Patent · US Expired

Flexible, three-dimensional containers and methods for making them

US6213334A · kind A · utility

32Cited by
62References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 5, 1996
Grant dateApr 10, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 5, 2016

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB29L2031/7148
  • WIPO fieldOther special machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A flexible, three-dimensional container is made by a prescribed vacuum-molding and heat sealing process. The container possesses a precise, defined geometry before and during use. The container is formed from first and second walls. The first wall has a planar area and a vacuum-molded cavity area drawn out of the plane of the planar area into a predefined three-dimensional geometry. A second wall overlies the first wall to close the cavity area and thereby forms an interior compartment. A thermal seal joins the two walls together. The seal is formed by heating the second wall and the first wall in the planar area, while assuring that the cavity area of the first wall is not subject to heating and possible deformation of its precise vacuum-molded geometry.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.