Pressure vacuum release hermetic valve for rigid container packages

Abstract

A rigid container package, such as made of tin, metal, etc., having an interior for holding particulate material, such as food stuffs (like coffee beans), under vacuum, and which includes a mouth to be opened to provide access to the contents of the package. The package is preferably formed from a rigid material in the form of a container, such as a tin box, and has affixed thereon a one-way pressure-equalizing valve. The valve preferably includes a displaceable rubber disk located on a valve seat and is arranged to operate such that any gasses within the package are allowed to vent to the exterior of the package, by passing through the interface between the disk and valve seat, while the ambient atmosphere is substantially precluded from entering into the interior of the package. The disk then engages the valve seat to isolate the interior of the package from the exterior. A layer of silicone oil or similar material is preferably provided on the disk to facilitate operation of the valve. The valve is preferably attached to the rigid container via an aperture that is made slightly smaller than the exterior mating portion of the valve, such that the smaller portion of the valve can be passed through the aperture, and the expanded

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/795,475, filed on Mar. 8, 2004, and U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/452,499, filed on Mar. 7, 2003.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates generally to substantially rigid container packages, such as made of tin or metal, etc., and more particularly to substantially rigid container packages for holding products in a hermetically sealed condition, e.g., isolated from the ambient atmosphere.

[0003] Various types of substantially rigid container packages for holding particulate material under vacuum therein are commercially available today.

[0004] The major advantages of substantially rigid container packaging, as compared to relatively flexible packaging, e.g., paper, foil, paper cartons, etc., are that substantially rigid containers store more uniformly and are typically stronger than flexible packaging. These are significant advantages insofar as retail sales are concerned. They are also very well known and accepted throughout the packaging industry and have been for over 100 years.

[0005] One common type of substantially rigid container package holds goods under vacuum until the package is opened. This is the so-called "coffee tin" package. Typically, such a package is formed from tin, metal or other rigid container stock material, into a tubular or square body, such as in various sizes, and is formed by machine to create a "sealed" canister.

[0006] One-way degassing valves are sometimes included in flexible packages to enable gasses produced by the particulate material within the package, such as coffee beans, to exit from the package, while preventing outside air from entering into the package through the valve. Examples of such one-way degassing valves are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,595,467, 3,799,427 and 4,420,015, which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0007] One drawback of many flexible packaging, such as commercially available vacuum sealed flexible packaging, is that when the packages are filled, sealed and evacuated, the walls can intimately engage the particulate material therein, which can result in an uneven, bumpy, pebbly or otherwise less than satisfactory aesthetic appearance. Another drawback is that in retail packaging, flexible containers are easily broken, such as when dropped by the customer, or damaged in shipping, thus potentially creating a dirty, ugly environment. This can be especially undesirable when the flexible container is broken or dropped in a supermarket aisle, and its content spilled onto the floor, which happens regularly.

[0008] Tin boxes, on the other hand, always provide a smooth, non-bulging aesthetically pleasing appearance, while enabling the package to be vacuum-sealed to keep the contents fresh. They also cannot be broken, torn, ripped, etc., thus creating a much stronger and more ideal vehicle to package fresh sensitive goods.

[0009] Accordingly, a need exists for packaging that is simple in construction, relatively low in cost to produce, and provides the advantages of conventional hermetically sealed packaging, but which has a one-way degassing valve, and is constructed from an aesthetically pleasing substantially rigid material, so that the container has a smooth, non-bulging external appearance, that can be printed on for an aesthetically pleasing retail appearance, and that is easy to fill, easy to stack, and which constitutes standard and commonly acceptable packaging.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention relates to a substantially rigid package container, e.g., made of tin, metal or other substantially rigid material, having an interior for holding a particulate material, e.g., dry pet food, coffee, chemicals, etc. The package is preferably a box-like container formed from tin, metal or other substantially rigid material and comprises walls or panels, inside of which defines an open-able mouth for the package, along with a re-sealable lid. The package preferably includes a pressure/vacuum release hermetic degassing valve in one portion thereof, such as on one of its walls or panels. The package is hermetically sealed to isolate its contents from the ambient surroundings.

[0011] The valve is arranged to operate as follows: The valve allows any gasses within the package to gain egress from the interior to the exterior of the package, while precluding the ambient atmosphere from gaining ingress into the interior of the package. Any gasses produced by the contents of the package, therefore, can vent out of the valve to the ambient surroundings, while any outside air is prevented from entering into the package, thus keeping the contents as fresh as possible.

[0012] In accordance with one preferred aspect of the invention the valve includes a displaceable member, e.g., a planar resilient-material disk or substantially flat member or membrane, arranged to be disposed on a valve seat, to be lifted therefrom when the pressure within the package exceeds the pressure outside the package.

[0013] A layer of a viscous fluid, e.g., silicone oil, is preferably provided on the displaceable member, e.g., the disk, so that the fluid is located at the interface of the disk and valve seat. The Presence of this fluid provides tension to the disk which can prevent any penetration of air through the interface, but which allows the disk to separate from the valve seat when the pressure differential is high enough, i.e., when the pressure in the container exceeds the pressure outside the container.

[0014] The valve is preferably attached to a wall or panel of the rigid container via an aperture that is formed in the wall or panel that is slightly smaller than the exterior mating insert portion of the valve, such that the insert portion can be inserted into the aperture, and the expanded flange portion of the valve can then be allowed to firmly rest against the exterior of the rigid container material, wherein friction between the container and valve (resulting from an interference fit predominantly between the insert portion and aperture) can be used to permanently seal the aperture and adhere the valve to the rigid container.

[0015] The present invention is essentially a packaging container for coffee beans and other gas emitting particulate materials, wherein a pressure release valve is provided on one of the walls or panels to help maintain the pressure inside and outside the container in substantial equilibrium. That is, the valve is a one way degassing valve designed to allow pressure inside the container to be released, such that a steady state equilibrium pressure inside and outside the container can be substantially maintained.

[0016] In this respect, Applicant's container is unlike previous packaging for coffee beans and the like, insofar as in Applicant's invention, the package is preferably made of a relatively rigid tin or other metal material, as opposed to a flexible paper-like material from which traditional containers for such materials are made. This allows the package to provide the benefits described above, including withstanding being dropped, and becoming damaged during normal transit and handling.

[0017] Applicant's container is also unlike other high pressure containers, such as aerosol cans, including those shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,722,753, issued to Miles, and 3,712,501, issued to Morane et al., which have a valve to help maintain the pressure inside the container at a relatively high level than the pressure outside. In Applicant's case, the valve preferably keeps the pressure from building up at all, by releasing any gas pressure that might be emitted by the particulate material. Accordingly, although Applicant's container is preferably made from substantially rigid material, such as tin or metal, and has a valve, Applicant's container is not necessarily a high pressure container, and therefore, the walls of the container can be relatively thin, and flimsy, and do not need to be as rigid or thick as in the case of high pressure containers. For example, the walls or panels of Applicant's container do not need to resist buckling or deflection that can otherwise be induced by pressure buildup inside the container, in a direction normal to the wall, which can occur in high pressure applications.

[0018] Indeed, the wall or panel upon which the valve is mounted is preferably substantially planar in shape and relatively thin, when compared to high pressure containers, and especially when compared to the insert portion of the valve. In fact, the wall or panel can be less than one-third the thickness of the insert portion, and in some preferred cases, less than one-tenth the thickness of the insert portion, wherein the wall or panel can, for example, be as thin as 0.25 mm or less, while the insert portion can be 3.5 mm to 4.0 mm or higher, if desired. When the thickness of the insert portion is compared to the thickness of the wall or panel, it can be seen that the wall or panel is relatively thin, which is desirable from the standpoint of manufacturing cost, function and weight. This difference is also desirable from the standpoint of allowing the insert portion to be more easily inserted into the aperture, without causing undue damage to the wall or panel, i.e., just the right amount of flexibility in the wall will allow the valve to be easily inserted, while just the right amount of stiffness will ensure that it does not accidentally get pulled out. That is, by having the right amount of engagement between the valve and wall, this helps ensure that there is the right amount of friction, i.e., low enough to allow the valve to be inserted, and high enough for the valve to be properly mounted, including sufficient travel distance to prevent the insert portion from being pulled and removed from the aperture.

[0019] Although the wall or panel is relatively rigid when compared to previous flexible material packaging, such as for coffee beans and the like, it does not necessarily have to be stiff enough, especially in a direction normal to the plane of the wall or panel, to resist defection and buckling that can be induced by the application of high pressure within the container. Accordingly, Applicant's container is designed with walls or panels that are relatively thin, and the valve is uniquely designed so that it can easily be inserted into the aperture. This can be done, for example, by ensuring that there is no rib portion extending from the insert portion, as in the case of Morane et al., which can make inserting the valve into the aperture more difficult, and could damage the wall or panel as the valve is being inserted. Also, by making the wall or panel extremely thin, it can be more forgiving when the valve is inserted into the aperture. At the same time, the wall is thick enough to maintain a relatively tight fit between the valve and wall, and provide sufficient contact surface and friction to keep them together.

[0020] Accordingly, it is a general object of this invention to provide a substantially rigid container package, which addresses the needs of the prior art.

[0021] It is a further object of this invention to provide a substantially rigid container package for particulate material formed from tin, metal or other substantially rigid container material, which can be hermetically sealed, yet which exhibits a smooth, non-bulging or concaving exterior appearance.

[0022] It is a further object of this invention to provide a hermetically sealed tin, metal or other substantially rigid container package for particulate material, which includes a degassing valve to permit the package to reach an equilibrium state in which the pressure within the package is equal to the pressure outside the package, without allowing exterior air to enter into the package.

[0023] It is a further object of this invention to provide a hermetically sealed substantially rigid container package, which is simple in construction, relatively low in cost, which can be manufactured easily and which provides an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

[0024] It is a further object of this invention to provide a hermetically sealed substantially rigid container package for particulate material which includes a degassing valve to enable the release of gas from the interior of the package so it that can be readily stacked without fear of explosion or bursting, bulging or convexing of the rigid container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] FIG. 1 is a representation of a cross section of a typical tin box having a degassing valve attached thereto on the bottom floor thereof;

[0026] FIG. 2 is a cut-away side view of the degassing valve positioned and secured by friction within an aperture extending through the floor of the tin box, wherein the degassing valve is shown with the valve seat and disk in the sealed position; and

[0027] FIG. 3 is a cross-section of the degassing valve showing the disk and valve seat with the disk in the open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown an example of a substantially rigid container package 1, such as made of tin or metal or other substantially rigid material, constructed in accordance with this invention. In the preferred embodiment, the package 1 comprises a tin box 3 having a pressure-equalizing one-way degassing valve 5 mounted in its base 7 or other surface (as will be described later) and a lid 9 which securely fits on and seals the box 3. The tin box 3 is preferably arranged to hold any particulate material e.g., coffee beans, ground coffee, dry pet food, chemicals, etc. Moreover, the tin box 3 is particularly suitable for holding large amounts of such materials, e.g., in excess of twenty-five pounds, although it can be used for packaging small amounts or larger amounts as well.

[0029] In the preferred embodiment, the tin box 3 is formed from a substantially rigid material, such as tin, metal, etc., and comprises a front wall or panel 11, a rear wall or panel (not shown), two sidewalls or panels 13, 15, a top end portion 17, the lid 9, and the bottom wall or panel portion 7. The top end portion 17 of the package terminates and has lid 9 that fits securely on tin box 3, finishing off the overall appearance of the package. The bottom wall or panel or base end portion 7 forms the bottom of the package. The degassing valve 5 (in this drawing) is preferably mounted in the bottom wall or bottom panel 7, but the degassing valve 5 can be mounted on virtually any portion of the tin box 3, including the lid 9, rear wall, front wall 11, or side walls 13, 15. The degassing valve 5 is preferably in communication with the interior of tin box 3 regardless of its location. The valve 5 enables gasses, which may be produced by the particulate material(s) contained within the box 3, after it is hermetically sealed, to vent to the ambient air, without air gaining ingress into the tin box's 3 interior.

[0030] The front panel 11, rear panel, and the two side panels 13, 15 of the tin box 3 are preferably integral portions of a single sheet of tin, metal or other substantially rigid container material. Particularly useful tin, metal or substantially rigid container material for the tin box 3 is commercially available companies such as Royal Summit, Inc., of Modesto, Calif., the assignee of this invention. The lower wall or panel 7 of the tin box 3 is preferably sealed closed along a transverse, permanent seam line, closely adjacent the bottom edge. The permanent seam line is preferably formed using standard sealing techniques, such as that used by tin box factories around the world. The tin box 3 is preferably arranged to be hermetically sealed by bending the sheet together, which creates a permanent seal. The lid or top 9 is manufactured so that it mates with the tin body 3 and seals the package, thus isolating the contents of the package from the ambient atmosphere once it is hermetically sealed.

[0031] When the tin box 3 is filled and sealed, the particulate materials inside will be kept isolated from the ambient air by the tin box 3 and the application of the top or lid 9. The package can be readily stacked in multiples in a stable manner. Moreover, the weight of the stacked packages, plus the close conformance between the valve on one package, and the abutting wall of an adjacent package, can help effectively cover the valve to help maintain the hermetical seal and aesthetics of the package. Any gasses that are produced by the material within the package are nevertheless able to vent to the exterior in a normal manner (as will be described later) through valve 5.

[0032] FIG. 2 shows the valve 5 positioned inside an aperture 19 extending through a portion of the substantially rigid container 3. In this embodiment, the aperture 19 is located on bottom wall or panel 7, although in other embodiments, it can be located virtually anywhere on box 3. The valve 5 preferably has an insert portion 21 that can be inserted and frictionally secured to the inside edge of aperture 19, and a flange 27 that can be placed over the exterior 25 of the wall or panel 7. This serves as the means by which the valve 5 is secured to the package 3, with flange 27 firmly resting on the outer surface of the package. The insert portion 21 preferably fits securely into the aperture 19 that is made slightly smaller than the exterior of the insert portion 21, such that the insert portion 21 can be inserted into the aperture 19, and the expanded flange portion 27 of the valve can then be allowed to firmly rest against the exterior 25 of the rigid container 3, wherein friction between the aperture 19 and insert portion 21 (resulting from an interference fit) helps to permanently seal the aperture 19 and adhere the valve 5 to container 3.

[0033] The wall or panel upon which valve 5 is mounted is preferably substantially planar in shape and relatively thin when compared to the thickness of insert portion 21 of valve 5, wherein the flexural modulus of the wall or panel can be commensurate with the thickness thereof. In fact, the thickness of the wall or panel can be less than one-third the thickness of insert portion 21, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and in some preferred cases, less than one-tenth the thickness of insert portion 21, wherein the wall or panel can be, for example, as thin as 0.25 mm or less, while the thickness of insert portion 21 (capable of engaging the inside edge of aperture 19) can be 3.5 mm to 4.0 mm or higher, if desired. This is preferred. The thickness of insert portion 21 refers to the distance between the flange portion 27 and the distal end of the insert portion 21 which can engage the inside edge of the aperture 19 when the valve is being inserted into the aperture 19. The relative thinness of the wall or panel when compared to the relative thickness of insert portion 21, and the planar shape of the wall or panel, are desirable from the standpoint of lowering manufacturing cost, and weight. This difference is also desirable from the standpoint of allowing the insert portion 21 to be more easily inserted into aperture 19, due to the flexibility and flexural modulus of the wall or panel, without causing undue damage to the wall or panel. At the same time, the relative thickness of the insert portion 21 helps to ensure that there is enough friction for valve 5 to be properly mounted, including the amount of travel distance that the insert portion 21 would have to overcome in order to remove valve 5 from aperture 19. Nevertheless, the insert portion 21 shouldn't be too thick relative to the wall or panel, such that it would be more difficult to insert the insert portion 21 into aperture 19, due to the amount of travel distance that would have to be overcome for the valve to be mounted properly.

[0034] Although the wall or panel on which valve 5 is mounted is relatively rigid when compared to previous flexible packaging, such as for coffee beans and the like, it does not necessarily have to be stiff enough, such as in a direction normal to the plane of the wall or panel, to resist defection and buckling that can be induced by the application of high pressure inside the container. Accordingly, Applicant's container is preferably adapted with relatively thin walls, and valve 5 is uniquely designed so that it can easily be inserted into aperture 19, without damaging or deflecting the relatively thin wall or panel. This can be done, for example, by ensuring that there is no rib extending from insert portion 21, as in the case of Morane et al., which can make inserting valve 5 into aperture 19 more difficult. Also, by making the wall or panel 7 extremely thin, it can be more forgiving when valve 5 is being inserted into aperture 19.

[0035] As can be seen in FIG. 2, the internal components of valve 5 comprise an upper cap portion 29 connected to a lower base member 30 (which includes the flange 27), with an electrometric, e.g., rubber, disk 31 positioned inside an interior compartment 35 formed between the cap portion 29 and base member 30. The disk can be made in any conventional material. The cap portion 29 and base member 30 are preferably adapted to be snapped and connected together by mating sections 32, 34, as shown, with disk 31 inside compartment 35 during assembly. A thin layer of oil 38, e.g., silicone oil is preferably provided inside compartment 35 on disk 31 adjacent valve seat 36, to help maintain disk 31 by tension in a sealed position inside compartment 35.

[0036] The "sealed position" is the one shown in FIG. 2, wherein disk 31 is positioned against valve seat 36. Disk 31 effectively covers and seals opening 37, which communicates between compartment 35 and interior of box 3. A filter member 33 is preferably provided on base member 30 on the interior side 24 of opening 37 relative to disk 31 to cover opening 37 and ensure that dust and other small particles from inside box 3, which can interfere with disk 31 and oil 38, and therefore, the operation of valve 5, cannot be introduced into compartment 35.

[0037] The valve 5 has two modes of operation. FIG. 2 shows valve 5 in its "closed or sealed" position, and FIG. 3 shows valve 5 in its "pressure release mode." The second mode shown in FIG. 3 occurs when a pressure differential is applied to the valve 5 such that the pressure in the interior of box 3 is higher than the pressure on the exterior of the package. In this situation, valve 5 functions to equalize the interior and exterior pressures by allowing the higher internal pressure to break the elastic bond between the valve seat 36, silicone oil 38, and disk 31, allowing air to escape in the direction of arrows 40, through filter 33, base member's opening 37, around disk 31, and through a hole 39 in cap member 29.

[0038] Once sufficient air has been released out of the package to equalize the internal and external pressures, the disk 31 automatically returns to it normally flat, unflexed state, shown in FIG. 2. The surface tension of the silicone oil 38 then reseals the bond between the valve seat 36, and disk 31. Thus, valve 5 stops operating in the "pressure release" mode and begins operating again in the "closed or sealed" static equilibrium mode.

[0039] The "static equilibrium mode" of operation is shown in FIG. 2 and occurs when the interior package pressure and exterior package pressure are equal. In this situation the disk 31 remains sealed to valve seat 36 by the viscous nature maintain disk 31 in a flat, unflexed position, thus keeping valve 5 closed and impermeable to external, atmospheric gasses (e.g. Oxygen), moisture, or odors. In all cases, the walls of the package 3 remain smooth and non-bulging, as shown in FIG. 1.

[0040] As should be appreciated by those skilled in the art the subject invention provides a valve 5 which allows a tin, metal or other substantially rigid container package to be substantially and hermetically sealed in order to protect the package's content against external gasses, e.g. atmospheric oxygen, moisture and odors during the large majority of time when internal and external package pressures are at an equilibrium. Moreover, the valve provides a viable means for releasing entrapped air in the package so that it can be stacked and transported with similarly constructed packages, effectively and economically, without the risk of rupturing. Thus, the subject invention enables the creation of an easy to handle, well shaped, aesthetically pleasing, and durable package by enabling the vacuum therein to be released during shipment and storage.

Claims

1. A package comprising: a container made of a substantially rigid material, such as tin or metal, comprising at least one wall or panel thereon having a predetermined thickness; an aperture extending through said wall or panel, said aperture having a perimeter formed with a substantially rigid edge; a one way degassing valve extended at least partially into said aperture, providing communication between an interior and exterior of said container, said valve comprising: an insert portion having a predetermined thickness extended into said aperture, wherein an exterior surface of said insert portion has no ridge portion to hold said insert portion in said aperture, wherein said insert portion is adapted to be held within said aperture by frictional engagement with said edge of said aperture; a flange portion extended on one end of said insert portion, said flange portion extended outward relative to said insert portion, such that with said valve positioned in said aperture, said flange is located on said exterior of said container; wherein the predetermined thickness of said wall or panel is less than one-third the predetermined thickness of said insert portion, and said edge of said aperture engages less than one-third the thickness of said insert portion; and wherein said container is filled with coffee beans or other gas emitting particulate material, and said valve is adapted to allow gas to pass through, such that the pressure inside the container is maintained substantially in equilibrium with the pressure outside the container, while substantially preventing gas from passing through said valve into said container.

2. The package of claim 1, wherein said aperture is formed slightly smaller than the exterior surface of said insert portion, such that with said insert portion extended into said aperture, friction between said edge of said aperture and said exterior surface of said insert portion helps to secure said valve to said wall.

3. The package of claim 1, wherein said valve prevents the gas from passing in a second direction which is from the exterior to the interior of said container, and allows the gas to pass in a first direction which is from the interior to the exterior of said container, when pressure in the interior of said container exceeds the pressure in the exterior of said container.

4. The package of claim 1, wherein said valve comprises a cap and base member, wherein an interior compartment is formed between the cap and base member, and a displacement member with a layer of viscous fluid is provided on a seat inside said compartment, wherein the displacement member remains on said seat to prevent gas from passing through said valve when the pressure in the interior and exterior of said container are substantially equal, but can be lifted from said seat to allow gas to pass through openings in said base member and said cap, when the predetermined differential amount is exceeded.

5. The package of claim 4, wherein the tension provided by said viscous fluid helps to keep said displacement member on said seat in a closed position, to keep said hole in said base member closed, until such time that the pressure differential exceeds the predetermined amount, wherein said displacement member can be partially separated from said seat, to enable said hole in said base member to be opened, and allow the gas to pass through said cap in said first direction.

6. The package of claim 4, wherein a filter is provided to cover said hole in said base member.

7. The package of claim 1, wherein the wall or panel is substantially planar in configuration, and has a flexural modulus commensurate with said predetermined thickness of said wall or panel.

8. A method of storing coffee beans or other gas emitting particulate materials in a container, comprising: providing a container having at least one substantially rigid and planar wall; forming an aperture in said wall having a predetermined size; providing a valve comprising an insert portion having no ridge portion to hold said insert portion in said aperture, wherein said insert portion is adapted to be extended into said aperture, and held therein solely by frictional engagement with a peripheral edge of said aperture; providing a flange portion on one end of said insert portion, said flange portion extending outward relative to said insert portion; inserting said insert portion into said aperture, wherein the friction between said insert portion and peripheral edge of said aperture alone maintains said valve in a substantially fixed position on said wall; and filling said container with coffee beans or other gas emitting particulate material, and allowing the gas inside the container to pass through said valve, such that the pressure inside the container is maintained in substantial equilibrium with the pressure outside said container, while substantially preventing gas from passing through said valve into said container.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said wall has a predetermined thickness, and said insert portion has a predetermined thickness, and the predetermined thickness of said wall is less than one-third the predetermined thickness of said insert portion, and said edge of said aperture engages less than one-third the thickness of said insert portion.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein said aperture is formed slightly smaller than the exterior surface of said insert portion, such that with said insert portion extended into said aperture, friction between said edge of said aperture and said exterior surface of said insert portion secures said valve to said wall.

11. A package comprising: a container made of a substantially rigid material, such as tin or metal, comprising at least one substantially planar wall or panel thereon: an aperture extending through said wall or panel, said aperture having a perimeter formed with a substantially rigid edge; a one way valve extended at least partially into said aperture, providing communication between an interior and exterior of said container, said valve comprising: an insert portion extended into said aperture, wherein an exterior surface of said insert portion has no ridge portion to hold said insert portion in said aperture, wherein said insert portion is held therein by frictional engagement with said edge of said aperture; a flange portion extended on one end of said insert portion; and wherein said container is filled with coffee beans or other gas emitting particulate material, and said valve is adapted to allow gas to pass through said wall or panel in a first direction when the pressure differential between said interior and exterior of said container exceeds a predetermined amount, wherein said valve is adapted to maintain the pressure inside the container substantially in equilibrium with the pressure outside said container, while substantially preventing gas from passing through said valve in a second direction opposite said first direction.

12. The package of claim 11, wherein said aperture is formed slightly smaller than the exterior surface of said insert portion, such that with said insert portion extended into said aperture, friction between said edge of said aperture and said exterior surface of said insert portion secures said valve to said wall or panel.

13. The package of claim 11, wherein said wall or panel has a predetermined thickness, and said insert portion has a predetermined thickness, and the predetermined thickness of said wall or panel is less than one-third the predetermined thickness of said insert portion, and said edge of said aperture engages less than one-third the thickness of said insert portion.

14. The package of claim 11, wherein said valve comprises a cap and base member, wherein an interior compartment is formed between the cap and base member, and a displacement member with a layer of viscous fluid is provided on a seat inside said compartment, wherein the displacement member remains on said seat to prevent gas from passing through said valve when the pressure in the interior and exterior of said container are substantially equal, but can be lifted from said seat to allow gas to pass through openings in said base member and said cap, when the predetermined amount is exceeded.

15. The package of claim 14, wherein the tension provided by said viscous fluid helps to keep said displacement member on said seat in a closed position, to keep said hole in said base member closed, until such time that the pressure differential exceeds the predetermined amount, wherein said displacement member can be partially separated from said seat, to enable said hole in said base member to be opened, and allow the gas to pass through said cap in said first direction.