U.S. patent application number 11/632713 was filed with the patent office on 2007-09-20 for vacuum vessel having improved airtightness.
Invention is credited to Doo-Whan Kang, Hyun-Ki Lee, Se-Jin Lee, Yi-Je Sung.
Application Number | 20070215510 11/632713 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35785428 |
Filed Date | 2007-09-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070215510 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sung; Yi-Je ; et
al. |
September 20, 2007 |
Vacuum Vessel Having Improved Airtightness
Abstract
Disclosed herein is a vacuum vessel, capable of maintaining the
freshness of food contained in the vessel for a lengthy period of
time by creating a vacuum in the vessel. The vacuum vessel includes
a main body (10) having along an edge thereof an annular
protrusion. A seat (15) is disposed in the main body to seat an
exterior receptacle containing food therein. A cover (20) covers
the main body, and includes a valve mount part and a packing groove
defined between inner and outer rings at a position corresponding
to the annular protrusion of the main body. A packing (25) is
fitted into the packing groove, and has an insert groove to engage
with the annular protrusion of the main body, and an extension part
to enhance a seal. A check valve (30)(130)(230) is mounted to the
valve mount part of the cover.
Inventors: |
Sung; Yi-Je; (Incheon-si,
KR) ; Kang; Doo-Whan; (Seoul, KR) ; Lee;
Se-Jin; (Seoul, KR) ; Lee; Hyun-Ki;
(Bucheon-si, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STEIN, MCEWEN & BUI, LLP
1400 EYE STREET, NW
SUITE 300
WASHINGTON
DC
20005
US
|
Family ID: |
35785428 |
Appl. No.: |
11/632713 |
Filed: |
January 28, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
January 28, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/KR05/00241 |
371 Date: |
January 18, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/524.8 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 79/005 20130101;
B65D 81/2015 20130101; A47J 47/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/524.8 |
International
Class: |
B65D 81/20 20060101
B65D081/20 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 23, 2004 |
KR |
10-2004-0057586 |
Jul 27, 2004 |
KR |
10-2004-0058656 |
Claims
1. A vacuum vessel, comprising: a main body having along an edge
thereof an annular protrusion; a seat disposed in the main body to
seat an exterior receptacle containing food therein, and comprising
a plurality of seating protuberances to protrude from a bottom of
the main body to a predetermined height; a cover covering the main
body, and comprising a valve mount part and a packing groove
defined between inner and outer rings at a position corresponding
to the annular protrusion of the main body; a packing fitted into
the packing groove, and comprising an insert groove to engage with
the annular protrusion of the main body, and an extension part to
enhance a seal; and a check valve mounted to the valve mount part
of the cover.
2. (canceled)
3. The vacuum vessel according to claim 1, wherein an anti-slip
member is attached to an upper surface of each of the seating
protuberances.
4. The vacuum vessel according to claim 1 wherein the check valve
is made of soft rubber or synthetic resin, and comprises: a knob;
an upper disc connected to the knob to cover a mount hole of the
valve mount part; a lower disc contacting a lower surface of the
valve mount part; a coupling part to couple the upper and lower
discs to each other, an outer diameter of the coupling part being
smaller than an inner diameter of the mount hole; and a space
defined in the valve.
5. The vacuum vessel according to claim 4, wherein a part of the
space defined in the knob comprises an expanded space, so that the
space is contracted and the knob is deformed when air is exhausted
from the vessel, thus allowing a user to easily confirm whether or
not a vacuum has been created in the vessel.
6. The vacuum vessel according to claim 4, wherein a part of the
space defined in the knob comprises a contracted space with a
reduced volume, so that the space is contracted and the knob is
deformed when air is exhausted from the vessel, thus allowing a
user to easily confirm whether or not a vacuum has been created in
the vessel.
7. The vacuum vessel according to claim 5, wherein a plurality of
prominences is provided on an upper surface of the knob.
8. The vacuum vessel according to claim 3, wherein the check valve
is made of soft rubber or synthetic resin, and comprises: a knob;
an upper disc connected to the knob to cover a mount hole of the
valve mount part; a lower disc contacting a lower surface of the
valve mount part; a coupling part to couple the upper and lower
discs to each other, an outer diameter of the coupling part being
smaller than an inner diameter of the mount hole; and a space
defined in the valve.
9. The vacuum vessel according to claim 6, wherein a plurality of
prominences is provided on an upper surface of the knob.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates, in general, to a vacuum
vessel which has a main body and a cover with a check valve, and
maintains the freshness of food contained in the vessel for a
lengthy period of time by creating a vacuum in the vessel. More
particularly, the present invention relates to a vacuum vessel,
which has a seat on the bottom of a main body, in consideration of
the case in which food is not put into the vacuum vessel itself but
an additional receptacle containing food therein is put into the
vacuum vessel, and which has a packing at a junction of the main
body and the cover, thus enhancing sealing ability, and which
improves the structure of a check valve provided on the cover, thus
allowing a user to easily confirm a vacuum state in the vessel.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Generally, a vacuum vessel is used to store food, such as
fruits or vegetables. That is, a vacuum is created by exhausting
air from a vessel body specified to a cover of the vacuum vessel or
another receptacle, so that variation of temperature in the vessel
body or receptacle is minimal, thus preventing the decay of food by
various airborne bacteria, and preventing the oxidation of food due
to a chemical reaction with air, therefore prolonging the storage
period of food and maintaining the freshness of food. Further, the
air evacuation operation allows the cover to be more firmly secured
to the vessel body, so that the cover is not easily opened. Thus, a
user does not need to worry about the spillage of contents out of
the vessel. Thereby, the vacuum vessel has been receiving
attention.
[0003] Up to now, people have made efforts to develop vacuum
vessels so that a vacuum is efficiently and conveniently
created.
[0004] Vacuum vessels are classified into two types according to a
pumping method, that is, a vacuum vessel using a cover and a vacuum
vessel using a pump.
[0005] In the former case, a cover covers a vessel body of the
vacuum vessel, and is compressed toward the bottom of the vessel
body while a check valve is opened, so that air is evacuated from
the vessel. Afterwards, the check valve is closed. For example,
Korean U.M. Registration No. 0253320 which is titled opening and
closing food case and was registered on Oct. 26, 2001, Korean U.M.
Registration No. 0269043 which is titled food receptacle having
air-tight/open type valve structure and was registered on Mar. 8,
2002, etc., have been proposed.
[0006] In the latter case, when a mouth of a pump comes into close
contact with the cover of the vacuum vessel and the pump is
actuated, a check valve is opened and a vacuum is created in the
vessel. For example, Korean U.M. Registration No. 0207009 which is
titled valve for vacuum vessel and was registered on Oct. 5, 2000,
and Korean U.M. Registration No. 0255744 which is titled vacuum
device for vessel and was registered on Nov. 16, 2001, etc., have
been proposed.
[0007] Further, a vacuum cover has been proposed as a kind of
vacuum vessel. The vacuum cover does not hold food therein, unlike
the vacuum vessel. The vacuum cover is configured to cover an
additional receptacle containing food therein, thus evacuating the
receptacle.
[0008] Various types of vacuum covers have been proposed, examples
of which are disclosed in Korean U.M. Registration No. 0245853,
titled vacuum cover and registered on Aug. 29, 2001, Korean U.M.
Registration No. 0271282, titled height adjustable vacuum cover and
registered on Mar. 27, 2002, and Korean U.M. Registration No.
0280872, titled vacuum cover and registered on Jun. 24, 2002.
According to Korean U.M. Registration No. 0355863, the vacuum cover
is constructed so that a packing is provided along an outer
circumference of the bottom of the cover and a check valve is
provided on an upper portion of the cover. Further, according to
Korean U.M. Registration No. 0371282, the vacuum cover has a
folding spiral ring and a spring, thus allowing the height of the
vacuum cover to be adjusted. Furthermore, Korean U.M. Registration
No. 0280872 provides a special packing means. According to the
cited document, an air-tight member, that is, a packing, is
provided on a seating surface contacting the lower surface of the
cover, or a protrusion is provided on the seating surface, and a
groove is provided on an outer circumference of the lower surface
of a main body of the cover to engage with the protrusion.
[0009] Various kinds of check valves are used for the conventional
vacuum vessels. However, a novel check valve which allows a user to
confirm the vacuum state of the vessel due to a change in shape of
the check valve has not been proposed yet.
DISCLOSURE
Technical Problem
[0010] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in
mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object
of the present invention is to provide a vacuum vessel having an
intermediate structure between a general vacuum vessel and a
general vacuum cover, which is constructed so that a lower unit,
that is, a main body of the vacuum vessel has a shape of a concave
bowl or pan, unlike a plate-shaped lower unit of a conventional
vacuum cover, and a seat protrudes from the bottom of the main body
to a predetermined height, thus allowing an exterior receptacle to
be easily put into or taken out of the main body.
[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
packing to enhance a seal, when a cover covers a main body.
[0012] A further object of the present invention is to provide a
check valve which can be universally utilized, in addition to being
adapted to the vacuum vessel of this invention. An external shape
of the check valve varies to allow a user to confirm the vacuum
state of the vacuum vessel with his/her naked eyes.
TECHNICAL SOLUTION
[0013] In order to accomplish the above objects, the present
invention provides a vacuum vessel, including a main body having
along an edge thereof an annular protrusion; a seat disposed in the
main body to seat an exterior receptacle containing food therein; a
cover covering the main body, and comprising a valve mount part and
a packing groove defined between inner and outer rings at a
position corresponding to the annular protrusion of the main body;
a packing fitted into the packing groove, and comprising an insert
groove to engage with the annular protrusion of the main body, and
an extension part to enhance a seal; and a check valve mounted to
the valve mount part of the cover.
[0014] According to this invention, the check valve is made of soft
rubber or synthetic resin, and includes a knob; an upper disc
connected to the knob to cover a mount hole of the valve mount
part; a lower disc contacting a lower surface of the valve mount
part; a coupling part to couple the upper and lower discs to each
other, an outer diameter of the coupling part being smaller than an
inner diameter of the mount hole; and a space defined in the
valve.
ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS
[0015] According to the present invention, a vacuum vessel has an
intermediate structure between a general vacuum vessel and a
general vacuum cover, and is constructed so that a lower unit, that
is, a main body of the vacuum vessel has a shape of a concave bowl
or pan, unlike a plate-shaped lower unit of a conventional vacuum
cover, and is provided with a seat, thus allowing an exterior
receptacle to be easily put into or taken out of the main body
using the seat.
[0016] Further, the vacuum vessel of this invention is provided
with a packing, thus enhancing a seal when a cover covers a main
body.
[0017] Furthermore, the vacuum vessel of this invention is provided
with a check valve having a space therein, thus allowing a user to
easily confirm the vacuum state of the vacuum vessel with his/her
naked eyes.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a vacuum vessel, according to
the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a main body of the vacuum vessel,
according to the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a check valve, according to
the present invention; and
[0021] FIGS. 4a and 4b are sectional views to show check valves,
according to modifications of FIG. 3.
DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS OF IMPORTANT PARTS
[0022] 10: main body [0023] 11: annular protrusion [0024] 13:
bottom [0025] 15: seat [0026] 20: cover [0027] 21: packing groove
[0028] 23: valve mount part [0029] 25: packing [0030] 30, 130, 230:
check valve [0031] 31, 131, 231: knob [0032] 33, 133, 233: upper
disc [0033] 35, 135, 235: coupling part [0034] 37, 137, 237: lower
disc [0035] 39, 139, 239: space
BEST MODE
[0036] The invention will be described in further detail with
reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same
reference numerals are used throughout the different drawings to
designate the same components.
[0037] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a vacuum vessel according to this
invention includes a main body 10 which is concave therein, like a
pan or a bowl. An annular protrusion 11 is provided along an edge
of the main body 10, and two handles 10a are provided on both sides
of the main body 10.
[0038] The vacuum vessel further includes a seat 15, which is the
first feature of this invention. The seat 15 is provided in the
main body 10 so that an exterior receptacle containing food therein
is seated in the main body 10. The seat 15 and the main body 10 may
be separately manufactured. However, referring to the drawing, the
seat 15 and the main body 10 are integrated into a single
structure.
[0039] The seat 15 includes a plurality of seating protuberances
15a, which protrudes from a bottom 13 of the main body to a
predetermined height. Particularly, three seating protuberances 15a
are provided at angular intervals of 120.degree. so as to stably
support the receptacle thereon. Further, an anti-slip member 15b
made of silicone, rubber, or synthetic resin is attached to an
upper surface of each seating protuberance 15a.
[0040] Such a seat 15 allows the exterior receptacle to be easily
put in and taken out of the main body.
[0041] Referring to FIG. 1, the vacuum vessel also includes a cover
20 to cover the main body 10. A valve mount part 23 is provided at
a predetermined position on the cover 20. A packing groove 21 is
provided along a lower end of the cover 20 at a position
corresponding to the annular protrusion 11 of the main body 10.
[0042] The packing groove 21 is defined between an outer ring 21a
and an inner ring 21b. A packing 25, which is the second feature of
this invention, is fitted into the packing groove 21. If necessary,
the packing 25 may be adhered to the packing groove 21 using an
adhesive.
[0043] The packing 25 includes an insert groove 25a which engages
with the annular protrusion 11 of the main body 10, and an
extension part 25b which covers the inner ring and/or the outer
ring of the cover 20 to enhance a seal. The drawing illustrates an
example where the extension part 25b of the packing 25 covers the
inner ring 21b.
[0044] Hereinafter, a check valve, which is the third feature of
this invention, will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3.
The check valve adapted to the vacuum vessel of this invention may
be universally utilized for other vacuum vessels.
[0045] The check valve according to this invention is mounted to
the valve mount part 23 provided on a central portion of the cover
20, and is made of soft rubber or synthetic resin. A projecting
part 20b provided around the valve mount part 23 protrudes from a
lower surface of a depressed part 20a to a predetermined height,
thus serving as a knob that allows a user to easily grasp the cover
20.
[0046] The upper portion of the valve mount part 23 is surrounded
by the projecting part 20b so as to prevent a user from
accidentally contacting the check valve, thus preventing a vacuum
of the vacuum vessel from being undesirably released.
[0047] According to the present invention, the check valve 30
includes a knob 31, an upper disc 33 connected to the knob 31 to
cover an upper portion of a mount hole 23a of the valve mount part
23, a lower disc 37 contacting a lower surface of the valve mount
part 23, and a coupling part 35. The coupling part 35 couples the
upper and lower discs 33 and 37 to each other, and has an outer
diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the mount hole 23a.
[0048] One or more air slits 23b are radially formed on a lower
portion of the valve mount part 23, which contacts the lower disc
37. The lower disc 37 functions to prevent the valve 30 from being
dislodged from the valve mount part 23.
[0049] The important characteristic of the check valve 30 according
to this invention is that the valve 30 has a space 39 therein.
[0050] The space 39 includes a passage 39a extending from the lower
disc 37 toward the knob 31. The passage 39a is expanded at the knob
31, thus providing an expanded space 39b.
[0051] After a vacuum has been created in the vacuum vessel, the
space 39 is contracted due to the expanded space 39b. Thereby, the
knob 31 is deformed, thus allowing a user to easily confirm whether
a vacuum exists in the vessel or not. Especially, when the valve 30
is colored, the color of the valve 30 becomes light or dark
according to the expansion or contraction of the knob 31.
Therefore, it is easier to confirm the vacuum state of the vacuum
vessel.
[0052] In order to more reliably indicate the vacuum state of the
vacuum vessel, a plurality of prominences 31a may be provided on an
upper surface of the knob 31. When the vessel is evacuated and the
knob 31 is deformed, gaps between the prominences 31a are
reduced.
[0053] FIGS. 4a and 4b show check valves, according to
modifications of FIG. 3.
[0054] A check valve 130 of FIG. 4a is different from the check
valve 30 of FIG. 3 in that an expanded space 139b has a cylindrical
shape, there is only one prominence 131a, and a space 139 extends
to the prominence 131a. The expanded space 139b allows the check
valve to be more easily pulled out of a mold after a molding
process has been completed, thus being convenient to manufacture,
in comparison with the check valve 30 of FIG. 3.
[0055] Further, a check valve 230 of FIG. 4b is different from the
check valve 30 of FIG. 3 in that a space 239b defined in a knob 231
has a multi-stepped cross-section and has a reduced volume. The
contracted space 239b allows the check valve to be more easily
pulled out of a mold, so that it is easier to manufacture the check
valve 230.
[0056] In order to evacuate the vacuum vessel according to this
invention, a method using a cover or a method using a pump may be
utilized.
[0057] For example, when the pump is utilized, the mouth of a pump
(when the pump has the shape of a syringe) or the nozzle of a pump
(when the pump is a motor-operated pump) is located to closely come
into contact with a portion around the check valve 30, especially,
the depressed part 20a. In such a state, the pump is operated to
generate a suction force. At this time, the upper disc 33 of the
valve 30 is raised up. After air flows from the interior of the
vacuum vessel through the slits 23b of the valve mount part 23, the
air is drawn through a gap between the coupling part 35 of the
valve 30 and the mount hole 23a to the pump.
[0058] When the vacuum has been created in the vessel and the pump
is separated from the vessel, the upper disc 33 closes the mount
hole 23a. At this time, the vacuum vessel is air-tightly sealed by
the extension part of the packing 24, especially, the inner
extension part 25b.
[0059] Further, when the vessel is evacuated, the knob 31 of the
check valve 30 is deformed due to the contraction of the expanded
space 39b. Moreover, the gaps between the prominences 31a are
reduced or the color of the knob 31 is changed due to the
contraction or expansion of the knob 31. Hence, it is easier to
confirm the state of the vacuum vessel.
[0060] When a user desires to release a vacuum from the vacuum
vessel, a user grasps the knob 31 of the valve 30 and lifts the
valve 30 up. At this time, the upper disc 33 is raised up, so that
air flows through the slits 23b into the vessel, after passing
through a gap between the mount hole 23a and the coupling part
35.
[0061] Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention
has been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the
art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and
substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and
spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying
claims.
[0062] The terms, "include", "comprise", "have", etc., used in the
specification and the claims do not limit the present invention,
but include various additives, components, combinations or
processes.
* * * * *