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 a normally-closed valve opening therebet

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 a 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 a seal therebetween that forms a fluid-tight seal between the inlet and outlet of the normally-closed valve opening, a valve body spaced relative to the valve member and forming a space therebetween, 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 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 1-¼ 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 as defined in claims 1, wherein the valve is configured to define a valve opening pressure that is sufficiently high to at least one of (i) maintain a hermetic seal between the valve member and valve seat and (ii) prevent the valve from opening until subjected to a predetermined negative pressure or vacuum pressure. 29. A device as defined in claim 24, wherein the variable-volume storage chamber is a flexible pouch, and the valve is integral to the flexible pouch. 30. 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 substance that is hermetically sealed with respect to ambient atmosphere, wherein valve comprises a relatively rigid valve seat, a relatively flexible valve member overlying the valve seat and forming a 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 a valve body spaced relative to the valve member and forming a space therebetween, wherein the valve member is movable away from the valve seat into the space and toward the valve body in response to substance at the inlet to the valve opening exceeding a valve opening pressure to flow into the normally closed valve opening and the valve is configured to define a valve opening pressure that is sufficiently high to at least one of (a) maintain a hermetic seal between the valve member and valve seat and (b) prevent the valve from opening until subjected to a predetermined negative pressure or vacuum pressure;ii) subjecting the valve to a negative pressure or vacuum pressure up to said predetermined negative pressure or vacuum pressure; and(iii) at least one (a) maintaining a hermetic seal between the valve member and valve seat and (b) preventing the valve from opening. 31. A method as defined in claim 30, further comprising the steps of: (iv) pressurizing substance from the variable-volume storage chamber to a pressure that exceeds a valve opening pressure of the valve;(v) introducing said pressurized substance into the inlet;(vi) moving with said pressurized substance the valve member away from the valve seat into the space and toward the valve body and opening the normally-closed valve opening;(vii) flowing said pressurized substance from the inlet, through the normally-closed valve opening and, in turn, through the outlet;(viii) moving the valve member, upon passage of said pressurized substance through the normally-closed valve opening, back into engagement with the valve seat to seal the normally-closed valve opening; and(ix) maintaining the substance in the variable-volume storage chamber sterile and hermetically sealed with respect to ambient atmosphere throughout steps (i)-(ix). 32. A method as defined in claim 31, wherein step (vii) includes flowing said pressurized substance through the outlet and into a fluid-receiving chamber. 33. A method as defined in claim 30, wherein step (i) includes providing the valve member and the valve seat with an interference fit therebetween. 34. A method as defined in claim 33, including providing the valve member and valve seat with a decreasing level of interference at the inlet relative to the outlet of the normally-closed valve opening. 35. A method as defined in claim 34, including providing the valve member and valve seat with a progressively decreasing level of interference in the direction from the inlet to the outlet of the normally-closed valve opening. 36. A method as defined in claim 30, wherein step (i) includes providing the valve member with a first thickness at the inlet and a second thickness at the outlet that is less than the first thickness. 37. A method as defined in claim 36, wherein the first thickness is at least about 1¼ times greater than the second thickness. 38. A method as defined in claim 30, 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. 39. A method as defined in claim 30, wherein the valve body extends annularly about the valve member. 40. A method as defined in claim 30, wherein the valve member is made of silicone. 41. A method as defined in claim 30, further comprising the step of providing a variable-storage chamber connected in fluid communication with the inlet.