EP2537775B1

EP2537775B1 - Recipient with sliding lid and vacuum top

Info

Publication number: EP2537775B1
Application number: EP11744301.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ernest Von Der Beeck I Romagosa
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-02-16
Filing date: 2011-02-15
Publication date: 2015-05-27
Anticipated expiration: 2031-02-15
Also published as: ES2549195T3; EP2537775A4; EP2537775A1; WO2011101511A1

Description

INTRODUCTION

The present invention relates to a series of improvements that the inventor has made to Patent application ES20100000195 entitled "Container with sliding cover and vacuum plug", relating to a vacuum preservation device that enables keeping, preserving and transporting food, chemical elements or any organic or inert solution which require being vacuum packaged to be subsequently used both at home or in industry environment.

TECHNICAL SECTOR TO WHICH THE INVENTION RELATES

This invention belongs to the sector of diverse industrial techniques, and particularly to the chapter on packaging, storing and transporting different food or chemical products, with a direct effect on the industrial sector of manufacturing articles for vacuum packaging.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As cited in the original document, this invention appears to provide a simple solution to the growing need to vacuum pack and preserve food, not only in the actual production chain, but also in private homes where, in many occasions, food in recently opened containers has to be thrown away because not all the contents are eaten.
The device according to the invention provides for preserving foods by obtaining vacuum conditions without the need for pumps or complex mechanisms, as it can be used easily by anyone.
In the development of prototypes, it has been seen that the original device is susceptible to certain improvements that simplify and perfect the initial idea, and therefore the inventor of this device has considered it interesting to expound these improvemetits in this document which constitutes the object of the first addition to Patent application ES20100000195 .
Document GB 2 372 732 discloses the features of the preamble of independent claim 1.
Document US 6945014 B1 discloses a coffee storage container, for storing a quantity of coffee within a jar having a bottom and a side wall, and using a piston having a top and bottom, and a one-way valve. The quantity of coffee is placed in the jar bottom. The piston extends within the jar and defines a storage volume beneath the piston bottom. A stem is selectively attached to the piston top to push the piston downward to allow air to escape through the one-way valve so that the storage volume becomes substantially the coffee volume and little or no air remains within the storage volume. The stem may be removed from the piston for storage.
Document US 589965 A discloses a jar bottle, or similar vessel so constructed that, it cannot be refilled when once emptied.
Finally, document EP 0639514 B1 discloses an aseptic container or bottle for conserving a non-pasty product and comprises a body with a cylindrical or prismatic lateral wall, closed off at one end by a base and having an orifice for discharge of the product, and a movable inner piston rubbing in a leaktight manner against the inner surface of the lateral wall of the container and delimiting a volume containing the product. In order to prevent microorganisms and bacteria present in the ambient air from penetrating inside the product and contaminating it, means are provided for exerting on the piston, during each use, a force sufficient to push the piston back in the direction of the discharge orifice and consequently to exert on the product a pressure discharging the desired quantity of product, and non-return means hold the piston, after cessation of the force exerted with a view to the discharge of the product, in the position reached so as permanently to retain a residual pressure in the product.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The most important details of this invention are included in the section herein that describes an embodiment preferred by the inventor, and for which a series of drawings listed below has been included to facilitate understanding.
To summarise, it can be indicated that the improvements that are the object of this addition to the patent, are focused both on the container and on the closure components. As for the container, it includes a graduated scale which shows its content level at all times. Another possible improvement is that the container be made in opaque material to protect its content from light, in which case the graduated scale is not included. As for the closure components, the improvements are focused on the arrangement of a unique, specially designed cover with a series of parts that can be easily disassembled for regular cleaning. The parts are embodied in the actual cover with a seal made of neoprene material or the like, a hollow venting plug inside which a small spherical, hollow buoy can freely move, said venting plug having a double function as it is also used as a knob for sliding the cover in both directions along the container. Lastly, it includes a tongue having also a double function, since one of its ends, it ends in a ring which, coupled to the venting plug, guarantees that it closes well on the cover. Near the other extremity it has a shutter that is intended to close, when necessary, the top hole of the venting plug.

DISCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To further facilitate the understanding of the improvements made to Patent application ES20100000195 , some drawings are attached, showing a graphic representation of a practical embodiment, with the indication that given the essentially informative character of the drawings in question, the figures shown therein must be examined in the broadest sense and on a non-limiting basis.
Nine diagrams are included with the following meaning:

Figure 1
Represents a perspective view of the prior art container as included in the original document, which will facilitate the comparison between the initial device and the improved one that is presented in this document. The following indications are made:
1. 1.- container
2. 2.- product
3. 3.- handle
4. 4.- removable rigid disc
5. 5.- flexible airtight piston
6. 6.- emptying mouthpiece with handle
7. 7.- plug
Figure 2
Represents a perspective view of the invention including the improvements corresponding to this first addition to the patent. The plug is shown in section to facilitate the view inside of its structure and components. The following indications are made:
- 1.- container
- 1.1- graduated scale
- 2.- product
- 8.- pouring spout
- 9.- cover
- 10. sealing ring
- 11.- venting plug
- 11.1.- cavity
- 11.2 venting hole
- 11.3.- through opening
- 12.- buoy
- 13.- tongue
- 13.1.- ring
- 13.2.- shutter
Figure 3
Is a perspective view of the cover with all its associated elements. The sealing ring is drawn assembled on the cover. It includes a detail of the cross section of the venting plug.
Figure 4
These are plane views of the cover from above and below.
Figure 5
This figure represents the beginning of the closing process wherein the cover is inserted into the top part of the container partially full of a liquid product.
Figure 6
In this figure the cover reaches a position where it cannot go down any further because it has reached the top level of the liquid product contained in the container, consequently expelling all the air that was inside it.
Figure 7
This figure illustrates how the system works in the closing process in order to obtain the desired vacuum.
Figure 8
It is similar to the previous figure, but represents how the system operates when the vacuum is released by operating the through opening to pour the liquid product so that it can be used.
Figure 9
Represents the moment in the pouring process when the cover has been removed to the edge of the container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Improvements made to patent application ES20100000195 "Container with sliding cover and vacuum plug" (Figures 1 to 9) which in one embodiment preferred by the inventor consists of a container (1), with or without a handle (3), that contains a product (2) which container (1) is shaped like a revolving straight cylinder wherein the closure elements indicated (Figure 1) with the marks of removable rigid disc (4), flexible airtight piston (5), mouthpiece (6) and plug (7), are replaced by a new element called cover (9) which is shaped like a revolving straight cylinder whose outer diameter is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of container (1), adjusting with full accuracy container (1) and cover (9) thanks to the presence of a sealing ring (10) assembled on cover (9) on which a venting plug (11) is screwed to, said plug, in addition to a venting function, having also the function of acting as a puller or knob for cover (9).
Venting plug (11) has inside a cavity (11.1) that is open at the bottom along its section and open at the top via a venting hole (11.2). Cavity (11.1) is designed very precisely with its lower part in the shape of a revolving straight cylinder whose vertical axis coincides with the vertical symmetry axis of venting plug (11). This cylinder, with a slight gentle transition curve, connects with another one above that has a smaller diameter and ends in its highest part in a semi-spherical dome open to the outside via said venting hole (11.2). (Figures 2 and 3).
Cover (9) (Figures 2, 3 and 4) is provided with the corresponding thread for receiving venting plug (11) has, at the bottom, a through opening (11.3) that has been illustrated with a cross section in the shape of a two armed cross, although it could have three arms or other star shapes.
If we suppose that venting plug (11) is assembled on cover (9), it is understood that cavity (11.1) and the actual cover (9) form a chamber which, according to the invention, is intended to house a sphere-shaped hollow buoy (12), whose diameter is slightly smaller than that of the above-mentioned semi-spherical dome. In these conditions, the buoy (12), which logically must be inserted into cavity (11) before screwing on venting plug (11), can move with complete freedom in the above-mentioned chamber, it being well understood that, due to the gravitational force, it will be deposited on the lower part of venting plug (11) resting on cover (9), and more particularly on through opening (11.3), with the particular feature that due to the design of the parts, it is possible for a liquid to pass through the escape holes that are formed. On the contrary, if hollow buoy (12) that can float on a liquid product (2), it is projected upwards obeying the principle of Archimedes, it will end up coupling perfectly with the top part of cavity (11.1) in the shape of a semi-spherical dome, fulfilling the function of a valve that will completely close venting hole (11.2).
As indicated in the beginning, sealing ring (10) made of flexible material, has the function of accurately closing the clearance between the inner part of container (1) and the outer part of cover (9) along the whole trajectory that cover (9) can cover lengthways inside container (1), with the exception of the section corresponding to the highest part of container (1) where it expands to form pouring spout (8), this situation being illustrated in the figures (Figure 5 and 9).
The design of container (1) and cover (9), thus conceived, causes that when pressure is applied on venting plug (11) moving cover (9) downwards, the air contained in container (1) is expelled and exits outside, first via through opening (11.3), then via cavity (11.1) and, finally, via venting hole (11.2).
The descending process of cover (9) is limited as illustrated in detail in (Figure 7) where it can be observed that product (2) has completely filled cavity (11.1) of cover (9) with the particular feature that hollow buoy (12) which, as already mentioned, can freely move in inside cavity (11.1), ascends by floating on product (2) shutting off venting hole (11.2). Once the air is completely exhausted and as a consequence of the airtight closure produced by sealing ring (10) and buoy (12), a vacuum state is obtained enabling product (2) to be preserved for an indefinite period of time without danger of oxidising. This vacuum situation is assured, irrespective of the position of container (1), by adjusting on venting hole (11.2) the shutter (13.2) provided on tongue (13).
When product (2) is to be consumed, the procedure is reversed, as shown in the figures (Figure 8), wherein, once shutter (13.2) on tongue (13) has been removed, venting plug (13) is actuated moving cover (9) upwards and undoing the valve effect exercised by buoy (12) on venting hole (11.2), which triggers the entry of air into cavity (11.1) and into container (1) via through opening (11.3) with buoy (12) dropping simultaneously to the bottom of cavity (11.1).
The process of acting on cover (9) by pulling venting plug (11) must continue until cover (9) reaches the top part of container (1) so that sealing ring (10) is no longer in contact with container (1) in the area of pouring spout (8). Having arrived at this situation, product (2) can be poured without any problems, (Figure 8), with air entering via venting hole (11.2), cavity (11.1) and via through opening (11.3).
The design of this device, as described herein, allows all its elements to be cleaned regularly, even the most delicate, since this only requires disassembling the unit by removing cover (9), then unscrewing venting plug (11) and removing buoy (12).
It is worth indicating that not only the airtight closure of cover (9) on container (1) via sealing ring (10) is important, but also the perfect adjustment of venting plug (11) on cover (9) for which it is foreseen that tongue (13) has at one end thereof a ring (13.1) that acts as a washer, thus ensuring the closure, since the unit made up of tongue (13), ring (13.1) and shutter (13.2) is made of neoprene material, silicone or the like.
The container (1) may include an improvement that consists in including a graduated scale (1.1) when it is made with transparent or translucent walls. If container (1) is made in opaque material, which is convenient when it is desired to protect product (2) from the effects of light, graduated scale (1.1) will not be provided.
The inventor conceives the application of this device in any kind of container (1) like isothermal containers, cake containers or large containers. Equally, the invention can be applied to containers (1) of any section (circular, elliptic, square, rectangular, etc.) on which it is guaranteed that a sliding cover (9) can be adapted to with its corresponding airtight seal. It is not considered necessary to extend the contents of this description so that a person skilled in the art can understand its scope and the advantages derived from the invention, and develop and implement the object thereof, where it must be understood that the invention has been described according to a preferred embodiment thereof, and therefore it may be subject to modifications without this altering in any way the fundamental nature of said invention, with said modifications altering the shape, size and/or manufacturing materials; in other words, the terms used to expound this preferred description of the invention, must always be understood in their broadest, non limiting sense, as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

Container (1) with a sliding cover (9) and a threaded venting plug (11) for preserving liquid-ohase containing products (2) by means of a vacuum, the cover (9) being externally shaped such as to be adapted to and slightly smaller than the inner shape of the container (1), comprising a sealing ring (10) of flexible material adapted to fill out the clearance between the inner shape of said container (1) and the outer shape of said cover (9), characterized in that it further comprises
[a] the threaded venting plug (11) having a cavity (11.1) with a semi-spherical dome, said dome having an upper venting hole (11.2),

[b] the cover (9) being provided with a thread for receiving said threaded venting plug (11) and having, at the bottom thereof a through opening (11.3), and in that

[c] a hollow, spherical buoy (12) with a diameter slightly smaller than that of the dome being housed in said cavity (11.1), said buoy (12) being freely movable within said cavity (11.1) between
[i] a vacuum state in which said buoy (12) shuts off said venting hole (11.2) projected upwards through the principle of Archimedes and

[ii] an air entering state in which said buoy (12) rests on said through opening (11.3), thus allowing the air to enter said container (1) via the venting hole (11.2), via the cavity (11.1) and finally via through the opening (11.3).
Container (1) with a sliding cover (9) and a threaded venting plug (11) according to claim 1, characterized in that the venting plug (11) includes a tongue (13) with a ring (13.1) and a shutter (13.2).
Container (1) with a sliding cover (9) and a threaded venting plug (11) according to any preceding claim, characterized in that said container (1) comprises a pouring spout (8) such that the product (2) can be poured through said pouring spout (8) by just sliding the cover (9) towards the top of the container (1).
Container (1) with a sliding cover (9) and a threaded venting plug (11) according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the container (1) has transparent, translucent, opaque or isothermic walls.
Container (1) with a sliding cover (9) and a threaded venting plug (11) according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the cover (9) is externally shaped like a straight revolving cylinder with an outer diameter being slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the container (1).
Container (1) with a sliding cover (9) and a threaded venting plug (11) according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the through opening (11.3) has the shape of one among a two armed cross, a three armed cross or other star shapes.