DUAL VENT FOR STORAGE CONTAINERS

Abstract

The present disclosure shows a variety of storage container venting assemblies which allow for venting of gasses to equalize pressure differentials created between the interior of the container and the atmosphere. The venting assemblies are capable of venting gasses out of a container when pressure is higher inside the container and into a container when pressure is higher in the atmosphere.

Claims

1. A storage drum venting assembly including: a body member having a passage therethrough; a cap member covering a portion of the passage in the body member while allowing air to pass therethrough; a venting insert engaged with the body member passage opposite the cap member, and having a first venting diaphragm and a second venting diaphragm; wherein the first venting diaphragm is configured to allow passage of air in one direction; and wherein the second venting diaphragm configured to allow passage of air in the direction opposite the first venting diaphragm.

2. The storage drum venting assembly of claim 1, wherein the first venting diaphragm is smaller than the second venting diaphragm.

3. The storage drum venting assembly of claim 1 and further comprising a storage drum lid operationally connected to the body member.

4. The storage drum venting assembly of claim 3 and further comprising a gasket operationally connected to the body member and the storage drum lid to prevent gas leakage.

5. The storage drum of claim 3 wherein the venting assembly is threadedly engaged with the storage drum lid.

6. The storage drum venting assembly of claim 1, wherein the body portion defines a first interior volume having a first diameter and a second interior volume having a second, smaller diameter, wherein the insert is lodged in the first interior volume, and wherein the second interior diameter is too small to accept the insert.

7. The storage drum venting assembly of claim 1, wherein the respective venting diaphragms are post-tensionable.

8. A bidirectional vent assembly for a storage drum, comprising: a generally cylindrical body member defining an internal passage and external threading and having a proximal end and an oppositely disposed distal end; a cap member removably attachable to the proximal end for making a non-gastight seal over the internal passage; a vent insert engaged with the generally cylindrical body member and positioned within the internal passage and defining a first vent aperture and a second, spaced vent aperture; a first vent aperture diaphragm operationally connected to the first vent aperture for allowing unidirectional passage of gas in a direction from the proximal end toward the distal end; and a second vent aperture diaphragm operationally connected to the second vent aperture for allowing unidirectional passage of gas in a direction from the proximal end toward the distal end; wherein for gas to pass through the first vent aperture, the distal end must experience a pressure substantially greater than the proximal end; and wherein for gas to pass through the second vent aperture, the distal end must experience a pressure substantially less than the proximal end.

9. The bidirectional vent assembly of claim 8, wherein the body member is threadedly engaged with a storage drum lid.

10. The bidirectional vent assembly of claim 9 wherein the generally cylindrical body member further comprises a flange portion at the proximal end and further comprising a gasket operationally connected between the flange portion and the storage drum lid.

11. The bidirectional vent assembly of claim 8 wherein for gas to pass through the first vent aperture, the distal end must experience a pressure at least 0.85 psi greater than the proximal end; and wherein for gas to pass through the second vent aperture, the distal end must experience a pressure at least 0.14 psi less than the proximal end.

12. The bidirectional vent assembly of claim 8 wherein the respective vent aperture diaphragms are made of a material selected from the group comprising rubber, steel, aluminum, and SANTOPRENE.

13. The bidirectional vent assembly of claim 8 wherein the respective vent aperture diaphragms are post-tensionable.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0006] The above mentioned and other features and objects of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0007] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a venting assembly according to an example of the disclosed invention.

[0008] FIG. 2 is a side view of a venting assembly according to an example of the disclosed invention.

[0009] FIG. 3 is partial cut away view of the venting assembly of FIG. 2.

[0010] FIG. 4 is a side view of a venting cap.

[0011] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the venting cap of FIG. 4.

[0012] FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of a dual venting insert.

[0013] FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of a dual venting insert.

[0014] FIG. 8 is a cut away view of the dual venting insert of FIG. 6.

[0015] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a storage drum lid.

[0016] FIG. 10 is an exploded view of a venting assembly according to another example of the disclosed invention.

[0017] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. Although the drawings represent embodiments of the present invention, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated in order to better illustrate and explain the present invention. The exemplification set out herein illustrates an embodiment of the invention, in one form, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0018] The embodiments disclosed below is/are not intended to be exhaustive or limit the invention to the precise form disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiment is chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may utilize its teachings.

[0019] FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of dual venting assembly 20 according to one example of the disclosed invention. In this example, venting assembly 20 comprises body portion 24, venting cap portion 22, and venting insert portion 26. Assembly body portion 24 may be sized and configured to fit and work with standardized port sizes on drum lids (e.g., 2-inch threaded openings or inch threaded openings) or with other ports or openings on storage containers such as non-threaded openings or openings of non-standard sizes and/or shapes. Body portion 24 includes lip portion 28, threaded portion 44, through passage 40, and one or more dogs 42 or other structures which allow the body portion to be tightened/removed from a storage container port. For convenience, the end of generally cylindrical body portion 24 with lip portion 28 is proximal end 41 and the oppositely disposed end is distal end 43. Lip portion 28 is sized and configured to cover a storage container port when the assembly is inserted therein. Optionally, lip portion 28 may include gasket 46 mounted between lip portion 28 and the container port so as to prevent leaks. Optionally, the assembly includes venting cap portion 22 comprising mounting ring 32 and cover 30. Venting insert portion 26 includes venting insert body 34, first vent cover or diaphragm 36, and second vent cover or diaphragm 38. In this particular example, first and second vent covers 36, 38 are different sizes. In other examples, the vent covers may be identically sized.

[0020] FIGS. 2-3 are side views of a venting assembly according to an example of the disclosed invention. In this example, through passage 40 of body portion 28 includes two portions having different diameters. First diameter portion 57 is sized and configured to accommodate insertion and interface 52 of mounting ring 32 of venting cap portion 22. Second diameter portion 56 is sized and configured to accommodate insertion and interface 54 of venting insert body 34 of venting insert portion 26. In other examples, the through passage of the body portion is a single diameter passage. The exact nature of interfaces 52, 54 between mounting ring 32 and body portion 28 and between venting insert body 34 and body portion 28 may vary between different embodiments as desired depending on the materials used. Interfaces 52, 54 may be threaded, glued, sonically welded, interference fit, or any other suitable securing method. In other examples, body portion 28 and one of venting insert body 34 or venting cap portion 22 may be formed as a single piece.

[0021] Venting cap portion 22 as shown in FIGS. 4-5 includes mounting ring 32 and cover 30. Mounting ring 32 includes central opening 62 which may optionally include a filter material to capture vapors vented from a storage container. Cover 30 includes one or more supports 50 which secure cover 30 at a distance above mounting ring 32 so as to create gap 58 which allows air or other gasses to pass therethrough. Venting cap 22 is optional, but prevents dust, dirt, and other debris from collecting on venting insert portion 26 and potentially contaminating the fluid stored inside a storage container, damaging the components of venting insert portion 26, and/or preventing the venting components from functioning. Optionally, cover 30 may be removable so as to allow for inspection of venting insert portion 26 components.

[0022] Venting insert portion 26 as shown in FIGS. 6-8 includes venting insert body 34, first vent cover 36, and second vent cover 38. Venting insert body 34 includes mounting portion 54 sized and configured to interface with and mount to body portion 24 of a mounting assembly for attachment to a pressurized container. Insert body 34 may be secured to body portion 24 of the mounting assembly by threads, glue, adhesive, sonic welds, an interference fit, or any other suitable securing method. Optionally, insert body 34 is removably secured to body portion 24 of the mounting assembly so as to allow for inspection, repair, and/or replacement of venting insert portion 26 and/or its components.

[0023] First vent cover 36 is secured to venting insert portion 26 using snap-fastening pin 64 which passes through opening 72 in venting insert body 34. Pin 62 is held in place by tabs 73 (two in this exemplary embodiment) which expand or move away from one another once pin 64 passes through or is snapped through opening 72. Optionally, the pin 64 may be screwed, glued, or formed as a part of the venting insert body. First vent cover 36 is positioned so as to cover a plurality of venting holes 70 in venting insert body 34. In this example, first vent cover 36 is configured so as to prevent air or other gasses from passing into a storage container as indicated by direction arrow 100, but to allow gasses to pass out of a storage container as indicated by direction arrow 102 when they exceed a certain predetermined pressure, such as 14.9 psi. Once the pressure inside the storage container drops below the predetermined pressure, vent cover 36 returns to its unpressurized shape and prevents passage of gasses into or out of the container.

[0024] Second vent cover 38 is secured to venting insert portion 26 using snap-fastening pin 68, which passes through opening 74 in venting insert body 34. Pin 68 is held in place by tabs 76 (two in this exemplary embodiment) that exert a small urging force away from one another, such that when inserted through opening 74 (snapped into place) the tabs 76 expand or move away from one another after once pin 68 passes through opening 74. Optionally, the pin 68 may be screwed, glued, or formed as a part of the venting insert body. First vent cover 38 is positioned so as to cover a plurality of venting holes 66 in venting insert body 34. Second vent cover 38 operates in a similar manner as first vent cover 36, but second vent cover 38 operates to prevent the passage of air or other gasses out of a storage container as indicated by direction arrow 102, but to allow gasses to pass in to a storage container as indicated by direction arrow 100 when they exceed a certain predetermined pressure.

[0025] The exact pressure at which vent cover 36, 38 deflects and allows passage of gasses out of the storage container may be controlled by the material (such as rubber or SANTOPRENE; SANTOPRENE is a registered trademark of the Monsanto Company Corporation, 800 N. Lindberg Blvd., St. Louis, Mo., reg. no. 1081414) used to construct the vent cover, the cover's size, and its thickness. In some embodiments, pin 64, 68 holding vent cover 36, 38 in place is frictionally secured in insert body 34, and in others is threadedly connected to insert body 34 as well as operationally connected to vent cover 36, 38, such that by pushing/pulling (frictional engagement) or turning (threaded engagement) pin 64, 68, tension applied to cover member 36, 38 may be increased or decreased. Post tensioning of cover member 36, 38 allows a user to increase or decrease the predetermined pressure threshold required to actuate venting. For example, tension on cover 36 may be adjusted such that the predetermined threshold pressure on the cover is 14.9 psi (slightly greater than ambient atmospheric), 15.5 psi, 15.8 psi, 16.2 psi, or the like. Likewise, the threshold pressure on cover member 38 may be adjusted to be 14.55 psi, 14.50 psi, or the like. In these embodiments, cover members 36, 38 are typically made of metals such as steel, aluminum, or the like.

[0026] The pressure differential which operates first vent cover 36 is created when pressure builds up inside the storage container until it exceeds the air pressure outside the container. The pressure differential which operates second vent cover 38 is created when pressure drops (i.e., vacuum is created) inside the storage container until the air pressure outside the container exceeds the pressure inside the container by a sufficient amount. Such vacuum is usually generated by removing liquid from the container. When the air pressure outside the container exceeds the pressure inside the container by a predetermined amount the second vent cover deflects and allows air to pass in the direction of arrow 100 into the container to equalize the pressure. The exact pressure at which second vent cover 38 deflects and allows passage of gasses into the storage container may be controlled by the material used to construct the vent cover, the cover's size, and its thickness. Once the pressure inside the storage container increases above the predetermined pressure vent cover 38 returns to its unpressurized shape and prevents passage of gasses into or out of the container.

[0027] The use of two vent covers configured to allow passage of gasses in different directions allows for a single venting device to relieve pressure differentials caused by either an increase or a decrease of pressure within a storage container relative to ambient pressure without the container, while still maintaining a sealed container when there is no such pressure differential. As shown in this particular example, second vent cover 38 is larger than first vent cover 36. Such a configuration may be used where the material stored inside the container is not particularly volatile so that vacuum build up (i.e., a gradual decrease in pressure within the container) generated by the pumping of liquid from the container is more likely than excess pressure build up within the container from vapor or gas evolved from the material stored in the container. In other examples, the vent covers may be of a similar size or the first vent cover may be larger than the second vent cover, as desired. In still other examples, a filter may be attachable to the venting assembly to capture harmful vapors as they are vented through the first vent cover. The exact nature and composition of the filter and filtering medium would vary according to the material being stored in the container.

[0028] FIG. 10 shows an exploded view of another example of venting assembly 120 according to the disclosed invention. In this example, venting assembly 120 includes vent cap portion 122, body adapter portion 124, and venting insert portion 132. In this example, vent cap portion 122 is made as a single piece similar to the two-piece vent cap portion as shown in FIGS. 4-5. Body adapter portion 124 in this example is threaded to allow venting assembly 120 to be screwed into a threated access port on a storage container and further includes gasket or o-ring 126 to prevent leakage where the storage container and venting assembly 120 meet. Venting insert 132 includes first venting diaphragm 130 secured to venting insert 132 by support post 128 and second venting diaphragm 134 secured to venting insert 132 by support post 136.

[0029] The various components of the disclosed invention may be made from a variety of suitable materials such as plastics, metal, composites, and the like. The materials used to construct the components may vary according to the nature of the material being stored in a particular container. The vent covers may be made out of plastic, composites, silicone, or other suitable material which has sufficient flexibility and strength so as to prevent deflection until a particular pressure differential is exceeded, and then return to an undeformed state once the pressure differential is relieved. In examples where ports or openings on storage containers use non-threaded openings or openings of non-standard sizes and/or shapes, the disclosed invention may be adapted by using means other than threaded engagement between the vent and the container. For example, the vent may be welded or secured using fasteners such as bolts or screws to a container.

[0030] Although the disclosed invention has been described above with reference to cylindrical storage drums, it is understood by one of ordinary skill in that art that the disclosed invention may be adapted to any sort of liquid or other storage container where venting is desired. In addition to 55-gallon drums, the disclosed invention may be adapted for use with smaller or larger drums, buckets, pails, barrels, tanks, and the like which are equipped with one or more access ports or openings.

[0031] In operation, venting assembly 20 is operationally connected to a storage drum (not shown) or other container adapted to be pressurized. The connection of venting assembly 20 to the storage drum is by any conventional method, such as through threaded engagement, interference fit, or the like. Typically, at least one gasket 46, 126 is operationally connected between body portion 24 and the drum (more typically between flange portion 28 and drum top 10) to prevent leakage at the venting assembly-drum interface. Typically, body portion 24 is engaged by one or more dogs 42 extending therefrom for tightening when threadedly engaging with the drum. Typically, dogs or tabs 42 each include a small through hole 45 for threading a wire therethrough, which may be muted onto the associated drum barrel and/or through other fittings to provide tamper evidence in the event of attempted removal of the venting assembly (plug body) 20. Cap portion 22 is typically engaged with body portion 24 to prevent a non-gastight seal over passage 40.

[0032] When the pressure within the drum substantially exceeds the ambient pressure without the drum, typically by about 1.5 P.S.I., more typically by about 1.0 P.S.I., and still more typically by about 0.85 P.S.I., diaphragm 36, 130 partially moves, deflects, and/or distorts to allow the flow or passage of gas and/or vapor through vent apertures 70 from within the drum to without the drum (and in the direction from distal end 43 of body 24 to proximal end 41 of body 24) until the pressure within the drum is substantially equal to that without the drum, i.e. until any pressure differential between the interior and exterior of the drum is minimized and/or resolved, wherein diaphragm 36, 130 resumes its original shape and once again prevents the passage of gas and/or vapor through vent apertures 70.

[0033] Likewise, when the pressure without the drum substantially exceeds the pressure within the drum, typically by about 0.19 psi., more typically by about 0.16 psi., and still more typically by about 0.14 psi, diaphragm 38, 134 partially moves, deflects, and/or distorts to allow the flow or passage of gas and/or vapor through vent apertures 66 from within the drum to without the drum (and in the direction from proximal end 41 of body 24 to distal end 43 of body 24) until the pressure without the drum is substantially equal to the pressure within the drum, i.e. until any pressure differential between the interior and exterior of the drum is minimized and/or resolved, wherein diaphragm 38, 134 resumes its original shape and once again prevents the passage of gas and/or vapor through vent apertures 66.

[0034] While this invention has been described as having an exemplary design, the present invention may be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains.