Sealable bag having an integrated zipper for use in vacuum packaging

Abstract

A vacuum bag comprises a first panel and a second panel, wherein each panel comprises a gas-impermeable base layer and a heat-sealable resin layer with one panel having a receiving feature and one panel having an insertion feature. The receiving feature and insertion feature together form a zipper or clasp for sealing the vacuum bag. 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 at least one first molded portion;    a second panel defining at least one second molded portion; and    the first panel and the second panel secured together to form the bag;    wherein the at least one first molded portion is one of a receiving feature and an insertion feature;    wherein the at least one second molded portion is the other of the receiving feature and the insertion feature;    
   
   
       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 a first molded portion 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, the second inner layer including a second molded portion integrally formed with the second inner layer;  
 wherein the second molded portion is removably connectable with the first molded portion.  
   
   
   
       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 first outer layer and the second outer layer comprise one of polyester, polyamide, ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) and nylon.  
   
   
       5 . The bag of  claim 2 , wherein the first inner layer and second inner layer comprise a thermoplastic resin.  
   
   
       6 . The bag of  claim 5 , wherein the first inner layer and second inner layer comprise polyethylene.  
   
   
       7 . The bag of  claim 2 , wherein the first molded portion and second molded portion form a zipper.  
   
   
       8 . The bag of  claim 2 , wherein the first molded portion and second molded portion form a clasp.  
   
   
       9 . The bag of  claim 7 , wherein the first molded portion and the second molded portion include complimentary teeth.  
   
   
       10 . The bag of  claim 8 , wherein the first molded portion is an insertion feature; and 
 wherein the second molded portion is a receiving feature.    
   
   
       11 . 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 a first molded portion 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, the second inner layer including a second molded portion integrally formed with the second inner 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;    wherein the second molded portion is removably connectable with the first molded portion.    
   
   
       12 . The bag of  claim 11 , wherein the first gas-impermeable layer and the second gas-impermeable layer comprise one of polyester, polyamide, ethylene vinyl alcohol, and nylon.  
   
   
       13 . The bag of  claim 11 , wherein the first inner layer and the second inner layer comprise a thermoplastic resin.  
   
   
       14 . The bag of  claim 13 , wherein the thermoplastic resin is polyethylene.  
   
   
       15 . The bag of  claim 11 , wherein the first molded portion and second molded portion form a zipper.  
   
   
       16 . The bag of  claim 11 , wherein the first molded portion and second molded portion form a clasp.  
   
   
       17 . The bag of  claim 15 , wherein the first molded portion and the second molded portion include complimentary teeth.  
   
   
       18 . The bag of  claim 16 , wherein the first molded portion is an insertion feature; and 
 wherein the second molded portion is a receiving feature.    
   
   
       19 . 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 a first molded portion 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, the second inner layer including a second molded portion integrally formed with the second inner 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;    wherein the second molded portion is removably connectable with the first molded portion.    
   
   
       20 . The bag of  claim 19 , wherein the first gas-impermeable layer and the second gas-impermeable layer comprise one of polyester, polyamide, ethylene vinyl alcohol, and nylon.  
   
   
       21 . The bag of  claim 19 , wherein the first inner layer and the second inner layer comprise a thermoplastic resin.  
   
   
       22 . The bag of  claim 21 , wherein the thermoplastic resin is polyethylene.  
   
   
       23 . The bag of  claim 19 , wherein the first molded portion and second molded portion form a zipper.  
   
   
       24 . The bag of  claim 19 , wherein the first molded portion and second molded portion form a clasp.  
   
   
       25 . The bag of  claim 23 , wherein the first molded portion and the second molded portion include complimentary teeth.  
   
   
       26 . The bag of  claim 24 , wherein the first molded portion is an insertion feature; and 
 wherein the second molded portion is a receiving feature.    
   
   
       27 . 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 both of a receiving feature and an insertion feature;    a laminating roll;    a backing material; and    a flowable material that can be flowed into the one or more structures to form the one or both of the receiving feature and the insertion feature, the one or both of the receiving feature and the insertion feature adhering to the backing material.