US20220265006A1

US20220265006A1 - Airtight storage bag sealer

Info

Publication number: US20220265006A1
Application number: US17/518,609
Authority: US
Inventors: Janet Ann Mallory
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-11-06
Filing date: 2021-11-04
Publication date: 2022-08-25

Abstract

Described herein is an airtight storage bag mouth assembly defined by opposing first and second elongate panel members. This inventive concept is equipped with adhesive flaps, a slider assembly, and may have a writing label. Unitable coupling members disposed on the opposing first and second elongate panel members are longitudinally disposed substantially along the length of the panel members. A slider assembly is configured to press inward on the unitable coupling members wherein at least one protrusion member disposed on a first unitable coupling member is contiguously and removably disposed within at least one groove member disposed within a second unitable coupling member. The polymer container mouth assembly allows the bag to be in an open or closed state.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application with Ser. No. 63/110,917, filed on Nov. 6, 2020, with the same title, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The inventive concept relates generally to an airtight storage bag sealer.

BACKGROUND

Currently, there are a number of solutions for preserving perishable items. One of these solutions attempts to utilize sealed plastic containers, but this solution fails to meet the needs of the market because sealed plastic containers may require removing contents from original packaging. Another solution attempts to utilize zip-lock bags, but this solution is similarly unable to meet the needs of the market because zip-lock bags also require removing contents from original packaging and may introduce new waste after use to add to the original packaging. Still another solution seeks to utilize bag sealers, but this solution also fails to meet market needs because bag sealers may not seal bags completely. Therefore, there currently exists a need in the market for an apparatus that keeps food fresh in its original packaging.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An airtight seal device attachable to a bag has a polymer container mouth assembly defined by opposing first and second elongate panel members. Unitable coupling members are longitudinally disposed substantially along the length of the panel members. A slider assembly is configured to press inward on the unitable coupling members wherein at least one protrusion member disposed on a first unitable coupling member is contiguously and removably disposed within at least one groove member disposed within a second unitable coupling member. A first and second, elongate, polymer wing assemblies are longitudinally, contiguously, and respectively coupled to distal portions of the first and second opposing elongate panel members by proximal portions of the first and second, elongate, polymer wing assemblies, the wing assemblies designed to partially overlay the outer surface of the opposing sides of an elongate bag opening along the opposing edges of the elongate bag opening, inward sides of the first and second wing assemblies contiguously overlaying the outer portion of the opposing sides of the elongate bag opening along the opposing edges of the bag. An adhesive compound is disposed substantially on the entirety of the inward sides of the first and second wing assemblies and contiguously covered by one or more removable backing members, the adhesive compound designed to contiguously couple to the outer surface of the opposing sides of the elongate bag opening along the opposing edges to create an airtight base for the polymer container mouth assembly, the polymer mouth assembly, when so coupled, allowing the bag to be in an open or closed state.
In one example embodiment, the slider assembly and unitable coupling members as a sealing mechanism is replaced with strips of hook and loop fastening members. In a related embodiment, the sealing mechanism includes, but is not limited to, a snap configuration, a clamping device, or a set of opposing magnetic elements on either side of the elongate panel members.
On one embodiment of the airtight seal device attachable to a bag, an opaque surface is disposed on an outside side of the wing assemblies designed to display writing written on the opaque surface.
On one embodiment of the airtight seal device attachable to a bag, a pull tab member is pivotally coupled to the slider assembly and designed to aid a user at sliding the slider assembly.
In one embodiment of the airtight seal device attachable to a bag, an open/close indicator is disposed on the mouth assembly.
In another embodiment of the inventive concept, a protective seal device attachable to a protective mask has a polymer container mouth assembly defined by opposing first and second elongate panel members. Unitable coupling members are longitudinally disposed substantially along the length of the panel members. A slider assembly is configured to press inward on the unitable coupling members wherein at least one protrusion member disposed on a first unitable coupling member is contiguously and removably disposed within at least one groove member disposed within a second unitable coupling member. A first and second, elongate, polymer wing assemblies is longitudinally, contiguously, and respectively coupled to distal portions of the first and second opposing elongate panel members by proximal portions of the first and second, elongate, polymer wing assemblies, the wing assemblies designed to partially overlay the outer surface of the opposing sides of an elongate protective mask opening along the opposing edges of the elongate protective mask opening, inward sides of the first and second wing assemblies contiguously overlaying the outer portion of the opposing sides of the elongate protective mask opening along the opposing edges. An adhesive compound is disposed substantially on the entirety of the inward sides of the first and second wing assemblies and contiguously covered by one or more removable backing members, the adhesive compound designed to contiguously couple to the outer surface of the opposing sides of the elongate protective mask opening along the opposing edges to create a base for the polymer container mouth assembly, the polymer mouth assembly, when so coupled, allowing the protective mask to be in an open or closed state.
In one embodiment of the seal device is attachable to a protective mask and includes a plurality of hole members that are disposed through the wing assembly and designed to allow air to flow therethrough.
In one embodiment of the seal device is attachable to a protective mask and has a wing assembly that is made of fabric.
One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that many types of adhesives can be used to adhere the inventive concept to a bag or mask and many types of bags or masks can be used.
It would be advantageous to have an airtight seal device attachable to a bag that is airtight. Furthermore, it would be advantageous to have an airtight seal device attachable to a bag that is reusable. Still further, it would be advantageous to have an apparatus that is re-sealable.
The airtight seal device attachable to a bag advantageously fills the aforementioned deficiencies by providing an airtight storage bag, which provides a way to preserve foods and protect or contain other items.
The airtight seal device attachable to a bag may have a pull-tab locking food storage bag.
The seal device attachable to a mask may include zippered fabric.
The airtight seal device attachable to a bag may be used for food preservation.
Among other things, it is an advantage of the airtight seal device attachable to a bag to provide an airtight storage bag that does not suffer from problems or deficiencies associated with prior solutions.
It is still further an advantage of the airtight seal device attachable to a bag to be reusable. Still further, the inventive concept may have more than one size or is configurable to have more than one size.
The inventive concept now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are intended to be read in conjunction with both this summary, the detailed description, and a preferred and/or particular embodiments specifically discussed or otherwise disclosed. This inventive concept may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of illustration only and so that this disclosure will be thorough, complete, and will fully convey the full scope of the inventive concept to those skilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of an airtight seal device designed to be attached to a bag.

FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of an airtight seal device designed to be attached to a bag that is configurable to accommodate the size of the bag.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the airtight seal device attachable to a bag.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the seal device with a slider mechanism. a perspective view of an embodiment of a seal device designed to be attached to a front of a surgical-type mask.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the airtight seal device attached to a bag.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the seal device in a flat configuration.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate a partially-open and closed configuration of the seal device attached to a mask.

FIG. 8A a illustrates a top view of a fabric seal device for use with a mask.

FIG. 8B illustrates a top view of a seal device in a product package for convenient dispensing of multiple unitary seal devices.

FIG. 9 illustrates a top perspective view of the seal device on a stringed mask.

FIG. 10 illustrates representative sample set of adhesive compounds for use with the seal device.

FIG. 11 illustrates an adhesive backing and removable cover sheet or panel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Following are more detailed descriptions of various related concepts related to, and embodiments of, methods and apparatus according to the present disclosure. It should be appreciated that various aspects of the subject matter introduced above and discussed in greater detail below may be implemented in a of numerous ways, as the subject matter is not limited to a particular manner of implementation. Examples of specific implementations and applications are provided primarily for illustrative purposes.
Referring to the figures, FIGS. 1-6 and 10-11 illustrate an airtight seal device 100 designed to be attached or attachable to an open bag 10. Seal device 100 has a polymer container mouth assembly 100A defined by opposing first and second elongate panel members 101, 102. Unitable coupling members 120A/102B are longitudinally disposed substantially along the length of the panel members 101, 102. A slider assembly 150 with slider body 152 (and pull tab member 155) is configured to press inward on the unitable coupling members 120A/120B wherein at least one elongate protrusion member 121A disposed on a first unitable coupling member 120A is contiguously and removably disposed within at least one elongate groove member 121B disposed within a second unitable coupling member 102B. A first and second, elongate, polymer wing assemblies 130, 132 are longitudinally, contiguously, and respectively coupled to distal portions of the first and second opposing elongate panel members 101, 102 by proximal portions of the first and second, elongate, polymer wing assemblies 130A, 132B, the wing assemblies designed to partially overlay the outer surface of the opposing sides 14A/14B of an elongate bag opening along the opposing edges of the elongate bag opening 12, inward sides of the first and second wing assemblies 141, 142 contiguously overlaying the outer portion of the opposing sides 14A/14B of the elongate bag opening 12 along the opposing edges 12A/12B of the bag opening 12.
Referring briefly to FIGS. 10 and 11, an adhesive compound 400 is disposed substantially on the entirety of the inward sides 301 of the first and second wing assemblies 141, 142 and contiguously covered by one or more removable backing members 343, the adhesive compound designed to contiguously couple to the outer surface of the opposing sides 12A/12A of the elongate bag opening 12 along the opposing edges to create an airtight base for the polymer container mouth assembly 100A, the polymer mouth assembly 100A, when so coupled, allowing the bag 10 to be in an open or closed state.
On one embodiment of the airtight seal device 100 attachable to a bag 10, an opaque surface 410 is disposed on an outside side of the wing assemblies designed to display writing written on the opaque surface 410.
On one embodiment of the airtight seal device 100 attachable to a bag 10, pull tab member 155 is pivotally coupled to the slider assembly 150 and designed to aid a user at sliding slider body 152 of the slider assembly 150. In one embodiment of the airtight seal device 100 attachable to a bag 10, an open/close indicator is disposed on the mouth assembly 100A.
Referring briefly to FIG. 2, there is illustrated another embodiment of an airtight seal device 200 designed to be attached to a bag that is configurable to accommodate the size of a bag. Elongate wing assemblies 232, 242, 252 and 262 are formed with a plurality of adjacent longitudinal perforations 241 and 251 to facilitate configurability of the seal device to the bag or container to be sealed. In a related embodiment, although not shown, seal device 200 includes elongate wing assemblies similar to 232 that are formed with at least one lateral perforation therethrough for re-using the seal device by tearing away a lower portion of the wing assembly. Referring briefly to FIG. 3, multiple lateral perforations similar to perforation 271 will allow for re-use of the seal device on subsequent bags once the user is done with the contents of a first bag.
Referring now to FIGS. 7A-11, there is illustrated a protective seal device 300 attachable to a protective mask 30 (with string or elastic 32) has a container mouth assembly 500 (made of polymer or fabric) defined by opposing first and second elongate panel members 501, 502. Unitable coupling members 600 are longitudinally disposed substantially along the length of the panel members 501, 502. A slider assembly 650 is configured to press inward on the unitable coupling members 600 wherein at least one elongate protrusion member 610 disposed on a first unitable coupling member 601 is contiguously and removably disposed within at least one groove member 690 disposed within a second unitable coupling member 602. A first and second, elongate, polymer wing assemblies 701, 702 is longitudinally, contiguously, and respectively coupled to distal portions of the first and second opposing elongate panel members 591, 592 by proximal portions of the first and second, elongate, polymer wing assemblies 711, 712, the wing assemblies designed to partially overlay the outer surface of the opposing sides of an elongate protective mask opening along the opposing edges of the elongate protective mask opening, inward sides of the first and second wing assemblies 741, 742 contiguously overlaying the outer portion of the opposing sides of the elongate protective mask opening 62 along the opposing edges.
In this example embodiment, and referring to FIGS. 10 and 11 as well, an adhesive compound 400 is disposed substantially on the entirety of the inward sides of the first and second wing assemblies 301, 302 and contiguously covered by one or more removable backing members similar to backing 343, the adhesive compound designed to contiguously couple to the outer surface of the opposing sides of the elongate protective mask opening along the opposing edges of the mask opening to create a base for the polymer container mouth assembly, the polymer mouth assembly 500, when so coupled, allowing the protective mask to be in an open or closed state. In this and other example embodiments, the adhering mechanism is not limited to adhesives and includes hook and loop fastening (i.e, Velcro®), a snap-on configuration; opposing magnetic elements or kit to secure seal device 100 on the mask; or a hook or tab element protruding from the seal device that adheres to the mask fabric or surface.
Referring briefly to FIGS. 8A-8B and 9, FIG. 8A illustrates a top view of a fabric seal device 500 for use with a mask 30 while FIG. 8B illustrates a top view of a seal device 500 in a product package 550 for convenient dispensing of multiple unitary seal devices.
FIG. 9 illustrates a top perspective view of the seal device on a stringed mask 30 where in one embodiment of the seal device 500 is attachable to the mask 30, which has a plurality of hole members 380 is disposed through the wing assemblies 301, 302 and designed to allow air to flow therethrough. In one embodiment of the seal device 500 attachable to a mask, the wing assembly is made of fabric 370.
On one embodiment of the seal device attachable to a mask, an opaque surface 415 is disposed on an outside side of the wing assemblies designed to display writing written on the opaque surface.
The following patents are incorporated by reference in their entireties: U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,681,651; 5,167,608; 7,004,632; 7,029,178; 9,499,309; 10196544; and 20070269143A1.
While the inventive concept has been described above in terms of specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the inventive concept is not limited to these disclosed embodiments. Upon reading the teachings of this disclosure many modifications and other embodiments of the inventive concept will come to mind of those skilled in the art to which this inventive concept pertains, and which are intended to be and are covered by both this disclosure and the appended claims. It is indeed intended that the scope of the inventive concept should be determined by proper interpretation and construction of the appended claims and their legal equivalents, as understood by those of skill in the art relying upon the disclosure in this specification and the attached drawings.

Claims

1. An airtight seal device configured to be attached to a bag or open container to provide for a resealable opening to the bag or container, the seal device comprising:

a resealable container mouth assembly defined by opposing first and second elongate panel or strip members, the panel members having an outer surface and inner surface;

unitable coupling members laterally disposed on the inner surface of the elongate panel members and disposed substantially along a length of the elongate panel members;

a slider assembly located on the outer surface of the elongate panel members and configured to press inward on the unitable coupling members upon lateral movement of the slider assembly thereby forming a seal, wherein at least one protrusion member disposed on a first unitable coupling member is contiguously and removably disposed within at least one groove member disposed within a second unitable coupling member, and wherein the slider assembly includes a slider body and a pull tab member coupled thereto adapted for pulling the slider assembly laterally to close or open the mouth assembly;

a first and second, elongate, wing assemblies having proximal and distal portions, each of the wing assemblies being laterally, contiguously, and respectively coupled to each of the first and second opposing elongate panel members at the proximal portions of the first and second, elongate, wing assemblies, each of the wing assemblies adapted to partially overlay a bag opening along opposing edges of the bag opening; and

an attachment assembly formed on the wing assemblies, the attachment assembly including an adhesive compound and a removable backing members, the adhesive compound disposed substantially on inward sides of the first and second wing assemblies and contiguously covered by one or more removable backing members, the adhesive compound adapted to contiguously couple to the outer surface of the opposing sides of the elongate bag opening to create an airtight base for the container mouth assembly, the mouth assembly, when so coupled, allowing the bag to be in an open or closed state.

2. The airtight seal device of claim 1 wherein the first and second elongate wing assemblies are formed from a polymer.

3. The airtight seal device of claim 1 wherein the pull tab member is a is cantilevering tab pivotally coupled to the slider assembly and adapted to aid a user at sliding the slider assembly and wherein the cantilevering tab that includes an opening therein adapted for hanging the bag or container for storage or transport.

4. The seal device of claim 1 wherein an opaque surface is disposed on an outside side of the wing assemblies adapted to display writing written on the opaque surface.

5. The seal device of claim 1 wherein the first and second elongate wing assemblies are formed from a fabric material.

6. The seal device of claim 1, wherein the elongate wing assemblies are formed with at least one longitudinal perforation therethrough adapted for adjusting a size of the seal device to a bag container size by tearing away a portion of the wing assembly.

7. The seal device of claim 6 wherein the elongate wing assemblies are formed with a plurality of adjacent longitudinal perforations to facilitate configurability of the seal device to the bag or container to be sealed.

8. The seal device of claim 3 wherein the slider assembly includes a cutting or slicing element to cut open the surface of the bag.

9. The seal device of claim 1 wherein the elongate wing assemblies are formed with at least one lateral perforation therethrough for re-using the seal device by tearing away a portion of the wing assembly.

10. The seal device of claim 1, wherein one or more seal devices are stacked within a housing, the housing including an opening for individual dispensing of the seal devices from the housing.

11. A protective seal device configured to be attached to a protective mask comprising:

a resealable mouth assembly defined by opposing first and second elongate panel or strip members, the panel members having an outer surface and inner surface;

a slider assembly located on the outer surface of the elongate panel members and configured to press inward on the unitable coupling members upon lateral movement of the slider assembly thereby forming a seal, wherein at least one protrusion member disposed on a first unitable coupling member is contiguously and removably disposed within at least one groove member disposed within a second unitable coupling member, and wherein the slider assembly includes a slider body and a cantilevering tab member coupled thereto adapted for pulling the slider assembly laterally to close or open the mouth assembly;

a first and second, elongate, wing assemblies having proximal and distal portions, each of the wing assemblies being laterally, contiguously, and respectively coupled to each of the first and second opposing elongate panel members at the proximal portions of the first and second, elongate, wing assemblies, each of the wing assemblies adapted to partially overlay a mask opening along opposing edges of the mask opening, wherein a plurality of hole members is disposed through the wing assemblies and adapted to allow air to flow therethrough; and

an attachment assembly formed on the wing assemblies, the attachment assembly disposed substantially on inward sides of the first and second wing assemblies and adapted to contiguously couple to an outer surface of opposing sides of the mask opening to create resealable mouth assembly, the mouth assembly, when so coupled, allowing the mask to be in an open or closed state.

12. The seal device of claim 11 wherein the attachment assembly includes an adhesive compound and a removable backing members, the adhesive compound disposed substantially on inward sides of the first and second wing assemblies and contiguously covered by one or more removable backing members, the adhesive compound adapted to contiguously couple to the outer surface of the opposing sides of the mask opening.

13. The seal device of claim 11 wherein the wing assemblies are made from fabric.

14. The seal device of claim 11 wherein the attachment assembly includes a hook and loop fastening configuration.

15. The seal device of claim 11 wherein the wing assemblies are made from a polymer material.

16. The seal device of claim 15 wherein an opaque surface is disposed on an outside side of the wing assemblies adapted to display writing written on the opaque surface.

17. The seal device of claim 11 wherein the attachment assembly includes the slider assembly includes an anti-bacterial coating.

18. A protective seal device configured to be attached to a protective mask comprising:

a closure assembly located on the elongate panel members and configured to form a resealable seal and to close or open the mouth assembly;

19. The seal device of claim 18 wherein the closure assembly is selected from the group consisting of a slider assembly, a pressure fit configuration disposed on the panel members, an adhesive compound and backing member assembly, a hook and loop fastening configuration and a snap fit configuration.

20. The seal device of claim 19 wherein the closure assembly includes an antibacterial coating.