US 7,614,203 B2
User installable vacuum seal apparatus for storage bags
John P. Oltrogge, Westminister, Colo. (US)
Assigned to Safety Solutions, Inc., Springs City, Utah (US)
Filed on Jan. 10, 2005, as Appl. No. 10/905,547.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/481887, filed on Jan. 13, 2004.
Prior Publication US 2005/0172577 A1, Aug. 11, 2005
Int. Cl. B65B 31/00 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 53—434  [53/90; 53/139.2] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for using a two part valve assembly to modify a storage bag, comprising:
providing a conventional storage bag;
opening the conventional storage bag;
placing a first portion of the two part valve having a first sealing surface inside the storage bag with the first sealing surface facing the storage bag;
placing a second portion of the two part valve assembly having a second sealing surface outside the storage bag with the second sealing surface facing the storage bag; and
snapping the first portion and the second portion together to sandwich one panel of the storage bag between the first portion and the second portion, deform the one panel about contours of the first portion, and form a substantially airtight seal between the one panel and each of the first sealing surface and the second sealing surface;
placing an item in the storage bag through an opening;
sealing the opening of the storage bag; and
altering the atmosphere within the bag after the snapping and the sealing by adding or removing gas and/or fluid through the two part valve assembly, wherein the act of snapping comprises squeezing the first portion and the second portion together so that the panel is pierced as the first portion and the second portion are fitted together.