Vacuum storage bag with zipper

Abstract

A plastic storage bag has a storage area that is resealably closed by a zipper. The zipper is provided in a passage way that extends from an opening of the bag to the storage area. The zipper extends between first and second edge seams of the storage bag. Wider edge seams are provided in the passage way, particularly at the interface between the passage way and the zipper. The wider edge seams protect the edges of the bag and the edges of the zipper when opening the zipper.

1 . A storage bag comprising:
 (A) at least one wall configured to define a storage area;   (B) a resealable zipper, wherein when the zipper is open, material may be placed in and removed from the storage area, the zipper comprising at least one end; and   (C) at least one seam extending inward of the at least one end and preventing the zipper from opening to the at least one end.   
   
   
       2 . The storage bag of  claim 1  wherein:
 (A) the zipper comprises:
 (a) a first end; and 
 (b) a second end; and 
   (B) the at least one seam comprises:
 (a) a first seam extending inward of the first end from a first edge of the storage bag; and 
 (b) a second seam extending inward of the second end from a second edge of the storage bag. 
   
   
   
       3 . The storage bag of  claim 2  comprising:
 (A) an opening; and   (B) a passage way extending from the opening to the storage area, the zipper defining a limit of the passage way.   
   
   
       4 . The storage bag of  claim 3  wherein at least one of the first seam and the second seam extends from the zipper toward the opening. 
   
   
       5 . The storage bag of  claim 3  comprising a disposable seal that seals the passage way. 
   
   
       6 . The storage bag of  claim 3  wherein the first seam defines a first edge of the passage way and the second seam defines a second edge of the passage way. 
   
   
       7 . The storage bag of  claim 6  wherein:
 (A) the first seam defines a first passage way edge seam and the second seam defines a second passage way edge seam;   (B) the storage area is defined by a first storage area edge seam that is substantially contiguous with the first passage way edge seam and a second storage area edge seam that is substantially contiguous with the second passage way edge seam; and   (C) the first passage way edge seam is wider than the first storage area edge seam and the second passage way edge seam is wider than the second storage area edge seam.   
   
   
       8 . The storage bag of  claim 7  wherein a width of the passage way between the first passage way edge seam and the second passage way edge seam is less than the width of the zipper. 
   
   
       9 . The storage bag of  claim 7  wherein a width of the passage way between the first passage way edge seam and the second passage way edge seam is less than the 95% of the width of the zipper. 
   
   
       10 . The storage bag of  claim 7  wherein the at least one wall comprises at least one wall of a plastic film. 
   
   
       11 . The storage bag of  claim 1  wherein the at least one seam extends at least 5 mm inwards of the at least one end. 
   
   
       12 . The storage bag of  claim 1  further comprising a one way valve in pneumatic communication with the storage area, wherein when a negative pressure is applied to the one way valve, air may be removed from the storage area. 
   
   
       13 . The storage bag of  claim 1  further comprising a tear-away portion that provides a disposable seal. 
   
   
       14 . A bag comprising:
 (A) a bounded storage area;   (B) a passage way providing access to the storage area; and   (C) a zipper disposed between the passage way and the storage area;   
     wherein a width of the zipper is greater than a width of the passageway at an interface between the passage way and the zipper. 
   
   
       15 . The bag of  claim 14  wherein a width of the storage area is greater than a width of the passage way. 
   
   
       16 . The bag of  claim 14  wherein the width of the passageway is defined by at least one seam, the at least one seam extending inward from an edge of the bag to a point inward of an end of the zipper. 
   
   
       17 . The bag of  claim 14  wherein:
 (A) the storage area is defined by a first storage area edge seam and a second storage area edge seam;   (B) the zipper extends between the first storage area edge seam and the second storage area edge seam;   (C) the passage way is defined by a first passage way edge seam and a second passage way edge seam; and   (D) the first passage way edge seam is wider than the first storage area edge seam and the second passage way edge seam is wider than the second storage area edge seam.   
   
   
       18 . The bag of  claim 14  comprising at least one wall of a plastic film, the at least one wall configured with at least one seam to define the storage area and the passage way. 
   
   
       19 . The bag of  claim 14  further comprising a one way valve in pneumatic communication with the storage area, wherein when a negative pressure is applied to the one way valve, air may be removed from the storage area. 
   
   
       20 . A plastic bag comprising:
 (A) wall means defining storage means and access means to the storage means, the access means defining a first width;   (B) closure means providing sealing closure of the storage means from the access means, the closure means defining a second width;   (C) wherein a width of the closure means is greater than a width of the access means at an interface between the closure means and the access means.   
   
   
       21 . The plastic bag of  claim 20  further comprising seam means that absorbs excess force exerted when opening the closure means. 
   
   
       22 . A method of storing at least one item in a storage bag having a zipper closure, comprising not all necessarily in the order shown:
 (A) placing the item in the storage bag;   (B) sealing the storage bag;   (C) allowing the zipper to be opened by pulling the zipper apart; and   (D) preventing damage to the bag by absorbing excess force applied from the opening of the zipper.   
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the excess force is absorbed by at least one seam. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23  wherein opening the zipper comprises opening the zipper to a limit defined by the at least one seam, the at least one seam extending inward of an end of the zipper. 
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 22  further comprising opening a storage area to a first width and opening a passage way leading to the storage area to a second width less than the first width.