Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080226202 | Pouch and airtight resealable closure mechanism therefor - A pouch has an elongate closure mechanism adapted to provide vacuum retention within an interior of the pouch over an extended period of time when sealed. The closure mechanism includes a first pair of interlocking members that resealably mate together, a second pair of interlocking members that resealably mate together, and a pair of sealing members that form an air tight seal separate from the interlocking members disposed between the first and second pairs of interlocking members. The closure members are connected with opposing panels of the pouch in a manner designed to provide differential opening and closing forces. The pouch may include a check valve and air evacuation channels to aid in evacuating air from the interior. | 09-18-2008 |
20080226203 | Pouch and airtight resealable closure mechanism therefor - A pouch has an airtight elongate closure mechanism adapted to provide vacuum retention within an interior of the pouch over an extended period of time when sealed. The closure mechanism includes a first pair of interlocking members that resealably mate together, a second pair of interlocking members that resealably mate together, and sealing members that form an air tight seal disposed between the first and second pairs of interlocking members. The closure elements may be connected with opposing sidewalls of the pouch in a manner designed to provide differential opening and closing forces. The pouch may also include a check valve and air evacuation channels to aid in evacuating air from the interior. | 09-18-2008 |
20080307614 | CLOSURE MECHANISM FOR A RECLOSABLE POUCH - A closure mechanism for a reclosable pouch includes a female profile having first and second legs extending from a first base of a first closure element and a sealing flange attached to each of the first and second legs. A slit is disposed through the sealing flange to define a first sealing flap that depends from the first leg and a second sealing flap that depends from the second leg. A male profile extends from a second base of a second closure element. The male profile is adapted to engage a portion of at least one of the first and second sealing flaps to form a seal therebetween when the male and the female profiles are occluded. Further, a surface of the second base is configured to engage at least one of the first and second sealing flaps to form a seal therebetween when the male and the female profiles are occluded. | 12-18-2008 |
20080308177 | Hand-held vacuum pump - A hand-held vacuum device is disclosed that includes a housing to hold an electric motor operable to drive a piston pump that is configured to draw a substantially continuous vacuum for each complete cycle of the piston pump. The hand-held vacuum device also includes an expansion chamber releasably connected to and in fluid communication with the housing and a vacuum interface that has a vacuum connector in fluid communication with the expansion chamber and is configured to releasably couple to a valve disposed on a container. The expansion chamber separates air and liquid from a fluid drawn into the expansion chamber. | 12-18-2008 |
20080310770 | Valve for a recloseable container - A valve for a reclosable container comprises first and second opposing layers of a film material, wherein an overlap region of the second layer overlaps the container, and the first layer is sealed to the second layer around a portion of the second layer. The second layer is sealed to the container around a periphery of the overlap region, and opposing surfaces of the first and second layers form a substantially airtight seal therebetween upon direct contact of the layers. First and second offset apertures extend through the first and second layers, respectively. One of the first and second apertures is in fluid communication with an interior of the container and the other of the first and second apertures is in fluid communication with an exterior of the container. Vacuum pressure disposed over both of the first and second apertures causes the first layer to separate from the second layer to allow air to exhaust from the container. | 12-18-2008 |
20080310771 | Offset closure mechanism for a reclosable pouch - An offset resealable closure mechanism adapted to provide an airtight seal for a pouch includes a first elongate closure element and a second elongate closure element. The first elongate closure element includes a first elongate closure profile extending therefrom and a second elongate closure element includes first and second legs extending therefrom to define a channel. A sealing flange extends across the channel and includes a slit therethrough adapted to receive the first elongate closure profile. The sealing flange forms an airtight seal with the first elongate closure profile when the closure mechanism is occluded. | 12-18-2008 |
20080310773 | Airtight closure mechanism for a reclosable pouch - An airtight closure mechanism for a reclosable pouch includes first and second complementary closure elements, the first closure element comprising a first interlocking profile and the second closure element comprising a complementary second interlocking profile. First and second sealing sections are disposed on respective complementary sides of the first and second interlocking profiles. The first sealing section includes a first protuberance having a first distal surface, a second protuberance having a second distal surface, and a sealing flange attached to and extending between the first and second distal surfaces of the first and second protuberances, respectively. The second sealing section includes a sealing member disposed on a base of the second closure element. The sealing member is located a distance from the second interlocking profile that places a distal surface thereof between the first and second protuberances when the first and second interlocking profiles are occluded. Additionally, when the first and second interlocking profiles are occluded, the distal surface urges against the sealing flange to form an airtight seal therebetween. | 12-18-2008 |
20080310774 | Pouch with a valve - A pouch with a valve includes first and second pouch sidewalls sealed to one another to define an opening. A resealable closure mechanism is attached to inner surfaces of the first and second sidewalls proximate the opening to define a pouch interior opposite the opening. A channel extends from the interior to the opening between a section of the first closure element and the first sidewall. A pleated thermoplastic member is sealingly disposed in the channel and has an aperture disposed through the member. A fluid path may provide direct fluid communication between the interior and an exterior of the pouch, wherein the fluid path passes through an edge of the pouch defined by at least one of the first or second pouch sidewalls. A valve is sealingly disposed in the fluid path, wherein the valve comprises a pleated thermoplastic member attached to at least one of the first or second pouch sidewalls and having an aperture disposed through the pleated thermoplastic member to provide fluid communication between the interior and the exterior of the pouch. | 12-18-2008 |
20080310776 | Flow channels for a pouch - A pouch includes first and second opposing pouch walls and a plurality of flow channel protuberances that defines a flow channel between the first and second pouch walls and is disposed on an inner surface of at least one of the first or second pouch walls. At least one of the plurality of protuberances includes a first component extending from the at least one of the first or second pouch walls and a second component extending at a non-zero angle from the first component. The flow channel extends between an opening of the pouch and a portion of an interior of the pouch that is spaced from the opening. | 12-18-2008 |
20090190861 | Valve and valve strip for a reclosable container - A reclosable pouch includes first and second film layers disposed on a first pouch sidewall. The first film layer is attached to the second film layer by first and second intermittent spot seals disposed at least across respective first and second edges of the first film layer. The second film layer is sealed to the sidewall by third and fourth intermittent spot seals disposed across at least across respective third and fourth edges of the second film layer. Offset first and second apertures extend through the first and second film layers, respectively, wherein one of the first and second apertures communicates with a pouch interior and the other of the first and second apertures communicates with a pouch exterior. A fifth intermittent spot seal is disposed between the first and second film layers, the fifth intermittent spot seal surrounding a region including the first and second apertures. | 07-30-2009 |
20090232421 | CLOSURE ELEMENT FOR A POUCH - A closure mechanism for a pouch includes a first interlocking closure element and a second interlocking closure element. A closure profile is disposed on an interior side of the first interlocking closure element. A flange extends from the closure profile and an aperture is disposed therethrough. A resilient valve flap is disposed over the aperture and attached to an exterior side of the flange. A channel is defined by an area of non-attachment of the resilient valve flap to the flange that extends from the aperture to an edge of the resilient valve flap. The resilient valve flap is biased to form a releasable airtight seal in the area of non-attachment of the resilient valve flap to the flange. | 09-17-2009 |
20100040310 | EVACUABLE CONTAINER AND EVACUATION STRIP THEREFOR - An evacuable container comprises a first sidewall that defines an interior of the container and an opening. A flow channel chamber comprises first and second chamber walls. Flow channels are disposed on at least one of the first and second chamber walls. One of the first and second chamber walls is sealingly attached along an entire periphery thereof to the first sidewall. At least one interior aperture is disposed through the first or second chamber wall and is in fluid communication with the interior of the container. At least one exterior aperture is disposed through the first or second chamber wall and is in fluid communication with an exterior of the container. A check valve is disposed in fluid communication with the at least one exterior aperture and the flow channel chamber to allow resealable evacuation of the container through the flow channel chamber and the at least one interior aperture. | 02-18-2010 |
20100102058 | VACUUM STORAGE CONTAINER WITH FLEXIBLE DIAPHRAGM - A vacuum storage container having a container body, a check valve and a lid with an outer rim surrounding a diaphragm. A vacuum pump is engagable with the check valve to remove air from the interior of the container to create a vacuum in the container. The diaphragm is pushed inward by atmospheric forces upon removal of the air until the diaphragm touches and conforms to at least upper exposed surfaces of the contents of the container. The storage container aids in preventing degradation of the contents of the container by maintaining the contents free from the degrading effects of air and by substantially immobilizing the contents during movement of the container to protect the contents from breakage and bruising. | 04-29-2010 |
20100133276 | Flexible container - A flexible container comprises a container wall and a handle attached to the wall. The handle includes multiple layers of thermoplastic material having stitching applied through the multiple layers and a portion of the handle is attached to the container wall. | 06-03-2010 |
20100135602 | Flexible container - A flexible container comprises a mesh material layer and a thermoplastic layer that forms a wall of the flexible container and is disposed external to the mesh material layer. A flexible handle is disposed external to the mesh material layer. The mesh material layer, the thermoplastic layer, and the flexible handle are joined by a set of stitching disposed therethrough. | 06-03-2010 |
20100284632 | Pouch And Airtight Resealable Closure Mechanism Therefor - A pouch has an airtight elongate closure mechanism adapted to provide vacuum retention within an interior of the pouch over an extended period of time when sealed. The closure mechanism includes a first pair of interlocking members that resealably mate together, a second pair of interlocking members that resealably mate together, and sealing members that form an air tight seal disposed between the first and second pairs of interlocking members. The closure elements may be connected with opposing sidewalls of the pouch in a manner designed to provide differential opening and closing forces. The pouch may also include a check valve and air evacuation channels to aid in evacuating air from the interior. | 11-11-2010 |
20110085747 | Pouch and Airtight Resealable Closure Mechanism Therefor - A pouch has an elongate closure mechanism adapted to provide vacuum retention within an interior of the pouch over an extended period of time when sealed. The closure mechanism includes a first pair of interlocking members that resealably mate together, a second pair of interlocking members that resealably mate together, and a pair of sealing members that form an air tight seal separate from the interlocking members disposed between the first and second pairs of interlocking members. The closure members are connected with opposing panels of the pouch in a manner designed to provide differential opening and closing forces. The pouch may include a check valve and air evacuation channels to aid in evacuating air from the interior. | 04-14-2011 |
20110085748 | Flow Channels for a Pouch - A pouch includes first and second opposing pouch walls and a plurality of flow channel protuberances that defines a flow channel between the first and second pouch walls and is disposed on an inner surface of at least one of the first or second pouch walls. At least one of the plurality of protuberances includes a first component extending from the at least one of the first or second pouch walls and a second component extending at a non-zero angle from the first component. The flow channel extends between an opening of the pouch and a portion of an interior of the pouch that is spaced from the opening. | 04-14-2011 |
20110097018 | Vacuum-Actuated Closure Mechanism for a Resealable Pouch - A pouch comprises a first sidewall and a second sidewall forming an interior space therebetween, a resealable closure mechanism including a first and a second elongate closure profile, and a resilient profile extending from one of the first or second closure profiles and having at least one notch extending therethrough to allow the evacuation of air from the interior space. | 04-28-2011 |
20110188785 | Hold-Open Mechanism Usable With a Flexible-Walled Pouch - A pouch having a flexible wall panel at least partially defining a mouth into an interior includes a hold-open mechanism for the mouth. A locking mechanism automatically locks the hold-open mechanism in an open position. | 08-04-2011 |
20110233347 | HANGER - A two-piece hanger for hanging a bag filled with contents without puncturing the bag holds the bag between the two pieces with a cleat-and-groove connection. The hanger includes a hanger piece for hanging from a support and a clamping piece that is removably attachable to the hanger piece. The hanger piece includes a hanger mechanism and a cleat. The clamping piece includes a body having an upper surface and a slotted grove receptor. The clamping piece is removably connected to the hanger piece by inserting the head of the cleat into the slotted grove receptor, whereby the cleat locks the clamping piece to the body of the hanger member in a cleat-and-groove arrangement. | 09-29-2011 |
20120000920 | Containers with Anti-Buckling Structural Features - This disclosure is generally directed toward containers with improved anti-buckling performance by incorporating one or more structural reinforcement features into the containers. The container may include a bottom wall, opposing sidewalls each including a plurality of ribs, and opposing end walls interconnecting the sidewalls. The sidewalls may include at least one reinforcement protrusion having a geometric center disposed in the upper half of the sidewall. The container may also include a non-planar top rim to redistribute top load so that the anti-buckling performance of the container can be improved. | 01-05-2012 |
20120000924 | Container with anti-buckling structural features - The invention is directed to a thermoformed, rectangular disposable storage container. The container includes a base and lid. The base includes arched front and rear walls to redistribute the pressure placed on the top of the container and to generally evenly balance the load force around the container front, rear and end walls to prevent buckling of the container front or rear walls. The container lid includes an arched front wall and rear wall which generally corresponds to the degree of arch of the front and rear walls of the base. | 01-05-2012 |
20120014622 | Disposable storage bags - Disposable storage bags are disclosed having a first side wall, a second side wall and a bottom portion which forms the bag and having an open top portion for receiving and removing items to be stored such as snack foods or other material. Near the top opening of the bag is a closure mechanism for opening and closing the bag. The side walls of the bag are tapered inwardly from the top portion toward the bottom portion such that quillons are formed when the bag is filled with items such as snack food or other material. The bottom portion of the bag includes a gusset which, when the bag is filled with snack food or other material, expands and opens such that the bag may stand upright. | 01-19-2012 |
20120037652 | Disposable storage container - The invention is directed to a single use disposable storage container and a lid therefor. The container includes a base and lid. The base includes a generally inverted U-shape rim for mating with the lid to secure the lid to the container base. The container lid includes a composite of paper and plastic. The plastic portion of the lid generally includes an inverted U-shape ring for mating with the base and securing the lid to the base. The plastic ring includes a peripheral ledge and seat extending from an inner side wall of the ring. The paper center panel is secured to the peripheral ledge and seat. | 02-16-2012 |
20120045152 | SLIDER ACTUATED OPENING FEATURE - A pouch includes sidewalls that define a mouth, a cam member disposed proximate the mouth, and a slider coupled to the mouth and moveable therealong. The slider engages the cam member to maintain the mouth in a spread apart condition. | 02-23-2012 |
20120055926 | Container with a ratcheting lid - The present invention is directed to containers for food or other material having a bowl and a ratcheting lid. The ratcheting lid will reduce the headspace in the container thereby increasing the storage life for the food product or other material in the container and maintaining the freshness of the material. The lid includes a peripheral edge having a diameter corresponding generally to the inside diameter of the bowl to provide an improved locking seal. | 03-08-2012 |
20120099806 | Vacuum compression storage bags - There is disclosed an improved stand-off for large vacuum compression storage bags made from a thermoplastic material such as polyethylene or other thermoplastic material and preferably made by extrusion. The stand-off includes a base having an aperture therein for alignment with the valve of the bag. The base further includes a plurality of ribs. The stand-off may include a variety of geometries provided that it is of sufficient length and width to cover the valve area. It may extend from one side of the bag to the other side of the bag or include variations thereof in size. | 04-26-2012 |
20120100510 | METHOD FOR COMPUTER EVALUATION OF CONTAINERS AND FOOD TO OBTAIN OPTIMUM STORAGE AND/OR USE - An evaluation method for containers and food to improve storage and use includes determining particular portions of food correlated with size of storage containers for providing portions of specific calorie content; and/or evaluating types of containers and/or settings for containers to accomplish improved storage time. The method includes an electronic device having a database and the capability of modifying and entering information. Typical information is a food product, and type and size of a particular storage container. The method calculates and provides an appropriate setting for the particular container for the particular food, which enhances storage. The method may enable a consumer to identify a portion of a particular food for placement in a pre-set sized container to create a desired calorie content. The consumer can then easily identify the total amount of calories for a particular combination of portions in a meal. | 04-26-2012 |
20120101876 | METHOD OF MANAGING HOUSEHOLD PRODUCT INVENTORY - A method of managing an inventory of household products through virtual storage, such as in a virtual refrigerator, freezer, pantry, using electronic devices such as a smart phone. The virtual storage includes at least one of a description of each product in the virtual storage; the date each product was purchased; the expiration date of each product; and the freshness level of each product, including whether each product is still fresh, needs to be used within a certain time period, or needs to be thrown out. Related features include generation of shopping lists, coupons and recipes for a consumer based on the products in virtual storage or depleted therefrom. | 04-26-2012 |
20120224792 | Valve And Valve Strip For A Reclosable Container - A gastight valve strip for a reclosable container. The valve strip includes opposing first and second film layers adapted to be disposed over a container aperture through a sidewall of the reclosable container. The first film layer is attached to the second film layer by a first thermal seal disposed around the periphery of the first film layer. An attachment surface of the second film layer is adapted to be sealed to the sidewall of the reclosable container. Opposing surfaces of the first and second film layers form a substantially gastight seal therebetween upon contact of the film layers. Offset first film layer and second film layer apertures extend through the first and second film layers, respectively, the first film layer aperture being in fluid communication with an exterior side of the valve strip and the second film layer aperture being configured to be in fluid communication with the container aperture. | 09-06-2012 |
20130327660 | Communication Elements for Consumer Products - A stream of products includes a first product having a first communication element thereon and a second product having a second communication element thereon. The first and second products are interrelated for use in a particular activity. Further, the first communication element and the second communication element interact to produce a collaborative communication. | 12-12-2013 |
20130327770 | Container having an arched portion and Lid Therefor - A container includes a bowl having a bottom and a sidewall, wherein a ledge is disposed on an inner surface of the sidewall and includes two opposing horizontal portions having a lowermost portion defining a first plane therebetween. A paperboard lid is removably retained within the bowl, wherein the lid includes an apex that lies in a second plane, which is parallel to the first plane. The distance between the first plane and the second plane is between about 0.15 cm to about 1.3 cm. | 12-12-2013 |
20130330022 | Detachable Closure Device for a Bag - A detachable closure device for a bag includes a fastener having a first wall coupled along a fold to an opposing, second wall. A first attachment mechanism is disposed at a first end of the first wall and a second attachment mechanism is disposed at an opposite, second end of the first wall. At least one latching element is disposed on the fastener and configured to detachably couple the fastener to a side panel of a bag. | 12-12-2013 |
20140150219 | Strap with Breakaway Link - A link for use in a breakaway portion of a strap includes a body portion and first and second opposing engagement portions. Each engagement portion has at least one hook. | 06-05-2014 |
20140307984 | FLEXIBLE CONTAINER - A flexible container includes a bottom wall, a plurality of side walls, each extending upwardly from the bottom wall and each having a top end defining an opening into an interior of the container, and a top wall connected to the top end of at least one of the side walls. The top wall covers the opening. A continuous mesh layer is connected to the top end of at least one of the side walls and provides ventilation to the interior of the container. A flexible handle is attached to an exterior surface of at least one of the side walls. The handle includes multiple layers of flexible thermoplastic material connected together, with a first end of the handle being attached to (i) the at least one side wall near the top end thereof, and (ii) the continuous mesh layer. | 10-16-2014 |