GB1569864A - Closure assemblies for containers - Google Patents

Description

(54) CLOSURE ASSEMBLIES FOR CONTAINERS (71) We, HAMBLETON BARD LIMITED, a British Company of Ornhams Hall, Boroughbridge, Y05 9JH, in the City and County of York, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a Patent may be granted and the method by which it is to be performed to be described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to closure assemblies for containers for liquids or gases which are to be pressurised. The containers may be simply for storage of the liquids or gases or may be in the form of dispensing containers having draw-off taps or other means for periodically dispensing quantities of the container contents.

According to the invention there is provided an assembly of members for a container provided with an opening, the assembly including a gas transmission valve and mounting means therefor, the mounting means comprising inner and outer plate elements each, in use, respectively underlying and overlying the whole of the perimeter of the opening, the inner plate element being adapted to be introduced into the container from the outside through the opening and to be detachably secured with or without additional sealing means on the inner marginal face of the opening or on the under side of a grommet located in the opening, whilst the outer plate element is adapted to be detachably secured on the outer marginal face of the opening or on the upper side of the said grommet, whereby the plate elements when so secured close the opening.

The opening may serve as the filling opening for charging liquid into the con trainer. The plate elements may be so secured by one or more screw-threaded devices by attaching the gas transmission valve to the inner plate element and applving a nut device to an outwardly projecting screw-threaded portion of said valve to draw the two plate elements towards one another to embrace said marginal faces of the grommet.

Whilst containers according to the invention may be used for many purposes, and may be constructed of various suitable materials and in various shapes. the invention will be particularly advantageous in its application to dispersing containers for beer and other beverages which are aerated or are to be dispensed by gas pressure. More particularly these containers may be used in home brewing and this application of the invention will be referred to in the following description of an embodiment of the invention, without limiting the scope of the invention thereto.

This embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 to 4 illustrate stages in the fitting together of the parts of the assembly; Fig. 5 illustrates separately the various parts of the assembly; and Fig. 6 illustrates the assembly secured in the filling opening of a container.

Referring to the figures the inner and outer plates A and B and the interposed rubber sealing pad C each have a pair of holes which can register with the other pairs when the assembly is completed. The pressure release valve D has a central duct communicating with a radial duct which latter is covered with the rubber sleeve J to constitute a non-return valve. The gas transmission valve E has similar ducts with the radial one covered with rubber sleeve H, also to constitute a non-return valve.

In assembling the parts, the valve D with a washer F applied to it is inserted through the hole W in plate A from one face thereof and secured by a nut G (see Figs. 1 and 2). Similarly, valve E with a washer F applied to lt is inserted through the hole X in plate A from the opposite face thereof (see Fig. 2) and the sealing pad C is dropped over both valves (see Fig. 3), the operator holding this sub-assembly by gripping the upper end of valve E.

This sub-assembly is now inserted completely through the substantially rectangular filling opening N of the container K by tilting it and when it is again horizontalised and pulled up against the inner marginal face of the opening it can be held there by the operator's fingers (see Fig. 4) while the outer plate B is dropped into position with valve E passing through the hole Y.

Another nut G is then screwed loosely onto the upper end of valve E and the operator holds the assembly by valve E, turns plate B until hole Z is aligned with valve D and screws down the nut on valve E until valve D shows in hole Z.

This complete assembly is then turned through 90" and centralised on the raised rectangular platform M and clamped in this position by tightening the nut G on the valve E. This pulls the pad C against the inner marginal face of the opening to provide a good seal.

The above described procedure can be reversed to enable the assembly, with or without plate B, to be removed from the opening, or alternatively without detaching plate B the assembly can be turned back through 90" and slid to one end of the opening (see Fig. 4) to allow sufficient access to the interior of the container for filling.

In an embodiment not shown, an oval rubber grommet is shaped for fitting into an oval shaped opening so that the edge portion of the opening of container M fits in the grommet and the plates A and B are clamped at opposite sides of the grommet and sealing the said grommet. In the use of the grommet the sealing pad C of the Figs. 1 to 6 embodiment is omitted.

In order to pressurise the container the pressurising gas is fed in through a pipe or tube applied to the outer end ofthe valve E. If the container is to be used for beer brewing, the sleeve H is removed from valve E so as to allow the carbon dioxide produced during fermentation to escape from the container. If it is desired to use a heater the valve D can be removed and the heater inserted in its place.

The opening and plates may be of a shape other than rectangular, e.g. an oval opening and rectangular plates.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. An assembly of members for a container provided with an opening, the assembly including a gas transmission valve and mounting means therefor, the mounting means comprising inner and outer plate elements each, in use, respectively underlying and overlying the whole of the pert meter of the opening, the inner plate element being adapted to be introduced into the container from the outside through the opening and to be detachably secured with or without additional sealing means on the inner marginal face of the opening or on the under side of a grommet located in the opening1 whilst the outer plate element is adapted to be detachably secured on the outer marginal face of the opening or on the upper side of the said grommet, whereby the plate elements when so secured close the opening.

2. An assembly according to Claim I wherein the plate elements are so secured by one or more screw threaded devices by attaching the gas transmission valve to the inner plate element and applying a nut device to an outwardly projecting screw threaded portion of said valve to draw the two plate elements towards one another to embrace said marginal faces of the grommet.

3. An assembly according to either preceding claim including a pressure relief valve carried by said mounting means.

4. For a container provided with an opening, an assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs.

1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (4)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. the hole X in plate A from the opposite face thereof (see Fig. 2) and the sealing pad C is dropped over both valves (see Fig. 3), the operator holding this sub-assembly by gripping the upper end of valve E. This sub-assembly is now inserted completely through the substantially rectangular filling opening N of the container K by tilting it and when it is again horizontalised and pulled up against the inner marginal face of the opening it can be held there by the operator's fingers (see Fig. 4) while the outer plate B is dropped into position with valve E passing through the hole Y. Another nut G is then screwed loosely onto the upper end of valve E and the operator holds the assembly by valve E, turns plate B until hole Z is aligned with valve D and screws down the nut on valve E until valve D shows in hole Z. This complete assembly is then turned through 90" and centralised on the raised rectangular platform M and clamped in this position by tightening the nut G on the valve E. This pulls the pad C against the inner marginal face of the opening to provide a good seal. The above described procedure can be reversed to enable the assembly, with or without plate B, to be removed from the opening, or alternatively without detaching plate B the assembly can be turned back through 90" and slid to one end of the opening (see Fig. 4) to allow sufficient access to the interior of the container for filling. In an embodiment not shown, an oval rubber grommet is shaped for fitting into an oval shaped opening so that the edge portion of the opening of container M fits in the grommet and the plates A and B are clamped at opposite sides of the grommet and sealing the said grommet. In the use of the grommet the sealing pad C of the Figs. 1 to 6 embodiment is omitted. In order to pressurise the container the pressurising gas is fed in through a pipe or tube applied to the outer end ofthe valve E. If the container is to be used for beer brewing, the sleeve H is removed from valve E so as to allow the carbon dioxide produced during fermentation to escape from the container. If it is desired to use a heater the valve D can be removed and the heater inserted in its place. The opening and plates may be of a shape other than rectangular, e.g. an oval opening and rectangular plates. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. An assembly of members for a container provided with an opening, the assembly including a gas transmission valve and mounting means therefor, the mounting means comprising inner and outer plate elements each, in use, respectively underlying and overlying the whole of the pert meter of the opening, the inner plate element being adapted to be introduced into the container from the outside through the opening and to be detachably secured with or without additional sealing means on the inner marginal face of the opening or on the under side of a grommet located in the opening1 whilst the outer plate element is adapted to be detachably secured on the outer marginal face of the opening or on the upper side of the said grommet, whereby the plate elements when so secured close the opening.

2. An assembly according to Claim I wherein the plate elements are so secured by one or more screw threaded devices by attaching the gas transmission valve to the inner plate element and applying a nut device to an outwardly projecting screw threaded portion of said valve to draw the two plate elements towards one another to embrace said marginal faces of the grommet.

3. An assembly according to either preceding claim including a pressure relief valve carried by said mounting means.

4. For a container provided with an opening, an assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs.

1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.