U.S. patent application number 15/013630 was filed with the patent office on 2016-08-04 for sealable storage bag and related methods.
The applicant listed for this patent is 365-Sports, LLC. Invention is credited to Aaron Brookhart, Daniel Burke, Ken Harris, Brandon Hefer, Justin Snell.
Application Number | 20160221722 15/013630 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56553863 |
Filed Date | 2016-08-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160221722 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Burke; Daniel ; et
al. |
August 4, 2016 |
Sealable Storage Bag and Related Methods
Abstract
An exemplary sealable storage bag for storing articles includes
a bag wall defining a bag interior adapted to receive an article to
be stored, and an opening arranged at a first end of the bag and
communicating with the bag interior. A closure is arranged at the
first end and is operable to substantially hermetically seal the
opening. At least one air outlet valve is arranged in the bag wall
and is operable to release air from the bag interior to an external
environment. The air outlet valve has an open position for allowing
air passage therethrough, and a closed position for blocking air
passage therethrough. The bag wall is collapsible to facilitate
compression of the bag into a compacted state for expelling air
from the bag interior through the air outlet valve in the open
position and when the opening is sealed by the closure. Related
methods of storing articles are also disclosed.
Inventors: |
Burke; Daniel; (Cincinnati,
OH) ; Hefer; Brandon; (St. Louis, MO) ; Snell;
Justin; (St. Louis, MO) ; Harris; Ken; (Saint
Louis, MO) ; Brookhart; Aaron; (St. Louis,
MO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
365-Sports, LLC |
Cincinnati |
OH |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
56553863 |
Appl. No.: |
15/013630 |
Filed: |
February 2, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62111655 |
Feb 3, 2015 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 85/18 20130101;
B65D 81/2023 20130101; B65D 33/24 20130101; B65D 2313/04 20130101;
B65D 2205/02 20130101; B65B 5/045 20130101; B65B 31/00 20130101;
B65B 63/02 20130101; B65B 25/20 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 30/24 20060101
B65D030/24; B65B 63/02 20060101 B65B063/02; B65D 33/24 20060101
B65D033/24 |
Claims
1. A sealable storage bag for storing articles, comprising: a bag
wall defining a bag interior adapted to receive an article to be
stored; an opening arranged at a first end of the bag and
communicating with the bag interior; a closure arranged at the
first end and operable to substantially hermetically seal the
opening; and at least one air outlet valve arranged in the bag wall
and operable to release air from the bag interior to an external
environment, the at least one air outlet valve having an open
position for allowing air passage therethrough and a closed
position for blocking air passage therethrough, wherein the bag
wall is collapsible to facilitate compression of the bag into a
compacted state for expelling air from the bag interior through the
air outlet valve in the open position and when the opening is
sealed by the closure.
2. The sealable storage bag of claim 1, wherein the closure
includes at least one sealing strip extending across the
opening.
3. The sealable storage bag of claim 2, wherein the at least one
sealing strip includes first and second sealing members that
releasably engage one another to seal the opening.
4. The sealable storage bag of claim 3, wherein the first sealing
member is provided on a first inner surface of the bag wall and the
second sealing member is provided on an opposed second inner
surface of the bag wall.
5. The sealable storage bag of claim 1, wherein the at least one
sealing strip includes a zip-locking strip.
6. The sealable storage bag of claim 1, wherein the at least one
sealing strip includes a magnetic-locking strip.
7. The sealable storage bag of claim 1, wherein the at least one
sealing strip includes first and second sealing strips spaced apart
from one another, each of the first and second sealing strips
configured to independently substantially hermetically seal the
opening.
8. The sealable storage bag of claim 1, wherein the at least one
air outlet valve is arranged at a second end of the bag spaced from
the first end.
9. The sealable storage bag of claim 1, wherein the at least one
air outlet valve includes a one-way degassing valve that is biased
toward the closed position.
10. The sealable storage bag of claim 1, wherein the at least one
air outlet valve includes first and second ferromagnetic members
that bias the at least one air outlet valve toward the closed
position.
11. The sealable storage bag of claim 1, further comprising: a flap
coupled to an outer surface of the bag wall and being foldable
about the closure; and a securing mechanism having a first securing
member provided on an outer surface of the bag wall and a second
securing member provided on the flap, the first and second securing
members being releasably engagable to secure the flap about the
closure.
12. The sealable storage bag of claim 11, wherein the first
securing member includes a first hook-loop fastener strip and the
second securing member includes a complementary second hook-loop
fastener strip.
13. The sealable storage bag of claim 1, wherein the bag wall is
formed from a thermoplastic material.
14. A method of storing an article in a sealable storage bag having
an air outlet valve, the method comprising: inserting the article
into a bag interior through an opening at a first end of the bag;
closing the opening to form a substantially hermetic seal at the
first end; and compressing the bag to expel air from the bag
interior to an external environment through the air outlet valve in
an open position, wherein the air outlet valve has an open position
for allowing air passage therethrough and a closed position for
blocking air passage therethrough, and the bag is substantially
maintained in a compacted state when the air outlet valve is in the
closed position after the bag has been compressed.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein compressing the bag includes at
least one of rolling or folding the bag at its first end in a
direction toward the air outlet valve.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the air outlet valve is
arranged at a second end of the bag spaced from the first end, and
compressing the bag includes at least one of rolling or folding the
bag at its first end toward and substantially to the second
end.
17. The method of claim 14, wherein the bag includes a sealing
strip extending across the opening, and closing the opening
includes releasably engaging first and second sealing members of
the sealing strip to form the substantially hermetic seal.
18. The method of claim 14, wherein the air outlet valve is a
one-way degassing valve biased toward the closed position, and
compressing the bag includes applying a compression force to the
bag sufficient to generate an air pressure in the bag interior that
forces the air outlet valve into the open position to expel air
therethrough, the method further comprising: releasing the
compression force from the bag to allow the air outlet valve to
return to the closed position without manually manipulating the air
outlet valve, so that the bag is substantially maintained in a
compacted state.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 62/111,655, filed Feb. 3, 2015, the disclosure
of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its
entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates generally to storage
containers, and more particularly, to storage bags.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Growing societal interest in healthy living and exercise
generates a corresponding demand for accessories that facilitate
active lifestyles. Individuals who participate in physical
activities often have a need to store personal articles, such as
soiled clothing or electronic devices, in a container that is both
portable and inhibits exposure of the stored articles to other
objects nearby and the surrounding environment.
[0004] Collapsible bags having carrying straps or handles (commonly
referred to as "gym" or "sports" bags, for example) are the most
commonly used type of container for storing personal articles in
connection with physical activities. However, such conventional
bags are deficient in various ways for isolating the stored
articles from unwanted exposure to other objects and the
environment in the immediate area. For example, when used to store
soiled articles, many bags fail to effectively isolate the soiled
articles and their unpleasant odors from contaminating other
personal articles located inside of or near the bag, such as clean
clothing, electronic devices, and toiletries.
[0005] Additionally, such bags are often formed of materials and
with closures that fail to adequately prevent unpleasant odors and
moisture from transferring through the bag. For example, many bags
are formed of porous fabric and mesh materials that facilitate air
transfer into and out of the bag so that soiled articles stored in
the bag may "breath" or "air out." Further, such fabric materials
often undesirably absorb moisture and odors from soiled articles,
and become a breeding ground for bacteria that can be spread to the
external environment.
[0006] Moreover, such bags are often formed with conventional
draw-string or zipper closures that are similarly deficient at
blocking air passage therethrough, and thereby allow unpleasant
odors to flow out of or into the bag. Thus, even if soiled articles
are separated from other articles within a larger bag by storing
the soiled articles within a smaller bag, the risk of contaminating
the other articles via direct contact or exposure to unpleasant
odors leaking from the smaller bag remains. Further, because the
closures and materials of such smaller bags allow air transfer
therethrough, the bags remain bulky and space-consuming.
[0007] Accordingly, there is a need for improvements to reusable
collapsible bags to address present shortcomings such as those
described above.
SUMMARY
[0008] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a
sealable storage bag for storing articles includes a bag wall
defining a bag interior adapted to receive an article to be stored,
and an opening arranged at a first end of the bag and communicating
with the bag interior. A closure is arranged at the first end and
is operable to substantially hermetically seal the opening. At
least one air outlet valve is arranged in the bag wall and is
operable to release air from the bag interior to an external
environment. The air outlet valve has an open position for allowing
air passage therethrough, and a closed position for blocking air
passage therethrough. The bag wall is collapsible to facilitate
compression of the bag into a compacted state for expelling air
from the bag interior through the air outlet valve in the open
position and when the opening is sealed by the closure.
[0009] In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method
is provided for storing an article in a sealable storage bag having
an air outlet valve. The method includes inserting the article into
a bag interior through an opening at a first end of the bag,
closing the opening to form a substantially hermetic seal at the
first end, and compressing the bag to expel air from the bag
interior to an external environment through the air outlet valve in
an open position. The air outlet valve has an open position for
allowing air passage therethrough, and a closed position for
blocking air passage therethrough. The bag is substantially
maintained in a compacted state when the air outlet valve is in the
closed position after the bag has been compressed.
[0010] Various additional features and advantages of the invention
will become more apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art
upon review of the following detailed description of one or more
illustrative embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings. The drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a
part of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of
the invention and, together with the general description given
above and the detailed description given below, serve to explain
the one or more embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sealable storage bag
according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
[0012] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the storage bag of FIG. 1
being loaded with an article.
[0013] FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the storage bag of FIG. 1
loaded with an article, shown in phantom, and showing closure of a
closure flap at a top end of the bag.
[0014] FIG. 3A is a side cross-sectional view of the storage bag of
FIG. 1 during loading of an article, showing details of a bag
closure in the form of first and second sealing strips.
[0015] FIG. 3B is a side cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 3A,
showing the bag loaded and the first and second sealing strips each
in a sealed state.
[0016] FIG. 3C is a side cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 3B,
showing the top end of the bag folded over to expose the closure
flap.
[0017] FIG. 3D is a side cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 3C,
showing the closure flap folded over the top end of the bag to
engage a first securing member with a second securing member.
[0018] FIG. 3E is a side cross-sectional view showing rolling of
the loaded and sealed storage bag from its top end toward its
bottom end to expel air from the bag interior out through air
outlet valves.
[0019] FIG. 3F is a side cross-sectional view showing the loaded
bag in a compacted state in which air has been removed from the bag
interior.
[0020] FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view showing a storage bag
according to another exemplary embodiment in which the bag closure
is in the form of a magnetic-lock sealing strip.
[0021] FIG. 5 is an exploded, enlarged perspective view of an air
outlet valve according to another exemplary embodiment in which the
valve is magnetic.
[0022] FIG. 6A is a side cross-sectional view of the magnetic air
outlet valve of FIG. 5, showing the magnetic valve in a closed
position.
[0023] FIG. 6B is a side cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 6A,
showing the magnetic valve in an open position for expelling air
from the bag interior.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] Referring to the Figures, and beginning with FIGS. 1 and 2,
a sealable storage bag 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of
the invention is shown. As described below, the storage bag 10 may
be used to store various types of personal articles, such as
electronics or soiled clothing for example, and to isolate the
stored articles from an external environment.
[0025] The exemplary storage bag 10 includes a top end 12, a bottom
end 14 spaced from the top end 12, a first side edge 16, and a
second side edge 18 spaced from first side edge 16. A bag wall of
the storage bag 10 is formed by a front wall 20 and a back wall 22
coupled to one another, along their outer edges to form the first
side edge 16, the second side edge 18, and the bottom end 14 of the
bag 10. For example, the front and back walls 20, 22 may be
permanently bonded to one another, such as through thermo-welding
or any other bonding method suitable to create an airtight
connection. The front and back walls 20, 22 are left uncoupled at
their top edges, thereby defining a bag opening 24 that provides
access to a bag interior 26 formed between the front and back walls
20, 22, as best shown in FIG. 2. In exemplary embodiments, the bag
wall is flexible or otherwise collapsible to facilitate compression
and compaction of the bag 10, described below.
[0026] A closure 28 is arranged at the top end 12 of the bag 10 and
is operable to substantially hermetically seal the bag opening 24.
As used herein, the term "substantially hermetically" means
substantially airtight. In this regard, persons of ordinary skill
in the art will appreciate that even when the closure 28 is sealed
with the intent of the seal being completely airtight, miniscule
amounts of air may pass through the sealed closure 28 over time
without unduly comprising the ability of the bag 10 to isolate an
article stored within the bag 10 from an external environment, or
otherwise unduly compromising an air-evacuated state of the bag
10.
[0027] In an exemplary embodiment, the closure 28 may include one
or more sealing strips for forming the substantially hermetic seal
at the bag opening 24. As shown best in FIGS. 2A and 3A-3D, the
closure 28 of exemplary storage bag 10 includes sealing strips in
the form of first and second zip-locking strips 30, 32, spaced
apart from one another. Each of the zip-locking strips 30, 32
includes an upper zip-lock member 34 arranged on an inside surface
of the front wall 20, and a lower zip-lock member 36 arranged on an
inside surface of the back wall 22 so as to confront the upper
zip-lock member 34. As shown, the upper zip-lock members 34 may
have male configurations, and the lower zip-lock members 36 may
have complementary female configurations adapted to releasably and
sealingly engage the male configurations to form the substantially
hermetic seal. A reverse male-female configuration of upper and
lower zip-lock members 34, 36 is also possible.
[0028] Each of the first and second zip-locking strips 30, 32 is
sealingly engagable to substantially hermetically seal the bag
opening 24 independently from the other zip-locking strip 30, 32.
Accordingly, the dual configuration of first and second sealing
strips 30, 32 advantageously enhances the substantially hermetic
nature of the seal achieved by the closure 28. It will be
appreciated that the closure 28 may be constructed with various
alternative quantities and configurations of sealing strips, such
as that described below in connection with FIG. 4, for example.
[0029] With continued reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the storage bag
10 may further include a closure flap 38 at the top end the bag 10,
the closure flap 38 being coupled to an outer surface of the back
wall 22 and extending outwardly beyond the front and back walls 20,
22 in a direction away from the bottom end 14. As described in
greater below in connection with FIGS. 2B-3D, the closure flap 38
may be folded over the sealed closure 28 and secured with a
securing mechanism, shown in the form of first and second securing
strips 40, 42 that releasably engage one another. The first
securing strip 40 is arranged on an outer surface of the front wall
20 near the top end 12, and spaced from the closure 28 toward the
bottom end 14. As best shown in FIGS. 2B and 3B, the second
securing strip 42 is arranged on the closure flap 38 at a position
spaced from the closure 28, toward the top end 12. The first and
second securing strips 40, 42 of the securing mechanism may be
complementary hook-loop fastener strips, for example.
Alternatively, the securing mechanism may comprise various other
fastening structure suitable for securing the closure flap 38 as
described above.
[0030] The storage bag 10 further includes one or more air outlet
valves, shown in the form of first and second one-way degassing
valves 44, for expelling air from the bag interior 26 into an
external environment when the bag 10 is compressed after being
sealed by the closure 28, as described in greater detail below. As
shown best in FIG. 1, the degassing valves 44 may be formed in the
front wall 20 at lower corners near the bottom end 14 of the bag
10.
[0031] Each degassing valve 44 may generally include a valve body
46 and a valve member 48, such as a rubber diaphragm, positioned
against the valve body 46. In exemplary embodiments, the degassing
valves 44 may be of valve type 101N, 101NF, 201N, or 201NF made
available by Pacific Bag, Inc. in Woodinville, Wash., for example.
Each degassing valve 44 is biased toward a closed position in which
the valve member 48 sealingly engages the valve body 46. When an
internal air pressure in the bag interior 26 overcomes a sealing
pressure of the valve member 48, the degassing valve 44 is forced
into an open position in which the valve member 48 momentarily
disengages the valve body 46 to expel air outwardly from the bag
interior 26. Once the internal air pressure falls back below the
sealing pressure, the valve member 48 automatically reengages the
valve body 46 to re-establish the closed position of the degassing
valve 44. The degassing valves 44 permit only outflow of air from
the bag interior 26, and block air inflow back into the bag
interior 26.
[0032] In alternative embodiments, the air outlet valves may have
various alternative constructions. For example, the air outlet
valves may be manually actuatable between open and closed
positions. Alternatively, the air outlet valves may be magnetic, as
shown in the exemplary alternative embodiment of FIGS. 5-6B,
described below. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that the
storage bag 10 may be constructed with any suitable quantity of air
outlet valves, positioned at any suitable location in the front
and/or back walls 20, 22.
[0033] The front wall 20, back wall 22, and closure flap 38 of the
storage bag 10 may be formed from a thermoplastic material, such as
polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET), for
example. Advantageously, thermoplastic materials provide a
water-impervious and air-impervious barrier, are flexible, and are
easily cleaned. Additionally, the front wall 20 and back wall 22
may be thermo-welded together, and the closure flap 38 may be
thermo-welded to the back wall 22. In alternative embodiments, the
front wall 20, back wall 22, and closure flap 38 may be formed from
a fabric material, such as rip-stop nylon or Gore-Tex.RTM., for
example. Further, outer surfaces of the front and back walls 20, 22
may be coated with a water impermeable substance, such as
polyurethane or other suitable material.
[0034] In additional alternative embodiments, the front wall 20 and
back wall 22 may each be formed with multiple layers (not shown),
such as an outer layer and an inner layer. Further, the bag
interior 26 may be formed with one or more internal walls (not
shown) extending between the front and back walls 20, 22 for
defining one or more internal compartments to separate multiple
articles being stored within the bag interior 26. Additionally, the
inner surfaces of the front and back walls 20, 22 defining the bag
interior 26 may be coated with an anti-microbial agent, such as
silver, to inhibit bacteria growth inside the storage bag 10.
[0035] In yet another alternative embodiment, the storage bag 10
may include a communication device (not shown) that communicates
with external communication devices for identification and/or
tracking purposes. The communication device may be in the form of a
radio frequency identification (RFID) element, or a wireless
transponder, for example. The wireless transponder may communicate
via a wireless local area network (WLAN) (e.g., Wi-Fi.RTM. network)
or radio waves (e.g., Bluetooth.RTM.), for example.
[0036] Referring to FIGS. 2A-3F, an exemplary method of storing an
article A within the storage bag 10 will now be described. The
article A may be one or more pieces of clothing, electronics, or
any other object that a user wishes to isolate from a surrounding
environment. For example, where the article is a piece of soiled
clothing, a user may wish to isolate the soiled clothing and odors
it generates to prevent contaminating other personal articles in a
neighboring area, such as within a gym bag. In another exemplary
application, the article may be an electronic device, such as a
cellular phone, that the user wishes to protect from getting wet,
damaged, or otherwise physically influenced by the conditions of an
external environment.
[0037] As shown in FIGS. 2A and 3A, the first and second
zip-locking strips 30, 32 of the closure 28 are separated so as to
open the bag opening 24. The article A is then directed through the
bag opening 24, into the bag interior 26. When the article A is
fully loaded into the bag interior 26, the opening 24 is sealed
with the closure 28. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3B, the
upper zip-lock members 34 are engaged with their respective lower
zip-lock members 36 such that each of the first and second
zip-locking strips 30, 32 substantially hermetically seals the bag
opening 24.
[0038] As shown in FIGS. 2B and 3C, the sealed closure 28 is folded
over toward the bottom end 14 of the bag 10. More specifically, top
ends of the front and back walls 20, 22 are folded down toward the
bottom end 14, about an imaginary line extending parallel to and
between the first and second zip-locking strips 30, 32, so as to
not extend over the first securing strip 40. This folding of the
closure 28 exposes the closure flap 38 and the second securing
strip 42. As shown in FIGS. 2B and 3D, the closure flap 38 is then
folded over the folded closure 28, and the second securing strip 42
is releasably engaged with the first securing strip 40, thereby
securing the closure 28 in the folded position.
[0039] The sealed bag 10 is then compressed to expel air within the
bag interior 26 outwardly through the degassing valves 44, thereby
providing the bag 10 in a compacted state. In the exemplary
embodiment shown in FIG. 3E, the folded top end 12 of the bag 10 is
rolled about itself toward the degassing valves 44. As the bag 10
is rolled toward the bottom end 14, the internal air pressure in
the bag interior 26 progressively increases to the point that it
overcomes the sealing pressure of the degassing valves 44, thereby
forcing the degassing valves 44 into the open position in which the
interior air is expelled outwardly to the external environment. As
the interior air is substantially evacuated, or the compression
force applied by the user is released, the internal air pressure in
the bag interior 26 falls below the valve sealing pressure.
Consequently, the degassing valves 44 automatically close to
prevent air from flowing back into the bag interior 26 through the
degassing valves 44. Accordingly, and advantageously, the degassing
valves 44 automatically maintain the bag 10 in the compacted state
into which it has been compressed, with the assistance of the
substantially hermetic seal provided by the closure 28.
[0040] The bag 10 may be rolled, or otherwise compressed, to the
point that substantially no air remains within the bag interior 26,
as shown in FIG. 3F, thereby creating a vacuum-like condition
inside the bag 10. For example, in the exemplary embodiment shown,
substantially all of the air within the bag interior 26 may be
removed by rolling the bag 10 from its top end 12 fully toward the
bottom end 14 at which the degassing valves 44 are positioned.
Optionally, a cord 50 attached to the bottom end 14 of the bag 10
may be wrapped around the bag 10 when fully rolled, to maintain the
bag 10 in its rolled state. As shown best in FIG. 1, the cord 50
may be attached to a flange 52 projecting from the bottom end 14 of
the bag 10. This connection of the cord 50 to the flange 52 may be
strengthened with an eyelet 54.
[0041] While the Figures illustrate rolling of the bag 10 from its
top end 12 toward its bottom end 14, it will be appreciated that
the bag 10 may be suitably rolled from either end 12, 14 or side
edge 16, 18 depending on the placement of the degassing valves 44.
For example, in an alternative embodiment in which the degassing
valves 44 are positioned closer toward the middle of the bag 10,
between the top end 12 and the bottom end 14, the bag 10 may be
rolled from both ends 12, 14 toward its middle to evacuate the bag
interior 26. Further, it will be appreciated that the bag 10 may be
compressed in various other ways suitable to evacuate internal air
from the bag interior 26. For example, the bag 10 may be folded, or
the front and back walls 20, 22 may be pressed directly toward one
another.
[0042] The substantially hermetic seals provided by the sealed
closure 28 and the degassing valves 44 in the closed position
advantageously maintain the sealed bag in its compacted state.
Accordingly, the bag 10 may be easily stored in another receptacle,
such as a gym bag, while effectively isolating the stored article A
from interaction with objects and the environment external of the
sealed bag 10. Further, the reduction of air, and thus oxygen, in
the bag interior 26 by compressing the bag 10 advantageously
inhibits unwanted growth of bacteria inside the bag 10, which may
be particularly advantageous when the stored article A is
soiled.
[0043] To remove the stored article A from the sealed bag 10, the
securing strips 40, 42 are disengaged from one another to release
the closure flap 38, and the closure 28 is then opened to provide
access to the bag interior 26 and the article A.
[0044] Turning to FIGS. 4-6B, exemplary alternative embodiments of
the invention are described in greater detail. In the embodiment
shown in FIG. 4, the closure 28 includes a single sealing strip in
the form of a magnetic-locking strip 60. The magnetic-locking strip
60 includes an upper magnetic member 62 and a lower magnetic member
64, where at least one of the magnetic members 62, 64 is a
permanent magnet. The upper magnetic member 62 may be retained
within an upper sleeve 66 formed at the top end of the front wall
20, and the lower magnetic member 64 may be retained within a lower
sleeve 68 formed at the top end of the back wall 22.
[0045] The upper and lower magnetic members 62, 64 are magnetically
attracted to one another with a magnetic sealing pressure, thereby
forming a substantially hermetic seal at the bag opening 24. In an
exemplary embodiment, the magnetic sealing pressure may be greater
than the sealing pressure of the degassing valves 44. Accordingly,
upon application of a compression force to the sealed bag 10, the
degassing valves 44 will open to expel air from the bag interior 26
without disrupting the seal of the opening 24 maintained by the
magnetic-locking strip 60.
[0046] In an alternative embodiment, the bag 10 may be formed such
that the magnetic-locking strip 60 functions as a one-way air
outlet valve. For example, the bag 10 may be formed without
degassing valves 44, or the upper and lower magnetic members 62, 64
may be formed such that their magnetic sealing pressure is less
than or equal to the sealing pressure of the degassing valves 44.
In such cases, when the sealed bag 10 is compressed to the point
that the internal air pressure overcomes the magnetic sealing
pressure of the magnetic-locking strip 60, the magnetic members 62,
64 momentarily separate to expel air through the bag opening 24.
When the internal air pressure reduces after the internal air has
been expelled, or the compression force is otherwise released, the
upper and lower magnetic members 62, 64 snap back together to
re-establish a substantially hermetic seal at the bag opening
24.
[0047] Referring to FIGS. 5-6B, yet another alternative embodiment
is shown in which the one or more air outlet valves of the storage
bag 10 is in the form of a magnetic valve 70. The magnetic valve 70
includes an upper magnetic member 72 and a lower magnetic member
74, where at least one of the magnetic members 72, 74 is a
permanent magnet. The magnetic valve 70 is housed within a pocket
76 defined between the bag front wall 20 and an outer valve housing
layer 78 coupled to the front wall 20, such as through
thermo-welding. Each of the upper and lower magnetic members 72, 74
may be substantially disk shaped, and the lower magnetic member 74
includes an aperture 80. The valve housing layer 78 positions the
upper and lower magnetic members 72, 74 so that the aperture 80 of
the lower magnetic member 74 is aligned coaxially with an aperture
82 formed in the bag front wall 20.
[0048] The upper and lower magnetic members 72, 74 of the magnetic
valve 70 may be formed so as to attract one another with any
suitable magnetic sealing pressure. Similar to the magnetic members
62, 64 of the magnetic-locking strip 60 described above, the upper
and lower magnetic members 72, 74 of the magnetic valve 70 bias the
valve 70 toward the closed position, and momentarily separate to
expel air from the bag interior 26 when the internal air pressure
overcomes the magnetic sealing pressure of the magnetic valve 70.
As shown in FIG. 6B, the upper and lower magnetic members 72, 74
may partially separate to allow air from the bag interior 26 to
flow outwardly through the front wall aperture 82 and the lower
magnetic member aperture 80 into the valve pocket 76, and to the
external environment through an aperture 84 formed in the valve
housing layer 78.
[0049] While the present invention has been illustrated by the
description of specific embodiments thereof, and while the
embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not
intended to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended
claims to such detail. The various features discussed herein may be
used alone or in any combination. Additional advantages and
modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The
invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the
specific details, representative apparatus and methods and
illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures
may be made from such details without departing from the scope of
the general inventive concept.
* * * * *