Abstract:
A valve system for attachment to a food cooking vat. The valve system includes a valve body and stem, with the stem including a valve head having a sealing member connected thereto. The valve body has an outlet configured to be in fluid communication with the food cooking vat, and the sealing member is in fluid communication with the outlet and the chamber and is selectively operable between a discharge position, for allowing the food to drain from the chamber, and a closed position, for allowing the food to remain in the chamber. The sealing member preferably includes polymer and has a first portion of generally frusto-conical shape and a second portion of generally frusto-conical shape generally co-axial with the first portion.

Description:
The present invention is directed towards a valve system and a seal for use in a valve system. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In certain applications there is a need for large containers of liquid or liquid-like of materials. One such application is in commercial food preparation processes. Other applications could include industrial and/or commercial processes. 
     For example, commercial and institutional food preparers may use large cooking containers or vats of food materials such as oils, sauces, brines, meats, vegetables, juices, or the like within which they will cook or otherwise prepare foodstuffs or consumables. Frequently, such food preparers must empty the container of the material once a batch is cooked or prepared. However, given the size of many of these containers, they do not lend themselves to being simply turned over and emptied, as one may do in a conventional kitchen. 
     Some containers may include a valve in the lower portion of the container which allows the material to be drained while the container remains stationary. However, these valves may include components that require servicing and/or replacement. One such valve is sold by Crown Food Service Equipment of Downsview, Ontario, Canada. 
     SUMMARY 
     Generally, the present invention includes numerous embodiments and configurations, one of which includes a valve assembly comprising a valve body and a stem assembly, wherein the stem assembly comprises a valve head with a sealing member, and wherein the sealing member comprises one or more polymers. 
     More specifically, the present invention may include, in one exemplary embodiment, a valve system for attachment to a food cooking vat. The valve system includes a valve body and stem, with the stem including a valve head having a sealing member connected thereto. The valve body has an outlet configured to be in fluid communication with the food cooking vat, and the sealing member is in fluid communication with the outlet and the chamber and is selectively operable between a discharge position, for allowing the food to drain from the chamber, and a closed position, for allowing the food to remain in the chamber. The sealing member preferably includes polymer and has a first portion of generally frusto-conical shape and a second portion of generally frusto-conical shape generally co-axial with the first portion. 
     Numerous other aspects of embodiments, embodiments, features, and advantages of the present invention will appear from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. In the description and/or the accompanying drawings, reference is made to exemplary aspects of embodiments and/or embodiments of the invention which can be applied individually or combined in any way with each other. Such aspects of embodiments and/or embodiments do not represent the full scope of the invention. Reference should therefore be made to the claims herein for interpreting the full scope of the invention. In the interest of brevity and conciseness, any ranges of values set forth in this specification contemplate all values within the range and are to be construed as support for claims reciting any sub-ranges having endpoints which are real number values within the specified range in question. Also in the interest of brevity and conciseness, it is to be understood that such terms as “is,” “are,” “includes,” “having,” “comprises,” and the like are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms and yet may encompass the terms “comprises,” “consists essentially of,” “consists of,” and the like as is appropriate. 
     These and other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a view of a container or vat having one embodiment of a valve system constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIGS. 2 and 3  are side elevational views of embodiments of a valve system constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIGS. 4 and 5  are exploded views of embodiments of valve systems constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view, with parts cut away, illustrating one embodiment of a valve sealing member constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a sectional view taken along lines  8 - 8  of  FIG. 6 ; and 
         FIG. 9  is a side elevational view of a container having a valve system constructed in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views. Also in the following description, it is to be understood that such terms as “forward,” “rearward,” “left,” “right,” “upwardly,” “downwardly,” and the like are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms. 
     Numerous other aspects of embodiments, embodiments, features, and advantages of the present invention will appear from the description and the accompanying drawings. In the description and/or the accompanying drawings, reference is made to exemplary aspects of embodiments and/or embodiments of the invention, which can be applied individually or combined in any way with each other. Such aspects of embodiments and/or embodiments do not represent the full scope of the invention. 
     Turning now to the figures,  FIGS. 1 and 9  show a vat or other container, generally  24 , having a compartment or chamber for permanently or temporarily holding fluid material having on the exterior a valve assembly, generally  20 ,  22 . Examples of such vats  24  include, but are not limited to, electric kettles, gas kettles, fryers, braising pans, other containers for holding large amounts of fluid material. The vat may have a holding area within a body portion  4  into which the fluid material is contained. The fluid material may include, but is not limited to, foods, drinks, industrial fluids, commercial fluids, and the like. The fluid material may be hot or cold or under high pressure, low pressure, or atmospheric pressure. The fluid material could also be in a vacuum. 
     The valve system assembly  20 ,  22  is in communication with the interior of the holding area of body portion  4 . The valve assembly  20 ,  22  and various components may be seen in more detail in  FIGS. 2-8 . As can be seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the valve assembly  20 ,  22  has a valve body, generally  10 , which may be in communication with the vat  24 . The valve body  10  may be comprised of any material or combination of materials demonstrating the characteristics such as, but not limited to, the ability to withstand high and low temperatures, the ability to withstand high and low pressures, and resistance to the elements, necessary to the situation in which the valve assembly  20 ,  22  is used. Examples of such materials include, but are not limited to, metals, polymers, and combinations thereof where such metals and/or polymers may be substantially unreactive to the flowable material found within vat  24 . 
     The valve body base  7  may be the point at which the valve body  10  is connected to the vat  24  through the use of means such as, but not limited to, welding, forging, molding, casting, bolting, or clasps; chemical means such as, but not limited to, adhesives; or combinations of the foregoing. The valve body  10  may be removably attached to the vat  24 , or permanently attached to the vat  24 . 
     The valve body  10  includes a valve body cavity  6 . A stem assembly  11  may be situated inside the valve body cavity  6  such that the stem rod  9  extends into the valve body cavity  6  as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The stem rod  9  may be comprised of any material or combination of materials demonstrating the characteristics such as, but not limited to, ability to withstand high and low temperatures, ability to withstand high and low pressures, and resistance to the elements, necessary to the situation in which the valve assembly  20 ,  22  is used. Examples of such materials include, but are not limited to, metals, polymers, and combinations thereof. 
     The stem assembly  11  further includes a valve sealing assembly, or head,  13  ( FIG. 5 ) at the end of the stem rod  9 , which may be situated within the valve body cavity  6 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The valve head  13  may be affixed to the stem rod  9  through the use of one or more valve connectors, generally  12 . The valve connectors  12  may connect the valve head  13  to the stem rod  9  through the use of mechanical means such as, but not limited to, welding, bolts, screws, or other threaded fasteners, clips, and/or clasps or the like; chemical means such as, but not limited to, adhesives; or combinations thereof. If desired, the valve head  13  may be an extension of the end of the stem rod  9  such that the valve head  13  and the stem rod  9  are one piece, i.e., of integral construction. 
     The valve head  13  may include a valve head base  15  as shown in FIGS.  2  and  5 - 8 . The valve head base  15  may be made of the material or materials comprising the stem rod  9 , the material or materials comprising the sealing member  17  as discussed below, or any other such material or combination of materials demonstrating the characteristics necessary to the situation in which the valve assembly  20 ,  22  is used. Examples of such materials include, but are not limited to, metals, polymers, and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the valve head base  15  may be an extension of the stem rod  9  such that the valve head base  15  and the stem rod  9  are one piece. 
     The valve head  13  includes a sealing member  17 . The sealing member  17  is generally disc-shaped and may be made of polymers, any other such material or combination of materials demonstrating the characteristics necessary to the situation in which the sealing member  17 . The sealing member  17  includes, in one embodiment, a generally cylindrical portion  17   a  at the extreme, or free, end thereof and having a peripheral surface of an angled, or chamfered, configuration. A second generally cylindrical portion  17   b  defining a circumferential edge is of larger diameter than the portion  17   a  and also includes an angled, or chamfered, circumferential edge portion which generally abuts and/or terminates into portion  17   a . With this embodiment, the portion  17   a  functions as a primary seal for essentially plugging the outlet opening (not shown) in the valve body cavity  6  and portion  17   b  serves to engage a rim, or valve seat element, (not shown) encircling the outlet opening to provide additional sealing of the outlet opening. Examples of such materials include, but are not limited to, elastomers such as butyl elastomer; Teflon; nylon; polypropylene; polyethylene; polystyrene; neoprene; copolymers; or any combination thereof. Such materials and combinations thereof may be substantially unreactive to the flowable material found within the vat  24 . 
     In one embodiment, the sealing member  17  could comprise a core of one or more materials such as described above and an outer layer or layers of one or more materials such as described above. In another embodiment, sealing member  17  could comprise a core of the same material or materials the stem rod  9  is comprised of and an outer layer or layers of one or more materials such as described above. In another embodiment, the core of the sealing member  17  may be an extension of the stem rod  9  (not shown) such that an outer layer or layers of one or more materials such as described above are configured to encompass and cover the extension of the stem rod  9 . The extension of the stem rod  9  may be any shape and size which may be covered by an outer later or layers of one or more materials such as described above such that the sealing member  17  may be in communication with the valve body cavity  6 . 
     In another embodiment, the sealing member  17  may be temporarily or permanently attached to the stem rod  9  through the use of the valve connectors  12  as shown in  FIG. 3 . In a further embodiment, the sealing member  17  may be temporarily or permanently attached to the valve head base  15  through the use of the valve connectors  12  as shown in  FIG. 3 . The core of the sealing member  17  may also be an extension of the valve head base  15  (not shown), such that an outer layer or layers of one or more materials of which the sealing member  17  is made is configured to encompass and cover the extension of the valve head base  9 . 
     As briefly discussed above, the sealing member  17  may be chamfered or tapered as shown in FIGS.  3  and  5 - 8  such that the extreme end portion  17   a  of the sealing member  17  (adjacent away from the stem rod  9 ) is of a generally frusto-conical shape a smaller diameter than the portion  17   b  (also of a generally frusto-conical shape and generally co-axial with the axis of rotation of portion  17   a ) of the sealing member  17  adjacent the stem rod  9 . The sealing member  17  may be in communication with the valve body cavity  6  in such a way that a generally fluid-tight seal is created between the sealing member portions  17   a  and  17   b  and the valve body cavity  6 , in order that the fluid in vat  24  may not pass through the valve body cavity  6  around the sealing member  17 . Such a sealing position of the sealing member  17  is shown in  FIG. 3 . It is to be understood, however, that the present invention is not to be limited to the specific configuration of sealing member  17  as disclosed herein, and that a sealing member constructed in accordance with the present invention could take on a variety of other shapes and configurations if desired. 
     In one embodiment, the sealing member  17  is in communication with a valve seat element (not shown) within the valve body cavity  6  in such a way that a seal is created between the sealing member  17  and the valve seat element such that the material in the vat  24  may not pass through the valve body cavity  6  around the sealing member  17 , where the sealing member  17  is in communication with the valve seat element. The valve seat element  17  may be made of the material or materials comprising the stem rod  9 , the material or materials comprising the valve head base  15 , the material or materials comprising the sealing member  17 , the material or materials comprising the valve body  10 , any other such material or combination of materials which would allow the sealing element  17  to seal against the valve seat element by virtue of the shape of the valve seat element, the material composition of the valve seat element, or a combination thereof. Examples of such materials include, but are not limited to, metals, polymers, elastomers and combinations thereof. 
     In one embodiment, the sealing member  17  is configured such that at least one generally radially extending recess  14  is present in the side of the sealing member  17  as shown in  FIGS. 5-8 . Such recess  14  may include a generally radially extending slot  14   a  for receiving a valve connectors  12 , such as a screw or bolt. Recess  14  would generally radially receive the head of such screw or bolt, and slot  14   a  would generally radially receive the shaft (which may be threaded, smooth, or some other profile). In such embodiment, the shaft of the screw or bolt would pass through a hole  15   a  in valve head base  15 , and a nut (with or without one or more washers) would be used to threadingly engage a threaded portion of the screw or bolt to fix the sealing member  17  to valve head base  15 . The recess  14  and slot  14   a  allow for such screw or bolt to be laterally, or radially, inserted into and removed from sealing member  17  and thus allow sealing member  17  to be attached to valve head base  15  without penetrating or being exposed on the face  17   c  of sealing member  17 . This allows face  17   c  to remain smooth and less prone to having food or other particles adhere thereto, thereby enhancing the sanitary operation and ability to clean sealing member  17 . This arrangement also allows sealing member  17  to be readily removed from and attaché dot valve head base  15  for cleaning, replacement, repair and/or renewal. 
     In one embodiment, the valve head base  15  is configured such that at least one notch or groove (not shown) is present in the side of the valve head base  15 . In another embodiment, the sealing member  17  and the valve head base  15  are configured such a notch or groove is present in the side of both the sealing member  17  and the valve head base  15  (not shown). In one aspect, the above notches or grooves may be offset. In another aspect, the above notches or grooves may be in line with each other. 
     The sealing member  17  may be manipulated by the stem manipulator  19  as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . Manipulation of the sealing member  17  may cause the sealing member  17  to move within the valve body cavity  6  in such a way that the seal described above moves with the sealing member  17 . The stem manipulator  19  may be, but is not limited to, a manual operation such as a knob, screw, handle, or other manual device which allows an operator or manually to move the position of the stem assembly  11  within the valve body cavity  6 ; an automatic operation through the use of a computer program controlling the position of the stem assembly  11  within the valve body cavity  6 ; an automatic operation through the use of a computer program controlling the position of the stem assembly  11  within the valve body cavity  6  in response to predetermined variables; any other suitable method of manipulating the stem assembly  11 ; or, any combination of the foregoing. In one embodiment, the stem manipulator  19  may be in communication with a series of valve assemblies  20 ,  22  such that the stem manipulator  19  may manipulate the stem assembly  11  of one or more valve assemblies  20 ,  22  at the same time, at different times, in certain groups, individually, in response to predetermined variables, or any combination thereof. 
     Turning back to the valve body  10 , the valve body  10  may have one or more discharge elements  5  as shown in the  FIGS. 1-5  which may allow the material in the vat  24  to be released when the sealing member  17  is manipulated such that the valve assembly  20 ,  22  is in the discharge position, as shown in  FIG. 3 . In one embodiment, the discharge element(s)  5  is an aperture in the valve body  10 . 
     The valve assembly  20 ,  22  may additionally include a valve assembly flange  3  as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . The valve assembly flange  3  may be made of the material or materials comprising the stem rod  9 , the material or materials comprising the valve body cavity  6 , the material or materials comprising the valve body base  7 , any other such material or combination of materials demonstrating the characteristics, such as, but not limited to, resistance to the elements, necessary to the situation in which the valve assembly  20 ,  22  will be used, or any combination thereof. Examples of such materials include, but are not limited to, metals, polymers, and combinations thereof. In one aspect, the stem assembly  11  and valve assembly flange  3  may include a threaded means with which to insert the stem assembly  11  through the valve assembly flange  3  into the valve body cavity  6 . In another embodiment, the valve assembly flange  3  may be incorporated into the stem assembly  11  such that the stem assembly  11  and the valve assembly flange  3  are one piece. In such an embodiment, the valve assembly flange  3  may be configured such that when the stem assembly  11  is inserted into the valve body cavity  6 , the valve assembly flange  3  is substantially flush to the portion of the valve body cavity  6  the stem assembly  11  passed through to enter the valve body cavity  6 . In one embodiment, the valve assembly flange  3  and the valve body cavity  6  create a seal such that the valve body cavity  6  is not in communication with the elements on the opposite side of the valve assembly flange  3 . 
     In one embodiment, a stem assembly connector  16  may be used to connect the stem assembly  11  to the valve body  10 . In one aspect, the stem assembly connector  16  may include a threaded ring, collar, nut, or the like such that the stem assembly connector  16  attaches to a threaded portion of the valve body  10  and contains the stem assembly  11  and/or the valve assembly flange  3 . In such an aspect, the stem assembly connector  16  may create a seal such that the valve body cavity  6  is not in communication with the elements on the opposite side of the valve assembly flange  3 . The stem assembly connector  15  may be made of the material or materials comprising the stem rod  9 , the material or materials comprising the valve body  10 , any other such material or combination of materials demonstrating the characteristics such as, but not limited to, resistance to the elements, necessary to the situation in which the valve assembly  20 ,  22  will be used, or any combination. Examples of such materials include, but are not limited to, metals, polymers, and combinations thereof. 
     Turning now to the operation of the valve assembly  20 ,  22 , the valve assembly  20 ,  22  may be operated such that the seal assembly  11  is manipulated to move the sealing member  17  within the valve body cavity  6  from a sealed position as shown in  FIG. 2  to an open, or discharge, position as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     In one embodiment, the sealed position is the position in which the sealing member  17  is in communication with the valve seat element (not shown) such that a seal is created where the sealing member  17  abuts the valve seat element such that the material in the vat  24  may not pass through the valve body cavity  6 . In another embodiment, the sealed position is the position in which the sealing member  17  is in communication with the valve body cavity  6  in such a way that a seal is formed where the sealing member  17  and the valve body cavity  6  meet such that the material in the vat  24  may not pass through the valve body cavity  6  around the sealing member  17  to reach the discharge element(s)  5 . 
     In one embodiment, the discharge position is the position in which the sealing member  17  is no longer in communication with the valve seat element (not shown) such that the material in the vat  24  may pass through the valve body cavity  6  to the discharge element(s)  5  around the sealing member  17 . In another embodiment, the discharge position is the position in which the sealing member  17  has been manipulated such that the material in the vat  24  may reach the discharge element(s)  5  through the valve body cavity  6  before the material reaches the sealing member  17 . In one aspect of such an embodiment, material which is not discharged through the discharge element(s)  5  such that it reaches the sealing member  17  may not pass further through the valve body cavity  6  around the sealing member  17 . 
     In one embodiment, the valve assembly  20 ,  22  may be manipulated such that the seal assembly  11  may be manipulated from the sealed position as shown in  FIG. 2  to the discharge position as shown in  FIG. 3  and from the discharge position to the sealed position. In one aspect, the valve assembly  20 ,  22  may be manipulated in this manner more than once. In another embodiment, the valve assembly  20 ,  22  may be manipulated such that the seal assembly  11  may be manipulated from the sealed position to the discharge position once. 
     Turning now to the assembly of the valve assembly  20 ,  22 , the valve assembly  20 ,  22  is assembled such that the stem assembly  11  is in communication with the interior of the valve body cavity  6  and the stem assembly  11  is attached to the valve body cavity  6  in such a manner that the stem assembly  11  may be manipulated within the valve body cavity  6 . The valve body assembly  20 ,  22  may additionally include a stem assembly connector  16  and/or a valve assembly flange  3  as described above. 
     Certain modifications and improvements will occur to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the foregoing description. All such modifications and improvements of the present invention have been deleted herein for the sake of conciseness and readability. 
     While typical aspects of embodiment and/or embodiments have been set forth for the purpose of illustration, the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings should not be deemed to be a limitation on the scope of the invention. Accordingly, various modifications, adaptations, and alternatives may occur to one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Numerous other aspects of embodiments, embodiments, features, and advantages of the present invention will appear from the description and the accompanying drawings. In the description and/or the accompanying drawings, reference is made to exemplary aspects of embodiments and/or embodiments of the invention, which can be applied individually or combined in any way with each other.