Sealable bag having an integrated tray for use in vacuum packaging

Abstract

A bag for use in vacuum packaging comprises a first panel and a second panel overlapping each other. One or more trays for retaining a perishable or other product is formed on one or more of the panels. Each tray can optionally have ridges for suspending a product above the tray so that liquid can collect in the tray. 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.

1 . A bag adapted to receive an article, comprising: 
 a first panel defining a tray adapted to receive the article and a plurality of protuberances within the tray, which protuberances are adapted to support the article over a base of the tray;    a second panel; and    the first panel and the second panel secured together to form the bag.    
   
   
       2 . The bag of  claim 1  wherein said first panel is formed of a heat sealable material and said second panel is formed of a gas impermeable material.  
   
   
       3 . 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 tray integrally formed with the first inner layer;  
   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.  
   
   
   
       4 . The bag of  claim 3 , further comprising a plurality of protuberances within the at least one trays.  
   
   
       5 . The bag of  claim 3 , wherein the first outer layer and the second outer layer comprise a gas-impermeable material.  
   
   
       6 . The bag of  claim 5 , wherein the gas-impermeable material is one of polyester, polyamide, ethylene vinyl alcohol, and nylon.  
   
   
       7 . The bag of  claim 3 , wherein the first inner layer and the second inner layer comprise a thermoplastic resin.  
   
   
       8 . The bag of  claim 7 , wherein the thermoplastic resin is polyethylene.  
   
   
       9 . The bag of  claim 5 , wherein when the article is positioned within the tray, the article is supported by the plurality of protuberances.  
   
   
       10 . The bag of  claim 4 , wherein when the article is positioned within the tray, the article is supported above a base of the at least one tray.  
   
   
       11 . The bag of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of protuberances define a plurality of pockets formed such that liquid can collect in the plurality of pockets; and 
 wherein when the article is positioned within the tray, the article is positioned above liquid collected in the plurality of pockets.    
   
   
       12 . 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 including at least one tray integrally formed with the first inner layer;  
   a second panel including: 
 a second gas-impermeable layer; and  
 a second inner layer laminated to the second gas-impermeable layer; and  
   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.    
   
   
       13 . The bag of  claim 12 , further comprising a plurality of protuberances within the at least one trays.  
   
   
       14 . The bag of  claim 12 , wherein the first gas-impermeable layer and the second gas-impermeable layer comprise one of polyester, polyamide, ethylene vinyl alcohol, and nylon.  
   
   
       15 . The bag of  claim 12 , wherein the first inner layer and the second inner layer comprise a thermoplastic resin.  
   
   
       16 . The bag of  claim 15 , wherein the thermoplastic resin is polyethylene.  
   
   
       17 . The bag of  claim 13 , wherein when the article is positioned within the tray, the article is supported by the plurality of protuberances.  
   
   
       18 . The bag of  claim 13 , wherein when the article is positioned within the tray, the article is supported above a base of the at least one tray.  
   
   
       19 . The bag of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of protuberances define a plurality of pockets formed such that liquid can collect in the plurality of pockets; and 
 wherein when the article is positioned within the tray, the article is positioned above liquid collected in the plurality of pockets.    
   
   
       20 . 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 including at least one tray integrally formed with the first inner layer; 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.    
   
   
       21 . The bag of  claim 20 , further comprising a plurality of protuberances within the at least one trays.  
   
   
       22 . The bag of  claim 20 , wherein the first gas-impermeable layer and the second gas-impermeable layer comprise one of polyester, polyamide, ethylene vinyl alcohol, and nylon.  
   
   
       23 . The bag of  claim 20 , wherein the first inner layer and the second inner layer comprise a thermoplastic resin.  
   
   
       24 . The bag of  claim 23 , wherein the thermoplastic resin is polyethylene.  
   
   
       25 . The bag of  claim 21 , wherein when the article is positioned within the tray, the article is supported by the plurality of protuberances.  
   
   
       26 . The bag of  claim 21 , wherein when the article is positioned within the tray, the article is supported above a base of the at least one tray.  
   
   
       27 . The bag of  claim 21 , wherein the plurality of protuberances define a plurality of pockets formed such that liquid can collect in the plurality of pockets; and 
 wherein when the article is positioned within the tray, the article is positioned above liquid collected in the plurality of pockets.