Patent ID: 8376189

Claim:
A valve connectable in fluid communication with a fluid-receiving chamber and forming a substantially fluid-tight seal therebetween, the valve comprising a relatively rigid valve seat, a relatively flexible valve member overlying the valve seat and forming an axially-elongated, normally-closed valve opening therebetween defining an inlet at one end of the valve seat, an outlet at an opposite end of the valve seat, and an axially-extending seal therebetween that forms a fluid-tight seal between the inlet and outlet of the normally-closed valve opening, an axially-extending valve body radially spaced relative to the valve member and forming a space therebetween allowing fluid-flow therethrough for cleaning the valve and fluid-receiving chamber, and a seal engageable with the fluid-receiving chamber and forming a substantially fluid-tight seal therebetween to seal the valve outlet and fluid-receiving chamber with respect to ambient atmosphere, wherein the valve member is movable radially away from the valve seat in response to substance at the inlet to the valve opening exceeding a valve opening pressure to flow into the normally closed valve opening, through the outlet, and into the fluid-receiving chamber.