Patent Application
20220227558
Known are flexible containers that are used to store, transport, and dispense a flowable material. Large, gusseted flexible containers having handles on the top and the bottom of the container are becoming increasingly available. The requisite two-hand operation of the dual handle container has several drawbacks. The non-rigid and pliable nature of the flexible container requires two-hand operation to avoid spillage while dispensing. The operator's care and attention is further required during the entire dispensing sequence to ensure the container handle does not get in the way of the dispensing flow and invoke spillage.
The art recognizes the need for flexible containers with improved handling and dispensing control.
Disclosed herein is a flexible container. In an embodiment, the flexible container includes a front panel, a rear panel, a first gusseted side panel, and a second gusseted side panel. The gusseted side panels adjoin the front panel and the rear panel along peripheral seals to form (i) a top portion, (ii) a body portion, and (iii) a bottom portion. The top portion comprises a neck and a fitment in the neck. The top portion comprises a top handle extending above the fitment, the top handle having a reciprocal attachment member. The bottom portion comprises a bottom handle and a tether extending from the bottom handle. A distal end of the tether has an attachment member, the attachment member adapted to secure to the reciprocal attachment member.
Also disclosed herein is a process. In an embodiment, the process includes providing a flexible container comprising a front panel, a rear panel, a first gusseted side panel, and a second gusseted side panel. The gusseted side panels adjoin the front panel and the rear panel along peripheral seals to form (i) a top portion, (ii) a body portion, and (iii) a bottom portion. The top portion comprises a neck and a fitment in the neck. The top portion comprises a top handle extending above the fitment, the top handle having a reciprocal attachment member. The bottom portion comprises a bottom handle and a tether extending from the bottom handle. A distal end of the tether has an attachment member, the attachment member adapted to secure to the reciprocal attachment member. The process includes securing the attachment member to the reciprocal attachment member.
All references to the Periodic Table of the Elements herein shall refer to the Periodic Table of the Elements, published and copyrighted by CRC Press, Inc., 2003. Also, any references to a Group or Groups shall be to the Group or Groups reflected in this Periodic Table of the Elements using the IUPAC system for numbering groups.
For purposes of United States patent practice, the contents of any referenced patent, patent application or publication are incorporated by reference in their entirety (or its equivalent US version is so incorporated by reference) especially with respect to the disclosure of definitions (to the extent not inconsistent with any definitions specifically provided in this disclosure) and general knowledge in the art.
The numerical ranges disclosed herein include all values from, and including, the lower value and the upper value. For ranges containing explicit values (e.g., a range from 1, or 2, or 3 to 5, or 6, or 7) any subrange between any two explicit values is included (e.g., the range 1-7 above includes subranges 1 to 2; 2 to 6; 5 to 7; 3 to 7; 5 to 6; etc.).
Unless stated to the contrary, implicit from the context, or customary in the art, all parts and percentages are based on weight, and all test methods are current as of the filing date of this disclosure.
The term “composition,” as used herein, refers to a mixture of materials which comprise the composition, as well as reaction products and decomposition products formed from the materials of the composition.
The terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and their derivatives, are not intended to exclude the presence of any additional component, step or procedure, whether or not the same is specifically disclosed. In order to avoid any doubt, all compositions claimed through use of the term “comprising” may include any additional additive, adjuvant, or compound, whether polymeric or otherwise, unless stated to the contrary. In contrast, the term, “consisting essentially of” excludes from the scope of any succeeding recitation any other component, step or procedure, excepting those that are not essential to operability. The term “consisting of” excludes any component, step or procedure not specifically delineated or listed.
An “ethylene-based polymer,” as used herein is a polymer that contains more than 50 weight percent polymerized ethylene monomer (based on the total amount of polymerizable monomers) and, optionally, may contain at least one comonomer.
An “olefin-based polymer,” as used herein is a polymer that contains more than 50 weight percent polymerized olefin monomer (based on total amount of polymerizable monomers), and optionally, may contain at least one comonomer. Nonlimiting examples of olefin-based polymer include ethylene-based polymer and propylene-based polymer.
A “polymer” is a compound prepared by polymerizing monomers, whether of the same or a different type, that in polymerized form provide the multiple and/or repeating “units” or “mer units” that make up a polymer. The generic term polymer thus embraces the term homopolymer, usually employed to refer to polymers prepared from only one type of monomer, and the term copolymer, usually employed to refer to polymers prepared from at least two types of monomers. It also embraces all forms of copolymer, e.g., random, block, etc. The terms “ethylene/α-olefin polymer” and “propylene/α-olefin polymer” are indicative of copolymer as described above prepared from polymerizing ethylene or propylene respectively and one or more additional, polymerizable α-olefin monomer. It is noted that although a polymer is often referred to as being “made of” one or more specified monomers, “based on” a specified monomer or monomer type, “containing” a specified monomer content, or the like, in this context the term “monomer” is understood to be referring to the polymerized remnant of the specified monomer and not to the unpolymerized species. In general, polymers herein are referred to has being based on “units” that are the polymerized form of a corresponding monomer.
A “propylene-based polymer” is a polymer that contains more than 50 weight percent polymerized propylene monomer (based on the total amount of polymerizable monomers) and, optionally, may contain at least one comonomer.
Density is measured in accordance with ASTM D792 with results reported in grams per cubic centimeter (g/cc).
Melt index (MI) is measured in accordance with ASTM D1238, Condition 190° C./2.16 kg with results reported in grams per 10 minutes (g/10 min). Tm or “melting point” as used herein (also referred to as a melting peak in reference to the shape of the plotted DSC curve) is typically measured by the DSC (Differential Scanning calorimetry) technique for measuring the melting points or peaks of polyolefins as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,783,638. It should be noted that many blends comprising two or more polyolefins will have more than one melting point or peak, many individual polyolefins will comprise only one melting point or peak.
The present disclosure provides a flexible container. The flexible container includes a front panel, a rear panel, a first gusseted side panel, and a second gusseted side panel. The gusseted side panels adjoin the front panel and the rear panel along peripheral seals to form (i) a top portion, (ii) a body portion, and (iii) a bottom portion. The top portion includes a neck and a fitment in the neck. The top portion includes a top handle. The top handle extends above the fitment. The top handle has a reciprocal attachment member. The bottom portion includes a bottom handle and a tether. The tether extends from the bottom handle. The tether includes a distal end that includes an attachment member. The attachment member is adapted to secure to the reciprocal attachment member.
The flexible container 10 has four panels. During the fabrication process, the panels are formed when one or more webs of film material are sealed together. In an embodiment, four webs of film material are sealed together to form the four panels. While the webs may be separate pieces of film material, it will be appreciated that any number of seams between the webs could be “pre-made,” as by folding one or more of the source webs to create the effect of a seam or seams. For example, if it were desired to fabricate the present flexible container from two webs instead of four, the bottom, left center, and right center webs could be a single folded web, instead of three separate webs. Similarly, one, two, or more webs may be used to produce each respective panel (i.e., a bag-in-a-bag configuration or a bladder configuration).
As shown in
The four panels 18, 20, 22 and 24 each can be composed of a separate web of multilayer film. The composition and structure for each web of multilayer film can be the same or different. Alternatively, one web of multilayer film may also be used to make all four panels. In a further embodiment, two or more webs of multilayer film can be used to make each panel.
The flexible multilayer film used in construction of each panel of the flexible container 10 can comprise a food-grade plastic. For instance, nylon, polypropylene, polyethylene such as high density polyethylene (HDPE) and/or low density polyethylene (LDPE) may be used as discussed later. The flexible multilayer film can have a thickness that is adequate to maintain a flowable material and package integrity during manufacturing, distribution, product shelf life and customer usage. The film material can also be such that it provides the appropriate atmosphere within the flexible container 10 to maintain a product shelf life of at least about 180 days. The flexible multilayer film can comprise an oxygen barrier film having an oxygen transmission rate (OTR) that is reported in units of “cc/m2/24 h/atm” and measured at 23° C. and 80% relative humidity (RH). In an embodiment, the flexible multilayer film has an OTR value from 0, or 0.2 to 0.4, or 1 cc/m2/24 h/atm. In a further embodiment, the flexible multilayer film has an OTR value from 0 to 1, or from 0.2 to 0.4 cc/m2/24 h/atm. Additionally, the flexible multilayer film can also comprise a water vapor barrier film having a water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) that is reported in units of “g/m2/24 h” and measured at 38° C. and 90% RH. In an embodiment, the flexible multilayer film has a WVTR value from 0, or 0.2, or 1 to 5, or 10, or 15 g/m2/24 h. In a further embodiment, the flexible multilayer film has a WVTR value from 0 to 15, or from 0.2 to 10, or from 1 to 5 g/m2/24 h. Moreover, it may be desirable to use materials of construction having oil and/or chemical resistance particularly in the seal layer, but not limited to just the seal layer. The flexible multilayer film can be either printable or compatible to receive a pressure sensitive label or other type of label for displaying of indicia on the flexible container 10.
In an embodiment, each panel 18, 20, 22, 24 is made from a flexible multilayer film having at least one, or at least two, or at least three layers. The flexible multilayer film is resilient, flexible, deformable, and pliable. The structure and composition of the flexible multilayer film for each panel may be the same or different. For example, each of the four panels can be made from a separate web, each web having a unique structure and/or unique composition, finish, or print. Alternatively, each of the four panels can be the same structure and the same composition.
In an embodiment, each panel 18, 20, 22, 24 is a flexible multilayer film having the same structure and the same composition.
The flexible multilayer film may be (i) a coextruded multilayer structure or (ii) a laminate, or (iii) a combination of (i) and (ii). In an embodiment, the flexible multilayer film has at least three layers: a seal layer, an outer layer, and a tie layer between. The tie layer adjoins the seal layer to the outer layer. The flexible multilayer film may include one or more optional inner layers disposed between the seal layer and the outer layer.
In an embodiment, the flexible multilayer film is a coextruded film having at least two, or three, or four, or five, or six, or seven layers. Some methods, for example, used to construct films are by cast co-extrusion or blown co-extrusion methods, adhesive lamination, extrusion lamination, thermal lamination, and coatings such as vapor deposition. Combinations of these methods are also possible. Film layers can comprise, in addition to the polymeric materials, additives such as stabilizers, slip additives, antiblocking additives, process aids, clarifiers, nucleators, pigments or colorants, fillers and reinforcing agents, and the like as commonly used in the packaging industry. It is particularly useful to choose additives and polymeric materials that have suitable organoleptic and or optical properties.
Nonlimiting examples of suitable polymeric materials for the seal layer include olefin-based polymer (including any ethylene/C3-C10 α-olefin copolymers linear or branched), propylene-based polymer (including plastomer and elastomer, random propylene copolymer, propylene homopolymer, and propylene impact copolymer), ethylene-based polymer (including plastomer and elastomer, high density polyethylene (“HDPE”), low density polyethylene (“LDPE”), linear low density polyethylene (“LLDPE”), medium density polyethylene (“MDPE”), ethylene-acrylic acid or ethylene-methacrylic acid and their ionomers with zinc, sodium, lithium, potassium, magnesium salts, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers and blends thereof.
In an embodiment, the seal layer is a blend of an olefin-based polymer and a slip agent.
Nonlimiting examples of suitable olefin-based polymers for use in the seal layer blend include LLDPE (sold under the trade name DOWLEX™ (The Dow Chemical Company)), single-site LLDPE (substantially linear, or linear, olefin polymers, including polymers sold under the trade name AFFINITY™ or ELITE™ (The Dow Chemical Company)), propylene-based plastomers or elastomers such as VERSIFY™ (The Dow Chemical Company), and blends thereof.
A nonlimiting example of a suitable slip agent for use in the seal layer blend includes a fatty acid derivative. In an embodiment, the slip agent is an amide of a C18 to C24 fatty acid. In a further embodiment, the slip agent is an amide of a C22 mono-unsaturated fatty acid (e.g., erucamide)
Nonlimiting examples of suitable polymeric material for the outer layer include those used to make biaxially or monoaxially oriented films for lamination as well as coextruded films. Some nonlimiting polymeric material examples are biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate (BOPET), monoaxially oriented nylon (MON), biaxially oriented nylon (BON), and biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP). Other polymeric materials useful in constructing film layers for structural benefit are polypropylenes (such as propylene homopolymer, random propylene copolymer, propylene impact copolymer, thermoplastic polypropylene (TPO) and the like, propylene-based plastomers (e.g., VERSIFY™ or VISTAMAX™)), polyamides (such as Nylon 6, Nylon 6,6, Nylon 6,66, Nylon 6,12, Nylon 12 etc.), polyethylene norbornene, cyclic olefin copolymers, polyacrylonitrile, polyesters, copolyesters (such as PETG), cellulose esters, polyethylene and copolymers of ethylene (e.g., LLDPE based on ethylene octene copolymer such as DOWLEX™, blends thereof, and multilayer combinations thereof.
Nonlimiting examples of suitable polymeric materials for the tie layer include functionalized ethylene-based polymers such as ethylene-vinyl acetate (“EVA”), polymers with maleic anhydride-grafted to polyolefins such as any polyethylene, ethylene-copolymers, or polypropylene, and ethylene acrylate copolymers such an ethylene methyl acrylate (“EMA”), glycidyl containing ethylene copolymers, propylene and ethylene based olefin block copolymers (OBC) such as INTUNE™ (PP-OBC) and INFUSE™ (PE-OBC) both available from The Dow Chemical Company, and blends thereof.
The flexible multilayer film may include additional layers which may contribute to the structural integrity or provide specific properties. The additional layers may be added by direct means or by using appropriate tie layers to the adjacent polymer layers. Polymers which may provide additional mechanical performance such as stiffness or opacity, as well polymers which may offer gas barrier properties or chemical resistance can be added to the structure.
Nonlimiting examples of suitable material for the optional barrier layer include copolymers of vinylidene chloride and methyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate or vinyl chloride (e.g., SARAN resins available from The Dow Chemical Company); vinylethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), metal foil (such as aluminum foil). Alternatively, modified polymeric films such as vapor deposited aluminum or silicon oxide on such films as BON, BOPET, or OPP, can be used to obtain barrier properties when used in laminate multilayer film.
In an embodiment, the flexible multilayer film has a thickness from 100 micrometers (μm), or 200 μm, or 250 μm to 300 μm, or 350 μm, or 400 μm. In a further embodiment, the flexible multilayer film has a thickness from 100 to 400 μm, or from 200 to 350 μm, or from 250 μm to 300 μm.
In an embodiment, the panels 18, 20, 22 and 24 are made of the same seven-layer film, with structure and composition set forth in Table 1 below.
In an embodiment, the panels 18, 20, 22 and 24 are made of the same seven-layer film, with structure and composition set forth in Table 2 below.
In an embodiment, the panels 18, 20, 22 and 24 are made of the same seven-layer film, with structure and composition set forth in Table 3 below.
In an embodiment, the panels 18, 20, 22 and 24 are made of the same seven-layer film, with structure and composition set forth in Table 4 below.
The four panels 18, 20, 22, 24 extend toward a top end 44 to form the top portion I and extend toward a bottom end 46 to form the bottom portion III of the flexible container 10, as shown in
Top portion I includes a neck. In an embodiment, a portion of each of the four panels 18, 20, 22, 24 forms the top segment 28 and terminates at a neck 27, as shown in
In an embodiment, an outer surface of the base of fitment 30 has surface texture. The surface texture can include embossment and a plurality of radial ridges to promote sealing to the inner surface of the top segment 28.
In an embodiment, the fitment 30 is positioned at a midpoint of the top segment 28 and can be sized smaller than a width of the container 10, such that the fitment 30 can have an area that is less than a total area of the top segment 28. In a further embodiment, the fitment area is not more than 20% of the total top segment area. This can ensure that the fitment 30 will not be large enough to insert a hand therethrough, thus avoiding any unintentional contact with the flowable material 48 stored therein, as shown in
In an embodiment, the fitment 30 is a spout. In a further embodiment, the fitment 30 is a threaded spout.
In an embodiment, the fitment 30 includes a closure. The closure covers the fitment 30 and prevents the flowable material 48 from spilling out of the container 10. The closure can be removable. Nonlimiting examples of a removable closure include a screw-on cap and flip-top cap. In an embodiment, the flexible container 10 includes the removable closure, a threaded cap 32, as shown in
In an embodiment, the fitment 30 is a dispensing fitment. A nonlimiting example of a dispensing fitment suitable for use includes a dispensing spigot. In an embodiment, the flexible container 10 includes the dispensing fitment, a spigot 52, as shown in
The fitment 30, the spigot 52, and the closure can be made of a rigid construction and can be formed of any appropriate plastic, such as high density polyethylene (HDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), and combinations thereof. The location of fitment 30 (or spigot 52), can be anywhere on the top segment 28 of the container 10. In an embodiment, fitment 30 (or spigot 52), is located at the center or midpoint of the top segment 28.
The top portion I includes a top handle. As shown in
A portion of the top handle 12 can extend above the fitment 30 (or the spigot 52), and above the top segment 28, and the entire upper handle portion 12a can be above the fitment 30 (or the spigot 52), and the top segment 28. The two pairs of legs 13 and 15 along with the upper handle portion 12a together make up the top handle 12 surrounding a top handle opening 16. The top handle opening 16 is sized to fit a user's hand. The top handle opening 16 can be any shape that is convenient to fit the hand and, in one aspect, the top handle opening 16 can have a generally oval shape. In another aspect, the top handle opening 16 can have a generally rectangular shape. Additionally, the top handle opening 16 of the top handle 12 can also have a flap 36 that comprises the cut material that forms the top handle opening 16, as shown in
In an embodiment, top handle 12 can be “a punch-out handle,” that is, a handle formed by a process that cuts, or otherwise “punches” film material from the flexible container 10, thereby removing film material from the flexible container 10. The punch-out handle does not have, or is otherwise void of, a flap.
As shown in
The top handle 12 is disposed in a position. Positions of the top handle 12 include a carry position and a retracted position. In an embodiment, top handle 12 has the carry position, as shown in
In an embodiment, top handle 12 has the retracted position, as shown in
A portion of the top handle 12 attached to the top segment 28 can contain dead machine folds 34a-34b, or score lines, that provide for the top handle 12 to consistently fold in the same direction, as shown in
The body portion II of the flexible container 10 includes a chamber. A flowable material 48 is stored inside of the chamber, as shown in
Numerous types of flowable materials can be stored within the chamber of the flexible container 10. The flowable material includes, but is not limited to, a solid material, a liquid material and a particulate material. In an embodiment, the flowable material 48 is a food product. Nonlimiting examples of food products suitable for storage within the chamber of the flexible container 10 include beverages such as water, juice, milk, syrup, carbonated beverages (beer, soft drinks), and fermented beverages (wine, scotch), salad dressings, sauces, dairy products, condiments (e.g., mayonnaise, mustard, ketchup) animal feed, and the like.
In an embodiment, the flowable material 48 is an industrial product. Nonlimiting examples of industrial products suitable for storage within the chamber of the flexible container 10 include oil, paint, grease, chemicals, cleaning solutions, washing fluids, suspensions of solids in liquid, and solid particulate matter (powders, grains, granular solids).
In an embodiment, the flowable material 48 is a squeezable product. The term “squeezable product,” as used herein, is a flowable material (i) with a viscosity greater than the viscosity of water, and (ii) that requires application of a squeezing force to the flexible container 10 in order to discharge the material from the chamber. Nonlimiting examples of squeezable products suitable for storage within the chamber of the flexible container 10 include grease, butter, margarine, soap, shampoo, animal feed, sauces, baby food, and the like.
The chamber of the flexible container 10 has a volume. In an embodiment, the volume of the chamber of the flexible container 10 is from 0.25 liters (L), or 0.5 L, or 0.75 L, or 1 L, or 1.5 L, or 2.5 L, or 3 L, or 3.5 L, or 4 L, or 4.5 L, or 5 L to 6 L, or 7 L, or 8 L, or 9 L, or 10 L, or 20 L, or 30 L. In a further embodiment, the volume of the chamber of the flexible container 10 is from 0.25 to 30 L, or from 0.5 to 10 L, or from 3 to 8 L.
The bottom portion III includes a bottom handle 14, as shown in
The bottom handle 14 is disposed in a position. Positions of the bottom handle 14 include a storage position and a retracted position. The bottom handle 14 has the storage position when the flexible container 10 is being shipped, stored and displayed for sale, for example. The term “storage position,” as used herein, is an orientation whereby the fitment/closure is the uppermost component of the flexible container 10. In other words, when the flexible container 10 is in the storage position, the flexible container 10 rests on the bottom end 46 (and on the bottom handle 14), when placed on a support surface.
In an embodiment, the bottom handle 14 has the retracted position, as shown in
As with the top handle 12, the bottom handle 14 also can have a dead machine fold 42, as shown in
The flexible container 10 includes a tether. In an embodiment, the tether is connected to, and extends from, the top handle 12. In a further embodiment, the tether is connected to, and extends from, the bottom handle 14.
In an embodiment, a tether 6 is located inside a bottom handle opening 43 that is surrounded by the bottom handle 14, as shown in
In an embodiment, tether 6 is connected to bottom handle 14 by way of integral construction. In other words, tether 6 is integral with the bottom handle 14. The term “integral” or “integral construction,” as used herein, refers to two components that are constructed from the same web(s) of multilayer film, e.g., the tether 6 is constructed from the same four webs of multilayer film (one layer for each panel 18, 20, 22, 24) that are sealed together to provide the bottom handle 14. The tether 6 includes a proximate end 8 that is attached to the bottom handle 14. The tether 6 includes an attachment member 7 that is located at a distal end of the tether 6, as shown in
In an embodiment, the tether 6 includes a body that extends from the proximate end 8 of the tether 6 to the attachment member 7 at the distal end of the tether 6. The body of the tether 6 is non-rigid and can move freely when the attachment member 7 is extended from the bottom handle 14.
In an embodiment, the tether 6 includes perforations 17, as shown in
In an embodiment, flexible container 10 includes a free tether. The term “free tether,” is a tether that is not integral to the flexible container 10, the free tether being a separate and distinct component of the flexible container 10. The free tether includes a securement member for securing to the flexible container 10. The securement member may releasably secure, or permanently secure, a proximate end of the free tether to the flexible container 10. The free tether includes an attachment member (at a distal end) and a body that extends between the proximate end and the attachment member of the free tether. The body of the free tether has a length sufficient to extend between the bottom handle 14 and the top handle 12. In an embodiment, the free tether is attached to the bottom handle 14 after the flexible container 10 is produced, for example. Nonlimiting examples of suitable free tethers include elastic band or strap, plastic band or strap, string, metal band or strap, synthetic and/or natural rubber band or strap, spring, and combinations thereof.
As shown in
In an embodiment, the attachment member 7 and the reciprocal attachment member 5 are a matched pair of interlocking fasteners. Nonlimiting examples of suitable matched pair interlocking fasteners include a cable tie (e.g., wire tie, hose tie, steggel tie, zap strap, zip tie), clips (e.g., hairpin clip, terry clip), a hook-and-eye closure, a hook and loop fastener (velcro), snap fasteners (i.e., interlocking disks), a threaded insert (e.g., nut and bolt), button/button hole fastener, and combinations thereof. In a further embodiment, each of the attachment member 7 and the reciprocal attachment member 5 are interlocking fasteners that can be twisted together, or otherwise intertwined, to form a secure connection, or a releasably secure connection. A nonlimiting example of a suitable fastener includes a twist tie.
In an embodiment, the reciprocal attachment member 5 is a horizontal opening that is located in the center of the upper handle portion 12a of the top handle 12, as shown in
In an embodiment, the attachment member 7 is a fastening member. Nonlimiting examples of fasteners suitable as the fastening member include a buckle, a button, and a clasp (e.g., a lobster clasp). In a further embodiment, the attachment member 7 is integral with the tether, i.e., the attachment member 7 is constructed from the same web of multilayer film that provides the tether 6. The shape of the attachment member 7 is adapted to secure the attachment member 7 to the reciprocal attachment member 5 when the attachment member 7 is inserted into the reciprocal attachment member 5. Nonlimiting examples of suitable shapes for the attachment member 7 include triangular, rectangular, and trapezoidal. In an embodiment, the attachment member 7 has a triangular shape, as shown in
In an embodiment, the width B of the attachment member 7 is greater than width A of the reciprocal attachment member 5. In an embodiment, width B is from 4 mm, or 7 mm, or 9 mm, or 11 mm, or 13 mm to 15 mm, or 17 mm, or 19 mm, or 22 mm, or 29 mm, or 39 mm. In a further embodiment, the width B of the attachment member 7 is from 4 to 39 mm, or from 9 to 29 mm, or from 11 to 17 mm.
In an embodiment, the attachment member 7 is a plurality of teeth disposed in a linear arrangement along the length of the tether 6 and the reciprocal attachment member 5 is a pawl. The term “pawl,” as used herein, is a component that engages the teeth of the tether 6 to prevent movement in one direction, or prevent movement altogether. The pawl can engage the teeth of the tether 6 at a steep angle. As the tether and the teeth are inserted into the pawl, a ratchet forms between the teeth of the tether and the pawl. The nascent ratchet secures the reciprocal attachment member 5 to the attachment member 7. In an embodiment, the pawl of the reciprocal attachment member 5 includes a tab that can be depressed to release the teeth of the tether 6 so that the tether 6 can be loosened, removed, or reinserted.
In an embodiment, the attachment member is an insertion hole at the distal end of the tether 6. The insertion hole is reinforced and fashioned to accept, and secure, a fastener. Nonlimiting examples of fasteners suitable for use include a pin, such as a bowtie cotter pin, a cotter pin, a dowel, and a linchpin, for example. To secure the attachment member to the reciprocal attachment member 5, the tether 6 is placed through the reciprocal attachment member 5 and the fastener is inserted into the insertion hole of the attachment member.
The tether 6 is disposed in a configuration that can be a stowed configuration and an extended configuration. In an embodiment, the tether 6 has the stowed configuration as shown in
The tether 6 has a resting length when the tether 6 has the extended configuration, as shown in
The term “adjustable tether,” as used herein, is a tether having an adjustable resting length. An adjustable tether is a modified form of the tether 6. In an embodiment, the adjustable tether includes two or more triangular shaped attachment members disposed in a linear arrangement along the length of the adjustable tether. In this embodiment, the reciprocal attachment member 5 is the horizontal shaped opening located in the center of the upper handle portion 12a of the top handle 12, as shown in
The resting length of the tether 6 is characterized by a length C, as shown in
The present disclosure provides a process. The process includes providing a flexible container. The flexible container includes a front panel, a rear panel, a first gusseted side panel, and a second gusseted side panel. The gusseted side panels adjoin the front panel and the rear panel along peripheral seals to form (i) a top portion, (ii) a body portion, and (iii) a bottom portion. The top portion includes a top handle, and a neck, the neck having a fitment. The top handle extends above the fitment. The top handle has a reciprocal attachment member. The bottom portion includes a bottom handle and a tether. The tether extends from the bottom handle. The tether includes a distal end that includes an attachment member. The attachment member is adapted to secure to the reciprocal attachment member. The process includes securing the attachment member to the reciprocal attachment member.
The process includes retracting the top handle 12 of the flexible container 10 with the tether 6. In an embodiment, the tether 6 is extended from the bottom handle 14, as shown in
The process includes placing the rear panel (or front panel), on a support surface. Prior to dispensing the flowable material 48 from the chamber of the flexible container 10, the flexible container 10 is placed on a support surface 50, as shown in
The process includes dispensing the flowable material from the chamber and through the fitment. The user operates the spigot 52 while holding a receiving container (e.g., a glass), as shown in
As the flexible container 10 is evacuated and less flowable material 48 remains, the resting length of the adjustable tether can be shortened. The shortened length of the adjustable tether can facilitate the movement and settling of the flowable material 48 toward the spigot 52.
By way of example, and not by limitation, some embodiments of the disclosure will now be described in detail in the following Examples.
The raw materials used to prepare the individual film layers of the multilayer films are provided in Table 5 below.
The structure of Film 1 used to produce the flexible containers is provided in Table 6 below.
The multilayer film is fabricated using a 7-layer Alpine blown film line and has an A/B/C/D/E/F/G structure. Layer “A” is the outer (i.e., skin) layer and layer “G” is the seal layer.
The “Layer %” value in Table 6 is the proportion of each layer in the multilayer film. The thickness of each layer is determined by multiplying the “Layer %” value by the total thickness of the multilayer film.
The total thickness of the multilayer film is 200 microns.
The 7-layer film of Table 6 is used to produce a four panel flexible container 10 with a tether and reciprocal attachment member shown in
It is specifically intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the embodiments and illustrations contained herein, but include modified forms of those embodiments including portions of the embodiments and combinations of elements of different embodiments as come with the scope of the following claims.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2020/034790 | 5/28/2020 | WO | 00 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62855366 | May 2019 | US |
