U.S. patent application number 17/148160 was filed with the patent office on 2021-07-29 for vacuum storage bag systems.
The applicant listed for this patent is OAKTHRIFT CORPORATION LTD.. Invention is credited to JAMES JOHN THORN.
Application Number | 20210229889 17/148160 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005343129 |
Filed Date | 2021-07-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210229889 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
THORN; JAMES JOHN |
July 29, 2021 |
VACUUM STORAGE BAG SYSTEMS
Abstract
A vacuum bag storage system comprises a vacuum storage bag
having a pocket with a releasably sealable opening through which
items to be stored may be inserted and removed, and at least two
substantially stiff panels configured to be at least partly removed
from and inserted into the bag through the opening. The panels may
be articulated and may be connected together by at least one length
of flexible, preferably elastic, material.
Inventors: |
THORN; JAMES JOHN;
(TOLLESHUNT KNIGHTS, GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
OAKTHRIFT CORPORATION LTD. |
TOLLESHUNT KNIGHTS |
|
GB |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005343129 |
Appl. No.: |
17/148160 |
Filed: |
January 13, 2021 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 81/203 20130101;
B65D 85/18 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 81/20 20060101
B65D081/20; B65D 85/18 20060101 B65D085/18 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 27, 2020 |
GB |
2001140.9 |
Claims
1. A vacuum bag storage system comprising: a vacuum storage bag
having a pocket with a releasably sealable opening through which
items to be stored may be inserted and removed; and a pair of
panels that are removable from the bag through the opening, the
panels being configured to compress textile goods therebetween when
the system is in use; wherein the panels are connected together by
at least one length of flexible material.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one length of
flexible material extends between a first side of a first panel and
a first side of a second panel.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein the panels are attached to each
other by at least two lengths of flexible material that are spaced
apart from each other.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein the flexible material is
elastic.
5. The system of claim 1 wherein each of the pair of panels is
articulated, having a plurality of sections that are foldable
relative to each other at one or more hinges.
6. The system of claim 5 wherein each of the pair of panels
comprises at least two, or at least three, or at least four
sections.
7. The system of claim 5 wherein the hinges extend from the first
sides of the first and second panels towards opposing sides of said
panels.
8. The system of claim 1 wherein the area of each panel in its 2D
plane is at least 50%, or at least 75%, or at least 90% or at least
95% of the area of an internal face of the pocket against which the
panel is positioned when the bag is in use.
9. The system of claim 1 wherein a second side of the first panel
that opposes the first side of the first panel is releasably
attachable to a second side of the second panel that opposes the
first side of the second panel.
10. The system of claim 9 wherein a second side of first panel is
releasably attachable to a second side of the second panel by means
of at least one length of flexible material.
11. The system of claim 1 wherein each panel is substantially of
the same dimensions.
12. The system of claim 1 wherein the panels are formed of
cardboard with a fabric covering.
13. A vacuum bag storage system comprising: a vacuum storage bag
having a pocket with a releasably sealable opening through which
items to be stored may be inserted and removed; and a pair of
panels that are removable from the bag through the opening, the
panels being configured to compress textile goods therebetween when
the system is in use; wherein each of the pair of panels is
articulated, having a plurality of sections that are foldable
relative to each other at one or more hinges.
14. The system of claim 13 wherein each of the pair of panels
comprises at least two, or at least three, or at least four
sections.
15. The system of claim 13 wherein the hinges extend from the first
sides of the first and second panels towards opposing sides of said
panels.
16. The system of claim 13 wherein the panels are connected
together by at least one length of flexible material.
17. The system of claim 16 wherein the at least one length of
flexible material extends between a first side of a first panel and
a first side of a second panel.
18. The system of claim 16 wherein the panels are attached to each
other by at least two lengths of flexible material that are spaced
apart from each other.
19. The system of claim 16 wherein the flexible material is
elastic.
20. The system of claim 13 wherein the area of each panel in its 2D
plane is at least 50%, or at least 75%, or at least 90%, or at
least 95% of the area of an internal face of the pocket against
which the panel is positioned when the bag is in use.
21. The system of claim 13 wherein a second side of the first panel
that opposes the first side of the first panel is releasably
attachable to a second side of the second panel that opposes the
first side of the second panel.
22. The system of claim 21 wherein a second side of first panel is
releasably attachable to a second side of the second panel by means
of at least one length of flexible material.
23. The system of claim 13 wherein each panel is substantially of
the same dimensions.
24. The system of claim 13 wherein the panels are formed of
cardboard with a fabric covering.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to vacuum storage bag
systems.
[0002] Vacuum storage bags are predominantly used to store
clothing, linen and other textile goods. Such bags are useful for
travellers as clothing arranged within a vacuum storage bag
occupies significantly less space than the same clothing outside of
the bag.
[0003] However, clothing arranged within a vacuum storage bag has a
tendency to crease owing to pressure from the vacuum deforming both
the bag and the clothing held within. As such it is often necessary
for clothes to be ironed once removed from a vacuum storage bag,
something which may be less than ideal, particularly, for example,
for business travellers.
[0004] Some efforts have been made to mitigate this problem.
[0005] For example CN200995856 discloses a vacuum storage bag
comprising integrated cardboard panels configured to hinder the bag
and clothes from creasing. However, such bags are very difficult to
pack neatly and without creasing the clothing being placed
therein.
[0006] Arrangements with removable panels have been proposed, such
as in EP0445390, and whilst an improvement on CN200995856 such
boards are difficult to position and bulky to store, particularly
when travelling.
[0007] The present invention seeks to improve upon the prior
art.
[0008] According to a first aspect of the present invention there
is provided a vacuum bag storage system comprising: [0009] a vacuum
storage bag having a pocket with a releasably sealable opening
through which items to be stored may be inserted and removed; and
[0010] a pair of panels that are removable from the bag through the
opening, the panels being configured to compress textile goods
therebetween when the system is in use; [0011] wherein the panels
are connected together by at least one length of flexible
material.
[0012] In some embodiments the at least one length of flexible
material extends between a first side of a first panel and a first
side of a second panel.
[0013] In some embodiments the panels are attached to each other by
at least two lengths of flexible material that are spaced apart
from each other.
[0014] Preferably the flexible material is elastic.
[0015] By connecting panels together with flexible, and preferably
elastic, material a user is more readily able to insert the panels
with textiles held therebetween into the bag.
[0016] In some embodiments each of the pair of panels are
articulated, having a plurality of sections that are foldable
relative to each other at one or more hinges.
[0017] By providing articulated panels the size of the panels may
be reduced for storage. It has surprisingly been found that
articulating the panels does not reduce the effectiveness of the
panels in hindering creasing.
[0018] In some embodiments each of the pair of panels comprises at
least two, or at least three, or at least four sections.
[0019] Preferably the hinges extend from the first sides of the
first and second panels towards opposing sides of said panels.
[0020] According to a second aspect of the present invention there
is provided a vacuum bag storage system comprising: [0021] a vacuum
storage bag having a pocket with a releasably sealable opening
through which items to be stored may be inserted and removed; and
[0022] a pair of panels that are removable from the bag through the
opening, the panels being configured to compress textile goods
therebetween when the system is in use; [0023] wherein each of the
pair of panels are articulated, having a plurality of sections that
are foldable relative to each other at one or more hinges.
[0024] In some embodiments each of the pair of panels comprises at
least two, or at least three, or at least four sections.
[0025] Preferably the hinges extend from the first sides of the
first and second panels towards opposing sides of said panels.
[0026] In some embodiments wherein the panels are connected
together by at least one length of flexible material.
[0027] In some embodiments the at least one length of flexible
material extends between a first side of a first panel and a first
side of a second panel.
[0028] In some embodiments the panels are attached to each other by
at least two lengths of flexible material that are spaced apart
from each other.
[0029] Preferably the flexible material is elastic.
[0030] In some embodiments the area of each panel in its 2D plane
is at least 50%, or at least 75%, or at least 90%, or at least 95%
of the area of an internal face of the pocket against which the
panel is positioned when the bag is in use.
[0031] In some embodiments a second side of the first panel that
opposes the first side of the first panel is releasably attachable
to a second side of the second panel that opposes the first side of
the second panel.
[0032] In some embodiments a second side of first panel is
releasably attachable to a second side of the second panel by means
of at least one length of flexible material.
[0033] In some embodiments each panel is substantially of the same
dimensions.
[0034] In some embodiments the panels are substantially rectangular
in shape.
[0035] In some embodiments the panels are formed of cardboard with
a fabric covering.
[0036] According to a second aspect of the present invention there
is provided a method of storing textile goods comprising the steps
of: [0037] providing a system made in accordance with any preceding
statement of invention; [0038] arranging textile goods upon a first
panel; [0039] positioning a second panel on top of the textile
goods; [0040] inserting the assembly of panels and textile goods
into the vacuum storage bag; and [0041] sealing the bag and
evacuating gas from the bag.
[0042] In order that the present invention may be more fully
understood a specific embodiment will now be described by way of
example with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, of
which:
[0043] FIG. 1 is plan view of a vacuum storage bag;
[0044] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a pressing component
comprising two panels, the pressing component being for use with
the system of the present invention;
[0045] FIG. 3 is a side view of the pressing component of FIG. 2
with textile goods layered between the panels thereof;
[0046] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the pressing component of
FIG. 2 when part-folded for storage; and
[0047] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the component of FIG. 3
housed within the storage bag of FIG. 1.
[0048] Referring to the drawings a vacuum bag storage system of the
present invention comprises a vacuum storage bag 1 and a pressing
component 2.
[0049] Bag 1 may be formed in accordance with any prior art vacuum
bag and comprises an airtight substantially cuboid pocket 6 with a
releasably sealable opening 3 that is openable and closable by
means of a linear seal 4. Bag 1 further comprises a valve 5
configured to permit a user to evacuate gas from the pocket of bag
1.
[0050] Pressing component 2 comprises a first panel 7 and a second
panel 8.
[0051] Panel 7 is articulated, being formed of three sections 7a,
7b, 7c that are foldable relative to each other at hinges 12a, 12b.
Section 7a is attached to section 7b at hinge 12a and section 7b is
attached to section 7c and hinge 12b.
[0052] Similarly panel 8 is articulated, being formed of three
sections 8a, 8b, 8c that are foldable relative to each other at
hinges 13a, 13b. Section 8a is attached to section 8b at hinge 13a
and section 8b is attached to section 8c and hinge 13b.
[0053] As illustrated in FIG. 4, owing to hinges 12a, 12b panels
7a, 7b, 7c may be folded such that they lie flat against each
other. Similarly owing to hinges 13a, 13b panels 8a, 8b, 8c may be
folded such that they lie flat against each other. If so desired
panels 7, 8 may be further folded towards each other at straps 9a,
9b.
[0054] Sections 7a, 7b, 7c, 8a, 8b, 8c of panels 7, 8 are each
substantially rectangular and formed of stiff cardboard that is
covered with a fabric material.
[0055] Panels 7, 8 are attached to each other at one side by first
and second spaced-apart elastic straps 9a, 9b that extend between
the sides of panels 7, 8.
[0056] As panels 7, 8 are attached at one side they may be folded
relative to each other between a first configuration wherein the
panels lie flat in the same plane and a second configuration
illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 wherein panels 7, 8 are stacked in
spaced-apart parallel planes.
[0057] It will be apparent that to connect sides of two panels
together one or more flexible straps that connect the panels need
not be attached directly to edges of the panels but may be attached
to the faces of the panels.
[0058] A single flexible strap may connect the sides to two panels;
such a strap may extend across a significant width, or even the
full width of the sides of the panels.
[0059] Hinges 12a, 12b, 13a, 13b are substantially linear and
extend from the sides of panels 7, 8 at which straps 9a, 9b are
located towards opposing sides of panels 7,8.
[0060] Turning to the vacuum bag storage system in use a user
wishing to store, for example, some neatly ironed items of
clothing, may first lay pressing component 2 on a flat surface as
illustrated in FIG. 2.
[0061] The user may then position clothing 10 on panel 8 and then
fold panel 7 over such that it rests on top of clothing 10. Thus
clothing 10 is sandwiched between panel 7 and panel 8 in pressing
component 2 and clothing 10 assembly 11
[0062] The user may then insert assembly 11 into pocket 6 of vacuum
bag 1 via opening 3. The user is assisted in this action by elastic
straps 9a, 9b urging panels 7, 8 towards each other at a first side
of assembly 11
[0063] This allows a user to grasp the opposing side of assembly 11
with one hand and apply pressure as illustrated by arrows A in FIG.
3 so as to hold assembly 11 in one piece.
[0064] As hinges 12a, 12b, 13a, 13b extend from the side at which
elastic straps 9a, 9b are located the leverage that a user may
apply to straps 9a, 9b is not affected.
[0065] Whilst holding assembly 11 a user may then insert it into
vacuum bag 1 such that the side of assembly 11 comprising straps
9a, 9b enters pocket 6 first and once inserted the side of assembly
11 held by the user is adjacent opening 3 of pocket 6.
[0066] The user may then release their grip on assembly 11, seal
pocket 6 using linear seal 4 and evacuate pocket 6 via valve 5.
[0067] Creating assembly 11 outside of vacuum bag 1 and then
positioning assembly 11 within pocket 6 of vacuum bag 1 has
significant advantages over the prior art arrangements as a user
readily able to neatly stack clothing 10 to be stored and secure it
between panels 7, 8 before easily positioning assembly 11 within
bag 1.
[0068] This is in contrast to prior art arrangements where clothing
must be stacked within the pocket of the vacuum bag, which is
difficult to complete without creasing the clothing.
[0069] The present invention is particularly beneficial in relation
to vacuum bags having a small opening (or smaller vacuum bags in
general) as in prior art systems the smaller the opening of a
vacuum bag the more difficult it is to neatly arrange clothing or
other textile goods therein. The present invention allows for the
neat stacking of textile goods within a vacuum bag regardless of
the size of the opening of the bag.
[0070] In some embodiments it may be desirable to be able to attach
panels together at the side that opposes elastic straps 9a, 9b in
order that assembly 11 may be retained in position without a user
exerting pressure at points indicated by arrows A in FIG. 3.
[0071] In such embodiments one or more flexible straps that may be
releasably fastened at the opposing side may be provided. Such
straps may fasten by any convenient means such as hook and look
fastener or press studs.
[0072] When the system of the present invention is in use it is
between panels 7 and 8 that textile goods such as clothing is
compressed. In use panels 7 and 8 remain substantially planar
despite being articulated. This is in distinction to prior art
systems comprising articulated sidewalls, such as the arrangement
of EP0445390A1, where those sidewalls are not intended to provide
compression of textile goods but are intended to articulate during
use.
[0073] In the present specification the term `stiff` is intended to
mean semi-rigid or rigid. Whilst in the present embodiment a stiff
cardboard material is used any other suitable stiff material may of
course be employed.
[0074] It should be noted that in this specification the term
`rectangular` is intended to include a square as a special form of
rectangle.
[0075] In this specification an apparatus/method/product
"comprising" certain features is intended to be interpreted as
meaning that it includes those features, but that it does not
exclude the presence of other features.
[0076] Many variations are possible without departing from the
scope of the present invention as defined in the appended
claims.
* * * * *