Devices and method for introducing air into, or removing air from, containers

Abstract

Devices comprising a plug positioned within a housing to regulate air within a container, for example, plastic storage containers or bags. One embodiment utilizes a plug that occludes an opening in a housing. The plug is displaced from the opening to inject or evacuate air from a container. An alternative embodiment utilizes a plug having air channels therein which can be sealed once air has been injected into or evacuated from a container. The devices are utilized with hose adaptors connected to vacuum or air hoses having specialized hose tips for coupling with the housing.

1 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A device for controlling the amount of air within a container, wherein the device comprises:
 a housing having a distal end and a proximal end and defining a chamber;   a first port defined in the distal end of the housing providing fluid communication to the chamber;   a second port defined in the proximal end of the housing providing fluid communication to the chamber;   a plug movably disposed within the chamber between a relaxed position and a displaced position, wherein in the relaxed position the plug occludes the first port, and wherein in the displaced position the plug is displaced a predetermined distance from the first port;   means for connecting the distal end of the housing to a portion of the container such that the first port is substantially co-axially aligned with an opening in the container, and such that an essentially airtight seal is formed between the housing and the opening in the container;   means for moving the plug to the displaced position; and   means for injecting or evacuating air from the container.   
     
     
         16 . The device of claim  1 , wherein the periphery of the housing is essentially circular. 
     
     
         17 . The device of claim  1 , wherein the housing is approximately 0.1 inches to about 0.4 inches tall and approximately 0.4 to about 0.9 inches in diameter. 
     
     
         18 . The device of claim  1 , wherein the housing is approximately 0.125 to about 0.25 inches tall and approximately 0.5 to about 0.625 inches in diameter. 
     
     
         19 . The device of claim  1 , wherein the means for moving the plug to the displaced position comprises:
 a hose adaptor having a channel therethrough; and   a hose tip fixedly connected to a first end of the hose adapter, at least a portion of the hose tip configured to be inserted into the first port of the housing and move the plug to the displaced position.   
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 19 , wherein, when in use, the hose tip does not enter the container. 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 19 , wherein the means for injecting or evacuating air from the container comprises a pump in fluid communication with the channel of the hose adapter. 
     
     
         22 . The device of claim  1 , wherein the means for connecting comprises a lock and washer mechanism. 
     
     
         23 . The device of claim  1 , wherein the means for connecting comprises an adhesive strip disposed around at least a portion of the first port of the housing. 
     
     
         24 . The device of claim  1 , wherein the first port comprises a flexible elastic material around at least a portion of the first port. 
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 24 , wherein the elastic material is configured to form an essentially air tight seal between the first port and the means for injecting or evacuating air from the container