Patent ID: 8522813

Claim:
A sampling port comprising: a housing having an internal passage through which a fluid flows and defining a port in fluid communication with the internal passage; and a valve assembly mountable adjacent the port of the housing, the valve assembly including: a bezel having a channel extending therethrough; and a bladder mounted adjacent the bezel, the bladder including a bladder base having a flexible bladder segment, and an inner bladder stem depending from the flexible bladder segment and being at least partially received within the channel of the bezel, the bladder stem being movable within the channel of the bezel between a first position substantially preventing fluid flow through the valve assembly and a second position in which a fluid path is established through the valve assembly and in fluid communication with the internal passage of the housing to thereby permit removal of a fluid sample through the port, the flexible bladder segment including a plurality of openings dimensioned to permit passage of fluid as a component of the fluid path when the bladder stem is in the second position thereof, wherein the plurality of openings are located around a perimeter of and immediately adjacent the bladder stem, wherein the bladder stem provides a first seal to prevent a flow of fluid through the valve assembly when the bladder stem is in the first position, wherein the plurality of openings are sealed against a surface of the bezel to create a second seal to prevent the flow of fluid through the valve assembly when the bladder stem is in the first position, and wherein the plurality of openings are located within the internal passage with the bladder stem in the second position.