Patent Abstract:
A ruptural bubble package for containing an implement such as, for example, a drinking straw, a toothpick or medical instruments, The bubble package is characterized by its construction from a flexible, substantially impervious material capable of maintaining a positive pressure of air or other gaseous fluids within the package once it is sealed. There are weakened portions or locations on the package that will burst open when an exterior finger pressure is applied to the outside of the package.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a ruptural bubble package that contains a sanitized 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 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 instrument including the packaging of tooth picks. 
         [0002]    The invention is characterized by its construction from a flexible, substantially impermeable to define an enclosure into which the implement is inserted and sealed therein. By “substantially impervious” is meant to include a material capable of maintaining a quantity of a gaseous 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 relationships between the front and back panels to define the enclosure into which the implement is placed. A weakened location or portion is formed on at least one of the front, back, top and side panels such that by squeezing the sealed container between one&#39;s thumb and fingers will cause an increase of air or gas pressure within the sealed container resulting in a rupture of the weakened portion to thereby permit access to the implement. The increase in air pressure is most important. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
       [0003]    The prior art teaches a variety of what might be described as ruptural packages for numerous articles or implements. For example, common drinking straws are typically enclosed within a paper or plastic packages or sealed sleeves. The package is torn, or ruptured, or cut with a knife or scissors or even teeth have been used to open the package for its intended use. In similar fashion, bandages, both adhesive and gauze, are typically provided in a sterile container that is ruptured, or torn in the above noted fashion to obtain access to the bandage. Nowadays, 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. 
         [0004]    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. Yet another example of what might be termed as a rupturable package is a sealed plastic film envelope containing a drinking straw that one finds attached to the outside of a single beverage container. 
         [0005]    However, with all such packages known, 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 to “pop” the package open and thereby gain 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 on being opened, and this sound could be an amusement to the user. On a more serious vein, such a package would have the further advantages of not requiring any external implements such as, for example, scissors, knifes, sharp fingernails or even a person&#39;s teeth, for opening, because such a package could be opened with one hand, and would not result in the creation of small package fragments which are often discarded as litter. 
         [0006]    It should be understood that there are known packages that can be opened just be squeezing the same. Examples of such packages will be disclosed below. 
         [0007]    US published Application No. 2003/0019781 discloses a capsule container system (CCS) which relates to a small, single use disposable container which contains substances or solutions therein with the capsule having easy opening capabilities. The opening can be obtained by simply squeezing the flexible container whereby the container will burst because of a weakened score line in the surface of the container. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,189,227 discloses a string of small flexible containers having a score or weakened line between the packages and when any one of the packages is torn from the string of the containers, a nozzle is exposed which will expel the fluid contained in the package by squeezing the package by the user&#39;s fingers. 
         [0000]    Any one of the noted squeezable packages are quite different from the inventive concept disclosed and claimed herein as will be explained in the following paragraph below. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention relates to a rupturable bubble package for containing in implement and wherein the package comprises an enclosure formed from a substantially impervious, flexible material, such as plastics, foil or paper. The enclosure comprises a front panel, a back panel, and opposed top and bottom panels which are disposed in an interconnecting relationship between the front and the back panels to define the enclosure. It is, of course 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. The package could be obtained through the process of extrusion whereby a plastic sleeve is obtained that may be sealed at both ends. 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 any fluid through the surface of the sealed package to pass there through. In its preferred embodiment, the fluid inside the sealed package is typically a gas or simply air. More particularly, when sealed, the package of this invention is capable of maintaining a positive pressure inside the package and when squeezed, the pressure will momentarily increase so that the package can rupture as will be described below. 
         [0010]    Rupturing of this package is accomplished by its construction to further include a weakened portion or area formed on at least one of the front, back, top and bottom panels. The weakened portion may be score line at or near the top of the package. The inventive concept can also be realized when a plastic sleeve is extruded, the bottom may be sealed, while the top may remain in an overlap that may glued together whereby a weaker closures or seal is formed that is weaker than the bottom seal and may ruptured when pressure is applied to the package. The overlaps may take different shapes. 
         [0000]    The inventive concept, 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 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the prior art container having a packaged drinking straw attached thereto, with the carton shown in phantom; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating a first embodiment of the inventive rupturable bubble package attached to the carton of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a front elevational view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is an illustration of how the embodiment of  FIG. 2  can be removed from the carton; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  illustrates the use of one hand squeezing the embodiment of  FIG. 2  after a removal from the carton; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a depiction of the package of  FIG. 6  after “popping” open; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  shows the removal of the straw from the opened package; 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a front view of just the inventive package; 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a side view of just the inventive package; 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is a front view of a second embodiment of the inventive package; 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  is a side view of the second embodiment of the package of  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  is a front view of a third embodiment of the inventive package; 
           [0024]      FIG. 14  is a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 15  is a front view of the fourth embodiment of the inventive package; 
           [0026]      FIG. 16  is a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 15 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 17  is a front view of the fifth embodiment of the inventive package; 
           [0028]      FIG. 18  is side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 17 . 
           [0029]      FIGS. 19 and 20  show a different inventive concept wherein instead of weakened score lines, the package is closed by a weak closure; 
           [0030]      FIG. 21  illustrates a different embodiment of  FIGS. 19 and 20 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 22  shows the bubble package of  FIG. 21  after it popped open; 
           [0032]      FIGS. 23 and 24  show a different embodiment of  FIGS. 22 and 23 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 25  Illustrates a different embodiment of  FIG. 21 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 26  shows a different construction of the bubble package; 
           [0035]      FIG. 27  shows a different construction of the package of  FIG. 26 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 28  shows still a different construction of the package of  FIG. 26 ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 29  shows a bubble package having a top and bottom seals; 
           [0038]      FIG. 30  shows the structure of  FIG. 29  having different types of top and bottom seals; 
           [0039]      FIG. 31  shows a top seal having an air pocket therein; 
           [0040]      FIG. 32  shows a top seal having two air pockets therein; 
           [0041]      FIG. 33  shows a top seal having an air pocket in front of the seal; 
           [0042]      FIG. 34  shows a top seal having a circular air pocket therein; 
           [0043]      FIG. 35  shows a top seal having differently sized air pockets therein. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0044]      FIG. 1  illustrates a state of the art container, generally indicated as  34 . The container  30  has a drinking straw  32  attached thereto on a front  40  of the container  34  by way of a package  30 . To use the straw, one would remove the container  30  from the drink container  34  and would open the package  30  as by tearing or cutting. The straw  32  could then be removed from the package  30  and insert the straw into the opening  36  of the drink container  34 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 2  illustrates the ruptural bubble package of the present invention. The ruptural package is generally indicated at  38 . Reference characters assigned to previous Figs. will be carried over into subsequent Figs. While the 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. Ruptural package  38  is illustrated as being attached to a front  40  of a drink container  34  which also includes the aperture  36  for insertion of straw  32  once it is removed from the package  38 . 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 the front  40  of the container  34  by a peelable adhesive between the back panel  44  and the front  40  of the container  34 .  FIG. 2  also shows a score line  50  in the material from which the bubble package is formed. Also shown in  FIG. 2  is a hinge line  52  as more fully described below. 
         [0046]      FIGS. 3 and 4  depict the embodiment of  FIG. 2  in front and right side elevations, respectively. 
         [0047]      FIGS. 5-8  are perspective illustrations as to how the bubble packages  38  can be opened once they are detached from the basic drink carton  34 . In Fig. the right hand  56  holds the drink carton while the left hand  54  pulls the bubble package  38  away from the carton  34 . In  FIG. 6  the right hand is squeezing the bubble package  38 . Because the bubble package  38  is formed from a flexible and substantially impervious material that is capable of maintaining a positive pressure within the package  38 . By squeezing the bubble package  38 , the pressure of air within the package is temporarily increased which will cause the score line  50  to rupture. This rupture and escape of air is illustrated in  FIG. 7  by the radial dashed lines  58 . This rupture causes an upper segment  60  of the front panel  42  to spring upwardly to thereby provide access to the straw  32  inside the package  38 . For further ease in removing the straw  32 , the portion of the bubble package  38  above the hinge line  52  may actually be folded back. Upon squeezing rupturable bubble package  38 , as depicted in the view of  FIG. 6 , one may experience an audible “pop” as the package  38  ruptures at the score line  50 . Line  50  does not inhibit the integrity of the sealed package  38 , but provide a weakened portion for rupturing the package  38  by the application of an outside pressure. 
         [0048]      FIGS. 9 and 10  depict a second embodiment for the rupturable bubble package  38  wherein the weakened portion comprises the score line  50 ′ which 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 being attached to any container. It is to be understood that the bubble package can be so constructed that it solely can contain any implements mentioned above. That is, the bubble package can contain a toothpick, just a straw, so-called toilettes, pills, food and other sanitary or hardware items that are hermetically sealed within the bubble package. 
         [0000]    While score line  50 ′ is illustrated as being oriented horizontally across the front panel  42 , it is to be appreciated that score line  50 ′ could also be oriented vertically, and the pressure applied would still cause the package  38  to rupture, providing access to the straw  32 . 
         [0049]      FIGS. 11 and 12  shows that the score line  50 ′ has been moved to a position on front of the panel  42  that is substantially adjacent to the top panel  46 . It is again to be appreciated that the score line  50 ′ could just as easily be positioned substantially adjacent to the bottom panel  48 . 
         [0050]      FIGS. 13 and 14  illustrate the weakened portion as  50 ″. As shown in  FIG. 13 , the score line  50 ″ extends only partially across the front panel  42 . Nevertheless, upon the application of outside pressure, the score line  50 ″ will rupture, most probably with a “pop” sound. 
         [0051]      FIGS. 15 and 16  illustrate the weakened portion as defined by a substantially V-shaped score line  62 . Any application of outside pressure to the bubble package  38  will cause each side of the V-shaped score line  62  to rupture, thereby providing access to the drinking straw. 
         [0052]      FIGS. 17 and 18  depict a rupturable bubble package  38  that is substantially identical to the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-6 . However, for purposes of clarity in showing that virtually any implement may be placed within the bubble package  38 , the views of  FIGS. 17 and 18  illustrate a toothpick within the enclosure of package  38 . 
         [0053]    The following  FIGS. 19-35  disclose a different concept of the invention in that instead of a score line being ruptured when an external pressure is applied to the package, a weakened seal will be ruptured, again, when an external pressure is applied to the bubble package, the weakened seal will rupture because of the increased air pressure within the package. 
         [0054]      FIGS. 19 and 20  illustrate such a package. The package  56  in  FIG. 19  could be made by extruding a clear plastic package as a sleeve  56 , permanently seal one end of the sleeve, placing an elongated item  32  in the form of a straw into the sleeve and then seal the other end of the sleeve with a weak seal. The weak seal is established by a glue or heat adhesion. When an external pressure is applied to the package, the increased air pressure within the package will burst the weakened seal open as is shown by  55   a  in  FIG. 20 . 
         [0055]      FIGS. 21 and 22  illustrates a different construction of the bubble package  56 . In this embodiment a plastic back panel  57  is formed and a plastic bubble front panel  58  is attached to the back panel  57  and the overlapping sides are permanently sealed to each other. Between the overlaps at the top opening, a narrow weakened seal  59  is formed which will burst open once an external pressure is applied to the bubble as is shown in at  59   a  in  FIG. 22 . The overlaps of the front panel  58  and the back panel  57  are shown at  57   a  and  58  a which are overlaps permanently sealed to each other. 
         [0056]      FIGS. 23 and 24  illustrate the basic construction as was shown in  FIGS. 21 and 22  except that the overlaps  57   a  and  58   a , that are permanently sealed to each other, are not completed at the upper edge of the bubble  58 , whereby triangular corners  60  and  61  are left unattached. This results in that a wider weakened seal  59  can be established at this upper edge which would widen the burst opening so a wider item contained in the bubble package could be extracted there from. 
         [0057]      FIG. 25  illustrates still another embodiment wherein two halves of bubble formations  62  and  63  are permanently sealed together to thereby form a three dimensional bubble package. A narrow and weakened seal  64  is established at the upper edge. As mentioned above, the weakened seal  64  can be accomplished by a glue or a heat adhesion. Notice the straw  32  in this package. 
         [0058]      FIG. 26  illustrates yet another embodiment wherein a front and back bubble formations  58  are formed which are then adhered to each other at their overlaps  65  by heat adhesion or glue. A narrow, weakened seal  64  is established at the top of the package. 
         [0059]      FIG. 27  shows the same basic construction concept of  FIG. 26  but differs in that the overlaps  62  and  63  that are sealed or fastened to each other by way of a heat adhesion or glue are not quite completed at the upper edge and leaving none attached triangular section  66   a  and  66   b . This construction allows for the establishment of a wider weakened seal  67  at the top edge. 
         [0060]      FIG. 28  differs from the bubble package shown in  FIG. 19  in that the heat adhesion or glue fastened overlaps  65  and  66  stop short of the upper edge whereby a wider weakened seal  68  may be formed thereat. 
         [0061]      FIG. 29  is a different construction altogether from previous shown packages above. This construction is made of a single plastic sheet which is formed into a tube  70  and the resulting edges of the tube  70  are heat sealed or glued together at  72 . The tube may be closed at both the top and the bottom edges by way of a weakened seal  73  and  74 . The user may decide which end to open depending on which end to apply the external pressure. Notice a toothpick  71  being placed into this package. 
         [0062]      FIG. 30  shows another embodiment of construction where a sleeve or tube  75  is formed by way of an extrusion of a plastic material and both ends may be closed by different seals  76  and  77 . The top seal  76  is a more solid seal which still will burst under external pressure. The bottom seal  77  is a seal that requires less strength to burst because this seal has air bubbles therein. The different seals  76  and  77  create different sounds when opened by pressure, that is, soft or loud. 
         [0063]      FIG. 31  illustrates a different way of sealing the top edge of the package  75 . This weakened seal has in its glue  78  a longitudinal air pocket formed therein. This arrangement results in a “double popper” when the seal burst when external pressure is applied to the package  75 . 
         [0064]      FIG. 32  shows a bubble package  75  that has still another novel  80  seal at its upper edge. The illustration is similar to the one shown in  FIG. 31  except that the weakened seal  80  has two longitudinal air pockets formed therein. When an external pressure is applied to the bubble package  75 , the resulting burst of the weakened seal  80  creates a loud pop when ruptured 
         [0065]      FIG. 33  shows still another embodiment of the weakened seals that have elongated air pockets therein. In this embodiment there is an elongated air pocket  87  placed near the top end of the package  75  as a seam block which then is followed by a weakened seal  86 . 
         [0066]      FIG. 34  illustrates another embodiment similar to  FIG. 33 . This embodiment still has the longitudinal and lateral air block  87  at the end of the package  75  which again is followed by and is adjacent to the weakened seal  86 . However, the weakened seal  86  has a circular air pocket  88  therein which will create an extra fun “popping sound” when 
         [0067]      FIG. 35  illustrates another embodiment which is created as an amusement article in combination with a sealed bubble package. In this embodiment the basic package is shown at  75  which has the usual weakened seal  100  at its top edge. However, the weakened seal  100  contains a multiple of differently sized air pockets  101 - 105  therein. The differently sized air pockets may create different sounds when they burst open. In this  FIG. 35  only the top portion of the bubble package is shown. However, the remainder of the package may be filled with the requisite item and some air. It should be noted that the differently sized air pockets  101 - 105  may be filled with pills which can be popped through the plastic material by way of a one-sided pressure when needed. This feature is another useful inventive concept in the use of packaged sanitized items in the bubble package.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1