EVACUATION DEVICE

Abstract

An evacuation device may include an airflow redirecting baffle. The baffle may separate out liquids that may be entrained or suspended in air being withdrawn from vacuum storage containers in which food items are placed for vacuum preservation. The evacuation device may also include a nozzle that can interface with a valve element on the storage container. The nozzle aligns airflow in a first flow direction initially within the evacuation device. The baffle is positioned in the evacuation device such that, when airflow encounters the baffle, the airflow or a portion thereof is redirected or diverted in a second flow direction. Redirecting airflow from a first flow direction to a second flow direction causes high inertia liquids entrained in the airflow to impinge upon the baffle and thereby separate from the airflow. An absorbent material can be included to absorb and retain the separated fluids.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various types of containers are known to be used for the purpose of storing and preserving food items. Such containers may be in the configuration of rigid dishes or bowls to provide a cavity or interior volume which can be covered with removable lids. Furthermore, the containers may be storage bags such as are typically made from a flexible, low cost, thermoplastic material that is configured to provide an interior volume into which food items can be inserted. To preserve the inserted food, the storage bag may also include a closing mechanism, such as interlocking fastening strips, for sealing closed an opening through which the interior volume is accessible.

One problem that occurs with the aforementioned containers, including storage bags, is that latent air may remain trapped within the interior volume after sealing closed the opening. The trapped air may cause spoiling or dehydration of the food items.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is provided a hand-held evacuation device and methods of its use for evacuation of air trapped within a food storage container such as a flexible bag. The evacuation device includes a motor operatively engaged to an airflow generating unit, both of which can be enclosed in a housing that may be adapted to be gripped by the hands of a user. Located at the front of the device is a nozzle which provides an inlet opening in fluid communication with the airflow generating device and which can interface with an externally exposed valve element on the storage container. To prevent liquids from the stored food items from being drawn into the airflow generating unit, the evacuation device can include a baffle located between the inlet opening and the airflow generating unit. The baffle acts to divert withdrawn air or at least a portion thereof from a first flow direction to a second flow direction.

By redirecting the air flow, the entrained liquids are separated out of the redirected air stream. This may occur in part because of the various effects of the change in direction of flow and the difference in mass between air and the liquids. Because the mass of the liquids is greater than the mass of air, the liquids are less susceptible to deflecting forces and alteration of direction than air. More specifically, inertia, or an object's resistance to change in velocity, is in part dependent on that object's momentum. Momentum in turn is measured as the product of mass times velocity or p=m*v. The density (mass per unit volume) of water, comparable to typical liquids, is 1.0 g/cc while the density of air is 0.0011145 g/cc and thus the mass of the liquids is greater than the mass of air. Hence, liquids typically have a greater momentum and therefore greater inertia than air. At the same time, the baffle and the forces induced by it are constant and equal with respect to both the liquids and air. While the deflecting force of the baffle is sufficient to change the direction of low inertia air from a first flow direction to a second flow direction around the baffle, it is insufficient to notably change the direction of the high inertia entrained liquids. The air flow can be redirected toward the airflow generating unit while the liquids are separated out and remain in the nozzle.

In various embodiments, the evacuation device can include an absorbent material in an appropriate location to absorb and retain the separated liquids. In more particular aspects, the evacuation device can be configured so that the absorbent material is accessible for easy removal and replacement.

An advantage of the invention is that it provides an evacuation device that is less susceptible to contamination that can disrupt operation. Another advantage is that the evacuation device separates liquids from the air flow before that air flow is discharged to the surrounding environment. These and other advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a storage container and a hand-held evacuation device for evacuating storage containers to preserve food items.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the evacuation device of FIG. 1 taken along line A-A.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the components of an airflow generating unit that can be used in the hand-held evacuation device of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cut-away view of another embodiment of an evacuation device.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an evacuation device wherein the nozzle is angularly directed.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the evacuation device of FIG. 5 taken along lines B-B.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional perspective view of another embodiment of a hand-held evacuation device in which the forward nozzle has been removed and that includes an airflow generating unit having a cam and a yoke.

FIG. 8 is an elevational cross-sectional view showing the evacuation device of FIG. 7 and conducting an intake stroke.

FIG. 9 is an elevational cross-sectional view showing the evacuation device of FIG. 7 and conducting an exhaust stroke.

FIG. 10 is an elevational cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the hand-held evacuation device in which the forward nozzle has been removed and that includes an airflow generating unit having a crank wheel and a piston.

FIG. 11 is a cutaway perspective view of another embodiment of a handheld evacuation device in which the forward nozzle has been removed and that includes an airflow generating unit having a rotary vane pumping mechanism.

FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of the rotary vane pumping mechanism included in the evacuation device of FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, a hand-held evacuation device 100 is shown in relation to a storage container 110, particularly a flexible thermoplastic storage bag for storing food items. The storage bag 110 can be formed by first and second sidewalls 112, 114 of flexible, thermoplastic sheet material that are overlaid and joined together to form an interior volume 116 that can receive the food items. To access the interior volume, the storage bag includes an opening 118 disposed along the top edge. To seal closed the opening 118, the storage bag 110 can include first and second interlocking plastic fastening strips 120, 122 extending proximate the top edge. In other embodiments, various other types of closure mechanisms can be employed.

As can be appreciated, when the opening 118 is sealed closed, latent air can remain trapped within the interior volume 116. To enable removal of that latent air by use of the evacuation device 100, the storage bag 110 can include a one-way valve element 126 attached to and externally exposed on the first sidewall 112. The valve element 126 communicates with the interior volume 116 such that air from the interior volume can pass through the valve element. However, the valve element 126 closes when air from the surrounding environment attempts to pass into the interior volume 116.

The evacuation device 100, may include a cylindrical elongated housing 130 that extends between a forward end 132 and an oppositely located rearward end 134 generally along an axis line 136. The housing can be made of molded thermoplastic material and adapted to be gripped by the hands of a user. Of course, in other embodiments, the housing 130 can have other suitable shapes and orientations and can be constructed from other suitable materials. Furthermore, the terms “forward” and “rearward” are for purposes of reference only and are not intended to limit or narrow the scope of the invention.

To interface with the valve element 126, the evacuation device 100 may include at the forward end a nozzle 140. The illustrated nozzle 140 has a generally skirt-like shape and can include four integrally joined and outwardly diverging or flared sidewalls 142 that can be oriented generally equidistant about the axis line 136. Hence, the nozzle 140 and cylindrical housing 130 are coaxially aligned about the axis line 136. The nozzle 140 terminates at a forward-most rim 144 that outlines a generally square inlet opening 146 that is generally perpendicular to and traversed by the axis line 136. The inlet opening is sized to accommodate the valve element 126 on the storage bag 110. Of course, in other embodiments, the nozzle 140 can have alternative shapes such as cylindrical and can be appropriately sized to fit about a variety of different valve elements.

Referring to FIG. 2, to actually generate the suction force within the nozzle 140 that accomplishes evacuation, the housing 130 may include a motor 150 operatively engaged to an airflow generating unit 160. The motor 150, which can be situated in the housing 130 rearwardly of the airflow generating device 160, can be battery operated or can include a power cord pluggable into a standard wall outlet. The motor 150 also includes a forwardly directed rotating motor shaft 152 that can generally align with the axis line 136 of the evacuation device.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the illustrated embodiment of the airflow generating unit 160 includes a linearly movable piston 162 that can reciprocally slide within a cylinder bore 164 provided by a cylindrical sidewall 166 of a cylinder body 167. The cylinder bore 164 is closed off at its forward end by an axial face plate 168 of the cylinder body 167. To convert the rotational motion of the force of the motor 150 to the linear motion of the piston 162, a pinion gear 170 is fastened to the motor shaft 152 and engages a circular crown gear 172. As illustrated, the rotational axis of the pinion gear 170 is the same as the axis line 136 extending along the motor shaft 152 while the rotational axis 174 of the crown gear 172 is generally normal to the axis line 136. Eccentrically mounted to the crown gear 172 is a connecting rod 176 at one end of which is attached the piston 162. To accomplish eccentric mounting of the connecting rod 176 to the crown gear 172, the air flow generating unit 160 can include an eccentric member 175 as shown in FIG. 3. Because of the eccentric mounting of the connecting rod 176 to the crown gear 172, rotation of the crown gear results in linear motion of the piston 162 back and forth along the axis line 136. As can be appreciated, when the piston 136 reciprocally moves within the cylinder bore 164, a pumping force is generated that can be used to withdraw air from a storage container. The components of the airflow generating unit 160 can be contained in a two part protective shell or cover 178 that snap fits together.

Referring to FIG. 2, located forward of the cylinder body 167 is an enclosed air flow void 180 which is partially surrounded by the housing 130 and separated from the nozzle 140 by an intake plate 182. To remove air from the airflow void 180 with the airflow generating unit 160, there is disposed through the axial face plate 168 of the cylinder body 167 an intake port 184. To control and manipulate the flow of air through the intake port 184, an appropriately configured intake valve 186 can be included as part of the cylinder body 167. Also disposed through the cylinder body 167 can be one or more exhaust ports 190 which can include appropriately configured exhaust valves 192. The intake and exhaust valves 186, 192 open and close accordingly so that the linear motion of the piston 162 within the cylinder 164 acts to draw air from the airflow void 180. The airflow void 180 in turn communicates with the nozzle 140 via an inlet port 196 disposed through the intake plate 182. Thus, the nozzle 140 and airflow void 180 form a conduit between the inlet opening 146 and the airflow generating unit 160. Air can be drawn through the inlet opening 146, through the nozzle 140, through the inlet port 196 and into the airflow void 180 by action of the airflow generating unit 160.

To separate out liquids that may be entrained in the withdrawn air, the evacuation device 100 can include a baffle 200 for redirecting air or at least a portion thereof from a first flow direction to a second flow direction. The baffle 200 can be located between the inlet opening 146 of the nozzle 140 and the airflow generating unit 160. In the illustrated embodiment, the baffle 200 is located within the airflow void 180 and is oriented opposed to and axially offset from the inlet port 196 disposed through the intake plate 182. This embodiment of the baffle 200 is generally shaped as a cap having a planar base wall 202 and a cylindrical sidewall 204 extending from the base wall. When assembled as part of the evacuation device 100, the cylindrical sidewall 204 of the baffle 200 may align about the axis line 136 and may be directed forward toward the intake plate 182 so that the cap may be opened toward the inlet port 196. The baffle 200 can be included as part of a larger flange structure 208 that separates the airflow void 180 into a forward compartment 210 and a rearward compartment 212. Communication between the forward and rearward compartments 210, 212 can occur via channels 214 disposed through the flange 208 and may be located radially outward from the axis line 136. Additionally, the flange 208 can include a forward directed protrusion 216 that extends from the sidewall 204 of the baffle to a location proximate the intake plate 182. Retained within the cap-shaped baffle 200 can be an absorbent material 220. The absorbent material 220 can be any suitable absorbent material such as, for example, cloth, fibers, wood fibers, and/or super absorbent polymer.

Referring to FIG. 2, during operation when the nozzle 140 is interfaced with the valve element 126 on the storage bag 110, the airflow through the evacuation device 100 can be similar to that depicted by airflow line 222. Upon activation of the airflow generating unit 160, a suction force is generated that draws air from the nozzle 140 rearward through the inlet port 196 into the airflow void 180. The suction force also opens the valve element 126 on the bag allowing air from the interior volume 116 to be drawn out of the storage bag 100 and into the inlet opening 146. Airflow during this phase may be generally directed rearward along a first flow direction that correlates with the axis line 136. Hence, in the first flow direction, airflow may be generally axial with respect to the housing 130 and perpendicular to the inlet opening 146 of the nozzle 140.

The airflow then encounters the baffle 200 and is redirected or diverted in a second flow direction that may be radially outward and generally perpendicular to the axis line 136. In the illustrated embodiment, the airflow is diverted radially outward between the intake plate 182 and the baffle 200 as indicated by airflow line 222. Hence, the baffle 200 provides a redirection or diverting point where airflow is redirected from the first flow direction to a second flow direction. Air can then pass rearward through the channels 214 disposed through the flange 208 and into the rearward compartment 212. The air can then be processed through the airflow generating unit 160 and discharged from the evacuation device. In those, embodiments in which the baffle 200 includes the forward directed protrusion 216, the airflow path through the device is made more tortuous.

An advantageous result of redirecting the air with the baffle is that liquids entrained or suspended in the airflow can be separated out. This is due in part to the larger mass of the liquids as compared to that of air. Because of the larger mass, the liquids have a larger inertia or resistance to change in velocity. The low inertia air encountering the baffle 200 can be redirected from the first flow direction correlating with the axis line to a second flow direction radially outward and toward the channels 214 through the flange 208. Hence, the baffle 200 acts as a diverging point for the airflow. The liquids which have a higher inertia however continue to be directed rearward and impinge upon the baffle 200. In those embodiments which include an absorbent material 220 retained within the baffle 200, the absorbent material can absorb and retain the liquids. An advantage of retaining the absorbent material 220 within the cap-shaped baffle 200 is that the absorbent material is located in close proximity to the redirection or diverting point established by the baffle. Of course, in other embodiments, the absorbent material can be positioned elsewhere and retained by different structure than the baffle. Additionally, in other embodiments, the evacuation device can be configured so that the absorbent material is accessible for easy removal and replacement or cleaning.

In another embodiment, the baffle 200 may include apertures 230 or other mechanisms to allow a portion of the vacuum 232 to pass through the baffle. The vacuum 232 may be at a lower level than the other vacuum in the nozzle. The vacuum 232 may help to retain liquid in the absorbent material 220 and the vacuum 232 may help draw the liquids into the absorbent material. In addition, the vacuum 232 may help prevent liquids from dripping back away from the absorbent material.

Referring to FIG. 4, there is illustrated another embodiment of a hand-held evacuation device 300 for evacuating air from a storage container having a valve element. The evacuation device 300 includes an elongated housing 330 which can house a motor and an airflow generating unit and that extends along and establishes an axis line 336. For purposes of orientation, the evacuation device 300 has a forward end 332 and an axially offset and opposing rearward end 334. For interfacing with a valve element on the storage bag, there is located at the forward end 332 of the housing the nozzle 370 which outlines an airflow void 372. The illustrated nozzle 370 is generally shaped like a cone or otherwise tapered so that the nozzle can be received in a corresponding valve seat formed in a valve element. Disposed through the nozzle 370 and aligned with the axis line is an intake port 374.

Also, a baffle 390 may be axially aligned and located in the airflow void 372 axially rearward of and opposed to the intake port 374. The baffle 390 can be shaped as a cap and can retain an absorbent material 392. The baffle 390 functions to redirect or divert airflow from the first flow direction that is generally rearward and corresponds to the axis line 336 to a second flow direction radially outward as indicated by airflow line 394. Airflow can then pass through one or more channels 396 that extend between baffle 390 and the housing 330 to be processed through the airflow generating unit and discharged from the evacuation device. As described above, diverting airflow from a first flow direction to a second flow direction results in separating out liquids that may be entrained in the airflow. In various embodiments, the nozzle 370 can be removable from the housing 330 so that the absorbent material can be cleaned or discarded and replaced.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, there is illustrated another embodiment of an evacuation device 400 for evacuating a storage container such as a thermoplastic bag. The illustrated evacuation device 400 has a bent or club-like shape with an angularly offset nozzle 470. More specifically, to enclose the motor and airflow generating unit, the evacuation device 400 has an elongated housing 430 that extends between a forward end 432 and a rearward end 434. The housing 430 can also have a generally cylindrical shape that provides a first axis line 436 extending between the forward and rearward ends 432, 434. The housing can be made of plastic and can be adapted to be gripped by the hands of a user.

For interfacing with the valve element on the storage container, the nozzle 470 is located at the forward end 432 of the evacuation device 400 but is angularly offset with respect to the remainder of the housing 430 and the axis line 436. Thus, the nozzle 470 is oriented about and extends along a second axis line 472 that can be angularly offset with respect to the first axis line 436 an angular distance of, for example, between about 15 to 30 degrees. The nozzle 470 can be formed as a hollow tube having a skirt-like or frusto-conical shape at the base of which is a circular rim 474 that outlines the inlet opening 476. The inlet opening 476 can be sized to accommodate a variety of different valve shapes and sizes.

To join the nozzle 470 with the remainder of the housing 430, the evacuation device 400 can also include a tubular elbow portion 478 that provides a bent shape to the evacuation device. Hence, the first and second axis lines 436, 472 intersect within the elbow portion 478. Moreover, the nozzle 470 and elbow portion 478 make up a conduit or flow channel that provides isolated fluid communication between the inlet opening 474 and the airflow generating unit located in the housing 430.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, the baffle 480 can be included as part of the elbow portion 478. More specifically, the baffle 480 can be part of the inner surface of the elbow 478 that curves through the bend and is located generally opposite the inlet opening 476 with respect to the second axis line 472. Hence, the baffle 480 may be generally located within the conduit or flow channel provided by the nozzle 470 and elbow portion 478. To include an absorbent material 482 within the structure of the evacuation device 400, an aperture 484 can be disposed through the elbow portion 478 at a location generally corresponding to the baffle surface 480 opposite the inlet opening 476. Extending about the aperture 484 can be a threaded neck 486 that can threadably engage a corresponding threaded cap 488. The absorbent material 482 can be retained within the cap 488 such that, when the cap is fitted about the neck 486, the absorbent material 482 is exposed to the interior of the tubular elbow 478 via the aperture 484. The threaded cap 488 allows for simple and quick replacement or cleaning of the absorbent material.

In use, referring to FIG. 6, the inlet opening 476 of the nozzle 470 is first placed about the valve element on a storage container. Airflow is then drawn into the nozzle 470 from the storage container by influence of the rearwardly positioned airflow generating unit. The airflow initially is directed along a first flow direction that generally follows the second axis line 472, as is indicated by airflow line 490. When the airflow encounters the baffle surface 480, the airflow is redirected to a second flow direction that generally follows the first axis line 436. As described above, a result of redirecting the airflow is that liquids entrained within the airflow can be separated out by impinging against the baffle surface 480. In the embodiments which include the absorbent material 482, it can be appreciated that the location of the absorbent material proximate the baffle 488 enables retention of the separated fluids.

The disclosed evacuation devices employing a baffle to redirect airflow directions can be used with any of various types of airflow generating units. For example, referring to FIG. 7, there is illustrated an embodiment of a hand-held evacuation device 500 for evacuating air in which the airflow generating unit 510 functions by converting rotational motion to linear motion. For illustrative purposes, the nozzle and baffle have been removed from the evacuation device 500. The evacuation device 500 includes a comparatively rigid, elongated housing 502 adapted to be gripped by the hands of a user. Enclosed in the housing 502 at the rearward end is an electrically operated motor 520 with a rotating shaft 522 that extends along an axis line 524. Mounted to the motor shaft 522 and concentric with the axis line 524 is a cylindrical cam 530. Disposed into and extending in a sinusoidinal pattern circumferentially about the cylindrical sidewall 532 of the cam 530 is a channel 534.

The evacuation device 500 also includes a yoke 540 having one or more follower elements 542 that can be received in the channel 534 of the cam 530. To locate the follower elements 542 in the channel 534, the yoke 540 has a U-shaped configuration including a forward directed common joint 544 from which extends rearward directed, bifurcated first and second arms 546, 548 to which the follower elements 542 are connected. When the device is assembled, the common joint 544 aligns with the axis line 524 and the first and second arms 546, 548 extend along opposite halves of the cylindrical cam 530 to position the follower elements 542 in the channel 534.

Forward of the cam 530, the common joint 544 of the yoke 540 is attached to a reciprocal element 550, such as a piston, that is slidably received in a cylindrical bore or chamber 562 provided by a rigid chamber body 560. The chamber 562 can communicate with any of the above-disclosed nozzle configurations via an inlet aperture 564 disposed through the chamber body 560. To facilitate evacuation of air via the reciprocal element and chamber, a valve plate 570 including an inlet valve 572 is provided at the forward face of the chamber body 560 such that the inlet valve aligns with the inlet aperture 564.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, in operation, the motor shaft 522 extending from the motor 524 rotates the cam 530 thus moving the channel 534 about in a circle. As the sinusoidinal channel 534 rotates, the follower elements 542 and the connected yoke 540 are reciprocally driven forward and backward along the axis line 524. The reciprocal driving of the yoke 540 results in reciprocal motion of the reciprocal element 550 within the chamber 562. When the reciprocal element 550 is moved rearward, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the inlet valve 572 opens drawing air into the chamber 562. When the reciprocal element 550 is moved forward, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the inlet valve 572 closes and the drawn air can be expelled from the chamber 560.

Referring to FIG. 10, there is illustrated another embodiment of a hand-held evacuation device 600 in which the airflow generating unit 610 translates rotational motion to reciprocal motion. Specifically, the evacuation device 600 includes an elongated housing 602 adapted to be gripped by the hand of a user. The forward end of the housing can be configured with any of the foregoing nozzle configurations. Enclosed within the housing 602 is an electrical motor 620 with a rotatable shaft 622 extending along a first axis line 624. To activate the electrical motor 620, a switch 626 can be provided on the housing 602 and wired to the motor. The motor and shaft drive the airflow generating unit 630 enclosed in the housing to provide a suction force for withdrawing air from a container such as a storage bag.

More specifically, the illustrated airflow generating unit 630 can include a circular eccentric wheel 632 that is concentrically mounted onto the motor shaft 622. The airflow generating unit 630 also includes a piston 634 slidably receivable in a chamber 636 delineated by a chamber body 638. Moreover, the piston 634 is movable within the chamber 636 along a second axis line 640 which can be generally normal to the first axis line 624. To enable reciprocal motion of the piston 634 with respect to the chamber 636 along the second axis line 640, the piston is eccentrically connected to the eccentric wheel 632. Specifically, the piston 634 is connected to the eccentric wheel 632 at a position radially outward from the center of the eccentric wheel which is aligned with the first axis line 624. Hence, as the motor shaft 622 rotates, the eccentric connection causes the piston 634 to reciprocate within the chamber 636.

For enabling the reciprocal motion of the piston 634 to provide a pumping action for drawing air from a storage container, the chamber housing 638 can include an inlet valve 642 and an exhaust valve 644. The inlet valve 642 is arranged between the chamber 636 for controlling access of air from a storage container to the chamber. When the piston 634 is withdrawn with respect to the chamber body 638, the inlet valve 642 opens and air is drawn into the chamber. When the piston 634 is moved inward with respect to the chamber housing 638, the exhaust valve 644 opens while the inlet valve 642 simultaneously closes and air is expelled from the chamber 636.

Illustrated in FIG. 11 is another embodiment of a hand-held evacuation device 700 having a rotary vane pumping mechanism as part of the airflow generating unit. The evacuation device 700 includes an elongated housing 702 that can be made of a rigid thermoplastic and is adapted to be gripped by the hands of a user. The nozzle, that can be positioned at front end of the housing, can be any of the aforementioned nozzles. Enclosed within the housing is an electric motor 720 with a rotating shaft 722 that extends along a first axis line 724. To provide the suction force using the rotational motion of the motor 720, the rotary vane pumping unit converts the rotational motion to a sweeping action that functions to draw air from a storage container.

Referring to FIG. 12, the rotary vane pumping unit includes a hollow, cylindrical stator 740 that provides an internal chamber 742. Received within the chamber 742 is a rotatable, cylindrical rotor 744 which can be concentrically mounted to the motor shaft. The rotational axis line 724 of rotor 744, which corresponds to the axis line of the motor shaft, is offset within the stator 740 such that one segment of the rotor is adjacent and in sliding contact with the inner wall of the stator. The offset rotor 744 and stator 740 thereby provide a crescent-shaped void 748.

The rotary vane pumping mechanism also includes a plurality of displaceable vanes 750 that are arranged to sweep through the crescent-shaped void 748. To accommodate and drive the vanes 750, the rotor 744 includes a plurality of radially arranged slots 752, the width of each slot generally corresponding to the width of a vane 750. Accordingly, each vane can be slidingly accommodated in a slot 752. Additionally, arranged in each slot 752 are one or more springs 754 that urge the vanes 750 radially outward of the slots so that the tips of the vanes contact a portion of the inner wall of the stator 740. To enable air to move in and out of the rotary vane pumping mechanism, an inlet aperture 756 and an exhaust aperture 758, each located at different angular positions, can communicate with the crescent void 748.

In operation, the rotor 744 rotates clockwise with respect to the stator 740 so that the vanes 750 sweep through the crescent void 748 from the inlet aperture 756 to the exhaust aperture 758. As will be appreciated from FIG. 12, the sweeping motion of the vanes 750 initially creates an expanding volume in the region of the inlet aperture 756 that draws air into the crescent void 748. Subsequently, the continued sweeping motion of the vanes 750 in the region of the exhaust aperture 758 creates a collapsing volume that causes air to discharge from the crescent void 748. This ongoing action thereby continuously moves air from the inlet aperture to the exhaust aperture thus providing the suction force. One potential advantage of rotary vane pumping mechanisms is that they typically are less susceptible to abrupt pressure fluctuations that may be common with other pumping mechanisms.

All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventor(s) for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventor(s) expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventor(s) intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

Claims

1. An evacuation device for evacuating a container, the evacuation device comprising:

a housing including a nozzle at one end, the nozzle having a rim outlining an inlet opening;

a motor located inside the housing;

an airflow generating unit located inside the housing, the airflow generating unit operatively engaged to the motor and in fluid communication with the nozzle;

a baffle located between the inlet opening and the airflow generating unit, the baffle adapted to divert air flow or a portion thereof from a first air flow direction to a second air flow direction; and

an absorbent material.

2. The evacuation device of claim 1, wherein the housing is elongated, the elongated housing generally extending along an axis line.

3. The evacuation device of claim 2, wherein the first flow direction is generally parallel to the axis line.

4. The evacuation device of claim 3, wherein the inlet opening is generally perpendicular to and traversed by the axis line.

5. The evacuation device of claim 4, wherein the first flow direction is generally perpendicular to the inlet opening.

6. The evacuation device of claim 5, wherein the baffle is axially offset and opposed to the inlet opening.

7. The evacuation device of claim 6, wherein the baffle is cap-shaped and opened toward the inlet opening.

8. The evacuation device of claim 7, wherein the absorbent material is retained in the cap-shaped baffle.

9. The evacuation device of claim 8, wherein the cap-shaped baffle includes a protrusion extending toward the inlet opening.

10. The evacuation device of claim 2, wherein the nozzle is angularly offset with respect to the housing and the axis line, the nozzle angularly extending along a second axis line that intersects the first axis line.

11. The evacuation device of claim 10, wherein the baffle is a surface within the evacuation device, the baffle being located generally opposite the inlet opening.

12. The evacuation device of claim 10, wherein the evacuation device includes an elbow portion joining the nozzle to the housing, the first and second axis lines intersecting within the elbow portion.

13. The evacuation device of claim 10, wherein the first flow direction corresponds to the second axis line in the nozzle and the second flow direction corresponds to the first axis line in the housing.

14. The evacuation device of claim 1, wherein the airflow generating unit includes:

a pinion gear mounted to a rotating shaft of the motor, the shaft extending along the axis line;

a crown gear engaging the pinion gear;

a connecting rod eccentrically linked to the crown gear; and

a pumping unit including a piston reciprocally movable within a chamber, the piston linked to the connecting rod, wherein the pumping unit is in fluid communication with the nozzle.

15. The evacuation device of claim 14, wherein the airflow generating unit further includes an eccentric member, the eccentric member rotatably driven by the crown gear and mounted to the connecting rod.

16. The evacuation device of claim 15, wherein the piston is reciprocally movable along a second axis line, the second axis line being parallel to the housing axis line.