Sealable bag having an integrated timer/sensor 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 inner layer with at least one panel having a timer and/or sensor embedded or encapsulated by the inner layer. The timer and/or sensor can be used to monitor storage time, contents, and/or the condition of packaged products, or can be used to protect contents. 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 includes at least one of a timer and a sensor.    
     
     
         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 of a timer and a sensor integrally formed with the first inner layer; 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 first outer layer and the second outer layer comprise a gas-impermeable material.  
     
     
         4 . The bag of  claim 3 , wherein the gas-impermeable material is one of polyester, polyamide, ethylene vinyl alcohol, and nylon.  
     
     
         5 . The bag of  claim 2 , wherein the first inner layer and the second inner layer comprise a thermoplastic resin.  
     
     
         6 . The bag of  claim 5 , wherein the thermoplastic resin is polyethylene.  
     
     
         7 . The bag of  claim 2 , wherein the first inner layer includes at least one timer.  
     
     
         8 . The bag of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one timer is an active radio frequency identification tag.  
     
     
         9 . The bag of  claim 2 , wherein the first inner layer includes at least one sensor.  
     
     
         10 . The bag of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one sensor is a temperature sensor.  
     
     
         11 . The bag of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one sensor is a temperature sensor.  
     
     
         12 . The bag of  claim 2 , wherein the first inner layer includes UV activated chemicals.  
     
     
         13 . The bag of  claim 12 , wherein the UV activated chemical is one or both of silver chloride and silver halide.  
     
     
         14 . The bag of  claim 2 , wherein the first inner layer includes at least one chemical for preserving the article.  
     
     
         15 . The bag of  claim 14 , wherein the chemical is potassium permanganate.  
     
     
         16 . 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 at least one of a timer and a sensor;  
   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.    
     
     
         17 . 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 at least one of a timer and a sensor; 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.    
     
     
         18 . The bag of  claim 17 , wherein the first gas-impermeable layer and the second gas-impermeable layer comprise one of polyester, polyamide, ethylene vinyl alcohol, and nylon.  
     
     
         19 . The bag of  claim 17 , wherein the first inner layer and the second inner layer comprise a thermoplastic resin.  
     
     
         20 . The bag of  claim 19 , wherein the thermoplastic resin is polyethylene.  
     
     
         21 . The bag of  claim 17 , wherein the first inner layer includes at least one timer.  
     
     
         22 . The bag of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one timer is an active radio frequency identification tag.  
     
     
         23 . The bag of  claim 17 , wherein the first inner layer includes at least one sensor.  
     
     
         24 . The bag of  claim 23 , wherein the at least one sensor is a temperature sensor.  
     
     
         25 . The bag of  claim 23 , wherein the at least one sensor is a temperature sensor.  
     
     
         26 . The bag of  claim 17 , wherein the first inner layer includes UV activated chemicals.  
     
     
         27 . The bag of  claim 26 , wherein the UV activated chemical is one or both of silver chloride and silver halide.  
     
     
         28 . The bag of  claim 17 , wherein the first inner layer includes at least one chemical for preserving the article.  
     
     
         29 . The bag of  claim 28 , wherein the chemical is potassium permanganate.  
     
     
         30 . A system for forming a bag including a three-dimensional structure formed on at least one panel, comprising: 
 an implant including at least one of a timer and a sensor;    a cooling roll having one or more structures for positioning the implant;    a laminating roll;    a backing material; and    a flowable material that can be flowed into the one or more structures to envelop the implant, the flowable material adhering to the backing material.