US3680689A

US3680689A - Enclosure with progressively destructible seal

Info

Publication number: US3680689A
Application number: US55094A
Authority: US
Inventors: Friedrich Grundschober; Erhard Wychera; Jean Paul Carriere
Original assignee: Stadex AB
Current assignee: Stadex AB
Priority date: 1969-07-18
Filing date: 1970-07-15
Publication date: 1972-08-01
Anticipated expiration: 1989-08-01
Also published as: SE360054B; CH517026A

Abstract

A receptacle serving for the storage of one or more dispensable substances has two wall portions interconnected along a barrier zone of more or less constant width by a destructible seal formed at least in part from an elongate member which is extensible in its longitudinal direction and adheres, directly or through an interposed bonding layer, to the two wall portions while extending over the full width of that zone. This extensible member, e.g. an elastic tape or an undulating filament, has an outwardly projecting extremity by which it may be gripped and subjected to a longitudinal pull gradually reaching the opposite end, or some intermediate clamping point, upon progressive detachment of the member from the wall portions bracketing it. With the receptacle in the form of a flexible envelope subdivided by the barrier zone into two compartments containing respective components of a hardenable mixture, a partial rupture of the seal allows the components to be intermixed within the envelope in the region of the resulting gap whereupon the envelope may be partly cut open for removal of the mixture, except for a residue left to reseal the envelope beyond the gap before further utilization.

Description

United States Patent Grundschober et a].

[451 Aug. 1,1972

[54] ENCLOSURE WITH PROGRESSIVELY DESTRUCTIBLE SEAL [72] Inventors: Friedrich Gruntbchober, Onex/Geneva; Erhard Wychera, Carouge/Geneva; Jean Paul Carriere, Geneva, of Switggrland V [73] Assignee: Alrtiebolaget Stadex, Malmo,

Sweden [22] Filed: July 15, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 55,094

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data July 18, 1969 Switzerland ..11010/69 [52] US. Cl ..206/47 A, 220/49, 229/51 S [51] Int. Cl. ..B65d 81/32 [58] Field of Search...206/47 A, 52 W; 229/51 S, 66; 220/49 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,102,858 12/1937 Schlumbohm ..229/51 S 2,293,952 8/1942 Stroop ..229/51 S 2,436,402 2/1948 Potter ..206/52 W 2,885,104 5/1959 Greenspan ..206/47 A 2,932,385 4/1960 Bollmeier et a] ..206/47 A 3,085,681 Fazzari ..206/47 A FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 310,180 8/1933 Italy ..220/49 Primary Examiner-William T. Dixson, Jr. Attorney-Karl F. Ross [57] ABSTRACT A receptacle serving for the storage of one or more dispensable substances has two wall portions interconnected along a barrier zone of more or less constant width by a destructible seal formed at least in part from an elongate member which is extensible in its longitudinal direction and adheres, directly or through an interposed bonding layer, to the two wall portions 7 while extending over the full width of that zone. This I of a hardenable mixture, a partial rupture of the seal allows the components to be intermixed within the envelope in the region of the resulting gap whereupon the envelope may be partly cut open for removal of the mixture, except for a residue left to reseal the envelope beyond the gap before further utilization.

13 Claim, 15 Drawing Figures PATENTED M19 I972 SHEET 1 OF 5 FRIEDRICH GRUNDSCHOBER JEAN PAUL CARRIERE Inventors Attorney PATENTL-EDAUG' 1 1912 I V 3.680.689

sum

2 or 5 FIG. 8

FRIEDRICH GRUNBSCHOBER ERHARD WYCHERA JEAE. PAUL CARRlERE Inventors b I y mm! 6 Attorney PAIENTEIIMIB Hm 3.680.889

sum u 0F 5 46 FRlEDRl G1 (3 RUN DSCUOMISR ERIIARD WYCHERA J BAN PAUL CARRIERE Inventors I S by 9m 6- Attorney PKTE N TEl l 1 I973 3.680.689

SHEET 5 OF 5 FIG. /5

FRIEDRICH GRUNDSCHOBER ERHARJD WYCHERA JEAN PAUL CARRIERE Inventors b a y mar (RD Attorney ENCLOSURE WITH PROGRESSIVELY DFSTRUCTIBLE SEAL Our present invention relates to a receptacle provided with a destructible seal for the storage of one or more substances in an airtight enclosure prior to their utilization.

Such receptacles may serve, for example, to protect foodstuffs from contamination before consumption or to seal in carbonated liquids; another specific field of use is the initial separation of two (or more) components of a hardenable mixture, e.g. a foam polymer or a protective coating, which must not come into contact with each other until just before the mixture is to be prepared for utilization.

The general object of our present invention is to provide an enclosure of this character whose seal, while strong enough to resist substantial stresses (e.g. pressure of evolving gases) during storage and handling, can be readily fractured by simple manipulation to give access to the substance or substances contained therein.

A more particular object is to provide a frangible seal originally extending over an elongate barrier zone forming part of the boundary of one or more compartments of such a receptacle, this seal being progressively rupturable along selected portions of its length to reduce the extent of the barrier for a repeated partial discharge of the contents of such compartment or compartments.

A' further object, allied to the preceding one, is to provide an improved envelope for the storage of two reactive components, as described above, in adjacent compartments separated by such a barrier whereby, upon the formation of a gap in the barrier, measured quantities of the two components can be intermixed within the envelope itself before the envelope is opened to dispense the mixture.

In accordance with this invention we provide a receptacle with two wall portions approaching each other along a barrier zone as defined above, the two wall portions being sealed to each other along that zone by means including an elongate member which is extensible in its longitudinal direction and interposed between the two wall portions in adhering relationship therewith over the full width and at least part of the length of that zone. An outwardly projecting free extremity of the extensible member may be gripped by the user for exertion of longitudinal tension thereon with consequent progressive elongation of this member and the creation of a lengthening gap between the two wall portions.

The extensible member may adhere to the adjoining wall portions either directly or with interposition of a suitable bonding agent. If the member is an elastic tape having the same width as the barrier zone, the bonding agent may take the form of a pair of adhesive layers substantially coextensive with that tape (except for its projecting extremity) between which the tape is sandwiched. If the extensible member is a filament substantially narrower than the barrier zone but undulating over the full width of that zone, the bonding agent may occupy the voids between the undulations or loops of the filament so as to form a continuous film in which the filament is irnbedded. Where the envelope walls consist of thermoplastic material (e.g. polyethylene), the bonding agent may be part of the same thermoplastic material extruded into these voids upon local heating of the envelope.

In every one of these instances the barrier consists of a frangible seal which can be progressively ruptured by a pull on the projecting extremity of the extensible member as the latter breaks contact with the adjoining wall portions, with gradual extension of the rupture and propagation of the stress from the tensioned end to the opposite end. If the barrier is firmly clamped at some intermediate point (e.g. between the fingers of the user) through the flexible envelope walls, the spreading of the gap is stopped at that point so that the remainder of the barrier remains intact. In this manner, the seal may be destroyed in successive steps for the discharge of corresponding quantities of, say, a viscous substance from the space thus exposed.

This procedure is especially useful in the case of a compartmented envelope for the separate storage of two reactive components as heretofore discussed, with the barrier between the two compartments formed by intermediate sections of two substantially coextensive flexible foils sealed to each other along their edges.

With an extremity of the extensible member projecting from a transverse edge of the envelope, an initial pull upon this extremity will place the two compartments in communication along part of the barrier zone next to that edge so that the stored components come into contact with each other and intermix in the region of the resulting gap. With the envelope still substantially closed, the mixture so formed may be homogenized by manual working or kneading through the flexible walls and may thereafter be discharged by cutting the envelope open for severing the part of it containing the mixture. The envelope, or its remainder, may then be rescaled inwardly of the gap, e.g. by external clamping with the aid of clips or the like, particularly if no airtight closure is required at this stage. With a selfhardening mixture, however, a residue of that mixture may be left in place across the exposed ends of the compartments to rascal the envelope in a fluidtight manner whereupon the same steps may be repeated later on.

The above and other features of our invention will be described in greater detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a flexible envelope according to the invention, formed with two compartments for the isolated storage of two reactive components;

FIG. 2 and 3 are fragmentary cross-sectional views drawn to a larger scale and taken on lines II II and III III, respectively, of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 1, illustrating a modification;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 3 but taken onthelineVVofFIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line VI VI of FIG. 5;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are views similar to FIGS. 5 and 6, respectively, showing the envelope in a state of partial destruction of the barrier between its compartments;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of another envelope according to the invention, shown with its front wall removed;

FIG. 10 is an elevational view, partly in section, of a further receptacle embodying the invention;

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 9, illustrating still another envelope according to the invention;

line XII XII ofFIG. l1;

FIG. 13 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line XIII XIII of FIG. 12; and

FIGS. 14 and 15 are views similar to FIGS. 12 and 13, respectively, showing the envelope in a state of partial rupture of its internal barrier.

In FIGS, 1 3 we have shown a generally flat envelopeof rectangular outline formed from two coextensive foils land 2 of thermoplastic material, such as polyethylene, which are joined to each other along their longitudinal and transverse borders by

marginal heat seams

3, 4 and 7, 8.

. The median portions m of the two foils l and2 approachieachother to form a barrier between two adjacent compartments a and b which are filled with reactive components A and B of a hardenable mixture. The barrier'is sealed with theaid of an elastic tape 5, e.g. a

flatrubber band, sandwiched between two layers 6.1 and 6.2 of an adhesive substance (e.g. a vinyl-base cement)v bonding the tape 5 onto the foils l and 2 over the full width of the barrier strip thus formed. The substances'A and B are. thereby. completely isolated from each other and from the outer atmosphere.

. Substance A may be, for example, an epoxy resin while substance B is a hardener therefor such as an amine. ln another instance, where the desired product is a sponge plastic such as foamed polyurethane, substance A may be a mixture of a polyol, a catalyst, silicone and water'whereas substance B is an isocyanate which may have a foaming agent admixed therewith. Reference may be made, for example, to US. Pat. No. 2,982,396 for a variety of two-component compositions whose constituents may be so stored.

In operation, the extremity 5a of tape 5 projecting beyond the transverse edge 7 of the package is gripped and pulled longitudinally, in the direction'of arrow F (FIG. 3), so that the tape stretches and progressively detaches itself from the foils '1 and 2, with the bonding layerstil and 6.2 adhering eithertov the foils or to the tape according to the relative affinities of the respective materials and the roughness, if any, of the contact surfaces. The initial rupture of the seal may be limited to a gap of length 0 by firmly clamping the midportions m of the foils between the fingers of the other hand to keep the remainder of the barrier intact. As the seam 7 also remains practically undisturbed at this stage, the part of the envelope encompassing the gap 0 is still substantially sealed toward the atmosphere so as to form a chamber in which a fraction of the original quantities of spreading onto a receiving surface or introduction into a mold, by the simple expedient of cutting open the

envelope

1, 2 anywhere within the gap c, with automatic 1 rescaling of the compartments a and b by a residue of the mixture left standing across the envelope near the inner (right-hand, FIG. 3) end of the gap. Altematively, a temporary closure in the form of removable plugs 'or external clamps may be used.

In FIGS. 4 8 we have shown a similar envelope formed again from a pair of thermoplastic foils 11 and 12, e.g. of polyethylene, which approach each other along their median zone m to form a longitudinal barrier, the edges of the foils being again thermally fused along longitudinal and

transverse seams

13, 14 and 15, 16. The barrier, here designated 17, consists of a bonding agent 18 having embedded therein a meandering filament or cord 19 whose undulations d, lying in a median plane parallel to the substantially flat foil portions of zone m, are separated by voids penetrated by the mass 18. An extremity 19a of cord 19, projecting from the envelope across the transverse edge 15 thereof, may be gripped and pulled in the direction of arrow F (FIG. 6) with resulting straightening of the looped filament and dislocation of the adhesive mass 18 so as to break the continuity of the bond between foils 11 and 12, thereby forming a gap 18a (FIGS. 7, 8) through which a part of component A may migrate from compartment a into compartment b for mixing with component B, or vice versa, under manual pressure exerted from without. As before, the unraveling of the loops d of filament 19 may proceed in steps for the successive discharge of measured volumes of components A and B after intermixing thereof within the

envelope

11, 12. Y

The loops d could also contact one another without spacing, in which case the mass 18 would form two separate layers on opposite sides of member 19 similar to the layers 6.1 and 6.2 of FIGS. 2 and 3. It is also possible to heat the foils l1 and 12 along the median strip m and to extrude part of the thermoplastic material thereof into the voids betweenthese loops for intimate bonding with the filament applied adhesive.

' FIG. 9 shows at 35 one of two foils, similar to those described above, forming part of a flat bag or sachet initially heat-sealed along three edges at 20, 21, 22 and at the'fourth edge by a barrier consisting of an undulating filament 24 irnbedded in an adhesive mass 23 which again could be integral with the adjoining thermoplastic foils. One end 24a of the cord 24 is anchored to the bag within seam 21, its other end 24b projecting from a corner thereof for unraveling by a pull exerted thereon as described in connection with the preceding embodiment. It will be apparent that a relatively small discharge opening, easily resealable by the application of heat and/or pressure, could be formed in the side of the bag by pulling the projecting tip of end 24a, whereas the entire side of the bag bounded by

barrier

23, 24 may be opened by a pull on extremity 24b. As before, the rupture of this barrier may proceed in stages to give access to different parts of a solid or highly viscous substance enclosed in the bag.

FIG. 10 shows an upwardly open receptacle in the form of a cylindrical box or container 25 sealed by a dished lid 28 whose peripheral flange 28a extends upwardly past an annular shoulder 27 in a rim portion 26 of the container wall, the rim and the flange thus defining an annular recess sealed by a barrier 29 which again includes a meandering filament or cord 31 imbedded in anadhesivemass30. Inthiscasethepeaksofthe undulations are slightly spaced from the upper and lower edgesoftherecesssothataremnantofthemasslm may remain between the peripheral cover flange 28a in lieu of a separately and the rim 26. This remnant, however, will be insuflicient to hold the lid in position within the rim 26 after a pull on the projecting extremity 31a of cord 31 has destroyed the seal along all or a substantial part of the container periphery. Thus, the receptacle of FIG. could be used for the storage of carbonated liquids whose gas pressure is contained as long as the seal 29 remains intact.

in FIGS. 11 l5, finally, we have illustrated a modified envelope having the shape of a flask with a neck portion X, a generally trapezoidal transition portion Y and an enlarged main portion or body Z. The two foils 41, 42 constituting this envelope are marginally joined together at

seams

43, 44, 45, 46, in the same manner as in the preceding embodiments, and are also interconnected along a median strip m forming a barrier between two compartments a and b for the individual storage of reactive substances A and B. The barrier consists, as before, of an adhesive mass 47 and an imbedded cord 48 having an extremity 48a projecting across the upper edge 45 of neck X. In this instance, however, the filament 48 terminates within the transition portion Y of the envelope so that the lower part of the barrier, consisting only of the mass 47, always remains intact.

The receptacle shown in FIGS. 11 15 may be used in the general manner described above, with partial rupture of the

seal

47, 48 within neck X by a pull on extremity 48a (arrow F FIG. 13) and a mixing of the components A and B in that neck, e.g. by kneading from without or (in the case of more fluid substances) by a simple inversion of the flask. The part of the neck containing the mixture may then be cut off, with resealing of the envelope below that level by the application of heat and/or pressure or by any of the other methods described above. If the substances A and B are of viscous character, they may be propelled toward the top of the envelope by a squeezing or rolling of the lower part thereof, in the manner of a toothpaste tube, after a partial discharge of the contents of the two compartments.

Naturally, the progressively rupturable barrier according to this invention need not be disposed along a median line m, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 8 and 11 15, but could be offset to one side or the other if the interacting quantities of components A and B differ in volume. Also, two or more barriers of this nature could be provided in a single envelope if selective or concurrent mixing of more than two individually stored substances is desired. Finally, two filaments or tapes as herein disclosed could occupy difi'erent sections of the same barrier, projecting from respective ends thereof to enable its partial destruction from opposite edges of the envelope.

It will thus be seen that we have provided a frangible seal between two wall portions confronting each other with close spacing across a fluidtight barrier zone occupied by an adhesive mass spread over the entire zone and by a longitudinally extensible elongate member extending transversely over substantially the full width of the zone, the adhesive mass bonding the two wall portions to each other either through the intermediary of the extensible element (FIGS. 1-3) or directly (FIGS. 4-15). In the latter instance, the nonoverlapping loops or undulations of the meandering

filament

19, 24, 31,

48 establish definite limits up to which the seal may be delectively destroyed by proceeding in the aforedescribed manner.

We claim:

1. A receptacle for the storage of at least one dispensable substance, comprising enclosure means with two wall portions approaching each other along a fluidtight barrier zone forming part of the boundary of a closed compartment filled with said substance, and seal means releasably interconnecting said wall portions along said zone; said seal means including an elongate member extensible in its longitudinal direction and interposed between said wall portions in adhering relationship therewith while spanning substantially the full width over a substantial part of the length of said zone, said member having a free extremity projecting outwardly from said enclosure means for exertion of longitudinal tension thereon with consequent progressive elongation of said member and creation of a lengthening gap between said wall portions, and an adhesive mass spread over the entire barrier zone for bonding said wall portions to each other.

2. A receptacle as defined in claim 1 wherein said member is an elastic tape of a width substantially equal to that of said zone.

3. A receptacle as defined in claim 2 wherein said adhesive mass forms a pair of layers disposed on opposite sides of said tape and substantially equal to that of said zone.

4. A receptacle as defined in claim 1 wherein said member is a filament substantially narrower than said zone wound in nonoverlapping undulations spanning said zone.

5. A receptacle as defined in claim 4 wherein said undulations are spaced apart, said adhesive mass filling the voids between said undulations.

6. A receptacle as defined in claim 5 wherein said wall portions consist of thermoplastic material, said mass being parts of said wall portions penetrating into said voids.

7. A receptacle as defined in claim 1 wherein said enclosure means comprises a pair of substantially coextensive flexible foils sealed to each other along their edges to form a closed envelope, said wall portions forming part of said foils.

8. A receptacle as defined in claim 7 wherein said wall portions are intermediate sections of said foils and wherein said zone is a strip dividing the interior of said envelope into two juxtaposed compartments, said extremity projecting from an edge of said envelope transverse to said strip.

9. A receptacle as defined in claim 8 wherein said compartments are filled with respective reactive components of a hardenable mixture.

10. A receptacle as defined in claim 8 wherein said envelope has a tapering outline with a reduced neck portion, said extremity projecting from an edge of said neck portion.

11. A receptacle as defined in claim 7 wherein said envelope is generally polygonal and said zone extends along an edge of the polygon, with said extremity projecting from a corner thereof.

12. A receptacle as defined in claim 1 wherein said enclosure means comprises a container with a rim around an open top and a lid received in said open top,

7 saidwallportionsbeingpartofsaidrimandpartofa depending flange on said lid paralleling said peripheral edge, said extremity projecting upwardly from said container. v

l3. In a receptacle having at least one sealed cornpartrnent surrounded by a peripheral boundary between two substantially flat wall portions, the improvement wherein said boundary includes an elongate fluidtight barrier zone along which said wall portiom closely approach each other with interposition of an adhesive mass spread over the entire zone for bonding said wall portions to each other, and a meandering fila-

Claims

12. A receptacle as defined in claim 1 wherein said enclosure means comprises a container with a rim around an open top and a lid received in said open top, said wall portions being part of said rim and part of a depending flange on said lid paralleling said peripheral edge, said extremity projecting upwardly from said container.

13. In a receptacle having at least one sealed compartment surrounded by a peripheral boundary between two substantially flat wall portions, the improvement wherein said boundary includes an elongate fluidtight barrier zone along which said wall portions closely approach each other with interposition of an adhesive mass spread over the entire zone for bonding said wall portions to each other, and a meandering filamentary element imbedded in said mass while projecting endwise from said zone to enable exertion of a pulling force thereon, said element being looped in a plane substantially parallel to said wall portions in nonoverlapping undulations across substantially the full width of said zone with penetration of said mass between the undulations thereof whereby the exertion of said pulling force progressively separates said wall portions upon the straightening of successive loops of said element with destruction of the intervening bond.