Abstract: A slit valve (10) to selectively restrict the passage of a fluent substance between an interior environment (17) and an exterior environment (15) and a method for forming the valve (10), the method including the steps of providing at least one layer of film material and permanently deforming the film material to define a valve (10) for selectively restricting the passage of a fluent substance between an interior environment (17) and an exterior environment (15).

Abstract: A port closure system (20) including a retention structure (22), and a valve (24). The retention structure (22) includes a port (28) for establishing communication between an exterior environment (30) and interior volume (32) that can receive a fluent substance. The valve (24) includes a flexible, resilient, self-closing, slit-type valve head (36) with an orifice that is normally closed in an unconstrained condition. The port (28) has a laterally inwardly facing engaging surface (34) and the valve has a laterally outwardly facing peripheral surface (54) that is compressed laterally inwardly by engagement with the surface (34) to increase the resistance of the normally closed orifice to opening when the head (36) is subjected to a pressure differential. The system (20) further includes an annular flange (62) located to extend over at least a portion of an exterior side (38) of the valve head (36) to limit movement of the valve head (36) towards the exterior environment (30).

Abstract: A diaphragm pump (12) is provided for a fluent product dispensing package (10), and includes a rigid pump base (22), a pumping dome (20), and an outlet valve (122). The dome (20) can include a mount ring (30) and a flexible dome member (32) that are permanently bonded to each other, with the ring (30) and the base (22) configured to provide a releasable connection for retaining the dome (20) to the base (22). The valve (122) can be part of an outlet valve cartridge (28) that includes the valve (122), a valve base (120) configured to releasably mount the outlet valve cartridge (26) to the base (22), and a retaining ring (124) for retaining the valve (122) to the base (120).

Abstract: A slit valve (10) to selectively restrict the passage of a fluent substance between an interior environment (17) and an exterior environment (15) and a method for forming the valve (10), the method including the steps of providing at least one layer of film material and permanently deforming the film material to define a valve (10) for selectively restricting the passage of a fluent substance between an interior environment (17) and an exterior environment (15).

Abstract: A port closure system (20) including a retention structure (22), and a valve (24). The retention structure (22) includes a port (28) for establishing communication between an exterior environment (30) and interior volume (32) that can receive a fluent substance. The valve (24) includes a flexible, resilient, self-closing, slit-type valve head (36) with an orifice that is normally closed in an unconstrained condition. The port (28) has a laterally inwardly facing engaging surface (34) and the valve has a laterally outwardly facing peripheral surface (54) that is compressed laterally inwardly by engagement with the surface (34) to increase the resistance of the normally closed orifice to opening when the head (36) is subjected to a pressure differential. The system (20) further includes an annular flange (62) located to extend over at least a portion of an exterior side (38) of the valve head (36) to limit movement of the valve head (36) towards the exterior environment (30).

Abstract: A flexible, resilient, slit valve (10) including a flexible, resilient head (12) centered on a central axis (27) and extending laterally therefrom, an annular, peripheral attachment portion (19) centered on the central axis, and an annular, flexible, resilient, intermediate portion (20). The head has a convex interior surface (16) and a concave exterior surface (14). The intermediate portion (20) has an interior surface (26) an exterior surface (24). The exterior surfaces (14, 24) intersect at a circular line of intersection (32) having a diameter D1. The exterior surface (24) and the peripheral attachment portion (19) intersect at a circular line of intersection (34) having a diameter D2. The lines of intersection (32, 34) lie in parallel planes extending transverse to the central axis (27) and spaced from each other along the central axis by a distance L1. The ratio of D1/D2 is in the range of 0.600 to 0.900 and the ratio of D2/L1 is in the range of 14.000 to 19.

Abstract: A dual sealing system (20) is provided for use with a probe (21) to allow access to an interior space (34) from an exterior environment (32). The system (20) includes a housing (22) defining a port (24) extending along a longitudinal axis (26) between an exterior end (28) of the housing and an interior end (30) of the housing to establish communication between an exterior environment (32) and an interior space (34); a first flexible, resilient penetratable member (40) extending across the port at a first location along the axis, the first penetratable member configured to create a seal around the probe with the probe inserted therethrough; and a second flexible, penetratable member (42) extending across the port at a second location along the axis spaced toward the interior end from the first location, the second penetratable member configured to create a seal after having been penetrated by the probe and the probe has been removed from the second penetratable member.

Abstract: A valve (20) and flow control element (22) are provided for use with a dunnage bag (24). The valve (20) includes a valve housing (40) that carries an actuator (36) and the flow control element (22). The housing (40) defines a flow passage (44), and a seal surface (48) around the flow passage. The flow control element (22) includes a peripheral attachment portion (60), a resilient, intermediate portion (62) extending generally laterally inwardly from the peripheral attachment portion and defining at least one flow aperture (64); and an imperforate central portion (68) extending generally laterally inwardly from the intermediate portion and including a seal (70) for sealing against the housing seal surface with the flow control element in a normally closed position.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pressure-responsive valve assembly which functions in the nature of a check valve to control fluid flow across the assembly. The assembly includes a valve body which defines first and second internal flow passages, and includes a valve seat through which at least one flow port extends for joining the first and second passages in fluid communication with each other. A flexible, resiliently deformable valve member is positioned in operative association with the valve seat, and can be deflected, in response to a sufficient pressure differential, to move out of sealing engagement with the valve seat, to thereby permit fluid flow through the valve assembly.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pressure-responsive valve assembly which functions in the nature of a check valve to control fluid flow across the assembly. The assembly includes a valve body which defines first and second internal flow passages, and includes a valve seat through which at least one flow port extends for joining the first and second passages in fluid communication with each other. A flexible, resiliently deformable valve member is positioned in operative association with the valve seat, and can be deflected, in response to a sufficient pressure differential, to move out of sealing engagement with the valve seat, to thereby permit fluid flow through the valve assembly.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pressure-responsive valve assembly which functions in the nature of a check valve to control fluid flow across the assembly. The assembly includes a valve body which defines first and second internal flow passages, and includes a valve seat through which at least one flow port extends for joining the first and second passages in fluid communication with each other. A flexible, resiliently deformable valve member is positioned in operative association with the valve seat, and can be deflected, in response to a sufficient pressure differential, to move out of sealing engagement with the valve seat, to thereby permit fluid flow through the valve assembly.

Abstract: A dual sealing system (20) is provided for use with a probe (21) to allow access to an interior space (34) from an exterior environment (32). The system (20) includes a housing (22) defining a port (24) extending along a longitudinal axis (26) between an exterior end (28) of the housing and an interior end (30) of the housing to establish communication between an exterior environment (32) and an interior space (34); a first flexible, resilient penetratable member (40) extending across the port at a first location along the axis, the first penetratable member configured to create a seal around the probe with the probe inserted therethrough; and a second flexible, penetratable member (42) extending across the port at a second location along the axis spaced toward the interior end from the first location, the second penetratable member configured to create a seal after having been penetrated by the probe and the probe has been removed from the second penetratable member.

Abstract: A valve (20) and flow control element (22) are provided for use with a dunnage bag (24). The valve (20) includes a valve housing (40) that carries an actuator (36) and the flow control element (22). The housing (40) defines a flow passage (44), and a seal surface (48) around the flow passage. The flow control element (22) includes a peripheral attachment portion (60), a resilient, intermediate portion (62) extending generally laterally inwardly from the peripheral attachment portion and defining at least one flow aperture (64); and an imperforate central portion (68) extending generally laterally inwardly from the intermediate portion and including a seal (70) for sealing against the housing seal surface with the flow control element in a normally closed position.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pressure-responsive valve assembly which functions in the nature of a check valve to control fluid flow across the assembly. The assembly includes a valve body which defines first and second internal flow passages, and includes a valve seat through which at least one flow port extends for joining the first and second passages in fluid communication with each other. A flexible, resiliently deformable valve member is positioned in operative association with the valve seat, and can be deflected, in response to a sufficient pressure differential, to move out of sealing engagement with the valve seat, to thereby permit fluid flow through the valve assembly.

Abstract: A valve is provided with a peripheral attachment portion by which the valve may be attached to a dispensing structure through which can be discharged a product from a supply of the product. The valve includes a flexible, peripheral sleeve extending from the peripheral attachment portion. The sleeve has a central elongate portion and two shorter end portions at opposite ends of the elongate portion so that the central elongate portion and the two shorter end portions together define an interior volume. The valve also has a flexible, elongate head extending from the peripheral sleeve. The head includes at least one elongate slit defining two, opposed, elongate, openable regions in the head which are normally closed and which open to permit the discharge of the product therethrough in response to a pressure differential across the head.

Abstract: A fuel system for a marine engine has a recirculation cooler which receives a portion of fuel discharged from a fuel pump, cools that fuel, and then returns the cooled fuel to the inlet of the fuel pump to reduce fuel vapor formation and to cool the pump as the cooled fuel flows through the pump. The recirculation cooler is preferably formed of a material of high thermal conductivity and has a water passage adjacent to the fuel passage to reduce the temperature of the fuel that flows through the recirculation cooler. The recirculation cooler is preferably used in high heat applications or with a speed controlled fuel pump, with a pulse width modulated drive, for example. In these applications, during at least some fuel flow conditions, the flow of fuel through the fuel pump may be insufficient to cool the fuel pump motor and may cause increased fuel vapor formation.