Vacuum clip for storage bags

Abstract

A clip apparatus ( 100 ) for sealing storage bags ( 200 ) includes a first body member ( 101 ), a second body member ( 102 ), a tongue ( 103 ), and a seal member ( 118 ). The first body member ( 101 ) includes a valve ( 120 ). The second body member ( 102 ) is rotatably coupled with the first body member ( 101 ) to move between an open position and a closed position where the first and second body members ( 101, 102 ) are engaged. The tongue ( 103 ) is disposed at least partially between the first and second body members ( 101, 102 ) and defines a flow passage ( 124 ) for communicating with an interior of a storage bag ( 200 ) and the valve ( 120 ) in the first body member ( 101 ). The seal member ( 118 ) ensures that the storage bag ( 200 ) and the clip apparatus ( 100 ) are sealed to enable evacuation of the storage bag ( 200 ) prior to storage of perishable items.

1 . A clip apparatus for sealing a storage bag, comprising:
 a first body member including a first operating end;   a second body member pivotally coupled with the first body member and including a second operating end, the first and second body members having an open position wherein the first and second operating ends are disengaged and a closed position wherein the first and second operating ends are engaged to define an internal space;   a tongue disposed at least partially between the first and second body members and configured to engage an interior of the storage bag, the tongue including a flow passage communicating with the internal space and the interior of the storage bag when the first and second body members are in the closed position;   a valve configured to enable flow from the internal space out of the clip apparatus; and   a seal member disposed between the first and second body members and configured to seal the internal space at least partially around the tongue.   
     
     
         2 . The clip apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the valve is a one-way valve adapted to prevent ambient air from entering the interior of the storage bag and the internal space when the first and second body members are in the closed position. 
     
     
         3 . The clip apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first body member includes a first handle and the second body member includes a second handle, the first and second handles configured to actuate the first and second body members between the open position and the closed position. 
     
     
         4 . The clip apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a biasing member engaged with the first body member and the second body member and operative to bias the first and second body members to the closed position.   
     
     
         5 . The clip apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second body members defines a generally planar support surface collectively formed by the respective handle and operating end. 
     
     
         6 . The clip apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tongue is hingedly coupled with at least one of the first or second body members such that the tongue is spaced from the first and second operating ends in the open position. 
     
     
         7 . The clip apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the valve is disposed in the first body member adjacent the first operating end. 
     
     
         8 . The clip apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the storage bag includes an interlocking zipper and the clip apparatus further comprises:
 at least one notch formed in one of the first or second body members, the notch being configured to engage the storage bag so that an interlocking zipper of the storage bag passes through the notch in the closed position.   
     
     
         9 . The clip apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the seal member includes a raised portion configured to seal the notch in the closed position. 
     
     
         10 . The clip apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the seal member includes a first seal member portion coupled to the first body member and a second seal member portion coupled to the second body member. 
     
     
         11 . The clip apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the storage bag includes an interlocking zipper and the first and second seal member portions are configured to sealingly engage the interlocking zipper when the storage bag is placed in the clip apparatus. 
     
     
         12 . The clip apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tongue includes a free end and is coupled to the first body member with a spring that biases the free end of the tongue into engagement with the first operating end. 
     
     
         13 . The clip apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the tongue may be pivoted away from the first operating end against the spring bias to insert the storage bag over the tongue. 
     
     
         14 . The clip apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the valve is positioned within the flow passage of the tongue and adjacent to the first body member. 
     
     
         15 . The clip apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second body member further includes a knife blade along an outer periphery and a retractable knife cover configured to slide between a first position covering the knife blade and a second position revealing the knife blade, the knife blade configured to cut an opening into the storage bag. 
     
     
         16 . The clip apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a locking member coupled to one of the first and second body members;   and a locking notch provided on the other of the first and second body members,   wherein the locking member is configured to engage with the locking notch in the closed position of the first and second body members and thereby prevent movement out of the closed position.   
     
     
         17 . The clip apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a release button disposed on the other of the first and second body members and configured to release the locking member from the locking notch when the clip apparatus is to be moved to an open position.   
     
     
         18 . The clip apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tongue includes a tongue housing having a leading edge sharpened to cut an opening into the storage bag, an inner tongue member configured to slide within the tongue housing, and a handle coupled to the inner tongue member. 
     
     
         19 . The clip apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the tongue housing is slidably mounted within the first and second body members by moving the handle. 
     
     
         20 . The clip apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the tongue housing is fixedly mounted within the first and second body members. 
     
     
         21 . The clip apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the inner tongue member includes a leading edge configured to be inserted into the storage bag when the handle moves to slide the inner tongue member through the tongue housing. 
     
     
         22 . The clip apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the inner tongue member and the tongue housing collectively define a flow passageway for air to be evacuated from the storage bag. 
     
     
         23 . A clip apparatus for sealing a storage bag, comprising:
 a body member including a sealed internal space and a valve communicating with the sealed internal space;   a tongue extending from the body member and configured to engage an interior of the storage bag, the tongue including a flow passage communicating with the sealed internal space;   a first arm pivotally coupled to the body member and including a first sealing gasket;   a second arm pivotally coupled to the body member and including a second sealing gasket,   wherein the first and second arms may be pivoted such that the first and second sealing gaskets sealingly engage the tongue, thereby to seal the storage bag when the tongue engages the interior of the storage bag.   
     
     
         24 . The clip apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the first and second arms include a biasing member configured to bias the first and second sealing gaskets into sealing engagement with the tongue. 
     
     
         25 . The clip apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the biasing member includes magnets positioned in the first and second sealing gaskets. 
     
     
         26 . A method of evacuating a storage bag with a clip apparatus having a first body member, a second body member pivotally coupled to the first body member, a valve, and a tongue disposed at least partially between the first and second body members and having a flow passage, the method comprising:
 rotating the first and second body members to an open position wherein the first and second body members are spaced from the tongue;   inserting the tongue through an opening of the storage bag;   rotating the first and second body members to a closed position wherein the first and second body members engage and seal the tongue within the opening of the storage bag; and   forcing air from the storage bag through the flow passage and the valve to evacuate the storage bag.   
     
     
         27 . A system for sealing a storage bag, comprising:
 a clip apparatus according to  claim 1 ; and   a vacuum pump including a vacuum chamber and a slot configured to engage the clip apparatus, the vacuum pump operable to evacuate air from the storage bag through the tongue and the valve.   
     
     
         28 . A system for sealing a storage bag, comprising:
 a clip apparatus according to  claim 23 ; and   a vacuum pump including a vacuum chamber and a slot configured to engage the clip apparatus, the vacuum pump operable to evacuate air from the storage bag through the tongue and the valve.