Vacuum sealable bag apparatus and method

Abstract

Some embodiments of the present invention provide a vacuum sealable storage bag and method in which a pad of material is located within the storage bag and is positioned to block, trap, and/or absorb fluid from product to be stored within the storage bag. The pad of material can comprise fluid-absorbing material, and in some embodiments is positioned between an open mouth of the bag and an interior of the bag in which product is retained.

1 . A method of vacuum sealing a storage bag having an open end, the method comprising:
 positioning an item to be stored within the storage bag;   inserting a pad of fluid-absorbing material at least partially within the storage bag;   drawing air within the storage bag past the pad of fluid-absorbing material and through the open end of the storage bag;   trapping fluid from the stored item in the pad of fluid-absorbing material as air is drawn past the pad of fluid-absorbing material; and   sealing the open end of the storage bag.   
   
   
       2 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising securing the pad of fluid-absorbing material within the storage bag prior to positioning an item to be stored within the storage bag. 
   
   
       3 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising drawing air along a strip of material located at least partially within the storage bag. 
   
   
       4 . The method as claimed in  claim 3 , further comprising securing the pad of fluid-absorbing material to the strip prior to positioning an item to be stored within the storage bag. 
   
   
       5 . The method as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the pad of fluid-absorbing material extends at least partially across the strip of material. 
   
   
       6 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising positioning the pad of fluid-absorbing material in a location between the open end of the storage bag and the item in the storage bag. 
   
   
       7 . A method of manufacturing a storage bag having first and second sheets of plastic material, the method comprising:
 positioning pads of fluid-absorbing material at spaced intervals along the first and second sheets of plastic material between the first and second sheets of plastic material;   sealing opposite edges of the first and second sheets of plastic material to create a continuous tube of plastic material; and   coupling the pads of fluid-absorbing material to at least one of the first and second sheets of plastic material.   
   
   
       8 . The method as claimed in  claim 7 , further comprising coupling the pads of fluid-absorbing material to at least one of the first and second sheets of plastic material in a laterally-extending orientation with respect to the tube of plastic material. 
   
   
       9 . The method as claimed in  claim 7 , further comprising positioning a textured strip of material between the first and second sheets of plastic material. 
   
   
       10 . The method as claimed in  claim 9 , further comprising coupling the pads of fluid-absorbing material to the textured strip of material. 
   
   
       11 . A vacuum sealable storage bag assembly, comprising:
 a plastic bag comprising
 a first panel defining opposite side edges and opposite end edges; 
 a second panel defining opposite side edges and opposite end edges, the opposite side edges of the second panel coupled to the respective opposite side edges of the first panel, one of the opposite ends of the second panel coupled to an adjacent end of the first panel, wherein a bag opening is defined at another of the opposite ends of the second panel; and 
   a pad of fluid-absorbing material positioned within the plastic bag adjacent the bag opening, the pad of fluid-absorbing material located between a product-holding portion of the bag and the bag opening to absorb fluid drawn toward the bag opening during vacuum sealing operations, wherein the pad of fluid-absorbing material is coupled to at least one of the first and second panels.   
   
   
       12 . The vacuum sealable storage bag assembly as claimed in  claim 11 , further comprising a strip of material located at least partially within the plastic bag and extending to an exterior area of the plastic bag, the strip of material establishing fluid communication between an interior of the plastic bag and the exterior of the plastic bag, wherein the strip of material is shaped to resist fluid-tight closure of the first panel against the second panel by establishment of fluid passages between the strip of material and at least one of the first and second panels. 
   
   
       13 . The vacuum sealable storage bag assembly as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the pad of fluid-absorbing material is coupled to at least one of the first and second panels via the strip of material. 
   
   
       14 . The vacuum sealable storage bag assembly as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the pad of fluid-absorbing material comprises heat-sealable material. 
   
   
       15 . The vacuum sealable storage bag assembly as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the pad of fluid-absorbing material is elongated in shape and extends in a substantially lateral direction between the opposite side edges of the first and second panels. 
   
   
       16 . The vacuum sealable storage bag assembly as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the pad of fluid-absorbing material extends substantially entirely across the strip of material adjacent the bag opening. 
   
   
       17 . Tubestock bag material, comprising:
 a first sheet of plastic;   a second sheet of plastic in facing relationship with the first sheet of plastic and coupled to the first sheet of plastic along opposite edges of the first and second sheets of plastic to define an interior of the tubestock bag material; and   a pad of fluid-absorbing material coupled to at least one of the first and second sheets of plastic and located between the first and second sheets of plastic.   
   
   
       18 . The tubestock bag material as claimed in  claim 17 , further comprising a strip of material coupled to and between the first and second sheets of plastic and extending along the interior of the tubestock bag material, the strip of material shaped to resist fluid-tight closure of the first and second sheets of plastic in locations disposed from the opposite edges of the first and second sheets of plastic. 
   
   
       19 . The tubestock bag material as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the pad of fluid-absorbing material is coupled to the strip of material. 
   
   
       20 . The tubestock bag material as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the pad of fluid-absorbing material extends across the strip of material.