IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
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국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
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출원번호 |
US-0897231
(2004-07-21)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
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출원인 / 주소 |
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대리인 / 주소 |
Central Coast Patent Agency, Inc.
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인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
3 인용 특허 :
7 |
초록
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Systems and methods for preserving a perishable material sensitive to oxygen and bacterial spoilage are taught. The systems in some embodiments comprise a pressurized source of a first gas other than oxygen and a container for the perishable material, the container having a sealable lid, a passage i
Systems and methods for preserving a perishable material sensitive to oxygen and bacterial spoilage are taught. The systems in some embodiments comprise a pressurized source of a first gas other than oxygen and a container for the perishable material, the container having a sealable lid, a passage including a one-way valve through the lid connected by a gas conduit to the pressurized source, and a mechanism for venting the container. In various embodiments oxygen exposure to the perishable material in the container is diluted by at least one cycle of pressurizing the container with the first gas other than oxygen, and then venting the container. In some embodiments oxygen dilution is by vacuum.
대표청구항
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What is claimed is: 1. A system for preserving a perishable material sensitive to oxygen, comprising: a pressurized source of a first gas other than oxygen; a container for the perishable material, the container having a sealable lid, a passage including a one-way valve through the lid connected by
What is claimed is: 1. A system for preserving a perishable material sensitive to oxygen, comprising: a pressurized source of a first gas other than oxygen; a container for the perishable material, the container having a sealable lid, a passage including a one-way valve through the lid connected by a gas conduit to the pressurized source, and a mechanism for venting the container; and a simple shut-off valve in the gas conduit; wherein oxygen exposure to the perishable material in the container is diluted by at least one cycle of pressurizing the container with the first gas other than oxygen, and then venting the container and wherein the one-way valve system comprises a stem having an axis and an axial bore through the lid and a cross-bore from the axial bore, the cross-bore exiting the stern at a right angle to the axial bore, the cross-bore covered by a flexible sleeve over the outside diameter of the stem, such that gas introduced through the axial bore flexes the sleeve to enter the container, but gas within the container is prevented by the sleeve from exiting the container. 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the one way valve comprises a tire valve stem, and further comprising an air-chuck engaging the tire valve stem holding the one-way valve open. 3. The system of claim 2 further comprising a user-operable three-way valve system in the conduit between the air chuck and the pressurized source of first gas, the three-way valve system having a first, a second, and a third orifice providing a first, a second and a third valve state, which in the first state connects the first orifice with the second orifice, in the second state connects the second orifice with the third orifice, and in the third state closes internal passage between all orifices, the valve system connected from the first orifice to the pressurized source of gas other than oxygen and from the second orifice to the gas conduit to the air chuck, with the third orifice open to atmosphere, such that the container may be pressurized, vented and isolated by selecting individual ones of the three positions of the three-way valve. 4. The system of claim 1 further comprising a releasable adapter having an extension for engaging the axial bore. 5. The system of claim 1 wherein the sealable lid engages the container by a threaded interface, and venting is accomplished by loosening the lid at the threaded interface. 6. The system of claim 1 wherein the container comprises a body having substantially spherical top and bottom portions, a threaded neck portion, and a bottom stand. 7. The system of claim 6 wherein the container except for the bottom stand is blow-molded from a plastic material. 8. The system of claim 7 wherein the plastic material is polyethylene terephtalate (P.E.T.) material. 9. The system of claim 6 wherein the bottom stand is molded from a plastic material and joined to the body by an adhesive. 10. The system of claim 1 wherein, alter the one or more dilution cycles the container is pressurized with a second gas other than oxygen, and the conduit is disengaged, leaving the container pressurized with the second gas. 11. The system of claim 1 wherein the first gas is one of, or a mixture of carbon dioxide and nitrogen. 12. The system of claim 10 wherein the second gas is one of, or a mixture of, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, hydrogen, helium, argon, methane, propane or butane. 13. A system for preserving a perishable material sensitive to oxygen, comprising: a pressurized source of a first gas other than oxygen; a container for the perishable material, a separate lid sealable at an upper periphery to the container, and a passage including a one-way valve through the lid; and a pressurizing cover separate from the lid comprising a gasket for sealing to the container at the upper periphery, the pressurizing cover connected by a conduit to the source of pressurized gas other than oxygen; wherein oxygen exposure to the perishable material in the container is diluted by at least one cycle of engaging the pressurizing cover via the gasket to the upper periphery of the container, and alternately removing the pressurizing cover from the container, allowing the container to vent to atmosphere. 14. The system of claim 13 wherein, after one or more dilution cycles the sealable lid is sealed to the container. 15. The system of claim 14 wherein, after the sealable lid is sealed to the container, the container is again pressurized through the one-way valve with the first gas other than oxygen. 16. The system of claim 15 wherein, after one or more dilution cycles, the sealed lid is sealed to the container, and the container is again pressurized, by a second gas other than oxygen. 17. The system of claim 15 wherein the first gas other tan oxygen is one of, or a mixture of carbon dioxide and nitrogen. 18. The system of claim 16 wherein the second gas other than oxygen is one of, or a mixture of, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, hydrogen, helium, argon, methane, propane or butane. 19. The system of claim 14 wherein the one-way valve through the separate lid comprises a stem having an axis and a coaxial internal passage through the lid, the internal passage exiting the stem at a right angle to the coaxial passage and covered by a flexible sleeve over the outside diameter of the stem, such that gas introduced through the coaxial passage flexes the sleeve to enter the container, but gas within the container is prevented by the sleeve from exiting the container. 20. The system of claim 14 wherein the container and separate lid are metal, and wherein the seal between the container and lid is a rolled and soldered seal. 21. The system of claim 14 wherein the container and separate lid are plastic, and wherein the seal between the container and lid is made by a heat sealing process. 22. The system of claim 19 wherein the one-way valve is molded of a rubber-like material, and further comprises an engageable/disengageable seal for mounting the one way valve to a hole through the lid. 23. A method for preserving a perishable material sensitive to oxygen, comprising: (a) placing the perishable material in a container having a sealable lid and a passage including a one-way valve through the lid connected by a gas conduit, including a simple shut-off valve, to a pressurized source of a first gas other than oxygen; (b) closing the lid; (c) reducing oxygen in the container by pressurizing the container holding the perishable material with the first gas other than oxygen utilizing the one-way valve also comprising a stem having an axis and a coaxial internal passage through the lid, the internal passage exiting the stem at a right angle to the coaxial passage and covered by a flexible sleeve over the outside diameter of the stem, such that gas introduced through the coaxial passage flexes the sleeve to enter the container, but gas within the container is prevented by the sleeve from exiting the container; and (d) venting the container. 24. The method of claim 23 wherein steps (c) and (d) are repeated to further reduce oxygen in the container. 25. The method of claim 23 wherein the one way valve comprises a tire valve stem, and further comprising an air-chuck engaging the tire valve stem holding the one-way valve open. 26. The method of claim 25 further comprising a user-operable three-way valve system in the conduit between the air chuck and the pressurized source of first gas, the three-way valve system having a first, a second, and a third orifice providing a first, a second and a third valve state, which in the first state connects the first orifice with the second orifice, in the second state connects the second orifice with the third orifice, and in the third state closes internal passage between all orifices, the valve system connected from the first orifice to the pressurized source of gas other than oxygen and from the second orifice to the gas conduit to the air chuck, with the third orifice open to atmosphere, such that the container may be pressurized, vented and isolated by selecting individual ones of the three positions of the three-way valve. 27. The method of claim 23 further comprising a releasable adapter having an extension for engaging the coaxial internal passage. 28. The method of claim 23 wherein the sealable lid engages the container by a threaded interface, and venting is accomplished by loosening the lid at the threaded interface. 29. The method of claim 23 wherein the container comprises a body having substantially spherical top and bottom portions, a threaded neck portion, and a bottom stand. 30. The method of claim 29 wherein the container except for the bottom stand is blow-molded from a plastic material. 31. The method of claim 30 wherein the plastic material is polyethylene terephtalate (P.E.T.) material. 32. The method of claim 31 wherein the bottom stand is molded from a plastic material and joined to the body by an adhesive. 33. The method of claim 23 wherein, after the one or more dilution cycles the container is pressurized with a second gas other than oxygen, and the conduit is disengaged, leaving the container pressurized with the second gas. 34. The method of claim 33 wherein the first gas is one of, or a mixture of carbon dioxide or nitrogen. 35. The method of claim 34 wherein the second gas is one of, or a mixture of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, hydrogen, helium, argon, methane, propane or butane. 36. A method for preserving a perishable material sensitive to oxygen, comprising: (a) placing the perishable material in a container having an upper periphery; (b) engaging a pressurizing cover to the container via a gasket engaging the upper periphery, the cover connected by a conduit to a pressurized source of a first gas other than oxygen; (c) venting the container by lifting the pressurizing cover, thereby reducing the oxygen in the container by dilution; and (d) sealing a separate lid to the container to prevent air from entering the container. 37. The method of claim 36 wherein steps (b) and (c) are repeated to further reduce oxygen in the container. 38. The method of claim 36 further comprising a one-way valve through the separate lid, wherein, after the separate lid is sealed to the container, the container is again pressurized through the one-way valve with the first gas other than oxygen. 39. The method of claim 36 further comprising a one-way valve through the separate lid, and wherein, after the separate lid is sealed to the container, the container is again pressurized, by a second gas other than oxygen. 40. The method of claim 36 wherein the first gas other than oxygen is one of, or a mixture of carbon dioxide and nitrogen. 41. The method of claim 39 wherein the second gas other than oxygen is one of, or a mixture of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, hydrogen, helium, argon, methane, propane or butane. 42. The method of claim 38 wherein the one-way valve through the separate lid comprises a stem having an axis and a coaxial internal passage through the lid, the internal passage exiting the stem at a right angle to the coaxial passage and covered by a flexible sleeve over the outside diameter of the stem, such that gas introduced through the coaxial passage flexes the sleeve to enter the container, but gas within the container is prevented by the sleeve from exiting the container. 43. The method of claim 36 wherein the container and separate lid are metal, and wherein the seal between the container and lid is a rolled and soldered seal. 44. The method of claim 36 wherein the container and separate lid are plastic, and wherein the seal between the container and lid is made by a heat sealing process. 45. The system of claim 38 wherein the one-way valve is molded of a rubber-like material, and further comprises an engageable/disengageable seal for mounting the one way valve to a hole through the separate lid. 46. A system for treating to preserve a liquid perishable by exposure to oxygen, comprising: a first container for holding the liquid to be preserved; a second container for holding treated liquid; a conduit between the first and the second containers; and an injection nozzle in the conduit between the containers and before a pump; wherein a gas other than oxygen is injected into the liquid as the liquid passes through the conduit, the gas mixing with the liquid and separating from the liquid in the second container, thereby reducing the level of concentration of oxygen in the treated liquid as compared to the untreated liquid. 47. The system of claim 46 wherein the second container is a closed container having a vent fir venting gas from the second container. 48. The system of claim 46 wherein the second container comprises a connection to a filler apparatus for filling sealable containers with the treated liquid. 49. A method for treating a liquid perishable by exposure to oxygen to preserve the liquid, the method comprising the steps of: (a) placing untreated liquid in a first container; (b) pumping the untreated liquid by a pump from the first container to a second container through a conduit; and (c) injecting a gas other than oxygen into the liquid passing through the conduit at an injection nozzle ahead of the pump, such that the gas entrains with the liquid, and separates from the liquid in the second container, reducing the level of concentration of oxygen in the treated liquid as compared to the untreated liquid. 50. The method of claim 49 wherein the second container is a closed container having a vent, and gas separating from the treated liquid in the second container is vented. 51. The method of claim 49 wherein the second container comprises a connection to a filler apparatus for filling sealable containers with the treated liquid, and treated liquid is provided to sealable containers through the connection. 52. A one-way valve stem for a sealable container comprising: a body having a central bore with an axial opening and a cross bore through the central bore providing at least one cross-bore opening from the central bore at about a right angle to the central bore; and a flexible sleeve covering the at least one opening of the cross bore; such that gas under pressure introduced into the central bore may flex the flexible sleeve and escape through the cross-bore opening, but gas may not travel from the outside of the sleeve into the cross-bore opening and into the central bore. 53. The one-way valve of claim 52 further comprising a physical interface between the axial opening and the cross-bore opening, the physical interface for sealing through a wall of a container or a lid for a container, such that when mounted through the wall or lid the axial opening is outside the container and the cross-bore opening covered by the flexible sleeve is inside the container. 54. The one-way valve stem of claim 52 wherein the body is rigid plastic. 55. The one-way valve of claim 52 wherein the body is molded of a rubber-like material. 56. The one-way valve of claim 52 wherein the physical interface comprises a flange for sealing between a bottle neck rim and the underside of a cap. 57. The one way valve of claim 52 wherein the physical interface includes a rim for sealing to a round hole through a can lid. 58. A system for preserving a perishable material sensitive to bacterial spoilage, comprising: a vacuum apparatus; a source of a pressurized gas; a pressurized source of a gas other than oxygen; a container for the perishable material, the container having a sealable lid; and a user-operable three-way valve system in a conduit leading from the container, the three-way valve system having a first, a second, and a third orifice providing a first, a second and a third valve state, which in a first state connects the container with the vacuum apparatus, in a second state connects the container with the pressurized source of gas and in a third state closes internal passages between all orifices; wherein oxygen in the container is reduced by applying the vacuum apparatus to pump air out of the container, and the container is then pressurized by the pressurized source of gas other than oxygen, after which the container is sealed. 59. The system of claim 11 wherein the pressurized gas is one of, or a mixture of, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, hydrogen, helium, argon, methane, propane or butane. 60. The system of claim 58 wherein preserving the perishable material is automated by an apparatus with a pedestal for a food container, a translatable tubing providing a sealed compartment around the food container, a vacuum apparatus connectable to the compartment, a source of pressurized gas connectable to the compartment, and a mechanism for closing and sealing the container in the compartment.
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