With Vacuum Breaker Patents (Class 215/262)
  • Patent number: 11655084
    Abstract: The present invention has the advantage of allowing a user to establish or release a seal between a container and a container lid with a single touch through a seal packing made of an elastic material and having a simple structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: NEOFLAM INC.
    Inventors: Hyun Dong Kim, Ju Yeon Yun, Jae Uk Kim
  • Patent number: 11401150
    Abstract: Embodiments provide an automated fluid dispenser that comprises a housing, a pump subsystem, a dispenser subsystem, and a receptacle sensor. The housing defines an enclosure that covers one or more subsystems and provides an interface for attachment to a fluid reservoir. The receptacle sensor is configured to detect a fluid receptacle within a detected distance and transmit an activation signal to the pump subsystem to pump a volume of fluid. The volume of fluid is dispensed via the dispenser subsystem to a fluid receptacle. In embodiments, the volume of fluid is proportional to a detection distance or a detection time. In embodiments, the automated fluid dispenser is configured with a display device to provide one or more graphical user interface elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: SOFI PAPER PRODUCTS, LLC
    Inventors: Brandon Leeds, Jordan Leeds
  • Patent number: 11345528
    Abstract: A secure beverage container may include a body having a first end, a second end opposing the first end, a first longitudinal side extending between the first end and the second end, and a second longitudinal side opposing the first longitudinal side and extending between the first end and the second end, the first end being closed, the second end being open. The body may define a cavity to receive a beverage fluid. The secure beverage container may include a lid to be received by the second end to seal the cavity in the body, and a powered locking device. The secure beverage container may include an access control device coupled to the powered locking device and configured to cause the powered locking device to switch between the locked state and the unlocked state based upon a security token.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: SECURE CUP ENTERPRISES, LLC
    Inventors: Rhett C. Leary, Brett C. Leary
  • Patent number: 11077997
    Abstract: A secure beverage container may include a body having a first end, a second end opposing the first end, a first longitudinal side extending between the first end and the second end, and a second longitudinal side opposing the first longitudinal side and extending between the first end and the second end, the first end being closed, the second end being open. The body may define a cavity to receive a beverage fluid. The secure beverage container may include a lid to be received by the second end to seal the cavity in the body, and a powered locking device. The secure beverage container may include an access control device coupled to the powered locking device and configured to cause the powered locking device to switch between the locked state and the unlocked state based upon a security token.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: SECURE CUP ENTERPRISES, LLC
    Inventors: Rhett C. Leary, Brett C. Leary
  • Patent number: 10865022
    Abstract: A seal bottle assembly includes a bottle and a cap is removably mounted to the top opening of the bottle to seal the first room. The cap includes a radial hole defined radially therethrough. A switch unit includes a seal part located in the cap, and a control part located outside of the cap. When the control part is pushed toward the seal part, the pressure in the cap and the bottle is the same as that of outside of the bottle assembly so that the cap is removable relative to the bottle. When the control part is pulled away from the seal part and the seal part is moved to seal a communication between the first and second rooms. The pressure in the cap and the bottle is different from that of outside of the bottle assembly so that the cap is not removable relative to the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Inventor: Jui-Te Wang
  • Patent number: 10759559
    Abstract: A plastic container includes a neck portion, a sidewall portion, and a base portion. The neck portion includes a plurality of threads, which may be configured to retain and/or secure a cap or lid. In embodiments, the threads may be blown and/or the neck portion may include a neck rib provided vertically above the threads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Plastipak Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Phil Kraft, Matt Dauzvardis
  • Patent number: 10464708
    Abstract: A container, in particular a plastic ampoule produced using a blow molding process, and filled and closed in the production mold, has a sleeve-shaped neck part (4) connected to a container body (2) as an axial extension. The neck part forms a seat (6) for a preformed insert (8) extending along the axis (12) of the neck part (4), and is formed in the production mold, on a peripheral region (14) of the insert (8). At least one sealing element (42; 68) is provided on the insert (8). The sealing element forms a seal in a sealing region surrounding the axis (12), in combination with a contact surface (38) formed on the seat (6) of the neck part (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: KOCHER-PLASTIK MASCHINENBAU GMBH
    Inventors: Johannes Geser, Michael Spallek, Alexander Hammer, Alexander Beier
  • Patent number: 9845181
    Abstract: A container closure comprises an annular region forming a counterface against which a gas permeable, liquid impermeable sealing element may be applied so as to urge the sealing element into sealing engagement with the rim of a container opening. The annular region comprises a gas pathway from an interior space opposite the container opening to the exterior of the annular region. The gas pathway may be of closed cross-section extending through the annular region. Alternatively the gas pathway may be of open-sided cross-section and provided in the counterface. Yet alternatively the annular region may comprise a washer, with the gas pathway provided at least partly in the washer and/or at least partly in the remainder of the annular region. A gas permeable, liquid impermeable sealing foil for bonding to a container rim is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: GREIF INTERNATIONAL HOLDING BV
    Inventor: Pierre Abraham
  • Patent number: 9051088
    Abstract: A seal for sealing engagement between a closure and a container. A seal ring has a sealing portion. A projection is coupled to the seal ring, extends circumferentially and radially outwardly of the seal ring, and has a closure-driven feature engageable by the closure when the closure is rotated on the container in a loosening direction to unseat the seal ring from sealing engagement between the container and the closure. The seal may be part of a package and sealingly engaged between a sealing surface of a container of the package and a base of a closure of the package when the closure is secured to the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventor: Brian J. Chisholm
  • Patent number: 8967413
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a vacuum sealable container system comprising a container and a lid assembly having a movable valve insert. The valve insert includes a vacuum indicator for informing the user when a vacuum is present in the container. The valve insert is pneumatically movable within a chamber by way of a pump assembly to open and close a fluid communication between the container and the exterior of the container to remove fluid to form the vacuum. The vacuum indicator collapses into an opening formed in the lid assembly to inform the user of the vacuum as well as reinforce the seal formed by the valve insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: SCAC LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Tinstman, John D. Fiegener
  • Patent number: 8936169
    Abstract: A vacuumized container box having a box body opened at its upper end and constructed in a shape of a container; a box cover is provided at the upper end of the box body; an air outlet opening is provided on the box cover; a vacuumizing device is provided on the air outlet opening for vacuumizing the box body; the vacuumizing device comprises a vacuum operation button and air pumps; the vacuum operation button is provided at an upper end of the box cover; the air pumps are actuated by the vacuum operation button and are provided at a bottom end of the box cover. Since the vacuumized container box is configured to incorporate the vacuumizing device, no other extra vacuumizing devices are required. The vacuumized container box is therefore convenient to use and attains good vacuumization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Inventor: To Yan Lui
  • Publication number: 20150013270
    Abstract: A closure that includes an overcap and a lid carried by the overcap. The overcap has an annular skirt extending along a longitudinal axis for coupling the closure to a container, and an overcap web extending continuously radially inwardly from the annular skirt. The lid is carried radially within the annular skirt. The lid has an annular rim radially proximate to the annular skirt of the overcap, for the sealing the closure to the container. A lid web extends radially inwardly from the annular rim, and has at least one vent therethrough, and is coupled to the overcap around the vent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventor: Brian J. Chisholm
  • Patent number: 8714379
    Abstract: A closure including a shell having a base wall with an axial outer surface and an undersurface, an annular skirt around a periphery of the base wall, and circumferentially spaced securement elements extending radially inwardly from the skirt. A gasket is carried by the shell, and has a base surface in contact with the undersurface of the base wall of the shell and an oppositely disposed sealing surface. An elongated flexible member extends between the sealing surface of the gasket and the axial outer surface of the shell and around a portion of the skirt circumferentially between the securement elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventor: Edward A. Grant
  • Patent number: 8701910
    Abstract: An improved wine bottle closure and vacuum pump apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus provides an improved bulb structure to be used for pumping and storage purposes, the bulb remaining with a closure plug even after pumping is completed and the wine is to be stored for later consumption. The bulb structure can be collapsed in two different positions including a first position that maintains overall height of the bulb structure and a second position that enables the bulb structure to be shortened in height as an optional feature. The bulb structure provides an enlarged central section that is much larger in diameter than the lower end portion. The lower end portion provides a closure plug for fitting the opening of a wine bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Inventor: James Michalopoulos
  • Patent number: 8672159
    Abstract: A hollow vacuum packaging product in which a ring includes threads distributed around its periphery, and between which a sealing cap enters into engagement when the hollow product is opened/closed. In an evacuated closed condition of the hollow product, the sealing cap is configured to enter into engagement only in an interval between two consecutive threads, or in plural such consecutive intervals, but not in all of the intervals. Such a hollow product may be, as an example, a thermoplastic bottle or jar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Emballage
    Inventor: Philippe Moreira
  • Patent number: 8662334
    Abstract: A vacuum storage container having a container body, a check valve and a lid with an outer rim surrounding a diaphragm. A vacuum pump is engagable with the check valve to remove air from the interior of the container to create a vacuum in the container. The diaphragm is pushed inward by atmospheric forces upon removal of the air until the diaphragm touches and conforms to at least upper exposed surfaces of the contents of the container. The storage container aids in preventing degradation of the contents of the container by maintaining the contents free from the degrading effects of air and by substantially immobilizing the contents during movement of the container to protect the contents from breakage and bruising.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. Turvey, Brian C. Dais
  • Publication number: 20130313219
    Abstract: A sealing unit for sealing a jar includes an inner cap having a flange and an outer groove is defined in the outer periphery of the flange. A resilient ring has a bent portion which is engaged with the outer groove. An outer cap has an annular recess in the underside thereof and the flange of the inner cap is engaged with the annular recess. The outer cap has an inner groove defined in the inner wall thereof and the resilient ring is engaged with the inner groove. A linking member extends through the outer cap and is connected to the inner cap. A lever is pivotably connected to the linking member so as to drive the linking member which moves the inner cap upward to squeeze the resilient ring to be deformed so as to seal the smooth inner periphery of the opening of the jar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: HER CHIAN ACRYLIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: SHIH-CHIEH PAO
  • Publication number: 20130306586
    Abstract: A closure including a shell having a base wall with an axial outer surface and an undersurface, an annular skirt around a periphery of the base wall, and circumferentially spaced securement elements extending radially inwardly from the skirt. A gasket is carried by the shell, and has a base surface in contact with the undersurface of the base wall of the shell and an oppositely disposed sealing surface. An elongated flexible member extends between the sealing surface of the gasket and the axial outer surface of the shell and around a portion of the skirt circumferentially between the securement elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Inventor: Edward A. Grant
  • Patent number: 8317049
    Abstract: A vacuum breaker arrangement for use with a container includes body parts holding a resilient valve member captive. The valve member includes an intermediate body part, intermediate and enlarged head and a valve part. The valve part is made of resilient material which defines an internal passageway communicating with an opening in the body parts. The valve part includes an end portion defining a slit which is closed at a first pressure and which is automatically opened at a second, reduced pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: The Protectoseal Company
    Inventors: Thomas C. Piotrowski, Christian A. Mutzbauer
  • Patent number: 8231027
    Abstract: A cover for a container fits with a sliding air tight fit over the container body. A cover air release valve allows escape of air from the container when removing and installing the cover to create a vacuum seal fit. A handle positioned adjacent to the air release valve enables a user to remove and install the cover with a single hand gripping the handle and pressing the air release valve. Protrusions extending from opposite sides of the container sleeve engage mating L-shaped openings in a bottom edge of the cover to lock the cover in place. Special dual sided cradles engage a top of a vacuum sealed container below each cradle and a bottom of a vacuum sealed container above each cradle so that a series of cradles are used to vertically stack a number of vacuum sealed containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Inventors: Jui Te Wang, Jordan S. Tarlow
  • Patent number: 8146765
    Abstract: A sealing cover includes a cover coupling with a seal ring which has two blades to form a double sealing effect. Thus a container can be sealed by the cover more securely and the opening of the container can be maintained intact. The cover also has a coupling opening and a plurality of air vents. The coupling opening is coupled with an air permeable parasol valve which can release air to facilitate capping of the cover on the opening of the container. Through an air suction means the container can be vacuumed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Idearite Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hsin-Yu Chen
  • Patent number: 8113246
    Abstract: A vacuum fresh-keeping cover includes an upper cover, a top of which is connected with an air suction-ventilation device, a lower rim of which is connected with a soft gasket that can be suppressed on any horizontal surface, and an interior of which is formed with a container space. When a barometric value of the container space gets larger, the air suction-ventilation device is activated to expel out air in the container space continuously, to keep the container space at a near vacuum condition for preserving objects or food. When pulling up a touching element of the air suction-ventilation device, the air in the container space is drained out by the air suction-ventilation device to quickly remove the upper cover, to facilitate consumers for use, and to conveniently separate the air suction-ventilation device from the upper cover, for easily washing the upper cover with water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Inventor: Kuo Chin Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20110297637
    Abstract: A spill resistant cap for a container, such as a commercially available water or other beverage bottle, includes a cap body that forms a mating fit with the container and a spout having liquid dispense holes that allow fluid to flow out of the container. A removable valve is sized to fit within the cap body. The valve includes a valve mechanism that opens in response to a pressure differential applied across the valve face, such as the mouth suction applied to the spout when a person attempts to drink from the container, allowing fluid to flow through the valve and through the liquid dispense holes in the spout.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Inventor: Stephen Scott Rekstad
  • Patent number: 7895815
    Abstract: Devices comprising a plug positioned within a housing to regulate air within a container, for example, plastic storage containers or bags. One embodiment utilizes a plug that occludes an opening in a housing. The plug is displaced from the opening to inject or evacuate air from a container. An alternative embodiment utilizes a plug having air channels therein which can be sealed once air has been injected into or evacuated from a container. The devices are utilized with hose adaptors connected to vacuum or air hoses having specialized hose tips for coupling with the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Inventor: Joseph M. Waldron
  • Patent number: 7765777
    Abstract: Devices comprising a plug positioned within a housing to regulate air within a container, for example, plastic storage containers or bags. One embodiment utilizes a plug that occludes an opening in a housing. The plug is displaced from the opening to inject or evacuate air from a container. An alternative embodiment utilizes a plug having air channels therein which can be sealed once air has been injected into or evacuated from a container. The devices are utilized with hose adaptors connected to vacuum or air hoses having specialized hose tips for coupling with the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Inventor: Joseph M. Waldron
  • Patent number: 7757725
    Abstract: A manual vacuum device is introduced to provide vacuum isolation in a container. The manual vacuum device comprises a lower cover disposed on the container and an upper cover rotatably disposed on the lower cover to form a first air chamber. The lower cover includes a first air channel fluidly communicating the container with the first air chamber and a first check valve disposed within the first air channel to prevent air from flowing back to the container. The upper cover includes a second air channel fluidly communicating the first air chamber with the external environment and a second check valve disposed within the second air channel to prevent air in the external environment from flowing back to the first air chamber. The air in the container exhausts to the external environment by the rotational movement of the upper cover relative to the lower cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Inventors: Kuo-Liang Wang, Wei-Ching Lin
  • Patent number: 7721771
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved automatic suction structure of a vacuum container. The structure includes a pumping unit, a power supply, a vacuum releaser and a vacuum detector. The structure allows for automatic air suction, automatic detection, safety power disconnection and continuous vacuuming as well as easy operation. The present invention guarantees improved quality and convenient operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Inventor: Shiu-Chu Tsay
  • Patent number: 7549447
    Abstract: A pressure cap having a generally cylindrical hollow body with a semispherical cap having an orifice defined within and passing through said cap, a valve stem passing through and of smaller cross-section than the orifice, a valve member supported by the valve stem within the hollow body, a valve seat surrounding the inner end of the orifice and upon which the valve member is normally seated so as to close the orifice, and mateable threading to attach to an existing pipe, or attach by frictional fit. It may also have a rubberized flange to fit over a drain line for pressuring a drain and any of a variety of valve stem configurations to accommodate different pump systems and access requirements. Further, a method for clearing an obstructed pipe using a pressure cap as disclosed. In another embodiment a balloon is positioned within the pipe to receive pressurized air until bursting, thereby sending a blast of air down the pipe to clear obstructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Inventor: Joe Garbo
  • Patent number: 7481245
    Abstract: A plumbing end cap that is designed to assist a plumber in removing the air in an underground piping system just prior to testing the system with water. The end cap includes a small valve stem that is fixedly attached to the end cap prior to the end cap being attached to the terminal end of an open pipe. The end cap allows a plumber to eliminate the need to retest a closed system for leaks in the event the water level drops during such a test, due to air remaining in the closed system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Inventor: William C. Griffin
  • Patent number: 7395942
    Abstract: An improved wine bottle closure and vacuum pump apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus provides an improved bulb structure to be used for pumping and storage purposes, the bulb remaining with a closure plug even after pumping is completed and the wine is to be stored for later consumption. The bulb structure can be collapsed in two different positions including a first position that maintains overall height of the bulb structure and a second position that enables the bulb structure to be shortened in height as an optional feature. The bulb structure provides an enlarged central section that is much larger in diameter than the lower end portion. The lower end portion provides a closure plug for fitting the opening of a wine bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Inventor: James Michalopoulos
  • Patent number: 7380678
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lid (1) and a method of opening the lid which is used for closing a container (15) having means on the inner side of screwing on to the neck (2) of a container. Internally, the lid has an inner lid (5) which is secured in the lid (1) by at least one securing means. The object of the invention is to provide a lid which is easy to open without using a great force or by using a tool, and which may simultaneously be disposed of without significant environmental impact. This is achieved by a lid (1) whose collar (3) has at least one projection (13) which points radially toward the centre and which extends from the inner side of the collar (3), wherein, during unscrewing of the lid (1), the projection (13) presses the edge of the inner lid (5) at least at one point out of contact with the upper edge of the package neck. This ensures venting of the volume of the container with a relatively weak torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Lid System A/S
    Inventor: Lars Johnsen
  • Patent number: 7328730
    Abstract: A food storage container includes a lid with a vent hole, and a removable cover removably secured to the lid to cover the vent hole. The cover has an evacuation hole. The food storage container further includes a one-way air valve disposed between the vent hole and evacuation hole. When the cover is secured to the lid, the one-way air valve inhibits air flow into the container through the vent hole, and when the cover is not secured to the lid, the one-way air valve allows air flow into the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Montserrat Vilalta, Jose Millan, Juan Carlos Coronado, Mariano Penaranda, Antonio Rebordosa, Sergi Gili, Robert Rafols, Wolfgang Vorbeck, Helmut Franke, Alejandro Hernandez
  • Patent number: 7328548
    Abstract: A device comprising a plug positioned within a housing to regulate air within a container, for example, plastic storage containers or bags. The plug is positioned within the housing to occlude a port hole in the housing. The housing is positioned within a container so the port hole faces a wall of the container. A hole is created in the container above the port hole. To evacuate or inject air into the container, a hose adaptor with a specialized hose tip is connected to a vacuum or air hose. When inserted into the port hole, the hose tip temporarily displaces the plug from the port hole. Vents within the housing allow air to move through the housing and into or out of the hose tip. Removal of the hose tip allows the plug to resume position over the porthole to maintain the vacuum or air pressure within the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Inventor: Joseph M. Waldron
  • Patent number: 7325381
    Abstract: Devices comprising a plug positioned within a housing to regulate air within a container, for example, plastic storage containers or bags. One embodiment utilizes a plug that occludes an opening in a housing. The plug is displaced from the opening to inject or evacuate air from a container. An alternative embodiment utilizes a plug having air channels therein which can be sealed once air has been injected into or evacuated from a container. The devices are utilized with hose adaptors connected to vacuum or air hoses having specialized hose tips for coupling with the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Inventor: Joseph M. Waldron
  • Patent number: 7246555
    Abstract: Portable Vacuum Food Storage System with a housing that contains a vacuum pump, an on off power switch, a vacuum pressure switch and a plurality of rechargeable DC batteries. The top of the housing has a gripping member help the user to twist and fasten the housing onto a mating container lid. The housing has a bayonet type fastener at its lower center portion that mates to a receptacle located on the lid, the lid has a vacuum releasing member that can be pressed by the user to relieve the vacuum in the container. The vacuum housing is capable of resting on the lid in a stable manner so that the vacuum operation can take place unattended by the user. The vacuum lid is capable of fitting on standard TupperWare or Rubber Maid containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Shoot the Moon Products II, LLC
    Inventors: David B. Small, Pauls Rago
  • Patent number: 7163113
    Abstract: A member that positions a vent disc in an end of a container is provided. The member has at least one projection extending from the vent disc virtually solely for positioning the vent disc in its secured position in the end of a container. The at least one projection is located in the center portion of the vent disc and can be one projection, which extends from the vent disc at the center point of the vent disc. The projection can be of a geometrical shape that facilitates gripping and the handling of the vent disc, including rectangular, ellipsoidal or cylindrical shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Playtex Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Francis X. Manganiello, Charles John Renz, Joshua S. Lieberman
  • Patent number: 7131550
    Abstract: A lid for a food storage container includes a lid body with a vacuum sense opening and a vent opening extending through the lid body, a releasable cover disposed over the vent opening, and a pressure-indicating protrusion. The cover impedes air flow into the container through the vent opening until the cover is released. The pressure-indicating protrusion, which has a cavity in it, is in hydraulic communication with the container through the vacuum sense opening. The pressure-indicating protrusion contracts toward the vacuum sense opening in response to negative container pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Montserrat Vilalta, Jose Millan, Juan Carlos Coronado, Mariano Penaranda, Antonio Rebordosa, Sergi Gili, Robert Rafols
  • Patent number: 7048136
    Abstract: A canister lid includes a cover member adapted to cover a canister, thereby defining an interior of the canister. An evacuation valve is adapted to allow evacuation of the interior of the container. A vacuum release valve is adapted to allow venting of the interior of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignees: Tilia International, Inc., Unimark Plastics
    Inventors: Paul W. Havens, Glynn Clements
  • Patent number: 6994227
    Abstract: A vacuum container for preserving food is disclosed herein that includes a cover member for covering an upper part of a container member in which food is filled, a piston member equipped with the cover member and ascending and descending movable, and first and second valve members that alternately operate by a pumping operation using ascending and descending operation of the piston member to make a suction aperture and an exhaust aperture alternately open and close, thus discharging air from within the container member. Such operation allows the interior of the container member to become a vacuum state, thereby allowing food within the container member to be preserved for a longer time period, in a more sanitary manner, and a simple manufacture and a low manufacturing cost to provide users with convenience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Inventor: Man-Hyun Kwon
  • Patent number: 6976669
    Abstract: Shut-off valve, composed of a container (3) provided with valve seat (4), and also a valve body (2, 22, 42) that can be moved through the opening bounded by the valve seat (4), in order to provide a seal. The valve body (2, 22, 42) is provided with a conical or spherical shut-off edge and is connected to the container (3) by way of a flexible connecting part (5). This makes it possible to move the valve body (2, 22, 42) laterally, in other words perpendicular to the direction of closing, and in this way achieve an opening of the shut-off valve. The container (3) can comprise any construction known in the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Vacu Vin Innovations Ltd.
    Inventors: Jaco Matthijs Van Zijll Langhout, Arnoldus Willem Zweekhorst
  • Patent number: 6877629
    Abstract: Container for storing food products including a base defining a product support surface for supporting the food product and a cover releasably engaging with the base such that when the cover engages with the base, a storage compartment is defined by the cover and the base. The cover includes an air control unit for controlling air pressure in the storage compartment and a window extending downward from the air control unit to surround food products in the storage compartment. A product supported on the product support surface of the base is visible through the window when the cover engages with the base. By providing the window as part of the cover, the base is separable from the window to thereby expose the product support surface of the base so that cakes can be easily placed on the product support surface and then enclosed by the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Housewares America, Inc.
    Inventor: Debbie Jean Meyer
  • Publication number: 20040256348
    Abstract: There is provided a lid with a center panel, a rim portion, and a hinge portion for sealing a container. The rim portion is designed to fit around an opening of a container and includes an inner wall for engaging a surface of the container opening. The hinge portion connects the rim portion to the center panel and includes flex points to allow axial movement of the center panel and corresponding radial movement of the rim portion to alternate the lid between an unsealing position and a sealing position. The sealing position provides an improved seal between the inner wall of the rim portion of the lid and the container. The lid may be formed by a two shot mold process in which the hinge portion consists of a more compliant material than the center panel and rim portion. The, lid may also include a flexible barrier membrane for enhanced sealing of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Applicant: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Stevens, Lawrence E. Renck
  • Patent number: 6789690
    Abstract: A hose direct cannister lid includes a port that accepts a hose connected to a source of vacuum in order to evacuate a cannister to which the lid is connected. The hose direct cannister lid includes a first valve for exposing the cannister to the source of vacuum when the vacuum hose is secured to the lid, and wherein the first valve closes when the source of vacuum is removed in order to seal the lid and cannister from ambient. The hose direct cannister includes a second valve used to break the vacuum and expose the interior of the cannister to ambient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Tilia International, Inc.
    Inventors: Luther T. Nieh, Michael H. Tsao, Djabbar Moustafaev, Landen M. Higer
  • Patent number: 6726047
    Abstract: A resilient vacuum relief valve 52 is urged tightly on the lid stem 44 engaging the lid bottom 42 while encircling the vent 46 preventing air passage through the vent 46. The vacuum relief valve 52 is also formed of a pliable, resilient thermoplastic such as silicon and is in an inverted hat shape or dish shape as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 and includes a circumferential outwardly extending rim 54 on top that has sufficient resilience to deform when exposed to negative pressure. This arrangement provides an air tight seal when the lid 38 is inserted into the canister body 22 and while it remains stationary, however, when the lid 38 is pulled upwardly, negative pressure within the canister 20 is created, forcing the valve 52 to break its seal and relieve the newly created vacuum within the canister 20 allowing it to be easier to dislodge the lid 38 and preventing dispersal of powdered contents out of the canister 20 during lid removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Inventor: Shin-Shuoh Lin
  • Patent number: 6651834
    Abstract: A stopper for a bottle includes a resilient outer body having an axial bore, a rigid inner body disposed within the bore, and a valve actuator moveably disposed within an axial opening of the inner body. A lower flange portion of the outer body extends radially across the bore to an axial aperture having a sealing surface. The valve actuator has an upper operator portion connected to a lower valve body portion by a longitudinally extending shaft portion. The valve body portion is sealingly engageable with the sealing surface of the orifice to close the orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Hometec Limited
    Inventor: Chung Lun Wong
  • Patent number: 6644489
    Abstract: A container assembly includes a cover cap mounted detachably and sealingly on a container. The cover cap has a pump-mounting wall portion defining a pump-receiving chamber, an inlet formed in the pump-mounting wall portion and in fluid communication with the pump-receiving chamber and a storing space of the container, and a valve-mounting wall portion defining an opening which is in fluid communication with the storing space and the atmosphere. A pump member is disposed movably and sealingly in the pump-receiving chamber, and has an outlet in fluid communication with the pump-receiving chamber and the atmosphere. An urging member urges the pump member away from the inlet. First and second check valves are respectively mounted on the cover cap and the pump member for closing the inlet and the outlet of the pump-receiving chamber, respectively. An air-inlet valve is mounted on the pump member for closing the opening in the cover cap, and is operable to uncover the opening in the cover cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Inventor: Tai-In Chang
  • Patent number: 6637321
    Abstract: Disclosed is a bottle cap for vacuum preservation, comprising a cap main body consisting of a cylindrical cap tube inserted in a vessel, and a holder part extended from an end, located at a vessel inlet, of the cap tube; a piston airtightly inserted in the cap main body and axially sliding along the cap main body to release air in the vessel; and a valve member positioned in an end, located in the vessel, of the cap main body. The holder part is bent in such a way that its bent part is parallel to the cap tube, and the valve member opens and closes an air hole for introducing and releasing air in the vessel according to movement of the piston. The bottle cap can avoid disadvantages of deterioration of contents in the vessel, inconvenience of separately storing a pump, and loss of the pump. Furthermore, the vessel is readily vacuumized using the bottle cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Inventor: Soo chang Wang
  • Patent number: 6619493
    Abstract: A sealable container in the present invention has a container body and a cover closed on the container body and provided with a push button and a suction hole. The cover is combined with a release assembly and an outer cap therein. The release assembly includes a housing, a membrane piece, a covering piece and a follower. A combination of aforementioned components enables the sealable container of the present invention to be effectively proofed against moisture and mildew after the air in the container body is drawn to be a vacuumed state. When the cover is to be opened for taking out the food stored in the container body, it is only necessary to press the push button of the cover to release the vacuumed state in the container body, which is very convenient to open the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Heng-Te Yang
  • Patent number: 6520071
    Abstract: A hand-held suction pump for creating a vacuum in a container (2) provided with a suction valve (3), comprising an elongated outer casing in which an electric motor (7) and a piston pump (14, 15) driven by the motor (7) are accommodated, wherein the pump chamber (14) of the piston pump is connected by an inlet valve and a suction duct (28) to a hollow tip (34) at the free end of the casing for direct coupling with the suction valve of the container, the pump chamber being further connected by an outlet valve to an exhaust duct (29) having a duct opening on the outer surface of the wall of the outer casing for porting an exhaust flow to the exterior of the outer casing. In order to reduce noise caused by the exhaust flow, the duct opening of the exhaust duct (29) is overlapped by a baffle (38) which is separated by a gapped distance from the outer surface of the wall of the outer casing so as to deflect the exhaust flow exiting the duct opening by a substantial angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Aracaria B. .
    Inventor: Fabrizio Lanza
  • Patent number: 6513659
    Abstract: A preservation container for food and the like comprising a sealable container main body (2), to which a lid (3) is attached, an opening (5) connecting the inside and the outside is provided on the lid (3), and a gas non-permeable sheet (6) having a vent hole (7) at a position offset to the opening (5) is arranged to cover the opening (5). When the pressure inside the container is reduced, the sheet (6) is curved toward the inside at a part corresponding to the opening (5) and is adhered and retained on the outer surface of the lid (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignees: Santoku Inc., Mitsui Kanko Trading Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Ogura, Takakazu Hirata, Moriya Tanaka