Abstract:
A reclosable package having a zipper closure with a venting feature that allows air or other fluid to be vented from the package interior. In one example, the venting feature includes vents in the package wall covered by a perforated tape intermittently secured to the package to define fluid passageways. A second tape covers the perforated tape. Methods of using are provided.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/743,093 filed Jan. 5, 2006 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/592,490, filed Nov. 2, 2006, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0002]     This disclosure relates to polymeric packages, and, in particular, to packages having a resealable closure arrangement and a venting feature, and methods of manufacturing and using the packages.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0003]     Flexible polymeric packages may be used to hold a variety of products. Such products may be edible food products such as cheese, meat, crackers, sugar, powdered sugar, flour, salt, and baking soda, or non-food products such as laundry detergent, sand, medical supplies, and other products. Resealable packages are convenient because they can be closed and resealed after initial opening to preserve and contain the enclosed contents. Resealable packages are also advantageous because they extend the life of food products because they may be opened and closed (resealed) multiple times. Such packages are used in environments that include the refrigerator, freezer, and at room conditions.  
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE  
       [0004]     The present disclosure is directed to a reclosable package having a zipper closure. The package includes a venting feature that allows flow of fluid, such as air, from the interior of the package to the outside environment. In use, the venting feature is used to evacuate air from the interior of the package, without the need to open the zipper closure.  
         [0005]     In one particular aspect, the disclosure is to a polymeric package that has a surrounding wall having first and second side edges and a bottom edge, which together forming an interior for receiving items therein. A first zipper profile member and a second zipper profile member are on the surrounding wall opposite the bottom edge, defining a mouth through which access can be gained to the package interior. The package includes a venting feature on the surrounding wall, the venting feature comprising vents within the surrounding wall to provide fluid communication between the interior and a region exterior of the package, and a tape overlying the vents. The tape may be attached to the surrounding wall along longitudinal edges of the tape, and may be attached intermittently at attachment regions. Together, the tape and the surrounding wall define a plurality of passages to convey fluid from the package interior to the region exterior of the package.  
         [0006]     Various methods for using the package, and of making the package, are also described.  
         [0007]     These and various other features which characterize the packages of this disclosure are pointed out with particularity in the attached claims. For a better understanding of the packages of the disclosure, their advantages, their use and objectives obtained by their use, reference should be made to the drawings and to the accompanying description, in which there is illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention of this disclosure. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a polymeric package according to the present disclosure;  
         [0009]      FIG. 1A  is a cross-sectional view of the package of  FIG. 1  taken along line A-A;  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the polymeric package of  FIG. 1  illustrating a portion partially removed to facilitate understanding of its construction;  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is a view similar to  FIG. 2 , with three suitable alternate embodiments illustrated enlarged;  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is a view similar to  FIG. 1 , with an enlarged view of a portion of the package;  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the package of  FIGS. 1-4  illustrating a method of using the package; and  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  is a view similar to  FIG. 2 , illustrating an alternate package embodiment having two portions partially removed to facilitate understanding of its construction. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0015]     The present invention is directed to a variety of packaging arrangements, particularly, resealable packaging arrangements.  
         [0016]     Referring now to the figures, a package according to the present disclosure is illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 1 A. Package  10  has a first side panel  12  and an opposite side panel  14  that are connected by side edges  15 ,  16 ,  18 . For clarity herein, side edge  15  can be referred to as a bottom edge  15 . Side panels  12 ,  14  are flexible sheets, typically polymeric film. Examples of suitable films for use as panels  12 ,  14  are well known, and include polyethylene, polypropylene, and the like. Laminated materials may also be used, which can include, but not limited to, low density polyethylene (LDPE) and nylon or LDPE and polypropylene.  
         [0017]     Side panels  12 ,  14  and side edges  15 ,  16 ,  18  define a surrounding wall  11  having an interior  20  therebetween. Interior  20  is configured for receiving a food item or other item(s) for storage within package  10 .  
         [0018]     As provided above, side panels  12 ,  14  meet at bottom edge  15  and side edges  16 ,  18 . Any or all of edges  15 ,  16 ,  18  may be seals or may be folds. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1A , bottom edge  15  is a fold between side panel  12  and side panel  14 ; that is, a sheet of material has been folded to form panels  12 ,  14  and bottom edge  15 . Typically, in constructions having bottom edge  15  being a fold, side edges  16 ,  18  are sealed edges; that is, side panels  12 ,  14  are sealed to one another, for example by heat sealing. In other embodiments, side edge  16  is a folded edge and bottom edge  15  and side edge  18  are sealed. In yet other embodiments, both side edges  16 ,  18  are folded and bottom edge  15  is sealed. Still further, embodiments of package  10  could have each of edges  15 ,  16 ,  18  being sealed edges. These various edge configurations are known in the art and any of these are suitable for package  10 .  
         [0019]     Additionally, other configurations of surrounding wall  11  could be used. For example, surrounding wall  11  may include side gussets or gussets in panels  12 ,  14  to provide increased volume in interior  20 . Also for example, surrounding wall  11  may have no discernible side panels  12 ,  14  and/or side edges  16 ,  18 , but rather, could be a tubular bag-shaped element. Various other configurations of surrounding wall  11  are known and are useable in accordance with the principles of this disclosure.  
         [0020]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , package  10  has a top end  17 , which is the side of package  10  opposite bottom edge  15 . At top end  17 , a resealable zipper  50  is present. Zipper  50  is present across a mouth of package  10  that provides access to interior  20 . Zipper closure  50  has first zipper profile  52  having a first profile member  56  and a second zipper profile  54  having a second profile member  58 ; first and second zipper profiles  52 ,  54  are configured to be repeatedly sealed (e.g., closed, engaged, mated, etc.) and unsealed (e.g., opened, disengaged, unmated, etc.), for example, by pressure exerted by the user&#39;s fingers. In other words, first and second zipper profiles  52 ,  54  are selectively sealable and resealable. In some embodiments, zipper profiles  52 ,  54  are configured to provide an indication, for example by color change, when they are sealed together.  
         [0021]     In the embodiment illustrated, first zipper profile  52  is connected to first side panel  12  and second zipper profile  54  is connected to second side panel  14 . Zipper profiles  52 ,  54  could be integral with their respective side panel  12 ,  14  or could be attached thereto, for example, by a heat seal or adhesive. Zipper  50 , profiles  52 ,  54  and profile members  56 ,  58  are well known in the art. For example, see U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,524,002; 6,152,600; 5,839,831, and 5,252,281, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.  
         [0022]     Although not illustrated in the figures, zipper  50  may be opened and closed by a slider element, as is well known. See for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,679,027; Des. 480,988; Des. 479,467, and 6,450,686, each of which is incorporated herein by reference, for examples of suitable slider elements.  
         [0023]     Still referring to  FIGS. 1 and 1 A, package  10  includes a venting structure or venting feature  30 , positioned in and/or on at least one of side panels  12 ,  14  to allow escape of gas (e.g., air) from interior  20  to the exterior of package  10 . Venting feature  30  may extend from side edge  16  to side edge  18 , or may end short of either or both edges  16 ,  18 .  
         [0024]     In this embodiment, venting feature  30  includes a venting tape  35  positioned over an area  13  of side panel  14  having fluid passageways or vents  100  therethrough. To facilitate understanding of venting feature  30 ,  FIG. 2  illustrates a portion of venting tape  35  removed from area  13 , thus exposing vents  100  in side panel  14 . Venting tape  35  is attached to side panel  14  in a manner leaving fluid passages  40  between tape  35  and side panel  14 . Venting feature  30 , specifically venting tape  35  and vents  100 , provides a path for fluid flow from interior  20  of package  10  to the exterior of package  10 . The fluid to pass through venting feature  30  can be either or both gaseous or liquid. In most uses of package  10 , the fluid passing through venting feature  30  will be air with some entrained moisture.  
         [0025]     Vents  100  in area  13  may be any suitable shape or size, although the vents will generally be less than about 5 mm in their largest dimension, often less than about 3 mm. Three alternate configurations for vents  100  are illustrated in  FIG. 3 . A first embodiment for vents  100  is crosses  110 . In this configuration, no material from side panel  14  is removed; rather, side panel  14  is merely cut, slit, punched or otherwise ruptured to allow air to flow through crosses  110 . A second embodiment for vents  100  is flaps  120 , which are illustrated as arcuate flaps in  FIG. 3 . In this configuration, no material from side panel  14  is removed; rather, side panel  14  is merely cut, slit, punched or otherwise ruptured to define a flap that allows more air to flow therethrough than crosses  110 . A third embodiment for vents  100  is polygonal shaped apertures, which are illustrated as ovals or ellipses  130 . In this configuration, material is removed from side panel  14  to form a void or aperture in side panel  14 . Other polygons, such as circles, rectangles, triangles, etc. could be used.  
         [0026]      FIG. 4  illustrates an enlarged view of venting tape  35 , showing passages  40  intermittently spaced between attachment regions  45  (i.e., regions where venting tape  35  is attached to side panel  14 , such as by the application of heat and pressure). Each passage  40  is positioned between two adjacent attachment regions  45 . In the particular embodiment shown, attachment regions  45  extend at least along the edges of venting tape  35  and preferably provide sufficient volume therebetween for fluid flow. Adherence of venting tape  35  to side panel  14  may be facilitated by adhesive in attachment regions  45 ; however, it is preferred not to have adhesive across the entire surface of venting tape  35 , as it may inhibit air flow.  FIG. 4  illustrates fluid flow  60  through passages  40 .  
         [0027]     Venting feature  30  allows fluid, e.g., air, to be expelled from interior  20  while zipper  50  is fully sealed. The combination of vents  100  in side panel  14  and venting tape  35 , particularly passages  40 , control the rate of fluid flow from interior  20 . It is understood that the flow through vents  100  and passages  40  can be modified by altering the characteristic(s), e.g., the dimensions, spacing, etc., of vents  100  and/or passages  40 .  
         [0028]     In the illustrated embodiment, venting tape  35  is positioned on an exterior surface of side panel  14 ; it is understood that venting tape  35  could alternately be positioned on the interior surface of area  13 . It is believed that when venting tape  35  is positioned on the exterior of side panel  14 , air can easily pass out via venting feature  30  when pressure is applied, but air movement into interior  20  is difficult, which reduces the ingress of contaminants from outside of package  10 . It is also believed that when venting tape  35  is positioned on the exterior of side panel  14 , air can easily pass out from interior  20  via venting feature  30  when pressure is applied, but the flow of liquid is restricted. It should be understood that venting feature  30  could alternately be present in first panel  12  or both first panel  12  and second panel  14 .  
         [0029]     A second embodiment of a package according to this disclosure is illustrated in  FIG. 6 . Package  10 ′ is generally similar to package  10 . Features of package  10 ′ that are the same as those of package  10  retain the same reference numeral.  
         [0030]     Package  10 ′ has surrounding wall  11  defined by first side panel and an opposite side panel that are connected by side edges  15 ,  16 ,  18 . For clarity herein, side edge  15  can be referred to as a bottom edge  15 . Package  10 ′ has top end  17  opposite bottom edge  15 . At top end  17 , a resealable zipper  50  is present. The features of surrounding wall  11 , the side panels, side edges  15 ,  16 ,  18 , top end  17  and zipper  50  are as described above for package  10 .  
         [0031]     Package  10 ′ includes a venting feature  30 ′, positioned in and/or on at least one of the side panels to allow escape of air from the interior of package  10 ′. Venting feature  30 ′ provides a path for fluid flow from the interior of package  10 ′ to its exterior. The fluid to pass through venting feature  30 ′ can be either or both gaseous or liquid.  
         [0032]     Venting feature  30 ′ includes a first venting tape  35 ′ positioned over an area of the side panel having fluid passageways or vents  100  therethrough. In this embodiment, venting feature  30 ′ includes a diffuser tape  55  positioned over first venting tape  35 ′.  
         [0033]     To facilitate understanding of venting feature  30 ′,  FIG. 6  illustrates a portion of venting tape  35 ′ removed from the side panel, thus exposing vents  100  in the side panel. Vents  100  may be any suitable shape or size; vents  100  are illustrated as apertures having an oval or an ellipse shape. An alternate embodiment for vents  100  is crosses  110  slit or punched into tape  35 ′. Venting tape  35 ′ is attached to the side panel in a manner leaving fluid passages  40  between tape  35 ′ and the side panel.  
         [0034]      FIG. 6  also illustrates a portion of diffuser tape  55  removed from venting tape  35 ′, thus exposing micro-perforations  105  in venting tape  35 ′. Micro-perforations  105  may be any suitable shape or size, and is some embodiments, have a smaller area than vents  100 . In this embodiment, micro-perforations  105  are illustrated as crosses. An alternate embodiment for micro-perforations  105  is ovals  130 ′, similar to ovals  130  of venting tape  35  of package  10 . Micro-perforations  105  in venting tape  35 ′ increase the area available for fluid to leave the interior of package  10 ′ by providing a second means for escaping, i.e., through both fluid passages  40  and micro-perforations  105 . Diffuser tape  55  can also be attached to the side panel in a manner leaving various fluid passages between it and venting tape  35 ′.  
         [0035]     Venting feature  30 ′ allows fluid, e.g., air, to be expelled from the interior of package  10 ′ while zipper  50  is fully sealed. The combination of vents  100  in the side panel, micro-perforations  105  in venting tape  35 ′ and passages  40 , and diffuser tape  55  control the rate of fluid flow from the package interior.  
         [0036]     Various specific details of package  10  and package  10 ′ have been described. It is understood, however, that the previous descriptions are not limiting to features of package  10 ,  10 ′ and alternate materials, constructions, and the like could be used to provide a package according to the present invention. For example, package  10 ,  10 ′ could optionally include a sealant stripe, such as a peal seal, which can be sealed, readily opened, and resealed, on an interior surface of panels  12 ,  14  in close proximity to zipper  50 . Examples of peal seals include those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,290,393; 6,210,038, and 6,131,248, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. Such a seal could be used to decrease the possibility of leakage through the mouth of package  10 . Additionally or alternately, package  10 ,  10 ′ could include a textured stand-off area in one or both of panel  12 ,  14 . Such a textured stand-off area is particularly suitable for packages  10  that are configured for use in the freezer, e.g., temperatures below about 20° F.  
         [0037]      FIG. 5  illustrates package  10  in use, retaining an item  150  therein. Item  150  is illustrated as a food item, particularly, a chicken leg. To place item  150  in package  10 , the general following procedure is followed: zipper  50  is opened, if necessary, by unmating, unsealing, etc. first and second zipper profiles  52 ,  54 . Side panels  12 ,  14  are spread sufficiently far to place item  150  therebetween. Item  150  should be positioned between bottom edge  15  and venting feature  30 .  
         [0038]     After positioning item  150  in package  10 , it is optional to push or otherwise urge air present in package  10  out via zipper  50 . Zipper  50  is sealed, providing a seal across package  10 . When pressure is applied to package  10  in an area, such as area  25  between bottom edge  15  and zipper  50 , for example by the application of manual pressure by a user  170 , at least some of the air remaining in interior  20  of package  10  is pushed through venting feature  30  and out from the interior of package  10 . In particular, air passes through vents  100  and then through passages  40 .  
         [0039]     Package  10  may be made by generally any suitable process. For example, package  10  may be made by a horizontal process (e.g., where the film forming side panels  12 ,  14  or surrounding wall  11  moves in a generally horizontal direction) or a vertical process (e.g., where the film forming side panels  12 ,  14  or surrounding wall  11  moves in a generally vertical direction). Vents  100  will generally be present in side panel  12 ,  14  at the beginning of the process. Venting tape  35  will typically be applied over vents  100  prior to forming edges  15 ,  16 ,  18 , and may be present at the beginning of the package-making process. As mentioned above, any or all of edges  15 ,  16 ,  18  may be folds or seals between side panels  12 ,  14 . If not integral with side panels  12 ,  14 , zipper profiles  52 ,  54  may be attached to side panels  12 ,  14  before or after bottom edge  15  is formed. Similarly, a slider device (if present) may be applied to zipper profiles  52 ,  54  before or after incorporation with side panels  12 ,  14 .  
         [0040]     The above specification and examples are believed to provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of particular embodiments of the invention. Because many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the true scope and spirit of the invention reside in the broad meaning of the claims hereinafter appended.