WO2000018650A1 - Recipient souple jetable - Google Patents

Recipient souple jetable Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2000018650A1
WO2000018650A1 PCT/US1999/021783 US9921783W WO0018650A1 WO 2000018650 A1 WO2000018650 A1 WO 2000018650A1 US 9921783 W US9921783 W US 9921783W WO 0018650 A1 WO0018650 A1 WO 0018650A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
container
flexible container
flange
side walls
combination
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1999/021783
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
John Tagarelli
Original Assignee
H.J. Heinz Company
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by H.J. Heinz Company filed Critical H.J. Heinz Company
Priority to AU62565/99A priority Critical patent/AU6256599A/en
Publication of WO2000018650A1 publication Critical patent/WO2000018650A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D77/00—Packages formed by enclosing articles or materials in preformed containers, e.g. boxes, cartons, sacks or bags
    • B65D77/04—Articles or materials enclosed in two or more containers disposed one within another
    • B65D77/06—Liquids or semi-liquids or other materials or articles enclosed in flexible containers disposed within rigid containers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to containers in general.
  • the present invention relates to a disposable flexible container configured to substantially conform to the inner walls of a rigid holder member.
  • Salad bars and self-service food stations appear regularly, not only in restaurants, but in other locations as well, such as grocery stores and convenience stores.
  • Food items that are located in such food stations are usually held in rigid containers. These containers are also sometimes placed in a holder, or arranged in a loose array, thereby providing a station of various food items which are readily accessible to the customer.
  • convenience stores oftentimes sell hot dogs and other sandwich type products.
  • the convenience store will typically offer condiments such as mustard, mayonnaise, ketchup, etc. to dress the hot dog or other sandwich items. Large quantities of these condiments are oftentimes stored in the rigid containers mentioned above.
  • Each individual container must be filled. Usually, the food items are bought from a wholesaler in the form of large containers. The food items must then be transferred from these large containers to the smaller rigid containers. This transfer is labor intensive, time consuming, and can be difficult to accomplish due the difference in size between the rigid container and the original large container, resulting in spillage and waste.
  • Another disadvantage with the conventional arrangement is that the containers must be cleaned frequently. Once again, this cleaning operation is labor intensive and time consuming. If this cleaning operation is not performed properly, sanitary problems can arise.
  • Yet another disadvantage with the conventional arrangement is that one a container is filled with a particular food item, one must wait until the food item contained within the container is completely used up, or must discard the unused portion of the food item, in order to clean the container or make it available for a different use. Obviously, this is an inconvenience and promotes waste.
  • the present invention provides a flexible container that can be filled with a particular product or food item.
  • a flexible container constructed according to the principles of the present invention has a body including a bottom, side walls, and a radially outward extending flange.
  • the flexible container is sized and shaped such that it conforms to the interior of a predetermined rigid container.
  • the present invention also encompasses the combination of a substantially rigid container having an interior walls, and a relatively flexible container disposed in a nested relationship with said rigid container such that it substantially covers the interior walls of the rigid container.
  • the rigid container includes a body having a bottom, side walls defining an opening, and a flange extending outwardly from the side walls.
  • the relatively flexible container includes a body having a bottom, side walls defining an opening, and a flange extending outwardly from the side walls.
  • the flexible container is made from a material that possesses sufficient flexibility such that it substantially conforms to the interior walls of the - rigid container when placed therein.
  • the flexible container is factory-filled with a particular food item and sealed shut with a separate top.
  • the flexible container can be sold empty, and can be placed in a rigid container by the purchaser/user. In this embodiment, the purchaser/user fills the rigid container which has been lined with the flexible container with a particular product or food item.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of a flexible container constructed according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 2 is a perspective view of the flexible container of Figure 1 of the present invention being placed within a rigid container
  • Figure 3 is a perspective view of an opening procedure of a sealed flexible container housed within a rigid container
  • Figure 4 is a perspective view similar to Figure 1 of an alternative embodiment of a flexible container of the present invention.
  • Figure 5 is a perspective view of rigid container housing a flexible container of the present invention.
  • Figure 6 is a perspective view of a rigid container housing a flexible container of the present invention closed with a lid member.
  • the flexible container 100 shown in Figure 1 includes a body 105 and top 116.
  • the body 105 has side walls 110 defining a central opening 114, a bottom 111, and a radially outward extending flange 112.
  • the top or cover 116 is attached to the flexible container 100, preferably by being attached to the flange portion 112.
  • the top 116 can be of any suitable size or configuration.
  • the periphery of top 116 is generally the same size and shape as the periphery of the flange 112.
  • the top 116 may be attached to the flexible container
  • the container 100 in any suitable manner, such as by heat sealing.
  • the container 100 can be made from any suitable flexible material.
  • the material of container 100 should be chemically inert with respect to any food items placed therein, and should be flexible enough to easily conform to the interior of a rigid container.
  • One such material for forming the body 105 of the container 100 is a nylon-EVOH-polyethylene material having a thickness on the order of 6 mils.
  • the top 116 can be formed of the same material, but having a thickness on the order of about 4 mils.
  • the body 105 is fabricated, filled with product via the central opening 114, then sealed shut by attaching the top 116 to the flange 112.
  • the filled and sealed flexible container 100 is then shipped to the purchaser /user who can then place the flexible container 100 into a rigid container 200 in a nested relationship as illustrated in Figure 2.
  • the placement of the filled container 100 into an existing rigid container represents an alternative to placing the food product directly in the rigid container.
  • the manufacturer it is also possible for the manufacturer to package the filled flexible container 100 together with a rigid container 200 so that the two containers can be sold together as a unit.
  • a typical rigid container 200 includes a body 201.
  • the body 201 includes side walls 202, a bottom 203, a flange 204, and an interior defined by interior walls 206.
  • the rigid container 200 is typically made of a rigid plastic material, although other materials are possible.
  • the flexible container 100 possesses a size, shape, and an adequate degree of flexibility that enables it to substantially conform to the interior walls 206 of the rigid container 200.
  • the bottom 111 of the flexible container 100 rests upon and is supported by the bottom of rigid container 200.
  • the flange 112 of the flexible container 10 extends over and rests on the flange 204 of the rigid container 200.
  • the flange 112 of the flexible container may not completely overlap the flange 204 of the rigid container 200.
  • a pump device can be used to dispense the food product from the flexible container 100.
  • the stem of a suitable pump device (not shown) can be punched through the top 116.
  • a pumping device may include a portion adapted to engage the flange 204 of the rigid container, thereby providing support for operation of the pump.
  • the present invention there is no need to transfer product or food items from a larger container to a rigid container. Once all of the product housed within the flexible container 100 has been consumed, the flexible container 100 can simply be thrown away. Also, because the rigid container 200 is essentially shielded from contact with the product or food item by the flexible container 100, cleaning is either unnecessary or minimal. Also, if the rigid container 200 is needed for another use before all of the product contained within the flexible container 100 has been consumed, one simply lifts flexible container 100 out of the rigid container 200 by grasping the flange 112. The product remaining inside does not have to be discarded or transferred to a different container.
  • the flexible container 100 is filled with a food product, sealed shut with the top 116, and placed within the rigid container 200.
  • a flexible container 100' constructed essentially in the same manner described above having an uncovered central opening 114' can be manufactured and provided to the purchaser who places it within a rigid container and then fills the empty flexible container with the food product.
  • Such an alternative possesses all of the advantages of the embodiment described above, except that an initial transfer of product by the purchaser is required. However, this may be more convenient in certain instances as it allows the purchaser to place a product of their own choosing into the flexible container 100.
  • Figures 5 and 6 illustrate the flexible container 100 positioned in a rigid container 200.
  • Figures 5 and 6 illustrate a reclosable lid 300 adapted to be removably mounted on the rigid container 200.
  • the reclosable lid 300 associated with the rigid container 200 can be used to close and store unused product remaining in the flexible container 100. That is, if it is necessary to store away the food product in the flexible container 100, the reclosable lid 300 can simply be fitted to the top of the rigid container 200 with the flexible container 100 remaining in the rigid container. If the food product is to be refrigerated, the lid 300 can be placed on the rigid container 200 to cover the flexible container 100 containing the food product, and the covered rigid container can then be placed in the refrigerator. Of course, the lid 300 can be replaced with any suitable alternative cover member.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)

Abstract

Récipient souple (100) pouvant être rempli d'un produit ou aliment déterminé, dont la forme et la taille lui permettent d'être placé à l'intérieur d'un récipient rigide (200). Le récipient souple (100) est rempli en usine avec un aliment déterminé, puis scellé avec un opercule (116). Le récipient souple plein et operculé peut éventuellement être accompagné d'un récipient rigide et d'un couvercle réutilisable. Le récipient souple peut également être vendu vide et il peut être associé à un récipient rigide. Dans ce cas de figure, l'utilisateur remplit le récipient rigide, doublé du récipient souple, avec un produit ou aliment déterminé.
PCT/US1999/021783 1998-09-25 1999-09-24 Recipient souple jetable WO2000018650A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU62565/99A AU6256599A (en) 1998-09-25 1999-09-24 Flexible disposable container

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10181598P 1998-09-25 1998-09-25
US60/101,815 1998-09-25

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2000018650A1 true WO2000018650A1 (fr) 2000-04-06

Family

ID=22286558

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1999/021783 WO2000018650A1 (fr) 1998-09-25 1999-09-24 Recipient souple jetable

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU6256599A (fr)
WO (1) WO2000018650A1 (fr)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1344723A1 (fr) * 2002-03-15 2003-09-17 L'oreal Ensemble pour le conditionnement d'un produit, notamment cosmétique
WO2014096270A1 (fr) * 2012-12-20 2014-06-26 Nestec S.A. Sachet souple ayant une ouverture plus grande
US10294009B2 (en) 2015-01-16 2019-05-21 Conopco, Inc. Cleaning liquid dispensing system
US10370167B2 (en) 2015-01-06 2019-08-06 Conopco, Inc. Cleaning liquid dispensing system

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2657998A (en) * 1950-05-04 1953-11-03 Peters Leo Soft plastic food package
US5281453A (en) * 1990-01-16 1994-01-25 Idemitsu Petrochemical Co., Ltd. Multilayer composites and easily openable containers

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2657998A (en) * 1950-05-04 1953-11-03 Peters Leo Soft plastic food package
US5281453A (en) * 1990-01-16 1994-01-25 Idemitsu Petrochemical Co., Ltd. Multilayer composites and easily openable containers

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1344723A1 (fr) * 2002-03-15 2003-09-17 L'oreal Ensemble pour le conditionnement d'un produit, notamment cosmétique
FR2837176A1 (fr) * 2002-03-15 2003-09-19 Oreal Ensemble pour le conditionnement d'un produit, notamment cosmetique
US6923347B2 (en) 2002-03-15 2005-08-02 L'oreal Assembly for packaging a product, especially a cosmetic product
WO2014096270A1 (fr) * 2012-12-20 2014-06-26 Nestec S.A. Sachet souple ayant une ouverture plus grande
CN104884358A (zh) * 2012-12-20 2015-09-02 雀巢产品技术援助有限公司 具有更大开口的柔性袋
EP2935032B1 (fr) 2012-12-20 2018-02-21 Nestec S.A. Poche souple avec ouverture plus grande
US10501250B2 (en) 2012-12-20 2019-12-10 Sociétédes Produits Nestlés.A. Flexible pouch with a larger opening
US10370167B2 (en) 2015-01-06 2019-08-06 Conopco, Inc. Cleaning liquid dispensing system
US10294009B2 (en) 2015-01-16 2019-05-21 Conopco, Inc. Cleaning liquid dispensing system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU6256599A (en) 2000-04-17

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