Selectively openable seal line and containers having same

Claim 2

A selectively openable seal line for sealing a first and second sheet of material together and defining a predetermined break point, the seal being so constructed and arranged that upon an application of a specific force to the sheets, the sheets break only at the break point, the seal line comprising in cross section: a bead area of increased thickness, the first and second sheets being sealed at the bead area; a beveled surface defined by the second sheet, the first and second sheets being sealed at the beveled surface; a concave depression located between the bead area and the beveled surface, the concave depression defining a point of minimum seal thickness; and the concave depression, bead area, and beveled surface cooperating to cause the break point at which the second sheet separates from the first sheet, to be located at a vertical position between a first horizontal plane tangent to the point of minimum seal thickness defined by the concave depression and a second horizontal plane tangent to a top of the bead and parallel to the first horizontal plane.

Claim 3

The seal line as in claim 1, wherein the thickness of said seal at said break point is not substantially less than the thickness of said second sheet.

Claim 4

The seal line as in claim 1, formed by applied pressure.

Claim 5

The seal line as in claim 1, wherein said first and second sheets have substantially identical melt-flow characteristics.

Claim 6

The seal line as in claim 1 wherein the distance from and including said concave depression through said bevel end is about one-eighth inch.

Claim 7

The seal line as in claim 1, wherein said beveled suface begins adjacent a concave upward surface of the concave depression.

Claim 8

The seal line as in claim 1, wherein the thickness of said second sheet is less than the thickness of said first sheet.

Claim 9

The seal line as in claim 7, wherein the thickness of said second sheet is at least about 0.005 inch less than the thickness of said first sheet.

Claim 10

The seal line as in claim 7, wherein the thickness of said second sheet is at least about 0.003 inch less than the thickness of said first sheet.

Claim 11

The seal line as in claim 1, wherein said first and second sheets are constructed from the same material.

Claim 12

The seal line as in claim 1, wherein said first and second sheets are constructed from polyvinyl chloride material.

Claim 13

The seal line as in claim 1, wherein said first and second sheets are constructed from ethyl vinyl acetate.

Claim 14

The seal line as in claim 1, wherein said first and second sheets are constructed from polyvinylidene chloride.

Claim 15

The seal line as in claim 1, wherein at least one of said first and second sheets comprises a laminate structure of at least two layers.

Claim 16

The seal line as in claim 14, wherein said laminate structure includes a layer of SARAN.

Claim 17

The seal line as in claim 14, wherein said laminate structure includes a layer of metal foil, exclusive of a first and second inner surfaces of the first and second sheet.

Claim 18

The seal line as in claim 16, wherein said metal foil layer is aluminum.

Claim 19

The seal line as in claim 1, wherein said first sheet is a laminate structure of at least two layers and includes a layer which is a better vapor transmission barrier than a first inner surface of the first sheet.

Claim 20

The seal line as in claim 1, wherein said second sheet is a laminate structure of at least two layers and includes a layer which is a better vapor transmission barrier than a second inner surface of the second sheet.

Claim 21

The seal line as in claim 1, wherein each of said first and second sheets is a laminate structure of at least two layers and includes a layer which is a better vapor transmission barrier than a inner surface of its respective sheet.

Claim 22

The seal line as in claim 1, wherein said seal is formed by a radio-frequency energy source.

Claim 23

The seal line as in claim 1, wherein the width of said concave depression is about 0.02 inch.

Claim 24

The seal line as in claim 1, wherein the thickness of said second sheet is about 0.010 inch and the thickness of said first sheet is about 0.015 inch.

Claim 25

The seal line as in claim 1, wherein said bead area of increased thickness comprises material from both of said first and second sheets.

Claim 26

The seal line as in claim 1, wherein at least said first sheet comprises a laminate structure of at least two layers, wherein said first outer surface is of a material not subject to heating by a focused energy source.

Claim 27

The seal line as in claim 1, further comprising a mirror image seal substantially identical to said seal, said seal and said mirror image seal commencing from a common seal line opening end from which that portion of said seal line defined by said seal and that portion of said seal line defined by said mirror image seal initially extend away from each other at an angle less than 180 degrees.

Claim 28

The seal line as in claim 26, such that said seal break point and mirror image break point are separated by said seal concave depression and a mirror image seal concave depression.

Claim 29

The seal line as in claim 27, wherein said seal line is substantially chevron shaped.

Claim 30

The seal line as in claim 28, wherein said seal line portions initially extend away from each other at an angle not greater than about 90 degrees and then extend away from each other at an angle in the range of from about 90 degrees to less than 180 degrees.

Claim 31

The seal line as in claim 27, defined about said opening end by an opening seal including an opening concave depression substantially wider than, and narrowing into, said seal concave depression and said mirror image seal concave depression.

Claim 32

The seal line as in claim 26, such that said seal arcuate depression and a mirror image seal arcuate depression are separated by said seal break point and a mirror image break point.

Claim 33

The seal line as in claim 26, wherein said seal line portions initially extend away from each other at an angle not greater than about 90 degrees.

Claim 34

The seal line as in claim 27, wherein said seal line portions, after initially extending away from each other, extend in parallel relation at a distance between break point of said seal and said mirror image seal not greater than about one-half inch.

Claim 35

The seal line as in claim 33, wherein said seal line portions initially extend away from each other at an angle not greater than about 90 degrees.

Claim 36

The seal line as in claim 26, further including a tack seal between said first and second sheets and spaced from said seal line opening end, such that said tack seal makes an audible noise when broken and such that said tack seal breaks before said seal line opens.

Claim 37

The seal line as in claim 1, further comprising a mirror image seal substantially identical to said seal, said seal and said mirror image seal commencing from a common seal line opening end from which that portion of said seal line defined by said seal and that portion of said seal line defined by said mirror image seal initially extend away from each other at an angle less than 180 degrees.

Claim 38

The seal line as in claim 36, such that said seal break point and a mirror image break point are separated by said seal concave depression and a mirror image seal concave depression.

Claim 39

The seal line as in claim 37, defined about said opening end by an opening seal including an opening concave depression substantially wider than, and narrowing into, said seal concave depression and said mirror image seal concave depression.

Claim 40

The seal line as in claim 38, wherein the width of said opening concave depression at said opening end is about 0.04 inch and narrows to about 0.02 inch at said seal concave depression and said mirror image seal arcuate depression.

Claim 41

The seal line as in claim 38, further including a flat surface intermediate said concave upward surface and said beveled surface at said opening seal, said flat surface narrowing to a point into said seal line portion and said mirror image seal line portion, whereat said beveled surface begins adjacent said concave upward surface.

Claim 42

The seal line as in claim 40, wherein the width of said beveled surface remains constant through the entire length of said seal line.

Claim 43

The seal line as in claim 41, such that said seal line is substantially chevron shaped, with said opening end corresponding to the tip of the chevron shape.

Claim 44

A container having two chambers for the separate storage and selective mixing of two components, comprising: (a) a first sheet including (i) a first inner surface of a thermoplastic material, and (ii) a first outer surface; (b) a second, diaphragm sheet including (i) a second inner surface of a thermoplastic material, said second inner surface having melt-flow characteristics substantially identical with the melt-flow characteristics of said first inner surface, and (ii) a second outer surface; (c) said second, diaphragm sheet sealed about at least a portion of its periphery to said first sheet and to a third sheet opposite said first sheet; (d) said first sheet and said third sheet sealed about their entire peripheries, forming the exterior wall of said container; (e) an externally, selectively, manually openable seal line as in claim 42; (f) at least said second, diaphragm sheet, said openable seal line and said third sheet defining a first chamber for holding the first component; (g) at least said first sheet, said openable seal line and said second, diaphragm sheet defining a second chamber for holding the second component; (h) whereby manual separation of said first and second sheets near said openable seal line will rupture said seal line and said second sheet, placing said first and second chambers in open communication.

Claim 45

A selectively openable seal line comprising: (a) a first sheet including (i) a first inner surface of a thermoplastic material, and (ii) a first outer surface; (b) a second sheet including (i) a second inner surface of a thermoplastic material, and (ii) a second outer surface; (c) said first and second inner surfaces secured to each other at a seal formed by a focused energy source, which melts said first and second inner surfaces at said seal, said formed seal defining, along a cross section taken through seal line, perpendicular to said seal line; (i) a bead area of increased thickness at a break end of said seal, between said first and second inner surfaces, said bead area of increased thickness coextensive with said first and second inner surfaces along less than all of the surface of said bead area, (ii) a break line inwardly of said break end and bead area, at said second sheet, substantially adjacent said bead area, (iii) an arcuate depression having a concave downward surface extending from substantially adjacent said break line to a minimum seal thickness point, and (iv) said arcuate depression including a concave upward surface extending upwardly from said concave downward surface; (d) the seal further defining a beveled surface defined by said second outer surface, beyond said concave upward surface, the thickness of said seal along said beveled surface increasing to a bevel end of said seal; and (e) the seal further including a secondary bead area between said first and second sheets, extending beyond said bevel end.

Claim 46

A selectively openable seal line comprising: (a) a first sheet including (i) a first inner surface of a thermoplastic material, and (ii) a first outer surface; (b) a second sheet including (i) a second inner surface of a thermoplastic material, and (ii) a second outer surface; (c) said first and second inner surfaces secured to each other at a seal formed by a focused energy source, which melts said first and second inner surfaces at said seal, said formed seal defining, along a cross section taken through seal line, perpendicular to said seal line; (i) a bead area of increased thickness at a break end of said seal, between said first and second inner surfaces, said bead area of increased thickness coextensive with said first and second inner surfaces along less than all of the surface of said bead area, (ii) a break line inwardly of said break end and bead area, at said second sheet, substantially adjacent said bead area, (iii) an arcuate depression having a concave downward surface extending from substantially adjacent said break line to a minimum seal thickness point, and (iv) said arcuate depression including a concave upward surface extending upwardly from said concave downward surface; (d) the seal further defining a beveled surface defined by said second outer surface, beyond said concave upward surface, the thickness of said seal along said beveled surface increasing to a bevel end of said seal; and (e) the seal further including a secondary bead area between said first and second sheets, extending beyond said bevel end.

Claim 47

A container having two chambers for the separate storage and selective mixing of two components, comprising: (a) a first sheet including (i) a first inner surface of a thermoplastic material, and (ii) a first outer surface; (b) a second, diaphragm sheet including (i) a second inner surface of a thermoplastic material, said second inner surface having melt-flow characteristics substantially identical with the melt-flow characteristics of said first inner surface, and (ii) a second outer surface; (c) said second, diaphragm sheet sealed about at least a portion of its periphery to said first sheet and to a third sheet opposite said first sheet; (d) said first sheet and said third sheet sealed about their entire peripheries, forming the exterior wall of said container; (e) an externally, selectively, manually openable seal line between said first sheet and said second, diaphragm sheet, wherein a cross section taken through said seal line, perpendicular to said seal line at the cross section defines a seal, said seal formed by a focused energy source, which melts said first and second inner surfaces at said seal, said seal defining (i) a bead area of increased thickness at a break end of said seal, between said first and second inner surfaces, said bead area of increased thickness coextensive with said first and second inner surfaces along less than all of the surface of said bead area, (ii) a break line inwardly of said break end, between said second, diaphragm sheet and said bead area of increased thickness, the thickness of said seal at said break line being at the least not substantially less than the thickness of said second sheet, and (iii) an arcuate depression having a concave downward surface extending from substantially adjacent said break line to a minimum seal thickness point; (f) at least said second, diaphragm sheet, said openable seal line and said third sheet defining a first chamber for holding the first component; (g) at least said first sheet, said openable seal line and said second, diaphragm sheet defining a second chamber for holding the second component; (h) whereby manual separation of said first and second sheets near said openable seal line will rupture said seal line and said second sheet, placing said first and second chambers in open communication.

Claim 48

A container having two chambers for the separate storage and selective mixing of two components, comprising: (a) a first sheet including (i) a first inner surface of a thermoplastic material, and (ii) a first outer surface; (b) a second, diaphragm sheet including (i) a second inner surface of a thermoplastic material, said second inner surface having melt-flow characteristics substantially identical with the melt-flow characteristics of said first inner surface, and (ii) a second outer surface; (c) said second, diaphragm sheet sealed about at least a portion of its periphery to said first sheet and to a third sheet opposite said first sheet; (d) said first sheet and said third sheet sealed about their entire peripheries, forming the exterior wall of said container; (e) an externally, selectively, manually openable seal line between said first sheet and said second, diaphragm sheet, wherein a cross section taken through said seal line, perpendicular to said seal line at the cross section defines a seal, said seal formed by a focused energy source, which melts said first and second inner surfaces at said seal, said seal defining (i) a bead area of increased thickness at a break end of said seal, between said first and second inner surfaces, said bead area of increased thickness coextensive with said first and second inner surfaces along less than all of the surface of said bead area, (ii) a break line inwardly of said break end, between said second, diaphragm sheet and said bead area of increased thickness, the thickness of said seal at said break line being at the least not substantially less than the thickness of said second sheet, and (iii) an arcuate depression having a concave downward surface extending from substantially adjacent said break line to a minimum seal thickness point; (f) at least said second, diaphragm sheet, said openable seal line and said third sheet defining a first chamber for holding the first component; (g) at least said first sheet, said openable seal line and said second, diaphragm sheet defining a second chamber for holding the second component; (h) whereby manual separation of said first and second sheets near said openable seal line will rupture said seal line and said second sheet, placing said first and second chambers in open communication.

Claim 49

The container as in claim 45, wherein said first and third sheets provide a sterility barrier to said first and second chambers.

Claim 50

The container as in claim 45, wherein said first and third sheets provide a sterility barrier to said fist and second chambers and said container may contain first and second components which are medical substances.

Claim 51

The container as in claim 45, wherein said container is suitable for the separate storage and selective mixing of medical substances, wherein each of the first and second components is a medical substance and wherein said container maintains the medical substances in sterile condition.

Claim 52

The container as in claim 45, further including port means communicating with one of said first and second chambers.

Claim 53

The container as in claim 45, further including a permanent line of securement between said second and third sheets, extending substantially parallel to said openable seal line and extending substantially the length of said openable seal line.

Claim 54

The container as in claim 50, wherein said openable seal line extends substantially across said container.

Claim 55

The container as in claim 50, (a) wherein said second diaphragm sheet includes a common portion partially bounded by both said seal line and said permanent securement line; (b) wherein said seal line extends entirely across said container, spanning said peripheral seal of said first sheet and said second, diaphragm sheet; (c) wherein said permanent securement line extends entirely across said container, spanning said peripheral seal of said second, diaphragm sheet and said third sheet; (d) so that said first and second chambers share a boundary one said second, diaphragm sheet only at said common portion.

Claim 56

The containe as in claim 45, wherein said seal is formed by a radio-frequency energy source.

Claim 57

A selectively openable seal line for sealing a first and second sheet of material together and defining a predetermined break point, the seal being so constructed and arranged that upon an application of a specific force to the sheets, the sheets break only at the break point, the seal line comprising in cross section: a bead area of increased thickness, the first and second sheets being sealed at the bead area; a beveled surface defined by the second sheet, the first and second sheets being sealed at the beveled surface; a concave depression located between the bead area and the beveled surface, the concave depression defining a point of minimum seal thickness; the concave depression, bead area, and beveled surface cooperating to cause the break point at which the second sheet separates from the first sheet, to be located at a vertical position between a first horizontal plane tangent to the point of minimum seal thickness defined by the concave depression and a second horizontal plane tangent to a top of the bead and parallel to the first horizontal plane; and a second bead area between the first and second sheets extending beyond the bevel surface.

Claim 58

A selectively openable seal line for sealing a first and second sheet of material together and defining a predetermined break point, the seal being so constructed and arranged that upon an application of a specific force to the sheets, the sheets break only at the break point, the seal line comprising in cross section: a bead area of increased thickness, the first and second sheets being sealed at the bead area; a beveled surface defined by the second sheet, the first and second sheets being sealed at the beveled surface; a concave depression located between the bead area and the beveled surface, the concave depression defining a point of minimum seal thickness; the concave depression, bead area, and beveled surface cooperating to cause the break point at which the second sheet separates from the first sheet, to be located at a vertical position between a first horizontal plane tangent to the point of minimum seal thickness defined by the concave depression and a second horizontal plane tangent to a top of the bead and parallel to the first horizontal plane; and a second bead area between the first and second sheets extending beyond the bevel surface.

Claim 59

In a container which comprises a pair of flexible, collapsible, facing walls, said container carrying a selectively openable seal line between a pair of adjoining flexible thermoplastic sheets, said seal line defining a bead area of increased thickness sealing said pair of sheets together in an angular relation, at least one of said thermoplastic sheets joining said bead at a position substantially to one side thereof and spaced from the area of said bead which is most distant from the other of said thermoplastic sheets, and an arcuate depression defining a concave downward surface extending from substantially the junction of said one sheet and said bead to a minimum seal thickness point of the two sealed sheets, whereby manipulation of said one thermoplastic sheet can cause the formation of a break line through said one thermoplastic sheet beginning substantially at its junction at the side of the bead area, to sever said one sheet from the bead area for forming an aperature in said container, said arcuate depression having a concave upward surface extending upwardly from said minimum seal thickness point away from said concave downward surface and said bead area, said seal line defining a bevelled surface defined by said one thermoplastic sheet in which the thickness of said seal along said bevelled surface increases, moving away from said arcuate depression to an end of the seal and the other thermoplastic sheets.

Claim 60

In a container which comprises a pair of flexible, collapsible, facing walls, said container carrying a selectively openable seal line between a pair of adjoining flexible thermoplastic sheets, said seal line defining a bead area of increased thickness sealing said pair of sheets together in an angular relation, at least one of said thermoplastic sheets joining said bead at a position substantially to one side thereof and spaced from the area of said bead which is most distant from the other of said thermoplastic sheets, and an arcuate depression defining a concave downward surface extending from substantially the junction of said one sheet and said bead to a minimum seal thickness point of the two sealed sheets, whereby manipulation of said one thermoplastic sheet can cause the formation of a break line through said one thermoplastic sheet beginning substantially at its junction at the side of the bead area, to sever said one sheet from the bead area for forming an aperature in said container, said arcuate depression having a concave upward surface extending upwardly from said minimum seal thickness point away from said concave downward surface and said bead area, said seal line defining a bevelled surface defined by said one thermoplastic sheet in which the thickness of said seal along said bevelled surface increases, moving away from said arcuate depression to an end of the seal and the other thermoplastic sheets.