One-way disc valve

A one-way valve for dispensing fluid assures, after the fluid has been dispensed, that any flow of contaminants into the source of the fluid is prevented. The one-way valve has a disc shaped valve body enclosed about the circumferential edge by an elastomeric membrane. Separate passageways conduct the fluid through the valve body with the fluid flowing from one passageway to the other between the circumferential edge and the elastomeric membrane. The valve body has a greater diameter than axial length.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention is directed to a one-way valve for dispensing fluid 
and assures, after the fluid has been dispensed, that any flow of 
contaminants into the source of the fluid is prevented. The one-way valve 
has a disc shaped valve body enclosed about the circumferential edge by an 
elastomeric membrane. Separate passageways conduct the fluid through the 
valve body with the fluid flowing from one passageway to the other between 
the circumferential edge and the elastomeric membrane. 
In the Gerber patent 4,846,810 issued Jul. 11, 1989, hereinafter the RESEAL 
valve, a one-way valve is shown formed by a valve body within an 
elastomeric membrane. In the patent the valve body is axially elongated. 
Such an arrangement has been found to be effective, however, if the height 
or length of the container and the one-way valve is to be kept to a 
minimum in dispensing certain fluids or if fluids with large particulates 
are being dispersed, the valve body shown in the patent is less effective. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Therefore, it is the primary object of the present invention to provide a 
one-way valve with a disc shaped valve body for limiting the overall 
height or axial length of a dispensing container employing the valve. 
In accordance with the present invention, the disc shaped valve body has a 
diameter of a greater dimension than the axial dimension of the valve 
body. While the disc shaped valve body limits the axial length of the 
one-way valve there must be an adequate length of the fluid flow between 
the passageways in the disc shaped body. Accordingly, the length of the 
flow path between the elastomeric membrane and the valve body must be as 
long as possible to afford the effective operation of the valve. 
To provide the desired flow between the valve body and the elastomeric 
membrane, a part of the membrane must be held in a fluid-tight manner 
against the circumferential surface or edge of the valve body to assure 
that the fluid does not bypass the intended flow passage. 
An important feature of the invention is that the passageways open to the 
space between the circumference of the valve body and the inside surface 
of the elastomeric membrane and this space or flow passage is at a maximum 
extending for more than 180.degree. around the valve body circumference. 
In a preferred embodiment, the angular extent of the flow passage around 
the valve body is in the range of 200.degree. to 270.degree.. The angular 
extent is controlled to some degree by the diameter of the valve body, 
since there must be a sufficient sealed circumferential length between the 
valve body and the membrane. 
In a preferred embodiment a housing laterally and circumferentially 
encircling the valve body holds the elastomeric membrane in sealed 
engagement with the circumference of the valve body and, in addition, 
seals the membrane to the opposite end faces of the valve body. 
For the circumferential length of the flow passage between the valve body 
and the elastomeric membrane, the housing is spaced radially outwardly 
from the membrane. As a result, the membrane can expand into the space 
permitting flow inside the membrane. An opening is provided in the housing 
admitting atmospheric pressure to the outer surface of the membrane for 
assuring that it rebounds inwardly after the fluid has exited through the 
valve body, so that the membrane returns into fluid sealing contact with 
the openings from the passageways in the valve body. 
The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are 
pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part 
of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its 
operating advantages attained by its use, reference should be had to the 
drawing and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated and described 
a preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
In the drawing the one-way valve 1 includes a disc shaped valve body 2 
having a first end face 4 and a second end face 6 with a circumferentially 
extending edge or side surface 8 extending between the end surfaces A 
first passageway 10 extends from first end face 4 through the 
circumferential surface 8. A second passageway 12, forming a fluid outlet, 
extends from the circumferential surface 8 to the end face 6. 
Though not shown, the disc shaped one-way valve would be mounted at the 
outlet from a container or source of the fluid to be dispensed. The fluid 
flows out of the container through the passageway 10. 
Encircling the circumferential surface 8 is an elastomeric membrane 14 
tightly fitted to the circumferential surface so that in the condition 
shown in FIG. 2 the membrane forms a fluid-tight seal at the opening out 
of the passageway 10 and into the passageway 12. The membrane 
cross-section, note FIG. 2, is generally C-shaped with opposite ends or 
legs of the C-shaped membrane fitted over and around the edges of the end 
faces 4, 6. Though not illustrated the opposite legs of the membrane can 
have a variety of shapes or thicknesses. 
Laterally enclosing the membrane 14 and the valve body 2 in the 
circumferential direction is a housing 16. Housing 16 has a radially 
inwardly extending flange 18 which presses one edge or leg of the membrane 
14 into fluid-sealing contact with the valve body 2. The housing 16 
includes a separate annular member 20 fitted over and pressing the other 
leg of the membrane 14 into fluid-sealing contact with the end face 6 of 
the valve body 2. 
An angularly extending section 22 of the housing presses the membrane 14 
into sealing contact with the circumferential surface of the valve body, 
note FIG. 3, preventing any flow between the passageways 10 and 12 for the 
angular section extending for about 90.degree. or less. The remainder of 
the housing 16 is spaced radially outwardly from the outer surface of the 
membrane 14 providing a space or passage 24 extending for approximately 
three-quarters of the angular extent of the valve body 2. As a result, if 
fluid is forced out of the container, not shown, into the passageway 10, 
the membrane 14 expands outwardly from the circumferential surface 8 of 
the valve body 2, such as is shown in FIG. 4, so that the fluid flows out 
of the passageway 10 between the inside surface of the membrane 14 and the 
circumferential surface 8 of the valve body 2 to the inlet into the 
passageway 12. The fluid flows through the passageway 12 and is dispensed. 
The fluid can be dispensed as drops, a spray, a mist or the like. The 
opening out of the passageway 12 can be shaped to provide the desired 
condition of the fluid as it is dispensed out the one-way valve. 
The fluid can flow only in one direction around the circumferential surface 
8 of the valve body 2. Due to the angular extent of the passage between 
the circumferential surface 8 and the inside surface of the elastomeric 
membrane 14, it is assured that the fluid is positively dispensed and the 
membrane rebounds into sealing contact with the circumferential surface 
assuring that the opening out of the passageway 10 and the opening into 
the passageway 12 are completely sealed preventing any backflow of 
contaminants into the source of the fluid. 
An important feature of the invention is that all of the parts of the valve 
body are formed of plastics material. Since the collapsible container for 
the fluid can also be formed of a plastics material the entire dispenser 
is recyclable which is a particularly desirable environmental feature of 
the invention. 
As can be appreciated by a person skilled in the art, the axial dimension 
of the valve body 2 can be limited to assure that the valve body can be 
used on a container whose dimensions are to be kept as small as possible. 
The disc shaped valve body 2 can be produced with a diameter of 1/2 inch 
and an axial dimension of 1/4 inch. The axial extent of the passage 24 
from the passageway 10 to the passageway 12 ensures that the passage 24 is 
closed after the fluid flows out of the passageway 12 so that no 
contaminants such as bacteria, air, gases, dust and the like can find 
their way into the container holding the fluid. The valve is particularly 
suitable for high flow rates out of the container while it takes up only a 
very small space. 
In providing the fluid-tight seal of the membrane 14 with the 
circumferential surface of the valve body 2 in the region of the angular 
section 22 of the housing 16, the housing itself can provide the side seal 
or other means, such as an adhesive or welded connection between the 
membrane and the valve body or pressure provided by the housing can be 
used. 
While a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown and described 
in detail to illustrate the application of the inventive principles, it 
will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without 
departing from such principles.