MXPA99010292A - Flexible storage bag with selectively-activatible closure - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a flexible storage bag (10) comprising at least one sheet of flexible sheet material assembled to form a semi-enclosed container. The bag has an opening (28) and a closuremeans (30) for sealing the opening to convert the semi-enclosed container to a closed container. The closure means (30) comprises a strip of material forming at least a portion of the periphery of the opening having a first side facing inwardly toward the opening and a second side facing outwardly of the opening. The first side exhibits an adhesion peel force (F) after activation by a user which is greater than an adhesion peel force exhibited prior to activation by a user. In a preferred embodiment, the flexible storage bag includes at least one auxiliary venting opening located remotely from the primary opening and having an auxiliary closure means for sealing the auxiliary opening. The auxiliary opening has a periphery, and the auxiliary closure means comprises a piece of material forming at least a portion of the periphery and having a first side facing inwardly toward the opening and a second side facing outwardly of the opening. The first side exhibits an adhesion peel force after activation by a user which is greater than an adhesion peel force exhibited prior to activation by a user. In another preferred embodiment, the flexible storage bag is self-supporting with the opening extending upwardly away from a horizontal supporting surface. The flexible storage bag may further include at least one pair of opposed gussets formed in the sheet material extending in a direction normal to the opening and a substantially planar bottom extending in a direction substantially parallel to the opening, such that when the bottom is placed on a horizontal surface the flexible storage bag is self-supporting and maintains the opening in an upwardly-extending condition. Preferably, the bag maintains the opening in a substantially open condition.

Description

FLEXIBLE STORAGE BAG WITH SELF-ACTIVE ACTIVABLE CLOSURE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to flexible storage bags, particularly those that are suitable for use in the containment and protection of various articles that include perishable materials. The present invention further relates to these flexible storage bags having an improved sealing ability, for the containment and protection of contained elements within a wide range of conditions in use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Flexible storage bags for use in the containment and protection of various elements, as well as for the preservation of perishable materials, such as food items, are well known in the art. These bags typically comprise a rectangular sheet of polymeric film bent over itself and sealed along two edges to form a semi-closed package having two opposed flexible side walls, three sealed or bent edges and one open edge. An integrated latch formed P907 ~~ in the bag, such as for example an interlacing rib type seal or one provided separately, such as for example a wire tie coated with plastic or paper, completes the containment unit. As used herein, the term "flexible" is used to refer to materials that have the ability to bend or flex, especially repeatedly, such that they are docile and yield in response to externally applied forces. In accordance with the above, the term "flexible" practically has an opposite meaning to the terms inflexible, rigid or that does not yield. The materials and structures that are flexible can be altered, therefore, in form and structure to admit external forces and to take the shape of objects put in contact with them without forming their integrity. The flexible storage bags of the preceding variety are usually formed from a polymer film, such as, for example, polyethylene or other members of the polyolefin family, in thicknesses between about 0.0002 inches to about 0.002 inches. These films are often transparent, but sometimes they are opaque and / or colorful.

P907 Flexible storage bags of the variety usually commercially available provide a means to conveniently store a wide range of objects and materials in a generally disposable containment device. While the flexible storage bags of the former variety have enjoyed very good commercial success, their dependence on mechanical seals tends to cause operational difficulties for individuals who have limited manual dexterity, such as, for example, child , elderly people, arthritic patients, etc. In addition, these mechanical seals usually require alignment of the mechanical elements for operation, which can be a challenge for those with impaired vision or with reduced hand-eye coordination. Many mechanisms of mechanical closure also provide leakage sites in places such as the end of interlacing channels, where liquid or gases can leak into or into the bag. In an attempt to resolve this issue, alternative closure mechanisms have been developed that rely on strips or regions of adhesive to join overlapping regions of the bag. While these closures solve some of the difficulties of using P907 Separate closure elements or mechanical interlacing elements, some adhesive closure mechanisms require removable wraps to protect the adhesive from premature activation, thus adding additional elements for assembly or assembly and an additional activation step before use. further, some protected adhesive configurations require grooves, channels or interlocking prominences, which must be in proper register to couple with the adhesive, thus increasing again the visual and coordination requirements of conventional mechanical closing mechanisms. While these flexible storage bags are generally very efficient for storage before use, for many storage situations, it is desirable to minimize the amount of air and / or free space above or around the contents, in which it is trapped. inside the bag after closing to minimize the storage space of full bags and to help the bag's effectiveness in preserving perishable items. However, the type of locking mechanism often used is difficult with conventional flexible storage bags that only partially close the bag and expel trapped air before.

P907 to complete the closure as this again requires a certain amount of manual dexterity and visual aptitude. Conventional flexible storage bags also create an inherent challenge in terms of being able to keep the bag flexible or flaccid in the open state with at most one hand, so that the other hand can manipulate the other container to empty the contents in the bag or the elements peeled, cut or cut for insertion in the bag. It is also difficult to maintain the proper (usually vertical) orientation of the opening of the bag during such filling operations. While rigid containers and flaccid containers with reinforced opening perimeters have been developed for these uses, their comparatively superior cost and limited economic disposal leave room for improvements. However, the matter of keeping the package or the opening of the bag in the open state, there also remains a need for a flexible but independent package with the above attributes to facilitate rapid hands-free filling. Flexible storage bags, on the other hand, which are made of more expensive materials to promote ease of disposal, usually lack the structure necessary for stable stacking of the bags after filling.

P907 With respect to rigid or semi-rigid containers, it is well recognized that these containers have also achieved a very good commercial success by providing a means to store a wide variety of contents. These containers normally have an opening that keeps the state open for filling and normally have self-supporting characteristics, wherein the opening is in the proper orientation for filling. These containers are also frequently provided with flat bottoms and tops to provide ease of stacking. However, these containers are usually constructed of more expensive materials, so that their ease of disposal is limited. At the same time, the life of these containers is limited by the damage, dirt and other degradation that normally occurs during use, including the degradation of typical mechanical closing mechanisms. The storage of these rigid or semi-rigid three-dimensional containers when empty is also a concern, since they occupy almost the same volume when they are empty as when they are full. Due to its comparatively fixed volume construction, it is also difficult to minimize the amount of air or free space above or around the contents to minimize the storage space of the filled containers and to aid the effectiveness of the container in the conservation of perishable items. Another concern is the task of coupling normally separated lids or closures with their respective containers for use. Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a flexible storage bag that combines the desirable qualities of both flexible bags and storage containers and that minimizes the less desirable qualities of both approaches. More particularly, it would be desirable to provide a flexible storage bag having improved sealability during use. It would also be desirable to provide a flexible storage bag that facilitates ventilation of trapped air before completing the closure. Furthermore, it would be desirable to provide a bag that has the ability to be self-supporting in the open state for filling purposes, and still be easily stored by bending it into a compact form. Additionally it would be desirable to provide a bag constructed or manufactured from inexpensive materials to facilitate its disposal, which still promotes stable stacking of the bags when they are full. Additionally, it would be desirable to provide a bag that provides the above attributes in a convenient unitary form, saving or avoiding the need for separate closure devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a flexible storage bag comprising at least one sheet of flexible material in assembled sheet to form a sealed package. The bag has an opening and a closing means for sealing the opening and converting the semi-closed container into a closed container. The closure means comprises a strip of material forming at least a portion of the periphery of the opening having a first side facing inward towards the opening and a second the side facing away from the opening. The first side shows a peel adhesion force after activation by the user, which is greater than the peel strength shown before the activity by the user. In a preferred embodiment, the flexible storage bag includes at least one auxiliary vent opening, located remotely from the primary opening and has an auxiliary closure means for sealing to the auxiliary opening. The auxiliary opening has a periphery and the auxiliary closure means comprises a piece of material forming at least a portion of the periphery and having a first side facing inward towards the opening and a second side facing away from the opening . The first side shows a peel adhesion force after activation by the user, which is greater than the peel strength shown before activation by the user. In another preferred embodiment, the flexible storage bag is self-supporting wherein the opening extends upwardly away from a horizontal support surface. The flexible storage bag may further include at least a pair of opposed gussets formed in the sheet material extending in a direction normal to the opening and a substantially flat base or bottom extending in a direction substantially parallel to the opening, in such a way that when the base or the bottom is placed on a horizontal surface, the flexible storage bag is self-supporting and keeps the opening in a condition that extends upwards. Preferably, the bag maintains the opening substantially in the open state. In accordance with the above, the flexible storage bags of the present invention combine the desirable qualities of both the flexible bags and the storage containers and minimize the less desirable qualities of both approaches by providing improved sealability, facilitating ventilation of air trapped before closure, which is self-supporting in the open state for filling, which is easily stored by bending it into a compact form and which is uniquely manufactured from inexpensive materials to promote ease of disposal and avoid need for separate closure devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS OR FIGURES While the specification concludes with the claims that in a particular way indicate and claim in a distinctive way to the present invention, it is considered that the present invention will be better understood from the following description, together with Figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers identify similar elements and, where: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a flexible storage bag, in accordance with the present invention in the closed and empty state; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the flexible storage bag of Figure 1 in the open state and partially filled with solid objects; Figure 3 is a plan view of the flexible storage bag of Figure 1, also in a closed and empty state and representing the secondary ventilation opening and the secondary closure; Figure 4 is a plan view similar to Figure 3 of a flexible storage bag, in accordance with the present invention, representing an alternative configuration of secondary ventilation opening; Figure 5 is a top plan view of a preferred embodiment of a material suitable for use as a closure means of the present invention, revealing a piece of material having truncated conical protrusions surrounded by an interconnected pattern of substance; Figure 6 is a partially enlarged top plan view of the material of Figure 5, showing an array of prominences; Figure 7 is a sectional view in elevation, taken along section line 7-7 of Figure 6, showing the prominences acting as separators of a layer of substance between the prominences, in such a way that the white surface that makes contact with the outermost ends of the prominences does not make contact with the layer of substance; Figure 8 is a sectional view in elevation, P907 similar to Figure 7, which shows the effect of pressing the material against the white surface, such that the prominences deform when inverted and / or practically crushed to allow the layer of substance between the prominences to make contact with the surface White; Figure 9 is a sectional elevation view of the material of Figures 5-8, showing the preferred dimensional relationships of the prominences; and Figure 10 is a schematic view of a method suitable for making a material suitable for use as a closure means of the present invention, which shows a forming mesh such as a band wrapped or placed around a vacuum drum and a transmission pulley; Figure 11 is an edge view of the flexible storage bag of Figure 3 illustrating the secondary ventilation opening in the open state. Figure 12 is an edge view similar to Figure 11 of the flexible storage bag of Figure 3 but showing the secondary ventilation opening in the closed state; Figure 13 is an edge view similar to Figure 11 of the flexible storage bag of Figure 4; Figure 14 is an edge view similar to the P907 Figure 12 of the flexible storage bag of Figure 4; Figure 15 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a flexible storage bag of the present invention, in an open configuration; Figure 16 is a perspective view of the flexible storage bag of Figure 15 in a partially folded state; Figure 17 is a perspective view of the flexible storage bag of Figure 15 in a flattened, fully folded condition; Figure 18 is a perspective view similar to Figure 11 of a flexible alternative storage bag that does not have a reinforcing panel; "" Figure 19 is a perspective view of the flexible storage bag of Figure 15 in a closed and sealed condition, after filling. Figure 20 is a perspective view of the flexible storage bag of Figure 15, with the sealed edge of the bag optionally folded to provide a flat top surface for stacking; and - Figure 21 is a perspective view of the flexible storage bag of Figure 15, illustrating an alternative approach for folding and sealing the P907 opening of the bag.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Figure 1 represents a currently preferred embodiment of a flexible storage bag 10, in accordance with the present invention. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the flexible storage bag 10 includes a bag body 20 formed from a piece of flexible sheet material, folded over itself along the fold line 22 and attached to each other. same along its side seals or junctions 24 and 26 to form a semi-closed package having an opening along the edge 28. The flexible storage bag 10 also includes a closure means 30 located adjacent the edge 28 to seal the edge 28 and form a completely closed container or container, as shown in Figure 1. As will be described later, the closure means 30 can be opened, sealed and selectively resealed or resealed. The bags such as the flexible storage bag 10 of Figure 1 can also be manufactured from a continuous tube of sheet material, thereby eliminating the side seals 24 and 26 and replacing the fold line 22 with a stamp background.

P907 In the preferred configuration shown in Figure 1, the closure means 30 completely surrounds the periphery of the opening formed by the edge 28. However, in certain circumstances, a closure means formed by a lesser degree of circumference or circumference ( such as for example, a closure means located along only one side "of the edge 28) can provide adequate closure integrity The flexible storage bag 10 is suitable for containment and protection of a wide variety of materials and / or objects contained within the body of the bag Figure 2 represents the storage bag 10 the open condition or condition, wherein the closure means 30 has been released, such that the edge 28 can be opened to accept materials and / or objects inside the bag body portion of the storage bag 10. In Figure 2 a plurality of generic solid objects 99 is shown within the storage bag 10. Figures 3 and 4 are plan views of the flexible storage bag 10 in the closed and empty state, so that they represent more clearly the geometrical details of another particularity in accordance with the present invention, which can be used together with The closure means 30 associated with the present invention or P907 with other conventional locking mechanisms. Figure 3 in particular represents a flexible storage bag 10 of the type shown in Figure 1, which is shown to include a secondary ventilation opening 50 that is located remotely and not adjacent to the primary opening, which it is located along the edge 28. The secondary vent 50 comprises an opening that can be opened, sealed and resealed in a selective manner in the material of the bag body portion 20 of the flexible storage bag 10, in accordance with the present invention. As shown in Figure 3, the secondary ventilation opening 50 has its own secondary closure means 40 remotely located to the primary closure means 30. This configuration provides the ability to select different materials and / or structures for the media. primary and secondary closure. By contrast, Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3, of a flexible storage bag 10 having a secondary ventilation opening 50 located within the bag body region 20 comprising the primary closure means 30 but which It is still located remotely and not adjacent to the primary opening. He P907 secondary closure means can still be operated separately from the primary closure means 30. While this reduces the number of treatments or elements necessary to finish the bag, it also limits the type of closure means that can be used for primary media and secondary closure. In this configuration, the closure means 30 must be compatible with the type of closure means required for the operation of the secondary closure means 40. The various compositions suitable for manufacturing the flexible storage bags of the present invention include substantially impermeable materials. , such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), aluminum foil, coated paper (waxed, etc.) and uncoated / coated fabrics, etc., and practically permeable materials such as gauzes, meshes, fabrics, nonwovens or perforated or porous films, regardless of whether they are predominantly two-dimensional nature or are formed in three-dimensional structures. These materials may comprise a single composition or layer or may be a composite structure of multiple materials, including a substrate material used as the carrier of a substance. The materials that were found are adequate P907 for use in accordance with the present invention include a low density polyethylene film, 0.004 or 0.006 inches thick, which can be obtained commercially from Huntsman Film Products Corp., with the designation of manufacturer X420 and a polyethylene film low density, 0.0015 inches thick, commercially available from Tredegar Film Products, with the designation of manufacturer X10266. Once the desired sheet materials are made in some desirable and suitable form, comprising all or part of the materials that will be used for the bag body, the bag can be made in any known and suitable manner, such as those known in the art. the technique for the manufacture of these bags in the commercial form available. Thermal sealing or adhesive technologies can be used to join various components or elements of the bag to themselves or to each other. Furthermore, the bag bodies can be thermoformed, blown or molded in some other way instead of relying on folding and joining techniques to manufacture the bag bodies from a web or sheet of material. Two recent United States Patents which are illustrative of the state of the art with respect to flexible storage bags similar in structure to those shown in Figures 1 and 2 P907 but of the types currently available, are No. 5,554,093, granted on September 10, 1996 to Porchia et al. , and No. 5,575,747, granted on November 19, 1996 to Dais et al. In accordance with the present invention, the closure means shown in Figures 1-4 is constructed from an adhesive structure that can be activated, that is, selectively activatable, which provides with the activation of a secure seal. According to the foregoing, the closure means comprises a selectively activatable adhesive type material which joins material surfaces opposite each other through the opening formed by the open edge 28 of the joint between the closure means and a surface White is also sufficient to provide a barrier seal against the transmission of oxygen, moisture, moisture vapor, odor, etc., so that the perishable elements can be satisfactorily enclosed and preserved to the extent of the barrier properties of the same material . The white surface may comprise a separate bag element or may comprise another region of the same closure means. As used herein, the term "that can be activated, that is, activatable, selectively" is used to refer to materials that exhibit P907 properties are practically non-adherent when placed in contact with the white surface, until the user performs some action to "activate" the material to reveal its adhesive properties. In accordance with the foregoing, the selectively activatable properties differ from permanently active adhesive strips that depend on the removal of wrapping materials (usually silicone-coated paper strips) to expose the adhesive for use. The selective activation of these materials allows the user to properly position the opposing surfaces before activation and adhesion is achieved, as well as to minimize the likelihood of contamination of the closure means by the contents of the bag during the operations of fill. This feature allows the flexible storage bag to be opened, filled and / or handled in any desired manner without encountering the difficulties of sticking or premature adhesion of the closure means to itself or to other portions of the opening or the body of the bag and no need for release sheets, wraps, separators or similar, separately. Preferably, the selective activation process is reversible, so that the closure means can be deactivated and the bag opened for filling or removal of the contents and reactivated, P907 ie reactivated, subsequently for additional closure without a significant loss of adhesive capacity. Although the material used for the closure means may be provided with two active sides or surfaces, if desired for particular applications, in accordance with the present invention, it is presently preferred to provide the material only with one active side and one inactive or inert side. While in some circumstances it may be acceptable or desirable to design the closure material so as to form a discontinuous bonding pattern with itself or with another white surface, such as having an intermittent or discontinuous layer of adhesive on its active surface , it is currently preferred that the closure material be designed to show the ability to form a seal or continuous bond with itself and with any sufficiently continuous white surface. Various means of activation are contemplated which are within the scope of the present invention, such as for example: mechanical activation by compression, mechanical activation by tension forces and by thermal activation. However, it is contemplated that another activation means could exist or be developed that would trigger an adhesive or an adhesive type character that would have the P907 ability to operate as described here. In a preferred embodiment, the active side is activatable by means of an externally activatable force exerted on the sheet of the material. The force may be an externally applied compressive force, exerted in a substantially normal direction to the sheet of material, an externally applied tension force, exerted in a substantially parallel direction a. the sheet of material or a combination thereof. Regardless of the manner of activation, the materials useful as closure means, in accordance with the present invention will exhibit an adhesive, sticky or tacky character, as opposed to merely a sticky or affinity character. Therefore, as used herein, the term "adhesive" is used to refer to the ability of a material to exhibit a -adherent character regardless of whether or not it actually includes a composition commonly understood and labeled as an adhesive. In accordance with the foregoing, these materials will form a union or seal when placed in contact with themselves or with another white surface as opposed to merely being attracted to said surface. While various approaches can be used such as the use of adhesive materials selectively to provide the adhesive properties P907, a currently preferred approach is to use a pressure sensitive adhesive. When designing materials useful as a closure means, in accordance with the present invention, it may be desirable to adapt the particular choice of adhesive agent so as to provide either a permanent bond or a releasable bond, as desired for a particular application. . When a permanent connection is desired, the opening of the flexible storage bag to access the elements thereof requires the destruction of the bag. On the other hand, the releasable connections provide access by allowing separation of the closure means from itself or from other portions of the bag at the junction site without destruction. Furthermore, depending on the activation mechanism used in the design of the material, the releasable connection can additionally be re-assurance if, after the activation / union / release cycle, sufficient adhesive character remains. The closure materials useful in the present invention exhibit sufficient adhesion to survive the likely degree of handling and the external or internal forces that are likely to be encountered by the flexible storage bag during use, while maintaining the desired level of coupling of sealed with the surface P907 opposite, in such a way as to ensure the conservation of perishable elements. In general, a minimum adhesion is desired which maintains a seal for the closure means, so that the closure means is easily opened by detachment to gain access to the stored articles. At the same time, in the preferred embodiment, the closure means is a material with practically no stickiness. Suitable methods for measuring and quantifying the adhesive and bonding properties are described in greater detail in the co-pending United States patent application assigned jointly with Serial No. 08 / 744,850, filed on November 8, 1996 to name of Hamilton and McGuire, entitled "Material Having A Substance Protected by Deformable Standoffs and Method of Making", whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference. The closure means used in accordance with the present invention comprises a sheet of material having a first side and a second side. The first side comprises an active side that exhibits a peel adhesion force after activation by the user, which is greater than the peel adhesion strength exhibited prior to activation by the user. The active side of the closure side preferably exhibits a peel adhesion strength of at least one ounce per linear inch, more preferably, between P907 approximately 1 and approximately 2.5 ounces per linear inch, after activation by the user. One of these materials of interest present for use as a closure material in accordance with the present invention comprises a conformable three-dimensional screen, comprising an active substance, such as the adhesive on at least one surface protected from external contact by surface topography. three-dimensional base material. These materials comprise a polymeric material or other sheet material, which is embossed / not embossed, to form a pattern of "corrugations" raised on at least one surface that serves as a spacer to prevent the adhesive between them from contacting external surfaces. That the spacers be deformed to make the structure more two-dimensional. Representative adhesive carrier structures include those disclosed in co-pending United States patent applications assigned jointly, with serial number 08 / 584,638, filed January 10, 1996 in the name of Hamilton and McGuire, entitled "Composite. Material Releasably Sealable to a Target Surface When Pressed Thereagainst and Method of Making "; Serial Number 08 / 744,850, filed on November 8, 1996 in the name of Hamilton and McGuire, entitled "Material Having A Substance Protected by P907 Deformable Standoffs and Method of Making "; Serial Number 08 / 754,339 filed on November 8, 1996 in the name of McGuire, Tweddell, and Hamilton, entitled" Three-Dimensional, Nesting-Resistant Sheet Materials and Method And Apparatus for Making Same ", Serial Number 08 / 754,340, filed on November 8, 1996 in the name of Hamilton and McGuire, entitled" Improved Storage Wrap Materials. "The disclosure of each of these applications and incorporated in this way as a reference in the The three-dimensional structure comprises a piece of deformable material having a first side formed to have a plurality of hollow prominences, separated by valleys.The plurality of hollow prominences have outermost ends.The piece of material has a second side. side has a plurality of depressions therein corresponding to the plurality of hollow prominences of the first side.The substance adheres and partially fills the valleys between the plurality of hollow prominences. The substance has a surface below the outermost ends of the plurality of hollow prominences, so that when a portion of a first side of the deformable film piece is placed against a white surface, the plurality of hollow prominences prevents contact between the substance and the white surface until the portion in the P907 white surface. Preferably, the plurality of prominences is deformed by modes that are selected from the group consisting of inversion, squashing and elongation. Preferably, in the inversion and / or crush modes, each of the plurality of prominences will not be practically deformed until exposed to a pressure of at least 0.1 pounds per square inch (0.69 kPa). Figures 5-9 illustrate a preferred embodiment of a material useful as a means for closing flexible storage bags, in accordance with the present invention, comprising a three-dimensional sheet-like structure, generally indicated as 30. The material 30 includes a deformed material 12 having hollow protrusions 14 and a substance layer 16 located between the protrusions 14. Preference prominences 14 are conical in shape with their outermost ends 18 truncated or dome-shaped. The prominences 14 are preferably equidistantly spaced apart in an equilateral triangle pattern, all extending from the same side of the material. The prominences 14 are preferably separated from center to center a distance of about two diameters from the base of the prominence or closer in order to minimize the volume of the valleys between the prominences and hence the amount of P907 substance located between them. Preferably, the protrusions 14 have heights that are smaller than their diameters, so that when they deform, they deform practically when inverted and / or crushed along an axis that is practically perpendicular to a plane of the material. This shape of the prominence and deformation mode, discourage the prominences 14 from folding in a direction parallel to a plane of the material, so that the prominences can not block that the substance between them had contact with the white surface. Figure 7 shows a white surface 90, which is smooth but can have any surface topography, which is separated from the substance layer 16 by the outermost ends 18 of the protrusions 14. The white surfaces, in accordance with the present invention, will normally comprise a portion opposite the periphery of the closure, which may or may not itself comprise a closure means of selectively activatable adhesive of a similar type. Figure 8 shows the white surface 90 contacting the substance layer 16 after the prominences 14 have been partially deformed under the pressure applied to the non-substance side of the material 12, as indicated by the force F.

P907 The more prominences per unit area, the thinner the piece of material and the walls of the prominences may be in order to resist a given deformation force. The preferred substance layer 16 is preferably a pressure sensitive latex adhesive or a thermal fusion adhesive, such as is available under the specification number Fuller HL-2115X, manufactured by H. B. Fuller Co. of Vacunáis Heights, MN. Any adhesive that suits the application needs of the material can be used. The adhesives can be reinsurable, releasable, permanent or of some other type. The size and spacing of the prominences is preferably selected so as to provide a continuous adhesive path surrounding the prominences so that the air-tight seals can be fabricated with a white surface and a desired level of adhesion to the white surface, while they also provide the optimal pattern of separators for selective activation. The film materials can be made from homogeneous resins or mixtures thereof. Within the structure of the film there are contemplated a single layer or multiple layers, whether coextruded, coated by extrusion, laminated or combined by other known means. The attribute P907 key of the film material is to be conformable to produce the prominences and the valleys. Useful resins include polyethylene, polypropylene, PET, PVC, PVDC, latex structures, nylon, etc. Polyolefins are generally preferred, due to their lower cost to their ease of shaping. Other suitable materials include aluminum foil, coated paper (waxed, etc.) and uncoated, coated and uncoated nonwovens, gauzes, meshes, fabrics, nonwovens and perforated or porous films and combinations thereof. shaped closure means will dictate the ideal size and density of prominences, as well as the selection of the substances used with them.The size, shape and separation of the prominences, the properties of the weft material, such as modulus of shape, are considered. bending, rigidity of the material, material thickness, hardness, deflection temperature, as well as the shaping process, determine the resistance of the prominence, a "threshold" prominence stiffness is required to avoid premature activation of the closure means, due to the weight of overlapping layers of leaves or to other forces, such as the forces induced by boarding vibrations, mishandling, falling as and the similar. Investment of prominences minimized P907 the elastic recovery of the prominence, so that a superior adhesion is not necessary in order to avoid the failure of relatively weak seals. A resilient prominence could be used, for example, when the joint is intended to be permanent, where a strong adhesive overcomes the elastic recovery. Also, a resilient prominence may be desirable when repeated use of the material is intended. Figure 9 shows the preferred shape of the protrusions and valleys of the closure means of the present invention, which enables the protrusions to be practically inverted and / or crushed as a form of deformation. The preferred shape minimizes bending or folding of the prominence and its interference with the substance placed in the valleys between protrusions or, hollow prominences within or both. Also, the preferred shape helps to ensure a repeatable, predictable resistance to the deformation of the prominence. Figure 9 shows that each prominence is defined by the height dimension A and the diameter dimension of the base B. The preferred ratio of diameter of the base B to height A, which allows the prominences to be practically reversed and / or crush without bending, is at least 2: 1. Figure 10 shows a suitable method for manufacturing a material such as material 30, useful for P907 according to the present invention, which is generally indicated as 180 in Figure 10. The "first step comprises coating a forming mesh with a first substance.The forming mesh has an upper surface and a plurality of depressions therein. step of the coating applies the first substance to the upper surface without bridging the depressions A second step includes introducing a piece of material, having a first side and a second side, onto the forming mesh, such that the first side is in contact with the first substance on the upper surface of the forming mesh The first substance is preferably adhered to the first side of the piece of material A third step includes forming or shaping the piece of material to create a plurality of hollow prominences that extend from the first side towards the depressions of the forming mesh The plurality of hollow prominences are separated by valleys towards which the first substance is transferred from the forming mesh. The plurality of hollow prominences are in register precisely with the first substance through the use of a common transfer and forming surface. The first substance forms an interconnected layer in the valleys between the prominences. The forming mesh 181 is passed over a P907 guide pulley 182 and a driven vacuum roller 184. The forming mesh 181 is preferably a stainless steel strip, which has the desired pattern of prominences etched by etching as depressions in the web. The outer surface covering of the vacuum roller 184 is an unsealed nickel mesh that serves as a porous backing surface of the forming mesh 181. To produce a material containing pressure sensitive adhesive, the forming mesh 181 is it applies as coatings a substance 186, preferably a thermal fusion adhesive, by means of a substance applicator 188, while the forming mesh 181"rotates past the applicator A web of material 190 is contacted with the substance-coated forming mesh in the material feed guide roller 192. Hot air is radially directed to the material 190 by a source 194 of hot air, the material passes over the vacuum roller 184 and as vacuum is applied to the forming mesh 181 through the vacuum roller 184 by a fixed vacuum manifold 196 from a vacuum source (not shown) Vacuum is applied as the material is heated by the hot air source 194. From the forming roll 181 the material 198 is removed, coated with substance and formed in the release roll 200. Because the same mesh is used P907 common for the transfer of substance to the material as used to form the prominences, the pattern of substance in a convenient way is in register with the prominences. The 181 stainless steel forming mesh is a fabricated sealed band. This is manufactured in several steps. The pattern of depressions is developed by a computer program and printed on a transparency to provide a photomask for photomordentate or photo-attack. The photomask is used to generate attacked or etched and not etched areas. The etched material is usually stainless steel, but it can also be brass, aluminum, copper, magnesium and other materials, including alloys. Additionally, the pattern of depressions can be etched into photosensitive polymers, instead of metals. Suitable forming structures are described in greater detail in the aforementioned and previously incorporated reference patent applications of Hamilton et al. and McGuire et al. The materials of the preceding variety, when used as a closure means in accordance with the present invention, can be formed and manufactured in unitary form as part of the body of the flexible storage bag, either before, during or after assembly of the bag from its components P907 materials. Alternatively, this closure means may also be formed or formed separately and attached to the body of the flexible storage bag, either before, during or after bag assembly. This connection can be in the direction or direction of the edge or can be achieved as lamination or bonding of the material radially on an overlapping portion of the bag body. Lamination is particularly advantageous when it is desired to add additional thickness, stiffness and / or resilience to the region of the bag comprising the closure means. The material used for the closure means may be the same or different from the material used to form the body of the bag, either in dimensions or in composition. To facilitate the separation of overlapping, bonded or bonded portions of the material of the closure means, various adaptations or modifications may be made, in terms of the integration of the material into the overall structure of the flexible storage bag. For example, it may be desirable to provide extension tabs on opposite sides of the periphery of the opening to facilitate manual start of the closure gap. It may also be desirable to leave a small but finite portion of the bag body immediately adjacent to the periphery of the free opening of the closure material, of the shape, that there is a P907 edge of non-stick material, which can be used to start the separation of the material and from here, the opening of the flexible storage bag. The closure means 30 shown in Figures 1-4 is consistent with the latter approach. In accordance with the present invention, the use of selectively activatable adhesive materials for the closure means 30 provides the user with an easy-to-operate closure means for closing and sealing an opening in a flexible storage bag. The closure means 30 is easy to handle with one or both hands, since the only dexterity required is to grasp or latch the closure means with a pair of opposing fingers to activate the material against an opposite surface of the body of the closure. bag or closing means. Moving the gripping fingers through the extension of the opening provides secure adhesion of the closure means through the extension of the opening, thereby converting the flexible bag of a semi-closed package into a completely closed package. Particularly, when the closure means completely surrounds the opening of the bag body, the closure means 30 is very tolerant of misalignment, since it will adhere to any opposite surface unlike the mechanical closing mechanisms that normally require a precise alignment of P907 coupling elements. The ability of the closure means to be activated when gripping or grasping the overlapping portions of the bag body is particularly advantageous with flexible and conformable structures, such as the flexible storage bags of the present invention. More particularly these structures yield or are flexible under applied forces, in accordance with this, it would be difficult to activate a seal by exerting pressure on the bag as a whole, as a surface, particularly when full, as such, would tend to expel the contents of the bag. bag as you try to seal the closure. Therefore, the use of a closure means, as described herein, allows safe and reliable sealing even of very flexible storage bags. Because the closure means in a preferred configuration uses a layer of adhesive protected by a plurality of three-dimensional prominences, instead of the three-dimensional coupling of a pair of interlacing elements it is possible to use this closure means successfully in a combined region and not parallel to the body of the bag, such as to the region near the side seals 24 and 26, without providing leak sites or sites, such as the ends of the mechanical elements. Accordingly, the closure means 30 of the P907 present invention provides additional safety and confidence in the level of sealing obtained for situations where a leak-proof seal is important. Figures 11 and 12 depict in greater detail the structure and operation of the secondary ventilation opening and the closure means. Figure 11 is an end view of the flexible storage bag 10 shown in Figure 3. Accordingly, the side edge 26 shown in Figure 3 forms the center line of the bag of Figure 11. The flexible storage bag is shown in a state where the primary opening is open along the edge 28, as shown in Figure 2, so that the side walls of the bag are spaced apart to highlight the view of the opening 50. As shown in Figure 11, the secondary vent 50 comprises a groove in the material of the bag body 20, which, when subjected to a slight normal tensile force to the direction of the groove, forms a somewhat elliptical opening. As used herein, the term "groove" is used to refer not only to the openings formed by cutting the surrounding material but also to the adjacent unbonded portions of surrounding material that form an elongated slot-like opening. In the modality P907 shown in Figure 11, the secondary closure means 40 laterally completely surrounds the secondary ventilation opening 50. Figure 12 represents the flexible storage bag of Figure 11, after the secondary closure means 40 has closed to the secondary vent 56. As discussed above with the primary closure means 30, the closure means 40 completely surrounds the periphery of the aperture 50. However, in certain circumstances, a closure means formed by a minor Rounded or circled grade (such as, for example, a closure means located along only one side of the edge 26 around the opening 50) can provide adequate closure integrity. According to the present invention, the secondary closure means 40 comprises a selectively activatable adhesive type material, which joins surfaces of material opposite each other through the secondary ventilation opening 50. Materials suitable for the secondary closure means 40 were described above with respect to the closure means 30. Therefore, as shown in Figure 12, the secondary closure means 40 has been activated and adhesively bonded to the material on the opposite side of the opening 50 to seal the opening. Corresponding to the previous analysis with respect to P907 to the closure means 30, activation and sealing of the secondary closure means 40 can also be achieved simply by grasping or grasping the overlapping regions of the bag body surrounding the secondary opening 50 over an area large enough to surround the opening. 50 with a sealed region of closure material. Figure 13 is a view similar to that of Figure 11 of a flexible storage bag, in accordance with Figure 4. In accordance with the foregoing, as shown in Figure 13, the opening 50 is located within the region which forms the closure means 30 of the primary opening along the open edge 28. The portion of the primary closure means 30 that at least partially and preferably completely surrounds the opening 50 forms the secondary closure means analogous to the secondary closure means 40, shown in Figures 11 and 12. The closure means 30 Thus, it forms both the primary and secondary closure means of the primary opening (formed by the open edge 28) and the secondary ventilation opening 50, although it allows the independent activation of the closure means in order to effect selectively the closure of either one or both openings, as desired. With and without the desirable ventilation features of the present invention, the use of the medium of P907 selectively activatable closure of the present invention for primary closure facilitates greater ease of venting or expelling of air and / or free space above or around the contents, prior to sealing, by providing an easy sealing mechanism of using. Alternatively, the ventilation aspects of the present invention described above with respect to Figures 11-14 can be used with conventional primary closing mechanisms including mechanical interlock, although for maximum benefit, it is currently preferred to use an activatable closure means. selectively for both types of opening. Figure 15 represents another embodiment of a flexible storage bag, in accordance with. the present invention. The flexible storage bag 110 of Figure 15 includes a closure means 130 analogous to the closure means described with respect to the flexible storage bags of Figures 1-4, but also includes an additional feature that allows the bag to adopt a self-supporting configuration to facilitate access to the product and filling it with the product without manual support, while the flexible storage bags described above with respect to the P907 Figures 1-4 and 11-14 provide many advantages compared to flexible storage bags and with flexible packages available in common form, it would also be desirable to adapt this bag so that it has more self-support during use to provide additionally greater Easy to use. As used herein, the term "self-supporting" is used to refer to materials, structures or containers that have the ability to maintain or retain their orientation in a plane parallel to the direction of the force of gravity. For example, a self-supporting material, particularly a sheet material, can be held so that it extends upward parallel to the direction of the force of gravity and maintains its orientation without bending or collapsing. Non-self-supporting materials will normally bend or collapse and will not be able to stand parallel to the force of gravity (ie, "vertically") unless they are held so that they extend downward from their point of support. Correspondingly, a self-supporting bag or container has the ability to maintain its orientation with surfaces extending upwards from its support base, as opposed to the force of gravity, without bending over itself or collapsing.

P907 In the embodiment of Figure 15, the flexible storage bag 110 comprises two generally flat side panels 120, two flat end panels 140, generally flat, and a generally flat lower or base panel 150, these panels form a semi-closed container having an opening defined by the upper edge 128. The side panels 120 include the "side edges 122" and the bottom or bottom edges 126, while the end panels 140 include bottom edges 148 and gussets of generally conventional design, having convergent basal pleats 142 and 144 and half puckers 146. In the configuration shown in Figure 15, the bag is in an open, self-supporting state As is known in the art, bagged bags typically provide an open bag of self-support, which can be easily filled or emptied with a minimum of difficulty, however, unlike bagged bags In more conventional embodiments, the flexible storage bags of the present invention include a selectively activatable closure means 130, as described above. In accordance with the foregoing, in addition to being self-supporting, the resilient flexible storage bags 110 also provide the desirable sealing attributes described herein.

P907 The combination of bagged bag design with sealing technology (and, preferably, resealing) was made possible by the use of the selectively activatable closure means of the present invention. Unlike the flexible storage bags shown in Figures 1-4, the bagged bags include a plurality of puckers in the bag body material, which would be difficult, if not impossible, to seal effectively with mechanical interlock seals. or by gathering or collecting the upper portion of the bag for a mechanical tie or tie. Since the closure means is selectively activatable and will adhere to any complementary surface, provided that the closure means circumvents a sufficient proportion of the periphery of the opening of the bag, the seals and the pleats present in the walls of the bag. bag (such as the side edges 122 and the mean gathers 146) will all adhere and seal securely to provide the desired level of sealability. In addition to being self-supporting, the flexible bagged storage bags 110 are also easily collapsible or collapsible to provide easy storage that occupies a minimum of space. Figure 16 depicts a flexible bag of lumpy storage 110, as shown in Figure 15 but in a P907 was partially bent or collapsed. Accordingly, the half puckers 146 have been pushed inward toward each other, leading the side edges 122 toward each other on the opposite sides of the mean gathers 146 and somewhat parallel to the base shirring 142 and 144 in your neighborhood. This particularity of predictable folding independent of the closure means also allows the container volume to decrease after the contents are inserted to minimize the amount of air and / or free space above and around the contents, which is trapped inside. of the bag after closure to minimize the storage space of full bags and to assist the bag's effectiveness in preserving or preserving perishable items. Figure 17 shows a flexible bag of lumpy storage 110 in a more complete folded condition, wherein the fold continues to the base 150 and is substantially parallel to the sides. Also shown in Figure 17 is the optional reinforcement bottom panel 155 that adds additional integrity and stability to the generally rectangular flat bottom panel 150. The addition of additional reinforcement to the base panel lowers the center of gravity of the empty bag for greater stability before and during filling, increases the P907 bottom stiffness of the bag for added stability in most full or empty circumstances and reduces the likelihood that the bottom of the bag will bend when filled with heavier contents. The inward bending of the fins forming the bottom panel 150 of the bag body, as shown in Figure 18, also performs a similar role. The reinforcement panel may be made of a material similar to the material of the bag or it may be of a different material more or less durable and is secured to the bottom panel by application of adhesive or other suitable means. It is now preferred that when a reinforcement panel is used, it is placed on the outer surface of the bottom panel, instead of the interior surface, in order to provide support and reinforcement without adding additional surfaces, joins and slots to the inside of the panel. the bag, where these can provide sites to catch portions of the contents of the bag and generate cleaning difficulties. Figure 18 represents a bag similar to that of Figure 17 but without the optional reinforcement panel at the bottom 150. Thus, in Figure 18 the seal and the fold structure of the bottom 150 are clearly visible. crease is normal for conventional folded and grooved bags that have a square or rectangular bottom and that are properly sealed by P907 adhesives, thermal seals or similar, to provide a bottom structure virtually liquid-tight and gas tight. Figure 19 depicts a flexible storage bag typical of that shown in Figures 15-18 but, in a sealed state, such as for example after the insertion of a product into the interior of the bag. In accordance with the foregoing, the mean gathers 146 of the gussets have been pushed in from the configuration of Figure 15, similarly to that of Figure 16. However, the closure means 130 has been subjected to activation by the user, so that the overlapping regions that overlap in the closure means are adhesively bonded together to form a secure seal, virtually impervious to fluids and vapor to the opening formed by the open edge 128 of the bag . In the preferred configuration shown in Figures 15-19, the closure means completely surrounds the open edge 128 of the bag, so that with the activation, the complete adhesion of. all the periphery. As will be evident from observing the sequence of the steps shown in Figures 15-21, the flexible sheet material used to form the body of the bag is sufficiently flexible and compliant to accommodate the P907 movement of the tapered end panels 140, as they move between the open configuration of Figure 15 and the closed configurations of Figures 19 and 21. More particularly, the end panels 140 are flexible enough to fold or crease on itself as necessary to admit the fold in or out of the puckering means to achieve activation of the closure means. To open the bag of Figure 19, the user can grasp a pair of diagonally opposite edge gathers 122 and pull them in diagonally opposite directions to initiate and propagate the separation of the closure means in the central region. The other pair of diagonally opposite edge gathers 122 can then be gripped and pulled in a similar manner to further propagate the separation of the closure means. Alternatively, the marginal edges (which as previously mentioned are preferably partially free of adhesives) of the bag above the closure means can be grasped and pulled apart. Figure 20 represents the closed and sealed bag of Figure 19 with the upper portion optionally folded substantially parallel to the base 150. So that a stable stackable configuration is obtained with which other containers, articles or the like can P907 placed stably on the bag. Again, the flexible nature of the bag body material makes this fold or crease a viable option for efficient storage. The pleated and tapered side wall structure with separate defined corners adds additional integrity and stability to the full bag, improving stackability by use and adding stability also in terms of investment or the like. While Figures 19 and 20 represent an approach to achieve closure of the flexible storage bag, the closure means of the present invention provides an additional approach to closure. As shown in Figure 20, the mean gathers 146 of the gussets can be pulled outward from one another instead of being pushed inward, so that a straight line closure of two surfaces oriented in substantially parallel fashion can be obtained, similar to the flexible storage bags of Figures 1-4. This form of closure can be obtained by simply sweeping a hand across the entire open top edge 128 with a simpler sealing line than if the gussets were held as shown in Figures 19 and 20. Like the bag of Figures 19 and 20, the sealed bag as shown in Figure 21 can also be folded or folded to form a stable stackable configuration.

P907 - - "As discussed above, it is the selectively activatable adhesive nature of the closure means of the present invention that makes double-function, dual-mode closure for flexible pleated storage bags possible. Storage with self-supporting features, illustrated in the above Figures 15-21 have been made of flexible sheet material along the lines of the approach normally taken from grocery-type paper bags, as illustrated, for example , in U.S. Patent No. 584,555, issued June 15, 1897 to Lorenz, a wide variety of other constructions can be used to preserve the self-support approach along with the use of a means of closure, in accordance with the present invention Examples of other illustrative bag designs include U.S. Patent Nos. 3,970,241, issued July 20, 1976 to "Hanson; No. 5,061,500, granted on October 29, 1991 to Mendenhall, No. 5,195,829, granted on March 23, 1993 to Watkins et al., and No. 5,314,252, granted on May 24, 1994 to Happ. Also illustrative is the United States Patent assigned in a joint manner No. 4,898,477, granted on February 6, 1990 to Cox et al., Whose disclosure by means of this P907 is incorporated here as a reference. In addition to this use of the folded and sealed sheet material to form the body of the bag, the bag can be constructed in any known and suitable manner, such as those known in the art for the manufacture of bags in commercially available form. Thermal sealing or adhesive technologies can be used to join various components or elements of the bag with themselves or with each other. In addition, the bag bodies can be thermoformed, blown or molded in some other way from a raw material and sheet of material, instead of relying on the bending and joining techniques to make the bodies of the bags from a band. or sheet of material. In so far as the particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. annexes are intended to cover all these changes and modifications that are within the scope of the invention.

P907

Claims (10)

1. CLAIMS% 1. A flexible storage bag comprising at least one sheet of flexible sheet material, assembled or assembled to form a semi-closed package having an opening and a closing means for sealing the opening and converting the semi-closed container into a container closed. The opening has a periphery, wherein the closure means comprises a piece of material that forms at least a portion of the periphery, the piece of the material has a first side facing inward towards the opening and a second side facing away from the opening. , characterized in that the first side shows a peel adhesion force after activation by the user, which is greater than the peel adhesion strength shown prior to activation by the user, such that the first side It is addable to any opposite surface.
2. 2. The flexible storage bag according to claim 1, further characterized in that the bag includes at least a pair of opposing gussets formed in the sheet material extending in the direction normal to the opening and a substantially flat base or bottom extending practically parallel to the opening, "in such a way that when the bottom is placed on a horizontal surface, the container is self-supporting and P907 keeps the opening in the extension state upwards.
3. 3. The flexible storage bag according to claim 2, further characterized in that the closure means is operable to seal the opening with the gussets bent in toward one another or with the gussets bent outwardly away from each other.
4. 4. The flexible storage bag according to claim 1, further characterized in that the closure means is activatable by means of an externally applied compression force, exerted in the direction practically parallel to the opening.
5. 5. The flexible storage bag according to any of claims 1 to 4, further characterized in that the piece of material forms practically the entire periphery.
6. 6. The flexible storage bag according to any of claims 1 to 5, further characterized in that the closure means is formed unitarily from the sheet material.
7. The flexible storage bag according to any of claims 1 to 6, further characterized in that the opening comprises a primary opening and wherein the bag includes at least one auxiliary opening remotely located at the primary opening and P907 has an auxiliary closing means for sealing the auxiliary opening, the auxiliary opening has a periphery, the auxiliary closing means comprises a piece of material forming at least a portion of the periphery, the piece of material has a first side oriented towards inward toward the opening and a second side facing outward from the opening, the first side exhs a peel adhesion force after activation by the user, which is greater than the peel adhesion strength exhed prior to activation by the user, so that the first side can adhere to any opposite surface.
8. The flexible storage bag according to claim 7, further characterized in that the auxiliary closure means is activatable by an externally applied compressive force, exerted in a direction substantially parallel to the auxiliary opening.
9. 9. The flexible storage bag according to claim 7 or claim 8, further characterized in that the piece of material forms substantially the entire periphery of the auxiliary opening.
10. 10. The flexible storage bag according to any of claims 7 to 9, further characterized in that the auxiliary closure means is formed unitarily from the sheet material. P907 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a flexible storage bag (10) comprising at least one sheet of flexible sheet material, assembled or assembled to form a semi-closed container. The bag has an opening (28) and a closure means (30) for sealing the opening and converting the semi-closed container into a closed container. The closure means (30) comprises a strip of material forming at least a portion of the periphery of the opening having a first side facing inward towards the opening and a second side facing away from the opening. The first side shows a peel adhesion strength (F) after activation by the user, which is greater than the peel adhesion strength exhibited before activation by the user. In a preferred embodiment, the flexible storage bag includes at least one auxiliary vent opening located remotely to the primary opening and has an auxiliary closure means for sealing the auxiliary opening. The auxiliary opening has a periphery and the auxiliary closure means comprises a piece of material that forms at least a portion of the periphery and has a first side facing inward toward the opening and a second side facing away from the opening. The first side shows a peel adhesion strength after activation by P907 part of the user, which is greater than the peel adhesion strength exhibited before activation by the user. In another preferred embodiment, the flexible storage bag is self-supporting, with the opening extending upwardly away from a horizontal support surface. The flexible storage bag may further include at least a pair of opposed gussets formed in the sheet material, which extend in a direction substantially parallel to the opening, such that when the base is placed on a horizontal surface, the bag Flexible storage is self-supporting and keeps the opening in the upward extension state Preferably, the bag maintains the opening in the practically open state. P907