Abstract:
The invention is directed toward a universal self-sealing air extraction valve mounted to a self-closing plastic bag through which a pilot hole has been made. Air is extracted from the bag through the valve and prevented from returning to the bag after extraction, at which time, the valve is sealed with a cap assembly.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    There is no related application. 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX 
       [0003]    None. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0005]    The present invention is generally directed toward a detachable, reusable one way valve apparatus for self-sealing bags. The valve is ideally used in conjunction with a vacuum source to create a negative pressure environment in the self sealing bag relative to atmospheric pressure, thereby preserving or prolonging the useful life of the items contained in the bag. 
         [0006]    2. Background of the Invention 
         [0007]    The concept of vacuum sealing or otherwise removing air from a container in order to preserve or prolong the useful lifetime of its contents is well known. For example, one product currently in the prior art uses a combination of heat sealing a sheet of thermoplastic material and a motor driven vacuum pump to vacuum seal the specifically constructed bags. This product, however, is quite expensive and the many various electrical and mechanical components necessary for its operation are subject to malfunction. Additionally, the bag material required by this device is another significant expense with the added problem that the bag material is difficult to obtain. What is needed is a simpler, less expensive alternative that is able to duplicate the functionality of this far more expensive counterpart. Ideally, it should also be reusable and, not only simple to use, but also simple to manufacture and therefore potentially less prone to breakage. Moreover, the product should not require the use of specialized bags. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    Saving previously prepared foodstuffs and breaking down purchased bulk foodstuffs into individual or smaller portions has become a national phenomenon. While undertaking such actions can result in significant savings, these savings are often offset by the spoilage of portions that are not consumed quickly enough. Additionally, many find it convenient to prepare foods in large quantities that are broken down for later consumption over multiple meals. In these and similar circumstances, vacuum sealing is a well recognized method for preserving foods and has been in use since at least the development of the various home and commercial canning techniques developed during the 19 th  and 20 th  centuries. These traditional methods generally utilize cooling of the container&#39;s contents after it has been sealed in order to create a partial vacuum. However, devices are now available for home use utilizing pump mechanisms to directly evacuate containers. Unfortunately, these devices are relatively complicated and a malfunction in any of the various interconnected components renders these expensive devices unusable. 
         [0009]    The present invention effectively addresses the disadvantages of these previously known technologies. It is a simple, easy to use, inexpensive, and rugged one way valve that may be attached to almost any sealable bag, or nearly any airtight container with an easily pierced sidewall. The only limitation of the present invention is that there needs to be sufficient access to the interior of the bag or container to enable fitment of the interior portion of the valve. The present invention is a one way valve specially adapted for airtight attachment to a container. After sealing the container, a vacuum source is attached to the valve in order to evacuate air contained in the bag. When the desired degree of vacuum or air extraction is achieved, the vacuum source is removed and air is prevented from returning to the container by operation of the one way valve in the valve passageway. The valve is easily detached from the container when no longer needed and may be re-used after handwashing or a washing in the dishwasher. The vacuum source need not be a substantial piece of equipment and may include vacuum provided by the user&#39;s own inhalation. Alternatively, when using a flexible container, for example, a self-sealing plastic bag (e.g., Ziploc™), the user may simply compress the container itself to expel the desired amount of air. 
         [0010]    It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an inexpensive alternative to current vacuum sealing methods of self sealing flexible containers. 
         [0011]    It is also an object of this invention to provide a more robust alternative to current vacuum sealing technologies. 
         [0012]    It is yet another object of this invention to provide a reusable, easily cleaned vacuum valve for a self sealing bag. 
         [0013]    It is another object of this invention to provide an intuitive, easy to use vacuum sealing device for a self sealing bag. 
         [0014]    It is a further object of this invention to provide a reusable vacuum sealing technology for flexible containers. 
         [0015]    It is another object of this invention to provide a vacuum sealing technology requiring no electrical power. 
         [0016]    These and other objects, advantages, and novel features of the present invention will become apparent when considered with the teachings contained in the detailed disclosure along with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a cross section view of the base member shown in FIG.  2 of the valve of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of the base member of the valve of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a side elevation with a partial cutaway view of the second member of the present invention showing the one way valve and schematic attachment to a vacuum pump; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is an elevation view of the second member of the present invention with the valve entryway being closed; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an exemplary fenestrating tool for use with the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the present valve invention mounted to a self sealing bag; and,  FIG. 7  is an enlarged bottom plan view of the base member of  FIG. 2  showing its anti-occlusive channels. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0023]    The preferred embodiment and best mode of the reusable valve invention  10  is shown in  FIGS. 1 through 7 . While the invention is described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, it is not intended that the present invention be so limited. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalent arrangements as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
         [0024]    The invention may be constructed from any moldable material, but in a preferred embodiment, is constructed from various plastic polymer formulations, including but not limited to food grade silicone, fiberglass, nylon, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polyfluoroethylene, polypropylene, polymethyl methacrylate, and other acrylics, polyurethanes, or their composites. 
         [0025]    The base member  12  of the reusable valve  10  is shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  &amp;  7 . The base member  12  has a circular base  14  defining radial channels  15  in the bottom surface  13 , and has a hollow threaded neck  16  which defines a throughgoing passageway  17  facilitating extraction of air from the sealed bag  60 . Anti-occlusive channels  15  are in communication with the distal end of the extraction passageway  17  and radiate therefrom along the bottom surface of the base member  12 . The upper surface  18  of the base member  12  is seated against the inside surface  61  of the sealable bag  60 . Positioning of the extraction passageway  17  is not critical provided that the passage  17  does not interfere with the airtight seal between the base member  12  and the second member  30 , and that communication is maintained with the one way valve  23  mounted in the second member  30 . Containers with relatively thin sidewalls will tend to collapse as they are evacuated with the possible result that the collapsing container walls and the material contained therein will occlude the extraction passageway  17  prior to achieving the desired degree of vacuum. The channels  15  present alternate air pathways leading to the extraction passageway  17 . The channels are sufficiently narrow to preclude obstruction by all but the most malleable container materials, yet are nevertheless sufficient to facilitate adequate airflow when drawing a vacuum, thereby preventing premature occlusion of the extraction passageway  17 . The base member  12  is shaped to complimentarily mate with a sealing element  34  of the aforementioned second member  30 , with the base  12  being positioned inside a sealable bag  60  and the neck  16  extending through an aperture cut through a bag sidewall by fenestrating tool  50 . Various methods of creating an airtight seal between the base member  12  and second member sealing element  34  are known to those with ordinary knowledge in this art. In a preferred embodiment, the base member  12  and second member  30  are predominantly manufactured from food grade silicone and an airtight seal is achieved due to the complimentary shapes of the base member  12  and second member  30  which engage opposite sides of a sidewall of bag  60 . 
         [0026]    The second member  30  is depicted in a partial cross sectional view ( FIG. 3 ) showing the one way valve housing  32  with a flanged circular base  34  which forms a secure sealing element. The second member base sealing element  34  has a planar bottom surface  36  which is seated on the outer surface  62  of the bag  60  forming a seal. The housing  32  defines a throughgoing air passageway  38 , the lower end  39  of which is threaded to receive the threaded neck  16  of the base member  12 . The top end of the housing  32  defines a stepped portion  31  which receives an end fitting  81  placed on hose  82  leading from the vacuum source  80 .  FIG. 4  shows the second member  30  with its auxiliary airtight cap assembly  40  in place, for ensuring an airtight seal after evacuation of a container. The cap assembly  40  has a flexible strip member  44  connected to a fastening cap  42  and a cap sealer member  45  formed on the end of the flexible strip member  44 . The fastening cap  42  has a circularly projecting rib  46  which snap fits into the circular groove  33  formed in the external outer wall of housing  32 . Also shown in  FIG. 3  is a schematic representation of a vacuum source  80  to facilitate evacuation via the valve of the present invention. Vacuum sources are well known in the art, and a vacuum fitting  81  may therefore be formed to accommodate any such appropriate device. The vacuum fitting  81  is also sized to easily be inserted into the valve housing  32  via insertion into the fastening cap  42 . 
         [0027]    While the design of the preferred embodiment&#39;s one way valve  23  is a ball valve, it is noted that one way or check valves are well known and their use is encompassed by the present invention. The present valve  23  is seated in valve housing passageway  38  which has a decreasing diameter from the top toward the circular base sealing element  34 . Examples of valves include, but are not limited to, flutter valves, diaphragm valves, swing check valves, clapper valves, stopper-check valves, and lift-check valves. 
         [0028]      FIG. 5  is an exemplary fenestrating tool  50  optionally available for use with the present invention. A die  52  and complimentarily sized aperture  54  is utilized to cut a hole in the bag  60  for insertion of the neck  16  of base member  12 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 6  shows the present invention attached to a sealable bag  60 , such as a ZIPLOC™ bag, ready for filling, sealing of the bag, and evacuation. In operation, the fenestrating tool  50  is used to incise an appropriately sized hole in the bag  60 . The base member  12  is then inserted through the previously incised aperture from the interior of the bag  60  whereby the increased diameter of the circular base  14  is positioned flush against the interior surface of a sidewall of the bag  60  with the neck  16  extending through the bag aperture. The neck  16  of the base member  12  may optionally include a pointed or slightly sharpened portion to facilitate piercing the sidewall. With the sidewall of the bag  60  now adjacent to the base member  12 , the second member  30  is sealingly affixed atop the base member  12  by threading the neck  16  into the threaded portion  39  of the housing  32 . Various clamping technologies, such as a friction fit, pinned fittings, and spring lock or other quick-connect type couplings could be used to connect the base member  12  and second external member  30 . 
         [0030]    After assembly of the present invention onto an appropriate container, the bag  60  is filled with foodstuffs, sealed, and a vacuum applied via the vacuum fitting  81  until the desired degree of vacuum in the bag is achieved. Thereafter, the vacuum source is removed, the one way valve  23  in the passageway  38  prevents re-infiltration of air into the container. An auxiliary airtight cap assembly  40  is included to provide an additional degree of sealing as is shown in  FIG. 4 . As previously mentioned, where the sidewalls of the container are exceptionally thin and/or flexible, for example a self-sealing type bag, the bag may also simply be compressed or squeezed to expel excess air, the present invention being particularly useful in preventing the re-entry of air upon release of tension on the bag. When the contents of the container have been consumed, the present invention is easily disassembled for handwashing or may simply be placed in a dishwasher. Thereafter, the valve may be reused on other sealable bags. 
         [0031]    The principles, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of the present invention have been described in the foregoing specification. However, the invention should not be construed as limited to the particular embodiments which have been described above. Instead, the embodiments described here should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Variations and changes may be made by others without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims: