# US 2010/0166341 A1 · Reclosable Vacuum Storage Bag Having Flat Resealable Means

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- Number: US 2010/0166341 A1
- Document ID: US20100166341A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 12/719,830
- Filed: 2010-03-08
- Published: 2010-07-01
- Earliest claimed: 2003-02-19
- Assignees: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
- Inventors: Michael J. McMahon; Donald L. VanErden; Kevin P. Olechowski; Steven Ausnit; Stanley Piotrowski
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20100166341A1

## CPC

- B65D 33/20: using pressure-sensitive adhesive
- B65D 33/2508: {using slide fasteners with interlocking members having a substantially uniform section throughout the length of the fastener; Sliders therefor}
- B65D 33/2541: {characterised by the slide fastener, e.g. adapted to interlock with a sheet between the interlocking members having sections of particular shape}
- B65D 33/2566: {using two or more independently operable slide fasteners}
- B65D 81/2023: {in a flexible container (B65D81/2038 takes precedence)}
- B65D 81/2038: {with means for establishing or improving vacuum}
- B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES

## Abstract

A reclosable vacuum storage bag that can be hermetically sealed by flat resealable means that extend across the full width of the bag. The flat resealable means are designed to provide a barrier to prevent ambient air from leaking into the evacuated interior volume of the bag. The storage bag is also provided with a plastic zipper. The flat resealable means can be arranged on the product side of the zipper, on the user side of the zipper, or in between two zippers installed in the storage bag.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A bag comprising:
a receptacle having an interior volume and a mouth, said receptacle comprising first and second walls joined at first and second sides and joined or connected at a bottom;
first and second zipper parts respectively supported by said first and second walls at or in the vicinity of said mouth, said first zipper part comprising a, first closure profile, said second zipper part comprising a second closure profile, and said first and second closure profiles being mutually interlockable; and
a flat valve having open and closed states and designed to remain closed when in said closed state while said interior volume of said receptacle is evacuated, said flat valve extending from said first side to said second side of said receptacle and, in the closed state, blocking the passage of air through the flat valve.

### Claim at position 2

2-15. (canceled)

### Claim 16

A bag comprising:
a receptacle having an interior volume and a mouth, said receptacle comprising first and second walls having respective lower portions that bound said interior volume and respective upper portions that form said mouth;
a zipper comprising first and second mutually interlocked zipper parts joined at opposite ends of said zipper and having a zipper chamber therebetween, said first zipper part being joined to said upper portion of said first wall in a first band-shaped zone of joinder, and said second zipper part being joined to said upper portion of said second wall in a second band-shaped zone of joinder; and
a coating made of tacky material that covers a portion of one of said first and second zipper parts, said coating being exposed inside and extending the length of said zipper chamber,
wherein said zipper comprises a multiplicity of holes disposed such that said zipper chamber is evacuated when said interior volume of said receptacle is evacuated, and a portion or portions of said zipper being sufficiently flexible that said coating contacts an opposing surface when said zipper chamber is evacuated.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The bag as recited in claim 16, wherein said coating comprises a layer of low-tack adhesive or cohesive material.

### Claim at position 5

18-21. (canceled)

### Claim 22

A bag comprising:
a receptacle having an interior volume and a mouth, said receptacle comprising first and second walls joined along first and second sides and along a bottom to form first through third seams respectively, one of said first and second sides and said bottom having an unseamed portion;
first and second zipper parts respectively supported by said first and second walls at or in the vicinity of said mouth, said first zipper part comprising a first closure profile, said second zipper part comprising a second closure profile, and said first and second closure profiles being mutually interlockable to form a reclosable feature having open and closed states, said reclosable feature being airtight when in said closed state; and
a flat valve disposed at said unseamed portion, said flat valve having open and closed states and being designed to remain closed when in said closed state to block the passage of air through said flat valve while said interior volume of said receptacle is evacuated, said flat valve in said open state allowing fluid communication between said interior volume of said receptacle and the ambient atmosphere outside said receptacle.

### Claim 23 (depends on 22)

The bag as recited in claim 22, wherein said flat valve comprises first and second valve panels made of flexible film material, respective portions of which adhere or cohere to each other across the entire width of said flat valve when said flat valve is in said closed state.

### Claim 24 (depends on 23)

The bag as recited in claim 23, wherein said first and second valve panels are joined to each other to form first and second valve side seams with a flat channel therebetween when said flat valve is in said open state.

### Claim 25 (depends on 23)

The bag as recited in claim 23, wherein said first valve panel is joined to said first wall to form a first valve-wall seal, and said second valve panel is joined to said second wall to form a second valve-wall seal.

### Claim 26 (depends on 25)

The bag as recited in claim 25, wherein said first and second valve-wall seals are overlapping.

### Claim 27 (depends on 22)

The bag as recited in claim 22, wherein a portion of said flat valve projects into said interior volume of said receptacle.

### Claim 28 (depends on 22)

The bag as recited in claim 22, wherein a portion of said flat valve projects outside said receptacle.

### Claim 29 (depends on 22)

The bag as recited in claim 22, wherein said unseamed portion is disposed along a portion of said first side.

### Claim 30 (depends on 22)

The bag as recited in claim 22, wherein said unseamed portion is disposed along a portion of said bottom.