MOTORIZED VACUUM/PRESSURE MARINATING FOOD AND STORAGE CONTAINER
A container for storing food at a predetermined vacuum or pressure condition. A lid includes a vacuum or pressure pump for removing or adding fluid, a controller and an electrical circuit including a normally-closed indicator contact which is opened by an indicator when pressure in the container reaches a predetermined level above or below that outside the container and a normally-opened switch contact closed by a switch when the lid is attached and sealed to a container. The method includes attaching the lid to the container, closing the indicator and switch contacts to activate the pump to remove or add fluids to the container through the lid, and opening the indicator contact when pressure in the container reaches a predetermined level of pressure or vacuum. The controller then cycles the pump on and off. Subsequently, the lid is removed from the container to open the switch contact and render the pump inoperable.
This is a continuation-in-part of pending U.S. application Ser. No. 10/605,468 filed on Oct. 1, 2003. The subject matter of this application is related to that disclosed and claimed in U.S. application serial no. [ATTY DOCKET NO. EIC 100002000] entitled “Vacuum Sealable Coffee and Marinating Food Storage Container” by the same inventor filed on even date herewith.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to motorized pumps and stoppers which may be used for pressurizing and/or evacuating food or drink containers and, in particular, to a motorized vacuum/pressure pump which employs a piston drive mechanism to convert rotary motion of a motor to a reciprocating motion of a piston and a valve selectable to change the pump between vacuum and pressure pumping modes, and a stopper which may be switched between pour and vacuum/pressure seal positions. The pump may be incorporated into the lid of a food storage container, which may be used for storing or marinating food under vacuum or pressure.
2. Description of Related Art
A combination vacuum/pressure pump for preserving wine and/or foods under vacuum, and pressurizing carbonated drinks and other foods, is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,031,785. This pump utilizes a hand-pumping mechanism, switchable between vacuum and pressure modes, and mates with a valve stopper, likewise switchable between vacuum and pressure modes, that is disposed in the open mouth of a food or drink container. While this combination vacuum/pressure pump is quite useful, it requires the user to open the pump head to switch between the vacuum and pressure pumping modes. A more convenient vacuum/pressure switching method would be useful. Also, it would be useful to have a vacuum/pressure pump which does not require hand-pumping operation.
The '785 patent also discloses a stopper for use with the vacuum/pressure pump, which has a valve element that may be reversed between vacuum and pressure sealing positions. However, in order to access the contents of the food or drink container, the stopper must be removed from the mouth of the container. It would be useful to provide a way to access the contents of the container without having to remove the stopper.
Another vacuum pump and stopper system employs an audible click when the system reaches a desired level of vacuum, relying on a mechanical system to generate the sound. It would be useful to have an indicator in both a vacuum and pressure system that provides a reliable indicator, not limited to a sound, to indicate when the desired level of vacuum or pressure has been achieved.
Some foods or drinks that are preferably stored at a vacuum also are provided in containers that cannot be closed with bottle stoppers, such as coffee in conventional one-pound containers. It would be desirable to have a way to automatically seal and store the contents of such containers in a vacuum.
Moreover, it is important in vacuum/pressure pump and stopper systems to utilize one-way valves that are inexpensive to manufacture, yet seal properly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONBearing in mind the problems and deficiencies of the prior art, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a combination vacuum/pressure pump, which is conveniently switchable between the vacuum and pressure modes.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a vacuum/pressure pump which is externally switchable between vacuum and pressure modes.
A further object of the invention is to provide a combination vacuum/pressure pump which does not require hand pumping operation.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a combination vacuum/pressure pump which is of compact design and which may easily fit into, and be operated by, a user's hand.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a stopper for vacuum or pressure sealing a food or drink container that provides ready access to the contents of the container, without having to remove the stopper.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a pump that reliably indicates the desired level of vacuum or pressure.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a pump and lid combination which automatically seals and store the contents of such containers in a vacuum.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a one-way valve that may be used in both vacuum/pressure pumps and stoppers that is inexpensive to manufacture, yet seals properly.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a vacuum food marinating method and device.
The above and other objects, which will be apparent to those skilled in art, are achieved in the present invention which is directed in one aspect to a combination vacuum and pressure pump comprising a pump housing having an opening for connection to a container to be evacuated or pressurized, a pump chamber within the pump housing, and a piston in sliding, substantially airtight engagement with walls of the pump chamber, adapted to reciprocate between pressure and vacuum strokes within the chamber. The pump includes at least one one-way valve communicating with the pump chamber, permitting passage of fluid only into or out of the pump chamber and a selectable flow control member in the pump housing having a pair of passages therein and movable between pressure and vacuum positions. In the pressure position, one of the selectable flow control member passages connects the pump chamber and the pump housing opening to permit passage of fluid from the pump chamber out of the housing connection opening during the piston pressure stroke, and the other of the selectable flow control member passages permits passage of fluid into the pump chamber from a region external to the pump chamber through a one-way valve during the piston vacuum stroke. In the vacuum position, one of the first selectable flow control member passages connects a one-way valve to the pump chamber to permit passage of fluid from the pump chamber out to the external region through the one-way valve during the piston pressure stroke, and the other of the selectable flow control member passages permits passage of fluid from the housing connection opening to the pump chamber during the piston vacuum stroke.
The pump preferably includes a motor for reciprocating the piston within the pump chamber, more preferably a motor having a rotating output shaft and a piston drive for converting rotary movement of the output shaft to reciprocating motion of the piston within the pump chamber.
Preferably, the selectable flow control member has a first passage extending from one side to the other, and the one-way valve is disposed in the selectable flow control member first passage. The selectable flow control member is rotatable: i) in the pressure position, to place the one-way valve in an orientation to permit passage of fluid only into the piston chamber, and ii) in the vacuum position, to place the one-way valve in an orientation to permit passage of fluid only out of the piston chamber.
The selectable flow control member may comprise a cylindrical body rotatingly received within a cavity in the pump housing, wherein the passage therein extends from an opening on one side surface of the body to an opening on the other side surface of the body. There is further included a seal extending around the flow control member body, such as O-rings, between the body and the cavity, separating the passage openings on each side surface of the flow control member body. The selectable flow control member preferably also includes a handle extending outward of the pump housing for rotating the selectable flow control member between the pressure and vacuum positions.
More preferably, the selectable flow control member has a pair of passages extending from one side to the other, and includes a first one-way valve disposed in one of the selectable flow control member passages and a second one-way valve disposed in the other of the selectable flow control member passages, with the one way valves being disposed in opposite orientations in the passages. The selectable flow control member is rotatable: i) in the pressure position, to place the first one-way valve in an orientation to permit passage of fluid from the external region only into the piston chamber and to place the second one-way valve in an orientation to permit passage of fluid only out from the piston chamber and through the housing connection opening, and ii) in the vacuum position, to place the first one-way valve in an orientation to permit passage of fluid from the piston chamber only out to the external region and to place the second one-way valve in an orientation to permit passage of fluid only into the piston chamber from the housing connection opening.
In another embodiment, the pump includes a pair of one-way valves communicating with the pump chamber, with the first one-way chamber valve permitting passage of fluid only into the pump chamber, and the second one-way chamber valve permitting passage of fluid only out of the pump chamber. The pump also includes a pair of one-way valves communicating externally to the pump housing, with the first one-way external valve permitting passage of fluid only out to a region external to the pump housing, and the second one-way external valve permitting passage of fluid only out of the housing connection opening. In this embodiment, the selectable flow control member is disposed in the pump housing between the one-way chamber valves and the one-way external valves, and has a pair of passages therein and movable between pressure and vacuum positions. In the pressure position, the first selectable flow control member passage connects the second one-way chamber valve to the housing connection opening and the second selectable flow control member passage connects the pump chamber to the second one-way external valve, thereby permitting passage of fluid from the pump chamber out of the housing connection opening during the piston pressure stroke, and permitting passage of fluid from the external region to the pump chamber during the piston vacuum stroke. In the vacuum position, the first selectable flow control member passage connects the pump chamber to the first external valve opening and the second selectable flow control member passage connects the first chamber valve to the housing connection opening, thereby permitting passage of fluid from the pump chamber out to the external region during the piston pressure stroke, and permitting passage of fluid from the housing connection opening to the pump chamber during the piston vacuum stroke.
The piston drive may comprise a member extending transversely to the direction of movement of the piston and a track extending circumferentially around and engaging the transversely extending member in sliding relationship. The track has a non-linear configuration, preferably substantially sinusoidal, such that, upon rotation of the output shaft, the transversely extending member slides with respect to the track and imparts a reciprocating motion to the operatively connected piston within the pump chamber. Preferably, the transversely extending member is disposed on a rotatable drive member operatively connected to the motor output shaft and comprises at least one wheel slidingly captured in the track, which extends circumferentially around an interior wall of a reciprocating drive member connected to the piston. The rotatable drive member extends within the reciprocating drive member and adapted to rotate the transversely extending member to cause the transversely extending member to slide within the track and impart reciprocating motion to the operatively connected piston within the pump chamber.
In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a pump comprising a pump housing having a pump chamber, and a piston in sliding, substantially airtight engagement with walls of the pump chamber, adapted to reciprocate in a direction between pressure and vacuum strokes within the chamber, for pumping air into or out of the pump. The pump includes a motor in the pump housing powering a rotatable output shaft and a piston drive operatively connecting the motor output shaft and the piston. The piston drive comprises a member extending transversely to the direction of movement of the piston and a track extending circumferentially around and engaging the transversely extending member in sliding relationship. The track has a non-linear configuration such that, upon rotation of the output shaft, the transversely extending member slides with respect to the track and imparts a reciprocating motion to the operatively connected piston within the pump chamber.
Preferably, the one-way valve comprises a valve seat having an opening therein; and a valve diaphragm having a sealing member supported by flexible arms in a normally biased position against and sealing the valve seat opening. When a fluid such as air is forced in a first direction through the valve seat opening against the sealing member, the arms flex and move the sealing member away from the valve seat opening to permit fluid (air) flow out of the valve seat opening. When the fluid (air) is forced in a direction opposite the first direction, the arms do not flex and the sealing member remains in the normally biased position against and sealing the valve seat opening to restrict fluid flow. More preferably, the sealing member comprises a bulb or cap suspended by a plurality of radially extending arms attached to the valve seat outward of the valve seat opening.
In yet another aspect, the present invention is directed to a pump comprising a pump chamber, a piston in the pump chamber, and the aforedescribed one-way valve communicating with the pump chamber.
A further aspect of the present invention is directed to a pump comprising a housing, a pump chamber in the housing, a piston slidable in the pump chamber, and an indicator for indicating when a desired level of vacuum or pressure has been reached. The indicator comprises a flexible membrane exposed to atmospheric pressure outside the pump and to fluid pressure present within the pump chamber, and a movable electrical contact operatively connected to the membrane. The movable contact completes one circuit when the pressure in the pump falls to a desired pressure below atmospheric pressure, and completes another circuit when the pressure in the pump rises to a desired pressure above atmospheric pressure. The indicator also includes an indicator signal energizable when the movable electrical contact completes either one or the other circuit.
The pump housing opening may be removably connected to an opening of a food or drink container, preferably to a one-way stopper in an opening of a food or drink container
In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a stopper for contacting and seating with an opening in a container, the stopper having an opening therethrough between the container interior and exterior and the aforedescribed one-way valve disposed in the opening.
In a further aspect, the present invention is directed to a stopper for contacting and sealing with an opening in a container, with the stopper having a pour opening for accessing contents in the container. The pour opening is movable between open and closed positions, and includes a one-way valve movably disposed in the stopper between an operative position to permit one-way flow of fluid into or out of the container when the pour opening is in the closed position, and an inoperative position when the pour opening is in the open position.
Preferably, the one-way valve is movable to a first operative position when the pour opening is in the closed position to permit one-way flow of fluid into the container, and to a second operative position when the pour opening is in the closed position to permit one-way flow of fluid out of the container. The stopper more preferably includes a rotatable ball valve body having the pour opening disposed therein in a first direction, and the one-way valve disposed therein in a second direction. The ball valve body is movable between the first and second directions to open and close the pour opening, and respectively render inoperative and operative the one-way valve.
Additionally, the stopper opening between the container interior and exterior includes a central pour opening for pouring out the contents of the container when the container is tipped from an upright position, and at least one parallel passageway adjacent the central pour opening to permit air to flow into the container to release back pressure.
Preferably, the present invention provides the aforedescribed pump and stopper in combination with each other.
In yet another aspect, the present invention is directed to a method of marinating food comprising providing a container for the food and a removable lid to hermetically seal the container. The lid includes a pump for pressurizing air into or evacuating air from the container, and a controller adapted to cycle the pump on and off. Te method includes hermetically sealing the food in the container in contact with a marinade and, using the controller, cycling the pump on and off to marinade the food in the container. A pressure or vacuum indicator may be provided to turn the pump off when a desired degree of pressure or vacuum is achieved in the container.
A further aspect of the present invention provides a method of marinating food comprising providing a container for the food, the container having a pump for pressurizing air into or evacuating air from the container, and a controller. The controller is adapted to control the degree of pressure or vacuum to be achieved in the container, the time for which the pressure or vacuum is maintained, the admission of air into or evacuation of air out of the container, and the time for which the air admission or evacuation is maintained. The method includes providing a marinade in the container, and hermetically sealing the food in the container in contact with the marinade. The controller is then used to repeatedly pressurize air into or evacuate air from the container to a desired degree of pressure or vacuum, maintain the food in contact with the marinade under the pressure or vacuum for a desired time, release the hermetic seal to permit air to enter or leave the container, and maintain the food in contact with the marinade and the pressurized air or vacuum in the container for a desired time in accordance with a desired control program.
The controller may also be used to repeatedly: a) evacuate air from the container to a desired degree of vacuum, b) maintain the food in contact with the marinade under the vacuum for a desired time, c) release the hermetic seal to permit air to enter the container, and d) maintain the food in contact with the marinade and the air in the container for a desired time, in accordance with a desired control program.
The food may be disposed on the base of the container when in contact with the marinade, and the method may further include raising the base of the container during evacuation of the container to move the food with respect to the marinade. Preferably, the container is provided with a flexible base, and wherein evacuating air from the container causes the base to raise as a result of pressure differential between the vacuum in the container and atmospheric air pressure outside the container.
The controller may include a selection of control programs for different degrees of vacuum to be achieved in the container, times for which the vacuum is maintained, amount of air to be admitted into the container, and/or times for which the air admission is maintained, and including selecting the desired control program prior to using the controller.
In a further aspect, the present invention provides a method of storing food at a predetermined vacuum or pressure condition comprising providing a container for the food, wherein the container has an opening therein, and providing a lid portion adapted to seal to the opening of the container. There is also provided a vacuum or pressure pump having passages for removing or adding fluid through the lid portion, a motor attached to the lid for operating the pump, a battery attached to the lid for energizing the motor. An electrical circuit connects the battery and motor and includes a normally-closed indicator contact which is opened by an indicator when pressure in the container reaches a predetermined level above or below that outside the container and a normally-opened switch contact closed by a switch when the lid is attached and sealed to a container. The method includes attaching the lid to the container, closing the indicator and switch contacts to activate the pump to remove or add fluids to the container through the lid, and opening the indicator contact when pressure in the container reaches a predetermined level of pressure or vacuum. Subsequently, the lid is removed from the container to open the switch contact and render the pump inoperable.
Where the pump is a vacuum pump, the indicator may include a normally-closed indicator contact which is opened when pressure in the container reaches a predetermined level below that outside the container. The method then includes opening the indicator contact when pressure in the container reaches a predetermined level of vacuum.
The method may further including providing in the lid portion a controller adapted to cycle the pump on and off prior to removing the lid.
Another related aspect of the present invention provides a lid for a container to be maintained at a predetermined vacuum or pressure condition. Attached to a lid portion adapted to seal to the opening of a container are a vacuum or pressure pump having passages for removing or adding fluid through the lid portion, a motor attached to the lid for operating the pump, and a battery attached to the lid for energizing the motor. An electrical circuit connecting the battery and motor includes a normally-closed indicator contact which is opened by an indicator when pressure in the container reaches a predetermined level above or below that outside the container. The circuit also includes a normally-open switch contact closed by a switch when the lid is attached and seated to a container. When the lid is initially attached and sealed to the container, the indicator and switch contacts are closed and the pump removes or adds fluid to the container through the lid until pressure in the container reaches a predetermined level, whereupon the indicator contact opens. When the lid is removed from the container the switch contact opens and the pump is inoperable. The pump may be the combination vacuum pressure pump, or the vacuum-only or pressure only pump embodiments described above.
The features of the invention believed to be novel and the elements characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The figures are for illustration purposes only and are not drawn to scale. The invention itself, however, both as to organization and method of operation, may best be understood by reference to the detailed description which follows taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
The present invention is directed in various preferred aspects to a hand-held, battery or otherwise powered motorized combination vacuum/pressure pump for either evacuating air from, or pressurizing, liquid and other containers. In the vacuum mode, it is most useful for removing air from partially filled wine bottles and food containers, to preserve the contents. In the pressure mode, it may be used to add air to pressurize partially filled champagne or soda bottles to preserve their contents and to remove the corks from wine bottles. The motorized combination vacuum/pressure pump is intended to be used in place of the hand-operated vacuum/pressure of your U.S. Pat. No. 5,031,785, and is directly compatible with the one-way vacuum/pressure stopper shown in that patent. Other style stoppers may also be used to vacuum seal or pressurize containers.
In describing the preferred embodiment of the present invention, reference will be made herein to
In
As shown in more detail in
The structure of the piston drive mechanism is shown in more detail in
Received in sliding and/or rolling relationship within track 54 is a wheel 60, which is mounted on an axle 58 extending transversely from the axis of rotating member 52. When rotating member 52 rotates as shown in direction of arrow 53, it is prevented from reciprocal movement in the direction of arrow 51 by its fixed attachment to output shaft 42 of motor 40. As wheel 60 travels within track 54, due to the non-linear, sinusoidal configuration of the track, a reciprocating movement is imparted to piston drive reciprocating member 50 in direction of arrow 51. A pin 36 extending outward from reciprocating member 50 through a vertical slot 37 in the side of housing 12 prevents reciprocating member 50 from rotational movement in direction 53 while permitting reciprocating movement in directions 51. Spacer ring 55 is connected to and extends around the outer periphery of the upper portion of reciprocating member 50 to permit proper alignment during reciprocating movement. This reciprocating movement is imparted to the operatively connected piston 44 to move piston 44 alternately through vacuum and pressure strokes as motor 40 operates to turn output shaft 42 and rotating member 52. Other non-linear configurations of track 54 may be utilized for example, a saw tooth shape, to impart any type of desired reciprocating movement to piston 44. Instead of the groove shown, the track may be a continuous protrusion extending circumferentially around the inside of reciprocating member 50, and the shaft/wheel slidingly captures the protruding track. Moreover, the position of the track and shaft/wheel may be reversed, so that the track is disposed in the outer side wall of rotational member 52 and the shaft and wheel are disposed extending in from reciprocating member 50. Also, a pair of wheels may be employed, for example, in the embodiment of
The pumping motion of piston 44 may be utilized to operate pump 10 in either pressure or vacuum mode. A cylindrical flow control member or switch 70 (see also
The vacuum and pressure positions of flow control member 70 and the one-way valves therein are shown in
In the pressure-pumping configuration depicted in
The preferred embodiment of pump 10 also incorporates an indicator 110 to signal when the container has reached the proper level of pressure or vacuum. Indicator 110 (
Membrane 122 is preferably made from a flexible thermoplastic material of durometer and thickness suitable to move the contacts as described, when exposed to the desired pressure or vacuum limit. As shown in
Another embodiment of the combination vacuum/pressure pump of the present invention is depicted in
The vacuum position of flow control valve 70 is shown in
The combination vacuum/pressure pump embodiments shown in
In another embodiment of the vacuum/pressure pump, depicted in
In the vacuum-pumping configuration depicted in
Another vacuum/pressure stopper that may be used with the combination vacuum/pressure pump of the present invention is depicted in
To permit access to the contents of the food or drink container, ball valve body 98 has a pour opening 100 therethrough which, when rotated and aligned with central opening 99a to an open position as shown in
While any known one-way valves 62a, 62b, 62c and 62d may be utilized, for example the flap valve shown in
In operation of the combination vacuum/pressure pump of the present invention, the pump head 14 is placed in sealing relationship with a stopper or other opening in a food or drink container. For a vacuum operation, selector knob 16 is rotated to place the cylindrical flow control member 70 in the vacuum position (
For pressurizing, pump head 14 is again sealed to a container and knob 16 is rotated to place cylindrical flow control member 70 in the pressure position and invert the positions of passageways 66, 68 (
In addition to evacuating or pressurizing containers through a stopper valve of the type shown in
In
When the lid is snapped onto a container at normal atmospheric pressure, switch 125 is closed and, because the switch contacts of indicator 110 are also closed, the circuit is closed, motor 40 is energized by battery 18, and pump 10 commences removing the air from the interior of container 130. When the predetermined degree of vacuum is achieved, membrane 122′ moves to open the contacts of indicator 110, and open the circuit, shutting off the vacuum pump. An indicator light 112, operatively energized by the opening of the contacts of indicator 110, may signal to the user that the predetermined degree of vacuum is achieved. Since the atmospheric pressure outside the container is higher than the pressure inside the container, one way valves 62a, 62b are sealed closed, and air cannot enter the container through the lid. Should the seal between lid 120 and container 130 leak while the lid is in place, or if the container otherwise permits air to enter, the contacts of vacuum indicator 110 will again close and return the contents of the container to the predetermined vacuum level. When lid 120 is removed from the container, switch 125 returns to its normally open position, and the pump cannot operate.
If one-way valves 62a, 62b are reversed, so that the pump operates only in the pressure mode, and indicator 110 is calibrated to open at a predetermined level of pressure above atmospheric, the combination lid 120 and pump 10 may be used to maintain the interior of container 130 in a pressurized state above outside atmospheric pressure. In their reversed position, one way valves 62a, 62b are sealed closed because the atmospheric pressure outside the container is lower than the pressure inside the container, and air cannot escape the container through the lid. If air does escape, indicator 110 will close its contacts, and the pump will add more air pressure. Alternatively, in the embodiment of
A controller 128, such as a microprocessor, may also be incorporated in the circuit of the lid pump 10′ to cycle the pump on and off as desired. This is useful when the container is used for marinating foods. The configuration of truncated conical head 14 permits it to be alternatively used with a stopper as well, as described above, or to directly seal to the opening of a wine bottle. In the latter case, additional structure may be needed to maintain the pump and lid combination on top of the bottle when the bottle is stored.
Another embodiment of the vacuum/pressure food storage container and lid of the present invention is shown in
Container 130 preferably has a flexible base 131, which is movable by pressure differential between normal position 131 when the interior 166 of the container is at the same pressure as the outside 168 atmospheric pressure, and a flexed position 131′ when the pressure inside the container is lower than the outside pressure. Upon hermetically sealing lid 120 over the open top of container 130, the pump 10 may be operated to draw air out of the container until a desired degree of vacuum is achieved, thereby flexing container base 131 upward. In so flexing, food 109 immersed in a marinade 111 provided within container 130 may be moved and stretched by the base 131′, which is drawn inward and upward, so as to expand the area of the food surface exposed to the marinade, or at least move it with respect to the marinade. Upon releasing the hermetic seal or otherwise permitting air to re-enter the container, the base returns to its original position 131 and again moves the food with respect to the surrounding marinade.
While base 131 is substantially flat in
Controller 128, which controls the operation of pump 10, may also be made to cause and control the reentry of air into the container. This is done by employing an actuator operable by the controller, such as a solenoid, to open a valve in a passageway between the container interior and the external atmospheric pressure, to permit re-entry of air into the container. An electrically operated actuator 150 or 200 (
A preferred embodiment of the vacuum indicator switch is shown in
To calibrate the indicator switch to electrically signal the desired degree of vacuum, indicator switch 110a includes an adjustable positioning mechanism for spring contact 118c. Threaded screw 124 is received into comparably threaded opening 136 in housing 102, and includes a non-threaded barrel portion around which is slidingly mounted elevator 132 to which spring contact 118c is fixed at one end. As screw 124 is rotated by engaging screw head 134 with a screwdriver, elevator 132 slides without rotation to move spring contact 118c up or down as indicated by the arrows in
Indicator 110a may also be used for indicating above-atmospheric pressure by locating spring contact 118c on the other side of the aim of contact 114c, below, so that when membrane 122a moves downward due to overpressure in chamber 104, the contacts 114c and 118c make electrical contact at the desired pressure above atmospheric.
A filter to clean air entering and leaving the container interior 166 is shown in
Mechanism 140 also includes a release actuator 150 mounted in lid upper surface 154 to permit the vacuum to be released from the container. Release actuator 150 is urged by coiled spring 152, mounted in lid opening 155 around the button body, upward away from valve 158. Valve 158 is urged by coiled spring 162, mounted on interior housing shoulder 174 in the lower end of chamber 148, upward against shoulder 172 in the upper end of chamber 148. A flexible seal 160 around valve 158 ensures that no air enters the upper end of the chamber when the valve is closed. To release the vacuum inside the container, the user may manually push actuator 150 down with a finger against spring 152, and the lower end of body portion 156 then pushes valve 158 downward against spring 162. Atmospheric air from region 168 outside the lid or from vented air 126 in the upper lid interior then passes around the opened valve 158, into chamber 148 and through filter 144 and mesh screen 146 into container interior 166. In doing so, the atmospheric air is filtered, and any trapped particles at the lower end of the filter and screen tend to be cleaned off and expelled back into the container.
Instead of being manually operable, release actuator 150 may comprise an electrically actuated solenoid that is actuated either by the user directly or by the controller. In the embodiment where the container is used to marinate foods using automatic cycling, upon user actuation to release the vacuum the controller will preferably be reset to discontinue the cycling and return to its initial state.
Both manual and electrically-operated pressure release actuators may be incorporated into the container or lid by configuring release actuator 150 as a manual push button, and by adding an electrically operated actuator 200 connected by tube segment 108a to tube 108. A solenoid 202 within the actuator is operable by the controller 128 (
A preferred seal between lid 120 and container 130 is shown in
Lid seal 190 also includes an opening in a single location around the lid periphery between seal outer portion 194 and seal upper and inner portions 192. This opening permits an end 186 of lever 176 to contact the upper portion of container lip 188. Contact lever 176 is part of switch 125 which signals when the lid is in proper closed position over container 130. Lever 176 rotates around pivot 184 and is biases by coil spring 182 in a counterclockwise rotation, as shown in
To remove and protect pump 10 when the lid 120 needs to be washed or otherwise cleaned, the pump may be made to be easily removable from the container lid.
In normal operation, where pump-containing lid portion 120 is mated to lid 120, the user grasps finger grips 199 with one hand and handles 197 on container 130 with the other to secure or remove the lid with respect to the container. The user separately removes lid portion 120a containing pump 10 when lid 120 is to be cleaned by unlatching it from lid 120, and subsequently re-latching it back onto the lid after the lid cleaning is completed.
Thus, the present invention provides a hand-held, motorized combination vacuum/pressure pump, which in one aspect, is conveniently and externally switchable between the vacuum and pressure modes. In another aspect, the pump may be used exclusively in vacuum or pressure modes. In the former, the pump may also be combined with a container lid to automatically maintain a vacuum when in place; in the latter the pump may also be used with a needle to remove corks from wine bottles. The stopper of the present invention is conveniently switchable between pour and either vacuum- or pressure-keeping modes for the container. The pump and stopper of the present invention may be used in combination with each other, as described herein, or with other stoppers and pumps, respectively.
Additionally, the present invention provides an improved vacuum or pressure food storage device that filters air entering or leaving the container; protects the pump motor and power supply from excessive use in the case of an air leak in the container; permits calibration of the pressure or vacuum sensor prior to assembly into the container; permits removal of the pump prior to cleaning the lid; permits better hermetic sealing of the lid to the container; and moves the food with respect to the marinade while evacuating air from the container. It is particularly useful for storing foods such as coffee under a vacuum, and for marinating foods using a cyclic vacuum and/or pressure environment resulting in faster and better infusion and saturation of the marinade into the food.
While the present invention has been particularly described, in conjunction with a specific preferred embodiment, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will embrace any such alternatives, modifications and variations as falling within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.
Claims
1. A method of marinating food comprising:
- providing a container for the food and a removable lid to hermetically seal the container, the lid having a pump for pressurizing air into or evacuating air from the container, and a controller adapted to cycle the pump on and off;
- hermetically sealing the food in the container in contact with a marinade; and
- using the controller, cycling the pump on and off to marinade the food in the container.
2. The method of claim 1 including providing a pressure or vacuum indicator and using the pressure or vacuum indicator to turn the pump off when a desired degree of pressure or vacuum is achieved in the container.
3. A method of marinating food comprising:
- providing a container for the food, the container having a pump for pressurizing air into or evacuating air from the container and a controller adapted to control the degree of pressure or vacuum to be achieved in the container, the time for which the pressure or vacuum is maintained, the admission of air into or evacuation of air out of the container, and the time for which the air admission or evacuation is maintained;
- providing a marinade in the container;
- hermetically sealing the food in the container in contact with the marinade;
- using the controller, repeatedly pressurizing air into or evacuating air from the container to a desired degree of pressure or vacuum, maintaining the food in contact with the marinade under the pressure or vacuum for a desired time, releasing the hermetic seal to permit air to enter or leave the container, and maintaining the food in contact with the marinade and the pressurized air or vacuum in the container for a desired time in accordance with a desired control program.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein the controller repeatedly: a) evacuates air from the container to a desired degree of vacuum, b) maintains the food in contact with the marinade under the vacuum for a desired time, c) releases the hermetic seal to permit air to enter the container, and d) maintains the food in contact with the marinade and the air in the container for a desired time, in accordance with a desired control program.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein the food is disposed on the base of the container when in contact with the marinade, and further including raising the base of the container during evacuation of the container to move the food with respect to the marinade.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein the container is provided with a flexible base, and wherein evacuating air from the container causes the base to raise as a result of pressure differential between the vacuum in the container and atmospheric air pressure outside the container.
7. The method of claim 5 wherein the controller includes a selection of control programs for different degrees of vacuum to be achieved in the container, times for which the vacuum is maintained, amount of air to be admitted into the container, and/or times for which the air admission is maintained, and including selecting the desired control program prior to using the controller.
8. A method of storing food at a predetermined vacuum or pressure condition comprising:
- providing a container for the food, the container having an opening therein;
- providing a lid portion adapted to seal to the opening of the container, a vacuum or pressure pump having passages for removing or adding fluid through the lid portion, a motor attached to the lid portion for operating the pump, a battery attached to the lid portion for energizing the motor, and an electrical circuit connecting the battery and motor including a normally-closed indicator contact which is opened by an indicator when pressure in the container reaches a predetermined level above or below that outside the container and a normally-opened switch contact closed by a switch when the lid portion is attached and sealed to a container;
- attaching the lid portion to the container;
- closing the indicator and switch contacts to activate the pump to remove or add fluids to the container through the lid portion;
- opening the indicator contact when pressure in the container reaches a predetermined level of pressure or vacuum; and
- subsequently removing the lid portion from the container to open the switch contact and render the pump inoperable.
9. The method of claim 8 further including providing in the lid portion a controller adapted to cycle the pump on and off and, prior to removing the lid portion, using the controller to cycle the pump on and off.
10. The method of claim 8 wherein the pump is a vacuum pump and the indicator includes a normally-closed indicator contact which is opened when pressure in the container reaches a predetermined level below that outside the container, and including opening the indicator contact when pressure in the container reaches a predetermined level of vacuum.
11. The method of claim 8 wherein the pump is a vacuum pump and further including providing in the lid portion a controller adapted to cycle the pump on and off and, prior to removing the lid portion, using the controller to cycle the pump on and off.
12. A lid for a container to be maintained at a predetermined vacuum or pressure condition comprising a lid portion adapted to seal to the opening of a container, a vacuum or pressure pump having passages for removing or adding fluid through the lid portion, a motor attached to the lid portion for operating the pump, a battery attached to the lid portion for energizing the motor, and an electrical circuit connecting the battery and motor including a normally-closed indicator contact which is opened by an indicator when pressure in the container reaches a predetermined level above or below that outside the container and a normally-opened switch contact closed by a switch when the lid portion is attached and sealed to a container, wherein when the lid portion is initially attached and sealed to the container, the indicator and switch contacts are closed and the pump removes or adds fluid to the container through the lid portion until pressure in the container reaches a predetermined level, whereupon the indicator contact opens, and wherein when the lid portion is removed from the container the switch contact opens and the pump is inoperable.
13. The lid of claim 12 further including a controller in the lid portion adapted to cycle the pump on and off.
14. The lid of claim 12 wherein the pump is a vacuum pump and the indicator includes a normally-closed indicator contact which is opened when pressure in the container reaches a predetermined level below that outside the container.
15. The lid of claim 12 wherein the pump is a vacuum pump and further including a controller in the lid portion adapted to cycle the pump on and off.
16. The lid of claim 12 wherein the pump includes a pump chamber; a piston in sliding, substantially airtight engagement with walls of the pump chamber, adapted to reciprocate in a direction between pressure and vacuum strokes within the chamber, for pumping air into or out of the pump, and wherein the motor powers a rotatable output shaft, and further including a piston drive operatively connecting the motor output shaft and the piston comprising a member extending transversely to the direction of movement of the piston and a track extending circumferentially around and engaging the transversely extending member in sliding relationship, the track having a non-linear configuration such that, upon rotation of the output shaft, the transversely extending member slides with respect to the track and imparts a reciprocating motion to the operatively connected piston within the pump chamber.
17. The lid of claim 16 wherein the track has a substantially sinusoidal configuration.
18. The lid of claim 16 wherein the transversely extending member comprises at least one wheel slidingly received in the track.
19. The lid of claim 16 wherein the transversely extending member comprises at least one wheel slidingly captured in the track, the track having a substantially sinusoidal configuration.
20. The lid of claim 16 wherein the track extends circumferentially around an interior wall of a reciprocating drive member operatively connected to the piston and the transversely extending member is disposed on a rotatable drive member operatively connected to the motor output shaft, the rotatable drive member extending within the reciprocating drive member and adapted to rotate the transversely extending member to cause the transversely extending member to slide within the track and impart reciprocating motion to the operatively connected piston within the pump chamber.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 9, 2007
Publication Date: Jun 12, 2008
Inventor: Anthony R. Lemme (Wallingford, CT)
Application Number: 11/684,200
International Classification: B65B 31/00 (20060101);