Web tip seat cup

Abstract

Valve assemblies of the type often used for dispensing liquid foods and beverages. The disclosed valves each comprise a valve or nozzle body including a valve chamber connected with a lateral inlet passage and an axial outlet passage. A valve seat is formed in the chamber about the outlet passage. In one of the embodiments, the seat is in the form of a flat shoulder located circumferentially about the outlet. In a second embodiment, the seat is a curved transition surface between the outlet passage and a cylindrical valve chamber. In a third embodiment, the seat is a conically shaped lower portion of the valve chamber located adjacent the outlet. In all embodiments the valve element is in the form of a resilient cup member carried at the end of a rigid stem and adapted to engage the seat. The stem and the cup member are continually spring biased toward the seat by a compression spring which acts between the valve member and a bonnet screwed to the top of the valve body. Movement of the valve member between opened and closed positions is accomplished through a manual handle connected pivotally to the upper end of the stem and having camming surfaces which engage the top of the bonnet. The valve element is formed so that the lower or sealing end includes a peripheral, downwardly extending flange or web of tapered cross-section terminating in a relatively narrow, circumferentially continuous band. The resilient web serves to overcome problems of tolerance stacking in the assembly and provides excellent sealing with all three types of seats.