U.S. patent application number 11/395296 was filed with the patent office on 2007-10-04 for membrane for closing containers in general, and a product preservation device comprising said membrane.
Invention is credited to Bruno Meroni.
Application Number | 20070228051 11/395296 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38557296 |
Filed Date | 2007-10-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070228051 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Meroni; Bruno |
October 4, 2007 |
Membrane for closing containers in general, and a product
preservation device comprising said membrane
Abstract
The membrane (1) for closing containers in general comprise a
body (2) of elastic material defining a portion (3) for its
retention on said container (4) and a portion (5) for closing this
latter. The membrane comprises an unidirectional valve (6)
co-moulded with the body (2) for discharging the air contained in
the container (4) to the outside. The food product preservation
device comprises a container (4) to receive the food products (26)
and a lid (27) for their protection. The device also comprises the
membrane (1) interposable between the container (4) and the lid
(27).
Inventors: |
Meroni; Bruno; (Lodi,
IT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OBLON, SPIVAK, MCCLELLAND, MAIER & NEUSTADT, P.C.
1940 DUKE STREET
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22314
US
|
Family ID: |
38557296 |
Appl. No.: |
11/395296 |
Filed: |
April 3, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/580 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2543/0037 20130101;
B65D 2543/00092 20130101; B65D 81/2038 20130101; B65D 79/005
20130101; B65D 43/0218 20130101; B65D 81/2015 20130101; B65D
2543/00296 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/580 |
International
Class: |
B65D 81/24 20060101
B65D081/24 |
Claims
1. A membrane (1) for closing containers in general, comprising a
body (2) of elastic material defining a portion (3) for its
retention on said container (4) and a portion (5) for closing this
latter, the membrane comprising valving means (6) comprising a
unidirectional valve co-moulded with said body (2) for discharging
the air contained in said container (4) to the outside.
2. A membrane (1) as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said
valve (6) is positioned on the closure portion (5) of the membrane
(1), at the union border (5a) between the same closure portion (5)
and the retention portion (3).
3. A membrane (1) as claimed in one or more of the preceding
claims, characterised in that said valve (6) presents at least one
thickened portion (13) presenting a conduit (14) which defines said
inner port (11), and an end portion (15) presenting a slit (16)
extending between an end (17) of said conduit (14) and the outside
(18), said slit (16) being openable by the effect of mechanical
stresses, to enable air to pass.
4. A membrane (1) as claimed in one or more of the preceding
claims, characterised in that said unidirectional valve is
connectable to suction means.
5. A membrane (1) as claimed in one or more of the preceding
claims, characterised in that said valve (6) is at least partially
connected to said retention portion (3) of said body (2).
6. A membrane (1) as claimed in one or more of the preceding
claims, characterised in that said body (2) presents a connection
channel (7) between said valve (6) and the interior (8) of said
container (4).
7. A membrane (1) as claimed in one or more of the preceding
claims, characterised in that said channel (7) is defined by ribs
(9) which extend to the side of an inner port (11) of said valve
(6) along an inner surface (12) of said retention portion (3).
8. A membrane (1) as claimed in one or more of the preceding
claims, characterised in that said slit (16) is realised by a
blade, to guarantee the perfect sealing of the valve.
9. A membrane (1) as claimed in one or more of the preceding
claims, characterised in that said closure portion (5) presents a
substantially convex profile.
10. A membrane (1) as claimed in one or more of the preceding
claims, characterised in that said closure portion (5) presents a
plurality of undulations (21) substantially parallel to the
perimeter of said closure portion (5).
11. A membrane (1) as claimed in one or more of the preceding
claims, characterised in that said closure portion (5) is
substantially circular, said undulations (21) also being circular
and concentric.
12. A membrane (1) as claimed in one or more of the preceding
claims, characterised in that said retention portion (3) presents
at least one perimetral rib (22) which extends along its outer
surface.
13. A membrane (1) as claimed in one or more of the preceding
claims, characterised in that a central zone of the closure portion
(5) has a strengthening (5b).
14. A membrane (1) as claimed in one or more of the preceding
claims, characterised in that said strengthening (5b) is made up a
more thickness of the membrane.
15. A membrane (1) as claimed in one or more of the preceding
claims, characterised by being applicable to a container by pushing
the sides of the valve to open it and to keep it in open
configuration and, at the same time, pushing the closure portion
(5) of the membrane.
16. A membrane (1) as claimed in one or more of the preceding
claims, characterised in that, when it is applied, the vapour
developing in the container to which it is applied during the
warming and the air which during warming increases its volume are
discharged through the valve (6).
17. A food product preservation device comprising a container (4)
to receive said food products (26) and a lid (27) for their
protection, characterised by comprising, interposable between said
container (4) and said lid (27), a membrane (1) comprising a body
(2) of elastic material defining a portion (3) for its retention on
said container (4) and a portion (5) for closing this latter, said
membrane (1) comprising at least one valve (6) for discharging the
air contained in said container (4) to the outside.
18. A device as claimed in the preceding claim, characterised in
that said lid (27) presents a first seat (28) for the passage of
said valve (6).
19. A device as claimed in claim 17 or 18, characterised in that
said lid (27) presents a second seat (29) enabling said containers
(4) to be stacked one on another.
20. A device as claimed in one or more of claims 17 and onwards,
characterised in that said unidirectional valve is associable with
suction means (25).
21. A device as claimed in one or more of claims 17 and onwards,
characterised in that said container (4) presents a substantially
horizontal perimetral free edge (30) on which said membrane can
grip, said retention portion (3) of said membrane (1) presenting at
least one horizontal part (31) which rests against said horizontal
edge (30) of said container (4) and a substantially U-bent part
(32) which locks said membrane (1) onto said container (4).
22. A device as claimed in one or more of claims 17 and onwards,
characterised by comprising a separation grid (40) interposable
between said food products (26) and said membrane (1).
23. A device as claimed in one or more of claims 17 and onwards, to
characterised in that said grid (40) presents, for separating said
food product (26) from said membrane (1), a surface (41) from which
legs (42) extend.
24. A device as claimed in one or more of claims 17 and onwards,
characterised in that said surface (41) presents a free edge (43)
which is inserted as an exact fit into the container (4) so as to
completely separate the food product (26) from the membrane and
prevent the existence of regions where direct contact can occur.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a membrane for closing
containers in general, and a product preservation device comprising
said membrane. Foods are known to be often preserved in containers
provided with a protection lid.
[0002] However the air present under the lid causes rapid
deterioration of the food product, even if stored in a
refrigerator.
[0003] To obviate this drawback, membranes have been developed to
seal the container and isolate it completely from the outside.
[0004] However even in this case the air (and hence the oxygen)
present in the container and causing deterioration of the food
product cannot be eliminated.
[0005] Hence in practice, traditional membranes do not ensure food
product preservation for a sufficiently long period.
[0006] Moreover although traditional membranes present elastic
properties, it is extremely difficult to stretch them to enable
them to be applied to the container.
[0007] The technical aim of the present invention is therefore to
provide a membrane for closing containers in general and a product
preservation device comprising said membrane which enable the
stated drawbacks of the known art to be eliminated.
[0008] Within the scope of this technical aim, an object of the
invention is to provide a membrane and device which enable foods to
be preserved for even very lengthy time periods without undergoing
degradation.
[0009] Another object of the invention is to provide a membrane
which can be easily applied to the container without having to
exert too high a force; in this manner, a housewife can also easily
and quickly apply the membrane, without risk of suffering pain.
[0010] The technical aim, together with these and further objects,
are attained according to the present invention by a membrane for
closing containers in general and a product preservation device
comprising said membrane, in accordance with the accompanying
claims.
[0011] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will
be more apparent from the ensuing description of a preferred but
non-exclusive embodiment of the membrane and of the preservation
device comprising said membrane according to the invention,
illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a silicone membrane
according to the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a cross-section through a membrane of the present
invention;
[0014] FIG. 3 is an enlarged section through a valve of the
membrane of FIG. 2;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a view from the interior of the membrane of FIG.
2;
[0016] FIG. 5 shows a membrane and a container being connected
together;
[0017] FIG. 6 shows a membrane partly connected to the
container;
[0018] FIG. 7 shows a membrane connected to the container before
air is drawn from its interior;
[0019] FIG. 8 shows a membrane connected to the container while air
is being drawn from its interior;
[0020] FIG. 9 is a section through the container with the membrane
applied, after the air has been completely removed from its
interior;
[0021] FIG. 10 is a section through a different container with the
membrane applied, after the air has been completely removed from
its interior;
[0022] FIG. 11 is a cross-section through a different embodiment of
the membrane according to the invention;
[0023] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a grid to be positioned on
the container when vacuum has been created;
[0024] FIG. 13 shows a container in which vacuum has been created,
provided with the grid shown in FIG. 12;
[0025] FIG. 14 shows a section through the membrane according to
the invention in a further embodiment; and
[0026] FIG. 15 shows an example of application of the membrane of
FIG. 14.
[0027] With reference to said figures, these show a membrane,
indicated overall by the reference numeral 1, for closing
containers in general.
[0028] The membrane 1 comprises a body 2 of elastic material, such
as silicone.
[0029] The body 2 defines a portion 3 for its retention on a
container 4 and a portion 5 for closing said container 4.
[0030] The membrane 1 comprises valving means consisting of a valve
6 unidirectional, arranged to release the air contained in the
container 4.
[0031] In an embodiment the valve is positioned on the closure
portion 5 of the membrane 1, at the union border 5a between the
same closure portion 5 and the retention portion 3.
[0032] That allows a closure portion 5 substantially free to be had
to act on that by an hand and at the same time allows the valve 6
in a zone enough rigid to be had (FIGS. 14, 15).
[0033] Moreover, in this manner the valve 6 is maintained far from
the central zone of the closure portion 5 which is that intended to
go first in contact with the food.
[0034] In a different embodiment, (FIG. 2) the valve 6 is connected
at least partially to the retention portion 3 of the body; such an
embodiment is particularly advantageous when the valve cooperate
with suction means such as for example a small vacuum pump or an
aspirator, because such a configuration allows the aspirator or
pump to be securely rested and retained during air extraction from
the interior of the container 4.
[0035] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the body 2 presents a connection
channel 7 between the valve 6 and the interior 8 of the container
4.
[0036] The channel 7 is defined by two parallel ribs 9 which extend
to the side of an inner port 11 of the valve 6 along an inner
surface 12 of the retention portion 3; the ribs 9 also suitably
extend onto the closure portion 5.
[0037] Advantageously, the valve 6 is co-moulded with the body 2
and presents at least one thickened portion 13 presenting a conduit
14 which defines the inner port 11.
[0038] In addition, an end portion 15 of the valve 6 presents a
slit 16 extending between an end 17 of the conduit 14 and the
outside 18; advantageously the slit 16 is realised by a blade, to
guarantee the perfect sealing of the valve.
[0039] Under normal conditions the slit 16 is closed (maintained in
the closed configuration by the internal stresses generated by its
structure) and can be opened, to enable air to pass, by the effect
of mechanical stresses caused by the pump or aspirator or by manual
action (by laterally squeezing the valve).
[0040] Advantageously, the closure portion 5 presents a
substantially convex profile, as indicated by the axis 19, and is
provided with a plurality of undulations 21 substantially parallel
to the perimeter of the closure portion 5 to provide the membrane
with greater extensibility.
[0041] In particular, as shown in the accompanying figures, the
closure portion 5 is substantially circular, the undulations 21
also being circular and concentric.
[0042] In addition, the retention portion 3 presents perimetral
ribs 22 which extend along its outer surface.
[0043] The central zone of the closure portion 5 has a
strengthening 5b, for example made up a more thickness of the
membrane; that allows to act on the membrane by an hand limiting
the risk of breaking the same membrane.
[0044] The operation of the membrane according to the invention is
apparent from that described and illustrated, and is substantially
as follows.
[0045] The membrane 1 is applied to a container 4 as indicated in
FIGS. 5-7.
[0046] Specifically, the membrane 1 is stretched in opposite
directions, indicated by the arrows F1 in FIG. 5.
[0047] The membrane 1 is then partly mounted on the container 4 and
finally completely drawn over the container 4 as indicated by the
arrow F2.
[0048] If the air is to be discharged manually (i.e. without pump
or aspirator assistance) it is enough to push by a hand the sides
of the valve and to open it and to keep it in open configuration
and, at the same time, push with the other hand the closure portion
5 of the membrane (preferably at the strengthening 5b) to lay down
against the inner walls of the container (making the air contained
in the same container to go out).
[0049] The same membrane is even utilisable together with a pump or
aspirator.
[0050] If a pump or aspirator are allowable, a vacuum pump or
aspirator (of which only a tube 25 for connection to the membrane
is shown) is connected to the valve 6, as shown in FIG. 7.
[0051] As the air contained in the interior of the container 4 (in
particular the air contained between the container 4 and the
membrane 1) is drawn off, the membrane 1 deforms until it adheres
to the walls of the container 4 and to the food products contained
therein.
[0052] For example, FIG. 9 shows this situation; in this figure the
food products are indicated by the reference numeral 26.
[0053] Advantageously, the membrane 1 allows the use of containers
having a structure not reinforced to withstand the high vacuums and
stresses generated within the container when the air is drawn out
(to create the vacuum); in this respect, it is the membrane 1
itself which deforms, so preventing the container being subjected
to high stresses.
[0054] Moreover the food products can be solid or liquid of any
type.
[0055] When the membrane 1 is applied, the container can even be
put in a traditional or microwave oven (without the risk of its
breakage), because the vapour developing during the warming and the
air which during warming increases its volume are discharged
through the valve 6.
[0056] The present invention also relates to a device for
preserving food products.
[0057] This device (shown for example in FIG. 10) comprises the
container 4 for receiving the food product 26 and a lid 27 for
protecting the membrane 1.
[0058] The device comprises the membrane 1, interposed between the
container 4 and the lid 27.
[0059] Advantageously, the lid 27 presents a first seat 28 for
passage of the valve 6 (in the example this seat is lateral) and a
second seat 29 enabling the containers 4 to be stacked safely one
on another.
[0060] Two utilization examples of the membrane according to the
present invention are described hereinafter.
[0061] In a first example the membrane is used in a domestic
environment.
[0062] For example the membrane is used to close containers such as
saucepans, bowls or jars containing food products (for example the
left-overs from a lunch or dinner).
[0063] These food products can be either liquid or solid, in both
cases the membrane adhering to them to ensure their preservation
under vacuum and their retention without the risk of accidental
leakage.
[0064] In a second example, the membrane of the present invention
can also be used at the industrial or semi-industrial and
professional level.
[0065] For example the described membrane and device of the
invention can be used in catering to facilitate food product
distribution and the preservation of left-over food products after
said distribution within a restaurant or canteen.
[0066] In this example the food products are prepared in a central
facility and sent from there to various restaurants, canteens or
other distribution points, contained in containers of predetermined
dimension.
[0067] The lid 27 and membrane 1 are removed in the restaurant or
canteen, after which the containers 4 are inserted into tanks (not
shown) containing hot water for their heating.
[0068] In this manner the food products can be distributed hot.
[0069] After their distribution the food products can be preserved
by repositioning the membrane 1 and lid 27 and replacing the
container 4 in a suitable place.
[0070] Advantageously, they can be preserved in the actual
containers used for their transportation, as preservation (achieved
by the absence of air) is ensured by the membrane.
[0071] Existing containers can also be used or adapted, as they do
not have to withstand high stresses when their interior is put
under vacuum (it being the membrane which deforms).
[0072] Catering containers are known to possess a horizontal
perimetral free edge 30 on which the membrane can grip.
Consequently, the retention portion 3 of the membrane 1 presents a
horizontal part 31 which rests against the horizontal edge 30 and a
U-bent part 32 which locks the membrane onto the container 4.
Advantageously, the valve 6 is positioned on the horizontal part 31
of the retention portions 3; ribs 9 are also provided in this case,
to enable the valve 6 to communicate with the interior of the
container.
[0073] It is also known that contact of the membrane 1 with certain
food products 26 can alter the taste of such food products; this is
evidently unpleasant for the consumer.
[0074] In other cases, sharp-pointed food products (such as chicken
or other meat with projecting bones) can damage the membrane 1 or
tear it.
[0075] For these reasons, in such cases it is advisable to hinder
direct contact of the food products 26 with the membrane 1.
[0076] This is achieved by positioning within the container grids
40 for example of metal or plastic; the grid 40 presents, for
separating the food product 26 from the membrane 1, a surface 41
from which legs 42 extend; in the example of FIGS. 12 and 13 only
three legs are shown, however in other examples they can be of a
different number.
[0077] As shown in FIG. 13, the grid is housed within the container
4; the free edge 43 of the grid 40 is inserted as an exact fit into
the container 4 so as to completely separate the food product 26
from the membrane and prevent the existence of regions where direct
contact can occur.
[0078] The illustrated grid 40 presents wide apertures but in other
examples the grid apertures 45 can be very small.
[0079] It has been found in practice that the membrane for closing
containers in general and the product preservation device
comprising said membrane of the invention are particularly
advantageous because they enable solid or liquid food products of
any type to be preserved for long periods with limited risk of
deterioration because of the lack of air (and hence of oxygen) in
the container.
[0080] The membrane for closing containers in general and the
product preservation device comprising said membrane conceived in
this manner are susceptible to numerous modifications and variants,
all falling within the scope of the inventive concept; moreover all
details can be replaced by technically equivalent elements.
[0081] In practice the materials used and the dimensions can be
chosen at will, according to requirements and to the state of the
art.
* * * * *