Orifice valve for bulk solids

A seal for use in a valve for controlling the flow of bulk solids through an opening, the valve comprising two opposed having sections with flat mating surfaces which form a closed cavity and a blade which is received in said cavity and is reciprocal between open and closed positions, said seal comprising:

• first and second spaced planar surfaces presenting elements adapted to engage said flat mating surfaces;
• first and second vertical seal surfaces presenting elements each of which is integral with one of said planar surfaces and extends from the latter at a generally right angle so as to overlap one of said housing section at the area of said mating surface;
• and
• a T-section integral with said first and second planar surfaces presenting element and presenting a blade guide surface transverse to said first and second planar surfaces,
• whereby at least one shim may be received between said planar surfaces to properly space said two opposed housing sections apart.

An orifice valve for controlling the flow of bulk solids through an opening, said valve comprising:

• a housing comprised of two opposed sections each of which is a unitary body formed from a single piece of plate stock and presenting a first planar surface having an opening, two integral opposed sidewalls and an integral end wall, said walls each being perpendicular to said first planar surface and cooperating when said sections are placed in facing relationship to present a closed cavity, each of said sections further including a flange extending outwardly from each of said sidewalls and presenting a second planar surface parallel to said first planar surface, said flanges mating with one another when said sections are placed in facing relationship;
• a first pressure plate between said blade and a first housing section;
• a first shim between said first pressure plate and said first housing section;
• a second pressure plate between said blade and said second housing section;
• a second shim between said second pressure plate and said second housing section;
• a plurality of compressible buttons positioned between said shims and between said pressure plates and said housing;
• a blade received in said cavity and reciprocal between open and closed positions, said blade having an opening which aligns with said openings in said housing in the open position and having a solid section which blocks said housing openings in the closed position;
• and
• a plurality of retainers which hold said sections in rigid facing relationship.