Vacuum pump lid for cannisters

Abstract

A vacuum pump lid that can be applied to any cannister is disclosed. The lid integrates with the closure system of the cannister, whether it be by threads, push or snap closures, or the like. With the pumping of a button on the top of the lid, a pliable valve pin operates to remove a small amount of air from the cannister to achieve a vacuum seal. The seal is released when the lid is removed. The simple solution uses few moving parts to achieve the results, making it sturdy and faster to produce.

1 . A vacuum pump lid for attaching to a cannister having a mouth with means for receiving the vacuum pump lid, the vacuum pump lid comprising:
 a tubular sleeve having complementary means at its bottom end for attaching the vacuum pump lid to the mouth of the cannister, and an opening at its top end with diameter less than the diameter of the sleeve, the opening forming a socket to receive a depressible cap;   a cylindrical housing fitting within the tubular sleeve and comprising a closed base and an open top end, the closed base having a diameter equal to that of the mouth of the cannister, and the cylindrical housing receiving at its top end the depressible cap, which is movably fitted within the cylindrical housing with a spring interposed between the depressible cap and the closed base, the depressible cap thereby comprising a piston;   an airhole through the closed base of the cylindrical housing, the airhole having a top opening and a bottom opening; and   a pliable valve pin comprising a neck, a convex top flange the diameter of which exceeds the top opening of the airhole, and a bottom flange the diameter of which exceeds the bottom opening of the airhole, whereby the neck of the pliable valve pin is movably retained within the airhole, and wherein the convex top flange protrudes away from the top opening of the airhole, and after several pumps of the depressible cap, the convex top flange will begin to flatten against the top opening of the airhole.   
     
     
         2 . The cannister of  claim 1  wherein the airhole is contained within a cylindrical extension protruding from the base of the cylindrical housing and inset from the edge of the cylindrical housing, and wherein the cannister further comprises a cap covering the cylindrical extension, the cap having at least one airhole. 
     
     
         3 . The cannister of  claim 1  wherein the airhole is contained within a cylindrical extension protruding from the base of the cylindrical housing and inset from the edge of the cylindrical housing, and wherein the cannister further comprises a cap covering the cylindrical extension, the cap being of a flexible material and having a diameter equal to that of the closed base of the cylindrical housing. 
     
     
         4 . The cannister of  claim 1  wherein the means for receiving the lid assembly is a threaded connector. 
     
     
         5 . The cannister of  claim 2  wherein the means for receiving the lid assembly is a threaded connector. 
     
     
         6 . The cannister of  claim 3  wherein the means for receiving the lid assembly is a threaded connector.