Easily disassembled, one-way check valve

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention provides a one-way check valve for use in dairy equipment or the like and which can be easily disassembled or assembled without the use of special tools.
The invention contemplates two identical end sections which are formed of resilient material and which are interchangeable and cannot be assembled incorrectly.
The end sections are easily snapped on or removed from a central valve element guide.
A shiftable valve element is mounted on the guide and its proper position in respect thereto is insured so that malfunction does not occur.
All of the parts of the present valve are made of resilient material such as plastic, rubber or the like and can be easily disassembled for thorough cleaning, it only being necessary to insert a knife-like object between the end sections to snap them apart.
The width of the central guide is such that the resilient shiftable valve element is properly positioned and tensioned when fluid is flowing therethrough so as to be able to return to its accurate sealing position.
Generally, the present invention provides a valve of the above type which is economical to manufacture, has a minimum number of parts, requires no particular or difficult manufacturing tolerances, or close concentricity measurements between the parts.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear hereinafter as this disclosure progresses, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.