IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0102884
(2011-05-06)
|
등록번호 |
US-8376189
(2013-02-19)
|
발명자
/ 주소 |
|
출원인 / 주소 |
|
인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
3 인용 특허 :
113 |
초록
▼
A one-way valve is connectable in fluid communication with a fluid-receiving chamber, such as a dilution chamber or a mixing chamber for diluting or mixing a perishable food product, such as a milk product or chocolate product, and forming a substantially fluid-tight seal therebetween. The valve com
A one-way valve is connectable in fluid communication with a fluid-receiving chamber, such as a dilution chamber or a mixing chamber for diluting or mixing a perishable food product, such as a milk product or chocolate product, and forming a substantially fluid-tight seal therebetween. The valve comprises a relatively rigid valve seat, and a relatively flexible valve member overlying the valve seat and forming an axially-elongated, normally-closed valve opening therebetween defining an inlet at one end of the valve seat, an outlet at an opposite end of the valve seat, and an axially-extending seal therebetween that forms a fluid-tight seal between the inlet and outlet of the normally-closed valve opening. An axially-extending valve body is radially spaced relative to the valve member and forms a space therebetween allowing fluid-flow therethrough for cleaning the valve and the fluid-receiving chamber. A seal is engageable with the fluid-receiving chamber and forms a substantially fluid-tight seal therebetween to seal the valve outlet and fluid-receiving chamber with respect to ambient atmosphere. The valve member is movable radially away from the valve seat in response to substance at the inlet to the valve opening exceeding a valve opening pressure to flow into the normally closed valve opening, through the outlet, and into the fluid-receiving chamber.
대표청구항
▼
1. A valve connectable in fluid communication with a fluid-receiving chamber and forming a substantially fluid-tight seal therebetween, the valve comprising a relatively rigid valve seat, a relatively flexible valve member overlying the valve seat and forming an axially-elongated, normally-closed va
1. A valve connectable in fluid communication with a fluid-receiving chamber and forming a substantially fluid-tight seal therebetween, the valve comprising a relatively rigid valve seat, a relatively flexible valve member overlying the valve seat and forming an axially-elongated, normally-closed valve opening therebetween defining an inlet at one end of the valve seat, an outlet at an opposite end of the valve seat, and an axially-extending seal therebetween that forms a fluid-tight seal between the inlet and outlet of the normally-closed valve opening, an axially-extending valve body radially spaced relative to the valve member and forming a space therebetween allowing fluid-flow therethrough for cleaning the valve and fluid-receiving chamber, and a seal engageable with the fluid-receiving chamber and forming a substantially fluid-tight seal therebetween to seal the valve outlet and fluid-receiving chamber with respect to ambient atmosphere, wherein the valve member is movable radially away from the valve seat in response to substance at the inlet to the valve opening exceeding a valve opening pressure to flow into the normally closed valve opening, through the outlet, and into the fluid-receiving chamber. 2. A valve as defined in claim 1, further comprising a deflector extending axially beyond the outlet of the normally closed valve opening. 3. A valve as defined in claim 2, wherein the deflector extends axially beyond a distal end of the valve body. 4. A valve as defined in claim 2, wherein the deflector extends axially from the valve seat. 5. A valve as defined in claim 4, wherein the deflector defines a distal end and the valve body defines a distal end, and the distal end of the deflector either (1) extends axially about the same extent as the distal end of the valve body, or (2) extends axially beyond the distal end of the valve body. 6. A valve as defined in claim 4, wherein the deflector is substantially conical shaped. 7. A valve as defined in claim 1, wherein the valve member and the valve seat form an interference fit therebetween. 8. A valve as defined in claim 7, wherein the valve member and valve seat define a decreasing level of interference at the inlet relative to the outlet of the normally-closed valve opening. 9. A valve as defined in claim 8, wherein the valve member and valve seat define a progressively decreasing level of interference in the direction from the inlet to the outlet of the normally-closed valve opening. 10. A valve as defined in claim 1, wherein the valve member defines a first thickness at the inlet and a second thickness at the outlet that is less than the first thickness. 11. A valve as defined in claim 10, wherein the first thickness is at least about 1¼ times greater than the second thickness. 12. A valve as defined in claim 1, wherein the valve member defines a distal end, the valve body defines a distal end, and the distal end of the valve member is spaced axially inwardly relative to the distal end of the valve body. 13. A valve as defined in claim 7, wherein the valve body extends annularly about the valve member. 14. A valve as defined in claim 13, wherein the valve member extends annularly about the valve seat and includes a base located approximately at the valve opening or upstream of the valve opening, wherein the base extends radially between the valve seat and valve body. 15. A valve as defined in claim 14, wherein the base of the valve member defines a curvilinear surface extending substantially radially between the valve seat and valve body. 16. A valve as defined in claim 15, wherein the base includes a first curvilinear surface portion adjacent to the valve seat defined by a first radius, a second curvilinear surface portion adjacent to the valve body defined by a second radius, and wherein the first radius is greater than the second radius. 17. A valve as defined in claim 15, wherein the seal extends annularly about a distal end of the valve body. 18. A valve as defined in claim 17, wherein the seal is formed integral with the valve member. 19. A valve as defined in claim 17, wherein the valve member and seal are co-molded to the valve body. 20. A valve as defined in claim 18, wherein the valve member, seal, and valve body define a space that extends annularly along the valve member and radially between the valve member and valve body for receiving fluid therethrough for cleaning the valve. 21. A valve as defined in claim 1, wherein the chamber is a dilution chamber or a mixing chamber for receiving a perishable food product, the dilution chamber or mixing chamber and valve are subjected to a clean-in-place process involving elevated temperatures above ambient temperature and vacuum pressure, and the valve member is made of a material and is configured to define a valve opening pressure that is sufficiently high to maintain a hermetic seal between the valve member and valve seat during the clean-in-place process. 22. A valve as defined in claim 21, wherein the valve opening pressure is at least about 5 psi. 23. A valve as defined in claim 1, wherein the valve member is made of silicone. 24. A device including a valve as defined in claim 1 and a variable-storage chamber connected in fluid communication with the inlet. 25. A device as defined in claim 24, further comprising a flexible tube connected in fluid communication between the valve and variable-volume storage chamber. 26. A valve as defined in claim 1, further comprising a relatively flexible filler extending axially and radially between the valve member and valve body, wherein the valve member defines a first hardness that allows the valve member to flex outwardly relative to the valve seat in response to a substance at the valve inlet exceeding the valve opening pressure; and the filler defines a second hardness less than the first hardness for flexing with movement of the valve member and allowing the valve member to move substantially radially between normally closed and open positions and for substantially preventing debris and like substances from collecting between the valve member and body. 27. A valve as defined in claim 26, wherein the first hardness is within the range of about 25 A to about 70 A, and the second hardness is within the range of about 35 A to about 40 A. 28. A valve for storing a sterile food product hermetically sealed in a variable-volume storage chamber, and dispensing the sterile food product through the valve and into a dilution chamber or a mixing chamber, wherein the valve is connectable in fluid communication with the dilution chamber or mixing chamber and forms a substantially fluid-tight seal therebetween, the valve comprising: first means for forming a relatively rigid valve sealing surface; second means that is relatively flexible for overlying the first means and forming an axially-elongated, normally closed valve opening therebetween defining an inlet at one end of the first means, an outlet at an opposite end of the first means, and an axially-extending seal therebetween, and for moving radially away from the first means in response to sterile food product at the inlet exceeding a valve opening pressure to allow the sterile food product to flow into the normally closed valve opening, through the outlet, and into the dilution chamber or mixing chamber; third means for enclosing the first and second means that is radially spaced relative to the second means and extends axially adjacent to the second means for forming a space therebetween and allowing fluid-flow therethrough for cleaning the valve and the dilution chamber or mixing chamber; and fourth means engageable with the dilution chamber or the mixing chamber for forming a substantially fluid-tight seal therebetween and sealing the outlet and the dilution chamber or the mixing chamber with respect to ambient atmosphere. 29. A valve as defined in claim 28, wherein the first means is a valve seat, the second means is a valve member, the third means is a valve body, and the fourth means is a seal. 30. A device comprising a valve as defined in claim 29, and further comprising fifth means coupled in fluid communication with the inlet for storing multiple portions of the sterile perishable food product hermetically sealed with respect to ambient atmosphere. 31. A method comprising the following steps: i) providing a one-way valve connected in fluid communication with a variable-volume storage chamber storing therein a liquid that is hermetically sealed with respect to ambient atmosphere;ii) connecting the one-way valve in fluid communication with a dilution chamber or a mixing chamber, and forming a substantially fluid-tight seal between the one-way valve and the dilution chamber or the mixing chamber;iii) pressurizing a portion of the liquid from the variable-volume storage chamber to a pressure that exceeds a valve opening pressure of the one-way valve;iv) introducing the pressurized liquid into an inlet of a normally closed valve opening of the one-way valve;v) moving with the pressurized liquid a flexible valve member radially away from a relatively rigid valve seat of the one-way valve to open a normally-closed axially extending valve opening of the one-way valve;vi) allowing the pressurized liquid to flow from the inlet, through the normally-closed axially extending valve opening and, in turn, through an outlet of the normally-closed valve opening and into the dilution chamber or the mixing chamber;vii) upon passage of the pressurized liquid through the normally-closed valve opening, allowing the resilient flexible valve member to move radially into engagement with the valve seat to seal the normally-closed valve opening; andviii) maintaining the liquid in the variable-volume storage chamber sterile and hermetically sealed with respect to ambient atmosphere throughout the foregoing steps. 32. A method as defined in claim 31, wherein the liquid is a perishable food product. 33. A method as defined in claim 32, wherein the perishable food product is a milk product or a chocolate product. 34. A method as defined in claim 31, further comprising the steps of providing in combination a plurality of variable-volume storage chamber and one-way valve assemblies, and releasably connecting each one-way valve assembly to a respective dilution chamber or mixing bowl. 35. A method as defined in claim 34, wherein the providing step further includes providing in each variable-volume storage chamber a respective perishable liquid food product sealed therein with respect to ambient atmosphere. 36. A method as defined in claim 31, further comprising the step of frangibly connecting a cover to the one-way valve to protect the valve during handling prior to the connecting step. 37. A method as defined in claim 31, wherein the pressurizing step includes pressurizing the portion of the liquid to a pressure at or above a valve opening pressure. 38. A method as defined in claim 31, wherein the one-way valve defines an axially and radially extending space between the valve member and valve body, and the method further comprises the step of directing a flow of cleaning fluid through said space to clean the valve member and prevent the collection of residue thereon. 39. A method as defined in claim 31, further comprising providing a deflector on the valve and using the deflector to protect and prevent contact with the valve member. 40. A method as defined in claim 39, further comprising recessing a distal end of the valve member within an annular valve body to further protect the valve member.
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