Vacuum bag

Abstract

Disclosed are systems and methods for making and using a valving system that can be used with containers. In some embodiments, a valving system for a silicone bag can include an air sieve coupled to a sidewall of the silicone bag. The sidewall of the silicone bag can include a perforation to allow outflow air out of the bag. The air sieve can include a sealing seat that is configured to cooperate with the sidewall to provide a seal that prevents external air from entering the container. Using a vacuum inducing device, air can be evacuated from the container by inducing air to flow through channels in the air sieve and out of the perforation in the sidewall.

1 . A container comprising:
 a sidewall having a perforation;   at least one locating and retaining feature coupled to the sidewall on an inner side of the sidewall;   an air sieve configured to be mounted on the least one locating and retaining feature;   wherein the air sieve comprises a first annular part having a sealing seat configured to support an area of the sidewall that includes the perforation;   wherein the air sieve comprises a second annular part having a plurality of channels configured to allow air circulation; and   wherein the air sieve is located on an inner side of the sidewall.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the sidewall comprises a sidewall of a bag. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one locating and retaining feature comprises at least one protrusion integrally formed on the sidewall. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the air sieve is formed as a single piece. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the container comprises a sidewall of a bag;   the at least one locating and retaining feature comprises two protrusions integrally formed on the sidewall;   the air sieve is formed as a single piece; and   the bag is made at least in part of a silicone material.   
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the first annular part is raised relative to the second annular part. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 6 , wherein the first annular part and the second annular part are configured to define an annular channel, the annular channel configured to allow air circulation from the plurality of channels to the perforation. 
     
     
         8 . A vacuum bag comprising:
 a first side wall having a perforation;   at least two protrusions coupled to an inner side of the first side wall, the at least two protrusions configured to locate and retain an air sieve;   an air sieve configured to facilitate air flow from an inner side of the vacuum bag to outside the vacuum bag;   wherein the air sieve comprises:
 at least two coupling holes configured to couple to the at least two protrusions to facilitate mounting, locating, and retaining the air sieve on an inner side of the vacuum bag; 
 a first annular part comprising a sealing seat configured to support an area of the first side wall that includes the perforation; 
 a second annular part comprising a plurality of channels configured to allow air circulation; 
 wherein the first annular part is raised relative to the second annular part; 
 wherein the first annular part and the second annular part are configured to define an annular channel, the annular channel configured to allow air circulation from the plurality of channels to the perforation; and 
 wherein the air sieve is located on an inner side of the first sidewall. 
   
     
     
         9 . The vacuum bag of  claim 8 , wherein the vacuum bag is made at least in part of silicone. 
     
     
         10 . The vacuum bag of  claim 9 , wherein the at least two protrusions are made integral with the first side wall. 
     
     
         11 . The vacuum bag of  claim 10 , wherein the at least two protrusions and the at least two coupling holes are configured to facilitate removably coupling and uncoupling the air sieve from the first side wall. 
     
     
         12 . The vacuum bag of  claim 11 , wherein the air sieve is made as a single piece. 
     
     
         13 . A method of manufacturing a container, the method comprising:
 providing a container having a sidewall;   making a perforation on the sidewall;   providing at least one retaining and locating feature on an inner side of the side wall;   removably coupling an air sieve to the at least one retaining feature on the inner side of the side wall;   wherein the air sieve comprises:
 at least one coupling feature configured to couple to the at least one retaining and locating feature to facilitate locating and retaining the air sieve on an inner side of the side wall; 
 a first annular part comprising a sealing seat configured to an area of the first side wall that includes the perforation; 
 a second annular part comprising a plurality of channels configured to allow air circulation; 
 wherein the first annular part is raised relative to the second annular part; and 
 wherein the first annular part and the second annular part are configured to define an annular channel, the annular channel configured to allow air circulation from the plurality of channels to the perforation. 
   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the container comprises a bag. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the bag is made of silicone. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one coupling feature comprises two protrusions integrally formed with the sidewall. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one coupling feature comprises two coupling holes configured to fit onto the two protrusions. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the air sieve is made as a single piece.