Abstract: A reusable bi-directional, fluid-tight, vertical sealing device for closing, sealing, and permitting re-opening of, flexible bags, with two sealing strips arranged to be interlocked and uninterlocked by a slider which has internal means such as rails acting upon the sealing strips so as to move them into a vertically interlocked fluid-tight sealing contact capable of holding a vacuum without leakage and of resisting pressure differences in either direction across the seal, so that the efficacy of the seal is improved by increases in the pressure differential. The word “fluid”, is used in its usual meaning of liquid or gas or a mixture of both, and, in addition, powder, and “vertical”, herein means in the plane of interior contact of the sheets of the bag when empty and hanging vertically.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus to store matter out of contact with gas. A container for storage of matter is combined with a vacuum pump for extracting gas from the container. The vacuum pump has an inlet tube in which is arranged a sealing means for locking the inlet tube and thereby preventing re-entry of gas into the container after the gas has been exhausted by the vacuum pump therefrom, and during storage. The lockable sealing means may be arranged on the inlet valve of the vacuum pump, or it may be internally located in a probe serving as the inlet tube of the vacuum pump and inserted through the container's gas tight sealing means, such as the interlocking strip closure of a food storage bag. In both instances the locking means is operated by external force.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for coupling a coherent fiber-optic bundle to an electro-optical sensor. This invention provides accuracy and durability of coupling in operating conditions characterized by vibrations, shocks and fluctuating temperatures and pressures. It also reduces the reject rate previously experienced in such assembly work. The apparatus and method of the present invention employ a rigid guide plate for initiating and in most cases preserving transverse and angular alignment of the component bundle and sensor, and a transparent flexible cement to establish the correct proximity between the electro-optical sensor and the fiber-optic bundle and to achieve permanent mating of those two components. In certain applications the rigid guide plate can be dispensed with after assembly and curing of the cement.