U.S. patent application number 13/137947 was filed with the patent office on 2012-04-26 for vacuum compression storage bags.
This patent application is currently assigned to S. C. JOHNSON & SON, INC.. Invention is credited to Leland J. Smith, Stacey M. Stanley, Robert R. Turvey.
Application Number | 20120099806 13/137947 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45956804 |
Filed Date | 2012-04-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120099806 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Turvey; Robert R. ; et
al. |
April 26, 2012 |
Vacuum compression storage bags
Abstract
There is disclosed an improved stand-off for large vacuum
compression storage bags made from a thermoplastic material such as
polyethylene or other thermoplastic material and preferably made by
extrusion. The stand-off includes a base having an aperture therein
for alignment with the valve of the bag. The base further includes
a plurality of ribs. The stand-off may include a variety of
geometries provided that it is of sufficient length and width to
cover the valve area. It may extend from one side of the bag to the
other side of the bag or include variations thereof in size.
Inventors: |
Turvey; Robert R.; (Sanford,
MI) ; Smith; Leland J.; (Midland, MI) ;
Stanley; Stacey M.; (Essexville, MI) |
Assignee: |
S. C. JOHNSON & SON,
INC.
Racine
WI
|
Family ID: |
45956804 |
Appl. No.: |
13/137947 |
Filed: |
September 22, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61344831 |
Oct 20, 2010 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
383/44 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 31/047 20130101;
B65D 81/2023 20130101; B65D 2205/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
383/44 |
International
Class: |
B65D 30/24 20060101
B65D030/24 |
Claims
1. A vacuum compression storage bag comprising: first flexible wall
panel and second flexible wall panel coupled together to form a bag
with opposing sealed side edges, a sealed bottom end, an open top
end, a closure mechanism near said top end adapted to close said
bag, and an air evacuation valve positioned in said first flexible
wall panel, said valve having an aperture therein, a stand-off
affixed to an inside wall of said first flexible wall panel
adjacent to said air evacuation valve, said stand-off comprising an
extruded thermoplastic material having greater rigidity than said
first flexible wall panel and having a base, an aperture in said
base and a plurality of ribs wherein said ribs do not cover said
aperture in said base, and wherein said aperture in said valve and
said aperture in said base are adapted to be in substantial
alignment and said stand-off completely covers said valve.
2. A vacuum compression storage bag according to claim 1 wherein
said plurality of ribs extend from said base inwardly toward a
storage area of said bag.
3. A vacuum compression storage bag according to claim 1 wherein
said plurality of ribs extend from said base toward said inside
wall of said first flexible wall panel.
4. A vacuum compression storage bag according to claim 3 wherein
said plurality of ribs form grooves between said ribs and said
grooves include a plurality of apertures therein adapted to aid in
an evacuation of air from said bag.
5. A vacuum compression storage bag according to claim 1 wherein
said valve comprises a label valve.
6. A vacuum compression storage bag according to claim 5 wherein
said label valve comprises a thermoplastic base layer having a hole
or slit therein and a top thermoplastic layer adhered to said base
layer.
7. A vacuum compression storage bag according to claim 1 wherein
said bag dimensions are in the range of about 18 inches by 20
inches to about 35 inches by 48 inches.
8. A vacuum compression storage bag according to claim 1 wherein
said extruded thermoplastic material is selected from the group
consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon and
bioplastics.
9. A vacuum compression storage bag according to claim 8 wherein
said first flexible wall panel and said second flexible wall panel
are made from a plastic selected from the group consisting of
polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon and bioplastics.
10. A vacuum compression storage bag according to claim 8 wherein
said stand-off is constructed and arranged to extend from one edge
to an opposite edge of said first flexible wall panel.
11. A vacuum compression storage bag comprising: first flexible
wall panel and second flexible wall panel coupled together to form
a bag with opposing sealed side edges, a sealed bottom end, an open
top end, a closure mechanism near said top end adapted to close
said bag, and an aperture for air evacuation positioned in said
first flexible wall panel, a stand-off affixed to an inside of said
first flexible wall panel adjacent to said air evacuation aperture,
said stand-off comprising an extruded thermoplastic material having
greater rigidity than said first flexible wall panel and having a
base, at least one aperture in said base and a plurality of ribs
wherein said ribs do not cover said at least one aperture in said
base, and wherein said at least one aperture in said base of said
stand-off is adapted to be adjacent to said air evacuation aperture
in said bag and said stand-off completely covers said air
evacuation aperture in said first flexible wall panel.
12. A vacuum compression storage bag according to claim 11 wherein
said plurality of ribs extend from said base inwardly toward a
storage area of said bag.
13. A vacuum compression storage bag according to claim 12 wherein
said at least one aperture comprises two apertures symmetrically
adjacent to said air evacuation aperture in said first flexible
wall panel.
14. A vacuum compression storage bag according to claim 11 wherein
said extruded thermoplastic material is selected from the group
consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon and
bioplastics.
15. A vacuum compression storage bag according to claim 14 wherein
said flexible wall panels are made from a plastic selected from the
group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon and
bioplastics.
16. A vacuum compression storage bag according to claim 13 wherein
said stand-off is constructed and arranged to extend from one edge
to an opposite edge of said first flexible wall panel.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 61/344,831 filed Oct. 20, 2010 entitled
"VACUUM COMPRESSION STORAGE BAGS".
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to vacuum compression storage
bags. More specifically, the invention is directed to large vacuum
compression storage bags for clothing and other items which include
a stand-off for optimizing the air flow and evacuation of air from
the bag.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Vacuum compression storage bags are known in the art. For
example, SPACE BAG.RTM. brand vacuum compression storage bags are
commercially available for storage of clothing and other items.
Such storage bags generally include a first side panel and a second
side panel which side panels are sealed at the edges and the bottom
forming the bag having an open top. These bags further include a
re-closable closure mechanism near the top portion of the bag for
opening and closing the bag. The bags further include a valve for
release of air from the storage bag after the bag is filled with
the material to be stored such as disclosed, for example, in U.S.
Pat. No. 6,408,872. Air is removed from the bag by placing a pump
over the valve to remove the air. One shortcoming of such large
vacuum compression storage bags for clothing and other items is the
need to use a rather large and complex injection molded valve. Such
valves increase the cost of manufacture of the bag and the
corresponding cost to the consumer. The complexity of the valve is
often necessary in order to obtain the removal of substantially all
of the air in the bag. The valve will include rigid legs or
protrusions to prevent the valve from contacting the adjacent side
panel of the bag or the items, e.g. clothing, stored in the bag to
avoid inhibiting the air flow and removal of the air from the
bag.
[0004] Referring to FIG. 3, there is illustrated such a prior art
vacuum compression storage bag 100 having a valve 102. When pump P
is placed over valve 102 to evacuate air from bag 100, the air flow
is generally not inhibited when the content C of the bag is
adjacent to the valve due to the size and complexity of the valve,
including the plurality of legs L which are provided to allow
substantially complete evacuation of the air from the bag.
[0005] Accordingly, while the current vacuum compression storage
bags may be useful in storing clothing or other items, there is
room for improvement, including providing a large vacuum
compression storage bag using a simple valve and stand-off which
are easy and inexpensive to manufacture while providing for
substantially complete evacuation of air from the storage bag.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0006] The present invention is directed to large vacuum
compression storage bags for clothing and other items which are
simple and inexpensive to manufacture. The storage bags of the
present invention include a valve and a stand-off for evacuation of
air from the bag after the bag has been closed with the item(s) to
be stored therein. The bags have a first side wall, a second side
wall and a bottom portion which forms the bag and having an open
top portion for receiving and removing items to be stored, such as
clothing, blankets or other items. The bag further includes a
closure mechanism near the open top of the bag, such as a zipper
closure, which provides for a re-closable bag. The bag includes a
one-way valve for evacuation of air from the bag after the material
to be stored has been placed in the bag and the closure mechanism
closed. The air is evacuated using a pump placed over the valve.
The present invention provides for an improved stand-off which will
allow for improved air flow and evacuation of air from the bag.
Various embodiments of the improved stand-off and valve are
disclosed herein.
[0007] The improved stand-off of the invention is made from a
plastic material such as polyethylene or other thermoplastic
material and is preferably made by extrusion. The stand-off
includes a base having an aperture therein for alignment with the
valve. The base further includes a plurality of ribs. The stand-off
may include a variety of geometries. However, the stand-off must be
of sufficient length and width to cover the valve area; it may
extend from one side of the bag to the other side of the bag or
include variations thereof in size. In one embodiment, the standoff
base is adhered to the inside side wall of the bag adjacent to the
valve such that the aperture in the base, the aperture in the bag
and the aperture in the valve are in alignment. The stand-off ribs
extend inwardly toward the storage portion of the bag. When the
pump is placed over the valve to evacuate air, the ribs of the
standoff will maintain space between the side wall to which the
stand-off is adhered and the opposite side wall or maintain space
between the stand-off and the contents of the bag, thereby
providing for improved air flow and evacuation of air from the
bag.
[0008] Another embodiment of the vacuum compression storage bag
using the stand-off of the invention is to have the stand-off
adhered to an inside side wall of the bag with the base facing
toward the storage portion of the bag and the ribs of the stand-off
being adjacent to the inside side wall of the bag and the valve. In
this embodiment, a series of minute apertures are provided in the
grooves between the ribs to aid in evacuation of air from the bag
by the pump. Having the base facing the storage portion of the bag
provides for a flush or smooth contact surface of the stand-off
with the material being stored or with the opposite side wall.
[0009] A further advantage of the stand-off of the invention is
that it provides additional rigidity to the bag at the location of
the valve. If the stand-off extends from one side of the bag to the
other, this provides further rigidity to the bag and to the
aesthetics of the ornamental design of the bag. Additionally, such
rigidity limits the valve protrusion toward the inside of the bag.
This is significant in that if the valve protrudes toward the
inside of the bag, there is convex arching of the bag which results
in the bag remaining taut and inhibiting avenues of airflow through
the valve.
[0010] As discussed above, current valves are pre-made. As an
alternative to using a pre-made valve, the stand-off of the
invention may be modified to function as part of the valve
assembly. Specifically, the bag will include an aperture in the
side wall in the form of a hole or slit. Adjacent thereto on the
inside portion of the side wall, the flat base portion of the
stand-off is adhered to the side wall. The ribs of the stand-off
extend inwardly toward the storage portion of the bag. The
stand-off further includes at least one hole or slit positioned on
the stand-off such that the hole or slit is adjacent the hole or
slit in the bag. Preferably, the stand-off includes two holes or
slits aligned symmetrically on either side of the hole or slit of
the bag. When the pump is placed over the hole or slit in the bag
and the holes and slits of the stand-off, air will be evacuated.
Accordingly, the holes and slits in the stand-off work in
conjunction with the hole or slit in the bag to evacuate the air.
The stand-off, therefore, also functions as part of the valve
assembly.
[0011] The different embodiments of the invention will be apparent
from the following description of the preferred embodiments of the
invention and from the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The following detailed description of specific non-limiting
embodiments of the present invention can be best understood when
read in conjunction with the following drawings, where like
structures are indicated with like reference numbers.
[0013] FIG. 1 is a top perspective exploded view of a portion of a
vacuum compression storage bag illustrating a valve and the
stand-off of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a reverse view of FIG. 1 illustrating an inside
portion of the bag with the stand-off of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a side partial cross-sectional view of a portion
of a prior art bag and valve.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a side partial cross-sectional view generally
taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1 of a vacuum compression storage bag
and the stand-off of the present invention illustrating the
evacuation of air from the bag and the air flow thereof.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a front view of a vacuum compression storage bag
illustrating one embodiment of the stand-off shown in FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a front view of a vacuum compression storage bag
illustrating another embodiment of the stand-off shown in FIG.
1.
[0019] FIG. 7 is a front view of a vacuum compression storage bag
illustrating another embodiment of the stand-off of the present
invention.
[0020] FIG. 8 is a front view of a vacuum compression storage bag
illustrating another embodiment of the stand-off of the present
invention
[0021] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 of
FIG. 7.
[0022] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 10-10 of
FIG. 7.
[0023] FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of a portion of a vacuum
compression storage bag illustrating another embodiment of the
stand-off of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 12 is a reverse view of FIG. 11 illustrating an inside
portion of the bag with the stand-off of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0025] The present invention is directed to large vacuum
compression storage bags which are simple and inexpensive to
manufacture while providing substantially complete evacuation of
air from the bag without the need for a complex and expensive valve
and bag assembly. The storage bag of the invention includes a
simple and inexpensive valve and an improved stand-off which
provides for efficient evacuation of air from the storage bag after
it is filled with the items, e.g. clothing, blankets and other
material, to be stored and closed. The improved stand-off of the
invention is preferably made by extrusion from a plastic material
such as polyethylene. The stand-off is flexible and rigid, i.e. it
has greater thickness than the storage bag walls. Other materials
may also be used for the stand-off such as polypropylene, nylon or
bioplastics.
[0026] Referring generally to FIGS. 5-8, large vacuum compression
storage bags, e.g. in the range of about 18 inches by 20 inches to
about 35 inches to 48 inches, include a first side wall 10, a
second side wall 12 and a bottom portion 14 which forms the bag and
having an open top portion 16 for receiving and removing items to
be stored, such as clothing, blankets or other items. The side
walls and bottom wall are sealed using known sealing techniques
such as heat sealing. The bag may be made of polyethylene,
polypropylene, nylon, bioplastics or like materials. The bag
further includes a closure mechanism 18 near the top of the bag
such as a zipper closure which provides for a re-closable bag.
Zipper closures are known in the art. Such storage bags may include
ribs 20 on the inside of each side wall for gripping to aid in
opening of the bag, although these are not necessary to a good
storage bag.
[0027] The storage bags further include a valve 22 for evacuation
of air from the bag. One type of valve is a label valve and as best
shown in the FIGS. 1 and 4. Label valve assemblies comprise a hole
or slit 24 in the side wall of the bag and a plastic label 26
covering the hole or slit on the outside of the side wall. The
plastic label is sealed to the bag side wall by an adhesive. The
degree of sealing strength may vary. The plastic label 26 further
includes a hole or slit 28. In one preferred embodiment of label
valves, the bag side wall 10 includes an annular slit 24 and the
thermoplastic label 26 includes an annular hole 28 covered by a
separate piece of plastic 29.
[0028] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the improved stand-off 30 of
the present invention is adhered to a first side wall 10 of a
vacuum compression storage bag by thermal welding, adhesives or by
other known bonding means. The stand-off is adjacent valve 22. The
stand-off comprises an extruded thermoplastic material comprised of
polyethylene or other thermoplastic material such as polypropylene,
nylon or bioplastics. The stand-off includes a base 32, aperture 34
and a plurality of ribs 36. In a preferred embodiment, the
stand-off includes three ribs 36 as best shown in FIG. 2. The
stand-off 30 is positioned adjacent to valve 22 such that aperture
34 is in alignment with the apertures 24 and 28 of the valve
assembly. Ribs 36 include rib 36a which has a space 36b at aperture
34. The stand-off 30 must be sufficiently large in dimension to
fully cover the valve 22 and the pump area as shown, for example,
in FIG. 4. As seen in FIG. 5, stand-off 30 may cover only a
segmented portion of the bag side wall or, as shown in FIG. 6, may
extend from one edge of the bag to the other edge of the bag.
[0029] As stated above, the stand-off in a preferred embodiment is
an extruded thermoplastic such as polyethylene. The plastic base
has a thickness generally greater than the thickness of the side
walls 10 and 12 and while flexible provides rigidity to the valve
and stand-off assembly. The ribs 36 may be of different shapes, the
preferred being a rectangular shape as shown in the drawings.
However, other shapes may be used without departing from the scope
of the invention, for example the ribs may have rounded edges. The
ribs dimensions will be relative to the size of the storage bag and
the evacuation of air from the storage bag. Therefore, the
stand-off 30 has greater rigidity than the side walls 10 and 12.
This will provide additional rigidity to the bag at the valve,
thereby providing additional strength to the bag when using the
pump to evacuate air from the bag. Additionally, this will provide
for improved air flow as the valve will not be held too taut when
the pump is placed over the valve.
[0030] As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the base 32 of the stand-off is
adhered to the inside wall of the bag with the ribs 36 facing
inwardly toward the inside storage portion of the bag. Referring to
FIG. 4 which is generally a partial cross-section along line 4-4 of
FIG. 1 and further showing the operation of the invention, when the
pump P is placed over the valve 22, stand-off 30 with ribs 36 will
provide for improved air flow as referenced by the arrows in the
Figure when evacuating air from the bag. Ribs 36 will prevent the
content C of the bag from contacting the stand-off base, thereby
preventing the inhibition of the air flow.
[0031] In an alternative embodiment and referring to FIGS. 11 and
12, the stand-off 30 may be adhered to the side wall of the bag
adjacent the valve (which is not shown in FIG. 11 for simplicity of
illustration) with the ribs 36 in contact with the side wall and
the base portion 32 facing the interior storage area of the bag. In
this embodiment, a series of minute holes or slits 38 are punched
in grooves 39 formed by ribs 36. Such holes and/or slits contribute
to and allow for evacuation of the air. Additionally, air may also
be evacuated from the bag at the ends of the stand-off.
[0032] A further alternative embodiment is stand-off 50 shown in
FIGS. 7 and 8. FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate the same stand-off 50
except for the dimensions of the stand-off, namely FIG. 7 shows the
stand-off covering only a segmented portion of the bag and FIG. 8
shows the stand-off extending from one edge of the bag to the other
edge of the bag. The stand-off 50 is the same as shown in FIGS. 1
and 2 except that instead of aperture 34 it includes two holes or
slits 58 which function as part of the valve assembly as discussed
hereafter. In this embodiment, no pre-made valve is necessary in
the storage bag. Rather, the side wall 10 of the bag includes an
annular hole or slit 11. The stand-off 50 includes holes or slits
58 symmetrically on each side of hole 11. Referring to FIG. 9,
there is shown a cross-section of the stand-off 50 along line 9-9
of FIG. 7 and illustrating bag 10, base 52 and ribs 56. Referring
to FIG. 10, there is shown a cross-section of the stand-off 50
along line 10-10 of FIG. 7 illustrating bag 10, stand-off 50 with
base 52, ribs 56 and hole or slit 58. The stand-off 50 is attached
along its outer longitudinal edges to side wall 10 in order that
the film 10 can bow up and create a path for air to evacuate. When
pump P is placed over hole or slit 11 in the bag and holes or slits
58 in the stand-off, air will be evacuated from the bag through
hole or slit 11 and slits or holes 58 of stand-off 50. Therefore,
this alternative embodiment of the stand-off while providing the
benefits of the stand-off discussed above also functions as part of
the valve assembly. While the preferred embodiment in FIGS. 7 and 8
utilizes two slits or holes 58, it is understood that one slit or
hole or a plurality of slits and holes may be used without
departing from the scope of the invention.
[0033] As seen above, large compression storage bags can be made
using a simple and inexpensive valve based on the improved
stand-offs of the invention. The stand-off of the present invention
provides for improved air flow in evacuating air from a large
vacuum compression storage bag. The stand-off may be used with a
label valve as disclosed herein or with other one-way valves known
in the art. The stand-off also provides additional rigidity to the
bag at the valve which is useful in large storage bags.
[0034] The exemplary embodiments herein disclosed are not intended
to be exhaustive or to unnecessarily limit the scope of the
invention. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in
order to explain the principles of the present invention so that
others skilled in the art may practice the invention. As will be
apparent to one skilled in the art, various modifications can be
made within the scope of the aforesaid description. For example,
while the invention has been disclosed in relation to large storage
bags, it may be useful in smaller vacuum compression storage bags.
Such modifications being within the ability of one skilled in the
art form a part of the present invention and are embraced by the
appended claims.
* * * * *