US20050051551A1

US20050051551A1 - Container for the preservation of products under vacuum

Info

Publication number: US20050051551A1
Application number: US10/492,993
Authority: US
Inventors: Davide Galletti; Simona Toselli
Original assignee: Fratelli Guzzini SpA
Current assignee: Fratelli Guzzini SpA
Priority date: 2001-10-19
Filing date: 2002-10-17
Publication date: 2005-03-10
Also published as: CN1571750A; DE60202791T2; ATE287838T1; ES2236600T3; WO2003035506A1; ITMI20012187A1; DE60202791D1; EP1436215B1; EP1436215A1

Abstract

A container (10) for the preservation of products under vacuum, comprising a lid (20) which is housed on an opening (14) of a containing element (12), wherein said lid (20) comprises a plate (22) equipped with an internal cylindrical structure (30), connected to the inside of the container (10), with respect to which a piston or cap (24) can be moved, said piston or cap (24) being externally activated and above said plate (22), once it is situated on said internal cylindrical structure (30); a closing element (42) is attached to an end of said internal cylindrical structure (30), forming with said piston (24) a chamber having a varying volume (A), there being at least two unidirectional valves (57, 58, 60, 64) which, on the one hand (in 60, 64), connect said chamber (A) to the inside of the container (10), and, on the other (in 57, 58), to the outside air, together with a washer (28) between said opening (14) and a portion (in 26) of said plate (22).

Description

The present invention relates to a container for the preservation of products under vacuum, in particular food products.
For some time now, it has become customary, especially in the field of home food preservation, to use systems allowing food to be stored in containers, in which it is possible to remove a certain quantity of air. It has been ascertained, in fact, that this is a means of inhibiting processes which cause the accelerated deterioration ration and oxidation of food, also preventing it from becoming rancid, in particular due to the presence of aerobic bacteria. There is no need to list the mechanisms which favour the use of vacuum systems, as it has already been confirmed that these systems at least contribute to greatly limiting problems of deterioration.
For this purpose two types of the systems described above are currently available on the market.
The first group of containers, which are high-quality, consist of containers with lids equipped with seal washer systems which allow the use of electric suction pumps with which they are equipped.
A second group of containers, less expensive, is conceptually similar to the former but comprises the use of simple manual pumps which are less accurate and costly.
To these two groups or types, the whole series of containers for domestic use, which are commonly defined as being under vacuum, should be added. From a superficial analysis, the latter are, for the most, equipped with a more or less hermetic lid, capable of guaranteeing a certain degree of air-tightness.
Some of the problems linked to the use of vacuum containers, however, have still remained unsolved.
The main problem is associated with the fact that, for all existing systems, it is necessary to have the aid of an external device, i.e. a motorized or manual suction pump. These pumps often make the use of containers difficult and/or laborious and after a certain period of time the containers are simply adopted with a hermetic seal reducing their use and causing the problems relating to poor preservation mentioned above.
All systems equipped with a manual pump make the use of two hands and a certain force, indispensable. This means that they can practically never be used by elderly people or persons disabled in an upper limb.
These drawbacks are also true for not specifically food products, but which require preservation in depression or under vacuum to avoid deterioration phenomena, such as oxidation, or create heat insulation.
An objective of the present invention is to produce a container for the preservation of products under vacuum which overcomes the problems mentioned above, in particular for food.
Another objective is to produce a container for the preservation of products under vacuum which can also be used easily and rapidly with one hand only, without any trouble.
Yet another objective of the present invention is to produce a container for the preservation of products under vacuum having any shape for containing all kinds of products whether they be food products or not, which requires the absence and minimum presence of air.
A further objective is to produce a container for the preservation of products under vacuum which has a minimum encumbrance and can even be stacked up with other similar containers.
These objectives according to the present invention can be achieved with the production of a container for the preservation under vacuum of products as disclosed in claim 1.
Further characteristics of the invention are disclosed in the subsequent claims.
The characteristics and advantages of a container for the preservation under vacuum of products according to the present invention will be more evident from the following illustrative but non-limiting description, referring to the schematic drawings enclosed, in which:
FIG. 1 is a raised sectional view of a container for the preservation of products under vacuum according to the present invention, situated in rest position,
FIG. 2 is the same view as FIG. 1 with the cap of the lid lowered, once the air inside has been sucked out,
FIG. 3 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1 with parts blown-up by the container,
FIG. 4 is a sectional view illustrating how a container according to the invention can be stacked up with others of the same type, occupying minimum space,
FIGS. 5 and 6 are sectional views of a further embodiment of the container of the invention, in rest position and respectively with a cap of the lid lowered, once the air inside has been sucked out,
FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a lid according to the invention in a further embodiment adaptable to various measurements and types of containing element of the container, showing the lid cap raised on the left and the cap lowered on the right,
FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a portion of a container according to the invention in yet another embodiment, showing the lid cap raised on the left and the cap lowered on the right,
FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a portion of a container according to the invention in a third embodiment, showing the lid cap raised on the left and the cap lowered on the right,
FIG. 10 is a raised sectional view of a container for the preservation of products under vacuum, situated in rest position, the same as that illustrated in FIG. 1, but with another type of rubber insert,
FIG. 11 is the same view as FIG. 10 with the lid cap lowered, once the air inside has been removed,
FIG. 12 is a sectional view of a container for the preservation of products under vacuum according to the invention in yet another embodiment, different from the previous ones, showing the lid cap raised on the left and the cap lowered on the right.
With reference to the figures, these illustrate six embodiments of a container for the preservation of products under vacuum, indicated as a whole with 10, 110, 210, 310, 410 and 510; in particular, six forms of lid are presented with 20, 120, 220, 320, 420 and 520, for closing said containers for the preservation of products under vacuum.
In FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4, the container 10 can be seen, which comprises a containing element 12, for example cylindrically shaped, and a suction lid 20.
The lid 20 essentially comprises a plate 22 and a cap or piston 24.
The plate 22 is ring-shaped, for example like a circular crown, equipped below, near the external circumference of the circular crown, with a circumferential cavity 26, complementary to an upper opening or edge 14 of the containing element 12. Between the cavity 26 and upper edge 14 there is also a washer 28.
An upper internal cylindrical structure 30, open at the two bases, is situated above the plate 22, near the internal circumference of the circular crown.
Again, above the plate 22, near the external circumference of the circular crown, there is an external cylindrical structure 32.
The cap 24 also has the shape of a circular crown, equipped below, near the internal circumference of the circular crown, with an internal cylindrical structure 34, open at the two bases, having a diameter greater than that of the internal cylindrical structure 30 of the plate 22.
Still below the cap 24, near the external circumference of the circular crown, there is an external cylindrical structure 36, having a diameter greater than that of the external cylindrical structure 32 of the plate 22.
More specifically, the internal cylindrical structure 34 of the cap 24 has a lower narrowing 35, in an orthogonal direction with respect to the symmetry axis of the cap 24, which forms a terminal cylindrical portion 37 having a smaller diameter than the cylindrical structure 34.
This terminal cylindrical portion 37 has, in turn, a circular edge 38, extending towards the symmetry axis of the cap itself 24.
A lower washer 40, which fits onto the internal cylindrical structure 30 of the plate 22, is internally attached to said edge 38, towards the axis of the cap 24.
Above the internal cylindrical structure 30 of the plate 22, there is a closing element or upper plug 42, comprising a disk 44 equipped below with a cylindrical edge 46 which is inserted and blocked in the internal cylindrical structure itself 30, by inserting an upper ring washer 60. The blockage is obtained, for example, by the arrangement inside the internal cylindrical structure 30 of reliefs 52 complementary to cavities 54 situated outside the cylindrical edge 46 of the upper plug 42.
The upper washer 60 has an “L”-shaped section, covering the top and outside of an upper edge 62 of the internal cylindrical structure 30 of the plate 22. More specifically, the washer 60 also covers a through-opening 64 situated on the upper edge 62 of the internal cylindrical structure 30.
The upper plug 42 has a central through-opening 48, which is closed by an insert 50 made of rubber, for example.
On the side of the disk 44, there is a circumferential cavity 56 for housing a washer 58 for example of the “O ring” type. Above said cavity 56, there is a section 57 where there is no material.
The diameter of the disk 44 is such as to fit into the inside of the internal cylindrical structure 34 of the cap 24, for example so that the section 57 is situated in correspondence with the through-opening 64 of the internal cylindrical structure 34.
Furthermore, below the internal cylindrical structure 30 of the plate 22, there is a lower plug 66, centrally perforated and equipped with a cylindrical edge 68 which is inserted and blocked in the internal cylindrical structure itself 30. The blockage is obtained, for example, by the arrangement inside the internal cylindrical structure 30 of reliefs 70 complementary to cavities 72 situated outside the cylindrical edge 68 of the lower plug 66.
Finally, there is an elastic element such as a spring 74, for example spiral, acting between the upper circular crown of the plate 22 and the lower circular crown of the cap 24. There is a circumferential seat 76 on the upper circular crown of the plate 22, for housing an end of said spring 74.
The functioning of the container 10 for the preservation of products under vacuum according to the invention can be clearly understood from what is specified above with reference to the figures, and is briefly described hereunder.
The washer 28 ensures sealing between the lid 20 and the containing element 12.
The lower plug 66 allows easier accessibility during the cleaning phases of the lid 20. This element can be inserted by forcing, by inserting the cavities 72 into the reliefs 70, or it can be screwed into the cylindrical structure 30 of the plate 22. Said plug 66 is however optional, depending on the construction selections adopted for the plate 22.
The spring 74, for raising the cap 24 can be metallic and non-metallic, and can have any shape. It can be considered as being optional when the cap 24 has a sufficiently prehensile shape, allowing it to be easily lifted manually.
The lower washer 40 is shaped in such a way as to provide a moveable seal on the internal cylindrical structure 30 of the plate 22.
The cap 24 has the function of making the lid 20 aesthetically identifiable as well as acting, when pressed, as an external piston and consequently removing air from inside the containing element 12.
The purpose of the upper washer 60, which fits into the top of the internal cylindrical structure 30 of the plate 22, is to ensure the seal between said internal cylindrical structure 30 and the upper plug 42, and above all to allow the non-return passage of air from the opening 64 situated on the upper edge 62 of the internal cylindrical structure itself 30.
The purpose of the upper plug 42 is to ensure sealing during the downward movement of the cap 24. It also acts as a run-end in the rising phase of the cap 24, by resting on the narrowing part 35 of the internal cylindrical structure 34 of the cap 24 itself, as can be seen in FIG. 1.
The upper plug 42 can be inserted by means of forcing, by inserting the cavities 54 into the reliefs 52, or it can be screwed into the cylindrical structure 30 of the plate 22.
The purpose of the rubber insert 50, inserted onto the upper plug 42, when squeezed with the fingers, is to allow the air to re-enter the containing element 12 to enable its re-opening.
All of the above pieces can be made of recyclable thermoplastic material and can be simply and economically produced.
In practice, the functioning can be understood by observing FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 1 again, in succession, which schematizes a complete suction cycle.
The suction phase is obtained by pressing the lid downwards. This allows not only the use of one hand, but also only the pressure of one hand, making the activation much less tiring.
By pressing the cap 24, in fact, an annular zone or chamber is created, indicated with A in FIG. 2. The washer 58, entrained by friction below into the cavity 56 during the descent of the internal cylindrical structure 34 of the cap 24, creates a seal with the outside environment, thus forming a depression in zone A.
The washer 60 acts as a unidirectional valve as it creates, by means of the through-opening 64, situated on the upper edge 62 of the internal cylindrical structure 30, a non-return air passage from the inside of the containing element 12 towards zone A.
The spring 74 then prevents the cap 24 from reacquiring the configuration illustrated in FIG. 1. In this phase, the washer 58, entrained by friction above the cavity 56 during the rising of the internal cylindrical structure 34 of the cap 24, reaches the section 57 without material, thus also acting as a unidirectional valve.
This is how the washer 58 allows the air present in zone A of FIG. 2 to be expelled into the outside atmosphere, still maintaining the depression created in the previous phase inside the containing element 12.
In practice, the lid according to the present invention has spaces which create a ringed chamber which acts as a suction piston.
The depression, which is increased in successive suction cycles, makes the plate 22 adhere to the upper edge 14 of the containing element 12, compressing the washer 28.
FIG. 4 illustrates a container 10 according to the invention, marked with dashed lines, which is stably stacked up, occupying minimum space, onto other containers 10 of the same type, in a storage phase in which the lid 20 is overturned with respect to the containing element 12.
FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a further possible practical embodiment of the invention, wherein the components the same as and/or equivalent to those illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4 have the same reference numbers increased by 100.
The container 110 comprises a containing element 112, for example cylindrically shaped and analogous to that of the containing element 12, and a suction lid 120.
The lid 120 essentially comprises a plate 122 and a cap 124.
The plate 122 is circular, equipped below, near an external circumference, with a circumferential cavity 126, complementary to an upper edge 114 of the containing element 112. Furthermore, there is a washer 128 between the cavity 126 and the upper edge 114.
In addition, above the plate 122, near an external circumference, there are hooked elements 180, with a hooked portion facing the symmetry axis of the plate 122.
Above the plate 122, centrally perforated in 182, near an intermediate circumference, there is an internal cylindrical structure 130.
Again, above the plate 122, near the external circumference, there is an external cylindrical structure 132.
The cap 124 has the shape of a circular crown, equipped below, near the internal circumference of the circular crown, with an internal cylindrical structure 134, open at both bases, having a greater diameter than that of the internal cylindrical structure 130 of the plate 122.
Again below the cap 124, near the external circumference of the circular crown, there is an external cylindrical structure 136, having a greater diameter than that of the external cylindrical structure 132 of the plate 122.
More specifically, the internal cylindrical structure 134 of the cap 124 has a lower narrowing 135, in an orthogonal direction with respect to the symmetry axis of the cap 124, which forms a terminal cylindrical portion 137 having a smaller diameter than the cylindrical structure 134.
Furthermore, at the side of the external circular structure 136 of the cap 124, there are appendages 184, joined on one side to the circular crown of the cap 124 itself and protruding outwards. Each end of said appendages 184 is equipped with a relief 186 protruding outwards, which is complementary to and can be clicked into the hooked portion of the hooked elements 180, when the cap 124 is pressed at the run-end against the plate 122, as can be seen in FIG. 6.
The cylindrical terminal portion 137 of the internal cylindrical structure 134 of the cap 124 has a circular edge 138, which extends towards the symmetry axis of the cap itself 124.
A lower washer 140, which fits onto the internal cylindrical structure 130 of the plate 122, is internally attached to said edge 138, towards the axis of the cap 124.
Above the internal cylindrical structure 130 of the plate 122, there is an upper plug 142, comprising a disk 144 equipped below with a cylindrical edge 146 which is inserted and blocked in the internal cylindrical structure itself 130, by inserting an upper ring washer 160.
The blockage is obtained, for example, by the arrangement inside the internal cylindrical structure 130 of reliefs 152 complementary to cavities 154 situated outside the cylindrical edge 146 of the upper plug 142.
The upper washer 160 has an “L”-shaped section, covering the top and outside of an upper edge 162 of the internal cylindrical structure 130 of the plate 122. More specifically, the washer 160 also covers a through-opening 164 situated on the upper edge 162 of the internal cylindrical structure 130.
The upper plug 142 has a central through-opening 148, which is closed by an insert 150 made of rubber, for example. On the side of the disk 144, there is a circumferential cavity 156 with a trapezoidal section, having an upper minimum diameter, for housing a washer 158 of the “O ring” type, or there can optionally be a washer 158 having a trapezoidal section, with a greater lip facing upwards, in a cavity 156 with a rectangular or square section. The diameter of the disk 144 is such as to fit into the inside of the internal cylindrical structure 134 of the cap 124.
Finally, there is an elastic element such as a spring 174 acting between the plate 122 and the lower circular crown of the cap 124. The spring 174 can be produced by symmetrically joining two plastic or metal cup springs.
FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 illustrate a further three practical embodiments of the invention, wherein the components the same as and/or equivalent to those shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4 have the same reference numbers increased by 200, 300 and 400 respectively.
In particular, FIG. 7 shows a lid 220 completely analogous to the lid 20, and adaptable to various measurements and types of containing element 212 of the container 210 for the preservation of products under vacuum.
In this case, the plate 222 is equipped below with an annular cavity 288, suitable for basins 212 with upper edges 214 having various diameters. Between the cavity 288 and upper edge 214, there is always a washer 228, having complementary dimensions to the cavity 288.
FIG. 8 illustrates a lid 320 completely analogous to the lid 20, in which the plate 322 is produced in a single piece with an extended cover of the containing element 312.
FIG. 9 shows a lid 420 completely analogous to the lid 20, suitable for a containing element 412 equipped with an opening with a flat circumferential edge 490, which are fitted into an upper surface of the containing element itself 412.
In this case, on the side of the plate 422 there is an annular portion 492. Between the annular portion 492 and the flat edge 490 there is always a washer 428.
The functioning of the container 110 for the preservation of products under vacuum, as also the functioning of the suction lids 220, 320 and 420 according to the invention, is completely analogous to what is described for the container 10.
Furthermore, two possible solutions are provided for showing the final user how to effectively maintain the device under vacuum.
One method consists in using the washer 28, 128, 228, 428 between the lid 20, 120, 220, 420 and containing element 12, 112, 212, 412 made of a sufficiently compressible material. In this way the proximity of the edges between the lid and containing element, due to the external pressure exerted on the lid, indicates the effective vacuum inside the container.
When the container is re-filled with air, the edges will separate.
Another useful method for the same purpose is illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11. This consists in inserting a suitable dome-shaped rubber insert 550 into the lid 20, which, when squeezed, helps to re-fill the container with air.
In practice, this dome-shaped element has an additional purpose, i.e. when it remains in a lowered position, it indicates that the desired vacuum, for which it has been calibrated, has been reached.
When the container is re-filled with air, by squeezing the same element, the rubber dome will rise up to rest position as a result of the elastic memory of the material, such as an elastomer, with which it has been produced.
FIG. 12 illustrates a sixth possible practical embodiment of the invention, in which the components the same as and/or equivalent to those shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4 have the same reference numbers respectively increased by 500.
It should be noted that the upper washer 560 has at least one lip facing upwards.
Furthermore, the upper plug 542 is screwed onto the internal cylindrical structure 530: when it is unscrewed, it allows the air to fill the container 510.
The plug 542 comprises an insert 550 having a different shape with respect to that shown in FIG. 1, but which still indicates the vacuum reached.
The lower washer 540 comprises a washer of the “O ring” type kept in position by means of an annular element with an “L” section.
The characteristics of the container for the preservation of products under vacuum, object of the present invention, are evident from the above description, as are also the relative advantages, of which the following can be mentioned:

- freshness and preservation of food also for long periods, especially when combined with preservation in a refrigerator;
- simple use, without the help of additional accessories;
- rational use of space and the possibility of being stacked up both when used with the lid assembled and also when not in use, i.e. with the lid upside down;
- easy to wash;
- one or more elements can be graded with indexes and references suitable for enabling a correct identification of the date in which the food was inserted;
- it can be produced in a wide variety of shapes and technical and aesthetic solutions and is also suitable for other types of use, still remaining however within the protective scope of the enclosed claims;
- the possibility of adopting the suction lid of the present invention on a wider range of products and food containers in general, such as cooked and uncooked food, ground coffee and coffee grains, cheeses which can also be grated, cereals, etc.;
- the possibility of adopting this type of suction lid for any other type of use requiring a container in depression, also for different purposes than the preservation of food, such as the prevention of oxidation, the production of heat insulation, etc,;
- simple use, adopting only one hand, thus allowing use on the part of persons disabled in an upper limb;
- reduced costs with respect to the known art.

Finally, numerous modifications and variations can evidently be applied to the container for the preservation of products under vacuum thus conceived, all included in the scope of the invention; furthermore all the details can be substituted by technically equivalent elements.
In practice, the materials used, as also the shapes and dimensions, can vary according to technical demands.
The protective scope of the invention is therefore limited by the enclosed claims.

Claims

1. A container (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510) for the reservation of products under vacuum, comprising a lid (20, 120 220, 320, 420, 520) which is housed on an opening (14, 114, 214, 314, 414, 514) of a containing element (12, 112, 212, 312, 412, 512), characterized in that said lid (20, 120, 220, 320, 420, 520) comprises a plate (22, 122, 222, 322, 422, 522) equipped with an internal cylindrical structure (30, 130, 230, 330, 430, 530), connected to the inside of the container (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510), with respect to which a piston or cap (24, 124, 224, 324, 424, 524) can be moved, said piston or cap being externally activated and above said plate (22, 122, 222, 322, 422, 522), a washer (28, 128, 228, 428, 528) between said opening (14, 114, 214, 314, 414, 514) and a portion (in 26, 126, 288, 492, 526) of said plate (22, 122, 222, 322, 422, 522) and a closing element (42, 142, 242, 342, 442, 542) being attached to an end of said internal cylindrical structure (30, 130, 230, 330, 430, 530) of said plate; said cap (24, 124, 224, 324, 424) has the shape of a circular crown, equipped below, near the internal circumference of the circular crown, with an internal cylindrical structure (34, 134, 234, 334, 434) open at the two bases, having a diameter greater than that of the internal cylindrical structure (30, 130, 230, 330, 430) of the plate (22, 122, 222, 322, 422), to slidingly and coaxially engage said internal cylindrical structure (30, 130, 230, 330, 430) of said plate forming with said closing element (42, 142, 242, 342, 442, 542) and with said internal cylindrical structure (30, 130, 230, 330, 430) a chamber having a varying volume (A), equipped with at least two unidirectional valves (57, 58, 60, 64, 157, 158, 160, 164, 257, 258, 260, 264, 357, 358, 360, 364, 457, 458, 460, 464, 557, 558, 560) which, on one hand (in 60, 64, 160, 164, 260, 264, 360, 364, 460, 464, 560), connect said chamber (A) to the inside of the container (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510), and, on the other (in 57, 58, 157, 158, 257, 258, 357, 358, 457, 458, 557, 558), to the outside air.

2. The container (10, 110, 210, 310, 410) according to claim 1, characterized in that said plate (22, 122, 222, 322, 422) has the shape of a circular crown, equipped below, near the external circumference of the circular crown, with a cavity (26, 126, 288) for said washer (28, 128, 228, 428).

3. The container (10, 110, 210, 310, 410) according to claim 2, characterized in that above said plate (22, 122, 222, 322, 422), near the internal circumference of the circular crown, there is said internal cylindrical structure (30, 130, 230, 330, 430) open at the two bases, and that above said plate (22, 122, 222, 322, 422), near the external circumference of the circular crown, there is an external cylindrical structure (32, 132, 232, 332, 432).

4. The container (10, 110, 210, 310, 410) according to claim 3, characterized in that below said cap (24, 124, 224, 324, 424), close to the external circumference of the circular crown, there also being an external cylindrical structure (36, 136, 236, 336, 436), having a greater diameter than that of the external cylindrical structure (32, 132, 232, 332, 432) of the plate (22, 122, 222, 322, 422).

5. The container (10, 110, 210, 310, 410) according to claim 4, characterized in that said internal cylindrical structure (34, 134, 234, 334, 434) of the cap (24, 124, 224, 324, 424), has a lower narrowing (35, 135, 235, 335, 435), in an orthogonal direction with respect to the symmetry axis of the cap (24, 124, 224, 324, 424), which forms a terminal cylindrical portion (37, 137, 237, 337, 437) having a smaller diameter than the cylindrical structure (34, 134, 234, 334, 434), said terminal cylindrical portion (37, 137, 237, 337, 437) having a circular edge (38, 138, 238, 338, 438) extending towards the symmetry axis of the cap (24, 124, 224, 324, 424).

6. The container (10, 110, 210, 310, 410) according to claim 5, characterized in that a lower washer (40, 140, 240, 340, 440), which fits onto the internal cylindrical structure (30, 130, 230, 330, 430) of the plate (22, 122, 222, 322, 422), is internally attached to said edge (38, 138, 238, 338, 438) towards the axis of the cap (24, 124, 224, 324, 424).

7. The container (10, 110, 210, 310, 410) according to claim 1 or 6, characterized in that above the internal cylindrical structure (30, 130, 230, 330, 430) of the plate (22, 122, 222, 322, 422), there is a closing element or upper plug (42, 142, 242, 342, 442), comprising a disk (44, 144, 244, 344, 444) equipped below with a cylindrical edge (46, 146, 246, 346, 446) which is inserted and blocked in said internal cylindrical structure (30, 130, 230, 330, 430), by inserting an upper ring washer (60, 160, 260, 360, 460), said disk (44, 144, 244, 344, 444) having such a diameter as to fit into an internal cylindrical structure (34, 134, 234, 334, 434) of said cap (24, 124, 224, 324, 424).

8. The container (10, 110, 210, 310, 410) according to claim 7, characterized in that said blockage is obtained by the arrangement inside the internal cylindrical structure (30, 130, 230, 330, 430) of reliefs (52, 152, 252, 352, 452) complementary to cavities (54, 154, 254, 354, 454) situated outside the cylindrical edge (46, 146, 246, 346, 446) of said upper plug (42, 142, 242, 342, 442).

9. The container (10, 110, 210, 310, 410) according to claim 7, characterized in that said upper washer (60, 160, 260, 360, 460) has an “L”-shaped section, covering the top and outside of an upper edge (62, 162, 262, 362, 462) of said internal cylindrical structure (30, 130, 230, 330, 430) of the plate (22, 122, 222, 322, 422) said washer (60, 160, 260, 360, 460) also covering a through-opening (64, 164, 264, 364, 464) situated on said upper edge (62, 162, 262, 362, 462) of said internal cylindrical structure (30, 130, 230, 330, 430).

10. The container (10, 110, 210, 310, 410) according to claim 7, characterized in that said upper plug (42, 142, 242, 342, 442) has a central through-opening (48, 148, 248, 348, 448), which is closed by an insert (50, 150, 250, 350, 450, 550).

11. The container (10, 110, 210, 310, 410) according to claim 7, characterized in that on the side of said disk (44, 144, 244, 344, 444), there is a circumferential cavity (56, 156, 256, 356, 456) for housing a washer (58, 158, 258, 358, 458), above said cavity (56, 156, 256, 356, 456), there being a section (57, 157, 257, 357, 457) where there is no material.

12. The container (10, 110, 210, 310, 410) according to claim 11, characterized in that said washer (58, 158, 258, 358, 458) is of the “O ring” type or has a trapezoidal section, with a greater lip facing upwards, and that said circumferential cavity (56, 156, 256, 356, 456) has a trapezoidal section, with the minimum diameter facing upwards, or a rectangular section, respectively.

13. The container (10, 110, 210, 310, 410) according to claim 1, characterized in that, below said internal cylindrical structure (30, 130, 230, 330, 430) of the plate (22, 122, 222, 322, 422), there is a lower plug (66, 266, 366, 466) centrally perforated and equipped with a cylindrical edge (68, 268, 368, 468) which is inserted and blocked in said internal cylindrical structure (30, 130, 230, 330, 430).

14. The container (10, 110, 210, 310, 410) according to claim 13, characterized in that said blockage is obtained by the arrangement inside the internal cylindrical structure (30, 230, 330, 430) of reliefs (70, 270, 370, 470) complementary to cavities (72, 272, 372, 472) situated outside said cylindrical edge (68, 268, 368, 468) of said lower plug (66, 266, 366, 466).

15. The container (10, 110, 210, 310, 410) according to claim 1, characterized in that there is an elastic element (74, 174, 274, 374, 474), acting between the plate (22, 122, 222, 322, 422) and the cap (24, 124, 224, 324, 424).

16. The container (10, 110, 210, 310, 410) according to AMENDED SHEET claim 15, characterized in that on said plate (22, 222, 322, 422) there is a circumferential seat (76, 276, 376, 476) for housing an end of said elastic element (74, 274, 374, 474).

17. The container (10, 110, 210, 310, 410) according to claim 1, characterized in that said plate (122) is circular, and above the plate, near an external circumference, there are hooked elements (180), with a hooked portion facing the symmetry axis of the plate (122), there also being, at the side of an external circular structure (136) of said cap (124), appendages (184), joined on one side to said cap (124) and protruding outwards, each end of said appendages (184) being equipped with a relief (186) protruding outwards, which is complementary to and can be clicked into a hooked portion of said hooked elements (180).

18. The container (10, 110, 210, 310, 410) according to claim 15, characterized in that said elastic element (74, 174, 274, 374, 474) is a spiral spring (74, 274, 374, 474).

19. The container (10, 110, 210, 310, 410) according to claim 15, characterized in that said elastic element (74, 174, 274, 374, 474) is a spring (174) obtained by symmetrically joining two cup springs.

20. The container (10, 110, 210, 310, 410) according to claim 1, characterized in that said washer (28, 128, 228, 428) between the lid (20, 120, 220, 420) and containing element (12, 112, 212, 412) is made of a compressible material.

21. The container (10, 110, 210, 310, 410) according to claim 10, characterized in that said insert (50, 150, 250, 350, 450, 550) is dome-shaped, so that when it remains in a lowered position it reaches the desired vacuum, for which it has been calibrated.

22. The container (510) according to claim 1, characterized in that one of said unidirectional valves (560) is produced with at least one lip facing upwards, said closing element (542) being screwed to said internal cylindrical structure (530), there being a lower washer (540), situated on said internal cylindrical structure (530) and which comprises a washer of the “O ring” type kept in position by an annular element with an “L” section.