US Patent 12078257 Valve-actuated suction apparatus

A valve-actuated suction apparatus includes an anchor member made of a non-porous resilient material and having a flexible base seal member and an anchor member stem. The base seal member is arranged to seal against a reference surface. The anchor member stem includes a vent port extending therethrough. A plunger valve is operable to selectively seal and unseal the vent port. The plunger valve includes a plunger valve head and a plunger valve stem. The plunger valve stem is slidably disposed in the vent port and slidable between a closed position of the plunger valve wherein the vent port is sealed and an open position of the plunger valve wherein the vent port is unsealed. The plunger valve stem includes one or more protruding transverse flanges that sealably engage a sidewall of the vent port when the plunger valve is in the closed position.