Abstract:
A method for manufacturing a bag for use in vacuum packaging comprises forming a first panel having a plurality of baffles for evacuating air and/or other gases from inside the bag using a suction source, while preventing liquids from being drawn into the suction source, and a second panel. Each panel comprises a gas-impermeable base layer and a heat-sealable inner layer molded from melt-extruded resin. The first panel is overlapped with the second panel, and three of four edges of the panels are heated such that the inner layers bond at the heated edges. 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:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
   This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/794,349 filed on Mar. 4, 2004 now abandoned which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application 60/452,138 filed on March 5, 2003. The entire disclosure of each of the aforementioned patent applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
   CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
   This U.S. Patent Application incorporates by reference all of the following co-pending applications: 
   U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/452,168, entitled “LIQUID-TRAPPING BAG FOR USE IN VACUUM PACKAGING,” by Henry Wu, et al., filed Mar. 5, 2003; 
   U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/452,172, entitled “SEALABLE BAG HAVING AN INTEGRATED TRAY FOR USE IN VACUUM PACKAGING,” by Henry Wu, et al., filed Mar. 5, 2003; 
   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 Mar. 5, 2003; 
   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 Mar. 5, 2003; 
   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 Mar. 5, 2003; 
   U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/452,142, entitled “SEALABLE BAG HAVING AN INTEGRATED ZIPPER FOR USE IN VACUUM PACKAGING,” by Henry Wu, et al., filed Mar. 5, 2003; 
   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 Mar. 5, 2003; 
   U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/451,955, entitled “SEALABLE BAG HAVING AN INTEGRATED VALVE STRUCTURE FOR USE IN VACUUM PACKAGING,” by Henry Wu, et al., filed Mar. 5, 2003; 
   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 Mar. 5, 2003; 
   U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/452,157, entitled “SEALABLE BAG HAVING AN INTEGRATED TIMER/SENSOR FOR USE IN VACUUM PACKAGING,” by Henry Wu, et al., filed Mar. 5, 2003; 
   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., filed Mar. 5, 2003; 
   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/169,485, entitled “METHOD FOR PREPARING AIR CHANNEL EQUIPPED FILM FOR USE IN VACUUM PACKAGE”, filed Jun. 26, 2002; 
   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/795,149, entitled “LIQUID-TRAPPING BAG FOR USE IN VACUUM PACKAGING,” filed concurrently; 
   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/794,951, entitled “SEALABLE BAG HAVING AN INTEGRATED TRAY FOR USE IN VACUUM PACKAGING,” filed concurrently; 
   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/794,369, entitled “METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A SEALABLE BAG HAVING AN INTEGRATED TRAY FOR USE IN VACUUM PACKAGING,” filed concurrently. 
   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/794,488, entitled “SEALABLE BAG HAVING AN INDICIA FOR USE IN VACUUM PACKAGING,” filed concurrently;
         U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/794,351, entitled “METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A SEALABLE BAG HAVING AN INDICIA FOR USE IN VACUUM PACKAGING,” filed concurrently;       

   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/795,048, entitled, “SEALABLE BAG HAVING AN INTEGRATED ZIPPER FOR USE IN VACUUM PACKAGING,” filed concurrently; 
   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/794,487, entitled, “METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A SEALABLE BAG HAVING AN INTEGRATED ZIPPER FOR USE IN VACUUM PACKAGING,” filed concurrently; 
   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/794,354, entitled, “SEALABLE BAG HAVING AN INTEGRATED VALVE STRUCTURE FOR USE IN VACUUM PACKAGING,” filed concurrently; 
   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/794,952, entitled, “METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A SEALABLE BAG HAVING AN INTEGRATED VALVE STRUCTURE FOR USE IN VACUUM PACKAGING,” filed concurrently; 
   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/794,368, entitled, “SEALABLE BAG HAVING AN INTEGRATED TIMER/SENSOR FOR USE IN VACUUM PACKAGING,” filed concurrently; and 
   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/794,373, entitled, “METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A SEALABLE BAG HAVING AN INTEGRATED TIMER/SENSOR FOR USE IN VACUUM PACKAGING,” filed concurrently. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to bags for use in vacuum packaging and methods and devices for manufacturing bags for use in vacuum packaging. 
   BACKGROUND 
   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. 
   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. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 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 from 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 
   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 panel is embossed using an embossing mold to form protuberances and charnels defined by the space between protuberances, so that air is readily evacuated from the vacuum bag. 
   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 DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
     Further details of embodiments of the present invention are explained with the help of the attached drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a method for manufacturing a vacuum bag in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
       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; 
       FIG. 1C  is a close-up view of a portion of  FIG. 1B ; 
       FIG. 2A  is a top view of a partial portion of a first panel overlapping a partial portion of a second panel in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2B  is a cross-section view through line  2 B- 2 B of  FIG. 2A ; 
       FIG. 3A-3E  are plan views of exemplary patterns on a panel in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, manufactured by the process shown in  FIG. 1 ; and 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a vacuum bag in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIGS. 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 liquid flow obstructing protuberances and/or channels. A laminating roll  102  and a cooling roll  104  are arranged so that melt-extruded resin can be introduced between the rolls and cooled to form the heat-sealable inner layer  106  and to laminate the formed inner layer  106  to the gas-impermeable base layer  108 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1C , a 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 can be sufficiently cooled to form a 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-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 . 
   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  106  of 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 thermoplastic resin can be chosen so that the two panels strongly bond to each other when sufficient heat is applied. 
   The gas-impermeable base layer  108  is fed to the gap between the cooling roll  104  and the laminating roll  102  by a feeding means (not shown). The gas-impermeable base layer can be comprised of polyester, polyamide, ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), nylon, or other material having similar properties, that is capable of being heated and capable of being used in this manufacturing process. The gas-impermeable base layer  108  can consist of one layer, or two or more layers. 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 . 
   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 a nip between the cooling roll  104  and the gas-impermeable base 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 extruded into the laminating unit  100  is dependent on the desired thickness of the heat-sealable inner layer  106 . 
   A pattern fabricated on the circumferential surface of the cooling roll  104  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention can include cavities (and/or protuberances) defining a plurality of discrete channels having a baffled structure. The resin extruded from the nozzle  112  is pressed between the cooling roll  104  and the gas-impermeable base layer  108  and 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. 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 treatment where the heat-sealable inner layer is drawn by a die or embossed between male and female components. 
   The thickness of each protuberance formed on the heat-sealable inner layer  106  of a panel can be determined by the depth of the cavities of the cooling roll  104 , and the width of the channel can be determined by the interval between the cavities. Thus, the shape, width, and thickness of the channels for the evacuation of air and/or other gases can be controlled by changing the specifications for the cavities of the cooling roll  104 .  FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate a cross-section (along line  2 B- 2 B) of two panels in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention (the thickness of the panels are exaggerated relative to the width of the channel walls and baffles). The heat-sealable inner layer  106  can range from preferably 0.5-6.0 mils in thickness at the channels  224 , and preferably 1.0-12.0 mils in thickness at the protuberances  226 , 228 , while the gas-impermeable base layer  108  can range from about preferably 0.5-8.0 mils in thickness. The dimensions of the inner layer and the base layer are set forth to illustrate, but are not to be construed to limit the dimensions of the inner layer and the base layer. 
     FIG. 3A  is a plan view of a pattern  320  formed on a panel 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 protuberances form the plurality of channels  224  having channels walls  226  and baffles  228 . The baffles  228  can be arranged in a herringbone pattern at angles such that air and/or other gases  340  (shown schematically) can be drawn around the baffles  228  by suction and evacuated from the vacuum bag, while heavier liquid particles  342  can be trapped between the channel walls  226  and the baffles  228 . Angles formed by the intersection of baffles  228  and channel walls  226 , and gaps between adjacent baffles  228  can be defined when producing the cooling roll  104  to suit the liquid intended to be trapped. Different arrangements of the baffles  228  relative to the chamber walls  226 , and relative to other baffles  228  can be multi-fold (shaped to define liquid-trapping vessels), and can be optimized to improve evacuation of the air and/or other gases  340 , while effectively preventing liquids  342  from being drawn out of the vacuum bag. For example, as shown in  FIG. 3A  the baffles  228  can be arranged such that an approach angle for passing through the channel opening between the baffles  228  is severe and that vessels formed by the baffles  228  are relatively deep, thereby retarding liquid flow by deflecting liquid  342  into the vessels and trapping a significant amount of liquid  342 . 
   As indicated above, one of ordinary skill in the art can appreciate the multitude of different baffle arrangements for retarding the evacuation of liquid  342  relative to the evacuation of air and/or other gases  340 . As shown in  FIG. 3B , in other embodiments a pattern  320  fabricated on the circumferential surface of the cooling roll  104 , and thereafter the panel, can mold protuberances forming a plurality of channels  224  defined by “V”-shaped baffles  228 , eliminating the need for molding channel walls. In still other embodiments, the channel walls  226  can extend substantially the length of the panel with only a portion of the length of the channels near an evacuation opening having baffles  228 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 3C , in other embodiments a pattern  320  fabricated on the circumferential surface of the cooling roll  104 , and thereafter the panel, can mold protuberances forming a plurality of channels  224  having channels walls  226  and baffles  228 , wherein each baffle  228  extends across a substantial portion of the width of the channel  224 , thereby defining a path between the baffle  228  and the channel wall  226  for the air and/or other gases  340  to be drawn. The baffles  228  can alternatively be parabolic or rounded, as shown in  FIG. 3D , to form pockets for collecting liquid particles  342 . 
     FIG. 3E  illustrates still another embodiment of a pattern  320  fabricated on the circumferential surface of the cooling roll  104 , and thereafter the panel, that can include parabolically-shaped or “U”-shaped baffles  228  arranged like fish-scales either along the length of the panel, or a portion of the panel to capture liquid particles  342 . The U-shaped baffles  228  can also include slits  330  in the troughs of the U-shaped baffles  228  small enough to improve the flow of air and/or other gases  340  while retarding an amount of liquid particles  342 . In other embodiments, the baffles  228  can be more or less parabolic. One of ordinary skill in the art can appreciate the multitude of different baffle shapes for retarding the evacuation of liquid relative to the evacuation of air or other gases. 
   It is understood that the trapping of liquid in baffles or vessels formed in the bag is advantageous as this structure retards and prevents liquids from being drawn into the vacuum pump or suction device of a vacuum sealing tool such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,941,310, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIG. 4  illustrates a bag for use in vacuum packaging in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The vacuum bag  450  comprises a first panel  452  and a second panel  454  overlapping each other. Channels  224  are formed on at least one of the panels  452 , 454  in accordance with an embodiment described above. The heat-sealable inner layer  106  and the gas-impermeable base layer  108  of the first and second panels  452 , 454  are typically made of the same material respectively, but can alternatively be made of different materials that exhibit heat-sealability and gas-impermeability respectively. As described above, the resin-formed 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  452 , 454  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  450 , air and/or other gases can be evacuated from the bag  450 , 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. 
   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.