Air Vent Device

Abstract

An air vent device for equalizing pressure in a container. The air vent device having a housing with a lower segment having a pointed end that is used to puncture the container wall to create an opening for installation of the air vent device. One or more compressible elastic latches attached to the lower segment for securing the air vent device in place in the container wall and sealing the opening with a sealing flange on an upper segment of the air vent device. A cap and/or air permeable membrane to prevent environmental contaminants from entering the container through the air channel in the air vent device.

1 . An air vent device comprising:
 a housing having an upper segment and a lower segment;   said lower segment having a pointed end;   an air channel within said housing between an upper opening in said upper segment and a lower opening in said lower segment;   an elastic latch attached to said lower segment; and   a sealing flange located above said elastic latch attached to said upper segment.   
     
     
         2 . The air vent device of  claim 1  further comprising a latch recess located in said lower segment. 
     
     
         3 . The air vent device of  claim 2  wherein said compressible elastic latch has a lower end attached to an outer surface of said lower segment and a moveable upper end adjacent to said latch recess. 
     
     
         4 . The air vent device of  claim 2  wherein said compressible elastic latch is moveably mounted within said latch recess. 
     
     
         5 . The air vent device of  claim 1  further comprising a sealing member located between said sealing flange and said elastic latch. 
     
     
         6 . The air vent device of  claim 1  further comprising an air permeable membrane across said air channel. 
     
     
         7 . The air vent device of  claim 6  wherein said air permeable membrane is comprised of polytetrafluoroethylene. 
     
     
         8 . The air vent device of  claim 1  further comprising a cap attached by a cap hinge to said upper segment. 
     
     
         9 . The air vent device of  claim 8  further comprising an air permeable membrane across said air channel. 
     
     
         10 . The air vent device of  claim 1  wherein the diameter of said air channel is narrower in said lower segment than the diameter of said air channel in said upper segment.