Pump actuated sealing system

Abstract

A container with a secured closure is provided with a sealing system having an inflatable seal. A user actuated pneumatic or hydraulic pump supplies a quantity of air to inflate the seal. When the seal is inflated, a surface of the seal acts against surfaces of the container and the closure to effect a hermetic seal. The air may be selectively released from the inflatable seal by the user of the container to facilitate access to the contents of the container. Conversely, the air may be selectively pumped into the inflatable seal by the user to provide a secure, impermeable seal when the container is closed.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A package comprising: 
 a container portion defining a storage chamber, the container portion having a rim defining an opening providing access to the storage chamber;    a closure member adapted to substantially close the opening;    means for securing the closure member to the container portion; and    a sealing system comprising:    a seal defining an inflation chamber, at least a portion of the seal expandable in response to addition of a quantity of a fluid medium to the inflation chamber, a surface of the seal adapted to contact in impermeable sealing engagement the rim when the at least a portion of the seal is expanded;    inflation means in fluid communication with the inflation chamber and adapted to supply the quantity of the fluid medium to the inflation chamber; and    valve means positioned between the inflation chamber and the inflation means, the valve means adapted to retain the quantity of fluid medium in the inflation chamber.    
     
     
         2 . The package of    claim 1    wherein the inflation means further comprises a pump.  
     
     
         3 . The package of    claim 1    wherein the valve means further comprises a one-way valve.  
     
     
         4 . The package of    claim 1    wherein the sealing system further comprises vent means in fluid communication with the inflation chamber and adapted for selectively releasing at least a portion of the quantity of the fluid medium from the inflation chamber.  
     
     
         5 . The package of    claim 4    wherein the vent means further comprise a valve.  
     
     
         6 . The package of    claim 4    wherein the fluid medium is selected from one of a gas or a liquid.  
     
     
         7 . The package of    claim 6    wherein the gas is air.  
     
     
         8 . The package of    claim 1    wherein the seal is adapted to contact in impermeable sealing engagement the closure member when the at least a portion of the seal is expanded.  
     
     
         9 . The package of    claim 1    wherein the seal further comprises one of a ring or a disk.  
     
     
         10 . The package of    claim 1    wherein a cross-sectional shape of the seal is selected from one of a tubular and a U-channel shape.  
     
     
         11 . A sealing system for a package having a container portion and a closure member, the container portion defining a storage chamber and having a rim defining an opening providing access to the storage chamber, the closure member adapted to substantially close the opening, the sealing system comprising: 
 a seal defining an inflation chamber, at least a portion of the seal expandable in response to addition of a quantity of a fluid medium to the inflation chamber, the seal having a surface adapted to contact in impermeable sealing engagement the rim when the at least a portion of the seal is inflated;    inflation means in fluid communication with the inflation chamber and adapted to supply the quantity of the fluid medium to the inflation chamber; and    valve means adapted to retain the quantity of the fluid medium in the inflation chamber.    
     
     
         12 . The sealing system of    claim 11    wherein the inflation means further comprises a pump.  
     
     
         13 . The sealing system of    claim 11    wherein the valve means further comprises a one-way valve.  
     
     
         14 . The sealing system of    claim 11    further comprising vent means for selectively releasing at least a portion of the quantity of the fluid medium from the inflation chamber.  
     
     
         15 . The sealing system of    claim 14    wherein the vent means further comprise a valve.  
     
     
         16 . The sealing system of    claim 14    wherein the fluid medium is selected from one of a gas or a liquid.  
     
     
         17 . The sealing system of    claim 16    wherein the gas is air.  
     
     
         18 . The sealing system of    claim 1     1  wherein the seal is adapted to contact in impermeable engagement the closure member when the at least a portion of the seal is expanded.  
     
     
         19 . The sealing system of    claim 1     1  wherein the seal further comprises one of a ring or a disk.  
     
     
         20 . The sealing system of    claim 11    wherein a cross-sectional shape of the seal is selected from one of a tubular and a U-channel shape.