Abstract: A pump and stopper combination for vacuum or pressure sealing a container. The stopper has a pour opening and a one-way valve movable 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. A vacuum/pressure pump that connects to the stopper includes a drive adapted to convert rotational movement of a motor to reciprocating motion of a pump piston in a chamber, and one-way pump valves mounted in a selectable flow control member. The selectable flow control member is movable between pressure and vacuum positions to permit passage of fluid only into or out of the pump chamber. The pump also includes an indicator for indicating when a desired level of vacuum or pressure has been reached. The pump may be incorporated into a container lid.

Abstract: A pump and stopper combination for vacuum or pressure sealing a container. The stopper has a pour opening and a one-way valve movable 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. A vacuum/pressure pump that connects to the stopper includes a drive adapted to convert rotational movement of a motor to reciprocating motion of a pump piston in a chamber, and one-way pump valves mounted in a selectable flow control member. The selectable flow control member is movable between pressure and vacuum positions to permit passage of fluid only into or out of the pump chamber. The pump also includes an indicator for indicating when a desired level of vacuum or pressure has been reached The pump may be incorporated into a container lid.

Abstract: A vacuum or pressure refrigerator for storing containers having one-way valves and maintaining contents thereof under vacuum or pressure within a specific temperature range. Upon receiving an input that the door is closed, a refrigerator controller is adapted to cease operation of the cooling device and initiate a vacuum or pressure cycle. The vacuum or pressure cycle includes evacuating at least a portion of or pressurizing the air inside the compartment, operating the pump until a desired degree of vacuum or pressure is attained and terminating pump operation. The one way valves then evacuate or pressurize the containers. The controller is also adapted to subsequently initiate a cooling cycle, the cooling cycle commencing when it is determined that the temperature is above an upper set point and to operate the cooling device until the temperature reaches a desired lower set point, at which time the cooling cycle is terminated.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A vacuum food storage device having a container, a lid, a pump to evacuate air, a switch engageable by contact of the pump to the lid, or by contact of the lid to the container, to permit the pump to evacuate air from the container to a desire degree of vacuum. A sensor disengages the pump when a desired vacuum is achieved, and a timer disengages the pump after a predetermined time. Upon placing the pump on the lid, or the lid on the container, engaging the switch, and operating the pump, the pump is disengaged at the earlier of: i) achieving a desired vacuum in the container, or ii) expiration of the predetermined time. The container may also be used to marinate food, wherein upon evacuating air the base is simultaneously raised to move the food with respect to the marinade.

Abstract: A pump and stopper combination for vacuum or pressure sealing a container. The stopper has a pour opening and a one-way valve movable 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. A vacuum/pressure pump that connects to the stopper includes a drive adapted to convert rotational movement of a motor to reciprocating motion of a pump piston in a chamber, and one-way pump valves mounted in a selectable flow control member. The selectable flow control member is movable between pressure and vacuum positions to permit passage of fluid only into or out of the pump chamber. The pump also includes an indicator for indicating when a desired level of vacuum or pressure has been reached. The pump may be incorporated into a container lid.

Abstract: A roasting apparatus for coffee beans comprises a housing and a horizontal drum on the housing rotatable about an axis with an opening on a first end thereof for receiving and discharging beans and a plurality of openings on a second end opposite the first end of size sufficient to pass air and insufficient to pass the beans. The apparatus includes a heater in the housing capable of heating the drum to roast the beans and a fan adapted to move air through the first and second ends of the drum. A pair of doors pivotally mounted on a common hinge between the fan and the drum are movable between a closed position during roasting substantially blocking passage of free flow of air through the drum and an open position permitting free flow of the air once the beans are sufficiently roasted. A chaff collector is secured to the housing at an end opposite the drum first end. The collector has a plurality of openings of size sufficient to pass air and insufficient to pass chaff from the beans.

Abstract: A roasting apparatus for coffee beans and other food includes a removable drum on the housing rotatable about a horizontal axis and drive means on the housing for supporting and rotating the drum. The drum has a plurality of internal vanes arranged such that i) as the drum is rotated in one direction the beans are stirred and retained by the vanes within the drum, and ii) as the drum is rotated in the opposite direction the beans are moved by the vanes toward the drum opening for dispensing from the roasting apparatus. A removable cover includes a safety interlock which, when activated, prevents opening of the cover when the drum is at bean roasting temperature and which automatically deactivates upon cooling of the drum to permit opening of the cover to remove the drum.

Abstract: A combination pressure and vacuum pump for food or drink containers including a pump housing having a pump cylinder therein, a pump head adapted for sealing engagement with a valve stopper on a food or drink container, and a piston in sliding airtight engagement with the pump cylinder; the pump cylinder, pump head and piston defining a pump chamber. A handle is provided for moving the piston and the pump cylinder relative to one another to pump a gas into or out of the food or drink container. The pump chamber is connected to the valve stopper via a first opening when the pump head is sealed to the valve stopper and to the atmosphere via a second opening through a combination pressure and vacuum valve, the combination valve being switchable from a vacuum position to a pressure position.A combination pressure and vacuum valve stopper is also shown which includes a valve element reversible between a pressure position and a vacuum position to convert the stopper between pressure and vacuum use.