Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0001] This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No.

62/520,135, filed on June 15, 2017, and U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 62/545,229, filed on August 14, 2017, the contents of the disclosure of both of which are incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.

Field of the Disclosure

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a bubble valve for flexible containers wherein the bubble valve can be in a first configuration wherein a hinged header or flip-top is in a straight configuration and the valve is closed, or in a second configuration wherein the hinged header or flip-top is pulled back and the valve permits fluid flow.

Description of the Prior Art

[0003] Prior art packaging in the food beverage, personal care and household care industries is primarily a combination of a rigid bottle or semi-flexible tube with a rigid fitment or cap of varying dispense types. Transition to flexible pouches for the main body of the container has continued to utilize similar, still rigid, fitments. There exists a need within these industries to complete the transition in order to create a fully flexible solution, particularly with respect to bubble valve or pressure-activated applications.

[0004] Bubble valves or pressure-activated valves may be creating by forming a bubble of air, gas or other liquid between a base layer and a bubble layer. A flow channel is formed between the bubble layer and a channel layer. The pressure of the bubble layer against the channel layer may be used to control the flow of the dispensed material. Representative embodiments of a bubble valve or a pressure-activated valve are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 9,963,284 entitled "Package Valve Closure System and Method," issued on May 8, 2018 to Steele; U.S. Patent No. 8,613,547 entitled "Packages Having Bubble-Shaped Closures," issued on December 24, 2013 to Steele; U.S. Patent No. 7,883,268 entitled "Package Having a Fluid Actuated Closure," issued on February 8, 2011 to Steele; U.S. Patent No. 7,207,717 entitled "Package Having a Fluid Actuated Closure," issued on April 24, 2007 to Steele.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0005] It is therefore an object of the present disclosure to improve functionality by representing both a flow control mechanism and re-close feature, thereby enhancing the overall sustainability profile and cost reduction of the packaging through material reduction and operational efficiency gains.

[0006] This and other objects are attained by providing a bubble valve for flexible containers wherein the bubble valve can be in a first configuration wherein a flip-top or header is in a straight configuration and the valve is closed, or in a second configuration wherein the flip- top or header is folded or pulled back and the valve permits fluid flow. While the containers, as well as the bubble valve or pressure-actuated valve, are made of somewhat flexible material, the containers and the material surrounding the bubble valves or pressure-actuated valves may be sufficiently rigid to allow the package to maintain an upright position, and the valve to be definitively moved between the first and second configurations.

[0007] The disclosed embodiments relate to bubble valves and relate to geometry that is incorporated into the pouch material thereby creating a configuration similar to the flip-top cap prevalent in rigid packaging fitments but in an integrated, flexible format. Integral to the concept is the geometry and dimensions of two differing designs on the two layers of pouch material.

[0008] The user typically splits open one side of the pouch by pressing back on the upper area of the pouch which, in the past, may have included a tear-off header. The second layer of pouch film would include a hinge mechanism/perforation pattern to allow the header to tilt back and lock into a folded configuration while the product is being dispensed. When the user is done, the header, can be brought back to the original unfolded position to cover the valve tip.

[0009] This feature can be used in any combination with various bubble valves to provide multiple layers of protection against product leakage and improved appearance/form factor specifically when used in circumstances where portability of the container, pouch or package is desired.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00010] Further objects and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent from the following description and from the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[00011] Figure 1 is a perspective view, partially in phantom, illustrating the bubble valve of the present disclosure in an unfolded or closed configuration.

[00012] Figure 2 is a perspective view, partially in phantom, illustrating the bubble valve of the present disclosure in a folded or pulled-back configuration.

[00013] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view along plane 3-3 of Figure 2.

[00014] Figures 4A and 4B are plan views of the pouch front (pull tab) slit variations of embodiments of the present disclosure.

[00015] Figure 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D are plan views of pouch rear (hinge) slit variations.

[00016] Figures 6A and 6B are front views of respective closed and open configuration of a further embodiment of the pouch of the present disclosure.

[00017] Figures 7 A and 7B are rear views of respective closed and open configurations of a still further embodiment of the pouch of the present disclosure.

[00018] Figures 8A and 8B are side views of the package or pouch itself in respective unfolded and folded positions. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[00019] Referring now to the drawings in detail, one sees from Figures 1 and 2, the respective closed and open configurations of a first embodiment of the package 100 and bubble valve 10. The package 100 includes first and second package walls 102, 104, with a storage volume 106 therebetween, with the valve 10 providing an outlet 16 (illustrated in phantom) to communicate contents from the storage volume 106 to the exterior of the package 100 during dispensing. The outlet 16 is a closed or blocked configuration in Figure 1 and in a valve- controlled open configuration in Figure 2. The valve 10 includes first and second valve walls 12, 14 of semi-rigid or semi-flexible material. First and second valve walls 12, 14 are generally planar, co-extensive and facing each other. First and second valve walls 12, 14 are sealed or joined to each other except for the outlet 16. First wall 12 further includes an enlarged protrusion 20 which at least partially surrounds the bubble 22 (configured as a protruding valve element). Bubble 22 is Med with air, gas or other fluid and includes an outwardly curved face 24 which forms a bubble layer for the bubble valve configuration and a planar face 26 which is sealed to second valve wall 14 thereby acting as a base layer for the bubble valve configuration. Outlet 16 is formed, in part, by channel layer 15 being at least partially unsealed to, and passing over, bubble 22. Channel layer 15 is sealed to the interior of first valve wall 12 and is formed as part of the structure of the valve 10. Upper portion 23 of enlarged protrusion 20 is likewise unsealed to bubble 22 thereby allowing the upper portion 23 of enlarged protrusion 20 to hingeably move from the unfolded position in Figure 1 to the folded position in Figure 2. Hinge 30 is formed by a first lateral line of weakness 32 across first valve waU 12, dividing enlarged protrusion 20 into lower and upper portions 21, 23, defining header 35, and leaving second valve wall 14 at least substantially intact, typicaUy with a second lateral line of weakness 33 (such as, but not limited to, a score line or a perforated line) co-extensive or ahgned with first lateral line of weakness 32 to define and delineate the hinging or folding movement of the header 35 (formed from a portion of first and second valve waUs 12, 14) between the open and closed positions of Figures 1 and 2, respectively. In the configuration of Figure 1, which represents the closed configuration (wherein the header 35 obstructs the outlet 11) which may be presented to a consumer at a shopping location, the first lateral line of weakness 32 is typicaUy intact to maintain hermeticity, but is frangible and easily broken when the user opens the valve 10 by operating the hinge 30 and moving the header 35, and hence the bubble valve 10, to the open configuration of Figure 2 wherein the outlet 11 is free of obstruction by the header 35. The user may move the header 35 from the configuration of Figure 2 to the configuration of Figure 1, typically after dispensing a portion of the product from storage volume 106.

[00020] The pressing action of the bubble 22 against the lower portion 21 of enlarged protrusion 20 acts a valve for the dispensing of material from the storage volume 106. The pressure or pressing action can be increased by the user manually pushing on the bubble 22. In the open configuration illustrated in Figure 2, the pressure or pressing action may be overcome by the user manually pressing on the storage volume 106 thereby forcing material from the storage volume 106 so as to be dispensed through the outlet 16.

[00021] Figure 4A illustrates an embodiment wherein the first lateral line of weakness 32, as shown from the front (i.e., on first valve wall 12) is crescent- shaped and extends across only a portion of valve 10 thereby requiring the user to crease the first and second laterally adjacent portions 40, 42 of the valve 10 when header 35 is moved to the open position. Figure 4B illustrates first lateral line of weakness 32 with an central crescent portion 50, lateral straight portions 52, 54 and upturned ends 56, 58. Moreover, Figures 4A and 4B illustrate a receiving pocket 39 formed on first package wall 102 for receiving the valve 10 when the first and second package walls 102, 104 of package 100 are folded (see Figures 8 A and 8B).

[00022] Figures 5 A, 5B, 5C and 5D illustrate variations of the second lateral line of weakness 33 forming hinge 30 on second valve wall 14, delineating header 35. Figure 5A illustrates the second lateral line of weakness 33 extending straight across the entire valve structure 10, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. Figure 5B illustrates the second lateral line of weakness 33 extending partially along valve structure 10 and terminating by upturned outwardly facing hook structures 60, 62, not extending fully to the edges of valve structure 10, thereby forming hinge 30. Figure 5C illustrates upwardly turned line of weakness 33A above downwardly turned line of weakness 33B, not extending fully to the edges of valve structure 10, thereby forming hinge 30. Figure 5D illustrates a substantially sinusoidally-shaped second lateral line of weakness 33, not extending fully to the edges of valve structure 10, thereby forming hinge 30. As illustrated, the second package wall 104 may likewise include a receiving pocket 39.

[00023] Figures 6A, 6B, 7A and 7B illustrate configurations wherein a tab or similar structure is incorporated into one of the first or second valve walls 12, 14 in order to support the header 35 in the folded or open position. Figure 6A, which is a front view, illustrates an upwardly curved tab-line 70 which is formed in the first valve wall 12, generally above and tangentially meeting first lateral line of weakness 32. When the header 35 is moved from the unfolded or closed position, to the folded or open position, along hinge 30, as shown in Figure 6B, which is likewise a front view, a portion of the first valve wall 12, as delineated by curved tab-line 70, rises and abuts planar face 26 of bubble 22, thereby supporting header 35 in the open position.

[00024] Figure 7A is a rear view of embodiment including flap 74 formed on second valve wall 14, joined to second valve wall 114 above second lateral line of weakness 33, and extending downwardly across second lateral line of weakness 33. When header 35 is moved to the folded or open position, as shown in Figure 7B, which is likewise a rear view, flap 74 lifts, inverts, and abuts a portion of second package wall 104 below second lateral line of weakness 33, thereby supporting header 35 in the open position.

[00025] Figure 8A illustrates the package 100 wherein the package walls 102, 104 are unfolded, while Figure 8B illustrates the package 100 wherein the package walls 102, 104 have been folded so that the valve 10 is inserted into receiving pocket 39.

[00026] Thus the several aforementioned objects and advantages are most effectively attained. Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed and described in detail herein, it should be understood that this invention is in no sense limited thereby.