Sealable bag having an integrated timer/sensor for use in vacuum packaging
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.