Sealable bag having an integrated valve structure for use in vacuum packaging

Abstract

A bag for use in vacuum packaging comprises a first panel and a second panel overlapping each other. A valve structure is formed on the first panel for evacuating air and/or other gases from inside the bag when a suction source is placed over the valve, and for sealing the bag when the suction source is removed. The first panel and second panel can each include integrated features for forming a zipper or clasp for sealing the 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 molded portion;    a second panel; and    the first panel and the second panel secured together to form the bag;    wherein the at least one molded portion is a valve structure.    
   
   
       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 at least one molded portion integrally formed with the first inner layer;  
 wherein the at least one molded portion comprises a valve structure; and  
   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.  
   
   
   
       3 . The bag of  claim 2 , wherein the valve structure includes: 
 a collar adapted for receiving a vacuum attachment;    at least one aperture within the collar, adapted for communicating air between an inside of the bag and an outside of the bag; and    at least one attachment point adapted for receiving a diaphragm for sealing the at least one aperture.    
   
   
       4 . The bag of  claim 3 , further comprising: 
 a diaphragm connected with the at least one attachment point.    
   
   
       5 . The bag of  claim 3 , wherein the first panel further comprises at least one receiving feature and wherein the second panel further comprises at least one insertion feature removably connectable with the at least one receiving feature.  
   
   
       6 . The bag of  claim 2 , wherein the first outer layer and the second outer layer comprise a gas-impermeable material.  
   
   
       7 . The bag of  claim 6 , wherein the gas-impermeable material is one of polyester, polyamide, ethylene vinyl alcohol, and nylon.  
   
   
       8 . The bag of  claim 2 , wherein the first inner layer and the second inner layer comprise a thermoplastic resin.  
   
   
       9 . The bag of  claim 8 , wherein the thermoplastic resin is polyethylene.  
   
   
       10 . 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 having a textured exposed surface;  
 wherein the textured exposed surface is a valve structure; and  
   a second panel including: 
 a second gas-impermeable layer; and  
 a second inner layer laminated to the second gas-impermeable 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.    
   
   
       11 . The bag of  claim 10 , wherein the valve structure includes: 
 a collar adapted for receiving a vacuum attachment;    at least one aperture within the collar, adapted for communicating air between an inside of the bag and an outside of the bag; and    at least one attachment point adapted for receiving a diaphragm for sealing the at least one aperture.    
   
   
       12 . The bag of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 a diaphragm connected with the at least one attachment point.    
   
   
       13 . The bag of  claim 10 , wherein the first gas-impermeable layer and the second gas-impermeable layer comprise one of polyester, polyamide, ethylene vinyl alcohol, and nylon.  
   
   
       14 . The bag of  claim 10 , wherein the first inner layer and the second inner layer comprise a thermoplastic resin.  
   
   
       15 . The bag of  claim 14 , wherein the thermoplastic resin is polyethylene.  
   
   
       16 . 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 having a textured exposed surface;  
   wherein the textured exposed surface is a valve structure; 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.    
   
   
       17 . The bag of  claim 16  wherein the valve structure includes: 
 a collar adapted for receiving a vacuum attachment;    at least one aperture within the collar, adapted for communicating air between an inside of the bag and an outside of the bag; and    at least one attachment point adapted for receiving a diaphragm for sealing the at least one aperture.    
   
   
       18 . The bag of  claim 17 , further comprising: 
 a diaphragm connected with the at least one attachment point.    
   
   
       19 . The bag of  claim 16 , wherein the first gas-impermeable layer and the second gas-impermeable layer comprise one of polyester, polyamide, ethylene vinyl alcohol, and nylon.  
   
   
       20 . The bag of  claim 16 , wherein the first inner layer and the second inner layer comprise a thermoplastic resin.  
   
   
       21 . The bag of  claim 20 , wherein the thermoplastic resin is polyethylene.  
   
   
       22 . 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 more indicia;    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 more indicia, the one or more indicia adhering to the backing material.