Patents by Inventor Janet L. Skeens

Janet L. Skeens has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6837268
    Abstract: A one-way valve allows air to be drawn from a collapsible, flexible, air-tight bag using a vacuum source. When the vacuum source is removed, the one-way valve prevents air from re-entering the bag. A filter is placed on the valve body to prevent small particles from the bag from clogging the valve or the vacuum source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Janet L. Skeens, Gerald W. Sweeney
  • Patent number: 6634384
    Abstract: A valve assembly mounted in a resealable/reclosable storage bag. The valve assembly includes a base and a valve element. The valve element includes a stem with a convex cap attached at one end and a valve gate attached at the opposite end. The stem extends into a hole in the base. The resilient quality of the cap, acting against the top of the base, holds the gate against the bottom of the base, thereby forming a seal between the gate and the base that is strong enough to preserve the vacuum inside the bag. A cavity extends into the stem from the cap end. A hole in the stem runs from the cavity to outside the stem. When the stem is pressed down, a vacuum source may draw air between the gate and the base, through the hole in the stem, into the cavity, and subsequently outside the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Janet L. Skeens, Gerald W. Sweeney
  • Publication number: 20030178066
    Abstract: A one-way valve allows air to be drawn from a collapsible, flexible, air-tight bag using a vacuum source. When the vacuum source is removed, the one-way valve prevents air from reentering the bag. A filter is placed on the valve body to prevent small particles from the bag from clogging the valve or the vacuum source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventors: Janet L. Skeens, Gerald W. Sweeney
  • Patent number: 6581641
    Abstract: A valve assembly mounted in a resealable/reclosable storage bag. The valve assembly includes a base and a valve element. The valve element includes a stem with a convex cap attached at one end and a valve gate attached at the opposite end. The stem extends into a hole in the base. The resilient quality of the cap, acting against the top of the base, holds the gate against the bottom of the base, thereby forming a seal between the gate and the base that is strong enough to preserve the vacuum inside the bag. A cavity extends into the stem from the cap end. A hole in the stem runs from the cavity to outside the stem. When the stem is pressed down, a vacuum source may draw air between the gate and the base, through the hole in the stem, into the cavity, and subsequently outside the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Janet L. Skeens, Gerald W. Sweeney
  • Publication number: 20030111121
    Abstract: A valve assembly mounted in a resealable/reclosable storage bag. The valve assembly includes a base and a valve element. The valve element includes a stem with a convex cap attached at one end and a valve gate attached at the opposite end. The stem extends into a hole in the base. The resilient quality of the cap, acting against the top of the base, holds the gate against the bottom of the base, thereby forming a seal between the gate and the base that is strong enough to preserve the vacuum inside the bag. A cavity extends into the stem from the cap end. A hole in the stem runs from the cavity to outside the stem. When the stem is pressed down, a vacuum source may draw air between the gate and the base, through the hole in the stem, into the cavity, and subsequently outside the bag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Inventors: Janet L. Skeens, Gerald W. Sweeney
  • Patent number: 6575191
    Abstract: A one-way valve allows air to be drawn from a collapsible, flexible, air-tight bag using a vacuum source. When the vacuum source is removed, the one-way valve prevents air from re-entering the bag. A filter is placed on the valve body to prevent small particles from the bag from clogging the valve or the vacuum source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Janet L. Skeens, Gerald W. Sweeney
  • Publication number: 20020144740
    Abstract: A valve assembly mounted in a resealable/reclosable storage bag. The valve assembly includes a base and a valve element. The valve element includes a stem with a convex cap attached at one end and a valve gate attached at the opposite end. The stem extends into a hole in the base. The resilient quality of the cap, acting against the top of the base, holds the gate against the bottom of the base, thereby forming a seal between the gate and the base that is strong enough to preserve the vacuum inside the bag. A cavity extends into the stem from the cap end. A hole in the stem runs from the cavity to outside the stem. When the stem is pressed down, a vacuum source may draw air between the gate and the base, through the hole in the stem, into the cavity, and subsequently outside the bag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Inventors: Janet L. Skeens, Gerald W. Sweeney
  • Publication number: 20020117215
    Abstract: A one-way valve allows air to be drawn from a collapsible, flexible, air-tight bag using a vacuum source. When the vacuum source is removed, the one-way valve prevents air from re-entering the bag. A filter is placed on the valve body to prevent small particles from the bag from clogging the valve or the vacuum source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Inventors: Janet L. Skeens, Gerald W. Sweeney
  • Publication number: 20020090151
    Abstract: A flexible, evacuable storage bag has a storage portion, an airtight seal, and a one-way valve. The valve includes a strip sandwiched between top and bottom sheets used to make the bag. The strip is bonded along the edges to the top and bottom sheets so as to form passageways extending from the storage portion to outside the bag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Inventors: Janet L. Skeens, Brent G. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6408872
    Abstract: A one-way valve allows air to be drawn from a collapsible, flexible, air-tight bag using a vacuum source. When the vacuum source is removed, the one-way valve prevents air from re-entering the bag. A filter is placed on the valve body to prevent small particles from the bag from clogging the valve or the vacuum source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: New West Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Janet L. Skeens, Gerald W. Sweeney
  • Patent number: 6116781
    Abstract: A flexible, evacuable storage bag has a storage portion, an airtight seal, and a one-way valve. The valve includes a strip sandwiched between top and bottom sheets used to make the bag. The strip is bonded along the edges to the top and bottom sheets so as to form two passageways extending from the storage portion to outside the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: New West Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Janet L. Skeens
  • Patent number: D435354
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: New West Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Janet L. Skeens