VACUUM STORAGE SYSTEM

1 . A vacuum storage system for storing an article, comprising:

a sealable outer chamber, having an evacuation valve for connection to a suction device for evacuation of said outer chamber; and

a sealable inner chamber adapted to receive said article, and having a one-way valve in communication with the outer chamber, said one-way valve being adapted to open upon the application of suction to the outer chamber, thereby to enable evacuation of said inner chamber, but to close upon discontinuation of said suction.

2 . A vacuum storage system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the inner chamber comprises a tray and a lid.

3 . A vacuum storage system as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the one-way valve is formed in the lid.

4 . A vacuum storage system as claimed in claim 2 , wherein a gasket seal is provided between the tray and the lid.

5 . A vacuum storage system as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the gasket seal extends around the perimeter of the tray, and is adapted to be compressed upon evacuation of the system.

6 . A vacuum storage system as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the tray and lid are generally rigid.

7 . A vacuum storage system as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the interior of the tray is shaped so as securely to house the article to be stored.

8 . A vacuum storage system as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the outer chamber comprises a flexible pouch.

9 . A vacuum storage system as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the outer chamber pouch has an opening to enable insertion of the inner chamber, said opening being provided with a zip seal and/or an adhesive seal.

10 . A vacuum storage system as claimed in claim 8 , wherein in use, evacuation of the outer chamber pouch causes it to urge the lid onto the tray.

11 . A vacuum storage system as claimed in claim 10 , wherein a gasket seal is provided between the tray and the lid, and wherein in use, evacuation of the outer chamber pouch causes it to urge the lid onto the tray, thereby causing compression of the gasket seal.

12 . A vacuum storage system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the inner and outer chamber are transparent.

13 . A vacuum storage system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the article to be stored is an article of medical equipment.

14 . A vacuum storage system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the article to be stored is a flexible medical endoscope.

15 . A vacuum storage system as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising an oxygen scavenging agent, provided within the inner chamber.

16 . A method of storing an article utilising a vacuum storage system as claimed in claim 1 , comprising the steps of:

inserting the article to be stored into the inner chamber of said vacuum storage system;

sealing the inner chamber;

inserting the inner chamber into the outer chamber of said vacuum storage system;

sealing the outer chamber;

connecting the evacuation valve of the outer chamber to a suction device;

activating the suction device so as to evacuate the outer chamber, and thereby to cause the one-way valve of the inner chamber to open, so as also to evacuate the inner chamber;

deactivating the suction device so as to close the one-way valve, thus isolating the article in the evacuated inner chamber; and

closing the evacuation valve, thus isolating the inner chamber in the evacuated outer chamber.

17 . A method as claimed in claim 16 , wherein the article to be stored is an article of medical equipment.

18 . A method as claimed in claim 16 , wherein the article to be stored is a flexible medical endoscope.

19 . A method as claimed in claim 16 , further comprising an additional step of providing an oxygen scavenging agent within the inner chamber.