VACUUM PUMP AND VACUUM CONTAINER HAVING THE SAME

A vacuum pump includes a case having a first discharge port in the lower membrane thereof, a piston coupled to the case to enable a vertical movement and having a second discharge port in the upper membrane thereof, a first opening/closing member and a second opening/closing member opening/closing the first discharge port and the second discharge port, respectively, based on the vertical movement of the piston, an elastic member placed between the case and the piston, a first separation preventing member coupled to the upper part of the case and preventing the piston from being separated, a second separation preventing member provided inside the case and preventing the first opening/closing member from being separated, a third separation preventing member coupled to the upper part of the piston and preventing the second opening/closing member from being separated, and a first packing member coupled to the lower part of the case.

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Description
TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a vacuum pump and a vacuum container provided with the same, and more particularly to a vacuum pump and a vacuum container provided with the same that can create a vacuum state in a vacuum container by drawing out air in the vacuum container to the exterior of the vacuum container.

BACKGROUND

Generally, foodstuffs such as vegetables and fishes are easily oxidized and rotten by contacting with harmful substances such as microorganisms or oxygen contained in air when the foodstuffs contact with the air.

In addition, microorganisms are reproduced more actively in fermented foods. Therefore, fermentation speed or aging speed of foods is excessively fast such that keeping quality may be deteriorated. Meanwhile, it is very important to block the foods from the outside air so as to delay fermentation and rot of the foods. In order to solve such problems, a sealed container such as a vacuum container is proposed.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an example of a conventional vacuum container.

Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional vacuum container 1 includes a main body 2, a cover 3, and a sealing member 4 provided in a hole formed at the cover 3 and closely sealing an inside of the main body 2.

If the sealing member 4 is pushed in a state that the cover 3 covers the main body 2 according to the vacuum container 1, the sealing member 4 is closely contacted with the hole formed at the cover 3 and closely seals the inside of the main body 2. In addition, the sealing member 4 is pulled so as to release contact of the sealing member 4 and the hole formed at the cover 3 if the cover 3 is open.

Even though the sealing member 4, however, is pushed and is closely contacted with the hole so as to closely seal the inside of the main body 2, foods stored in the main body 2 can be rotten due to air existing in the main body 2 according to the conventional vacuum container 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Technical Object

The present invention has been made in an effort to provide a vacuum pump and a vacuum container provided with the same having advantages of drawing out air remaining in the vacuum container to the exterior of the vacuum container.

Means for Achieving the Object

A vacuum pump according to the present invention may include a case having a first discharge port at a lower membrane thereof; a piston coupled to the case so as to be movable vertically and having a second discharge port at an upper membrane thereof; a first opening/closing member adapted to open/close the first discharge port according to a vertical movement of the piston; a second opening/closing member adapted to open/close the second discharge port according to the vertical movement of the piston; an elastic member placed between the case and the piston and adapted to apply elastic force to the piston; a first separation preventing member coupled to an upper portion of the case and adapted to prevent separation of the piston; a second separation preventing member provided in the case and adapted to prevent separation of the first opening/closing member; a third separation preventing member coupled to an upper portion of the piston and adapted to prevent separation of the second opening/closing member; and a first packing member coupled to a lower portion of the case.

A vacuum container according to the present invention may include a main body; a cover adapted to open/close the main body and provided with a receiving portion at which a third discharge port is formed; a sealing member coupled to the third discharge port and closely sealing an inside of the main body; and a vacuum pump selectively coupled to the receiving portion and drawing out air in the main body to the exterior of the main body, wherein the vacuum pump includes a case having a first discharge port at a lower membrane thereof; a piston coupled to the case so as to be movable vertically and having a second discharge port at an upper membrane thereof; a first opening/closing member adapted to open/close the first discharge port according to a vertical movement of the piston; a second opening/closing member adapted to open/close the second discharge port according to the vertical movement of the piston; an elastic member placed between the case and the piston and adapted to apply elastic force to the piston; a first separation preventing member coupled to an upper portion of the case and adapted to prevent separation of the piston; a second separation preventing member provided in the case and adapted to prevent separation of the first opening/closing member; a third separation preventing member coupled to an upper portion of the piston and adapted to prevent separation of the second opening/closing member; and a first packing member coupled to a lower portion of the case and coupled to the receiving portion.

Advantageous Effect

According to the vacuum pump and the vacuum container of the present invention, air remaining in the vacuum container can be exhausted to the exterior. Therefore, vacuum degree in the vacuum container may be enhanced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an example of a conventional vacuum container,

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a vacuum pump according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are cross-sectional views showing operation of a vacuum pump shown in FIG. 2,

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a vacuum container at which a vacuum pump according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is mounted,

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of means for pressing the first opening/closing member according to another exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a vacuum container provided with a vacuum pump according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a sealing member shown in FIG. 7,

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing that a vacuum pump according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is mounted at a bottle,

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of the second packing member.

 MODE FOR EXECUTING INVENTION

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. As those skilled in the art would realize, the described embodiments may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Instead, exemplary embodiments described herein are provided for completing contents described herein and fully explaining the spirit of the present invention to a person of an ordinary skill in the art.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a vacuum pump according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, a vacuum pump 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a case 20, a piston 30, a first opening/closing member 12, a second opening/closing member 14, a sealing member 16, an elastic member 17, a first separation preventing member 40, a second separation preventing member 50, a third separation preventing member 60, and a first packing member 70.

A first discharge port 21 is provided at a lower portion of the case 20 and a second discharge port 31 is provided at an upper portion of the piston 30.

The piston 30 is coupled to the case 20 so as to be movable upwardly or downwardly, and the elastic member 17 is provided between the case 20 and the piston 30 so as to apply elastic force to the piston 30.

The first opening/closing member 12 opens or closes the first discharge port 21 according to upward or downward movement of the piston 30, and the second opening/closing member 14 opens or closes the second discharge port 31 according to upward or downward movement of the piston 30.

The sealing member 16 is coupled to an external circumferential surface of the piston 30 so as to closely seal an inside space of the piston 30, that is pump chamber when the piston 30 moves upwardly or downwardly. However, the sealing member 16 may not be used.

The first separation preventing member 40 is coupled to an upper portion of the case 20 and prevents separation of the piston 30 from the case 20.

The second separation preventing member 12 is provided in the case 20 and prevents separation of the first opening/closing member 12.

The third separation preventing member 60 is coupled to an upper portion of the piston 30 and prevents separation of the second opening/closing member 14.

The first packing member 70 is coupled to the lower portion of the case 20 and closely seals a mounting portion when the vacuum pump 10 is mounted at a vacuum container so as to draw out air in the vacuum container to the exterior of the vacuum container.

Hereinafter, operation of the vacuum pump 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be briefly described with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4.

FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are cross-sectional views of the vacuum pump shown in FIG. 2 in assembled state. FIG. 3 illustrates a descent state of the piston and FIG. 4 illustrates an ascent state of the piston.

In a case that a user pushes the piston 30 and the piston 30 descends as shown in FIG. 3, a space of the pump chamber 11 formed by the piston 30 and the case 20 becomes reduced.

At this time, air in the pump chamber 11 should be exhausted to the exterior through the first discharge port 21 or the second discharge port 31. In this case, the first discharge port 21 is blocked by the first opening/closing member 12, as shown in FIG. 3. Therefore, the air in the pump chamber 11 is exhausted to the exterior through the second discharge port 31.

In addition, if a user does not push the piston 30 as shown in FIG. 4, the piston 30 upwardly moves again by the elastic force of the elastic member 17 and the space of the pump chamber 11 becomes increase again.

At this time, since the air does not exist and a vacuum state is created in the pump chamber 11, exterior air should be flowed into the pump chamber 11. In this case, the second discharge port 31, however, is blocked by the second opening/closing member 14 as shown in FIG. 4. Therefore, the exterior air is flowed into the pump chamber 11 through the first discharge port 21.

Therefore, if the vacuum pump 10 according to the present invention is mounted at the vacuum container and a mounting portion of the vacuum pump 10 and the vacuum container is closely sealed by the first packing member 70, the air flowing into the pump chamber 11 through the first discharge port 21 is the air in the vacuum container when the piston 30 ascends as shown in FIG. 4. Therefore, the air in the vacuum container can be exhausted to the pump chamber 11.

In addition, if the user pushes the piston 30 again, the air in the vacuum container flowing into the pump chamber 11 through the first discharge port 21 is exhausted to the exterior.

Therefore, if the user repetitively pushes the piston 30, all the air in the vacuum container can be exhausted to the exterior through the pump chamber 11. Therefore, high vacuum state may be created in the vacuum container.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a vacuum container at which a vacuum pump according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is mounted.

As shown in FIG. 5, the vacuum pump 10 according to the present invention can be mounted in such a manner that the first packing member 70 is coupled to a receiving portion 124 (please refer to FIG. 7) formed at a cover 120 of the vacuum container 100.

In this state, air existing in a main body 110 of the vacuum container 100 can be exhausted to the exterior by repetitively pushing the piston 30. Therefore, vacuum state can be created in the main body 110.

Hereinafter, the vacuum pump according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 2 to FIG. 4.

The case 20 has an open upper end and the piston 30 has an open lower end. Therefore, the open lower end of the piston 30 is inserted in and coupled to the open upper end of the case 20 such that the pump chamber 11 is formed and the piston 30 can be movable upwardly or downwardly in a state of being inserted in the case 20.

A lower membrane 22 is formed at a lower portion of the case 20 and the first discharge port 21 is formed at the lower membrane 22. In addition, an upper membrane 32 is formed at an upper portion of the piston 30 and the second discharge port 31 is formed at the upper membrane 32.

A case protruding portion 24 may be protruded downwardly from the lower membrane 22 of the case 20 by a predetermined length. In addition, an extended portion 25 is also formed at the case 20. The extended portion 25 extends by a predetermined length corresponding to the length of the case protruding portion 24.

A catching protruding portion 36 is formed at an external circumferential surface of the open lower end of the piston 30. The catching protruding portion 36 is protruded radially outwardly so as to be caught by the first separation preventing member 40 when the first separation preventing member 40 is coupled to the upper end of the case 20 in a state that the catching protruding portion 36 is inserted in the open upper end of the case 20. A coupling recess 37 at which the sealing member 16 is mounted is formed at the catching protruding portion 36.

Meanwhile, the first opening/closing member 12 includes a longitudinal portion 121 inserted in the first discharge port 21 and a wing portion 122 covering the first discharge port 21 when the longitudinal portion 121 is inserted in the first discharge port 21.

Herein, the longitudinal portion 121 is adapted to align the first opening/closing member 12 with a position where the first discharge port 21 is closed or open. A cross-sectional area of the longitudinal portion 121 is smaller than that of the first discharge port 21. Therefore, the air is not obstructed by the longitudinal portion 121 and smoothly flows into the pump chamber 11 through the first discharge port 21. An area of the wing portion 122 can be changed according to design.

Similarly, the second opening/closing member 14 includes a longitudinal portion 141 inserted in the second discharge port 31 and a wing portion 142 covering the second discharge port 31 when the longitudinal portion 141 is inserted in the second discharge port 31.

Herein, the longitudinal portion 141 is adapted to align the second opening/closing member 14 with a position where the second discharge port 31 is closed or open. A cross-sectional area of the longitudinal portion 141 may be smaller than that of the second discharge port 31. Therefore, the air is not obstructed by the longitudinal portion 141 and smoothly exhausted to the exterior through the second discharge port 31.

The wing portions 122 and 142 have downward slopes toward radial outward direction. Therefore, the first and second opening/closing members 12 and 14 can smoothly open or close the first and second discharge ports 21 and 31 according to upward or downward movement of the piston 30, respectively.

In further detail, since the first discharge port 21 is formed at a lower portion of the case 20 and the second discharge port 31 is formed at an upper portion of the piston 30, the air heads toward the first discharge port 21 from top to bottom and heads toward the second discharge port 31 from bottom to top such that the air in the pump chamber 11 is exhausted to the exterior when the piston 30 descends. At this time, the first discharge port 21 is blocked by the wing portion 122 of the first opening/closing member 12 and the second discharge port 31 is not blocked by the wing portion 142 of the second opening/closing member 14 as a consequence of such air flow. Therefore, the air in the pump chamber 11 is exhausted to the exterior only through the second discharge port 31 when the piston 30 descends.

On the contrary, the air heads toward the first discharge port 21 from bottom to top and heads toward the second discharge port 31 from top to bottom such that the air can flow into the pump chamber 11 when the piston 30 ascends. At this time, the first discharge port 21 is not blocked by the wing portion 122 of the first opening/closing member 12 and the second discharge port 31 is blocked by the wing portion 142 of the second opening/closing member 14 as a consequence of such air flow. Therefore, the exterior air flows into the pump chamber 11 only through the first discharge port 21 when the piston 30 ascends.

Therefore, if the wing portions 122 and 142 have downward slopes toward the radial outward direction, function and operation of the wing portions 122 and 142 described above can be performed smoothly.

Meanwhile, the second separation preventing member 50 is positioned above the first opening/closing member 12 and prevents separation of the first opening/closing member 12 from the first discharge port 21.

For these purpose, a supporting portion 23 for supporting the second separation preventing member 50 is provided in the case 20. The supporting portion 23 is protruded upwardly from the lower membrane 22 so as to enclose the first discharge port 21, and a catching step 51 that can be caught by the supporting portion 23 is protruded radially outwardly from an external circumferential surface of the second separation preventing member 50. In addition, an end of the elastic member 17 is supported by an upper surface of the catching step 51.

Therefore, since a lower surface of the catching step 51 is supported by the supporting portion 23 and the upper surface of the catching step 51 is supported by the elastic force of the elastic member 17, the second separation preventing member 50 can be stably positioned above the first opening/closing member 12.

A hollow hole 52 is formed at a center portion of the second separation preventing member 50. In addition, a length portion 53 and a projected portion 54 are also formed at the second separation preventing member 50. The length portion 53 is extended downwardly from the catching step 51 by a predetermined length and the projected portion 54 is protruded upwardly from the catching step 51 by a predetermined length.

The hollow hole 52 (please see FIG. 2) is adapted to smoothly flow the air flowing therein through the first discharge port 21 into the pump chamber 11, and the elastic member 17 is inserted in the projected portion 54 and is supported by the catching step 51. A pneumatic line groove 55 is formed at the projected portion 54.

A second separation preventing portion 56 is formed at an end of the length portion 52 so as to prevent separation of the first opening/closing member 12 into the pump chamber 11 through the hollow hole 52.

A length of the length portion 52 may be smaller than a height of the supporting portion 23 such that a predetermined gap between the end of the length portion 52 and the first opening/closing member 12 can be maintained when the catching step 51 is supported by the supporting portion 23

If the length portion 52 strongly presses the first opening/closing member 12, the first opening/closing member 12 cannot open or close the first discharge port 21 smoothly.

Meanwhile, the third separation preventing member 60 is coupled to the upper portion of the piston 30 and prevents separation of the second opening/closing member 14 from the second discharge port 31.

A coupling protrusion 63 is formed at a predetermined position of the third separation preventing member 60 and a coupling groove 34 corresponding to the coupling protrusion 63 is formed at the upper membrane 32 of the piston 30.

An accepting groove 33 is formed at the upper membrane 32 of the piston 30, and the longitudinal portion 141 of the second opening/closing member 14 is inserted in the second discharge port 31 formed at a bottom surface of the upper membrane 32 such that the second opening/closing member 14 is received in the accepting groove 33. A third separation preventing portion 61 is formed at the third separation preventing member 60. The third separation preventing portion 61 is protruded downwardly from the third separation preventing member 60 and is inserted in the accepting groove 33.

Therefore, if the third separation preventing member 60 is coupled to the upper portion of the piston 30 after the longitudinal portion 141 is inserted in the second discharge port 31 and the second opening/closing member 14 is received in accepting groove 33, the second opening/closing member 14 cannot be separated from the second discharge port 31 by the third separation preventing portion 61.

A length of the third separation preventing portion 61 may be smaller than a depth of the accepting groove 33 such that a predetermined gap between an end of the third separation preventing portion 61 and the second opening/closing member 14 can be maintained when the third separation preventing member 60 is coupled to the upper portion of the piston 30. If the third separation preventing portion 61 strongly presses the second opening/closing member 14, the second opening/closing member 14 cannot open or close the second discharge port 31 smoothly.

A pneumatic line groove 35 may be formed at the upper portion of the piston 30 and a pneumatic line groove 62 may be formed at the third separation preventing portion 61. In this case, the air flowing in the accepting groove 33 through the second discharge port 31 can be smoothly exhausted to the exterior through the pneumatic line grooves 35 and 62.

Meanwhile, the vacuum pump 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention further includes a fixing portion. The fixing portion is adapted to be fixed by the first separation preventing member 40 if the piston 30 is rotated by a predetermined angle in a descent state. Therefore, the piston 30 can be fixed in the descent state.

In further detail, the fixing portion includes a guide protrusion 38 formed at an external circumferential surface of the piston 30 in a length direction thereof and a guide groove 41 formed at an interior circumference of the first separation preventing member 40 and corresponding to the guide protrusion 38. Herein, a length of the guide protrusion 38 is smaller than that of the piston 30 such that the guide protrusion 38 may be formed from the lower portion to a predetermined position of the upper portion of the piston 30.

Therefore, the guide protrusion 38 slides along the guide groove 41 when the piston 30 descends, and an upper end portion of the guide protrusion 38 is positioned below the guide groove 41 if the piston 30 descends completely. If the piston 30 is rotated at this state, the guide protrusion 38 is caught by the first separation preventing portion 40 and the piston 30 is fixed.

Meanwhile, the vacuum pump 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention further includes means for pressing the first opening/closing member that press the first opening/closing member 12 to the first discharge port 21 strongly when the piston 30 descends.

In further detail, the means for pressing the first opening/closing member include a pressing protrusion 39 extended downwardly from the upper membrane 32 of the piston 30 by a predetermined length and having the second discharge port 31 at a center portion thereof, and a pressing member 80 pushed by the pressing protrusion 39 and pressing the first opening/closing member 12 strongly when the piston 30 descends.

Therefore, the first discharge port 21 can be closed firmly by the first opening/closing member 12 when the piston 30 descends.

The means for pressing the first opening/closing member can press the first opening/closing member 12 such that the first opening/closing member 12 compresses the first discharge port 21 when the piston 30 descends until the piston 30 can be fixed. These can be achieved by controlling lengths of the pressing protrusion 39 and the pressing member 80 suitably.

The means for pressing the first opening/closing member may be formed such that the means for pressing the first opening/closing member press the first opening/closing member 12 and compress the first discharge port 21 during the piston 30 descends. In this case, the pressing member 80 may press the first opening/closing member 12 frequently and the first opening/closing member 12 may be damaged.

Meanwhile, the pressing member 80 is inserted in the hollow hole 52 of the second separation preventing member 50 and is mounted at the case 20 so as to be movable upwardly or downwardly. In this case, a hollow hole 81 is formed at a center portion of the pressing member 80 and a pressing member pneumatic line portion 82 is formed at a lower portion of the pressing member 80 in a length direction thereof. Therefore, the air flowing in the first discharge port 21 can be smoothly flowed into the pump chamber 11.

A slanted portion 83 may be formed at an end of the pressing member 80. The slanged portion 83 has an upward slope toward radial inward direction so as to correspond to the wing portion 122 of the first opening/closing member 12

Thereby, damage of the wing portion 122 may be prevented when the pressing member 80 presses the wing portion 122 of the first opening/closing member 12 strongly. Therefore, the wing portion 122 can be effectively pressed.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of means for pressing the first opening/closing member according to another exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 6, the means for pressing the first opening/closing member according to the present exemplary embodiment, compared with the exemplary embodiment, further include a cam portion moving the pressing member 80 downwardly by a predetermined distance if the piston 30 is rotated so as to be caught by the first separation preventing member 40 after being descended.

In further detail, the cam portion includes a first cam portion 391 formed at a lower end portion of the pressing protrusion 39 and a second cam portion 84 formed at an upper end portion of the pressing member 80 so as to correspond to the first cam portion 391.

Therefore, if the piston 30 is rotated by a predetermined angle after being descent and is fixed and caught by the first separation preventing portion 40, the pressing protrusion 30 further presses the pressing member 80 and the first opening/closing member 12 is further pressed by the pressing member 80 according to the present exemplary embodiment. Therefore, the first discharge port 21 can be more closely sealed.

Meanwhile, although it is not shown in the drawings, the means for pressing the first opening/closing member according to the present invention may not include the pressing protrusion 39 and the pressing member 80 according to the exemplary embodiment. In this case, the means for pressing the first opening/closing member may include an elastic member disposed between the lower membrane 22 of the case 20 and the second separation preventing member 50 and pressing the first opening/closing member 12 when the piston 30 descends.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a vacuum container according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a sealing member 130 shown in FIG. 7.

Referring to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the vacuum container 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes the main body 110, the cover 120, the sealing member 130 closely sealing the third discharge port 122 formed at the cover 120, and the vacuum pump 10 selectively mounted at the receiving portion 124 provided at the cover 120 and exhausting the air in the main body 110 to the exterior.

Herein, the vacuum pump 100 is substantially similar to the vacuum pump 10 described above.

A coupling recess 126 may be provided at an edge portion of the receiving portion 124. The first packing member 70 of the vacuum pump 10 is mounted at the coupling recess 126. Since an inside of the receiving portion 124 can be closely sealed in this case, pumping by the vacuum pump 10 may be efficiently performed.

The sealing member 130 includes a catching portion 132 inserted in and caught by the third discharge port 122, a handle portion 136 protruded upwardly, and a wing portion 134 provided between the handle portion 136 and the catching portion 132 and covering the third discharge port 122.

Therefore, if a user pushes the handle portion 136, the wing portion 134 closely contacted with a bottom surface of the receiving portion 124 and closely seals the third discharge port 122. If the user pulls the handle portion 136, the wing portion 134 is separated from the receiving portion 124 and the third discharge port 122 is open.

Hereinafter, operation for exhausting the air in the vacuum container 100 by using the vacuum pump 10 of the present invention will be briefly described.

The user pushes the handle portion 136 so as to closely contact the wing portion 134 to the bottom surface of the receiving portion 124. In this case, the inside of the vacuum container 100 can be closely sealed from the exterior. After that, the first packing member 70 of the vacuum pump 10 is mounted at the coupling recess 126 and pumping is started.

When the piston 30 is pushed repetitively, the case protruding portion 24 is adapted to push a center portion of the sealing member 130. In this case, the wing portion 134 of the sealing member 130 can flutter efficiently. However, the case protruding portion 24 may not push the center portion of the sealing member 130.

If the piston 30 is pushed repetitively, the wing portion 134 flutters due to pressure difference and the air remaining in the vacuum container 100 is exhausted to the exterior through the receiving portion 124, the first discharge port 21 and the second discharge port 31. That is, when the piston 30 ascends, a pressure of the pump chamber 11 becomes lowered such that the air in the receiving portion 124 is flowed into the pump chamber 11 through the first discharge port 21. In this case, a pressure of the receiving portion 124 becomes lowered and the air in the vacuum container 100 pushes the wing portion 134 and enters the receiving portion 124.

A thickness t of the wing portion 134 may be 1.3 mm to 1.8 mm. If the thickness t of the wing portion 134 is smaller than 1.3 mm, force of the sealing member 130 for pressing the bottom surface of the receiving portion 124 is weak. Therefore, vacuum state in the vacuum container 100 cannot be maintained for a long time. If the thickness t is larger than 1.8 mm, the wing portion 134 cannot flutter effectively by pumping of the vacuum pump 10.

That is, the air in the main body 110 can be smoothly flowed into the receiving portion 124 only if the wing portion 134 is separated completely from the receiving portion 124 when pumping the vacuum pump 10. Experiment taken by an inventor show that the wing portion 134 flutters effectively by pumping of the vacuum pump 10 and the air in the main body 110 is flowed into the receiving portion 124 smoothly if the thickness t of the wing portion 134 is within a range of 1.3 mm to 1.8 mm. In addition, the sealing member 130 can press the bottom surface of the receiving portion 124 sufficiently and the vacuum state in the vacuum container 100 can be maintained for a long time only if the thickness t of the wing portion 134 is larger than or equal to 1.3 mm.

If the air remaining in the vacuum container 100 is drawn out completely, high vacuum state is maintained in the vacuum container 100 and foods can be prevented from being rotten.

In addition, a pneumatic line groove 138 may be formed between the wing portion 134 and the catching portion 132 such that the air in the main body 110 can be smoothly flowed into the receiving portion 124. A size of the pneumatic line groove 138 may be changed suitably according to a size of the sealing member 130 or the thickness of the wing portion 134.

The vacuum pump 10 according to the present invention is mounted at the vacuum container 100 and is adapted to generate the vacuum state in the vacuum container 100. After high vacuum state is generated in the vacuum container 100 by pushing the piston 30 repetitively, the piston 30 is fixed in the descent state. Therefore, the vacuum pump 10 can be kept in a state that the volume thereof is reduced.

As described above, the vacuum pump 10 of the present invention can be adapted only to exhaust the air in the vacuum container 100. However, the vacuum pump 10 can be used for exhausting the air in a bottle 200.

Hereinafter, the vacuum pump according to another exemplary embodiment will be described in detail. The vacuum pump according to another exemplary embodiment can exhaust the air in the bottle as well as the vacuum container to the exterior. Since the present exemplary embodiment is the same as the vacuum pump according to the exemplary embodiment, descriptions of the same elements and the reference numerals will be applied to those according to the exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing that a vacuum pump according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is mounted at a bottle, and FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of the second packing member.

Referring to FIG. 2 to FIG. 4, FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, the vacuum pump 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment further includes the case protruding portion 24 protruded downwardly from the lower membrane 22 of the case 20 by a predetermined length. The first discharge port 21 is formed at a center portion of the case protruding portion 24. In addition, a second packing member 90 is further included. The second packing member 90 is coupled to the case protruding portion 24 and has a third discharge port 91 connected to the first discharge port 21. In this case, the first packing member 70 may be removed. In addition, the case 20 may further include the extended portion 25 further extending by a predetermined length corresponding to the length of the case protruding portion 24.

That is, it does not matter if the case 20 is extended to the lower membrane 22, but the extended portion 25 is formed so as to correspond to the length of the case protruding portion 24 in the vacuum pump 10 according to the present invention. However, the extended portion 25 may be as much extended as the length of the case protruding portion 24 or may be extended shorter or longer than the length of the case protruding portion 24.

Meanwhile, the second packing member 90 includes a sealing portion 92 inserted in a neck of the bottle 200 so as to closely seal an inside of the bottle 200 and having the third discharge port 91 formed at a center portion thereof, and a coupling recess 93 interference-fitted to the case protruding portion 24.

Therefore, the coupling recess 93 of the second packing member 90 is interference-fitted to the case protruding portion 24 so as to use the vacuum pump 10 according to the present invention to the bottle 200. In this case, the inside of the bottle 200 is closely sealed by the sealing portion 92 and is communicated with the first discharge port 21 through the third discharge port 91. Therefore, the air in the bottle 200 can be exhausted to the exterior by repetitive pushing of the piston 30.

A pneumatic line groove 26 may be formed at a lower end of the case protruding portion 24 such that the air in the bottle 200 is smoothly flowed into the first discharge port 21 through the third discharge port 91.

The vacuum pump 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment may be effectively used for a wine bottle.

Generally, the wine bottle in which a wine remains is kept in a state where the wine bottle is closely sealed by a cap such as a packing. In this case, since the air remains in the wine bottle, the taste and flavor of wine may be spoiled. If the wine bottle is closely sealed after the air in the bottle is completely exhausted to the exterior and the vacuum state is generated in the wine bottle by using the vacuum pump 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment, the taste and flavor of the wine can be kept long.

Meanwhile, the vacuum pump 10 according to the present invention may further include a fixing portion for fixing the piston 30 in a state of the descent state. In this case, the vacuum pump 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment may function as a cap.

That is, the second packing member 90 of the vacuum pump 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment is coupled to the bottle 200 and the air remaining in the bottle 200 is completely exhausted so as to generate the vacuum state in the bottle 200 by repetitively pushing the piston 30. After that, the piston 30 is rotated in the descent state and is fixed by the first separation preventing member 40. Therefore, the vacuum pump 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment can be used as the cap.

In addition, the vacuum pump 10 according to the present invention may further include the means for pressing the first opening/closing member which press the first opening/closing member 12 to the first discharge port 21 if the piston 30 is fixed in the descent state. In this case, the inside of the bottle 200 can be sealed further closely. Therefore, the vacuum state can be maintained for a long time.

Claims

1. A vacuum pump comprising:

a case having a first discharge port at a lower membrane thereof;
a piston coupled to the case so as to be movable vertically and having a second discharge port at an upper membrane thereof;
a first opening/closing member adapted to open/close the first discharge port according to a vertical movement of the piston;
a second opening/closing member adapted to open/close the second discharge port according to the vertical movement of the piston;
an elastic member placed between the case and the piston and adapted to apply elastic force to the piston;
a first separation preventing member coupled to an upper portion of the case and adapted to prevent separation of the piston;
a second separation preventing member provided in the case and adapted to prevent separation of the first opening/closing member;
a third separation preventing member coupled to an upper portion of the piston and adapted to prevent separation of the second opening/closing member; and
a first packing member coupled to a lower portion of the case.

2. The vacuum pump of claim 1, wherein each of the first opening/closing member and the second opening/closing member has a longitudinal portion adapted to be inserted in the first discharge port and the second discharge port and a wing portion covering the first discharge port and the second discharge port when the longitudinal portion is inserted in the first discharge port and the second discharge port.

3. The vacuum pump of claim 2, wherein the wing portion has a downward slope toward radial outward direction.

4. The vacuum pump of claim 1, wherein a supporting portion protruded upwardly from the lower membrane and supporting the second separation preventing member is provided in the case, and a catching step caught by the supporting portion is protruded radially outwardly from an external circumferential surface of the second separation preventing member.

5. The vacuum pump of claim 1, wherein an accepting groove in which the second opening/closing member is accepted is provided at the upper membrane of the piston, and a third separation preventing portion protruded downwardly and inserted in the accepting groove is formed at the third separation preventing member.

6. The vacuum pump of claim 1, further comprising a fixing portion adapted to be fixed to the first separation preventing member if the piston is rotated by a predetermined angle in a descent state such that the piston is fixed in the descent state.

7. The vacuum pump of claim 6, further comprising means for pressing the first opening/closing member that press the first opening/closing member to the first discharge port in a case that the piston is fixed at the descent state.

8. The vacuum pump of claim 7, wherein the means for pressing the first opening/closing member comprise:

a pressing protrusion extending downwardly from the upper membrane of the piston by a predetermined length and having the second discharge port formed at a center portion thereof; and
a pressing member pressed by the pressing protrusion so as to press the first opening/closing member in a case that the piston is fixed at the descent state.

9. The vacuum pump of claim 8, wherein cam portions corresponding to each other are formed respectively at a lower end portion of the pressing protrusion and an upper end portion of the pressing member.

10. The vacuum pump of claim 1, further comprising an elastic member provided between the lower membrane of the case and the second separation preventing member and adapted to press the second opening/closing member when the piston descends.

11. The vacuum pump of claim 1, further comprising a case protruding portion protruded downwardly from the lower membrane of the case by a predetermined length and provided with the first discharge port at a center portion thereof,

wherein the first packing member is provided with a third discharge port coupled to the case protruding portion and connected to the first discharge port.

12. A vacuum container comprising:

a main body;
a cover adapted to open/close the main body and provided with a receiving portion at which a third discharge port is formed;
a sealing member coupled to the third discharge port and closely sealing an inside of the main body; and
a vacuum pump selectively coupled to the receiving portion and drawing out air in the main body to the exterior of the main body,
wherein the vacuum pump comprises:
a case having a first discharge port at a lower membrane thereof;
a piston coupled to the case so as to be movable vertically and having a second discharge port at an upper membrane thereof;
a first opening/closing member adapted to open/close the first discharge port according to a vertical movement of the piston;
a second opening/closing member adapted to open/close the second discharge port according to the vertical movement of the piston;
an elastic member placed between the case and the piston and adapted to apply elastic force to the piston;
a first separation preventing member coupled to an upper portion of the case and adapted to prevent separation of the piston;
a second separation preventing member provided in the case and adapted to prevent separation of the first opening/closing member;
a third separation preventing member coupled to an upper portion of the piston and adapted to prevent separation of the second opening/closing member; and
a first packing member coupled to a lower portion of the case and coupled to the receiving portion.

13. The vacuum container of claim 12, wherein a coupling recess at which the first packing member is mounted is formed at an edge portion of the receiving portion.

14. The vacuum container of claim 12, wherein the sealing member comprises a handle portion protruded upwardly, a catching portion inserted in and caught by the third discharge port, and a wing portion provided between the handle portion and the catching portion and covering the third discharge port, and

wherein a thickness of the wing portion is within a range of 1.3 mm to 1.8 mm.

15. The vacuum container of claim 14, wherein a pneumatic line is formed between the wing portion and the catching portion.

16. The vacuum container of claim 12, further comprising a case protruding portion protruded downwardly from the lower membrane of the case by a predetermined length and provided with the first discharge port at a center portion thereof,

wherein the case is extended more by a predetermined length corresponding to a length of the case protruding portion.
Patent History
Publication number: 20130008130
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 21, 2010
Publication Date: Jan 10, 2013
Inventor: Yong-Kug Kim (Anyang-si)
Application Number: 13/636,352
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Gas Filling And/or Evacuating Of Receptacle And Closing (53/79)
International Classification: B65B 31/00 (20060101);