Liquid-trapping bag 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 plurality of channels having a plurality of baffles is formed on one or more of the panels for evacuating air and/or other gases from inside the bag using a suction source, while preventing liquids from being drawn into the suction source. 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 including a plurality of protuberances;    a second panel; and    the first panel and the second panel secured together to form the bag.    
     
     
         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 plurality of protuberances; 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;  
   wherein when the first inner layer contacts the second inner layer the plurality of protuberances obstruct liquid flow through the inlet.    
     
     
         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 plurality of protuberances define a plurality of channels.  
     
     
         8 . The bag of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of channels includes a plurality of baffles.  
     
     
         9 . The bag of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of baffles are arranged in a herringbone pattern.  
     
     
         10 . The bag of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of baffles form a plurality of pockets for trapping liquid particles.  
     
     
         11 . The bag of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of protuberances define a plurality of baffles.  
     
     
         12 . The bag of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of baffles form a plurality of pockets for trapping liquid particles.  
     
     
         13 . The bag of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of baffles comprise a U-shape.  
     
     
         14 . The bag of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of baffles include a slit in a trough of the U-shape, the slit being sized such that gas can pass through the slit.  
     
     
         15 . 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 obstructs liquid flow when gas is evacuated through the heat-sealable opening; 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.    
     
     
         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 obstructs liquid flow when gas is evacuated through the heat-sealable opening; 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 first gas-impermeable layer and the second gas-impermeable layer comprise one of polyester, polyamide, ethylene vinyl alcohol, and nylon.  
     
     
         18 . The bag of  claim 16 , wherein the first inner layer and the second inner layer comprise a thermoplastic resin.  
     
     
         19 . The bag of  claim 18 , wherein the thermoplastic resin is polyethylene.  
     
     
         20 . The bag of  claim 16 , wherein the textured exposed surface comprises a plurality of channels.  
     
     
         21 . The bag of  claim 20 , wherein the textured exposed surface further comprises a plurality of baffles.  
     
     
         22 . The bag of  claim 21 , wherein the plurality of baffles are arranged in a herringbone pattern.  
     
     
         23 . The bag of  claim 21 , wherein the plurality of baffles form a plurality of pockets for trapping liquid particles.  
     
     
         24 . The bag of  claim 16 , wherein the textured exposed surface comprises a plurality of baffles.  
     
     
         25 . The bag of  claim 24 , wherein the plurality of baffles form a plurality of pockets for trapping liquid particles.  
     
     
         26 . The bag of  claim 24 , wherein the plurality of baffles comprise a U-shape.  
     
     
         27 . The bag of  claim 26 , wherein the plurality of baffles includes a slit in a trough of the U-shape, the slit being sized such that air can pass through the slit.  
     
     
         28 . A bag adapted to receive an article, comprising: 
 a first panel defining a plurality of receptacles adapted to trap a liquid and a plurality of channels that pass by said receptacles, which channels are adapted to allow the passage of a gas;    a second panel; and    the first panel and the second panel secured together to form the bag.    
     
     
         29 . A bag adapted to receive an article, comprising: 
 a first panel defining a plurality of receptacles adapted to trap a liquid, which receptacles are formed with a first wall that runs about along a length of the bag and a plurality of second walls that run in a direction that is across the length of the bag;    a second panel; and    the first panel and the second panel secured together to form the bag.    
     
     
         30 . A system for forming a bag including a three-dimensional structure formed on at least one panel, comprising: 
 a cooling roll having a plurality of cavities for forming one or more structures;    wherein the one or more structures include a plurality of receptacles adapted to trap a liquid;    a laminating roll;    a backing material; and    a flowable material that can be flowed into the one or more cavities to form the one or more structures, the flowable material adhering to the backing material.