U.S. patent application number 11/029991 was filed with the patent office on 2006-07-06 for oxygen absorbing appliance.
This patent application is currently assigned to Lifetime Hoan Corporation. Invention is credited to Bob H.P. Cheng.
Application Number | 20060144811 11/029991 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36639165 |
Filed Date | 2006-07-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060144811 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cheng; Bob H.P. |
July 6, 2006 |
Oxygen absorbing appliance
Abstract
An oxygen absorbing appliance includes a container body having a
bottom wall, a peripheral wall and a peripheral rim. The appliance
further includes a closure member to matingly engage the peripheral
rim. The appliance further includes an oxygen absorber composition
for removing oxygen within the container and an oxygen detector
circuit for indicating the presence or absence of oxygen.
Inventors: |
Cheng; Bob H.P.; (WangChai,
HK) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JENKENS & GILCHRIST, PC
1445 ROSS AVENUE
SUITE 3200
DALLAS
TX
75202
US
|
Assignee: |
Lifetime Hoan Corporation
Westbury
NY
|
Family ID: |
36639165 |
Appl. No.: |
11/029991 |
Filed: |
January 5, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
215/222 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 51/30 20130101;
B65D 81/268 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
215/222 |
International
Class: |
B65D 55/02 20060101
B65D055/02 |
Claims
1. An oxygen absorbing appliance comprising: a container body
including a bottom wall, a peripheral wall and a peripheral rim; a
closure member having a peripheral edge adapted to matingly engage
the peripheral rim; an oxygen absorber composition; and an oxygen
detector circuit.
2. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the container body is adapted
for storing products.
3. The appliance of claim 2, wherein the products comprise food
articles.
4. The appliance of claim 3, wherein the products comprise
beverages.
5. The appliance of claim 2, wherein the container body is made
from plastic.
6. The appliance of claim 5, wherein the container body is
substantially transparent.
7. The appliance of claim 6, wherein the container body is
substantially translucent.
8. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the container body is made
from aluminum.
9. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the oxygen absorber
composition is adapted for absorbing oxygen from a space within the
container body.
10. The appliance of claim 9, wherein the oxygen absorber
composition comprises a mixture of powdered iron and charcoal.
11. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the oxygen absorber
composition is placed on a carrier and placed within the
container.
12. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the oxygen detector circuit
further includes: a zinc-air battery that reacts with oxygen to
produce a potential difference across a plurality of electrodes of
the battery; an electronic device for detecting the potential
difference; and a response indicator providing an oxygen indication
responsive to the detected potential difference.
13. The appliance of claim 12, wherein the electronic device
comprises a DC voltage sensor.
14. The appliance of claim 13, wherein the response indicator
comprises a Light Emitting Diode (LED) that emits light responsive
to the presence of oxygen.
15. The appliance of claim 13, wherein the response indicator
comprises a buzzer that produces a buzzing sound responsive to the
presence of oxygen.
16. An oxygen detector circuit comprising: a zinc-air battery that
reacts with oxygen to produce a potential difference across a
plurality of electrodes of the battery; an electronic device for
detecting the potential difference; and a response indicator
providing an oxygen indication responsive to the detected potential
difference.
17. The circuit of claim 16, wherein the potential difference is
compared to a threshold voltage by the electronic device.
18. The circuit of claim 17, wherein when the potential difference
exceeds the threshold voltage, the electronic devices generates an
output signal.
19. The circuit of claim 18, wherein the electronic device
comprises a DC voltage sensor.
20. The circuit of claim 19, wherein the response indicator
comprises a Light Emitting Diode (LED) that emits light responsive
to the presence of oxygen.
21. The circuit of claim 20, wherein the response indicator
comprises a buzzer that produces a buzzer sound responsive to the
presence of oxygen.
22. An apparatus for retarding oxidation of wine that partially
fills a container formed with an opening through which the wine can
be poured, the apparatus comprising: a closure member for mating
with the opening; an oxygen absorber composition placed at a first
region within the closure member; and an oxygen detector circuit
placed at a second region within the closure member.
23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the container body comprises
a bottle.
24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the closure member is shaped
to mate with a mouth portion of the container.
25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the closure member is shaped
to represent a wine glass.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] The present invention relates in general to food/beverage
preservation appliances and more specifically to appliances for
absorbing oxygen from air or any other substance within a product
storage container. In particular, the present invention relates to
an oxygen absorbing appliance having a storage container, an oxygen
absorber composition, and an oxygen detector circuit for detecting
the presence or absence of oxygen in the container.
[0003] 2. History of Related Art
[0004] Many products are susceptible to putrefaction, mold growth,
spoilage, rancidity, oxidation, or other deterioration when brought
into contact with oxygen. Examples of such objects include beer,
wine, juice, vinegar, sauces, seasoning, processed foods, bread,
produce, meats, and certain pharmaceuticals and chemicals, among a
variety of other products. Preservation of such products is
disturbed when molds, bacteria, and other organisms that thrive in
the presence of oxygen are present. These organisms cause the
putrefaction and change in the taste or quality of the products. To
prevent such oxidation and growth of organisms and thus increase
the preservation stability of those products, oxygen must be
removed from a product storage container.
[0005] One technique for avoiding or reducing the presence of
oxygen is vacuum packaging. This process involves evacuating the
container before placing the product in the container. Another
technique is gas displacement. According to this technique, an
inert gas (e.g., nitrogen) is used to displace the air and hence
the oxygen in the container. This displacement of air can be
performed before or after the product is placed in the
container.
[0006] Another technique for reducing the presence of oxygen is a
foaming method. In particular, the foaming method is applicable to
products such as beer. According to this method, a jet foamer can
be used to inject a small amount of pressurized water to foam the
beer after charging the beer into the container. The foam functions
as a mechanical deoxidizer, forcing the oxygen from the
container.
[0007] A more efficient technique for oxygen removal involves
placing an oxygen absorbent in the container with the product. The
oxygen absorbent is placed on an underside of a cap and is held in
place by a cover layer of gas permeable film that prevents contact
between the absorbent and the contents of the container.
[0008] None of the prevalent prior art solutions provide an
effective means for providing a physical response to monitor the
level of oxygen present in the container without actually opening
the lid of the container.
[0009] Therefore, there is a need for a means for providing a
physical response or a physical indication such that a user can
monitor the level of oxygen present in the container.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] An oxygen absorbing appliance includes a container body
having a bottom wall, a peripheral wall and a peripheral rim. The
appliance further includes a closure member to matingly engage the
peripheral rim. The appliance further includes an oxygen absorber
composition for removing oxygen within the container and an oxygen
detector circuit for detecting and providing an indication of the
presence or absence of oxygen.
[0011] In another embodiment of the present invention an apparatus
for retarding oxidation of wine or other beverages within a
container is disclosed. The apparatus includes a closure member for
mating with an opening of the container. The apparatus further
includes an oxygen absorber composition placed at a first region
within the closure member and an oxygen detector circuit placed at
a second region within the closure member for detecting and
providing an indication of the presence or absence of oxygen.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] A more complete understanding of the present invention may
be obtained by reference to the following Detailed Description of
Exemplary Embodiments of the Invention, when taken in conjunction
with the accompanying Drawings, wherein:
[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of an oxygen absorbing
appliance illustrating an oxygen absorber composition and an oxygen
detector circuit therein;
[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates in detail components of the oxygen
detector circuit;
[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates a sectional view of a zinc-air
battery;
[0016] FIG. 4 illustrates a diagram of a circuit of a DC voltage
sensor;
[0017] FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of an alternate embodiment of
the oxygen absorbing appliance;
[0018] FIG. 6 a side elevational view of an alternate embodiment of
the oxygen absorbing appliance;
[0019] FIG. 7 illustrates a sectional view of a closure member;
[0020] FIG. 8 illustrates a side elevational view of a storage
appliance according to an alternate embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0021] FIG. 9 illustrates a side elevational view of the storage
appliance according to another alternate embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0022] Embodiment(s) of the invention will now be described more
fully with reference to the accompanying Drawings. The invention
may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be
construed as limited to the embodiment(s) set forth herein. The
invention should only be considered limited by the claims as they
now exist and the equivalents thereof.
[0023] With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to
FIGS. 1-5 thereof, a novel oxygen absorbing appliance embodying the
principles and concepts of the present invention and generally
designated by the reference numeral 100 will be described. While
the embodiments described herein are intended as an exemplary
oxygen absorbing appliance 100 for absorbing oxygen present in the
atmosphere of a food storage container, it will be appreciated by
those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited
for absorbing oxygen from the air in the container, and may be
employed for absorbing oxygen from any substance in the container
(e.g., beverages or other products as described herein).
[0024] Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, an embodiment of the oxygen
absorbing appliance 100 of the present invention will be described
in detail. The oxygen absorbing appliance 100 includes a container
body 102 and an associated closure member 104 (e.g., lid, cap,
etc.). The container body 102 further includes a bottom wall 108
and a peripheral wall 106 with a rim 114 extending about the
periphery of the container body 102. The closure member 104 is
formed with a top surface 116 and a surrounding peripheral rim 118
which is designed to mate with the rim 114 of the container body
102.
[0025] The oxygen absorbing appliance 100 of the present invention
further includes an oxygen absorber composition 110. According to
an embodiment of the present invention, the term "oxygen absorber
composition" in the specification relates to an agent for absorbing
or removing oxygen present in the interior atmosphere of the
container 102. According to another embodiment of the present
invention, the oxygen absorber composition 110 is also capable of
removing oxygen from a substance or product within the container
102 (e.g., beverages). The oxygen absorber composition 110
comprises a mixture of powdered iron mixed with charcoal. The iron
may be hydrogen-reduced iron, electrolytically reduced iron, or
chemically reduced iron. Typically, the composition 110 of iron
powder and charcoal are mixed together and then placed on a
suitable carrier such as a piece of cotton cloth, gas permeable
film, a piece of cotton gauze, a cotton ball, or any other suitable
carrier.
[0026] The appliance 100 further includes an oxygen detector
circuit 112 which will be described in detail with reference to
FIGS. 2-4. The circuit 112 produces an electrical current in the
presence of oxygen and powers a response indicator 206 (e.g., LED,
buzzer, etc.). In the absence of oxygen or when the level of oxygen
in the container is insignificant, the circuit 112 does not produce
the electrical current and thus does not power the response
indicator 206. In short, when the response indicator 206 is
activated, the level of oxygen within the container 102 is
significant, while the level of oxygen is insignificant when the
response indicator 206 is deactivated.
[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates the oxygen detector circuit 112 in
further detail. The circuit 112 comprises a battery 202 which
functions as an oxygen sensor and a reference voltage source.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the battery
202 comprises a zinc-air battery. The circuit 112 further includes
an electronic device 204 functioning as a voltage comparator and
operable to provide a current signal to a response indicator 206 in
the presence of oxygen. The response indicator 206 provides a
visual, mechanical, audio, or an electromagnetic response
indicating presence or absence of oxygen within the container 102.
The details of the zinc-air battery 202, the oxygen detector
circuit 112, and the response indicator 206 will now be described
with reference to FIGS. 3-4.
[0028] FIG. 3 illustrates in detail a sectional view of the
zinc-air battery 202 according to the present invention. According
to an embodiment of the present invention, the zinc-air battery 202
functions as an oxygen sensor. The battery 202 is comprised in its
most general form of a plastic or ceramic battery casing 302
divided into two sides, that is an anode side 304 and a cathode
side 306. The battery 202 further illustrates a separating membrane
308 which divides and separates the anode side 304 and the cathode
side 306. The anode 304 is usually comprised of granulated powder
mixed with electrolyte and often employs a gelling agent to cause
contact between the electrolyte and the zinc granules. The cathode
306 comprises of a zinc lump. The battery 202 comprises a strip of
tape which prevents air from entering the battery 202. Once the
tape is removed, oxygen from the air diffuses into the battery 202
through a plurality of holes, resulting in an open-circuit
potential of approximately 1.4V across the electrodes. When current
is drawn from the battery 202, a chemical reaction takes place that
attempts to maintain the open-circuit voltage. Zinc is consumed at
the cathode 306 while oxygen is consumed at the anode 304 by the
following reactions: Zn(metal).fwdarw.Zn+2e
O.sub.2+2H.sub.2O+4e.fwdarw.DC
[0029] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
zinc-air battery 202 produces electrochemical energy or an electric
current by using oxygen from the air within the container 102. When
there is sufficient amount of oxygen present in the container 102,
the battery 202 produces a voltage which is compared to a threshold
voltage by the electronic device 204. When the battery voltage
exceeds the threshold voltage, the electronic device 204 generates
an output signal to activate the response indicator 206. However,
if all the oxygen has been absorbed or the level of oxygen has
fallen to an insignificant level, the battery voltage drops below
the threshold voltage because there is no chemical reaction and the
device 204 does not produce the output signal. Thus, the response
indicator 206 remains deactivated.
[0030] FIG. 4 illustrates in greater detail the electronic device
204 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The
electronic device 204 comprises a DC voltage sensor 400 for
detecting the voltage across the zinc-air battery 202 and comparing
that voltage to the threshold. The DC voltage sensor 400 only
measures the voltage across the zinc-air battery 202 and receives
minimal power from the battery 202 itself. According to an
embodiment of the present invention, the DC voltage sensor 400 is
powered by a set of alkaline batteries connected to the V.sub.DD
and GND terminals. The response indicator 206 is a common feature
for the voltage sensors and is connected to the O.sub.UT terminal.
The response indicator 206 can be a simple analog display or gauge,
a numeric or alphanumeric readout, an audio output or any other
means to indicate the presence of the desired voltage. The response
indicator 206 is capable of providing a physical response which
includes visual, mechanical, audio, and electromagnetic responses.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the response
indicator 206 comprises a Light Emitting Diode (LED) that can be
connected to the electronic device 204 to emit light and provide a
visual response in the presence of oxygen.
[0031] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
the response indicator 206 comprises a buzzer which provides an
audible indication of the presence or absence of oxygen. According
to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the response
indicator 206 comprises a vibration means which provides a
mechanical indication to the presence or absence of oxygen.
[0032] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
oxygen absorber 110 and the detector circuit 112 as illustrated in
FIG. 1 may be adapted to be placed on an underside of the closure
member 104 of the container 102. Typically, the oxygen absorber
composition 110 (mixture of powdered iron mixed and charcoal) is
mounted on a suitable carrier such as a piece of cotton cloth,
gauze, cotton ball or film. According to an embodiment of the
present invention, the carrier and the circuit 112 are retained on
the underside of the closure member 104 by some type of a retainer
means. Additionally, it may be desirable to encase the carrier and
circuit 112 within an oxygen permeable plastic film to prevent
contact with the contained product (e.g., food articles). The film
(gas permeable film) has a plurality of fine openings or holes and
is gas-permeable, but water-impermeable. According to an embodiment
of the present embodiment, the size of openings in the film may be
in the range of 0.01-0.45 microns. The oxygen permeable film may be
made of plastics, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and the
like. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
closure member 104 can be formed from a variety of different
materials such as plastics (polyvinylchloride, polystyrene, or
polycarbonate) and may be substantially transparent or translucent.
According to yet another exemplary embodiment, the closure member
104 can be formed from a metallic material (e.g., aluminum).
[0033] The composition 110 (mixture of powdered iron mixed and
charcoal) on the carrier is adapted for absorbing oxygen from the
air within the container 102 thereby to prevent oxidation of the
contents within the container 102. When the composition 110 is
exposed to air, the composition will create a chain reaction. In
the first step, iron reacts with oxygen from the air within the
container 102 to produce ferric oxide and heat. This phenomenon is
referred to as rusting and is illustrated by the following
equation: 4Fe+3O.sub.2.fwdarw.2Fe.sub.2O.sub.3
[0034] As the reaction continues, heat is produced, and at a
certain temperature, carbon reacts with oxygen from the air to
produce carbon dioxide and more heat. The reaction of carbon with
oxygen is illustrated by the following equation:
C+O.sub.2.fwdarw.CO.sub.2
[0035] Since the rusting process increases the temperature, a chain
reaction takes place until all the iron is used up to remove oxygen
within the container 102 and produce rust. The chain reaction
further stops when oxygen is no longer present.
[0036] The container 102 according to an embodiment of the present
invention can be formed from a variety of different materials such
as plastics (polyvinylchloride, polystyrene, or polycarbonate) and
may be substantially transparent or translucent. According to yet
another exemplary embodiment, the closure member 104 can be formed
from a metallic material (aluminum). According to embodiments of
the invention, the contents can include: fresh food articles, such
as fruits, vegetables, etc.; dried food articles, such as dried
raisins, prunes, etc.; preserved food articles, such as cereal,
coffee, etc.; and other substances, such as, for example,
aspirin.
[0037] FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of the present
invention. Typically, the oxygen absorber composition 110 (mixture
of powdered iron mixed and charcoal) will be mounted on a suitable
carrier such as a piece of cotton cloth, gauze, cotton ball or
film. The oxygen absorber 110 and the oxygen detector circuit 112
may be adapted to be placed on an underside of the bottom wall 108
of the container 102. Additionally, it may be desirable to encase
the carrier/composition 110 and the circuit 112 by means of a cover
layer of gas permeable plastic film 502 to protect the
carrier/composition 110 and the circuit 112 to come in contact with
food articles placed in the container 102.
[0038] According to another embodiment of the present invention, it
has been found that the oxygen absorbing appliance 100 as discussed
earlier has a very beneficial use in withdrawing oxygen from a
container containing beverages. FIG. 6 illustrates an alternate
embodiment of an oxygen absorber appliance 600 for removing oxygen
from beverages (e.g., wine, beer, etc.). The oxygen absorbing
appliance 600 includes a container body 602 which in this case is a
bottle for holding beverages. The appliance 600 further includes a
closure member (e.g., cap) 604 for the container 602. According to
an embodiment of the present invention, the closure member 604 is
shaped to represent a wine glass. However, the closure member 604
can be of any shape so long that it is designed to mate with a
mouth of the container 602.
[0039] The oxygen absorbing appliance 600 of the present invention
further includes an oxygen absorber composition (similar to the one
disclosed earlier) for absorbing or removing oxygen present from
the beverage present in the container 602. The oxygen absorber
comprises a mixture of powdered iron mixed with charcoal.
Typically, the composition of iron powder and charcoal are mixed
together and placed on a suitable carrier such as a piece of cotton
cloth, gas permeable film, piece of cotton gauze, or any other
suitable carrier. The composition of iron powder and charcoal on
the carrier is placed in a region within the closure member 604,
the details of which will be described with reference to FIG.
7.
[0040] The appliance further includes an oxygen detector circuit
112 as disclosed earlier with respect to FIGS. 2. The circuit 112
is retained on a region within the closure member 604. In the
presence of oxygen, the circuit 112 produces an electrical current
which powers a response indicator (e.g., LED, buzzer, etc.). In the
absence of oxygen, or when the level of oxygen is insignificant,
the circuit 112 does not produce the electrical current and thus
does not power the response indicator. Thus, when the response
indicator is activated, the level of oxygen in the container 602 is
significant while the level of oxygen is insignificant when the
response indicator is deactivated.
[0041] FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the closure
member 604. The closure member 604 comprises a chamber 702 where
the composition 110 of iron powder and charcoal resides. The bottom
region 706 of the closure member 604 is shaped to receive a mouth
of the container 602 and is dimensioned to fit snugly within the
mouth of the container 602 with a pressure fit. The closure member
further includes a gas permeable film 704. The film 704 has a
plurality of fine openings or holes and is gas-permeable, but
liquid-impermeable. The gas-permeable film 704 allows oxygen from
the beverage container 602 to pass through such that it can be
absorbed by the oxygen absorber composition 110. The closure member
604 further includes the oxygen detector circuit 112 placed on an
upper region 706 within the closure member 604. The circuit 112
comprises a zinc-air battery 202, an electronic circuit 204 and a
response indicator 206 (FIG. 2). The oxygen detector circuit 112
functions in a similar manner as disclosed with reference to FIGS.
2-4.
[0042] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
zinc-oxide battery 202 produces an electric current by using oxygen
from the beverage in the container 602. When there is sufficient
amount of oxygen present in the container 602, the battery produces
a voltage which is compared to a threshold voltage by the
electronic device 204. When the battery voltage exceeds the
threshold voltage, the device 204 generates an output signal to
activate the response indicator 206. However, if all oxygen has
been absorbed or the level of oxygen has fallen to an insignificant
level, the battery voltage drops below the threshold voltage
because there is no chemical reaction and the device 204 does not
produce the output signal. Thus, the indicator 206 remains
deactivated. According to an embodiment of the present invention,
the indicator 206 can be a LED that lights up in the presence of
the current signal and can be placed at any region on the closure
member 604 such that it is clearly visible when activated.
[0043] According to embodiments of the present invention, a food
storage container and a beverage container (bottle) have been
disclosed. However, the novel concept as discussed above can be
applied to any other container that can be of any size and shape
for the purpose of storing food/beverage articles. Additionally,
the novel concept of embodying an oxygen absorber circuit can be
utilized in various forms and types of storage appliances that are
available. As an exemplary embodiment, a few variations of the
storage containers are illustrated in FIGS. 8-9.
[0044] The previous Detailed Description is of embodiment(s) of the
invention. The scope of the invention should not necessarily be
limited by this Description. The scope of the invention is instead
defined by the following claims and the equivalents thereof.
* * * * *