EP2261133B1

EP2261133B1 - Valve embodiment providing bidirectional air flow for food storage and carriage packages

Info

Publication number: EP2261133B1
Application number: EP09167364A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Kazim Polat
Original assignee: Ozpolat Hediyelik Esya Insaat Sanayi Ve Ticaret Ltd Sirketi
Current assignee: Ozpolat Hediyelik Esya Insaat Sanayi Ve Ticaret Ltd Sirketi
Priority date: 2009-06-08
Filing date: 2009-08-06
Publication date: 2011-08-03
Anticipated expiration: 2029-08-06
Also published as: EP2261133A1; ATE518777T1

Abstract

The invention relates to a valve mechanism which comprises a main body (1) which has hollow inner side and which comprises at least one air entrance channel (10) at the lower part that provides air entrance into the said container, at least one flap (7) placed over the air entrance channel (10) formed at the lower part of the said main body (1), at least one valve lid (3) which is placed at the inner surface of the said main body (1) on the said flap (7) and which has at least one air discharge channel (10) at its upper portion in order to provide pressure on the said flap (7) when pressure is applied on the cambered surface (4) and which provides bidirectional air flow in order to store the food placed in the storage container for long time without being spoiled.

Description

The Related Art

The invention relates to valves used for breaking air contact with the product inside the container in food storage containers and carriage packages.
The invention, particularly, relates to valve embodiment made of rubber and providing bidirectional air flow by discharging the air inside the container to outside and supplying the outside air into the container when the lid is intended to be opened.

Background of the Related Art

Nowadays storage containers developed for storage of food which are not consumed in a short time are used in almost all houses. Storage containers are placed in convenient mediums (refrigerator, deep-freezer etc.) by means of placing products or food into it for storage. In the previous technical applications, the food that has been placed into normal containers were being spoiled because of insufficient prevention from air entrance into the container from the lid part (upper cavity part) and thus except daily consumption, long term storage was not available. Foreign matters entering into the food from the upper cavity, from where the food is placed into the container, prevent the food from meeting the expected hygiene standards. Moreover, because of the air entering from the said cavity, bacterial or chemical events take place and storage period substantially decrease. As a result of the studies performed for solution of this problem, in order to break the contact of outside air with the container, in which food/product is placed, vacuum lids were developed and brought into use.
With the use of vacuum lids, two significant problems arose in time. The first of these problems were; insufficient prevention of air entrance at the places where the container and the lid embodiments covering the cavity part of the container, from where the food is placed into the container, contacted each other, especially because of the hardness of the production material of the lids. Therefore, although still it took much longer time than the previous technical applications, air entrance into the container took place and the stored product/food were deformed and couldn't be stored for long time. Therefore it is a considerable necessity that the production material of the lids has to have impermeability characteristic. However, in the present art the lids are made of hard materials, preferably hard plastics, because of the structure of the mechanisms that would provide air entrance and exit over the lid. Therefore valves take air from the environment and impermeability can not be provided during mounting.
The other problem is that the valves, which are used in vacuum pumping operation and placed on the lid, allowing only unidirectional (one way) flow of air. In the present applications; valves have a structure that provides discharging of air, however prevents entrance of it. Especially when the lid is intended to be opened, air entrance should be provided into the container, so that it would be opened easily. In the present art various applications take place related with this subject, whereas in a different embodiment of the previous art, the valve works such that the air inside the container is relieved by opening the upper lid of the valve from outside in order to discharge the air inside the container and thus the lid of the container is opened. However, in the said products, quick deformations occur on the item because of moving mechanism for opening and closing the lid all the time, and valves lose their characteristics because of quick deformation especially when the container is washed in places like washing machines.
It is possible to encounter improvements and patent applications made in consideration of these improvements related with storage containers that have vacuum lids which are consistently used especially by housewives and/or food premises. For example US Patent Application No. US2002066732A1 ; is related with the food storage containers which have valve embodiment that provide unidirectional air flow. In the said application it is aimed to provide air discharging by pressing on a surface formed on the valve with a finger and thus decrease in the pressure inside the container is obtained and the lid is easily opened. Another US Patent Application with No. US6619493B2 is also related with the storage container that have impermeability characteristic, with a valve mechanism according to the preambule of appended claim 1.
Again in present applications, vacuum systems are encountered in which the inside of the storage container is vacuumed by means of a pump in order to provide long term storage of the food placed into the container. In this type of vacuum systems, inside of the container is vacuumed by means of a pump and air entrance is provided into the container by means of pushing a button formed on the valve in order to open the lid. European Patent No EP1900649A1 is also related with the said systems with pump. However, in consideration of the disadvantages of the above said current status of the art, when all of the past technical documents and present applications are analysed; there is no application found which is related with a valve embodiment which has characteristics of providing bidirectional air flow and having intact impermeability by being made of rubber material.
As a result, an improvement was necessary in the related technical field because of insufficiency of the present solutions and the necessity for a valve embodiment which, in one piece, provides both air impermeability and clean opening of the lid by discharging the air from the container when desired.

Purpose of the Invention

In order to overcome the disadvantages found in the current status of the art, one of the purposes of the invention is to have bidirectional air flow and protect the food placed into the container in long term and provide it to be as fresh as ever by means of its impermeability characteristic.
Another purpose of the invention is to allow bidirectional air flow by discharging the air from the container to the outside and providing air entrance into the container when the lid is intended to be opened.
Another purpose of the invention is to protect the vitamin and feeding value of the food by keeping the products placed into the container fresh for long time.
Another purpose of the invention is to provide intact impermeability by being made of rubber material.
Another purpose of the invention is to be used for long time by means of its durable structure.
Another purpose of the invention is to be highly preferable because of its simple, practical, durable and useful structure.
In order to implement the purposes described above, the invention according to claim 1 has been provided.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the said flap; comprises a cambered surface made of flexible material, middle portion of which coincides the air entrance channel at the lower portion of the said main body and comprises high edges around the said cambered surface on which the air discharge pins of the said valve lid apply pressure.
The present invention brings about various easiness by means of its said characteristics by providing all the advantages which are said above and which will be understood better with the detailed description below.
The structural and characteristic features of the invention and all advantages will be understood better in detailed descriptions with the figures given below and with reference to the figures, and therefore, the assessment should be made taking into account the said figures and detailed explanations.

Brief Description of Figures

In order to ideally understand its embodiment and its advantages with its additional members, the present invention has to be evaluated together with the figures described below.

Figure 1a is a midsection perspective view of the valve mechanism of the invention in question.
Figure 1b is a midsection view of the valve mechanism of the invention in question.
Figure 2 is a base view of the valve lid.
Figure 3 is a top view of the valve main body.
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the flap.
Figure 5a is a midsection view of an alternative valve mechanism.
Figure 5b is a top view of an alternative valve mechanism.
Figure 6a is a base view of the valve lid.
Figure 6b is a top view of the valve lid.
Figure 7a is a perspective view of the valve main body.
Figure 7b is a top view of the valve main body.
Figure 8a is a perspective view of the flap.
Figure 8b is a top view of the flap.

Reference Numbers

1. Valve body
2. Air discharge channel
3. Valve lid
4. Cambered Surface
5. Air discharge pin
6. Pin socket
7. Flap
8. Pin pressure surface
9. Air transition cavity
10. Air entrance channel
11. Flexible surface
12. High edge
13. Lid pressure cavity

Detailed Description of the Invention

In this detailed description, the subject of the invention; which is preferred embodiments of the valve mechanism providing bidirectional air flow by providing discharge of the air inside the container to outside and providing air entrance to the container when the lid is intended to be opened, are described only for better understanding of the subject and do not form a limiting impact on the invention.
The invention relates to a valve mechanism mounted on the lid which is placed on the upper part of the container body in order to cover a cavity, from where the food materials desired to be stored are placed into the container over the said cavity formed at the upper portion providing bidirectional air flow and with the purpose of storing the food for long time without being spoiled.
In Figure 1a, there is the midsection perspective view of the valve mechanism of the invention in question. The said valve mechanism; comprises a main body (1) which is mounted over the lids of the storage containers and which has hollow inner side and which comprises at least one air entrance channel (10) at the lower part that provides air entrance into the said container, at least one flap (7) placed over the air entrance channel (10) formed at the lower part of the said main body (1), at least one valve lid (3) which comprises at least one air discharge channel (2) at the upper portion and which is placed at the inner surface of the said main body (1) on the said flap (7) in order to provide pressure on the said flap (7) when pressure is applied on the cambered surface (4) of its upper portion with the air discharge pin (5) formed at the lower part.
In Figure 2, the base view of the said valve lid (3) is given. The said lid (3); comprises at least one cambered surface (4) formed at the upper part and preferably two air discharge pins (5) formed in order to apply pressure on the flap (7) made of flexible material and placed at the lower part when pressure is applied on the said surface (4).
In Figure 4, the perspective view of the said flap (7) is given. The said flap (7); comprises a cambered surface (11) made of flexible material, middle portion of which coincides the air entrance channel (10) of the said main body (1) and high edges (12) where the air discharge pins (5) of the said valve lid (3) around the said cambered surface (11) apply pressure.
The valve mounted on the lid part of the said container; consists of discharging the pressurized air found inside the container to outside by the pressurized air pushing the flap (7) upwards through the air entrance channel (10) due to the impact of the pressure applied on the lid from outside. Since the normal atmosphere pressure present at the outside of the said container makes pressure on the said flap (7) through the said air discharge channel (2), the flap (7) closes the air entrance channel (10) and breaks the contact of the product inside the container with the air outside the container.
When the lid placed over the upper part of the container is intended to be opened, if pressure is applied on the cambered surface (4) found on the said valve lid (3) by means of a finger, the said lid would move vertically in the lid pressure cavity (13) in direction of the pressure applied and provides the said air discharge pins (5) to apply pressure on the high edges (12) of the flap (7). Thus the flexible cambered surface (11) found at the middle portion of the said flap (7) levitates and opens the air entrance channel (10). As a result, the air found at the outside environment enters the container, vacuum ceases and the lid is opened easily.
In an alternative embodiment of the invention, when only the contact with the outside air is intended to be broken, the valve mechanism; can be produced by removing the air discharge pin (5) formed at the lower part of the said valve lid (3).
In another alternative embodiment of the invention, the valve mechanism; comprises one pin socket (6) formed at the lower part of the main body (1) and one air discharge pin (5) at the middle of the lower part of the said valve lid (3) as it is shown in Figure 6 and Figure 7. In this application, if the lid placed at the upper part of the container is intended to be opened, when pressure is applied on the cambered surface (4) found on the said valve lid (3) by means of a finger, the said air discharge pin (5) applies pressure on the flap (7) as much as the pin socket (6). Therefore, the edges of the said flap (7) rise upwards and open the air entrance channel (10). Therefore, the air found at the outside environment enters the container and vacuum ceases. As a result the lid can be opened easily.
In another alternative embodiment of the invention, the said flap (7) as it is shown in Figure 8; comprises a pressure surface (8) at its middle portion on which the said air discharge pin (5) applies pressure and it comprises air transition cavities (9) formed around the said pressure surface (8).
The protection area of this application has been specified under claims and cannot be limited to the descriptions only given as example above. It is obvious that a person skilled in the related art can apply the innovation disclosed by this invention into similar purposed other areas by means of changing the parts in form and using similar structures.

Claims

A valve mechanism mounted on a lid which is placed on the upper part of a container body in order to cover a cavity, through wich the food materials desired to be stored are placed into the container , said cavity being formed at the upper portion of the container, with the purpose of providing bidirectional air flow and with the purpose of storing, the food for long time without being spoiled, characterized in that
- it comprises a main body (1) which has a cavity (13) comprising at least one air entrance channel (10) at the lower part that provides air entrance into said container, at least one flap (7) placed over the air entrance channel (10) so as to close it under normal atmospheric pressure and to open when the pressure inside the container raises, at least one valve lid (3) which comprises at least one air discharge channel (2) at the upper portion and which is placed in the cavity (13) of said main body (1) on said flap (7) in order to provide pressure on said flap (7) when pressure is applied on an upper cambered surface (4) of said valve lid (3), said pressure on said flap (7) opening the air entrance channel (10).
A valve mechanism according to Claim 1, characterized in that said flap (7) comprises a cambered surface (11) made of flexible material, the middle portion of which coincides with the air entrance channel (10) at the lower portion of said main body (1), and comprises high edges (12) around said cambered surface (11) on which air discharge pins (5) of said valve lid (3) apply pressure.
A valve mechanism according to Claim 1 and Claim 2, characterized in that, said valve lid (3), comprises preferably two air discharge pins (5) formed in order to apply pressure on the high edges (12) of the flap (7) made of flexible material and placed at the lower part when pressure is applied on said cambered surface (4) of said lid (3).
A valve mechanism according to Claim 3, characterized in that when the lid is intended to be opened, as a result of the pressure applied by means of a finger on the cambered surface (4) found on the valve lid (3), the lid would move vertically in the lid pressure cavity (13) in direction of the pressure applied and allows the air discharge pins (5) to apply pressure on the high edges (12) of the flap (7), and thus the flexible cambered surface (11) found at the middle portion of said flap (7) levitates and opens the air entrance channel (10) and as a result, the air found at the outside environment enters the container.
A valve mechanism according to Claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one discharge pin (5) formed in order to apply pressure on the flap (7) and placed at the lower part of it when pressure is applied on the cambered surface (4) on said valve lid (3).
A valve mechanism according to Claim 5, characterized in that, if the lid is intended to be opened, when pressure is applied on the cambered surface (4) found on said valve lid (3) by means of a finger, said air discharge pin (5) applies pressure on the flap (7) above a pin socket (6) formed at said main body (1) lower part, the edges of said flap (7) rise upwards and open the air entrance channel (10) and the air found at the outside environment enters the container.
A valve mechanism according to Claim 5, characterized in that said flap (7) comprises a pressure surface (8) at its middle portion on which said air discharge pin (5) applies pressure and it comprises air transition cavities (9) formed around said pressure surface (8).
A valve mechanism according to Claim 1, characterized in that it is made of rubber material in order to provide impermeability when it is mounted over the lid.
A valve mechanism according to Claim 1 , characterized in that said flap (7) is preferably made of soft and flexible material.