One-way valve for use with vacuum pump

A valve assembly comprising:

• a base including:
• a top surface;
• a bottom surface;
• a hole extending through the base from the top to bottom surfaces;
• and
• a seat positioned on the bottom surface adjacent the hole, the seat having a seat face;
• and
• a valve element including:
• a stem having a first end, an opposite second end, and a neck portion extending from the first end;
• a cavity extending into the stem from the second end;
• a resilient cap having a middle portion and a distal rim, the middle portion being attached to the second end of the stem;
• a gate attached to the neck portion;
• and
• a second hole extending from the cavity to an outer surface of the stem;
• wherein the stem extends into the hole of the base, the distal rim of the cap rests against the top surface of the base, and a portion of the gate seals against the seat face.

A storage system comprising:

• a bag having first and second openings into an interior of the bag, wherein a reclosable airtight seal is positioned to seal the first opening;
• and
• a valve assembly mounted in the second opening, the valve assembly including:
• a base including:
• a top surface;
• a bottom surface;
• a hole extending through the base from the top to bottom surfaces;
• and
• a seat positioned on the bottom surface adjacent the hole, the seat having a seat face;
• and
• a valve element including:
• a stem having a first end, an opposite second end, and a neck portion extending from the first end;
• a cavity extending into the stem from the second end;
• a resilient cap having a middle portion and a distal rim, the middle portion being attached to the second end of the stem;
• a gate attached to the neck portion;
• and
• a second hole extending from the cavity to an outer surface of the stem;
• wherein the stem extends into the hole of the base, the distal rim of the cap rests against the top surface of the base, and a portion of the gate seals against the seat face.

A method of manufacturing a valve assembly, comprising the acts of:

• providing a base, wherein the base includes:
• a top surface;
• a bottom surface;
• a hole extending through the base from the top to bottom surfaces;
• and
• a seat positioned on the bottom surface adjacent the hole, the seat having a seat face;
• providing a valve element, wherein the valve element includes:
• a stem having a first end, an opposite second end, and a neck portion extending from the first end;
• a cavity extending into the stem from the second end;
• a resilient cap having a middle portion and a distal rim, the middle portion being attached to the first end of the stem;
• a gate attached to the neck portion;
• and
• a second hole extending from the cavity to an outer surface of the stem;
• and
• mounting the valve element to the base, wherein the stem extends into the hole of the base, the distal rim of the cap rests against the top surface of the base, and a portion of the gate seals against the seat face.

A method of storing an item in a vacuum, comprising the acts of:

• providing a bag, wherein the bag has first and second openings into an interior of the bag, and a reclosable airtight seal is positioned to seal the first opening;
• mounting a valve assembly in the second opening, the valve assembly including:
• a base including:
• a top surface;
• a bottom surface;
• a hole extending through the base from the top to bottom surfaces;
• and
• a seat positioned on the bottom surface adjacent the hole, the seat having a seat face;
• and
• a valve element including:
• a stem having a first end, an opposite second end, and a neck portion extending from the first end;
• a cavity extending into the stem from the second end;
• a resilient cap having a middle portion and a distal rim, the middle portion being attached to the second end of the stem;
• a gate;
• and
• a second hole extending from the cavity to an outer surface of the stem;
• wherein the stem extends into the hole of the base, the distal rim of the cap rests against the top surface of the base, and a portion of the gate seals against the seat face;
• placing the item to be stored into the interior of the bag;
• sealing the seal;
• and
• removing air from the interior of the bag through the valve assembly.