vent port, and an obstructing member that cooperates with the wall member to open and close the valve. Also provided is a lidded vessel employing this improved valve, an apparatus that includes a microwave system and this lidded vessel, and methods using this improved valve.

대표청구항 ▼

A self-opening and self-closing relief valve for providing flow out of a closed system in response to a certain internal fluid pressure, said relief valve comprising (a) a dome-shaped, pressure-deformable wall member having an outlet port, and (b) an abutment integral with a support member therefor,

A self-opening and self-closing relief valve for providing flow out of a closed system in response to a certain internal fluid pressure, said relief valve comprising (a) a dome-shaped, pressure-deformable wall member having an outlet port, and (b) an abutment integral with a support member therefor, said abutment being spaced apart from a center of said support member and having a circumferential peak adapted to surround said outlet port and forming a valve seal with an inside surface of said dome-shaped wall member when internal fluid pressure impinging on said dome-shaped wall member is insufficient to break said valve seal; wherein said dome-shaped wall member is an integral part of a closure element, and said abutment support member has a peripheral wall surface that is adapted to interlock with, and that is in an interlocking relationship with, an inside wall surface of said closure element; wherein said abutment support member comprises means for enabling internal fluid pressure impingement on said dome-shaped wall member, said impingement-enabling means being located between said abutment and said peripheral wall surface; wherein said dome-shaped wall member comprises means for manual relief of internal fluid pressure, said means for manual relief being a sleeve integral with said dome-shaped wall member, that extends said outlet port above said dome-shaped wall member; wherein said dome-shaped wall member is sufficiently fluid pressure-deformable that said certain internal fluid pressure acting thereon, breaks said valve seal to permit outflow through said outlet port; and wherein the fluid pressure-deformed, wall member is sufficiently resilient that said valve seal is reformed when internal fluid pressure becomes less than said certain internal fluid pressure.