CA2517852A1 - System and method for forming an indicia for use in vacuum packaging - Google Patents
System and method for forming an indicia for use in vacuum packaging Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2517852A1 CA2517852A1 CA002517852A CA2517852A CA2517852A1 CA 2517852 A1 CA2517852 A1 CA 2517852A1 CA 002517852 A CA002517852 A CA 002517852A CA 2517852 A CA2517852 A CA 2517852A CA 2517852 A1 CA2517852 A1 CA 2517852A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- panel
- bag
- indicia
- inner layer
- gas
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B5/00—Packaging individual articles in containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, jars
- B65B5/02—Machines characterised by incorporation of means for making the containers or receptacles
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B61/00—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages
- B65B61/02—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for perforating, scoring, slitting, or applying code or date marks on material prior to packaging
- B65B61/025—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for perforating, scoring, slitting, or applying code or date marks on material prior to packaging for applying, e.g. printing, code or date marks on material prior to packaging
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C48/00—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
- B29C48/03—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor characterised by the shape of the extruded material at extrusion
- B29C48/07—Flat, e.g. panels
- B29C48/08—Flat, e.g. panels flexible, e.g. films
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C48/00—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
- B29C48/03—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor characterised by the shape of the extruded material at extrusion
- B29C48/09—Articles with cross-sections having partially or fully enclosed cavities, e.g. pipes or channels
- B29C48/11—Articles with cross-sections having partially or fully enclosed cavities, e.g. pipes or channels comprising two or more partially or fully enclosed cavities, e.g. honeycomb-shaped
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C48/00—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
- B29C48/03—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor characterised by the shape of the extruded material at extrusion
- B29C48/12—Articles with an irregular circumference when viewed in cross-section, e.g. window profiles
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C48/00—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
- B29C48/03—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor characterised by the shape of the extruded material at extrusion
- B29C48/13—Articles with a cross-section varying in the longitudinal direction, e.g. corrugated pipes
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C48/00—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
- B29C48/15—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor incorporating preformed parts or layers, e.g. extrusion moulding around inserts
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C48/00—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
- B29C48/25—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
- B29C48/355—Conveyors for extruded articles
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C48/00—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
- B29C48/25—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
- B29C48/88—Thermal treatment of the stream of extruded material, e.g. cooling
- B29C48/911—Cooling
- B29C48/9135—Cooling of flat articles, e.g. using specially adapted supporting means
- B29C48/914—Cooling of flat articles, e.g. using specially adapted supporting means cooling drums
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B11/00—Wrapping, e.g. partially or wholly enclosing, articles or quantities of material, in strips, sheets or blanks, of flexible material
- B65B11/50—Enclosing articles, or quantities of material, by disposing contents between two sheets, e.g. pocketed sheets, and securing their opposed free margins
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B43/00—Forming, feeding, opening or setting-up containers or receptacles in association with packaging
- B65B43/04—Forming flat bags from webs
- B65B43/06—Forming flat bags from webs from more than one web
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B61/00—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages
- B65B61/02—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for perforating, scoring, slitting, or applying code or date marks on material prior to packaging
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B9/00—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, e.g. liquids or semiliquids, in flat, folded, or tubular webs of flexible sheet material; Subdividing filled flexible tubes to form packages
- B65B9/02—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material between opposed webs
- B65B9/04—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material between opposed webs one or both webs being formed with pockets for the reception of the articles, or of the quantities of material
- B65B9/042—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material between opposed webs one or both webs being formed with pockets for the reception of the articles, or of the quantities of material for fluent material
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D33/00—Details of, or accessories for, sacks or bags
- B65D33/004—Information or decoration elements, e.g. level indicators, detachable tabs or coupons
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
- B65D81/18—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient
- B65D81/20—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure, or in a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas
- B65D81/2007—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure, or in a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas under vacuum
- B65D81/2038—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure, or in a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas under vacuum with means for establishing or improving vacuum
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C48/00—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
- B29C48/25—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
- B29C48/88—Thermal treatment of the stream of extruded material, e.g. cooling
- B29C48/90—Thermal treatment of the stream of extruded material, e.g. cooling with calibration or sizing, i.e. combined with fixing or setting of the final dimensions of the extruded article
- B29C48/906—Thermal treatment of the stream of extruded material, e.g. cooling with calibration or sizing, i.e. combined with fixing or setting of the final dimensions of the extruded article using roller calibration
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
- B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
- B31B2160/00—Shape of flexible containers
- B31B2160/10—Shape of flexible containers rectangular and flat, i.e. without structural provision for thickness of contents
- B31B2160/106—Shape of flexible containers rectangular and flat, i.e. without structural provision for thickness of contents obtained from sheets cut from larger sheets or webs before finishing the bag forming operations
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B9/00—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, e.g. liquids or semiliquids, in flat, folded, or tubular webs of flexible sheet material; Subdividing filled flexible tubes to form packages
- B65B9/02—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material between opposed webs
- B65B9/04—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material between opposed webs one or both webs being formed with pockets for the reception of the articles, or of the quantities of material
- B65B2009/047—Rotary pocket formers
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- Bag Frames (AREA)
- Packages (AREA)
- Making Paper Articles (AREA)
Abstract
A vacuum bag can comprise a first panel and a second panel, wherein each panel comprises a gas-impermeable base layer and a heat-sealable inner layer with at least one panel having indicia. The indicia can be informative, decorative, and/or functional, and optionally can be colored so that the indicia can be easily identified by a user. In one embodiment, a method for forming such a bag between a cooling roll and laminating roll includes feeding a gas-impermeable material to a nip formed between the rolls. Resin is extruded to the nip such that the resin fills a plurality of cavities of the cooling roll, forming an inner layer that adheres to the gas-impermeable material. A
resultant sheet is then folded to form the first and second panel and sealed such that an envelope is formed. This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures, and the claims.
resultant sheet is then folded to form the first and second panel and sealed such that an envelope is formed. This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures, and the claims.
Description
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FORMING AN INDICIA
FOR USE IN VACUUM PACKAGING
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
60/451,954, entitled "SEALABLE BAG HAVING AN INDICIA FOR USE IN VACUUM
PACKAGING," by Henry Wu, et al., filed March 5, 2003 (Attorney Docket No. TILA-01179US0); U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/451,948, entitled "METHOD FOR
MANUFACTURING A SEALABLE BAG HAVING AN INDICIA FOR USE IN VACUUM
PACKAGING," by Henry Wu, et al., filed March 5, 2003 (Attorney Docket No. TILA-01179US1 ); U.S. Patent Application No. 10/-,-entitled "SEALABLE BAG HAVING AN
INDICA FOR USE IN VACUUM PACKAGING," by Hongyu Wu, et al., filed March 4, 2004 (Attorney Docket No. TILA-01179US2); and U.S. Patent Application No. 10/ ,-entitled "METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A SEALABLE BAG HAVING AN INDICIA FOR USE IN
VACUUM PACKAGING," by Hongyu Wu, efi al., filed March 4, 2004 (Attorney Docket i~o.
TiLA-01179US3).
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS
[0002] This application incorporates by reference all of the following co-pending applications:
[00~3] U.S. Provisional Patent Application fro. 80/452,168, entitled "LICJtUID-TRAPPIflIG BAG FOR USE lid VACUUM PACI<AGIi~G," by Henry Wu, et al., filed March 5, 2003 (Attorney Docket No. TILA-01177US0);
00004] U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/452,138, entitled "METHOD FOR
MANUFACTURING LIQUID-TRAPPING BAG FOR USE IN VACUUM PACKAGING," by Henry Wu, et al., filed March 5, 2003 (Attorney Docket No. TILA-01177US1);
[0005] U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/452,172, entitled "SEALABLE
BAG
HAVING AN INTEGRATED TRAY FOR USE IN VACUUM PACKAGING," by Henry Wu, et al., filed March 5, 2003 (Attorney Docket No. TILA-01178US0);
[0006] U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/452,171, entitled "METHOD
FOR
MANUFACTURING A SEALABLE BAG HAVING AN INTEGRATED TRAY FOR USE IN
VACUUM PACKAGING," by Henry Wu, et al., filed March 5, 2003 (Attorney Docket No. TILA-01178US1);
[0007] U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/452,142, entitled "SEALABLE
BAG
HAVING AN INTEGRATED ZIPPER FOR USE IN VACUUM PACKAGING," by Henry Wu, et al., filed March 5, 2003 (Attorney Docket No. TILA-01180US0);
[0008] U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/452,021, entitled "METHOD
FOR
MANUFACTURING A SEALABLE BAG HAVING AN INTEGRATED ZIPPER FOR USE IN
VACUUM PACKAGING," by Henry Wu, et al., filed March 5, 2003 (Attorney Docket No. TILA-01180US1);
[0009] U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/451,955, entitled "SEALABLE
BAG
HAVING AN INTEGRATED VALVE STRUCTURE FOR USE IN VACUUM PACKAGING," by Henry Wu, et al., filed March 5, 2003 (Attorney Docket No. TILA-01181 USO);
[0010] U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/451,956, entitled "METHOD
FOR
MANUFACTURING A SEALABLE BAG HAVING AN INTEGRATED VALVE STRUCTURE
FOR USE IN VACUUM PACKAGING," by Henry Wu, et al., filed March 5, 2003 (Attorney Docket No. TILA-01181 US1 );
[0011] U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/452,157, entitled "SEALABLE
BAG
HAVING AN INTEGRATED TIMER/SENSOR FOR USE IN VACUUM PACKAGING," by Henry Wu, et al., filed March 5, 2003 (Attorney Docket No. TILA-01182US0);
[0012] U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/452,139, entitled "METHOD
FOR
MANUFACTURING A SEALABLE BAG HAVING AN INTEGRATED TIMER/SENSOR FOR
USE IN VACUUM PACKAGING," by Henry Wu, et al., fiiied March 5, 2003 (Attorney Docket No. TILA-01182US1);
[0013] U.S. Patent Application No. 10/169,485, entitled "METHOD FOR
PREPARING AIR CHANNEL EQUIPPED FILM FOR USE IN VACUUM PACKAGE," filed June 26, 2002;
[0014] U.S. Patent Application No. 10/~,-, entitled "LIQUID-TRAPPING BAG
FOR USE IN VACUUM PACKAGING," by Hongyu Wu, et al., filed March 4, 2004 (Attorney Docket No. TILA-01177US2);
[0015] U.S. Patent Application No. 10/ -, entitled "METHOD FOR
MANUFACTURING LIQUID-TRAPPING BAG FOR USE IN VACUUM PACKAGING," by Hongyu Wu, et al., filed March 4, 2004 (Attorney Docket No. TILA-01177US3);
[0016] U.S. Patent Application No. 10/ , , entitled "SEALABLE BAG HAVING
AN INTEGRATED TRAY FOR USE IN VACUUM PACKAGING," by Hongyu Wu, et al., filed March 4, 2004 (Attorney Docket No. TILA-01178US2);
[0017] U.S. Patent Application No. 10/ -, entitled "METHOD FOR
MANUFACTURING A SEALABLE BAG HAVING AN INTEGRATED TRAY FOR USE IN
VACUUM PACKAGING," by Hongyu Wu, et al., filed March 4, 2004 (Attorney Docket No.
TILA-01178US3);
[0018] U.S. Patent Application No. 10/ -, entitled,"SEALABLE BAG HAVING
AN INTEGRATED ZIPPER FOR USE IN VACUUM PACKAGING," by Hongyu Wu, et al., filed March 4, 2004 (Attorney Docket No. TILA-01180US2);
[0019] U.S. Patent Application No. 10/ -, entitled, "METHOD FOR
MANUFACTURING A SEALABLE BAG HAVING AN INTEGRATED ZIPPER FOR USE IN
VACUUM PACKAGING," by Hongyu Wu, et al., filed March 4, 2004 (Attorney Docket No.
TILA-01180US3);
[0020] U.S. Patent Application No.10/ , , entitled, "SEALABLE BAG HAVING
AN INTEGRATED VALVE STRUCTURE FOR USE IN VACUUM PACKAGING," by Hongyu Wu, et al., filed March 4, 2004 (Attorney Docket No. TILA-01181 US2);
[0021] U.S. Patent Application No. 10/ ,- entitled, "METHOD FOR
MANUFACTURING A SEALABLE BAG HAVING AN INTEGRATED VALVE STRUCTURE
FOR USE IN VACUUM PACKAGING," by Hongyu Wu, et al., filed March 4, 2004 (Attorney Docket No. TILA-01181 US3);
[0022] U.S. PatentApplication No.10/ ,-, entitled, "SEALABLE BAG HAVING
AN INTEGRATED TIMER/SENSOR FOR USE IN VACUUM PACKAGING," by Hongyu Wu, et al., filed March 4, 2004 (Attorney Docket No. TILA-01182US2); and [0023] U.S. Patent Application No. 10/ ,-, entitled, "METHOD FOR
MANUFACTURING A SEALABLE BAG HAVING AN INTEGRATED TIMER/SENSOR FOR
USE IN VACUUM PACKAGING," by Hongyu Wu, et al., filed March 4, 2004 (Attorney Docket No. TILA-01182US3).
FIEL~ ~F THE II~VEI~TI~~l [0024] The present invention relates to bags for use in vacuum packaging and methods and devices for manufacturing bags for use in vacuum packaging.
BACKGR~UN~
[0025] Methods and devices for preserving perishable foods such as fish and meats, processed foods, prepared meals, and left-overs, and non-perishable items are widely known, and widely varied. Foods are perishable because organisms such as bacteria, fungus and mold grow over time after a food container is opened and the food is left exposed to the atmosphere. Most methods and devices preserve food by protecting food from organism-filled air. A common method and device includes placing food into a gas-impermeable plastic bag, evacuating the air from the bag using suction from a vacuum pump or other suction source, and tightly sealing the bag.
[0026] A bag for use in vacuum packaging can consist of a first panel and second panel, each panel consisting of a single layer of heat-sealable, plastic-based film (for example, polyethylene). The panels are sealed together along a substantial portion of the periphery of the panels by heat-sealing techniques so as to form an envelope.
Perishable products, such as spoilable food, or other products are packed into the envelope via the unsealed portion through which air is subsequently evacuated . After perishable products are packed into the bag and air is evacuated from the inside of the bag, the unsealed portion is heated and pressed such that the panels adhere to each other, sealing the bag.
[0027] U.S. Pat. fVo. 2,778,173, incorporated herein by reference, discloses a method for improving the evacuation of air from the bag by forming channels in at least one of the panels with the aid of embossing techniques. Air escapes firom the bag along the channels during evacuation . The embossing forms a pattern of protuberances on at least one of the panels. The protuberances can be discrete pyramids, hemispheres, etc., and are formed by pressing a panel using heated female and male dies. The first panel is overlaid on the second panel such that the protuberances from one panel face the opposite panel. The contacting peripheral edges of the panels are sealed to each other to form an envelope having an inlet at an unsealed portion of the periphery. The perishable or other products are packed into the envelope through the inlet, and the inlet is sealed.
Thereafter, an opening is pierced in a part of the panel material that communicates with the channels, air is removed from the interior of the envelope through the channels and opening, and the opening is sealed. This type of bag requires two additional sealing steps after the perishable or other product is packed into the envelope. One further problem is that embossing creates impressions on the plastic such that indentations are formed on the opposite side of the panel.
[0028] To avoid additional sealing steps, a vacuum bag is formed having a first panel and a second panel consisting of laminated films. Each panel comprises a heat-sealable inner layer, a gas-impermeable outer layer, and optionally, one or more intermediate layers. Such a bag is described in U.S. Pat. No. Re. 34,929, incorporated herein by reference, At least one film from at least one pane( is embossed using an embossing mold to form protuberances and channels defined by the space between protuberances, so that air is 5 readily evacuated from the vacuum bag.
[0029] U.S. Pat. No. 5,554,423, incorporated herein by reference, discloses still another bag usable in vacuum packaging. The bag consists of a first and second panel, each panel consisting of a gas-impermeable outer layer and a heat-sealable inner layer. A plurality of heat-sealable strand elements are heat bonded at regular intervals to the inner layer of either the first panel or the second panel. The spaces between strand elements act as channels for the evacuation of air. The strand elements are extruded from an extrusion head and heat bonded to the heat-sealable layer by use of pressure rolls. Separate equipment is required for producing strand elements, and a procedure of heat bonding a plurality of strand elements at regular intervals to the heat-sealable inner layer is complicated.
Also, various shapes of pattern are hard to form using this process.
BRIEF ~ESCRIPTI~N ~F THE FIGURES
[0030] Further details of embodiments of the present invention are explained with the help of the attached drawings in which:
[0031] FIG.1A is a perspective view of a method for manufacturing a vacuum bag in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 1B is a side view of the method shown in FIG. 1A illustrating the embossing method used in an embodiment of the present invention;
[0033] FIG. 1 C is a close-up view of a portion of FIG. 1 B;
[0034] FIG. 2A-C are plan views of exemplary indicia on a panel in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, manufactured by the process shown in FIGs.1A and B;
FOR USE IN VACUUM PACKAGING
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
60/451,954, entitled "SEALABLE BAG HAVING AN INDICIA FOR USE IN VACUUM
PACKAGING," by Henry Wu, et al., filed March 5, 2003 (Attorney Docket No. TILA-01179US0); U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/451,948, entitled "METHOD FOR
MANUFACTURING A SEALABLE BAG HAVING AN INDICIA FOR USE IN VACUUM
PACKAGING," by Henry Wu, et al., filed March 5, 2003 (Attorney Docket No. TILA-01179US1 ); U.S. Patent Application No. 10/-,-entitled "SEALABLE BAG HAVING AN
INDICA FOR USE IN VACUUM PACKAGING," by Hongyu Wu, et al., filed March 4, 2004 (Attorney Docket No. TILA-01179US2); and U.S. Patent Application No. 10/ ,-entitled "METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A SEALABLE BAG HAVING AN INDICIA FOR USE IN
VACUUM PACKAGING," by Hongyu Wu, efi al., filed March 4, 2004 (Attorney Docket i~o.
TiLA-01179US3).
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS
[0002] This application incorporates by reference all of the following co-pending applications:
[00~3] U.S. Provisional Patent Application fro. 80/452,168, entitled "LICJtUID-TRAPPIflIG BAG FOR USE lid VACUUM PACI<AGIi~G," by Henry Wu, et al., filed March 5, 2003 (Attorney Docket No. TILA-01177US0);
00004] U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/452,138, entitled "METHOD FOR
MANUFACTURING LIQUID-TRAPPING BAG FOR USE IN VACUUM PACKAGING," by Henry Wu, et al., filed March 5, 2003 (Attorney Docket No. TILA-01177US1);
[0005] U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/452,172, entitled "SEALABLE
BAG
HAVING AN INTEGRATED TRAY FOR USE IN VACUUM PACKAGING," by Henry Wu, et al., filed March 5, 2003 (Attorney Docket No. TILA-01178US0);
[0006] U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/452,171, entitled "METHOD
FOR
MANUFACTURING A SEALABLE BAG HAVING AN INTEGRATED TRAY FOR USE IN
VACUUM PACKAGING," by Henry Wu, et al., filed March 5, 2003 (Attorney Docket No. TILA-01178US1);
[0007] U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/452,142, entitled "SEALABLE
BAG
HAVING AN INTEGRATED ZIPPER FOR USE IN VACUUM PACKAGING," by Henry Wu, et al., filed March 5, 2003 (Attorney Docket No. TILA-01180US0);
[0008] U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/452,021, entitled "METHOD
FOR
MANUFACTURING A SEALABLE BAG HAVING AN INTEGRATED ZIPPER FOR USE IN
VACUUM PACKAGING," by Henry Wu, et al., filed March 5, 2003 (Attorney Docket No. TILA-01180US1);
[0009] U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/451,955, entitled "SEALABLE
BAG
HAVING AN INTEGRATED VALVE STRUCTURE FOR USE IN VACUUM PACKAGING," by Henry Wu, et al., filed March 5, 2003 (Attorney Docket No. TILA-01181 USO);
[0010] U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/451,956, entitled "METHOD
FOR
MANUFACTURING A SEALABLE BAG HAVING AN INTEGRATED VALVE STRUCTURE
FOR USE IN VACUUM PACKAGING," by Henry Wu, et al., filed March 5, 2003 (Attorney Docket No. TILA-01181 US1 );
[0011] U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/452,157, entitled "SEALABLE
BAG
HAVING AN INTEGRATED TIMER/SENSOR FOR USE IN VACUUM PACKAGING," by Henry Wu, et al., filed March 5, 2003 (Attorney Docket No. TILA-01182US0);
[0012] U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/452,139, entitled "METHOD
FOR
MANUFACTURING A SEALABLE BAG HAVING AN INTEGRATED TIMER/SENSOR FOR
USE IN VACUUM PACKAGING," by Henry Wu, et al., fiiied March 5, 2003 (Attorney Docket No. TILA-01182US1);
[0013] U.S. Patent Application No. 10/169,485, entitled "METHOD FOR
PREPARING AIR CHANNEL EQUIPPED FILM FOR USE IN VACUUM PACKAGE," filed June 26, 2002;
[0014] U.S. Patent Application No. 10/~,-, entitled "LIQUID-TRAPPING BAG
FOR USE IN VACUUM PACKAGING," by Hongyu Wu, et al., filed March 4, 2004 (Attorney Docket No. TILA-01177US2);
[0015] U.S. Patent Application No. 10/ -, entitled "METHOD FOR
MANUFACTURING LIQUID-TRAPPING BAG FOR USE IN VACUUM PACKAGING," by Hongyu Wu, et al., filed March 4, 2004 (Attorney Docket No. TILA-01177US3);
[0016] U.S. Patent Application No. 10/ , , entitled "SEALABLE BAG HAVING
AN INTEGRATED TRAY FOR USE IN VACUUM PACKAGING," by Hongyu Wu, et al., filed March 4, 2004 (Attorney Docket No. TILA-01178US2);
[0017] U.S. Patent Application No. 10/ -, entitled "METHOD FOR
MANUFACTURING A SEALABLE BAG HAVING AN INTEGRATED TRAY FOR USE IN
VACUUM PACKAGING," by Hongyu Wu, et al., filed March 4, 2004 (Attorney Docket No.
TILA-01178US3);
[0018] U.S. Patent Application No. 10/ -, entitled,"SEALABLE BAG HAVING
AN INTEGRATED ZIPPER FOR USE IN VACUUM PACKAGING," by Hongyu Wu, et al., filed March 4, 2004 (Attorney Docket No. TILA-01180US2);
[0019] U.S. Patent Application No. 10/ -, entitled, "METHOD FOR
MANUFACTURING A SEALABLE BAG HAVING AN INTEGRATED ZIPPER FOR USE IN
VACUUM PACKAGING," by Hongyu Wu, et al., filed March 4, 2004 (Attorney Docket No.
TILA-01180US3);
[0020] U.S. Patent Application No.10/ , , entitled, "SEALABLE BAG HAVING
AN INTEGRATED VALVE STRUCTURE FOR USE IN VACUUM PACKAGING," by Hongyu Wu, et al., filed March 4, 2004 (Attorney Docket No. TILA-01181 US2);
[0021] U.S. Patent Application No. 10/ ,- entitled, "METHOD FOR
MANUFACTURING A SEALABLE BAG HAVING AN INTEGRATED VALVE STRUCTURE
FOR USE IN VACUUM PACKAGING," by Hongyu Wu, et al., filed March 4, 2004 (Attorney Docket No. TILA-01181 US3);
[0022] U.S. PatentApplication No.10/ ,-, entitled, "SEALABLE BAG HAVING
AN INTEGRATED TIMER/SENSOR FOR USE IN VACUUM PACKAGING," by Hongyu Wu, et al., filed March 4, 2004 (Attorney Docket No. TILA-01182US2); and [0023] U.S. Patent Application No. 10/ ,-, entitled, "METHOD FOR
MANUFACTURING A SEALABLE BAG HAVING AN INTEGRATED TIMER/SENSOR FOR
USE IN VACUUM PACKAGING," by Hongyu Wu, et al., filed March 4, 2004 (Attorney Docket No. TILA-01182US3).
FIEL~ ~F THE II~VEI~TI~~l [0024] The present invention relates to bags for use in vacuum packaging and methods and devices for manufacturing bags for use in vacuum packaging.
BACKGR~UN~
[0025] Methods and devices for preserving perishable foods such as fish and meats, processed foods, prepared meals, and left-overs, and non-perishable items are widely known, and widely varied. Foods are perishable because organisms such as bacteria, fungus and mold grow over time after a food container is opened and the food is left exposed to the atmosphere. Most methods and devices preserve food by protecting food from organism-filled air. A common method and device includes placing food into a gas-impermeable plastic bag, evacuating the air from the bag using suction from a vacuum pump or other suction source, and tightly sealing the bag.
[0026] A bag for use in vacuum packaging can consist of a first panel and second panel, each panel consisting of a single layer of heat-sealable, plastic-based film (for example, polyethylene). The panels are sealed together along a substantial portion of the periphery of the panels by heat-sealing techniques so as to form an envelope.
Perishable products, such as spoilable food, or other products are packed into the envelope via the unsealed portion through which air is subsequently evacuated . After perishable products are packed into the bag and air is evacuated from the inside of the bag, the unsealed portion is heated and pressed such that the panels adhere to each other, sealing the bag.
[0027] U.S. Pat. fVo. 2,778,173, incorporated herein by reference, discloses a method for improving the evacuation of air from the bag by forming channels in at least one of the panels with the aid of embossing techniques. Air escapes firom the bag along the channels during evacuation . The embossing forms a pattern of protuberances on at least one of the panels. The protuberances can be discrete pyramids, hemispheres, etc., and are formed by pressing a panel using heated female and male dies. The first panel is overlaid on the second panel such that the protuberances from one panel face the opposite panel. The contacting peripheral edges of the panels are sealed to each other to form an envelope having an inlet at an unsealed portion of the periphery. The perishable or other products are packed into the envelope through the inlet, and the inlet is sealed.
Thereafter, an opening is pierced in a part of the panel material that communicates with the channels, air is removed from the interior of the envelope through the channels and opening, and the opening is sealed. This type of bag requires two additional sealing steps after the perishable or other product is packed into the envelope. One further problem is that embossing creates impressions on the plastic such that indentations are formed on the opposite side of the panel.
[0028] To avoid additional sealing steps, a vacuum bag is formed having a first panel and a second panel consisting of laminated films. Each panel comprises a heat-sealable inner layer, a gas-impermeable outer layer, and optionally, one or more intermediate layers. Such a bag is described in U.S. Pat. No. Re. 34,929, incorporated herein by reference, At least one film from at least one pane( is embossed using an embossing mold to form protuberances and channels defined by the space between protuberances, so that air is 5 readily evacuated from the vacuum bag.
[0029] U.S. Pat. No. 5,554,423, incorporated herein by reference, discloses still another bag usable in vacuum packaging. The bag consists of a first and second panel, each panel consisting of a gas-impermeable outer layer and a heat-sealable inner layer. A plurality of heat-sealable strand elements are heat bonded at regular intervals to the inner layer of either the first panel or the second panel. The spaces between strand elements act as channels for the evacuation of air. The strand elements are extruded from an extrusion head and heat bonded to the heat-sealable layer by use of pressure rolls. Separate equipment is required for producing strand elements, and a procedure of heat bonding a plurality of strand elements at regular intervals to the heat-sealable inner layer is complicated.
Also, various shapes of pattern are hard to form using this process.
BRIEF ~ESCRIPTI~N ~F THE FIGURES
[0030] Further details of embodiments of the present invention are explained with the help of the attached drawings in which:
[0031] FIG.1A is a perspective view of a method for manufacturing a vacuum bag in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 1B is a side view of the method shown in FIG. 1A illustrating the embossing method used in an embodiment of the present invention;
[0033] FIG. 1 C is a close-up view of a portion of FIG. 1 B;
[0034] FIG. 2A-C are plan views of exemplary indicia on a panel in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, manufactured by the process shown in FIGs.1A and B;
[0035] FIG. 3A is a cross-section of a portion of a first panel as illustrated in FIG. 2B, overlapping a second panel of an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the indicia are indented into the inner layer;
[0036] FIG. 3B is a cross-section of a portion of a first panel as illustrated in FIG. 2B, overlapping a second panel of an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the indicia are protuberances;
[0037] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a method for manufacturing a vacuum bag having colored indicia in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
[0038] FIG. 4B is a perspective view of a method for manufacturing a vacuum bag having colored indicia in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention;
and [003t~] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a vacuum bag in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
~ET~ILB~ ~E~~I~Ih1'I~I~
[0040] Flf~~. 1A-1C illustrate one embodiment of a method for manufacturing a vacuum bag in accordance with the present invention. The vacuum bag comprises a first panel and a second panel, wherein each panel comprises a gas-impermeable base layer 108 and a heat-sealable inner layer 106 with at least one panel having indicia. A
laminating roll 102 and a cooling roll 104 are arranged so that the heat-sealable inner layer 106 can be laminated to the gas-impermeable base layer 108 as the melt-extruded resin is cooled. As illustrated in FIG.1 B, the gap between the laminating roll 102 and the cooling roll 104 can be controlled according to specifications (for example, thickness) of a panel for use in vacuum packaging. The temperature of the cooling roll 104 is maintained in a range such that the melt-extruded resin is sufficiently cooled to form the desired pattern. For example, a temperature range of about -15°C to about -10°C can be sufficient to properly form the desired pattern. The temperature range of the cooling roll 104 can vary according to the composition of the resin, the composition of the gas-impermeable base layer 108, environmental conditions, etc. and can require calibration. Also, the cooling roll 104 can be sized to have a larger diameter than the laminating roll 102, thereby bringing the melt-s extruded resin into contact with more cooled surface area. For example, the diameter of the cooling roll 104 can be about one-and-a-half to about three times as large (or more) as that of the laminating roll 102.
[0041] The heat-sealable inner layer 106 typically comprises a thermoplastic resin.
For example, the resin can be comprised of polyethylene (PE) suitable for preserving foods and harmless to a human body. A vacuum bag can be manufactured by overlapping two panels such that the heat-sealable inner layers 10~ ofi the two panels are brought into contact and heat is applied to a portion of the periphery of the panels to form an envelope. The thermoplasfiic resin can be chosen so that the tvuo panels strongly bond to each other when sufficient heat is applied.
[~~~2] The gas-impermeable base layer 1~8 is fed to the gap between the cooling roll 104. and the laminating roll 'i02 by a feeding means (not shown). The gas-impermeable base layer can be comprised of polyester, polyamide, ethylene vinyl alcohol (EV~H), nylon, or other material having similar properties and capable of being used in this manufacturing process, and also capable of being heated. The gas-impermeable base layer 108 can consist of one layer, or two or more layers, and can be transparent so that indicia is visible through the gas-impermeable base layer 108. When employing a multilayer-structured base layer, it should be understood that a total thickness thereof is also adjusted within the allowable range for the total gas-impermeable base layer 108.
[0043] An extruder 110 is positioned in such a way that the melt-extruded resin is layered on the gas-impermeable base layer 108 by feeding the melt-extruded resin to the nip between the cooling roll 104 and the gas-impermeable layer 108. The resin is fed through a nozzle 112 of the extruder 110. The temperature of the melt-extruded resin is dependent on the type of resin used, and can typically range from about 200° C to about 250°C. The amount of resin to be extruded into the laminating unit 100 is dependent on the desired thickness of the heat-sealable inner layer 106.
[0044] A pattern fabricated on the circumferential surface of the cooling roll 104 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention can include protuberances and/or cavities or other pattern forforming indicia. The resin extruded from the nozzle 112 is pressed between the cooling roll 104 and the gas-impermeable base layer 108 and squeezed out where protuberances of the cooling roll 104 press into the resin, and/or the resin flows into the cavities of the cooling roll 104. The resin quickly cools and solidifies in the desired pattern while adhering to the gas-impermeable base layer 108, thereby forming the heat sealable inner layer 106 of the panel 220 as shown in FIG. 2A-21=. The heat-sealable inner layer 106 can be formed while the resin is sufFiciently heated to allow the resin to flow, thereby molding the resin, unlike other methods adopting a post-embossing treatmentwhere the heat-sealable inner layer is drawn by a die or embossed between male and female components.
[0045 The depth (or thickness) of indicia formed on the heat-sealable inner layer 106 of a panel 220 can be determined by the height of the protuberances (or depth of the cavities) of the cooling roll 104. Thus, the shape, width, and depth (or thickness) of the indicia can be controlled by changing the specifications for the protuberances and/or cavities of the cooling roll 104. FIG. 364 illustrates a cross-section of two panels in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention wherein protuberances of the cooling roll 104 impress indicia into the melt-extruded resin . The heat-sealable inner layer 106 can range from 0.5-6.0 mils in thickness at the indicia, and 1.0-12.0 mils in thickness between indicia, while the gas-impermeable base layer 108 can range from about 0.5-8.0 mils in thickness.
FIG. 3B
illustrates a cross-section of two panels in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention wherein the cavities of the cooling roll 104 form indicia on the inner layer 106. The heat-sealable inner layer 106forthis alternative embodiment can range from 0.5-6.0 mils in thickness between indicia and 1.0-80.0 mils in thickness at the indicia. The dimensions of the inner layer 106 and the base layer 108 are set forth to illustrate, but are not to be construed to limit the dimensions.
[0046] FIG. 2A-2C are plan views of panels 220 formed by the cooling roll 104 for use in a vacuum bag, in which the heat-sealable inner layer 106 is molded in such a way that indicia 224 are formed on the heat-sealable inner layer 106. The indicia 224 can denote the intended contents of the bag, for example the indicia can resemble fish or poultry, etc. This can be useful for identifying the contents of a bag or for identifying pre-seasoned bags for marinating foods. Alternatively, the indicia 224 can be a trademark denoting the manufacturer or some other entity, for example. In other embodiments, the indicia 224 can be text, such as cooking or storing instructions or recipes. In still other embodiments, the indicia 224 can correspond to seasonal symbols such as snowmen or jack-o-lanterns. In still other embodiments, the indicia 224 can correspond to a name or mark of an owner of the contents.
~ne of ordinary skill in the art can appreciate the different methods for communicating messages, both informative and whimsical.
[0047] The indicia 224 can also be used to improve a characteristic of the bag. For example, as shown in FIG. 2B, a pattern of protruding indicia 224 resembling fishes can be used to suspend contents such that liquid collects in the bag beneath the contents and between the indicia 224. The indicia 224 can also act as channels for the evacuation of air and/or other gases from the bag.
[0048] In other embodiments, the indicia 224 can comprise a thermoplastic resin, wherein the thermoplastic resin is dyed or colored as desired so that the indicia is visually more apparent to a user. The colored indicia 224 can be applied to the surface, for example, in a separate manufacturing step. (n one embodiment, shown in FIG. 4A, indicia imprinted as described above can be subsequently filled with dyed resin melt-extruded from a second extruder 450. Excess resin can be removed by a knife edge 452, and the panel can be cooled so that the dyed resin adheres to the heat-sealable inner layer 106, forming colored indicia.
[0049] In other embodiments, cavities and/or protuberances of the cooling roll 5 can include ink or dye so that indicia formed are colored by the ink or dye, while the melt-extruded resin surrounding the indicia is not colored by the ink or dye. The cavities and/or protuberances of the cooling roll 104 can be re-coated with ink or dye by a soft, saturated material mated to the cooling roll 104 as it rotates, thereby acting as an "inkpad" for the cooling roll 104. Alternatively, the ink or dye can be "sweafied" into the cavities and/or 10 protuberances through pores in the surface of the cavities andlor protuberances. One of ordinary skill in the art can appreciate the different methods for applying ink to grooves.
[0050] FIG. 413 illustrates yet another embodiment in which a first layer of melt-extruded resin can be laminated to the gas-impermeable layer 109 as described above, however without any pattern. Subsequently, the laminated film can be fed to a gap between a second cooling roll a~~~ and a second laminating roll ~~~2, where a second e~~truder a50 feeds melt-extruded, dyed resin to the second cooling roll 444. having cavities corresponding to indicia 224. A knife edge 452 removes excess resin as the second cooling roll 444 rotates, and the still-cooling dyed resin adheres to the laminated film to form raised, colored indicia 224. Alternatively, the laminated film can be fed to an ink jet printer, or other printing device.
Accordingly, colored fish, for example, can be formed against a clear background or a background of another color.
[0051] FIG. 5 illustrates a bag for use in vacuum packaging in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The vacuum bag 560 comprises a first panel 520 overlapping a second panel 522. At least one indicia 224 is formed on at least one panel 520,522 in accordance with an embodiment described above. A panel 522,520 optionally includes channels 562 for evacuating air and other gases from the bag. The channels 562 can be formed, for example, along a portion ofthe panel as described in the cross-referenced application "LIQUID-TRAPPING BAG FOR VACUUM PACKAGING," incorporated herein by reference. The heat-sealable inner layer 106 and the gas-impermeable base layer 108 of the first and second panels 520,522 are typically made of the same material respectively, but can alternatively be made of different materials that exhibit heat-sealability and gas-impermeability respectively. Additionally, at least one panel 520,522 can be transparent so that indicia is visible.
[0052] The features and structures described above can be combined with other manufacturing techniques to form a valve or other structure, tray, or integrated sensor, as described in the cross-referenced provisional applications, incorporated herein by reference.
In other embodiments, the circumferential surfaces of the cooling rolls 104 described above can optionally include protuberances for forming perforations (not shown), such that a bag can be separated from a roll of bags by a customer.
[0053] As described above, the heat-sealable inner layer 106 is used as an inner layer and the gas-impermeable base layer 108 is used as an outer layer. The lower, left, and right edges of the first and the second panel 520,522 are bonded to each other by heating, so as to form an envelope for receiving a perishable or other product to be vacuum packaged.
Once a perishable or other product is placed in the vacuum bag 560, air and/or other gases can be evacuated from the bag 560, for example by a vacuum sealing machine as described in the above referenced U.S. Pat. No. 4,941,310, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Once the air and/or other gases are evacuated to the satisfaction of the user, the inlet can be sealed by applying heat, thereby activating the heat-sealable inner layers 106 and bonding them together where contacted by the heat.
[0054] The foregoing description of preferred embodiments of the present invention has been provided for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. It is to be understood that many modifications and variations will be apparent to the practitioner skilled in the art. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments and with various modifications that are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the following claims and their equivalence.
[0036] FIG. 3B is a cross-section of a portion of a first panel as illustrated in FIG. 2B, overlapping a second panel of an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the indicia are protuberances;
[0037] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a method for manufacturing a vacuum bag having colored indicia in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
[0038] FIG. 4B is a perspective view of a method for manufacturing a vacuum bag having colored indicia in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention;
and [003t~] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a vacuum bag in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
~ET~ILB~ ~E~~I~Ih1'I~I~
[0040] Flf~~. 1A-1C illustrate one embodiment of a method for manufacturing a vacuum bag in accordance with the present invention. The vacuum bag comprises a first panel and a second panel, wherein each panel comprises a gas-impermeable base layer 108 and a heat-sealable inner layer 106 with at least one panel having indicia. A
laminating roll 102 and a cooling roll 104 are arranged so that the heat-sealable inner layer 106 can be laminated to the gas-impermeable base layer 108 as the melt-extruded resin is cooled. As illustrated in FIG.1 B, the gap between the laminating roll 102 and the cooling roll 104 can be controlled according to specifications (for example, thickness) of a panel for use in vacuum packaging. The temperature of the cooling roll 104 is maintained in a range such that the melt-extruded resin is sufficiently cooled to form the desired pattern. For example, a temperature range of about -15°C to about -10°C can be sufficient to properly form the desired pattern. The temperature range of the cooling roll 104 can vary according to the composition of the resin, the composition of the gas-impermeable base layer 108, environmental conditions, etc. and can require calibration. Also, the cooling roll 104 can be sized to have a larger diameter than the laminating roll 102, thereby bringing the melt-s extruded resin into contact with more cooled surface area. For example, the diameter of the cooling roll 104 can be about one-and-a-half to about three times as large (or more) as that of the laminating roll 102.
[0041] The heat-sealable inner layer 106 typically comprises a thermoplastic resin.
For example, the resin can be comprised of polyethylene (PE) suitable for preserving foods and harmless to a human body. A vacuum bag can be manufactured by overlapping two panels such that the heat-sealable inner layers 10~ ofi the two panels are brought into contact and heat is applied to a portion of the periphery of the panels to form an envelope. The thermoplasfiic resin can be chosen so that the tvuo panels strongly bond to each other when sufficient heat is applied.
[~~~2] The gas-impermeable base layer 1~8 is fed to the gap between the cooling roll 104. and the laminating roll 'i02 by a feeding means (not shown). The gas-impermeable base layer can be comprised of polyester, polyamide, ethylene vinyl alcohol (EV~H), nylon, or other material having similar properties and capable of being used in this manufacturing process, and also capable of being heated. The gas-impermeable base layer 108 can consist of one layer, or two or more layers, and can be transparent so that indicia is visible through the gas-impermeable base layer 108. When employing a multilayer-structured base layer, it should be understood that a total thickness thereof is also adjusted within the allowable range for the total gas-impermeable base layer 108.
[0043] An extruder 110 is positioned in such a way that the melt-extruded resin is layered on the gas-impermeable base layer 108 by feeding the melt-extruded resin to the nip between the cooling roll 104 and the gas-impermeable layer 108. The resin is fed through a nozzle 112 of the extruder 110. The temperature of the melt-extruded resin is dependent on the type of resin used, and can typically range from about 200° C to about 250°C. The amount of resin to be extruded into the laminating unit 100 is dependent on the desired thickness of the heat-sealable inner layer 106.
[0044] A pattern fabricated on the circumferential surface of the cooling roll 104 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention can include protuberances and/or cavities or other pattern forforming indicia. The resin extruded from the nozzle 112 is pressed between the cooling roll 104 and the gas-impermeable base layer 108 and squeezed out where protuberances of the cooling roll 104 press into the resin, and/or the resin flows into the cavities of the cooling roll 104. The resin quickly cools and solidifies in the desired pattern while adhering to the gas-impermeable base layer 108, thereby forming the heat sealable inner layer 106 of the panel 220 as shown in FIG. 2A-21=. The heat-sealable inner layer 106 can be formed while the resin is sufFiciently heated to allow the resin to flow, thereby molding the resin, unlike other methods adopting a post-embossing treatmentwhere the heat-sealable inner layer is drawn by a die or embossed between male and female components.
[0045 The depth (or thickness) of indicia formed on the heat-sealable inner layer 106 of a panel 220 can be determined by the height of the protuberances (or depth of the cavities) of the cooling roll 104. Thus, the shape, width, and depth (or thickness) of the indicia can be controlled by changing the specifications for the protuberances and/or cavities of the cooling roll 104. FIG. 364 illustrates a cross-section of two panels in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention wherein protuberances of the cooling roll 104 impress indicia into the melt-extruded resin . The heat-sealable inner layer 106 can range from 0.5-6.0 mils in thickness at the indicia, and 1.0-12.0 mils in thickness between indicia, while the gas-impermeable base layer 108 can range from about 0.5-8.0 mils in thickness.
FIG. 3B
illustrates a cross-section of two panels in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention wherein the cavities of the cooling roll 104 form indicia on the inner layer 106. The heat-sealable inner layer 106forthis alternative embodiment can range from 0.5-6.0 mils in thickness between indicia and 1.0-80.0 mils in thickness at the indicia. The dimensions of the inner layer 106 and the base layer 108 are set forth to illustrate, but are not to be construed to limit the dimensions.
[0046] FIG. 2A-2C are plan views of panels 220 formed by the cooling roll 104 for use in a vacuum bag, in which the heat-sealable inner layer 106 is molded in such a way that indicia 224 are formed on the heat-sealable inner layer 106. The indicia 224 can denote the intended contents of the bag, for example the indicia can resemble fish or poultry, etc. This can be useful for identifying the contents of a bag or for identifying pre-seasoned bags for marinating foods. Alternatively, the indicia 224 can be a trademark denoting the manufacturer or some other entity, for example. In other embodiments, the indicia 224 can be text, such as cooking or storing instructions or recipes. In still other embodiments, the indicia 224 can correspond to seasonal symbols such as snowmen or jack-o-lanterns. In still other embodiments, the indicia 224 can correspond to a name or mark of an owner of the contents.
~ne of ordinary skill in the art can appreciate the different methods for communicating messages, both informative and whimsical.
[0047] The indicia 224 can also be used to improve a characteristic of the bag. For example, as shown in FIG. 2B, a pattern of protruding indicia 224 resembling fishes can be used to suspend contents such that liquid collects in the bag beneath the contents and between the indicia 224. The indicia 224 can also act as channels for the evacuation of air and/or other gases from the bag.
[0048] In other embodiments, the indicia 224 can comprise a thermoplastic resin, wherein the thermoplastic resin is dyed or colored as desired so that the indicia is visually more apparent to a user. The colored indicia 224 can be applied to the surface, for example, in a separate manufacturing step. (n one embodiment, shown in FIG. 4A, indicia imprinted as described above can be subsequently filled with dyed resin melt-extruded from a second extruder 450. Excess resin can be removed by a knife edge 452, and the panel can be cooled so that the dyed resin adheres to the heat-sealable inner layer 106, forming colored indicia.
[0049] In other embodiments, cavities and/or protuberances of the cooling roll 5 can include ink or dye so that indicia formed are colored by the ink or dye, while the melt-extruded resin surrounding the indicia is not colored by the ink or dye. The cavities and/or protuberances of the cooling roll 104 can be re-coated with ink or dye by a soft, saturated material mated to the cooling roll 104 as it rotates, thereby acting as an "inkpad" for the cooling roll 104. Alternatively, the ink or dye can be "sweafied" into the cavities and/or 10 protuberances through pores in the surface of the cavities andlor protuberances. One of ordinary skill in the art can appreciate the different methods for applying ink to grooves.
[0050] FIG. 413 illustrates yet another embodiment in which a first layer of melt-extruded resin can be laminated to the gas-impermeable layer 109 as described above, however without any pattern. Subsequently, the laminated film can be fed to a gap between a second cooling roll a~~~ and a second laminating roll ~~~2, where a second e~~truder a50 feeds melt-extruded, dyed resin to the second cooling roll 444. having cavities corresponding to indicia 224. A knife edge 452 removes excess resin as the second cooling roll 444 rotates, and the still-cooling dyed resin adheres to the laminated film to form raised, colored indicia 224. Alternatively, the laminated film can be fed to an ink jet printer, or other printing device.
Accordingly, colored fish, for example, can be formed against a clear background or a background of another color.
[0051] FIG. 5 illustrates a bag for use in vacuum packaging in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The vacuum bag 560 comprises a first panel 520 overlapping a second panel 522. At least one indicia 224 is formed on at least one panel 520,522 in accordance with an embodiment described above. A panel 522,520 optionally includes channels 562 for evacuating air and other gases from the bag. The channels 562 can be formed, for example, along a portion ofthe panel as described in the cross-referenced application "LIQUID-TRAPPING BAG FOR VACUUM PACKAGING," incorporated herein by reference. The heat-sealable inner layer 106 and the gas-impermeable base layer 108 of the first and second panels 520,522 are typically made of the same material respectively, but can alternatively be made of different materials that exhibit heat-sealability and gas-impermeability respectively. Additionally, at least one panel 520,522 can be transparent so that indicia is visible.
[0052] The features and structures described above can be combined with other manufacturing techniques to form a valve or other structure, tray, or integrated sensor, as described in the cross-referenced provisional applications, incorporated herein by reference.
In other embodiments, the circumferential surfaces of the cooling rolls 104 described above can optionally include protuberances for forming perforations (not shown), such that a bag can be separated from a roll of bags by a customer.
[0053] As described above, the heat-sealable inner layer 106 is used as an inner layer and the gas-impermeable base layer 108 is used as an outer layer. The lower, left, and right edges of the first and the second panel 520,522 are bonded to each other by heating, so as to form an envelope for receiving a perishable or other product to be vacuum packaged.
Once a perishable or other product is placed in the vacuum bag 560, air and/or other gases can be evacuated from the bag 560, for example by a vacuum sealing machine as described in the above referenced U.S. Pat. No. 4,941,310, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Once the air and/or other gases are evacuated to the satisfaction of the user, the inlet can be sealed by applying heat, thereby activating the heat-sealable inner layers 106 and bonding them together where contacted by the heat.
[0054] The foregoing description of preferred embodiments of the present invention has been provided for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. It is to be understood that many modifications and variations will be apparent to the practitioner skilled in the art. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments and with various modifications that are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the following claims and their equivalence.
Claims (58)
1. A bag adapted to receive an article, comprising:
a first panel defining at least one molded portion;
a second panel; and the first panel and the second panel secured together to form the bag;
wherein the at least one molded portion is an indicia.
a first panel defining at least one molded portion;
a second panel; and the first panel and the second panel secured together to form the bag;
wherein the at least one molded portion is an indicia.
2. A bag adapted to receive an article, comprising:
a first panel having:
a first outer layer; and a first inner layer connected with the first outer layer, the first inner layer including at least one molded portion integrally formed with the first inner layer;
wherein the at least one molded portion is an indicia; and a second panel connected with the first panel such that the first panel and the second panel form an envelope having an inlet, the second panel having:
a second outer layer; and a second inner layer connected with the second outer layer.
a first panel having:
a first outer layer; and a first inner layer connected with the first outer layer, the first inner layer including at least one molded portion integrally formed with the first inner layer;
wherein the at least one molded portion is an indicia; and a second panel connected with the first panel such that the first panel and the second panel form an envelope having an inlet, the second panel having:
a second outer layer; and a second inner layer connected with the second outer layer.
3. The bag of claim 2, wherein the first outer layer and the second outer layer comprise a gas-impermeable material.
4. The bag of claim 3, wherein the gas-impermeable material is one of polyester, polyamide, ethylene vinyl alcohol, and nylon.
5. The bag of claim 2, wherein the first inner layer and the second inner layer comprise a thermoplastic resin.
6. The bag of claim 5, wherein the thermoplastic resin is polyethylene.
7. The bag of claim 2, wherein the indicia is information.
8. The bag of claim 7, wherein the information is one or more recipes.
9. The bag of claim 7, wherein the information is storage instructions.
10. The bag of claim 7, wherein the information is a label identifying the article.
11. The bag of claim 7, wherein the information is a trademark.
12. The bag of claim 7, wherein the information is one of a name and a mark of an owner of the article.
13. The bag of claim 2, wherein the indicia is a seasonal decoration.
14. The bag of claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the indicia includes a surface having a color different than a color of the first and second panel.
15. A bag adapted to receive an article, comprising:
a first panel including:
a first gas-impermeable layer; and a first inner layer laminated to the first gas-impermeable layer, the first inner layer having a textured exposed surface;
wherein the textured exposed surface is an indicia;
a second panel including:
a second gas-impermeable layer; and a second inner layer laminated to the second gas-impermeable layer;
wherein the first panel is connected with the second panel to form an envelope such that the first inner layer opposes the second inner layer, the envelope including a heat-sealable opening for evacuating gas.
a first panel including:
a first gas-impermeable layer; and a first inner layer laminated to the first gas-impermeable layer, the first inner layer having a textured exposed surface;
wherein the textured exposed surface is an indicia;
a second panel including:
a second gas-impermeable layer; and a second inner layer laminated to the second gas-impermeable layer;
wherein the first panel is connected with the second panel to form an envelope such that the first inner layer opposes the second inner layer, the envelope including a heat-sealable opening for evacuating gas.
16. A heat-sealable bag adapted to receive an article, comprising:
a first panel including:
a first gas-impermeable layer;
at least one first intermediate layer connected with the first gas-impermeable layer; and a first inner layer laminated to the at least one first intermediate layer, the first inner layer having a textured exposed surface;
wherein the textured exposed surface is an indicia; and a second panel including:
a second gas-impermeable layer;
at least one second intermediate layer connected with the second gas-impermeable layer; and a second inner layer laminated to the at least one second intermediate layer;
wherein the first panel is connected with the second panel to form an envelope such that the first inner layer opposes the second inner layer, the envelope including a heat-sealable opening for evacuating gas.
a first panel including:
a first gas-impermeable layer;
at least one first intermediate layer connected with the first gas-impermeable layer; and a first inner layer laminated to the at least one first intermediate layer, the first inner layer having a textured exposed surface;
wherein the textured exposed surface is an indicia; and a second panel including:
a second gas-impermeable layer;
at least one second intermediate layer connected with the second gas-impermeable layer; and a second inner layer laminated to the at least one second intermediate layer;
wherein the first panel is connected with the second panel to form an envelope such that the first inner layer opposes the second inner layer, the envelope including a heat-sealable opening for evacuating gas.
17. The bag of claim 16, wherein the first gas-impermeable layer and the second gas-impermeable layer comprise one of polyester, polyamide, ethylene vinyl alcohol, and nylon.
18. The bag of claim 16, wherein the first inner layer and the second inner layer comprise a thermoplastic resin.
19. The bag of claim 18, wherein the thermoplastic resin is polyethylene.
20. The bag of claim 16, wherein the indicia is information.
21. The bag of claim 20, wherein the information is one or more recipes.
22. The bag of claim 20, wherein the information is storage instructions.
23. The bag of claim 20, wherein the information is a label identifying the article.
24. The bag of claim 20, wherein the information is a trademark.
25. The bag of claim 20, wherein the information is one of a name and a mark of an owner of the article.
26. The bag of claim 16, wherein the indicia is a seasonal decoration.
27. The bag of claim 16, wherein at least a portion of the indicia includes a surface having a color different than a color of the first and second panel.
28. A system for forming a bag including a three-dimensional structure formed on at least one panel, comprising:
a cooling roll having one or more structures for forming one or more indicia;
a laminating roll;
a backing material;
a flowable material that can be flowed into the one or more structures to form the one or more indicia, the one or more indicia adhering to the backing material.
a cooling roll having one or more structures for forming one or more indicia;
a laminating roll;
a backing material;
a flowable material that can be flowed into the one or more structures to form the one or more indicia, the one or more indicia adhering to the backing material.
29. A method for forming a panel for use in a sealable bag, comprising:
flowing a material onto a backing film, such that the flowing material is molded to form a structure;
wherein the structure is an indicia;
cooling the flowing material such that the flowing material solidifies to form an inner layer having the structure; and wherein the inner layer adheres to the backing film.
flowing a material onto a backing film, such that the flowing material is molded to form a structure;
wherein the structure is an indicia;
cooling the flowing material such that the flowing material solidifies to form an inner layer having the structure; and wherein the inner layer adheres to the backing film.
30. A method for forming a bag adapted to receive an article, the bag being partially formed between a laminating roll and a cooling roll having a plurality of cavities for forming a structure, comprising:
feeding a gas-impermeable film to a nip formed by the cooling roll and the laminating roll;
extruding resin such that the resin fills the nip and the plurality of cavities exposed to the nip;
pressing the resin between the cooling roll and the laminating roll;
cooling the resin such that the resin forms the structure and adheres to the gas-impermeable film, forming a panel;
wherein the structure includes one or more indicia;
folding the panel such that a first portion of the panel overlaps a second portion of the panel; and applying heat to a portion of a periphery of the first and second portions such that an envelope is formed.
feeding a gas-impermeable film to a nip formed by the cooling roll and the laminating roll;
extruding resin such that the resin fills the nip and the plurality of cavities exposed to the nip;
pressing the resin between the cooling roll and the laminating roll;
cooling the resin such that the resin forms the structure and adheres to the gas-impermeable film, forming a panel;
wherein the structure includes one or more indicia;
folding the panel such that a first portion of the panel overlaps a second portion of the panel; and applying heat to a portion of a periphery of the first and second portions such that an envelope is formed.
31. A method for manufacturing a bag adapted to receive an article, comprising:
feeding a first gas-impermeable film to a first nip formed by a first cooling roll and a first laminating roll, the first cooling roll having a plurality of cavities for forming a structure;
wherein the structure includes one or more indicia;
extruding resin such that the resin fills the first nip and the plurality of cavities exposed to the first nip;
pressing the resin between the first cooling roll and the first laminating roll;
cooling the resin such that a first inner layer having the structure is formed;
wherein the first inner layer adheres to the first gas-impermeable film, thereby forming a first panel;
feeding a second gas-impermeable film to a second nip formed by a second cooling roll and a second laminating roll;
extruding resin such that the resin fills the second nip;
pressing the resin between the second cooling roll and the second laminating roll;
cooling the resin such that a second inner layer is formed;
wherein the second inner layer adheres to the second gas-impermeable film, thereby forming a second panel;
overlapping the first panel with the second panel; and applying heat to a first, second, and third side of the first and second panels,
feeding a first gas-impermeable film to a first nip formed by a first cooling roll and a first laminating roll, the first cooling roll having a plurality of cavities for forming a structure;
wherein the structure includes one or more indicia;
extruding resin such that the resin fills the first nip and the plurality of cavities exposed to the first nip;
pressing the resin between the first cooling roll and the first laminating roll;
cooling the resin such that a first inner layer having the structure is formed;
wherein the first inner layer adheres to the first gas-impermeable film, thereby forming a first panel;
feeding a second gas-impermeable film to a second nip formed by a second cooling roll and a second laminating roll;
extruding resin such that the resin fills the second nip;
pressing the resin between the second cooling roll and the second laminating roll;
cooling the resin such that a second inner layer is formed;
wherein the second inner layer adheres to the second gas-impermeable film, thereby forming a second panel;
overlapping the first panel with the second panel; and applying heat to a first, second, and third side of the first and second panels,
32. A method for manufacturing a bag adapted to receive an article, comprising:
rotating a first cooling roil at a first rate, the first cooling roll including one or more cavities for forming a structure having one or more indicia;
rotating a first laminating roll at a second rate;
introducing a first film to a first nip between the first cooling roll and the first laminating roll;
extruding molten material to the first nip;
pressing the molten material between the first cooling roll and the first film such that the molten material fills the plurality of cavities exposed to the first nip;
cooling the molten material such that a first inner layer is formed;
wherein the first inner layer includes the structure;
wherein the first inner layer adheres to the first film, thereby forming a first panel;
rotating a second cooling roll at a third rate;
rotating a second laminating roll at a fourth rate;
introducing a second film to a second nip between the second cooling roll and the second laminating roll;
extruding molten material to the second nip;
pressing the molten material between the second cooling roll and the second film such that the molten material fills the plurality of cavities exposed to the second nip;
cooling the molten material such that a second inner layer is formed;
wherein the second inner layer adheres to the second film, thereby forming a second panel;
overlapping the first panel with the second panel; and applying heat to a portion of a periphery of the first and second panels such that the first panel and the second panel form an envelope.
rotating a first cooling roil at a first rate, the first cooling roll including one or more cavities for forming a structure having one or more indicia;
rotating a first laminating roll at a second rate;
introducing a first film to a first nip between the first cooling roll and the first laminating roll;
extruding molten material to the first nip;
pressing the molten material between the first cooling roll and the first film such that the molten material fills the plurality of cavities exposed to the first nip;
cooling the molten material such that a first inner layer is formed;
wherein the first inner layer includes the structure;
wherein the first inner layer adheres to the first film, thereby forming a first panel;
rotating a second cooling roll at a third rate;
rotating a second laminating roll at a fourth rate;
introducing a second film to a second nip between the second cooling roll and the second laminating roll;
extruding molten material to the second nip;
pressing the molten material between the second cooling roll and the second film such that the molten material fills the plurality of cavities exposed to the second nip;
cooling the molten material such that a second inner layer is formed;
wherein the second inner layer adheres to the second film, thereby forming a second panel;
overlapping the first panel with the second panel; and applying heat to a portion of a periphery of the first and second panels such that the first panel and the second panel form an envelope.
33. The method of claim 32, wherein the second rate is an integer multiple of the first rate and the fourth rate is an integer multiple of the third rate.
34. The method of claim 32, wherein the first film and the second film comprise at least one layer.
35. The method of claim 34, wherein the at least one layer comprises a gas-impermeable material.
36. The method of claim 35, wherein the gas-impermeable material is one of polyester, polyamide, ethylene vinyl alcohol, and nylon.
37. The method of claim 32, wherein the molten material is polyethylene.
38. The method of claim 32, wherein a thickness of the first inner layer is determined by the size of the first nip and the thickness of the second inner layer is determined by the size of the second nip.
39. The method of claim 32, wherein the one or more indicia is information.
40. The method of claim 39, wherein the information is one or more recipes.
41. The method of claim 39, wherein the information is storage instructions.
42. The method of claim 39, wherein the information is a label identifying the article.
43. The method of claim 39, wherein the information is a trademark.
44. The method of claim 39, wherein the information is one of a name and a mark of an owner of the article.
45. The method of claim 32 wherein the indicia is a seasonal decoration.
46. The method of claim 32, wherein at least a portion of the indicia includes a surface having a color different than a color of the first and second panel.
47. A method of manufacturing a bag adapted to receive an article, comprising:
rotating a first roller having one or more recesses that can define one or more indicia;
rotating a second roller adjacent to the first roller, said second roller can feed a first film adjacent to the first roller;
applying a molten material between the first roller and the film;
said molten material filling the recesses of the first roller, and said molten material and film moving between the first roller and the second roller forming a first panel with a plurality of receptacles;
forming a second panel; and mating the first panel to the second panel in order to form a bag.
rotating a first roller having one or more recesses that can define one or more indicia;
rotating a second roller adjacent to the first roller, said second roller can feed a first film adjacent to the first roller;
applying a molten material between the first roller and the film;
said molten material filling the recesses of the first roller, and said molten material and film moving between the first roller and the second roller forming a first panel with a plurality of receptacles;
forming a second panel; and mating the first panel to the second panel in order to form a bag.
48. The method of claim 47 including:
using a gas impermeable material for the film; and using a heat sealable material for the molten material.
using a gas impermeable material for the film; and using a heat sealable material for the molten material.
49. The method of claim 47, wherein said second panel is formed with the first roller and the second roller.
50. The method of claim 47, wherein said second panel is formed with the first roller and the second roller, and the mating step includes folding the first panel over the second panel.
51. The method of claim 47, wherein the one or more indicia is information.
52. The method of claim 51, wherein the information is one or more recipes.
53. The method of claim 51, wherein the information is storage instructions.
54. The method of claim 51, wherein the information is a label identifying the article.
55. The method of claim 51, wherein the information is a trademark.
56. The method of claim 51, wherein the information is one of a name and a mark of an owner of the article.
57. The method of claim 47, wherein the indicia is a seasonal decoration.
58. The method of claim 47, wherein at least a portion of the indicia includes a surface haying a color different than a color of the first and second panel.
Applications Claiming Priority (9)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US45195403P | 2003-03-05 | 2003-03-05 | |
| US45194803P | 2003-03-05 | 2003-03-05 | |
| US60/451,954 | 2003-03-05 | ||
| US60/451,948 | 2003-03-05 | ||
| US10/794,351 | 2004-03-04 | ||
| US10/794,351 US20050029704A1 (en) | 2003-03-05 | 2004-03-04 | Method for manufacturing a sealable bag having an indicia for use in vacuum packaging |
| US10/794,488 US20050036719A1 (en) | 2003-03-05 | 2004-03-04 | Sealable bag having an indicia for use in vacuum packaging |
| US10/794,488 | 2004-03-04 | ||
| PCT/US2004/006954 WO2004078592A2 (en) | 2003-03-05 | 2004-03-05 | System and method for forming an indicia for use in vacuum packaging |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2517852A1 true CA2517852A1 (en) | 2004-09-16 |
Family
ID=32966713
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002517852A Abandoned CA2517852A1 (en) | 2003-03-05 | 2004-03-05 | System and method for forming an indicia for use in vacuum packaging |
Country Status (6)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP1615822A2 (en) |
| KR (1) | KR20050107601A (en) |
| AU (1) | AU2004217859A1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2517852A1 (en) |
| MX (1) | MXPA05009457A (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2004078592A2 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2023028049A3 (en) * | 2021-08-23 | 2023-03-30 | Boar's Head Provisions Co., Inc. | Systems and methods for forming and utlizing patterned forming & sealing films |
Families Citing this family (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2893009B1 (en) * | 2005-11-09 | 2010-03-12 | Autobar Flexible Packaging | PLASTIC PACKAGING BAG AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME |
| GB2466526A (en) * | 2009-05-11 | 2010-06-30 | Anderson Smith Ltd | Vacuum packed item provided with template for cutting item into portions |
| CN112393517A (en) * | 2019-08-16 | 2021-02-23 | 海信（山东）冰箱有限公司 | Refrigerator with vacuum packaging system |
Family Cites Families (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5935847A (en) * | 1994-10-28 | 1999-08-10 | Baxter International Inc. | Multilayer gas-permeable container for the culture of adherent and non-adherent cells |
-
2004
- 2004-03-05 MX MXPA05009457A patent/MXPA05009457A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2004-03-05 KR KR1020057016429A patent/KR20050107601A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2004-03-05 AU AU2004217859A patent/AU2004217859A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2004-03-05 EP EP04718152A patent/EP1615822A2/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2004-03-05 WO PCT/US2004/006954 patent/WO2004078592A2/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2004-03-05 CA CA002517852A patent/CA2517852A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2023028049A3 (en) * | 2021-08-23 | 2023-03-30 | Boar's Head Provisions Co., Inc. | Systems and methods for forming and utlizing patterned forming & sealing films |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| MXPA05009457A (en) | 2006-04-07 |
| WO2004078592A2 (en) | 2004-09-16 |
| WO2004078592A3 (en) | 2005-12-22 |
| AU2004217859A1 (en) | 2004-09-16 |
| EP1615822A2 (en) | 2006-01-18 |
| KR20050107601A (en) | 2005-11-14 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |