US 6,231,236 B1Granted

Resealable package having venting structure and methods

AssigneeReynolds Consumer Products, Inc.

InventorPaul A. Tilman

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Abstract

A flexible package includes first and second opposed panel sections, first and second resealable closure mechanisms, and a venting structure. The first and second panel sections define a first package end and a second package end. The second package end is open. The first and second closure mechanisms have an open and a closed configuration. The first closure mechanism is operably positioned to selectively interlock and close the second package end. The first closure mechanism and the first and second panel sections define a storage interior. The second closure mechanism is also operably positioned to selectively interlock and close the second package end. The second closure mechanism is positioned between the first closure mechanism and the second package end. The venting structure defines a gas-flow passageway between the storage interior and an exterior environment. The venting structure is constructed and arranged to permit gas-flow between the storage interior and the exterior environment when the first closure mechanism is in the closed configuration and the second closure mechanism is in the open configuration. The venting structure and the second closure mechanism are positioned to inhibit gas-flow between the storage interior and the exterior environment when the second closure mechanism is in the closed configuration.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A flexible package comprising:

(a) first and second opposed panel sections;
(i) said first and second opposed panel sections defining a first package end and a second package end, wherein the second package end is open and the first package end is closed;
(b) a first resealable closure mechanism;
(i) said first closure mechanism being operably positioned to selectively interlock and close said second package end, and having an open configuration and a closed configuration;
(ii) said first closure mechanism and said first and second panel sections defining a storage interior;
(c) a second resealable closure mechanism;
(i) said second closure mechanism being operably positioned to selectively interlock and close said second package end, and having an open configuration and a closed configuration;
(ii) said second closure mechanism being positioned between the first closure mechanism and the first package end;
(d) a venting structure oriented in said first closure mechanism;
said first panel section defining an aperture comprising said venting structure;
(i) said venting structure defining a gas-flow passageway between said storage interior and an exterior environment;
(A) said venting structure being configured and constructed to permit gas-flow between said storage interior and the exterior environment, when said first closure mechanism is in the closed configuration and said second closure mechanism is in the open configuration;
and
(B) said venting structure and said second closure mechanism being positioned to inhibit gas-flow between said storage interior and the exterior environment, when said second closure mechanism is in the closed configuration.

11 more elements

A flexible package comprising:

(a) first and second opposed panel sections;
(i) said first and second opposed panel sections defining a first package end and a second package end, wherein the second package end is open and the first package end is closed;
(b) a first resealable closure mechanism;
(i) said first closure mechanism being operably positioned to selectively interlock and close said second package end, and having an open configuration and a closed configuration;
(ii) said first closure mechanism and said first and second panel sections defining a storage interior;
(iii) said first closure mechanism comprises first and second closure profiles;
(A) said first and second closure profiles being configured and constructed to selectively interlock;
(c) a second resealable closure mechanism;
(i) said second closure mechanism being operably positioned to selectively interlock and close said second package end, and having an open configuration and a closed configuration;
(ii) said second closure mechanism being positioned between the first closure mechanism and the first package end;
(iii) said second closure mechanism comprises third and fourth closure profiles;
(A) said third and fourth closure profiles being configured and constructed to selectively interlock;
(d) a venting structure oriented in said first closure mechanism;
said venting structure comprising an aperture extending through said first and second closure profiles;
(i) said venting structure defining a gas-flow passageway between said storage interior and an exterior environment;
(A) said venting structure being configured and constructed to permit gas-flow between said storage interior and the exterior environment, when said first closure mechanism is in the closed configuration and said second closure mechanism is in the open configuration;
(B) said venting structure and said second closure mechanism being positioned to inhibit gas-flow between said storage interior and the exterior environment, when said second closure mechanism is in the closed configuration.

14 more elements

A flexible package comprising:

(a) first and second opposed panel sections;
(i) said first and second opposed panel sections defining a first package end and a second package end, wherein the second package end is open and the first package end is closed;
(b) a first resealable closure mechanism;
(i) said first closure mechanism being operably positioned to selectively interlock and close said second package end, and having an open configuration and a closed configuration;
(ii) said first closure mechanism and said first and second panel sections defining a storage interior;
(iii) said first closure mechanism comprises first and second closure profiles;
(A) said first and second closure profiles being configured and constructed to selectively interlock;
(c) a second resealable closure mechanism;
(i) said second closure mechanism being operably positioned to selectively interlock and close said second package end, and having an open configuration and a closed configuration;
(ii) said second closure mechanism being positioned between the first closure mechanism and the first package end;
(iii) said second closure mechanism comprises third and fourth closure profiles;
(A) said third and fourth closure profiles being configured and constructed to selectively interlock;
(iv) said first closure profile includes first and second interlocking members, and said second closure profile includes third and fourth interlocking members;
(A) said first interlocking member being configured and constructed to selectively interlock with said third interlocking member, and said second interlocking member being configured and constructed to selectively interlock with said fourth interlocking member;
(v) said third closure profile includes fifth and sixth interlocking members, and said fourth closure profile includes seventh and eighth interlocking members;
(A) said fifth interlocking member being configured and constructed to selectively interlock with said seventh interlocking member, and said sixth interlocking member being configured and constructed to selectively interlock with said eighth interlocking member;
(d) a venting structure oriented in said first closure mechanism;
said venting structure comprising an aperture extending through said first and second interlocking members and through said third and fourth interlocking members;
(i) said venting structure defining a gas-flow passageway between said storage interior and an exterior environment;
(A) said venting structure being configured and constructed to permit gas-flow between said storage interior and the exterior environment, when said first closure mechanism is in the closed configuration and said second closure mechanism is in the open configuration;
(B) said venting structure and said second closure mechanism being positioned to inhibit gas-flow between said storage interior and the exterior environment, when said second closure mechanism is in the closed configuration.

18 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 09/351,468Filed 12 Jul 1999 · us provisional application
Priority: 28 Jul 1998
Granted: 15 May 2001
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification4 codes

B65D 33/2541
Using slide fasteners with interlocking members having a substantially uniform section throughout the length of the fastener; Sliders therefor:…
B65D 33/2566
Using slide fasteners with interlocking members having a substantially uniform section throughout the length of the fastener; Sliders therefor:…
B65D 2205/02
Venting means: venting holes
B65D
Containers for storage or transport of articles or materials