Abstract: A wetting fluid applicator unit for applying wetting fluid to pressure relief valves during packaging of product, such as roasted coffee, with a packaging system. The wetting fluid applicator unit includes an unpressurized wetting fluid reservoir which delivers wetting fluid to plural fluid supply circuits. One fluid supply circuit charges a spray head with wetting fluid while the other fluid supply circuit is replenished with wetting fluid from the unpressurized reservoir. The wetting fluid applicator unit ensures continuous flow of wetting fluid to the spray head while enabling replenishment of the reservoir during continuous operation of the packaging system.

Abstract: One-way pressure relief valves with wetting fluid reservoirs are disclosed. Valves of the types described herein may be applied to a product package, for example a package containing dry roasted coffee, to allow gas to escape from the package while preventing entry of ambient air into the package. A wetting fluid is provided within the valve to facilitate formation of the seal blocking entry of ambient air through the valve and into the product package. The wetting fluid reservoirs hold wetting fluid to limit or prevent leakage of the wetting fluid from the valve providing benefits such as improved application of the valves to the packages, improved retention of the valves to the packages, and appearance improvements resulting from avoidance of leakage of wetting fluid onto the valve and the package to which the valve is attached.

Abstract: One-way pressure relief valves with wetting fluid reservoirs are disclosed. Valves of the types described herein may be applied to a product package, for example a package containing dry roasted coffee, to allow gas to escape from the package while preventing entry of ambient air into the package. A wetting fluid is provided within the valve to facilitate formation of the seal blocking entry of ambient air through the valve and into the product package. The wetting fluid reservoirs hold wetting fluid to limit or prevent leakage of the wetting fluid from the valve providing benefits such as improved application of the valves to the packages, improved retention of the valves to the packages, and appearance improvements resulting from avoidance of leakage of wetting fluid onto the valve and the package to which the valve is attached.

Abstract: A method for applying a lubricant to a pressure relief valve during the process of applying the pressure relief valve to packaging. The method includes temporarily separating layers of the valve with a vacuum applicator when the lubricant is applied. A pressurized nozzle sprays or atomizes the lubricant into the valve opening. Graphite suspended in liquid silicone is used as the lubricant; it is recirculated in a reservoir to keep the graphite in suspension. Optical sensors check for valves before the entrance to, and after exit from, the vacuum applicator.

Abstract: A method for applying a lubricant to a pressure relief valve during the process of applying the pressure relief valve to packaging. The method includes temporarily separating layers of the valve with a vacuum applicator when the lubricant is applied. A pressurized nozzle sprays or atomizes the lubricant into the valve opening. Graphite suspended in liquid silicone is used as the lubricant; it is recirculated in a reservoir to keep the graphite in suspension. Optical sensors check for valves before the entrance to, and after exit from, the vacuum applicator.

Abstract: A self contained one-way pressure relief valve for application to product packaging that does not require the addition of a sealing lubricant. Atop a base with an opening extending through the base is an adhesive-like material layer, and a dry strap of a silicone or other release film coated membrane, all of which are of gas impervious materials. The release film coated material layer covers the opening with the release film in contact with the adhesive-like material creating a surface attraction between the release film and the adhesive-like material. An intermediate layer of gas impervious material with an opening extending through such layer may be provided. A gas pervious filter material layer may be provided to block passage of fine particulates or liquid.

Abstract: An improved single-serve cartridge with a one-way gas pressure relief valve for beverage brewing, preferably in an automatic single-serve beverage brewer device such as the Keurig® Single Cup Brewing System, and cartridge components are described. In embodiments, the improved cartridge contains ground coffee or other particulate beverage medium. A one-way gas pressure relief valve permits gas produced by the ground coffee to escape from the cartridge before use of the cartridge in a brewer, thereby avoiding certain disadvantages associated with excessive pressure within the cartridge. The one-way gas pressure relief valve is also essentially liquid-tight to liquid injected into the cartridge by the brewer avoiding problems associated with liquid leakage and allowing the cartridge to function in the brewer in the same manner as an unmodified cartridge.

Abstract: A method for applying a lubricant to a pressure relief valve during the process of applying the pressure relief valve to packaging. The method includes temporarily separating layers of the valve with a vacuum applicator when the lubricant is applied. A pressurized nozzle sprays or atomizes the lubricant into the valve opening. Graphite suspended in liquid silicone is used as the lubricant; it is recirculated in a reservoir to keep the graphite in suspension. Optical sensors check for valves before the entrance to, and after exit from, the vacuum applicator.

Abstract: A self contained one-way pressure relief valve for application to product packaging that does not require the addition of a sealing lubricant. Atop a base with an opening extending through the base is an adhesive-like material layer, and a dry strap of a silicone or other release film coated membrane, all of which are of gas impervious materials. The release film coated material layer covers the opening with the release film in contact with the adhesive-like material creating a surface attraction between the release film and the adhesive-like material. An intermediate layer of gas impervious material with an opening extending through such layer may be provided. A gas pervious filter material layer may be provided to block passage of fine particulates or liquid.

Abstract: A system for applying a tin-tie, from a supply of tin-ties releaseably adhered along the length of a liner, with the tin-tie length generally aligned along a length of packaging moving in a first direction includes a tamp applicator for extending and retracting along a second direction substantially transverse to the first direction. The tamp applicator includes a magnet for carrying the tin-tie after it is released from the liner by a peeler, an air assist for aid in releasing and positioning the tin-tie, and a recess and edge for positioning the tin-tie. Part of the tamp applicator carrying the released tin-tie is also moveable in the same first direction, allowing travel in the same first direction as the moving packaging material when putting the tin-tie on the moving packaging material. A spring biases the part to return in a third direction opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A self contained one-way pressure relief valve for application to product packaging that does not require the addition of a sealing lubricant. Atop a base with an opening extending through the base is an adhesive-like material layer, and a dry strap of a silicone or other release film coated membrane, all of which are of gas impervious materials. The release film coated material layer covers the opening with the release film in contact with the adhesive-like material creating a surface attraction between the release film and the adhesive-like material. An intermediate layer of gas impervious material with an opening extending through such layer may be provided. A gas pervious filter material layer may be provided to block passage of fine particulates or liquid.

Abstract: A one-way pressure relief valve having an integrated filter. One-way pressure relief valves may be applied to a product package to evacuate gas from the package. The integrated filter prevents materials within the package from interfering with closure or operation of the pressure relief valve. Certain pressure relief valve embodiments can be configured for optimal valve operation without need for a wetting agent while other pressure relief valve embodiments operate optimally with a wetting agent.

Abstract: A lubricant applicator unit for pressure relief valves for a system for applying pressure relief valves to packaging during a packaging process, including a vacuum applicator for temporarily separating layers of the valve when the lubricant is applied. A pressurized nozzle sprays or atomizes the lubricant into the valve opening. Graphite suspended in liquid silicone is used as the lubricant; it is recirculated in a reservoir to keep the graphite in suspension. Optical sensors check for valves before the entrance to, and after exit from, the vacuum applicator.

Abstract: A self contained one-way pressure relief valve for application to product packaging that does not require the addition of a sealing lubricant. Atop a base with an opening extending through is an adhesive-like material layer, and a dry strap of a silicone or other release film coated membrane, all of which are of gas impervious materials. The release coated material layer covering the opening with the release film in contact with the adhesive-like material creating a surface attraction between the release film and the adhesive-like material. An intermediate layer of gas impervious material with an opening extending through provides for including a gas pervious filter material layer that may be for fine particulates or liquid proof.

Abstract: A system for applying a tin-tie, from a supply of tin-ties releaseably adhered along the length of a liner, with the tin-tie length generally aligned along a length of packaging moving in a first direction includes a tamp applicator for extending and retracting along a second direction substantially transverse to the first direction. The tamp applicator includes a magnet for carrying the tin-tie after it is released from the liner by a peeler, an air assist for aid in releasing and positioning the tin-tie, and a recess and edge for positioning the tin-tie. Part of the tamp applicator carrying the released tin-tie is also moveable in the same first direction, allowing travel in the same first direction as the moving packaging material when putting the tin-tie on the moving packaging material. A spring biases the part to return in a third direction opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A system for applying pressure relief valves to packaging from a liner carrying adhesive backed pressure relief valves passing over a series of rollers in tension onto a peeler bar. There is a valve applicator unit proximate the peeler bar with a punch shaft and an applicator shaft with an applicator vacuum head. The liner is moved by a retraction unit including clamping members that alternately maintain the liner stationary under tension and pull the liner under tension to advance the liner carrying adhesive backed pressure relief valves. A supply reel for a roll of liner carrying adhesive backed pressure relief valves has a pair of spaced apart plates and a pair of rings with a non-stick coating positioned between each of the plates and the roll of liner. The plates, rings and roll of liner are compressed together by an adjustable retainer.

Abstract: The present invention creates a new rigid degassing valve. The valve of the present invention utilizes a relatively stiff support body in order to successfully vent gases, such as carbon dioxide, from within the packaging. Carbon dioxide may be created by organic products placed in the packaging which causes the package to expand. The valve of the current invention maintains its shape as the package becomes bloated and takes on a rounded shape due to carbon dioxide expended by the roasted coffee beans.

Abstract: A system for applying pressure relief valves to packaging from a liner carrying adhesive backed pressure relief valves passing over a series of rollers in tension onto a peeler bar. There is a valve applicator unit proximate the peeler bar with a punch shaft and an applicator shaft with an applicator vacuum head. The liner is moved by a retraction unit including clamping members that alternately maintain the liner stationary under tension and pull the liner under tension to advance the liner carrying adhesive backed pressure relief valves. A supply reel for a roll of liner carrying adhesive backed pressure relief valves has a pair of spaced apart plates and a pair of rings with a non-stick coating positioned between each of the plates and the roll of liner. The plates, rings and roll of liner are compressed together by an adjustable retainer.

Abstract: A reversed pressure relief valve that is used in connection with a computer hard disk drive so as to vent pressurized gases contained within the disk drive while not permitting debris to enter the drive mechanism or the valve. More specifically, the present invention is a reversed direction valve which includes at least one passageway defined by at least a lifter ring, a dry strap, a pressure sensitive adhesive (“PSA”)/body film and a filter media.

Abstract: An interior-mountable pressure relief valve for packages containing food products such as coffee that normally tend to out-gas. The relief valve of the present invention can be made by thermoforming a pocket of a barrier type of semi-rigid film that has a heat seal membrane on one side. An indent can be made in the bottom of this pocket to receive a filter medium that covers an aperture in the bottom of the pocket. The filter medium can be heat-staked to the pocket. A pressure relief valve known in the art containing a base layer, a pair of rails and a flexible membrane can be placed in the pocket. This valve and pocket assembly can be can be treated with a mesh membrane that is heat sealable to the seal side to prevent disassembly or contamination. The product can then be wound on a level wound spool for shipping to an end user. The end user can take the carrier tape and dispense it into a single piece dose and then heat seal the carrier to the inside wall of the package.