Abstract: A collar for a vacuum cleaner bag having a user operated closure, the collar being formed from a blank of relatively rigid material and folded to define first and second full outer panels and a partial inner panel, the partial inner panel being adhesively secured to the first and second full outer panels and having an occlusion element attached by weak retention bands of collar blank material and the occlusion element further contains a detachable pivot and a partial aperture cut-out, and the first and second full panels contain apertures which are aligned with the partial aperture of the occlusion element, such that the occlusion element pivots on the detachable pivot from an open position to a closed position, occluding the apertures on the first and second outer panels.

Abstract: A dual valve assembly for use with a dispensing apparatus including a pump and a plurality of fluid containers. The valve assembly includes a housing containing an elastomeric regulator wherein the regulator includes a diaphragm portion for controlling fluid flow through the housing, and a vent valve structure for opening and closing air passages to supply air to the containers. The diaphragm portion includes an orifice, and the diaphragm portion is movable into and out of contact with a seat defined on the housing to control fluid flow from the containers and through the orifice during actuation of the pump. In addition, the vent valve structure includes a pair of vent membranes which open vent openings to the containers in response to negative pressure applied from the pump.

Abstract: A ball check valve including a housing and a ball element movably positioned in the housing. An insert member is located at an inlet port of the housing, and an elastomeric element is molded directly onto the insert member and is positioned facing toward an outlet port of the housing for engagement with the ball element. A ball seat is ground into the elastomeric element at a precise angle matching a tangential angle of contact with the ball element such that engagement of the ball element with the ball seat forms a seal preventing fluid flow from the outlet port through the inlet port.

Abstract: A damper seal for providing a seal between a housing and a tube extending through the damper seal. The damper seal includes a body portion having an exterior surface and opposing first and second ends, the body portion defining a longitudinal axis. An interior surface in the body portion defines an opening extending through the body portion along the longitudinal axis. In addition, a plurality of conically shaped apertures extend axially into the body portion from each of the ends toward an opposing end.

Abstract: The present invention provides a medical coupling site which is adapted to be attached directly to a standard male luer lock fitting. The coupling site includes a valve element contained within a tubular retainer. The valve element is formed of a resilient material having greater than that of the retainer, and has a diaphragm including a concave surface with a slit extending diametrically across the surface. The valve element is provided also with biasing means extending inwardly from an inner wall of the valve element into a passage in the valve element such that the biasing means act to bias the slit to a closed position. In a preferred form, the retainer has an outer wall with a maximum outer diameter of approximately 7 mm and an inner wall of the valve element has a minimum inner diameter of approximately 4 mm.

Abstract: A non-stick treated valve including a pair of cooperating elastomeric surfaces positioned to engage each other to control fluid flow through the valve. A non-stick coating is applied to the cooperating surfaces to facilitate separation of the surfaces from each other during opening of the valve. The non-stick coating is in the form of an oily substance such as a fluid lubricant for forming a fluid film coating on the cooperating surfaces. In addition, the coating material is formed of a material which is dissimilar from the material forming the cooperating surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention provides a medical coupling site which is adapted to be attached directly to a standard male luer lock fitting. The coupling site includes a valve element contained within a tubular retainer. The retainer is provided with outwardly extending lugs for engaging the threaded locking collar of a male luer lock whereby the male luer lock will be held in positive mechanical locking engagement with the coupling site. The valve element is provided with rib members extending inwardly from an inner wall of the valve element toward a slit formed in a diaphragm such that the rib members act to bias the slit to a closed position. In addition, the valve element is formed with biasing means for engaging an inner wall of the retainer whereby the slit is further biased to a closed position.

Abstract: A cap is provided for resealably sealing the end of a cannula to allow the insertion and removal of a tube or surgical instrument such as a needle into the cannula. The cap includes a valve body having a plurality of radially extending lip members arranged to form a pair of intersecting duckbill valves and a sleeve is provided for mounting the cap member to the end of a cannula.

Abstract: The present invention provides a medical coupling site which is adapted to be attached directly to a standard male luer lock fitting. The coupling site includes a valve element contained within a tubular retainer. The retainer is provided with outwardly extending lugs for engaging the threaded locking collar of a male luer lock whereby the male luer lock will be held in positive mechanical locking engagement with the coupling site. The valve element is provided with rib members extending inwardly from an inner wall of the valve element toward a slit formed in a diaphragm such that the rib members act to bias the slit to a closed position.

Abstract: A one-way valve is provided for permitting fluid in one direction through the valve and preventing fluid flow in an opposite direction. The valve includes a plastic valve body having inwardly extending spokes for supporting a central hub member. The hub member supports an umbrella valve regulator member formed of a resilient material. A cap member is provided for attachment to the valve body wherein the cap member extends over and surrounds the resilient umbrella valve member. The cap member includes radially extending passages whereby fluid flowing into a first end of the valve may flow through the spoke portions to open the umbrella valve and pass out of the valve through the radially extending passages.

Abstract: A valve assembly is disclosed for controlling fluid flow in a first direction and a second direction. The valve assembly includes a housing for enclosing a substantially circular regulator assembly which extends diametrically across the housing. The regulator assembly comprises a hub portion which is positioned centrally within the housing and connecting members which extend radially toward a rim portion which is supported by the housing. The hub portion supports a disk-shaped substantially inflexible portion of the regulator assembly which extends over the connecting members to engage the rim portion and thereby prevent fluid flow in a reverse flow direction through the regulator assembly. The connecting members of the regulator assembly are adapted to flex and allow the disk portion to move off of the rim and thereby allow fluid flow through the valve in the first direction.

Abstract: A low restriction valve is provided for mounting to the end of a tube. The valve includes a valve body formed of an elastomeric material which may flex to conform to the shape of the end of the tube to thereby form a seal between the valve and the tube. In addition, a regulator portion is provided and includes a disk portion and a stem extending from the disk into the valve body. The disk is movable in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the valve body such that the disk may move from a position spaced from an end of the valve body allowing fluid flow to a position in contact with the end of the valve body to prevent back flow of fluid.

Abstract: A valve assembly is disclosed for allowing fluid flow in a first direction and preventing fluid flow in a second direction. The valve assembly includes a housing for enclosing a substantially circular regulator assembly which extends diametrically across the housing. The regulator assembly comprises a hub portion which is positioned centrally within the housing and connecting members which extend radially toward a rim portion which is supported by the housing. The hub portion supports a disk-shaped substantially inflexible portion of the regulator assembly which extends over the connecting members to engage the rim portion and thereby prevent fluid flow in the second direction. The connecting members of the regulator assembly are adapted to flex and allow the disk portion to move off of the rim and thereby allow fluid flow through the valve in the first direction.

Abstract: A composite elastomer-tipped tubular metallic device for armature and check valve applications has a hollow tubular metal body and a generally spherical elastomer ball fitted into an end of the body so as to project outwardly beyond the body end. Also, the body of the device has a seat structure provided internally at the end thereof which is adapted to capture and retain the ball in the body end. In several embodiments of the device, the seat structure is defined by a pair of axially spaced annular ribs formed internally in the body at the end thereof, with the ribs projecting radially inwardly toward a central axis of the tubular body. In one embodiment, one of the ribs may be formed as a split ring received in an annular groove in an interior surface of the hollow body.

Abstract: A combined air vent and overpressure relief valve for a submersible pump includes a single tubular housing to be inserted in an opening in the upper end wall of a chamber on the outlet pressure side of the pump. The upper end of this housing has a vent hole therethrough, and inside the housing is an annular valve seat facing upwardly. A valve disk within the housing is proportioned to move lengthwise thereof toward and away from the valve seat but is normally biased into sealing engagement with the seat by a spring within the housing. This valve disk has a bleed hole therethrough, and a valve ball is caged in the lower part of the housing, below the valve seat for movement into and out of sealing engagement with the lower end of the bleed hole in the valve disk as the pressure within the chamber rises and falls.

Abstract: A combination seal and check valve to be mounted in a filler pipe of a fuel tank to minimize the escape of vapor from the tank when its cap is removed, typically during refueling, comprises an annular body of elastomeric material which includes an internal annular lip for sealing around the outer surface of a fuel nozzle, and an integral check valve portion at the axially inner end thereof. This check valve portion includes at least three gusset members which are of such configuration and proportions that when a fuel nozzle is inserted through the unit, the gusset members are deflected radially outwardly to open a passage through the check valve without being stretched or otherwise distorted by passage of the fuel nozzle therepast.

Abstract: A valve assembly is disclosed which allows fluid flow in a first direction and prevents fluid flow in a second, opposite direction comprising a valve housing having an upper section, a lower section and a longitudinal axis therethrough. The upper section includes an inlet end and a pair of opposite facing walls, generally equally spaced from the longitudinal axis and arranged in a diverging relationship away from the inlet end. The upper section further includes opposite facing walls, generally equally spaced from the longitudinal axis and generally perpendicular to the diverging walls. The inner surfaces of each diverging wall includes an outer perimeter and a concave surface extending inwardly from the perimeter. A flow regulator and valve support is disposed longitudinally within the upper section of the valve housing for supporting an elastomeric valve member within the upper section.

Abstract: A valve stem seal for an intake or an exhaust valve in an internal combustion engine consists of an elastomeric portion, an insert and a retaining member. The elastomeric portion and insert are interconnected and the elastomeric portion has a cylindrical wall engaging the valve stem. Both the elastomeric portion and insert portion are positioned on the top surface of the valve guide boss and retained thereon by a retaining member which engages the boss.

Abstract: A fuel filler pipe seal includes upper and lower portions and a sealing lip positioned at the juncture of the upper and lower portions to engage an outer surface of a fuel nozzle and prevent the escape into the atmosphere of fuel fumes during a fueling operation. The lip lies in a plane which intersects a groove formed in an outer surface of the seal to receive a seat formed on a mounting bracket mounted in an upper end of the filler pipe, and the upper portion of the seal has an umbrella valve formed integrally with it which covers a vent opening in the bracket and is preloaded to release at a predetermined pressure. By positioning the sealing lip adjacent the seat-receiving groove a better seal with a fuel nozzle is formed, premature release of the umbrella valve is avoided, and damage to the seal when the nozzle is thrust into the filler pipe is minimized.

Abstract: A valve assembly is disclosed for permitting relatively free flow in a first direction and for preventing flow in the path in a second, opposite direction. The assembly includes a resilient flow regulator including a pair of lips arranged to define a normally closed slit at the outer ends of the lips. An annular flange extends outwardly about the opposite end of the regulator. A housing outlet portion defines a housing interior having an outlet port and an open sealing end, with an annular collar disposed outwardly about the sealing end. The regulator is disposed within the housing outlet portion with the flange contained within the collar. A cover plate is attached to the collar for securing the regulator and for sealing the housing. The housing outlet portion defines a first sealing ring and the cover plate defines a second sealing ring such that the first and second sealing rings are disposed on opposite sides of the flange.