WO2016159796A1

WO2016159796A1 - Universal venting system for vacuum containers

Info

Publication number: WO2016159796A1
Application number: PCT/PL2015/000060
Authority: WO
Inventors: Piotr PYRTEK
Original assignee: Admi Spółka Z Ograniczoną Odpowiedzialnością
Priority date: 2015-03-31
Filing date: 2015-03-31
Publication date: 2016-10-06

Abstract

A universal venting system for vacuum containers including a bottom element (A) - a base of the device; used to secure a hole in a container lid, consisting of two pressure pieces (1 - the upper one and 2 - the lower one), screwed with an integrated system of seals (3) and a gravity valve (4), as well as a plug that protects against inadvertent natural aeration (5), the top element (B) - a venting piston; used to evacuate mechanically the air from the device and consists of an external body (6) and a venting piston (7) provided with a system of seals (8) to prevent air inflow into the container. The invention is distinguished by its universality, which is an easy-to- mount bottom part (A) that can be fitted to any type of a lid, thanks to a threaded (9) joint of elements (1) and (2), which allows installation the lower element on a lid thick from 1mm to 4mm. A vacuum valve according to the invention (10) has a body consisting of the elements (1) and (2) equipped with aeration holes (12) that form a valve chamber (V\), inside which is the vertically seated valve (10) equipped with seals (13). The invention is distinguished by the fact, that the aeration of the device is provided by the vacuum valve (10), which, when risen, induces an inflow of air into the container. The invention has been also equipped with the top element (B), a universal pumping device attached directly to the bottom element (A) by a fastening thread. The pumping aeration device consists of piston (14), plunger with a head (15) and casing (16).

Description

Universal venting system for vacuum containers

The object of this invention is a universal venting system for vacuum containers. The device according to the invention is used to vent - creating a vacuum in the containers for food. The device according to the invention may be used in catering industry as well and in ordinary households. The design of device, durable and resistant for multiple use and for increased loads, makes it possible both the professional use of valve acc. to the invention in restaurants, bars and hotels, and the occasional use of this device in households as well.

From the description of U.S. Patent No. US2004/0040618A1 , known is a food storage container that includes a lid with a vent hole, and a removable cover removably secured to the lid to cover the vent hole. The food storage container further includes a one-way air valve disposed between the vent hole and evacuation hole. With the cover secured to the lid, the one-way air valve inhibits air flow into the container through the vent hole while allowing air flow out of the container via the vent hole and evacuation hole. With the cover removed, the one-way air valve allows bi-directional air flow through the vent hole. An outer surface of the cover defines a smooth sealing area extending about the evacuation hole for sealing against a vacuum pump held against the cover over the evacuation hole to evacuate the container.

In turn, from the description of U.S. Patent No. US2008/0230144A1 , known is a hand operated pump for evacuating air from a vacuum container. The pump includes a cylindrical container and a cylindrical piston that moves in it. The container is ended with a cap with a hole to guide the piston. A front face of the pump has an adapter to engage the valve to the vacuum container.

From the description of U.S. Patent No. US2010/0326987A1 , known is a vacuum seal valve containing a lid for the air-tight closing of a container for the packaging of products, particularly food products. The design consists of a closing body arranged for sealing a hole for evacuating air from the container. The closing body is equipped with a punching member stem that is adapted to pierce the lid closing the container so as to form the air evacuating hole. A reciprocating mechanical vacuum pump, with manual actuation, evacuates air from the container via the application of a vacuum sealing valve. The pump has, at its base, has a recess adapted to form a housing for retaining the valve. The lowering movement of the plunger allows driving the valve in a lid of the container.

From the description of UK Patent No. GB2298639, known is a for food storage container having one or more apertures formed therein, said aperture or apertures being sealed by a one-way valve comprising a flexible flap.

A technical problem encountered in this type vacuum systems is to achieve a permanent seal and an easy way to vent, which comes down to simplify the design. In fact, the construction simplicity is important both in the production process and in the use and maintenance of the device.

The universal venting system for vacuum containers according to the invention includes a bottom part (mounted directly to a container lid) and a top part (a venting piston). The bottom part (a vent) is composed of two main elements, threaded together, which are responsible for tightness of the entire system. In an orifice cut in a container lid, two elements are threaded that have been equipped with cylindrical seals placed over and under the lid. Favourably the sealing element is a rubber torus seal of O-ring type, located in the recess in the body that extends around the chamber. The whole is threaded with adequate torque and forms an air-proof system. The bottom element, due to its open work design in a form of "spokes", provides a support for an internal vacuum valve that, depending on its type job, can be in the open position: venting of the container/aeration of the container, or in closed position: the container evacuated - a vacuum formed. The valve under discussion also has a lower support sub-construction in a form of openwork bottom that complements the whole of the bottom element of the device. The very valve consists of two parts: a round plug and an inner plunger with a head; when the valve is positioned between the bottom elements of vent, insert the plunger in its central holes, which will induce the alignment of elements. A compression spring located above the plug provides extra sealing of the device. The bottom section of the device has been additionally equipped with a closing lid (cap) to prevent accidental venting of the container by lifting the valve. Venting operation of the device is implemented using the top part of the device - a venting piston. It is a separate part of the system that is only used for removing (evacuating) air out of the container. The top element, a universal pumping device, is fastened to the bottom element using a threaded end, which ensures air- tightness of the implemented operation. Inside the element, there is a piston fitted with reciprocal seals (angular seals that ensure the airtight upward movement of piston - removal of air (suction of new batch of air from the inside of the container) and the lack of airtightness during downward movement - preparing for sucking the air. The internal piston has a central plunger that extends outside of the device and is ended with a head, which provides easy use of the device.

The object of this invention is shown in the embodiment of Fig. 1 that shows a cross-section through the bottom part with a plug and the vacuum inside the container; Fig. 2 shows a cross-section through the bottom and the top element, and a course of air during the operation, and Fig. 3 presents a plan of the bottom element with a plug; Fig, 4 shows a plan of both top and bottom elements; Fig, 5 shows an axonometry of the bottom element without the plug; Fig.6 presents the axonometry of bottom element with the plug; whereas Fig. 7 shows the whole axonometry of the device with both top and bottom element; Fig. 8 presents the axonometry of all parts of the device.

The universal venting system for vacuum containers consists of two main components: a bottom element (A) - a base of the device; used to secure the hole in the container lid. The element (A) consists of two cylindrical clamping rims Q - the upper one 2 - the lower one), threaded, with an integrated system of seals (3) (a rubber torus seal of O-ring type) and gravity valve (4) (which is able to move up and down, depending on the operating mode: venting - creating the vacuum, aeration - compensating the vacuum), a plug that prevents against accidental aeration (5), and a compression spring (18). The top element (B) - a universal pumping device; is used to remove mechanically the air from the unit and consists of an external body (6) and an air evacuating piston (7) equipped with a reciprocate seals (8) to prevent air inflow into the container, and a head to induce the piston movement. The invention is distinguished by its universality, which is an easy-to-mount bottom part (A) that can be fitted to any type of a lid (the orifice may be of diameter within 6cm to 8cm), thanks to a threaded (9) joint of elements (1) and (2), which allows installation the bottom element on a lid thick from 1 mm to 4mm. A vacuum valve according to the invention (10) has a body consisting of the elements (1) and (2) equipped with aeration holes (12) that form a valve chamber (11.), inside which is the vertically seated valve (10) equipped with seals (13) (a rubber torus seal of O-ring type). The invention is distinguished by the fact, that the aeration of the device is provided by the vacuum valve (10), which, when risen, induces an inflow of air into the container. The invention has been also equipped with the top element (B), a universal pumping device attached directly to the bottom element (A) by a fastening thread. The pumping aeration device consists of piston (14), plunger with a head (15) and casing

Claims

Patent claims

1. A universal venting system for vacuum containers applicable both for the rigid plastic containers and film ones, consisting of a lids, valve and manual pump, wherein a lower part that protects the container against air inflow makes a bottom element (A) that is a base of the device to protect the opening in the container lid; the bottom element (A) consists of two cylindrical clamping rims, i.e. an upper rim (1) and a lower rim (2), threaded, with an integrated system of seals (3), that are rubber torus of O-ring type.

2. The universal venting system for vacuum containers according to Claim 1 , wherein it is equipped with a gravity valve (4) that has the ability to move up and down, depending on the operating mode: venting - creating a vacuum, aeration - compensating the vacuum, a plug that prevents against accidental aeration (5) and a pressure spring (18).