US3054551A - Fluid impervious containers - Google Patents

Description

p 8, 1962 H. 'r. HOLBROOK ETAL 3,054,551

FLUID IMPERVIQUS CONTAINERS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 15, 1959 INVENTORS HERBERT T HOLBROOK BY ORVILLE R. JOHNSON A T TOPNE Y5 Sept. 1962 H. T. HOLBROOK ETAL 3,054,551

FLUID IMPERVIOUS CONTAINERS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 15, 1959 I l I I I I m llllk l I 1 l I I l \\.IT Ta 1 1 T a F wHHHHH HHHHHH F 1:1- e

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HERBE T T- HOLBROOK ORVILLE R- JOHNSON A TTOPNEVS Sept. 18, 1962 H. 'r. HOLBROOK ETAL 3,054,551

FLUID IMPERVIOUS CONTAINERS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 15, 1959 22 IN VEN TORS HERBERT 'I. HOLBROOK ORVILLE R. JOHNSON I I l I I I I I I I I I I I I l I I I I I I I I A T TORNEVS Sept. 18, 1962 Filed July 15, 1959 H. T HOLBROOK ETAL FLUID IMPERVIOUS CONTAINERS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 HERBERT T HOLBROOK ORVILLE R JOHNSON A r Tom/5V5 tats This invention relates generally to containers, desirably of the pouch type, which are readily closable, such as by heat scaling or the like, and which include a tear strip or filament by means of which the containers may be opened rapidly and easily and the contents thereof removed. The invention also relates to the method of producing such sealed containers and a suitable apparatus employablc in carrying out such method.

While pouch type containers in which tear strips are employed to facilitate opening have been generally known in the art heretofore, such prior art containers are not completely impervious or impermeable to fluids, such as gases and moisture, in that complete sealing of the pouches is diflicult to effect because fluids may pass through or around the tear strip. As a result, when prior art pouches are used to package powdery materials, such as cocoa, hot chocolate, instant coffee, powdered milk and the like, or materials which have a delicate bouquet and aroma, such as imported teas and the like, the pouch contents may be adversely affected by the surrounding atmosphere which results in loss of flavor of the contents or in the contents becoming stale prematurely. Furthermore, it is difficult to employ such pouches to package contents under pressure or under a vacuum in that leakage of air into or out of the pouches is possible.

These undesirable features result because it is possible for air or other gases or moisture to pass longitudinally through the pouch opening tear strip. Such fluid passage through the tear strip which results in bouquet or aroma loss etc. of the product packaged is generally termed wicking. Furthermore, because generally the tear strip material of the prior art is not readily compatible with the sealing material of the pouches, complete sealing of the pouch extremities around the tear strip end portions extending thereinto also is difficult to effect. That is, in pouches of the prior art it has been found that commonly used tear strips do not always provide a completely sealed bond with the sealed extremities of the pouches so that passage of gases or moisture through the sealed extremities in the area surrounding the tear strip end portions is possible. Such fluid passage is possible through voids or longitudinal passages which frequently result in the sealed pouch extremities.

While the tear strips of such prior art pouches may advantageously be used to facilitate opening of the pouches, the fact that such tear strips permit wicking and are not always efiectively bonded to the sealed extremities of the pouches leaves something to be desired.

Summarizing this invention, it includes the provision in containers of various types, but desirably containers of the substantially flat pouch type, of pouch opening tear strips or filaments comprised of materials which are impervious and impermeable to fluids, such as gases and moisture, so that an cfiectivc and completely air tight and moisture proof seal is provided around the end portions of the tear strip filaments so that wicking of moisture and gases longitudinally through the filaments or therearound is precluded. In addition, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for producing moisture and gas impervious containers. Desirably such pouches are formed from a web or tube of material so that opposite extremities of the pouch after the same is formed and filled may be easily closed so that opposite end portions of the tear Patented Sept. 1.8, 1962 strip may be securely embedded and welded in such scaled extremities.

Accordingly, objects of the present invention include the provision of moisture and gas impervious and impermeable pouches which may be easily and completely scaled after filling and which may be readily and easily opened by the consumer for use; the provision of a method of producing such impervious pouches; and the provision of suitable apparatus for carrying out such method.

Reference is directed to the accompanying drawings for a more detailed description of the invention in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a desirable apparatus which may be utilized in producing fluid impervious tear strip pouches.

FIG. 2 is a partial vertical section taken in the plane of line 22 of FIG. 1 illustrating lamination of a tear strip filament to a heat scalable pouch forming web.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken in the plane of line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a section of a sheet of pouch material showing a laminated tear strip filament bonded thereto throughout the length thereof.

FIG. 5 is an end view of the sheet of FIG. 1 showing the manner in which such sheet may be folded to form one desirable embodiment of pouch.

FIG. 6 is a plan view on an enlarged scale of a scaled pouch of the type shown being formed in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a partial plan view of the pouch embodiment of FIG. 6 illustrating the manner in which the tear strip filament is utilized for opening the pouch.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale of the pouch taken in the plane of line 88 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a sectional View on an enlarged scale taken in the plane of line 9-9 of FIG. 6 illustrating a sealed extremity of the pouch.

FIG. 10 is a partial plan view on an enlarged scale of the upper right hand corner of the pouch shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 11 is an end view of the pouch portion of FIG. 10 looking in the direction of arrows 11.

FIG. 12 is a plan View of a sheet of pouch material from which a modified pouch may be produced.

FIG. 13 is a plan view on an enlarged scale of the modified pouch produced from the web of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a plan view of a further pouch modification.

FIG. 15 is a plan view of a modified pouch forming sheet illustrating a tear strip filament applied thereto in an undulating configuration.

While pouches of the subject type may be formed by various methods and by employing various types of manufacturing apparatus, desirably such pouches are formed from a flat web of material including a surface to which a tear strip filament is to be securely bonded, for example, by adhesive or by a heat sealing operation. Generally, however, it is preferred that at least one surface of the web is formed of a heat scalable material so that the pouch may be closed by heat scaling. If desired the entire pouch forming web may be of such a heat scalable material.

In the following description, the supply of pouch forming material is referred to as a laminated structure which includes a base sheet and a heat scalable film applied thereto. It should be remembered, however, that an unsupported or free film of heat scalable material also may be employed.

An elongated sheet or web of flexible material to which a layer of heat scalable material which is non-tacky at normal temperatures has been applied is shown in FIG. 4. As will be pointed out hereinafter, the elongated sheet 1 shown in FIG. 4 desirably is severed longitudinally from a wider and larger web of material. Bonded or laminated to the heat seal-able surface of sheet 1 throughout substantially its entire length is an elongated,

relatively thin tear strip or filament 2 which desirably is in the form of a fine cord of thread formed of any suitable material as discussed hereinafter.

To form one embodiment of the subject pouch from a sheet illustrated in FIG. 4, the sheet is folded, either before or after cutting to the desired pouch length, as shown in FIG. 5. Central panel 3 defines one wall of the pouch which is completed by folding the sheet along fold line 4 and along a line underlying tear filament 2 so that edge panels 6 and 7 may be brought into overlapping arrangement. Desirably, narrow panel 8 which forms part of edge panel 7 is folded back along fold line 9 so that the heat sealable surface thereof may be brought into contact with the heat sealable surface of edge panel 6 as shown in FIG. 5. In so doing, a longitudinal heat sealed seam 11 may be produced which extends the length of the sheet and which forms the same into a tubular configuration. The seam 11 extends longitudinally between opposite sealed extremities of a subsequently filled and sealed pouch. Panels 6 and 7 and seam 11 define the opposite wall of the pouch.

If heat sealing of scam 11 is not desired, the same may be effected by using a suitable adhesive, in which case it would not be necessary to fold back panel 8 as illustrated. Nor would panel 8 have to be folded back if sheet 1 is formed entirely of heat sealable material in that edge panel 7 could be sealed directly to the outer surface of edge panel 6. Furthermore, if desired a preformed pouch could be employed which need not be folded in the manner described but which could be extruded or otherwise formed directly into tubular shape.

After individual pouches have been formed as shown, opposite ends thereof are sealed in any suitable manner and in any suitable sequence to retain the intended contents in the pouch. Such sealing desirably is done by bringing adjacent and opposing margins of the opposite walls into face to face engagement. Thereafter such opposite margins may be secured together in :any suitable manner, such as by applying heat or utilizing adhesive. Heat sealing is preferred, however, because of the uniformly suitable results produced.

The sealed extremities of the pouch shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 are flat and unfolded and take the form of fin type seams which extend longitudinally from the central body portion of the pouch. The fin type seams are designated 12 in the drawings. As noted in FIGS. 6 and 7, the tear strip filament 2 extends in the direction of an edge of the substantially flat pouch with opposite end portions 13 thereof securely clamped between the adjacent margins of the opposing walls of the pouch which define seams 12. To conserve material, to provide a neat pouch'and to facilitate manufacture, filament end port-ions -13 desirably terminate flush with the free outer margins of seams. 12.

To facilitate opening of the pouch as shown in FIG. 7, a notch 14 is provided in one or both of the fin type seams to enhance initiation of tearing of the seams.

Reference is now directed to FIGS. 1 to 3 which illustrate more or less schematically one suitable mechanism by which a series of tear strip filaments 2 may be securely bonded throughout their length to a laminated sheet from which a plurality of pouch type containers may be formed. A supply roll 16 is suitably mounted so that a base sheet .or web 17 may be withdrawn therefrom. Base sheet 17 may be of any suitable material, such as paper or a laminated multi-ply fluid impervious sheet of paper and metal foil. Other base sheet constructions also may be employed as desired and as found suitable.

Base sheet 17 is drawn between pressure rollers 18 and 19 which rotate in the direction indicated by the arrows. Toimpart heat sealable characteristics to base sheet 17, a film or web of heat sealable material is applied by extrusion directly onto the sheet. An extruder 21 is positioned above and generally between rolls 18 and 19 so that a heat 4 sealable tacky film 22 is deposited directly onto the base sheet '17 and drawn therewith between the rolls.

If, as noted previously, a free film of heat sealable material is to be employed in forming the pouches, extruder 21 could be eliminated and replaced by any suitable heating device for heating such free film or the tear strip filaments so that the tear strip filaments may be bonded directly to the free film. As a further alternative, extruder 21 could be replaced by :a suitable adhesive applicator so that such tear strips could be adhesively secured to base sheet 17.

In the embodiment illustrated, because heat sealable film 22 has been applied while tacky, it is a simple matter to simultaneously apply a series of tear strip filaments to the sheet thus produced so that such filaments will be securely bonded to the sheet throughout their length as shown in prior described FIG. 4. A supply of such tear strips 2 may be positioned in any convenient location adjacent extruder 21 on a series of supply spools 23 or the like from which individual filaments may be drawn over a guide bar 24, a plurality of spacer guides 26 and a guide rod 27 supported above the apparatus in any suitable manner. Guide rod 27 is provided with an appropriately notched surface over which the filaments travel to insure proper alignment thereof.

From guide rod 27 the filaments pass over a second guide rod 28 which is positioned adjacent extruder 21. Guide rod 28 also is provided with notches to prevent transverse movement and misalignment of the filaments as the same pass thereover.

As rolls 18 and 19 rotate towards each other, base sheet 17 is drawn therethrough and extruded film 22 applied thereto and subjected to pressure thereby. Simultaneously, the plurality of tear strip filaments 2 are applied onto the surface of the still tacky extruded film 22 and are adheisvely bonded thereto in the manner shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. While the tear strips 2 may take any suitable configuration, such as round, polygonal or oval, when such filaments are applied to the sheet the same desirably are flattened somewhat and at least partially embedded in the heat sealable surface thereof in the manner shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 as a result of pressure applied by rolls 18 and 19.

After the plurality of filaments are applied to the sheet, the same is passed over suitable idler rolls 29 in a conventional manner during which the extruded film cools and is rendered non-tacky. Thereafter, the sheet is carried beneath a plurality of cutters 31 which longitudinally sever the sheet into a series of separate sheets 1 of less width, each of which has a tear strip filament 2 bonded thereto. Appropriate take up means 32 also is provided for coiling each of the separate sheets 1 into easily handled roll form to be subsequently employed in manufacturing individual pouches. The type of sheet shown in FIG. 4 is of the type cut from the wide sheet by cutters 31.

The manner in which such sheets 1 are formed into individual pouches is a matter of choice, but any suitable pouch filling and forming machine of an automatic nature is desirable. In such machines, the supply sheet is automatically cut and formed into pouches which are automatically filled and sealed. Each pouch thus formed "has a tear strip filament bonded thereto throughout its "length, such tear strip filament terminating flush with the pouch extremities because each pouch is cut from a parent sheet. Such flush end construction results in the opposite terminal ends of the tear strip being exposed.

When tear strip filaments are applied as shown in -FIG. 1, the rolls of narrow sheets 1 which are taken up on roll means 32 have the tear strip of each convolution of the roll lying directly over the tear strip of the underlying convolution. As a result, if the tear strip is of substantial size, undesirable roll build up might be produced. While such build up is minimized by the flattening effect produced by'rolls 18 and 19 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3,

and while such build up may be further minimized by using a ribbon type or very thin tear strip filament, such build up is possible.

Desirably, means is provided with the apparatus described for minimizing or eliminating such build up. As FIG. 1 shows, the bottom guide rod 28 may be connected to suitable oscillating means for moving the guide rod 28 transversely relative to the direction of travel of the laminated sheet. Such oscillating means comprises a connecting rod 33 by means of which guide rod 28 is secured to a cam arm 34 which in turn is eccentrically connected to a cam wheel 36. Cam wheel 36 may be rotated in any convenient manner such as by a motor 37. Upon rotation of cam wheel 36 oscillation of guide rod 32 in a direction transverse to the laminated sheet is produced. In this manner, each tear strip filament will be applied to the sheet in an undulating manner so that successive convolutions of the sheet will not have a tear strip filament section falling directly on the filament section of the underlying convolution. FIG. illustrates a sheet with a tear strip applied in this manner.

A further manner in which filaments may be applied to a sheet is possible if such filaments are formed from an extrudable material. In such case, the filaments may be extruded when tacky directly onto a sheet passing therebeneath so that when the filaments solidify they are securely bonded to the sheets. Also, if it is desired to apply the filaments between the plies of the laminated sheet shown in FIGS. l3, the same may be done by feeding the filaments into contact with base sheet 17 to the left side of extruder 21 as viewed in FIG. 1 so that film 22 will be applied over the filaments to cover the same.

Taking reference now to FIGS. 8 to 11, the impervious and impermeable characteristics of the subject novel pouch type containers will be discussed. As noted previously with respect to FIGS. 6 and 7, after a pouch has been filled with any suitable contents 41, such contents are retained in the body portion 10 of the pouch by means of heat sealed fins 12. Because at least the inner surface of each wall which defines the substantially flat pouch is brought into face to face engagement with the adjacent margin of the opposing wall and the same are heat sealed together, the opposite extremities of the pouches are completely closed. However, as is possible with prior art pouches in which woven or other type permeable tear strips are employed, even though the extremities of the pouches are heat sealed, the interior of the body portion It thereof is not completely isolated from the surrounding atmosphere in that such permeable tear strips provide channels through and around which moisture or gases may pass into or out of the sealed pouches. As a result, such tear strip pouches of the prior art cannot be used to package products under a vacuum or under pressure and also products which have delicate aromas and bouquets cannot be packaged therein without the contents becoming stale prematurely. This undesirable feature is completely corrected by the present invention in that tear strip filaments are employed, at least the end portions 13 of which are impervious to the passage of gases and moisture and so that wicking is eliminated and the package contents are completely isolated from the surrounding atmosphere.

FIGS. 8 to 11 are various views of a sealed pouch of the type shown in FIG. 6 on a substantially enlarged scale. Referring first to FIG. 8, it is noted that the tear strip filament 2 is at least partially embedded in the heat sealable film 22 of the pouch in the body portion thereof with part of the filament being exposed to contact with the contents 41 of the pouch. If filament 2 were of a permeable, wickable material, such filament would serve as a longitudinal channel through which fluid could flow through sealed seam 12. Note FIGS. 10 and ll. However, because filament 2 is of an impervious material, wicking is eliminated.

Furthermore, because the filament 2 is of a material which is compatible with the particular material chosen for the heat sealable film, when heat is applied to the pouches to seal opposite extremities thereof, the film, and also desirably the filament, flows a given amount so that an actual welding or secure bonding between the film and filament is effected. In such a manner, all voids around the filament are eliminated and the filament is tightly surrounded by the material of film 22 so that it is not possible for moisture or gases to pass longitudinally through the fin type seam 12 around the filament. That is, all fluid or gas passage along the length of filament end portions 13 between such filament and the heat sealed film 22 is eliminated.

As a result, the contents 41 in body portion 10 of the pouch are completely isolated from the atmosphere surrounding the pouch and the contents are completely protected and maintained in their original condition. Because the terminal ends 42 of the end portions 13 of the filaments are exposed to the atmosphere, in a normal pouch including a permeable filament, such exposed ends would readily provide an entrance or exit for the passage of moisture or gases through the filament into or out of the pouch body interior. As noted above, such fluid passage is precluded with pouches of this invention.

FIG. 12 shows a heat sealable sheet 43 from which a modified pouch construction may be formed. The area bordered by shading 44 sets out that portion of the sheet which is utilizable for forming one pouch. Such sheet portion is divided into two sections 46 and 47 by a tear strip filament 2 which extends centrally thereof. Lines 48 indicate directions in which the large sheet 43 may be cut to provide individual pouch blanks. After such cutting has been effected, sections 46 and 47 are folded into face to face engagement along a line underlying filament 2 and heat sealed along three margins thereof to define three fin type seams 49 as shown in FIG. 13.

Tear strip filament 2 extends along the folded edge '51 of the sealed pouch. Desirably a notch 52 is provided adjacent one or both ends of the filament to facilitate initiation of the tear.

In FIG. 14 a further pouch modification is shown which is basically similar to the pouch of FIG. 13. This modified pouch comprises a body 53 which is heat sealed along all four margins by fin type seams 54. In such case, the tear strip filament 2 is spaced inwardly from the outer margin of the pouch so that tearing of the pouch in the direction of an edge thereof will permit access to be gained to the contents. A tear initiating notch 56 also may be provided with this pouch.

While only several pouch modifications have been disclosed, it should be understood that many other pouches may be devised with which this invention may be employed. All such pouches which may be obvious to one skilled in the art are embodied in the present invention.

Many heat sealable materials for the walls of the pouch type container as well as many tear strip filament materials may be employed so long as such filaments and wall material are compatible to provide the completely impervious sealed container extremities described. For example, the heat sealable pouch forming sheet material may be either laminated films or free films of the following: polyethylene, Pliofilm, cellophane, saran or the like. In addition, various heat sealable lacquers and waxes and other materials may be laminated to paper or paper and foil base sheets to provide a heat sealable pouch. Because of its desirable characteristics of strength, controlled flowability upon application of moderate heat and the like, a low density polyethylene has been found highly desirable as a pouch material.

With the above described pouch materials, various compatible tear strip filament materials may be utilized in numerous combinations, any one of which may be employed for a particular purpose. Desirably the filament material is formed from a nou-wickable fluid impervious and impermeable material which is of a non-porous and non-woven nature so that the presence of interstices through which gases and moisture can flow are eliminated. Such impervious materials may cover a wide range including heat sealable resins of the plastic type, the commercial polyesters and the like.

In addition, the filament chosen could even be of a woven fibrous character, such as a cotton string, if the same is thoroughly and completely impregnated with a suitable moisture impervious material, such as waxes or suitable resins, either throughout its length or at least in the end portions thereof which are to be clamped in the fin type seams of the pouch. Such impregnation, to be effective however, should be carried out under pressure to insure complete sealing of all interstices of the woven strip to preclude wicking.

Desirably, and most advantageously, however, a readily heat softenable and sealable material which can flow a controlled amount upon the application of heat is preferred for the filaments. One such suitable material is high density polyethylene which possesses the desirable characteristics of flowability, non-stretchability and strength so that the same can be bonded securely to the heat sealable walls which comprise a container pouch so as to be effective for opening the same while being effective to eliminate all voids around the filament in a sealed pouch seam. When materials such as polyethylene are employed for the filament material, it is important that the same possess a higher melting point than the heat sealable material of the package so that the identity of the filament will not be lost when the filament is bonded to the 'heat sealable sheet or when the pouch ends are heat sealed. However, some flowing of the filament is desirable as above noted upon application of heat to insure secure bonding of the filament in the seam with attendant elimination of all voids to effect complete sealing of the pouch. Such complete scaling is insured due to the highly compatible nature of the high density polyethylene with the lower density polyethylene which desirably comprises the pouch.

It is an important feature of the filament employed that the same be substantially non-stretchable so that when the pouch is opened as shown in FIG. 7, the pouch Will be torn along the edge thereof readily and easily with the tear strip filament acting as an opening instrument without distortion thereof.

While the filament may take any suitable shape, as noted previously, it is preferred that the same take the form of a relatively narrow, fiat or oval ribbon and that the same be formed from a compressible material so that the same may the additionally flattened somewhat to minimize roll build up if necessary when it is applied to the sheet.

When polyethylene and like fiowable materials are used for the filament, the filament may be of single strand construction or the same may be of multi-str'and construction in which the strands are wound one about the other in a known manner. Also, if desired, a fiat, wide ribbon may be employed which is folded along its length to provide a multiply filament of desired predetermined width and thickness. If such a wound or folded filament is employed, wicking along the length thereof is preeluded because of the heat scalable flow characteristics of the material chosen so that all longitudinal channels therethrough are eliminated when heat is applied so that sealed pouches are rendered completely impervious to fluid passage.

While no particular pouch sizes and filament dimensions have been described herein, pouches of the type shown may vary in size depending upon a particular 7 heat sealable material is intended to cover any filament which is comprised of a large percentage, if not all, of such a material, including an impregnated woven or like tear strip in which all interstices of the strip are completely closed by the heat sealable material of the type described, as well as a tear strip in which the entire filament is comprised of such a heat sealable material, such as the desirable polyethylene filament described above.

Having made a full disclosure of the invention, the same should be interpreted in light of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A heat sealed, moisture and gas impervious pouch comprising a pair of opposite moisture and gas'impervious walls the inner surfaces of which comprise fiowable heat sealable material, said' walls being heat sealed to each other along opposite margins thereof in fiat face to-face relationship thereby providing a substantially flat pouch body portion and a pair of opposite fiat. fin-type seams which seal opposite extremities of said pouch and retain the contents thereof in said body portion, an elongated pouch opening filament secured throughout substantially its entire length to one of said walls and being at least partially embedded in the heat sealable surface thereof whereby a secure bond between such surface and said filament is produced, said filament retaining its identity in said bond and extending in the direction of an edge of said body portion with opposite end portions thereof clamped between the sealed face-to-face wall margins which define said fin-type seams, said filament consisting of a fiowable heat sealable material which is compatible with the heat sealable material of said wall surfaces and which is impervious to moisture and gases, said filament end portions being embedded in and securely welded to the heat sealable surfaces of said fin-type seams and surrounded thereby with the heat sealable material of said wall surfaces and said filament blending with each other whereby voids around said filament end portions are eliminated and all passage of moisture and gases into and out of said pouch around said end portions and wicking of moisture and gases through said end portions is precluded so that the contents of said body portion is completely isolated from the surrounding atmosphere.

2. A moisture and gas impervious sealed container comprising walls the inner surfaces of which comprise low density polyethylene, adjacent margins of said walls being in opposing relationship and heat sealed to each other to provide a closure seam for said container, a container opening tear strip laminated to a container wall with an end portion thereof clamped between said Wall margins, said tear strip being graspable by said end portion for pulling said tear strip through said container wall to tear the same to open said container, said tear strip being composed entirely of high density polyethylene which has a melting point higher than the melting point of said polyethylene wall surfaces and which is moisture and gas impervious, said tear strip and said wall margins being welded together and intimately blended with each other while the identity of said tear strip is retained so that all voids and passages around said tear strip end portion are eliminated whereby passage of moisture and gases therearound and wicking of moisture and gases through said tear strip end portion is precluded and isolation of the contents of the container from the surrounding atmosphere is efiected.

3. A completely sealed moisture and gas impervious wick-proof pouch type container which has a product packaged therein and isolated thereby from the atmosphere surrounding said container, said container comprising two opposing walls at least the inner surfaces of which comprise a flowable heat sealable material which is impervious to gas and moisture passage therethrough, said walls being heat sealed and blended together in faceto-face fiuid and gas impervious relationship along opposite extremities thereof whereby opposite fin-type seams are provided, said container including an elongated container opening tear strip bonded thereto which extends in the direction of an edge thereof, said tear strip consisting entirely of a heat sealable fiowable material which is impervious to moisture and gas passage therethrough and which is highly compatible with the heat sealable material of said walls, opposite ends of said tear strip being clamped in said fin-type seams, a weld bond about the entire periphery of each tear strip end between such end and the heat sealable material of said walls bonding such end in gas and moisture impervious leakproof engagement therebetween, said heat sealable tear strip material having a higher melting point than the melting point of said container wall material so that said tear strip retains its identity when the container is heat sealed, said tear strip opposite ends being securely embedded in said fin-type seams for grasping and being blended with the heat sealable material of said walls all around said ends so that all voids and passages around said ends through said seams are eliminated, whereby all passage of moisture and gases into and out of said container around said tear strip and wicking of moisture and gases through said tear strip is precluded so that said product is maintained completely isolated and protected.

4. A completely sealed moisture and gas impervious wick-proof pouch type container which has a product packaged therein and isolated thereby from the atmosphere surrounding said container, said container comprising two opposing walls at least the inner surfaces of which comprise a flowable heat sealable material which is impervious to gas and moisture passage therethrough, said walls being heat sealed and blended together in face-to-face fluid and gas impervious relationship along opposite extremities thereof whereby opposite fin-type seams are provided, said container including an elongated container opening tear strip bonded thereto throughout its entire length and extending in the direction of an edge thereof, said tear strip consisting entirely of a heat sealable flowable material which is impervious to moisture and gas passage therethrough and which is highly compatible with the heat sealable material of said walls, opposite end of said tear strip being clamped in said fin-type seams, said tear strip ends terminating flush with the respective outer extremities of said fin-type seams so that no portion of said tear strip projects freely from said container, a weld bond about the entire periphery of each tear strip end between such end and the heat sealable material of said walls bonding such end in gas and moisture impervious leak-proof engagement therebetween, said heat sealable tear strip material having a higher melting point than the melting point of said container wall material so that said tear strip retains its identity when said container is heat sealed, said tear strip opposite ends being securely embedded in said fin-type seams for grasping and being blended with the heat sealable material of said walls all around said ends so that all voids and passages around said ends through said seams are eliminated, whereby all passage of moisture and gases into and out of said container around said tear strip and wicking of moisture and gases through said tear strip is precluded so that said product is maintained completely isolated and protected.

5. A completely sealed moisture and gas impervious wick-proof pouch type container which has a product packaged therein and isolated thereby from the atmosphere surrounding said container, said container comprising two opposing walls at least the inner surfaces of which comprise a flowable heat sealable material which is impervious to gas and moisture passage therethrough, said walls being heat sealed and blended together in faceto-face fluid and gas impervious relationship along opposite extremities thereof whereby opposite fin-type seams are provided, said container including an elongated container opening tear filament bonded throughout substantially its entire length to said container and extending in the direction of an edge thereof, said filament consisting entirely of a heat flowable material which is impervious to moisture and gas passage therethrough and which is highly compatible with the heat sealable material of said walls, said filament being substantially non-stretchable and capable of being pulled through a container wall during container opening, opposite ends of said filament being clamped in said fin-type seams and terminating within the marginal confines thereof, a weld bond about the entire periphery of each filament end between such end and the heat sealable material of said walls welding such end in gas and moisture impervious leak-proof engagement therebetween, said filament having a higher melting point than the melting point of said container wall material so that said filament retains its identity during container heat sealing, said filament opposite ends being securely embedded in said fin-type seams for grasping and being blended with the heat sealable material of said walls all around said ends so that all voids and passages around said ends through said seams are eliminated, whereby all passage of moisture and gas into and out of said container around said filament and wicking of moisture and gas through said filament is precluded so that said product is maintained completely isolated and protected.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,293,952 Stroop Aug. 25, 1942 2,353,746 Moore July 18, 1944 2,611,483 Adams Sept. 23, 1952 2,699,285 Bell Jan. 11, 1955 2,790,594 Hultkrans Apr. 30, 1957 2,870,953 Parker Jan. 27, 1959 2,952,395 Spees Sept. 30, 1960

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