Abstract
Vacuum stopper and assembly of stopper and container. There is disclosed a vacuum stopper (1) configured to be positioned into a neck (9) the neck of the bottle, the stopper comprising: a resilient shoulder (4) provided at an upper end of the elongated body (2), wherein the resilient shoulder is arranged for resting onto an upper side of the neck of the bottle; a stop ring (5) provided at an upper end of the elongated body above the resilient shoulder; a valve arranged (6) inside of the elongated body for allowing, in use, air to be sucked out of the container.
Claims
1. A vacuum stopper configured to be positioned into a neck of a container for closing the container and allowing the container to be vacuumised, the vacuum stopper comprising: an elongated body configured to be inserted into the neck of the container; a resilient shoulder provided at an upper end of the elongated body, wherein the resilient shoulder is arranged for resting onto an upper side of the neck of the container; a stop ring provided at an upper end of the elongated body above the resilient shoulder; a valve arranged inside of the elongated body for allowing, in use, air to be sucked out of the container; wherein the elongated body further comprises at least one radially protruding flange element.
2. The vacuum stopper according to claim 1, wherein the stop ring is positioned approximately level with an upper side of the elongated body.
3. The vacuum stopper according to claim 1, wherein the elongated body is cylindrically shaped.
4. The vacuum stopper according to claim 1, wherein the at least one flange element is provided as a circumferential continuous flange.
5. The vacuum stopper according to claim 1, wherein at least three radially protruding flange elements are provided on the elongated body that are positioned at the same axial position on the elongated body.
6. The vacuum stopper according to claim 1, wherein the at least one radially protruding flange element extends in circumferential direction along the elongated body and/or extends in longitudinal direction along the elongated body.
7. The vacuum stopper according to claim 1, wherein the resilient shoulder is provided of a resilient material and/or of a resilient configuration.
8. The vacuum stopper according to claim 7, wherein the resilient shoulder is hingedly engaged to the elongated body.
9. The vacuum stopper according to claim 1, wherein the resilient shoulder is deformable between a rest position in which the resilient shoulder is undeformed, and a working position in which the resilient shoulder is deformed, when the stopper is positioned in a neck of a container and the inside of the container is vacuum.
10. The vacuum stopper according to claim 1, wherein the resilient shoulder is adjustable between a rest position, to which rest position the resilient shoulder is biased, such that, when the stopper is engaged in the neck of the container, there is no vacuum in the container, and between a working position, in which the resilient shoulder seals the neck of the container, such that, when the stopper is engaged in the neck of the container, there is vacuum in the container.
11. The vacuum stopper according to claim 10, wherein, in the rest position, the resilient shoulder is provided with at least one position around which the resilient shoulder can hinge and/or deform from the rest position towards the working position.
12. The vacuum stopper according to claim 1, wherein an upper side of the elongated body is configured to receive a vacuum pump.
13. The vacuum stopper according to claim 1, wherein the elongated body is deformable, in use, under the influence of vacuum, such that the outer diameter of the elongated body at least locally increases.
14. The vacuum stopper according to claim 1, wherein the stop ring is more stiff than the resilient member.
15. The vacuum stopper according to claim 14, wherein the stop ring is more stiff than the elongated body, and the elongated body is more stiff than the resilient member.
16. The vacuum stopper according to claim 1, wherein the diameter of the stop ring is approximately 1.5 times the diameter of the elongated body including the at least one flange element in a non-vacuumed rest position.
17. The vacuum stopper according to claim 1, wherein the valve is a one-way valve, in particular a duck bill valve.
18. The vacuum stopper according to claim 1, wherein the valve is arranged at a position inside of the elongated body such that an upper side of the valve is lower than an upper side of the elongated body.
19. An assembly comprising a container, and the vacuum stopper according to claim 1.
20. The assembly of claim 19, wherein the container has a neck provided with screw thread and a screw cap for engagement with the threaded neck, wherein the stopper, in use, is inserted in the neck of the container, and the screw cap fits over the stopper for engagement with the threaded neck.
21. The assembly of claim 19, wherein the vacuum stopper is integrated to a screw cap of the container.
Description
[0027] These and other aspects will be further elucidated with reference to the drawing comprising figures of exemplary embodiments. Corresponding elements are designated with corresponding reference signs. In the drawing shows:
[0028] FIG. 1a a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of the stopper;
[0029] FIG. 1b a cross-section of the stopper of FIG. 1a;
[0030] FIG. 2a a schematic cross-sectional view of the stopper of FIG. 1a in a rest position in the neck of a container;
[0031] FIG. 2b a schematic cross-sectional view of the stopper of FIG. 1a in a working position in the neck of a container;
[0032] FIG. 3a a schematic cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a stopper in a rest position in the neck of a container;
[0033] FIG. 3b a schematic cross-sectional view of the stopper of FIG. 3a in a working position in the neck of a container;
[0034] FIG. 4 a schematic cross-sectional view of a stopper inserted into the neck of the container closed by a screw cap;
[0035] FIG. 5a a schematic perspective view of a third embodiment of the stopper;
[0036] FIG. 5b a cross-section of the stopper of FIG. 5a;
[0037] FIG. 5c a schematic cross-sectional view of the stopper of FIG. 5a in a working position in the neck of a container;
[0038] FIG. 6a a schematic perspective view of a third embodiment of the stopper;
[0039] FIG. 6b a cross-section of the stopper of FIG. 6a;
[0040] FIG. 7a a perspective cross-section of an alternative embodiment of the stopper;
[0041] FIG. 7b a perspective cross-section of an alternative embodiment of the stopper;
[0042] FIG. 8a a front view of an alternative embodiment of the stopper;
[0043] FIG. 8b a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 8a.
[0044] It is to be noted that the figures are given by way of exemplary examples and are not limiting to the disclosure. The drawings may not be to scale.
[0045] FIG. 1a schematically gives a perspective view of an embodiment of a vacuum stopper 1, FIG. 1b shows a cross-section of the stopper 1 of FIG. 1a. The vacuum stopper 1 comprises an elongated body 2 that is configured to be inserted into a neck of a container. At an upper end 3 of the elongated body 2, a resilient shoulder 4 is provided. The resilient shoulder 4 is arranged to rest or abut onto an upper side of the neck of the container. Further, the vacuum stopper 1 comprises a stop ring 5 at the upper end 3 of the elongated body 2, and the stop ring 5 is arranged above the resilient shoulder 4. A valve 6 is arranged inside of the elongated body 2 to allow air to be sucked out of the container, when the stopper is engaged to the neck of the container. The valve 6 is connected with a valve seat 12 to the elongated body 2. The elongated body 2 is further provided with at least one flange element 7 radially protruding from an outside 8 of the elongated body 2.
[0046] The elongated body 2 is here shown as a cylindrically shaped body with an approximately annular or circular cross-section, but can have different shapes as well, e.g. a prism having a polygonal cross-section. Advantageously, the elongated body 2 may have be approximately straight, but a tapered, pyramidal or otherwise shape can be possible, as long as the outer diameter of the elongated body is not large enough for abutting the inner side of the neck of the container to obviate that the elongated body is sealing the container instead of the resilient shoulder.
[0047] In this embodiment, the flange element 7 is provided as a continuous ring arranged around the elongated body 2. There are two rings 7 arranged above each other. The flange element 7 is intended to center and/or guide the stopper 1, in particular the elongated body 2, in the neck of the container. The flange element 7 is also somewhat flexible or resilient to accommodate variations in inner diameter of the neck of the container. So, a relatively wide variety of inner diameters of the neck of the container can be accommodated, from relatively small diameters to larger diameters. For a glass wine bottle, such diameter variation of the neck can be between about 20 to about 35 mm. Also, the diameter of the inner bore of the neck can vary as well, since the inner bore of the neck may have an irregular surface. Such variations can be accommodated as well. When the flange element is provided as a continuous ring, there may be at least one cutout be provided in the outer edge of the ring. By providing such a cutout, it can be prevented that the ring-shaped flange element seals the neck of the container to a vacuum. Instead, the resilient shoulder is configured to seal the neck of the container when vacuuming the container.
[0048] In FIG. 2a, the stopper 1 is shown as inserted into the neck 9 of a container (not shown). The container can be e.g. a bottle, such as a wine bottle, or a flask etc. In FIG. 2a it can be seen that the flange elements 7 are somewhat deformed upwardly due to the friction forces during the insertion of the elongated body 2 in the neck 9 of the container. As such, a more or less central positioning of the elongated body 2 in the neck 9 of the container can be possible.
[0049] The resilient shoulder 4 is arranged to sit onto an upper side 10 of the neck 9 of the container. The resilient shoulder 4 extends radially outwardly from the elongated body 2 of the stopper 1. The resilient shoulder 4 can be integrally formed with the elongated body 2, as can be seen here, but can also be a separate part that is connected to the elongated body 2.
[0050] FIG. 2a shows the stopper 1 in a rest position, in which it is inserted into the neck 9 of the container, but there is no vacuum. The resilient shoulder 4 is in a rest position as well, in that it sits onto the neck 9 of the container. Upon vacuuming of the container, air is sucked out of the container via the valve 6. The stopper 1, in particular the elongated body 2 is thus being pulled further into the neck of the container. Due to this downward movement, the resilient shoulder is being pressed more against the upper side 10 of the neck of the container such that the resilient shoulder 4 deforms. Due to this deformation, the resilient shoulder 4 sealingly engages with the neck of the container, in particular with the upper side 10 of the neck of the container such that a vacuum can be created and maintained. The resilient shoulder 4 is thus deformed to a working position as can be seen in FIG. 2b. For undoing the vacuum inside of the container, it suffices to lift or tilt the stop ring 5 upwardly such that it pulls the resilient shoulder 4 upwardly as well and the sealing engagement can be undone. The stopper 1 can then be removed from the neck of the container by pulling at the stop ring 5. Due to the firm sealing engagement of the resilient shoulder 4 with the neck of the container, accidentally undoing the vacuum in the container by contacting the stop ring can be minimized. The stop ring 5 is to be pushed upwardly for removing the vacuum.
[0051] Advantageously, the elongated body 2 is made of a flexible and/or deformable and/or resilient and/or elastic material. These terms can be used interchangeable throughout this disclosure, in the meaning that the shape of the elongated body can change, e.g. due to the negative pressure, or due to the insertion in the neck of the container, when stopper is taken out of the neck of the container it can take its original, undeformed shape again. Due to the vacuum inside of the container, the valve 6 may be pulled further downward as well, since the valve seat 12 is relatively thin and thus flexible, allowing downward movement of the valve 6 with respect to the connection 11 of the valve seat 12 on the elongated body 2. Due to this downward movement of the valve 6, it pushes the elongated body 2 more outwardly at the position 11 of its connection to the elongated body 2. Due to this slightly outward movement, the flange element 7 arranged on the outside 8 of the elongated body 2 is also pushed more firmly against the inner wall 13 of the neck 9, thus providing for a more firm engagement of the stopper 1 in the neck 9 of the container. Also, due to the negative pressure inside of the container, the valve 6 may move somewhat more downwardly in the direction of the interior of the container. This can be seen in FIG. 2b, although schematically and in exaggeration.
[0052] The stop ring 5 that is arranged above the resilient shoulder 4 is firmly connected to the elongated body 2. The stop ring 5 is advantageously more stiff than the resilient shoulder 4 and can, as such, prevent the stopper 1 from being sucked into the container when vacuuming the container. The stop ring 5 can be of a different material than the resilient shoulder 4 and/or the elongated body 2, but may also be of the same material, but of a more stiff construction. The stop ring 5 may be integrated to the elongated body 2, but may also be a separate component that is firmly connected or fixated to the elongated body 2. For example via a tooth-in-groove connection 14 as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1b. Here, the stop ring 5 is provided with a circumferentially extending toothed protrusion 14a that fits into a circumferential groove 14b of the resilient shoulder 4. The stop ring 5 is here also provided as a continuous circumferential ring, but it can be configured as one, two or more ring segments as well. The stop ring 5 may also have another shape than the ring as shown in FIG. 1a, but may be rectangular, or triangular or any other shape. Many variants are possible.
[0053] The resilient shoulder 4 is in this example hingedly connected to the elongated body 2 via a living hinge 15. The resilient shoulder 4 can rotate around the hinge 15 between the rest position, as shown in FIG. 2a, and the working position, as shown in FIG. 2b, allowing the elongated body 2 to move downwardly in the neck 9 of the container. Additionally, the resilient shoulder 4 is made of an elastically deformable material allowing the resilient shoulder 4 to be compressed between the upper side 10 of the neck 9 of the container and the stop ring 5. Due to this compression of the resilient shoulder 4, the resilient shoulder 4 extends more radially outwardly such that a larger engagement area with the upper side 10 of the neck 9 of the container may be obtained. Such a relatively large engagement, may allow for a firm sealing of the resilient shoulder 4 with the neck 9 of the container. The sealing engagement between the resilient shoulder 4 and the upper side 10 of the neck 9 of the container, and not, as in the prior art between the elongated body and the inside of the neck of the container, allows the container to be stored in lying position, also when vacuumed, without the risk on leakage or, accidentally undoing of the vacuum.
[0054] In the example of FIG. 1a-FIG. 2b the resilient shoulder 4 is tooth-shaped, wherein the tooth 16 is more radially outwardly than the groove 14b, the tooth 16 is via the living hinge 15 connected to the elongated body 2. When the stopper 1 is inserted in the neck 9 of the container, and the container is vacuumed, the material of the tooth 16 of the resilient shoulder 4 is being compressed, resulting in elongation of the resilient shoulder 4. Due to the compression and elastic deformation of the resilient shoulder 4, there is difference in height between the rest position and the working position. In rest position, the height H1R of the undeformed resilient shoulder 4 and the stop ring 5 extending above the upper side 10 of the neck of the container is larger than the height H1W in the working position, when the resilient shoulder 4 is compressed and elastically deformed. Thus, the user has a visual indication when there is vacuum in the container, namely when the height of the resilient shoulder 4 with the stop ring 5 is smaller than in rest position. In an example, the height H1W may be between about 0.5 mm to about 5 mm or between about 1 mm to about 4 mm.
[0055] The resilient shoulder 4 is biased towards its undeformed rest position, such that, when releasing the vacuum in the container, e.g. by tilting the stop ring 5, the resilient shoulder 4 moves back to its undeformed position, and, as such, the biasing force may aid to undo the vacuum once a user has created an opening in the sealing engagement. The pressure force on the resilient shoulder acted upon by vacuuming of the container, is then larger than the biasing force to firmly press the resilient shoulder 4 against the upper side 10 of the neck 9 of the container. So, the vacuum in the container needs to be sufficient to overcome the biasing force of the resilient shoulder 4, thus providing for a firm sealing engagement that cannot easily be undone by accidental contact, but mainly by a deliberate action of a user.
[0056] In rest position of the stopper 1, the stopper 1 has a height HR. When the stopper 1 is mounted in the neck of the container, and air is sucked out of the container such that a negative pressure is obtained in the container, the stopper 1 is pulled into the container under influence of the negative pressure. The elongated body 2, made from resilient material, becomes larger, and the shoulder 4 is being pressed onto the neck of the container by the stop ring 5. The height of the stopper 1 in this working position then becomes a height HW that is larger than the height HR in rest position. This can be seen in FIG. 2a and FIG. 2b, although in these figures differences in height H1RH1W and HRHW are presented in exaggeration and not to scale.
[0057] A vacuum pump may be positioned on the upper side 18 of the stopper 1, or may engage with the seat 12 of the valve 6 or at any position therebetween. There are many possibilities for engagement with a vacuum pump.
[0058] As can be seen in FIGS. 1a-2b, the valve 6 is entirely mounted inside of the elongated body 2. The valve 6 is preferably a one-way valve, for example a duck bill valve, but other embodiments of the valve 6 are also possible. By mounting the valve 6 inside of the elongated body 2 such that an upper side 17 of the valve 6 is lower than the stop ring 5, the stopper 1 can be of a compact design. The stop ring 5 forms then the upper side 18 of the stopper 1, and a bulky head, as in the conventional stopper can be obviated. As such, only the resilient shoulder 4 and the stop ring 5 are above the upper side 10 when the stopper 1 is inserted in the neck 9 of the container. The height thereof, height H1R in undeformed rest position, is relatively small compared to the total height HR of the stopper 1 in undeformed position. So, when the stopper 1 is inserted in the neck 9 of the container, this gives an elegant and smooth appearance without disturbing the general visual appearance of the container. This is felt as an advantage by the users. Moreover, due to the compact size of the stopper 1, and the limited height of the stopper 1 above the neck of the container, the container with the stopper can be stored in known storage facilities, such as a refrigerator or a cabinet, without a bulky head as with the conventional stopper abutting against the storage facility.
[0059] FIG. 3a and FIG. 3b show an alternative embodiment that additionally to the embodiment of FIGS. 1a-2b is provided with an abutment element 19. The abutment element 19, in addition to the stop ring 5, prevents that the stopper 1 is sucked into the neck 9 of the container. Due to the compression of the resilient shoulder 4, and the elongated body 2 moving downwardly in the neck 9 of the container, the abutment element 19 abuts against the inner wall 13 of the neck 9 of the container, thus further fixating the stopper 1 in the neck 9 of the container. FIG. 3a shows the stopper 1 with the abutment element 19 in the undeformed rest position, and FIG. 3b shows the stopper 1 with the abutment element 19 in the deformed working position.
[0060] Advantageously, the outer diameter D1s of the stop ring 5 is approximately the same as the outer diameter D1r of the resilient shoulder 4 in undeformed condition. In the examples of FIGS. 1a-3b, the outer diameters D1s and D1r are the same. In deformed position of the resilient shoulder 4, the outer diameter D2r may be somewhat larger than the outer diameter D1s of the stop ring 5 due to the deformation of the resilient shoulder 5 in the working position. The difference between the outer diameter D2r and D1r can be relatively small, e.g. about 1 mm to about 3 mm. Advantageously, the outer diameter D1r, D2r is sufficiently large to accommodate a usual variation in diameter of the neck 9 of the container, but is not too large to extend too much over the neck of the container. For example, the outer diameter D1r, D2r is approximately 1.5 times the outer diameter D1e of the elongated body 2 including the flange elements 7 in undeformed condition. By not having the resilient shoulder 4 and the stop ring 5 extending too much outwardly, it is possible that the stopper 1, when engaged in the neck 9 of the container, can be covered by a screw cap 20 engaged to the neck 9, provided with screw thread 21, as shown in FIG. 4. This allows for a more convenient and elegant storing of the container, even in lying position.
[0061] FIG. 5a, FIG. 5b and FIG. 5c show an alternative embodiment of the stopper 1. In this embodiment, multiple flange elements 7 are provided arranged around the circumference of the elongated body 2. The flange elements 7 extend in longitudinal direction along the outer side of the elongated body 2. Here too, the valve 6, embodied as a duck bill valve, is mounted entirely within the elongated body 2, such that the upper side 17 of the valve 6 is approximately level with or lower than the upper side 18 of the stop ring 5.
[0062] Here, the stop ring 5 and the resilient shoulder 4 are provided as separate parts that are engaged to the elongated body 2, preferably fixated to the elongated body 2, for example via a chemical bonding connection, an adhesive connection, or a mechanical click connection etc. Here, in the embodiments of FIGS. 5 and 6, a mechanical connection is provided.
[0063] In undeformed rest position of the resilient shoulder 4, as shown in FIG. 5a and FIG. 5b, the resilient shoulder 4 is provided with a wave-like or spring-like cross-sectional shape. Due to this shape and the flexibility of the material, deformation of the resilient shoulder 4 under influence of the vacuum pulling the stopper 1 downwardly can become relatively easy. The resilient shoulder 4 can thus deform to a working position as shown in FIG. 5c. The resilient shoulder 4 has here two predefined bends in the shoulder 4a, 4b that are straightened negative pressure to the position shown in FIG. 5c. The resilient shoulder 4 is also biased to the undeformed rest position of FIG. 5b, such that, when some pressure is released upon undoing of the vacuum, the resilient shoulder 4 intends to return to its undeformed rest position. The bends 4a, 4b can be formed as living hinges or may be formed as rejuvenations in wall thickness of the resilient shoulder, or may be formed by a locally larger flexibility of the material etc. By providing such a double wave-like shape, as shown in FIG. 2a, upon deformation, the resilient shoulder 4 may deform until it abuts against the stop ring 5, in particular until a corner 20 of the stop ring 5. As such, a firm and tight sealing of the resilient shoulder 4 on the upper side 10 of the neck 9 can be obtained. In FIG. 5c, the stopper 1 is shown in deformed position, inserted in the neck 9 of the container and under vacuum. The resilient shoulder 4 is in working position, deformed between the stop ring 5 and the upper side 10 of the neck 9 of the container. The flange elements 7 contact the inner wall 13 of the neck 9 of the container. Here, the valve 6 is entirely inside of the elongated body 2, connected to the inner wall 13 of the elongated body 2 with the seat 12. Here, the seat 12 is more stiff than in the embodiments of FIGS. 1a-4, so the valve 6 is barely pulled downwardly by the vacuum in the container, but the flange elements 7 provide for a centering and/or alignment of the elongated body 2 in the neck 9 of the container. The outer diameter D1s of the stop ring 5 is slightly larger than the outer diameter D1r of the resilient shoulder 4, such that, when deformed the outer diameter D2r of the resilient shoulder is approximately the same as the outer diameter D1s. As such, the stop ring 5 and the resilient shoulder 4 do not extend too much out of the neck of the container and may fit e.g. under a screw cap. The stop ring 5 forms the upper side 18 of the stopper 1 and is approximately level with the upper side of the elongated body 2. So, the stop ring 5 and the resilient shoulder 4 have a limited height with respect to the elongated body 2 and only extend over a few millimeters above the neck of the container. So, a compact and/or elegant stopper can be obtained. In this embodiment of the stopper 1, a vacuum pump can engage with the upper side 18 of the stopper 1 or with the valve seat 12 or at any position therebetween.
[0064] FIG. 6a and FIG. 6b show an alternative embodiment to the example of FIGS. 5a-5c. Here, the resilient shoulder 4 is in its undeformed position shaped as spring with a single bend 4a. By providing this shape, upon deformation, the resilient shoulder 4 is pushed firmly in the corner 20 of the stop ring 5 and against the stop ring 5 to sealingly engage with the upper side of the neck of the container.
[0065] FIG. 7a and FIG. 7b show alternative embodiments of the stopper 1 in which a retaining member 22 is used. The retaining member 22 is arranged for retaining the rigid stop ring 5 to the resilient or flexible elongated body 2 and flange 4. Due to the differences in resiliency of the stop ring 5 and the remainder of the stopper 1, both components need to be firmly secured to one another to prevent that the stop ring 5 may become loose from the stopper 1 under influence of a negative pressure. Thereto, a retaining member 22 is provided that firmly secures the stop ring 5 to the elongated body 2 and/or the shoulder 4. In the embodiments of FIG. 7a and FIG. 7b, the elongated body 2, the shoulder 4 and the valve 6 are made as a single piece component, but, as explained above, a multi-component stopper is also possible. The stop ring 5 is can be a rigid component having a body 23 extending downwardly into a receiving space 24 of the elongated body 2, here the receiving space 24 is formed between the elongated body 2 and the flange 4. A similar configuration of the stop ring 5 is provided in the embodiment of FIGS. 5a-6b. In the embodiment of FIG. 7a, the retaining member 22 is provided as a ring 22 fitting around the elongated body 2. At an under side of the body 23 of the stop ring 5 a groove 24 is provided. The ring 22 is provided with a protrusion 25 that fits in the groove 24. Upon mounting of the ring 22 onto the elongated body 22, the protrusion 24 fits in the groove 24 to firmly secure the stop ring 5 to the elongated body 2, and thus to obviate loosening of the stop ring 5 from the stopper 1. The ring 22 can be made from a resilient material, or can be a metal spring etc. Many variants of the ring may be possible. It is noted that the elongated body 2 is flexible, and thus it is possible to mount a rigid ring around the elongated body 2. In the embodiment of FIG. 7b, the retaining member 22 is provided as a rigid bush 22 that is being inserted in the elongated body 2. In the embodiment of FIG. 7b, the bush 22 is also partly inserted inside of the valve 6, but this is optional. The bush 22 is inserted inside the elongated body 2 sufficiently far such that is presses the elongated body 2 outwardly against the stop ring 5, in particular against the body 23 of the stop ring 5. As such, the retaining bush 22 mechanically locks the body 23 of the stop ring 5 into the receiving space 24 of the elongated body 2, and provides for a secure fixation of the stop ring 5 to the stopper 1. The bush 22 therefore, advantageously, has an outer diameter that is somewhat larger than an inner diameter of the elongated body 2, such that the bush 22 can exert a pressure force outwardly. Also, other embodiments of a retaining member may be considered. For example, it is possible to provide an under side of the body 23 of the stop ring 5 with a hook shaped element, as e.g. shown in FIG. 8, or with a protrusion that mechanically locks into the elongated body, e.g. in openings or apertures or recesses of the elongated body. It may also be considered that such a protruding element of the stop ring 5 engages the resilient material of the elongated body 2 without any predefined openings or recesses. It may be considered that the stop ring 5 of the embodiments of FIG. 1a-2b may be secured in a same or similar way as described above. The stop ring 5 may e.g. be provided with a protruding element such as a hook that provides for clamping or otherwise engagement to the elongated body. Alternatively, a chemical securing may be provided between the stop ring 5 and the resilient elongated body. Many variants are possible.
[0066] FIG. 8a and FIG. 8b show a further embodiment of a vacuum stopper 1 having an elongated body 2 that is configured to be inserted into the neck of the container. At an upper end of the elongated body 2 a resilient shoulder 4 is provided, that extends here as a flange radially outwardly from the elongated body 2. The resilient shoulder is arranged for resting onto an upper side of the neck of the container. Further, the stop ring 5 is provided at an upper end of the elongated body 2 and above the resilient shoulder 4. Here, the stop ring 5 has a body 23 that extends axially downwardly into the receiving space 24 between the elongated body 2 and the resilient shoulder 4. Here, the stop ring 5 has at an underside of its body 23 a hook shaped element that engages to the elongated body 2, for example for mechanical connection. A chemical bonding can additionally or alternatively be used as well. The stopper 1 further comprises a valve 6 arranged inside of the elongated body 2 for allowing, in use, air to be sucked out of the container. At an outer side of the elongated body, at least one radially protruding flange element 7 is provided.
[0067] There is disclosed a vacuum stopper configured to be positioned into a neck of a bottle for closing the bottle and allowing the bottle to be vacuumised, the vacuum stopper comprising: an elongated body configured to be inserted into the neck of the bottle; a resilient shoulder provided at an upper end of the elongated body, wherein the resilient shoulder is arranged for resting onto an upper side of the neck of the bottle; a stop ring provided at an upper end of the elongated body above the resilient shoulder; a valve arranged inside of the elongated body for allowing, in use, air to be sucked out of the container.
[0068] For the purpose of clarity and a concise description, features are described herein as part of the same or separate embodiments, however, it will be appreciated that the scope of the claims and disclosure may include embodiments having combinations of all or some of the features described. It may be understood that the embodiments shown have the same or similar components, apart from where they are described as being different.
[0069] In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. The word comprising does not exclude the presence of other features or steps than those listed in a claim. Furthermore, the words a and an shall not be construed as limited to only one, but instead are used to mean at least one, and do not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to an advantage. Many variants will be apparent to the person skilled in the art. All variants are understood to be comprised within the scope defined in the following claims.
