US20020033346A1 - Food container with inert gas-containing space - Google Patents

Food container with inert gas-containing space Download PDF

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Publication number
US20020033346A1
US20020033346A1 US09/993,722 US99372201A US2002033346A1 US 20020033346 A1 US20020033346 A1 US 20020033346A1 US 99372201 A US99372201 A US 99372201A US 2002033346 A1 US2002033346 A1 US 2002033346A1
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United States
Prior art keywords
inert gas
container
product
air
gas
Prior art date
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Abandoned
Application number
US09/993,722
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English (en)
Inventor
George Liebmann
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Individual
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Individual
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Publication date
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Priority to US09/993,722 priority Critical patent/US20020033346A1/en
Publication of US20020033346A1 publication Critical patent/US20020033346A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • 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
    • B65D81/2069—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 in a special atmosphere
    • B65D81/2076—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 in a special atmosphere in an at least partially rigid container
    • 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
    • B65D23/00—Details of bottles or jars not otherwise provided for
    • B65D23/04—Means for mixing or for promoting flow of contents
    • 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

Definitions

  • the present invention is generally directed to a container for storing products especially food products with limited shelf life.
  • the container has a head space located above a product storage compartment.
  • the head space is filled with an inert or substantially unreactive gas.
  • the presence of the inert gas in a sufficient quantity within the head space protects the product contained therein against contact with air both when the container is closed and when it is opened while the user removes the product therefrom.
  • a sufficient amount of the inert gas remains within the container to protect the product from the deleterious effects of air, without the addition of further quantities of the inert gas.
  • the present invention concerns a container permitting the preservation of various products contained therein including such products as rare books, semiconductor devices, food products and other products which tend to deteriorate under prolonged exposure to oxygen. Preservation is maintained even after the container is opened and at least a portion of the product is removed therefrom. Preservation is provided by positioning a desirable head space in the container above the product and filling the head space with a sufficient quantity of inert gas to provide a barrier between incoming air and the product stored within the container. A portion of the inert gas remains in the container to act as the barrier even after repeated use of the container.
  • the food-packing art has used non-reactive gases to displace air in the sealing of foods and beverages. Examples of such usage is exemplified by U.S. Pat. Nos. 586,632; 1,263,278; 2,204,833; 2,333,898; 2,705,578; 2,758,766; 2,862,528; 3,212,537; 3,406,079; 3,556,174; 3,804,133; 3,837,137; and 4,312,171.
  • these methods are directed toward the sealing of a filled container and not to the particular problems confronted by consumers who open sealed containers and wish to reseal them, particularly when the contents have been partially depleted.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 4,477,477 discloses a method and system for preserving wine that includes a source of pressurized, inert gas, and a delivery apparatus to a bottle.
  • the device includes numerous parts and exposed connections, is awkward to use and transport, and is easily susceptible to damage. The device requires several steps to operate the device and would be undesirable for those consumers who are not mechanically-inclined.
  • the device includes a source of inert gas, a valve, a connection tube connected to the valve, which in turn is connected to an adjustable nozzle, which in turn is connected to a mounting device similar to a straight stopper.
  • the mounting device is height adjustable by sliding the nozzle up and down. The nozzle is required to be positioned directly above the surface of the wine.
  • This mounting device is held in place by a “mounting means comprising a plurality of supports projecting in spaced relationship around the perimeter of said mounting means” The spaces between these mounting means are designed to allow the expelled air to escape.
  • This ′477 Patent reference device has several undesirable features.
  • the tubing connecting the valve on the gas source to the adjustable nozzle is prone to breakage and/or leakage. This could shorten the life span of the device and may allow some air to be sucked into the injection tube and into the bottle.
  • the tubing is also prone to slipping off both the valve and the adjustable nozzle, causing failure of the device.
  • the device also requires that the nozzle be adjusted up and down within the stopper (mounting device). This is undesirable, as it is prone to creating leaks over time as the fit between nozzle and stopper becomes less snug over repeated movements of the nozzle.
  • the present invention is generally directed to an apparatus for storing a product which provides a layer of inert gas in contact with the product during the useful life of the product within the container, even when a portion of the product (such as a food product) is removed therefrom by the consumer.
  • an apparatus for storing a product comprising:
  • the container is provided with a restriction means for enhancing the retention of the inert gas within the container to maintain the inert gas in contact with the product remaining within the container.
  • FIG. 1 is a side view of a food container in the form of a bottle having an inert gas contained within a head space and a neck portion leading to an opening within the bottle;
  • FIG. 2 is a side view of the bottle shown in FIG. 1 with a portion of the food product being removed from the bottle;
  • FIG. 3 is a side view of the bottle shown in FIG. 1 after the bottle has had a portion of the contents contained therein removed from the bottle;
  • FIG. 4 is a further embodiment of the present invention in which a food container in the form of a bottle is provided with an insert to restrict the escape of inert gas when the contents of the bottle are being decanted;
  • FIG. 5 is a side view of the bottle shown in FIG. 4 in the process of having a portion of the contents therein removed from the bottle;
  • FIG. 6 is a side view of a further embodiment of the invention in the form of a food container with a restriction assembly provided to minimize the escape of the inert gas.
  • the present invention is generally directed to a container which provides a head space for the placement of a sufficient quantity of an inert gas so that during the life of the product contained therein, the inert gas protects the product against contact with air.
  • air in contact with perishable products or products which deteriorate on sustained contact with air such as rare books, semiconductor devices, plants, food products including vegetables, fruits, and liquid food products such as carbonated and non-carbonated beverages and wines, have short shelf lives.
  • Such products typically undergo oxidation in the presence of air which renders the product unusable or inedible or undrinkable.
  • all such products may be protected as described herein.
  • reference herein will be made specifically to food products.
  • the containers referred to in the present invention include any container which can effectively be used to house a product by way of example herein, a food product, such as cans, bottles, containers made of plastic or metal typically constructed in a manner in which the opening of the food container from which food is extracted can be resealed by such devices as a lid, a cork and the like.
  • An important feature of the present invention is to provide in the original sealed container a sufficient quantity of inert gas so that even when a portion of the food product is removed and the container resealed, at least a portion of the inert gas remains within the container to provide a protective barrier against contact with air.
  • FIGS. 1 - 3 there is shown an example of a food container in the form of a wine bottle.
  • the container 10 has a body portion 12 and an upper region 14 which serves as a head space for an inert gas a shown in FIG. 1.
  • the head space 16 is filled with any inert gas 17 which is suitable for providing a protective barrier against contact of the food product with air.
  • the inert gas must not itself react with the contents of the container 10 and in a preferred form of the invention is heavier than air.
  • Inert gases include, but are not limited to, nitrogen, neon, helium and argon.
  • Argon is a preferred gas because it is heavier than air and therefore has a tendency to stay within the bottle to a greater extent than with inert gases which tend to be lighter than air.
  • the container 10 shown in FIGS. 1 - 3 has a neck region 18 which defines a pathway 20 which enables the food product (e.g. wine) contained with a storage compartment 22 to pass out of the container 10 into another vessel as may be desired by the consumer.
  • a food product e.g. wine
  • the neck region 18 has a smaller cross-sectional area than the body portion 12 of the container 10 .
  • the inert gas 17 contained within the head space 16 likewise moves through the pathway 20 so that it is contiguous with the storage compartment 22 containing the wine being poured out of the bottle.
  • the restrictive neck region 18 of the wine bottle helps to minimize the loss of inert gas which likewise leaves the container.
  • the size of the head space 16 and the amount of inert gas 17 which is present therein in the original sealed container is an important aspect of the present invention. Applicant has determined that the volume of the head space and inert gas contained therein should be at least 15%, preferably at least 20% of the volume of the storage compartment 22 . In this way, there remains a sufficient quantity of inert gas within the container to protect the food product even after several instances of removing food product from the container and resealing.
  • an inert gas e.g. argon
  • a heavier than air inert gas has a tendency to remain within the container during removal of the food product from the container.
  • the heavier than air inert gas tends to remain in the container due to gravitational forces and thus, less of the inert gas is lost during the food product removing operation.
  • the use of a heavier than air inert gas may result in reducing the amount of the inert gas which need be placed in the original container.
  • a heavier than air inert gas will sink below the air in the container when the container is in an upright position even when the container is opened.
  • a bottle being exemplary of a food container typically has a neck portion which serves as a restriction device and thus restricts the flow of the inert gas during the food product removing operation.
  • the present invention also encompasses a device for further restricting movement of the inert gas during the food-removing operation.
  • FIGS. 4 and 5 there is shown a container 10 in which the neck region 18 is provided with an insert 30 which provides a further restriction of the amount of inert gas 17 which may leave the bottle during the food-removing operation.
  • the insert may be made out of plastic, metal, cork or similar material and it is intended in part to provide a barrier to the exit of the inert gas through the pathway 20 .
  • the restriction device may be permanently inserted into the pathway 20 or may be removable therefrom.
  • the restrictive device 30 which lies within the head space 16 may provide a restriction against exiting of the inert gas by having a pair of extensions 32 A and 32 B angled outwardly or inwardly (an inwardly extending extension is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5) to provide a restriction to the flow of inert gas through the pathway 20 .
  • the extensions therefore provide a further restriction on movement of the inert gas out of the bottle.
  • the extensions 32 A and 32 B define a narrow gap 34 which minimizes the amount of inert gas which can enter the pathway 20 .
  • the amount of this inert gas is still sufficient to blanket the food product within the pathway with a protective layer but minimizes the amount of the inert gas which leaves the bottle during the decanting operation.
  • the extensions can extend outwardly and thereby trap the inert gas or make the passage of the inert gas out of the bottle more difficult.
  • the inert gas is present in the sealed bottle along with the food product (e.g. wine) and sealed therein through the use of a cork, lid or the like.
  • the inert gas is therefore present from the time the food product is placed within the bottle to the time that the contents are removed therefrom. No additional inert gas need be added to the bottle at any time during the removal of the wine from the bottle. This is because there is sufficient inert gas present at the time of sealing owing to the relationship between the amount of gas and the amount of food product (e.g. wine) contained therein.
  • the restriction assembly provided in the bottle in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 - 5 provides additional means by which loss of inert gas by pouring is minimized while still maintaining a blanket of the inert gas in contact with the contents of the bottle.
  • the present invention is applicable to a wide variety of food containers.
  • a container for storing solid food products such as canned fruits or vegetables, bakery products, and the like.
  • the container 40 has a body portion 42 containing a food product 44 which is provided with a head space 47 for housing an inert gas 48 .
  • the upper region 46 of the container 40 is sealed by a lid 50 which is conveniently removable to facilitate the removal of some or all of the food product 44 stored within the container 40 .
  • the upper region 46 may be provided with a restriction assembly in the form of an annular ring 52 or similar device which reduces the cross-sectional area of the container in the upper region 46 .
  • the restriction assembly 52 defines a gap 54 which provides a relatively narrow pathway for removal of the food product while at the same time minimizing the flow of the inert gas 48 out of the container when the lid 50 is removed.
  • the user opens the lid 50 and removes all or a portion of the contents of the food product 44 through the use of a utensil such as a spoon and the like.
  • the inert gas 48 will flow upwardly and out of the open end of the container.
  • the restriction assembly 52 provides a partial barrier against the flow of the inert gas so that a sufficient amount of inert gas 48 is maintained within the container to provide a barrier between the food product 44 and any air entering into the container during the food-removing operation.
  • a heavier than air inert gas tends to remain in the container even after the container is opened.
  • the present invention provides protection for the food product stored within the container through the use of an inert gas in which the inert gas need not be replenished.
  • an inert gas in which the inert gas need not be replenished.
  • the embodiment of FIG. 6 may employ any of the common inert gases which may be used to protect food products such as helium, neon, nitrogen and argon.
  • inert gases which are heavier than air are most preferred because there is less loss of the gas during the food-removing operation.
  • the inert gas provides a protective barrier for the food product against degradation by contact with air.
  • a gas which, while fulfilling this function, is not totally inert in the atmosphere of the container.
  • ethylene gas as a food preservative and gases of this type may also be employed in the present invention.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)
  • Vacuum Packaging (AREA)
  • Packging For Living Organisms, Food Or Medicinal Products That Are Sensitive To Environmental Conditiond (AREA)
US09/993,722 1999-11-12 2001-11-06 Food container with inert gas-containing space Abandoned US20020033346A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US09/993,722 US20020033346A1 (en) 1999-11-12 2001-11-06 Food container with inert gas-containing space

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US43963199A 1999-11-12 1999-11-12
US09/993,722 US20020033346A1 (en) 1999-11-12 2001-11-06 Food container with inert gas-containing space

Related Parent Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US43963199A Continuation 1999-11-12 1999-11-12

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20020033346A1 true US20020033346A1 (en) 2002-03-21

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US09/993,722 Abandoned US20020033346A1 (en) 1999-11-12 2001-11-06 Food container with inert gas-containing space

Country Status (8)

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US (1) US20020033346A1 (pt)
JP (1) JP2003517403A (pt)
AU (1) AU3968701A (pt)
BR (1) BR0015640A (pt)
CA (1) CA2390394A1 (pt)
MX (1) MXPA02004657A (pt)
WO (1) WO2001038197A1 (pt)
ZA (1) ZA200203540B (pt)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20040182888A1 (en) * 2003-03-19 2004-09-23 Hickert Paul R. Air Barrier Device for Protecting Liquid Fluids in Opened Containers
US20060073241A1 (en) * 2002-01-25 2006-04-06 David Vallentine Alcoholic beverage container

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ITTO20070056A1 (it) * 2007-01-26 2008-07-27 Asteas S R L Chiusura per contenitori quali bottiglie e simili e relativo metodo di realizzazione.
EP2403774A1 (en) * 2009-03-06 2012-01-11 Medela Holding AG Improved storage device for infant feed

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4142657A (en) * 1975-03-10 1979-03-06 Wanke Ronald L Dispensing closure with nonrigid follower
US4392578A (en) * 1980-09-25 1983-07-12 Fipp Beverly A Stopper apparatus for content contamination prevention
US4691842A (en) * 1980-11-21 1987-09-08 Jacques Foures Process apparatus and system for preserving and dispensing wine
US4702396A (en) * 1986-02-10 1987-10-27 Gwiazda Ronald E Apparatus for preserving and dispensing wine
US4706847A (en) * 1986-05-05 1987-11-17 Senmar Corporation Dispenser for wine
US5230427A (en) * 1991-06-12 1993-07-27 Ppg Industries, Inc. Sterilizable hermetically-sealed substantially glass container

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20060073241A1 (en) * 2002-01-25 2006-04-06 David Vallentine Alcoholic beverage container
US20040182888A1 (en) * 2003-03-19 2004-09-23 Hickert Paul R. Air Barrier Device for Protecting Liquid Fluids in Opened Containers
US7051901B2 (en) 2003-03-19 2006-05-30 Hickert Paul R Air barrier device for protecting liquid fluids in opened containers

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
BR0015640A (pt) 2002-07-02
MXPA02004657A (es) 2004-09-10
ZA200203540B (en) 2003-08-04
AU3968701A (en) 2001-06-04
CA2390394A1 (en) 2001-05-31
WO2001038197A1 (en) 2001-05-31
JP2003517403A (ja) 2003-05-27

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