EP2830974B1

EP2830974B1 - Device for removing air from a container

Info

Publication number: EP2830974B1
Application number: EP13712553.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Tim Collins; Julia GOUGH
Original assignee: JT International SA
Current assignee: JT International SA
Priority date: 2012-03-30
Filing date: 2013-03-27
Publication date: 2016-07-13
Anticipated expiration: 2033-03-27
Also published as: WO2013144188A1; EP2830974A1

Description

The present invention relates to the conditioning of products within closable containers. More specifically, the present invention relates to a device for removing air from a container.
Many consumable products, such as coffee, sugar, tea and tobacco are provided to consumers in solid closable containers. Such containers are usually in the form of a cylinder with one open end, that open end being foil sealed for transport and storage prior to opening by a user. Often such containers will be provided with a lid which sits over the foil seal and which can be replaced over the opening of the container once the seal is removed to keep the container closed whilst the product is stored.
Such containers, whilst being simple to manufacture and easy for consumers to use, do have disadvantages. For example, once the seal has been broken, even when the additional lid is being employed, a significant amount of air is contained within the container. Consumers see this and feel that the contents of the container are not being stored to keep them as fresh as possible and this can lead consumers to be discouraged from using such containers.
Attempts have been made to improve such containers by providing a further lid element which sits within the container and which can be pushed down within the containers by a user to compress the contents of the container and remove excess air. Examples of such lid elements can be found in GB 2074974 A , GB 2306429 A US 4625883 and US 7159736 . However, such lid elements have traditionally been complicated and expensive to manufacture, adding significant cost to what is often considered to be a disposable container. In addition, such lid elements have been heavy and bulky and have been difficult to introduce simply during manufacture of the container without reducing significantly the amount of container space available to store product and the overall weight of the container.
US 2006/0180 591 A1 discloses a device according to the preamble of claim 1.
The present invention seeks to overcome some of these problems.
According to the present invention there is provided a device for removing air from a container, the container comprising a base and at least one wall extending there from to define an enclosure with an opening opposite the base, the device comprising: a support element configured to allow a user to hold and move the device within the enclosure in a push/pull movement; characterised by: a flexible airtight sealing element attached to or part of the support element and projecting from the edges of the support element so that the sealing element is in continuous sealing contact with an inner surface of the at least one wall when the device is within the enclosure and generally perpendicular to the wall; a valve mechanism arranged such that air can pass through and/or around the device and the device can be put in motion within the enclosure only when actuated by a user; a handle to hold and move the device within a container in a push/pull movement, wherein the valve mechanism comprises valve apertures arranged within the support element and/or sealing element and the handle is formed from foldable wings which define the handle in their open position, the wings exposing the apertures in their open position, but covering the apertures in their closed flat position, wherein the handle is foldable flat onto the support element.
With the present invention this is possible to provide a low cost device that provides an effective improvement in the storage capabilities of a container. Particularly, the device of the invention provides an easy and effective tool for preventing decay of air sensitive products by limiting contact between said products and air during storage in a container, even when the container has already been opened. The device of the invention therefore helps preserving the properties of products and improving their conservation after opening the container.
Preferably, upon actuation of the valve mechanism, a partial vacuum created in the enclosure during the push movement of the device can be released when the device is moved away from the base toward removal from the container.
According to the invention, the support element of the device for removing air is arranged such that it exerts a radial force on the sealing material projecting from its edges towards the inner surface of the wall when the device extends generally perpendicular to the wall. Since to that specific configuration, the device of the invention provides an effective airtight sealing around the periphery of the support element against the wall of a container once the device has been pushed in said container.
The support element may be formed from a low cost material such as cardboard or plastics or a combination thereof in order to reduce cost of manufacture.
The sealing element may comprise a simple foil sheet formed from laminated plastics material or metal or a combination thereof, again to reduce cost and simplify manufacture. Furthermore, the use of such elements can have benefits in terms of ensuring that the contents of the container are not contaminated in any way.
In still another embodiment of the device of the invention, both the support element and the sealing element are made of plastics material and formed in one piece by injection molding.
The present invention also provides a container comprising a base and wall extending there from to define an enclosure with an opening opposite the base and further comprising a device for removing air as previously described.
The container may comprise a seal covering the opening, the seal being arranged to be removed by a use to gain access to the enclosure and a lid positioned over the seal for a consumer to place over the container during use of the container once it has been opened by removal of the seal. Advantageously, the device of the invention may then be held between the seal, which can be a foil seal.
Such configuration is simple to manufacture and is lightweight, minimising the additional costs of manufacturing implications of providing such a device with such a container.
An example of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figures 1 A to 1 G show views of a first comparative example device, which is not in accordance with the present invention
Figures 2A to 2E show a second example device of the present invention; and
Figure 3 shows a container according to the present invention with a device to Fig. 2A to 2E being used therein;
Figure 4 shows a further example of a device according to the invention.
Figures 5 to 8 show further comparative examples;
Figure 9 shows a further example device; and
Figure 10 shows a further comparative example.

Although, the following description of examples relate to devices intended for use with containers having a circular cross section, the device according to the invention is also applicable to container having other shapes of cross section such as square, or rectangular.
Referring to Figure 1, a comparative example device 1 has a support element 2 supporting a sealing element 3 and further comprises a foldable handle 4. Figure 1B is a side view of the example device 1 showing how the handle 4 is raised in use, but also showing the extremely slim profile of the device 1. Figure 1C is a view of the device from below, from which it can be seen that, in this example device, a further support element 2' is placed on the lower surface of the device 1 to sandwich the sealing element 3 and provide it with rigid support. The support elements 2, 2' can be made of cardboard, metal, plastic materials or a combination thereof. They are advantageously shaped to provide a gap on either side of the handle 4 through which the foil 3 is exposed. In this example the exposed foil has a series of slots 5 which pass through the foil and which act as a valve mechanism to allow air to pass through them when the device is moved in a container in use. Alternatively, the slots can be provided elsewhere in the device 1, e.g. in the part of the sealing element 3 that is exposed.
Figure 1D shows an exploded view of the device 1, from which it can be seen that sealing element 3 is formed from a continuous disk of material. In this example the material is made from plastic laminate with a metal coating, but could be formed from metal or similar material. The support elements are formed from card, as is the handle 4.
Figure 1 E is a side-cross sectional view of a container 6 which has a base (not shown) and wall 7 extending from the base to define an enclosure 9. The container 6 is sealed by a removable lid 8 under which the device 1 sits prior to opening. Beneath the device 1, adjacent to the enclosure 9, is a removable foil seal 10. In use a user removes the lid 8 and device 1 and then removes the foil seal 10 to access the contents of the container 6 that are held within the enclosure 9. As shown if figures 1F and 1G, after contents C have been removed by the user from the enclosure 9 the device 1 can be placed inside the container 6 and moved (arrow A1) towards the base 11 of the container 6 until it engages with the contents C of the enclosure 9. As it moves within the container 6 air passes around the edges of the device 1 (arrows A2) through flexing of the outer edge 31 of the sealing element 3 and also through slots 5 (arrows A3) if they are provided. The lid 8 may then be placed over the container 6 if desired. Access to the container 6 is then provided by removal of the device 1 by the user pulling the handle 4 causing the edges 31 of sealing element 3 of the device 1 to flex and allow air to come in the enclosure and also passing through the slots 5 if they are provided.
If, contrary to the present invention, no slots 5 are provided then the device 1 may be configured to flex sufficiently when the device is in movement that a sufficiently large gap is provided between the wall 7 and sealing element 3 to enable passage of a large enough amount of air for ease of insertion or removal of the device 1.
In an alternative example, not shown, the handle 4 may move to open valves when it is moved away from the surface of the support element 2.
Referring to Figures 2A to 2E, an example of a device 1 according to the invention is shown. Elements that correspond to those of the first example are numbered identically. In this example the handle 4 is provided by two flaps 41, 42 which fold down into the plane of the supporting element 2. In this case only a single supporting element 2 is provided on what, in use, is the upper side of the device 1 that is configured to face the opening of the container while in use,. As can be seen from Figure 2B, where a view from below the device is provided, the entire lower surface of the device 1, that is configured to face the base of the container while in use is formed by the sealing element 3, which has slots 5 formed therein. When the two flaps 41, 42 of the handle 4 are placed flat and parallel to the support element 2 as shown in figures 2A and 2C these slots 5 are covered.
As can be seen from Figure 2D, again, it is possible to provide a device 1 with an extremely low profile and which can be placed easily into the upper components of a container 6, between a foil seal 10 and a lid 8 before the container is first opened by a user. Figure 2E shows a perspective view of the present invention with the flaps 41, 42 of the handle 4 in their lowered position, and it will be seen that there are tabs 12 formed in the support element 2 to enable a user to place their finger under the tabs 41, 42 of the handle 4 to raise them.
Figure 3 shows the handle 4 with the tabs 41, 42 raised and a user operating the device 1 of the present invention within a container 6. The operation of the second example is in other ways the same as for the first example.
As shown in Figure 4, with any of the above example devices 1 the device might be provided as a part of a container lid 8 sealing a container 6. The lid 8 is retained on the container 6 by a frangible seal member 81 connected around the rim of the container 6 and the rim of the device 1. In use the seal member 81 is removed from the rim of the device 1 and the rim of the container 6. The device 1 can then be placed within the container 6 to provide sealing.
Figures 5A and 5B show a further comparative example device 1 again comprising two support elements 2, 2' and central sealing element 3 together with a handle 4 in the form of a pull-tab 43. In this example, the valve mechanism is provided by the sealing element 3 being arranged to flex about the support elements 2, 2' rims as the device 1 is placed into a container (not shown) to allow air to pass around it but when in movement so as to provide when in position a seal to ensure an air tight enclosure. On removal the position of the handle 4is such that the device 1 pivots as lifted, breaking the seal and allowing easy removal of the device. Practically, the pull-tab 43 is positioned offset from the centre of the device 1 represented by axis Z-Z' on the figures, such that a lever effect is provided when a user pulls on the pull-tab 43 to withdraw the device 1 from a container.
Figures 6A to 6C show a further comparative example of the device 1. Again, two support elements 2, 2' are provided on either side of a sealing element 3 which in this case is made from a foil-coated plastics material. A foldable handle 4 is provided on the upper support element 2. As can be seen from these figures, the device 1 has a valve mechanism made of openings 21 in the support elements 2, 2', which openings 21 sit over slots 5 formed by an opening 32 in the sealing member 3 and partially plugged by a central component 51. The component 51 has folds 52 in it which allow the slots to open easily when the device 1 is moved within a container (again now shown) to allow air to pass therethrough when the device 1 is moved out of the container, but which prevent air passing through when the device is fully inserted into the container and therefore enables the device 1 to provide an-air tight seal when in position.
Figures 7A to 7D show a yet further comparative example of a device 1. In this comparative example, the device 1 comprises again an upper support element 2 and a lower support element 2' sandwiching a seal element 3. A handle 4 is formed from cut out material defining two flaps 41, 42 in the upper support element 2. In this comparative example, the valve mechanism of the device is provided by means of the upper support element 2 having edge folds 23 formed therein and corresponding folds 23', 33' provided in the lower support element 2' and sealing element 3. These folds 23 enable, as shown in the figures, the device 1 to flex downwards when the device is pulled up by the handle 4 within a container(not shown), allowing air to pass around the edges thereof to pressurize the container and allow removing of the device to let a user access the content of the container. However, when the device is moved down into a container the folds 23 are prevented from moving upwards by retention arms 22 on the upper support element 2 and the seal element 3 provided as in the previous examples. Air can then only flow out around the flexing edges 31 of the sealing element 3, which edges 31 ensure an airtight seal against the wall of the container once the device has been pushed fully towards the content of the container to remove air therefrom.
Figures 8A to 8C shows a yet further comparative example of the device 1. In this example there is a lower support element 2' and foil sealing element 3. However, the upper support element 2 is a slightly more complex construction. In this example the upper support element 2 has an outer spacer 24 retaining and surrounding a twist lock component 25 over which is placed a top 26 with motion stop 27. Apertures or slots 5 are provided in the lower support element 2 and seal element 3 and are in alignment. The twist lock component 25 has a handle 4 formed thereon by two flaps 41, 42 and because of its retention by the outer spacer 24 and top component 32 is able to twist around a central axis Z-Z', limit in the movement of the twist being defined by the motion stop 27. In use a user can select the position of the twist lock 25 to either expose the apertures 5 or close them to control the airflow either during insertion or removal of the device 1 from a container (not shown).
Figures 9A to 9C shows a yet further example device 1. Again, this has a support element 2 and seal element 3. However, the support element 2 in this case is provided with sufficient strength that a lower support element is not required. Both the support element 2 and seal element 3 have a series of apertures or slots 5 that are positioned over one another. The support element 2 has foldable wings 41, 42 formed therein. The wings 41, 42 are configured to be selectably lifted by a user to define a handle 4 in their open position, but can be folded to be flat with the remainder of the support element 2 in their closed position. In the open position they expose the apertures 5 and allow air to pass through a device either during insertion or removal of the device 1 from a container.
Figures 10A to 10C show yet a further comparative example of device 1 with an integrated sealing element 3 and support element 2. In this comparative example a central handle 4 is provided by a central rib 44 and adjacent recesses 45. In this comparative example the device 1 may be formed as a single injection moulded component. In use the device 1 is moved downwards into the container (not shown), with the sealing element 3 engaging with the inner edge of the walls of the container to provide a seal and air slowly passing around the outside until the device 1 is in position. Upon removal a user depresses the ribs 44 on the handle 4, pivoting the recesses 45 around a hinge point 46 located in a median vertical plan P and opening up a gap between the outer sealing element 3 and the inner wall of the container (not shown) to allow air to pass around the edge of the device as it is pulled upwards.
In figures 11A to 11C a yet further comparative example device 1 is provided. Again, in this comparative example the device 1 can be formed as a single injection moulded unit with outer sealing element 3 and supporting element 2. On top of the support element 2 is provided a pull-tab forming a handle 4. Said pull-tab can be made directly during injection molding of the device 1 or subsequently adhered, by any means available, to the top surface of the support element 2 of the device. Here the support element 2 is configured to be in one or two states during use as an air remover in a container. In a first flattened state (fig 11 C) the support element 2 element is in an extended position such that the sealing element 3 formed at the rim of the support element 2 engages tightly with the inner walls of a container (that is not shown). To remove the device 1 from a container the handle 4 is drawn upwards snapping the support element 2 into its second position in which the support element 2 pops upwards and adopts a curved shape (fig. 11A) and the sealing element 3 disengages with the walls of the container and allows a user to draw the device 1 upwards and out of the container whilst air passes around its edges.
With the configuration of the present invention, as described, it is possible to provide a container with additional sealing at low cost and with little impact to the overall manufacturing process for such a container.
In all the previously described embodiments and comparative examples, the device 1 of the invention is shown in the figures as having a substantially circular shape to fit in a substantially cylindrical container. However, the device 1 of the invention can easily be made to adopt a square, rectangular, triangular, oval or any other shape depending on the shape of a transverse section of a container into which the device is intended to be used.

Claims

A device (1) for removing air from a container (6), the container comprising a base and at least one wall (7) extending there from to define an enclosure (9) with an opening opposite the base, the device comprising:
a support element (2) configured to allow a user to hold and move the device within the enclosure in a push/pull mouvement;

a flexible airtight sealing element attached to or part of the support element and projecting from the edges of the support element so that the sealing element is in continuous sealing contact with an inner surface of the at least one wall when the device is within the enclosure and generally perpendicular to the wall; a valve mechanism arranged such that air can pass through and/or around the device and the device can be put in motion within the enclosure only when actuated by a user;

a handle (4) to hold and move the device within a container in a push/pull movement, wherein the valve mechanism comprises valve apertures arranged within the support element and/or sealing element and wherein the handle is foldable flat onto the support element, characterized in that the handle is formed from foldable wings (41, 42) which define the handle in their open position, the wings exposing the apertures in their open position, but covering the apertures in their closed flat positions.
A device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that upon actuation of the valve mechanism, a partial vacuum created in the enclosure during the push movement of the device can be released when the device is moved away from the base toward removal from the container.
A device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the support element is arranged such that it exerts a radial force on the sealing material projecting from its edges towards the inner surface of the wall when the device extends generally perpendicular to the wall.
A container (6) comprising a base and wall (7) extending there from to define an enclosure (9) with an opening opposite the base, and a device (1) according to any preceding claim positioned within the enclosure.
A container (6) according to claim 4, further comprising a seal (10) covering the opening, the seal be arranged to be removed by a user to gain access to the enclosure; and a lid (8) positioned over the seal.
A container (6) according to claim 5, wherein the device (1) is positioned between the lid (8) and the seal (10).