Packages, packaging systems, methods for packaging and apparatus for packaging

Patent 7306093 Issued on December 11, 2007. Estimated Expiration Date:

September 26, 2023. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

2814382

3016581

3095632

3120893

3228166

3246443

3381440

3458966

3641726

3846955

More ...

Inventors

Assignee

Eastman Chemical Company

Application

No. 10672825 filed on 09/26/2003

US Classes:

206/83.5, FOR BALE206/442, BALE-TIE PACKAGE206/524.8EVACUATED

Examiners

Primary: Fidei, David T.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Foreign Patent References

256 382 CH 02/01/1949
OS 1934073 DE 02/01/1970
OS 1536009 DE 07/01/1970
2311252 DE 04/01/1974
3444897 DE 06/01/1986
69310454 DE 11/01/1997
0420071 EP 04/01/1991
0968642 EP 01/01/2000
1480095 FR 03/01/1967
896228 GB 05/01/1962
978686 GB 12/01/1964
1108995 GB 04/01/1968
1156860 GB 07/01/1969
1280932 GB 07/01/1972
1 310 029 GB 03/01/1973
1310029 GB 03/01/1973
1417082 GB 12/01/1975
1438481 GB 06/01/1976
5314093 JP 02/01/1978
5314094 JP 02/01/1978
5374994 JP 07/01/1978
06-238839 JP 08/01/1984
4833993 JP 08/01/1999
2004-34062 JP 02/01/2004
WO 97/11840 WO 04/01/1997
WO 02/32238 WO 04/01/2002
WO 03/089309 WO 10/01/2003

International Class

B65D 71/00

Abstract

The present invention relates to the use of vacuum packaging and vacuum packaging techniques. Embodiments of the present invention include bales and packages comprising a sealed chamber having an internal volume at a pressure less than ambient atmospheric pressure. In alternate embodiments of the present invention, the internal volume of the package comprises a bulk material, a bulk fiber material, fibers or fibrous materials. Also disclosed are methods for packaging, packaging systems and apparatus for packaging.

Other References

ISO 527-3—Plastics—Determination of Tensile Properties (1995).
Office Action Summary with Notice of References Cited date of mailing Jan. 17, 2007 for co-pending U.S. Appl. No. 11/514,420.
Pamphlet entitled “Voridian Acetate Tow Technology” (Publication AT-12) (Nov. 2003).
Barcelona, Spain, Trade Show, Nov. 2003.
Eastman Chemical Co. confidential shipment of several bales to a customer for evaluation in 1998.
Copending U.S. Appl. No. 11/514,420, filed Aug. 31, 2006, Michael Ray McLaughlin, et al.
Copending U.S. Appl. No. 11/494,109, filed Jul. 27, 2006, Michael Ray McLaughlin et al.
Copending U.S. Appl. No. 11/157,066, filed Jun. 20, 2005, Michael Ray McLaughlin et al.
International Search Report, PCT/US2004/004001.