U.S. patent application number 09/970739 was filed with the patent office on 2002-04-18 for gabi-pak/food preserver.
Invention is credited to Gyorffy, Gabriel E..
Application Number | 20020043052 09/970739 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26933313 |
Filed Date | 2002-04-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020043052 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gyorffy, Gabriel E. |
April 18, 2002 |
Gabi-pak/food preserver
Abstract
The invention is a food preserver device for evacuating air from
plastic zipper bags by mere, oral suction. The device comprises;
(a) a large, transparent, flexible, durable grade plastic bag,
which functions as an `AIR EVACUATION BAG (CHAMBER); (b) a tube,
made of firm, but pliable plastic, which functions as the EXTRACTOR
TUBE. A zipper on one end of the AIR EVACUATION BAG serves for
loading and closing, once a zipper bag, containing items for
storing, has been properly placed therein. A narrow slit at the
opposite end provides for insertion of the plastic, EXTRACTOR TUBE,
through which air is evacuated by oral suction. When the desired
de-airing of the storing intended zipper bag has been achieved it
can be removed from the AIR EVACUATION BAG through that bag's
zipper, designated for opening and closing.
Inventors: |
Gyorffy, Gabriel E.; (Los
Angeles, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Gabriel E. Gyorffy
1640 North Formosa Ave #10
Los Angeles
CA
90046
US
|
Family ID: |
26933313 |
Appl. No.: |
09/970739 |
Filed: |
October 4, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60240305 |
Oct 14, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
53/512 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 81/2023 20130101;
B65D 81/2038 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
53/512 |
International
Class: |
B65B 031/00 |
Claims
What I claim is that:
1. my invention is a food preserver device for removing air from
plastic zipper bags, being a device comprised of a large,
transparent, flexible and durable grade plastic bag, with a primary
function as a receptacle, and secondary function as an air
evacuating chamber, from hereon referred to as `AIR EVACUATING
BAG`, acting conjointly, with and through, a firm, but pliable
tube, from hereon referred to as `EXTRACTOR TUBE`, made of PVC, or
the like, to vacuum air out from a smaller zipper bag placed
therein, containing items, like perishable foodstuffs, or other,
for short, or long-term storing, by oral suction, performable by
adults, elders, or even children.
2. The AIR EVACUATION BAG is made with a dual-purpose zipper,
which, in open state, allows placing a storage-intended item
containing zipper bag therein, and after said zipper bag is
inserted and placed in position, lined up within less than one inch
from the EXTRACTPR TUBE, which intrudes through the designated slit
at the opposite end of the AIR EVACUATION BAG, the zipper will
hermetically close said bag.
3. The container bag with two inches, or less of its zipper left
open for de-airing when reduced to shrink pack-state, will be
zipped closed by applying digital pressure, through the outside
layer of the AIR EVACUATION BAG, which can then be zipped open to
remove the food, or other storage-intended zipper bag.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Various apparatus and methods are now marketed for the
purpose of vacuum sealing plastic bags to protect perishables, such
as foodstuffs, and other products against oxidation. Conventional
apparatus are generally expensive to manufacture, complex in
construction and cumbersome to operate. One conventional type of
vacuum sealing system, primarily used for commercial packaging
includes a vacuum chamber in which the entire packaged product is
placed, along with heat sealers and attendant complements of the
system.
[0002] Another type of conventional vacuum sealing system uses a
vacuum nozzle that is inserted within a plastic bag for evacuation
purposes. Although adaptable for low-volume home use, the latter
type of system is cumbersome to use and normally requires a liquid
separator or filter to prevent liquids or powders, retained within
the bag, from being drawn into a vacuum pump connected to the
nozzle. Further, the heat sealer employed therein must be closely
calibrated and synchronized with the positioning and withdrawal of
the vacuum nozzle from the bag.
[0003] Still another type of conventional vacuum sealing system
places a portion of a bag, containing a product to be stored, in a
first vacuum chamber and extend an open end or neck of the bag into
a second vacuum chamber. The first vacuum chamber is then evacuated
to expand the neck of the bag to isolate the chambers from each
other whereafter a vacuum is drawn in the second vacuum chamber to
evacuate the bag. Thus, isolation of the two chambers from each
other, during evacuation of the second vacuum chamber, is
critically dependent on the physical properties composing the neck
of the bag (which is intended to form a static seal between the two
chambers) and very close synchronization and calibration of the
evacuation and sealing procedures and controls therefor. A vacuum
sealing system of this type is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
3,928,938, for example.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 2,77778,171 discloses another vacuum sealing
system which, to applicant's knowledge, has not been
commercialized. In particular, the open end of the plastic bag is
placed between a pair of jaws (FIGS. 14-17) or between the lower
jaw and a flexible sheet (FIGS. 18-20) to evacuate the bag which is
then heat-sealed. An inner surface of the bag has protuberances
(FIGS. 1-4) formed on it which make point contact with an opposed
surface of the bag to define air exhaust passages during
evacuation.
[0005] U.S. Pat. Nos; 5,009,828, 5,070,584, 5,140,727, 5,647,100
and 5,804,265 re ZIPLOC.COPYRGT. `Double Guard` by S.C. Johnson
& Sons, Inc. is the most recent product in the field of my
invention. This product is advertised daily, on TV, network and
local. The ad, demonstrating comparison between `Double Guard` and
another brand is a computer generated animation, not a factual
presentation.
[0006] I have conducted several tests with this product, following
instructions printed on the box. The results were far from its TV
ads' claims. Invariably, there remained `trapped air` inside the
`Double Guard` bag.
[0007] Further, although marketers of all zipper plastic bags
propagate foodstuff preservation, but regardless how much air can
be manually squeezed out of them, still, there will be air trapped
within. Consequently, gaseous emanation from food content, combined
with such trapped air, will cause spoilage.
[0008] I conducted experiments by filling one of said zipper bags
with bread and cheese and put it into a refrigerator. I have also
put a piece of cheese and bread, unwrapped, into the refrigerator.
The bread and cheese in the zipper bags turned green after a week
in the fridge. The unwrapped bread and cheese in the same fridge,
had only hardened, but not molded.
[0009] I also tested my own invention with the same contents.
Besides the de-aired zipper bag, put into the fridge, I have kept
another de-aired zipper bag, with the same contents, on my kitchen
table, at room temperature. The one in the fridge remained fresh
and unspoiled. In the de-aired zipper bag, kept on the kitchen
table, the bread was still soft after five days with no sign of
spoilage. The cheese had only melted--no spoilage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The object of my invention is to provide an efficient,
non-complex, economical food preserving solution, a product, which
is easily available and purchasable, especially by lower income
families, who constitute the dominant portion of society,
everywhere.
[0011] One aspect of this invention is that the components are
inexpensive and the simplest imaginable, in the manufacturing,
marketing and operating process.
[0012] Another aspect of the invention is that the application and
operation, such as placing storage-intended zipper bags therein,
and evacuating air therefrom by oral suction, can be performed by
an adult, a child, an elderly, or handicapped person.
[0013] In still another aspect, this invention is not limited to an
`at home` use, only. Most of the aforementioned `apparatus` are
limited to `at home` use, because they only function on
electricity.
[0014] Further, my invention works with any zipper bag, versus one
of the most popular `apparatus`, advertised on TV, every day, as
FoodSaver by Tilia. That, electrically motorized apparatus, with
many moving parts, works only with bags specifically made for it.
Once, one has used up the bags that came with the purchase, one has
to order a new supply from the manufacturer, or authorized
distributor, like "As Seen On TV", on the Internet. The price is
high and shipping/handling is added. I know, because I bought one,
which, by the way, inspired me to explore and invent a food
preserver that anyone can afford.
[0015] My invention's entire `package`, marketed with the AIR
EVACUATION BAG, the EXTRACTOR TUBE and two kinds of public domain,
zipper bags that come with it, will cost less than the bags for the
above cited machine.
DESCRIPTION
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0016] This invention relates to a device and application for
extended storing, among other items, perishable goods, like
foodstuff, by evacuating air from standard, or special,
non-breathing plastic zipper bags.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHIC PRESENTATION OF THE
INVENTION
[0017] Simplicity in manufacture, purpose and application of this
invention will become apparent as rendered by the accompanying
photographs wherein:
[0018] FIG. 1: A view of the object of my invention: A large,
hermetically closable, plastic bag, with a primary function as an
"air evacuation chamber". Seen at the bottom end of the photograph,
is the "extractor tube".
[0019] FIG. 2: An enlarged sectional photographic view of the
loading side of the AIR EVACUATION BAG, defining a zipper, for
opening and closing.
[0020] FIG. 3: An enlarged sectional photographic view of the other
end of the AIR EVACUATION BAG, defining a slit, through which the
EXTRACTOR TUBE can be inserted.
DETAIL DESCRIPTION
[0021] FIG. 1: The invention (GABI-PAK) is composed of two
elements: A large, AIR EVACUATION BAG, made of a transparent,
flexible, durable grade plastic, and an EXTRACTOR TUBE made of PVC
plastic, or the like.
[0022] FIG. 2: The AIR EVACUATION BAG features a zipper on the top
side for opening and closing for insertion and removal of a
storage-intended zipper bag. The slit at the bottom side serves to
insert the EXTRACTOR TUBE.
[0023] FIG. 3: A close-up view of the slit.
[0024] FIG. 4: The insertion of the EXTRACTOR TUBE, through the
above cited slit. The insertion is done from within the AIR
EVACUATION BAG, for ease of execution.
[0025] FIG. 5: A zipper bag of foodstuff is inserted through the
top opening of the AIR EVACUATION BAG.
[0026] FIG. 6: The foodstuff zipper bag is placed within the AIR
EVACUATION BAG, close to the inside end of the EXTRACTOR TUBE.
[0027] FIG. 7: The foodstuff containing bag has two inches, or
less, left unzipped to allow evacuation of air.
[0028] FIG. 8: The AIR EVACUATION BAG zipper, for loading and
removing, is closed, by applying digital pressure.
[0029] FIG. 9: Next, by oral suction, air is evacuated from the AIR
EVACUATION BAG, conjointly with the food-containing zipper bag,
through the EXTRACTOR TUBE. After achieving shrink-pack state of
the AIR EVACUATION BAG, as well as that of the foodstuff zipper bag
therein, through the flexible, outside layer of the AIR EVACUATION
BAG, the zipper of the foodstuff container bag is closed, by
applying digital pressure,
[0030] FIG. 10: The food-containing zipper bag, reduced to a
shrink-pack state, is then removed from the AIR EVACUATION BAG and
placed into a refrigerator for short, or into a freezer, for long
term storage.
[0031] FIG. 11: Just showing off, (a little).
(Steak&Chicken)
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