Receptacles – Container attachment or adjunct – Pressure relief means
Reexamination Certificate
2000-11-21
2001-11-20
Moy, Joseph M. (Department: 3727)
Receptacles
Container attachment or adjunct
Pressure relief means
Reexamination Certificate
active
06318576
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not applicable
REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX”
Not applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to rupture disks, and more particularly to an improved rupture disk apparatus. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to an improved rupture disk apparatus that features a unique sealing design that does not require a sealing membrane for pressure loading of a central metal membrane. The present invention even more particularly relates to an improved rupture disk construction that utilizes a two piece sanitary gasket/holder having an overlap feature for the circumferential stitches of the central metal membrane to provide both the seal and additional structural support at the weakest spot of the pressure containing metal membrane.
2. General Background of the Invention
Patents have issued that purport to be sanitary or hygienic pressure relief panels or disks. As an example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,821,909 discloses a hygienic pressure relief panel unit which is said to reliably rupture at a predetermined pressure in order to prevent buildup of dangerous pressure within protected structure such as a vessel or the like defining an enclosed space, which prevents media passage there through before rupture, and which is supposed to present a sanitary, easily cleanable surface toward the vessel interior in order to inhibit accumulation of food particles, dust or the like. The preferred panel unit includes a slotted stainless steel panel with the slots configured as a line of weakness for separation at a predetermined pressure, a sheet of PTFE material prepared on one side thereof to present an adhesive bonding surface, and an adhesive coupling the sheet and the panel, whereby the panel unit can be placed in a covering relationship with the vent opening of the protected structured in order to present the outer face of the PTFE sheet toward the vessel interior. The panel can include a series of slotted apertures defined there through configured to present a line of weakness defining three sides of a rectangle. The line of weakness defines the predetermined amount of pressure at which the panel ruptures.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an improved rupture disk apparatus in the form of a sanitary rupture disk apparatus. The apparatus includes a rupture disk member having a stitched portion, a periphery and a hinge area.
A peripheral support engages the periphery of the disk member, the peripheral support being a flexible member.
A pair of annular flanges extend radially inwardly of the peripheral support, each of the flanges overlapping and sealing the stitched portion of the disk member during use, the flanges being configured to enable a pressure loading of the disk member.
The peripheral support can include flexible polymeric members and a pair of spaced apart backup rings.
The peripheral support can be of a rubber or polymeric material.
The stitched portion preferably extends circumferentially at least 270 degrees about the periphery of the rupture disk member.
The peripheral support can include a pair of separate support members.
The rupture disk member can be generally circular in shape. The rupture disk member has a center and the stitched portion is closer to the disk periphery than to the disk center.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2224748 (1940-12-01), Sauer
patent: 2922544 (1960-01-01), Hibbard et al.
patent: 4067154 (1978-01-01), Fike, Jr.
patent: 4207913 (1980-06-01), Fike, Jr.
patent: 4612739 (1986-09-01), Wilson
patent: 4656793 (1987-04-01), Fons
patent: 4750303 (1988-06-01), Mullen
patent: 4777974 (1988-10-01), Swift et al.
patent: 4787180 (1988-11-01), Robinson et al.
patent: 4821909 (1989-04-01), Hibler et al.
patent: 5036632 (1991-08-01), Short, III et al.
patent: 6070365 (2000-06-01), Leonard
patent: 6241113 (2001-06-01), Mozley et al.
Graham James R.
Miller Tom P.
Garvey, Smith, Nehrbass & Doody LLC
Moy Joseph M.
Oklahoma Safety Equipment Co., Inc.
LandOfFree
Sanitary rupture disk apparatus does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Sanitary rupture disk apparatus, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Sanitary rupture disk apparatus will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2610211