Package valve closure system and method

® ECONOMY

SECRETARY OF ECONOMY

IMPI

MEXICAN INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY

PATENT TITLE No. 388554

<td>Headlines):</td><td>MARK STEEL</td>

<td>Home:</td><td>1007 Lexington Avenue North, New Prague, Minnesota, 56071, USA</td>

<td>Denomination:</td><td>SYSTEM AND METHOD OF CLOSURE OF CONTAINER VALVE.</td>

<td>Classification:</td><td>CIP: B65D25/42; B65D47/20 CPC: B65D25/42; B65D47/20</td>

<td>Inventor(s):</td><td>MARK STEEL REQUEST</td>

Number: International Filing Date:

MX/a/2017/012879 March 26, 2016

<td></td><td>PRIORITY</td>

<td>Country:</td><td>Date: Number:</td>

<td>US</td><td>April 9, 2015 62/145,484</td>

Validity: Twenty years

Expiration Date: March 26, 2036

Issue Date: December 7, 2021

The reference patent is granted based on articles 1^either, 2^either fraction V, 6^either section III, and 59 of the Industrial Property Law.

In accordance with article 23 of the Industrial Property Law, this patent is valid for twenty years, non-renewable, counted from the date of filing of the international application and will be subject to the payment of the fee to keep the rights in force. .

Whoever signs this title does so based on the provisions of articles 5^either section I, 9, 10 and 119 of the Federal Law for the Protection of Industrial Property; items 1^either, 3^either section V item a), sub item iii), 4^either and 12th sections I and III of the Regulations of the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property; items 1^either, 3^either, 4^either, 5^either section V paragraph a), subsection iii), 16 sections I and III and 30 of the Organic Statute of the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property; 1^either, 3^either and 5^either section I and antepenultimate paragraph of the Agreement Delegating Powers of the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property.

This electronic document has been signed through the use of the advanced electronic signature by the competent public servant, protected by a digital certificate in force at the date of its preparation, and is valid in accordance with the provisions of articles 7 and 9 section I of the Advanced Electronic Signature Law and article 12 of its Regulations. Its integrity and authorship can be verified at www.gob.mx/impi. Likewise, it was issued in accordance with the provisions of articles 1, section III; 2nd section VI; 37, 38 and 39 of the Agreement establishing guidelines on Electronic Services of the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property.

DIVISIONAL DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SUBSTANTIVE EXAMINATION OF PATENT AREAS MECHANICAL, ELECTRICAL AND INDUSTRIAL DESIGNS AND UTILITY MODELS

<td></td><td>PEDRO DAVID FRAGOSO LOPEZ Original string: PEDRO DAVID FRAGOSO LQPEZ|00001000000506606281 |ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE</td>

<td></td><td>TAX|1052||MX/2022/417|MX/a/2017/012879|PCT patent title|1223|GAGV|Page(s) 1 |zMpGplJROBixBmKNLmWJwiVLcDk=</td>

<td></td><td>Digital stamp: eUwyV0D3hljGc8ylQcEG4UHSmEm5BDbvkg/nflqA6RCRqPdcYDzB0CEHz9U6aByRKAV3yMrzm2TCZLje0Q8OFNuGBb aH6wcNO0fkKIU0ALzmqxxpqNflgkl43fALW/ZnAWK+a0GYN+s01erMx3gAdZ6DCF1196QxHovh9nslFyjnbf1/J3a9 eQ19AdzDy4SKA9uj0Nj4G4sfKS/D90QSTrL7ZLd19nSzVhCt/Zlyh7wghRKHMeKaYPfZKcfxpnlKmYZikkXI0pHH9C vNx7+jGZgZ9kLMxQa+F2POIBKXpDKh4C/NIH5NYOaBwwgYLqLskleqG9m=</td>

, MX/2022/417 www.gob.mx/impi

Arenal No. 550, Pueblo Santa María Tepepan, Mexico City, CP 16020. CDMX

Creativity for Wellbeing £

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SYSTEM AND METHOD OF CLOSURE OF THE CONTAINER VALVE

Priority

This application claims the priority and benefit of the Patent Application

US Provisional No. 62/145,484, filed April 9, 2015, which is hereby fully incorporated by reference.

field of invention

The present invention relates generally to flexible packages, and more particularly to packages and methods of making and using packages, having sealed valve closure devices.

Background of the invention

Conventional flexible packaging used to contain liquids is typically a single-use package or includes the addition of a screw-on or snap-on cap accessory for multi-use products. Single-use containers are less expensive, however, all of the product must be used or transferred to another container once the container has been opened because there is no means of sealing the container closed again. While multi-use containers that include a fitting or other closure mechanism are beneficial because not all of the product has to be used or transferred to another container once opened, they can be very expensive (for example, manufacturing and material costs) and they require two hands to be manipulated.

Some packages use a leak-resistant or leak-proof zipper to reclose a package. Various designs of zipper and push-to-close mechanisms are suitable for maintaining a watertight or airtight seal.

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MEXICAN INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY liquid. However, the interlocking elements of both the zip and snap-to-close mechanisms may also allow fluid leakage and may undergo plastic deformation after repeated use that adversely affects the mechanism's ability to properly seal fluids within the container. . Also, zipper and push-to-close mechanisms may not be suitable for gas-tight closure. Consequently, the contents of the package are susceptible to oxidation and other airborne problems, such as odor release.

As a result, there is a need for a flexible package that substantially solves the aforementioned problems with conventional package designs, configurations, and manufacturing methods.

Brief description of the invention

The present invention solves many of the problems identified above by providing a package, and a method of forming packages, that includes a valve-type closure or sealing device. In one embodiment, a flexible container for containing contents, such as solids or fluids, is provided. The flexible package may include a flexible body defining an internal cavity and a delivery portion (eg, throat portion or non-tapered portion).

A protruding closure (eg, such as a generally bubble-shaped closure or the like) disposed on or in a delivery portion may be configured to provide selective release of the internal contents of the container by applying sufficient pressure to a portion of the container by user medium.

Another embodiment is directed to a method of dispensing fluid from a flexible container. The method includes squeezing a body portion of a flexible container to force fluid contents into an internal cavity of the flexible container through the closure £

IMPI in protruding valve provided to a portion of the body.

Still another embodiment relates to a method of forming a flexible package. The method includes providing the protruding closure to the container. Once the valve member is attached to one panel, the opposing panel can be placed on or above the panel with the valve member and clamp seals applied by thermal bonding or other methods known to one of skill in the art. If an air bubble is used as part of the valve, where the amount of pressure required for different product viscosities can be altered, the clamp seals can be adjusted in and out at each end of the bubble to raise or lower the level. pressure and bubble construction.

Other embodiments are directed to a method of forming a flexible package, wherein the valve closure is interconnected with a separate film layer wrapped over the protruding closure portion, rather than the opposing package panel portion, to allow and restrict selectively fluid flow past the valve device.

The foregoing brief description is not intended to describe every illustrated embodiment, claimed embodiment, or implementation of the invention.

The detailed technology and preferred embodiments implemented for the present invention are described in the following paragraphs accompanying the accompanying drawings for persons skilled in the art to better appreciate the features of the claimed invention. It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be discussed hereinafter may be used not only in the specified combinations, but also in other combinations or alone, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

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Brief description of the drawings

The invention can be more fully understood by considering the following detailed description of various embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figures 1-4 show a preformed bubble seal/valve patch in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

Figures 5-7 show a bubble valve/closure device having clamp seals aligned with the outer edges of the bubble, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

Figures 8-9 show a bubble valve/closure device having clamp seals that overlap the outer edges of the bubble to increase pressurization, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

Figures 10-11 show a container having a bubble valve/closure device, according to embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 12 shows a side and top view of a rigid or semi-rigid material for use as a valve/closure device, according to embodiments of the present invention.

Figures 13-15 show the rigid or semi-rigid material of Figure 12 used as a valve/closure device and corresponding container, according to embodiments of the present invention.

Figures 16-17 show a package having a bubble valve/closure device and peel portions, according to embodiments of the present invention.

Figures 18-20 show various valve/closure devices configured and dimensioned, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

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MEXICAN INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY

Figures 21-26 show various clamp seal configurations and constructions for valve/closure devices, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

Figures 27-30 show valve/closure devices that interlock with a separate material or film layer in place of the package panel, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

Although the invention is capable of various modifications and alternative forms, its specific details have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. To the contrary, the invention encompasses all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For illustrative purposes, hatching or shading is generally provided in the figures to demonstrate sealed or crushed portions and/or integrated devices for the package.

Detailed description of the invention

Referring generally to Figures 1-31, a flexible package 10 in accordance with the present invention is shown. The package 10 generally includes a front panel portion 12 and a back panel portion 14. In addition, a bottom panel portion 15, reinforced or non-reinforced, may be included, especially in those embodiments that define a clamp package. The joining and/or shaping of the panels 12,14,15 generally define an interior cavity 21 having an adjustable internal volumetric capacity. The interior cavity 21 is capable of storing, transporting and/or distributing products or other objects and material therein. Reinforced or non-reinforced side panel portions may also be included. The panel portions are £

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MEXICAN INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY often called bands, films or layers.

References to "top", "bottom", "side", "back" and the like are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosed invention.

The package according to the invention may include packages constructed, wholly or partially, of flexible, rigid, semi-rigid or semi-flexible materials or panels. Briefly, the container panel portions can be constructed of flexible sheet material such as polyethylene, polyester, foil, polypropylene, or polyethylenes or polypropylenes laminated to other materials such as nylon, polyester, and the like.

To provide increased barrier properties, embodiments may use composite or laminated layers of such materials and material thereof. Generally, in such composite or laminate embodiments, a material having preferred sealing characteristics may be bonded, adhered, or laminated to a material having a different preferred characteristic (eg, beneficial oxygen barrier properties). Regardless, individual sheets, composites/laminates, and myriad other materials and techniques known to one of ordinary skill in the art may be implemented based on particular uses and manufacturing needs without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The present invention in certain embodiments allows the flexible package to be made using less expensive or cheaper materials than would otherwise be necessary.

In one embodiment, the front panel portion 12 and rear panel portion 14 will be formed of an adjoining web material.

In alternative embodiments, at least one of the panel portions may be separate web materials joined or sealed to respective other panel portions to form the package 10£

IMPI in in of the present invention. For example, the front panel portion 12 and back panel portion 14 may be joined together from separate non-contiguous sheets of sheet material and one of the panel portions 12-14 may be further extended to define the bottom panel portion. fifteen. The bottom panel portion 15 in the various configurations that form a support bag may include a gusset known to those skilled in the art to further promote the operative expansion and contraction of the container 10 and its respective capacity in accordance with the reception and extraction of the container. material inside the container 10.

Various embodiments of the systems, devices, features, and methods detailed herein are contemplated for use with, and may incorporate aspects of, many known packages, systems, and methods, including those described in U.S. Patent Nos. 8,613,547 and 7,883,268. .

Accordingly, the above-identified patent disclosures are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Referring to Figures 1-2, the packages 10 of the present invention may include one or more valve closures 20, including a bubble-shaped closure, hollow or solid protrusions, extending members, convex-shaped features, or any structure or similar element that is shaped and sized to provide selective blocking of an access opening. After pressure is applied by the end user, the product from within the inner cavity 21 may be forced out past the closure 20, while remaining within the inner cavity until such pressure is applied (including by moving, tilting, or container placement 10 completely upside down).

The device 20 may be applied to a patch of material 22, with end portions 24 extending from the bubble-shaped device to seal the £

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MEXICAN INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY patch material 22. An interior 26 of device 20 may be filled with fluid (eg, air or liquid), or a spongy shape memory material or the like. The patch of material 22 may be preformed and disposed along any portion of a container 10 to provide the restrictive valve functionality described herein.

In the application of valve closures 20 that include an air-pressurized bubble, or other types of valve closures such as rubber, which have both tolerance and flexibility and shape memory (resulting in the original shape after the container is squeezed) , the sealing and placement system of the present invention is desired. This sealing method allows the panel 14 (or 12) opposite the valve closure 20 to press down against the valve, nipping any opportunity for product, or air, to pass through until selective distribution takes place.

Furthermore, with some types of valve 20, it is not desirable to actually seal the opposing panel of material within or on the valve 20 itself, especially if the valve is a more solid material with little or no memory or tolerance. In such applications, the flexible material of the container is relied upon to flex away from the valve material 20 to allow air or liquid to pass through the valve material 20 when the container 10 is squeezed or otherwise receives adequate pressure.

With a fluid or gas (eg, air) filled valve 20, such as a generally convex bubble, there can be problems with sealing the structure to the container. One problem is that the bubble is made with a particular amount of pressure on it. This pressure is typically the minimum required to cover the opposite panel of the container on it and allow highly viscous materials, such as shampoos or other similar liquids, to pass through when the container is squeezed. that same £

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MEXICAN INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY amount of pressure in the bubble, if not further pressurized, can allow less viscous materials such as water to escape when not wanted. Furthermore, if when sealing the opposing panel (or film/panel 60) over the bubble, the heat of creating the seal is on or across a large enough portion of the bubble, the bubble material may actually separate, allowing the bubble material to separate. air or gas to escape out of the bubble - making it essentially less effective or even useless.

This makes it very difficult to further pressurize the bubble, especially when desired for less viscous liquids. For these reasons, a specially designed seal configuration is necessary to make the valves work as intended.

The present invention solves each of these problems.

Referring to the embodiments of Figures 3-11, clamp seal devices 29 or other seals are provided which may overlap the ends of the bubble 20 or run out of the bubble area from the ends toward the center of the width of the bubble. bubble, at each end of the bubble (figures 5-7). As shown in Figures 5-7, the respective supports and seals are aligned with the outer edges of the closure 20 (eg, slightly in contact or in contact with the outer edges). A path 32 is thus defined for the eventual passage of the contents of the container when a portion of the container is squeezed by the user. Thus, the opposite panel of film 14 (or film 60) can be wrapped over the bubble, much like pulling the four corners of a sheet over a mattress to remove wrinkles (eg, Figure 5).

Portions of the wrapped panel 14 may be sealed to the ends 24 of the closure 20.

The opposite panel 14 is therefore completely formed on the bubble, leaving no air gaps.

When required for more viscous materials, no air or gas will be over pressurized in bubble 20, allowing desirable or even minimal force to squeeze out the £

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Supports 30 may include portions that extend inwardly

29th By running supports 29 only over the ends of bubble 20, and toward the center line of bubble 20, but out of or free of contact with bubble 20 in that portion 29a (which defines path 32), the pressure of the bubble can be finely adjusted - eg proportioned higher for less viscous materials, while not creating too much damaging heat in the actual bubble seal.

As shown in Figures 8-9, supports 29 may overlap outer edges 34 of bubble 20 (sealed area 34 shown with hatched markings) to provide a seal of bubble 20 with increased pressure or tension of opposing film 14 ( or 60) on bubble valve 20. Figure 8 depicts such a closure 20 with increased pressure applied, thus increasing the expanded profile of closure 20.

Figures 10-11 show the applied device 20, including the sealed portions 30 created by the clamp sealing device 29 on the container (FIG. 10).

In certain embodiments, the ends or portions 30a of the clamp seals 30 may run toward the centerline of the bubble 20 approximately 1/3 the width of the bubble 20, leaving 1/3 in the center of the bubble 20 for the product flows past bubble 20, along path 32, when container 10 is £

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This packaging method and system works well with a rigid or semi-rigid piece of closure material 50 affixed to a panel (eg, panel 12) of the package.

10, as shown in figures 12-15. When the opposite panel 14 (or 60) is sealed around the shut-off valve part 50 with clamp seals 30, but not on the rigid piece of material, it acts as a valve and does not let liquids or other package contents through without a seal. certain amount of applied pressure. By sealing opposing panel 14 around both ends of object 20 as depicted by sealing portion S, but leaving a path 32 through its approximate center, the stress created around the perimeter of the rigid materials is such that it will not allow the passage of air or liquid.

Furthermore, the fluid or flow path will occur at its approximate centerline when a user squeezes the container and causes the opposing panel 14 to flex away from the valve closure material 50. The rigid or semi-rigid valve part can be of various shapes and sizes, as long as the clamp seals 30 follow just outside its outline or perimeter and seal the front and rear panels 12 together in those areas - for example, leaving a small hole 32 in the center for the product or fluid to flow when the container 10 is squeezed. It is desirable, where the valve part construction permits, to seal the outer ends or portions of the panel material opposite it as with the bubble material mentioned above.

In certain embodiments, the valve closure device 50 may be tapered or flared around all or a portion of its perimeter surfaces such that the clamp seals may seal a portion of the perimeter between the opposing panel 14 (or film). 60) to further seal any opportunity for product to spill around the perimeter of the device 50. Also, no £

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MEXICAN INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY All surfaces, edges or parts of the device 50 need to be sealed to the material in various ways.

Although it may be desirable, it is not necessary with certain embodiments that the valve device 50 be attached to one of the panels. In this way, if it is not sealed or attached to either panel, but is simply trapped between the opposing panels 12, 14 with the clamp seals 30, the air or liquid will be blocked until pressure is applied to the container. In this case, air or liquid could pass on each side of the valve part.

One embodiment of the process steps for manufacturing or forming the container with the valve holders includes applying the valve closure 20, 50 (eg, bubble material, foam-like piece, rigid or semi-rigid material, or any structure that has a shape and thickness to it) so that it is fixed to one of the container panels 10 (for example, panel 12). This can be done by heat, adhesive, or other processes known to those of skill in the art. Once the valve part is attached to one panel, the opposing panel (eg, panel 14) is placed on or above the panel with the valve part and the clamp seals 30 applied by thermal bonding or other methods known to the art. a person skilled in the art. If an air bubble 20 is used as a valve device, where the amount of pressure required for different product viscosities can be altered, the clamp seals 30 can be adjusted in and out of each end of the closure 20 to increase or decrease the level. of pressure in the bubble - as detailed in this document. This will correspondingly adjust how easy or difficult it is for the product within the container to pass through the valve closure 20, 50 when the container is compressed. These processes may take place during or before execution on a pre-made bag machine, any type of form, fill and seal machine, or other machines and £

IMPI in packaging line processes known to those skilled in the art.

Once the clamp seals 30 are in place, the material can be passed through the rest of the bag or packaging machine to form the rest of the bag. The bag may have multiple panels, gussets, handles, shapes, or any other features found on any other package, as long as they do not interfere with the function of the valve.

As shown in Figures 16-17, the container may be filled with product and sealed (eg, at a top sealing portion 52).

A slit, tear notch, or similar opening feature 54 may be provided to facilitate opening of the top 52 (eg, in the side seal of Figure 16). Although valve closure devices have been shown near a central top of the container in certain embodiments, the devices 20, 50 and methods described herein may be provided to and anywhere on the container, including a portion narrow throat or funnel of the container, the side of the container, the bottom of the container, extending from the panels 12, 14 and the like. Other seals or sealed container portions 56 may be included in or around the devices 20, 50, or the corresponding clamp seals 30.

Referring to Figures 18-20, valve devices 20 or 50 constructed in various shapes and sizes, including oval or oblong, circular and rectangular, are provided. Other shapes and sizes are envisioned for use without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Valve devices can be attached and supplied with or without a patch.

Figures 21-26 depict embodiments of the present invention with variable clamp seal configurations 30. Gaskets 30 may be applied, £

IMPI in in or around parts of devices 20, longitudinally (FIG. 21), angled (FIG. 22), peripherally with inwardly facing sealing portions (FIG. 23), V-shaped (FIG. 24-25), in C-shape (figure 26), and in a myriad of other configurations, shapes, and constructions. One or more fluid or flow paths 32 are defined between the clamp seals 30 of the various embodiments, as detailed herein.

Referring to figures 27-30, the valve device (20 or 50) may be covered with a separate film or layer of material 60, instead of having the opposite panel (12,14) located on top of the valve. as described in other modalities. Instead of fluid passing between the valve 20 and the panel portion (12, 14) as with other embodiments, a fluid path 62 is defined from the interior cavity 21 past the device 20 between the device 20 and the coating layer. outer material 60 (FIG. 29). As a result, valve 20 may be attached to one or more of the panels (eg, 12) of container 10 without having an opposing panel (eg, 14) interlock with or mate with valve 20. Instead, the film 60 interfaces with and thereby allows the attachment or application of the valve 20 to any portion or panel of the container-100. In addition, the various layers 22, 24, 60 may be sealed to a single panel or to the opposite panel of the package 100. Figure 30 shows an embodiment in which the film layer 60 and layer 22 are adapted to be attached to portions of container panel - again, equal or opposite panels.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and therefore, it is intended that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Similarly, the methods and techniques described above for forming the present invention are illustrative procedures and are not intended to limit the methods of £

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MEXICAN INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY manufacture/formation of the present invention to those specifically defined herein. A myriad of various unspecified steps and procedures may also be carried out to create or form the inventive packages. Furthermore, features and aspects of the various embodiments described herein may be combined to form additional embodiments within the scope of the invention even if such combination is not specifically described herein.

References to the front, back and side panels for the container and container formation modalities described herein are provided for ease of understanding of orientation and direction and are not intended to be limiting. For example, valve devices, or other structures or portions of the container, may be provided to or along any portion of the container, regardless of references herein to front, back, side, bottom, and the like.

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MEXICAN INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY