Pressure vacuum release hermetic valve for rigid container packages

Abstract

A rigid container package, such as made of tin, metal, etc., having an interior for holding particulate material, such as food stuffs (like coffee beans), under vacuum, and which includes a mouth to be opened to provide access to the contents of the package. The package is preferably formed from a rigid material in the form of a container, such as a tin box, and has affixed thereon a one-way pressure-equalizing valve. The valve preferably includes a displaceable rubber disk located on a valve seat and is arranged to operate such that any gasses within the package are allowed to vent to the exterior of the package, by passing through the interface between the disk and valve seat, while the ambient atmosphere is substantially precluded from entering into the interior of the package. The disk then engages the valve seat to isolate the interior of the package from the exterior. A layer of silicone oil or similar material is preferably provided on the disk to facilitate operation of the valve. The valve is preferably attached to the rigid container via an aperture that is made slightly smaller than the exterior mating portion of the valve, such that the smaller portion of the valve can be passed through the aperture, and the expanded portion of the valve can then be allowed to firmly rest against the exterior of the rigid container material, wherein friction between the container and valve (resulting from an interference fit) helps to seal the aperture and adhere the valve to the rigid container.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A container made of a substantially rigid material, such as tin or metal, comprising: 
 an aperture extending through a wall or panel thereof, said aperture having a perimeter formed with a substantially rigid edge extended on said wall;    a one way degassing valve extended at least partially into said aperture, providing communication between an interior and exterior of said container, said valve comprising: 
 an insert portion extended into said aperture, wherein an exterior surface of said insert portion is in frictional engagement with said edge of said aperture;  
 a flange portion extended on one end of said insert portion, said flange portion extending outward relative to said insert portion; and  
   wherein said valve is adapted to allow gas to pass through in a first direction when the pressure differential between said interior and exterior of said container exceeds a predetermined amount, while substantially preventing gas from passing through said valve in a second direction opposite said first direction.    
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said aperture is formed slightly smaller than the exterior surface of said insert portion, such that with said insert portion extended into said aperture, friction between said edge of said aperture and said exterior surface of said insert portion can help to secure said valve to said wall.  
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said flange portion is firmly engaged against said wall of said container adjacent said aperture.  
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said valve is positioned on said container in a manner such that the flange portion is located on an exterior side of said wall, and said valve prevents the gas from passing in said second direction which is from the exterior to the interior of said container, and allows the gas to pass in said first direction which is from the interior to the exterior of said container, when pressure in the interior of said container exceeds the pressure in the exterior of said container.  
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said valve comprises a cap and base member, wherein an interior compartment is formed between the cap and base member, and a displacement member with a layer of viscous fluid is provided on a seat inside said compartment, wherein the displacement member remains on said seat to prevent gas from passing through said valve when the pressure in the interior and exterior of said container are substantially equal, but can be lifted from said seat to allow gas to pass through openings in said base member and said cap, when the predetermined pressure differential amount is exceeded.  
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 5 , wherein the tension provided by said viscous fluid helps to keep said displacement member on said seat in a closed position, to keep said hole in said base member closed, until such time that the pressure differential exceeds the predetermined amount, wherein said displacement member can be partially separated from said seat, to enable said hole in said base member to be opened, and allow the gas to pass through said cap in said first direction.  
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 6 , wherein a filter is provided to cover said hole in said base member.  
     
     
         8 . A valve for use in connection with an aperture formed in a substantially rigid wall, comprising: 
 an insert portion adapted to be extended into said aperture, wherein an exterior surface of said insert portion is slightly larger in diameter than said aperture;    a flange portion extended on one end of said insert portion, said flange portion extending outward relative to said insert portion; and    wherein said valve comprises a cap and base member, wherein an interior compartment is formed between said cap and base member, and a displacement member with a layer of viscous fluid is provided on a seat inside said compartment, wherein said displacement member is adapted to enable the gas to pass in said first direction, through holes in said base member and said cap, when a predetermined pressure differential is exceeded, and prevents the gas from passing through said valve in said second direction.    
     
     
         9 . The valve of  claim 8 , wherein the tension provided by said viscous fluid helps to keep said displacement member on said seat in a closed position, to close said hole in said base member, until such time that the pressure differential exceeds the predetermined amount, wherein said displacement member can be partially separated from said seat, to enable said hole in said base member to be opened, and allow the gas to pass through said cap in said first direction.  
     
     
         10 . The valve of  claim 9 , wherein a filter is provided to cover said hole in said base member.  
     
     
         11 . A method of securing a valve to a rigid wall of a container, comprising: 
 forming an aperture in said wall having a predetermined size;    providing an insert portion adapted to be extended into said aperture, wherein an exterior surface of said insert portion is adapted to be slightly larger in size than said aperture;    providing a flange portion extended on one end of said insert portion, said flange portion extending outward relative to said insert portion; and    inserting said insert portion into said aperture, wherein the friction between the exterior surface of said insert portion and inside edge of said aperture help to maintain said valve in a substantially fixed position on said wall.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said valve is inserted into said aperture until the flange rests against the wall of said container.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the insert portion is inserted into said aperture from an exterior of said container, and said valve is designed to enable gas to pass from an interior to an exterior of said container, when a predetermined pressure differential exists between said interior and exterior of said container, and to prevent gas from passing from said exterior to said interior of said container.