WO2009100485A1 - Récipient ayant un volume scellé modulable - Google Patents

Récipient ayant un volume scellé modulable Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2009100485A1
WO2009100485A1 PCT/AU2009/000157 AU2009000157W WO2009100485A1 WO 2009100485 A1 WO2009100485 A1 WO 2009100485A1 AU 2009000157 W AU2009000157 W AU 2009000157W WO 2009100485 A1 WO2009100485 A1 WO 2009100485A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
base
lid
press
container according
chamber
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU2009/000157
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Peter Loukeris
Original Assignee
Peter Loukeris
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
Priority claimed from AU2008900619A external-priority patent/AU2008900619A0/en
Application filed by Peter Loukeris filed Critical Peter Loukeris
Priority to AU2009214820A priority Critical patent/AU2009214820A1/en
Priority to US12/866,879 priority patent/US20110024417A1/en
Publication of WO2009100485A1 publication Critical patent/WO2009100485A1/fr

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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
    • B65D21/00—Nestable, stackable or joinable containers; Containers of variable capacity
    • B65D21/08—Containers of variable capacity
    • 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
    • A47J47/04—Closed containers for foodstuffs for granulated foodstuffs
    • A47J47/06—Closed containers for foodstuffs for 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
    • 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

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to containers for the storage of substances, in particular granular, ground or powdered substances, such as coffee.
  • the present invention has been developed principally for the storage of ground or granular coffee, and it will therefore be convenient to describe the background of the invention with that foodstuff in mind. However, it is to be appreciated that the present invention has wider application beyond coffee, and beyond foodstuffs, such as for the storage of medications or chemicals for example.
  • Improper storage of coffee grindings or granules can reduce the flavour and aroma of the coffee.
  • Several different options for storage of coffee are available, including coffee containers, such as plastic, glass or metallic containers, or flexible storage bags. However, these options often allow exposure of the coffee to air even when the container is closed.
  • coffee storage containers generally attempt to minimise the amount of air to which the coffee is exposed. Attempts in the past have involved airtight containers. In some forms, these involve plastic, glass or metallic containers which have an airtight closure and which prevent the coffee within the container being exposed to air other than to the air that is retained within the container.
  • Such containers can include means to create a vacuum within the container, and while that reduces the air exposure further, there nevertheless remains an amount of air that is not removed.
  • EP 0638274 discloses a storage container for coffee powder, which includes a main vessel that is closed by a lid and a spring biased plate that is biased into engagement with the coffee in the container.
  • the container includes a discharge opening in the base of the vessel. The plate engages and seals against the inside surface of the vessel and compresses the coffee, urging it towards the discharge opening.
  • the container of EP 0638274 can limit the amount of air to which the coffee is exposed, by sealing against the inside surface of the vessel and by removing air above the coffee. Also, by applying pressure to the coffee, the coffee is compressed, thereby expelling air from the coffee.
  • the construction of the container does not allow removal of the coffee in the normal manner through the top of the container, but rather, coffee is removed through the discharge opening, which itself adds a complication and cost to the container and a component that could allow for air ingress, while it also requires cleaning. For the foregoing reasons, the container of
  • EP 0638274 is considered to be for commercial use rather than domestic use.
  • the present invention provides a container having: a base, a lid, a press, the base and lid being removably connectable together to define an interior space, with the base and lid connected together, the press engages the inside surface of the base to form a substantially sealed chamber within the interior space between the press and the base, the press being movable within the interior space to change the volume of the chamber through relative rotation between at least two of the base, the lid and the press.
  • a container according to the invention advantageously is simple to operate and can be arranged to cause the press to engage the foodstuff within the chamber in order to apply a compressive load to the foodstuff.
  • applying a compressive load to a foodstuff can operate to expel air from both around the foodstuff and potentially from the foodstuff itself. As will further be appreciated, this is particularly advantageous when the foodstuff is coffee.
  • a container according to the invention can thus provide benefits over existing containers, particularly those used for containing coffee, by minimising the exposure of the coffee to air, which can result in the coffee retaining its freshness, aroma and flavour for longer.
  • a container can be so arranged so that the press is movable relative to the lid to change the volume of the chamber.
  • the press can be threadably connected to the lid, such that with the base and lid connected together, relative rotation between the press and the lid causes movement of the press within the interior space and a change in volume of the chamber.
  • a particular advantage of this arrangement is that the container is easily operable by simple rotation of the press.
  • a suitable grip arrangement can be employed with the press to facilitate rotation of the press, if it is the press to be rotated rather than the lid, and the grip arrangement can include suitable finger openings or finger lugs for that purpose.
  • lid as movable relative to the base in order to shift the press within the interior space and to change the volume of the chamber.
  • the lid can be threadably connected to the base, such that relative rotation between the lid and the base causes movement of the press within the interior space.
  • the press can be connected to the lid in any suitable manner to move lengthwise with the Nd, or indeed the press can be formed integrally with the lid.
  • the threaded arrangement can comprise a main thread which is formed on one of the base and a lid and a thread engagement portion provided on the other of the base and the lid. It is not important which of the lid and base includes either of these components.
  • the main thread can include a slot or slots which extend lengthwise through the thread to allow for passage of the thread engagement portion or portions through the main thread. This arrangement permits the thread engagement portion or portions to be moved quickly through the main thread by passage through the slot or slots, to position the press within the interior space.
  • the lid can be rotated relative to the base to threadably engage the thread engagement portion or portions with the main thread. With that engagement, both the lid and press are secured in position relative to the base, while the amount of rotation required between them is minimised without employing a complicated mechanism.
  • slots can be provided in the above arrangement, with the preferred arrangement being two or three slots, which are preferably equidistantly spaced about the base or Nd.
  • the above arrangement can also employ a multi-start thread, with the preferred form of thread being a four start thread where three slots are employed, or a three start thread where two slots are employed. However, two or greater than four start threads can also be employed. Alternatively, non-continuous threads can be used.
  • the main thread in which slots are employed in a main thread, it is appropriate for the main thread to provide for further movement of the lid upon engagement of the thread engagement portions with the main thread. Accordingly, in this arrangement, the press can be moved close to or into a point of first engagement with the foodstuff within the chamber by movement of the thread engagement portion or portions through the slot or slots of the main thread. Thereafter, rotation of the lid relative to the base to engage the thread engagement portion or portions with the slot or slots of the main thread causes further but only small movement of the lid and therefore also the press, so that the press can firmly engage the foodstuff.
  • the press it is appropriate for the press to be movable relative to the lid as well as the lid being movable relative to the base.
  • shifting of the press can occur through movement of any of the base, lid or press relative to each other, so that the position of the press within the interior space can be precisely made. Threaded connection of the press to the lid is considered the preferred connection.
  • connection between the lid and the base can be available at two lengthwise or axially spaced apart positions.
  • This arrangement advantageously can enable the container to adopt two configurations in which the volume of the interior space is different, so that the larger volume can be adopted when the chamber is to be filled, and when a sufficient amount of the foodstuff has been removed, the container can adopt the reduced volume.
  • This enables the container to reduce the extent to which the press has to be moved within the interior space as foodstuff is removed, so that the press can be of a shorter length than otherwise required and so that the container can have a more compact construction.
  • the press be movable relative to the lid to provide adjustment of the volume of the chamber between the two different configurations described above.
  • major changes in the interior space volume can be made by shifting the lid relative to the base between the two lengthwise spaced apart positions, while further adjustment can be made by movement of the press relative to the lid.
  • the container can include a lid having a pair of coaxial wall portions which define an annular cavity into which the wall of the base can extend.
  • the base can be positioned lengthwise relative to the lid by engagement of the base wall and this can occur within the annular cavity at at least two axially spaced positions of engagement within the annular cavity.
  • connections at the lengthwise spaced apart positions can take any suitable form, but in one form they can comprise a projection which extends from one of the lid and the base which is received within a recess provided in the other of the lid and the base. In one arrangement, insertion of the projection into the recess can be by relative rotation between the lid and the base.
  • the projection be a frictional fit within the recess, to securely fix the lid relative to the base.
  • the engagement between the press and the inside surface of the base permits escape of air from within the chamber as the volume of the chamber reduces upon movement of the press within the interior space relative to the base.
  • This arrangement allows for the expulsion of air from within the chamber, as the press approaches the surface of the foodstuff and is advantageous in eliminating air exposure to the foodstuff.
  • the container can include an exhaust opening which allows for exhaust of air within the chamber as the volume of the chamber reduces.
  • the opening can extend through the press and can be closable by a plug.
  • An opening of the above kind can also include a valve, which permits escape of air from within the chamber as the volume of the chamber reduces, but which substantially resists ingress of air into the chamber through the opening. This arrangement therefore permits air to escape as required, but does not allow reintroduction of air after the press has been properly positioned. All of this contributes to reducing the air exposure to the foodstuff in order to maintain the foodstuff fresh.
  • the valve may be arranged to allow air to enter the chamber under certain circumstances, such as during removal of the press from within the interior space to access the foodstuff within the chamber.
  • the one way action of the valve may be disabled under certain circumstances, such as manually by the person operating the container, or it may include a mechanism for providing passage of air in both directions, i.e. into and out of the chamber.
  • the opening can also include a filter to resist ingress of foodstuff within the chamber into the opening.
  • the filter can resist the ingress of coffee into the opening so that the seal between the plug and the opening is not fouled.
  • a ratchet and pawl system can be employed.
  • the press can be attached to a ratchet member, such as a rod, which carries or is formed with a ratchet.
  • the ratchet member can extend through the lid and be in cooperation with the pawl.
  • the ratchet member can be pressed downwardly to shift the press downwardly within the base and away from lid to reduce the volume of the chamber, by ratcheting relative to the pawl.
  • the pawl will lock the ratchet member in place and the press will be secured in position within the base.
  • the pawl can be manually disengaged from the ratchet member to allow displacement of the ratchet member relative to the pawl. By this action, the press can be retracted back to or towards the lid.
  • the above arrangement is simple and effective in allowing the press to be appropriately positioned within the base, such as against a foodstuff within the container. All that is necessary is for the ratchet member to be pressed downwardly until the press engages the foodstuff. The pawl will then hold the ratchet member and thus the press in place.
  • the lid, ratchet member and press can be removed together for access to the foodstuff, after which they can be reconnected to/within the base. If sufficient foodstuff has been removed, the ratchet member and press can be depressed further, by pressing the ratchet member relative to the pawl, to shift the press downwardly within the base, to engage the press with the foodstuff. The ratchet member will then be locked by the pawl in the new position.
  • the ratchet member need not extend centrally through the lid, but could extend eccentrically, for example, along one wall of the base.
  • a further alternative to the use of relative rotation between at least two of the base, the lid and the press, is to secure the press relative to the lid and to allow for the lid and press to shift within the base from the inner end of the base, to at or adjacent the open end.
  • the lid and press can be integrally formed.
  • a mechanism to secure the lid and press within the base can include an arrangement in which the lid or press engages with the inside surface of the base to secure the lid and press within the base.
  • a mechanism to allow expansion and contraction of the circumference of the lid and or the press can be employed, so that in the expanded condition, the lid and press are secured within the base at the desired position.
  • the mechanism can be employed to contract the circumference when the lid and press are to be removed from the base, to allow access to within base, or to be shifted within the base.
  • the mechanism can take any suitable form.
  • the lid and press is of a flexible material, that in a relaxed state, is of a size to engage the inside surface of the base sufficiently to hold the lid and press in place relative to the base.
  • an actuator can be employed to distort the flexible material in a manner to withdraw the lid and press from engagement with the inside surface of the base, or at least to reduce the engagement force, so that the lid and press can be removed from the base.
  • the actuator can include an arrangement to apply an axial force to the lid and press which retracts the lid and press radially.
  • this embodiment allows for substantially full travel of the lid and press through the height or depth of the base.
  • the present invention also provides a container having: a base defining an interior space and a press, the base and press being removably connectable together and in that connected condition, the press engaging the inside surface of the base to form a substantially sealed chamber within the interior space of the base, the press being movable within the interior space to change the volume of the chamber through relative rotation between the base and the press.
  • a handle can be connected to the press and can be employed to cause relative rotation between the press and the base.
  • the handle and base are connectable together when the press has been positioned within the interior space at the appropriate position.
  • the operation of the device is to insert the press into the interior space to the desired position and then to engage the handle with the base to secure both the handle and press relative to the base.
  • any suitable securing arrangement can be employed between the base and the handle, although in one form, a tongue and groove arrangement can be employed between them.
  • a plurality of grooves can be applied to the outside surface of the base, for engagement by a plurality of tongues which extend from the handle.
  • the grooves can extend for only a portion of the outside surface of the base, so that only when the press has been correctly positioned within the interior space is the handle engaged to the base.
  • the grooves can extend for a major portion of the outside surface of the base with a slot extending through the grooves to allow insertion of the tongue or tongues into the grooves.
  • the grooves can be applied to the handle while the tongues can be applied to the outside surface of the base.
  • any suitable material can be used for the container and its components. Suitable materials for the base for example include plastic, metal and glass.
  • operation of the container can be manual or can be motorised.
  • threads referred to above can have any suitable form, although rough rather than smooth threads are considered to be appropriate.
  • Figure 1 is a side perspective view of a container according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 2 is a part cross-sectional view of the container of Figure 1.
  • Figure 3 is an exploded view of the container of Figure 1.
  • FIGS 4A to 4D illustrate the container of Figure 1 in four different configurations.
  • Figure 5 is a detailed illustration of the bottom comer of the seal of the container of Figure 1.
  • Figure 6 is a cross-sectional exploded view of the container of Figure 1.
  • Figure 7 is a cross-sectional side perspective view of a container according to another embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 8 is a detailed view of the filter arrangement of the container of Figure 7.
  • Figure 9 is a side view illustrating the base of the container of Figure 7.
  • Figure 10 is a cross-sectional side perspective view of a container according to a further embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 10A is a cross-sectional side perspective view of a container according to a further embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 11 is an exploded view of the container of Figure 10.
  • Figure 12 is a cross-sectional exploded view of the container of Figure 10.
  • FIGS 13 and 14 show thread arrangements for use in the present invention.
  • Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of a container according to a further embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 16 is a side perspective view of a container according to a further embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view of the container of Figure 16.
  • Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view of a container according to a further embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 19 is a cross-sectional view of a container according to a still further embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 1 is a side perspective view of a container according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 1 shows a container 10, which has a base 11 and a lid 12.
  • the base 11 and the lid 12 are shown assembled, in which the wall 13 of the base 11 extends into the lid 12.
  • the lid 12 is open at each end, with one end of a press 14 being visible through one open end of the lid 12 in Figure 1.
  • the press 14 is threadably connected to the lid 12.
  • the press 14 includes a pair of lugs or projections 15 which are provided for rotating the press 14 relative to the lid 12.
  • the lugs 15 are spaced apart to accommodate an end 16 of a plug, which extends through the press 14 to close an exhaust opening. This arrangement is more fully apparent from Figure 2 and reference will now be made to that figure.
  • FIG 2 is a part cross-sectional view of the container 10 of Figure 1.
  • the lid 12 includes a pair of coaxial wall portions 17 and 18 which are spaced apart radially to define an annular gap G which opens downwardly. A portion of the wall 13 of the base 11 is shown received within the gap G.
  • the lid 12 is connected to the base 11 through a connecting or latching arrangement, which comprises three lugs 20 (which are shown in Figure 3), which are disposed on the inside surface of the wall portion 18 and which are spaced equally about the circumference of that wall portion.
  • the lugs 20 are received in slot structures 21 (also shown in Figure 3), by relative rotation between the lid 12 and the base 11.
  • the slot structures 21 can taper (as shown and described later in relation to Figure 9), to frictionally engage the lugs 20.
  • suitable arrangements can be employed to appropriately secure the lid 12 to the base 11 , such as snap fastening arrangements or threaded arrangements.
  • a second set of slot structures 22 is shown in Figure 3, axially spaced from the slot structures 21.
  • the lugs 20 are captured in the slot structures 22, so that the wall section W of the base wall 13 ( Figure 3) is received fully within the annular gap G of the lid 12.
  • the lugs 20 can alternatively be captured in the slot structures 21 in order to increase the volume of the container 10.
  • the press 14 is threadedly connected to the lid 12, by a threaded side wall 23 of the press 14 being threadably engaged with the threaded portion 24 of the lid 12.
  • the arrangement of the container 10 is such that the lid 12 can be connected to the base 11 at either of the two axially spaced apart positions of the slot structures 21 and 22, while the press 14 can be shifted relative to the lid 12 and the base 11, by rotation of the press 14 relative to the lid 12.
  • the volume of the container 10 can be varied and advantageously, can be made to match the volume of material contained within the container at any particular moment.
  • Figures 4A to 4D show various positions of the lid 12, base 11 and press 14 relative to each other. However, before describing Figures 4A to 4D, discussion will return to Figure 2 in relation to the press 14.
  • the press 14 includes a flange 28 and a seal 29.
  • the seal 29 is a separate component to the press 14, and includes an edge portion 30 for engagement against the internal surface 31 of the base 11. Contact between the seal 29 and the internal surface 31 is preferably such as to create a substantially sealed chamber 32 between the press 14 and the base 11. While the edge portion 30 of the seal 29 can have any suitable configuration, Figure 5 illustrates one preferred form in which the seal 29 includes a bottom edge 33 which is curved radially outwardly at 33a and downwardly at 33b.
  • Figure 2 illustrates the seal 29 connected to the flange 28, and from that figure, it can be seen that the seal 29 includes a radially inwardly extending annular lip 34 which engages about a top side of the flange 28, and a planar portion 35 which extends substantially across the bottom or front face 36 of the flange 28. This arrangement securely fixes the seal 29 to the flange 28.
  • the seal 29 can be made of any suitable substance, but the preference is that it is made of a polymeric substance, such as synthetic rubber.
  • the flange 28 can directly engage the internal surface 31 of the base 11 without a separate seal.
  • the flange 28 could for example be made of a polymeric substance, such as synthetic rubber, or the entire press 14 could be made of that material.
  • the internal surface 31 of the base 11 can be coated with a suitable material, to allow for direct contact with the flange 28 of the press 14, without the press 14 having to have a seal 29 fixed to the flange 28.
  • FIGS 4A to 4D show each of the components of the container 10 assembled together, although it will be appreciated that prior to operation of the container as shown in those figures, it is necessary to disconnect the lid 12 of the container 10 from the base 11 , to insert the foodstuff into the interior of the container. This is very easily, quickly and conveniently done, simply by rotating the lid 12 relative to the base 11, to disconnect the lugs 20 from the slot structures 21. By that disconnection, the inside of the base is open and can receive suitable foodstuffs. When the foodstuff has been loaded into the interior of the base 11 , the lid 12 can be reconnected to the base 11 , again simply and conveniently by aligning the lugs 20 with the slot structures 21 and rotating the lid 12 relative to the base 11.
  • the press 14 is retracted into the interior of the lid 12 the maximum distance, so that the flange 28 of the press 14 is in engagement with the bottom of the wall portion 17 of the lid 12.
  • the chamber 32 is at its maximum volume.
  • a substance such as coffee can be placed within the base 11 and the lid 12 fitted to the base 11 as shown in figure 4.
  • the press 14 can be shifted within the container 10 as described below, to closely approach the top surface of the substance, or to engage the top surface and even to compress it. This is highly advantageous for coffee and other substances in order to maintain their freshness.
  • the lid 12 has been maintained connected to the base 11 at the slot structures 21.
  • the press 14 has been rotated relative to the lid 12 in a direction to reduce the volume of the chamber 32. In the position shown in Figure
  • the press 14 has reached approximately the maximum suitable displacement relative to the lid 12.
  • a stop can be provided to positively indicate the maximum displacement if required. It will be appreciated however, that the lid can be positioned at any point between the positions shown in Figures 4A and 4B to accommodate the particular amount of substance within the base 11.
  • the form of the container 10 can be changed to that shown in Figure 4C.
  • the lid 12 has been shifted axially on the base 11 , so that the lugs 20 of the lid 12 are now engaged with the slot structures 22 ( Figure 3) which are positioned midway of the height of the base 11 , rather than the slot structures 21 as is shown in Figures 4A and 4B.
  • the press 14 has been rotated rearwardly with respect to the lid 12, to adopt the position relative to the lid 12 of Figure 4A, so that the flange 28 again engages the bottom of the wall portion 17.
  • the chamber 32 of Figure 4C is approximately the same as that of the Figure 4B.
  • the press 14 can be made to engage the foodstuff within the chamber 32 to apply a compressive load to the foodstuff and in relation to foodstuffs such as ground or granular coffee, that can have the advantageous effect of expelling further air from within the containers.
  • Containers made principally for coffee storage, can allow a significant compressive force to be imposed so that maximum air expulsion occurs, although this clearly could be suitable for other substances as well.
  • the transition from the connection of the lid 12 to the base 11 between Figures 4B and 4C advantageously enables the container 10 to remain of a compact size.
  • the alternative is to connect the lid 12 to the base 11 as shown at the position in Figure 4A, and to have a much greater lengthwise extent of the press 14 and while this is within the scope of the present invention, the arrangement of the container 10 avoids the necessity for a press of greater axial dimension than that illustrated.
  • the figures described so far also show a plug 40, which includes the plug end 16, projections 47, a stem 44 and a tapered end 46, and which is provided to close an opening 41 which extends through the press 14.
  • the press 14 is shown as including an elongate opening 41 , which extends fully through the press 14 to open through each end thereof. Additionally, the seal 29 is shown as including an opening 42, which is aligned with the opening 41.
  • the arrangement of the opening is such that as the volume of the chamber 32 is reduced, air within the chamber 32 can exhaust through the opening 41.
  • the plug 40 can be inserted into the opening 41 , through the top end 43 of the press 14 to plug the opening 41 against ingress of air therethrough. This renders the chamber 32 as relatively airtight, which is an advantage for the reasons already expressed in relation to avoiding the spoiling of a substance within the chamber 32.
  • the stem 44 of the plug 40 preferably is a clearance fit within the opening 41 , with contact between the stem 44 and the opening 41 occurring at the bottom end 45 ( Figure 2), of the opening 41 , by the provision of a tapering at that end of both the opening 41 and the stem 44.
  • the tapered end 46 ( Figure 3) of the stem 44 can frictionally engage within the correspondingly tapered bottom end 45 of the opening 41.
  • the end 16 of the plug 40 can include projections 47 that are received within slots 48 in each of the lugs 15 (see also slots 248 shown in Figure 12).
  • the slots 48 are inclined towards the base 11 and thereby tend to force the stem 44 further into the opening 41 as the projections 46 move along the slots 48 away from the open end thereof, until the projections 47 reach the inner end of the slots 48, at which point the slots 48 extend in a direction slightly away from the base 11.
  • the projections 47 lock into the ends of the slots remote from the open ends and secure the plug 40 in position.
  • Figure 7 illustrates another embodiment of the invention and shows a container 100, which is a slightly modified version of the container 10.
  • the arrangement is such that the top end of the press 114 is recessed. Accordingly, the container 100 does not include lugs which project axially above the lid 112 in the manner of the lugs 15 of the container 10.
  • the container 100 includes a filter 101.
  • the filter 101 is fitted into the opening 142 of the seal 129, although it could equally be fitted to the press 114 at the inboard end of the opening 141 (see filter 258 in Figure 10A), in order to resist entry or backflow of substance within the chamber 132 into the opening 141, when the plug 140 is not inserted in the opening 141 , such as when the press 114 is being rotated relative to the lid 112 to reduce the volume of the chamber 132.
  • the filter 101 can take any suitable form, such as a two-part construction, which sandwiches a filter medium, such as filter paper.
  • a filter of this kind is illustrated in Figure 8, which shows a first filter part 102 and a second filter part 103.
  • the respective filter parts 102 and 103 snap-fit together.
  • Sandwiched between the filter parts 102 and 103 is a block of filter paper 104.
  • Each of the filter parts 102 and 103 include openings 105 to allow passage of air therethrough, while the paper 104 is chosen to be sufficiently permeable to be resistant to passage of solid material through the filter 101, but to allow the passage of air, to allow the air to be exhausted as the press 114 is moved to reduce the volume of the chamber 132. While Figure 8 shows the plug 140 in place within the opening 141, it will be appreciated that when the press 114 is being rotated relative to the lid 112 to reduce the volume of the chamber 132, that the plug 140 would be absent from the opening 141, or at least shifted out of a sealing position with the opening 141, or otherwise disabled as described earlier.
  • the filter 101 is positioned within the opening 142 of the seal 129, by adopting an external periphery of the part 102 that includes recesses into which the facing surface of the opening 142 can enter and thus retain or hold the filter 101.
  • a threaded arrangement could be adopted or any other suitable arrangement, such as frictional arrangement.
  • a sleeve 106 can be applied to tapered end 146 of the stem 144 to assist the seal between the stem 144 and the surface of the opening 141.
  • the sleeve 106 can be of any suitable material, such as polymeric materials.
  • Figure 9 illustrates in more detail, example slot structures for use on the outside surface of the base 11 of the container 10, for engagement with suitable lugs of the lid 20. It should be appreciated that while the slot structures and the lugs are shown applied to the base and lid respectively, they could easily be applied in the opposite manner.
  • the slot structures 21 include a shallow C-shaped protrusion, which comprises a bottom leg 50, a top leg 51 and an end wall 52.
  • the top leg 51 is inclined from the end wall 52 slightly away from the bottom leg 50.
  • the leg 50 has a slightly greater length than the leg 51 to provide a land for the lugs 20 to engage when the lid 12 is being fitted to the base 11.
  • a post 53 which does not project radially from the surface of the base 11 as far as the bottom leg 50, top leg 51 and end wall 52 project, is upstanding from the bottom leg 50, adjacent the opening of the slot structure 21. While any number of slot structures 21 can be disposed about the outside surface of the base 11, in Figure 9, three slot structures 21 are spaced apart equally about the upper end of the base 11.
  • each slot structure 22 includes the upstanding post 53.
  • a further three slot structures 22 which have generally the same configuration as the structures 21 , except that the bottom leg 54 is a continuous annular ring which extends fully about the base 11. Otherwise, each slot structure 22 also includes a top leg 55 and an end wall 56. Additionally, like the slot structures 21 , only one of the slot structures 22 includes an upstanding post 57.
  • connection of the lid 12 to the base 11 is effected simply by aligning the lugs 20 of the lid 12, with the open ends of either of the slot structures 21 or 22 and rotating the lid 12 and base 11 relative to each other to drive the lugs 20 into the support structures 21 or 22.
  • the tapering of the legs 51 and 55 relative to the legs 50 and 54 respectively creates a wedge shape within the slot structures 21 and 22, so that the lugs 20 can be frictionally engaged within the slot structures.
  • the upstanding posts 53 and 57 serve to resist disconnection of the lugs 20 from within the slot structures 21 and 22.
  • the upstanding posts 53 and 57 are intended to be of a construction which will yield when it is intended to connect or disconnect the lid 12 to/from the base 11 , but to provide resistance to disconnection at other times.
  • either the lid or the base can be deformable to allow the lugs 20 to ride over the respective upstanding posts 53 and 57.
  • a continuous annular leg 54 in the slot structure 22 is to provide a limiting surface against which the lid 12 cannot be lowered past.
  • FIG. 10 to 12 A further embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figures 10 to 12, in which a container 200 is shown having a base 201, a lid 202 and a press 203.
  • the press 203 is connected to the lid 202 and moves with the lid 202 relative to the base 201.
  • the press 14 is threadably connected to the lid 12 for shifting axially relative to the lid 12.
  • the lid 202 includes a main thread 204, which includes three equidistantly spaced slots 205.
  • the slots 205 extend for the full height of the main thread 204, although a lesser extent is acceptable.
  • the base 201 includes three sets of projections 206 which are dimensioned to fit within a respective slot 205, and to threadably engage the main thread 204.
  • the arrangement of the container 200 is thus that the lid 202 can be lowered on to the base 201 , by alignment of the slots 205 with the projections 206 until the appropriate axial position of the lid 202 relative to the base 201 is reached, and at that time, the lid
  • the press 203 which is connected to the lid 202, can be quickly brought into engagement with a substance within the base 201 , by quick axial movement of the lid and press relative to the base 201 , until such time as the press
  • the base 201 and the lid 202 can include suitable markings to show the correct alignment between them to align the projections 206 with the slots 205. See for example the alignment lines 211 in Figure 11.
  • the container 200 is operable in a similar manner to the containers 10 and 100 described previously, in as much as the press 203 includes an axial opening 207, within which is received the stem 208 of a plug 209 and the plug includes a tapered end 210 for engagement within a complementary tapered end of the opening 207.
  • a seal 217 is applied to the press 203.
  • a sleeve of the kind shown in Figure 8, and identified by the reference numeral 106, can also be employed at the tapered end 210.
  • the container 200 provides a very quick arrangement for connecting the lid 202 to the base 201 , with the press 203 quickly positioned to engage the substance contained within the base 201.
  • the connection between the press 203 and the lid 202 is by an annular recess 214, which receives an annular projection 215 that extends from an inner wall portion 216 of the lid 202.
  • This engagement does not necessarily cause the press 203 to rotate with the lid 202 when the lid 202 is rotated relative to the base 201 , however the connection is required to be sufficient to maintain the press 203 in connection with the lid 202.
  • the connection preferably facilitates disassembly of the press and lid to allow for cleaning. Alternative connections to those described could also be suitable, including for example an interference fit.
  • an adhesive can be used to connect the press 203 and the lid 202 together.
  • FIG. 10A A slight variation to the container 200 is shown in Figure 10A, in which the container 250 includes a base 251 and a lid 252.
  • a press 253 is connected to the lid 252, but the connection differs to that shown in Figures 10 to 12, by virtue of the connection being made at an opening 254 in the top part 255 of the lid 252.
  • the actual connection between the press 253 and the lid 252 is made in a similar manner to the connection shown in Figures 10 to 12, in which an annular recess 256 is formed in the opening 254 to receive an annular projection 257 of the press 253.
  • the filter 258 is disposed in the press 253, at the inboard end of the opening 259 in the press 253, rather than in the seal 260.
  • the ends of the threads which terminate at the slots 205 are shown square.
  • the thread ends can be tapered or rounded as shown in Figure 13.
  • projections 220 are shown that would normally be applied to the outside surface of the base 201 of the container 200 for traversal through slots provided through threads 221 which are equivalent to the threads of the main thread 204 of the container 200.
  • one end of the projections 220 is tapered, while the other end is rounded.
  • Those ends face complementary shaped ends of the threads 221.
  • the threaded arrangement of Figure 13 is such that engagement of the projections 220 with the threads 221 is facilitated by the facing tapered ends, while the rounded ends assist to prevent the projections 220 from being caught on the threads 221, as might occur with square ends.
  • Figure 14 illustrates and alternative threaded arrangement, which aims to have a similar effect to the arrangement shown in Figure 13, however in Figure 14, the projections 225 are free to enter the threads 226 in the direction Di with the engagement being facilitated by facing tapered ends, whereas catching of the projections 225 with the threads 226 in the direction D 2 is prevented by the closure of the facing ends of the threads 226.
  • a container 300 includes a base 301, a lid 302 and a press 303.
  • the press 303 is connected to the lid 302 by lugs 304 engaging within slot structures 305 or 306. This differs from earlier illustrated embodiments, in which the connection of this kind was made between the lid and base, rather than the lid and press.
  • the lid includes a main thread 307, while the base includes projections 308.
  • the operation of the container 300 is such that the press 303 is positioned relative to the lid 302 firstly, by inserting the lugs 304 into one of the sets of slot structures 305 or 306, whereafter the main thread 307 of the lid 302 is engaged with the projections 308.
  • Rotation of the lid 302 relative to the base 301 raises or lowers the press 303 within the base 301 , and if a significant shift in the position of the end of the press 303 within the base 301 is required, the position of connection between the press 303 and the lid 302 can be changed.
  • FIG. 16 and 17 A further container according to the invention is illustrated in Figures 16 and 17.
  • the container 400 includes a base 401 and a press 402.
  • An arm 403 extends from the press 402 to a handle 404.
  • An inboard member 405 engages the side wall 406 of the base 401 through a socket and groove arrangement.
  • the grooves 407 are formed in the side wall 406, while the sockets 408 extend from the member 405 and are received within the grooves 407.
  • the operation is as follows. After a substance has been placed into the base 401 , the press 402 is inserted into the base 401 and the seal 409 attached to the press 402 engages the internal surface of the base 401.
  • the press 402 is inserted into the base 401 and the seal 409 attached to the press 402 engages the internal surface of the base 401.
  • the socket 402 is moved into the base 401 the desired distance, possibly to a position of contact with the substance, and thereafter the sockets 408 are aligned with and inserted into the grooves 407.
  • the handle 404 is then rotated to cause the sockets 408 to move within the grooves 407 and by that mechanism, the press 402 is fixed relative to the base 401.
  • the press 402 By inclining the grooves slightly, the press 402 can be pushed slightly further into the base 401 as the handle 404 is rotated relative to the base 401.
  • the container 400 includes a plug 411 , which in this embodiment includes an interlocking portion 413 that interlocks with the arm 403 at the recess 414 to fix the plug relative to the press 402 and the arm 403, and a filter 412 which can be the same as or similar to the same items described in the earlier embodiments.
  • Figure 18 shows an alternative embodiment in which the position of the press is fixed within the base by a ratchet and pawl arrangement.
  • the container 500 includes a lid 504, a base 505, and a press 506.
  • a seal 507 is attached to the press 506.
  • the lid 504 is connected to the base 505 by any suitable manner, such as by the arrangement of slot structures and lugs as described in relation to the earlier figures, such as in Figures 3 and 6.
  • the ratchet and pawl arrangement comprises a ratchet member 501 and a pawl member 502.
  • the pawl member 502 is biased to the position shown in Figure 18 by a pawl spring 508.
  • a handle 503 is disposed at one end of the ratchet member 501 , while the press 506 and the seal 507 are connected to the opposite end of the ratchet member 501. Operation of the container 500 is as follows.
  • the lid 504 can be connected to the base 505 in the manner described earlier in relation to the other embodiments, and the ratchet member 501 can be depressed to bring the press 506 and the seal 507 into engagement with the foodstuff. Depression of the ratchet member 501 is simple and easy, with the pawl member 502 clicking along the ratchet face 510.
  • the lid When it is necessary to open the container 500 to access the foodstuff within the chamber 509, the lid can simply be disconnected from the base 505 and each of the lid 504, the press 506, the seal 507 and the ratchet member 501 can be removed.
  • each of the components discussed above can be returned to the position shown in Figure 18, with the lid 504 then be reconnected to the base 505. If sufficient foodstuff has been removed from the chamber 509, the ratchet member 501 can be depressed further, by the application of pressure against the handle 503, to bring the press 506 and the seal 507 again into engagement with the foodstuff.
  • the pawl 502 can be depressed against the biasing influence of the pawl spring 508, to disengage the pawl from the ratchet face 510 and to allow the ratchet member to be shifted relative to the lid 504 in the direction D.
  • the container 500 is simple and easy to use, and is of relatively simple construction.
  • Figure 19 illustrates a container 600, which includes a base 601 and a lid/press 602 which includes a seal 603.
  • the lid/press 602 is formed as an integral component and engages the inside surface 604 of the base 601 at the flange 605.
  • the lid/press 602 is recessed radially inwardly of the flange 605, but includes a lip 606 over which the seal 603 engages.
  • the mechanism to reduce the circumference of the base 601 employs a pair of arms 607.
  • the upper ends 608 of the arms 607 can be pressed towards each other and by this mechanism, the opposite ends of the arms 607 are pushed downwards and with these arms fixed to the lid/press 602, such as by a pivotal arrangement, or by receipt within a recess, the lid/press 602 is pushed or distorted downwardly, thus reducing the circumference of the seal 603 either to disconnect the seal 603 from the inside surface 604 or at least to reduce the pressure force on the surface 604.
  • the lid/press 602 can be shifted downwardly into the base 601 , in order to reduce the volume of the chamber 609, or the lid/press 602 can be removed from the base 601.
  • the flange 605 serves the purpose of alignment of the lid/press 602 within the base 601.
  • this embodiment allows the lid/press 602 and seal 603 to travel substantially the full height or depth of the inside of the base 601.
  • a container 600 is of very simple and easy to use construction and advantageously permits substantially full travel of the lid/press 602 within the base 601.

Landscapes

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

Abstract

L'invention porte sur un récipient (10) comportant une base (11), un couvercle (12) et un élément de pression (14). La base (11) et le couvercle (12) peuvent être reliés de façon amovible l'un à l'autre de façon à définir un espace intérieur. Avec la base (11) et le couvercle (12) reliés l'un à l'autre, l'élément de pression vient en contact avec la surface intérieure de la base (11) de façon à former une chambre sensiblement scellée (32) dans l'espace intérieur. L'élément de pression (14) est mobile dans l'espace intérieur de façon à changer le volume de la chambre (32) grâce à une rotation relative entre au moins deux des trois éléments que constituent la base (11), le couvercle (12) et l'élément de pression (14).
PCT/AU2009/000157 2008-02-11 2009-02-11 Récipient ayant un volume scellé modulable WO2009100485A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2009214820A AU2009214820A1 (en) 2008-02-11 2009-02-11 A container having a changeable sealed volume
US12/866,879 US20110024417A1 (en) 2008-02-11 2009-02-11 Container having a Changeable Sealed Volume

Applications Claiming Priority (8)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2008900620 2008-02-11
AU2008900619A AU2008900619A0 (en) 2008-02-11 Compression chamber A
AU2008900619 2008-02-11
AU2008900620A AU2008900620A0 (en) 2008-02-11 Compression chamber B
AU2008903600 2008-07-15
AU2008903599A AU2008903599A0 (en) 2008-07-15 Compression chamber B
AU2008903599 2008-07-15
AU2008903600A AU2008903600A0 (en) 2008-07-15 Compression chamber A

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2009100485A1 true WO2009100485A1 (fr) 2009-08-20

Family

ID=40956551

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/AU2009/000157 WO2009100485A1 (fr) 2008-02-11 2009-02-11 Récipient ayant un volume scellé modulable

Country Status (3)

Country Link
US (1) US20110024417A1 (fr)
AU (1) AU2009214820A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2009100485A1 (fr)

Cited By (2)

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ITSS20100008A1 (it) * 2010-12-16 2012-06-17 Giuseppe Giovanni Sussarello Contenitore con coperchio interno a stantuffo, a chiusura ermetica, per la conservazione dei prodotti.
WO2013171749A1 (fr) * 2012-05-17 2013-11-21 Plasel Plastic Ltd. Ensemble de fixation et récipient le comprenant

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US8328015B2 (en) 2010-09-08 2012-12-11 Lincoln Global, Inc. Compressible container for electrode packaging
US10329070B2 (en) * 2015-12-07 2019-06-25 Thermal Lock LLC Fluid insulation assembly
JP7080259B2 (ja) 2017-06-21 2022-06-03 セントリックス、インコーポレーテッド アプリケーター付き単回用量パッケージ

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US3987941A (en) * 1973-12-14 1976-10-26 Blessing Alfred V Preserving container for liquid food substances
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ITSS20100008A1 (it) * 2010-12-16 2012-06-17 Giuseppe Giovanni Sussarello Contenitore con coperchio interno a stantuffo, a chiusura ermetica, per la conservazione dei prodotti.
WO2013171749A1 (fr) * 2012-05-17 2013-11-21 Plasel Plastic Ltd. Ensemble de fixation et récipient le comprenant
JP2015522484A (ja) * 2012-05-17 2015-08-06 プラセル・プラスティック・リミテッド 固締アセンブリおよび当該固締アセンブリを備えるコンテナ
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Publication number Publication date
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US20110024417A1 (en) 2011-02-03

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