Patent ID: 7302971

Claim:
An umbrella valve assembly comprising: a) an umbrella valve including a stem, a flexible umbrella, and a flange, wherein the stem includes a longitudinal axis, wherein the umbrella and the flange each are attached to, and extend radially outward from, the stem, and wherein the flange has at least one fluid passage; and b) a valve housing having a sealing-surface portion, wherein the umbrella valve is disposed in the valve housing, wherein the umbrella is pushed away from the sealing-surface portion under a forward fluid flow, wherein the umbrella is pushed against the sealing-surface portion under a reverse fluid flow, and wherein no portion of any radially-inwardly-facing surface of the valve housing is in contact with the umbrella when the umbrella is pushed away from the sealing-surface portion and when the umbrella is pushed against the sealing-surface portion.