Evacuable container having one-way valve with filter element

Abstract

A one-way valve allows air to be drawn from an air tight container using a vacuum source. When the vacuum source is removed, the one-way valve prevents air from re-entering the container. A pump evacuates air from the container including a housing cooperatively engaging the housing for filter and cap assembly of the one way valve assembly. A seal isolates the pump housing from the cap sealing housing, and a handle is provided to withdrawably evacuate the air from the container.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to the field of evacuable containers for storing air sensitive food and medicine as well as storing compressible articles such as clothing.

2. Background of the Prior Art

Storage containers typically include an air-tight bag, an opening through which to put an article in the bag, and a fixture through which to evacuate excess air. A user places an article into the bag through the opening, seals the opening, and then evacuates the air in the bag through the fixture. With the bag thus evacuated, the article contained therein may be significantly compressed so that it is easier to transport and requires substantially less storage space.

Evacuable storage containers are beneficial for reasons in addition to those associated with compression of the stored article. For example, removal of the air from the storage container inhibits the growth of destructive organisms, such as moths, silverfish, and bacteria, all of which requiure oxygen to survive and propogate. Moreover, such containers, being impervious to moisture, inhibit the growth of mildew.

Large, compressible items such as clothing may be stored in a collapsible, evacuable storage container. For example, it may be desirable to store bulk items made of small particles, such as powders or granulated resins, in an evacuated container. One situation that commonly occurs is that a particular bulk item is shipped in a large, rigid container such as a drum. Bulk items may be moisture sensitive and are sealed against moisture during shipment. But many times a user does not need to use the entire contents of the large container, and so once exposed to air the remaining bulk contents quickly become unusable are thus wasted.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A flexible container has a body portion, a sealing edge disposed along an opening in the body portion and an airtight at a selective position on the body portion. The valve has a housing for filter and cap assembly secured to the surface of the container and a cap sealer housing secured to the filter and cap assembly. A vacuum sealer valve seals the container closed when air is removed from the container, and a support sleeve snap-on secures and retains the vacuum sealer valve in a closed air-tight condition.

The invention also includes a pump for evacuating air from the container including a housing cooperatively engaging the housing for filter and cap assembly of the one way valve assembly. A sealing device isolates the pump housing from the cap sealing housing, and a handle is withdrawably movable to evacuate the air from the container

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational , sectional view of the air-tight valve comprising a major feature of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational and sectional view of the pump secured to the valve illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational outline view of the pump shown in FIG. 2 rotated 90 degrees;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a flexible bag forming the container;

FIG. 5 is perspective view of a rectangular plastic box forming the container;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a circular receptacle forming the container;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a flat, circular package forming the container;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a butter receptacle forming the container;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a glaze package forming the container;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a paint can forming the container;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a soda bottle forming the container;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a milk carton forming the container;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a orange juice carton forming the container;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a self-sealing bag holding food wherein air flows into the package just before it is sealed;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the food package of FIG. 14 with air trapped inside the package after it is sealed;

FIG. 16 is a food package like that shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 except it has a one-way nozzle heat-sealed into the bag closure element; and

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the food package of FIG. 16 wherein air inside the package has been removed by the vacuum pump and the one-way nozzle is closed to seal the bag without any air trapped inside the bag.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 4, a pouch/container shown generally as 10 has a first end 12 openable and closable by a zipper 14. A one-way valve and filter mechanism 16 is positioned in a side 18 of pouch 10. Mechanism 16 is made up of a housing for filter and cap assembly 20 (FIG. 1) which is formed around an opening 22 in pouch 10. A sealer 24 is placed on both the inside and outside of pouch 10, and assembly 20 is secured in place by a washer 26.

A cap sealer housing 28 is threadably connected to assembly 20 and engages washer 26 to secure all members to pouch 10 and against each other. A vacuum sealer valve 30 is positioned to open when air is removed from pouch 10 and close when air is evacuated from pouch 10. A support sleeve snap-on mechanism 32 holds sealer valve 30 in a pouch closed positioned after air has been removed. A filter 34 is positioned in the interior of assembly 20 as shown in FIG. 1.

A pump shown generally as 36 in FIG. 2 has a housing 38 extending downwardly and over cap sealer housing 28 including support sleeve snap-on 32. The lower end 40 of pump 36 extends to engage the lip 42 of washer 26 which serves to sealably secure pump 36 in place. An O-ring 44 reinforces the sealed condition of pump 36 with respect to housing 28, and a V-ring 46 ensures smooth cooperation between pump handle 50 and pump housing 38.

When pump 36 is operated to remove air from pouch 10, pump housing legs 52 can be squeezed toward each other and dislodge legs 52 from underneath the flange of washer 26 and thereby release pump 36 from its connection with housing 28.

A number of other containers can be used for storage in an air free condition such as the rectangular container 54 shown in FIG. 5 and the round container 56 shown in FIG. 6. Other acceptable containers include plastic cartons 58, 60 such as those used for milk and juices and other product specific containers 62, 64, 66 used for example with food, medicine and paint. Larger cartons can be used when articles made of fabric or other materials are to be stored to protect them from moths or bacteria.

A pictorial illustration of the operation of the present invention is included herein as FIGS. 14, 15, 16 and 17. Air flows into a bag with food and is trapped therein when the bag is sealed. It eventually will cause the packaged food to spoil. When a one-way nozzle is used, the vacuum pump draws out the air and the nozzle becomes a part of the bags seal.

From the preceding description, it can be seen that an evacuable storage container has been provided that will meet all the advantages of prior art devices and offer additional advantages not heretofore achievable. With respect to the foregoing invention, the optimum dimensional relationship to the parts of the invention including variations in size, materials, shape, form, function, and manner of operation, use and assembly are deemed readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed herein.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, and it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. All suitable modifications and equivalents that fall within the scope of the appended claims are deemed within the present inventive concept.

Claims

1. A container comprising: a flexible air tight container having an opening for receiving an item to be stored in the container; an air-tight seal across the opening; a one way valve assembly installed in a surface of the container wherein the assembly allows air to pass out of the container but prevents air from entering the container, the assembly having a filter and cap assembly housing secured to a surface of the container, a cap sealer housing secured to the filter and cap assembly housing, a vacuum sealer valve sealing the container closed when air is removed from the container, and a support sleeve snap-on securing and retaining the vacuum sealer valve in a closed air-tight condition.

2. A receiving container having a body portion, a sealing edge disposed along an opening in the body portion, and an airtight valve at a selective position on the body portion comprising: a housing for filter and cap assembly fixedly secured to the body portion; a cap sealer housing releasably secured to the housing for filter and cap assembly; a vacuum sealer valve sealing the container closed when air is removed from the container; and a support sleeve snap-on securing and retaining the vacuum sealer valve in a closed air-tight condition.

3. The one way valve assembly as claimed 1 further comprising: a pump for evacuating air from the container including a housing cooperatively engaging the housing for filter and cap assembly of the one way valve assembly, sealing means sealably isolating the pump housing from the cap sealing housing, and a handle withdrawably movable to evacuate the air from the container.

4. The airtight valve as claimed in claim 2 further comprising: a pump for evacuating air from the container including a housing for the filter and cap assembly of the one way valve assembly, sealing means sealably isolating the pump housing from the cap sealing housing, and a handle withdrawably movable to evacuate the air from the container.

5. The container as claimed in claim 1 wherein the one way valve assembly is integrally formed in the surface of the container during the formation of the container.

6. The container as claimed in claim 5 wherein the surface of the container is a lid.