Venting cap for containers holding viscous liquids and an anti-clogging seal

Abstract

The invention relates to a degassing plug (10) adapted to be connected to an opening (5) of a container (1) filled with a non-gaseous fluid product of the liquid or viscous type, said degassing plug (10) comprising a main body defining an internal volume consisting of a circumferential wall (11) and a top wall (12) extending said circumferential wall (11), and an internal degassing vent formed on the main body and comprising a membrane permeable to gas from the inside to the outside of said container, and vice versa, but blocking the flow of the non-gaseous fluid product contained in said container (1) out of the latter, characterized in that the main body further contains an intermediate operculum (20) interposed in its internal volume between the degassing vent and the opening (5) of the container (1),said intermediate operculum (20) being provided with at least one through orifice (25) permeable to gas from the inside to the outside of said container, and vice versa, the at least one through orifice (25) being positioned at a distance from the vent membrane. Figure for the abbreviation: Fig. 1,

Description

Title of the invention: Degassing stopper for a container holding a viscous liquid product and an anti-clogging seal. Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a degassing stopper for a container containing a non-gaseous fluid product of the liquid type, preferably viscous, for example a can of molasses or fertilizer including microorganisms of the bacteria type. Previous technique

[0002] Automatic pressure equalization valve systems with a "Gore®" membrane (or breathable membrane) allow for gradual equalization of internal and external pressure without the infiltration of dust or water. Degassing plugs have long been used in storage containers for liquid fluid products that may produce gases (such as methane or carbon dioxide), particularly due to the presence of microorganisms such as bacteria (chemical reaction caused by an external factor such as temperature, UV rays, pressure differential (for example, in an airplane) or by a chemical reaction producing gases).

[0003] These containers, for example, drums of various sizes / capacities (from the typical drum of a few liters to a few tens of liters that can be carried by hand, to the drum / barrel of several tens of liters, most often stationary but capable of being moved on a forklift, up to a cubic or cylindrical tank of a thousand liters or more), must be able to both contain the liquid product to prevent it from escaping and also "breathe" when these gases are emitted. Indeed, these gases can quickly accumulate towards the top of the container and cause it to swell, deform dangerously, or even explode.

[0004] To solve this problem, venting caps have been designed to allow gas to escape from the container while preventing liquids and external contaminants (such as air, humidity, or dust) from entering the container's internal volume. In practice, only air can enter the container. The venting cap is therefore actually a pressure equalizer. It allows the container to vent when the gas concentration inside is too high. But it also does the opposite and re-vents (allows air to enter) to prevent the container from shrinking. This variation can also be observed during a change in temperature or altitude.

[0005] This type of stopper is therefore often used in packaging for chemical, pharmaceutical or food products which generate gases during storage, such as those which undergo fermentation or chemical decomposition, or during transport (for example by plane due to the pressure differential), and / or in the presence of a temperature differential.

[0006] A degassing stopper generally comprises a vent and a gas-permeable membrane, or valve, designed to allow a certain quantity of gas to escape or enter in order to balance the pressures inside and outside the container, this by means of the presence of orifices, or pores, whose cross-section (diameter) is calibrated to allow this transfer of gas while blocking access in both directions (on either side of the membrane) to any other type of product, in particular liquid, and especially viscous.

[0007] Thus, when gas accumulates inside the container, the internal pressure increases. Once this pressure reaches a predetermined threshold, the venting mechanism allows the gas to escape automatically (generally through the top of the container) by passing through the membrane. Although gases can escape, the structure of the valve or membrane prevents liquids from escaping and contaminants from the outside air from entering the container. The venting stopper is generally designed to operate repeatedly, allowing several hundred or thousands of venting cycles (or more) as the pressure inside the container increases and then decreases.

[0008] These degassing plugs therefore contribute to the safety of the storage and transport of containers containing liquid fluid products likely to generate gases.

[0009] However, these degassing plugs are not entirely satisfactory, particularly when the liquid product is quite viscous, such as molasses. Indeed, when the container is transported at an angle, lying down, or even upside down, the fluid product can come into contact with the vent valve / membrane and clog it or its orifices more or less quickly. If the gases can no longer escape, or can escape less easily / quickly (in terms of flow rate), the container risks inflating excessively, becoming irreparably deformed, or even cracking / exploding under the pressure. This situation can also occur in the case of negative pressure (the container contracts radially and can also crack).

[0010] Attempts have already been made to solve this problem by using naturally non-stick materials (PTFE, ePTFE, PET, silicone) to form the membrane and / or the inside of the cap so that the fluid does not cause clogging. However, this results in higher costs, and this type of material is not compatible with all fluid products (particularly depending on their pH).

[0011] It is also possible to revise the membrane design to minimize the surfaces where the product could accumulate. This can be done by enlarging the membrane openings or simplifying the design of certain parts of the vent to reduce areas where the product could be trapped. Again, this creates technical constraints that could significantly increase the selling price of the cap and its manufacturing time.

[0012] It is also possible to increase the membrane's strength by reinforcing it with a spring, or to provide an independent mechanism that opens and closes the membrane to help break up any film of dried viscous product that may have accumulated, thus allowing the membrane to function more efficiently. However, this design results in a significant additional cost and a potentially shorter lifespan due to the complexity of the solution implemented.

[0013] We could finally provide for a periodic cleaning protocol for the degassing plug and the container, but this entails too many constraints in terms of time management, monitoring, and cleaning quality. Presentation of the invention

[0014] The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks with a totally innovative approach, with greatly improved efficiency, for an extremely low additional cost and weight and no impact on the installation of the degassing plug or its daily use.

[0015] To this end, according to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a degassing stopper adapted to be connected to an opening of a container filled with a non-gaseous fluid product of the liquid or viscous type, said degassing stopper comprising: - a main body defining an internal volume consisting of a circumferential wall having an internal surface equipped with means for attaching said stopper to the opening of the container and a top wall extending from said circumferential wall, and provided with at least one hole, and - an internal degassing vent provided on the main body and communicating with the opening, said vent comprising a membrane permeable to gas from the inside to the outside of said container, and vice versa, but blocking the flow of the non-gaseous fluid product contained in said container from the latter, characterized in that the main body further contains an intermediate cover inserted within its internal volume between the degassing vent and the opening of the container, said cover being provided with at least one through orifice permeable to gas from the inside to the outside of said container, and vice versa, and in that the at least one through orifice is positioned at a distance from the membrane of the internal degassing vent. The cover, provided with one or preferably a plurality of orifices The presence of through-holes, permeable to gas from the inside out and vice versa (i.e., permeable to gas from the outside in), significantly reduces the outflow of non-gaseous fluid from the container towards the vent. The distance between the through-holes in the lid and the internal vent membrane ensures that no non-gaseous fluid comes into contact with the vent membrane. If any non-gaseous fluid passes through the through-holes in the lid, it will be contained within the space between the through-holes and the vent membrane, without directly contacting the vent membrane. This results in a significant reduction in the risk of the vent becoming clogged.

[0016] This solution thus allows the orifices of the degassing vent membrane not to be blocked by a possible leakage of liquid product containing suspended and / or viscous particles out of the container towards the part of the internal volume of the degassing plug where the vent is placed.

[0017] The invention is implemented according to the embodiments and variants set out below, which are to be considered individually or according to any technically feasible combination.

[0018] Advantageously, the intermediate lid is provided with at least one through orifice permeable to gas from the inside to the outside of said container, and vice versa, but totally preventing the non-gaseous fluid product from escaping from the container towards the vent.

[0019] Preferably, the intermediate operculum is traversed by several through orifices.

[0020] This solution allows for better distribution of the bidirectional flow of gases through the operculum and reduces the risks of complete clogging of the latter in the event that only one orifice is present.

[0021] According to a particular embodiment of the present invention, the orifices are distributed so that their concentration / density is lower in the center than on the periphery of the intermediate operculum.

[0022] This solution improves gas transfers between the two sides of the lid, without affecting the total or partial blocking of the viscous liquid from inside the container to the vent.

[0023] According to a complementary feature, each orifice is circular and has an opening whose diameter is between approximately 1000pm and 1000pm, preferably between approximately 500pm and 5000pm and advantageously between approximately 1000 and 2000pm.

[0024] According to one embodiment, each orifice has an elongated slot or cross shape, single or double, the smallest dimension of the opening, i.e. the width, measures between about 1000pm and 1000pm, preferably between about 500pm and 5000pm and advantageously between about 1000 and 2000pm.

[0025] According to a particular aspect of the present invention, each orifice projects from said intermediate operculum opposite the vent and has, in longitudinal section, a conical or pyramidal section that narrows as one moves away from the vent, regardless of the shape and / or size of its opening.

[0026] This solution allows the viscous liquid to flow by gravity along the side walls of the protruding orifices towards the inside of the container, which significantly reduces the accumulation of said liquid on the lid, particularly in the immediate environment of each orifice, and therefore the risks of clogging said lid.

[0027] According to a specific embodiment, the intermediate lid has a completely flat disc shape.

[0028] According to an alternative, the intermediate operculum has a concave disc shape, with the hollow area facing the degassing vent.

[0029] This solution also allows better gravity flow of the viscous liquid towards the inside of the container, and therefore leads to a reduction in the risks of clogging of the lid by accumulation and drying of said liquid, in particular in the immediate environment of each orifice.

[0030] According to an alternative, the intermediate operculum has a substantially conical shape with a low slope, the hollow area facing the vent.

[0031] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the intermediate lid comprises a central portion surrounded by a circumferential shoulder locally reducing its thickness, said central portion being adapted to penetrate into the opening of the container while the shoulder rests on an upper circumferential rim of said container.

[0032] This solution makes it possible to maintain and center the lid on the neck of the container in order to reduce or eliminate any movement of the latter which could in particular cause a peripheral leak.

[0033] Advantageously, the intermediate operculum comprises a first element locally surrounding the vent and a second element covering the latter and traversed by at least one orifice.

[0034] According to a particularly interesting aspect of the present invention, the intermediate lid is made of a material having non-stick physicochemical characteristics of the lipophobic type in the case of contents with lipid properties, for example oleophobic, or hydrophobic in the case of contents with aqueous properties.

[0035] This solution further reduces the possibility of viscous liquid accumulating under the operculum, particularly in the immediate vicinity of each orifice.

[0036] According to an alternative embodiment, and to solve the same problem of reducing the accumulation of viscous product in the immediate environment of each an opening that could cause clogging, at least the outer surface of the intermediate seal located opposite the vent is covered with a material having non-stick physicochemical characteristics of the lipophobic type, for example oleophobic, or hydrophobic

[0037] According to a further feature, said non-stick material is silicone and / or a fluorinated polymer such as Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or a perfluoroalkoxy (PFA) resin.

[0038] Preferably, the intermediate operculum has locally a thinning of material around its center over about 20 to 80% of its surface, and preferably over about 40 to 60% of its surface, so as to be able to oscillate axially according to the movements of gas passing through it.

[0039] This solution allows, during micro-oscillations caused for example during the passage of gases in one direction and in the other through the operculum, to detach any possible local accumulation of viscous liquid which would have dried and then formed a crust under the operculum, in particular in the immediate environment of each orifice.

[0040] The present invention also relates to a container for a non-gaseous fluid product of the liquid or viscous type comprising a main body for containing said fluid product and a fluid filling / flow opening closed by a degassing plug as described above. Brief description of the figures

[0041] Other advantages, purposes and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, given for explanatory purposes and in no way as a limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0042] [Fig. 1] is a partial perspective view of a jerrycan-type container equipped with a degassing cap having a vent and an intermediate seal according to the present invention,

[0043] [Fig.2] is a perspective view of the degassing plug of [Fig.1] equipped with an intermediate cap,

[0044] [Fig.3] is a cross-sectional view of a degassing plug of the invention,

[0045] [Fig.4] is a top view of the degassing plug of [Fig.3],

[0046] [Fig.5] is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the stopper and of its intermediate operculum,

[0047] [Fig.6] is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of the stopper and its intermediate operculum,

[0048] [Fig.7] is a cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment of the stopper and its intermediate operculum,

[0049] [Fig-8] is a cross-sectional view of a fifth embodiment of the stopper and its intermediate operculum,

[0050] [Fig.9] is a cross-sectional view of a sixth embodiment of the stopper and its intermediate operculum,

[0051] [Fig. 10] is a cross-sectional view of a seventh embodiment of the stopper and its intermediate operculum,

[0052] [Fig. 11] is a cross-sectional view of an eighth embodiment of the stopper and its intermediate operculum,

[0053] [Fig. 12] is a cross-sectional view of a ninth embodiment of the stopper and its intermediate operculum,

[0054] [Fig. 13] is a cross-sectional view of one tenth embodiment of the stopper and its intermediate operculum,

[0055] [Fig. 14] is a cross-sectional view of an eleventh embodiment of the stopper and its intermediate operculum,

[0056] [Fig. 15] is a cross-sectional view of a twelfth embodiment of the stopper and its intermediate operculum,

[0057] [Fig. 16] illustrates a thirteenth embodiment of the intermediate operculum,

[0058] [Fig. 17] is an exploded perspective view of a fourteenth embodiment of the degassing plug in which the intermediate operculum is integrated into the vent,

[0059] [Fig. 18] is a perspective view of the fourteenth embodiment of the degassing plug in which the various elements are assembled,

[0060] [Fig. 19] is a partial perspective view of [Fig. 18] showing the implementation of this embodiment in the degassing plug, and

[0061] [Fig.20] is a partial perspective view representing a fifteenth embodiment of the stopper and its intermediate operculum. Description of the implementation methods

[0062] The features, variants, and different embodiments of the invention, as described or as they will be presented in the detailed description that follows, can be combined in various ways, provided that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variants of the invention may be conceived comprising only a selection of features described hereafter in isolation from the other described features, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage and / or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.

[0063] For the sake of clarity, the same elements are designated by the same references in the different figures.

[0064] Fig. 1 represents a container 1 of the can type adapted to contain in a sealed manner a non-gaseous fluid of the liquid type, preferably relatively viscous (for example from 10 cP (Centipoise, one centipoise being equivalent to 1 millipascal second or mPa.s), i.e. 10 mPa.s for liquid cream to 10000 cP (10000 mPa.s) for honey via 2500 cP (2500 mPa.s) for maple syrup), such as for example a fertilizer containing microorganisms (bacteria in particular), a product / liquid / viscous of the molasses type, a product / liquid / viscous containing in its composition xanthan gum or polysaccharides which create a very uniform mesh soluble in the fluid, or a solution in which microparticles are suspended.

[0065] This description is given by way of non-limiting attribution, each feature of one embodiment being able to be combined with any other feature of any other embodiment.

[0066] It is noted from the outset that the figures are not necessarily to scale, without this affecting their understanding.

[0067] The container 1 comprises a main body defining an internal volume 9 consisting of side walls 2, a flat bottom (not shown), and a top wall 3 equipped with a prominent neck 4 defining a filling / fluid flow opening 5. The neck 4 has an upper circumferential rim 8 and an external thread 6 onto which a venting plug 10 according to the present invention can be attached.

[0068] The container 1 is typically made of plastic such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE) of relatively low thickness (typically between 0.5 millimeters for a small container of a few liters and 4.5 millimeters for a tank of several hundred liters, passing through 1.5 millimeters for a common 20-liter container) so that its walls 2 are sufficiently radially elastically deformable to be able to inflate and deflate as needed according to the pressure prevailing inside the container 1. A gripping handle 7 is also provided on the top wall 3 of the container 1 in order to be able to carry and use it.

[0069] The cap 10 is equipped, if necessary, with a known type of security element, such as a peripheral tamper-evident ring (not shown) equipped with notches and having, for example, areas of lesser resistance designed to break during a first unscrewing but sealing the cap 10 on the neck 4 of the can 1 before the first use.

[0070] As can be seen in [Fig. 3], the plug 10 comprises a circumferential wall 11 forming a ring of revolution about a longitudinal axis XX', said circumferential wall 11 being provided with an internal surface 14 equipped, for example, with mechanical connecting means of the internal thread type 17 cooperating with the external thread 6 of the neck 4 to attach said cap 10 to the can 1 in order to prevent the escape of the liquid product. An elastomer O-ring 19 is inserted at the bottom of the cap 10, against the internal surface 14 of the wall 11, in order to create a seal with the upper circumferential rim 8 of the can 1 once said cap 10 is fully screwed onto the external thread 6 of the neck 4.

[0071] The cap 10 also includes a top wall 12 extending said circumferential wall 11 so as to define an internal volume 13. This top wall 12, for example forming a disc extending generally perpendicularly to the circumferential wall 11 (this disc may alternatively be slightly convex outwards in the shape of a dome), is provided with through holes 15 providing an aerodynamic connection between the external environment of the container 1 and the internal volume 13 of the cap 10 via a vent 16 comprising a microporous membrane / valve 16a permeable to gas (such as air) from the inside to the outside of the container 1, and vice versa, but which prevents the exit of the non-gaseous fluid product contained in said container 1, mounted (affixed or glued) in a cylindrical structure (ring) of plastic material 16b of the "mesh" type (see [Fig. 17]). This type of vent 16 is also called a "breathing" vent.This breathability is achieved thanks to the presence of minute pores in the 16a membrane, on the order of tens of thousands of times smaller than the size of a liquid droplet (representing a density of up to several million or even billion pores per cm²). Such a membrane can be made of different materials (mainly PTFE or ePTFE for stretched PTFE), which affects the pore size and thus the type of molecules that can pass through its pores. It is therefore understandable that gas can pass through this surface while liquid cannot.

[0072] According to the present invention, the cap 10 further comprises an intermediate operculum 20 with substantially the same cross-section as that defined by the inner surface 14 of the circumferential wall 11 of the cap 10. More specifically, the intermediate operculum 20 may have a cross-section identical to that defined by the inner surface 14 to allow its insertion and retention within the cap. However, the intermediate operculum 20 may also have a cross-section smaller than that defined by the inner surface 14, whereby its retention is ensured by a connection to the vent 16, as will be described below in a variant of the invention. In addition, the through-hole(s) 25 are positioned at a distance from the membrane 16a of the internal degassing vent 16.By "at a distance", it is meant that the vent membrane 16a is not in direct contact with the vent-oriented surface of the operculum and therefore there is a non-zero distance between the lower part of the vent membrane 16a and the through orifices 25. In . Consequently, any liquid contained in the container that would pass through an orifice through 25 would not come into immediate contact with the vent membrane.

[0073] Thanks to these characteristics, gases can indeed pass through the vent 16 and the intermediate seal 20 in either direction, thus ensuring the bidirectional "breathing" of the container 1. At the same time, the intermediate seal 20 constitutes a barrier to the viscous liquid, which therefore cannot come into contact with the membrane of the vent 16 when the container 1 is inverted or shaken. When the container is transported, tilted, or turned upside down, and unlike prior art solutions, the fluid product cannot come into contact with the vent valve / membrane. The pores of the vent 16 are thus protected from clogging. The invention is therefore based on the implementation of a double barrier formed by the vent and the seal. The seal and the vent allow the passage of gases through their orifices / pores. Conversely, the seal forms a first barrier to the liquid.Its through-holes limit the passage of liquid in the most extreme case of the container tipping over. And even if liquid were to pass through the through-holes 25, the distance between these through-holes 25 and the membrane 16a of the vent 16 forms a buffer volume for the temporary storage of liquid, which then falls back into the container through the through-holes 25. As a result, the liquid does not come into contact with the vent membrane, thus preventing any clogging and malfunction of the vent.

[0074] According to an optional feature of the invention, visible to the right of [Fig. 17], the vent 16 may further comprise an additional lower wall 160 extending parallel to, but at a distance from, the microporous membrane 16a, and connected to this microporous membrane, or to the vent structure 16b, by arms 161. The vent thus has perforated areas between two adjacent arms 161. Once the cap is in the closed position, the additional lower wall 160 acts as a stop for the intermediate seal 20. The perforated area between the arms 161 and the space between the additional wall 160 and the membrane 16a form a passage for gases to the hole 15 in the cap. The buffer volume obtained between the lower additional wall 160 and the membrane 16a prevents the access of any non-gaseous fluid towards the membrane 16a and therefore the clogging of the vent.

[0075] This lid 20 can have several shapes and design variants which will be described in relation to figures 1 to 3 and then 5 to 20.

[0076] The lid 20 is for example made of injected plastic such as low-density polyethylene and has a general shape of a thin disc with a circular cross-section, although any other geometric shape is conceivable as long as it fits the internal wall 14 of the cap 10 and / or the opening 5 of the can 1.

[0077] The lid 20 is intended to be placed inside the internal volume 13 of the cap 10 before connecting the latter around the neck 4 of the can 1 (by screwing in the present case).

[0078] The lid 20 shown in figures 1 to 3 has an annular peripheral shoulder 21 surrounding a main central portion 22 intended to be inserted locally and partially inside the opening 5 of the can 1, the annular peripheral shoulder 21 then resting on the upper circumferential rim 8 of the neck 4. The lid 20 can be mechanically pressed onto the latter (without gluing) by means of the O-ring 19 which is compressed by the cap 10 when the latter is screwed onto the neck 4 of the can 1.

[0079] Once the cap 10 is hooked and secured on the neck 4 of the can 1, a seal is thus created by means of the o-ring 19 between the annular peripheral shoulder 21 of the lid 20 and the upper circumferential rim 8 of said neck 4 and so as to close the opening 5 to prevent any flow of fluid out of the can 1.

[0080] In such a variant, the intermediate operculum 20 is thus presented as a flat disc 22 (or a pancake) with a constant thickness of a few tenths of a millimeter, for example between about 2 tenths and 20 tenths of a millimeter and advantageously about 1 to 2 millimeters.

[0081] The lid 20 is provided with several through orifices 25 which are all permeable to gas from the inside to the outside of the can 1, and vice versa, but which are designed to significantly reduce, or even possibly completely prevent, the exit of the non-gaseous fluid product from said can 1 to prevent this fluid from coming into contact with the vent 16.

[0082] In the case illustrated in [Fig. 2], the operculum 20 is traversed by four identical orifices 25 distributed regularly in a circle. These orifices 25 have a regular circular cross-section over the entire thickness of the operculum 20, said circle associated with this circular cross-section having a diameter of between approximately 1000 pm and 1000 pm, preferably between approximately 500 pm and 5000 pm and advantageously between approximately 1000 pm and 2000 pm.

[0083] Several concentric circles of orifices 25 can be provided on the operculum, with, for example, a different density of orifices 25 for each circle, for example, lower as one approaches the center. The orifices 25 of the same circle or of different circles can also have different diameters. The orifices 25 can be distributed in ways other than circles, but also in a regular or random manner.

[0084] According to an alternative embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 5], the operculum 20 has a shape identical to that of Figures 1 to 3 (central portion 22 and annular shoulder 21) but the through orifices 25 are arranged peripherally, that is- that is, near the periphery of the central portion 22, so as to be close to the internal thread 17 of the cap 10, and each have a conical cross-section that widens as one approaches the vent 16. In this embodiment, the lid 20 is positioned on the upper circumferential rim 8 of the neck 4 of the container 1, as previously shown in relation to Figures 1 to 3. It should be noted that in Figures 5 and 7 to 15, the cap is shown in a semi-open position. The cap is not fully screwed on, and therefore, the lid is not in its final position for storing the container. Figures 5 to 15 are schematic and aim to represent the different possible shapes of the lid 20 and the through-holes 25.According to an unrepresented variant, the lid 20 simply rests (without gluing) on ​​the upper circumferential rim 8 of the neck 4 of the can 1 and is held axially in this position by means of the O-ring 19 which compresses it against said rim once the cap 10 is screwed on.

[0085] According to an alternative embodiment illustrated by [Fig. 6], the operculum 20 has the same shape as that of [Fig. 5]. In this illustration, the cap is closed, the operculum in position associated with the top wall of the cap surrounds the vent 16 to protect it.

[0086] According to an alternative embodiment illustrated by [Fig. 7], the lid 20 has a concave disc shape, with a hollow domed portion 22 facing the vent 16. This solution allows the viscous fluid to flow towards the center of the lid 20, to possibly agglomerate there momentarily, but above all to fall more easily by gravity into the internal volume 9 of the container 1 thanks in particular to this central guidance (the local accumulation of a mass of viscous fluid material results in its easier fall by gravity). The lid 20 also has a central orifice through which the viscous fluid that would have passed to the other side of said lid could collect in its center and flow by gravity through said central orifice towards the interior of the container 1. In the present case, as for [Fig.[5] The lid 20 simply rests (without gluing) on ​​the upper circumferential rim 8 of the neck 4 of the container 1 and is held axially in this position by the O-ring 19, which compresses it against said rim once the cap 10 is screwed on. Although the O-ring 19 appears to be an advantageous element since it helps to press the shoulder 21 of the lid 20 against the circumferential rim 8 of the neck 4, it can be noted that a localized thickness around the perimeter of the inner surface of the top wall would play the same role. Similarly, the shoulder 21 can be pressed against the rim 8 by tightening when closing the cap.

[0087] According to an alternative embodiment illustrated by [Fig. 8], the operculum 20 has a shape identical to that of [Fig. 7], but its peripheral annular shoulder 21 is pre-positioned under the top wall 12 of the cap 10, surrounding the vent 16 to protect it. Note that in this representation, the cap is not in the closed position. When it is closed, the shoulder 21 will be sandwiched between the rim 8 and the cap, as explained previously. According to an alternative design not shown, the lid 20 also has a central orifice through which any viscous fluid that has passed to the other side of the lid can collect in its center and flow by gravity through this central orifice towards the inside of the container 1.

[0088] According to an alternative embodiment illustrated by [Fig.9], the lid 20 has a shape similar to that of [Fig.8] but asymmetrical, with a lateral inclination and an off-center low point, so that the viscous fluid which could locally cover the external surface of the lid 20 can flow naturally into the most domed area of ​​the lid towards the neck of the can 1 (the "low point") in order to fall inside the latter by gravity.

[0089] According to an alternative embodiment illustrated by [Fig. 10], the lid 20 has a disc shape, without the shoulder 21, and is wedged, for example, into a peripheral annular groove 18 provided in the inner surface 14 of the cap 10 so as to axially lock said lid 20. After the cap is screwed on, the lid 20 will come to rest against the rim 8.

[0090] According to an alternative embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 11], the lid 20 has an almost spherical shape and is positioned at the vent, the edge of the lid completely surrounding the lower part of the vent 16 to protect it. For example, the lid 20 can be clipped to the vent structure 16b, which has a circumferential ring shape. The through-holes 25 are thus arranged in three dimensions, and some are oriented towards the inner surface 14 of the cap 10, while others face the opening 5 of the container 1.

[0091] According to an alternative embodiment illustrated by [Fig. 12], the operculum 20 has a domed shape and is fixed to the structure of the vent 16, surrounding / isolating the latter from the internal volume 13 of the plug 10.

[0092] According to an embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 13], the operculum 20 is positioned on the upper circumferential rim 8 of the neck 4 of the container 1 and has a main conical shape with center 27 and a shallow slope (less than 10°, for example), the hollow area of ​​which faces the vent 16. This solution allows the viscous fluid to flow towards the center 27 of the operculum 20, to possibly agglomerate there momentarily, but above all to fall back more easily by gravity into the container 1, thanks in particular to this central guidance. The through orifices 25 are preferably radially distant from this center 27 so that they do not become clogged by local accumulation of viscous liquid product. According to an alternative embodiment not shown, the operculum 20 simply rests (without gluing) on ​​the upper circumferential rim 8 of the neck 4 of the can 1 and is held axially in this position by means of the o-ring 19 which compresses it against said rim once the cap 10 is screwed on.

[0093] According to an alternative embodiment illustrated by [Fig. 14], the operculum 20 is disposed on the upper circumferential rim 8 of the neck 4 of the can 1 and has a shape similar in particular to figures 1 to 3 but each orifice 25 protrudes from said intermediate operculum 20 opposite the vent 16 and has, in longitudinal section, a conical section 26 which narrows as one moves away from the vent 16. Thus, the viscous liquid which would have agglomerated on these conical sections 26 flows naturally towards the opening 5 of the can 1, significantly reducing the risks of clogging of the orifices 25.According to an unrepresented variant, the orifices 25 can protrude from the intermediate operculum 20 towards the vent 16 (in the area 13 of the cap) and have an inverted conical section 26, i.e. wider on the side of the cap 10 and thinner on the side of the vent 16, so that the viscous fluid material which would have agglomerated in these orifices 25 would easily fall back into the inside of the can 1 by gravity because of the fact that the forces required to maintain an obstructing film are greater in the wider part of the cone than in the thinner part. According to another variant not shown of these two embodiments, the lid 20 simply rests (without gluing) on ​​the upper circumferential rim 8 of the neck 4 of the can 1 and is held axially in this position by means of the O-ring 19 which compresses it against said rim once the cap 10 is screwed on.

[0094] According to an alternative embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 15], the intermediate seal 20 is disposed on the upper circumferential rim 8 of the neck 4 of the container 1 and has a local thinning of material 22a located around its center over approximately 20 to 80% of its surface, and preferably over approximately 40 to 60% of its surface, surrounded by a thicker annular peripheral ring 22b. This thinning of material thus allows the seal 20 to be more flexible locally and to oscillate along the axis XX' by a few tenths of a millimeter in response to the movement of the gases passing through it, which makes it possible to dislodge any crust of viscous liquid that may have agglomerated and dried under said seal 20.According to an unrepresented variant, the lid 20 simply rests (without gluing) on ​​the upper circumferential rim 8 of the neck 4 of the can 1 and is held axially in this position by means of the O-ring 19 which compresses it against said rim once the cap 10 is screwed on.

[0095] According to an alternative embodiment illustrated by [Fig. 16], and which can relate to all the embodiments described above in relation to Figures 1 to 15, the operculum 20 has cross-shaped orifices 25b alternating with longitudinal slit-shaped orifices 25a oriented and distributed in different ways. Multiple slots, for example doubled or tripled, are possible. The smallest dimension of the opening of these slots, that is, their width, measures between approximately 1000 µm and 1000 µm, preferably between approximately 500 µm and 5000 µm, and advantageously between approximately 1000 µm and 2000 µm. The orientation of the various through-holes 25 can form dotted lines, be random, or create various geometric patterns. These holes 25 are preferably located away from the center of the operculum 20 to avoid being blocked by the potential accumulation of viscous liquid in this specific area. Thus, the operculum 20 performs its role of gas breathability and viscous liquid blockage in an optimized manner.

[0096] According to an alternative embodiment illustrated by figures 17 to 19, the operculum 20 is in a way part of the degassing vent 16, in the sense that it integrates it. More specifically, the vent 16 comprises, as in all the other embodiments described above, a microporous membrane 16a inserted in a circumferential ring 16b (a portion of the apex wall 12 of the cap 10 projecting towards the internal volume 13 of the latter), which is locally surrounded by a flat portion of a first disc 20a of the operculum 20, fixed under the apex wall 12, and covered by a second disc 20b through which the orifices 25 pass. The two portions 20a and 20b of the operculum 20 are, for example, heat-sealed at their respective peripheries while a peripheral lip 16c of the circumferential ring 16b of the vent 16 is itself heat-sealed at the level of a central orifice 20c of the portion 20a of said operculum 20.The vent and lid assembly can be pre-assembled to facilitate the manufacturing step of the degassing cap. The two portions 20a and 20b thus define an internal volume of the lid which corresponds to the volume into which liquid may enter in the event of a spillage of the container 1.

[0097] According to a final embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 20], the operculum 20 is quite similar to that of Figures 17 to 19, but it is made in one piece, for example by 3D printing. In this configuration, the operculum 20 is press-fitted onto the vent 16 to create a seal with the latter at the orifice 20c. More precisely, the inner rim of the central orifice 20c spreads slightly radially due to elasticity as it passes over the peripheral lip 16c (which has a larger diameter), and then tightens around the ring 16b. This solution thus allows for the complete integration of the vent 16 and the operculum 20, so that the vent and the operculum ultimately form a single piece that can then be easily positioned in the top wall 12 of the cap 10.It should also be noted that the orifices 25 of the operculum 20 are arranged differently from Figures 17 to 19, as some of them are located above the operculum 20, facing the apex wall 12 of the stopper, while others may be placed on the side. Thus, the upper orifices 25. allow gas pressure to be balanced with the inside of capsule 20 even if the central orifice is covered with liquid or obstructed.

[0098] In all the embodiments described above, in order to further reduce the possibilities of adhesion of the viscous liquid under the intermediate lid 20, the latter is made of a material having non-stick physicochemical characteristics of the lipophobic type, for example oleophobic in the case of content with lipid properties, or hydrophobic in the case of content with aqueous properties.

[0099] Another solution is to coat the external surface of the lid 20 with a coating having anti-adhesive physicochemical characteristics of the lipophobic type, for example oleophobic in the case of contents with lipid properties, or hydrophobic in the case of contents with aqueous properties.

[0100] This non-stick material is for example silicone or a fluorinated polymer such as Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or a coated perfluoroalkoxy (PFA) resin.

[0101] In normal use of the container 1, the viscous fluid product, for example a plant growth stimulant, may emit gas due to the microorganisms it contains, which release gas through respiration / fermentation. This gas can pass, on the one hand, through through-holes 25 in the intermediate seal 20, due to its bidirectional permeability (porosity) to said gas, and on the other hand, through the vent valve 16 to exit the container 1 and the cap 10, for the same reasons of bidirectional permeability. The container 1 can therefore "breathe" and adapt to the pressure within its internal volume so that the latter is substantially equivalent to the external pressure.This prevents the container 1 from inflating, or even bursting, under the effect of a significant pressure difference, or conversely from contracting radially to a greater or lesser extent when the pressure inside the container 1 is significantly lower than the external pressure. The seal 20 thus allows the pressure to be equalized between that inside the internal volume 9 of the container 1 and the external pressure.

[0102] In parallel, the viscous fluid product cannot escape from the container 1 by passing through the degassing plug 10 (as long as it remains firmly attached to the neck of the container, of course) thanks this time to the bidirectional impermeability to non-gaseous fluid created both by the intermediate seal 20 and by the vent valve 16. The container 1 therefore cannot empty unexpectedly.

[0103] Finally, no liquid or solid product can enter the container 1 for the same reasons of bidirectional impermeability.

[0104] In conclusion, nothing leaves canister 1 except gases, nothing enters canister 1 except outside air, no liquid fluid, especially viscous, can enter or leave.

[0105] The most remarkable feature of the invention lies in the fact that gases can indeed pass through both the vent 16 and the intermediate protective cover 20 in either direction, thus ensuring the bidirectional "breathing" of the container 1. More importantly, this cover 20 forms a barrier to the viscous (or even sticky) liquid, which therefore cannot come into contact (or only very briefly / temporarily in space and time) with the vent 16 when the container 1 is inverted or shaken, whether intentionally or not (dropping, transport). This prevents the vent 16 openings from becoming clogged by the possible accumulation and crusting of dried product, particularly products containing suspended particles retained in the liquid, as is the case with prior art degassing caps.

[0106] The same reasoning can be applied to molasses containing polysaccharides or to a plant growth stimulant containing xanthan gum, each of which forms a very viscous liquid that can clump together under the intermediate lid 20. In this case, even when the container 1 is shaken or turned upside down, the molasses or the plant growth stimulant cannot pass through (or only in very small quantities) the "barrier" created by the orifices 25 of the lid 20, which are specifically calibrated and arranged to prevent the product from migrating towards the vent 16, which is thus protected from clogging.

[0107] This feature, never before described or used, ensures that the membrane 16a of vent 16 will not be obstructed by the product contained in the container / can 1, and that the can 1 can therefore breathe properly even if it is inverted / shaken for a certain time. Even if the can 1 is inverted or tilted for a long time so that a very small amount of viscous liquid passes through the intermediate seal 20, the amount would be too small to clog vent 16 and impair its proper functioning. Thus, even if the membrane 16a of vent 16 is 80% saturated (the product, such as molasses, having dried on it), the remaining 20% ​​can continue to perform its role as a pressure equalizer.

[0108] After study, here is an example of the viscosity of products that may require this type of seal:

[0109] Molasses: between 500 and 2500 cP (between 500 and 2500 mPa.s) (depending on the sugar content)

[0110] Beetroot molasses with 46.5% sugar: 800 cP (800 mPa.s)

[0111] Cane molasses with 52% sugar: 2200 cP (2200 mPa.s)

[0112] Vinasse: between 200 and 500 cP (between 200 and 500 mPa.s)

[0113] Soup: 85 cP (85 mPa.s)

[0114] Aqueous solution containing 0.25% xanthan gum: 1000 to 1600 cP (1000 to 1600 mPa.s)

[0115] In all the cases presented above, the intermediate operculum 20 according to the present invention was able to prevent clogging of the vent 16 and thus allowed ideal operation of the degassing plug 10.

[0116] It must be clearly understood that the detailed description of the object of the Invention, given solely by way of illustration, does not in any way constitute a limitation, technical equivalents also being included in the scope of the present invention.

[0117] Thus, various types of circles can coexist on the same operculum, each orifice being able to have an opening with a circular, oval, elongated slit (single, double or more), cross-section (single, double or more), etc., for an operculum in the shape of a flat disk, a domed disk, or a conical disk, whether each orifice is purely through or protruding and has a conical or pyramidal shape. One can thus envision an operculum in the shape of a flat disk with a mixture of through orifices with a circular cross-section and protruding conical orifices with a circular cross-section, or a domed operculum with only through orifices but of different cross-sections, or even a conical operculum with protruding orifices of pyramidal shape with a slit cross-section.

[0118] The canister 1 can be replaced by many other types of containers such as tanks, reservoirs, containers, drums, barrels, bottles, pots, food containers, etc.

Claims

Demands

1. A degassing plug (10) adapted for connection to an opening (5) of a container (1) filled with a non-gaseous fluid product of the liquid or viscous type, said degassing plug (10) comprising: - a main body defining an internal volume (13) consisting of a circumferential wall (11) having an internal surface (14) equipped with connecting means (17) for attaching said plug (10) to the opening (5) of the container (1) and a top wall (12) extending from said circumferential wall (11) and having at least one hole (15), and - an internal degassing vent (16) formed on the main body (11, 12) and communicating with the hole (15), said vent (16) comprising a membrane (16a) permeable to gas from the inside to the outside of said container, and vice versa, but blocking the flow of the non-gaseous fluid product gaseous contained in said container (1) out of the latter and vice versa, characterized in that the principal body (11,12) further contains an intermediate cover (20) inserted within its internal volume (13), between the degassing vent (16) and the opening (5) of the container (1), said intermediate cover (20) being provided with at least one through orifice (25) permeable to gas from the inside to the outside of said container, and vice versa, and in that the at least one through orifice (25) is positioned at a distance from the membrane (16a) of the internal degassing vent (16).

2. Stopper (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the orifices (25) are distributed so that their concentration / density is lower in the centre than on the periphery of the intermediate operculum (20).

3. Plug (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each orifice (25) is circular and has an opening whose diameter is between about 1000pm and 1000pm, preferably between about 500pm and 5000pm and advantageously between about 1000 and 2000pm.

4. A stopper (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each orifice (25) has an elongated slot (25a) or cross (25b) shape, single or double, the smallest dimension of the opening measuring between approximately 10m and 1000pm, preferably between about 500pm and 5000pm and advantageously between about 1000 and 2000pm.

5. Plug (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each orifice (25) projects from said intermediate operculum (20) opposite the vent (16) and has, in longitudinal section, a conical or pyramidal section (26) that narrows as one moves away from the vent (16), regardless of the shape and / or size of its opening.

6. Cap (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the intermediate operculum (20) has a totally flat disc shape.

7. Stopper (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the intermediate operculum (20) has a concave disc shape, the hollow area facing the vent (16).

8. Stopper (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the intermediate operculum (20) has a substantially low-sloping conical shape, the hollow area facing the vent (16).

9. Stopper (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the intermediate lid comprises a central portion (22) surrounded by a circumferential shoulder (21) locally reducing its thickness, said central portion (22) being adapted to penetrate the opening (5) of the container (1) while the shoulder (21) rests on an upper circumferential rim (8) of said container (1).

10. Plug (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the intermediate operculum (20) comprises a first element (20a) locally surrounding the vent (16) and a second element (20b) covering the latter and traversed by at least one orifice (25).

11. Cap (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the intermediate seal (20) is made of a material having non-stick physicochemical characteristics of the lipophobic type, for example oleophobic, or hydrophobic.

12. A stopper (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that at least the external surface of the intermediate operculum (20) located opposite the vent (16) is covered of a material exhibiting non-stick physicochemical characteristics of the lipophobic type, for example oleophobic, or hydrophobic.

13. Stopper (10) according to any one of claims 11 to 12, characterized in that said non-stick material is silicone and / or a fluorinated polymer such as Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or a perfluoroalkoxy (PFA) resin.

14. Stopper (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the intermediate operculum (20) locally exhibits a thinning of material around its center over approximately 20 to 80% of its surface, and preferably over approximately 40 to 60% of its surface.

15. Container (1) for non-gaseous fluid product of liquid or viscous type, comprising a main body for containing said fluid product and a fluid filling / flow opening (5) closed by a venting plug (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

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