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 container can be locked into a stack of containers. A container cover locks onto the top of a container base to define a sealed area for storage. Additionally, the bottom of a second container base can be locked onto the top of the cover of a first container. In this fashion, when closed containers are stacked, they form a locked stack that is more structurally rigid and therefore less precarious than a traditional, non-locked container stack. When not in use, the bases can be formed into a nested stack, and their covers can be locked together to form a locked cover stack. The locked cover stack can be locked to either the top or bottom of the nested base stack to form a rigid stack. In some embodiments, a cover can be turned upside down and its bottom face locked onto the bottom face of a base.

Abstract: An enhancement control system that can be used as part of an enhanced water system to produce enhanced filtered water is described. The enhancement control system includes at least one enhancement delivery element that can dispense an enhancement(s) into filtered water in response to an enhancement delivery instruction(s). The enhancement control system can also include an input element that can enable transmittal of the enhancement delivery instruction(s) from a user to the enhancement delivery element(s). The control system can also include a memory element that can store information about the user and the user's preferences and information about the enhanced water system. The control system can also include a communication element that can provide information from the enhanced water system to the user.

Abstract: The storage bag includes two sidewalls with peripheral edges and the sidewalls being attached together along at least a portion of the peripheral edges. One or more additional sidewalls may be disposed within the bag, and these additional sidewalls may be connected to form an inner bag. Any inner bag sidewalls may be laminated to the outer bag sidewalls or hang loose from the outer bag sidewalls. One or more of the sidewalls may include an adhesive for adhering to an opposing sidewall or item in the bag, a thin perforated layer disposed over an adhesive, a line of perforations for tearing, and/or one or more perforations for venting. Furthermore, processes for manufacturing a storage bag are disclosed.

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. In an embodiment, the separator may be comprised of elastically expandable material.

Abstract: A closure device having first and second fastening strips arranged to be interlocked over a predetermined length is provided. Each of said first and second fastening strips includes first and second closure elements separated by an intermediate area, wherein the first closure element on the first fastening strip is arranged to be interlocked over a predetermined length with the first closure element on the second fastening strip, and the second closure element on the first fastening strip is arranged to be interlocked over a predetermined length with the second closure element on the second fastening strip. Each of the closure elements may be colored with a colorant. For example, the closure elements on one fastening strip may be colored with an opaque pigment, and the intermediate area on that fastening strip may colored with a first translucent pigment.

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 textured portion that maintains at least a partial clearance between the first and second sidewalls proximate the valve element. To prevent contamination of the valve element, the textured portion can also be configured to facilitate removal of liquids and juices from air exhausting from the storage bag.

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 closure device providing a visual confirmation of occlusion. The closure device includes a first and a second interlocking fastening strips which are arranged to be interlocked over a predetermined length, at least one of the fastening strips having a surface alteration providing visual confirmation of occlusion of the closure device. The surface alteration may be a slit which opens or closes upon occlusion of said closure device. In one embodiment, the surface alteration may extend into a coextruded portion. The color of the coextruded portion is exposed when the surface alteration is open and hidden when the surface alteration is substantially closed. In another embodiment, the surface alteration may extend into an edge glow material which produces an edge glow effect when the surface alteration is open. In a third embodiment, the surface alteration may extend through an opaque side wall to expose the color of the base.

Abstract: A ventable spin lock container comprising a container member having a bottom, an upper annular rim and a substantially continuous side wall extending from the bottom and terminating at the rim, the bottom and side wall defining a first member cavity, the rim including a first member skirt having a plurality of first threads, the plurality of first threads having substantially equidistant engagement points; and a closure member having a peripheral sealing portion, the sealing portion including a skirt having a plurality of second threads adapted and positioned to cooperate with the first threads, wherein sealable engagement of the container member and closure member is effectuated when the first and second threads are in a first position, and wherein a venting passage from the container member cavity to the container surroundings is provided when the first and second threads are in a second position.

Abstract: A retaining element for use with elastic sheet material is disclosed. In one form, the sheet material can be provided as a bag (100) having first and second side walls (102,104). The retaining element can be in the form of an elastic strip attached to one of the side walls. The retaining strip (120) can comprise a heat-unstable activatable material such that it can be applied to the bag in a deadened condition wherein the strip is set and subsequently heated to transition to an activated condition wherein the retaining element is elasticized to provide an elasticized article which can have a shirred appearance. The retaining element can have various configurations and can be activated by various methods.

Abstract: Several embodiments of resilient slider members and methods of assembling such slider members onto interlocking fastening strips are disclosed herein. The slider member (200) comprises a pair of spaced-apart side walls (210, 230) and an intermediate body portion (250) therebetween. In addition, each side wall includes an interior surface (215) with an inwardly projecting shoulder (216) formed thereon, an exterior surface (217), and opposed end surfaces (218).