Grass seed bags that can be vacuum sealed

Abstract

Bags that can be used to store and sell grass seed are provided. The bags include a valve that permits air to be removed from the bag after it is filled with seed and sealed, but prevents air from entering the bag. This increases the storage life of the seed. Also provided are methods for using such a bag, for example to increase the shelf-life of the seed.

1 . A bag for grass seed comprising:
 a valve for permitting release of air from the bag when containing grass seed, while substantially preventing entrance of air into the bag.   
     
     
         2 . The bag of  claim 1 , wherein the bag is not perforated. 
     
     
         3 . The bag of  claim 1 , wherein the bag can hold 3, 7, 20, 25, 40, or 50 pounds of grass seed. 
     
     
         4 . The bag of  claim 1 , wherein the bag is made of a material comprising polypropylene. 
     
     
         5 . The bag of  claim 1 , wherein the valve is a one way valve. 
     
     
         6 . A method of increasing shelf-life of grass seed comprising:
 placing grass seed in the bag of any  claim 1 ;   sealing the bag; and   applying a vacuum to the sealed bag under conditions that permit air to be withdrawn from the bag, thereby increasing the shelf-life of the grass seed.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising sealing any holes present in the valve after applying the vacuum. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein holes in the valve are sealed with glue or a pressure sensitive tab. 
     
     
         9 . A method of increasing the shelf-life of the grass seed comprising:
 applying a vacuum a the bag of  claim 1 , wherein the bag is sealed and filled with grass seed, under conditions that permit air to be withdrawn from the bag, thereby increasing the shelf-life of the grass seed.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 placing a plurality of the bags in a container, wherein applying a vacuum to the bag comprises applying a vacuum to the container.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the vacuum conditions comprise 15 to 35 inches of mercury. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the vacuum conditions comprise 25 inches of mercury. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the seed can be germinated 1 to 5 years following applying the vacuum. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the seed can be germinated 1 to 3 years following applying the vacuum. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the seed can be germinated 1 to 2 years following applying the vacuum. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 placing a plurality of the bags in a container, wherein applying a vacuum to the bag comprises applying a vacuum to the container.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the vacuum conditions comprise 15 to 35 inches of mercury. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the seed can be germinated 1 to 5 years following applying the vacuum. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the seed can be germinated 1 to 3 years following applying the vacuum. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the seed can be germinated 1 to 2 years following applying the vacuum.