Overpressure Relief Device for Closed Containers

Abstract

The invention discloses a pressure release device for a closed container, in particular for a pressurized container for beverages, having a plug which can be sealingly fitted on an opening of the container and which comprises a passage opening, the passage opening being sealingly closed by a film.

1 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A pressure release device for a pressurized container for beverages, comprising:
 a plug which can be sealingly fitted in an opening of the container, said plug comprising a sleeve through which a passage opening extends which is sealingly closed by a film;   a pointed tip provided on said sleeve facing said film and being arranged so that said film can be pierced by said pointed tip upon bending of said film toward said pointed tip under the action of internal pressure within said pressurized container;   a protective cover movably held in said passage opening;   at least one first stop element provided on said protective cover;   at least one second stop elements provided on said sleeve; and   at least one third stop element provided on said sleeve which is axially spaced from said second stop element;   wherein said protective cover is configured for insertion into said sleeve past said second stop element so that said first stop element engages said third stop element, thereby securing said protective cover in a closed position in which said passage opening is closed by said protective cover; and   wherein said first and third stop element engage with each other with a certain force allowing to release said protective cover from said closed position under the action of an internal pressure to move outwardly until said first stop element engages said second stop element in an activated position, wherein said protective cover is axially secured against further movement to the outside, but allows a flow of pressurized fluid through said passage opening and said sleeve to the outside.   
     
     
         21 . The pressure release device of  claim 20 , wherein the film consists of a metal film or comprises a plurality of inter-connected layers consisting of metal or plastic. 
     
     
         22 . The pressure release device of  claim 20 , wherein said film is coated with a sealable lacquer. 
     
     
         23 . A pressure release device for a pressurized container for beverages, comprising:
 a plug which can be sealingly fitted in an opening of the container, said plug comprising a sleeve through which a passage opening extends which is sealingly closed by a film;   a protective cover movably held in said passage opening;   at least one first stop element provided on said protective cover;   at least one second stop elements provided on said sleeve; and   at least one third stop element provided on said sleeve which is axially spaced from said second stop element;   wherein said protective cover is configured for insertion into said sleeve past said second stop element so that said first stop element engages said third stop element, thereby securing said protective cover in a closed position in which said passage opening is closed by said protective cover; and   wherein said first and third stop element engage with each other with a certain force allowing to release said protective cover from said closed position under the action of an internal pressure to move outwardly until said first stop element engages said second stop element in an activated position, wherein said protective cover is axially secured against further movement to the outside, but allows a flow of pressurized fluid through said passage opening and said sleeve to the outside.   
     
     
         24 . The pressure release device of  claim 23 , further comprising a pointed tip provided on said sleeve facing said film and being arranged so that said film can be pierced by said pointed tip upon bending of said film toward said pointed tip under the action of internal pressure within said pressurized container. 
     
     
         25 . The pressure release device of  claim 23 , wherein said film is made of metal film or comprises a plurality of connected layers consisting of metal or plastic. 
     
     
         26 . The pressure release device of  claim 23 , wherein said film is connected with said plug by a sealed layer. 
     
     
         27 . The pressure release device of  claims 23 , wherein said film and said plug are connected by a 2K-technique. 
     
     
         28 . The pressure release device of  claim 23 , wherein said passage opening is closed by a flange on which said film is held. 
     
     
         29 . The pressure release device of  claim 23 , wherein said sleeve is made from a first plastic material, wherein said passage opening is formed and on which said film is fastened, said sleeve being enclosed by an outer part made from a second plastic material which is softer than said first plastic material. 
     
     
         30 . The pressure release device of  claim 29 , wherein said sleeve is connected with said outer part by a 2K-technique. 
     
     
         31 . The pressure release device of  claim 29 , wherein said outer part is made from a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). 
     
     
         32 . The pressure release device of  claim 23 , wherein said sleeve is made of a material selected from the group consisting of polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE). 
     
     
         33 . The pressure release device of  claim 23 , wherein said film is coated with a sealable lacquer. 
     
     
         34 . The pressure release device of  claim 23 , wherein the protective cover is sealed relative to an outer surface of the plug in a closed position. 
     
     
         35 . The pressure release device of  claim 23 , wherein said plug is configured as a closure plug for being sealingly inserted into the filling opening of said container. 
     
     
         36 . A pressure release device for a pressurized container, comprising:
 a plug which can be sealingly fitted in an opening of said container;   said plug comprising a sleeve;   a passage opening extending through said plug and being sealingly closed by a film; and   a pointed tip provided on said sleeve facing said film and being arranged so that said film can be pierced by said pointed tip upon bending of said film toward said pointed tip under the action of internal pressure within said pressurized container.   
     
     
         37 . The pressure release device of  claim 36 , wherein a protective cover is movably held in the passage opening of the sleeve. 
     
     
         38 . The pressure release device of  claim 36 , wherein said protective cover is located on the sleeve for being mechanically locked in the desired position. 
     
     
         39 . The pressure release device of  claim 36 , wherein the protective cover has a first stop position in which the protective cover is fixed on the sleeve in such a way that when a defined retaining force is exceeded the protective cover will be released from the first stop position and will be displaced in axial direction to release the passage opening.