Whereas quad-seal gusseted packages and other related types of packages are known, there is a desire for packages that provide a new balance of properties.
An aspect of this disclosure is the provision of improvements that may be incorporated, for example, into flexible multi-seal or quad-seal gusseted packages (although this disclosure is not limited to flexible multi-seal gusseted packages). For example, a flexible package can include a tubular portion having a plurality of panels extending around an interior of the package, and an upper gusset panel connected by one or more flange-like upper corner seals to the upper end of the tubular portion so that the upper gusset panel is inwardly recessed from the upper end of the tubular portion, and the upper corner seals extend upwardly from the peripheral portion of the upper gusset panel. The upper gusset panel can be configured to at least partially define an access opening to the interior of the package, and a resealable cover can be configured for opening and reclosing the access opening. A lower gusset panel can be associated with two lower corner seals. In the above description, the lengthwise axis of the tubular portion is upright. Alternatively, the lengthwise axis of the tubular portion can extend differently, for example horizontally. Accordingly, the adjectives “upper” and “lower” can be more generally replaced with “first” and “second”, or the like.
The access opening can extend through the upper gusset panel. The resealable cover can include a first portion of the gusset panel that obstructs the access opening, and a label mounted to both the first portion of the gusset panel and a second portion of the gusset panel that is outwardly adjacent the first portion of the gusset panel.
A handle can be associated with the resealable cover. For example, the handle can include a handle hole defined in the label. The label with the handle (e.g., the label with adhesive backing and the handle) can be an article that is manufactured separately from the package or a web from which the package is formed, and the label can be mounted to the web prior to forming the package. Alternatively or additionally, the tubular portion can include a fin seal connecting panels of the plurality of panels, wherein the fin seal can extend along the length of the tubular portion, and the fin seal can include a handle including a handle hole defined in the fin seal; and/or opposite ends of a handle strap can be mounted to respective panels and/or corner seals of the package. At least some of the handle features can be included in a package that does not include the resealable cover and/or may include other suitable openable features, access openings, openable portions, or the like.
Another aspect of this disclosure is the provision of a flexible package including: a tubular portion having a plurality of panels extending around an interior of the package, wherein the tubular portion includes opposite first and second ends; and a gusset panel connected by at least one corner seal to the first end of the tubular portion so that at least a peripheral portion of the gusset panel is inwardly recessed from the first end of the tubular portion, and the corner seal extends outwardly from the peripheral portion of the gusset panel. Wherein the gusset panel, the corner seal, and at least one tear line can be cooperatively configured to at least partially define an openable portion and associated access opening to the interior of the package. For example, the at least one tear line can be configured so that after being torn the access opening to the interior is defined between an openable portion of the package and a remainder of the package, and the openable portion comprises at least some of each of the gusset panel and the corner seal. As another example, the at least one tear line can extend into the corner seal, so that a pull tab of the openable portion is at least partially defined by the corner seal.
A further aspect of this disclosure is the provision of a flexible package including: a tubular portion having a plurality of panels extending around an interior of the package, wherein the tubular portion includes opposite first and second ends; and a gusset panel connected by at least one corner seal to the first end of the tubular portion so that at least a peripheral portion of the gusset panel is inwardly recessed from the first end of the tubular portion, and the corner seal extends outwardly from the peripheral portion of the gusset panel, wherein the gusset panel is configured (e.g., the gusset panel includes crosswise tear lines) to at least partially define at least one access opening to the interior of the package.
In another aspect, a flexible package may include: a tubular portion having a plurality of panels extending around an interior of the package, wherein the tubular portion includes opposite upper and lower ends; a fin seal closing the upper end of the tubular portion; and a lower gusset panel connected by at least one corner seal to the lower end of the tubular portion so that at least a peripheral portion of the gusset panel is upwardly recessed from the first end of the tubular portion, and the corner seal extends downwardly from the peripheral portion of the lower gusset panel.
The foregoing summary provides a few brief examples and is not exhaustive, and the present invention is not limited to the foregoing examples. The foregoing examples, as well as other examples, are further explained in the following detailed description with reference to accompanying drawings.
The drawings are provided as examples. The present invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples depicted in the drawings. The drawings may be schematic and may not be drawn to scale.
Examples of embodiments are disclosed in the following. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. For example, features disclosed as part of one embodiment can be used in the context of another embodiment to yield a further embodiment. As another example of the breadth of this disclosure, it is within the scope of this disclosure for one or more of the terms “substantially,” “about,” “approximately,” and/or the like, to qualify each of the adjectives and adverbs of the Detailed Description section of disclosure, as discussed in greater detail below.
The first embodiment lengthwise strip and marginal portions 20, 22 are respectively sealed together in opposing face-to-face configuration to form four lengthwise corner seals in the quad-seal tubular precursor of the quad-seal gusseted packages 16 (
In the example schematically depicted in
The first embodiment web 10 can be a flexible polymeric film and/or a flexible polymeric laminate, and the first embodiment labels 14 can be cut from a flexible polymeric film and/or a flexible polymeric laminate. In one example, the web 10 and labels 14 may not include, or substantially not include, cellulose pulp. More generally, the web 10, labels 14, and quad-seal gusseted packages 16 can be made of any suitable material(s). The seals 34, 45-48 (
With continued reference to
In the first embodiment, the fold lines 19, 28, 30 are not formed in the web 10 before the quad-seal tubular precursor and package 16 are formed. For example, the fold lines 19, 28, 30 can be formed in response to folding of the web 10 and web section 26 by the quad-seal, form-fill-seal vertical packaging machine, or the like. More generally, the fold lines 19, 28, 30 may be lines of disruption formed by folding and/or configured to facilitate folding therealong. In the first embodiment, the tear line 12 is a score line (e.g., a score line formed by a rotating cutting die, or in any other suitable manner). More generally, the tear line 12 can be any other suitable line of disruption configured to facilitate breaching or tearing therealong, for example one or more series of perforations, one or more kiss cuts, one or more cuts (e.g., slits), or the like.
Referring to
In the first embodiment, the side panels 40 of the package 16 collectively form a tubular portion of the package that extends around the package interior and has opposite upper and lower ends to which the gusset panels 36, 38 are respectively connected by way of the corner seals 45-48 and tucked-in panels 36, 38. These connections are typically configured so that the gusset panels 36, 38, or at least their peripheries, are respectively inwardly recessed relative to the opposite upper and lower ends of the tubular portion of the package 16 (e.g., respectively inwardly recessed relative to the opposite upper and lower edges of the side panels 40). In the first embodiment, each of the corner seals 45-48 extend (e.g., the lengthwise strip and marginal portions 20, 22 that are sealed together in opposing face-to-face configuration extend) crosswise to (e.g., perpendicularly to) the upper and lower gusset panels 36, 38. More specifically, in the example depicted in
Referring to
In a closed configuration of the first embodiment package 16, the upper gusset panel's tear-away portion or flap portion 52 obstructs (e.g., is positioned in) the access opening 50. Referring to
At least partially reiterating from above and stated differently, the label 14 can be configured for at least partially opening the access opening 50 and at least partially closing the access opening. More specifically, the multi or dual-layer resealable cover 18 can be configured (e.g., the label 14 and tear-away portion or flap portion 52 of the upper gusset panel 36 can be cooperatively configured) for at least partially opening the access opening 50 and at least partially closing the access opening. Even more specifically, the resealable cover 18 can tightly close the access opening 50 after it is opened.
The label 14 can be mounted to the outer (e.g., upper) surface of the upper gusset panel 36 by releasable, pressure-sensitive adhesive material 60, or the like, that is schematically represented by stippling in
The label 14 can include a pull tab 62 configured for being manually grasped for use in opening and closing the access opening 50. The pull tab 62 can be a portion of the label marginal portion 56. In the first embodiment, the adhesive 60, label 14, tear-away portion or flap 52, and interface portion of the upper gusset panel 36 are cooperatively configured so that during repeated opening and closing of the access opening 50:
It is believed that an alternative embodiment may be configured such that the second portion of adhesive 60 remains fixedly secured to the interface portion 58 of the upper gusset panel 36, the second portion of adhesive is releasably secured to the label marginal portion 56 when the access opening 50 is closed by the flap or tear-away portion 52, and the second portion of adhesive is removed from the label marginal portion 56 when the access opening is opened. Similarly, other variations to the features for opening and closing the access opening 50 are within the scope of this disclosure.
Referring to
As schematically shown in
The resealable cover 18, or more specifically the multi or dual-layer resealable cover, may be positioned or configured differently. For example and generally described, the label 14 can have a central opening, and the label can be inverted and applied to both the inner surface of the upper gusset panel's interface portion 58 and the inner surface of the margin of the tear-away portion or flap 52, so that the label is an inner film layer, and the tear-away portion or flap portion of the upper gusset panel 36 is an outer film layer. As another example, at least the upper gusset panel 36 can include outer and inner film layers, wherein adhesive material is provided in a predetermined manner, and the outer and inner film layers respectively have tear lines that are offset from one another for forming the access opening and resealable cover. As further examples, the above-described access openings 50 and resealable covers 18 can be defined in and/or associated with one or more side panels 40.
Other embodiments can be like the first embodiment except for variations noted, and variations that will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. For example,
Referring to
Each of the tear lines 12, 68, 101-107, 201, 202, 301, 302, 504, 676 may be a score line, for example a score line formed by a laser, knife edge, or the like; or the tear lines may more generally be any other suitable lines of disruption configured to facilitate breaching, tearing or other suitable opening therealong, for example one or more series of perforations, one or more kiss cuts, one or more cuts (e.g., slits), or the like.
A variety of embodiments or examples are within the scope of this disclosure. Some of the examples are described in the following.
Example 1. A flexible package comprising: a tubular portion comprising a plurality of panels extending around an interior of the package, wherein the tubular portion includes opposite first and second ends; a gusset panel connected by at least one corner seal to the first end of the tubular portion so that at least a peripheral portion of the gusset panel is inwardly recessed from the first end of the tubular portion, and the corner seal extends outwardly from the peripheral portion of the gusset panel, wherein the gusset panel is configured to at least partially define an access opening to the interior of the package; and a resealable cover configured for opening and reclosing the access opening.
Example 2. The package according to Example 1, wherein the resealable cover comprises: a first portion of the gusset panel that obstructs the access opening, and a label mounted to both the first portion of the gusset panel and a second portion of the gusset panel that is adjacent the first portion of the gusset panel.
Example 3. The package according to Example 1, wherein: the access opening extends through the gusset panel, and the resealable cover comprises a label mounted to the gusset panel and configured for at least partially opening the access opening and at least partially closing the access opening.
Example 4. The package according to Example 1, wherein: the package comprises a strip portion; the corner seal comprises the strip portion sealed to a marginal portion of a panel of the plurality of panels; and the strip portion is connected to, and extends crosswise to, the gusset panel.
Example 5. The package according to Example 1, wherein: the corner seal is an upper corner seal, the gusset panel is an upper gusset panel, and the package further comprises a lower gusset panel connected to the second end of the tubular portion at least partially by way of a lower corner seal, so that the lower corner seal extends at least partially around the lower gusset panel, and at least a portion of the lower gusset panel is inwardly recessed relative to an outer edge of the lower corner seal.
Example 6. The package according to Example 1, wherein the resealable cover comprises a handle.
Example 7. The package according to Example 6, wherein the handle comprises a handle hole defined in the label.
Example 8. The package according to Example 1, further comprising a handle strap having an intermediate section positioned between opposite first and second end sections, wherein: the intermediate section of the handle strap is positioned above the gusset panel, the plurality of panels comprises opposite first and second panels, the first end section of the handle strap is mounted to the first panel, and the second end section of the handle strap is mounted to the second panel.
Example 9. The package according to Example 8, wherein: the corner seal is a first corner seal that comprises a marginal portion of the first panel; the first end section of the handle strap is mounted to the marginal portion of the first panel, whereby the first end section of the handle strap is mounted to the first corner seal; a marginal portion of the second panel is part of a second corner seal; and the second end section of the handle strap is mounted to the marginal portion of the second panel, whereby the second end section of the handle strap is mounted to the second corner seal.
Example 10. The package according to Example 1, wherein: the tubular portion comprises a seal connecting panels of the plurality of panels, and the seal extends along a length of the tubular portion.
Example 11. The package according to Example 10, wherein the seal comprises a handle, and the handle comprises a handle hole defined in the seal.
Example 12. The package according to Example 1, wherein: the package comprises a strip portion, the corner seal comprises a face-to-face connection between the strip portion and a margin of a panel of the plurality of panels, and the strip portion has opposite edges respectively connected to an edge of the panel and an edge of the gusset panel.
Example 13. The package according to Example 12, wherein: the tubular portion is part of a sheet of flexible material, the gusset panel is part of the sheet of flexible material, and the strip portion is part of the sheet of flexible material.
Example 14. A flexible package comprising: a tubular portion comprising a plurality of panels extending around an interior of the package, wherein the tubular portion includes opposite upper and lower ends; an lower gusset panel connected by at least one lower corner seal to the lower end of the tubular portion so that at least a peripheral portion of the lower gusset panel is inwardly recessed from the lower end of the tubular portion, and the lower corner seal extends outwardly from the peripheral portion of the lower gusset panel; an upper gusset panel connected by at least one upper corner seal to the upper end of the tubular portion so that at least a peripheral portion of the upper gusset panel is inwardly recessed from the upper end of the tubular portion, and the upper corner seal extends outwardly from the peripheral portion of the upper gusset panel, wherein the upper gusset panel is configured to at least partially define an access opening to the interior of the package; and a resealable cover configured for opening and reclosing the access opening, wherein the resealable cover comprises: a first portion of the upper gusset panel that obstructs the access opening, and a label mounted to both the first portion of the upper gusset panel and a second portion of the upper gusset panel that is adjacent the first portion of the gusset panel, wherein the label comprises a handle.
Example 15. The package according to Example 14, wherein the handle comprises an elongated handle hole in the label.
Example 16. A flexible package comprising: a plurality of panels extending around an interior of the package; at least one panel of the plurality of panels being configured to at least partially define an access opening to the interior of the package; and a resealable cover configured for opening and reclosing the access opening, wherein the resealable cover comprises a handle.
Example 17. The package according to Example 16, wherein the handle comprises a handle hole in an outer layer of the resealable cover.
Example 18. The package according to Example 17, wherein: the at least one panel is a gusset panel, and the outer layer of the resealable cover is a label that is mounted to the gusset panel.
Example 19. The package according to Example 17, wherein the resealable cover further comprises an inner layer.
Example 20. The package according to Example 19, wherein: the inner layer of the resealable cover is part of the at least one panel, and the outer layer of the resealable cover is a label that is mounted to the at least one panel.
Example 21. A flexible package comprising: a tubular portion comprising a plurality of panels extending around an interior of the package, wherein the tubular portion includes opposite first and second ends; and a gusset panel connected by at least one corner seal to the first end of the tubular portion so that at least a peripheral portion of the gusset panel is inwardly recessed from the first end of the tubular portion, and the corner seal extends outwardly from the peripheral portion of the gusset panel, wherein the gusset panel, the corner seal, and at least one tear line are cooperatively configured to at least partially define an openable portion and associated access opening to the interior of the package.
Example 22. The package according to Example 21, wherein: the at least one tear line is configured so that after being torn the access opening to the interior is defined between the openable portion and a remainder of the package, and the openable portion comprises at least some of each of the gusset panel and the corner seal.
Example 23. The package according to Example 22, wherein the at least one tear line is defined in panels of the plurality of panels so that the at least one tear line extends at least partially around the interior of the package.
Example 24. The package according to Example 21, wherein the at least one tear line extends into the corner seal.
Example 25. The package according to Example 24, wherein the at least one tear line is configured so that a pull tab is at least partially defined by the corner seal.
Example 26. The package according to Example 24, wherein the at least one tear line comprises: first and second tear lines defined in the gusset panel and respectively extending along opposite first and second edges of the gusset panel; third and fourth tear lines defined in the gusset panel and extending along a third edge of the gusset panel, wherein the third edge extends between the first and second edges; and at least one tear line extending across a strip portion of the package, wherein: the corner seal comprises the strip portion sealed to a marginal portion of a panel of the plurality of panels, and the strip portion is connected to, and extends crosswise to, the gusset panel.
Example 27. A flexible package comprising: a tubular portion comprising a plurality of panels extending around an interior of the package, wherein the tubular portion includes opposite first and second ends; and a gusset panel connected by at least one corner seal to the first end of the tubular portion so that at least a peripheral portion of the gusset panel is inwardly recessed from the first end of the tubular portion, and the corner seal extends outwardly from the peripheral portion of the gusset panel, wherein the gusset panel is configured to at least partially define at least one access opening to the interior of the package, comprising first and second tear lines defined in the gusset panel, each having a middle portion between opposite end portions, the first and second tear lines extending crosswise to one another, and the middle portion of the first tear line intersecting the middle portion of the second tear line.
Example 28. A flexible package comprising: a tubular portion comprising a plurality of panels extending around an interior of the package, wherein the tubular portion includes opposite upper and lower ends; an upper seal closing the upper end of the tubular portion; and a lower gusset panel connected by at least one corner seal to the lower end of the tubular portion so that at least a peripheral portion of the gusset panel is upwardly recessed from the first end of the tubular portion, and the corner seal extends downwardly from the peripheral portion of the lower gusset panel.
Example 29. The package according to Example 28, wherein the upper seal is a fin seal.
Example 30. The package according to Example 28, wherein: the tubular portion is part of a sheet of flexible material, the upper seal is part of the sheet of flexible material, the lower gusset panel is part of the sheet of flexible material, the upper seal comprises a handle, the handle comprises a handle hole defined in the upper seal, and at least one tear line is defined in the tubular portion and configured to at least partially define an access opening to the interior of the package.
Example 31. Any one or more of Examples 1 through 30 in combination with any other one or more of Examples 1 through 30
Reiterating from above, it is within the scope of this disclosure for one or more of the terms “substantially,” “about,” “approximately,” and/or the like, to qualify each of the adjectives and adverbs of the foregoing disclosure, for the purpose of providing a broad disclosure. As an example, it is believed that those of ordinary skill in the art will readily understand that, in different implementations of the features of this disclosure, reasonably different engineering tolerances, precision, and/or accuracy may be applicable and suitable for obtaining the desired result. Accordingly, it is believed that those of ordinary skill will readily understand usage herein of the terms such as “substantially,” “about,” “approximately,” and the like.
In the above description and figures, examples of embodiments have been disclosed. The present invention is not limited to such exemplary embodiments. Unless otherwise noted, specific terms have been used in a generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation. The use of the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
This U.S. nonprovisional application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. Nos. 62/701,981 (filed Jul. 23, 2018) and 62/773,376 (filed Nov. 30, 2018), both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62701981 | Jul 2018 | US | |
62773376 | Nov 2018 | US |