This invention relates to the evacuation of storage bags. More specifically it relates to a portable apparatus for the evacuation of plastic storage bags. Even more specifically, the present invention relates to a hand-held apparatus for the evacuation of plastic storage bags having a one-way valve.
Flexible plastic bags can be used to protect objects stored for extended periods of time. However, these bags can cause the storage space taken up by the object to increase. One solution is to evacuate the air from the bag so that the bag fits closely over the surface of the object. In fact, if the object is compressible like clothing, an evacuated bag will take up less space than the object alone. Various bags have been designed to allow air to be evacuated therefrom after an object is secured therein.
For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,408,872, 6,357,915, 6,116,781, 5,931,189, and 5,480,030 and United States Patent Application Nos. 20020117215, 20020079242, 20020009240, and 20020090151 all disclose bags with one-way valves for storing objects therein. Each of the bags is arranged to be evacuated by physical pressure on the outside of the bag, or by attachment of a conventional vacuum cleaner to the one-way valve. Neither of these evacuation means are satisfactory for a traveler trying to increase the amount of clothing carried in a suitcase. Evacuation by physical pressure tends to wrinkle the clothing therein. Evacuation by attachment of a conventional vacuum cleaner can be done at home, but a vacuum cleaner compatible with the valve may not be available when the traveler is repacking.
Clearly, then, there is a longfelt need for a hand-held, portable apparatus for evacuation of storage bags.
The present invention broadly comprises a method and apparatus for the evacuation of storage bags. The apparatus comprises a case, a flange mounted on the case, a fan, and a motor operatively arranged to drive the fan.
A general object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for evacuation storage bags.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-held, portable apparatus.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description of the invention in view of the drawings and claims.
The nature and mode of operation of the present invention will now be more fully described in the following detailed description of the invention taken with the accompanying drawing figures, in which:
It should be appreciated that, in the detailed description of the invention which follows, like reference numbers on different drawing views are intended to identify identical structural elements of the invention in the respective views.
An illustration of an embodiment of the present invention is shown in
Flange 20 is located on face 13 of case 12. Flange 20 is operatively arranged to be coupled with one-way valve 40 on storage bag 50. Examples of such valves are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,408,872, 6,357,915, 6,116,781, 5,931,189, and 5,480,030 and United States Patent Application Nos. 20020117215, 20020079242, 20020009240, and 20020090151, all of which are incorporated by reference herein. In one embodiment, the flange is operatively arranged to lock with the valve when the valve is rotated with respect to the flange. This is achieved by the insertion of member 36 located on flange 20 (
Switch 22 activates motor 16. In the embodiment shown in
When switch 22 is activated, current from batteries 14 flows through motor 16. Motor 16 then rotates fan 18. Fan 18 is operatively arranged to draw air from outside the case through opening 21 of flange 20. When a valve is coupled to flange 20, air is drawn through the valve, evacuating the bag. Air vents 24 allow the air drawn through flange 20 to exit the case.
As shown in
To operate apparatus 10, valve 40 of sealed bag 50 is coupled to flange 20, as illustrated in
Thus, it is seen that the objects of the present invention are efficiently obtained, although modifications and changes to the invention should be readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art, and these modifications are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.
This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/420,262, filed Oct. 22, 2002.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
4678014 | Owen et al. | Jul 1987 | A |
4775302 | Neward | Oct 1988 | A |
4806084 | Neward | Feb 1989 | A |
4954054 | Neward | Sep 1990 | A |
4979883 | Neward | Dec 1990 | A |
5011381 | Neward | Apr 1991 | A |
5205726 | Neward | Apr 1993 | A |
5362214 | Neward | Nov 1994 | A |
5422560 | Yan | Jun 1995 | A |
5478216 | Neward | Dec 1995 | A |
5765608 | Kristen | Jun 1998 | A |
6499385 | Protti | Dec 2002 | B2 |
6598626 | Chaffee | Jul 2003 | B2 |
6662831 | Chen | Dec 2003 | B2 |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20050081948 A1 | Apr 2005 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
60420262 | Oct 2002 | US |