JP6279548B2 - Container with pressure relief valve - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a pressure relief valve, in particular a pressure relief valve used in a container or keg for pressurized fluids such as carbonated beverages, for example beer.

  Existing pressure relief valves have the disadvantage that they are usually not very compact and contain several parts that are difficult to reuse.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a container having a pressure relief valve that is compact and reliable.

  For this purpose, the present invention provides a container for a pressurized fluid, preferably a carbonated beverage. The container includes a fitting with a suction tube for drawing fluid into the container, and a pressure relief valve is mounted on the upper end of the suction tube or the neck of the container. The pressure relief valve comprises a closing body that is elastically mounted and is movable from a closed position to an open position by a compressed spring.

  The embodiment mounted on the suction tube has the advantage that the pressure relief valve can be mounted in a convenient manner in the fitting and there is no need to change the container itself. The embodiment mounted on the neck portion is an extremely compact embodiment, and the pressure relief valve can be incorporated in or incorporated in a fitting main body provided in the container, for example.

  The closing body is preferably mounted elastically via spring means, and as a result of a pressure exceeding a predetermined critical pressure, the spring means is compressed and moves the closing body from the closed position to the open position. When mounted on the suction tube, the pressure relief valve is preferably mounted vertically, i.e. the closure body is movable vertically between a closed position and an open position.

  In the case of an embodiment of the suction tube, the upper end of the suction tube is preferably provided with a cap with a hole, which is sealed by the closing body in the closed position of the closing body. Note that the cap can be integrally formed with the suction tube, but can also form part of a component that can be attached or connected to the suction tube. The cap can, for example, form part of a housing that is elastically arranged in the suction tube. The hole and the closure body are preferably shaped such that the closure body pushes outward from the cap. When the pressure relief valve is opened, fluid can flow out through this hole. According to an alternative, the upper end of the suction tube is open and the closed body is received in the closed position so as to seal at this open end.

  The closure body preferably comprises a clamping part and a spring support for the spring means, the clamping part being connected to the spring support, the spring means being connected to the spring support and the neck of the suction tube or container. As a result, when the pressure in the container exceeds a critical value, the spring support compresses the spring means due to this pressure and pushes the clamp outward. When a cap is provided at the upper end of the suction tube, the spring means preferably operates between the spring support and the cap of the suction tube.

  The closing body preferably comprises a central part having a first end provided with a clamp part and a second end provided with a spring support part, the spring means being a spring arranged around the central part. . The central part is preferably substantially cylindrical. The clamp part is preferably formed integrally with the central part, but can also be connected to the central part via a clamp connection part. The spring support preferably extends annularly around the central part and is preferably provided with an upright peripheral wall so that the outer end of the spring can be received between the central part and the upright peripheral wall .

  According to an advantageous embodiment, the closing body comprises a clamping part which is received so as to seal at the opening, the opening and the clamping part being pressed out of the opening in a direction in which the clamping part moves from the inside of the barrel to the outside. It has a shape that can be done. The opening is provided at, for example, the upper end of the suction tube or the neck of the container. When viewed in the extrusion direction, the clamp portion preferably has a divergent shape so that the clamp portion is movable outward rather than inward. The clamping part can take the form of a substantially truncated cone or pyramid, for example.

  The clamp part is preferably mounted rotatably between a closed position and an open position, with the result that the clamp part moves outward from the opening by rotation. Here, the clamp part and the opening are preferably non-rotationally symmetric, so that rotation of the clamp part causes outward movement of the clamp part.

  If the clamping part is provided with, for example, a recess or other connection option for connection with a screwdriver head, the connection part can be rotated manually and the pressure can be released from the barrel. In addition to the automatic opening of the valve as a result of the pressure in the container being too high, the valve can thus be opened manually. This is particularly useful when the barrel is empty, allowing the user to relieve pressure where needed and for safety.

  When the opening is viewed vertically, the clamp part has, for example, different width and length dimensions, while the clamp part has a divergent shape when viewed in the extrusion direction. Thus, by rotating the clamp part by 90 degrees, the clamp part can be placed in the open position.

  According to a possible embodiment, the suction tube is provided with one or more openings for the passage of fluid from the barrel, and the pressure relief valve is substantially above the one or more openings. Placed in.

  According to an advantageous embodiment, the pressure relief valve comprises a clamp part, a spring support part and a spring means. The clamp part is connected to a spring support part, and the spring means operates between the spring support part and the suction tube or neck part, so that the pressure in the container is a critical value (eg 5-7 bar). In the case of exceeding, the spring support part pushes the clamp part outward in the opposite direction to the movement of the spring means. The spring support portion is preferably an integral part and is manufactured by, for example, injection molding, and includes a base portion and a connecting shaft extending upward from the base portion, and the connecting shaft is mounted on the clamp portion.

  For this purpose, for example, the clamp portion may be provided with a recess into which the outer end of the connecting shaft can be pushed, and the shape of the recess and the outer end is such that the connecting shaft is fixed to the clamp portion. The connection between the clamp part and the connecting shaft may be, for example, a dovetail connection.

  According to an advantageous embodiment, the clamping part is made of a plastic material that is more compressible than the plastic material from which the spring support is made. The clamp part is preferably made of, for example, an EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) material or an NBR (nitrile butadiene rubber) material with good sealing properties. The spring support is made of, for example, a harder plastic material such as PET.

  According to an alternative embodiment, the clamp part and the spring support part are manufactured from the same material. In this case, a separate seal can be placed around the clamping part, for example a separate O-ring or an outer-coated (overmolded) elastic rubber, which ensures a seal. The clamp part and the spring support part can be manufactured from, for example, a PET material.

  According to yet another possible embodiment, the pressure relief valve comprises a housing mounted for sealing at the upper end or neck of the suction tube. The housing has a lower opening at the bottom and an upper opening at the top. The closing part is elastically mounted on the housing via spring means, for example, to close the lower opening. This mounting is such that the closure can be pushed into the housing from the lower opening and the spring means is compressed when the pressure in the container exceeds a predetermined critical value. Such a critical pressure is, for example, 5-7 bar.

  The invention will be further elucidated on the basis of a number of non-limiting exemplary embodiments of an assembly according to the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

It is a schematic sectional drawing of one Embodiment of the S type fitting which concerns on this invention. 1B is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1A. FIG. It is a schematic sectional drawing of one Embodiment of A type fitting which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic perspective view of the fitting main body of the embodiment of FIG. 2A when viewed from above. It is a schematic perspective view of the suction tube mounting component of the embodiment of FIG. 2A. FIG. 2B is a schematic perspective view of parts of the suction tube of the embodiment of FIG. 2A. It is sectional drawing of one Embodiment of the pressure relief valve based on this invention mounted in the suction tube. It is sectional drawing of one Embodiment of the pressure relief valve based on this invention mounted in the suction tube. It is sectional drawing of one Embodiment of the pressure relief valve based on this invention mounted in the suction tube. It is a perspective view of one Embodiment of the pressure relief valve concerning this invention mounted in the suction tube. The upper perspective view of a pressure relief valve is shown. The bottom perspective view of a pressure relief valve is shown. Fig. 5 shows a top perspective view of a pressure relief valve without a closing body. FIG. 6B shows a perspective view of the parts of the closure body of the embodiment of FIG. 6A. FIG. 6B shows a perspective view of the spring support of the embodiment of FIG. 6A. FIG. 6B shows a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 6A. FIG. 6B shows the embodiment of FIG. 6A in three consecutive positions of the closure body. FIG. 6B shows the embodiment of FIG. 6A in three consecutive positions of the closure body. FIG. 6B shows the embodiment of FIG. 6A in three consecutive positions of the closure body. Fig. 3 shows a first alternative embodiment in which a pressure relief valve is provided at the neck. Fig. 3 shows a first alternative embodiment in which a pressure relief valve is provided at the neck. Fig. 3 shows a first alternative embodiment in which a pressure relief valve is provided at the neck. Figure 3 shows a second alternative embodiment in which a pressure relief valve is provided at the neck. Figure 3 shows a second alternative embodiment in which a pressure relief valve is provided at the neck.

  FIG. 1A shows one embodiment of an S-type fitting. FIG. 2A shows an embodiment of an A-type fitting mounted on a plastic barrel 100, and only the upper part with the neck 101 is shown in FIG. 2A. FIG. 1A shows only the fitting, not the container.

  The neck portion 101 is provided with two thick neck portions. Here, the neck portion 101 has a shape of neck rings 102 and 103 formed integrally with the neck portion 101 of the barrel 100 and extends along the periphery of the neck portion. ing. The barrel 100 is typically manufactured by blow molding, in particular stretch blow molding, preferably from one of the following materials: PET materials, in particular bottle grade PET, PP material, PE material, PEN material. This latter is typically used as a reusable barrel. With respect to reusable barrels, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention applies equally to so-called disposable barrels. The barrel 100 is typically configured to store liquid under a pressure of 0.25 bar to 10.00 bar, preferably 0.50 bar to 3.50 bar.

  Each of the S type and A type fittings includes a fitting body 4; 104 (see FIGS. 1B and 2B). The fitting body 4; 104 can be fitted with two or more ring portions 106a, 106b forming a ring around the neck 101. The fitting body 4; 104 is provided at its periphery with a profiling 24 (more or less protruding ribs); 124 (flat surface) (see FIGS. 1B and 2B) and two rings The portions 106a and 106b are provided with complementary contouring portions for non-rotating positioning.

  The fitting body 4; 104 is further provided with a support flange 5; 105, which is intended, for example, for receiving different fitting parts that can supply gas while discharging liquid from the barrel.

  The following fitting parts can be recognized in FIG. 1A and FIG. 2A or 2B. A cap 31; 131; a sealing ring 32; 132 for sealing between the fitting body 4; 104 and the neck 101; and suction tubes 33, 34; 133 for drawing fluid into the barrel 100. 134, suction tube mounting parts 35; 135, valve parts 37, 39; 137, 139 and spring means 36, 36 '; 136 for applying a spring action to the valve parts 37, 39; 137, 139 And pressure relief valves 38 and 138.

  Those skilled in the art will appreciate that these are only two embodiments and that the fitting can be constructed in other ways. Embodiments of the present invention are applicable to various types of fittings for barrels.

  The embodiment shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B is intended for co-operation with A-type or G-type barrel couplings. The embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B is intended for co-operation with an S-type barrel coupling. The keg coupling is a component that is mounted on the top surface of the fitting and allows fluid, typically beer, to flow out of the keg while allowing gas to enter and maintain the keg in a pressurized state. In addition to A-barrel coupling, G-barrel coupling and S-barrel coupling, there are also D-type, U-type and M-type barrel couplings. The fitting will be embodied slightly different in these types, but those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention is equally applicable to such fittings.

  FIG. 2C shows the suction tube mounting part 135 in detail for an A-type fitting embodiment. This part is provided with a central opening 500 to which the suction tube part 133 shown in FIG. 2D can be fixed. The suction tube mounting component 135 is further provided with a receiving portion 502 for the tongue 127 of the fitting main body 104 at the periphery thereof (see FIG. 2B). The tongue 127 facing downward is provided on the lower surface of the fitting main body 104, and is provided with holes 128 that can be individually engaged with the protrusions 501 provided on the receiving portion 502.

  Thus, the suction tube mounting part 135 can be locked on the lower surface of the fitting main body 104. The suction tube component 133 is provided with an opening 504 for the passage of fluid from the barrel. In the variant of FIGS. 1A and 1B, the suction tube part 33 and the mounting part 35 are manufactured from a single part in which the upper part 39 elastically mounted is arranged. The upper part 39 is provided with an opening 54 for the passage of fluid from the barrel. The mounting of the mounting component 35 to the fitting body 4 is the same as that of the modified example of FIGS. 2A and 2B, and will not be described in detail.

  Referring to FIG. 1A or 2A, note that in the illustrated embodiment, pressure relief valves 38, 138 provided at the top of the suction tube can be installed at one or more other locations. For example, a number of pressure relief valves may be installed, for example, at the lower end of the wall of the fitting body 104, and appropriate connections need to be placed in the neck portion 101 of the barrel 100. Such an embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 9A-9C and 10A-10B.

  9A-9C show a pressure relief valve 700 with a housing 703 and a closure body 701 elastically received therein. The closing main body 701 is similar to the closing main body 601 and is described in detail with reference to FIGS. 6A to 6E and FIG. The housing 703 has a vertical tube portion 730 that leads to the outlet pipe 731 and can be mounted on a barrel wall, for example, a barrel neck as shown in FIG. 9B. A seal, such as a conical seal 732, may be provided between the neck wall and the outlet pipe 731.

  Referring to FIGS. 9B and 9C, one or more pressure relief valves 700 can be placed in the barrel prior to installing the fitting body 104, and the outlet pipe 731 can be connected via, for example, a conical seal 732. Mounted on the neck wall. And the fitting main body 104 can be installed. The fitting body 104 is advantageously provided with a vertically downwardly projecting rib 129, and the tube portion 730 is receivable between the vertical ribs 129. These ribs 129 thus provide additional retention and positioning of the pressure relief valve 700.

  10A-10B show an additional second variation of a pressure relief valve 800 connected via a barrel neck. The pressure relief valve is mounted horizontally here in a housing 803 with an outlet pipe 831 and can be mounted on a barrel wall, for example on the neck of the barrel. A seal, such as a conical seal 832, may be provided between the neck wall and the outlet pipe 831.

  3 and 4 show two individual embodiments of a pressure relief valve 200, 300 according to the invention intended to be mounted in a container for pressurized fluid, typically a suction tube of a beer keg. Indicates. The container and fitting can be embodied, for example, as described above, but can take different shapes. The pressure relief valves 200 and 300 are mounted on the upper end of the suction tube 133 for drawing fluid into the container. The suction tube 133 is provided with an opening 504 for passage of fluid from the barrel, and the pressure relief valves 200 and 300 are disposed above the opening 504. The upper end of the suction tube is closed by a closing cap 505 having a hole 506 through which fluid can leak when the pressure relief valve 200 is opened.

  3 and 4, the pressure relief valves 200 and 300 include closing main bodies 201 and 301 and springs 202 and 302. The closing main bodies 201 and 301 include clamp portions 210 and 310 that are received so as to be sealed in the holes 506 of the closing cap. The hole 506 and the clamp portions 210 and 310 have such a shape that the clamp portion can be pressed from the inside of the suction tube to the outside of the closing cap 505. The clamp parts 210 and 310 can be in the shape of a truncated cone or a pyramid, for example.

  The closing main bodies 201 and 301 further include spring support portions 212 and 312 for the springs 202 and 302. The clamp portions 210 and 310 are connected to the spring support portions 212 and 312, and the springs 202 and 302 operate between the spring support portions 212 and 312 and the closing cap 505, so that the pressure in the container exceeds a critical value. In this case, the spring support portion pushes the clamp portions 210 and 310 outward in the opposite direction to the movement of the spring. In this modification, the spring support portions 212 and 312 are integrally manufactured parts, and include a base portion and connecting shafts 211 and 311 that extend upward from the base portion and are attached to the clamp portion. In the illustrated modification, the clamp portions 210 and 310 are provided with recesses into which the outer ends 214 and 314 of the connecting shafts 211 and 311 can be pushed. The shape of the recess and the outer end is such that the connecting shaft is fixed to the clamp portion. In the illustrated embodiment, the connection between the clamp portion and the connecting shaft is, for example, a dovetail connection, but those skilled in the art will appreciate that other connections are possible.

  In the variant of FIG. 3, the clamp part is made of a plastic material that is more compressible than the plastic material from which the spring support is made, and the material of the clamp part itself provides a seal. And the clamp part is manufactured from EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) material or NBR (nitrile butadiene rubber) material, for example. In the variant of FIG. 4, the clamp part and the spring support part are manufactured from the same material, and a sealing ring 304 is arranged around the clamp part. In this case, both the spring support 312 and the clamp 310 can be manufactured from, for example, PET material.

  5A and 5B show another embodiment of a pressure relief valve 400 according to the present invention. In the present embodiment, the pressure relief valve includes a closing body 401 and a spring 402 that are housed in a housing 403 mounted on the upper end of the suction tube via a sealing ring 404. The housing 403 is provided with a lower opening 430 at the lower portion and an upper opening 431 at the upper portion. The closing main body 401 is elastically mounted in the housing using a spring 402. The closing main body 401 includes a base portion 410 configured to approach the lower opening 430 and a shaft portion 411 extending upward from the base portion 410 and provided with a spring 402 around the base portion 410. The spring 402 operates between the base portion 410 and the upper wall 432 of the housing 403, and the shaft portion 411 is guided so as to pass therethrough. Thus, if the pressure in the container exceeds a predetermined critical value, the base 410 can be pushed into the housing 403 as opposed to the spring movement of the spring 402, thereby allowing fluid to flow from the container into the lower opening. Leakage can occur through the upper opening 431 and the hole 506 through 430.

  6A to 6E, 7 and 8A to 8C show still another embodiment of the pressure relief valve according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the pressure relief valve is mounted in a housing 603, which is intended to be installed at the upper end of the suction tube. See also FIG. 1A (housing is shown at 39 in FIG. 1A). The pressure relief valve includes a closing body 601 that is resiliently mounted within a housing 603, as most clearly shown in FIG. The closing main body 601 includes a clamp portion 610, a connecting portion 611 connected to the clamp portion 610, and a spring support portion 612. The connecting portion 611 is provided with a thick portion 614 at its outer end so that the spring support portion 612 can be fixedly fastened to the connecting portion 611. For this purpose, the spring support 612 is provided with a central passage 615.

  The spring support 612 is shown most clearly in FIG. 6E and comprises a ring 616 connected to the central passage 615 using a number of connecting arms 618. A first end of the spring 602 is received in the spring support 612 between the inner ring 615 and the outer ring 616. The other outer end of the spring 602 supports the upper wall 630 of the housing 603. The upper wall 630 is further provided with an opening 606 that is closed by the clamp portion 610 at the closed position.

  An O-ring 604 can be installed in the clamp part 610 for good sealing. The spring 602 operates between the spring support 612 and the housing 603. Due to the compression of the spring 602, as a result of the high pressure in the barrel, the closing body 601 can thus be moved from the closed position (see FIG. 6A) to the open position (see FIG. 8A). Since the housing 603 is mounted on the suction tube, the spring 602 operates indirectly between the spring support 612 and the suction tube so that if the pressure in the container exceeds a critical value, the spring support 612 The spring 602 is compressed, and the clamp portion 610 is pushed outward.

  As shown most clearly in FIG. 6D, the clamp portion 610 has a divergent shape when viewed from the inside to the outside of the barrel. The clamp portion 610 further has a width dimension different from the length dimension, and the clamp portion is provided with a recess 616 on its upper side, here in the form of a groove, into which the head of the tool can be received. Thus, rotation of the clamp portion 610 causes simultaneous upward movement of the clamp portion. The clamp part 610 preferably has rounded corners and rounded divergent peripheral parts, so that the clamp part 610 can rotate smoothly from the closed position to the open position. This also allows the pressure to be manually relieved and shows two individual positions of the clamp 610 as best shown in FIGS. 8B and 8C.

  The clamp part 610 can be rotated using, for example, a screwdriver, thereby creating an opening through which pressure can leak from the barrel. Note that other shapes are possible in place of the grooved recess 616, and a tool having a head with a complementary shape is provided for manual opening of the pressure relief valve.

  It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above, and that many variations can be envisaged without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined solely by the following claims. Let's go.

Claims (23)

A container for pressurized fluid,
The neck,
It mounted thereon, and a fitting with a suction tube for bring out the fluid out of the container,
A pressure relief valve is mounted at the top of the suction tube or the neck of the container,
The pressure relief valve is resiliently mounted via a spring means, Bei give a closure body is movable to the open position from the closed position by the compressed spring,
The closing body includes a clamp portion that is received so as to seal at the opening,
The opening and the clamp part have such a shape that the clamp part can be pressed from the inside of the opening to the outside,
The clamp part is mounted rotatably between a closed position and an open position, and as a result, the clamp part moves outward from the opening during rotation.
A container characterized by that.   The container of claim 1, wherein the closure body is mounted to move from the closed position to the open position as a result of a pressure exceeding a predetermined critical pressure. The upper end of the suction tube is provided with a cap with a hole,
The container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the hole is sealed by the closing body at a closing position of the closing body. The closing body comprises a clamp part and a spring support part for the spring means,
The clamp part is connected to the spring support part,
The spring means operates between the spring support and the suction tube or barrel neck so that if the pressure in the container exceeds a critical value, the spring support causes the clamp means to move with the movement of the spring means. The container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the container is pushed outward.   5. A container according to claim 4, wherein the spring means operates between the spring support and the cap of the suction tube. The closing body includes a central portion having a first end provided with a clamp portion and a second end provided with a spring support portion,
6. A container according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the spring means is a spring disposed around the central portion.   The container according to claim 6, wherein the clamp part is formed integrally with the central part.   The spring support portion extends in an annular shape around the central portion, and is provided with an upright peripheral wall. As a result, the outer end of the spring can be received between the central portion and the upright peripheral wall. The container according to any one of claims 4 to 7. The container according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the clamp portion has a diverging shape in a moving direction from the closed position to the open position. Clamping portion substantially has the shape of a truncated cone or pyramid, the container according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a rib bearing a round Mi. 11. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the clamp part and the opening are non-rotationally symmetric so that rotation of the clamp part causes an outward movement of the clamp part. The container according to any one of claims 1 to 11 , wherein the clamp portion has a width dimension and a length dimension that are different from each other when the opening is viewed vertically. The container according to any one of claims 1 to 12 , wherein the clamp part is provided with a recess or a protrusion intended to be connected to the head of the tool. The suction tube is provided with at least one opening for a passage of fluid from the barrel;
14. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a pressure relief valve is arranged above the at least one opening. The closing body includes a clamp part and a spring support part,
The spring support is an integral part including a base and a connecting shaft extending upward from the base.
The connecting shaft, the container according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that mounted in the clamping portion. The clamp part is provided with a recess into which the outer end of the connecting shaft can be pushed,
16. The container according to claim 15 , wherein the shape of the recess and the outer end is such that the connecting shaft is fixed to the clamp portion. The container according to claim 16 , wherein the connection between the clamp portion and the connection shaft is a dovetail connection. The closing body includes a clamp part and a spring support part,
The container according to any one of claims 1 to 17 , wherein the clamp part is made of a plastic material that is more compressible than the plastic material from which the spring support part is made. Clamp unit, good good as with sealing properties, EPDM container according to claim 18, wherein the prepared from (ethylene propylene diene monomer) material or NBR (nitrile butadiene rubber) material. The closing body includes a clamp part and a spring support part,
The clamp part and the spring support part are made of the same material,
The container according to any one of claims 1 to 17 , wherein the sealing means is disposed around the clamp portion. The container according to any one of claims 18 to 20 , wherein the spring support portion is made of PET. The container according to any one of claims 1 to 21 , wherein the pressure relief valve includes a housing mounted to be sealed at an upper end or a neck portion of the suction tube. The housing has a lower opening at the bottom and an upper opening at the top,
The closure body is elastically mounted on the housing to close the lower opening so that the valve portion can be pushed into the housing when the pressure in the container exceeds a predetermined critical value. The container according to claim 22 .

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