Patent Publication Number: US-11028846-B2

Title: Fully-draining diaphragm pump and check valve assembly

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present disclosure claims priority to and is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/450,009, filed Aug. 1, 2014 and now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,006,456, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure generally relates to systems for moving fluid products. More specifically, the present disclosure is directed to an apparatus, system, and method of cleaning and draining a diaphragm pump and check valve assembly which is used to move fluid products. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Diaphragm pumps are used to provide motive force to consumer products in a fluid state such as some foods, beverages, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and the like. Diaphragm pumps provide several advantages over rotary or centrifugal pumps, namely strong suction, the ability to move highly-viscous fluids or fluids with suspended particulates, and the ability to move fragile or delicate products. Since it is generally desirable to sequentially use a single diaphragm pump for more than one fluid product, the pump and associated systems must be cleaned prior to introducing each new product into the system to prevent product mixing. For example, if a diaphragm pump is used to move a shampoo product, it must be cleaned after completion of the shampoo movement and before subsequent use to move a conditioner product so that residual shampoo in the pump does not mix with the conditioner. 
     Cleaning of the diaphragm pump and associated systems presents several problems. First, cleaning is often time- and labor-intensive, as personnel with knowledge of the pump and system are generally required to break apart various components to clean them. Second, it is desirable—but difficult—to perform the cleaning in a manner that ensures sufficiently thorough cleaning. For some consumer products, even a small amount of mixing with a prior-introduced product would render the latter-introduced product unusable. Third, and perhaps most importantly, the cleaning steps generally use water to remove fluid products from the pump and system, and this water can become trapped in low points in the pump and system. Trapped cleaning water then either mixes with the latter-introduced product or, worse, creates an environment which is ripe for bacterial growth. 
     SUMMARY 
     It is thus an object of the present disclosure to present an apparatus, systems, and methods to overcome the deficiencies in the prior art discussed above. In some embodiments, a fully-draining diaphragm pump and check valve system comprises a sealed diaphragm pump having a first product chamber on a first side of the pump and a second product chamber on a second side of the pump, which takes suction from a suction manifold and discharges to a discharge manifold; a first check valve disposed between the suction manifold and first product chamber; a second check valve disposed between the suction manifold and the second product chamber; a third check valve disposed between the first product chamber and the discharge manifold; a fourth check valve disposed between the second product chamber and the discharge manifold, wherein each of the first, second, third, and fourth check valves comprises a mushroom assembly having a stem and valve disc, the valve disc having a tapered back edge and each of the first, second, third, and fourth check valves having a drain line disposed with a lower rim of the drain line below the tapered back edge of the respective valve disc. Each of the valve discs may have a substantially hemispheric valve front edge. Each of the first, second, third, and fourth check valves may further comprise a valve body, comprising a disc seat and a valve housing having an inlet plenum and outlet plenum, wherein the mushroom assembly is disposed within the valve body and biased to seal against the disc seat until a predetermined pressure is achieved in the inlet plenum or a predetermined suction is achieved in the outlet plenum. 
     Additionally, each of the first, second, third, and fourth check valves may further comprise a mushroom assembly guide configured to guide the movement of the mushroom assembly when the mushroom assembly moves between open and shut positions. The system may include a ball valve connected to the drain line of each of the first, second, third, and fourth check valves. The diaphragm pump may include a drain line at a low point of the first and second product chambers. The drain lines from each product chamber may drain to a respective portion of manifold piping. 
     In some embodiments, a fully-draining check valve comprises a valve body, comprising a disc seat and a valve housing having an inlet plenum and outlet plenum; a mushroom assembly, comprising a stem and valve disc, disposed within the valve body and configured to seal against the disc seat until a predetermined pressure is achieved in the inlet plenum or a predetermined suction is achieved in the outlet plenum; a drain line, operably connected to the valve body such that a lower rim of the drain line is disposed below the back edge of the substantially hemispheric valve disc; and wherein the valve disc has a substantially hemispheric front edge and a back edge with substantially all of the back edge tapered toward the drain line. The fully-draining check valve may further comprise a ball valve connected to the drain line or a tri-clamp disposed across the outlet plenum of the valve body. The fully-draining check valve may further comprise a mushroom assembly guide configured to guide the movement of the mushroom assembly when the mushroom assembly moves between open and shut positions. 
     In some embodiments, a method for cleaning a diaphragm pump and check valve assembly comprises operating a centrifugal pump attached to a suction manifold of the diaphragm pump while taking suction sequentially for a predetermined period of time from a water source, a wash solution source, and a sanitizer source, said centrifugal pump operating at sufficient pressure to create turbulent flow of the water, wash solution, and sanitizer through the diaphragm pump and check valve assembly; cycling open and shut, while continuing to operate the centrifugal pump while taking suction sequentially for a predetermined period of time from a water source, a wash solution source, and a sanitizer source, a ball valve in a drain line of each check valve in the check valve assembly to flush the check valve and drain line; venting the diaphragm pump and check valve assembly to atmosphere by opening the ball valve in the drain line of each check valve to dry the assembly. The method may include securing the centrifugal pump during the period in which the ball valves are actively opening or shutting. The method may include maintaining the ball valve open for a predetermined period of time during the cycling step. The wash solution may comprise a mixture of soap and water. The sanitizer may comprise a chlorine-based solution. The method may be performed by a programmed processor of a computer in control of the centrifugal pump and ball valves, and may require no incremental action by a human once the process is initiated at the programmed processor of a computer. The method may include admitting compressed gas from a gas source into the diaphragm pump and check valve assembly to dry the assembly. The compressed gas may be one of air or an inert gas. 
     The foregoing and additional aspects and embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the detailed description of various embodiments and/or aspects, which is made with reference to the drawings, a brief description of which is provided next. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and other advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings. 
         FIG. 1A  is a cutaway view schematic diagram of a fully-draining check valve in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 1B  is an exploded cutaway view schematic diagram of a fully-draining check valve in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a cutaway view schematic diagram of a fully-draining diaphragm pump and check valve assembly in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a flow diagram of a method for cleaning a fully-draining diaphragm pump and check valve assembly in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4A  is a cutaway view schematic diagram of a fully-draining check valve in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4B  is an exploded cutaway view schematic diagram of a fully-draining check valve in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5A  is a cutaway view schematic diagram of a horizontally-oriented fully-draining check valve in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5B  is an exploded cutaway view schematic diagram of a horizontally-oriented fully-draining check valve in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6A  is a top profile view of a horizontally-oriented fully-draining diaphragm pump and check valve assembly in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6B  is a side profile view of a horizontally-oriented fully-draining diaphragm pump and check valve assembly in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6C  is a cutaway view schematic diagram of a horizontally-oriented fully-draining diaphragm pump and check valve assembly in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure is directed to a fully-draining check valve, a fully-draining diaphragm pump, a fully-draining diaphragm pump and check valve assembly, and methods of cleaning the same. The components and systems disclosed herein drain fully through the use of tapered valve disc surfaces, drain lines operably connected to the check valve body, and drain lines operably connected to the lowest point of a diaphragm pump product chamber. Fully draining the components and systems disclosed herein ensures that fluids cannot become trapped in the component or system which could cause undesirable fluid product mixing or bacteria growth. 
       FIG. 1A  is a cutaway view schematic diagram of a fully-draining check valve  100 .  FIG. 1B  is an exploded cutaway view schematic diagram of the same fully-draining check valve  100 . 
     The check valve  100  comprises a valve body  101 , mushroom assembly  111 , and drain line  121 . The valve body  101  has an inlet plenum  103 , outlet plenum  105 , and valve seat  107  which is configured at an angle to receive the mushroom assembly  111  when the check valve  100  is in a shut position, forming a seal which prevents fluid flow in a direction from the outlet plenum  105  to the inlet plenum  103 . 
     Mushroom assembly  111  comprises a valve stem  113  and a valve disc  109 . In some embodiments, the valve disc  109  includes front edge  131  which is substantially hemispheric in shape. Front edge  131  may also be referred to as the seating surface. In some embodiments, valve disc  109  has a tapered back edge  117 , wherein substantially all of the back edge  117  is tapered and the valve disc  109  is configured such that the back edge  117  is higher near the valve stem  113  and lower on the side engaged with the valve seat  107 . Tapered back edge  117  may also be referred to as the back surface. The seating surface and back surface may meet at disc edge  133  extending about the perimeter of the valve disc  109 . Mushroom assembly  111  is disposed within the valve body  101  with valve stem  113  disposed within a mushroom assembly guide  115 . 
     Drain line  121  is connected to the valve body  101  adjacent to valve seat  107 . Drain line  121  is configured such that the lower rim  119  of drain line  121  is disposed below the tapered back edge  117  of the valve disc  109  when the valve disc is in the closed position. In this configuration, when the check valve  100  is in a shut position the drain line  121  is the lowest point in the check valve  100 , so that fluid in the valve body  101  flows down tapered back edge  117  and into drain line  121 . 
     Check valve  100  is operably connected to other systems using an inlet-side connector  127  and outlet-side connector  129 . In some embodiments, inlet- and outlet-side connectors  127 ,  129  are tri-clamp fittings. 
     In some embodiments, drain line  121  is operably connected to a ball valve  123  via a drain line connector  125 . In some embodiments, drain line connector  125  is a tri-clamp fitting. 
     In some embodiments, it is desirable to have check valve  100  biased in certain directions using a spring or other biasing means. For example, in some embodiments a spring is disposed in the mushroom assembly guide  115  to provide biasing of the mushroom assembly  111  in the valve shut direction. 
     In operation, mushroom assembly  111  rests against valve seat  107 , forming a seal which prevents fluid flow in a direction from the outlet plenum  105  toward the inlet plenum  103 . When sufficient pressure in the inlet plenum  103  or sufficient suction in the outlet plenum  105  overcomes the force with which the mushroom assembly  111  rests against valve seat  107 , the mushroom assembly  111  is raised, breaking the seal and permitting fluid flow in a direction from the inlet plenum  103  and toward the outlet plenum  105 . 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , gravity is the motive force for the mushroom assembly  111 , which is to say that gravity maintains the mushroom assembly  111  in a shut position unless there is sufficient pressure in the inlet plenum  103  or sufficient suction in the outlet plenum  105  to overcome the force of gravity and move the mushroom assembly  111  into an open position. Where gravity is the motive force for the mushroom assembly  111 , the check valve  100  must be installed vertically—an orientation in which the valve disc  109  is configured below the valve stem  113 —or else the check valve  100  will be rendered inoperable. 
     In other embodiments, a spring (not shown) or other motive force is provided in the mushroom assembly guide  115  which exerts force on the mushroom assembly  111  and holds it shut unless there is sufficient pressure in the inlet plenum  103  or sufficient suction in the outlet plenum  105  to overcome the force of the spring or other motive force and move the mushroom assembly  111  into an open position. Where motive force other than gravity is provided, the check valve  100  can be installed in various orientations (i.e., not vertically alone), but the drain line  121 , drain line connector  125 , and ball valve  123  must be reconfigured to ensure gravity draining of the check valve  100 . 
     With check valve  100  in an open position, fluid flows from the inlet plenum  103  towards and through the outlet plenum  105 . With check valve  100  in a shut position, fluid is prevented from flowing from the outlet plenum  105  towards or through the inlet plenum  103 . Additionally, with the check valve  100  in the shut position, fluid in the check valve  100  will naturally flow by force of gravity into the drain line  121  which is the lowest point in the vertically-oriented check valve  100 . As will be discussed below, this configuration with the lower rim  119  of drain line  121  below the tapered back edge  117  of the valve disc  109  is essential to the proper draining, cleaning, and sanitizing of the check valve  100 . 
     In some embodiments, the mushroom assembly  111  of fully-draining check valve  100  is replaced with a ball assembly to form a fully-draining ball check valve  400  as illustrated in  FIGS. 4A and 4B .  FIG. 4A  is a cutaway view schematic diagram of a fully-draining check valve  400 .  FIG. 4B  is an exploded cutaway view schematic diagram of the same fully-draining check valve  400 . 
     As with fully-draining check valve  100 , fully-draining check valve  400  comprises a valve body  101  and drain line  121 . In place of mushroom assembly  111  is ball  401 , which is configured to form a seal against valve seat  107  which prevents fluid flow in a direction from the outlet plenum  105  to the inlet plenum  103  when fully-draining check valve  400  is shut. As with mushroom assembly  111 , gravity is the motive force for ball  401 , which is to say that gravity maintains ball  401  in a shut position unless there is sufficient pressure in the inlet plenum  103  or sufficient suction in the outlet plenum  105  to overcome the force of gravity and move ball  401  into an open position. Where gravity is the motive force for ball  401 , the check valve  100  must be installed vertically or else the check valve  100  will be rendered inoperable. A ball stop  403  is disposed above ball  401  and configured to prevent ball  401  from exiting valve body  101  or fully blocking outlet plenum  105 . 
     Again, as with fully-draining check valve  100 , for fully-draining check valve  400  the drain line  121  is connected to the valve body  101  adjacent to valve seat  107 . Drain line  121  is configured such that the lower rim  119  of drain line  121  is the lowest point in the check valve  400  when in the closed position, so that fluid in the valve body  101  flows into drain line  121  when check valve  400  is shut. 
     Fully-draining check valve  400  is operably connected to other systems using an inlet-side connector  127  and outlet-side connector  129 . In some embodiments, inlet- and outlet-side connectors  127 ,  129  are tri-clamp fittings. In some embodiments, inlet- and outlet-side connectors  127 ,  129  include gaskets  405 . 
       FIG. 2  is a cutaway view schematic diagram of a fully-draining diaphragm pump and check valve assembly  200 . The assembly  200  comprises a diaphragm pump  201  operably connected to a suction manifold  203  and discharge manifold  205 . In some embodiments, diaphragm pump  201  is a sealed, pneumatic diaphragm pump. Diaphragm pump  201  comprises an air inlet  209 , diaphragm  215 , outer piston  217 , inner piston  219 , shaft  221 , centerblock  225 , and exhaust muffler  207 . 
     The fully draining diaphragm pump and check valve assembly  200  includes four fully-draining check valves  100 A-D. A check valve  100  is operably connected between each product chamber  211 ,  213  and each of the suction manifold  203  and discharge manifold  205 . Each check valve  100  comprises a mushroom assembly with a tapered back edge of the valve disc and a drain line with the lower rim of drain line disposed below the tapered back edge of the valve disc. Each drain line is operably connected to a ball valve  123 A-D which normally remain shut during pumping operations of the diaphragm pump and check valve assembly  200 . 
     The fully draining diaphragm pump and check valve assembly  200  additionally includes a product chamber drain line  227 ,  229  for each product chamber  211 ,  213 . The product chamber drain lines  227 ,  229  are disposed at a low point in the product chamber  211 ,  213  adjacent to the diaphragm  215  to ensure that the product chamber  211 ,  213  will fully drain when the diaphragm pump  201  is not in operation. 
     In some embodiments, suction manifold  203  is replaced with two separate sections of suction pipe such that diaphragm pump  201  is able to take suction from two separate sources or from two separate suction pipes connected to the same source. When taking suction off two separate sources, suction piping operably connected to fully draining check valve  100 A and product chamber  213  draws from a first source while suction piping operably connected to fully draining check valve  100 B and product chamber  211  draws from a second source. 
     Similarly, in some embodiments discharge manifold  205  is replaced with two separate sections of discharge pipe such that diaphragm pump  201  is able to discharge to two separate areas or two two separate discharge pipes connected to the same area. When discharging to two separate areas, discharge piping operably connected to fully draining check valve  100 D and product chamber  213  discharges to a first area while discharge piping operably connected to fully draining check valve  100 C and product chamber  211  discharges to a second area. 
     Thus, in some embodiments diaphragm pump  201  is configured to take suction from two separate sources and discharge to two separate areas. A first product is pumped from a first source through fully-draining check valve  100 A, product chamber  213 , and fully-draining check valve  100 D to a first area. A second product is pumped from a second source through fully-draining check valve  100 B, product chamber  211 , and fully-draining check valve  100 C to a second area. 
     In operation, compressed air serves as the motive force in diaphragm pump  201 . Air is introduced into the centerblock  225  via air inlet  209 , and is directed via a mechanical air valve  231  to either of a pair of air chambers  233 . As air enters an air chamber  233 , it pushes against inner piston  219  and the air chamber side of diaphragm  215 . The air chamber  233  expands toward the respective product chamber  211 ,  213 , and the outer piston  217  and diaphragm  215  move outwardly and are guided by shaft  221 . The expanding air chamber  233  displaces fluid in the respective product chamber  211 ,  213 , which pressurizes the fluid. The pressurized fluid cannot flow towards the suction manifold  203  as a result of check valves  100 A or  100 B. Instead, the pressurized fluid flows through check valves  100 C or  100 D and into the discharge manifold  205 . 
     As one of the pair of air chambers  233  is expanding, the other air chamber is contracting. This contracting motion creates a suction stroke of the diaphragm pump  201 , which draws fluid up from the suction manifold  203 , through check valve  100 A or  100 B, and into the respective product chamber  211 ,  213 . When the expanding air chamber  233  reaches a predetermined volume of expansion, the inner piston  219  will trip an actuator (not shown) on the mechanical air valve  231 , which switches the air chamber  233  to which incoming air is directed. With air directed to the opposite air chamber  233 , the previously-expanding air chamber now begins to contract and the previously-contracting air chamber now begins to expand. Thus as the inner piston  219  and outer piston  217  are continuously in motion due to the expanding and contracting motions of the air chambers  233  and diaphragms  215 , fluid in the suction manifold  203  is continuously pulled into one of the product chambers  211 ,  213  and then pushed into the discharge manifold  205 . 
       FIG. 3  is a flow diagram of a method  300  for cleaning a fully-draining diaphragm pump and check valve assembly  200 . The flow diagram of  FIG. 3  illustrates numerous embodiments of method  300 . 
     Method  300  begins at block  301 . At block  303 , the assembly  200  is rinsed by introducing turbulent flow of a rinse solution. In some embodiments, the rinse solution is water. In other embodiments, the rinse solution is water with a mild detergent or soap. 
     In some embodiments, the method  300  proceeds from block  303  to block  305 , where the drain line ball valves  123 A-D are cycled open and shut while turbulent flow of the rinse solution is maintained. In some embodiments, cycling open and shut includes maintaining the drain line ball valves  123 A-D open for a predetermined period of time. In some embodiments, it is necessary to secure turbulent flow of the rinse solution during operation (i.e., while opening and shutting) of the drain line ball valves  123 A-D and then re-commence turbulent flow once the drain line ball valves  123 A-D are in the appropriate or desired position. In some embodiments, the drain line ball valves  123 A-D are cycled with turbulent flow of rinse solution secured and the assembly  200  is gravity drained. 
     In some embodiments, it is not desired to perform the cycling of block  305  while rinsing the system with a rinse solution and the method  300  proceeds directly from block  303  to block  307 . In other embodiments, the method  300  proceeds to block  307  following the cycling of block  305 . 
     At block  307 , the assembly  200  is washed by introducing turbulent flow of a wash solution. In some embodiments, a wash solution is a mixture of water and soap or detergent. 
     In some embodiments, the method  300  proceeds from block  307  to block  305 , where the drain line ball valves  123 A-D are cycled open and shut while turbulent flow of the wash solution is maintained. In some embodiments, cycling open and shut includes maintaining the drain line ball valves  123 A-D open for a predetermined period of time. In some embodiments, it is necessary to secure turbulent flow of the wash solution during operation (i.e., while opening and shutting) of the drain line ball valves  123 A-D and then re-commence turbulent flow once the drain line ball valves  123 A-D are in the appropriate or desired position. In some embodiments, the drain line ball valves  123 A-D are cycled with turbulent flow of wash solution secured and the assembly  200  is gravity drained. 
     In some embodiments, it is not desired to perform the cycling of block  305  while washing the system with a wash solution and the method  300  proceeds directly from block  307  to block  309 . In other embodiments, the method  300  proceeds to block  309  following the cycling of block  305 . 
     At block  309 , the assembly  200  is sanitized by introducing turbulent flow of a sanitizing solution. In some embodiments, a sanitizing solution is a chlorine-based solution, such as a mixture of chlorine and water. 
     In some embodiments, the method  300  proceeds from block  309  to block  305 , where the drain line ball valves  123 A-D are cycled open and shut while turbulent flow of the sanitizing solution is maintained. In some embodiments, cycling open and shut includes maintaining the drain line ball valves  123 A-D open for a predetermined period of time. In some embodiments, it is necessary to secure turbulent flow of the sanitizing solution during operation (i.e., while opening and shutting) of the drain line ball valves  123 A-D and then re-commence turbulent flow once the drain line ball valves  123 A-D are in the appropriate or desired position. In some embodiments, the drain line ball valves  123 A-D are cycled with turbulent flow of sanitizing solution secured and the assembly  200  is gravity drained. 
     In some embodiments, it is not desired to perform the cycling of block  305  while sanitizing the system with a sanitizing solution and the method  300  proceeds directly from block  309  to either block  311  or block  313 . In other embodiments, the method  300  proceeds to either block  311  or block  313  following the cycling of block  305 . 
     As is further illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the steps of rinsing, washing, and sanitizing of blocks  303 ,  307 , and  309 , respectively, can be performed in numerous combinations and iterations. For example, a cleaning method  300  may comprise the steps of first rinse, wash, sanitize, and second rinse. 
     Blocks  311  and block  313  present various methods to dry the assembly  200 . Method  300  can include blocks  311  and  313  alone or in combination. At block  311 , a compressed gas is introduced into the assembly  200 . In some embodiments, the compressed gas is compressed air or a compressed noble gas. The introduction of compressed gas into the assembly  200  at block  311  may assist in removing fluids from the assembly  200 . At block  313 , the drain line ball valves  123 A-D are opened and the assembly is vented to the surrounding atmosphere to aid in drying. 
     In some embodiments, turbulent flow is established for method  300  using a centrifugal pump connected to a source containing a rinse solution, wash solution, or sanitizing solution. In other embodiments, turbulent flow is established for method  300  by operating the diaphragm pump while taking suction from a source containing a rinse solution, wash solution, or sanitizing solution. 
     Additionally, the diaphragm pump  201  can be operated during any one or all of the steps of method  300  to aid in the cleaning process. 
     As described above, in some embodiments a fully-draining check valve is installed in a non-vertical position.  FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate cutaway views of a horizontally-oriented fully-draining check valve  500  in accordance with some embodiments. Drain line  121  is disposed at the lowest point of body  101 , such that fluid in the valve body  101  flows into drain line  121  when check valve  500  is shut. 
     In some embodiments, a spring (not shown) is disposed within the mushroom assembly guide  115  to provide a motive force to shut check valve  500 . 
     In some embodiments, mushroom assembly  111  is replaced with a ball, as in  FIGS. 4A and 4B . For such embodiments to be horizontally oriented, valve body  101  is angled at a sufficient slope such that the ball, under force of gravity, re-seats against valve seat  107  when flow stops or reverses. 
     In some embodiments, mushroom assembly  111  is replaced with a flapper assembly which is shut by re-seating against valve seat  107  under the force of gravity when flow stops or reverses. 
       FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C  illustrate the use of horizontally-oriented fully-draining check valve  500  in a horizontally-oriented fully-draining diaphragm pump and check valve assembly  600 . The assembly  600  comprises a diaphragm pump  201  operably connected to a suction manifold  203  and discharge manifold  205 . Four horizontally-oriented fully-draining check valves  500 A-D are operably connected between each product chamber  211 ,  213  and each of the suction manifold  203  and discharge manifold  205 . Each check valve  500  includes a drain line disposed at the lowest point of the valve body, such that fluid in the valve body flows into the drain line when check valve  500  is shut. Each drain line is operably connected to a ball valve  123 A-D which normally remain shut during pumping operations of the assembly  600 . 
     Each product chamber  211 ,  213  is further configured with a product chamber drain line  227 ,  229  which is operably connected to a ball valve  601 ,  602 . Product chamber drain lines  227 ,  229  are connected at the lowest point of the respective product chamber  211 ,  213  to ensure fluid drains from the respective product chamber  211 ,  213  when the diaphragm pump  201  is secured and ball valve  601 ,  602  is open. Ball valves  601 ,  602  are shut during normal pumping operations. 
     The present disclosure thus offers many advantages over the prior art. The disclosed fully-draining diaphragm pump, fully-draining check valve, and fully-draining diaphragm pump and check valve assembly can be used during the movement of a wide variety of fluids, including consumer products in a liquid or gel state such as various food, beverage, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical products. The present disclosure provides an apparatus and system which prevents mixing between fluids which are sequentially introduced into a diaphragm pump or check valve. The present disclosure additionally eliminates the time- and labor-intensive task of breaking down equipment for cleaning, since a method is provided which ensures thorough cleaning and removes all fluid from the disclosed apparatus and system. The present disclosure further reduces or eliminates the chances of bacterial growth in the apparatus or system by providing a means to remove all fluid product and cleansing fluid from the apparatus or system. 
     It will be appreciated by one of skill in the art that although the fully-draining check valve is here disclosed in use with a diaphragm pump, the check valve is also suitable for use in various other systems and configurations, including but not limited to in combination with a centrifugal pump. It will further be appreciated that the fully-draining diaphragm pump and the fully-draining diaphragm pump and check valve assembly disclosed herein are suitable for a wide range of pumping uses which are not limited to consumer products in a fluid state. Indeed, the present disclosure is suitable for application to pumping of nearly any fluid medium. 
     While this specification contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any invention or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments of particular inventions. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination. 
     Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Moreover, the separation of various system components in the embodiments described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all embodiments, and it should be understood that the described program components and systems can generally be integrated together in a single software product or packaged into multiple software products. 
     While particular embodiments and applications of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise construction and compositions disclosed herein and that various modifications, changes, and variations can be apparent from the foregoing descriptions without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.