Resealable vacuum containers and sealing tools

Abstract

In an aspect of the invention, a resealable vacuum bag is provided that is configured to stand upright when a storage compartment of the resealable vacuum bag is under vacuum. In preferable embodiments of the invention, the resealable vacuum bag includes a sealing member that is configured to seal (or close) the resealable bag prior to the application of vacuum. Vacuum is applied to the storage compartment through a vacuum member in fluid communication with the storage compartment at a vacuum application area of the resealable bag. A filtering member may be provided to prevent fine material (e.g., grains, powders) from entering the vacuum member during the application of vacuum to the storage compartment. In another aspect of the invention, a resealable vacuum bag having one or more filters is provided. In yet another aspect of the invention, a vacuum bag having a spout is provided.

1 . A resealable vacuum container, comprising:
 a storage compartment for holding one or more items;   a sealing member configured to isolate the container from the external environment; and   a lower portion comprising a first wall and second wall, the first wall and the second wall defining a cavity in the lower portion, wherein the cavity is isolated from the storage compartment along a bottom portion of the storage compartment.   
     
     
         2 . The resealable vacuum container of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing member is configured to resealably isolate the container from the external environment. 
     
     
         3 . The resealable vacuum container of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing member comprises a sliding member that is configured to close and open the storage compartment. 
     
     
         4 . The resealable vacuum container of  claim 1 , wherein the first wall and the second wall have three points of contact. 
     
     
         5 . The resealable vacuum container of  claim 1 , further comprising a vacuum application area for providing vacuum to the container. 
     
     
         6 . The resealable vacuum container of  claim 1 , further comprising a one-way vacuum member in fluid communication with the storage compartment. 
     
     
         7 . The resealable vacuum container of  claim 6 , wherein the one-way vacuum member is disposed at a top portion of the storage compartment, the top portion opposite from the lower portion. 
     
     
         8 . The resealable vacuum container of  claim 1 , further comprising a support member configured to permit the resealable vacuum container to stand upright on a horizontal surface. 
     
     
         9 . The resealable vacuum container of  claim 8 , wherein the support member is formed of a rigid material. 
     
     
         10 . The resealable vacuum container of  claim 8 , wherein the support member is attached to the first wall and the second wall. 
     
     
         11 . The resealable vacuum container of  claim 8 , wherein the support member is formed of one or more elemental metals selected from Cu, Pt, Pd and Ni. 
     
     
         12 . The resealable vacuum container of  claim 8 , wherein the support member is formed of a polymeric material. 
     
     
         13 . The resealable vacuum container of  claim 1 , further comprising a filtering member in fluid communication with the storage compartment. 
     
     
         14 . The resealable vacuum container of  claim 13 , wherein the filtering members comprise one or more passages. 
     
     
         15 . The resealable vacuum container of  claim 13 , wherein the filtering member includes a mesh formed of substantially thin strands. 
     
     
         16 . The resealable vacuum container of  claim 15 , wherein a portion of the strands are disposed perpendicularly with respect to one another. 
     
     
         17 . The resealable vacuum container of  claim 15 , wherein the strands are formed of one or more elemental metals or a polymeric material. 
     
     
         18 . The resealable vacuum container of  claim 1 , further comprising a filter bringing a storage compartment in fluid contact with a vacuum compartment of the resealable vacuum container. 
     
     
         19 . The resealable vacuum container of  claim 18 , wherein the filter comprises one or more passages. 
     
     
         20 . The resealable vacuum container of  claim 18 , wherein the filter is disposed perpendicularly with respect to the bottom portion. 
     
     
         21 . The resealable vacuum container of  claim 18 , wherein the filter is disposed parallel to the bottom portion. 
     
     
         22 . The resealable vacuum container of  claim 1 , further comprising a pouring member. 
     
     
         23 . The resealable vacuum container of  claim 22 , wherein the pouring member is configured to be extended out of the storage compartment and retracted into the storage compartment. 
     
     
         24 . A reclosable vacuum container, comprising:
 a storage compartment for holding one or more items;   an upper portion comprising a sealing member configured to isolate the container from the external environment;   a lower portion comprising a first wall and second wall, the first wall and the second wall defining a cavity in the lower portion, wherein the cavity is isolated from the storage compartment along a bottom portion of the storage compartment, and wherein the first wall and the second wall are configured to permit the reclosable vacuum container to stand upright when vacuum is applied to the storage compartment; and   a vacuum application area comprising a vacuum member, the vacuum member in fluid communication with the storage compartment, the vacuum member configured to bring the storage compartment under vacuum.   
     
     
         25 . A sealing tool for closing a sealing member of a vacuum container, comprising:
 a slit with opposing sidewalls, each of the sidewalls configured to come in contact with a portion of the sealing member of the vacuum container;   a hollowed-out rear portion; and   one or more holes adjacent the opposing sidewalls of the slit.   
     
     
         26 . The sealing tool of  claim 25 , further comprising a front portion, the front portion and the rear portion configured to be gripped by a user's fingers. 
     
     
         27 . The sealing tool of  claim 25 , wherein the one or more holes are configured to provide a spring-like feature to the sidewalls. 
     
     
         28 . The sealing tool of  claim 25 , wherein the slit extends from above a middle portion of the sealing tool to a lower portion of the sealing tool.