# US 10,502,332 B2 · Duckbill valve assemblies and apparatus and methods including same

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- Number: US 10,502,332 B2
- Document ID: US10502332B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/949,337
- Filed: 2018-04-10
- Published: 2019-10-10
- Granted: 2019-12-10
- Earliest claimed: 2018-04-10
- Assignees: PerkinElmer Health Sciences, Inc.
- Applicants: PerkinElmer Health Sciences, Inc.
- Inventors: Benjamin J. Black; Anthony David Rands
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10502332B2

## CPC

- G01N 30/18: using a septum or microsyringe
- B01L 3/565: {Seals}
- B01L 3/567: {Valves, taps or stop-cocks}
- F16K 15/147: {the closure elements having specially formed slits or being of an elongated easily collapsible form}
- B01L 2200/0689: Sealing
- B01L 2400/0611: duck bill valves
- G01N 2030/185: {specially adapted to seal the inlet}
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)
- B01L: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- F16K: VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING {(devices for emptying and evacuating the excess liquid in valves or conduits F16L55/07)}

## Abstract

A duckbill valve assembly includes a duckbill valve and a spring member. The duckbill valve has a longitudinal axis, a lateral axis transverse to the longitudinal axis, and opposed proximal and distal ends spaced apart along the longitudinal axis. The duckbill valve defines a valve direction extending from the proximal end to the distal end. The duckbill valve includes a first port at the proximal end, and first and second opposed sidewalls. The first and second sidewalls taper inwardly toward one another in the valve direction to form a duckbill structure. The duckbill structure includes a slit proximate the distal end. The duckbill valve is transitionable from a closed position, wherein the slit is closed, and an open position, wherein the first and second sidewalls are laterally separated proximate the slit to form a second port. The spring member includes a spring leg disposed laterally adjacent the first side wall. The spring leg exerts a spring load on the first sidewall, the spring load forcing the first and second sidewalls together to maintain the slit in the closed position. The duckbill valve assembly is configured such that, when the first and second sidewalls are displaced laterally outward to open the slit, the spring leg is displaced in the valve direction and in a laterally outward direction.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A duckbill valve assembly for use with an elongate member, the duckbill valve assembly comprising:
a duckbill valve having a longitudinal axis, a lateral axis transverse to the longitudinal axis, and opposed proximal and distal ends spaced apart along the longitudinal axis, the duckbill valve defining a valve direction extending from the proximal end to the distal end, the duckbill valve including:
a first port at the proximal end; and
first and second opposed sidewalls, wherein the first and second sidewalls taper inwardly toward one another in the valve direction to form a duckbill structure, the duckbill structure including a slit proximate the distal end;
wherein the duckbill valve is transitionable from a closed position, wherein the slit is closed, and an open position, wherein the first and second sidewalls are laterally separated proximate the slit to form a second port;
a spring member including a spring leg disposed laterally adjacent the first side wall, wherein the spring leg exerts a spring load on the first sidewall, the spring load forcing the first and second sidewalls together to maintain the slit in the closed position; and
an elastomeric, annular supplemental ring seal including a through opening, wherein the supplemental ring seal has an inner diameter that is less than an outer diameter of the elongate member;
wherein the duckbill valve assembly is configured to receive the elongate member such that, when the elongate member is inserted through the duckbill valve assembly:
the first and second sidewalls are displaced laterally outward to open the slit, and the spring leg is displaced in the valve direction and in a laterally outward direction; and
the elongate member extends through the through opening of the supplemental ring seal and thereby elastically radially deforms the supplemental ring seal, and the supplemental ring seal exerts a persistent compressive sealing load on the elongate member to form an airtight seal around the elongate member.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The duckbill valve assembly of claim 1 wherein the spring member includes:
a base portion; and
a spring leg cantilevered from the base portion, the spring leg having a proximal end joined to the base portion and a distal end that applies the spring load to the first sidewall.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The duckbill valve assembly of claim 2 including a radiused bend forming a hinge connecting the proximal end of the spring leg to the base portion.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The duckbill valve assembly of claim 3 wherein the radiused bend has a radius in the range of from about 0.7 mm to 0.9 mm.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

The duckbill valve assembly of claim 2 wherein:
the spring leg includes a rounded bearing surface proximate the distal end of the spring leg; and
the rounded bearing surface engages the first sidewall.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The duckbill valve assembly of claim 5 wherein the rounded bearing surface has a radius in the range of from about 0.4 mm to 0.6 mm.

### Claim 7 (depends on 2)

The duckbill valve assembly of claim 2 wherein the spring leg has opposed axially extending side edges that taper inwardly in a direction from the base portion to the distal end.

### Claim 8 (depends on 2)

The duckbill valve assembly of claim 2 including a support and a clamp member, wherein the base portion is clamped between the support and the clamp member.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The duckbill valve assembly of claim 1 wherein:
the spring member includes a second spring leg disposed laterally adjacent the second side wall and laterally opposite the first spring leg;
the second spring leg exerts a second spring load on the second sidewall, the first and second spring loads forcing the first and second sidewalls together to maintain the slit in the closed position;
wherein the duckbill valve assembly is configured such that, when the first and second sidewalls are displaced laterally outward to open the slit, the first and second spring legs are displaced in the valve direction and in opposing laterally outward directions.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The duckbill valve assembly of claim 9 wherein:
the spring member includes a base portion having opposed first and second side edges;
the first spring leg is cantilevered from the first side edge of the base portion, the first spring leg having a proximal end joined to the base portion and a distal end that applies the first spring load to the first sidewall; and
the second spring leg is cantilevered from the second side edge of the base portion, the second spring leg having proximal end joined to the base portion and a distal end that applies the second spring load to the second sidewall.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The duckbill valve assembly of claim 10 including:
a first radiused bend forming a hinge connecting the proximal end of the first spring leg to the first side edge of the base portion; and
a second radiused bend forming a hinge connecting the proximal end of the second spring leg to the second side edge of the base portion.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The duckbill valve assembly of claim 11 wherein the spring member is monolithic.

### Claim 13

A gas chromatograph (GC) system comprising:
a GC injection port including:
a chamber; and
a duckbill valve assembly positioned to control fluid flow into and/or out of the chamber, wherein the duckbill valve assembly includes:
a duckbill valve having a longitudinal axis, a lateral axis transverse to the longitudinal axis, and opposed proximal and distal ends spaced apart along the longitudinal axis, the duckbill valve defining a valve direction extending from the proximal end to the distal end, the duckbill valve including:
a first port at the proximal end; and
first and second opposed sidewalls, wherein the first and second sidewalls taper inwardly toward one another in the valve direction to form a duckbill structure, the duckbill structure including a slit proximate the distal end;
wherein the duckbill valve is transitionable from a closed position, wherein the slit is closed, and an open position, wherein the first and second sidewalls are laterally separated proximate the slit to form a second port; and
a spring member including a spring leg disposed laterally adjacent the first side wall, wherein the spring leg exerts a spring load on the first sidewall, the spring load forcing the first and second sidewalls together to maintain the slit in the closed position;
wherein the duckbill valve assembly is configured such that, when the first and second sidewalls are displaced laterally outward to open the slit, the spring leg is displaced in the valve direction and in a laterally outward direction;
a column fluidly connected to the chamber; and
a detector fluidly connected to the column;
wherein the GC system is configured to sweep a sample from the chamber, through the column and to the detector.

### Claim 14

A method for handling a fluid, the method comprising:
providing an apparatus comprising:
a chamber; and
a duckbill valve assembly positioned to control fluid flow into and/or out of the chamber, wherein the duckbill valve assembly includes:
a duckbill valve having a longitudinal axis, a lateral axis transverse to the longitudinal axis, and opposed proximal and distal ends spaced apart along the longitudinal axis, the duckbill valve defining a valve direction extending from the proximal end to the distal end, the duckbill valve including:
a first port at the proximal end; and
first and second opposed sidewalls, wherein the first and second sidewalls taper inwardly toward one another in the valve direction to form a duckbill structure, the duckbill structure including a slit proximate the distal end;
wherein the duckbill valve is transitionable from a closed position, wherein the slit is closed, and an open position, wherein the first and second sidewalls are laterally separated proximate the slit to form a second port; and
a spring member including a spring leg disposed laterally adjacent the first side wall, wherein the spring leg exerts a spring load on the first sidewall, the spring load forcing the first and second sidewalls together to maintain the slit in the closed position;
wherein the duckbill valve assembly is configured such that, when the first and second sidewalls are displaced laterally outward to open the slit, the spring leg is displaced in the valve direction and in a laterally outward direction;
inserting a needle through the duckbill valve assembly and into the chamber;
using the needle, extracting a fluid from the chamber and/or introducing a fluid into the chamber through the needle; and thereafter
removing the needle from the duckbill valve assembly.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14 wherein:
the needle forms a part of a needle trap;
the needle trap further includes a trap media disposed in the needle; and
the method includes, while the needle is inserted through the duckbill valve assembly, flowing the fluid through the trap media in the needle such that an analyte in the fluid is captured in the trap media.

### Claim 16 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14 wherein:
the duckbill valve assembly further includes an elastomeric, annular supplemental ring seal including a through opening, wherein the supplemental ring seal has an inner diameter that is less than an outer diameter of the needle;
the step of inserting the needle through the duckbill valve assembly and into the chamber includes inserting the needle through the through opening of the supplemental ring seal and thereby elastically radially deforming the supplemental ring seal; and
during the step of extracting a fluid from the chamber and/or introducing a fluid into the chamber through the needle, the supplemental ring seal exerts a persistent compressive sealing load on the needle to form an airtight seal around the needle.

### Claim 17

A duckbill valve assembly comprising:
a duckbill valve having a longitudinal axis, a lateral axis transverse to the longitudinal axis, and opposed proximal and distal ends spaced apart along the longitudinal axis, the duckbill valve defining a valve direction extending from the proximal end to the distal end, the duckbill valve including:
a first port at the proximal end; and
first and second opposed sidewalls, wherein the first and second sidewalls taper inwardly toward one another in the valve direction to form a duckbill structure, the duckbill structure including a slit proximate the distal end;
wherein the duckbill valve is transitionable from a closed position, wherein the slit is closed, and an open position, wherein the first and second sidewalls are laterally separated proximate the slit to form a second port; and
a spring member including:
a first spring leg disposed laterally adjacent the first side wall, wherein the first spring leg exerts a first spring load on the first sidewall; and
a second spring leg disposed laterally adjacent the second side wall and laterally opposite the first spring leg, wherein the second spring leg exerts a second spring load on the second sidewall;
wherein the first and second spring loads force the first and second sidewalls together to maintain the slit in the closed position;
wherein the duckbill valve assembly is configured such that, when the first and second sidewalls are displaced laterally outward to open the slit, the first and second spring legs are displaced in the valve direction and in opposing laterally outward directions; and
wherein:
the spring member includes a base portion having opposed first and second side edges;
the first spring leg is cantilevered from the first side edge of the base portion, the first spring leg having a proximal end joined to the base portion and a distal end that applies the first spring load to the first sidewall; and
the second spring leg is cantilevered from the second side edge of the base portion, the second spring leg having proximal end joined to the base portion and a distal end that applies the second spring load to the second sidewall; and
the spring member is unitarily formed.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The duckbill valve assembly of claim 17 wherein the spring member is monolithic.

### Claim 19

A duckbill valve assembly comprising:
a duckbill valve having a longitudinal axis, a lateral axis transverse to the longitudinal axis, and opposed proximal and distal ends spaced apart along the longitudinal axis, the duckbill valve defining a valve direction extending from the proximal end to the distal end, the duckbill valve including:
a first port at the proximal end; and
first and second opposed sidewalls, wherein the first and second sidewalls taper inwardly toward one another in the valve direction to form a duckbill structure, the duckbill structure including a slit proximate the distal end;
wherein the duckbill valve is transitionable from a closed position, wherein the slit is closed, and an open position, wherein the first and second sidewalls are laterally separated proximate the slit to form a second port; and
a spring member including a spring leg disposed laterally adjacent the first side wall, wherein the spring leg exerts a spring load on the first sidewall, the spring load forcing the first and second sidewalls together to maintain the slit in the closed position;
wherein the duckbill valve assembly is configured such that, when the first and second sidewalls are displaced laterally outward to open the slit, the spring leg is displaced in the valve direction and in a laterally outward direction; and
wherein the spring member includes:
a base portion; and
a spring leg cantilevered from the base portion, the spring leg having a proximal end joined to the base portion and a distal end that applies the spring load to the first sidewall; and
wherein the spring leg has opposed axially extending side edges that taper inwardly in a direction from the base portion to the distal end.