Vacuum compression storage bags

Abstract

There is disclosed an improved stand-off for large vacuum compression storage bags made from a thermoplastic material such as polyethylene or other thermoplastic material and preferably made by extrusion. The stand-off includes a base having an aperture therein for alignment with the valve of the bag. The base further includes a plurality of ribs. The stand-off may include a variety of geometries provided that it is of sufficient length and width to cover the valve area. It may extend from one side of the bag to the other side of the bag or include variations thereof in size.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION[0001]The present application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61 / 344,831 filed Oct. 20, 2010 entitled “VACUUM COMPRESSION STORAGE BAGS”.FIELD OF INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to vacuum compression storage bags. More specifically, the invention is directed to large vacuum compression storage bags for clothing and other items which include a stand-off for optimizing the air flow and evacuation of air from the bag.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Vacuum compression storage bags are known in the art. For example, SPACE BAG® brand vacuum compression storage bags are commercially available for storage of clothing and other items. Such storage bags generally include a first side panel and a second side panel which side panels are sealed at the edges and the bottom forming the bag having an open top. These bags further include a re-closable closure mechanism near the top portion of the bag for opening and closing the bag. The bags fu...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]The present invention is directed to large vacuum compression storage bags for clothing and other items which are simple and inexpensive to manufacture. The storage bags of the present invention include a valve and a stand-off for evacuation of air from the bag after the bag has been closed with the item(s) to be stored therein. The bags have a first side wall, a second side wall and a bottom portion which forms the bag and having an open top portion for receiving and removing items to be stored, such as clothing, blankets or other items. The bag further includes a closure mechanism near the open top of the bag, such as a zipper closure, which provides for a re-closable bag. The bag includes a one-way valve for evacuation of air from the bag after the material to be stored has been placed in the bag and the closure mechanism closed. The air is evacuated using a pump placed over the valve. The present invention provides for an improved stand-off which will allow for improved air flow and evacuation of air from the bag. Various embodiments of the improved stand-off and valve are disclosed herein.

[0007]The improved stand-off of the invention is made from a plastic material such as polyethylene or other thermoplastic material and is preferably made by extrusion. The stand-off includes a base having an aperture therein for alignment with the valve. The base further includes a plurality of ribs. The stand-off may include a variety of geometries. However, the stand-off must be of sufficient length and width to cover the valve area; it may extend from one side of the bag to the other side of the bag or include variations thereof in size. In one embodiment, the standoff base is adhered to the inside side wall of the bag adjacent to the valve such that the aperture in the base, the aperture in the bag and the aperture in the valve are in alignment. The stand-off ribs extend inwardly toward the storage portion of the bag. When the pump is placed over the valve to evacuate air, the ribs of the standoff will maintain space between the side wall to which the stand-off is adhered and the opposite side wall or maintain space between the stand-off and the contents of the bag, thereby providing for improved air flow and evacuation of air from the bag.

[0008]Another embodiment of the vacuum compression storage bag using the stand-off of the invention is to have the stand-off adhered to an inside side wall of the bag with the base facing toward the storage portion of the bag and the ribs of the stand-off being adjacent to the inside side wall of the bag and the valve. In this embodiment, a series of minute apertures are provided in the grooves between the ribs to aid in evacuation of air from the bag by the pump. Having the base facing the storage portion of the bag provides for a flush or smooth contact surface of the stand-off with the material being stored or with the opposite side wall.

[0009]A further advantage of the stand-off of the invention is that it provides additional rigidity to the bag at the location of the valve. If the stand-off extends from one side of the bag to the other, this provides further rigidity to the bag and to the aesthetics of the ornamental design of the bag. Additionally, such rigidity limits the valve protrusion toward the inside of the bag. This is significant in that if the valve protrudes toward the inside of the bag, there is convex arching of the bag which results in the bag remaining taut and inhibiting avenues of airflow through the valve.

Problems solved by technology

This is significant in that if the valve protrudes toward the inside of the bag, there is convex arching of the bag which results in the bag remaining taut and inhibiting avenues of airflow through the valve.

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