Package with pressure activated expansion chamber

Abstract

A package having an expansion chamber is depicted and described. The package generally includes a collapsed expansion chamber configured to open when a predetermined amount of internal pressure is reached. A pressure sensitive closure mechanism, such as a frangible seal or flexible we film web, is disposed between the main compartment and the expansion chamber and functions to separate the main compartment and the expansion chamber until the predetermined internal pressure is reached.

1 . A flexible package, comprising:
 a first panel;   a second panel disposed opposite the first panel;   an interior compartment disposed between the first and second panels;   a first expansion chamber disposed adjacent to the interior compartment; and   a first pressure sensitive closure separating the first expansion chamber from the interior compartment and configured to permit the interior compartment to expand into the first expansion chamber when a first pressure value of the interior compartment is exceeded.   
     
     
         2 . The flexible package of  claim 1 , further comprising a fitment disposed in the package, the fitment having a top portion protruding outward from the package and a bottom portion protruding into the package. 
     
     
         3 . The flexible package of  claim 2 , further comprising a flange disposed on the bottom portion of the fitment and sealed inside of the interior compartment. 
     
     
         4 . The flexible package of  claim 1 , wherein the first expansion chamber is configured as a handle. 
     
     
         5 . The flexible package of  claim 1 , further comprising a second expansion chamber disposed adjacent to the interior compartment and separated from the interior compartment by a second pressure sensitive closure, the second pressure sensitive closure configured to permit the interior compartment to expand into the second expansion chamber when a second pressure value of the interior compartment is exceeded. 
     
     
         6 . The flexible package of  claim 5 , wherein the first pressure value is the same as the second pressure value. 
     
     
         7 . The flexible package of  claim 1 , wherein the first pressure sensitive closure is an expandable web. 
     
     
         8 . The flexible package of  claim 1 , wherein the first pressure sensitive closure is a frangible seal 
     
     
         9 . The flexible package of  claim 1 , wherein the first expansion chamber displays a message when in communication with the interior compartment. 
     
     
         10 . A flexible package, comprising:
 a first panel;   a second panel disposed opposite the first panel;   an interior compartment disposed between the first and second panels;   a first expansion chamber disposed adjacent to the interior compartment; and   an expandable film separating the first expansion chamber from the interior compartment, the expandable film configured to expand into the first expansion chamber in response to a first pressure value of the interior compartment exceeding a threshold value.   
     
     
         11 . The package of  claim 10 , wherein the first and second panels are constructed of a generally flexible polymer material. 
     
     
         12 . The package of  claim 10 , further comprising a gusset extending between the first and second panels. 
     
     
         13 . The flexible package of  claim 10 , further comprising an access device disposed in the package, the access device having a top portion protruding outward from the package and a bottom portion protruding into the package. 
     
     
         14 . The flexible package of  claim 13 , further comprising a flange disposed on the bottom portion of the access device and sealed inside of the interior compartment. 
     
     
         15 . The flexible package of  claim 10 , further comprising a second expansion chamber disposed adjacent to the interior compartment and separated from the interior compartment by a pressure sensitive closure. 
     
     
         16 . The flexible package of  claim 15 , wherein the pressure sensitive closure is an expandable web. 
     
     
         17 . A method for containing gas produced by a contents of a flexible package, the method comprising:
 activating a pressure sensitive closure separating an expansion chamber from an interior compartment of the flexible package in response to an increase in pressure in the interior compartment above an activation value.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the step of activating the pressure sensitive closure includes rupturing a frangible seal. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the step of activating the pressure sensitive closure includes stretching a flexible film. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising communicating the contents of the interior compartment with expansion chamber, thereby lowering the pressure in the interior compartment.