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 comprising at least one polymeric sheet sealed about a portion of its periphery to define a first panel, a second panel, an opening and an interior space;    a vacuum valve in fluid communication with the interior space of the evacuable package; and    a resealable closure interconnected to the evacuable package proximal the opening of the evacuable package, the resealable closure comprising: 
 a first flexible flange interconnected to the first panel of the evacuable package, the first flexible flange comprising a first interengaging profile; and  
 a second flexible flange interconnected to the second panel of the evacuable package, opposite the first flexible flange, the second flexible flange comprising: 
 a top portion comprising a second interengaging profile adapted to restrictively engage the first interengaging profile; and  
 a skirt portion interconnected with the top portion, the skirt portion comprising a stand-off structure.  
 
   
     
     
         2 . The storage bag of  claim 1 , wherein the vacuum valve is interconnected to the skirt portion of the second flexible flange.  
     
     
         3 . The storage bag of  claim 1 , wherein vacuum valve is integral with the skirt portion of the second flexible flange.  
     
     
         4 . The storage bag of  claim 1 , wherein the top portion of the second flexible flange comprises LDPE and the skirt portion comprises MDPE.  
     
     
         5 . The storage bag of  claim 1 , wherein the top portion comprises a thickness of not greater than about 3 mils, and wherein the skirt portion comprises a thickness of at least about 10 mils.  
     
     
         6 . The storage bag of  claim 1 , wherein the ratio of the thickness of the skirt portion to the thickness of the top portion is at least about 1.5:1.  
     
     
         7 . The storage bag of  claim 1 , wherein the skirt portion further comprises: 
 a non-textured portion adjacent a lateral edge of the stand-off structure.    
     
     
         8 . The storage bag of  claim 1 , wherein the stand-off structure is an embossed structure.  
     
     
         9 . A method for forming the resealable closure of  claim 1 , the method comprising: 
 feeding at least a portion of the resealable closure through an anvil roll and an embossing wheel; and    contacting at least some of the skirt portion of the resealable closure with an embossing portion of the embossing roll.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising: 
 contacting the skirt portion of the resealable closure with a non-embossed portion of the embossing roll.    
     
     
         11 . A vacuum storage bag comprising: 
 an evacuable package defining an interior space, the evacuable package having a first side panel and an opposing second side panel;    a vacuum valve in fluid communication with the interior space of the evacuable package; and    a wicking material in fluid communication with the interior space of the evacuable package.    
     
     
         12 . The vacuum storage bag of  claim 11 , wherein the wicking material is interconnected to at least one of the first side panel and the second side panel of the evacuable package.  
     
     
         13 . The vacuum storage bag of  claim 12 , wherein the wicking material is adhesively bonded to at least one of the first and second sides panels of the evacuable package.  
     
     
         14 . The vacuum storage bag of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 a plurality of barriers proximal the periphery of the wicking material and surrounding at least a portion of the wicking material, the plurality of barriers defining a wicking section of the evacuable package and restricting movement of the wicking material from the wicking section.    
     
     
         15 . The vacuum storage bag of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of barriers at least assist in defining at least one channel, the at least one channel facilitating liquid communication between the interior space of the evacuable package and the wicking material.  
     
     
         16 . The vacuum storage bag of  claim 11 , wherein the wicking material comprises a cellulosed-based material.