Protection and storage of collectables

Abstract

An apparatus for protection and storage of collectables and for use with a vacuum pump, the apparatus having a sealed container, an access panel, a sealed air dam to receive a nozzle of the vacuum pump while maintaining constant pressure inside the container during insertion into the nozzle, a dial lock to simultaneously seal and unseal the container and lock and unlock the access panel when the dial lock is closed and opened, respectively, and a vacuum indicator. Also, a method for protection and storage of collectables and for use with a vacuum pump, the method including enclosing, accessing, sealing and forming a vacuum in a space, selectively penetrating the enclosed space with the vacuum pump, and indicating whether a vacuum is formed.

1 . An apparatus for protection and storage of collectables and for use with a means for forming a vacuum in the apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
 a means for enclosing a space;   a means for accessing the enclosed space;   a means for forming a seal between the accessing means and the enclosed space;   a means for permitting selective insertion into the enclosed space adapted to receive the vacuum forming means;   a means for releasing the vacuum in the enclosed space; and   a means for indicating whether the vacuum is formed.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the selective insertion permission means comprises a sealed opening adapted to permit insertion into the vacuum forming means while maintaining constant pressure inside the space during insertion into the vacuum forming means. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the sealed opening comprises an X-scored air dam and a flap air dam adapted for sealing engagement with the vacuum forming means. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the vacuum forming means comprises a pump comprising a nozzle adapted for insertion into the sealed opening. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a first portion of the seal forming means is attached to the accessing means and a second portion of the seal forming means is attached to the enclosing means, and
 wherein the first portion is adapted for interlocking engagement with the second portion.   
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the vacuum release means comprises a means for opening and closing the apparatus, a means for permitting air flow, and a means for locking the accessing means in a closed position while maintaining the vacuum. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the air flow means is blocked when the vacuum release means is in a locked, closed position, and
 wherein the air flow means is open when the vacuum release means is in an unlocked, open position.   
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the vacuum indicating means is adapted to deform in a first direction when the space is under vacuum, and
 wherein the vacuum indicating means is adapted to deform in a second direction when the vacuum in the space is released.   
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a means for joining the apparatus with another identical apparatus,
 wherein the joining means comprises a first means for attachment on one side of the apparatus and a second means for attachment on an opposite side of the apparatus, and   wherein the first attachment means is adapted for interlocking engagement with the second attachment means.   
   
   
       10 . An apparatus for protection and storage of collectables and for use with a vacuum pump adapted to form a vacuum in the apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
 a container;   an access panel attached to the container;   a seal between the access panel and the container;   a sealed air dam adapted to receive a nozzle of the vacuum pump while maintaining constant pressure inside the container during insertion into the nozzle;   a dial lock adapted to simultaneously seal the container and lock the access panel when the dial lock is closed and adapted to simultaneously unseal the container and unlock the access panel when the dial lock is opened; and   a vacuum indicator adapted to deform in a first direction when the container is under vacuum, and adapted to deform in a second direction when the vacuum in the space is released.   
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein a first portion of the seal is attached to the access panel and a second portion of the seal is attached to the container, and
 wherein the first portion is adapted for interlocking engagement with the second portion.   
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a means for joining the apparatus with another identical apparatus,
 wherein the joining means comprises a first means for attachment on one side of the apparatus and a second means for attachment on an opposite side of the apparatus, and   wherein the first attachment means is adapted for interlocking engagement with the second attachment means.   
   
   
       13 . A method for protecting and storing collectables utilizing a means for forming a vacuum in an apparatus, the method comprising the steps of:
 enclosing a space;   accessing the enclosed space;   sealing the enclosed space;   selectively penetrating the enclosed space with the vacuum forming means;   forming a vacuum in the enclosed space; and   indicating whether the vacuum is formed.   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising the steps of:
 sealing an opening in the apparatus; and   inserting the vacuum forming means while maintaining constant pressure inside the space during insertion into the vacuum forming means.   
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the step of inserting a nozzle of a vacuum forming means into the sealed opening while maintaining constant pressure inside the space during insertion into the nozzle. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising the steps of:
 attaching a first portion of a seal to a means for access to the enclosure;   attaching a second portion of the seal to the enclosure; and   interlocking the first portion and the second portion.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising the steps of:
 opening and closing the enclosure;   simultaneously unsealing the enclosure, releasing the vacuum and unlocking the enclosure during an opening operation; and   simultaneously sealing the enclosure, permitting formation of the vacuum and locking the enclosure during a closing operation.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising the steps of:
 blocking an air flow means during the closing operation; and   unblocking an air flow means during the opening operation.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising the steps of:
 deforming the vacuum indicating means in a first direction when the space is under vacuum, and   deforming the vacuum indicating means in a second direction when the vacuum in the space is released.   
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising the step of interlocking the apparatus with another identical apparatus.