Storage bag having an identification feature

Abstract

A storage bag includes an upper layer and a lower layer. The lower layer is bonded to the upper layer. A detectable element is coupled to or integrally formed with the upper layer. An internal cavity is formed by the layers. An edge is formed by the upper and lower layers. The edge has an opening to provide access to the internal cavity. A vacuum sealing system and a method of sealing a storage bag are also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A storage bag comprising:
 (A) an upper layer;   (B) a lower layer at least partially bonded to the upper layer;   (C) a detectable element in the upper layer;   (D) an internal cavity formed between the upper and lower layers; and   (E) a first edge formed by the upper and lower layers, the first edge having an opening providing access to the internal cavity.   
     
     
         2 . The storage bag of  claim 1 , wherein the detectable element is an ultraviolet pigment that fluoresces under ultraviolet light. 
     
     
         3 . The storage bag of  claim 1 , wherein the detectable element is an infrared pigment that fluoresces under infrared light. 
     
     
         4 . The storage bag of  claim 1 , wherein the storage bag further comprises first, second and third seams formed by bonding of the upper and lower layers. 
     
     
         5 . The storage bag of  claim 1 , wherein a first concentration of the detectable element on the storage bag is greater than a second concentration of the detectable element on a second storage bag. 
     
     
         6 . A storage bag comprising:
 (A) a first layer;   (B) a second layer at least partially bonded to the first layer;   (C) a detectable element dispersed within the first layer;   (D) an internal cavity formed between the first and second layers; and   (E) a first edge formed by the first and second layers, the first edge having an opening providing access to the internal cavity.   
     
     
         7 . The storage bag of  claim 6 , wherein the detectable element is an ultraviolet pigment that fluoresces under ultraviolet light. 
     
     
         8 . The storage bag of  claim 6 , wherein the detectable element is an infrared pigment that fluoresces under infrared light. 
     
     
         9 . The storage bag of  claim 6 , wherein the storage bag further comprises first, second and third seams formed by bonding of the first and second layers. 
     
     
         10 . The storage bag of  claim 6 , wherein a first concentration of the detectable element in the storage bag is greater than a second concentration of the detectable element in a second storage bag. 
     
     
         11 . A vacuum sealing system comprising:
 (A) a storage bag having a detectable element coupled thereto;   (B) a vacuum sealing machine having a light source and a light sensor;
 (a) wherein the vacuum sealing machine is configured to:
 illuminate the storage bag using the light source; 
 detect light reflected from the storage bag using the light sensor; 
 responsive to detecting the detectable element, enable the vacuum sealing machine to seal the storage bag; and 
 responsive to not detecting the detectable element, disable the vacuum sealing machine. 
 
   
     
     
         12 . The vacuum sealing system of  claim 11 , wherein the detectable element is an ultraviolet pigment or an infrared pigment. 
     
     
         13 . The vacuum sealing system of  claim 11 , wherein a second storage bag has a second concentration of the detectable element and a third storage bag has a third concentration of the detectable element. 
     
     
         14 . The vacuum sealing system of  claim 11  further comprising:
 determining a first concentration of the detectable element; and 
 identifying a type of the storage bag based on the first concentration. 
 
     
     
         15 . The vacuum sealing system of  claim 14  further comprising modifying at least one operating parameter of the vacuum sealing machine in response to the type of the storage bag identified. 
     
     
         16 . The vacuum sealing system of  claim 11 , wherein the vacuum sealing machine further comprises a heat sealing mechanism and at least one vacuum port. 
     
     
         17 . A method of sealing a storage bag comprising:
 (A) positioning the storage bag in a vacuum sealing machine;   (B) scanning the storage bag with a light source;   (C) detecting light reflected from the storage bag with a light sensor;   (D) responsive to detecting a detectable element on the storage bag, enabling the vacuum sealing machine to seal the storage bag; and   (E) responsive to not detecting the detectable element on the storage bag, disabling the vacuum sealing machine.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the detectable element comprises an ultraviolet pigment or an infrared pigment. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising:
 determining a first concentration of the detectable element; and 
 identifying a type of the storage bag based on the first concentration. 
 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising modifying at least one operating parameter of the vacuum sealing machine in response to the type of the storage bag identified.