EP4107089A1

EP4107089A1 - Box for preservation under vacuum and vacuum-application system comprising such a box

Info

Publication number: EP4107089A1
Application number: EP21705224.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jean-François BOURREC
Original assignee: Biotyfood
Current assignee: Biotyfood
Priority date: 2020-02-20
Filing date: 2021-02-19
Publication date: 2022-12-28
Anticipated expiration: 2041-02-19
Also published as: KR20220141816A; FR3107516B1; US20230080132A1; FR3107516A1; CA3167243A1; WO2021165445A1; EP4107089B1; ES2976746T3; CN115151492A

Abstract

The invention relates to a box (40) for preservation under vacuum. This box (40) comprises a container (60) and a lid (80) for closing the container. The container comprises a body (62) with an internal wall (64) and an external wall (66), the internal wall delimiting an internal volume (V64) of the container, the internal volume being upwardly open when the container is placed on a horizontal surface (S). The internal wall (64) and external wall (66) are connected together at an edge (68) and define a first cavity (V66) between them, the edge having a closed contour. The lid (80) comprises a body (82) with a perimeter (84) that has a closed contour and is intended to bear in a sealing manner against the edge (68) of the container (60) when the cover is fitted on the container in a closed configuration of the box. The first cavity (V66) opens towards the exterior environment through at least one opening (70), each opening comprising a first non-return valve (72), which allows gas to circulate from the first cavity to the outside and prevents gas from circulating from the outside into the first cavity. The first cavity opens towards the internal volume (V64) through at least one passage (74).

Description

TITLE: Vacuum storage box and vacuum system including such a box

The invention relates to a vacuum storage box and a vacuum system comprising such a box.

In the food industry, more and more use is made of the vacuum technique to preserve organic matter, in particular food. This vacuum technique makes it possible, by reducing the quantity of oxygen in contact with organic materials, to prevent their oxidation. Compared to other sterilization methods, especially hot, the vacuum method best preserves the organoleptic properties and vitamins of food.

In the case of organic materials sensitive to temperature variations, the storage boxes, in addition to being placed under vacuum, must be placed in specific enclosures, cold or hot as appropriate, to preserve the organic materials contained in these receptacles. . The conservation of organic matter then requires maintaining, depending on the case, a cold chain or a hot chain, which is restrictive.

It is known from WO-2018 189351 -A1 to use a box with a receptacle and a cover, the receptacle comprising a tube, formed in the walls of the receptacle, which makes it possible to create a vacuum inside the receptacle when the receptacle is placed on a base comprising a vacuum pump. The tube is connected to a system of conduits and valves integrated into the cover, which is generally satisfactory. WO-2018 189 351 -A1 is however silent on the preservation of food when a particular temperature, cold or hot, is required.

DE-296 17 720-U1 describes, for example, an insulating box with a double wall providing a vacuum cavity, to keep food warm. DE-296 17720-U1 does not deal with the preservation of food.

It is these problems that the invention more particularly intends to remedy by providing a vacuum storage box which is less sensitive to temperature variations.

To this end, the invention relates to a vacuum storage box, comprising a container and a lid for closing the container. The container comprises a body with an internal wall and an external wall, the internal wall defining an internal volume of the container, the internal volume being open upwards. when the container is placed on a horizontal surface. The inner and outer walls are interconnected at an edge and define between them a first cavity, the edge having a closed contour. The lid comprises a body with a rim having a closed contour and intended to come into sealing abutment against the edge of the container when the lid is assembled to the container in a closed configuration of the box. According to the invention, the first cavity opens out to the external environment through at least one opening, each opening comprising a first non-return valve, which allows the circulation of gas from the first cavity to the outside and prevents the circulation of gas from the outside towards the first cavity, while the first cavity opens out to the internal volume through at least one passage.

Thanks to the invention, the container is thermally insulating when the vacuum is created in the first cavity. The heat exchanges between the food received in the internal volume of the container and the external environment are thus limited, which extends the shelf life of temperature sensitive foods. When food is refrigerated, the cold is maintained longer; Conversely, when hot food is placed in the vacuum canister, the food stays hot for several hours and can be eaten without needing to be reheated, for example using an oven.

According to advantageous but not mandatory aspects of the invention, such a vacuum storage box can incorporate one or more of the following characteristics taken in any technically admissible combination:

- a second valve is disposed in each passage or opposite the first cavity with respect to this passage, while each second valve is configured to prevent the flow of liquid from the internal volume to the first cavity through the passage or a volume connected to this passage, while allowing the flow of gas from the internal volume to the first cavity;

- the container includes a maximum level graduation while each passage is located between the maximum level graduation and the cover assembled to the container in the closed configuration of the box;

- the cover comprises a valve which connects the external environment to the internal volume in the closed configuration of the box, the valve being configured to be manipulated by a user when the box is opened, so as to allow air from the external environment to pass through towards the internal volume of the box, when the box is in the closed configuration; - A sealing member is interposed between the periphery of the cover and the edge of the container, this sealing member preferably being made of silicone, preferably made by pressure molding;

- the sealing member has a thickness and a width, the thickness being measured orthogonally around the periphery of the cover and the width being measured parallel to the periphery, while the ratio of the width to the thickness is greater than 5, preferably greater than 8, more preferably greater than 12;

- the container and / or the cover are made of a material suitable for contact with food and resistant to thermal shocks, such as borosilicate glass, or of metal,

- the cover comprises an inner wall and an outer wall opposite the inner wall, while the inner wall faces the inner volume of the container in the closed configuration of the box, the inner and outer walls of the cover are interconnected by the peripheral periphery and define between them a second cavity, that the second cavity is closed or in communication with the internal volume and that a partial vacuum is created in the second cavity, and

- Each passage of the container opens into the internal volume through the cover, in particular through a conduit or the second cavity.

According to another aspect, the invention relates to a system for evacuating a quantity of organic material, in particular food, comprising a box as described above and a base for receiving the box. The base includes a vacuum pump connected to a conduit, the conduit being intended to be connected to the opening of the container when the box is received by the base.

Advantageously, the base comprises a centering relief for the conduit of the base relative to one of the openings of the container of the box.

The invention will be better understood and other advantages thereof will emerge more clearly in the light of the following description of five embodiments of a vacuum storage box and of a vacuum system. in accordance with its principle, given only by way of example and made with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

- [Fig 1] Figure 1 is a section through a vacuum system according to a first embodiment of the invention, comprising a vacuum storage box according to a first embodiment of the invention;

- [Fig 2] Figure 2 is a view on a larger scale of detail II in Figure 1,

- [Fig 3] Figure 3 is a view on a larger scale of detail III in Figure 1, - [Fig 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a vacuum storage box according to a second embodiment of the invention;

- [Fig 5] Figure 5 is a perspective and sectional view of a vacuum storage box according to a third embodiment of the invention;

- [Fig 6] Figure 6 is a perspective and sectional view of a vacuum storage box according to a fourth embodiment of the invention, and

- [Fig 7] Figure 7 is a perspective and sectional view of a vacuum storage box according to a fifth embodiment of the invention.

A vacuum system 2 is shown in FIG. 1. The system 2 comprises a base 20 and a box 40, the box 40 itself comprising a container 60 and a cover 80. The box 40 is intended to receive a quantity. of organic matter, in particular a food 42, which can be liquid and / or solid. To this end, the container 60 and the cover 80 are made of a material suitable for contact with food, non-porous to prevent the diffusion of gases through the materials, and sufficiently rigid not to be deformed when a partial vacuum is created in the material. box 40, as explained later in the present description. Thus the receptacle 60 and the cover 80 are for example made of metal, for example of steel, in particular stainless steel, or of a vitreous material, for example a simple glass, such as a soda-lime glass, or a glass resistant to shocks. thermal, such as a borosilicate glass, or else in plastic or elastomer.

Food 42 is not part of the invention but helps to illustrate the principle. In the illustrated example, food 42 includes both a solid portion and a liquid portion.

In Figure 1, the base 20 is shown placed on a surface S assumed to be horizontal, which corresponds to normal use of the system 2. The base 20 comprises an upper surface 22, which is horizontal in the figures and on which is put the container 60.

The base 20 comprises a centering relief 24, which is provided on the upper surface 22 and which cooperates with a complementary relief 63 of the container 60, so as to ensure the correct positioning of the container 60 relative to the base 20 when a bottom 65 of the container 60 is placed on the upper surface 22 of the base 20.

In the example illustrated, the centering relief 24 is provided projecting on the surface 22 and has a frustoconical shape centered on an axis A24, which is here vertical, while the complementary relief 63 of the container 60 is recessed on the bottom 65 of this container.

The base 20 further comprises a pump 26 and a conduit 28.

The conduit 28 comprises a first end 282, which is connected to the pump 26, and a second end 284, opposite the first end, which opens out from the upper surface 22. It is understood that the pump 26 is configured to suck an amount of air through the conduit 28 and to reject this amount of air to the outside environment.

In the example illustrated, the duct 28 opens out from the surface 22 at the center of the relief 24, that is to say that the second end 284 is aligned with the axis A24.

The container 60 includes a body 62 with an inner wall 64 and an outer wall 66. The inner 64 and outer 66 walls are interconnected at an edge 68, which has a closed contour. In the example, the container 60 generally has a shape of revolution about an axis A60 which coincides with the axis A24 when the container 60 is placed on the base 20, the edge 68 having a frustoconical shape centered on the 'axis A60 and flared upwards. The axis A60 is therefore vertical when the bottom 65 of the box 60 is placed on a horizontal surface.

In the example, the bottom 65 is part of the outer wall 66, which also includes a peripheral partition 67.

The internal wall 64 comprises a bottom 642 and a side wall 644, which delimit an internal volume V64 of the container 60, while the internal 64 and external 66 walls define between them a first cavity V66, which is closed, that is to say - say isolated from the outside by the walls 64 and 66 and by the edge 68.

In the configuration of Figures 1 to 3, the container 60 is placed on the upper surface 22 of the base, which is horizontal, and the internal volume V64 is open upwards.

The first cavity V66 opens out to the outside environment through an opening 70 equipped with a non-return valve 72, shown schematically on a larger scale in FIG. 3. In the example illustrated, the opening 70 is aligned with the axis. A60, so that, when the container 60 is placed on the base 20, the opening 70 is aligned with the second end 284 of the duct 28 opening out from the upper surface 22.

The non-return valve 72 incorporates a closure member 722, which here has the shape of a ball and which is loaded by an elastic member 724, represented here by a spring. The non-return valve 72 of each opening 70 allows the circulation of gas from the V66 cavity to the outside and prohibits the flow of gas from the outside to the V66 cavity.

The second end 284 of the conduit 28 is equipped with a nozzle, not shown, which fluidly connects the conduit 28 to the opening 70.

The cavity V66 opens out to the internal volume V64 through a passage 74. In the example illustrated, the passage 74 is formed through the edge 68, near a junction stop 682 between the edge 68 and the internal wall 64. Thus the passage of air through the passage 74 is not prevented when the cover 80 is assembled to the container 60 in a closed configuration of the box 40, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Advantageously, a valve 76 is provided in the passage 74 which opens directly into the internal volume V64. The valve 76 allows gas to flow from the internal volume V64 to the cavity V66 but is configured to prevent organic material 42 contained in the container 60 from entering the interior of the cavity V66. Particularly when the organics 42 include a liquid portion, the valve 76 prevents the flow of liquid from the internal volume V64 to the cavity V66.

Optionally, the valve 76 is also of the “non-return” type, with a structure similar to the valve 72. A valve 76 of the non-return type is shown schematically and on a larger scale in FIG. 2, the valve 76 comprising a valve member. 'shutter 762, represented by a ball, loaded by an elastic member 764, represented here by a spring. In this case, the non-return valve is passing from the internal volume V64 towards the cavity V66 and blocking in the opposite direction.

Other types of valves 76 are also conceivable.

The container 60 comprises a graduation 78 of maximum level, which is represented by a phantom line in FIG. 1. The graduation 78 indicates to a user a level not to be exceeded when a user fills the container 60 with an amount of organic material. The graduation 78 is therefore a horizontal line when the container 60 is placed on a horizontal surface. The graduation 78 is preferably indicated on the internal wall 64 of the container 60. Depending on the case, the graduation 78 is printed on the surface of the internal wall 64, or else produced in relief during the manufacture of the container 60. In particular, when the container 60 is made of a vitreous material such as borosilicate glass, the graduation 78 can be integrated into a mold for manufacturing the container 60. In the example illustrated, a distance d78 between the bottom 642 of the internal wall 64 and the graduation 78, measured parallel to the axis A60, is equal to 75% of a height h64 between the bottom 642 of the internal wall 64 and the junction stop 682 of the edge 68 with the internal wall 64. The value of the ratio d78 / h64 can vary, depending on the height of the container 60, between 0.5 and 0.95.

Each passage 74 is located, in height, between the graduation 78 and the cover 80 assembled to the container 60 in the closed configuration of the box 40, so as to avoid the flow of liquid from the internal volume V64 towards the first cavity V66.

The cover 80 comprises a body 82 with a rim 84. The rim 84 has a closed contour. The cover 80 is configured to come to bear tight against the edge 68 of the container 60. In this example, the periphery 84 is frustoconical, with an angle at the apex identical to that of the edge 68. Thus, in the closed configuration of the box shown in Figures 1 and 2, the junction between the cover 80 and the container 60 is considered to be sealed, that is to say that no liquid or gas can pass between the edge 68 and the periphery 84. In the figures 1 and 2, the box 40 is shown in section, the edge 68 and the contour 84 facing each other being represented by straight segments that are parallel to each other.

Advantageously, a sealing member 86 is interposed between the periphery 84 of the cover 80 and the edge 68 of the container 60. The sealing member 86 is here housed in a groove 840 formed in the periphery 84 of the cover 80. As a variant. the sealing member 86 can be housed on the edge 68 of the container 60, in particular in a groove formed in this edge 68.

The seal 86 is advantageously removable, so as to facilitate cleaning of the cover 80 and the seal 86 and to be able to replace the seal 86 when damaged.

The sealing member 86 is here a seal which is of O-ring shape with a rectangular section, with two opposite sides 862 arranged parallel to the periphery 84 of the cover 80 and two other opposite sides 864 arranged orthogonally to the periphery 84.

A width L86 of the sealing member 86 is defined as being a distance between the two opposite sides 864, measured parallel to the periphery 84. Similarly, a thickness E86 of the sealing member 86 is defined as being a distance between the two opposite sides 864 of the sealing member 86 measured orthogonally to the periphery 84 of the cover 80. The box 40 being intended for the vacuum storage of organic materials such as food, the sealing member 86 is preferably made of a material suitable for contact with food and resistant to the passage of gases. Thus, the sealing member 86 is preferably made of silicone, preferably made by pressure molding, so as to reduce the porosity of the material. When the vacuum is created in the internal volume V64, the sealing member 86 is compressed between the periphery 84 and the edge 68, the gas infiltration tending to take place through the sealing member 86 in the widthwise, that is, between the opposite sides 864 separated by the width L86. So that the gas infiltration through the sealing member 86 is as small as possible, the sealing member 86 has a ratio L86 / E86 of its width L86 divided by its thickness E86 as large as possible. Thus, the ratio of the width L86 divided by the thickness E86 is greater than 5, preferably greater than 8, preferably greater than 12. For practical reasons of manufacturing the gasket 86, the ratio L86 / E86 is kept less than or equal to 50, preferably 25.

Advantageously, the cover 80 comprises an inner wall 88 and an outer wall 90, opposite the inner wall 88. In other words, the cover 80 is double-skinned. In the closed configuration of the box, the inner wall 88 is turned towards the internal volume V64 of the container 60. The inner 88 and outer 90 walls are interconnected by the periphery 84 and between them define a cavity V80. The V80 cavity is closed, and a partial vacuum is created in the V80 cavity so that the cover 80 is thermally insulating.

Schematically, according to the kinetic theory of gases, the temperature of a gas and the thermal conductivity of a gas depend on the impacts between the molecules of this gas. As the pressure of this gas decreases and a partial vacuum is created, the probability of shock between gas molecules decreases, as does thermal conductivity. More generally, when a partial vacuum is produced in a closed volume, such as the V80 cavity, this volume becomes thermally insulating. The partial vacuum produced in the cavity V80 is produced in the factory during the manufacture of the cover 80, unlike the partial vacuum produced by a user in the cavity V66 or in the internal volume V64, as explained below.

The cover 80 further comprises a valve 92 which connects the external environment to the internal volume V64 in the closed configuration of the box 40. The valve 92 is configured to be manipulated by a user upon opening the box 40; from the outside of the closed box, so as to allow air from the outside environment to pass to the internal volume V64 of the box 40 when the box 40 is in the closed configuration, that is to say to re-pressurize the internal volume V64. Without user intervention, the valve 92 does not allow air to pass.

The operation of the vacuum system 2 is now described.

First of all, a user places the container 60 on the upper surface 22 of the base 20, so that the relief 24 corresponds with a complementary relief provided in the outer wall 66 of the container 60. The conduit 28 of the base is thus aligned with the opening 70 of the container 60. In other words, the relief 24 is a centering relief of the conduit 28 of the base relative to one of the openings 70 of the container 60.

The user then places a quantity of organic material 42 which he wishes to keep in the internal volume V64 of the container 60, taking care not to exceed the graduation 78, then closes the container 60 using the cover 80. Well of course, the user can also fill the container 60 and assemble the cover 80 to the container 60 before placing the container 60 on the base 20. The vacuum system 2 is then found in the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the periphery 84 of the cover 80 being in sealed abutment between the edge 68 of the container 60, the sealing member 86 being interposed between the periphery 84 and the edge 68.

The user then actuates the pump 26 of the base 20, for example by means of an on-off button, not shown. Alternatively, the base 20 comprises a sensor 30 configured to detect the presence of the container 60 on the base and / or automatically control the triggering of the pump 26, as envisaged in WO-2018/189351 -A1.

The pump 26 thus withdraws the gas contained in the cavity V66 through the conduit 28 fluidly connected to this cavity, through the non-return valve 72 which passes in this direction. The gas contained within the internal volume V64 is drawn into the cavity V66, through the passage 74 and through the non-return valve 76 which passes in this direction, due to the partial vacuum created in this cavity. Air from internal volume V64 is exhausted to the outside through check valve 72, duct 28 and pump 26.

Thus, under the action of the pump 26, a partial vacuum is created both in the cavity V66 and in the internal volume V64. When the partial vacuum level reaches an adequate level, chosen by the user or by a control device 32 of the system 2, the pump 26 stops and the user can remove the box 40 from the base 20. Thanks to the non-return valve 72, the outside air cannot circulate from the outside to the cavity V66. The partial vacuum is maintained in the cavity V66 and in the internal volume V64 and the partial vacuum prevailing inside the internal volume V64 keeps the cover 80 in place on the receptacle 60, compressing the seal 86 which is insulated. effectively the internal volume V64 from the external environment.

Thanks to the partial vacuum prevailing in the V66 cavity, the V66 cavity is thermally insulating, that is to say that the heat transfers between the internal volume V64 and the external environment are reduced. Thus, when a quantity of organic material initially refrigerated and placed in the box 40 and then placed under vacuum, this organic material is both preserved by the vacuum and maintained longer at low temperature thanks to the thermally insulating character of the container 60. The conservation of organic matter is thus prolonged.

Conversely, if an initially hot quantity of organic matter, for example a still hot cooked dish, is placed in the box 40, vacuuming the box 40 makes it possible, on the one hand, to keep the dish by reducing oxidation due to oxygen in the air and, on the other hand, to keep the dish hot longer. It is thus possible to eat the hot dish several hours after closing the box 40, without having to reheat it, which is particularly practical and energy efficient.

The box 40 of the first embodiment is intended for use in a domestic or professional kitchen, for packaging food. It is intended to be handled by hand, on a counter, to place it in a refrigerator, freezer, warmer or oven, and its interior volume V64 has a size between a few cubic centimeters and a few liters.

In the other embodiments shown in Figures 4 to 7, elements similar to those of the first embodiment bear the same references and operate in the same way. In the following, the differences between each of the embodiments are mainly described.

A vacuum storage box 240, in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, is shown in FIG. 4. The box 240 comprises a container 260 and a lid for closing the container 260, the lid not being shown. . One of the main differences between the container 260 of the second mode and the container 60 of the first mode is that, in the second mode, the container 260 is a large capacity container, intended to receive large amounts of organic material. The receptacle 260 here has a capacity of several tens, even several hundreds of liters or a few cubic meters, and is intended to receive liquid organic materials, for example oil, or solid organic materials, for example fruit. The container 260 is shown here placed on a pallet 261, configured to be moved by means of a handling tool, not shown, such as a pallet truck or a forklift. The pallet 261 comprises for this purpose passages 261 A for receiving handling forks not shown. In this embodiment, the pallet 261 is not part of the invention, but serves to clarify the context.

The container 260 here has a substantially parallelepipedal shape, symmetrical with respect to an axis of symmetry A260. The container 260 includes a body 262 with an internal wall 264 and an external wall 266. The internal wall defines an internal volume V264 of the container 260, the internal volume V264 being open upwards when the container 260 and the pallet 261 are placed on it. a horizontal surface S. The internal 264 and external 266 walls are interconnected at an edge 268 and between them define a cavity V266, which is closed.

The lid of the box 240 comprises a body with a periphery which cooperates with the edge 268 to come into sealing abutment against the edge 268 of the container 260 when the lid is assembled to the container 260.

As a variant, the container 260 and its cover together constitute a box in the form of a barrel or barrel with a circular section.

The cavity V266 opens out towards the outside environment through at least one opening 270. In FIG. 4, an opening 270 is made in a peripheral partition 267 of the external wall 266.

The or each opening 270 includes a non-return valve 272, which allows gas to flow from cavity V266 to the exterior and prohibits gas from flowing from the exterior to cavity V266.

The cavity V266 opens directly into the internal volume V264 via at least one passage 274, which is here located on the edge 268, near the edge between the edge 268 and the internal wall 264. Each passage 274 opens into the internal volume V264 when the lid is assembled to the container 260 and is located between a graduation 278 of maximum level and the lid assembled to the container 260.

Advantageously, each passage 274 comprises a second valve 276, each second valve is configured to prevent the flow of liquid from the internal volume V264 to the first cavity V266, while allowing gas to flow from the internal volume to the first cavity.

More generally, it is understood that despite the difference in size and scale between the container 260 of the second embodiment and the container 60 of the first embodiment, the containers 60 and 260 generally operate in the same way, that is to say. that is to say that they each comprise a cavity V66 or V266 in which it is possible to achieve a partial vacuum and which is connected by at least one passage 74 or 274 to the internal volume V64 or V264 of the box which can thus be placed in depression with this cavity. Of course, the other elements of the vacuum system 2 are adapted accordingly, for example the dimensioning of the pump, the choice of materials of the container 260 and of the associated cover. The container 260 and the associated cover are for example made of stainless steel, suitable for contact with food.

A vacuum storage box 340, according to a third embodiment of the invention, is shown in Figure 5.

The box 340 has a shape and a size similar to those of the box 40 of the first embodiment, with a container 60 and a lid 80 for closing the container 60.

One of the main differences between the box 340 of the third embodiment and the box 40 of the first embodiment is that, in the third embodiment, the cavity V66, defined between the internal 64 and external 66 walls of the container 60 opens towards the internal volume V64 through the cover 80, by a passage 74 formed through an upper edge 68 of the container 60 and which is fluidly connected to a duct 328 formed in the cover 80.

More precisely, the duct 328 comprises a first end 328A, which is arranged opposite to, and fluidly connected to, passage 74 of the container 60, and a second end 328B, opposite the first end 328A, which opens towards the internal volume V64 through an orifice 96. When a sealing member, optional and similar to the sealing member 86 of the first embodiment but not shown in FIG. 5, is interposed between the periphery 84 of the cover 80 and the edge 68 of the container 60. This sealing member 86 is designed so as not to obstruct the flow of gas between the passage 74 and the duct 328.

The cover 80 of the third embodiment comprises a valve 376, which is disposed in the vicinity of the second end 328B of the duct 328, here in the orifice 96. In other words, the valve 376 is located, with respect to the passage 74, at the opposite of the V66 cavity. In the example of FIG. 5, the valve 376 comprises a rotary shutter member 377. The valve 376 is configured to prevent the flow of liquid from the internal volume V64 to the first cavity V66 through the conduit 328 and the passage 74, while allowing the flow of gas from the internal volume V64 to the first cavity V66.

When a vacuum pump, not shown, is fluidly connected to opening 70 and sucks a certain amount of gas, a partial vacuum is created in cavity V66 and, through conduit 328, in internal volume V64 , the valve 376 allowing the passage of gases from the internal volume V64 to the cavity V66, through the duct 328 and the passage 74. Thus a partial vacuum prevails both in the cavity V66, which is thermally insulating, and in the volume internal V64, which allows to conserve the organic matter which is placed there.

A vacuum storage box 440, according to a fourth embodiment of the invention, is shown in Figure 6.

The box 440 is similar in size to the box 240 of the second embodiment, with a container 260 and a lid 280 for closing the container 260. The lid 280 is here double-skinned and has a structure similar to that of the lid 80 of the container. first embodiment, that is to say with an inner wall 88 and an outer wall 90 which delimit between them a cavity V80, which is closed and in which a partial vacuum is produced, so that the cover 280 is insulating thermally.

Among the differences between the box 440 of the fourth mode and the previous modes, the box 440 comprises handling passages 461 A, similar to the passages 261 A of the pallet 261, but which are here provided directly in a bottom 265 of the container 260. Thus, the box 440 incorporates a form of pallet. The box 440 can thus be moved by means of a handling tool, not shown, such as a trolley equipped with forks, and placed on a base provided for this purpose for an automatic fluid connection of the opening 270 to a nozzle. a conduit connected to a vacuum pump of the base, the base not being shown.

The cover 280 here has the shape of a parallelepiped, the cover 280 being sealed against the edge 268 at a periphery 284, which is here a peripheral portion of the inner wall 88.

In the fourth embodiment, the cavity V266, formed between the internal 264 and external 266 walls of the container 260, opens out to the outside environment through an opening 270, which is formed in the bottom 265 of the container 260. The opening 270 comprises a non-return valve 272, which allows the flow of gas from the cavity V266 to the outside and prevents the flow of gas from the outside to the cavity V266.

On the other hand, the cavity V266 opens directly into the internal volume V264 through a passage 274, which is here provided in the internal wall 264 and which is located between a graduation 278 of maximum level and the cover 280 assembled to the container in the configuration closed box 440.

A vacuum storage box 540, according to a fifth embodiment of the invention, is shown in Figure 7.

The box 540 has a shape and a size similar to those of the box 440 of the fourth embodiment, with a container 260 and a cover 280 in which a cavity V80 is formed.

One of the main differences between the box 540 of the fifth mode and the box 440 of the fourth mode is that in the fifth mode, the cavity V266 of the container 260 does not open directly towards the internal volume V264, but is fluidly connected to the cavity V80 of the cover, the cavity V80 opening towards the internal volume through a main orifice 96 formed in the internal wall 88 of the cover 280. Thus, in this embodiment, the cavity V80 of the cover 80 extends the cavity V66, in a similar manner to the duct 328 of the third embodiment.

More specifically, two passages 274 are formed through the edge 268 which connects the inner 264 and outer 266 walls to one another.

In FIG. 7, the box 540 is in a closed configuration, in which the cover 280 bears tightly on the container 260. Opposite each of the passages 274, a peripheral orifice 94 is formed in the periphery 284 of the cover 280, so as to allow the gases to pass between the cavity V80 of the cover 280 and the cavity V266 of the container 260.

The main orifice 96 is here made in the inner wall 88 in the middle of the two peripheral orifices 94. Thus, by extension, the cavity V266 opens out to the internal volume V264 through each passage 274 and through the peripheral orifices 94, the cavity V80 and the main port 96.

A valve 376 is housed in the main port 96. The valve 376 is configured to prevent the flow of liquid from the internal volume V264 to the cavity V80 of the cover 280. The cavity V80 being fluidly connected to the cavity V266 of the container, the Valve 376 also prevents the flow of liquid from internal volume V264 to cavity V266 of vessel 260. In other words, the valve 376 is located, with respect to the passage 274, opposite the cavity V266 and prevents the flow of liquid from the internal volume V264 to the cavity V266 while allowing the flow of gas from the internal volume V264. to the cavity V266 of the container 260, through the main port 96, the cavity V80, the peripheral ports 94 and the passages 274.

When a vacuum pump, not shown, is fluidly connected to opening 270 and sucks a certain amount of gas, a partial vacuum is created in cavity V66 and, through passages 274 fluidly connected to peripheral ports 94 opposite, a partial vacuum is also created in the cavity V80 of the cover 280. The cavity V80 being further opened by the main orifice 96 towards the internal volume V264, a partial vacuum is created in the internal volume V264.

Thus, by means of a single vacuum pump, it is possible to achieve a partial vacuum both in the cavity V266 of the container 260 and in the cavity V80 of the cover 280, which are then thermally insulating, and both in the internal volume V264, which makes it possible to conserve the organic matter which is placed there.

According to a variant not shown of the first to fourth embodiments of the invention, several passages of the type of passage 74 or 274 can be provided to connect the cavity V66 or V266 to the interior volume V64 or V264, each passage possibly being equipped with a non-return valve of the type of valve 76 or 276. This makes it possible to create more quickly a vacuum in the interior volume V64 or V264 from the vacuum created in the cavity V66 or V266. These different passages can be distributed on the edge 68 or 268, around the axis A60 or V260, or formed in the upper part of the internal wall 64 or 264. According to another variant, several orifices of the orifice 96 type can be provided. in the third and fifth embodiments.

Alternatively, a valve blocking liquids and solids, but passing gas in both directions, is fitted in each passage 74 or 274 or in orifice 96.

According to another variant, in particular if it can be guaranteed that no product risks falling on the passage or passages 74 or 274, the latter or these are not equipped with a non-return valve.

According to another variant not shown of the invention, several openings of the type of opening 70 or 270 may be provided to connect the cavity V66 or V266 to the outside, each being equipped with a non-return valve of the type of valve 72 or 272. This makes it possible to create a vacuum more quickly in the cavity V66 or V266, in particular by using several pumps 26 and several conduits 28. The opening (s) 70 or 270 and the like may be provided on the bottom 65 or on the peripheral partition 67 or 267 of the container 60 or 260.

Alternatively, a seal, of the type of seal 86 of the first embodiment, may be provided in each of the other embodiments. In this case, its geometry is adapted so as not to impede the flow of gas through the passage (s) 74 or 274.

Alternatively, the cover 80 or 280 of the first and fourth embodiments or the not shown cover of the second embodiment may be single skin. The embodiment and the variants mentioned above can be combined with each other to generate new embodiments of the invention. In particular, the lids of the boxes of the second to fifth embodiments can each be equipped with a valve of the type of the valve 92 of the first embodiment, making it possible to re-pressurize the internal volume V64 and the cavity V66 when appropriate. to open the box. As a variant, this valve can be mounted on the container 60 or the like, in particular on its outer wall 66 instead of on the cover.

Claims

1. Box (40; 240; 340; 440; 540) for vacuum storage, comprising a container (60; 260) and a lid (80; 280) for closing the container, in which:

- the container comprises a body (62; 262) with an internal wall (64; 264) and an external wall (66; 266), the internal wall defining an internal volume (V64; V264) of the container, the internal volume being open upwards when the container is placed on a horizontal surface (S), the inner (64; 264) and outer (66; 266) walls being interconnected at an edge (68; 268) and defining between them a first cavity (V66; V266), the edge having a closed contour,

- the cover (80; 280) comprises a body (82) with a periphery (84; 284) having a closed contour and intended to come into tight abutment against the edge (68; 268) of the container (60; 260) when the lid is assembled to the container in a closed configuration of the box, characterized

- in that the first cavity (V66; V266) opens towards the outside environment through at least one opening (70; 270), each opening comprising a first non-return valve (72; 272), which allows the circulation of gas from the first cavity to the outside and prohibits the flow of gas from the outside to the first cavity, and

- in that the first cavity opens out to the internal volume through at least one passage (74; 274).

2. Box (40; 240; 340; 440; 540) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that a second valve (76; 276; 376) is arranged in each passage (74; 274) or opposite the first cavity (V66; V266) with respect to this passage, in that each second valve is configured to prevent the flow of liquid from the internal volume (V64; V264) to the first cavity (V66; V266) through the passage or a volume (328, V80) connected to this passage, while allowing the flow of gas from the internal volume to the first cavity.

3. Box (40; 240; 440) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container (60; 260) comprises a graduation (78; 278) of maximum level and in that each passage (74; 274) is located between the maximum level graduation and the cover (80; 280) assembled to the container in the closed configuration of the box.

4. Box (40; 240; 340; 440; 540) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover (80) comprises a valve (92) which connects the external medium to the internal volume (V64; V264 ) in the closed configuration of the box, the valve being configured to be manipulated by a user when the box is opened, so as to allow air from the external environment to pass to the internal volume of the box, when the box is in closed configuration.

5. Box (40; 240; 340; 440; 540) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a sealing member (86) is interposed between the periphery (84; 284) of the cover (80 ; 280) and the edge (68; 268) of the container (60; 260), this sealing member preferably being made of silicone, preferably made by die-casting.

6. Box (40; 240; 340; 440; 540) according to claim 5, characterized in that the sealing member (86) has a thickness (E86) and a width (L86), the thickness being measured. orthogonally to the periphery (84; 284) of the cover (80; 280) and the width being measured parallel to the periphery, and in that the ratio (L86 / E86) of the width to the thickness is greater than 5, preferably greater to 8, more preferably greater than 12.

7. Box (40; 240; 340; 440; 540) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container (60; 260) and / or the cover (80; 280) are made of a clean material. food contact and resistant to thermal shock, such as borosilicate glass, or metal.

8. Box (40; 240; 440; 540) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover (80; 280) comprises an inner wall (88) and an outer wall (90) opposite the wall. inner, in that the inner wall faces the inner volume (V64; V264) of the container (60; 260) in the closed configuration of the box, in that the inner and outer walls of the cover (80, 280) are connected between them by the peripheral periphery (84; 284) and define between them a second cavity (V80), in that the second cavity is closed or in communication with the internal volume (V64; V264) and in that a partial vacuum is carried out in the second cavity.

9. Box (340; 540) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each passage (74; 274) of the container (60; 260) opens towards the internal volume (V64; V264) through the cover (80; 280) , in particular through a conduit (328) or the second cavity (V80).

10. Box (40; 240; 440) according to one of claims 1 to 8 characterized in that each passage (74; 274) opens directly into the internal volume (V64).

11. A system (2) for evacuating a quantity of organic material (42), in particular a food, comprising a box (40; 240; 340; 440; 540) according to any one of the preceding claims and a base. (20) receiving the box, the base comprising a vacuum pump (26) connected to a conduit (28), the conduit being intended to be connected to the opening (70; 270) of the container (60; 260) when the box is received by the base.

12. Vacuum system (2) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the base (20) comprises a relief (24) for centering the conduit (28) of the base relative to one of the openings. (70; 270) from the container (60; 260) from the box (40; 240; 340; 440; 540).