WO2023172163A1

WO2023172163A1 - Device for vacuum capping jars

Info

Publication number: WO2023172163A1
Application number: PCT/RU2022/050348
Authority: WO
Inventors: Михаил МЕДВЕДЕВ
Original assignee: Михаил МЕДВЕДЕВ
Priority date: 2022-03-09
Filing date: 2022-11-01
Publication date: 2023-09-14

Abstract

The claimed solution relates to devices for use in food processing, and more particularly for vacuum capping, and is intended for creating a vacuum inside containers and sealing them hermetically in order to preserve food products. The technical result consists in reducing the number of structural elements and simplifying a device that is universally applicable to the majority jars having differing sizes but the same diameter lid. To achieve this result, a device for vacuum capping jars is proposed which comprises a bell-shaped body made of an elastic polymer having a hardness of from 10 to 90 on the Shore scale, wherein the inner cavity of said body forms a vacuum chamber that encloses the neck of a jar, and the body is provided with an aperture for connection of a vacuum-generating device.

Description

DEVICE FOR VACUUM CAPING OF CANS

Field of technology

The invention relates to devices for food processing, namely devices for vacuum sealing and is intended for creating a vacuum in containers and sealing them for the purpose of preserving food products.

State of the art

Devices for vacuum sealing are known (for example, described in RF patents 2089087, 2339569, 2283801, 2326026), containing pumping means and using special covers with a release check valve and an o-ring. Their disadvantage is the need to use special caps equipped with a valve, which are unreliable, difficult to manufacture and expensive for widespread use,

Known devices are described in UK patents, GB No. 448857, GB No. 447169, GB No. 453671, consisting of a vacuum chamber with a sealed shutter, means for creating a vacuum in the chamber and a platform located inside the chamber, characterized by a fixed plate in the chamber above the platform and an independent means controlled from outside the chamber for lifting the platform to the plate without breaking the vacuum. These devices are inconvenient and expensive and in most cases are not suitable for home use.

A DEVICE FOR VACUUM CAPING is known from the prior art, described in the RF patent for invention No. 2585472, which includes an pumping means and a vacuum chamber in the form of a bell with a sealing collar and a means for pressing the lid. The vacuum chamber contains a mechanism for pre-pressing the lid, including a membrane or bellows installed at the upper wall of the chamber and forming a sealed area between the membrane or bellows and the upper wall of the chamber, and an inlet unit made in the form of a channel with a valve for letting air in between the upper wall of the chamber and the membrane or bellows, and the chamber area on the other side of the membrane or bellows is connected to the pumping means. The disadvantages of this technical solution are the complexity of manufacturing, an additional membrane that ensures tightness, and the absence of a mechanism for turning the lid.

There are known designs of devices for vacuum sealing cans with screw caps:

RF patent for utility model No. 11534 device for vacuum capping cans with a screw cap, consisting of a vacuum system, a stand with a vacuum chamber having a lifting mechanism, a means for screwing the can lid, while the vacuum chamber consists of a glass installed in horizontal guides and a lid connected to the lifting mechanism , and the vacuum system includes a line of compressed air communicated through a controlled ejector with a vacuum chamber, while the means for twisting the lid of the can is made in the form of a horizontal lever connected to a rotary disk located inside the glass in its lower part.

RF patent for utility model No. 122072 A device for vacuum capping cans with a screw cap, including a frame with a work table, a vacuum chamber, a lifting mechanism, a vacuum system, a means for screwing the can lid, an automatic process control system, characterized in that the vacuum chamber is made in the form of a glass with seal on the lower edge, includes a capping head and is connected to the lifting mechanism by a spring-loaded head, the lifting mechanism is made in the form of a pneumatic drive, the means for twisting the lid of the can is made in the form of a pneumatic rotary device connected to a turntable, the vacuum system includes a vacuum pump or ejector communicated with receiver and vacuum chamber.

The disadvantages of these solutions are the bulkiness of the devices, an expensive manufacturing cycle, and inconvenient operation because the operator must lift the chamber lid, pull out the chamber base, put the jar with the lid on, push in the base, lower the chamber cover, vacuum, tighten the lid, lift the chamber lid, pull out the chamber base with the can, and remove the can. In addition, these devices require precise reconfiguration for each type of cans in height.

A device is known for vacuum capping a glass jar-type container according to RF patent application No. 96107627, containing a bell-shaped body, the internal cavity of which forms a vacuum chamber covering the neck of the jar, connected to the body of the vacuum chamber, coaxial with it, connected to the vacuum chamber by air channel, a pump body made in the form of a cylinder with a hollow rod located in it, the outer end of which is equipped with an outlet and a handle, and the inner end with a piston, a drain valve installed in the air channel connecting the vacuum chamber with the pump, and an outlet valve installed in the pump, the outlet valve is combined with the outlet hole of the rod, and the vacuum chamber is equipped with a spring to press the lid to the neck of the can.

A known invention is a DEVICE FOR VACUUM CAPING WITH A CONTAINER LID TYPE OF GLASS JARS, patent of the Russian Federation No. 2103222, which includes a bell-shaped body, the internal cavity of which forms a vacuum chamber covering the neck of the jar, connected to the body of the vacuum chamber, coaxial with it, connected to the vacuum chamber by an air channel. a pump made in the form of a cylinder with a hollow rod located in it, the outer end of which is equipped with an outlet hole and a handle, and the inner end with a piston, a drain valve installed in the air channel connecting the vacuum chamber with the pump, and an outlet valve installed in the pump . In this case, the outlet valve is combined with the outlet hole of the rod, and the vacuum chamber is equipped with a spring for pressing the lid to the neck of the jar.

The disadvantage of this solution is that when installing the device on a jar, it is necessary to apply force to compress the pressure spring; in this case, the lid may move, impairing the reliability of the closure. Another disadvantage is that a pre-pressed lid prevents air from escaping from the can during pumping and thereby worsens the maximum achievable vacuum in the cylinder. Reducing the spring stiffness to reduce this disadvantage will result in the lid not being pressed securely. Disclosure of the Invention

The technical problem to be solved by the claimed invention is a significant simplification of the design, which leads to a reduction in the time of closing cans, ease of use in everyday life and a reduction in the cost of production of vacuum cappers, Medvedev cappers in particular.

The technical result of the claimed invention is to reduce structural elements and simplify the device with universal use for most volumes of cans having the same lid diameter.

The technical result of the claimed invention is achieved by the fact that a device for vacuum sealing cans is proposed, which includes a bell-shaped body made of an elastic polymer with a hardness of 10 to 90 Shore units, the internal cavity of which forms a vacuum chamber covering the neck of the can, equipped with a hole for connecting the creation device vacuum.

In preferred embodiments: the central inner part of the device includes stops for the lid; the central inner part of the device contains a ring or polygon with air ducts; on the outer side surface in the lower part there are stops, which are protrusions directed outward at least 1 mm from the surface of the body; the end of the lower part of the body contains a chamfer facing inside the cavity; the housing contains at least 1 air duct, located on the side surface and representing a recess in the cavity of the inner wall of the housing, not reaching the edge vertically by at least 5 mm; contains a vacuum release means; on the outer side surface of the body there is a relief for gripping by hand; the housing contains an inner liner.

The combination of the above essential features leads to the fact that: - The device allows you to significantly improve the quality and reliability of capping jars for home use;

- Increased reliability of the device due to the minimum number of design parts;

- The device is simple and extremely inexpensive to manufacture by casting into molds.

Brief description of drawings

The essence of the invention is illustrated by figures.

In FIG. 1 and 2 show types of vacuum sealing devices for cans, where the numbers indicate:

1- Housing;

2- Air ducts;

3- Stops;

4- Chamfer;

5- Cover stops;

6- Relief inscription;

7- Vacuum release valve/hole;

8- Hole for installing the fitting adapter;

9- Jar

In fig. 3 and 4 show a section of the device, the numbers indicate:

2- Air ducts;

4- Chamfer.

Implementation and implementation examples Below is an example of a specific implementation of the device, which does not limit its implementation options.

The inventive device according to FIG. 1 and 2 consists of a dome-shaped body 1, the internal cavity of which forms a vacuum chamber covering the neck of the can; the body is made by injection molding from elastic, wear-resistant material, in particular a polyurethane composition with a hardness of 10 to 90 Shore units. The inner surface of the housing contains a hole for the fitting adapter 8, and can be equipped with stops 5 for the lid, while the side surfaces of the housing can be equipped with air ducts 2 and a hole or valve 7 for releasing the vacuum. At the lower end of the lower parts of the body 1, a chamfer facing the inside of the cavity is preferred, and stops 3 can be located, which are triangles or rectangles (or simply protrusions) directed outward at least 3 mm from the surface of the body 1. The meaning of these stops is to make it easier to pry the lower part with your finger edges of the elastic body 1. If the device does not have vacuum release valve 7 (hole), you can hook your finger on the stop and blow air inside. Practice shows that in a vacuum -0.8 atm. it's possible.

Dimensions and variations of the chamfer, the simplest option is 45 degrees 4 mm; it is possible to divide the chamfer into 2 or more parts with a 1 mm groove (groove) of a triangular or other section. In the latter case, it will be better to vacuum (suck). Minimum chamfer size 1-2mm

The presence of stops 5 in the device is optional. Dimensions, type and number of stops 5: the minimum number is from 1 (located in the center, as in RF patent No. 2103222) to 8, or the stops can be replaced with a ring (or polygon) with air ducts.

The adapter connected to hole 8 or being part of the device and including hole 8 serves for direct installation of the pump according to the wax type, or with a fitting for convenient connection of the hose - quick release; in this case, any convenient connection can be used: threaded connection, bayonet adapter, herringbone type adapter , and so on.

The main advantage of the proposed device is precisely the elasticity and strength of the material. It becomes possible to squeeze the device with your hand, tighten the lid and press the lid at the moment the vacuum is released.

For ease of positioning of body 1, the inner diameter of the body is equal to the outer diameter of the lid, for example, the well-known twistoff 82 (TO82) lid has a real outer diameter of 85 mm, which means the inner part of the case should be at least 85 mm, optimally 85 mm, and due to the elasticity of the case material, the device works perfectly.

Air ducts 2, if present in the device, are located on the side surface; they represent recesses in the cavity of the inner wall of the housing 1, which do not reach the edge of the chamfer vertically by at least 5 mm, optimally 10 mm. Number of air ducts 2 minimum 1, optimally 8 pcs. They also serve to improve grip when closing the lid. Air ducts can have any shape - triangular, round, square or another, optimally square. The cross-section of the air ducts is at least 1mm by 1mm. However, they may be absent when the opening of the fitting 8 for connecting the vacuum source is located in the side wall of the housing 1. The stops 5 of the lid ensure the passage of air and do not allow the inside of the device to stick to the outer surface of the lid, making it easier to close the lid. BUT, with the lateral position of the fitting adapter 8, these stops 3 are not important for the passage of air, but at the same time they make it very easy to reach the gate.

Figure 2 shows a device already put on the can, including a body 1, with external stops 3 and with a relief outer sidewall (inscription) 6, with an air valve (hole) for releasing the vacuum 7 connected to the vacuum source through an adapter (fitting) 8, put on per jar9.

Additional sleeve inserts can be used to reduce material costs and increase the versatility of the capper. As a result, it will be possible, for example, to close plastic bottles with bulk materials, for example, cereals, grain, animal feed, etc.

For example, in the case of a 5L plastic bottle which has a cap with an outer diameter of 40mm or 50mm. Bottles of smaller volume are generally screwed on with a cap with an outer diameter of 30mm. At the same time, the height of the neck is approximately the same. Therefore, it is rational to use a product with an internal diameter of 50 mm and attach liners with an external diameter of 50 mm and an internal diameter of 40 mm. In this case, the wall thickness of the liner is 5 mm; similarly, a liner is made with an outer diameter of 40 mm and an inner diameter of 30 mm. The elasticity of the products allows them to be tightly inserted into one another and removed without much effort. For convenience, you can use lubricant (for example, vacuum or silicone) To save materials and reduce the cost of production, you can use a fairly rigid but thin polymer. At the same time, to improve the adhesion of the inner surface of the device to the lid and increase the tightness, an elastic thin liner is made inside the device. At the same time, the total thickness of the walls of the device can be reduced to 2 mm (1 mm rigid plastic, 1 mm elastic) or less, depending on the properties of the polymers.

Modifications:

On the outer side surface of the housing 1 there can be a relief inscription 6, which is necessary to prevent the operator’s hand from slipping when turning the gate; instead of the inscription there can be any other relief or devices for gripping, stopping, and anti-slip. In parallel, in the case of inscription 6, it serves as an advertising surface, for example, for writing the name of an Internet resource.

A check valve under the pump can be installed in housing 1, for example, as in “Vax” covers. And a raised place for a manual vacuum pump. So that those who have wax caps can move the valve into the device and roll up twistoff caps, or any caps with a gasket. This implementation requires the presence of stops 5.

The thickness of the body depends on the elasticity of the polymer. So, with a hardness of 30 Shore, the thickness of the case can be 8 mm. At 60 Shore hardness it can be reduced to 5-6 mm. When reducing the thickness of the housing, it is preferable to change the design of the fitting (or adapter) for more reliable fixation on the housing. The minimum possible thickness of the device case with a hardness of 10 Shore is 5 mm. The maximum possible thickness with a hardness of 90 Shore is 10 mm.

Implementation example

The device works as follows: In front of the operator on the desktop there are 9 jars that require capping. The operator places the twist-off lids on the cans 9, turning them slightly. The operator turns on the vacuum source (vacuum pump) connected by a flexible hose through the adapter (fitting) of hole 8 to the body 1 of the device. Or connects a manual vacuum pump equipped with a check valve and a vacuum gauge. He takes the device with his hand, then puts the device on the can 9 until it touches the hanger of the can, lightly presses (fixes) the device while pumping out air. Monitoring the readings of the vacuum gauge on the vacuum source, the operator, at the moment the required vacuum characteristics are achieved, presses the device to the lid and turns it clockwise, then, pressing the retracted upper part of the device to the lid, hooks it by the stops 3 or pressing the lid from above, squeezes the device from the sides and picks up from below The vacuum is released. If there is a hole (reset valve) 7, then to reset it is enough to open it. Next, the device is removed from can 9 and can be put on the next can and the process is repeated. To make it easier, you can lubricate the chamfer 4 of the device with vacuum grease or, in its absence, with any neutral lubricant.

The implementation of the proposed solution is carried out only when using a body made of an elastic polymer, the elasticity of which is achieved by the ratio of thickness and hardness.

By connecting a vacuum source to the side of the device, between the bottom edge of the twistoff lid and the bottom edge of the nozzle, air will be sucked out without air ducts. But at the same time, the air ducts play the role of engaging elements when tightening the lid.

The use of a chamfer in the device is not necessary, but it significantly improves the fit of the nozzle to the neck of the jar.

The installation hole of the fitting adapter with the adapter itself can be used for various means because. you need to pump out the air. The pumping options are different: someone sucks it with their mouth, someone uses a liquid ring pump, someone uses a vacuum cleaner, someone uses a manual vacuum pump to bleed the brake system of a car, someone uses a pump for an air conditioner, and someone uses a compressor from a refrigerator or any compressor by connecting a hose to the inlet. You can create a vacuum with anything anything, even a syringe with a non-return valve installed. Together with the device for creating a vacuum, a vacuum measuring device - a vacuum gauge - can be used.

Taking into account the simplicity, reliability and use of the proposed solution, it is obvious that the proposed device significantly simplifies the method of vacuuming and reduces the time of closing cans, is convenient for use at home and significantly reduces the cost of the process itself. At the same time, it takes up very little storage space. Taking into account all the advantages, the claimed device can be used in any living conditions in every family. EACH FAMILY HAS A CAPPER.

Claims

Claim

1. A device for vacuum sealing cans, characterized in that it contains a bell-shaped body made of an elastic polymer with a hardness of 10 to 90 Shore units, the internal cavity of which forms a vacuum chamber covering the neck of the can, equipped with a hole for connecting a vacuum generating device.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the central inner part of the device contains stops for the lid.

3. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the central internal part of the device contains a ring with air ducts.

4. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the central internal part of the device contains a polygon with air ducts.

5. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that on the outer side surface in the lower part there are stops, which are protrusions directed outward at least 1 mm from the surface of the housing.

6. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the end of the lower part of the housing contains a chamfer facing inside the cavity.

7. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that it contains at least 1 air duct located on the side surface and representing a recess in the cavity of the inner wall of the housing that does not reach the edge vertically by at least 5 mm.

8. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that it contains a means for relieving the vacuum.

9. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that on the outer side surface of the housing there is a relief for gripping by hand.

10. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that it contains an internal liner.