Seal and fitting assembly

{
  "publication_number": "US10641394B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Seal and fitting assembly",
  "abstract": "In one example, a fitting assembly including a first fitting, a second fitting, and a seal positioned between the two fittings is disclosed. The first fitting includes a first product contacting sidewall and a first sealing face and the second fitting is coupled to the first fitting and includes a second product contacting sidewall and a second sealing face. The seal is positioned between the first and second sealing faces and includes a radially curved outer surface forming an exterior edge of the seal and a tail extending radially inwards from the radially curved outer surface, where the tail forms an interior edge of the seal that defines an opening through the seal. As connected, the first product contacting sidewall is substantially coplanar with the second product contacting sidewall and the seal seals a connection gap between the two sealing faces.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A hygienic fitting assembly for improved cleanliness with maintained sealing effect comprising: a first fitting comprising: a first product contacting sidewall; a first sealing face defining a circular first sealing groove thereon; a second fitting configured to be connected to the first fitting, comprising: a second product contacting sidewall that with the first product contacting sidewall defines a product pathway; a second sealing face defining a circular second sealing groove thereon; a seal for sealing a connection between the first fitting and the second fitting without contacting a third fitting, the seal formed of a compression controlled and self-lubricating material and comprising: a seal element having a convexly curved outer surface forming an outermost perimeter of the seal; and a tail extending radially inwards from an interior surface of the seal element, the tail being substantially planar and having an interior surface forming an interior perimeter of the seal, wherein the interior perimeter of the seal defines a passageway through the seal; wherein the seal element seats within the first sealing groove and the second sealing groove; the tail seats on the first sealing face and the second sealing face; and the first sealing groove and the second sealing groove and the compression controlled and self-lubricating material together are capable of preventing a shape of the seal from substantially changing when the first fitting and the second fitting transition between a untightened and a tightened position when coupled to one another.",
    "2. The seal of claim 1, wherein when the first fitting is tightened to the second fitting, a farthest extending portion of the curved outer surface extends to or past a first sidewall of the first fitting and a second sidewall of the second fitting.",
    "3. The seal of claim 2, wherein at least one interior portion of the curved outer surface is non-planar with the first sidewall of the first fitting and the second sidewall of the second fitting.",
    "4. The seal of claim 1, wherein the seal element has a circular shaped in cross-section that matches the first sealing groove and the second sealing groove.",
    "5. The seal of claim 1, wherein the seal element further comprises: a convex shaped upper surface; and a planar shaped bottom surface.",
    "6. A hygienic fitting assembly comprising: a first fitting comprising: a first product contacting sidewall; and a first sealing face defining a first sealing groove; a second fitting coupled to the first fitting, comprising: a second product contacting sidewall; and a second sealing face defining a second sealing groove; and a seal positioned between the first sealing face and the second sealing face, the seal formed of a compression controlled and self-lubricating material, comprising: a radially curved outer surface forming an exterior edge of the seal; a tail extending radially inwards from the radially curved outer surface, wherein the tail forms an interior edge of the seal that defines an opening through the seal; wherein the first product contacting sidewall is substantially coplanar with the second product contacting sidewall; the seal seals a connection gap between the first sealing face and the second sealing face without contacting a third fitting or outer circumferential member; the radially curved outer surface of the seal is positioned within the first sealing groove of the first fitting and the second sealing groove of the second fitting; and the first sealing groove and the second sealing groove reduce a compression force on the seal and the compression controlled and self-lubricating material of the seal act together such that a shape of the seal does not substantially change when the first fitting and the second fitting are tightened increasing the cleanability of the fitting assembly.",
    "7. The fitting assembly of claim 6, wherein the exterior edge of the seal faces towards the first product contacting sidewall and the second product contacting sidewall.",
    "8. The fitting assembly of claim 6, wherein the exterior edge of the seal is oriented parallel with the first product contacting sidewall and the second product contacting sidewall.",
    "9. The fitting assembly of claim 8, wherein at least a portion of the radially curved outer surface of the seal is set back from the first product contacting sidewall and the second product contacting sidewall.",
    "10. The fitting of claim 6, wherein the outer facing surface of the radially curved outer surface of the seal is parallel with the first product contacting sidewall and the second product contacting sidewall.",
    "11. The fitting of claim 6, wherein the radially curved outer surface retains a circular cross-section when the first fitting and the second fitting are tightened together."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present invention relates to a seal system and, more particularly, to a hygienic coupling and fitting seal system for pharmaceutical, dairy, beverage, or other sanitary industries.\n\nVarious seals have been widely utilized in various industries. The seals utilized in plants or factories processing pharmaceutical, beverage, dairy products, or the like should be taken apart for periodic cleaning and should be made of a material capable of withstanding the processing. However, “binding”, “rippling up”, and “intrusion” commonly occurred on conventional seals, including but not limited to flat gaskets, O-rings, and other industry standard gaskets, creating potential for losing the sealing effect and for becoming a hygienic issue. For agitator couplings, conventional O-rings that are exposed and flush or slightly protrude do not always remain engaged and can actually lose the sealing effect and fall out.\n\nThus, a need exists for a hygienic coupling and fitting seal system that is easy to clean while providing reliable sealing effect.\n\nThe present invention solves this need and other problems in the field of hygienic coupling and fitting seals by providing, in a preferred form, a seal system including a tail having an annular first surface and an annular second surface parallel to and spaced from the annular first surface in a first direction. The tail has a first thickness between the annular first and second surfaces in the first direction. The tail further includes first and second peripheral edges extending between and adjoining the annular first and second surfaces.",
  "cpc": [
    "F16J 15/106",
    "B01F 2015/00084",
    "F16J 15/061",
    "F16J 15/062",
    "F16J 15/104",
    "F16L 15/04",
    "F16L 17/06",
    "F16L 21/02",
    "F16L 23/22"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "F16J 15/10",
    "F16L 17/06",
    "B01F 15/00",
    "F16J 15/06",
    "F16L 23/22"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "DCI Inc"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Brian J. Uhlenkamp",
    "Shawn P. Pitt"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2018-04-13",
  "publication_date": "2020-05-05",
  "grant_date": "2020-05-05",
  "priority_date": "2008-01-15",
  "application_number": "US-201815952639-A",
  "family_id": "40849957",
  "cited_by_count": 4,
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}