Abstract: A valve (10) is disclosed which is operable to automatically transition from a closed state to an open state in response to heat. The valve (10) includes: a cover (12) having at least one opening (12a) therein; at least one adhesive layer (32, 36) for sealing a perimeter of the cover (12) to a wall (22) of a food cooking package (20) on which the valve (10) is positioned; and, a deformable element (14) that shrinks in response to being exposed to heat, the deformable element (14) having a perimeter which is sealed by an adhesive when the valve (10) is in its closed state, wherein shrinking of the deformable element (14) pulls the perimeter of the deformable element (14) away from a site where it is sealed by the adhesive, thereby breaking the seal about the perimeter of the deformable element (14) and transitioning the valve (10) from its closed state to its open state.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a cover material for an inflatable object such as an air bag. Generally, the cover surrounds the entire inflatable object. The cover has a valve to allow for vacuum compression of the inflatable object. In one embodiment the cover material is constructed out of heat shrinkable material so that the construction may be both compressed and shrunk to allow for the inflatable object to occupy less area. The present invention also discloses a method of constructing an encapsulated inflatable object utilizing the cover presently disclosed.

Abstract: A valve (20) is provided for sealing an evacuation port (16) in a port area (18) of a wall structure (12) of a container. The valve (20) comprises a casing (22) having a shell portion (30) which is deformable from an open condition, whereat the shell portion (30) forms a chamber (32) over the port area (18), and a closed condition, whereat the shell portion (30) contacts the port area (18). When the shell portion (30) is in its open condition, gas exits from the chamber (32) through gas-releasing holes (24) in the casing (22). When the shell portion (30) is deformed to its closed condition, a port-sealing adhesive (26) adheres to the port area (18) to thereby seal the evacuation port (16).

Abstract: A surface treatment for a protective plastic film and/or laminate is disclosed. Suitably, the surface treatment includes coating a major surface of the plastic film or laminate with a curable coating formulation wherein the one or more of the coating ingredients are diffused or migrated at least partially into the plastic film or plastic laminate. The migration of coating ingredients creates a gradual transition layer from the plastic film to the coating layer and leads to unique properties. Optionally, the surface treated plastic film is laminated to a release liner coated with a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) to form the aforementioned laminate.

Abstract: A container (10) having a valve flap (20) which is movable between a closed position, whereat it is seated on the seating area (18) to close an evacuation port (16), and an opened position, whereat it is unseated from the seating area (18) to open the evacuation port (16). A label structure (26) includes a film layer (28) forming a seat platform on which a seating area (18) is located and/or a film layer (30) forming a flap platform on which the valve flap (20) is located. A plurality of label structures (26) can be efficiently and economically mass-produced by a label-manufacturer and then supplied to the container-manufacturer for incorporation into the containers (10).

Abstract: A valve (10) is disclosed which is operable to automatically transition from a closed state to an open state in response to heat. The valve (10) includes: a cover (12) having at least one opening (12a) therein; at least one adhesive layer (32, 36) for sealing a perimeter of the cover (12) to a wall (22) of a food cooking package (20) on which the valve (10) is positioned; and, a deformable element (14) that shrinks in response to being exposed to heat, the deformable element (14) having a perimeter which is sealed by an adhesive when the valve (10) is in its closed state, wherein shrinking of the deformable element (14) pulls the perimeter of the deformable element (14) away from a site where it is sealed by the adhesive, thereby breaking the seal about the perimeter of the deformable element (14) and transitioning the valve (10) from its closed state to its open state.

Abstract: A valve (10) is disclosed which is operable to automatically transition from a closed state to an open state in response to heat. The valve (10) includes: a cover (12) having at least one opening (12a) therein; at least one adhesive layer (32, 36) for sealing a perimeter of the cover (12) to a wall (22) of a food cooking package (20) on which the valve (10) is positioned; and, a deformable element (14) that shrinks in response to being exposed to heat, the deformable element (14) having a perimeter which is sealed by an adhesive when the valve (10) is in its closed state, wherein shrinking of the deformable element (14) pulls the perimeter of the deformable element (14) away from a site where it is sealed by the adhesive, thereby breaking the seal about the perimeter of the deformable element (14) and transitioning the valve (10) from its closed state to its open state.

Abstract: A valve (20) is provided for sealing an evacuation port (16) in a port area (18) of a wall structure (12) of a container. The valve (20) comprises a casing (22) having a shell portion (30) which is deformable from an open condition, whereat the shell portion (30) forms a chamber (32) over the port area (18), and a closed condition, whereat the shell portion (30) contacts the port area (18). When the shell portion (30) is in its open condition, gas exits from the chamber (32) through gas-releasing holes (24) in the casing (22). When the shell portion (30) is deformed to its closed condition, a port-sealing adhesive (26) adheres to the port area (18) to thereby seal the evacuation port (16).

Abstract: A valve (20) is provided for sealing an evacuation port (16) in a port area (18) of a wall structure (12) of a container. The valve (20) comprises a casing (22) having a shell portion (30) which is deformable from an open condition, whereat the shell portion (30) forms a chamber (32) over the port area (18), and a closed condition, whereat the shell portion (30) contacts the port area (18). When the shell portion (30) is in its open condition, gas exits from the chamber (32) through gas-releasing holes (24) in the casing (22). When the shell portion (30) is deformed to its closed condition, a port-sealing adhesive (26) adheres to the port area (18) to thereby seal the evacuation port (16).

Abstract: A valve (20) is provided for sealing an evacuation port (16) in a port area (18) of a wall structure (12) of a container. The valve (20) comprises a casing (22) having a shell portion (30) which is deformable from an open condition, whereat the shell portion (30) forms a chamber (32) over the port area (18), and a closed condition, whereat the shell portion (30) contacts the port area (18). When the shell portion (30) is in its open condition, gas exits from the chamber (32) through gas-releasing holes (24) in the casing (22). When the shell portion (30) is deformed to its closed condition, a port-sealing adhesive (26) adheres to the port area (18) to thereby seal the evacuation port (16).

Abstract: A valve (20) is provided for sealing an evacuation port (16) in a port area (18) of a wall structure (12) of a container. The valve (20) comprises a casing (22) having a shell portion (30) which is deformable from an open condition, whereat the shell portion (30) forms a chamber (32) over the port area (18), and a closed condition, whereat the shell portion (30) contacts the port area (18). When the shell portion (30) is in its open condition, gas exits from the chamber (32) through gas-releasing holes (24) in the casing (22). When the shell portion (30) is deformed to its closed condition, a port-sealing adhesive (26) adheres to the port area (18) to thereby seal the evacuation port (16).

Abstract: A container (10) having a valve flap (20) which is movable between a closed position, whereat it is seated on the seating area (18) to close an evacuation port (16), and an opened position, whereat it is unseated from the seating area (18) to open the evacuation port (16). A label structure (26) includes a film layer (28) forming a seat platform on which a seating area (18) is located and/or a film layer (30) forming a flap platform on which the valve flap (20) is located. A plurality of label structures (26) can be efficiently and economically mass-produced by a label-manufacturer and then supplied to the container-manufacturer for incorporation into the containers (10).

Abstract: A valve (10) is disclosed which is operable to automatically transition from a closed state to an open state in response to heat. The valve (10) includes: a cover (12) having at least one opening (12a) therein; at least one adhesive layer (32, 36) for sealing a perimeter of the cover (12) to a wall (22) of a food cooking package (20) on which the valve (10) is positioned; and, a deformable element (14) that shrinks in response to being exposed to heat, the deformable element (14) having a perimeter which is sealed by an adhesive when the valve (10) is in its closed state, wherein shrinking of the deformable element (14) pulls the perimeter of the deformable element (14) away from a site where it is sealed by the adhesive, thereby breaking the seal about the perimeter of the deformable element (14) and transitioning the valve (10) from its closed state to its open state.

Abstract: A surface treatment for a protective plastic film and/or laminate is disclosed. Suitably, the surface treatment includes coating a major surface of the plastic film or laminate with a curable coating formulation wherein the one or more of the coating ingredients are diffused or migrated at least partially into the plastic film or plastic laminate. The migration of coating ingredients creates a gradual transition layer from the plastic film to the coating layer and leads to unique properties. Optionally, the surface treated plastic film is laminated to a release liner coated with a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) to form the aforementioned laminate.

Abstract: A container (10) having a valve flap (20) which is movable between a closed position, whereat it is seated on the seating area (18) to close an evacuation port (16), and an opened position, whereat it is unseated from the seating area (18) to open the evacuation port (16). A label structure (26) includes a film layer (28) forming a seat platform on which a seating area (18) is located and/or a film layer (30) forming a flap platform on which the valve flap (20) is located. A plurality of label structures (26) can be efficiently and economically mass-produced by a label-manufacturer and then supplied to the container-manufacturer for incorporation into the containers (10).

Abstract: A valve (20) is provided for sealing an evacuation port (16) in a port area (18) of a wall structure (12) of a container. The valve (20) comprises a casing (22) having a shell portion (30) which is deformable from an open condition, whereat the shell portion (30) forms a chamber (32) over the port area (18), and a closed condition, whereat the shell portion (30) contacts the port area (18). When the shell portion (30) is in its open condition, gas exits from the chamber (32) through gas-releasing holes (24) in the casing (22). When the shell portion (30) is deformed to its closed condition, a port-sealing adhesive (26) adheres to the port area (18) to thereby seal the evacuation port (16).

Abstract: A valve (20) is provided for sealing an evacuation port (16) in a port area (18) of a wall structure (12) of a container. The valve (20) comprises a casing (22) having a shell portion (30) which is deformable from an open condition, whereat the shell portion (30) forms a chamber (32) over the port area (18), and a closed condition, whereat the shell portion (30) contacts the port area (18). When the shell portion (30) is in its open condition, gas exits from the chamber (32) through gas-releasing holes (24) in the casing (22). When the shell portion (30) is deformed to its closed condition, a port-sealing adhesive (26) adheres to the port area (18) to thereby seal the evacuation port (16).

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.

Abstract: A method of making a plurality of flexible containers (12/112/212) comprising the steps of manufacturing a plurality of bag structures (13/113/213), separately manufacturing a plurality of valves (10/110/210), aligning the valves (10/110/210) with openings (24/124/224) in the bag structures (13/113/213), and securing the aligned valves (10/110/210) to the bag structures (13/113/213). Each valve (10/110/210) comprises a vent layer (30/130/230) which is pervious with respect to expected gasses and a sealed passageway is formed between the vent layer (30/130/230) and the container (12/112/212) when the valve (10/110/210) is secured to the bag structure (13/113/213).

Abstract: A method of making a plurality of flexible containers (12/112/212) comprising the steps of manufacturing a plurality of bag structures (13/113/213), separately manufacturing a plurality of valves (10/110/210), aligning the valves (10/110/210) with openings (24/124/224) in the bag structures (13/113/213), and securing the aligned valves (10/110/210) to the bag structures (13/113/213). Each valve (10/110/210) comprises a vent layer (30/130/230) which is pervious with respect to expected gasses and a sealed passageway is formed between the vent layer (30/130/230) and the container (12/112/212) when the valve (10/110/210) is secured to the bag structure (13/113/213).