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.
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.
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.
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
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).
With continued reference to
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.
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.
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.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61313646 | Mar 2010 | US |