Valve structure

There is disclosed a valve comprised of a valve body defining a cavity with inlet and outlet port means opening to and leading from said valve cavity. A plug member is rotatably disposed in said valve cavity and spaced from the bottom wall thereof to define a valve chamber, with the outlet port means leading from said chamber. The plug member includes an end segment disposed in said valve cavity and provided with a pair of concave, axial elongate surface portions opening to the end face of said segment, with said concave portions being separated by convexed surface portions. The concaved surface portion cooperates with the inner wall surface of the cavity to define a pair of relatively movable channels which can be placed in communication with the inlet port means to interconnect said inlet ports with the valve chamber. The segment of the plug disposed in said valve cavity is constructed from a resilient material, and of a slightly larger diameter than the valve cavity. Accordingly, the plug segment is resiliently deformed upon assembly, with the convexed surface portions in sealing engagement with the cavity walls to effect blockage of the inlet port means, when desired, and also to maintain separation between any liquid products in said channels.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention is concerned with a valve construction, and more 
particularly with a valve adapted for use in the intravenous supply of 
liquid products. 
The valve of the present invention was designed for, and has particular 
utility with regard to, the intravenous supply of fluids to a patient. 
More specifically, it is a relatively common medical practice, to 
establish an intravenous connection with a patient, and through the use of 
a multi-port valve connected to said supply tube, administer fluid 
products such as blood, blood plasma, medications, etc. to the patient. 
Application of the fluid product is normally done through the use of 
gravity with the supply vessels for the fluid products suspended above the 
patient, and a clamp or pinched valve used to regulate the rate of flow to 
the patient. In addition to the clamp or pinch valve, a multi-port valve 
is normally connected to said supply tube above the pinch valve, which 
enables the selective supply of one or more fluid products. Examples of 
valves of this type, which are termed "I.V. valves," can be found in U.S. 
Pat. Nos. 3,481,367 and 3,750,704. 
Since the medications supplied to one patient, might not be compatable with 
another, the I.V. valves must be cleaned and sterilized before it can be 
reused. This however is not practical, thus, in many instances, the I.V. 
valves are merely discarded. As can be appreciated, the cost of these I.V. 
valves can become a significant factor, and efforts have been made, as 
noted in the above-mentioned patents, to provide relatively inexpensive, 
disposable I.V. valves. 
While the prior art attempts mentioned above have been partially 
successful, the present invention provides an improved, extremely simple 
and ingenous approach to the design and production of a disposable, 
intravenous valve. As will become clear from the discussion to follow, the 
present invention enables an I.V. valve to be fabricated inexpensively, 
and from but two molded parts which have been designed not only to 
minimize the cost of production tooling, but also to maximize the number 
of parts which can be molded during each cycle of the injection molding 
apparatus. These features will of course reduce the production cost for 
each valve. In addition, the structural features of the present invention 
provide a novel approach to the problem of multi-port selective valving. 
More specifically, the present invention provides a valve body which 
includes a substantially cylindrical valve chamber into which the inlet 
and outlet ports open. A plug member of unique design is disposed in said 
valve chamber for rotation with respect thereto. The plug member includes 
an end segment that may be spaced from the bottom of the valve cavity to 
define therewith a valve chamber, and, in the preferred, illustrated 
embodiment is hollow. One or more axially elongate, concave portions are 
formed in the end segment, with the remainder of the surface portion of 
the end segment being of an arcuate convex configuration. The end segment 
is fabricated from a relatively flexible material and is of a diameter 
slightly larger than the diameter of the valve cavity. Accordingly, upon 
assembly the end segment will be resiliently deformed, with the resulting 
resiliency forcing the convexed surface portions of the end segments into 
tight sealing engagement with the cavity surface wall. Correspondingly, 
the concave portions of the end segment will cooperate with the valve 
cavity surface wall to define axially extending channels opening to the 
valve chamber. Accordingly, by the selective rotative positioning of the 
plug member, one or the other or both of the inlet ports may be 
interconnected with the valve chamber, or alternately blocked as may be 
desired. 
As an additional feature, the present invention also contemplates the 
employment of a valve body wherein the outlet port axis is aligned with 
either the valve cavity axis or the axes of the inlet port. Accordingly, 
during molding of said valve body, only a single side action for 
retraction of the mold cores will be required. That is to say, that the 
parting of the mold halves will pull the necessary cores in a first 
general direction, for example along the X axis, with the single side 
action pulling the necessary cores along the Y axis. This is a significant 
improvement over the prior art designs of the above-mentioned type, 
wherein the inlet and outlet ports are disposed along one pair of axes, 
i.e X and Y, with the valve cavity disposed along a third axis. 
Accordingly, in the molding operation at least two side actions are 
required to pull the cores used to form the bores. This materially reduces 
the number of valve bodies that can be molded with each cycle of the 
injection molding machine, and most importantly, complicates the design of 
and increases the cost of the production tooling. 
In addition to the above specifically discussed features and advantages of 
the invention, other such features and advantages will become apparent 
from the detailed description of the preferred embodiment which follow 
hereinafter in conjunction with the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS 
Referring now to the drawings, a valve constructed in accordance with the 
present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1, and designated generally 20. 
The valve 20 is comprised of a main valve body 22 and a plug member 24 
rotatably assembled to said body. Initially, consideration will be 
directed to the structural features of the valve body 22 and the valve 
plug 24, respectively, with a more detailed discussion of how the 
structural features cooperate being provided in conjunction with a 
discussion of the overall operation of the valve 20 of the present 
invention. 
Valve body 22 includes a generally cylindrical, axially extending wall 
structure 28 having one end thereof closed by a bottom or base wall 
structure 26 with the opposite end thereof being open. A valve cavity 30 
is thus provided by said base wall 26 and axial wall structure 28, with 
said valve cavity 30 having a substantially cylindrical inner wall 
surface. 
Inlet port means for delivery of liquid product to the valve body 20 are 
provided, and these open through the inner wall surface of the valve 
cavity 30. In this regard, a pair of elongate, generally parallel, tubular 
projections 32 and 32 are formed integral with the axial wall structure 28 
and include central bores 34 and 38 respectively, opening into the valve 
cavity 30, as can be seen in FIG. 3. In the form of the invention as 
illustrated in FIGS. 1-7, an outlet port 39 is formed in the base wall 26 
and is in communication with a bore 40 of a tubular projection 42. The 
tubular projections 32 and 34 enable the supply lines from separate fluid 
containing vessels (not shown) to be connected to the valve 20, while the 
outlet projection 42 is for connection to the intravenous supply tube 
(also not shown). 
The valve plug 24 includes an enlarged head portion 44 and an axially 
extending end segment 46 which is received in the valve cavity 30 upon 
assembly. Enlarged head portion 44 provides for the manual rotation of the 
valve plug 24, for a purpose to be explained more completely hereinafter. 
The end segment 46 includes one or more, and preferably two elongate, 
concaved surface portions 54 and 56. These surface portions 54 and 56 are 
separated, each from the other, by a first elongate arcuately convexed 
surface portion 58, and a second convexed surface portion 60. As can be 
seen in FIG. 3, the arcuately convexed surface portion 60 has a 
circumferential extent which is substantially greater than the 
circumferential extent of the portion 58. More specifically, and for a 
purpose to become clear hereinafter the circumferential extent of the 
convex portion 60 is designed to be greater than the maximum 
circumferential distance between the inlet ports 36 and 38 as measured 
along the wall surface of cavity 30. The circumferential extent of the 
convex surface 58 is designed to be less than the minimum circumferential 
spacing between said inlet and outlet port 36 and 38. Also, for purpose to 
be detailed hereinafter, it should be noted that the end face 61 of the 
end segment 46 is concaved. 
The assembled condition for the valve plug 24 and valve body 22 are best 
illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. In order to maintain assembly, the cavity 30 
is provided with a circumferential groove 48, into which an annular rim 50 
on the end segment 46 engaged with a snap-fit type of relationship. This 
snap-fit precludes inadvertent separation of the parts, yet permits the 
valve plug 24 to rotate relative to the valve body. 
In a preferred form of the invention, the length of the end segment 46 is 
less than the depth of the cavity 30. Accordingly, in the assembled 
condition the end face 61 will be spaced from the base wall 26 and thereis 
in effect provided a valve chamber, designated generally 62. The outlet 
port 39 communicates with and leads from said valve chamber 62. 
With reference to FIG. 1, it can be seen that the concave surface portions 
54 and 56 have their upper ends closed, while the lower ends thereof open 
to the concavity which provides the end face 61. Accordingly, upon 
assembly the wall surface of cavity 30 will overlie the concave surface 
portions 54 and 56 to define a pair of spaced, closed channels which lead 
to and open into the valve chamber 62. 
As an additional feature, the major diameter "A" of the end segment 46, 
viz., the maximum diameter taken through the respective convex portions 60 
and 58, is selected to be slightly greater than the diameter "B" of the 
cavity 30. Further, the end segment 46 is formed from a resilient material 
such as plastic. Therefore, upon assembly the end segment 46 will be 
resiliently deformed to conform to the dimensions of the cavity 30. This 
deformation is permitted due to the fact that the end segment 46 is 
hollow, with the resulting curved walls provided by the concave portions 
54 and 56, bowing or flexing to permit a slight constricting of the end 
segment. Due to the resilient nature of material employed and the overall 
design, this deformation is not permanent, and the wall structure of the 
end segment 46 will tend to return to its original shape. This resiliency 
will cause the convex surface portions 58 and 60 to be biased into firm 
sealing engagement with the cavity wall 30. 
As an additional matter, the concaved end surface 61 also facilitates the 
above-discussed flexing of the end segment 46 upon assembly. It should be 
noted that the concave surface 61 intersects the elongate concaved surface 
portions 54 and 56, to define arcuate edges 64, best seen in FIG. 2. These 
edges 64 not only facilitate the above-mentioned flexing, but assures the 
provision of a path from the channels 54 and 56 to the valve cavity 62 
should the end segment 46 engage the base wall 26. 
Before considering the overall operation of the valve 20, attention is 
directed to FIG. 8, where an alternate form of the invention is disclosed, 
and designated 20'. In the embodiment of FIG. 8, the outlet port 38' is 
provided in the side wall 28' and communicates with a tubular segment 42'. 
The construction of the valve plug 20' is identical so as to provide a 
valve chamber 62' with the port 38' leading from said valve chamber. The 
operation of the embodiment of FIG. 8 is identical to that of the 
embodiment of FIGS. 1-7 as will be discussed hereinafter. 
The operation of the valve 20 will now be considered, and in this regard it 
must be kept in mind that the valve plug 20 is rotatable with respect to 
the valve body 22. With the valve plug 20 in the relative position as 
illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the channels provided by the concaved 
surface portions 54 and 56 align with the inlet ports 36 and 38 with the 
convexed surface portion 58 engaging the surface wall of cavity 30 
intermediate said ports. Accordingly, the fluid in the inlet port 36 can 
enter the valve cavity 30 as indicated by the arrow 70, and 
correspondingly the fluid in the inlet port 38 can also enter cavity 30 as 
indicated by the arrow 72. The fluids from the respective ports 36 and 38 
will flow downwardly along the wall surface of the cavity 30 in the 
channels provided by the concaved surface portions 54 and 56 and will 
enter the valve chamber 62. From here the fluids will be mixed and will 
enter the outlet tube 42 through the outlet port 39 for delivery to the 
patient. 
Should it be desired to supply only the fluid from the inlet port 38, the 
valve plug 24 may be rotated 90.degree. in a counter-clockwise direction 
from the position as shown in FIG. 3, to that of FIG. 4. When this is 
done, the arcuately convexed surface portion 60 will be brought in to 
overlying, blocking relation to the inlet port 36. Correspondingly, the 
concaved surface portion 56 will be moved into alignment with the inlet 
port 38, thereby maintaining a fluid path from said inlet port 38 to the 
valve chamber 62. If it is desired to supply only the fluid from the inlet 
port 36, the valve plunger 24 may be rotated 90.degree. in a clockwise 
direction from that shown in FIG. 3, to that of FIG. 5. This movement will 
bring the convexed surface portions 60 into blocking relation to the inlet 
port 38, while the concave surface portion 54 will be moved into alignment 
with the inlet port 36, to maintain a fluid path from said inlet port 36 
to the valve chamber 62. 
Should it be desired to terminate the flow from both said inlet ports 36 
and 38, the valve plug 24 may be rotated 180.degree. from the condition as 
shown in FIG. 3, to that of FIG. 6. As will be recalled, the 
circumferential extent of the surface portion 60 is selected to be greater 
than the maximum distance between the ports 36 and 38 as measured along 
the cavity 30. Accordingly, in the condition of FIG. 6, the surface 
portion 60 will overlie and block both said inlet ports 36 and 38. 
Thus, it can be seen by the selective, rotational positioning of the plug 
24, fluid supply through the valve can be blocked, or supply from one or 
the other or both of the inlet ports 36 and 38 can be established with the 
outlet port 38. So as to provide a visual indication of the condition of 
the valve, indicia may be provided on the upper surface of the enlarged 
portion 44, as illustrated in FIG. 7. In this regard the arrows 76 and 78 
correspond to the concave surface portions 54 and 56 and will indicate 
which inlet ports are opened for a given position of the valve plug. The 
X's 79 and 80 will indicate blockage of the inlet ports by the convexed 
surface portion 60. 
Directing attention now to FIGS. 9-12, an additional feature of the present 
invention will be considered. As was discussed previously, the parts of 
the present invention have been designed to reduce the cost of production 
tooling, and to enable the fabrication of a greater number of parts with 
each cycle of the injection molding apparatus. 
FIG. 9 illustrates a valve body of the general type contemplated by the 
prior art designs. In this regard the valve body that is designated 
generally 90 and includes a valve bore 92 disposed along the X axis, and 
at least three additional ports, 94, 96 and 98, two of which are inlet 
ports, and one an outlet port. Port 98 is disposed along the Y reference 
axis, while ports 94 and 96 are disposed along the Z reference axis. 
In FIG. 10, the valve body 22 of the present invention is shown. In this 
regard the axis for the cavity 30 and the bores 39 and 40 of projection 42 
extend along the X reference axis; while the axes for ports 36 and 38 of 
projections 32 and 34 extend along the Y axis. By way of comparison with 
the prior art type of body 90, of FIG. 9, it can be seen that none of the 
bores or ports of the valve body 22 extend along the Z reference axis. 
A schematic representation of the molding apparatus for the prior art valve 
body 90 is shown in FIG. 11. In this regard, the side actions and grouping 
of the valve bodies 90 are shown, however, the respective mold halves 
which would part essentially in the plane of the drawings have not been 
illustrated. The parting of said mold halves, can be used to pull the mold 
cores for the cavities 92. The mold cores 100 from each of the tubular 
projections 94, 96 and 98, however, must be pulled by side actions, the 
structure for each being shown schematically at 102-112. 
As can be appreciated, the necessity for the side actions 102-112, 
complicates and correspondingly increases the expense of the overall mold 
for the valve bodies 90. Further, due to the need for the side actions 
represented by structures 106, 108, 110 and 112, only a small number of 
said valve bodies 90 can be made with each cycle of operation of the 
injection molding apparatus. 
A portion of the mold apparatus for the valve bodies 22 of the present 
invention is illustrated schematically in FIG. 12. In this regard, since 
the bores 30 and ports 36, 38, 39 and 40, of the valve bodies 22 extend 
along only the X and Y reference axes, the separation of the mold halves 
can be used to pull cores for bores 30 and ports 39 and 40 extending along 
the X reference axis of FIG. 10. To pull the cores 114 for the bores 36 
and 38, of projections 32 and 34 along the Y reference axis, only a single 
side action structure 116 is required. With but a single side action, the 
cavities for the mold bodies can be closely grouped, as compared to the 
prior art design of FIG. 11, and a greater number of valve bodies molded 
with each operating cycle. Also, with but a single side action, the mold 
costs are reduced. 
While several specific embodiments of the present invention have been 
described and shown in the drawings, this has been done to illustrate the 
overall concept of the invention, rather than limit said invention to 
those embodiments illustrated. It is envisioned that others skilled in the 
art may devise various modifications over the structural features shown, 
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, 
the claims appended hereto, taken in conjunction with the drawings and 
specification are intended to define the scope and extent of the 
invention.