Patent ID: 11897643
Assignee: PRESERVATION SYSTEMS INC.
Field: Handling (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B | IPC B

Claim 18:
19. An apparatus for modified atmosphere packaging comprising:
a vacuum pump interconnected to a port, wherein pulling of a vacuum results in the pulling of the vacuum through the port;
three receptacles each configured to hold therein a gas-filled canister having a closed end and an outlet end;
a receiver having three valves each configured to interconnect with the outlet end of each gas-filled canister;
each receptacle comprising a door hingedly attached thereto comprising a cam on an internal aspect of the door, the cam having a lobe;
each valve configured to interconnect with the outlet end of the gas-filled canister to control release of a gas contained within the gas-filled canister;
each valve comprises a cam constrained to the valve by a pivot, the cam having an extension arm on a first side of the pivot, and a lobe on a second side of the pivot;
each valve further comprises a spring-loaded follower adjacent to the lobe;
each valve further comprising a connection to the port, wherein the release of the gas from the gas-filled canisters flows out through the port;
a valve-actuator affixed by a pivot centered between the valves, the valve-actuator further comprising a plurality of pins configured to contact and rotate the cams when the valve-actuator is rotated about the pivot of the valve-actuator,
wherein rotative opening of the door allows placement of the closed end of the gas-filled canister in the receptacle,
wherein rotative closing of the door rotates the gas-filled canister to align the outlet end of the gas-filled canister with the valve, and rotates the lobe of the cam toward the valve, thereby moving the gas-filled canister to interconnect the outlet end of the gas-filled canister with the valve,
wherein rotation of the valve-actuator in a first direction rotates at least one lever in the first direction, resulting in the cam depressing the spring-loaded follower, thus opening the valve and releasing the gas from the gas-filled canister, and
wherein the rotation of the valve-actuator in a second direction rotates the cam in the second direction, resulting in the cam releasing the spring-loaded follower, thus closing the valve and terminating the release of the gas from the gas-filled canister.