U.S. patent application number 11/266004 was filed with the patent office on 2006-06-08 for easy-pour canister with vacuum or process indicator and kinematic latches.
Invention is credited to Landen Higer.
Application Number | 20060118565 11/266004 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36573060 |
Filed Date | 2006-06-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060118565 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Higer; Landen |
June 8, 2006 |
Easy-pour canister with vacuum or process indicator and kinematic
latches
Abstract
Storage canisters that are specially adapted for use in the
packaging process are disclosed. Such canisters can include
latching mechanisms for latching the lid onto the base of the
canister in a locked position, an easy-pour mechanism, an
evacuation chamber, and either a process indicator or a vacuum
indicator. Some embodiments include an adjustable baffle.
Inventors: |
Higer; Landen; (Alameda,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PERKINS COIE LLP
P.O. BOX 2168
MENLO PARK
CA
94026
US
|
Family ID: |
36573060 |
Appl. No.: |
11/266004 |
Filed: |
November 2, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60624751 |
Nov 2, 2004 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/580 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 81/2015 20130101;
B65D 79/005 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/580 |
International
Class: |
B65D 81/24 20060101
B65D081/24; B65D 25/10 20060101 B65D025/10 |
Claims
1. A storage canister for use with a vacuum packaging appliance,
said storage canister comprising: a base that encompasses a main
cavity of said canister; a lid for covering said base and removably
detached therefrom, wherein said lid includes any one of: a vacuum
indicator; and a process indicator.
2. The storage canister of claim 1, further including a vacuum
chamber that is associated with said process indicator.
3. The storage canister of claim 1, wherein said vacuum indicator
is adapted for indicating whether a vacuum exists in said main
cavity.
4. The storage canister of claim 3, wherein said vacuum indicator
comprises a flexible membrane.
5. The storage canister of claim 4, wherein said flexible membrane
of said vacuum indicator: deforms into a concave surface relative
to a surface of said lid when an interior pressure in said main
cavity is lower than an ambient pressure that is extant outside of
said storage canister; deforms into a convex surface relative to
said surface of said lid when said interior pressure is higher than
said ambient pressure; and remains undeformed when said interior
pressure is substantially equal to said ambient pressure.
6. The storage canister of claim 2, wherein said process indicator
is adapted for indicating whether a vacuum exists in said vacuum
chamber.
7. The storage canister of claim 2, wherein said vacuum chamber is
separated from said main cavity and said vacuum chamber includes a
valve for allowing gasses to pass from said vacuum chamber into
said main cavity.
8. The storage canister of claim 1, wherein said process indicator
comprises a flexible membrane.
9. The storage canister of claim 8, wherein said flexible membrane
of said process indicator: deforms into a concave surface relative
to a surface of said lid when an interior pressure in said vacuum
chamber is lower than an ambient pressure that is extant outside of
said storage canister; remains undeformed when said interior
pressure is substantially equal to said ambient pressure.
10. The storage canister of claim 1, wherein said lid further
includes a vacuum port.
11. The storage canister of claim 1, wherein said lid further
includes kinematic latches for securing said lid to said base,
wherein said kinematic latches are associated with a first venting
mechanism.
12. The storage canister of claim 11, wherein said lid further
includes: an easy-pour mechanism, wherein said easy-pour mechanism
includes a second venting mechanism for venting said main cavity, a
pour-hole, and a hinged flap that pivots between an open and closed
position over said pour-hole.
13. The storage canister of claim 11, wherein said first venting
mechanism includes a right-hand side vent-hole and a left-hand side
for venting said main cavity when said lid includes said process
indicator.
14. The storage canister of claim 13, wherein said kinematic
latches include gaskets adapted for sealing said right-hand side
vent-hole and said left-hand side for venting said main cavity.
15. The storage canister of claim 11, wherein said first venting
mechanism includes: a right-hand side vent-hole and a left-hand
side vent-hole for venting said main cavity; and a right-hand side
vacuum chamber vent-hole and left-hand side vacuum chamber
vent-hole for venting said vacuum chamber, when said lid includes
said vacuum indicator.
16. The storage canister of claim 15, wherein said kinematic
latches include gaskets adapted for sealing: said right-hand side
vent-hole and said left-hand side vent-hole for venting said main
cavity; and said right-hand side vacuum chamber vent-hole and
left-hand side vacuum chamber vent-hole for venting said vacuum
chamber.
17. The storage canister of claim 11, wherein said venting
mechanism includes: a right-hand side vent-hole and a left-hand
side vent-hole for venting said main cavity; and a right-hand side
vacuum chamber vent-hole for venting said vacuum chamber.
18. The storage canister of claim 17, wherein said kinematic
latches include gaskets adapted for sealing: said right-hand side
vent-hole and said left-hand side vent-hole for venting said main
cavity; and said right-hand side vacuum chamber vent-hole for
venting said vacuum chamber when said lid includes said vacuum
indicator.
19. The storage canister of claim 1, further includes a baffle
adapted for varying an interior storage volume of said storage
canister.
20. The storage canister of claim 19, wherein said baffle can be
pulled in a downwardly direction towards a bottom portion of said
storage canister when reducing said interior storage volume of said
storage canister.
21. The storage canister of claim 19, wherein said baffle can be
pulled in a upwardly direction towards a top portion of said
storage canister when increasing said interior storage volume from
a previously reduced interior storage volume of said storage
canister.
22. The storage canister of claim 19, wherein said baffle includes
a valve for evacuating said interior storage volume of said storage
canister.
23. The storage canister of claim 19, wherein said baffle is
adapted for being stretched into an extended position for reducing
said interior storage volume of said storage canister.
24. The storage canister of claim 19, wherein said baffle is
adapted for being shrunk from a previously extended position for
increasing said interior storage volume from a previously reduced
interior storage volume of said storage canister.
25. The storage canister of claim 19, further includes a ratchet
mechanism adapted for use with said baffle for varying said
interior storage volume, wherein said baffle can be held in a
selected position using notches of said ratchet mechanism.
26. The storage canister of claim 25, wherein said baffle is
structurally flexible for moving between said notches of said
ratchet mechanism.
27. The storage canister of claim 25, wherein said baffle has two
halves that are connected together by a hinged portion and such
that said baffle can be folded along said hinged portion.
28. The storage canister of claim 25, wherein said ratchet
mechanism is along two opposite walls that partly define said
interior storage volume.
29. The storage canister of claim 25, wherein said ratchet
mechanism occupies a circumferential surface area of walls that
define said interior storage volume.
30. An ice-cream canister for use with a vacuum packaging
appliance, said ice-cream canister comprising: an inner storage
container that is removable from said ice-cream canister for
cleaning; and a baffle adapted for reducing an internal volume of
said inner storage container, wherein said baffle includes a valve
for use with said vacuum packaging appliance in evacuating gases
from said internal volume.
31. A canister for use with a vacuum packaging appliance, said
canister comprising: a baffle adapted for reducing an internal
volume of said canister, wherein said baffle includes a valve for
use with said vacuum packaging appliance in evacuating gases from
said canister. a lid, wherein said lid includes any one of: a
vacuum indicator; and a process indicator.
32. A canister for use with a vacuum packaging appliance, said
canister comprising: a lid that includes kinematic latches for
securing said lid to a base of said canister, wherein said
kinematic latches are associated with a first venting mechanism for
venting said canister; and an easy-pour mechanism, wherein said
easy-pour mechanism includes a second venting mechanism for venting
said canister.
33. A canister for use with a vacuum packaging appliance, said
canister comprising: a kinematic latch means for securing a lid to
a base of said canister; a first venting means associated with said
kinematic latch means for venting said canister; an easy-pour
means; and a second venting means associated with said easy-pour
means for venting said canister.
34. A canister for use with a vacuum packaging appliance, said
canister comprising: a kinematic latch means for securing a lid to
a base of said canister; a venting means associated with said
kinematic latch means; and a vacuum indicator means for indicating
whether a vacuum exists is said canister.
35. A canister for use with a vacuum packaging appliance, said
canister comprising: a kinematic latch means for securing a lid to
a base of said canister; a venting means associated with said
kinematic latch means; a vacuum chamber means; and a process
indicator means for indicating whether a vacuum exists is said
vacuum chamber means.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/624,751, filed on Nov. 2, 2004.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention generally relates to vacuum packaging
appliances. More particularly, the invention is directed to an
easy-pour canister with either a vacuum indicator or a process
indicator and kinematic latches for use with vacuum packaging
appliances.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Vacuum packaging is a process for removing oxygen and other
gases from containers holding food and other products that
deteriorate in the presence gases. For example, food spoilage can
occur due to oxidation. Thus, vacuum packaging can extend the life
of products that deteriorate in the presence of gases by removing
nearly all of the gases in a sealed container in which such
products are stored.
[0004] Storage canisters may be used for the vacuum packaging
process. However, such canisters need to be specially adapted for
use in the packaging process. For example, such canisters would
ideally 1) allow for convenient evacuation of gases, 2) maintain a
vacuum seal, 3) allow for easy venting of the interior of the
canister to ambient atmosphere, and 4) allow for easy access to the
contents of the canister.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and
not by way of limitation.
[0006] FIG. 1A is a cross sectional view of a canister with a
specialized lid adapted for use in vacuum packaging processes,
according to certain embodiments;
[0007] FIG. 1B is a cross sectional view of a canister with a
specialized lid adapted for use in vacuum packaging processes,
according to certain other embodiments;
[0008] FIG. 2A illustrates an exploded cross sectional view of an
evacuation chamber, and vacuum indicator of a canister lid;
[0009] FIG. 2B illustrates an exploded cross sectional view of an
evacuation chamber, and vacuum chamber of a canister lid;
[0010] FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded cross sectional view of an
easy-pour mechanism in a canister lid;
[0011] FIG. 4 is an exploded cross sectional view of a left-hand
side latching mechanism;
[0012] FIG. 5A is an exploded cross sectional view of a right-hand
side latching mechanism; and
[0013] FIG. 5B is an exploded cross sectional view of a right-hand
side latching mechanism used in conjunction with a vacuum
chamber.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0014] An easy-pour canister with either a vacuum indicator or a
process indicator and kinematic latches for use with vacuum
packaging appliances is described. In the following description,
for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set
forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present
invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art
that the present invention may be practiced without these specific
details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are
shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily
obscuring the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 1A is a cross sectional view of a canister 100 with a
specialized lid adapted for use in vacuum packaging processes,
according to certain embodiments. Canister 100 includes a base 102
and a lid 106. Base 102 has substantially rigid walls. Base 102 may
be made of any material suitable for use in a vacuum packaging
process for food storage. Typically, such materials are machine or
hand washable and may have anti-bacterial properties.
[0016] Lid 106 includes latching mechanisms 112a and 112b, an
easy-pour mechanism 105, an evacuation chamber 110 with evacuation
port 128, and a vacuum indicator 119. The latching mechanisms 112a
and 112b are for latching lid 106 onto base 102 in a locked
position. The latching mechanisms 112a and 112b are described in
greater detail infra with reference to FIG. 4, FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B.
Easy-pour mechanism 105 allows for easy access to the contents of
the canister. For example, rather than uncovering the canister
first by unlatching latching mechanisms 112a and 112b and then
lifting lid 106 away from base 102, the easy pour-mechanism ca be
peeled open in order to pour out the contents of the canister. The
easy-pour mechanism 105 is described in greater detail infra with
reference to FIG. 3.
[0017] During an evacuation operation, lid 106 is fastened to base
102 by the latching mechanisms 112a and 112b. The lid may include a
gasket around the perimeter of the lid 106 so as to create a static
seal when lid 106 is latched to base 102. A vacuum hose from a
vacuum packaging appliance (not shown) is inserted in vacuum port
128 over evacuation chamber 110 to remove gases from interior 104.
The evacuation chamber 110 is described in greater detail infra
with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B. The vacuum indicator 119 is
described in greater detail with reference to FIG. 2B. The
evacuation operation is described in greater detail with reference
to FIG. 2A.
[0018] FIG. 2A illustrates an exploded cross sectional view of an
evacuation chamber, and vacuum indicator of a canister lid. The
evacuation operation is described with reference to the
inter-operation of various components of lid 206 as shown in FIG.
2A. Lid 206 is assumed to be in a closed position over base 202
prior to the commencement of the evacuation operation. Latch
mechanisms, such as latch mechanism 212a, includes a gasket 231.
Gasket 231 operates to seal vent-hole 214 when the latch is in the
locked position. During the evacuation operation, a vacuum hose
(not shown) from a vacuum packaging appliance is inserted in vacuum
port 228 over evacuation chamber 210.
[0019] Gases from interior 204 of the canister are pulled from
interior 204 up through a valve 224 into evacuation chamber 210,
and into the vacuum hose (not shown). Specifically, the gases are
pulled from interior 204 through the vent-holes 226. Valve 224 is
such that gases from outside the canister are prevented from
entering interior 204, either at all times, or at least post
evacuation. The evacuation of gases from interior 204 causes a
differential pressure to develop between interior 204 and the
extant ambient conditions outside the canister. The differential
pressure operates to maintain valve 224 in a closed position to
seal vent-holes 226.
[0020] The vacuum indicator 219 may be made of a flexible membrane
that deforms into a concave surface relative to the surface of lid
206 when the gases are substantially evacuated from interior 204.
If at a later time, it is desired to open the canister, either or
both latch mechanisms on lid 206 may be lifted. For example, in
FIG. 2A, when latch mechanism 212a is lifted, gasket 231 is pulled
away from vent-hole 214. Thus, interior 204 is brought in contact
with the ambient atmosphere and the pressure in the canister
becomes substantially the same as the ambient pressure. When the
interior 204 is brought in contact with the ambient atmosphere,
vacuum indicator 219 substantially returns to its original
undeformed state, absent any plastic deformation.
[0021] It is to be noted that, over a period of time, the contents
that were vacuum packaged in the canister may emit gasses. For
example, food products often release gasses in the natural process
of biological degradation. As a result, the gasses that are
released within the canister destroy the vacuum state in the
canister. Such released gasses will cause the vacuum indicator 219
to substantially return to its original undeformed state. Further,
the amount of released gases may be considerable so as to cause the
flexible membrane of vacuum indicator to deform into a convex
surface relative to the surface of the lid. The convex surface
would indicate that the pressure in the canister is greater than
the extant ambient pressure outside the canister. However, the
latching mechanism allows the lid to remain locked onto the base of
the canister despite the higher pressure within the canister.
Further, the latching mechanism may be lifted so as to allow the
gasses in the canister to escape through the vent-hole, such as
vent-hole 214.
[0022] FIG. 1B is a cross sectional view, according to another
embodiment, of a canister 150 with a specialized lid adapted for
use in vacuum packaging processes. In FIG. 1B, lid 106 includes
latching mechanisms 112b and 112c, an easy-pour mechanism 105, an
evacuation chamber 110 with evacuation port 128, a process
indicator 118, and a vacuum chamber 108.
[0023] Latching mechanism 112c of FIG. 1B differs from the latching
mechanism 112a of FIG. 1A due to the presence of the vacuum chamber
108. In brief, latching mechanism 112c is adapted for venting both
the interior 104 and vacuum chamber 108 to the ambient atmosphere.
The differences between latching mechanism 112c and latching
mechanism 112c are further described with reference to FIG. 5A and
FIG. 5B. The process indicator is described in greater detail with
reference to FIG. 2B.
[0024] FIG. 2B illustrates an exploded cross sectional view of an
evacuation chamber, and a vacuum chamber of a canister lid. The
evacuation operation is described with reference to the
inter-operation of various components of lid 209 as shown in FIG.
2B. Lid 209 is assumed to be in a closed position over base 202
prior to the commencement of the evacuation operation. Latch
mechanisms, such as latch mechanism 213a includes a gasket 230.
Gasket 230 operates to seal vent-holes 214 and 216 when the latch
is in the locked position. Vent-hole 214 is for contacting the
atmosphere in the interior of vacuum chamber 208 with the ambient
atmosphere that is extant in the environment exterior to the
canister. Vent-hole 216 is for contacting the atmosphere in the
interior 204, which is the main cavity of the canister, with the
ambient atmosphere that is extant outside the canister. Thus, the
vacuum state within the vacuum chamber and the main cavity of the
canister can be destroyed by simply lifting latch 213 away from
base 202.
[0025] During the evacuation operation, a vacuum hose (not shown)
from a vacuum packaging appliance is inserted in vacuum port 228
over evacuation chamber 210. Gases from the vacuum chamber 208 as
well as from interior 204 of the main cavity of canister are pulled
up through the valve 224 into evacuation chamber 210, and into the
vacuum hose (not shown). Specifically, gases from vacuum chamber
208 are pulled down into the main cavity 204 through the valve 220
through the vent-holes 222. The gasses in the main cavity are in
turn pulled up through the valve 224 into evacuation chamber 210,
and into the vacuum hose.
[0026] When a vacuum is created in vacuum chamber 208, the process
indicator 218, which may be made of a flexible membrane, deforms
into a concave surface relative to the surface of lid 209. The
purpose of the process indicator is to indicate whether the
canister has been opened since the last evacuation operation that
was performed on the canister.
[0027] To explain, assume that the some food products are vacuum
packaged in a canister with a specialized lid as illustrated in 2B.
Upon completion of the vacuum packaging process, a vacuum is
created in vacuum chamber 208 and main cavity 204. The vacuum in
vacuum chamber 208 causes the process indicator 218 to deform into
a concave surface relative to the surface of lid 209. Assume that
the canister remains unopened for a period of time after
evacuation. Further assume that during that period of time, the
food products in the canister have emitted gasses into the main
cavity of the canister. The emitted gasses are prevented from
entering the vacuum chamber 208 due to the valve 220. The emitted
gasses in the main cavity causes the pressure in the main cavity to
be higher than the pressure in the vacuum chamber. The differential
pressure causes the valve 220 to seal the vent-holes 222, thus
preventing the emitted gasses from penetrating the vacuum chamber.
Thus, despite the gas emissions from the food products in the
canister, the process indicator can indicate whether the canister
has been opened since the last evacuation operation that was
performed on the canister.
[0028] In certain other embodiments, the vacuum chamber extends
from the right-hand side latch mechanism to the left-hand side
latch mechanism, while bypassing and separated from the evacuation
chamber. In such embodiments, there is pair of vent-holes such as
vent-holes 214 and 216 on associated with the right-hand side latch
mechanism and the left-hand side latch mechanism.
[0029] FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded cross sectional view of an
easy-pour mechanism in a canister lid. The easy-pour mechanism
includes a flap 356 fixed to the lid 306 at point 357. Flap 356
includes a hinge 354. An anterior flap portion 356a of flap 356 has
a gasket 362 for sealing vent-hole 360 when flap 356 is in the
closed position. Further, flap 356 includes a posterior flap
portion 356b that is disposed over an opening 358 in lid 306, when
flap 356 is in the closed position. A gasket 364 around the
perimeter of opening 358 maintains a static seal when flap 356 is
in the closed position. The opening 358 is the pour-hole and opens
into main cavity 304 of the canister.
[0030] Such an easy-pour mechanism allows for quick easy access to
previously vacuum packaged contents in the canister. To illustrate
the operation of the easy-pour mechanism, assume that the canister
was previously vacuum packaged to create a vacuum in the main
cavity 304. The differential pressure between the inner surface
356i and outer surface 356o of flap 356 makes the flap difficult to
peel open but for the anterior flap portion 356a and hinge 354.
Hinge 354 allows for the anterior flap portion 356a can be peeled
back with relative ease to lift gasket 362 away from vent-hole 360.
When gasket 362 is lifted away from vent-hole 360, the vacuum
within main cavity 304 is destroyed and thus eliminates the
differential pressure between the inner surface 356i and outer
surface 356o of flap 356. Flap 356 can then be easily peeled back
to uncover opening 358 for easy-pour access.
[0031] FIG. 4 is an exploded cross sectional view of left-hand side
latching mechanism 400. Latching mechanism 400 includes a latch
piece 412 that is hinged to lid 406 at location 411. Latch piece
412 is designed to catch on to a lip portion 403 of base 402 of the
canister. Latch piece 412 includes a gasket 430 for sealing
vent-hole 417. Vent-hole 417 exposes the interior portion 404 of
the canister to ambient conditions that are extant outside the
canister.
[0032] FIG. 5A is an exploded cross sectional view of right-hand
side latching mechanism. Latching mechanism 500 includes a latch
piece 512 that is hinged to lid 506 at location 511. Latch piece
512 is designed to catch on to a lip portion 503 of base 502 of the
canister. Latch piece 512 includes a gasket 530 for sealing
vent-hole 514. Vent-hole 514 exposes the interior portion 504 of
the canister to ambient conditions that are extant outside the
canister.
[0033] Some embodiments include only a left-hand side latching
mechanism, while other embodiments include only a right-hand side
latching mechanism. Still other embodiments include both a
left-hand side and a right-hand side latching mechanisms.
[0034] FIG. 5B is an exploded cross sectional view of right-hand
side latching mechanism used in conjunction with a vacuum chamber.
The latching mechanism of FIG. 5B includes a latch piece 512 that
is hinged to lid 506 at location 511. Latch piece 512 is designed
to catch on to a lip portion 503 of base 502 of the canister. Latch
piece 512 includes a gasket 530 for sealing vent-hole 514 and
vent-hole 516. Vent-hole 514 exposes the interior portion of vacuum
chamber 508 to ambient conditions that are extant outside the
canister. On the other hand, vent-hole 516 exposes the interior
portion 504 of the canister to ambient conditions that are extant
outside the canister. Such a latching mechanism is used in
embodiments that include a vacuum chamber as described herein.
[0035] According to certain embodiments, a storage canister, such
as an easy-pour canister, can include a baffle such that the baffle
can be positioned to be in contact with the surface of the product
stored in the container. For purposes of explanation, assume that
the canister is used for storing a product such as ice cream.
Further assume that the amount of ice product stored in the
canister is such that the product fills only a fraction of the
interior storage volume of the canister. The baffle can be lowered
to be in contact with substantially the entire top surface of the
product in the canister in order to reduce freezer burn, for
example.
[0036] FIG. 6A is a simplified longitudinal cross-sectional view of
a storage canister that includes a baffle. View 600 of the storage
canister shows a base 602, an inner container 606, a lid 604, and a
baffle 614. Base 602 includes a supporting rim-like appurtenance
622 on which baffle 614 can be supported. Lid 604 includes a
latching mechanism 610 for latching lid 604 to base 602. Latching
mechanism 610 (610a and 610b) includes gasket 612 for sealing vent
hole 620. FIG. 6A shows only one vent hole at latch 610a. However,
there may exist a similar vent hole at latch 610b. Vent hole 620 is
for venting the interior volume of the canister when it is desired
to lift lid 604 from base 602 in order to uncover base 604. Lid 604
also includes a vacuum port 616 that works in conjunction with
valve 618, which valve 618 is a component of baffle 614. A vacuum
hose (not shown) may be inserted in vacuum port 616 for pulling
gases from the interior up through a valve 618 when evacuating the
interior of the canister. Baffle 614 can be stretched such that
baffle portion 614b is in close contact with the surface of product
608 in inner container 606. Baffle portion 614b as shown in FIG. 6A
is not completely stretched out. In contrast, the baffle portion
614c is in a stretched configuration such that the baffle extends
downward to meet the surface of product 608. The baffle is adapted
for various configurations and may vary from implementation to
implementation. Inner container 606 is detachably removable from
base 602 for ease of cleaning or replacement. The canister of FIG.
6A may also include an easy pour mechanism (not shown), and a
vacuum indicator (not shown).
[0037] FIG. 6B illustrates view 650 that is similar to view 600 of
FIG. 6A. However, in FIG. 6B, baffle 614 is in a configuration
whereby baffle portion 614b is substantially stretched out so as to
lie flat against the top surface of product 608. Baffle portion
614c as shown in FIG. 6B may be stretched further in order to meet
the surface of product 608 in the event that the amount of product
in the canister is decreased.
[0038] FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view of a base of a canister
that illustrates one configuration of a ratchet mechanism that is
adapted for use with a baffle. In FIG. 7A, view 700 shows a
canister base 704. Side walls 712 and 714 of canister base 704 are
configured to include notches 706 that make up the ratchet
mechanism. FIG. 7A also shows a plate-like baffle 702 that is
supported in position by notches 706. Notches 706 are shown to be
saw-shaped. Plate-like baffle 702 may be of a flexible material
such that baffle 702 can be flexed either to move baffle 702 from
notch to notch or to remove baffle 702 from base 704. The
configuration of plate-like baffle 702 may vary from implementation
to implementation.
[0039] FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of a base of a canister
that illustrates another configuration of a ratchet mechanism. In
FIG. 7B, view 725 shows notches 708 to be crenellation-shaped.
[0040] FIG. 8A is transverse cross-sectional view of a canister
base that illustrates placement of a notching mechanism in the
canister base. In FIG. 8A, view 850 shows that canister base 852
has notches 854 along two diametrically opposite locations along
the inner wall of canister base 852. FIG. 8B shows an alternate
configuration for placement of a notching mechanism in the canister
base. In FIG. 8B, view 875 shows that notches 880 cover the inner
circumference of the canister base 878. In other words, if the
canister base were cylindrical in shape, the notches would form an
inner cylinder that is concentric with the cylindrical canister
base. It is to be noted that the canister base is not restricted to
any particular shape and thus may vary from implementation to
implementation.
[0041] FIG. 9A is a side view of a plate-like baffle. FIG. 9A shows
that baffle 910 has two components 910a and 910b that are hinged by
hinge 912. In FIG. 9A, baffle 910 is in a bent configuration that
is used when moving the baffle along notches in a ratchet mechanism
as previously described. FIG. 9B shows baffle 910 is a flat
configuration that is used when fitting baffle 910 in the notches
of the ratchet mechanism.
[0042] In the foregoing specification, embodiments of the invention
have been described with reference to numerous specific details
that may vary from implementation to implementation. The
specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an
illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.
* * * * *