Breather Valve Assemblies

Abstract

Breather valve assemblies featuring resilient, deformable members that buckle when a pressure-moveable member is actuated by pressure, such as when a sealed container is exposed to changes in atmospheric pressure. One way and two way breather valves allow air flow in either one or two desired directions according to resilient, deformable member and pressure movable member of each respective direction.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A breather valve, comprising:
 a valve housing enclosing a hollow interior portion containing a stationary member coupled with and disposed proximally to a first end of said housing and configured to provide an opening to an atmosphere;   a pressure-movable member disposed in sealing arrangement proximally to a second end of said housing; and   a resilient, deformable member coupled between said stationary member and said pressure-moveable member;   wherein said resilient, deformable member is substantially centrally disposed in relation to said stationary and pressure-moveable members such that said resilient, deformable member bends toward an interior sidewall of said valve housing upon movement by said pressure-moveable member.   
     
     
         2 . The valve of  claim 1 , wherein said valve housing is cylindrical and contains a threaded portion along said hollow interior portion. 
     
     
         3 . The valve of  claim 2 , where said stationary member threadedly engages said threaded portion. 
     
     
         4 . The valve of  claim 1 , wherein said stationary member is adjustable such that a tension on said resilient, deformable member is adjustable. 
     
     
         5 . The valve of  claim 1 , wherein said resilient, deformable member is a spring. 
     
     
         6 . A breather valve, comprising:
 a valve housing enclosing a hollow interior portion containing a stationary member coupled with and disposed proximally to a top of said housing and configured to provide an opening to an atmosphere;   a pressure-movable member disposed in sealing arrangement proximally to a bottom of said housing; and   a resilient, deformable member coupled to said stationary member and said pressure-moveable member;   wherein said resilient, deformable member is substantially centrally disposed in relation to said stationary and pressure-moveable members such that said resilient, deformable member bends toward a sidewall of said valve housing upon movement by said pressure-moveable member.   
     
     
         7 . The valve of  claim 6 , wherein said valve housing is cylindrical and contains a threaded portion along said hollow interior portion. 
     
     
         8 . The valve of  claim 7 , where said stationary member is threadedly engages said threaded portion. 
     
     
         9 . The valve of  claim 6 , wherein said stationary member is adjustable such that a tension on said resilient, deformable member is adjustable. 
     
     
         10 . The valve of  claim 6 , wherein said resilient, deformable member is a spring. 
     
     
         11 . A breather valve, comprising:
 a valve housing enclosing a hollow interior portion containing a first member disposed in sealing arrangement proximally to a top of said housing;   a second member disposed above said first member and attached to said housing; and   a resilient, deformable member coupled to said first and second members, wherein said resilient, deformable member is substantially centrally disposed in relation to said first and second members such that said resilient, deformable member bends radially upon movement by said first member.   
     
     
         12 . The valve of  claim 11 , wherein said valve housing is cylindrical and contains a threaded portion along said hollow interior portion. 
     
     
         13 . The valve of  claim 12 , where said stationary member is threadedly engages said threaded portion. 
     
     
         14 . The valve of  claim 11 , wherein said stationary member is adjustable such that a tension on said resilient, deformable member is adjustable. 
     
     
         15 . The valve of  claim 11 , wherein said resilient, deformable member is a spring. 
     
     
         16 . A breather valve, comprising:
 a outer valve housing having a hollow interior portion containing a first member having an opening and disposed in sealing arrangement proximally to a top outer circumference of said housing;   a second member disposed above said first member and coupled with said housing;   a resilient, deformable member coupled to said first and second members, wherein said resilient, deformable member is substantially centrally disposed in relation to said first and second members such that said resilient, deformable member bends radially upon movement by said first member;   an inner valve housing disposed coaxially within said outer valve housing, said inner valve housing having a hollow interior portion containing a third member disposed below said first member and in sealing arrangement with said first member;   a fourth member coupled with and disposed proximally to a bottom of said inner housing, said forth member having an opening; and   a second resilient, deformable member coupled to said third and fourth members, wherein said second resilient, deformable member is substantially centrally disposed in relation to said third and fourth members such that said second resilient, deformable member bends toward a sidewall of said inner valve housing upon movement by said third member.   
     
     
         17 . The valve of  claim 16 , wherein said valve housing is cylindrical and contains a threaded portion along said hollow interior portion. 
     
     
         18 . The valve of  claim 17 , where said stationary member is threadedly engages said threaded portion. 
     
     
         19 . The valve of  claim 16 , wherein said stationary member is adjustable such that a tension on said resilient, deformable member is adjustable. 
     
     
         20 . The valve of  claim 16 , wherein said resilient, deformable member is a spring.