US3635376A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Quick-open flexible package
Assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
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Filing: 1970-06-05
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Granted: 1972-01-18
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Expires: 1990-06-05
Abstract
Abstract I disclose a quick-open container structure comprising a pair of sheet members, means for peripherally sealing said sheet members to define a containment section therebetween, said peripheral sealing means being interrupted to define a relatively narrowed dispensing channel, extending from said containment section to an edge of said structure, at least one of said sheet members being sufficiently flexible to permit deformation at said containment section to extrude the contents thereof through said dispensing channel, a deformable member mounted on one of said members and disposed to block said dispensing channel in the undeformed condition of said deformable member, means for stretching said one flexible member over said deformable member in its nondeformed condition to seal said containment section, said deformable member being shaped to loosen said one flexible member in the deformed condition of said deformable member.
Inventors
- 👤 Harold Richard Hellstrom
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 03:29
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D75/00; B65D75/52; B65D75/58; B65D75/28; B65D75/30; B65D2575/00; B65D2575/52; B65D2575/58; B65D2575/586
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
A quick-open container structure comprising a pair of sheet members, means for peripherally sealing said sheet members to define a containment section therebetween, said peripheral sealing means being interrupted to define a relatively narrowed dispensing channel extending from said containment section to an edge of said structure, at least one of said sheet members being sufficiently flexible to permit deformation at said containment section to extrude the contents thereof through said dispensing channel, a deformable member mounted on one of said members and disposed to block said dispensing channel in the undeformed condition of said deformable member, means for stretching said one flexible member over said deformable member in its nondeformed condition to seal said containment section, said deformable member being shaped to loosen said one flexible member in the deformed conDition of said deformable member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
A quick-open container structure comprising a pair of sheet members, means for peripherally sealing said sheet members to define a containment section therebetween, said peripheral sealing means being interrupted to define a relatively narrowed dispensing channel extending from said containment section to an edge of said structure, at least one of said sheet members being sufficiently flexible to permit deformation at said containment section to extrude the contents thereof through said dispensing channel, a deformable member mounted on one of said members and disposed to block said dispensing channel in the undeformed condition of said deformable member, means for stretching said one flexible member over said deformable member in its nondeformed condition to seal said containment section, said deformable member being shaped to loosen said one flexible member in the deformed conDition of said deformable member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein only one of said sheet members is flexible, the other of said sheet members is resilient, and said deformable member is formed integrally with said resilient member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein said deformable member is shaped to exhibit a bistable characteristic and an overcenter effect as the deformable member is moved between a stable closed position thereof whereat said flexible layer is stretched thereover to block said channel and a stable open position thereof displaced from said one flexible member to open said channel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein said dispensing channel is coterminous with an outer edge of said deformable member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein means are provided on said container structure and disposed on each side of said deformable member and said dispensing channel for stiffening said structure in the areas thereof adjacent said deformable member to facilitate deformation of said deformable member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The combination according to claim 5 wherein said stiffening means include at least one transverse rib structure extending from each lateral edge of said container structure to the adjacent side of said deformable member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination according to claim 6 wherein said deformable member is an intermediate continuation of said rib structure and is joined at its ends thereto.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
The combination according to claim 7 wherein means are coupled to said intermediate continuation for preferentially weakening the same so that said intermediate continuation is deformed to its channel-open position upon angulation of said rib structure and the adjacent portions of said container structure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination according to claim 5 wherein said stiffening means include a plurality of rib structures extending from each lateral edge of said container structure to the adjacent edge of said deformable member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
The combination according to claim 9 wherein at least some of said rib structures are located on said container structure on the side thereof opposite from said deformable member in its closed position and extend continuously and transversely across said container structure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein said deformable member is positioned on a separate stiffening element secured to one of said sheet members.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination according to claim 11 wherein the length of said stiffening element is substantially coextensive with that of said dispensing channel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
The combination according to claim 11 wherein said deformable member in its closed position rises from the floor of a recess which is formed in said stiffening element and which substantially surrounds said deformable member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein said dispensing channel is widened in the area of said deformable member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein said deformable member is hemispheroidal in contour and is thereby shaped to exhibit an overcenter bistable characteristic.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
The combination according to claim 15 wherein said hemispheroidal member is creased transversely of said container structure, and said flexible member is stretched into said crease to increase the sealing effect of said hemispheroidal member.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
The combination according to claim 5 wherein said stiffening means adjoin said deformable member so that said deformable member is deformed to its channel-open position upon angulation of said stiffening means and the adjacent areas of said container construction.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
100 words
A sealing and/or valving construction comprising a pair of flexible members, means for partially adjoining said members to define a flow channel therebetween, a deformable element mounted on one of said members and disposed to block said flow channel in an undeformed condition of said deformable element, at least one of said members being sufficiently flexible for Stretching over said deformable element in its undeformed condition to block said channel, means for so stretching said flexible member, and said deformable element being shaped to loosen said flexible member in the deformed condition of said deformable element to unblock said channel.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
100 words
A sealing and/or valving construction comprising a pair of flexible members, means for partially adjoining said members to define a flow channel therebetween, a deformable element mounted on one of said members and disposed to block said flow channel in an undeformed condition of said deformable element, at least one of said members being sufficiently flexible for Stretching over said deformable element in its undeformed condition to block said channel, means for so stretching said flexible member, and said deformable element being shaped to loosen said flexible member in the deformed condition of said deformable element to unblock said channel.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
51 words
The combination according to claim 18 wherein said deformable element is constructed to exhibit a bistable characteristic and an overcenter effect when the deformable element is moved between a stable closed position thereof wherein said flexible member is stretched thereof and a stable open position thereof displaced from said flexible member.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
46 words
The combination according to claim 18 wherein means are provided on at least one of said members and disposed on each side of said deformable elements and said channel for stiffening said one member in the areas thereof adjacent said deformable element to facilitate deformation thereof.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein said deformable member is frangible and is positioned to unblock said dispensing channel upon breakage thereof.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
42 words
The combination according to claim 21 wherein said deformable member is elongated and extends transversely of said dispensing channel, said deformable member being secured adjacent its ends to said container structure and being shaped to apply closing forces to said dispensing channel.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination according to claim 21 wherein said deformable member is elongated and extends transversely of said dispensing channel, said deformable member being curved along its length towards said dispensing channel.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
35 words
The combination according to claim 21 wherein said deformable member extends transversely of said dispensing channel and is provided with a protuberance extending toward said channel, said protuberance being shaped to apply sealing forces thereto.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
38 words
The combination according to claim 21 wherein said deformable member is elongated and extends transversely along said dispensing channel, said deformable member terminating at each of its ends in a widened section for adhering to said container structure.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combination according to claim 21 wherein said deformable member is provided with preferential weakening means adjacent said dispensing channel.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
39 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein an area of said container structure adjacent said deformable member and removed from said containment section is depressed such that said deformable member lies within a transverse dimension of said containment section.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-17 | 1975-07-19 | 1976-01-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-17 | 1979-07-19 | 1980-01-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-17 | 1983-07-19 | 1984-01-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |