U.S. patent application number 11/538317 was filed with the patent office on 2008-07-03 for system to remove air from a bag.
Invention is credited to ROBERT L. ROELL, III.
Application Number | 20080159660 11/538317 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39584124 |
Filed Date | 2008-07-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080159660 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ROELL, III; ROBERT L. |
July 3, 2008 |
SYSTEM TO REMOVE AIR FROM A BAG
Abstract
This patent discloses a system to remove air from a bag. The bag
may include a first sidewall and a second sidewall attached to the
first sidewall at a first side, a second side, and a bottom. The
first sidewall and the second sidewall may meet to form an opening
and to form an interior. A valve may be positioned in the interior
of the first sidewall and the second sidewall to form in the
interior a first compartment having air and a second compartment.
The valve may control an exchange of air between the first chamber
and the second chamber. A foam sponge may be positioned in the
second compartment. The foam sponge may draw air from the first
chamber into the second chamber when the valve is open and the foam
expands.
Inventors: |
ROELL, III; ROBERT L.;
(Leonard Town, MD) |
Correspondence
Address: |
VINCENT TASSINARI
125 GRAND AVE., SUITE 201
LONG BEACH
CA
90803
US
|
Family ID: |
39584124 |
Appl. No.: |
11/538317 |
Filed: |
December 29, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
383/40 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 81/2038
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
383/40 |
International
Class: |
B65D 30/22 20060101
B65D030/22 |
Claims
1. A system to remove air from a bag, the bag comprising: a first
sidewall; a second sidewall attached to the first sidewall at a
first side, a second side, and a bottom, where the first sidewall
and the second sidewall meet to form an opening and to form an
interior; a valve positioned in the interior of the first sidewall
and the second sidewall to form in the interior a first compartment
having air and a second compartment, where the valve is configured
to control an exchange of air between the first chamber and the
second chamber; and a foam sponge positioned in the second
compartment, where the foam sponge is configured to draw air from
the first chamber into the second chamber when the valve is open
and the foam expands.
2. The bag of claim 1, where the foam sponge is configured to hold
the air in the second chamber and the valve is configured to
prevent the air from returning to the first chamber.
3. The bag of claim 1, where the bag is advertised as at least one
of a storage bag, a freezer bag, a sandwich bag, and a snack
bag.
4. The bag of claim 1, where the foam sponge is in a compressed
state.
5. The bag of claim 1, where a pressure within the second chamber
is less than pressure outside of and adjacent to the second
chamber.
4. The bag of claim 1, where the second chamber forms a second
chamber first sidewall and a second chamber second sidewall and
where the foam sponge is configured to expand outward to press
against the second chamber second sidewall and second chamber
second sidewall.
5. The bag of claim 1, where the valve is a pop valve.
6. The bag of claim 5, where the pop valve includes an air flow
path, a one way valve, a snap valve, and a heat seal area.
7. The bag of claim 6, where the snap valve is positioned within
the heat seal area and the one way valve is positioned on top of
the heat seal area in line with the air flow path.
8. The bag of claim 7, where the air flow path includes hard pieces
that taper into supple ends, where the supple ends are configured
to permit air to flow in a first direction but prevent air flow in
a direction opposite to the first direction.
9. The bag of claim 1, where the valve is a lift valve, where the
lift valve is configured to lift the first sidewall and second
sidewall away from one another to aid in drawing air from the first
chamber into the second chamber.
10. The bag of claim 9, where the lift valve includes a first gap,
a second gap, and a channel positioned between the first gap and
the second gap, where the lift valve further includes a first flap
having a first flap first end and first flap second end and
includes a second flap having a second flap first end and a second
flap second end.
11. The bag of claim 10, where the first flap first end is attached
to the first sidewall at a location within the lift valve and
exterior to the channel, where the second flap first end is
attached to the second sidewall at a location within the lift valve
and exterior to the channel.
12. The bag of claim 1, where the foam sponge is impregnated with
an antibacterial agent to minimize bacteria growth.
13. The bag of claim 1, where the valve is a first valve, the bag
further comprising: a second valve between the first valve and the
bottom, where the second valve is configured to control an exchange
of air between the second chamber and an exterior to the second
chamber.
14. The bag of claim 1, further comprising: a first zipper seal
between the valve and the top and a second zipper seal between the
valve and the bottom.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Field of Endeavor
[0002] The information disclosed in this patent relates to removing
gases such as air from a container. More particularly, the
invention relates to removing air from a plastic bag food
compartment to place the food under a vacuum for storage.
[0003] 2. Background Information
[0004] Commercial food vacuum packing machines have been around
since the 1940s. In 1984, the Tilia Corporation came out with the
first home-style vacuum packer known as a nozzle or snorkel style
to compete with the commercial chamber style machines. In 1990,
designers came out with a channel style food vacuum packing machine
to overcome some of the problems of the nozzle style. For the
channel style, an open end of a storage bag made with specially
designed plastic is laid into the channel, ensuring that a vacuum
tube is positioned within the bag's opening. A top portion of
channel style machine is brought down to close the channel on the
bag opening. An electric pump draws air from the bag to create a
vacuum and a heating element seals the bag.
[0005] A problem with the nozzle or snorkel style of food vacuum
sealer is that people leave food and debris in the pump and nozzle
and generally do not clean their machines. In addition, a draw back
of the channel style machine is it over heats very fast. As a
result of the over heating, the machine is inconsistent with the
amount of air drawn from the bag.
[0006] In general, vacuum packers or vacuum sealers have an
electrically powered pump that pulls or moves air from the bag and,
in the case of channel style machines, have a transformer that runs
a heat-sealing bar to seal the bag. The minimum requirements for
such machines to be considered a quality machine are ominous. They
must have a large, powerful pump that pulls at least a 23 inches of
mercury (hg) vacuum, they must have a solid heat bar of steel or
aluminum for wet sealing, and they must have large transformers to
allow enough electrical current to operate the heat bar to seal a
wet bag at least 30 to 60 times in a row. More often than not,
these requirements are prohibitively expensive and many vacuum
sealers manufacturers take short cuts by producing cheaper machines
that do not meet these requirements.
[0007] The home food storage industry is a billion dollar industry.
The problem with the home-style vacuum sealer is that the whole
industry is built on several faulty assumptions. First and foremost
is that consumers need vacuum sealing devices that compete with
commercial chamber style machines. People generally do not store
the bulk of their food for months and years and thus do not need a
23+ hg vacuum within their storage bags. Selling consumers such an
expensive, powerful machine to meet way beyond their needs is
overkill and a waste of the consumer's money.
[0008] The second assumption is that consumers do not mind being
required to purchase expensive bags made of plastic "specially
formulated" for their particular machine. Consumers do resent being
held captive to a particular brand by the requirement to purchase a
particular bag for their machine. The third assumption is that
consumers do not mind dedicating a disproportionate amount of their
free time to storing their food for later consumption. Like other
household chores, consumers want to spend as little time as
possible storing their food.
[0009] Because of these and other problems, many consumers stop
using their home-style vacuum sealer and store them in the garage
next to their food dehydrator, food processor, and juicer. None the
less, these consumers and those presently using their food sealers
have demonstrated a desire to vacuum seal their food. There are
many other consumers sitting on the sidelines who desire vacuum
sealing for their food. All of these consumers are just waiting
someone to come out with the right product that meets their
needs.
[0010] Some inventors recognize the problem and have attempted
solutions. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,582 (the '582 device)
discloses a standard sandwich bag modified to include a manual pump
positioned near the bag opening between two seals. As the consumer
repeatedly squeezes the pump, air may be drawn from the storage
compartment of the bag.
[0011] The '582 device is headed in the right direction. It is
relatively inexpensive, quick and easy to use, and portable.
However, a problem with the '582 device is that the amount of air
drawn from the bag depends on the strength of the person squeezing
the pump. Some people may not have the finger strength to draw out
any air and others may be limited in what they can do. Thus, the
amount of air drawn out is inconsistent from one consumer to the
next. Another problem is that the amount of air drawn out is
limited by the pump it self. A manual pump molded out of the same
plastic as the bag cannot draw out enough air to form a decent
vacuum and its ability to draw out air will decrease over time as
the manual pump ages.
[0012] Inexpensive, quick and easy to use, portable, reusable, and
consistently draws a vacuum over the life of the bag sufficient to
meet the short time food storage needs of a consumer. These are
what vacuum food storage consumer desire. A good portion of the
billion-dollar food storage industry is there for the company who
can best meet these need. Thus, what is needed is an apparatus and
method to satisfy these and other needs.
SUMMARY
[0013] The food storage bag disclosed in this patent meets the
needs of the vacuum food storage consumer. Essentially made of an
assembly of a foam sponge with standard plastic in standard food
storage sizes, the disclosed food storage bag is inexpensive, quick
and easy to use, and is portable--you can take and use it anywhere.
Valves enhance the reusability of the bag. Most importantly, the
foam sponge used to draw air from the bag storage compartment may
be designed to consistently draw a vacuum over the life of the bag
sufficient to meet the food storage needs of a consumer.
[0014] In particular, this patent discloses a system to remove air
from a bag. The bag may include a first sidewall and a second
sidewall attached to the first sidewall at a first side, a second
side, and a bottom. The first sidewall and the second sidewall may
meet to form an opening and to form an interior. A valve may be
positioned in the interior of the first sidewall and the second
sidewall to form in the interior a first compartment having air and
a second compartment. The valve may control an exchange of air
between the first chamber and the second chamber. A foam sponge may
be positioned in the second compartment. The foam sponge may draw
air from the first chamber into the second chamber when the valve
is open and the foam expands.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0015] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a storage bag 100;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a side view of bag 100 of FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a plan section view of a pop valve 700 in a bag
702;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a detailed view of air flow path 704;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a detailed view of one way valve 706 in relation
to air flow path 704;
[0020] FIG. 6A is a side view of snap valve 708 illustrating a
press point 720;
[0021] FIG. 6B is a side view of snap valve 708 after press point
720 has been pressed;
[0022] FIG. 7 is a plan view of a bag 300;
[0023] FIG. 8 is a side view of bag 300 of FIG. 7;
[0024] FIG. 9 is a plan view of bag 500; and
[0025] FIG. 10 is a plan view of bag 600.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a bag 100. FIG. 2 is a side view of
bag 100 of FIG. 1. Preferably, bag 100 may be a household food bag,
such as a storage bag, freezer bag, sandwich bag, or snack bag and
may be advertised as such.
[0027] Bag 100 may include a first sidewall 102 and a second
sidewall 104 (FIG. 2) connected to first sidewall 102 at particular
locations. First sidewall 102 and second sidewall 104 may be
largely transparent, similar to other household food bag. An
overall plan view shape of bag 100 may be defined by a bottom 106,
a first side 108, a second side 110, and a bag opening 112. Bottom
106, first side 108, and second side 110 each may be formed by heat
sealing two sidewall materials residing parallel to each other and
then cutting to define positions of bottom 106, first side 108, and
second side 110.
[0028] Below bag opening 112 may be a recloseable zipper seal 114.
Zipper seals may be typical in the household food bag industry.
However, bag 100 need not include a seal below bag opening 112.
[0029] Between zipper seal 114 and bottom 106, bag 100 may be
divided into a first chamber 116, a second chamber 118, and a valve
120 between first chamber 116 and second chamber 118. First chamber
116 may be thought of as a storage compartment and second chamber
118 may be though of as a lower compartment 118. Valve 120 may
control an exchange of air between first chamber 116 and second
chamber 118. When closed, valve 120 may prevent an exchange of
pressure and fluid such as air between first chamber 116 and second
chamber 118. Moreover, when open, valve 120 may allow an exchange
of pressure and fluid such as air between first chamber 116 and
second chamber 118.
[0030] Within second chamber 118 may be a compressible material
122. Compressible material 122 may be any material that may be
compressed under pressure and substantially may return to its
original shape or position after removal of that pressure. A foam
sponge is a typical household item familiar to most consumers that
may return to its original shape after being compressed and thus
may be a good choice for compressible material 122. As an elastic
device that may return to its shape or position when pushed or
pulled or pressed, a spring may be utilized as compressible
material 122 as well, whether the spring may be made of plastic,
metal, or some other material.
[0031] Food items such as marshmallows may include a compressible
material that may return towards their original shape after being
compressed and may be utilized as compressible material 122 in
certain circumstance. Although a marshmallow appears to be solid it
actually may be filled with many pockets. These pockets may be
filled with air (much like a sponge) and may cause the marshmallow
to return towards its original shape after being compressed. In
general, other articles and/or materials may be utilized as a means
to expand second chamber 118, where that means may be internal to
second chamber 118.
[0032] Desirable characteristics of compressible material 122
include the ability of compressible material 122 to substantially
or completely evacuate first chamber 116, cost, its ability to
return to its original shape over multiple uses, and additional
uses such as absorption even after bag 100 is discarded.
Compressible material 122 may be made from hydrophilic polyester,
polyether foams, and a combination of hydrophilic polyester and
polyether foams.
[0033] In this embodiment, valve 120 may include a pop valve 124
positioned between a first heat seal 126 and a second heat seal
128. First heat seal 126, pop valve 124, and second heat seal 128
may extend from first side 108 to second side 110 to control the
flow of fluid and thus pressure between first chamber 116 and
second chamber 118. Second chamber 118 further may be defined by a
second chamber first sidewall 130 and a second chamber second
sidewall 132.
[0034] During manufacturing, valve 120 may be closed and
compressible material 122 may be assembled in second chamber 118 in
a compressed state to press outward against second chamber first
sidewall 130 and second chamber second sidewall 132. A reasonable
amount of air also may be drawn from second chamber 118 so that a
pressure within second chamber 118 may be less than the adjacent
pressure outside of second chamber 118.
[0035] The pressure outside of second chamber 118 typically may be
about one kilogram per square centimeter (14.7 pounds per square
inch). However, bag 100 may be used in situations where the
pressure outside of second chamber 118 may be other than that
provided by earth's atmosphere. For example, bag 100 may be place
in another bag having its own interior pressure.
[0036] In operation, food or other material may be paced in first
chamber 116 and zipper seal 114 may be closed to create a
substantially air tight first chamber 116. The pressure in first
chamber 116 may be at the pressure surrounding first chamber 116.
Pop valve 124 may be pressed or "popped" to cause an opening
between first chamber 116 and second chamber 118. Here, pop valve
124 may be said to be open.
[0037] With pop valve 124 open, air from first chamber 116 may rush
into second chamber 116 to work towards equalizing the pressure
between first chamber 116 and second chamber 118. Additionally,
compressible material 122 may expand outward to press against
second chamber first sidewall 130 and second chamber second
sidewall 132. The mechanical action of second chamber first
sidewall 130 moving away from second chamber second sidewall 132
may aid in drawing additional air from first chamber 116 so that
first chamber 116 may be at a lower pressure than second chamber
118. Thus, first chamber 116 may be at a vacuum relative to second
chamber 118.
[0038] When the desired exchange of pressure between first chamber
116 and second chamber 118 may be reached, pop valve 124 may be
pressed again to close the opening between first chamber 116 and
second chamber 118.
[0039] Pop valve 124 may have characteristics similar to a tennis
ball cut in half. A tennis ball half typically has a flat edge that
leads inward to a cavity. This flat edge may provide a seal when
placed against another surface. When the tennis ball half may be
pressed, the flat edge may be deformed to break the seal between
the tennis ball and the surface. When the tennis ball half may be
released from being pressed, the tennis ball may return to it
original shape to reestablish the seal between the tennis ball and
the surface.
[0040] At this point, the contents of first chamber 116 may be
under a desired vacuum seal. The ability of compressible material
122 to further draw an additional vacuum in first chamber 116 may
be substantially exhausted. A significant advantage of this
embodiment may be that compressible material 122 may be
recompressed so that bag 100 may be reused to vacuum seal
again.
[0041] To recompress compressible material 122, zipper seal 114 may
be open and the contents of chamber 116 may be removed. A user may
then place second chamber 118 between a flat surface and the palm
of one hand. While pressing on pop valve 124 with the thumb of one
hand, a user may push down on second chamber 118 and compressible
material 122 to compress sponge. Air within second chamber 118 may
then pass through pop valve 124 into first chamber 116 and out bag
opening 112. While holding down compressible material 122, valve
124 may be pressed again to close the opening between first chamber
116 and second chamber 118 to seal second chamber 118. As the palm
of the user may be removed from compressible material 122, sealed
second chamber 118 may maintain compressible material 122 in a
compressed state. Bag 100 now may be reused to vacuum seal other
items.
[0042] FIG. 3 is a plan section view of a pop valve 700 in a bag
702. Pop valve 700 may include an air flow path 704, a one way
valve 706, a snap valve 708, and a heat seal area 710. Snap valve
708 may be positioned within heat seal area 710 and one way valve
706 may be positioned on top of heat seal area 710 in line with air
flow path 704.
[0043] FIG. 4 is a detailed view of air flow path 704. Air flow
path 704 may include hard pieces 712 that may taper into supple
ends 714. Supple ends 714 may permit air 716 to flow in a direction
of arrow 718, but prevent air 716 to flow in a direction opposite
to arrow 718. FIG. 5 is a detailed view of one way valve 706 in
relation to air flow path 704. FIG. 6A is a side view of snap valve
708 illustrating a press point 720. FIG. 6B is a side view of snap
valve 708 after press point 720 has been pressed. When one way
valve 702 may be pressed, sponge 122 may pull air 716 through one
way valve 706 and when one way valve 702 may be released, supple
ends 714 of air flow path 704 may prevent air 716 from traveling
from sponge 122 to first chamber 116. Importantly, one way valve
706 may provide a soothing, psychological effect to a user by its
push button activation.
[0044] As noted above, valve 120 may prevent an exchange of
pressure and fluid such as air between first chamber 116 and second
chamber 118 when valve 120 may be closed. Moreover, valve 120 may
allow an exchange of pressure and fluid such as air between first
chamber 116 and second chamber 118 when valve 120 may be open. In
general, valve 120 may be device to control the flow of a fluid
between first chamber 116 and second chamber 118.
[0045] Valve 120 may have additional embodiments to control the
flow of fluid and thus pressure between first chamber 116 and
second chamber 118. For example, FIG. 7 is a plan view of a bag
300. FIG. 8 is a side view of bag 300 of FIG. 7. Features common
between bag 100 of FIG. 1 and bag 300 of FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 may be
identified with the same call out number.
[0046] In this embodiment, valve 120 may be formed by heat seals
that define a first gap 302, a second gap 304, and a channel 306
positioned between first gap 302 and second gap 304 longitudinally
in FIG. 7. First upper heat seal 308 and second upper heat seal 310
may define first gap 302 and first lower heat seal 312 and second
lower heat seal 314 may define second gap 304. Each heat seal/gap
combination may extend between first side 108 and second side 110
to define channel 306.
[0047] The area of channel 306 between first gap 302 and second gap
304 may be thought of as a lift valve 316. Lift valve 316 may
include a first flap 318 having a first flap first end 320 and
first flap second end 322 and a second flap 324 (FIG. 8) having a
second flap first end 326 and a second flap second end 328.
[0048] First flap first end 320 may be attached to first sidewall
102 at a location within lift valve 316 and exterior to channel
306. First flap second end 322 may rest freely against an exterior
of first sidewall 102 and be adapted to be raised as shown in FIG.
8. Similarly, second flap first end 326 may be attached to second
sidewall 104 at a location within lift valve 316 and exterior to
channel 306. Second flap second end 328 may rest freely against an
exterior of second sidewall 104 and be adapted to be raised as
shown in FIG. 8. First flap 318 and second flap 324 may be made of
a material similar to the material of bag 100.
[0049] In operation, first flap second end 322 and second flap
second end 328 each may be grasped between a thumb and index finger
and pulled (lifted) away from each other. As first sidewall 102 and
second sidewall 104 move away from one another within lift valve
316, air may be drawn from first chamber 116 into second chamber
118 by the action of compressible material 122. Lift valve 316 may
be closed to seal second chamber 118 from first chamber by pushing
first flap 318 and second flap 324 towards each other.
[0050] Similar to bag 100, bag 300 may be reused by recompressing
compressible material 122. To recompress compressible material 122,
zipper seal 114 may be open and the contents of chamber 116 may be
removed. A user may then place second chamber 118 between a flat
surface and the palm of one hand. A user then may push down on
second chamber 118 and compressible material 122 to compress
sponge. The now increased pressure within second chamber 118 may
overcome the lift valve 316 seal provided by channel 306 to force
air within second chamber 118 to pass through lift valve 124 into
first chamber 116 and out bag opening 112. As the palm of the user
may be removed from compressible material 122, the pressure within
second chamber 118 decreases, which may cause lift valve 316 to
close and sealed second chamber 118. Sealed second chamber 118 may
maintain compressible material 122 in a compressed state. Bag 300
now may be reused to vacuum seal other items.
[0051] With compressible material 122 encapsulated within second
chamber 118, there may be a potential for bacteria growth or the
introduction of liquid fluids into second chamber 118. In one
embodiment, compressible material 122 may be impregnated with an
antibacterial agent to minimize bacteria growth. For example,
compressible material 122 may contain alcohols, vinegars, chlorine,
peroxides, aldehydes, and gaseous ethylene oxide and formaldehyde
to act rapidly to destroy bacteria and quickly disappear without
leaving an active residue behind. Compressible material 122 may
contain bisphenols such as triclosan and hexachlorophene, anilides
such as triclocarban, quaternary ammonium compounds such as
benzalkonium chloride, cetrimide, and cetylpyridinium chloride
where it may be desired to have a prolonged action of disinfecting.
Prolonged action of disinfecting also may be achieved with
biguanides, halophenols, heavy metals (silver compounds, mercury
compounds), phenols, and cresols.
[0052] Compressible material 122 may be formulated or have
additions to act as a moisture and water repellant to keep liquid
fluids to the exterior of compressible material 122. These free
moving liquids in second chamber 118 may be discharged while
recompression compressible material 122.
[0053] The above embodiments for bag 100 and bag 300 permit a user
to draw a vacuum in first chamber 116 by utilizing one compression
and expansion cycle of compressible material 122. There may be
circumstances where it may be desirable to utilize multiple
compression and expansion cycles of compressible material 122. For
example, multiple compression and expansion cycles of compressible
material 122 may pull a larger vacuum within first chamber 116 than
a single compression and expansion cycle.
[0054] FIG. 9 is a plan view of bag 500. Features common between
bag 300 of FIG. 7 and bag 500 of FIG. 9 may be identified with the
same call out number. Included with bag 500 may be a valve 502.
Valve 502 may be located between lift valve 316 and bottom 106. As
will be described, valve 502 may be used to draw a vacuum in first
chamber 116 through multiple compression and expansion cycles of
compressible material 122.
[0055] Valve 502 may include a first upper seal 504, a second upper
seal 506, and a first gap 508 defined as an open space between
first upper seal 504 and second upper seal 506. Valve 502
additionally may include a first lower seal 510, a second lower
seal 512, and a second gap 514 defined as an open space between
first lower seal 510 and second lower seal 512. Valve 502 may be
viewed as a one-way valve and characterized by a distance 514
between gap 508 and gap 514. Lift valve 316 may be characterized by
a distance 516 between first gap 302 and second gap 304.
[0056] After compressible material 122 has expanded from a
compressed state and lift valve 316 closed, a user may press down
compressible material 122 through second chamber 118. This may
increase the pressure within second chamber 118. The pressure
within second chamber 118 may seek out a path of least resistance.
By keeping distance 514 than distance 516, a path of least
resistance for the pressure within second chamber 118 may be
through valve 502. Other techniques to help ensure that valve 502
offers lower resistance to pressure than lift valve 316 may be to
have a width of upper gap 504 be smaller than a width of lower gap
304 or design the height of valve 502 as a function of the height
of lift valve 316.
[0057] As user may press down compressible material 122 through
second chamber 118, gas fluid and liquid fluid may exit from second
chamber 118 through second gap 514. In addition, compressible
material 122 may be compressed. With lift valve 316 closed, one-way
valve 502 may prevent air from flowing back into second chamber 118
and thus keep compressible material 122 from expanding.
Compressible material 122 now may be ready to increase the vacuum
within first chamber 116. By pulling first flap 318 and second flap
328 away from each other, lift valve 316 may open and draw an
additional vacuum in first chamber 116 by the suction created in
second chamber 118.
[0058] It may be desirable to make compressible material 122
removable from bag 100 and bag 300. For example, a user may desire
to clean compressible material 122 or replace compressible material
122 with a new compressible material 122. In addition, after a
vacuum has been drawn in first chamber 116, compressible material
122 has no immediate application for that particular bag. Removing
compressible material 122 from bag 100 while first chamber 116 may
be under a vacuum may free up second chamber 118 for other uses,
such as additional storage.
[0059] FIG. 10 may be a plan view of bag 600. Features common
between bag 300 of FIG. 7 and bag 600 of FIG. 10 may be identified
with the same call out number. Included with bag 600 may be first
zipper seal 602 below a first bag opening 604 and a second zipper
seal 606 above a second bag opening 608. In this embodiment, a user
may perform multiple compression and expansion cycles of
compressible material 122 to draw a vacuum in either first chamber
116 or second chamber 118.
[0060] After compressible material 122 has expanded from a
compressed state and lift valve 316 closed, a user may open second
zipper seal 606 to remove gas fluid and liquid fluid second chamber
118 through second bag opening 608. Compressible material 122 may
be cleaned and placed back into second chamber 118. After
compressing compressible material 122 with the palm of a hand, for
example, second zipper seal 606 may be closed. With lift valve 316
closed, second zipper seal 606 may prevent air from flowing back
into second chamber 118 and thus keep compressible material 122
from expanding. Compressible material 122 now may be ready to
increase the vacuum within first chamber 116. By pulling first flap
318 and second flap 328 away from each other, lift valve 316 may
open and draw an additional vacuum in first chamber 116 by the
suction created in second chamber 118.
[0061] Over time through use, first chamber 116 may develop small
leaks and not be as efficient as holding a vacuum. For example,
certain foods have sharp edges and may aid in working one or more
tiny holes within first chamber 116. Under such circumstances,
first chamber 116 may not be able to hold a vacuum, but may be
utilized to draw a vacuum. By placing compressible material 122 in
first chamber 116 of bag 600 (FIG. 10) and storage material in
second chamber 118, a vacuum may be draw within second chamber 118
as described above.
[0062] Another advantage of bag 600 may be that the containers and
compressible material 122 may be sold separately. One compressible
material 122 may service multiple bags 600. Thus, the cost of bags
600 without compressible material 122 may be the same as sandwich
bags currently on the market. Moreover, with compressible material
122 being separate from bag 600, bags 600 may be marketed as having
the same storage capacity as similarly sized sandwich bags
currently on the market and have the additional feature of a vacuum
seal.
[0063] Another advantage of bag 600 may be that a consumer may
utilize their own sponge for compressible material 122. While such
a sponge may not be as efficient as a sponge particularly designed
for bag 600, such a sponge may meet the consumer's vacuum sealing
needs and move away from the conventional vacuum sealing industry
notion that a consumer must purchase expensive items made of
plastic "specially formulated" for their particular machine.
[0064] Bag 100 and other bag embodiments (collectively "bag 100")
need not be a household food bag. Rather, bag as used in this
patent may include any container where it may be desirable to
inexpensively form a vacuum. For example, entomologist in the field
collecting bugs may want to place the bugs in a rigid metal
container and draw a vacuum to preserve the bugs for the long
flight home to the museum. Tennis players may want to restore their
tennis balls in a vacuum. Coffee lovers may want to keep their
beans fresher by restoring them in a glass vacuum container. Each
of these individuals may benefit from the present invention.
[0065] In general, first chamber 116 may be any container that
functions to hold contents that eventually may be removed from the
container. First chamber 116 may be a container configured to hold
a particular article or set of articles or material. Moreover,
first chamber 116 may be means in or by which goods (article or
material) may be displayed, protected, packaged or arranged in a
particular manner, to facilitate sale, transportation in commerce,
use or storage. In addition to being a mercantile unit, s first
chamber 116 may be a packet, compact, or case carried on the person
of a user.
[0066] Second chamber 118 may be any container that may be
deformable in such a way as to alter its volume. Additionally,
second chamber 118 may be pleated to permit the footprint of second
chamber 118 to shrink while maintaining the overall desired volume
for second chamber 118.
[0067] Collectively, bag 100 may be though of as a package for
articles or material surrounded by air that may be used with
compressible material 122 cooperatively to make a vacuum sealed
assemblage. The seals of bag 100 need not be heat seals. Rather,
the seals may be any barrier whether or not formed by heat.
[0068] Bag 100 of the invention may be an inexpensive, quick and
easy to use, portable way of vacuum sealing items. Bag 100 may be
reusable in that compressible material 122 may be recompressed and
set up to draw a vacuum. Because a vacuum may be drawn by a sponge
compressible material 122 whose properties may be controlled by
design, bag 100 may consistently draws a vacuum over the life of
the bag sufficient to meet the food storage needs of a
consumer.
[0069] The bag may be included in an improved line of food storage
bags that may feature a one-way air valve incorporated into its
design. The bag may help to keep food fresh and appetizing for a
longer time period. In particular, the bag may be part of a newly
designed line of food storage bags that may feature a clever way to
remove excess air.
[0070] The bag may be similar in shape and design to an existing
food storage bag and may feature a zipper-type seal. The bag may
include a second chamber at the base that may house a
pre-compressed sponge. This chamber may feature one-way air valves
incorporated into its design. The compressed sponge may pull air
into the second chamber, thus creating a vacuum in the chamber with
food. For use, an individual may place food into the bag and seal
the zipper-type closure. A button valve may be pressed to create an
opening between the first and second chambers. The compressed
sponge may then expand to pull air from the first chamber. The two
chambers may then be sealed using the one-way valve.
[0071] With the bag, food products may be kept fresh in the
refrigerator or freezer for a longer period of time. The bag may be
rectangular and may measure eight inches high, seven inches long,
and one inch wide.
[0072] The bag may fulfill the need for a way to remove unwanted
air inside food storage bags. Appealing features of the bag may
include its convenience, practicality, effectiveness, durability,
ease of use, cost-savings, light weight, compact size, portability,
and timesaving, and inviting design. Such a line of food storage
bags may allow perishables to be stored more conveniently and
safely in a refrigerator, freezer, and cooler. They may allow food
to stay fresh for a longer period of time. The handy one-way valve
and pre-compressed sponge may effectively evacuate air in the bag,
which may prevent freezer burn or losing food freshness. In
addition, foods may last longer in the refrigerator, freezer, or
cooler while continuing to maintain purchase-date freshness.
[0073] In the refrigerator, everything from fruit to leftovers may
be stored longer and free from staleness, mold, and refrigerator
odors. The built-in valve may evacuate the air from the bag, thus
increasing the storage space in the bag. The bag may prevent food
spoilage and may allow a consumer to purchase larger quantities of
food products to keep them fresh in an airtight storage container.
This line of bags may prevent food wastage, which may save a
consumer a considerable amount of money and may provide the user
with better tasting food. In addition, this line of freezer bags
may prevent a person from becoming ill due to food spoilage.
[0074] The bag may serve as a viable alternative to traditional
methods of removing air from food storage bags, such as bulky pumps
and heat sealers. The bag may be easy to use, effective,
convenient, cost saving, timesaving, and reasonably priced. The bag
may also be lightweight and compact to be easily stored when
needed. As well as consumers, this product may be used in
commercial establishments, such as restaurants, cafeterias,
hospitals, nursing homes, and schools.
[0075] The information disclosed herein is provided merely to
illustrate principles and should not be construed as limiting the
scope of the subject matter of the terms of the claims. The written
specification and figures are, accordingly, to be regarded in an
illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. Moreover, the
principles disclosed may be applied to achieve the advantages
described herein and to achieve other advantages or to satisfy
other objectives, as well.
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