Disclosed is a valve/seal assembly that is adapted for use in a variety of
applications, such as for example, medical, consumer beverage,
pharmaceutical containers, automobile, household appliance and marine.
The disclosed valve includes, inter alia, a valve housing having an upper
body portion and a lower body portion and a generally spherical valve
member. The upper and lower body portions of the housing define an
internal chamber for accommodating the valve member and a central axis
for the valve. The generally spherical valve member is seated within the
internal chamber of the valve housing and has an axial bore extending
therethrough. The valve member is mounted for movement between an open
position; wherein the axial bore of the valve member is axially aligned
with the inlet and outlet ports of the valve housing, and a closed
position; wherein the axial bore of the valve member is out of alignment
with the inlet and outlet ports of the valve housing. The valve assembly
further includes a camming mechanism that is operatively associated with
the valve housing and the valve member for moving the valve member
between the open position and the closed position.