VACUUM SEALED PROTECTIVE COVER FOR BALLISTIC PANEL

1 . A ballistic panel for use in ballistic apparel comprising:

a plurality of layers of ballistic material; and

a vacuum sealed covering layer surrounding the plurality of layers of ballistic material.

2 . The panel of claim 1 wherein the vacuum sealed covering layer comprises a top layer and a bottom layer sealed by ultrasonic welding.

3 . The panel of claim 1 wherein the vacuum sealed covering layer comprises a top layer and a bottom layer sealed along a perimeter by radio frequency welding.

4 . The panel of claim 1 wherein the vacuum sealed covering layer comprises a top layer and a bottom layer glued together.

5 . The ballistic panel of claim 1 wherein the vacuum sealed covering layer comprises a top layer and a bottom layer sealed along a perimeter by tape.

6 . The ballistic panel of claim 1 wherein the vacuum sealed covering layer further includes a sealable connector positioned along a perimeter of the covering layer to provide a connection for applying a vacuum to the ballistic panel.

7 . The ballistic vest comprising:

a front panel;

a rear panel;

at least one of the front and rear panels having a ballistic panel comprising a plurality of layers of ballistic material positioned within a vacuum sealed covering layer; and

connectors for attaching the front and rear panels together.

8 . The vest of claim 7 wherein the vacuum sealed covering layer comprises a top layer and a bottom layer sealed by ultrasonic welding.

9 . The vest of claim 7 wherein the vacuum sealed covering layer comprises a top layer and a bottom layer sealed along a perimeter by radio frequency welding.

10 . The vest of claim 7 wherein the vacuum sealed covering layer comprises a top layer and a bottom layer glued together.

11 . The vest of claim 7 wherein the vacuum sealed covering layer comprises a top layer and a bottom layer sealed along a perimeter by tape.

12 . The vest of claim 7 wherein the vacuum sealed covering layer further includes a sealable connector positioned along a perimeter of the covering layer to provide a connection for applying a vacuum to the ballistic panel.

13 . A method of manufacturing a ballistic panel comprising the steps of:

stacking a plurality of layers of ballistic sheets on top of one another;

positioning a top covering layer and a bottom covering layer over the plurality of layers of ballistic materials;

sealing a perimeter of the top covering layer to the bottom covering layer around a perimeter of the top covering layer and the bottom covering layer; and

evacuating a prescribed amount of air from the ballistic panel in between the top covering layer and the bottom covering layer.

14 . The method of claim 13 wherein sealing the top covering layer to the bottom covering layer is by ultrasonic welding.

15 . The method of claim 13 wherein sealing the top covering layer to the bottom covering layer is by radio frequency welding.

16 . The method of claim 13 wherein sealing the top covering layer to the bottom covering layer is by gluing.

17 . The method of claim 13 wherein sealing the top covering layer to the bottom covering layer is by taping.

18 . The method of claim 13 wherein a sealable connector is positioned along the perimeter of the top covering layer and the bottom covering layer to provide a connection for applying a vacuum to the ballistic panel.