VALVE BODY

Abstract

A valve body defining a longitudinal axis and comprising: (i) a central portion of the valve body comprising: (a) a valve seat contact surface, (b) a support surface extending from the valve seat contact surface, and (c) a valve stem extending from the support surface along the longitudinal axis; and (ii) an annular support mounted on the support surface around the valve stem and defining: (a) a stem opening through which an upper portion of the valve stem extends, (b) an upper cap portion, and (c) a frusto-conical portion extending from the valve seat contact surface to the upper cap portion.