Flexible packaging for maintaining the efficacy of chemicals

• US 6,530,477 B1
• Filed: 11/01/2000
• Issued: 03/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medline Industries Incorporated (Medline Holdings Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Joseph G. Martorano, Paul W. Stiffler
• Inventors: Stiffler, Paul W., Martorano, Joseph G.
• Primary Examiner(s): BUI, LUAN KIM
• Application Number:
  US09/704,172
• Time in Patent Office: 860 Days
• Field of Search: 206/484, 206/484.2, 206/524.1, 206/524.2, 206/524.4, 206/524.5, 206/438, 383/200, 534/50, 534/61, 534/67, 534/73
• US Class Current: 206/524.2
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 15/08 of synthetic resin
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/10 of paper or cardboard
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 85/84 for corrosive chemicals

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a flexible package for housing, chemicals such as sanitizers and/or disinfectants utilizing multiple layers welded together to form a unique laminate. The invention enables maintenance of chemical efficacy, stability and freshness. Preferably, the present invention further includes a towelette pre-saturated with the chemical housed in the unique flexible packaging to facilitate the use of the chemical product.

Claims

1. A flexible package for providing a stable chemical environment comprising:

a laminate package wall having an internal plastic layer with a thickness gauged at approximately 22 pounds,

an intermediate foil layer approximately 0.0003 inches thick, and

a protective external layer,

wherein said package wall is folded and sealed to form a closed cavity bounded by said internal layer, and

wherein a chemical contained within said cavity maintains its efficacy.

2. A flexible package as defined in claim 1, wherein said internal layer is gas impermeable.

3. A flexible package as defined in claim 1, wherein said intermediate layer is liquid impermeable.

4. A flexible package as defined in claim 1 wherein said external layer is paper.

5. A flexible package as defined in claim 1, further comprising an inorganic towelette within said chemical within said cavity.

6. A flexible package as defined in claim 1 wherein said package wall is sealed by heating and compressing portions of said wall.

7. A flexible package as defined in claim 4, wherein said paper external layer has a thickness gauged at approximately 26 pounds.

8. A flexible package for maintaining the efficacy of chemicals comprising:

internal plastic layer means for forming an impermeable gas barrier, wherein said internal plastic layer means is approximately 22 pounds thick,

intermediate foil layer means for forming an impermeable liquid barrier, wherein said intermediate foil layer means is approximately 0.0003 inches thick, and

external layer means for protecting and supporting said intermediate and internal layer means,

wherein said layers are combined to form a wall and said wall is formed and sealed to create a gas and liquid impermeable cavity to contain said chemicals therein, and

wherein said chemical contained within said cavity maintains its efficacy.

9. A flexible package for maintaining the efficacy of chemicals as defined in claim 8 wherein said internal, intermediate and external layers are welded together to form a laminate wall.

10. A flexible package for maintaining the efficacy of chemicals as defined in claim 8 wherein said external layer means is paper.

11. A flexible package for maintaining the efficacy of chemicals as defined in claim 8, further comprising an inorganic towelette contained within said chemical within said cavity.

12. A flexible package for maintaining the efficacy of chemicals as defined in claim 8 whereby said wall is sealed by heating and compressing said walls.

13. A flexible package for maintaining the efficacy of chemicals as defined in claim 10, wherein said external layer has a thickness gauged at approximately 26 pounds.

14. A method of maintaining the efficacy of chemicals comprising the steps of providing a plastic, gas impermeable internal layer approximately 22 pounds thick,

providing a foil liquid impermeable intermediate layer which is approximately 0.0003 inches thick;

providing an external layer mans which protects and supports said internal and intermediate layers;

combining said internal, intermediate and external layers to form a wall,

forming a packet with said wall;

placing said chemicals within said packet; and

sealing said packet.

15. A method of maintaining the efficacy of chemicals as defined in claim 14, further comprising the step of welding said internal, intermediate and external layers to form said laminate wall.

16. A method of maintaining the efficacy of chemicals as defined in claim 14, further comprising the step of inserting an inorganic towelette into said chemical within said packet.

17. A method of maintaining the efficacy of chemicals as defined in claim 14, wherein said external layer is paper.

18. A method of maintaining the efficacy of chemicals as defined in claim 17, further comprising the step of printing on said external layer.

19. A method of maintaining the efficacy of chemicals as defined in claim 17, wherein said external paper means has a thickness gauged at approximately 26 pounds.