Abstract: Valve assembly for a pump, the valve assembly including: a valve seat having a valve face (60), a flexible valve having a sealing portion for abutting the valve face (60), and at least a fluid pathway (66, 68, 70) from an interior of the valve seat to an exterior of the valve seat that serves as a leak flow path for fluid when the valve is in the closed position to reduce pressure build up on the valve. In this way, the vacuum inside the pump can be released when the value is in the closed position and the pump is stopped, thereby allowing the pump to start/restart due to reduced pressure build up on a side of the valve abutting the valve face. A pump or compressor including such a valve assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: Valve assembly for a pump, the valve assembly including: a valve seat having a valve face (60), a flexible valve having a sealing portion for abutting the valve face (60), and at least a fluid pathway (66, 68, 70) from an interior of the valve seat to an exterior of the valve seat that serves as a leak flow path for fluid when the valve is in the closed position to reduce pressure build up on the valve. In this way, the vacuum inside the pump can be released when the value is in the closed position and the pump is stopped, thereby allowing the pump to start/restart due to reduced pressure build up on a side of the valve abutting the valve face. A pump or compressor including such a valve assembly is also disclosed.