Travel bags having a portable and integrated and reusable vacuum compression system with rechargeable removable battery

Abstract

Various types of travel bags are provided with at least one portable self-contained vacuum compression system having a portable vacuum pump powered by a portable, preferably removable, rechargeable battery, a compression connection system, and a vacuum compression bag secured within the interior space of the travel bag. The portable self-contained vacuum compression system allows the user to pack more clothing or compressible goods into their travel bag via the use of vacuum compression. The air inside the compression bag can be evacuated by the attached self-contained vacuum pump assembly which is secured within the travel bag in a manner to hold the self-contained vacuum system within the travel bag's internal dimensions in one embodiment. The vacuum compression system can be held in place via a removable or a fixed frame that permits operation of the vacuum compression system within the internal dimensions of the travel bag. The vacuum pump can exhaust vented air either to the atmosphere within the travel bag or via an exhaust vent built into the travel bag. The compression bag can be attached to the vacuum system via a compression connection system or fastener having a back flow check valve which permits the one way flow of air from the compression bag into the vacuum pump system and also provides a seating and sealing function of the compression bag connected with the vacuum pump to maintain the air tightness between the vacuum compression bag and the vacuum pump system. The clothing or other compressed goods can remain in their compressed state within the travel bag until such time that the user opens the compression bag which will release the vacuum seal and permits the user to access the contents of the vacuum compression bag. The fully portable and reusable characteristics of the self-contained vacuum compression system will permit the user to remove some or all of the travel bag contents and to recompress the remaining or replaced travel bag contents.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A vacuum compression system for use in withdrawing air from a sealed vacuum bag for reducing the size of the vacuum bag when storing the vacuum bag within an interior area of the travel bag, the sealed vacuum bag having an air outlet port including a one-way valve; the vacuum compression system comprising:
 a vacuum pump assembly having an electrical wire and an air intake port;   a rechargeable battery having a switch and at least one electrical port or outlet, in use the electrical wire of the vacuum pump assembly electrically connected to the at least one electrical port or outlet, and   a connection conduit having a first end and a second end, the first end of the connection conduit connected to the air outlet port of the vacuum bag and the second end of the connection conduit connected to the air intake port of the vacuum pump assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The vacuum compression system of  claim 1  wherein when the switch of the rechargeable battery is in an “on” position the vacuum pump assembly is turned on. 
     
     
         3 . The vacuum compression system of  claim 1  wherein the vacuum pump assembly, the rechargeable battery and at least a portion of the connection conduit are located externally from an interior area of the travel bag where the vacuum bag is located when the vacuum pump assembly is on and being used to withdraw air from within the vacuum bag. 
     
     
         4 . The vacuum compression system of  claim 1  further comprising a modular enclosure for housing the vacuum pump and the rechargeable battery. 
     
     
         5 . The vacuum compression system of  claim 3  wherein the modular enclosure is located externally from an interior area of the travel bag where the vacuum bag is located when the vacuum pump assembly is on and being used to withdraw air from within the vacuum bag. 
     
     
         6 . The vacuum compression system of  claim 1  wherein the travel bag having an external compartment. 
     
     
         7 . The vacuum compression system of  claim 6  wherein the wherein the vacuum pump assembly, the rechargeable battery and the at least a portion of the connection conduit are disposed within an internal area of the external compartment when the vacuum pump assembly is on and being used to withdraw air from within the vacuum bag. 
     
     
         8 . The vacuum compression system of  claim 6  further comprising a modular enclosure for housing the vacuum pump and the rechargeable battery, the modular enclosure disposed within an internal area of the external compartment when the vacuum pump assembly is on and being used to withdraw air from within the vacuum bag. 
     
     
         9 . The vacuum compression system of  claim 6  wherein an internal area of the external compartment is in communication with the interior area of the travel bag through an opening or passageway provided in a wall portion of the travel bag that is adjacent to both the internal area of the external compartment and the interior area of the travel bag. 
     
     
         10 . The vacuum compression system of  claim 9  wherein when the vacuum pump assembly is on and being used to withdraw air from within the vacuum bag the connection conduit is inserted through the opening or passageway such that a first portion of the connection conduit which includes the first end of the connection conduit is disposed in the interior area of the travel bag and a second portion of the connection conduit which includes the second end of the connection conduit is disposed in the internal area of the external compartment. 
     
     
         11 . The vacuum compression system of  claim 1  wherein the rechargeable battery is removable from its “in use” position with respect to the travel bag when not in use. 
     
     
         12 . The vacuum compression system of  claim 1  wherein the rechargeable battery having one or more additional ports for use in charging portable electronic devices. 
     
     
         13 . The vacuum compression system of  claim 12  wherein the one or more additional ports are one or more USB ports. 
     
     
         14 . A vacuum compression system for use in withdrawing air from a sealed reusable vacuum bag for reducing the size of the vacuum bag when storing the vacuum bag within an interior area of the travel bag, the sealed vacuum bag having an air outlet port including a one-way valve; the vacuum compression system comprising:
 a vacuum pump assembly having an electrical wire and an air intake port;   a removable rechargeable battery having a switch and at least one electrical port or outlet, in use the electrical wire of the vacuum pump assembly electrically connected to the at least one electrical port or outlet, the rechargeable battery having one or more USB ports for use in charging portable electronic devices; and   a connection conduit having a first end and a second end, the first end of the connection conduit connected to the air outlet port of the vacuum bag and the second end of the connection conduit connected to the air intake port of the vacuum pump assembly;   wherein when the switch of the rechargeable battery is in an “on” position the vacuum pump assembly is turned on.   
     
     
         15 . The vacuum compression system of  claim 14  wherein the travel bag having an external compartment, the external compartment having an internal area which is in communication with the interior area of the travel bag through an opening or passageway provided in a wall portion of the travel bag that is adjacent to both the internal area of the external compartment and the interior area of the travel bag; wherein when the vacuum pump assembly is on and being used to withdraw air from within the vacuum bag the connection conduit is inserted through the opening or passageway such that a first portion of the connection conduit which includes the first end of the connection conduit is disposed in the interior area of the travel bag and a second portion of the connection conduit which includes the second end of the connection conduit is disposed in the internal area of the external compartment. 
     
     
         16 . The vacuum compression system of  claim 15  wherein the wherein the vacuum pump assembly, the rechargeable battery and the at least a portion of the connection conduit are disposed within the internal area of the external compartment when the vacuum pump assembly is on and being used to withdraw air from within the vacuum bag. 
     
     
         17 . The vacuum compression system of  claim 15  further comprising a modular enclosure for housing the vacuum pump and the rechargeable battery, the modular enclosure disposed within the internal area of the external compartment when the vacuum pump assembly is on and being used to withdraw air from within the vacuum bag. 
     
     
         18 . The vacuum compression system of  claim 14  wherein the vacuum pump assembly, the rechargeable battery and at least a portion of the connection conduit are located externally from an interior area of the travel bag where the vacuum bag is located when the vacuum pump assembly is on and being used to withdraw air from within the vacuum bag.