Receptacles – Closures – With condition responsive vent or valve
Patent
1999-07-02
2000-12-19
Newhouse, Nathan J.
Receptacles
Closures
With condition responsive vent or valve
2203671, 220363, 220745, 217 99, 217110, 215364, 215311, B65D 5116
Patent
active
061617164
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a closure with pressure-compensating valve for the filling hole of a liquid container, with a bung-type socket of soft elastic material which fits into the round hole and has a flange-like outer bearing portion, a circumferential sealing portion sealingly receiving the rim of the hole, a circumferential snap-action portion engaging the inside of the rim of the hole from behind, and a central orifice, and with a valve element which can be manually moved into position and. which occupies in the central orifice a sealing closed position and a pressure-compensating position, in which the interior of the container is in communication with the atmosphere.
Such a closure is known from German Patent DE 4219571 C2. It can be used for containers in the form of kegs, mini-kegs (party kegs) or cans, from which liquids, especially beverages, are drawn without pressure or under pressure. It is usable in particular for party kegs for beer.
As set forth in the introduction of German Patent DE 3345619 C2, the snap-action and sealing properties of the bung-type socket of the closure are subject to considerable and in some cases conflicting requirements. To meet these, DE 3345619 C2 proposes making the bung-type socket of a soft part and a hard part, which encloses the soft part in the manner of a cage and through which the soft part penetrates at the apertures between the bars of the cage. The flange-like outside bearing portion of the soft part is stiffened with a flange on the hard part, and outwardly protruding snap catches are provided on the hard part.
A disadvantage of this bung-type socket is its complex structure, which necessitates injection molding of the hard part in a first step, after which the soft part is injection-molded thereonto in a second step. Because of the fact that hard and soft portions alternate over the circumference of the bung-type socket, a leaktightness problem can occur at the edges therebetween. In addition, deposits can accumulate here, with the potential for undesired bacterial growth.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is to provide a closure of the type cited in the introduction with a bung-type socket which is reinforced with hard plastic, but which has a homogeneous soft surface and such simplified structure that fabrication in the two-plastic injection-molding technique is possible.
This object is achieved with such a closure by the fact that there is embedded in the sealing portion and snap-action portion of the bung-type socket a coaxial reinforcing ring of hard plastic, which is radially rippled over the circumference and thereby is covered by the soft-elastic material in thickness varying over the circumference.
In one preferred embodiment, the snap-action portion and the reinforcing ring have a hook-like profile which is identical everywhere over the circumference.
The bung-type socket of the closure according to the invention is preferably made by the two-plastic injection-molding technique.
In another preferred embodiment, the valve element in closed position and pressure-compensating position snaps onto the bung-type socket.
In the central orifice, the valve element can be moved between closed position and pressure-compensating position by turning and/or by axial displacement. The valve element can be positioned purely by turning and also purely by axial displacement, in which case pressing the valve element into the bung-type socket for pulling it out of the bung-type socket can be used equally well for moving the valve element from closed position to pressure-compensating position and vice versa. Positioning of the valve element by combined turning and axial displacement, especially by quarter-turn adjustment in the manner of a bayonet fastener, is also possible.
In another preferred embodiment the valve element has at least one handle for turning and/or pulling out. Preferably the handle can be laid flat against the upper side of the bung-type socket. When laid flat it can be disposed flush in a rece
REFERENCES:
patent: 1747873 (1930-02-01), Mastrone
patent: 4552283 (1985-11-01), Poldner
patent: 4572390 (1986-02-01), Grittmann
patent: 4595172 (1986-06-01), Henderson
patent: 4658979 (1987-04-01), Mietz et al.
patent: 4779755 (1988-10-01), Harris
patent: 4909276 (1990-03-01), Bayly et al.
patent: 5353472 (1994-10-01), Benda et al.
patent: 5509564 (1996-04-01), Knoop
patent: 5697510 (1997-12-01), Wang et al.
patent: 5799813 (1998-09-01), Letica
patent: 5868273 (1999-02-01), Daenen et al.
patent: 5947326 (1999-09-01), O'Hern et al.
patent: 6065631 (2000-05-01), Oberhofer et al.
Batschied Karl
Oberhofer Kurt
Schreiner Udo
LandOfFree
Closure with a pressure compensation valve for a liquid containe does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Closure with a pressure compensation valve for a liquid containe, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Closure with a pressure compensation valve for a liquid containe will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-264560