Abstract:
A lid for vacuum sealing a container has nested first and second valve system for evacuating the container. A lever is alternatively provided for manipulating the valve system.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
     This application claims priority from provisional application entitled “LID WITH A PUMP/BELLOWS DEVICE”, Application No. 60/271,324, filed Feb. 23, 2001, and which application is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to containers that store food under a vacuum seal. More particularly, the present invention relates to a lid which contains a pump/bellows device to manually pull a vacuum within the container, thus preserving the food stored within the container. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Vacuum packaging food maintains the freshness and flavor of the food three to five times longer than food packaged with conventional storage methods. This improvement is because the amount of oxygen available for interaction with the food is reduced as a result of the vacuum. Thus, microorganisms that require oxygen to grow, such as bacteria and yeast, affect food stored in a vacuum less than food stored using conventional methods. Additionally, vacuum packed foods that are frozen are less affected by freezer bum because there is less cold, dry air to dehydrate the food. 
     The excess air that accompanies food packed using conventional packaging methods can have a variety of effects on the packaged food. For instance, dry foods can absorb moisture from the atmosphere, thereby becoming soggy. Yet, moist foods can become dry when packaged using conventional methods because air absorbs moisture from the moist food. 
     An example of a dry food is sugar. When sugar is stored such that moisture from the air can be absorbed, the sugar can harden into a solid block. Such a block is unappealing at the very least. Furthermore, a pound of sugar in the form of a single block is very difficult to use. If the sugar had been packaged in a vacuum, then moisture from the atmosphere could not be absorbed by the sugar. Thus, the sugar would remain in granular form and not turn into a solid block. 
     An example of a moist food is bread. When bread is stored in such a way as to allow exposure to the atmosphere, the bread tends to dry out and become hard and crusty. If, however, the bread was stored in a vacuumed packed storage container, then the atmosphere could not absorb the bread&#39;s moisture. Thus, the bread would maintain the proper amount of moisture and stay fresh and soft. 
     Bread, however, also suffers from microorganisms like bacteria, yeast, and mold growths due to temperature changes and excess moisture. Storing bread with a conventional packaging method gives the microorganisms access to the atmosphere, thereby permitting the microorganisms to grow. Consequently, the bread becomes unsuitable for consumption. Storing the bread in a vacuum prevents the atmosphere from depositing any new microorganisms or reacting with any existing microorganisms. Thus, the vacuum packaging allows the bread to maintain its freshness. 
     Yet another example of a food stored in conventional packaging devices is food that is high in fats and oils, such as butter. When food like butter is exposed to the atmosphere, over time it becomes rancid, causing an unpleasant taste and smell. If the butter had been packaged in a vacuum, then the butter could not react with the atmosphere and turn rancid. Hence, the butter stored in a vacuum would remain fresh longer than if it had been packaged using a conventional packaging method. 
     There are several types of home vacuum packaging systems currently available in the marketplace. For instance, there are manually operated vacuum pumps. These systems typically consist of a small, manually-operated pump which can be used to extract air from a container. Although they do not completely remove the air from the container, they do help food last longer. Another example of a home vacuum system is a bag sealer that includes a fan. Such a systems uses a small rotary fan to extract some air out of a plastic bag before the bag is sealed. Several different bag configurations are available in the market for such a bag sealer/fan system. For instance, one such system uses a polyethylene bags. Other bag sealer/fan system use sheets of plastic from which bags of different lengths can be made. This variable bag system “welds” the seams of the plastic sheets with a heated wire bag-sealing mechanism, thereby forming a closed bag. However, the fans in these home vacuum packaging systems do not have the ability to create a vacuum. This can be seen because the plastic used for the containers will loosely form around the contours of the food in the bag, but it will be obvious that air remains in the bag. Also, the strength of the seal and the material used for the bag in these home vacuum packaging systems will determine whether any air, atmosphere, or oxygen can re-enter the bag. 
     Another type of home vacuum packaging systems uses an electric pump systems. These systems are the only storage systems that eliminate exposure to oxygen. They use electric-powered piston pumps to first extract air from a container. Then, the container is sealed to prevent any air, atmosphere, or oxygen from re-entering the sealed container. A consumer using such a home vacuum packaging systems can easily see that a vacuum is formed, when the container used to seal the food is a bag, because the bag will shape itself tightly around the food. Yet, when the container is more ridged, like a jar or a glass dish, a change in the physical shape of the container cannot be seen when the vacuum is present. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of an embodiment of the present invention to create a vacuum sealable container where the vacuum seal is achieved manually by a pump/bellows lid to prevent air from re-entering into the container. 
     Thus, there is a need for an improved lid to manually pump the air out of a container to achieve a vacuum seal. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 depicts a cross-sectioned view of an embodiment of a duel valve bellows system of an embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a first valve of an embodiment of the invention of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of a section of a lid surface of an embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 4A depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a securing device of an embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 4B depicts a perspective view of a securing device of an embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 4C depicts a cross-sectioned view of the securing device of an embodiment of the invention depicted in FIG.  4 B. 
     FIG. 4D depicts another cross-sectioned view of an embodiment of the securing device of the embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 5A depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of the underside of a second valve of an embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 5B depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of the underside of a second valve of an embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 6A depicts a cross-sectioned view of an embodiment of the invention with a handle in a closed position connected with a bellows. 
     FIG. 6B depicts a cross-sectioned view of an embodiment of the invention with a handle in the open position connected with a plunger. 
     FIG. 6C depicts a cross-sectioned view of another embodiment of the invention with a handle in the open position connected with a bellows. 
     FIG. 6D depicts a cross-sectioned view of yet another embodiment of the invention with a handle in the open position. 
     FIG. 7A depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention with a lid connected with a container and a handle in the open position. 
     FIG. 7B depicts a perspective view of the embodiment of the invention of FIG. 7A with a lid connected with a container and a handle in the closed position. 
     FIG. 8A is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention illustrating the expandable middle section in an open position. 
     FIG. 8B is a perspective view of the embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 8A with the expandable middle section in the closed position. 
     FIG. 9A is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention with the expandable middle section in the closed position. 
     FIG. 9B is a partial cut-away view illustrating two one-way valves located in the expandable middle section of the embodiment of the invention of FIG.  9 . 
     FIG. 9C is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention with the expandable middle section in the closed position. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1 depicts a cross-sectioned view of an embodiment of a duel valve bellows system of an embodiment of the invention. A first valve  110  is connected with a stem  124 . The stem  124  is connected with a stopper  113 . The first valve  110  is connected with a lid surface  112  with stem  124  movable through an evacuation port  330  in lid surface  112 . Lid surface  112  also includes a plurality of additional evacuation ports  331  that are covered by first valve  110 . A second valve  114  is located such that the first valve  110  is between the second valve  114  and the lid surface  112 , thereby forming a bladder  118 . A guide  116  is connected with the lid surface and proximate to the second valve  114 . 
     When the lid surface is connected with a container such that an enclosed volume is located below the lid surface  112 , the embodiment of the duel valve bellows system depicted in FIG. 1 can be used to create a vacuum inside the container. The second valve  114  is composed of a flexible material (e.g. rubber, flexible plastic, etc.) A force is applied to the second valve  114 , thereby deforming the second valve  114  and expelling the contents of bladder  118 . The guide  116  allows the second valve to move such that an escape path for the contents of the bladder can be formed under the peripheral edge of the second valve. When the force is removed, the deformed second valve  114  can regain its original shape. The second valve  114  can be guided back into place over the first valve  110  by the guide  116 . 
     As the second valve  114  regains its original shape, it forms a seal with the lid surface  112  and forms a first vacuum that pulls the first valve  110  towards the second valve  114  and away from the lid surface  112 . As the first valve  110  is pulled from the lid surface  112 , material from the enclosed container located below the lid surface is drawn from the container through evacuation ports  115  and  112  and into bladder  118 . As the second valve  114  regains its original shape and the bladder  118  is filled, the atmospheric pressure in the bladder  118  is equalized with the container, thereby allowing the first valve  110  to settle back into its original sealing position over ports  330  and  331 . The stem  124  and stopper  113  control the range of movement by the first valve  110  such that the first valve  110  can regain its original position between the lid surface  112  and the second valve  114 . 
     As additional forces are applied to the second valve  114 , thereby deforming and reforming the second valve  114 , more material is removed from the container, causing a vacuum to be formed inside the container. Materials that can be removed from the container include gasses, such as air, oxygen, and nitrogen. The material could also be a liquid, such as water or tomato soup. 
     FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a first valve of an embodiment of the invention of FIG.  1 . Shown is the underside of the first valve  110 , which includes a first valve seal  220  provided at the peripheral edge of a first valve bottom surface  226 . The first valve bottom surface  226  is provided with a stem  224 , which is in turn provided with a stopper  213 . The first valve  110  has a generally domed shape. 
     An alternate embodiment of the first valve seal  220  can have the first valve seal  220  form different geometrical shapes. For instance, the first valve seal  220  could form a triangle, square, pentagon, hexagon, or other polygonal shape. While the shape of the first valve seal  220  can vary, the general shape of the first valve  110  maintains a generally domed shape. 
     FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of a section of a lid surface of an embodiment of the invention. The lid surface  112  includes an evacuation port  330  and other evacuation ports  331 . The stem  224  of valve  110  from FIGS. 1 and 2 loosely fits inside of the port  330 . Thus, the stem  224  can move in all directions but is limited in the range of movement by the dimensions of the evacuation port  330 , the stem  112  and the stopper  113 . 
     While the evacuation port  330  of FIG. 3 is shown to be generally circular in shape, it is not limited to only being a circle. Any shape that can control the range of movement exhibited by stem  124  can be used. 
     FIG. 4A depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a securing device of an embodiment of the invention. A second valve  114  located on top of the lid surface  112  is shown. The second valve  114  includes a second valve seal  432  that makes contact with the lid surface  112 . A securing device, or a guide  434 , secures the second valve  114  such that its range of movement is limited. 
     When a force is applied to the second valve  114 , the second valve  114  can move in a lateral direction along the surface of the lid surface  112  as well as extending away from the lid surface  112 . One such cause of movement extending away from the lid surface  112  can be from the expulsion of gaseous material from a bladder located under the second valve  114 . The two guides  434  shown in FIG. 4A have a curve that mimics the curve of the second valve seal  434 . The guides  434  are sufficient in size to maintain the second valve  114  in a range of positions to function as a bellows with a first valve located below the second valve  114 . 
     FIG. 4B depicts a perspective view of a securing device of an embodiment of the invention. The same second valve  114  is shown in FIG. 4B, yet, an alternate embodiment of a guide  434  is shown. The guide  434  of FIG. 4B completely encompasses the circumference of the second valve seal  432 . 
     FIG. 4C depicts a cross-sectioned view of a securing device, or guide, of an embodiment of the invention depicted in FIG.  4 B. Thus, the securing device, or guide  434 , includes a ledge  435 . The ledge  435  controls the movement of the second valve  114  from FIG. 4B such that the second valve can extend away from the lid surface  112  up to a predetermined distance. 
     FIG. 4D depicts another cross-sectioned view of an embodiment of the securing device of the embodiment of the invention of FIG.  4 C. 
     FIG. 5A depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of the underside of a second valve of an embodiment of the invention. The second valve  514  includes a second valve seal surface  540  and a second valve center  544 . Extending from the second valve seal surface  540  to the second valve center  544  are a plurality of supports  542 . 
     The supports  542  provide additional rigidity to the second valve  514 . Thus, when a deforming force is removed from the second valve  514 , as described in FIG. 1, the supports can assist in returning the second valve  514  to its original form. 
     FIG. 5B depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of the underside of a second valve of an embodiment of the invention. While FIG. 5A described a second valve  514  with supports  542 , the second valve  514  can be made without supports  542 , as shown in FIG.  5 B. Thus, a second valve  550  includes a seal surface  546  and a valve center  548 . The second valve  550  can be made from a resilient material. Thus, when the second valve  550  is deformed by the application of a force, it will regain its shape after the force is removed. 
     A variety of materials can be used for the second valve  514 . For instance, a somewhat ridged plastic could be used. Alternatively and preferably, a highly flexible material such as rubber could be used for the second valve  514 . A rubber second valve  514  could also have supports  542  made from a more ridged rubber or a ridged plastic. Alternatively, the supports could include a spring (not shown) that more quickly returns the second valve  514  back to its original form once the force that deformed the second valve  514  is removed. 
     FIG. 6A depicts a cross-sectioned view of an embodiment of the invention with a handle in a closed position connected with a bellows. A handle  660  is connected with a hinge  662 . The hinge  662  is connected with a lid  661  that includes a lid surface  112 . The handle  660  is positioned over the embodiment of a duel valve bellows system of FIG.  1 . Thus, when access to the duel valve bellows system of FIG. 1 is not required, the handle  660  can be positioned over the duel valve bellows system, thereby protecting it from any undesired forces. Also in another embodiment described below the handle can be used to deform or pump the second valve  114  in order to evacuate the container. 
     FIG. 6B depicts a cross-sectioned view of an embodiment of the invention with a handle in the open position connected with a plunger. The handle  660  is coupled with the lid  661  in a similar manner as described in FIG.  6 A. The handle  660 , however, is shown in an open position. Also, the handle  660  is connected with a collapsible plunger  668  that can be connected, if desired, with the second valve  114  of the duel valve bellows system of FIG.  1 . FIG. 6B shows the collapsible plunger  668  that is not connected with the second valve  114 . As the handle  660  is pivoted towards a closed position at the hinge  662 , the collapsible plunger  668  makes contact with the second valve  114 , thereby applying a force that deforms the second valve  114  of the duel valve bellows system of FIG.  1 . The handle  660  can also be pivoted towards an open position at hinge  662 , thereby causing the collapsible plunger  668  to remove the force causing the deformation of the second valve  114  of the duel valve bellows system of FIG.  1 . Thus, the second valve  114  can regain its original shape, causing the first valve  110  to permit material to pass from the container to the bladder  118 , as described in FIG.  1 . 
     When the handle  660  is positioned into a closed position, such as shown in FIG. 6A, the collapsible plunger  668  can nestle into a compartment formed by handle  660 , hinge  662 , lid  661  and lid surface  112 . The compartment can store both the duel valve bellows system and the collapsible plunger  668 . 
     In another embodiment as discussed above, the collapsible plunger  668  is connected with the second valve  114 . Thus, when the handle  660  is pivoted at the hinge  662  towards a closed position, the collapsible plunger  668  applies a force to the second valve  114 , thereby deforming the second valve  114  and expelling the material in the bladder  118  as described in FIG.  1 . When the handle is pivoted at the hinge  662  towards an open position, then the collapsible plunger  668  pulls on the second valve  114 , thereby pulling the second valve  114  back into its original form. Consequentially, the first valve  110  permits the material in a container located below the lid surface  112  to enter the bladder  118  as described in FIG.  1 . In such an arrangement with the plunger  668  connected also to the second valve, lifting the handle  660  pulls the second valve  114  away from the lid surface  112  to assist in evacuation the container. 
     FIG. 6C depicts a cross-sectioned view of another embodiment of the invention with a handle in the open position connected with a bellows. The handle  660  of FIG. 6C can apply the force that deforms the second valve  114 , thereby causing the material in bladder  118  to be expelled. Pivoting the handle  660  to the open position can remove the deforming force from the second valve  114 . Alternatively, handle  660  can be connected with the second valve  114 , thus providing a force that assists the second valve  114  to regain its original form. When the lid  660  of FIG. 6C is positioned into a fully closed position, similar to the depicted in FIG. 6A, then the second valve  114  can become deformed. Thus, the pivoting of handle  660  at hinge  662  to an open position will draw material from a container located below lid surface  112  past the first valve  110  and into the bladder  118  as described in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 6D depicts a cross-sectioned view of yet another embodiment of the invention with a handle in the open position. Alternatively to the embodiments described in FIGS.  6 A— 6 C, the embodiment depicted in FIG. 6D shows the handle  660  in an open position, permitting access to the duel valve bladder system of FIG.  1 . Once exposed, the duel valve bladder system can be operated as described in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 7A depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention with a lid connected with a container and a handle in the open position. A lid  700  is connected with a container  772 , forming a seal along the perimeter of the container. A gasket element can be used to form an air-tight seal. The lid  700  includes a first lid surface  776  and a second lid surface  770 . Connected with the lid is a handle  760 . The handle  760  and the first lid surface  776  form a compartment that includes a second valve  114  that is connected with the first lid surface  776 . The second valve  114  is part of the duel valve bellows system described in FIG.  1 . The positioning of the handle  760  in the open position allows access to the second valve  114 . Additionally, the lid removal device  774  can be used to remove the lid  700  from container  772 . In such arrangements the handle  760  can be used to protect the duel valves bellows systems, and/or pump the system, and/or be connected to and pump the system as demonstrated with the embodiments above. 
     FIG. 7B depicts a perspective view of the embodiment of the invention of FIG. 7A with a lid connected with a container and a handle in the closed position. The second lid surface  770  and the handle  760  can form a substantially flat surface where other containers can be placed. 
     FIG. 8A is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention illustrating the expandable middle section in an open position. Lid  801  is connected with container  802 , forming a seal along the perimeter of the container. A gasket can be used to form the seal. The lid  801  is connected with a handle  809  and a middle section  810 . The middle section  810 , includes a flexible, accordion like, bellows, a first valve and a second valve  812 . 
     As the middle section  810  is moved from a closed position, as depicted in FIG. 8B, to an open position, as depicted in FIG. 8A, material from the container  802  is draw into the middle section  810  through the first valve. As the middle section  810  is moved from the open position to the closed position, the material in the middle section  810  escapes from the middle section  810  through the second valve. The first valve prevents the material from re-entering the container  802 . Repeated movements of the middle section  810  from a closed position, to an open position can draw enough material from the container  802  to create a vacuum inside of the container  802 . 
     The material removed from container  802  can be any of the materials discussed above under FIG.  1 . For instance, air can be removed from the container  802 , which can include oxygen. 
     FIG. 8B is a perspective view of the embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 8A with the expandable middle section in the closed position. The second valve  812  can be seen on top of the middle section  810 . When the middle section  810  is in a closed position, the lid  801  can form a substantially flat surface, thereby allowing additional containers to be stacked on top of the lid  801 . 
     FIG. 9A is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention with the expandable middle section in the closed position. A lid  901  is connected with a container  902 . The lid  901  is connected with a middle section  910  that includes a second valve  912 . The closed position of the middle section  910  depicted in FIG. 9A can form a substantially flat surface for lid  901 , thereby permitting other items to rest on top of lid  901 . In an alternate embodiment, when the middle section  910  is in a closed position, a raised surface can be formed with the lid  901 , as shown by the front view of an embodiment of the invention shown in FIG.  9 C. 
     FIG. 9B is a partial cut-away view illustrating two one-way valves located in the expandable middle section of the embodiment of the invention of FIG.  9 . The lid  901  is connected with a container  902 . The lid  901  includes a first valve  914 , preferably a one-way valve, connected with a middle section  910 . The middle section  910  is connected with a handle  909 . The handle includes a second valve  912 , preferably a one-way valve. 
     The handle can be used to raise the middle section  910  from a closed position, as depicted in FIG. 9A, to an open position as depicted in FIG.  9 B. When the middle section  910  is raised to an open position, material from container  902  is drawn through the first valve  914  into the middle section  910 . As the middle section  910  is collapsed, the material in the middle section  910  escapes from the middle section  910  through the second valve  912 . Repeated opening and closing of the middle section can remove material from the container  902 , thereby creating a vacuum inside of container  902 . 
     Typical materials removed from container  902  through the actuation of the middle section  910  between an open and closed position can include air, oxygen, and nitrogen. Liquids can also be extracted from the container. 
     The foregoing description of preferred embodiments of the present invention has been provided for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously, many modifications and variations will be apparent to the practitioner skilled in the art. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments and with various modifications that are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the following claims and their equivalence.