TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to storage systems for perishable goods and, more particularly, to an apparatus for evacuating air from a sealable airtight bag.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are a variety of problems associated with food being exposed to air. Non-dry goods are prone to spoiling if exposed to air. Food being frozen can also be subject to the condition known as freezer burn, which occurs when ice crystals form on food, extracting out the moisture within and leaving the food dried out. Both problems can be remedied by separating food from outside air in an airtight bag. However, even the air within an airtight bag may be sufficient to cause food spoilage or freezer burn.
Modern consumers freeze large quantities of food on a regular basis for a variety of reasons. It is often more affordable to buy food in bulk to store for later, with freezing being the most efficient method of doing so. It is also often practical to prepare meals in advance to save time later, making it necessary that food remain fresh for extended periods of time. Consumers who prefer to buy fruits and vegetables fresh also need a means to preserve them for extended periods of time as the air contained in grocery store bags allows them to spoil quickly. Therefore, there is a need for a system allowing a consumer to evacuate the air within an airtight bag when sealing the bag.
A variety of systems have been implemented to meet this need. Examples of these systems can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 7,540,127 to Sung et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,490,452 to Alipour, and PCT Application No. WO 2008/130171 to June. However, the prior devices suffer from various drawbacks. Some of these systems require the use of specialized bags having integrated valves, and the vacuum equipment associated with these specialized airtight bags can be bulky and difficult to store. Other systems puncture the bags or heat seal the bags and render them useless for additional use. The prior art systems require airtight bags to be specialized or used up in one freezer use, which increases the cost and inconvenience of freezing food items. Furthermore, some of the prior devices include complex electronic vacuum pumps and heat sealers which add to the weight and manufacturing costs of the devices.
Thus, it would be desirable to create a device that is capable of sealing a regular airtight bag that addresses these and other drawbacks.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one embodiment of the invention, a vacuum apparatus for sealing a bag includes a first base member, a second base member, a tongue, and a seal member. The first base member includes a first operating end and a valve. The second base member is coupled with the first base member and includes a second operating end. The first and second base members have an open position wherein the first and second operating ends are disengaged, and a closed position wherein the first and second operating ends are engaged to define an internal space in fluid communication with the valve. The tongue is disposed at least partially between the first and second base members and is configured to engage the interior of the bag. The tongue includes a flow passage that communicates with the internal space and the interior of the bag when the first and second base members are in the closed position. The seal member is disposed between the first and second base members and is configured to seal the internal space at least partially around the tongue and the bag.
In another embodiment of the invention, a method of evacuating a bag uses a vacuum apparatus. The vacuum apparatus includes a vacuum chamber, a base with first and second base members, and a tongue. The first base member has a valve, and the a second base member is coupled to the first base member. The tongue is disposed at least partially between the first and second base members and has a flow passage. The method includes positioning the first and second base members to an open position wherein the first and second base members are spaced from the tongue, inserting the tongue into the interior of the bag, positioning the first and second base members to a closed position wherein the first and second base members engage and seal the tongue within the interior of the bag, and producing a vacuum in the vacuum chamber to pull air from the bag through the flow passage and the valve into the vacuum chamber in order to evacuate the bag.
In another embodiment of the invention, a vacuum apparatus for sealing a bag includes a vacuum chamber, a base member, a pressure plate, and a tongue member. The base member has an upper surface and a lower surface and is configured to rest on a support surface. The pressure plate is operable to move between an open position and a closed position such that a surface of the pressure plate presses against the upper surface of the base member when the pressure plate is in the closed position. The tongue member has a channel in fluid communication with the vacuum chamber that also passes through the base member. The tongue is configured to engage the interior of the bag. The base member is configured such that, when the pressure plate is in a closed position and the tongue member engages the interior of the bag, one zipper seal of the bag is disposed between the support surface and the lower surface of the base member and another zipper seal of the bag is disposed between the pressure plate and the upper surface of the base member such that an airtight seal is formed around the tongue.
In another embodiment of the invention, a method of evacuating an airtight bag uses a vacuum apparatus. The vacuum apparatus includes a vacuum chamber, a base member, and a tongue member. The base member has an upper surface and a lower surface configured to rest on a support surface. The tongue member has a channel in fluid communication with the vacuum chamber that also passes through the base member. The method includes inserting the tongue member into the airtight bag, positioning a zipper seal opening of the airtight bag around the base member such that a first zipper seal of the airtight bag is between the lower surface of the base member and the support surface and a second zipper seal of the airtight bag is in contact with the upper surface of the base member, sealing a portion of the zipper seal opening not engaging the base member to form an airtight seal around the tongue member, and forcing air from the airtight bag through the channel in the tongue member and into the vacuum chamber to evacuate the bag.
In another embodiment of the invention, a vacuum apparatus for sealing a bag includes a vacuum chamber coupled to a base member, a tongue chamber coupled to a tongue handle, and a sealing member within the base member. The tongue member has an extended position and a retracted position. The tongue member also has a channel that is in fluid communication with the vacuum chamber when the tongue member is in the extended position. The sealing member is operable to seal at least a portion of the interlocking zipper seal of the bag.
In another embodiment of the invention, a vacuum apparatus for sealing a bag includes a vacuum chamber, a base member, a tongue member, and a sealing member. The vacuum chamber is actuated by movement of a handle coupled to a piston. The base member has an internal chamber in fluid communication with the vacuum chamber, a bottom surface configured to rest on a flat support surface, a front opening, and a rear opening. The tongue member has a front portion including a front opening, an internal channel in fluid communication with the front opening of the front portion of the tongue member, a tongue handle protruding from the rear opening of the base member, and a check valve in fluid communication with the internal channel of the tongue member. The tongue handle is operable to slide the tongue member between an extended position in which the front portion of the tongue member protrudes from the front opening of the base member and a retracted position in which the front portion of the tongue member is positioned within the internal chamber of the base member. The check valve is in fluid communication with the internal chamber of the base member when the tongue member is in the extended position. The sealing member is mechanically connected to the piston handle, and operable to seal a portion of the interlocking zipper seal by movement of the piston handle when the tongue member is in the retracted position.
In another embodiment of the invention, a vacuum apparatus for sealing a bag has a tongue member and a wiping member. The tongue member is coupled to a tongue handle operable to move the tongue member between an extended position and a retracted position. The tongue member has a channel that is configured to be in fluid communication with an interior of the bag when the tongue member is in the extended position. The wiping member is mechanically connected to the tongue handle. The wiping member is configured to move transversely to the movement of the tongue member when the tongue handle moves the tongue member between the extended position and the retracted position. The transverse movement of the tongue member is operable to seal a portion of the interlocking zipper seal.
In another embodiment of the invention, a clip apparatus for sealing an airtight bag has a first body member, a second body member, a tongue, a self-healing membrane, and a seal member. The first body member includes a first operating end. The second body member is movably coupled with the first body member and includes a second operating end. The first and second body members have an open position wherein the first and second operating ends are disengaged and a closed position wherein the first and second operating ends are engaged to define an internal space. The tongue is disposed at least partially between the first and second body members and configured to engage the interior of the airtight bag. The tongue includes a flow passage communicating with the internal space and the interior of the airtight bag when the first and second body members are in the closed position. The self-healing membrane is positioned as a barrier between the interior space and the air outside the clip apparatus. The seal member is disposed between the first and second body members and configured to seal the internal space at least partially around the tongue. In another embodiment, a system for sealing an airtight bag uses the clip apparatus in conjunction with a vacuum pump including a vacuum chamber and a piercing member configured to engage the self-healing membrane of the clip apparatus. The vacuum pump is operable to evacuate air from the bag through the tongue and past the self-healing membrane.
In another embodiment of the invention, a clip apparatus for sealing an airtight bag has a body member, a tongue, a first arm including a first gasket, and a second arm including a second gasket. The body member includes a sealed internal space and a self-healing membrane communicating with the sealed internal space. The tongue extends from the body member and is configured to engage the interior of the bag. The tongue includes a flow passage communicating with the sealed internal space. The first and second arms are each coupled to the body member, and may be positioned such that the first and second sealing gaskets sealingly engage the tongue, thereby to seal the tongue within the storage bag when the tongue engages the interior of the bag. In another embodiment, a system for sealing an airtight bag uses the clip apparatus in conjunction with a vacuum pump including a vacuum chamber and a piercing member configured to engage the self-healing membrane of the clip apparatus. The vacuum pump is operable to evacuate air from the bag through the tongue and past the self-healing membrane.
In another embodiment of the invention, a method of evacuating an airtight bag uses a clip apparatus. The clip apparatus has a first body member, a second body member coupled to the first body member, a self-healing membrane, and a tongue disposed at least partially between the first and second body members. The tongue has a flow passage. The method includes positioning the first and second body members to an open position wherein the first and second body members are spaced from the tongue, inserting the tongue into the airtight bag, positioning the first and second body members to a closed position wherein the first and second body members engage and seal the tongue within the bag, piercing the self-healing membrane with a piercing member, and forcing air from the airtight bag through the flow passage and through the piercing member past the membrane in order to evacuate the bag.
In another embodiment of the invention, a clip apparatus for sealing a bag includes a first body member including a first support surface, a second body member including a second support surface, a puncturing needle, an area formed in either of the first or second support surfaces, and a vacuum pump mounted on the first body member. The second body member is coupled to the first body member, and the first and second body members configure to close onto the bag. The puncturing needle extends at least partially from one of the first or second support surfaces. The area formed in either of the first or second support surfaces is configured to at least partially receive the puncturing needle when a bag is positioned between the first and second support surfaces. The vacuum pump includes a vacuum chamber and is in fluid communication with the puncturing needle. The vacuum pump is actuated to evacuate the bag by producing a vacuum in the vacuum chamber.
In another embodiment of the invention, a clip apparatus for sealing a includes a first body member including a first support surface; a puncturing needle extending from the first support surface; a first flow channel in fluid communication with the puncturing needle; a second body member coupled to the first body member and including a second support surface and an area configured to receive the puncturing needle when a bag is positioned between the first and second support surfaces; a vacuum pump mounted on the first body member and including a handle and a piston in a second flow channel, the piston operable to create a vacuum in the second flow channel; and an end cap coupled to at least one of the first and second body members and including a flow passage in fluid communication with the first and second flow channels, thereby allowing the vacuum formed in the second flow channel to pull air from the first flow channel and the puncturing needle.
In another embodiment of the invention, a method for evacuating and sealing a bag uses a clip apparatus that has a first body member with a puncturing needle, a second body member movably coupled to the first body member, and a vacuum pump mounted on at least one of the first and second body members in fluid communication with the puncturing needle. The method includes moving the first body member away from the second body member to open the clip apparatus, positioning the bag between the first and second body members, moving the first body member into engagement with the second body member to puncture the bag with the puncturing needle, and actuating the vacuum pump to draw air from the bag through the puncturing needle and into the vacuum pump.
In another embodiment of the invention, a clip apparatus for sealing a bag includes a first body member including a first support surface; a second body member coupled to the first body member and including a second support surface; a puncturing needle extending at least partially from one of the first or second support surfaces, the puncturing needle configured to puncture the panel of a bag when the bag is positioned between the first and second support surfaces; and a valve in fluid communication with the puncturing needle such that the valve is in fluid communication with the interior of the bag when the needle punctures the bag. The lengths of the first and second body members are sufficient such that when the bag is positioned between the first and second support surfaces, the support surfaces contact substantially the entire length of the bag.
In another embodiment of the invention, a tool for installing a valve on an airtight bag includes a body with an upper jaw holding a first valve component in a first position and a lower jaw connected to the upper jaw and holding a second valve component in a second position. The upper and lower jaws are configured to engage the first and second valve components to form a valve on at least one panel of an airtight bag when the upper and lower jaws are forced together.
In another embodiment of the invention, a vacuum apparatus for sealing an airtight bag with an interior includes a first body member having a first seal member, a second body member coupled to the first body member and having a second seal member, and a vacuum chamber in fluid communication with a tongue member. The first and second body members move between an open position and a closed position such that, when the airtight bag is placed between the first and second body members and the body members are move into the closed position, the first and second seal members form an airtight seal around a portion of the airtight bag. At least one of the first and second seal members is resiliently deformable such that the tongue member can be inserted between the first and second seal members when the body members are in the closed position to place the tongue member and the vacuum chamber in fluid communication with the interior of the bag.
In another embodiment of the invention, a clip apparatus is provided for creating an air-tight chamber in the interior of a bag. The clip apparatus includes a first member and a second member that is configured to be releasably connected with the first member. The first and second members have sealing members on interior sides thereof. One of the members includes an air evacuation port and a valve carried in the port. A tongue is configured to engage the interior of the bag, and includes an inlet, an interior passageway, and an outlet. The outlet is in fluid communication with the air evacuation port for evacuating the bag on which the clip apparatus is used.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with a general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the invention.
FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a vacuum apparatus in an open position in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the vacuum apparatus of FIG. 1A in a closed position;
FIG. 1C is a perspective view of the vacuum apparatus of FIG. 1A in a closed position with the handle of the vacuum chamber pulled upwardly;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the tongue and second base member of the vacuum apparatus of FIG. 1A;
FIG. 3 is a side view of the vacuum apparatus of FIG. 1A;
FIG. 4 is a cross sectional side view of the vacuum apparatus of FIG. 1A;
FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the vacuum apparatus of FIG. 1A;
FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the vacuum apparatus of FIG. 1A in an open position and engaging an airtight bag;
FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the vacuum apparatus of FIG. 6A in a closed position on the bag;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a vacuum apparatus in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 8 is a cross sectional side view of the vacuum apparatus of FIG. 7;
FIG. 9A is a perspective view of the vacuum apparatus of FIG. 7 in an open position and engaging an airtight bag;
FIG. 9B is a perspective view of the vacuum apparatus of FIG. 7 in a closed position and engaging an airtight bag;
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a vacuum apparatus in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 11 is a cross sectional side view of the vacuum apparatus of FIG. 10;
FIG. 12A is a perspective view of the vacuum apparatus of FIG. 10 in an open position and engaging an airtight bag;
FIG. 12B is a perspective view of the vacuum apparatus of FIG. 10 in a closed position and engaging an airtight bag;
FIG. 13A is a front perspective view of a vacuum apparatus in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 13B is a rear perspective view of the vacuum apparatus of FIG. 13A;
FIG. 13C is a bottom perspective view of the vacuum apparatus of FIG. 13A;
FIG. 14 is a cross sectional perspective view of the vacuum apparatus of FIG. 13A;
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a tongue assembly in accordance with the vacuum apparatus of FIG. 13A;
FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view of the vacuum apparatus of FIG. 13A with the tongue assembly in an extended position;
FIG. 17 is a cross sectional view of the vacuum apparatus of FIG. 13A with the tongue assembly in a retracted position and a sealing block deployed;
FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a vacuum apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 19A is a perspective view of the vacuum apparatus of FIG. 18 shown open with the tongue extended and engaging an airtight bag;
FIG. 19B is a perspective view of the vacuum apparatus of FIG. 18 shown closed with the tongue extended and engaging an airtight bag;
FIG. 19C is a perspective view of the lower portion of the vacuum apparatus of FIG. 18 (the upper portion displayed in phantom), shown closed around an airtight bag with the tongue retracted;
FIG. 20A is a perspective view of a vacuum apparatus in a closed position according to an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 20B is a perspective view of the vacuum apparatus of FIG. 20A in an open position;
FIG. 20C is a side view of the vacuum apparatus of FIG. 20A in a closed position;
FIG. 20D is a cross sectional view of the vacuum apparatus of FIG. 20A engaging an airtight bag;
FIG. 21A is a side view of a pump with a piercing member;
FIG. 21B is a cross sectional view of the pump of FIG. 21A;
FIG. 22A is a perspective view of a clip in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 22B is a cutaway view of the clip of FIG. 22A;
FIG. 23A is a front perspective view of a clip apparatus in an open position in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 23B is a rear perspective view of the clip apparatus of FIG. 23A in the open position;
FIG. 24A is a perspective view of the clip apparatus of FIG. 23A in a closed position with the handle of the vacuum pump in an extended position;
FIG. 24B is a perspective view of the clip apparatus of FIG. 23A in a closed position with the handle of the vacuum pump in a retracted position;
FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a clip apparatus in an open position including a block of material in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 26 is a top view of the clip apparatus of FIG. 23A;
FIG. 27 is an exploded view of the clip apparatus of FIG. 23A;
FIG. 28A is a cross-sectional side view of the clip apparatus of FIG. 23A taken along line 28A-28A in FIG. 26;
FIG. 28B is another cross-sectional side view of the clip apparatus of FIG. 23A taken along line 28B-28B in FIG. 26;
FIG. 29A is a cross-sectional side view of the clip apparatus of FIG. 23A taken along line 29A-29A in FIG. 26, illustrating the first flow channel;
FIG. 29B is a cross-sectional side view of the clip apparatus of FIG. 23A taken along line 29B-29B in FIG. 26, illustrating the second flow channel;
FIG. 29C is another cross-sectional side view of the clip apparatus of FIG. 23A taken along line 29B-29B in FIG. 26, illustrating the second flow channel and the movement of the piston of the vacuum pump;
FIG. 30A is a perspective view of the clip apparatus of FIG. 23A demonstrating the placement of a bag into the clip apparatus in the open position;
FIG. 30B is a perspective view of the clip apparatus of FIG. 23A demonstrating the bag closed within the clip apparatus;
FIG. 31A is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a clip apparatus showing an interface for a detachable pump;
FIG. 31B is a perspective view of the clip apparatus of FIG. 31A attached to a manual pump;
FIG. 31C is a perspective view of the clip apparatus of FIG. 31A attached to an automatic pump;
FIG. 32 is a perspective view of a valve installation tool in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 33A is a perspective view of the tool of FIG. 32 engaging an airtight bag;
FIG. 33B is a perspective view of a valve installed on an airtight bag in accordance with the operation of the installation tool of FIG. 32;
FIG. 34 is a perspective view of a valve installation tool with a detachable pump in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 35A is a perspective view of a valve installation tool with an integral pump in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 35B is a cross sectional view of the tool of FIG. 35A;
FIG. 36A is a front perspective view of a valve installation tool in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 36B is a rear perspective view of the tool of FIG. 36A;
FIG. 37A is a partial front perspective view of the tool of FIG. 36A.
FIG. 37B is a partial rear perspective view of the tool of FIG. 36A.
FIG. 38 is a cross sectional view of the tool of FIG. 36A.
FIG. 39A is a rear perspective view of a vacuum apparatus in an open position in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 39B is a rear perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 39A in a closed position;
FIG. 40 is a cross sectional view of an alternate embodiment of a vacuum apparatus in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 41 is a perspective view of a clip apparatus in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 42 is another perspective view of the clip apparatus of FIG. 41, but in a closed position;
FIG. 43 is another perspective of the clip apparatus of FIGS. 41 and 42, with a tongue member removed to show additional features thereof; and
FIG. 44 is a cross-sectional schematic view showing the clip apparatus of FIGS. 41-43 engaging a bag.
FIG. 45 is a perspective of a clip apparatus in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIGS. 1A-6B illustrate one embodiment of a vacuum apparatus 200 for sealing bags containing perishable items such as foodstuffs. In all embodiments described herein, the term “bag” refers to any type of storage bag, zipper lock bag, or other airtight bag configured to be sealed. As shown in FIGS. 1A-1C, the vacuum apparatus 200 includes a vacuum chamber 107 and a base 100, the base 100 having a first base member 101 and a second base member 102. The first base member 101 includes a first operating end 103 and the second base member 102 includes a corresponding or second operating end 104. The first base member 101 and second base member 102 are coupled at a hinge 106. The first base member 101 and the second base member 102 rotate about each other at the hinge 106 between an open position and a closed position. Alternatively, the first base member 101 and the second base member 102 may be coupled by a sliding mechanism or other known coupling devices in other embodiments. The first base member 101 may be integrally formed with the vacuum chamber 107 or the first base member 101 may alternatively be formed separately and operably coupled to the vacuum chamber 107.
In the open position, illustrated in FIG. 1A, the first and second operating ends 103, 104 of respective base members 101, 102 are disengaged and spaced from each other. In the closed position illustrated in FIGS. 1B and 1C, the first and second operating ends 103, 104 are engaged and sealed together to form an internal space 125 sealed between the first and second cooperating ends 103, 104. Housed at least partially within the first and second base members 101, 102 is a partially tubular member herein referred to as a tongue 115. The tongue 115 is coupled to the second base member 102 at a hinge mount 121 in the illustrated embodiment, but the tongue 115 may be alternatively coupled to the first base member 101. It will be understood that the tongue 115 may also be coupled to one of the base members 101, 102 in other known methods, or may be free-floating between the two base members 101, 102 and not attached to either. The tongue 115 may extend partially through the first and second base members 101, 102, and the first base member 101 includes a tongue notch 123 to permit this positioning of the tongue 115. It will be appreciated that the tongue notch 123 may alternatively be formed on the second base member 102 or at least partially on each of the first and second base members 101, 102 in other embodiments. The second base member 102 also includes a planar support surface 122 configured to support the vacuum apparatus 200 on a flat surface.
FIG. 2 illustrates the tongue 115 and second base member 102 in greater detail. The tongue 115 includes a tongue body 116 and a tongue end 117. The tongue 115 also includes a first orifice 118 in the tongue end 117 and a second orifice 119 in the tongue body 116 in fluid communication with the first orifice 118. The tongue end 117 may include a pointed tip edge 120, and the pointed tip edge 120 helps seal a bag as will be described in more detail below. The hinge mounts 121 are also clearly shown in FIG. 2 on either side of the tongue body 116. Thus, the tongue 115 is rotatable with respect to the first and second base members 101, 102.
As most clearly shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4, the first base member 101 includes a pair of notches 105 disposed along the side edges of the first and second operating ends 103, 104. The notches 105 are configured to engage the opening of an airtight bag 300 having an interlocking zipper 303, as will be shown in detail below. The notches 105 could alternatively be formed in the second base member 102 or at least partially in each of the first and second base members 101, 102 in other embodiments. The vacuum apparatus 200 further includes a seal member 124 located generally between the first and second base members 101, 102. The seal member 124 may be a rubber or other elastomeric gasket configured to seal the internal space 125 within the first and second operating ends 103, 104 from ambient air at the notches 105 and the tongue notch 123. The seal member 124 may be formed from thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), in one embodiment. Alternatively, the seal member 124 may be any other material suitable for sealing the internal space 125, such as any polymeric or non-polymeric gasket material as known in the art. The seal member 124 may include raised portions 124a adjacent to the notches 105 and configured to compress appropriately to permit a bag or the end portion thereof to pass through the notches 105 without compromising the seal of the internal space 125. In other embodiments, the notches 105 may be removed, in whole or in part, from the first and second base members 101, 102, as the seal member 124 is pliable enough to conform to the geometry associated with the interlocking zipper on a bag.
Also shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is the vacuum chamber 107. The vacuum chamber 107 includes a handle 108, a shaft 110 coupled with the handle 108, and a piston 111 coupled to the shaft 110 inside of an internal chamber 109 within the vacuum chamber 107. At the upper end of the internal chamber 109, the vacuum chamber 107 is sealed by an end cap 126 which contains a port 114 to accommodate the shaft 110. At the lower end of the internal chamber 109, a valve 127 is formed for fluid communication between the internal space 125 of the base 100 and the internal chamber 109. The valve 127 may be formed as a one-way valve or check valve that only permits flow into the internal chamber 109 from the internal space 125.
As shown most clearly in the exploded view of FIG. 5, the piston 111 includes a sealing gasket 112 and a piston notch 113. The sealing gasket 112, shown as an o-ring, prevents air from moving past the piston 111 when the piston 111 is pulled upward. The sealing gasket 112 permits air to move past the piston 111 through the piston notch 113 when the piston 111 is pushed downward. Thus, air is permitted to be drawn from the internal space 125 in the base 100 into the vacuum chamber 107 when the piston is pulled upward by the handle 108 and the shaft 110, but the piston 111 and the one-way valve 127 prevent air from re-entering the internal space 125 when the piston is being moved downward.
In operation, the vacuum apparatus 200 is used to evacuate a bag 300 for storing perishable products as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. The bag 300 has an opening 301, an interior 302 and sealable interlocking zipper 303 at the opening 301. In FIG. 6A, the first and second operating ends 103, 104 are disengaged and the tongue 115 is inserted through the opening 301 of the bag 300. The pointed tip edge 120 of the tongue 115 may help an operator insert the tongue 115 into the interior 302 of the bag 300. With the interlocking zipper 303 pulled far enough into the internal space 125 to be located at the notches 105, the first and second operating ends 103, 104 are then engaged, as seen in FIG. 6B. When the first and second operating ends 103, 104 are engaged, the tongue 115 is sealed within the interior 302 of the bag 300.
To evacuate the bag 300, the handle 108 of the vacuum chamber 107 is then repeatedly pulled upward and pushed downward. This upward and downward motion moves the piston 111 up and down through the internal chamber 109. As the piston 111 is moved upward, air within the vacuum chamber 107 is pulled out through the port 114 and a vacuum is formed behind the piston 111. The vacuum pulls air from the interior 302 of the bag 300 through the first orifice 118 of the tongue 115, through the second orifice 119 of the tongue 115 into the internal space 125, and through the valve 127 into the internal chamber 109. When the piston 111 is moved downward, the sealing gasket 112 shifts enough to allow air to pass through the piston notch 113 from beneath the piston 111 to above the piston 111, thereby avoiding the re-entry of air into the internal space 125 and the bag 300. The vacuum chamber 107 may be evacuated by electric pump means known in the art in other embodiments.
After the interior 302 has been evacuated of any air that may spoil the contents in the bag 300, the bag 300 may be removed from the vacuum apparatus 200. Before the bag 300 is removed, a lateral or vertical force may be applied to the interlocking zipper 303 within the internal space 125. For example, a user may partially open the first and second operating ends 103, 104 and apply this force on the zipper 303 with a finger. Alternatively, a mechanical device within the internal space 125 of the vacuum apparatus 200 may apply this force prior to disengaging the first and second operating ends 103, 104, as later presented and described below. Thus, the vacuum apparatus 200 seals the bag 300 without the need for additional clips or other retaining devices.
FIGS. 7-9B illustrate according to the present invention a vacuum apparatus 400, another embodiment of a device for sealing bags containing perishable items such as foodstuffs. Similar to the base 100 described above, a base 400 is in fluid communication with a vacuum chamber 107 which is configured and functions as explained above. The base support section 408 to the rear of the device 400 defines a bottom surface configured to rest on a support such as a countertop surface. Connected to the support section 408 is an arcuate base extension 404, from which protrudes a tongue 402. The tongue 402 includes a front orifice 412 which, by means of a channel 414 extending through the arcuate base extension 404 and base support section 408, is in fluid communication with the vacuum chamber 107. Pivotally coupled to the base support section 408 is a curved pressure plate 406, which is positioned to mate with the upper surface of the arcuate base extension 404. The plate 406 is biased toward the base extension 404, such as by a torsion spring in a hinge 416. A raised projection 407 on the plate 406 is configured to be gripped by a user to rotate the plate 406 upward when loading or removing a bag, as further described below.
The central portion of the perimeter of the arcuate extension 404 is covered in a band 410 of flexible material, which may be a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), rubber, or another elastomeric material as known in the art. Although shown on the arcuate extension 404 in the illustrated embodiment, one of ordinary skill will understand that a portion of the band 410 may be positioned within the pressure plate 406 instead of or in addition to the arcuate extension 404.
As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, an airtight bag 300 is placed around the arcuate extension 404 such that the tongue 402 extends into the bag interior 302. The zipper seal 303 is positioned against the flexible band 410, which extends to the underside of the arcuate extension 404, and the part of the zipper seal 303 that extends past the apparatus 400 is therefore sealed. The pressure plate 406 is then closed as shown in FIG. 9B, which presses the upper bag seal 303 into the flexible band 410, and the device 400 is pressed against the surface, which presses the lower bag seal 303 into the band 410 as well—creating a seal around the arcuate extension 404. The front opening 412 in the tongue 402 places the internal channel 414 and the vacuum chamber 107 in fluid communication with the bag interior 302 while sealing the interior 302 from the outside air. Once the air tight seal is created, the pump is actuated to extract the air from the bag. The pump may be a vacuum chamber 107 and associated manual or electric pumping apparatus as described above. Once the desired level of vacuum is achieved, an operator can open the pressure plate 406 using the raised projection 407, withdraw the device 400, and seal the remaining portion of the zipper seal 303.
FIGS. 10-12B show another embodiment of a device 400′, similar to the device 400 and wherein the same numbers designate the same components. The vacuum device 400′ differs primarily in the use of a pressure plate 406′ which is affixed to the arcuate extension 404 by means of resilient elongate hinge members 417. In one embodiment, latch members 420 on the plate 406′ may engage mating members 421 on the arcuate extension 404 in order to further secure the plate 406′ against the arcuate extension 404 when the device 400′ is in a closed position. As shown in FIG. 12A, the latch members 420, 421 may be engaged by applying downward pressure on the closed plate 406′. The hinge members 417 bias the plate 406′ away from the arcuate extension 404 when the latch members 420 and the mating member 421 are disengaged. A pump (not shown) may be integral with or detachable from the components shown. The device 400′ also includes a tongue 402 and flexible band 410 as previously described. The device 400′ engages with and evacuates a bag 300 as described above with respect to the device 400.
FIG. 13A shows a front perspective view of a vacuum sealing device 500 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. An air inlet 510 is shown at the front of a tongue 503. The tongue 503 is shown in an extended position and is moved to this position by applying lateral pressure to a thumb hold 506. As a pump handle 507 is actuated up and down vertically, air is drawn out of the airtight bag 300 through the inlet 510 and through the pump body 502. The process is discussed in more detail within the following figures.
FIG. 13B shows a rear perspective view of the vacuum sealing device 500. A vertical slide retainer 501 creates a channel extending from pump body 502 and allows a vertical portion of a guide tail member 505 to slide vertically when downward pressure is manually exerted by a device operator on the pump body 502. The seal member 504 is necessary in order to maintain an air tight seal around the bag 300 as air is extracted through a passageway in the tongue 503. As described in more detail in later embodiments, the thumb hold 506, integral with the tongue 503, is retracted within the track of the guide tail 505 as subsequent steps of the vacuum sealing process are completed as further described herein. The retraction of the tongue 503 can take the form of lateral action as described above or rotational action.
FIG. 13C shows a bottom perspective view of the vacuum sealing device 500. The tongue assembly 517 is disposed within the channel 508 formed within the pump body 502. When the device 500 is lifted from a support surface such as a countertop, it may be possible to remove the tongue assembly 517 by pulling it downward relative to the pump body 502 such that the assembly 517 passes through the open bottom of the channel 508. Removing the tongue assembly 517 in this manner may aid in the insertion of the bag 300, as further described below
Although the channel 508 as illustrated is fully enclosed on all sides, one of ordinary skill will understand that a channel may be any passageway, whether partially or completely enclosed, that connects two or more locations in fluid communication as herein described.
FIG. 14 shows a cross sectional view of the pump body. The pump plunger 526 is bottomed against a pump chamber bottom surface 516. This bottom surface 516 sets the limit of travel for the pump plunger 526, which prevents the pump plunger 526 from directly contacting a bag seal 303. Other means can establish a travel limit for the pump plunger 526 such as stop tabs on the pump shaft or within the pump body 502.
FIG. 15 shows an isolated perspective view of the tongue assembly 517. The air inlet 510 allows air to be drawn into an air passageway 519 fluidly connected to a check valve seat 518. The check valve itself is not shown, though check valves are commonly known to those with ordinary skill in the art. Exhaust air is moves through the exhaust air aperture 513 and is extracted through the aperture check valve seat 518 as the pump is actuated. A dove tail track 511 engages with pump body 502 and maintains the alignment of the tongue assembly 517 with the pump body 502 as the tongue 503 is slid forward for insertion to the interior of an airtight bag 300, then drawn rearwardly as part of the vacuum sealing process.
The thumb hold 506 represents an area of actuation which, in other embodiments, could be moved to another location on the device 500. Although the thumb hold 506 represents a lateral mechanical method of actuating extension and retraction of the tongue assembly 517, one of ordinary skill will recognize other methods of actuation, such as spring-actuated mechanical assembly or the like.
FIG. 16 shows a cross sectional perspective view of the device 500 exclusive of the components of the air evacuation pump. Those with ordinary skill in the art would be familiar with simple pump devices of the type appropriate for this application, one of which is generally discussed above and shown as FIG. 4. However, for reference in this embodiment, the pump is of a diameter slightly less than the pump base and would extend generally vertically from the pump body and parallel with the direction of plunger shaft guides 514. One of ordinary skill will also understand that ducting could significantly change the orientation and position of any pump, and that a manual or automatic vacuum pump could be used. The seal member 504 follows the circumference of the pump body 502 at the pump body 502's lower portion so as to create an air tight union between the two components. Modern plastic molding methods would allow the creation of parts with varying properties in a single mold. While such a method of manufacturing is reflective of the preferred embodiment, the seal member 504 and pump body 502 could be joined through other means such as a frictional fit, adhesive or tongue and groove fasteners. FIG. 16 shows the tongue assembly 517 moved to the extended position. The check valve seat 518 is shown against the front interior diameter of the pump body 502, which also serves as a stop for the tongue assembly's lateral movement. Air moves from the bag interior 302 through the air inlet 510 through the air passageway 519 and into the area of the check valve seat 518, and is then exhausted into the pump body 502 through the exhaust air aperture 513. A seal is maintained around the portion of tongue assembly 517 that resides within the bag by means of a tongue passageway 520 within the seal member 504.
While in this drawing the tongue passageway 520 is shown as a vertical wall relative to the angled walls of tongue assembly 517, complimentary geometry between the components may more effectively create and maintain an air tight seal. For example, the portion of the tongue assembly 517 that cooperates with the seal member 504 may possess a generally triangular exterior surface with the seal member 504 having the same triangular mating geometry, which may create a better seal. The triangular shape would allow the pressure to be spread out laterally, although one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that a triangular shape is not necessary to practice the invention as explained. To this end, the tongue assembly 517 and the tongue passageway 520 may have different cross sectional shapes in other embodiments.
As a final step of the sealing process, when the tongue assembly 517 has been withdrawn to a retracted position shown in FIG. 17, downward pressure may be exerted by the operator on plunger shaft guides 514 to move a zipper sealing block 521 so as to engage the bag seal 303, sealing the bag prior to the removal of the device 500. In this position, the check valve seat 518 and check valve (not shown) resides within a check valve port 523 formed in the pump body 502, and the zipper sealing block 521 is now shown lowered immediately adjacent the air inlet 510. The zipper sealing block 521 is pressed into the downward position by means of its connection with the plunger shaft guides 514 while the pump plunger 526 itself stops on the pump chamber bottom surface 516.
Although the device as shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 13A-17 seals the bag 300 by means of a zipper sealing block 521 coupled to the pump plunger shaft 514, other means of applying pressure to the bag seal 303 after evacuation are possible. For example, the sealing block 521 could be formed with another shape suitable for sealing the bag. The sealing pressure could applied manually or automatically through the use of a mechanical device to generate a spring force, a hydraulic piston, a gear driven motor, or any other means known to one of ordinary skill. The activation means could be a lever that releases a spring, a switch that activates an electric motor, a manually activated lever, or any other activation means suitable for activating the sealing pressure.
In one example, the sealing pressure could be produced by vertical or lateral wiping action such as shown in FIGS. 18-19D, which show an embodiment of a valve assembly 600 where the zipper seal function is achieved by movement of a lateral wiping surface 632. In this embodiment, air is withdrawn through the use of a tongue 603 which extends into the bag interior 302 in order to place the interior 302 in fluid communication with the check valve seat 608 which interfaces with a pump as shown and described in previous embodiments. A thumb hold 606 is connected to a tongue 603 by a hinge pin 634.
The tongue 603 is extended forward and retracted rearward by means of the thumb hold 606, and may be operatively pivoted by means of the hinge pin 634. As the tongue 603 is withdrawn following evacuation of the bag 300, the wiping surface 632 in conjunction with the pivot pin 633 and pivot track 631 produces a lateral wiping action on the wiping surface 632. When the assembly 600 is closed, the wiping surface 632 below presses against the flat surface 602 above. As the wiping surface 632 moves inward, the zipper seals 303 of the bag 300 are pressed into a closed position. A seal member 604 provides an air tight seal when the assembly 600 is closed.
Another embodiment of a clip apparatus 800 for sealing an airtight bag 300 is illustrated in FIGS. 20A-21B. In this embodiment, the clip apparatus 800 includes a body member 801 and a tongue 802 coupled to or integrally formed with the body member 801 as shown in FIGS. 20A and 20B. The tongue 802 is an elongate hollow member and may be referred to as a straw, a needle, or another similar descriptive term for elongate hollow members. The tongue 802 includes a distal end 803 with flow openings 804 and a proximal end 805 communicating with an internal space 806 in the body member 801.
The body member 801 may further include a self-healing membrane 807, which is of size, shape, and type as to form an air tight seal within the internal space 806. The self-healing membrane 807 may be composed of materials known in the art to be capable of being pierced with a piercing object and subsequently being able to reform a substantially unified surface after the piercing object is removed. The self-healing membrane 807 may be composed of a thermoplastic elastomer, a rubber, or a composite material. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that a self-healing membrane 807 consistent with the present invention may include structural components such as an exterior shell of one material and an interior of a different material. Any membrane capable of forming an air-tight seal after the removal of a piercing member as further described below may be suitable for use in the present invention.
The clip apparatus 800 of this embodiment further includes a first arm 808a pivotally coupled to the body member 801. The first arm 808a includes a front end 809a with a sealing gasket 810a attached thereto and a rear end 811a pivotally coupled to the body member 801 by a hinge 812a or similar member. The clip apparatus 800 also includes a second arm 808b also having a front end 809b with a sealing gasket 810b and a rear end 811b pivotally coupled to the body member 801 by a hinge 812b or similar member. The first and second arms 808a, 808b are configured to freely pivot towards and away from each other and the tongue 802. When the first and second arms 808a, 808b are pivoted to a closed position where the sealing gaskets 810a, 810b close around the tongue 802, the sealing gaskets 810a, 810b are configured to provide a seal around the periphery of the tongue 802. The sealing arms 808a, 808b may be biased toward the closed position around the bag 300 by springs or magnets on the sealing arms 808a, 808b as well understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. In this regard, an airtight bag 300 slid over the tongue 802 (see FIG. 20D) will be sealed at the sealing gaskets 810a, 810b. The sealing gaskets 810a, 810b may include magnets, springs, or other biasing devices to attract or bias the first and second arms 808a, 808b into the closed position shown in FIG. 20C.
The clip apparatus 800 may be used with a vacuum pump 700 as shown in FIGS. 21A and 21B, which is notable primarily for having a piercing member 730 disposed therein. Otherwise any pump suitable for drawing air through a channel created by insertion of the piercing member 730 would be appropriate. As shown, the pump 700 includes a handle 702 in communication with a pump piston 704 which is located in the main pump chamber 706. Internal ducting 708 connects the chamber 706 to a check valve 710 which is in communication with the piercing member 730. The pump may be actuated by operating the handle 702 which moves the pump piston upward, drawing air into the chamber 706 from the ducting 708 and piercing member 730. The piston 704 may be configured, as discussed above with respect to the piston 111 associated with the vacuum chamber 107, to permit air to exit the chamber 706 when the handle 702 and piston 704 are driven downward, as the check valve 710 stops air from leaving through the piercing member 730. The piston 704 may include a gasket such as an o-ring 712 in order to facilitate this asymmetric air flow as detailed above. The vacuum pump 700 may also be electrically actuated in other embodiments.
In operation, a user opens the first and second arms 808a, 808b as shown in FIG. 20B. The tongue 802 is then inserted through an opening of an airtight bag 300 or punctures through a panel of the bag 300. The user then closes the first and second arms 808a, 808b onto the tongue 802 and the bag 300 to seal the interior of the bag 300 in communication with the tongue 802 and the internal space 806 in the body member 801.
The vacuum pump piercing member 730 as previously described may then be operatively coupled to the body member 801 by piercing the membrane 807, and the pump 700 actuated to draw air from the interior of the airtight bag 300 through the flow openings 804 in the tongue 802 and the check valve 807 to thereby evacuate the bag 300 of air. The clip apparatus 800 and the airtight bag 300 may then be placed in a storage unit to preserve the items placed therein, and the risk of spoilage is lowered by the removal of air from the interior of the bag.
Similarly, FIGS. 22A-B illustrate a clip apparatus 900 that may include the self-healing member as described above but may have substantially fewer pieces. The clip apparatus 900 includes a tongue 902, a self-healing membrane 907, and a main body 901 that has an upper body member 901a and a lower body member 901b. The upper and lower body members 901a, 901b are connected via the self-healing membrane 907, which is acting in part as a living hinge allowing the body members to pivot with respect to each other. The rear part of the body members 901a, 901b are separated lever arms 908a, 908b which are pressed together in order to open the clip apparatus 900 by separating the front region of the body members. Disposed on each body member is a gasket 910a, 910b which fits around the tongue 902 in order to create a seal within the main body 901a of the clip apparatus 900 when closed. The body members 901a, 901b are resiliently biased together in a closed position, which may be by the use of magnets in the body members 901a, 901b or gaskets 910a, 910b or by springs or any other method of biasing the clip apparatus 900 in a closed position as illustrated.
The self-healing membrane 907 also acts as the means for the air to be evacuated from a bag 300, as described above with respect to the self-healing membrane 807, and may be made of any appropriate self-healing material with sufficient resiliency to also act as the hinge between the upper and lower body members 901a, 901b. An airtight bag is placed between the two body members 901a, 901b with the tongue 902 in fluid communication with the inside of the bag 300, either by insertion through a bag opening or by piercing a panel of the bag 300. When the clip apparatus 900 is closed, the gaskets 910a, 910b form an airtight seal around the bag 300 and tongue 902. A pump such as the pump 700 of FIGS. 21A-B described above may be employed to evacuate the airtight bag 300 by piercing the membrane 907 with the piercing member 730 substantially as described. When the piercing member 730 is removed, the membrane 907 restores the airtight seal between the clip 900 and the bag 300, and the clip and evacuated bag together are ready for storage.
FIGS. 23A-29C illustrate another embodiment of a clip apparatus 1200 for sealing airtight bags 300 containing perishable items such as foodstuffs. As shown in FIGS. 23A-24B, the clip apparatus 1200 includes a first body member 1101 and a second body member 1102 coupled to the first body member 1101 at a hinge 1103 at one end of the first and second body members 1101, 1102. The first body member 1101 and second body member 1102 rotate about each other at the hinge 1103 between an open position shown in FIGS. 24A and 24B and a closed position shown in FIGS. 24A and 24B. The first and second body members are of a length at least longer than a conventional airtight bag 300. The first body member 1101 contains a first support surface 1120 and the second body member 1102 contains a second support surface 1121. A clasp mechanism 1104 is located at the opposite end of the first and second body members 1101, 1102 from the hinge 1103. The clasp mechanism 1104 is configured to lock the first and second body members 1101, 1102 in the closed position, which may by the use of magnets in the body members 1101, 1102 or support surfaces 1120, 1121 or by springs or any other method of biasing the clip apparatus 1200 in a closed position as illustrated. The first and second body members 1101, 1102 are oriented so that when the clip apparatus 1200 is in the closed position the first and second support surfaces 1120, 1121 sealably engage a bag 300, as will be described in further detail below.
In the open position illustrated in FIGS. 23A and 23B, the first and second support surfaces 1120, 1121 are disengaged and separate from each other. The first body member 1101 further includes a puncturing needle 1117 extending downwardly from the first support surface 1120. The first body member 1101 may also include a seal member 1125 extending from the first support surface 1120 and generally covering substantially all of the surface area of the first support surface 1120. The seal member 1125 has an aperture 1126 near the center of the first body member 1101 to accommodate the passage of the puncturing needle 1117 through the seal member 1125. The second body member 1102 includes a centrally-located recess 1119 and a pair of ribs 1127 running longitudinally along the second support surface 1121 on either side of the recess 1119. The recess 1119 is configured to receive the puncturing needle 1117 when the first and second body members 1101, 1102 are in the closed position. The pair of ribs 1127 is configured to position an airtight bag 300 against the seal member 1125 for puncturing by the puncturing needle 1117 when the clip apparatus 1200 closes on the bag 300.
As illustrated in FIG. 25, a small block of material 1130 may be positioned in the second body member 1102 opposite the location of the puncturing needle 1117 and in place of the recess 1119. The block 1130 is positioned and structured to receive the puncturing needle 1117 when the clip apparatus 1200 is closed on the bag 300 as further described below. The block 1130 may be of any material suitable for receiving the needle 1117. Appropriate materials range widely and may include a resiliently deformable material that deforms in response to contact from the needle 1117 such as soft rubber or elastomer, or a material receptive to puncturing such as hard rubber or cork. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand that manufacturing and cost considerations may determine the most appropriate material for the block 1130. In one example, the block 1130 may be of a similar material to the seal member 1125.
As most clearly shown in FIGS. 24A, 24B, and 26, the clip apparatus 1200 further includes a vacuum pump 1100 coupled to the upper or opposite side 1105 of the first body member 1101 from the first support surface 1120. The vacuum pump 1100 includes a vacuum chamber 1107, a handle 1108, and a piston 1110 coupled to the handle 1108 with at least one shaft 1109. The embodiment of the clip apparatus 1200 shown in FIGS. 25A and 25B include a pair of pistons 1110 mounted on a pair of shafts 1109 leading to the handle 1108, and the pistons 1110 reciprocate in separate second flow channels 1114 in the vacuum chamber 1107. The vacuum chamber 1107 includes a pair of ports 1115 which allow the shafts 1109 to reciprocate into and out of the second flow channels 1114. The upper side 1105 of the first body member 1101 includes an end wall 1122 and a pair of edge rails 1106 extending from the vacuum chamber 1107 to the end wall 1122. The end wall and the pair of edge rails 1106 guide the handle 1108 as the handle 1108 slides along the upper side 1105. Thus, the movement of the handle 1108 is limited to the reciprocation of the pistons 1110 within the second flow channels 1114 as shown in greater detail below.
FIG. 27 illustrates an exploded view of the clip apparatus 1200 demonstrating the internal components of the vacuum pump 1100. As shown in FIG. 27, the pair of second flow channels 1114 run longitudinally through the length of the vacuum chamber 107 and is generally circular in cross-section. The vacuum chamber 1107 includes a first flow channel 1113 running parallel to the pair of second flow channels 1114. The first flow channel 1113 is generally triangular in cross section, but may have different cross sections in other embodiments. The vacuum chamber also includes a plurality of dead space channels 1128a, 1128b, 1128c running along the outer edges of the vacuum chamber 1107 to save materials. The clip apparatus 1200 further includes an end cap 1123 at the opposite end of the vacuum chamber 1107 from the ports 1115. The end cap 1123 places the first and second flow channels 1113, 1114 in fluid communication with each other while sealing off the dead space channels 1128a, 1128b, 1128c.
FIG. 27 further illustrates that the pistons 1110 each include a gasket 1111 and a notch 1112. In the illustrated embodiment, the gaskets 1111 are o-rings made of a flexible material such as rubber to form an air tight seal with the interior walls of the second flow channels 1114. The gaskets 1111 are designed to prevent flow of air past the pistons 1110 when the pistons are advanced in the direction of the ports 1115 such that a vacuum is formed behind the moving pistons 1110 within the second flow channels 114. The gaskets 1111 are also configured to flip configurations when the pistons 1110 are advanced towards the end cap 1123 so that air may pass by the gaskets 1111 and through the piston notches 1112 to the other side of the pistons 1110. Thus, the vacuum pump 1100 creates a vacuum force on the first flow channel 1113 when the pistons 1110 move in one direction while avoiding back flow towards the first flow channel 1113 when the pistons 1110 move in the other direction.
FIGS. 28A and 28B further illustrate details of the flow path formed through the clip apparatus 1200. The puncturing needle 1117 is generally hollow and includes a through aperture 1118 passing in a transverse direction across the width of the puncturing needle 1117. The through aperture 1118 is in fluid communication with a valve 1116 carried in the puncturing needle 1117 adjacent to the first flow channel 1113. The valve 1116 of the illustrated embodiment is a one-way valve adapted to permit flow of air from the through aperture 1118 and the puncturing needle 1117 into the first flow channel 1113 but blocking air flow from the first flow channel 1113 to the puncturing needle 1117. As noted above, the end cap 1123 places the first and second flow channels 1113, 1114 in fluid communication with each other via flow passages 1124 in the end cap 1123. Consequently, a fluid flow path is defined from the through aperture 1118 in the puncturing needle 1117 through the valve 1116 to the first flow channel 1113 and further through flow passages 1124 to the pair of second flow channels 1114.
It should be understood that the various elements described in association with the first and second body members 1101, 1102 may be repositioned without modifying the operational functionality of the clip apparatus 1200. For example, in one alternative embodiment, the puncturing needle 1117 may extend generally upwardly from the second support surface 1121 on the second body member 1102. In this alternative embodiment, the seal member 1125 may also be formed on the second support surface 1121 and the corresponding recess may be included on the first body member 1101. Additionally, the end cap 1123 may be formed integrally with one or both of the first and second body members 1101, 1102. These and other modifications are within the scope of the present invention.
FIGS. 29A-29C further illustrate the operational features of the flow path formed in the clip apparatus 1200. As shown in FIG. 29A, the puncturing needle 1117 extends through the aperture 1126 in the seal member 1125 into the recess 1119 in the second body member 1102 in the closed position. When an airtight bag 300 is placed within the clip apparatus 1200, the bag 300 is punctured at the puncturing needle 1117 such that the interior of the bag 300 is in fluid communication with the through aperture 1118. Then, the handle 1108 is moved in a reciprocating fashion between the positions shown in FIGS. 29B and 29C. As the handle 1108 moves from the extended position of FIG. 29B to the retracted position of FIG. 29C, the gasket 1111 and notches 1112 permit air in the second flow channels 1114 to pass by the pistons 1110 to a location behind the pistons 1110. As the handle 1108 moves from the retracted position of FIG. 29C to the extended position of FIG. 29B, the gasket 1111, shown as an o-ring, blocks air flow past the pistons 1110 and air in front of the pistons 1110 is vented out of the ports 1115 while a vacuum pressure is formed behind the pistons 1110. This vacuum pressure acts on the first flow channel 1113 and the one-way valve 1116 to pull any air in the airtight bag 300 through the puncturing needle 1117 and the through aperture 1118 into the second flow channels 1114. The bag 300 may therefore be evacuated by reciprocating movement of the handle 1108 and pistons 1110 of the vacuum pump 1100.
In operation, the clip apparatus 200 seals regular airtight bags 300 as shown in FIGS. 30A and 30B. The bag 300 includes an interior space 301 for holding a foodstuff, and an opening 302, as previously described. In some embodiments, the bag 300 further includes an interlocking zipper closure mechanism 303. The clip apparatus 1200 attaches to the bag 300 below the opening 302. The clip apparatus 1200 is rotated to an open position where the first and second body members 1101, 1102 are spaced apart, and then the bag 300 is positioned between the first and second support surfaces 1120, 1121 as shown in FIG. 30A. The first and second bodies 1101, 1102 are rotated to a closed position shown in FIG. 30B once the bag 300 is fully positioned within the length of the clip apparatus 1200. The first and second body members 1101, 1102 are clamped together and held in place by the clasp mechanism 1104. In the closed position, the puncturing needle 1117 punctures through the walls of the bag 300 and nests within the recess 1119, allowing the aperture 1118 to access the interior 301 of the bag 300 as previously described.
The operator then manually shifts the handle 1108 back and forth along the upper surface 1105 to operate the vacuum pump 1100 and evacuate the bag 300 of any air held in the interior 301. The clip apparatus 200 then remains clasped on the bag 300 to ensure that the bag 300 remains sealed and evacuated during freezer storage of the foodstuffs held in the bag 300. After storage, the foodstuffs may be removed from the airtight bag 300 and the clip apparatus 1200 may be reused on another new bag 300. Consequently, the clip apparatus 1200 provides a simple manually-actuated device for effectively storing foodstuffs in regular bags 300.
In an alternate embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 31A-31C, a clip apparatus 1000 does not include an integral vacuum pump 1100 as described above but instead includes an interface 1002 for a detachable manual pump, which may be a configured and operate as pump 107 described above and as shown in FIG. 31B. Alternatively, an electric pump 1007 may attach to the clip apparatus 1000 through the interface 1002 and operate to evacuate the bag 300. The electric pump 1007 may be any electric vacuum pump suitable to attach to the clip apparatus 1000 as is known in the art. A detachable pump 107 or 1007 may be removed from the interface 1002 at which time a one-way valve 1016, located adjacent the interface 1116 and similar to the valve 1116 as described and shown above, prevents air from entering the bag 300. The clip apparatus 1000 and evacuated bag 300 can be stored and the pump reused on other clip apparatuses 1000.
FIGS. 32-35B illustrate embodiments of a system for installing an air evacuation valve onto an airtight bag. As shown in FIG. 32, a pliers device 1300 includes an upper jaw 1325 integral with a lower handle 1328 and a lower jaw 1326 integral with an upper handle 1327, the two integral pieces connecting at a pivot pin 1329. In one embodiment, the jaws 1325, 1326 may be laterally coextensive. The jaws 1325 and 1326 may be resiliently biased open by any means known in the art, such as a torsion spring at the pivot pin 1329 or a compression spring between the jaws 1325, 1326.
The pliers device 1300 serves to facilitate the installation of multi component air evacuation valves 1331 placed within a user selected panel of an airtight bag 300, which are represented generally by upper and lower valve components 1331a and 1331b. Components which may be installed consistent with the invention are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,450,963 to Carson, U.S. Pat. No. 6,581,641 to Skeens, or U.S. Pat. No. 6,634,384 to Skeens. Other multi-component air evacuation valves consistent for use with the installation system of the present invention will be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art. As shown in FIG. 32, the lower valve component 1331b may rest within a track 1332b, which includes a track base surface 1333b and a track slot 1334b, located at the end of the lower jaw 1326. Similarly, an upper valve component 1331a rests within a track 1332a, including a track base surface 1333a and a track slot 1334a, within the upper jaw 1325. The tracks 1332a, 1332b may each be of a length within the jaws 1325, 1326 to store a plurality of valve components 1331a, 1331b.
To install the valve 1331 on a bag panel 304 of the bag 300, the valve components 1331a, 1331b are positioned at respective ends of upper jaw 1325 and lower jaw 1326, at the valve exit end 1323. When the valve components 1331a, 1331b are properly positioned at the valve exit end 1323, the user, by applying downward pressure on the upper handle 1327 and upward pressure on lower jaw handle 1328, exerts pressure on the valve exit end 1323, thus forcing the upper valve component 1331a and the lower valve component 1331b together. In the process of this compression, the bag's panel 304 is pierced by the valve components 1331a, 1331b so that a fluid connection is created from the bag's interior to the exterior through the valve 1331. Exterior atmospheric air is prevented from entering the bag 300 by means of a check valve (not shown) incorporated into at least one of the valve components 1331a, 1331b as further discussed in the aforementioned patent references. Once the valve components 1331a, 1331b are affixed to the bag panel 304, the user withdraws the pliers device 1300. A pump device, which may be a pump 107 as previously described or may be an electric or manual vacuum pump as known in the art, is mated to the valve 1331 in order to evacuate air from the bag 300.
An alternative embodiment of the pliers device 1300a is illustrated in FIG. 34, wherein like numbers denote similar structures to those described above. The pliers device 1300a is shown with a pump 107a removably attached to the upper handle 1327a by attachment pins 1343a, 1343b which couple with attachment receivers 1344a, 1344b as shown. Also, in contrast to the pliers device 1300 of FIGS. 32 and 33A, wherein additional sets of valve components 1331a, 1331b were stored linearly within the jaw tracks 1332a, 1332b, the piers device 1300a stores additional valve components 1331a, 1331b on the outside surfaces of the jaws 1325, 1326 as shown. Following the attachment of a valve 1331 to a bag 300 following the process as shown and described with respect to FIGS. 33A and 33B above, a user removes the attached pump 107a from the handle 1326a and uses it to evacuate the air from the bag 300 through the valve 1331 as previously described. The pump 107a can then be replaced in its position on the handle 1326a, and valve components 1331a, 1331b can be loaded into the valve exit end 1323 of the pliers device 1300a in preparation for the next valve installation.
It would be readily appreciated by those with ordinary skill in the art that other configurations for attachment of a pump to an upper handle could be developed. For example, an upper handle could have a track that mates with a protrusion on the body of a pump or vice versa. In another alternative, the pump could, through various means, be attached to other parts of the installation device such as an upper or lower jaw. The alternative examples, while illustrative of alternative means of attachment are not intended to be limiting. Similarly, valve components 1331a, 1331b could be stored at other locations in or on a pliers device 1300 in accordance with the present invention.
FIGS. 35A-B show yet another embodiment of a pliers device 1300b in accordance with the present invention. Here, a pump 1307 is integrated into the upper handle 1327b and forms an integral part of the pliers device 1300b itself. As shown, the pliers device 1300b acts as described above in order to install a valve 1331 onto an airtight bag 300. Once installation is complete, a valve interface 1345 located on the front surface of the lower jaw 1326b is mated with the installed valve 1331 in order to evacuate air from the bag 300. The pump 1307 is operated as described above with respect to pump 1307 and as briefly discussed here. A pump handle 1301 connects to a pump piston 1302 within the main chamber 1303 of the pump 1307. A passage 1304 runs from the main chamber 1303 and past the pivot pin 1329 through the lower jaw 1326b to the valve interface 1345. A gasket 1305 adjacent to the pivot pin 1329 may help seal the passage 1304 from the surrounding air. As the handle 1301 moves the pump piston 1302 outwards away from the passage 1304, air is evacuated from the bag 300. As the handle 1301 moves the pump piston 1302 towards the passage 1304, a check valve in the valve associated interface 1345 or the installed valve 1331 prevents air from re-entering the bag, as explained above with respect to other manual pumps. As described above, an o-ring 1312 accompanying the pump piston 1302 may facilitate this asymmetric action. It will be understood that the pump 1307 may be electrically actuated to evacuate the bag 300 in other embodiments.
Although the above figures show various embodiments of a pliers device 1300, 1300a, 1300b, other configurations for installing valve components are possible. FIGS. 36A-38 show an embodiment of a stapler device 1400 in accordance with the present invention, which operates substantially the same as the pliers device 1300 as illustrated and described above, but without the use of upper and lower handle members. Instead, substantially the entire length of the stapler device 1400 is taken by the jaw members 1425, 1426 in front of the hinge 1429. The valve components 1431a, 1431b may be stored in upper and lower tracks 1432a, 1432b disposed in the jaw members 1425, 1426 as described above. Resilient members such as are known to aid in the operation of a stapler may be included. For example, springs may be disposed under and over the tracks 1432a, 1432b, as shown by spring member 1402 in FIG. 38. Similarly, in some embodiments of a stapler device 1400, resilient members may bias the valve components 1431a, 1431b toward the valve exit end 1423 such that each set of valve components is automatically disposed after the previous set is installed, as is known in the stapler art. The stapler device 1400 can be used in accordance with the method displayed with respect to the pliers device 1300 as shown in FIGS. 33A-33B above. A user presses the upper and lower jaws 1425, 1426 together by exerting pressure on the exterior surfaces of the jaws as is known in the stapler art. When an upper valve component 1431a and lower valve component 1431b successfully connect to a bag panel 304 as described above, then the stapler device 1400 may be removed from the installed valve 1431 and the valve 1431 subsequently engaged by a vacuum pump to evacuate the bag interior 302 by any means earlier described or known in the art.
FIGS. 39A and 39B illustrate another embodiment of a vacuum apparatus 1500 in accordance with the present invention. An upper jaw 1502a and a lower jaw 1502b are coupled by use of hinges 1510a, 1510b which may be any connection as known in the art which will allow the jaws 1502a, 1502b to move between an open position as shown in FIG. 39A and a closed position as shown in FIG. 39B. Each jaw 1502a, 1502b includes a seal member 1504a, 1504b which may be made of an elastomeric or otherwise resiliently deformable material as known in the art. When the jaws 1502a, 1502b engage a bag 300 in a closed position as shown in FIG. 39B, the seal members 1504a, 1504b press together to form a seal along the bag 300. When closed, the upper and lower jaws 1502a, 1502b may be resiliently biased towards one another by means of magnets 1506a, 1506b, 1508a, 1508b as shown, or may be secured by means of a latch member, springs, or other device as known in the art.
A pump 700 including a piercing member 730 as previously described may be inserted within the sealed section created by the apparatus 1500, the seal members 1504a, 1504b deforming sufficiently to allow the piercing member 730 to pass into the interior 302 of the bag 300. The insertion of the piercing member 730 past the seal members 1504a, 1504b places the bag interior 302 in fluid communication with the pump 700, which is activated to evacuate the bag 300. The pump 700 is then removed and the center portion of the zipper seal 303 sealed, after which the evacuated bag may be removed from the apparatus 1500 and stored. One of ordinary skill will recognize that pump members other than the pump 700 and tongue members other than the piercing member 730 may be suitable to pass the deformable seal created by the seal members 1504a, 1504b and evacuate the bag 300.
While many of the embodiments above are described using hinge or pivot members, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other method of connection, for example members in sliding communication, may connect components in accordance with the invention. One example is shown as FIG. 40 where an alternate embodiment of a vacuum apparatus 200′ is shown. The vacuum apparatus 200′ is similar to the vacuum apparatus 200 shown in FIGS. 1-6B and described above, with like numerals denoting similar features with similar functions. However, the first and second base members 101, 102 are joined by means of a slide 128, which may be a telescoping slide with three slide members 128a, 128b, 128c as shown. An outer slide member 128a is integral with the second base member 102. The outer slide member 128a is in sliding communication with a central slide member 128b, which is attached to a tongue member 119′. The tongue member 119′ can thus move vertically relative to the second base member 102. An inner slide member 128c is in sliding communication with both the outer and central slide members 128a, 128 and is integral with the first base member 101. The first base member 101 can thus move vertically relative to the second base member 102 and can thus position the first and second operating ends 103, 104 between an open and closed position, as further described above. The tongue member 119′ can move vertically relative to both of the base members 101, 102 to facilitate engagement with the opening 301 of a bag 300 as shown in FIG. 40 and further described above. Although illustrated with respect to one embodiment, it will be understood that sliding communication can be used as a replacement for hinged and other communication between moving parts as herein described, as can other means as known to one of ordinary skill in the art, and that the apparatus 200′ shown in FIG. 40 is a non-limiting illustrative example. In other examples, methods of connection for the members could include alignment of indexing pins and corresponding receptacles, snap-fit engagement, clamping together, and other well-known methods of attaching or coupling two or more members.
While many of the embodiments above are disclosed with a manual pump such as the vacuum chamber pump 107, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the use of other pumps including automatic and electric pumps can be used within the scope of any of the apparatuses herein described. In addition, while zipper interlocking seals are shown or described for many of the bags, one of ordinary skill will recognize that many variations of airtight bags exist, and that any form of bags suitable for vacuum sealing may be used with these devices. Individual decisions involving structural design and materials used for individual components will vary according to application and cost as known to one of the art.
Additionally, while check valves are used as interfaces with vacuum pumps for many embodiments, one of ordinary skill will understand that self-healing membranes used in conjunction with pumps having piercing members, as shown and described above with respect to FIGS. 20A-22E above, would be a suitable alternative to check valves in many of the embodiments shown.
FIGS. 41-44 illustrate another embodiment of a clip apparatus 1600 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The clip apparatus 1600 includes an upper first member 1602 and a lower second member 1604. The first and second members 1602, 1604 are configured to be releasably coupled with each other for being opened and closed together. For example, in the embodiment shown, the first and second members 1602, 1604 are coupled by a hinge mechanism 1606. The first and second members 1602, 1604 are generally moveable between an open position (as shown in FIG. 41) and a closed position (as shown in FIG. 42). When in the closed position, a latch mechanism 1608 is used to hold the first and second members 1602, 1604 together. In the embodiment shown, the hinge mechanism 1606 and latch mechanism 1608 are positioned at opposite ends of the first and second members. Of course, other configurations are also possible, such as a latch mechanism positioned along the major length side of the first and second members 1602, 1604 or elsewhere as appropriate. Further, the first and second members 1602, 1604 could be releasably coupled by other structural arrangements than the hinge mechanism that is shown in FIG. 41. For instance, engineered polymers could produce a living hinge mechanism that would replace the traditional interleaving knuckle joints of the hinge mechanism 1606. A living hinge of this type could be integral with first and second member 1602 and 1604 or attached thereto. A self-tensioning hinge, such as that utilized in a binder clip arrangement, for example, might be used as the hinge mechanism 1606. In the event a self tensioning hinge is used, the tensioning force may reduce or eliminate the need for a traditional latch such as latch 1608 shown in FIG. 43. Still further, first and second member 1602 and 1604 could form a positive connection through snaps or engagement thus eliminating the need for the hinge altogether. The snap assembly could take many alternative forms such as a magnet or temporary adhesive.
The first and second members 1602, 1604 carry respective seal members 1610, 1612 configured to engage a portion of a bag for sealing, such as the bag 300 discussed above. Again, the bag 300 includes an opening 301, an interior 302, and bag panels 304, and can optionally include a sealable interlocking zipper 303 at the opening 301. The seal member 1610 is carried on an interior side 1614 of the first member 1602, and the seal member 1612 is carried on an interior side 1616 of the second member 1602. In the open and closed positions, the interior sides 1614, 1616 and seal members 1610, 1612 generally face each other. In the closed position, the seal members 1610, 1612 are generally adjacent each other, such that in the absence of any bag between them, the seal members may touch. The first and second members 1602, 1604 and their respective seal members 1610, 1612 can have any suitable size, and advantageously are sized to extend beyond the width of corresponding bag 300 that would be sealed by a clip apparatus.
The seal members 1610, 1612 are generally flat, but can also include respective pockets 1620, 1622 to accommodate a tongue member 1624. Tongue member 1624 is configured to be extended into the opening 301 of the bag 300 to be sealed in a manner similar to what is described above. Tongue member 1624 includes an inlet 1626, an internal passageway 1628, and an outlet 1630. The internal passageway 1628 generally extends between the inlet 1626 and the outlet 1630. The internal passageway 1628 is in fluid communication with an air evacuation port 1640 formed in the first member 1602 through the outlet 1630.
The air evacuation port 1640 carries a one-way or check valve 1642. As best seen in FIG. 44, the check valve 1642 can includes a dual-headed valve member 1644 that engages a valve seat 1646 formed in the first member 1602 in the region of the air evacuation port 1640. Of course, other structures can also be used to provide the one-way flow features of the check valve 1642.
In the embodiment shown, the tongue 1624 is hingedly connected with the first member 1602 in order that the outlet 1630 of the tongue 1624 maintains alignment with the air evacuation port 1640. Of course, other configurations are also possible, such as where the tongue 1624 is not connected with either of the first or second members 1602, 1604. Further, the seal members 1610, 1612 could also be generally flat, but deform around the tongue 1624 in order to accommodate it. In the preferred embodiment, the seal members are of a deformable material such as rubber or the like and therefore form a compression seal. However, in an alternative embodiment, the seal member could also take the form of interlocking rails wherein the first member has one or more drive rails. And the second member has at least a pair of receiving rails 1662. As the first and second member are pressed together, drive rail forces at least a portion of a bag panel 304 of bag 300 between receiving rails such that when first and second member 1602 and 1604 are pressed together a seal is formed in the bag opening. The drive rail and receiving rail can be on either first or second member 1602 or 1604 or any combination thereof, including a configuration in which a portion of the drive rail and a portion of the receiving rail is on each of the first and second members. FIG. 45 illustrates one embodiment of a clip apparatus 1601 using a drive rail 1660 that is received by a pair of receiving rails 1662 for capturing a portion of a bag 300 between the rails 1660, 1662 for sealing the bag. A greater number of drive rails and receiving rails might also be used in other embodiments.
The first member 1602 also includes a pump mating surface 1650 proximate the check valve 1642. The pump mating surface 1650 is generally opposite the first member 1602 from the interior side 1614 and the seal member 1610. The pump mating surface 1650 is generally flat and smooth and is configured to mate with a detachable pump, which can be used to remove air from the bag 300. For example, a gasket or other sealing member on a pump (not shown) can engage the pump mating surface 1650 so as to provide a generally air-tight interface between the pump and the check valve 1642 of the clip apparatus 1600. Furthermore, it may be desirable for a portion of the pump or pump mating surface to engage a flat surface on which the device will generally be used. In use, the operator places their hand on the pump and exerts pressure on the pump body in its axial dimension. In order to ensure an airtight seal, the operator will be inclined to exert considerable downward pressure on the pump body. By having a portion of the pump, such as a portion of the pump 1664 with or without a gasket or sealing member 1665, engaging the flat surface 1666 on which the device is generally used, the flat surface can bear a portion of the axial load thus allowing the user to feel comfortable applying pressure without creating concerns that such pressure will damaging the clip assembly or cause the formation resulting in temporary loss of vacuum. FIG. 44 illustrates such an engagement of pump 1664 with surface 1666.
In use, and referring to FIG. 44, the clip apparatus 1600 is engaged with a bag 300 as follows. First, with the first and second members 1602, 1604 in the open position, the tongue 1624 engages the bag interior by being inserted into the opening 301 so that the inlet 1626 of the tongue 1624 is in fluid communication with the interior 302 of the bag 300. In other words, the tongue 1624 is configured to engage the interior of the bag between the bag panels 304. The first and second members 1602, 1604 are then moved to the closed position, and can be latched together using the latch 1608. In such a position, the seal member 1610 of the first member 1602 presses a bag panel 304, such as near the zipper 303 or elsewhere on bag 300 against the tongue 1624. For instance, if the bag content is small relative to overall size of the bag, it may be desirable to place the clip lower on the bag and further away from opening 301. The seal member 1612 of the second member 1604 presses the other bag panel 304, again such as near the zipper 303, against the tongue 1624. Thereby, an air-tight relationship is formed between the clip apparatus 1600 and the bag 300.
A pump 1664 can then be brought into engagement with the clip apparatus and the pump mating surface 1650 in order that air can be removed from the bag 300. In particular, operation of the pump, when in working engagement with the clip apparatus 1600 draws air from the interior 302 of the bag 300 through the passageway 1628 of the tongue 1624, through the air evacuation port 1640, and past the check valve 1642. As in the embodiments discussed above, the check valve 1642 prevents air from passing back into the air evacuation port 1640 and into the bag 300.
Once the air is removed from the bag 300, the pump is easily removed from the clip apparatus and pump mating surface 1650, and the combination of the bag 300 and clip apparatus 1600 can be stored, as desired. And once the user decides to open the bag 300, the clip apparatus 1600 is opened by releasing the connection between the first and second members 1602, 1604 (such as by releasing the latch mechanism 1608). Then, the first and second members 1602, 1604 are moved to the open position, and the air-tight seal in the bag 300 is broken. The bag 300 can be easily separated from the clip apparatus 1600, which can then be reused with another bag in accordance with the concepts disclosed above.
It is also to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the check valve 1642 could be replaced by a member like the self-healing membrane 907, as illustrated in FIG. 22B, for example, in other embodiments of the invention. The pump for such an embodiment would be configured similar to that of pump 700 such that instead of drawing air past the check valve 1642 the pump 700 would be configured to pierce a self-healing membrane 907 and draw air out of the bag though the piercing member 730, as shown in FIGS. 21A, 21B. Then when the piercing member 730 was withdrawn from the self-healing membrane 907, the self-healing membrane 907 would restore the airtight seal around the location of the puncture. The material making up any of a number of materials that are known to be able rebound after a cut or puncture to reform a generally air-tight seal.
While the present invention has been illustrated by a description of various preferred embodiments and while these embodiments have been described in some detail, it is not the intention of the Applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The various features of the invention may be used alone or in numerous combinations depending on the needs and preferences of the user.
Patent Application
20130031871
