MXPA95001569A - Set of valves and method of - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a set of valves for controlling the flow of fluid between a first system containing fluid to be dispensed and a second system for receiving the fluid, the first system has a first opening and the second system has a second opening, the assembly comprises: a first valve assembly adapted to be placed at the first opening, the first valve assembly comprises a body member, a gate for fluid entry into the body member to receive fluid from the first system, a slide piston within the body member from a first position closing the inlet gate to a second position opening the closed inlet gate, and a first spring member, which normally directs the piston to the first position, a second valve assembly adapted to be placed in the second opening, the second valve assembly comprises a horn member, the trope member mpa comprises a channel having an inlet end, to receive fluid from the inlet gate of the fluid in the body member and an outlet end, to deliver the fluid received to the second system, the inlet end is placed in a first end portion of the torpedo member, a locking member that is movable relative to the horn member from a first position closing the bore end to a second position that opens the inlet end, and a second spring member, which normally directs the locking member to the position closing the inlet end, wherein when the first opening is biased towards the second opening, the first body member of the first valve assembly engages and moves the locking member thereby opening the end inlet of the horn member, and the horn member moves the piston to the position that opens the inlet gate, the open inlet gate then is in common fluidization with the inlet end open, thereby forming an open fluid channel between the first system and the second system, wherein, when the first opening is urged away from the second opening, the body member is removed from the horn member, the locking member moves to close the inlet end, and the horn member disengages from the piston to allow the piston to slide to the position closing the inlet port, thereby preventing fluid from entering the piston. first and second systems, and wherein when the first opening is biased towards the second opening, the locking member opens the inlet end before the piston is moved sufficiently to place the entry gate in communication with the through channel; When the first opening is pushed away from the second opening, the piston closes the inlet gate before the blocking member closes the end of the opening. ntrada, by which leakage is prevented from the first system containing the fluid to be dispensed when the first opening is propelled toward or away from the second opening.

Description

SET OF VALVES AND METHOD OF USE REFERENCE CROSSED TO RELATED REQUEST This application corresponds to a continuation in part of the patent application of the US. Serial No. 08 / 220,984 filed on March 31, 1994, by Clark E. Harris and David L. Patton. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a valve assembly and method for using the valve assembly. More particularly, the invention deals with a valve assembly and method for controlling the flow of a fluid between a container and a matching system employing the fluid, such as a chemical replenishment container and a photoprocessing or photo printing machine. , substantially without exposing the user to this fluid. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Flow control devices, such as valves, are widely employed to regulate the flow of materials, primarily fluids, from one container system to another. A conventional way of supplying a fluid material to a container system, such as a photo printing machine, involves supplying the fluid material from a receptacle, such as a flexible container in a fluid reservoir or distribution channel in the photoprocessing machine. In these applications, fluids are typically liquid chemicals. The flexible containers or bottles currently used to replenish chemicals in these machines, often require the user to first open the container and then empty the contents into the photo printing machine. A problem that results during the transfer of the chemicals is leakage. The leakage of chemical products of course exposes the operator to potential harmful effects of the material. The waste of chemical products and the associated cost are related problems of the present systems. These disadvantages require supplying materials such as photographic chemicals, photoprocessing machines and the like, in a container system and without leakage. These systems will then present the operator as a dry or non-drip transfer system. Consequently, there has been a need in the prior art for providing a dry system for transferring materials between container systems. Preferably in this system, a flow control or valve assembly will communicate with both container systems (eg, the flexible container for photographic chemicals and the photo printing machine) and will be employed, such that when a container system it is removed from the other, the valve assembly will close and the user will not be exposed to leakage. In the patent of the U.S.A. No. 4,958,666, a storage can for process fluids is disclosed which includes a receptacle having leak-proof bags of elastic material, each having an opening closed by a control valve. The normally closed controlled valve is activated by suction or by suction pressure or pressure devices in the processing apparatus. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is to provide a set of valves that eliminates leakage during fluid transfer between transfers of matching systems. Another object of the invention is to provide a set of valves for controlling the supply of a fluid to a first container system, without the user having to open a second container system before transferring the fluid to the first container system. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a set of valves for controlling the supply of a fluid from a first to a second container system, wherein during the separation of the first container system from the second container system, there is no leakage of fluid. Another object of the invention is to provide a set of valves that can open and close a flow path between matching, coupling and non-leaking container systems.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a method for transferring fluids between coupling vessel systems, without leakage and waste of the transferred material. Accordingly, in order to achieve these and other objects of the invention, a valve assembly is provided that brings together first and second container systems, the first and second container systems having first and second openings, respectively. A first valve assembly is placed in the first opening. The first valve assembly comprises a body member, a gate for fluid inlet, in the body member for receiving fluid from the first container system, a piston slidable within the body member from a first position closing the gate inlet, to a second position that opens the closed inlet gate, and a spring member that normally directs the piston to the first position. A second valve assembly is placed in the second opening. The second valve assembly comprises a horn member having a channel with an inlet end for receiving fluids from the fluid inlet port and an outlet end for supplying the received fluid to the second container system. The inlet end is placed in a first end portion of the horn member. A locking member is movable relative to the horn member from a first position that closes the entry end to a second position that opens the entry end. A second spring member normally directs the locking member to the position closing the inlet end. When the first opening is displaced to the second opening, the first body member of the first valve assembly engages and moves the locking member of the second valve assembly to open the inlet end of the horn member. The horn member displaces the piston of the first valve assembly to the second position that opens the inlet gate. As a result, the open inlet gate is in fluid communication with the open inlet end to form a channel for open fluid flow between the first and second container systems. In addition, when the first opening moves away from the second opening, the first valve assembly body member is removed from the horn member of the second valve assembly. The locking member then moves to close the inlet end of the horn member, and the horn member detaches from the piston to allow the piston to slide into the position closing the inlet gate, thereby preventing the flow of fluid from or between the first and second container systems. The locking member may be a sleeve that telescopes over the horn member. The first container system may include a spout having a bore for receiving the body member. The body member can be provided with a trio of circumferential shoulders for sequential engagement and a slot within the bore, to allow partial engagement of the body member within the bore. A resilient seal can be provided between the horn member and the blocking member. Accordingly, advantageous effects of the present invention are to provide valve assemblies and a method for controlling the flow of fluids between coupling vessel systems without leakage, before, during, and after coupling. The sets are economical and easy to manufacture and simple to assemble and use. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The foregoing, as well as other characteristic objectives and advances of our invention will be more apparent from the attached figures, wherein the number of similar references denote similar elements and where: Figure 1 is a top view of one mode of our valve assembly when it comes off; Figure 2 is an elevation view of a set of valves of Figure 1 when detached; Figure 3 is a top view of one embodiment of our valve assembly when engaged; Figure 4 is an elevation view of the valve assembly of Figure 3 when engaged; Figure 5 is a sectional view on line 5-5 of Figure 1; Figure 6 is a sectional view on line 6-6 of Figure 3; Figure 7 is a sectional view of an alternate embodiment of our valve assembly when it comes off; Figure 8 is a detailed view taken at 8-8 of Figures 7 and 10; Figure 9 is a detailed view taken at 9-9 in Figure 11; Figure 10 is a sectional elevation view of our alternate mode, when initially coupled; Figure 11 is a sectional elevation view of our alternate mode when fully coupled; Figure 12 is a sectional view of an alternate form of one of our valve assemblies; Figure 13 is a perspective view of a cartridge, partially cut away to show a bag, bag neck and first valve assembly; Figure 14 is a partially exploded view of the cartridge of Figure 13 showing a cover of the cartridge cut from the container; and Figure 15 is a perspective view of a system for handling cartridges. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIGS. 1 to 6 show one embodiment of a set of valves 10 of our invention. The valve assembly 10 may comprise a first set of valves 12 and a second set of valves 14. As illustrated in Fig. 5, the assemblies 12, 14 may be coupled to connect the first and second attached container systems Cx and C2. The Cx system has a first opening A, where the assembly 12 is mounted. The system C2 has a second opening B, where the assembly 14 is mounted. The valve assembly 12 comprises a first body member 16; a plurality of gates for fluid inlet 18 to receive fluid from system d; a hollow piston 20 is slidable within the body member 16 from a first position that closes the entry gates 18 as illustrated in Figure 5, to a second position that opens the entry gates 18 as illustrated in Figure 6; and a spring member 22 that is captured between the body 16 and piston 20 to normally direct the piston 20, to close the gates 18. For ease of manufacture, the gates 18 can be located as pairs on opposite sides of the body 16, as shown in FIG. indicated in Figures 1 and 4. The valve assembly 14 may comprise a second body member 24, although the member 24 is not required to practice the invention. An elongated horn member 26 is concentrically positioned within the body member 24. The horn member 26 comprises a longitudinal channel 28 having a plurality of radial fluid inlet gates, 30 for receiving fluids from the Cl t system and one end of open outlet 32 to supply the received fluid to system C2. The entry gates 30 are placed in a closed end portion 34 of the channel 28. A movable locking member 36, preferably a sleeve, is slidably mounted telescopically around the horn member 26, to selectively open and close the gates of inlet 30. A pair of resilient O-rings 37 provide a seal between member 36 and the horn 26 on both sides of the inlet gates 30. A spring member 38, captured between the block members 36 and a shoulder 26 , bases normally of the block member 36 to the position of Figure 5, where the entry gates 30 close or lock. A radial flange 35 in the sleeve 36 couples the member 24, to limit the movement of the sleeve. When the opening A and the valve assembly 12 move towards the opening B and the valve assembly 14 of the system C2, a flared lip 39 of the first body member 16 engages an exposed lip 40 in the block member 36. The movement continuous causes the block member 36 to retract the position of Figure 6, thereby opening the 30 input gates. At the same time, the horn member 26 engages and displaces the piston 20 in the position of Figure 6, thereby opening the inlet gates 18. The inlet gates 18 are then opposite open inlet gates 30, thereby forming a fluid type trajectory from the system through channel 28 to system C2. To detach the valve assemblies 12, 14, and terminate the fluid flow between the systems Cx and C2, the opening A moves away from the opening B. The body member 16 of the valve assembly 12, is thus removed coupling with the locking member 36 which then moves under the influence of spring 38 to close the inlet gates 30. As the horn member 26 disengages from the valve assembly 12, the piston 20 is released to move under the influence of the spring 22 to close the inlet gates 18. In this latter position, a pair of radial stops 41 on the piston member 20 engage the bottom surfaces of a pair of slots 42 that are provided through a side wall of the member body 16, thereby preventing further movement of the piston 20. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other stop means may be employed. In this way, fluid flow is avoided between systems Cx, C2. Figures 7 to 11 illustrate an alternative embodiment of our invention. A valve assembly 50 comprises a first set of valves 52, which is selectively engageable with a second set of valves 54. The system Cx is illustrated as comprising a plastic bag 56 adapted with an essentially cylindrical spout 58, having a central bore. 60. A valve cover body 62 that can be made from any convenient injection moldable plastic, such as high density polyethylene, includes an outer circumferential shoulder 64, which engages the end of the spigot 58, when the valve assembly 52 is fully inserted into the bore 60. A central boom 66 extends axially in the door 62 in the bore 60. In the embodiment of FIGS. 7 to 11 a radially and circumferentially extending groove 68 is provided in the wall of the bore. perforation 60. Upon complete insertion of the body 62 into the perforation 60, the slot 68 engages a radial and circumferentially extended detent lip 70 in the relief 66, to secure the body 62 in the perforation 60. An additional assembly is illustrated in Figure 2, which will be discussed briefly. An external thread 74 is provided in the body 62 to facilitate coupling with the valve assembly 54, as will be briefly explained. Concentric with the threads 74, the body 62 includes an end surface 76 to which a metal foil seal, (not shown) can be applied before the valve assembly 52 engages the spigot 58. A screw cap, also not illustrated may be installed to protect this metallic foil seal to provide added leak insurance, after the bag valve 56 is filled. A coupling bore 78 extends in the body 62 concentrically with the threads 74 and includes a plurality of tapered stiffening reinforcements 80. At its end opposite the surface 76, the bore 78 is provided with a smaller bore hole to define a shoulder 82. On the shoulder 82, as illustrated, the body 62 includes an axially extending central valve cylinder 84, having an inner bore 86 concentric with the shoulder 82. A hollow piston 88 is slidably mounted on the perforation 86 and directed towards the shoulder 82 by a spring 90, captured between the cylinder 84 and the piston 88. To prevent the piston 88 from being ejected from the perforation 86 by the spring 80, as illustrated in Figure 8, a shoulder extending radially outwardly 92, is provided in the piston 88 and a radially extending shoulder or detent 94, is provided in the perforation 86. A slight interference fit 11 is sufficient to prevent the spring 90 from forcing the piston out, but not so much to prevent insertion of the piston during assembly. As best seen in Figure 9, to provide adequate coupling between the piston 88 and the valve assembly 54, the closed end of the piston is provided with a circumferentially and axially extending lip 96. Similarly, an end surface of a base disc 128 in a seal head 126, discussed in detail below, has a circumferential surface 98 that can seat against the lip 96, thereby preventing fluid from entering the space between the piston 88 and a seal head 126. Finally, the piston 88 is movable within the bore 86 from the position of Figure 7 where a plurality of gates for fluid inlet 100 are closed or blocked by the piston, to the position of Figure 11, where the piston it has been raised over the gates 100. FIG. 12 illustrates an alternate form of layer body 62. The central liner 66 is elongated to extend over and including gates for fluid inlet. 100. On the detent lip 70, and on opposite sides of the gates 100, there are radially and circumferentially extending detent lips 71 and 72, which are axially spaced to allow the lip 71 to engage the slot 68 when the lip 72 is coupled to the spigot end 58 as illustrated. The lips 71, 72 allow the valve assembly 52 to be initially installed as illustrated in Figure 12, before the Cx system has been filled. When filling is to be carried out, the assembly 52 can be easily removed from the position of Figure 12. After the filling is completed the assembly 52 can be fully inserted into the bore 60, until the lip 70 engages the groove 68. to avoid the subsequent easy removal of the assembly 52. To allow the flow of the system fluid Cn. through the inlet gates 100, however the lip 71 preferably the liner 66 should be provided with notches or recesses, not illustrated to allow flow past the lip 71 to the gates 100. A relief gate 101 is preferably provided. at the upper end of valve cylinder 84. The valve assembly 54 comprises a screw cap 102 which can be made from any convenient injection moldable plastic, such as high density polyethylene. The cap 102 includes an internal thread 104 for engaging the thread 74 during the coupling of the valve assemblies. An axially extending cover 106 is provided with a central bore 108 into which an elongated horn member 111 is placed. Threads 112 on the horn member couple a pair of nuts 114, 116 on both sides of the cover 106 for secure the assembly. A central bore 118 in the horn member 110 extends to a closed end 120, which is provided with a plurality of radial fluid inlet gates 122, as best seen in Figure 9. On its outer surface near the closed end 120, the horn member includes a radial seal retaining flange 124. On the flange 124 held by resilient tightening is a seal cup 126 which can be made from any suitable resilient seal material, such as a rubber of sylicon. The head 126 comprises a circular perforated base disc 128 which couples the end surface of the horn member. Integrally molding with the base disc 128 is a cylindrical wall 130, which adjusts by clamping on the flange 124. A plurality of radial fluid inlet gates 132 is provided through the wall 130, as opposed to placing the gates 100. , as best seen in Figure 9. Further spaced on the trunnion member, is a retention flange extending radially outwardly outwardly 134. Mounted slidably on the trunnion member is a locking member or sleeve 136, having a stop flange extending radially inwardly 138 to engage the flange 134 under the influence of a spring 140 that is captured between the flange 138 and the nut 114. A hose fitting 142 is provided at the open end of the member of horn 110, for easy connection of a hose for fluid supply 144 connected to system C2. Alternatively, the horn member 110 can be mounted directly to the associated apparatus, simply by removing the threaded cap 102 and mounting the horn member in the frame of the apparatus, not shown. In operation of the alternating mode, the valve assembly 52 engages with the valve assembly 54, as illustrated in Figure 10. Continuous movement causes the sleeve 136 to begin to retract downwardly from the horn member and at the same time. The piston 88 moves upwardly in the borehole 86. Threads 74, 104, eventually, may be coupled and rotated relatively to bring the valve assemblies to the fully coupled condition of FIG. 11. Fluid flow is then allowed from the system sequentially through the gates 100, gates 132, gates 122, on the perforation 118 and through the hose of the system C2. To loosen the systems d, the threads 74, 104 are relatively rotated to return to the condition of Figure 10. During engagement, the gates 132 are discovered by the locking member 136 and again covered by the inner bore 86, just before the gates 100 are discovered by the piston 88, thus preventing leakage. During detachment, the sequence is inverted, also avoiding leakage. As schematically illustrated in Figures 5 and 13 to 15, the system d can be a flexible bag having a neck portion 44 surrounding an opening 46 in the bag. A cover member 48 can be removably mounted to the neck portion 44 to retain valve assembly 12, the cover member has a central opening for access to the valve assembly 12. Any arrangement can be incorporated into a cartridge, such as a rigid container 150. The container 150 comprises an openable body portion 151, a cover 152 for closing the openable body portion 151 and an interior compartment 154 for containing multiple plastic bags in the body portion 151. The openings 156 are provided in the cover 152 to accommodate the neck portion 44 of the plastic bag. Figure 15 shows a way to use the valve assembly 10 or 50 of the invention, in a rigid container 150. The rigid container 150 is first illustrated in a vertical position ready to be placed by, for example inclined towards and inside (denoted by arrows) a machine having a second container system. The replenishment of fluids between the system d formed by the rigid container 150 and the system C2 of the machine is completed in the manner already described. Our invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations in the modifications may be made within the scope of this invention. List of parts 10 ... Set of valves 12 ... First set of valves 14 ... Second set of valves Ci ... First container system C2 ... Second container system A .... First opening in Cx B .... Second opening in C2 16 ... First body member 18 ... Fluid inlet gate in 16 20 ... Hollow piston in 16 22 ... Spring 24 ... second member of body 26 ... Horn member 28 ... Longitudinal channel at 26 30 ... Gate for radial fluid entry 26 32. .. Open end of 28 34 ... First closed end of 28 35 ... Radial flange on 36 36 ... Block member 37 ... O-ring 38 ... Spring 40 ... Exposed lip of 36 41 ... Radial stops in 20 42 ... Axial grooves in 16 44 ... Portion of neck 46 ... Opening 48 Cover 50 ... Set of alternating valves 52 ... First set of valves 54 .. Second set of valves 56 ... Plastic bag 58 ... 56 56 ... spigot ... Center perforations in 58 62 ... Cover valve body 64 ... Shoulder in 62 66 ... Central relief that it extends axially in 62 68 ... Groove that extends circumferentially and radially in 60 70 ... Lip that extends circumferentially and radially in 66 71 ... Lip that extends circumferentially and radially in 66 72 ... Lip that it extends circumferentially and radially in 66 74 ... External thread in 62 76 ... End surface of 62 78 ... Coupling drilling in 62 80 ... Reinforcement of 78 82 ... Shoulder ac annular opening 84 ... Valve cylinder extension 62 86 ... Internal perforation at 84 88 ... Hollow piston 90 ... Spring 92 ... Circumferential shoulder on 88 94 ... Circumferential shoulder seal on 86 96 ... Circumferential lip at the end of 88 98 ... Circumferential seating surface at 128 100 .. Damper for fluid intake through 88 101 .. Relief damper at 84 102 .. Screw cap 104 .. Top internal thread 106 .. Cover 112 112 .. Drilling through 106 110 .. Horn member 112 .. Threads in 110 114, 116 ... Retention nuts 118 .. Central drilling through 110 120 .. End closed from 118 122 .. Gate for radial fluid inlet in 110 124 .. External radial retainer flange in 110 126 .. Seal head 128 .. Circular perforated base disc of 126 130. . Cylindrical wall dependent on 126 132 .. Damper for radial fluid inlet on 126 134 .. External radial retention flange on 110 136. . Block member or sleeve 138 .. Internal radial flange at 136 140 .. Spring between 114 and 136 142 .. Hose accessory 144 .. Hose 150 .. Rigid container 151 .. Body portion 152. . Cover 154 .. Interior compartment 156. . Opening at 152

Claims (9)

1. CLAIMS 1.- Set of valves for collecting first and second container systems, the first container system has a first opening and the second container system has a second opening, the assembly comprising: a first valve assembly, placed in the first opening, the first valve assembly comprises a body member, a gate for entering the fluid, in the body member for receiving fluids from the first container system, a piston slidable within the body member from a first position closing the valve gate. inlet, to a second position that opens the closed inlet gate, and a spring member, which normally directs a piston to the first position; a second set of valves, placed in the second opening, the second set of valves comprises a horn member, the horn member comprises a channel, having an inlet end, for receiving fluid from the fluid inlet gate in the body member and an outlet end, for supplying the fluid received to the second container system, to the inlet end is placed in a first end position of the horn member, a locking member, movable relative to the trunk member from a first position closing the entry end to a second position opening the entry end, and a second spring member, which normally directs the locking member to the position closing the entry end; where the first opening moves to the second opening, the first member of the first valve assembly engages and moves the locking member thereby opening the inlet end of the horn member, and the horn member displaces the piston in the position opening the inlet gate, the open inlet gate then in fluid communication with the open inlet end, thereby forming a channel for open fluid flow between the first container system and the second container system; and when the first opening is moved away from the second opening, the body member is removed from the trunk member, the locking member moves to close the entry end, and the trunk member is detached from the piston, to allow the piston slides to the position closing the inlet gate, thereby preventing fluid flow between the first and second container systems.
2. 2. Set of valves as described in claim 1, wherein the locking member is a sleeve member that circumvents the input end of the horn member and movable from the position that closes the entry end to the position that open the entry end.
3. 3. Valve assembly as described in claim 2, wherein the first valve assembly is placed in a flexible bag so that it is transferred to a fluid.
4. 4. - Valve assembly as described in claim 3, wherein the flexible bag is circumscribed in a substantially rigid housing assembly.
5. 5. Valve assembly as described in claim 1, wherein the flexible bag comprises a spout having a central bore, in which the body member is installed, the bore comprises a circumferential groove and the body member comprises a pair of axially spaced lips, extending circumferentially, for coupling the groove, whereby the body member can be inserted partially into the bore until one of the lips engages the groove or is inserted completely into the bore until the other of the lips fit into the slot.
6. 6. Set of valves as described in claim 5, wherein the gate to enter the fluid, is between the lips.
7. 7. Valve assembly as described in claim 1, wherein it further comprises at least one seal between the horn member and the locking member.
8. 8. Set of valves as described in claim 1, wherein the locking member is a sleeve member, which encircles the inlet end of the horn member and the seal comprises a base disc that couples the first end portion and a perforated cylindrical wall extending from the base disc plus beyond the entrance end, the cylindrical wall extends between the horn member and the sleeve member.
9. 9. A method for controlling the flow of fluid between the first and second container systems, the first system having a first opening and a second system having a second opening, the method comprising the steps of: providing a first assembly for control of flow, placed in the first opening, the first set for flow control comprises a body member, a gate for fluid inlet in the body member, a slideable piston within the body member to open and close the inlet gate, and a spring member, which normally directs the piston to a position that closes the inlet gate; providing a second fluid control assembly, positioned in the second opening, the second flow control member comprising a horn member, having a through channel, with an inlet end and an outlet end, a blocking member, movable relative to the horn member, for opening and closing the inlet end and a spring member, for directing the locking member to a position closing the inlet end; displacing the first opening towards the second opening, such that the body member engages and moves the locking member to open the inlet end and the horn member after the piston, thereby placing the fluid inlet port in fluid communication with the through channel, to allow fluid flow between the first and second container systems; and withdrawing the first container system away from the second container system, such that the body member of the first flow control assembly is removed to allow the locking member to close the through channel, and the horn member reflects to allowing the piston to close the inlet gate, thereby preventing fluid flow between the first and second container systems.