CA2431227A1 - Device for emptying a food storage container which can be sealed by means of a valve - Google Patents
Device for emptying a food storage container which can be sealed by means of a valve Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2431227A1 CA2431227A1 CA002431227A CA2431227A CA2431227A1 CA 2431227 A1 CA2431227 A1 CA 2431227A1 CA 002431227 A CA002431227 A CA 002431227A CA 2431227 A CA2431227 A CA 2431227A CA 2431227 A1 CA2431227 A1 CA 2431227A1
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- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- pump
- attachment
- vacuum pump
- storage container
- housing
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B31/00—Packaging articles or materials under special atmospheric or gaseous conditions; Adding propellants to aerosol containers
- B65B31/04—Evacuating, pressurising or gasifying filled containers or wrappers by means of nozzles through which air or other gas, e.g. an inert gas, is withdrawn or supplied
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B31/00—Packaging articles or materials under special atmospheric or gaseous conditions; Adding propellants to aerosol containers
- B65B31/04—Evacuating, pressurising or gasifying filled containers or wrappers by means of nozzles through which air or other gas, e.g. an inert gas, is withdrawn or supplied
- B65B31/046—Evacuating, pressurising or gasifying filled containers or wrappers by means of nozzles through which air or other gas, e.g. an inert gas, is withdrawn or supplied the nozzles co-operating, or being combined, with a device for opening or closing the container or wrapper
- B65B31/047—Evacuating, pressurising or gasifying filled containers or wrappers by means of nozzles through which air or other gas, e.g. an inert gas, is withdrawn or supplied the nozzles co-operating, or being combined, with a device for opening or closing the container or wrapper the nozzles co-operating with a check valve in the opening of the container or wrapper
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04C—ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04C18/00—Rotary-piston pumps specially adapted for elastic fluids
- F04C18/30—Rotary-piston pumps specially adapted for elastic fluids having the characteristics covered by two or more of groups F04C18/02, F04C18/08, F04C18/22, F04C18/24, F04C18/48, or having the characteristics covered by one of these groups together with some other type of movement between co-operating members
- F04C18/34—Rotary-piston pumps specially adapted for elastic fluids having the characteristics covered by two or more of groups F04C18/02, F04C18/08, F04C18/22, F04C18/24, F04C18/48, or having the characteristics covered by one of these groups together with some other type of movement between co-operating members having the movement defined in group F04C18/08 or F04C18/22 and relative reciprocation between the co-operating members
- F04C18/344—Rotary-piston pumps specially adapted for elastic fluids having the characteristics covered by two or more of groups F04C18/02, F04C18/08, F04C18/22, F04C18/24, F04C18/48, or having the characteristics covered by one of these groups together with some other type of movement between co-operating members having the movement defined in group F04C18/08 or F04C18/22 and relative reciprocation between the co-operating members with vanes reciprocating with respect to the inner member
- F04C18/3441—Rotary-piston pumps specially adapted for elastic fluids having the characteristics covered by two or more of groups F04C18/02, F04C18/08, F04C18/22, F04C18/24, F04C18/48, or having the characteristics covered by one of these groups together with some other type of movement between co-operating members having the movement defined in group F04C18/08 or F04C18/22 and relative reciprocation between the co-operating members with vanes reciprocating with respect to the inner member the inner and outer member being in contact along one line or continuous surface substantially parallel to the axis of rotation
- F04C18/3442—Rotary-piston pumps specially adapted for elastic fluids having the characteristics covered by two or more of groups F04C18/02, F04C18/08, F04C18/22, F04C18/24, F04C18/48, or having the characteristics covered by one of these groups together with some other type of movement between co-operating members having the movement defined in group F04C18/08 or F04C18/22 and relative reciprocation between the co-operating members with vanes reciprocating with respect to the inner member the inner and outer member being in contact along one line or continuous surface substantially parallel to the axis of rotation the surfaces of the inner and outer member, forming the inlet and outlet opening
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04C—ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04C29/00—Component parts, details or accessories of pumps or pumping installations, not provided for in groups F04C18/00 - F04C28/00
- F04C29/0042—Driving elements, brakes, couplings, transmissions specially adapted for pumps
- F04C29/005—Means for transmitting movement from the prime mover to driven parts of the pump, e.g. clutches, couplings, transmissions
- F04C29/0071—Couplings between rotors and input or output shafts acting by interengaging or mating parts, i.e. positive coupling of rotor and shaft
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04C—ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04C2220/00—Application
- F04C2220/10—Vacuum
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Food-Manufacturing Devices (AREA)
- Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
- Food Preservation Except Freezing, Refrigeration, And Drying (AREA)
- Cookers (AREA)
- Packages (AREA)
- Mixers With Rotating Receptacles And Mixers With Vibration Mechanisms (AREA)
- Control And Other Processes For Unpacking Of Materials (AREA)
- Rotary Pumps (AREA)
- Vending Machines For Individual Products (AREA)
Abstract
The invention relates to a device for emptying food storage containers. The invention is characterised in that the device is embodied as an attachment (1) for a hand-held electrical household appliance, particularly a rod mixer and comprises a vacuum pump (17). The invention also relates to a method for emptying a food storage container, whereby an attachment comprising a vacuum pump is disposed on a rod mixer. The inventive attachment is advantageous in that it is provided with a small, economical and easy to handle vacuum pump for use in the household. In contrast to prior art no completely new household appliance with corresponding additional storage requirements needs to be added. The inventive attachment is simple and safe to use in the household.
Description
.. " .. ' Device for Evacuating a Food Storage Container Closable bY a Valve ,.
This invention relates to a device in accordance with the prior-art portion of patent claim 1.
The art knows of systems for storing food which allow the food to be preserved under better framework conditions than if it were stored without any treatment or improved storage conditions. One way to improve the storage of food is to keep it in containers under vacuum.
Such systems have been shown to produce very good results in preventing certain micro-organisms, insect pests, mold and fungus growth. Furthermore, they help to prevent the food from oxidizing, thereby enabling variations in the moisture content and aroma of the food to be avoided.
To obtain such storage conditions a device is necessary which draws air out of the stor-age container in order to generate a vacuum. A wide variety of pumps for performing this func-tion are known from the art. As a rule the pumps intended for household use are based on piston pumps or ventilators.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,195,427 discloses a prior-art electrically powered handheld vacuum pump for use in the household. The handheld device is constructed from a multiplicity of single parts for use solely as a vacuum pump. In particular provision is made for an elaborate conver-sion of the shaft's rotary motion into an oscillating motion and for a suitable reduction gear to drive the piston pump. The system is intended for the evacuation of storage containers for food.
With this device it is possible by easy means to obtain a suitable pressure ratio for storing food in a vacuum container.
From DE 195 04 638 A1 there is known an immersion blender for mixing or comminuting food whose blade rotates in a bell-shaped recess, thereby generating. a vacuum which is pro duced via a fluid connection from the upper part of the shank of the immersion blender. The vacuum accumulating in the bell serves to improve and intensify the mixing of food.
From German utility model 299 20 316 U1 there is known a device for generating a vacuum in a container, using a vacuum-cleaner as a vacuum generator. For this purpose use is made of an adapter piece in the form of an attachment to a vacuum-cleaner, which is mountable on a valve arranged on the lid of the container. Handling the vacuum generator constructed as a vacuum-cleaner is elaborate and complicated. Problems of hygiene may arise when dealing with food. '' The electric vacuum pumps introduced for household use are very elaborate to manu-facture because rod mechanism and gearing require a large number of components. The structural configuration results moreover in relatively large dimensions of the equipment. Fur-thermore, purchasing a corresponding vacuum pump means that an additional household appliance has to be stored but is used in only a few cases.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device for the evacuation of storage containers for food which affords ease and greater economy of manufacture.
This object is accomplished by a device for the evacuation of a food storage container closable by a valve having the features of patent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the subclaims.
The attachment of the invention for a handheld electric household appliance has the ad-vantage of providing a small, low-cost and easy-to-use vacuum pump for household applica-tions. Contrary to the solutions known from the art there is no need of a completely new house-hold appliance and equivalent additional storage space. Rather, the attachment adds a further useful component to the already existing attachments such as mixers, blenders, etc. This is a particularly space-saving solution and far cheaper than an additional electric appliance with its own drive. Furthermore, the attachment of the invention is easy and safe to use in the domestic field. The invention represents a simple and economical solution because the two shaft ends are joined together by positive engagement by simply plugging together the shaft couplings. In this arrangement the shaft couplings can be constructed as spur-toothed gears.
An advantageous embodiment of the present invention is provided by the features of patent claim 2. This type of vacuum pump features in particular a higher suction power com-pared to the vacuum pumps used to date for domestic applications. This means furthermore that the overall height can be small because there is no need of any elaborate rod mechanisms and gears. The vacuum pump can be directly driven with the rotational frequency: of the drive shaft of the household appliance. This also reduces the number of components, which has a positive effect in tum on the costs of manufacture. Finally, it takes just a few seconds with such a vane-type pump to generate the required level of pressure in a food container.
This invention relates to a device in accordance with the prior-art portion of patent claim 1.
The art knows of systems for storing food which allow the food to be preserved under better framework conditions than if it were stored without any treatment or improved storage conditions. One way to improve the storage of food is to keep it in containers under vacuum.
Such systems have been shown to produce very good results in preventing certain micro-organisms, insect pests, mold and fungus growth. Furthermore, they help to prevent the food from oxidizing, thereby enabling variations in the moisture content and aroma of the food to be avoided.
To obtain such storage conditions a device is necessary which draws air out of the stor-age container in order to generate a vacuum. A wide variety of pumps for performing this func-tion are known from the art. As a rule the pumps intended for household use are based on piston pumps or ventilators.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,195,427 discloses a prior-art electrically powered handheld vacuum pump for use in the household. The handheld device is constructed from a multiplicity of single parts for use solely as a vacuum pump. In particular provision is made for an elaborate conver-sion of the shaft's rotary motion into an oscillating motion and for a suitable reduction gear to drive the piston pump. The system is intended for the evacuation of storage containers for food.
With this device it is possible by easy means to obtain a suitable pressure ratio for storing food in a vacuum container.
From DE 195 04 638 A1 there is known an immersion blender for mixing or comminuting food whose blade rotates in a bell-shaped recess, thereby generating. a vacuum which is pro duced via a fluid connection from the upper part of the shank of the immersion blender. The vacuum accumulating in the bell serves to improve and intensify the mixing of food.
From German utility model 299 20 316 U1 there is known a device for generating a vacuum in a container, using a vacuum-cleaner as a vacuum generator. For this purpose use is made of an adapter piece in the form of an attachment to a vacuum-cleaner, which is mountable on a valve arranged on the lid of the container. Handling the vacuum generator constructed as a vacuum-cleaner is elaborate and complicated. Problems of hygiene may arise when dealing with food. '' The electric vacuum pumps introduced for household use are very elaborate to manu-facture because rod mechanism and gearing require a large number of components. The structural configuration results moreover in relatively large dimensions of the equipment. Fur-thermore, purchasing a corresponding vacuum pump means that an additional household appliance has to be stored but is used in only a few cases.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device for the evacuation of storage containers for food which affords ease and greater economy of manufacture.
This object is accomplished by a device for the evacuation of a food storage container closable by a valve having the features of patent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the subclaims.
The attachment of the invention for a handheld electric household appliance has the ad-vantage of providing a small, low-cost and easy-to-use vacuum pump for household applica-tions. Contrary to the solutions known from the art there is no need of a completely new house-hold appliance and equivalent additional storage space. Rather, the attachment adds a further useful component to the already existing attachments such as mixers, blenders, etc. This is a particularly space-saving solution and far cheaper than an additional electric appliance with its own drive. Furthermore, the attachment of the invention is easy and safe to use in the domestic field. The invention represents a simple and economical solution because the two shaft ends are joined together by positive engagement by simply plugging together the shaft couplings. In this arrangement the shaft couplings can be constructed as spur-toothed gears.
An advantageous embodiment of the present invention is provided by the features of patent claim 2. This type of vacuum pump features in particular a higher suction power com-pared to the vacuum pumps used to date for domestic applications. This means furthermore that the overall height can be small because there is no need of any elaborate rod mechanisms and gears. The vacuum pump can be directly driven with the rotational frequency: of the drive shaft of the household appliance. This also reduces the number of components, which has a positive effect in tum on the costs of manufacture. Finally, it takes just a few seconds with such a vane-type pump to generate the required level of pressure in a food container.
A further advantageous embodiment of the present invention is provided by the features of patent claim 3. In this arrangement the sealing lip is formed by a circumferential edge of elastomer plastic material projecting at the suction side. The cross section of the sealing lip may widen toward the free end. This makes it easier for the attachment to be mounted on a S suitable valve of a storage container for food. Locating it centrally relative to a corresponding valve opening, as is required with devices of the art, is thus eliminated. The sealing lip works in this case like a suction cup.
Yet another advantageous embodiment of the present invention is provided by the features of patent claim 4. The result is a simple and low-cost plug-type connection with a handheld household appliance such as an immersion blender. This plug-type connection is very sturdy and at the same time may serve as a centering arrangement for connecting the shaft couplings.
Finally, a further advantageous embodiment of the invention is provided by the features of patent claim 5. An additional safety function is thereby provided to prevent liquid from enter-ing the pump chamber during the evacuation operation. The solution is simple and low-cost.
For example, it is possible to provide a simple spherical float in a riser, which floats on the liquid surface and closes a valve opening when the liquid has reached a predetermined level.
An advantageous further aspect is also provided by the features of patent claim 6.
Thereby the vacuum pump of the attachment is rendered temperature-resistant in its operating range. A self-lubricating effect is also achieved thereby. Consequently the vacuum pump dis-plays low pressure losses and requires no maintenance.
Yet another advantageous further aspect is provided by the features of patent claim 7.
Temperature resistance within the operating range is thereby assured as before. In addition to this, however, the occurring centrifugal forces are withstood without any deformations of un-acceptable magnitude. This is also promoted by the material-related light-weight construction.
Another advantageous further aspect is provided by the features of patent claim 8. In this arrangement, the lamellae configured, for example, as rectangular plates may either be freely movable, actuated solely by centrifugal force, or be exposed to spring pressure: By suit-able material selection a self-lubricating, maintenance-free construction is made available.
Finally, an advantageous further embodiment of the attachment of the invention is pro-vided by the features of patent claim 9. This choice of material represents a cheap hygienic construction that enables a multiplicity of designs. Some of the possible materials are, for example, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide or any other thermoplastic material:
Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will be explained in the sub-sequent description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a first embodiment of an invention device for evacuating a storage container for food;
FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view of the device of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a perspective detail view of the vane-type pump forming part of the device of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an immersion blender with an attachment according to the embodiment of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of a second embodiment of an invention device for evacuating a storage container for food with a float section; and FIG. 6 is a graph showing, by way of comparison, the evacuation time for a 700 ml con-tainer of an attachment of the invention and the evacuation time for conventional vacuum pumps for household use.
Identical or similar components will be identified in the following with the same reference characters.
FIG. 1 shows a schematic sectional view of an advantageous embodiment of an attach-ment 1 in accordance with the present invention. The attachment 1 has a coupling section 2, a pump section 3 and a suction section 4.
The coupling section is formed by a cup-shaped plug-in shank 6 and a coupling gear 7 arranged within. The plug-in shank has in its base area a base opening 9 through which a shaft 8 connected with the coupling gear 7 is passed.
The vacuum pump arranged in the pump section 3 is constructed as a vane-type pump 17, as shown in the perspective detail view of F1G. 3. The pump housing of the vane-type pump 17 is formed by a graphite ring 16 which is covered at its upper and lower end by a circular upper end disk 18 and a lower end disk 12, respectively. A cylindrical rotor 10 is eccentrically mounted for rotation in the pump housing. The rotor 10 has an arrangement of uniformly dis-tributed radial grooves 32. Accommodated in the grooves 32 are radially displaceable lamellae 11. The lamellae 11 are pressed against the graphite ring 16 by centrifugal force, supported in the present embodiment by the force of springs 26. This results in the formation of fluid-delivery cells 22 which become wider and narrower in a crescent-shaped configuration.
As becomes apparent from FIG. 1, the rotor 10 is connected to a shaft 8 which at the one end is passed through the end disk. The end of the shaft 8 projecting out of the upper end disk 18 has a coupling gear 7 constructed as a spur-toothed gear. Furthermore, in coupling section 2 provision is made for an annular sheath which continues along the wall of the housing 5. This shaft-side housing end of the attachment 1, which is constructed as a plug-in shank 6, is intended for connecting to the tool-side end of an immersion blender.
Formed at the other end of the housing 5 around the outer circumference is a circumfer-ential sealing lip 13 made of an elastic rubber material, which is connected via a groove 15 to a 1 S bar 14. The sealing lip 13 is constructed to act as a kind of suction cup when in operation. The cover 33 fitted to this end of the housing 5 has suitable suction slots 28.
The suction slots 28 lie within the section of the cover 33 surrounded by the annular sealing lip 13.
FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded view of the embodiment of F1G. 1. It shows the plug-in shank 6 of essentially cup-shaped configuration in coupling section 2 and the coupling gear 7 arranged at its bottom. Also shown schematically in the pump section 3 are the rotor 10 and the shaft 8 which connects the coupling gear 7 to the rotor 10. The rotor 10 is received by the graphite ring 16 which is arranged in tum in the housing 5. Finally, the suction port 4 with the sealing lip 13 made of elastomer plastic is shown at the lower end of the elongated cylindrical housing 5.
FIG. 3 shows schematically a perspective detail view of the vane-type pump 17 of FIG.
1. Visible is the opened upper end disk 18, which is made of graphite like the cylindrical graph-ite ring 16 and the lower end disk 12. Provided eccentrically to the center of the circular upper end disk 18 is a bore which acts as the shaft bearing 20 of the rotor shaft 8, not shown. The shaft bearing 20 is constructed as a self-lubricating plain bearing. The rotor 10 carried by the shaft 8 is arranged within the cylindrical graphite ring 16 which together with the upper end disk 18 and the lower end disk 12 forms the pump housing of the vane-type pump 17.
Yet another advantageous embodiment of the present invention is provided by the features of patent claim 4. The result is a simple and low-cost plug-type connection with a handheld household appliance such as an immersion blender. This plug-type connection is very sturdy and at the same time may serve as a centering arrangement for connecting the shaft couplings.
Finally, a further advantageous embodiment of the invention is provided by the features of patent claim 5. An additional safety function is thereby provided to prevent liquid from enter-ing the pump chamber during the evacuation operation. The solution is simple and low-cost.
For example, it is possible to provide a simple spherical float in a riser, which floats on the liquid surface and closes a valve opening when the liquid has reached a predetermined level.
An advantageous further aspect is also provided by the features of patent claim 6.
Thereby the vacuum pump of the attachment is rendered temperature-resistant in its operating range. A self-lubricating effect is also achieved thereby. Consequently the vacuum pump dis-plays low pressure losses and requires no maintenance.
Yet another advantageous further aspect is provided by the features of patent claim 7.
Temperature resistance within the operating range is thereby assured as before. In addition to this, however, the occurring centrifugal forces are withstood without any deformations of un-acceptable magnitude. This is also promoted by the material-related light-weight construction.
Another advantageous further aspect is provided by the features of patent claim 8. In this arrangement, the lamellae configured, for example, as rectangular plates may either be freely movable, actuated solely by centrifugal force, or be exposed to spring pressure: By suit-able material selection a self-lubricating, maintenance-free construction is made available.
Finally, an advantageous further embodiment of the attachment of the invention is pro-vided by the features of patent claim 9. This choice of material represents a cheap hygienic construction that enables a multiplicity of designs. Some of the possible materials are, for example, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide or any other thermoplastic material:
Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will be explained in the sub-sequent description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a first embodiment of an invention device for evacuating a storage container for food;
FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view of the device of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a perspective detail view of the vane-type pump forming part of the device of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an immersion blender with an attachment according to the embodiment of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of a second embodiment of an invention device for evacuating a storage container for food with a float section; and FIG. 6 is a graph showing, by way of comparison, the evacuation time for a 700 ml con-tainer of an attachment of the invention and the evacuation time for conventional vacuum pumps for household use.
Identical or similar components will be identified in the following with the same reference characters.
FIG. 1 shows a schematic sectional view of an advantageous embodiment of an attach-ment 1 in accordance with the present invention. The attachment 1 has a coupling section 2, a pump section 3 and a suction section 4.
The coupling section is formed by a cup-shaped plug-in shank 6 and a coupling gear 7 arranged within. The plug-in shank has in its base area a base opening 9 through which a shaft 8 connected with the coupling gear 7 is passed.
The vacuum pump arranged in the pump section 3 is constructed as a vane-type pump 17, as shown in the perspective detail view of F1G. 3. The pump housing of the vane-type pump 17 is formed by a graphite ring 16 which is covered at its upper and lower end by a circular upper end disk 18 and a lower end disk 12, respectively. A cylindrical rotor 10 is eccentrically mounted for rotation in the pump housing. The rotor 10 has an arrangement of uniformly dis-tributed radial grooves 32. Accommodated in the grooves 32 are radially displaceable lamellae 11. The lamellae 11 are pressed against the graphite ring 16 by centrifugal force, supported in the present embodiment by the force of springs 26. This results in the formation of fluid-delivery cells 22 which become wider and narrower in a crescent-shaped configuration.
As becomes apparent from FIG. 1, the rotor 10 is connected to a shaft 8 which at the one end is passed through the end disk. The end of the shaft 8 projecting out of the upper end disk 18 has a coupling gear 7 constructed as a spur-toothed gear. Furthermore, in coupling section 2 provision is made for an annular sheath which continues along the wall of the housing 5. This shaft-side housing end of the attachment 1, which is constructed as a plug-in shank 6, is intended for connecting to the tool-side end of an immersion blender.
Formed at the other end of the housing 5 around the outer circumference is a circumfer-ential sealing lip 13 made of an elastic rubber material, which is connected via a groove 15 to a 1 S bar 14. The sealing lip 13 is constructed to act as a kind of suction cup when in operation. The cover 33 fitted to this end of the housing 5 has suitable suction slots 28.
The suction slots 28 lie within the section of the cover 33 surrounded by the annular sealing lip 13.
FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded view of the embodiment of F1G. 1. It shows the plug-in shank 6 of essentially cup-shaped configuration in coupling section 2 and the coupling gear 7 arranged at its bottom. Also shown schematically in the pump section 3 are the rotor 10 and the shaft 8 which connects the coupling gear 7 to the rotor 10. The rotor 10 is received by the graphite ring 16 which is arranged in tum in the housing 5. Finally, the suction port 4 with the sealing lip 13 made of elastomer plastic is shown at the lower end of the elongated cylindrical housing 5.
FIG. 3 shows schematically a perspective detail view of the vane-type pump 17 of FIG.
1. Visible is the opened upper end disk 18, which is made of graphite like the cylindrical graph-ite ring 16 and the lower end disk 12. Provided eccentrically to the center of the circular upper end disk 18 is a bore which acts as the shaft bearing 20 of the rotor shaft 8, not shown. The shaft bearing 20 is constructed as a self-lubricating plain bearing. The rotor 10 carried by the shaft 8 is arranged within the cylindrical graphite ring 16 which together with the upper end disk 18 and the lower end disk 12 forms the pump housing of the vane-type pump 17.
The carbon-fiber rotor 10 is arranged eccentrically to the center of the graphite ring 16.
It has three grooves 32 arranged at an angular offset of 120° to each other, in which lamellae 11 are guided such as to be longitudinally displaceable in radial direction. The lamellae 11 are fabricated essentially as rectangular graphite plates. At their end facing the shaft bore 21 of the rotor 10 the lamellae 11 are acted upon by the pressure of compression springs 26. Also visible is the suction opening 19 arranged on the lower end disk 12, through which air is drawn out of a storage container. The fluid-delivery cells 22 are formed by the rotor 10, the upper end disk 18, the lower end disk 12, the graphite ring 16 and the lamellae 11.
With the vane-type pump 17 in operation, the rotor turns with the shaft speed of the im-mersion blender 23. As the result of the centrifugal force and the spring force the lamellae 11 slide along the inner wall of the graphite ring, hence guaranteeing that no pressure compensa-tion takes place between the various fluid-delivery cells.
FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an attachment 1 of the invention, which is mounted on the output end of an immersion blender 23. The essentially elongated cylindrical equipment combination has at its upper end a grip 24 which can be gripped all-round by the users hand.
On the front side of the immersion blender 23 in the upper region is an actuating switch 25 which is easy to operate with the gripping hand.
In this arrangement the upper region of the housing 5 of the attachment 1, which is con-structed as a plug-in shank 6, is pushed over the slightly conical output end of the immersion blender 23: As this occurs, the shaft connection for driving the vacuum pump is established simultaneously.
A circumferential sealing lip 13 made of elastomer plastic is arranged on the lower end of the attachment 1. The smooth outer walls of the immersion blender 23 and the attachment'1, which are made of thermoplastic material, make it easy to clean the equipment combination, which is important for household appliances in particular for reasons of hygiene.
The attachment 1 is connected during operation to the output end of the immersion blender 23. The attachment 1 is held by the annular shea#h at the output end of the immersion blender 23 such that it cannot tilt or twist. The output shaft of the immersion blender 23 is in positive engagement with the coupling gear 7 of the vane-type pump 17. The suction. side of the attachment 1 sits on a valve device which is arranged on a storage container for food. The circumferential sealing lip 13 sucks itself tight against a smooth circumferential edge of a _7_ connecting arrangement of the valve device. While the storage container is being evacuated the rotor 10 of the attachment 1 is set in rotation by the drive shaft of the immersion blender 23.
FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the present invention in which added provision is made for a float section 29. This prevents liquid from entering the vane-type pump 17. In this embodiment the constructional configuration of the coupling section 2 and the pump section 3 is essentially the same as the configuration described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.
In this embodiment a float section 29 adjoins the pump section 3. The float section 29 is essentially formed by a cylindrical float housing 31 made of thermoplastic material. At its lower end the float housing 31 has a bar 14 which engages in a groove 15 of a sealing lip 13 forming the suction port 4 A spherical float 30 is provided in the float housing 21. The float 30 is constructed as a hollow body so that it easily floats on inflowing liquid. When the level of liquid in the float hous-ing 30 reaches a critical value, the lower opening of the suction pipe 27 is closed by the float 30.
No liquid then gets into the vane-type pump 17. Additional suction slots 28 are provided at the 1 S lower end of the float housing 31 in order to guarantee with certainty that the air existing in a storage container for food is evacuated.
FIG. 6 shows a graph in which the evacuation time for a 700 ml container is presented.
The time t in seconds is plotted on the x-axis and the pressure in mbar on the y-axis. At the time t = 0 the pressure inside the container equals the ambient pressure. When the vacuum pump is activated, the pressure inside the container is reduced. The development of pressure as a function of time can be represented as a logarithmic function. Only when using the em-bodiment of the invention does it take just 5 seconds to attain a container pressure of around 300 mbar, whereas comparable units attained only pressures of about 500 to 700 mbar during this time period. After just 15 seconds with the attachment of the invention the pressure attained is 200 mbar and does not drop thereafter by any appreciable amount.
By contrast, the comparable units attained only a pressure of around 300 to 400 mbar in the same period of time. This underlines the evacuating power and speed of the attachment of the invention.
It has three grooves 32 arranged at an angular offset of 120° to each other, in which lamellae 11 are guided such as to be longitudinally displaceable in radial direction. The lamellae 11 are fabricated essentially as rectangular graphite plates. At their end facing the shaft bore 21 of the rotor 10 the lamellae 11 are acted upon by the pressure of compression springs 26. Also visible is the suction opening 19 arranged on the lower end disk 12, through which air is drawn out of a storage container. The fluid-delivery cells 22 are formed by the rotor 10, the upper end disk 18, the lower end disk 12, the graphite ring 16 and the lamellae 11.
With the vane-type pump 17 in operation, the rotor turns with the shaft speed of the im-mersion blender 23. As the result of the centrifugal force and the spring force the lamellae 11 slide along the inner wall of the graphite ring, hence guaranteeing that no pressure compensa-tion takes place between the various fluid-delivery cells.
FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an attachment 1 of the invention, which is mounted on the output end of an immersion blender 23. The essentially elongated cylindrical equipment combination has at its upper end a grip 24 which can be gripped all-round by the users hand.
On the front side of the immersion blender 23 in the upper region is an actuating switch 25 which is easy to operate with the gripping hand.
In this arrangement the upper region of the housing 5 of the attachment 1, which is con-structed as a plug-in shank 6, is pushed over the slightly conical output end of the immersion blender 23: As this occurs, the shaft connection for driving the vacuum pump is established simultaneously.
A circumferential sealing lip 13 made of elastomer plastic is arranged on the lower end of the attachment 1. The smooth outer walls of the immersion blender 23 and the attachment'1, which are made of thermoplastic material, make it easy to clean the equipment combination, which is important for household appliances in particular for reasons of hygiene.
The attachment 1 is connected during operation to the output end of the immersion blender 23. The attachment 1 is held by the annular shea#h at the output end of the immersion blender 23 such that it cannot tilt or twist. The output shaft of the immersion blender 23 is in positive engagement with the coupling gear 7 of the vane-type pump 17. The suction. side of the attachment 1 sits on a valve device which is arranged on a storage container for food. The circumferential sealing lip 13 sucks itself tight against a smooth circumferential edge of a _7_ connecting arrangement of the valve device. While the storage container is being evacuated the rotor 10 of the attachment 1 is set in rotation by the drive shaft of the immersion blender 23.
FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the present invention in which added provision is made for a float section 29. This prevents liquid from entering the vane-type pump 17. In this embodiment the constructional configuration of the coupling section 2 and the pump section 3 is essentially the same as the configuration described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.
In this embodiment a float section 29 adjoins the pump section 3. The float section 29 is essentially formed by a cylindrical float housing 31 made of thermoplastic material. At its lower end the float housing 31 has a bar 14 which engages in a groove 15 of a sealing lip 13 forming the suction port 4 A spherical float 30 is provided in the float housing 21. The float 30 is constructed as a hollow body so that it easily floats on inflowing liquid. When the level of liquid in the float hous-ing 30 reaches a critical value, the lower opening of the suction pipe 27 is closed by the float 30.
No liquid then gets into the vane-type pump 17. Additional suction slots 28 are provided at the 1 S lower end of the float housing 31 in order to guarantee with certainty that the air existing in a storage container for food is evacuated.
FIG. 6 shows a graph in which the evacuation time for a 700 ml container is presented.
The time t in seconds is plotted on the x-axis and the pressure in mbar on the y-axis. At the time t = 0 the pressure inside the container equals the ambient pressure. When the vacuum pump is activated, the pressure inside the container is reduced. The development of pressure as a function of time can be represented as a logarithmic function. Only when using the em-bodiment of the invention does it take just 5 seconds to attain a container pressure of around 300 mbar, whereas comparable units attained only pressures of about 500 to 700 mbar during this time period. After just 15 seconds with the attachment of the invention the pressure attained is 200 mbar and does not drop thereafter by any appreciable amount.
By contrast, the comparable units attained only a pressure of around 300 to 400 mbar in the same period of time. This underlines the evacuating power and speed of the attachment of the invention.
Claims (13)
1. A storage container evacuation pump comprising:
a handheld electric appliance comprising an electric motor operable to drive a shaft; and a pump attachment comprising:
a vacuum pump housing with a sealing lip about an air inlet of the pump attachment, and a pump element disposed within the vacuum pump housing, wherein the pump attachment is releasably coupled to the appliance with the shaft of the appliance operably engaging the pump element, the appliance being removable from the pump attachment for powering other attachments.
a handheld electric appliance comprising an electric motor operable to drive a shaft; and a pump attachment comprising:
a vacuum pump housing with a sealing lip about an air inlet of the pump attachment, and a pump element disposed within the vacuum pump housing, wherein the pump attachment is releasably coupled to the appliance with the shaft of the appliance operably engaging the pump element, the appliance being removable from the pump attachment for powering other attachments.
2. The pump of claim 1, wherein the pump element comprises a rotor disposed within a ring and having vanes slidably disposed within slots of the rotor.
3. The pump of claim 2, wherein the ring comprises graphite.
4. The pump of claim 1, further comprising a float section disposed between the pump element and the sealing lip and fluidly connected to the pump element by a suction pipe, the float section comprising:
a float housing including a bar at one end for engaging a groove of the sealing lip, and defining suction slots at the end including the bar;
a float disposed within the float housing, wherein the float housing is adapted to limit the entry of liquid into the pump element.
a float housing including a bar at one end for engaging a groove of the sealing lip, and defining suction slots at the end including the bar;
a float disposed within the float housing, wherein the float housing is adapted to limit the entry of liquid into the pump element.
5. The pump of claim 2, wherein the rotor further comprises graphite fibers.
6. The pump of claim 2, wherein the vanes comprise graphite.
7. The pump of claim 1, wherein the pump element comprises a vane pump.
8. The pump of claim 1, wherein the shaft of the appliance comprises a first spur-toothed gear, and wherein the first spur-toothed gear is releasably coupled to a second spur-toothed gear of the pump attachment.
9. The pump of claim 1, wherein the attachment further comprises a thermoplastic.
10. The pump of claim 9, wherein the thermoplastic is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyamide.
11. A method for evacuating a food storage container, comprising:
attaching a vacuum pump attachment to a handheld electric appliance having an electric motor operable to drive a shaft, such that the shaft is mechanically coupled to a drive of the vacuum pump to pump air, the vacuum pump comprising a housing with a rim about an air inlet;
coupling the vacuum pump to a food storage container by placing the rim of the vacuum pump housing against an outer surface of the storage container, about an evacuation hole in the storage container;
activating the vacuum pump to evacuate air from the container; and then removing the vacuum pump from the container.
attaching a vacuum pump attachment to a handheld electric appliance having an electric motor operable to drive a shaft, such that the shaft is mechanically coupled to a drive of the vacuum pump to pump air, the vacuum pump comprising a housing with a rim about an air inlet;
coupling the vacuum pump to a food storage container by placing the rim of the vacuum pump housing against an outer surface of the storage container, about an evacuation hole in the storage container;
activating the vacuum pump to evacuate air from the container; and then removing the vacuum pump from the container.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the vacuum pump attachment is attached to the handheld electric appliance before the vacuum pump is activated.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein the handheld electric appliance is a motorized handle of an immersion blender, and wherein the method comprises, prior to attaching the vacuum pump attachment to the handheld electric appliance, removing a blending attachment from the motorized handle.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE10060996A DE10060996C1 (en) | 2000-12-08 | 2000-12-08 | Apparatus, for evacuating foodstuff container with a closure valve, is an attachment for a conventional electrical kitchen appliance, to drive a vacuum vane pump |
| DE10060996.1 | 2000-12-08 | ||
| PCT/EP2001/013147 WO2002046044A1 (en) | 2000-12-08 | 2001-11-14 | Device for emptying a food storage container which can be sealed by means of a valve |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2431227A1 true CA2431227A1 (en) | 2002-06-13 |
Family
ID=7666238
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002431227A Abandoned CA2431227A1 (en) | 2000-12-08 | 2001-11-14 | Device for emptying a food storage container which can be sealed by means of a valve |
Country Status (16)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP1339608B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP2004515679A (en) |
| KR (1) | KR100582877B1 (en) |
| CN (1) | CN1248639C (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE276137T1 (en) |
| AU (2) | AU1405202A (en) |
| BR (1) | BR0115272B1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2431227A1 (en) |
| DE (2) | DE10060996C1 (en) |
| DK (1) | DK1339608T3 (en) |
| ES (1) | ES2228960T3 (en) |
| HK (1) | HK1060551A1 (en) |
| MX (1) | MXPA03003096A (en) |
| PL (1) | PL207624B1 (en) |
| RU (1) | RU2283801C2 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2002046044A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2010053441A1 (en) * | 2008-11-06 | 2010-05-14 | 4F4 Fresh Ab | An apparatus for domestic use to preserve food, by changing the atmosphere in a food package |
Families Citing this family (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2005044667A1 (en) | 2003-10-16 | 2005-05-19 | Braun Gmbh | System for evacuating a food container, container comprising a lid, and method |
| US7726880B2 (en) | 2004-06-29 | 2010-06-01 | The Glad Products Company | Flexible storage bag |
| US8419279B2 (en) | 2004-06-29 | 2013-04-16 | The Glad Products Company | Flexible storage bag |
| KR100969703B1 (en) * | 2010-03-22 | 2010-07-14 | 김용국 | Vaccum pump and vaccum container having the same |
| WO2017137401A1 (en) * | 2016-02-08 | 2017-08-17 | Koninklijke Philips N.V. | Kitchen appliance drive unit, kitchen appliance and attachment |
| CN207434172U (en) * | 2017-11-09 | 2018-06-01 | 东莞市优之爱电器实业有限公司 | A kind of vacuum slot and preservation device |
| CN109340111A (en) * | 2018-09-06 | 2019-02-15 | 无锡晶晟科技股份有限公司 | A kind of leak detection air pump modular device |
| EP4060195A1 (en) * | 2021-03-17 | 2022-09-21 | BSH Hausgeräte GmbH | Kitchen appliance, assembly and accessory therefor |
Family Cites Families (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ES2076591T3 (en) * | 1991-04-03 | 1995-11-01 | Jankovic Milan | SUCTION DEVICE TO CREATE A VOID IN CONTAINERS. |
| DE4136150A1 (en) * | 1991-11-02 | 1993-05-06 | Zf Friedrichshafen Ag, 7990 Friedrichshafen, De | WING CELL PUMP |
| DE4334250A1 (en) * | 1993-10-08 | 1995-04-13 | Vaihinger Gmbh & Co Kg | Device for the storage and metered delivery of liquid foodstuffs |
| DE19504638A1 (en) * | 1995-02-13 | 1996-08-14 | Braun Ag | Process for a working device, in particular a hand blender, for stirring or chopping food in a container |
| DE29920316U1 (en) * | 1999-11-19 | 2000-05-04 | Schmid Herbert | Device for creating a vacuum in a container |
-
2000
- 2000-12-08 DE DE10060996A patent/DE10060996C1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2001
- 2001-11-14 BR BRPI0115272-6A patent/BR0115272B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2001-11-14 DE DE50103676T patent/DE50103676D1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2001-11-14 AU AU1405202A patent/AU1405202A/en active Pending
- 2001-11-14 JP JP2002547797A patent/JP2004515679A/en active Pending
- 2001-11-14 CA CA002431227A patent/CA2431227A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2001-11-14 MX MXPA03003096A patent/MXPA03003096A/en active IP Right Grant
- 2001-11-14 DK DK01982485T patent/DK1339608T3/en active
- 2001-11-14 ES ES01982485T patent/ES2228960T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2001-11-14 EP EP01982485A patent/EP1339608B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2001-11-14 AU AU2002214052A patent/AU2002214052C1/en not_active Ceased
- 2001-11-14 CN CNB01819995XA patent/CN1248639C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2001-11-14 KR KR1020037005989A patent/KR100582877B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2001-11-14 AT AT01982485T patent/ATE276137T1/en active
- 2001-11-14 WO PCT/EP2001/013147 patent/WO2002046044A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 2001-11-14 PL PL364383A patent/PL207624B1/en unknown
- 2001-11-14 RU RU2003114306/12A patent/RU2283801C2/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
2004
- 2004-05-19 HK HK04103540A patent/HK1060551A1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2010053441A1 (en) * | 2008-11-06 | 2010-05-14 | 4F4 Fresh Ab | An apparatus for domestic use to preserve food, by changing the atmosphere in a food package |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| MXPA03003096A (en) | 2004-05-04 |
| BR0115272B1 (en) | 2009-08-11 |
| AU2002214052C1 (en) | 2006-12-07 |
| KR20030051759A (en) | 2003-06-25 |
| ATE276137T1 (en) | 2004-10-15 |
| JP2004515679A (en) | 2004-05-27 |
| HK1060551A1 (en) | 2004-08-13 |
| DE50103676D1 (en) | 2004-10-21 |
| RU2283801C2 (en) | 2006-09-20 |
| EP1339608A1 (en) | 2003-09-03 |
| DK1339608T3 (en) | 2005-01-24 |
| BR0115272A (en) | 2003-08-12 |
| AU1405202A (en) | 2002-06-18 |
| KR100582877B1 (en) | 2006-05-24 |
| ES2228960T3 (en) | 2005-04-16 |
| CN1478033A (en) | 2004-02-25 |
| PL364383A1 (en) | 2004-12-13 |
| PL207624B1 (en) | 2011-01-31 |
| WO2002046044A1 (en) | 2002-06-13 |
| DE10060996C1 (en) | 2002-05-02 |
| AU2002214052B2 (en) | 2004-08-19 |
| CN1248639C (en) | 2006-04-05 |
| EP1339608B1 (en) | 2004-09-15 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |