GB2128967A

GB2128967A - Caps for fermentation vessels

Info

Publication number: GB2128967A
Application number: GB08231338A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter I E Fanning
Original assignee: Peter Fanning
Current assignee: Peter Fanning
Priority date: 1982-11-02
Filing date: 1982-11-02
Publication date: 1984-05-10

Abstract

This invention relates to a cap (12), for a fermentation vessel, which is fitted with a spring-loaded poppet valve. The valve includes a stem (19) having a button (14) on its outer end. The lower surface of the button (14) is provided with a circular recess (24) in which is an O-ring (25). The O-ring (25) is normally maintained in contact with a flat surface of the cap (12) by means of a spring (21). Pressure in the interior of the vessel can move the button (14) outwardly against the action of the spring (21). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to fermentation vessels and caps therefor This invention relates to fermentation vessels and caps therefor.

It is known to construct a fermentation vessel of glass, synthetic resin material or stainless-steel with a neck having an external thread to receive an internal thread on a cap.

Since gas is produced in the vessel during fermentation, it is necessary to provide some means for the gas to escape from the vessel.

Such means are normally provided in the cap and may consist, for example, of a water trap arranged to allow the pressurized gas within the container to bubble through the water in the trap, but which will prevent air or foreign bodies passing into the vessel from the exterior. In an alternative arrangement, an opening in a tube which is in communication with the interior of the vessel is closed by an elastic medium so that, once again, gas under pressure can escape through the opening by forcing the elastic medium away from the opening.

Both the above systems suffer from disadvantages. The water trap is vulnerable to damage or movement of the vessel and, if care is not taken, the water may evaporate, thus allowing air and foreign bodies to enter the vessel when fermentation ceases. In addition, a water trap is unsuitable for use in the fermentation of beer since it does not allow sufficient pressure to be built up in the vessel to cause the carbon dioxide to be dissolved in the liquid. The tube and elastic member are also liable to fail in that the elastic material may perish so that the pressure within the vessel is sufficient to rupture the material.

Furthermore, both the tube and the elastic member may readily be contaminated by the must or wort. Since the must or wort contains sugar and other glutinous substances, this contamination may result in a high level of adhesion between the tube and the elastic member, thereby permitting an excessive build-up of pressure within the vessel.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a more reliable and accurate means for allowing the gas to escape from the interior of the vessel.

From one aspect the invention consists in a fermentation vessel provided with a removable cap, wherein a spring-loaded poppet valve is fitted in said cap, said valve being adapted to open to allow gas to escape from the vessel when the pressure in the vessel exceeds a predetermined value.

Preferably the cap includes a relatively large flat surface which may be horizontal when the vessel is in use. A hole is provided in this surface, and the stem of the poppet valve protrudes into the vessel through this hole.

The stem is provided with a circular button on its upper end, and the lower surface of the button is provided with a circular recess to receive an O-ring. A spring is provided to urge the stem downwardly into the interior of the vessel so that the O-ring is forced into contact with the upper flat surface of the cap, thus sealing the vessel. When the pressure in the vessel exceeds the predetermined value, the force produced by the gas against the underside of the button is sufficient to raise the stem against the action of the spring and thus allow the gas to escape between the O-ring and the upper surface of the cap.

From another aspect the invention consists in any features of novelty, taken singly or in combination, of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the neck of a fermentation vessel provided with a cap in accordance with the present invention; and Figure 2 is a sectional view of part of the cap taken on the line 2:2 looking in the direction of the arrows.

As can be seen from Fig. 1, a pressure vessel 10 includes a neck 11 provided with a removable cap 1 2. The cap is provided with lips 1 3 by means of which it can be rotated to fit it to the neck 11 or remove it therefrom.

The cap includes a spring-loaded valve, the button of which can be seen at 14. The cap also includes a sealed hole 15, which may be used for a carbon dioxide injector if the seal is removed.

As can be seen more particularly from Fig.

2, the exterior of the neck 11 is threaded as shown at 16, and the interior of the cap is threaded as shown at 1 7. An O-ring 1 8 is provided in a recess formed in the underside of the cap to seal the cap to the vessel when it is tightened thereon.

The valve which is provided in the cap in accordance with the present invention comprises a stem 1 9 and a button 14. A groove is formed in the stem 1 9 to receive a circlip 20, and a spring 21 is fitted between the circlip and the underside of a recess 22 formed in the cap 1 2. The stem 1 9 passes through a hole 23 formed in the cap 1 2. The lower surface of the button 14 is provided with a circular recess 24 to receive and retain an Oring 25.

It will be seen that, in the rest position, the O-ring 25 is forced against the upper surface of the cap 1 2 by the action of the spring 21.

When gas is formed within the vessel, it passes through the hole 23 to the annular chamber bounded by the O-ring 25. When the pressure in the vessel exceeds a predetermined value, the pressure in the chamber will be sufficient to move the button 14 upwardly against the action of the spring 21. The Oring 25 will then come out of contact with the upper surface of the cap and allow gas to escape through the resulting gap. When the excess gas has escaped, the spring 21 will return the button to the position illustrated in Fig. 2.

Preferably the spring 21 and the circlip 20 consist of stainless-steel, while the cap 12, the stem 1 9 and the button 1 4 consist of nitrile rubber. In one particular embodiment of the invention, the predetermined value is 1 5 Ibs per square inch.

Claims

1. A fermentation vessel provided with a removable cap, wherein a spring-loaded poppet valve is fitted in said cap, said valve being adapted to open to allow gas to escape from the vessel when the pressure in the vessel exceeds a predetermined value.

2. A fermentation vessel as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the cap includes an exterior flat surface provided with a hole through which the stem of the poppet valve protrudes into the vessel.

3. A fermentation vessel as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the stem of the poppet valve is provided with a circular button on its outer end and wherein the surface of the button facing the flat surface of the cap is provided with a circular recess in which is located an 0ring.

4. A fermentation vessel as claimed in Claim 3, wherein a spring is provided to urge the stem downwardly into the interior of the vessel so that the O-ring is forced into contact with the flat surface of the cap, thus sealing the vessel.

5. A fermentation vessel as claimed in Claim 4, wherein a groove is formed in the stem of the poppet valve to receive a circlip and wherein the spring is fitted between the circlip and the base of a recess formed in the cap.

6. A fermentation vessel as claimed in any of the preceding Claims, wherein the cap is internally threaded to engage an external thread on the neck of the vessel, and wherein an O-ring is provided in a recess formed in the interior surface of the cap to seal the cap to the vessel when it is tightened thereon.

7. A fermentation vessel provided with a removable cap substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

8. Any features of novelty, taken singly or in combination, of the fermentation vessel hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.