Patent ID: 7021604
Filing Date: 2006-04-04
Classification: F16K

Abstract:
1. An iris valve for controlling the flow of bulk solid materials, said valve comprising: an upper body member defining an opening, said upper body member having an upper surface comprising an annular groove; a metal clamp band having a lower surface affixed to said upper body member such that said lower surface of said metal clamp band substantially covers said annular groove in said upper body member; a control ring having an upper surface and a lower surface, said upper surface comprising an annular groove, said control ring further comprising a projecting handle for rotating said control ring; a polymer clamp band having a lower surface affixed to said upper surface of said control ring such that said polymer clamp band substantially covers said annular groove in said control ring and separates said upper surface of said control ring from said upper body member; a flexible cylindrical sleeve extending between, and affixed at opposite ends to, an upper sleeve loop and a lower sleeve loop, respectively, said upper sleeve loop captured between said metal clamp band and said upper body member such that said upper sleeve loop is affixed within said annular groove of said upper body member, said lower sleeve loop captured between said polymer clamp band and said control ring such that said lower sleeve loop is affixed within said annular groove of said control ring, such that said flexible cylindrical sleeve extends from said upper body member to said control ring through said polymer clamp band; a polymeric isolator disc adjacent said lower surface of said control ring; a lower body member defining an opening, said lower body member adjacent said polymeric isolator disc and affixed to said upper body member such that said polymer clamp band, said lower sleeve loop, said control ring, and said polymeric isolator disc are trapped between said upper and lower body members; wherein rotating said control ring rotates said lower sleeve loop relative to said upper sleeve loop, thereby twisting said flexible cylindrical sleeve in an iris pattern to close said opening.