阅读说明：本技术 排气阀 (Air exhaust valve ) 是由 朗·安德鲁 吴雪峰 于 2019-06-06 设计创作，主要内容包括：本申请涉及一种排气阀,更具体地,是用于流体出口的排气阀。所述排气阀包括一个外壳,所述外壳包括一个开口和至少一个延伸穿过所述外壳的阀门。此外,所述排气阀包括外壳内的多个阻隔板,其中所述多个阻隔板中的每个阻隔板包括至少一个孔,并且其中所述多个阻隔板内的第一个阻隔板的一个或多个孔与所述多个阻隔板内的第二个阻隔板的一个或多个孔偏移。通过这种方式,可以控制各种流体通过外壳流出。(The present application relates to a vent valve, and more particularly, to a vent valve for a fluid outlet. The vent valve includes a housing including an opening and at least one valve extending through the housing. Further, the vent valve includes a plurality of baffle plates within the housing, wherein each baffle plate of the plurality of baffle plates includes at least one aperture, and wherein the one or more apertures of a first baffle plate of the plurality of baffle plates are offset from the one or more apertures of a second baffle plate of the plurality of baffle plates. In this way, the outflow of various fluids through the housing can be controlled.)

1. A vent valve for a fluid outlet, wherein the vent valve comprises a housing comprising an opening and at least one valve extending through the housing, and a plurality of baffle plates within the housing, wherein each baffle plate of the plurality of baffle plates comprises at least one aperture, and wherein one or more apertures of a first baffle plate within the plurality of baffle plates are offset from one or more apertures of a second baffle plate within the plurality of baffle plates.

2. The vent valve of claim 1 wherein each baffle plate of the plurality of baffle plates is positioned such that its aperture is offset from one or more apertures of an adjacent baffle plate.

3. The vent valve of claims 1 and 2 wherein at least one aperture in a barrier plate is completely obscured by an adjacent barrier plate.

4. The vent valve of claim 1 or 2 wherein each baffle plate of the plurality of baffle plates is positioned such that its aperture is completely obscured by an adjacent baffle plate.

5. The vent valve of any of the preceding claims wherein the location of the aperture defines a convoluted passage.

6. The discharge valve according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said aperture is rotationally offset.

7. The vent valve of any of the preceding claims wherein the aperture defines a passage through the housing to the at least one-way valve.

8. A vent valve according to any preceding claim, wherein the barrier plate is substantially planar.

9. The vent valve of any of the preceding claims wherein at least two of the plurality of baffle plates are substantially parallel.

10. The vent valve of any of the preceding claims wherein at least one barrier plate includes at least one locating member for locating the barrier plate relative to an adjacent barrier plate.

11. The vent valve of claim 10 wherein the adjacent barrier plate includes at least one securing member for receiving and securing the locating member.

12. The discharge valve according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one valve is a one-way valve positioned to allow fluid to be discharged from the housing.

13. The vent valve of claim 12 wherein the at least one-way valve is an umbrella valve.

14. The discharge valve according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said housing comprises a first portion and a second portion.

15. The vent valve of claim 14 wherein the first portion comprises the plurality of baffle plates and the second portion comprises a flange for connecting the housing to a flexible fluid bag.

16. The vent valve of claims 14 and 15 wherein the second portion comprises an array of holes substantially perpendicular to the opening.

17. A vent valve according to any of the preceding claims wherein the fluid is a gas.

18. A flexible fluid bag comprising the vent valve of any preceding claim, wherein the vent valve is in fluid communication with the interior and exterior of the flexible fluid bag.

19. A kit of parts comprising the venting valve of any one of claims 1 to 17 and a flexible fluid bag.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a discharge valve, and more particularly, to a discharge valve for a gas outlet for preventing outflow of fluid.

Background

The use of fluid bags for transporting fluids is well known. Liquid bags with flexible parts, commonly referred to as container liquid bags, are used in an increasing number of transport containers. The volume of a bag of this nature varies with the volume of its contents. Typically, the shape of the fluid bag and the filling fluid make it possible to fill a large part of the transport container, which helps to ensure space-and cost-effective transport. Various shipping containers may be used to contain these types of liquid bags, including but not limited to intermodal, international organization for standardization (ISO), freight, railroad or sea containers.

However, while there are many benefits to using a fluid bag with a flexible member, there are several challenges with this technology.

Such bags are generally water tight and sealed. This prevents leakage, environmental contamination and oxidation of the contained fluid. However, when the pressure in the fluid bag increases during transport, the fluid bag with the flexible member may stretch, expand, or even fail structurally. This may cause problems because the expanding pockets of liquid may damage or bend the sides of the shipping container, which in turn may cause damage or negative impact on the surrounding environment. Complete failure of the bag and discharge of the bag contents to the external environment does not occur.

Pressure within the fluid bag may build up for various reasons, such as, but not limited to, changes in air temperature and pressure, release of previously dissolved gases from the contained fluid, or additional gas generation within the fluid bag by the contained fluid. One unwanted gas is fermentation gas produced from food. For example, it is well known that wine and fruit juices and concentrates thereof undergo secondary fermentation processes in which they release large amounts of secondary fermentation gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane. Attempts have been made to overcome the problem of pressure build-up in fluid bags, particularly flexible fluid bags, by using vent valves. Here, the vent valve serves to prevent the accumulation of potentially harmful gases by venting and releasing the pressure within the bag. A portion of the gas in the fluid bag is vented by the exhaust.

However, while the use of a vent valve to vent excess pressure from a flexible fluid bag is beneficial, challenges remain with this technology. In prior art vent valves, a portion of the commercially delivered fluid may often be expelled from the fluid bag along with some harmful exhaust gases during venting. Furthermore, if a portion of the commercially delivered fluid flows out, the vent valve itself may become clogged. This may present two problems: first, any subsequent venting may be prevented, increasing the risk of a burst event; second, it is possible to prevent the exhaust valve from closing, resulting in complete loss or destruction of the delivered fluid.

The objects and aspects of the invention claimed in this patent attempt to at least alleviate these problems of the prior art.

Disclosure of Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a venting valve for a fluid outlet, wherein the venting valve comprises a housing comprising an opening and at least one valve extending through the housing, and a plurality of barrier plates within the housing, wherein each barrier plate of the plurality of barrier plates comprises at least one aperture, wherein one or more apertures of a first barrier plate of the plurality of barrier plates are offset from one or more apertures of a second barrier plate of the plurality of barrier plates.

The exhaust valve is installed on the wall of the flexible liquid bag. The vent valve itself ensures that fluid can be expelled from the contents of the bag to the environment. Such fluid venting is advantageous because it prevents gas and pressure from building up within the flexible bag. Gas accumulation can have undesirable consequences because pressure accumulation can cause the bag to deform, expand and bulge, which can pose risks not only to the fluid contents within the bag, but also to the shipping container. In addition, the barrier plate structure of the exhaust valve prevents the delivered fluid from contacting the valve, which could create a blockage or blockage.

The exhaust valve passes through the exhaust valve housing. Preferably, the valve extends through a wall, surface or appendage of the housing such that the valve provides a path of fluid communication between the interior and exterior of the housing. The apertures of the baffle plates are offset from one another. The holes are positioned so that they do not form a continuous straight channel. Preferably, the apertures are offset from each other due to translational or rotational movement of one barrier plate relative to the other. Preferably, the apertures are completely offset. Preferably, the offset ensures that a majority of the area of the aperture does not overlap and is obscured by an adjacent barrier panel. More preferably, the total area of the apertures does not overlap and is obscured by an adjacent barrier panel. In other words, the aperture may be completely or partially obscured by an adjacent baffle plate.

Preferably, each barrier plate of the plurality of barrier plates is arranged such that its aperture or apertures are offset from the aperture or apertures of an adjacent barrier plate. Preferably, the plurality of barrier panels comprises a series of barrier panels. Preferably, the series of barrier panels are linear.

Preferably, at least one aperture in a barrier plate is completely obscured by an adjacent barrier plate. Preferably, each barrier plate of the plurality of barrier plates is positioned such that its aperture is completely obscured by an adjacent barrier plate. Preferably, all of the apertures of a barrier plate are completely obscured and offset from all of the apertures of an adjacent barrier plate.

Preferably, the location of the aperture defines a crimping passage. The convoluted passage describes a "tortuous" or "stealthy" passage or path. When traversing a winding path, the direction vector needs to be changed several times at different points along its path, so that the distance between two points along the path is greater than the linear distance between the points. Preferably, the or each valve is fully accessible to the contents of the flexible fluid bag through the crimp channel.

Preferably, the aperture is rotationally offset. Preferably, the crimping passage comprises a baffle plate comprising a rotationally offset aperture. Preferably, the aperture is offset translationally. Preferably, the crimping passage comprises a baffle plate comprising a translationally offset aperture.

Preferably, the aperture defines a passage through the housing to the at least one valve. Preferably, the valve is a one-way valve. Preferably, there are a plurality of valves. Preferably, the valve is located at the end of the housing. Preferably, the inner portion of the valve is accessible to fluid only after the fluid passes through the crimp channel.

Preferably, the barrier plate is substantially planar. Preferably, at least two of the plurality of barrier panels are substantially parallel. Preferably, each barrier panel of the plurality of barrier panels defines a plane and all of the defined planes are parallel. Preferably, the parallel plane occupied by the baffle plate is parallel to the plane occupied by the exhaust valve opening. Preferably, at least one barrier panel comprises at least one locating member for locating the barrier panel relative to an adjacent barrier panel. Preferably, said adjacent barrier panel comprises at least one securing member for receiving and securing said locating member. Preferably, the fixing member and the positioning member are mutually complementary. Preferably, the barrier panels in the series of barrier panels are connected together using locating and securing members.

Preferably, the at least one valve is a one-way valve, the direction of which allows fluid to flow out of the housing and thus out of the fluid bag. Preferably, the at least one-way valve is an umbrella valve. Preferably the cracking pressure of the or each one-way valve (the pressure at which the valve allows fluid to flow out) is adjustable.

Preferably, the housing comprises a first portion and a second portion. Preferably, the first and second portions are attachable and detachable. Preferably, the first and second sections are connected by a water impermeable attachment. Preferably, the first and second portions are connected by a screw thread. Preferably, the appendages of the first and second portions comprise O-rings.

Preferably, the first portion substantially contains the plurality of barrier plates and the second portion comprises a flange for connecting the housing to a flexible fluid bag. Preferably, the second portion comprises an array of apertures substantially perpendicular to the opening.

Preferably, the fluid is a gas.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a flexible fluid bag comprising any of the above-described venting valves, wherein the venting valve is in fluid communication with the interior of the flexible fluid bag. Preferably, the vent valve is in fluid communication with the interior and exterior of the flexible fluid bag. Preferably, the vent valve is towards the top of the flexible liquid bag.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a kit of parts comprising a vent valve as described above and a flexible fluid bag.

Drawings

The technical solution of the present application is further explained below with reference to the drawings and the embodiments.

Figure 1 is an isometric schematic view of one embodiment of a vent valve according to the present invention attached to a flexible liquid bag within a shipping container,

FIG. 2 is a side schematic view of an embodiment of a vent valve according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a vent valve according to the present invention;

FIG. 4a is an exploded schematic view of an embodiment of a vent valve according to the present invention;

FIG. 4b is a schematic top view of an umbrella valve aperture array;

FIG. 4c is a side view of an umbrella valve;

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the bottom surface of the housing with the barrier plate received therein.

Detailed Description

Referring to fig. 1 of the drawings, there is depicted a liquid filled flexible bag 10 within a shipping container 20, the flexible bag including a vent valve 30 in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. The flexible fluid bag 10 is supported by the floor 40, walls 50 and doors 60 of the shipping container. The space and volume above the flexible fluid bag 10 and below the top panel 80 of the container 20 is referred to as the headspace 70. Typically, a headspace 70 of flexible fluid bags is present in all shipments because of weight limitations for the transport of certain sized items. Typically, the flexible fluid bag 10 is filled with fluid such that it occupies 80% of the volume of the shipping container 20. Leaving at least 20% of the shipping container volume as headspace 70.

The flexible fluid bag 10 includes a liner 90 that contains the interior volume of the flexible fluid bag 10. The flexible fluid bag 10 is filled and drained of fluid through an inlet/outlet valve 100 that is connected to the opening of the flexible fluid bag by an airtight seal. The inlet/outlet valve 100 passes through the bulkhead assembly and is located adjacent the door 60 of the shipping container 20. The diaphragm assembly 110 includes a generally planar back plate 120, a stiffening member support 130 extending the length and width of the diaphragm assembly 110, and an opening that enables the inlet/outlet valve 100 to be connected to the flexible fluid bag 10.

The vent valve 30 extends through a specially made opening through the liner 90 of the flexible fluid bag, typically on the top surface of the flexible fluid bag 10. A portion of the vent valve 30 is located outside the bag, inside the bag and attached to the flexible bag wall. The vent valve 30 is permanently secured to the flexible fluid bag by a weld.

The vent valve 30 is located on the upper surface of the flexible fluid bag 10, which helps to ensure that the vent valve 30 vents, or squirts as little fluid as possible during transport, and preferentially vents only gas. In addition, the vent valve must prevent contaminants, moisture, and air from entering the flexible fluid bag 10.

The vent valve 30 itself will now be described with reference to fig. 2 of the drawings, where fig. 2 depicts an embodiment of the vent valve 30 for use with the flexible fluid bag 10 in accordance with the present invention. The discharge valve includes a case housing 200: the housing 200 includes a first portion 210 and a second portion 220. The second portion 220 in use traverses all layers of the flexible fluid bag 10. Thus, portions of the second portion 220 are located inside and outside with respect to the flexible fluid bag volume. In contrast, the second portion 210 is located in the headspace 70 and is external with respect to the flexible fluid bag 10.

The second portion 220 comprises a substantially cylindrical hollow, wherein the cylinder comprises a substantially circular base and substantially straight parallel walls 255, and has smooth inner 230 and outer 240 surfaces.

In addition, the second portion 220 has a generally cylindrical channel 225 extending along its entire height, and thus has two generally circular openings of substantially similar size, a bottom opening 250 and a top opening 260, located on either bottom surface of the cylinder. The bottom opening 250 of the second portion 220 is substantially similar in size to the first portion 220 so that the first portion 220 can be inserted into the bottom opening 250.

An aperture array 270 is located near the bottom opening 250 and in the wall 255: there are eight holes 270 in the array. The holes are substantially circular and evenly distributed around the wall 255. In addition, their center points are aligned so that they form a continuous row with eight-fold rotational symmetry axes. The aperture 270 has a constant diameter as it passes through the wall 255 and into the channel 225.

The second portion 220 includes a weld flange 280, the weld flange 280 projecting from the outer curved surface 240 of the wall 255 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the second portion 220 at about the midpoint of the height of the second portion 220. The weld flange 280 is substantially circular with a radius of about 1.5 times the radius of the second portion 220. The plane occupied by the weld flange 280 and its flat surface are substantially parallel to the plane occupied by the top 260 and bottom 250 openings. The height of the curved outer wall 270 of the weld flange 280 is approximately the same as the thickness of the wall 255 of the second portion.

The purpose of the weld flange 280 is to provide an area for the vent valve 30 and the flexible fluid bag 10 to be permanently joined together by a weld to form a fluid and air tight connection. Accordingly, other shapes, designs and sizes of the weld flange 280 are contemplated.

The second portion 220 will now be described with reference to figure 3 of the drawings. Since the thickened wall 290 of the second portion 220 adjacent the top opening 260 is thicker than the remainder of the wall 255, the diameter of the top opening 260 is 5% smaller than the diameter of the bottom opening 250. The additional thickness of the thickened wall 290 is increased from the inside and protrudes into the channel 225 compared to the wall 255, so that the outer surface 240 of the second shell 220 remains substantially straight. The thickening wall 290 extends around the entire circumference of the second portion 220, and the thickening wall 290 extends from the top edge of the top opening 260 to the bottom opening 250 along approximately 20% of the length of the channel 225.

The bottom edge of the thickened wall 290 is adjacent to the groove 300. The groove 300 has three substantially straight sides including two substantially parallel sides and a substantially vertical bottom. The bottom surface is substantially aligned with wall 255 and extends inwardly toward internal thread 310 to about 5% of second portion length 220. The internal threads 310 extend from the inner surface 230 of the second housing 220 into the channel 225, which contains about 25% of the inner surface 230 of the second portion 220 and terminates near the upper edge of the aperture 270.

The first portion 210 of the housing 200 is described with reference to fig. 2, 3 and 4. The first portion 210 is generally cylindrical. The radius of the first portion 210 is smaller than the radius of the second portion 220 and may be considered complementary. One base of the first portion 210 is a solid base 320 and the other base includes an aperture 330, the aperture 330 containing a substantial portion of the base surface. The base aperture 330 is the entrance to a channel 340, the channel 340 extending along more than about 95% of the height of the first portion 220 and ending at the solid base 320. The channel 340 has a substantially circular cross-section with a constant size and shape along the length of the channel 340. In general, the first portion 210 is generally a "cup-shaped" structure.

The solid base 320 of the first portion 210 is substantially flat and includes three aperture arrays 350. The aperture array 350 extends through the solid base 320 into the channel 340 of the first portion 210. The three aperture arrays 350 are located on the corners of an imaginary equilateral triangle whose sides are longer than the radius of the solid base 320, and the center points of the imaginary equilateral triangle and the solid base 320 are coaxially aligned. Thus, the solid base 320 includes a three-fold rotational axis of symmetry.

Each aperture array 350 includes a substantially circular and cylindrical central bore 360 having an associated umbrella valve 380. The central aperture 360 of the array 350 is surrounded by six peripheral apertures 370, the peripheral apertures 370 being substantially circular and cylindrical and lying on the corners of an imaginary regular hexagon, with the hexagonal apertures and the apertures of the central aperture 360 being coaxially aligned. Thus, the aperture array comprises a six-fold axis of rotational symmetry.

Umbrella valve 380 is an elastomeric valve, typically a one-way valve. The main body 400 of the umbrella valve 380 is inserted into the central bore 360 and the securing portion 410 of the main body secures the valve in place. The head 420 of the valve 380 is adjacent the peripheral aperture 370 and covers the peripheral aperture 370 in the hermetic seal between the valve 380 and the solid base 320. In use, when the pressure within the channel 340 (and thus the pressure of the flexible fluid bag 10) increases, the valve head 420 will elastically deform and break the airtight seal. Excess pressure is then injected into the environment, or more specifically into the head space, thereby relieving the internal pressure in the channel 340 and the flexible fluid bag 10. Immediately after the excess pressure is released, the valve head 420 resiliently reforms the hermetic seal, protecting the contents of the flexible fluid bag 10 from contaminants and the environment. The resilient nature of the umbrella valve 380 ensures that the valve 380 is perfectly reset and resealed each time during normal operation.

The edges of the solid base 320 are connected by rounded corners perpendicular to the wall 325 of the first portion 210. In addition, the perimeter of the solid base 320 and the first portion 210 includes an outwardly curved portion 430. Each outwardly curved portion 430 is substantially identical and is a circular cross-section, wherein the cross-section has an area of one third of a circle. The radius of the outwardly curved portion 430 is at least an order of magnitude smaller than the radius of the solid base 320 and the first portion 220. There are 16 outwardly curved portions 430 evenly distributed around the circumference of the first portion 220, with the cylindrically curved wall 440 of the first portion acting as a spacer. The outwardly curved portion 430 and its separate curved wall 440 extend along about 50% of the height of the first portion 220, from the solid base 320 to the edge 450 of the first portion. In general, a majority of the circumference between the rim 450 and the solid base 320 includes an outwardly curved portion 430.

The rim 450 is connected to the outwardly bent portion 430 and the curved wall 440 by a rounded edge. The rim 450 protrudes from the first portion substantially perpendicular to the wall 325 of the first portion 210 and thus substantially parallel to the solid base 320. The rim 450 is substantially circular and has a radius larger than the solid base 320 but a radius smaller than the second portion 220. The rim 450 has an upper surface 470, an outer wall 480, and a lower surface 490. The upper surface of the edge 470 is substantially circular and extends from the wall 325 to a right angle to the circle at its perimeter. The height of the rim 450 and the height of the outer wall 480 are about the same as the thickness of the wall 325. The wall 480 of the rim is substantially parallel to the wall 325 and includes a right angle to the upper surface 480 and a portion at a right angle to the lower surface 490.

The lower surface 490 of the rim includes a groove 500 and an O-ring 510 inserted into the groove 500. Thus, the rim 450 includes a groove 500 and a continuous ring of O-rings 510 that encircle the first portion 210. The groove 500 includes two sides generally parallel to the wall 325 and one side generally perpendicular to the wall 325. In addition, when the first portion 210 and the second portion 220 are connected, the O-ring 510 and the groove 500 are located near and above the upper edge 515 of the second portion 220. The O-ring 510 diameter is greater than the depth of the groove 500. Thus, when the first portion 210 and the second portion 220 are connected, the O-ring 510 is compressed, thereby forming a gas-tight seal.

The wall 325 then extends from the lower surface of the rim 490 and the recess 500 such that the wall 325 is substantially parallel and aligned with the wall 440 above the rim. When connected together, the housing includes flush contact between the walls of the first portion 210 and the second portion 220, particularly between the thickened wall 290 and the wall 325. The wall 325 extends about 5% of the height of the first portion to a second continuous annular groove 520 and O-ring 525 seal. When the first portion 210 and the second portion 220 are connected, the second seal comprises an O-ring compressed against the thickened wall 290. The sides of the groove 520 are parallel or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first portion 210.

The wall 325 of the first portion 210 then extends from the groove 520 to another groove 535, which is substantially similar to the groove 300. The grooves 535 and 300 together form a cavity 530 between the first portion 210 and the second portion 220. The cavity 530 is a continuous ring adjacent the external threads 545. Thus, the housing includes a first portion 210 and a second portion 220 connected by complementary threads 310 and 545.

The inner surface of the first portion is in the channel 340 and adjacent to the base aperture 330, and includes a groove 535. The grooves 535 have a substantially rectangular cross-section and extend along the entire circumference of the inner wall of the first portion 210, substantially parallel to the solid base 320. The grooves 535 include a secondary snap ring 555.

The snap ring 555 comprises a generally circular, flat ring. The perimeter and height of the tab 555 is substantially similar to and complimentary to the perimeter and height of the grooves 535 in the first section wall. Thus, the snap ring 555 may be inserted into the grooves 535. The outer edge of the buckle 555 has four inwardly curved portions 565 and there are four outwardly curved portions 565 on the inner edges of the four inwardly curved portions 555. The outward bent portion 565 is designed, sized and positioned to complement the peripheral securing member 610, as will be described in detail later.

The housing 200, and in particular the first portion 210, includes a crimp channel. The crimp channel includes a plurality of barrier plates 540 and 570 in a series 575, wherein the apertures 570 in the series 575 are offset from the apertures 570 of adjacent barrier plates 570. The coiled passage extends from base bore 330, through the first portion passage 340, to solid base 320 and to the bottom surface of umbrella valve 380.

Each barrier plate 540 comprises a substantially circular disk. The baffle 540 disk has substantially the same radius as the first portion channel 340 such that the baffle 540 is flush with the channel 340. The baffle plate 540 has two generally rectangular apertures 550. The aperture 550 includes four sides, two straight long sides 560, and two curved short sides 571. The two curved short sides 571 comprise a similar degree of curvature as the barrier plate, so if a tangent is drawn at the curved short sides 571 or at an equivalent point on the circumference of the barrier plate 540, the tangents will be substantially parallel. For each aperture 550, the midpoints of the two bent short sides 571 are aligned and fall on one radial line, in other words, the positions of the bent short sides 571 are such that they can be divided into two equal parts by one radial line. The straight edge 560 of each aperture is aligned parallel to these radial lines. In addition, the apertures are oriented 180 ° apart and include a dual axis of rotational symmetry and a plane of symmetry.

The two planes of the barrier plate 540 have different characteristics: one surface includes the positioning members 580, 600 (defined as an upper surface), and one surface includes the auxiliary fixing members 590, 610 (defined as a lower surface). Thus, series of barrier plates 575 includes a single barrier plate 540, the barrier plate 540 being attached and retained in a linear series by locating members 580, 600 and attachment-forming securing members 590, 610.

More precisely, each barrier plate 540 has on its surface a central locating member 580 and four peripheral locating members 600. The centering member 580 is a substantially hollow cylindrical tube having a substantially circular cross-section with a radius of about 5-15% of the barrier plate 540 and is coaxially aligned with the barrier plate. The centering member 580 has a height of about 10% of the channel 340 so that eight baffle plates can be received within the first portion 210.

The centering member 580 has an auxiliary securing member 590 in the form of a hollow cylindrical tube centered in the plane of the barrier plate 540 but having a height of about 20% of the height of the centering member on the lower surface of the barrier plate 540. The radius of the central stationary member 590 is larger than the radius of the central positioning member by about the width of the wall of the central stationary member 590 and the centers of the central positioning member 580 and the stationary member 590 are coaxially aligned. The centering member may rest in the securing member to form an accessory.

Thus, a series of barrier plates 575 may include a daisy chain of barrier plates 540, the barrier plates 540 connected by a central securing member 590 that interfaces with a central positioning member 580. In the series of barrier panels, if each barrier panel 540 defines a plane, all planes in the series of barrier panels are substantially parallel. Thus, the number of baffle plates in the series of baffle plates can be varied by connecting or disconnecting to the series of baffle plates using a butt connection mechanism between the two central members 580, 590.

Furthermore, on the upper surface of the barrier plate 540 there are four peripheral locating members 600 which are located at the corners of an imaginary square which is coaxially aligned with the barrier plate. Thus, the peripheral positioning member 600 has a four-fold rotational axis of symmetry. Each of the four peripheral locating members 600 is cylindrical with a substantially circular cross-section having a height that approximates the height of the central locating member 580.

The peripheral positioning member 600 has a set of mutually complementary and coaxially aligned peripheral securing members 610. Similar to the center docking connection mechanism described above, the radius of the peripheral securing member 610 is larger than the radius of the peripheral positioning member 600 by about the width of the wall of the peripheral securing member 610, the peripheral securing member 610 is only about 20% of the height of the positioning member 600, and the centers of the different members are aligned. Thus, all four peripheral positioning members 600 can be inserted into all four peripheral securing members simultaneously, and the barrier plates 540 in the series of barrier plates cannot rotate relative to each other. The inability of the blocker plate to rotate is advantageous because it preserves the offset nature of the aperture 550.

The convoluted passage is comprised of a series of baffle plates 575 located within the vent valve housing 200 between the opening in the interior of the flexible fluid bag 250, 270 and the bottom surface of the valve 380. In this embodiment of the invention, the series of barrier plates 575 is linear, consisting of eight identical barrier plates 540. Fig. 3 depicts an example of a crimp channel of the present embodiment.

The barrier plate 540 includes a series 575 because they are connected using the positioning members 580, 600 and the securing members 590, 610. The barrier plates 540 are identical, but in the 575 series their orientation is rotated relative to the barrier plate 540 adjacent to it. This offsets the aperture 550 from one barrier plate 540 to the other barrier plate 540 and prevents a straight line path from the bottom openings 250, 270 to the valve 380. Since the peripheral stationary member 610 has a four-fold axis of symmetry, the rotational offset between adjacent holes is 90 °. The 90 offset places the longitudinal axis of the aperture 550 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the aperture 550 of the adjacent barrier plate 540. Additionally, the offset nature of the apertures 550 means that the aperture areas of adjacent barrier plates 550 do not align with or overlap the apertures 550 of adjacent barrier plates. In this embodiment of the invention, the blocker plate 540 is rotated 90 ° and has two apertures, however the invention has contemplated other embodiments, such as varying the number, size, and shape of the apertures and varying the angle of the rotational offset. In general, the convoluted path is such that the fluid contents of the flexible fluid bag must change their directional vector multiple times to traverse the length of the vent valve 30 from the bottom opening 250, 270 to the valve 380. The housing 200, and in particular the first portion 210, includes a crimp channel. The crimp channel includes a plurality of barrier plates 540 and apertures 370 in the series 575, wherein the apertures 370 in the series 575 are offset from the apertures 370 of an adjacent barrier plate 370. The coiled passage extends from base bore 330, through the first portion passage 340, to solid base 320 and the bottom surface of umbrella valve 380.

The snap ring 555 can be used to help secure the series of blocker plates 575, and more specifically the first portion 210, within the housing 200 by inserting the ring 555 portion into the groove 535 and attaching the outwardly bent portion 565 to all four peripheral securing members 610. The attachment also prevents rotation of the series of blocker plates 575 relative to the buckle 555.

The series of baffle plates 575 are of a size and shape complementary to the size and shape of the channel 340, such as the space between the baffle plate 540 and the inner wall of the first portion 210. Thus, once the fluid enters the channel, it must pass through the crimp channel to the access valve 380.

The convoluted passage formed in the series of barrier plates 575 prevents the unobstructed flow of fluid from the main portion of the flexible fluid bag 10 to the valve 380 of the vent valve 30. However, the series of baffle plates 575 impedes the flow of gas much less than it impedes the flow of fluid. For example, a single fluid splash flowing along the longitudinal axis of the exhaust valve 30 cannot directly reach the valve 380. Thus, fluid contact with the valve should be significantly reduced by the convoluted channel and series of baffle plates 575. This reduces the pressure of the fluid impact and reduces the likelihood that the valve 380 will default and open as fluid splashes and flows out. In addition, the convoluted passage and its barrier 540 prevent continued splashing of the contents of the bag into contact with the umbrella valve, which is advantageous because continued splashing can result in residue being deposited on the inner surfaces of the valve and vent valve, thereby preventing proper resealing and repositioning of the valve.

The pressure at the outlet of the umbrella valve (burst pressure) can be adjusted by, but is not limited to, the material of the umbrella valve, the size of the peripheral aperture 370, the number of umbrella valves and their location on the housing. The outlet pressure may be adjusted to vent the gas before the structural integrity of the flexible liquid bag 10 or the shipping container 1 is challenged. The outlet pressure may be adjusted for different fluids, different portions of the fluid delivery cycle, different weather conditions, and for other reasons. In addition, the discharge of gas and the restriction of internal pressure accumulation are automatically performed by the discharge valve 30 without manual work. Thus, the exhaust valve 30 may be classified as automatic.

The vent valve 30 is located on the upper surface of the flexible fluid bag 10 to reduce contact with the fluid in the flexible fluid bag. Placing the vent valve 30 at the highest point of the flexible fluid bag 10 helps to ensure that the vent valve 30 is primarily exposed to any gas within the flexible fluid bag 10. In addition, the cylindrical shape of the housing 200 spatially separates and increases the distance between the valve 380 and the contents of the flexible fluid bag 10. This spatial separation reduces the chance of fluid contacting the valve.

The housing 200 comprises two parts 210, 220, which are connected by screw attachments, ensuring that the two parts 210, 220 can be separated and that the inner part and the barrier plate are cleaned. Furthermore, this allows for a quick opening of the exhaust valve in case of an emergency. The housing 200 containing grooves 500, 520 and O- rings 510, 525 is advantageous because they form an air-tight and water-tight seal. This makes the screw connection airtight and watertight, preventing contaminants and air from entering the fluid bag from the outside, and preventing the contents of the fluid bag from leaking out of the vent valve.

Various modifications and variations of the disclosed embodiments are contemplated. More specifically, in other variations, it is contemplated that any feature associated with one or more baffle plates may be present on any number of baffle plates in the exhaust valve. Additionally, any of the features described herein may be present in singular and in multiple forms in a discharge valve within the scope of the present invention.