Apparatus for packaging contaminant-sensitive articles and resulting package

US5724748A · kind A · utility

Inventors

• Ray Brooks · Irving, US
• Timothy W. Brooks · Madison, US
• Stephen L. Fowler · Moore, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 24, 1996
• Grant date: Mar 10, 1998
• Expiry date: Jul 24, 2016

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B65D81/20
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A package for storing contaminant-sensitive articles in a contaminant-free environment featuring a pair of polymeric material circular half-sections having a bottom wall and a side wall. The half sections are arranged for overlying ans sliding engagement from a spaced-apart, open position into a stop position with the side walls in a telescoping relationship to form a closed enclosure having an interior for accommodating one or more contaminant-sensitive articles, Other features include: sealing means operatively associated with at least one of the side walls for sealing the enclosure interior in the stop position, resilient clamping means or latch mechanism on the half-sections for yieldingly urging the half-sections into the stop position against the sealing means to seal the enclosure interior, means for drawing a vacuum on the enclosure, and means on the enclosure for introducing a purging ionizing gas into the sealed enclosure interior to move the half-sections out of the stop position against the clamping means to thereby relieve excessive gas pressure in the enclosure interior.