Patent Publication Number: US-2013228490-A1

Title: Vacuum-packing container using a packing stand

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.