WO2004099027A1

WO2004099027A1 - Dual vacuum packaging bag having a replacement inner bag within

Info

Publication number: WO2004099027A1
Application number: PCT/KR2003/001701
Authority: WO
Inventors: Joon-Yeong Ahn
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-05-06
Filing date: 2003-08-22
Publication date: 2004-11-18
Anticipated expiration: 2005-11-06
Also published as: KR20040095029A; KR100584851B1; AU2003254964A1

Abstract

Disclosed is a dual vacuum packaging bag with a replaceable inner bag, including: an outer bag kept at a predetermined air tightness and having a relatively high thickness; and an inner bag disposed within the outer bag and having a relatively low thickness, the inner bag being exchangeable into new one after use, wherein the inner bag is formed of a plastic film at a substantially low cost, and the outer bag is formed of a substantially strong material like synthetic leather, so that it can be fabricated at a relatively low cost and also prevent the vacuum in the bag from being released because of the breakage of the bag due to the existence of the articles like foods for storage.

Description

DUAL VACUUM PACKAGING BAG HAVING A REPLACEABLE INNER BAG WITHIN

Background of the Invention Technical Field

The present invention relates to a dual vacuum packaging bag with a replaceable inner bag, and more particularly, to a dual vacuum packaging bag with a replaceable inner bag, wherein the inner bag is formed of a plastic film at a substantially low cost, and the outer bag is formed of a substantially strong material like synthetic leather, so that it can be fabricated at a relatively low cost and also prevent the vacuum in the bag from being released because of the breakage of the bag due to the existence of the articles like foods for storage.

Background Art Generally, plastic bags in which foods for storage are placed are vacuumed and sealed by a vacuum sealing apparatus, in order to keep the foods fresh.

As one of the prior arts, there is disclosed Korean Patent Laid-open

Publication No. 92-0700998 entitled 'An apparatus for vacuum sealing plastic bags', which is illustrated in FIG. la. The conventional plastic bag 21 is provided with an embossing part 25 that is formed on the inner surface thereof in order to serve as air discharging passages at the time of sealing the plastic bag. The plastic bag 21 is vacuumed and heat sealed by the apparatus 20 as shown in FIG. lb.

In more detail, the conventional apparatus 20 for vacuum sealing the plastic bag 21 includes a base 32, a hood 33, a vacuum chamber 34 that is located between the base 32 and the hood 33, a vacuum pump (which is not shown in the drawing) adapted to vacuum a vacuum chamber 34, and a heat sealing part 50 for sealing the opening portion of the plastic bag 21.

In case of vacuum sealing the plastic bag 21 by using the conventional apparatus 20, articles like foods are first placed at an appropriate location on the inside of the plastic bag, and the opening portion of the plastic bag 21 is located on the interior of the vacuum chamber 34. Next, the hood 33 is descended above the base 32, such that the plastic bag 21 and the vacuum chamber 34 are all closed. If a predetermined switch is manipulated to operate the vacuum pump, then, the vacuum chamber 34 is vacuumed by the operation of the vacuum pump, which enables the air in the interior of the plastic bag 21 to be removed therefrom. Finally, the opening portion of the plastic bag 21 is heat sealed by means of the heat sealing part 50. At that time, the formation of the embossing part 25 on one inside of the plastic bag 21, as shown in FIG. la, allows the air filled in the interior of the plastic bag 21 to be absorbed and removed. However, the conventional chamber type apparatus for vacuum sealing the plastic bag needs the embossing part that is fabricated at a high cost. In addition, the embossing part may be broken by means of a pair of rollers that have been heated during its manufacturing process, which makes the number of bad plastic bags substantially increase. Also, there is a problem that when the plastic bag is vacuumed and packaged or when it is kept after the packaging, it may be destroyed by the extrusion of the articles therein, like the bones of fish or meat, such that unfortunately, the vacuum becomes released. Also, the conventional plastic bags are heat sealed, such that they cannot be used again. Disclosure of Invention

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above- described problems and it is an object of the present invention to provide a dual vacuum packaging bag with a replaceable inner bag that is fabricated at a relatively low cost and also prevents the vacuum in the bag from being released because of the breakage of the bag due to the collisions among the articles like foods for storage.

It is another object of the present invention is to provide a dual vacuum packaging bag with a replaceable inner bag that is used in a vacuum chamber device and is recycled. To accomplish the above objects, according to the present invention, there is provided a dual vacuum packaging bag with a replaceable inner bag, including: an outer bag kept at a predetermined air tightness and having a relatively high thickness; and an inner bag disposed within the outer bag and having a relatively low thickness, the inner bag being exchangeable into new one after use. Preferably, the outer bag is made of synthetic leather and the inner bag is formed of a plastic film. The outer bag has an embossing part formed on the inner surfaces of the upper and lower panels thereof, and the embossing part is not formed on the upper and lower panels of the inner bag.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Further objects and advantages of the invention can be more fully understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a conventional plastic bag on which an embossing part is formed on the inside thereof; FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a dual vacuum packaging bag with a replaceable inner bag according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line A- A of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4a is a detailed view showing an example of the portion 'B' in FIG. 3; FIG. 4b is a detailed view showing another example of the portion 'B' in FIG.

3;

FIG. 4c is a detailed view showing still another example of the portion 'B' in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a dual vacuum packaging bag with a replaceable inner bag according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line C-C of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7a is a detailed view showing an example of the portion 'D' in FIG. 6;

FIG. 7b is a detailed view showing another example of the portion 'D' in FIG. 6; FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing one method of using the dual vacuum packaging bag of this invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing another method of using the dual vacuum packaging bag of this invention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a vacuum packaging apparatus for the dual bag of this invention; and

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the stick used in the dual vacuum packaging bag of this invention.

Best mode for Carrying Out the Invention Now, an explanation of the preferred embodiment of the present invention will be given hereinafter.

FIGS. 2 to 4c show a dual vacuum packaging bag with a replaceable inner bag according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The dual vacuum packaging bag 10 of this invention includes a substantially thick outer bag 20 and a substantially thin inner bag 30 that is made at a relatively low cost. In this case, the inner bag 30 is exchanged into new one after use. The outer bag 20 is recycled. Also, the outer bag 20 is thick enough to keep its air tightness therein, so that it can prevent the vacuum in the dual bag from being released because of the breakage of the dual bag due to the collisions among the articles like foods for storage. The outer bag 20 is preferably formed in such a manner that an upper panel

21 and a lower panel 22 coincide each other, the three sides thereof are sealed, and the other side is the opening portion thereof. The outer bag 20 is formed of a plastic film or synthetic leather exhibiting excellent vacuuming and closing capabilities. Preferably, the outer bag 20 is made of a substantially transparent material. The outer bag 20 has a thickness, for example, in a range between tens of μm and several mm, preferably between 100 μm and 900 μm, so that it cannot be destroyed, while maintaining its internal vacuum.

As shown in FIG. 3, the outer bag 20 has an embossing part 25 in the insides thereof in order to provide air discharging passages. Such the embossing part 25 is formed in such different embodiments as shown in FIGS. 4a to 4c. As shown in FIG. 4a, first, the embossing part 25 is formed by protrusions 26, and as shown in FIG. 4b, also, it is formed by channels 27 through which the air discharging passages are provided. The channels 27 are formed continuously up to the opening portion of the dual bag 10, unlike as in FIG. 2. In addition, the embossing part 25 is formed in such a manner that the upper panel 21 or the lower panel 22 is fabricated by press molding and roller working.

On the other hand, the lower panel 22 of the outer bag 20 is more extruded than the upper panel 21 thus to cover the opening portion of the dual bag 10, such that the articles 60 like foods for storage can be easily inserted into the dual bag 10. Additionally, such the extruded portion 23 of the lower panel 22 is provided with a plurality of holes 24 that are located at predetermined regular intervals in such a manner as to be put into a plurality of bars 55 placed in the interior of a vacuum chamber device 50 (see FIGS. 8 and 9), so that the dual bag 10 can be connected with the vacuum chamber device 50 for its easy treatment and storage. In some cases, the outer bag 20 does not have the extruded portion 23 like general vacuum sealing plastic bag.

The inner bag 30 is adapted to be inserted into the outer bag 20 and preferably, is exchangeable with new one after use. The inner bag 30 is preferably formed in such a manner that an upper panel 31 and a lower panel 32 coincide each other, the three sides thereof are sealed, and the other side is the opening portion thereof. The inner bag 30 is formed of a general substantially thin plastic film and does not have any embossing part providing the air discharging passages thereon. In other words, the inner bag 30 is formed of a relatively thinner plastic film than the outer bag 20. The inner bag 30 has a thickness, for example, in a range between tens of μm and hundreds of μm, preferably between 10 μm and 100 μm, so that it can be fabricated in great quantities at a relatively low cost. In some cases, since the inner bag 30 does not need to maintain its air tightness, it could be made of a sheet of paper or another materials.

On the other hand, FIGS. 5 to 7b show the dual vacuum packaging bag 10 with the replaceable inner bag according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Unlike the first embodiment of the present invention, the second embodiment has the outer bag 20 where no embossing part 25 is provided. Instead of the embossing part 25, it is provided with a nozzle 40 inserted therein, such that the internal air in the dual bag 10 can be removed. The nozzle 40 is of different shapes. For example, as shown in FIG. 7a, it has the embossing part 41 on the inner peripheral surface thereof, and as shown in FIG. 7b, it has the embossing part 41 on the outer peripheral surface thereof. With the embossing part 41, even though the nozzle 40 is compressed relative to the vacuum pressure by the vacuum packaging machine, the air discharging passages are kept well to remove the air in the dual bag. In some cases, the nozzle 40 may be formed of a substantially strong plastic, with no embossing part thereon, in such a manner as not to be closed during the compression from the vacuum packaging machine. So, the air discharging passages are maintained well.

The other configurations in the second embodiment of the present invention are the same as in the first embodiment of the present invention.

Instead of the nozzle 40, as another configurations, a vacuum packaging stick 70 as shown in FIG. 11 can be put into the dual bag 10 in order to remove the air in the dual bag 10. In this case, the outer bag 20 does not need to have the embossing part, and the stick 70 is formed of a substantially long bar and has an embossing part 25 on a stick body 71 thereof, such that the embossing part 25 provides the air discharging passages from the dual bag 10.

Now, an explanation of the operation and usage method of the dual bag 10 of this invention will be given below.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the articles 60 like foods for storage are placed into the inner bag 30 of the dual bag 10. The opening portion of the dual bag 10 is exposed into the vacuum chamber of the vacuum chamber device 50, and the holes 24 of the outer bag 20 are put into the bars 55 of the vacuum chamber device 50. After that, an upper casing 51 and a lower casing 52 are tightly closed.

The vacuum chamber device 50 is connected to a vacuum pump (not shown) through a vacuum valve 53 and then vacuumed. Then, the dual bag 10 of this invention is vacuumed. After a predetermined vacuum is achieved, the upper casing 51 and the lower casing 52 are locked to each other by means of a locking part.

Also, the vacuum chamber part 50 is tightly closed by the vacuum pressure in itself.

As shown in FIG. 8, the vacuum packaging procedure for the dual bag 10 of this invention is completed and the dual bag 10 is put in a storage place like a refrigerator, together with the vacuum chamber device 50.

If necessary, the vacuum in the vacuum chamber is released by the operation of the vacuum valve 53 of the vacuum chamber device 50, and thus, the upper casing

51 and the lower casing 52 are opened. So, the dual bag 10 becomes opened. The inner bag 30 is exchanged into new one after the use, and the outer bag 20 is used again.

A reference numeral 56 not explained indicates a packing part that is adapted to make the vacuum chamber device 50 easily closed. In some cases, the upper casing 51 and the lower casing 52 have concave and convex surfaces on their connection surfaces, with no packing part.

On the other hand, the vacuum chamber device 50 of the present inventor has been filed with Korean Utility Model Application No. 20-2003-2430, entitled

'Vacuum chamber device with flexible hose type nozzle', which is illustrated in FIG.

10. As shown, the articles like foods for storage are placed into the plastic bag 90. And, a flexible hose type nozzle 60 is pulled and bent until it is adjusted to a predetermined length and in a desired shape. At that time, the opening portion of the plastic bag 90 is exposed into a vacuum chamber 40, while putting the hose type nozzle 60 and a pipe 62 thereinto. And, the other portion of the dual bag 90 remains on the outside of the vacuum chamber 40. After that, an upper casing 20 is placed on a lower casing 30, and the vacuum chamber 40 is tightly closed by a packing part (not shown). As a vacuum valve 70 is connected to a vacuum pump 91 through a hose 92, the interiors of the plastic bag 90 and the vacuum chamber 40 are all vacuumed by the operation of the vacuum pump 91. After a predetermined vacuum is accomplished, the hose 92 and the vacuum pump 91 are separated and the vacuum valve 70 is closed. And, a keeper of a locking part 80 is locked into a protruding piece, such that the upper casing 20 and the lower casing 30 are maintained at their closed position. Therefore, the vacuum packaging procedure for the plastic bag 90 is completed. In this state, the plastic bag 90 is kept at a predetermined place together with the vacuum chamber device 10.

Referring back to the dual bag of this invention, it can be embodied with the vacuum chamber device 50 with the nozzle 40 having the embossing part thereon, as shown in FIG. 5, without hose type nozzle as shown in FIG. 10.

Industrial applicability

As set forth in the foregoing, the dual vacuum packaging bag of this invention can be provided with the inner bag that is formed of a vinyl bag used commercially, whereby it can be fabricated at a substantially low cost.

In addition, the dual vacuum packaging bag of this invention can be provided with the outer bag that is substantially thick in thickness, whereby it can prevent the vacuum in the bag from being released because of the breakage of the bag due to the collisions among the articles like foods for storage.

The dual vacuum packaging bag of this invention can allow the inner bag to be exchanged into new one and the outer bag to be recycled at a neat state, without any separate cleaning. More particularly, the outer bag is formed of synthetic leather, so that the dual vacuum packaging bag of this invention can have an excellent outer appearance and also exhibit an excellent capability of absorbing external impacts.

While the present invention has been described with reference to a few specific embodiments, the description is illustrative of the invention and is not to be construed as limiting the invention. Various modifications may occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

What Is Claimed Is :

1. A dual vacuum packaging bag with a replaceable inner bag, comprising: an outer bag kept at a predetermined air tightness and having a relatively high thickness; and an inner bag disposed within the outer bag and having a relatively low thickness, the inner bag being exchangeable into new one after use.

2. The dual vacuum packaging bag according to claim 1, wherein the outer bag is made of synthetic leather and the inner bag is made of a plastic film.

3. The dual vacuum packaging bag according to claim 1, wherein the outer and inner bags are made of a plastic film.

4. The dual vacuum packaging bag according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the outer bag has an embossing part formed on the inner surfaces of the upper and lower panels thereof.

5. The dual vacuum packaging bag according to claim 4, wherein the embossing part is not formed on the upper and lower panels of the inner bag.