Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
  • B65D83/0055—Containers or packages provided with a flexible bag or a deformable membrane or diaphragm for expelling the contents
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D41/00—Caps, e.g. crown caps or crown seals, i.e. members having parts arranged for engagement with the external periphery of a neck or wall defining a pouring opening or discharge aperture; Protective cap-like covers for closure members, e.g. decorative covers of metal foil or paper
  • B65D41/32—Caps or cap-like covers with lines of weakness, tearing-strips, tags, or like opening or removal devices, e.g. to facilitate formation of pouring openings
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D1/00—Containers having bodies formed in one piece, e.g. by casting metallic material, by moulding plastics, by blowing vitreous material, by throwing ceramic material, by moulding pulped fibrous material, by deep-drawing operations performed on sheet material
  • B65D1/32—Containers adapted to be temporarily deformed by external pressure to expel contents
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D21/00—Nestable, stackable or joinable containers; Containers of variable capacity
  • B65D21/02—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together
  • B65D21/0201—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together stackable or joined together side-by-side
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
  • B65D75/28—Articles or materials wholly enclosed in composite wrappers, i.e. wrappers formed by associating or interconnecting two or more sheets or blanks
  • B65D75/30—Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding
  • B65D75/32—Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding one or both sheets or blanks being recessed to accommodate contents
  • B65D75/321—Both sheets being recessed
  • B65D75/322—Both sheets being recessed and forming one compartment
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
  • B65D75/52—Details
  • B65D75/58—Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture
  • B65D75/5805—Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture for tearing a side strip parallel and next to the edge, e.g. by means of a line of weakness
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
  • B65D85/60—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for sweets or like confectionery products

Definitions

• the invention relates to a new packaging form for use with confections.
• the present invention relates to a unitary flexible portable package designed for easy dispensing of chewing gum and other confectionary products.
• packaging of confectionery products provides the consumers with a convenient package that is easy to use and delivers a fresh and enjoyable product for consumption.
• packaging of products has been used to provide a unique experience for the consumer that fits a consumer's lifestyle throughout various occasions.
• Packaging must also serve practical needs such as keeping the products from being damaged during shipping, keeping the products fresh, and in some cases providing a receptacle for retaining the product for continued consumption either during a one time occasion, or over a prolonged period of time.
• Injection molding has been the traditional method used to form these squeeze and go type packages in order to form a desired package that delivers a fully operational package that would squeeze to open, have integrated closure mechanisms and is traditionally refillable with products for continued use over an extended period of time.
• Each of these types of packages is cost prohibitive for use in connection with confections.
• the use of injection molded technology delivers a package having a relatively pliable wall with a relative thickness that provides a bulkier package. More specifically, thermoforming delivers a package wall wherein the wall has a relative thickness of less than 1.5mm. Alternatively, injection molding results in a package wall having a relative thickness of greater than 0.75mm - 4mm.
• the present invention relates to a unique new unitary package format for chewing gum and other confections that is squeezable by the consumer for direct dispensing of the product.
• the package of the present invention further provides features for enabling optimal opening and dispensing of the product, while providing convenience for the consumers.
• the package of the present invention is comprised of a rigid unitary body.
• the thermoformed package is rigid to the extent that the wall is thin enough but structured to provide sufficient protection to prevent product breakage.
• the rigidity of the package is unique such that it provides a thin-walled body that houses the confections, but may be readily disposed of following use due to the economical construction of the package.
• the body of the package is formed through the combination of walls (i.e., panels) that are thermoformed to the desired shape (as discussed in more detail below). The thermoformed walls are then sealed together to provide a hermetically sealed package having a unitary body (comprised of multiple faces) for housing confectionery products.
• the seal extends around the package to ensure that the package is completely sealed from the environment.
• Various types of techniques may be used to seal thermoformed components together, for example using heat to seal the walls together.
• the heat may be applied through various methods including but not limited to the application of direct heat, ultrasonic, or induction. Due to the hermetically sealed nature of the package, the confectionery products do not need to be wrapped, and individual pieces such as pellets or individual pieces of confections may be disposed in the cavity of the body of the package.
• thermoforming of the body further provides a cost effective manner compared to injection molding of plastics, or the integration of multi-components to form a disposable package. Moreover, the thermoformed package further provides an opening or port (upon the removal of the flange member) that is biased towards closing or being in a closed orientation (i.e., no external force is necessary to close the package) verses an open configuration (where external force must be exerted to open the package).
• the present invention is a package having a body defining a cavity for holding edible product.
• the body further includes an opening flange that is removable for access to the cavity through an opening port.
• the body of the package further comprises at least one bend initiator, wherein the bend initiator protrudes from a side wall of the body in an outward direction.
• An engagement notch may be further integrated into the body of the package for identifying where the package should be squeezed for opening.
• the package includes a body defined by side walls (or panels) coupled together having two closed ends.
• the side walls of the body further define a cavity or receptacle for holding edible products, such as for example, chewing gum pieces or other confections.
• the body of the package further includes a top portion and a bottom portion.
• the top portion comprises a flange member.
• the flange member may be separated from the rest of the body, thereby providing an open access port to the cavity along line A- A of the body.
• At least one tear member may be disposed along line A-A to further help in separating the top and bottom portion from one another.
• line A-A may be scored, perforated or weakened such that the flange member may be readily separated from the bottom portion of the package body.
• the edible product disposed in the cavity may then be access through an open access port through the squeezing of the bottom portion of the body, as is discussed in more detail below.
• an embodiment of the present invention is a thermoformed package. More specifically, as shown the accompanying Figures 1-8, the package 10 includes a body 12 defined by side walls 14, 16 (or panels) coupled together and sealed around the entire package, such that the package has two ends 18, 20. A seam 21 is further provided around the perimeter of the package.
• the size (i.e., width) of the seam may vary depending on the material and shape of the body, and may range from 2mm - 8mm, preferably from 2mm - 4mm. Alternatively, the seam may be sized with a thickness to retain the products within the cavity and provide a hermetically sealed package.
• the side walls of the body further define a cavity or receptacle 50 for holding the edible products.
• the body of the package further includes top portion 22 and bottom portion 24.
• the top portion 22 comprises flange member 26.
• the flange member 26 may be separated from the bottom portion 24 of body 12, thereby providing an open access port (O) (as shown in Figures 8A-8C) to the cavity 50 along line A- A of the body.
• the body may further incorporate at least one tear member 32 disposed along line A-A.
• line A- A may be scored, perforated or weakened such that the flange member 26 may be readily separated from the bottom portion 24 of the package body.
• the bottom portion 24 may be further separated in a transition portion 28 and a shoulder portion 30.
• the edible product disposed in the cavity may then be access through an open access port (O) through the squeezing of the bottom portion 24 of the body 12.
• the edible products may be readily dispensed from the package once opened along line A-A.
• the body of the package may be longer than it is wide, such that the height (H) of the body is greater than the width (W), such as for example a 2: 1 ratio.
• the body of the package may have different shapes or sizes to accommodate a variety of edible products (C).
• the height (H) and width (W) of the body may have a 1: 1 ratio, as shown in Figures 9-12.
• the optimal configuration and size parameters of the preferred packaged are those wherein the height and width are relatively proportioned and sized that the package may be easily held in one hand once opened for dispensing and portable within a pocket.
• the body of the package may further be sized and shaped to accommodate a cavity of either the same or different shape, as long as a sufficient seam (i.e., seal) is present and additional elements can be integrated within the package, as discussed in more detail below.
• a sufficient seam i.e., seal
• the cavity 50 includes a depth (d) (comprised of d and d 2 ) that is sufficient to accommodate a variety of edible products, while still enabling the package to be pocketable for discrete use and dispensing of product.
• the cavity 50 of the body 12 is formed wherein each of the side walls or panels 14, 16 include a projected semi-oval or cylindrical-like shape. As a result, when the two walls or panels are coupled together, an oval-like or cylindrical-like shaped cavity is formed.
• the cavity of the package as shown in Figures 3 and 4 has oval or eclipse-like shaped cross-sections.
• a circular type body 112 is shown, that further provides a cavity 150 having a spherical-like shape.
• the body of the package may have alternative shapes, including but not limited to oval, semi-oval, round, square, faceted or any other type of configuration or shape that can be thermoformed.
• the package (i.e., dispenser) of the present invention may be formed having different faces, such that the body of the package is formed having multiple wall members coupled together to form a multi-faced unitary package body. This type of package configuration would then form a unique body and cavity, such that cross-section of the cavity would be triangular, square-like or other geometrically shaped designs. These shapes and configurations are more easily manufactured through the use of thermoforming.
• the package further includes at least one bend initiator 60.
• the bend initiator 60 is provided to aid in projecting the side walls 14, 16 in an outward direction, resulting in a larger opening or port (O) being formed, as shown in Figures 8A-8C.
• the bend initiators 60( 1>2 ) may be sized in accordance with the design of the package body 12, such that the bend initiator 60( 1>2 ) projects no greater then 1 ⁇ 2 the depth (d) of the cavity 50 from the longitudinal or central axis (Z y ) of the body 12 of the package 10.
• the bend initiators 60 1 and 60 2 on each wall of the body may be sized, such that each of the bend initiators project no greater than d ⁇ and d 2 of the cavity, respectively Contrary to other types of bend means used within injection molding, the bend initiator 60 of the present invention is integrated into the thermoformed material and extends outwards from the side wall to aid in projecting the side walls outward.
• At least one bend initiator is integrated within each of the side walls 14, 16, such that as shown in Figures 3 and 4, two bend initiators 60( 1>2 ) are integrated within the body 12 of the package 10.
• the bend initiator 60 is an outwardly projecting integrated portion of the side wall disposed within a transition portion 28 of the bottom portion 24 of the body 12 and extending perpendicular from line A- A of the body through the transition portion 28 to the top of the cavity 50.
• the bend initiator 60 is positioned along the longitudinal axis of the body, hence the bend initiators are positioned in a relatively central position (along a central axis i y ) of the side walls or cavity, as shown in Figure 3.
• the central positioning of the bend initiators on each of the side walls enables a uniform transfer of force when the package is squeezed for opening, and optimizes the size of the opening with relative ease.
• the bend initiators may be moved off- set of the central axis (i y ) of the body of the package.
• each of the bend initiators on each of the side walls may be off-set in opposite directions, to further assist in opening the package.
• the opening may take the form of different shapes, sizes or other configurations when squeezed upon opening.
• multiple bend initiators may be integrated within the transition portion of the bottom portion of the body.
• a plurality of engagement notches 70 are provided to further facilitate opening of the package once the opening flange is removed.
• the engagement notches 70 are positioned on the sealed edges of the body of the package.
• the engagement notches may be any size or shape and further serve as an indicator to the consumer where to squeeze the package for optimal opening and dispensing of the product upon removal of the opening flange.
• the engagement notches 70 are positioned within the bottom portion 24 of the body 12. More specifically, the engagement notches 70 may be positioned between the central axis (Z x ) of the body and extend into the shoulder region 30 of the bottom portion 24.
• the shoulder region 30 of the body 12 includes the curved portion of the cavity.
• the engagement notches 70 will not extend beyond the center point of the shoulder region of the body, as indicated by line S-S on Figure 2. Accordingly, the area between central axis (Z x ) and the center of the shoulder portion 30 line S-S is referred to as the engagement region 72 of the body 24 of the package.
• at least two engagement notches may be integrated into the package within the engagement region 72.
• the opening flange As previously discussed and shown in the accompanying Figures, once the opening flange is removed, the bottom portion of the package is retained. The consumer squeezes the engagement notches on either side of the package, therein transferring the opening force to the bend indicators and opening the package along line A-A, as can be seen in Figures 7A/7B and 8.
• the opening (O), as shown in Figures 8A-8C, is sized for dispensing solid confections (C).
• the opening (O) is continuous with the cavity 50 and provides an unobstructed opening since the bend indicators project in an outward direction from the side walls. As a result, the unobstructed opening allows for easy dispensing and an "easy pour" of the products from the cavity.
• the package is formed from plastic materials that can be easily thermoformed. Any standard thermoforming material may be used in creating the package of the present invention. More specifically, materials including but not limited to polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride or low density polyethylene may be used. Additional coatings or other materials may be applied to the plastic either prior to thermoforming or after to achieve desirable barrier properties necessary for using the package with confections. This may be particularly important to the extent that no further packaging is provided and flexible package is used as the only packaging material in offering the product to consumers.
• the package may be transparent (i.e., the material used to form the package is clear).
• the package may be colored, include embossments, surface enhancements and aesthetics (i.e., texturing), or other characteristics incorporated within the package to add to the visual appeal of the package.
• the side walls of the thermoformed package may be printed on directly to incorporate branding or messaging related to the edible product contained within the package.
• the package may further incorporate a secondary retaining member.
• the secondary retaining member may further be provided to seal the package and may include various means known by those in the industry, such as the use of adhesives, hook/loop type mechanisms, snap-fit members, or other type of closure and sealing members.
• a plurality of retaining members may be integrated within the package. In the event that a secondary retaining member (s) is integrated within the package, it is important that such member does not impede the dispensing of the products within the cavity.
• an aperture may be provided that would enable the package to be readily attached to a purse, bag, keychain, or any other type of hook or loop for transporting the package.
• secondary packaging such as for example but not limited to, paperboard sleeves, flexible films, or other materials in various configurations maybe used in connection with the present invention for the purposes of providing additional branding and messaging the consumers at point of purchase.
• secondary packaging may be used in the event that additional barrier priorities are needed for the edible products.
• the packages may be connected and/or formed together to create a bandoleer-like configuration of multiple packages.
• the bandoleer 200 of multiple packages 10 provides a unique method of providing multi-pack configurations of products.
• the packages may be separated between each of the packages along lines P-P, hence resulting in individual packages for consumption.
• the features of the package, as discussed in detail previously, would be incorporated within the bandoleer of the multi-package.
• An alternate bandoleer 200 may be formed of the exemplary package 100 shown in Figures 9-12.
• bandoleers may be formed from various configured packages as contemplated within the scope of the invention.
• the bandoleer configuration may further be incorporated within additional secondary packaging for dispensing of individual packages.
• the present invention further contemplates the ability to merchandise the package format in various ways, as is consistent with traditional merchandising methods and incorporate new thermoformed features that would enable new merchandising opportunities.
• One embodiment of the present invention may further include an aperture that may be integrated or thermoformed within the package for display means.
• an aperture may be integrated within the package (such as for example into the opening flange) for merchandising of the product on a peg or other type of display means.
• a protrusion such as a ball-like protrusion

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Composite Materials (AREA)
• Ceramic Engineering (AREA)
• Packages (AREA)
• Packging For Living Organisms, Food Or Medicinal Products That Are Sensitive To Environmental Conditiond (AREA)
• Confectionery (AREA)

Priority Applications (1)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (3)

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Family Applications (1)

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Citations (5)

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• 2013
  • 2013-12-03 MX MX2015006880A patent/MX363778B/es active IP Right Grant
  • 2013-12-03 CA CA2892947A patent/CA2892947C/en active Active
  • 2013-12-03 PL PL13861368T patent/PL2925623T3/pl unknown
  • 2013-12-03 US US14/648,746 patent/US20150329272A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2013-12-03 EP EP13861368.2A patent/EP2925623B1/de active Active
  • 2013-12-03 CN CN201380063177.XA patent/CN104981411A/zh active Pending
  • 2013-12-03 BR BR112015012975-7A patent/BR112015012975B1/pt active IP Right Grant
  • 2013-12-03 WO PCT/US2013/072825 patent/WO2014089045A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2013-12-03 RU RU2015122052A patent/RU2665615C2/ru active
  • 2013-12-03 AU AU2013356238A patent/AU2013356238B2/en active Active

Patent Citations (5)

Non-Patent Citations (2)

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