Patent Publication Number: US-10781018-B1

Title: Contaminant resistant product packaging

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates generally to product packaging. Known product packaging is not satisfactory for situations where contamination from ambient contaminants is of concern. For example, a gluten free product cannot be baked in an ambient environment that is not entirely free of gluten particles. In such situations where cooking occurs in an ambient environment with gluten contamination, the gluten free product may become contaminated with gluten particles from the ambient environment during baking and/or during handling of the baked product after baking. 
     As another example, some individuals are highly allergic to peanuts or other particles. When a meal is prepared for such at-risk individuals, special procedures and/or equipment is required for safe food preparation so that the prepared meal is not contaminated with peanut particles. 
     As yet another example, some non-food product items may need to be heated in a package such that ambient contaminants do not enter the product package during and/or after heating. An example is sterilization of medical equipment. 
     Accordingly, there exists a need in the product packaging arts for improved product packaging that protects packaged products for contaminants. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure is directed to a sealable enclosure that is configured to enclose an object that is to be heated, wherein heating of the sealable enclosure with the object sealed therein permits gas generated by the heating to vent out through a first micro-perforation portion disposed in an enclosure, wherein the gas vents into a cavity formed between the outside surface of the enclosure, a lower surface of a file layer, and a strip of heat sensitive adhesive. When the temperature of the strip of heat sensitive adhesive reaches a threshold temperature, the strip of heat sensitive adhesive releases so that the gas may vent from the cavity through a second micro-perforation portion disposed in the film layer out into an ambient region surrounding the sealable enclosure while preventing ambient contaminates in the ambient region from entering into the sealable enclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a film layer of an example sealable enclosure embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view of an example embodiment of the enclosure portion of an example sealable enclosure embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is perspective view of the top surface of an example film layer of an example sealable enclosure embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view of an example sealable enclosure embodiment before heating. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view of an example sealable enclosure embodiment during the heating and gas venting process. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a single sheet of packaging with two micro-perforation portions that can be folded and sealed to form a sealable enclosure embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Heating of a sealable enclosure embodiment with an object sealed therein permits gas generated by the heating to vent out from the sealable enclosure into an ambient region surrounding the sealable enclosure while preventing ambient contaminates in the ambient region from entering into the sealable enclosure. The disclosed sealable enclosure embodiments will become better understood through review of the following detailed description in conjunction with the figures. The detailed description and figures merely provide examples of the various invention embodiments described herein. Those skilled in the art will understand that the disclosed example embodiments may be varied, modified, and altered without departing from the scope of the invention as described herein. Many variations are contemplated for different applications and design considerations. However, for the sake of brevity, each and every contemplated variation is not individually described in the following detailed description. 
     Throughout the following detailed description, examples of various sealable enclosure embodiments are provided. Related features in the example embodiments may be identical, similar, or dissimilar in different examples. For the sake of brevity, related features will not be redundantly explained in each example. Instead, the use of related feature names will cue the reader that the feature with a related feature name may be similar to the related feature in an example explained previously. Features specific to a given example will be described in that particular example. The reader should understand that a given feature need not be the same or similar to the specific portrayal of a related feature in any given figure or example embodiment. 
     The following definitions apply herein, unless otherwise indicated. “Substantially” means to be more-or-less conforming to the particular dimension, range, shape, concept, or other aspect modified by the term, such that a feature or component need not conform exactly. For example, a “substantially cylindrical” object means that the object resembles a cylinder, but may have one or more deviations from a true cylinder. “Comprising,” “including,” and “having” (and conjugations thereof) are used interchangeably to mean including but not necessarily limited to, and are open-ended terms not intended to exclude additional elements or method steps not expressly recited. Terms such as “first”, “second”, and “third” are used to distinguish or identify various members of a group, or the like, and are not intended to denote a serial, chronological, or numerical limitation. “Coupled” means connected, either permanently or releasably, whether directly or indirectly, through intervening components. “Sealably join” or the like means that two adjacent surfaces are affixed together (sealed together) in a manner such that fluids and/or gasses cannot pass between the two joined surfaces. Micro-perforated food packaging is a type of perforated packaging that contains micro holes, which enable gas permeation to maintain the rate of respiration of food products. Micro-perforation involves the puncturing of packaging films with holes ranging from, but not limited to, a diameter of 30 microns (μm) to 200 μm. Micro-perforated food packaging offers various advantages including extended shelf life and moisture retention of the food products. Embodiments of the sealable enclosure employ micro-perforation (a micro-perforation portion of the packaging) in a novel manner to prevent contamination from ambient contaminants when the object that is enclosed within the sealable enclosure is heated. 
       FIG. 1  is a cross sectional, perspective view of an example embodiment of a sealable enclosure  100 . The sealable enclosure  100  comprises three elements: an enclosure  102 , a film layer  104  and a strip of heat sensitive adhesive  106 . The sealable enclosure  100  is configured to enclose an object  108  that is to be heated while in an ambient region  110 . Gas that is generated by the heating of the object  108  is allowed to vent out from the sealable enclosure  100  into the ambient region  110  surrounding the sealable enclosure  100  while preventing ambient contaminates residing in the ambient region  110  from entering into the sealable enclosure  100 . 
     Prior to heating, the object  108  is inserted into the enclosure  102  and then the enclosure  102  is sealed. Any suitable sealing process and/or apparatus may be used to seal the object  108  within the enclosure  102 . Further, since the object  108  has been sealed into the enclosure  102 , contaminants cannot enter into the inside of the enclosure  102  to contaminate the object  108 . For example, prior to heating, the object  108  cannot be contaminated during transportation to the heating site and/or during handling of the sealable enclosure  100  by individuals. 
     To illustrate a practical application of the use of example sealable enclosure  100  embodiments, the object  108  may be a formed piece of gluten free dough that is to be baked into a gluten free loaf of bread while encased within the sealable enclosure  100 . In an example heating application, the ambient region  110  may be the inside of a baking oven. If gluten-based dough has been previously baked within the oven, then residual gluten particles may still reside inside of the oven (the ambient region  110 ). Embodiments of the sealable enclosure  100  prevent contamination of the gluten free dough (the object  108 ) by preventing gluten particles in the ambient region  110  from entering into the sealable enclosure  100  during the baking process. 
     As another application, the object  108  may be a liquid or semi-liquid, like milk or apple sauce, that is to be sterilized. In such applications, the size (diameter) of the micro-perforations are defined to prevent liquid from passing through the micro-perforations while permitting the generated gas to pass through the micro-perforations. As yet another application, the object  108  may be a physical object such as a medical instrument that is to be sterilized in an autoclave. 
     In the various embodiments, the enclosure  102  comprises a base portion  112  and an upper portion  114 . The upper portion  114  comprises a first enclosure barrier portion  116 , a micro-perforation portion  118 , and a second enclosure barrier portion  120 . The micro-perforation portion  118  is located between the first enclosure barrier portion  116  and the second enclosure barrier portion  120 . The base portion  112 , the first enclosure barrier portion  116  and the second enclosure barrier portion  120  are impenetrable to the generated gas and the ambient contaminates. The micro-perforation portion  118  is configured to permit the gas generated by the heating to initially vent out from the enclosure  102 . 
     The micro-perforation portion  118  is a structure, such as layer of film, paper or the like, with a plurality of small diameter holes therein. In a preferred embodiment, the width of the first enclosure barrier portion  116  is substantially larger than the width of the second enclosure barrier portion  120  such that the micro-perforation portion  118  is located closer to a selected one of the edges of the upper portion  114 . Any suitable size (width and/or length) of the micro-perforation portion  118  may be used in the various embodiments. Further, any suitable number of micro-perforations (micro-holes) may be used for the micro-perforation portion  118 . In some embodiments, the micro-perforation portion  118  may comprise multiple discrete micro-perforation portions that may reside in selected suitable locations of the upper portion  114 . 
     In some embodiments, the three portions  116 ,  118 ,  120  are initially separate structures that are then joined to form the upper portion  114 . Depending upon the embodiment, an adhesive may be used to sealably join the edges of the three portions  116 ,  118 ,  120 . Alternatively, a crimp or other structure may be used to sealably join the edges of the portions  116 ,  118 ,  120 . A crimp is formed by pressing together one or more folds in the material so that the folded portions are sealably captured together (joined). In another embodiment, the edges of the three portions  116 ,  118 ,  120  are sealably joined using heat and/or pressure. 
     In other embodiments, the three portions  116 ,  118 ,  120  are formed on a sheet of solid flat material, film, layer, or the like. The micro-perforation portion  118  is formed in a selected region on the structure. A plurality of micro-perforation portions are formed by perforating the structure using a die or a laser. 
     In some embodiments, the base portion  112  and the upper portion  114  are fabricated from the same piece of material. For example, but not limited to, the enclosure  102  may be a tube of packaging material. 
     In another embodiment, the base portion  112  may be separate from the upper portion  114 , such that the edges of the base portion  112  and the upper portion  114  are joined together in a sealable manner. For example, the base portion  114  may be made from a rigid material that supports the object  108 . In contrast, the upper portion  114  may be a flexible or semi-rigid structure to facilitate packaging and/or heating of the object  108 . Depending upon the embodiment, an adhesive may be used to sealably join the edges of the base portion  112  and the upper portion  114 . Alternatively, a crimp or other structure may be used to sealably join the edges of the base portion  112  and the upper portion  114 . In another embodiment, the edges of the base portion  112  and the upper portion  114  are sealably joined using heat and/or pressure. 
     The film layer  104  comprises a first film barrier portion  122 , a second film barrier portion  124 , and an intervening micro-perforation portion  126 . The edges of the film layer  104  are sealably affixed to a portion of the outer surface of the enclosure  102 . The first film barrier portion  122  and the second film barrier portion  124  are impenetrable to the generated gas and the ambient contaminates. The micro-perforation portion  126  is configured to permit the gas generated by the heating to initially vent out from a cavity  128  that is defined by a portion of the surface of the upper portion  114  and a lower surface of the film layer  104 . 
     Any suitable size (width and/or length) of the micro-perforation portion  126  may be used in the various embodiments. Further, any suitable number of micro-perforations (micro-holes) may be used for the micro-perforation portion  126 . In some embodiments, the micro-perforation portion  126  may comprise multiple discrete micro-perforation portions that may reside in selected suitable locations of the film layer  104 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, the three portions  122 ,  124 ,  126  are formed on a sheet of solid flat material, film, layer, or the like. The micro-perforation portion  126  is formed in a selected region on the structure, wherein a plurality of micro-perforations are formed by perforating the structure using a die or a laser. Preferably, the film layer  104  is made from a flexible or semi-flexible material such that when gasses are generated during the heating of the object  108 , gas pressure from the expanding gas can enlarge the cavity  128 . 
     A strip of heat sensitive adhesive  106  runs along the length of the first film barrier portion  122  of the film layer  104  and the first enclosure barrier portion  116  of the upper portion  114 . Here, the strip of heat sensitive adhesive  106  extends from the front edge to the back edge of the film layer  104 . The strip of heat sensitive adhesive  106  adhesively joins and seals a bottom surface portion of the first film barrier portion  122  to an outside surface portion of the first enclosure barrier portion  116 . 
     During the heating process, one skilled in the art appreciates that gas is generated as increasing temperature within the enclosure  102  causes vaporization of liquids residing within the object  108  and/or residing in the interior of the enclosure  102 . As the gas generated in the interior of the enclosure  102  initially vents out through the micro-perforation portion  118 . The entering gas then expands and enlarges the cavity  128  that is defined by a lower surface of part of the first film barrier portion  122 , the corresponding outer surface portion of the upper portion  114 , and the strip of heat sensitive adhesive  106 . At this juncture of the heating process, the strip of heat sensitive adhesive  106  that binds the lower surface of the first film barrier portion  122  of the film layer  104  with the outer surface of the corresponding first enclosure barrier portion  116  of the upper portion  114  prevents the expanding gas in the cavity  128  from venting out through the micro-perforation portion  126  of the film layer  104 . 
     Because the heat sensitive adhesive  106  binds the lower surface of the first film barrier portion  122  of the film layer  104  with the outer surface of the corresponding first enclosure barrier portion  116 , an unexpected benefit is that no contaminates from the ambient region  110  are able to enter into the cavity  128 , thereby preventing the object  108  from becoming contaminated. That is, at this juncture in the heating process, it is not possible for the object  108  to become contaminated since the strip of heat sensitive adhesive  106  acts as an impenetrable barrier between the object  108  and the ambient region  110 . 
     As the heating process continues the temperature of the strip of heat sensitive adhesive  106  increases. When the temperature of the strip of heat sensitive adhesive  106  reaches a predefined threshold temperature, the strip of heat sensitive adhesive  106  releases such that the lower surface of the first film barrier portion  122  of the film layer  104  separates from the outer surface of the corresponding first enclosure barrier portion  116  of the upper portion  114 . Accordingly, the pressurized gas in the cavity  128  then vents out from the cavity  128  through the micro-perforation portion  126  of the film layer  104 . Since the gas pressure of the cavity  128  exceeds the pressure of the ambient region  110 , contamination particles that may reside in the ambient region  110  are not able to enter into the cavity  128  because there is no air inflow from the ambient region  110  into the cavity  128 . Accordingly, the object  108  cannot become contaminated during the heating process since such contaminates cannot pass through the micro-perforation portions  118 ,  126  to enter into the interior of the enclosure  102 . 
     In the various embodiments, the threshold temperature at which the strip of heat sensitive adhesive  106  releases is a temperature that is higher than the temperature at which gas is generated within the enclosure  102 . Returning to the example of baking gluten free dough, one skilled in the art appreciates that the dough typically is baked in an oven at a temperature of between 325° F. (degrees Farenheight) and 425° F. Further, water is known to change from a liquid state to a gas state at a temperature of 212° F. Thus, as the temperature of the dough begins to exceed 212° F., the dough begins to release steam (gas) into the interior region of the enclosure  102 . The steam vents through the micro-perforation portion  118  into the cavity  128 . As the gas pressure increases and the temperature of the strip of heat sensitive adhesive  106  increases to the predefined threshold temperature, the strip of heat sensitive adhesive  106  begins to release. The steam then vents through the micro-perforation portion  126  out into the ambient region  110 . 
     In the various embodiments, any suitable material may be used for the components of the sealable enclosure  100 . Such materials include, but are not limited to, plastic, cellophane, cardboard, paper, polyethylene, polypropylene, metal, composites, or the like that are suitable for withstanding higher temperatures. Depending upon design choice and the nature of the object  108  that is to be enclosed within the sealable enclosure  100 , the various components may be made of a rigid material, a semi-rigid material, a flexible material, and/or a semi-flexible material. 
     Furthermore, the predefined threshold temperature that the strip of heat sensitive adhesive  106  releases may be defined based on the type and/or characteristics of the adhesive material. Any suitable material may be used for the strip of heat sensitive adhesive  106 . 
       FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view of an example embodiment of the enclosure  102  portion of an example sealable enclosure embodiment  100 . In this example embodiment, the enclosure  102  is fabricated as a tube that is configured to receive the object  108 . Once the object  108  has been inserted into the tubular enclosure  102 , the ends of the enclosure  102  may be sealed using any suitable process. 
       FIG. 3  is perspective view of the top surface of an example film layer  104  of an example sealable enclosure embodiment  100 . In this example embodiment, the film layer  104  is a flexible layer that is affixed to the tubular enclosure  102  illustrated in  FIG. 2 . In this example embodiment, edges of the film layer  104  may be affixed to the enclosure  102  generally at locations  202  and  204  ( FIG. 2 ) on the tubular enclosure  102 . In other embodiments, the film layer  104  may be affixed to other forms of an enclosure  102  embodiment. 
     The film layer  104  is defined by a first side edge  302 , a second side edge  304 , a front edge  306 , a back edge  308 , an upper surface  310  and a lower surface  312 . The first side edge  302  is sealably affixed to the enclosure  102  at a selected location  202  ( FIG. 2 ). The second side edge  304  is sealably affixed to the enclosure  102  at a selected location  204  ( FIG. 2 ). After insertion of the object  108  into the enclosure  102 , the front edge  306  and the back edge  306  may be sealably joined with the ends of the tubular enclosure  102  when the object  108  is sealed into the enclosure  102 . Alternatively, the front edge  306  may be sealably joined to a selected outer surface region of the second enclosure barrier portion  120  of the enclosure  102  and the back edge  306  may be sealably joined to a selected outer surface region of the first enclosure barrier portion  116  of the enclosure  102  such that the film layer  104  covers the outer surface region of the first enclosure barrier portion  116 , the micro-perforation portion  118 , and the second enclosure barrier portion  120  portion of the enclosure  102 . Here, the micro-perforation portion  118  of the enclosure  102  is proximate to the first edge  302  of the film layer  104 . 
     In practice, the strip of heat sensitive adhesive  106  may be affixed to the bottom surface  308  of the film layer  104  prior to affixing the film layer  104  to the enclosure  102 . In other embodiments, the strip of heat sensitive adhesive  106  may be inserted between the enclosure  102  and the film layer  104  at a desired location after the film layer  104  has been affixed to the enclosure  102 . 
       FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view of an example sealable enclosure embodiment before the heating of the object  108 . In this simplified hypothetical example, the film layer  104  is illustrated for convenience as a flexible film layer that is collapsed onto the outside surface of the upper portion  114 . Accordingly, the cavity  128  has not yet been formed by the generated gasses that will be venting out through the micro-perforation portion  118  during the heating process. In other applications, such as when the film layer  104  is a semi-flexible, semi-rigid or rigid material, the cavity  128  may be present but at a pressure that is the same as, or substantially the same as, the ambient pressure. 
       FIG. 4  also illustrates the first film barrier portion  122  collapsed around the strip of heat sensitive adhesive  106 . Accordingly, one skilled in the art appreciates that there are no separation type forces being exerted on the first film barrier portion  122  of the film layer  104  that would otherwise tend to separate or release the strip of heat sensitive adhesive  106 .  FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view of an example sealable enclosure embodiment during the heating and the gas venting process. 
     As the sealable enclosure  100  with the enclosed object  108  is heated, the temperature of the sealable enclosure  100  and the object  108  begins to increase. Returning to the example of baking gluten free dough, one skilled in the art appreciates that the gluten free dough enclosed in the sealable enclosure  100  is placed into a pre-heated oven for baking, typically at a baking temperature of between 325° F. (degrees Fahrenheit) and 425° F., or other customary baking temperatures which may be higher or lower than the described range. As the temperature of the gluten free dough increases during the baking process, water within the gluten free dough changes from a liquid state to a gas state (steam) and begins to fill the region  402  within the interior of the enclosure  102 . At some point, the generated steam begins to pass through the micro-perforation portion  118  and into the cavity  128 , as conceptually illustrated in  FIG. 5  by the arrow  502 . 
     As the pressure of the generating gas increases as more gas is released from the object  108 , gas pressure increases in the interior region  402  of the enclosure  102 . Since the pressure of the cavity  128  tends to equalize with the gas pressure of the interior region  402  of the enclosure  102 , gas flows through the micro-perforation portion  118  into the cavity  128 . The increasing pressure in the cavity  128  tends to expand the film layer  104  such that the film layer  104  extends to its maximum limits. At this juncture, the temperature of strip of heat sensitive adhesive  106  is less than the predefined threshold temperature at which the strip of heat sensitive adhesive  106  releases. 
     When the film layer  104  has expanded to its maximum extent, gas pressure will begin to increase in the cavity  128  and the interior region  402  of the enclosure  102 . Meanwhile, temperature of the strip of heat sensitive adhesive  106  is increasing. At some juncture, the increasing gas pressure in the cavity  128  (which exerts a separation force on the strip of heat sensitive adhesive  106 ) and the increasing temperature of the strip of heat sensitive adhesive  106  will reach a point where the strip of heat sensitive adhesive  106  releases. That is, the increasing gas pressure and the increasing temperature (when the temperature of the strip of heat sensitive adhesive  106  reaches the predefined threshold temperature) allows the strip of heat sensitive adhesive  106  to release so that the bottom surface of the first film barrier portion  122  of the film layer  104  separates from the upper surface of the first enclosure barrier portion  116  of the enclosure  102 , as conceptually illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
     With the release of the strip of heat sensitive adhesive  106 , a passage way from the cavity  128  to the micro-perforation portion  126  of the film layer  104  is created, Accordingly, gas flows from the cavity  128 , as conceptually illustrated by the arrows  504 , through the micro-perforation portion  126  and out into the ambient region  110 , as conceptually illustrated by the arrow  506 . Since the gas is passing from the cavity  128  through the micro-perforation portion  126 , the flow of gas prevents any contaminants in the ambient region from flowing in the opposite direction through the micro-perforation portion  126  and into the cavity  128 . That is, at this juncture, it is not possible for contaminants to enter into the sealable enclosure  100  to contaminate the object  108 . 
     For convenience, the released strip of heat sensitive adhesive  106  is conceptually illustrated as having a portion adhering to the bottom surface of the first film barrier portion  122  of the film layer  104  and another portion that adheres to the upper surface of the first enclosure barrier portion  116  of the enclosure  102 . Depending upon the selection of the materials and surface conditions of the first film barrier portion  122  and the first enclosure barrier portion  116 , and the material characteristics of the strip of heat sensitive adhesive  106 , the release of the strip of heat sensitive adhesive  106  may be different from the illustrated separation of  FIG. 5 . In some applications, the entirety (or substantially all of) the strip of heat sensitive adhesive  106  may adhere to the first film barrier portion  122  of the film layer  104  after the release. Alternatively, the entirety (or substantially all of) the strip of heat sensitive adhesive  106  may adhere to the first film barrier portion  122  of the enclosure  102 . 
     In some applications, after the heating of the object has been completed, the generation of additional gas ceases. The sealable enclosure  100  may then be moved into a cooling environment so that the sealable enclosure  100  and the object  108  begin to cool. Preferably, the cooling environment is free of contaminants. Alternatively, the heat source may be removed such that the sealable enclosure  100  and the object  108  therein begin to cool. 
     Depending upon the embodiment, the structure of the sealable enclosure  100  may change as the cooling process proceeds. In one type of embodiment wherein the film layer  104  and the upper portion  114  of the enclosure  102  is flexible, the film layer  104  and the upper portion  114  may collapse as the pressure within the cavity  128  and the interior region  402  decreases as a result of cooling gas within the cavity  128 . Even if some contaminants do flow through the micro-perforation portion  126  into the cavity  128 , the distance between the micro-perforation portion  118  and the micro-perforation portion  126  may be so great as to make it impossible, or very unlikely, that any contaminates entering in through the micro-perforation portion  126  are able to travel so far as to reach and then pass through the micro-perforation portion  118  to contaminate the object  108 . 
     In other embodiments, the strip of heat sensitive adhesive  106  may be operable to re-seal itself such that the lower surface of the first film barrier portion  122  of the film layer  104  again is affixed to the first enclosure barrier portion  116  of the upper portion  114 . Here, the strip of heat sensitive adhesive sealably re-joins the first film barrier portion from the outer surface region of the enclosure barrier portion. Accordingly, the strip of heat sensitive adhesive  106  again acts as a barrier to any contaminants reaching the object  108 . Such embodiments may be particularly useful for sterilization of foods, medical instruments, or other objects. 
     In some embodiments, the film layer  104  and/or the upper portion  114  of the enclosure  102  may be fabricated from semi-flexible, semi-rigid, and/or rigid materials such that the bottom surface of the upper portion  114  of the enclosure  102  does not collapse onto the object  108 . Such embodiments may be desirable in situations such as baking bread or deserts wherein contact of the upper portion  114  of the enclosure  102  might damage the heated object  108 . 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a single sheet  602  of packaging with two micro-perforation portions  118 ,  126 . The sheet  602  can be folded and sealed to form a sealable enclosure embodiment. The sheet  602  is divided into a middle section  604  and two end sections  606  and  608 . The middle section  604  and the first end section  606  are separated by a fold line  610 . Similarly, the middle section  604  and the second end section  608  are separated by a fold line  612 . The size of the individual sections  604 ,  606 , and  608  may be defined based on the nature of the object  108  that is to be sealably enclosed within the sealable enclosure  100 . 
     During fabrication, the micro-perforations are formed in the sheet  602  to create the two micro-perforation portions  118 ,  126 . Then, the strip of heat sensitive adhesive  106  is affixed along the length of the section  606 . After the object  108  is placed on the middle section  604 , the end section  608  is then folded over the object  108  (conceptually denoted by the arrows  1 ) along the fold  612 . Then, the end section  606  is folded along the fold  610  over the object  108  (conceptually denoted by the arrows  2 ) covering the previously folded section  608 . The edges of the sealable enclosure  100  are then sealed together (along the lines  614 ) such that the strip of heat sensitive adhesive  106  affixes the now-lower surface of the section  606  to the now-upper surface of the section  608 . Accordingly, the object  108  is sealed inside the sealable enclosure  100  and the strip of heat sensitive adhesive  106  now acts as a barrier to contaminants. 
     The disclosure above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in a particular form, the specific embodiments disclosed and illustrated above are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and sub-combinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed above and inherent to those skilled in the art pertaining to such inventions. Where the disclosure or subsequently filed claims recite “a” element, “a first” element, or any such equivalent term, the disclosure or claims should be understood to incorporate one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements. 
     Applicant(s) reserves the right to submit claims directed to combinations and sub-combinations of the disclosed inventions that are believed to be novel and non-obvious. Inventions embodied in other combinations and sub-combinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of those claims or presentation of new claims in the present application or in a related application. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed to the same invention or a different invention and whether they are different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are to be considered within the subject matter of the inventions described herein.