Abstract: The flexible storage bag includes overlaying first and second sidewalls defining an internal volume that can be accessed from an open top edge. To evacuate air from the internal volume after the open top edge has been closed, the bag includes a one-way valve element attached to the first sidewall and communicating with the internal volume. To prevent the one-way valve element from becoming clogged by the opposing second sidewall, the bag also includes a clearance member that maintains at least a partial clearance between the first and second sidewalls proximate the valve element. The clearance member can take many forms such as a textured portion on the second sidewall that includes evacuation passages which provide air in the internal volume access to the valve element, a permeable element covering the valve element, and a rigid or compressible structure that spaces the second sidewall from the valve element.

Abstract: The flexible storage bag includes overlaying first and second sidewalls defining an internal volume that can be accessed from an open top edge. To evacuate air from the internal volume after the open top edge has been closed, the bag includes a one-way valve element attached to the first sidewall and communicating with the internal volume. To prevent the one-way valve element from becoming clogged by the opposing second sidewall, the bag also includes a clearance member that maintains at least a partial clearance between the first and second sidewalls proximate the valve element. The clearance member can take many forms such as a textured portion on the second sidewall that includes evacuation passages which provide air in the internal volume access to the valve element, a permeable element covering the valve element, and a rigid or compressible structure that spaces the second sidewall from the valve element.

Abstract: The flexible storage bag includes overlaying first and second sidewalls defining an internal volume that can be accessed from an open top edge. To evacuate air from the internal volume after the open top edge has been closed, the bag includes a one-way valve element attached to the first sidewall and communicating with the internal volume. To prevent the one-way valve element from becoming clogged by the opposing second sidewall, the bag also includes a clearance member that maintains at least a partial clearance between the first and second sidewalls proximate the valve element. The clearance member can take many forms such as a textured portion on the second sidewall that includes evacuation passages which provide air in the internal volume access to the valve element, a permeable element covering the valve element, and a rigid or compressible structure that spaces the second sidewall from the valve element.

Abstract: The flexible storage bag includes overlaying first and second sidewalls defining an internal volume that can be accessed from an open top edge. To evacuate air from the internal volume after the open top edge has been closed, the bag includes a one-way valve element attached to the first sidewall and communicating with the internal volume. To prevent the one-way valve element from becoming clogged by the opposing second sidewall, the bag also includes a clearance member that maintains at least a partial clearance between the first and second sidewalls proximate the valve element. The clearance member can take many forms such as a textured portion on the second sidewall that includes evacuation passages which provide air in the internal volume access to the valve element, a permeable element covering the valve element, and a rigid or compressible structure that spaces the second sidewall from the valve element.

Abstract: A patterned element for use in an embossing and adhesive application process. The patterened element comprises a material having an pattern disposed thereon, wherein the material comprises a polymer and has a Shore A hardness of greater than about 70, and has a critical surface energy of less than about 30 dynes/cm.

Abstract: The storage bag includes an interior volume for containing food items and a one-way valve element through which air from the interior volume can be evacuated. To prevent fluids and juices from the stored food items from contaminating the valve element, a separator defining a chamber is included that sealingly connects the valve element to the interior volume. In the separator, fluids and juices separate from the evacuating air by gravitational separation and are returned to the interior volume. In an embodiment, to facilitate packaging and distribution of multiple storage bags, the separator is adjustable between an expanded position for providing the chamber and a collapsed position substantially eliminating the chamber.

Abstract: A flexible storage bag for storing food items and the like is provided with a separation material positioned to cover an aperture disposed in and/or a one-way valve element attached to the storage bag. The separation material may be a non-woven material. When latent air remaining in the interior volume of the storage bag is exhausted through the aperture and/or one-way valve element, the air passes through the separation material. The separation material functions to remove liquids that may be entrained in the exhausting air. In an embodiment, the separation material may be treated with a low surface energy substance to improve the liquid removal function. In another embodiment, the separation material may be provided as a plurality of layers or as part of the one-way valve element.

Abstract: The flexible storage bag includes overlaying first and second sidewalls defining an internal volume that can be accessed from an open top edge. To evacuate air from the internal volume after the open top edge has been closed, the bag includes a one-way valve element attached to the first sidewall and communicating with the internal volume. To prevent the one-way valve element from becoming clogged by the opposing second sidewall, the bag also includes a clearance member that maintains at least a partial clearance between the first and second sidewalls proximate the valve element. The clearance member can take many forms such as a textured portion on the second sidewall that includes evacuation passages which provide air in the internal volume access to the valve element, a permeable element covering the valve element, and a rigid or compressible structure that spaces the second sidewall from the valve element.

Abstract: An inner leg telescopically fits within an outer leg and includes a motor coaxially mounted to an end remote from the outer leg. A drive screw is coupled to the motor shaft and extends through a drive nut in an axially extending drive nut riser. As the motor rotates the drive screw, the inner leg extends and retracts from the outer leg. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the drive nut riser is a hollow cylindrical tube extending substantially the length of the outer tube to position the drive nut near the intersection between the inner and outer legs when fully extended. Such an arrangement allows a motor to be coaxially mounted within the inner leg and, therefore, concealed and provides the desired extension and retraction of the legs for adjustment to different operative positions.

Abstract: A linear actuator includes a power nut assembly and drive motor which can be secured to one end of an intermediate leg for rotating a pair of threaded shafts extending in opposite directions as the motor is actuated. One of the drive shafts is coupled to a drive tube secured to the innermost leg and extends and retracts the innermost leg from the intermediate leg. The remaining threaded drive shaft extends and retracts from the power nut assembly and is coupled to the outermost leg for extending and retracting the outermost leg with respect to the intermediate leg.

Abstract: An inner leg telescopically fits within an outer leg and includes a motor coaxially mounted to an end remote from the outer leg. A drive screw is coupled to the motor shaft and extends through a drive nut in an axially extending drive nut riser. As the motor rotates the drive screw, the inner leg extends and retracts from the outer leg. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the drive nut riser is a hollow cylindrical tube extending substantially the length of the outer tube to position the drive nut near the intersection between the inner and outer legs when fully extended. Such an arrangement allows a motor to be coaxially mounted within the inner leg and, therefore, concealed and provides the desired extension and retraction of the legs for adjustment to different operative positions.

Abstract: A compact telescopic leg assembly includes a generally cylindrical drive motor mounted axially within the inner leg and coupled to a drive collar by a pedestal mount. A drive screw is threadably coupled to a first drive collar which is attached to the inner leg to raise and lower as the drive screw is rotated by the motor. The pedestal mount couples the motor through the first drive collar to a second drive collar which is coupled to an intermediate leg telescopically receiving the inner leg. Gears couple the motor-driven drive screw to a rotatable power nut coupled to the second drive collar. A fixed drive screw extends from the base within an outer leg upwardly through the second drive collar and cooperates with the power nut within the second drive collar to simultaneously extend and retract the legs as the motor rotates the motor-driven drive screw.

Abstract: A compact telescopic leg assembly includes a generally cylindrical drive motor mounted axially within the inner leg and coupled to a drive collar by a pedestal mount. A drive screw is threadably coupled to a first drive collar which is attached to the inner leg to raise and lower as the drive screw is rotated by the motor. The pedestal mount couples the motor through the first drive collar to a second drive collar which is coupled to an intermediate leg telescopically receiving the inner leg. Gears couple the motor-driven drive screw to a rotatable power nut coupled to the second drive collar. A fixed drive screw extends from the base within an outer leg upwardly through the second drive collar and cooperates with the power nut within the second drive collar to simultaneously extend and retract the legs as the motor rotates the motor-driven drive screw.