CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/366,458, which was filed on 15-June-2022, and the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

[0002] The subject matter of the present application relates to dispensing valves on flexible packages.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Traditional packaging in food and beverage, personal care, and household care industries includes a main body formed of a rigid bottle or semi-rigid tube, and a rigid fitment or cap to selectively open and close the main body. Some packages have transitioned to flexible pouches for the main body, although many flexible packages continue to use rigid fitments attached to the pouch. There is a need within these industries to complete the transition to fully flexible packaging, without incorporating rigid or semirigid components.

[0004] One or more existing dispensing valves for flexible packages may be relatively complex to manufacture. Alternative dispensing valve designs for flexible packages are desired that are less complex than the existing examples, such as requiring fewer manufacturing steps, less material, less time, and/or less cost, without substantially sacrificing reliability and performance of the valve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

[0005] In one or more embodiments, a valve for permitting selective dispensing of contents of a package is provided. The valve includes a base sheet secured to the package. The valve includes a barrier sheet secured to the package and spaced apart from the base sheet to define a channel between the base sheet and the barrier sheet. The channel extends from an inlet of the channel to an outlet of the channel. The inlet is fluidly connected to a cavity of the package. The valve includes a sealing lip mounted to the base sheet and biased to project across the channel towards the barrier sheet to restrict passage of contents of the cavity through the channel towards the outlet in a closed position of the valve.

[0006] Optionally, the sealing lip abuts the barrier sheet in the closed position of the valve. Optionally, the sealing lip is a first sealing lip, and the valve includes a second sealing lip attached to the barrier sheet and biased to project towards the base sheet. The first sealing lip abuts the second sealing lip in the closed position of the valve.

[0007] Optionally, the valve may include a projection mounted to the barrier sheet. The sealing lip may abut the projection in the closed position of the valve. The sealing lip may be cantilevered to extend from a proximal end of the sealing lip to a distal end of the sealing lip such that the distal end is indirectly secured to the base sheet via the proximal end. The distal end may be disposed between the proximal end and the outlet of the channel along a length of the channel.

[0008] Optionally, the sealing lip is an integral component of a profile element that includes a flange projecting from a proximal end of the sealing lip. The flange may be sealed to the base sheet, and the inlet of the channel may be defined between the flange and the barrier sheet. Optionally, the sealing lip may be biased to project at a transverse angle relative to the flange that is sealed to the base sheet.

[0009] Optionally, the sealing lip may be configured to deflect away from the barrier sheet, responsive to an internal pressure within the cavity exceeding a threshold pressure value, to an open position of the valve that permits the contents of the cavity to pass through the channel to the outlet. The channel may be laterally bounded between first and second longitudinal seal areas at which the base sheet is sealed to the barrier sheet in a parallel orientation. The sealing lip may be curved along a length of the sealing lip from a proximal end of the sealing lip to a distal end of the sealing lip. In the closed position, a distal end of the sealing lip may be secured, via a frangible seal, to one of the barrier sheet or a second sealing lip extending from the barrier sheet towards the base sheet. The frangible seal may rupture in response to an internal pressure within the cavity exceeding a retention force of the frangible seal. Optionally, the valve may include a bead that is mounted to the barrier sheet or the base sheet, and extends into the channel to obstruct flow of the contents through the channel to the outlet. The bead may include a foam material.

[0010] In one or more embodiments, a package is provided that includes at least one body panel and a valve. The at least one body panel defines a cavity to contain contents. The valve permits selective dispensing of the contents from the cavity. The valve includes a channel defined between a base sheet and a barrier sheet. The channel includes an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is fluidly connected to the cavity. The valve includes a first obstruction member mounted to the base sheet, and configured to press against the barrier sheet or a second obstruction member mounted to the barrier sheet in a closed position of the valve to restrict passage of contents of the cavity through the channel to the outlet. Responsive to an internal pressure of the cavity exceeding a threshold pressure value, the first obstruction member separates from the barrier sheet or the second obstruction member, that the first obstruction member was pressed against in the closed position, to attain an open position of the valve that enables passage of the contents of the cavity through the channel to the outlet.

[0011] Optionally, the first obstruction member is a sealing lip that is cantilevered to extend from a proximal end of the sealing lip to a distal end of the sealing lip such that the distal end is indirectly secured to the base sheet via the proximal end. The distal end may be disposed between the proximal end and the outlet of the channel along a length of the channel. The second obstruction member may be a second sealing lip that abuts the sealing lip within the channel in the closed position of the valve. Alternatively, the second obstruction member may be a bead that includes a foam material, and the bead abuts the sealing lip within the channel in the closed position of the valve. Optionally, the at least one body panel of the package includes at least one of the base sheet or the barrier sheet.

[0012] In one or more embodiments, method for forming a valve for selective dispensing of contents from a package is provided. The method includes securing a base sheet to the package, and mounting a sealing lip to the base sheet. The sealing lip projects from the base sheet. The method includes securing a barrier sheet to the package such that the barrier sheet is spaced apart from the base sheet to define a channel therebetween. The channel extends from an inlet of the channel to an outlet of the channel with the inlet fluidly connected to a cavity of the package. The barrier sheet is secured to the package such that the sealing lip projects across the channel towards the barrier sheet to restrict passage of contents of the cavity through the channel towards the outlet in a closed position of the valve.

[0013] Optionally, the sealing lip is cantilevered and a distal end of the sealing lip abuts an interior surface of the barrier sheet in the closed position. Optionally, the method includes sealing the base sheet to the barrier sheet along edges of the package to provide an air-tight seal along the cavity and the valve. The air-tight seal permits an increased internal pressure within the cavity to deflect the sealing lip away from the barrier sheet to an open position of the valve that permits the contents of the cavity to pass through the channel to the outlet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The inventive subject matter will now be illustrated with reference to the following figures, in which:

[0015] Figure 1 illustrates a package according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0016] Figure 2 is a cross-section of the package of Figure 1; [0017] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a dispensing valve according to a first embodiment;

[0018] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a profile element of the dispensing valve that includes a sealing lip according to an embodiment;

[0019] Figure 5 is a close-up cross-sectional view of an interface between the sealing lip and a barrier sheet of the dispensing valve according to an embodiment;

[0020] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the dispensing valve according to the first embodiment in the open position;

[0021] Figure 7 is a plan view of the dispensing valve shown in Figures 3 through 6 according to an embodiment;

[0022] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of a dispensing valve according to a second embodiment;

[0023] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of a dispensing valve according to a third embodiment;

[0024] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of a dispensing valve according to a fourth embodiment;

[0025] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of a dispensing valve according to a fifth embodiment; and

[0026] Figure 12 is a flow chart of a method of forming a valve through which a user may dispense contents from an internal cavity of a package according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Embodiments set forth herein include a valve for permitting selective dispensing of contents of a package. The package may be a flexible package, such as a pouch, container, or tube. For example, the package may deform in response to a user squeezing the package with an ordinary amount of manual force. The valve may be biased in a closed position to block the release of contents from a cavity of the package through the valve. The valve may be pressure-activated and designed to open based on an external pressure applied to the package to enable a controlled release of the contents through the valve. The external pressure may be provided by the user manually squeezing the package with one or both hands. The external pressure increases an internal pressure within the cavity of the package, and the valve may transition from a closed position to an open position once the internal pressure exceeds a threshold pressure value. The threshold pressure value may represent a sealing force of the valve. The valve according to one or more embodiments is biased towards the closed position, such that the valve resiliently returns (or attempts to return) to the closed position once the internal pressure decreases below the threshold pressure value.

[0028] In one or more embodiments, the valve includes at least one obstruction member or element that extends into a channel of the valve to block the release of the contents through the channel when the valve is in the closed position. During the transition of the valve to the open position, the at least one obstruction deflects, deforms, and/or moves away from a contact surface upon which the obstruction was pressed against in the closed position, revealing a temporary passage through the channel. When the valve is in the open position, the contents of the package can exit the cavity through the channel, which may emit the contents from the package. In at least one embodiment, the at least one obstruction includes a sealing lip. The sealing lip may be elongated to extend a lateral width of the valve. The sealing lip may be cantilevered. For example, a proximal end of the sealing lip may be attached to a first sheet or panel of the valve, and a distal end of the sealing lip, opposite the proximal end, may contact an opposing contact surface in the closed position to seal the channel of the valve. The opposing contact surface may be a second sheet or panel of the valve across from the first sheet, or may be another obstruction member mounted to the second sheet. The cantilevered sealing lip may press against the opposing contact surface, and the valve may open (e.g., transition to the open position) in response to the internal pressure overcoming the force at which the sealing lip presses against the contact surface. The at least one obstruction member optionally may include a bead that is elongated along the lateral width of the valve. The bead may have a generally rounded, closed-shape cross-section (such as circular) that projects into the channel to at least partially block and/or seal the channel.

[0029] The dispensing valve according to the embodiments disclosed herein may be easier, more efficient, and/or more cost-effective to manufacture on packages than other existing valves. For example, the dispensing valve described herein does not trap a pocket of compressed air (or other gas) within a bubble, for the compressed air to function as a biasing element to block content passage through the valve. Furthermore, the dispensing valve according to one or more embodiments may be flexible. Incorporating the dispensing valve into a flexible main body may provide a fully flexible container that is free of rigid caps and other fitments.

[0030] In the following description and claims, relative or spatial terms such as “front,” “back,” “side,” “top,” “bottom,” “lateral,” “longitudinal,” and the like are only used to distinguish the referenced elements or features with respect to one another according to the orientations depicted in the illustrated drawings, and make the description more readily understandable. The terms do not necessarily require particular positions, sizes, or orientations relative to the surrounding environment. Moreover, in the following description and claims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. may be used as labels to distinguish similar objects (e.g., first and second sheets), and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on the associated objects.

[0031] Figure 1 illustrates a package 100 according to an embodiment. Figure 2 is a cross-section of the package 100. The cross-section is taken along line 2-2 in Figure 1. The package 100 may be one of various types of containers, such as a pouch. The package 100 may be flexible. The package 100 includes at least a first body panel 106 and a second body panel 108. The first body panel 106 is secured to the second body panel 108, and forms a cavity 110 therebetween. The cavity 110 may contain contents of the package 100. The contents may be a product that is selectively dispensed from the package 100 once the package 100 is opened. The contents may be solid, liquid, or quasi-solid (e.g., gel, foam, etc.). Some examples of the contents include lotion, toothpaste, shaving cream, shampoo, a condiment, yogurt, coffee grounds, baby food, soap, and the like. The package 100 may provide an airtight seal that protects the contents from the external environment.

[0032] The package 100 may have any number of body panels. In the illustrated embodiment, the package 100 also includes a third body panel 112 that provides a floor or bottom wall of the package 100. The first and second body panels 106, 108 may extend from the bottom wall 112. The body panels 106, 108, 112 may be thin films or sheets. For example, each body panel 106, 108, 112 may be a multi-layer film. One or more of the layers may be polymeric (e.g., plastic), such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and the like. The compositions of the body panels 106, 108, 112 may provide application-specific characteristics.

[0033] The package 100 extends a height (along a height axis 190) from a top end 102 of the package 100 to a bottom end 104 of the package 100, opposite the top end 102. The package includes a neck 114 that extends from a contents section 116 of the package 100 to the top end 102. The contents section 116 includes the cavity 110. In one or more embodiments, a dispensing valve is disposed within the neck 114. The dispensing valve is shown in more detail in Figure 3. As shown in Figure 2, the contents section 116 has a greater thickness along a depth axis 191 than the neck 114. The package 100 extends a width along a lateral axis 192. The axes 190, 191, 192 are mutually perpendicular. As shown in Figure 1, the contents section 116 has a greater lateral width than the neck 114.

[0034] In an embodiment, the first body panel 106 is attached to the second body panel 108 along one or more edges of the panels 106, 108. For example, at shown in Figure 1, the first body panel 106 may be bonded to the second body panel 108 to seal edges of the package 100, eliminating leakage paths out of the cavity 110 and neck 114. The first and second body panels 106, 108 may extend along both the neck 114 and the contents section 116 of the package 100. The bonding may be achieved via an adhesive, crimping or other mechanical crushing, heating, and/or the like. In an embodiment, the first body panel 106 may be bonded to the second body panel 108 along an entire first lateral edge 118 of the package 100 from the bottom 104 to the top 102, along an entire second lateral edge 120 of the package 100 from the bottom 104 to the top 102, and along a top edge 122 of the package 100 between the first and second lateral edges 118, 120. The first and second body panels 106, 108 may be bonded to the third body panel 112 at the bottom 104 of the package 100. In an alternative embodiment, the package 100 may not include the third body panel 112, and the first and second body panels 106, 108 are bonded to each other at the bottom 104 of the package 100. Tn another alternative embodiment, the package 100 may have additional body panels, such as discrete body panels that define the lateral sides of the package 100 (rather than the face panels 106, 108 bonding directly to each other).

[0035] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a dispensing valve 200 according to a first embodiment. The dispensing valve 200, also referred to herein simply as valve, may be disposed within the neck 114 of the package 100 shown in Figures 1 and 2. For example, Figure 3 may represent a close-up of the circled portion 130 of the neck 114 shown in Figure 2. The valve 200 permits selective dispensing of the contents from the cavity 110 of the package 100.

[0036] The valve 200 includes a base sheet 202 and a barrier sheet 204 that are spaced apart to define a channel 206 therebetween. The channel 206 has an inlet 208 and an outlet 210. The inlet 208 is fluidly connected (e.g., open) to the cavity 110 that contains the contents. The outlet 210 is disposed between the inlet 208 and the top end 102 of the package 100 in the illustrated orientation of the valve 200. The valve 200 also includes at least one obstruction member 212 that poses a barrier for restricting passage of the contents through the valve 200. In the illustrated embodiment, the valve 200 has a single obstruction member 212. The obstruction member 212 is mounted to the base sheet 202 and extends towards the barrier sheet 204 at least part of the way across the channel 206. For example, the obstruction member 212 presses against either the barrier sheet 204 or a second obstruction member, mounted to the barrier sheet 204, when the valve 200 is in a closed position that blocks the passage of the contents through the channel 206. The obstruction member 212 presses directly against the barrier sheet 204 in the illustrated embodiment. The valve 200 is shown in the closed position in Figure 3, such that the channel 206 is blocked by the obstruction member 212. The obstruction member 212 separates from the barrier sheet 204 or the second obstruction member to transition the valve 200 to an open position which permits the contents to pass through the channel 206 from the inlet 208 to the outlet 210. In an embodiment, the valve 200 transitions to the open position in response to an internal pressure within the cavity 110 and the inlet 208 exceeding a threshold pressure value The obstruction member 212 may be biased to resiliency return to the position shown in Figure 3 upon the internal pressure falling below the threshold pressure value, such that the valve 200 automatically returns to the closed position.

[0037] The base sheet 202 and the barrier sheet 204 are secured to the package 100. In one embodiment, the base sheet 202 is the first body panel 106 shown in Figures 1 and 2, and the barrier sheet 204 is the second body panel 108. In a second embodiment, the base sheet 202 is discrete from the first body panel 106 and is mounted to the first body panel 106. Likewise, the barrier sheet 204 may be discrete from the second body panel 108 and mounted to the second body panel 108. The sheets 202, 204 may be mounted to the body panels 106, 108, respectively, via an adhesive, crimping, heating, and/or the like. For example, the sheets 202, 204 may be bonded to respective interior surfaces of the body panels 106, 108. The base sheet 202 optionally may have the same composition as the barrier sheet 204. The base sheet 202 serves as a base on which the obstruction member 212 is mounted. The base sheet 202 and the barrier sheet 204 provide barriers that define bounds of the channel 206.

[0038] In the illustrated embodiment, the obstruction member 212 is a sealing lip 213. The sealing lip 213 is cantilevered to extend from a proximal end 214 of the sealing lip 213 to a distal end 216 of the sealing lip 213. The distal end 216 is indirectly secured to the base sheet 202 via the proximal end 214. The sealing lip 213 is biased to project across the channel 206 towards the barrier sheet 204 to restrict the passage of the contents through the channel towards the outlet 210 in the closed position. In the illustrated embodiment, the sealing lip 213 abuts an interior surface 218 of the barrier sheet 204 in the closed position. For example, the distal end 216 presses against the interior surface 218. The pressing force of the sealing lip 213 may cause the flexible barrier sheet 204 to bow outward, away from the base sheet 202, in the vicinity of the sealing lip 213 as shown in Figure 3. The sealing lip 213 may be biased to retain contact with the barrier sheet 204, maintaining the closed position.

[0039] The sealing lip 213 may be an integral component of a profile element 220 Figure 4 is a perspective view of the profile element 220 that includes the sealing lip 213 according to an embodiment. The profile element 220 may be elongated to extend along a length axis from a first end 222 of the profile element 220 to a second end 224 of the profile element 220, that is opposite the first end 222. When installed in the package 100, the length axis of the profile element 220 may be parallel to the lateral axis 192 shown in Figure 1, such that the profile element 220 extends laterally. The sealing lip 213 extends along the length axis for all or at least a majority of the length of the profile element 220. The length of the sealing lip 213 may define a lateral width of the channel 206. The profile element 220 may be an extrusion. The profile element 220 may be composed of a polymer material that is at least partially flexible or pliable to enable the sealing lip to bend or deflect.

[0040] The profile element 220 includes at least one flange connected to, and projecting from, the proximal end 214 of the sealing lip 213. In the illustrated embodiment, the profile element 220 has a first flange 226 and a second flange 228, referred to herein as an inlet flange 226 and an outlet flange 228, respectively. The first flange 226 is referred to as the inlet flange 226 because the inlet 208 of the channel 206 is defined between the flange 226 and the barrier sheet 204. Likewise, the outlet 210 of the channel 206 is defined between the second/outlet flange 228 and the barrier sheet 204. The flanges 226, 228 may be used to secure the sealing lip 213 to the base sheet 202. Each of the flanges 226, 228 may be sealed to the base sheet 202, via an adhesive, heating, crimping, and/or the like. The profile element 220 in an embodiment is not mounted to the barrier sheet 204, although the sealing lip 213 presses against the barrier sheet 204 in the closed position of the illustrated embodiment. The flanges 226, 228 may provide the inherent biasing force for the sealing lip 213. For example, deflection of the sealing lip 213 may be resisted by the mechanical connection of the proximal end 214 of the sealing lip 213 to the flanges 226, 228. The sealing lip 213 may project at a transverse angle relative to the flanges 226, 228. Optionally, the flanges 226, 228 may be coplanar, and the sealing lip 213 projects out of the plane of the flanges 226, 228. The plane of the flanges 226, 228 may be parallel to a plane of the base sheet 202 at a portion of the base sheet 202 secured to the flanges 226, 228. The sealing lip 213 may project from a first side of the flanges 226, 228, and the opposite, second side of the flanges 226, 228 may be mounted to the base sheet 202. In an alternative embodiment, the profile element 220 may only include one flange, such as only the inlet flange 226 or only the outlet flange 228, rather than two flanges.

[0041] In an embodiment, the sealing lip 213 is angled to project at least partially downstream towards the outlet 210 of the channel 206. For example, the distal end 216 of the sealing lip 213 is disposed between the proximal end 214 of the sealing lip 213 and the outlet 210 of the channel 206 along a length of the channel 206. This orientation may allow the internal pressure to push the sealing lip 213, against the bias direction, out of contact with the barrier sheet 204. If the sealing lip 213 was instead angled towards the inlet 208, then an increased internal pressure may actually reinforce the closed position by pushing the sealing lip 213 in the bias direction to increase the pressing force against the barrier sheet 204. Optionally, the sealing lip 213 may be curved along at least a portion of the length from the proximal end 214 to the distal end 216. In the illustrated embodiment, the sealing lip 213 has a concave curve relative to the inlet 208, such that the sealing lip 213 bows towards the inlet 208. The concave curve may provide a reduced strain and/or stress on the joint between the proximal end 214 and the flanges 226, 228, relative to the lip having a convex curve. For example, when under an applied force from air and/or the contents, the concave curve may direct the air and/or contents that push against the sealing lip 213 towards the interface between the sealing lip 213 and the barrier sheet 204, which may reduce the amount of force exerted at the proximal end 214. Furthermore, the concave curve may allow the sealing lip 213 to deflect along a longer length of the sealing lip 213 relative to a convex curve, which may concentrate any bending of the lip at or proximate to the proximal end 214. The sealing lip 213 may be linear along its length and/or may have a convex curve in other embodiments, based on application-specific factors.

[0042] Figure 5 is a close-up cross-sectional view of an interface 300 between the sealing lip 213 and the barrier sheet 204 of the valve 200 shown in Figure 3 according to an embodiment. In Figure 5, the sealing lip 213 is secured via a frangible seal 302 to the barrier sheet 204. The frangible seal 302 retains the distal end 216 of the sealing lip 213 in contact with the barrier sheet 204, locking the valve 200 in the closed position. The frangible seal 302 may be designed to rupture and break prior to use of the valve 200. For example, the valve 200 is not able to transition from the closed position to the open position while the frangible seal 302 is intact. The frangible seal 302 may be a web of filaments, which tear or break in response to an internal pressure within the cavity 110 exceeding a retention force threshold of the frangible seal 302. In another example, the frangible seal 302 may be a peelable strip that is removed by a user prior to use of the package 100. The frangible seal 302, when intact, may provide assurance that the valve 200 and contents of the package 100 have not been tampered with prior to the user receiving the package 100. The frangible seal 302 is optional, and one or more alternative embodiments of the valve 200 lack a frangible seal at the interface 300.

[0043] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the dispensing valve 200 according to the first embodiment in the open position. In an embodiment, when the internal pressure within the cavity 110 and the inlet 208 exceeds a threshold pressure value, the obstruction member 212 (in this case the sealing lip 213) separates from the barrier sheet 204 forming a passageway 310 through the channel 206 to the outlet 210. The passageway 310 may be defined between the barrier sheet 204 and the distal end 216 of the sealing lip 213. The passageway 310 may be caused by the internal pressure forcing the barrier sheet 204 to move away from the base sheet 202 and/or by deflecting the sealing lip 213 away from the barrier sheet 204. The internal pressure may be increased by a user or tool squeezing the package 100 along the contents section 116 (shown in Figure 1). The transition to the open state may occur once the internal pressure exceeds the force at which the sealing lip 213 presses against the barrier sheet 204, causing the sealing lip 213 to at least temporarily separate from the barrier sheet 204. The valve 200 in the open position allows the contents to exit the cavity 110 through the valve 200. For example, the contents may move from the inlet 208 past the sealing lip 213 to the outlet 210. The outlet 210 of the channel 206 may be fluidly connected to an external opening in the package 100, such that the contents that make it to the outlet 210 can be easily emitted from the package 100.

[0044] The sealing lip 213 may be in a deflected state in Figure 6. In an embodiment, upon the internal pressure dropping to below the threshold pressure value, the sealing lip 213 may resile towards the barrier sheet 204 and close the valve 200, blocking additional egress of the contents.

[0045] Figure 7 is a plan view of the valve 200 shown in Figures 3 through 6 according to an embodiment. The plan view may show the barrier sheet 204, with the base sheet 202 being disposed behind the barrier sheet 204 and covered by the barrier sheet 204. For example, the base sheet 202 may be co-extensive with the barrier sheet 204. The valve 200 may include a first longitudinal seal area 320 and a second longitudinal seal area 322. Each of the first and second longitudinal seal areas 320, 322 seals the base sheet 202 to the barrier sheet 204. For example, each longitudinal seal area 320, 322 may represent a region where the sheets 202, 204 overlap and are sealed together, such as via an adhesive, heating, crimping, or the like. The first longitudinal seal area 320 may extend along a height of the valve 200 at a first lateral edge 324 of the valve 200, and the second longitudinal seal area 322 may extend along the height at a second lateral edge 326 of the valve 200.

[0046] Tn an embodiment, the longitudinal seal areas 320, 322 defines lateral bounds of the channel 206. For example, the channel 206 in Figure 3 may be bounded along the depth axis 191 between the base sheet 202 and the barrier sheet 204, and along the lateral axis 192 between the seal areas 320, 322. The seal areas 320, 322 also provide tension on the base sheet 202 and the barrier sheet 204, which affects the actuation of the valve 200. For example, the tension may limit the amount that the barrier sheet 204 and the base sheet 202 move apart from one another when exposed to increased internal pressure (as shown in Figure 6). For clarity, Figure 7 shows an outline of the profde member 220 in phantom. The profde member 220 may be extend perpendicular to the vertical lengths of the seal areas 320, 322. In an embodiment, the ends 222, 224 of the profde member 220 (shown in Figure 4) may be disposed between the seal areas 320, 322. Alternatively, the first end 222 of the profde member 220 may be sandwiched between the sheets 202, 204 within the first seal area 320, and the second end 224 of the profde member 220 may be sandwiched between the sheets 202, 204 within the second seal area 322.

[0047] In an embodiment, the plan view of the valve 200 in Figure 7 may represent a portion of neck 114 of the package 100. For example, the barrier sheet 204 may be the first body panel 106 of the package 100. The longitudinal seal areas 320, 322 may extend along the first and second lateral edges 118, 120 of the neck 114 as shown in Figure 1.

[0048] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of a dispensing valve 400 according to a second embodiment. The valve 400 in the second embodiment has two obstruction members 212 that project into the channel 206 defined between the base sheet 202 and the barrier sheet 204. In the illustrated embodiment, the obstruction members 212 are both sealing lips that are cantilevered. For example, the valve 400 includes the profde member 220 of the valve 200 mounted to the base sheet 202. The profde member 220 includes the sealing lip 213. The valve 400 also includes a second profde member 404 with a second sealing lip 406. The second profde member 404 is mounted to the barrier sheet 204, and the sealing lip 406 is biased to project towards the base sheet 202. The first sealing lip 213 abuts the second sealing lip 406 in the closed position of the valve 400. For example, the distal end 216 of the sealing lip 213 may press against a distal end 408 of the sealing lip 406 to block the channel 206 The second profde member 404 may be a mirrored replica of the first profde member 220, such that the valve 400 is symmetric about a vertical centerline through the channel 206. When the internal pressure in an outgoing direction 410 exceeds the threshold pressure value, one or both of the sealing lips 213, 406 may deflect, causing the lips 213, 406 to separate from each other to reveal a passageway through the channel 206 between the lips 213, 406. The sealing lips 213, 406 may be biased to return to the closed position shown in Figure 8.

[0049] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of a dispensing valve 500 according to a third embodiment. The valve 500 in the third embodiment has two obstruction members 212 (e.g., projections) that project into the channel 206. The first obstruction member 212 is the sealing lip 213 of the profile member 220, as shown in the first and second embodiments. The second obstruction member 212 is mounted to the barrier sheet 204, and the sealing lip 213 abuts the second obstruction member 212 in the closed position of the valve 500, similar to the valve 400. Unlike the valve 400, however, the second obstruction member 212 is not a cantilevered sealing lip. Rather, the second obstruction member 212 is a bead 502. The bead 502 may be an elongated cord or bar that extends the lateral width of the valve 500. The bead 502 is shown in cross-section in Figure 9. The cross-sectional shape of the bead 502 may be at least partially curved/rounded, such as circular, elliptical, rectangular with rounded corners, and/or the like. The bead 502 obstructs flow of the contents of the cavity through the channel 206 to the outlet 210. The bead 502 may include a solid or quasi-solid material. In an embodiment, the bead 502 may include a foam material. One example foam material in the bead 502 may be closed-cell foam. The bead 502 may be semi-rigid, which enables the bead 502 to compress or deflect in response to an applied force. The valve 500 transitions to the open position upon the sealing lip 213 separating from the bead 502 to reveal a passageway to the outlet 210.

[0050] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of a dispensing valve 600 according to a fourth embodiment. In the fourth embodiment, the valve 600 includes two obstruction members 212 that are both beads. For example, a first bead 602 is mounted to the base sheet 202, and a second bead 604 is mounted to the barrier sheet 204. Each of the beads 602, 604 may be the same or similar to the bead 502 in Figure 9. The beads 602, 604 may abut against each other in the closed position of the valve 600 to block the channel 206. The beads 602, 604 may separate to transition to the open position of the valve 600. The beads 602, 604 may separate by compressing and/or deflecting away from each other, and/or due to the base sheet 202 and the barrier sheet 204 moving away from each other in response to an increased internal pressure.

[0051] The features of the valves disclosed herein may be combined according to application-specific parameters and user preferences. For example, Figure 11 is a cross- sectional view of a dispensing valve 700 according to a fifth embodiment. The valve 700 in Figure 11 combines aspects of the embodiments in Figures 8 and 10 For example, the valve 700 includes a set of first and second sealing lips 702, 704 that extend from different sheets 202, 204 and abut each other within the channel 206 in the closed position. The valve 700 also includes a second of first and second beads 706, 708 that are mounted to different sheets 202, 204 and project into the channel 206 to obstruct flow through the channel 206. The beads 706, 708 optionally may contact each other within the channel 206 in the closed position. Optionally, the sealing lips 702, 704 may be initially connected via a frangible seal 710.

[0052] Figure 12 is a flow chart 800 of a method of forming a valve through which a user may dispense contents from an internal cavity of a package according to an embodiment. The method may represent a manufacturing process that is performed using one or more tools, robots, equipment, and/or the like. The method is not limited to the order of the following steps unless explicitly stated or logically mandated. The method optionally may include more steps than shown, fewer steps than shown, and/or different steps than shown in Figure 12. In an embodiment, the method is performed to form the valve 200 shown in Figures 3 through 7, but similar methods may be performed to form the valves 400, 500, 600, 700 shown in the alternative embodiments.

[0053] At step 802, a base sheet 202 is secured to a package 100. The base sheet 202 may represent a first body panel 106 of the package 100 or may be mounted to the first body panel 106. At step 804, a sealing lip 213 is mounted to the base sheet 202. The sealing lip 213 may be biased to project away from the base sheet 202. [0054] At step 806, a barrier sheet 204 is secured to the package 100. The barrier sheet 204 may represent a second body panel 108 of the package 100 or may be mounted to the second body panel 108. When the package 100 is assembled, the barrier sheet 204 is spaced apart from the base layer 202 to define a channel 206 therebetween. For example, the method may include sealing the barrier sheet 204 to the base sheet 202 at longitudinal seal areas 320, 322 that define lateral bounds of the channel 206.

[0055] The package 100 may be assembled such that the sealing lip 213 projects across the channel 206 towards the barrier sheet 204 to restrict passage of contents of the package 100 through the channel 206 in a closed position of the valve 200. The sealing lip 213 may abut and press against the barrier sheet 204 itself, or a projection/obstruction member that is mounted to the barrier sheet 204. In response to an increased internal pressure (due to squeezing of the package 100), the valve 200 may open as the sealing lip 213 is forced to separate from the surface against which the sealing lip 213 presses. The valve 200 may resile to the closed position upon termination of the increased internal pressure.

[0056] It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the inventive subject matter without departing from its scope. While the dimensions and types of materials described herein are intended to define the parameters of the inventive subject matter, they are by no means limiting and are example embodiments. Many other embodiments will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the inventive subject matter should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written in means-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. § 112(f), unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed by a statement of function void of further structure.

[0057] This written description uses examples to disclose several embodiments of the inventive subject matter and also to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the embodiments of inventive subject matter, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the inventive subject matter is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to one of ordinary skill in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

[0058] As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and proceeded with the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding plural of said elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly stated. Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” of the present inventive subject matter are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments “comprising,” “including,” or “having” an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property may include additional such elements not having that property.