US3098575A

US3098575A - Vacuum seal container cap

Info

Publication number: US3098575A
Application number: US168672A
Authority: US
Inventors: Raymond J Siebelt
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1962-01-25
Filing date: 1962-01-25
Publication date: 1963-07-23
Anticipated expiration: 1980-07-23

Description

July 23, 1963 R. J. SIEBELT 3,09

VACUUM SEAL CONTAINER "CAP Filed Jan. 25, 1962 3 IN VENTOR.

liiqvnmvodimear BY WW M 3,fl98,575 Patented July 23, 1963 3,098,575 VACUUM SEAL CONTAINER CAP Raymond J. Siebelt, 229 Velma Drive, Largo, Fla. Filed Jan. 25, 1962, Ser- No. 168,672 (llaims. (Cl. 215-37) This invention relates to containers of the vacuum seal or fruit jar type, and in particular a container cap that is manually actuated to provide a partial vacuum above products in containers wherein each time a portion of a product is used from a container, such as a coffee container, the container is again vacuum sealed as the cap or cover is returned to close the container.

The purpose of this invention is to provide means for withdrawing air and thereby producing a partial vacuum in containers where relatively small portions of products are removed from containers periodically.

In numerous instances relatively small quantities of products are removed from containers at intervals and where the containers are vacuum sealed the seal is broken and products therein are subjected to the air which causes the products to deteriorate and lose the aroma inherent therein.

With this thought in mind this invention contemplates a container cap or cover having a vacuum producing element therein wherein after removing a portion of a product from a container the cap may be replaced and the vacuum, at least partially restored.

The object of this invention is, therefore, to provide means in a container cap or cover for increasing the open area above a product in a container upon which the cap or cover is used whereby at least a partial vacuum is obtained in the container.

Another object of the invention is to provide means whereby a partial vacuum is restored in a vacuum sealed container by drawing a flexible stern outwardly of the container.

Another important object of the invention is to provide means whereby a house-wife may restore at least a partial vacuum in a vacuum sealed container after removing a portion of products from the container.

A further object is to provide means in a cover of a container for restoring a partial vacuum in the container without modifying the design or size of the container.

A still further object is to provide a cap for a sealed container whereby a layman may restore at least a partial vacuum in the container in which the cap may be reclaimed and used on another container.

And a still further object is to provide a vacuum producing element for caps of containers in which the vacuum producing element may be used independent of the cap, and wherein the vacuum producing element is of simple and economical construction.

With these and other objects and advantages in view the invention embodies a bellows having an annular sealing flange extended from one end, a relatively stifl head on the opposite end, and a corrugated stern extended from the head through the bellows, and a cap having a threaded annular flange threaded over the bellows and on a threaded neck of a container holding the sealing flange of the bellows against the end of the neck of the container, and having a keyhole slot therein through which the stern of the bellows passes.

Other features :and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description taken in connection with the drawing, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a sealed container with part broken away, and showing the sealing elements in closed positions.

FIGURE 2 is an end elevational view showing a keyhole slot in the center of the cap of the closure for receiving a flexible stem of the bellows.

FIGURE 3 is a view showing a cross section through the cap of the closure.

FIGURE 4 is a view showing a longitudinal section through the bellows unit of the closure.

FIGURE 5 is a view showing a modification wherein a closure is secured by vacuum force in the end of a container.

FIGURE 6 is a view showing another modification wherein the sealing unit is incorporated in a closure similar to a cork.

FIGURE 7 is a view showing a further modification wherein a vacuum seal is applied to a container such as a coffee can or the like.

Referring now to the drawing wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts, the vacuum seal container cap of the present invention includes a cap it} having a threaded flange 11 extended from one side, and a bellows 12 having an annular sealing flange 13 at one end, a head 14 on the opposite end, and a corrugated stem 15 extended from the head through the bellows and cap, and positioned to fold into a recess 16 in the end wall of the cap.

In use the expansible element or bellows extends through a neck 17 of a jar or other container 18 with the flange 13 positioned against the end surface 19 of the neck and the flange 11 of the cap is threaded on the neck clamping the sealing flange 13 against the end of the neck of the container. The stem 15, which is flexible, extends through a keyhole slot 2% in the end of the cap, and after the head 14!- is drawn by the stem against the inner surface of the end of the cap one of the annular grooves 21 of the stem is moved into the narrow portion 22 of the keyhole slot 20 whereby the bellows is locked in the collapsed position. The extended end of the stem is then bent or folded over and placed in the recess 16 to facilitate packing and handling.

As the head 14- of the bellows is drawn upwardly by the stem to the collapsed position against the inner surface of the cap the area between the upper surface of a product in the container and the cap is increased, whereby, at least a partial vacuum is obtained in the container. The vacuum pulls the cap against the end of the container, and this pull is relieved to release the cap as the end of the stem is removed from the recess 16' and moved into the large portion of the keyhole slot.

By this means portions of products may be removed from vacuum packed containers at intervals and the vacuum restored by replacing the cap and collapsing the bellows. Air pressure, which causes deterioration of some products, may, therefore, be at least partially removed from sealed containers.

In the design illustrated in FIGURE 5 a cap 24 is provided with a threaded flange 25 which is threaded in a flange 26 of a collar or ring having a threaded flange 2.7, and the flange 27 is threaded on :a neck 28 of a container 29. A sealing washer 30 is positioned between the flange 26 and end of the neck 28. A bellows 31 is carried by the inner end of the flange 25 and as the cap 24 is threaded downwardly into the container the lower end of the bellows is extended as indicated by the dotted lines 32. The bellows is retained against the inner end of the cap 24 by a pin 33, the lower end of which is secured in a head 34 of the bellows, and the upper end of which is provided with a knob 35, below which a washer 5 is positioned.

In the design shown in FIGURE 6 a bellows 36 is positioned in a plastic case 37, which is in the form of a cork or plug, and the lower end of the bellows is provided with a relatively stiff disc 38 :from which a flexible corrugated stem 39 extends, and the stem extends through a keyhole slot, such as the slot 20 in FIGURE 2, in the upper end or" the case. The slot is of sufficient size to permit the escape of air therethrough. The bellows is shown in the free position in FIGURE 6 and with the case positioned in a neck 41 of a bottle 43, or the like, the stem is drawn upwardly collapsing the bellows and creating a partial vacuum in the bottle. The vacuum draws the case into the bottle assuring a positive seal as long as the stem is secured in the keyhole slot, and upon release of the stem from the narrow portion of the slot the bellows is relieved releasing the vacuum in the container.

The plug or closure shown in FIGURE 6 is inserted in the neck of a bottle or other container and the disc 38 is drawn upwardly by the stem 39 whereby partial vacuum is created in the upper end of the container, and the vacuum draws the case inwardly sealing the bottle, or the like.

In the design illustrated in FIGURE 7 a bellows 44, which is provided with a trustro-conical-shaped upper end 45 is positioned in an opening 46 of a cover 47 and the end 45 is positioned in a conical-shaped opening 48 in a ring 49 resting upon the upper surface'of the cover 47.

"The bellows 44 isprovided with a disc 50 of relatively stifl material and a flexible stem 51 extends from the disc upwardly through the bellows.

The periphery of the cover 47 is provided with an annular flange 52 in which is a groove 53, and, as shown in FIGURE 7, the groove 53 is positioned to receive the upper edge of a container such as a coffee'can, or the like.

Upon drawing the disc 50 upwardly by the stem 51 the bellows is collapsed obtaining a partial vacuum in the container, and the force of the vacuum urges the rim or flange of the cover against the edge 54 of the wall 55 of the container.

Operation With the parts of the different designs assembled as illustrated and described a cover is provided for vacuum seal containers which permits parts of products of the containers to 'be used from time to time, and after the portions of the products are removed the containers may be again sealed and at least a partial vacuum created therein.

In the different designs a bellows is collapsed by drawing a flexible stem from the container, and with the stem locked in a slot in the cover of the container the sternv is bent over and placed in a recess in the cover, so that the stern does not interfere with packing and handling the container.

The covers of the containers are released by removing the stem from a narrow portion of a slot and thereby permitting the bellows to expand.

The closures may be provided in different designs and other means may be provided for retaining the closing elements in sealed positions.

It will be understood that other modifications within the scope of the appended claims may be made in the design and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit ofthe invention,

Having now described the invention that which is claimed to "be new and desired to be procured by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a vacuum seal container closure, the combination which comprises a cap designed to be secured on the open end of a container, a bellows carried by the cap and arranged to be positioned in a container on'which the cap is positioned, said cap having a keyhole slot therein, and a flexible corrugated stem extended from the bellows through the keyhole slot of the cap and designed to be retained in said keyhole slot with the bellows collapsed.

2. Ina container seal, the combination which comprises a cap including a disc having a threaded flange extended fromthe periphery, said disc having a keyhole slot therein, a bellows having a head of stiff material in one end, and an annular sealing flange extended from the opposite end, and a flexible corrugated stem extended from the head through the bellows and also through the keyhole slot of the disc of the cap.

3. A container seal as described in claim 2, wherein the cap is provided with a recess which is positioned to receive the extended end of the stem with the bellows collapsed.

4. In a vacuum closure for a container, the combination which comprises a hollow container having a neck,

. element providing a closure therein and the upper end having an opening therein, means mounting the bellows in said hollow body, a flexible stem mounted in the rigid element in the lower end of the bellows, extended upwardly through the bellows and also through the opening in the upper endthereof whereby drawing the stem upwardly collapses the bellows enlarging an open area in a container between the upper surface of a product in the container and the upper end thereof, and, consequently, creatingat least a partial vacuum in the container.

5. A vacuum container closure comprising a cap including a disc having an annular flange extended from one side, said disc having an opening therethrough, an expansible element having an annular corrugated wall with an annular flange extended from one end and having a head of relatively stilt material providing a closure .in the opposite end, and a flexible stern having a corrugated surface mounted in said head and extended through the opening of the disc providing means for retaining said expensible element in a collapsed position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 673,236 Brewington Apr. 30, 1901 2,954,890 Del Valle Oct. 4, 1960 3,004,680 Moeller Oct. 17, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS 909,523; Germany Mar. 11, 1954

Claims

1. IN A VACUUM SEAL CONTAINER CLOSURE, THE COMBINATION WHICH COMPRISES A CAP DESIGNED TO BE SECURED ON THE OPEN END OF A CONTAINER, A BELLOWS CARRIED BY THE CAP AND ARRANGED TO BE POSITIONED IN A CONTAINER ON WHICH THE CAP IS POSITIONED, SAID CAP HAVING A KEYHOLE SLOT THEREIN, AND A FLEXIBLE CORRUGATED STEM EXTENDED FROM THE BELLOWS THROUGH THE KEYHOLE SLOT OF THE CAP AND DESIGNED TO BE RETAINED IN SAID KEYHOLE SLOT WITH THE BELLOWS COLLAPSED.