Valve apparatus and method for distributing fluids

A valve manifold for selectively distributing fluids from a plurality of fluid sources to one or more receiving vessels comprising:

• a body member defining a surface with multiple openings and a plurality of separate conduits each communicating one of the fluid sources with one of the openings in the surface;
• the body member further defining a common passage comprising a plurality of groove portions formed in the body member surface and in fluid communication with each other, each groove portion defining an intervening land between said each groove portion and one of the openings for delivery of fluid from the openings to the common passage, the groove portions at least partially surrounding the openings in the body member surface such that the fluid flows radially outward from the openings toward the groove portions;
• a plurality of pistons each having a sealing surface juxtaposed one of the openings in the body member surface, the pistons being movable between a first position, where the sealing surfaces fluidly isolate the openings from the groove portions of the common passage, and a second position, where the sealing surfaces are spaced further away from the intervening lands between the openings and the groove portions to allow fluid flow therebetween;
• and
• wherein the intervening lands each have a diameter greater than a diameter of the sealing surfaces of the pistons.