Patent Publication Number: US-2005127113-A1

Title: Blocking element for use in a valve for a non-refillable pressurized container

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      This application claims priority from U.S. Ser. No. 60/529,454 filed Dec. 11, 2003. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The invention generally relates to valves for pressurized tanks or other pressurized containers, e.g., pressurized gas bottles. More particularly, the invention relates to valves for pressurized containers which are commercially characterized as being “non-refillable” or “no-return” containers and which, for reasons of safety and otherwise, are not intended for re-use after their initial contents have been emptied. Valves for such containers are also often referred to in the art as “single use” valves for pressurized containers.  
      2. Description of the Related Art  
      Pressure tanks or other pressure containers are usually filled under carefully controlled conditions at a charging station and then distributed to other places for use. When empty it is intended that the containers be returned to the charging center for appropriate reuse or destruction in the case of single use containers. Unfortunately, the attractive economies of refilling containers at points of use or otherwise repressurizing them under less than carefully supervised conditions has resulted in the introduction of impurities or inferior refills and, more seriously, in injurious explosions. The reuse of pressure containers is highly objectionable for many reasons which relate to safety.  
      So-called “non-refillable valves” are well known in the prior art. Specific examples of known valves include valves of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,543,980, to van der Sanden, issued Oct. 1, 1985; valves of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,573,611, to O&#39;Connor, issued Mar. 4, 1986, and the various prior art valves described in the aforementioned patents. Both the van der Sanden and O&#39;Connor patents mentioned above are incorporated herein by reference.  
      In the van der Sanden patent, reference is made to techniques in which one-way ball valves can be used in conjunction with pressurized containers so as to allow for them to be initially charged through an orifice, and wherein further charging is prevented once the initial charge has been completed. The prevention of further charging is performed by forcing a ball past a constriction into a final location in a manner such that it cannot return above the restriction. Once the ball is in this final location, it will block any further refilling.  
      Walker in U.S. Pat. No. 3,985,332 discloses a non-refillable safety valve for a pressurized container. The valve includes a housing having a central bore, a hollow knob unit also having a central bore, and a core having a central bore which is slideably mounted in the central bore of the housing. The hollow knob unit is in threaded engagement with the outer wall of the housing. The central bore of the housing provides communication between a port and the pressurized container for charging and selectively discharging of the pressurized container. A sealing member is provided which is slideably mounted in the lower end portion of the central bore of the core. An outwardly biased spring snaps outwardly into a channel to prevent the knob unit from being completely unscrewed. An element prevents the pressurized vessel from being refilled.  
      Van der Sanden describes a valve for a pressurized container having a blocking element therein which is adapted to occupy an initial location in which fluid can move in and out of the container past the blocking element. According to van der Sanden, the valve and blocking element are further configured such that the blocking element can be irreversibly moved to a position in which the valve permits the escape of fluid under pressure exerted from inside the container, but which automatically closes in response to exposure to an external pressure greater than the pressure inside the container. The blocking element is formed of at least one radially extending arm whose lateral radius is reduced upon movement of the blocking element from the initial location to the final location. Then, at least one arm expands within the final location to prevent return of the blocking element to the initial location.  
      The O&#39;Connor non-refillable valve differs in many respects from the teachings of van der Sanden. For example, the O&#39;Connor valve uses pressure instead of a mechanical force to release the primary valve seal; O&#39;Connor utilizes the same element for making a primary valve seal when closing the valve as is used (i.e., the element doubles as) the blocking element, etc. However, many of the same problems inherent in manufacturing a non-refillable valve are common to both van der Sanden&#39;s teachings and those of O&#39;Connor such as, for example, the requirement that the valve housing used have manufactured undercuts, the blocking element used is still “directional”, i.e., it needs to be carefully inserted in the proper direction during the manufacturing process for the valve to work.  
      Mohn, U.S. Pat. No. 5,794,660 describes a non-refillable valve for a pressurized container which includes a unidirectional stepped valve housing within which a freestanding blocking element is housed. The blocking element is preferably a reversible, symmetrical check that integrally includes stop means for preventing the return of said blocking element to an initial location after it has been moved to a final location that activates the one way characteristic feature of a non-refillable valve (where activation is designed to take place after initially charging of the container).  
      De Fu Chen, U.S. Pat. No. 6,595,486 describes a non-refillable valve assembly that includes a valve stem and valve seat that is slidably received in the valve stem. Initially, the valve seat resides in a first position above a rim or protrusion in the valve body. After filling the valve seat is pushed past the rim or protrusion by operation of the valve stem, thus sealing the container and also preventing refilling.  
      Thus, it can be appreciated that it remains desirable to have new valve designs that provide the needs discussed hereinabove and yet remain relatively simple and inexpensive to produce.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention provides a blocking element for a non-refillable valve having a central bore with a stop edge and an opening through which fluid can flow unless the valve is sealed or blocked. The blocking element comprises a body portion that can slide within the central bore, a deformable member adjacent one end of the body portion and an elastomeric seal for sealing the opening in the central bore of the valve. Preferably, the body portion and the deformable member are made integrally of the same material, for example, a plastic resin.  
      In accord with the present invention, a valve for a pressurized container comprises a valve housing having a central bore; a port in said housing to facilitate connection of a nozzle thereto; a t-stem having a lower end; a valve seat providing the primary valve seal when the valve is closed; and a blocking element in the central bore.  
      In one embodiment of the invention, a valve for a pressurized container comprises a unidirectional stepped valve housing, wherein said housing comprises a central bore that includes an upper portion, lower portion and a middle portion located therebetween, wherein said lower portion is narrower than said middle portion which in turn is narrower than said upper portion; a port in the middle portion of said housing to facilitate connection of a nozzle thereto; a t-stem having a lower end with a key-way, the lower end further having in conjunction with the key-way a cavity of a predetermined geometric shape; a valve seat providing the primary valve seal when the valve is closed; and a blocking element in the lower portion of said central bore, wherein the valve seat has an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion being structured and arranged to provide the primary valve seal in cooperation with the valve housing, the upper portion having a geometry corresponding to the predetermined geometric shape for engaging with the t-stem to provide a locked assembly; the t-stem and valve seat being located in the housing and cooperating to position the valve seat for the primary valve seal.  
      A non-refillable valve for a pressurized container in accord with certain embodiments of the invention includes a valve with a blocking element of the present invention, which is adapted to occupy an initial location, in which fluid can move in and out of the container past the blocking element, where the valve and blocking element are further configured such that the blocking element can be irreversibly moved to a position in which the valve permits escape of fluid under pressure exerted from the inside of the container, but which automatically closes in response to exposure to an external pressure greater than the pressure inside the container.  
      Furthermore, in preferred embodiments of the invention, the valve comprises a valve seat (also referred to herein as the valve&#39;s primary sealing mechanism) that is used in combination with the t-stem as a mechanism for driving the blocking element (check) to the position in which the valve is operative to permit escape of fluid under pressure exerted from the inside of the container; but which automatically closes in response to exposure to an external pressure greater than the pressure inside the container (after initial charging). In other words, the stem and valve seat combination is used to force the blocking element from its initial position to its final location, after which the one way feature of the valve is activated.  
      Thus, a preferred non-refillable valve for a pressurized container comprises a blocking element adapted to occupy an initial location whereby fluid can move in and out of the container past the blocking element, the valve and blocking element being further configured such that the blocking element can be irreversibly moved to a final location in which the valve permits escape of fluid under pressure exerted from the inside of the container, but which automatically closes in response to exposure to an external pressure greater than the pressure inside the container, the blocking element comprising a reversible check that integrally includes stop means for preventing the return of the blocking element to the initial location upon movement of the blocking element from the initial location to the final location.  
      In certain alternative embodiments of the invention, a non-refillable valve is described as including a check characterized as freestanding, preferably, both freestanding and reversible. In the case of a reversible check, more preferably the reversible ends of the check have the same shape. By reversible, it is meant that, no matter which way the check is inserted into the valve during assembly, it will provide the functions described herein.  
      In certain preferred embodiments of the invention, the non-refillable valves comprise (a) a unidirectional stepped valve housing and (b) the use of an easy to install, reversible, symmetrical check that (once installed) is freestanding. Furthermore, such check preferably integrally incorporates deformable stop means which is automatically operative to prevent the return of the check to an initial location upon movement of the blocking element from the initial location to a final location, with the check being further designed to inherently reduce the risk of false check engagement during the valve assembly process.  
      A “deformable” member (blocking element, check, stop means, etc.), as used herein, is a member that can change shape under the influence of a predetermined amount of force required to drive the member through an opening; but which is relatively rigid when not under the influence of the predetermined amount of force in order to avoid premature forcing of the member through the opening. Such member preferably possesses a predefined degree of structural integrity that in addition to inhibiting false engagement, tends to prevent pieces of the member from breaking when the member is being driven or otherwise forced through the opening.  
      Preferred embodiments of the invention provide a non-refillable valve design that incorporates a reversible freestanding check as a blocking element, as defined hereinbefore, to simplify the valve design and check installation process. Preferably, the non-refillable valve has a symmetrical reversible check to once again simplify the valve design and check installation process.  
      The freestanding check minimizes the number of required valve manufacturing assembly steps, enhances valve reliability by minimizing the number of required actions for the valve to work, lowers valve and check manufacturing costs, etc. A blocking element that does not need to be connected to a stem, rod or some other internal valve component; or otherwise depend on the operation of another movable internal valve component, such as a slideable rod, etc., for its proper positioning, is defined herein to be a “freestanding” blocking element (or check).  
      These and other features of the present invention and the manner of obtaining them will become apparent to those skilled in the art, and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following detailed description read in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is an elevation view, partially in cross-section, of a non-refillable valve in accord with one embodiment of the present invention, in its filling position.  
       FIG. 2  is an elevation view, partially in cross-section, of the non-refillable valve shown in  FIG. 1  in its closed position, ready for use.  
       FIG. 3  is an elevation view, partially in cross-section, of the non-refillable valve shown in  FIG. 1  in an open position that facilitates discharge of the contents of the container to which the valve is attached.  
       FIG. 4  is an elevation view, partially in cross-section, of the non-refillable valve shown in  FIG. 1  in the position assumed by such valve when a refill is attempted at any time after the authorized initial charging of the container.  
       FIG. 5  is an elevation view, partially in cross-section, of one embodiment of a t-stem assembly of the non-refillable valve in accord with the present invention.  
       FIG. 6  is a side view, partially in cross-section, of the t-stem assembly shown in  FIG. 5  (i.e., rotated 90 degrees).  
       FIG. 7  is a view taken at line  7 - 7  in  FIG. 5 .  
       FIG. 8  is an elevation cross-sectional view of the valve seat taken at line  8 - 8  in  FIG. 9 .  
       FIG. 9  is an elevation view of the valve seat shown in  FIG. 1  and in  FIG. 5 .  
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a blocking element or check in accord with one embodiment of the present invention, as depicted in  FIGS. 1-4 .  
       FIG. 11  is an elevational view, partially in cross section, of the blocking element or check shown in  FIG. 10 .  
       FIG. 12  is a plan view of the blocking element or check of  FIG. 11 .  
       FIG. 13  is another elevational view of the blocking element or check shown in  FIG. 11 , taken at a different viewing angle.  
       FIG. 14  is an elevation cross sectional view of one of the separate sealing elements for the blocking element or check shown in  FIG. 10 .  
       FIG. 15  is a plan view of the sealing element shown in  FIG. 14 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND PREFERRED EMBODMENT  
      A non-refillable valve of the type contemplated by one aspect of the invention will first be described with reference to  FIGS. 1-4 . A preferred blocking element or check is described with reference to  FIGS. 10-15 .  
      As indicated hereinabove,  FIG. 1  is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a non-refillable valve (valve  100 ), of the type contemplated by a first aspect of the invention, in a “filling position”. In the filling position, valve  100  permits the initial charging of container  101 , also shown in  FIG. 1 , with fluid from a fluid source (not shown) that may be introduced into container  101  via, for example, passageway (port)  102  through nozzle  103 .  
      Passageway  102  is shown in  FIG. 1  to be in fluid communication with the interior portion of container  101  via central bore  104  in valve housing  105 . The arrow depicted in container  101  indicates that the direction of fluid flow in  FIG. 1  is into container  101 .  
      That a fluid path actually exists between passageway  102  and the interior of container  101 , will become apparent to those skilled in the art after studying the perspective drawing of illustrative blocking element  106  shown in  FIG. 10  depicting the same check shown in  FIG. 1 . In particular, with reference to  FIG. 10 , it may be seen that, for example, vanes  190  (formed as part of check body  191  and used to center blocking element  106  when installed in valve housing  105  as is explained further hereinafter); together with the recesses (like recess  195 ) in check body  191 , form a passageway in valve housing  105  through which fluid can flow between central core  104  and the interior of container  101 . This passageway is open so long as check  106  (in particular sealing portion  194  on the end of check  106  assumed, for the sake of illustration only, to be inserted first when installed in valve housing  105 ) is not seated on seat portions  150  and  150 A of housing  105  (shown in  FIG. 4  and described in detail hereinafter).  
      In fact, blocking element  106  is designed to allow container  101  to be filled prior to the one way feature of valve  100  being activated; prevent refilling thereafter; and, as shown, incorporates the reversible, preferably symmetrical, freestanding (when inserted in valve housing  105 ) and deformable stop features, all discussed hereinbefore. AU of these features will become apparent from the detailed description of the invention that follows when read in conjunction with the Drawing.  
      Central bore  104  in valve housing  105  has three distinct portions depicted in FIGS.  1 - 4 : upper bore portion  120 , middle bore portion  121  and lower bore portion  122 . In accord with a preferred embodiment of the invention, valve housing  105  is a unidirectional stepped valve housing as previously defined (i.e., a valve housing that includes a central bore having two or more stepped portions each radially increasing (or conversely decreasing) as the bore is traversed in a given direction).  
      Traversing the valve from top to bottom, the radius of the bore in the upper valve portion  120  can be seen to be greater than the radius in middle valve portion  121 ; and the radius in middle valve portion  121  can in be seen to be greater than the radius in lower valve portion  122 . This design, for the reasons explained hereinbefore, is advantageous for valve manufacturing purposes. However, other designs for the valve housing  105  can also be used.  
       FIG. 2  depicts the valve  100  in its closed position, ready for use after container  101  is initially charged with fluid and closed for the first time. No fluid is flowing when valve  100  is in the closed position shown in  FIG. 2 .  
       FIG. 3  depicts the valve  100  in an open position. The arrow depicted in container  101  indicates that the direction of fluid flow in  FIG. 3  is out of container  101 , into central bore  104  in valve housing  105 , and eventually out of passage way  102  through nozzle  103 .  
       FIG. 4  depicts the valve  100  in a “non-refill” position, i.e., a position in which blocking element (check)  106  makes contact with the seat (shown at  150  and  150 A in  FIG. 4 ) in the lower portion of central bore  104  to thereby prevent fluid from flowing into container  101 . No fluid is flowing through valve  100  into container  101  even when a fluid source is connected to passageway  102  of nozzle  103  as is indicated on  FIG. 4 . This illustrates the one way feature of valve  100  at work, i.e., when valve  100  is in the non-refill position depicted in  FIG. 4 .  
      Non-refillable valve  100 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 , is attached to a cylinder, like exemplary container  101 , expressly intended for a one fill opportunity. The attachment is typically performed by welding valve housing  105  to container  101  in the area marked  130  and  130 A in  FIG. 1  during a valve manufacturing process.  
      The valve  100  and container  101  combination depicted in  FIG. 1  is typically shipped to an authorized filler in the fill position illustrated in  FIG. 1 . When closed for the first time, the non-refillable feature is activated. The end user will only be able to discharge the cylinder contents with no refill opportunity being possible.  
      Exemplary non-refillable valve  100  as shown in  FIG. 1  has the following main components: t-stem  160  (illustrative means for controlling the opening and closing of valve  100 ); valve seat  161  (illustrative means for making the primary valve seal) which, for the reasons stated hereinbefore, preferably is fabricated separately with respect to t-stem  160  (and optionally from a different material if desirable); blocking element (check)  106 , which preferably has all (or at least some) of the desirable check attributes discussed hereinbefore (such as being reversible, preferably symmetrical, freestanding when inserted into valve  100 , etc.); unidirectional stepped valve housing  105  which encloses all valve components and, as indicated hereinabove, is attached to container  101 ; sealing means (such as o-ring seal  162 ); and nozzle (or port)  103  for filling and using the container, all depicted in  FIG. 1 .  
      The t-stem  160  is used to control the opening and closing of the non-refillable valve. Valve seat  161 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 , is designed to make the primary valve seal when valve  100  is closed. In accord with the present invention, as shown in more detail in  FIGS. 5-9 , the valve seat  161  is designed to form a locking engagement with t-stem  160  when the two components are assembled. As such, the t-stem  160  has an internal opening  555  having the same shape as the top portion of the valve seat, and a slot or key-way  560  (which terminates in a circular opening  171  transverse to the longitudinal axis of the t-stem) separating two lower legs  550 ,  551  that allows the legs to bend outwardly to insert the valve seat.  
      Valve seat  161  has an upper portion that fits into and engages with the corresponding opening  555  in t-stem  160  and a lower portion that forms the primary valve seal in the valve housing. The upper portion  180  also provides a land or shoulder area abutting legs  550 ,  551  of the t-stem  160 . A cylindrical hole  565  is provided in the valve seat which allows the top of the valve seat to be pushed together for insertion into the key-way of t-stem  160 . When the top of the valve seat is inserted into and engaged with the t-stem, the legs  550 ,  551  of the t-stem separate and then return to their original shape like a spring to lock the valve seat in the t-stem. The valve seat also may have one or more slots extending outwardly from the hole  565  in the valve seat to facilitate insertion into the t-stem. The particular configuration will take into account the resilience of the materials used for the components. The hole  565  also can have an alternative cross sectional shape.  
      Although the valve seat engages the t-stem to form a locked assembly, the valve seat preferably is capable of rotating relative to the t-stem, so that when the t-stem is turned to position the valve seat for sealing, when there is no back pressure on the it, the valve seat does not rotate in the central bore due to friction between the valve seat and the o-ring sealing the valve housing. Thus, while the t-stem is turned to position the valve seat without back pressure, the valve seat translates linearly only along the central axis without rotational motion.  
      Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that alternative upper and lower valve seat shapes can be employed for the same purpose (making the primary valve seal and engaging the t-stem, respectively) depending on the location of nozzle  103  and the interface between the passageway therethrough and central bore  104 , etc. The depicted shape of the valve seat is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, but rather to illustrate a suitable valve seat shape for effecting the primary valve seal for the lower portion of the exemplary valve  100  being described with reference to  FIGS. 1-4  and effecting a locking engagement with the t-stem  160  as illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . Thus, the geometries of the valve seat and the t-stem are designed to cooperate to provide a locking arrangement when the valve is opened.  
      Valve seat  161  also makes the stem seal when the valve is open. For example (and for the sake of illustration only), o-ring  162  is shown held in place by valve seats  161  and is used to effect the stem seal as depicted in each of  FIGS. 1-4  (where o-ring seal  162  is shown held by valve seat  161  against the interior surface of middle portion  121  of central bore  104 ).  
      In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in  FIG. 1 , all valve components are held inside valve housing  105  by a permanent swage to the end of valve housing  105  (shown at  165  in  FIG. 1 ). The valve is opened and closed by rotating the handle of t-stem  160  shown at  166  in  FIG. 1 . As illustrate, t-stem  160  rotation is translated to an axial motion within the valve housing  105  via screw threads  170 .  
      Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the invention, valve seat  161  and t-stem  160  are attached by snap-fit engagement illustrated in  FIGS. 5-6 . This attachment (as well as others that may be devised by those skilled in the art) provides a mechanical means to open the valve, as opposed to pressure differential alone. Snap-fit coupling of the valve seat and t-stem is accomplished by corresponding locking geometries of the upper portion of the valve seat and the internal opening of the t-stem. Other geometries for accomplishing the desired result can be readily designed by those skilled practitioners of the art.  
      It should be noted that the aforementioned attachment is intended to provide friction between t-stem  160  and valve seat  161  that is less than friction between o-ring seal  162  and valve housing  105 . Initially, prior to filling a container, this can prevent rotation of the valve seat  161  in central bore  104 . As those skilled in the art will readily appreciate, limiting rotation of the o-ring seal can extend the resealing capability of valve  100  and improve the sealing performance of the aforementioned stem seal. However, it should be noted that internal pressure (back pressure from the container after filling) may cause the seal to rotate.  
      It can be seen ( FIG. 1 ) that, when container  101  is being filled through a passageway (port)  102 , blocking element or check  106  is located in the lower portion of central bore  104 . The illustrative symmetrical check depicted (check  106 ), allows for its insertion in either direction to simplify assembly (i.e., the check is reversible; although the invention does not require that the check be symmetrical or even reversible in alternative embodiments); the check is freestanding (as defined hereinbefore); and the check is further shown to include deformable member  198  (sometimes referred to herein as a stop means that includes at least one deformable member). Deformable member (or stop)  198  is, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, intentionally designed to resist the pressures generated during the filling of container  101 , pressures exerted when assembling the valve (when positioning valve seat  161  in proximity to check  106  as shown in  FIG. 1 ) and pressures exerted when attempting to force (or drive) check  106  at least in part through opening  199  into container  101  to activate the non-refillable feature of the invention. This intentional rigidity is designed into deformable member  198  so that it does not break or prematurely deform when experiencing the aforementioned pressures. Preferably, section  198 A is provided to increase the original rigidity of the check against premature positioning to prevent filling. The rigidity can be adjusted, for example, by changing the cross section of section  198 A.  
      It should be noted that vanes functioning as described hereinbefore (formed as a part of check  106  and designed to keep the check centered in valve housing  105 , allow for fluid passage, etc., refer to vanes  190  (see  FIGS. 10-13  and also  FIG. 1 ).  
       FIG. 2  illustrates valve  100  in its closed position and ready for use. During initial closure of valve  100 , valve seat  161  (placed prior to initial closure in proximity to with check  106  as indicated hereinabove) is intended to make contact with the upper portion of check  106  (shown in  FIG. 2  as check portion  189 ), with the further aforementioned intention of driving the depicted deformable member  198  (with portions thereof shown at  192  and  192 A in  FIG. 2 ), at least in part, past stop seat  137  in valve housing  105  (shown in both  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 ), and through opening  199  into container  101 . This will enable the non-refillable feature of the valve as should now be apparent to those skilled in the art.  
      It can be seen that the primary valve seal is made by contact between valve seat  161  and valve housing  105  at contact location  132  indicated in  FIG. 2 ; and that portions of deformable member  198  (shown as portions  192  and  192 A in  FIG. 2 ), are shown designed to engage valve housing  105  at locations  133  and  133 A, respectively, when check  106  experiences back pressure from the fluid in container  101 . This situation occurs when valve  100  is opened as shown in  FIG. 3 , with  FIG. 3  actually depicting portions  192  and  192   a  of deformable member  198  engaging valve housing  105  at locations  133  and  133   a,  respectively, when valve  100  is open.  
       FIG. 3  depicts non-refillable valve  100  in an open position that facilitates discharge of the contents of the container to which the valve is attached. Removing contents of container  101  is accomplished by rotating t-stem  160  (for example, counter-clockwise if screw threads  170  are formed appropriately in valve housing  105 ); which breaks the contact between valve seat  161  and valve housing  105  at previously indicated contact location  132 . When this occurs (i.e., when the primary valve seal is opened), check  106  floats with the flow of the contents from container  101 , allowing the contents of container  101  to be discharged through nozzle  103  and passageway  102 , with check  106  engaging valve body  105  as described previously with reference to  FIG. 3 .  
       FIG. 4  depicts valve  100  in the position assumed by such valve when a refill is attempted at any time after the authorized initial charging of container  101 . Any attempt to refill the container  101  is prevented by the aforementioned seal portion  194  of check  106  (see also  FIG. 10 ) making contact with the seat (shown at  150  and  150   a  in  FIG. 4 ) in the lower portion of central bore  104 .  
       FIGS. 10-15  illustrates check  106  and its elastomeric sealing element. Further alternative embodiments effective in the valve can be designed by ordinarily skilled practitioners.  
      A preferred check  106  is shown in  FIG. 10  to include vanes  190 ,  190 A and recesses  195 , both integrally formed in check body  191  as previously described, for centering check  106  and providing passages for fluid flow when flow is appropriate. As illustrated, deformable member  198  has portions  198 A,  192  and  192 A. The preferred check  106 , as illustrated, is both reversible and symmetrical. It should be noted that deformable member  198 , as shown, has a pair of radially extending deformable arms ( FIG. 10 ) with a section  198 A extending between the ends of arms. An identical deformable member is formed at both the bottom and the top of the check in  FIG. 10 . The sealing element  194  of check  106  (one for each orientation of the check in the valve) is a separate elastomeric component. Preferably, the sealing element  194  is molded directly onto the check body  191  as illustrated in  FIG. 11 . However, the sealing member also can be molded and assembled on the check body depending upon the particular design of the check body and sealing member and the materials used to make them.  
      Deformable member  198  preferably is designed to resist the pressures generated during the filling of container  101 , pressures exerted when assembling the valve (when positioning valve seat  161  in proximity to check  106  as shown in  FIG. 1 ) and pressures exerted when attempting to force (or drive) check  106  at least in part through opening  199  into container  101  to activate the non-refillable feature of the invention. This intentional rigidity is designed into, for example, deformable member  198 , so that it does not break when experiencing the aforementioned pressures; and so that the check inherently posses a sufficient amount of structural rigidity to function properly as a freestanding element (for example, it doesn&#39;t flex too easily and collapse so as to be prematurely forced into the above described check engagement position, etc.).  
      Alternative check check geometries also can be used as long as they perform the required functions of the check. In the embodiment illustrated, “cross bar” stabilizer shown  198 A is used further to enhance the rigidity of check  106 . The cross bar helps the check&#39;s ability to function as a freestanding element once inserted into a valve housing and to enhance the false engagement protection feature of check  106 , compared to a check having only the deformable arms.  
      One or more of such stabilizers could be employed to provide any desired degree of rigidity and false engagement protection. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that by judicious choice of different materials from which the check is fabricated, and by varying deformable member dimensions, etc., different degrees of rigidity, etc., can be attained.  
       FIGS. 14 and 15  illustrate an “annular ring” sealing member  194  that seals the opening  199  against refilling of the container after the check has been engaged. As aforesaid, this elastomeric seal preferably is injection molded onto the check body.  
      The invention has been described in detail including the preferred embodiments. However, it should be appreciated that those skilled in the art may make modifications and variations within the scope of the present invention in light of the above teachings. Therefore, it is understood that the claims appended hereto are intended to cover all such modifications and variations which fall within the true scope and spirit of the invention.