Polymeric package with resealable closure and valve and methods relating thereto

Abstract

The present invention provides a vacuum storage bag 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 continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 186,131 filed Jul. 20, 2005, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos., 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 patent applications is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to a flexible, inexpensive, evacuable storage device optionally having a resealable opening and a caulking composition. The present invention also relates to a vacuum storage device and a system for vacuum storage. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Flexible, sealable storage devices, such as consumer storage bags are commonly used to store items such as, but not limited to, food. These devices typically have a bag body made from a thin, flexible plastic material and include a rese...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006] Accordingly, there is a need for a flexible, resealable storage device wherein the sealing structure has a resistance to fluid permeability under a pressure differential across the sealing device. Moreover, there is a need for a pre-made, inexpensive, flexible, reusable storage device having a valve structured to operate with a portable vacuum pump. Additionally, there is a further need for a resealable closure that provides for reduction in entrapped air, a flexible bag wall to maintain item conformance, and an air tight seal providing reduced permeability to oxygen, atmosphere intrusion or transmission, bacteria, molds and / or other sources of contamination when used in combination with vacuum pump technology. There is also a need for vacuum pump technology which provides for portability and utility in evacuating a food storage flexible package.

[0027] Methods for forming resealable closures comprising structures are also provided. In one approach, the method includes the step of feeding at least a portion of the resealable closure through an anvil and an embossing wheel, and contacting at least some of the skirt portion of the resealable closure with an embossing portion of an embossing roll. The embossing roll may include structures that facilitate development of the stand-off structure (e.g., protrusions and / or cavities). The method may also include the step of contacting the skirt portion of the resealable closure with a non-embossed portion of the embossing roll to facilitate production of non-embossed portions of the skirt portion of the resealable closure.

Problems solved by technology

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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