Light weight vented package for liquids
First Claim
1. A self-venting container for simultaneously holding liquids and venting gas or vapor, the container comprising:
- a generally tubular body portion which is flattened at a first end in a first direction and sealed, and which is flattened at a second end in a second direction generally perpendicular to the first direction and sealed, such that four corners are defined adjacent ends of the first and second ends;
four vent apertures, each vent aperture defined closely adjacent one of the corners;
semi-permeable membrane portions covering an interior of each of the vent apertures, the semi-permeable material portions retaining liquids while allowing gases and vapors to pass therethrough.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A self-venting package (A) contains peracetic acid or other strong oxidants in a unit dose that assures sterilization of instruments and equipment in an automated sterilizing apparatus (FIG. 3) or of biological wastes in a biological waste comminuting apparatus (FIG. 4). The self-venting package is constructed of a cylindrical body having first and second vent apertures (12, 14) 180° offset adjacent a first edge (20) and third and fourth vent apertures (16, 18) 180° offset adjacent a second edge (26). The first and second vent apertures are 90° offset relative to the third and fourth vent apertures. The first edge is flattened and sealed forming a pair of corners (40, 42) such that the first and second vent apertures are disposed closely adjacent the first and second corners. The container is filled with peracetic acid or other liquids which liberate gas or vapors. A second end (26) of the container is flattened and sealed in a direction transverse to the first edge. Flattening the second edge defines third and fourth corners (44, 46). The third and fourth vent apertures are disposed closely adjacent to the third and fourth corners. Portions of a semi-permeable membrane (32, 34, 36, 38) cover each of the vent apertures. The semi-permeable membrane permits gas or vapor to pass freely therethrough while blocking the passage of liquids.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A self-venting container for simultaneously holding liquids and venting gas or vapor, the container comprising:
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a generally tubular body portion which is flattened at a first end in a first direction and sealed, and which is flattened at a second end in a second direction generally perpendicular to the first direction and sealed, such that four corners are defined adjacent ends of the first and second ends; four vent apertures, each vent aperture defined closely adjacent one of the corners; semi-permeable membrane portions covering an interior of each of the vent apertures, the semi-permeable material portions retaining liquids while allowing gases and vapors to pass therethrough. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method comprising:
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defining a cylinder which has oppositely disposed first and second vent apertures adjacent a first end and has oppositely disposed third and fourth vent apertures adjacent a second end, the first and second vent apertures being 90°
offset from the third and fourth vent apertures;lining the vent apertures with semi-permeable material which permits gases to pass therethrough but which restrains liquids from passing; closing the first end of the cylinder in a flat sealed edge to define corners at opposite ends thereof, the first and second vent apertures being disposed closely adjacent the first and second corners; depositing a unit measure of a liquid in the cylinder portion; closing the second end in a flat sealed edge to define third and fourth corners at opposite ends thereof, the third and fourth vent apertures being disposed adjacent the third and fourth corners. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification