Storage system having a disposable vacuum bag

Abstract

The present invention provides a storage system having a storage device having at least one polymeric sheet sealed along a portion of its' periphery to provide an opening to a storage space; a resealable closure structure adapted to seal the opening to the storage space, the resealable closure structure comprising selectively engaging male and female profiles and a sealing compound comprising liquid silicone and at least one filler in proportions suitable for at least incidental contact to food items contained within the storage space; a vacuum valve assembly disposed on the polymeric sheet; a stand-off structure disposed adjacent to the vacuum valve assembly, wherein the stand-off structure has a series of raised surfaces facing the vacuum valve assembly; a portable vacuum pump assembly structured to engage the vacuum valve assembly; and a liquid separator assembly coupled to the portable vacuum pump assembly.

1 . A vacuum system comprising:
 a vacuum pump having a suction side; and   an evacuable package, comprising:   a first sidewall and a second sidewall connected to define an interior evacuable space and an open top portion of the evacuable package, the first sidewall also defining an aperture,   a resealable closure located along the open top portion of the evacuable package to selectively open or close the top portion of the evacuable package,   a one-way valve disposed on the first sidewall to correspond to the aperture and to allow the evacuation of the evacuable package,   a stand-off structure disposed within the interior evacuable space to facilitate the evacuation of the evacuable package, and   a caulking composition disposed along a length of the resealable closure to increase the air-tightness of the resealable closure;   wherein the vacuum pump is configured to engage the suction side to the one-way valve and evacuate fluids from the evacuable package.   
     
     
         2 . The vacuum system of  claim 1 , wherein
 the resealable closure comprises two opposing interlocking profiles, and the caulking composition is disposed along an entire length of at least one of the interlocking profiles to infiltrate void spaces when the interlocking profiles are interlocked and assist in creating a reversible air-permeable resistant resealable closure, and   wherein the caulking composition is suitable for at least incidental contact with food items.   
     
     
         3 . The vacuum system of  claim 2 , wherein the caulking composition fills voids in a crush zone of the resealable closure to improve the air-tightness of the evacuable package. 
     
     
         4 . The vacuum system of  claim 3 , wherein the evacuable package further comprises:
 a sealing bead disposed on the resealable closure, the sealing bead having a lower density than the interlocking profiles, the sealing bead conforming to the geometry of the interlocking profiles when the interlocking profiles are interlocked.   
     
     
         5 . The vacuum system of  claim 3  wherein said resealable closure further comprises a closing clip configured to engage said interlocking profiles when disposed along a first direction, wherein said closing clip does not disengage said interlocking profiles when disposed along a second direction opposing said first direction. 
     
     
         6 . The vacuum system of  claim 3 , wherein the one-way valve is disposed on an exterior surface of the first sidewall, and the one-way valve comprises:
 a flat base disposed on the exterior surface overlapping the aperture and having at least one opening,   a resilient valve element, and   a sealing composition disposed between the flat base and the resilient valve element.   
     
     
         7 . The vacuum system of  claim 6 , wherein the caulking composition is one of a silicon grease and a soy adhesive. 
     
     
         8 . The vacuum system of  claim 6 , wherein the caulking composition comprises at least two reactants, and each reactant is separately disposed on the interlocking profiles such that the reactants react upon the interlocking of the interlocking profiles. 
     
     
         9 . The vacuum system of  claim 6  wherein the caulking composition comprises two reactive constituents wherein each said constituent is applied to a separate portion of the closure, disposed such that when the interengaging portions of the closure are initially engaged said reactive constituents are admixed to produce a reaction product which is infiltrated into at least one void defined by the interengaging portions of the closure. 
     
     
         10 . The vacuum system of  claim 8 , wherein the at least two reactants comprise one of a free flowing reactive polymer liquid and a liquid cross lining agent, a free flowing liquid and a gelling agent, and a two-part adhesive. 
     
     
         11 . The vacuum system of  claim 3  wherein a viscosity of said caulking composition is reduced as its temperature is increased. 
     
     
         12 . The vacuum system of  claim 3  wherein the caulking composition does not undergo decomposition in a temperature range of from about −10° F. to about +160° F. 
     
     
         13 . The vacuum system of  claim 3  wherein the caulking composition comprises 94% dimethylpolysiloxane and 6% fumed silica by weight percent. 
     
     
         14 . The vacuum system of  claim 12  wherein said caulking composition has a worked penetration value of about 290 to about 340, wherein said worked penetration is measured at 60 strokes and a temperature of about 77° F. 
     
     
         15 . The vacuum system of  claim 14  wherein said caulking composition comprises a soy adhesive material. 
     
     
         16 . The vacuum system of  claim 4  wherein the sealing bead is selected from one or more of low density polyethylene, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers, ultra low density polyolefin, and polyolefin, wherein said sealing bead has a density of not more than 0.925 g/cm.sup.3 as measured in accordance with ASTM D1505-03. 
     
     
         17 . The vacuum system of  claim 3  wherein said resealable closure comprises more than one pair of interengaging profile members in substantially parallel relationship. 
     
     
         18 . The vacuum system of  claim 1  wherein the one-way valve is disposed on an exterior surface of the first sidewall and the one-way valve and the vacuum pump have complimentary quick-connect means integrated to each to quickly connect the vacuum pump to the one-way valve. 
     
     
         19 . The vacuum system of  claim 1 , wherein the standoff structure comprises a sheet of plastic defining a plurality of communication channels, and said standoff structure is disposed on the second sidewall to be proximal and opposite the one-way vacuum valve. 
     
     
         20 . The vacuum system of  claim 19  wherein said standoff structure comprises at least one face embossed with one or more of: (a) a series of channels; (b) a grid of grooves; (c) parallel grooves; (d) a honeycomb pattern of grooves; (e) a series of curvilinear columns; and (f) a series of polyhedron structures. 
     
     
         21 . The vacuum system of  claim 19  wherein the standoff structure is integrally formed on the second sidewall.