IP Library Granted Patent US 12663237
Granted Patent B2
US 12663237 · App. 18/811,013 · Granted Jun 23, 2026

Vacuum retention system including tubular sub-components

Inventor: Gideon P. Searle (Scottsdale, AZ)
Assignee: GSTC LLC
F41C33/06B65D81/052B65D81/1075
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12663237
App. No.
18/811,013
Filed
Aug 21, 2024
Granted
Jun 23, 2026
Kind
B2
Examiner
CHU, KING M
Art Unit
3735
USPC
206/317
Abstract

A protective carrying case for an object is disclosed, wherein the protective carrying case includes a top component, a bottom component, and semi-hexagonal ends, wherein the top component and the bottom component are constructed from carbon fiber. The protective carrying case additionally includes a retaining element with vacuum split functionality to retain elements within the case.

Claims (39)

1 . An article for packing an object, comprising:

an exterior container shell;

at least one retaining element attached to at least one interior surface of the exterior container shell, wherein the at least one retaining element includes an interior chamber;

a plurality of tubes attached to an interior surface of the interior chamber of the at least one retaining element; and

a plurality of packaging elements within the plurality of tubes within the interior chamber of the at least one retaining element;

wherein the at least one retaining element includes at least one valve configured to allow or restrict air flow into and out of the at least one retaining element;

wherein the at least one valve includes grating sized and configured to prevent movement of the plurality of packaging elements out of the at least one retaining element when the at least one valve is in an open position; and

wherein ends of the plurality of tubes are welded shut.

2 . The article of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of packaging elements include a plurality of microbeads.

3 . The article of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of tubes are welded to the interior surface of the interior chamber of the at least one retaining element.

4 . The article of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of packaging elements includes materials made from polystyrene, expanded polyethylene, and/or polylactic acid.

5 . The article of claim 1 , wherein the exterior container shell is formed from a carbon fiber composite.

6 . The article of claim 1 , wherein the at least one retaining element is attached to the at least one interior surface via a hook and loop mechanism.

7 . The article of claim 1 , wherein the object includes at least one firearm.

8 . The article of claim 1 , wherein the at least one valve is configured to be connected to at least one vacuum pump.

9 . An article for packing an object, comprising:

an exterior container shell;

at least one retaining element attached to at least one interior surface of the exterior container shell, wherein the at least one retaining element includes an interior chamber;

a plurality of tubes attached to an interior surface of the interior chamber of the at least one retaining element; and

a plurality of packaging elements within the plurality of tubes within the interior chamber of the at least one retaining element;

wherein the at least one retaining element includes at least one valve configured to allow or restrict air flow into and out of the at least one retaining element;

wherein the at least one valve includes grating sized and configured to prevent movement of the plurality of packaging elements out of the at least one retaining element when the at least one valve is in an open position;

wherein holes in an air permeable mesh material are sized such that the diameters of the holes are smaller than the diameters of the plurality of packaging elements; and

wherein the plurality of tubes are welded to the interior surface of the interior chamber of the at least one retaining element.

10 . The article of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of packaging elements include a plurality of microbeads.

11 . The article of claim 9 , wherein the at least one retaining element is attached to the at least one interior surface via a hook and loop mechanism.

12 . The article of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of packaging elements includes materials made from polystyrene, expanded polyethylene, and/or polylactic acid.

13 . The article of claim 9 , wherein ends of the plurality of tubes are welded shut.

14 . A system for packing an object, comprising:

an exterior container shell;

at least one retaining element attached to at least one interior surface of the exterior container shell, wherein the at least one retaining element includes an interior chamber and at least one valve;

a plurality of tubes attached to an interior surface of the interior chamber of the at least one retaining element; and

a plurality of packaging elements within the plurality of tubes within the interior chamber of the at least one retaining element;

wherein ends of the plurality of tubes are welded shut; and

wherein the at least one valve includes grating sized and configured to prevent movement of the plurality of packaging elements out of the at least one retaining element when the at least one valve is in an open position.

15 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the plurality of packaging elements include a plurality of microbeads.

16 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the plurality of tubes are formed from an air permeable mesh material.

17 . The system of claim 16 , wherein holes in the air permeable mesh material are sized such that the diameters of the holes are smaller than the diameters of the plurality of packaging elements.

18 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the at least one valve is configured to connect to a vacuum pump.