VACUUM-PACKING CONTAINER USING A PACKING STAND

A vacuum-packing container using a packing bag, which includes a packing bag that contains an article therein, and a casing that receives the packing bag therein, with a nozzle valve connected to the packing bag so as to form an air passage, and so air can be drawn out of the packing bag through the nozzle valve, thereby realizing vacuum-packing of the article in the packing bag. The packing bag is removably installed in the casing, and the article in the packing bag can be quickly and efficiently compressed to a high level of vacuum using a vacuum cleaner. Further, the packing bag can be changed with a new one at any time, and the article can be safely stored, and a large number of vacuum-packing containers can be efficiently stored due to the casings that can be neatly stacked one by one.

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Description
TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates, in general, to a vacuum-packing container using a packing bag and, more particularly, to a vacuum-packing container using a packing bag, which can vacuum-pack bedclothes, garments, etc. using a typical packing bag, and can store the bedclothes, garments, etc. therein in a vacuum-packed state when it is required to store them for long periods of time.

BACKGROUND ART

Generally, when some bedclothes, garments, etc. are not being used, such as winter clothing or bedding in summer time, it is required to store them in a special storage space for a predetermined lengthy period of time. However, when the articles that are stored out of season are excessively bulky, the articles require a large storage space. Further, when the articles are stored in a state in which they are exposed to air, the articles may become moldy or moths may be attracted to and breed among the articles due to moisture, etc., thereby ruining the articles. In an effort to solve the above-mentioned problems, a vacuum-packing technique that can store articles of great bulk, such as bedclothes and winter garments, in a small space and can prevent the stored articles from being ruined, was proposed.

As an example of related art vacuum-packing techniques, a vacuum-compression pack was proposed, in which a fastener member is formed in an upper end of a packing bag. To use the vacuum-compression pack, a suction nozzle of a vacuum cleaner is inserted into the upper end of the packing bag after articles of great bulk have been stored therein, and, thereafter, the vacuum cleaner is operated to draw air out of the bag so that the pressure inside the bag becomes a predetermined level lower than atmospheric pressure. Accordingly, the articles contained in the vinyl packing bag are compressed by the atmospheric pressure outside the bag and, thereafter, the fastener member that is provided in the top end of the packing bag is closed, thereby reducing the volume of the articles of great bulk such that the articles can be efficiently stored in a small space.

However, the above-mentioned vacuum-compression pack is problematic in that the compressed shape of the pack is not uniform, but has an irregularly compressed shape, and so, when several packs are piled up, the packs may easily break loose and collapse to one side.

In an effort to solve the above-mentioned problems of the related art vacuum-compression pack, a packing structure of a compression pack is disclosed in Korean Utility Model Registration No. 20-0326592, entitled “packing structure of pressing pack” (registration date: Sep. 2, 2003). As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the packing structure of the compression pack comprises: a pack part 60 that has a containing space therein for containing articles, such as sleeping bags and garments, and a folding part 62 having a bellows-shaped compressible structure; a fastener member 63 that is formed in the upper end of the pack part 60 such that the fastener member 63 can open or close the containing space and can compress the folding part 62, and can maintain a vacuum state of the containing space; a casing part 40 that has a box-shaped structure, the upper end of which is open so as to form an openable upper end of the packing structure of the compression pack, but the lower end of which is closed, and in which the folding part 62 is integrated with the upper end of the casing part 40 and the pack part 60 can be efficiently encased in the casing part 40 after the folding part 62 is compressed, with a transparent window 41 provided in the casing part 40; and a cover part 50 that closes the open upper end of the casing part 40 in a state in which the pack part 60 is incased in the casing part 40, with a handle 51 provided in the cover part 50, wherein, when compressing the folding part 62 after articles have been stored in the containing space, the folding part 62 can be compressed under the guide of the casing part 40.

The above-mentioned packing structure of the compression pack is advantageous in that several packs can be stably piled up by virtue of the casing parts, and can be efficiently stored in a stacked state because the pack parts can be uniformly compressed in such a way that the upper and lower end surfaces of the pack parts have flat shapes without swelling.

In the same manner as in the above-mentioned vacuum-compression pack, to use the packing structure of the compression pack, a suction nozzle of a vacuum cleaner is inserted into the fastener member 63 that is formed in the upper end of the pack part 60, and the pack part is compressed prior to closing the fastener member 63, thereby storing the articles in a vacuum state.

To allow a user to compress the above-mentioned packs after storing articles of great bulk in the pack parts, a fastener member is formed in the upper end of each of the pack parts. Accordingly, the user can draw air out of the pack part so as to compress the pack part using a suction nozzle of a vacuum cleaner after partially opening the fastener member and inserts the suction nozzle into the open part of the fastener member. However, the related art compression packs are problematic in that outside air may undesirably flow into the pack through the open space formed between the suction nozzle and the fastener member during the vacuum-packing process so that the air suction efficiency is reduced, and this prevents the pack part from being quickly vacuum-packed. Further, the flowing of outside air into the pack part during the vacuum-packing process generates noise. Further, to prevent a leakage of vacuum from the pack part after drawing air out of the pack part, it is required to quickly remove the suction nozzle of the vacuum cleaner from the fastener member and to quickly close the fastener member. However, this is inconvenient to a user. Another problem of the related art compression packs resides in that the flowing of outside air into the pack part may prevent a desired extent of vacuum-packing from being realized because a high level of vacuum is not formed.

Further, in the packing structure of the compression pack, the pack part has the folding part and the fastener member is formed in the upper end of the pack part, and so the packing structure is problematic in that the pack part is not easy to purchase in the open market and is high-priced.

As another example of related art vacuum-packing techniques, a vacuum-compression pack in which a separate air discharge hole is provided so as to form a vacuum of a pack part using a suction nozzle of a vacuum cleaner is disclosed in Korean Utility Model Registration No. 20-0356709, entitled “air valve for a vacuum of packing case” (registration date: Jul. 8, 2004).

The vacuum-compression pack was proposed in an effort to solve the problems experienced in the above-mentioned examples of related art vacuum-packing techniques during vacuum-packing processes which may cause a reduction in air suction efficiency, generation of noise, a leakage of vacuum, and introduction of outside air into the pack part. Accordingly, in the vacuum-compression pack, the air discharge hole is integrally formed in the folding packing case such that air can be easily and efficiently discharged from the packing case.

However, in the same manner as in the pack part of the packing structure of the compression pack, the vacuum-compression pack is problematic in that the pack part is not easy to purchase in the open market and is high-priced. Further, when the folding packing case is broken, a vacuum leaks from the packing case, and so the packing case may not be reused, and a new one should be purchased. Another problem of the vacuum-compression pack resides in that the pack may fail to form a uniform shape after vacuum-packing, and so it is difficult to neatly pile up the packs in a stack, thereby preventing the packs from being stored in a stack.

DISCLOSURE cl Technical Problem

Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the related art, and is intended to provide a vacuum-packing container which can efficiently use a low-priced general packing bag that can be easily purchased in the open market, and which can compress articles of great bulk in a high level of vacuum, thereby efficiently compressing the articles to form a small volume of articles, and which is configured such that a plurality of vacuum-packing containers can be efficiently stored by being piled up neatly one by one.

Technical Solution

To accomplish the above-mentioned object, the present invention is configured such that a packing bag can be compressed using a vacuum cleaner in a state in which the packing bag is received in a casing of a predetermined size in such a way that the packing bag can be changed with a new one when necessary, thereby forming a high level of vacuum of the packing bag.

Advantageous Effects

As described above, in the vacuum-packing container using the packing bag according to the present invention, the packing bag is changeably received in the casing, articles are stored in the packing bag, and the packing bag is compressed using a vacuum cleaner, and so the packing bag containing articles therein can be easily and quickly compressed to a high level of vacuum. Further, the packing bag can be easily changed with a new one at any time when necessary, and so the present invention provides economic profit to a user. Further, when the packing bag containing articles therein is stored, the packing bag and the articles can be protected by the casing, and so the present invention can safely store articles. Further, when it is required to store a plurality of vacuum-packing containers, the vacuum-packing containers can be efficiently stored in a stack because the respective casings of the containers can be piled up neatly one by one.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 and 2 are views illustrating a packing structure of a related art compression pack;

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a vacuum-packing container according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a state in which a packing bag is installed in a casing by a nozzle valve of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the construction of the nozzle valve according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an exploded sectional view illustrating the construction of the nozzle valve according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a state in which a suction nozzle of a vacuum cleaner is connected to the nozzle valve according to the first embodiment of the present invention and draws air out of the nozzle valve;

FIG. 8 is an exploded sectional view illustrating the construction of a nozzle valve according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a state in which a suction nozzle of a vacuum cleaner is connected to the nozzle valve according to the second embodiment of the present invention and draws air out of the nozzle valve.

MODE FOR INVENTION

Hereinbelow, preferred embodiments of a vacuum-packing container using a packing bag according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, FIGS. 3 through 9.

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating the vacuum-packing container according to the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a state in which a packing bag is installed in a casing by a nozzle valve of the present invention.

As shown in the drawings, the vacuum-packing container using the packing bag according to the present invention includes: a packing bag 500 that can store articles, such as garments or bedclothes, therein; and a casing 100 that contains the packing bag 500 therein, with a nozzle valve V formed in a wall of the casing 100 such that the nozzle valve V communicates with the packing bag 500 and allows air to flow therethrough. In other words, the present invention is configured such that the articles can be vacuum-packed in the packing bag 500 by drawing air out of the packing bag 500 through the nozzle valve V using a vacuum device, such as a vacuum cleaner. Here, to prevent air from flowing reversely into the packing bag 500, the nozzle valve V is provided with a check valve structure.

A through hole 102 is formed in a wall of the casing 100, and the nozzle valve V is installed in the through hole 102 such that one end of the nozzle valve protrudes outside the through hole 102. The casing 100 is open in the upper end thereof, and is provided with a cover 110 so as to close the open upper end.

Further, a handle 120 may be provided on a side surface of the casing 100, and wheels (not shown) may be mounted to the casing 100 so as to realize easy movement of the casing 100. Further, a locking device may be provided in the casing 100 as desired so as to provide a security feature to the casing.

The casing 100 may be selected from paper boxes, wood boxes and plastic boxes that can be easily purchased in the open market. Because the vacuum-packing container is provided with the casing 100, it is possible to pile up a plurality of containers neatly one by one, thereby easily and efficiently storing the containers.

The packing bag 500 that is an element received in the casing 100 is open in the upper end thereof so as to receive articles into the bag through the open upper end. As the packing bag 500, a vinyl bag that can be easily purchased in the open market may be used. Alternatively, a special bag that is standardized and previously manufactured may be used as the packing bag 500.

The nozzle valve V that is installed in the casing 100 and functions as a passage through which air is drawn out of the packing bag 500 may be freely configured without being limited if the nozzle valve has a structure that can draw air, and can prevent drawn air from flowing reversely into the packing bag 500. Hereinbelow, embodiments of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the construction of the nozzle valve according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an exploded sectional view illustrating the construction of the nozzle valve according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a state in which a suction nozzle of a vacuum cleaner is connected to the nozzle valve according to the first embodiment of the present invention and draws air out of the nozzle valve.

As shown in the drawings, the nozzle valve V according to the first embodiment of the present invention, which functions as a passage that allows air to be drawn out of the packing bag 500, includes an inner coupler 200 that is mounted to the vacuum-packing container by passing through both the packing bag 500 and the wall of the casing 100 from the inside of the packing bag 500 and functions to be connected to a suction nozzle 600 of a vacuum cleaner.

The inner coupler 200 may be mounted by a screw type fitting method to the through hole 102 that is formed through the wall of the casing 100. However, it is more preferred that the inner coupler 200 be mounted to the vacuum-packing container by being fastened to an outer coupler 300 that is placed in a state in which the outer coupler 300 comes into contact with the outer surface of the casing 100.

The outer coupler 300 is configured such that the outer coupler 300 can be securely mounted to the through hole 102 at a location outside the casing 100 by an adhering method or by a screw type fitting method. The outer coupler 300 has a flat plate shape, such as a circular or polygonal plate shape, with a through hole 310 formed through the outer coupler 300 such that the through hole 310 communicates with the through hole 102. In other words, the outer coupler 300 is configured to form a nut shape.

To realize the engagement of the inner coupler 200 with the outer coupler 300, a locking part 210 is provided in the inner coupler 200. Further, a stop flange 230 is integrated with the locking part 210 into a single body and holds the locking part 210 at a location inside the casing 100 so as to prevent the locking part 210 from being removed from the through hole 102.

A discharge hole 202 is formed through the locking part 210 and functions as a passage through which air can be drawn out of the packing bag by an operation of the vacuum cleaner. External threads are formed around the outer circumferential surface of the locking part 210 so as to be tightened to the through hole 310 of the outer coupler 300. Here, it is preferred that the tip end of the locking part 210 be sharpened so as to allow the locking part 210 to cut the packing bag 500 when making a hole in the wall of the packing bag 500.

Accordingly, the inner coupler 200 passes through the packing bag 500 from the inside of the packing bag 500 while making a hole in the wall of the packing bag 500, and is fastened to the outer coupler 300 at a location outside the casing 100, thereby locking the packing bag 500 to the inner surface of the casing 100.

A nozzle connection part 220 is formed around the inner circumferential surface of the locking part 210 such that the nozzle connection part 220 can be connected to the suction nozzle 600 of the vacuum cleaner. When it is required to form a vacuum of the packing bag 500, the nozzle connection part 220 is inserted into the suction nozzle 600 of the vacuum cleaner. Here, to allow the nozzle connection part 220 to be easily connected to the suction nozzle 600 of the vacuum cleaner regardless of the diameter size of the suction nozzle 600, it is preferred that the nozzle connection part 220 be configured in the form of a conical shape. Further, it is also preferred that the nozzle connection part 220 be made of an elastic material, such as silicone, such that a desired sealed state can be maintained when the nozzle connection part 220 is connected to the suction nozzle 600.

Internal threads may be formed around the inner circumferential surface of the nozzle connection part 220, and so a sealing plug 280 that has a function of preventing air from flowing reversely into the discharge hole 202 can be mounted to the nozzle connection part 220.

A close contact surface 232 is formed on the front surface of the stop flange 230. The close contact surface 232 functions to closely fix the packing bag 500 to the inner surface of the casing 100 when the locking part 210 is tightened to the through hole 310 of the outer coupler 300 by a screw type fitting method. To realize the above-mentioned function of the close contact surface 232, a plurality of annular ribs may be formed on the close contact surface 232 so as to compression-fix the packing bag 500 and prevent the packing bag 500 from being removed from between the casing 100 and the close contact surface 232.

The stop flange 230 extends inward in the casing 100 from the outside edge of the close contact surface 232. The stop flange 230 is depressed in a rear surface thereof so that a check plate 240 that will be described later herein can be received in the depressed surface of the stop flange 230 and a check plate holder 250 that will be described later herein can be fastened to the stop flange 230.

The nozzle valve V having the above-mentioned construction can prevent air from flowing reversely into the packing bag 500 and can allow air to flow exclusively in a direction out of the packing bag 500. Due to this function of checking reverse flow of air, air does not flow reversely into the packing bag 500 once the air is drawn out of the packing bag 500.

To this end, the check plate 240 is installed. The check plate 240 is received in the depression of the stop flange 230 of the inner coupler 200 such that, when the vacuum cleaner is operated, the check plate 240 is opened and draws air out of the packing bag. However, when the process of drawing air out of the packing bag 500 is finished, the check plate 240 is returned to its original position in which the check plate 240 is closed, thereby preventing air from flowing reversely into the packing bag 500.

The check plate 240 has a plate-shaped body, with a check valve 242 formed in the center of the check plate 240 so as to prevent air from flowing reversely. The check valve 242 may be formed by partially cutting the center of the plate-shaped body of the check plate 240 such that the check valve 242 can be opened or closed. In other words, the check valve 242 is configured such that it can be opened in an air drawing direction, thereby opening the discharge hole 202 through which air is discharged. However, the check valve 242 can be returned to its original closed position by a negative pressure that acts in the packing bag 500.

Further, when the check valve 242 is formed by partially cutting the check plate 240, an inclined surface 244 is formed around the outer circumferential surface of the check valve 242 such that the diameter of the outside edge of the check valve 242 in a direction toward the inner surface of the casing 100 is larger than the diameter of the inside edge of the check valve 242. In the above state, to allow the inclined surface 244 of the check valve 242 to be closely seated in the check plate 240, an inclined seat surface 246 is formed in the check plate 240.

Due to both the inclined surface 244 and the inclined seat surface 246, the check valve 242 is prevented from being opened in an inward direction of the packing bag 500 even when a negative pressure acts in the packing bag 500. Accordingly, the check valve 242 can maintain the closed state, and so it is possible to prevent outside air from flowing reversely into the packing bag 500 through the check valve 242.

Here, it is preferred that the check valve 242 be biased by an elastic restoring force. Described in detail, when the process of forming a vacuum of the packing bag 500 is finished in which the check valve 242 is opened by the operation of the vacuum cleaner, the check valve 242 can be returned to its original closed position by the negative pressure acting in the packing bag 500. However, when the check valve 242 is returned to the original closed position by the negative pressure acting in the packing bag 500, outside air may be introduced into the packing bag 500. To prevent the outside air from flowing reversely into the packing bag 500, it is preferred that an elastic restoring force be applied to the check valve 242 such that the check valve 242 can be quickly returned to the original closed position. The elastic restoring force can be formed by making the check plate 240 using an elastic rubber material.

The check plate holder 250 is fastened to the stop flange 230 of the inner coupler 200 so as to support the check plate 240. An exhaust hole 252 is formed through the check plate holder 250 so as to be opened or closed by the check valve 242.

Here, it is preferred that the diameter of the exhaust hole 252 be smaller than the diameter of the check valve 242.

Due to the difference in the diameter between the exhaust hole 252 and the check valve 242, the check valve 242 is prevented from moving in a direction, in which air flows reversely into the packing bag 500, by the negative pressure acting in the packing bag 500. Accordingly, the check valve 242 can maintain the closed position, and so it is possible to prevent outside air from flowing reversely into the packing bag 500 through the check valve 242.

A support ring 260 may be installed in front of the check plate 240. Here, the support ring 260 is received in the stop flange 230 of the inner coupler 200.

The support ring 260 is placed in front of the check plate 240 and supports the check plate 240. The support ring 260 is also supported by the rear surface of the stop flange 230, thereby forming a predetermined space between the check plate 240 and the stop flange 230. Therefore, when air is drawn out of the packing bag 500 using the vacuum cleaner, the check valve 242 can be easily opened.

FIG. 8 is an exploded sectional view illustrating the construction of a nozzle valve according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a state in which a suction nozzle of a vacuum cleaner is connected to the nozzle valve according to the second embodiment of the present invention and draws air out of the nozzle valve.

As shown in the drawings, the nozzle valve V according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes an inner coupler 200 that is mounted to the vacuum-packing container by passing through both a packing bag 500 and the wall of a casing 100 from the inside of the packing bag 500 and functions to be connected to a suction nozzle 600 of a vacuum cleaner.

The inner coupler 200 may be mounted by a screw type fitting method to the casing 100. However, it is more preferred that the inner coupler 200 be mounted to the vacuum-packing container by being fastened to an outer coupler 300 that is placed in a state in which the outer coupler 300 comes into contact with the outer surface of the casing 100.

The outer coupler 300 is configured such that the outer coupler 300 can be securely mounted to a through hole 102 of the casing 100 at a location outside the casing 100 by an adhering method or by a screw type fitting method. The outer coupler 300 has a flat plate shape, such as a circular or polygonal plate shape, with a through hole 310 formed through the outer coupler 300 such that the through hole 310 communicates with the through hole 102. In other words, the outer coupler 300 is configured to form a nut shape.

When the outer coupler 300 is mounted to the casing 100, a bonding agent may be used as a material for mounting the outer coupler 300. However, the mounting of the outer coupler 300 to the casing 100 may be realized using locking screws instead of the bonding agent.

The inner coupler 200 is holed in the center thereof, thereby forming a discharge hole 202 that functions as a passage through which air can be drawn out of the packing bag by an operation of the vacuum cleaner. The inner coupler 200 is placed inside the packing bag 500, and passes through the packing bag 500, and is fastened to the outer coupler 300 that is mounted to the outer surface of the casing 100, thereby fixing the packing bag 500 to the inner surface of the casing 100.

The inner coupler 200 is provided with a locking part 210 so as to be locked to the outer coupler 300. Further, a stop flange 230 is integrated with the locking part 210 into a single body and holds the locking part 210 at a location inside the casing 100 so as to prevent the locking part 210 from being removed from the through hole 102.

External threads are formed around the outer circumferential surface of the locking part 210 so as to be tightened to the through hole 310 of the outer coupler 300 after the locking part 210 passes through the casing 100. Further, the distal end of the locking part 210 is provided with a nozzle connection part 220 that functions to be connected to the suction nozzle 600 of the vacuum cleaner and functions to make a hole in the packing bag 600.

To allow the nozzle connection part 220 to be easily connected to the suction nozzle 600 regardless of the diameter size of the suction nozzle 600, it is preferred that the nozzle connection part 220 be configured such that the diameter of the outer circumferential surface of the nozzle connection part 220 gradually increases in a direction from a predetermined point of the nozzle connection part 220 to the stop flange 230. Further, the nozzle connection part 220 is hollowed so as to communicate with the discharge hole 202, and is provided with a sealing plug 280 that closes the discharge hole 202 so as to prevent air from flowing reversely into the packing bag.

The sealing plug 280 is provided with an actuation rod 282. The actuation rod 282 has an axial slit 283 and passes through the discharge hole 202, and is tightened with a locking nut 284 at a location inside the packing bag 500, thereby being prevented from being removed from the discharge hole 202. Here, a spring 286 is fitted over the actuation rod 282 so that the actuation rod 282 can move in the discharge hole 202 in a state in which the actuation rod 282 is elastically biased. Accordingly, when air is drawn out of the packing bag using the suction nozzle 600, the sealing plug 280 is pulled in a direction toward the suction nozzle 600, and so the actuation rod 282 is exposed outside the discharge hole 202 and the axial slit 283 is also exposed outside the discharge hole 202. Therefore, air can be discharged to the atmosphere through a gap between the actuation rod 282 and the discharge hole 202 and through the axial slit 283. When the operation of the suction nozzle 600 is stopped, the sealing plug 280 is elastically returned to its original position and closes the discharge hole 202, thereby preventing air from flowing reversely into the packing bag.

The nozzle valve V according to the second embodiment of the present invention may further include a compression ring 270 that is fitted over the inner coupler 200. The compression ring 270 can strongly compress the packing bag 500 to the wall surface of the casing 100, and so the packing bag 500 can be firmly installed in the casing 100.

Hereinbelow, an assembly process and a vacuum-packing process of the vacuum-packing container using the packing bag according to the present invention will be described.

First, both the casing 100 having the cover 110 and the typical packing bag 500 having the open upper end are purchased. In the above state, the through hole 102 may be previously formed in the purchased casing 100. However, the through hole 102 may be formed in the purchased casing 100 by a user using a drilling machine.

Thereafter, the nozzle valve V is installed in the casing 100. In other words, the outer coupler 300 is fastened to the through hole 102 at a location outside the casing 100 using a bonding agent or using locking screws. Then, the packing bag 500 is received in the casing 100 in such a way that one side surface of the packing bag 500 is placed around the through hole 102.

Thereafter, the inner coupler 200 is placed inside the packing bag 500, and the locking part 210 of the inner coupler 200 is fastened to the through hole 310 by a screw type fitting method. Thus, the locking part 210 of the inner coupler 200 passes through the packing bag 500 and is fastened to the through hole 310. Here, the hole through which the locking part 210 passes may be previously formed in the purchased packing bag 500.

Thus, the process of installing the nozzle valve V in the vacuum-packing container is completed. After the nozzle valve installation process, articles to be stored, such as bedclothes and garments, are placed in the packing bag 500 and the open upper end of the packing bag is closed using a string, etc. Thereafter, the suction nozzle 600 of a vacuum cleaner is connected to the nozzle connection part 220, and the vacuum cleaner is operated.

When the vacuum cleaner is operated, air is drawn out of the packing bag 500 through the discharge hole 202 by the suction force of the vacuum cleaner, thereby forming a vacuum in the packing bag. When the operation of the vacuum cleaner is stopped at a desired time after forming the vacuum in the packing bag, the discharge hole 202 is closed both by the negative pressure acting in the packing bag 500 and by the elastic restoring force, thereby maintaining the vacuum state of the packing bag 500.

Thereafter, the suction nozzle 600 of the vacuum cleaner is removed from the nozzle connection part 220, and the casing 100 is covered with the cover 110, thereby finishing the vacuum-packing process.

In the above description, the packing bag 500 and the nozzle valve V are integrated with each other, as an example. However, the nozzle valve V may be previously mounted to the wall of the casing 100, and a pipe that functions to be connected to the nozzle valve V may be formed in the packing bag 500 such that the pipe of the packing bag 500 can be mounted to the nozzle valve V by a screw type fitting method. In other words, the design of the connection structure for connecting the packing bag to the nozzle valve may be easily changed by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A vacuum-packing container using a packing bag, comprising:

a packing bag (500) for storing articles therein, a casing (100) for receiving the packing bag (500) therein, and a nozzle valve (V) provided in a wall of the casing (100) such that the nozzle valve can be connected to the packing bag (500) so as to allow air to flow through the nozzle valve, wherein air is drawn out of the packing bag (500) through the nozzle valve (V), thereby vacuum-packing the articles in the packing bag (500).

2. The vacuum-packing container using the packing bag as set forth in claim 1, wherein the nozzle valve (V) is configured such that the nozzle valve prevents air from flowing reversely into the packing bag (500).

3. The vacuum-packing container using the packing bag as set forth in claim 2, wherein the nozzle valve (V) includes: an inner coupler (200) that is mounted by passing through the packing bag (500) and through the wall of the casing (100) from an inside of the packing bag (500), and functions to be connected to a suction nozzle (600) of a vacuum cleaner.

4. The vacuum-packing container using the packing bag as set forth in claim 3, wherein the inner coupler (200) includes: a locking part (210) that is provided with a discharge hole (202) for discharging air and is mounted to an outer coupler (300) by a screw type fitting method; a nozzle connection part (220) that is formed around an inner circumferential surface of the locking part (210) and is connected to the suction nozzle (600) of the vacuum cleaner; a stop flange (230) that is formed by extending outward in radial directions from an inside end of the locking part (210) and closely mounts the packing bag (500) to an inner surface of the wall of the casing (100); and a check plate (240) that is received in the stop flange (230) and has a plate shape, and is provided with a check valve (242) in a central portion thereof so as to control air to flow in exclusively one direction.

5. The vacuum-packing container using the packing bag as set forth in claim 4, wherein the stop flange (230) is provided with a close contact surface (232) on a front surface thereof, with a plurality of annular ribs formed in the close contact surface (232) so as to prevent the packing bag (500) from being removed from between the casing (100) and the close contact surface (232).

6. The vacuum-packing container using the packing bag as set forth in claim 4, wherein the check valve (242) is biased by an elastic restoring force.

7. The vacuum-packing container using the packing bag as set forth in claim 4, wherein the check valve (242) is provided with an inclined surface (244) around an outer circumferential surface of the check valve in such a way that a diameter of an outside edge of the check valve in a direction toward the inner surface of the casing (100) is larger than a diameter of an inside edge of the check valve, and the check plate (240) is provided with an inclined seat surface (246) for seating the inclined surface (244) thereon, and so the check valve (242) can be prevented from moving to an exhaust hole (252) of a check plate holder (250) due to a negative pressure acting in the packing bag (500).

8. (canceled)

9. The vacuum-packing container using the packing bag as set forth in claim 3, wherein the inner coupler (200) includes: a locking part (210) that is provided with a discharge hole (202) for discharging air and is mounted to an outer coupler (300) by a screw type fitting method; a nozzle connection part (220) that is formed in an end of the locking part (210) and is connected to the suction nozzle (600) of the vacuum cleaner; a stop flange (230) that is formed by extending outward in radial directions from an inside end of the locking part (210) and closely mounts the packing bag (500) to an inner surface of the wall of the casing (100); and a sealing plug (280) that is received in the nozzle connection part (220) and closes the discharge hole (202), wherein the sealing plug (280) is provided with an actuation rod (282) having an axial slit (283), the actuation rod (280) being installed by passing through the discharge hole (202) and by being tightened with a locking nut (284) at a location inside the packing bag such that the actuation rod can be prevented from being removed from the discharge hole (202), with a spring (286) being placed to bias the actuation rod, such that, when the suction nozzle (600) is operated to draw air, the actuation rod is pulled so as to open the discharge hole (202), and when an operation of the suction nozzle is stopped, the actuation rod is returned to an original position thereof, thereby closing the discharge hole (202).

Patent History
Publication number: 20130228490
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 31, 2011
Publication Date: Sep 5, 2013
Inventor: Eun Suk Park (Cheonan-si)
Application Number: 13/885,070
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Evacuated (206/524.8); Evacuation Apparatus (141/65)
International Classification: B65D 81/20 (20060101);