ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD FOR PRESERVING A PRODUCT STORED IN A CONTAINER WITH AN OPENING

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an arrangement for preserving or protecting a product, which is stored in a container provided with an opening, especially to extend the preservability of the product. The arrangement is intended for temporary protection of a product contained in the container against influence by substances which are harmful or negative to the product, for example gases, when a surface of the product may be exposed to such substances through the opening. Particularly, a harmful substance may be air, especially oxygen in the air, and the product may consist of a food product, more precisely a liquid food, such as a beverage, for example wine.

The invention also relates to a corresponding method for protecting and preserving a product stored in a container provided with an opening. TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

Many various arrangements are known, which are intended to protect a food product stored in a container against influence by air. Most of these are based upon trying to create a vacuum in connection with the product, for example by pumping out air from a bottle. However, most such arrangements have turned out to function badly in practice or to be too complicated .

WO 2008/104 906 shows an arrangement for airtight preser- vation of a liquid in a container, for example a bottle. It consists of an inner container which is located in the bottle and which is filled with a replacing liquid in such a proportion in relation to the food product, that the pressure inside the container is to be constant. The inner container is connected with a sleeve which may be integral with the container itself, and which has a connection with the outer environment and the container. Separate tubes are arranged for the food liquid and the replacing liquid, respectively. This arrangement is complicated to manufac- ture as well as to use, since it consists of several various components. It cannot be removed when the contents of the bottle are served, which gives an unaesthetic impression. Neither it is easy to clean and re-use. BE 1 015 334 shows a hollow tube with a compensating bag, which shall separate the liquid from the surrounding air completely. When liquid is poured out, the container is inclined 135 degrees, due to the external pressure air is introduced into the bag, which rises and is inflated.

Liquid passes out through a tube and an open tap. Also when the liquid is served, the protecting device remains in place which is not pleasant. Tube and device are difficult to clean. Also DE-A-30 30 859 shows a device, which is more or If stationary, i.e. it is not removed when the product is served. A bag is introduced through a special opening intended for this purpose, in the container and is a^ matically filled with air whe: liquid is let out through another opening, which is loc ted in the lower part of the container. The container is a special container provided with two openings . The device is not suited for a conven- tional container, for example a bottle, for food products.

US 3 256 977 shows an arrangement consisting of a floating body, which is permanently arranged in a container and which is intentionally impossible to remove. By means of a projection it may be prevented that the opening of the container is obstructed by the floating body, so that liquid can be poured. Due to the fact that the arrangement cannot be removed, it cannot either be cleaned. Neither can it be used for different containers or be re-used in a desired conventional container, which might have a different shape or dimension. Nor it is aesthetically attractive with a disc floating around when the beverage is served .

Thus, the known arrangements exhibit several drawbacks, which result in the fact that their use is very limited practice .

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved arrangement for preserving and protecting a product, which is stored in a container provided with an opening, through which the product can be delivered or poured or be possible to get hold of in another way, for example to be poured. A special object of the invention is to extend the pre- servability of a product by protecting it against sub ^¬ stances which might limit its preservability . It is a further object of the invention to provide an arrangement which can be used to protect a product, particularly a food product, for example a beverage, such as wine, when it is contained in a container or a vessel with an opening, for example an opened bottle, a carafe, a bowl or similar, against surrounding air, or, more

generally, against a substance which is harmful to the product, and which may be used for various types of containers, various shapes and sizes of the opening or for the surface, which runs the risk of being exposed to the harmful substance. Particularly, it is an object to provide such an arrangement, which generally is useful for various purposes and which can be re-used.

It is also an object to provide an arrangement, which can be cleaned easily, and which is simple and cheap to manufacture. Further, it is an object to provide an arrangement, which is easy to use. It is also an object to provide an arrangement, which is completely separate from the container, so that it can be removed before the product contained in the container is served. A further object is to provide an arrangement, which is hygienic and protects the product well, and which, so far as it is a food product that is to be preserved, complies with the demands made concerning allowable substances for contact with food products. It is also an object of the invention to provide a method for preserving or protecting a product, which is stored in a container provided with an opening. Thus, an arrangement described above is provided according to the invention, which exhibits the features indicated in the characterizing part of Claim 1.

A method is, thus, also provided, which exhibits the features indicated in the characterizing part of Claim 15.

Preferred embodiments are indicated by the features stated in the respective dependent claims. It is an advantage of the invention that a consumer product is provided, which can be re-used, which is not connected to any special container, but can be used for different products, liquid as well as solid, which are stored in different types of containers, at least to the extent that the size of the surface requiring protection does not vary too much. It is also an advantage that an arrangement is provided, which is flexible and which adapts to the size of an exposed surface if the container has a cross section which varies, so that the exposed surface has a size, which varies depending on the consumed quantity, or filled quantity, of the product, and that it (the bag) is formable.

Another advantage is that an arrangement is obtained, which is easy to apply as well as easy to remove.

It is also an advantage that the preservability of a product in, for example, an opened container, as a bottle of wine, can be extended, and that the product in spite of that can be stored in its original bottle and also be served from its original bottle, which is of particular interest when so called finer wines are concerned. It is extremely advantageous that the preservability of a product, which is protected by an arrangement according to the invention, is considerably extended compared to if known vacuum devices are used, since there is nearly no exposure to, for example, air, i.e. extremely few oxygen molecules come into contact with the product compared to a guasi-vacuum, in which a reduced concentration of oxygen molecules can react freely with the surface of the

product. At best vacuum pumps achieve a preservability of two to three weeks, while, by means of an arrangement according to the invention, where there is no contact surface worth mentioning between, for example, air and product, a preservability may be obtained, which is considerably longer. SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following the invention will be described more in detail in an exemplifying, but in no way limiting, purpose with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of an arrangement according to the invention,

Fig. 1A illustrates the arrangement according to Fig. 1 when it is brought into position to protect a product stored in a container,

Fig. 2 illustrates a special embodiment of an arrangement according to the invention, in which the arrangement is provided with application means in the form of a fin or similar,

Fig. 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment of an

arrangement with application means in the form of an area designed in a special way,

Fig. 4 illustrates a further embodiment of an arrangement according to the invention in a free, not applied position, in which the application means comprise a helical element associated with a closing device,

Fig. 4A illustrates the arrangement according to Fig. 4 when the protecting device is in contact with an exposed surface,

Fig. 4B illustrates the arrangement according to Fig. 4 applied in a container in the form of a wine bottle,

Fig. 5 illustrates an alternative arrangement according to the invention, in which the application means comprise an attachment element, and

Fig. 6 illustrates a further alternative arrangement, in which the application means comprise a closing device in the form of a cap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In Fig. 1 an arrangement 10 is schematically illustraded, which consists of a protecting device 11 in the form of a bag filled with a bag gas or a bag liquid 16, in its most general design. Here, the application means 12 is constituted by the bag surface itself, i.e. the bag can be taken hold of anywhere, for example, on a uniformly, symmetrically designed surface. The protective gas may, for example, consist of argon, which today is a generally established gas to be used in the food industry, and which is harmless.

However, several other alternatives are possible, but it must be a heavy gas or a light liguid which has a density which is lower than the density of the product to be protected, for example lower than the density of water. The density must also be higher than the density of the substance or substances harmful to the product, in many applications the oxygen of the surrounding air. An example of a bag liguid is an oil, which floats on the product to be protected, for example an oil which can float on water. To express it simpler, a liguid should have as low density as possible in order to have good floating properties, while a gas should have as high density as possible in order to be able to sink through air.

For protection of sweet products water and/or alcohol could be used in certain embodiments. For gas as well as for liguid many alternatives are possible, for example argon or any other inert gas below argon in the periodic system (group 18) . The important thing is that the density is lower than the density of the product and higher than the density of the substance or substances against which the product is to be protected, and that it complies with necessary requirements for it use, for example in connection with food products or other edible products,

beverages which are food products or other drinks. The product to be protected is particularly a food product or a beverage, but the invention is not limited to such applications, but also other products can be protected by using the concept according to the invention, for example various types of chemicals, paints or similar. Particularly, but not exclusively, a consumer product for

domestic use is intended with the arrangement.

It is, of course, also possible to protect solid or viscous products. Suitably, the bas is completely filled with bag gas or bag liquid.

The bag may have various sizes and/or shapes depending on the field of application, and the surface which may be exposed to a harmful substance through an opening in the container, for example the upwards facing opening in a bowl or a jar, a carafe or any other type of container.

If a liquid not being sufficiently light to exhibit good floating properties for the product in question is used as bag liquid, small air bubbles may be provided in the bag, or in some part of the bag, for example in a pocket or similar, which is intended to face downwards towards the product, in order to improve the floating ability.

The weight of the bag and the density demands stated above imply that the bag, when brought into contact with the exposed surface of a product, spreads and covers the entire surface.

If the container has different cross sections on different heights above the surface, on which it is placed, the size of the exposed surface will change if the quantity of the product is changed. Suitably, such a size of the bag is chosen, that the bag in a position, in which it is spread to a maximum, well covers the maximum size of the exposed surface .

The arrangement is very simple to use. If a product is stored in a container with an opening, and is to be stored therein for a longer or a shorter period of time, the bag is simply placed on the product and protects it as long as it is stored in the container.

If you wish to use some of the product, the bag is simply removed by taking hold of it anywhere. If some of the product remains in the container, the bag is simply placed on the new exposed surface. Possibly, an end of the bag may be drawn aside, so that the surface of the product is partly uncovered in order to remove a smaller guantity of the product . It is easy to clean the bag in between uses, it may simply be rinsed. Thanks to the fact that it has a whole, closed, uniform surface, there are no nooks or spaces difficult to access for cleaning, neither spaces, in which residual products or any contamination may easily get stuck.

Fig. 1A illustrates an example of the arrangement 11 according to Fig. 1 placed on the exposed surface of a product 21 stored in a bowl 20 with an upwards facing opening 22. The bag 11 is spreading over the entire surface and protects the product, for example a soap, a cream or similar. Fig. 2 illustrates an alternative embodiment of an

arrangement 10A according to the invention. The difference in relation to the arrangement shown in Fig. 1 is that application means in the form of a fin 12A or any similar protruding organ, which is easy to grip, is arranged on the bag 11A, which is arranged to protect a product 21A preserved in a bowl 20A. The fin, or, more generally, the gripping organ, may be firmly connected to the bag 11A, or be integral with the bag 11A. Alternatively, it may be releasably arranged on the bag, in which case any type of fastening device on the bag for co-operation with the gripping organ or fastening device must be attached thereto. The fastening device may consist of suitable known fastening devices, for example catches, hooks, magnets or similar.

Fig. 3 illustrates an alternative arrangement 10B arranged to cover a product 21B stored in a container 20B. The arrangement is similar to the arrangement shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, respectively, but the application means consist of a reinforced and/or marked area 12B of the bag 11B.

Fig. 4 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the inven- tion, in which the arrangement IOC comprises a bag 11C filled with a bag gas or a bag liquid 16C, for example argon, an application means 13C in the form of a thread, a string, a band or similar, preferably a helical element that contracts when the arrangement is not used to protect a product, associated with the bag in one of its ends and with a sealing element 14C in its other end. In the illustrated example the arrangement is intended to be used for preserving wine in a wine bottle, i.e. to prolong the time, during which a wine or any other beverage can be stored in a bottle, the original seal of which has been broken, for example by uncorking, and the wine is exposed to the oxygen of the air.

The application means is advantageously elastic or

stretchable by the influence of the weight of the bag, but this is not necessary. According to an advantageous embodiment it consists of a spiral, which, for example, can be made of plastic.

If an application means is elastic or stretchable, for example consisting of a thread, its resistance to

stretching shall be so small that it is sufficient only with the weight of the bag to stretch out the application means as long that the entire application area can be reached, i.e. the surface to be protected, or to the bottom of the container (the bottle) . Preferably, the length exceeds the full height of, for example, a wine bottle in upright position. The bag changes its shape easily and shall have a volume that allows it to cover the entire surface of the wine which may be exposed to air, especially irrespective of the position or inclination of the bottle.

When the bag is inserted through the opening of the bottle and lowered against the surface of the wine, which also may occur automatically by the weight of the bag and stretching of the application means, the bag will change its shape and spread over the entire exposed surface until it reaches contact with the walls of the bottle. In certain embodiments the isolating surface of the bag follows the inner walls of the bottle upwards towards the opening of the bottle, where they are merged due to the tapering opening, in order to provide an extra safe protection, so that no or an extremely small quantity of air may permeate towards the exposed surface, especially if the bottle runs the risk of being rotated, shaken or similar during the storage time. This is especially due to the fact that as long as the container is standing in upright position, or the thread is sufficiently long to change pole, i.e. the bag is turned, if the bottle is turned upside down, only a temporary contact will occur with the air in the bottle. On the other hand, if the contents in a bottle/container runs the risk of splashing to and fro very much, so that repeated contact with air occurs, or, if contact with air must absolutely not occur, it may in certain embodiments be appropriate to use a bag, which is so shaped that it fills the entire container.

Fig. 4A illustrates the arrangement IOC according to Fig. 4 when it has reached contact with an exposed surface.

Fig. 4B illustrates the arrangement according to Fig. 4 when applied in a wine bottle 20C with an opening 22C, where a good half of the contents in the bottle has been consumed, and the bag 11C is spread to cover the exposed surface of the wine 21C. As an extra security the bottle is closed by a cork 14C after application of the bag.

Since the cork 14C is associated with the helical element 13C, the arrangement can easily be removed before the wine is service, and thereafter easily be inserted again.

In a preferred embodiment the bag has a size sufficient also to cover the exposed surface when the wine bottle is lying, which may be advantageous in consideration of the storage .

In still another embodiment, as an alternative to a closing device, for example in the form of a cork, a ring may be used, which fits around the opening of the bottle. The ring may be provided with bars or rods, so that a fixed centre is obtained, in which the application means may be fixedly or releasably arranged.

Fig. 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a protecting arrangement 10D comprising a bag 11D filled with bag gas or bag liguid 16D, as described above. An application means, for example a plastic spiral 12D, is attached in the bag 11D at one of its ends, and at its other end it is provided with an anchoring element 13D for temporary attachment in a cork or similar. This makes it possible to use the arrangement according to the invention in combination with any cork, or in order to replace a broken cork. (Of course, the arrangement according to the invention may be used also without anchoring element to replace a cork or a lid which has got broken, disappeared or similar.)

The anchoring element may consist of a hook, a catch or any other element suitable for the purpose.

Again, Fig. 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment, in which the arrangement 10E comprises a bag HE filled with a bag gas or a bag liguid 16E. The application means 12E, a band, a string, a plastic spiral or similar, is in this case releasably associated with the bag by means of bag anchoring element 15E. In its other end the application means is fixedly or releasably associated with a lid 14E. The lid may be of any conventional type, for example a screw lid. Of course, the application means may also in this embodiment be fixedly associated with the bag.

Characteristics shown or illustrated in any of the Figures or in the description may be combined freely to different embodiments, even if these are not explicitly shown.

Generally, the application means, especially when they comprise application means in the form of a spiral, an elastic element to be inserted into a bottle, do not need, or should not, be used when applying, inserting, the arrangement, but only when an arrangement is to be

removed. Possibly, it might be necessary to adapt the bag to the shape and insert it manually, and, possibly, in a preferred embodiment, the fall against the exposed surface needs to be slowed down by the spiral or the elastic element . Also in other aspects the invention is not limited to the explicitly illustrated embodiments, but can be varied freely within the scope of the appended claims. Especially, a number of alternative bag gases or bag liquids may be used.

Various materials may be used for the bag itself, for example multilayer plastic film, which is standard in the food industry. It can be one or several layers of PA

(polyamide) , which protects against oxygen, and PE (poly- ethene) , which protects against liquid. How many layers and in which combination they are used depends on the field of application. PE has a smoother surface and may in certain embodiments be applied on the outside of the bag. At the same time the different melting points of PA and PE must be considered when the joint of the bag is fused together. Possibly, also EVOH (ethylene vinyl alcohol) can be used, which forms a very strong barrier, but since it cannot come into contact with water, it must be

enclosed in for example PE on both sides. Possibly, the bag might consist only of PE, of which material common plastic bags for food are made, although then perhaps of a somewhat thicker layer compared to plastic bags for food, which consist of a very thin layer. There are many other examples of plastics that can be used, here only a few are stated. The bag may have different sizes and other shapes than the illustrated shapes. Neither, the invention is limited to the described fields of application, although it is advantageously to use it in the food industry. Other examples are the handling of chemicals, paints, when feeding domestic animals who often do not consume all of the portion served, or when serving food or drinks to children, old or ill persons, who perhaps cannot or do not want to eat or drink up everything at the same time, in order to avoid throwing away a fresh or prepared food product or drink immediately.