Patent ID: 8079385
Filing Date: 2011-12-20
Classification: F16K,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A valve assembly for controlling flow of a fluid within the assembly, said dispensing valve assembly comprising: a valve body defining first and second internal flow passages, said valve body including an internal valve seat positioned between said first and second internal flow passages, said valve seat defining at least one flow port extending between said first and second flow passages for joining said flow passages in fluid communication with each other; and a flow-controlling valve member positioned within said valve body generally adjacent to said valve seat for controlling flow between said first and second flow passages through said flow port, said valve member including a peripheral attachment portion by which said valve member can be attached to said valve body, a flexible, resilient, intermediate portion extending from said peripheral attachment portion, and a central valve head, defining a central flow orifice, extending from said intermediate portion for sealing engagement with said valve seat of said valve body, at least part of said valve head being outwardly deflectable to an open configuration of said valve member when a sufficient pressure differential exists across said valve assembly to permit flow from said first internal flow passage through said flow port and said central flow orifice to said second internal flow passage, said valve seat defining a compound sealing surface for cooperative sealing engagement with the valve head of said valve member, said compound sealing surface including a first sealing surface having a generally arcuate cross-sectional configuration through which said at least one flow port extends, and a second, frusto-conical sealing surface, positioned inwardly of said first sealing surface, having a generally linear cross-sectional configuration, said valve head being sealingly engagable with said first and second sealing surfaces in a closed configuration of said valve member for preventing flow from said second internal flow passage through said flow port to said first internal flow passage, wherein one of said valve body and said valve member defines at least one retention projection, positioned generally intermediate said first and second sealing surfaces, and engageable with the other of said valve body and said valve member.