Valve system
OwnerJames H. McCarterinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A valve system for a container or vat, such as a food cooking vat. The valve system includes a valve body and stem having a valve head with a sealing member. The valve body has an outlet configured to be in fluid communication with the vat, and the sealing member is in fluid communication with the outlet and the chamber and is selectively operable between a discharge position, allowing the vat's contents to drain from the chamber, and a closed position, allowing the contents to remain in the chamber. The sealing member preferably is comprised of polymer and has an O-type sealing ring interposed between a first portion and a second portion, where the diameter of the second portion is smaller than the diameter of the first portion. Embodiments may also include a snap-fit connection of the sealing member to the valve head.
Claims25
A vat for holding a substance, comprising:
- a chamber that receives the substance;
- a valve assembly;
- said valve assembly including a valve body and a stem;
- said stem including a valve head having a sealing member connected thereto;
- said sealing member including at least one readily compressible sealing ring;
- said valve assembly having an outlet in fluid communication with said chamber;
- said sealing member including a generally cylindrical first portion having a first diameter and a generally cylindrical second portion having a second diameter;
- wherein said second diameter is less than said first diameter;
- said sealing member defining a circumferentially-extending groove interposed between said first portion and said second portion that receives said sealing ring;
- said sealing member being in fluid communication with outlet and said chamber and selectively operable between a discharge position, for allowing the substance to drain from said chamber, and a closed position, for allowing the substance to remain in the chamber;
- said sealing member being comprised of one or more polymers;
- a valve head base that engages said sealing member;
- said sealing member defining a recess for the lateral receipt of said valve head base;
- and
- a slot in communication with said recess for receipt of said stem.
A valve system for attachment to a vat used to hold a substance, the valve system comprising:
- a valve body;
- a stem;
- said stem including a valve head having a sealing member connected thereto;
- said sealing member including at least one readily compressible sealing ring;
- said sealing member including a first portion having a first diameter and a second portion having a second diameter;
- wherein said second diameter is less than said first diameter;
- said sealing member defining a circumferentially-extending groove interposed between said first portion and said second portion that receives said sealing ring;
- said valve body having an outlet configured to be in fluid communication with the vat;
- said sealing member being in fluid communication with said outlet and said chamber and selectively operable between a discharge position, for allowing the substance to drain from said chamber, and a closed position, for allowing the substance to remain in the chamber;
- a valve head base that engages said sealing member;
- said sealing member defining a recess for the lateral receipt of said valve head base;
- and
- a slot in communication with said recess for receipt of said stem.
A stem assembly for a valve assembly for a vat used to hold a substance, the valve assembly having a chamber in fluid communication with the vat, and the stem assembly comprising:
- a stem rod;
- said stem including a valve head having a sealing member connected thereto;
- said sealing member including at least one readily compressible sealing ring;
- said sealing member including a first portion having a first diameter and a second portion having a second diameter;
- wherein said second diameter is less than said first diameter;
- said sealing member defining a circumferentially-extending groove interposed between said first portion and said second portion that receives said sealing ring;
- said sealing member being comprised of one or-more polymers;
- and
- a valve head base that engages said sealing member;
- said sealing member defining a recess for the lateral receipt of said valve head base;
- and
- a slot in communication with said recess for receipt of said stem.
A stem assembly for a valve assembly for a vat used to hold a substance, the valve assembly having a chamber in fluid communication with the vat, and the stem assembly comprising:
- a stem rod;
- said stem including a valve head having a sealing member connected thereto;
- said sealing member including at least one readily compressible sealing ring;
- said sealing member including a first portion having a first diameter and a second portion having a second diameter;
- wherein said second diameter is less than said first diameter;
- said sealing member defining a circumferentially-extending groove interposed between said first portion and said second portion that receives said sealing ring;
- said sealing member being comprised of one or more polymers;
- a valve head base that engages said sealing member;
- wherein said valve head base is adapted to rotate in relation to said sealing member without significantly affecting the position of said sealing member;
- said sealing member defining a recess for the lateral receipt of said valve head base;
- and
- a slot in communication with said recess for receipt of said stem.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.