Patent Application
20080085347
The invention, its configuration, construction, and operation will be best further described in the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
The description of the vacuum marination device of the present invention is best described with reference first to
Illustrated directly above container 13 is an annular plunger member 29 forming a domed portion 31 and a cylinder portion 33 adjacent domed portion 31. Domed portion 31 is generally oval, but can be any one of a number of shapes as long as its shape matches that of the side wall of container 13. Domed portion 31 has a side surface 35 and an undersurface 37, and forms a central opening 39 which communicates with the interior space of cylinder portion 33. A gasket 41 is attached to plunger member 29 along the outwardly directed circumference of side surface 35 of domed portion 31. The outside diameter or circumference of domed portion 31 is slightly smaller than the inside diameter or circumference of the inner surface 17 of the side wall of container 13 but is made slightly larger by gasket 41, which may be an “o” ring gasket, so that when the domed portion 31 is inserted into container 13, the gasket 41 will be laterally compressed against the inner surface 17 of side wall 15 of container 13, which will tightly seal foodstuff 25 and marinade 27 inside container 13.
The cylinder portion 33 includes an opening 43 adjacent an inner surface 45 of cylinder portion 33 seen through the removed portion in
Illustrated directly above plunger member 29 is an annular lid member 55 which is illustrated as being oval but which can be any one of a number of shapes so long as it is enabled to be supported by the side wall 15 of container 13. Lid member 55 forms an opening 57 adjacent a first circumferentially inwardly directed surface 59 which defines a first inside diameter. Above first circumferentially inwardly directed surface 59 an indented surface or groove includes a second inner surface 61 having a second inside diameter slightly larger than the first inside diameter, and an intermediate surface 63 extending between first inner surface 59 and second inner surface 61 and which is perpendicular to the plane curve of both first inner surface 59 and second inner surface 61.
It is understood that the indented surface or groove including first circumferentially inwardly directed surface 59 second inner surface 61 and intermediate surface 63 could be of another configuration, and it need not even be constrained to providing an interfit space adjacent the opening 57. The top of the lid member 55 could be made flat which would enable another object to turn like a nut, against the upper surface of the lid member 55. Other configurations are possible.
Lid member 55 further has an upper surface 65, an outer bottom edge 67, an undersurface 69, and an inner bottom edge 71. The inside diameter of lid member 55 is significantly larger than any outside diameter of cylinder portion 33 so that lid member 55 is freely movable axially along cylinder portion 33 through the opening 57. The upper surface 65 of lid member 55 forms a slight circular depression 73 which extends fully around the circumference of lid member 55. Lid member 55 includes a channel 75 or other interfitting structure between outer bottom edge 67 and inner bottom edge 71 that is engageable with top rim 19 of container 13.
The configuration shown includes a channel 75, which is optional and can be replaced with any interlocking configuration. Flat surface interaction between the bottom of the lid member 55 and the top rim 19 is possible. However an “L” shaped groove in the lid member 55 can be used with the section lying inside the container 13 able to resist the spreading of the lid member 55 which occurs at marination pressures, and in addition registry of the lid member 55 with respect to the top rim 19. In the configuration shown, the channel 75 presents three surfaces which can all be used for registry and with the section lying inside the container 13 able to resist the spreading of the lid member 55 which occurs at marination pressures. Other configurations are possible and may be dictated by the choice of materials employed.
Illustrated directly above lid member 55 is annular locking member 77. Locking member 77 forms an opening 79 adjacent a threaded inner surface 81 having an inside diameter, an circular bottom surface 83, an upper surface 85, a flat undersurface portion 87 and an outside bottom surface 89. The inside diameter of the threaded inner surface 81 of the locking member 77 is significantly larger than the first outside diameter of the first threaded outer surface 47 and optional intermediate outer surface 51 of cylinder portion 33 of plunger member 29. However, the threaded inner surface 81 threadably engages the second threaded outer surface 49 of cylinder portion 33 so that locking member 77 can be turned freely to axially move along the first threaded outer surface 47 of cylinder portion 33 but can be secured to cylinder portion 33 by rotatably engaging threaded inner surface 81 of locking member 77 with second threaded outer surface 49 of cylinder portion 33.
Note that although the cylinder portion 33 and the locking member 77 have been described as threaded, it is conceivable that they could operate similarly with a partial locking teeth arrangement whereby, for example, locking member 77 would be freely movable along cylinder portion 33 but could be locked into a selected position by partial rotation to engage teeth. Furthermore, locking member 77 could be a device such as a simple clamp fixable along cylinder portion 33.
Upper surface 85 of locking member 77 may form a pair of finger-sized depressions 91 for ease of turning locking member 77 along cylinder portion 33 and into place. In the configuration shown the outside bottom surface 89 of locking member 77 may slidingly bear against depression 73 in the upper surface 65 of lid member 55. The circular bottom surface 83 of locking member 77 opposes and may slidingly bear against the second inner surface 61 of lid member 55, and the circular bottom surface 83 of locking member 77. Such bearing surfaces will bear the downward force of the plunger member 29 through the lid member 55 once the vacuum marination device 11 is assembled and activated.
Illustrated directly above locking member 77 is an annular reservoir member 93 which includes a connector portion 95 and a cupped portion 97. Connector portion 95 has a cupped portion 97 which leads to a threaded inner surface 99. Connector portion 95 has an upper inner surface 101. The threaded inner surface 99 leads to an opening 103. The inside diameter of the connector portion 95 of reservoir member 93 threadably engages the second outside diameter of the second threaded outer surface 49 of the cylinder portion 33.
With this configuration the connector portion 95 can be fitted onto the cylinder portion 33 by rotatably engaging threaded inner surface 99 of the connector portion 95 with first threaded outer surface 47 of cylinder portion 33. The cupped portion 97 of reservoir member 93 helps to prevent spillage of marinade 27 if marinade 27 back flows up through the cylinder portion 33 of plunger member 29 once the vacuum marination device 11 is assembled and operative. Note that while cylinder portion 33 and reservoir member 93 are described as being threadable to one another, the partial locking teeth arrangement described above is also a possibility for these structures.
Illustrated directly above reservoir member 93 is a piston member 105, the first end of which is defined by a stopper 107 with a side surface 109 and a bottom surface 111, and the second end of which is defined by a handle 113 having a base portion 115. A shaft portion 117 extends between stopper 107 and base portion 115 of handle 113 and comprises a cross-shaped spine 119 which is partially enclosed by a rigid cylindrical sheath 121. Cylindrical sheath 121 defines a longitudinal opening 123 which is approximately ½ inch wide and through which cross-shaped spine 119 is visible. Cylindrical sheath 121 extends from base portion 115 of handle 113 to terminate at free edge 125, approximately ½ inch above stopper 107.
A gasket 127 is attached along the circumference of stopper 107 at side surface 109. The outside diameter of stopper 107 is slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the cylinder portion 33 of plunger member 29, but is made slightly larger by the gasket 127 so that when piston member 105 is inserted into cylinder portion 33 of plunger member 29, the gasket 127 will be compressed by the inner surface 45 of cylinder portion 33 to create a tight seal. Handle 113 has a curved shape which is generally compatible with the inner surface 101 of cupped portion 97 of reservoir member 93 such that, when the vacuum marination device 11 is assembled and is not activated, the handle 113 rests inside cupped portion 97 of reservoir member 93 for a sleek profile.
Note that although lid member 55 and locking member 77 are illustrated as separate in
Further, lid member 55 and locking member 77 could also form a single unit if container 13 is oval or some other shape such as square, or rectangular, but this would require that the interface between lid member 55 and top rim 19 of container 13 be of a different configuration than the one described, such as opposing flat surfaces, for example which could turn and slidingly abut against each other. The main idea is that the connection between the container 13 and the upward force it applies to the plunger member 29 should be able to be accomplished by setting the height of the plunger member 29. Any structure which supports the plunger member 29 with respect to the container 13 is acceptable, regardless of its configuration.
Handle 113 can then be turned so that free edge 125 of cylindrical sheath 121 lodges atop ledge 53 on the inner surface 45 of cylinder portion 33, effectively locking piston member 105 into position so that the vacuum can be maintained for the duration of the marination period. The surrounding atmosphere vacuum exerts a downward force on plunger member 29 against the vacuum underneath it. This force is translated to lid member 55 to keep it securely engaged with container 13 during the marination process.
As noted above, if it is noticed or suspected that small amounts of air might have escaped from foodstuff 25 once the vacuum is pulled such that there may be a slight increase the pressure inside chamber 13, handle 113 can be unlocked by turning it so that piston member 105 can return to its former position inside the cylinder portion 33 of plunger member 29. The stopper 107 can be made to extend below central opening 39 of domed portion 31 of plunger member 29 to form gap 129.
The domed portion 31 may then be adjusted downward if possible to again insure that all of the air is expelled, and the piston member 105 may again be withdrawn to again form a complete vacuum to the extent possible. Again, the residual effects from bubbling or vapor pressure from both sources are estimated to be only about 0.08 to 0.02 bar, an insignificant amount which should decrease the vacuum by only two to eight percent. Once the marination process is complete to the user's satisfaction, the pressure in container 13 can be restored to atmospheric pressure as described above. The vacuum marination device 11 can be disassembled into its separate components for removal of foodstuff 25 and marinade 27 and can be easily cleaned.
The air-out valve 143 is positioned off-center so that, as the plunger 137 is advanced into container 133, a user can quickly detect any marinade back flow through air-out valve 143, a ready indicator for moving to the step of activating the vacuum. Plunger 137 has an air-in valve 145 at its center connected to the threaded end nut or end cap 173 by a threaded shaft 146 running through a duct 147 in a threaded annular shaft 149 to allow the passage of air back into container 133 to inactivate the vacuum once the marination process is complete. Turning of the end cap can caused the threaded shaft 146 to move axially to displace the element of the air-in valve 145. Alternatively, air-out valve 143 could be used as an air in valve as well or an air in valve could be placed anywhere that allows air into the evacuated chamber. A threaded annular shaft 147 is attached at top surface 139 of plunger 137 and forms a duct 149 which communicates with air-in valve 145.??? Threaded shaft 147 extends from plunger 137 through an annular lid 151. Lid 151 has top surface 153, bottom surface 155, an outside diameter defined by a side surface 157, and an inside diameter defined by an inner surface 159.
Bottom surface 155 may include an annular support structure 163 extending away from bottom surface 155 to provide lateral stability for threaded shaft 147 when the vacuum marination device is in the process of being activated. Bottom surface 155 includes a rim 165 extending away from bottom surface 155 and having a channel 167 therein which is engageable with top rim 135 of container 133. Once the food to be marinated (not illustrated in
Adjacent lid 151 is a handle 169 having an annular base portion 171 through which shaft 147 also extends. The inside of base portion 171 is threaded to enable the handle 169 to be is turned to cause the base portion 171 to travels to and bear against lid 151. Once bearing contact is made, further turning causes the shaft 147 to rise. Plunger 137 is of a shape to resist rotation such as elliptical, oval, square. A threaded end cap 173 is then threaded onto shaft 147 to close duct 149 and prevent influx of air into the container 133. Once end cap 173 is in place, as handle 169 is rotated, shaft 147 retracts or rises, pulling plunger 137 upward to create a vacuum inside container 133. Once the marination process is complete, end cap 173 can be removed unscrewed from threaded shaft 146 to allow air in valve 145 to drop to allow air to flow through duct 149 and back into container 133, releasing the vacuum and allowing plunger 137 to be withdrawn.
Intermediate stacking sections 187 comprise a cylindrical wall 189 with a bottom rim 191, which forms a channel 193, and top rim 195. It is understood that channel 193 could be replaced by an inside groove, an outside groove, or other structure, and that the choice of structure may depend upon the materials of construction, their thickness, etc.
Channel 193 is engageable with top rim 179 of container 177, or with top rim 195 of any other intermediate stacking section 187. The top rim 195 of an intermediate stacking section 187 is engageable with groove 193 in any other intermediate stacking section 187. Bottom rim 191 of the intermediate stacking sections 187 may be made of a self-sealing rubber material or may contain rubber gaskets to form a tight seal once the vacuum marination device is assembled. The purpose of stacked structure is to enable any size of marinade volume to be selected.
Also illustrated in
Referring to
However a separation plate 255 is utilizable as a preventative mixing barrier 255. It is preferred that the separation plate 255 have a close relationship with an internal smooth surface 257. This close relationship may range from non-sealing to partially sealing, as will be explained in the operations section.
Atop the lid 261, a fitting 265 is provided. The fitting 265 can be used to indicate the level of any liquids due to either overfilling or compression of the lid 261, to help protect a pump 271. Pump 271 can be a powered pump or it can be a stand-alone remote plunger or syringe which can be used to create a vacuum.
In terms of operation, the empty container 253 is loaded with foodstuff items 25. Preferably the foodstuff 25 will be arranged so that there is a minimum space left about the periphery of the foodstuff. In this manner, only a minimum amount of marinade can be added to cover the foodstuff 25.
Next, the preventative mixing barrier 255 is pressed down within the container 253 either generally parallel to the surface of the marinade 27. In the alternative, the preventative mixing barrier 255 which may be flexible, may be pressed down within the container 253 at an angle. In either case, air is allowed to pass around the preventative mixing barrier 255 as it is pressed down. At the bottom of its travel, it is flattened in orientation so that all of the air is passed around the preventative mixing barrier 255 and the level of the marinade 27 may preferably overlie the preventative mixing barrier 255 only slightly. The resulting orientation is that the only structures below the preventative mixing barrier 255 is the foodstuff 25 and maranade 27.
Next, a fill liquid may be added above the preventative mixing barrier 255. In the worst case, where the marinade 27 and fill liquid are water based or where the where the marinade 27 and fill liquid are oil based, the preventative mixing barrier 255 generally impedes dilution of the marinade 27 due to the barrier to mixing. The barrier to mixing operates both through physically isolating the marinade 27 from turbulence during the pouring of the fill liquid and secondarily by limiting the mixing or dilution mechanism to diffusion only. The diffusion will be limited to occur only through any slight opening between the top and bottom of the preventative mixing barrier 255. Given the short time and relatively non-active temperatures during the marinade process, the preventative mixing barrier 255 works well.
In the case where the marinade 27 is water based and the fill liquid 263 is oil based (and therefore presumably lighter than the marinade) the water-oil barrier, in addition to the preventative mixing barrier 255 acts to maximally prevent mixing. In the case where the marinade 27 is oil based and the fill liquid 263 is water based, it will be preferable to provide additional sealing between the mixing barrier 255 and the internal smooth surface 257. Other structures can be employed to insure a better seal, such as plastic wrap or other structures where necessary to take up the spacing between the internal smooth surface 257 and the preventative mixing barrier 255 to help prevent any tendency for an oil based marinade 27 from trying to rise past the internal smooth surface 257. The reventative mixing barrier 255 made from an oversized, deformable polymeric material to enable providing a more complete seal with respect to the internal smooth surface 257.
Although the invention has been derived with reference to particular illustrative embodiments thereof, many changes and modifications of the invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, included within the patent warranted hereon are all such changes and modifications as may reasonably and properly be included within the scope of this contribution to the art.
