Combined storage apparatus

Abstract

A combined storage apparatus ( 10 ) includes a storage bag ( 12 ) and a storage box ( 14 ). The base ( 20 ) of the storage bag ( 12 ) is gusseted and forms an extended flat surface which is attached to a stiff board ( 32 ). The board ( 32 ) has straps ( 40 A, 40 B) with buckles ( 42 ) which are adjustable to pull taut against the storage bag ( 12 ). After the storage bag ( 12 ) has been sealed by fastener tracks ( 28 A, 28 B) and evacuated of air through a one-way valve ( 30 ), the straps ( 40 A, 40 B) are pulled taut against the storage bag ( 12 ) and the buckles ( 42 ) secured. The adjustable straps ( 40 A, 40 B), the buckles ( 42 ), and the board ( 32 ) serve as a mechanical restraint to assist in retaining the storage bag ( 12 ) in a collapsed state. The storage bag ( 12 ) and the board ( 32 ) are sized to fit within the storage box ( 14 ). The board ( 32 ) also is folded in a manner to create two sidewalls ( 32 A, 32 B) which provides rigidity to permit multiple storage apparatuses ( 10 ) to be stacked.

1 . A storage apparatus comprising: 
 (a) a bag having a wall which forms a boundary between an interior and an exterior, and an opening communicating therebetween through which an article to be stored may be inserted;    (b) a reclosable fastener located proximate the package opening and configurable in an open position and a closed position;    (c) a one-way air valve which communicates between the interior and the exterior to evacuate air from the interior of the bag and causes the wall to collapse about the article; and    (d) a mechanical restraint which is used to retain the wall in a collapsed state.    
   
   
       2 . The storage apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the mechanical restraint includes: 
 (a) a strap; and    (b) a member of sufficient rigidity such that the bag may be retained in the collapsed state between the member and the strap.    
   
   
       3 . The storage apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the strap is adjustable and pulled taut against the bag.  
   
   
       4 . The storage apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the strap includes a buckle to secure the strap in a taut state.  
   
   
       5 . The storage apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the member is a board.  
   
   
       6 . The storage apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the one-way air valve is adapted to be connected to a vacuum cleaner in order to evacuate air from the interior of the bag.  
   
   
       7 . The storage apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the fastener includes first and second fastener tracks which mate in an interlocked position when the reclosable fastener is in the closed position and which are unlocked when the fastener is in the open position.  
   
   
       8 . The storage apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the first and second fastener tracks are plastic zipper profiles.  
   
   
       9 . The storage apparatus of  claim 8  further including a slider which straddles the plastic zipper profiles and which facilitates the interlocking of the profiles when the slider is urged to travel along the profiles.  
   
   
       10 . The storage apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the wall includes a base, a left side, a right side, and a top, and the base is gusseted.  
   
   
       11 . The storage apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the wall includes a base, a left side, a right side, and a top, the opening being located at the top and the storage apparatus further including a fold between the top and the bottom such that bag may be folded along the fold when the bag is in the collapsed state.  
   
   
       12 . The storage apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the wall includes a base, a left side, a right side, and a top, the opening being located at the top and the base being attached to the member.  
   
   
       13 . A storage apparatus comprising: 
 (a) a bag having a wall which forms a boundary between an interior and an exterior, and an opening communicating therebetween through which an article to be stored may be inserted;    (b) a reclosable fastener located proximate the package opening and configurable in an open position and a closed position;    (c) a one-way air valve which communicates between the interior and the exterior to evacuate air from the interior of the bag and causes the wall to collapse about the article;    (d) a mechanical restraint which is used to retain the wall in a collapsed state; and    (e) a container which is sized to receive the bag and the mechanical restraint.    
   
   
       14 . The storage apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the mechanical restraint includes: 
 (a) a strap; and    (b) a member of sufficient rigidity such that the bag may be retained in the collapsed state between the member and the strap.    
   
   
       15 . The storage apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the strap is adjustable and pulled taut against the bag.  
   
   
       16 . The storage apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the strap includes a buckle to secure the strap in a taut state.  
   
   
       17 . The storage apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the member is a board.  
   
   
       18 . The storage apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the one-way air valve is adapted to be connected to a vacuum cleaner in order to evacuate air from the interior of the bag.  
   
   
       19 . The storage apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the fastener includes first and second fastener tracks which mate in an interlocked position when the reclosable fastener is in the closed position and which are unlocked when the fastener is in the open position.  
   
   
       20 . The storage apparatus of  claim 19  wherein the first and second fastener tracks are plastic zipper profiles.  
   
   
       21 . The storage apparatus of  claim 20  further including a slider which straddles the plastic zipper profiles and which facilitates the interlocking of the profiles when the slider is urged to travel along the profiles.  
   
   
       22 . The storage apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the wall includes a base, a left side, a right side, and a top, the opening being located at the top and the base being attached to the member.  
   
   
       23 . The storage apparatus of  claim 22  wherein the base is gusseted and wherein the wall further includes a fold between the top and the bottom such that bag may be folded along the fold when the bag is in the collapsed state and the bag and the member are received within the container.  
   
   
       24 . The storage apparatus of  claim 23  wherein the container has a lid which closes with the bag and the member contained therein.  
   
   
       25 . A storage apparatus comprising: 
 (a) a bag having a wall which forms a boundary between an interior and an exterior, and an opening communicating therebetween through which an article to be stored may be inserted;    (b) a reclosable fastener located proximate the package opening and configurable in an open position and a closed position;    (c) a one-way air valve which communicates between the interior and the exterior to evacuate air from the interior of the bag and causes the wall to collapse about the article; and    (d) a container which is sized to receive the bag and the mechanical restraint, the container having sidewalls which are of sufficient rigidity to permit stacking of multiple storage apparatuses.