Dual vent for storage containers

Abstract

The present disclosure shows a variety of storage container venting assemblies which allow for venting of gasses to equalize pressure differentials created between the interior of the container and the atmosphere. The venting assemblies are capable of venting gasses out of a container when pressure is higher inside the container and into a container when pressure is higher in the atmosphere.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A storage drum venting assembly including:
 a body member having a passage therethrough;   a cap member covering a portion of the passage in the body member while allowing air to pass therethrough;   a venting insert engaged with the body member passage opposite the cap member, and having a first venting diaphragm and a second venting diaphragm;   wherein the first venting diaphragm is configured to allow passage of air in one direction; and   wherein the second venting diaphragm configured to allow passage of air in the direction opposite the first venting diaphragm.   
     
     
         2 . The storage drum venting assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first venting diaphragm is smaller than the second venting diaphragm. 
     
     
         3 . The storage drum venting assembly of  claim 1  and further comprising a storage drum lid operationally connected to the body member. 
     
     
         4 . The storage drum venting assembly of  claim 3  and further comprising a gasket operationally connected to the body member and the storage drum lid to prevent gas leakage. 
     
     
         5 . The storage drum of  claim 3  wherein the venting assembly is threadedly engaged with the storage drum lid. 
     
     
         6 . The storage drum venting assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the body portion defines a first interior volume having a first diameter and a second interior volume having a second, smaller diameter, wherein the insert is lodged in the first interior volume, and wherein the second interior diameter is too small to accept the insert. 
     
     
         7 . The storage drum venting assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the respective venting diaphragms are post-tensionable. 
     
     
         8 . A bidirectional vent assembly for a storage drum, comprising:
 a generally cylindrical body member defining an internal passage and external threading and having a proximal end and an oppositely disposed distal end;   a cap member removably attachable to the proximal end for making a non-gastight seal over the internal passage;   a vent insert engaged with the generally cylindrical body member and positioned within the internal passage and defining a first vent aperture and a second, spaced vent aperture;   a first vent aperture diaphragm operationally connected to the first vent aperture for allowing unidirectional passage of gas in a direction from the proximal end toward the distal end; and   a second vent aperture diaphragm operationally connected to the second vent aperture for allowing unidirectional passage of gas in a direction from the proximal end toward the distal end;   wherein for gas to pass through the first vent aperture, the distal end must experience a pressure substantially greater than the proximal end; and   wherein for gas to pass through the second vent aperture, the distal end must experience a pressure substantially less than the proximal end.   
     
     
         9 . The bidirectional vent assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the body member is threadedly engaged with a storage drum lid. 
     
     
         10 . The bidirectional vent assembly of  claim 9  wherein the generally cylindrical body member further comprises a flange portion at the proximal end and further comprising a gasket operationally connected between the flange portion and the storage drum lid. 
     
     
         11 . The bidirectional vent assembly of  claim 8  wherein for gas to pass through the first vent aperture, the distal end must experience a pressure at least 0.85 psi greater than the proximal end; and wherein for gas to pass through the second vent aperture, the distal end must experience a pressure at least 0.14 psi less than the proximal end. 
     
     
         12 . The bidirectional vent assembly of  claim 8  wherein the respective vent aperture diaphragms are made of a material selected from the group comprising rubber, steel, aluminum, and SANTOPRENE. 
     
     
         13 . The bidirectional vent assembly of  claim 8  wherein the respective vent aperture diaphragms are post-tensionable.