Container having collapsible liner

Abstract

A composite container is provided for vacuum packaging of products is disclosed having a generally tubular body portion having opposite ends and an inner surface. A liner is attached to the body portion for receiving the products inside the liner and the body portion of the container. The liner has a memory and is able to move between a position adjacent the body portion to a position about the products placed therein when a vacuum is applied to the products. When the vacuum is removed from the products, the liner automatically returns from the position about the products to the position adjacent the body portion so that the products can be easily removed.

That which is claimed:  
     
         1 . A container for vacuum packaging products, comprising: 
 a generally tubular body portion having opposite ends and an inner surface; and    a generally tubular liner of resiliently stretchable, flexible material that is substantially impervious to fluids, the liner being disposed inside the body portion and having opposite ends that are attached to the body portion and an unattached medial portion between the opposite ends, the liner being arranged to be stretched and constricted inwardly away from the body portion when a vacuum is applied such that the medial portion of the liner moves inwardly about a product placed inside the liner, whereby when the vacuum is released, the medial portion of the liner contracts and moves back outwardly to a position adjacent the body portion.    
     
     
         2 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the liner has substantially no slack when the liner is in the position adjacent the body portion, and wherein the liner is stretched by the vacuum.  
     
     
         3 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the liner comprises an oriented polymeric film having a memory.  
     
     
         4 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the liner comprises an oriented polymeric film selected from the group consisting of metallized oriented polyethylene terepthalate, metallized oriented polypropylene, and metallized biaxially oriented nylon.  
     
     
         5 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the liner has a modulus of elasticity between about 450,000 psi and about 650,000 psi.  
     
     
         6 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the liner has an ultimate elongation of between about 75% and about 200%.  
     
     
         7 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the liner has a modulus of elasticity between about 450,000 psi and about 650,000 psi and an ultimate elongation of between about 75% and about 200%.  
     
     
         8 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the liner has a maximum gas transmission rate of about 0.10 cc/100 in 2 /24 hours.  
     
     
         9 . A container according to  claim 8 , wherein the liner has a maximum gas transmission rate of about 0.04 cc/100 in 2 /24 hours.  
     
     
         10 . A container according to  claim 1 , further comprising a label affixed to an outer surface of the body portion.  
     
     
         11 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the liner is attached to the body portion with a dextrine adhesive.  
     
     
         12 . A container for vacuum packaging products, comprising: 
 a generally tubular body portion having opposite ends and an inner surface; and    a generally tubular liner of resiliently stretchable, flexible material that has a memory and is substantially impervious to fluids, the liner being disposed inside the body portion and having opposite ends that are attached to the body portion and an unattached medial portion between the opposite ends;    an end closure on each of the opposite ends of said body portion for hermetically closing said body portion and said liner; and    at least one product disposed inside said liner and said body portion, the liner being arranged to be stretched and constricted inwardly away from the body portion when a vacuum is applied such that the medial portion of the liner moves inwardly about a product placed inside the liner, whereby when the vacuum is released, the medial portion of the liner automatically contracts and moves back outwardly to a position adjacent the body portion    
     
     
         13 . A container according to  claim 12 , wherein the liner has substantially no slack when the liner is in the position adjacent the body portion, and wherein the liner is stretched by the vacuum.  
     
     
         14 . A container according to  claim 12 , wherein the liner is attached to the body portion with a dextrine adhesive.  
     
     
         15 . A container according to  claim 12 , wherein the liner comprises an oriented polymeric film selected from the group consisting of metallized oriented polyethylene terepthalate, metallized oriented polypropylene, and metallized biaxially oriented nylon.  
     
     
         16 . A container according to  claim 12 , wherein the liner has a modulus of elasticity between about 450,000 psi and about 650,000 psi.  
     
     
         17 . A container according to  claim 12 , wherein the liner has an ultimate elongation of between about 75% and about 200%.  
     
     
         18 . A container according to  claim 12 , wherein the liner has a modulus of elasticity between about 450,000 psi and about 650,000 psi and an ultimate elongation of between about 75% and about 200%.  
     
     
         19 . A container according to  claim 12 , wherein the liner has a maximum gas transmission rate of about 0.10 cc/100 in 2 /24 hours.  
     
     
         20 . A container according to  claim 19 , wherein the liner has a maximum gas transmission rate of about 0.04 cc/100 in 2 /24 hours.  
     
     
         21 . A container according to  claim 12 , further comprising a label affixed to an outer surface of the body portion.  
     
     
         22 . A container according to  claim 12 , wherein said at least one product comprises an plurality of fragile products arranged between the opposite ends of the body portion of the container, whereby the liner moves inwardly about the fragile products when the vacuum is applied without damaging or breaking the fragile products located proximate the opposite ends of the body portion.