[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] Figure 1 illustrates a storage container with a vacuum according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0008] Figure 2 illustrates one profile view of a storage container with a vacuum according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0009] Figure 3 illustrates operation of a storage container with a vacuum according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 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] Figures 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] Figure 6 illustrates another storage container with a vacuum according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Figures 7 and 8 illustrate vacuum air-removal mechanisms according to other exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 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] Figure 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® storage bag.

Alternatively, such a container maybe made of aluminum foil, cling wrap, plastic, fabric, Mylar® 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® 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 Figure 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 Figure 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 United States Patent Number 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 Figure 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] Figure 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] Figure 3 illustrates one exemplary form of operation of the present invention.

According to the illustrative embodiment of Figure 3, pressure (PB) 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 (Ps) is generated either externally on surface 33 or internally by surface 34. When an external pressure Ps 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 Ps 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 Figure 4, application of external pressure Ps on surface 33 of vacuum chamber 30 moves whatever preexisting 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 Ps), 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 Figure 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] Figure 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 Figure 4, compression on surface 33, by virtue of pressure Ps/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 Figure 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 Figure 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. Figure 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 Figures 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 Figure 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 Figure 6 may be achieved in like fashion to those methods described previously with reference to the other exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0026] Figures 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. 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 Figures 3 and 4 above, vacuum mechanism 200 may be used to remove air from a container 7 on which it is clamped.

[0027] Figure 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 Figures 3 and 4. In similar fashion to previously described embodiments, application of pressure Ps 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.

[0028] An exemplary clamp 60 according the embodiments of vacuum mechanism 200 depicted in Figures 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 Figures 7-9. [0029] 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.