Airway insert for vacuum sealing plastic bag

Abstract

An insertable airway member (700, 1200, 1300) provides an escape path for air during evacuation of a heat-sealable bag (600) to protect a perishable or vacuum-packable item (1000). The member (700) extends from the open edge (602) of the bag inwardly to the contents being sealed in the bag. The member is made of flexible, woven plastic mesh with open cells (800) comprising fiber strands (705) and knots (805) with holes (900). In an alternative embodiment, the airway member (1200, 1300) is rigid or semi-rigid and provided with channels (1205) or grooves (1305) to permit the escape of air from the bag during evacuation. The bag is evacuated and then heat-sealed. During heat-sealing of the bag, the sandwich comprising the airway member and the opposed sides of the bag near its open edge are forced together by heated clamps (22) of a known heat-sealing apparatus (400). The softened or melted plastic material comprising the inner layer of the bag fills voids in the airway member, optionally melting it as well, thus sealing the bag against the incursion of air.

Description

SEQUENCE LISTING

None

BACKGROUND

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates generally to packaging materials, and in particular to a method and apparatus for facilitating the evacuation of plastic bags prior to sealing.

2. Prior Art—FIGS. 1-3

In U.S. Pat. No. 4,756,422 (1988), Kristen teaches a heat-sealable plastic bag 10 shown in perspective view (in FIG. 1 of this patent) with an embossed inner layer 16. Inner layer 16 comprises a heat-sealable, food-safe plastic material such as polyethylene. FIG. 1 also shows some elements of an apparatus for heat-sealing bag 10. Bags of this type are sold by Tilia, Inc. of San Francisco, Calif., USA, under the mark FoodSaver.

Layer 16 is a food-safe and sealable plastic material which is generally gas permeable. In order to maintain a vacuum within bag 10 and prevent the entry of air, a gas-impermeable outer layer 18, such as nylon, is joined to inner layer 16. (The term “vacuum” as used in this patent means a partial vacuum, in accordance with conventional usage.)

Three of the edges of bag 10 are sealed prior to use. The fourth edge is interfaced with a nozzle 12 connected to a vacuum source (not shown) which removes air from within bag 10 via airway channels in embossed inner layer 16.

Rubber heat-sealing clamps 14 seal the edges of bag 10 during evacuation. Clamps 22 are also pressed against the outer sides of bag 10. After the air is removed from bag 10, clamps 22 are activated. Clamps 22 typically comprise resistive heating elements which become hot upon the application of electrical current. Upon activation, clamps 22 reach a temperature sufficiently high to melt inner layer 16, while not melting outer layer 18. Inner layer 16 typically has a lower softening and melting temperature than outer layer 18. The application of this heat causes the inner surfaces of layer 16 to flow together. Clamps 22 are then de-activated and the sealing operation is complete. Thus bag 10 is sealed along the fourth edge. At this point, clamps 14 and 22, and nozzle 12 are withdrawn. Bag 10 may then be stored and will maintain its inner vacuum until its contents (not shown) are needed.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of embossed airway channels 20 on the inner layer 16 of bag 10. Note that the surface of layer 16 comprises upstanding, spaced blocks or bosses with patent air channels 20 between bosses.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the material of bag 10 showing airway channels 20 amid layers 16 and 18.

While Kristen's bag and sealing system work as described, they require the use of a bag with an embossed inner surface. This requires an additional embossing step, which substantially increases the cost of the bag. This requirement further requires the use of embossing machinery which may not be available to all manufacturers of plastic bag materials. This reduces the potential for competition among plastic bag manufacturers, again resulting in higher cost for the consumer.

In U.S. Pat. No. 4,941,310 (1990), Kristen teaches an apparatus 400 (shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 of the present patent) for evacuating and sealing a plastic bag. In its closed position, apparatus 400 grips the edge of a bag 10 using clamping surfaces 14. The clamping force is sufficient to hold bag 10 in place, but not so great as to collapse airways 20 on layer 16. Apparatus 400 then draws a vacuum in trough 405 along the open edge bag 10, and then heat-seals the bag using heatable clamps 22, as described above. Such apparatus is sold by Sears Roebuck and Co., of Chicago, Ill., USA, as Kenmore Seal-n-Save, Tilia Food Saver Vac 800, and others. Apparatus 400 is used to seal the bags of the present invention.

3. Objects and Advantages

Accordingly, one object and advantage of the present invention is to provide an improved vacuum-sealable bag. Other objects and advantages are to provide an inexpensive, simple bag which can be sealed using existing apparatus, which is easy to use, which is at least equal in performance to prior-art bags for vacuum sealing, and which does not require the use of an embossed interior surface.

Additional objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the present invention, a method and apparatus are provided which comprise an inexpensive, heat-sealable bag with a flat (not embossed) interior surface, and a simple, plastic airway strip. Airway channels are incorporated in the strip which permit complete evacuation of the bag prior to sealing. The result is an easy-to-use, low-cost alternative to prior-art vacuum sealing bags.

DRAWINGS—FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a prior-art bag and the essential components of a heat-sealing apparatus.

FIG. 2 shows the embossed inner surface of the bag of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the bag of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a prior-art sealing apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 4 in the open position.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a bag according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows an airway strip according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a plan-view photomicrograph of an airway strip mesh.

FIG. 9 is an end-view photomicrograph of the mesh of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 shows a bag, airway strip, and contents in position for evacuating and sealing.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the airway strip and bag edge prior to sealing.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show alternative airway strips.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

• 10 Prior-art Bag
• 12 Prior-art Nozzle
• 14 Prior-art Clamp
• 22 Prior-art Heat clamp
• 16 Prior-art Inner layer
• 18 Prior-art Outer layer
• 20 Prior-art Airway channel
• 400 Heat seal apparatus
• 405 Trough
• 600 Bag
• 602 Edge of bag
• 605 Inner layer
• 610 Outer layer
• 700 Airway strip
• 705 Fibers
• 800 Mesh cell
• 805 Knot
• 900 Hole
• 1000 Contents
• 1200 Airway member
• 1205 Channels
• 1300 Airway member
• 1305 Grooves

DETAILED DESCRIPTION—PREFERRED EMBODIMENT—FIGS. 6-9

FIG. 6 shows an open vacuum-sealable container or bag 600 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Bag 600 can be of any reasonable size from a few centimeters across and lengthwise to a meter or more. The limits of these dimensions are determined by the limitations of the sealing apparatus.

Bag 600 comprises inner and outer layers 605 and 610, respectively. Inner layer 605 is a food-safe, sealable material such as low-density polyethylene. The material comprising layer 605 is generally air or gas-permeable. It is preferably 25-50 microns (0.001-0.002 in) thick. Layer 605 preferably has a plasticity (i.e., a fusing, softening, or melting) temperature of 130 deg. C.

Outer layer 610 is a gas-impermeable layer such as nylon, approximately 12 microns (0.0005 in) thick. Layer 610 prevents air from reaching gas-permeable inner layer 605, thereby ensuring the integrity of the vacuum within bag 600 after sealing, as described below. Layer 610 has a plasticity temperature of 200 deg. C. Layers 605 and 610 are permanently bonded together with no air pockets between them. Such bag materials, called “3-mil High Barrier Nylon/EVOH/Poly Pouches” are available from Doug Care Equipment, Inc., of Edgerton, Wis., USA, and others.

FIG. 7 shows an airway strip 700 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. In use, strip 700 is inserted into bag 600 (FIG. 6), as described below, to enable bag 600 to be evacuated and sealed. Strip 700 is a woven, flexible mesh made of a food-grade plastic material such as nylon, polyethylene, or polypropylene. Hole densities between 37 and 99 per square cm (240 and 640 per sq. in) have been found to work well in this application. Mesh openings are nominally one mm (0.040 in) wide; however they can be somewhat larger or smaller. The individual fibers 705 of strip 700 are preferably 75 microns (0.003 in) in diameter, although they can be somewhat larger or smaller. One such mesh is style number 4000, available from Edley Associates, of Hicksville, N.Y., USA. Photomicrographs of this mesh are shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

The length of strip 700 is comparable to the depth of bag 600. The width of strip 700 is preferably approximately one-fourth of the width of bag 600. The width of strip 700 is not critical; however it must be great enough to allow the reasonably rapid evacuation of bag 600.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show greatly magnified top and cross-sectional views, respectively, of strip 700. Each side of mesh cell 800 (indicated by dashed lines) in strip 700 is bounded by two fibers 705 and four knots 805 (FIG. 8).

FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of mesh strip 700. Although individual fibers 705 are only 75 microns (0.003 in) in diameter, the overall thickness of strip 700 is approximately 230 microns (0.009 in). This is due to the presence of knots 805.

A similar, usable mesh made in polypropylene is style number XN6065, available from InterNet, Inc., of Minneapolis, Minn., USA. Although this mesh (not shown) is extruded, and therefore has no holes with axes in the plane of the mesh passing through knots, there is still adequate air flow space at cell walls between fiber junctions, as described above. Both meshes are commonly used in filtration applications.

Operation—Preferred Embodiment—FIGS. 10-11

Bag 600 can be more easily evacuated and sealed using strip 700 and the sealing and evacuation apparatus of FIG. 5 without the need for any embossed surfaces. FIG. 10 shows a plan view of bag 600 prepared for vacuum sealing. Contents 1000 (e.g., food, an oxidizable machine part, etc.) are inserted into bag 600 as shown. Then strip 700 is partially inserted so that it extends from the outer edge 602 of bag 600 inwardly into the vicinity of contents 1000 as shown.

FIG. 11 (not to scale) shows a cross/sectional view of the open mouth of bag 600 prior to sealing. Strip 700 is sandwiched between inner layers 605 of bag 600. In this configuration, holes 900 in knots 805 of strip 700 provide an air path through knots 805, and therefore between individual cells 800 of strip 700 (FIGS. 8 and 9). Holes 900 are approximately the diameter of fibers 705. In addition, the regions between knots 805 on cells 800 contain only two straight fibers, twisted around one-another. The height (approximately 150 microns) of these two fibers 705 is less than the height of knots 805 (approximately 230 microns). Thus, prior to sealing, the walls of cells 800 also provide an air path through strip 700, as layers 605 rest on opposite sides of knots 805.

Edge 602 of bag 600 with strip 700 in place is now ready for insertion into sealing apparatus 400 (FIG. 5). Bag 600 is positioned with edge 602 over trough 405. Apparatus 400 is then closed and clamping edges 14 hold bag 600 securely in place, without flattening the mesh of strip 700. The vacuum pump (not shown) of apparatus 400 is then activated. Air exits bag 600 via the myriad pathways provided through holes 900 in knots 805, and across the walls of cells 800. A vacuum is thus formed in bag 800, within and around object 1000.

When the desired level of vacuum is reached, heated clamp 22 of apparatus 400 is activated. When inner surface 605 of bag 600 reaches its plasticity temperature, approximately 130 deg. C, the material comprising surface 605 melts. Under the force of clamps 14 the material comprising surface 605 flows in and among fibers 705 of strip 700. Holes 900 in knots 805 are filled, as are the regions surrounding the walls of cells 800. After sufficient material in inner surface 605 has flowed and fused to seal bag 600 and strip 700, clamp 22 is deactivated. Bag 600 is now hermetically sealed.

The depth of the sealed region in a direction perpendicular to edge 602 of bag 600 is approximately 1.59 mm (0.0625 in). This is greater than the dimension of a single cell 800 of strip 700. Thus an airtight hermetic seal is formed across many cells 800. Bag 600 is now evacuated and fully sealed and can be removed from apparatus 400.

Since strip 700 provides an airway passage for evacuation, yet is also fusible and sealable, no embossed surface is required on the inside of bag 600. Strip 700 is left in place in the sealed bag. It protrudes slightly (about 1 mm) from the sealed opening of bag 600. The protruding edge can be trimmed if desired.

Bag 600 can be opened in the same manner as the prior-art bag of FIG. 1. I.e., it can be simply cut along any edge, or in any other suitable direction to permit access to its contents.

Description and Operation—Alternative Embodiment—FIGS. 12 and 13

A rigid or semi-rigid airway member can be used instead of flexible woven mesh strip 700. One version of this member is shown in FIGS. 12A, 12B, and 13.

A rigid or semi-rigid airway member 1200 (FIGS. 12A and 12B) preferably comprises a flat, heat-sealable finger or strip with channels 1205 incorporated into one or both flat surfaces. Thus the surface of member 1200 has lands and grooves or is crenellated, as shown in FIG. 12B. Channels 1205 are preferably about 0.5 mm (0.020 in) deep with respect to the surface of member 1200. Airway member 1200 preferably is the same size as woven strip 700, described above. I.e. it has sufficient width to permit rapid evacuation of air from bag 600.

Member 1200 is inserted into the open end of bag 600 and reaches from edge 602 inward to object 1000, similar to the placement of strip 700 in FIGS. 6 and 10.

During evacuation of bag 600, edge 602 is placed in trough 405 of apparatus 400, as described above. Clamps 14 and 22 securely grip the open end of bag 600 and member 1200. During heat-sealing of bag 600, inner surface 605 of bag 600 softens or melts and flows into channels 1205. Member 1200 also softens during the heat-sealing operation, thus eliminating most of the structure of channels 1205 or grooves 1305. This completes the sealing process. Bag 600 with now-flattened airway member 1200 is removed from apparatus 400 and stored and bag 600 is sealed with its air evacuated.

In the embodiment of FIG. 13, an alternative airway member 1300 with a zigzag cross-section is shown. Member 1300 has grooves or valleys 1305 that act and operate similarly to channels 1205 of FIG. 12.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

It is thus seen that the present system provides a novel method and apparatus for vacuum-sealing plastic bags. These bags can store any perishable item including food, precious objects, chemicals, electronic components and the like which must be kept in a vacuum environment.

Because plain, not-embossed bags are used, the cost of the bag is greatly reduced. The width and length of the airway member are determined by the requirements of the heat-sealing operation. Because of this, the airway member can be reasonably small, much smaller than the entire inner area of the embossed bag of the prior art.

Extruded meshes can be used instead of woven meshes. Since extruded meshes have no knots, as do woven meshes, there are no holes in knots for air passage. However, adequate air space still exists at individual cell walls, between junction points of the mesh fibers, to permit evacuation of a container.

Folded and extruded bags of any size can be used. Various thicknesses and compositions of bags and airways can be selected to accommodate individual requirements. For example, objects with sharp points such as a lobster will require a thicker, tougher bag than flat objects. Multi-layer bags can be used where required. Transparent, opaque, and pre-printed bags and airway inserts can be used.

Various sizes and shapes of woven meshes and rigid airway fingers and strips can be used. The principal requirement is that there is sufficient material in the inner surface of the bag to fill all airway passages in the airway member. Alternatively, the airway member can be melted and crushed during sealing. Instead of a flat rigid airway finger, the cross section can be square, round, curved, or lenticular.

Instead of inserting the airway into the bag at the time of use, pre-prepared, ready-to-use bags can be made. Such bags would have an inwardly-extending airway attached at a point near the bag entrance at the time of manufacture.

The container can be non-flexible with a fusible mouth. The strip can be rigid or flexible and can contain a plurality of separate, non-interconnected channels.

While the above description contains many specificities, these should not be considered limiting but merely exemplary. Many variations and ramifications are possible. For example, instead of a two-layer bag, bags with three or more plastic layers can be used. In some cases, a one-layer bag may be suitable. Two or more airway members can be used to speed evacuation of the bag.

While the present system employs elements which are well known to those skilled in the art of heat-sealing packages, it combines these elements in a novel way which produces a new result not heretofore discovered.

Accordingly the scope of this invention should be determined, not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims

1. An insertable airway strip for providing an escape path for air so that when said strip is placed in the mouth or opening of a container having fusible material at said mouth, and said strip extends from an interior part of said container to outside said container, said container can be evacuated via said strip and hermetically sealed around said strip, comprising: a strip of material, said strip comprising a solid member that contains a plurality of airway paths therethrough so that when said fusible material at said mouth sandwiches said strip and is fused, said fusible material will seal said airway paths to prevent said strip from thereafter conveying any air therethrough whereby said strip may be used to evacuate a vacuum-sealable container and thereafter be easily sealed in the mouth of said container without the need for a container with an embossed interior surface.

2. The insertable airway strip of claim 1 wherein said strip has a plurality of lands and grooves on its surface.

3. The insertable strip of claim 2 wherein said lands and grooves have a rectangular configuration.

4. The insertable strip of claim 2 wherein said lands and grooves have a zig-zag configuration.

5. The insertable airway strip of claim 1 wherein said strip comprises a fiber mesh that has a plurality of internal paths therethrough.

6. The insertable airway strip of claim 5 wherein said strip comprises a plurality of elongated fibers that contain a plurality of knots.

7. The insertable airway strip of claim 1, further including said container which has fusible material at its mouth, said strip being narrower than the width of said mouth.

8. The invention of claim 6 wherein said container comprises a plastic material having a plurality of layers, an inner one of said layers being air-impermeable and fusible.

9. A method of evacuating and sealing a container, comprising: providing a container having a mouth portion with an opening with a fusible material at said opening, providing an insertable airway strip for providing an escape path for air so that when said strip is placed in said opening of said container, and said strip extends from an interior part of said container to outside said container, placing said strip of material in said opening of said container so that said strip extends from an interior part of said container to outside said container, evacuating said container by inserting said mouth portion of said container in a vacuum and sealing apparatus and clamping a pair of edges of said apparatus around said mouth portion and evacuating said container via said strip, heating said edges to seal said opening of said container and said strip so that it can no longer convey air, whereby said vacuum-sealable container can be evacuated and thereafter be easily sealed without the need for a container with an embossed interior surface.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said strip has a plurality of lands and grooves on its surface.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein said lands and grooves have a rectangular configuration.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein said lands and grooves have a zig-zag configuration.

13. The method of claim 9 wherein said strip comprises a fiber mesh that has a plurality of internal paths therethrough.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein said strip comprises a plurality of elongated fibers that contain a plurality of knots.

15. The method of claim 9 wherein said strip is narrower than the width of said mouth.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein said container comprises a plastic material having a plurality of layers, an inner one of said layers being air-impermeable and fusible.

17. A method of evacuating and sealing a container, comprising: providing a container having a mouth portion with an opening with a fusible material at said opening, providing an insertable airway strip for providing an escape path for air so that when said strip is placed in said opening of said container, and said strip extends from an interior part of said container to outside said container, placing said strip of material in said opening of said container so that said strip extends from an interior part of said container to outside said container, said strip being narrower than said mouth of said container, said strip comprising a fiber mesh that has a plurality of internal paths therethrough, evacuating said container by inserting said mouth portion of said container in a vacuum and sealing apparatus and clamping a pair of edges of said apparatus around said mouth portion and evacuating said container via said strip, heating said edges to seal said opening of said container and said strip so that it can no longer convey air, whereby said vacuum-sealable container can be evacuated and thereafter be easily sealed without the need for a container with an embossed interior surface.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein said strip comprises a plurality of elongated fibers that contain a plurality of knots.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein said container comprises a plastic material having a plurality of layers, an inner one of said layers being air-impermeable and fusible.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein an outer one of said layers is bonded to said inner one of said layers.