GB2484666A - Fluid tight closure with tapered base for food storage vessel - Google Patents

Fluid tight closure with tapered base for food storage vessel Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2484666A
GB2484666A GB1017533.9A GB201017533A GB2484666A GB 2484666 A GB2484666 A GB 2484666A GB 201017533 A GB201017533 A GB 201017533A GB 2484666 A GB2484666 A GB 2484666A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
closure member
vessel
closure
bung
seal
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Withdrawn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
GB1017533.9A
Other versions
GB201017533D0 (en
Inventor
Gary Thandi
Manoli Traxler
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 GB1017533.9A priority Critical patent/GB2484666A/en
Publication of GB201017533D0 publication Critical patent/GB201017533D0/en
Publication of GB2484666A publication Critical patent/GB2484666A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • 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
    • 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
    • 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
    • B65D39/00—Closures arranged within necks or pouring openings or in discharge apertures, e.g. stoppers
    • B65D39/02—Disc closures
    • B65D39/025—Disc closures the closure being maintained in place by an additional element
    • 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
    • B65D51/1633—Closures not otherwise provided for with means for venting air or gas whereby venting occurs by automatic opening of the closure, container or other element
    • B65D51/1661—Closures not otherwise provided for with means for venting air or gas whereby venting occurs by automatic opening of the closure, container or other element by means of a passage for the escape of gas between the closure and the lip of the container mouth
    • 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
    • B65D51/1672—Closures not otherwise provided for with means for venting air or gas whereby venting occurs by manual actuation of the closure or other element
    • B65D51/1683—Closures not otherwise provided for with means for venting air or gas whereby venting occurs by manual actuation of the closure or other element by actuating a separate element in the container or closure

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

Abstract

A storage container comprises a vessel 130, for storing a perishable substance e.g. food. The vessel 130 has an inner surface with a uniform cross-section, and a moveable closure member 110 having a closure surface 114. A seal 124 is arranged to provide a fluid-tight seal between a periphery 122 of the closure member 110 and the inner surface of the vessel 130, whereby a closed chamber is subtended by the inner surface of the vessel 130 and the closure surface 114 of the closure member 110. The closure surface 114 of the closure member 110 has a tapered shape to promote evacuation of air trapped beneath the closure surface 114. The trapped air may be evacuated via an air gap 150 around the periphery 122 of the closure member 110 or via an air channel 150 formed in the closure member 110. The tapered shape may be conical or frusto-conical. Preferably the seal 124 is a deformable o-ring, and the closure member comprises first 126 and second clamping members, the first clamping member 126 being moveable so as to compress the o-ring 124 against the vessel 130 and seal against it. The first member 126 may take the form of a washer which is moved by a screw threaded handle 118. A stopper (fig 2, ref 230) with a bung portion (fig 2, ref 240) may be provided to close the air channel (fig 2, 216). The stopper may have a handle portion (fig 2, ref 236) to permit movement of the bung (fig 2, ref 240) relative to the closure.

Description

Improveme in Storage Containers
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to storage containers, in particular airless containers for storing perishable goods such as foodstuffs.
Background of the Invention
Many storage containers for storing food comprise a container with an air-tight lid to prevent ingress of air which could oxidise the food and cause it to go bad. However, in such arrangements there is inevitably air trapped inside the container by the air-tight lid. This trapped air causes some oxidisation of the food, and the food therefore loses some of its freshness and, ultimately, its shelf life.
Prior Art
GB Patent Application No. GB-A-2 372 732 provides a lid element which is slidingly and sealingly received within a chamber, and movable to vary the size of the chamber to minimize any air gap above the contents. The lid element incorporates a sealable air vent, and a ring seal is provided.
Summary of the Invention
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a storage container comprising: a vessel for storing a perishable substance, the vessel having an inner surface with a uniform cross-section; a closure member movable within the vessel, the closure member having a closure surface; and a seal arranged to provide a fluid-tight seal between a periphery of the closure member and the inner surface of the vessel, whereby a closed chamber is subtended by the inner surface of the vessel and the closure surface of the closure member, wherein the closure surface of the closure member has a tapered shape.
In this way, air trapped between the closure surface and the surface of a stored substance can be minimised or completely removed. The tapered shape facilitates the evacuation of trapped air and is preferably a conical or frusto-conical shape.
Preferably, the seal is deployable between a sealing configuration in which it provides the fluid-tight seal between the closure member and the inner surface of the vessel, and a non-sealing configuration in which there is an air gap between the closure member and the inner surface of the vessel. Thus, air can travel around the periphery of the closure member to permit movement thereof within the vessel.
The seal may comprise a deformable portion which is expandable to provide the sealing configuration. Preferably, the seal comprises a deformable 0-ring having an inner circumferential portion and an outer circumferential portion, and the closure member comprises first and second clamping members between which the inner circumferential portion of the 0-ring is seated, the first clamping member being movable relative to the second clamping member to compress the inner circumferential portion of the 0-ring and thereby cause expansion of the outer circumferential portion of the 0-ring. In other preferred embodiments the seal is preferably biased towards the sealing configuration, and is retractable to provide the non-sealing configuration.
Thus, a fluid-tight seal can be easily made and unmade.
The closure surface of the closure member is preferably shaped so that it tapers, in a direction defined by movement of the closure member towards a base of the vessel (i.e. away from an opening of the vessel), from a widest portion at its periphery to a narrowest portion at its centre. In this way, air trapped beneath the closure member can be channelled to its periphery where it may be evacuated via the gap between the seal and vessel in the non-sealing configuration.
The container may alternatively comprise a stopper having a bung portion and the closure member may comprise an air flow channel extending from the closure surface, whereby in a fluid-tight configuration the bung portion is located within the air flow channel to prevent fluid communication between the chamber and an external atmosphere1 and in an evacuation configuration the bung portion is not located within the air flow channel and fluid communication between the chamber and the atmosphere is permitted. Thus, in the fluid-tight configuration the closure member is securely located within the vessel, and in the evacuation configuration it is moveable within the vessel as air moves through the air flow channel. The air flow channel may have a uniform cross-section along its length (e.g. a cylindrical bored hole) or may be tapered.
In preferred embodiments: the stopper has a handle portion to permit movement of the bung portion relative to the closure member between the fluid-tight configuration and the evacuation configuration, and a shoulder portion arranged between the bung portion and handle portion; and the closure member has a retaining member capable of abutting the shoulder portion of the stopper in the evacuation configuration to thereby permit movement of the handle portion of the stopper to effect movement of the closure member. Thus, the handle portion can be used to control the position of both the bung portion and the closure member.
Preferably, the closure surface of the closure member is shaped so that it tapers, in a direction defined by movement of the closure member towards an opening of the vessel (i.e. away from a base of the vessel), from a widest portion at its periphery to a narrowest portion at the air flow channel. In this way, air trapped beneath the closure member can be channelled towards the air flow channel from where it can be evacuated in the evacuation configuration.
According to another aspect of the invention there is a storage container comprising: a vessel for storing a perishable substance, the vessel having an inner surface with a uniform cross-section; a closure member movable within the vessel, the closure member having a closure surface; and a seal arranged around a periphery of the closure member, the seal being deployable between a sealing configuration in which it provides a fluid-tight seal between the closure member and the inner surface of the vessel, whereby a fluid-tight chamber is subtended by the inner surface of the vessel and the closure surface of the closure member, and a non-sealing configuration in which there is an air gap between the periphery of the closure member and the inner surface of the vessel.
Thus, a uniform peripheral seal can be easily created and removed. The seal is removed to effect the non-sealing configuration when the closure member is moved within the vessel, and created to effect the fluid-tight configuration when the closure member is in the desired position within the vessel.
According to a further aspect of the present invention there is a storage container comprising: a vessel for storing a perishable substance, the vessel having an inner surface with a uniform cross-section; a closure member movable within the vessel, the closure member having a closure surface and an air flow channel extending from the closure surface; a seal arranged to provide a fluid-tight seal between the closure member and the inner surface of the vessel, whereby a chamber is subtended by the inner surface of the vessel and the closure surface of the closure member; and a stopper having a bung portion and a handle portion, the handle portion permitting a user to move the bung portion between a fluid-tight configuration in which the bung portion is located within the air flow channel to prevent fluid communication between the chamber and the atmosphere and an evacuation configuration in which the bung portion is not located within the air flow channel and fluid communication between the chamber and the atmosphere is permitted, wherein the stopper has a shoulder portion arranged between the bung portion and handle portion, and the closure member has a retaining member capable of abutting the shoulder portion of the stopper in the evacuation configuration to thereby permit movement of the handle portion of the stopper to effect movement of the closure member within the vessel.
With this arrangement the handle portion can be used to control the position of both the bung portion and the closure member, thus enabling simple one-handed use of the storage container.
Any of the optional features described above, in any combination, may be applied to any of the aspects of the invention. The invention also encompasses methods of operating the storage container.
The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-
Brief Description of the Drawings
Figures 1 (a) and (b) are transverse cross-sectional views of a storage container according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a transverse cross-sectional view of a storage container according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of a storage container according to the second embodiment.
Figures 4 (a), (b) and (c) are transverse cross-sectional views of a storage container according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of a storage container according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
Detailed Description of the illustrated embodiments In each of the illustrated embodiments, air is evacuated from a storage vessel, or jar, by sliding a lid, or closure member or bung, down to the level of the food stored therein.
In the embodiment illustrated in Figs 1(a) and (b) a generally disc-shaped bung 110 is located within a cylindrical jar 130. The bung 110 comprises a base portion 112, the lower surface 114 of which (i.e. the surface facing towards the cavity within which a substance 140 is to be stored) is generally conical in shape so that it slopes downwards from the periphery towards a point at the centre. Thus, when the lower surface 114, or closure surface, is pressed into contact with a substance 140 within the jar 130 this conical shape causes any trapped air to be channelled to the periphery.
Extending from the centre of the base portion 112 upwardly (i.e. away from the lower surface) is a bolt 116 carrying a male screw thread. The male screw thread of the bolt 116 engages with a female screw thread formed in a handle 118, so that rotation of the handle 118 causes it to move linearly along the axis of the bolt 116.
At the upper surface 120 of the base portion 112 the outer rim has a recess, or groove, 122 within which a deformable rubber 0-ring 124 is seated.
Located between the handle 118 and the base portion 112 is an annular washer 126, the bolt 116 passing through the opening at the centre of the washer 126. An outer rim 128 of the washer 126 is flared upwardly to approximately mirror the shape of the groove 122 in the base portion 112.
Thus, when the handle 118 is rotated so that it moves linearly towards the base portion 112, the washer 126 is urged towards the upper surface 120 of the base portion 112 and the c-ring 124 is clamped between the outer rim 128 of the washer 126 and the groove 122. The flared shape of the volume within which the c-ring 124 is contained causes the 0-ring 124 to bulge radially outwardly as its inner portion is compressed. In this way, the overall diameter of the bung 110 expands to provide a seal between the base portion 112 and the jar 130.
In use, the bung 110 is initially arranged so that there is a separation between the handle 118 and the base portion 112, and the o-ring 124 is not clamped by the washer 126. ln this configuration (non-sealing configuration) there is an air gap 150 between the periphery of the bung 110 and the inner surface of the jar 130, and the bung 110 can slide freely within the jar 130.
The bung 110 is then moved so that its lower surface 114 is in contact with the upper surface of the substance 140, and all air has been expelled via the air gap 150. As discussed above, the angled shape of the tower surface 114 assists here, since it causes air to be channelled to the air gap 150.
Once all air has been expelled from beneath the lower surface 114 of the bung 110, the handle 118 is turned so that it moves towards the base portion 112. The 0-ring 124 is clamped between the washer 126 and groove 122, and expands outwardly so that it closes the air gap 150 and provides a seal between the bung 110 and the jar 130. A vacuum seal is also created between the top of the substance 140 and the lower surface 114 of the bung 110, so further helping to seal the bung 110 to the inside of the jar 130.
To remove the bung 110, the handle 118 is unscrewed from the base portion 112 so that the washer 126 moves away from the 0-ring 124. The o-ring 124 therefore returns to its original shape and retracts so that it is no longer in contact with the inner surface of the jar 130. The bung 110 can be lifted away from the substance 140 by the handle 118, with air being drawn in via the air gap 150 to break the vacuum seal.
In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 a bung 210 is located within a cylindrically shaped jar 250. The bung 210 has a generally disc-shaped base portion 212 which has a lower surface 214 (i.e. surface which comes into contact with a substance (not shown) within the jar 240) that is generally cone-shaped so that it slopes upwardly (i.e. in the direction away from the substance) from the periphery towards the centre. In this way, any air trapped between the surface of the stored substance and the lower surface 214 of the bung 210 is channelled toward the centre of the bung 210.
At the centre of the bung 210 is an opening, or channel, 216 which passes through the thickness of the base portion 212, from the lower surface 214 to an upper surface 218. The channel 216 is generally frusto-conical in shape, i.e. tapered, so that it is narrower at the lower surface 214 than at the upper surface 218. The base portion 212 also comprises a recess 215 having a square section enabling it to interconnect with, or key with, a corresponding projection 248 of the stopper 230. At the outer periphery of the base portion 212 is a circumferential seal 220 which is in continual contact with the inner wall of the jar 250. The seal 220 is sized so that it forms an airtight seal while at the same time enabling the bung 210 to slide within the jar 250.
In the configuration shown in Figure 2 (a fluid-tight configuration), the channel 216 is blocked by a bung portion 232 of a stopper 230, the bung portion 232 having a shape corresponding to that of the channel 216. The stopper 230 has a shoulder 234 above the bung portion 232 which flares outwardly beyond the bung portion 232. The stopper 230 also comprises a generally spherical handle portion 236 spaced from the shoulder 234 by a cylindrical bar 238.
The shoulder 234 has a generally flat lower surface which carries an annular seal 242 that contacts the upper surface 218 of the base portion 212 in the fluid-tight configuration to further improve the effectiveness of the seal between the bung porlion 232 and channel 216. Extending beyond the seal 242 is a projection 248 which has a square profile corresponding to that of the recess 215 of the bung 210. The upper surface 240 of the shoulder has a rounded, mushroom-like, profile that generally corresponds to the profile of the lower surface 244 of a dome-shaped retaining member 246 which extends in an arcuate trajectory from the upper surface 218 of the base portion 212 to an opening which encircles the cylindrical bar 238 of the stopper 230. The opening is smaller than an outer diameter of the handle portion 236 so that the stopper 230 is retained by the base portion 212. In an evacuation configuration (shown in Figure 3) the upper surface 240 of the shoulder 234 is able to contact the lower surface 244 of the retaining member 246 so that the handle portion 236 can be used by a user to raise and lower the bung 210 within the jar 250.
In use, the bung 210 is moved downwards within the jar 250 until the lower surface 214 of the base portion 212 is in contact with the surface of the stored substance (not shown), and all trapped air has been channelled inwards to the channel 216 due to the angled shape of the base portion lower surface 214. During this movement the stopper 230 is rotated with respect to the bung 210 so that the projection 248 of the stopper 230 is misaligned with the recess 215 of the bung 210. In this way the projection 248 causes a gap to be maintained between the seal 242 and the upper surface 218 of the bung 210, thus preventing the bung portion 232 of the stopper 230 from plugging the channel 216. Alternatively, the handle portion 236 may be held so that the upper surface 240 of the shoulder 234 contacts, or nears, the lower surface 244 of the retaining member 246 (e.g. by the user locating one or more fingers between the underside of the handle portion 236 and the upper side of the retaining member 246), and the channel 216 is open and not blocked by the bung portion 232 of the stopper 230. By adopting one of these methods, any trapped air directed to the channel 216 via the angled lower surface 214 is evacuated via the channel 216.
Once all unwanted air has been evacuated, the handle portion 236 is lowered so that the bung portion 232 is lodged in the channel 216, the projection 248 is inserted in the recess 215, and the annular seal 242 is in sealing contact with the upper surface 218 of the base portion 212. Thus, the bung 210 is securely located within the jar 250.
To remove the bung 210, the handle 236 is raised relative to the base portion 212 and retaining member 246 so that the upper surface 240 of the shoulder 234 moves towards the lower surface 244 of the retaining member 246. The channel 216 is then unblocked by the bung portion 232, and the handle 236 can be further raised so that the upper surface 240 of the shoulder 234 bears against the lower surface 244 of the retaining member 246, and the whole bung 210 is raised.
The embodiment illustrated in Figs 4(a)-(c) is similar to that shown in Figures 2 and 3, and description of like features will not be repeated. A key difference in this embodiment is that a generally spherically shaped handle 320 is rigidly connected to the centre of a generally disc-shaped bung 310. The bung 310 is slidable within a cylindrical jar 360, with sealing therebetween provided by an annular seal 312 which is sized to provide sealing while simultaneously permitting sliding of the bung 310.
The bung 310 has a channel, or opening, 314 extending through its full thickness, from a lower surface 316 to an upper surface 318, the channel tapering from upper to lower surface. The channel 314 is offset from the centre of the bung 310, and the lower surface 316 of the bung 310 is generally a non-symmetrical, or offset, cone shape in which the surface is angled upwardly from its periphery to the position of the channel 314. In this way, air pockets trapped between the surface of the stored substance 370 and the lower surface 316 are funnelled towards the channel 314, where they can be evacuated.
As shown in Figure 4(b), the channel 314 may be blocked, or stoppered, by one of a selection of four different stoppers 330, 332, 334, 336. Each of the stoppers 330, 332 and 334 comprises a tapered bung portion 338 sized to fit within the channel 314, a flange 340 extending outwardly from the widest part of the stopper portion 338, and a handle portion 342. Stopper 332 also comprises a chain 344 connecting the handle portion 342 to an attachment point on the bung 310. Stopper 334 has instead a tensioned arm, or spring, 346 which applies a downwards force to the stopper 334 so that it urges the bung portion 338 into the channel 314.
Instead of the tapered bung portion, stopper 336 has an expandable bung portion 348 which is activated by a washer 350 which is moved up and down a threaded bolt 352 by a wing nut 354. When the wing nut 354 is tightened the bung portion 348 bulges outwards to achieve a seal between the stopper 336 and the channel 314. When expandable bung stopper 336 is used it is preferable that the channel 314 is not tapered, but instead has parallel sides.
In use, the channel 314 is unstoppered while the bung 310 is moved into a position in which its lower surface 316 is in contact with the upper surface of the stored substance 370 and any trapped air has been funnelled towards and through the channel 314. A selected stopper 330, 332, 334, 336 is then inserted into the channel 314 to create a seal and prevent further movement of the bung 310. To remove the bung 310, the stopper 330, 332, 334, 336 is removed and the bung 310 lifted using the handle 342.
The embodiment shown in Figure 5 comprises a bung 410 having an arrangement of sprung fingers, or thin springs, 412 extending radially outwards from a central opening (not shown) to a peripheral annular seal 420. The seal 420 has a profile which is angled towards its outer edge. The central opening formed by the sprung fingers 412 is rigidly connected to a flared finger hold, or hilt, 414 which has a corresponding central opening 416.
A generally spherically shaped handle 430 extends from a cylindrical bar 432 which passes through the central opening 416 of the finger hold 414 and retained therein (not shown). A coil spring 434 is located around the bar 432 and is held under compression so that the handle 430 and finger hold 414 are urged apart from one another. To achieve this, the coil spring 434 exerts a greater force on the finger hold 414 than all of the sprung fingers 412 combined. In this default configuration (the sealed configuration) the sprung fingers 412 are urged radially outwardly, thus pressing the seal 420 into sealing contact with the jar 440.
To unseal the bung 410 the handle 430 is moved towards the finger hold 414 against the action of the coil spring 434 so that some of the tension in the sprung fingers 412 is released and they retract the seal 420 away from the inner surface of the jar 440. To reseal the bung 410 is located within the jar 440 so that its lower surface (not shown) is in contact with the upper surface of the stored substance (not shown) within the jar and all trapped air has been expelled via the gap between the seal 420 and the jar 440. The handle 430 is then released so that the seal 420 is deployed outwardly and the seal with the jar 440 is reinstated.
As with the first embodiment shown in Figs. 1 (a) and (b), the lower surface (not shown) of the bung 410 is generally conical and sloped upwardly from the centre to the periphery, so that trapped air is channelled to the edge of the bung and can be evacuated when there is a gap between the seal 420 and the jar 440.
A particular benefit of the arrangement in this embodiment is that the storage container can be operated with only one hand. Also, an equal force is applied around the full circumference of the jar, thus avoiding excessive localised pressures.
Each of the described embodiments may also comprise a cover, or lid, which is attached around the rim of the jar/vessel so as to cover it whatever the position of the bung/closure member within the jar/vessel.
It is to be appreciated that these Figures are for illustration purposes only and other configurations are possible.
The invention has been described by way of several embodiments, with modifications and alternatives, but having read and understood this description, further embodiments and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. All such embodiments and modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the present invention as defined in the accompanying claims.

Claims (13)

  1. Claims 1. A storage container comprising: a vessel for storing a perishable substance, the vessel having an inner surface with a uniform cross-section; a closure member movable within the vessel, the closure member having a closure surface; and a seal arranged to provide a fluid-tight seal between a periphery of the closure member and the inner surface of the vessel, whereby a closed chamber is subtended by the inner surface of the vessel and the closure surface of the closure member, wherein the closure surface of the closure member has a tapered shape.
  2. 2. A storage container according to claim 1, wherein the tapered shape is a conical or frusto-conical shape.
  3. 3. A storage container according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the seal is deployable between a sealing configuration in which it provides the fluid-tight seal between the closure member and the inner surface of the vessel, and a non-sealing configuration in which there is an air gap between the closure member and the inner surface of the vessel.
  4. 4. A storage container according to claim 3, wherein the seal comprises a deformable portion which is expandable to provide the sealing configuration.
  5. 5. A storage container according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the seal comprises a deformable 0-ring having an inner circumferential portion and an outer circumferential portion, and the closure member comprises first and second clamping members between which the inner circumferential portion of the 0-ring is seated, the first clamping member being movable relative to the second clamping member to compress the inner circumferential portion of the o-ring and thereby cause expansion of the outer circumferential portion of the 0-ring.
  6. 6. A storage container according to claim 3, wherein the seal is biased towards the sealing configuration, and is retractable to provide the non-sealing configuration.
  7. 7. A storage container according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the closure surface of the closure member is shaped so that it tapers, in a direction defined by movement of the closure member towards a base of the vessel, from a widest portion at its periphery to a narrowest portion at its centre.
  8. 8. A storage container according to claim I or claim 2, wherein the container comprises a stopper having a bung portion and the closure member comprises an air flow channel extending from the closure surface, whereby in a fluid-tight configuration the bung portion is located within the air flow channel to prevent fluid communication between the chamber and an external atmosphere, and in an evacuation configuration the bung portion is not located within the air flow channel and fluid communication between the chamber and the atmosphere is permitted.
  9. 9. A storage container according to claim 8, wherein: the stopper has a handle portion to permit movement of the bung portion relative to the closure member between the fluid-tight configuration and the evacuation configuration, and a shoulder portion arranged between the bung portion and handle portion; and the closure member has a retaining member capable of abutting the shoulder portion of the stopper in the evacuation configuration to thereby permit movement of the handle portion of the stopper to control movement of the closure member.
  10. 10. A storage container according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the closure surface of the closure member is shaped so that it tapers, in a direction defined by movement of the closure member towards an opening of the vessel, from a widest portion at its periphery to a narrowest portion at the air flow channel.
  11. 11. A storage container comprising: a vessel for storing a perishable substance, the vessel having an inner surface with a uniform cross-section; a closure member movable within the vessel, the closure member having a closure surface; and a seal arranged around a periphery of the closure member, the seal being deployable between a sealing configuration in which it provides a fluid-tight seal between the closure member and the inner surface of the vessel, whereby a fluid-tight chamber is subtended by the inner surface of the vessel and the closure surface of the closure member, and a non-sealing configuration in which there is an air gap between the periphery of the closure member and the inner surface of the vessel.
  12. 12. A storage container comprising: a vessel for storing a perishable substance, the vessel having an inner surface with a uniform cross-section; a closure member movable within the vessel, the closure member having a closure surface and an air flow channel extending from the closure surface; a seal arranged to provide a fluid-tight seal between the closure member and the inner surface of the vessel, whereby a chamber is subtended by the inner surface of the vessel and the closure surface of the closure member; and a stopper having a bung portion and a handle portion, the handle portion permitting a user to move the bung portion between a fluid-tight configuration in which the bung portion is located within the air flow channel to prevent fluid communication between the chamber and the atmosphere and an evacuation configuration in which the bung portion is not located within the air flow channel and fluid communication between the chamber and the atmosphere is permitted, wherein the stopper has a shoulder portion arranged between the bung portion and handle portion, and the closure member has a retaining member capable of abutting the shoulder portion of the stopper in the evacuation configuration to thereby permit movement of the handle portion of the stopper to control movement of the closure member within the vessel.
  13. 13. A storage container substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings.
GB1017533.9A 2010-10-18 2010-10-18 Fluid tight closure with tapered base for food storage vessel Withdrawn GB2484666A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1017533.9A GB2484666A (en) 2010-10-18 2010-10-18 Fluid tight closure with tapered base for food storage vessel

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1017533.9A GB2484666A (en) 2010-10-18 2010-10-18 Fluid tight closure with tapered base for food storage vessel

Publications (2)

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GB201017533D0 GB201017533D0 (en) 2010-12-01
GB2484666A true GB2484666A (en) 2012-04-25

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GB1017533.9A Withdrawn GB2484666A (en) 2010-10-18 2010-10-18 Fluid tight closure with tapered base for food storage vessel

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2022096567A1 (en) * 2020-11-05 2022-05-12 Presso Limited Storage container

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB250105A (en) * 1925-09-23 1926-04-08 Karl Martin Ferdinand Bachstro Improvements in preserving vessels
US3974758A (en) * 1974-11-08 1976-08-17 Stone Jr Wayne B Apparatus for reducing oxidation of coffee
US3987941A (en) * 1973-12-14 1976-10-26 Blessing Alfred V Preserving container for liquid food substances
JPS5632059U (en) * 1979-08-21 1981-03-28
US4723674A (en) * 1986-10-28 1988-02-09 Nunes Morris A Leveled food preserver storage device container with floating lid
GB2372732A (en) * 2000-11-14 2002-09-04 Barrie Henry Loveday Container of adjustable volume

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB250105A (en) * 1925-09-23 1926-04-08 Karl Martin Ferdinand Bachstro Improvements in preserving vessels
US3987941A (en) * 1973-12-14 1976-10-26 Blessing Alfred V Preserving container for liquid food substances
US3974758A (en) * 1974-11-08 1976-08-17 Stone Jr Wayne B Apparatus for reducing oxidation of coffee
JPS5632059U (en) * 1979-08-21 1981-03-28
US4723674A (en) * 1986-10-28 1988-02-09 Nunes Morris A Leveled food preserver storage device container with floating lid
GB2372732A (en) * 2000-11-14 2002-09-04 Barrie Henry Loveday Container of adjustable volume

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2022096567A1 (en) * 2020-11-05 2022-05-12 Presso Limited Storage container

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB201017533D0 (en) 2010-12-01

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