Method of vacuum packaging compressible materials and apparatus

Abstract

A method of vacuum packaging compressible material in a sealed flexible fluid impervious container, such as a poly bag, is disclosed. One or more slits are made in the container and air in the container is withdrawn through the slits. This creates a partial vacuum in the container that results in compression of the compressible material. When the desired compression has been obtained, restraining means are placed around the flexible container to maintain the package in a compressed state when the partial vacuum is eventually lost. A novel apparatus for use in this method is also disclosed.

What I claim is: .[.In.]. 
     
       1. In .Iadd.a .Iaddend.method of packaging a compressible material having a generally cylindrical configuration wherein said compressible material is placed inside a tubular container made from a flexible fluid impervious material, .[.a partial vacuum is created inside said container by withdrawing air from the container to compress the compressible material inside the container, and.]. .Iadd.closing any open ends of said container after said compressible material has been placed therein, creating a seal around a portion of the exterior of said flexible container, making one or more perforations in the flexible fluid impervious material within said sealed area using a puncturing means and creating a partial vacuum in said container by continuously withdrawing air from inside said container through said perforations until said compressible material has been compressed to a diameter less than the size of .Iaddend.a restraining sleeve .[.is.]. .Iadd.to be .Iaddend.applied around said compressed container to maintain the compressible material in a compressed state when said partial vacuum is lost, the improvement comprising: .[.closing any open ends of said container after said compressible material has been placed therein, creating a seal around a portion of the exterior of said flexible container, making one or more perforations in the flexible fluid impervious material within said sealed area and withdrawing air from inside the container through said perforations until said compressible material has been compressed to a diameter less than the size of said retaining sleeve,.]. .Iadd.discontinuing the withdrawal of air from said container through said perforations, forcing said flexible, fluid impervious material away from said puncturing means and allowing said flexible fluid impervious-material to be pressed against said compressible material in order to substantially self-seal said perforations .Iaddend.and there after applying said restraining sleeve.   
     
     
       2. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said perforation or perforations are in the form of one or more slits in the fluid impervious container material. 
     
     
       3. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein a plurality of spaced perforations are made generally in line along a major portion of the length of said container. 
     
     
       4. A method as defined in claim 2 wherein a plurality of spaced perforations are made generally in line along a major portion of the length of said container. .[.5. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein prior to applying said restraining sleeve, withdrawal of air from said container through said perforations is stopped..]. .[.6. A method as defined in claim 2 wherein prior to applying said restraining sleeve, withdrawal of air from said container through said perforations is 
     
     
        stopped..]. 7. An apparatus for use in packaging compressible material in a flexible fluid impervious sealed container comprising: a. an elongated cantilever mounted tongue means for contacting a portion of the exterior of said container and for developing a sealed boundary around a portion of the exterior of said fluid impervious container when a partial vacuum is developed between said tongue means and said fluid impervious material, said tongue means having at least one opening in a surface adapted for contacting said fluid impervious material.   b. a chamber located below the upper surface of said tongue means, said chamber communicating with the upper surface of said tongue means through said at least one opening and said chamber being connected to means for the creation of a partial vacuum therein, and   c. means located in said chamber and beneath said at least one opening in said tongue means for puncturing said fluid impervious material in the vicinity of said at least one opening when said fluid impervious material is drawn into said at least one opening by a partial vacuum in said   
     
     
        chamber. 8. A device as defined in claim 7 wherein said tongue means has a 
     
     
        length of at least 6 feet. 9. A device as defined in claim .[.2.]. .Iadd.7 
     
     
        .Iaddend.wherein said tongue means has a length of at least 8 feet. 10. A device as defined in claim 7 wherein said tongue means has a curved upper 
     
     
        surface transverse to the length thereof. 11. A device as defined in claim 7 wherein said tongue means has a plurality of openings spaced along the 
     
     
        length thereof. 12. A device as defined in claim 7 wherein said puncturing means is a sharpened blade having a point or leading edge located slightly 
     
     
        below the upper surface of said tongue means. 13. A device as defined in claim 12 wherein said blade can be moved back and forth lengthwise of said tongue means to facilitate puncturing or cutting of said fluid impervious 
     
     
        container. 14. A device as defined in claim 7 wherein the lower surface of the cantilever mounted tongue means tapers upwards towards the unsupported end of said tongue means.