Automatic fluid control valve

Abstract

An automatic fluid control having a first and second tube members and a slidable valve element capable of moving from a sealed closed position to an open position permitting fluid passage therethrough. In a preferred first embodiment, the elastomeric valve element is slidingly received with a passageway in the first tube. The valve element has a flange portion containing a plurality of slits that, when inverted and stretched, permit fluid to pass therethrough, but when closed, are in contact with the inner wall of the first tube and prevents fluid from passing therethrough. The valve element also can have a rigid plug attached within an opening in the top surface to present a preferably non-deformable contact point for a male luer tip, which, when pressed downward on the valve element, breaks a seal between the valve element and the first tube inner wall. In a second embodiment a toroidal shaped valve portion selectively forms a seal over a pin extending axially from the second tube member, the pin having a plurality of grooves in its surface to permit passage of fluid when the seal created by the valve element is broken. In a third embodiment, a valve element maintains a seal against a pin extending from the base of the second tube member and having a plurality of grooves. When the valve element is urged downward against the upward force of a spring, the pin grooves permit fluid flow through the second tube member.