Dual sealing system for use with a probe.

(54) Title: DUAL SEAL SYSTEM FOR USE WITH A PROBE.

(54) Title: DUAL SEALING SYSTEM FOR USE WITH A PROBE.

(57) Summary

A dual seal system (20) for use with a probe (21) that allows access to an interior space (34) from an exterior environment (32). The system (20) includes a housing (22) defining an opening (24) that extends along a longitudinal axis (26) between an outer end (28) of the housing and an inner end (30) of the housing for establish a communication between an exterior environment (32) and an interior space (34); where a flexible first resilient penetrable member (40) extends through the opening at a first location along the axis, where the first penetrable member is configured to create a seal around the probe with the probe inserted therethrough ; and a second flexible penetrable member (42) extending through the opening at a second location along the separated axis toward the inner end from the first location, where the second penetrable member is configured to create a seal after the probe penetrates it and the probe is removed from the second penetrable member.

(57) Abstract

A dual sealing system (20) is provided for use with a probe (21) to allow access to an interior space (34) from an exterior environment (32). The system (20) includes a housing (22) defining a port (24) extending along a longitudinal axis (26) between an exterior end (28) of the housing and an interior end (30) of the housing to establish communication between an exterior environment (32) and an interior space (34); a first flexible, resilient penetratable member (40) extending across the port at a first location along the axis, the first penetratable member configured to create a seal around the probe with the probe inserted therethrough; and a second flexible, penetratable member (42) extending across the port at a second location along the axis spaced toward the interior end from the first location, the second penetratable member configured to create a seal after having been penetrated by the probe and the probe has been removed from the second penetratable member.

DUAL SEAL SYSTEM FOR USE WITH A PROBE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to seal systems that allow a probe to selectively enter an interior space from an exterior environment while maintaining a seal between the exterior environment and the interior space.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Seal systems that allow a probe to enter an interior space or volume from an exterior environment are known and come in many forms. In this sense, some of such systems are designed to house a probe that allows the passage of a fluid material to or from the interior space or volume while others of such systems are configured to allow access to a probe that has a detector or another apparatus for providing information about conditions within the interior space, such as, for example, temperatures within the interior space, the pressures within the interior space or the condition of visual indicators within the interior space. Still other such systems are designed to house probes that can carry a detector or allow the passage of fluid material or both.

Some of such known systems use a flexible resilient valve. One type of flexible resilient valve is a grooved type self-sealing valve that is mounted in an opening in a tube or fluid container. Such valves have a slot or grooves that define a normally closed orifice that opens to allow access therethrough in response to a probe, such as a fill / empty tool that is inserted through the valve or to increased pressure differential across the valve (for example, as a result of an increase in pressure inside the container when the container is compressed or due to a reduction in external ambient pressure compared to the pressure inside the container). Typically, such valves are designed such that they automatically close to interrupt flow through the valves when the probe is removed or upon a reduction in the increase in internal pressure within the vessel or with an increase in external pressure. The designs of such valves and the seal systems using such valves are illustrated in United States Patent Nos. 5,271,531, No. 5,927,566, and No. 5,934,512. Typically, the system includes a body or base that defines a seat to receive the valve and includes a retaining ring or other structure to hold the valve in the seat at the base. See, for example, United States Patent Nos. 6,269,986 and No. 6,616,016. Other such valve systems for use with a probe or with a fill / drain tool are shown in jointly owned US Patent Application No. 12 / 070,799 titled: VALVE MOUNTING ASSEMBLY WITH SLIT MISALIGNMENT PREVENTION FEATURE , presented on February 21, 2008 and whose inventor is David J. Gaus and United States Patent Application No. 12 / 268,814 whose title is PORT CLOSURE SYSTEM WITH HYDRAULIC HAMMER RESISTANCE, filed on November 2008 and whose inventor is David J. Gaus, the full contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a feature of the invention, a dual seal system is provided for use with a probe that allows the probe to access an interior space from an exterior environment. The system includes a housing that defines an opening that extends along a longitudinal axis between an outer end of the housing and an inner end of the housing to establish communication between an external environment and an interior space; where a flexible first resilient penetrable member extends through the opening at a first location along the axis, where the first penetrable member is configured to create a seal around the probe with the probe inserted therethrough; and a second flexible penetrable member extending through the opening at a second location along the spaced axis toward the inner end from the first location, where the second penetrable member is configured to create a seal after the probe has it penetrates and is removed from the second penetrable member.

In one feature, at least one of the penetrable members includes at least one self-sealing slot through the penetrable member and facing portions that open along the slot to define a normally closed hole in an unrestricted condition where the Opening portions can be moved into the interior space into an open hole configuration. As a further aspect, the at least one self-sealing groove includes two self-sealing grooves that extend transversely to one another.

As a feature, the first penetrable member is configured to create a seal after the probe penetrates it and is removed from the second penetrable member and the second penetrable member is configured to create a seal around the probe with the probe inserted through of the same.

According to one characteristic, the first and second penetrable members are identical in construction.

In one feature, the first and second penetrable members are separate components and the system further includes a spacer extending between the first and second penetrable members within the housing. As a further feature, the system further includes a retainer coupled with the housing to retain the penetrable members and the spacer within the housing.

According to one feature, the opening and the penetrable members have circular cross sections that are transverse to the axis.

As a feature, each of the penetrable members has an inner side facing the interior space and is defined by a convex surface.

As a feature, each of the penetrable members has an outer side facing the outer environment and is defined by a concave surface. As an additional feature, the concave surface is hemispherical.

According to one feature, the system further includes first and second valves, where each of the valves has a peripheral clamping portion mounted on the housing. The first valve further includes the first penetrable member in the form of a flexible resilient head extending from the peripheral clamping portion of the first valve, and the second valve further includes the second penetrable member in the form of a second flexible resilient head which it extends from the peripheral clamping portion of the second valve.

In an additional feature, each of the heads has at least one self-sealing slot through the head and facing portions that open along the slot to define an initially closed hole where the opening portions of the valve head can be moved substantially in a first direction towards space to an open configuration where each of the valves has an initial manufacturing configuration in which the valve port is closed. Still a further aspect, the at least one self-sealing groove of each head includes two self-sealing grooves which extend transversely with respect to each other.

As a further feature, the housing further includes a seat around the opening and the peripheral clamping portion of the second valve engages in the seat.

In yet a further feature, the system further includes a spacer sandwiched in the housing between the peripheral clamping portions of the first and second valves. As a further feature, the spacer further includes a seat and the peripheral clamping portion of the first valve is coupled to the seat. In a further feature, the system further includes a snap ring in a press fit engagement with the housing to fix the peripheral clamping portions on their respective seats.

According to one characteristic, the first and second valves have identical constructions.

In one feature, each of the valves is initially separate from the housing but can later be clamped therewith.

Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention, from the claims, and from the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In the accompanying figures, which are part of the specification, similar numbers are used to designate similar parts in all parts of the specification.

Figure 1 is an isometric view from an inner side of a dual seal system embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is an isometric view from an exterior side of the dual valve seal system of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view along line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a detailed isometric view of the dual seal system from the inside side;

Figure 5 is a detailed isometric view of the dual seal system from the outer side;

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 3 but showing a probe when it is partially inserted into the dual seal system;

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 3 but showing the probe fully inserted into the dual seal system;

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7 but showing the probe when removed from the dual seal system;

Figure 9 is an enlarged isometric view from the inside of a valve component used in the dual seal system of Figure 1; and

Figure 10 is a sectional view along line 10-10 of Figure 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Although this invention is capable of being carried out in many different ways, this specification and the attached figures disclose only one specific form as an example of the invention. However, it is not desired to limit the invention to the embodiment thus described. The scope of the invention is pointed out in the appended claims.

As described in detail hereafter, a dual seal system of the present invention is particularly useful for medical applications that require the use of a probe in the form of a detector or in the form of a fill / empty tool, such as, for example, those used in connection with a cannula and / or a medical access port. In this regard, the dual valve system is particularly useful in such systems where the interior space is subjected to a pressurization that is greater than the ambient pressure of the exterior environment. Furthermore, the dual seal system of the present invention can be used in a fluid handling system, which is included in an associated container or other dispensing structure to accommodate the transfer of fluid substances that include but are not limited to water or other appropriate fluids for consumption by means of a probe in the form of a fill / drain tool.

The dual seal system of the present invention can be used with a variety of conventional or special systems for handling and / or containing fluid substances, including cannulas, medical access ports, flexible tubing, glass or plastic bottles, containment structures flexible tubulars, containers, tanks, containers and other equipment or apparatus, the details of which, although not fully illustrated or described, They will be apparent to those skilled in the art and knowledgeable of such systems. The particular system for handling or containing the fluid substances, by itself, is not part and therefore is not intended to be limiting of the aspects of the present invention in its broadest sense. Those with a normal and current knowledge of the art will also understand that the novel and non-obvious aspects of the invention are incorporated only in the exemplary dual seal system described.

A presently preferred embodiment of the dual seal system is illustrated in Figures 1 through 8 and is generally designated as number 20. The use of system 20 is proposed for use with a probe which is generally designated by number 21 which it is illustrated in Figures 6 to 8 in a generic form. In this regard, it should be understood that there are many known types and constructions for probe 21 including constructions where probe 21 is a fill / empty tool, constructions where probe 21 is a detector or carries a detector, and constructions where the probe 21 is a filling / emptying tool that also transports or incorporates a detector.

As best seen in Figures 1 to 3, system 20 includes a housing 22 that defines an opening 24 that extends along longitudinal axis 26 between an outer end 28 of housing 22 and an inner end 30 of housing 22 for establish communication between an exterior environment that is schematically shown as 32 and an interior space that is schematically shown as 34. As best seen in Figure 3, in the illustrated embodiment, opening 24 is defined by a stepped cylindrical surface 36 that extends from one end 28 to the other end 30. Housing 22 further includes an outer surface 38 which is configured to mount to the desired application structure where the illustrated embodiment shows surface 38 as being substantially cylindrical for mounting to a medical access port or cannula (not show). Dual seal system 20 further includes first and second flexible resilient penetrable members 40 and 42, where the first penetrable member 40 extends through opening 24 at a first location along axis 26 and the second penetrable member 42 it extends through opening 24 at a second location along axis 26. Penetrable members 40 and 42 are configured to close interior space 34 relative to exterior environment 32, both in a closed condition as shown in Figure 3, where probe 21 is not inserted into dual seal system 20 and an open or penetrated condition where probe 21 is partially inserted into seal system 20, as shown in Figure 6, or is fully inserted into seal system 20, as shown in Figure 7. In this regard, it is preferred that the two penetrable members 40 and 42 be configured to close around probe 21 when inserted into system 20, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, and that the two penetrable members 40 and 42 they are configured to create a seal after probe 21 is removed from dual seal system 20, as shown in Figure 3. However, in some applications it may be desirable to optimize the first penetrable member 40 to close it around probe 21 when the probe is inserted into dual seal system 20 and to optimize second penetrable member 42 to create a seal after the probe 21 penetrates member 42 and probe 21 is removed. In this regard, optimization of each of the penetrable members 40 and 42 will be highly dependent on the details of each particular application, including the type of probe 21 that is used in the application; and may include optimization of the material used in particular for each of the members 40 and 42, the material durometer for each of the members 40 and 42, the particular shape of each of the members 40 and 42 and / or the type, number and configuration of the grooves used in each of the members 40 and 42 to the extent that any of the members 40 and 42 includes grooves.

In the illustrated embodiment, system 20 includes a pair of grooved type self-sealing valves 44 and 46 extending through opening 24, where each of valves 44 and 46 has a corresponding peripheral clamping portion or tab 48 and 50, respectively. Valves 44 and 46 further include resilient sleeve portions 52 and 54, respectively, extending laterally inward from flanges 48 and 50 to respective portions of valve heads 56 and 58 of valves 44 and 46. Portion portions Heads 56 and 58 define the respective penetrable member 40 and 42.

As best seen in Figures 3-5, the illustrated embodiment of system 20 further includes a spacer 60 sandwiched in housing 22 between peripheral clamping portions 48 and 50 and a retainer 62 defining a retaining ring 63 having a press fit engagement with housing 22 to retain valves 44 and 46 and spacer 60 within housing 22 while attaching tabs 48 and 50 on respective valve seats 64, 66, 68 and 70 which are provided in the housing 22, in the spacer 60 and in the retainer 62. In this sense, each of the flanges 48 and 50 has a substantially dovetail shaped cross section that defines a pair of frusto-conical surfaces which are coupled in paired form with corresponding frusto-conical surfaces that are provided in the corresponding valve seat 64, 66, 68 and 70. A lateral peripheral edge 80 of retainer 62 is held in a snap fit engagement with annular retaining flange 82 of housing 22 causing retainer 62 to secure tabs 48 and 50 to their respective seats 64, 66, 68 and 70 thereby fixing valves 44 and 46 and spacer 60 within housing 22. It should be understood that during assembly the retaining ring 63 can be pushed past the retaining flange 82, because the retaining ring 63 and the retainer 62 and / or the housing 22 have sufficient flexibility to accommodate the transient elastic deformation of components as edge 80 passes over and inward beyond flange 82 to create a snap fit coupling between retaining ring 63 and housing 22, such that valve tabs 48 and 50 are compressed at least slightly and remain fixed between the facing frusto-conical surfaces of the corresponding seats 64, 66, 68 and 70 (Figure 3). While a preferred form of mounting is shown, housing 22 and valves 44 and 46 may have other configurations, such as a different form of mounting tabs 48 and 50 and seats 64, 66, 68 and 70 or, such as a construction that eliminates the need for spacer 60. Also, in some other configurations valves 44 and 46 may be supported by housing 22 without a snap ring 63. For example, valves 44 and 46 may be supported in housing 22 by heat bonding, drawing a portion of housing 22 onto valve flange 60, adhesive and / or press-fit, etc.

Again referring to Figure 3, the retainer 62 further includes a central channel 84 which is defined by a cylindrical surface 86, an annular wall 88 surrounding the flange 48 and a nose 90 the shape of which molds to the outer side of the valve 44 .

Spacer 60 further includes a center channel 92 which is defined by a stepped cylindrical surface 94, an outer surface 96 whose shape closely molds to surface 36 of housing 22, and a nose 98 whose shape molds to the outer side of valve 46 As seen in Figure 3, an enclosed volume 99 is defined in center channel 92 of spacer 60 between valves 44 and 46. In some applications it may be advantageous to provide vacuum and / or a reduced pressure within the enclosed volume 99 or to fill the enclosed space 99 with a fluid substance which may provide an advantage for the particular application for which the system 20 is intended, such as, for example, filling the enclosed volume 99 with a lubricant for the probe 21 that aids its passage through the system 20 or filling the enclosed volume 99 with an inert gas that can serve as an additional barrier between the external environment 32 and the interior space 34.

Preferably housing 22, spacer 60 and retainer 62 are each molded as a unitary structure from an appropriate material including an appropriate plastic or elastomer. However, in some applications it may be desirable to shape one or more of these components by other methods, such as, for example, machine manufacturing or extrusion.

Each valve 44 and 46 is preferably molded as a unitary structure from a material that is flexible, malleable, elastic and resilient. This may include elastomers, such as a thermosetting synthetic polymer, including silicone rubber, such as silicone rubber sold by Dow Corning Corp. in the USA. under the trademark SILASTIC 99-595-HC. Another suitable silicone rubber material is sold in the USA. under the name Wacker 3003-40 from the Wacker Silicone Company. Both materials have a hardness rating of 40 Shore A. Other suitable silicone rubber materials are sold by Dow Corning under the names LC-70 and 9280-70. Both materials preferably have a hardness ratio of 70 Shore A. Valves 44 and 46 can also be molded from other thermosetting materials or other elastomeric materials or thermoplastic polymers or thermoplastic elastomers including those based on materials such as thermoplastic propylene, ethylene, urethane and styrene, including their halogenated equivalents. .

Each of valves 44 and 46 has a normally closed, resting position or configuration shown in Figures 1 through 5, 9 and 10. With the insertion of probe 21, each of valves 44 and 46 can be forced to one or more positions or configurations, as shown in Figures 6 to 8. As best seen in Figures 3 and 9, penetrable members 40 and 42 are defined by heads 56 and 58 having respective outer sides 100 and 102 and respective inner sides 104 and 106. In the illustrated embodiments, when valves 44 and 46 are in the closed state, the outer sides 100 and 102, respectively, are concave and arched in shape, preferably semi-spherical, and the inner sides 104 and 106, respectively, they are convex and arched in shape with a flattened central portion. In this regard, while the preferred forms of penetrable members 40 and 42 and heads 56 and 58 are shown herein, it will be understood that other configurations may be desirable, depending on the specific parameters and requirements of each particular application. For example, in some applications it may be desirable for one or more of the surfaces 100, 102, 104 and 106 to be a completely flat surface.

As best seen in Figures 9 and 10, each of the penetrable members 40 and 42 has intersecting flat self-sealing grooves 108 that together define a closed hole when the member 40, 42 is in a closed condition. For the embodiment shown in Figures 9 and 10, the grooves 108 are normal to each other and of the same length and further include pairs of flat, self-sealing grooves 110 that intersect and form a V at each end of grooves 108, thereby forming a pattern of snowflake grooves that are best seen in Figure 9. Grooves 108 and 110 define four substantially equal sector-shaped petals or flaps 112 on member 40, 42 . The flaps or petals 112 can also be characterized as opening regions or opening portions of the member 40, 42. Each flap or petal 112 has a pair of diverging transverse faces that are defined by grooves 108, 110 and each transverse face is closes against an opposing cross face of an adjacent petal 112 when member 40, 42 is closed.

Member 40, 42 can be molded with grooves 108 and 110. Alternatively, grooves 108 and 110 can be subsequently cut into member 40, 42 by appropriate conventional techniques. As another alternative, member 40, 42 can be weakened along frangible lines corresponding to grooves 108 and 110 such that grooves 108 and 110 are formed by the first initial penetration of member 40, 42 with probe 21. Regardless of the way grooves 108 and 110 are formed, the hole must be closed when member 40, 42 is in an unrestricted condition or as molded. In operation, the petals 112 may be forced to open inwardly into the interior space 34 from the point of intersection of the grooves 108, 110 when the probe 21 applies sufficient force to the outer side 100, 102 of the member 40, 42.

Figures 6 and 7 illustrate an example where members 40 and 42 open inward, in Figure 6 with probe 21 partially inserted inward 34, and in Figure 7 with probe fully inserted to access interior space 34 The open petals 112 house the penetration of the end of the probe 21 into the interior space 34. The petals 112 close around the periphery of probe 21 in a substantially liquid impervious and / or air tight manner. When probe 21 is removed from members 40 and 42 by outward movement from inside 34 and outward 32, the inherent resilience of members 40 and 42 and petals 112 causes the orifice to return to the closed condition . In this sense, as best seen in Figure 8, as probe 21 is removed, nose 90 of retainer 62 supports member 40 by adjoining surface 100 to prevent petals 112 from reversing and nose 98 Spacer 60 supports member 42 by abutting surface 102 to prevent petals 112 from reversing. Furthermore, it will be understood in this regard that this support function will be enhanced if channels 84 and 92 at noses 90 and 98 of retainer 62 and spacer 60 closely mold to the outer shape of probe 21. While preferred this support function may not be required in all applications and may not be required for both members 40 and 42 in all applications. For example, in some applications it may be desirable to remove the support function for member 40 while retaining the support function for member 42 to help ensure that member 42 closes against any positive pressure differential after it is remove probe 21 from limb 42.

It will be understood that the hole of the members 40 and 42 can be defined by means of other structures than the illustrated linear grooves 108, 110. The grooves can have different shapes, sizes and / or different configurations, according to the requirements and parameters. of each particular application. For example, the hole may include a single slot or it may include four or more intersecting slots. It will also be understood that while the penetrable members 40 and 42 shown in the illustrated embodiments are defined by the portions of the heads 56 and 58 of the valves 44 and 46, in some applications it may be desirable for either or both. Self-defining penetrable members 40 and 42 without the provision of a valve 44, 46 having an associated head portion 56, 58. Furthermore, while the illustrated embodiment shows a pair of valves 44 and 46 that are separated by spacer 60, in some applications it may be desirable for penetrable members 40 and 42 to be provided as part of a single unitary construction that is inserted into the housing 22 or even as a single unit construction with housing 22.

It will be appreciated that member 42 prevents member 40 from being subjected to the total pressure differential between interior space 34 and exterior environment 32 when probe 21 is inserted through both members 40 and 42 and when probe 21 is removed from the member 42 but it still penetrates member 40. It will also be appreciated that by providing the dual penetrable members 40 and 42 spaced along axis 26, the member 40 that is closest to the outside, if desired, can be optimized to provide a seal around probe 21 and member 42, which is closer to the interior, can be optimized to provide a seal when probe 21 is removed. This is particularly advantageous if the interior space 34 has a positive pressure differential relative to the exterior environment 32.

It can be easily seen from the detailed description of the invention above and from the illustrations thereof that numerous other variations and modifications can be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concepts or principles of this invention.