Abstract:
A rupturable bubble package for containing an implement such as, for example, a drinking straw is disclosed. The bubble package is characterized by its construction from a flexible, substantially impervious material capable of maintaining a positive pressure when sealed with the implement inside. A weakened portion is provided on at least one surface of the package whereby the weakened portion will rupture when the package is squeezed, thereby providing access to the implement for its removal and use.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to a rupturable bubble package for containing an implement. While a first preferred embodiment will be described wherein the implement is a drinking straw, it is to be understood that the particular implement placed within the package of this invention is not to be considered a limiting factor on the scope of the invention. In fact, it is contemplated that the present invention would have utility for a variety of implements including, for example, even sterilized, medical or surgical instruments.  
           [0003]    The invention is characterized by its construction from a flexible, substantially impermeable material to define an enclosure into which the implement is inserted and sealed. By “substantially impervious” the inventor means a material capable of maintaining a quantity of fluid inside the enclosure, preferably a gas such as, for example, air or an inert, sterilized gas, when the package is sealed. The package comprises a front panel, a back panel, and opposed top and bottom panels that are disposed in interconnecting relation between the front and back panels to define the enclosure into which the implement is placed. A weakened portion is formed on at least one of the front, back, top and side panels such that squeezing the sealed enclosure between one&#39;s thumb and fingers will cause the weakened portion to rupture, thereby permitting access to the implement.  
           [0004]    Thus, the rupturable bubble package of this invention provides for sanitary containment and transport of the implement placed therein, while also permitting easy access to the implement by rupturing the package as described above.  
           [0005]    2. Description of the Prior Art  
           [0006]    The prior art teaches a variety of what might be described as rupturable packages for numerous articles or implements. For example, common drinking straws are typically enclosed within a paper package, and that package is torn, or ruptured, to obtain access to the straw for its intended use. In similar fashion, bandages, both adhesive and gauze, are typically provided in a “sterile” container that is ruptured, or torn open to obtain access to the bandage. Today, literally everything from soup to nuts is often provided to the ultimate user in what may be described as a rupturable package. Dry soup mixes are provided in envelopes that are torn open, and nuts and bolts are frequently sold in plastic pouches.  
           [0007]    Even some medications are provided to the ultimate user in packaging that is sometimes referred to as a bubble pack or bubble card wherein one surface is typically formed from a foil-type material through which the medication is “punched” to rupture the foil and provide the medication to the user. Even toothpicks are often packaged in a tearable, paper container. Yet another example of what might be termed as a rupturable package is a sealed plastic film envelope containing a drinking straw that one frequently finds attached to the outside of a single serving beverage.  
           [0008]    However, with all such packages known to this inventor, one obtains access to the item contained therein either by tearing the package, cutting the package, or opening a zipper-type closure formed on the package. While such packages are quite suitable for their intended use, there remains a need for a rupturable package that could simply be opened by squeezing the package between one&#39;s thumb and fingers to “pop” the package open and thereby obtain access to the item placed inside. Of ancillary value, though nevertheless significant, is the fact that such a package would typically make a popping sound upon its being opened, and this sound could be of amusement to the user. On a more serious vein, such a package would have the further advantages of not requiring any external implement such as, for example, scissors, for opening, could be opened with one hand, and would not result in the creation of a small package fragment which is often times discarded as litter. These and other objects of the present of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    The present invention relates to a to a rupturable bubble package for containing an implement wherein the package comprises an enclosure formed from a substantially impervious, flexible material. The enclosure comprises a front panel, a back panel, and opposed top and bottom panels which are disposed in interconnecting relation between the front and back panels to define the enclosure. It is, of course, to be understood that the terms front, back, top and bottom are relative to the orientation of the package, and are not to be taken as absolute terms with respect to the embodiments described in greater detail hereinafter. It is also to be understood that the phrase “substantially impervious” is intended to convey that the material from which the enclosure is formed does not readily permit fluid inside the sealed package to pass therethrough. In its preferred embodiments, the fluid is typically a gas, though it is intended that liquids would fall within the scope of this invention. More particularly, when sealed, the package of this invention is capable of maintaining a positive pressure inside the package, when squeezed, so that the package will rupture as described below.  
           [0010]    Rupturing of the package of this invention is accomplished by its construction to further comprise a weakened portion formed on at least one of the front, back, top and bottom panels. Therefore, squeezing the sealed enclosure will cause the weakened portion to rupture, providing access to the implement contained therein.  
           [0011]    The invention accordingly comprises an article of manufacture possessing the features, properties, and the relation of elements which will be exemplified in the articles hereinafter described, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]    For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art container for a drinking straw, showing the container and its straw attached to a drink carton, with the carton shown in phantom.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a first embodiment of the rupturable bubble package of this invention, containing a drinking straw, attached to a drink carton, with that carton shown in phantom.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 4 is a right side elevational view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 5 is an illustration of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 being removed by the hands of a user, with the hands shown in phantom.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 6 illustrates one hand of a user, shown in phantom, squeezing the package after removal, as depicted in the view of FIG. 5.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 7 is a depiction of the package of FIG. 6 “popping” open.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 8 depicts removal of the straw from the opened package of FIG. 7.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 9 is a front elevation of a second embodiment of the package of this invention.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 10 is a right side elevation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 9.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 11 is a front elevation of a third embodiment of the package of this invention.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 12 is a right side elevation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 11.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 13 is a front elevation of a fourth embodiment of the package of this invention.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 14 is a right side elevation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 13.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 15 is a front elevation of a fifth embodiment of the package of this invention.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 16 is a right side elevation of the embodiment of FIG. 15.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 17 is a front elevation of a sixth embodiment of the package of this invention.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 18 is a right side elevation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 17.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 19 is a front elevation of a seventh embodiment of the package of this invention.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 20 is a right side elevation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 19.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 21 is a front elevation of the first embodiment of this invention, as shown in FIG. 3, illustrating a different implement contained within the package.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 22 is a right side elevation of the embodiment of FIG. 21. 
     
    
       [0035]    Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0036]    In the view of FIG. 1, an example to a state-of-the-art container, generally indicated as  30 , and having a drinking straw  32  contained therein is shown as being attached to one side of a single serving drink container  34 . To use the straw  32 , one would remove container  30  from drink container  34  and open container  30  as by tearing or cutting. Then, straw  32  could be removed and inserted through aperture  36  of the drink container.  
         [0037]    The view of FIG. 2 illustrates the rupturable bubble package of the present invention, generally indicated as  38 . While package  38  is illustrated as being formed from a substantially clear, or transparent, material, it is to be understood that this is for illustrative purposes only, and is not a limitation on the scope of the present invention. Rupturable package  38  is illustrated as being attached to a side  40  of a drink container  34 , also including an aperture  36  for insertion of straw  32 , once straw  32  has been removed from bubble package  38 .  
         [0038]    Bubble package  38  comprises an enclosure that is preferably formed from a flexible material, and the enclosure is defined by a front panel  42 , a back panel  44 , a top panel  46 , and a bottom panel  48 . As will be described in greater detail below, package  38  is preferably attached to side  40  by a peelable adhesive between back panel  44  and side  40 . In the embodiment of FIG. 2, a weakened portion extends across front panel  42 , and weakened portion in this embodiment comprises a score line  50  in the material from which bubble package  38  is formed. Also visible in the view of FIG. 2 is a hinge line  52 , as more fully described below. The views of FIGS. 3 and 4 depict the embodiment of FIG. 2 in front elevation and right side elevation, respectively.  
         [0039]    Turning to the views of FIGS. 5-8, left hand  54  and right hand  56  of a user are shown in phantom. In the view of FIG. 5, one of the fingers of left hand  54  is being used to peel bubble package  38  away from drink container  34 , while drink container  34  is held by right hand  56 . In the view of FIG. 6, right hand  56  is squeezing the bubble package  38 . Because the bubble package  38  is formed from a flexible, substantially impervious material that is capable of maintaining a positive pressure when package  38  is squeezed, the internal pressure will cause score line  50  to rupture as illustrated in the view of FIG. 7, the rupture being depicted by radial dashed lines  58 . This causes an upper segment  60  of front panel  42  to spring upwardly, providing access to straw  32  inside package  38 . For further ease in removing straw  32 , the portion of bubble package  38  above hinge line  52  may actually be folded back. Upon squeezing rupturable bubble package  38 , as depicted in the view of FIG. 6, one may actually experience an audible “pop” as the package  38  ruptures at score line  50 . As used herein the phrase “score line” is used to designate a weakened segment, for example a partial cut, through front panel  42 . Score line  50  does not inhibit the integrity of sealed package  38 , but does provide a weakened portion for rupturing package  38  by the application of pressure.  
         [0040]    The views of FIGS. 9 and 10 depict a second embodiment for rupturable bubble package  38  wherein the weakened portion comprising score line  50 ′ is positioned substantially across the midpoint of front panel  42 . Of course, in the views of FIGS. 9 and 10, as well as the remaining views provided, bubble package  38  is illustrated without any attached container or other substrate. It is to be understood that package  38  of this invention may be attached to virtually any desirable container or substrate. However, as previously indicated and described, the attachment would preferably be made by means of a peelable adhesive.  
         [0041]    While score line  50 ′ is illustrated as being oriented horizontally across front panel  42 , it is to be appreciated that score line  50 ′ could also be oriented vertically, and the application of pressure would still cause package  38  to rupture, providing access to straw  32 .  
         [0042]    Turning to the views of FIGS. 11 and 12, one can see that score line  50 ′ has been moved to a position on front panel  42  that is substantially adjacent top panel  46 . It is again to be appreciated that score line  50 ′ could just as easily be positioned substantially adjacent bottom panel  48 .  
         [0043]    The embodiment shown in the views of FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrates the weakened portion as score line  50 ″. As shown in the view of FIG. 13, score line  50 ″ extends only partially across front panel  42 . Nevertheless, upon the application of pressure, score line 50″ will rupture, most probably with a “pop” sound, providing access to straw  32 .  
         [0044]    Turning to the views of FIGS. 15 and 16, top panel  46  comprises a lip segment  60  that extends onto front panel  42 , and the attachment of lip segment  60  to front panel  42  defines a weakened segment whereby this embodiment of bubble package  38  may be opened by the application of pressure, as described above. In effect, then, lip segment  60  in combination with top panel  46  may be said to define a releaseable cap that will rupture or break away when package  38  is squeezed.  
         [0045]    In the embodiment of FIGS. 17 and 18, the weakened portion is defined by a substantially V-shaped score line  62 . The application of pressure to this embodiment of package  38  will cause each side of V-shaped score line  62  to rupture, thereby providing access to drinking straw  32 .  
         [0046]    Turning to the embodiment of FIGS. 19 and 20, top panel  46  is integral with front panel  42  and is interconnected to back panel  44  to define a seam  64 . In this embodiment for bubble package  38 , seam  64  defines the weakened portion whereby application of pressure to bubble package  38  will rupture seam  64  to provide access to straw  32 .  
         [0047]    Finally, the views of FIGS. 21 and 22 depict a rupturable bubble package  38  that is substantially identical to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6. However, for purposes of clarity in showing that virtually any implement may be placed within bubble package  38 , the views of FIGS. 21 and 22 illustrate a toothpick  66  within the enclosure of package  38 .  
         [0048]    It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained, and, since certain changes may be made in the above article without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.  
         [0049]    It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall there between.  
         [0050]    Now that the invention has been described.