JPH01213168A - Sealing tool having pump for carbonated beverage vessel - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To keep the internal pressure of a container from which the beverage is partially taken out, and to prevent the deterioration of the quality of the beverage by combining a manual pump with a seal cap for increasing the pressure inside of the container, and sealing a discharge port of a check valve of the pump by an elastic matching member. CONSTITUTION: A pump 18 formed by a combination unit 10 of a seal cap/pump is inserted into a neck of a container after a part of the carbonated beverage is taken out from the container, and an opening of the neck is sealed by turning the seal cap 16. The air is sent into a compression chamber 54 through an air passage 68 from an annular part 50 by the up-stroke of a piston 36. An annular seal 56 in the floated condition by the down-stroke effectively seals the compression chamber 54, the air previously sucked in the compression chamber is pushed out from a discharge port 88 of a check valve 20, and the high pressure condition is generated inside of the container. The disc 86 of an elastic membrane seals the discharge port 88 of the check valve 20, so that the pressure in the container is maintained, and the loss of carbonic acid can be prevented.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to a closure for a beverage container, and specifically to a closure for a beverage container equipped with a pump for pressurizing the beverage container with atmospheric air. Concerning a cap closure with a

(Prior Art) Carbonated beverages are sold in glass containers or plastic containers, and these containers are pressurized and sealed at manufacturing plants. The closure serves to seal the container and maintain the contents under pressure until the container is opened for consumption. Beverage containers are often relatively small, in the 6 to 10 ounce range, and are sealed with disposable caps that can be used after opening the beverage container.
Will be scrapped. Beverage containers become larger, e.g. 2 to 3 y
For larger bottles, a reusable screw cap is used as the closure, allowing the container to be resealed even after some of the beverage has been dispensed.6 Carbonated beverages are usually Carbonic acid scum is dissolved, and this carbonic scum will leak into the atmosphere unless the container is pressurized and sealed. Once the dissolved carbon dioxide scum is gone, the taste of carbonated drinks becomes bland. By sealing the beverage container after use, carbonation (carl+onaLion)
) can be somewhat reduced. However,
If the volume of the container becomes quite large, carbonic acid will be released into the space inside the container even if it is sealed, and the taste of the remaining container will be impaired.

Therefore, in the case of such large containers, the quality of the beverage gradually deteriorates and the beverage remaining in the container becomes unpalatable and ends up being discarded.

In order to reduce the loss of carbonic acid from ghee, it is common practice to seal the space inside a container of ghee. This involves inserting a closure with a resilient sealing member into the neck of the container to tightly seal the interior volume of the container. However, as the remaining amount of the beverage decreases, the space inside the container becomes larger, so that more of the dissolved carbon dioxide gas escapes from the beverage into the space.

It is also known that if the space within the beverage container is repressurized with atmospheric air, the amount of dissolved carbon dioxide leaving the beverage is substantially reduced. For this reason, it has been proposed to pressurize the space inside the container with atmospheric air using a pump device. It is known to insert a combination of a sealing cap and a pressure pump into the neck of a beverage container. However, with such conventional pressurization and sealing devices, there have been cases where the pressure in the space of the beverage container is greater than the pressure of the scum dissolved in the beverage, or the pressure cannot be maintained. . Furthermore, in such a sealing device with a pump,
In some cases, leakage occurred through or around the sealing element of the pump, making it impossible to maintain a sufficiently high pressure within the container space. Additionally, although some conventional pump devices may initially be able to create a suitable pressure level, they may be unable to maintain the internal pressure at a predetermined level due to leakage.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention and Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention combines a pump that can be operated by hand with a sealing cap to seal and pressurize the internal space of a carbonated beverage container. It is. The pump cylinder is integrally formed with a threaded closure cap and can be inserted into the cavity of the beverage container, and the pump cylinder is inserted through the neck of the container. The piston is disposed through a guide ring, allowing it to move forward and backward within the pump cylinder. A space is provided between the piston and the inner diameter of the cylinder side wall to form an annular portion for supplying air, and the annular portion is sealed by an elastic annular seal that moves together with the piston while contacting the inner side wall of the cylinder. Ru. The inner diameter space of the cylinder formed on the opposite side of the seal constitutes a compression chamber.

An important feature of the present invention is to provide a pump cylinder with an improved check valve arrangement in which the discharge port is sealed by a resilient conformable member formed in the side wall of the cylinder. This is due to the fact that it is in contact with the tapered sealing surface. A discharge port is formed in this sealing surface. Since the seal member has a flexible structure that is resilient to the tapered seal surface, the force applied to the seal member during the upstroke process and during rest is uniformly across the surface of the seal member. Because it is distributed, wrinkles can be prevented and damage to the seal can be prevented. Additionally, during the downstroke, air is forced out of the compression chamber and into the cavity of the beverage container.

The elastic member can be easily displaced from the Taber surface surrounding the ejection port to pressurize the space in the container.

Another feature of the invention is that an annular seal is fitted around the small diameter portion of the piston and located along the small diameter portion at a first location l\\.
The reason is that it can be moved in the axial direction. In the first position, the vent groove formed in the piston is open and air can enter the compression chamber from the air supply annulus through the vent groove during the retraction of the upstroke of the piston. The annular seal is axially movable along the small diameter portion from a first position to a second position. During the town stroke of the piston and seal, the annular seal moves into the pump cylinder to a second position, and the seal contacts the piston to close the vent groove and seal the air supply annulus. In this way, high pressure conditions can be created.

The salient features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

(Example) In the following description, the same reference numerals are given to the same parts throughout this specification and the drawings.

The drawings are not necessarily to scale, and some parts may be shown in exaggerated proportions in order to more clearly explain the operation of the invention.

The improved sealing cap/pump device (10)
12) and is used to pressurize the volume of the carbonated beverage (14) contained within the beverage container (12).

The device (10) has a closure cap (16) to which a pump (18) is attached. The Bonpuku 18) has a check valve (20) (see Figure 3), which allows atmospheric air to flow through the beverage container (
12>, the pressurized gas can be sucked into the space (22) inside the space (22).
) through the pump (18) in the opposite direction.

A screw (24) is provided on the inner diameter of the sealing cap (16), and the screw can be screwed into a screw (not shown) formed around the outer wall surface of the neck (26) of the container. There is. Engage the screw in a compressed state and close the check valve (20).
In combination with the action of , the inner space (22) of the container is effectively sealed and the pressurized gas is prevented from escaping.

The sealing cap (16) has a crown or zenith portion (28
) is integrally formed with a cylindrical side wall (30). Furthermore, the pump housing (
32) is integrally formed, the housing being located concentrically with respect to the side wall (30) of the cylindrical cap. The pump housing 32) has a zenith section (28).
A cylindrical hole (34) passing through is opened.

The cylindrical bore (34) is sealed at the opposite end of the pump housing (32) by a check valve arrangement (20).

Atmospheric air is drawn into the interior space (22) through the holes (34) of the pump (18). As best shown in Figure 2, the sealing cuff 16)
6), the pump housing (32) extends through the neck (26) and communicates with the space (22) within the container. When the sealing cap (16) is tightly secured to the neck (26) of the container, air directed through the check valve (20) pressurizes the space (22) inside the container (12).

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the pump (18) includes a piston (36) that is concentrically housed within the cylindrical bore (34) and aligned with the axis (34) of the cylindrical bore (34).
It moves forward and backward along the axis, allowing for reciprocating motion in the axial direction. The piston (36) is centered within the cylindrical bore (34) by an annular positioning ring (40). A cylindrical hole (42> is formed in the positioning link (40), and a piston (36) is slidably housed in the hole.The positioning ring (40) is arranged in a radial direction of the lock claw (44>). It is connected to the zenith (28) by a projecting tapered shoulder (46), which is formed in a cylindrical bore (34) passing through the zenith (28)'. It is stored in the annular groove (48).The annular groove (48)
is tapered to accommodate the tapered shoulder (46) of the lock pawl (44). Lock claw (4
4) is resilient so that it deflects radially inward when the positioning ring (40) is inserted into the inner diameter (34) of the piston. Tapered shoulder (46
) are connected by snap-fitting into the tapered shaft (48).

The diameter of the pump piston (36) is such that it can slide freely within the inner diameter (42) of the positioning ring (40). The diameter of the piston (36) is the diameter of the cylindrical hole (34)
radially spaced from each other, thereby forming an air supply annular portion (50). A slight gap exists between the outer surface of the piston diameter (36) and the surface of the inner diameter part (42) of the positioning ring, and this gap forms an annular fluid path through which air A in the atmosphere can flow. It will be appreciated that it is drawn into the air supply annulus (50).

Pumping can be accomplished by manually reciprocating a piston within a cylindrical bore (34) in the pump housing. The piston (36) has a handle (52
), and by manually operating the handle, the piston can be moved in and out of the hole (34) of the pump housing. Pump housing hole (34)
A cylindrical compression chamber (54) is formed in the chamber, and atmospheric air passes through the compression chamber into the space (22) inside the beverage container (12).
). The compression chamber (54) has an annular seal (5
6), the annular seal being movably arranged on the piston (36) and moving therewith.

A small diameter portion (58) is formed at the lower end of the piston (36), and an annular seal (56) is disposed in the small diameter portion. The annular seal (56) has an inner diameter (60) close to the small diameter portion (5) of the piston.
8) is slidably fitted in the axial direction along the outer surface of.

Axial movement of the annular seal (56) with respect to the piston (36) is controlled in one direction by a radially projecting shoulder (62).
and the opposite direction is limited by a shoulder (64) formed on the flange (66). Note that the flange (66) is the opposite end of the piston (36).

The cooperation between the positioning ring (40) and the annular seal (56) allows the piston (36) to move stably within the cylindrical bore (34) of the pump housing.

A shallow groove (68) is formed in the small diameter portion (58), the rim extending through the flange (66). Grooves (68) form fluid passageways. The air A trapped in the air supply annular portion (50) causes the piston to exit the pump housing during the upstroke of the piston (36), as shown by the arrow (70) in Figure 4. Sometimes, groove (68)
and into the compression chamber (54).

The annular seal (56) floats relative to the small diameter portion (58) of the piston and is attached to the radial shoulder of the flange (66) as the piston (36) moves outwardly during the upstroke. (64) is forced into contact with him. Therefore, the inlet port (68) is opened and the air A trapped in the air supply annulus (50) can be fed into the lower compression chamber (54). The annular seal (56) forms a tapered shoulder (72) which resiliently abuts the cylindrical bore (34) of the bong housing (32). The tapered shoulder (72) is a surface (74)
is formed with a radially extending surface that supports the shoulder (64) during the upstroke stroke.

Referring now to FIG. 5, during the downstroke process,
The raised annular seal <56) has a radial shoulder (62
), thereby sealing the air supply annulus (50) against the ventilation passageway (68). The annular surface (76) of the raised annular seal (56) is in surface contact with the surface of the radial shoulder (62) to support the shoulder (62). The shoulder portion 62) and the annular surface (76) are connected, and the elastic flange (72) of the seal contacts and seals the cylindrical hole (34) of the housing, so that the fifth
During the downstroke stroke, the air A exiting the compression chamber (54) is prevented from flowing back into the air supply annulus (50), as indicated by the arrow (78) in the figure.

Furthermore, as the piston (36) and the annular seal (56) move through the cylindrical bore (34) of the pump housing, a low pressure condition exists within the air supply annulus (50), which causes the piston (36) and the positioning Atmospheric air can be drawn into the air supply ring from between the ring (40). In this way, when the piston is withdrawn on the next upstroke stroke, a fresh charge of atmospheric air A is pumped into the compression chamber (54).

The inner diameter (4) of the piston (36) and positioning ring (40)
2) is too small to be clearly illustrated. Figures 4 and 5
It is shown as a line (80) in the figure.

Referring again to FIG. 3, the pump housing (32)
is sealed by a check valve arrangement 20) formed at the lower end of the pump housing (32). Compression chamber (5
4) is integrally formed with the pump housing (32) -13
= Closed by a web (82). Valve blur)
(84) extends axially within the web (82) to provide a resilient alignment membrane (+oe+nl+ra++e)
(86) can be accommodated. In the preferred embodiment, the conforming membrane (86) is constructed from a resilient polymeric resin that preferably recovers to a flat disc shape when the load is removed.

The discharge port has a web (82) formed with a small hole (88).
is formed and exits from the compression chamber (44) into the space inside the container (
22).

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the pocket 84) is enlarged by a tapered through hole (90), which extends through the web (82). Tapered through hole (90
) is cut along a line that intersects with the boundary of the compression chamber (54). Taber hole (90) and compression chamber (5
4) forms an opening (92) into which a conical fastener (94) of the elastic membrane (86) is placed.
is accommodated.

The resilient membrane (86) is attached to a resilient conical fixture (94), which is inserted through the opening (92). The conical retainer (94) is made of an elastic material and after being forcefully inserted through the opening (92);
Restores original fully expanded shape. When the fastener (94) is forced through the aperture (92), the disk (86) of the resilient membrane flexes to engage the conical hole (90) as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

Place the membrane disc (86) on the tapered sealing surface (
90), the force applied to the elastic membrane is uniformly distributed over the surface of the membrane during the upstroke process shown in Figure 4 and during rest. This prevents the formation of wrinkles that could damage the seal.

During the downstroke shown in FIG. 5, the action on the compressed air causes the elastic membrane (86) to
(88) is easily separated from the tapered surface (90) surrounding it. This allows the compressed air A in the compression chamber (54) to flow through the hole 8.
8) and into the space (22) inside the container. Lip (868) responds to the applied force from compressed air A by deflecting radially inwardly away from web (82), thereby causing compression chamber (54) to flex during downstroke movement of piston (36). of air is released.

Furthermore, the annular seal (56) in the floating state is connected to the hole (34).
When pulled upward through the compression chamber (54), a negative pressure is created in the compression chamber (54), causing the lip of the elastic membrane to pull into the taber hole (9).
0), which causes the discharge port (88)
can be tightly sealed.

After some of the carbonated beverage (14) has been removed from the container, the sealing cap installed by the manufacturer is discarded and the container (14) is removed.
2) Using the sealing cap/pump combination device (10), insert the pump (18) through the neck (26) of the container and turn the sealing cap (16) to tightly seal the opening in the neck (26). do. Once a significant portion of the carbonated beverage is removed, the space inside the container (22) must be pressurized to a sufficiently high pressure level to prevent the carbon dioxide gas dissolved in the carbonated beverage (14) from escaping. Must be. this is,
By manually operating the pump (18) and reciprocating the piston (36), atmospheric air A can be forced into the interior space (22). During the upstroke of the piston (36), air flows through the annular portion (5).
0) into the compression chamber (54) through the ventilation passage (68). During the downstroke stroke, the raised annular seal (56) effectively seals the compression chamber (54) and the air previously drawn into the compression chamber is removed from the exhaust port (88) of the check valve (20). being pushed out.

By moving the annular seal (56) provided around the small diameter portion (58) of the piston, air can be efficiently introduced into the compression chamber and the compression chamber can be effectively sealed during the downstroke process. I can do it.

Then, the desired high pressure state is maintained in the space inside the container (12) (
22). The elastic membrane disc (86) is connected to the discharge port (20) of the check valve (20).
88), which prevents pressurized gas from leaving the pressurized space (22) within the container after the desired pressure level has been reached. The check valve can be operated independently of the piston and provides a tight seal to prevent backflow at all times. Therefore, the piston (3
6) There is no need to rotate or shift the position.

Although the invention has been described in terms of specific preferred embodiments and specific carbonated beverage containers, the foregoing description is not to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications to the preferred embodiments and modifications to the application of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art based on the foregoing description and illustrations. For example, the closure cap and pump combination of the present invention may be used in other pressurized devices where it is desired to maintain a predetermined pressure level. Invention number j defined in the claims includes all such modifications and embodiments.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the sealing cap/pump combination device of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway front view showing the sealing cap/pump combination device attached to the neck of a carbonated beverage container, and FIG. 3 4 is an exploded view showing a partially cutaway sealing cap/pump combination device of the present invention, and FIG.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the pump combination device to explain the relationship of the pump elements during the upstroke process, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 4 to explain the relationship of the pump elements during the downstroke process. It is a diagram. (10)...Sealing cap/pump combination device (12)
... Container (16) ... Airtight cap (18)
... Pump (20) ... Check valve (32)
... Pump housing (36) ... Piston (40) ... Annular positioning ring (54) ... Compression chamber (56) ... Annular seal (86) ... Elastic alignment member drawing engraving (' No change in content) FIG. 5 Procedural amendment [voluntary] March 28, 1988 1 Case description Japanese Patent Application No. 1983 273962, title of invention Sealing device with pump for carbonated beverage containers Incorporated 5, subject of amendment Drawing 6, details of amendment The engraving of the drawing has been corrected as shown in the attached sheet (no change in content).

Claims (6)

[Claims] (1) An opening is provided in the center of the sealing cap, and the pump is equipped with a housing and a piston. is provided to be reciprocally movable, an annular seal is fitted onto the piston, the seal is brought into contact with the cylindrical bore, one side of the seal forms the boundary of a compression chamber in the cylindrical bore, and the seal is the other side delimiting an air supply annulus formed between the piston and the cylindrical bore of the pump, the valve means being connected to the piston and by means of which the reciprocating movement of the piston is controlled; A check valve is connected to the pump housing, and the check valve has a discharge port communicating with the compression chamber and a shield for the discharge port. and a pressurized closure device for use in carbonated beverage containers, characterized in that it has a movable valve element for effecting exposure. (2) a pocket portion is formed in the housing of the pump, a discharge port is formed in the pocket portion and a movable valve element is housed therein, the movable valve element has a flexible member connected to the housing; 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the flexible member is located above the evacuation port. 3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the pocket portion is formed with a surface on which a conical valve rests, and the discharge port is provided with a web and a hole passing through the surface. 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the movable valve element comprises a disc made of resilient material. (5) The housing of the pump includes a web defining a discharge port in the web and a pocket defined by an angled side wall in which a movable valve element is housed and a movable check valve. The valve element of claim 1 includes a flexible member connected to the web, the flexible member resiliently abutting against the sloping side wall to shield the discharge port. Device. (6) The piston has a small diameter part, and a ventilation groove is formed in the small diameter part, and the annular seal is fitted in the small diameter part of the piston and moves from a first position to a second position along the small diameter part. axially movable into position, the seal forms the boundary of the compression chamber in the cylindrical bore by one side and by the other side,
The seal has a resilient annular shoulder forming a boundary between the air supply annulus formed between the piston and the cylindrical bore, and the seal has a resilient annular shoulder that extends between the cylindrical bore of the housing and the piston. abutting the seal so as to close the ventilation groove and seal the air supply annulus when the seal is in the first position, and the seal is movable along the small diameter portion of the piston to a second position. 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the ventilation groove communicates with the air supply ring and the compression chamber at this position.