GB2442530A - Food storage container with pressurised compartment - Google Patents

Food storage container with pressurised compartment Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2442530A
GB2442530A GB0619563A GB0619563A GB2442530A GB 2442530 A GB2442530 A GB 2442530A GB 0619563 A GB0619563 A GB 0619563A GB 0619563 A GB0619563 A GB 0619563A GB 2442530 A GB2442530 A GB 2442530A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
compartment
storage container
membrane
receptacle
container
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB0619563A
Other versions
GB0619563D0 (en
Inventor
Colin Wallace Hardy
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to GB0619563A priority Critical patent/GB2442530A/en
Publication of GB0619563D0 publication Critical patent/GB0619563D0/en
Priority to PCT/GB2007/050610 priority patent/WO2008041034A1/en
Publication of GB2442530A publication Critical patent/GB2442530A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
    • A47J47/00—Kitchen containers, stands or the like, not provided for in other groups of this subclass; Cutting-boards, e.g. for bread
    • A47J47/02—Closed containers for foodstuffs
    • A47J47/08—Closed containers for foodstuffs for non-granulated foodstuffs
    • A47J47/10—Closed containers for foodstuffs for non-granulated foodstuffs with arrangements for keeping fresh
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D11/00—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of plastics material
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D51/00—Closures not otherwise provided for
    • B65D51/16—Closures not otherwise provided for with means for venting air or gas
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
    • B65D81/18—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient
    • B65D81/20—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure, or in a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
    • B65D81/24—Adaptations for preventing deterioration or decay of contents; Applications to the container or packaging material of food preservatives, fungicides, pesticides or animal repellants
    • B65D81/245—Internal membrane, floating cover or the like isolating the contents from the ambient atmosphere

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Food Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)

Abstract

A storage container for food products comprises a receptacle 10 having a bottom wall 11 and upstanding side walls 12, 13, 14, 15. A removable partition member 19, having an open rectangular frame 20 and a flexible membrane 21, sealingly divides the interior of the receptacle 10 into an upper compartment 24 and a lower compartment 25. A lockable closure 16 is provided for sealingly engaging the rim of the receptacle 10, the closure 16 being provided with a pump 22 for pressurising the upper compartment 24. In use, products to be stored are placed in the lower compartment 25 whereupon the pump 23 is actuated to increase the air pressure inside the upper compartment 24, thereby causing the membrane 21 to deform into the lower compartment 25 against the product placed therein. A one-way valve 23 in the bottom wall 11 allows air to escape from the lower compartment 25 as the volume thereof is decreased by the deformation of the membrane 21. The deformed membrane 21 serves to hold the product in place and the volume of air surrounding the product is minimised so that the deterioration thereof is hindered.

Description

Storage Container This invention relates to a storage container and
more particularly but not solely to a storage container for food products.
Storage containers for food products are well known. A typical such food storage container comprises a plastics receptacle having walls which define a storage compartment and a closure for sealingly attaching to the receptacle in an airtight manner.
Whilst such storage containers satisfactorily seal the food inside the container and prevent the ingress of air, the air trapped inside the container still causes food to deteriorate. Furthermore, because the food is enerally stored loosely inside the container, the food can become damaged if the container is moved.
I have now devised a storage container which alleviates the above-mentioned problems.
In accordance with this invention, there is provided a storage container comprising a first compartment, a second compartment separated from said first compartment by a flexible membrane, pump means for pressunsing said first compartment and a one-way valve arranged to allow the egress of air from said second compartment.
In use, food or other products to be stored are placed in said second compartment whereupon the pump means is actuated to increase the air pressure inside the first compartment, thereby causing the membrane to deform into the second compartment against the food or other product therein. The one way valve allows air to escape from the second compartment as the volume thereof is decreased by the deformation of the membrane.
The deformed membrane serves to hold the food or other product in place inside the second compartment, so that it cannot move and become damaged. Furthermore, the volume of air surrounding the food or other product is minimised and as such the deterioration thereof is hindered.
Preferably the container comprises a receptacle having a base and one or more upstanding side walls, the membrane extending over the base between the or each side wall, said second compartment being disposed between said membrane and said bottom wall, the container further comprising a top wall, said first compartment being disposed between said membrane and said top wall.
Preferably a wall of the container is displaceable to allow access to said second compartment, so that products can be inserted or removed from the second compartment.
Preferably the top wall of the container is displaceable, the membrane also being displaceable to allow access to said second compartment Preferably the top wall comprises a hingeable or a removable closure for fitting to the side wall(s).
Preferably one or more catches are provided for locking the closure onto said side wall(s), so as to prevent the closure from becoming dislodged under the increased pressure within the first compartment.
Preferably said pump means is provided on said closure and comprises a manual actuator.
Preferably said valve is provided in said bottom wall.
Preferably the membrane extends across an aperture formed in a frame member, the frame member being arranged as a close but sliding fit inside the side wall(s) of the receptacle.
Preferably the frame member comprises a seal for sealing against the side wall(s).
Preferably means are provided to facilitate removal of the membrane from the receptacle.
An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of an example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a food storage container in accordance with this invention, when disassembled; and Figure 2 is a perspective view of the food storage container of Figure 1 when in use.
Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, there is shown a food storage container comprising a one-piece receptacle 10 of moulded plastics material having a rectangular bottom waIl 11, upstanding opposite end waHs 12, 13, and upstanding opposite side walls 14, 15.
A closure 16 is provided for sealingly engaging the rim of the receptacle 10 in an airtight manner. Catches 17 are hingeably mounted to the end walls 12, 13 for engaging complementary formations 18 on the closure 16, when the latter is fitted to the receptacle 10.
The container further comprises a partition member 19 having an open rectangular frame 20 and a flexible membrane 21 of plastics material extending across the opening in the frame 20. The frame 20 is dimensioned to fit sealingly within the receptacle 10 between the opposite side and end waifs thereof. in this regard, a seal (not shown) may extend around the frame 20, the side and end walls of the receptacle 10 preferably lying as close as moulding will allow to an angle of 900 to the bottom wall 11.
A pump 22 is provided in the centre of the closure 16, the pump having an actuator which can be actuated by a person's finger or thumb to cause air to be pumped into the container. A one-way valve 23 is disposed in the centre of the bottom wall 11, the one-way valve being arranged to allow air to pass out of the container only.
Referring to Figure 2 of the drawings, in use, food products can be placed inside the receptacle 10 on the bottom wall 11 thereof. The barrier member 19 is then inserted into the receptacle 10 until the membrane 21 abuts the food. The closure 16 is then fitted to the receptacle 10 and the catches 17 are engaged with the formations 18. It will be appreciated that the barrier 19 divides the container into an upper compartment 24 and a lower compartment 25. Next, the pump 22 is actuated to pressurise the upper compartment 24, thereby causing the membrane 21 to deform into the lower compartment 25 against the food products therein. The one way valve 23 allows air to escape from the lower compartment 25 as the volume thereof is reduced by the deformation of the membrane 21.
The deformed membrane 21 serves to hold the food in place inside the container, so that it cannot move and become damaged. Furthermore, the volume of air surrounding the food is minimised and as such the deterioration thereof is hindered.
A food storage container in accordance with the present invention is simple and inexpensive in construction, yet allows food to be stored for longer periods in a manner where it will not become damaged during transit. /

Claims (12)

1. A storage container comprising a first compartment, a second compartment separated from said first compartment by a flexible membrane, pump means for pressurising said first compartment and a one-way valve arranged to allow the egress of air from said second compartment.
2. A storage container as claimed in claim 1, comprising a receptacle having a bottom wall and one or more upstanding side walls, the membrane extending over the bottom wall between the or each side wall, said second compartment being disposed between said membrane and said bottom wall, the container further comprising a top wall, said first compartment being disposed between said membrane and said top wall.
3. A storage container as claimed in claim 2, in which a wall of the container is displaceable to allow access to said second compartment.
4. A storage container as claimed in claim 3, in which the top wall of the container is displaceable, the membrane also being displaceable to allow access to said second compartment.
5. A storage container as claimed in claim 4, in which the top wall comprises a hingeable or removable closure for fitting to the side wall(s).
6. A storage container as claimed in claim 5, in which one or more catches are provided for locking the closure onto said side wall(s), so as to prevent the closure from becoming dislodged under the increased pressure within the first compartment * .
7. A storage container as claimed in claims 4 or 5, in which said pump means is provided on said closure and comprises a manual actuator. * *. S. S
8. A storage container as claimed in any of claims 2 to 7, in which said valve is provided in said bottom wall. : 35 S* * * * S S *S
I
9. A storage container as claimed in any of claims 2 to 8, in which the membrane extends across an aperture formed in a frame member, the frame member being arranged as a close but sliding fit inside the side wall(s) of the receptacle.
10. A storage container as claimed in claim 9, in which the frame member comprises a seal for sealing against the side wall(s).
11. A storage container as claimed in any preceding claim, in which means are provided to facilitate removal of the membrane from the receptacle.
12. A storage container substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. S. *. * .** *.. * S S... S... * S S S. S
S 5.
S
5555.. * 5 *S S * S S * S.
GB0619563A 2006-10-04 2006-10-04 Food storage container with pressurised compartment Withdrawn GB2442530A (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0619563A GB2442530A (en) 2006-10-04 2006-10-04 Food storage container with pressurised compartment
PCT/GB2007/050610 WO2008041034A1 (en) 2006-10-04 2007-10-03 Storage container

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0619563A GB2442530A (en) 2006-10-04 2006-10-04 Food storage container with pressurised compartment

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0619563D0 GB0619563D0 (en) 2006-11-15
GB2442530A true GB2442530A (en) 2008-04-09

Family

ID=37453928

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB0619563A Withdrawn GB2442530A (en) 2006-10-04 2006-10-04 Food storage container with pressurised compartment

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2442530A (en)
WO (1) WO2008041034A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102009015378A1 (en) * 2009-03-27 2010-10-07 Horst Seitz Vacuum container system for storing minced meat, has sealing ring and upper part hermetically pressed against lower part within vacuum container, where air passed through valve is sucked from interior of meat container by vacuum generator

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4034896A (en) * 1975-12-18 1977-07-12 Wilson Walon K Diaphragm controlled garden and orchard sprayer
US20030019539A1 (en) * 2001-07-12 2003-01-30 Hornwood Rick L. Container with expandable bladder seal

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE831797C (en) * 1950-05-06 1952-02-18 Wilhelm Otto Fennel Fa Method and device for the preservation of canned food
US3581881A (en) * 1969-03-17 1971-06-01 James C Hobbs Inflated container for balls
DE19510926A1 (en) * 1995-03-24 1996-09-26 Bem Innovative Forschung Ag Fo Vacuum supply container for perishable goods

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4034896A (en) * 1975-12-18 1977-07-12 Wilson Walon K Diaphragm controlled garden and orchard sprayer
US20030019539A1 (en) * 2001-07-12 2003-01-30 Hornwood Rick L. Container with expandable bladder seal

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2008041034A1 (en) 2008-04-10
GB0619563D0 (en) 2006-11-15

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)