JP2010100320A - Liquid preservation container - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid preservation container capable of surely and easily preventing oxidation of left-over wine for preservation after the bottle is unplugged. <P>SOLUTION: A left-over wine is poured into a contractible container, while its container body 1 is then subjected to contraction, so that the liquid level is pushed up to reach a spout 10, after which a plug 2 whose diameter is smaller than that of the spout is inserted into the spout, whereas, at a position where the bottom of the plug comes in contact with the surface of the liquid within the spout, the diameter of the plug is caused to be enlarged so that the plug comes in close contact therewith, thus the container is sealed under a state of air space within the container being eliminated. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a container for storing a liquid, and more particularly to a container for preventing oxidation of a leftover wine.

  When opening a wine bottle (wine bottle), the wine in the bottle comes into contact with oxygen in the air, oxidation proceeds, and the flavor deteriorates, so it is desirable to drink it as soon as possible. Seal the bottle and other containers again. At that time, various means have been proposed in order to prevent and preserve the wine in the container so that the flavor of the wine left over is not deteriorated.

  For example, in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-264781) and Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-36344), an oxygen scavenger is fixed to a stopper, and the oxygen scavenger is arranged in a space in the container. Thus, the oxidation of the wine is prevented by removing oxygen that touches the wine in the container.

  Moreover, patent document 3 (Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2006-176148) and patent document 4 (Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2001-335008) prevent the oxidation of wine by replacing the air in a container with an inert gas.

  Moreover, patent document 5 (Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2001-58700) prevents the oxidation of wine by making the space in a container into a vacuum.

Furthermore, patent document 6 (Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2001-139032) prevents the oxidation of wine by putting a glass rod in a container and reducing the volume of the air in a container.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-264781 JP 2006-36344 A JP 2006-176148 A JP 2001-335008 A JP 2001-58700 A JP 2001-139032 A

  However, the configuration in which oxygen is removed by the oxygen scavenger is not always able to completely remove oxygen, and it is necessary to exchange the oxygen scavenger every time it is opened.

  In addition, the structure in which the air space in the container is replaced with an inert gas and the structure in which a vacuum is drawn are complicated in mechanism and are not suitable for simple storage at home or the like. There are also safety issues.

  Further, the configuration in which the glass rod is inserted cannot completely eliminate the air space in the container, and cannot flexibly cope with the change in the volume of the air space in the container.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid storage container that can reliably and easily store wine left over after being opened by preventing oxidation.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, the unwrinkled wine is put into a shrinkable container, the container is shrunk, and the liquid level is pushed up to reach the neck of the container, which is smaller than the diameter of the neck. The container is sealed in a state where the air space in the container is eliminated by expanding the diameter of the stopper at a position where the bottom of the stopper contacts the liquid level in the neck and bringing the stopper into close contact with the neck.

  Specifically, the first configuration of the liquid storage container of the present invention includes a container body having a neck portion having a predetermined length that is open and capable of shrinking in a variable volume, and a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the neck portion. A stopper capable of expanding the diameter to a diameter larger than the inner diameter of the neck, and the stopper is inserted into the neck from the opening of the neck in a state where the diameter is smaller than the inner diameter of the neck, and the stopper is inserted into the neck The neck is sealed at an arbitrary position of the neck by enlarging the diameter of the stopper in the neck so as to be in close contact with the inner surface of the neck.

  According to a second configuration of the liquid storage container of the present invention, in the first configuration, the stopper presses the side surface of the stopper from the inside of the cavity by the movement of the pressing member accommodated in the inner cavity. The diameter of the plug is enlarged.

  A third configuration of the liquid storage container according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the first or second configuration, the opening portion of the neck portion has a divergent shape.

  According to the present invention, since the air space in the container is eliminated and the liquid in the container can be stored without being exposed to air (oxygen), the liquid can be prevented from being oxidized and preserved with reduced flavor deterioration. It becomes.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, this embodiment does not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a liquid storage container according to an embodiment of the present invention. The liquid storage container is a container for storing wine left over, and has a neck portion (pour spout) 10 that is open, and the lower portion of the neck portion 10 can be deformed in a variable volume. The plug 2 is inserted into the neck 10 and seals the neck 10. 1A shows a state in which the container body 1 is not contracted and the stopper 2 is not inserted into the neck portion 10, and FIG. 1B shows a state in which the container body 1 is contracted and the stopper 2 is inserted. Indicates a state in which the neck 10 is sealed.

  The shape of the container body 1 may be a flask shape or a shape like a wine bottle as shown in the figure, and the shape is not limited. Further, the neck portion 10 has a cylindrical shape, and preferably has a constant inner diameter over a predetermined length. However, by making the opening part of the neck part 10 into a divergent shape, it is possible to facilitate the operation of transferring the undried wine into the container and to easily pour the wine in the container. The neck 10 may be detachably attached to the container body 1 (for example, a screw type). Of course, the neck 10 is in close contact with the container body 1 in the attached state.

  The container body 1 is formed of an olefin laminate material in which polyethylene (PE) film or the like is laminated. Preferably, in order to prevent oxygen permeation from the container body 1, a non-breathable plastic (for example, ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer resin). (EVOH)) layer (for example, commercially available mayonnaise or ketchup container). Due to its flexibility (softness), the container body 1 can be freely deformed by an external force that can be pushed or gripped by hand, and can be deformed so that the container body 1 is recessed. The volume of the container body 1 is reduced. The container body 1 has a degree of hardness that can be deformed but can stand on its own, and in particular, the neck 10 portion of the container body 1 can be sealed with a stopper 2 as will be described later. It has a certain degree of rigidity (hardness). By known blow molding, members having different hardness depending on the part can be integrally molded. The container body 1 is preferably transparent in order to make the liquid level position visible, but may be colored to such an extent that the liquid level position is visible.

  As shown in FIG. 1B, by deforming the container body 1 as if it is grasped by hand, the volume can be reduced and the liquid level position of the wine in the container body 1 can be freely adjusted. The container body 1 is contracted so that the position reaches the neck 10. In this state, the stopper 2 is inserted to the liquid level in the neck 10 and the stopper 2 is fixed so that the neck 10 is sealed at a position where the bottom of the stopper 2 contacts the liquid level.

  Since the stopper 2 comes into contact with the liquid surface and the neck 10 is sealed, the air space in the container can be eliminated, and the wine can be stored without being exposed to oxygen.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the principle configuration of the stopper 2. For example, in the case of a cork stopper of a wine bottle, when it is forcibly inserted into the opening of the bottle and sealed by using its elasticity and resilience, it is slightly wider than the inner diameter of the wine bottle. Therefore, the wine bottle cannot be sealed so as to be in contact with the liquid surface position, and an air space always remains in the container in the sealed state.

  On the other hand, when the stopper 2 in the present embodiment is inserted, it reaches the liquid level of the wine while discharging the air remaining in the neck 10 and can seal the container body 1 at that position. . 2A, the cylindrical portion 20 of the plug 2 is formed of a material that is deformed by pressure, such as silicon rubber, and has a hollow portion 21 therein. A spherical member 22 that can move in the vertical direction is accommodated in the hollow portion, and a rod-like member 23 that projects from the upper surface of the stopper 2 is connected to the spherical member 22. The portions where the cylindrical portion 23 and the rod-shaped member 23 are engaged are threaded, and the spherical member 22 can be moved in the vertical direction within the hollow portion 21 by rotating the rod-shaped member 23 by a human hand. The hollow portion 21 is formed so that its inner diameter is different in the vertical direction (height direction), and a portion 21a wider than the diameter (length in the width direction) of the spherical member 22 and a portion 21b narrower than the diameter of the spherical member are formed. . In the example of FIG. 2, the inner diameter continuously changes.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2B, when the rod-shaped member 23 is rotated and moved downward, the spherical member 22 is moved from the hollow portion 21a whose inner diameter is larger than the diameter of the spherical member 22 to the narrow hollow portion 21b. The spherical member 22 presses the inner surface of the hollow portion 21b, whereby the diameter of the plug 2 is expanded outward.

The diameter of the plug 2 is smaller than the inner diameter of the container body 1 when the spherical member 22 is in the hollow portion 21a, and the plug 2 is placed in the neck 10 while discharging air from the gap between the neck 10 and the plug 2 to the outside. The diameter of the plug 2 is increased by pushing down the rod-like member 23 at the position where the bottom portion (lower surface portion) of the plug 2 is in contact with the liquid level position, and pressure is applied from the inside of the cavity portion 21 to the inner surface of the neck portion 10. Thus, the stopper 2 is brought into close contact with the neck portion 10. Thus, the stopper 2 seals the container main body 1 at a position in contact with the liquid surface position, thereby eliminating the air space in the container main body 1 and storing the wine in the container main body 1.
The spherical member 22 and the rod-shaped member 23 are formed of metal, plastic, glass, or the like, and are preferably molded integrally. Further, instead of the spherical member 22, a pressing member having another shape may be used, and the shape is not limited as long as the hollow portion 21 can be pressed from the inside due to a difference in diameter. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the inner diameter of the hollow portion 21 is not limited to being narrowed downward, and may be a structure narrowing upward. In that case, the diameter of the stopper 2 is enlarged by raising the rod-shaped member 23 from the bottom to the top (moving the spherical member 22 from the bottom to the top). Various dimensions such as the thickness of the cylindrical member 20 and the diameter of the spherical member 22 are appropriately selected from numerical values necessary for tightly sealing the neck 10.

  FIG. 3 is an external perspective view showing a specific configuration example of the stopper 2. A rod-like member 23 protrudes from the upper surface of the cylindrical portion 20 of the stopper 2. A handle 24 is attached to the upper surface of the cylindrical portion 20, and the cylindrical portion 20 in the neck 10 is held at the liquid level by holding the handle 24 by hand. The rod-shaped member 23 is pushed down while being held in position, thereby expanding the diameter of the cylindrical portion 20 (dotted line portion) and bringing it into close contact with the neck portion 10.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating another configuration example of the container body 1. FIG. 4 shows the external shape and bottom shape of the container body 1. The container body 1 has a quadrangular pyramid shape as a basic shape (FIG. 4 (a)), and its side surface is bent so as to be bent inward (FIG. 4 (b)), thereby reducing the bottom area and shrinking the volume. Thus, the liquid level of the wine can be pushed up to the neck 10.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a support that supports the liquid storage container. If the container body 1 cannot stand on its own due to the flexibility, the constricted portion of the neck portion 10 is grasped and suspended by the grasping portion 30 of the support 3 as shown in FIG. Of course, when the container body 1 is formed so as to be able to stand on its own, the support shown in FIG. 5 is not necessary. In FIG. 5, the illustration of the plug 2 is omitted.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another configuration example of the stopper according to the embodiment of the present invention. The stopper 5 of this example is applied as it is to the cylindrical wine bottle 40 containing leftover wine, and the diameter of the stopper 5 is inserted from the neck portion 41 of the wine bottle 40 into the tip of the rod-like member 51. The variable diameter structure 52 that changes is fixed.

  The variable diameter structure 52 is fixed to one end 51a inside the wine bottle 40 of the rod-shaped member 51 and has an expansion / contraction portion 521 whose diameter changes, and a pipe-like extension that extends from the neck portion 41 to the outside by connecting to the expansion / contraction portion 521. A portion 522 is provided.

  The extension portion 522 is formed of, for example, a stainless steel pipe, but may be another material that secures a required strength. The rod-shaped member 51 passes through the extension portion 522 and protrudes to the outside.

  The expansion / contraction part 521 has a shape that is a combination of two umbrella-shaped conical shapes, and the diameter changes by moving up and down like an opening / closing operation of an umbrella. The diameter of the expansion / contraction portion 521 can be increased from a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the neck portion 41 to at least the maximum inner diameter of the wine bottle 40, and as shown in the drawing, the rod-shaped member 51 is pulled up with the extension portion 522 fixed. Thus, the expansion / contraction part 521 opens in an umbrella shape, the diameter thereof expands, and the diameter can be contracted so that the umbrella is closed by pushing down from the state. The expansion / contraction part 521 is formed of, for example, a material that does not allow water and air to permeate, such as vinyl and nylon.

  Preferably, the plug 5 has a cylindrical portion 53 that fits into the neck portion 41, the extension portion 522 penetrates the cylindrical portion 53 and is exposed to the outside, and the other end 51 b of the rod-like member is a pipe-like extension portion 522. Protrudes from the outside. The cylindrical portion 53 is useful for fixing the extension portion 522. Further, the cylindrical portion 53 is movable with respect to the length direction of the extension portion 522, and the variable diameter structure 52 can be positioned at a desired position in the wine bottle 40.

  The operation of the variable diameter structure 52 is as follows. Insert the expanded and contracted portion 521 in a closed state in the wine bottle 40 where unwound wine remains (FIG. 6A), pull up the other end 51b side of the rod-shaped member 51 exposed to the outside, The diameter of the expansion / contraction part 522 is expanded, and the outer edge 522 a is brought into close contact with the inner surface of the wine bottle 40. Thereby, the cross section of the wine bottle 40 is covered, and the vicinity of the liquid level of the wine is sealed, so that the air space on the liquid level can be almost eliminated, and the oxidation of the wine can be suppressed.

  Moreover, the stopper 5 having the structure shown in FIG. 6 can be applied as a stopper for sealing the neck of the container body 1 (FIG. 1) that can be deformed in a variable volume. That is, one end of the rod-shaped member 51 is inserted into the neck, and the expansion / contraction part 521 of the variable diameter structure 52 can be expanded from a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the neck to at least the inner diameter of the neck. Then, with the extension portion 522 fixed, by pulling up the rod-shaped member 51, the expansion / contraction portion 521 opens in an umbrella shape, expands its diameter, and the outer peripheral portion of the expansion / contraction portion 521 becomes the inner peripheral surface of the neck portion. By sticking, any position of the neck can be sealed.

The rod-shaped member 51 and the extension member 522 may be screwed together, and the rod-shaped member 51 may be rotated to move the extension member 522 in the vertical direction, thereby changing the diameter of the expansion / contraction portion 521. Moreover, it is applicable not only to a wine bottle but also to other liquid storage containers.
In the above-described embodiment, the wine storage container has been described. However, the liquid storage container according to the present embodiment is not limited to wine, and can store other liquids that deteriorate due to contact with air (oxygen). Applied.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the liquid storage container in embodiment of this invention. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the principle configuration of the stopper 2. FIG. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view showing a specific configuration example of the stopper 2. It is a figure which shows another structural example of the container main body. It is a figure which shows the example of the support tool which supports a liquid storage container. It is a figure which shows another structural example of the stopper in embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  1: container body, 2: stopper, 3: support, 10: neck, 20: cylindrical part, 21: hollow part, 22: spherical member, 23: rod-like member, 24: handle, 30: gripping part, 40: Wine bottle, 41: neck, 51: rod-like member, 52: variable diameter structure, 521: expansion / contraction part, 522: extension member, 53: cylindrical part

Claims (7)

A container body having a neck of a predetermined length that is open and deformable in a variable volume;
A stopper capable of expanding the diameter from a smaller diameter than the inner diameter of the neck to a larger diameter than the inner diameter of the neck,
The plug is inserted into the neck from the opening of the neck in a state where the diameter is smaller than the inner diameter of the neck, and the diameter of the plug is enlarged in the neck so that the plug is in close contact with the inner surface of the neck. The liquid storage container is characterized in that the neck is sealed at an arbitrary position of the neck. In claim 1,
The liquid storage container, wherein the stopper expands the diameter of the stopper by pressing a side surface of the stopper from the inside of the cavity by movement of a pressing member accommodated in the cavity. In claim 1 or 2,
The liquid storage container, wherein the opening of the neck has a divergent shape. A cylindrical member having a hollow portion therein;
A pressing member movably accommodated in the hollow portion;
A rod-shaped member connected to the pressing member and protruding from the upper surface of the cylindrical member;
A stopper for a liquid storage container, wherein an inner diameter portion wider than a width direction length of the pressing member and an inner diameter shorter than a width direction length of the pressing member are formed in the hollow portion. In a closure for closing a cylindrical container with an open neck,
A rod-like member that is longer than the container and is insertable from the neck into the container;
A variable diameter structure that is fixed to one end of the rod-shaped member on the container inner side, changes from a state smaller than the inner diameter of the neck portion to at least the maximum inner diameter of the container, and covers a cross section of the container. A plug characterized by that. In a closure for closing a cylindrical container with an open neck,
A rod-like member insertable into the neck,
The rod-shaped member is fixed to one end inside the neck portion, and has a variable diameter structure that changes from a state smaller than the inner diameter of the neck portion to at least the maximum inner diameter of the neck portion and covers a cross section of the neck portion. plug. In claim 5 or 6,
A plug, wherein the diameter of the variable structure is changed by moving the rod-shaped member relative to the variable diameter structure in the length direction.

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