U.S. patent application number 10/940852 was filed with the patent office on 2006-03-16 for airway insert for vacuum sealing plastic bag.
Invention is credited to Gregory P. Scanlan.
Application Number | 20060053749 10/940852 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36032356 |
Filed Date | 2006-03-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060053749 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Scanlan; Gregory P. |
March 16, 2006 |
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.
Inventors: |
Scanlan; Gregory P.; (San
Rafael, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Gregory P. Scanlan
P.O. Box 10465
San Rafael
CA
94912
US
|
Family ID: |
36032356 |
Appl. No.: |
10/940852 |
Filed: |
September 14, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
53/434 ;
53/374.8 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 81/2038 20130101;
B31B 2150/00 20170801; B31B 70/85 20170801; B65D 2231/002 20130101;
B31B 2160/10 20170801; B65B 31/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
053/434 ;
053/374.8 |
International
Class: |
B65B 31/00 20060101
B65B031/00 |
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.
Description
SEQUENCE LISTING
[0001] None
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of Invention
[0003] 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.
[0004] 2. Prior Art--FIGS. 1-3
[0005] 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.
[0006] 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.)
[0007] 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.
[0008] 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.
[0009] 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.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the material of bag 10
showing airway channels 20 amid layers 16 and 18.
[0011] 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.
[0012] 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.
[0013] 3. Objects and Advantages
[0014] 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.
[0015] Additional objects and advantages will become apparent from
a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.
SUMMARY
[0016] 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
[0017] FIG. 1 shows a prior-art bag and the essential components of
a heat-sealing apparatus.
[0018] FIG. 2 shows the embossed inner surface of the bag of FIG.
1.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the bag of FIG. 1.
[0020] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a prior-art sealing
apparatus.
[0021] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 4 in
the open position.
[0022] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a bag according to the
present invention.
[0023] FIG. 7 shows an airway strip according to the present
invention.
[0024] FIG. 8 is a plan-view photomicrograph of an airway strip
mesh.
[0025] FIG. 9 is an end-view photomicrograph of the mesh of FIG.
8.
[0026] FIG. 10 shows a bag, airway strip, and contents in position
for evacuating and sealing.
[0027] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the airway strip and
bag edge prior to sealing.
[0028] FIGS. 12 and 13 show alternative airway strips.
REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0029] 10 Prior-art Bag [0030] 12 Prior-art Nozzle [0031] 14
Prior-art Clamp [0032] 22 Prior-art Heat clamp [0033] 16 Prior-art
Inner layer [0034] 18 Prior-art Outer layer [0035] 20 Prior-art
Airway channel [0036] 400 Heat seal apparatus [0037] 405 Trough
[0038] 600 Bag [0039] 602 Edge of bag [0040] 605 Inner layer [0041]
610 Outer layer [0042] 700 Airway strip [0043] 705 Fibers [0044]
800 Mesh cell [0045] 805 Knot [0046] 900 Hole [0047] 1000 Contents
[0048] 1200 Airway member [0049] 1205 Channels [0050] 1300 Airway
member [0051] 1305 Grooves
DETAILED DESCRIPTION--PREFERRED EMBODIMENT--FIGS. 6-9
[0052] 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.
[0053] 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.
[0054] 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.
[0055] 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.
[0056] 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.
[0057] 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).
[0058] 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.
[0059] 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
[0060] 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.
[0061] 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.
[0062] 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.
[0063] 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.
[0064] 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.
[0065] 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.
[0066] 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
[0067] 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.
[0068] 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.
[0069] 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.
[0070] 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.
[0071] 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
[0072] 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.
[0073] 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.
[0074] 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.
[0075] 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.
[0076] 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.
[0077] 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.
[0078] 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.
[0079] 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.
[0080] 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.
[0081] Accordingly the scope of this invention should be
determined, not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended
claims and their legal equivalents.
* * * * *