Vacuum storage system

Abstract

A vacuum storage system can have a storage container such as a semi-rigid bowl or a flexible thermoplastic bag and an evacuation device for evacuating the container. To draw air from the storage container, the container can be equipped with a one-way valve element attached to a exterior sidewall of the container. The valve element can interface with a nozzle of the evacuation device. The valve element is adaptable between a normal condition in which the valve element is closed, and an altered position in which the valve element is opened. To alter the valve element, the evacuation device includes a contact feature that can contact and displace the valve element.

1 . A vacuum storage system comprising:
 a storage container including one or more exterior walls providing an interior volume for receiving food items, and a one-way valve element attached to the sidewall and communicating with the interior volume, the valve element including a flexible membrane and at least one orifice disposed through the membrane, the valve element being alterable between a normal condition in which the orifice is closed and an altered condition in which the orifice is opened; and   a vacuum device including an airflow generating unit, a nozzle communicating with the airflow generating unit, and a contact feature to contact and alter the valve element from the normal condition to the altered condition.   
   
   
       2 . The vacuum storage system of  claim 1 , wherein the membrane is flat and generally co-planar with the sidewall in the normal condition. 
   
   
       3 . The vacuum storage system of  claim 1 , wherein the orifice partitions the valve element into first and second semicircular halves. 
   
   
       4 . The vacuum storage system of  claim 1 , wherein the valve element includes a plurality of orifices disposed through the membrane. 
   
   
       5 . The vacuum storage system of  claim 1 , wherein the membrane is displaced toward the interior volume when in the altered condition. 
   
   
       6 . The vacuum storage system of  claim 1 , wherein the vacuum device is a handheld evacuation device including an elongated housing enclosing the airflow generating device, the nozzle and the contact feature located at the foremost end of the elongated housing. 
   
   
       7 . The vacuum storage system of  claim 6 , wherein the contact feature is a forward projecting finger. 
   
   
       8 . The vacuum storage system of  claim 1 , wherein the membrane in the normal condition has a domed shape domed upwards with respect to the sidewall. 
   
   
       9 . The vacuum storage system of  claim 1 , wherein the air flow generating unit includes a motor, the motor is powered by a rechargeable battery. 
   
   
       10 . A method of evacuating a storage container comprising:
 (i) providing a storage container having at least one exterior wall delineating an interior volume and a one-way valve element including a flexible membrane attached to the wall and communicating with the interior volume; the valve element including an orifice and having a normal condition whereby the orifice is closed and an altered condition whereby the orifice is opened;   (ii) impinging a contact feature of a vacuum device upon the valve element to alter the valve element from the normal condition to the altered condition;   (iii) activating an airflow generating unit of the vacuum device to withdraw air from the interior volume through the orifice into the evacuation device; and   (iv) separating the contact feature from the valve element such that the valve element returns to the normal condition.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the step of impinging the valve element deflects the valve element toward the interior volume.