U.S. patent application number 12/064733 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-09 for packaging with improved reclosable opening.
This patent application is currently assigned to Sin Sheng Kuang (M) SDN BHD. Invention is credited to Boon Chee Phee, Boon Eow Phee.
Application Number | 20080247686 12/064733 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37771866 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080247686 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Phee; Boon Eow ; et
al. |
October 9, 2008 |
Packaging With Improved Reclosable Opening
Abstract
A packaging with improved reclosable opening is disclosed having
a packaging body. The packaging body has an upper front main
packaging sheet; a lower front main packaging sheet and a back main
packaging sheet which are sealed together to form an edge-to-edge
sealing. A reclosable opening is provided for inserting objects
into the packaging. A diverting is means predisposed in such a
manner and has a dimension sufficient to cover the reclosable
opening to direct airflow away from the reclosable opening when
there is an increase in internal air pressure. A weakened sealing
is formed at a part of the edge-to-edge sealing wherein the
weakened sealing ruptures when the increase in internal air
pressure has build up to a critical point. When increased internal
air pressure has build up to a critical point, the weakened sealing
ruptures to allow air to vent through. The critical point is
reached when the internal pressure is greater than external
pressure to a sufficient extent to rupture the weakened sealing.
The weakened sealing can be created by using a heat sealing
temperature which is lower than the sealing temperature used for
forming the rest of the edge-to-edge sealing, having a designated
sealing area smaller than the sealing area of the rest of the
edge-to-edge sealing, forming a notch on part of the edge-to-edge
sealing, or disposing a film between the front and back main
packaging sheets on part of the edge-to-edge sealing, wherein the
film is made of a second material.
Inventors: |
Phee; Boon Eow; (Penang,
MY) ; Phee; Boon Chee; (Penang, MY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LOWE HAUPTMAN HAM & BERNER, LLP
1700 DIAGONAL ROAD, SUITE 300
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22314
US
|
Assignee: |
Sin Sheng Kuang (M) SDN BHD
Penang
MY
|
Family ID: |
37771866 |
Appl. No.: |
12/064733 |
Filed: |
November 9, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
November 9, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/SG2005/000381 |
371 Date: |
May 21, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
383/207 ;
383/103; 383/45 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 33/2508 20130101;
B65D 81/3461 20130101; B65D 75/008 20130101; B65D 2205/00 20130101;
B65D 33/2583 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
383/207 ; 383/45;
383/103 |
International
Class: |
B65D 33/00 20060101
B65D033/00; B65D 30/24 20060101 B65D030/24; B65D 33/01 20060101
B65D033/01 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 26, 2005 |
MY |
PI 20054012 |
Claims
1. A packaging with a reclosable opening comprising: a packaging
body comprising an upper front main packaging sheet, a lower front
main packaging sheet and a back main packaging sheet which are
sealed together to form an edge-to-edge sealing; a reclosable
opening on said packaging for inserting objects into said
packaging; a diverting means covering said reclosable opening which
is predisposed to direct airflow away from said reclosable opening
when there is an increase in internal air pressure; and a weakened
sealing formed at part of said edge-to-edge sealing wherein said
weakened sealing ruptures when said increase in internal air
pressure has build up to a critical point.
2. The packaging with improved reclosable opening according to
claim 1 wherein said weakened sealing is created by using a heat
sealing temperature which is lower than the sealing temperature
used for forming the rest of said edge-to-edge sealing.
3. The packaging with improved reclosable opening according to
claim 1 wherein said weakened sealing is a designated sealing area
smaller than the sealing area of the rest of said edge-to-edge
sealing.
4. The packaging with improved reclosable opening according to
claim 1 wherein said weakened sealing is created by forming a notch
on part of said edge-to-edge sealing.
5. The packaging with improved reclosable opening according to
claim 1 wherein said weakened sealing is created by disposing a
film between said front and back main packaging sheets on part of
said edge-to-edge sealing, wherein said film is made of material
different from either said front or back main packaging sheets.
6. The packaging with improved reclosable opening according to
claim 2 wherein said weakened sealing is at the top part of said
edge-to-edge sealing.
7. The packaging with improved reclosable opening according to
claim 1 wherein said critical point is reached when the internal
air pressure is greater than external air pressure to a sufficient
extent to rupture said weakened sealing.
8. The packaging with improved reclosable opening according to
claim 1 wherein said reclosable opening is a zipper.
9. The packaging with improved reclosable opening according to
claim 1 wherein said diverting means is an extended part of said
upper front main packaging sheet.
10. A packaging with reclosable opening comprising: a reclosable
opening on said packaging for inserting objects into the packaging;
a diverting means covering said reclosable opening which is
predisposed to direct airflow away from said reclosable opening and
part of said diverting means detaches from the rest of the
packaging when an increase in internal air pressure has build up to
a critical point; a packaging body comprising an upper front main
packaging sheet, a lower front main packaging sheet and a back main
packaging sheet which are sealed together to form an edge-to-edge
sealing; and a weakened sealing formed at said edge-to-edge sealing
of said upper front main packaging sheet and said back main
packaging sheet, said upper front main packaging sheet is made of
material different from said back main packaging sheet, wherein
said weakened sealing ruptures when said increase in internal air
pressure has build up to a critical point.
11. The packaging with improved reclosable opening according to
claim 10 wherein said lower front main packaging sheet is made of a
second material and said back main packaging sheet is made of third
material, wherein said edge-to-edge sealing formed by said lower
front main packaging sheet and said back main packaging sheet is
stronger than said weakened sealing.
12. The packaging with improved reclosable opening according to
claim 10 wherein said diverting means is an extended part of said
upper front main packaging sheet.
13. The packaging with improved reclosable opening according to
claim 10 wherein said critical point is reached when the internal
air pressure is greater than external air pressure to a sufficient
extent to rupture said weakened sealing.
14. The packaging with improved reclosable opening according to
claim 10 wherein said reclosable opening is a zipper.
15. The packaging with improved reclosable opening according to
claim 3, wherein said weakened sealing is at the top part of said
edge-to-edge sealing.
16. The packaging with improved reclosable opening according to
claim 4, wherein said weakened sealing is at the top part of said
edge-to-edge sealing.
17. The packaging with improved reclosable opening according to
claim 5, wherein said weakened sealing is at the top part of said
edge-to-edge sealing.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is based on International
Application No. PCT/SG2005/000381, filed on Nov. 9, 2005, which in
turn corresponds to Malaysian Patent Application No. PI20054012.
filed on Aug. 26, 2005 and priority is hereby claimed under 35 USC
.sctn. 119 based on these applications. Each of these applications
are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety into the
present application.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to the field of packaging
and more particularly to a packaging with improved reclosable
opening which is suitable for household usage, especially for use
as packaging for foodstuff in microwave oven.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Frozen or shelf stable prepared foods that are intended to
be reheated using microwave oven are becoming increasingly popular.
Excess food or food being prepared in advance can be packaged and
stored. Consumers only need to heat up those packaged food in the
microwave oven prior to consuming.
[0004] During the heating of the food in a microwave oven, the
moisture content of the food is rapidly heated and transformed into
steam. As the temperature of the packaging increases during
heating, the pressure within the packaging increases. Consumers
usually puncture holes or cut a corner or pierce holes on the
packaging to allow the steam to vent from the packaging during
heating.
[0005] Thus, a packaging having a weakened sealing or a valve which
allow the steam to vent during the process of heating would provide
an improved method for heating food in microwave oven. In the prior
technology, packaging with weakened sealing or valve which allow
the steam to escape from the packaging are disclosed. However,
these packaging are only suitable for the food manufacturer as it
is not practical for a household user to have a thermal sealing
machine or a heat sealer to seal it after putting the foodstuff
into the packaging.
[0006] In the present invention, the packaging is modified to cater
for the need of household users, who do not have access to a
thermal sealing device, by having a reclosable opening, a diverting
means and weakened sealing on the packaging. A reclosable opening
functions as an opening for inserting the object, especially
foodstuff into the packaging. The packaging can be closed up by
reclosable opening to store, without using heat sealing or other
adhesive. On the other hand, a diverting means is predisposed in
such a manner and having a dimension sufficient to cover the
reclosable opening. The diverting means is joined with main
packaging sheets at the upper portion to direct airflow away from
the reclosable opening. When the increased internal air pressure
builds up to a critical point, the weakened sealing ruptures to
allow air to vent through.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The primary object of the invention is to provide a
packaging with a reclosable opening, a diverting means and a
weakened sealing which is suitable for the convenience of user who
do not have a thermal sealing device, especially household user for
use in microwave oven for reheating purpose.
[0008] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in
connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of
illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is
disclosed.
[0009] For the purpose of this patent application, the term
"packaging" used throughout the specification includes all kind of
pouches within the scope of the claims. It is to be understood that
the use of the term is not limiting the scope of the claims to
certain designs and/or embodiments of the packaging according to
the invention.
[0010] Accordingly, the current invention relates to a packaging
with improved reclosable opening includes a diverting means which
is predisposed in such a manner and having a dimension sufficient
to cover the reclosable opening, preferably a zipper, to direct
airflow away from the zipper when there is an increase in internal
air pressure and a weakened sealing. When the internal pressure has
reached a critical point, the packaging will thus rupture at the
weakened sealing where the air vents through.
[0011] The current invention can be used for heating food in a
microwave oven. The reclosable opening enable consumers to insert
objects, especially foodstuff into the packaging. The packaging can
be closed up by using the reclosable opening without the need of a
heat sealing or other thermal sealing machine. The weakened sealing
on the other hand provides a method without the need of puncturing
the packaging prior to heating in microwave oven.
[0012] In accordance with the present invention, there is disclosed
a packaging includes an upper front packaging sheet, a lower front
packaging sheet and a back packaging sheet which are sealed
together to form an edge-to-edge sealing. The term "edge-to-edge
sealing" is used in this specification to refer to the all-round
sealing along the marginal edge of a packaging sheet as it is
folded to enclose an object. One or more portion of the sealable
edge may be made frangible or more specifically a weakened sealing,
to vent increased internal pressure. The weakened sealing can be
created by:
a) using a heat sealing temperature which is lower than the sealing
temperature used for forming the rest of the edge-to-edge sealing.
b) having a designated sealing area smaller than the sealing area
of the rest of the edge- to-edge sealing. c) forming a notch on
part of the edge-to-edge sealing. d) disposing a film between the
front and back main packaging sheets on part of the edge-to-edge
sealing, wherein the film is made of second material.
[0013] In the preferred embodiment, the weakened sealing is created
by disposing a film made of second material between front and back
main packaging sheets. The film includes all physical shapes, such
as narrow tips, triangular or tapering shapes.
[0014] In one preferred embodiment, the material of the packaging
sheet and film is selected from any one or in combination of
polyethylene and its derivatives, polyester and its derivatives,
polypropylene and its derivatives, nylon and its derivatives or any
suitable polymer. The upper front main packaging sheet, lower front
main packaging sheet and back main packaging sheet are made of a
first material, while the film, which creates a weakened sealing,
is made of a second material. Any one of main packaging sheet can
be made of a third material, provided the sealing among the main
packaging sheets are stronger than the weakened sealing.
[0015] The packaging includes any one of a flexible three-side
sealed pouch, standing pouch and flexible six-side sealed
pouch.
[0016] Embodiments of the invention will appear more clearly in the
following description with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0017] The drawings constitute a part of this specification and
include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be
embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some
instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated
or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.
[0018] FIG. 1 shows the top view of a flexible three-side-sealed
pouch of the current invention illustrating the weakened sealing
which is created by disposing of a film made of second
material.
[0019] FIG. 2 shows the top view of a flexible three-side-sealed
pouch of the current invention illustrating the weakened sealing
which is created by having top sealing with width smaller than the
sealing area of the rest of the edge-to-edge sealing.
[0020] FIG. 2.1 shows the top view of a flexible three-side-sealed
pouch of the current invention illustrating the weakened sealing
which is created by having a designated sealing area smaller than
the sealing area of the rest of the edge-to-edge sealing.
[0021] FIG. 3 shows the top view of a flexible three-side-sealed
pouch of the current invention illustrating the weakened sealing
which is created by forming of a notch.
[0022] FIG. 4 shows the layers of the weakened sealing, which is
created when a film made of second material disposed between the
upper front packaging sheet and back packaging sheet.
[0023] FIG. 5 illustrates the zipper as reclosable opening for
inserting object into the packaging.
[0024] FIG. 6 shows the cross-section of the pouch at the
center.
[0025] FIG. 6.1 shows the cross-section of the pouch at the center
wherein upper front packaging sheet and its extended part, the
diverting means is made of a second material.
[0026] FIG. 7 shows the cross-section of the pouch at the sealed
edge.
[0027] FIG. 7.1 shows the cross-section of the pouch at the sealed
edge wherein upper front packaging sheet and its extended part, the
diverting means is made of a second material.
[0028] FIG. 8 shows the layers of main packaging sheet, a diverting
means, weakened sealing and the reclosable opening.
[0029] FIG. 9 shows perspective view of a standing pouch according
to the preferred embodiment of the invention.
[0030] FIG. 10 shows perspective view of a flexible six-side sealed
pouch according to the preferred embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0031] Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are
provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present
invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific
details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but
rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for
teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in
virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or
manner.
[0032] FIG. 1 shows the top view of a packaging of the current
invention. According to the present invention, flexible
three-side-sealed pouch (100) is one form of the preferred
embodiment. The flexible three-side-sealed pouch consists of a
packaging body comprising an upper front main packaging sheet
(102), a lower front main packaging sheet (201) and a back main
packaging sheet (not shown) which are sealed together to form an
edge-to edge sealing, reclosable opening (101) preferably zipper, a
diverting means (103) and weakened sealing (104). The zipper (101)
is predisposed in such a manner to be covered by the diverting
means (103). In accordance with current invention, FIG. 1 also
illustrates a diverting means (103), which is predisposed in such a
manner and having a dimension sufficient to cover the reclosable
opening (101) to direct airflow away from the reclosable opening
(101) when there is an increase in internal air pressure. When the
increased internal air pressure builds up to a critical point,
packaging will rupture at the weakened sealing (104) to allow the
air to vent through. The critical point is reached when the
internal air pressure is greater than external air pressure to a
sufficient extent to rupture the weakened sealing (104).
[0033] In the practice of current invention, the diverting means
(103) is an extended part from the upper front main packaging sheet
(102). The diverting means (103) can also be another film, which
sealed between the upper front main packaging sheet (102) and back
main packaging sheet form a flange or flap. According to the
current invention, the front main packaging sheet (102) and its
extended part, the diverting means (103) is made of a first
material. In another preferred embodiment, front main packaging
sheet (102) and its extended part, the diverting means (103), may
be made of second material as shown in FIG. 6.1. The sealing
between the front main packaging sheet (102) and back main
packaging sheet will thus become the weakened sealing (104) in FIG.
6.1.
[0034] To accomplish an important function of the invention, there
is shown in FIG. 1, a weakened sealing (104), created by disposing
of a film made of a second material. The film is disposed between
two layers of the main packaging sheet, preferably on the top part
of edge-to-edge sealing. The sealing between the second material
with any one of main packaging sheet is weaker than the sealing
among the main packaging sheets. The edge-to-edge sealing will be
further discussed in FIG. 8.
[0035] The weakened sealing (104) can also be a seal with a width
smaller than the sealing width of the rest of the edge-to-edge
sealing as shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 2 shows the top sealing area, the
weakened sealing (104) with sealing width smaller than other
sealing area, wherein the sealing bar used to create top sealing is
having a width smaller than the sealing bar for other sealing
areas. The smaller sealing width is weaker compared to a sealing,
which is sealed by the same means but with wider sealing.
[0036] FIG. 2.1 illustrates the weakened sealing (104) which is a
sealing with area smaller than the sealing area of the rest of
edge-to-edge sealing. This designated sealing area can be created
by indent of the sealing bar.
[0037] Another embodiment of weakened sealing (104) is shown in
FIG. 3. A weakened sealing (104) is created by forming a notch on
part of edge-to-edge sealing.
[0038] FIG. 4 figuratively shows layers of the weakened sealing
(104), which is created when a film (202) made of second material
is disposed between the upper front main packaging sheet (102) and
back main packaging sheet (203). The weakened sealing (104) can be
at any part of the edge-to-edge sealing. However, the weakened
sealing is preferably at the top part of edge-to-edge sealing. Note
that when the weakened sealing is at the side part of edge-to-edge
sealing, the film, (202) is disposed in between lower front main
packaging sheet (201) and back main packaging sheet (203). The main
packaging sheets are made of first material. In another embodiment,
any one of the main packaging can be made of a third material.
[0039] In FIG. 5, there is shown the reclosable opening (101),
preferably a zipper which is made of a pair of male and female
elements, 301 and 302, which interlock to each other. The zipper is
openable and reclosable to allow user to insert the objects,
especially foodstuffs. Thus, the consumers can heat up the food in
this packaging without the need of puncturing the packaging prior
to heating in microwave oven. The female element (301) is on the
lower front main packaging sheet (201) while the male element (302)
is on the upper layer of the front main packaging sheet (102) or
vice versa.
[0040] FIG. 6 shows the cross-section of the pouch at the center,
illustrating the position of the diverting means (103) and zipper
(301 and 302), which are predisposed in such a manner that the
zipper (301 and 302) is covered by the diverting means (103). The
diverting means (103) direct airflow away from the zipper (301 and
302) when there is an increase in internal air pressure. When the
increased air pressure has build up to a critical point, the
packaging will rupture at the weakened sealing (104) to allow the
air to vent through but the zipper (301 and 302) remain intact as
it is covered by diverting means (103). The critical point is
reached when the internal air pressure is greater than external air
pressure to a sufficient extent to rupture the weakened sealing
(104). According to the preferred embodiment of current invention,
the diverting means (103) is extended from upper front main
packaging sheet (102). A few made of second material (202) is
sandwiched between upper front main packaging sheet (102) and back
main packaging sheet (203). The sealing of the second material with
the main packaging sheet is the weakened sealing (104).
[0041] FIG. 6.1 shows another embodiment of present invention,
wherein upper front main packaging sheet (102) and its extended
part, the diverting means (103) is made of a second material. Part
of the front main packaging sheet (102) detaches from the rest of
the packaging when an increase in internal air pressure has build
up to a critical point as the sealing between second material and
main packaging sheet is the weakened sealing (104).
[0042] In accordance with an important feature of the present
invention, there is shown in FIG. 7 the cross-section of the pouch
at the sealed edge. A film (202) is sandwiched between upper front
main packaging sheet (102) and back main packaging sheet (203) to
create a weakened sealing. The film (202) is made of second
material. The extended part of upper front main packaging sheet
(102) is diverting means (103). The weakened sealing can be at any
part of edge-to-edge sealing in which the film (202) can also be
disposed between lower front main packaging sheet (201) and back
main packaging sheet (203).
[0043] In another embodiment, the upper front-main packaging sheet
(102) and its extended part, the diverting means (103) can be made
of a second material as illustrated in FIG. 6.1. The cross-section
of the pouch at the sealed edge is shown in FIG. 7.1. The sealing
between upper front main packaging sheet (102), which is made of a
second material, and back main packaging sheet (203) is weaker then
the rest of edge-to-edge sealing. When an increase in internal air
pressure has build up to a critical point, part of said diverting
means (103) or more specifically part of front main packaging sheet
(102) detaches from the rest of the packaging.
[0044] FIG. 8 shows the perspective view for different layers of
packaging sheets of the current invention according to the
preferred embodiment. The extension of upper front main packaging
sheet (102) forms the diverting means (103) wherein the diverting
means has a dimension sufficient to covers the reclosable opening,
or more particularly zipper (301 and 302), to direct airflow away
from the zipper (301 and 302) when there is an increase in internal
air pressure. The zipper (301 and 302) is openable and reclosable.
The zipper is an opening for users to insert object into the
packaging. There is shown in FIG. 8, a film made of second material
is disposed between upper front main packaging sheet (102) and back
main packaging sheet (203). The edge-to-edge sealing of the film
(202) with upper front main packaging sheet (102) and back main
packaging sheet (203) forms a weakened sealing. The edges the
packaging are sealed to produce the edge-to-edge sealing at the
area pointed with arrows.
[0045] The packaging is not only limited to three-side-sealed
flexible pouch. Other forms of packaging can also be used with the
current invention such as standing pouch (400) as illustrated in
FIG. 9 and flexible six-side sealed pouch (500) as illustrated in
FIG. 10.
[0046] In FIG. 9, there is shown a standing pouch (400) as one form
of the preferred embodiment of current invention. Standing pouch
(400) is formed by inserting a layer of packaging sheet (401) at
the bottom of the pouch between lower front main packaging sheet
(201) and back main packaging sheet (203). The layer of packaging
sheet (401) is preferably made of first materiel. The weakened
sealing (104) is created at the top part of edge-to-edge sealing by
using any one of the four methods described above.
[0047] FIG. 10 shows a flexible six-side sealed pouch (500). A
layer of first packaging sheet (501) is inserted at the bottom of
the pouch between lower front main packaging sheet (201) and back
main packaging sheet (203). A second of packaging sheet (502) is
inserted at the top between upper front main packaging sheet (102)
and back main packaging sheet (203). The first packaging sheet
(501) and the second packaging sheet (502) are preferably made of
first material. According to the current invention of the preferred
embodiments, the weakened sealing (104) is created at the top part
of edge-to-edge sealing. The weakened sealing can be created by any
one of the four methods described above.
[0048] While the invention has been described in connection with a
preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the
invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it
is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and
equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the
invention as defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *