Patent Application
20090211202
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a storage system used for storing food or beverage containers, preferably wine bottles, at a sufficiently cool temperature and at a desired pressure above or below atmospheric pressure to maintain freshness and proper flavor of the contents. In addition, the present invention relates to a compartment and stopper combination for use in the system and method for using the compartment and stopper combination.
2. Description of Related Art
Vacuum beverage storage systems may be used to remove air from bottles or other containers in order to protect their contents from oxidation, such as for preserving wine after the cork or cap is unsealed. Pressurized beverage storage systems may be used to introduce pressure into containers in order to preserve pressurized beverages, such as champagne, sparkling wine or carbonated soft drinks. U.S. Pat. No. 5,031,785 discloses a combination vacuum/pressure pump and valve stopper for food or drink container and U.S. Pat. No. 7,198,074 discloses a motorized vacuum/pressure pump and stopper. These systems require the user to mate the vacuum or pressure pumps individually to the container opening in order to evacuate or pressurize the contents. Additionally, such containers may have to be stored and removed frequently from refrigerated compartments in order to maintain them at proper temperature. Where many containers are involved, such as in restaurants or other commercial establishments, this task is tedious and is often ignored, resulting in spoiled beverages.
Bearing in mind the problems and deficiencies of the prior art, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a system and method of evacuating or pressurizing a plurality of food or beverage storage containers which does not require individual mating with a pump.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a combination refrigerator and air pump for attaining and maintaining food or beverage containers under vacuum or pressure.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a combination refrigerator and air pump for attaining and maintaining food or beverage containers such as wine bottles within specific temperature and pressure limits.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a combination refrigerator and air evacuation or pressurizing system for the storage and use of food or beverage containers.
A further object of the invention is to provide a method of using a combination refrigerator and air pump.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a method of evacuating air from or introducing air under pressure into a container while the container is inside a refrigerator or other storage chamber.
Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part be apparent from the specification.
The above and other objects, which will be apparent to those skilled in the art, are achieved in the present invention which is directed to a method for storing containers and maintaining contents of the containers under vacuum comprising providing at least one container, with each container having a one way valve. The one way valve permits flow of air into the container when the interior of the container is at a higher pressure than ambient pressure outside the container and restricts flow of air into the container when the interior of the container is at a lower pressure than the ambient pressure. The method also includes providing a compartment having a door and an interior of sufficient size to receive the at least one container, the door having a hermetic seal to permit the compartment interior to be maintained under at least a partial vacuum when the door is closed. The method then includes opening the door of the compartment, placing the at least one container in the compartment interior, closing the door, and evacuating at least a portion of the air from the compartment interior around the at least one container. Air in the at least one container flows out through the one way valve until at least a partial vacuum is achieved in the compartment interior and the interior of the container. The method further includes reintroducing air into the compartment interior until the interior is at atmospheric pressure while the one way valve maintains the interior of the at least one container under at least a partial vacuum. The method then includes opening the door of the compartment, and removing at least one container from the compartment interior while the one way valve continues to maintain the interior of the at least one container under at least a partial vacuum.
Preferably, the method further includes, after closing the door, cooling the compartment interior to a desired temperature, and maintaining the container in the compartment interior at a desired temperature and the interior of the at least one container under at least a partial vacuum. The compartment interior may be cooled to the desired temperature after a desired portion of air is removed from the compartment interior. The method may included releasing the at least partial vacuum and allowing ambient air to enter the compartment while maintaining the container in the compartment at a desired temperature and maintaining the interior of the at least one container under at least a partial vacuum.
More preferably, the method further includes the step of ensuring that the interior of the compartment is at ambient pressure before opening the door of the compartment, by releasing any vacuum and allowing ambient air to enter the compartment.
A plurality of the containers may be placed in the compartment interior and at least one container may be left in the compartment interior after the door is opened. The one way valve continues to maintain the interior of the at least one container left in the compartment interior under at least a partial vacuum. The method may further include placing an additional container into the compartment interior, closing the door, and evacuating at least a portion of the air from the compartment interior around the additional container, whereby air in the additional container flows out through the one way valve until at least a partial vacuum is achieved in the compartment interior and the interior of the additional container.
The container may be a beverage bottle, for example a wine bottle, or any other food storage container.
In a related aspect, the present invention is directed to a method for storing containers and maintaining contents of the containers under elevated pressure comprising providing at least one container, with each container having a one way valve. The one way valve permits flow of air into the container when the interior of the container is at a lower pressure than ambient pressure outside the container and restricts flow of air out of the container when the when the interior of the container is at a higher pressure than the ambient pressure. The method also includes providing a compartment having a door and an interior of sufficient size to receive the at least one container, the door having a hermetic seal to permit the compartment interior to be maintained at a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure when the door is closed. The method then includes opening the door of the compartment, placing the at least one container in the compartment interior, closing the door, and pumping air into the compartment interior around the at least one container. Air in the container flows in through the one way valve until an elevated pressure above atmospheric pressure is achieved in the compartment interior and the interior of the container. The method further includes removing air from the compartment interior until the interior is at atmospheric pressure while the one way valve maintains the interior of the at least one container under an elevated pressure. The method then includes opening the door of the compartment, and removing at least one container from the compartment interior while the one way valve continues to maintain the interior of the at least one container under an elevated pressure.
Preferably, the method further includes, after closing the door, cooling the compartment interior to a desired temperature, and maintaining the container in the compartment interior at a desired temperature and the interior of the at least one container under an elevated pressure.
The present invention also provides a vacuum or pressure refrigerator for storing containers and maintaining contents of the containers under vacuum or pressure, and within a specific temperature range. The refrigerator comprises a compartment having an interior, a door for hermetically sealing the interior and an air vent for allowing atmospheric air to enter or leave the compartment interior, a pump for evacuating air from or adding air into the compartment interior, a cooling device for cooling the compartment interior, and a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature in the compartment interior. The refrigerator also includes a controller having a first input from the temperature sensor, an output for controlling the operation of the cooling device, an output for controlling the operation of the pump, and an output for opening and closing the air vent. When the door is closed, the controller is adapted to cease operation of the cooling device and initiate a vacuum or pressure cycle. The vacuum or pressure cycle includes commencing pump operation, evacuating at least a portion of or pressurizing the air inside the compartment, operating the pump until a desired degree of vacuum or pressure is attained inside the compartment and terminating pump operation. The controller is also adapted to subsequently initiate a cooling cycle, the cooling cycle commencing when it is determined that the temperature is above a desired temperature upper set point and to operate the cooling device until the temperature reaches a desired lower set point, at which time the cooling cycle is terminated.
Preferably, the refrigerator includes a door sensor for determining whether the door is open or closed, and the controller includes a second input from the door sensor. The controller is adapted to cease operation of the cooling device and initiate a vacuum or pressure cycle upon receiving an input from the door sensor that the door is closed. More preferably, the controller is further adapted to open the air vent and add air into or remove air from the compartment before or during the cooling cycle, and to close the air vent and repeat the vacuum or pressure pump cycle after the cooling cycle is terminated. The controller may initiate the vacuum or pressure cycle at a desired time after the door is closed, and may be adjusted to vary such desired time.
In one embodiment, the pump is a vacuum pump for evacuating air from the compartment interior and the controller is adapted to initiate the vacuum cycle. The refrigerator further includes a container in the compartment interior having vacuum stopper contacting and sealing with an opening in the container. The stopper has an opening therethrough between the container interior and exterior and a one-way valve disposed in the opening, such that the one way valve opens and air may be released from the container through the one way valve during the vacuum cycle when the pressure inside the container is greater than the pressure outside the container and such that the one way valve closes when the pressure outside the container is greater than the pressure inside the container.
In another embodiment, the pump is a pressure pump for adding air into the compartment interior and the controller is adapted to initiate the pressure cycle. The refrigerator further includes a container in the compartment interior having a pressure stopper contacting and sealing with an opening in the container. The stopper has an opening therethrough between the container interior and exterior and a one-way valve disposed in the opening, such that the one way valve opens and air is added into the container through the one way valve during the pressure cycle when the pressure outside the container is greater than the pressure inside the container and such that the one way valve closes when the pressure outside the container is less than the pressure inside the container.
The cooling device may include a refrigerator compressor, and the refrigerator may include a common electric motor for operating both the compressor and the pump.
In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a system for storing containers and maintaining contents of the containers under vacuum or pressure comprising a compartment having an interior, a door for hermetically sealing the interior, an air vent for allowing atmospheric air to enter or leave the compartment interior, a pump for evacuating air from or adding air into the compartment interior, and a controller having an output for controlling the operation of the pump, and an output for opening and closing the air vent. The system further includes a container in the compartment interior having a stopper contacting and sealing with an opening in the container. The stopper has an opening therethrough between the container interior and exterior and a one-way valve disposed in the stopper opening. When door is closed, the controller is adapted to initiate a vacuum or pressure cycle. The vacuum or pressure cycle includes commencing pump operation, evacuating at least a portion of or pressurizing the air inside the compartment, operating the pump until a desired degree of vacuum or pressure is attained inside the compartment and terminating pump operation. During such vacuum or pressure cycle the one way valve opens and either: i) if the pump evacuates air from inside the compartment, air is released from the container through the one way valve during the vacuum cycle when the pressure inside the container is greater than the pressure outside the container and wherein the one way valve closes when the pressure outside the container is greater than the pressure inside the container, or ii) if the pump pressurizing the air inside the compartment, air is added into the container through the one way valve during the pressure cycle when the pressure outside the container is greater than the pressure inside the container and wherein the one way valve closes when the pressure outside the container is less than the pressure inside the container.
The system may include a door sensor for determining whether the door is open or closed. In such case, the controller has an input from the door sensor, and the controller is adapted to initiate the vacuum or pressure cycle upon receiving an input from the controller that the door is closed.
The compartment may be refrigerated to cool the container in the compartment interior. Alternatively, the compartment may be disposed within a refrigerator having a refrigerator door. The refrigerator has sufficient volume to store items at a desired cooled temperature outside of the compartment, and the refrigerator door may be opened and closed independently of the compartment door.
The system may further include an auxiliary compartment having a door for storing additional containers. The auxiliary compartment is connected to the main compartment by a conduit that permits air flow therethrough to evacuate or pressurize the auxiliary compartment at the same time as the main compartment. Where the main compartment is refrigerated, the conduit permits cooling air flow therethrough to cool the auxiliary compartment at the same time as the main compartment.
The features of the invention believed to be novel and the elements characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The figures are for illustration purposes only and are not drawn to scale. The invention itself, however, both as to organization and method of operation, may best be understood by reference to the detailed description which follows taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
In describing the preferred embodiment of the present invention, reference will be made herein to
The present invention describes uses of stoppers having one-way valves in a system for maintaining proper pressure and temperature, which stoppers are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,031,785 and 7,198,074, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
The refrigerator chamber 20 has walls 24 and a door 22 that is hermetically sealable, and may include a latch 46 to keep the door closed, particularly when used with the pressure pump embodiment. In the vacuum pump embodiment, when the door is closed and air is evacuated from the refrigerator, the interior of the refrigerator is a vacuum chamber. In the pressure pump embodiment, when the door is closed and air is introduced into the refrigerator, the interior of the refrigerator is a pressure chamber. The walls and door are preferably reinforced to resist crushing when the air is evacuated from the interior of the refrigerator, or expansion when air is added to the interior of the refrigerator.
As shown in more detail in
Again referring to
The preferred refrigerator/evacuator system embodiment includes a controller 34 which coordinates the utility of the refrigerator compressor or thermoelectric cooler 32, vacuum pump 30, and vacuum release 50 with signal inputs from the temperature sensor 36 and door sensor 38. More preferably, the vacuum release is operable both by the controller in an automated vacuum release and by the user in a manual release, whereby the user may release the vacuum for allowing the door to be opened. The manual release may be a mechanical release or an electronic release wherein the user depresses a switch (not shown) to instruct the controller to operate the automated vacuum release to permit air 71 (
Upon the door 22 closing, the controller 34 initiates a vacuum cycle, the vacuum cycle including commencing the vacuum pump operation, evacuating at least a portion of the air inside the compartment and terminating the vacuum pump operation when a desired degree of vacuum is attained inside the compartment. Alternatively, the vacuum cycle may be commenced at a desired time interval after the door is closed, for example, using a delay of from about 5 to 15 minutes, which time interval may be set by the user through the controller. The vacuum cycle may also be commenced manually, in place of or overriding the controller. Preferably the refrigeration cycle is then initiated by controller 34, by commencing operation of either the refrigeration compressor or the thermoelectric cooler, only after the termination of the vacuum cycle and when it is determined that the temperature is above a desired temperature upper set point. Optionally, the refrigeration cooling cycle may operate during the vacuum pump-down cycle. The refrigeration cycle may include re-introducing air into the compartment until a desired pressure is achieved (up to and including atmospheric pressure outside the refrigerator), operating the compressor 32 until the temperature reaches the desired temperature lower set point, and then terminating operation of the compressor. A vacuum cycle is then optionally repeated. Alternately, the compressor cycle may exclude the introduction of air into the refrigerator compartment whereby the repeating of the vacuum cycle may also be omitted. Since the inside of container 40 is already evacuated (or at a lower than atmospheric pressure) and one-way valve stopper 42 prevents air from re-entering the container, the air pressure inside the compartment may be at any desired pressure.
Referring to
When the temperature inside the refrigerator 20 rises to a predetermined temperature set by the user, the controller 34 commences a cooling cycle which reduces the temperature of the refrigerator interior and the container 40 inside the refrigerator to a lower temperature set point. The cooling cycle optionally includes activating the vacuum release 50, allowing air to enter the refrigerator through the air exchange openings 52, whereby the vacuum is released and air pressure inside the refrigerator returns to atmospheric pressure. Since the one-way valve in the vacuum stopper 42 closes when the refrigerator interior pressure increases to a pressure above that inside the bottle, the vacuum inside the bottle is maintained. The cooling cycle includes the controller 34 operating the cooling compressor or thermoelectric device 32 until the refrigerator interior and wine bottles 40 are cooled to the desired temperature. The controller then operates the vacuum pump 30 to evacuate the air from the interior of the refrigerator 20. In an alternate method of the cooling cycle, the vacuum pump operation may be omitted if the door has not been opened subsequent to the previous vacuum cycle since the stopper 42 one way valve 44 maintains the vacuum inside container 40.
If the refrigerator door needs to be opened when there is still a vacuum inside the refrigerator, air is introduced into the compartment by engaging vacuum release 50 to bring the interior up to ambient atmospheric pressure before the door 22 can be opened. For example, a new container 40′ having contents at atmospheric pressure may be placed inside the refrigeration chamber 20 with a vacuum stopper 42′. Original container 40, which was in the refrigeration chamber 20 during the previous vacuum pump-down cycle, has contents that remain under vacuum due to its vacuum stopper 42. After the refrigerator door is closed, the refrigerator goes through the vacuum pump-down cycle described above to remove air from the interior of chamber 20 and from only new container 40′. Should air leak into container 40 through vacuum stopper 42 over time, container 40 will also be evacuated. Thus, multiple containers may be placed in or removed from the chamber, with those containers remaining in the chamber maintaining their vacuum by their vacuum stoppers, and the new containers being evacuated during the next vacuum pump-down cycle. Those containers that remain in the chamber will also tend to maintain their refrigerated temperature if the chamber door is not left open for an excessive amount of time.
In another embodiment of the system and method of the present invention, air may be evacuated from a container using a vacuum chamber 20 without incorporating a refrigeration system as described in the combination refrigerator and air evacuator system above. As before, the system and method employ container 40 having a one way valve 44, with the one way valve restricting flow of air into the container when the when the interior of the container is at a lower pressure than ambient pressure outside the container. The system and method utilize vacuum chamber 20 having a door 22, an interior of sufficient size to receive the container and a vacuum pump 30 for evacuating air from the vacuum chamber 20. Neither refrigeration compressor 32 nor temperature sensor 36 are required in this embodiment. The method is practiced in the same manner as described above, except that the compartment inside chamber 20 is not temperature controlled. Once the interior is at ambient pressure, door 22 is opened, container 40 with the one way valve 44 is placed inside the vacuum chamber and the door is closed. The method also includes commencing operation of the vacuum pump 30, evacuating at least a portion of the air in the interior of the vacuum chamber 20, permitting air inside the container 40 to be released through the one way valve into the interior of the vacuum chamber as the pressure inside the vacuum chamber is reduced, and terminating operation of the vacuum pump when the pressure in the interior of the vacuum chamber reaches a desired level below ambient pressure.
In
To increase the rate of air removal from the vacuum chamber, an optional additional vacuum chamber or tank 80 may be connected to the interior compartment from refrigerator/chamber 20 by line 82 and valve 86, as shown in
As an alternative to evacuating air from the container 40, the present invention may be used to pressurize the contents thereof, for example, carbonated beverages such as soda or sparkling wine. In such case, the pressure stopper has one-way valve 44a positioned opposite to that shown in
Upon the door 22 closing, the controller 34 initiates a pressure cycle that commences the pressure pump operation to pump air into the chamber 20 interior and terminates the pressure pump operation when a desired degree of pressure is attained inside the chamber. Alternatively, as with the vacuum embodiment, the pressure cycle may be commenced at a desired time interval after the door is closed, as set by the user using the controller, or commenced manually, in place of or overriding the controller. Preferably the refrigeration cycle is then initiated by controller 34, by commencing operation of either the refrigeration compressor or the thermoelectric cooler, only after the termination of the pressure cycle and when it is determined that the temperature is above a desired temperature upper set point. Optionally, the refrigeration cooling cycle may operate during the pressurizing cycle. The refrigeration cycle may include evacuating air from the compartment until a desired pressure is achieved, e.g., atmospheric pressure, operating the compressor 32 until the temperature reaches the desired temperature lower set point, and then terminating operation of the compressor. A pressure cycle is then optionally repeated. Alternately, the compressor cycle may exclude the evacuation of air into the refrigerator compartment whereby the repeating of the pressure cycle may also be omitted. Since the inside of container 40 is already pressurized at above atmospheric pressure and one-way valve stopper 42 prevents air from leaving the container, the air pressure inside the chamber 20 interior may be at any desired pressure.
As shown in
When the temperature inside the refrigerator 20 rises to a predetermined temperature set by the user, the controller 34 commences a cooling cycle which reduces the temperature of the refrigerator interior and the container 40 inside the refrigerator to a lower temperature set point. The cooling cycle optionally includes activating the pressure release 50, allowing air to exit the refrigerator through the air exchange openings 52, whereby the pressure is released and air pressure inside the refrigerator returns to atmospheric pressure. Since the one-way valve in the pressure stopper 42 closes when the refrigerator interior pressure decreased to a pressure above that inside the bottle, the pressure inside the bottle is maintained. The cooling cycle includes the controller 34 operating the cooling compressor or thermoelectric device 32 until the refrigerator interior and wine bottles 40 are cooled to the desired temperature. The controller then operates the pressure pump 30 to pump air into the interior of the refrigerator 20. In an alternate method of the cooling cycle, the pressure pump operation may be omitted if the door has not been opened subsequent to the previous pressure cycle since the stopper 42 one way valve 44a maintains the pressure inside container 40.
If the refrigerator door needs to be opened when there is still elevated pressure inside the refrigerator, air is removed from the chamber interior by engaging pressure release 50 to bring the interior down to ambient atmospheric pressure before the door 22 can be opened. For example, a new container 40′ having contents at atmospheric pressure may be placed inside the refrigeration chamber 20 with a pressure stopper 42′. Original container 40, which was in the refrigeration chamber 20 during the previous pressure cycle, has contents that remain under pressure due to its pressure stopper 42. After the refrigerator door is closed, the refrigerator goes through the pressure cycle described above to pump air into the interior of chamber 20 and new container 40′. Should air leak out of container 40 through pressure stopper 42 over time, container 40 will also be pressurized. Thus, multiple containers may be placed in or removed from the chamber, with those containers remaining in the chamber maintaining their pressure by their pressure stoppers, and the new containers being pressurized during the next pressure cycle. Those containers that remain in the chamber will also tend to maintain their refrigerated temperature if the chamber door is not left open for an excessive amount of time.
As with the vacuum embodiment, the pressurization system embodiment may be constructed and operated without incorporating a refrigeration system.
Although the present invention has in one embodiment a refrigeration compressor and a vacuum or pressure pump, each with a drive system having a dedicated motor,
As further shown in
In a further embodiment, the vacuum/pressurization chamber or compartment 20 is located inside a refrigerator 20a of larger volume, as shown in
Although the invention is described above in connection with the storage of wine in bottles, it may also be used in connection with storage of any beverage or other product (foodstuff or otherwise) in a container in which vacuum or pressure storage would be advantageous.
Thus, the present invention provides a system and method of evacuating or pressurizing a plurality of beverage or other liquid containers that does not require individual mating with a pump while the containers are in the refrigerator. The preferred combination refrigerator and air pump maintains beverage containers in storage under controlled vacuum or pressure within specific temperature and pressure limits. The system of the present invention further permits one or more containers to stay vacuum or pressure sealed and temperature controlled when the chamber door is opened. New containers placed in the chamber will be automatically evacuated or pressurized to the desired level after the next automatic or manual vacuum or pressure cycle.
While the present invention has been particularly described, in conjunction with a specific preferred embodiment, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will embrace any such alternatives, modifications and variations as falling within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.
