DE102005029730A1 - Valve for aeration and deaeration of container, e.g. IPC container, has flow channel with temporarily locking and opening slot diaphragm is brought into continuous flow channel - Google Patents

Abstract

Valve has flow channel (14, 14') with temporarily locking and opening slot diaphragm (13) is brought into continuous flow channel. Slot diaphragm curves itself towards outer side or inner side of container depending upon pressure gradient of container. That slot of the slot diaphragm is there by opened and by this flow path is opened, preferably gas flow, till pressure gradient between inner side and outer side of the container is almost fully abolished.

Description

The The invention relates to a valve for ventilation of a container, in particular an IPC container.

such Containers are usually by a big top opening, which is closed with a so-called "dome lid", filled. To the fill a hose nozzle is attached and thus filled the container and subsequently closed with a screw cap. For emptying are usually Drum, container or suction pumps inserted in said or another opening and emptied the container in this way. The containers point but usually also a floor drain, over which the container depending on the application can also be emptied.

It gives container fillings, where the in the container absorbed liquid could possibly react with the ambient air and / or the contents are not may be contaminated, so that a correspondingly higher effort to operate when loading and unloading the container.

In A context of no interest here are IPC containers been developed, which is already completely provided with a pump are, so the usual Loading and unloading opening normally remains closed. Due to the liquid or gas-tight seal of the pump inserted into the container However, it requires that in case of emptying the container air from the outside flow in can to the otherwise forming in the container vacuum compensate. About that In addition, is closed in connection with liquid or gas tight containers to note that as a result of the expansion of the liquid at higher Temperatures are also elevated Gas pressure in the tank builds. Also this overpressure must be for security reasons be degraded.

outgoing From this problem, the invention is therefore the task based, a valve for ventilation of containers to create, especially of IPC containers.

The solution This object is achieved by a valve for ventilation of a Containers according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are in the following claims 2 to 13 executed.

Characterized in that the valve is provided for ventilation of a container with a slit membrane, which is closed at approximately the same internal and external pressure of the container, it is first ensured that the valve is closed in the normal state. The container is thus gas-tight in the area of the ventilation valve and at least splash-proof. Another advantage of the valve according to the invention is that not about two separate gas flow paths are required for ventilation of a container, but rather that a single valve acts quasi bidirectional and thus no additional opening in the container is needed. In the context of the invention, the slit diaphragm bulges depending on the prevailing between Behälterinnenßen- and container inside pressure gradient, with the result that the slot of the slit diaphragm opens and thereby a gas exchange in the direction of the pressure gradient is made possible. Ideally, the opening pressure of the valve is set as a function of the dimensioning of the pump used for emptying the container. Only with exactly tuned to the flow rate of the pump used slit membrane, so at a set to the flow rate of the pump opening pressure of the valve ensures that on the one hand the required gas density of the valve is ensured and also the gas exchange in the extent required for the respective pump to reduce the pressure gradient to be avoided takes place. Alternatively or additionally, the valve is tuned to an approximately existing floor drain. To this end, the slit diaphragm ideally made of Viton ^®, or a similar elastomeric material is made.

In concrete embodiment, the valve is essentially in two parts, namely made of a valve cover and a valve housing, wherein the slot diaphragm is introduced such that the valve cover with the valve housing under Interposed layer of the slot diaphragm are screwed. This is a simple but effective attachment of the slit membrane within causes the valve of the invention.

On the container inside facing side of the slit membrane, so preferably in the valve housing, is a deflection of the container facing flow path intended. By this deflection is avoided that the recorded in the container liquid can spurt out unintentionally during transport. After a slit membrane usually is not liquid-tight executable, the deflection causes at least an effective spray water protection for the in the container absorbed liquid. The more branched arranged in the valve stub labyrinth formed is, the more effective is the spray protection thereby effected.

Also on the outside of the container facing side of the slit membrane of the flow channel is deflected in such a way that he is radially outward has. The ventilation openings the valve according to the invention So they are not usually just on the surface of the container, but rather on the outside a closure of the opening, in which the valve is arranged. This leaves the one for Ensures stackability of containers which are often simply placed on top of each other. For another, you can go upstairs pointing vents more easily pollute than if these openings are arranged laterally are.

In concrete embodiment of the valve cover is overlapped by a valve cap. The valve cap is simply pressed onto the valve cover and by means of suitable locking elements thereby locked with the valve cover. he valve cap shows off. and recesses, wherein the locking elements are arranged so that when bestimmungsgemä ßer locking the valve cap, the ventilation openings overlapped by the projections are. This is an added or dirty the openings and therefore also in the container absorbed liquid excluded or at least largely avoided.

The valve housing is advantageously dimensioned so that by means of a corresponding external thread simply into the drainage nozzle of the dome lid of an IPC container can be screwed.

In advantageous embodiment, the ventilation openings the valve thereby arranged in the valve cover, that they in the installed state container outside are arranged.

Usually becomes the valve body in the filling hole of the container screwed. To make sure that not only the with the slit membrane and the labyrinth gas and splash water sealed flow is locked, the valve housing is additionally of a safety precaution Enclosed seal, the seal the valve housing against the Inner circumference of the filler hole seals.

Furthermore Applications are also conceivable in which it is not sufficient if the liquid only splash-proof is sealed. For example, in cases of accidents during transport it is quite possible that the IPC containers fall over, causing fluid pressure on the and bleed valve acts. Such a fluid pressure a slot diaphragm usually can not withstand. For this purpose, it may be useful if additional or alternatively to the mentioned Slit membrane one or more liquid-tight barrier means in the flow path are arranged.

in this connection However, it may now be useful in an advantageous embodiment, two separate flow paths for the Ventilation to provide the container, then each flow path at least one liquid-tight Locking means should be assigned.

In concrete embodiment is thus each flow path as a blocking means a Absperrkugel or turn a only unidirectional opening barrier membrane assigned, wherein the Absperrkugeln by means of a compression spring such in the respective flow path depressed be that flow path liquid-tight is closed. Depending on the flow path are the compression springs with opposite direction of force in the relevant flow path arranged. Depending on the direction of force of the compression spring is thus an influx or an outflow of liquid prevented or only possible if the flow pressure exceeds the respective compression spring.

The Invention will be described below with reference to a in the drawing only schematically illustrated embodiment explained in more detail.

It demonstrate:

1 : a ventilation valve in a perspective view,

2 : this in 1 shown ventilation valve in a plan view,

3 : in the 1 and 2 shown ventilation valve in a in 2 designated cross-sectional view,

4 : A plan view of another embodiment of a ventilation valve and

5 : this in 4 shown other air valve in a in 4 designated sectional view.

According to 1 includes the ventilation valve according to the invention 1 first a valve cap 2 , The valve cap 2 engages over a valve housing 3 that of a sealing ring 4 is encompassed.

The ventilation valve 1 can by means of an insertion cone 5 in a threaded connector, not shown here, of a container, preferably the dome of an IPC container, are introduced easily. The space between the valve housing 3 and the container opening wall becomes with the sealing ring 4 closed flow-tight.

Incidentally, the valve cap 2 on the outside with projections and recesses distributed over the outer circumference 6 and 7 provided alternately over the outer circumference of the valve cap 2 are arranged distributed. Due to the extent profiling caused the valve cap 2 easily turned on the threaded connector of a container opening and released again. The outer circumference of the valve cap 2 thus has an outer, designated by the projections outer circumference and an inner, of the recesses 7 certain inner circumference. Distributed over this inner circumference are ventilation openings 10 pointing radially outwards in one under the valve cap 2 lying valve cover 12 arranged. The valve cap 2 gets onto the valve cover 12 put on and locked by means of appropriate Ratselemente with this.

The surface facing away from a container to be sealed 11 the valve cap 2 is therefore closed, so free of such openings formed.

This is especially true in the plan view of the valve flap 2 it can be seen that the closed surface of the 1 in a perspective view shown valve cap 2 shows.

According to Section III-III along the in 2 drawn section line shows 3 a cross section through that in the previous 1 and 2 shown valve 1 , As shown in 3 is the valve 1 essentially divided into two parts. It consists of the already mentioned valve housing 3 that from the valve cover 12 is overlapped, in turn, the upper side of the already mentioned valve cap 2 is completed. The valve cover 12 and the valve cap 2 thus form a unit in the present embodiment here.

Between the valve cover 12 and the valve housing 3 , which in the embodiment according to 3 are bolted together, but of course could also be otherwise connected to each other, in the opened between the container inside and the container outside flow path is a slit membrane 13 concentrically clamped. The slit membrane 13 is provided in its central area with a more or less central slot. The valve housing closing a container opening 3 is with one or more flow channels 14 provided, which are open to the container inside. The flow channels 14 . 14 ' are with at least one diversion 15 . 15 ' provided before going to a valve dome 16 expand, which, as already mentioned, from the slit membrane 13 closed at least gas-tight. Instead of a diversion 15 can the flow paths 14 . 14 ' also be nested to a labyrinth. As a result, the protection can be increased considerably against approximately penetrating spray liquid.

In the flow direction beyond the slit membrane 13 branches the valve dome 16 in radially outwardly facing ventilation channels 17 and finally into the ventilation openings 10 already in 1 are shown, lead.

Also off 3 can be seen, is the valve flap 2 with a the actual valve cover 12 cross thread flange 20 Mistake. This thread flange 20 has an internal thread, so that the valve flap 2 can be easily screwed to the corresponding external thread of a filling support of the container so that the container through the air valve 1 splash-proof and gas-tight. The function of the air valve 1 according to the 1 to 3 is briefly explained below:
The ventilation valve 1 can be placed in a simple manner instead of a conventional dome cover on the container opening of a container, so as an IPC container. For this purpose, the ventilation valve 1 screwed into the conventional dome cover at the opening of the container. Here, the valve housing 3 screwed into the inner opening of the dome lid of the container with a valve housing 3 enclosing seal 4 a possible leakage channel between the container neck, not shown here, and the valve housing 3 seals. Subsequently, only the flow path over the flow channels 14 . 14 ' through the cathedral 16 and the radially outwardly facing ventilation channels 17 . 17 ' opened to the container outside.

This flow path is, as already mentioned, through the slit membrane 13 sealed gas-tight. Should a pressure gradient now build up from the outside of the container to the inside of the container or vice versa, then the slit membrane will become 13 buckle in the direction of lower pressure. It follows that the slit membrane 13 itself bulges outward as a result of a heating of the container interior and the resulting pressure in the container interior or that when emptying the container, a negative pressure on the container interior side is formed, so that the slit diaphragm 13 arched towards the inside of the container.

Due to the curvature of the slit membrane 13 the slot of the slot diaphragm opens 13 , so that then a gas path is opened. Through this Gas path then the pressure drop can be compensated. With the reduction of the pressure gradient is also the curvature of the slit membrane 13 back again so that the gas flow path closes again.

The whole time is due to the valve housing 3 arranged diversion 15 ensures a splash protection to the effect that sloshing out of the liquid contained in the container, such as during transport, largely impossible to impossible is excluded. Depending on branching in the valve housing 3 arranged labyrinths, this splash protection can be more or less complete.

If, for whatever reason, this spray water protection is not sufficient, it is conceivable in accordance with another embodiment of the ventilation valve 4 combined with 5 also to provide a liquid-tight closure of the container. According to 4 is an alternative air valve 31 shown, the valve housing 32 is provided in contrast to the previous embodiment with two separate openings. On the one hand, this is a ventilation opening 33 , which is opened in the present embodiment, and a vent opening 34 , which is closed in this case. According to 5 are the vents and vents 33 . 34 also separate flow channels 35 . 36 assigned to the ventilation. In both cases, the flow channels 35 . 36 with flow-tight blocking means, here the shut-off balls 37 respectively. 37 ' flow-tight sealable. One of each shut-off ball 37 respectively. 37 ' is again a compression spring 38 respectively. 38 ' assigned.

Alternatively, in each of the said flow channels 35 . 36 This version may be provided depending on a barrier membrane, which are closed by means of a compression spring in opposite directions.

The Compression springs of both versions have opposite directions of force, each one the flow pressure an approximately inflowing or the flow pressure an outflowing one Gas are opposite. As soon as the flow pressure of the incoming or outgoing gas the spring force exceeds, becomes the flow path opened.

The solution according to the 4 and 5 has the advantage that up to a certain fluid pressure through the Absperrkugeln 37 . 37 ' caused seal can also be formed liquid-tight.

In the context of the invention, of course, any combinations of a gas and / or liquid-tight design of the ventilation valves 1 . 31 each conceivable with common or separate flow paths for ventilation.

The above is thus a ventilation valve 1 . 31 described with the container can be easily closed by a conventional container opening with the air valve 1 . 31 Gas and / or liquid-tight is closed. The ventilation valve 1 . 31 then ensures in case of a pressure gradient for the necessary pressure equalization.

1

loading and bleed valve

2

valve cap

3

valve housing

4

sealing ring

5

introduction cone

6

head Start

7

return

10

loading and vent

11

cover surface

12

valve cover

13

slit diaphragm

14 14 '

flow channel

15 15 '

redirection of the flow channel

16

cathedral

17 17 '

loading and ventilation duct

20

annular flange

31

other Ventilation valve

32

other valve housing

33

vent

34

ventilation opening

35

vent channel

36

ventilation duct

37, 37 '

off ball

38 38 '

force spring

Claims (14)

Valve for ventilation of a container, in particular an IPC container, in its continuous flow channel ( 14 . 14 ' ) a this flow channel ( 14 . 14 ' ) If necessary closing and opening slit membrane ( 13 ), this slotted membrane ( 13 ) bulges depending on the pressure gradient to the container outer or container inside such that the slot of the slit membrane ( 13 ) in each case opens and thereby a flow path, preferably to the gas passage, is opened until the pressure gradient between the container interior and container outside is at least almost completely degraded. Valve according to claim 1, characterized in that the slot diaphragm ( 13 ), hence the Öff pressure, of the valve ( 1 . 31 ) in accordance with the delivery rate of a pump used for emptying the container, preferably a barrel pump, is dimensioned. Valve according to claim 2, characterized in that the slot diaphragm ( 13 ) is made of Viton ^® . Valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve ( 1 . 31 ) one of the container outside facing valve cover ( 12 ) and a container housing facing the valve housing ( 3 ), wherein the valve cover ( 12 ) and the valve housing ( 3 ) with interposition of the said slot membrane ( 13 ) are bolted together. Valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flow path of the valve ( 1 . 31 ) on the inside of the container facing side of the slit membrane ( 13 ), preferably in the valve housing ( 3 ), at least one diversion ( 15 . 15 ' ), preferably a labyrinth. Valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flow path of the valve ( 1 . 31 ) on the side facing the container outside at least one radially outwardly facing flow channel ( 14 . 14 ' ), which in each case in a ventilation opening ( 10 . 33 . 34 ) opens on the valve outside. Valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve cover ( 12 ) of a valve cap ( 2 . 32 ) is overlapped, wherein the valve cap ( 2 . 32 ) the valve cover ( 12 ) with an annular flange ( 20 ) overlaps. Valve according to claim 7, characterized in that the annular flange ( 20 ) of the valve cap ( 2 . 32 ) is dimensioned such that the valve head cover ( 2 . 32 ) instead of a Behälterdomdeckels on the threaded rod zens a Haupteinführöffnung a container, preferably an IPC container, can be placed and screwed with this. Valve according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the ventilation openings ( 10 . 34 . 35 ) of the valve ( 1 . 31 ) in each case in the valve cap ( 2 . 32 ) are arranged so that they are arranged container outside in the installed state. Valve according to claim 7 to 9, characterized in that the inserted in the intended installation state in the filling hole of the container valve housing ( 3 ) of the valve ( 1 . 31 ) of a sealing ring ( 4 ) is encompassed. Valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flow path of the valve ( 1 . 31 ) additionally or alternatively to the slit membrane ( 13 ) is closable by means of one or more liquid-tight blocking means, which open, preferably automatically, depending on the prevailing pressure gradient between the container inside and container outside. Valve according to claim 11, characterized in that the ventilation valve ( 1 . 31 ) each having a flow path for venting and venting, each flow path is associated with a liquid-tight blocking means. Valve according to claim 12, characterized in that the blocking means are then opened automatically when, due to the pressure gradient, a defined opening pressure is built up and, as a result, by means of a compression spring ( 38 . 38 ' ) the respective flow path shut-off ball ( 37 . 37 ' ) or barrier membrane the flow path due to the spring force of the compression spring ( 38 . 38 ' ) releasing force, wherein the compression springs ( 38 . 38 ' ) are stored in the distinguishable flow paths for ventilation with each opposite direction of force. Valve according to claim 12, characterized in that that the blocking means are then opened automatically, if due the pressure gradient a defined opening pressure is constructed and consequently a the respective flow path shut-off barrier membrane the flow path due to the holding force of the respective barrier membrane exceeding Force releases, with the barrier membranes in the distinguishable flow paths for ventilation are designed with each opposite shut-off direction.