FLEXIBLE VACUUM SEALING ADAPTER FOR USE WITH FOOD STORAGE SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF USE

Abstract

The present invention relates primarily to vacuum preservation of items, and particularly to a flexible vacuum sealing adapter for use with food storage systems, wherein the flexible vacuum sealing adapter includes a flexible container interface, the flexible container interface having circumferential sidewall and an upper sealing wall, the flexible container interface being configured to seal an opening of a storage container, a vacuum port assembly being provided through the flexible container interface, the vacuum port assembly including a vacuum interface and a check valve configured to provide unidirectional flow of air from within the storage container to an exterior environment; and a deflection interface, the deflection interface including one or more input tabs, wherein a force input to the one or more input tabs results in an elastic deformation of the flexible container interface so as to cause an increase in diameter of the circumferential sidewall.

Description

PRIORITY INFORMATION

The present invention claims priority to co-pending U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/336,082 being filed on Jul. 24, 2016, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to storage systems and in particular vacuum sealing systems designed to evacuate air from a container and thus preserve the contents of a container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When preserving items, it is well known that the evacuation of air from a storage container typically increases the shelf life and can preserve the freshness of the items stored within the storage container. In many instances this is due to the reduction of free oxygen molecules within the container which results in a drastic reduction in oxidation rates with items within the storage container. When storing food, there are multiple benefits of vacuum packaging, which can include reduction in oxidation rates as discussed above, but also the limiting of growth such as bacteria or fungi.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It has been recognized that presently available food preservation containers are either too difficult to use or do not provide sufficient levels of air evacuation or vacuum preservation. As such a need exists to provide an easy to use vacuum sealing adapter cap which can be used with one or more readily available food storage containers.

In particular, various embodiments of the invention contemplated herein include a flexible vacuum sealing adapter for use with food storage systems. It will be appreciated that the adapter, as discussed in further detail herein, will be discussed primarily with respect to a rigid container having a threaded opening, similar to a mason jar. However, it will also be appreciated that internal features and shapes of the adapter can be adjusted so as to be used with varying snap fit or alternatively shaped containers.

As such the flexible vacuum sealing adapter includes a flexible container interface, the flexible container interface having circumferential sidewall and an upper sealing wall, the flexible container interface being configured to seal an opening of a storage container. The flexible vacuum sealing adapter further includes a vacuum port assembly being provided through the flexible container interface, the vacuum port assembly including a vacuum interface and a check valve configured to provide unidirectional flow of air from within the storage container to an exterior environment. Additionally, the flexible vacuum sealing adapter also includes a deflection interface, the deflection interface including one or more input tabs, wherein a force input to the one or more input tabs results in an elastic deformation of the flexible container interface so as to cause an increase in diameter of the circumferential sidewall.

In yet additional embodiments the flexible vacuum sealing adapter can also include one or more compression tabs configured to operate as the deflection interface, wherein the deflection interface further comprises a plurality of push rods operable by inputting a compressive force between one or more opposing compression tabs, wherein the push rods extend through the vacuum port assembly.

In yet additional embodiments the flexible vacuum sealing adapter can also include a plurality of tension tabs being located opposite each of the compression tabs on each of the plurality of push rods.

In yet additional embodiments the vacuum port assembly can include an exterior portion and an interior portion provided about an aperture in the upper sealing wall of the flexible container interface, the interior portion and the exterior portion being operatively connected to one another and sandwiching a portion of the upper sealing wall therebetween.

In some such embodiments, the check valve can be provided within the interior portion of the vacuum port assembly. Additionally, in some such embodiments the check valve can be biased in the closed position and open when a negative pressure is applied to the vacuum interface which is lower than the internal pressure of the container. In some such embodiments, a spring can be provided between the shield sleeve and a sealing flange of the check valve, or alternatively, the sealing flange can be biased in a closed position by an alternative spring being provided between the sealing flange and a valve body.

In some embodiments, and as shown below, the push rods of the deflection interface are configured pass through the vacuum port assembly, as such the vacuum port assembly can be provided with a shield sleeve below the vacuum port through which the push rods can extend.

In yet additional embodiments the vacuum interface comprises a rim portion being provided as a flexible and self-sealing material.

Additionally, in yet other alternative embodiments, the flexible container interface can be provided with a sealing lip or threads which can be provided about an interior surface of the circumferential sidewall so as to aid in reliability of sealing.

Also contemplated herein is a method of preserving the contents of a container using flexible vacuum sealing adapter, the method including the steps of: obtaining a suitable container; placing items to be preserved within the suitable container; obtaining a flexible vacuum sealing adapter as described in the various embodiments above; inputting a compressive force into the deflection interface so as to deflect the flexible container interface; placing the flexible container interface over an aperture of the suitable container; releasing the compressive force after placement of the flexible container interface over the aperture of the suitable container; and applying a vacuum to the vacuum interface so as to evacuate a substantial portion of air from the suitable container.

These aspects of the invention are not meant to be exclusive and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art when read in conjunction with the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings. Further, it will be appreciated that any of the various features, structures, steps, or other aspects discussed herein are for purposes of illustration only, any of which can be applied in any combination with any such features as discussed in alternative embodiments, as appropriate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of particular embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a top isometric view of a flexible vacuum sealing adapter in accordance with various aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom isometric view of the flexible vacuum sealing adapter of FIG. 1 which further illustrates various aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a top isometric view of the flexible vacuum sealing adapter of FIG. 1 in a deflected or deformed state prior to attachment to a food storage container;

FIG. 4 illustrates a top isometric view of the flexible vacuum sealing adapter of FIG. 1 being installed on a food storage container;

FIGS. 5A-B illustrate various cross-sectional isometric views of the flexible vacuum sealing adapter of FIG. 1 in respective open and closed valve configurations;

FIGS. 6A-B illustrate various cross-sectional side views of the flexible vacuum sealing adapter of FIG. 1 in respective open and closed valve configurations;

FIGS. 7A-B illustrate various cross-sectional isometric views of a valve assembly of the flexible vacuum sealing adapter of FIG. 1 in respective open and closed valve configurations; and

FIGS. 8A-B illustrate respective cross-sectional side and isometric views of an alternative valve assembly for use with flexible vacuum sealing adapter of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 9A-B illustrate respective cross-sectional side and isometric views of yet another alternative valve assembly for use with flexible vacuum sealing adapter of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As discussed above, it has been recognized that presently available food preservation containers are either too difficult to use or do not provide sufficient levels of air evacuation or vacuum preservation. It has been appreciated that systems typically used for canning require intensive amounts of labor for heating and processing the contents such that a cooling effect allows for some level of vacuum storage. Vacuum bags require the purchase of collapsible bags which do not serve as suitable containers out of which food items can be later consumed, and add unnecessary expense. Further, typical storage containers, similar to Tupperware™, only provide air evacuation in the amount that the lids can be deflected. As such, a need has been recognized to provide an easy to use vacuum sealing adapter cap which can be used with one or more readily available and inexpensive food storage containers, such as a mason type jar, wherein a vacuum generator or source can be easily applied to a valve of the vacuum sealing adapter so as to evacuate a greater quantity of the air contained therein.

As such, and as shown in FIGS. 1-9, the invention contemplated herein includes a flexible vacuum sealing adapter 10 being adapted for use with food storage systems 20. It will be appreciated that adapter 10 as discussed herein will be discussed primarily with respect to a rigid container having a threaded opening, similar to a mason jar, however, it will also be appreciated that internal features and shapes of the adapter can be adjusted so as to be used with varying snap fit or alternatively shaped containers. Such shapes can include rectangular, square, circular, or any other suitable geometric shape.

Additionally, the flexible vacuum sealing adapter 10 can includes a flexible container interface 30. The flexible container interface 30 can be deflected, as shown in FIG. 3, or otherwise stretched so as to reach over an opening of a container, as shown in FIG. 4. As such, it has been recognized that forming the flexible container interface 30 from a resilient material, such as rubber, silicone, etc. can be advantageous. Once the flexible container interface 30 is installed on the container 20, a vacuum source 4 can be attached to flexible vacuum sealing adapter 10 and air can be evacuated from an interior of the container 20. It will be appreciated that by forming the flexible container interface 30 from a resilient material, that the vacuum, i.e. the negative pressure gradient, will cause the flexible container interface 30 to sealingly engage a rim of the container 20. In some embodiments, it can also be advantageous to provide an additional resilient seal, such as an integrated or removable gasket, on the interior surface of the flexible container interface 30 which has desired sealing characteristics, such as reusability, resilience, required sealing force, etc.

As shown the flexible container interface 30 is configured to be deformed at least slightly before engaging the aperture of the container 20. Depending on material selection and resiliency, it has been recognized that a deformation or deflection interface which aids in stretching the flexible container interface 30 can be either desirable, or even required for some uses. As such the flexible vacuum sealing adapter 10 as shown, also includes a deflection interface 100 which includes one or more input tabs 110. The input tabs 110 are configured to be squeezed, for example between a thumb and fingers, so as to apply a radially compressive force. The radially compressive force can then be transferred to opposing edges of the flexible container interface 30 by a plurality of push rods, 120A or 120B which then transfer the compressive force to opposing tension tabs 130 affixed about a circumferential sidewall 36 of the flexible container interface 30 so as to effectuate the necessary degree of deflection or elastic deformation. It has been recognized that human users typically have an easier time applying compressive forces than tensile forces, i.e. compressing the fingers rather than extending. As such this deflection interface 100 allows for a compressive input but a tensile output deflection force.

It will be further appreciated that as shown, the push rods 120A-B each pass through a portion of the vacuum port assembly 200. It will be appreciated that when evacuating air from the container 20, that if left open, particles from the container could become entrained in the evacuating air and could eventually cause the push rods to jam or otherwise inoperable. As such a shield sleeve 220 can be provided through the vacuum port assembly and thus provide a clean path through which the push rods 120A-B can easily travel. Additionally, the shield sleeve 220 can be hermetically sealed from the interior of the vacuum port assembly 200 such that air will not leak through the vacuum port assembly 200 when a vacuum is applied thereto. As such, it will be appreciated that the interface between the push rods 120A-B and the walls of the vacuum port assembly 200 through which the push rods extend could otherwise develop small apertures, particularly through repeated use, through which air would likely eventually leak under a pressure gradient.

As discussed above, once the flexible container interface 30 is deflected sufficiently, it can be placed over the mouth of a container 20. At this point, as discussed above, a vacuum source 4 can be attached to a vacuum port assembly 200 being provided through the flexible container interface 30 so as to evacuate the air within the container 20.

The vacuum port assembly 200 can include a vacuum interface 210 and a check valve 230 which together are configured to provide unidirectional flow of air from within the storage container to an exterior environment and seals upon release of the vacuum source 4 so as to maintain an interior vacuum.

In yet additional embodiments the vacuum port assembly 200 can include an exterior portion 260 and an interior portion 240 provided about an aperture in the upper sealing wall 38 of the flexible container interface 30, the interior portion 240 and the exterior portion 260 can be operatively connected to one another so as to sandwich a portion of the upper sealing wall 38 therebetween. As shown a series of rivets or rods 150 can be provided so as to provide a compressive connection between the exterior portion 260 and the interior portion 240. It will be appreciated that in some instances and with certain materials the interior and exterior portions can be adhered, overmolded, or otherwise affixed directly to the flexible container interface 30 as appreciated by those having skill in the art.

As discussed briefly above and as particularly shown in FIGS. 2, and 5-7, check valve 230 can be provided within the interior portion 240 of the vacuum port assembly 200. The check valve can include sliding portion 232 and a stationary valve body portion 236. The sliding portion can further include a retention flange 234 and a sealing flange 238, wherein the sliding portion 232 can slide axially so as to either open or close a plurality of passages 244 provided through the valve body portion 236.

In various embodiments, and as shown in FIGS. 8-9, the check valve 230 can be configures so as to be biased in the closed position, wherein the valve only opens when a negative pressure is applied to the vacuum interface 200 which is lower than the internal pressure of the container. In some such embodiments, and as particularly shown in FIGS. 8A-B, a spring 248 can be provided between the shield sleeve 220 and the sealing flange 238 of the check valve 230. In this manner, the shield sleeve 220 can be structurally sound and be affixed to opposing circumferential edges of the vacuum port so as to be sufficiently robust so as to accept the load applied by the spring in order to close the valve. Alternatively, the sealing flange 238 can be biased in a closed position by an alternative spring 249 being provided between the sealing sleeve 220 and the valve body 236. In various such embodiments, the spring strength or spring coefficient can be adjusted or otherwise varied so as to also vary the negative pressure required to open the check valve 230.

In yet additional embodiments the vacuum interface can be provided with a sealing rim portion 210 which can be provided as a flexible and self-sealing material.

Additionally, as discussed above, the flexible container interface 30 can be provided with a sealing lip or threads 34 which can be provided about an interior surface of the circumferential sidewall 36 so as to aid in reliability of sealing. The lip or threads 34 can be shaped as a protrusion or any other desired shape so as to interface with an exterior surface of a given container 20, which may be provided with various threads, or alternatively have protrusions or recesses configured for various interference or snap fit designs.

Also contemplated herein is a method of preserving the contents of a container using flexible vacuum sealing adapter, the method including the steps of: obtaining a suitable container; placing items to be preserved within the suitable container; obtaining a flexible vacuum sealing adapter as described in the various embodiments above; inputting a compressive force into the deflection interface so as to deflect the flexible container interface; placing the flexible container interface over an aperture of the suitable container; releasing the compressive force after placement of the flexible container interface over the aperture of the suitable container; and applying a vacuum to the vacuum interface so as to evacuate a substantial portion of air from the suitable container.

It has been further recognized that the flexible container interface 30 can be constructed from materials that are both hermetic and adequately flexible e.g. rubber and variants thereof, silicone and variants thereof, plastic and variants thereof, latex and variants thereof, etc.

The flexible container interface 30, while shown herein as a single common material, can also be constructed from suitable materials being layered together so as to achieve a desired elastic property in conjunction with desired sealing properties. Such material can be overlaid, overmolded, bonded, chemically welded, or combined in any suitable means.

Additionally, as discussed above the vacuum port 210 can also be constructed from varying materials with varying elastic properties or hermetic properties including rigid or semi-rigid supporting structures with flexible contact interfaces. Similarly, these materials can also be overlaid, overmolded, bonded, chemically welded, or combined in any suitable means. Examples include rubber, silicone, plastic, latex, metal, metal alloys, etc.

While the principles of the invention have been described herein, it is to be understood by those skilled in the art that this description is made only by way of example and not as a limitation as to the scope of the invention. Other embodiments which are not discussed herein but which constitute obvious variants are therefore contemplated herein and as such fall within the scope of the present invention in addition to the exemplary embodiments shown and described herein. It will be further appreciated that while the various embodiments have been discussed separately herein, that each of the embodiments can be modified so as to incorporate features or options of any of the alternative embodiments without departing from the inventive concept contained herein. Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are thus considered to be within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A flexible vacuum sealing adapter for use with food storage systems, the flexible vacuum sealing adapter comprising:

a flexible container interface, the flexible container interface having circumferential sidewall and an upper sealing wall, the flexible container interface being configured to seal an opening of a storage container;

a vacuum port assembly being provided through the flexible container interface, the vacuum port assembly including a vacuum interface and a check valve configured to provide unidirectional flow of air from within the storage container to an exterior environment; and

a deflection interface, the deflection interface including one or more input tabs, wherein a force input to the one or more input tabs results in an elastic deformation of the flexible container interface so as to cause an increase in diameter of the circumferential sidewall.

2. The flexible vacuum sealing adapter of claim 1, wherein the one or more input tabs of the deflection interface are provided as compression tabs, wherein the deflection interface further comprises a plurality of push rods operable by inputting a compressive force between one or more opposing compression tabs, wherein the push rods extend through the vacuum port assembly.

3. The flexible vacuum sealing adapter of claim 2, wherein the deflection interface further comprises a plurality of tension tabs being located opposite each of the compression tabs on each of the plurality of push rods.

4. The flexible vacuum sealing adapter of claim 1, wherein the vacuum port assembly includes an exterior portion and an interior portion provided about an aperture in the upper sealing wall of the flexible container interface, the interior portion and the exterior portion being operatively connected to one another and sandwiching a portion of the upper sealing wall therebetween.

5. The flexible vacuum sealing adapter of claim 4, wherein the check valve is provided within the interior portion of the vacuum port assembly.

6. The flexible vacuum sealing adapter of claim 1, wherein the check valve is biased in the closed position and open when a negative pressure is applied to the vacuum interface which is lower than the internal pressure of the container.

7. The flexible vacuum sealing adapter of claim 5, wherein the check valve is biased in the closed position and open when a negative pressure is applied to the vacuum interface which is lower than the internal pressure of the container.

8. The flexible vacuum sealing adapter of claim 2, wherein the push rods pass through a shield sleeve within the vacuum port assembly.

9. The flexible vacuum sealing adapter of claim 8, further comprising a spring between the shield sleeve and a sealing flange of the check valve.

10. The flexible vacuum sealing adapter of claim 6, wherein the check valve further comprises a sealing flange, and wherein the sealing flange is biased in a closed position by a spring being provided between the sealing flange and a valve body.

11. The flexible vacuum sealing adapter of claim 1, wherein the vacuum interface comprises a rim portion being provided as a flexible material and self-sealing material.

12. The flexible vacuum sealing adapter of claim 1, wherein the flexible container interface includes a sealing lip provided about an interior surface of the circumferential sidewall.

13. A method of preserving the contents of a container using flexible vacuum sealing adapter, the method comprising the steps of:

obtaining a suitable container;

placing items to be preserved within the suitable container;

obtaining a flexible vacuum sealing adapter comprising: a flexible container interface, the flexible container interface having circumferential sidewall and an upper sealing wall, the flexible container interface being configured to seal an opening of a storage container; a vacuum port assembly being provided through the flexible container interface, the vacuum port assembly including a vacuum interface and a check valve configured to provide unidirectional flow of air from within the storage container to an exterior environment; and a deflection interface, the deflection interface including one or more input tabs, wherein a force input to the one or more input tabs results in an elastic deformation of the flexible container interface so as to cause an increase in diameter of the circumferential sidewall;

inputting a compressive force into the deflection interface so as to deflect the flexible container interface;

placing the flexible container interface over an aperture of the suitable container;

releasing the compressive force after placement of the flexible container interface over the aperture of the suitable container; and

applying a vacuum to the vacuum interface so as to evacuate a portion of air from the suitable container.

14. The method of preserving the contents of a container using flexible vacuum sealing adapter of claim 12, wherein the one or more input tabs of the deflection interface are provided as compression tabs, wherein the deflection interface further comprises a plurality of push rods operable by inputting a compressive force between one or more opposing compression tabs, wherein the push rods extend through the vacuum port assembly.

15. The method of preserving the contents of a container using flexible vacuum sealing adapter of claim 12, wherein the vacuum port assembly includes an exterior portion and an interior portion provided about an aperture in the upper sealing wall of the flexible container interface, the interior portion and the exterior portion being operatively connected to one another and sandwiching a portion of the upper sealing wall therebetween.

16. The method of preserving the contents of a container using flexible vacuum sealing adapter of claim 15, wherein the check valve is provided within the interior portion of the vacuum port assembly.

17. The method of preserving the contents of a container using flexible vacuum sealing adapter of claim 12, wherein the check valve is biased in the closed position and open when a negative pressure is applied to the vacuum interface which is lower than the internal pressure of the container.

18. The method of preserving the contents of a container using flexible vacuum sealing adapter of claim 16, wherein the check valve is biased in the closed position and open when a negative pressure is applied to the vacuum interface which is lower than the internal pressure of the container.

19. The method of preserving the contents of a container using flexible vacuum sealing adapter of claim 14, wherein the push rods pass through a shield sleeve within the vacuum port assembly.

20. A flexible vacuum sealing adapter for use with food storage systems, the flexible vacuum sealing adapter comprising:

a flexible container interface, the flexible container interface having circumferential sidewall and an upper sealing wall, the flexible container interface being configured to seal an opening of a storage container, wherein the flexible container interface includes a sealing lip provided about an interior surface of the circumferential sidewall;

a vacuum port assembly being provided through the flexible container interface, the vacuum port assembly including a vacuum interface and a check valve configured to provide unidirectional flow of air from within the storage container to an exterior environment, wherein the vacuum port assembly further comprises: an exterior portion; and an interior portion provided about an aperture in the upper sealing wall of the flexible container interface, the interior portion and the exterior portion being operatively connected to one another and sandwiching a portion of the upper sealing wall therebetween, wherein the check valve is provided within the interior portion of the vacuum port assembly; and

a deflection interface, the deflection interface further comprising: a plurality of compression tabs; a plurality of push rods operable by inputting a compressive force between one or more opposing compression tabs, wherein the push rods extend through the vacuum port assembly, wherein a force input to one or more opposing compression tabs results in an elastic deformation of the flexible container interface so as to cause an increase in diameter of the circumferential sidewall.