U.S. patent application number 12/954062 was filed with the patent office on 2012-05-24 for storage container with vacuum.
Invention is credited to Andrew E. Lituchy.
Application Number | 20120128274 12/954062 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46064451 |
Filed Date | 2012-05-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120128274 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lituchy; Andrew E. |
May 24, 2012 |
STORAGE CONTAINER WITH VACUUM
Abstract
A device comprising a first unidirectional flow valve not
substantially in contact with ambient air, a second unidirectional
flow valve whose air-flows terminate in ambient air and an
elastically resilient chamber coupling the first unidirectional
flow valve to the second unidirectional flow valve to permit
air-flow from the first unidirectional flow valve to the ambient.
Intermittent application of pressure to the chamber moves air from
the first unidirectional flow valve to the second unidirectional
flow valve.
Inventors: |
Lituchy; Andrew E.; (Rosyln
Heights, NY) |
Family ID: |
46064451 |
Appl. No.: |
12/954062 |
Filed: |
November 24, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
383/100 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 81/2038 20130101;
B65B 31/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
383/100 |
International
Class: |
B65D 33/01 20060101
B65D033/01 |
Claims
1. A device, comprising: a first unidirectional flow valve coupled
to a substantially air-tight container; a second unidirectional
flow valve external of said container; and an elastically resilient
wall completely circumscribing flow from said first unidirectional
flow valve to said second unidirectional flow valve.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein intermittent application of
pressure to said elastically resilient wall expels air from said
first unidirectional flow valve.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein intermittent application of
pressure to said elastically resilient wall expels air from said
second unidirectional flow valve.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein intermittent application of
pressure to said elastically resilient wall moves air from said
substantially air-tight container and expels said air from said
second unidirectional flow valve.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein said elastically resilient wall
is coupled to a portion of said first unidirectional flow valve
external to said air tight container.
6. The device of claim 1, wherein said elastically resilient wall
is integrated with said substantially air-tight container.
7. The device of claim 6, wherein said elastically resilient wall
is integrated with an external surface of said substantially
air-tight container.
8. The device of claim 6, wherein said elastically resilient wall
is integrated with an internal surface of said substantially
air-tight container.
9. The device of claim 1, wherein said elastically resilient wall
comprises material selected from the group consisting of rubbers,
plastics and shape memory plastics.
10. The device of claim 1, wherein said container is a food storage
bag.
11. (canceled)
12. (canceled)
13. (canceled)
14. (canceled)
15. (canceled)
16. (canceled)
17. (canceled)
18. (canceled)
19. (canceled)
20. (canceled)
21. An improved device for creating flow out of a container having
a unidirectional flow valve coupled to a substantially air-tight
container, wherein the improvement comprises a secondary
unidirectional flow valve coupled to an elastically resilient wall
external of said container, said wall configured to completely
circumscribe flow from said unidirectional flow valve to said
secondary unidirectional flow valve.
22. The improvement of claim 21, wherein said container is a food
storage bag.
23. The improvement of claim 21, wherein intermittent application
of pressure to said elastically resilient wall induces flow out of
said unidirectional flow valve.
24. The improvement of claim 23, wherein intermittent application
of pressure to said elastically resilient wall induces flow out of
said secondary unidirectional flow valve.
25. A method of inducing flow from a container, comprising the
steps of: activating a first unidirectional flow valve coupled to
said container wherein fluid from said container substantially
travels to an elastically resilient wall external of said container
comprising a second unidirectional flow valve; and, activating said
second unidirectional flow valve, wherein fluid substantially exits
out from within said wall.
26. The method of claim 25, further comprising intermittently
applying pressure to said elastically resilient wall to
substantially remove all fluid in said container.
27. The method of claim 25, wherein activating said second
unidirectional flow valve substantially closes an openable portion
of said container.
28. The method of claim 27, wherein activating said second
unidirectional flow valve substantially closes all openable
portions of said container.
29. The method of claim 25, wherein upon activating said first
unidirectional flow valve, substantially all the fluid from said
container travels to said elastically resilient wall.
30. The method of claim 29, wherein filling of said elastically
resilient wall activates said second unidirectional flow valve so
that fluid substantially exits out from within said wall.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Disclosed are embodiments of the invention which relate to,
among other things, vacuum air-removal from storage containers.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Convenient removal of air from storage containers, such as,
for example, plastic food storage bags, helps prevent spoliation of
the contents remaining therein for long periods of time.
[0003] Reliance on equipment that must be separated from storage
containers after attempting to vacuum seal the same is cumbersome
and costly to consumers and manufacturers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Vacuum sealing of a storage container being effected via a
device comprising a first unidirectional flow valve coupled to a
substantially air-tight container, a second unidirectional flow
valve and an elastically resilient wall completely circumscribing
flow from the first unidirectional flow valve to the second
unidirectional flow valve. Intermittent application of pressure to
the wall removes air from the storage container.
[0005] Vacuum sealing of a storage container being effected via a
device comprising a first unidirectional flow valve not
substantially in contact with ambient air, a second unidirectional
flow valve whose air-flows terminate in ambient air and an
elastically resilient chamber coupling the first unidirectional
flow valve to the second unidirectional flow valve to permit
air-flow from said first unidirectional flow valve to the ambient.
Intermittent application of pressure to the chamber removes air
from the storage container.
[0006] Vacuum sealing of a food storage container being effected
via a device comprising a first unidirectional flow valve coupled
to a food storage container, a second unidirectional flow valve and
an elastically resilient chamber coupling the first unidirectional
flow valve to the second unidirectional flow valve, wherein
intermittent application of pressure to the chamber removes air
from the food storage bag.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 illustrates a storage container with a vacuum
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0008] FIG. 2 illustrates one profile view of a storage container
with a vacuum according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
[0009] FIG. 3 illustrates operation of a storage container with a
vacuum according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
[0010] FIG. 4 illustrates another profile view of a storage
container with a vacuum and operation of the same according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0011] FIGS. 5 illustrates yet another profile view of a storage
container with a vacuum and operation of the same according to
exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 6 illustrates another storage container with a vacuum
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate vacuum air-removal mechanisms
according to other exemplary embodiments of the present
invention.
[0014] FIG. 9 illustrates another vacuum air-removal mechanism
according to other exemplary embodiments of the present
invention.
[0015] In the drawings like characters of reference indicate
corresponding parts in the different figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates a vacuum storage container 100 which may
comprise a container 7 with sides 10 and 20. In one embodiment, the
container 7 of the vacuum storage container 100 may be a plastic
storage bag, such as, for example, a Ziploc.RTM. storage bag.
Alternatively, such a container may be made of aluminum foil, cling
wrap, plastic, fabric, Mylar.RTM. or paper. A container 7 may have
at least edges 5 and 6 which, when in contact with one another,
permit substantially no air loss from within the volume encompassed
between sides 10 and 20. Where the container 7 of vacuum storage
container 100 is a Ziploc.RTM. bag, the zipping portions of the bag
(e.g., portions 5 and 6 of an exemplary container 7) may seal air
between the walls formed by the opposing pieces of plastic making
up the bag (e.g., sides 10 and 20 of an exemplary container 7).
Container 7 may be fabricated according to any means known to those
skilled in the art.
[0017] According to one embodiment of FIG. 1, vacuum chamber 30 is
integrated with the outer wall 10 of container 7. Vacuum chamber 30
may have an outer surface 33 that intersects the surface 10 of
container 7 at section 36. Section 36 may be the site of any type
of substantially air-tight seal between a surface of container 7
and material comprising vacuum chamber 30 that may be effected by
means known to those skilled in the art, such as, for example, heat
molding, application of adhesive(s), chemical bonding, welding,
etc. Vacuum chamber 30 may have a thickness defined by the material
between inner surface 34 and outer surface 33. Vacuum chamber 30
may be made out of any resilient material possessing elasticity to
substantially return to a previous expanded volume upon application
and release of pressure on its surface 33, e.g., shape memory
plastic, rubber.
[0018] Referring again to FIG. 1, air located between sealed walls
10 and 20 of container 7 communicates with the space under surface
33 of vacuum chamber 30 via a one-way fluid flow valve 40
integrated into the wall 10 of container 7. Air under surface 33 of
vacuum chamber 30 communicates with the ambient via another one-way
fluid flow valve 50. Flow valves of this type and function are
known to those skilled in the art, for example, those of the type
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,450,963, the disclosures of which are
incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Although the
illustrated embodiments show a particular number of flow valves
40/50, the present invention may make use of any number of fluid
flow valves 40 and 50 depending on the needs and uses of the vacuum
storage container 100.
[0019] In an exemplary flow valve arrangement according to FIG. 1,
a fluid inlet 11 of flow valve 40 may only be in contact with air
within sealed container 7 (e.g., inside of wall 10). A valve
integration region 15 is the area around which container 7 holds
flow valve 40. Fluid exit 12 of flow valve 40 may only be in
contact with the space under surface 33 of vacuum chamber 30. The
air in vacuum chamber 30 may only be in contact with inlet 31 of
flow valve 50. Valve integration region 35 may be the area around
which vacuum chamber 30 holds flow valve 50. Finally, valve exit 32
may only be in contact with the ambient air outside of sealed
container 7. Those skilled in the art would recognize that the
size, shape, orientation and locations of the portions of flow
valves 40 and 50 may be modified to accommodate any particular
container or vacuum chamber according to the desired need. For
example, in storing liquids, it may be preferable to place flow
valve 40 near the opening of container 7 so as to avoid contact
with the liquid fluid when removing air from the container 7.
Alternatively, the fluid inlets and outlets of the flow valves may
be flush with the walls of the material in which they are
integrated.
[0020] FIG. 2 illustrates a profile view of the vacuum storage
container 100 according to another exemplary embodiment of the
present invention. Wall 10 of container 7 is shown with flow valve
40 extending through its surface. Surface 11 is flush with the
inside of wall 10 while a region of the flow valve 40, integration
region 15, is integrated with wall 10 so as not to permit
substantial losses of air other than through flow valve 40.
Integration region 15 may be molded within the thickness of wall 10
by any means known to those skilled in the art. Exit 12 of flow
valve 40 opens into space surrounded by surface 34 of vacuum
chamber 30. Air-flow through valve 40 may remain within inner
surface 34 of vacuum chamber 30 until pressure is applied to outer
surface 33 of vacuum chamber 30. Such pressure would move air under
surface 34 through at least one flow valve 50. Prior to application
of pressure on surface 33, air within vacuum chamber 30 may remain
substantially near inlet 31 of flow valve 50. Once pressure is
applied to surface 33 of vacuum chamber 30, air-flows through the
inlet 31 and out of vacuum chamber 30 at flow valve exit 32 of flow
valve 50. Like flow valve 40, flow valve 50 may be integrated
within the thickness between inner surface 34 and outer surface 33
of vacuum chamber 30 by any means known to those skilled in the
art.
[0021] FIG. 3 illustrates one exemplary form of operation of the
present invention. According to the illustrative embodiment of FIG.
3, pressure (P.sub.B) applied to container 7 on wall 10 and/or 20
may cause air 1 to enter flow valve 40 and exit into vacuum chamber
30. Air 1 will remain in vacuum chamber 30 until sufficient
pressure (P.sub.S) is generated either externally on surface 33 or
internally by surface 34. When an external pressure P.sub.S is
applied, air 1 will be forced into an exit stream 2 through flow
valve 50 and into ambient 3. When vacuum chamber 30 reaches maximum
capacity under surface 34, the resiliency of vacuum chamber 30's
material may put pressure P.sub.S on any existing air 1 to force
any additional air 2 through flow valve 50 and into the ambient 3.
According to this embodiment, vacuum storage container 100
functions with pressures applied to both the container walls 10
and/or 20 and the vacuum chamber 30. A combination of these applied
pressures may further seal container 7 to achieve optimal air-tight
sealing of the contents therein, e.g., creation of a vacuum within
container 7 further causes sealing of walls 10 and/or 20 and/or
edges 5/6.
[0022] In the illustrative embodiment of the present invention
according to FIG. 4, application of external pressure P.sub.S on
surface 33 of vacuum chamber 30 moves whatever pre-existing air 1
volume within vacuum chamber 30 out of flow valve 50 and into the
ambient 3. As the resilient material of vacuum chamber 30 allows
surface 33 to revert to its original shape and allow vacuum chamber
30 to substantially regain its prior volume (e.g., space under
surface 34 before application of external pressure P.sub.S), air 1
from within the sealed walls 10 and 20 of container 7 is drawn
through flow valve 40 and into vacuum chamber 30. By repeating the
same application and removal of external pressure to surface 33 of
vacuum chamber 30, vacuum chamber 30 will remove air 1 from within
container 7 and place it into the ambient 3. According to this
embodiment, vacuum chamber 30 is integrated with any region of flow
valve 40 apart from wall 10 of container 7 (e.g., surface of flow
valve 40 from integration region 15 to valve exit 12) such that
section 36 and a portion of flow valve 40 are coupled so that
substantially no air may be lost during intermittent pressure
application to vacuum chamber 30. Repetition of application and
removal of pressure to vacuum chamber 30 may also serve to tighten
the seal in container 7 thereby increasing the substantial
air-tight seal previously used to substantially enclose air 1
within the walls and/or edges of container 7.
[0023] The illustrative embodiment of the present invention
depicted in FIG. 4 may be fabricated by molding or sealing the
vacuum chamber 30 material about a flow valve 50 and the external
portions of flow valve 40 (e.g., surface of flow valve 40 from
integration region 15 to valve exit 12). The remaining surface of
flow valve 40 not connected to vacuum chamber 30 may be similarly
integrated with a container 7 using known processes in the art.
Those skilled in the art may recognize other forms of substantial
air-tight coupling which may be used in any of the aforementioned
fabrication processes, such as, but not limited to, molding,
adhering, welding, or chemical bonding.
[0024] FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment wherein the
vacuum chamber 30 is disposed inside sealed container 7. As
similarly described with respect to the operation of the exemplary
embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, compression on surface 33, by
virtue of pressure P.sub.S/B being placed on a wall of container 7,
causes vacuum chamber 30 to expel air 1 located therein by moving
air 1 in a stream of air 2 through flow valve 50 out of container 7
and into ambient 3. As inner surface 34 of vacuum chamber 30
substantially regains its prior size and volume, air 1 from within
container 7 is brought through flow valve 40 and inside vacuum
chamber 30 where it cannot exit back into container 7. According to
this embodiment, vacuum chamber 30's internal positioning reduces
the overall size of vacuum storage container 100. Similar to the
exemplary embodiments illustrated with respect to FIG. 4, repeated
application and removal of pressure to vacuum chamber 30 may also
tighten the air seal of the walls and/or edges of container 7.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 6, vacuum chamber 30 may be integrated
with container 7 in a way which does not substantially add to
container 7's shape and size. FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of
the invention where vacuum chamber 30 makes up a corner of
container 7 but otherwise does not impede the sealing of container
7's walls 10 and 20 at edges 5 and 6. As previously described,
vacuum chamber 30 is integrated with container 7 at section 36
(e.g., by molding, chemical bonding, adhesives). In similar fashion
to FIGS. 1-3, valves 40 and 50 are integrated (e.g., at integration
region 15 and 35 respectfully) to allow for air to be transferred
from within container 7 into vacuum chamber 30 (from valve 40
surface 11 through valve 40 exit 12) and from vacuum chamber 30 to
the ambient (from valve 50 surface 31 through valve 50 exit 32). As
shown in FIG. 6, surface 33 of vacuum chamber 30 may be shaped to
appear as the corner of container 7. It is also envisioned that
surface 33 may be shaped in any fashion to comply with container
7's pre-vacuum chamber appearance. In this way the benefits and
advantages of vacuum chamber 30 may be enjoyed without loss of the
normal operation of container 7. Fabrication of vacuum chambers 30
of the type depicted in FIG. 6 may be achieved in like fashion to
those methods described previously with reference to the other
exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
[0026] FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a vacuum mechanism 200 for use on
storage containers. In an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, a vacuum mechanism 200 may comprise a clamp 60 whose
interlocking edges 65 and 66 create substantially air-tight
conditions within an interior cavity of claim 60. At least one
air-flow space 67 may be provided to allow air from within a
clamped container 7 to exit into the otherwise substantially
air-tight cavity of clamp 60.
[0027] Interlocking edges 65 and 66 may be molded in a
complementary manner to substantially reduce the risk of air loss
around air-flow space 67 when clamp 60 is clamped on container 7.
Flow valves 40 may be disposed on either jaw of clamp 60 so as to
allow any available air-flowing from a container 7 to flow there
through. Integrated on either clamp jaw may be at least one vacuum
chamber 30 whose wall contains a flow valve 50 permitting air
within vacuum chamber 30 to only exit out of the substantially
air-tight cavity formed by sealed clamp 60. Operating a vacuum
chamber 30 according to the exemplary methods of operation of the
illustrative embodiments described with respect to FIGS. 3 and 4
above, vacuum mechanism 200 may be used to remove air from a
container 7 on which it is clamped.
[0028] FIG. 9 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a vacuum
mechanism 200 for use on storage containers according to the
present invention. As depicted, a clamp 60 may lock container 7
within its edges 65 and 66 such that the interior space of clamp 60
is substantially air-tight. The interlocking clamp 60 edges, 65 and
66, may provide an air-flow space 67 which edges 5/6 of container 7
are able to remain open to allow fluid communication between
container 7 and the interior of clamp 60. Unidirectional flow valve
40 may permit air trapped within clamp 60/container 7 to flow into
vacuum chamber 30 according to the exemplary operating methods
described above with respect to the illustrative embodiments of the
present invention depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4. In similar fashion to
previously described embodiments, application of pressure P.sub.S
to the outer surface of vacuum chamber 30 may push pre-existing air
1 located in vacuum chamber 30 through unidirectional valve 50. The
stream of air 2 may only be able to exit through valve 50 into the
ambient 3. As vacuum chamber 30 regains its pre-existing volume,
air 1 from within container 7 and/or clamp 60 fills the now vacant
space within the volume of vacuum chamber 30 (e.g., by way of
vacuum effect). Continued repetition of application of pressure to
vacuum chamber 30 thereby removes the remaining air 1 located
within container 7.
[0029] An exemplary clamp 60 according the embodiments of vacuum
mechanism 200 depicted in FIGS. 7-9 may be fabricated from any
suitable material with the ability to maintain substantially
air-tight seals. Those skilled in the art would recognize numerous
materials and constructs capable of fulfilling the objectives of
clamp 60 according to the exemplary embodiments of the present
invention depicted in FIGS. 7-9.
[0030] Many further variations and modifications will suggest
themselves to those skilled in the art upon making reference to the
above disclosure and foregoing illustrative embodiments, which are
given by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the
scope and spirit of the invention described herein.
* * * * *