The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 08, 2002
Filed:
Feb. 28, 2000
Angela M. Noecker, Richmond Heights, MO (US);
Sherwood Services, AG, , CH;
Abstract
The present invention relates to an anti-free-flow valve to prevent fluid free-flow through a tube assembly having a lumen. The valve device comprises a body disposed inside the lumen having a cylindrical portion formed adjacent a tapered portion, the cylindrical portion includes an opening and the tapered portion has a pair of beveled surfaces with ends that form a slit therebetween. The slit communicates with the opening through a passage formed through the body of the valve device. When the tube assembly is in a relaxed condition, the ends of the beveled surfaces confront one another and place the slit in the closed position which prevents fluid flow through the passage of the body and through the valve device. When a tensile force is applied along the tube assembly in an area adjacent the valve device, the inner diameter of the lumen decreases which elongates the body and urges the ends of the beveled surfaces away from one another and places the slit in the open position which permits fluid flow through the passage and out the body of the valve device.