JP3388762B2 - Flexible, collapsible, self-recoverable storage bags and containers - Google Patents

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to flexible storage bags and containers, particularly those suitable for use in the inclusion and protection of versatile items containing perishable materials. . The present invention is
Further, it relates to such flexible storage bags and containers having improved sealability for inclusion and protection of the items contained therein under a wide variety of conditions of use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Flexible storage bags for use in the containment and protection of versatile items, as well as storage of perishable materials such as food products, are well known in the art. Such bags are typically folded over on themselves and sealed along two edges to provide two flexible, opposed sidewalls,
It comprises a rectangular polymeric film forming a semi-closed container having three sealed or folded edges and one open edge. Formed integrally with the bag, such as an interlocking rib type seal, or plastic or paper-clad wire tie (paper-cla
a separately provided closure, such as a d-wire tie)
Complete the containment assembly.

The term "flexible" when used here
Is used in particular to refer to a material that can be repeatedly flexed or bent and is therefore flexible and flexible in response to externally applied forces. Thus, "flexible" is the opposite of the term substantially inflexible, rigid, or non-flexible. Accordingly, flexible materials and structures may be modified in shape and structure to absorb external forces and conform to the shape of objects in contact with them without losing their integrity. The various flexible storage bags are typically formed from polymeric films, such as polyethylene or other elements based on polyolefins, having a thickness of between about 0.0002 inches and about 0.002 inches. Such films are often transparent, but may be opaque and / or tinted.

Various flexible storage bags currently commercially available include
It provides a convenient means for storing a wide range of objects and materials in a conventional disposable containment device. Flexible storage bags of the type described have had considerable commercial success,
Its dependence on mechanical closure tends to cause operational difficulties for individuals with impaired hand dexterity, such as children, the elderly, and arthritis patients. Moreover, such mechanical closure is typically a mechanical component for maneuvers that may prove difficult for those with visual impairment or hand-eye coordination problems. Needs adjustment. Many mechanical closure mechanisms provide a leak site, such as at the end of an interlock channel where liquid or gas may leak into or out of the bag.

In an attempt to address this problem, another closure mechanism has been developed that relies on a strip or area of adhesive to join the areas that are located on the bag. While these closures use separate closure elements or address some of the difficulties in interlocking mechanical elements, some adhesive closure mechanisms protect the adhesive from premature actuation. Peelable liner, which adds additional elements and additional actuation steps to the assembly prior to use. In addition, some protected adhesive configurations require interlocking grooves, channels, or protrusions that must be properly aligned to engage the adhesive, and thus again conventional machinery. Raises the visual and coordination requirements of the dynamic closure mechanism.

Such flexible storage bags are usually very efficient for storage prior to use, but for many storage conditions they are blocked in the bag after closure, leaving the storage space of the filled bag empty. It is desirable to minimize the amount of air and / or free space above or around the contents that minimizes and helps the effectiveness of the bag in storing perishable items. Regardless of the type of closure mechanism utilized, it is often the case that the bag is only partially closed and the trapped air is expelled before completing the closure, which is again a constant hand volume. It requires dexterity and visual properties, which is difficult with conventional flexible storage bags.

Also, conventional flexible storage bags are flexible or slack bags that allow the other hand to manipulate a different container to pour the contents into or into the bag. So that you can peel, cut, trim,
It also creates an inherent difficulty in that it can be held open with at most one hand. Also,
Maintaining the bag opening in the proper (usually upright) orientation during such filling operations is also difficult. Rigid containers and containers with slack reinforced open perimeters have been developed for such applications, but their relatively high cost and limited economic disposableness leave room for improvement. Has been done. Despite the problem of keeping the container or bag opening open, do not use easy hands (ha
Although there is flexibility with the above attributes to facilitate nds-free filling, there remains a need for self-supporting containers. On the other hand, flexible storage bags constructed from cheaper materials to facilitate their disposable nature typically lack the structure necessary for stable stacking of the bags after filling.

With respect to rigid or semi-rigid containers, it is well recognized that such containers have also achieved considerable commercial success in providing a means for storing diverse contents. Such containers typically have an opening that remains open for filling and is typically self-supporting with the opening in the proper orientation for filling. Such containers are often provided with a flat bottom and top to provide stackability. However, such containers are typically constructed of more expensive materials so that their disposable nature is limited. At the same time, the useful life of such containers is limited by damage, stains, or other naturally occurring deterioration during use, including deterioration of typical mechanical closure mechanisms. The preservation of such three-dimensional rigid or semi-rigid containers when empty is also a concern because it occupies as much volume in the empty as they occupy in the filled state. is there. Due to its relatively fixed volume structure, it minimizes the amount of air or free space above or around the contents, minimizing the storage space of prefilled containers and of perishable items. It is also difficult to promote the effectiveness of the container in storage. Another concern is
It is usually the task of matching a separate lid or closure to each container used.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a flexible storage bag and container that combines the desirable qualities of both flexible storage bags and storage containers, while minimizing the less desirable qualities of both approaches.

More specifically, it would be desirable to provide flexible storage bags and containers that have an enhanced hermeticity during use.

It would also be desirable to provide a flexible storage bag that helps prevent venting of air prior to completion of closure.

Furthermore, it would be desirable to provide such a bag or container that can be self-supporting in the open for filling purposes, but is easily stored by folding into a compact shape.

Moreover, it would be desirable to provide a bag or container constructed of an inexpensive material to facilitate disposableness while still facilitating stable stacking of the bag or container in the filled state.

Further, it would be desirable to provide such a bag or container that provides said attributes in a convenient monolithic form, obviating the need for a separate closure device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A flexible storage bag according to the present invention is: at least one of a flexible sheet material assembled to form a semi-closed container having an opening defined by a hinged flange. A sheet of sheet, the hinged flange including closure means for sealing the opening to transform the semi-closed container into a closed container, the container being self-supporting and The opening is maintained in an upwardly extending condition and the closure means comprises a piece of material forming at least a portion of the hinged flange, the piece of material being the user. The adhesive peeling force after the operation by the user is larger than the adhesive peeling force shown before the operation by.

A collapsible, stackable, self-restoring container in accordance with this invention includes: (a) having a first open end and a second open end and extending through the first and second open ends. The first open end has a substantially continuous and outwardly extending flange forming a periphery of the first open end, and the first open end is axially loaded. An integrally continuous tubular side wall that is capable of folding in response to an externally applied force and is self-restoring when the force is removed; and (b) integrally with the second open end of the tubular side wall. One of the tubular side walls being formed to form a semi-closed container.
A bottom panel closing one end; (c) a lid for selectively converting the semi-closed container into a closed container; (d) a closure means for sealing the lid to the flange. The closure means comprises a piece of material forming at least a portion of the perimeter, the piece of material being greater than the adhesive release force indicated prior to activation by a user,
It is characterized in that it has a first side surface which shows the adhesion and peeling force after the operation by the user.

The collapsible, stackable, self-restorable container according to the invention also comprises: (a) two opposing side panels and two opposing end panels between said side panels. A side panel and the end panel together form a tubular structure having two open ends, the bottom panel closing one end of the tubular structure, the opposite side from the bottom panel. A semi-closed container body having the other end of the tubular structure forming a peripheral edge; (b) a lid for selectively changing the semi-closed container into a closed container; (c) the lid being the container Closure means for sealing to the body; said closure means forming at least a part of said closure means and being larger than the adhesive peel force indicated before actuation by the user, The first side showing the adhesion and peeling force after operation A piece of integrally formed sheet of material, each of the side panels including a gusset extending in a direction substantially parallel to the bottom panel, The side panel and the end panel can be folded inward toward each other, while being substantially self-supporting while the side panel and the end panel are in their unfolded state,
It is characterized in that it can be collapsed in a direction perpendicular to the lid and the bottom panel.

Accordingly, the flexible storage bags and containers of the present invention combine the desirable qualities of both flexible bags and storage containers to provide improved tightness, facilitating trapped air ventilation prior to closure, It is self-supporting in the open for filling, easily stored by folding it into a compact shape, and integrally constructed from inexpensive materials to preserve its disposable nature and obviate the need for a separate closure device. To minimize the less desirable quality of both approaches.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS While the specification concludes with claims which particularly point out and distinctly claim the invention, it is better understood from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings. I believe. In the accompanying drawings, like reference numbers point to like components, wherein: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the flexible storage bag of the present invention in an open condition; 2 in a partially closed state after filling, FIG.
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the flexible storage bag of Figure 3; Figure 3 is shown in Figure 1 in a closed and sealed state after filling.
4 is a perspective view of the flexible storage bag of FIG. 4; FIG. 4 of the flexible storage bag of FIG. 1 with the bag's sealed edges additionally folded to provide a flat top surface for stacking. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the flexible storage bag of FIG. 1 in a partially folded state; FIG. 6 is a flexible storage bag of FIG. 1 in a fully folded and flat state. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a storage bag; FIG. 7 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 6 of another flexible storage bag without reinforcing panels; FIG. 8 is storage according to the invention in a closed state. 9 is a perspective view of the container; FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the storage container of FIG. 8 in an open condition and partially filled with solids; FIG. 10 is a fully flat condition of FIG. Fig. 11 is a perspective view for easy storage; Fig. 11 depicts the relationship of the closure means to the rest of the container, 8 be a partial sectional elevation view of the edge of the container; Fig. 12 is similar to the partial sectional elevation view of FIG. 11,
FIG. 13 depicts another container structure, in which the container body and the peripheral portion of the lid are formed as a composite structure, and FIG. 13 is a partial sectional view of FIG. 11. Is similar but
Figure 14 is a partial elevational view depicting a partial collapse of the container in response to an externally applied force; Figure 14 is similar to the partial elevational view of Figure 13, but
Figure 16 is a partial elevational cross-section depicting the container in a fully collapsed state; Figure 15 is a perspective view of the storage container according to the invention in a closed state; Figure 16 is in an open state. FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the storage container of FIG. 15 partially filled with solids; FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the storage container of FIG. 15 in a horizontal position in preparation for folding; FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the storage container of FIG. 15 in a partially folded and collapsed state; FIG. 19 is a storage container of FIG. 15 in a fully folded and collapsed state FIG. 20 discloses a piece of material having frustoconical projections surrounded by an interconnected array of materials, FIG.
Figure 21 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of a material suitable for use as the closure means of the present invention; Figure 21 is an enlarged partial plan view of the material of Figure 20 showing an example of a protrusion; FIG. 22 shows the protrusions acting as standoffs for the material layer between the protrusions so that the target surface, which contacts the outermost ends of the protrusions, does not contact the material layer. FIG. 22 is an elevational cross-sectional view taken along section line 22-22 of FIG. 21; FIG. 23 shows the protrusion deformed by substantial inversion and / or crushing to allow the material layer between the protrusions to contact the target surface. FIG. 24 is a vertical cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 22, showing the effect of pressing the material against the target surface; FIG.
23 is an elevational cross-sectional view of the material of FIGS. 23-23; and FIG. 25 is suitable for use as the closure means of the present invention, showing the forming screen as a belt wrapped around a vacuum drum and a drive pulley. FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a suitable method of making a material having

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIG. 1 illustrates a presently preferred embodiment of a flexible storage bag according to the present invention. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, a flexible storage bag 10 is folded and joined to itself to form a semi-closed container having an opening defined by a flange 31. It includes a bag body 20 formed from a piece of flexible sheet material.
The flexible storage bag 10 also includes closure means 30 associated with a flange 31 to seal the open end of the container 10, FIG.
To form a completely closed container or vessel, as illustrated in FIG. The closure means 30 is selectively openable, sealable, and resealable, as described below.

In the preferred configuration depicted in FIG. 1, the closure means 30 completely surrounds the periphery of the opening formed by the flange 31. However, under certain circumstances, even lower degrees of closure (eg, closures placed along only one side of the flange 31).
Closure means formed of of encirculement may provide adequate closure integrity. Flange 31
It may be integrally formed with the bag body 20 or provided as a separate material element joined to the bag body.
When provided as a separate, preferably more rigid material element, the bag body material is crimped at the corners (opening) to form a suitable joint for joining the bag body to the flange. It is presently preferred to form at least a small peripheral flange at its upper edge.

The flexible storage bag 10 is suitable for containing and protecting a wide variety of materials and / or substances contained within the bag body. FIG. 1 depicts the storage bag 10 in an open condition, where the flange 31 is opened,
The closure means 30 is open so that materials and / or objects can be placed in the bag body portion of the storage bag 10. In FIG. 1, multiple common solids 99
Are shown in storage bag 10.

The flexible storage bag described above with respect to FIG. 1 offers many advantages over the commonly available flexible storage bags and storage containers, which are hand-held for added ease of use, product It also includes additional features to allow the bag to assume a self-supporting configuration to aid in obtaining and filling the product.

As used here, the term "independent"
Is used to refer to a material, structure, or container whose orientation can be maintained in a plane parallel to the direction of gravity. For example, a self-supporting material, in particular a sheet material, may be held such that it extends upwards parallel to the direction of gravity and maintains its orientation without folding or collapsing. Materials that are not self-supporting typically
It cannot be held parallel to (ie, "perpendicular") to gravity unless it is folded, collapsed, and held down from its point of support. Correspondingly, a self-supporting bag or container can maintain its orientation and the surface does not fold or collapse on itself, as opposed to gravity, the base of its support. It extends upward from.

In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1, a flexible storage bag
The 10 comprises two generally flat side panels 23, two generally flat gusseted end panels 21, and one generally flat bottom panel 50, which panels are defined by an upper flange 31. Forming a semi-closed container having an opening therein. The side panels 23 include side edges 22 and bottom edges 26, while the end panels 21 have a bottom edge 48 and a generally conventional design having a convergent base crease 42 and an intermediate crease 46. Including the town (gusset). In the shape depicted in Figure 1, the bag is in its free standing, open position. The flange 31 is preferably a hinge 32, in particular
Figure 1 shows flange 31 (best seen in Figure 2)
When it is a living hinge that elastically deflects towards the open shape found in Figure 1, it is sufficient to help hold the open end of the bag in the open state as illustrated in Figure 1. Resilient and rigid. The construction of the flexible storage bag thus allows the bag to assume a self-supporting configuration in order to facilitate unsupported product access and product filling.

As is known in the art, gusseted bags typically provide a free-standing, open bag that can be easily filled or emptied with minimal difficulty. However, unlike most conventional gusseted bags, the flexible storage bag of the present invention includes the selectively actuatable closure means 30 as previously described. Thus, in addition to being self-supporting, the gusseted flexible storage bag 10 also provides the desirable sealing attributes described herein.

2 depicts the flexible storage bag of FIG. 1 in a partially closed condition after the object 99 has been inserted. As shown in FIG. 2, the flange 31 is preferably integrally formed of the material of the flange 31, as is typical of hinges commonly referred to as "active hinges". Preferably includes a set of hinges 32. The hinges 32 are preferably configured so that they provide at least a slight deflection towards the open configuration illustrated in FIG. 1 and help hold the container in an open, self-supporting state.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flexible storage bag, which is typical of that shown in FIG. 1, but in a sealed condition, such as after insertion of the product inside the bag. Thus, the town intermediate crease 46 has been pushed inward from the shape of FIG. 1 in a manner similar to that of FIG. However, the closure means 30
So that the overlapping areas overlying the closure means are joined together by an adhesive to form a safe, substantially fluid- and vapor-tight seal for the opening formed by the flange 31 of the bag. , Is being operated by the user. In the preferred configuration shown in FIG. 1, the closure means completely surrounds the open end of the bag defined by the flange 31 so that a complete attachment of the entire periphery is ensured during operation. .

As will be apparent by looking at the sequence of steps depicted in FIGS. 1-3, the flexible sheet material used to form the body of the bag can be moved by the movement of the hinged flanges. As it moves between the open configuration of FIG. 1 and the closed configuration of FIG. 3, is flexible enough to accommodate and is recessed. More specifically, the end panel 21
Can be folded over on themselves as the hinged portions of the flanges pivot downwards toward the bottom panel 50 while the outer portions of the flanges (near tab 35) move upwards towards each other, Flexible enough to be crimped.

The diagrams of FIGS. 1-3 also illustrate another inherent performance advantage of the flexible storage bag of the present invention. More preferably, the hinged peripheral flanges orient the closure means 30 upright on the axis of the flexible storage bag opening and in a direction perpendicular to the inner wall surface adjacent the flange. This orientation tends to separate the closure means from the material inserted into the bag through the opening and prevent its contamination prior to use. At the same time, the closure of the bag causes the closure means to transition from horizontal to vertical, 90 degrees parallel to the axis of the opening and parallel to the axis of the opening, effectively making the closure of the flexible storage bag a container-like device. To the closure of a bag-like device, combining both advantages of doing so.

To open the bag of FIG. 3, the user has a set of tabs 35.
Grab them and pull them in the laterally opposite direction,
Separation of the opposite halves of the flange 31 and thus the closure means 30 may be initiated and widened. Alternatively, the peripheral edge of the bag (preferably partially adhesive free, as described above) above the closure means may be gripped and pulled apart.

FIG. 4 shows that the top is further folded substantially parallel to the bottom 50, resulting in a stable stackable shape so that other containers, products, etc. can be stably placed on the bag. 3 depicts the closed and sealed bag of FIG. Again, the flexible nature of the bag body material makes such folding a viable additional setting for efficient storage. Spaced, well-defined angled, gusseted, crimped sidewall construction adds additional integrity and stability to the filled bag, enhancing stackability during use, It also adds stability in terms of falls.

In addition to being self-supporting, the gusseted flexible storage bag 10 can also be easily folded and collapsed to provide easy storage occupying a minimum of space. FIG. 5 depicts a flexible storage bag 10 with a gusset as shown in FIG. 1, but in a partially folded or collapsed state. Thus, the intermediate creases 46 are pushed inward towards each other, making the side edges 22 somewhat parallel to the base creases 42 on opposite sides of the intermediate cleats 46 towards each other. Such predictable folding features, independent of the means of closure, are confined within the bag after closure, minimizing the storage space of the bag being filled and making the bag more effective at storing perishable items. Allows the volume of the container to be reduced after the contents have been encased to minimize the amount of air and / or free space above or around the supporting contents. FIG. 6 shows the gusseted flexible storage bag 10 in a more fully folded condition with the folds continuing until the bottom 50 is substantially parallel to the sides. Also depicted in FIG. 6 is an additional set of stiffening panels 55, which adds additional integrity and stability to the normally rectangular bottom panel 50.

Adding additional reinforcement to the bottom panel lowers the center of gravity of the empty bag to increase stability before and during filling, providing additional stability in most filled or empty situations. This increases the rigidity of the bottom of the bag and further reduces the possibility of the bottom of the bag bending when filled with heavier contents. Inward folding of the flap forming the bottom panel 50 of the bag body, as shown in FIG. 7, also serves a similar purpose. The reinforcement panel may be made of a material similar to the bag material, or of a more or less durable material, and is secured to the bottom panel by application of adhesive or other suitable means. .. When a stiffening panel is used, it does not add additional surfaces, joints, and pleats to the interior of the bag where they can confine parts of the bag contents to the site and create cleaning difficulties. It is presently preferred to be located on the outer surface of the bottom panel, rather than on the inner surface, to provide support and reinforcement.

FIG. 7 depicts a bag similar to the bag of FIG. 6, but without any stiffening panels on the bottom 50. Therefore, in FIG. 7, the seams and folds of the bottom 50 are clearly visible. Such a folded shape is a conventional folded having a square or rectangular bottom,
Typical of a gusseted bag, it is substantially liquid tight and is suitably sealed with an adhesive, heat seal or the like to provide an airtight bottom structure.

A variety of components suitable for constructing the flexible storage bag of the present invention, whether predominantly two-dimensional in nature or formed into a three-dimensional structure, include polyvinyl chloride (PVC), chloride Substantially impermeable materials such as polyvinylidene (PVDC), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), aluminum foil, coated (such as waxed) and uncoated paper, coated non-woven fabrics, etc., and Includes a substantially permeable material such as a scrim, mesh, woven, non-woven, or perforated or porous film. Such materials may be single structures or layers, or may be composite structures composed of multiple materials, including a substrate material used as a carrier for the material. Materials that have been found suitable for use in accordance with the present invention include Huntsman Film Produc under the manufacturer's designation X420, which is 0.004 inches or 0.006 inches thick.
ts Corp.), including low density polyethylene film.

FIG. 8 depicts a presently preferred embodiment of a storage container 10A according to the present invention. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 8, the storage container 10A is preferably formed integrally with the container body 20A, preferably formed from a piece of sheet material, and preferably the container body 20A. , Hinge wire 4
A lid that is connected to the container body at least 5A by a hinge
Including 40A. Also, the storage container 10A is positioned adjacent the edge 28A to seal the periphery of the lid 40A and the container body 20A and form a complete closed container or container as illustrated in FIG. The closing means 30A is also included. Closure means 30A
Around the lid 40A and the peripheral flange 25 of the container body 20A.
A, or both may be provided. The hinge line 45A preferably comprises an integral, live hinge and is optionally provided as a line of weakness by scoring, perforating, or similar to allow the lid to be separated from the container body. May be done.

In the preferred shape depicted in Figure 8, the closure means 30A completely surrounds the perimeter of the opening formed by the edge 28A. However, closure means formed by a lower degree of enclosure (eg, closure means located along all portions of edge 28A, except for the portion connected by the hinge at hinge line 45A). May provide adequate closure integrity.

Storage container 10A is suitable for containing and protecting a wide variety of substances and / or objects contained within the container body. FIG. 9 depicts the storage container 10A in an open condition, where the rim 28A is opened and the material and / or
The closure means 30A is open so that an object can be placed inside the body of the storage container 10A. In FIG. 9, a plurality of common solid objects 99A are shown in storage container 10A.

The elastically deformable storage container of the present invention provides the user with
It not only protects the product, but also provides temporary compressibility for easy and compact storage, where the compression container tends to self-restore near its original shape for ease of use. In the uncompressed state, the storage container is "self-supporting" in its expanded and restored state for easy filling and use.

As used here, the term "independent"
Is used to refer to a material, structure, or container whose orientation can be maintained in a plane parallel to the direction of gravity. For example, a self-supporting material, in particular a sheet material, may be held such that it extends upwards parallel to the direction of gravity and maintains its orientation without folding or collapsing. Materials that are not self-supporting typically
It cannot be held parallel to (ie, "perpendicular") to gravity unless it is folded, collapsed, and held down from its point of support. Correspondingly, a self-supporting bag or container can maintain its orientation and the surface does not fold or collapse on itself, as opposed to gravity, the base of its support. It extends upward from.

Referring again to FIG. 9, the storage container body 20A comprises a deformable, substantially continuous tube or hoop of material. The container has a substantially rectangular shape,
In the exemplary shape depicted, the tube or ring is
Form a substantially continuous sidewall with sidewall portions 21A, 22A, 23A, and 24A. The tube or annulus is of generally any desired cross section, but is typically rectangular. Regardless of cross section, the container body forming the semi-closed container preferably has walls, bottom panels, etc. joined together to facilitate easy removal and cleaning of the contents of the container. One end of the tube forming the tubular side wall, which has no internal corners, remains open for access to the interior of the container and can be selectively closed by the pivotable lid 40A. The other end of the tubular side wall is closed by a bottom panel 50A, which may be composed of the same elastic material as the tubular side wall. In certain preferred embodiments, the container is
It comprises a relatively thicker and stiffer lid and bottom wall constructed of a material that is elastically deformable and generally oriented parallel to one another.

The elastically deformable package of the present invention, while maintaining its functionality and aesthetic appearance, can be made from low cost materials, is easy to produce, and can undergo multiple deformation cycles.

In general, the elastically deformable storage container of the present invention may utilize greater sidewall thickness as the elasticity of the material comprising the sidewall increases. Conversely, as the elasticity of the material used to construct the sidewalls decreases,
In order to maximize the elastically deformable properties of the storage container of the present invention, a thinner sidewall thickness is preferably utilized.

Crossing sidewalls 21 as shown in FIG.
The circumferential attachment of A, 22A, 23A, and 24A provides an externally applied force "F", as illustrated by the "pleating" effect depicted along the sidewall.
Defines a tube or ring that is easily deformable by. The nature of the material used for the tubular sidewall (s),
And depending on the radius of the corners between adjacent sidewalls, this pleating effect is more or less concentrated in the corners and can be further generalized and bent or distorted in the middle of the sidewalls. This deformation occurs due to the thickness of the sidewalls and the elastically deformable properties of the material comprising the sidewalls. When the deforming force “F” is removed from the top of the elastically deformable storage container (lid 40A of FIG. 10), the tube or loop formed by the interconnecting sidewalls becomes
The container body 20A is self-restoring towards its substantially original deformed shape, generally as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, and is substantially depicted in FIG. Eliminate folds or folds. As used here,
The term "self-restore" means that the elastically deformable storage container 10A does not take a permanent set for deformation when its deforming force is removed, rather than its original deformation. It refers to the tendency to return to the state that has not been done. This recovery may not completely restore the container to its exact original shape and appearance. However, unlike the substantially rigid container of the prior art, the elastically deformable storage container 10
A will self-restore to a degree sufficient to at least encourage continued functional use. A more detailed description of self-recoverable containers is provided in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,379,897 issued January 10, 1995 to McKenfuhs et al., The disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

When thermoforming is used to produce the storage container body 20A and / or the lid 40A, the resulting storage container can be highly decorative at a relatively low cost simply by preparing the appropriate mold. It is also possible to do so. For example, textures, logos, instructions, etc., all produce a desired aesthetic appearance and / or integrated trademark identification and / or instructions without the need for supplementary printing or marking operations. It can be molded into the container body 20A and / or the lid 40A. The twisting force that may be applied to the storage container is due to the intersecting sidewalls 21A-2
It will be resisted not only by the tube or loop formed by 4A, but also by the twist resistance of the bottom panel and lid, which are substantially flat and thicker respectively. Thus, both the sidewalls 21A-24A and the relatively thick bottom surface antibiotic and lid restore the package to substantially its original shape once all of the externally applied force is removed from the package. To help.

Referring again to FIG. 9, the lid 40A, the sidewalls 21A-24A, and the bottom panel 50A of the resiliently deformable container 10A need not be made of the same material, although there are certain advantages to doing so. There is a possibility. From a manufacturing point of view, the use of similar materials may make joining the lid, sidewalls, and bottom panel to each other easier and cheaper using known techniques such as heat sealing, ultrasonics, and the like. it can. Furthermore, regarding recycling of storage containers at the end of their useful life, all elements with storage containers are composed of the same material, and therefore it is necessary to separate the components from each other before the material recovery process. Eliminate sex.

FIG. 11 is a partial view of the storage container 10A depicted in FIGS. 8 and 9 taken from sidewall 22A, which more clearly depicts the structural relationships between the various components described above. FIG. Flange 25A is depicted as being integrally formed with sidewall 22A, which is depicted as being integrally formed with bottom panel 50A. The lid 40A is integrally drawn. On the other hand, FIG. 12 depicts lid 40A as comprising a central lid panel 42A and lid frame 44A, either of which may also be formed from a variety of elements if desired. Flange 25A is depicted as being smaller, and preferably, but preferably still integrally formed with sidewall 22A, which is optionally still integrally formed with bottom panel 50A. However, the outer portion of the container body is currently not
It has an outer flange 27A attached to A and extending laterally outwardly from the flange 25A. After all Figure 1
Shown in 2 is provided to increase the rigidity and elasticity of the bottom of the storage container, preferably inside the interior of the container body which will cause difficulties in cleaning and emptying the container. The presence of an optional externally reinforced bottom panel 55A to avoid creating additional surfaces and edges at.

Adding additional reinforcement to the bottom panel lowers the center of gravity of the empty bag to increase stability before and during filling, providing additional stability in most filled or empty situations. The increased rigidity of the bottom of the bag due to the sex, and the reduced likelihood of the bottom of the container bending when filled with heavier contents. The stiffening panel may be made of a material similar to the container body material, or may be made of a more or less durable material and is secured to the bottom panel by application of adhesive or other suitable means. . When a stiffening panel is utilized, it has additional
On the inner surface to provide support and reinforcement without adding joints and pleats to the inside of the bag where they can trap portions of the bag contents at the site and create cleaning difficulties. Rather, it is presently preferred to be located on the outer surface of the bottom panel.

Due to the ability to construct a container from multiple composite elements, a wide variety of materials such as transparent polymer panels for lid panels, or more rigid and elastic materials for flanges and lid frames, regardless of the characteristics of the material for the tubular sidewall. Various materials can be used.

13 and 14 are partial cross-sectional views corresponding to FIG. 11, depicting the storage container in a partially compressed state and a fully compressed state, respectively. As shown in FIG. 10, the container is partially crushed or compressed in response to an externally applied force F that is axially loaded with respect to the axial direction of the tubular side wall so that the tubular Side wall pleats or folds occur. This collapsing is depicted in FIG. 14 (and FIG. 10 in perspective view) when the overlying folds or folds meet to form an even stack of sidewall material and prevent further compression of the storage container. And so on until you encounter a completely collapsed condition.
Since the sidewall thickness has been exaggerated beyond the preferred thickness for purposes of the illustrative clarity of FIGS. 11-14, this condition
Preferably, it is only achieved when the lid and the bottom panel are in close proximity to each other to provide a truly minimal total container thickness when fully compressed.

The use of the selectively actuatable closure means of the present invention for primary closure, with or without additional venting features, provides an easy-to-use sealing mechanism to provide a superior or unsealed content over or around the contents. This facilitates greater ease of venting or venting air and / or free space at.

A wide variety of components suitable for constructing the storage container of the present invention, regardless of whether they are primarily two-dimensional in nature or formed into a three-dimensional structure, are made of polyvinyl chloride (PV
C), polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), polyethylene (P
E), polypropylene (PP), aluminum foil, substantially impervious materials such as coated (eg waxed) paper and uncoated paper, coated non-wovens, and scrims, meshes, wovens, non-wovens , Or perforated or comprises a substantially permeable material such as a porous film. Such materials may be single structures or layers, or may be composite structures composed of multiple materials, including a substrate material used as a carrier for the material. A material that has been found suitable for use in accordance with the present invention is 0.012 inches thick and is commercially available from American National Can under the manufacturer's designation DZ-2002-2. ,
Includes polymer film.

FIG. 15 depicts a presently preferred embodiment of storage container 10B according to the present invention. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 15, the storage container 10B is preferably formed integrally with the container body 20B, and preferably formed integrally from a piece of sheet material. , Hinge wire 45B
A lid that is joined at least by a hinge to the container body at 40
Including B. The storage container 10B includes a lid 40B and a container body 2
It also includes closure means 30B located adjacent edge 28B to seal the periphery of 0B and form a complete enclosure or container as illustrated in FIG. The closing means 30B is
It may include the peripheral portion of the lid 40B, the peripheral flange portion 25B of the container body 20B, or both. The closure means 30B is selectively openable, sealable, and resealable, as described below. The hinge line 45B illustrated in FIG. 16 preferably comprises an integral, lively hinge, optionally scored, perforated, or optionally similar to allow the lid to be separated from the container body. May be provided as a line of weakness.

In the preferred shape depicted in Figure 15, the closure means 30B completely surrounds the perimeter of the opening formed by the edge 28B. However, closure means formed by a lower degree of enclosure (eg, closure means located along all portions of edge 28B, except for those joined by hinges at hinge line 45B). May provide adequate closure integrity. Flange 25B is
It may be integrally formed with the container body 20B or provided as a separate material element joined to the container body. When provided as a separate, preferably even stiffer material element, the container body material is crimped to form a suitable joint for joining the container body to the flange ( It is presently preferred to form at least a small peripheral flange at its upper end (which defines the opening). Closing means is flange 25B, lid 4
It may be provided on a mating part consisting of either 0B or both.

Storage container 10B is suitable for containing and protecting a wide variety of materials and objects contained within the container body. FIG. 16 depicts the storage container 10B in an open condition in which the rim 28 is opened and closed so that material and / or objects can be placed inside the body of the storage container 10B. The means 30B are released, in FIG. 16 a plurality of common solid objects 99B are shown within the storage container 10B.

Due to the ability to construct a container from multiple composite elements, regardless of the characteristics of the material for the container body 20B, such as a transparent polymer panel for the lid panel, or a more rigid and elastic material for the flange and lid frame. A wide variety of materials can be used. The lid 40B may be an integral structure, but the lid 40B
Are depicted as comprising a central lid panel 42B and lid frame 44B, either of which may also be formed from a variety of elements if desired.

In the embodiment of Figure 15, the storage container 10B comprises 26 generally flat end panels 50B, two generally flat gusseted side panels 60B, and one generally flat bottom panel 70B. Panels of the above form a semi-enclosed container having an opening defined by an upper flange 25B. End panel 50B includes side edges 55B and bottom edge 54B, while side panel 60B includes bottom edge 64B and convergent base creases 62B and intermediate creases 61B and lateral folds 63.
It usually includes a town of conventional design with B. In the shape depicted in Figure 15, the storage container is in its free standing, open state. The flange 25B is sufficiently resilient and stiff to help hold the open end of the container in the open state as shown in FIG.

While the storage container described above with respect to FIG. 15 offers many advantages over the commonly available flexible storage bags and storage containers, it does not lend itself to a more product-friendly product. And additional features to allow the container to assume a self-supporting configuration to facilitate product filling.

As used herein, the term "self-supporting" refers to a material, structure, or container whose orientation can be maintained in a plane parallel to the direction of gravity. Used for. For example, a self-supporting material, in particular a sheet material, may be held such that it extends upwards parallel to the direction of gravity, is folded and maintains its orientation without collapsing. Materials that are not free-standing typically fold or collapse, and hold parallel to gravity (or "vertically") unless they are held to extend downward from their point of support. Can't be done. Correspondingly, a self-supporting bag or container can maintain its orientation, the surface not folding or collapsing on itself,
Opposite to gravity, it extends upward from the base of its support.

In addition to being self-sustaining, the storage container with town 10B
It can be easily folded or crushed, providing easy storage that takes up minimal space. FIG. 17 depicts a gusseted storage container 10B as shown in FIG. 15, arranged laterally on its sides in preparation for folding. FIG. 18 depicts a gusseted storage container 10B as shown in FIG. 15 in a partially folded and collapsed state. Therefore, the folds 61B in the middle are pushed inward towards each other and the bottom edge 6
4B towards flange 25B, and usually flange 25B
Parallel to. FIG. 19 shows the storage container with gusset in a fully folded state, with the bottom 70B being substantially parallel to the sides and continuing to fold until proximate the flange 25B.
10B is shown. Also depicted in FIG. 17 is an additional configured stiffening panel 72B that adds additional integrity and stability to the normally rectangular and planar bottom panel 70B.
Is. To avoid negatively impacting the foldability of the container body, the reinforced bottom panel 72B is preferably substantially parallel to the lateral creases 63B for folding, as depicted in Figures 17-19. Includes a crease 71B that aligns physically. Optional reinforcement panel 72B also extends upwards at one or both ends covering or reinforcing end panel 50B.

Adding additional reinforcement to the bottom panel lowers the center of gravity of the empty container to increase stability before and during filling, providing additional stability in most filled or empty situations. This increases the rigidity of the bottom of the container and further reduces the possibility of the bottom of the container bending when filled with heavier contents. The stiffening panel may be made of a material similar to the container body material, or may be made of a more or less durable material and is secured to the bottom panel by application of adhesive or other suitable means. It When a stiffening panel is used, it has a further aspect,
Rather than on the inner surface, to provide support and reinforcement, without adding joints and pleats to the inside of the container where they can confine parts of the contents to the site and create cleaning difficulties. It is currently preferred to be located on the outer surface of the bottom panel.

The flexible sheet material used to form the body of the container is sufficiently flexible to absorb the folding or collapsing of the container body between the open configuration of FIG. 15 and the closed configuration of FIG. 19, Dent. More specifically, the side panel 60B
Are flexible enough to be folded or pleated on themselves as the end panels 50B pivot inwardly toward each other as the bottom panel 70B moves toward the lid 40B.

To open the storage container of FIG. 15, the user has a pair of tabs.
35B may be grasped and pulled in a laterally opposite direction, initiating and widening the opposing halves of flange 31B, and thus closure means 30B.

15-19, the seams and folds of end panel 50B are clearly visible. Such a folded configuration is typical of a conventional folded, gusseted bag having a square or rectangular bottom and is bottom bonded to provide a substantially liquid-tight, airtight bottom structure. It is properly sealed with an agent or heat seal. Spaced, well-defined angled, gusseted, crimped sidewall construction adds additional integrity and stability to the filled bag, enhancing stackability during use, It also adds stability in terms of falls.

More specifically, overlapping flaps 51B and 5 are provided by the method of folding the container body material to form end panel 50B, as illustrated in FIGS. 15-19.
Multiple layers of material forming 2B are created, and these panels provide additional stability and rigidity to the container when in its extended position of FIG. 15 as they act as a passenger or support for the container. give. In addition, flaps 51B and 52B
The edge folded diagonally, that is, the edge 53B,
End panels 50 from a flexible material that provide the desired level of integrity, self-supporting, and stackability to the container of the present invention.
It is believed to provide reinforced folds or clamps to further aid in constructing B.

A wide variety of components suitable for constructing the storage container of the present invention, regardless of whether they are primarily two-dimensional in nature or formed into a three-dimensional structure, are made of polyvinyl chloride (PV
C), polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), polyethylene (P
E), polypropylene (PP), aluminum foil, substantially impervious materials such as coated (eg waxed) paper and uncoated paper, coated non-wovens, and scrims, meshes, wovens, non-wovens , Or perforated or comprises a substantially permeable material such as a porous film. Such materials may be single structures or layers, or may be composite structures composed of multiple materials, including a substrate material used as a carrier for the material. A material that has been found suitable for use in accordance with the present invention is 0.006 inches thick and is commercially available from Huntsman Film Products Corp. under the manufacturer's designation X420. Includes low density polyethylene film.

Once the desired sheet material is manufactured in any desired and suitable manner and comprises all or part of the material used for the body of the bag or container, the bag or container is such a bag or container. May be constructed in any suitable manner, such as is known in the art for making commercially available products. Heat sealing or adhesive sealing techniques may be used to join the various components or elements of the bag or container to themselves or to each other. Further, the body of the bag or container is thermoformed, blown, or rather than relying on folding and bonding techniques to construct the body of the bag or container from a web or sheet of material. Other melt-molding may be performed.

The closure means depicted in FIGS. 1-19 are optional, such as folds, pleats, adhesives, or mechanically interlocking closures such as ribs, beads and grooves known in the art. May be constructed in any known manner using the closed shape of However, it is presently preferred to use a structure with a selectively activatable adhesive that provides a secure closure seal when actuated. Thus, the closure means preferably comprises a selectively activatable adhesive-like material that joins the facing material surfaces across the opening. Also, the bond between the closure means and the target surface hinders the transmission of oxygen, moisture / water vapor, odor, etc. so that the perishable item is satisfactorily closed and preserved to the extent of the barrier properties of the material itself. It is also sufficient to provide a barrier seal. The target surface may comprise a separate element of the bag or another area of the closure means itself.

As used herein, the term "selectively activatibl" refers to "actiactivities" of a substance by a user to reveal adhesive properties.
It is used to refer to a material that, when contacted with a target surface, exhibits substantially non-adhesive properties until a measure for "vate)" is taken. Thus, the selectively actuatable properties differ from the permanent actuating piece of adhesive which relies on the removal of the liner material (typically a piece of silicon coated paper) to expose the adhesive for use.

Due to the selective actuation of such materials, the user not only minimizes the possibility of contamination of the closure means by the contents of the bag or container during the filling operation, but also before actuation and deposition is achieved. You will be able to properly arrange the surfaces facing each other. This feature is optional, without encountering premature entanglement or attachment difficulties of the closure means to itself or to the opening or bag / container body, and without the need for separate release sheets, liners, spaces, etc. Allows flexible storage bags or containers to be opened, filled and / or manipulated in the desired mode. Preferably, the selective actuation step is such that the closure means is deactivated and the bag is opened for filling or removal of its contents and then for further closure without significant loss of adhesive function. It is reversible so that it is reactivated.

The material used for the closure means may be provided with two working sides or surfaces, but if desired for a particular application, according to the invention, only one working side for such a material, and 1 It is presently preferred to provide two inactive or inactive sides. Under some circumstances, designing a closure to form a discontinuous bond pattern with itself or another target surface, such as by having an intermittent or discontinuous layer of adhesive on its working surface. May be acceptable or desirable, but the closure is now designed to form a continuous seal and exhibit the ability to bond with itself and with any sufficiently continuous target surface. Is preferred.

Various means of actuation, such as the following, are configured as within the scope of the present invention. That is, mechanical operation by compression, mechanical operation by tensile force, and thermal operation. However, there may be other actuation means that will trigger an adhesive or a kind of adhesive that could function as described herein,
Alternatively, it may be developed. In the preferred embodiment, the actuating surface is actuatable by an externally applied force exerted on the sheet of material. The force is a compressive force applied externally applied to a sheet of material in a direction substantially perpendicular to it, or a tensile applied externally applied in a direction substantially parallel to a sheet of material. It can be strength or a combination.

Regardless of the method of operation, a material useful as a closure means according to the present invention will exhibit adhesive, adhesive, or tacky properties as opposed to simply entanglement types or affinities. Thus, as used herein, the term "adhesive" refers to whether a material actually comprises a component that is commonly understood and named as an adhesive. Used irrespective of the ability of a material to exhibit adhesive properties. Thus, such a material will form a bond or seal when in contact with itself or another target surface, as opposed to simply being attracted to such a surface. Numerous approaches, such as the use of selectively adhering materials, may be used to provide the desired adhesive properties, but the presently preferred approach is to use pressure sensitive adhesives.

When designing a material that is effective as a closure means in accordance with the present invention, a particular choice of adhesive is provided to provide either a permanent bond or a peelable bond as desired for a particular application. It may be desirable to adjust. If a permanent bond is desired, opening the flexible storage bag or container for access to the item (s) contained therein requires destroying the bag or container. A peelable bond, on the other hand, achieves access by allowing the closure means to be separated from itself or from the rest of the bag or container at the binder without breaking. Moreover, depending on the actuation mechanism utilized in the material design, the peelable bond may be able to be re-bonded if sufficient adhesive properties remain after the initial actuation / bonding / peel cycle.

The closures useful in the present invention maintain the desired level of sealing engagement with the facing surfaces while ensuring the preservation of perishable items while ensuring that flexible storage bags or containers are encountered during use. It exhibits an adequate degree of likely handling and sufficient adhesion to withstand external or internal forces.
Generally, minimal adhesion to the seal is desired for the closure means so that the closure means is preserved.
Easily opened and peeled to get the item. At the same time, in a preferred embodiment, the closure means is a substantially entangled material. Suitable methods for measuring and quantifying adhesive and entangled properties are described in the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference, Hamilton and McGuire (McGuy).
Guire) filed November 8, 1996, entitled "Materials Having Materials Protected By Deformable Supports, And Methods Of Making", co-pending US patent application No. 08 / 744,850 is described in further detail.

The closure means used according to the invention comprises a sheet of material having a first side and a second side. The first side comprises an actuating side that exhibits an adhesion peel force after actuation by a user that is greater than the adhesion peel force shown before actuation by the user. The actuating side of the closure means preferably exhibits an adhesive release force of at least about 1 ounce per linear inch, and more preferably between about 1 ounce and about 2.5 ounces per linear inch after actuation by the user.

One such material of current interest for use as a closure material according to the present invention is the active agent as an adhesive on at least one surface protected from external contact by the three-dimensional surface topology of the substrate. With a three-dimensional coherent web provided. Such a material has raised "recesses" on at least one surface that serve as a brace to prevent the adhesive between them from contacting the outer surface until the brace is deformed and makes the structure more two-dimensional. Of a polymer or other sheet material that has been embossed / debossed to form a pattern. A typical adhesive carrier structure is commonly assigned under the names of Hamilton and McGuire, filed January 10, 1996, "Target Surface When Pressed Against It. No. 08 / 584,638, entitled Releasably Sealable Composites and Methods of Making, in the Names of Hamilton and McGuire, November 8, 1996. No. 08 / 744,850, McGuire, Tweddell, and, entitled "Materials Having Materials Protected by Deformable Supports and Methods of Making," filed at No. 08 / 745,339 entitled "3D Fitting Resistive Sheeting Material and Method and Equipment for Making Same", filed November 8, 1996, under the name of Hamilton, and Hamilt (Hamilton) and the name of the Makugaiya (McGuire), was filed on November 8, 1996, including those disclosed in No. 08,745,340, which is entitled "Improved storage wrap material". The disclosures of each of these US applications are incorporated herein by reference for those US applications.

The three-dimensional structure comprises a piece of deformable material having a first side formed to have a plurality of hollow protrusions separated by valleys. The plurality of hollow protrusions have outermost ends. The piece of material has a second side. The second side surface has a plurality of depressions therein corresponding to the plurality of hollow protrusions of the first side surface. The material adheres to the valleys between the plurality of hollow protrusions and partially fills the valleys. The material has a surface below the outermost ends of the plurality of hollow protrusions, so that when the portion of the first side of the piece of deformable film is placed against the target surface, the plurality of hollow protrusions are Prevent the material from contacting the target surface until the slag is formed on the target surface. Preferably, the plurality of protrusions are
Transform in a mode selected from the group consisting of flip, crush, and stretch. Preferably,
In the flip and / or crush mode, each of the plurality of protrusions will not substantially change until subjected to a pressure of at least 0.1 pounds per square inch (0.69 kPa).

Figures 20-24 are generally shown as 30 (Figures 8-8).
Figure 19 shows a preferred embodiment of a material useful as a closure means for flexible storage bags and containers according to the present invention, which comprises a three-dimensional sheet-like structure at 30A, also designated 30A, 30). Material 30 is a deformed material 12 having hollow protrusions 14 and a layer of substance 16 located between the protrusions 14.
including. The protrusions 14 are preferably conical in shape and are truncated or hemispherical at their outermost ends. The protrusions 14 are preferably equally spaced in an equilateral triangle pattern, all extending from the same side of the material. The protrusions 14 are preferably approximately two protruding base diameters center-to-center distance, or in order to minimize the amount of troughs between the protrusions, and thus the amount of material located between them. It is placed closer than that with a space. Preferably, the protrusions 14 have a height that is less than their diameter so that when they deform, they substantially invert along an axis that is substantially upright in the plane of the material, and / or Deforms by crushing.
This protrusion shape and mode of deformation prevent the protrusions 14 from being folded in a direction parallel to the plane of the material so that the protrusions cannot block the material between them from contacting the target surface. .

FIG. 22 shows a smooth, but arbitrary surface topology in which the outermost end 18 of the protrusion 14 causes a layer of material 16
2 shows a target surface 90 that may be spaced apart from. The target surface according to the invention typically faces the closure perimeter, which may or may not itself comprise selectively actuable adhesive carrier closure means of similar type. Will have parts. FIG. 23 shows the protrusion 14
The material after being partially deformed under the pressure applied to the non-material side of material 12, as indicated by force F
The target surface 90 is shown in contact with the 16 layers.

The more protrusions per unit area, the thinner the piece of material and the protrusion wall to resist a specified deformation force. The preferred material layer 16 is preferably a latex pressure sensitive adhesive or, for example, HBFuller C of Vadnais Heights, Minnesota.
Specification No. Fuller HL2115X manufactured by o.)
Hot melt adhesives such as those available at. Any adhesive suitable for the needs of the material's application can be used. The adhesive may be refastenable, peelable, permanent, or otherwise. The size and spacing of the protrusions are preferably continuous bond paths surrounding the protrusions so that a hermetic seal is created with the target surface, while also providing an optimal pattern of support for selective actuation.
And selected to provide the desired level of adhesion to the target surface.

The film material may be made from similar resins or mixtures thereof. A single layer or within a film structure, whether co-extruded, extrusion coated, laminated, or combined by other known means. Multiple layers are contemplated. An important attribute of the film material is that it is deformable to create protrusions and troughs. Effective resins include polyethylene, polypropylene, PET, PC, PVDC, latex structures, nylon and the like. Polyolefins are usually preferred because of their lower price and ease of formation. Other suitable materials include aluminum foil, coated (eg waxed) and uncoated paper, coated and uncoated non-woven fabrics, scrims, meshes, woven fabrics, non-woven fabrics and perforations. Included, attached or porous film, and combinations thereof.

The different uses of the closure means being formed will determine the ideal size and density of the protrusions, as well as the choice of material with which it is used. Not only the forming process, but also the size, shape, and spacing of the protrusions, the bending coefficient, the rigidity of the material, the thickness of the material, the hardness, the deflection temperature, and other web material properties determine the strength of the protrusions. The "threshold" protrusion hardness is to prevent premature activation of the closure means due to other forces such as the weight of the layers above the sheet, shipping vibrations, mishandling, forces induced by drops, etc. Needed.

The reversal of the protrusions minimizes the spring back of the protrusions so that even higher sticking is not required to prevent a relatively weak seal failure. For example, when the binder is intended to be permanent, when aggressive adhesives overcome rebound,
Elastic bumps could be used. Also, resilient protrusions may be desirable if repeated use of the material is intended.

FIG. 24 illustrates a preferred shape of the projections and troughs of the closure means of the present invention that allow the projections to substantially invert and / or collapse as a mode of deformation. The preferred shape minimizes interference with the material located between the folds of the protrusions and the troughs of the protrusions, and / or inside the hollow protrusions. The preferred shape also helps ensure repeatable and predictable resistance to protrusion deformation. FIG. 24 shows that each protrusion is defined by a height dimension A and a base diameter dimension B. The preferred ratio of the base diameter B to the height A, which allows the projections to be substantially inverted and / or collapsed without folding, is at least 2: 1.

Figure 25 illustrates a suitable method for making a material, such as the material 30 useful in accordance with the present invention, which is generally shown as 180 in Figure 25.

The first step involves coating the forming screen with a first material. The forming screen has a top surface and a plurality of recesses therein. In the coating step, the first substance is applied to the upper surface without cross-linking the recess. The second step is to introduce a piece of material having a first side and a second side onto the forming screen such that the first side contacts the first substance on the upper surface of the forming screen. including. The first substance preferentially adheres to the first side of the piece of material. Third
The process involves forming a piece of material to create a plurality of hollow protrusions extending from a first side into a recess in a forming screen. The plurality of hollow protrusions are spaced apart by a trough into which the first material is transferred from the forming screen. The plurality of hollow protrusions are accurately registered with the first material by using one common transfer and forming surface. The first material forms the interconnected layers in the valleys between the protrusions.

Forming screen 181 is guided over idle pulley 182 and drive vacuum roll 184. Forming screen 181
Is preferably a stainless steel belt having the desired protruding pattern that is etched as recesses in the belt. Covering the outer surface of vacuum roll 184 is an inner nickel screen of the seam that serves as a porous backing surface for forming screen 181.

To create a material containing a pressure sensitive adhesive,
The substance 186, which is preferably a hot melt adhesive, is coated on the forming screen 181 by a substance applicator 188, which is rotated past the applicator. The web of material 190 is a material feed idle roll 192.
And is brought into contact with the material coating forming screen. Hot air is applied as material passes over the vacuum roll 184 and as vacuum is applied from a vacuum source (not shown) through the vacuum roll 184 through the fixed vacuum manifold 196 to the forming screen 181. Hot air source 1
Radially directed to material 190 by 94. The vacuum is applied as the material is heated by the hot air source 194. The material being formed causes coating material 198 to be stripped from forming screen 181 with strip roll 200.
The same common forming screen is used to transfer substances into the material, as is used to form the protrusions, so that the substance pattern is conveniently registered with the protrusions.

The stainless steel forming screen 181 is assembled and
It is a spliced belt. It is assembled in multiple steps. The recess pattern is created by a computer program and printed on a transparent film to provide a photomask for photoetching. Photomasks are used to create etched and unetched areas. The material being etched is typically stainless steel, but it can be other materials including brass, aluminum, copper, magnesium, or alloys. further,
The recess pattern may be etched on the photopolymer instead of metal. Suitable forming structures are described in Hamilton et al.
lton et al.) and McGuire et al. (McGuire et
al.) patent application.

A material of said type, when used as a closure means in accordance with the invention, either before, during, or after assembling the bag from its material components, is one of the bodies of a flexible storage bag or container. It may be integrally formed and configured as a part. Alternatively, such closure means may be formed separately, prior to assembly of the bag,
Either during or after, it may be joined to the body of the flexible storage bag or container. Such bonding may be along the edges or may be accomplished as a facially laminate or bond onto the overlaid portion of the body of the bag or container, such as Such laminating is particularly advantageous when it is desired to add additional thickness, rigidity and / or elasticity to the area of the bag or container provided with the closure means. The material used for the closure means may be the same as or different from the material used to form the body of the bag or container, either in terms of size or composition.

Particularly useful as a flange material according to the present invention is that the working surface of the closure means faces away from the flange material, so that it is substantially more elastic and more highly deformable by the free-standing base material. Is a self-supporting, semi-rigid, elastic polymer or coated paper sheet material to which the closure means is laminated, so that a composite closure means having multiple struts is formed. Materials that have been found suitable for use in accordance with the present invention include the manufacturer's designation X420.
At Huntsman Film Products
Commercially available from Products Corp.), thickness 0.020
Includes inch low density polyethylene sheet material.

Closure means A variety of materials in terms of integration of the material into the overall structure of the flexible storage bag or container to facilitate the separation of attached or bonded, overlying parts of the material. Adaptation or modification may be achieved. For example, it may be desirable to provide extension tabs (such as tab 35 shown in FIGS. 1-7) on opposite sides of the opening perimeter to facilitate manual initiation of the closure separation.
Also, there is a non-adhesive rim that may be used to trigger the separation of material and thus the opening of the flexible storage bag or container so that the bag or container immediately adjacent to the opening perimeter free from the closure. It may also be desirable to leave a small but finite portion of the body.

Closure means for selectively adhering material operable according to the invention
Use in 30 provides the user with an easy-to-operate closure means for closing and sealing the opening in the flexible storage bag or container. Closure means 30 is the only needed dexterity to grasp or pinch the closure means with a pair of opposed fingers and actuate the material against the body of the bag or container or the opposite surface of the closure means. Therefore, it can be easily operated with one or both hands. Moving the grasping finger beyond the extent of the opening provides a secure attachment of the closure means across the extent of the opening, thereby completely closing the flexible storage bag or container from the semi-closed container. Change to a container that is open. In particular, when the closure means completely surrounds the opening in the body of the bag or container,
The closure means 30 is typically resistant to misalignment because it attaches to any opposing surface, unlike mechanical closure mechanisms that require precise alignment of the mating elements.

The ability of the closure means to be actuated by pinching or gripping the overlapping portions of the body of the bag or container is particularly dependent on the flexibility and consistency of the flexible storage bags and containers of the present invention. It is advantageous in a simple structure.
More specifically, such structures are recessed under a force applied thereto, thus actuating the seal by exerting pressure against the surface as a whole onto the bag or container is This can be difficult, especially during filling, as it tends to drain the contents of the bag or container as a closed seal is tried. Therefore, the use of the closure means described herein also allows a safe and reliable sealing of highly flexible storage bags or containers.

Since the closure means in the preferred configuration utilizes a layer of adhesive protected by a plurality of three-dimensional protrusions rather than a three-dimensional mating set of interlockingly coupled elements, such closure means is , Can be safely utilized in confined non-parallel areas of the body of a bag or container, such as areas near hinge 32, without providing a site of leakage such as the ends of mechanical elements. Therefore,
The closure means 30 of the present invention provides additional safety and reliability at the level of sealing that has been obtained for situations where a leakproof seal is important.

The self-supporting flexible storage bag shown in FIGS. 1-7 and 15-19 is constructed from flexible sheet material along the lines of the approach typically taken for food-type paper bags. However, a wide variety of other structures are in accordance with the invention, for example, as shown in US Pat. No. 584,555 issued June 15, 1897 to Lorenz. It may be used to continue the self-sustaining approach with the use of closures. An example of such another exemplary bag design is Hanson, July 20, 1976.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,970,241, issued March 29, 1991 to Mendenhall
No. 5,061,500, Watkins et al.
No. 5,195,829, issued March 23, 1993, to Happ, and No. 5,314,252 issued May 24, 1994, to Happ. Also illustrative is Co-assigned US Pat. No. 4,898,477 issued February 6, 1990 to Cox et al. These disclosures are incorporated into the description of the present application by virtue of the patents cited herein.

In addition to this use of sheet material that is folded and sealed to form the body of a bag or container,
The bag or container may be constructed in any known, suitable manner, such as those known in the art for making such bags or containers in a commercially available format. Heat sealing or adhesive sealing techniques may be used to join the various components or elements of the bag or container to themselves or to each other. Additionally, the body of the bag or container may be thermoformed, sprayed, or otherwise rather than relying on a folding or bonding technique to construct the body of the bag or container from a web or sheet of material. In the case of, it may be molded from a starting blank or sheet of material.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. . Therefore, it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (31) Priority claim number 08/854, 247 (32) Priority date May 9, 1997 (May 9, 1997) (33) Priority claim country United States (US) ( 56) References Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 51-26170 (JP, A) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-175541 (JP, A) Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 5-70323 (JP, U) French Patent Application Publication 2184772 (FR, A 1) United Kingdom Patent application publication 1575657 (GB, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B65D 33/16-33/34 B65D 77/30

Claims (9)

(57) [Claims] 1. At least one sheet of flexible sheet material assembled to form a semi-closed container having an opening defined by a hinged flange, said sheet comprising: A hinged flange includes closure means for sealing the opening to transform the semi-closed container into a closed container such that the container is self-supporting and extends upwardly through the opening. Retaining, the closure means comprises a piece of material forming at least a portion of the hinged flange, the piece of material being the deposit shown prior to actuation by the user. A flexible storage bag characterized by exhibiting an adhesive peel force after actuation by a user that is greater than the peel force. 2. The flexible storage bag is substantially parallel to the opening and at least one pair of opposed gussets formed in the sheet material extending in a direction perpendicular to the opening. A substantially flat bottom extending in any direction, the vessel being self-supporting when the bottom is placed on a horizontal surface and maintaining the opening in an upwardly extending state. The flexible storage bag according to claim 1, further characterized by the following. 3. (a) The first open end having a first open end and a second open end and defining an axial direction extending through the first and second open ends. Has a substantially continuous outwardly extending flange forming the periphery of the first open end, which is foldable in response to an axially applied externally applied force and An integrally continuous tubular side wall that is self-restoring when the force is removed; and (b) the tubular side wall is integrally formed with the second open end of the tubular side wall to form a semi-closed container. Side wall 1
A bottom panel closing one end; (c) a lid for selectively converting the semi-closed container into a closed container; (d) a closure means for sealing the lid to the flange. The closure means comprises a piece of material forming at least a portion of the perimeter, the piece of material being greater than the adhesive release force indicated prior to activation by a user. A collapsible, stackable, self-restorable container characterized in that it has a first side surface that shows the adhesion and peeling force after being operated by a person. 4. The collapsible, stackable according to claim 3, further characterized in that said tubular side wall and said bottom panel are thermoformed from a continuous sheet of material.
Self-restorable container. 5. (a) It comprises two facing side panels and two facing end panels between said side panels, said side panel and said end panel both having two openings. Forming a tubular structure having an end, comprising a bottom panel closing one end of the tubular structure, the other end of the tubular structure opposite the bottom panel forming a perimeter. A semi-closed container body; (b) a lid for selectively changing the semi-closed container into a closed container; (c) a closing means for sealing the lid to the container body; The closure means forms at least a portion of the closure means and has a first side that exhibits an adhesion peel force after actuation by a user that is greater than the adhesion peel force shown before actuation by the user. With a piece of integrally formed sheet of material And each of the side panels includes a gusset extending in a direction substantially parallel to the bottom panel, the side panels and the end panels being foldable inwardly toward each other. While it is substantially self-supporting while the side panels and the end panels are in their unfolded state, they are capable of collapsing in a direction perpendicular to the lid and the bottom panel. A collapsible, foldable, stackable, self-restoring container featuring. 6. The collapsible, collapsible article of claim 5, further characterized in that the side panels, the end panels, and the bottom panel are integrally formed from a continuous sheet of material. Stackable, self-restoring container. 7. The collapsible, stackable, and self-restorable container of claim 5 or claim 6, further characterized in that the end panels include diagonal reinforcing folds. 8. The method of claim 1 or 3 or 5 further characterized in that said closing means is actuatable by an externally applied compressive force applied in a direction substantially perpendicular to said flange. A flexible storage bag or container according to any one of the preceding claims. 9. A substantially two-dimensional sheet material by being actuated by a user such that the closure means exposes an adhesive layer to contact a complementary surface of the semi-closed container across the opening. Flexible storage bag or container according to any one of claims 1 or 3 or 5, further characterized in that it comprises a variable three-dimensional sheet material.