Valve and outlet tube combination for a plastic bag

Abstract

A valve and outlet tube combination for a plastic enema bag made from flexible sheets of vinyl plastic and having an outlet neck portion with an outlet tube sealed therein. A valve member is positioned inside the plastic bag and is adapted for plugging cooperation with the end of the outlet tube. The valve member is comprised of a head portion and a tubular body portion extending therefrom. The body portion has an outside diameter slightly greater than the inside diameter of the outlet tube and has a rounded end to facilitate insertion thereof into the end of the outlet tube. A shoulder is formed on the head portion of the valve which moves into abutting contact with the end of the tube when the tubular body portion is inserted into the tube to thus provide a closure at the entrance to the outlet tube.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

I. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a valve and outlet tube combination particularly designed for use in a plastic enema bag.

II. Description of the Prior Art

In prior designs known to applicant the outlet is plugged with a valve member which is relatively difficult to move into and out of sealing engagement with the tube outlet. The principal object of the present invention is to provide a simple, inexpensive valve configuration which can be easily manipulated by the operator.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A valve and outlet tube combination for a plastic bag having an outlet neck portion formed in the lower portion of the bag. One end of the outlet tube extends into the neck portion and is sealed thereto. A valve member is positioned inside the bag. The valve is adapted for cooperation with the outlet end of the outlet tube to selectively plug and unplug the outlet. The valve member is comprised of a head portion having a tubular body depending therefrom. The tubular body has a rounded tip and an outside diameter slightly greater than the inside diameter of the outlet tube, so that when the tubular body is inserted into the end of the outlet tube it will form a seal thereat. The head portion has a shoulder which is adapted for abutting contact with the end of the outlet tube when the tubular body is pressed into sealing engagement with the end of the outlet tube. The shoulder prevents any tendency of the valve member to be pushed down inside the outlet tube.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a barium enema bag having an outlet tube and valve combination made in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view showing the valve and outlet tube combination with the valve member in closed position; and

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but with the valve member in open position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings in detail, FIG. 1 shows a barium enema bag 10 made from flexible sheets of vinyl plastic and having sidewalls 12 and 14. Bag 10 has a closure assembly 16 secured to the top portion thereof comprised of a closure collar 18 and a closure cap 20 adapted for removable sealing engagement with the collar. Since the construction of the closure assembly 16 is not a part of the present invention, a detailed description thereof will not be included herein.

Bag 10 is provided with a depending outlet neck portion 22 inside of which the end portion 24 of tube 26 is sealed by a plurality of circular welds 28. Preferably tube 26 is made of vinyl plastic material and welds 28 are made in a conventional manner by radio frequency energy.

The valve member 30 is comprised of a head portion 32 and a tubular body portion 34 having a smoothly rounded tip 36. A shoulder 38 is formed on the head portion and the head has a flat top surface 40 thereon.

The valve member 30 can be positioned for useful operation by simply removing cap 20 of the closure assembly and dropping the valve through the closure into the interior of the enema bag 10. One example of how the valve member and tube combination is used in a barium enema bag would involve the steps of first causing the valve member to be inserted into its closed position while the enema bag is empty. This can be simply accomplished by working the valve member down to the end 24 of tube 26 with the fingers through manipulation of the valve member through the flexible sides 12 and 14 of the enema bag. With the tip 36 of valve 30 positioned opposite the open end of the tube the valve is forced into the closed position shown in FIG. 2 by exerting pressure on the top surface 40 of the valve member by the operator's fingers. As shown, the valve member is inserted into the tube end 24 until shoulder 38 on the valve head 32 abuts snugly against the end edge 42 of the tube. The outside diameter of body portion 34 of the valve member is dimensioned slightly greater than the inside diameter of the tube end 24 to produce a snug fit between the parts.

With the valve member 30 in its closed position as shown in FIG. 2, barium in powder form can be introduced into the enema bag through closure 16. When it is desired to use the enema bag, a measured amount of water is added to the powdered barium in the bag. The contents is then mixed by manipulation of the flexible side walls of the bag until a thorough mixture is produced. The operator whose fingers are indicated by reference numeral 44 will then remove the valve member 30 from its closed position by simply applying a squeezing action through neck portion 22 of the bag against the curved sides of the body and tip portions 34 and 36 of the valve member causing the valve to be forced upwardly into its open position as shown in FIG. 3. The valve member will float up in the liquid mixture in the bag and the contents of the bag can then drain out of the bag through the tube 26.

Claims

We claim:

1. A valve and outlet tube combination comprising: a plastic bag having a flexible outlet neck portion formed in the lower portion of the bag and an outlet tube of flexible material extending into the outlet neck portion of the plastic bag and sealed thereto; and

a valve member positioned inside the plastic bag and adapted for cooperation with the outlet end of said outlet tube, said valve member comprising a head portion having a tubular body portion extending therefrom, said tubular body portion having a rounded tip and an outside diameter slightly greater than the inside diameter of said outlet tube, said head portion having a shoulder formed thereon which extends transversely of the axis of said tubular body portion, said shoulder adapted for abutting contact with the end of the outlet tube when the tubular body portion of said valve member is inserted into sealing engagement with the end portion of the outlet tube said valve member adapted to be moved from its closed position inside the end of said outlet tube by applying a squeezing action through said outlet neck portion and the end of said flexible outlet tube against the rounded tip of said tubular body portion of said valve member causing said valve member to be forced out of said outlet tube to its open position.

2. A valve and outlet tube according to claim 1 in which the head portion of said valve member has a flat surface on the top portion thereof to facilitate insertion of the valve member into the end portion of the outlet tube.