Patent Application
20090169290
The invention relates generally to vacuum food processors and methods and more particularly to vacuum couplings for use with closures and canisters of food marinators.
Rotary tumblers are frequently used in combination with tumbling, to accelerate the “take-up” or penetration of marinades into meat fibers and to mix, clean, toss, bread and marinate various food products. Such vacuum tumbling devices typically include a cylindrical tumbling canister carrying multiple internal fins for tumbling, kneading or otherwise agitating the canister contents. Vacuum canisters are also used to preserve or extend the life of food products stored in the canister.
A vacuum is drawn in the canister prior to tumbling using a powered vacuum system connected to the canister or canister closure. Some known vacuum canister closures include manually operated valves, such as ball valves or the like, that require a sequence of manual operations in combination with operation of the vacuum system. Other known vacuum canister closures and vacuum systems require an operator to manually maintain pressure between the canister closure and a vacuum fitting on the vacuum system until sufficient pressure differential is created by the vacuum system to maintain a seal. Insufficient manual pressure in such systems makes it difficult to establish or maintain a seal sufficient to draw a vacuum in the canister. Still other known systems require manual operation of the vacuum pump.
Accordingly, improvements are sought in sealing a vacuum pump with a vacuum canister.
One aspect of the invention features a vacuum pump attached to a canister closure by a cup-shaped vacuum fitting press-fitted with a gasket over a valve stud on the canister closure to provide a seal. The connection between the closure and vacuum system is maintained without the need for continued manual pressure prior to or during operation of the vacuum system.
In one implementation, the valve stud defines a vacuum port that retains a pliable rubber plunger valve with a pliable upper peripheral flange that cooperates with a rim on the valve stud to provide a seal. Using a vacuum system, air is drawn from the canister through a gap between the plunger and valve stud. Upon removal of the vacuum system fitting from the valve stud, the plunger flange is pulled by the pressure differential against the rim on the valve stud to form a seal. Thus, the valve allows air to be pumped from the canister and provides an air-tight seal upon removal of the vacuum connection.
In one application, the lid is retained on the canister during tumbling by the differential between the canister interior pressure and atmospheric exterior pressure. To release the vacuum drawn in the canister, the user simply lifts or tilts the head of the plunger to again create a gap between the plunger flange and the valve stud rim to allow air to flow back through the vacuum port into the canister.
In another application, the vacuum system is disconnected from the canister closure prior to tumbling the canister. During tumbling, the canister is driven about its longitudinal axis by a friction drive wheel that engages textured bands or recesses on the canister exterior.
In some embodiments, the canister includes internal fins for agitating food products. The fins may be angled, curved, and otherwise configured to roll, knead or agitate food products in any desired manner.
Another aspect of the invention features a vacuum food processor canister vacuum coupling assembly including a canister closure defining a recess in a top portion of the closure. A valve stud is positioned within the recess in the closure and defines a vacuum port extending through the closure and an upper rim. A vacuum valve plunger including a valve stem extends through the vacuum port and defines a pliable upper peripheral flange about an upper portion of the valve stem configured to engage the rim of the valve stud to form a releasable seal. A vacuum coupler fitting is constructed to be manually press-fitted onto the valve stud to provide a press-fit seal therebetween to enable evacuation of air from a canister through the vacuum port.
In some implementations, the vacuum coupling assembly further includes a pliable gasket disposed between the vacuum coupler fitting and the valve stud to provide a press-fit.
In some implementations, the valve plunger includes a lower peripheral flange about a lower portion of the valve stem below the vacuum port.
In some implementations, the vacuum port defines a central axial bore extending through the valve stud and closure and further defines a passage extending radially from a lower portion of the central axial bore to allow air to pass between the lower peripheral flange and a lower portion of the closure adjacent the valve stem.
In some cases the valve stud is of a substantially uniform diameter. In other cases, the valve stud is tapered to provide a graduated press-fit. Still in other cases there are multiple projections on the valve stud for sealingly engaging the vacuum coupler fitting.
In a particular configuration, the valve plunger, the outer diameter of the valve stud and inner dimensions of the vacuum coupler fitting are configured to provide at least about 0.2 inches clearance between the valve plunger and vacuum coupler fitting.
Another aspect of the invention features a vacuum food tumbler including the vacuum coupling assembly as described; a vacuum canister configured to receive the closure; a base defining a cradle for receiving the canister; and a drive assembly within the base and comprising a drive motor and controller for rotating the canister in the cradle about a longitudinal axis of the canister.
One configuration includes a storage compartment accessible on a front portion of the base from which a vacuum line is extendible for use with the vacuum coupler fitting without the need to disconnect or connect the vacuum line relative to the base between uses.
In some embodiments, the canister includes multiple fins extending radially inward from an interior surface of the canister.
In some embodiments, the canister defines a textured circumferential groove on an exterior surface of the canister configured to engage the drive assembly of the base.
In some embodiments, the valve plunger is disposed entirely below an upper rim of the recess in the top portion of the closure.
In some embodiments, the press-fit seal is maintained without manual support or applied vacuum.
Another aspect of the invention features a method of evacuating a vacuum canister including positioning a closure on the vacuum canister. The closure defines a recess and a valve stud positioned within the recess in the closure. The valve stud defines a vacuum port extending to a bottom portion of the closure and further defines an upper rim. The closure further includes a vacuum valve plunger defining a valve stem extending through the vacuum port and defining a pliable peripheral flange about an upper portion of the valve stem. The valve plunger is configured to engage the rim of the valve stud to form a releasable seal. The method includes manually press-fitting a vacuum coupler fitting onto the valve stud to form a press-fit seal therebetween and evacuating air from the canister through the vacuum port and vacuum coupler fitting.
In some applications, the method includes overcoming the press-fit seal to remove the vacuum coupler fitting from the valve stud to allow a pressure differential between the interior and exterior of the canister to cause the valve plunger to be drawn against the rim of the valve stud to form a seal.
Other applications include securing the closure to the canister solely by the pressure differential.
Still other applications include displacing the peripheral flange of the valve plunger from the rim of the valve stud to return the canister to ambient pressure.
In some applications, the press-fit seal is maintained without manual support or applied vacuum
In some applications, the method includes displacing the peripheral flange of the valve plunger from the rim of the valve stud to return the canister to ambient pressure.
In some applications, the press-fit seal is sufficiently secure to retain the vacuum coupler fitting on the valve stud through multiple vacuum cycles without manual support.
In some applications, press-fitting the vacuum coupler fitting onto the valve stud includes compressing a pliable gasket.
The details of one or more implementations of features of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
a-c are top, side and bottom views of the canister closure of
a-b are cross-sectional views of the canister closure of
a-c show top, side and cross-sectional views of the vacuum valve plunger of
a-c are front, side and bottom views of the vacuum fitting cup of
a-d are cross-sectional and detail views of the vacuum fitting cup of
a-c are side, bottom and cross-sectional views of the vacuum fitting coupler of
a-c show side, top and partial cross-sectional views of the vacuum canister of
a-c show cross-sectional and detailed views of the vacuum canister of
While aspects and features of the invention are applicable in many food processing and other vacuum and/or tumbling applications, implementations are described in the context of a vacuum tumbler for marinating meats and other food products. With reference to
With reference to
With reference to
With reference to
Referring to
Valve stud 30 is sized and configured to receive a compact vacuum fitting assembly 14 thereon while providing sufficient clearance between the vacuum fitting assembly 14 and valve plunger 26 to prevent inadvertent disruption of the seal between plunger 26 and valve stud 30. In some implementations, valve stud 30 is of a uniform diameter, while in other implementation, valve stud 30 is tapered to provide a graduated press-fit with vacuum fitting assembly 14. Still in other implementations, valve stud 30 includes a recess or projection to provide a snap-fit with a complementary feature on vacuum fitting assembly 14. For example, an O-ring on one may be received into a recess in the other. In other implementations, valve stud 30 includes multiple projections such as rim 34 for engaging vacuum fitting assembly 14 to provide enhanced sealing.
Referring to FIG. 8-b, valve stud 30 defines vacuum port 32 axially therethrough and valve plunger 26 rests against a lower surface of closure 12 adjacent vacuum port 32. A vacuum passage 36 extends radially from vacuum port 32 on a lower portion of closure 12. Accordingly, air passage 36 provides air flow between valve plunger 26 and the lower portion of closure 12. Air passage 36 also serves to prevent food stuffs from being, aspirated into vacuum line 16 through vacuum port 32. Multiple air passages 36 may be positioned about vacuum port 32 to provide increased air flow. A shroud can be employed about air passages 36 or vacuum port 32 to further ensure that only air is allowed to enter vacuum line 16.
Referring to
Thus, valve plunger 26 allows air to be evacuated from canister 10 but does not allow air to return back to canister 10 unless the seal is compromised by manually deforming or displacing valve plunger 26. Once the vacuum is released, closure 12 may again be removed from canister 10. It is advantageous that valve plunger 26 be located entirely within recess 28 on closure 12 to prevent inadvertent loss of the vacuum applied to canister 10, for example, by an impact with base 2 during operation.
With reference to
Vacuum coupler fitting 48 is sized and configured to be received within recess 28 on closure 12 over valve stud 30 within recess 28. In a particular embodiment, vacuum cup 46 is sized and configured with sufficient clearance to prevent displacement of valve plunger 26 or compromise of the seal between valve plunger 26 and valve stud 30 upon removal of valve coupler assembly 14.
Vacuum coupler 48 defines an annular recess 54 configured to sealingly receive vacuum cup 46. Vacuum coupler 48 further defines a central socket 56 sized to provide an interference press-fit with valve stud 30 upon manual connection by a user. Vacuum coupler 48 may be provided in various cases with a gasket around the circumference of socket 56 to provide the press-fit seal with valve stud 30.
With reference now to
Canister 10 defines textured recesses 62 that extend circumferentially about the exterior of canister 10. Texturing of recesses 62 provides increased friction between canister 10 and drive assembly 6. This is particularly advantageous when the canister is wet or greasy from pouring of food products or handling. The texturing may be provided by texturing the mold or by after-mold processes such as sandblasting or chemical etching.
Canister 10 includes reinforcing structure on the bottom thereof to stiffen canister 10. The reinforcing structure can include steps, ribs or other structure to provide strength. Convex bottom surface provides strength, stiffness and a more uniform surface that is easier to clean. The internal tumbling fins go further serve to reinforce the side wall of canister 10. The three fins also tie into the bottom of the canister to provide strength as ribs.
According to one application, a method of evacuating a vacuum canister includes positioning closure 12 on vacuum canister 10. The closure 12 defines a recess 28 and a valve stud 30 is positioned within recess 28 in closure 12. Valve stud 30 defines a vacuum port 32 extending to a bottom portion of closure 12 and an upper rim 34. Valve plunger 26 includes a valve stem 38 extending through vacuum port 32 and defines a pliable upper peripheral flange 40 about an upper portion of valve stem 38 to engage rim 34 of valve stud 30 to form a releasable seal. The method further includes press-fitting vacuum coupler fitting 14 onto valve stud 30 to form a seal therebetween and evacuating air from canister 10 through vacuum port 32 and vacuum coupler fitting 14. By removing vacuum coupler fitting 14 from valve stud 30, the pressure differential between the interior and exterior of canister 10 causes valve plunger 26 to be drawn against rim 34 of valve stud 30 to form a seal. Closure 12 can be secured to canister 10 solely by the pressure differential. Displacing upper peripheral flange 40 from rim 34 of valve stud 30 allows canister 10 to return to ambient pressure.
A number of implementations and applications of the invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, various components of canister 10, closure 12 or vacuum coupler assembly 14 may be formed integrally or may be separate components that are connected together. Accordingly, other configurations are within the scope of the following claims.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/013,064, filed Dec. 12, 2007. The entire contents of the priority application are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61013064 | Dec 2007 | US |
