Pouch multipackage

Abstract

A package for unitizing at least two pouches includes a flexible multipack header positioned between the pouches and adhered along a top portion of the pouches. Attachment areas for the pouches may be positioned along an outer surface of the multipack header, an inner surface of the multipack header, folding tabs and/or panels of the multipack header and/or along two sides of a triangular cross-section formed by the multipack header.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a multipack header for unitizing at least two pouches into a convenient package and a multipackage made therewith.

2. Description of Prior Art

Pouches are commonly used to package and market products such as noodles, juice, coffee and pet food. Such pouches are generally constructed of moisture resistant, flexible material and often are displayed to consumers in bins, shelves or hung on peg hooks. Pouches of this sort are generally sold individually or in multipackages unitized in paperboard or cardboard tertiary boxes. Individual pouches are often difficult to display and manage and existing pouch multipackages often do not give the consumer direct visual feedback of what is bundled within the box.

One solution in the prior art to bundling multiple packages has been a double pouch or “saddle bag” wherein two pouches are sealed to each other across one edge for subsequent sale. Such double pouches increase the volume of product sold but are typically limited to only two pouches per package and generally result in awkward display and carrying.

Therefore, there exists a need for a unitized multipackage of conventional pouches that presents the pouch in an appealing manner, is convenient to manage, display and carry and is efficient to produce and discard.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is one object of this invention to unitize two or more individual pouches into an efficient multipackage that is easily displayed and carried.

It is another object of this invention to utilize a multipack header to unitize a group of pouches.

It is another object of this invention to stabilize an inherently unstable group of individual pouches using a multipack header adhered to a top portion of each individual pouch.

It is another object of this invention to create promotional area within a group of individual pouches using a multipack header.

A “package” according to this invention preferably includes at least two pouches and a multipack header positioned and adhered along a top portion of the pouches. The multipack header is formed from a generally planar and flexible sheet of low density polyethylene and is punched into a preferred configuration, such as described below. Particularly, the multipack header is formed to include a gripping aperture and one or more generally planar attachment areas. The gripping aperture receives at least a portion of one or more fingers or a hand of a consumer and is used to carry the unitized package. The attachment areas are sized and positioned to facilitate attachment of two or more pouches by, for example, adhesive.

According to one preferred embodiment of the multipack header and package, a single planar sheet of plastic forms the multipack header and includes the gripping aperture positioned along a top portion of the multipack header and attachment areas extending along each side of a lower portion of the multipack header. The pouches are then adhered to each side of the multipack header along an outer surface and/or inner surface.

According to another preferred embodiment of the multipack header and package, the multipack header comprises at least two generally planar attachment areas extending in different planes from the top portion of the multipack header having at least one pouch attached to each attachment area. The pouches may then be adhered to an inner surface or an outer surface of the multipack header depending upon the desired billboard.

According to another embodiment of the multipack header and package, the multipack header is formed into a generally triangular cross-section wherein at least one pouch is positioned along attachment areas on two sides of the generally triangular cross-section. Accordingly, a gripping aperture is positioned along a top portion of the multipack header and a spacer is positioned along a bottom portion of the multipack header.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and objects of this invention will be better understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a multipack header according to one preferred embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a disassembled package according to one preferred embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the package shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a front view of a multipack header according to one preferred embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of a package according to one preferred embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the package shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a front view of a multipack header according to one preferred embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of a package according to one preferred embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the package shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a front view of a multipack header according to one preferred embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of a disassembled package according to one preferred embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 12 is a side view of a package according to one preferred embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 13 is a front view of a multipack header according to one preferred embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of a package according to one preferred embodiment of this invention; and

FIG. 15 is a side perspective view of the package shown in FIG. 14.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1-15 show several preferred embodiments of multipack header 30 and unitized package 10 of two or more pouches 20. According to a preferred embodiment of this invention, a “pouch” may comprise polyester, metallized PET, mylar, foil, paper or other non-rigid container for holding food product, liquids, powders, pellets, aggregrate and/or other goods that may be packaged in a disposable, flexible container. Although pouches are the preferred package described in this invention, bags and other suitable containers may also be unitized using the invention described herein.

A pouch typically includes laminates with a high temperature, non-sealable film composing an outer layer and a sealable film composing the inner layer. The pouch typically includes a bottom, which may provide a self-supporting base, and two generally parallel sides extending and/or tapering towards a top. According to one preferred style of pouch, called a “gusseted pouch,” a self-supporting, generally planar base is created using a gusseted bottom. In addition, such a pouch may include a gusseted top. According to another preferred style of pouch, called a “pillow pouch,” a bottom of the pouch is sealed so as to not result in a self-supporting base. Such pouches may have various configurations including different shapes, sizes, spouts and/or closures.

Regardless of the preferred configuration of the pouch, the two generally parallel and/or tapering sides terminate at a top of the pouch which is formed, in part, by an internal seal between the two sides. The internal seal preferably is formed between the inner walls of the two opposing sides of the pouch. This internal seal holds and maintains the respective contents within the pouch until the consumer tears or otherwise breaks the seal to access the inside contents of the pouch. This internal seal, called a “fin seal,” creates a generally planar area along the top of the pouch generally along and above the internal seal area.

Examples of such products distributed in pouches include juice, coffee, pet food, dry pasta, baking mixes, etc. Accordingly, package 10 according to this invention, may hold any number of pouches 20 that are convenient for cost, weight and/or consumption.

Package 10 according to a preferred embodiment of this invention is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and preferably includes at least two pouches 20 and multipack header 30 positioned and adhered along a top portion of the pouches 20. Multipack header 30 according to a preferred embodiment of this invention is formed from a generally planar, flexible sheet of low density polyethylene and die-cut, or otherwise formed, into a preferred configuration, such as shown in FIGS. 1, 4, 7 and 10.

Pouches 20 are preferably formed in an array within package 10. According to one preferred embodiment of this invention, pouches 20 may be formed in an array of longitudinal rows and transverse ranks. The longitudinal rows of pouches 20 are preferably formed along the length or long edge of multipack header 30. Transverse ranks of pouches 20 may be formed by positioning pouches on either side of multipack header 30, possibly in multiple layers as described in more detail below.

As a result of the various configurations of packages 10 described herein, two or more inherently unstable pouches 20 may be joined using multipack header 30 to create a stable package 10. A unitized package 10 having such stability may be stacked, hung, displayed, stored and carried in a more efficient manner than conventional groups of such individual pouches 20.

Multipack header 30 preferably formed or punched to include gripping aperture 40 and one or more generally planar attachment areas 35. Gripping aperture 40 is preferably spaced to receive at least a portion of one or more fingers or a hand of a consumer to result in a comfortable carrying engagement. Alternatively, or in addition, multipack header 30 may include one or more smaller apertures to facilitate hanging multipack header 30 from a peghook or similar hanging display.

Attachment areas 35 are preferably sized and positioned to facilitate attachment of two or more pouches 20, in particular, along the top edges of each of the two parallel sides of pouch 20, namely along the generally planar area surrounding a fin seal. Attachment areas 35 are generally planar and of sufficient length to glue, heat seal or otherwise affix a portion of pouch 20 to multipack header 30 in a manner to prevent accidental detachment and yet permit purposeful detachment, preferably without diminishing the integrity of the remaining package.

According to one preferred embodiment of multipack header 30 and package 10 shown in FIGS. 1-3, multipack header 30 comprises a single planar sheet of plastic having gripping aperture 40 positioned along a top portion of multipack header 30 and attachment areas 35 extending along each side of a lower portion of multipack header 30. Pouches 20 are then adhered to each side of multipack header 30 along each attachment area 35. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, package 10 may be configured so that each attachment area 35 is positioned along outer surfaces of multipack header 30 so that pouches 20 are affixed along the outside of package 10. Therefore, multipack header 30 in positioned along the interior of package 10 and may be generally hidden from view but for the top portion having promotional billboard area and/or gripping aperture 40.

According to a preferred embodiment of this invention, pouches 20 may be pillow-pouches or other pouches that do not include a self-supporting base. In addition, gusseted pouches may include contents, such as liquid, that result in an inherently unstable pouch or package. Accordingly, multipack header 30 provides a longitudinal rigidity along a top portion of package 10 thereby creating a generally stable package 10 from otherwise unstable pouches 20. As a result, opposing pouches 20 connected along their respective top portions form a self-supporting “saw horse” structure having a central connection point at multipack header 30. Opposing pouches 20 thereby lean against each other based upon a fixed connection point along the pouches 20 respective top portions.

According to one preferred embodiment of this invention shown in FIGS. 4-6, multipack header 30 comprises two generally planar attachment areas 35 extending in different planes from the top portion of multipack header 30, wherein at least one pouch 20 is attached to each attachment area 35. Two layered sheets of material may be positioned to create two planar attachment areas 35 extending in different planes that may be formed with seal 50 positioned below gripping aperture 40. Alternatively, multipack header 30 may be formed by folding a single sheet resulting in a “V”-shaped configuration having attachment areas 35 along each leg of the “V.” Alternatively, multipack header 30 may be formed of a flat sheet of material having a smaller sheet of material formed along seal 50 thereby creating a leg that results in two planar attachment areas 35 extending from a top portion of multipack header 30.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, package 10 may be configured so that each attachment area 35 is positioned along an inside of package 10 so that pouches 20 are affixed along inner surfaces of multipack header 30. Such an arrangement permits placement of label 80, UPC codes, advertising and/or other promotional information along an outside of package 10. Alternatively, package 10 may be configured similar to package 10 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 so that attachment area 35 is positioned along an outside of package 10 and pouches 20 are affixed along outer surfaces of multipack header 30. In addition, package 10 may include pouches 20 attached to attachment areas 35 formed along exterior surfaces and attachment areas 35 formed in interior surfaces of multipack header 30 resulting in multiple layers of pouches 20 forming an array of longitudinal rows and transverse ranks along and within multipack header 30.

According to another embodiment of this invention shown in FIGS. 7-9, multipack header 30 comprises a generally triangular cross-section wherein at least one pouch 20 is positioned along attachment areas 35 on two sides of the generally triangular cross-section. Accordingly, gripping aperture 40 is positioned along a top portion of multipack header 30 and spacer 60 is positioned along a bottom portion of multipack header 30 wherein spacer 60 creates separation between opposing pouches 20. This separation between opposing pouches 20 permits package 10 to stand more erect.

As best shown in FIG. 7, the triangular cross-section may be achieved by folding multipack header 30 so that one or more connection tabs 70 mate with one or more connection apertures 65. This configuration creates spacer 60 along a bottom side of the triangular cross-section and attachment areas 35 along the remaining two sides of the triangular cross-section.

As described above, the unitized package 10 according to this invention includes two or more pouches 20 affixed to multipack header 30, specifically attachment areas 35 of multipack header 30. Pouches 20 may be affixed or adhered to multipack header 30 in any number of methods. Pouches 20 may be heat sealed to multipack header 30, glued directly to multipack header 30, taped to multipack header 30 or otherwise adhered to multipack header 30 using methods known to those having ordinary skill in the art. Preferably, each pouch 20 is separately removable from multipack header 30 so that the integrity of package 10 remains intact following removal of one or more pouches 20.

As a result, the unitized package 10 according to this invention is preferably a self-supporting package having adequate promotional area to display product and marketing information and further enable a manufacturer or distributor to bundle and unitize multiple packages of one product or multiple packages of different products into a single, easy-to-carry package.

According to another preferred embodiment of this invention, shown in FIGS. 10-12, multipack header 30 comprises gripping aperture 40 and one or more slits 85 along a lower edge of multipack header 30, such slits 85 forming a plurality of attachment areas 35. As a result of slits 85, multiple folding tabs 75 extend along a bottom of multipack header 30. Folding tabs 75 may thus extend in different planes relative to one another and relative to the remainder of multipack header 30 in this preferred embodiment.

As described above, the unitized package 10 according to this invention includes two or more pouches 20 affixed to multipack header 30, specifically attachment areas 35 on folding tabs 75 of multipack header 30. Preferably, folding tabs 75 are alternatingly folded in opposite directions to facilitate attachment of pouches to one or more folding tabs 75. Pouches 20 may be affixed or adhered to multipack header 30 in any number of methods as described above. According to a preferred embodiment of this invention, pouches 20 may be attached in groups of two, three, four or more pouches across, each pouch 20 affixed to one or more folding tabs 75 in multipack header 30 so as to create a unitized package. Pouches 20 may further be attached at different elevations relative to a top portion of multipack header 30 so as to accommodate pouches 20 in a more efficient manner, such as by improving stackability and/or improving space efficiency.

According to a preferred embodiment of this invention, shown in FIG. 10, multipack header 30 includes four slits 85 creating five folding tabs 75. As shown in FIG. 10, folding tabs 75 on each end (labeled as “A”) preferably adhere to a first pouch 20; folding tabs 75 positioned next inward (labeled as “B”) preferably adhere to a second pouch 20; and folding tab 75 positioned in the center (labeled as “C”) preferably adheres to a third pouch 20. As a result, and as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, first pouch 20 and second pouch 20 are positioned on the outside of package 10 and third pouch 20 is positioned on the inside of package 10 between the other two pouches 20, 20. Package 10 may be configured in any other preferred manner utilizing folding tabs 75 and the respective attachment areas 35 created thereon.

According to yet another preferred embodiment of this invention, shown in FIGS. 13-15, multipack header 30 comprises gripping aperture 40 and folding panel 90 internally positioned within multipack header 30. Attachment areas 35 may be formed on each side of folding panel 90, in addition to along a periphery of multipack header 30 formed beneath folding panel 90. According to a preferred embodiment of this invention, and as shown in FIGS. 13-15, two folding panels 90 are formed on each side of multipack header 30 resulting in at least four attachment areas 35 formed on each side of multipack header 30.

As described above, the unitized package 10 according to this invention includes two or more pouches 20 affixed to multipack header 30, specifically attachment areas 35 on folding panel 90 and/or along periphery of multipack header 30. Preferably, folding panels 90 may be folded inwardly toward a center of multipack header 30 so as to facilitate attachment of pouches to one or more folding panels 90. Pouches 20 may be affixed or adhered to multipack header 30 in any number of methods as described above, including heat sealing or with adhesive. According to a preferred embodiment of this invention, pouches 20 may be attached in groups of two, three, four or more pouches across, each pouch 20 affixed to one or more folding panels 90 and along the periphery of multipack header 30 so as to create a unitized package.

According to each of the packages 10 described above and shown in the figures, package 10 may be carried using a designated handle, such as gripping aperture 40. Alternatively, package 10 may be carried by gripping any portion of multipack header 30. In addition, package 10 may be carried by gripping and lifting any individual pouch 20 within package 10 thereby lifting multipack header 30 connected thereto and the remaining pouches 20 within package 10.

In all of the preceding packages 10, pouches 20 may further be attached at different elevations relative to a top portion of multipack header 30 so as to accommodate pouches 20 in a more efficient manner, such as by improving stackability and/or improving space efficiency. In addition, different elevations of pouches relative to the top portion of multipack header 30 may correspond with different lengths of pouches 20 and/or different angles of attachment of pouches 20 so that the final package 10 is self-supporting and generally aligned in a desirable manner for marketing. For instance, pouches 20 may be positioned at different relative elevations to permit a pouch 20 positioned along an outer surface of package 10 to maintain a desired viewing angle on a shelf for the consumer.

While in the foregoing specification this invention has been described in relation to certain preferred embodiments thereof, and many details have been set forth for purposes of illustration, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is susceptible to additional embodiments and that certain of the details described herein can be varied considerably without departing from the basic principles of the invention.

Claims

1. A unitized package comprising: at least two pouches arranged in an array, each pouch comprising two flexible sides terminating at a seal across a top portion, the seal formed between inner walls of the two sides; a multipack header connecting the at least two pouches and adhered along the top portion of the at least two pouches.

2. The unitized package of claim 1 wherein the at least two pouches are connected to the multipack header along a planar attachment area of the multipack header.

3. The unitized package of claim 1 wherein the multipack header further comprises: a gripping aperture positioned along a top portion of the multipack header; a seal positioned below the gripping aperture; and two planar attachment areas extending from the seal in different planes from the top portion of the multipack header, wherein each planar attachment area is attached to at least one pouch.

4. The unitized package of claim 1 wherein the multipack header comprises: a gripping aperture positioned along a top portion of the multipack header; and a spacer positioned along a bottom portion of the multipack header, the spacer creating separation between the at least two pouches.

5. The unitized package of claim 1 wherein the multipack header comprises a folded triangular cross-section wherein at least one pouch is positioned along two sides of the folded triangular cross-section.

6. The unitized package of claim 5 wherein the multipack header further comprises: one or more connection apertures positioned in the multipack header; and one or more connection tabs positioned in the multipack header, the connection tabs mateable with the connection apertures.

7. The unitized package of claim 5 further comprising: a gripping aperture positioned along one side of the multipack header; and one or more connection tabs positioned along an opposite side of the multipack header, the connection tabs for forming the folded triangular cross-section.

8. The unitized package of claim 1 wherein the at least two pouches are heat sealed to the multipack header.

9. The unitized package of claim 1 wherein the at least two pouches are glued to the multipack header.

10. The unitized package of claim 1 wherein the multipack header further comprises: a gripping aperture positioned along a top portion of the multipack header; one or more slits forming two or more folding tabs, the folding tabs extendable in separate planes from the top portion of the multipack header.

11. The unitized package of claim 1 wherein the multipack header further comprises: one or more gripping apertures positioned within the multipack header; one or more folding panels positioned within the multipack header, the one or more folding panels forming an attachment area for each pouch.

12. The unitized package of claim 11 wherein the one or more folding panels are three sided and formed from within a central portion of the multipack header.

13. The unitized package of claim 12 wherein an additional attachment area for an additional pouch is formed along a periphery of the multipack header.

14. A unitized package comprising: a flexible multipack header having a top portion and at least two attachment areas each extending in separate planes from the top portion; and at least one pouch having two generally parallel sides extending toward an upper end adhered to each attachment area.

15. The unitized package of claim 14 wherein each attachment area is positioned along an outside of the unitized package.

16. The unitized package of claim 14 wherein each attachment area is positioned along an inside of the unitized package.

17. The unitized package of claim 14 wherein a plurality of pouches are adhered to each attachment area.

18. The unitized package of claim 14 wherein the at least two attachment areas comprise two sides of a triangular cross-section.

19. The unitized package of claim 18 wherein the two attachment areas are mated immediately below a gripping aperture.

20. The unitized package of claim 19 further comprising a spacer positioned between the two attachment areas to complete the triangular cross-section.

21. The unitized package of claim 14 wherein the pouches are attached at different elevations relative to the top portion of the flexible multipack header.

22. The unitized package of claim 14 wherein the flexible multipack header includes a plurality of folding tabs extending along a bottom of the flexible multipack header, each folding tab of the plurality of folding tabs including at least one attachment area and extending in a different plane relative to the top portion of the flexible multipack header.

23. The unitized package of claim 14 wherein the at least two attachment areas are formed on one or more folding panels positioned within an interior of the flexible multipack header.

24. A unitized package comprising: two or more pouches, each pouch including two generally parallel sides sealed along each side and along a top; and a multipack header positioned between the two or more pouches and adhered to the top of each pouch so that each pouch is separately removable from the multipack header.

25. The unitized package of claim 24 wherein the arrangement of the two or more pouches and the multipack header results in a self-supporting package.

26. The unitized package of claim 24 wherein each pouch is positioned along an attachment area extending in a different plane from a top portion of the multipack header.

27. The unitized package of claim 24 wherein the multipack header comprises a triangular cross-section.

28. The unitized package of claim 24 wherein the multipack header comprises two or more folding tabs that form one or more attachment areas for attaching the top of each pouch.