CLOSURE DEVICE FOR PACKAGE UNDER RELATIVE VACUUM

Abstract

The present invention relates to a closure device for a package comprising a first panel (2) and a second superposed panel (3) with superposed through-openings (5) and a third panel (4) with at least one opening (11), the third panel (4) being able to occupy two positions in which the opening (11) is either superposed on said openings (5) of the other panels (2, 3) or is not superposed thereon. The second panel and/or the first panel (3, 2) comprises at least one tube (6) attached in a substantially perpendicular manner to its surface oriented toward said first panel (2) respectively the second panel (3) and housing a channel in communication with said at least one opening (5) of the second panel (3) respectively of the first panel (2), said at least one tube (6) making it possible to attach the first panel (2) and the second panel (3) together.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a device for closing a bag or a package making it possible to produce a relative vacuum in such a bag or package, the closure device comprising a first panel with at least one through-opening, a second superposed panel comprising at least one through-opening at least partially superposed on said at least one opening of the first panel and a connection means, and a third panel comprising at least one opening, the third panel being capable of a connection with said connection means of the second panel so as to be able to occupy two positions, a first position in which the opening is at least partially superposed on said at least one opening of the other two panels and a second position in which this opening is not superposed on an opening of the other two panels so as to represent a sealed obstacle to a flow of gas through the device, a package as such furnished with such a device, and the use of such a package in order to store commodities under relative vacuum.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

This type of closure device described in European patent EP 1 808 383 is suitable for numerous applications which do not necessarily require a perfect vacuum but only a relative vacuum, hence for which a simple and low-cost solution is sufficient. The inventor of the device described in this patent has however stated that, for certain other applications, it would be desirable to improve this closure device, respectively the corresponding package.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, the object of the present invention consists in improving several facets of said closure device respectively of the corresponding package, notably concerning the attachment of the device and its seal, without however excessively increasing its complexity and even its price, while still making it possible to produce via said closure device a relative vacuum in a simple and user-friendly manner, compatible with a large number of packages in order to offer a multitude of applications.

The subject of the invention is a closure device of the abovementioned type, wherein the second panel and/or the first panel comprises at least one tube attached in a substantially perpendicular manner to its surface oriented toward said first panel respectively the second panel and housing a channel in communication with said at least one opening of the second panel respectively of the first panel, the tube having a length capable of at least partially traversing said at least one opening of the first panel respectively of the second panel so as to attach the first panel and the second panel together when the second panel is positioned on the first panel.

Advantageously, the first panel and/or the second panel comprises a layer made of flexible material in its zone comprising said at least one opening, said layer having at least one opening with a diameter that is slightly smaller than the diameter of said at least one opening of this panel and superposed on this opening, and said at least one tube of the second panel respectively of the first panel has an external diameter corresponding to the diameter of said at least one opening of the first panel respectively of the second panel, so that said at least one tube of the second panel respectively of the first panel is capable of interacting with the first panel respectively the second panel in order to attach the two panels together.

Said at least one tube of the second panel respectively of the first panel may be a separately manufactured part comprising an attachment head and is incorporated into the second panel respectively the first panel while being placed in a housing of the panel and covered by an attachment panel having at least one opening superposed on said at least one opening of the panel.

Alternatively, said at least one tube of the second panel respectively of the first panel may be manufactured in one piece with said panel.

The layer made of flexible material of the first panel and/or of the second panel is attached inside the panel or on its surface oriented toward the second panel respectively the first panel.

This layer made of flexible material of the first panel and/or the second panel may be attached in the panel in a removable manner and may be manufactured in elastomer, silicone or rubber.

Preferably, the third panel comprises, on its surface oriented toward the second panel and in its zone superposed in the second position of the third panel on said at least one opening of the other two panels, a layer made of flexible material.

In a preferred embodiment, the layer made of flexible material of the third panel is freely housed in a housing provided in the third panel on its surface oriented toward the second panel.

Said layer made of flexible material of the third panel may also be manufactured in elastomer, silicone or rubber.

It is however preferable that the first panel and the second panel comprise several circular openings with a diameter of between 2 and 10 millimeters and/or that the third panel comprises a connection means capable of interacting with a standard vacuum cleaner.

The connection means between the second panel and the third panel may comprise slides and/or a rotation spindle.

The invention also relates to a package comprising an opening and at least one flap closing this opening, the package comprising such a closure device the first panel of which is placed beneath the flap and the second and third panels of which are placed on the flap, said at least one tube of the second panel and/or of the first panel being applied through the flap so as to attach the closure device to the package, and said package comprises at least one opening in the flap corresponding with at least one opening of the first panel and of the second panel.

Preferably, the package is parallelepipedal, made of a flexible material and its opening is closed by four flaps.

The invention also relates to the use of such a package for storing commodities under relative vacuum.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The appended drawings represent, as an example, several embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1 represents a top exploded view of the elements of a closure device according to a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 represents a top view of the closure device of FIG. 1 in its assembled position and in the open position.

FIG. 3a is an exploded view in partial longitudinal section along the line I-I in FIG. 2 of the first embodiment of a closure device according to the present invention; FIGS. 3b and 3c show schematically and similarly to the longitudinal section on the line I-O in FIG. 2 longitudinal sections of two other embodiments of a closure device according to the present invention, the device being, as in FIG. 3a, in its position before its assembly and corresponding to a closed position.

FIG. 4a represents a view in perspective of an open bag compatible with a closure device according to the invention; FIG. 4b represents the bag filled with substances and closed by a closure device according to the invention in the phase of producing the relative vacuum; FIG. 4c represents the above bag after the relative vacuum has been produced.

FIG. 5 represents a top view of a package according to a variant embodiment with the flaps fully open.

FIG. 6a represents in perspective a top view of a package according to the variant of FIG. 5 in a first phase of folding the flaps; FIG. 6b represents in perspective a top view of a package according to the variant embodiment in a second phase of folding the flaps; FIG. 6c represents a view in perspective of the package according to the variant embodiment with the flaps fully folded.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the appended drawings which illustrate, as an example, several embodiments of the invention.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, it is noted that the closure device 1 according to the present invention comprises three superposed panels 2, 3, 4. The bottom panel 2 comprises a zone with at least one through-hole 5 that is 0.5 to 15 mm in diameter. Preferably, these holes have a diameter from 2 to 10 mm and are even in number, but may be more numerous depending on their diameter. The intermediate panel 3 also comprises a zone furnished with through-holes 5 positioned so as to be superposed on the holes 5 of the bottom panel 2 when the two panels are attached one on the other as will be described below. This intermediate panel 3 normally comprises lateral longitudinal slides 8 and a transverse edge 9, so as to allow a sliding connecting of the top panel 4, which may be inserted into the slides 8 via the last side 10 of the intermediate panel 3 and slide in the slides 8 until it abuts the opposite edge 9. In this embodiment, the top panel 4 has a circular through-opening 11 with a diameter of approximately 30 mm corresponding to the connector of a standard consumer vacuum cleaner and which also corresponds to the dimensions of the zones with through-holes 5 of the two panels 2, 3.

FIG. 2 illustrates the three superposed panels in an open position, in which the opening 11 is superposed on the zones with through-holes 5 of the two panels 2, 3. The device can easily be placed in the closed position by having the top panel 4 slide to the left until it abuts the edge 9. In this closed position not shown in FIG. 2, the through-holes 5 will be covered by the solid zone 12 of the top sliding panel 4 which therefore obstructs these openings and provides the seal for the system.

Instead of making a linear movement as shown in FIG. 2, the third panel 4 could equally, according to another embodiment not shown in the figures, be mounted on the intermediate panel 3 with the aid of a rotation spindle allowing it to make a rotary movement in order to reach its two positions. In this case, the top panel 4 preferably has no circular through-opening 11 of large diameter as mentioned above, but has at least one opening of smaller diameter, preferably of the same diameter as the through-holes 5. By rotation of the panel 4, these openings can be superposed on the through-holes 5 of the bottom panel 2 and of the intermediate panel 3. This is one of the reasons why an even number such as 2 or 4 of through-holes 5 in the bottom panel 2 and the intermediate panel 3 respectively with holes of smaller diameter in the top panel 4 is preferable, the rotation spindle therefore being able to be arranged symmetrically between the holes 5. It is equally possible to provide, in this case, a coloring of certain portions of the top surface of the intermediate panel 3 so that these portions are visible through the openings of smaller diameter in the top panel 4 when the latter is in the closed position. All these measures can clearly also be envisaged for the first embodiment with linear movement of the top panel 4.

Furthermore, the third panel 4 could also have, in the abovementioned embodiments, a connection means in the form of a connector protruding from its top face surrounding the opening 11 respectively the set of openings of smaller diameter and adapted by its diameter to receive said connector of a standard vacuum cleaner. In this case, this protruding connector may be used as a lever in order to move the third panel 4, whether it be a linear or rotary movement. Instead of a connector, a groove in the top panel 4 surrounding the opening 11 respectively the openings of smaller diameter and adapted to receive said connector of a standard vacuum cleaner may be provided. It is also possible to provide an adaptation means in the form of a downsizing adaptor designed to be mounted on a standard vacuum cleaner or any other means designed to create the vacuum. This downsizing adaptor is arranged so as to be able to be mounted via one of its ends onto the vacuum cleaner and via the other end onto the opening or openings of the top panel 4.

In another variant, the through-holes 5 of the bottom panel 2 and/or of the intermediate panel 3 may be fitted with a filter having holes of smaller diameter, preferably from 0.1 to 1 mm. This filter is useful depending on the product intended to be placed in the bag or even the package. FIG. 3a illustrates in greater detail the arrangement of the three panels 2, 3, 4 of an embodiment of a closure device according to the present invention by showing schematically a partially exploded view in longitudinal section on the line I-I in FIG. 2. The device in FIG. 3a is in the position just before its assembly and corresponding to its closed position. In this embodiment, the second panel 3 comprises at least one tube 6 attached in a substantially perpendicular manner to its surface oriented toward said first panel 2. The tube 6 houses a channel that is in communication with said at least one opening 5 of the second panel 3, the channel having a diameter chosen according to the diameter of the through-hole 5, preferably of approximately 2 to 10 mm. The tube 6 has a length capable of traversing at least partially said at least one opening 5 of the first panel 2 when the second panel 3 is positioned on the first panel 2. It should be noted here that said at least one tube 6 could, alternatively or simultaneously, be placed also on the surface of the first panel 2 oriented toward said second panel 3, with a length capable of traversing at least partially said at least one opening 5 of the second panel 3. The explanations in the following description apply similarly to this inverse constellation, without it being explicitly repeated every time.

In addition, it is advantageous that, depending on the position of said at least one tube 6, the first panel 2 and/or the second panel 3 comprises a layer 7 made of flexible material in its zone comprising said at least one opening 5. Said layer 7 has at least one opening 7.1 with a diameter B slightly smaller than the diameter A of said at least one opening 5 of this panel 2, 3 and is superposed on this opening 5. The at least one tube 6 of the second panel 3 respectively of the first panel 2 has an external diameter C corresponding to the diameter A of said at least one opening 5 of the first panel 2 respectively of the second panel 3, so that said at least one tube 6 of the second panel 3 respectively the first panel 2 is capable of interacting with the first panel 2 respectively the second panel 3 in order to attach the two panels 2, 3 together. By these measures, it is possible that the closure device does not need distinct attachment means such as attachment wedges or lugs on one panel and attachment openings with a matching geometry on the other panel, which would require additional through-holes in the package or even the bag. So the present invention makes it possible to provide a mechanical fastening between the first panel 2 and the second panel 3 while using only said at least one tube 6. This tube simultaneously houses the channel allowing, in the open position of the device, gas to flow through the device. By providing these two functions via the single means of the tube 6, the sealing and the attachment of the device are greatly improved.

FIG. 3a also shows that said at least one tube 6 of the second panel 3, respectively of the first panel 2, in the inverse constellation, may be a separately manufactured part comprising an attachment head with a diameter exceeding the external diameter of its portion comprising the majority of the channel. This type of tube 6 is incorporated into the second panel 3 respectively the first panel 2 by placing the attachment head into a housing of the panel 3, 2 and by subsequently covering it with an attachment panel having at least one opening superposed on said at least one opening 5 of the panel 2, 3. Any other appropriate means may be used for this purpose, as long as it ensures that the attachment head of each tube 6 is attached in the mass of the panel 2, 3.

Alternatively, and as illustrated schematically in FIG. 3b, said at least one tube 6 of the second panel 3 respectively of the first panel 2 may be manufactured in one piece with said panel 3, 2.

FIGS. 3a and 3b also show, as an example, that the layer 7 made of flexible material of the first panel 2 and/or of the second panel 3, depending on whether said at least one tube 6 is placed in the second panel 3 and/or the first panel 2, is attached inside the panel 2, 3 or on its surface oriented toward the second panel 3 respectively the first panel 2. Preferably, this layer 7 made of flexible material of the first panel 2 and/or of the second panel 3 is attached in the panel 2, 3 so as to be easily replaceable, which is advantageous because the closure device according to the present invention can be reused and can therefore sustain damage in certain portions in the case of repeated disassembly and reassembly. Moreover, the layer 7 made of flexible material of the first panel 2 and/or the second panel 3 is advantageously manufactured of elastomer, silicone or rubber.

FIG. 3c shows schematically and as an example an embodiment corresponding to FIG. 3b, but in which the arrangement of said at least one tube 6 and of the layer 7 made of flexible material is inverted relative to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3b. As shown in these figures, the panel 2, 3 comprising the layer 7 made of flexible material may notably also comprise a portion with a greater thickness in order to receive said layer made of elastomer or another appropriate material. Similarly, the through-openings 5 of the panel 2, 3 receiving said at least one tube 6 are advantageously arranged so as to have, at the end opposite to the end receiving the tube 6, a portion with a smaller diameter corresponding to the internal diameter of said tube 6, that is to say corresponding to the diameter of the channel in the tube.

FIGS. 3a, 3b and 3c also show that the third panel 4 comprises, on its surface oriented toward the second panel 3 and covering its zone superposed in the second position of the third panel 4 on said at least one through-opening 5 of the other two panels 2, 3, a layer 4.1 made of flexible material. This layer 4.1 made of flexible material of the third panel 4 is preferably housed freely in a housing 4.2 provided in the third panel 4 on its surface oriented toward the second panel 3. This arrangement of the layer 4.1 makes it possible, once the package is under relative vacuum and the third panel 4 is in the closed position, that is to say that the inside of the package is subject to an underpressure and the layer 4.1 is superposed on the through-openings 5 of the first and second panels 2, 3, for the underpressure to cause this layer 4.1 to adhere against the entrance of said at least one opening 5, thereby reinforcing the seal of the closure device 1. This effect may be further enhanced by manufacturing said layer 4.1 of the third panel 4 in a flexible material such as elastomer, silicone or rubber. These materials make it possible at the same time for the third panel 4 to slide easily in the slides and over the surface of the second panel 3.

FIGS. 4a, 4b and 4c illustrate a possible use of the closure device on a package, for example a flexible and very simple bag 20, of rectangular parallelepipedal shape, furnished with a top opening 21 that can be closed by four flexible flaps, two large flaps 22, 23 placed on the large side of the bag and two small flaps 24, 25 placed on the small side of the bag.

Such a bag is then almost completely filled with a granular or solid substance or commodity 26 to be stored inside it, this substance being able to be, for example, a cereal such as wheat or maize. Then, the bottom panel 2 of the closure device is placed beneath the two flaps 22, 23, in a central zone of the opening 21 that is not covered by the flaps 24, 25, and the intermediate panel 3 of the device is placed on the two large flaps 22, 23 in a manner superposed on the bottom panel 2, so as to attach the two panels to one another by means of said at least one tube 6 on at least one panel 2, 3 interacting with the corresponding through-openings 5 on the other panel 3, 2 respectively with the layer 7 made of flexible material in this panel. Said at least one tube 6 is, during this step, placed through the flaps 22, 23, all of the flaps being in their folded position for closing the bag 20. The flexibility of the bag and of the flaps makes it easier to carry out this installation of the closure device 1.

Openings are then made in the two flaps 22, 23 at the through-holes 5 of the closure device 1 with the aid of appropriate spikes. As a variant, openings of a size similar to the opening 11 of the top panel 4 of the closure device may be precut in the zone corresponding to that of the through-holes 5, in order to obtain an equivalent result. It then remains to incorporate the top panel 4 into the slides 8 of the panel 3 in order to finalize the installation of the closure device 1 of the invention on the package or even the bag 20.

FIG. 4b illustrates the phase of aspirating the air contained in the bag 20, which is carried out by placing the closure device 1 in its open position as illustrated in FIG. 2 and by positioning the connector 27 of a vacuum cleaner on the opening 11 of the device. The air contained in the bag 20 can then pass through the three panels of the closure device 1 via the through-holes 5 of the two bottom panels 2, 3 respectively, via the tube 6 comprising a corresponding channel, and via the through-hole 11 of the top panel 4, under the effect of the vacuum cleaner.

Under the suction effect and the drop in pressure inside the bag, the flexible flaps of the bag 20 tend to be increasingly pressed against the content 26 of the bag and increasingly insulate this content from the outside. When the suction is considered sufficient, it is enough to rapidly move the top panel 4 of the closure device 1 into its closed position in which its opening 11 is no longer superposed on the through-holes 5. In this position, there is no more connection between the outside and the inside of the bag and the relative vacuum obtained is preserved in a stable manner. The external pressure, greater than the internal pressure of the bag, tends to compress and deform its flexible walls and its flexible flaps, thereby eliminating any potential opening which would allow air to enter. FIG. 4c illustrates the bag 20 closed in its relative vacuum position. As an option, the closure device 1 could comprise a lock ensuring that it is kept closed and preventing it from being accidentally opened by immobilizing the third panel 4 in the closed position.

FIGS. 5, 6a, 6b and 6c illustrate a variant embodiment of a package in which the closure flaps 22′, 23′, 24′ and 25′ have a particular shape in order to promote the sealing of the package when it is closed. FIG. 5 illustrates in a simplified manner the rectangular opening of the package 21′, surrounded by four flaps in a horizontal plane, two longitudinal flaps 22′ and 23′ and two lateral flaps 24′ and 25′. As shown in this figure, the lateral flaps 24′ and 25′ and a longitudinal flap 23′ have an identical width d, for a rectangular opening 21′ of the package with a width equal to 1.5 times d, the fourth flap 22′ having a width equal to that of the opening 21′ of the package.

The various steps of the method for closing this package are illustrated by FIGS. 6a and 6b. The four flaps are first folded to occupy a position substantially perpendicular to the plane of the opening 21′ of the package around this opening 21′. The widest flap is folded around a transitory fold line 28′ not corresponding to the boundary of the opening 21′ in order to obtain the folding of a portion of its width of dimension d, equal to that of the other flaps.

According to a step illustrated by the arrows A in FIG. 6a, the portions of the lateral flaps 24′ and 25′ extending beyond the planes of the longitudinal flaps 22′ and 23′ are folded against these flaps, to which they can be attached by bonding for example. In the example illustrated, the lateral flaps 24′ and 25′ have a length equal to 4 times d, their ends coming in the extension of the edges of the longitudinal flaps. However, other dimensions are possible without departing from the spirit of this variant installation.

According to a second step illustrated by the arrows B in FIG. 6a, the lateral flaps 24′, 25′ are then folded over the opening 21′ of the package, in order to obtain the configuration illustrated in FIG. 6b.

Finally, in a final step illustrated by the arrow C in FIG. 6b, the flaps 22′ and 23′ are folded over the opening 21′ of the package. For this, the widest flap 22′ is folded at its junction with the opening 21′ and not along its transitory folding line 28′. Therefore, this large flap 22′ covers the whole of the width of the opening 21′ and is superposed over a width d with the other longitudinal flap 23′. The result obtained is illustrated in FIG. 6c.

Naturally, a closure device 1 will also be positioned at the superposition of the flaps 22′ and 23′. As this superposition occupies a considerable surface area, the installation of the attachment device will be easy. On the other hand, the various lateral folds, including the fact that the two lateral flaps 24′, 25′ have portions folded over the top surface of the longitudinal flaps 22′, 23′, and this large surface area of superposition of the flaps make it possible to ensure a good seal of the package and a durable retention of the vacuum.

The closure device 1 makes multiple applications possible.

As illustrated above, it makes it possible to store particularly food products, such as grains or dry fruits, or any other product suited to such a package, in a durable and protected manner, the relative vacuum increasing the conservation time while preventing or delaying the deterioration of the commodities. In addition, the bag under relative vacuum also represents a sufficient obstacle to prevent external attacks by animals, attacks due to weather phenomena, etc. The bag may be transparent if it is desired to be able to see its content or nontransparent if it is necessary to protect it from the light. For this, a bag made of polyethylene, PVC or any food plastic may be used.

In addition, this solution has other advantages such as improving large-volume storage, which is so notably for two reasons. First, these bags have an imposed identical shape which may be chosen so as to be able to stack them easily and optimally. In addition, the volume of each bag is reduced thanks to the relative vacuum, which allows highly optimized large-volume storage.

Likewise, the transport of these food products packaged in this way is made much easier.

The dimensions of the package will be determined according to use. Small dimensions will be adapted to a domestic use, while larger dimensions may be chosen for example for an agricultural use.

Finally, this solution is easily adapted to the existing opening of a bag with flaps, which is user-friendly and does not require bags with particular openings.

The closure device has been illustrated as an example with rectangular panels. Any geometry could however be suitable, such as in particular circular panels in the case of embodiments of the device using a rotary movement of the top panel. Preferably, these panels will be made in materials that are easily machinable like plastic or light metal.

Claims

1. A closure device for a package comprising

a first panel with at least one through-opening,

a second superposed panel comprising at least one through-opening at least partially superposed on said at least one opening of the first panel and a connection means, and

a third panel comprising at least one opening, the third panel being capable of a connection with said connection means of the second panel so as to be able to occupy two positions, a first position in which the opening is at least partially superposed on said at least one opening of the other two panels and a second position in which this opening is not superposed on an opening of the other two panels so as to represent a sealed obstacle to a flow of gas through the device, wherein the second panel and/or the first panel comprises at least one tubedo attached in a substantially perpendicular manner to its surface oriented toward said first panel respectively the second panel and housing a channel in communication with said at least one opening of the second panel respectively of the first panel, the tube having a length capable of at least partially traversing said at least one opening of the first panel respectively of the second panel so as to attach the first panel and the second panel together when the second panel is positioned on the first panel.

2. The closure device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first panel and/or the second panel comprises a layer made of flexible material in its zone comprising said at least one opening, said layer having at least one opening with a diameter that is slightly smaller than the diameter of said at least one opening of this panel and superposed on this opening, and in that said at least one tube of the second panel respectively of the first panel has an external diameter corresponding to the diameter of said at least one opening of the first panel respectively of the second panel, so that said at least one tube of the second panel respectively of the first panel is capable of interacting with the first panel respectively the second panel in order to attach the two panels together.

3. The closure device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said at least one tube of the second panel respectively of the first panel is a separately manufactured part comprising an attachment head and is incorporated into the second panel respectively the first panel while being placed in a housing of the panel and covered by an attachment panel having at least one opening superposed on said at least one opening of the panel.

4. The closure device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said at least one tube of the second panel respectively of the first panel is manufactured in one piece with said panel.

5. The closure device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the layer made of flexible material of the first panel and/or of the second panel is attached inside the panel or on its surface oriented toward the second panel respectively the first panel.

6. The closure device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the layer made of flexible material of the first panel and/or the second panel is attached in the panel in a removable manner.

7. The closure device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the layer made of flexible material of the first panel and/or the second panel is made of elastomer, silicone or rubber.

8. The closure device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the third panel comprises, on its surface oriented toward the second panel and in its zone superposed in the second position of the third panel on said at least one opening of the other two panels, a layer made of flexible material.

9. The closure device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the layer made of flexible material of the third panel is freely housed in a housing provided in the third panel on its surface oriented toward the second panel.

10. The closure device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the layer made of flexible material of the third panel is made of elastomer, silicone or rubber.

11. The closure device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first panel and the second panel comprise several circular openings with a diameter of between 2 and 10 millimeters and/or wherein the third panel comprises a connection means capable of interacting with a standard vacuum cleaner.

12. The closure device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connection means between the second panel and the third panel comprises slides and/or a rotation spindle.

13. A package comprising an opening and at least one flap closing this opening, said package comprising a closure device as claimed in claim 1 the first panel of which is placed beneath the flap and the second and third panels of which are placed on the flap, said at least one tube of the second panel and/or of the first panel being applied through the flap so as to attach the closure device to the package, and said package comprising at least one opening in the flap corresponding with at least one opening of the first panel and of the second panel.

14. The package as claimed in claim 13, said package being parallelepipedal, made of a flexible material and the opening of which is closed by four flaps.

15. The use of a package as claimed in claim 13 in order to store commodities under relative vacuum.