The present invention relates generally to flexible packaging and, more particularly, to packages, and methods for forming and using packages, having a gusseted portion to provide an internal material impact barrier to protect portions and devices in packages adapted to hold or carry relatively large or heavy material contents.
Flexible packages used for items like pet food and lawn and garden products are generally large in size, and hold and carry relatively large contents. These types of products and packages can be used over and over again. As such, top seals or closure devices, such as zippers and other re-closeable devices and methods, in the packages must be protected and remain functional to ensure this continued use. In addition, the re-closeable devices and methods must remain easy to implement and operate. This presents an inherent problem because the heavier material contents can damage those critical package features.
Moreover, larger and heavier packages must undergo what is often called a “drop test” to ensure that the package can withstand the rigors of shipping, handling, and extended use. A typical drop test involves placing a filled package on a platform, normally three feet high from the floor. The platform is then swung out or otherwise removed, allowing the package to drop. The package is typically dropped on its front, back, and ends in further drop testing.
Many of the package types being used for these bulk products are packages with side gussets, as they expand to accommodate large volumes of products. Although there are ways of attaching zippers or other re-closable devices in-line (e.g., machine direction) while the package is being made, there are also means of attaching the devices to the package after it is made and before it is filled with product. To date, this is a common means of attaching slider style re-closable zippers. Also, because side gusseted packages can be difficult to open, and easy opening is a feature the consumers expect, most slider zippers being used are exposed at the top of the package.
Some packages, such as those disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication 20080050056, may include various zipper configurations utilized to protect the structure from shock loading. However, these methods utilize the zipper device materials to increase protection, which in turn can increase formation, material and labor costs. Further, additional membranes or device materials must be made strong enough to handle the shock loading, which in turn makes it more difficult for the consumer to gain access to the package openings.
As a result, there is a need for a flexible package that substantially solves the above-referenced problems with conventional package designs, configurations, and manufacturing methods.
The present invention solves many of the problems facing flexible packages and the packaging industry. Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a package generally including at least one front and back panel defining an interior compartment accessible through an access opening. The package can further include one or more side panel portions, gusseted or non-gusseted. The interior is capable of storing and dispensing product and other objects, including relatively large or heavy materials. The package includes a gusset portion formed at a portion, such as the top portion, of the front or back panel portions to provide a focal impact region. The gusset portion extends generally between or across the top portions of the front and back panel portions such that a gusseted top region is formed distinct or distinguishable from the front and back panel portions. An edge region of the gusset panel portion can be sealed or otherwise joined, directly or indirectly, to an interior sealant surface of the front or back panel portions to define the impact or material barrier extending into the internal compartment.
By forming the gusseted portion in the package, a flexible material is provided proximate the re-closeable device, such as a zipper, that provides an alternate impact region for the contents of the material. This impact region can protect the re-closeable device from the potentially damaging energy and shifting of the material contents of the package during shipping, handling, and use. Because the gusset is taking the vast majority of the impact energy or load, nearly any zipper or other re-closeable device can be employed. Namely, there is no need for zippers made of increased thickness or material strength because the zippers, or other devices, are no longer required to take the damaging impact and pressure of the material contents.
While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. For illustrative purposes, cross-hatching, dashing or shading in the figures is provided to demonstrate sealed portions and/or integrated regions or devices for the package.
A purpose of the present invention is to form a package, such as a flexible package, to have a gusseted portion, allowing for increased protection of an access region or device provided in the package proximate the gusseted portion. The various embodiments and teachings provided herein can also be employed with a rigid or semi-rigid package, or simply to create a gusseted portion with or without re-closeable devices. Further, references to “top,” “bottom,” and the like are for illustrative purposes only and are not meant to limit the scope of the disclosed invention. For instance, the “top” gusset invention could be just as easily employed in the bottom or side portions of the package to form a gusseted package.
Referring generally to
In an upright flexible package 10, the side panels 16, 18 can be defined as those panels with a distance measurement between the longitudinal sides being some distance shorter than a distance between the longitudinal sides on adjacent front 12 and/or back panels 14.
The package panel portions 12-22 are generally constructed of flexible sheet material such as polyethylene, polyester, metal foil, polypropylene, or polyethylenes laminated with other materials such as nylon, polyester, and like films. To provide for increased barrier properties, embodiments can use composite or laminate layers of said materials and material of the like. Generally, in such composite or laminate embodiments, a material having preferred sealing characteristics can be joined, bonded or laminated to a material having a different preferred characteristic (e.g., beneficial oxygen barrier properties). Regardless, single sheets, composites/laminates, and a myriad of other materials and techniques known to one skilled in the art may be implemented based on particular usage and manufacturing needs without deviating from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The package 10 and its portions can be formed to provide a stand-up pouch, pre-made pouch, bag-top, one formed and filled on a “form-fill-seal” machine, and other known package designs and configurations. Other known package designs and packaging techniques and features can be adapted to incorporate or form the configuration of the present invention as well.
The access region or device 24 can be a re-closeable device that is disposed on or integrated to at least one of the front or back panel portions 12, 14, and capable of multiple re-closeable uses. Fixed zippers, slider zippers, adhesives/tapes, snap or screw cap devices, snap fasteners, hook and latch fastening, spouts, fitments, and other like techniques and devices known to one skilled in the art can be employed for use as the device 24. In addition, the access device 24 can be provided to the package 10 during the machining or formation process, or pre-applied to a section of material or web prior to package formation. The apparatus and methods disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,019,512 and 6,516,850 for integrating zippers into a flexible package are incorporated herein by reference except for express definitions contained therein. In addition, other machines consistent with that disclosed herein, and technologies for attaching access opening devices to flexible packaging sheets or webs are also envisioned for use with the present invention. Alternative embodiments of the access region or device 24 can be single or minimal use access devices, folding flaps, spouts, holes, and the like. For instance, a peel seal as described herein can be included with or without a zipper for such embodiments where re-closeability is not desirable or needed. In such an embodiment, the region 24, such as that shown in
As demonstrated in the embodiment of
As shown in
As demonstrated in the embodiment of
Various folding configurations and designs can be implemented in alternative embodiments to form the top gusseted portion 20. For illustrative purposes, the details of the folds and gusset formation are shown and described along side panel portion 16. However, corresponding like folds and/or seals as described herein can be applied to the opposing side panel portion 18 along and with respect to the relationship with the front and back panel portions 12, 14 to create the gusseted top panel portion 20 extending a length between the panel portions 16, 18. Moreover, the gusseted top panel portion 20 can be reversely configured such that the flap 40 extends from the back panel portion 14, the impact portion 48 (or portion 46) extends angled from the back panel portion 14 toward the front panel portion 12, and the device 24 is integrated or provided along a portion of the back panel portion 14.
As demonstrated with the top gusset configuration of
A device portion or flange 27 of the re-closeable device 24 can be disposed along the front panel portion 12 with a second device portion or flange 29 being disposed proximate the end portion 46 of the gusset portion 20, as shown in
In other embodiments, the device 24 can be fully disposed along a portion of a single panel, such as the front panel portion 12 demonstrated in
As shown in
Gusseted panel portion 20 can be left open, or slit open or unsealed, proximate or at the fold 50 to permit filling of the package 10 with the material contents. The entire package 10 may be formed, including the sealing of edges 42a to the front panel portion 12, with the slit or opening provided at fold 50. As such, after the package 10 has been filled with content 11 through the referenced opening after formation, fold 50 (or the slit or opening) can be sealed off and the package 10 prepared for consumer use. This may be particularly useful for a package 10 of the present invention having a bottom gusseted panel 22 that is sealed during formation, thus closing off a primary means of filling the package 10. The opening in gusseted panel portion 20 can provide the necessary fill opening. It is noted that the addition of the gusseted panel portion 20 of the present invention provides an additional external display area, such as that utilized to provided logos, graphics, and the like.
When the package is positioned generally upside down, or subjected to a drop test, the material contents 11 generally flow toward the top of the package 10 and substantially impact the gusset portion 20 rather than the structure of the device 24, as demonstrated in
While the material barrier 48 of the gusseted impact portion 20 can control impact load and redirect contents 11 away from the device 24, the access gap 55 is provided that can facilitate access to the contents 11 through the opening 23 or access device 24. For instance, a user can tip or angle the package 10 to direct the contents 11 along the plane of the panel portion 12 and toward the device 24 through the access gap 55, without directing the contents 11 into the impact barrier 48 of the gusset portion 20. In addition, a user can manipulate the flexible, or relatively flexible, panel portions (e.g., panel portions 12, 20) to open up or expand the access gap 55, or pull back the gusset portion 20 from its triggered position, thereby pulling fold 52 away from panel portion 12 and increasingly opening up the access gap 55 to allow the contents 11 to flow toward the device 24.
As depicted in
Again, the gusset material generally defined from fold 52 and on to fold 50 provides the load barrier 48 adapted to protect the device 24 from damage from the material contents 11 during shipping, handling, use or planned drop tests. Edge portions 42a, 42b are on either side of or divided by fold 52, as demonstrated in
Various figures and descriptions disclose features and accessories. However, it must be noted that these features are merely illustrative in nature and may be placed in varying locations and under varying configurations, and still be consistent with the present invention. Various regions of the package can include a handle portion, access devices, and the like. In addition, the shape and configuration for the panel portions are also merely illustrative and can be altered without deviating from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Any of the panel portions, or selected regions thereof, can include various aesthetic and functional graphics, such as logos, instructions, advertising, bar codes, and the like. These graphics can run transverse, parallel, or even in a diagonal orientation to the longitudinal panel edges discussed herein.
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is, therefore, desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Similarly, the above-described methods and techniques for forming the present invention are illustrative processes and are not intended to limit the methods of manufacturing/forming the present invention to those specifically defined herein. A myriad of various unspecified steps and procedures can be performed to create or form the inventive package 10.
This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/034,582, filed Mar. 7, 2008, which is hereby fully incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
61034582 | Mar 2008 | US |