Thermoplastic Storage Bag Air Evacuation System

Abstract

A unique integration of a unidirectional, thermoplastic valve of specific design with any common plastic or thermoplastic storage bag to create a method by which a substantial amount of trapped air may be evacuated from the bag after it is filled and sealed. While there are currently patented methods of removing air from frozen food storage bags by using various forms of valves, vacuum devices or human breath, the stipulation in the present invention is the use of a valve of specific design in combination with any common plastic or thermoplastic storage frozen, food, storage bag that is unique and central to this inventive concept. The method of closing plastic or thermoplastic, storage bags is not central to the present inventive concept. This concept allows for the removal of substantial excess air inside any plastic or thermoplastic storage bag regardless of the means by which it is sealed. The inventive concept covers the use of a specific unidirectional valve of specific design in combination with plastic or thermoplastic, storage, bags regardless of the specific location of the valve on the bags. A valve is defined as a flat tubular flap valve which simply consists of a flattened thermoplastic tube which is attached to the plastic or thermoplastic storage bag and left open to the atmosphere at the other end. When solid (non-liquid or non-powdered) items are placed inside of the bag and sealed, the plastic bag can then be collapsed around the content items inside to force substantial trapped air out through the valve into the atmosphere. The open end of the valve will seal flat as atmospheric air pressure outside the bag tries to re-enter through the valve.

1 . A unique method of removing or evacuating a substantial portion of trapped air from within any plastic or thermoplastic, storage bag by integrating a one way air valve of specific design with any typical plastic or thermoplastic storage bag to form the concept of the Invention. 
   
   
       2 . The use of a flattened thermoplastic tube used as a unidirectional air valve integrated with any sealable plastic or thermoplastic storage bag of any size or variety to create a unique means of evacuating trapped air from inside the bag after it is filled with contents and sealed. 
   
   
       3 . That a whole range of potential plastic or thermoplastic storage bag products would arise using the concept as set forth in  claim 2 . 
   
   
       4 . That a whole range of potential plastic or thermoplastic storage bag products would arise using the concept as set forth in  claim 2 , which would not require the consumer of such products to purchase any ancillary materials or equipment to effectuate the evacuation of substantial trapped air from within plastic or thermoplastic storage bags of any form or variety. 
   
   
       5 . That a whole range of potential plastic or thermoplastic storage bag products arise using the concept as set forth in  claim 2 , which allows current manufacturers of plastic or thermoplastic bags to easily integrate the Invention into their present manufacturing processes using their currently understood art and technologies. 
   
   
       6 . That a whole range of potential plastic or thermoplastic storage bag products arise using the concept as set forth in  claim 2 , that would present low or minimal implementation costs to any potential manufacturer of plastic or thermoplastic storage bag products. 
   
   
       7 . That a whole range of potential plastic or thermoplastic storage bag products arise using the concept as set forth in  claim 2 , that by their nature would present low or minimal additional marginal costs of materials for any potential manufacturer of plastic or thermoplastic storage bag products.