Abstract The specification and drawings disclose valve assemblies of the type often used for dispensing liquid foods and beverages. The disclosed valves each comprise a valve or nozzle body including a cylindrical valve chamber connected with a lateral inlet passage and an axial outlet passage. A valve seat is formed in the chamber about the outlet passage. In one of the embodiments, the seat is in the form of a flat shoulder located circumferentially about the outlet. In a second embodiment, the seat is a curved transition surface between the outlet passage and the cylindrical a valve chamber. In both embodiments valve element in the form of a resilient cup member is carried at the end of a rigid stem and adapted to engage the seat. The stem and the cup member are continually spring biased toward the seat by a compression spring which acts between the valve member and a bonnet screwed to the top of the valve body. Movement of the valve member between opened and closed positions is accomplished through a manual handle connected pivotally to the upper end of the stem and having camming surfaces which engage the top of the bonnet. The valve element is formed so that the lower or sealing end includes a peripheral, downwardly extending flange or web of tapered cross-section terminating in a relatively narrow, circumferentially continuous band. The resilient web serves to overcome problems which tolerance stacking imparts in the assembly and provides excellent sealing with both types of seats.
A valve comprising: a valve body having a cylindrical valve chamber connected with a lateral inlet passage and an axial outlet passage; a valve seat formed in said chamber about said outlet passage; a stem member extending generally axially into said valve chamber; a resilient generally cup-shaped valve member positioned in said valve chamber and having an end face adapted to engage in said valve chamber and having an end face adapted to engage said seat and a peripheral side wall sealingly engaged with the inner wall of said chamber at a location axially spaced from said inlet, the end of said valve member including a sealing portion in the form of a resilient peripheral downwardly extending flange of tapered cross-section terminating in a relatively narrow circumferentially continuous band, said sealing portion adapted to engage said seat about said outlet, said flange being defined by inner and outer walls with the outer wall being cylindrical and having its longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the axis of said valve chamber and said inner wall being inclined at an angle in the range of approximately 20* to 60* relative to the axis of said chamber; and, wherein said seat comprises a convex surface which engages said sealing portion circumferentially about said flange.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
210 words
A valve comprising: a valve body having a cylindrical valve chamber connected with a lateral inlet passage and an axial outlet passage; a valve seat formed in said chamber about said outlet passage; a stem member extending generally axially into said valve chamber; a resilient generally cup-shaped valve member positioned in said valve chamber and having an end face adapted to engage in said valve chamber and having an end face adapted to engage said seat and a peripheral side wall sealingly engaged with the inner wall of said chamber at a location axially spaced from said inlet, the end of said valve member including a sealing portion in the form of a resilient peripheral downwardly extending flange of tapered cross-section terminating in a relatively narrow circumferentially continuous band, said sealing portion adapted to engage said seat about said outlet, said flange being defined by inner and outer walls with the outer wall being cylindrical and having its longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the axis of said valve chamber and said inner wall being inclined at an angle in the range of approximately 20* to 60* relative to the axis of said chamber; and, wherein said seat comprises a convex surface which engages said sealing portion circumferentially about said flange.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
The valve as defined in claim 1 including means for moving said valve member between an opened and a closed position and means for continuously biasing said valve member toward said valve seat and wherein said flange is of a length such that when it is in a closed position said flange is in a compressed condition.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The valve as defined in claim 1 wherein said inner wall is inclined relative to said outer wall at an angle of greater than 10*.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The valve as defined in claim 1 wherein the length of said flange is less than the diameter of said valve member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The valve as defined in claim 1 wherein said flange is formed integrally with said valve member.