초록 ▼

Apparatus for purging containers for the storage of sensitive materials is described. It includes means to connect a source of compressed purge gas to a purge gas inlet (2) on a container (1), including a pneumatically operated valve (6) adapted to allow purge gas to pass from the source to the inle

Apparatus for purging containers for the storage of sensitive materials is described. It includes means to connect a source of compressed purge gas to a purge gas inlet (2) on a container (1), including a pneumatically operated valve (6) adapted to allow purge gas to pass from the source to the inlet and a timing device (9) associated with the valve (6) and adapted to turn off the gas flow after a given time, and including means to vary the time between commencement and cessation of gas flow. The timing device is preferably one which operates on a pneumatic or clockwork basis, enabling the apparatus to operate without any electrical power supply, driven by the purge gas pressure alone. This enables the construction of a simple reliable unit, at a cost even enabling the unit to be incorporated into the container itself if desired. The use of a pneumatically operated valve enables portable apparatus to be designed with low power use if it includes e.g. electronic sensors to measure a property of the purge gas being exhausted from the container.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An apparatus for purging rigid sealable containers for storage of sensitive materials, the containers having a sealable inlet port and a sealable exhaust port, comprising means to connect a source of compressed purge gas to a purge gas inlet on a container, including a main gas flow valve; means

1. An apparatus for purging rigid sealable containers for storage of sensitive materials, the containers having a sealable inlet port and a sealable exhaust port, comprising means to connect a source of compressed purge gas to a purge gas inlet on a container, including a main gas flow valve; means adapted to allow purge gas to pass from the source of compressed purge gas to a timing device associated with the main gas flow valve, wherein the main gas flow valve turns off a gas flow after a preselected time, and the timing device can vary a time period between commencement and cessation of the gas flow; and means to detach the apparatus from the purge gas inlet; wherein the main gas flow valve is structured for pneumatic activation and to enable purge gas pressure provided by the source of compressed purge gas to operate the apparatus to purge the container in absence of an electrical power supply. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the timing device operates on a pneumatic basis or clockwork basis. 3. The apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising a pressure relief valve connected to the exhaust port of the container so that at an end of purging of the container, the container is detached from the apparatus in a sealed condition and with an internal pressure greater than ambient pressure. 4. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the pressure relief valve is adapted to operate in an exhaust flow from the container only at an end of a predetermined purge time. 5. A storage container for sensitive materials incorporating the apparatus according to claim 2. 6. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a pressure relief valve connected to the exhaust port of the container so that at an end of purging of the container, the container is detached from the apparatus in a sealed condition and with an internal pressure greater than ambient pressure. 7. The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the pressure relief valve is adapted to operate in an exhaust flow from the container only at an end of a predetermined purge time. 8. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising means to purge the container in a two-stage process, wherein the two-stage process includes a first stage at a relatively high purge gas flow rate and a second stage at a relatively low purge gas flow rate. 9. The apparatus according to claim 8 further comprising a pneumatically-operated diverter valve to switch an exhaust purge gas flow from a high-capacity high flow path to a low flow path including a sensor to detect a property of an exhaust purge gas. 10. A storage container for sensitive materials incorporating the apparatus according to claim 1. 11. A storage container according to claim 10 further comprising means for triggering purging actuated by closure of the container.