Aseptic Flow Control Valve With Outside Diameter Valve Closure

A diaphragm valve for aseptic applications, the valve comprising:

• a valve actuator including a reciprocally moveable valve stem that is moved longitudinally to open and close the valve;
• a valve body that includes a tubular portion having an upper end extending around a valve opening, wherein said tubular portion has a valve seat located at the upper end and around the valve opening;
• a diaphragm having a central portion connected by a flexible web portion to an outer stationary portion of the diaphragm, the central portion including an annular valve member of resilient membranous material and the central portion being operatively connected to the valve actuator for movement of the annular valve member into the valve seat to close the valve and for movement of the valve member away from the valve seat to open the valve;
• and
• wherein the valve seat is provided by a groove extending along an outer diameter of the upper end of the tubular portion, said groove providing a concave surface;
• and
• wherein the annular valve member forms a convex surface of complementary shape to the concave surface the valve seat;
• and
• wherein said convex surface is moved into the groove to contact the concave surface around the outer diameter of the upper end of the tubular portion of the valve body when the valve is closed.