Recloseable storage bag with porous evacuation portal

Abstract

A recloseable storage bag is disclosed which may include first and second sides having closed sides and an open top. Primary closure members may be provided proximate the top, with a secondary closure element being provided in one of the sides to enable gas to be evacuated from the bag after the primary closure members are closed. The secondary closure member may further include the ability to prevent liquid from exiting the bag therethrough.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A recloseable storage bag, comprising: 
 a first side having a bottom edge, left edge, right edge, and top edge;    a second side having a bottom edge, left edge, right edge, and top edge, the bottom edges of the first and second sides being attached, the left edges of the first and second sides being attached, and the right edges of the first and second sides being attached;    primary closure members provided proximate the top edges of the first and second sides;    an aperture in at least one of the first and second sides; and    a secondary closure element associated with the aperture, the secondary closure element being porous.    
     
     
         2 . The storage bag of  claim 1 , wherein the secondary closure element includes a layer of foam positioned over the aperture.  
     
     
         3 . The storage bag of  claim 2 , wherein the foam is manufactured from polyethylene.  
     
     
         4 . The storage bag of  claim 3 , wherein the polyethylene is manufactured to have an open cell structure.  
     
     
         5 . The storage bag of  claim 3 , wherein the polyethylene is manufactured to have a closed cell structure and is subsequently punctured to form an open cell structure.  
     
     
         6 . The storage bag of  claim 1 , wherein the secondary closure element is made of non-woven polyethylene.  
     
     
         7 . The storage bag of  claim 6 , wherein the non-woven polyethylene is made of one of spun bond, melt blown, and spun bond-melt blown-spun bond polyethylene.  
     
     
         8 . The storage bag of  claim 7 , wherein the non-woven polyethylene has a basis weight in the range of 0.1 OSY to 50 OSY.  
     
     
         9 . The storage bag of  claim 1 , wherein the secondary closure element further includes a liquid impervious layer.  
     
     
         10 . The storage bag of  claim 9 , wherein the liquid impervious layer includes at least one perforation positioned so as not to be aligned with the bag aperture.  
     
     
         11 . The storage bag of  claim 9 , wherein the liquid impervious layer is made of polyethylene.  
     
     
         12 . The storage bag of  claim 10 , wherein the perforation is provided in the form of a slit.  
     
     
         13 . The storage bag of  claim 10 , wherein the liquid impervious layer has a layer of water sensitive adhesive applied thereto in alignment with the bag aperture.  
     
     
         14 . The storage baa of  claim 10 , wherein the secondary closure element includes a layer of water sensitive material sandwiched between first and second layers of water insensitive material.  
     
     
         15 . The storage bag of  claim 14 , wherein the water sensitive material is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohol, cellulose, and water sensitive gums.  
     
     
         16 . The storage bag of  claim 15 , wherein the water sensitive gum is guar gum.  
     
     
         17 . The storage bag of  claim 1 , wherein the secondary closure element is one of a non-woven material and a foam having super-absorbent particles embedded therein.  
     
     
         18 . The storage bag of  claim 17 , wherein the super-absorbent particles are made of cross-linked polyacrylic acid.  
     
     
         19 . A method of evacuating air from a recloseable storage bag, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a bag having first and second sides connected along first and second side edges thereof, the bag further including a top and bottom, the bottom being closed, the top being adapted to open and close using primary closure members provided proximate the top edges of the first and second sides, the bag further including an aperture in at least one of the first and second sides, and a secondary closure element operatively associated with the aperture, the secondary closure element being porous;    closing the bag using the primary closure members positioned at the top of the sides; and    compressing the bag to force gas out of the bag through the aperture and secondary closure element.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further including the step of preventing liquid flow through the aperture.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the preventing step is performed by providing the secondary closure element in the form of a liquid impervious layer and a porous layer.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the liquid impervious layer includes at least one perforation.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the preventing step is performed by providing a water-sensitive adhesive on the liquid impervious layer and bonding the liquid impervious layer to the bag when liquid attempts to exit the bag through the aperture.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the preventing step is performed by providing absorbent particles in association with the liquid impervious layer, the absorbent particles absorbing liquid when the liquid attempts to exit the bag through the aperture.  
     
     
         25 . A recloseable storage bag, comprising: 
 a first side having a bottom edge, left edge, right edge, and top edge;    a second side having a bottom edge, left edge, right edge, top edge, and the bottom edges of the first and second sides being attached, the left edges of the first and second sides being attached, and the right edges of the first and second sides being attached;    primary closure members provided proximate the top edges of the first and second sides; and    means for evacuating gas from the bag after the primary closure members are sealed, the means for evacuating including at least one aperture covered by a porous layer.    
     
     
         26 . The reclosable storage bag of  claim 25 , wherein the means for evacuating includes a layer of non-woven material.  
     
     
         27 . The reclosable storage bag of  claim 25 , wherein the means for evacuating includes a layer of foam material.  
     
     
         28 . The reclosable storage bag of  claim 25 , wherein the means for evacuating is made of polyethylene.  
     
     
         29 . The reclosable storage bag of  claim 25 , further including means for preventing liquid from the exiting the bag through the means for evacuating.  
     
     
         30 . The reclosable storage bag of  claim 29 , wherein the means for preventing includes a layer of liquid impervious material proximate the aperture.  
     
     
         31 . The recloseable storage bag of  claim 30 , wherein the means for preventing further includes a layer of water-sensitive adhesive.  
     
     
         32 . The recloseable storage bag of  claim 30 , means for preventing further includes absorbent particles.