US 12,030,725 B2
In-line rail valve
David Francis Hesketh, Matthews, NC (US); and Jeffrey Allen Dudas, Waxhaw, NC (US)
Assigned to Spiroflow Systems, Inc., Monroe, NC (US)
Filed by Spiroflow Systems, Inc., Monroe, NC (US)
Filed on May 10, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/740,517.
Prior Publication US 2023/0365337 A1, Nov. 16, 2023
Int. Cl. B65G 19/14 (2006.01); B65G 19/22 (2006.01); B65G 19/28 (2006.01); F16K 3/26 (2006.01)
CPC B65G 19/14 (2013.01) [B65G 19/22 (2013.01); B65G 19/28 (2013.01); F16K 3/267 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An in-line valve assembly for a tubular drag conveyer system, the valve assembly comprising:
a first tube segment having a first end and defining a first passageway, wherein an end portion of the first tube segment is outwardly tapered towards the first end thereof;
a second tube segment having a second end and defining a second passageway, the first end of the first tube segment spaced apart from the second end of the second tube segment by a gap; and
a tubular valve body translatably disposed relative to the second tube segment and defining a valve passageway, the valve body selectively adjustable between a closed position wherein the valve passageway spans the gap and connects the first passageway to the second passageway and an open position wherein the valve passageway is spaced apart from the first passageway by at least a portion of the gap.