Valve stop

Abstract

A stop ( 20 ) for a dispensing valve ( 10 ) is adapted to be moveable between a first position abutting a valve surface ( 28 ) to seal an opening ( 30 ), and a second position spaced from the surface ( 28 ) to open the opening ( 30 ). The stop ( 20 ) has a base ( 52 ), and a sealing member ( 54 ) connected to the base ( 52 ) by a hinge member ( 60 ). The sealing member ( 54 ) has a sealing surface ( 66 ) at a distal end. The sealing member ( 54 ) extends away from the base ( 52 ) in a first molded position (MP). The sealing member ( 66 ) is foldable at the hinge member ( 60 ) to a second position (FP) wherein the sealing surface ( 66 ) faces generally towards the base ( 52 ). The method of making the valve stop ( 20 ) includes injection molding the stop ( 20 ) such that the sealing surface ( 66 ) is free of split-lines.

1 - 15 . (Cancelled).  
   
   
       16 . A stop for a dispensing valve, the dispensing valve having a surface defining an opening, the stop adapted to be moveable between a first position abutting the surface to seal the opening and a second position spaced from the surface to open the opening, the stop comprising a base adapted to be connected to the valve and a sealing member having a sealing surface adapted to abut the valve surface, the sealing surface being void of a split-line.  
   
   
       17 . A stop for a dispensing valve, the dispensing valve having a surface defining an opening, the stop adapted to be moveable between a first position abutting the surface to seal the opening and a second position spaced from the surface to open the opening, the stop comprising: 
 a base adapted to be connected to the valve;    a sealing member being connected to the base by a hinge member, the sealing member having a frustoconical outer surface, the sealing member having a sealing surface at a distal end, the sealing member extending away from the base in a first position wherein the sealing surface faces generally away from the base, the sealing member being foldable at the hinge member to a second position wherein the sealing surface faces generally towards the base, a portion of the sealing member adapted to pass through the opening wherein the sealing surface is adapted to abut the valve surface, and wherein the sealing surface is substantially smooth and even across its entire surface.    
   
   
       18 . The stop of  claim 17  wherein the sealing surface is void of a split line from an injection molding process.  
   
   
       19 . A method of making a stop for a dispensing valve, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a mold having at least two sections, a portion of the mold defining a sealing surface of the stop;    injecting a molten material into the mold in a direction defining a line of draw, wherein the portion of the mold defining the sealing surface is in the line of draw.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising the step of solidifying the material.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20  further comprising the step of ejecting the stop from the mold.  
   
   
       22 . A method of making a stop for a dispensing valve, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a mold defined by at least two spaced mold sections, the sections collectively defining a base portion and a frustoconical sealing member portion defining a sealing surface against an entire one of the mold sections;    injecting a molten material into the mold in a direction defining a line of draw, wherein the sealing surface is in the line of draw;    solidifying the material in the mold to define the stop;    ejecting the stop from the mold; and    folding the sealing member towards the base.    
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the step of folding the sealing member is done immediately upon ejecting the stop from the mold.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the portion defining the frustoconical sealing member portion also defines a hinge portion, wherein the sealing member is folded at the hinge portion.  
   
   
       25 . A stop for a dispensing valve, the dispensing valve having a surface defining an opening, the stop adapted to be moveable between a first position abutting the surface to seal the opening and a second position spaced from the surface to open the 
 opening, the stop being formed in an injection-molding process, the stop comprising a base adapted to be connected to the valve and a sealing member having a sealing surface adapted to abut the valve surface, the sealing surface being void of a split-line from the injection molded process.    
   
   
       26 . A stop for a dispensing valve, the dispensing valve having a surface defining an opening, the stop adapted to be moveable between a first position abutting the surface to seal the opening and a second position spaced from the surface to open the opening, the stop being formed in an injection-molding process, the stop comprising: a base adapted to be connected to the valve; 
 a sealing member being connected to the base by a hinge member, the sealing member having a frustoconical outer surface, the sealing member having a sealing surface at a distal end, the sealing member extending away from the base in a first molded position wherein the sealing surface faces generally away from the base, the sealing member being foldable at the hinge member to a second position wherein the sealing surface faces generally towards the base, a portion of the sealing member adapted to pass through the opening wherein the sealing surface is adapted to abut the valve surface, and wherein the sealing surface is substantially smooth and even across its entire surface.    
   
   
       27 . A stop for a dispensing valve, the dispensing valve having a surface defining an opening, the stop adapted to be moveable between a first position abutting the surface to seal the opening and a second position spaced from the surface to open the opening, the stop comprising: 
 a base adapted to be connected to the valve;    a sealing member being connected to the base by a hinge member, the sealing member having a sealing surface at a distal end, the sealing member extending away from the base in a first position wherein the sealing surface faces generally away from the base,    and wherein the sealing member extends radially outward from the hinge member to the sealing surface when the sealing member is in the first position, the sealing member being foldable at the hinge member to a second position wherein the sealing surface faces generally towards the base.    
   
   
       28 . The stop of  claim 27  wherein the sealing member has a frustoconical shape in the first position.