Patent ID: 6032691
Filing Date: 2000-03-07
Classification: F16L,Y10T

Abstract:
A valve assembly comprising:(a) an inlet valve connectable to an outlet valve comprising:(i) a first end adapted to engage a receptacle for holding process material, said first end configured to have an inlet port;(ii) a second end adapted to engage a second end of an outlet valve, said second end configured to have an outlet port;(iii) a bore extending between said inlet port and said outlet port;(iv) a first plug movably positioned in said bore, said first plug having an open and a closed position, said first plug sealing said inlet port from said outlet port when in a closed position;(v) a first spring positioned within said bore of said inlet valve so that said first spring biases said first plug in a closed position;(vi) a first insert positionable within said bore of said inlet valve, said first insert having a seat end and a face end, said seat end engaging said inlet plug when said inlet plug is in a closed position, said first insert having a bore extending therethrough to allow fluid communication between said inlet port and said outlet port of said inlet valve; and,(vii) at least one seal adapted to form a seal between a transfer tube and said bore of said first insert when a transfer tube engages said bore of said first insert(b) an outlet valve comprising:(i) a first end adapted to engage a source of process material, said first end configured to have an inlet port;(ii) a second end adapted to engage said inlet valve, said second end configured to have an outlet port;(iii) a bore extending between said inlet port and said outlet port; and,(iv) a second plug movably positioned in said bore, said second plug having an open and a closed position, said second plug sealing said inlet port from said outlet port when in a closed position;(v) a second spring positioned within said bore of said outlet valve so that said spring biases said second plug in a closed position, wherein a spring constant of said second spring is greater than a spring constant of said first spring;(vi) a second insert positionable within said bore of said outlet valve, said second insert having a seat end and a face end, said seat end engaging said outlet plug when said outlet plug is in a closed position, said second insert having a bore extending therethrough to allow fluid communication between said inlet port and said outlet port of said outlet valve; and,(vii) at least one seal adapted to form a seal between said transfer tube and said bore of said second insert;(c) a transfer tube comprising:(i) a first end configured to be insertable at least partially within said bore of said first insert, said first end configured to have at least one port;(ii) a second end slidably positioned at least partially in said bore of said second insert, said second end configured to have at least one port and,(iii) a bore extending through said transfer tube, said bore allowing fluid communication between said at least one port in said first end and at least one port in said second end; and(d) a coupler adapted to join said inlet valve and said outlet valve.