# US 11,898,645 B2 · Valve assembly with directional flow path > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,898,645 B2 - Document ID: US11898645B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/930,300 - Filed: 2020-07-15 - Published: 2021-02-04 - Granted: 2024-02-13 - Earliest claimed: 2015-10-01 - Assignees: Repligen Corporation - Applicants: Repligen Corporation - Inventors: Michael C. Gagne; Steven V. Cates; Dean C. Richards; Scott Bendon - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11898645B2 ## CPC - F16K 11/22: with an actuating member for each valve, e.g. interconnected to form multiple-way valves - B29C 45/14614: {Joining tubular articles} - B29C 66/01: {General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined (B29C65/76, B29C65/82 take precedence)} - F16K 7/06: by means of a screw-spindle, cam, or other mechanical means {(F16K7/045 takes precedence)} - F16K 7/07: by means of fluid pressure - F16K 27/003: {Housing formed from a plurality of the same valve elements} - F16K 27/0236: {Diaphragm cut-off apparatus} - F16B 13/00: Dowels or other devices fastened in walls or the like by inserting them in holes made therein for that purpose (nails F16B15/00; self-locking pins or bolts in general, stud-and-socket releasable fastenings F16B21/00; dowels or bolts for railroad sleepers E01B9/00; ans means for anchoring structural elements or bulkheads specially adapted to foundation engineering E02D5/74; bolts or dowels used while laying bricks or casting concrete sleepers E04B1/38; setting anchoring bolts in shafts, tunnels or galleries E21D20/00; anchoring bolts for shafts, tunnels or galleries E21D21/00) - 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)} - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - F16B: DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING (couplings for transmitting rotation F16D) ## Abstract A valve assembly with a multidirectional flow path includes a valve body that includes respective hinged portions defining respective passageways extending through the valve body when in a closed state. A flexible conduit or tubing having a loop portion and a plurality of branches extending from the loop portion is at least partially positioned within the valve body. Portions of the loop that extend beyond the valve body are encapsulated by respective rigid jackets. Multiple valves are situated on the valve body and are used to selectively pinch the loop portion in different pinching configurations to direct fluid to or from the particular branches. The valve assembly may be integrated into a manufacturing or other production process with optional additional jackets used to encapsulate the flexible conduit branches. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of making a flexible conduit having a loop portion comprising: providing a double cross shaped section of tubing; providing a first Y or TEE section of tubing and a second Y or TEE section of tubing; securing one end of the first Y or TEE section to the double cross shaped section of tubing via a first overmolded connector; securing one end of the second Y or TEE section to the double cross shaped section of tubing via a second overmolded connector; securing a second end of the first Y or TEE section to the double cross shaped section of tubing via a third overmolded connector; and securing a second end of the second Y or TEE section to the double cross shaped section of tubing via a fourth overmolded connector; wherein, when connected, the double cross shaped section, the first Y or TEE section, and the second Y or TEE section are three separate flexible tubing pieces that are bonded together via the first, second, third, and fourth overmolded connectors with the intersection between the double cross shaped section and the first Y or TEE section and the second Y or TEE section being spaced apart to leave a flexible tubing portion adjacent the intersections to minimize hold up volumes within the flexible conduit along the intersections when closed by a plurality of valves positioned around the intersections. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein a mandrel is positioned inside the first Y or TEE section and inside the double cross shaped section while forming the first overmolded connector in a molding operation followed by removal of the mandrel. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein a mandrel is positioned inside the second Y or TEE section and inside the double cross shaped section while forming the second overmolded connector in a molding operation followed by removal of the mandrel. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein a mandrel is positioned inside the first Y or TEE section and inside the double cross shaped section while forming the third overmolded connector in a molding operation followed by removal of the mandrel. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein a mandrel is positioned inside the second Y or TEE section and inside the double cross shaped section while forming the fourth overmolded connector in a molding operation followed by removal of the mandrel. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth overmolded connectors comprise bubble connectors. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth overmolded connectors comprise silicone. ### Claim 8 A method of making a flexible conduit having a loop portion comprising: providing a double cross shaped section of tubing; providing a first Y or TEE section of tubing and a second Y or TEE section of tubing; securing one end of the first Y or TEE section to the double cross shaped section of tubing via a first overmolded connector; securing one end of the second Y or TEE section to the double cross shaped section of tubing via a second overmolded connector; securing a second end of the second Y or TEE section to the double cross shaped section of tubing via a third overmolded connector; and securing a second end of the first Y or TEE section to the double cross shaped section of tubing via a fourth overmolded connector; wherein, when connected, the double cross shaped section, the first Y or TEE section, and the second Y or TEE section are three separate flexible tubing pieces that are bonded together via the first, second, third, and fourth overmolded connectors with the intersection between the double cross shaped section and the first Y or TEE section and the second Y or TEE section being spaced apart to leave a flexible tubing portion adjacent the intersections to minimize hold up volumes within the flexible conduit along the intersections when closed by a plurality of valves positioned around the intersections. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein a mandrel is positioned inside the first Y or TEE section and inside the double cross shaped section while forming the first overmolded connector in a molding operation followed by removal of the mandrel. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein a mandrel is positioned inside the second Y or TEE section and inside the double cross shaped section while forming the second overmolded connector in a molding operation followed by removal of the mandrel. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein a mandrel is positioned inside the first Y or TEE section and inside the double cross shaped section while forming the third overmolded connector in a molding operation followed by removal of the mandrel. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein a mandrel is positioned inside the second Y or TEE section and inside the double cross shaped section while forming the fourth overmolded connector in a molding operation followed by removal of the mandrel. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth overmolded connectors comprise bubble connectors. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth overmolded connectors comprise silicone.