U.S. patent application number 10/027021 was filed with the patent office on 2002-07-11 for storage bag with one-way air valve.
Invention is credited to Anderson, Brent G., Skeens, Janet L..
Application Number | 20020090151 10/027021 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27006627 |
Filed Date | 2002-07-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020090151 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Skeens, Janet L. ; et
al. |
July 11, 2002 |
Storage bag with one-way air valve
Abstract
A flexible, evacuable storage bag has a storage portion, an
airtight seal, and a one-way valve. The valve includes a strip
sandwiched between top and bottom sheets used to make the bag. The
strip is bonded along the edges to the top and bottom sheets so as
to form passageways extending from the storage portion to outside
the bag.
Inventors: |
Skeens, Janet L.; (San
Carlos, CA) ; Anderson, Brent G.; (Barrington,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Christopher B. Allenby
Skjerven Morrill MacPherson LLP
25 Metro Drive, Suite 700
San Jose
CA
95110
US
|
Family ID: |
27006627 |
Appl. No.: |
10/027021 |
Filed: |
December 19, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10027021 |
Dec 19, 2001 |
|
|
|
09630308 |
Jul 31, 2000 |
|
|
|
09630308 |
Jul 31, 2000 |
|
|
|
09374484 |
Aug 13, 1999 |
|
|
|
6116781 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
383/100 ;
206/524.8; 383/44; 493/213 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 81/2007 20130101;
B65D 33/01 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
383/100 ;
206/524.8; 383/44; 493/213 |
International
Class: |
B65D 033/01 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A storage bag comprising: a storage portion, wherein the storage
portion includes a top sheet and a bottom sheet bonded along one or
more edges to the top sheet; an airtight seal in a first opening in
the storage portion; and a valve including a valve strip bonded
between the top and bottom sheets along a first valve strip edge
and along a second valve strip edge to form a first passageway
between the valve strip and the top sheet and a second passageway
between the valve strip and the bottom sheet, the first and second
passageways extending from a second opening into the storage area
to outside the bag, the second opening being positioned in a middle
portion of the valve strip.
2. The storage bag of claim 1 further comprising an obstruction
positioned opposite the second opening and between the top sheet
and the valve strip.
3. The storage bag of claim 1 wherein an aspect ratio between a
length of the first passageway and a width of the first passageway
is approximately 20.
4. The storage bag of claim 1 wherein an aspect ratio between a
length of the first passageway and a width of the first passageway
is approximately 14.
5. The storage bag of claim 1 wherein an aspect ratio between a
length of the first passageway and a width of the first passageway
is approximately 10.
6. The storage bag of claim 1 wherein a ratio between a width of
the first passageway and a width of the second opening is
approximately 2.
7. The storage bag of claim 1 wherein a ratio between a width of
the first passageway and a width of the second opening is
approximately 0.8.
8. The storage bag of claim 1 wherein a ratio between a width of
the first passageway and a width of the second opening is
approximately 0.3.
9. The storage bag of claim 1 wherein the valve is positioned
opposite the seal.
10. The storage bag of claim 1 wherein the seal is reusable.
11. A storage bag manufacturing process comprising: bonding along
one or more edges a top sheet to a bottom sheet to form a storage
portion; bonding an airtight seal in a first opening of the storage
portion; and bonding between the top sheet and the bottom sheet a
valve strip along a first valve strip edge and along an opposite
second valve strip edge so as to form a first passageway between
the valve strip and the top sheet and a second passageway between
the valve strip and the bottom sheet, the first and second
passageways extending from a second opening into the storage area,
the second opening being positioned at a middle of the valve strip,
to outside the bag.
12. The method of claim 11 further comprising bonding the top
sheet, the bottom sheet, and the valve strip together to form an
obstruction opposite the second opening.
13. A storage bag comprising: a storage portion, wherein the
storage portion includes a top sheet and a bottom sheet bonded
along one or more edges to the top sheet; an airtight seal in a
first opening in the storage portion; and a valve including a valve
strip bonded between the top and bottom sheets along a first valve
strip edge and along a second valve strip edge to form a first
passageway between the valve strip and the top sheet and a second
passageway between the valve strip and the bottom sheet, the first
and second passageways extending from a second opening into the
storage area to outside the bag, an aspect ratio between a length
of the first passageway and a width of the first passageway being
approximately 20.
14. A storage bag comprising: a storage portion, wherein the
storage portion includes a top sheet and a bottom sheet bonded
along one or more edges to the top sheet; an airtight seal in a
first opening in the storage portion; and a valve including a valve
strip bonded between the top and bottom sheets along a first valve
strip edge and along a second valve strip edge to form a first
passageway between the valve strip and the top sheet and a second
passageway between the valve strip and the bottom sheet, the first
and second passageways extending from a second opening into the
storage area to outside the bag, an aspect ratio between a length
of the first passageway and a width of the first passageway being
approximately 14.
15. A storage bag comprising: a storage portion, wherein the
storage portion includes a top sheet and a bottom sheet bonded
along one or more edges to the top sheet; an airtight seal in a
first opening in the storage portion; and a valve including a valve
strip bonded between the top and bottom sheets along a first valve
strip edge and along a second valve strip edge to form a first
passageway between the valve strip and the top sheet and a second
passageway between the valve strip and the bottom sheet, the first
and second passageways extending from a second opening into the
storage area to outside the bag, an aspect ratio between a length
of the first passageway and a width of the first passageway being
approximately 10.
16. A storage bag comprising: a storage portion, wherein the
storage portion includes a top sheet and a bottom sheet bonded
along one or more edges to the top sheet; an airtight seal in a
first opening in the storage portion; and a valve including a valve
strip bonded between the top and bottom sheets along a first valve
strip edge and along a second valve strip edge to form a first
passageway between the valve strip and the top sheet and a second
passageway between the valve strip and the bottom sheet, the first
and second passageways extending from a second opening into the
storage area to outside the bag, a ratio between a width of the
first passageway and a width of the second opening being
approximately 2.
17. A storage bag comprising: a storage portion, wherein the
storage portion includes a top sheet and a bottom sheet bonded
along one or more edges to the top sheet; an airtight seal in a
first opening in the storage portion; and a valve including a valve
strip bonded between the top and bottom sheets along a first valve
strip edge and along a second valve strip edge to form a first
passageway between the valve strip and the top sheet and a second
passageway between the valve strip and the bottom sheet, the first
and second passageways extending from a second opening into the
storage area to outside the bag, a ratio between a width of the
first passageway and a width of the second opening being
approximately 0.8.
18. A storage bag comprising: a storage portion, wherein the
storage portion includes a top sheet and a bottom sheet bonded
along one or more edges to the top sheet; an airtight seal in a
first opening in the storage portion; and a valve including a valve
strip bonded between the top and bottom sheets along a first valve
strip edge and along a second valve strip edge to form a first
passageway between the valve strip and the top sheet and a second
passageway between the valve strip and the bottom sheet, the first
and second passageways extending from a second opening into the
storage area to outside the bag, a ratio between a width of the
first passageway and a width of the second opening being
approximately 0.3.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/374,484, filed Aug. 13, 1999, entitled
"Storage Bag With One-Way Air Valve" by Janet L. Skeens.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to storage bags, and in
particular to reusable evacuable storage bags with integral one-way
air valves.
[0004] 2. Related Art
[0005] Evacuable flexible storage bags allow a user to compress and
subsequently store and carry bulky items, e.g., clothing. Such bags
are typically made of plastic and include an airtight seal. After
placing one or more items inside the bag, the user partially closes
the seal. The user then presses on the bag to force air through the
remaining opening in the seal. Once air is forced through the
opening, the user fully closes the seal and the stored items remain
compressed by ambient air pressure. However, such bags are
difficult to use.
[0006] One problem with many current airtight storage bags is that
some air may leak back into the bag as the user attempts to close
the seal. Another problem is that forces on the bag during
compressing tend to fully open the partially closed seal, thus
requiring the user to fully close the seal once the bag is
compressed. Yet another problem is that many users find it awkward
to maintain compression force on the bag while fully closing the
seal. Still another problem is low cabin pressure during air travel
may cause air inside the bag to expand and open the seal.
[0007] One solution is to equip an airtight storage bag with a
one-way air valve. The valve allows the user to force air out of,
but prevents air from reentering, the bag. U.S. Pat. No. 5,540,500
discloses a sealed bag including a check valve. The '500 patent
discloses a check valve including at least two rectangular plastic
films. The plastic films are bonded together to form a flat pipe
that extends between the storage bag body and a covering envelope.
However, articles placed in the bag may fold the pipe back on
itself and block the valve. And the covering envelope is required
to protect the valve portion extending from the bag body.
[0008] What is required is a simpler one-way check valve that is
more reliable, and is easier and more economical to
manufacture.
SUMMARY
[0009] In accordance with the invention, a flexible, evacuable
storage bag includes a one-way air valve that has a single strip
bonded between the top and bottom sheets used to make the bag. The
bag also includes an airtight seal through which the user places
one or more items to be stored into the bag.
[0010] The valve strip is sandwiched between the top and bottom
sheets. The strip is bonded along the strip's edges to the top and
bottom sheets to form two passageways. The passageways extend from
the storage portion of the bag to the outside.
[0011] The user may, for example, insert one or more items to be
stored through the opening and then closes the airtight seal. The
user then puts pressure on the bag to force air from a storage
portion through the valve to the outside. Once air has been
evacuated from the bag, ambient pressure holds the top and bottom
sheets against the valve strip to prevent air from returning to the
bag.
[0012] In some embodiments the valve configuration is such that the
opening into the storage area is near an end of the valve strip. In
other embodiments the opening into the storage area is in a middle
portion of the valve strip.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of the invention.
[0014] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of
the invention.
[0015] FIGS. 3a, 3b, and 3c are perspective views showing one
method of using the invention.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a plan view of an embodiment of a valve.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a plan view of a second embodiment of a valve.
[0018] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the valve
embodiment shown in FIG. 5.
[0019] FIG. 7 is a plan view of a third embodiment of a valve.
[0020] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the valve
embodiment shown in FIG. 7.
[0021] FIG. 9 is a plan view of a fourth embodiment of a valve.
[0022] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the valve
embodiment shown in FIG. 9.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a flexible storage bag 10 in
accordance with the invention. As shown, bag 10 has a storage
portion 12 formed by bonding two flexible plastic sheets along
edges 13a, 13b, and 13c. FIG. 1 shows bag 10 as rectangular,
although other embodiments may have other shapes. Airtight seal 14
is placed in opening 15 between the two sheets. When seal 14 is
open, a user places one or more items to be stored through opening
15 into storage portion 12 and then closes seal 14. A valve 16
allows air to pass in one direction from storage portion 12 to
outside bag 10. As shown, valve 16 is positioned along edge 13c of
storage portion 12, opposite seal 14, but in other embodiments
valve 16 may be placed along another edge of storage portion
12.
[0024] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of bag 10. As shown,
bag 10 includes a top sheet 20 and a bottom sheet 22. In one
embodiment, sheets 20 and 22 are each a layer of conventional
extruded low density polyethylene sandwiched between a conventional
layer of nylon sheeting and a conventional layer of linear low
density polyethylene. Other embodiments may use different
materials. As described above, sheets 20 and 22 are bonded along
edges 13a, 13b, and 13c. In one embodiment bonding is done using
conventional resistive heating. Other embodiments may use different
bonding methods.
[0025] Bag 10 also includes top portion 24 and bottom portion 26 of
airtight seal 14. Top portion 24 is bonded to top sheet 20 using
conventional resistive heating. Similarly, bottom portion 26 is
bonded to bottom sheet 22 using resistive heating. Other bonding
methods may be used. In one embodiment seal 14 is a conventional
interlocking resealable airtight fastener. The fastener is
manufactured by MiniGrip ZIP-PAK, an ITW Company, with a marketing
office located at 27001 La Plaz, Suite 400, Mission Viejo Calif.
92691. Other embodiments may use other airtight seals that are
either resealable or permanent.
[0026] FIG. 2 shows valve strip 28 placed between top sheet 20 and
bottom sheet 22. In one embodiment valve strip 28 is a single sheet
of conventional blended low density polyethylene with high slip.
Other embodiments may use different materials.
[0027] As shown, valve strip 28 is bonded between top sheet 20 and
bottom sheet 22 along edges 29a and 29b. In one embodiment bonding
is done using conventional resistive heating. Other embodiments may
use different bonding methods. Valve strip 28 is positioned so that
after bonding edges 29a and 29b two passageways are created. The
top passageway is between top sheet 20 and valve strip 28. The
bottom passageway is between bottom sheet 22 and valve strip 28. As
shown, bonded side 29b of valve strip 28 is coincident with bonded
bottom edges 13c of top sheet 20 and bottom sheet 22. In the
embodiment shown, strip 28 extends from edge 13a to edge 13b. In
other embodiments strip 28 may be shortened so as not to reach
either or both edges 13a or 13b.
[0028] Referring again to FIG. 1, each unique top and bottom
passageway 30a and 30b (hidden behind passageway 30a),
respectively, has at one end an opening 31 into storage portion 12
and at the other end an opening 32 to the environment outside bag
10. In one embodiment each passageway has a width W.sub.1 of 1.00
inches. And in one embodiment the width W.sub.2 of openings 31 and
32 are each 1.50 inches. Other embodiments may use other dimensions
for widths W.sub.1 and W.sub.2. The widths of openings 31 and 32
need not be identical.
[0029] Top sheet 20 and bottom sheet 22 normally contact the
surface of valve strip 28 when no air or other substance (e.g.,
water) is in either passageway. When airtight seal 14 is closed and
the pressure inside storage portion 12 is made greater than the
ambient pressure, air passes through openings 31, travels along
passageways 30a and 30b, and exits through openings 32. The ambient
pressure (pressure of the atmosphere surrounding the bag) then
closes passageways 30a and 30b by pressing top sheet 20 and bottom
sheet 22 against valve strip 28. Air is therefore prevented from
returning to storage portion 12.
[0030] FIGS. 3a-3c illustrate one use of the present invention.
[0031] As shown in FIG. 3a, a user opens seal 14 and places an item
to be stored through opening 15 into storage portion 12. The user
then closes bag 10 by making seal 14 airtight, as depicted in FIG.
3b. Next, the user expels air by rolling, beginning at an edge
opposite valve 16, bag 10 towards valve 16. FIG. 3c shows that as
the user rolls, air as represented by the arrows passes from
storage portion 12 through openings 31, along the passages, and
exits through openings 32. The user then unrolls the bag containing
the stored item. Storage portion 12 remains partially evacuated and
ambient air pressure prevents air from returning through the
passages.
[0032] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a second valve embodiment. The
structure of this embodiment is similar to the structure of the
valve shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4,
length L.sub.1 of the passageways 40 from storage area 42 to
outside the bag is approximately 14-1/4 inches. The width W.sub.3
of passageways 40 is approximately 1 inch. Thus the aspect ratio
(length:width) of passageways 40 is approximately 14.25. The width
W.sub.4 of opening 44 between storage area 42 with passageways 40
is approximately 1-1/4 inches. The ratio between the widths of
passageways 40 and opening 44 (W.sub.3:W.sub.4) is approximately
0.8. The width W.sub.5 of opening 46 between passageways 40 and the
outside environment is approximately 1-1/2 inches. The ratio
between the widths of passageways 40 and opening 46
(W.sub.3:W.sub.5) is approximately 0.67.
[0033] FIG. 5 is a plan view of a third valve embodiment. In the
embodiment shown in FIG. 5, valve strip 50 is 1-1/2 inches wide,
and so an unused portion of the valve strip extends into storage
area 52. In other embodiments, a narrower valve strip may be used
to prevent the unused portion from extending into the storage area.
Length L.sub.2 of passageways 54 is approximately 10-1/8 inches,
and width W.sub.6 of passageways 54 is approximately 1/2 inch. Thus
the aspect ratio of passageways 54 is approximately 20.25. The
width W.sub.7 of opening 56 between storage area 52 and passageways
54 is approximately 1/4 inch, so that the ratio between the widths
of passageways 54 and opening 56 (W.sub.6:W.sub.7) is approximately
2.00. The width W.sub.8 of opening 58 between passageways 54 and
the outside environment is approximately 3/4 inches, so that the
ratio between the widths of passageways 54 and opening 58
(W.sub.6:W.sub.8) is approximately 0.67.
[0034] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the valve
embodiment shown in FIG. 5. Valve strip 50 is sandwiched and
conventionally heat bonded between bottom sheet 60 and top sheet
62. The three sheets 50, 60, 62 are bonded at the shaded regions 64
as shown in FIG. 6.
[0035] FIG. 7 is a plan view of a fourth valve embodiment. As shown
in FIG. 7, opening 70 between storage area 72 and the two sets of
passageways 74 and 76 is positioned in the middle of valve strip
78. Length L.sub.3 of passageways 74 and 76 is approximately 10
inches, and width W.sub.9 of passageways 74 and 76 is approximately
1 inch. Thus the aspect ratio of passageways 74 and 76 is
approximately 10.00. The width W.sub.10 of opening 70 is
approximately 3 inches, so that the ratio between the widths
W.sub.9 and width W.sub.10 (W.sub.9:W.sub.10) is approximately
0.33. The widths W.sub.11 of openings 80 and 82 between passageways
74 and 76 and the outside environment, respectively, are
approximately 1 inch. Thus the ratio between the widths W.sub.9 and
W.sub.11 (W.sub.9:W.sub.11) is approximately 1.00.
[0036] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the valve
embodiment shown in FIG. 7. Valve strip 78 is sandwiched and
conventionally heat bonded between bottom sheet 84 and top sheet
86. The three sheets 78, 84, 86 are bonded at the shaded regions 88
as shown in FIG. 8.
[0037] FIG. 9 is a plan view of a fifth valve embodiment. The
structure of the valve shown in FIG. 9 is similar to the structure
of the valve shown in FIG. 7, except that an obstruction 90 is
positioned to partially block opening 70. As shown in FIG. 9,
obstruction 90 is a conventionally heat bonded semicircular line
having radius R. Other embodiments may use different shapes for the
obstruction. For the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the width of
opening 70 is approximately 3 inches, and radius R is also
approximately 3 inches. Other embodiments may use other dimensions.
In some embodiments, obstruction 90 improves valve performance.
[0038] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the valve
embodiment shown in FIG. 9. Valve strip 92 is sandwiched and
conventionally heat bonded between bottom sheet 94 and top sheet
96. The three sheets 92, 94, 96 are bonded at the shaded regions 98
as shown in FIG. 10.
[0039] The dimensions given above are illustrative. In addition,
some variations in the dimensions will occur during production due
to manufacturing tolerances, and such variations are acceptable for
proper operation and fall within the scope of the claims. Persons
skilled in the art will understand that many variations of the
present invention are possible. The invention is therefore limited
only by the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *