JAR ADAPTORS

Abstract

Jar adaptors are provided for mounting jars and aiding in the application of vacuum to the jars. The jar adaptors are configured to mount jars having openings of various sizes. The jar adaptors are configured to mount jars, provide vacuum to the jars, and be subsequently removed from the jars after vacuum has been applied to the jars. Vacuum is maintained in the jars with the aid of a seal formed between the openings of the jars and lids disposed over the openings.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/313,646 (“Jar Adaptors”), filed on Mar. 12, 2010, which is entirely incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Jars are commonly used to store liquid beverages and solids. The quality of many such liquids and solids is subject to deterioration after the permanent bottle seal, required for transport and storage, is removed and only part of the contents are consumed. The liquid or solid comes in contact with air after opening of the container. Such contact may lead to spoilage. In particular, oxygen may enable organisms to grow on the surface of a liquid or solid in a container, which may produce undesirable flavors and aromas. Further, oxygen may also trigger chemical reactions that lead to flavor losses and deterioration.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an aspect of the invention, adaptors for providing vacuum to containers are provided. Adaptors may be for providing vacuum to jar (also “jar containers” herein). In an embodiment, a jar adaptor comprises an outer shell having a vacuum port; a first ring having a first circumference, the first ring disposed within the outer shell, the first ring for coming in contact with a jar or a lid over the jar; and a second ring having a second circumference, the second ring disposed within the outer shell, the second circumference being larger than the first circumference, the second ring for coming in contact with at least a portion of the jar.

In another embodiment, a jar adaptor comprises an outer shell having a vacuum port; and one or more rings disposed within the outer shell, the one or more rings for coming in contact with a jar or a lid disposed over the jar.

In another embodiment, an adaptor for providing vacuum to a jar comprises an outer shell for encircling a rim of the jar, the outer shell having a vacuum port for bringing a vacuum application device in fluid communication with the jar; and a ring encircled by the outer shell, the ring for coming in contact with a lid disposed over the jar upon the removal of air from the jar with the aid of the vacuum application device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood from the Detailed Description of the Invention and from the appended drawings, which are meant to illustrate and not to limit the invention.

FIG. 1 shows jar adaptor, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and

FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic top and bottom views, respectively, of a jar adaptor, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of a jar adaptor, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional side view (taken along line A-A of FIG. 3) of a jar adaptor, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic bottom view of a jar adaptor, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a jar, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are top and bottom views, respectively, of a jar adaptor, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 8 shows jar adaptors mounted on jars having various food items, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While preferable embodiments of the invention have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments of the invention described herein may be employed in practicing the invention.

The term “jar”, as used herein, may refer to a wide-mouthed container formed of an insulating material, such as a silicon oxide containing material (e.g., glass). A jar may have a generally cylindrical shape. A jar may be used to store perishable or non-perishable food items, such as liquids, solids, viscous liquids, powders, grains, and oils. For example, a jar may be used to store honey. As another example, a jar may be used to store rice or oatmeal.

In embodiments of the invention, jar adaptors (or attachments) are provided for use with jars of varying sizes. Jar adaptors of embodiments of the invention are configured for use with regular and wide-mouth jars, such as mason jars. Jar adaptors of embodiments of the invention advantageously provides a user the capability to vacuum-seal items in jars having openings (or mouths) of various sizes. Jar adaptors of embodiments of the invention may permit a user to vacuum-seal items with the use of a single adaptors (as opposed to multiple), thus leading to savings in cost and space.

In an aspect of the invention, a jar adaptor is provided. The jar adaptor comprises an outer shell having a vacuum port. The jar adaptor further comprises a first ring having a first circumference. In an embodiment, the first ring is disposed within the outer shell. In an embodiment, the first ring is configured to come in contact with a jar or a lid over the jar. The jar adaptor further comprises a second ring having a second circumference. In an embodiment, the second ring is disposed within the outer shell. In an embodiment, the second circumference is larger than the first circumference. In an embodiment, the second circumference is a function of the distance away from the first ring such that the second circumference is smaller close to the first ring than farther away. In an embodiment, the second ring is configured to come in contact with at least a portion of a jar. In an embodiment, the jar adaptor further comprises a vacuum indicator on the outer shell. The vacuum indicator may be as described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/313,659 (“Bottle Stoppers”), filed on Mar. 12, 2010, which is entirely incorporated herein by reference. In an embodiment, the jar adaptor further comprises one or more ribs adjacent the first ring, the one or more rings configured to come in contact with a lid disposed over a jar.

In embodiments, a jar adaptor is provided, the jar adaptor comprising an outer shell having a vacuum port and one or more rings disposed within the outer shell, the one or more rings configured to come in contact with a jar or a lid disposed over the jar. In an embodiment, the one or more rings have circumferences that decrease along a vector oriented towards a top surface of the jar adaptor.

In embodiments, jar adaptors are configured to provide vacuum to jars having lids with diameters between about 1 and 10 inches, or between about 2 and 4 inches. In some embodiments, jar adaptors are configured to provide vacuum to jars having lids with diameters of about 2.7 inches and 3.3 inches.

In some embodiments, jar adaptors may be used to remove air from a jar until a pressure between about 1 inch of Hg (in Hg) and 50 in Hg, or between about 10 in Hg and 20 in Hg, has been reached.

In embodiments of the invention, jar (or bottle) adaptors are provided for mounting a jar and providing vacuum to the jar. In an embodiment, vacuum is provided with the aid of an external vacuum application device, such as a vacuum pump. In an embodiment, when a predetermined level of vacuum has been reached in a jar, the application of vacuum is terminated and a seal is formed between the jar and the external environment with the aid of a lid disposed between the jar adaptor and the jar. In an embodiment, the lid may be formed of one or more metals, such as, e.g., a metal alloy. In another embodiment, the lid may be formed of a polymeric material. In an embodiment, the lid may be formed of steel. In such a case, the steel may be coated with a polymeric material.

In embodiments, a lid is provided to a jar. The lid sits on top of an upper rim (or lip) of an opening (or closure) of the jar. The jar may have one or more content or items, such as food items, therein. A jar adaptor is subsequently mounted on the jar such that the lid is brought in contact with an outer ring of the jar adaptor. In such fashion, the jar adaptor covers the lid and an upper rim of the opening (or closure) of the jar. Vacuum is subsequently applied to the jar with the aid of a vacuum device, such as a vacuum pump. After a predetermined level of vacuum has been reached, the application of vacuum is terminated and the jar adaptor is removed from the jar. In an embodiment, the jar having a lid thereon is ready for storage.

Reference will now be made to the figures, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout. It will be appreciated that the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.

With reference to FIG. 1, a jar adaptor 100 is shown. The jar adaptor 100 comprises a vacuum port 105, an air inlet port 110 and an outer shell 112. In an embodiment, the outer shell 112 is formed of a polymeric material. In an embodiment, the air inlet port 110 is configured to aid in the removal of the jar adaptor 100 from a jar (not shown) after the application of vacuum to the jar. The air inlet port 110 permits air to enter a space above the jar. In an alternative embodiment, the air inlet port 110 may be excluded. In some embodiments, the air inlet port 110 may be neglected. In an embodiment, the air inlet port 110 is replaced with a vacuum indicator (see below).

FIG. 2A schematically illustrates a top view of the jar adaptor 100 showing the vacuum port 105, the air inlet port 110, and the outer shell 112, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In an embodiment, with the jar adaptor 100 mounted on a jar, a vacuum device removes air from the jar with the aid of a vacuum hose (or vacuum member) in fluid communication with the vacuum port 105. In an embodiment, the outer shell 112 permits a user to grasp the jar adaptor 100.

In an embodiment, the jar adaptor 100 may have a vacuum indicator (not shown) at a location on the outer shell 112. The vacuum indicator may be formed of a polymeric material. The vacuum indicator may be configured to change shape upon the application of vacuum to a jar, providing a user visual indication that vacuum has been applied to the jar. In some situations, the vacuum indicator may be pressure-deformable. That is, the vacuum indicator may assume a convex shape with respect to a top surface of the jar adaptor 100, and upon the application of vacuum to a jar mounted by the adaptor, assume a convex configuration (i.e., the vacuum indicator deforms upon the application of a pressure drop across the vacuum indicator). The vacuum indicator may change shape upon the application of vacuum to the jar (e.g., convex to concave, or concave to convex).

FIG. 2B schematically illustrates a bottom view of the jar adaptor 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. A bottom portion of the vacuum port 105 aids in the removal of air from the jar when the jar adaptor 100 is mounted on the jar. The jar adaptor 100 includes a first ring 115 and second ring 120, the second ring 120 having a larger circumference than the first ring 115. The second ring 120 is configured to mate the jar adaptor 100 with jars having openings of various sizes, thus providing a user flexibility of use. The jar adaptor 100 further comprises ribs 125 and 126, also referred to as outer ribs 125 and inner ribs 126. The inner ribs 126, as illustrated, comprise two individual ribs. In an alternative embodiment, the inner ribs 126 may each include a single rib. In an embodiment, the ribs 126 are configured to come in contact with a lid disposed on a jar during the application of vacuum from a vacuum device. For larger lids (and larger bottles), a lower portion of the first ring 115 is configured to come in contact with the lid upon the application of vacuum from a vacuum device. In an alternative embodiment, the ribs 125 may be configured to come in contact with a lid upon the application of vacuum from a vacuum device. The ribs 125 and 126, in addition to the lower portion of the first ring 115 (see the lower portion 129 in FIG. 6) are configured to permit the lid (not shown) to lift away from the jar upon the application of vacuum, thereby aiding in the removal of air from the jar. When a predetermined level of vacuum has been reached, the ribs 125 or 126, or the lower portion of the first ring 115, are configured to permit the lid to form a seal with an opening of the jar. In an embodiment, the ribs 125 or 126, or the lower portion of the first ring 115, ensure that a jar mounted by the jar adaptor 100 is easily removable from the jar adaptor 100. The ribs 125 or 126, or the lower portion of the first ring 115, may ensure that the jar does not extend into the jar adaptor 100 to such an extent that the jar gets stuck in the jar adaptor 100.

With continued reference to FIG. 2B, the jar adaptor 100 includes three ribs 125 and three ribs 126. In embodiments, the jar adaptor may include 2 or more, 3 or more, 4 or more, 5 or more, 6 or more, 7 or more, 8 or more, 9 or more, 10 or more, 15 or more, 20 or more, or 30 or more ribs. The ribs 125 and 126 may each have any size and configuration. In a preferable embodiment, the ribs 125 are positioned such that a space is provided for the removal of air from a jar mounted by the jar adaptor 100. In an embodiment, the ribs 125 are precluded from the jar adaptor 100. In another embodiment, the ribs 126 are precluded from the jar adaptor 100.

In an embodiment, the ribs 125 and/or 126 are formed of a polymeric material. In an embodiment, the ribs 125 and/or 126 are formed of an elastomer, such as, e.g., a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). In an embodiment, the ribs 125 and/or 126 are covered with an elastomer, such as TPE.

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a side view of the jar adaptor 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In an embodiment, the outer shell 112 may include one or more grooves and depressions to aid a user to grip the jar adaptor 100 during use. In an embodiment, the vacuum port 105 is configured to mate with a vacuum hose (see FIGS. 7A and 8) of a vacuum device.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic cross-sectional side view of the jar adaptor 100 (take along line A-A of FIG. 3), showing first ring 115 and second ring 120, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In embodiments, the rings 115 and 120 are formed of a polymeric material. In an embodiment, the rings 115 and 120 are formed of an elastomer, such as, e.g., TPE. The second ring 120 is configured to mate (or come in contact) with an opening of a jar mounted by the jar adaptor 100. In an embodiment, the second ring 120 does not come in contact with a lid disposed on the opening of the jar. In an embodiment, upon the application of vacuum by a vacuum device (via the vacuum port 105), the lid lifts away from the opening of the jar and towards the first ring 115 of the jar adaptor 100. The ribs 125 (see above) are configured to provide a space between the lid and the opening of the jar that is sufficient or adequate to permit the removal of air (or other gas) from the jar.

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a bottom view of the jar adaptor 100, showing the first ring 115, the second ring 120, and one of the outer ribs 125 and one of the inner ribs 126, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In some embodiments, one or both of the first ring 115 and the second ring 120 have circumferences that decrease along a vector oriented towards a top surface of the jar adaptor 100. In an embodiment, the circumference of the second ring 120 decreases in relation to the distance away from the first ring 115 such that the circumference is smaller closer to the first ring 115 than farther away (see FIG. 6). In an embodiment, the second ring 120 may be shaped similar to a cone or a portion of a cone. In an embodiment, the circumference of the first ring 115 decreases in relation to the distance away from a top portion of the outer shell 112 such that the circumference is smaller closer to the top portion of the outer shell 112 than towards the bottom of the outer shell 112. In an embodiment, the first ring 115 may be shaped similar to a cone or a portion of a cone. This may permit a user to mount the jar adaptor 100 on jars having openings of various sizes.

FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the jar 100 mounted on a jar 130 having a lid 135 on an opening 140 of the jar 130, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. A portion of the jar 130 has come in contact with the second ring 120, but not the first ring 115. In an embodiment, upon mounting the jar adaptor 100 on the jar 130, a space 145 is formed between the lid 135 and a lower portion 129 of the first ring 115. The lid 135 is free to move vertically away (upon the removal of air from a vacuum device) and towards the opening 140. The lower portion 129 is configured to come in contact with a top surface of the lid 135. Upon the application of suction from a vacuum device, the lid 135 lifts away from the opening 140 and comes in contact with the lower portion 129. Air (or other gas) is removed from the jar 130. When a predetermined level of vacuum has been reached, application of vacuum via the vacuum device may be terminated. As the jar adaptor 100 is removed from the jar 130, the pressure difference between the jar and the external environment drives the lid 135 downward and towards the opening 140. In an embodiment, the pressure drop facilitates the formation of a seal between the lid 135 and the opening 140. In an embodiment, the pressure drop facilitates in the formation of a hermetic or substantially airtight seal between the lid 135 and the opening 140.

Examples

FIGS. 7A and 7B show top and bottom views, respectively, of a jar adaptor 600, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The jar adaptor 600 was identical to the jar adaptor 100 discussed above. A vacuum hose 605 is in fluid communication with the jar adaptor 600. The vacuum hose 605 is attached to a vacuum device (not shown) for providing vacuum to a jar. With reference to FIG. 7B, in a bottom view, the jar adaptor 600 comprises a vacuum port 610, an inner ring 615, an outer ring 620, and ribs 625 to permit the removal of air (or other gas) from a jar and the subsequent removal of the jar adaptor 600 from the jar.

FIG. 8 shows a first jar adaptor 700 mounted on a first jar 705, a second jar adaptor 710 mounted on a second jar 715, and a third jar adaptor 720 mounted on a third jar 725, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The jar adaptors 700, 710 and 720 were identical to the jar adaptor 100 discussed above. A vacuum hose 730 is attached to a vacuum port of the third jar adaptor 720.

It should be understood from the foregoing that, while particular implementations have been illustrated and described, various modifications may be made thereto and are contemplated herein. It is also not intended that the invention be limited by the specific examples provided within the specification. While the invention has been described with reference to the aforementioned specification, the descriptions and illustrations of the preferable embodiments herein are not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Furthermore, it shall be understood that all aspects of the invention are not limited to the specific depictions, configurations or relative proportions set forth herein which depend upon a variety of conditions and variables. Various modifications in form and detail of the embodiments of the invention will be apparent to a person skilled in the art. It is therefore contemplated that the invention shall also cover any such modifications, variations and equivalents.

Claims

1. A jar adaptor, comprising:

an outer shell having a vacuum port;

a first ring having a first circumference, the first ring disposed within the outer shell, the first ring for coming in contact with a jar or a lid over the jar; and

a second ring having a second circumference, the second ring disposed within the outer shell, the second circumference being larger than the first circumference, the second ring for coming in contact with at least a portion of the jar.

2. The jar adaptor of claim 1, further comprising one or more ribs adjacent the first ring, the one or more rings for coming in contact with a lid disposed over a jar.

3. The jar adaptor of claim 1, wherein the outer shell comprises an air inlet port for permitting air to enter a space over the jar.

4. The jar adaptor of claim 1, wherein the outer shell includes a vacuum indicator.

5. The jar adaptor of claim 4, wherein the vacuum indicator changes shape upon the application of vacuum to the jar.

6. The jar adaptor of claim 1, wherein the first ring is for coming in contact with a lid over the jar upon the application of suction from a vacuum device to the jar.

7. A jar adaptor, comprising:

an outer shell having a vacuum port; and

one or more rings disposed within the outer shell, the one or more rings for coming in contact with ajar or a lid disposed over the jar.

8. The jar adaptor of claim 7, wherein each of the one or more rings has a circumference that decreases along a vector oriented towards a top surface of the jar adaptor.

9. The jar adaptor of claim 7, wherein the one or more rings comprise a first ring and a second ring.

10. The jar adaptor of claim 9, further comprising one or more ribs adjacent the first ring, the one or more rings for coming in contact with a lid disposed over a jar.

11. The jar adaptor of claim 7, wherein the outer shell comprises an air inlet port for permitting air to enter a space over the jar.

12. The jar adaptor of claim 7, wherein the outer shell includes a vacuum indicator.

13. The jar adaptor of claim 12, wherein the vacuum indicator changes shape upon the application of vacuum to the jar.

14. An adaptor for providing vacuum to a jar, comprising:

an outer shell for encircling a rim of the jar, the outer shell having a vacuum port for bringing a vacuum application device in fluid communication with the jar; and

a ring encircled by the outer shell, the ring for coming in contact with a lid disposed over the jar upon the removal of air from the jar with the aid of the vacuum application device.