TIME-CONTROLLED VALVE WITH WARNING SYSTEM

Abstract

The invention relates to a valve with time-controlled opening, provided for use in containers, receptacles or sealed elements. The valve can be a system integrated in the container, receptacle or sealed element itself, or an external system which is added to the element at the moment at which it is to be used. A valve of this type emits a signal at the time of opening, once determined temperature or vapour generation conditions have been achieved. In this way, the valve is activated by the increase in temperature of the sealed space, enabling it to be timed such that said activation occurs at the time and under conditions that have been previously determined, and enabling the user to have greater control.

Claims

1. Valve for a sealed or sealable space (which can be a package but also a container, atmosphere, device, battery, suit, circuit or any type of sealed or sealable element) characterized in that it integrates an adjustable timer that, when such sealed space reaches the desired temperature and pressure conditions, it causes an warning signal to be emitted.

2. Valve, according to claim 1, characterized in that the adjustable timer reacts to heat in case the content of the sealed space is subjected to a temperature increase that causes the total or partial evaporation or sublimation of its contents.

3. Valve, according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the adjustable timer consists of a non-heat-resistant hose (i.e. heat-sensitive) that houses a heat-resistant cap sealed on the inflow area.

4. Valve, according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the adjustable timer consists of heat-resistant hose that houses a non-heat-resistant cap (i.e., heat-sensitive) sealed on the inflow area.

5. Valve, according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the adjustable timer consists of a heat-resistant hose that houses a fusible cup sealed on the inflow area.

6. Valve, according to claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the heat-resistant material is pre-stressed.

7. Valve, according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the adjustable timer consists of a flexible hose whose internal contour is deformed (crushed) to reduce the passage section, and impregnated with heat-sensitive adhesive.

8. Valve, according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the adjustable timer consists of a flexible hose wrapped over itself, which remains wrapped because it is impregnated with heat-sensitive adhesive.

9. Valve, according to claims 1 to 8, characterized in that its warning system is a sound emitter

10. Valve, according to claim 9, characterized in that the sound is emitted in certain frequency ranges that allow it to be identified and recognized by electronic devices.

11. Valve, according to claims 1 to 8, characterized in that its warning system is perceptible by thermal changes.

12. Valve, according to claims 1 to 8, characterized in that its warning system is visually perceptible.

13. Valve, according to claims 1 to 8, characterized in that its warning system triggers a mechanical process.

14. Valve, according to claims 1 to 13, characterized by being reusable.

Description

A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] To complement the description which is being made and to bring about a better understanding of the invention characteristics, as an integral part of that description a set of drawings has been added where, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, the following is represented:

[0036] FIG. 1 shows a diagram of the valve identifying its generic components.

[0037] FIG. 2 shows a representation of the different areas where vapor passes through during valve operation.

[0038] FIG. 3 shows a possible arrangement of the valve in a container and its cap.

[0039] FIG. 4 shows the timer as a part of the valve body, represented in its initial state.

[0040] FIG. 5 shows the timer as a part of the valve body, represented in its final state that allows vapor to pass to a sound emitter.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0041] Without any limiting character as to the scope of the invention described, but in order to better complement the understanding of its conception, a more detailed exposition of a preferred embodiment will follow, using the help of the annexed figures. As an example, such figures reproduce a valve body (1) consisting of a duct that restricts air and vapor circulation, where the inlet and the outlet/exhaust area are identified; the valve inlet area features an area of connection with the container which allows the inside of the valve to contact with the vapor and air from the container, followed by a timer (3) interleaved inside the valve body, separating its inlet and outlet areas.

[0042] The valve body also features an exit or exhaust area through which vapor and air come out after the timer is reached, followed by an warning element (e.g. a sound emitter, although the signal can be not only acoustic but also visual, thermal or other) (2) connected to the valve exhaust zone that emits a signal (acoustic, visual, mechanical, radio . . . ) at the passage of the vapor and air, being exhausted to the oven's atmosphere.

[0043] The valve body (1) is a hose of non-heat-resistant material (i.e. with heat-sensitive characteristics) that houses a heat-resistant cap (4) that closes the passage of vapor through the valve.

[0044] The valve body acts as a timer. The body material softens upon contact with vapor due to its temperature, allowing the air pressure to deform the material and increasing the vapor passage section.

[0045] The process described is operated continuously over time, with new sections of the valve body entering in contact with the vapor; until the vapor is able to pass through the entire valve body thanks to the expansion of the valve.

[0046] Once the vapor can freely pass through the entire length of the valve body, it passes through the alert element, a sound emitter (2) in this example, emitting the signal (this time it will be an audible beep).

[0047] The vapor passage could be made through several types of holes arranged in the cup 5 (4) that allow it to pass to the sound emitter (2), without the need to completely separate the body (1) and cap (4). The length, thickness or thermo-mechanical properties of the valve body (1) and cap (4) materials allow adjusting the heating/cooking time of the food in the container.

[0048] The seal between the inside of the valve body (1) and the cap (4) must be sufficient to prevent the vapor from escaping. This can be achieved in different ways: (i) using a flexible cap inside of the valve body (silicone, elastomer . . . ), (ii) using a viscous substance (glue, fat . . . ) that allows sealing preventing vapor leaks.

[0049] The sound emitter (2) and cap (4) can be combined into one element.

[0050] The materials used must be highly permeable to microwaves, so that geometric changes are mainly caused by contact with vapor.

[0051] The valve body timer may be made of a shape memory material to allow the valve to be reused.