Flexible laminate having an integrated pressure release valve

Abstract

A multilayered flexible laminate comprising: a first lamina having a inlet channel; a second lamina having a outlet channel; the first and second laminas joined to one another about an unbonded valve region having open and closed orientations; wherein the first and outlet channels are in gaseous communication when the valve region is in the open orientation.

1 . A multilayered flexible laminate having an integrated pressure release valve comprising: 
 e. a first lamina having at least one inlet channel;    f a second lamina having at least one outlet channel;    g. the first and second laminas at least partially bonded to one another about an unbonded valve region having open and closed orientations and having a liquid film disposed therein;    h. particles mixed with the liquid film at a location proximate to the inlet channel 
 wherein the inlet and outlet channels preferentially permit gaseous communication in one direction within the valve region when the valve region is in the open orientation.  
   
     
     
         2 . The laminate of  claim 1  wherein a gas enters through the inlet channel, travels through the valve region and exits through the outlet channel.  
     
     
         3 . The laminate of  claim 1  wherein the valve region moves between open and closed orientation in response to a change in pressure.  
     
     
         4 . The laminate of  claim 1  wherein the first lamina comprises an organic polymer selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, polyamides, polyesters, polycarbonates, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         5 . The laminate of  claim 1  further comprising at least two inlet channels.  
     
     
         6 . The laminate of  claim 1  further comprising at least two outlet channels  
     
     
         7 . The laminate of  claim 1  wherein the liquid film comprises a fluid selected from the group consisting of water, oils and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         8 . The laminate of  claim 1  wherein the second lamina comprises an organic polymer selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, polyamides, polyesters, polycarbonates, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         9 . The laminate of  claim 1  wherein the particles comprise a material selected from the group consisting of powdered polymers, silica, carbon, carbon black and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         10 . A multilayered flexible laminate having an integrated pressure release valve 
 comprising: 
 d. a first lamina having at lease one inlet channel, the inlet channel disposed proximate to a liquid film having particles disposed therein;  
 e. a second lamina having at least one outlet channel, the outlet channel disposed proximate to the to liquid film;  
 f. the first and second laminas bonded to one another about an enclosed unbonded valve region having open and closed orientations;  
   wherein the inlet and outlet channels are offset from one another to preferentially permit gaseous communication in one direction within the valve region when the valve region is in the open orientation.    
     
     
         11 . The laminate of  claim 10  wherein the first lamina further comprises a gas impervious layer disposed thereon.  
     
     
         12 . The laminate of  claim 10  wherein the first lamina further comprises a metallized layer deposited on the gas impervious layer.  
     
     
         13 . The laminate of claim of  claim 10  further comprises a sealant layer disposed thereon.  
     
     
         14 . The laminate of  claim 10  wherein the particles comprise a material selected from the group consisting of powdered polymers, silica, carbon, carbon black and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         15 . The laminate of  claim 10  wherein the laminate is bondable to a container.  
     
     
         16 . The laminate of  claim 14  wherein the particles comprise powdered polymers selected from the group consisting of nylon, polyester, silicone and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         17 . The laminate of  claim 10  wherein the liquid film comprises silicon oil.  
     
     
         18 . The laminate of  claim 16  wherein the particles comprise powdered Nylon.  
     
     
         19 . A container sealed with the laminate of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         20 . A process for making a laminate having an integrated pressure release valve, the process comprise the steps of: 
 a. providing a first lamina having first and second sides, the first lamina having an inlet channel disposed therein, the inlet channel providing gaseous communication from the first side of the first lamina to the second side of the first lamina;    b. applying a liquid film to the second side of the first lamina;    c. joining a second lamina having first and second sides to the first lamina, the second lamina having a outlet channel disposed therein, the outlet channel of the second lamina providing gaseous communication from the first side of the first lamina to the second side of the second lamina; 
 wherein the inlet channel of the first lamina and the outlet channel of the second lamina are both in gaseous communication with the liquid film.