초록

Vacuum packaging methods and materials are claimed. The materials are fusible and can form a part of a heat seal closure for non-rigid and semi-rigid packages. The methods are suitable for packages containing materials generally, and are well suited for those containing granular materials.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method of creating an evacuated package, the method comprising: providing a semi-rigid or non-rigid package comprising an upper panel and a lower panel of heat-sealable material between which is an interior region, said package being peripherally sealed except for a peripheral region travers

1. A method of creating an evacuated package, the method comprising: providing a semi-rigid or non-rigid package comprising an upper panel and a lower panel of heat-sealable material between which is an interior region, said package being peripherally sealed except for a peripheral region traversed by a duct comprising fusible material having a network of air spaces permitting the flow of gases therethrough, said duct comprising an internal portion extending between said panels into the interior region of the package and an external portion outside the package and being in association with a vacuum source external to the package; evacuating the interior region of the package by applying vacuum to the external portion of the duct; and heat sealing the unsealed region of the periphery of the package without removing the duct to collapse said network and fuse the same to said panels, thereby completing a fluid-tight barrier between the interior region of the package and the external environment. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the unsealed package has a fluid tight seal around between about 50 and 99% of its periphery. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the unsealed package has a fluid-tight seal around between about 75 and 99% of its periphery. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the fusible material is selected from the group consisting of woven or non-woven fabric, open cell foam, paper, and fiber sheet. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the interior region of the package is at least partially filled with granular material and said duct prevents loss of said granular material during the evacuation step. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the package is made from a material selected from the group consisting of coated cellophane, cellulose acetate, coated polyester, poly (chlorotrifluoroethylene), polyethylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl alcohol, nonrigid polyvinyl chloride and copolymers thereof, polyvinyl chloride-nitrile rubber blend, polyvinylidene chloride, rubber hydrochloride, fluorinated ethylene-propylene copolymer, flexible vinyl, and thermoplastic ionomer-lined multi-layer film. 7. A method of creating an evacuated package, the method comprising: providing a semi-rigid or non-rigid package with a duct, wherein the package comprises an upper heat-sealable panel and a lower heat-sealable panel between which is an interior region, said panels being peripherally sealed to one another to form a fluid-tight barrier between the interior region and the external environment that is complete except for an unsealed peripheral region occupied by said duct, and wherein the duct comprises a fusible sheet having a network of air spaces permitting the flow of gases therethrough, said sheet being resistant to vacuum-induced collapse and having an internal portion inserted between said panels into the interior region of the package and an external portion being external to the package and in association with a vacuum source external to the package; drawing a vacuum on the interior region of the package by applying vacuum on the external portion of the sheet; and applying heat to the unsealed peripheral region of the package, so that the sheet fuses and forms at least part of the completed fluid-tight barrier between the interior region of the package and the external environment.