Sealed container and method of manufacturing

Abstract

The present invention relates to sealed containers or pouches. More specifically, the present invention relates to containers, such as flexible packages or bags wherein the containers or pouch can be compressed or evacuated to remove excess air, fluid or other gaseous content and then sealed in such compressed or evacuated arrangement.

1 . A method for making a sealed container comprising the following steps:
 providing a pouch structure, the pouch structure including a housing having first and second ends and first and second longitudinally extending sides, each of the first and second ends are sealed to create a closure having an interior and an exterior; the housing further including at least one perforation creating a perforated area and the perforated area is covered by an adhesively secured patch permanently adhered atop the perforated area;   introducing a material into the pouch;   sealing an open end of the pouch;   placing the adhesive patch atop the perforated area of the pouch;   removing gas from the pouch via the at least one perforation by compressing the pouch; and   sealing the pouch.   
   
   
       2 . A method recited in  claim 1 , wherein the patch is non-porous. 
   
   
       3 . A method recited in  claim 2 , wherein the patch is constructed from a porous material provided with an impermeable coating such as adhesive. 
   
   
       4 . A method recited in  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive has a low moisture transmission rate. 
   
   
       5 . A method recited in  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive has a low oxygen transmission rate. 
   
   
       6 . A method recited in  claim 1 , wherein the step of removing the gaseous contents is done by mechanical compression of the sealed pouch. 
   
   
       7 . A method recited in  claim 1 , wherein the step of removing the gaseous contents is done by applying a vacuum. 
   
   
       8 . A method recited in  claim 1 , including a further step of placing a porosity mechanism adjacent the perforated area such that it prevents escape of the non gaseous contents of the container during the step of removing the gas. 
   
   
       9 . A method recited in  claim 5 , wherein the adhesive layer has a moisture vapor transmission rate of <1.1 g m 2 *24 h). 
   
   
       10 . An evacuatable container, comprising:
 a housing having first and second ends and first and second longitudinally extending sides, each of the first and second ends are sealed creating a closure having an interior and an exterior;   the housing further including at least one perforation creating a perforated area;   the perforated area is covered by an adhesive patch permanently adhered on top of the perforated area; and   wherein the adhesive patch prevents gaseous exchange between the interior and exterior of the container.   
   
   
       11 . An article recited in  claim 11 , wherein at least one perforation is a micro perforation that has a diameter of about 0.2 mm to about 0.4 mm. 
   
   
       12 . An article recited in  claim 11 , wherein the adhesive has a low moisture transmission rate. 
   
   
       13 . An article recited in  claim 11 , wherein the adhesive has a low oxygen transmission rate. 
   
   
       14 . An article recited in  claim 11 , including a porosity mechanism placed adjacent to the perforated area on the interior portion of the container. 
   
   
       15 . An article as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the adhesive has a chemical resistance to contents provided in the container. 
   
   
       16 . An article as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the surface of the container has a series of irregularities and the adhesive forms a tight seal to the surface. 
   
   
       17 . An article as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the article is comprised of materials resistant to environmental degradation. 
   
   
       18 . An article as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the adhesive patch is provided with a perimeter pattern of adhesive. 
   
   
       19 . An article as recited in  claim 11 , wherein a pattern of adhesive is used, and the adhesive for the adhesive patch is selected from a group that includes hot-melt adhesives, water-based adhesives, solvent based or organic soluble adhesives. 
   
   
       20 . A substantially quadrate container, comprising;
 a pouch formed from a flexible sheet material having an oxygen transmission rate of less than about 10 cc/100 in (645 cm 2 )/24 hr/atm at 100° F., the pouch having first and second longitudinally extending sides and first and second transversely extending end edges, the first and second longitudinally extending sides and transversely extending edges defining first and second outside surfaces;   an exit port extending through the first outside surface to a first inside surface, the exit port having an edge;   a porosity mechanism is placed immediately adjacent the exit port on the first inside surface and substantially covers and extends beyond the edge of the exit port; and   an adhesive patch placed over and covering the exit port on the first outside surface of the pouch, the adhesive patch having a pattern of adhesive extending around a perimeter of the adhesive patch and outside of the edge of the exit port, the adhesive patch further including a plurality of microperforations having dimensions ranging from about 0.2 mm to 0.4 mm.