EP3027513B1 - Procédé de formation d'un récipient souple - Google Patents
Procédé de formation d'un récipient souple Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3027513B1 EP3027513B1 EP14753178.4A EP14753178A EP3027513B1 EP 3027513 B1 EP3027513 B1 EP 3027513B1 EP 14753178 A EP14753178 A EP 14753178A EP 3027513 B1 EP3027513 B1 EP 3027513B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- container
- structural support
- flexible
- product
- volume
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B43/00—Forming, feeding, opening or setting-up containers or receptacles in association with packaging
- B65B43/08—Forming three-dimensional containers from sheet material
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B3/00—Packaging plastic material, semiliquids, liquids or mixed solids and liquids, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, or jars
- B65B3/04—Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles
- B65B3/045—Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles for filling flexible containers having a filling and dispensing spout, e.g. containers of the "bag-in-box"-type
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B1/00—Packaging fluent solid material, e.g. powders, granular or loose fibrous material, loose masses of small articles, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, or jars
- B65B1/04—Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles
- B65B1/18—Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles for filling valve-bags
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B3/00—Packaging plastic material, semiliquids, liquids or mixed solids and liquids, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, or jars
- B65B3/04—Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles
- B65B3/17—Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles for filling valve bags
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B43/00—Forming, feeding, opening or setting-up containers or receptacles in association with packaging
- B65B43/04—Forming flat bags from webs
- B65B43/06—Forming flat bags from webs from more than one web
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B43/00—Forming, feeding, opening or setting-up containers or receptacles in association with packaging
- B65B43/26—Opening or distending bags; Opening, erecting, or setting-up boxes, cartons, or carton blanks
- B65B43/262—Opening or distending bags; Opening, erecting, or setting-up boxes, cartons, or carton blanks opening of valve bags
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B43/00—Forming, feeding, opening or setting-up containers or receptacles in association with packaging
- B65B43/26—Opening or distending bags; Opening, erecting, or setting-up boxes, cartons, or carton blanks
- B65B43/30—Opening or distending bags; Opening, erecting, or setting-up boxes, cartons, or carton blanks by grippers engaging opposed walls, e.g. suction-operated
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B61/00—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages
- B65B61/18—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for making package-opening or unpacking elements
- B65B61/186—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for making package-opening or unpacking elements by applying or incorporating rigid fittings, e.g. discharge spouts
-
- 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
- B65D75/008—Standing pouches, i.e. "Standbeutel"
-
- 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
Definitions
- the present disclosure relates in general to containers, and in particular, to methods of forming containers made from flexible material.
- Fluent products include liquid products and/or pourable solid products.
- a container can be used to receive, contain, and dispense one or more fluent products.
- a container can be used to receive, contain, and/or dispense individual articles or separately packaged portions of a product.
- a container can include one or more product volumes.
- a product volume can be configured to be filled with one or more fluent products.
- a container receives a fluent product when its product volume is filled. Once filled to a desired volume, a container can be configured to contain the fluent product in its product volume, until the fluent product is dispensed.
- a container contains a fluent product by providing a barrier around the fluent product. The barrier prevents the fluent product from escaping the product volume.
- the barrier can also protect the fluent product from the environment outside of the container.
- a filled product volume is typically closed off by a cap or a seal.
- a container can be configured to dispense one or more fluent products contained in its product volume(s). Once dispensed, an end user can consume, apply, or otherwise use the fluent product(s), as appropriate.
- a container may be configured to be refilled and reused or a container may be configured to be disposed of after a single fill or even after a single use.
- a container should be configured with sufficient structural integrity, such that it can receive, contain, and dispense its fluent product(s), as intended, without failure.
- a container for fluent product(s) can be handled, displayed for sale, and put into use.
- a container can be handled in many different ways as it is made, filled, decorated, packaged, shipped, and unpacked.
- a container can experience a wide range of external forces and environmental conditions as it is handled by machines and people, moved by equipment and vehicles, and contacted by other containers and various packaging materials.
- a container for fluent product(s) should be configured with sufficient structural integrity, such that it can be handled in any of these ways, or in any other way known in the art, as intended, without failure.
- a container can also be displayed for sale in many different ways as it is offered for purchase.
- a container can be offered for sale as an individual article of commerce or packaged with one or more other containers or products, which together form an article of commerce.
- a container can be offered for sale as a primary package with or without a secondary package.
- a container can be decorated to display characters, graphics, branding, and/or other visual elements when the container is displayed for sale.
- a container can be configured to be displayed for sale while laying down or standing up on a store shelf, while presented in a merchandising display, while hanging on a display hanger, or while loaded into a display rack or a vending machine.
- a container for fluent product(s) should be configured with a structure that allows it to be displayed in any of these ways, or in any other way known in the art, as intended, without failure.
- a container can also be put into use in many different ways, by its end user.
- a container can be configured to be held and/or gripped by an end user, so a container should be appropriately sized and shaped for human hands; and for this purpose, a container can include useful structural features such as a handle and/or a gripping surface.
- a container can be stored while laying down or standing up on a support surface, while hanging on or from a projection such as a hook or a clip, or while supported by a product holder, or (for refillable or rechargeable containers) positioned in a refilling or recharging station.
- a container can be configured to dispense fluent product(s) while in any of these storage positions or while being held by the user.
- a container can be configured to dispense fluent product(s) through the use of gravity, and/or pressure, and/or a dispensing mechanism, such as a pump, or a straw, or through the use of other kinds of dispensers known in the art.
- Some containers can be configured to be filled and/or refilled by a seller (e.g. a merchant or retailer) or by an end user.
- a container for fluent product(s) should be configured with a structure that allows it to be put to use in any of these ways, or in any other way known in the art, as intended, without failure.
- a container can also be configured to be disposed of by the end user, as waste and/or recyclable material, in various ways.
- One conventional type of container for fluent products is a rigid container made from solid material(s).
- Examples of conventional rigid containers include molded plastic bottles, glass jars, metal cans, cardboard boxes, etc. These conventional rigid containers are well-known and generally useful; however their designs do present several notable difficulties.
- Some rigid containers for fluent products can be expensive to make.
- Some rigid containers are made by a process shaping one or more solid materials.
- Other rigid containers are made with a phase change process, where container materials are heated (to soften/melt), then shaped, then cooled (to harden/solidify). Both kinds of making are energy intensive processes, which can require complex equipment.
- some conventional rigid containers for fluent products can be difficult to decorate.
- the sizes, shapes, (e.g. curved surfaces) and/or materials of some rigid containers make it difficult to print directly on their outside surfaces.
- Labeling requires additional materials and processing, and limits the size and shape of the decoration.
- Overwrapping provides larger decoration areas, but also requires additional materials and processing, often at significant expense.
- some conventional rigid containers for fluent products can be prone to certain kinds of damage. If a rigid container is pushed against a rough surface, then the container can become scuffed, which may obscure printing on the container. If a rigid container is pressed against a hard object, then the container can become dented, which may look unsightly. And if a rigid container is dropped, then the container can rupture, which may cause its fluent product to be lost.
- some fluent products in conventional rigid containers can be difficult to dispense.
- the end user squeezes a rigid container to dispense its fluent product, the end user must overcome the resistance of the rigid sides, to deform the container.
- Some users may lack the hand strength to easily overcome that resistance; these users may dispense less than their desired amount of fluent product.
- Other users may need to apply so much of their hand strength, that they cannot easily control how much they deform the container; these users may dispense more than their desired amount of fluent product.
- EP 1 787 912 A1 discusses a bag made of an outer bag and an inner bag.
- the inner bag, inside the outer bag, has an opening in the upper edge, and the inner and outer bags are sealed along the upper edges, on either side of the respective bags, to form sealed portions, and the inner bag and outer bag are further sealed together at two lateral side edges and lower edge to form sealed portions and sealed portion, thus forming gas filling compartments.
- Cut-ins and are formed in the upper corners of the outer bag, and supplemental sealed portions connected to the sealed portions are formed. Air (gas) is blown into the gas filling compartments through the cut-ins and then the overall bag mouth including the cut-ins is sealed.
- WO 98/01354 A1 discusses a substance packaging container, preferably for packaging a liquid or powder substance.
- the container includes a sealed first chamber for the substance to be packaged, wherein the substance chamber is comprised of a flexible material, such as a foil material, for instance.
- GB 2 014 539 A discusses a container made of synthetic material comprising a main compartment containing the matter the container is to carry, and a closed pocket, of smaller volume, containing a gas under pressure.
- the pocket rigidifies the structure and may be shaped in such a way as to form a handle or grip for the container.
- DE 20 2005 016704 U1 discusses a closed bag for holding liquids, solids or objects, comprising a bag wall, in particular from plastic and/or a metal foil. Taut filled cushions and/or bulges are fixed in or to the bag wall, to strengthen the bag wall and to stabilize it, in particular to stiffen it.
- the present disclosure describes various embodiments of containers made from flexible material. Because these containers are made from flexible material, these containers can be less expensive to make, can use less material, and can be easier to decorate, when compared with conventional rigid containers. First, these containers can be less expensive to make, because the conversion of flexible materials (from sheet form to finished goods) generally requires less energy and complexity, than formation of rigid materials (from bulk form to finished goods). Second, these containers can use less material, because they are configured with novel support structures that do not require the use of the thick solid walls used in conventional rigid containers. Third, these flexible containers can be easier to print and/or decorate, because they are made from flexible materials, and flexible materials can be printed and/or decorated as conformable webs, before they are formed into containers.
- these flexible containers can be less prone to scuffing, denting, and rupture, because flexible materials allow their outer surfaces to deform when contacting surfaces and objects, and then to bounce back.
- fluent products in these flexible containers can be more readily and carefully dispensed, because the sides of the flexible containers can be more easily and controllably squeezed by human hands.
- the containers of the present disclosure are made from flexible material, they can be configured with sufficient structural integrity, such that they can receive, contain, and dispense fluent product(s), as intended, without failure.
- these containers can be configured with sufficient structural integrity, such that they can withstand external forces and environmental conditions from handling, without failure.
- these containers can be configured with structures that allow them to be displayed and put into use, as intended, without failure.
- an exemplary method comprises joining two flexible materials together to form a joined material and at least partially forming at least one structural support volume from the joined material.
- the method also comprises forming at least one expansion port in communication with the at least one structural support volume.
- the method further comprises joining another material to the joined material to at least partially form a product volume and also forming at least one fill port in communication with the product volume.
- the method may comprise at least partially filling the product volume with a quantity of the fluent product through the fill port.
- the method may also include expanding the at least one structural support volume by depositing an expansion material into the structural support volume through the expansion port. After at least partially filling the product volume and depositing the expansion material, the method may comprise sealing the fill and expansion ports.
- the two flexible materials may comprise an inner laminate and an outer laminate wherein neither the inner laminate nor the outer laminate are registered.
- the two flexible materials forming the joined material may comprise an inner laminate and an outer laminate wherein at least the outer laminate is registered.
- the two materials may comprise an inner laminate and an outer laminate wherein both the inner and outer laminates are registered.
- the inner laminate and the outer laminate may suitably comprise the same material or, alternatively, they may comprise different materials.
- the inner laminate and the outer laminate may suitably comprise two distinct sheets of material or, alternatively, they may comprise two distinct webs of material.
- the flexible container has a top, a bottom, a middle, a front, a back, a left side, and a right side and the fill port and expansion port are formed in at least one of the top, the bottom, the middle, the front, the back, the left side, and the right side for at least partially filling the product volume with a fluent product and depositing an expansion material into the at least one structural support volume.
- the expansion material may comprise any of various materials capable of occupying the at least one structural support volume including liquid nitrogen which can be deposited through the expansion port into the at least one structural support volume following which the expansion port can be sealed to allow the liquid nitrogen to evaporate to pressurize the at least one structural support volume.
- the exemplary method also may include providing an expansion material fill nozzle to deposit an expansion material through the expansion port into the at least one structural support volume, and causing the expansion material fill nozzle to undergo movement in relation to the expansion port.
- the expansion material fill nozzle may suitably undergo movement in at least one direction to locate the expansion material fill nozzle in proximity to the expansion port for depositing the expansion material into the at least one structural support volume.
- the expansion material fill nozzle may suitably undergo movement in at least one direction to locate the expansion material fill nozzle out of proximity to the expansion port, and the expansion port may be sealed.
- an expansion port guide nozzle may be located within the expansion port before utilizing the expansion material fill nozzle to deposit the expansion material into the at least one structural support volume.
- the expansion material fill nozzle may be caused to undergo movement into the expansion port guide nozzle while the expansion port guide nozzle is located in the expansion port for depositing the expansion material. With this arrangement, the expansion material fill nozzle may be removed from the expansion port guide nozzle before or at the same time as the expansion port guide nozzle is removed from the expansion port.
- the exemplary method may include providing a fluent product fill nozzle to deposit a fluent product through the fill port into the product volume, and causing the fluent product fill nozzle to undergo movement in relation to the fill port.
- the fluent product fill nozzle may undergo movement in at least one direction to locate the fluent product fill nozzle in proximity to the fill port for depositing the fluent product into the product volume.
- the fluent product fill nozzle may suitably undergo movement in at least one direction to locate the fluent product fill nozzle out of proximity to the fill port, and the fill port may be sealed.
- a fill port guide nozzle may be located within the fill port before utilizing the fluent product fill nozzle to deposit the fluent product into the product volume.
- the fluent product fill nozzle may be caused to undergo movement into the fill port guide nozzle while the fill port guide nozzle is located in the fill port for depositing the fluent product.
- the fluent product fill nozzle may be removed from the fill port guide nozzle before or at the same time as the fill port guide nozzle is removed from the fill port.
- the product volume is filled with a quantity of the fluent product comprising between about 1% and about 100%, preferably, between about 50% and about 100%, and more preferably, between about 75% and about 100%, of the total available volume of the product volume, and the method includes removing excess air from the product volume before sealing the fill port.
- the flexible container is preferably formed to have a top and a bottom and to include a base structure formed from the joined material by folding over the joined material at the bottom of the flexible container and forming a seal.
- a gusset may advantageously be provided in the base structure by forming a seal therein.
- a product dispensing port which is sealed, openable for dispensing the fluent product, and closable after dispensing the fluent product is advantageously formed to be in communication with the product volume.
- the present disclosure describes various embodiments of containers made from flexible material. Because these containers are made from flexible material, these containers can be less expensive to make, can use less material, and can be easier to decorate, when compared with conventional rigid containers. First, these containers can be less expensive to make, because the conversion of flexible materials (from sheet form to finished goods) generally requires less energy and complexity, than formation of rigid materials (from bulk form to finished goods). Second, these containers can use less material, because they are configured with novel support structures that do not require the use of the thick solid walls used in conventional rigid containers. Third, these flexible containers can be easier to decorate, because their flexible materials can be easily printed before they are formed into containers.
- these flexible containers can be less prone to scuffing, denting, and rupture, because flexible materials allow their outer surfaces to deform when contacting surfaces and objects, and then to bounce back.
- fluent products in these flexible containers can be more readily and carefully dispensed, because the sides of flexible containers can be more easily and controllably squeezed by human hands.
- the containers of the present disclosure are made from flexible material, they can be configured with sufficient structural integrity, such that they can receive, contain, and dispense fluent product(s), as intended, without failure. Also, these containers can be configured with sufficient structural integrity, such that they can withstand external forces and environmental conditions from handling, without failure. Further, these containers can be configured with structures that allow them to be displayed for sale and put into use, as intended, without failure.
- any disclosure of a particular value can, in various alternate embodiments, also be understood as a disclosure of a range equal to about that particular value (i.e. +/- 20%).
- ambient conditions refers to a temperature within the range of 15-35 degrees Celsius and a relative humidity within the range of 35-75%.
- any disclosure of a particular value can, in various alternate embodiments, also be understood as a disclosure of a range equal to approximately that particular value (i.e. +/- 15%).
- any of the flexible materials can be configured to have a basis weight of 10-1000 gsm, or any integer value for gsm from 10-1000, or within any range formed by any of these values, such as 20-800 gsm, 30-600 gsm, 40-400 gsm, or 50-200, etc.
- the term “bottom” refers to the portion of the container that is located in the lowermost 30% of the overall height of the container, that is, from 0-30% of the overall height of the container. As used herein, the term bottom can be further limited by modifying the term bottom with a particular percentage value, which is less than 30%.
- a reference to the bottom of the container can, in various alternate embodiments, refer to the bottom 25% (i.e. from 0-25% of the overall height), the bottom 20% (i.e. from 0-20% of the overall height), the bottom 15% (i.e. from 0-15% of the overall height), the bottom 10% (i.e. from 0-10% of the overall height), or the bottom 5% (i.e. from 0-5% of the overall height), or any integer value for percentage between 0% and 30%.
- branding refers to a visual element intended to distinguish a product from other products. Examples of branding include one of more of any of the following: trademarks, trade dress, logos, icons, and the like.
- any surface of the flexible container can include one or more brandings of any size, shape, or configuration, disclosed herein or known in the art, in any combination.
- characters refers to a visual element intended to convey information. Examples of characters include one or more of any of the following: letters, numbers, symbols, and the like.
- any surface of the flexible container can include one or more characters of any size, shape, or configuration, disclosed herein or known in the art, in any combination.
- a closed container refers to a state of a product volume, wherein fluent products within the product volume are prevented from escaping the product volume (e.g. by one or more materials that form a barrier, and by a cap), but the product volume is not necessarily hermetically sealed.
- a closed container can include a vent, which allows a head space in the container to be in fluid communication with air in the environment outside of the container.
- directly connected refers to a configuration wherein elements are attached to each other without any intermediate elements therebetween, except for any means of attachment (e.g. adhesive).
- dispenser refers to a structure configured to dispense fluent product(s) from a product volume and/or from a mixing volume to the environment outside of the container.
- any dispenser can be configured in any way disclosed herein or known in the art, including any suitable size, shape, and flow rate.
- a dispenser can be a push-pull type dispenser, a dispenser with a flip-top cap, a dispenser with a screw-on cap, a rotatable type dispenser, dispenser with a cap, a pump type dispenser, a pump spray type dispenser, a trigger spray type dispenser, a straw dispenser, a flip up straw dispenser, a straw dispenser with bite valve, a dosing dispenser, etc.
- a dispenser can be a parallel dispenser, providing multiple flow channels in fluid communication with multiple product volumes, wherein those flow channels remain separate until the point of dispensing, thus allowing fluent products from multiple product volumes to be dispensed as separate fluent products, dispensed together at the same time.
- a dispenser can be a mixing dispenser, providing one or more flow channels in fluid communication with multiple product volumes, with multiple flow channels combined before the point of dispensing, thus allowing fluent products from multiple product volumes to be dispensed as the fluent products mixed together.
- a dispenser can be formed by a frangible opening.
- a dispenser can utilize one or more valves and/or dispensing mechanisms disclosed in the art, such as those disclosed in: published US patent application 2003/0096068 , entitled “One-way valve for inflatable package”; US patent 4,988,016 entitled “Self-sealing container”; and US 7,207,717 , entitled “Package having a fluid actuated closure”; each of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
- any of the dispensers disclosed herein may be incorporated into a flexible container either directly, or in combination with one or more other materials or structures (such as a fitment), or in any way known in the art.
- dispensers disclosed herein can be configured for both dispensing and filling, to allow filling of product volume(s) through one or more dispensers.
- a product volume can include one or more filling structure(s) (e.g. for adding water to a mixing volume) in addition to or instead of one or more dispenser(s). Any location for a dispenser, disclosed herein can alternatively be used as a location for a filling structure.
- the term "disposable” refers to a container which, after dispensing a product to an end user, is not configured to be refilled with an additional amount of the product, but is configured to be disposed of (i.e. as waste, compost, and/or recyclable material). Part, parts, or all of any of the embodiments of flexible containers, disclosed herein, can be configured to be disposable.
- the term "durable” refers to a container that is reusable more than non-durable containers.
- the term "effective base contact area" refers to a particular area defined by a portion of the bottom of the container, when the container (with all of its product volume(s) filled 100% with water) is standing upright and its bottom is resting on a horizontal support surface.
- the effective base contact area lies in a plane defined by the horizontal support surface.
- the effective base contact area is a continuous area bounded on all sides by an outer periphery.
- the outer periphery is formed from an actual contact area and from a series of projected areas from defined cross-sections taken at the bottom of the container.
- the actual contact area is the one or more portions of the bottom of the container that contact the horizontal support surface, when the effective base contact area is defined.
- the effective base contact area includes all of the actual contact area. However, in some embodiments, the effective base contact area may extend beyond the actual contact area.
- the series of projected area are formed from five horizontal cross-sections, taken at the bottom of the flexible container. These cross-sections are taken at 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, and 5% of the overall height.
- the outer extent of each of these cross-sections is projected vertically downward onto the horizontal support surface to form five (overlapping) projected areas, which, together with the actual contact area, form a single combined area. This is not a summing up of the values for these areas, but is the formation of a single combined area that includes all of these (projected and actual) areas, overlapping each other, wherein any overlapping portion makes only one contribution to the single combined area.
- the outer periphery of the effective base contact area is formed as described below.
- the terms convex, protruding, concave, and recessed are understood from the perspective of points outside of the combined area.
- the outer periphery is formed by a combination of the outer extent of the combined area and any chords, which are straight line segments constructed as described below.
- chord For each continuous portion of the combined area that has an outer perimeter with a shape that is concave or recessed, a chord is constructed across that portion. This chord is the shortest straight line segment that can be drawn tangent to the combined area on both sides of the concave/recessed portion.
- one or more chords are constructed around the outer perimeter of the combined area, across the one or more discontinuities (open spaces disposed between the portions). These chords are straight lines segments drawn tangent to the outermost separate portions of the combined area. These chords are drawn to create the largest possible effective base contact area.
- the outer periphery is formed by a combination of the outer extent of the combined area and any chords, constructed as described above, which all together enclose the effective base area. Any chords that are bounded by the combined area and/or one or more other chords, are not part of the outer periphery and should be ignored.
- any of the embodiments of flexible containers, disclosed herein, can be configured to have an effective base contact area from 1 to 50,000 square centimeters (cm 2 ), or any integer value for cm 2 between 1 and 50,000 cm 2 , or within any range formed by any of the preceding values, such as: from 2 to 25,000 cm 2 , 3 to 10,000 cm 2 , 4 to 5,000 cm 2 , 5 to 2,500 cm 2 , from 10 to 1,000 cm 2 , from 20 to 500 cm 2 , from 30 to 300 cm 2 , from 40 to 200 cm 2 , or from 50 to 100 cm 2 etc.
- an effective base contact area from 1 to 50,000 square centimeters (cm 2 ), or any integer value for cm 2 between 1 and 50,000 cm 2 , or within any range formed by any of the preceding values, such as: from 2 to 25,000 cm 2 , 3 to 10,000 cm 2 , 4 to 5,000 cm 2 , 5 to 2,500 cm 2 , from 10 to 1,000 cm 2 , from 20 to 500 cm 2 , from 30 to 300 cm 2
- expansion refers to the state of one or more flexible materials that are configured to be formed into a structural support volume, after the structural support volume is made rigid by one or more expansion materials.
- An expanded structural support volume has an overall width that is significantly greater than the combined thickness of its one or more flexible materials, before the structural support volume is filled with the one or more expansion materials.
- expansion materials include liquids (e.g. water), gases (e.g.
- expansion materials can be added at atmospheric pressure, or added under pressure greater than atmospheric pressure, or added to provide a material change that will increase pressure to something above atmospheric pressure.
- its one or more flexible materials can be expanded at various points in time, with respect to its manufacture, sale, and use, including, for example: before or after its product volume(s) are filled with fluent product(s), before or after the flexible container is shipped to a seller, and before or after the flexible container is purchased by an end user.
- the term “filled” refers to the state when the product volume contains an amount of fluent product(s) that is equal to a full capacity for the product volume, with an allowance for head space, under ambient conditions.
- the term filled can be modified by using the term filled with a particular percentage value, wherein 100% filled represents the maximum capacity of the product volume.
- flat refers to a surface that is without significant projections or depressions.
- the term "flexible container” refers to a container configured to have a product volume, wherein one or more flexible materials form 50-100% of the overall surface area of the one or more materials that define the three-dimensional space of the product volume.
- the flexible container can be configured to have a product volume, wherein one or more flexible materials form a particular percentage of the overall area of the one or more materials that define the three-dimensional space, and the particular percentage is any integer value for percentage between 50% and 100%, or within any range formed by any of these values, such as: 60-100%, or 70-100%, or 80-100%, or 90-100%, etc.
- One kind of flexible container is a film-based container, which is a flexible container made from one or more flexible materials, which include a film.
- the middle of the flexible container (apart from any fluent product) can be configured to have an overall middle mass, wherein one or more flexible materials form a particular percentage of the overall middle mass, and the particular percentage is any integer value for percentage between 50% and 100%, or within any range formed by any of the preceding values, such as: 60-100%, or 70-100%, or 80-100%, or 90-100%, etc.
- the entire flexible container (apart from any fluent product) can be configured to have an overall mass, wherein one or more flexible materials form a particular percentage of the overall mass, and the particular percentage is any integer value for percentage between 50% and 100%, or within any range formed by any of the preceding values, such as: 60-100%, or 70-100%, or 80-100%, or 90-100%, etc.
- any of the flexible materials can be configured to have a flexibility factor of 1,000-2,500,000 N/m, or any integer value for flexibility factor from 1,000-2,500,000 N/m, or within any range formed by any of these values, such as 1,000-1,500,000 N/m, 1,500-1,000,000 N/m, 2,500-800,000 N/m, 5,000-700,000 N/m, 10,000-600,000 N/m, 15,000-500,000 N/m, 20,000-400,000 N/m, 25,000-300,000 N/m, 30,000-200,000 N/m, 35,000-100,000 N/m, 40,000-90,000 N/m, or 45,000-85,000 N/m, etc.
- flexible material examples include one or more of any of the following: films (such as plastic films), elastomers, foamed sheets, foils, fabrics (including wovens and nonwovens), biosourced materials, and papers, in any configuration, as separate material(s), or as layer(s) of a laminate, or as part(s) of a composite material, in a microlayered or nanolayered structure, and in any combination, as described herein or as known in the art.
- films such as plastic films
- elastomers foamed sheets
- foils fabrics (including wovens and nonwovens), biosourced materials, and papers, in any configuration, as separate material(s), or as layer(s) of a laminate, or as part(s) of a composite material, in a microlayered or nanolayered structure, and in any combination, as described herein or as known in the art.
- part, parts, or all of a flexible material can be coated or uncoated, treated or untreated, processed or unprocessed, in any manner known in the art.
- part, parts, or about all, or approximately all, or substantially all, or nearly all, or all of a flexible material can made of sustainable, bio-sourced, recycled, recyclable, and/or biodegradable material.
- Part, parts, or about all, or approximately all, or substantially all, or nearly all, or all of any of the flexible materials described herein can be partially or completely translucent, partially or completely transparent, or partially or completely opaque.
- the flexible materials used to make the containers disclosed herein can be formed in any manner known in the art, and can be joined together using any kind of joining or sealing method known in the art, including, for example, heat sealing (e.g. conductive sealing, impulse sealing, ultrasonic sealing, etc.), welding, crimping, bonding, adhering, and the like, and combinations of any of these.
- heat sealing e.g. conductive sealing, impulse sealing, ultrasonic sealing, etc.
- welding crimping, bonding, adhering, and the like, and combinations of any of these.
- the term "flexibility factor” refers to a material parameter for a thin, easily deformable, sheet-like material, wherein the parameter is measured in Newtons per meter, and the flexibility factor is equal to the product of the value for the Young's modulus of the material (measured in Pascals) and the value for the overall thickness of the material (measured in meters).
- fluent product refers to one or more liquids and/or pourable solids, and combinations thereof.
- fluent products include one or more of any of the following: bites, bits, creams, chips, chunks, crumbs, crystals, emulsions, flakes, gels, grains, granules, jellies, kibbles, liquid solutions, liquid suspensions, lotions, nuggets, ointments, particles, particulates, pastes, pieces, pills, powders, salves, shreds, sprinkles, and the like, either individually or in any combination.
- fluent product and “flowable product” are used interchangeably and are intended to have the same meaning.
- Any of the product volumes disclosed herein can be configured to include one or more of any fluent product disclosed herein, or known in the art, in any combination.
- the term "formed” refers to the state of one or more materials that are configured to be formed into a product volume, after the product volume is provided with its defined three-dimensional space.
- graphics refers to a visual element intended to provide a decoration or to communicate information. Examples of graphics include one or more of any of the following: colors, patterns, designs, images, and the like.
- any surface of the flexible container can include one or more graphics of any size, shape, or configuration, disclosed herein or known in the art, in any combination.
- the term “height area ratio” refers to a ratio for the container, with units of per centimeter (cm -1 ), which is equal to the value for the overall height of the container (with all of its product volume(s) filled 100% with water, and with overall height measured in centimeters) divided by the value for the effective base contact area of the container (with all of its product volume(s) filled 100% with water, and with effective base contact area measured in square centimeters).
- any of the flexible containers can be configured to have a height area ratio from 0.3 to 3.0 per centimeter, or any value in increments of 0.05 cm -1 between 0.3 and 3.0 per centimeter, or within any range formed by any of the preceding values, such as: from 0.35 to 2.0 cm -1 , from 0.4 to 1.5 cm -1 , from 0.4 to 1.2 cm -1 , or from 0.45 to 0.9 cm -1 etc.
- any surface of the flexible container can include one or more indicia of any size, shape, or configuration, disclosed herein or known in the art, in any combination.
- directly connected refers to a configuration wherein elements are attached to each other with one or more intermediate elements therebetween.
- joind refers to a configuration wherein elements are either directly connected or indirectly connected.
- lateral refers to a direction, orientation, or measurement that is parallel to a lateral centerline of a container, when the container is standing upright on a horizontal support surface, as described herein.
- a lateral orientation may also be referred to a "horizontal” orientation, and a lateral measurement may also be referred to as a "width.”
- the term "like-numbered” refers to similar alphanumeric labels for corresponding elements, as described below.
- Like-numbered elements have labels with the same last two digits; for example, one element with a label ending in the digits 20 and another element with a label ending in the digits 20 are like-numbered.
- Like-numbered elements can have labels with a differing first digit, wherein that first digit matches the number for its figure; as an example, an element of Figure 3 labeled 320 and an element of Figure 4 labeled 420 are like-numbered.
- Like-numbered elements can have labels with a suffix (i.e. the portion of the label following the dash symbol) that is the same or possibly different (e.g. corresponding with a particular embodiment); for example, a first embodiment of an element in Figure 3A labeled 320-a and a second embodiment of an element in Figure 3B labeled 320-b, are like numbered.
- longitudinal refers to a direction, orientation, or measurement that is parallel to a longitudinal centerline of a container, when the container is standing upright on a horizontal support surface, as described herein.
- a longitudinal orientation may also be referred to a "vertical” orientation.
- a longitudinal measurement When expressed in relation to a horizontal support surface for a container, a longitudinal measurement may also be referred to as a "height", measured above the horizontal support surface.
- the term “middle” refers to the portion of the container that is located in between the top of the container and the bottom of the container.
- the term middle can be modified by describing the term middle with reference to a particular percentage value for the top and/or a particular percentage value for the bottom.
- a reference to the middle of the container can, in various alternate embodiments, refer to the portion of the container that is located between any particular percentage value for the top, disclosed herein, and/or any particular percentage value for the bottom, disclosed herein, in any combination.
- mixing volume refers to a type product volume that is configured to receive one or more fluent product(s) from one or more product volumes and/or from the environment outside of the container.
- multiple dose refers to a product volume that is sized to contain a particular amount of product that is about equal to two or more units of typical consumption, application, or use by an end user.
- Any of the embodiments of flexible containers, disclosed herein, can be configured to have one or more multiple dose product volumes.
- a container with only one product volume, which is a multiple dose product volume, is referred to herein as a “multiple dose container.”
- any disclosure of a particular value can, in various alternate embodiments, also be understood as a disclosure of a range equal to approximately that particular value (i.e. +/- 5%).
- non-durable refers to a container that is temporarily reusable, or disposable, or single use.
- nonstructural panel refers to a layer of one or more adjacent sheets of flexible material, the layer having an outermost major surface that faces outward, toward the environment outside of the flexible container, and an innermost major surface that faces inward, toward product volume(s) disposed within the flexible container; a nonstructural panel is configured such that, the layer, does not independently provide substantial support in making the container self-supporting and/or standing upright.
- all height refers to a distance that is measured while the container is standing upright on a horizontal support surface, the distance measured vertically from the upper side of the support surface to a point on the top of the container, which is farthest away from the upper side of the support surface.
- any of the embodiments of flexible containers, disclosed herein, can be configured to have an overall height from 2.0 cm to 100.0 cm, or any value in increments of 0.1 cm between 2.0 and 100.0 cm, or within any range formed by any of the preceding values, such as: from 4.0 to 90.0 cm, from 5.0 to 80.0 cm, from 6.0 to 70.0 cm, from 7.0 to 60.0 cm, from 8.0 to 50.0 cm, from 9.0 to 40.0 cm, or from 10.0 to 30.0, etc.
- opening and filling station or “opening station” or “opening and filling” refers to the various methods and means to open any port to allow a fluent material to be deposited within a location. Examples include but are not limited to opening via a blast of gas or fluid, mechanical opening, opening through gripping, gripping and articulation, opening via vacuum gripping, manual opening, opening via a guide tool (such as a rail, probe, etc.), and any combinations of the above.
- any of the flexible materials can be configured to have an overall thickness 5-500 micrometers ( ⁇ m), or any integer value for micrometers from 5-500, or within any range formed by any of these values, such as 10-500 ⁇ m, 20-400 ⁇ m, 30-300 ⁇ m, 40-200 ⁇ m, or 50-100 ⁇ m, etc.
- the term "product volume” refers to an enclosable three-dimensional space that is configured to receive and directly contain one or more fluent product(s), wherein that space is defined by one or more materials that form a barrier that prevents the fluent product(s) from escaping the product volume.
- the fluent products come into contact with the materials that form the enclosable three-dimensional space; there is no intermediate material or container, which prevents such contact.
- product volume and “product receiving volume” are used interchangeably and are intended to have the same meaning.
- any of the embodiments of flexible containers, disclosed herein, can be configured to have any number of product volumes including one product volume, two product volumes, three product volumes, four product volumes, five product volumes, six product volumes, or even more product volumes. In some embodiments, one or more product volumes can be enclosed within another product volume.
- any of the product volumes disclosed herein can have a product volume of any size, including from 0.001 liters to 100.0 liters, or any value in increments of 0.001 liters between 0.001 liters and 3.0 liters, or any value in increments of 0.01 liters between 3.0 liters and 10.0 liters, or any value in increments of 1.0 liters between 10.0 liters and 100.0 liters, or within any range formed by any of the preceding values, such as: from 0.001 to 2.2 liters, 0.01 to 2.0 liters, 0.05 to 1.8 liters, 0.1 to 1.6 liters, 0.15 to 1.4 liters, 0.2 to 1.2 liters, 0.25 to 1.0 liters, etc.
- a product volume can have any shape in any orientation.
- a product volume can be included in a container that has a structural support frame, and a product volume can be included in a container that does not have a structural support frame.
- the term "resting on a horizontal support surface” refers to the container resting directly on the horizontal support surface, without other support.
- the term "sealed,” when referring to a product volume, refers to a state of the product volume wherein fluent products within the product volume are prevented from escaping the product volume (e.g. by one or more materials that form a barrier, and by a seal), and the product volume is hermetically sealed.
- the term “self-supporting” refers to a container that includes a product volume and a structural support frame, wherein, when the container is resting on a horizontal support surface, in at least one orientation, the structural support frame is configured to prevent the container from collapsing and to give the container an overall height that is significantly greater than the combined thickness of the materials that form the container, even when the product volume is unfilled.
- Any of the embodiments of flexible containers, disclosed herein, can be configured to be self-supporting.
- single use refers to a closed container which, after being opened by an end user, is not configured to be reclosed. Any of the embodiments of flexible containers, disclosed herein, can be configured to be single use.
- single dose refers to a product volume that is sized to contain a particular amount of product that is about equal to one unit of typical consumption, application, or use by an end user.
- Any of the embodiments of flexible containers, disclosed herein, can be configured to have one or more single dose product volumes.
- a container with only one product volume, which is a single dose product volume, is referred to herein as a "single dose container.”
- the terms “stand up,” “stands up,” “standing up”, “stand upright”, “stands upright”, and “standing upright” refer to a particular orientation of a self-supporting flexible container, when the container is resting on a horizontal support surface. This standing upright orientation can be determined from the structural features of the container and/or indicia on the container. In a first determining test, if the flexible container has a clearly defined base structure that is configured to be used on the bottom of the container, then the container is determined to be standing upright when this base structure is resting on the horizontal support surface.
- the container is determined to be standing upright when the container is oriented to rest on the horizontal support surface such that the indicia on the flexible container are best positioned in an upright orientation. If the second test cannot determine the standing upright orientation, then, in a third determining test, the container is determined to be standing upright when the container is oriented to rest on the horizontal support surface such that the container has the largest overall height. If the third test cannot determine the standing upright orientation, then, in a fourth determining test, the container is determined to be standing upright when the container is oriented to rest on the horizontal support surface such that the container has the largest height area ratio. If the fourth test cannot determine the standing upright orientation, then, any orientation used in the fourth determining test can be considered to be a standing upright orientation.
- the term “stand up container” refers to a self-supporting container, wherein, when the container (with all of its product volume(s) filled 100% with water) is standing up, the container has a height area ratio from 0.4 to 1.5 cm -1 . Any of the embodiments of flexible containers, disclosed herein, can be configured to be stand up containers.
- structural support frame refers to a rigid structure formed of one or more structural support members, joined together, around one or more sizable empty spaces and/or one or more nonstructural panels, and generally used as a major support for the product volume(s) in the flexible container and in making the container self-supporting and/or standing upright.
- structural support frame when a flexible container includes a structural support frame and one or more product volumes, the structural support frame is considered to be supporting the product volumes of the container, unless otherwise indicated.
- structural support member refers to a rigid, physical structure, which includes one or more expanded structural support volumes, and which is configured to be used in a structural support frame, to carry one or more loads (from the flexible container) across a span.
- a structure that does not include at least one expanded structural support volume, is not considered to be a structural support member, as used herein.
- a structural support member has two defined ends, a middle between the two ends, and an overall length from its one end to its other end.
- a structural support member can have one or more cross-sectional areas, each of which has an overall width that is less than its overall length.
- a structural support member can be configured in various forms.
- a structural support member can include one, two, three, four, five, six or more structural support volumes, arranged in various ways.
- a structural support member can be formed by a single structural support volume.
- a structural support member can be formed by a plurality of structural support volumes, disposed end to end, in series, wherein, in various embodiments, part, parts, or about all, or approximately all, or substantially all, or nearly all, or all of some or all of the structural support volumes can be partly or fully in contact with each other, partly or fully directly connected to each other, and/or partly or fully joined to each other.
- a structural support member can be formed by a plurality of support volumes disposed side by side, in parallel, wherein, in various embodiments, part, parts, or about all, or approximately all, or substantially all, or nearly all, or all of some or all of the structural support volumes can be partly or fully in contact with each other, partly or fully directly connected to each other, and/or partly or fully joined to each other.
- a structural support member can include a number of different kinds of elements.
- a structural support member can include one or more structural support volumes along with one or more mechanical reinforcing elements (e.g. braces, collars, connectors, joints, ribs, etc.), which can be made from one or more rigid (e.g. solid) materials.
- mechanical reinforcing elements e.g. braces, collars, connectors, joints, ribs, etc.
- Structural support members can have various shapes and sizes. Part, parts, or about all, or approximately all, or substantially all, or nearly all, or all of a structural support member can be straight, curved, angled, segmented, or other shapes, or combinations of any of these shapes. Part, parts, or about all, or approximately all, or substantially all, or nearly all, or all of a structural support member can have any suitable cross-sectional shape, such as circular, oval, square, triangular, star-shaped, or modified versions of these shapes, or other shapes, or combinations of any of these shapes.
- a structural support member can have an overall shape that is tubular, or convex, or concave, along part, parts, or about all, or approximately all, or substantially all, or nearly all, or all of a length.
- a structural support member can have any suitable cross-sectional area, any suitable overall width, and any suitable overall length.
- a structural support member can be substantially uniform along part, parts, or about all, or approximately all, or substantially all, or nearly all, or all of its length, or can vary, in any way described herein, along part, parts, or about all, or approximately all, or substantially all, or nearly all, or all of its length.
- a cross-sectional area of a structural support member can increase or decrease along part, parts, or all of its length.
- Part, parts, or all of any of the embodiments of structural support members of the present disclosure can be configured according to any embodiment disclosed herein, including any workable combination of structures, features, materials, and/or connections from any number of any of the embodiments disclosed herein.
- structural support volume refers to a fillable space made from one or more flexible materials, wherein the space is configured to be at least partially filled with one or more expansion materials, which create tension in the one or more flexible materials, and form an expanded structural support volume.
- One or more expanded structural support volumes can be configured to be included in a structural support member.
- a structural support volume is distinct from structures configured in other ways, such as: structures without a fillable space (e.g. an open space), structures made from inflexible (e.g. solid) materials, structures with spaces that are not configured to be filled with an expansion material (e.g.
- structural support volume and “expandable chamber” are used interchangeably and are intended to have the same meaning.
- a structural support frame can include a plurality of structural support volumes, wherein some of or all of the structural support volumes are in fluid communication with each other. In other embodiments, a structural support frame can include a plurality of structural support volumes, wherein some of or none of the structural support volumes are in fluid communication with each other. Any of the structural support frames of the present disclosure can be configured to have any kind of fluid communication disclosed herein.
- the term "substantially” modifies a particular value, by referring to a range equal to the particular value, plus or minus ten percent (+/- 10%).
- any disclosure of a particular value can, in various alternate embodiments, also be understood as a disclosure of a range equal to approximately that particular value (i.e. +/- 10%).
- the term "temporarily reusable" refers to a container which, after dispensing a product to an end user, is configured to be refilled with an additional amount of a product, up to ten times, before the container experiences a failure that renders it unsuitable for receiving, containing, or dispensing the product.
- the term temporarily reusable can be further limited by modifying the number of times that the container can be refilled before the container experiences such a failure.
- a reference to temporarily reusable can, in various alternate embodiments, refer to temporarily reusable by refilling up to eight times before failure, by refilling up to six times before failure, by refilling up to four times before failure, or by refilling up to two times before failure, or any integer value for refills between one and ten times before failure.
- Any of the embodiments of flexible containers, disclosed herein can be configured to be temporarily reusable, for the number of refills disclosed herein.
- thickness refers to a measurement that is parallel to a third centerline of a container, when the container is standing upright on a horizontal support surface, as described herein.
- a thickness may also be referred to as a "depth.”
- the term "register” or “registered” when used alone or in combination with another term such as “cut”, “seal”, or the like, shall be understood to broadly include the teachings and disclosure of commonly owned U.S. Patent No. 6,444,064 for Registration System for Phasing Simultaneously Advancing Webs of Material Having Variable Pitch Lengths, issued September 3, 2002, which is fully incorporated herein by reference.
- the flexible container is formed from two webs and holes are formed, seals are created, folds are made, materials are cut and/or other handling and manipulating operations are performed, one or both of the webs can be registered to the production line or machine and/or to each other.
- transverse direction when used in relation to machine direction, shall be understood to mean a non-machine direction angle, i.e., an angle to the machine direction, which could be at a right angle, or at any other angle from about 5 to about 175 degrees, from machine direction It is understood that this could be mirrored on either side of the machine direction, i.e. about 185 to about 355 degrees.
- machine direction is used to describe the machine direction, and include any direction from about 0 to about 5 degrees or about 175 to about 180 degrees away from the machine direction. It is understood that this could be mirrored on either side of the machine direction, i.e. about 180 to about 185 and about 355 to about 360 degrees.
- filling when used in connection with a fill port, a product volume, and expansion port or a structural support volume shall be understood to mean filling with a fluent product, and expansion material, or any other substance from any location associated with a flexible container, e.g. a top, a bottom, a front, a back, a left side, a right side, etc. including at a seam, between layers, and/or through a hole/orifice/nozzle, and/or through a heat seal, and/or through a layer or layers, e.g. through a nonstructural panel, a structural support volume, or otherwise.
- the term "port”, and/or “fill port”, and/or “expansion port”, and/or “product dispensing port” shall be understood to mean an opening and/or a valve at any location, e.g. a top, a bottom, a front, a back, a left side, a right side, etc. including at a seam, between layers, and/or through a hole/orifice/nozzle, and/or through a heat seal, and/or through a layer or layers, e.g. through a nonstructural panel, a structural support volume, or otherwise.
- product dispensing port shall be understood to mean an opening and/or a valve that may be sealed, openable, recloseable, and/or re-sealable which is in fluid communication with the product volume to enable dispensing of a fluent material from the product volume to the exterior of the flexible container.
- the product dispensing port may also serve as the fill port in some embodiments and vice versa.
- cut and seal and/or “cut/seal”, or any variation thereof, shall be understood to mean any operation involving performing a cutting step and a sealing step at substantially the same time, e.g., with a hot wire, a shaped and/or sharpened heat seal die, laser cut/seal, hot air knife, etc. to minimize the total number of operations while inherently causing the seal and the cut to be registered.
- cut is meant to include any method for separating materials. This can include but is not limited to: die cutting, laser cutting, water jet cutting, hot wire cutting, air knife cutting, hand cutting with scissors, knife cutting, and the like.
- top refers to the portion of the container that is located in the uppermost 20% of the overall height of the container, that is, from 80-100% of the overall height of the container.
- the term top can be further limited by modifying the term top with a particular percentage value, which is less than 20%.
- a reference to the top of the container can, in various alternate embodiments, refer to the top 15% (i.e. from 85-100% of the overall height), the top 10% (i.e. from 90-100% of the overall height), or the top 5% (i.e. from 95-100% of the overall height), or any integer value for percentage between 0% and 20%.
- the term “unexpanded” refers to the state of one or more materials that are configured to be formed into a structural support volume, before the structural support volume is made rigid by an expansion material.
- the term "unfilled” refers to the state of the product volume when it does not contain a fluent product.
- an article of manufacture could be a container blank with an unformed product volume, wherein sheets of flexible material, with portions joined together, are laying flat against each other.
- Flexible containers may be used across a variety of industries for a variety of products.
- flexible containers may be used across the consumer products industry, including the following products: soft surface cleaners, hard surface cleaners, glass cleaners, ceramic tile cleaners, toilet bowl cleaners, wood cleaners, multi-surface cleaners, surface disinfectants, dishwashing compositions, laundry detergents, fabric conditioners, fabric dyes, surface protectants, surface disinfectants, cosmetics, facial powders, body powders, hair treatment products (e.g.
- mousse hair spray, styling gels
- shampoo hair conditioner (leave-in or rinse-out), cream rinse, hair dye, hair coloring product, hair shine product, hair serum, hair anti-frizz product, hair split-end repair products, permanent waving solution, antidandruff formulation, bath gels, shower gels, body washes, facial cleaners, skin care products (e.g. sunscreen, sun block lotions, lip balm, skin conditioner, cold creams, moisturizers), body sprays, soaps, body scrubs, exfoliants, astringent, scrubbing lotions, depilatories, antiperspirant compositions, deodorants, shaving products, pre-shaving products, after shaving products, toothpaste, mouthwash, etc.
- flexible containers as described herein, may be used across other industries, including foods, beverages, pharmaceuticals, commercial products, industrial products, medical, etc.
- Figures 1A-1D illustrates various views of an embodiment of a stand up flexible container 100.
- Figure 1A illustrates a front view of the container 100.
- the container 100 is standing upright on a horizontal support surface 101.
- a coordinate system 110 provides lines of reference for referring to directions in the figure.
- the coordinate system 110 is a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system with an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis, wherein each axis is perpendicular to the other axes, and any two of the axes define a plane.
- the X-axis and the Z-axis are parallel with the horizontal support surface 101 and the Y-axis is perpendicular to the horizontal support surface 101.
- Figure 1A also includes other lines of reference, for referring to directions and locations with respect to the container 100.
- a lateral centerline 111 runs parallel to the X-axis.
- An XY plane at the lateral centerline 111 separates the container 100 into a front half and a back half.
- An XZ plane at the lateral centerline 111 separates the container 100 into an upper half and a lower half.
- a longitudinal centerline 114 runs parallel to the Y-axis.
- a YZ plane at the longitudinal centerline 114 separates the container 100 into a left half and a right half.
- a third centerline 117 runs parallel to the Z-axis. The lateral centerline 111, the longitudinal centerline 114, and the third centerline 117 all intersect at a center of the container 100.
- a disposition with respect to the lateral centerline 111 defines what is longitudinally inboard 112 and longitudinally outboard 113.
- first location When a first location is nearer to the lateral centerline 111 than a second location, the first location is considered to be disposed longitudinally inboard 112 to the second location. And, the second location is considered to be disposed longitudinally outboard 113 from the first location.
- lateral refers to a direction, orientation, or measurement that is parallel to the lateral centerline 111.
- a lateral orientation may also be referred to a horizontal orientation, and a lateral measurement may also be referred to as a width.
- a disposition with respect to the longitudinal centerline 114 defines what is laterally inboard 115 and laterally outboard 116.
- first location When a first location is nearer to the longitudinal centerline 114 than a second location, the first location is considered to be disposed laterally inboard 115 to the second location. And, the second location is considered to be disposed laterally outboard 116 from the first location.
- longitudinal refers to a direction, orientation, or measurement that is parallel to the longitudinal centerline 114.
- a longitudinal orientation may also be referred to a vertical orientation.
- a longitudinal direction, orientation, or measurement may also be expressed in relation to a horizontal support surface for the container 100.
- the first location When a first location is nearer to the support surface than a second location, the first location can be considered to be disposed lower than, below, beneath, or under the second location. And, the second location can be considered to be disposed higher than, above, or upward from the first location.
- a longitudinal measurement may also be referred to as a height, measured above the horizontal support surface 100.
- a measurement that is made parallel to the third centerline 117 is referred to a thickness or depth.
- a disposition in the direction of the third centerline 117 and toward a front 102-1 of the container is referred to as forward 118 or in front of.
- a disposition in the direction of the third centerline 117 and toward a back 102-2 of the container is referred to as backward 119 or behind.
- the container 100 includes a top 104, a middle 106, and a bottom 108, the front 102-1, the back 102-2, and left and right sides 109.
- the top 104 is separated from the middle 106 by a reference plane 105, which is parallel to the XZ plane.
- the middle 106 is separated from the bottom 108 by a reference plane 107, which is also parallel to the XZ plane.
- the container 100 has an overall height of 100-oh.
- the front 102-1 and the back 102-2 of the container are joined together at a seal 129, which extends around the outer periphery of the container 100, across the top 104, down the side 109, and then, at the bottom of each side 109, splits outward to follow the front and back portions of the base 190, around their outer extents.
- the container 100 includes a structural support frame 140, a product volume 150, a dispenser 160, panels 180-1 and 180-2, and a base structure 190. A portion of panel 180-1 is illustrated as broken away, in order to show the product volume 150.
- the product volume 150 is configured to contain one or more fluent products.
- the dispenser 160 allows the container 100 to dispense these fluent product(s) from the product volume 150 through a flow channel 159 then through the dispenser 160, to the environment outside of the container 100.
- the dispenser 160 is disposed in the center of the uppermost part of the top 104, however, in various alternate embodiments, the dispenser 160 can be disposed anywhere else on the top 140, middle 106, or bottom 108, including anywhere on either of the sides 109, on either of the panels 180-1 and 180-2, and on any part of the base 190 of the container 100.
- the structural support frame 140 supports the mass of fluent product(s) in the product volume 150, and makes the container 100 stand upright.
- the panels 180-1 and 180-2 are relatively flat surfaces, overlaying the product volume 150, and are suitable for displaying any kind of indicia.
- part, parts, or about all, or approximately all, or substantially all, or nearly all, or all of either or both of the panels 180-1 and 180-2 can include one or more curved surfaces.
- the base structure 190 supports the structural support frame 140 and provides stability to the container 100 as it stands upright.
- the structural support frame 140 is formed by a plurality of structural support members.
- the structural support frame 140 includes top structural support members 144-1 and 144-2, middle structural support members 146-1, 146-2, 146-3, and 146-4, as well as bottom structural support members 148-1 and 148-2.
- the top structural support members 144-1 and 144-2 are disposed on the upper part of the top 104 of the container 100, with the top structural support member 144-1 disposed in the front 102-1 and the top structural support member 144-2 disposed in the back 102-2, behind the top structural support member 144-1.
- the top structural support members 144-1 and 144-2 are adjacent to each other and can be in contact with each other along the laterally outboard portions of their lengths.
- the top structural support members 144-1 and 144-2 can be in contact with each other at one or more relatively smaller locations and/or at one or more relatively larger locations, along part, or parts, or about all, or approximately all, or substantially all, or nearly all, or all of their overall lengths, so long as there is a flow channel 159 between the top structural support members 144-1 and 144-2, which allows the container 100 to dispense fluent product(s) from the product volume 150 through the flow channel 159 then through the dispenser 160.
- the top structural support members 144-1 and 144-2 are not directly connected to each other. However, in various alternate embodiments, the top structural support members 144-1 and 144-2 can be directly connected and/or joined together along part, or parts, or about all, or approximately all, or substantially all, or nearly all, or all of their overall lengths.
- the top structural support members 144-1 and 144-2 are disposed substantially above the product volume 150. Overall, each of the top structural support members 144-1 and 144-2 is oriented about horizontally, but with its ends curved slightly downward. And, overall each of the top structural support members 144-1 and 144-2 has a cross-sectional area that is substantially uniform along its length; however the cross-sectional area at their ends are slightly larger than the cross-sectional area in their middles.
- the middle structural support members 146-1, 146-2, 146-3, and 146-4 are disposed on the left and right sides 109, from the top 104, through the middle 106, to the bottom 108.
- the middle structural support member 146-1 is disposed in the front 102-1, on the left side 109; the middle structural support member 146-4 is disposed in the back 102-2, on the left side 109, behind the middle structural support member 146-1.
- the middle structural support members 146-1 and 146-4 are adjacent to each other and can be in contact with each other along substantially all of their lengths.
- the middle structural support members 146-1 and 146-4 can be in contact with each other at one or more relatively smaller locations and/or at one or more relatively larger locations, along part, or parts, or about all, or approximately all, or substantially all, or nearly all, or all of their overall lengths.
- the middle structural support members 146-1 and 146-4 are not directly connected to each other.
- the middle structural support members 146-1 and 146-4 can be directly connected and/or joined together along part, or parts, or about all, or approximately all, or substantially all, or nearly all, or all of their overall lengths.
- the middle structural support member 146-2 is disposed in the front 102-1, on the right side 109; the middle structural support member 146-3 is disposed in the back 102-2, on the right side 109, behind the middle structural support member 146-2.
- the middle structural support members 146-2 and 146-3 are adjacent to each other and can be in contact with each other along substantially all of their lengths. In various embodiments, the middle structural support members 146-2 and 146-3 can be in contact with each other at one or more relatively smaller locations and/or at one or more relatively larger locations, along part, or parts, or about all, or approximately all, or substantially all, or nearly all, or all of their overall lengths.
- the middle structural support members 146-2 and 146-3 are not directly connected to each other. However, in various alternate embodiments, the middle structural support members 146-2 and 146-3 can be directly connected and/or joined together along part, or parts, or about all, or approximately all, or substantially all, or nearly all, or all of their overall lengths.
- the middle structural support members 146-1, 146-2, 146-3, and 146-4 are disposed substantially laterally outboard from the product volume 150. Overall, each of the middle structural support members 146-1, 146-2, 146-3, and 146-4 is oriented about vertically, but angled slightly, with its upper end laterally inboard to its lower end. And, overall each of the middle structural support members 146-1, 146-2, 146-3, and 146-4 has a cross-sectional area that changes along its length, increasing in size from its upper end to its lower end.
- the bottom structural support members 148-1 and 148-2 are disposed on the bottom 108 of the container 100, with the bottom structural support member 148-1 disposed in the front 102-1 and the bottom structural support member 148-2 disposed in the back 102-2, behind the top structural support member 148-1.
- the bottom structural support members 148-1 and 148-2 are adjacent to each other and can be in contact with each other along substantially all of their lengths.
- the bottom structural support members 148-1 and 148-2 can be in contact with each other at one or more relatively smaller locations and/or at one or more relatively larger locations, along part, or parts, or about all, or approximately all, or substantially all, or nearly all, or all of their overall lengths.
- the bottom structural support members 148-1 and 148-2 are not directly connected to each other. However, in various alternate embodiments, the bottom structural support members 148-1 and 148-2 can be directly connected and/or joined together along part, or parts, or about all, or approximately all, or substantially all, or nearly all, or all of their overall lengths.
- the bottom structural support members 148-1 and 148-2 are disposed substantially below the product volume 150, but substantially above the base structure 190. Overall, each of the bottom structural support members 148-1 and 148-2 is oriented about horizontally, but with its ends curved slightly upward. And, overall each of the bottom structural support members 148-1 and 148-2 has a cross-sectional area that is substantially uniform along its length.
- the left end of the top structural support member 144-1 is joined to the upper end of the middle structural support member 146-1; the lower end of the middle structural support member 146-1 is joined to the left end of the bottom structural support member 148-1; the right end of the bottom structural support member 148-1 is joined to the lower end of the middle structural support member 146-2; and the upper end of the middle structural support member 146-2 is joined to the right end of the top structural support member 144-1.
- the left end of the top structural support member 144-2 is joined to the upper end of the middle structural support member 146-4; the lower end of the middle structural support member 146-4 is joined to the left end of the bottom structural support member 148-2; the right end of the bottom structural support member 148-2 is joined to the lower end of the middle structural support member 146-3; and the upper end of the middle structural support member 146-3 is joined to the right end of the top structural support member 144-2.
- the ends of the structural support members, which are joined together are directly connected, all around the periphery of their walls.
- any of the structural support members 144-1, 144-2, 146-1, 146-2, 146-3, 146-4, 148-1, and 148-2 can be joined together in any way described herein or known in the art.
- adjacent structural support members can be combined into a single structural support member, wherein the combined structural support member can effectively substitute for the adjacent structural support members, as their functions and connections are described herein.
- one or more additional structural support members can be added to the structural support members in the structural support frame 140, wherein the expanded structural support frame can effectively substitute for the structural support frame 140, as its functions and connections are described herein.
- a flexible container may not include a base structure.
- Figure 1B illustrates a side view of the stand up flexible container 100 of Figure 1A .
- Figure 1C illustrates a top view of the stand up flexible container 100 of Figure 1A .
- Figure 1D illustrates a bottom view of the stand up flexible container 100 of Figure 1A .
- Figures 2A-8D illustrate embodiments of stand-up flexible containers having various overall shapes. Any of the embodiments of Figures 2A-8D can be configured according to any of the embodiments disclosed herein, including the embodiments of Figures 1A-1D . Any of the elements (e.g. structural support frames, structural support members, panels, dispensers, etc.) of the embodiments of Figures 2A-8D , can be configured according to any of the embodiments disclosed herein. While each of the embodiments of Figures 2A-8D illustrates a container with one dispenser, in various embodiments, each container can include multiple dispensers, according to any embodiment described herein. Figures 2A-8D illustrate exemplary additional/alternate locations for dispenser with phantom line outlines.
- Part, parts, or about all, or approximately all, or substantially all, or nearly all, or all of each of the panels in the embodiments of Figures 2A-8D is suitable to display any kind of indicia.
- Each of the side panels in the embodiments of Figures 2A-8D is configured to be a nonstructural panel, overlaying product volume(s) disposed within the flexible container, however, in various embodiments, one or more of any kind of decorative or structural element (such as a rib, protruding from an outer surface) can be joined to part, parts, or about all, or approximately all, or substantially all, or nearly all, or all of any of these side panels.
- any of the embodiments of Figures 2A-8D can be configured to include any structure or feature for flexible containers, disclosed herein.
- any of the embodiments of Figures 2A-8D can be configured to include any kind of base structure disclosed herein.
- Figure 2A illustrates a front view of a stand up flexible container 200 having a structural support frame 240 that has an overall shape like a frustum.
- the frustum shape is based on a four-sided pyramid, however, in various embodiments, the frustum shape can be based on a pyramid with a different number of sides, or the frustum shape can be based on a cone.
- the support frame 240 is formed by structural support members disposed along the edges of the frustum shape and joined together at their ends.
- the structural support members define a rectangular shaped top panel 280-t, trapezoidal shaped side panels 280-1, 280-2, 280-3, and 280-4, and a rectangular shaped bottom panel (not shown).
- Each of the side panels 280-1, 280-2, 280-3, and 280-4 is about flat, however in various embodiments, part, parts, or about all, or approximately all, or substantially all, or nearly all, or all of any of the side panels can be approximately flat, substantially flat, nearly flat, or completely flat.
- the container 200 includes a dispenser 260, which is configured to dispense one or more fluent products from one or more product volumes disposed within the container 200.
- the dispenser 260 is disposed in the center of the top panel 280-t, however, in various alternate embodiments, the dispenser 260 can be disposed anywhere else on the top, sides, or bottom, of the container 200, according to any embodiment described or illustrated herein.
- Figure 2B illustrates a front view of the container 200 of Figure 2A , including exemplary additional/alternate locations for a dispenser, any of which can also apply to the back of the container.
- Figure 2C illustrates a side view of the container 200 of Figure 2A , including exemplary additional/alternate locations for a dispenser (shown as phantom lines), any of which can apply to either side of the container.
- Figure 2D illustrates an isometric view of the container 200 of Figure 2A .
- Figure 3A illustrates a front view of a stand up flexible container 300 having a structural support frame 340 that has an overall shape like a pyramid.
- the pyramid shape is based on a four-sided pyramid, however, in various embodiments, the pyramid shape can be based on a pyramid with a different number of sides.
- the support frame 340 is formed by structural support members disposed along the edges of the pyramid shape and joined together at their ends.
- the structural support members define triangular shaped side panels 380-1, 380-2, 380-3, and 380-4, and a square shaped bottom panel (not shown).
- Each of the side panels 380-1, 380-2, 380-3, and 380-4 is about flat, however in various embodiments, part, parts, or about all, or approximately all, or substantially all, or nearly all, or all of any of the side panels can be approximately flat, substantially flat, nearly flat, or completely flat.
- the container 300 includes a dispenser 360, which is configured to dispense one or more fluent products from one or more product volumes disposed within the container 300.
- the dispenser 360 is disposed at the apex of the pyramid shape, however, in various alternate embodiments, the dispenser 360 can be disposed anywhere else on the top, sides, or bottom, of the container 300.
- Figure 3B illustrates a front view of the container 300 of Figure 3A , including exemplary additional/alternate locations for a dispenser (shown as phantom lines), any of which can also apply to any side of the container.
- Figure 3C illustrates a side view of the container 300 of Figure 3A.
- Figure 3D illustrates an isometric view of the container 300 of Figure 3A .
- Figure 4A illustrates a front view of a stand up flexible container 400 having a structural support frame 440 that has an overall shape like a trigonal prism.
- the prism shape is based on a triangle.
- the support frame 440 is formed by structural support members disposed along the edges of the prism shape and joined together at their ends.
- the structural support members define a triangular shaped top panel 480-t, rectangular shaped side panels 480-1, 480-2, and 480-3, and a triangular shaped bottom panel (not shown).
- Each of the side panels 480-1, 480-2, and 480-3 is about flat, however in various embodiments, part, parts, or about all, or approximately all, or substantially all, or nearly all, or all of any of the side panels can be approximately flat, substantially flat, nearly flat, or completely flat.
- the container 400 includes a dispenser 460, which is configured to dispense one or more fluent products from one or more product volumes disposed within the container 400.
- the dispenser 460 is disposed in the center of the top panel 480-t, however, in various alternate embodiments, the dispenser 460 can be disposed anywhere else on the top, sides, or bottom, of the container 400.
- Figure 4B illustrates a front view of the container 400 of Figure 4A , including exemplary additional/alternate locations for a dispenser (shown as phantom lines), any of which can also apply to any side of the container 400.
- Figure 4C illustrates a side view of the container 400 of Figure 4A.
- Figure 4D illustrates an isometric view of the container 400 of Figure 4A .
- Figure 5A illustrates a front view of a stand up flexible container 500 having a structural support frame 540 that has an overall shape like a tetragonal prism.
- the prism shape is based on a square.
- the support frame 540 is formed by structural support members disposed along the edges of the prism shape and joined together at their ends.
- the structural support members define a square shaped top panel 580-t, rectangular shaped side panels 580-1, 580-2, 580-3, and 580-4, and a square shaped bottom panel (not shown).
- Each of the side panels 580-1, 580-2, 580-3, and 580-4 is about flat, however in various embodiments, part, parts, or about all, or approximately all, or substantially all, or nearly all, or all of any of the side panels can be approximately flat, substantially flat, nearly flat, or completely flat.
- the container 500 includes a dispenser 560, which is configured to dispense one or more fluent products from one or more product volumes disposed within the container 500.
- the dispenser 560 is disposed in the center of the top panel 580-t, however, in various alternate embodiments, the dispenser 560 can be disposed anywhere else on the top, sides, or bottom, of the container 500.
- Figure 5B illustrates a front view of the container 500 of Figure 5A , including exemplary additional/alternate locations for a dispenser (shown as phantom lines), any of which can also apply to any side of the container 500.
- Figure 5C illustrates a side view of the container 500 of Figure 5A.
- Figure 5D illustrates an isometric view of the container 500 of Figure 5A .
- Figure 6A illustrates a front view of a stand up flexible container 600 having a structural support frame 640 that has an overall shape like a pentagonal prism.
- the prism shape is based on a pentagon.
- the support frame 640 is formed by structural support members disposed along the edges of the prism shape and joined together at their ends.
- the structural support members define a pentagon shaped top panel 680-t, rectangular shaped side panels 680-1, 680-2, 680-3, 680-4, and 680-5, and a pentagon shaped bottom panel (not shown).
- Each of the side panels 680-1, 680-2, 680-3, 680-4, and 680-5 is about flat, however in various embodiments, part, parts, or about all, or approximately all, or substantially all, or nearly all, or all of any of the side panels can be approximately flat, substantially flat, nearly flat, or completely flat.
- the container 600 includes a dispenser 660, which is configured to dispense one or more fluent products from one or more product volumes disposed within the container 600.
- the dispenser 660 is disposed in the center of the top panel 680-t, however, in various alternate embodiments, the dispenser 660 can be disposed anywhere else on the top, sides, or bottom, of the container 600.
- Figure 6B illustrates a front view of the container 600 of Figure 6A , including exemplary additional/alternate locations for a dispenser (shown as phantom lines), any of which can also apply to any side of the container 600.
- Figure 6C illustrates a side view of the container 600 of Figure 6A.
- Figure 6D illustrates an isometric view of the container 600 of Figure 6A .
- Figure 7A illustrates a front view of a stand up flexible container 700 having a structural support frame 740 that has an overall shape like a cone.
- the support frame 740 is formed by curved structural support members disposed around the base of the cone and by straight structural support members extending linearly from the base to the apex, wherein the structural support members are joined together at their ends.
- the structural support members define curved somewhat triangular shaped side panels 780-1, 780-2, and 780-3, and a circular shaped bottom panel (not shown).
- Each of the side panels 780-1, 780-2, and 780-3 is curved, however in various embodiments, part, parts, or about all, or approximately all, or substantially all, or nearly all, or all of any of the side panels can be approximately flat, substantially flat, nearly flat, or completely flat.
- the container 700 includes a dispenser 760, which is configured to dispense one or more fluent products from one or more product volumes disposed within the container 700.
- the dispenser 760 is disposed at the apex of the conical shape, however, in various alternate embodiments, the dispenser 760 can be disposed anywhere else on the top, sides, or bottom, of the container 700.
- Figure 7B illustrates a front view of the container 700 of Figure 7A.
- Figure 7C illustrates a side view of the container 700 of Figure 7A , including exemplary additional/alternate locations for a dispenser (shown as phantom lines), any of which can also apply to any side panel of the container 700.
- Figure 7D illustrates an isometric view of the container 700 of Figure 7A .
- Figure 8A illustrates a front view of a stand up flexible container 800 having a structural support frame 840 that has an overall shape like a cylinder.
- the support frame 840 is formed by curved structural support members disposed around the top and bottom of the cylinder and by straight structural support members extending linearly from the top to the bottom, wherein the structural support members are joined together at their ends.
- the structural support members define a circular shaped top panel 880-t, curved somewhat rectangular shaped side panels 880-1, 880-2, 880-3, and 880-4, and a circular shaped bottom panel (not shown).
- Each of the side panels 880-1, 880-2, 880-3, and 880-4, is curved, however in various embodiments, part, parts, or about all, or approximately all, or substantially all, or nearly all, or all of any of the side panels can be approximately flat, substantially flat, nearly flat, or completely flat.
- the container 800 includes a dispenser 860, which is configured to dispense one or more fluent products from one or more product volumes disposed within the container 800.
- the dispenser 860 is disposed in the center of the top panel 880-t, however, in various alternate embodiments, the dispenser 860 can be disposed anywhere else on the top, sides, or bottom, of the container 800.
- Figure 8B illustrates a front view of the container 800 of Figure 8A , including exemplary additional/alternate locations for a dispenser (shown as phantom lines), any of which can also apply to any side panel of the container 800.
- Figure 8C illustrates a side view of the container 800 of Figure 8A.
- Figure 8D illustrates an isometric view of the container 800 of Figure 8A .
- any stand up flexible container with a structural support frame can be configured to have an overall shape that corresponds with any other known three-dimensional shape, including any kind of polyhedron, any kind of prismatoid, and any kind of prism (including right prisms and uniform prisms).
- Figure 9A illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a self-supporting flexible container 900, having an overall shape like a square.
- Figure 9B illustrates an end view of the flexible container 900 of Figure 9A .
- the container 900 is resting on a horizontal support surface 901.
- a coordinate system 910 provides lines of reference for referring to directions in the figure.
- the coordinate system 910 is a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system, with an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis.
- the X-axis and the Z-axis are parallel with the horizontal support surface 901 and the Y-axis is perpendicular to the horizontal support surface 901.
- Figure 9A also includes other lines of reference, for referring to directions and locations with respect to the container 100.
- a lateral centerline 911 runs parallel to the X-axis.
- An XY plane at the lateral centerline 911 separates the container 100 into a front half and a back half.
- An XZ plane at the lateral centerline 911 separates the container 100 into an upper half and a lower half.
- a longitudinal centerline 914 runs parallel to the Y-axis.
- a YZ plane at the longitudinal centerline 914 separates the container 900 into a left half and a right half.
- a third centerline 917 runs parallel to the Z-axis.
- the lateral centerline 911, the longitudinal centerline 914, and the third centerline 917 all intersect at a center of the container 900.
- the container 900 includes a top 904, a middle 906, and a bottom 908, the front 902-1, the back 902-2, and left and right sides 909.
- the upper half and the lower half of the container are joined together at a seal 929, which extends around the outer periphery of the container 900.
- the bottom of the container 900 is configured in the same way as the top of the container 900.
- the container 900 includes a structural support frame 940, a product volume 950, a dispenser 960, a top panel 980-t and a bottom panel (not shown). A portion of the top panel 980-t is illustrated as broken away, in order to show the product volume 950.
- the product volume 950 is configured to contain one or more fluent products.
- the dispenser 960 allows the container 900 to dispense these fluent product(s) from the product volume 950 through a flow channel 959 then through the dispenser 960, to the environment outside of the container 900.
- the structural support frame 940 supports the mass of fluent product(s) in the product volume 950.
- the top panel 980-t and the bottom panel are relatively flat surfaces, overlaying the product volume 950, and are suitable for displaying any kind of indicia.
- the structural support frame 940 is formed by a plurality of structural support members.
- the structural support frame 940 includes front structural support members 943-1 and 943-2, intermediate structural support members 945-1, 945-2, 945-3, and 945-4, as well as back structural support members 947-1 and 947-2.
- each of the structural support members in the container 900 is oriented horizontally.
- each of the structural support members in the container 900 has a cross-sectional area that is substantially uniform along its length, although in various embodiments, this cross-sectional area can vary.
- Upper structural support members 943-1, 945-1, 945-2, and 947-1 are disposed in an upper part of the middle 906 and in the top 904, while lower structural support members 943-2, 945-4, 945-3, and 947-2 are disposed in a lower part of the middle 906 and in the bottom 908.
- the upper structural support members 943-1, 945-1, 945-2, and 947-1 are disposed above and adjacent to the lower structural support members 943-2, 945-4, 945-3, and 947-2, respectively.
- adjacent upper and lower structural support members can be in contact with each other at one or more relatively smaller locations and/or at one or more relatively larger locations, along part, or parts, or about all, or approximately all, or substantially all, or nearly all, or all of their overall lengths, so long as there is a gap in the contact for the flow channel 959, between the structural support members 943-1 and 943-2.
- the upper and lower structural support members are not directly connected to each other.
- adjacent upper and lower structural support members can be directly connected and/or joined together along part, or parts, or about all, or approximately all, or substantially all, or nearly all, or all of their overall lengths.
- structural support members 943-1, 945-2, 947-1, and 945-1 are joined together to form a top square that is outward from and surrounding the product volume 950, and the ends of structural support members 943-2, 945-3, 947-2, and 945-4 are also joined together to form a bottom square that is outward from and surrounding the product volume 950.
- the ends of the structural support members, which are joined together are directly connected, all around the periphery of their walls.
- any of the structural support members of the embodiment of Figures 9A-9B can be joined together in any way described herein or known in the art.
- adjacent structural support members can be combined into a single structural support member, wherein the combined structural support member can effectively substitute for the adjacent structural support members, as their functions and connections are described herein.
- one or more additional structural support members can be added to the structural support members in the structural support frame 940, wherein the expanded structural support frame can effectively substitute for the structural support frame 940, as its functions and connections are described herein.
- Figures 10A-11B illustrate embodiments of self-supporting flexible containers (that are not stand up containers) having various overall shapes. Any of the embodiments of Figures 10A-11B can be configured according to any of the embodiments disclosed herein, including the embodiments of Figures 9A-9B . Any of the elements (e.g. structural support frames, structural support members, panels, dispensers, etc.) of the embodiments of Figures 10A-11B , can be configured according to any of the embodiments disclosed herein. While each of the embodiments of Figures 10A-11B illustrates a container with one dispenser, in various embodiments, each container can include multiple dispensers, according to any embodiment described herein.
- Part, parts, or about all, or approximately all, or substantially all, or nearly all, or all of each of the panels in the embodiments of Figures 10A-11B is suitable to display any kind of indicia.
- Each of the top and bottom panels in the embodiments of Figures 10A-11B is configured to be a nonstructural panel, overlaying product volume(s) disposed within the flexible container, however, in various embodiments, one or more of any kind of decorative or structural element (such as a rib, protruding from an outer surface) can be joined to part, parts, or about all, or approximately all, or substantially all, or nearly all, or all of any of these panels.
- any of the embodiments of Figures 10A-11B can be configured to include any structure or feature for flexible containers, disclosed herein.
- Figure 10A illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a self-supporting flexible container 1000 (that is not a stand-up flexible container) having a product volume 1050 and an overall shape like a triangle.
- a self-supporting flexible container can have an overall shape like a polygon having any number of sides.
- the support frame 1040 is formed by structural support members disposed along the edges of the triangular shape and joined together at their ends.
- the structural support members define a triangular shaped top panel 1080-t, and a triangular shaped bottom panel (not shown).
- the top panel 1080-t and the bottom panel are about flat, however in various embodiments, part, parts, or about all, or approximately all, or substantially all, or nearly all, or all of any of the side panels can be approximately flat, substantially flat, nearly flat, or completely flat.
- the container 1000 includes a dispenser 1060, which is configured to dispense one or more fluent products from one or more product volumes disposed within the container 1000.
- the dispenser 1060 is disposed in the center of the front, however, in various alternate embodiments, the dispenser 1060 can be disposed anywhere else on the top, sides, or bottom, of the container 1000.
- Figure 10A includes exemplary additional/alternate locations for a dispenser (shown as phantom lines).
- Figure 10B illustrates an end view of the flexible container 1000 of Figure 10B , resting on a horizontal support surface 1001.
- Figure 11A illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a self-supporting flexible container 1100 (that is not a stand-up flexible container) having a product volume 1150 and an overall shape like a circle.
- the support frame 1140 is formed by structural support members disposed around the circumference of the circular shape and joined together at their ends.
- the structural support members define a circular shaped top panel 1180-t, and a circular shaped bottom panel (not shown).
- the top panel 1180-t and the bottom panel are about flat, however in various embodiments, part, parts, or about all, or approximately all, or substantially all, or nearly all, or all of any of the side panels can be approximately flat, substantially flat, nearly flat, or completely flat.
- the container 1100 includes a dispenser 1160, which is configured to dispense one or more fluent products from one or more product volumes disposed within the container 1100.
- the dispenser 1160 is disposed in the center of the front, however, in various alternate embodiments, the dispenser 1160 can be disposed anywhere else on the top, sides, or bottom, of the container 1100.
- Figure 11A includes exemplary additional/alternate locations for a dispenser (shown as phantom lines).
- Figure 11B illustrates an end view of the flexible container 1100 of Figure 10B , resting on a horizontal support surface 1101.
- any self-supporting container with a structural support frame can be configured to have an overall shape that corresponds with any other known three-dimensional shape.
- any self-supporting container with a structural support frame as disclosed herein, can be configured to have an overall shape (when observed from a top view) that corresponds with a rectangle, a polygon (having any number of sides), an oval, an ellipse, a star, or any other shape, or combinations of any of these.
- Figures 12A-14C illustrate various exemplary dispensers, which can be used with the flexible containers disclosed herein.
- Figure 12A illustrates an isometric view of push-pull type dispenser 1260-a.
- Figure 12B illustrates an isometric view of dispenser with a flip-top cap 1260-b.
- Figure 12C illustrates an isometric view of dispenser with a screw-on cap 1260-c.
- Figure 12D illustrates an isometric view of rotatable type dispenser 1260-d.
- Figure 12E illustrates an isometric view of nozzle type dispenser with a cap 1260-d.
- Figure 13A illustrates an isometric view of straw dispenser 1360-a.
- Figure 13B illustrates an isometric view of straw dispenser with a lid 1360-b.
- Figure 13C illustrates an isometric view of flip up straw dispenser 1360-c.
- Figure 13D illustrates an isometric view of straw dispenser with bite valve 1360-d.
- Figure 14A illustrates an isometric view of pump
- Figure 14B illustrates an isometric view of pump spray type dispenser 1460-b.
- Figure 14C illustrates an isometric view of trigger spray type dispenser 1460-c.
- the present disclosure contemplates a method comprising joining two flexible materials together to form a joined material.
- the method also comprises at least partially forming at least one structural support volume from the joined material and forming at least one expansion port in communication with the at least one structural support volume.
- the method further comprises joining an additional flexible material to the joined material to at least partially form a product volume for holding the fluent product and also forming a fill port in communication with the product volume.
- the product volume and the fill port may be formed in the same step or in separate steps.
- the method advantageously comprises at least partially filling the product volume with a quantity of the fluent product through the fill port.
- the method also suitably includes expanding the at least one structural support volume by depositing an expansion material into the structural support volume through the expansion port. After at least partially filling the product volume and depositing the expansion material, the method advantageously comprises sealing the fill and expansion ports.
- the method also contemplates removing substantially all of the fill port and the expansion port at the same time as sealing them.
- the product volume is at least partially filled with a quantity of the fluent product through the fill port, following which the fill port is sealed and, thereafter, the expansion material is deposited into the at least one structural support volume through the expansion port, following which the expansion port is sealed.
- the fill port and the expansion port could both be sealed either at the same time or one at a time in either order after the product volume has been at least partially filled with the fluent product and the expansion material has been deposited into the at least one structural support volume.
- the order in which the product volume has been at least partially filled with the fluent product and the expansion material has been deposited into the at least one structural support volume could be reversed which may be advantageous for some embodiments.
- the fill port and the expansion port are sealed by one or both of heat sealing and ultrasonic welding, and the at least one structural support volume and the product volume are at least partially formed by one of heat sealing and ultrasonic welding.
- the step of joining an additional flexible material to the joined material may comprise folding the joined material at least once and joining the joined material to itself to at least partially form the product volume and the fill port.
- the joined material is suitably folded within a region of the container opposite the fill port and the folded joined material may be joined by a registered cut and seal step to at least partially form the product volume for the fluent product and the fill port communicating with the product volume .
- the step of folding the joined material nay be used to create a fold line on the at least one structural support volume.
- the step of joining an additional flexible material to the joined material may instead comprise joining a separate material to the joined material to at least partially form the product volume and the fill port.
- the two flexible materials are joined together to form the joined material, and the folded joined material is joined to form the product volume by first and second heat sealing steps, respectively.
- the two flexible materials are joined together to form the joined material by a first heat sealing step, and the folded joined material is joined to form the product volume by a cut and seal step.
- the method may advantageously comprise forming a series of the flexible containers wherein each of the flexible containers is at least partially singulated after the heat sealing step or during the cut and seal step to form the product volume.
- the two flexible materials may comprise an inner flexible material and an outer flexible material wherein neither the inner flexible material nor the outer flexible material are registered.
- the two flexible materials may comprise an inner flexible material and an outer flexible material wherein at least the outer flexible material is registered.
- the two flexible materials may comprise an inner flexible material and an outer flexible material wherein both the inner and outer flexible material are registered.
- the inner flexible material and the outer flexible material may suitably comprise the same material or, alternatively, they may comprise different materials.
- the inner flexible material and the outer flexible material may suitably comprise two distinct sheets of material or, alternatively, they may comprise two distinct webs of material.
- the two webs of material may be transported in a machine direction with the expansion port and the fill port being formed for: i) depositing the expansion material through the expansion port in a transverse direction, and ii) at least partially filling the product volume through the fill port in a transverse direction.
- the expansion port and the fill port may be formed for: i) depositing the expansion material through the expansion port at an angle of at least 45 degrees to the machine direction, and ii) at least partially filling the product volume through the fill port at an angle of at least 45 degrees to the machine direction.
- the expansion port and the fill port may be formed for: i) depositing the expansion material through the expansion port counter to the machine direction and ii) at least partially filling the product volume through the fill port counter to the machine direction.
- the flexible container has a top, a bottom, a middle, a front, a back, a left side, and a right side and the fill port and expansion port are formed in at least one of the top, the bottom, the middle, the front, the back, the left side, and the right side for at least partially filling the product volume with a fluent product and depositing an expansion material into the at least one structural support volume, preferably while the container is oriented such that the fill port or expansion port, regardless of where they are located on the flexible container, are facing up. In this manner, depositing a fluent product or an expansion material into the product volume or the at last one structural support volume, respectively, is gravity assisted.
- the expansion material may comprise any of various materials capable of occupying the at least one structural support volume and making it rigid which includes a wide range of materials including, preferably, liquid nitrogen which can be deposited through the expansion port into the at least one structural support volume following which the expansion port can be sealed to allow the liquid nitrogen to change phase or evaporate to pressurize the at least one structural support volume.
- an expansion material fill nozzle may be provided to deposit the expansion material through the expansion port into the at least one structural support volume.
- the expansion material fill nozzle may be caused to undergo movement in relation to the expansion port: i) in at least one direction to locate the expansion material fill nozzle in at least proximity to the expansion port for depositing the expansion material into the at least one structural support volume, and ii) in at least one direction to move the expansion material fill nozzle out of proximity to the expansion port after depositing the expansion material into the at least one structural support volume.
- An expansion port nozzle guide may be located within the expansion port before the expansion material fill nozzle is located in at least proximity to the expansion port, in which case the expansion material fill nozzle may be caused to undergo movement into the expansion port nozzle guide while the expansion port nozzle guide is located in the expansion port, following which the expansion material fill nozzle may be removed from the expansion port nozzle guide before or at the same time as the expansion port nozzle guide is removed from the expansion port.
- an expansion port nozzle guide may be located within the expansion port and the expansion material fill nozzle may be caused to remain stationary and deposit the expansion material through the expansion port nozzle guide into the at least one structural support volume from outside the expansion port and, as a further alternative absent the use of an expansion port fill nozzle, the expansion material fill nozzle may be caused to remain stationary and deposit the expansion material into the at least one structural support volume from outside the expansion port.
- a blast of gas may be directed at or within the expansion port to open the expansion port and/or the structural support volume.
- the expansion port may suitably comprise an open space located between two seals.
- the expansion port is about 3 mm to about 50 mm, more preferably, about 4 mm to about 25mm and, still more preferably, about 5 mm to about 10 mm, in width at the narrowest point, and is about 0.5 cm to about 20 cm, more preferably, about 1 cm to about 15 cm, and about 2 to about 10 cm, in length.
- the expansion port may be defined as a channel extending away from the product volume.
- a fluent product fill nozzle may be provided to deposit the fluent product through the fill port into the product volume, and causing the fluent product fill nozzle to undergo movement in relation to the fill port.
- the fluent product fill nozzle may be caused to undergo movement in at least one direction in relation to the fill port: i) in at least one direction to locate the fluent product fill nozzle in at least proximity to the fill port for depositing the fluent product into the product volume, and ii) in at least one direction to move the fluent product fill nozzle out of proximity to the fill port after depositing the fluent product into the product volume.
- a fill port guide nozzle may be located within the fill port before the fluent product fill nozzle is located at least in proximity to the fill port, in which case the fluent product fill nozzle may be caused to undergo movement into the fill port nozzle guide while the fill port nozzle guide is located in the fill port, following which the fluent product fill nozzle may be removed from the fill port nozzle guide before or at the same time as the fill port guide nozzle is removed from the fill port.
- a fill port nozzle guide may be located within the fill port and the fluent product fill nozzle may be caused to remain stationary and deposit the fluent product through the fill port nozzle guide into the product volume from outside the fill port and, as a further alternative absent the use of a fill port nozzle guide the fluent product fill nozzle may be caused to remain stationary and deposit the fluent product into the product volume from outside the fill port.
- a blast of gas may be directed at or within the fill port to open the fill port and/or product volume.
- the fill port may suitably comprise an open space located between two seals, preferably, about 5 mm to about 500 mm, more preferably, about 10 mm to about 200 mm, still more preferably, about 10 mm to about 100 mm, and still more preferably about 25 mm to about 75 mm, in width at the narrowest point, and is about 0.5 cm to about 20 cm, more preferably, about 1 cm to about 15 cm, and about 2 to about 10 cm, in length.
- the fill port may be defined as a channel extending away from the product volume.
- the product volume may be filled with a quantity of the fluent product comprising between about 1% and about 100%, preferably, between about 50% and about 100%, and more preferably, between about 75% and about 100%, of the total available volume of the product volume.
- the method includes the step of removing at least some air, preferably, most of the air and, more preferably, about all of the air from the product volume before sealing the fill port. In some embodiments this would not be air, but would comprise removing whatever gas the package is being manufactured in (e.g. in a CO-rich environment, or a nitrogen-rich environment).
- the flexible container is preferably formed to have a top and a bottom and to include a base structure formed from the joined material by folding over the joined material at the bottom of the flexible container and forming a seal.
- a gusset may be provided in the base structure by forming a seal therein.
- a product dispensing port which may or may not comprise the fill port, may be formed to be in communication with the product volume, and it is sealed, openable for dispensing the fluent product, and closable after dispensing the fluent product.
- the method also contemplates forming one or more holes in at least one of the two flexible materials joined to comprise the joined material in a portion of the joined material to be folded over at the bottom of the flexible container to be formed into the base structure.
- the method may advantageously include opening the fill port before at least partially filling the product volume with a quantity of the fluent product through the fill port.
- the fill port may suitably be opened by gripping the flexible container at at least two selected points which are moved closer together. This may comprise mechanical or pneumatic gripping through clamps. Additionally, the fill port may be opened by using a gripper to selectively grip and release the flexible container through a front and a back. This additional gripper may comprise a vacuum for applying a suction to the front and the back of the flexible container to open the fill port for depositing the fluent product.
- These gripping strategies may be used separately or in combination with each other or other gripping strategies.
- the method may also include opening the expansion port before depositing an expansion material into the at least one structural support volume through the expansion port.
- the expansion port may also be opened by gripping the flexible container at at least two selected points which are moved closer together. This may comprise mechanical or pneumatic gripping through clamps.
- the expansion port may be opened by using a gripper to selectively grip and release the flexible container through a front and a back.
- the gripper may comprise a vacuum for applying a suction to the front and the back of the flexible container to open the expansion port for depositing the expansion material.
- a production line 1500 is illustrated for performing the method of forming a flexible container in accordance with the disclosure.
- the production line 1500 includes a pair of unwind stands 1502a, 1502b for unwinding first and second webs 1504a, 1504b, in a controlled manner.
- the unwind stands 1502a, 1502b introduce tension into the respective webs 1504a, 1504b.
- the first and second webs each pass through a meter unit 1506, 1508 which in concert with 1511 (1511 being a meter unit for one web), equalize the tension in the webs, a sensor system located at position 1509 enables registration and/or alignment of artwork on one or both of the webs 1504a, 1504b, and a punch created by 1510.
- the punch 1510 provides access through an outer layer of a joined material for performing a sealing operation 1534. From this point, the webs 1504a, 1504b proceed to a sealing station 1512 comprising a rotary sealer to at least partially form one or more structural support volumes.
- the sealing station 1512 can form complex nonlinear heat seals through two or more layers, e.g., an inner layer and an outer layer, to thereby at least partially form one or more structural support volumes as well as one or more expansion ports for receiving an expansion material, e.g., liquid nitrogen.
- layers e.g., an inner layer and an outer layer
- the joined webs 1504a, 1504b pass through a folding station 1514 to fold over the two more layers of the joined webs to form the first fold of a gusset.
- the joined and folded webs pass through a sealing station 1516 where the now four or more layers, e.g., outer-inner-inner-outer layers, pass through a rotary sealer to seal a first half of the gusset and define the product dispensing port.
- the joined and folded webs pass through a rotary cutting die 1518 to cut and trim around the product dispensing port for the flexible container.
- the joined and folded webs pass through a folding station 1520 where folding horns continue gusset formation.
- the joined and folded webs pass through another folding station 1522 where folding horns/rails complete gusset formation.
- the joined and folded webs pass through another sealing station 1524 where a rotary sealer seals the second half of the gusset.
- the joined and folded webs pass through a cutting station 1526 where a rotary cutter trims around the expansion port and the fill port.
- the joined and folded webs pass through a final folding station 1528 to collapse the T-fold to flat in order to finish forming the gusset in the now 6 to 8 layer region.
- the joined and folded webs pass through another sealing station 1530 where a further heat seal is formed in the now 6 to 8 layer region to provide structure for the gusset.
- the joined and folded web passes through another sealing station 1532 where a perimeter seal is partially formed to at least partially form the product volume and then the joined and folded web passes through still another sealing station 1534 where the perimeter seal is fully formed in the now 8 to 4 layer transition point.
- the joined and folded web passes through a rotary cutting die 1536 to complete the production of a fully formed singulated flexible container blank from the folded and joined web.
- the container passes through a container blank processing station 1538 where each singulated container can be gripped for further processing.
- the flexible container is gripped for transport at a gripping station 1540.
- the flexible container passes through an opening and filling station 1542 where a fluent product is deposited through the fill port of the flexible container to at least partially fill the product volume.
- the flexible container passes through a package deflation and sealing station 1544 where excess air is removed from the product volume to bring the fluent product up to a desired fill level and the product fill port is sealed or partially sealed to confine the fluent product within the product volume.
- the flexible container With a flexible container having the fluent product in the product volume, the flexible container passes through another filling station 1546 where an expansion material, e.g., liquid nitrogen, is deposited through the expansion port into the at least one structural support volume.
- an expansion material e.g., liquid nitrogen
- the flexible container passes through a seal/cut station 1548 where the expansion port is sealed to confine the expansion material within the at least one structural support volume, any unsealed portion of the product fill port is sealed to confine the fluent product within the product volume and cut to remove the fill port and the expansion port and finalize the flexible container.
- sealing the expansion port allows the liquid nitrogen to evaporate to pressurize the at least one structural support volume.
- the flexible container may be grouped with other flexible containers at 1550, the grouped flexible containers may be inserted into secondary packaging for shipment, and the secondary packaging may be transported to a unit loader.
- Figures 16A and 16B illustrates the first and second webs 1504a, 1504b after leaving the sealing station 1512 to join the webs together while initiating the at least partial formation of one or more structural support volumes as well as one or more expansion ports for receiving an expansion material, e.g., liquid nitrogen.
- Figures 17A and 17B illustrate the first and second webs 1504a, 1504b after leaving the folding station 1514 where the two or more layers of the webs have been folded over to form the first fold of a gusset.
- Figures 18A and 18B illustrate the joined and folded webs 1504a, 1504b after passing through the sealing station 1516 where the now four or more layers, e.g., outer-inner-inner-outer layers, have passed through a rotary sealer to seal a first half of the gusset and the product dispensing port.
- Figures 19A and 19B illustrate the joined and folded webs 1504a, 1504b after pass through a rotary cutting die 1518 to cut and trim the product dispensing port for the flexible container.
- Figures 20A and 20B illustrate the joined and folded webs 1504a, 1504b after passing through a folding station 1520 where folding horns continuing gusset formation.
- Figures 21A and 21B illustrate the joined and folded webs 1504a, 1504b after passing through another folding station 1522 where folding horns/rails complete gusset formation.
- Figures 22A and 22B illustrate the joined and folded webs 1504a, 1504b after passing through another sealing station 1524 where a rotary sealer seals the second half of the gusset.
- Figure 23 illustrates the joined and folded web 1504a, 1504b after passing through another sealing station 1532 where a perimeter seal is partially formed and after passing through still another sealing station 1534 where the perimeter seal is fully formed in the now 8 to 4 layer transition point.
- Figures 24A, 24B, and 24C illustrate the joined and folded web 1504a, 1504b after passing through a rotary cutting die 1536 to complete the production of a fully formed singulated flexible container from the folded and joined web.
- Figure 25 illustrates the fully formed singulated flexible container before passing through a seal/cut station 1548 where the expansion port is sealed to confine the expansion material within the at least one structural support volume and cut to remove the fill port and the expansion port and finalize the flexible container for shipment.
- Part, parts, or all of any of the embodiments disclosed herein can be combined with part, parts, or all of other embodiments known in the art of flexible containers, including those described below.
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Claims (15)
- Procédé de formage d'un récipient souple, comprenant :le raccordement conjoint d'un premier matériau souple (1504a) et d'un deuxième matériau souple (1504b), pour former un matériau réuni ;caractérisé en ce que le procédé comprend en outre :l'utilisation du matériau réuni, en formant au moins partiellement (1512) un volume de support structural (144-1, 146-1, 146-2 et 148-1) inclus dans un élément de support structural conçu pour être dans un cadre de support structural autour d'un ou plusieurs espaces vides notables et/ou un ou plusieurs panneaux non structuraux, et un orifice d'expansion (LN2) en communication avec le volume de support structural ; eten joignant un troisième matériau souple au matériau réuni, en formant au moins partiellement un volume de produit (150) ; et un orifice de remplissage en communication avec le volume de produit.
- Procédé selon la revendication 1, comprenant en outre le dépôt d'un matériau d'expansion dans le volume de support structural, à travers l'orifice d'expansion.
- Procédé selon la revendication 2, dans lequel le dépôt se produit tandis que le récipient en cours de formation est retourné.
- Procédé selon la revendication 3, dans lequel la formation de l'orifice de remplissage se produit tandis que le récipient en cours de formation est retourné.
- Procédé selon la revendication 4, dans lequel la formation de l'orifice d'expansion se produit tandis que le récipient en cours de formation est retourné.
- Procédé selon la revendication 2, dans lequel le dépôt inclut le dépôt du matériau d'expansion, qui comprend un ou plusieurs matériaux à changement de phase.
- Procédé selon la revendication 6, dans lequel le dépôt inclut le dépôt du matériau d'expansion, qui inclut de l'azote liquide.
- Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 2 à 7, comprenant en outre, avant le dépôt, l'ouverture de l'orifice d'expansion par préhension du récipient souple avec un ou plusieurs organes de préhension à vide.
- Procédé selon l'une quelconque revendication précédente, dans lequel la formation de l'orifice d'expansion inclut la formation de l'orifice d'expansion à partir d'un espace ouvert situé entre deux joints des matériaux réunis.
- Procédé selon la revendication 9, dans lequel la formation de l'orifice d'expansion inclut la formation de l'orifice d'expansion à partir de l'espace ouvert, qui a une largeur minimale d'environ 5 millimètres à environ 10 millimètres.
- Procédé selon l'une quelconque revendication précédente, dans lequel la formation de l'orifice de remplissage inclut la formation de l'orifice de remplissage à partir d'un espace ouvert situé entre deux joints des matériaux réunis.
- Procédé selon la revendication 11, dans lequel la formation de l'orifice de remplissage inclut la formation de l'orifice de remplissage à partir de l'espace ouvert, qui a une largeur minimale d'environ 25 millimètres à environ 75 millimètres.
- Procédé selon l'une quelconque revendication précédente, dans lequel la formation de l'orifice de remplissage inclut la formation de l'orifice de remplissage, qui est également conçu pour être un orifice de distribution de produit.
- Procédé selon l'une quelconque revendication précédente, comprenant en outre l'élimination de l'air du volume de produit.
- Procédé selon l'une quelconque revendication précédente, comprenant en outre :l'ouverture de l'orifice de remplissage par préhension du récipient souple avec un ou plusieurs organes de préhension à vide ; etaprès l'ouverture, l'ajout d'un produit fluide au volume de produit, à travers l'orifice de remplissage.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US201361861118P | 2013-08-01 | 2013-08-01 | |
PCT/US2014/049057 WO2015017621A1 (fr) | 2013-08-01 | 2014-07-31 | Procédé de formation d'un récipient souple |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP3027513A1 EP3027513A1 (fr) | 2016-06-08 |
EP3027513B1 true EP3027513B1 (fr) | 2017-09-27 |
Family
ID=51383929
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP14753178.4A Active EP3027513B1 (fr) | 2013-08-01 | 2014-07-31 | Procédé de formation d'un récipient souple |
Country Status (8)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US20150033671A1 (fr) |
EP (1) | EP3027513B1 (fr) |
JP (1) | JP2016525050A (fr) |
CN (1) | CN105473447B (fr) |
BR (1) | BR112016002169A2 (fr) |
CA (1) | CA2918405A1 (fr) |
MX (1) | MX2016001441A (fr) |
WO (1) | WO2015017621A1 (fr) |
Families Citing this family (33)
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RU2606941C2 (ru) | 2012-05-07 | 2017-01-10 | Дзе Проктер Энд Гэмбл Компани | Эластичные контейнеры |
EP2879971B1 (fr) | 2012-08-06 | 2017-02-01 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Procédés de fabrication de récipients souples |
CN105408226B (zh) | 2013-08-01 | 2018-06-08 | 宝洁公司 | 具有表面元件的一次性柔性容器 |
EP3027529B1 (fr) | 2013-08-01 | 2017-10-04 | The Procter and Gamble Company | Contenants flexibles à soudure améliorée et leurs procédés de fabrication |
EP3066024B1 (fr) | 2013-11-06 | 2017-12-20 | The Procter and Gamble Company | Contenants flexibles dotés de systèmes d'évents |
US10131468B2 (en) | 2013-11-06 | 2018-11-20 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Flexible containers and methods of forming the same |
MX2016005516A (es) | 2013-11-06 | 2016-07-22 | Procter & Gamble | Envases flexibles y metodos para su fabricacion. |
EP3066021B1 (fr) | 2013-11-06 | 2018-02-14 | The Procter and Gamble Company | Récipients souples et leurs procédés de formage |
CA2927199C (fr) | 2013-11-06 | 2019-06-18 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Contenants flexibles presentant des valves flexibles |
BR112016010209A2 (pt) | 2013-11-06 | 2017-08-08 | Procter & Gamble | recipientes flexíveis e métodos para a produção dos mesmos |
EP3233662A1 (fr) | 2014-12-19 | 2017-10-25 | The Procter and Gamble Company | Procédé de fabrication d'une gamme de récipients flexibles |
WO2016100760A1 (fr) | 2014-12-19 | 2016-06-23 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Contenants flexibles à dimensionnement facilement variable |
EP3233661A1 (fr) | 2014-12-19 | 2017-10-25 | The Procter and Gamble Company | Groupe de récipients flexibles |
WO2016164686A1 (fr) | 2015-04-10 | 2016-10-13 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Récipients souples dotés d'une visibilité de distribution de produit |
KR101969665B1 (ko) | 2015-04-10 | 2019-04-16 | 더 프록터 앤드 갬블 캄파니 | 보강 시일을 가진 가요성 용기 |
EP3280657B1 (fr) * | 2015-04-10 | 2019-09-04 | The Procter and Gamble Company | Contenants souples à coins froncés |
US9988190B2 (en) | 2015-04-10 | 2018-06-05 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Flexible containers with biased dispensing |
WO2016179135A1 (fr) * | 2015-05-06 | 2016-11-10 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Procédé pour former des récipients souples comportant des soufflets |
USD789215S1 (en) | 2015-05-08 | 2017-06-13 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Flexible container for fluent products |
WO2017004106A1 (fr) | 2015-06-30 | 2017-01-05 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Récipients souples comportant des parties amovibles |
US10183785B2 (en) | 2016-04-26 | 2019-01-22 | The Proctor & Gamble Company | Flexible containers with venting structure |
US10457457B2 (en) | 2016-04-26 | 2019-10-29 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Flexible containers with bottom support structure |
WO2018156308A1 (fr) | 2017-02-21 | 2018-08-30 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Procédés de fabrication de récipients souples ventilés |
US11111036B2 (en) | 2017-02-22 | 2021-09-07 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Methods of making flexible containers with structural support frames |
US20180257836A1 (en) | 2017-03-08 | 2018-09-13 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Flexible containers with graphics of rigid containers |
EP3601068A1 (fr) | 2017-03-24 | 2020-02-05 | The Procter and Gamble Company | Procédés d'ouverture de récipients souples |
US10836528B2 (en) * | 2017-04-27 | 2020-11-17 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Methods of sealing flexible containers with expansion materials |
EP3615431B1 (fr) | 2017-04-27 | 2021-10-06 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Procédés d'ajout de matériau d'expansion à des contenants souples |
US11338975B2 (en) | 2018-05-16 | 2022-05-24 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Container blanks for flexible packages and methods of making flexible packages |
WO2020018762A1 (fr) * | 2018-07-20 | 2020-01-23 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Conditionnement souple pour expédition |
US11897682B2 (en) | 2020-03-13 | 2024-02-13 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Flexible package |
JPWO2021224995A1 (fr) | 2020-05-08 | 2021-11-11 | ||
US11858713B2 (en) | 2020-10-30 | 2024-01-02 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Inflation feature for package, inflation rig assembly, and method of inflating |
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US3975885A (en) * | 1972-03-02 | 1976-08-24 | Carlisle Richard S | Methods for producing filled containers |
FR2417445A2 (fr) * | 1978-02-15 | 1979-09-14 | Vittel Eaux Min | Recipient en matiere synthetique, mince et souple |
IT1141363B (it) * | 1980-02-07 | 1986-10-01 | Grace Italiana Spa | Sacca di materiale plastico di tipo perfezionato e metodo di conservazione e distribuzione di liquidi usando la sacca stessa |
US4793121A (en) * | 1987-01-02 | 1988-12-27 | Jamison Mark D | Dispensing spout pre-forming system for pouch |
US4988016A (en) | 1989-01-30 | 1991-01-29 | James P. Hawkins | Self-sealing container |
DE3930829A1 (de) * | 1989-09-14 | 1991-03-28 | Indag Gmbh | Vorrichtung zum fuellen von gefalteten folienbeuteln |
US5170609A (en) * | 1991-01-22 | 1992-12-15 | Hershey Foods Corporation | Fluidic deflator means and method for article packaging |
SE9602739D0 (sv) * | 1996-07-10 | 1996-07-10 | Ingemar Naeslund | Förpackning |
JP3138916B2 (ja) * | 1996-12-24 | 2001-02-26 | 株式会社シンセイ | 間歇回転形充填包装機における熱シール時の真空方法 |
US6444064B1 (en) | 1997-12-19 | 2002-09-03 | Procter & Gamble Company | Registration system for phasing simultaneously advancing webs of material having variable pitch lengths |
JPH11227793A (ja) * | 1998-02-12 | 1999-08-24 | Kao Corp | 自立性可撓袋 |
US6520491B2 (en) * | 1998-03-20 | 2003-02-18 | Brian C. Timlick | Impact attenuation |
JP2001179856A (ja) * | 1999-12-28 | 2001-07-03 | Hoyu Co Ltd | 染毛用製品の製造方法 |
DE60209259T2 (de) | 2001-11-16 | 2006-11-02 | 3M Innovative Properties Co., St. Paul | Aufblasbares verpackungsschutzsystem mit niedrigem profil |
US7585528B2 (en) * | 2001-12-19 | 2009-09-08 | Cryovac, Inc. | Package having an inflated frame |
JP4362389B2 (ja) * | 2004-02-23 | 2009-11-11 | 株式会社吉野工業所 | 取手付薄肉ブロー容器 |
US7351188B2 (en) * | 2004-08-05 | 2008-04-01 | Illinois Tool Works Inc. | Hooded reclosable packages and related methods of manufacture |
AU2005304853B2 (en) | 2004-11-05 | 2011-02-10 | Mark Steele | Package having a fluid actuated closure |
DE202005016704U1 (de) * | 2005-01-17 | 2006-03-16 | Georg Menshen Gmbh & Co. Kg | Beutel zur Aufnahme von Flüssigkeiten, Schüttgütern oder Gegenständen |
JP4684079B2 (ja) * | 2005-10-25 | 2011-05-18 | 東洋自動機株式会社 | エアバッグ付き袋及びその製造方法並びにエアバッグ付き袋への気体封入方法及びエアバッグ付き袋の包装方法 |
WO2010148433A2 (fr) * | 2009-06-21 | 2010-12-29 | John Thomas Riedl | Bouteille compressible, procédé de fabrication dune ébauche dune telle bouteille et système de distribution de bouteilles remplies dune boisson |
EP2646332B1 (fr) * | 2010-11-29 | 2015-08-26 | Ian Darby | Récipient et découpe de récipient |
ES2541752T3 (es) * | 2012-02-23 | 2015-07-24 | Cryovac, Inc. | Bolsa y procedimiento de fabricación de la misma |
RU2606941C2 (ru) | 2012-05-07 | 2017-01-10 | Дзе Проктер Энд Гэмбл Компани | Эластичные контейнеры |
RU2015101785A (ru) * | 2012-06-22 | 2016-08-10 | Нестек С.А. | Упаковка для пищевых продуктов и способы ее использования |
EP2879971B1 (fr) | 2012-08-06 | 2017-02-01 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Procédés de fabrication de récipients souples |
US20140053945A1 (en) * | 2012-08-27 | 2014-02-27 | Kenneth B. Albritton | Storage and dispensing bag and method of dispensing contents from the same |
-
2014
- 2014-07-31 MX MX2016001441A patent/MX2016001441A/es unknown
- 2014-07-31 US US14/448,491 patent/US20150033671A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2014-07-31 BR BR112016002169A patent/BR112016002169A2/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2014-07-31 JP JP2016530103A patent/JP2016525050A/ja active Pending
- 2014-07-31 WO PCT/US2014/049057 patent/WO2015017621A1/fr active Application Filing
- 2014-07-31 CA CA2918405A patent/CA2918405A1/fr active Pending
- 2014-07-31 CN CN201480042686.9A patent/CN105473447B/zh active Active
- 2014-07-31 EP EP14753178.4A patent/EP3027513B1/fr active Active
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
None * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CN105473447A (zh) | 2016-04-06 |
US20150033671A1 (en) | 2015-02-05 |
MX2016001441A (es) | 2016-08-03 |
EP3027513A1 (fr) | 2016-06-08 |
CN105473447B (zh) | 2018-11-09 |
CA2918405A1 (fr) | 2015-02-05 |
BR112016002169A2 (pt) | 2017-08-01 |
WO2015017621A1 (fr) | 2015-02-05 |
JP2016525050A (ja) | 2016-08-22 |
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