Abstract:
An improved vacuum storage bag having assorted monitoring means and a method of using the same. The vacuum storage bag is comprised of a flexible impermeable bag that has a storage area and a storage area access opening. A valve is provided to the bag that is in fluid communication with the storage area. Resealable sealing means extend across the storage area access opening. The resealable sealing means are capable or repeatedly allowing the storage area to be selectively maintained in a substantially hermetically sealed on unsealed condition. One-time-use sealing means extend across the storage area parallel to the resealable sealing means. The vacuum storage bag further has a radio frequency identification tag that extends substantially across said storage area access opening. In an alternative embodiment of the vacuum storage bag, the radio frequency identification tag is replaced with tamper indicating means.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/384,739 filed Sep. 21, 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    A vacuum storage bag is disclosed. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved vacuum storage bag that is provided with an assortment of mechanisms that enable a worker to ascertain the condition of the bag. The vacuum storage bag may be provided with tamper indicating means in the form of an RFID tag that changes frequency once the vacuum storage bag has been opened. Alternatively visual tamper indicating means may be provided that visually alert a worker that the vacuum storage bag has been opened. The vacuum storage bag may be provided with moisture sensing means and vacuum indicating means to allow a worker to monitor the conditions inside the bag. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The use of vacuum storage bags is well known. Typically, vacuum storage bags are used to store items such as food or articles of clothing. Using a vacuum storage bag to store items provides several benefits. First, the item stored within the bag is cut off from exposure to air. This is especially beneficial when storing food, as removing food from air reduces the rate at which the food will spoil or become stale. Next, the size of items stored within the vacuum storage bag will be reduced, thus allowing for more items to be stored within a smaller space. This is especially true with items that naturally have a lot of air space that can be compressed (i.e. down jackets, comforters, etc.). Finally, the items stored within the vacuum storage bag are protected against outside atmospheric elements such as humidity. This is beneficial to both food products and articles of clothing, as food that is stored in humid conditions will more rapidly spoil or become stale, while clothing stored in humid conditions may begin to smell musty. 
         [0004]    One issue with current vacuum storage bags is that a bag may be unknowingly tampered with. This problem is most applicable to vacuum storage bags that have selectively resealable sealing means. This is problematic, as the vacuum storage bag may be opened, and contaminants may be introduced to the items stored within the vacuum storage bag. Furthermore, the vacuum storage bag may be opened and a portion of the items stored within the bag may be removed. Once the vacuum storage bag has been tampered with, the selectively resealable sealing means may be resealed, and the vacuum storage bag may again be evacuated without any noticeable visual indications that the bag has been tampered with. The only way to ensure that the bag has not been tampered with is to open the vacuum storage bag and inspect the stored items. However, this process can be time consuming and is inefficient. 
         [0005]    To overcome this issue, a vacuum storage bag having one-time-use sealing means may be employed. However, such vacuum storage bags are problematic, as they generally cannot not be reused once the one-time-use sealing means have been unsealed. Presently, there are some vacuum storage bag designs that utilize one-time-use sealing means that can be resealed, however these designs require that the one-time-use sealing means be cut off from the main body of the vacuum storage bag each time the bag is opened. Cutting off the one-time-use sealing means decreases the size of the vacuum storage bag. Once it is desired to reseal the vacuum storage bag, the one-time-use sealing means are again applied to the bag. However, as noted above, to open the vacuum storage bag a portion of the bag must be cut off, thus reducing the size of the vacuum storage bag. Therefore, the overall storage capacity of the vacuum storage bag is reduced each time the bag is opened. Eventually, the vacuum storage bag will have a storage capacity that is so small as to be unusable. 
         [0006]    Furthermore, no current vacuum storage bags offer the ability to monitor the conditions within the bag once the bag has been sealed. Accordingly, a vacuum storage bag may develop a leak unbeknownst to a user of the bag. The vacuum storage bag may slowly begin to lose the desired vacuum within the bag, thereby potentially allowing damage to occur to items stored inside the bag. 
         [0007]    In light of the above-identified problems associated with current vacuum bag offerings, what is needed is an improved vacuum storage bag. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    By providing an improved vacuum storage bag that can be reused, indicates whether the bag has been tampered with, and monitors the conditions within the vacuum storage bag, the present invention overcomes the issues identified above that hinder current vacuum storage bag designs. 
         [0009]    The embodiments of the present invention described below are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may appreciate and understand the principles and practices of the present invention. 
         [0010]    The present invention relates to improved vacuum storage bags and methods of using the same. In a first embodiment of the vacuum storage bag, that vacuum storage bag comprises a flexible, impermeable bag having a first panel and a second panel. The first panel and the second panel are hermetically sealed to one another along a first panel periphery and a second panel periphery to define a storage area between the first panel and the second panel. A storage area access opening is provided along the first panel periphery and the second panel periphery where the two are not hermetically sealed to one another. The vacuum storage bag further has a valve in fluid communication with the storage area. The valve protrudes from a valve opening provided on the first panel. The valve is hermetically sealed to the valve opening. Resealable sealing means extend across the storage area access opening. One-time-use sealing means extend across the storage area opening parallel to the resealable sealing means. A tear strip extends across the storage area access opening. The tear strip is positioned between the resealable sealing means and the one-time-use sealing means. A radio frequency identification tag extends across the storage area access opening. In a second embodiment of the vacuum storage bag, the vacuum storage bag is provided with tamper indicating means as opposed to the radio frequency identification tag. 
         [0011]    The present invention also relates to a method of using the improved vacuum storage bag. The method comprises the steps of first, providing a flexible impermeable bag having a storage area, a storage area access opening, a valve, resealable sealing means, one-time-use sealing means, a radio frequency identification tag, and a tear strip. Next, the method includes the step of placing an article within the storage area through the storage area access opening. Then, sealing the resealable sealing means and the one-time-use sealing means. Next, a vacuum source is attached to the valve and all air from the storage area is evacuated using the vacuum source. Finally, the method concludes with the step of removing the vacuum source from the valve. In another method of using the improved vacuum storage bag, in the step of providing a flexible impermeable bag, the vacuum storage bag is provided with tamper indicating means as opposed to the radio frequency identification tag. 
         [0012]    Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. It is to be understood, however, that the detailed description of the various embodiments and specific examples, while indicating preferred and other embodiments of the present invention, are given by way of illustration and not limitation. Many changes and modifications within the scope of the present invention may be made without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such modifications. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    These, as well as other objects and advantages of this invention, will be more completely understood and appreciated by referring to the following more detailed description of the presently preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, of which: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a top view of a first embodiment of a vacuum storage bag of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the vacuum storage bag shown in  FIG. 1  showing the vacuum storage bag in a fully expanded condition; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a top view of a second embodiment of a vacuum storage bag of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the vacuum storage bag shown in  FIG. 4  showing the vacuum storage bag in a fully expanded condition; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a top view of a portion of the vacuum storage bag shown in  FIG. 1  in an unassembled condition. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a top view of a portion of the vacuum storage bag shown in  FIG. 3  in an unassembled condition. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]    The apparatuses and methods disclosed in this document are described in detail by way of examples and with reference to the figures. Unless otherwise specified, like numbers in the figures indicate references to the same, similar, or corresponding elements throughout the figures. It will be appreciated that modifications to disclosed and described examples, arrangements, configurations, components, elements, apparatuses, methods, materials, etc. can be made and may be desired for a specific application. In this disclosure, any identification of specific shapes, materials, techniques, arrangements, etc. are either related to a specific example presented or are merely a general description of such a shape, material, technique, arrangement, etc. Identifications of specific details or examples are not intended to be, and should not be, construed as mandatory or limiting unless specifically designated as such. 
         [0021]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  5  a first embodiment of a vacuum storage bag  5  is shown. When fully expanded, the vacuum storage bag  5  has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. It is contemplated that shape and the dimensions of the vacuum storage bag  5  may be altered as appropriate to more suitably contain the article or articles that may be placed in the vacuum storage bag  5 . The vacuum storage bag  5  has a first panel  10  and a second panel  15 . The first panel  10  and the second panel  15  may be manufactured separately apart from one another as two separate sheets. Alternatively, it is contemplated that the first panel  10  and the second panel  15  may be manufactured together as a single sheet, as will be explained below in reference to a second embodiment of a vacuum storage bag  105  shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  6 . However, as can most clearly be seen in  FIG. 5 , in the first embodiment of the vacuum storage bag  5 , the first panel  10 , and the second panel  15  are manufactured separately apart from one another as two separate sheets. 
         [0022]    Preferably, the first panel  10  and the second panel  15  are manufactured out of transparent single layer polyethylene. However, the first panel  10  and the second panel  15  may be made out of any suitable material that is both flexible and impermeable to both air and water. Such materials may include, but are not limited to, polypropylene, polyvinylidene chloride, nylon, ethylene vinyl acetate, polyester, or ethylene vinyl alcohol. Furthermore, the first panel  10  and the second panel  15  may be made out of appropriate biodegradable materials. It is contemplated that the first panel  10  and the second panel  15  may be provided with more than one layer of material. 
         [0023]    The first panel  10  has a first panel periphery  20 , while the second panel  15  has a second panel periphery  25 . The first panel periphery  20  and the second panel periphery  25  are hermetically sealed to one another along a substantial portion of the first panel periphery  20  and the second panel periphery  25 , thereby creating a storage area  30  between the first panel  10  and the second panel  15 . Preferably, the hermetic seal is created by way of heat-sealing together the first panel periphery  20  and the second panel periphery  25 . However, any other suitable means may be employed to achieve the necessary hermetic seal. A storage area access opening  35  is provided along the portions of the first panel periphery  20  and the second panel periphery  25  that are not hermetically sealed to one another. 
         [0024]    The vacuum storage bag  5  has a valve  55 . The valve  55  protrudes from, and is hermetically sealed to, a valve opening  60  provided on the first panel  10 . The valve  5  is preferably a simple one-way valve, however other valve constructions may be employed so long as the valve construction is able to maintain an airtight and watertight seal. The valve  55  has a valve collar  80 . The valve collar  80  is preferably made out of a flexible, resilient material. It is contemplated that the valve  55  may be provided with a protective valve cover (not shown) that attaches to the valve collar  80 . 
         [0025]    The vacuum storage bag  5  is provided with resealable sealing means  40 . The resealable sealing means  40  extend across the storage area access opening  35 . In the first embodiment of the vacuum storage bag  5  shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  5 , the resealable sealing means  40  consists of a series of interlocking ribs and channels that extend lengthwise across the storage area access opening  35 . However, any other suitable resealable sealing means  40  may be used. For example, the vacuum storage bag  5  may be provided with an interlocking zipper. 
         [0026]    The first panel  10  is provided with two ribs that run parallel to one another, while the second panel  15  is provided with two channels that are complementary to the ribs. Similar to the ribs, the two channels run parallel to one another. Alternatively, the ribs may be provided on the second panel  15 , and the channels may be provided on the first panel  10 . The ribs and channels may be formed integrally during the manufacture of the first panel  10  and the second panel  15 . However, the ribs and channels also may be manufactured separately from the first panel  10  and the second panel  15 , and then later be permanently attached to the first panel  10  and the second panel  15 . 
         [0027]    It is contemplated that this basic resealable sealing means arrangement may be modified as necessary to achieve various manufacturing cost goals and vacuum retention goals. For example, if a more robust seal is desired, a vacuum storage bag may be provided with three or more interlocking ribs and channels. While the presence of three channels and ribs will increase the vacuum retention of the vacuum storage bag, the costs of manufacturing such a vacuum storage bag will be increased. Similarly, providing a vacuum storage bag with only a single channel and a single rib will decrease the manufacturing costs. However, the resulting vacuum storage bag will have lower vacuum retention when compared to vacuum storage bags having two ore more channels and two or more ribs. 
         [0028]    One-time-use sealing means  45  are provided to the vacuum storage bag  5  adjacent to the resealable sealing means  40 . The one-time-use sealing means  45  extend across the storage area access opening  35 , and run parallel to the resealable sealing means  40 . The one-time-use sealing means  45  are located further from the storage area  30  than the resealable sealing means  40 . In the first embodiment of the vacuum storage bag  5  shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  5 , the one-time-use sealing means  45  consist of a pressure sensitive adhesive. However, any other suitable one-time-use sealing means may be used. For example, the one-time-use sealing means  45  may consist of a heat seal. 
         [0029]    A tear strip  70  extends across the storage area access opening  35 . The tear strip  70  is simply a portion of the first panel  10  and the second panel  15  that is thinner, and thus weaker. The tear strip  70  is located between the resealable sealing means  40  and the one-time-use sealing means  45 . A tear notch  75  is provided at one end of the tear strip  70 . 
         [0030]    The vacuum storage bag  5  further has a radio frequency identification tag  50 . The radio frequency identification tag  50  extends substantially across the storage area access opening  35 . The radio frequency identification tag  50  is positioned collinearly with the tear strip  70  such that the tear strip  70  intersects a portion of the radio frequency identification tag  50 . 
         [0031]    Having now described the layout of the first embodiment of the vacuum storage bag  5 , the use of the vacuum storage bag  5  will now be explained. First, it will be explained how the vacuum storage bag  5  is used to vacuum seal an article. The vacuum storage bag  5  will be provided to a worker in a completely deflated, flat condition so as to conserve space during the shipping of the vacuum storage bag  5 . To begin using the vacuum storage bag  5 , a worker takes the vacuum storage bag  5  and separates the first panel  10  and the second panel  15  from one another to expand the storage area  30 , thereby maximizing the volumetric capacity of the storage area  30 . As the worker separates the first panel  10  from the second panel  10  to expand the storage area  30 , the storage area access opening  35  will likewise naturally expand, thereby allowing the worker to freely access the storage area  30 . 
         [0032]    Next, the worker inserts an article through the storage area access opening  35  and into the storage area  30 . For the purposes of this discussion, it will be assumed that the article to be stored inside the vacuum storage bag  5  is a down jacket. Preferably, the worker will place the jacket at the center of the storage area  30 . However, successful use of the vacuum storage bag  5  does not necessitate such a placement. 
         [0033]    With the jacket placed inside the storage area  30  of the vacuum storage bag  5 , the worker next begins disassociating the storage area  30  from the atmosphere external to the vacuum storage bag  5  by first sealing the resealable sealing means  40 , and then the one-time-use sealing means  45 . However, before sealing the resealable sealing means  40  and the one-time-use sealing means  45 , it is recommended that the worker flatten the vacuum storage bag  5  around the jacket to expel a majority of the air from the storage area  30 . This optional step increases the rate at which articles may be packaged in the vacuum storage bag  5 , as flattening the vacuum storage bag  5  will result in less air for the vacuum source to remove from the storage area  30 . Thus, there will be less downtime, as the worker will not have to wait as long for the vacuum source to vacate all the air from the storage area  30 . 
         [0034]    To seal the resealable sealing means  40  the worker aligns the ribs provided on the first panel  10  with the complementary channels provided on the second panel  15 . Aligning the ribs with the channels should be a relatively quick, simple, and straightforward task, as the ribs and channels are provided directly across from one another on the first panel  10  and the second panel  15 , respectively. Accordingly, the ribs should naturally fall into alignment with the complementary channels as the worker flattens the vacuum storage bag  5  around the jacket. Once the ribs are aligned with the channels, the worker pushes down on the ribs to snap the rips into the channels, thereby creating a substantially hermetic seal. 
         [0035]    To seal the one-time-use sealing means  45 , the worker simply applies pressure to the portions of the first panel  10  and the second panel  15  that surround the one-time-use sealing means  45 . Because the one-time-use sealing means  45  in the first embodiment of the vacuum storage bag  5  consist of a pressure sensitive adhesive, the application of pressure activates the pressure sensitive adhesive, thereby creating a hermetic seal. 
         [0036]    While the presence of two sealing means may seem redundant, both sealing means are necessary to achieve the dual goals of providing a vacuum storage bag that is able to provide a hermetic seal while also being reusable. As noted above, the resealable sealing means  40  provide a substantially hermetic seal, meaning that the resealable sealing means  40  are able sustain a vacuum for an extended, but not infinite, period of time. In the embodiment of the vacuum storage bag shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  5  the interlocking ribs and channels provided for the resealable sealing means  40  have been found to be able to sustain a vacuum for a period of approximately one month. Despite the best efforts to design and implement resealable sealing means that are capable of maintaining a vacuum for an infinite amount of time, no such system has yet been devised. Accordingly, to establish a truly hermetic seal, the presence of the one-time-use sealing means  45  is required. 
         [0037]    Once the resealable sealing means  40  and the one-time-use sealing means  45  have been sealed, the worker next attaches a vacuum source to the vacuum storage bag  5  via the valve  55 . The vacuum source is retained to the valve  55  by the valve collar  80 . As discussed above, the valve collar  80  is made out a flexible, resilient material. Using a flexible, resilient material to manufacture the valve collar  80  allows the valve collar  80  to adapt to vacuum sources having a wide variety of different shapes and sizes while also maintaining a tight seal between the valve  55  and the vacuum source. 
         [0038]    Once the vacuum source has been securely connected to the valve  55 , the worker can then turn on the vacuum source to evacuate the remaining air contained within the storage area  30  of the vacuum storage bag  5 . Once the storage area  30  has been completely evacuated of air, the operator may remove the vacuum source from the valve  55 . Because the valve  55  is a simple one-way valve, the valve  55  will automatically self-seal once the vacuum source is removed. If the valve  55  is provided with a protective valve cover, the worker may then attach the protective valve cover  55  to the valve to further increase the robustness of the seal provided by the valve  55 , thereby completing the process of vacuum sealing the down jacket within the vacuum storage bag  5 . 
         [0039]    Now, it will be explained how the vacuum storage bag  5  is opened, the effect of opening the vacuum storage bag  5 , and how the vacuum storage bag  5  may be reused. To begin opening the vacuum storage bag  5 , a worker must first unseal the one-time-use sealing means  45 . Unsealing the one-time-use sealing means  45  requires the worker to tear the first panel  10  and the second panel  15  along the tear strip  70 . As noted above, the tear strip  70  is simply a portion of the first panel  10  and the second panel  15  that is thinner and weaker than the rest of the vacuum storage bag  5 . Thus, as the worker tears the vacuum storage bag  5  along the tear strip  70 , the tearing is localized to the weaker portions of the first panel  10  and the second panel  15  provided along the tear strip  70 . The presence of the tear notch  75  facilitates the initial tearing of the first panel  10  and the second panel  15  along the tear strip  70 . 
         [0040]    As discussed above, the vacuum storage bag  5  is provided with a radio frequency identification tag  50  that is positioned collinearly with the tear strip  70  such that the tear strip  70  intersects a portion of the radio frequency identification tag  50 . Accordingly, a portion of the radio frequency identification tag  50  antenna is torn and removed from the main body of the radio frequency identification tag  50  as the tear strip  70  is torn to unseal the one-time-use sealing means  45 . Removing a portion of the radio frequency identification tag antenna substantially alters the overall shape of the radio frequency identification tag antenna. Because the shape of the radio frequency identification tag antenna dictates the frequency of the radio frequency identification tag, the frequency of the radio identification tag  50  will be altered once the vacuum storage bag  5  is torn along the tear strip  70 . A radio frequency identification tag reader will be able to pick up on the different frequencies emitted by an unopened and opened vacuum storage bag, thereby allowing a warehouse to quickly monitor and assess whether a shipment of vacuum storage bags has been tampered with. 
         [0041]    Once the one-time-use sealing means  45  have been separated, the only operation left remaining in opening the vacuum storage bag  5  is to release the resealable sealing means  40 . To release the resealable sealing means  40 , the worker simply pulls the first panel  10  apart from the second panel  15 . As the first panel  10  is pulled apart from the second panel  15 , the ribs are released from the complementary channels, thereby breaking the seal provided by the resealable sealing means  40 . Once the, resealable sealing means  40  have been released, the worker can reach into the storage area  30  through the storage area access opening  35  and retrieve the down jacket. 
         [0042]    The vacuum storage bag  5  may be reused once the jacket has been removed. However, the reused vacuum storage bag will not be able to utilize the one-time-use sealing means  45 . In theory, the vacuum storage bag  5  may be reused an infinite amount of times, albeit without being able to utilize the one-time-use sealing means  45 . However, in practice it is recommended that vacuum storage bag  5  be retired after undergoing a certain number of predetermined vacuum packing and unpacking cycles, as components of the vacuum storage bag  5  may fatigue with repeated use. For example, the valve  55  may become weakened after several use cycles, and thus not be capable of maintaining a vacuum for extended periods of time. Additionally, the first panel  10  and the second panel  15  may become weak or brittle with repeated use. Retiring the vacuum storage bag  5  after the vacuum storage bag  5  has undergone a predetermined number of vacuum packing and unpacking cycles and before the vacuum storage bag  5  ultimately fails reduces the risk of damage to items stored within the vacuum storage bag  5  attributed to vacuum storage bag failure. 
         [0043]    It is contemplated that the vacuum storage bag  5  may further be equipped with additional features that serve to protect the articles stored within the vacuum storage bag  5 , as well as additional features that serve to both protect the articles stored within the vacuum storage bag  5  while also monitoring the conditions within the storage area  30 . For example, it is contemplated that the first panel  10  and the second panel  15  may be provided with ultraviolet light blocking means. The ultraviolet light blocking means could be engineered into the material chosen to manufacture the vacuum storage bag, or alternatively the ultraviolet light blocking means could be provided as a separate film that is applied after the vacuum storage bag  5  is manufactured. 
         [0044]    Additionally, it is contemplated that the vacuum storage bag  5  may be provided with moisture sensing means and/or vacuum monitoring means for monitoring the atmospheric conditions within the vacuum storage bag  5  storage area  30 . The moisture sensing means and vacuum monitoring means may be simple gauges that use numerals with the appropriate units of measurement to indicate the precise levels of moisture and vacuum in the storage area  30 . Alternatively, the moisture sensing means and vacuum monitoring means may consist of gauges that display a color to indicate the conditions within the storage area  30 . For example, the gauges may be designed to display the color green, yellow, or red depending on the storage area  30  atmospheric conditions. The gauges would display green if the atmospheric conditions fall within a predetermined acceptable range, yellow if the atmospheric conditions are beginning to approach the outer limits of the acceptable range, and red if the atmospheric conditions fall completely outside the acceptable range. 
         [0045]    Besides allowing a worker to monitor the conditions of the storage area  30 , the presence of moisture sensing means and/or vacuum monitoring provides several additional benefits. First, the moisture sensing means and the vacuum monitoring means will allow a worker to assess if the vacuum storage bag  5  has developed a leak. If the worker notices that the vacuum level is decreasing and that the moisture level is increasing at an abnormal rate, he or she will be able to conclude that the vacuum storage bag  5  has developed a leak. Second, the vacuum monitoring means will increase the efficiency of the vacuum storage bag packaging process. A worker evacuating the vacuum storage bag  5  using a vacuum source will be able to determine the exact moment that the vacuum storage bag  5  has been fully evacuated. Without the vacuum monitoring means, the worker may let the vacuum source run longer than necessary, thus wasting time and reducing efficiency. Finally, the vacuum monitoring means will allow a worker to package articles within the bag at very specific vacuum levels. The desired level of vacuum at which an article is stored at may vary depending on the properties of the article being stored. For example, it may be undesirable to store a pastry inside the vacuum storage bag at a high level of vacuum, as doing so would result in the pastry becoming compacted, and thus unsatisfactory. The storage of the pastry can be compared with the storage of a comforter inside the vacuum storage bag. Because the comforter will not suffer damaged if the comforter is stored at high levels of vacuum, it may be desirable to store the comforter in the highest attainable level of vacuum so as to reduce the space that the comforter occupies. 
         [0046]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3 ,  4 , and  6 , a second embodiment of a vacuum storage bag  105  is shown. The structure and construction of the second embodiment of the vacuum storage bag  105  is similar to that of the first embodiment of the vacuum storage bag  5  shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  5 . 
         [0047]    The second embodiment of the vacuum storage bag  105  has a rectangular first panel  110  and a rectangular second panel  115  manufactured out of a flexible, impermeable material. As discussed in detail above in regards the first embodiment of the vacuum storage bag  5 , the first panel  110  and the second panel  115  may be manufactured separately apart from one another as two separate sheets, or the first panel  110  and the second panel  115  may be manufactured together as a single sheet. As can most clearly be seen in  FIG. 6 , the first panel  110  and the second panel  115  used in the second embodiment of the vacuum storage bag  105  are manufactured together as a single sheet. 
         [0048]    The first panel  110  has a first panel periphery  120 , while the second panel  115  has a second panel periphery  125 . The first panel  110  and the second panel  115  are secured to one another by hermetically sealing together a substantial portion of the first panel periphery  120  and the second panel periphery  125 . A storage area  130  is created between the first panel  110  and the second panel  115  once the first panel periphery  120  is secured to the second panel periphery  125 . The storage area  130  is provided with a storage area access opening  135 . The storage area access opening  135  is located along the portions of the first panel periphery  120  and the second panel periphery  125  that are not hermetically sealed to one another. 
         [0049]    The vacuum storage bag  105  has a valve  155  that protrudes from, and is hermetically sealed to, a valve opening  160  provided on the first panel  110 . The valve  155  has a valve collar  180  that is made out of a flexible, resilient material. 
         [0050]    The vacuum storage bag  105  is provided with resealable sealing means  140  in the form of a plurality of interlocking ribs and channels that extend lengthwise across the storage area access opening  135 . The first panel  110  is provided with two ribs that run parallel to one another. The second panel  115  is provided with two channels that run parallel to one another, and are complementary to the ribs. 
         [0051]    The vacuum storage bag  105  is further provided with one-time-use sealing means  145  that extend across the storage area access opening  135 . The one-time-use sealing means  145  run parallel to, and are located adjacent to, the resealable sealing means  140 . In the second embodiment of the vacuum storage bag  105  shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  4 , and  6 , the one-time use-sealing means consist of a pressure sensitive adhesive. A tear strip  170  is provided between the resealable sealing means  140  and the one-time-use sealing means  145 . The tear strip  170  extends across the storage area access opening  135 , and runs parallel to both the resealable sealing means  140  and the one-time-use sealing means  145 . 
         [0052]    The vacuum storage bag  105  has tamper indicating means  150 . The presence of tamper indicating means  150  is what differentiates the second embodiment of the vacuum storage bag  105  from the first embodiment of the vacuum storage bag  5 . The first embodiment of the vacuum storage bag  5  is not provided with tamper indicating means, but rather, is provided with a radio frequency identification tag  50 . 
         [0053]    The tamper indicating means  150  extend across the storage area access opening  135  parallel to both the resealable sealing means  140  and the one-time-use sealing means  145 . The tamper indicating means  150  are located closer to the storage area  130  than the resealable sealing means  140 . However, it is contemplated that the tamper indicating means  150  may also be positioned between the resealable sealing means  140  and the tear strip  170 . 
         [0054]    In the embodiment of the vacuum storage bag  105  shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  4 , and  6 , the tamper indicating means  150  consists of a film that appreciably changes appearance once the film has been disrupted. For example, the tamper indicating means  150  may be a film that is initially transparent that becomes colored once the tamper indicating means  150  are disturbed. If this approach is adopted, it is preferable that the tamper indicating means  150  become a bright, highly visible color once the tamper indicating means  150  are disturbed so as to assist a worker in quickly and efficiently ascertaining as to whether the vacuum storage bag  105  has been tampered with. Alternatively, the transparent film of the tamper indicating means may be imprinted with a series of distinct shapes such as a series of “X&#39;s”, circles, or triangles. Once the tamper indicating means  150  are disturbed, the series of shapes imprinted on the film would become appreciably distorted. It is contemplated that any other appropriate tamper indicating means may be employed so long as the selected tamper indicating means allow a worker to quickly and efficiently ascertain whether the vacuum storage bag  105  has been tampered with. 
         [0055]    Having now described the layout of the second embodiment of the vacuum storage bag  105 , the use of the vacuum storage bag  105  will now be explained. First, it will be explained how the vacuum storage bag  105  is used to vacuum seal an article. It should be noted that the operation of the second embodiment of the vacuum storage bag  105  is substantially similar to the first embodiment of the vacuum storage bag  5 , the operation of which is described in detail above. 
         [0056]    A worker first takes an article and inserts the article into the vacuum storage bag  105  through the storage area access opening  135  and into the storage area  130 . Then, the worker flattens the vacuum storage bag  105  around the article. Next, the worker seals the resealable sealing means  140 , and then the one-time-use sealing means  145 . 
         [0057]    With the resealable sealing means  140  and the one-time-use sealing means  145  sealed, the worker can then activate the tamper indicating means  150 . To activate the tamper indicating means  150 , the worker simply presses down on the portions of the first panel  110  surrounding the tamper indicating means  150  to force the tamper indicating means  150  into the second panel  115 . 
         [0058]    After the tamper indicating means  150  have been activated, the worker can attach a vacuum source to the valve  155  and activate the vacuum source to evacuate any air remaining within the storage area  130  of the vacuum storage bag  105 . Once the vacuum source has completed evacuating the storage area  130 , the worker can remove the vacuum source from the valve  155 , thereby completing the vacuum sealing process of the second embodiment of the vacuum storage bag  105 . 
         [0059]    Now, it will be explained how the vacuum storage bag  105  is opened, the effect of opening the vacuum storage bag  105 , and how the vacuum storage bag  105  may be reused. To open the vacuum storage bag  105 , the worker first separates the one-time-use sealing means  145  by tearing the first panel  110  and the second panel  115  along the tear strip  170 . The presence of the tear notch  175  facilitates the initial tearing of the first panel  110  and the second panel  115  along the tear strip  170 . Next, the work releases the resealable sealing means  140  by pulling the first panel  110  apart from the second panel  115 . 
         [0060]    Once the resealable sealing means  140  have been released, all that remains is to release the tamper indicating means  150 . To release the tamper indicating means  150 , the worker simply separates the first panel  110  surrounding the tamper indicating means  150  from the second panel  115 . As discussed above, the appearance of the tamper indicating means  150  will appreciably change once the tamper indicating means  150  have been released. After releasing the tamper indicating means  150 , the worker can reach into the vacuum storage bag  105  and retrieve the article stored in the storage area  130 . The second embodiment of the vacuum storage bag  105  may be reused once the article has been removed. However, the reused vacuum storage bag  105  will not be able to utilize the one-time-use sealing means or the tamper indicating means  150 . 
         [0061]    It has thus been seen that an improved vacuum storage bag having assorted monitoring means has been disclosed. While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment, and that many modifications and equivalent arrangements may be made thereof within the scope of the invention, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all equivalent structures and products.