Storage system having a disposable vacuum bag

Abstract

The present invention provides a storage system having a storage device having at least one polymeric sheet sealed along a portion of its' periphery to provide an opening to a storage space; a resealable closure structure adapted to seal the opening to the storage space, the resealable closure structure comprising selectively engaging male and female profiles and a sealing compound comprising liquid silicone and at least one filler in proportions suitable for at least incidental contact to food items contained within the storage space; a vacuum valve assembly disposed on the polymeric sheet; a stand-off structure disposed adjacent to the vacuum valve assembly, wherein the stand-off structure has a series of raised surfaces facing the vacuum valve assembly; a portable vacuum pump assembly structured to engage the vacuum valve assembly; and a liquid separator assembly coupled to the portable vacuum pump assembly.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 186,131 filed Jul. 20, 2005, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 590,858, filed on Jul. 23, 2004, 60 / 602,685 filed on Aug. 19, 2004, and 60 / 609,920, filed on Sep. 15, 2004. Each of the above referenced patent applications is incorporated herein by reference herein in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to a flexible, inexpensive, evacuable storage device optionally having a resealable opening which includes a caulking composition disposed along a closure structure suitable for at least incidental contact to food items contained within the storage device. The present invention also relates to a vacuum storage device and a system for vacuum storage. Reported Developments [0003] Flexible, sealable storage devices, such as Consumer Storage Bags are commonly used to store items such as, but...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides a vacuum system and an evacuable package that can be used for food storage and packaging. The vacuum system includes a vacuum pump, a vacuum conduit, and a resealable closure. The vacuum pump is portable and can be connected to the vacuum conduit through a quick-connect means. The vacuum conduit has a gas / liquid separator and a vacuum valve. The evacuable package has an interior space and a vacuum valve in fluid communication with the vacuum pump. The resealable closure has interengaging profiles that create a high-conformance seal and prevent the infiltration of ambient air. The closure can be used with a caulking composition that fills gaps and maintains chemical stability. The vacuum system and evacuable package provide a convenient and efficient solution for food storage and packaging."

Problems solved by technology

Air within a storage device containing food is not desirable as the air reacts with the food and will cause spoliation.

Additionally, when storage bags are placed in a below freezing environment, typically in a freezer, “freezer burn” may also damage the food items.

However, such systems heretofore did not include a resealable opening in the storage device.

The cost of material is high as reusability is not an option.

These large devices are not portable and the act of forming a bag is time consuming.

However, in a typical resealable closure, engagement of the sealing structures is rarely perfect, leaving gaps in the profile seal.

Moreover, during manufacture of reclosable devices, frequently seals at the ends of the reclosable device distort the engaging portions of the closure which can also provide an unsealed region in the closure.

As a consequence of these and other problems associated with resealable closures, a bag utilizing a resealable closure may not be air tight.

This is especially a problem when the interior of the bag is at a different pressure than the ambient air, for example, when the bag is under a vacuum, or when the bag contains a gas at a higher or lower partial pressure than the gas is present in the ambient.

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