Polymeric package with resealable closure and valve and methods relating thereto

Abstract

The present invention provides a vacuum storage bag system having a storage device having at least one polymeric sheet sealed along a portion of its' periphery to provide an opening to a storage space; a resealable closure structure adapted to seal the opening to the storage space, the resealable closure structure comprising selectively engaging male and female profiles and a sealing compound comprising liquid silicone and at least one filler in proportions suitable for at least incidental contact to food items contained within the storage space; a vacuum valve assembly disposed on the polymeric sheet; a stand-off structure disposed adjacent to the vacuum valve assembly, wherein the stand-off structure has a series of raised surfaces facing the vacuum valve assembly; a portable vacuum pump assembly structured to engage the vacuum valve assembly; and a liquid separator assembly coupled to the portable vacuum pump assembly.

1 . A vacuum storage bag comprising: 
 an evacuable package defining an interior space, the evacuable package having a first side and an opposing second side;    a vacuum valve integral with the evacuable package; and    a plurality of barriers positioned within the evacuable package, wherein each of the plurality of barriers interconnects a portion of the first side panel of the evacuable package to a portion of the second side panel of the evacuable package, and wherein the plurality of barriers assist in defining at least one channel, the at least one channel being in fluid communication with the vacuum valve and the interior space of the evacuable package.    
     
     
         2 . The storage bag of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of barriers are intermittently located about at least a portion of the periphery of the vacuum valve.  
     
     
         3 . The storage bag of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of barriers define a sealing line.  
     
     
         4 . The storage bag of  claim 3 , wherein the sealing line is transverse to a lateral side of the evacuable package.  
     
     
         5 . The storage bag of  claim 3 , wherein the sealing line is visible from the exterior of the evacuable bag, thereby facilitating visual confirmation of a fill-level for the vacuum storage bag.  
     
     
         6 . The storage bag of  claim 3 , further comprising a visual indicator co-located with the sealing line, the visual indicator facilitating visual confirmation of a fill-level for the vacuum storage bag.  
     
     
         7 . The storage bag of  claim 6 , wherein the visual indicator is at least one of a color indication and a textual indication.  
     
     
         8 . The storage bag of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of barriers define at least a portion of an ellipse.  
     
     
         9 . The storage bag of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of barriers are located proximal at least a portion of the perimeter of the evacuable package.  
     
     
         10 . The storage bag of  claim 9 , wherein a first portion of the plurality of barriers are substantially parallel to a lateral side of the evacuable package, and wherein a second portion of the plurality of barrier are substantially orthogonal to the lateral side of the evacuable package.  
     
     
         11 . The storage bag of  claim 10 , wherein the first portion of the plurality of barriers is interconnected to the second portion of the plurality of barriers.  
     
     
         12 . The storage bag of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a stand-off structure positioned within the evacuable package.    
     
     
         13 . The storage bag of  claim 12 , wherein the stand-off structure is located proximal the plurality of barriers.  
     
     
         14 . The storage bag of  claim 12 , wherein at least some of the plurality of barriers overlap with the stand-off structure.  
     
     
         15 . The storage bag of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one channel fluidly interconnects the stand-off structure and the vacuum valve.  
     
     
         16 . The storage bag of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a resealable closure comprising a set of interengagable profiles, the resealable closure defining an opening into the interior space of the evacuable package.    
     
     
         17 . The storage bag of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of barriers are located between the resealable closure and the vacuum valve.  
     
     
         18 . The storage bag of  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 a caulking composition positioned on the resealable closure.    
     
     
         19 . The storage bag of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of barriers are integral with the first and second sides of the evacuable package.  
     
     
         20 . The storage bag of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of barriers comprises a polymeric material bonded to the interior space of the evacuable package.