Hygienic Coupling and Fitting Seal System
A seal system (10) includes a tail (14) having parallel, spaced, annular first and second surfaces (16, 18). The tail (14) further includes spaced, first and second peripheral edges (22, 28) extending between and adjoining the first and second surfaces (16, 18). An annular ring (40) integrally extends from a portion of the tail (14) from the first peripheral edge (22) towards but spaced from the second peripheral edge (28). The annular ring (40) and the portion of the tail (14) form a seal (54) that includes an exterior including the first peripheral edge (22). The exterior of the seal (54) has a thickness (D) parallel to a thickness (T) of the tail (14) between the first and second surfaces (16, 18). The thickness (D) of the seal (54) continuously increases and then continuously decreases from the first peripheral edge (22) towards the second peripheral edge (28). The exterior of the seal (54) is free of protrusions.
The present application claims benefit of U.S. Application No. 61/021,272 filed on Jan. 15, 2008.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a seal system and, more particularly, to a hygienic coupling and fitting seal system for pharmaceutical, dairy, beverage, or other sanitary industries.
Various seals have been widely utilized in various industries. The seals utilized in plants or factories processing pharmaceutical, beverage, dairy products, or the like should be taken apart for periodic cleaning and should be made of a material capable of withstanding the processing. However, “binding”, “rippling up”, and “intrusion” commonly occurred on conventional seals, including but not limited to flat gaskets, O-rings, and other industry standard gaskets, creating potential for loosing the sealing effect and for becoming a hygienic issue. For agitator couplings, conventional O-rings that are exposed and flush or slightly protrude do not always remain engaged and can actually loose the sealing effect and fall out.
Thus, a need exists for a hygienic coupling and fitting seal system that is easy to clean while providing reliable sealing effect.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention solves this need and other problems in the field of hygienic coupling and fitting seals by providing, in a preferred form, a seal system including a tail having an annular first surface and an annular second surface parallel to and spaced from the annular first surface in a first direction. The tail has a first thickness between the annular first and second surfaces in the first direction. The tail further includes first and second peripheral edges extending between and adjoining the annular first and second surfaces. The first and second peripheral edges are spaced from each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. A first annular ring integrally extends from a portion of the tail for a first extent from the first peripheral edge towards but spaced from the second peripheral edge of the tail. The first annular ring and the portion of the tail form a seal. The seal includes an exterior including the first peripheral edge. The exterior of the seal has a second thickness parallel to the first thickness. The second thickness of the seal continuously increases and then continuously decreases from the first peripheral edge towards the second peripheral edge of the tail. The exterior of the seal is free of protrusions.
In preferred forms, the first annular ring integrally extends from the annular first surface, and the exterior of the seal includes the annular second surface for the first extent from the first peripheral edge towards but spaced from the second peripheral edge. The seal has generally semicircular cross sections in a plane including the first and second directions. In alternate preferred forms, the first annular ring integrally extends from the annular first and second surfaces, and the seal has generally circular cross sections in the plane including the first and second directions.
In a preferred form, a second annular ring integrally extends from another portion of the tail for a second extent from the second peripheral edge towards but spaced from the first peripheral edge. The second annular ring and the other portion of the tail form a seal element. The seal element includes an exterior including the second peripheral edge. The exterior of the seal element has a third thickness parallel to the first thickness. The third thickness of the seal element continuously increases and then continuously decreases from the second peripheral edge towards the first peripheral edge. The exterior of the seal element is free of protrusions.
In preferred forms, the annular first and second surfaces are L-shaped and include first and second sections extending generally perpendicularly to each other. The first thickness of the first section is perpendicular to the first thickness of the second section.
The present invention will become clearer in light of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments of this invention described in connection with the drawings.
The illustrative embodiments may best be described by reference to the accompanying drawings where:
All figures are drawn for ease of explanation of the basic teachings of the present invention only; the extensions of the figures with respect to number, position, relationship, and dimensions of the parts to form the preferred embodiments will be explained or will be within the skill of the art after the following teachings of the present invention have been read and understood. Further, the exact dimensions and dimensional proportions to conform to specific force, weight, strength, and similar requirements will likewise be within the skill of the art after the following teachings of the present invention have been read and understood.
Where used in the various figures of the drawings, the same numerals designate the same or similar parts. Furthermore, when the terms “first”, “second”, “third”, “upper”, “lower”, “inner”, “outer”, “end”, “portion”, “section”, “axial”, “radial”, “circumferential”, “annular”, “spacing”, “length”, “thickness”, and similar terms are used herein, it should be understood that these terms have reference only to the structure shown in the drawings as it would appear to a person viewing the drawings and are utilized only to facilitate describing the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONA hygienic coupling and fitting seal system according to the preferred teachings of the present invention is shown in the drawings and generally designated 10. According to the teachings of the present invention, seal system 10 includes a tail 14 having an annular first surface 16 and an annular second surface 18 which in the preferred forms shown is parallel to and spaced from annular first surface 16 in a first direction. Tail 14 has a first thickness T between annular first and second surfaces 16 and 18 in the first direction. Tail 14 further includes first and second peripheral edges 22 and 28 extending between and adjoining annular first and second surfaces 16 and 18. First and second peripheral edges 22 and 28 are spaced from each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. In the preferred forms shown, tail 14 has generally rectangular cross sections in a plane including the first and second directions.
According to the teachings of the present invention, a first annular ring 40 integrally extends from a portion of tail 14 for a first extent E1 from first peripheral edge 22 towards but spaced from second peripheral edge 28 of tail 14. First annular ring 40 and the portion of tail 14 form a seal 54 having an exterior including first peripheral edge 22. The exterior of seal 54 has a second thickness D parallel to first thickness T. Second thickness D of seal 54 continuously increases and then continuously decreases from first peripheral edge 22 towards second peripheral edge 28 of tail 14. In a preferred embodiment shown in
In a preferred form shown in
In a preferred form shown in
In a preferred form shown in
In a preferred form shown in
According to further preferred forms according to the teachings of the present invention, a second annular ring 50 integrally extends from the other portion of tail 14 for a second extent E2 from second peripheral edge 28 towards but spaced from first peripheral edge 22. Second annular ring 50 and the other portion of tail 14 form a seal element 56 having an exterior including second peripheral edge 28. The exterior of seal element 56 has a third thickness T3 parallel to first thickness T. Third thickness T3 of seal element 56 continuously increases and then continuously decreases from second peripheral edge 28 towards first peripheral edge 22.
In a preferred form shown in
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Particularly, in the preferred form shown in
According to the teachings of the present invention, seal system 10 is formed from sealable/compression control type materials and in the most preferred form is Telfon based. However, other thermoplastics (TP) or thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) type materials can be used.
In a preferred form shown in
Now that the basic construction of the seal systems 10 of the preferred teachings of the present invention has been explained, the operation and some of the advantages of seal systems 10 can be set forth and appreciated. In an application of seal systems 10 of
Seal systems 10 according to the preferred teachings of the present invention can have various applications and can be utilized in various combinations.
Likewise,
Furthermore,
Further,
Seal systems 10 according to the preferred teachings of the present invention allow a flush seal surface and cleanability in product contact side 86. Specifically, conventional flat gaskets can ‘extrude’ or create ‘overhang’ which creates cleaning problems. In the application of seal system 10 having seal 54 in the form of O-ring 12 utilized in first and second fitting members 70 and 80 having annular grooves 20 and 21, seal 54 is free of protrusions and exposed on product contact side 86 through a gap between end faces 72 and 82 generally equal to depth D1. Thus, tail 14 and dual side annular grooves 20 and 21 of the seal system according to the teachings of the present invention allow seal 54 to be compressed without being “extruded” and allow easy installation. Seal 54 is allowed to be “pushed out flush” into product contact areas, so that “flat” areas on the product contact side in conventional O-rings that can be more difficult to clean is eliminated in seal systems 10 according to the preferred teachings of the present invention. Smooth profile on the inner or outer diameter of seal 54 and annular grooves 20 and 21 eliminate gasket ‘extrusion’ and allows better cleanability. However, seal 54 can be compressed to a designated amount, such as but not limited to 0.020 inches (0.05 cm) in the preferred form, so extrusion is limited and remains smooth/round. It can be appreciated that dual sided annular grooves 20 and 21 allow even compression on both sides, which is advantageous over conventional O-ring methods usually employing one-sided machining only. When utilized in agitator couplings, seal 54 remains engaged, unlike conventional O-rings that remain engaged but normally have crevices that can be more difficult to clean.
Seal systems 10 according to the teachings of the present invention including seal 54 and seal element 56 in the form of O-ring 12 and/or semicircular cross sections also provide better cleanability in product contact side 86, because seal 54 and seal element 56 are free of protrusions and are exposed on product contact side 86. Furthermore, seal 54 and seal element 56 have smooth profiles and do not protrude into product contact side 86 so that are no flat areas.
Furthermore, conventional O-ring methods usually require holding a gasket in place until almost tight. Seal systems 10 according to the preferred teachings of the present invention are self-centering for ease of installation. Furthermore, seal element 56 of a size smaller than seal 54 and acting as a retaining lip can hold seal system 10 to allow installation without holding seal systems 10 in place, eliminating the possibility of pinching fingers. Specifically, seal element 56 acting as a retaining lip helps retain seal system 10 during assembly. Seal element 56 acting as a retaining lip is designed to allow easy assembly, especially in blind applications as shown in
Furthermore, seal systems 10 according to the preferred teachings of the present invention can be tightened/secured without the ‘binding and rippling up’ which commonly occurs on conventional flat gaskets, O-rings, and other industry standard gaskets and which creates potential for loosing the sealing effect and becomes a cleaning issue. Due to self-lubricating in its most preferred form of Teflon or thermoplastic, seal systems 10 of the present invention allow circumferential direction while achieving a tight compressive sealing effect.
Now that the basic teachings of the present invention have been explained, many extensions and variations will be obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art. For example, although seal 54 and seal element 56 are shown as being of circular or semicircular cross sections, seal 54 and seal element 56 can have other shapes according to the preferred teachings of the present invention including ellipsoidal, race tank shaped, or the like. Further, seal systems 10 according to the preferred teachings of the present invention can be utilized in combination other than those shown.
Thus since the invention disclosed herein may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or general characteristics thereof, some of which forms have been indicated, the embodiments described herein are to be considered in all respects illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is to be indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.
Claims
1. A seal system comprising:
- a tail including an annular first surface and an annular second surface parallel to and spaced from the annular first surface in a first direction, with the tail having a first thickness between the annular first and second surfaces in the first direction, with the tail further including first and second peripheral edges extending between and adjoining the annular first and second surfaces, with the first and second peripheral edges spaced from each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; and
- a first annular ring integrally extending from a portion of the tail for a first extent from the first peripheral edge towards but spaced from the second peripheral edge of the tail, with the first annular ring and the portion of the tail forming a seal, with the seal including an exterior including the first peripheral edge, with the exterior of the seal having a second thickness parallel to the first thickness, with the second thickness of the seal continuously increasing and then continuously decreasing from the first peripheral edge towards the second peripheral edge of the tail, and with the exterior of the seal free of protrusions.
2. The seal system as claimed in claim 1, with the first annular ring integrally extending from the annular first surface, and with the exterior of the seal including the annular second surface for the first extent from the first peripheral edge towards but spaced from the second peripheral edge.
3. The seal system as claimed in claim 2, with the seal having generally semicircular cross sections in a plane including the first and second directions.
4. The seal system as claimed in claim 1, with the first annular ring integrally extending from the annular first and second surfaces.
5. The seal system as claimed in claim 4, with the seal having generally circular cross sections in a plane including the first and second directions.
6. The seal system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a second annular ring integrally extending from another portion of the tail for a second extent from the second peripheral edge towards but spaced from the first peripheral edge, with the second annular ring and the other portion of the tail forming a seal element, with the seal element including an exterior including the second peripheral edge, with the exterior of the seal element having a third thickness parallel to the first thickness, with the third thickness of the seal element continuously increasing and then continuously decreasing from the second peripheral edge towards the first peripheral edge, and with the exterior of the seal element free of protrusions.
7. The seal system as claimed in claim 6, with the second annular ring integrally extending from one of the annular first and second surfaces, and with the exterior of the seal element including another of the annular first and second surfaces for the second extent from the second peripheral edge towards but spaced from the first peripheral edge.
8. The seal system as claimed in claim 6, with the seal element being of a size substantially equal to the seal.
9. The seal system as claimed in claim 6, with the seal element being of a size smaller than the seal.
10. The seal system as claimed in claim 6, with the first annular ring integrally extending from the annular first surface, and with the second annular ring integrally extending from the annular second surface.
11. The seal system as claimed in claim 10, with the first annular ring integrally extending from the annular first and second surfaces.
12. The seal system as claimed in claim 6, with the annular first and second surfaces being L-shaped and including first and second sections extending generally perpendicularly to each other, and with the first thickness of the first section being perpendicular to the first thickness of the second section.
13. The seal system as claimed in claim 12, with the first annular ring integrally extending from the annular first surface, and with the exterior of the seal including the annular second surface for the first extent from the first peripheral edge towards but spaced from the second peripheral edge, with the second annular ring integrally extending from one of the annular first and second surfaces, and with the exterior of the seal element including another of the annular first and second surfaces for the second extent from the second peripheral edge towards but spaced from the first peripheral edge.
14. A seal assembly comprising:
- a first fitting member extending in a first direction and having a first end face extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, with the first end face including an annular first groove;
- a second fitting member including a second end face coupled to the first end face with an annular gap defined between the first and second end faces and in communication with the annular first groove, with the annular gap having a depth in the first direction, with the first and second fitting members adapted to be mounted in an environment containing a fluid, with the first and second fitting members including a side in contact with the fluid, with the annular gap having a spacing in the second direction to the side larger than the annular first groove of the first fitting member, with the first annular groove adjoining the side; and
- a seal system mounted between the first and second end faces, with the seal system including a tail having an annular first surface and an annular second surface parallel to and spaced from the annular first surface in the first direction, with the tail received in the annular gap and having a first thickness between the annular first and second surfaces in the first direction equal to the depth of the annular gap, with the tail further including first and second peripheral edges extending between and adjoining the annular first and second surfaces, with the first and second peripheral edges spaced from each other in the second direction, with the seal system further including a first annular ring integrally extending from a portion of the tail for an extent from the first peripheral edge towards but spaced from the second peripheral edge of the tail, with the first annular ring and the portion of the tail forming a seal, with the seal including an exterior including the first peripheral edge, with the exterior of the seal having a second thickness parallel to the first thickness, with the second thickness of the seal continuously increasing and then continuously decreasing from the first peripheral edge towards the second peripheral edge of tail, with the first annular ring received in the annular first groove, and with the exterior of the seal system free of protrusions.
15. The seal assembly as claimed in claim 14, with the second end face of the second fitting member including an annular second groove facing and aligned with the annular first groove, with the first annular ring of the seal integrally extending from the annular first and second surfaces, and with the seal having generally circular cross sections and received in the annular first and second grooves.
16. The seal assembly as claimed in claim 14, with the first annular ring integrally extending from the annular first surface, and with the exterior of the seal including the annular second surface for the extent from the first peripheral edge towards but spaced from the second peripheral edge.
17. The seal assembly as claimed in claim 16, with the seal having generally semicircular cross sections in a plane including the first and second directions.
18. The seal assembly as claimed in claim 14, with the first fitting member further including an annular recess extending perpendicularly to and in communication with the annular gap, with the annular recess having a spacing to the side larger than the first annular groove, with the seal assembly further comprising: a second annular ring integrally extending from another portion of the tail from the second peripheral edge towards but spaced from the first peripheral edge, with the second annular ring and the other portion of the tail forming a seal element, with the seal element including an exterior including the second peripheral edge, with the exterior of the seal element having a third thickness parallel to the first thickness, with the third thickness of the seal element continuously increasing and then continuously decreasing from the second peripheral edge towards the first peripheral edge, and with the exterior of the seal element free of protrusions, and with the second annular ring received in the annular recess.
19. The seal assembly as claimed in claim 18, with the annular gap being L-shaped and including first and second portions extending generally perpendicularly to each other, with the annular first and second surfaces being L-shaped and including first and second sections extending generally perpendicularly to each other and received in the first and second portions of the annular gap, and with the first thickness of the first section being perpendicular to the first thickness of the second section.
20. The seal assembly as claimed in claim 19, with the seal element being of a size smaller than the seal, with the first annular ring integrally extending from the first annular surface of the first section, and with the second annular ring integrally extending from one of the annular first and second surfaces of the second section.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 15, 2009
Publication Date: Jul 16, 2009
Inventors: Brian J. Uhlenkamp (Sauk Centre, MN), Shawn P. Pitt (St. Cloud, MN)
Application Number: 12/354,083
International Classification: F16J 15/06 (20060101);