Patent Application
20210300661
The present invention relates generally to food storage containers and, more particularly, to a valve assembly associated with the lid member of a food storage container. The lid member is configured to allow a vacuum system to be attached thereto so that food products stored within the container can be stored in a refrigerator, pantry or other food storage area under vacuum for everyday use. The present valve assembly also includes a vacuum indicator for notifying the user that an airtight vacuum seal has been achieved.
Storing food, vegetables, herbs, preparation ingredients and leftovers is common practice. Typically these products are stored in ordinary food containers which can be placed in refrigerators, pantries and other storage locations. Ordinary food storage containers are stored at ambient pressure, and over short periods of time, the food stored in these containers will spoil, waste or become unusable and will have to be thrown away. Vacuum sealing food products has been known to extend the freshness and useful life of food products stored within vacuum sealed containers thereby reducing food waste and spoilage.
It is therefore desirable to provide a valve assembly for use with food storage containers so that food products stored therewithin can be vacuum sealed to extend their useful life and freshness, and which containers can be easily stored in refrigerators, pantries and other food storage locations for everyday use.
Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a valve assembly specifically configured for use on a food storage container for allowing the container to be vacuum sealed to protect food products stored therewithin under vacuum from spoilage and waste, and to extend the freshness and useful life of the food products as compared to other ordinary non-vacuum storage containers.
The food storage container system hereof provides a valve assembly for use on a wide variety of food storage containers having a lid member and at least one storage compartment for allowing a vacuum system to be mated with the container for drawing a vacuum within the container to preserve and protect the food products stored therein to extend the freshness and useful life of the food products. The food storage container can generally comprise a lid member, at least one storage compartment, and a valve assembly. The lid member can include an opening and at least one air channel adjacent to the opening, and be configured to receive a vacuum adapter associated with a vacuum seal appliance. The valve assembly can extend through the opening located in the lid member, and comprise a check ball and a ball seat. The check ball can be movable between an open position and a closed position. When the check ball is in the open position, the check ball can unseat from the ball seat such that air flow can be established from environment to the food storage container. When the check ball is in the closed position, the check ball can be seated in the ball seat and can prevent air flow into the food storage container.
In one embodiment, the food storage container can further comprise a knob for moving the check ball between the open position and the closed position. In another embodiment, the knob can comprise at least one air channel that can be in air communication with a chamber within the valve in which the check ball is retained, and an aperture that can correspond to the at least one air channel of the knob. In yet another embodiment, the food storage container can further comprise a dust cover that can be releasably engageable with the knob. In even yet another embodiment, the central cavity can comprise a wall member comprising a lip portion and an outer surface. In one embodiment, the outer surface of the wall member can comprise at least one threaded portion that can mate with at least one threaded portion of an inner wall member of a knob for moving the check ball between the open position and the closed position. In another embodiment, the food storage container can further comprise an O-ring between the wall member and an internal wall member of a knob for moving the check ball between the open position and the closed position. In yet another embodiment, the valve can further comprise a check ball retainer. In even yet another embodiment, the lid member can further comprise a vacuum indicator.
The food storage container system can generally comprise a vacuum system and a food storage container. The vacuum system can generally comprise a vacuum adapter and a vacuum seal appliance. The food storage container can generally comprise a lid member, at least one storage compartment, and a valve assembly. The lid member can include an opening and at least one air channel adjacent to the opening, and be configured to receive the vacuum adapter. The valve assembly can extend through the opening located in the lid member, and comprise a check ball and a ball seat. The check ball can be movable between an open position and a closed position. When the check ball is in the open position, the check ball can unseat from the ball seat such that air flow can be established from environment to the food storage container. When the check ball is in the closed position, the check ball can be seated in the ball seat and can prevent air flow into the food storage container.
In one embodiment, the food storage container system can further comprise a knob for moving the check ball between the open position and the closed position. In another embodiment, the knob can comprise at least one air channel that can be in air communication with a chamber within the valve in which the check ball is retained, and an aperture that can correspond to the at least one air channel of the knob. In yet another embodiment, the lid member can further comprise a central cavity member near a central portion of the lid member, and the central cavity can comprise a wall member comprising a lip portion and an outer surface. The opening can be provided at a bottom portion of the central cavity member. In even yet another embodiment, the outer surface of the wall member can comprise at least one threaded portion that can mate with at least one threaded portion of an inner wall member of a knob for moving the check ball between the open position and the closed position. In one embodiment, the food storage container system can further comprise an O-ring between the wall member and an internal wall member of a knob for moving the check ball between the open position and the closed position. In another embodiment, the lid member can comprise an annular flange for engaging the vacuum adapter that can surround a knob, and the vacuum adapter can be configured to engage the annular flange to form an airtight seal. In yet another embodiment, the food storage container system can comprise a hose for connecting the vacuum adapter to the vacuum seal appliance.
A method for using a food storage container system can generally comprise the steps of providing a food storage container system, placing the check ball the open position, attaching the vacuum adapter to the lid member over the valve assembly and placing the check ball in the closed position, activating the vacuum system, deactivating the vacuum system, and placing the check ball in the open position. The food storage container system can generally comprise a vacuum system and a food storage container. The vacuum system can generally comprise a vacuum adapter and a vacuum seal appliance. The food storage container can generally comprise a lid member, at least one storage compartment, and a valve assembly. The lid member can include an opening and at least one air channel adjacent to the opening, and be configured to receive the vacuum adapter. The valve assembly can extend through the opening located in the lid member, and comprise a check ball and a ball seat. The check ball can be movable between an open position and a closed position. When the check ball is in the open position, the check ball can unseat from the ball seat such that air flow can be established from environment to the food storage container. When the check ball is in the closed position, the check ball can be seated in the ball seat and can prevent air flow into the food storage container.
In one embodiment, the lid member can comprise annular flange for engaging the vacuum adapter that can surround a knob, and the vacuum adapter can be configured to engage the annular flange to form an airtight seal. In another embodiment, the lid member can further comprise a vacuum indicator.
For a better understanding of the present invention, reference may be made to the following accompanying drawings.
The invention will now be described with reference to the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout. For purposes of clarity in illustrating the characteristics of the present invention, proportional relationships of the elements have not necessarily been maintained in the drawing figures.
The following detailed description of the invention references specific embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. The embodiments are intended to describe aspects of the invention in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other embodiments can be utilized, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
The present invention is directed to a valve assembly for use on a wide variety of food storage containers for allowing a vacuum system to be mated with the container for creating or drawing a vacuum within the container to preserve and protect the food product stored therein. The food storage containers incorporating the present valve assembly may be used in refrigerators, pantries and on-the-go use and allow the food products stored therein to retain their freshness and extend their normal useful life over food products stored in ordinary non-vacuum food storage containers. The present containers incorporating the present valve assembly represent an additional line of food storage containers that work with FoodSaver® vacuum seal products and handheld vacuum sealers, including its oval adapter, circular adapter, and hose accessory, to remove air from within the container and create a unique airtight seal.
The present containers come in a wide variety of different sizes for different applications and for storing many different types of food items including meats, poultry, fish, fruits, vegetables, herbs, preparation ingredients, pantry items, meals, snacks on-the-go and much more. The present vacuum sealed food storage containers aim to reduce food waste so that consumers can enjoy what would ordinarily spoil quickly without being vacuum-sealed. These containers are made for everyday refrigerator, pantry and on-the-go storage.
Turning first to
The container 5 and the lid member 10 shown in
In
To facilitate the opening and closing of the lid member 10, the lid member 10 may include at least one tab member 20 protruding outwardly from its surface that a user may grasp when removing the lid member 10 from the food storage container 5. Furthermore, the food storage container 5 may include a cut-out portion 25 in at least one handle 30 thereof. The cut-out portion 25 is preferably adjacent the tab member 20 when the lid member 10 is attached to the food storage container 5. A user may thereby more easily access the tab member 20 when he or she wishes to open the lid member 10, since at least a portion of the handle 30 will not be obstructing the tab member 20. In at least one embodiment, both sides of the lid member 10 may include the tab member 20, and both handles 30 may include the cut-out portion 25.
As illustrated in
Turning to
The valve assembly 45 is preferably located on or incorporated into the lid member 10, and the lid member can comprise a central opening for receiving the valve assembly 45. In addition to the valve assembly 45, a vacuum indicator 60 may also be located on the lid member 10. The vacuum indicator 60 signals to a user whether predetermined vacuum has been created within the food storage container 5, and thus whether its contents are currently being preserved by an airtight vacuum seal between the lid member 10 and the food storage container 5. Alternatively, the vacuum indicator 60 may signal to a user whether contents within the food storage container 5, if any, are in a vacuum environment. The vacuum indicator 60 may be a dimpled portion of silicone that functions to depress from a convex position to a concave position when a predetermined airtight vacuum seal has been generated between the lid member 10 and the food storage container 5.
The valve assembly 45 preferably is a two-way valve that is operable by turning a knob 55 in communication with the valve assembly 45. When a user wishes to marinate the contents within the food storage container 5, release a vacuum created in the food storage container 5, or create a vacuum in the food storage container 5, the valve assembly 45 should be appropriately prepared for its appropriate operation. In a first position, where the user wishes to marinate the contents of the food storage container 5 (or where a user wishes to release a vacuum within the container 5 and subsequently open the lid member 5), the knob 55 should be rotated such that an indicator 65 points to “marinate” or “open” labels 67 (or similar) on the valve assembly 45, as illustrated in
It should be noted that the knob 55 is preferably secured within a concave portion 70 of the lid member 10. This preferably allows a user to more easily access the knob 55 to rotate it as he or she desires. In alternative embodiments, the knob 55 may be more raised than as illustrated or otherwise more accessible instead of located in a concave portion of the lid member 10.
The central cavity member 80 includes a wall member 85 that extends around the circumference of the central cavity member 80. In the illustrated embodiment, a rim, flange or lip portion 90 of the wall member 85 preferably extends upwardly from the lid member 10 such that it is in a higher plane than the rest of the lid member 10. An outer surface 95 of the wall member 85 preferably includes threaded portions 100 that preferably mate with threaded portions 105 of an inner wall 110 of the knob 55. The seal between the outer surface 95 of the lip portion 90 and the inner wall 110 of the knob 55 is preferably airtight so that a vacuum adapter 165 and its associated vacuum seal appliance 170 may work to generate a vacuum pressure in the food storage container 5.
A central opening 115 is provided at a bottom portion 120 of the central cavity member 80 that provides air communication between the interior of the container 5 and the central cavity member 80. In addition to the central opening 115, at least one air channel 125 is also provided that extends downwardly into the knob 55. The air channel 125 is preferably in air communication with a chamber 130 within the valve 50, in which a check ball 135 is retained. When the knob 55 is in “marinate” or “open” position, air may flow in either direction between the central opening 115, chamber 130, and air channel 125 because the check ball 135 is not firmly seated on a ball seat 140 of the valve 50. In this position, a FoodSaver® appliance, including, without limitation, a vacuum adapter 165 and/or a vacuum seal appliance 170, such as the FoodSaver® vacuum seal appliance, handheld vacuum sealers, or the like, may operate its “marinate” function. Furthermore, a user may be able to open the lid member 10 without using excess force to do so.
An O-ring 145 may be present between the wall member 85 and an internal wall member 150 of the knob 55. The O-ring 145 may more firmly mate the knob 55 with the lid member 10. The valve 50 may further include a check ball retainer 155 has an inner diameter smaller than that of the check ball 135 to prevent the check ball 135 from falling out of the chamber 130.
When a user wishes to put the food storage system 1 into its “vacuum” or “store” mode, he or she should rotate the knob 55 so that its indicator 65 points to the “vacuum” or “store” labels 69 on the lid member 10, as illustrated in
As illustrated in
When a vacuum is applied when the food storage system 1 is in its “vacuum” or “store” operation, air is drawn from the container 5 via the central opening 115, chamber 130, and air channel 125 (and out the aperture 160), until a vacuum is achieved in the container 5. Once that happens, the check ball 135 may firmly retain itself against the ball seat 140, including under the negative air pressure forces of the vacuum achieved in the container 5. This may maintain the vacuum in the food storage container 5, and preserve food stored therein until the knob 55 is turned back to its “marinate” or “open” position.
Accordingly, when a user wishes to remove the lid member 10 from the food storage container 5, he or she may begin by rotating the knob 55 to its “open” or “marinate” position. In this position, the check ball 135 may unseat from the ball seat 140 to again allow for two-way air flow. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the pressure difference across the food storage container 5 and atmosphere may make it necessary to force air into the container 5 to unseat the check ball 135 using a FoodSaver® appliance, including, without limitation, a vacuum adapter 165 and/or a vacuum seal appliance 170, such as the FoodSaver® vacuum seal appliance, handheld vacuum sealers, or the like.
In some embodiments, a dust or particle cover member (not illustrated) may be releasably engageable with the knob 55 to cover and uncover the aperture 160. The cover member, when covering the knob 55, helps to prevent dust and other particles from clogging the aperture 160. If dust, particles, and/or other debris frequently come into contact with the various components of the present valve assembly 45 or clog the aperture 160, the valve assembly 45 may become damaged and less effective. The cover member is not a required component of the food storage system 1. However, when the cover member is provided, it is releasably engaged with the lid member 10 so that a user may remove it if he or she chooses to do so.
The valve assembly 45 can be configured to receive and mate with a FoodSaver® appliance, including, without limitation, a vacuum adapter 165 and/or a vacuum seal appliance 170, such as the FoodSaver® vacuum seal appliance, handheld vacuum sealers, or the like, that may carry out the “marinate” or “vacuum” functions, which is shown in
Turning to
As shown in block 1040, once the vacuum system 175 is deactivated, including by deactivating the vacuum pump associated with the vacuum seal appliance 170, the valve assembly 45 can be mechanically closed. The valve assembly 45 may stay closed in part because of the vacuum in the food storage container 5 applying a pressure, including under the negative air pressure forces of the vacuum achieved in the container 5, to keep the check ball 135 of the valve assembly 45 in place. This seals and contains the vacuum formed within the food storage container 5. This also seals the lid member 10 to the food storage container 5 in an airtight vacuum seal configuration.
As shown in block 1050, when it is time to remove the food product stored within the food storage container 5, a user may return the check ball 135 to its open position (e.g., wherein the valve assembly 45 can be in the first, “marinate” position) to facilitate pressure from within the food storage container 5 opening the valve assembly 45 and lifting the check ball 135 from its position covering the air channel 125, so that the air channel 125 is at least partially uncovered to allow the vacuum contained within the food storage container 5 to escape through the air channel 125. Ambient air may then again enter the food storage container 5 so as to equalize the pressure therewithin. This allows a user to remove the lid member 10 from the food storage container 5 so as to have access to the products stored therewithin.
From the foregoing, it will be seen that the various embodiments of the present invention are well adapted to attain all the objectives and advantages hereinabove set forth together with still other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the present structures. It will be understood that certain features and sub-combinations of the present embodiments are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and sub-combinations. Since many possible embodiments of the present invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, it is also to be understood that all disclosures herein set forth or illustrated in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted as illustrative only and not limiting. The various constructions described above and illustrated in the drawings are presented by way of example only and are not intended to limit the concepts, principles and scope of the present invention.
Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the present invention will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and the accompanying drawings. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention which is limited only by the claims which follow.
This Application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/000,559, filed on Mar. 27, 2020, entitled “VALVE ASSEMBLY FOR A FOOD STORAGE CONTAINER,” currently pending, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63000559 | Mar 2020 | US |
