U.S. patent application number 11/628964 was filed with the patent office on 2007-10-18 for deaeration valve for compression bag and compression bag with deaeration valve.
Invention is credited to Ryouichi Ootsubo, Kazuya Tanaka.
Application Number | 20070241023 11/628964 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35999744 |
Filed Date | 2007-10-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070241023 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ootsubo; Ryouichi ; et
al. |
October 18, 2007 |
Deaeration Valve for Compression Bag and Compression Bag with
Deaeration Valve
Abstract
A dearation valve 1 for a compression bag comprising a main
member 2 and a valve element wherein the main member is provided
with a mounting plate 21 that comes into contact with the inner
surface of a bag sheet B1. A valve mechanism 22 provided in the
mounting plate 21 has a valve element support 23 and a deaeration
hole 24 is provided in the valve element support 23. The valve
element 3 is set by the engagement of a valve element side
interlocking part 32 provided in the center of the valve element 3
with a main member side interlocking part 23b provided in the
center of the valve element support 23. Since the interlocking
parts engage with each other such that the valve element side
interlocking part 32 can move in the longitudinal direction in
relation to the valve seat side interlocking part 23b, the
deaeration hole 24 can be closed off when the valve element 3
contacts the valve element support 23. When the valve element 3 is
suctioned towards the front side, the valve element side
interlocking part 32 moves towards the front side in relation to
the valve seat side interlocking part 23b and a diaphragm 31 bends
towards the front side, whereby the dearation hole 24 is
opened.
Inventors: |
Ootsubo; Ryouichi;
(Sakurai-shi, JP) ; Tanaka; Kazuya;
(Kashihara-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BIRCH STEWART KOLASCH & BIRCH
PO BOX 747
FALLS CHURCH
VA
22040-0747
US
|
Family ID: |
35999744 |
Appl. No.: |
11/628964 |
Filed: |
August 30, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
August 30, 2004 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP04/12472 |
371 Date: |
December 8, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/524.8 ;
137/843 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 77/225 20130101;
B65D 81/2038 20130101; Y10T 137/7879 20150401; B65D 85/07 20180101;
B65D 81/2023 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/524.8 ;
137/843 |
International
Class: |
B65D 81/18 20060101
B65D081/18 |
Claims
1. A deaeration valve (1) for a compression bag, comprising: a main
member (2) provided with a deaeration hole (24) that extends from
the front side through to the reverse side; and a valve element (3)
disposed on the main member (2) so that the deaeration hole (24)
can be closed off, wherein the main member (2) comprises a flat
mounting plate (21) that comes into contact with the inner surface
of a bag sheet (B1) that constitutes the compression bag, said
mounting plate (21) comprising a valve mechanism (22) for disposing
the valve element (3), the valve mechanism (22) being provided with
a valve element support (23) that has a contact surface (23a)
capable of coming into close contact with the valve element (3) and
said deaeration hole (24); and the valve element (3) is supported
in the center of the valve element support (23) that has a
diaphragm (31) as a portion thereof, the diaphragm (31) facing the
deaeration hole (24) and at least being configured from a soft
material, said valve element (3) being supported on the valve
element support (23) by the engagement of a valve element side
interlocking part (32) provided in the center of the valve element
(3) and a main member side interlocking part (23b) provided in the
center of the valve element support (23), the engagement allowing
the valve element side interlocking part (32) to move in the
longitudinal direction in relation to the valve seat side
interlocking part (23b); the valve element (3) is thereby made
capable of moving in relation to the contact surface (23a) of the
valve element support (23), wherein the deaeration hole (24) can be
closed off when the valve element (3) comes into close contact with
the valve element support (23); and when the valve element (3) is
suctioned towards the front side by a vacuum source like a vacuum
cleaner, the valve element side interlocking part (32) moves
towards the front side in relation to the valve seat side
interlocking part (23b) while the diaphragm (31) bends towards the
front side, whereby the deaeration hole (24) is opened.
2. The deaeration valve for a compression bag according to claim 1,
wherein the valve mechanism (22) has a cylindrical shape that
passes through the mounting plate (21), on the back end of the
valve mechanism being disposed the valve element support (23) while
the front end of the valve mechanism is open, wherein a cap (4) for
closing this opening can be mounted on the edge (26a) of the
open-side end, wherein a pressure projection (23c) is formed as
part of the contact surface (23a) of the valve element support
(23), the pressure projection protruding in a ring shape so as to
encircle the deaeration hole (24); and the cap (4) is provided with
a ring-shaped pressure part (41) that can push the valve element
(3) against the pressure projection (23c) with the cap being
mounted on the edge (26a).
3. The deaeration valve for a compression bag according to claim 1,
further comprising a presser plate (5) disposed facing the mounting
plate (21) across the interposed bag sheet (B1), wherein the
presser plate (5) is provided with a through-hole (51) through
which air from the valve mechanism (22) can flow, and a convexity
(52) formed in the front surface thereof for maintaining a gap
between the tip of the nozzle (N) of a vacuum source and the
presser plate (5) when the tip of the nozzle is brought into
contact with the presser plate (5).
4. The deaeration valve for a compression bag according to claim 1,
wherein the mounting plate (21) comprises baffle plates (25) that
stand up towards the reverse side and extend in a radial pattern
about the center of the mounting plate (21), the baffle plates
being curved in one direction with increased distance from said
center.
5. A compression bag wherein a space is formed inside thereof in an
airtight manner by partially adhering overlaid bag sheets (B1) made
of a soft resin, and the deaeration valve (1) for a compression bag
according to claim 1 is mounted on the bag sheet (B1), whereby the
air inside the space of the bag can be removed through the valve
mechanism (22) of the deaeration valve, and a deaerated state can
be maintained.
6. The deaeration valve for a compression bag according to claim 2,
further comprising a presser plate (5) disposed facing the mounting
plate (21) across the interposed bag sheet (B1), wherein the
presser plate (5) is provided with a through-hole (51) through
which air from the valve mechanism (22) can flow, and a convexity
(52) formed in the front surface thereof for maintaining a gap
between the tip of the nozzle (N) of a vacuum source and the
presser plate (5) when the tip of the nozzle is brought into
contact with the presser plate (5).
7. The deaeration valve for a compression bag according to claim 2,
wherein the mounting plate (21) comprises baffle plates (25) that
stand up towards the reverse side and extend in a radial pattern
about the center of the mounting plate (21), the baffle plates
being curved in one direction with increased distance from said
center.
8. The deaeration valve for a compression bag according to claim 3,
wherein the mounting plate (21) comprises baffle plates (25) that
stand up towards the reverse side and extend in a radial pattern
about the center of the mounting plate (21), the baffle plates
being curved in one direction with increased distance from said
center.
9. A compression bag wherein a space is formed inside thereof in an
airtight manner by partially adhering overlaid bag sheets (B1) made
of a soft resin, and the deaeration valve (1) for a compression bag
according to claim 2 is mounted on the bag sheet (B11), whereby the
air inside the space of the bag can be removed through the valve
mechanism (22) of the deaeration valve, and a deaerated state can
be maintained.
10. A compression bag wherein a space is formed inside thereof in
an airtight manner by partially adhering overlaid bag sheets (B1)
made of a soft resin, and the deaeration valve (1) for a
compression bag according to claim 3 is mounted on the bag sheet
(B1), whereby the air inside the space of the bag can be removed
through the valve mechanism (22) of the dearation valve, and a
deaerated state can be maintained.
11. A compression bag wherein a space is formed inside thereof in
an airtight manner by partially adhering overlaid bag sheet (B1)
made of a soft resin, and the deaeration valve (1) for a
compression bag according to claim 4 is mounted on the bag sheet
(B1), whereby the air inside the space of the bag can be removed
through the valve mechanism (22) of the deaeration valve, and a
deaerated state can be maintained.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a deaeration valve for a
compression bag used to remove internal air, and to a compression
bag with a deaeration valve.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Patent Document 1: U.S. Pat. No. 5,931,189
[0003] In conventional practice, compression bags are used to store
articles such as bedding and clothing that become bulky due to
contained air, and to compress and compact the stored articles by
removing the internal air. One example of such a compression bag is
a bag having the deaeration valve disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
5,931,189. In this example, a deaeration valve 101 is mounted on a
bag made of a synthetic resin, wherein a fastener that can be
opened and closed is provided to the opening. In this deaeration
valve 101, a valve element 103 having a diaphragm 103a composed of
a soft resin is mounted so as to cover a deaeration hole 102, as
shown in FIG. 6. The valve element 103 is pressed on from above in
the diagram by a cap 104 mounted on the deaeration valve 101,
whereby the deaeration hole 102 is closed off by the diaphragm 103a
of the valve element 103, and a vacuous state can be maintained
inside the bag.
[0004] When the inside of the compression bag is deaerated, the cap
104 is removed, the tip of a nozzle 105 of an electric vacuum
cleaner or a suction pump is fitted onto the deaeration valve 101
as illustrated, and suction is applied, whereby the air in the bag
is removed from between the deaeration hole 102 and the diaphragm
103a of the valve element 103, which is suctioned and moved upward
in the diagram.
[0005] However, in this deaeration valve 101, air is removed by the
deformation of the diaphragm 103a as the only deformed part of the
valve element 103. Problems therefore occur in that significant
deaeration-related resistance is created and that the diaphragm
103a generates loud rattling noise.
[0006] After deaeration, the diaphragm 103a of the valve element
103 is pushed from above by the cap 104 mounted on the deaeration
valve 101, whereby the diaphragm 103a comes into close contact with
a contact surface 106 surrounding the deaeration hole 102 and
prevents air from flowing back into the bag. In this case, however,
the close contact is formed by two surfaces, and uneven pressure
can cause gaps to form between the contact surface 106 and the
diaphragm 103a over time, allowing air to flow back in and making
it difficult to maintain a vacuous state inside the bag over a long
period of time.
[0007] In view of these problems, an object of the present
invention is to provide a deaeration valve for a compression bag
and a compression bag that has the deaeration valve so that
deaeration is made possible with relatively little resistance.
Another object is to provide a deaeration valve for a compression
bag and to provide a compression bag that has the deaeration valve
so that a vacuous state can be maintained over a long period of
time.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In order to resolve these problems, the invention according
to claim 1 of the present application provides a deaeration valve 1
for a compression bag comprising a main member 2 provided with a
deaeration hole 24 that extends from the front side through to the
reverse side, and a valve element 3 disposed on the main member 2
so that the deaeration hole 24 can be closed off. The main member 2
comprises a flat mounting plate 21 that comes into contact with the
inner surface of a bag sheet B1 that constitutes the compression
bag. The mounting plate 21 comprises a valve mechanism 22 for
disposing the valve element 3, and the valve mechanism 22 is
provided with a valve element support 23 that has a contact surface
23a capable of coming into close contact with the valve element 3,
and the deaeration hole 24. The valve element 3 is supported in the
center of the valve element support 23 that has a diaphragm 31 as a
portion of the valve element support 23. The diaphragm 31 faces the
deaeration hole 24 and is at least configured from a soft material.
The valve element 3 is supported on the valve element support 23 by
the engagement of a valve element side interlocking part 32
provided in the center of the valve element 3 and a main member
side interlocking part 23b provided in the center of the valve
element support 23. The engagement allows the valve element side
interlocking part 32 to move in the longitudinal direction in
relation to the valve seat side interlocking part 23b. The valve
element 3 is thereby made capable of moving in relation to the
contact surface 23a of the valve element support 23. The deaeration
hole 24 in the valve element support 23 can be closed off when the
valve element 3 comes into close contact with the valve element
support 23. When the valve element 3 is suctioned towards the front
side by a vacuum source like a vacuum cleaner, the valve element
side interlocking part 32 moves towards the front side in relation
to the valve seat side interlocking part 23b while the diaphragm 31
bends towards the front side. This causes the deaeration hole 24 to
be opened.
[0009] The invention according to claim 2 of the present
application is the deaeration valve for a compression bag according
to claim 1 characterized in that the valve mechanism 22 has a
cylindrical shape that passes through the mounting plate 21, and on
the back end of the valve mechanism is disposed the valve element
support 23 while the front end of the valve mechanism is open. A
cap 4 for closing this opening can be mounted on the edge 26a of
the open-side end. A pressure projection 23c is formed as part of
the contact surface 23a of the valve element support 23, and
protrudes in a ring shape so as to encircle the deaeration hole 24.
The cap 4 is provided with a ring-shaped pressure part 41 that can
push the valve element 3 against the pressure projection 23c while
the cap is mounted on the edge 26a.
[0010] The invention according to claim 3 of the present
application is the deaeration valve for a compression bag according
to claim 1 or 2 characterized in further comprising a presser plate
5 disposed facing the mounting plate 21 via the interposed bag
sheet B1. The presser plate 5 is provided with a through-hole 51
through which air from the valve mechanism 22 can flow, and a
convexity 52 formed in the front surface of the presser plate for
maintaining a gap between the tip of a nozzle N of a vacuum source
and the plate when the tip of the nozzle is brought into contact
with the presser plate.
[0011] The invention according to claim 4 is the deaeration valve
for a compression bag according to any of claims 1 to 3
characterized in that the mounting plate 21 comprises baffle plates
25 that stand up towards the reverse side and extend in a radial
pattern about the center of the mounting plate 21. The plates are
curved in one direction with increased distance from the center of
the mounting plate.
[0012] The invention according to claim 5 provides a compression
bag wherein a space is formed inside the bag in an airtight manner
by partially adhering overlaid bag sheets B1 made of a soft resin,
and the deaeration valve 1 for a compression bag according to any
of claims 1 to 4 is mounted on the bag sheet B1. The air inside the
space of the bag can be removed through the valve mechanism 22 of
the deaeration valve, and a deaerated state can be maintained.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view depicting a compression bag on
which the deaeration valve of the present example is mounted;
[0014] FIG. 2A is a plan view depicting a main member of the
deaeration valve of the present invention, FIG. 2B is a half
cross-sectional view of the same as seen from the side (the cross
section is along the line O-A in C), and FIG. 2C is an underside
view of the same;
[0015] FIG. 3A is a plan view depicting a cap for the deaeration
valve of the present example, FIG. 3B is a half cross-sectional
view of the same as seen from the side, and FIG. 3C is an underside
view of the same;
[0016] FIGS. 4A through 4C are cross-sectional views that depict
the deaeration valve of the present example and that correspond to
the line O-B in FIG. 2C, wherein FIG. 4A depicts the operation of
the deaeration valve of the present example when the valve is
closed, FIG. 4B depicts the operation of the valve element when the
valve is opened, and FIG. 4C depicts the cap as being mounted;
[0017] FIGS. 5A and 5B are both perspective views depicting the
presser plate used in the deaeration valve of the present example;
and
[0018] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view depicting an example of a
conventional deaeration valve.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0019] An example of an embodiment of the present invention will
now be described with reference to the diagrams. FIG. 1 is a
perspective view depicting a compression bag on which the
deaeration valve of the present example is mounted, FIG. 2 is an
explanatory diagram depicting the main member of the deaeration
valve of the present example, and FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram
depicting the operation of the valve element of the deaeration
valve of the present example.
[0020] A deaeration valve 1 according to the present example is
configured from a main member 2, a valve element 3, a cap 4, and a
presser plate 5, as shown in FIG. 4. The deaeration valve 1 is used
while mounted on a compression bag B inside which a sealable space
is formed by partially adhering overlaid bag sheets B1 made of a
soft resin, as shown in FIG. 1. For terms relating to positional
relationships in the following descriptions, the direction towards
the outside of the compression bag B is referred to as the "front
side," and the direction towards the inside is referred to as the
"reverse side."
[0021] The main member 2 comprises a flat mounting plate 21. In the
present example, this plate has a discoid shape as shown in FIG. 2,
but the shape is not limited thereto, and can be various other
shapes, including an elliptical or a polygonal shape. With the
deaeration valve 1 mounted on the bag sheet B1 that constitutes the
compression bag B, the mounting plate 21 is brought into contact
with the inner surface of the bag sheet B1 as shown in FIG. 4, and
part of the surface of the mounting plate 21 is bonded to the bag
sheet B1, which ensures that no air will leak out except through
the deaeration hole 24, which is described later. Specifically, a
through-hole, which is sufficiently large to allow only the side
wall 26 of a cylindrical valve mechanism 22 described later to pass
through, is formed in advance in the bag sheet B1 (not shown), and
part of the side wall 26 of the valve mechanism 22 passes through
this through-hole, forming an airtight bond between the periphery
of the through-hole and the mounting plate 21.
[0022] The mounting plate 21 comprises a valve mechanism 22 for
disposing the valve element 3. The valve mechanism 22 is provided
in the center of the discoid mounting plate 21 in the present
example.
[0023] This valve mechanism 22 is cylindrical in shape, having a
side wall 26 that passes through the mounting plate 21. In the
present example, the valve mechanism 22 is formed integrally with
the mounting plate 21 in the substantial middle of the side wall 26
in the longitudinal direction. The front end of the valve mechanism
22 herein is open. The later-described cap 4 can be mounted over
the edge 26a of this open end, which is the top end of the side
wall 26 in the diagrams, in order to close the opening of this
front end, as shown in FIG. 4C. A valve element support 23 is
disposed at the back end of the valve mechanism 22. Communication
is thereby created with the space inside the compression bag B, and
the back end of the valve mechanism 22 is closed off, except for
the deaeration hole 24 through which air passes during deaeration,
and except the main member side interlocking part 23b used a hole
for mounting the valve element 3 in the present example.
[0024] Next, the cap 4 to be mounted on the valve mechanism 22 is
depicted in FIG. 3. A cover 42 having a substantially discoid shape
is formed on the front side of the cap. An interlocking part 43,
which is formed by bending the peripheral edge of the cover 42
downward, engages with the edge 26a of the valve mechanism 22,
whereby the cap 4 is mounted on the valve mechanism 22, as shown in
FIG. 4C. In the present example, the aforementioned interlocking
part 43 is mounted on the outer peripheral portion of the side wall
26, but the design is not limited thereto, and various embodiments
are possible, including one wherein the interlocking part 43 is
mounted on the inner peripheral portion of the side wall 26, or one
wherein the interlocking part 43 is mounted so as to be sandwiched
between the inside and outside of the side wall 26.
[0025] In order to make the cover 42 of the present example easier
to grasp with the fingers for removal from the valve mechanism 22,
part of the cover 42 is made to protrude to form a catch 44.
[0026] A ring-shaped or cylindrical pressure part 41 is provided so
as to protrude from the reverse surface of the cover 42. As will be
described later, this pressure part 41 serves to reliably close off
the deaeration hole 24 when the cap 4 is mounted on the valve
mechanism 22. This is accomplished by the pushing of the end 41a of
the pressure part 41 on the valve element 3. This operation will be
described later.
[0027] The cap 4 also acts to keep out dust and the like, but more
important is its function of reliable closing of the deaeration
hole 24 with the pressure part 41. Accordingly, as long as the
shape is one that guarantees this function, various embodiments are
possible. For example, the embodiment may be one in which a hole is
formed in the cover 42, or one in which interlocking parts 43 are
provided intermittently instead of around the entire periphery of
the cover 42.
[0028] The valve element support 23 of the valve mechanism 22 is
provided with a main member side interlocking part 23b for mounting
the valve element 3, and a deaeration hole 24 through which air
passes during deaeration. In the present example, the main member
side interlocking part 23b is provided in the center of the valve
element support 23, and is a hole for disposing a valve element
side interlocking part 32 as part of the valve element 3. The
deaeration hole 24 is provided around the periphery of the main
member side interlocking part 23b, which is described above.
[0029] The shape of the deaeration hole 24 in the present example
is annular, as shown in FIG. 2A. As shown in the diagrams in the
present example, parts of the later-described baffle plates 25 are
elongated to support the main member side interlocking part 23b,
and the areas outside the elongated baffle plates 25 constitute the
deaeration hole 24, but the shape of the deaeration hole 24 is not
limited thereto. Various embodiments are possible, such as forming
multiple small holes or forming slit-shaped holes extending in the
radial direction of the circumferential direction.
[0030] As the front surface of the valve element support 23, the
surface around the deaeration hole 24 constitutes a contact surface
23a. This contact surface 23a is in close contact with a diaphragm
31, which is a portion surrounding the valve element 3, making it
possible for the deaeration hole 24 to be closed off. In the
present example, part of the contact surface 23a is formed into a
pressure projection 23c that protrudes in a ring shape so as to
enclose the deaeration hole 24 as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. When
the cap 4 is mounted on the edge 26a of the valve mechanism 22,
airtightness is preserved between the pressure projection 23c and
the valve element 3 since the valve element 3 is disposed so as to
be sandwiched between the end 41a of the pressure part 41 provided
to the cap 4 and the pressure projection 23c in the contact surface
23a, as shown in FIG. 4C.
[0031] Specifically, the dimension L1 of the pressure part 41 in
the cap 4 (see FIG. 3B) is somewhat larger than the distance L2
(see FIG. 4A) from the end of the front side of the valve mechanism
22 to the front surface of the diaphragm 31 of the valve element 3
when the cap 4 is mounted. When the cap 4 is being mounted on the
valve mechanism 22, the valve element 3 somewhat deforms while
sandwiched between the end 41a of the pressure part 41 and the
pressure projection 23c in the contact surface 23a, as shown in
FIG. 4C.
[0032] In the deaeration valve disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
5,931,189, which is an example of a conventional deaeration valve,
the surfaces between the contact surface 106 and the diaphragm 103a
of the valve element 103 come into close contact with each other,
as shown in FIG. 6. Because of the unevenness in the pressure
surface, gaps could be created between the contact surface 106 and
the diaphragm 103a, allowing air to flow back in and making it
difficult to maintain a deaerated state in the bag over a long
period of time. In the present invention, however, the possibility
of air flowing back in is lower than in the prior art, air can be
effectively prevented from flowing back into the bag, and a
deaerated state can be maintained in the bag for a long period of
time because the diaphragm 31 of the valve element 3 and the
pressure projection 23c form a close linear contact around the
entire periphery by the pressure projection 23c and the end 41a of
the pressure part 41 in the cap 4, as described above.
[0033] Next, baffle plates 25 are provided in the reverse side of
the mounting plate 21, and these baffle plates stand up towards the
reverse side (towards the inner side of the compression bag 1), and
extend in a radial pattern about the center of the mounting plate
21 as shown in FIG. 2C, and curve in one direction at locations
farther away from the center. In the present example, the baffle
plates extend from the center of the mounting plate 21 partway
along the radial direction of the mounting plate 21 as illustrated,
and then gradually begin to curve in the circumferential direction.
The height at which the baffle plates stand up from the reverse
surface of the mounting plate 21 decreases at positions closer
towards the outer periphery, as shown in FIG. 2B.
[0034] Providing baffle plates 25 thus configured has the following
result. Namely, among the air currents removed from indise the
compression bag 1, the air currents F1 flowing in a direction along
the mounting plate 21 as shown in FIG. 2B are guided to the
deaeration hole 24 along the baffle plates 25 as shown in FIG. 2C,
and deaeration with relatively little resistance is therefore made
possible. Also, the presence of the baffle plates 25 prevents
situations in which the bag sheet B1 positioned on the reverse side
of the deaeration valve 1 is drawn in, the deaeration hole 24 is
closed off from the reverse side, and deaeration becomes impossible
before the process is completed.
[0035] The valve element 3 is supported in the center of the valve
element support 23, and at least the diaphragm 31, which is a
portion that faces the deaeration hole 24 of the valve element
support 23, is configured from a soft material. The valve element 3
is integrally molded from silicon rubber or another such
rubber-based resin, the outside of which is formed into the shape
of a mushroom, and the discoid portion that forms an "umbrella"
constitutes the diaphragm 31. The portion that forms a "stem"
protruding from the middle of the diaphragm 31 to the reverse side
constitutes the valve element side interlocking part 32.
[0036] The shape of the valve element 3 is such that the diaphragm
31 is a discoid in the present example, but the shape is not
limited thereto, and various modifications can be made, including
an elliptical shape as seen in a plan view, and a "clover" shape in
which a slit is cut in the radial direction of the diaphragm
31.
[0037] The valve element 3 is supported on the valve element
support 23 by the interlocking between the valve element side
interlocking part 32 provided in the center of the valve element 3,
and the main member side interlocking part 23b provided in the
center of the valve element support 23. Specifically, the valve
element side interlocking part 32 described above is inserted into
the main member side interlocking part 23b, which is a hole
provided to the valve element support 23 of the main member 2 as
described above, whereby the valve element is mounted on the valve
element support 23 as shown by all of the diagrams in FIG. 4.
[0038] The valve element side interlocking part 32 herein comprises
a shaft 32a, which is smaller in diameter than the hole diameter of
the main member side interlocking part 23b, and a widened part 32b,
which is provided at the head of the shaft 32a and is larger in
diameter than the hole diameter of the main member side
interlocking part 23b. The valve element 3 is thereby not likely to
come loose after the valve element 3 is mounted on the main member
side interlocking part 23b. The dimension of the shaft 32a in the
longitudinal direction is greater than the dimension of the main
member side interlocking part 23b in the thickness direction, then
the valve element side interlocking part 32 is gently interlocked
with the main member side interlocking part 23b. The valve element
side interlocking part 32 is thereby made capable of moving in the
longitudinal direction in relation to the valve seat side
interlocking part 23b. This longitudinal direction is also the
axial direction of the shaft 32a, i.e., the direction that is
substantially orthogonal to the diaphragm 31.
[0039] The aforementioned range of movement is about 1 mm in the
present example. A large range of movement allows for smooth
deaeration, but if the range is too big, it may not be possible for
the valve element 3 to remain in close contact with the pressure
projection 23c after deaeration is complete, so the range is
therefore preferably 0.5 mm to 5 mm.
[0040] With the configuration described above, the reverse surface
31a of the diaphragm 31 forms a linear contact with the entire
periphery of the contact surface 23a of the valve element support
23 as shown in FIG. 4A, or with the pressure projection 23c in the
present example, whereby the deaeration hole 24 is closed off
without any passage of air.
[0041] When the tip of a nozzle N of a vacuum source like an
electric vacuum cleaner or a suction pump is fitted onto the top of
the deaeration valve 1 for deaeration, the valve element side
interlocking part 32 of the valve element 3 is pulled out to the
front by the suction of the vacuum cleaner or the like as shown in
FIG. 4B, the diaphragm 31 bends towards the front side, the
deaeration hole 24 is opened, and an air current F2 passes through.
Enabling the valve element side interlocking part 32 to move in the
longitudinal direction, as in the present invention, instead of
opening the deaeration hole 24 by merely deforming the diaphragm
31, as in conventional practice, allows for deaeration with less
resistance by reliably opening the deaeration hole a full
360.degree.. The diaphragm 31 is also prevented from producing a
rattling noise during deaeration.
[0042] After deaeration is complete, the valve element 3 returns to
the state shown in FIG. 4A, but at this time, since inside of the
bag has been deaerated to a state of negative pressure and outside
of the bag is in a state of positive pressure, the valve element 3
is brought into close contact with the pressure projection 23c as a
result of this pressure difference. Accordingly, a deaerated state
is preserved inside the bag even if the cap 4 is not mounted as
shown in FIG. 4C.
[0043] In the deaeration valve 1 of the present example, the
presser plate 5 is disposed facing the mounting plate 21 across the
interposed bag sheet B1, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. This presser
plate 5 is provided with a through-hole 51 that allows part of the
side wall 26 of the above-described valve mechanism 22 to pass
through, enabling the passage of air that has passed through the
deaeration hole 24. This presser plate 5 may be coated with an
adhesive on the reverse side and attached to the bag sheet B1 on
the front side of the mounting plate 21, or, as shown in FIG. 5B,
pawls 53 may be formed so as to protrude into the through-hole 51,
and the presser plate 5 may be disposed on the mounting plate 21 by
interlocking these pawls 53 with the side wall 26 of the valve
mechanism 22.
[0044] Depending on the embodiment, the presser plate 5 may not be
provided.
[0045] When the tip of the nozzle N of a vacuum cleaner is brought
into contact with the front surface of the presser plate 5 as shown
in FIG. 4B, a convexity 52 is formed to maintain a gap between this
tip and the presser plate 5. In the present example, this convexity
52 is provided in a somewhat curved radial formation and is formed
with a height of 1.5 mm from the front surface. The height of the
convexity 52 is preferably equal to or greater than 1.5 mm.
[0046] When the tip of the nozzle N is fitted onto the presser
plate 5 for deaeration, a gap proportionate to the height of the
convexity 52 is formed under the tip of the nozzle N as shown in
FIG. 4B, and air flows into the nozzle N through this gap as well
(the air current F3 in FIG. 4B).
[0047] Many vacuum cleaners that are commercially available are
equipped with a function which, for safety purposes, automatically
reduces the rotational speed of the motor to reduce suction force
when the suction force has increased. In cases in which an electric
vacuum cleaner having a function for reducing suction force is used
and the tip of the nozzle N is brought into close contact with the
presser plate 5 without any gaps, this function automatically takes
effect and sometimes the time required for suction is increased due
to the reduction in suction force. In cases in which the convexity
52 is formed on the front surface of the presser plate 5, as in the
present example, air outside of the bag can flow in during a
suctioning operation as the air current F3 through the gap between
the convexity 52 and the tip of the nozzle N. Accordingly, the
rotational speed of the motor is constant throughout the entire
process of deaeration of the bag, and suction can therefore be
accomplished safely in a short amount of time without any increase
in the suction pressure.
[0048] With an electric vacuum cleaner that is not equipped with a
functional control for reducing suction force as described above,
there is a possibility that the motor will be damaged due to
overloading where the suctioning operation continues even after the
bag has been completely deaerated. However, in cases in which a
convexity 52 is formed in the front surface of the presser plate 5
as in the present example, air outside the bag can flow in as the
air current F3 through the gap between the convexity 52 and the tip
of the nozzle N after the bag has been completely deaerated,
allowing for stable deaeration without overloading, as described
above.
[0049] The deaeration valve 1 configured as described above is used
while mounted on a compression bag B inside which a sealable space
is formed by adhering the periphery of overlaid bag sheets B1 made
of a soft resin by heat sealing or other such means, as shown in
FIG. 1. This compression bag B is provided with an opening B2 for
inserting and taking out stored articles, and the opening B2 is
provided with an airtightly closable fastener B3.
[0050] When this compression bag B is used, the fastener B3 is
closed after articles are stored inside, the cap 4 mounted on the
valve mechanism 22 is then removed, the tip of the nozzle N of an
electric vacuum cleaner is fitted onto the front surface of the
presser plate 5 as shown in FIG. 4B, and the air inside the bag is
removed through the deaeration hole 24. The valve element 3 and the
contact surface 23a (the pressure projection 23c) of the valve
mechanism 22 are designed so that the valve element 3 and the
pressure projection 23c are brought into close contact with each
other by the pressure difference between the inside and outside of
the bag in the deaerated state, and this state can therefore be
maintained. Mounting the cap 4 on the edge 26a of the valve
mechanism 22 makes it possible to further improve the close contact
by sandwiching the valve element 3 between the end 41a of the
pressure part 41 and the pressure projection 23c in the contact
surface 23a while the valve element is somewhat deformed, as shown
in FIG. 4C. Accordingly, a deaerated state can be maintained over a
longer period of time.
[0051] The present invention has the following superior
effects.
[0052] In the invention according to claim 1, a deaeration valve
for a compression bag is provided in which the valve element side
interlocking part 32 is capable of moving in the longitudinal
direction, whereby the deaeration hole is opened a full 360.degree.
more reliably to minimize deaeration resistance than when the
deaeration hole 24 is opened merely by deforming the diaphragm 31,
as in the prior art. Also, the diaphragm 31 does not generate
rattling noise during deaeration.
[0053] The invention according to claim 2 has the following effects
in addition to those described above. A deaeration valve for a
compression bag is provided so that part of the contact surface 23a
of the valve element support 23 is formed into a pressure
projection 23c that protrudes in a ring shape so as to encircle the
deaeration hole 24. This allows the diaphragm 31 of the valve
element 3 and the pressure projection 23c to form a close linear
contact around the entire periphery by the pressure projection 23c
and the end 41a of the pressure part 41 in the cap 4. Therefore,
the possibility that air will flow back in is lower than in
conventional practice, air can be effectively prevented from
flowing back in, and a deaerated state can be maintained in the bag
for a long period of time.
[0054] The invention according to claim 3 has the following effects
in addition to the effects of the invention in claims 1 and 2. A
convexity 52 for maintaining a gap between the tip of the nozzle N
of the vacuum cleaner and the presser plate 5 is formed in the
front surface, whereby a gap proportionate to the height of the
convexity 52 is formed under the tip of the nozzle N, and air flows
into the nozzle N through the gap.
[0055] Accordingly, in cases in which an electric vacuum cleaner is
used that is equipped with a function for automatically reducing
the rotational speed of the motor to reduce suction force when the
suction pressure has increased, the rotational speed of the motor
remains constant throughout the entire process of deaeration of the
bag, and suction can therefore be accomplished safely in a short
amount of time without any increase in the suction pressure. With
an electric vacuum cleaner that is not equipped with a function for
reducing suction force as described above, the deaeration process
can still be performed safely without the motor overloading.
[0056] The invention according to claim 4 has the following effects
in addition to the effects of the invention in any of claims 1
through 3. The mounting plate 21 is provided with baffle plates 25,
whereby air currents F1 removed from inside the deaeration valve 1
and caused to flow along the mounting plate 21 are conducted to the
deaeration hole 24 while rotating, and deaeration with relatively
little resistance is therefore made possible. It is also possible
to prevent circumstances in which the bag sheet B1 located on the
reverse side of the deaeration valve 1 is drawn in and the
deaeration hole 24 is closed off from the reverse side, making
deaeration impossible to complete.
* * * * *