Abstract: A diverter valve for controlling a fluid flow without the sudden hammering pressure changes normally found in fluid control systems, and a method for assembling the valve. The valve includes a modular valve body with two substantially identical sections, each with a valve seat, oppositely arranged. The valve body also includes a T-shaped connecting section connected between the end openings of the two other sections. A valve stem shaft in the valve body has two valve plugs facing together, with the two valve seats between the valve plugs, so that each valve plug moves against the flow of the fluid to a closed position. A valve actuator shifts the valve stem shaft axially between first and second positions so that first one plug is closed, and then the other. The second valve plug is removably attached to the shaft by means of a hollow stem connected to the second valve plug preferably by means of threads.

Abstract: A gasket is provided for joining lengths of pipe having dissimilar end faces which are of approximately equal diameters and which are substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the pipes. The end faces each include a circular recess which are of differing diameters. The gasket has a first side which has a surface contour which is a mirror image of one of the faces and the opposite side has a surface contour which is a mirror image of the other end face. The outer periphery of said gasket is of a substantially lesser thickness than its inner marginal portion so that compression during use of the thicker inner marginal portion is minimized.

Abstract: A valve gasket includes a main body portion formed of an elastomeric material having a high hardness durometer. The main body portion has recesses located on its opposite sides and at least one opening through the body connecting the recesses. The opposed recesses and the opening are filled with an elastomeric material having a hardness of a lesser durometer, softer than that of the main body portion. At least one of the filled recesses forms a sealing surface of the gasket. In a preferred embodiment both filled recesses form sealing surfaces, one to the seat and one to the stem. In one embodiment the gasket is generally ring-shaped in configuration and the opposed recesses are on opposite sides of the ring and each circumscribe the circumference of the ring.

Abstract: A method of forming lengths of pipe for assembly together to form fluid flow conduits includes the steps of providing a pipe having a first inner diameter and a central longitudinal axis, providing a ferrule which has an annular first end, having an inner diameter equal to the pipe inner diameter and having a second end formed into a flange adapted to form a flange coupling when abutted against and connected to another similar flange. The flanges have end faces countersunk approximately 1.degree. to 5.degree.. The first end of each ferrule is welded to an end of a pipe, whereby the end face of the flange assumes an orientation wherein the end face is substantially normal to the central longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A sanitary valve assembly including a valve with a field replaceable gasket. The gasket is formed with an opening capable of deformation to a shape which deforms sufficiently to slide over a noncircular retaining surface of the valve head. The valve head retaining surface is provided between a pair of axially spaced laterally extending shoulders including a shoulder formed of shoulder segments separated by concave indentations. Upon passing over the shoulder, the opening in the gasket reassumes its undeflected configuration in which it engages the shoulders thus retaining the gasket on the valve stem. The gasket fits loosely on the valve head when the valve assembly is in the open position, thereby permitting the assembly to be cleaned in place by flushing washing fluid through the clearances between the valve head and gasket.

Abstract: A buffer system for separating an aseptic fluid handling assembly from a drain includes a fluid receiving housing in fluid flow communication with a fluid discharge outlet of the aseptic fluid handling assembly. A trapped fluid discharge opening near the bottom of the housing, includes a tube which extends above the bottom into a baffle container. The baffle container is in the form of an enclosure having openings at the bottom thereof to admit fluids contained in the housing. A discharge conduit is in fluid flow communication with the discharge opening. A first fluid level detector in the housing activates at least one valve in the discharge conduit by a control which opens and closes the valve in response selected fluid levels detected by the fluid level detector. In a preferred embodiment the first fluid level detect detects a fluid level exceeding a preselected depth in the housing and a second fluid level detector detects fluid levels dropping below a second preselected level in the housing.

Abstract: A plurality of manifold valve assemblies each including a generally vertical valve cylinder having an inlet port at its top and at least two outlet ports near its bottom. A single actuator valve is fitted for closing each of the ports, each including a valve actuator, an actuator rod attached to and actuatable by the actuator, one end of the rod projecting outward from the actuator, and at least one valve plug attached to the projecting end of the actuator rod. Two of the three valves have rods that are coaxial with each other, the rods being independently actuatable by their respective actuators, both closing in the same direction so that no valve cage or bonnet is required.

Abstract: A gate valve assembly is provided which includes a valve body having a fluid passage extending laterally therethrough which has an inlet end and an outlet end, with means at the inlet end and at the outlet end to connect the valve body to a fluid conveying conduit. The passage has a bottom surface coplanar with the bottom of the conduit and is free of recesses capable of preventing the drainage of liquids. An axially extending valve chamber intersects the passage and is disposed perpendicularly to the axis of the passage, the chamber having an elliptical cross-section with its widest dimension perpendicular to the passage. An axially and non-rotationally movable valve member is fitted closely within the chamber and has an internal, downwardly tapered hard, core member formed of metal, glass ceramic or hard plastic material. The core is surrounded by an elastomeric elliptically cross-sectioned outer member.

Abstract: A cleaning system for cleaning a plurality of service tanks located at different sites spaced widely apart from each other. A set of storage tanks is located at one site, for storing cleaning solutions, each cleaning solution being recirculated through a respective recirculating line from each storage tank. The cleaning system further includes cleaning stations, one for each service tank assembly, each located close to its respective service tank assembly, each cleaning station having a connection to each recirculating line. Each cleaning station includes a wash/motive tank for a washing liquid, a rinse tank for a rinsing liquid, and an outlet line leading from each of the wash/motive tank and the rinse tank. Liquid is conveyed from the outlet lines of the wash/motive tank and rinse tank to the respective service tank assembly via a feed line. A return line is adapted to return liquid from the respective service tank assembly. An eductor has a vacuum opening connected to the return line.

Abstract: A fluid flow control assembly for controlling the flow of fluids to and from a number of tanks, and for controlling the communication of that flow. Raw material, product, CIP solution and drain conduits pass near to the tanks. The fluid flow control assembly which is the subject of this invention includes three sets of valves. One set of valves regulates the flow of raw materials from the first conduit into the tanks. Another set of valves regulates the flow of product out of the tanks into the second conduit. A third set of valves regulates the flow of CIP solution out of the tanks into the third conduit. Each set of valves prevents flow of fluid into or out of its respective conduit when desired, such that one of the tanks can be being filled at the same time another of the tanks is being emptied of product and a third one of the tanks is being flushed with CIP solution.

Abstract: A flow control manifold assembly, constructed of a number of manifold valve assemblies. Each manifold valve assembly is formed of first and second valve bodies, each body having at least one inlet port and a plurality of outlet ports. The two valve bodies are connected together in fluid communication with each other. Associated with each valve body is an actuator assembly, which includes a valve actuator and an actuator rod attached to and projecting outward from the actuator, and actuatable by the actuator. In at least one of the valve bodies, a bonnet is affixed to the actuator, and projects into the respective one of the valve bodies. A valve stem, carrying at least one valve plug, is attached to the projecting end of the actuator rod, positioning the valve plug on the opposite side of the bonnet from the actuator. The bonnet includes a valve seat for engagement with the valve plug when the valve plug is actuated to a predetermined position by the actuator.

Abstract: A plurality of manifold valve assemblies each including a generally vertical valve cylinder having an inlet port at its top and at least two outlet ports near its bottom. A single actuator valve is fitted for closing each of the ports, each including a valve actuator, an actuator rod attached to and actuatable by the actuator, one end of the rod projecting outward from the actuator, and at least one valve plug attached to the projecting end of the actuator rod. Two of the three valves have rods that are coaxial with each other, the rods being independently actuatable by their respective actuators, a hollow cylindrical valve stem attached to the projecting end of the hollow actuator rod, having a valve plug for opening and closing an inlet port, the valve plug having a central opening through which the first actuator is fitted, the other two valves having valve plugs for opening and closing outlet ports, and being independently controllable by a valve actuator, one of the outlet ports.

Abstract: A flow control manifold assembly, constructed of a number of manifold valve assemblies. Each manifold valve assembly is formed of a single valve body that has two or three valve chambers. Each chamber is fitted with an inexpensive single actuator valve assembly. The valve chambers are connected together in fluid communication with each other at their lower ends. A bonnet is affixed to each actuator, and projects into its valve chamber and removably carries the valve stem which carries a valve plug. Each valve assembly is thus independently removable from the valve housing while the other two valve assemblies remain in place, thus providing a means to prevent unwanted loss or mixing of fluids in the system.

Abstract: A diverter valve for controlling a fluid flow without the sudden hammering pressure changes normally found in fluid control systems, and a method for assembling the valve. The valve includes a modular valve body with two substantially identical sections, each with a valve seat, oppositely arranged. The valve body also includes a T-shaped connecting section connected between the end openings of the two other sections. A valve stem shaft in the valve body has a two valve plugs facing together, with the two valve seats between the valve plugs, so that each valve plug moves against the flow of the fluid to a closed position. A valve actuator shifts the valve stem shaft axially between first and second positions so that first one plug is closed, and then the other. The second valve plug is removably attached to the shaft by means of a tube connected to the second valve plug. This tube slides over one end of the valve stem shaft until it contacts a shoulder, and attaches to the valve stem shaft in that position.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly is formed of opposed hermaphroditically mating connectors, having two or more pairs of alternating male and female contact members. Each female contact member is carried by and disposed at the outer end of a linear elongated insulating member projecting from the end of the plug. The insulating members in cross-section are each in the configuration of a sector of a circle having a truncated central edge. The male contact members are disposed between the elongated insulating members. The elongated insulating members are so configured that when two of the connectors are mated together the elongated members will form a cylindrical shape. The connectors will mate together only in one orientation due to the fact that at least one of the elongated insulating members forms an arcuate part of the circumference of a circle that has a different length than at least one of the other elongated members.

Abstract: A filter bag sealing device includes a sub-assembly that can be conveniently inserted into and removed from a filter housing. The sub-assembly comprises a filter basket, a filter bag, and an annular retainer. The three components are joined together by a locking mechanism that includes a pair of cams mounted to a shaft with stepped ends. The shaft extends between two lugs on the filter basket. A seal retained in the filter basket and a rigid ring in the mouth of the filter bag are placed between the filter basket and the retainer. Selectively rotating the cams draws the filter basket and retainer together to form the sub-assembly with a tight seal between the basket and retainer. The filter basket periphery includes a seal for sealing the sub-assembly to the inner diameter of the housing wall.