U.S. patent application number 14/742166 was filed with the patent office on 2015-12-17 for flexible pouch with pressure relief valve.
The applicant listed for this patent is Pouch Pac Innovations, LLC. Invention is credited to R. Charles Murray.
Application Number | 20150360839 14/742166 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54835526 |
Filed Date | 2015-12-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150360839 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Murray; R. Charles |
December 17, 2015 |
FLEXIBLE POUCH WITH PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE
Abstract
A flexible pouch that includes a pressure relief valve and an
associated barrier seal. The barrier seal separates and partially
encloses a portion of the flexible pouch containing the pressure
relief valve from a portion of the pouch containing product, such
as a liquid. The barrier helps to ensure that only gases are
released through the pressure relief valve, and further helps to
prevent product from interfering with operation of the pressure
relief valve.
Inventors: |
Murray; R. Charles;
(Sarasota, FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Pouch Pac Innovations, LLC |
Sarasota |
FL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
54835526 |
Appl. No.: |
14/742166 |
Filed: |
June 17, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62013106 |
Jun 17, 2014 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
383/7 ;
383/45 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 75/008 20130101;
B65D 75/566 20130101; B65D 75/5883 20130101; B65D 77/225
20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 77/22 20060101
B65D077/22; B65D 33/06 20060101 B65D033/06; B65D 33/08 20060101
B65D033/08; B65D 77/12 20060101 B65D077/12 |
Claims
1. A flexible pouch having a product storage area, the flexible
pouch comprising: a pressure relief valve; and a seal positioned
adjacent to the pressure relief valve, the seal positioned between
the pressure relief valve and the product storage area so as to
help block product in the product storage area from interfering
with operation of the pressure relief valve.
2. The flexible pouch of claim 1 wherein the flexible pouch
includes a front panel and a back panel, the pressure relief valve
connected to one of the front panel or the back panel.
3. The flexible pouch of claim 1 wherein the pressure relief valve
is a one way valve allowing gas to travel only in one direction
through the pressure relief valve.
4. The flexible pouch of claim 3 wherein gas is only permitted to
flow out of the pressure relief valve.
5. The flexible pouch of claim 1 wherein the flexible pouch
includes a fitment, the pressure relief valve spaced apart from the
fitment.
6. The flexible pouch of claim 1 wherein the seal extends partially
around the pressure relief valve.
7. The flexible pouch of claim 1 wherein the seal is generally
U-shaped where the bottom portion of the U-shape extends towards
the product storage area.
8. The flexible pouch of claim 1 wherein the seal extends around at
least 75% of the area around the pressure relief valve.
9. The flexible pouch of claim 1 wherein the flexible pouch
includes at least one panel having at least two layers.
10. The flexible pouch of claim 9 wherein at least one layers is
polyethylene terphalate (PET).
11. The flexible pouch of claim 10 wherein a second layer is
provided aluminum foil.
12. The flexible pouch of claim 10 wherein a third layer is
provided made of one EVOM, PET and/or polyethylene.
13. The flexible pouch of claim 1 wherein the pouch includes a
handle portion.
14. A flexible pouch comprising: a front panel and a back panel,
the front panel and the back panel sealed together to define an
interior, the interior having a product storage area; a pressure
release valve positioned on one of the front panel or the back
panel, the pressure release valve spaced apart from the product
storage area; and a seal positioned adjacent to the pressure relief
valve, the seal positioned between the pressure relief valve and
the product storage area so as to help block product in the product
storage area from interfering with operation of the pressure relief
valve.
15. The flexible pouch of claim 14 wherein the pressure relief
valve is a one way valve allowing gas to travel only in one
direction through the pressure relief valve.
16. The flexible pouch of claim 16 wherein gas is only permitted to
flow out of the pressure relief valve.
17. The flexible pouch of claim 14 wherein pouch includes a
fitment, the pressure relief valve spaced apart from the
fitment.
18. The flexible pouch of claim 14 wherein the seal extends
partially around the pressure relief valve.
19. The flexible pouch of claim 14 wherein the seal is generally
U-shaped where the bottom portion of the U-shape extends towards
the product storage area.
20. The flexible pouch of claim 14 wherein the seal extends around
at least 75% of the area around the pressure relief valve.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application 62/013,106 filed on Jun. 17, 2014, the contents of
which are incorporated herein in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to flexible pouches.
Specifically, the present invention relates to a flexible pouch
having an efficient pressure release valve.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Pressure can accumulate within a sealed pouch by a variety
of methods. For example, temperature change could cause gas within
the pouch to expand, gas from a carbonated product could come out
of solution, gas could be generated by fermentation of a product in
the pouch, etc. As such, it is desired to provide an efficient way
to relieve this pressure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present disclosure is for a flexible pouch that includes
a pressure relief valve and an associated barrier seal. The barrier
seal separates and partially encloses a portion of the flexible
pouch containing the pressure relief valve from a portion of the
pouch containing product, such as a liquid. The barrier helps to
ensure that only gases are released through the pressure relief
value, and further helps to prevent product from interfering with
operation of the pressure relief valve.
[0005] A flexible pouch having a product storage area is provided
having a pressure relief valve and a seal positioned adjacent to
the pressure relief valve, the seal positioned between the pressure
relief valve and the product storage area so as to help block
product in the product storage area from interfering with operation
of the pressure relief valve. In one embodiment the flexible pouch
includes a front panel and a back panel, the pressure relief valve
connected to one of the front panel or the back panel. In one
embodiment the pressure relief valve is a one way valve allowing
gas to travel only in one direction through the pressure relief
valve wherein gas is only permitted to flow out of the pressure
relief valve.
[0006] In other embodiments, the pouch includes a fitment, the
pressure relief valve spaced apart from the fitment. Further, in
some embodiments, the seal extends partially around the pressure
relief valve. The seal may be generally U-shaped where the bottom
portion of the U-shape extends towards the product storage area.
Further, the seal may extend around at least 75% of the area around
the pressure relief valve.
[0007] Further, the flexible pouch includes at least one panel
having at least two layers. In one embodiment, at least one layer
is polyethylene terphalate (PET), a second layer is provided
aluminum foil and a third layer is provided made of one EVOM, PET
and/or polyethylene. The pouch may also include a handle.
[0008] In a separate embodiment, a flexible pouch is provided
having a front panel and a back panel, the front panel and the back
panel sealed together to define an interior, the interior having a
product storage area. The pouch further includes a pressure release
valve positioned on one of the front panel or the back panel, the
pressure release valve spaced apart from the product storage area
and a seal positioned adjacent to the pressure relief valve, the
seal positioned between the pressure relief valve and the product
storage area so as to help block product in the product storage
area from interfering with operation of the pressure relief valve.
In one embodiment the pressure relief valve is a one way valve
allowing gas to travel only in one direction through the pressure
relief valve wherein gas is only permitted to flow out of the
pressure relief valve.
[0009] In other embodiments, the pouch includes a fitment, the
pressure relief valve spaced apart from the fitment. Further, in
some embodiments, the seal extends partially around the pressure
relief valve. The seal may be generally U-shaped where the bottom
portion of the U-shape extends towards the product storage area.
Further, the seal may extend around at least 75% of the area around
the pressure relief valve.
[0010] The flexible pouch also includes sealed areas having an
unsealed strip portion straddled by a pair of sealed strip portions
on either side. Incorporating the sealed strip portions and
unsealed strip portions into the sealed areas helps to provide a
secure structure to the flexible pouch, thereby helping to prevent
leakage of any product contained in the pouch, while at the same
time helping to reduce the rigidity of the sealed area of the
pouch, thereby creating a pouch that is more comfortable in the
hands of user.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a flexible pouch, according
to the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is an frontal view of the flexible pouch, according
to the present invention; and
[0013] FIG. 3 is a zoomed in portion elevation view shown in FIG.
2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0014] A flexible pouch 10 includes a front panel 15 and a back
panel 20. The front panel 15 and back panel 20 are sealed to each
other along a top edge 25 and side edges 30 of the pouch 10. A
fitment 35 is sealed between the front panel 15 and the back panel
20 in a top corner of the pouch. A gusset is sealed between the
front panel 15 and the back panel 20 along the bottom of the pouch
10. The sealing the front panel 15 to the back panel 20 along the
top edge 25 and side edges 30, the sealing between the panels 15,
20 and the fitment 35, and the sealing between the panels 15, 20
and the gusset define an interior space of the pouch 10. Access to
the interior space is provided by the fitment 35, which includes a
passage in communication with the interior space at one end, and
the outside environment at another end.
[0015] The flexible pouch 10 also includes a pressure relief valve
40. The pressure relief valve 40 is attached to the front panel 15
or the back panel 20 generally adjacent to the top edge 25 and away
from the fitment 35. The pressure relief valve 40 is designed such
that gas is free to travel one direction through the valve 40, but
not flow back through the valve 40 in the opposite direction. For
example, gases within the interior space of the pouch 10 would be
able to exit though the valve 40, but not re-enter.
[0016] Adjacent the pressure relief valve is a barrier seal 45. The
barrier seal 45 is located, at least in part, between the pressure
relief valve 40, and a main product storage area 50 of the pouch
10. The barrier seal 45 extends around a portion of the relief
pressure relief valve 40 to help block product in the main storage
area 50 from interfering with operation of the valve 40. In the
shown embodiment, the barrier seal 45 is generally U-shaped, and
partially surrounds the valve 40 to cover about 75%, or three out
of four sides, of the area around the valve 40. It is understood
and appreciated that the barrier seal 45 could cover more or less
to the area around the valve 40, and the barrier seal 45 could take
different shapes. For example, the barrier seal could be a simple
line shape covering a minimal area, the barrier seal could be
generally V-shaped or C-shaped, the barrier seal could be a 3 sided
box, or any other shaped known to those skilled in the art that
would assist in keeping product away from the valve 40. The optimal
shape and location of the barrier varies depending on the design of
the pouch 10.
[0017] The pouch 10 also includes a handle portion 55. The handle
portion 55 is defined by part of one of the side edges 30, part of
the top edge 25, and a cut out 60 in the front panel 15 and the
back panel 20. The cut out 60 has an angled slot type shape that
incudes includes a waved profile portion 65 and slot angle portions
70. The waved profile portion 65 and angle portions 70 interact
ergonomically with the fingers and hand of a user holding the pouch
10 by the handle portion 55. The front panel 15 and back panel 20
are sealed to each other in a sealed perimeter 75 of the
cutout.
[0018] The sealed edges 30 and sealed perimeter 75 includes sealed
strip portions 80 and unsealed strip portions 85. The sealed strip
portions 80 and unsealed strip portions 85 extend parallel to and
along the side edges 30, and around the perimeter 75 of the cutout.
The unsealed strip portion 85 is located between the sealed strip
portions 80. The width of the unsealed strip portion 85 is
approximately half the width of either of the sealed strip portions
80 disposed adjacent to the unsealed strip portion 85.
[0019] The sealed strip portion 85 is more ridged than the unsealed
strip portions 80. Providing the unsealed strip portion 80 between
the sealed strip portions 85 gives greater flexibility to the
sealed edges 30 and the sealed perimeter 75. The greater
flexibility allows the flexible pouch to better conform to the
hands of a user, thereby making the flexible pouch more comfortable
and easier to carry.
[0020] The flexible pouch is made from a flexible material,
preferably a laminate composed of sheets of plastic or aluminum or
the like. In one embodiment, the laminate includes at least one
layer of virgin polyethylene terphalate (PET) and at least one
layer of aluminum foil and another layer such as EVOM, PET or
polyethylene. In a preferred embodiment, the laminate includes
metalized foil paper layer laminated to a cast polypropylene layer
and another layer of PET, polyethylene or EVOM. It should be
appreciated that there may be a fourth layer. The choice of layer
material is driven by the product contained in the pouch. In this
example, the material is available in sheet form, on a roll. An
outer layer of the material may include preprinted information,
such as a logo, or the like, to provide the consumer with
information regarding the contents of the pouch.
[0021] The pouch may be formed using conventionally known
manufacturing techniques, such as a horizontal form-fill seal
machine, a flat bed pre-made pouch machine, a vertical
form-fill-seal machine, or the like. The pouch is generally formed
by folding sheets of material over each other to achieve a
predetermined shape. Edges, such as a side edge, are joined
together using a sealing technique such as bonding or welding.
Alternatively, the pouch is formed by laying one layer of material
over a second layer of material and forming a gusset along two
parallel edges to form a pouch capable of standing unsupported. An
upper edge of the front panel and back panel is generally not
sealed until after the pouch is filled. The empty pouch may be
placed in a holder such as a cup or puck prior to the filling
process. To fill the pouch, the upper edges of the pouch are spread
apart. For example, a concentrated flow of gas is directed towards
the upper edge of the pouch to separate the panels. Grippers may
also be utilized at the same time to pull the panels apart. The
pouch is filled, sealed and finished.
[0022] Edges of the pouch, such as the side edge and lower edge,
are joined together in a sealing operation. One edge is left open,
preferably designated as the upper edge, in order to fill the
pouch. In this example, the side and lower edges are joined
together using an ultrasonic sealing process that includes the
application of heat and compression in a two-step heat welding
operation. A first seal is slowly tack welded with a low heat, such
as 180.degree. F., to tack the two pieces of material together, so
that steam is not released containing volatile materials such as
ketones, butyls, butanes, or the like. The material may include
resins, such as organoleptic resins which produce an undesirable
taste in the product. After the slow low-heat weld, a second heat
seal is applied to the weld along the inner edge, and adjacent the
contents. The second seal is heated to a higher temperature, such
as 260.degree. to provide strength. The seals are immediately
cooled to stabilize the pouch.
[0023] It should be appreciated that this heat sealing process may
be applied to any one of the edges. If a fitment is also applied,
the process may be modified slightly. The fitment is located on the
pouch in a variety of locations, such as mounted on a bottom, or a
top, or a side portion of the pouch.
* * * * *