Storage system having a disposable vacuum bag

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.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 186,131 filed Jul. 20, 2005, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 590,858, filed on Jul. 23, 2004, 60 / 602,685 filed on Aug. 19, 2004, and 60 / 609,920, filed on Sep. 15, 2004. Each of the above referenced patent applications is incorporated herein by reference herein in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to a flexible, inexpensive, evacuable storage device optionally having a resealable opening which includes a caulking composition disposed along a closure structure suitable for at least incidental contact to food items contained within the storage device. The present invention also relates to a vacuum storage device and a system for vacuum storage. Reported Developments [0003] Flexible, sealable storage devices, such as Consumer Storage Bags are commonly used to store items such as, but...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011] In some embodiments the resealable closure defining the opening of the inventive storage package comprises at least one pair of opposed interengaging profiles wherein at least one of said interengaging profiles has associated therewith a portion of the closure comprising a low density sealing material, thus providing a region in the closure having a high degree of conformance with the associated interengaging portion of the closure and as well as insuring that when the closure is end-sealed, a gap free seal is provided. In some embodiments the sealing material comprises a portion of one or both interengaging profiles. In some embodiments the sealing material comprises a portion of the flange or of a post of the closure. In some embodiments the sealing material comprises the entire length of the profiles. In some embodiments the sealing material comprises selected portions of the profiles, such as the periphery portions of one or both of the interengaging profiles. In some embodiments the portion of the closure comprising the sealing material is made from a polyolefin material having a density of not more than 0.925 g / cm3, as defined according to ASTM D1505-03, entitled “The standard test method for density of plastics by density gradient techniques”, Book of Standards Volume 08.01 (25). In some embodiments the resealable closure is used in conjunction with a caulking composition. In one embodiment of the present invention, the caulking composition acts to fill one or more voids between the interengaging profiles, thus reducing the infiltration of ambient into the storage device when it is sealed and placed in a condition of reduced pressure.

[0013] In some embodiments the caulking composition comprises a mixture suitable for at least incidental contact to food items. In some embodiments the caulking composition maintains chemical stability throughout a temperature range suitable for food storage and packaging.

Problems solved by technology

Air within a storage device containing food is not desirable as the air reacts with the food and will cause spoliation.

Additionally, when storage bags are placed in a below freezing environment, typically in a freezer, “freezer burn” may also damage the food items.

However, such systems heretofore did not include a resealable opening in the storage device.

The cost of material is high as reusability is not an option.

These large devices are not portable and the act of forming a bag is time consuming.

However, in a typical resealable closure, engagement of the sealing structures is rarely perfect, leaving gaps in the profile seal.

Moreover, during manufacture of reclosable devices, frequently seals at the ends of the reclosable device distort the engaging portions of the closure which can also provide an unsealed region in the closure.

As a consequence of these and other problems associated with resealable closures, a bag utilizing a resealable closure may not be air tight.

This is especially a problem when the interior of the bag is at a different pressure than the ambient air, for example, when the bag is under a vacuum, or when the bag contains a gas at a higher or lower partial pressure than the gas is present in the ambient.

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