Method of using a vacuum storage system

Abstract

A vacuum storage system can have a storage container such as a semi-rigid bowl or a flexible thermoplastic bag and an evacuation device for evacuating the container. To draw air from the storage container, the container can be equipped with a one-way valve element attached to an exterior sidewall of the container. The valve element can interface with a nozzle of the evacuation device. The valve element is adaptable between a normal condition in which the valve element is closed, and an altered position in which the valve element is opened. To alter the valve element, the evacuation device includes a contact feature that can contact and displace the valve element.

1 . A method of evacuating a storage container comprising:
 (i) providing a storage container including one or more exterior walls providing an interior volume for receiving food items, one exterior wall provided with an aperture, and a one-way valve element attached to cover the aperture in the one exterior wall and communicating with the interior volume, the valve element formed as a single layer flexible membrane having at least one orifice, the valve element being alterable between a normal condition in which the orifice is closed and an altered condition in which the orifice is open;   (ii) impinging a contact feature of a vacuum device upon the valve element to alter the valve element from the normal condition to the altered condition;   (iii) activating an airflow generating unit of the vacuum device to withdraw air from the interior volume through the orifice into the evacuation device; and   (iv) separating the contact feature from the valve element such that the valve element returns to the normal condition.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of impinging the valve element deflects the valve element toward the interior volume. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the membrane is flat and generally co-planar with the sidewall in the normal condition. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the orifice partitions the valve element into first and second semicircular halves. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the valve element includes a plurality of orifices disposed through the membrane. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the membrane is displaced toward the interior volume when in the altered condition. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the vacuum device is a handheld evacuation device including an elongated housing enclosing the airflow generating device, the nozzle and the contact feature located at the foremost end of the elongated housing. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the contact feature is a forward projecting finger. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the air flow generating unit includes a motor, and the motor is powered by a rechargeable battery.