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

1 . A package comprising:
 a container made of a substantially rigid material, such as tin or metal, comprising at least one wall or panel thereon having a predetermined thickness;   an aperture extending through said wall or panel, said aperture having a perimeter formed with a substantially rigid edge;   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 having a predetermined thickness extended into said aperture, wherein an exterior surface of said insert portion has no ridge portion to hold said insert portion in said aperture, wherein said insert portion is adapted to be held within said aperture by frictional engagement with said edge of said aperture;   a flange portion extended on one end of said insert portion, said flange portion extended outward relative to said insert portion, such that with said valve positioned in said aperture, said flange is located on said exterior of said container;   wherein the predetermined thickness of said wall or panel is less than one-third the predetermined thickness of said insert portion, and said edge of said aperture engages less than one-third the thickness of said insert portion; and   wherein said container is filled with coffee beans or other gas emitting particulate material, and said valve is adapted to allow gas to pass through, such that the pressure inside the container is maintained substantially in equilibrium with the pressure outside the container, while substantially preventing gas from passing through said valve into said container.   
   
   
       2 . The package 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 helps to secure said valve to said wall. 
   
   
       3 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein said valve prevents the gas from passing in a second direction which is from the exterior to the interior of said container, and allows the gas to pass in a 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. 
   
   
       4 . The package 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 differential amount is exceeded. 
   
   
       5 . The package of  claim 4 , 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. 
   
   
       6 . The package of  claim 4 , wherein a filter is provided to cover said hole in said base member. 
   
   
       7 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the wall or panel is substantially planar in configuration, and has a flexural modulus commensurate with said predetermined thickness of said wall or panel. 
   
   
       8 . A method of storing coffee beans or other gas emitting particulate materials in a container, comprising:
 providing a container having at least one substantially rigid and planar wall;   forming an aperture in said wall having a predetermined size;   providing a valve comprising an insert portion having no ridge portion to hold said insert portion in said aperture, wherein said insert portion is adapted to be extended into said aperture, and held therein solely by frictional engagement with a peripheral edge of said aperture;   providing a flange portion on one end of said insert portion, said flange portion extending outward relative to said insert portion;   inserting said insert portion into said aperture, wherein the friction between said insert portion and peripheral edge of said aperture alone maintains said valve in a substantially fixed position on said wall; and   filling said container with coffee beans or other gas emitting particulate material, and allowing the gas inside the container to pass through said valve, such that the pressure inside the container is maintained in substantial equilibrium with the pressure outside said container, while substantially preventing gas from passing through said valve into said container.   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said wall has a predetermined thickness, and said insert portion has a predetermined thickness, and the predetermined thickness of said wall is less than one-third the predetermined thickness of said insert portion, and said edge of said aperture engages less than one-third the thickness of said insert portion. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8 , 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 secures said valve to said wall. 
   
   
       11 . A package comprising:
 a container made of a substantially rigid material, such as tin or metal, comprising at least one substantially planar wall or panel thereon:   an aperture extending through said wall or panel, said aperture having a perimeter formed with a substantially rigid edge;   a one way 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 has no ridge portion to hold said insert portion in said aperture, wherein said insert portion is held therein by frictional engagement with said edge of said aperture;   a flange portion extended on one end of said insert portion; and   wherein said container is filled with coffee beans or other gas emitting particulate material, and said valve is adapted to allow gas to pass through said wall or panel in a first direction when the pressure differential between said interior and exterior of said container exceeds a predetermined amount, wherein said valve is adapted to maintain the pressure inside the container substantially in equilibrium with the pressure outside said container, while substantially preventing gas from passing through said valve in a second direction opposite said first direction.   
   
   
       12 . The package of  claim 11 , 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 secures said valve to said wall or panel. 
   
   
       13 . The package of  claim 11 , wherein said wall or panel has a predetermined thickness, and said insert portion has a predetermined thickness, and the predetermined thickness of said wall or panel is less than one-third the predetermined thickness of said insert portion, and said edge of said aperture engages less than one-third the thickness of said insert portion. 
   
   
       14 . The package of  claim 11 , 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 amount is exceeded. 
   
   
       15 . The package of  claim 14 , 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.