Package making – Methods – Filling preformed receptacle and closing
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-20
2001-06-05
Vo, Peter (Department: 3721)
Package making
Methods
Filling preformed receptacle and closing
C053S473000, C053S479000, C053S481000, C053S482000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06240709
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to collapsible and stackable bags and methods for stacking collapsible bags. More particularly, the invention relates to collapsible bags which are capable of being stacked when filled and methods of forming the bags to facilitate stacking.
2. Description of the Related Art
Bags capable of standing substantially upright are generally known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,934,255 to Boots, which is incorporated by reference herein, discloses flexible containers made of plastic film comprising a tubular outer envelope and an inner member affixed to the outer envelope. The inner member, which is at least 30% of the height of the outer envelope, provides outer spaces between the inner member and the outer envelope that are in open communication with an interior space within the inner member. As a result, material deposited in the containers described in the Boots patent fills the inner and outer spaces. This construction enables the inner and outer spaces to function like columns so that the bags stand substantially upright when filled.
Typically, when conventional bags of the Boots construction are filled and closed, air is captured in the top of the bag. The entrained air prevents the top of the conventional bag from collapsing onto the contents of the bag to provide a level surface for stacking.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To overcome the disadvantages of the prior art, and in accordance with the purposes of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided a collapsible bag adapted to be stacked on another such bag when filled with material. The collapsible bag comprises a main body, a bottom portion, and a top portion.
In accordance with the present invention, the main body is provided for retaining material deposited into the bag. The main body includes vertical sections to provide columnar support for holding the bag upright when the vertical sections are substantially filled with material.
The collapsible bag of the present invention also includes a bottom portion depending from the main body. The bottom portion contains at least one bottom seal for closing the bottom portion, such that the bottom portion is adapted to provide a substantially planar base along the outside of the bag.
The collapsible bag of the present invention further includes a top portion extending from the main body at an end opposite the bottom portion. The top portion includes a top seal for closing the top portion. The top portion defines an interior space within the bag between the top seal and an imaginary fill line. The top portion also includes a vent between the top seal and the fill line, whereby air within the interior space is vented to the atmosphere in response to downward pressure on the top portion collapsing the bag onto its contents, so that a substantially planar top surface is formed substantially along the fill line to facilitate stacking. Preferably the vent is a one-way valve to allow air to exit the bag, while precluding air from entering the bag.
The present invention further includes a method of forming a collapsible bag for stacking, wherein the collapsible bag includes a main body having an interior wall and an outer wall. The interior wall is integrally connected to the outer wall and defines a plurality of vertical sections. The bag also includes a closed bottom portion connected to the main body and having a substantially planar base. The bag further includes a top portion extending from the main body at an end opposite the bottom portion.
In accordance with the present invention, the method comprises the steps of filling the vertical sections with sufficient material to provide columnar support for holding the bag upright thereby defining a fill line; sealing the top portion of the bag, so that an interior space is provided within the bag between the top seal and the fill line; providing a vent to the top portion between the top seal and the fill line; after the sealing step, compressing the top portion of the bag and venting the interior space to provide a substantially planar top surface along the fill line; and stacking another bag on the top surface of the bag.
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Advertisement (undated) for Pli-Valv Pressure Relief Valves of Plitek, LLC.
Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner L.L.P.
Huynh Louis K.
Linpac, Inc.
Vo Peter
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