System for vacuum sealing and preserving food

Abstract

System (1) for vacuum sealing and preserving foodstuffs from the counter and for storage in a refrigerator, comprising at least a base plate (2) and a lid (9), a frame (3, 11) connected or connectable to the base plate (2) and / or the lid (9) and a flexible airtight film (4) connected or connectable to the frame, wherein an airtight sealed space is formed between the underside of the film (4), the inside of the frame (3, 11) and the top of the base plate (2), and wherein at least one channel (5) is arranged in the frame through which air can be drawn out of the sealed space in the case of use, whereby in the case of use the flexible film (4) lies over the foodstuffs and adapts to their contour.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for packaging and storing food, which is intended to be used during shopping to avoid packaging waste. Furthermore, food stored in the refrigerator stays fresh longer and can also be served on the table using the containers.

[0002] When shopping at the deli counter, fresh foods such as cheese, fish, meat, or sausage are always wrapped in plastic-coated paper or foil. For larger quantities, additional foil is placed between the individual layers to prevent the individual slices from sticking together. All of the resulting small packages are then placed in an outer packaging. Naturally, these packages are strictly separated into fish, meat, sausage, and cheese.

[0003] Current technology allows you to bring resealable packaging with you when shopping, place it on the counter, have the salesperson fill it, and then take the fresh produce home. However, one disadvantage is that the food then comes into contact with air, which can cause chemical reactions on the surface of the food. This makes the food less visually appealing and causes it to spoil much faster. Furthermore, this only eliminates the need for outer packaging.

[0004] The object of the invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art. This object of the invention is achieved by a system for preserving food according to claim 1. The subclaims represent preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0005] Accordingly, the subject matter of the invention is a system for vacuuming and preserving foodstuffs from the store counter, which are then intended for further storage in the refrigerator.

[0006] The system according to the invention comprises at least one dimensionally stable base plate, a frame connected or connectable to the base plate and a flexible air-impermeable film connected or connectable to the frame, wherein an airtight space is formed between the underside of the film, the inside of the frame and the top side of the base plate in the assembled state.

[0007] At least one channel is arranged in the frame through which air can be drawn out of the enclosed space during use, allowing the flexible film to wrap itself around the food and conform to its contours. This ensures that the food does not come into contact with air, thus allowing for even better food preservation.

[0008] Preferably, the film has a circumferential sealing element at its edges, which is preferably accommodated in at least one recess of the frame when the frame and film are connected. According to one embodiment, the frame has a circumferential groove on its underside and / or on its top side for accommodating the sealing element(s). Particularly preferably, the sealing element is applied to the film as a circumferential bead. It is particularly preferably formed from a flexible material and can be compressed.

[0009] A groove for receiving the sealing element can also be provided on the top side of the base plate or the underside of a cover described below.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the system has a valve, particularly preferably a duckbill valve. The valve is connected to the channel through which the air can be extracted from the enclosed space during use. The system can also have a pump with which the air can be extracted from the hermetically sealed space. The valve (e.g., a duckbill valve) then ensures, during use, that no air can flow into the previously vacuumed space. According to a preferred embodiment, the system has a check valve, which can be manually operated to allow backflow into the previously vacuumed area.

[0011] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the system comprises at least two valves, one of which is formed by a duckbill valve and the other is a manually operable check valve.

[0012] If the system has at least two channels, the air can preferably be sucked out via one channel, whereby a vacuum can be created, and is connected to a duckbill valve arranged in the lid to prevent the air from flowing back; the second channel is preferably connected to a manually operated pressure valve / check valve arranged in the lid, which, when operated, allows the air to flow back into the vacuumed spaces. This is preferred because otherwise opening the vacuumed space / spaces by lifting the frame would be difficult or impossible. According to a preferred embodiment, the pump is a manually operated pump. More preferably, this pump is connected to the frame or to a lid of the system so that it is always ready for use.

[0013] Particularly preferably, the system comprises two or more frames which can be arranged one above the other and are preferably connected to one another using a clip connection during use to ensure that the individual frames cannot come loose during transport. The clips are preferably firmly connected to the individual components (except for the base plate). Particularly preferably, the clip connections are designed and arranged in such a way that they also serve as feet for the respective components when they are placed on a table or counter. The feet also prevent the underside of the respective component from becoming dirty, so that this does not contaminate the food when they are put back together and vacuumed. According to another embodiment, the individual frames are held together by the negative pressure generated.

[0014] In any case, a system comprising multiple frames has several hermetically sealed compartments. In a design in which the frames are held together with one or more clip connections, it can be provided that opening at least one clip connection allows air to flow back into the hermetically sealed compartments. This allows for easier separation of the individual frames from one another, thus providing access to the vacuum-sealed food. In another design, this is achieved by manually actuating a check valve.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, the frames have an intermediate floor, which is preferably firmly connected to the frame. However, it can also be detachably connected to the frame. According to one embodiment, the intermediate floor is dimensionally stable and made, for example, from a transparent material. However, the intermediate floor is preferably also made of an expandable material, such as an expandable, airtight film. This allows the films to contract optimally. In contrast, the base plate is preferably dimensionally stable. However, according to one embodiment, it can also be made of an expandable material.

[0016] The system also has a lid that has at least one flexible, airtight film or is connectable to it via a seal, so that, when assembled, an airtight space is formed between the base plate or an intermediate floor, an inner side of the frame, and the flexible film. A valve is preferably arranged in the lid, which is connected to the channel for extracting air from the at least one airtight space. Preferably, two valves are arranged in the lid.

[0017] To connect the individual components of the system to one another, one or both of the facing connecting surfaces of the components to be connected (top of the base plate, bottom of a frame, top of a frame, bottom of the cover) can have a groove. The sealing element can be arranged in this groove when assembled. If both of the components to be connected have a groove, according to one embodiment of the system according to the invention, two sealing elements can also be provided between two components.

[0018] In a system which has at least two frames or at least one frame with an intermediate floor and a lid, according to a preferred embodiment at least one air equalization opening is arranged on the inside of the frame and / or the lid and is connected to the outside via an air equalization duct.

[0019] When the system is assembled, the air equalization opening is located on the inside of the frame between the underside of a false floor and the top of a flexible film, or in other words, between the hermetically sealed compartments. This allows air to flow through the air equalization duct into the space between the hermetically sealed compartments when negative pressure is created. This allows the flexible film to optimally cover the food stored in the hermetically sealed compartment.

[0020] Preferably, the channel for extracting the air from the hermetically sealed space in a frame of the system has an opening on the inside of the frame in the area between the top side of the intermediate floor and the underside of the flexible, air-impermeable film located above it in the assembled state. Particularly preferably, the channel has a second opening on the top side of the frame and even more preferably an additional opening on the underside of the frame. Particularly preferably, the openings on the top side and underside of the frames are arranged and designed such that the channels of several frames are aligned with one another when assembled and form a common channel for extracting air from the hermetically sealed space(s). Corresponding channels can also be arranged in the lid and / or in the base plate, which interact with the channels of the frames as described above.

[0021] Preferably, channels are arranged on at least two opposite sides of the frame(s). This allows the individual frames to be stacked on top of each other without having to ensure that the channels of the individual frames are aligned, because the channels remain aligned even if a frame is rotated 180° (around a vertical axis) and placed on a frame below it. The same applies to the base plate and the cover.

[0022] The system preferably comprises at least one base plate, a lid with a sealing ring, and an expandable film. According to this variant, the frame is formed integrally with the base plate. This variant can also function as a basic system and be supplemented by additional intermediate frames, each with a sealing ring (sealing element) and an expandable film.

[0023] In order to further increase the sustainability of the product, it is intended that the frame(s), the base plate and, if applicable, the lid are made of a material whose main component is a renewable raw material.

[0024] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to drawings.

[0025] Showing: Fig. 1 an exploded view of the system according to the invention in a cross-sectional view, Fig. 2 the system according to the invention in assembled state in a cross-sectional view, Fig. 3 the system according to the invention in assembled state in a cross-sectional view in the vacuumed state, Fig. 4 a perspective view of a frame with a flexible airtight film, including a sealing ring (sealing element) Fig. 5 a perspective view of a frame with flexible airtight film, including sealing ring (sealing element) Fig. 6 a perspective view of the multi-frame system in assembled condition.

[0026] In Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of the system 1 according to the invention with three frames 3, wherein the individual components of the system have not yet been assembled. In addition to the three frames 3, the system 1 also has a base plate 2 and a cover 9. In addition, the system 1 also has four flexible, air-tight films 4. The seals / sealing elements 6 can be seen on the lateral edges of the films 4. Recesses 7 are provided on the underside of the individual frames 3. In addition, the frames 3 each have an intermediate floor 10. Also important for the function is the duct 5 for extracting the air from the airtight spaces. These ducts 5 have an opening on the inside of the respective frame 3, an opening on the top of the respective frame 3 and an opening on the underside of the respective frame 3. A valve 8 (not visible here) is arranged on the cover 9.

[0027] Fig. 2 shows the system Fig. 1 in assembled state. Food items 12, such as cheese and sausage, are placed on the base plate 2 and the three intermediate shelves 10 of the frame 3. A sealing element 6 is arranged in a recess / groove 7 between the top of the side walls / frame 11 of the base plate 2 and the underside of the lowest frame 3 (with intermediate shelf).

[0028] In the frame 3 and in the side walls / frame 11 of the base plate 2, an opening of the duct 5 for extracting the air is arranged on the inside (right and left). The openings are each located between the underside of a flexible, airtight film 4 and the top side of the intermediate floors 10 or the base plate 2. The duct 5 has a further opening on the top side of the side walls 11, which is aligned with a lower opening of the duct 5 of a frame 3. The opening of the duct 5 on the top side of a frame 3 is in turn aligned with the opening of the duct 5 in the underside of the frame 3 arranged above it, so that a continuous duct 5 is formed. Two ducts 5 are also arranged in the cover 9, in which two valves 8a, in this case a duckbill valve, and 8b, in this case a manually operated check valve, are arranged.

[0029] Fig. 3 shows the system from the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 in the assembled and vacuumed state. By connecting a pump (not shown here) to the spout valve 8a, air was extracted from the hermetically sealed spaces. These spaces are defined by the underside of a flexible, airtight film 4, the top side of the intermediate floor 10 of a respective frame or base plate 2, and the inside of the respective frame 3 or the inner side wall / frame 11 of the base plate 2. By applying a vacuum, the respective hermetically sealed space shrinks, causing the flexible, airtight film 4 to stretch and cover the food 12.

[0030] Fig. Figure 4 is a perspective view from below of a frame 3 with an intermediate floor 10, a groove 7 running around the frame 3, and an airtight film 4 with a circumferential sealing element 6. The opening of the channel 5 for extracting the air can be seen on the underside of the frame 3. Also important in this illustration is the opening of the air equalization channel 13, which is arranged on the outside of the frame 3 and is connected via the air equalization channel 13 to an opening arranged on the inside of the frame 3. When air is extracted via the channel 5 during vacuuming, the flexible airtight film is Fig. 3, the film is stretched downward, reducing the airtight space (not visible here). This would create a negative pressure between the top of the flexible film 4 and the underside of the intermediate floor 10 located above it. To prevent this, the air equalization channel 13 is provided. During vacuuming, air flows through the air equalization channel 13 into the area between the top of the film 4 and the underside of the intermediate floor 10.

[0031] Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of the Fig. 4. This view shows the opening of duct 5 located on the top for extracting air from the hermetically sealed spaces (not shown here).

[0032] Fig. Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the assembled system 1. The system shown comprises three frames, a base plate 2, and a cover 9. The individual components are attached using clip connections 14. Two valves 8 (a duckbill valve 8a and a check valve 8b) are visible on the top of the cover 9. Air can be extracted from the hermetically sealed spaces via the duckbill valve 8a, and air can flow back into the previously vacuumed spaces via the check valve 8b when activated.

[0033] Fig.Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the system 1 in a further embodiment. The variant shown here differs from the previously explained embodiments in that two sealing elements 6 are arranged between each of the assembled components. A groove 7 is arranged on the top and bottom of each frame 3, in each of which a sealing element 6 is arranged. One of the sealing elements 6 is connected to the stretchable, airtight film 4, the other is not. List of reference symbols: 1 system 2 base plate 3 frames 4 Flexible airtight film 5 Channel for extracting air from the hermetically sealed rooms 6 Seal / sealing element 7 Recess / groove 8 Valve (8a Duckbill valve / 8b Check valve) 9 lids 10 intermediate floor 11 Side walls of the base plate / frame 12 groceries 13 Air compensation duct 14 clip connection

Claims

[1] System (1) for vacuuming and preserving foodstuffs from the shop counter and for storage in the refrigerator, comprising at least one base plate (2) and a lid (9), a frame (3, 11) connected or connectable to the base plate (2) and / or the lid (9) and a flexible air-impermeable film (4) connected or connectable to the frame, wherein an airtight space is formed between the underside of the film (4), the inside of the frame (3, 11) and the top side of the base plate (2), and wherein at least one channel (5) is arranged in the frame, via which air can be sucked out of the closed space in use, whereby the flexible film (4) lies over the foodstuffs and adapts to their contours in use. [2] System (1) according to claim 1, characterized bythat the film (4) has a circumferential sealing element (6) at the edges, wherein the sealing element (6) is received in at least one recess (7) of a frame (3) and / or the cover (9) and / or the base plate (2) when the film (4) is connected to the frame. [3] System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the base plate (2) and / or the frame (3) and / or the cover (9) has a circumferential groove into which at least one sealing element is or can be introduced. [4] System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the channel (5) for extracting the air from the enclosed space is connected to a valve (8). [5] System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, which has a pump for sucking the air out of the enclosed space. [6] System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, which has two or more frames (3) which can be arranged one above the other and are preferably connected to one another via a clip connection in the application case. [7] System (1) according to claim 6, wherein at least one frame (3) has at least one intermediate floor (10) and at least one second flexible air-impermeable film (4) or can be connected to it / thereby via a seal (6), so that in the assembled state a first air-tight space is formed between the base plate (2), a first frame (3) and a first flexible film (4) and a second air-tight space is formed between the intermediate floor (10), the second frame (3) and the second film (4). [8] System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, with a lid (9) which has at least one flexible air-impermeable film (4) or can be connected to it via a seal (6), so that in the assembled state an air-tight space is formed between the base plate (2), or an intermediate floor (10), a frame (3) and a flexible film (4). [9] System according to claim 7 or 8, wherein at least one air equalization opening is arranged on the outside of at least one frame, which is connected to the inside of the frame via an air equalization duct, wherein the opening of the duct is arranged on the inside of the frame in the assembled state between the hermetically sealed spaces, so that when negative pressure is generated in the hermetically sealed spaces, air can flow via the air equalization duct into the area between the hermetically sealed spaces. [10] System (1) according to claim 8 in conjunction with claim 4, wherein the at least one valve (8) is arranged in the cover (9). [11] System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the system has a duckbill valve to create the vacuum and a check valve to allow the air to flow back. [12] System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the channels (5) arranged in the frame (3) have an opening on the inside of the frame (3) and a second opening on the top and / or bottom of the frame (3). [13] System (1) according to claim 11, characterized by that the channels (5) arranged on the top and bottom of the frames (3) are aligned with each other. [14] System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the frames each have at least one channel (5) on at least two opposite sides, which are positioned and designed so that these channels - regardless of the installation direction of the frames - are aligned with one another when the frames are assembled.

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