Container lid evacuation device

Abstract

A storage container device that is sealed to provide a controlled atmosphere to protect stored items from moisture and/or oxygen. Such a storage container device includes a storage container and a lid, where the lid is sized to be secured to the storage container, either through compression fit, threaded attachment, or a combination thereof. The lid further includes a valve that can be secured to a vacuum pump to evacuate the fluid contents of the container. Additionally, the valve may be used to introduce an inert gas, such as argon or nitrogen, into the container to preserve its contents. A plurality of storage container devices may be stackable, and a spacer may be used to facilitate stacking if the location of a valve would otherwise impede stacking.

1 . A storage container device comprising:
 (a) a container having an interior cavity;   (b) a lid securably attachable to the container, wherein the lid is further configured to form an airtight seal with the container; and   (c) a refrigerant access valve coupled to the lid and extending through the lid, wherein the refrigerant access valve is configured to be in fluid communication with a vacuum pump, and wherein the refrigerant access valve facilitates the evacuation of a fluid from the interior cavity of the container device when the vacuum pump is activated;   
       wherein the refrigerant access valve is configured to permit fluid transfer between the interior cavity of the container and an external apparatus. 
     
     
         2 . The storage container device of  claim 1 , wherein the refrigerant access valve comprises a Schrader bulkhead-style valve. 
     
     
         3 . The storage container device of  claim 1 , further comprising an o-ring and a retention member, wherein the retention member is coupled to the refrigerant access valve, wherein the o-ring is coaxial to the refrigerant access valve and is retained against the lid by the retention member, and wherein when the o-ring is compressed by the retention member the o-ring fluidly seals the refrigerant access valve to the lid. 
     
     
         4 . The storage container device of  claim 1 , wherein the lid comprises a cover and an adapter, wherein the adapter is securably attachable to the container and the cover is securably attachable to the adapter, and wherein the refrigerant access valve is coupled to the cover and extends through the cover. 
     
     
         5 . The storage container device of  claim 4 , wherein the adapter comprises an inner skirt, a top portion, and an outer skirt, collectively defining a recess, wherein the outer skirt comprises a recess-side surface, wherein a portion of the recess-side surface comprises an integral ledge, and wherein the recess and the integral ledge are configured to cooperatively couple the adapter to a container. 
     
     
         6 . The storage container device of  claim 5 , wherein the cover comprises threads and wherein the inner skirt of the adapter comprises complementary threading wherein the cover threadably attaches to the adapter. 
     
     
         7 . A closure mechanism to be used with a container having an interior cavity, the closure mechanism comprising:
 (a) a lid securably attachable to a container, wherein the lid is further configured to form an airtight seal with the container; and   (b) a refrigerant access valve coupled to the lid and extending through the lid, wherein the refrigerant access valve is configured to be in fluid communication with a vacuum pump, and wherein the refrigerant access valve facilitates the evacuation of a fluid from the interior cavity of the container when the vacuum pump is activated;   
       wherein the refrigerant access valve is configured to permit fluid transfer between the interior cavity of the container and an external apparatus. 
     
     
         8 . The closure mechanism of  claim 7 , wherein the refrigerant access valve comprises a Schrader bulkhead-style valve. 
     
     
         9 . The closure mechanism of  claim 7 , further comprising an o-ring and a retention member, wherein the retention member is coupled to the refrigerant access valve, wherein the o-ring is coaxial to the refrigerant access valve and is retained against the lid by the retention member, and wherein when the o-ring is compressed by the retention member the o-ring fluidly seals the refrigerant access valve to the lid. 
     
     
         10 . A system for preserving items, the system comprising:
 (a) a plurality of containers, wherein each container of the plurality of containers comprises a base and a sidewall, collectively defining a cavity;   (b) a plurality of lids, wherein each lid of the plurality of lids is securably attachable to a container of the plurality of containers, and wherein each lid comprises a refrigerant access valve coupled to the lid and extending through the lid; and   (c) at least one spacer, wherein the spacer is configured to be placed on a first lid of the plurality of lids secured to a first container of the plurality of containers, and wherein the spacer is configured in such a way that when a second container of the plurality of containers is placed on the spacer the refrigerant access valve coupled to the first lid does not contact the base of the second container.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the refrigerant access valves comprises a Schrader bulkhead-style valve. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising a vacuum pump, wherein the vacuum pump is configured to be in fluid communication with at least one of the refrigerant access valves, and wherein the vacuum pump is configured to facilitate the evacuation of a fluid from a cavity of a container of the plurality of containers. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one spacer comprises a top portion, wherein each container of the plurality of containers has a geometric cross-section substantially near the base of each container, and wherein the top portion is configured to substantially correspond to the geometric cross-section of the container in such a way that the top portion of the spacer surrounds a portion of the sidewall of the container substantially near the base of the container. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one spacer further comprises an inner surface, wherein at least a portion of the inner surface has an integral ledge. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one spacer comprises a bottom portion, wherein each lid of the plurality of lids has a geometric shape, and wherein the bottom portion is configured to substantially correspond to the geometric shape of the lid. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one spacer comprises an annular ring, wherein the annular ring comprises an inner surface, wherein at least a portion of the inner surface has an integral ledge.