Receptacles – Closures – Vent in closure
Patent
1999-07-02
2000-05-23
Cronin, Stephen K.
Receptacles
Closures
Vent in closure
220363, 220745, 217 99, B65D 5116
Patent
active
06065631&
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 elastic material which fits sealingly into the filling hole and is provided with a central orifice, and with a valve element which can be manually turned 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 has a bung-type socket with alternately larger and smaller axial ventilation grooves along the wall of the central orifice and a valve element with alternately larger and smaller axial ventilation fins along the outside surface. The valve element has closed positions, in which matching grooves and fins are in engagement, and pressure-compensating positions, in which non-matching grooves and fins are in engagement.
When the liquid container is completely filled, the bungtype socket dips with its lower end into the liquid. Actuation of the pressure-compensating valve then has the consequence that liquid emerges from the container. A further disadvantage is that it is difficult to distinguish whether the valve element of the pressure-compensating valve is in one of the plurality of possible closed positions or pressure-compensating positions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is to provide a satisfactorily hygienic, simply and safely operable closure of the type cited in the introduction, which is capable of achieving pressure compensation when the container is completely full.
This object is achieved with such a closure by the fact that the bung-type socket has a lateral pressure-compensating duct, the outside end of which is disposed above the liquid level in the completely filled container, that the valve element can be turned within limits defined by stops from a clearly defined closed position to a clearly defined pressure-compensating position and back, and that the valve element in pressure-compensating position opens up a flow path from the inside end of the pressure-compensating duct to the upper side of the bung-type socket, while in closed position it shuts off the path on the inside, covers it on the outside and seals it tightly on both inside and outside.
The clear definition of a closed position and pressure-compensating position and the action of turning the valve element therebetween within limits defined by stops make the closure according to the invention very safe to operate. The positions can be clearly marked, and it is apparent at any time whether the valve element is in closed position or pressure-compensating position. The outside cover and seal of the pressure-compensating flow path when the valve element is in closed position ensure that no residual liquid or rinse liquid can enter the closure during the filling process. The closure therefore satisfies the most stringent hygiene requirements.
In one preferred embodiment, the valve element has an external flange, which fits into a recess of the bung-type socket.
On the bottom of the recess there is provided a groove extending outward from the central orifice. The valve element has a surface groove, which in pressure-compensating position brings the inside end of the pressure-compensating duct into communication with the groove on the bottom of the recess.
In another preferred embodiment, the flange of the valve element is noncircular. In closed position and pressure-compensating position it snaps radially onto the outside of the bung-type socket with a projection. In closed position the projection covers the outside end of the groove on the bottom of the recess.
In another preferred embodiment, the valve element is notched over the circumference. The bung-type socket is provided with a cog, which locates the notch and becomes stopped at the ends thereof, thereby limiting the adjustment angle of the valve element and defining the closed posit
REFERENCES:
patent: 1747873 (1930-02-01), Mastrone
patent: 4552283 (1985-11-01), Poldner
patent: 4595172 (1986-06-01), Henderson
patent: 4779755 (1988-10-01), Harris
patent: 5509564 (1996-04-01), Knoop
patent: 5697510 (1997-12-01), Wang et al.
patent: 5799813 (1998-09-01), Letica
Batschied Karl
Oberhofer Kurt
Schreiner Udo
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