Importance

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Abstract

An improved generally concave body (bell attachment) is disclosed for applying a vacuum to conventional canning jars. Like the prior art, the bell attachment fits over the jar top and a placed flexible lid for sealing the jar and seals to the top of the jar at the jar sealing rim. Unlike the prior art, the top locates with respect to the thread on the jar to limit the penetration of the top of the bell over the top of the jar and to define clearance between the bell and lid. This clearance sets forth a small distance of vertical excursion between the captured flexible lid and the top of the bell. Preferably, a system of peripheral and overhead grooves are provided in the interior of the bell so that the flexible top may be guided into sealing registry with the jar top while still maintaining a free passage for the evacuation of gas interior of the jar to an evacuating connection communicated to the bell. A small spring force may be used to bias the lid onto the top of the jar such as a sponge or spring washer. When vacuum is drawn on the bell installed and sealed at the sealing ring to the flexible lid closed jar top, vacuum begins to form at once within the jar. Preferably, the bell is designed to define a minimal volume with respect to the jar top and flexible lid so that vacuum can be drawn on as small a volume as possible. An improved vacuum drawn on the flexible lid sealed jar results.

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First Claim