U.S. patent application number 12/665133 was filed with the patent office on 2010-07-15 for storage bag.
Invention is credited to Andrew E. Neltner.
Application Number | 20100177990 12/665133 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40260300 |
Filed Date | 2010-07-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100177990 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Neltner; Andrew E. |
July 15, 2010 |
STORAGE BAG
Abstract
A storage bag includes first and second sidewalls of flexible,
thermoplastic material that overlap and are joined to each other to
provide an interior volume for receiving food items. The bag is
adapted to be evacuated to help prevent spoliation of the food
items. The bag includes a textured portion on an inner surface of
at least one sidewall that is comprised of a plurality of pyramid
shaped protrusions. To help retain liquids that may be included
with the stored food items, the pyramid shaped protrusions are
arranged in a substantially offset pattern. The protrusions may
delineate on the inner surface substantially planar regions that
are comprised of first larger areas and second smaller areas.
During evacuation, liquids can pool together in and become retained
by the larger areas while air can be directed through the second
smaller areas.
Inventors: |
Neltner; Andrew E.;
(Loveland, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE CLOROX COMPANY
P.O. BOX 24305
OAKLAND
CA
94623-1305
US
|
Family ID: |
40260300 |
Appl. No.: |
12/665133 |
Filed: |
July 3, 2008 |
PCT Filed: |
July 3, 2008 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US08/69156 |
371 Date: |
December 17, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60950279 |
Jul 17, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
383/100 ;
53/434 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 81/2038
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
383/100 ;
53/434 |
International
Class: |
B65D 33/01 20060101
B65D033/01; B65B 31/00 20060101 B65B031/00 |
Claims
1. A flexible storage bag comprising: a first sidewall of
thermoplastic material; a second sidewall of thermoplastic material
overlying and joined to the first sidewall to provide an interior
volume between opposing first and second inner surfaces of the
respective first and second sidewalls; at least one inner surface
including a textured portion comprising a plurality of pyramid
shaped protrusions projecting into the interior volume, the pyramid
shaped protrusions arranged in a substantially offset pattern.
2. The storage bag of claim 1, wherein the inner surface includes
substantially planar regions located between the pyramid shaped
protrusions.
3. The storage bag of claim 2, wherein the planar regions include
first relatively larger areas and second relatively smaller
areas.
4. The storage bag of claim 3, wherein the ratio of the surface
area of each first larger area to the surface area of each second
smaller area is about 5:1 to 10:1.
5. The storage bag of claim 3, wherein the first larger areas are
generally square in outline and the second smaller areas are
generally rectangular in outline.
6. The storage bag of claim 1, wherein the pyramid shaped
protrusions are arranged in a substantially random pattern on the
inner surface.
7. The storage bag of claim 2, wherein the planar regions are
continuous with one another such that the pyramid shaped
protrusions are substantially separated from each other.
8. The storage bag of claims 2, wherein the pyramid shaped
protrusions project from the planar regions in a range from 0.076
mm to 0.635 mm.
9. The storage bag of claim 1, further comprising a one-way valve
element attached to at least one sidewall and in communication with
the interior volume.
10. The storage bag of claim 1, further comprising first and second
interlocking fastening strips attached respectively to the first
and second inner surfaces.
11. The storage bag of claim 1, further comprising a depression
located between the protrusions.
12. The storage bag of claim 1, wherein the spacing between
protrusions near the top of the bag is less than the spacing
between protrusions near the bottom of the bag.
13. A method of evacuating a storage bag comprising: (i) providing
a bag including a flexible sidewall bounding an interior volume, an
opening for accessing the interior volume, and a textured portion
included on an inner surface of the sidewall, the textured portion
including a plurality of pyramid shaped protrusions projecting into
the interior volume and arranged in a substantially offset pattern;
(ii) closing the opening; (iii) applying an evacuation device to
the storage bag for withdrawing air from the interior volume; (iv)
directing air from the interior volume between a first plurality of
relatively smaller areas located between the pyramid shaped
protrusions; and (v) retaining at least some fluids initially
retained in the air within a second plurality of relatively larger
areas located between the pyramid shaped openings.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of applying an
evacuation device to the storage bag includes the further step of
interfacing the evacuation device to a one-way valve element
attached to the sidewall and communicating with the interior
volume.
15. A flexible storage bag comprising: a first sidewall of
thermoplastic material; a second sidewall of thermoplastic material
overlying and joined to the first sidewall to provide an interior
volume between opposing first and second inner surfaces of the
respective first and second sidewalls; at least one inner surface
including a textured portion comprising a plurality of protrusions
projecting into the interior volume, the protrusions arranged in a
substantially offset pattern.
16. The storage bag of claim 15, wherein the protrusions have a
circular base.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Flexible plastic bags are widely used for a variety of
purposes such as storing food items, either temporarily in the case
of packaging snacks or long term in the case of freezer storage.
Plastic bags of this type typically include one or more pliable
sidewalls made of thermoplastic web material such as polyethylene.
The sidewalls are arranged to provide an opening and an interior
volume accessible through the opening. To close the opening, the
bag may include interlocking closure strips attached about the rim
of the opening.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] The invention provides an evacuable storage bag for
receiving and storing food items in an evacuated condition. During
evacuation, air will be directed through the interior volume to
exit the bag. Additionally, as air exits the bag, the sidewalls
will collapse against each other and against the stored food
items.
[0003] To facilitate evacuation and remove liquids and juices from
the exiting air flow, the bag is provided with a textured portion
on an inner surface of the sidewall. The textured portion can
include a plurality of pyramid shaped protrusions or projections
arranged in an offset pattern and that project into the interior
volume from other regions of the inner surface. The pyramid shaped
protrusions can be substantially separated from each other on the
inner surface by the other regions of the inner surface. The base
of each pyramid shaped protrusion may be outlined or delineated by
the planar regions. Because of the offset arrangement, the planar
regions are not of uniform shape and size but rather can be
categorized into at least first regions that are relatively large
and open and second regions that are relatively small and
closed.
[0004] During evacuation, liquids and juices may pool into and may
become trapped in the larger first regions while the air itself can
be directed through the smaller and narrower second regions. The
liquids and juices, or at least a portion thereof, may be retained
within the bag. An advantage of the storage bag is that it may
assist in maintaining the hydration of stored food items. Another
advantage is that it may prevent contamination of valve elements
and/or evacuation devices. These and other advantages and features
of the invention will become apparent from the following drawings
and detailed description of the embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a flexible plastic bag
including a valve element that can operate in conjunction with an
evacuation device, the plastic bag having, as shown in cutaway, a
textured portion on an inner surface of the sidewall.
[0006] FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the area indicated by
circle A-A of FIG. 1 illustrating in detail the textured portion
including a plurality of pyramid shaped protrusions arranged in an
offset pattern.
[0007] FIG. 3 is an elevational view similar to that of FIG. 2
illustrating another embodiment of the textured portion including a
plurality of pyramid shaped protrusions arranged in a random
pattern.
[0008] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a
flexible plastic bag having, as shown in cutaway, a textured
portion on an inner surface of the sidewall, the plastic bag
adapted for use with a counter top style evacuation device.
[0009] FIG. 5 is a schematic illustrating various techniques for
manufacturing a bag including a textured portion that has a
plurality of pyramid shaped protrusions.
[0010] FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of a one-way valve
element that can be included with a plastic bag such as disclosed
in FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the one-way valve
element of FIG. 6.
[0012] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view through the one-way valve
element as taken along line B-B of FIG. 6.
[0013] FIG. 9 is an exploded view of another embodiment of a
one-way valve element for attachment to a flexible plastic bag.
[0014] FIG. 10 is an exploded view of another embodiment of a
one-way valve element for attachment to a flexible plastic bag.
[0015] FIG. 11 is another embodiment of the textured portion.
[0016] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 12-12 of
FIG. 11.
[0017] FIG. 13 is another embodiment of the textured portion.
[0018] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 14-14 of
FIG. 13.
[0019] FIG. 15 is another embodiment of the textured portion.
[0020] FIG. 16 is another embodiment of the textured portion.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0021] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference
numbers refer to like elements, there is illustrated in FIG. 1 an
evacuable storage bag 100 that can be used for receiving and
storing food items. The storage bag 100 includes a first sidewall
102 and an opposing second sidewall 104 overlaying the first
sidewall 102 to provide an interior or internal volume 106.
Accordingly, the first and second sidewall 102, 104 each includes a
respective first inner surface 108 and an opposing second inner
surface 109. The first and second sidewalls 102, 104 can be made
from flexible and/or pliable webs of thermoplastic material such
as, for example, polyethylene. The webs may be monolayer or
multilayer films that are typically used for food storage.
Multilayer films may be laminations or coextrusions. Resins may
include polyethylene including high density polyethylene (HDPE),
low density polyethylene (LDPE), and linear low density
polyethylene (LLDPE). Other materials suitable for manufacturing
sidewalls include nylon, ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH),
polypropylene (PP), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polyester,
ionomers or metallized films. Examples of coextruded multilayer
films suitable for the manufacturing of storage bags include
layered combinations such as HDPE/tie-layer/EVOH/tie-layer/LDPE or
nylon/tie-layer/LDPE.
[0022] The first and second sidewalls 102, 104 are joined together
along a first side edge 110, a parallel second side edge 112, and a
closed bottom edge 114 that extends perpendicularly between the
first and second side edges. The edges of the first and second
sidewalls 102, 104 can be joined together by a heat sealing
operation. To access the internal volume 106, the portions of the
first and second sidewalls 102, 104 extending along an open top
edge 116 remain un-joined. Due to the four orthogonal edges, the
flexible bag 100 has a generally rectangular shape. However, it
will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the bag can have any
suitable shape resulting from any number and orientation of
sidewalls and edges.
[0023] To close the open top edge 116 after food items have been
inserted into the bag 100, the bag can include a closure mechanism
such as first and second interlocking fastening strips 120, 122.
The fastening strips 120, 122 can be made from extruded
thermoplastic material and are joined to the bag 100 proximate the
open top edge 116. More specifically, the first fastening strip 120
can be joined to the inner surface 108 of the first sidewall 102
and the second fastening strip 122 can be joined to the inner
surface 109 of the second sidewall 104. The first and second
fastening strips can engage and release with each other to allow
for repeated opening and closing of the storage bag. To engage, the
fastening strips can be aligned adjacent to each other and pressed
together. To release the fastening strips, oppositely directed
pulling forces can be applied to the first and second sidewalls
proximate the top edge. In other embodiments, it will be
appreciated that various other closure mechanisms can be used
instead of or in combination with the first and second fastening
strips.
[0024] To evacuate air trapped in the flexible bag 100 after
sealing the open top edge 116, the bag includes a one-way valve
element 130, various examples of which will be discussed further
below, that is attached to the first sidewall 102 and communicates
with the internal volume 106. The one-way valve element 130 is
capable of opening to allow entrapped air from the internal volume
106 to escape and closing to prevent the ingress of environmental
air into the interior volume. Communication with the internal
volume 106 can be accomplished by disposing a hole through the
first sidewall 102 and then attaching the valve element 130 over
the hole. The valve element 130 can operate in conjunction with a
handheld evacuation device 132 that provides a suction force for
withdrawing air through the valve element.
[0025] To facilitate the evacuation of air from the storage bag,
the storage bag 100 can include a textured portion 140 on the inner
surface 108, 109 of one or both of the first and second sidewalls
102, 104. The textured portion 140 includes a plurality of raised
protrusions 142 or peaks that project into the interior volume
106.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 2, each of the protrusions 142 can be
generally shaped as a pyramid, and though illustrated as such, the
pyramid shaped protrusion is not necessarily a right angle pyramid.
Each pyramid shaped protrusion 142 includes a square or rectangular
base made of four base edges 144 that are adjacent to otherwise
planar regions 160 of the inner surface 109. The pyramid shaped
protrusion 142 tapers from the base edges 144 to an apex 146 or
peak as the protrusion projects from the planar regions 160.
Moreover, the pyramid shaped protrusions 142 can be arranged in a
pattern in which adjacent protrusions are generally offset from
each other. In other embodiments, the pyramid shaped protrusions
may be truncated. In one embodiment as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14,
the protrusions 842 are truncated. In this embodiment, the
protrusion 842 has a flat top portion 843. The truncated feature
may be used as appropriate with any of the embodiments herein.
[0027] For example, presume the location of the open top and closed
bottom edges are indicated by arrows 150 and the location of the
first and second side edges is indicated by arrows 152. Given the
exemplary rectangular bag configuration, the arrows 150, 152 are
orthogonal with each other and, for reference, the direction
indicated by arrows 150 can be considered vertical while the
direction indicated by arrows 152 can be considered horizontal.
Because of the offset pattern, the apexes 146 of adjacent
protrusions generally do not align in either the vertical direction
or in the horizontal direction. In fact, in the illustrated
embodiment, the apexes 146 of adjacent protrusions generally align
in the direction indicated by arrow 154 that is oriented at an
angle with respect to the vertical and horizontal arrows 150,
152.
[0028] Between the pyramid shaped protrusions 142 the inner surface
109 of the sidewall 104 provides the otherwise substantially planar
regions 160. The planar regions 160 are generally co-planar or
parallel with one another. In the illustrated embodiment, the
pyramid shaped protrusions 142 are substantially separated from
each other on the inner surface 109 by the planar regions 160 such
that the planar regions are generally contiguous with one another.
Hence, the base of each pyramid shaped protrusion 142 including
base edges 144 is outlined or delineated by the planar regions 160
and the shape of the planar regions is provided by the protrusions
and their arrangement. In other embodiments, however, some overlap
of the pyramid shaped protrusions may be permitted.
[0029] Because of the offset pattern of the pyramid shaped
protrusions 142, the planar regions 160 do not have a uniform shape
and size. Instead, as illustrated, the planar regions 160 can
include a first plurality of relative larger regions or areas 162
and a second plurality of relatively smaller regions or areas 164.
The larger areas 162 are relatively open or exposed and are
typically located where adjacent pyramids are separated by large
gaps or distances. The smaller areas 164 are relatively closed in
or congested and may take the form of narrow channels located
between closely proximate or tightly packed protrusions 142. As an
example, the ratio of the surface area of the larger areas 162 to
the surface area of the smaller areas 164, as measured in the
aggregate, average, or one to one correspondence, can be on the
order of about 5:1 to about 10:1.
[0030] Referring back to FIG. 1, during evacuation, air will be
directed through the interior volume 106 to exit the storage bag
100. As the air is removed, the first and second sidewalls 102, 104
will collapse against and contact each other and against items
within the interior volume. This may cause air to become trapped in
other parts of the interior volume 106 and unable to exit the bag
100 during evacuation. To prevent or reduce these problems, the
textured portion 140 provided by the pyramid shaped protrusions 142
maintains at least a partial clearance between the bag sidewalls
102, 104 and between the sidewalls and any objects located in the
bag. More specifically, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, as the
sidewalls 102, 104 collapse together the apexes 146 of the
protrusions 142 contact the sidewalls or stored items and thereby
provide a standoff or spacer function between the planar regions
160 of the inner surface 109 and the contacted sidewall or item.
Thus, the distance between the planar region 160 and the apexes 146
acts as a clearance through which evacuating air can pass. The
protrusions can have a height in a first range of 0.003 inches
(0.076 mm) to 0.025 inches (0.635 mm), a second range of 0.005
inches (0.127 mm) to 0.015 inches (0.381 mm), and a third range of
0.007 inches (0.178 mm) to 0.012 inches (0.305 mm). In one
embodiment, the protrusions can have a height of about 0.010 inches
(0.254 mm).
[0031] The protrusions 142 and areas 162, 164 may also provide an
additional feature. When the user contacts the evacuation device
132 to the bag 100 in order to remove the air from the bag, the
downward pressure of the device on the bag sidewalls may cut off
the flow of air to the device. The protrusions may provide a
standoff for the downward pressure of the device. Thus, the
protrusions may require a greater force or downward pressure by the
device before the flow of air is cut off.
[0032] The offset pattern of the pyramid shaped protrusions 142
provides an additional utility of the texture portion 140. In many
instances, food items such meats or fish that are stored in the
interior volume contain liquids or juices. To retain those liquids
or juices in the bag during evacuation, the first larger areas 162
and second smaller areas 164 of the planar region can cooperate to
pool and trap the liquids in the interior volume. Specifically, as
the air is directed through the clearances provided by the planar
regions 160, liquids entrained in the air or otherwise can gather
or pool together within the larger areas 162 while the evacuating
air can continue through the narrower or smaller areas 164 to exit
the bag. The entrances to the smaller areas 164 can also block or
impede the continued flow of the liquids gathered in the larger
areas 162. Thus, the offset pattern of the pyramid shaped
protrusions allows air to be evacuated from the bag while retaining
liquids and juices and thus can improve the freshness and hydration
of the food items while preventing contamination of an evacuation
device.
[0033] Another embodiment is shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. This
embodiment may be similar to FIG. 2 except that the areas 862, 864
between the protrusions 842 may include a depression 872. In this
embodiment, the depression 872 may be a half sphere. In other
embodiments, the depression may have other shapes, such as, a
rectangle, square, triangle, polygons, parallelogram, trapezoid, or
annulus. The depression may allow for retention or pooling of the
liquid and the depression may prevent liquid from entering the
valve or the evacuation device. The depression may be used as
appropriate with any of the embodiments herein.
[0034] The pyramid shaped protrusions need not always be
rectangular or even of the same size and shape. Moreover, producing
the offset arrangement of the protrusions need not be accomplished
by patterning the protrusions on an angle with respect to the open
top edge and side edges of the storage bag. For example, referring
to FIG. 3, there is illustrated another embodiment of a textured
portion 240 produced by a plurality of pyramid shaped protrusions
242 projecting from the inner surface 209 of a storage bag sidewall
204. In the illustrated embodiment, the pyramid shaped protrusions
242 are triangular in shape and include a base having three side
edges 244 that are adjacent to otherwise smooth and substantially
planar regions 260 of the inner surface 209. The pyramid shaped
protrusions 242 project from the planar regions 260 and tapers to
an apex 246. As in the prior embodiments, the pyramid shaped
protrusions need not be geometrically right pyramids. The
triangular shaped protrusions may be used as appropriate with any
of the embodiments herein.
[0035] The offset pattern is accomplished by random placement or
location of the pyramid shaped protrusions 242 on the inner surface
209. Because of the various sizes and random placement of the
protrusions, the planar regions 260 have correspondingly varying
shapes and sizes. More particularly, the larger areas 262 and
smaller areas 264 have random shapes and surfaces areas, even with
respect to each other. However, the textured portion 240 including
the larger and smaller areas 262, 264 will generally function to
facilitate air direction and retain liquids and juices as described
above. In a further variation, the random placement of the pyramid
shaped protrusions 242 can be configured so that the smaller areas
264 are concentrated toward the opening of the bag 200 while the
larger areas 262 are concentrated toward the bottom. In one
embodiment shown in FIG. 15, the random placement of the pyramid
shaped protrusions 942 can be configured so that the smaller areas
964 are concentrated toward the opening of the bag while the larger
areas 962 are concentrated toward the bottom of the bag.
Concentrating the larger and smaller areas in this manner acts to
concentrate the retained fluids and juices further away from an
evacuation point of the bag. This feature may be used as
appropriate with any of the embodiments herein.
[0036] In other embodiments, the arrangement of the pyramid shaped
protrusions can be random in a localized area but can generally
repeat over a broader area. Likewise, the protrusions can be a
combination of rectangular pyramids, triangular pyramids, and/or
other shapes. In other embodiments, the protrusions can have other
shapes, such as, the circular protrusions 1042 shown in FIG. 16.
The circular protrusions may be used as appropriate with any of the
embodiments herein. Additionally, the textured portion of the
protrusion shapes can be combined on different storage bag
sidewalls with other textured portions, such as those described in
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0286808 (U.S.
application Ser. No. 10/880,784) herein incorporated by reference
in its entirety.
[0037] The textured pattern having pyramid shaped protrusions can
be incorporated in various different style plastic storage bags.
For example, illustrated in FIG. 4 there is illustrated another
embodiment of a plastic storage bag 300 having first and second
pliable, thermoplastic sidewalls 302, 304 that are overlaid and
joined together to provide an interior volume 306 for receiving
items such as food stuffs. Formed on the inner surface 309 of at
least the second sidewall 304 is a textured portion 340 having a
plurality of projecting pyramid shaped protrusions 342 projecting
into the interior volume 306 and which are substantially separated
from each other by substantially planar regions 360 of the inner
surface. To seal and evacuate plastic bags 300 of this particular
style, a counter top evacuation device 332 of the type illustrated
in FIG. 4 can be used. The evacuation device 332 includes a slot
334 into which the open top edge 316 of the plastic bag 300 can be
inserted. Air is then drawn from the interior volume 306 through
the open top edge 316 after which the device 332 can heat seal the
open top edge shut. Hence, storage bags of the present embodiment
need not include valve elements or interlocking fastening
strips.
[0038] Referring to FIG. 5, to manufacture a bag having a textured
portion of any of the aforementioned styles, any number of various
high speed manufacturing processes can be employed. For example,
the finished bag 400 can be produced by initially unwinding in a
machine direction indicated by arrow 402 a continuous web or sheet
404 of thermoplastic material from a roll 406 of such material. To
form the protrusions, the web 404 can be passed through a pair of
opposing rollers 410, 412 one of which has a plurality of knobs
that correspond to the pyramid shaped protrusions. As the rollers
410, 412 rotate over the web 404, the protrusions are embossed or
coined into the thermoplastic material.
[0039] In another method, the protrusions can be placed on the web
by depositing moldable material onto the web 404 in a depositing
step 420. For example, a depositing machine 422 suspended above the
web 404 can deposit by squirting or by direct placement onto the
web deposits of liquefied or molten material that correlate to the
pyramid shaped protrusions. The material can solidify providing the
pyramid shapes. Furthermore, the material can be the same or
different than the material comprising the web. In further
embodiments, the depositing machine 422 can be moved
perpendicularly with respect to the machine direction 402 to
provide the offset pattern of the protrusions. In a further
embodiment, the textured portion can be initially provided on or
formed into a separate film or web 430 of thermoplastic material
that is provided on another roll 432. The second web 430 can be
unwound from the roll and attached to the first web 404 by an
attachment operation 434.
[0040] To finish the plastic bag, the web 404 can be run through a
folding operation 440 that folds the web in half to provide the
first and second sidewalls. The side edges of the bag can be
produced by an edging machine 442. Specifically, the edging machine
442 forms a seal 446 across the web of folded material to form the
side edges of the bag and cuts the web into individual bags. In
other operations, a device 451 can attach the interlocking
fastening strips 452, 454 and a device 455 can attach the valve
elements 456.
[0041] In those embodiments of the flexible plastic bag that
include a one-way valve element for evacuation, the particular
valve element used can be selected from any various types of
suitable one-way valve elements. For example, referring to FIGS. 6,
7, and 8, the one-way valve element 500 for use with a storage bag
of the foregoing type can include a rigid valve body 510 that
cooperates with a movable disk 512 to open and close the valve
element. The valve body 510 includes a circular flange portion 514
extending between parallel first and second flange faces 520, 522.
Concentric to the flange portion 514 and projecting from the second
flange face 522 is a circular boss portion 518 which terminates in
a planar boss face 524 that is parallel to the first and second
flange faces. The circular boss portion 518 is smaller in diameter
than the flange portion 514 so that the outermost annular rim of
the second flange face 522 remains exposed. The valve body 510 can
be made from any suitable material such as a moldable thermoplastic
material like nylon, HDPE, high impact polystyrene (HIPS),
polycarbonates (PC), and the like.
[0042] Disposed concentrically into the valve body 510 is a
counter-bore 528. The counter-bore 528 extends from the first
flange face 520 part way towards the boss face 524. The
counter-bore 528 defines a cylindrical bore wall 530. Because it
extends only part way toward the boss face 524, the counter-bore
528 may form within the valve body 510 a planar valve seat 532. To
establish fluid communication across the valve body 510, there is
disposed through the valve seat 532 at least one aperture 534. In
fact, in the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of apertures 534
are arranged concentrically and spaced inwardly from the
cylindrical bore wall 530.
[0043] To cooperatively accommodate the movable disk 512, the disk
is inserted into the counter-bore 528. Accordingly, the disk 512 is
preferably smaller in diameter than the counter-bore 528 and has a
thickness as measured between a first disk face 540 and a second
disk face 542 that is substantially less than the length of the
counter-bore 528 between the first flange face 520 and the valve
seat 532. To retain the disk 512 within the counter-bore 528, there
is formed proximate to the first flange face 520 a plurality of
radially inward extending fingers 544. The disk 512 can be made
from any suitable material such as, for example, a resilient
elastomer.
[0044] Referring to FIG. 8, when the disk 512 within the
counter-bore 528 is moved adjacent to the fingers 544, the valve
element 500 is in its open configuration allowing air to
communicate between the first flange face 520 and the boss face
524. However, when the disk 512 is adjacent the valve seat 532
thereby covering the apertures 534, the valve element 500 is in its
closed configuration. To assist in sealing the disk 512 over the
apertures 534, a sealing liquid such as oil can be applied to the
valve seat 532. Furthermore, a foam or other resilient member may
be placed in the counter-bore 528 to provide a tight fit of the
disk 512 and the valve seat 532 in the closed position.
[0045] To attach the valve element 500 to the first sidewall,
referring to FIG. 8, an adhesive can be applied to the exposed
annular rim portion of the second flange face 522. The valve
element 500 can then be placed adjacent the exterior surface of the
first sidewall with the boss portion 518 being received through the
hole disposed into the sidewall and thereby pass into the internal
volume. Of course, in other embodiments, adhesive can be placed on
other portions of the valve element, such as the first flange face,
prior to attachment to the sidewall.
[0046] In other embodiments, the one-way valve element can have a
different construction. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 9, a
flexible one-way valve element 610 can include a flexible, circular
base layer 612 that cooperates with a correspondingly circular
shaped, resilient top layer 614 to open and close the valve
element. The top and bottom layers can be made from any suitable
material such as, for example, a flexible thermoplastic film.
Disposed through the center of the base layer 612 is an aperture
616, thus providing the base layer with an annular shape. The top
layer 614 is placed over and adhered to the base layer 612 by two
parallel strips of adhesive 618 that extend along either side of
the aperture 616, thereby covering the aperture with the top layer
and forming a channel. The base layer 612 is then adhered by a ring
of adhesive 620 to the flexible bag 600 so as to cover the hole 608
disposed through the first sidewall 602.
[0047] When a pressure differential is applied across the valve
element by, for example, placing the nozzle of an evacuation device
adjacent the first sidewall 602 about the valve element, the top
layer 614 can be partially displaced from the base layer 612
thereby exposing the aperture 616. Air from the interior volume 606
can pass through the hole 608 and aperture 616 and along the
channel formed between the adhesive strips 618 where the removed
air enters the evacuation device. When the suction force generated
by the evacuation device is removed, the resilient top layer 614
will return to its prior configuration covering and sealing the
aperture 616. The valve element 610 may also contain a viscous
material such as an oil, grease, or lubricant between the two
layers in order to prevent air from reentering the bag. In an
embodiment, base layer 612 may also be a rigid sheet material.
[0048] Illustrated in FIG. 10 is another embodiment of the valve
element 710 that can be attached to the flexible plastic bag 700.
The valve element 710 is a rectangular piece of flexible
thermoplastic film that includes a first end 712 and a second end
714. The valve element 710 is attached to the first sidewall 702 so
as to cover and seal a hole 708 disposed through the first
sidewall. The valve element 710 can be attached to the sidewall 702
by patches of adhesive 718 placed on either side of the hole 708 so
as to correspond to the first and second ends 712, 714. When the
nozzle attached to an evacuation device is placed adjacent the
first sidewall 702 about the valve element 710, air from the
internal volume 706 displaces the flexible valve element 710 so as
to unseal the hole 708. After evacuation of air from the internal
volume 706, the valve element 710 will again cover and seal the
hole 708.
[0049] All references, including publications, patent applications,
and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to
the same extent as if each reference were individually and
specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set
forth in its entirety herein.
[0050] The use of the terms "a" and "an" and "the" and similar
referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in
the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover
both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein
or clearly contradicted by context. The terms "comprising,"
"having," "including," and "containing" are to be construed as
open-ended terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not limited to,")
unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are
merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring
individually to each separate value falling within the range,
unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is
incorporated into the specification as if it were individually
recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in
any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise
clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples,
or exemplary language (e.g., "such as") provided herein, is
intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not
pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise
claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as
indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of
the invention.
[0051] Preferred embodiments of this invention are described
herein, including the best mode known to the inventor(s) for
carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred
embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the
art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventor(s) expect
skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the
inventor(s) intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than
as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention
includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter
recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable
law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in
all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention
unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted
by context.
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