Flexible storage bag with vent between two zipper

Abstract

A bag comprising a receptacle and first and second reclosable structures installed inside and across a mouth of the receptacle, the first and second reclosable structures being parallel and spaced apart from each other. At least portions of the first and second reclosable structures bound a passageway within the mouth of the receptacle when the first and second reclosable structures are in fully closed states. The receptacle comprises a vent that is in flow communication with an interior volume of the receptacle via the passageway when both the vent and the first reclosable structure are in at least partially open states. If, while the first and second reclosable structures are in fully closed states, the pressure inside the interior volume is increased sufficiently, the first reclosable structure will open at least partly to allow gas from the interior volume to escape into the passageway while the second reclosable structure remains in a fully closed state.

1 . A bag comprising a receptacle and first and second reclosable structures installed inside said receptacle, said first reclosable structure bounding an interior volume for product inside said receptacle when said first reclosable structure is in a fully closed state, and at least portions of said first and second reclosable structures bounding a first passageway inside said receptacle when said first and second reclosable structures are in fully closed states, said receptacle comprising a first vent that is in flow communication with said interior volume via said first passageway when both said first vent and said first reclosable structure are in at least partially open states, wherein if, while said first and second reclosable structures are in fully closed states, the pressure inside said interior volume is increased sufficiently, said first reclosable structure will open at least partly to allow gas from said interior volume to escape into said first passageway while said second reclosable structure remains in a fully closed state. 
   
   
       2 . The bag as recited in  claim 1 , wherein at least portions of said first and second reclosable structures bound a second passageway inside said receptacle when said first and second reclosable structures are in fully closed states, said receptacle further comprising a second vent that is in flow communication with said interior volume via said second passageway when both said second vent and said first reclosable structure are in at least partially open states. 
   
   
       3 . The bag as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said receptacle comprises first and second walls, said first reclosable structure comprises first and second closure profiles, and said second reclosable structure comprises third and fourth closure profiles, said first and second closure profiles being mutually engageable to close said first reclosable structure, and said third and fourth closure profiles being mutually engageable to close said second reclosable structure. 
   
   
       4 . The bag as recited in  claim 3 , wherein said first vent comprises an opening or slit located on said first wall at an elevation between said first and second reclosable structures. 
   
   
       5 . The bag as recited in  claim 3 , wherein said first and second walls are joined to each other in first and second marginal portions disposed along a first side edge of said receptacle, said first and second marginal portions being separated by a gap where said first and second walls are not joined to each other, respective portions of said first and second walls at said gap forming said first vent. 
   
   
       6 . The bag as recited in  claim 3 , wherein said first and third closure profiles project from a first base strip joined to said first wall, and said second and fourth closure profiles project from a second base strip joined to said second wall. 
   
   
       7 . The bag as recited in  claim 6 , wherein respective portions of said first and second base strips, disposed adjacent a first side edge of said receptacle, are not joined to each other and form said first vent. 
   
   
       8 . The bag as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said first passageway has a serpentine shape, a part of a boundary of said first passageway being formed by a seal, said seal being a zone where said first and second base strips are sealed together. 
   
   
       9 . The bag as recited in  claim 3 , wherein said first passageway has a serpentine shape, a part of a boundary of said first passageway being formed by a seal, said seal being a zone where said first and second walls are sealed together. 
   
   
       10 . The bag as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a third reclosable structure installed inside said receptacle, wherein said third reclosable structure divides said interior volume into first and second chambers when said first and third reclosable structures are in fully closed states. 
   
   
       11 . The bag as recited in  claim 3 , wherein said receptacle further comprises a bottom gusset. 
   
   
       12 . A bag comprising a receptacle and first, second and third reclosable structures installed inside said receptacle, said first reclosable structure bounding a first interior volume inside said receptacle when said first reclosable structure is in a fully closed state, said first and second reclosable structure bounding a second interior volume inside said receptacle when said first and second reclosable structures are in fully closed states, and at least portions of said second and third reclosable structures bounding a first passageway inside said receptacle when said second and third reclosable structures are in fully closed states, said receptacle comprising a first vent that is in flow communication with said second interior volume via said first passageway when both said first vent and said second reclosable structure are in at least partially open states, wherein if, while said first reclosable structure is in a fully closed state, the pressure inside said first interior volume is increased sufficiently, said first reclosable structure will open at least partly to allow mixing of the contents of said first and second interior volumes, and wherein if, while said first reclosable structure is in a partially open state and said second and third reclosable structures are in fully closed states, the pressure inside said interior volume is further increased sufficiently, said second reclosable structure will open at least partly to allow gas from said second interior volume to escape into said first passageway while said third reclosable structure remains in a fully closed state. 
   
   
       13 . The bag as recited in  claim 12 , wherein at least portions of said second and third reclosable structures bound a second passageway inside said receptacle when said second and third reclosable structures are in fully closed states, said receptacle further comprising a second vent that is in flow communication with said second interior volume via said second passageway when both said second vent and said second reclosable structure are in at least partially open states. 
   
   
       14 . The bag as recited in  claim 12 , wherein said receptacle comprises first and second walls, said first reclosable structure comprises first and second closure profiles, said second reclosable structure comprises third and fourth closure profiles, and said third reclosable structure comprises fifth and sixth closure profiles, said first and second closure profiles being mutually engageable to close said first reclosable structure, said third and fourth closure profiles being mutually engageable to close said second reclosable structure, and said fifth and sixth closure profiles being mutually engageable to close said third reclosable structure. 
   
   
       15 . The bag as recited in  claim 14 , wherein said first vent comprises an opening or slit located on said first wall at an elevation between said second and third reclosable structures. 
   
   
       16 . The bag as recited in  claim 14 , wherein said first and second walls are joined to each in first and second marginal portions disposed along a first side edge of said receptacle, said first and second marginal portions being separated by a gap where said first and second walls are not joined to each other, respective portions of said first and second walls at said gap forming said first vent. 
   
   
       17 . The bag as recited in  claim 14 , wherein said first passageway has a serpentine shape, a part of a boundary of said first passageway being formed by a seal, said seal being a zone where said first and second walls are sealed together. 
   
   
       18 . The bag as recited in  claim 12 , wherein said first reclosable structure partly opens in response to a first pressure level inside said first interior volume, and said second reclosable structure partly opens in response to a second pressure level inside said second interior volume, said second pressure level being greater than said first pressure level. 
   
   
       19 . A bag comprising a receptacle and first and second reclosable structures installed inside and across a mouth of said receptacle, said first and second reclosable structures being parallel and spaced apart from each other, and at least portions of said first and second reclosable structures bounding a passageway within said mouth of said receptacle when said first and second reclosable structures are in fully closed states, said receptacle comprising a vent that is in flow communication with an interior volume of said receptacle via said passageway when both said vent and said first reclosable structure are in at least partially open states, wherein if, while said first and second reclosable structures are in fully closed states, the pressure inside said interior volume is increased to a first pressure level, said first reclosable structure will open at least partly to allow gas from said interior volume to escape into said passageway while said second reclosable structure remains in a fully closed state. 
   
   
       20 . The bag as recited in  claim 19 , further comprising compartmentalizing means for dividing said interior volume into first and second compartments, wherein if the pressure inside one of said first and second compartments is increased to a second pressure level less than said first pressure level, said compartmentalizing means will open at least partly to allow mixing of the contents of said first and second compartments while said first reclosable structure remains in a fully closed state.