Snap down lock of and release valve control mechanism for a vacuum food container

Abstract

The invention provides a snap down lock and a release valve control mechanism for a vacuum food container. The vacuum food container includes a cover and a base in tight connection with the cover to form a box for storing food. A snap down lock is provided between the cover and the base. The snap down lock depresses a plug and a spring inside a U-shaped recess on the base using a corner of its square block, blocking its vent. At the same time, the snap down lock depresses a retractable spring switch provided on the base, starting a motor vacuum pump to draw out the air inside the box. Once the square block corner of the snap down lock departs from its depressing position and releases its depression on the plug and the spring, the restoring force of the spring pushes the plug out of the sealing position on the vent. The box is then in connection with the atmosphere via the vent.

1 . A vacuum food container with a snap down lock and a release valve control mechanism, the vacuum food container comprising:
 a cover;   a base, in tight connection with the cover to form a box and disposed with a motor vacuum pump, a vacuum detector, connection pipes, and an electronic control circuit;   a snap down lock, disposed between the cover and the base;   wherein the snap down lock consists of an upper snapping component and a lower snapping component connected by a pin with the lower snapping component having a block; a recess is formed on the base at a position opposite to the block; the recess is formed with a vent and disposed with a plug and a spring; the block depresses the spring to block the vent using its protruding part when the snap down lock is closed.   
   
   
       2 . The vacuum food container with a snap down lock and a release valve control mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein when the block is moved by an external force to depart from its original position of depressing the plug and the spring, the restoring force of the spring pushes the plug out of the vent for the box to exchange air with the atmosphere via the vent.