Abstract
An inventive vacuum storage container for long term storage of perishable and non-perishable items with secondary storage cavity inside the base. The inventive vacuum storage container incorporates a top cover with vacuum valve and bottom base with an elastic seal. Furthermore, the bottom base possesses removable bottom which couples to the bottom base to form a second interior storage cavity. The removable bottom base may also be coupled with a display surface.
Claims
1. A vacuum storage container with incorporated secondary storage comprising: a cylindrical cover having a vacuum valve; a bottom base having an upper surface and side surfaces; said bottom base having an interior cavity formed by the bottom of said upper surface and the interior surface of said side surfaces; said side surfaces having inclined plane interior surfaces; and an elastic seal attached to said upper surface and shaped so as to form a seal between said bottom base and said cylindrical cover; wherein said vacuum valve is operable to connect to an external vacuum pump for the removal of gasses from the inside of a cavity formed by the cylindrical cover and the bottom base; and wherein the cavity is operable to preserve a food item under vacuum.
2. The storage container of claim 1 wherein the bottom base has an extension from the bottom of its outer surface configured to fit securely into the top surface of the cylindrical cover.
3. The storage container of claim 1 wherein the bottom base comprises an interior cavity formed by upper, side and bottom surfaces of the interior of the bottom base.
4. The storage container of claim 1 wherein the bottom base is operable to receive a display stand.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0022] FIG. 1 is shows the components of the preferred embodiment of the inventive vacuum sealed pastry save with additional storage.
[0023] FIG. 2 shows an alternate embodiment.
[0024] FIG. 3 shows an expanded view of the preferred embodiment.
[0025] FIG. 4 shows an expanded view of the base plate and removable base bottom of the preferred embodiment.
[0026] FIG. 5 shows an expanded view of the base plate and removable base bottom of an alternate embodiment.
[0027] FIG. 6 shows the stackability of the inventive container.
[0028] FIG. 7 shows the second, internal storage compartment of the inventive storage container.
[0029] FIG. 8 shows a bottom base connected to the bottom base of the inventive storage container.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the invention having a cylindrical cover with a top surface and bottom edge (110) with a vacuum valve (111). The hollow interior of cylindrical cover (110) forms an interior cavity when placed on base plate (115). Base plate (115) possesses a top surface (114) and elastic seal (113). Elastic seal (113) is designed to couple with an external vacuum pump, which can be one of many types known in the prior art, for evacuating the gases from interior cavity formed by cylindrical cover (110) and base plate (115). Top surface (114) is formed so as to sit below the level of elastic surface (113) and provide a supportive surface for placing a baked good or other perishable item to be stored. Furthermore, the top surface (114) possesses beveled edges structure to serve as a placement guide for baked goods or other perishable items to be store, which aids in keeping the item for making contact with interior surface of cylindrical cover (110). The bottom edge (112) of cylindrical cover (110) contacts elastic seal (113) so as to form impermeable barrier to the ingress and egress of gasses. Finally, base plate possess a removable base bottom (116). Base plate (115) and base bottom (116) join together to form an interior cavity (not shown in FIG. 1) for storing additional items. Removable base bottom (116) possesses a bottom surface with a depression shaped to be slightly larger in circumference than the top surface of cylindrical cover (110), allowing for securely stacking the invention on top of a duplicate. In one embodiment, the bottom base includes a display compartment so that items in the interior cavity may be viewed. The bottom base may narrow towards its upper surface such that it is stackable on the smaller top surface of another vacuum storage container. The base bottom may also be operable to receive a display stand that connects to the base bottom.
[0031] FIG. 2 shows an alternate embodiment of the present invention with a square or rectangular cover (220) having a top surface, side surfaces and bottom edge (222) with a vacuum valve (221) on top surface. The hollow interior of square cover (220) forms an interior cavity when placed on base plate (225). Base plate (225) possesses a top surface (224) and elastic seal (223). Elastic seal (223) is designed to couple with an external vacuum pump, which can be one of many types known in the prior art, for evacuating the gases from interior cavity formed by cylindrical cover (220) and base plate (225). Top surface (224) is formed so as to sit below the level of elastic surface (223) and provide a supportive surface for placing a baked good or other perishable item to be stored. Furthermore, the top surface (224) possesses beveled edges structure to serve as a placement guide for baked goods or other perishable items to be store, which aids in keeping the item for making contact with interior surface of square cover (220). The bottom edge (222) of square cover (220) contacts elastic seal (223) so as to form impermeable barrier to the ingress and egress of gasses. Finally, base plate possess a removable base bottom (226), Base plate (225) and removable base bottom (226) join together to form an interior cavity (not shown in FIG. 1) for storing additional items. Removable base bottom (216) possesses a bottom surface with a depression shaped to be slightly larger in surface area that the top surface of square cover (220), allowing for securely stacking the invention on top of a duplicate.
[0032] FIG. 3 shows an expended view of the preferred embodiment with cylindrical cover (10) with vacuum valve (111) and bottom edge (112), base plate (115) with elastic seal (113), top surface (114) and removable base bottom (116). Additionally, FIG. 3 includes optional decorative cover (117). Decorative cover (117) is placed over base plate (115) and cylindrical cover (10) to sit flush with bottom surface of removable base bottom (116).
[0033] FIG. 4 shows an expanded view of the interiors of removable base bottom (116) and base plate (115). Removable base bottom (116) possesses a bottom surface (119) and side surface (117). Exterior surface of side surface (117) possesses an inclined plan for coupling to inclined plain of interior surface of side surface (118) of base bottom (115). When coupled, base plate (116) and removable base bottom (116) form interior cavity (120) for providing additional storage. Exterior surface of side surface (117) may also be used to couple removable base bottom (116) with a display surface.
[0034] FIG. 5 shows an expanded view of the interiors of removable base bottom (216) and base plate (215). Removable base bottom (216) possesses a bottom surface (219) and side surface (217). Exterior surface of side surface (217) possesses an inclined plan for coupling to inclined plain of interior surface of side surface (218) of base bottom (215). When coupled, base plate (216) and removable base bottom (2116) form interior cavity (220) for providing additional storage. Exterior surface of side surface (217) may also be used to couple removable base bottom (216) with a display surface.
[0035] FIG. 6 shows the stackability of the inventive storage container. FIG. 7 shows the display compartment (701) of the inventive storage container. FIG. 8 shows a display stand (802) connected to the bottom base of the inventive storage container.
