Vented package

Abstract

A package including a pleated tube with a vent configuration. The tube defines opposed first and second face panels connected at one end thereof to define an end closure and contiguously interconnected along their longitudinal edges by gusset sides folded longitudinally and extending inwardly relative to the longitudinal edges of the first and second face panels. The vent configuration is located along the gusset sides near the end closure such that upon loading of the package, the vent configuration is enclosed by interfolded portions of the face panels and gusset sides.

1 . A package comprising a pleated tube, said tube defining opposed first and second face panels joined at one end thereof to define an end closure and contiguously interconnected along their longitudinal edges by gusset sides folded longitudinally and extending inwardly relative to the longitudinal edges of the first and second face panels, each of the gusset sides including a vent configuration defined along a lower portion thereof near the end closure.  
   
   
       2 . The package according to  claim 1 , wherein said tube is selected from a group consisting of a spiral sewn tube, flat sheeted bag with at least a central seam, and a circular woven tube without an identifiable seam.  
   
   
       3 . The package according to  claim 1 , wherein the vent configuration comprises at least one slit.  
   
   
       4 . The package according to  claim 3 , wherein the at least one slit is arranged obliquely relative to the longitudinal edges of said first and second face panels.  
   
   
       5 . The package according to  claim 1 , wherein the vent configuration is defined as at least one generally circular opening.  
   
   
       6 . The package according to  claim 1 , wherein when the package is in an expanded configuration, a first section of each face panel with its contiguous gusset portion is folded diagonally and in underlying relation thereto, said first sections extending in opposite directions inwardly along a generally common transverse line disposed at right angles to the longitudinal edges of the face panels, and a second section of each face panel extending in the same direction outwardly from said common transverse line to a transverse terminal edge and with the contiguous gusset portions therebetween, the first and second sections of the face panels constituting an outer bottom panel forming a generally flat bottom for said package.  
   
   
       7 . The package according to  claim 6 , wherein the vent configuration is defined within the first and second sections of the face panels.  
   
   
       8 . The package according to  claim 1 , wherein the package is constructed of a woven polyolefin fabric.  
   
   
       9 . The package according to  claim 8 , wherein an entire interior surface or an exterior surface of the package is provided with a polymeric coating.  
   
   
       10 . A bag of polyolefin woven fabric, said bag comprising first and second face panels, gusseted side panels, a single seam closing an end of the bag to define an end closure, and at least one opening defined along the gusseted side panels near said end closure.  
   
   
       11 . The bag according to  claim 10 , wherein when the bag is in an expanded configuration, a first section of each face panel and a contiguous gusset portion are folded diagonally and in underlying relation thereto, portions of the first sections extending in opposite directions inwardly along a generally common transverse line disposed at right angles to the longitudinal edges of the face panels, and a second section of each face panel extending in the same direction outwardly from said common transverse line to a transverse terminal edge and with contiguous gusset portions therebetween, the first and second sections of the face panels constituting an outer bottom panel forming a generally flat bottom for the bag.  
   
   
       12 . The bag according to  claim 10 , wherein the at least one opening is defined as a slit.  
   
   
       13 . The bag according to  claim 10 , wherein the at least one opening is defined as a generally circular aperture.  
   
   
       14 . The bag according to  claim 10 , wherein the at least one opening is arranged obliquely relative to lateral edges of said first and second face panels.  
   
   
       15 . Cotton bale packaging comprising first and second face panels, gusseted side panels, a single seam joining an end of the first and second face panels to define an end closure, and a plurality of openings defined along said gusseted side panels near said end closure.  
   
   
       16 . The cotton bale packaging according to  claim 15 , wherein when the cotton bale packaging is in an expanded configuration, a first section of each face panel and a contiguous gusset portion are folded diagonally and in underlying relation thereto, portions of the first sections extending in opposite directions inwardly along a generally common transverse line disposed at right angles to the longitudinal edges of the face panels, and a second section of each face panel extending in the same direction outwardly from said common transverse line to a transverse terminal edge and with contiguous gusset portions therebetween, the first and second sections of the face panels constituting an outer bottom panel forming a generally flat bottom for the cotton bale packaging.  
   
   
       17 . The cotton bale packaging according to  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of openings are defined as slits.  
   
   
       18 . The cotton bale packaging according to  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of openings are defined as generally circular apertures arranged in a preselected pattern.  
   
   
       19 . The cotton bale packaging according to  claim 15 , wherein the at least one opening is arranged obliquely relative to longitudinal edges of the first and second face panels.  
   
   
       20 . The cotton bale packaging according to  claim 15 , wherein interior surfaces or exterior surfaces of the packaging are provided with a polymeric coating.