U.S. patent application number 13/996740 was filed with the patent office on 2013-10-17 for collapsible article container.
This patent application is currently assigned to ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is Jeffrey D. Anderson, Jon D. Burrow, Craig E. Ernst, Christopher A.J. Iannello. Invention is credited to Jeffrey D. Anderson, Jon D. Burrow, Craig E. Ernst, Christopher A.J. Iannello.
Application Number | 20130270146 13/996740 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45496312 |
Filed Date | 2013-10-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130270146 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Iannello; Christopher A.J. ;
et al. |
October 17, 2013 |
COLLAPSIBLE ARTICLE CONTAINER
Abstract
A collapsible article container includes a pair of side walls
connected along side edges and a transverse bottom edge defining an
interior pouch volume having a sealable entrance opening and an air
purge mechanism in communication with the pouch to provide air
evacuation from the pouch through a volume reduction port. The air
purge mechanism includes truncated, transverse, seals defining a
restricted flow path in communication with the pouch volume through
one passage and in communication with a volume reduction port
through another. The collapsible article container may be reused
after removal of a contained article by insertion of an article
into the pouch volume, exposing the volume reduction port to
atmosphere, and expelling entrained air from the pouch volume
through the passages and restricted flow path of the air purge
mechanism. In one form the pouch includes a closable strip spaced
inwardly from the top edge.
Inventors: |
Iannello; Christopher A.J.;
(Rolling Meadows, IL) ; Anderson; Jeffrey D.;
(Hampshire, IL) ; Ernst; Craig E.; (Marlboro,
NY) ; Burrow; Jon D.; (Bartlett, IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Iannello; Christopher A.J.
Anderson; Jeffrey D.
Ernst; Craig E.
Burrow; Jon D. |
Rolling Meadows
Hampshire
Marlboro
Bartlett |
IL
IL
NY
IL |
US
US
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
Glenview
IL
|
Family ID: |
45496312 |
Appl. No.: |
13/996740 |
Filed: |
December 22, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
December 22, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US11/66929 |
371 Date: |
June 21, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61426607 |
Dec 23, 2010 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/524.8 ;
383/100; 383/200; 53/434 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 81/2023 20130101;
B65D 33/2533 20130101; B65B 31/04 20130101; B65D 33/16 20130101;
B65D 85/18 20130101; B65D 33/2508 20130101; B65D 75/5805 20130101;
B65D 33/01 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/524.8 ;
383/100; 383/200; 53/434 |
International
Class: |
B65D 81/20 20060101
B65D081/20; B65D 33/16 20060101 B65D033/16; B65B 31/04 20060101
B65B031/04; B65D 33/01 20060101 B65D033/01 |
Claims
1. A collapsible article container, comprising a pair of side walls
connected along side edges and a transverse bottom edge to define
an interior pouch volume having an entrance opening along a
transverse sealable top edge, an air purge mechanism in
communication with said pouch volume to provide air evacuation from
said pouch.
2. A collapsible article container as claimed in claim 1 wherein at
least one of said side walls may be ruptured to place said air
purge mechanism in communication with the atmosphere.
3. A collapsible article container as claimed in claim 2 wherein
said air purge mechanism includes a first truncated seal connecting
said side walls spaced from said bottom edge toward said entrance
opening extending from one of said side edges and having a terminus
spaced from the other of said side edges to define a passage
therebetween.
4. A collapsible article container as claimed in claim 3 wherein
said air purge mechanism includes a second truncated seal
connecting said side walls spaced toward said entrance opening from
first truncated seal extending from the other of said side edges
and having a terminus spaced from said first one of said side edges
to define a passage therebetween.
5. A collapsible article container as claimed in claim 4 wherein
said first truncated seal and said second truncated seal of said
air purge mechanism define a restricted flow path communicating
with said pouch volume through said passage defined by said
terminus of said second truncated seal and said side edge from
which it is spaced.
6. A collapsible article container as claimed in claim 5 wherein
said bottom edge and said at first truncated seal define a tubular
volume reduction port in communication with said restricted flow
path between said truncated seals of said air purge mechanism
through said passage defined by said terminus of said first
truncated seal and said side edge from which it is spaced.
7. A collapsible article container as claimed in claim 6 wherein
said volume reduction port is in communication with said pouch
volume through said passages and said restricted flow path and said
air purge mechanism is placed in communication with the atmosphere
by rupturing said side wall at said volume reduction port.
8. A collapsible article container as claimed in claim 1 wherein
said pouch includes a closure mechanism spaced from said top edge
toward said bottom edge, said side walls define a tubular portion
between said transverse top seal and said closure mechanism and
said tubular portion may be ruptured to provide access to said
interior pouch volume through said closure mechanism.
9. A collapsible article container as claimed in claim 8 wherein
said closure includes a generally "U" shaped channel element
secured to each of said side walls, each said channel facing the
channel on the other said side wall, said channels aligned for
releasable engagement with each other.
10. A collapsible article container as claimed in claim 2 wherein
said pouch includes a closure mechanism spaced from said top edge
toward said bottom edge, said side walls define a tubular portion
between said transverse top seal and said closure mechanism and
said tubular portion may be ruptured to provide access to said
interior pouch volume through said closure mechanism.
11. A collapsible article container as claimed in claim 10 wherein
said closure includes a generally "U" shaped channel element
secured to each of said side walls, each said channel facing the
channel on the other said side wall, said channels aligned for
releasable engagement with each other.
12. A collapsible article container as claimed in claim 10 wherein
said air purge mechanism includes a first truncated seal connecting
said side walls spaced from said bottom edge toward said entrance
opening extending from one of said side edges and having a terminus
spaced from the other of said side edges to define a passage
therebetween,
13. A collapsible article container as claimed in claim 13 wherein
said air purge mechanism includes a second truncated seal
connecting said side walls spaced toward said entrance opening from
first truncated seal extending from the other of said side edges
and having a terminus spaced from said first one of said side edges
to define a passage therebetween.
14. A collapsible article container as claimed in claim 13 wherein
said first truncated seal and said second truncated seal of said
air purge mechanism define a restricted flow path communicating
with said pouch volume through said passage defined by said
terminus of said second truncated seal and said side edge from
which it is spaced.
15. A collapsible article container as claimed in claim 14 wherein
said bottom edge and said at first truncated seal define a tubular
volume reduction port in communication with said restricted flow
path between said truncated seals of said air purge mechanism
through said passage defined by said terminus of said first
truncated seal and said side edge from which it is spaced.
16. A collapsible article container as claimed in claim 15 wherein
said volume reduction port is in communication with said pouch
volume through said passages and said restricted flow path and said
air purge mechanism is placed in communication with the atmosphere
by rupturing said side wall at said volume reduction port.
17. A method of packaging an article using a collapsible article
container comprising: a pair of side walls connected along side
edges and a transverse bottom edge to define an interior pouch
volume having an entrance opening along a transverse top edge, an
air purge mechanism in communication with said pouch volume to
provide an air evacuation from said pouch, a closure mechanism
spaced from said top edge toward said bottom edge, said side walls
define a tubular portion between said transverse top seal and said
closure mechanism and said tubular portion may be ruptured to
provide access to said interior pouch volume through said closure
mechanism, providing an article, inserting said article into said
pouch volume though said entrance opening, evacuating said pouch
volume through said entrance opening, sealing said transverse top
edge of said container.
18. A method of repackaging articles using a collapsible article
container containing an article, said container comprising: a
collapsible article container comprising a pair of side walls
connected along side edges and a transverse bottom edge to define
an interior pouch volume having an entrance opening along a
transverse top edge, an air purge mechanism in communication with
said pouch volume to provide air evacuation from said pouch a
closure mechanism spaced from said top edge toward said bottom
edge, said side walls define a tubular portion between said
transverse top seal and said closure mechanism and said tubular
portion may be ruptured to provide access to said interior pouch
volume through said closure mechanism, a removable article disposed
in said pouch volume and a transverse top seal sealing said
entrance opening, a volume reduction port in at least one of said
side walls closed to the atmosphere and in communication with said
pouch volume, the steps comprising rupturing at least one of said
side walls at said tubular portion and removing said article
originally disposed in said pouch volume, inserting an article
within said pouch volume, closing said closure mechanism, rupturing
at least one of said side walls in said volume reduction port to
communicate said volume reduction port to atmosphere, compressing
said pouch volume from said closure mechanism toward said truncated
seals to cause air contained within said pouch volume to exit
through said passages and said restricted flow path.
19. A method of repackaging an article using a flexible article
container as claimed in claim 18 the steps further comprising
securing said container in said compressed condition to maintain a
minimum pouch volume.
20. A collapsible article container, comprising a pair of side
walls connected along side edges and a transverse bottom edge to
define an interior pouch volume having an entrance opening along a
transverse sealable top edge, a seal sealing said top edge, an air
purge mechanism in communication with said pouch volume to provide
air evacuation from said pouch wherein said pouch includes a
closure mechanism spaced from said sealed top edge toward said
bottom edge, said side walls define a tubular portion between said
transverse top seal and said closure mechanism and said tubular
portion may be ruptured to provide access to said interior pouch
volume through said closure mechanism.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This non-provisional application claims the benefit of, and
priority from U.S. Provisional Application 61/426,607 filed Dec.
23, 2010, the contents of which is incorporated by reference herein
in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] This disclosure relates to flexible walled, collapsible,
article containers made of polymeric film and methods of use of
such containers. More particularly, it relates flexible walled,
collapsible, article containers made of polymeric film having
multiple use capability.
[0003] Many forms of sealed article containers exist. One category,
flexible walled collapsible article containers of polymeric film,
plastic bags, represent a cost efficient packaging arrangement.
Articles such as clothing are often packaged in sealed plastic bags
for initial delivery to the consumer.
[0004] In some instances, the packages are filled with an article
to be delivered, evacuated to minimize volume and sealed. Such an
arrangement eliminates entrained air in the packaged article and
minimizes the volume of the package. Such containers are used to
transport garments or other articles in a waterproof and
contaminant free environment. The usefulness of such containers is
diminished on opening by the consumer and the container usually
then discarded.
[0005] Also, plastic bag configurations are commercially available
with a sealable entrance opening. Such bags include a releasable
latching mechanism sometimes in the form of connectible channels
that interengage to form a seal. Examples are found in U.S. Pat.
Nos. 5,070,584, 5,664,299 and 5,647,100.
[0006] Evacuatable, flexible walled collapsible storage containers
are also known. They are made from heavy duty plastic film and
include a valve or port for connection to an evacuation device.
[0007] Such containers are arranged for reuse and include a closure
mechanism to reestablish a sealed enclosure for contained articles.
They are arranged for evacuation of entrained air from the defined
chamber to minimize volume and maximize space utilization. "Space
Bags" for example, available from ITW, San Diego, Calif., and are
sold empty, in packages of multiple bags.
[0008] While these various configurations of flexible walled
collapsible article containers are individually available, none are
known to accomplish all of these desired functions.
SUMMARY
[0009] The article container of this disclosure provides the
desired capabilities of initial use as a sealed article container,
and subsequent use as a reclosable, general purpose article
container that possess the capability to provide space conservation
through overall volume reduction after filling, all in a single
container structure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a plan view, partially broken away, of the
collapsible article container of the present disclosure.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the collapsible article container
of FIG. 1 showing it as a sealed and evacuated container initially
filled with an article for delivery to a consumer.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a view of the collapsible article container,
refilled and employed by the user to provide short term compression
of the container and contents to a minimum volume condition for
storage or packing with other articles.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a side view of the collapsible article container
of FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] FIGS. 1 to 4 illustrate a flexible walled collapsible
article container 10 used for packaging of manufactured goods for
initial delivery to a consumer and subsequent reuse as a general
purpose sealable container or a compressible storage container for
minimum volume configuration. It is made of thermoplastic polymeric
film.
[0015] A film suitable for container 10 is low density polyethylene
film, though other polymeric films could be used. In the
illustrated form, the container is about fourteen inches (14'')
wide. The film contemplated for this type of article container is
from two (2) to ten (10) mils thick. It is illustrated as a pouch
to contain, for example, a garment, miscellaneous toiletries or
other articles.
[0016] The specific size of the container 10 and thickness of the
film is illustrative only and may be varied as desired for specific
applications. Since the collapsible article container may reside in
any orientation, the terms top, bottom, side, upper, lower, etc.,
are used to describe the embodiment of the illustrations and are
not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Similarly as
used herein for purposes of understanding of the disclosure the
term "inner" or "inward" as used herein means toward the interior
of the pouch formed by the collapsible article container.
[0017] In the illustrated embodiments, container 10 is formed by a
pair of polymeric side wall sheets 14 and 16 sealed together along
side edges 18 and 20 by side seal strips 22 and 24. Side seal
strips 22 and 24 illustrated are about one-quarter inch (1/4'')
wide and formed by heat sealing together the interior surfaces of
sheets 14 and 16. Alternatively, the side walls 14 and 16 of
container 10 could be formed, for example, from a single sheet,
folded in half upon itself and sealed along one edge. In another
form, side walls 14 and 16 could be formed by a continuous tubular
sheet of film flattened upon itself to form side walls 14 and 16.
The manner of forming the side walls or the number or width of the
seal strips are not significant to the features of the
disclosure.
[0018] Container or pouch 10 is sealed along transverse bottom edge
26 by a bottom transverse seal strip 28 which is formed similarly
to side seal strips 22 and 24. A transverse top edge 30 defines an
open mouth entrance opening 31 for filling. It is later closed by
transverse top seal strip 32 during the process of filling as will
be explained. The defined volume within the container or pouch 10
is thereby completely isolated from the surrounding atmosphere.
[0019] Transverse top seal strip 32 and transverse bottom seal
strip 28 are formed by heat sealing and are also about one-quarter
inch (1/4'') in width though this dimension, like the others, is
for illustration and is not limiting.
[0020] In the illustrated embodiment, spaced inwardly from
transverse top edge 30, that is, toward transverse bottom edge 26,
there is provided a closure mechanism 34. The longitudinal spacing
between transverse top edge 30 and closure mechanism 34 provides a
tubular portion 35 for connection to evacuation equipment for
evacuation of the internal void area or container volume. After
evacuation, the top edge 30 is closed with transverse top seal
strip 32 to create an evacuated container 10 of minimum internal
volume. Thereafter, access to the content of the package 10 is
accomplished by rupture of the film sheets 14 or 16 in the tubular
portion 35 for example by cutting along dotted line 37 which
thereafter defines the top edge of container 10.
[0021] The closure mechanism 34 is illustrated is a dual channel,
"press to close" arrangement in common use for reusable polymeric
collapsible article containers. Examples can be found in U.S. Pat.
Nos. 5,070,584 and 5,647,100 though numerous seals of this general
type exist and would be suitable.
[0022] The illustrated closure mechanism 34 includes "U" shaped
channel elements adhered to the interior surface of each sheet 14
and 16 with the legs of the "U" shape facing the legs of the "U"
shape of the channel on the opposing interior sheet surface. The
channels are aligned such that the legs of the channels can be
pressed into releasable engagement to form a seal across the width
of the container 10. Resealable closure mechanism 34 may be
connected together to form a tight seal across the container 10
near its upper end.
[0023] The closure mechanism 34 is useful to close the container 10
after initial access to the contained article by the recipient
through the rupture of the sealed container 10 at tubular portion
35. The container in this configuration serves as a resealable
plastic bag for subsequent storage of the original contained
article, or other sundries.
[0024] In accordance with the disclosure, spaced inwardly from
transverse bottom seal strip 28, container 10 includes an air purge
mechanism generally designated 39. As illustrated it includes a
pair of spaced apart, truncated, transverse seal strips 40 and 42.
These truncated transverse seal strips 40 and 42 are parallel to
the bottom and top transverse seal strips 28 and 32 and extend
respectively from one side seal strip 22 or 24 partially toward the
other side seal strip.
[0025] As illustrated, truncated transverse seal strip 40 extends
from side seal strip 22 at lateral edge 18 nearly the entire
distance to side seal strip 24 at edge 20 to a terminus 46. It
defines a passage 47 between its terminus 46 and side seal strip
24.
[0026] Similarly, truncated transverse seal strip 42 spaced inward
from truncated transverse seal strip 40 extends from side seal
strip 24 at edge 20 nearly the entire distance to side seal strip
22 at edge 18 to a terminus 48. It defines passage 49 between its
terminus 48 and side seal strip 22. The space between truncated
transverse seal strips 40 and 42 defines a restricted flow path
50.
[0027] The transverse bottom seal strip 28 and truncated seal strip
40 define a tubular area 52 denominated a volume reduction port in
communication with the contained volume within pouch 10 through
restricted flow path 50 and passages 47 and 49. As such, these
areas are evacuated by the evacuation device connected at tubular
portion 35. Its function as a volume reduction port is explained
below.
[0028] While a particular air purge mechanism 39 is illustrated, it
is contemplated that numerous alternative arrangements are
suitable. For example, the air purge mechanism could comprise a
small "one-way" plastic check valve secured in one of the side
walls 14 or 16. Also, one or more additional layers of plastic
film, optimized for air evacuation could be secured by adhesive or
heat welding to one of the side walls 14 or 16.
[0029] It is contemplated that the pouch 10 may be made from
aligned, continuous rolls or webs of film in a well-known process.
They could be made by other processes. The webs are cut into
individual pieces which comprise individual containers 10. Multiple
containers 10 are packaged together for delivery to the initial
commercial user.
[0030] The commercial user inserts an article 100, seen in FIG. 2,
in the interior volume or space of package or container 10 within
the confines of side walls 14 and 16. A vacuum device is introduced
into the interior of the container at the open mouth entrance
opening 31 at edge 30 which withdraws entrained air and collapses
the sheets 14 and 16 onto the article to create a minimum volume
package (best seen in FIG. 2). Transverse top seal strip 32 is then
formed by heat sealing to retain the evacuated condition. Multiple
packages are then packaged with other similar packages for storage
and shipment to ultimate users of the contained articles.
[0031] The available features of the flexible walled collapsible
article container 10 of the present disclosure are utilized in the
following exemplary sequence. As previously described, multiple
units of container 10 are delivered to the initial commercial user.
For example, a garment manufacturer inserts an article 100 into
container 10 and evacuates the container volume. The container is
sealed at seal strip 32 to complete the package. It is evacuated
and thus represents a minimum volume. Container 100, and others
like it are packed into shipping containers such as cardboard
boxes, stored and shipped to distributors of the packaged articles.
These represent a minimal space requirement and reduce the expense
of these various handling functions.
[0032] On distribution of the articles to an ultimate user, the
side wall sheets 14 and 16 of a container 10 are cut along line 37
to remove transverse top seal strip 32 above the closure mechanism
34. Manual separation of closure mechanism 34 provides access to
interior volume for removal of article 100.
[0033] On removal of article 100 as described, the container 10 is
usable as a flexible storage container. The closure mechanism 34
provides a means for resealing the otherwise open top end of
container 10.
[0034] Should it be desirable to accomplish minimization of volume,
as in the initial use by the packaging entity, it is only necessary
to render the air purge mechanism 39 operational. This is
accomplished by cutting the side wall sheets 12 and 14, within
volume reduction port 52 for example, along dotted line 57 to
provide communication to the atmosphere at passage 47 through
restricted flow path 50 and passage 49. Cut line 57 thereafter
defines the bottom edge of container 10.
[0035] To use the volume minimization function, an article 100 is
placed in container 10 through the open mouth entrance opening 31
of the container 10. The "press to close" seal mechanism 34 is
manually closed to form a seal above the article which is
positioned between mechanism 34 and truncated transverse seal strip
42. The container 10, with contents 100, is then rolled from its
top edge represented by cut line 37 toward its bottom edge
represented by cut line 57 to reduce internal volume. Air within
the container is forced out through air purge mechanism 39 along
restricted flow path 50, which communicates with the atmosphere at
volume reduction port 52. Though an opening remains at passage 47,
it is only necessary to hold the container 10 in its compressed,
minimum volume condition, until inserted into a confined position,
such as in a packed suitcase. It will remain compressed and in its
minimum volume condition until removed by the user to again
retrieve the contents through the open mouth at cut line 37 by
manually opening closure mechanism 34.
[0036] Variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the
scope of the present invention. It is understood that the invention
disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative
combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or
evident from the text and/or drawings. All of these different
combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present
invention. The embodiments described herein explain the best modes
known for practicing the invention and will enable others skilled
in the art to utilize the invention. The claims are to be construed
to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the
prior art.
* * * * *