Claims:We claim:
1. A pressure release mechanism for a pressure vessel (100), the pressure vessel (100) comprising:
a body (102) to house one or more items to be treated under pressure in the pressure vessel (100);
a lid (104), with a removable gasket, configured to detachably couple to the body (102), the lid (104) includes the pressure release mechanism comprising:
a gasket slot (106);
a pressure exit (108) configured to hold a gasket lip portion when the gasket (202) slides through the gasket slot (106) upon pressure in the pressure vessel (100) reaching beyond a predefined level,
wherein holding of the gasket lip portion by the pressure exit (108) facilitates in release of pressure formed in the pressure vessel (100) through the pressure exit (108).
2. The pressure vessel (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the pressure in the pressure vessel (100) reaches beyond the predefined pressure level due to blockage of a vent tube (210) on the lid (104), the gasket (202) slides through the gasket slot (106) and the gasket lip portion is held by the pressure exit (108).
3. The pressure vessel (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pressure exit (108) is formed in the shape of alphabet D with respect to center of the lid (104).
4. The pressure vessel (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said shape of the pressure exit (108) facilitates in release of the pressure in an upward direction opposite to a heat source.
5. The pressure vessel (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pressure vessel (100) is a pressure cooker.
6. The pressure vessel (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein one or more items include one of: food products and water.
7. The pressure vessel (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the treatment includes at least one of: heat treatment, pressure treatment and cooking.
, Description:A PRESSURE RELEASE MECHANISM FOR A PRESSURE VESSEL

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a pressure vessel. In particular, the present invention relates to a pressure release mechanism for a pressure vessel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Pressure vessels like pressure cookers enable food to be cooked quickly under pressure. The pressure vessel may be used on a gas Stove, hot Plate, Halogen, ceramic or induction stoves. The pressure vessel is heated by any of these mentioned devices and the food may be treated or cooked in a sealed enclosure of the pressure vessel by the pressure and temperature generated by the influence of the heat source. During the cooking process, the excess pressure generated in the enclosure is released via a vent tube in form of a weight valve provided on the lid of the pressure vessel. The vent tube facilitates in controlled release of the pressure built up during the heating treatment. But there are situations where the vent tube may get blocked by food particles or any foreign objects. Not attending the blockage and proceeding with heating treatment may result in excess pressure built up in the pressure vessel and may lead to an explosion.

[0003] To avoid excessive pressure built up due to blockage of vent tube, there are pressure vessels that are provided with a gasket release slot or a combination of the slot and a hole as a safety feature. However, these also do not bring down the pressure within the pressure vessel to a safe operational limit such that dangers of excessive pressure in the pressure vessel get eliminated.

[0004] Thus, in view of the above, there is a need for a pressure vessel with a safe pressure release mechanism that facilitates in reducing the pressure inside the pressure vessel to a safe operational level.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] An embodiment of the present invention discloses a pressure release mechanism for a pressure vessel. The pressure vessel comprises a body to house one or more items to be treated under pressure in the pressure vessel, a lid, with a removable gasket, configured to detachably couple to the body, the lid includes the pressure release mechanism comprising, a gasket slot and a pressure exit configured to hold a gasket lip portion when the gasket slides through the gasket slot upon pressure in the pressure vessel reaching beyond a predefined level.

[0006] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, holding of the gasket lip portion by the pressure exit facilitates in release of pressure formed in the pressure vessel through the pressure exit. When the pressure in the pressure vessel reaches beyond the predefined pressure level due to blockage of a vent tube on the lid, the gasket slides through the gasket slot and the gasket lip portion is held by the pressure exit.

[0007] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the pressure exit is formed in the shape of alphabet D with respect to center of the lid. The said shape of the pressure exit facilitates in release of the pressure in an upward direction opposite to a heat source.

[0008] In an embodiment of the present invention, the pressure vessel is a pressure cooker. Further, one or more items include one of: food products and water. Furthermore, the treatment includes at least one of: heat treatment, pressure treatment and cooking.

[0009] Accordingly, the present invention provides the following effects or advantages. The pressure release mechanism provided in the pressure vessel provides for a unique design that overcomes the disadvantages over existing pressure release systems. In the present invention the pressure release mechanism safely operates the gasket due to blockage of the valve stem and releases the excessive pressure built up to safe operational limit in a safe and controlled manner. Further, the excess pressure is released in an upward direction without affecting the heat source. Additionally, the pressure release mechanism once activated gives a clear indication that the safety has been operated and the pressure vessel has to be attended to rectify the causes before putting it again for cooking.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0010] The following drawings are illustrative of preferred embodiments for enabling the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The drawings are not to scale (unless so stated) and are intended for use in conjunction with the explanations in the following detailed description.

[0011] Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of a pressure vessel in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0012] Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of the pressure vessel in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0013] Figures 3(a) and 3(b) illustrate a lid of the pressure vessel and a pressure release mechanism in the lid of the pressure vessel respectively in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0014] The following disclosure is provided in order to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention. Exemplary embodiments are provided only for illustrative purposes and various modifications will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art. The general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Also, the terminology and phraseology used is for the purpose of describing exemplary embodiments and should not be considered limiting. Thus, the present invention is to be accorded the widest scope encompassing numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents consistent with the principles and features disclosed. For the purpose of clarity, details relating to technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.

[0015] Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of a pressure vessel (100) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the pressure vessel (100) may be understood as a pressure cooker. The pressure vessel (100) may include a body (102) and a lid (104). The body (102) of the pressure vessel (100) may house one or more items to be treated under pressure in the pressure vessel (100). In an embodiment of the present invention, the one or more items may, without any limitation, include food products and water. Further, the treatment may include heat treatment, pressure treatment, cooking or a combination thereof. Further, the pressure vessel (100) may be exposed to a heat source known in the art, such as a gas stove, hot plate, Halogen based heat source, ceramic based heat source or induction stoves. Upon exposure of the pressure vessel (100) to the heat source, pressure is built up inside the pressure vessel (100) and the item in the pressure vessel (100) may be treated or cooked due to heat and pressure.

[0016] In an embodiment of the present invention, the lid (104) may include a pressure release mechanism for egress of pressure generated in the pressure vessel (100) when the pressure in the pressure vessel (100) exceeds a desired level and becomes a safety hazard. The detailed description of the pressure release mechanism is provided in subsequent paragraphs.

[0017] Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of a pressure vessel (100) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The lid (104) of the pressure vessel (100) may be provided with a removable gasket. The gasket (202) may be understood as an additional layer, acting as a seal between the body (102) and the lid (104) of the pressure vessel (100). The gasket (202) may be provided in an inner rim provided along the circumference of the lid (104). When the pressure vessel (100) is heated and the steam pressure is generated, the gasket (202) prevents the steam pressure from escaping the body (102). In an embodiment of the present invention, the gasket (202) may be made of a flexible material, such as, without limitation, plastic, rubber and polymer materials. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the gasket (202) may be made of nitrile rubber. Further, the gasket (202) may include a gasket lip portion along inner circumference of the gasket (202). The gasket lip portion may be understood as a laterally extending portion formed along inner circumference of the gasket (202), such that a cross section of the gasket (202) may be in shape of alphabet V, such that open ends of the alphabet V depict the gasket lip portion.

[0018] Further, the body (102) may be provided with a body handle (204) and an auxiliary handle (206). Both the body handle (204) and the auxiliary handle (206) may facilitate in handling and operating the pressure vessel (100). Furthermore, the lid (104) may be provided with a lid handle (208) configured to couple and decouple the lid (104) from the body (102).

[0019] In an embodiment of the present invention, the lid (104) may be provided with a vent tube (210) and a weight valve assembly (212). The weight valve assembly (212) may be positioned above the vent tube (210) as a free dead weight. The vent tube (210) and the weight valve assembly (212) may act as a primary pressure release system for the pressure vessel (100). Accordingly, when the pressure inside the pressure vessel (100) increases, the pressure is released as steam via the vent tube (210) lifting the weight valve assembly (212).

[0020] Further, the lid (104) may be provided with a gasket slot (106) and a pressure exit (108) to function as a secondary pressure release mechanism. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the secondary pressure release mechanism operates when the vent tube (210) is blocked and the pressure in the pressure vessel (100) reaches beyond a predefined level.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the predefined pressure level may be in the range from 1.5 kg/cm2 to 3 kg/cm2.

[0021] Figures 3(a) and 3(b) illustrate a lid (104) of a pressure vessel (100) and a pressure release mechanism in a lid (104) of a pressure vessel (100), respectively accordance with embodiments of the present invention. For the sake of brevity, the description of Figures 3(a) and 3(b) has been provided together.

[0022] In an embodiment of the present invention, when the pressure vessel (100) operates under no pressure or pressure within the predefined level, the gasket (202) and the gasket lip portion may act as a seal between the body (102) and the lid (104), such that the gasket slot and the pressure exit are sealed and no pressure is egressed through them.

[0023] In operation, when the internal pressure of the pressure vessel (100) increases beyond the predefined level due to the blockage of the vent tube (210), the gasket (202) slides through the gasket slot (106) provided in the lid (104). As the gasket (202) moves away beyond the pressure exit (108) provided in the lid (104), the gasket lip portion gets pushed through the pressure exit (108). Further, upon getting pushed, the gasket lip portion is held by the pressure exit (108) preventing the gasket (202) to reflex back to the original position i.e. the sealing position before the internal pressure of the pressure vessel (100) is released to a safe level. In an embodiment of the present invention, the pressure inside the body (102) may be reduced to 0-0.25kg/cm2 with the presence of the secondary pressure release system. Further, the position of the gasket (202) may give a clear indication to the user that the secondary pressure release mechanism has been activated and the pressure vessel (100) has to be attended to rectify the blockage of the vent tube (210) before putting it into use again.

[0024] In embodiment of the present invention, the pressure exit (108) may be in shape of the alphabet D. Further, the pressure exit (108) may be positioned on the lid (104) in such a way that the flat side of the alphabet ‘D’ may be aligned towards the center of the lid (104). Further, the location of the opening is positioned in relation to the position of the gasket (202) and the gasket slot (106) in the lid (104). Furthermore, the pressure exit (108) facilitates in release of the pressure in an upward direction opposite to the heat source, thereby not putting off the heat source.

[0025] Accordingly, the present invention provides the following effects or advantages. The pressure release mechanism provided in the pressure vessel (100) provides for a unique design that overcomes the disadvantages over existing pressure release systems. In the present invention the pressure release mechanism safely operates the gasket (202) due to blockage of the valve stem and releases the excessive pressure built up to safe operational limit in a safe and controlled manner. Further, the excess pressure is released in an upward direction without affecting the heat source. Additionally, the pressure release mechanism once activated gives a clear indication that the safety has been operated and the pressure vessel (100) has to be attended to rectify the causes before putting it again for cooking.

[0026] While the exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described and illustrated herein, it will be appreciated that they are merely illustrative. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications in form and detail may be made therein without departing from or offending the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.