Low flow pressure check valve

Abstract

The check valve (106) includes a valve body (200) formed of an elastic material, the valve body having an inlet side (210) and an outlet side (212). The valve body includes a rim (202) that forms the outer circumference of the valve body and a hinge portion (204) having an annular groove formed radially inward of the rim and adjacent to the rim, on the inlet side of the valve body. The valve body also includes a plurality of lips (208) formed at the center of the valve body by one or more slits extending radially outward from the center of the valve body toward the hinge. The hinge portion is coplanar with the plurality of lips when in the closed position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross - Reference to Related Applications This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 140,952, filed Apr. 28, 2023. The disclosure of the prior application is considered to be a part of the disclosure of this application and is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field This application relates to distributing fluids.

Background Art

[0002] Background Fluid distribution systems can include a fluid source and a valve to control the flow of the fluid. For example, a fluid reservoir can be located above the valve, in which case the valve can be a check valve and provides a stop against the pressure from the head of the reservoir. Alternatively, the reservoir can be located below the valve, and the valve provides a stop against negative pressure. There are a wide range of fluids with different thermophysical and transport properties that can be distributed through such systems.

[0003] In such systems, various valve shapes can be used, but each produces undesirable effects. For example, a duckbill valve does not provide a check pressure against forward flow pressure. There is no force acting on the lip of the duckbill valve to keep them in contact with each other, resulting in the possibility of accumulation of fluid coagulated outside the valve lip. In the case of umbrella valves and mushroom valves, the output flow is radial with respect to the supply tube, which requires redirecting the flow towards the user's container. Such flow redirecting elements downstream of the valve have the potential to accumulate fluid that can coagulate.

[0004] As another example, a cruciform valve uses a disc of relatively thick elastic material, and a cross-cut made by a knife creates four valve lips extending radially from the axis that bend and open under flow pressure. However, such a valve cannot have both low high flow pressure and high opening check pressure. A dome valve is similar to a cruciform valve but has a domed central portion with a cross-cut to form the valve lips. However, the valve does not work well with low viscosity fluids because the dome inversion is not always perfectly symmetrical, which results in the fluid jet being ejected radially from the valve lips both when the valve opens and again when the valve closes. A further problem with dome valves is that if the amount of reverse flow is not precisely controlled, air can be drawn through the valve in a reverse flow state while the valve is closed. This is often undesirable because the intrusion of air through the valve can cause bacterial contamination of the air and oxidation of the fluid. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] For fluid distribution systems, valves with improved flow characteristics are desirable. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] summary This disclosure describes systems and methods for distributing fluids.

[0007] In one embodiment, the check valve includes a valve body formed of an elastic material, the valve body having an inlet side and an outlet side, a rim forming the outer circumference of the valve body, a hinge portion including an annular groove formed radially inward of the rim and adjacent to the rim on the inlet side of the valve body, and a plurality of lips formed at the center of the valve body by one or more slits extending radially outward from the center of the valve body toward the hinge, the hinge portion being coplanar with the plurality of lips when in the closed position.

[0008] In one embodiment, the distribution system includes a reservoir, an inlet and an outlet, the inlet being a pump fluidly coupled to the reservoir, and a valve fluidly coupled to the outlet of the pump, the valve comprising a valve body formed of an elastic material, the valve body having an inlet side and an outlet side, the valve body including a rim that forms the outer circumference of the valve body, a hinge portion including an annular groove formed radially inward of the rim and adjacent to the rim on the inlet side of the valve body, and a plurality of lips formed at the center of the valve body by one or more slits extending radially outward from the center of the valve body toward the hinge, the lips extending at least from the center toward the hinge, the surface including the hinge being flat on the outlet side of the valve body.

[0009] In one embodiment, a method for distributing fluid includes opening a valve by providing fluid pressure to the inlet side of the valve, wherein the fluid pressure is greater than the check pressure of the valve; distributing fluid through the valve; and closing the valve by providing negative pressure to the inlet side of the valve.

[0010] In one embodiment, the valve includes a valve body formed of an elastic material, the valve body having an inlet side, an outlet side including a flat surface, a rim having a first thickness and forming the outer circumference of the valve body, a hinge portion having a second thickness and positioned inside the rim and adjacent to the rim, the hinge portion defining a pivot point positioned closer to the outlet side than to the inlet side, and a plurality of lips having a third thickness greater than the second thickness, the plurality of lips formed at the center of the valve body by one or more slits extending radially outward from the center of the valve body toward the hinge portion.

[0011] Embodiments of these aspects may include one or more of the following features:

[0012] In some embodiments, the surface extends at least from the center to the hinge, and the surface including the hinge is flat on the outlet side of the valve body.

[0013] In some embodiments, the annular groove may be triangular, square, pentagonal, or hexagonal in shape.

[0014] In some embodiments, the thickness of the hinge portion is less than the thickness of the multiple lips. In some cases, the annular groove defines the hinge points of the multiple lips, which are offset from the vertical center of the valve body toward the outlet side of the valve body.

[0015] In some embodiments, the check pressure of the check valve is determined by the offset distance between the hinge points of the multiple lips and the midpoint of the thickness of the multiple lips. In some cases, the offset distance is determined by the depth of the annular groove.

[0016] In some embodiments, these features include an annular seal bead protruding from the inlet edge of the valve body.

[0017] In some embodiments, these embodiments include a closed position in which the edges of the multiple lips are in the same plane as the valve body, preventing fluid communication through the valve, and an open position in which the multiple lips are swung outward from the valve body, allowing fluid communication from the inlet side to the outlet side, wherein the pressure required to maintain the check valve in the open position is less than the check pressure of the check valve.

[0018] In some embodiments, these embodiments further include a ring defining a central opening within the ring, the ring being connected to the outlet of the pump, and the edge of the valve being held between the ring and the outlet of the pump.

[0019] In some embodiments, the valve provides a check pressure against forward flow, and this check pressure is greater than the hydrostatic pressure from the fluid in the reservoir when the reservoir is full.

[0020] In some embodiments, the pump provides sufficient pressure to open the valve.

[0021] In some embodiments, these aspects include a closed position where the edges of the plurality of lips are in the same plane as the valve body and prevent fluid communication through the valve, and an open position where the plurality of lips are swung outward from the valve body to allow fluid communication from the inlet side to the outlet side. When transitioning from the closed position to the open position, the edges of the plurality of lips are compressed on the inlet side of the valve body.

[0022] In some cases, the valve is configured to transition from the open position to the closed position in response to a negative pressure on the inlet side. In some cases, when the valve transitions from the open position to the closed position, air is not entrained into the reservoir.

[0023] In some embodiments, the valve and the pump are integrated with the reservoir as a single-use item.

[0024] In some embodiments, the reverse check pressure of the valve is determined by the inner diameter of the outlet of the pump.

[0025] In some embodiments, these aspects further include a backing washer having an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the outlet of the pump. The backing washer is disposed between the outlet of the pump and the inlet side of the valve body, and the reverse check pressure of the valve is determined by the inner diameter of the backing washer.

[0026] In some embodiments, closing the valve includes providing a negative pressure by reversing the direction of fluid flow.

[0027] In some embodiments, distributing the fluid includes a fluid flow pressure lower than the check pressure of the valve.

[0028] In some embodiments, closing the valve does not introduce air through the valve.

[0029] In some embodiments, closing the valve includes closing the valve symmetrically.

[0030] In some embodiments, closing the valve includes the valve closing off the fluid being distributed without dripping.

[0031] In some embodiments, the third thickness increases from the hinge portion towards the center of the valve body.

[0032] Certain embodiments of the subject matter described herein may be implemented to achieve one or more of the following advantages: The check valve may provide a high check pressure and a low flow pressure at high flow rates. The check valve may be closed without introducing air into the fluid reservoir, reducing the risk of contaminating the fluid in the reservoir. The check valve may be closed without dripping, preventing accumulation on the outlet side of the valve. The check valve may distribute fluids having a wide range of thermophysical and transport properties. The check valve may open and close in a symmetrical manner, preventing accidental fluid jets and sprays from the reservoir when opening and closing. The check valve may have different opening and closing check pressures. The thick valve lip of the check valve may deform locally around particles (such as seeds or fibers) when in the closed position, still forming a seal.

[0033] Details of one or more embodiments of the subject matter described herein are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and the following description. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter will become apparent from the specification, drawings, and claims. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0034] [Figure 1A] This is a diagram illustrating an exemplary fluid distribution system. [Figure 1B] This is a diagram illustrating an exemplary fluid distribution system. [Figure 2A]This figure shows an exemplary valve for distributing fluid in the closed position. [Figure 2B] This figure shows an exemplary valve for distributing fluid in the closed position. [Figure 3A] This figure shows an exemplary valve for distributing fluid in the open position. [Figure 3B] This figure shows an exemplary valve for distributing fluid in the open position. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary valve installed in a fluid distribution system. [Figure 5A] This is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary valve installed in a fluid distribution system using an alternative installation configuration. [Figure 5B] This is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary valve installed in a fluid distribution system using an alternative installation configuration. [Figure 6] This figure shows exemplary and modified versions of the valve in Figure 1, including different lip configurations. [Figure 7] This figure shows exemplary modified versions of the valve in Figure 1, including different annular groove shapes. [Figure 8A] This figure shows exemplary modified versions of the valve in Figure 1, including different annular groove shapes. [Figure 8B] This figure shows exemplary modified versions of the valve in Figure 1, including different annular groove shapes. [Figure 8C] This figure shows exemplary modified versions of the valve in Figure 1, including different annular groove shapes. [Figure 8D] This figure shows an exemplary modified version of the valve in Figure 1, including a lip with increased thickness. [Figure 9] This figure shows a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of distributing fluid using one of the exemplary valves disclosed herein. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0035] Similar reference symbols in various drawings indicate the same element. Detailed explanation Figures 1A and 1B show an exemplary system 100 for distributing a fluid. The system includes a fluid reservoir 102, a pump 104, and a valve 106. The fluid distribution system can be used to distribute a fluid into separate containers. For example, a fluid distribution system could be used in a supermarket, where consumers can transfer fluid products (e.g., condiments, beverages, soap, laundry detergent, etc.) from larger bulk containers into smaller containers. The system can be oriented in any direction. For example, the fluid reservoir 102 may be positioned above, below, or to the side of the valve 106. The valve 106 may provide a check pressure greater than the hydrostatic pressure from the fluid reservoir 102. The pump 104 may be, for example, a rotary pump. Furthermore, the pump 104 may provide a pressure large enough to overcome the check pressure and open the valve 106, and a vacuum pressure large enough to close the valve 106, in order to distribute the fluid from the reservoir 102.

[0036] Pump 104 can control the distribution of fluid. For example, pump 104 can distribute a specific amount of fluid. Pump 104 is connected to motor 108 via drive shaft 110. Pump 104 has an inlet 112 and an outlet 114. The inlet 112 of the pump may be fluidically coupled to a fluid reservoir 102, for example, via background 118. The outlet 114 of the pump is fluidically coupled to a valve 106. The valve 106 may be held to the outlet 114 of the pump by a retaining ring 120. The retaining ring 120 has a circular opening and an annular edge, allowing fluid to be distributed through valve 106 and through the center of the retaining ring 120. The forward direction of the fluid flow 122 is from the fluid reservoir to the inlet 112 of pump 104, from the inlet 112 through pump 104 to outlet 114, and from outlet 114 through valve 106. In some cases, the pump 104 may be able to pump fluid in the reverse direction, for example, by being rotated in the reverse direction. In some cases, a pipe, tube, or hose may be used to fluidically connect the pump outlet 114 to the valve 106.

[0037] In some embodiments, the fluid distribution system 100 may be provided as a disposable, single-use item, including a reservoir 102, a pump 104, and a valve 106. The fluid distribution system 100 may include an identifier, such as a barcode, QR code, or RFID tag, used to identify the type of fluid contained in the reservoir 102. The fluid distribution system 100 may be inserted into a container that identifies the system based on the identifier and, based on the identified fluid distribution system 100, activates pre-configured distribution parameters.

[0038] In some embodiments, the fluid distribution system 100 may be a squeeze bottle, and the valve 106 may be installed inside the cap of the squeeze bottle. With the valve 106 installed, the squeeze bottle can form a “drip-free” container. For example, when the squeeze bottle is crushed or compressed, the valve 106 may open symmetrically without forming any spray or droplets. When the squeeze bottle is released, a negative pressure is created on the inlet side of the valve 106, and the valve 106 closes symmetrically without forming any unwanted fluid jets, sprays, or droplets. The reverse check pressure of the valve may also prevent air from being drawn into the squeeze bottle if the vacuum pressure exerted by the squeeze bottle is lower than the reverse check pressure of the valve.

[0039] Figure 2A shows a cross-sectional view of an exemplary valve 106, and Figure 2B shows a plan view of an exemplary valve 106. The valve 106 includes a valve body 200 defining an edge portion 202, a hinge portion 204, and a central portion 206. Multiple valve lips 208 are formed on the central portion 206. The valve body 200 is formed from an elastic material. Examples of elastic materials include silicone rubber, polyurethane, rubber-modified polypropylene, natural rubber, and synthetic rubber such as EPDM. Desired properties are low creep, high elongation, high resilience, and inertness to the fluid being stopped. The valve body includes an inlet side 210 and an outlet side 212. The outlet side 212 may be flat. The hinge portion 204 and the valve lips 208 may be coplanar when the valve is in the closed position. For example, the thickness of the valve lip 208 may extend outward from the common plane with the hinge portion 204, although in some embodiments, at least a portion of the valve lip 208 in the radial direction is coplanar with the hinge portion 204. However, when the valve 106 opens (as shown in Figure 3A), the edge portion of the valve lip extends outward from the plane containing the hinge portion 208.

[0040] In some embodiments, the outlet side 212 may be slightly concave or slightly convex. The valve body 200 may be circular in plan view. In some embodiments, the outlet side 212 may be flat from the center 214 to the hinge portion 204. The edge portion 202, the hinge portion 204, and the central portion 206 have thicknesses 216, 228, and 224, respectively, measured between the inlet side 210 and the outlet side 212. The thickness 228 of the hinge portion 204 is smaller than the thicknesses 216 and 224 of the edge portion 202 and the central portion 206. In some examples, such as shown in Figure 2A, the central portion 206 is thicker than the edge portion 202.

[0041] The rim 202 forms the outer circumference of the valve body 200. The rim 202 has a thickness of 216. The hinge portion 204 is radially inward from the rim 202 and adjacent to the rim 202. The hinge portion 204 is defined by an annular groove 218. The annular groove 218 forms a pivot point 226 in the thin-walled portion 228 of the valve body 200 between the bottom of the annular groove 218 and the outlet side 212 of the valve 106. The annular groove 218 is formed on the inlet side 210 of the valve body 200, and an offset 220 exists between the midpoint 222 of the thickness 224 of the central portion 206 of the valve body 200 and the pivot point 226. The rim supports the thick central portion 206 via the thin hinge portion 204. The position of the pivot point 226 can be adjusted by adjusting the depth of the annular groove 218.

[0042] The central portion 206 includes a plurality of lips 208 defined by slits 230 and 232. In this example, slits 230 and 232 are of the same length. Slits 230 and 232 can be formed, for example, by a cross-cut with a knife. Slits 230 and 232 penetrate the entire distance through the valve body 200 from the inlet side 210 to the outlet side 212. In this example, four valve lips 208 are defined by slits 230 and 232. Slits 230 and 232 extend radially outward from the center 214 toward the hinge portion 204. In various examples, the valve 106 may have more or fewer valve lips 208.

[0043] The valve body has a closed position and an open position. In the closed position (shown in Figures 2A-2B), the valve lip 208 is aligned in the plane of the valve body 200, and the edges of the valve lip 208 formed at the locations of the slits 230 and 232 contact the valve, preventing fluid from passing through the valve. In the open position, the valve lip 208 bends outward at the hinge portion 204, forming an opening from which fluid can flow out. When the valve 106 moves from the closed position to the open position, the inlet side 210 of the valve lip 208 needs to be compressed as a result of the offset 220 between the midpoint 222 and the pivot point 226. The point of the valve lip 208 moves along the path shown by lines 234 and 236. The distance 238 between lines 234 and 236 represents the amount by which the valve lip 208 must be compressed during the transition from the closed position to the open position. The force required to compress the valve lip 208 determines the check pressure of the valve. The check pressure can be adjusted by adjusting the thickness 224 of the valve lip, by adjusting the diameter of the annular groove 218, by adjusting the depth of the annular groove 218, by adjusting the lengths of the slits 230 and 232, and / or by adjusting the stiffness of the elastic material of the valve body 200. The valve lip 208 is not compressed in either the open or closed position. The valve lip 208 passes through compression points during the transition from the closed position to the open position and during the transition from the open position to the closed position. In some examples, the uniformity of the shape of the valve lip 208 and the size of the slits 230, 232 allows the valve to open and close symmetrically (for example, the valve lip 208 opens and closes simultaneously).

[0044] After the point on the valve lip 208 passes the pivot point 226, the elastic material of the valve lip 208 may loosen. Further opening of the valve 106 may occur due to the flow pressure of the distributed fluid, the follow-through of the hinge portion 204, and / or the deformation of the valve lip 208. In the open position, a pressure less than the check pressure maintains the valve 106 in the open position. For example, the valve 106 may have a forward check pressure of 6-7 psi to transition from the closed position to the open position, and a total forward flow pressure of 2-3 psi may maintain the valve in the open position. In the open position, the valve 106 allows high flow rates at low flow pressure and low fluid velocity. In other examples, the valve 106 may have a forward check pressure of about 1.5 psi and a total forward flow pressure of about 0.6 psi. The total forward flow pressure may be influenced, for example, by the viscosity of the fluid flowing through the valve. In some cases, the total forward pressure of the fluid flow may be greater than the pressure required to keep the valve open and the valve check pressure.

[0045] Valve 106 can be used with fluids having a wide range of thermophysical and transport properties. For example, the valve can be used with both high-viscosity and low-viscosity fluids (e.g., viscosities in the range of 1 cP to 10,000 cP). The valve can also be used with fluids with high surface tension and fluids with low surface tension. The symmetrical opening and closing operation of the valve can prevent splashing or dripping during the opening and closing process, regardless of the properties of the fluid.

[0046] In the closed position, the thickness 224 of the valve lip 208 allows the valve lip 208 to deform locally around any particulate matter (such as seeds or fibers) suspended in the fluid that may adhere to the valve lip 208. The valve lip 208 forms a tight seal and, through local deformation, can provide check pressure in the presence of particulate matter.

[0047] Figures 3A-3B show an exemplary valve 106 in the open position. The tip 300 of the valve lip 208 is bent outward toward the outlet side 212, forming an opening 302 through the central portion 206 of the valve 106. The hinge portion 204 allows for the displacement of the valve lip 208. In the open position, the edge 202 may remain undeformed. The valve 106 can be maintained in the open position by the flow of fluid through the opening 302. The valve 106 can move from the open position to the closed position by reducing the flow pressure to a level below the pressure required to keep the valve lip 208 open. For example, the pressure can be reduced by decreasing the flow rate of fluid flowing through the opening 302. Negative or suction pressure can also be provided on the inlet side of the valve to move the valve from the open position to the closed position. For example, reversing the direction of fluid flow can provide the suction pressure to close the valve 106. In some embodiments, a pump in the fluid distribution system can quickly reverse the direction of flow to close the valve. In some embodiments, the retraction of the side wall of the squeeze bottle can provide suction pressure to close the valve 106. This dynamic closing action allows the valve 106 to be closed without dripping.

[0048] In some embodiments, the edge 202 includes a seal bead 304 on the inlet side 210 of the valve body 200. The seal bead 304 can provide a seal between the pump outlet (e.g., 114) and the valve 106 under low deformation conditions of the valve 106. The elastomer material can behave like a hydraulic fluid (e.g., compressing the elastomer in one place can result in the elastomer expanding elsewhere). A narrow seal bead, despite its small volume, has locally high compressive force to form a seal. In this way, deformation of the valve is limited, while a liquid-tight seal can be formed. Deformation of the valve 106 can also be limited by a retaining ring (e.g., retaining ring 120). The retaining ring can provide geometric stability to the valve 106. If the geometric stability of the valve 106 is not maintained (e.g., the valve deforms), the contact surface 308 of the valve lip 208 may be affected, thereby degrading the performance of the valve 106.

[0049] Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of an outlet 400 in an example of a fluid distribution system (e.g., 100). The outlet 400 includes a housing 402, a valve 404, and a retaining ring 406. The outlet 400 could be, for example, the outlet of a pump, and the housing 402 could be the pump housing. Other examples of the housing 402 include a pipe, hose, tube, reservoir housing, or a crushable bottle cap. The inlet side 408 of the valve 404 is compressed against the housing 402 by the retaining ring 406, forming a seal around the edge 410 of the valve 404. The housing 402 may include a seal bead 412. Alternatively, the edge 410 may include a seal bead (e.g., seal bead 304), in which case the seal bead 412 generates locally high interference pressure between the valve 404 and the housing 402, acting as a seal against flow pressure so that the fluid flow exits through the valve lip 414. The circular opening 415 in the retaining ring 406 has a diameter similar to the inner diameter 416 of the valve rim.

[0050] The compressive force required to seal the valve rim 410 to the housing 402 may transmit a force that causes deformation of the valve lip 414. This may result in the valve 404 leaking in the closed position, and / or, in a dynamic state, the valve lip 414 may close asymmetrically, with one lip riding up over the adjacent lip. In some embodiments, deformation of the valve lip 414 is prevented by providing a valve 404 with an outer diameter 417 that fits snugly to the inner diameter 418 of the housing 402, and ribs 420 formed in the housing 402 that fit snugly to the inner diameter 416 of the rim 410, so that the elastomer rim 410 is dimensionally constrained by the rigid housing 402 and ribs 420. The valve 404 can transition symmetrically from the open position to the closed position, and in the reverse direction, without introducing or entrapping air through the valve.

[0051] Valve 404 may have a lower opening pressure (e.g., reverse check pressure) in reverse flow conditions than in forward flow conditions. The lower reverse check pressure is due to the position of the hinge point 430 relative to the outlet side 432 of the valve lip 414. In some embodiments, a higher opening pressure may be desired in reverse flow conditions, for example, when a cleaning fluid is injected under pressure into the downstream tube near the outlet side 432 of the valve 404 to clean the downstream tube. As the cleaning fluid passes through valve 404, it may contaminate the fluid in the reservoir. The length of the rib 420 in the housing 402 can prevent the valve from opening in the reverse direction to some extent. To further increase the reverse check pressure, an upstream orifice or backing washer with a smaller inner diameter may be inserted adjacent to the inlet side 408 of valve 404 and overlapping the outer portion of the valve lip 208. The orifice or backing washer may support the valve lip 414. A smaller orifice in the washer results in a higher reverse flow check pressure.

[0052] Figure 5A shows a cross-sectional view of an exemplary outlet 500 of a fluid distribution system (e.g., 100). The outlet 500 includes a housing 502 with an outlet orifice 504, a valve 506 adjacent to the outlet orifice 504, and an annular ring 508 that holds the valve 506 against the outlet orifice 504 to form a liquid-tight seal. The outlet orifice 504 has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the valve lip 512. In this configuration, the outlet orifice 504 supports the inlet side 514 of the valve lip 512 and increases the reverse check pressure to open the valve 506 in the reverse flow state. The diameter of the outlet orifice 504 has an inversely proportional effect on the reverse check pressure. For example, decreasing the diameter of the outlet orifice 504 would increase the reverse check flow pressure, while increasing the diameter would decrease the reverse check pressure.

[0053] Figure 5B shows a cross-sectional view of an exemplary outlet 550 of a fluid distribution system, with a backing washer 552 inserted between the outlet orifice 554 of the housing 556 and the inlet side 558 of the valve 560. The use of the backing washer 552 can allow for the adaptation of the reverse check pressure depending on the specific application and the fluid being distributed. Similar to the diameter of the outlet orifice, the inner diameter of the backing washer 552 is inversely proportional to the reverse check pressure.

[0054] Figure 6 shows a plan view of an exemplary valve 600 including six valve lips 602. The annular rim 604 and hinge portion 606 of the valve body 608 may retain the same shape as described above with respect to other exemplary valves. In this example, the six valve lips 602 are defined by three cross-cuts or slits 610. In some embodiments, a valve may have more than six valve lips. In some cases, a valve may have an odd number of valve lips. The advantage of increasing the number of valve lips is a larger opening when the valve is in the open position. There is a trade-off between having a larger opening and the valve maintaining a symmetrical closing motion, because more and smaller tips of the valve lips 602 may increase the possibility of valve lips overlapping with adjacent valve lips while closing.

[0055] Figure 7 shows a plan view of an exemplary valve 700, including six valve lips 702 and a hexagonal annular groove 704 within a hinge portion 706. The valve body 708 in this example is still circular. The advantage of the annular groove with a straight section 710, as shown by the hexagonal annular groove 704, is more precise control of the oscillation of the valve lips 702 when the valve is opened. The straight section 710 can be used with any number of valve lips. In some embodiments, the thickness of the elastic material in the hinge portion 706 can be adjusted to change the flow pressure required to keep the valve 700 open. To reduce valve warping and deformation, as described in relation to Figure 4, the outlet housing may be provided with a circular outer diameter and hexagonal ribs that conform to the shape of the valve 700.

[0056] Figures 8A-8C show exemplary valve configurations with different numbers of valve lips. Figure 8A shows an exemplary valve 800 having a circular valve body 802, three valve lips 804, and an annular groove 806 with three triangular-shaped straight sections 808. Figure 8B shows an exemplary valve 810 having four valve lips 804 and four straight sections 808 defining a square annular groove 806. Figure 8C shows an exemplary valve 820 having a circular valve body 802 and five valve lips 804. The five straight sections 808 define a pentagonal annular groove 806.

[0057] Figure 8D shows a cross-section of an exemplary valve 830. In this example, the multiple valve lips 832 have a first thickness 834 near the hinge portion 836. The thickness of the multiple valve lips 832 increases from the hinge portion 836 towards the center 838 of the valve 830. The center 838 of the valve has a second thickness 840, which is greater than the first thickness 834.

[0058] Figure 9 is a flowchart of an exemplary method 900 for distributing fluid. The valve is opened by providing fluid pressure on the inlet side of the valve (step 905). The fluid pressure is greater than the check pressure of the valve in order for the valve to open. The fluid pressure may be provided, for example, from a pump in the distribution system. In some embodiments, the fluid pressure may be provided by increasing the pressure in the fluid reservoir, for example, by crushing the fluid reservoir. The fluid is distributed through the valve (step 910). The flow pressure required to keep the valve open may, in some embodiments, be lower than the check pressure of the valve. A high flow rate may be maintained during the distribution step. The valve is closed by providing suction pressure on the inlet side of the valve (step 915). The suction pressure may be generated by reducing the flow pressure to a pressure below the pressure required to keep the valve in the open position. The suction pressure may be generated by reversing the direction of flow. The valve may be closed symmetrically to prevent undesirable jets or sprays. In some embodiments, the valve closes the distributed fluid without dripping. In some cases, the valve may close without introducing air through the valve in the reverse direction of flow.

[0059] Several embodiments of these systems and methods have been described. However, it will be understood that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Therefore, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A check valve comprising a valve body formed from an elastic material, the valve body having an inlet side and an outlet side, The edge portion forming the outer circumference of the valve body, A hinge portion having an annular groove formed on the inlet side of the valve body, adjacent to the edge and radially inward of the edge, A check valve comprising a plurality of lips formed at the center of the valve body by one or more slits extending radially outward from the center of the valve body toward the hinge, wherein the hinge portion is coplanar with the plurality of lips when in the closed position.

2. A check valve according to claim 1, characterized in that at least the surface extending from the center to the hinge, including the hinge, is flat on the outlet side of the valve body.

3. A check valve according to claim 1, wherein the annular groove is triangular, square, pentagonal, or hexagonal in shape.

4. A check valve according to claim 1, characterized in that the thickness of the hinge portion is smaller than the thickness of the plurality of lips.

5. A check valve according to claim 4, wherein the annular groove defines the hinge points of the plurality of lips, which are offset from the vertical center of the valve body toward the outlet side of the valve body.

6. A check valve according to claim 1, wherein the check pressure of the check valve is determined by the offset distance between the hinge points of the plurality of lips and the midpoint of the thickness of the plurality of lips.

7. A check valve according to claim 6, wherein the offset distance is determined by the depth of the annular groove.

8. A check valve according to claim 1, further comprising an annular seal bead protruding from the edge of the valve body on the inlet side.

9. A check valve according to claim 1, further, The plurality of lips are provided with an open position that allows fluid to pass from the inlet side to the outlet side, by swinging outward from the valve body. A check valve characterized in that the pressure required to maintain the check valve in the open position is less than the check pressure of the check valve.

10. A distribution system, wherein the distribution system is Reservoir and, A pump having an inlet and an outlet, wherein the inlet is fluidly coupled to the reservoir, A valve fluidly coupled to the outlet of the pump, wherein the valve is A valve body formed from an elastic material, wherein the valve body has an inlet side and an outlet side, The edge portion forming the outer circumference of the valve body, A hinge portion having an annular groove formed on the inlet side of the valve body, adjacent to the edge and radially inward of the edge, The valve body comprises a plurality of lips formed at the center of the valve body by one or more slits extending radially outward from the center of the valve body toward the hinge, A distribution system comprising: a valve, the valve having an extension at least from the center to the hinge, the surface including the hinge being flat on the outlet side of the valve body.

11. A distribution system according to claim 10, further comprising a ring defining a central opening within the ring, wherein the ring is connected to the outlet of the pump, and the edge of the valve is held between the ring and the outlet of the pump.

12. A distribution system according to claim 10, wherein the valve provides a check pressure for forward flow, and the check pressure is greater than the hydrostatic pressure from the fluid in the reservoir when the reservoir is full.

13. A distribution system according to claim 10, wherein the pump provides sufficient pressure to open the valve.

14. A distribution system according to claim 10, wherein the valve is The edges of the plurality of lips are on the same plane as the valve body, and there is a closed position that prevents fluid communication through the valve, The plurality of lips are swung outward from the valve body, and an open position is provided which allows fluid communication from the inlet side to the outlet side. A distribution system characterized in that the edges of the plurality of lips on the inlet side of the valve body are compressed when transitioning from the closed position to the open position.

15. A distribution system according to claim 14, wherein the valve is configured to move from the open position to the closed position in response to a negative pressure on the inlet side.

16. A distribution system according to claim 15, characterized in that when the valve moves from the open position to the closed position, air is not mixed into the reservoir.

17. A distribution system according to claim 10, characterized in that the valve and the pump are integrated with the reservoir as single-use items.

18. A distribution system according to claim 10, characterized in that the reverse check pressure of the valve is determined by the inner diameter of the outlet of the pump.

19. The system according to claim 10, further, A distribution system characterized by comprising a backing washer having an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the outlet of the pump, wherein the backing washer is positioned between the outlet of the pump and the inlet side of the valve body, and the reverse check pressure of the valve is determined by the inner diameter of the backing washer.

20. A method for distributing a fluid, wherein the method is Opening the valve by providing fluid pressure to the inlet side of the valve, wherein the fluid pressure is greater than the check pressure of the valve, Distributing the fluid through the valve, A method characterized by including closing the valve by providing negative pressure to the inlet side of the valve.

21. A method according to claim 20, characterized in that closing the valve provides the negative pressure by reversing the direction of fluid flow.

22. A method according to claim 20, characterized in that the distribution of the fluid is performed using a fluid flow pressure smaller than the check pressure of the valve.

23. A method according to claim 20, characterized in that closing the valve prevents air from being introduced through the valve.

24. A method according to claim 20, characterized in that closing the valve comprises closing the valve symmetrically.

25. A method according to claim 20, characterized in that closing the valve includes closing the valve so that the fluid being distributed does not drip.

26. A valve comprising a valve body formed from an elastic material, Entrance side, The outlet side has a flat surface, Having a first thickness, the edge portion forms the outer circumference of the valve body, A hinge portion having a second thickness and positioned on the inner side of the edge, adjacent to the edge, wherein the hinge portion defines a pivot point positioned closer to the exit side than to the entrance side, A valve comprising a plurality of lips having a third thickness greater than the second thickness, wherein the plurality of lips are formed at the center of the valve body by one or more slits extending radially outward from the center of the valve body toward the hinge portion.

27. A valve according to claim 26, characterized in that the third thickness increases from the hinge portion to the center of the valve body.

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