KR920001351B1 - Valve assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

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Description

Valve assembly

1 is an elevational view of a valve assembly embodying the present invention installed in a flexible container such as a bellows.

2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the valve assembly shown in FIG.

3a is a sectional view taken along line 3a-3a of FIG.

3b is a sectional view taken along line 3b-3b of FIG.

3c is a sectional view taken along line 3c-3c of FIG.

3d is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 3d-3d of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2 of the rigid cylinder portion located near the valve assembly. FIG.

5 is a longitudinal sectional view of another embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a sectional view taken along the line VI-VI of FIG.

7 is a view similar to FIG. 5 of another embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII of FIG.

9A is an elevational view of the valve assembly of the present invention installed on a fireplace bellows flexible container.

And FIG. 9B is an elevation view of the arrangement shown in FIG. 9A being rotated 90 degrees.

* Explanation of symbols for main parts of the drawings

12 valve assembly 20 inlet channel

26: discharge channel 14: the valve body

30 ring-shaped member 28 elastomer cover

The present invention relates to a valve assembly for use in flowing fluid out of a container, such as a flexible container, and for preventing contaminants from entering the container.

The valve assembly includes an extended valve body at the side of an elastomeric sheath that seals the outer surface of the valve body. Fluid flows through the space between the outer surface of the valve body and the elastomeric cover.

The fluid then flows inwardly through the valve body and outwardly through the outlet or outlet. In discharging sterile fluid from a container that can be used for extended life, it is important to prevent contaminated fluid from flowing back into the container during and after the discharge operation is performed. Material-like contaminants occurring outside the valve assembly and vessel include microorganisms, atmospheric gases, moisture, dust and the like.

If the sterile fluid is contaminated, it may adversely affect the quality, efficacy and stability of the product. If a container of sterile fluid is used only once and is not used beyond its life span, there is usually no problem of contaminants flowing into the container.

In the known liquid handling container disclosed in US Patent No. 2, 715, 980 to Frick, the valve mechanism comprises a branch hole extending from the center hole to the outer surface of the valve body and a central hole valve extending through the valve body. It includes a body.

Such expandable sleeves, such as sleeves of rubber-like material, surround the outer surface of the valve body which blocks the flow at the branch holes. In the known device, when the fluid is discharged, fluid flowing through the central hole flows through the branch hole, causing the sleeve to expand and the fluid to flow around one end of the sleeve.

During that flow, contaminants flow to the expanded end of the sleeve and then return to the vessel through the central and branch holes.

Therefore, contaminants flowing into the container cannot be effectively prevented. Another valve that joins an elastic tube or sleeve is disclosed in U.S. Patent 4, 346, 704 to Kulle. Injection fluid is discharged through the center tube or channel into a branching hole that provides fluid to the inner surface of the elastic sleeve or tube.

When pressure is applied to the fluid, it replaces the elastic tube that guides the flow outward from the branch hole outward from the end of the sleeve. The cooler device is used for such single use as in discharging anesthetics.

There is no particular problem with the return of pollutants to the container due to such single use. The cooler system allows anesthesia to be delivered at low pressure and high flow rates to ensure accurate drainage.

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a valve assembly for a container that facilitates the discharge of fluid while preventing backflow of contaminants through the valve assembly into a container that retains the remaining fluid.

According to the present invention, the valve assembly includes a valve body extending in an axial direction having inlet and outlet ends spaced apart at regular intervals. The valve body has an outer surface of an elastomeric sheath which is pressed inwardly against the outer surface and laterally.

The inlet channel extends from the inlet end with respect to the portion in the extending direction. One or more holes or branch channels extend radially upwardly from the inlet channel with respect to the extended direction to the outer surface of the valve body.

One or more holes or branch channels extending radially inward from one end of the discharge channel extending in the extension direction from the outer surface in the direction toward the discharge end of the valve body.

The other end of the discharge channel is located at the discharge end of the valve body. When the valve assembly is not used, the elastomeric cover holds firmly against the outer surface of the valve body, which prevents any flow back to the vessel through the discharge channel.

If pressure is applied to the vessel that pushes the fluid into the inlet channel, the fluid flows out of the inlet channel into the outer opening from the inlet channel to the elastomeric cover. The pressure of the fluid expands the elastomeric cover allowing radially outward flow between the cover of the hole connected to the outlet channel and the outer surface of the valve body.

The reaction of the elastomeric cover and the pressure applied to the fluid pushes the fluid through the discharge channel. Once the fluid flows through the hole connected to the discharge channel, the elastomeric cover is blocked in any flow from the hole connected to the discharge channel to the space between the valve body and the elastomeric cover and returns to its original shape which tightly seals the valve body.

Thus, the valve assembly of the present invention ensures that contaminants cannot enter the container, does not affect the sterilization, efficacy or quality of the fluid, and prevents backflow into the container.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the valve body extends in the direction of fluid flow in the vessel. At one end, the valve body has an inlet channel generally centered in the body and extending in an extended direction. If a single outlet channel is effective in most uses, multiple inlet channels may be used depending on the characteristics of the fluid being discharged.

At the end of the inlet channel in the valve body, it is spaced at its end receiving the fluid from the vessel and one or more holes are angled relative to the direction of extension of the valve body radially outward to the outer surface of the body. It is forcibly extended.

While a single hole can be used, it is desirable to provide an evenly spaced hole in the interior of the elastomeric cover to widen the cover for uniform distribution of fluid outwardly.

At regular intervals in the elongated direction of the valve body from the hole carrying the fluid to the interior of the elastomeric cover, it opens through the end of the body at regular intervals in the outward direction and flows the fluid in the elongated direction of the valve body. In general, the same number of additional holes are provided. In other words, the end of the discharge channel at regular intervals from the hole forms the discharge end of the valve body.

In order to achieve the efficiency of fluid flow through the valve body and to produce the valve body, it is generally desirable to form channels and holes of round cross section.

This flow passage is elliptical or circular cross section. As it flows through the valve body, depending on the pressure written by the discharged fluid and the elastic properties of the sheath, the rigid circumferential tube portion is located near the elastomeric cover to define the extent replaced outward from the outer surface of the valve body. Can be located at

The valve assembly can be used in various types of containers. Suitably compressible, flexible containers are used in the form of plastic bags, corrugated plastic containers, fireplace corrugated boxes or the like.

Vessels, such as corrugations, are disclosed in US Pat. Nos. 3, 506, 163 to Rauh et al. And US Pat. Nos. 4, 526, 296 to Berger et al.

The discharge vessel is only to the extent that the present invention can be applied to a fluid that pushes it through the valve body to widen the sheath of the elastomer so that the fluid passes through the valve body to its outlet end.

The valve assembly can be used to use heterogeneous concentrations of materials, including liquids, lotions, gels, powders, gases and the like. Disposal containers can be used to store and supply many such diverse products as food, pharmaceutical preparations, cosmetics, industrial chemicals, photographic solutions, adhesives, paints and the like.

An important feature of Applicant's invention is a seal provided between the valve body and the elastomeric lid or part connected to the valve body. Sealing is required to allow the flow of fluid from the inlet channel to the hole directed between the inner surface of the elastomeric cover and the outer surface of the valve body to be discharged to the outlet hole of the outlet channel.

If the cover moves freely at one or both ends, the drained fluid leaks and the contaminants enter the holes and eventually into the container. The cover may be closed at its ends by chemically or thermally adhering the sleeve to the valve body or to the part connected thereto or in such various ways as adhesives, O-rings.

At the opposite end of the cover sealed in the valve body, the flow of fluid between the opposite inner surface and the outer surface of the body can flow only through the discharge hole and the discharge channel.

Therefore, there is no fluid loss in the discharge operation. Moreover, the elastic feature of the lid is adapted to provide a block past the opening in the opening in the direction toward the lid inner surface such that contaminant flow cannot pass through the opening connected to the inlet channel and the inlet channel to the container.

Various materials can be used in the valve body outside the elastomeric cover as the material chosen for the coexistence of the fluid being discharged with any sterilization method used. If thermoacid bacteria are used, the selected material must maintain its integrity for the life required for sterilization and throughout the temperature range of sterilization.

Sterilization is carried out by such other methods by irradiation, ethylene oxide and the like.

By avoiding any flow of contaminants in the container used by the valve assembly of the present invention there is no need to add a prophylactic agent that has an expensive effect on the efficacy of the product or have potentially harmful side effects.

It has been noted that in the development of the present invention such contaminants, such as microorganisms entering the container used, are quickly established within a short time period. Experiments have been carried out with respect to the present invention and the valve assembly may be used to prevent any flow of such material into the container so that the fluid used may be used first without any harmful effects due to contaminants entering the container and then stored for an extended period of time. It turned out to be possible.

In a representative embodiment, the collapsible vessel is made of polyolefin, the valve body consists of teflon with an outer diameter of 0.5¨ and the elastomeric cover has an outer diameter of 0.405¨ and an inner diameter of 0.375¨, a 50 shore It is made of synthetic rubber of shore hardness.

The rigid cover is provided near the elastomeric cover and has an internal diameter of 0.530¨. When positioned on the valve body of the elastomeric cover, the valve assembly is stretched to maintain firm contact with the exterior surface of the body to prevent contaminant flow when not in use. It is also possible to make elastomeric covers of gutta percha resin and natural rubber.

Various features of novelty that characterize the present invention form part of this disclosure and are particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail according to the accompanying drawings.

In FIG. 1 a flexible container 10, such as bellows, is shown with a valve assembly 12 installed at one end of the container. The valve assembly 12 is configured such that the fluid inside the container 10 is discharged when the container is extruded.

In FIG. 2, an embodiment of the valve assembly 12 is shown, wherein the valve body 14 is disposed between the inlet end 16 and the outlet end 18 of the valve assembly 12. Extend in the direction. When the valve body 14 is installed on the container, the inlet end 16 of the valve assembly 12 is connected to the inside of the container. The inlet channel 20 extends from the inlet end 16 with respect to the length of the valve body 14.

As shown in FIG. 2, the inlet channel 20 extends approximately one third of the length of the valve body 14. The end of the inlet channel 20 opposite the inlet end 16 extends to the outer surface 14a of the valve body 14 as shown in FIG. With four separate holes 22. There are holes 24 at regular intervals towards the discharge end 18 of the valve body and they extend inwardly at an equal interval apart from the outer surface 14a and at the inner end of the discharge channel 26. Ends in parts.

The discharge channel 26 is centered in the direction of the inlet channel 20 and the axis, and the two channels are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the valve body. An elastomeric sheath 28 surrounds the outer surface 14a of the valve body and is in normal firm contact with the outer surface.

As indicated in FIG. 2, the elastomeric cover 28 extends from the vicinity of the inlet end 16 of the valve body to the outlet end 18 of the valve body. At the inlet and outlet ends at regular intervals apart in the longitudinal direction of the valve body, the cover 28 is sealed to the outer surface 14a of the valve body.

As shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C, the lid 28 is opened and closed with openings 22 and 24 extending through the outer surface 14a of the valve body 14. When placed on the valve body so that it is installed tightly around the).

As shown in FIG. 2, the cover 28 is formed by an O-ring-like member 30 provided in a recess 32 on the outer surface of the valve body 14. It is firmly attached to the outer surface 14a of the (). The particular method used to seal the opposite end of the cover 28 can vary depending on the nature of the dispensed fluid and the type of material used.

With respect to the ring-shaped member 30, the cover 28 can be sealed by thermal or chemical bonding methods or the use of an adhesive.

If the container 10 of FIG. 1 is compressed or compressed in its long direction, the contents in the container 10 pass through the valve assembly 12 as it passes through the inlet channel 20 to the valve body 14. Spills.

When the fluid exits the inlet channel 20, the outflow fluid passes through one of the four holes 22 and generally radially outwards to the outer surface 14a of the valve body. The pressure of the fluid is maintained between the inner surface of the elastomeric cover 28 and the outer surface 14a of the valve body until the fluid reaches one of the other sets of holes 24 for radially inward flow. Expand the elastomeric sheath 28 outward to allow flow.

The fluid exiting the orifice 24 flows to the inner end of the outlet channel 26 and then passes through the outlet channel 26 for exit from the valve assembly.

When fluid is not flowing through the valve assembly 12, the elastomeric cover 28 forms a block or closure for each of the holes 22, 24 at the outer surface of the valve body 14. As a result, contaminants cannot flow back through the valve assembly to the vessel.

When the fluid expands to the cover, the fluid flow prevents any contaminants from flowing into the container. Once the fluid reaches the hole 24, the elastomeric cover 28 contracts the hole 24 at the outer surface 14a of the valve body 14 to block the hole 24, thereby causing external contaminants to be discharged. Prevent backflow through the channel 26 assembly to the vessel 10.

The construction of the valve assembly in FIG. 4 is the same as in FIG. 2, but an elongated rigid tubular section 34 is installed around the elastomeric cover 28 in a slightly outward direction.

The tubular portion 34 provides an action for inhibiting the cover 28 from operating in a radial outward direction. If the cover 28 tends to expand in an uncontrolled manner, the tubular portion 34 limits its outward operation. The tubular portion 34 is only necessary under special circumstances and is not an essential element of the valve assembly.

5 and 6, another embodiment of the present invention is shown. The valve assembly 112 has a valve body 114, an inlet end 116 and an outlet end 118. The valve body 114 extends in the inlet-outlet direction. The valve body 114 has an inlet channel 120 extending from the end 116 to about one quarter of the length between the ends of the valve body.

As indicated in the embodiments described in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the single bore 122 is a valve at the end of the inlet channel 120 spaced inwardly at the inlet end 116. It extends to the outer surface 114a of the main body.

Another hole 124 on the opposite side of the valve body 114 extends radially inward from the outer surface of the valve body 114 to the inner end of the discharge channel 126. The openings to the holes 122 and 124 of the outer surface of the valve body are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the valve body. This particular configuration blocks the channel of fluid flow between the outer surface 14a of the valve body 114 and the elastomeric cover 128.

Thus, the fluid present in the hole 122 flows from the periphery of the valve body between the inner surface of the cover 128 and the outer surface 114a to the inlet of the hole 124.

As shown in FIG. 5, the opposite ends of the elastomer cover 128 are closed at the outer surface 114a of the valve body 114 by the ring-shaped member 130.

In FIG. 6 the hole 122 is marked in the middle of its inlet-outlet end. In addition, the elastomeric cover 128 is firmly assembled toward the outer surface 114a of the valve body 114 providing closure of the holes 122, 124. Only when the fluid is pushed from the vessel into the inlet channel 120 such that the fluid flows near and through the outlet body 126 is the valve assembly 112 as a valve assembly with an elastomeric cover extending outwardly. It works in the same general way as above.

7 and 8 show another embodiment of the valve assembly. As can be seen from the previous embodiment, this embodiment has a valve assembly 212 comprising an extended valve body 214. The valve body 212 extends in the longitudinal direction between the inlet end 216 and the outlet end 218.

As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the valve assembly 212 has two holes 222 split outwards at the downstream end of the inlet channel 220.

The holes 222 extend to the outer surface 214a of the valve body and are spaced 180 degrees apart from each other. Another pair of holes 224 that terminate at or upstream of the outlet channel 226 and extend inwardly at the outer surface are spaced apart from the holes 222 along the outer surface 214a from the holes 222. .

In FIG. 7, the holes 222, 224 appear to be in the same plane, but the hole 224 actually rotates 90 ° with respect to the hole 222 for the same effect as in the embodiment of FIG. 5 and FIG. It is to block the channel of fluid flowing through. An elastomeric cover 228 covers the valve body from a position near the inlet end 216 to a position near the outlet end 218 to cover the openings of the holes 222 and 224 at the outer surface of the valve body. Surround the outer surface of the device sideways.

As in the previous embodiment, the end of the elastomeric cover 228 is sealed to the outer surface of the valve body 214 by the ring-shaped member 230. The ring-shaped member 230 is installed in the groove 232.

As mentioned above, it is also possible to use other seals to secure the opposite end of the elastomeric cover such that fluid dispensed through the valve assembly does not flow near the elongated hole 224 in the outlet channel 226. .

As can be seen in FIG. 8, the holes are located opposite each other. The other holes 224 are formed at regular intervals of up to 90 ° from the illustrated holes.

9A and 9B, another vessel 310 is described as a valve assembly 312 that projects laterally from the vessel apex at its height. The wall of the vessel is in the form of a hearth crease, as shown in FIG. 9A, to allow fluid to be discharged through the valve assembly 312 by pushing the sides inwardly.

Since the vessels 10 and 310 are both flexible vessels, it is possible to provide a collapsible vessel arrangement that is not flexible and in which one portion of the vessel can flexibly move to another portion for discharging fluid. Do.

One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that various variations of vessel structure can be used as the valve assembly of the present invention.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, the invention may be embodied in other ways without departing from such principles.

Claims (10)

The vessel 10 having a vessel 10 and a valve assembly 12 which prevents any backflow of contaminants from entering the vessel during the discharge of the fluid from the vessel 10 and during discharge. In the fluid discharge device provided, the fluid can be discharged from the container when the compressive force is applied to the fluid in the container 10, the valve assembly 12 is discharge end 18 and the inlet end 16 ) Has an outer surface 14a extending longitudinally and a discharge end 18 and an inlet end 16 at a constant distance apart in the longitudinal direction, the inlet end 16 being the A valve body 14 connected to the vessel outlet for receiving fluid flow in the vessel 10, a first end disposed in the valve body 14 and at the inlet end 16; To receive fluid from the vessel 10 A second end spaced at a predetermined distance from the first end toward the discharge end 18 of the valve body 14 having an inlet channel 20, at least in the valve body 14; One hole 22 extends from the second end of the inflow channel 20 through the valve body 14 to the outer surface 14a, so that the hole 22 is the outer surface 14a. The inlet channel 20, which is opened through the first inlet, and the first end and the inlet end 16, which are disposed in the valve body 14 and are disposed in close proximity to the outlet end 18. A second end spaced at a predetermined distance from the first end in a direction toward which the at least one hole 24 in the valve body 14 extends from the second end of the outlet channel 26. Extends to the outer surface 14a so that the hole 24 passes through the outer surface 14a. The outlet channel 26 and the outer surface 14a of the valve body 14, which extends over the holes 22 and 24. And also to form the closure of the holes 22 and 24, but having an inner diameter smaller than the diameter of the outer surface 14a so as to be firmly installed around the valve body 14, and also to the valve body. Between a first position on the outer surface 14a of (14) forming a closure of the holes 22, 24 and a second position spaced outwardly from the holes 22, 24; The fluid deformed elastically and flowed into the hole 22 flows in between the outer surface 14a and the elastomeric cover 28 through the inflow channel 20, and flows into the hole 24 so that the outflow channel ( Flows through the hole 26 so as to be discharged from the first end of A fluid flowing between the outer surface 14a and the elastomeric cover 28 by sealing it so as to flow upstream from the hole 24 and downstream from the hole 22 with respect to the direction of the fluid flowing through the valve body 14. The elastomeric cover (28), wherein the elastomeric cover (28) is configured to only pass through the holes (22) and (24). 2. The valve body (14) according to claim 1, wherein the valve body (14) comprises a plurality of central axes extending in the longitudinal direction and (22) and (24) each having an angle at a predetermined distance apart from the central axis. A valve assembly having holes. 3. A valve assembly according to claim 2, wherein the number of the holes (22) and the holes (24) is equal and the holes (22) and (24) are equiangular at regular intervals away from about the central axis. 2. The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the inlet channels (20), outlet channels (26), holes (22), and (24) are each defined by a curved surface extending laterally. 2. The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the elastomeric cover (28) is formed of at least one of synthetic rubber, natural rubber, gutta-perta, and flexible plastic materials. 2. The ring member (30) according to claim 1, wherein the ring-shaped member (30) engages the outer surface (14a) of the valve body (14) to secure the hermetic elastomeric cover (28) and spaces the elastomer at regular intervals apart in the extended direction. The opposite ends of the elastomeric lids 28, which are positioned at each of the opposite ends of the lids 28 and spaced apart in the extended direction, are heat on the outer surface 14a of the valve body 14, A valve assembly, chemically adhesively sealed to at least one means. 2. The hole (22) according to claim 1, wherein the hole (22) extends from the inlet channel (20) to the outlet channel (26) at the outer surface (14a) of the valve body (14). A valve assembly, characterized in that the hole (24) is located on the opposite side of the valve body (14). 2. A valve assembly according to claim 1, wherein the container (10) is a flexible corrugated member. The valve assembly according to claim 1, wherein the valve body (14) is formed of at least one of a plastic material and teflon. According to claim 1, wherein the inlet channel 20 and the outlet channel 26 are spaced apart in the extending direction, the second end of the outlet channel 26 and the second end of the inlet channel 20 at regular intervals The valve assembly, characterized in that for adjusting the center point in the correct position in the extended direction of the valve body (14).

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