Abstract: A one-way valve allows air to be drawn from a collapsible, flexible, airtight bag using a vacuum source. When the vacuum source is removed, the one-way valve prevents air from reentering the bag. The valve assembly comprises: a valve base comprising an opening, a seat disposed along a periphery of the opening, a flange surrounding the seat, and first and second pivot supports; a flapper comprising a diaphragm that is deformable and overlies the opening; and a cap pivotably supported by the first and second pivot supports for pivoting between first and second angular positions, the cap comprising at least one vent hole. The cap maintains the diaphragm in contact with the seat along an entire perimeter of the seat when the cap is in the first angular position and does not maintain the diaphragm in contact with the seat along its entire perimeter when the cap is in the second angular position.

Abstract: A storage system comprising: an evacuable and reclosable bag comprising a wall made of a flexible material and a one-way valve attached to said wall of said bag; a container having walls made of a material less flexible than the flexible material; and an attachment device that attaches the bag to the container such that at least a portion of the bag resides within the container. To use this storage system, compressible articles are placed inside the evacuable bag. Then the bag is hermetically sealed and evacuated. During evacuation, the shape of the compressible articles inside the bag conform to the shape of the container interior volume. In one embodiment, when the bag with compressed articles is removed from the container, its shape facilitates stacking. In another embodiment, the storage bag with compressed articles remains inside the container.

Abstract: An evacuable, reclosable bag comprising: a receptacle having an interior volume and a mouth; a closure operable to open and close the mouth; a one-way valve penetrating a wall of the receptacle; and a filter attached to the same receptacle wall. The filter is arranged so that any air flowing from the interior volume outward through the one-way valve must flow through the filter before flowing through the valve. The filter may be a mesh or fabric (woven or nonwoven) having openings sized to prevent the passage of particulate matter placed inside the bag.

Abstract: A reclosable bag comprising a receptacle having a mouth, a flexible closure located near the mouth, and a slider mounted over the mouth. The receptacle comprises first and second panels and first and second seals at respective ends of the mouth. The closure comprises first and second closure profiles. The slider comprises a finger that extends into the mouth, but not between the first and second closure profiles. The slider may be of a type that causes disengaged portions of the first and second closure profiles to mutually engage during travel in either direction. The finger prevents the slider from being pulled off either end of the closure by abutting the corresponding seal. The receptacle and closure may form an airtight boundary for an interior volume.

Abstract: The present invention provides increased stain resistance, tannin blocking, adhesion, and various other properties. A composition in accordance with the principles of the present invention comprises at least three binders, nanoparticle pigment, and pigmentary titanium dioxide. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a coating on a substrate wherein the coating has three binders, nanoparticle metal oxide pigment, and pigmentary titanium dioxide. Various additives may be included to formulate paint as known in the art.

Abstract: An article attachment system for a vehicle includes an elongated rail attached to the interior of the vehicle. The rail has a partially enclosed space with at least one slide interface and a series of projections. A bracket engages the rail for mounting at least one article to the rail. A positioning device engages the bracket and has at least one extension movable between an engaged position for securing the article to the rail and a released position for moving the article relative to the rail.

Abstract: The present invention provides increased stain resistance, tannin blocking, adhesion, and various other properties. A composition in accordance with the principles of the present invention comprises at least two binders, nanoparticle pigment, and pigmentary titanium dioxide. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a coating on a substrate wherein the coating has two binders, nanoparticle metal oxide pigment, and pigmentary titanium dioxide. Various additives may be included to formulate paint as known in the art.

Abstract: An article attachment system (10) for a vehicle is disclosed having an elongated rail member (20) adapted to attach to the vehicle where the rail member (20) defines at least one partially enclosed space with at least one slide interface and a plurality of projections, and a bracket (60) operably engaging the rail (20) and adapted for mounting at least one article (12), and a positioning device (80) operably engaging the bracket (60) and having at least one extension adapted to move between an engaged position adapted for securing the article (12) to the rail (20) and a released position adapted for moving the article (12) relative to the rail (20).