Evacuated Patents (Class 206/524.8)
  • Publication number: 20080135435
    Abstract: Vacuum packed absorbent articles including diapers, kits thereof, and retail packages including vacuum packed and non vacuum packed absorbent articles are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: Diaperoos, LLC
    Inventor: Alan Kay Snell
  • Publication number: 20080135439
    Abstract: Vacuum packed absorbent articles including diapers, kits thereof, and retail packages including vacuum packed and non vacuum packed absorbent articles are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: Diaperoos, LLC
    Inventor: Alan Kay Snell
  • Publication number: 20080135436
    Abstract: Vacuum packed absorbent articles including diapers, kits thereof, and retail packages including vacuum packed and non vacuum packed absorbent articles are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: Diaperoos, LLC
    Inventor: Alan Kay Snell
  • Patent number: 7374045
    Abstract: A disaster pack comprising a pillow, a blanket, and a mattress pad compressed to a volume of about five and on-half percent of their free state volume. A method for making the packaged product comprises the steps of placing the compressible dry good within a bag; placing the compressible dry good disposed within the bag on a platen; compressing the compressible dry good within the bag; sealing the open end of the bag to form a sealed bag; and removing the dry good within the sealed bag from the platen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Inventor: Samuel L. DiLiberto
  • Patent number: 7350541
    Abstract: A one-way valve allows air to be drawn from a collapsible, flexible, airtight bag using a vacuum source. When the vacuum source is removed, the one-way valve prevents air from re-entering the bag. The valve assembly comprises a base, a valve element supported by the base, and a cap fitted onto an end of the base that is disposed in the exterior of the bag. The base comprises a flange that is disposed in the interior of the bag and is joined to a peripheral area surrounding a hole in one wall of the bag. One surface of the flange has a series of concentric heat-concentrating circular beads for speeding up the conduction heat sealing operation by which the valve assembly is attached to the bag. The valve cap is provided with a circular wall that presses the diaphragm of the valve element against a circular bead on an annular seat formed on the base for supporting the valve element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Robert G. Kobetsky
  • Patent number: 7328730
    Abstract: A food storage container includes a lid with a vent hole, and a removable cover removably secured to the lid to cover the vent hole. The cover has an evacuation hole. The food storage container further includes a one-way air valve disposed between the vent hole and evacuation hole. When the cover is secured to the lid, the one-way air valve inhibits air flow into the container through the vent hole, and when the cover is not secured to the lid, the one-way air valve allows air flow into the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Montserrat Vilalta, Jose Millan, Juan Carlos Coronado, Mariano Penaranda, Antonio Rebordosa, Sergi Gili, Robert Rafols, Wolfgang Vorbeck, Helmut Franke, Alejandro Hernandez
  • Patent number: 7328548
    Abstract: A device comprising a plug positioned within a housing to regulate air within a container, for example, plastic storage containers or bags. The plug is positioned within the housing to occlude a port hole in the housing. The housing is positioned within a container so the port hole faces a wall of the container. A hole is created in the container above the port hole. To evacuate or inject air into the container, a hose adaptor with a specialized hose tip is connected to a vacuum or air hose. When inserted into the port hole, the hose tip temporarily displaces the plug from the port hole. Vents within the housing allow air to move through the housing and into or out of the hose tip. Removal of the hose tip allows the plug to resume position over the porthole to maintain the vacuum or air pressure within the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Inventor: Joseph M. Waldron
  • Patent number: 7325381
    Abstract: Devices comprising a plug positioned within a housing to regulate air within a container, for example, plastic storage containers or bags. One embodiment utilizes a plug that occludes an opening in a housing. The plug is displaced from the opening to inject or evacuate air from a container. An alternative embodiment utilizes a plug having air channels therein which can be sealed once air has been injected into or evacuated from a container. The devices are utilized with hose adaptors connected to vacuum or air hoses having specialized hose tips for coupling with the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Inventor: Joseph M. Waldron
  • Publication number: 20080017818
    Abstract: A safety air valve of a receiving bag includes an upper valve body, a valve seat and a valve gate. The upper valve body is installed inside the receiving bag. A first thread is formed at the protrusion stayed closely to the interior of the receiving bag. The first thread penetrates out the receiving bag; and a first main air channel is formed in the bottom of the first thread penetrating into the receiving bag so as to form a stepped valve opening on the top of the first main air channel. A second thread is formed at the valve seat corresponding to the first thread of the upper valve body. The second thread is screwed into the first thread and is positioned at the outer side of the receiving bag. The second thread has a press body corresponding to a first main air channel of the upper valve body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Inventor: Wen-Chin Tang
  • Publication number: 20080011752
    Abstract: A structure of vacuum sealing container for food and other objects that can prevent reverse flow of air while preventing content and water inside the vacuum sealing container. The vacuum sealing container is able to create a vacuum condition so that a content such as food or medicine can be stored inside the vacuum sealing container for a long period of time. The vacuum sealing container has a check valve that allows to expel air inside the vacuum sealing container to the outside to create a substantially vacuum condition, a re-sealable zipper that can air-tightly close the vacuum sealing container. The check valve is made of films that prevents reverse flow of air, part of which includes moisture permeation waterproof material to prevent flow of liquid inside the vacuum sealing container to the outside.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Inventor: Fusako Saitoh
  • Patent number: 7306093
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of vacuum packaging and vacuum packaging techniques. Embodiments of the present invention include bales and packages comprising a sealed chamber having an internal volume at a pressure less than ambient atmospheric pressure. In alternate embodiments of the present invention, the internal volume of the package comprises a bulk material, a bulk fiber material, fibers or fibrous materials. Also disclosed are methods for packaging, packaging systems and apparatus for packaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Michael Ray McLaughlin, Charles Duane Mullins, Charles Clifton Sanders, Hillard Birdell Smithers, III, Gregory Kyle Nelson
  • Patent number: 7299603
    Abstract: A method of operating a front opening shipping box is provided. The operating method comprises providing a front opening shipping box. The front opening shipping box includes at least a container body, at least an air extraction pipeline and at least a gas inlet pipeline. The container body has at least two openings. The air extraction pipeline is disposed on the surface of the container body and linked to the container body through one of the two openings. The gas inlet pipeline is also disposed on the surface of the container body and linked to the container body through the outer opening. Then, a number of wafers are loaded inside the container body. Next, through the air extraction pipeline and the gas inlet pipeline, air is pumped out from the inside of the container box while the gas is injected into the container body simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Jian-Ping Horng, Cheng-Chien Lin, Wen-An Lu, Yu-Mei Lin, Wu-Fu Weng
  • Patent number: 7290660
    Abstract: The present invention provides a storage system having a storage device having at least one polymeric sheet sealed along a portion of its' periphery to provide an opening to a storage space; a resealable closure structure adapted to seal the opening to the storage space, the resealable closure structure comprising selectively engaging male and female profiles and a sealing compound comprising liquid silicone and at least one filler in proportions suitable for at least incidental contact to food items contained within the storage space; a vacuum valve assembly disposed on the polymeric sheet; a stand-off structure disposed adjacent to the vacuum valve assembly, wherein the stand-off structure has a series of raised surfaces facing the vacuum valve assembly; a portable vacuum pump assembly structured to engage the vacuum valve assembly; and a liquid separator assembly coupled to the portable vacuum pump assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Inventors: Paul A. Tilman, Michael E. Schreiter, James E. Buchman, Robert P. Gerrits, Pamala L. Guy, James J. Mischler, Paul J. Tretina, Giles Douglas Powell, Jr., Bruce Robbins, Amy M. Standard, Mladomir Tomic, Judith A. Yaeger, Marc L. Vitantonio, Craig M. Saunders
  • Patent number: 7284674
    Abstract: A double-layer vacuum container includes: an inner container having a bridging member supported by an outer container in a bridging manner; the outer container through which the bridging member extending from the inner container is externally exposed; and a cover member for externally covering the portion of the outer container through which the bridging member is exposed and for sealing a space inside the cover member and a space between the inner container and the outer container in a vacuum state between the cover member and the outer container. With such a structure of the double-layer vacuum container, the inner container other than a lip is supported by the outer container with a good heat retaining property to prevent the displacement or damage of the inner container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignees: Tiger Corporation, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ueda, Shigetaka Yoshikawa, Hideo Kobayashi, Yoshikazu Shinpo, Mamoru Suzuki, Isao Goto, Masaaki Iinuma, Toshio Morikawa, Shigeo Ito, Yoshio Miyata
  • Patent number: 7270238
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a vacuum sealable storage bag and method in which a pad of material is located within the storage bag and is positioned to block, trap, and/or absorb fluid from product to be stored within the storage bag. The pad of material can comprise fluid-absorbing material, and in some embodiments is positioned between an open mouth of the bag and an interior of the bag in which product is retained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: FoodFresh Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Daniel P. Shannon
  • Publication number: 20070169434
    Abstract: A process and method by which low viscosities liquids are filled into syringes without gas bubbles utilizing lowered temperature and valves to isolate the filling system from the vacuum. The liquid may be drug, device, pharmaceutical, and/or biotech products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Shawn Kinney, Andrea Wagner
  • Patent number: 7198150
    Abstract: A vacuum package system for hydrating and/or rehydrating orthopedic graft materials, such as allograft materials, xenograft materials, and synthetic materials, is described. The system primarily includes a container, which includes a dividing device for dividing the container into first and second compartments and for isolating the compartments from one another, the first compartment containing a liquid component and the second compartment containing either dry porous and/or dehydrated orthopedic graft material under vacuum with a tubular member. The elongated tubular member extends from, and is in communication with, the second compartment. The tubular portion defines vacuum reservoir device is disposed within the first compartment and is in communication with the second compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: R. Craig Blaschke, Daniel B Smith, Gene H Hawkins
  • Patent number: 7152732
    Abstract: A protective housing assembly, and an associated method, for storing optical storage media, such as a compact disc or digital video disc. The housing assembly includes a housing base member and a housing cover member that are positionable in a confronting arrangement that defines an enclosure. When storage media is positioned at the area forming the enclosure, and the housing base and cover members are positioned in the confronting arrangement, an airtight enclosure is formed. Air is evacuated out of the enclosure by an evacuator to form vacuum conditions at the enclosure. Environmental elements that might degrade or damage the storage media are maintained thereby out of contact with the storage media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Radio Shack Corporation
    Inventor: John M. Clark
  • Patent number: 7131550
    Abstract: A lid for a food storage container includes a lid body with a vacuum sense opening and a vent opening extending through the lid body, a releasable cover disposed over the vent opening, and a pressure-indicating protrusion. The cover impedes air flow into the container through the vent opening until the cover is released. The pressure-indicating protrusion, which has a cavity in it, is in hydraulic communication with the container through the vacuum sense opening. The pressure-indicating protrusion contracts toward the vacuum sense opening in response to negative container pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Montserrat Vilalta, Jose Millan, Juan Carlos Coronado, Mariano Penaranda, Antonio Rebordosa, Sergi Gili, Robert Rafols
  • Patent number: 7124883
    Abstract: A package or container for holding two or more types or brands of smoking articles, such as cigarettes, having a generally rectangular shape with two openings on opposite sides of the container and a method of making the same is disclosed. The container has two lids, a body, and a separation member that divides the container into two or more compartments, each filled with smoking articles. The lids are made of metal and are hinged to the body on opposite ends of the container using strap hinges made of a paper or foil laminate, and contain printed information such as text and logos. The separation member includes raised portions to hold the smoking articles securely within the compartments and each compartment is sealed with a layer of film that may be pulled up and off of the container compartment using a tab attached to the sealing layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Inventors: Timothy Frederick Thomas, Barry Smith Fagg
  • Patent number: 7093710
    Abstract: An ink-package assembly including an ink package fluid-tightly containing a mass of an ink, and a sealing wrapper fluid-tightly enclosing the ink package, wherein an interior space of the sealing wrapper is charged with an inert gas such as a helium gas, which has a lower degree of solubility in the ink, than the air. The interior space of the sealing wrapper is evacuated to a reduced pressure of ?20 kPa and ?60 kPa with respect to the atmospheric pressure, as needed. The ink package includes an ink bag and is provided with a spout having a passage, and a cap for closing the passage. Where the sealing wrapper is evacuated, the ink package preferably further includes an ink-bag casing accommodating the ink bag, and a reinforcing structure interposed between the casing and the ink bag, to prevent deformation of the ink bag. Also disclosed is a method of producing the ink-package assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoichiro Shimizu, Bing Wang
  • Patent number: 7073666
    Abstract: A sealed tampon package and continuous process for making the package. Heat seals, preferably hermetic longitudinal and cross seals, are preferably peelable. The tampon is sealed under sufficient negative pressure to snugly retain the tampon in place without crushing or misshaping the tampon, yet without bursting the package under normal external pressures realized during storage. The tampon package will remain sealed during normal wear and tear, yet is easily opened when desired by peeling the seals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Inventor: Jennifer Arndt
  • Patent number: 7059101
    Abstract: A multi-component bedding assembly, including a mattress or futon, is vacuum packaged in an air impermeable bag by drawing a vacuum at the open end of the bag and applying a ram or pushing force against the bedding assembly at the closed end of the bag. The pushing force may be intermittently cycled. The packaged bedding assembly also may be wrapped in a woven polyethylene overwrap and tied with bands before it is inserted into a shipping carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Foamex L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Dextraze, Paul Haslanger
  • Patent number: 7048136
    Abstract: A canister lid includes a cover member adapted to cover a canister, thereby defining an interior of the canister. An evacuation valve is adapted to allow evacuation of the interior of the container. A vacuum release valve is adapted to allow venting of the interior of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignees: Tilia International, Inc., Unimark Plastics
    Inventors: Paul W. Havens, Glynn Clements
  • Patent number: 7040485
    Abstract: A package for a drug-device combination product includes an outer package including a first gas impermeable sheet and a second gas impermeable sheet hermetically sealed there to on three sides. A gas permeable header is attached to an unsealed side of the first sheet and sealed to the second sheet on two sides. The first and second gas impermeable sheets and the header form an interior and an opening communicating with the interior. A gas permeable inner package is disposed within the outer package. A product is sealed within the inner package. The inner package is placed within the outer package and a top end of the header is sealed to the second sheet. The outer package is then sealed by sealing the first gas impermeable sheet to the second gas impermeable sheet at a seal point below the point where the header attaches to the first sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Codman & Shurtleff, Inc.
    Inventors: Rainuka Gupta, Alan J. Dextradeur
  • Patent number: 6994227
    Abstract: A vacuum container for preserving food is disclosed herein that includes a cover member for covering an upper part of a container member in which food is filled, a piston member equipped with the cover member and ascending and descending movable, and first and second valve members that alternately operate by a pumping operation using ascending and descending operation of the piston member to make a suction aperture and an exhaust aperture alternately open and close, thus discharging air from within the container member. Such operation allows the interior of the container member to become a vacuum state, thereby allowing food within the container member to be preserved for a longer time period, in a more sanitary manner, and a simple manufacture and a low manufacturing cost to provide users with convenience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Inventor: Man-Hyun Kwon
  • Patent number: 6991109
    Abstract: In some embodiments of the present invention, a strip of material is employed to assist in evacuating a storage bag. Although this venting strip can be used in vacuum sealing any type of plastic bag, in some preferred embodiments the venting strip is used in vacuum sealing storage bags having one or more heat sealable inner layers and one or more outer layers resistant to gas permeation. The venting strip can be apertured and/or can have a textured or rough surface that creates channels between the inside surface of the storage bag and the venting strip, thereby allowing air to exit from the interior of the storage bag. The venting strip can be made at least partially of heat-sealable material, and can melt with heat sealable inner layers of the storage bag when a vacuum sealer applies heat to seal the storage bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: FoodFresh Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Daniel P. Shannon, Cindy Patricia Shannon
  • Patent number: 6988613
    Abstract: A solid, stable composition containing a meiosis activating substance can be prepared by adding a protein or a phosphoglycid in the presence of an atmosphere having a low content of oxygen, for example in vacuo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Novo Nordisk A/S
    Inventors: Tina Meinertz Andersen, Lars Klingberg Muller
  • Patent number: 6983845
    Abstract: A recloseable storage bag is disclosed which may include first and second sides having closed sides and an open top. Primary closure members may be provided proximate the top, with a secondary closure element being provided in one of the sides to enable gas to be evacuated from the bag after the primary closure members are closed. The secondary closure member may be user-deformable, and reclosable after the gas is evacuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson Home Storage, Inc.
    Inventors: Ketan N. Shah, Peggy B. Winiarski
  • Patent number: 6901722
    Abstract: A multi-component bedding assembly, including a mattress or futon, is vacuum packaged in an air impermeable bag by drawing a vacuum at the open end of the bag and applying a ram or pushing force against the bedding assembly at the closed end of the bag. The pushing force may be intermittently cycled. The packaged bedding assembly also may be wrapped in a woven polyethylene overwrap and tied with bands before it is inserted into a shipping carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Foamex L.P.
    Inventors: Paul N. Dextraze, Paul A. Haslanger
  • Patent number: 6883665
    Abstract: A vacuum bag includes a tubular, flat main body and one or more embossed interposition sheets. The main body has upper and lower portions. The embossed interposition sheets are bonded at both side ends of the main body while being interposed between the upper and lower portions. The one side end of each embossed interposition sheet is bonded region of the upper and lower portions when each embossed interposition sheet is interposed between the upper and lower portions. The embossed interposition sheet may be approximately half or less of the width of the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Zeropack Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Joung Geun Ahn
  • Patent number: 6877629
    Abstract: Container for storing food products including a base defining a product support surface for supporting the food product and a cover releasably engaging with the base such that when the cover engages with the base, a storage compartment is defined by the cover and the base. The cover includes an air control unit for controlling air pressure in the storage compartment and a window extending downward from the air control unit to surround food products in the storage compartment. A product supported on the product support surface of the base is visible through the window when the cover engages with the base. By providing the window as part of the cover, the base is separable from the window to thereby expose the product support surface of the base so that cakes can be easily placed on the product support surface and then enclosed by the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Housewares America, Inc.
    Inventor: Debbie Jean Meyer
  • Patent number: 6837268
    Abstract: A one-way valve allows air to be drawn from a collapsible, flexible, air-tight bag using a vacuum source. When the vacuum source is removed, the one-way valve prevents air from re-entering the bag. A filter is placed on the valve body to prevent small particles from the bag from clogging the valve or the vacuum source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Janet L. Skeens, Gerald W. Sweeney
  • Publication number: 20040238397
    Abstract: An innovated structure of biological protection collecting bag, having a medical grade filter screen installed inside the collecting bag, allowing free air flow into and out of the bag, thereby completely filtering and arresting pathogens inside the bag. Meanwhile, the bag opening is sealed by a plurality of airtight sealing strips, so the user can quickly and hermetically seal the bag without having to squeeze on the collecting bag, thereby effectively preventing pathogens from contaminating the ambient environment during handling and stacking processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Applicants: INSTITUTE OF OCCUPATION SAFETY AND HEALTH, KANG-NING JUNIOR COLLEGE OF MEDICALCARE & MANAGEMENT, SPRING ENVIRONMENT BIOTECH INC.
    Inventors: Hsiu-Chen Yu, Chin-Liang Lin, Cheng-Ping Chang
  • Patent number: 6814491
    Abstract: A sealing bag is formed by a nylon film and a PE film added with chemical static solution is formed as a double layer compound material. Thereby, the edges of the double layer compound material can be sealed. The opening of the sealing bag contains a seal-retaining element. The area near the bottom of the bag is formed with at least one stop portion having a predetermined length and at least one vent. At least one gap channel is formed between the stop portion and the edge of the bag. An air channel is formed between the stop portion and the vent. The vent and the air channel are alternatively arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Inventor: Wen-Ching Tang
  • Publication number: 20040211698
    Abstract: Container or bags for sealing food or other objects are made from a composite material. The material has an outer oxygen-impermeable layer and an inner heat-sealable layer. The two layers are joined by an intermediate adhesive layer that is stiffer than either the inner or outer layer. Other embodiments may be made of a single layer of heat-sealable material that resists the flow or air or oxygen inside the container. Channels on the sides of the container or bag form an interconnecting network and allow a flow of air and oxygen for evacuation of the bag. The material may be laminated in a continuous fashion as a tube wherein bags are made by cutting and sealing the material at desired intervals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Applicant: The Holmes Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Chi Kin John Mak
  • Patent number: 6799680
    Abstract: Container or bags for sealing food or other objects are made from a composite material. The material has an outer oxygen-impermeable layer and an inner heat-sealable layer. The two layers are joined by an intermediate adhesive layer that is stiffer than either the inner or outer layer. Other embodiments may be made of a single layer of heat-sealable material that resists the flow or air or oxygen inside the container. Channels on the sides of the container or bag form an interconnecting network and allow a flow of air and oxygen for evacuation of the bag. The material may be laminated in a continuous fashion as a tube wherein bags are made by cutting and sealing the material at desired intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: The Holmes Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Chi Kin John Mak
  • Publication number: 20040188310
    Abstract: A storage bag for food products with a venting structure to expel excess air trapped inside the bag after the bag has been closed or sealed. After the excess air is removed, the venting structure is covered and sealed to prevent air from re-entering the bag or other objects from entering the bag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventors: Peter Hamilton, Michael Borchardt, Rebecca Giesfeldt, Kenneth S. McGuire
  • Publication number: 20040129598
    Abstract: A plastic container includes a plastic body having a polygonal sidewall contour with rounded corners on a cylinder of revolution and flat panels extending between the corners chordally of the cylinder of revolution. In the preferred embodiments of the invention, a label is disposed on an exterior surface of at least one of the flat panels, and most preferably extends circumferentially around the exterior surface of the container sidewall. Upon filling the container with hot liquid and capping the container, the flat panels bow radially inwardly as the liquid cools. However, any labeling placed on the container, either before or after cooling, is secured to the panels as well as the rounded corners, and does not wrinkle or crinkle during storage or use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Q. Peter Zhang, Robert P. Grant, Keith J. Eshback, Nicholas J. Stavropoulos
  • Patent number: 6739500
    Abstract: A tubular container for fragile products is provided according to the present invention that includes a flexible end closure that moves inwardly against the products when vacuum is applied during packaging for providing cushioning support to the products. The flexible end closure is secured to an end of a tubular body wall having opposed ends and inner and outer surfaces and comprises a wound strip of material. A flexible liner having opposed end portions is secured to respective ends of the tubular body by way of an adhesive band between the liner and the inner surface of the tubular body wall. The flexible liner thus has a free medial portion between the end portions which moves inwardly against the products when vacuum is applied. A vent hole may be formed through the body ply and an outer label by way of a laser for allowing the passage of air therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Mike Gentile, Veronique Sins, J. Mark Morrow, James W. Lowry, Kenan Clougherty
  • Publication number: 20040089580
    Abstract: A double-layer vacuum container includes: an inner container having a bridging member supported by an outer container in a bridging manner; the outer container through which the bridging member extending from the inner container is externally exposed; and a cover member for externally covering the portion of the outer container through which the bridging member is exposed and for sealing a space inside the cover member and a space between the inner container and the outer container in a vacuum state between the cover member and the outer container. With such a structure of the double-layer vacuum container, the inner container other than a lip is supported by the outer container with a good heat retaining property to prevent the displacement or damage of the inner container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventors: Hitoshi Ueda, Shigetaka Yoshikawa, Hideo Kobayashi, Yoshikazu Shinpo, Mamoru Suzuki, Isao Goto, Masaaki Iinuma, Toshio Morikawa, Shigeo Ito, Yoshio Miyata
  • Patent number: 6732874
    Abstract: The present invention features a storage container having a lever-actuated rod and piston mechanism that extracts air from inside the interior chamber, thus creating a vacuum state. This vacuum state is desirable for the fresher storage of many air sensitive materials, including perishable food items and other goods. The opening to the chamber is sealed with an air-sealing cover in order to retain a state of vacuum in the chamber once the interior chamber has achieved a vacuum state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Inventor: Guy Zilberman
  • Patent number: 6729473
    Abstract: An air-evacuable bag has a one-way valve therein having two layers of valve film, neither of which is the sidewall of the bag. By forming the one-way valve of smooth, double-layered valve film, unwanted air gaps caused by textured surfaces in the sidewalls of the bag are avoided, thereby minimizing air leakage back into an evacuated bag. A method for the manufacture of such air-evacuable bags incorporates a roll supplying a first valve film layer, a roll supplying a first sidewall layer, a roll supplying a second valve film layer, and a roll supplying a second sidewall layer. As the film coming off the first valve film layer roll passes the roll supplying the first sidewall layer, both the sidewall layer and first valve film layer move in close proximity to one another until the valve film is tacked to the first sidewall layer. The second film and second sidewall layer are processed simultaneously in a like manner, and all four layers are joined at a sealing station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: CTI Industries Corporation
    Inventor: Brent Anderson
  • Publication number: 20040074803
    Abstract: A bag for vacuum sealing which has a bag body composed of a first sheet 11 and a second sheet 12, which have thermally fusible synthetic resin films 11a and 12a on at least the respective inner surfaces, and a non-woven fabric 15 which is a gas-permeable fiber structure formed of thermally fusible fibers. The sheets 11 and 12 are thermally fused together at both sides a and a lower side b, and the unfused upper side becomes an open side 13 of the bag body. The non-woven fabric 15 is bonded or fused with the inner surface of either one of the sheets 11 and 12. Food, clothing or the like is put in a space 16 between the sheet and the non-woven fabric 15, and air is extracted from the interior of the bag body through the open side 13. The open side 13 is thermally sealed in the portion with a width between “c” and “c”.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventors: Ryoichi Otsubo, Akira Ishizaki
  • Publication number: 20040074804
    Abstract: An ink cartridge includes: an ink accommodating portion for holding ink; an air passage for making the ink accommodating portion communicate with the atmosphere; and a valve mechanism, provided in the air passage, including an air-releasing valve member for sealing a communication hole provided in a partition wall for separating an ink-accommodating-portion side that is a side close to the ink accommodating portion from an atmosphere side that is a side close to the atmosphere, in a direction from the ink-accommodating-portion side to the atmosphere side, wherein the air-releasing valve member has a contact portion for opening the air passage by receiving an external force from the atmosphere side to the ink-accommodating-portion side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventors: Koichi Toba, Satoshi Shinada, Hisashi Miyazawa
  • Patent number: 6712334
    Abstract: A movable lid is mounted to a valve body movably in an up-and down direction toward and away from the valve body whereby the valve body is lowered to be open against force of a spring by pressing a suction nozzle of an electric vacuum cleaner onto the movable lid and at the same time an exhaust of a bag may be carried out. After the exhaust, by moving the suction nozzle away from the movable lid, the movable lid may be moved upwards to place its original position the restoring force of the spring, so that the valve body may be opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Taiyo Kagaku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Motonaka, Yoshio Shiozaki
  • Publication number: 20040050745
    Abstract: This invention provides a bag adapted to vacuum seal an item and allow the user to see through the bag so that the item within the bag may be later identified. This is accomplished through providing a bag with two panels, a first panel and a second panel, that may be sealed along the outer edges except for at least one opening end. A portion of the interior surfaces of the two panels or the panels it self may be embossed to form air channels to remove the air within the bag. For example, the first panel may be embossed on one-half of the bag where the air channels may extend into the depth of the bag from the opening end. The second panel may be embossed on the other one-half of the bag where air channels may extend into the depth of the bag from the opening end. With this arrangement, both the first and second panels of the bag may have a portion that is embossed and the remaining portion that is transparent for identifying the content or item in the bag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: William Jonathon Lee, Jerome Dale Speights, Sung I. Oh
  • Publication number: 20040045862
    Abstract: The present invention features a storage container having a lever-actuated rod and piston mechanism that extracts air from inside the interior chamber, thus creating a vacuum state. This vacuum state is desirable for the fresher storage of many air sensitive materials, including perishable food items and other goods. The opening to the chamber is sealed with an air-sealing cover in order to retain a state of vacuum in the chamber once the interior chamber has achieved a vacuum state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2002
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventor: Guy Zilberman
  • Publication number: 20040016672
    Abstract: A flexible bag is positioned in a rigid container, such as a fifty-five gallon drum, and the bag is filled through its spout with flowable product, such as tomato paste. The bag is then expanded in the container to be substantially rigid and thereby reduce film movement and resultant flex cracking. One way that the bag can be expanded, pursuant to this invention, is for a lid to be sealed onto the container and a vacuum drawn from between the bag and the container. Gas volume needs to be present in the bag before the vacuum is applied so that the gas in the bag can expand from the vacuum on its outside. Another way to expand the bag is, after filling the bag with the flowable product, to inject pressurized gas into the bag. For this embodiment, the container need not be vacuum sealable. For example, the container may be formed from a metal, plastic, cardboard and the like, and the container walls can be either solid or have openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventors: Chester Savage, Rocklin Verespej, Joseph C. Hsu, Robert Scholle
  • Publication number: 20040007494
    Abstract: Raised irregular surfaces on the walls of packaging, with specific application to the interiors of evacuated flexible wall packaging which contains food or other articles. Such raised irregular surfaces may facilitate package evacuation and, when contrasted against regular pattern raised surfaces, may eliminate undesirable, unnatural, regular patterns from being imprinted on package contents caused by: cooking, freezing, storage, chemical reaction, microbes, evacuative pressure or other reasons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventors: Ronald M. Popeil, Alan L. Backus