KR20080024478A - Closure device for storage bag - Google Patents

Abstract

A closure element is used for closing an opening disposed through the flexible sidewall of a storage bag such as those used to store food items. Storage bags of this type provide an internal volume accessible via the opening. The closure element includes a first fastening strip and an interlocking second closure strip. The first and second fastening strips include complementary, engagable first and second closure profiles. To hermetically seal the internal volume, at least a portion of the first or second fastening strip can include a sealant. The sealant can be a displaceable fluid, fluid-like substance, or wax-like substance such as an oil or a gel. When the closure profiles are engaged, the sealant provides an air tight barrier sealing the internal volume. ® KIPO & WIPO 2008

Description

Sealing device for storage bag {CLOSURE DEVICE FOR STORAGE BAG}

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to storage containers, and more particularly to flexible storage bags consisting of a sealing device such as an interlocking fastening strip. The present invention finds particular applicability in the field of food storage.

Storage bags are commonly used for a variety of purposes, including for example food storage. Such storage bags are typically made of a low cost, flexible plastic material that provides an internal volume into which food can be inserted. To access this internal volume, storage bags are typically formed with openings. In addition, in order to preserve food and prevent the contents from flowing out of the storage bag, the storage bag may also include a sealing device, which includes interlocking fastening strips for closing the opening. In order to preserve food, it is known to provide storage bags with one-way valve elements or similar devices for engaging the sealing devices with each other and then evacuating the internal volume.

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, interlocking fastening strips are generally formed as semi-rigid elongated strips, plastic materials, and are provided as opposing pairs disposed along opposite edges of the opening. Engageable closure profiles that are suitably configured to engage or mate with corresponding profiles formed on opposite fastening strips are formed along the length of each strip. In order to allow repetitive access to the internal volume, the closure profiles are usually configured to releasably and repeatedly engage each other.

Due to the semi-rigid nature of the fastening strips and the deformation of the alignment between the closure profiles and the shape of the closure profiles, the engagement between the interlocking fastening strips is often incomplete. Leak paths or cracks through which ambient air passes into the internal volume can be formed between the closure profiles. In addition, the leak paths also allow liquids or directional gases stored inside the internal volume to escape. In addition, in these embodiments involving a one-way valve element or similar devices for evacuation, the leak paths prevent maintaining the internal volume while the storage bag is evacuated.

The present invention provides interlocking fastening strips for storage bags suitably configured to hermetically seal an opening disposed in the storage bag. To provide a hermetic seal, the sealant is included in or on at least one of the closure profiles formed on the interlocking fastening strip. The sealant may be a viscous liquid or semi-liquid material such as an oil, gel, or wax. When compressing the fastening strips together to engage the closure profiles, the sealant displaces or flows to fill or close the leak paths or any gaps present between the closure profiles. Therefore, the sealant provides a barrier that is applicable between the engageable closure profiles.

An advantage of the present invention is that it provides a low cost airtight or airtight seal for use with flexible storage bags. Another advantage is that the displaceable sealant may be displaced to regenerate the seal during each use to allow the use of a plurality of repeated storage bags. Another advantage is that the present invention can simplify manufacturing by allowing reduced precision and accuracy when molding or forming these profiles. These and other advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the accompanying drawings and the description.

1 is a front perspective view of a storage bag having a closure element in the form of an interlocking fastening strip, designed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 1 showing an interlocking fastening strip comprising sealant in a non-engaged arrangement.

3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 1 showing an interlocking fastening strip comprising sealant in an engaged arrangement;

4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 1 showing another embodiment of an interlocking fastening strip comprising a sealant disposed on only one strip in an engaged arrangement.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 1 showing another embodiment of an interlocking fastening strip comprising a sealant disposed on only one strip in an engaged arrangement;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 1 showing another embodiment of an interlocking fastening strip comprising a sealant disposed on only one strip in an engaged arrangement;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A of FIG. 1 showing another embodiment of an interlocking fastening strip comprising a sealant disposed as a film on the surface of the interlocking fastening strip in an engaged arrangement.

FIG. 8 is a detail of the area indicated in FIG. 7 showing the sealant disposed in the capillary formed on the surface of the interlocking fastening strip; FIG.

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 1 showing another “profile” embodiment of an interlocking fastening strip comprising sealant in an engaged arrangement;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 1 showing another “arrow-head” or “rib and groove” embodiment of an interlocking fastening strip including sealant in an engaged arrangement. FIG.

11 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of a storage bag designed according to the teachings of the present invention, including a slider and a one-way valve element along a nozzle connected to the exhaust device.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG. 11 illustrating an “rolling action” embodiment of an interlocking fastening strip comprising sealant in an engaged arrangement.

Referring to the drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, an exemplary flexible storage bag 100 of the type typically used for storing food is shown in FIG. 1. The storage bag includes an internal volume 106 including a first sidewall 102 and an opposing second sidewall 104 that overlaps and bonds to the first sidewall 102. The first sidewall 102 and the second sidewall 104 may be made of webs of flexible plastic material. Examples of suitable plastic materials include polyethylene (PE), high density polyethylene (HDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), polypropylene (PP), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), nylon, polyester, polyamide , Ethylene vinyl alcohol, and may be formed in single or multiple layers. This plastic material can be transparent, translucent, opaque, or colored. In addition, the material used for the sidewalls may be a gas impermeable material.

The first sidewall 102 and the second sidewall 104 are along the first side edge 110, the parallel second side edge 112, and the closed base edge 114, for example, by a heat sealing process. Are joined together. To access the internal volume 106, the top edge 116 of the first sidewall 102 and the corresponding top edge 118 of the second sidewall 104 are joined to provide an opening 120. It remains unchanged. Due to the four right angle edges, the storage bag 100 shown is rectangular in shape. However, it is appreciated that in other embodiments the storage bag may have any suitable shape due to any number of sidewalls and ends.

In order to close the opening 120, a sealing device is provided comprising a first fastening strip 122 and a second fastening strip 124 interlocking. Stretchable fastening strips 122 and 124 may be formed by extruding a semi-rigid plastic material that exhibits elastic properties. The first and second fastening strips 122, 124 are attached to the inner surface of the respective first and second sidewalls 102, 104 proximate the respective top ends 116, 118, and the first side. It extends from the edge 110 to the second side edge 112. To attach the fastening strips, an adhesive or heat seal process can be used.

In order for the first fastening strip 122 and the second fastening strip 124 to interlock, each of the first closure profiles 130 and the second closure profiles (continuously formed along the length of each strip) 132) exists. As those skilled in the art will recognize, the first closure profile 130 and the second closure profile 132 have a complementary shape to be able to interlock or pair with each other in an interlocking manner. When engaged, complementary closure profiles function to close the opening 120 by keeping the first and second top edges 116, 118 adjacent to each other. In order to allow repetitive access to the internal volume 106, the fastening strips 122, 124 are preferably configured to be releasably interlocked with each other.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a sealant is applied to the interlocking fastening strips to improve the seal established by the interlocking closure profiles. The sealant can be a viscous fluid, a fluidic material, a waxy material, or other similar material. Typical properties of these materials are that they do not cure or solidify and therefore remain flowable or displaceable. When the closure profiles engage, the sealant displaces it instead to fill or close other leak paths or cracks that may be present between the semi-rigid closure profiles due to incomplete or poor alignment. Therefore, the sealant provides an airtight seal or airtight seal of the inner volume. The sealant must have a greater density and viscosity than the air or gas contained in the storage bag and the surrounding environment. Examples of suitable sealant materials include silicone oils, mineral oils, monoglycerides, fatty acids, polybutenes, petroleum jelly, and silicone gels. In these embodiments where the present invention is used as a bag for storing food, it is preferred that the sealants be suitable as food grade material.

One example of interlocking fastening strips according to the invention is shown in FIG. 2. The fastening strips 122, 124 shown are conventionally known " U-channel " style fastening strips. The first fastening strip 122 is formed of a male closure profile 130 that protrudes from a flat base member 140 suitably configured to attach to an inner surface of the first sidewall. The protruding male closure profile 130 includes first and second protrusions 142, 144 spaced apart and parallel to each other by a first distance. Respectively, the first and second hooks or barbs 146, 148, which are directed backwards towards the base member 140, are formed at the distal tip of each protrusion 142, 144. In addition, the barbs 146 and 148 are distant or facing away from each other. The distal face of the barbs 146, 148 is generally shaped or rounded to provide the respective first and second guide surfaces 150, 152. The male closure profile 130 comprising the first and second protrusions 142, 144 extends substantially over the entire length of the first fastening strip 122.

The pair of first fastening strips 124 shown in FIG. 2 is formed as a female closure profile 132 that similarly protrudes from a flat base member 160 suitably configured to attach to the inner surface of the second sidewall. The protruding female closure profile 132 includes first and second protrusions 162, 164 spaced apart and parallel to each other by a second distance. The second distance should be somewhat greater than the first distance such that the female closure profile 132 is structured to receive the protrusions 142, 144 of the male closure profile 130. Respectively, the first and second hooks or barbs 166, 168, which are directed backwards towards the base member 160, are formed at the distal tip of each protrusion 162, 164 of the female closure profile 132. . In addition, the barbs 166 and 168 are directed towards and facing each other. The distal face of the barbs 166, 168 is generally shaped or rounded to provide the respective first and second guide surfaces 170, 172. Additionally, the female closure profile 132 also includes a flange 174 that protrudes from the base member 160 approximately midway between the first protrusion 162 and the second protrusion 166, which flange Extend substantially at the same height as the first and second protrusions 162, 166. It will be appreciated that the female closure profile 132 comprising the first and second protrusions 162, 166 extends substantially over the entire length of the second fastening strip 124.

On the male closure profile 130, a sealant 136 is deposited into a three-sided gap or channel that exists between the first and second protrusions 142, 146 and the base member 140. Similarly a sealant 136 is deposited on the female closure profile 132 into the gap created between the first protrusion 162 and the flange 174 and between the flange and the second protrusion 164. In the illustrated embodiment, the sealant must remain viscous enough to remain in the closure profile and not flow freely from the gaps.

As shown in FIG. 3, in order to engage the male closure profile 130 and the female closure profile 132, the first and second interlocking fastening strips 122, 124 are provided with male protrusions 142, 144. The guide surfaces 150, 152 on the s) are compressed toward each other until they are in contact with the guide surfaces 170, 172 on the female protrusions 160, 162. Due to the semi-rigid nature of the fastening strip material, the contact between the guide surfaces causes the male protrusions 142 and 144 to bend inwardly and the female protrusions 162 and 164 to be outwardly bent. . Thereby, the bars 146, 148 on the male protrusions 142, 144 and the bars 166, 168 on the female protrusions 162, 164 can slide past each other. Once sliding with each other, the elastic properties of the fastening strip material cause the male and female protrusions to bend in reverse while moving the barbs to interlock with each other. Because of the semi-stiffness and elastic properties of the fastening strip material, the opposingly applied traction force can separate the male and female closure profiles.

Referring to FIG. 3, therefore, when the male and female closure profiles 132, 134 are engaged, the sealant 136 on the male closure profile contacts and interacts with the sealant on the female closure profile. The sealant thereby provides a hermetic barrier or seal across the closure profiles. The provided seal is further facilitated by the flange 174 inserted into the sealant 136 deposited into the gap between the male protrusions 142, 144. In addition, the sealant 136 may flow or move through a capillary action into the crack or leak path between the interlocking barbs.

In other embodiments, it does not need to be provided on the first and second fastening strips. For example, referring to FIG. 4, the sealant 136 is merely provided on the male closure profile 130 between the first and second protrusions 142, 144 of the first fastening strip 122. When the first and second fastening strips 122, 124 in the "U-channel" style are compressed together, the flange 174 of the female closure profile 132 may have air or other fluids or gases inside the storage bag. It is inserted into the sealant 136 to provide an airtight barrier that prevents leakage from or into the volume.

Referring to FIG. 5, sealant 136 is merely provided on the female closure profile 132 between the gaps provided between the first and second protrusions 162, 164 and the flange 174. When the first and second fastening strips 122, 124 in the "U-channel" style are compressed together, the guide faces 150, 152 of the female protrusions 142, 144 seal the seal 136. Compressed into to provide a hermetic barrier that prevents air or other fluids or gases from leaking into or into the interior volume of the storage bag. In addition, the sealant 136 may flow or move by capillary action into the crack or leak path between the interlocking barbs.

In other embodiments, the sealant may be located in another area in addition to the closure profiles. For example, referring to FIG. 6, in addition to the male closure profile 130, the first fastening strip 122 protrudes from the first flange 176 and the flat base member 140. ) May include a second flange 178 spaced apart. The flanges 176, 178 are spaced apart from the male profile 130 and are disposed on opposite sides of the male profile 130 and extend substantially along the length of the first fastening strip 122. This spacing arrangement allows for a gap between the first flange 176 and the first male protrusion 142 and another between the second flange 178 and the second male protrusion 144, on which the sealant 136 may be deposited. To provide a gap. When the first and second fastening strips 122, 124 are compressed together, the first and second protrusions 162, 164 of the female closure profile 132 come into contact with the seal 136 to close the male closure profile. It can move around each of the first and second protrusions 142, 144 of 130, providing an airtight barrier that prevents air from leaking into or into the interior volume.

Referring to FIG. 7, another embodiment of a “U-channel” style fastening strips is shown where a sealant is disposed on the surfaces of male and female closure profiles 130, 132. In particular, the sealant 136 is disposed on both surfaces of the male protrusions 142, 144 and the female protrusions 162, 164. The sealant 136 is preferably a gel or viscous oil such that the sealant remains in place as a film on the surface of the closure profiles. When the first and second fastening strips 122, 24 are compressed together, the sealant 136 on the male closure profile 130 interacts with and interacts with the sealant on the female closure profile 132, thereby providing an airtight barrier. To provide. In addition, the sealant carries or slid slowly through capillary action into cracks or leaking paths present between the interlocking barbs. In other embodiments, the sealant may be disposed only on the surface of the male closure profile or only on the surface of the female closure profile.

In other embodiments, the sealant may be impregnated into the material of the closure profiles. Referring to FIG. 8, in one aspect, a plurality of capillaries 180 may be disposed in non-engaged closure profiles to impregnate sealant 136 in the closure profiles. Capillaries 180 may be formed as small grooves or channels disposed along the surface of closure profiles 130 and 132. The sealant 136 is then received into the capillaries 180 by any suitable means. During engagement, when the first and second fastening strips are compressed together, the curvature that the male and female closure profiles will receive from each other causes the sealant 136 to be ejected from the capillaries 180. The sealant may flow or move through the capillary action to fill or close the cracks or leaking paths between the engaged closure profiles. In other embodiments, the capillaries can be formed as a plurality of small diameter bores or worm-holes disposed into the material of the closure profiles, for example by etching. The closure profiles can then be impregnated by receiving the sealant into the capillaries.

In another aspect, the sealant may be mixed with the material of the closure profiles themselves to impregnate the closure profiles with the sealant. During engagement, the twisting of the male and female closure profiles will cause the sealant to blot the surfaces of the closure profiles that can flow or move to allow the sealant to fill or close the leak paths.

The invention, including these embodiments provided by the sealant being deposited as a film in the gaps in the capillary or mixed into the closure profile material, can be used with several different interlocking fastening strips. For example, a cross-sectional view of "profile" style interlocking fastening strips as disclosed and described in US Pat. No. 5,664,299, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, is shown in FIG. The interlocking fastening strips 222, 224 in the “profile” style are suitably configured to engage a corresponding second closure profile 232 protruding from the base member 260 of the second fastening strip 234. A first closure profile 230 protruding from the base member 240 of the fastening strip 222.

The first closure profile 230 includes a pair of first protrusions 242, 244 spaced apart and parallel to each other at a first distance. Each of the first hooked barbs 246, 248 generally directed backward toward the base member 240 is formed on the distal ends of each of the first protrusions 242, 244. In addition, the protrusions are shaped such that the barbs are arranged in the same direction. The distal face of the first protrusions is generally rounded and shaped to provide the first guide faces 250, 252.

The second closure profile 232 also includes a pair of second protrusions 262 and 264 spaced apart and parallel to each other at a second distance. The second distance between the second protrusions 262 and 264 corresponds in dimension to the first distance between the first protrusions 242 and 244. Each of the second hooked barbs 266, 268 generally directed backward toward the base member 240 is formed on the distal ends of the second protrusions 262, 264. In addition, the second protrusions 262, 264 are shaped such that the second barbs are arranged in the same direction and in the opposite direction of the first barbs 246, 248. The distal face of the second protrusions is generally rounded and shaped to provide the second guide surfaces 270, 272.

In the illustrated embodiment of the “profile” fastening strips 222, 224, the sealant 236 is created between the first base members 240 and the first protrusions 242, 244 spaced apart. May be disposed on the first strip of the gap. Similarly, sealant 236 may also be disposed on a second strip of gap created between the second protrusions 262 and 264 spaced apart and the second base member 260. The particular sealant 236 may have sufficient viscosity to remain in the closure profiles 232 and 236 and not to leak freely from these gaps.

In order to engage the first and second closure profiles of FIG. 9, the first and second fastening strips 222, 224 may have corresponding second protrusions 262, 264 spaced apart from the first protrusions 242, 244. Are compressed together so that they In particular, the first guide surfaces 250, 252 are in contact with the second guide surfaces 270, 272 that cause the first protrusions 242, 244 and the second protrusions 262, 264 to bend, thereby providing the first barbs. 246 and 248 and opposing second barbs 266 and 268 slide and engage, respectively. When so engaged, the sealant 236 located between the first protrusions 242, 244 and the second protrusions 262, 264 abuts and interacts to provide an airtight barrier between the interlocking fastening strips. do. In addition, the sealant 236 may be displaced to fill or close the leaking paths present between the interlocking barbs.

With reference to FIG. 9, the sealant is provided as a film in the capillary, or into the material of the closure profile of interlocking fastening strips of “profile” style, in order to separate or additionally provide the sealant in the gap between the projections. Can be mixed. In addition, the sealant may be provided in one or both of the closure profiles.

Referring to FIG. 10, a fastening strip in the style of an "arrow-head" or "rib and groove" as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,806,998, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Cross sections of the fields 322 and 324 are shown. Fastening strips of the "arrow-head" style include a first fastening strip 322 having a protruding head portion 342 extending from the flat base member 340. This head portion includes a mushroom head 344 located at the end of the reduced neck portion 346 connected to the base member 340. The protruding head portion 342 is receivable in a corresponding C-shaped groove portion 362 formed along the flat second bag member 360. Through this arrangement, the fastening strips 322, 324 are configured to engage in a superimposed manner with each other when compressed together and forcibly pulled together.

In the illustrated embodiments of the "arrow-head" type fastening strips, sealant 336 may be deposited in groove 362. Thus, simultaneously inserting the protruding head portion 342 into the groove portion 362 causes the displaceable sealant 336 to flow around the head portion, thereby sealing the airtight barrier between the interlocking fastening strips 322, 324. To provide.

With reference to FIG. 10, the sealant is provided as a film in the capillary, or a material of the closure profile of interlocking fastening strips of a "profile" style, in order to separate or further provide the sealant in the gaps between the protrusions. Can be mixed into.

With reference to FIG. 11, another embodiment of a storage bag designed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention is shown. The illustrated storage bag 400 includes a flexible first sidewall 402 superposed and bonded to the second sidewall 404 to provide an internal volume 406. To access the internal volume 406, each of the first and second top edges 416, 418 of the first and second sidewalls 402, 404 are unjoined to provide an opening 420. Remaining. To close the opening 420, first and second interlocking fastening strips 422, 424 are attached proximal to the respective top edges 416, 418. In the particular storage bag 400 shown in FIG. 11, the storage bag 400 includes a slider 426 to close and unocclude the fastening strips 416, 418. The slider 426 is generally a U-shaped structure that spreads the first and second top edges 416, 418 of the sidewalls 402, 404. The movement of the slider 426 along the top edges 416, 418 engages or does not engage the interlocking fastening strips 422, 424.

In addition to the inclusion of the slider 426, the storage bag 400 shown in FIG. 11 includes a one-way valve element 427 for removing latent air from the storage bag. One-way valve element 427 is attached to first sidewall 402 and in communication with internal volume 406. In order to exhaust the internal volume 406 via the one-way valve element 427, a nozzle 428 connected to the vacuum source 429 is opposite the valve element or the first side wall 402 around the valve element. It can be arranged and operated across. The vacuum source connected to the nozzle 428 can be any suitable vacuum source including, for example, a hand pump, a mechanical pump, a water inhaler, oral suction, and the like. In other embodiments, latent air can be exhausted by compressing the sidewalls 402, 404 together.

Interlocking fastening strips 422, 424 may be a "rolling action" style strip as described in FIG. 12 and described in US Pat. No. 5,007,143, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Interlocking fastening strips 422, 424 include profiled tracks 430, 432 extending along the length of the strips parallel to the rib and groove elements 436, 438. Rib and groove elements 436 and 438 have a complementary cross-sectional shape so that they can first be closed together by compressing the base of the device together and then rotating the device to a closing point towards the top of the device. Rib element 436 is hook-shaped and protrudes from an inner surface of strip 422. Complementary groove element 438 includes a lower hooked protrusion 440 and a relatively straight protrusion 442 extending from the inner surface of second strip 424. As discussed above, the sealant 434 may be received and retained within the groove element 438. Profiled tracks 430, 432 are inclined inwardly towards each other from their respective strips 422, 424.

The straddling slider 428 has a back portion 450 for moving along the top edges of the tracks 430, 432, suspended from a plastic member to interlock with the tracks and the open end of the slider. And an inverted U-shaped plastic member with two parallel sidewalls 452 and 454 extending from the closed end to the closed end. A separator finger 456 is suspended between the side walls 452 and 454 from the back 450 and is inserted between the inclined tracks 430 and 432. Slider 428 protrudes inwardly from suspension sidewalls 452 and 454 and has shoulders 458 and 460 formed through the length of the slider, which shoulders relockable interlocking upon creation of a rolling action. To engage the rib separator and groove profile elements 436 and 438 with the suspension separator fingers 456 upon opening and closing. Simultaneous insertion of rib 436 into groove 438 causes displaceable sealant 434 to flow around the rib, providing an airtight barrier between the interlocking fastening strips 422, 424. Moreover, in such embodiments where the storage bag 400 includes a valve element 427 for evacuating the internal volume 406, the sealant may help to maintain the storage bag in an evacuated state.

With reference to FIG. 12, the sealant is provided as a film in the capillary, or in addition to the closure profile of the interlocking fastening strips of the "rolling action" style, to provide the sealant to the groove element 436 separately or in addition. May be mixed into the material.

Therefore, the present invention provides a sealing device for a storage bag comprising releasable interlocking fastening strips. To provide an airtight seal, a sealant is included on at least a portion of the fastening strips. The sealant may be a viscous fluid, a fluidic material, or a waxy material. To further provide an airtight seal, the sealant can prevent the air from entering the internal volume after exhausting, thereby helping to preserve food contained in the storage bag.

As each reference is individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and described throughout this application, all references, including the cited publications, patent applications, and patents herein, are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent. Are integrated.

The use of the terms “a, an” and “definite article” and similar indications in the context of the present invention are to be construed to include both the singular and the plural unless the context clearly dictates otherwise or otherwise explicitly dictates the context. do. The terms "include as a whole", "having", "include as part", and "include as content" should be construed as extensible terms (ie, "including but not limited to" unless otherwise indicated). The enumeration of the range of meanings is intended to be used as a shorthand means of individually referring to each independent meaning falling within this range unless otherwise indicated herein, and as described above individually in each Independent meanings are incorporated into the detailed description, unless otherwise indicated herein or expressly disclaimed by context, all means described herein may be performed with any suitable indication: Any example and all examples, or The use of exemplary language provided herein (eg, "such as") is merely intended to better illustrate the invention and is claimed otherwise. That one does not want to place a limit on the scope of the invention. It shall also not be construed as in any language that instructs a device which is not any of claims essential to the practice of the invention.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventor (s) for carrying out the invention. Modifications of these preferred embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing. The inventor (s) expects those skilled in the art to use appropriate variations, and the inventor (s) intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, the present invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter set forth in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. In addition, any combination of the elements described above in all possible variations is encompassed by the present invention unless otherwise indicated herein or expressly disclaimed by context.

Claims (25)

A first interlocking fastening strip comprising a first closure profile extending substantially along the length of the first fastening strip; A second interlocking fastening strip comprising a second closure profile extending substantially along the length of the second fastening strip, The first closure profile and the second closure profile may be engaged to overlap the first fastening strip and the second fastening strip, At least a portion of the first closure profile includes a sealant. The method of claim 1, At least a portion of the second closure profile includes a sealant. The method of claim 1, And the sealant is disposed on a surface of the first closure profile. The method of claim 1, And the sealant is impregnated into the first closure profile. The method of claim 4, wherein And the sealant is received in a capillary tube disposed into the first closure profile. The method of claim 4, wherein And the sealant is mixed into the material of the first closure profile. The method of claim 1, And the sealant is oil. The method of claim 1, And the sealant is a gel. The method of claim 1, The sealant is selected from the group consisting of silicone oil, mineral oil, monoglycerides, fatty acids, polybutenes, petroleum jelly, and silicone gels. The method of claim 1, The fastening strips comprise U-channel style fastening strips. The method of claim 1, The fastening strips comprise arrowhead style fastening strips. The method of claim 1, And the fastening strips comprise profile style fastening strips. The method of claim 1, The closure device further comprises a slider movably disposed on the fastening strips. Flexible first sidewalls; A second flexible sidewall overlapping and bonded to the first sidewall to provide an internal volume accessible through an opening disposed between the first sidewall and the second sidewall; A first interlocking fastening strip attached to the first sidewall proximate the opening and including a first closure profile; A second interlocking fastening strip attached to the second sidewall proximate the opening and including a second closure profile that can engage the first closure profile; And A flexible storage bag comprising a sealant disposed on at least a portion of the first closure profile. The method of claim 14, And the sealant is disposed on a surface of the first closure profile. The method of claim 14, And the sealant is impregnated in the first closure profile. The method of claim 14, Wherein said sealant is an oil. The method of claim 14, Wherein said sealant is a gel. The method of claim 14, Said sealant is selected from the group consisting of silicone oil, mineral oil, monoglycerides, fatty acids, polybutenes, petroleum jelly, and silicone gels. The method of claim 14, And a valve element attached to at least one sidewall of the first sidewall or the second sidewall. (Iii) providing a storage bag comprising a flexible sidewall that provides an internal volume accessible through the opening; (Ii) disposing the sealant along at least a portion of the first closure profile; (Iii) compressing the first fastening strip and the second fastening strip together to engage the first closure profile and the second closure profile; And (Iii) sealing the first closure profile and the second closure profile with a sealant such that no air passes therethrough; The storage bag further includes the first fastening strip and the second fastening strip proximate to the opening, wherein the first fastening strip and the second fastening strip are respectively the first closure profile and the second closure. Storage bag sealing method that can engage the profile. The method of claim 21, And the sealant is oil. The method of claim 21, And the sealant is a gel. The method of claim 21, And the sealant is selected from the group consisting of silicone oil, mineral oil, monoglycerides, fatty acids, polybutenes, petroleum jelly, and silicone gels. The method of claim 21, And the storage bag further comprises a one-way valve element attached to the sidewall and in communication with the internal volume.

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