Food container vacuum exhaust system including food container vacuum exhaust module and food container for the same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a food container vacuum evacuation module (31) that can improve performance in terms of achievable vacuum and is also portable and easy to use, a food container vacuum evacuation system (300) including the same, and a food container (33) suitable for use within such a food container vacuum evacuation system (300).

Description

[Background technology]

[0001] The use of vacuum, or more precisely the use of food containers under reduced pressure, to improve the shelf life and storage of food has been generally known for many years, as described, for example, in US Pat. No. 5,629,999.

[0002] The systems detailed in the patents are bulky, but portable devices for home use are described in US Pat. Nos. 5,629,259; 5,629,265; 5,629,27 ...

[0003] Needless to say, the lower the pressure inside the food container, the better the food will be preserved, since the aerobic decomposition process is proportional to the oxygen concentration inside the container. In this regard, it is worth mentioning that most home food vacuum systems are only capable of achieving a limited vacuum level, i.e., around 400 mbar to 500 mbar (40,000 Pascals to 50,000 Pascals).

[0004] An additional limitation inherent in portable systems of the known art is the coupling of the vacuum unit to the container to be evacuated. Such operation is often not entirely straightforward, as a vertically elongated element must be firmly coupled to the lid valve in an essentially vertical plane (the container's lid). To avoid coupling errors, great care must be taken in positioning the vacuum module on the food container, especially during the start-up phase. This problem can be overcome by using mechanical restraints that ensure accurate coupling and thus allow the system to function; these mechanical restraints are usually movable and subject to wear. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 5,054,266 [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. 2002 / 046062 Pamphlet [Patent Document 3] U.S. Patent No. 7,096,893 [Patent Document 4] U.S. Patent No. 7,389,629 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Improving the performance of the vacuum pumping system comes at the expense of portability requirements due to the weight of the components, particularly the weight of the vacuum pump, and such systems are usually permanent systems with a large rectangular base. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention overcomes the drawbacks of the known art by providing a portable system capable of achieving higher vacuum levels in food containers. In a first aspect, the present invention provides a food container vacuum evacuation module comprising a case housing a vacuum pump with a suction head, wherein a means for connecting the vacuum pump suction head to the food container is present at the bottom of the food container vacuum evacuation module. The vacuum pump weighs between 100 and 600 g and has a pump flow rate of at least 0.2 L / min at a residual pressure of 20,000 Pascals. The case can be inscribed in a box having a height of between 10 and 25 cm, a width of between 5 and 15 cm, and a depth of between 3 and 7 cm. Two circular protrusions, each having a diameter of between 10 and 80 mm and a height of between 3 and 50 mm, are present on the bottom of the case, and are not considered for the dimensions of the box. Preferably, the vacuum evacuation module of the present invention comprises a vacuum pump with a flow rate of at least 0.1 L / min at 15,000 Pascals.

[0008] The term "capable of being inscribed within a box" having particular dimensions indicates that the case will remain / be contained within such a box.

[0009] The combination of technical features of the food container vacuum evacuation module according to the present invention makes it possible to achieve high operational performance in terms of a secure connection between the vacuum evacuation module and the food container to be evacuated, combined with portability and ease of use of the system.

[0010] The combination of pump weight and pump flow rate at a given operating pressure are factors that allow one skilled in the art to clearly identify a suitable pump to reduce to practice the present invention, simply by looking at the information provided by the vacuum pump manufacturer, usually in the pump manual.

[0011] The invention is further explained with the aid of the following figures. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a cutaway view of a food container vacuum evacuation module according to a most preferred embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 4 is a schematic diagram of a cutaway view of a food container vacuum evacuation module according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view of a food vacuum evacuation system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] It should be emphasized that the above figures are representative schematic diagrams and illustrations, and therefore any dimensions or dimensional ratios should be considered merely to be indicative of particular elements, components, modules, systems according to the present invention.

[0014] Moreover, some auxiliary elements such as electrical tracks and circuits are not shown as they are not essential for illustrating and understanding the core of the present invention and its underlying principles.

[0015] 1 shows a cutaway view of a first embodiment of a food container vacuum evacuation module 10 according to the present invention, which comprises a case 11, the lower part of which is shaped somewhat like binoculars, with two circular elements 12, 13 protruding from the bottom of the case 11. The circular elements 12, 13 act as interface elements with the external environment, each performing a different function.

[0016] The circular element 12 is suitable for coupling with a suitable valve on the lid of a food container to be evacuated. It should be noted that its detailed structure and means for coupling with a suitable food container to be evacuated are well known to those skilled in the art, as described, for example, in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 5,629,997 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,629,997, and are therefore not the subject of the present invention. In the following, the circular element 12 is also equivalently defined as a "vacuum interface."

[0017] The circular element 13 comprises a receiver suitable for coupling to a charging base for charging the rechargeable batteries 15, 15'. It should be noted that the detailed structure and coupling means for charging the batteries 15, 15' as well as the charging control routines are well known to those skilled in the art and are widespread in the telecommunications field for charging mobile phones, as described, for example, in US 2012 / 249064, and are therefore not the subject of the present invention. In the following, the circular element 13 will also be equivalently defined as a "charging interface".

[0018] Of course, within the case 11 there is appropriate electrical circuitry (not shown) for delivering current to the rechargeable batteries 15, 15' which supply current to the Tee pump 14 and a display 19 to indicate the operating status of the module 10 as well as other useful information, such as vacuum level and battery level. The batteries 15, 15' also supply current to the control electronics module, which is a printed circuit board (PCB) present within the module (not shown).

[0019] Preferably, the control electronics module should be able to switch between two operating modes: a standard mode when the food container vacuum module operates at full vacuum capacity, i.e., when the residual pressure in the coupled container reaches about 50 mbar (5,000 Pascals), and a "soft vacuum" mode when the residual pressure remains at about 200 mbar (20,000 Pascals). Such dual operating modes allow for more versatility and enable use with "soft-shell" foods such as berries.

[0020] In the case of high pressure operation, the system according to the invention, i.e. a system with a pump having a flow rate of at least 0.2 l / min at a residual pressure of 20,000 Pa, ensures that the target pressure is reached in a short time, which is a secondary advantage of the invention with respect to the main advantage associated with the standard mode, i.e. the ability to reach 50 mbar in less than one minute.

[0021] The pump 14 is composed of two main parts, namely a motor 14" and a suction head 14', and a connecting tube 140 puts the suction head 14' in communication with the evacuation interface 12. The battery 15, 15' also supplies current to a release valve 17, which is also connected to the evacuation interface 12 via a connecting tube 170, to enable release of the coupled food container once a suitable vacuum level is reached. Such vacuum level can be measured by a pressure transducer 18, which is connected to the evacuation interface 12 via a tube 180. The release valve 17 may be automatically or manually controlled; in the case of an automatically controlled release valve, preferred ones are based on a shape memory alloy (SMA) wire, a solenoid valve, or a piezoelectric valve.

[0022] As mentioned above, the invention is characterized by the use of a pump that makes it possible to achieve excellent vacuum levels, is compact and lightweight and, more particularly, has, according to its specifications, a pumping flow rate of at least 0.2 l / min at a residual pressure of 20,000 Pascals.

[0023] Such characteristics can be easily verified by a distribution curve, usually provided with the pump itself, or by connecting the pump to a suitable test bench. In this regard, the pump requirements are met if the pump flow rate is 0.2 l / min or more at a residual pressure of 20,000 Pa or less (in a real environment, it is meaningless to express absolute pressure values ​​as test conditions), and preferably 0.1 l / min or more at 15,000 Pa. Another way to verify whether a pump is suitable for use is to verify, during an evacuation cycle from atmospheric pressure, whether a data point at 20,000 Pa, measured directly or extrapolated by a flow / pressure curve, provides a pump flow rate of at least 0.2 l / min, or preferably whether a data point at 15,000 Pa provides a pump flow rate of at least 0.1 l / min.

[0024] The present invention is not limited to a specific type of pump, even if the preferred pumps are so-called double-head T-type diaphragm pumps, single-head L-type pumps, rolling diaphragm pumps, and linear diaphragm pumps, as long as they satisfy the above-specified conditions regarding flow rate at a specific pressure level. Moreover, such pumps also satisfy the condition that they have a weight comprised between 100g and 600g.

[0025] Regarding the material of the case 11, it is preferable to use plastic, more preferably acrylonitrile butadiene styrene plastic (ABS) or polycarbonate (PC). The preferred solution is such that the shape of the case and the plastic material chosen are optimized for the injection molding process, and although the above-specified are the preferred materials, those skilled in the art will readily know how to choose other variants; see, for example, the article by Vassallo et al., "The impact of polymer selection and recycling on the sustainability of injection molded parts," in Procedia CIRP, Vol. 90, 2020, pp. 504-509.

[0026] Preferably, the case 11 has an internal support structure designed with nylon reinforced with glass fibers, preferably in an amount between 15% and 35% by weight (calculated relative to the weight of the support structure), as this is the best solution for combining strength and vibration absorption.Variations can include recycled plastic, bioplastic, steel, aluminum alloy, or wood, as these may be advantageous in terms of various properties such as wear resistance, lightness, strength, sustainability / recyclability, etc.

[0027] More specifically, to maintain optimum easy handling and portability of the food container vacuum evacuation module 10, the total weight of the components excluding the vacuum pump should be comprised between 250g and 400g.

[0028] For the same reason, the shape of the case 11 can be inscribed in a box whose height is between 10 cm and 25 cm, whose width is between 5 cm and 15 cm, and whose depth is between 3 cm and 7 cm. Two circular projections whose diameter is between 10 mm and 80 mm and whose height is between 3 mm and 50 mm can be inscribed in a box whose height is between 10 mm and 80 mm. 12、13 protrudes from the bottom of the case 11 (i.e., food container connecting parts) and is not considered for the box dimensions described above.

[0029] The shape of the case may vary as long as it meets the above geometric requirements, but it is preferred to use a rounded shape for ease of handling, with the bottom resembling a pair of binoculars being most preferred.

[0030] It should be emphasized that the food container vacuum evacuation module 10 depicted in FIG. 1 is a preferred embodiment according to the present invention, the essential features of which are recited in the first claim of this application, and all other features are optional or easily modifiable by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0031] In this regard, the pressure transducer 18, whose preferred operating range is 0 Pascal to 100,000 Pascal, should be considered an optional element, since the pressure level can be determined, although less accurately, from the power absorbed by the vacuum pump (the lower the pressure, the lower the absorbed current) or by an evaluation based on the operating time of the vacuum pump.

[0032] The preferred method of recharging the rechargeable battery, whose energy is preferably between 1 Wh and 20 Wh, more preferably between 2 Wh and 15 Wh, is by inductive wireless charging as outlined in Figure 3. Alternatively, a suitable socket can be present within the case 11 to supply power via a cable with a suitable transformer. This also allows for modular operation when the battery is depleted, or an alternative (and lighter) embodiment without a resident rechargeable battery, although this would negate the portability of the system due to the constraints of a power cabling connection.

[0033] The present invention is not limited to a particular type of display, although a preferred one is an organic light emitting device (OLED), and in some alternative embodiments, the display can be replaced with other types of communication elements and interfaces, such as LED lights with different color indicators, sound-type communication, haptic feedback, etc.

[0034] The module's on-state may be achieved via a button or similar mechanical mechanism (lever, mechanical switch) or via a touchscreen display. The off-state may be set manually or automatically when an adequate vacuum is achieved in a food container connected to the food container vacuum evacuation module. At the same time, the module 10 may present several other additional elements, for example, a vacuum pump muffler may be added depending on the noise generated during operation of the vacuum pump.

[0035] Another optional element is a port for connecting piping elements external to the modular case with a vacuum pump suction head for evacuating deformable food-containing elements (i.e., plastic pouches / bags) or more generally for coupling with valves for different types of food containers.

[0036] A cutaway schematic diagram of a second embodiment of a food container vacuum evacuation module 20 according to the present invention is shown in Figure 2. The main differences relative to Figure 1 are that the charging interface 13 is replaced with a gas bottle 231 whose opening and closing is controlled by an electronic driver 232, while the rechargeable battery can be recharged via a suitable socket in the food container vacuum evacuation module case for connection to mains power, allowing its portability and use without the need for proximity to a mains power socket.

[0037] The gas bottle 231 is refillable or replaceable and has a volume of preferably 5 cm 3 and 20cm 3 Interchangeable bottles make it easier to insert different gases into food containers, thus allowing foods to be preserved in a modified protective atmosphere; preferred gases used for such purposes are nitrogen, carbon dioxide, argon, and mixtures thereof. Some information on the role of various gases in conjunction with vacuum for food preservation can be found, for example, in the chapter "Modified atmospheres and vacuum packaging" in the book "Food Preservatives" by ARDavies.

[0038] Additionally, the pressure transducer 28 may be located at a different location, provided that the container coupled to the module 20 clearly presents a suitable interface for fluid-tight coupling with the gas bottle 231 .

[0039] In its second aspect, the present invention is specific to a food container vacuum evacuation system 300 shown in Fig. 3, comprising a power supply module 32, a food container vacuum evacuation module 31, and a food container 33, said vacuum evacuation module 31 comprising a case housing a vacuum pump with a suction head, and at the bottom of the case there is a means for coupling the vacuum pump suction head with the food container 33. This system 300 is characterized in that the weight of the vacuum pump is comprised between 100g and 600g, the pumping flow rate of the vacuum pump is at least 0.2 l / min at a residual pressure of 20,000 Pa (i.e. the same as the vacuum evacuation module 10), and the food container 33 has first and second protruding coupling circles 331, 332 on its lid 330, the height of said circles being comprised between 3mm and 10mm.

[0040] The vacuum exhaust module 31 has an on / off button 311, and at the bottom there is a vacuum interface 312 and a charging interface 313.

[0041] The first coupling circle 331 on the food container lid 330 is for active evacuation of the food container 33, which means that it presents an element suitable for fluidly connecting the food container atmosphere with the vacuum pump suction head in a safe and efficient manner, i.e., it presents a check valve capable of preventing unwanted air ingress into the food container 33 during release of the vacuum evacuation module 31 from the food container via actuation of the release valve, and at the same time preventing any ejection within the vacuum evacuation module 31 from the food container 33 during evacuation.

[0042] In a preferred embodiment, ventilation of the container 33 is achieved directly via a vent valve that can be opened to allow ambient air to enter as the food is consumed / accessed. In this regard, a preferred solution envisages the use of a lifting mechanism, such as a strap, to allow air ingress, as described in US Pat. No. 5,649,999.

[0043] The second coupling circle 332 of the food container lid 330 is simply a lid protrusion for providing mechanical stability to the vacuum system during operation through mechanical coupling with the charging interface 313 of the vacuum evacuation module 31. Needless to say, the inner diameters of the coupling circles 331, 332 must substantially match the outer diameters of the evacuation interface 312 and the charging interface 313, respectively.

[0044] The wireless charging base 32 has an inductive charging element 322 for proper coupling and energy transfer to the charging interface 313 of the evacuation module 31. Moreover, it presents raised edges 321, 321' at its tip to hold the evacuation module 31 in place during charging.

[0045] A variation of system 300 uses the evacuation module 20 shown in FIG. 2, whereby the system does not include a wireless charging base, but optionally includes a support base. In this variation, second coupling circle 332 is replaced with a suitable fluid-tight interface for injecting a gaseous protective atmosphere during connection with gas bottle 231 in evacuation module 20, and then sealing the container after disconnection. The advantages of combining vacuum and modified atmospheres for food preservation are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 8,240,158.

[0046] As regards the power supply for the food container vacuum evacuation system according to the invention, it may be a transformer allowing a direct connection to the voltage mains, or, as already outlined, a transformer allowing the battery pack housed in the vacuum evacuation module to be coupled to a recharging base, preferably a wireless recharging base, or to be charged via the transformer described above.

[0047] In its third aspect, the present invention consists in a food container suitable for being combined with a food container vacuum evacuation module according to the present invention, said container including a lid and having an internal volume comprised between 0.2 liters and 2 liters.

[0048] The lid of the food container is preferably circular with a diameter between 100 mm and 220 mm and has a convex shape to improve resistance to pressure levels reached inside the lid. The lid has two circular outer protrusions that match the positions and outer diameters of the charging interface and evacuation interface of the vacuum evacuation module, and the protrusions have the function of reinforcing the lid structure by acting as structural reinforcing ribs in addition to improving the connection between the vacuum evacuation module and the container.

[0049] It should be emphasized that the present invention is not limited to any particular lid material or thickness, as long as the lid can withstand the pressure difference between the external environment and the evacuated container. Such a combination of parameters can be easily ascertained by those skilled in the art, taking into account the final vacuum level within the food container and a reasonable thickness. Most useful materials have a flexural strength between 30 MPa and 300 MPa. In a preferred embodiment, the lid is made of a plastic material, and its minimum thickness is selected depending on the flexural strength of the material, starting from approximately 1 mm for more robust materials.

[0050] The minimum thickness of the lid typically accommodates a recess to accommodate the two food container vacuum module protrusions.

[0051] Preferably, the container is part of a kit of food containers constituted by a first, second and third container, the first container having a lid diameter comprised between 180 mm and 220 mm and an internal volume comprised between 1.3 liters and 2.0 liters, the second container having a lid diameter comprised between 150 mm and 180 mm and an internal volume comprised between 0.75 liters and 1.0 liters, and the third container having a lid diameter comprised between 100 mm and 150 mm and an internal volume comprised between 0.2 liters and 0.5 liters. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 10 food container vacuum evacuation module, 11 case, 12 vacuum interface, circular element, 13 charging interface, circular element, 14 T-shaped pump, 14' suction head, 14" motor, 15, 15' rechargeable battery, 17 release valve, 18, 28 pressure transducer, 19 display, 20, 31 food container vacuum evacuation module, 32 power module, wireless charging base, 33 food container, 140, 170 connecting pipe, 180 pipe, 231 gas bottle, 232 electronic driver, 300 food container vacuum evacuation system, 311 on / off button, 312 vacuum interface, 313 charging interface, 321, 321' edge, 322 inductive charging element, 330 food container lid, 331 first connecting circle, protruding connecting circle, 332 second connecting circle, protruding connecting circle

Claims

1. 1. A food container vacuum evacuation module comprising a case having a top and a bottom, the case houses a vacuum pump having a suction head; a means for connecting the suction head to a vacuum adjusting means located on the lid of a food container at the bottom of the case; the weight of said vacuum pump is comprised between 100 g and 600 g, and its pumping flow rate is at least 0.2 l / min at a residual pressure of 20,000 Pascals; The case can be accommodated in a box having a height comprised between 10 cm and 25 cm, a width comprised between 5 cm and 15 cm, and a depth comprised between 3 cm and 7 cm; two circular protrusions, the height of which is comprised between 3 mm and 50 mm and the diameter of which is comprised between 10 mm and 80 mm, are present on the bottom of the case, not being taken into account in the dimensions of the box; the food container vacuum evacuation module includes one or more rechargeable battery packs; A food container vacuum evacuation module, wherein a first of the two circular protrusions functions as a vacuum evacuation interface suitable for coupling with the vacuum evacuation adjustment means located on the lid, and a second of the two circular protrusions functions as a charging interface suitable for coupling with a charging base to charge the rechargeable battery pack.

2. 2. The food container vacuum evacuation module of claim 1, wherein the vacuum pump is selected from a double-head T-type diaphragm pump, a single-head L-type pump, a rolling diaphragm pump, and a linear diaphragm pump.

3. 10. The food container vacuum evacuation module of claim 1, wherein the cumulative weight of all elements of the food container vacuum evacuation module, excluding the vacuum pump, is comprised between 250g and 400g.

4. 10. The food container vacuum evacuation module of claim 1, comprising a pressure transducer.

5. A food container vacuum exhaust module as described in claim 1, comprising a valve that automatically operates to release the vacuum exhaust interface from the food container when the connection between the vacuum exhaust interface and the food container reaches a predetermined vacuum level, the valve being selected from a shape memory alloy wire control valve, an solenoid valve, and a piezoelectric valve.

6. The food container vacuum evacuation module of claim 1 , further comprising a display.

7. 2. The food container vacuum evacuation module of claim 1, wherein the vacuum evacuation adjustment means located on the lid of the food container comprises a port that is communicable with the suction head and forms an external vacuum piping connection with the port.

8. 10. The food container vacuum evacuation module of claim 1, comprising a gas bottle having means for coupling to a food container.

9. The food container vacuum evacuation module of claim 1 , wherein the case material comprises plastic.

10. 10. The food container vacuum evacuation module of claim 1, wherein the case has an internal support structure designed with glass fiber reinforced nylon.

11. a power supply module; The food container vacuum exhaust module according to claim 1; A food container having a lid and first and second protruding connecting circles on the lid, the height of the first and second protruding connecting circles being between 3 mm and 10 mm; A food container vacuum exhaust system comprising:

12. 12. The food container vacuum evacuation system of claim 11, comprising a power cord and a transformer for the food container vacuum evacuation module.

13. The food container vacuum exhaust module according to claim 1; a food container comprising a circular lid having a diameter comprised between 100 mm and 220 mm and an internal volume comprised between 0.2 liters and 2 liters; A food container vacuum exhaust system comprising:

14. The food container has the following characteristics: the first container having a lid diameter comprised between 180 mm and 220 mm and an internal volume comprised between 1.3 liters and 2.0 liters; the second container having a lid diameter comprised between 150 mm and 180 mm and an internal volume comprised between 0.75 liters and 1.0 liters; the third container having a lid diameter comprised between 100 mm and 150 mm and an internal volume comprised between 0.2 liters and 0.5 liters; 14. The food container vacuum evacuation system of claim 13, which is one of a kit of three containers having:

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