RU2640988C1 - Valve design for keg pet - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: packaging industry.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to the sealing designs for tanks made of polyethylene terephthalate (hereinafter keg PET) mounted on the necks of the keg PET for filling, storage and transportation of drinks located in the keg PET under pressure. The valve design for the keg PET comprises a lid with a central hole with a connection means with the keg neck, a hollow rod, a valve element, a spring, a ring nut. The first end of the rod is made open, and the second one is made closed with an annular protuberance, in the rod generatrix there is at least one window, the valve element is mounted on the rod with the possibility to move along it, the central hole of the valve element is equipped with an annular protuberance adapted to interact with the annular protuberance of the rod and the annular protuberance on the outer surface, adapted to interact with the valve element, and the spring is installed between the valve element and the ring nut. The lid is made in the form of fungus and is connected to the ring nut by the threaded connection for direct installation of valve design on the keg neck, at the bottom of the ring nut there are holes for the gas passage, an annular gasket for sealing the connection of the lid and the keg neck is located between the upstand and cylindrical surface of the lid fungus leg, and the valve element is adapted to perform the function of the safety valve and actuation indicator made of polymeric material with Shore hardness of 40-60 units.

EFFECT: according to the invention the design has a high reliability and tightness with the possibility of performing the function of a safety valve when the overpressure inside the keg PET exceeds the maximum allowable value.

6 cl, 5 dwg

Description

The invention relates to capping structures for containers made of polyethylene terephthalate (hereinafter referred to as PET keg) mounted on the necks of a PET keg for bottling, storage and transportation of beverages contained in a PET keg under pressure.

PET kegs with valve structures installed on them are used for storage and bottling of drinks, such as beer. These valve designs have several channels for the passage of liquid and gas. When filling, when the PET keg is usually upside down, the beverage is introduced through the first channel of the valve structure, while the gas displaced from the keg exits through the second channel. During filling, gas (nitrogen or carbon dioxide) is introduced into the PET keg through the first channel in order to displace the beverage from the PET keg through the second channel. The bottling of the drink is carried out using a pouring head, attached to the valve structure, to the spring-loaded elements of the valve structure with the subsequent opening of the channels, one of which is used to supply inert gas under excessive pressure, and the second channel is used for filling the gas displaced beverage. The sealing element of the valve structure serves to ensure that the created excess pressure is maintained inside the PET keg when the casting head is removed (dismantled). Typically, when loading and storing beer, the overpressure is about 2.5-3.0 bar. The indicated pressure is the working pressure of the PET kegs. In this case, the PET keg can withstand pressure of about 7-8 bar.

In case of violation of the technical conditions for the production, storage and operation of PET kegs filled with a drink, it is possible that the excess pressure in the PET keg is higher than the maximum allowable, which, ultimately, can lead to rupture of the PET kegs. This problem poses a serious threat to people in the immediate vicinity of the PET keg.

A plastic container is known, for example, a PET keg for drinks with shutoff valves with a seal (patent for the invention of the Russian Federation No. 2466085, date of convention priority 29.10.2008, IPC B67D 1/08), in which shutoff valves and / or seal and, therefore , the keg-head is structurally designed so that after the opening process, the subsequent automatic closing process is carried out or occurs almost completely, since in this subsequent automatic closing process, a non-closing through hole remains. This through hole provides pressure relief inside the tank. Due to this, overpressure cannot be created inside the tank and, thereby, the potential danger of tank rupture is eliminated. At the same time, the stop valves comprise a stop with a predetermined break point for the spring-loaded seal. The seal has a predetermined break point or is capable of deformation during the closing process to form a through hole.

This type of valve does not protect the PET keg from destruction during the entire period of use, but only after the opening process has been carried out during the subsequent automatic closing process, which makes it impossible to further use the PET keg after opening, i.e. the casting head can only be worn once. In case of removing the filling head, the PET keg loses its tightness and is not suitable for further use, respectively, the entire remaining product becomes unusable. It should be noted that during the operation of the PET keg, it is often necessary to remove the filling head until the PET keg is completely empty, for example, in case of a malfunction of the filling head or the filling system as a whole, or regular sanitary treatment of the filling system. It should also be noted that in the known solution, the valve does not prevent the destruction of the PET keg with the product during storage and transportation.

Known valve for capacity according to the patent of the Russian Federation for utility model No. 117417 (priority date 02/07/2012, IPC B67D 1/12), comprising a body made in the form of a glass, a hollow stem installed therein, an annular shutter, a spring and a cover with connection means for connection with the neck of the container, while the first end of the rod is made open and connected to the bottom of the body, protruding beyond it, and the second end of the rod is closed and provided with a flange, in addition, at least one window is made in the forming surface of the rod, this on the stock, with the possibility of An annular shutter is installed along the stem, between the bottom of the housing and the stem flange, the central opening of which is provided with an annular ledge configured to interact with the stem flange, and a spring is installed between the annular shutter and the bottom of the housing, in addition, at least at least one window, while the cover is made in the form of a sleeve, on the inner surface of which there is made a connection means, the channel of which is provided with an annular protrusion made with the possibility of interaction oia with a ring shutter, (adopted as a prototype)

According to the prototype, the assembly of the structure is carried out in stages on the neck of the tank, including placing the body in the neck of the tank by means of a protrusion on the body and a ledge on the neck of the tank and the subsequent installation of other elements, which is completed by installing a cover secured by a threaded or lock connection to the outer surface of the neck. The known valve design does not solve the problem of eliminating the increased excess pressure that occurs when the technical conditions for the production, storage and operation of PET kegs filled with a drink are violated.

The technical task of the invention is to create a universal technological valve design for PET kegs, providing high reliability, tightness of the structure with the ability to perform the function of a safety valve when the excess pressure inside the PET kegs is higher than the maximum allowable.

The technical result consists in obtaining a reliable, technological and safe in operation valve structure for a PET keg.

The technical result is achieved in that the valve design for the PET keg, comprising a cover with a central hole with a means for connecting to the neck of the keg, a hollow stem, a valve element, a spring, an annular nut, the first end of the stem being open and the second closed with an annular protrusion , at least one window is made in the generatrix of the stem surface, a valve element is installed on the stem with the possibility of movement along it, the central hole of which is provided with an annular ledge made with interaction with the annular protrusion of the rod and the annular protrusion on the outer surface, made with the possibility of interaction with the valve element, and a spring is installed between the valve element and the ring nut, the cap is made in the form of a fungus and is connected to the ring nut by a threaded connection for direct installation of the valve structure openings for gas passage are made on the neck of the keg, in the bottom of the ring nut, between the side and the cylindrical surface of the leg of the fungus cap meschena annular gasket for sealing compound covers and PET keg neck, and a valve member arranged to perform the function of the safety valve and actuation indicator of a polymer material with a hardness of 40-60 Shore units.

The main difference between the claimed invention and the prototype is to enable the valve element to function as a valve for filling and filling the drink during normal operation and as a safety valve when the excess pressure in the PET keg is higher than the maximum allowable, and also as an indicator of the operation of the safety valve.

The invention is illustrated by drawings:

FIG. 1 - valve structure (with a lock connection) in the context;

FIG. 2 - valve design with a threaded connection in the context;

FIG. 3. - a detailed view of the valve structure elements with a locking connection;

FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the valve structure elements with a threaded connection.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the base of the lid.

The valve structure includes a cover 1, made in the form of a fungus with a central hole, a hollow stem 2, a valve element 3, a spring 4 and an annular nut 5, which ensures its compression (Fig. 1, 2), installed in it along the longitudinal axis.

The cover 1 consists of a base 7, which can be made in the form of a circle, or in the form of a truncated equilateral triangle, the vertices of which are bounded by a circle (see Fig. 5), equipped with a side 8 and a cylindrical leg 9. At the junction of the base 7 and the outer the stiffening ribs 10 are made of the annular surface of the collar 8. The valve structure can be connected to the neck of the PET keg with both a lock (Fig. 3) and a threaded connection (Fig. 4). For locking engagement with the neck of the PET keg on the edge 8, the petals 11 are made. For the threaded connection with the neck of the PET keg on the edge 8, the internal thread 21 is made 21. To ensure the manufacturability of the design on the neck of the kegs with thread, the lid surface is provided with protrusions 12. The cover 1 is provided with a central hole with an annular protrusion 6 interacting with an annular ledge 16 of the valve element 3. To ensure the tightness of the connection of the valve structure with the neck of the PET keg between the cylindrical zhkoy mold 9 and the rim 8 of the cap 1 is placed an annular gasket 20 with a circular cross-section.

The rod 2 is made hollow in the form of a tube. One end of the rod is made open and passes through the hole of the annular nut 5, protruding beyond it. The second end of the rod 2 is made closed and provided with a protrusion 13. In the upper part of the hollow rod 2 is placed at least one window 14.

On the rod 2, with the possibility of movement along it, a valve element 3 is installed with a central hole provided with an annular ledge 15, configured to interact with the protrusion 13 of the hollow rod 2.

The pressing of the valve element 3 to the annular protrusion 6 of the cover 1 is carried out by a spring 4 installed between the ring nut 5 and the valve element 3. To prevent the surface of the material of the valve element 3 from being pressed through, a sealing ring 17 is installed between it and the spring 4.

Fastening the ring nut 5 to the cover 1 is a threaded connection. The ring nut 5 is provided with centering tabs 18, as well as holes for the passage of liquid or gas.

The implementation of the invention

For the manufacture of the valve structure, polymeric materials are used, in particular, the valve cover, stem and ring nut of the valve structure are made of polyacetal, and the valve element 3, depending on the required operating pressure, is made of polymer materials with a Shore hardness of 40-60 units, made of: thermoplastic elastomers (TEP), or rubber based on ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM), or silicone.

The inventive valve design is installed on the neck 19 of the PET keg. In this case, the fastening can be carried out by a threaded connection using the internal thread 21 or using the lock fastening formed by the petals 11.

In the case of using a locking connection, the petals 11 enter the groove between the annular protrusions on the outer surface of the neck of the PET keg.

In the case of using a threaded connection, fastening is carried out by using the internal thread 21 on the side 8.

The liquid is poured into the PET keg, as well as the liquid is drained from it by means of a valve design mounted on the neck of the PET keg. To ensure the pouring of liquid to the open end of the hollow rod 2 is connected to the tube for filling the drink.

PET keg filling is carried out as follows:

The filling head of the filling line (not shown in Fig.) Has one or more protrusions that press on the surface of the spring-loaded valve element 3 open from the side of the lid 1. The first annular channel between the valve element 3 and the lid fungus 9 is opened, as well as the second a channel formed by the internal channel of the hollow rod with an open window 14 on its generatrix surface. Filling the PET keg with a drink is carried out through the second channel, this displaces the gas in the PET keg through the first channel. After relieving pressure from the side of the casting head to the valve element 3, it returns to its original position, blocking the channels. Storage and transportation of a PET keg filled with a drink is carried out with the valve element 3 closed.

The filling of liquid from the PET keg is carried out in the opposite way: the protrusions of the casting head (not shown in the figures) press the surface of the spring-loaded valve element 3 open from the side of the cover 1. In this case, the first annular channel opens between the valve element 3 and the cover fungus 9, as well as the second a channel formed by at least one window 14 on the generatrix of the surface of the hollow rod 2. Inert gas is supplied to the keg through the first annular channel from the external container under excessive pressure, which displaces bone located inside the keg through a tube attached thereto a hollow stem 2 and the window 14 in the envelope surface 2 of the hollow rod.

In conditions of transportation, storage and operation, when the excess pressure in the PET keg is exceeded above the maximum allowable, the valve element 3 is irrevocably extruded from the valve structure above the upper end of the cover 1 and the excess pressure is vented, thereby preventing the destruction of the PET keg.

Extrusion of the valve element, observed visually, signals the consumer about the valve being activated and the drink is unsuitable for further use. In addition, the extruded valve element does not allow the pouring head to be attached to the valve structure, preventing the possible operation of the PET keg with an unusable drink.

Taking into account the fact that the pressure of destruction of the PET keg is 7-8 bar, and the working pressure is 2.5-3.0 bar, the maximum allowable pressure in the PET keg should be in the range of 4-6 bar.

Design tests were carried out according to the claimed invention:

Example 1

The valve element was made of TEP with a shore hardness of 54 ± 2 units. The design withstands operating pressures of up to 4.5 bar. Upon reaching a pressure of P = 6 bar, the valve was actuated in 60-120 minutes at an ambient temperature of 25-26 ° C.

Example 2

The valve element was made of TEP with a shore hardness of 47 ± 2 units. The design withstands operating pressures of up to 4.0 bar. Upon reaching a pressure of P = 5.5 bar, the valve was actuated for 30-60 minutes at a temperature of 25-26 ° C.

Example 3

The valve element was made of EPDM with a shore hardness of 47 ± 2 units. The design withstands operating pressures of up to 4.0 bar. Upon reaching a pressure of P = 5.5 bar, the valve was actuated in 50-180 minutes at a temperature of 25-26 ° C.

Example 4

The valve element was made of silicone with a shore hardness of 50 ± 2 units. The design withstands operating pressures of up to 4.5 bar. Upon reaching a pressure of P = 6 bar, the valve was actuated in 60-120 minutes at a temperature of 25-26 ° C.

Example 5

The valve element was made of silicone with a shore hardness of 41 ± 2 units. The design withstands operating pressures of up to 3.5 bar. Upon reaching a pressure of P = 5.5 bar, the valve was actuated in 5-15 minutes at a temperature of 25-26 ° C.

The advantages of the claimed invention is:

- ensuring the safety of storage and operation of PET kegs by performing the function of a safety valve when excess pressure in the PET keg is exceeded above the maximum allowable and to prevent destruction (rupture) of the PET keg;

- indication of valve actuation due to irrevocable extrusion of the valve element when the pressure in the PET keg is exceeded above the maximum allowable;

- preventing the use of unsuitable drink due to the inability to connect the casting head to the valve structure with the extruded valve;

- technological design due to the possibility of a separate assembly of valve structure elements, installing it assembled on a PET keg and then filling the PET keg on an automatic production line;

- universality due to the possibility of using the valve structure for different types of necks and dosing heads, by replacing only one element - the valve structure cover;

- ensuring the reliability and tightness of the device due to the use of a threaded connection of the cover and the ring nut, as well as sealing the neck of the PET keg along its end when connected to the valve structure.

Claims (6)

1. Valve design for PET keg, comprising a cover with a central hole with a means for connecting to the neck of the keg, a hollow stem, a valve element, a spring, an annular nut, the first end of the stem being open and the second being closed with an annular protrusion in the forming surface the rod has at least one window, a valve element is mounted with a possibility of movement along it, the central opening of which is provided with an annular ledge configured to interact with the annular protrusion th rod and an annular protrusion on the outer surface, made with the possibility of interaction with the valve element, and a spring is installed between the valve element and the ring nut, characterized in that the cover is made in the form of a fungus and is connected to the ring nut by a threaded connection for direct installation of the valve structure on the neck keg, holes for gas passage are made in the bottom part of the ring nut, and an annular gasket is placed between the side and the cylindrical surface of the leg of the fungus of the lid To seal the cap and the neck of the keg, the valve element is configured to perform the functions of the safety valve and actuation indicator of a polymer material with a hardness of 40-60 Shore units. 2. Valve design for PET keg according to claim 1, characterized in that the valve element is made of thermoplastic elastomer or rubber based on ethylene-propylene-diene rubber or silicone. 3. Valve design for PET keg according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer surface of the lid is made in the form of a circle or a truncated equilateral triangle, the vertices of which are bounded by a circle. 4. Valve design for PET keg according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for connecting the lid with the neck of the keg is threaded. 5. Valve design for PET keg according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer surface of the cover is made with ledges to increase the adaptability of installing it on the threaded neck. 6. Valve design for PET keg according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for connecting the lid with the neck of the keg is made lock.

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