US20070286535A1 - Shaped breaching bubble with inward incursion breaching focus - Google Patents

Abstract

Merchandise container (10) has location specific breaching at breaching focus (12F) when shaped breaching bubble (12S) is in compression. Base lamina (10B) and opposed cover lamina (10C) are selectively pressed together into a double convex receptacle (see FIG.1B). Product chamber (12P) and the breaching bubble are included within a perimeter seal (14P). Inner seal (14I) extends across the container, isolating the product chamber from the breaching bubble. Bubble incursion zone (12Z) shifts the perimeter seal inward toward the breaching bubble. Breaching focus (12F) initiates the breach at the inward most point or location of the incursion zone. Breaching flanks (14K) adjacent to the breaching focus form the breaching edge. The breaching bubble is compressed under external pressure applied by the end user, indicated by arrows (12C) and (12B) in FIG.1B, causing the opposed laminae to separate. Opposed peel flaps, cover peel flap (14C) and base peel flap (14B) (see FIG.1C) are provided by the separated opposed laminae proximate the incursion zone after the location specific breach at the breaching focus.

Description

• This application claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 60/790,481, filed Apr. 10, 2006.
TECHNICAL FIELD
• This invention relates to a shaped breaching bubble, and more particularly to such bubble with an incursion zone which sponsors a breach to provide peel flaps.
BACKGROUND
• U.S. Pat. No. 6,726,364 issued on Apr. 27, 2004 to the present inventor teaches a breaching bubble with opposed peel flaps along the breaching edge. The peel flaps are pulled back by the end user to open a chamber and present a stored product. However, this earlier bubble does not have a breach sponsoring incursion zone.
SUMMARY
• It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a merchandise container with a shaped breaching bubble which may be easily opened without using a sharp instrument or other tool. The end user compresses the bubble causing an edge breach in a perimeter seal.
• It is another object of this invention to provide such a container in which the edge breach is location specific. The site where the edge breach will occur is known to both the designer and user of the container. This known breach orientation is a benefit in the designing and the manufacturing and later in the utilization. The breach occurs at a breaching focus, and not randomly along the perimeter seal.
• It is a further object of this invention to provide such a bubble device having opposed peel tabs by which the end user can open the breaching bubble for access to a product.
• It is a further object of this invention to provide such a container formed by a single pressing step. Opposed laminae are selectively pressed together to make the container. All of the pressed laminae unions may be formed at the same temperature and under the same pressure and for the same duration.
• It is a further object of this invention to provide such a bubble device which emits an audible sound upon edge breaching. The compression within the bubble produces a rush of escaping air. The nature of the sound of the rushing air is affected by the shape and dimensions of the breach.
• Briefly, these and other objects of the present invention are accomplished by providing a breaching bubble apparatus with location specific breaching when in a state of compression. A base lamina and an opposed cover lamina are selectively pressed together, forming a perimeter seal and a shaped breaching bubble included within the perimeter seal. A bubble incursion zone along the perimeter seal shifts the perimeter seal inward toward the breaching bubble. A breaching focus forms part of the perimeter seal at the inward most location of the incursion zone. When the breaching bubble is in compression, a focus separation angle F develops between the opposed laminae at the breaching focus. A similar perimeter separation angle P develops between the opposed laminae along the perimeter seal. The focus separation angle F is greater than the perimeter separation angle P. The angle difference promotes greater separation of the opposed laminae at the breaching focus then opposed laminae separation along the perimeter seal. Location specific breaching of the shaped breaching bubble occurs at the breaching focus.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• Further objects and advantages of the shaped breaching bubble the operation of the breaching focus will become apparent from the following detailed description and drawings (not drawn to scale) in which:
• FIG. 1A is a plan view ofmerchandise container10 showingproduct chamber12P and shapedbreaching bubble12S withincursion zone12Z;
• FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view ofcontainer10 ofFIG. 1A taken generally along reference line1B thereof, during compression showing focus separation Angle F;
• FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view ofcontainer10 ofFIG. 1A taken generally along reference line1C thereof, showing perimeter separation Angle P, and opposedpeel flaps14C and14B at the moment of breaching;
• FIG. 2 is a side view ofmerchandise container20 with coplanerflat base20B;
• FIG. 3 is a plan view ofmerchandise container30 showingcurved incursion zone32Z andproduct loading port34L; and
• FIG. 4 is a plan view of breachingbubble apparatus40 withproduct40P andcorner incursion zone42Z.
• The first digit of each reference numeral in the above figures indicates the figure in which an element or feature is most prominently shown. The second digit indicates related elements or features, and a final letter (when used) indicates a sub-portion of an element or feature.
REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS
• The table below lists the reference numerals employed in the figures, and identifies the element designated by each numeral.
• Merchandise Container10
  • Base Lamina10B
  • Cover Lamina10C
  • Product10P
  • Arrow12C
  • Arrow12B
  • Breaching Focus12F
  • Product Chamber12P
  • Shaped BreachingBubble12S
  • Incursion Zone12Z
  • Base Peel Flap14B
  • Cover Peel Flap14C
  • BreachingFlanks14K
  • Inner Seal14I
  • Perimeter Seal14P
• Container20
  • CoplanarFlat Base20B
  • Cover Lamina20C
  • Medications20M
  • Flat Laminae Plane20F
  • Arrow22C
  • BreachingFocus22F
  • Shaped Breaching Bubble22S
  • Perimeter Seal24P
• Container30
  • Product30P
  • Product Chamber32P
  • Curved Incursion Zone32Z
  • Product Loading Port34L
  • Inner Seal34I
  • Perimeter Seal34P
• Breaching Bubble Apparatus40
  • Product40P
  • Shaped Breaching Bubble42S
  • Breaching Bubble42S
  • Corner Incursion Zone42Z.
  • Perimeter Seal44P
General Embodiment (FIG.1 ABC)
• Merchandise container10 has location specific breaching at breachingfocus12F when shapedbreaching bubble12S is in a state of compression. The container is formed bybase lamina10B andopposed cover lamina10C selectively pressed together into a double convex receptacle (seeFIG. 1B).Perimeter seal14P around the container is also formed by the selective pressing.Product chamber12P andshaped breaching bubble12S are included within the perimeter seal between the selectively pressed opposed laminae.Inner seal14I formed by the selective pressing extends across the container, isolating the product chamber from the shaped breaching bubble.Bubble incursion zone12Z along the perimeter seal shifts the perimeter seal inward toward the breaching bubble.
• Breachingfocus12F forms part of the perimeter seal at the inward most point or location of the incursion zone. Breachingflanks14K form part of the perimeter seal adjacent to the breaching focus. A breaching flank extends from each side of the breaching focus. The incursion zone may be any suitable shape such as a V-shaped notch (as shown inFIG. 1A) having an apex at the breaching focus with straight breaching flanks extending from the apex.
• The breaching bubble is compressed under external pressure applied by the end user (indicated byarrows12C and12B inFIG. 1B) causing the opposed laminae to separate. The laminae separation advances outward, starting at the breaching focus, and resulting in an edge breach along the breaching flanks into the ambient. Opposed peel flaps, coverpeel flap14C andbase peel flap14B (seeFIG. 1C) are provided by the separated opposed laminae proximate the incursion zone after the location specific breach at the breaching focus. The peel flaps may be easily gripped by the end user and pulled apart, causing detachment of the inner seal. With the perimeter seal breached at the incursion zone and the inner seal detached, the end user has access toproduct10P withinproduct chamber12P. The end user may be the actual consumer who ingests or utilizes or operates the product. The end user may involve a facilitator or parent of the actual consumer.
• The opposed laminae may have multiple layers to provide properties such as waterproofing, UV protection, increased bulk, and strength. The opposed laminae may be any suitable enclosing material such as plastic, paper fabric, cellophane, or bio-degradable matter. Thin mylar plastic is a flexible film with hermetic properties, and may be employed as a container material. The perimeter of the container has a breaching seal along the breaching flanks for product access, and a non-breaching seal along the remaining perimeter. The breaching seal may be a frangible laminae union and the non-breaching seal may be a destructive laminae union. The frangible breaching seal may be formed at a lower lamina-to-lamina pressure and a lower temperature for a shorter time than the destructive non-breaching seal. The frangible seal is weaker than the destructive seal, and breaches at a lower separation force and requires less compressive pressure applied by the end user.
• Additional details of a suitable merchandise container are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,726,364 issued on 27 Apr. 2004 to Perell et al, the subject matter of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety into this disclosure.
Separation Angles (FIG.1B)
• Laminae separation occurs along the inner edge of the breaching flank seals because tension in the laminae pulls the laminae apart. The tension is due to internal compression within the breaching bubble caused by the loss of volume resulting from the external pressure. The compression forces the lamina material into a “plump” or maximum volume configuration. The opposed laminae move apart wherever the pressure is not applied, expanding the volume between them. In the double convex embodiment ofFIG. 1, coverlamina10C expands upward andbase lamina10B expands downward creating a steeper angle between the laminae at breachingfocus12F.
• Angle F is the focus separation angle (seeFIG. 1B) between the tangents to the opposed laminae at breachingfocus12F when shapedbreaching bubble12S is in compression.
• Angle P is the perimeter separation angle (seeFIG. 1C) between the tangents to the opposed laminae alongperimeter seal14P when breachingbubble12S is in compression.
• Angle F is greater than Angle P, because of the inward incursion zone allows the laminae proximate breaching focus12F to assume a steeper configuration. The steeper focus separation Angle F promotes greater separation of the opposed laminae at the breaching focus, then separation of the opposed laminae along the perimeter seal. The pulling apart effect of the laminae tension is more effective at the steeper angle. The greater angle and easier separation causes location specific breaching of the breaching bubble at the breaching focus. That is, the edge breaching occurs along the breaching flanks before breaching can occur anyplace along the remainder of the perimeter seal.
Coplanar Embodiment (FIG.2)
• Base lamina20B may be level and rigid, definingflat laminae plane20F forcontainer20. Flat containers are convenient for many products such asmedication20M. The flat base may be manufactured from suitable easy-to-work, inexpensive material such as cardboard.
• Angle F′ is the focus separation angle between the tangent to coverlamina20C andlaminae plane20F at breachingfocus22F when shapedbreaching bubble22S is in compression.
• Angle P′ is the perimeter separation angle between the tangent to coverlamina20C andlaminae plane20F along theperimeter seal24P when breachingbubble22S is in compression.
• In the coplanar embodiment, the angle between the flat base lamina and the laminae plane is zero. The angles of the coplanar embodiment ofFIG. 2 are about one-half the corresponding angles of the double convex embodiment ofFIG. 1.
• The applied external pressure (indicated byarrow22C) establishes compression within breachingbubble22S, generating a separation force Jf atseparation focus22F and a lessor separation force Jp alongperimeter seal24P.
• Force Jf′, the force of separation at the separation focus, is:
• 
  ForceJf′=T(Sine AngleF′)
• • where T is the tangential tension
    • in the opposed laminae caused
    • by the breaching bubble compression.
• Force Jp′, the force of separation along the perimeter, is:
• 
  ForceJp′=T(Sine AngleP′)
• • where T is the tangential tension
    • in the opposed laminae caused
    • by the breaching bubble compression.
• As Angle F′ and Angle P′ are increased (or decreased) the separation forces increase (or decrease) according to the Sine function. The separation forces are maximum at the theoretical maximum separation angle of 90 degrees. The perimeter seal (or a portion thereof) may be coplanar, defining the laminae plane.
Double Angle (FIG.1 BC)
• The general embodiment ofFIG. 1 has a double convex receptacle with similar tensions and separation forces as the flat base embodiment ofFIG. 2.
• Angle F, the focus separation angle, is the sum of cover separation Angle Cf and base separation Angle Bf.
• Angle Cf is the angle betweencover lamina10C at breachingfocus12F and adjacent leg L of the right triangle which includes cover separation Angle Cf.
• Angle Bf is the angle betweenbase lamina10B at breachingfocus12F and adjacent leg L of the right triangle which includes base separation Angle Bf.
• Angle P, the perimeter separation angle, is the sum of cover separation Angle Cp and base separation Angle Bp;
• Angle Cp is the angle betweencover lamina10C alongperimeter seal14P and adjacent leg L of the right triangle which includes cover separation Angle Cp.
• Angle Bp is the angle betweenbase lamina10B alongperimeter seal14P and adjacent leg L of the right triangle which includes base separation Angle Bp.
• The force of separation, Force Sf, at the breaching focus is:
• 
  ForceSf=T(Sine AngleCf+Sine AngleBf)
• • where T is the tangential tension
    • in the opposed laminae caused
    • by the breaching bubble compression.
• The force of separation, Force Sp, along the perimeter seal is:
• 
  ForceSp=T(Sine AngleCp+Sine AngleBp)
• • where T is the tangential tension
    • in the opposed laminae caused
    • by the breaching bubble compression.
• Force Sf is greater than Force Sp.
• The breaching focus has a threshold separation Force Tsf. As the applied pressure increases, the internal compression and lamina tension increase. Also the focus separation angle increases as the bubble “plumps”, yielding an increased Sine function. Eventually the separation Force Sf at breachingfocus12F exceeds the threshold separation Force Tsf, and the pressed laminae union fails. The perimeter seal has a similar threshold separation Force Tsp. The threshold separation Force Tsf of the breaching focus is lower than the threshold separation Force Tsp of the perimeter seal. The breaching focus separates and the perimeter seal does not separate under a range of breaching bubble compressions which create a range of threshold separation forces which are:
• • greater than the threshold separation Force Tsf of the breaching focus, but
  • less than the threshold separation Force Tsp of the perimeter seal.
• Within this critical range of thresholds, the separation at the flanking seals advances, while the perimeter seal remains intact.
Product Port Embodiment (FIG.3)
• Container30 hasproduct loading port34L whereperimeter seal34P has not yet been pressed. The port receivesproduct30P asproduct chamber32P is loaded. During the initial pressing in whichperimeter seal34P andinner seal34I are formed, the loading port is left unsealed. The loading port is sealed closed during a final pressing, after the product has been loaded.Incursion zone32Z may be inwardly concave at the breaching focus with curved breaching flanks extending from the breaching focus. The incursion zone and the container may be symmetrical about the breaching focus with symmetrical breaching flanks extending from the breaching focus. The general embodiment ofFIG. 1A is symmetrical about reference line IB, and the port embodiment ofFIG. 3 is symmetrical about reference line R. Alternatively, the container may lack symmetrical (as shown inFIG. 4). The breaching focus maybe a point forming the origin of the breaching flanks extending therefrom as shown inFIG. 1A. Alternatively, the breaching focus may occupy a width along the perimeter seal between the breaching flanks extending therefrom as shown inFIG. 4. The configuration of the breaching focus and the strength of the breaching flanks, affect the nature of the sound generated by the breaching bubble. The breaching sound may be loud or soft, high pitched or low pitched, or long or short, as required by the application.
Product Bubble Embodiment (FIG.4)
• In the general embodiment, the product was in a product chamber (seeFIG. 1). In the bubble embodiment ofFIG. 4, the product is in the breaching bubble. The product chamber and inner seal have been eliminated.Shaped breaching bubble42S hasperimeter seal44P formed by selective pressing.Bubble incursion zone42Z and breachingfocus42F and breaching flanks44K are located at a corner ofcontainer40. The breaching seal at the breaching focus and along the breaching flanks may be narrower than the wider perimeter seal. The narrow breaching seal requires less bubble enlargement to force an edge breach, and breaches before the perimeter seal can breach. In addition, the breaching seal separates at a faster rate than the perimeter seal because of the steeper focus separation angle presented by the shaped breaching bubble. To further enhance breaching, the breaching flanks at the breaching focus may be weaker than the remainder of the perimeter seal due to manufacturing constraints of duration and temperature and pressure.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
• It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the objects of this invention have been achieved as described hereinbefore by providing a merchandise container with a shaped breaching bubble which may be easily opened without the use of a tool. Further, the site where the edge breach is location specific, and occurs at a breaching focus, and not randomly along the perimeter seal. The breached bubble has opposed peel tabs which assist the end user in opening the shaped bubble. The container formed by a single pressing step, in which opposed laminae are selectively pressed together. All of the pressed laminae unions are formed at the same temperature, pressure and duration. The bubble device produces a rush of escaping air upon edge breaching which emits an audible sound.
• Various changes may be made in the structure and embodiments shown herein without departing from the concept of the invention. Further, features of embodiments shown in various figures may be employed in combination with embodiments shown in other figures. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be determined by the terminology of the following claims and the legal equivalents thereof.

Claims (20)

1) A breaching bubble apparatus with location specific breaching when in a state of compression, comprising:

a base lamina and an opposed cover lamina selectively pressed together;

a perimeter seal formed by the selective pressing;

a shaped breaching bubble included within the perimeter seal between the selectively pressed opposed laminae;

bubble incursion zone along the perimeter seal and shifting the perimeter seal inward toward the breaching bubble;

breaching focus forming part of the perimeter seal at the inward most location of the incursion zone;

focus separation angle F between the opposed laminae at the breaching focus when the breaching bubble is in compression;

perimeter separation angle P between the opposed laminae along the perimeter seal when the breaching bubble is in compression;

which the focus separation angle F is greater than the perimeter separation angle P promoting greater separation of the opposed laminae at the breaching focus then opposed laminae separation along the perimeter seal,

causing location specific breaching of the shaped breaching bubble at the breaching focus.

2) The apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising opposed peel flaps provided by the separated opposed laminae proximate the incursion zone after the location specific breach at the breaching focus.

3) The apparatus ofclaim 2, further comprising a product in the shaped breaching bubble.

4) The apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising breaching flanks forming part of the perimeter seal adjacent to the breaching focus, and extending from each side of the breaching focus.

5) The apparatus ofclaim 4, wherein the breaching flanks separate at a faster rate than the perimeter seal when the breaching bubble is in compression.

6) The apparatus ofclaim 4, wherein the perimeter seal along the breaching flanks is weaker than the remainder of the perimeter seal.

7) The apparatus ofclaim 4, wherein the perimeter seal along the breaching flanks is narrower than the remainder of the perimeter seal.

8) The apparatus ofclaim 4, wherein the incursion zone is a V-shaped notch having an apex at the breaching focus with straight breaching flanks extending from the apex.

9) The apparatus ofclaim 4, wherein the breaching flanks extending from the breaching focus are curved.

10) The apparatus ofclaim 4, wherein the incursion zone is symmetrical about the breaching focus with symmetrical breaching flanks extending from the breaching focus.

11) The apparatus ofclaim 4, wherein the breaching focus is a point forming the origin of the breaching flanks extending therefrom.

12) The apparatus ofclaim 4, wherein the breaching focus has a width along the perimeter seal between the breaching flanks extending therefrom.

13) The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein at least a portion of the perimeter seal is coplanar defining a laminae plane.

14) The apparatus ofclaim 13, wherein:

the base lamina is flat and rigid defining the laminae plane;

the focus separation angle F′ is the angle between the cover lamina at the breaching focus and the laminae plane; and

the force of separation Force Jf′ is

Jf′=T(SineC)

where T is the tangential tension

in the opposed laminae caused

by the breaching bubble compression.

15) The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein:

the focus separation angle F is the sum of a cover separation angle Cf and a base separation angle Bf;

cover separation angle Cf is the angle between the cover lamina at the breaching focus and the adjacent leg of the right triangle which includes the cover separation angle Cf;

base separation angle Bf is the angle between the base lamina at the breaching focus and the adjacent leg of the right triangle which includes the base separation angle Bf;

the perimeter separation angle P is the sum of a cover separation angle Cp and a base separation angle Bp;

cover separation angle Cp is the angle between the cover lamina along the perimeter seal and the adjacent leg of the right triangle which includes the cover separation angle Cp;

base separation angle Bp is the angle between the base lamina along the perimeter seal and the adjacent leg of the right triangle which includes the base separation angle Bp;

the force of separation Force Sf at the breaching focus is

Sf=T(SineCf+SineBf)

where T is the tangential tension

in the opposed laminae caused

by the breaching bubble compression;

the force of separation Force Sp along the perimeter seal is

Sp=T(SineCp+SineBp)

where T is the tangential tension

in the opposed laminae caused

by the breaching bubble compression; and

Force Sf is greater than Force Sp.

16) The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein:

the breaching focus has a threshold separation Force Tsf;

the perimeter seal has a threshold separation Force Tpf; and

the threshold separation Force Tsf of the breaching focus is lower than the threshold separation Force Tpf of the perimeter seal.

17) The apparatus ofclaim 16, wherein the breaching focus separates and the perimeter seal does not separate under a range of breaching bubble compressions which create a range of threshold separation forces greater than the threshold separation Force Tsf of the breaching focus but less than the threshold separation Force Tpf of the perimeter seal.

18) The apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising:

a product chamber included within the perimeter seal between the selectively pressed opposed laminae;

an inner seal formed by the selective pressing isolating the product chamber from the breaching bubble;

breaching flanks forming part of the perimeter seal adjacent to the breaching focus, and extending from each side of the breaching focus; and

opposed peel flaps provided by the separated opposed laminae proximate the incursion zone after the location specific breach at the breaching focus, which permit detachment of the inner seal and access to the product chamber.

19) The container ofclaim 18, further comprising a product loading port through the perimeter seal for receiving a product into the product chamber.

20) The container ofclaim 18, further comprising a product in the product chamber.

Images