Vacuum storage system and method
AssigneeRam Research, LLC
InventorAndrew Russell
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An exemplary system and method for providing and releasing a vacuum seal is disclosed as comprising inter alia: puncturing a portion of a lid closure with a penetrator device; actuating a vacuum pump to remove at least a portion of atmospheric gas from inside the containment vessel via the puncture hole; and sealing the puncture with a laminar valve or thin film held in place with PST or other suitable adhesive. Disclosed features and specifications may be variously controlled, adapted or otherwise optionally modified to improve release and/or re-establishment of a vacuum seal for any application or operating environment. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention generally provide for quick, easy and safe opening and resealing of vacuum packaged containers for food products.
Claims20
A storage system, said system comprising:
- a containment vessel having a lid closure;
- a vacuum release device comprising a penetrator member disposed within a housing, said penetrator having a first set position and a strike position, a load spring suitably adapted to provide an application of force to said penetrator to drive the penetrator from said first set position to said strike position, a return spring suitably adapted to provide an application of force to said penetrator to reposition the penetrator from said strike position to a second set position, and a trigger mechanism for actuating release of said penetrator to drive said penetrator from said first set position to said strike position;
- a vacuum pump;
- and
- at least one of a substantially laminar valve and a substantially laminar seal disposed on at least a portion of said lid closure.
A storage system, said system comprising:
- a containment vessel having a closure;
- a vacuum release device comprising a penetrator member disposed within a housing, said penetrator having a first set position and a strike position, said release device suitably adapted to provide an application of force to said penetrator to drive the penetrator from said first set position to said strike position, and said release device suitably adapted to provide an application of force to said penetrator to reposition the penetrator from said strike position to a second set position;
- a vacuum pump;
- and
- at least one of a substantially laminar valve and a substantially laminar seal.
A storage method, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing a containment vessel having a closure;
- providing a vacuum release device comprising a penetrator member disposed within a housing, said penetrator having a first set position and a strike position, a load spring suitably adapted to provide an application of force to said penetrator to drive the penetrator from said first set position to said strike position, a return spring suitably adapted to provide an application of force to said penetrator to reposition the penetrator from said strike position to a second set position, and a trigger mechanism for actuating release of said penetrator to drive said penetrator from said first set position to said strike position to establish a vent opening in said lid closure;
- providing a vacuum pump;
- and
- providing at least one of a substantially laminar valve and a substantially laminar seal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.