Vented package

Abstract

A package is provided having at least one panel formed from a laminate having an inner sealing layer, an outer web layer and an adhesive layer provided between the inner and outer layers. The outer web layer includes a removable tab portion defined by a first line of weakness in the layer. The inner sealing layer contains at least one removable plug portion defined by a second line of weakness. The first line of weakness is in registration with and surrounds the second line of weakness. The adhesive layer includes a permanent adhesive provided directly between at the tab and the plug portion and a non-permanent adhesive within the remainder of the area defined by the first line of weakness. Removal of the tab from the outer web causes separation of the plug from the inner layer, opening a vent within the package.

1 . A flexible package comprising:
 a first panel having an upper and lower portion;   a second panel having an upper and lower portion, the first panel connected to the second panel along side edges of the upper and lower portions; and   a base panel connected to the lower portions of the first and second panels and forming a bottom gusset, the first, second and base panels defining an interior package volume,
 at least one of the panels constructed from a laminate material having an inner sealing layer, an outer web, and an adhesive layer, 
 the adhesive layer provided between the sealing and outer web layers for joining the layers to one another, 
 the outer web having an integral tab portion defined by a first line of weakness, 
 the inner sealing layer having at least one integrally formed plug portion defined by a second line of weakness, the plug portion in registration with the area of the tab portion defined by the first line of weakness, such that the tab portion covers and surrounds the plug portion, and 
 the adhesive layer having a patterned permanent adhesive between the tab portion and the plug portion and a patterned non-permanent adhesive in the registration area outwardly of the second line of weakness and inwardly of the first line of weakness. 
   
     
     
         2 . The flexible package according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of plug portions defined by a plurality of second lines of weakness within the sealing layer, the plurality of plug portions in registration with and covered by the tab portion in the outer web layer. 
     
     
         3 . The flexible package according to  claim 1 , further comprising a vacancy in the pattern applied adhesive layer located between the tab of the outer web layer and the inner sealing layer, the vacancy positioned adjacent an end portion of the tab as defined by the first line of weakness, thereby forming a detached gripping portion on the tab. 
     
     
         4 . The flexible package according to  claim 1 , wherein the second line of weakness defines a generally round vent opening, upon removal of the tab along with the adhered plug portion. 
     
     
         5 . The flexible package according to  claim 1 , wherein the first line of weakness defines a generally elongated tab within the outer web layer. 
     
     
         6 . The flexible package according to  claim 1 , wherein the first line of weakness comprises a perforation pattern within the outer web layer. 
     
     
         7 . The flexible package according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first or second lines of weakness is a die cut. 
     
     
         8 . The flexible package according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first or second lines of weakness is a laser scoring. 
     
     
         9 . The flexible package according to  claim 1 , wherein the tab portion is located within the upper portion of the first panel. 
     
     
         10 . The flexible package according to  claim 1 , wherein the pattern of non-permanent adhesive is a pressure sensitive adhesive. 
     
     
         11 . The flexible package according to  claim 1 , wherein the outer web layer is polyester. 
     
     
         12 . The flexible package according to  claim 11 , wherein the inner sealing layer a heat-sealable material. 
     
     
         13 . The flexible package according to  claim 12 , wherein the inner sealing layer comprises a barrier against passage of at least one of moisture and oxygen. 
     
     
         14 . A package comprising:
 a flexible laminate forming an outer surface of at least a portion of the package, the flexible laminate having
 a continuous outer web layer 
 an inner sealing layer conforming to the outer web layer, 
 an adhesive layer adhering the outer web to the inner sealing layer, and 
 a removable vent feature formed in the laminate layers, the removable vent comprising
 an outer tab portion defined by a first line of weakness in the outer web layer, the tab portion of the outer web being releaseably adhered by the adhesive layer to the underlying area of the inner sealing layer; and 
 at least one removable plug portion formed by a second line of weakness in the inner sealing layer, the plug portion fixedly adhered to tab portion, removal of the outer tab portion along with the adhered plug portion creating a vent opening in the package. 
 
   
     
     
         15 . A package as in  claim 14  wherein the region of the adhesive layer located in the area between the first and second lines of weakness comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive. 
     
     
         16 . The package as in  claim 14  wherein the first line of weakness is a die cut line. 
     
     
         17 . The package as in  claim 14  wherein the first line of weakness is a laser scoring. 
     
     
         18 . The package as in  claim 14  wherein the outer tab portion has an elongated shape. 
     
     
         19 . The package as in  claim 14 , further comprising multiple removable plug portions, spaced from one another within the inner sealing layer and each fixedly adhered to the tab portion of the outer web layer.