Vacuum baggie

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention include an apparatus and method of retro-fitting food storage containers with a vacuum sealing feature. One embodiment further provides a baggie sealing feature and support interface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A vacuum seal accessory for a food storage device, said vacuum seal accessory comprising:
 an outer member defining a port interface in fluid communication with an outer extension via an outer member vacuum conduit running through said outer member wherein said outer member defines a free end;   an inner member comprising at least one vacuum port in fluid communication with an inner member conduit wherein said inner member is configured for being removably mechanically associated with said outer member so that said inner member conduit is in fluid communication with said outer member vacuum conduit thereby placing said free end in fluid communication with said at least one vacuum port; and   a conduit sealing member configured for selectively preventing fluid flow through said conduit.   
     
     
         2 . A vacuum seal accessory for a food storage device as in  claim 1 , wherein the diameter of said port-interface is substantially equal to the diameter of the circular disk defined by said inner member. 
     
     
         3 . A vacuum seal accessory for a food storage device as in  claim 2 , wherein said outer extension defines a hollow cylindrical tube comprising a flexible region disposed between a first straight region and a second straight region wherein one of (a) said second straight region is an integral component of said outer member and (b) said second straight region is mechanically associated with said outer member vacuum conduit and wherein an end of said first straight region defines said free end and wherein a portion of said second straight region defines a collapsible tube. 
     
     
         4 . A vacuum seal accessory for a food storage device as in  claim 3 , wherein said conduit sealing member comprises at least one clasping device configured to releasably associate with and pinch off said second straight region thereby blocking fluid communication between said free end and said at least one vacuum port. 
     
     
         5 . A vacuum seal accessory for a food storage device as in  claim 1 , wherein said outer member defines an outer member port-interface defining a circular disk and wherein said outer member vacuum conduit runs through the approximate center of said circular disk and wherein said inner member defines a circular disk comprising a plurality of vacuum ports all in fluid communication said inner member vacuum conduit disposed in the approximate center of such circular disc. 
     
     
         6 . A vacuum seal accessory for a food storage device as in  claim 5 , wherein said inner member vacuum conduit defines a hollow male threaded cylinder and wherein the outer member vacuum conduit defines a hollow internally female threaded cylinder configured for being mechanically associated with said male threaded cylinder. 
     
     
         7 . A vacuum seal accessory for a food storage device as in  claim 1 , wherein said outer extension is a drinking straw. 
     
     
         8 . A vacuum seal accessory for a food storage device as in  claim 1 , further comprising a container sealing member associated with said outer member. 
     
     
         9 . A vacuum seal accessory for a food storage device as in  claim 8 , wherein said food storage device is a baggie and wherein said container sealing member comprises a first sealing rail movably associated with an opposing second sealing rail configured to provide a clamping function to clamp and seal an open end of said baggie. 
     
     
         10 . A vacuum seal accessory for a food storage device as in  claim 9 , further comprising a support interface associated with at least one of said outer member and said container sealing member. 
     
     
         11 . A vacuum seal accessory for a food storage device as in  claim 10 , wherein said support interface defines a handle. 
     
     
         12 . A vacuum seal accessory with a snap valve seal, said vacuum seal accessory comprising:
 a valve cap comprising a frusto-conical shaped annular cap section and a hollow cylindrical body structure wherein said body structure defines an inside cap diameter;   at least two cap latching members extending annularly around the inside surface of said cylindrical body disposed adjacent and running parallel to each other and separated by a cap latching member gap;   an outer member comprising a head section and integral depending conduit section wherein said heads section defines a hollow cylindrical female thread body extending through the approximate center of said head section and wherein said depending conduit section defines a hollow cylindrical body in alignment with the cylindrical body defined by said head section and extending perpendicularly from said head section to a blind distal end defining a vacuum port zone;   wherein the outer diameter of said depending conduit is less than said inside cap diameter;   wherein said vacuum port zone defines a frusto-conical shape suitably sized and configured for mating with said frusto-conical shaped annular cap;   two annular conduit latching member extending annularly around the outside of said depending conduit section and disposed between said vacuum port zone and said head section wherein said latching members are disposed adjacent and running parallel to each other and separated by conduit latching member gap and wherein the width of each conduit latching member is less than said cap latching member gap;   an inner member defining a planar inner member interface with an opening defined there through in the approximate center of said inner member interface;   a plurality of locking receivers extending perpendicularly from said inner member interface and configured for receiving locking tabs defined by outer member;   a annular sealing ring disposed between the outer perimeter of inner member interface and said plurality of locking receivers.   
     
     
         13 . A vacuum seal accessory with a snap valve seal as in  claim 12 , wherein each of said a valve cap, said outer member, and said inner member are formed as monolithic thermoplastic components. 
     
     
         14 . A vacuum seal accessory with a snap valve seal as in  claim 13 , wherein the outer perimeter of said inner member interface defines an octagon shape and wherein the perimeter of said head section defines a similar octagonal shape. 
     
     
         15 . A method of providing a vacuum seal to a food storage baggie defining an open portion, said method comprising:
 associating an outer member of a vacuum seal accessory with an outside surface of said baggie wherein said outer member defines a baggie sealing member and a vacuum conduit and a conduit sealing member;   associating an inner member of a vacuum seal accessory with an inside surface of said baggie and placing said vacuum conduit in fluid communication with said inner member;   actuating said baggie sealing member to seal said open portion;   removing the air from the inside of said baggie to create a vacuum pressure; and   actuating said conduit sealing member to maintain said vacuum pressure.   
     
     
         16 . A method of providing a vacuum seal to a food storage baggie as in  claim 15 , wherein said sealing member comprises a first sealing rail movably associated with an opposing second sealing rail configured to provide a clamping function to clamp and seal an open end of said open portion. 
     
     
         17 . A method of providing a vacuum seal to a food storage baggie as in  claim 16 , wherein said outer member further defines a support interface associated with at least one of said outer member and said container sealing member. 
     
     
         18 . A method of providing a vacuum seal to a food storage baggie as in  claim 17 , wherein said support interface defines a handle. 
     
     
         19 . A method of providing a vacuum seal to a food storage baggie as in  claim 15 , wherein said conduit sealing member is one of a one way valve and a clamp. 
     
     
         20 . A method of providing a vacuum seal to a food storage baggie as in  claim 15 , wherein said food storage baggie is the container supplied by the manufacturer of the food stuff.