WO2018056870A1

WO2018056870A1 - Valve structure for a pet keg

Info

Publication number: WO2018056870A1
Application number: PCT/RU2017/000726
Authority: WO
Inventors: Сергей Владимирович КНЯЗЕВ
Original assignee: Общество с ограниченной ответственностью "Казанский завод "ЕВРОПЛАСТ"
Priority date: 2016-09-22
Filing date: 2017-10-02
Publication date: 2018-03-29
Also published as: EA201800194A1; EP3348517B1; EA033500B1; RU2640988C1; EP3348517A4; EP3348517A1; UA122909C2

Abstract

The invention relates to closure structures for containers made of polyethylene terephthalate and intended for dispensing, storing and transporting pressurised drinks (PET keg). The present valve structure for a PET keg comprises: a cap that has a central opening, with means for connection to a neck of the keg; a hollow rod; a valve element; a spring; and a ring nut, wherein the first end of the rod is open and the second end is closed and has an annular projection, at least one aperture is formed in the generatrix of the rod, the valve element is mounted upon said rod and able to be displaced along same, the central opening of said element comprises an annular shoulder capable of interacting with the annular projection of the rod, and an annular projection on the outer surface is capable of interacting with said valve element, and the spring is disposed between the valve element and the ring nut. The cap is mushroom-shaped and is connected to the ring nut by means of a threaded joint, allowing said valve structure to be mounted directly onto the neck, wherein apertures are formed in the bottom part of said ring nut for the passage of gas, and a gasket ring is disposed between the rim and the cylindrical surface of the stem of the mushroom-shaped cap for the purpose of hermetically sealing the connection between cap and neck, said valve element being capable of performing the function of a safety valve and operation indicator and being made of a polymer material with a Shore hardness of 40-60 units. The invention provides for high reliability and air-tightness of the valve structure while performing the function of a safety valve in the event of the excess pressure inside the PET keg exceeding a maximum permissible limit.

Description

VALVE DESIGN FOR PET KEGA

Technical field

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.

State of the art

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 filling and storing beer, the overpressure is approximately 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 Ν 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 remaining the 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 JMsi 17417 (priority date 02/07/2012, МГЖ B67D1 / 12), comprising a body made in the form of a glass, a hollow stem, an annular shutter, a spring and a cover with a connection means for connecting it 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, while on stock, with option 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 the placement of the body in the neck of the tank by a protrusion on the body and a ledge on the neck of the tank and subsequent installation of other elements, completed by installing a cover fixed 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.

Disclosure of invention

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 mounted on the stem with the possibility of movement along it, the central hole of which is provided with an annular ledge made with ozhnostyu interaction of the collar shaft and collar on the outer surface adapted to engage the valve member, and between the valve member and a spring ring nut, the cover being configured as a mold and is connected to the ring nut threaded connection for direct installation of the valve structure on the neck of the keg, gas holes are made in the bottom of the annular nut, an annular gasket is placed between the side and the cylindrical surface of the leg of the fungus cap to seal the connection of the cap and the neck of the PET keg, and the valve element is designed to perform the function safety valve and indicator of operation from a polymeric material with a shore hardness of 40-60 units.

The main difference between the claimed invention and the prototype is to enable the valve element to function as a valve, to fill and dispense a 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:

Figure 1 - valve structure (with a locking connection) in section;

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

Fig.Z. - a detailed view of the elements of the valve structure with a locking connection;

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

5 is a view of the base of the cover in cross section.

The valve structure includes a cover 1, made in the form of a fungus with a central hole, a hollow rod 2, a valve element 3, a spring 4 and an annular nut 5, which ensures its compression (FIGS. 1, 2), mounted 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 annular surface of the rim 8, stiffeners 10 are made. 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 collar 8, petals 1 1 are made. For threaded connection with the neck of the PET keg on the collar 8, an internal thread 21 is made 21. To ensure the manufacturability of the structure, the cover surface is provided with protrusions 12. The cover 1 is provided with a central a hole with an annular protrusion 6, interacting with the 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 ring of fungus 9 and the edge 8 of the lid 1 is placed 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 1 1.

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. In this case, the first annular channel between the valve opens element 3 and the fungus of the cover 9, as well as the second 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. Also squeezed out the 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.

Considering that the destruction pressure 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 an orifice 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 for 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.

Yu

Claims

CLAIM

1. Valve design for PET keg, comprising a cover with a Central hole with a means of connection with the neck of the keg, a hollow stem, a valve element, a spring, an annular nut,

5, the first end of the rod is made open, and the second is closed with an annular protrusion, at least one window is made in the generatrix of the surface of the rod, a valve element is installed with the possibility of moving along it, the central hole of which is provided with an annular ledge configured to 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 ina, 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

15 of the direct installation of the valve structure on the neck of the keg, holes for gas passage are made in the bottom of the ring nut, and an annular gasket is placed between the flange and the cylindrical surface of the leg of the fungus cap to seal the connection between the cap and the neck of the keg.

20 the ability to perform the functions of a safety valve and a trip indicator of a polymeric material with a shore hardness of 40-60 units.

2. Valve design for PET keg according to claim 1, characterized in that the valve element is made of thermoplastic elastomer, or rubber on

25 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 cover is made in the form of a circle or a truncated equilateral triangle, the vertices of which are bounded by a circle.

4. The valve design for the PET keg according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for connecting the cap to the neck of the keg is threaded.

5. The 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 castle.