Relief Vent for a Hot Fill Fluid Container

Abstract

Caps having porous elements that act as a vent to facilitate cooling of hot fluids stored in containers. Certain embodiments comprise a cap that may be affixed to a container filled with a hot fluid. The cap may include a porous element that allows air to enter the container during the cooling process, but also prevents the introduction of microbes and bacteria into the container. The cap may include a through hole, chamber, or recessed area to receive and secure the porous element. In certain embodiments the porous element may comprise a sintered composite material with thermoplastic particles and either metal particles and/or metal powder. In other embodiments, the porous element may comprise a layered structure. The layers may include a combination of the sintered composite material, a metallic layer, or various porous layers.

1 . A cap for a container, the cap comprising:
 a. a top surface having an outer edge, a first side, and a second side opposite the first side, wherein the second side faces towards the container;   b. at least one sidewall extending from the outer edge of the top surface and towards the second side, wherein the at least one sidewall is at least partially threaded to engage with a neck of the container;   c. at least one through hole defined by the top surface and passing between the first side and the second side; and   c. a porous element adjacent to the top surface and generally aligned with the through hole, wherein the porous element comprises a plurality of pores that allow air to enter the container but prohibit bacteria from entering the container.   
     
     
         2 . The cap as in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one chamber wall extending from the second side of the top surface of the cap, wherein the chamber wall defines a chamber that receives the porous element. 
     
     
         3 . The cap as in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one chamber wall extending from the first side of the top surface of the cap, wherein the chamber wall defines a chamber that receives the porous element. 
     
     
         4 . The cap as in  claim 1 , wherein the second side of the top surface of the cap defines a recessed area, and the porous element is secured within the recessed area. 
     
     
         5 . The cap as in  claim 4 , further comprising a lip extending around at least a portion of the recessed area, wherein the lip secures the porous element within the recessed area. 
     
     
         6 . The cap as in  claim 4 , wherein the porous element is disc-shaped. 
     
     
         7 . The cap as in  claim 1 , further comprising a protrusion extending from the first side of the top surface of the cap, and wherein the through hole is defined by the protrusion. 
     
     
         8 . The cap as in  claim 1 , further comprising a layered structure comprising the porous element and at least one substrate, wherein the layered structure contacts the second side of the top surface of the cap. 
     
     
         9 . The cap as in  claim 1 , wherein the porous element covers substantially all of the second side of the top surface of the cap. 
     
     
         10 . The cap as in  claim 1 , wherein the porous element has a head and a body, and wherein the body is inserted into the through hole and the head contacts the first side of the top surface of the cap. 
     
     
         11 . A device for facilitating the cooling of fluids within a container, the device comprising:
 a. a cap, the cap comprising:   a top surface having an outer edge and at least one sidewall extending from the outer edge of the top surface, wherein the at least one sidewall is at least partially threaded to engage with a neck of the container;   at least one through hole defined by the top surface; and   b. a porous element adjacent to the top surface and generally aligned with the through hole, the porous element comprising:   a metallic layer comprising a plurality of perforations;   a porous layer comprising a plurality of pores that allow air to enter the container but prohibit bacteria from entering the container.   
     
     
         12 . The device as in  claim 11 , wherein the porous layer comprises at least one of sintered porous plastic, sintered composite material, porous polyethylene, porous polypropylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, porous polyvinylidene fluoride, porous polyethersulfone, or porous nylon. 
     
     
         13 . The device as in  claim 11 , wherein the metallic layer comprises at least one of metal mesh, metal foil with holes, or a metal screen. 
     
     
         14 . The device as in  claim 11 , wherein the metallic layer comprises at least one of steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, zinc, tin, iron, or their alloys. 
     
     
         15 . The device as in  claim 11 , wherein the porous layer is a second porous layer, and wherein the device further comprises a first porous layer. 
     
     
         16 . The device as in  claim 15 , wherein the first porous layer comprises a material having at least one of a higher melt index, lower melting temperature, and/or a lower viscosity than the material comprising the second porous layer. 
     
     
         17 . The device as in  claim 15 , wherein the first porous layer becomes non-porous after melting. 
     
     
         18 . The device as in  claim 15 , wherein the first porous layer is adjacent to the top surface of the cap, and the metallic layer is positioned between the first porous layer and the second porous layer. 
     
     
         19 . The device as in  claim 15 , wherein the first porous layer comprises at least one of polymer screen, polymer non-woven material, polymer woven material, or a polymer open cell foam. 
     
     
         20 . The device as in  claim 11 , wherein the porous element comprises a head and a body, and wherein at least a portion of the head comprises the metallic layer and at least a portion of the body comprises the porous layer. 
     
     
         21 . A device for facilitating the cooling of fluids within a container, the device comprising:
 a. a cap, the cap comprising:   an outer surface having an outer edge and at least one sidewall extending from the outer edge of the outer surface, wherein the at least one sidewall is at least partially threaded to engage with a neck of the container;   at least one aperture defined by the outer surface; and   b. an insert secured within the aperture of the cap, the insert comprising:   an outer surface having an outer edge and at least one sidewall extending from the outer edge of the outer surface, wherein the at least one sidewall defines at least one through hole;   a porous element secured within the insert and generally aligned with the through hole, the porous element comprising a plurality of pores that allow air to enter the container but prohibit bacteria from entering the container,   wherein in a first position the through hole of the insert is above the outer surface of the cap, and in a second position the through hole of the insert is below the outer surface of the cap.   
     
     
         22 . A method of cooling fluid within a container, the method comprising:
 a. providing a container at least partially filled with fluid;   b. providing a device comprising:   i. a cap, the cap comprising a top surface having an outer edge and at least one sidewall extending from the outer edge of the top surface, wherein at least a portion of the sidewall comprises structure to engage with a neck of the container, and wherein the top surface defines at least one through hole;   ii. a porous element adjacent to the top surface and generally aligned with the through hole, wherein the porous element comprises a plurality of pores that allow air to enter the container but prohibit bacteria from entering the container;   c. engaging the device to the neck of the container;   d. allowing the fluid to cool, wherein during cooling air enters or exits the container through the porous element; and   e. applying heat to at least one of the through hole or the porous element to thereby seal the device.