Automatic suction structure of a vacuum container

A vacuum container includes an automatic suction structure mounted in a cap of the vacuum container for drawing air out of the hollow interior of a container body. The suction structure includes an electric suction device, a detecting device, a monitoring device, and a releasing device. The suction device is used to create a vacuum in the hollow interior of the container body. The detecting device is used to detect the leak between the cap and the container body. The monitoring device is intended to monitor the vacuum state in the hollow interior of the container body. The releasing device is used to enable the cap and the container body to be separated from each other.

RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the suction structure of a vacuum container, and more particularly to an automatic suction structure capable of monitoring and maintaining constantly the vacuum state of a vacuum container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The conventional suction structure of a vacuum container is generally primitive in design in that it comprises a suction pump and a one-way valve, which are fastened with a cap of the vacuum container. The suction pump is used to draw air out of the hollow interior of the container in conjunction with the one-way valve. The conventional suction structure does not work effectively to bring about a vacuum state of the container. In addition, the conventional suction structure is not reliable at best in view of the fact that it is not provided with means to monitor and maintain the vacuum state of the vacuum container.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a vacuum container with an automatic suction structure comprising an electric suction device, a detecting device, a monitoring device, and a releasing device. The automatic suction structure of the present invention works effectively to keep the vacuum container in an airtight condition for an indefinite period of time.

The features and the advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood upon a thoughtful deliberation of the following detailed description of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown inFIG. 1, a vacuum container embodied in the present invention comprises a hollow body10, a cap11, and an automatic suction structure mounted in the cap11. The automatic suction structure comprises an electric suction device20, a detecting device30, a monitoring device40, and a releasing device50.

As shown inFIGS. 1,2,4,5,6, and7, the suction device20comprises a motor21, a deceleration gear set22driven by the motor21, a connection rod23actuated by the deceleration gear set22, a suction pump24, a piston rod25disposed slidably in the suction pump24such that one end of the piston rod25is fastened with the connection rod23, a piston26fastened with other end of the piston rod25, and an air-exhausting valve27. The suction pump24works to draw air out of a hollow interior of the container body10in conjunction with the air-exhausting valve27. The motor21is connected to a power source, which is a built-in battery set28. The motor21may be externally connected to a power source.

As shown inFIGS. 1,3,8, and9, the detecting device30is mounted in an edge of the cap11such that the detecting device30is located in a guide portion12of the cap11, and that the detecting device30is adjoining to a top rim of the container body10. The detecting device30comprises an action member31, a recovery element32, and a contact control element34. The action member31has an action end33which is in contact with the contact control element34which activates or deactivates a circuit connecting the motor21of the suction device20and the power source of the motor21. The detecting device30is used to detect the leakage between the cap11and the top rim of the container body10. In another words, the motor21of the suction device20is prevented from being started by the detecting device30in the event that the cap11is not properly joined with the top rim of the container body10.

As shown inFIGS. 1,3,10, and11, the monitoring device40comprises an expandable casing41, a sensor42, and an auxiliary expandable element43disposed in the expandable casing41. Both the expandable casing41and the auxiliary expandable element43have one end, which is extended into the hollow interior of the container body10. The expandable casing41and the auxiliary expandable element43are capable of responding to a change in air pressure in the hollow interior of the container body10, thereby triggering the sensor42to activated or deactivate the circuit connecting the motor21of the suction device20and the power source. As a result, a vacuum state of the hollow interior of the container body10can be constantly maintained.

As shown inFIGS. 1,3,12, and13, the releasing device50comprises a release valve51which is formed of a cylindrical body55having a release edge54, a plug53having a washer52, an action rod57, a contact block58linked with the plug53, and a switching element59for interrupting the power supply to the motor21of the suction device20. The plug53is slidably disposed in the cylindrical body55in conjunction with a spring56. The action rod57is used to activate or deactivate the release valve51. When the plug53is acted on by the action rod57, the hollow interior of the container body10is relieved of a negative pressure. Meanwhile, the contact block58triggers the switching element59to turn off the power source of the suction device20, so as to facilitate the separating of the cap11from the container body10. The activation of the releasing device50is clearly indicated by the action rod57, which is jutted out of the cap11, as shown inFIG. 13.

The embodiment of the present invention described above is to be regarded in all respects as being illustrative and nonrestrictive. Accordingly, the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without deviating from the spirit thereof. The present invention is therefore to be limited only by the scope of the following claims.