Patent Description:
Nowadays, it is a common practice to use vacuum containers for the purpose of extended storage. Products which have an increased deterioration rate when exposed to air, e.g., food products, will have an extended shelf-life when properly stored in a low-pressure environment, such as vacuum storage. Because of the variety of goods that can be stored in a vacuum container, including small grains, liquid or liquid-like substances, designers of vacuum containers place the air suction port at the top of the container, usually embedded in the container's lid, for preventing blockage of the suction port by the stored substance.

<CIT> to Tarlow discloses an appliance for producing a vacuum within associated food and beverage holding vessels. The appliance includes a vacuum pump which can draw air via a concavity from the top of the beverage holding vessel through a one-way check valve of a vessel sealing lid, which also features a vacuum relief valve. <CIT> also discloses a vacuum container system.

The solution of the present invention is provided by the features of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are as described by the dependent claims.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is thus provided a vacuum container for providing a vacuum sealing thereof, which includes a three-part airway, a lid, and a lid release button. The three-part airway features an internal air chamber for containing contents such as products, fluids, and food, an extraction airway, for allowing extraction of air from the internal air chamber, and a one-way check-valve disposed in the extraction airway, for preventing ambient air from entering the internal air chamber through the extraction airway when vacuum sealed, and allowing passage of air when pressure is equalized in the internal air chamber airway portion. The extraction airway extends between the top and the bottom of the container and includes an internal air extraction outlet, disposed at the top of and within the internal air chamber, and an external air extraction outlet outside the container, disposed at the bottom of the container, and configured to be coupled to an external air pump for extracting air from the container when the internal air chamber is sealingly covered by the lid. The one-way check-valve is disposed in the extraction airway and separates an internal airway portion and an external airway portion of the extraction airway, for preventing ambient air from entering the internal air chamber through said extraction airway when vacuum sealed, and allowing passage of air when pressure is equalized in the internal airway portion and the internal chamber. The lid is fitted to sealingly cover the internal air chamber, wherein the internal air extraction outlet is disposed either at the lid or the side wall of the internal air chamber. The lid-release button allows for selected equalization of pressure within the covered internal air chamber for allowing release of the lid under pressurized container conditions.

In accordance with the invention, there is provided a vacuum container system which includes, in addition to the vacuum container, a vacuum base which features an external air pump connectable to the external air outlet for extracting air from the container when sealingly covered by the lid. The base contains a centering disk and a suction port which couples the internal extraction airway of the vacuum container with the air vacuum pump, and a connection sensor may detect when the vacuum container and the vacuum base are coupled. There may also be a transformer providing electricity from a power supply and a motor which activates the vacuum pump to reduce pressure in the covered container.

The extraction airway may be in fluid communication with the internal air chamber through the lid, the seal and walls of the container or solely through the walls of the container. Optionally, the release button is located in the lid of the vacuum container or in the walls of the vacuum container.

The vacuum container may further include a pump release button allowing for selected equalization of pressure within the external airway portion with ambient atmospheric pressure, while the check valve retains the internal air chamber vacuum sealed, for facilitating disconnection of the container from the pump under pressurized container conditions. The pump release button may be combined with the lid release button, and/or the check valve, in a single module, and the lid release button and the check valve may also be combined in a single module. The air pump may be further operational for selectively pumping air back into an external portion of the extraction airway, while the check valve retains the internal air chamber vacuum sealed, for facilitating disconnection of the container from the vacuum pump under pressurized container conditions. An optional T-valve may be disposed in fluid communication with the extraction airway and the pump, for reversing the pump suction direction when pumping air back into the extraction airway.

According to another aspect of the disclosed technique, there is provided a method for vacuum sealing a vacuum container for keeping contents, such as products and fluids, under vacuum until accessing required. The method includes sealingly closing an internal air chamber of the vacuum container with a lid, e.g., by a peripheral seal fitted between an upper/top lid and the vacuum container. The method further includes coupling in fluid communication the internal air chamber with an air pump, by an extraction airway extending between the top and the bottom of the vacuum container. The extraction airway includes an internal air extraction outlet disposed at the top of and within the container, an external air extraction outlet outside the vacuum container disposed at the bottom of the container, configured to be coupled to an external air pump, and a one-way check-valve disposed in the extraction airway and separating an internal airway portion and an external airway portion of the extraction airway, for preventing ambient air from penetrating the internal air chamber through the extraction airway when vacuum sealed, and allowing passage of air when pressure is equalized with ambient atmospheric pressure in the internal airway portion. The method further includes extracting air from the internal air chamber through the extraction airway by activating the pump to extract air, disconnecting the vacuum container from the air pump, while the check valve maintains the container vacuum sealed, and selectively vacuum-releasing of the container by activating a lid-release button for restoring relative pressure to the vacuum container allowing a release of the lid.

The coupling includes coupling in fluid communication the internal air chamber with an air pump disposed in a vacuum base, and further centering the container on a centering disk of the base detecting when the vacuum container and the vacuum base are coupled by a connection sensor, and coupling the extraction airway of the vacuum container with the vacuum pump of the vacuum base by a suction port.

The extraction airway may be in fluid communication through the lid, and the walls of the container, wherein the lid includes the internal outlet and the internal airway portion within the container, or in fluid communication through the walls of the container, wherein the walls include the internal outlet and the internal airway within the container. The lid release button may be disposed in the lid of the vacuum container or on the walls of the vacuum container.

Disconnecting may further include activating a pump release button allowing for selected equalization of pressure within the external airway portion, while the check valve retains the internal air chamber vacuum sealed, for facilitating disconnection of the container from the pump under pressurized container conditions.

The pump release button may be combined with the lid release button or the check valve, in a single module. The lid release button and the check valve may be combined in a single module.

Disconnecting may include selectively pumping air, with the air pump, back into an external portion of the extraction airway, while the check valve retains the internal air chamber vacuum sealed, for facilitating disconnection of the container from the vacuum pump under pressurized container conditions.

Disconnecting may further include reversing the pump suction direction when pumping air back into the extraction airway by means of a T-valve in fluid communication with the extraction airway and the pump.

The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the illustrations in which:.

The prior art placement of the suction port at the top of a container may be problematic and inconvenient. The disclosed technique provides a novel structure, system and method for a vacuum container that solve such inconvenience. In its broadest aspects, the disclosed technique introduces a vacuum container that can be easily placed over a base and thereby coupled to a vacuum pump, while the air is removed only via an opening in near the top of the container, and thereby avoiding suction of fluids and other contents settled at the bottom of the container, while providing easy removal of the container from the base and its disconnection from the vacuum pump under vacuum conditions, In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is thus provided a vacuum container for providing a vacuum sealing thereof and a system which includes the vacuum container and a complementary vacuum base. The vacuum container includes a three-part airway, a lid, and a lid release button. The three-part airway features an internal air chamber for containing products and fluids, an extraction airway, for allowing extraction of air from the internal air chamber, and a one-way check-valve disposed in the extraction airway in between the outlets, for preventing ambient air from penetrating the internal air chamber through the extraction airway when vacuum sealed, and allowing passage of air when pressure is equalized with ambient atmospheric pressure in the internal air chamber airway portion. The extraction airway includes an internal air extraction outlet, disposed at the top of and within the internal air chamber, and an external air extraction outlet outside the container, disposed at the bottom or the side wall of the container, and configured to be coupled to an external air pump for extracting air from the container when the internal air chamber is sealingly covered by the lid. The one-way check-valve is disposed in the extraction airway and separates an internal airway portion and an external airway portion of the extraction airway, for preventing ambient air from penetrating said internal air chamber through said extraction airway when vacuum sealed, and allowing passage of air when pressure is equalized with ambient atmospheric pressure in the internal airway portion and the internal chamber. The lid is fitted to sealingly cover the internal air chamber, wherein the internal air extraction outlet is disposed either at the lid or the side wall of the internal air chamber, wherein the lid or the side wall respectively includes the internal outlet and the internal airway portion. The lid-release button allows for selected equalization of pressure within the covered internal air chamber for allowing release of the lid under pressurized container conditions.

The vacuum container system includes, in addition to the vacuum container, a vacuum base which includes an external air pump connectable to the external air outlet for extracting air from the container when sealingly covered by the lid.

Further, the base contains a centering disk and a suction port which couples the internal extraction airway of the vacuum container with the air vacuum pump, and a connection sensor may detect when the vacuum container and the vacuum base are coupled. There may also be a transformer providing electricity from a power supply and a motor which activates the vacuum pump to reduce pressure in the covered container. The extraction airway may be in fluid communication through the lid, the seal and walls of the container or solely through the walls of the container. Optionally, the release button is located in the lid of the vacuum container or in the walls of the vacuum container.

The vacuum container may further include a pump release button allowing for selected equalization of pressure within the external airway portion, while the check valve retains the internal air chamber vacuum sealed, for facilitating disconnection of the container from the pump under pressurized container conditions. The pump release button may be combined with the lid release button, and/or the check valve, in a single module, and the lid release button and the check valve may also be combined in a single module. The air pump may further operational for selectively pumping air back into an external portion of the extraction airway, while the check valve retains the internal air chamber vacuum sealed, for facilitating disconnection of the container from the vacuum pump under pressurized container conditions. An optional T-valve may be disposed in fluid communication with the extraction airway and the pump, for reversing the pump suction direction when pumping air back into the extraction airway.

According to another aspect of the disclosed technique, there is provided a method for vacuum sealing a vacuum container for keeping products and fluids under vacuum until accessing required. The method includes sealingly closing an internal air chamber of the vacuum container with a lid, e.g., by a peripheral seal fitted between an upper/top lid and the vacuum container. The method further includes coupling in fluid communication the internal air chamber with an air pump, by an extraction airway disposed in the vacuum container. The extraction airway includes an internal air extraction outlet disposed at the top of and within the container, an external air extraction outlet outside the vacuum container disposed at one of: the bottom and the side wall of the container, configured to be coupled to an external air pump, and a one-way check-valve disposed in the extraction airway and separating an internal airway portion and an external airway portion of the extraction airway, for preventing ambient air from penetrating the internal air chamber through the extraction airway when vacuum sealed, and allowing passage of air when pressure is equalized with ambient atmospheric pressure in the internal airway portion. The method further includes extracting air from the internal air chamber through the extraction airway by activating the pump to extract air, disconnecting the vacuum container from the air pump, while the check valve maintains the container vacuum sealed, and selectively vacuum-releasing of the container by activating a lid-release button for restoring relative pressure to the vacuum container allowing a release of the lid.

Reference is now made to the figures, in which like numbers designate like parts. <FIG> is an isometric, exploded view of a vacuum container system, generally referenced <NUM>, constructed and operative in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. System <NUM> mainly includes a vacuum container <NUM>, and a vacuum base <NUM>. Vacuum container <NUM> features a container body <NUM>, a lid <NUM>, a lid quick-release button mechanism <NUM> (or button <NUM>), and a peripheral seal <NUM> (disposed between lid <NUM> and container <NUM>, allowing an airtight sealing of container <NUM> with lid <NUM>). Vacuum base <NUM> includes or is associated with a device for automated extraction of air from container <NUM>, i.e., a vacuum pump.

In reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, <FIG> is a cut sectional side view illustration of system <NUM>, and <FIG>, is a detailed cut section illustration of a corner of container <NUM>. Container <NUM> includes a three-part airway <NUM>, lid <NUM> and lid release button <NUM>. Three-part airway <NUM> includes internal air chamber <NUM>, for containing products and fluids, an extraction airway <NUM>, for allowing extraction of air from internal air chamber <NUM>, and one-way check-valve <NUM> which disposed in extraction airway <NUM>, for preventing ambient air from penetrating internal air chamber <NUM> through extraction airway <NUM> when vacuum sealed, and allowing passage of air when pressure is equalized with ambient atmospheric pressure in internal air chamber <NUM>. Check valve <NUM> separates internal airway portion <NUM> and external airway portion <NUM> of extraction airway <NUM>. Lid <NUM> is comprised of a solid rigid frame <NUM>, through which internal airway portion <NUM> is connected to internal air extraction outlet <NUM> and to check-valve <NUM>. Container <NUM> includes outer shell <NUM>, and external airway portion <NUM>, which allow the conveying of a gas to external air extraction outlet <NUM> (also termed suction port <NUM>). External airway portion <NUM> can be in the form of a single airway, or multiple airways, or formed between a double-wall inside container shell <NUM>, or as external airway disposed over container shell <NUM>, in the center thereof, or at one of the sides of container <NUM>, as well as featuring a bottom portion <NUM> formed between the bottom of container body <NUM> when sealingly placed over sealing surface <NUM> of base <NUM> (<FIG>). Internal air extraction outlet <NUM> is disposed at the top of and within internal air chamber <NUM>. External air extraction outlet <NUM> is disposed outside container <NUM>, either at the bottom thereof, as shown in <FIG>, or on the side wall of container <NUM>, and is configured to be coupled to an external air pump for extracting air from the container when sealingly covered by lid <NUM>. Check-valve <NUM> is disposed in extraction airway <NUM> and separates internal airway portion <NUM> and external airway portion <NUM> of extraction airway <NUM>, for preventing ambient air from penetrating internal air chamber <NUM> through the extraction airway when vacuum sealed, and allowing passage of air when pressure is equalized with ambient atmospheric pressure in the internal airway portion and the internal air. Check valve <NUM> may be disposed anywhere within extraction airway <NUM>. Check valve <NUM> may be designed to be open at default, namely - to allow free removal of air from internal airway portion <NUM>, and seal only when the pressure difference (between internal airway potion <NUM> and external airway portion <NUM>) builds up over a predetermined threshold, due to the air suction action in external airway portion <NUM>, or alternatively - to be closed at default, namely, to block passage of air, but open in response to build up of pressure difference over a predetermined threshold. In <FIG> and <FIG>, extraction airway <NUM> extend into lid <NUM>, and check-valve is disposed in lid <NUM> in proximity to engagement of lid <NUM> and container <NUM>, wherein a small cavity <NUM> in seal <NUM> of lid <NUM> provides fluid communication between internal airway portion <NUM> at lid <NUM> and external airway portion <NUM> at container <NUM>. Lid <NUM> is fitted to sealingly cover internal air chamber <NUM> of container <NUM>. Internal air extraction outlet <NUM> is disposed at lid <NUM>. However, extraction airway <NUM> may be disposed entirely, including its internal airway extraction portion, within container <NUM>, in which case the internal air extraction outlet would be disposed at the side wall of internal air chamber <NUM> at or close to the top of chamber <NUM>, to avoid suction of fluids and contents settled at the bottom of chamber <NUM>).

Reference is now also made to <FIG>, which is an isometric view illustration of vacuum base <NUM> of system <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, vacuum base <NUM> includes a sealing surface <NUM> (shown as "transparent" in <FIG> for the sake of exposing other components, as is seen in <FIG> and <FIG>), a centering disc <NUM>, a motor <NUM>, an external air vacuum pump <NUM>, a transformer <NUM>, an air pressure sensor <NUM>, a force pressure sensor <NUM> (which exemplifies any other connection sensor, not shown), a controller (control board) <NUM>, a base outer shell <NUM>, a lifting handhold <NUM> and folding hinges <NUM>. Transformer <NUM> supplies electric current to a controller <NUM> for the operation of sensors <NUM>, <NUM> and motor <NUM>. Motor <NUM> activates pump <NUM>, which creates negative or positive pressure based on controller <NUM> command. Air pressure sensor <NUM> and pump <NUM> are connected to a centering disc <NUM> via air tubes. Air pressure sensor <NUM> relays the pressure created by pump <NUM> to controller <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, external airway portion <NUM> allows for conveying of air from the top of container <NUM> to the bottom of container <NUM>. When placing container <NUM> on sealing surface <NUM>, gravitation force is created on sealing surface <NUM> by the weight of container <NUM> creates an air tight seal between outer shell <NUM> and sealing surface <NUM>, thereby triggering the force pressure sensor <NUM>. A command from force pressure sensor <NUM> will trigger controller <NUM> to activate motor <NUM> of pump <NUM>, pump <NUM> will create a negative air pressure at the suction port <NUM> at centering disc <NUM>, the pressure difference will cause air to from three-part airway <NUM> within container <NUM>, to be extracted from internal airway chamber <NUM> through internal airway portion <NUM> in lid <NUM>, passing check-valve <NUM> and cavity <NUM> in seal <NUM>, through external airway portion <NUM> to the bottom of container <NUM> to suction port <NUM>. Once a predetermined internal pressure in container <NUM> has been reached, the creation of negative air pressure at suction port <NUM> will cease stop by the command of controller <NUM> in response to its measure by air pressure sensor <NUM>.

Container <NUM>, may now be removed from base <NUM>, while retaining its vacuum. The vacuum created by pump <NUM> adheres portion <NUM> and pump <NUM> to one another by the force of negative pressure present within. To facilitate removal of container <NUM> from pump <NUM>, vacuum container <NUM> may further comprise a pump release button such as button <NUM> (or buttons <NUM>, <NUM> exemplified in <FIG> and <FIG>, further described below). Button <NUM> allows for selected equalization of pressure within external airway portion <NUM>, while check valve <NUM> retains internal air chamber <NUM> vacuum sealed, for facilitating disconnection of container <NUM> from pump <NUM> under pressurized container conditions.

When access to the contents in container <NUM> is sought, the vacuum that tightly connects lid <NUM> to container <NUM> must be relieved. To this end, opening Lid-release button <NUM> is disposed at lid <NUM> and allows for selected equalization of pressure within the lid <NUM> covered internal air chamber <NUM> for allowing release of lid <NUM> under pressurized container conditions. As shown in <FIG>, which is an exploded view illustration of lid <NUM> of system <NUM>, lid <NUM> mainly comprises a quick-release button <NUM>, an integrated indicator <NUM>, a compression spring <NUM>, a compression spring <NUM>, a seal <NUM>, and a solid rigid frame <NUM>. Alternatively, a lid release button may be disposed anywhere at the wall of container <NUM>, preferably at the top (for avoiding interference with contents), as further described below in reference to <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, which is a detailed cut section of a quick-release mechanism <NUM> of lid <NUM> of system <NUM>, button <NUM> is fitted on a centering rod <NUM>. Compression spring <NUM> keeps button <NUM> spaced at maximum distance from frame <NUM> of lid <NUM>, and a locking limit tooth <NUM> prevents slackness and loosening of button <NUM> from frame <NUM>, once installed. O-rings <NUM> seal an air path between button <NUM> and lid <NUM>, when button <NUM> is in a decompressed position.

When button <NUM> is manually pressed by the user to a compressed, pressure equalizing, position, undercut <NUM> will connect with peripheral groove <NUM> in lid <NUM>, and allow air to enter through groove <NUM> into container <NUM>, through undercut <NUM> and groove <NUM> to slit <NUM> in lid <NUM>. Thus, allowing passage of air and restoring pressure inside container <NUM>. Upon ceasing a manual pressing of button <NUM>, compression spring <NUM> will push button <NUM> upwards.

Additionally, when negative pressure is built inside of container <NUM>, the pressure difference between the sides of indicator <NUM> will apply surface tension force on indicator <NUM>, causing indicator <NUM> to move downwards, while compressing compression spring <NUM> until reaching seal <NUM>. Breaking of vacuum will occur with the manual pressing of button <NUM>, wherein compression spring <NUM> will push the indicator upwards to internally flanging corner limitation <NUM> disposed at the top of button <NUM>. The position of indicator <NUM> is related to button <NUM>, indicating the pressure status inside the container to a viewer from above.

Reference is now made to <FIG>, which is a modification of the container shown in <FIG> featuring a pump release button <NUM>. It is noted that upon suction of air by pump <NUM> from container <NUM>, container <NUM> adheres at center disc <NUM> to base <NUM> by the force of negative pressure within airway <NUM> and the airways in base <NUM>. The user may be required to apply substantial force for separating container <NUM> from base <NUM>. One measure to facilitate separation may be reversing the function of air pump <NUM>. For example, using air pump <NUM> for selectively pumping air back into external portion <NUM> of extraction airway <NUM>, while check valve <NUM> retains internal air chamber <NUM> vacuum sealed, for facilitating disconnection of container <NUM> from vacuum pump <NUM> under pressurized container conditions. Although reversal of the operation of pump <NUM> is possible, it would be more convenient to implement a T-valve in fluid communication with extraction airway <NUM> and pump <NUM>, for reversing the pump suction direction (without reversing the pump action) when pumping air back into extraction airway <NUM>. An example of such optional T-valve is shown as T-valve <NUM> in <FIG>.

Another measure to facilitate removal of container <NUM> from pump <NUM>, is a pump release button, an example of which was mention above (button <NUM>). Vacuum container <NUM>, as well as base <NUM>, may further comprise a pump release button such as pump release button <NUM> of <FIG>, or pump release button <NUM> of <FIG>. Buttons <NUM> or <NUM>, when activated, admit air into portion <NUM> and the sealed air space, or airway, within base <NUM> air. Accordingly, buttons <NUM> or <NUM> allow for selected equalization of pressure within external airway portion <NUM>, while check valve <NUM> retains internal air chamber <NUM> vacuum sealed, for facilitating disconnection of container <NUM> from pump <NUM> under pressurized container conditions.

If pump release button, similar to buttons <NUM>, <NUM> is installed in container <NUM>, it may be combined with the lid release button (similar to lid release button mechanism <NUM>), and/or check valve <NUM>, in a single module. The lid release button and the check valve may also be combined in a single module. In reference to <FIG>, there is shown is a modification of container <NUM> shown in <FIG> featuring a one-way check valve <NUM>, a lid release button <NUM>, and a pump release button <NUM>, all combined in a single module <NUM>.

Vacuum container <NUM> utilizes integrated air-ways inside outer shell <NUM>, wherein external air extraction outlet or suction port <NUM> is placed on a side-wall or the bottom of container <NUM> rather than at the top of container <NUM>. Vacuum container <NUM> reduces efforts required by a user to extract air from container <NUM>, i.e., by utilizing a container with a bottom-disposed suction port. Suction port <NUM>, is simple in construction, and disposed on the bottom of vacuum container <NUM>, right above a complementary port <NUM> of base <NUM> that lead to a pump. Vacuum container <NUM> is equipped with lid quick-release button mechanism <NUM>. Vacuum container <NUM> may feature an integrated indicator <NUM> of internal pressure conditions. It is noted that vacuum base <NUM> is designed for use such that the only requirement is that suction port <NUM> is completely covered by base <NUM>. System <NUM> includes a pump or may be coupled with a device for extracting air out of vacuum container <NUM> with bottom suction port <NUM>.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosed invention, there is provided a method for vacuum sealing a vacuum container system for keeping products and fluids under vacuum until accessing required. Reference is now made to <FIG>, which is a block diagram of method <NUM> for vacuum sealing a vacuum container, operative in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Procedure <NUM> of method <NUM> includes sealingly closing an internal air chamber of the vacuum container with a lid, e.g., by a peripheral seal fitted between an upper/top lid and the vacuum container. In reference to <FIG>, lid <NUM> sealingly closes internal air chamber <NUM> of vacuum container <NUM>, e.g., by a peripheral seal <NUM> fitted between the upper/top lid <NUM> and vacuum container <NUM>.

Procedure <NUM> of method <NUM> includes coupling in fluid communication the internal air chamber with an air pump, by an extraction airway disposed in the vacuum container. The extraction airway includes an internal air extraction outlet disposed at the top of and within the container, an external air extraction outlet outside the vacuum container disposed at one of: the bottom and the side wall of the container, configured to be coupled to an external air pump, and a one-way check-valve disposed in the extraction airway and separating an internal airway portion and an external airway portion of the extraction airway, for preventing ambient air from penetrating the internal air chamber through the extraction airway when vacuum sealed, and allowing passage of air when pressure is equalized with ambient atmospheric pressure in the internal airway portion. In reference to <FIG>, internal air chamber <NUM> is coupled in fluid communication with air pump <NUM>, by extraction airway <NUM> which is disposed in vacuum container <NUM>. Extraction airway <NUM> includes internal air extraction outlet <NUM> which is disposed at the top of and within container <NUM> (al lid <NUM>), external air extraction outlet <NUM> which is disposed outside vacuum container <NUM> disposed at the bottom thereof, and is configured to be coupled to external air pump <NUM>. One-way check-valve <NUM> is disposed in extraction airway <NUM> and separates internal airway portion <NUM> and external airway portion <NUM> of extraction airway <NUM>, for preventing ambient air from penetrating internal air chamber <NUM> through extraction airway <NUM> when vacuum sealed, and allows passage of air when pressure is equalized in internal airway portion <NUM>.

Procedure <NUM> of coupling further includes coupling in fluid communication the internal air chamber with an air pump disposed in a vacuum base. In reference to <FIG>, internal air chamber <NUM> is coupled in fluid communication with air pump <NUM> which is disposed in vacuum base <NUM>.

Procedure <NUM> of coupling further includes centering the container on a centering disk of the base, detecting when the vacuum container and the vacuum base are coupled by a connection sensor, and coupling the extraction airway of the vacuum container with the vacuum pump of the vacuum base by a suction port. In reference to <FIG>, container <NUM> is centered on centering disk <NUM> of base <NUM>. Pressure sensor <NUM> which function as a connection sensor, detects when vacuum container <NUM> and vacuum base <NUM> are coupled. Extraction airway <NUM> of vacuum container <NUM> is coupled with vacuum pump <NUM> of vacuum base <NUM> by suction port <NUM>.

Procedure <NUM> of method <NUM> includes extracting air from the internal air chamber through the extraction airway by activating the pump to extract air. In reference to <FIG>, air from internal air chamber <NUM> is extracted through extraction airway <NUM> by activating pump <NUM> to extract air.

Procedure <NUM> of method <NUM> includes disconnecting the vacuum container from the air pump, while the check valve maintains the container vacuum sealed. In reference to <FIG>, vacuum container <NUM> is disconnected from air pump <NUM>, while check valve <NUM> maintains container <NUM> vacuum sealed. Procedure <NUM> of disconnecting may further include activating a pump release button allowing for selected equalization of pressure within the external airway portion, while the check valve retains the internal air chamber vacuum sealed, for facilitating disconnection of the container from the pump under pressurized container conditions. In reference to <FIG>, pump release button <NUM>, <NUM> or <NUM> is activated, allowing for selected equalization of pressure within external airway portion <NUM>, while check valve <NUM> (or <NUM>) retains internal air chamber <NUM> vacuum sealed, for facilitating disconnection of container <NUM> from pump <NUM> under pressurized container conditions.

Procedure <NUM> of disconnecting may further include selectively pumping air, with the air pump, back into an external portion of the extraction airway, while the check valve retains the internal air chamber vacuum sealed, for facilitating disconnection of the container from the vacuum pump under pressurized container conditions. In reference to <FIG>, air pump <NUM> selectively pumps air back into external portion <NUM> of extraction airway <NUM>, while check valve <NUM> retains internal air chamber <NUM> vacuum sealed, for facilitating disconnection of container <NUM> from vacuum pump <NUM> under pressurized container conditions.

Procedure <NUM> of disconnecting may further include reversing the pump suction direction when pumping air back into the extraction airway by means of a T-valve in fluid communication with the extraction airway and the pump. In reference to <FIG>, pump <NUM> suction direction is reversed when pumping air back into extraction airway <NUM> by means of a T-valve <NUM> which is in fluid communication with extraction airway <NUM> and pump <NUM>.

Procedure <NUM> of method <NUM> includes selectively vacuum-releasing of the container by activating a lid-release button for restoring relative pressure to the vacuum container allowing a release of the lid. In reference to <FIG>, lid-release button <NUM> (or <NUM>) is activated for restoring relative pressure to vacuum container <NUM> for allowing release of lid <NUM>, thereby allowing selectively release of the vacuum in container <NUM>.

The extraction airway may be in fluid communication through the lid, and the walls of the container, wherein the lid includes the internal outlet and the internal airway portion within the container, or wherein the walls include the internal outlet and the internal airway within the container. In reference to <FIG>, extraction airway <NUM> is in fluid communication through lid <NUM>, and the walls of outer shell <NUM> of container <NUM>, wherein lid <NUM> includes internal outlet <NUM> and internal airway portion <NUM> within container <NUM>. The lid release button may be located in the lid of the vacuum container or on the walls of the vacuum container. In reference to <FIG>, lid release button <NUM> is be located in lid <NUM> of vacuum container <NUM>.

The pump release button may be disposed either in base <NUM> or container <NUM>. The pump release button may be combined with at least one of: the lid release button, and the check valve, in a single module. In reference to <FIG>, pump release button <NUM> is disposed in base <NUM>, and pump release buttons <NUM> and <NUM> are disposed in container <NUM>. Pump release button <NUM> is combined with lid release button <NUM> and check valve <NUM>, in a single module. The lid release button and the check valve may be combined in a single module. In reference to <FIG>, lid release button <NUM> and check valve <NUM> are combined in a single module.

Claim 1:
A vacuum container system (<NUM>) for providing vacuum sealing of a container, comprising:
(I) a vacuum container (<NUM>) comprising:
(<NUM>) a three-part airway (<NUM>) comprising:
(a) an internal air chamber (<NUM>) for containing products and fluids;
(b) an extraction airway (<NUM>) extending between the top and the bottom of the container (<NUM>), for allowing extraction of air from said internal air chamber (<NUM>); said extraction airway (<NUM>) comprising:
(i) an internal air extraction outlet (<NUM>), disposed at the top of and within said internal air chamber (<NUM>); and
(ii) an external air extraction outlet (<NUM>) outside said container (<NUM>), disposed at the bottom of said container (<NUM>), configured to be coupled to an external air pump (<NUM>) for extracting air from said container (<NUM>); and
(c) a one-way check-valve (<NUM>) disposed in said extraction airway (<NUM>) and separating an internal airway portion (<NUM>) and an external airway portion (<NUM>) of said extraction airway (<NUM>), for preventing ambient air from penetrating said internal air chamber (<NUM>) through said extraction airway (<NUM>) when vacuum sealed, and allowing passage of air from said internal air chamber (<NUM>) through said extraction airway (<NUM>) when pressure is equalized in said internal airway portion (<NUM>) and said internal air chamber (<NUM>);
(<NUM>) a lid (<NUM>) fitted to sealingly cover said internal air chamber (<NUM>), wherein said internal air extraction outlet (<NUM>) is disposed at one of: said lid (<NUM>); and the side wall of said internal air chamber (<NUM>); and
(<NUM>) a lid-release button (<NUM>) allowing for selected equalization of pressure within said covered internal air chamber (<NUM>) for allowing release of said lid (<NUM>) under pressurized container conditions; and
(II) a vacuum base (<NUM>), to which said vacuum container (<NUM>) can be releasably coupled, comprising said external air pump (<NUM>) connectable to said external air outlet (<NUM>) for extracting air from said container (<NUM>) when sealingly covered by said lid (<NUM>),
wherein the vacuum container system (<NUM>) further comprises:
a centering disk (<NUM>);
a connection sensor (<NUM>) detecting when said vacuum container (<NUM>) and said vacuum base (<NUM>) are coupled; and
a suction port (<NUM>) coupling said extraction airway (<NUM>) of said vacuum container (<NUM>) with said vacuum pump (<NUM>) of said vacuum base (<NUM>).