US3830365A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vacuum skin packaging and packages
Assignee: NEWPORT GENERAL CORP
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Filing: 1972-10-19
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Granted: 1974-08-20
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Expires: 1992-10-19
Abstract
Abstract An object is packaged in a vacuum skin pack formed by evacuating space between a pair of heat-sealable sheets containing the object and by heat-sealing the sheets to each other about the object. The sheets are pore and cell-free; at least at the sealing surfaces. A multitude of convex protrusions is formed in one of the sheets for providing during the formation of the pack a multitude of collapsible and sealable evacuation channels extending between the sheets. The other of the sheets is heated and the object is provided between the sheets. After the evacuation channels have been formed, the space between the pair of sheets is evacuated essentially only through the latter evacuation channels. The flow of heat from the mentioned one sheet in a direction away from the heated other sheet is inhibited, and peripheral portions of the mentioned one sheet about the object are heated while the flow of heat from said one sheet is being inhibited. The mentioned other sheet is moved tightly against the object being packaged by continued evacuation essentially only through the evacuation channels between the sheets.
Inventors
- 👤 L Krueger
- 👤 D Holt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 07:27
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D75/00; B65D75/28; B65D75/30; B65D75/305
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
231 words
In a method of packaging an object in a vacuum skin pack formed by evacuating space between a pair of sheets containing said object and sealing said sheets to each other about said object, the improvement comprising in combination the steps of: providing a pair of heat-sealable sheets, each being pore and cell-free at least at the sealing surface; forming a multitude of convex protrusions in one of said sheets for providing during the formation of said pack a multitude of collapsible and sealable evacuation channels extending between said sheets and being delimited on opposite sides by said sheets; heating the other of said sheets; providing said object between said sheets and said sheets in proximity to each other; inhibiting the flow of heat from said one sheet in a direction away from said heated other sheet; evacuating the space around said object and between said sheets until said evacuation channels have been formed and continuing said evacuation essentially only through said evacuation channels while said sheets form gas barriers on said opposite sides; heating peripheral portions of said one sheet about said object while said flow of heat from said one sheet is being inhibited; moving said other sheet tightly against said object by continuing said evacuation essentially only through said evacuation channels; and collapsing said evacuation channels and sealing said evacuation channels by heat-sealing said sheets to one another.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
231 words
In a method of packaging an object in a vacuum skin pack formed by evacuating space between a pair of sheets containing said object and sealing said sheets to each other about said object, the improvement comprising in combination the steps of: providing a pair of heat-sealable sheets, each being pore and cell-free at least at the sealing surface; forming a multitude of convex protrusions in one of said sheets for providing during the formation of said pack a multitude of collapsible and sealable evacuation channels extending between said sheets and being delimited on opposite sides by said sheets; heating the other of said sheets; providing said object between said sheets and said sheets in proximity to each other; inhibiting the flow of heat from said one sheet in a direction away from said heated other sheet; evacuating the space around said object and between said sheets until said evacuation channels have been formed and continuing said evacuation essentially only through said evacuation channels while said sheets form gas barriers on said opposite sides; heating peripheral portions of said one sheet about said object while said flow of heat from said one sheet is being inhibited; moving said other sheet tightly against said object by continuing said evacuation essentially only through said evacuation channels; and collapsing said evacuation channels and sealing said evacuation channels by heat-sealing said sheets to one another.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, including in said combination the step of: providing thermal insulation adjacent said one sheet for inhibiting said flow of heat from said one sheet in a direction away from said heated other sheet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, including in said combination the step of: driving heat into said one sheet in a direction toward said other sheet to heat said peripheral portions of said one sheet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, including in said combination the step of: reflecting thermal radiations into said one sheet in a direction toward said other sheet to heat said peripheral portions of said one sheet.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, including in said combination the step of: providing a heated body adjacent at least said peripheral portions of said one sheet for inhibiting said flow of heat from said one sheet in a direction away from said heated other sheet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said provision of said object between said sheets includes the steps of locating said object on said one sheet and draping said heated other sheet over said object.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein: both of said sheets are made of light transparent material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
58 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the sealing of said sheets to each other about said object is retarded by said protrusions to prolong the evacuation of said space; and said sealing of said sheets to one another is intensified by said inhibition of said flow of heat to improve the resulting seal between said sheets.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein: said convex protrusions are collapsed in said peripheral portions of said one sheet with the aid of heat flowing from said heated other sheet while said flow of heat from said one sheet is inhibited.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said convex protrusions are collapsed in said peripheral portions of said one sheet with the aid of heat flowing from said heated other sheet while said flow of heat from said one sheet is inhibited.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein: said one sheet is supported by a perforation-free surface while said evacuation channels and said protrusions are collapsed.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said protrusions are provided by forming a multitude of convex raised nodes in said one sheet, said nodes being spaced from each other to provide said evacuation channels.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as claimed in claim 12, wherein: said raised nodes are offset relative to each other to contort said evacuatioN channels.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said space is provided with a substantially inert atmosphere prior to evacuation thereof.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
60 words
A vacuum skin pack containing at least one packaged object and comprising two sheets sealed to one another around said object and being pore and cell-free at least at surfaces where said sheets are sealed and at inner surfaces where said sheets contact said object, said vacuum skin pack having been made by a method as claimed in claim 1.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
60 words
A vacuum skin pack as claimed in claim 15, wherein: the sealing of said sheets to each other about said object is retarded by said protrusions to prolong the evacuation of said space; and said sealing of said sheets to one another is intensified by said inhibition of said flow of heat to improve the resulting seal between said sheets.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
A vacuum skin pack as claimed in claim 15, wherein: said sheets have essentially flat sealed peripheral portions around said object.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-08-19 | 1978-02-18 | 1978-08-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-19 | 1982-02-18 | 1982-08-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-19 | 1986-02-18 | 1986-08-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |