VACUUM STORAGE CONTAINER WITH INTEGRATED PUMP

Abstract

An application for a container with integrated vacuum pump including a non-porous sealable enclosure with walls and an aperture in a first of the walls. A vacuum pump is affixed to the first of the walls of the non-porous sealable enclosure. The vacuum pump has an inflow port that is interfaced to the aperture so that the vacuum pump is adapted to evacuate air from the non-porous sealable enclosure through the aperture.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a storage container and more particularly to a container for storing goods with an integrated evacuating pump.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many products are stored in substantially non-porous containers such as plastic bags, plastic sacks and plastic containers. Often there is a need to remove as much air from such containers for several reasons. When food is stored in such containers, it is beneficial to evacuate as much air as possible to retard spoilage. Often, the user will try and remove excess air by squeezing the container before sealing or capping with a lid. This is often very difficult because the user must use one hand to compress the contents while using the other to seal the container.

This need has been addressed in the past by adjunct devices that evacuate air from the container. There have been several kitchen devices that evacuate a plastic bag, then heat seal the bag to prevent outside air from entering. This system works in some situations, but requires a separate device to evacuate the bag and does not work well for solid containers such as Tupperware® type containers.

Another reason for evacuating air from a container is to reduce storage space. For example, when storing clothing, much of the volume that is being stored is air. If the air is evacuated to any degree, the amount of space (volume) is considerably reduced, requiring less storage space. One example of this are SpaceBags® from New West Products, Inc. Space Bag vacuum-seal storage packs compress bulky items through vacuum sealing. Vacuum-sealing is performed by attaching a vacuum cleaner to a one-way valve on the SpaceBags®. Unfortunately, these devices require a vacuum to operate. At times, there is no vacuum available such as when storing items in an attic or when camping, etc., making it difficult to reseal such bags.

Another example of a storage bag is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,333,736 to Kawamura and is hereby incorporated by reference. This patent describes a plastic bag with an evacuation port for attaching an external vacuum. This storage bag requires an external vacuum that is not always convenient or easily located.

What is needed is a storage device that seals its contents from air and has an integrated vacuum pump for evacuating air from the storage device after the storage device is sealed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, a container with integrated vacuum pump is disclosed including a non-porous sealable enclosure with walls and an aperture in a first of the walls. A vacuum pump is affixed to the first of the walls of the non-porous sealable enclosure. The vacuum pump has an inflow port that is interfaced to the aperture so that the vacuum pump is adapted to evacuate air from the non-porous sealable enclosure through the aperture.

In another embodiment, a method of evacuating air from material held in a non-porous sealable container is disclosed including providing the non-porous sealable container with walls and an aperture in a first of the walls and also including a vacuum pump affixed to the first wall. An inflow port of the vacuum pump is interfaced to the aperture and the vacuum pump to evacuate air from the non-porous sealable enclosure through the aperture. The method continues with opening a seal of the non-porous sealable container and placing the material to be stored in the non-porous sealable container then sealing the seal of the non-porous sealable container. Next, the steps of compressing the vacuum pump, blowing air from the vacuum pump to an outside environment and releasing the vacuum pump, pulling air from the non-porous sealable container through the aperture in the first wall are repeatedly performed until sufficient air is evacuated from the non-porous sealable container.

In another embodiment, a container with integrated vacuum pump is disclosed including a non-porous sealable enclosure with walls and an aperture in a first of the walls. A device adapted to pull air out of the non-porous enclosure is affixed to the first wall and is adapted to evacuate air from the non-porous sealable enclosure through the aperture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of a storage device of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic view of a storage device of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a plan view of a valve of a bellow pump of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of a bellows pump of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a plan view of a bellows pump of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a plan view of a bellows pump hinged at one end of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures.

Referring to FIG. 1, a schematic view of a storage device of a first embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the storage device is a sealable bag 20. The bag 20 is preferably made of a non-porous material such as plastic film. An opening in the bag allows for the insertion of content and is sealed by a sealing device 22 as known in the industry. Many such sealing devices are well known and all of such are included. Examples of such are zipper like seals, adhesive seals, flaps, twist-ties and zipper-like with a sealing slider (e.g., Zip Lock Bags). The contents 24 are placed in the storage device 20 and the seal 22 is engaged to seal the contents 24 within the storage device 20. This type of storage device is presently known in the industry. The present invention integrates an evacuating pump 10 to the storage device 20. In this embodiment, the pump is a bellows pump having a valve system 12 and an accordion-style bellows 14. After the contents have been sealed in the storage device 20, the bellows pump 10 is repeatedly compressed and opened until the desired amount of air is evacuated from the sealed storage device 20. In other embodiment, other types of evacuating pumps are used in place of the bellows-type pump, for example, a piston pump or a bulb-type pump.

Referring to FIG. 2, a schematic view of a storage device of a second embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this example, the storage device 40 is a rigid container such as a plastic storage container with a base portion 48 and a lid portion 46. The contents 44 are stored in the base portion 48 and the lid portion 46 is affixed to the base portion 48 by a sealing interface 42. In this example, a bulb-type pump with a squeeze bulb 30, air tube 32 and valve assembly 34 is integrated onto the lid portion 46 of the storage device 40. The valve assembly 34 allows air to be drawn from the storage device 40 when the squeeze bulb expands. In other embodiment, other types of evacuating pumps are used in place of the bulb-type pump, for example, a bellows pump. In other embodiments, the pump is affixed to the base portion 48 instead.

Referring to FIG. 3, a plan view of a valve of a bellow pump of the present invention is shown. The valve assembly is attached to the storage container 20 (40) and has two rigid layers 50/70 and a flexible layer 60 that is shown in detail in FIG. 4.

Referring to FIG. 4, an exploded view of a bellows vacuum pump of the present invention is shown. The bellows vacuum pump has a bellows portion 80 made from a resilient, flexible material such as plastic that deforms under pressure and restores to substantially its original shape when the pressure abates. When it deforms under pressure, air is forced out of the bellows portion 80 and when it restores, air is drawn back in.

A series of valves and air passages are situated between the bellows portion 80 and the storage container 20 (40). An aperture 21 in the storage container 20 (40) allows air 82 to be drawn out of the storage container 20 (40) when the bellow portion 80 expands (restores). Air is drawn through one or more apertures 52 of the inflow port of the vacuum pump, located directly above the aperture 21 in the storage container 20 (40). The apertures are formed in a lower stiff layer 50. Although the bellows vacuum pump works fine with a single aperture 52, it is preferred to have multiple smaller apertures 52 to reduce the possibility of the contents 24/44 from entering the pump mechanism. For example, if the container is filled with coffee beans, multiple smaller apertures 52 will reduce the amount of particulate coffee beans that are sucked into the bellows portion 80 and possibly blown out of the exit aperture 76. In addition, distributed apertures 52 reduce the chances of all apertures 52 being blocked due to a collapsed container 20. In some embodiments where the container is a plastic bag (film bag), the inner surface of the plastic bag has grooves or channels to further reduce the possibility of a collapsed bag blocking the inlet apertures 52.

Each aperture 52 is covered by a flexible hinged valve 62 formed on a flexible layer 60. The flexible hinged valves 62 lift when air flows out of the storage container 20 (40) and lay flat, thereby sealing their respective aperture 52 when air flows out of the bellows portion 80. The air flowing 82 from the storage container 20 (40) flows through another aperture 72 in an upper stiff layer 70 and into the bellows portion 80. When pressure is applied to the bellows portion 80, air 84 flows out through a second set of apertures 74 in the upper stiff layer 70. The second set of apertures 74 are covered on their bottom side by another set of flexible hinged valves 64 so that air flows out through the second set of apertures 74 but when air flows into the bellows portion 80, the second set of flexible hinged valves 64 blocks air from entering from the outside. An aperture 54 allows air to flow from the second set of apertures 74 through an exit aperture in the flexible layer 66 and out through an exit aperture 76 in the upper stiff layer 70.

Referring to FIG. 5, a plan view of a bellows pump of the present invention is shown. This view shows a bellows pump of the present invention with optional locking clips 84 and a vacuum seal 82. The stacking of the layers is shown by dotted lines. Air is extracted through the aperture 21 in the container 20 (40) through aperture 52, flap valves 62 and aperture 72 when the bellows portion 80 expands. Air is exhausted through apertures 74, flap valves 64, aperture 54, aperture 66 and aperture 76 when the bellows portion is compressed. Once sufficient air is evacuated from the container 20 (40), the bellows portion 80 is contracted one final time and pushed hard enough to engage with the locking clips 84, locking the bellows portion 80 in a compressed position. In some embodiments, a seal 82 is provided to mate with the opening of the final aperture 76 so as to reduce leakage into the container 20 (40) during storage. It is preferred that the seal 82 be made from a flexible, soft, non-porous material such as rubber, thereby mating with the last aperture 76 and forming a relatively air-tight seal.

Referring to FIG. 6, a plan view of a bellows pump hinged at one end of the present invention is shown. This view also shows a bellows pump of the present invention with optional locking clips 84 and a vacuum seal 82. In this embodiment, one side of the bellows portion 80 is hingedly closed as in a fireplace bellows. The stacking of the layers is the same as in FIG. 5. Air is extracted through the aperture 21 in the container 20 (40) through aperture 52, flap valves 62 and aperture 72 when the bellows portion 80 expands. Air is exhausted through apertures 74, flap valves 64, aperture 54, aperture 66 and aperture 76 when the bellows portion is compressed. Once sufficient air is evacuated from the container 20 (40), the bellows portion 80 is contracted one final time and pushed hard enough to engage with the clip 84, locking the bellows portion 80 in its compressed mode. In some embodiments, a seal 82 is provided to mate with the opening of the final aperture 76 so as to reduce leakage into the container 20 (40) during storage. It is preferred that the seal 82 be made from a flexible, soft, non-porous material such as rubber, thereby mating with the last aperture 76 and forming a relatively air-tight seal.

Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result.

It is believed that the system and method of the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.

Claims

1. A container with integrated vacuum pump, the container comprising:

a non-porous sealable enclosure having walls, an aperture in a first wall of the walls; and

a vacuum pump affixed to the first wall of the non-porous sealable enclosure, an inflow port of the vacuum pump interfaced to the aperture, the vacuum pump adapted to evacuate air from the non-porous sealable enclosure through the aperture.

2. The container with integrated vacuum pump of claim 1, wherein the vacuum pump is a bellows vacuum pump.

3. The container with integrated vacuum pump of claim 1, wherein the enclosure is a sealable plastic bag.

4. The container with integrated vacuum pump of claim 1, wherein the enclosure is a rigid plastic container having a rigid storage portion and a rigid lid, the lid adapted to fit tightly on the rigid storage portion, thereby sealing the rigid plastic container.

5. The container with integrated vacuum pump of claim 4, wherein the first wall is the rigid lid, the aperture is in the rigid lid and the vacuum pump is affixed to the rigid lid.

6. The container with integrated vacuum pump of claim 2, wherein the bellows vacuum pump comprises:

a lower stiff layer affixed to the first wall, the lower stiff layer having a plurality of inflow apertures interfaced to the aperture of the first wall and the lower stiff layer having a pass-through aperture;

a flexible layer adapted to the lower stiff layer, the flexible layer having a first plurality of hinged flaps that cover each of the plurality of inflow apertures, the flexible layer having a second plurality of hinged flaps and the flexible layer having a pass-through aperture;

an upper stiff layer adapted to the flexible layer, the upper stiff layer having an inflow opening for receiving air from the plurality of inflow apertures, the upper stiff layer having a plurality of outflow apertures, and the upper stiff layer having an outflow passage, whereas each of the second plurality of hinged flaps covers a corresponding one of the plurality of outflow apertures and the outflow passage aligns with the pass-through aperture allowing air to exit the bellows vacuum pump; and

a bellows portion for pulling air out of the enclosure through the plurality of inflow apertures, through the inflow opening and pushing air out through the plurality of outflow apertures, through the pass-through aperture and through the outflow passage.

7. The container with integrated vacuum pump of claim 6, further comprising at least one hook for holding the bellows portion in a compressed state.

8. The container with integrated vacuum pump of claim 7, further comprising a seal adapted to the bellows portion, the seal covering the outflow passage when the bellows portion is held in the compressed state.

9. The container with integrated vacuum pump of claim 7, wherein the at least one hook is part of the upper stiff layer.

10. A method of evacuating air from material held in a non-porous sealable container, the method comprising:

providing the non-porous sealable container having walls and an aperture in a first wall of the walls and a vacuum pump affixed to the first wall of the non-porous sealable enclosure with an inflow port of the vacuum pump interfaced to the aperture, the vacuum pump adapted to evacuate air from the non-porous sealable enclosure through the aperture;

opening a seal of the non-porous sealable container;

placing the material in the non-porous sealable container;

sealing the seal of the non-porous sealable container;

until a desired amount of air is evacuated from the non-porous sealable container, repeatedly performing the steps of: compressing the vacuum pump, blowing air from the vacuum pump to an outside environment; and releasing the vacuum pump, pulling air from the non-porous sealable container through the aperture in the first wall.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the vacuum pump is a bellows vacuum pump.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the enclosure is a sealable plastic bag.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the enclosure is a rigid plastic container having a rigid storage portion and a rigid lid, the lid adapted to fit tightly on the rigid storage portion, thereby sealing the rigid plastic container.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the bellows vacuum pump comprises:

a lower stiff layer affixed to the first wall, the lower stiff layer having a plurality of inflow apertures interfaced to the aperture of the first wall and the lower stiff layer having a pass-through aperture;

a flexible layer adapted to the lower stiff layer, the flexible layer having a first plurality of hinged flaps that cover each of the plurality of inflow apertures, the flexible layer having a second plurality of hinged flaps and the flexible layer having a pass-through aperture;

an upper stiff layer adapted to the flexible layer, the upper stiff layer having an inflow opening for receiving air from the plurality of inflow apertures, the upper stiff layer having a plurality of outflow apertures, and the upper stiff layer having an outflow passage, whereas each of the second plurality of hinged flaps covers a corresponding one of the plurality of outflow apertures and the outflow passage aligns with the pass-through aperture allowing air to exit the bellows vacuum pump; and

a bellows portion for pulling air out of the enclosure through the plurality of inflow apertures, through the inflow opening and pushing air out through the plurality of outflow apertures, through the pass-through aperture and through the outflow passage.

15. A container with integrated vacuum pump, the container comprising:

a non-porous sealable enclosure having walls, an aperture in a first wall of the walls; and

a means to pull air out of the non-porous enclosure affixed to the first wall of the non-porous sealable enclosure, the means to pull air out of the non-porous enclosure adapted to evacuate air from the non-porous sealable enclosure through the aperture.

16. The container with integrated vacuum pump of claim 15, wherein the means to pull air out of the non-porous enclosure is a bellows vacuum pump.

17. The container with integrated vacuum pump of claim 16, wherein the bellows vacuum pump comprises:

a lower stiff layer affixed to the first wall, the lower stiff layer having a plurality of inflow apertures interfaced to the aperture of the first wall and the lower stiff layer having a pass-through aperture;

a flexible layer adapted to the lower stiff layer, the flexible layer having a first plurality of hinged flaps that cover each of the plurality of inflow apertures, the flexible layer having a second plurality of hinged flaps and the flexible layer having a pass-through aperture;

an upper stiff layer adapted to the flexible layer, the upper stiff layer having an inflow opening for receiving air from the plurality of inflow apertures, the upper stiff layer having a plurality of outflow apertures, and the upper stiff layer having an outflow passage, whereas each of the second plurality of hinged flaps covers a corresponding one of the plurality of outflow apertures and the outflow passage aligns with the pass-through aperture allowing air to exit the bellows vacuum pump; and

a bellows portion for pulling air out of the enclosure through the plurality of inflow apertures, through the inflow opening and pushing air out through the plurality of outflow apertures, through the pass-through aperture and through the outflow passage.

18. The container with integrated vacuum pump of claim 17, further comprising at least one hook for holding the bellows portion in a compressed state.

19. The container with integrated vacuum pump of claim 18, further comprising a seal adapted to the bellows portion, the seal covering the outflow passage when the bellows portion is held in the compressed state.

20. The container with integrated vacuum pump of claim 18, wherein the at least one hook is part of the upper stiff layer.