JP2003028328A - Check valve - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectively prevent contamination and oxidation by microorganism and dust by preventing the accidental entry of the outside air containing microorganism into a container by the feedout operation of liquid and also preventing the back flow of the liquid once brought into contact with the outside air into the container. SOLUTION: This check valve comprises an inlet port 4 and an outlet port 6. A diaphragm 9 for opening and closing the inlet port 4 is disposed between these both ports.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a check valve, and more particularly to a check valve that is suitable for use in liquid pouring, and includes, for example, soy sauce and other seasonings, sake, wine,
Applicable to alcoholic beverages such as whiskey, edible oils, dressings that may contain various soft or hard granules or powders, liquid soups or liquids such as honey to pour the liquid from a relatively large container When the liquid to be packaged is poured out from the container several times, the outside air that may contain microorganisms, dust, etc. enters the container and the liquid flows back into the container once in contact with the outside air. Is effectively prevented.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When a liquid to be packaged is poured out from a container a plurality of times, for example, the outside air may enter the container each time the liquid is poured out, and thus the liquid may be contained in the outside air. As a conventional check valve for preventing contamination of liquid in a container by certain microorganisms, dust, etc., oxidation of liquid in the container by outside air itself, deterioration of flavor, etc.
There is one disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 133307.

As shown in FIG. 10 (a), this is the suction port 111.
And a spherical valve body 114 is housed in a valve chamber 113 having a discharge port 112, and the valve chamber 113 is provided with a valve seat 115 in contact with the peripheral surface of the valve body 114. On the other hand, the enlarged diameter portion is formed on the lower portion thereof to be a small diameter portion that maintains a minute gap between the valve body outer periphery and the inside of the discharge port 112 by the return movement of the valve body 114 after the liquid is discharged. Part of the liquid remaining in the valve chamber 113 is sucked into the valve chamber 113, and the liquid surface in the discharge port is retracted inward.

[0004]

However, in this prior art, the discharge of the liquid is completed and the spherical valve element 114 in the valve chamber is completed.
At the time of returning the check valve itself to the posture in which the tip end is directed upward in order to reinstate, the outside air that may contain microorganisms may be exposed to the liquid level in the container as illustrated in FIG. 10 (b). In relation to the level, it is inevitable that a situation in which the valve chamber 113 enters the container from the valve body 114 on the suction port side, or more specifically, via the suction port 111, the liquid in the container However, there is still a risk of contamination by microorganisms and the like, and oxidation by outside air.

The present invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. The object of the present invention is, for example, the microorganisms or the like in the container accompanying the liquid pouring operation. In addition to accidental invasion of outside air, it is possible to sufficiently prevent the liquid as the object to be packaged, which has once come into contact with the outside air, from flowing back into the container, and is more effective against contamination by microorganisms, dust, etc. It is to provide a check valve that can be prevented.

[0006]

The check valve according to the present invention is provided with an inlet port and an outlet port, and a diaphragm for controlling the opening and closing of the inlet port is arranged between these ports.

In this check valve, the diaphragm is adapted to open and close the inlet port in response to the pressure difference between the inlet and outlet ports. When liquid pressure or weight is applied, the diaphragm is rapidly deformed or displaced to bring the inlet port into communication with the outlet port, while the inlet port side is compared to the outlet port side with the stoppage of liquid pouring. In case of low pressure and when the weight of the liquid remaining in the check valve acts on the outlet port side of the diaphragm, close it immediately around the inlet port to completely close it. You can

Therefore, the liquid in the container can be smoothly discharged, and the outside air that may contain microorganisms can enter the container through the inlet port and once flow out to the outside of the diaphragm. It is possible to reliably prevent re-inflow of the contacted residual liquid into the container.

[0009] Thus, this check valve is applied as a liquid pouring liquid for a packaging container, and the internal liquid is poured out a plurality of times, so that the internal liquid is contaminated by microorganisms, dust, etc. In addition, it is possible to effectively prevent oxidation due to outside air, deterioration of flavor, and the like.

Here, the diaphragm is a composite material of a material having excellent flexibility, for example, a rubber material, and a material having excellent gas barrier properties laminated on the diaphragm, for example, a synthetic resin material, a metal material, a glass material or the like. In the case of the above configuration, while ensuring excellent responsiveness of the diaphragm and, by extension, the check valve, the permeation of gas to the diaphragm that closes the inlet port is sufficiently prevented to prevent the liquid in the container from being exposed to the outside air. It is possible to more effectively prevent the contact of

Further, the diaphragm has water repellency,
Or, when it is made of a given material, it effectively prevents the liquid from adhering and remaining on the surface of any of the diaphragms on the port side, and the residual coagulation is mixed into the pouring liquid,
It is possible to more effectively eliminate the risk of dropping into the container.

In such a check valve, preferably, a plurality of ribs are provided at a position adjacent to the outlet port so as to abut a substantially central portion of the diaphragm and to allow a peripheral portion of the diaphragm to contact around the inlet port over the entire circumference. , A radial groove that communicates with the outlet port from the radial outside of the diaphragm is defined between the ribs. Since this check valve has a normally closed structure, the check valve can be surely closed even if the pressure differences acting on the inlet port side and the outlet port side are the same.

By the way, when the check valve is applied to a liquid packaging container, the liquid in the container is poured out by inclining the container and applying a liquid pressure or the like to the inlet port side of the diaphragm to cause the diaphragm to move. In particular, the peripheral portion is deformed toward the outlet port, which allows the liquid in the container to flow down from the inlet port to the outer peripheral side of the diaphragm and the radial groove between the ribs to the port. , The stop of this pouring is based on the normally closed action of the check valve under the balance of the pressure acting on each surface of the diaphragm in returning the container to the standing posture, and the peripheral portion of the diaphragm is closed. , Can be achieved by contacting around the inlet port.

Here, when the packaging container is a flexible packaging bag, for example, a packaging bag having a thickness of about 50 to 150 μm and preferably made of a laminated film having excellent gas barrier properties, the liquid in the bag is poured out. , Under the flexibility of the packaging bag, without the intake of outside air into the bag, the packaging bag itself will be contracted and deformed by a volume equivalent to the volume of the poured liquid. When the liquid pouring is stopped as described above, the flexible packaging bag creates a reduced pressure atmosphere in the bag based on its inherent elastic restoring force.
It will be sucked and held around the inlet port, and the closing of the inlet port will be more reliable.

This means that when the check valve is attached to the soft packaging bag, the outside air that has entered the packaging bag is pressed and deformed by the fingers of the packaging bag and discharged through the check valve. The same applies to the above, and the diaphragm is suction-held around the inlet port under the elastic restoring force according to the contracting deformation of the packaging bag caused by the discharge of the outside air.

Further, when the liquid in the container is stopped from pouring, even if the liquid remains outside the diaphragm, the residual liquid assists the closing of the inlet port by the action of its weight on the diaphragm. Therefore, the return flow of the residual liquid into the container is reliably prevented.

As another structure of the check valve, an outlet port which also functions as a spout is defined at one position in the circumferential direction, and the peripheral portion of the diaphragm is abutted against substantially the central portion of the diaphragm so as to cover the entire circumference around the inlet port. It is also possible to provide a diaphragm restraining portion that makes contact with the diaphragm. According to this, the normally closed function of the check valve can be retained, and the radial groove as described above can be omitted. Therefore, the check valve can have a simpler structure and liquid to the radial groove. It is possible to eliminate the risk of adhesion and solidification.

Further, here, the inlet port axis and the outlet port axis have a mutual relationship in which they intersect each other in a vertical plane,
The liquid in the container that has flowed from the inlet port to the outside of the diaphragm will reach the outlet port as a pouring outlet through the curved flow path, so it is possible to prevent falling bacteria and floating without providing a special bending pouring nozzle. It is possible to effectively prevent entry of bacteria, dust, etc. into the check valve.

By the way, in any one of these check valves, it is preferable to provide a lock means for restraining the diaphragm at the closed position of the inlet port. According to this lock means, the liquid packaging container falls over or the like. It is possible to effectively prevent the unexpected outflow of the internal liquid due to.

[0020]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a view showing an embodiment of the present invention together with a bending-out nozzle.

In the figure, 1 is a check valve, and 2 is a pouring nozzle integrally formed on the top of the check valve 1. Here, the check valve 1 is a lower member 5 that forms an inlet port 4 that communicates with a discharge nozzle 3 that serves as a connecting portion to a liquid packaging container, and an upper member that forms an outlet port 6 that communicates with the pouring nozzle 2. In the space 8 between them, which is divided by 7 and rubber,
A circular diaphragm 9 made of an elastomer or the like is arranged, and at a position adjacent to the outlet port 6 of the upper member 7, it projects downward and abuts the central portion of the diaphragm 9, and the peripheral portion of the diaphragm 9 is introduced. A plurality of ribs 10 for contacting the lower member 5 around the port 4 are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction as shown in the bottom surface of the upper member 7 in FIG. The diaphragm 9
It is configured by defining a plurality of radial grooves 11 communicating with the outlet port 6 from the outer side in the radial direction from the outer edge of the.

It is preferable that the diaphragm 9 here is excellent in flexibility in order to enhance the responsiveness of opening and closing of the inlet port 4, which means that, for example, the diaphragm 9 is In the normal state as shown,
The peripheral portion contacts the lower member 5 with a certain area or more, 0.3
It can be realized by using a silicone rubber having a thickness of about 2 mm, rubber such as Viton (registered trademark of DuPont) or an elastomer.

In order to prevent the liquid from coagulating on the surface of the diaphragm 9, it is preferable that the surface of the diaphragm 9 does not remain when the liquid in the container is poured out. It is preferable that 9 is made of a material having excellent water repellency or is made of a water-repellent material.

In addition to these, it is preferable that the diaphragm 9 has an excellent gas barrier property in order to prevent oxidation and other deterioration of the liquid in the container, which is shown in FIG. As shown, rubber 9a having excellent flexibility, a material 9a such as an elastomer and a material excellent in gas barrier property laminated thereon, for example, polyester, nylon, aluminum, glass, etc., gas barrier vapor deposition having a thickness of 7 to 20 μm. It can be realized by a film 9b or a composite material with any of these films, foils and the like.

The pouring nozzle 2 which is integral with the check valve 1 is bent at a right angle and the outlet port 6 is bent.
And a spout 13 as a tip opening of the spout 12.

The check valve 1 constructed as described above, when the pressure acting on each of the inlet port 4 and the outlet port 6 is equal pressure, as shown in FIG. 1 (a),
Under the physical properties unique to the diaphragm 9 that abuts the rib 10,
The peripheral part of the diaphragm 9 fully contacts the lower member 5 around the inlet port 4 in the required area by maintaining the normally closed posture around the entire circumference of the diaphragm 9 to fully exert the original function of the check valve. However, the inflow of outside air from the outlet port side to the inlet port side is prevented.

Here, for example, when the pressure or force acting on the diaphragm 9 from the inlet port 4 side exceeds that on the outlet port 6 side due to the tilting operation of the liquid container to which the check valve 1 is applied or the like. , Diaphragm 9
As shown in FIG. 3, it contacts the rib surface all over it and completely opens the inlet port 4, so that the inlet port 4
The liquid flowing into the space 8 from the inside flows into the outlet port 6 from the periphery of the diaphragm 9 through the radial groove 11 and then smoothly flows to the outside through the outlet passage 12 and the outlet 13.

On the other hand, when the pressure or force acting on the outlet port side becomes larger than that on the inlet port side, for example, the container to which the check valve 1 is applied is a soft packaging bag, and the liquid in the bag is poured. After the liquid has stopped pouring, the packaging bag tries to return to its original shape based on its inherent elastic restoring force, as is the case when the packaging bag itself allows shrinkage deformation. When the inside of the bag is in a depressurized atmosphere or when the liquid is stopped from pouring, for example, the pouring passage 12
In the case where the liquid remaining in the case flows down to the upper surface side of the diaphragm 9, as shown in FIG. The invasion of the liquid and the return flow of the liquid on the diaphragm into the container are surely prevented.

Such a check valve 1 provided with a pouring nozzle 2
Is a container filled with liquid, such as a flexible packaging bag,
It can be applied as shown in FIG.

Here, the flexible packaging bag 21 is supported by the support frame 22.
Place it on the base 23 of the
It is bifurcated, preferably supported by a fork claw 25 elastically engaged with the opening 24, and under the standing posture of the packaging bag 21 in which the body portion thereof is restrained by the intermediate band 26, While removing a cap (not shown) from the opening 24 of the discharge nozzle 3 that protrudes to the lower side of the check valve 1 by peeling off the sealing material 28 that seals the opening 27, or as it is.
The female screw member 14 provided at the lower end of the check valve 1 can be airtightly attached to the soft packaging bag 21 by screwing it into the opening 24 and tightening it. In the latter case,
The sealing material 28 is torn in a circular shape by the claw portion 15 provided on the female screw member 14.

When the check valve 1 is mounted in this way, and air or other gas remains on the upper part of the flexible packaging bag 21, the packaging bag 21 is pressed by fingers to press the internal pressure of the bag. Is higher than that of the outside air, it is preferable to deform the diaphragm 9 to discharge the gas in the bag to the outside,
After this discharge, the pressing force on the packaging bag 21 is removed, and the elastic restoring force unique to the soft packaging bag 21 generates a force in the direction to restore the original shape, thereby reducing the internal pressure of the bag to the outside air. By making it lower than that, the diaphragm 9 can be completely adhered around the inlet port 4 as shown in FIG. 4, thereby more reliably preventing outside air and microorganisms from entering the bag. can do.

Under the action of the check valve 1 thus applied, the liquid in the bag is poured out by tilting the soft packaging bag 21,
The liquid pressure or weight acting on the inlet port 4 deforms and displaces the diaphragm 9 of the check valve 1 into a position in which it contacts the abutment rib 10 as shown in FIG. , The liquid in the bag from the radial groove 11 opening around the diaphragm 9 to the outlet port 6
And it can be performed by flowing down from the pouring outlet 13 through the pouring passage 12. Such pouring of the liquid in the bag will be performed under the decrease of the volume of the packaging bag 21 due to the decrease of the liquid in the bag, and the decrease in the internal volume of the bag should be compensated by the introduction of outside air. Since it is not necessary, the contact of the liquid in the bag with the outside air, microorganisms and the like is sufficiently prevented.

Then, the stop of the liquid pouring is performed by the soft packaging bag 21.
Upon returning to the standing posture of, the action of the pressure or weight of the liquid in the bag on the diaphragm 9 is stopped, and at the same time, a negative pressure in the bag based on the elastic restoring force of the packaging bag 21 is applied to the diaphragm 9. , Diaphragm 9 as shown in FIG.
It can be carried out by adsorbing around the inlet port 4 based on the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the packaging bag 21, and this also sufficiently prevents the entry of outside air, microorganisms, etc. into the packaging bag. .

By the way, when the flexible packaging bag 21 is returned to the upright position as described above, the liquid remaining in the pouring passage 12 from the outlet port 6 may flow back onto the diaphragm 9,
The liquid will function to assist the non-return action of the diaphragm 9 as described above, and since it cannot return to the inside of the packaging bag through the inlet port 4, the liquid in the bag is once exposed to the outside air. It will be surely shielded from the liquid that comes into contact with the liquid.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view showing another application example of the check valve in the case where the derivation nozzle 3 is provided with a tapered end portion 16 having, for example, a conical shape, and the tip thereof is a blunt curved surface. Is. Here, the tapered end portion 16 of the outlet nozzle 3 is
, By pushing against the unstretched film 29 that seals the opening 27 of the opening 24, the unstretched filter 29 consisting of a single layer or a laminated film, a state of greatly stretched and deformed under its own physical properties. It is preferable that the tip end opening 17 of the nozzle 3 is positioned below the broken non-stretched film 29 at the time of breaking.

According to this, only the inflow of the outside air into the opening 24 due to the part of the front end opening 17 being located on the upper side of the film 29 can be advantageously removed.
After that, the lead-out nozzle 3 is further pushed into the opening 24, and the lead-out nozzle 3 is sufficiently held by the non-stretched film 29 based on the elastic restoring force in the direction of reducing the breaking hole diameter thereof, Outside air that may contain microorganisms, dust, and the like from between the discharge nozzle 3 and the broken unstretched film 29, the inflow of the outside air into the opening 24, the discharge nozzle 3
Surely prevent the unstretched film from breaking by adhering to it.

In this case, the elastic contraction force of the unstretched non-stretched film 29 becomes considerably large, so that even if the outlet nozzle 3 may be displaced relative to the opening 24 in the radial direction, the nozzle 3 and the film 29 will not move. There is no gap between them and the nozzle 3 does not shift in the axial direction, which means that when the flexible packaging bag 21 is tilted and the liquid in the bag is poured out as described above, the pouring is stopped. The same applies to any of the following cases.

However, in order to hold the derivation nozzle 3 more sufficiently, as shown in FIG.
It is preferable to fix the flange 3a to the opening 24 with the screw cap 30 in a state where the flange 3a provided in the intermediate portion of the above is brought into contact with the tip of the opening 24 via the film 29.

In such a check valve 1, for example,
When the liquid packaging container to which it is applied is accidentally laid down, etc., in order to prevent the unexpected outflow of liquid, when the liquid in the container is not in use, the diaphragm 9 of the check valve 1 is connected to the inlet port 4 It is preferable to provide a locking means that can be restrained in the closed position.

FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view showing an example thereof. This is provided with a lock rod 31 that penetrates the top wall 2a of the pouring nozzle 2 and presses the diaphragm 9 near the peripheral edge of the inlet port 4 through the outlet port 6 and is shown in FIG. 8 (a). In order to enable the click operation of the lock rod 31, for example, an elastically deformable spherical projection 31a or a slit projection is provided in the middle of the hollow rod 31, and the nozzle top wall 2a is provided with a rod projection of the rod 31. In the locked position as shown, a substantially spherical expanded portion 2b for receiving the spherical projection 31a is provided, and the rod 31 is in this locked position, and the diaphragm 9 and the inlet port 4 are provided. At least the vicinity of the periphery can be forcibly adhered. Further, with this lock function, the lock can be released by gripping the knob 31b of the rod 31 and pulling out the spherical projection 31a onto the top wall 2a.

FIG. 8 (b) shows a similar spherical protrusion 31a or slit protrusion provided on the rod 31 under elastic deformation thereof, preferably in combination with elastic deformation of the lower part of the expanded diameter portion. The check valve 1 is locked by pushing it into the pouring passage 12 from the expanded diameter portion 2b.

Then, in FIG. 8 (c), the lock rod 31 is
In order to be able to hold each of the lock position and the lock release position, the spout nozzle top wall 2a is provided with the same two enlarged diameter portions 2c, 2d as described above vertically adjacent to each other. According to this, when the spherical protrusion 31a is in the upper expanded portion 2c, the lock is in the unlocked state, and the lower expanded portion is
Locked when in 2d.

In any of these cases, in order to make the click operation of the spherical protrusion 31a, and hence the lock rod 31, smooth, the portion near the expanded diameter portion, especially the constricted portion, is made of a soft material. 8c is preferable.
Shows the case where the adjacent portions including the expanded diameter portions 2c and 2d are made of a soft material. Although not shown, the lock rod 31 can also be screwed into the pouring nozzle top wall 2a, whereby the check valve 1 is locked by tightening the rod 31, and the check valve 1 is loosened. , You can unlock it.

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of a main part showing another embodiment of the check valve. This is particularly a modification of the structure of the upper member 7 of the check valve 1, and a circular diaphragm 9 is provided in a space 8 defined by the lower member 5 and the upper member 7.
And the central portion of the diaphragm 9 is brought into contact with a central projection 32 provided by projecting from the central portion of the upper member 7 to the lower side in the drawing, and the peripheral portion thereof is
Similarly, as shown in Fig. 4, the lower member 5 is contacted around the inlet port 4 over the entire circumference, and is formed at one position in the circumferential direction between the lower member 5 and the upper member 7 to the outside air. An outlet port 6 that also serves as a spout is provided. According to this, the provision of the pouring nozzle 2 as described above is unnecessary, and the rib 10 and the radial groove 11 are also unnecessary, which simplifies the structure and adheres and solidifies the liquid. It is possible to greatly reduce the risk of

In this check valve, when the liquid in the container is poured out, the liquid flowing out from the inlet port 4 to the opposite side of the diaphragm 9 based on the deformation of the diaphragm 9 is discharged under the tilted posture of the packaging container. The liquid is immediately poured out from the outlet port 6 which also serves as a pouring outlet, and the liquid retention time in the pouring device is shortened because the pouring nozzle 2 does not exist. Therefore, the amount of liquid that will remain on the outside of the diaphragm 9 when the packaging container stands up and returns when stopping the pouring of the liquid can be made extremely small or almost zero, and by the next pouring operation. It is possible to effectively remove the residual liquid contacting with the outside air, which is to be poured again.

The check valve shown here is also shown in FIGS.
Of course, the present invention can be applied to a liquid packaging container such as a soft packaging bag 21 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, and the check valve can be provided with a locking means such as the lock rod 25 shown in FIG. Of course. By the way, regarding this locking means, here, for example, the central projection 32 itself, which is formed separately from the upper member 7, is displaced up and down by a lock rod screwed to the upper member 7, whereby the diaphragm 9 is moved. It can also be displaced or deformed between the locked posture in which it is constrained around the inlet port and the released posture in which its original action is possible.

[0047]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, even if the liquid in the packaging container is repeatedly poured out, outside air and microorganisms can sufficiently enter the packaging container. In addition, it is possible to prevent the liquid once flowing out to the outside of the diaphragm from returning to the inside of the bag, and effectively prevent the liquid in the container from being contaminated by microorganisms, dust, etc., and being oxidized. Can be prevented.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing another example of the diaphragm.

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a fully opened state of the inlet port.

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a completely closed state of the inlet port.

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view showing an application example of a check valve.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view showing another application example of the check valve.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of fixing a lead-out nozzle.

FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view illustrating a lock mechanism.

FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional view showing another embodiment of the check valve.

FIG. 10 is a vertical sectional view showing a conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Check valve 2 Pouring nozzle 2a Top wall 2b, 2c, 2d Expanding part 3 Outlet nozzle 4 entrance port 5 Lower member 6 Exit port 7 Upper member 8 spaces 9 diaphragm 9a substrate 9b Gas barrier vapor deposition film 10 ribs 11 radial groove 12 pouring passage 13 spout 14 Female thread member 15 Claw 16 Tapered end 17 Tip opening 30 screw cap 31 Rock rod 31a spherical protrusion 31b knob 32 Central protrusion

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A check valve comprising an inlet port and an outlet port, and a diaphragm for controlling the opening and closing of the inlet port disposed between these ports. 2. The check valve according to claim 1, wherein the diaphragm is made of a composite material of a material having excellent flexibility and a material having excellent gas barrier properties laminated on the diaphragm. 3. The check valve according to claim 1, wherein the diaphragm is made of a material having or imparting water repellency. 4. A plurality of ribs are provided at a position adjacent to the outlet port so as to abut a substantially central portion of the diaphragm so that a peripheral portion of the diaphragm is in contact with the entire circumference around the inlet port, and between the ribs, a rib of the diaphragm is provided. The check valve according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a radial groove that communicates with the outlet port from the outside in the radial direction is defined. 5. A diaphragm restraint portion is provided at one position in the circumferential direction, which defines an outlet port which also serves as a spout, and which is in contact with a substantially central portion of the diaphragm so that its peripheral edge portion is in contact with the entire circumference around the inlet port. The check valve according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 6. The check valve according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising lock means for restraining the diaphragm at a closed position of the inlet port.