US4745730A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for evacuating air from food containers
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1986-10-22
•
Granted: 1988-05-24
•
Expires: 2006-10-22
Abstract
Abstract An evacuating pump has a hollow cylindrical body, a cap at one end of the body, and a nozzle at the opposite end. A plunger disposed within the body has a piston attached to an inner end of a reciprocating rod, while the outer end of the rod extends through a bore provided in the cap. When the plunger is withdrawn, a vacuum is created at the nozzle, while on the inward stroke, a check valve flap seats over the nozzle inlet to prevent air from being injected through the nozzle. Air being compressed on the inward stroke escapes around the peripheral edge of the piston.
Inventors
- 👤 David C. Bartle, Sr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 11:46
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B31/00; B65B31/04; B65B31/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
A method for sealing a food bag comprising, filling the food bag with food leaving room at a top thereof for sealing, slipping an O-ring over the unfilled top of the bag, inserting the pump nozzle into the top of the bag and through the O-ring without having the nozzle contact the food, pushing the O-ring up over the nozzle and fitting the O-ring in a circumferential groove provided around the nozzle at a point spaced from nozzle inlet ports, thereby sealing the bag opening around the nozzle, evacuating air from the interior of the bag by reciprocal movement of the piston, pinching the bag at the end of the nozzle and turning the bag until the bag slips off the nozzle, continuing turning the bag while pinching, thereby trapping the air out, tying a tie around the bag to seal the evacuated interior, and placing the sealed bag in a freezer.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
152 words
A method for sealing a food bag comprising, filling the food bag with food leaving room at a top thereof for sealing, slipping an O-ring over the unfilled top of the bag, inserting the pump nozzle into the top of the bag and through the O-ring without having the nozzle contact the food, pushing the O-ring up over the nozzle and fitting the O-ring in a circumferential groove provided around the nozzle at a point spaced from nozzle inlet ports, thereby sealing the bag opening around the nozzle, evacuating air from the interior of the bag by reciprocal movement of the piston, pinching the bag at the end of the nozzle and turning the bag until the bag slips off the nozzle, continuing turning the bag while pinching, thereby trapping the air out, tying a tie around the bag to seal the evacuated interior, and placing the sealed bag in a freezer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
138 words
In an apparatus for evacuating air from a food container, the apparatus having a hollow cylindrical body with outer and inner cylindrical surfaces, first and second end portions, an outlet provided in the first end portion, an inlet provided in the second end portion, a piston mounted for reciprocal movement in the cylindrical body, an actuator rod for imparting reciprocal movement to the piston, and valve means attached to the inlet means for closing the inlet in response to pressure and opening the inlet in response to vacuum, and improvement comprising, spring bias means, in contact with the valve means, for biasing the valve in a closed direction to seal the interior of a food bag being evacuated when the evacuating stroke of the actuator rod reaches maximum stroke, wherein the spring bias means is a metal clip.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
138 words
In an apparatus for evacuating air from a food container, the apparatus having a hollow cylindrical body with outer and inner cylindrical surfaces, first and second end portions, an outlet provided in the first end portion, an inlet provided in the second end portion, a piston mounted for reciprocal movement in the cylindrical body, an actuator rod for imparting reciprocal movement to the piston, and valve means attached to the inlet means for closing the inlet in response to pressure and opening the inlet in response to vacuum, and improvement comprising, spring bias means, in contact with the valve means, for biasing the valve in a closed direction to seal the interior of a food bag being evacuated when the evacuating stroke of the actuator rod reaches maximum stroke, wherein the spring bias means is a metal clip.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the metal clip is made of brass.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the metal clip is made of stainless steel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2695741A
Cited
US3175590A
Cited
US3307319A
Cited
US3312256A
Cited
US3452510A
Cited
US3511020A
Cited
US3648740A
Cited
US3672114A
Cited
US3834118A
Cited
US4249583A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-05-24 | 1991-11-23 | 1992-05-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-05-24 | 1995-11-23 | 1996-05-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-05-24 | 1999-11-23 | 2000-05-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |