Removeable lid with vacuum release apparatus
Inactive Publication Date: 2016-01-14
LEWELLEN RICHARD
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- Summary
- Abstract
- Description
- Claims
- Application Information
AI Technical Summary
Benefits of technology
The present invention relates to a lid design for vacuum sealed jars that makes it easier to open. The invention provides a lid with a vacuum release apparatus that automatically releases the vacuum, making it easier to open. The lid is designed to be easily opened without needing to remove the seal. The invention also includes a method for manufacturing the lid with the added step of punching holes in the metal lid blank during manufacture. The technical effect of the invention is to make it easier for consumers to open vacuum sealed jars without needing to remove the seal.
Problems solved by technology
These vacuum sealed lids are often difficult to open, as the user must initially overcome the frictional force which is enhanced by the force of the vacuum.
However, breaking through the seal in this manner requires the consumer to break an opening into the lid.
Thus, after the seal is broken, there is a permanent slit in the lid, making future use of the jar (for instance if it is jam, that would be kept for some time after opening) subject to the presence of essentially a permanent crack in the lid.
Further, this design requires purposeful scoring or weakening of the surface in a specific location.
Therefore, if unintended pressure were put on this location, for instance in stacking items on grocery shelves, there is the possibility of inadvertently breaking this seal.
However, per the disclosure, after the removal of this plug, “the lid will remain free, due to elimination of vacuum, the only element which retains the metal lid in place.” Thus it would not be adequate to store unused portions in the jar after opening.
Method used
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Embodiment Construction
[0013]This invention is easily adapted to a standard lid design with the added step of punching holes in the metal lid blank during manufacture. A snap-on ring 20, which snaps on to the metal lid is then added.
[0014]Various aspects of the invention are presented in FIGS. 1-6 which are not drawn to scale and in which like components are numbered alike. Referring now to FIGS. 1-7, according to an aspect of the invention, there is a removeable circular lid 10 with a sealant coating 30 on the inner surface, with a vacuum release apparatus.
[0015]The lid 10 is a standard metal lid blank with one or more through holes 11 punched in during manufacture. According to an aspect of the invention, the through holes 11 are holes, wherein the holes are an arc of a circle, such that the centerpoint of such circle is the same as the centerpoint 12 of the lid 10.
[0016]The vacuum release apparatus is a lid cap 20 which snaps onto the top of the lid 10, having one or more protrusions 21, wherein the pr...
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A removeable circular lid with a sealant coating on said inner surface, with vacuum release apparatus, has a lid, and a lid cap. The lid has one or more through holes. The lid cap has one or more protrusions, equal to the number of through holes, wherein the protrusions align with the through holes, and protrude through the holes. The lid cap is rotatable relative to the lid, and the through holes are larger than the protrusions, such that when the cap is rotated relative to the lid, rotation is allowed for the play of the protrusions in the through holes. The sealant coating is applied to the lid with the lid cap in a position such that the protrusions are seated at the furthest clockwise position of the through hole when looking from the top allowing for clearance for the sealant to cover the cut edges of the hole. The protrusions are sufficient such that when the cap is rotated counterclockwise relative to the lid, the movement of the protrusions in the through holes is sufficient to tear the sealant coating, thus breaking the vacuum seal.
Description
BACKGROUND[0001]The present invention is in the field of removable lids, specifically removable lids on vacuum sealed jars, and which are screwed on and off. More specifically this invention relates to a lid which has an apparatus to automatically release the vacuum which is applied during manufacture, thus making the jar easier to open.[0002]Typically these types of lids are metallic and circular with threads inside the lid to fit corresponding threads on a the jar to be sealed. During production the container is usually vacuum sealed to improve the seal between the lid and the body. These vacuum sealed lids are often difficult to open, as the user must initially overcome the frictional force which is enhanced by the force of the vacuum.[0003]There have been attempts at a design to overcome this issue. European patent application EP2535290 discloses a metal lid with a vacuum release button. This ‘button’ is manually pushed by the consumer to break through the seal. However, breakin...
Claims
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Login to View More IPC IPC(8): B65D51/22B65D43/02
CPCB65D51/221B65D43/02B65D43/0204B65D2251/009B65D2251/0018B65D2251/0081B65D2543/00296B65D2251/0028B65D51/1677B65D2251/0062B65D43/0212B65D51/1683
InventorLEWELLEN, RICHARD
OwnerLEWELLEN RICHARD