Container for distributing granular material and associated method

Abstract

A container includes a pair of flexible opposing sidewalls joined together at opposite side edges, and having a closed lower end. A folded perforated dispensing panel is connected to the pair of opposing sidewalls at upper ends thereof, and includes first and second laterally adjacent portions. The first portion is joined to adjacent portions of the pair of opposing sidewalls and has at least one opening therein defining a carrier handle for the container. A seal is above the second portion of the folded perforated dispensing panel.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of containers, and more particularly, to a container for distributing granular material.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Mechanical spreading equipment is normally used to spread granular material on the ground. Fertilizer and insecticide, for example, are commonly in the form of granular material. Mechanical spreading equipment is very effective over relatively large areas.

However, for relatively small areas, the use of mechanical spreading equipment can be a hindrance. As an alternative to mechanical spreading equipment, the spreading of granular material may be performed using a hand-held scoop. In some instances, the granular material may even be spread by hand, but this can be inconvenient and messy.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,709,479 discloses a hand-held bag that is used for distributing granular material. The bag includes first and second opposing sidewalls connected together for enclosing the granular material. In one end of the bag, a base gusset is provided between the panels. The base gusset includes apertures therein for distribution of the granular material.

A tongue-and-groove closure arrangement is provided adjacent the apertures so that the bag can be selectively closed to inhibit distribution of the granular material when desired. In the opposite end of the bag, a handle is attached to the first and second sidewalls. To operate the tongue-and-groove closure arrangement, the bag has to be flipped over onto its handle. This is rather awkward when the bag is still holding a substantial amount of granular material. Moreover, if the tongue-and-groove closure arrangement is not closed properly, the bag may reopen when carried by the handle, thus spilling the granular material on the ground.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing background, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a container for distributing granular material that is relatively convenient to use.

This and other objects, features, and advantages in accordance with the present invention are provided by a container comprising a pair of flexible opposing sidewalls joined together at opposite side edges, and having a closed lower end, and a folded perforated dispensing panel connected to the pair of opposing sidewalls at upper ends thereof. The folded perforated dispensing panel may comprise first and second laterally adjacent portions. The first portion may be joined to adjacent portions of the pair of opposing sidewalls, and has at least one opening therein defining a carrier handle for the container.

A seal may be above the second portion of the folded perforated dispensing panel. The seal may comprise a re-sealable seal, such as a tongue-and-groove closure arrangement. The container may further comprise a tear-away closure above the re-sealable seal.

The folded perforated dispensing panel may comprise an inwardly folded perforated dispensing panel. The folded perforated dispensing panel may comprise a plurality of openings arranged in an array of rows and columns. The folded perforated dispensing panel preferably extends across the width of the container, i.e., between its side edges. This advantageously allows the carrier handle to have increased support due to the first portion of the folded perforated dispensing panel being joined to the adjacent portions of the pair of opposing sidewalls.

The pair of flexible opposing sidewalls and the folded perforated dispensing panel may each comprise a thermo plastic material. The thermo plastic material may be a laminated material comprising polyester and polyethylene, for example. One edge of the pair of flexible opposing sidewalls may comprise an integrally formed fold line. The pair of flexible opposing sidewalls and the folded perforated dispensing panel may be joined together via thermally welded seams.

The closed lower end of the pair of flexible opposing sidewalls may comprise a folded base panel connected to the pair of opposing sidewalls at lower ends thereof. The folded base panel may be joined to adjacent portions of the pair of opposing sidewalls, and may define a base for supporting the container in an up-right position.

Another aspect of the present invention is to directed to a combination of a container, as described above, and granular material contained in the container for distributing therefrom. After the container has been partially formed and the granular material placed therein, the pair of flexible opposing sidewalls, the folded perforated dispensing panel, and the folded base panel may be joined together via thermally welded seams.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is directed to a method for making a container for holding granular material. The method comprises providing a pair of flexible opposing sidewalls joined together at opposite side edges, and having a closed lower end, and connecting a folded perforated dispensing panel to the pair of opposing sidewalls at upper ends thereof. The folded perforated dispensing panel may comprise first and second laterally adjacent portions. The first portion may be joined to adjacent portions of the pair of opposing sidewalls, and has at least one opening therein defining a carrier handle for the container. The method may further comprise providing at least one seal above the second portion of the folded perforated dispensing panel.

As noted above, the folded perforated dispensing panel may comprise an inwardly folded perforated dispensing panel that preferably extends across the width of the container, i.e., between its side edges. This simplifies the manufacturing process while also permitting the carrier handle to have increased support due to the first portion of the folded perforated dispensing panel being joined to the adjacent portions of the pair of opposing sidewalls.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sealed container in an up-right position with granular material contained therein in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container illustrated in FIG. 1 unsealed and in a tilted position for distributing the granular material through the folded perforated dispensing panel.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the container illustrated in FIG. 1 without the granular material therein.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the container taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the container taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

A container 10 with granular material 12 therein will initially be described with reference FIGS. 1 and 2. The granular material 12 may include fertilizer and insecticide, for example. The container 10 includes a closed lower end 14 that defines a base for supporting the container in an up-right position, as illustrated in FIG. 1. Being able to position the container 10 in an up-right position allows the container to be easily displayed or stored on a shelf, for example.

The illustrated container 10 is formed with transparent material. This allows internal detail of the container 10 to be more easily seen. However, non-transparent material may also be used for forming the container 10. The transparent material may be polyethylene, for example. Other compatible type materials may also be used, as readily appreciated by those skilled in the art. For example, a laminated material of polyester and polyethylene may be used.

To dispense the granular material 12 from the container 10, as illustrated in FIG. 2, an end seal 16 is first torn off, and a seal 18 above a perforated dispensing panel 20 is opened. The container 10 is then placed in a tilted position so that the granular material 12 may be dispensed through the perforated dispensing panel 20. If the container 10 is not completely emptied while dispensing the granular material 12, the seal 18 is closed and the container may be placed back in the up-right position for storage.

Referring now to FIGS. 3-5, construction of the container 10 will be described in greater detail. The container 10 comprises a pair of flexible opposing sidewalls 30, 32 joined together at opposite side edges 40, 42. The closed lower end 14 is at the base of the pair of opposing sidewalls 30, 32. A folded perforated dispensing panel 50 is connected to the pair of opposing sidewalls 30, 32 at upper ends thereof.

The folded perforated dispensing panel 50 comprises first and second laterally adjacent portions 52 and 20. The first portion 52 is joined to adjacent portions of the pair of opposing sidewalls 30, 32 and has at least one opening 60 therein defining a carrier handle for the container 10. In the illustrated example, the container 10 has a pair of openings 60 for defining the carrier handle.

As illustrated, the folded perforated dispensing panel 50 preferably extends across the width of the container 10, i.e., between side edges 40, 42. This advantageously allows the carrier handle to have increased support due to the first portion 52 of the folded perforated dispensing panel 50 being joined to the adjacent portions of the pair of opposing sidewalls, 30, 32.

As best illustrated by the cross-sectional view in FIG. 4 taken along line A-A in FIG. 3, the first portion 52 of the folded perforated dispensing panel 50 is thermally welded to the upper portions 30a, 32a of the pair of opposing sidewalls 30, 32. As noted above, this feature of the container 10 advantageously provides increased support for the carrier handle. Seams 60a are also formed around the openings 60 for providing even additional support for the carrier handle.

The second portion 20 of the folded perforated dispensing panel 50 is secured at the side edge 40 and at the boundary area 54 with the adjacent first portion 52. As best illustrated by the cross-sectional view in FIG. 5 taken along line B-B in FIG. 3, the second portion 52 of the folded perforated dispensing panel 50 is not thermally welded to the upper portions 30a, 32a of the pair of opposing sidewalls 30, 32. This feature of the container 10 advantageously allows the second portion 20 of the folded perforated dispensing panel 50 to expand so that the granular material 12 may be dispensed therethrough.

In addition, a dip 82 is in the first portion 52 of the folded perforated dispensing panel 50 adjacent the boundary area 54. The dip 82 permits the seal 18 to be more easily opened and closed, as well as permitting the end seal 16 to be more easily removed.

The pair of flexible opposing sidewalls 30, 32 and the folded perforated dispensing panel 50 each preferably comprises a thermo plastic material, such as polyethylene, for example. Thermo plastic material may be welded together using heat, as readily appreciated by those skilled in the art. For instance, the first portion 52 of the folded perforated dispensing panel 50 is thermally welded to the upper portions 30a, 32a of the pair of opposing sidewalls 30, 32.

In addition, side edge 40 of the pair of opposing sidewalls 30, 32 is also thermally welded together to form a seam. As illustrated in FIG. 3, lower and upper sections 42a, 42b of the side edge 42 of the pair of opposing sidewalls 30, 32 are also thermally welded together to form respective seams. The remaining center section 42c of the side edge 42 comprises an integrally formed fold line. Of course, a thermo seal may also be formed along the center section 42c.

In the illustrated embodiment, the pair of opposing sidewalls 30, 32 is one piece, with the center section 42c being the integrally formed fold line, and the other edge 40 being thermally welded to form a seal. In other embodiments, the pair of opposing sidewalls 30, 32 are separate sections joined together by thermally welding their respective edges.

The folded perforated dispensing panel 50 is inwardly folded, as best illustrated in the cross-sectional views of the container 10 in FIGS. 4 and 5. The folded perforated dispensing panel 50 comprises a plurality of openings 56 arranged in an array of rows and columns. Each opening 56 has a diameter within a range of about 0.1 to 0.4 inches, for example. Other diameters are acceptable based upon the type of granular material 12 being dispensed by the container 10.

The granular material 12 may be in a variety of forms including grains, seeds, powders and pellets, for example. In general, the maximum average dimension of the granular material 12 should be sufficiently smaller than the average diameter of the openings 56 to facilitate distribution.

The seal 18 above the second portion 20 of the folded perforated dispensing panel 50 is preferably in the form of a tongue-and-groove closure arrangement, which is re-sealable. Other arrangements for sealing the container 10 are also acceptable, as readily appreciated by those skilled in the art.

Above the seal 18 is the end seal 16, which is a tear-away closure, i.e., it is not re-sealable. As illustrated in FIG. 3, a perforated line 17 extends between a pair of edge notches 19. Instead of a tear-away seal, as illustrated, the end seal 16 may be removed by cutting with scissors, for example.

The closed lower end 14 of the container 10 includes a folded base panel 70 connected to the pair of opposing sidewalls 30, 32 at lower ends thereof, as best illustrated by the cross-sectional views in FIGS. 4 and 5 taken along lines A-A and line B-B in FIG. 3. The folded base panel 70 is joined to adjacent lower portions of the pair of opposing sidewalls, and defines a base for supporting the container 10 in an up-right position.

The folded base panel 70 may be referred to as a gusset. As the container 10 is filled with the granular material 12, the base panel 70 unfolds or expands. The base panel 70 preferably includes an integrally formed fold line 72 with sidewall 30 and an integrally formed fold line 74 with sidewall 32. The side edges of the folded base panel 70 are thermally welded to the lower edge sections 41 of edges 40 on one side of the container 10, and to the lower edge sections 43 of edges 42 on one side of the container. Pairs of thermally welded diagonal seams 47 are also formed on each side of the container 10 between the base panel 70 and the respective sidewalls 30, 32. This results in an empty pocket 49 being formed at each end of the closed lower end 14.

The container 10 as described above may be formed in a variety of different sizes, with the actual size depending on its intended use. An example width of the container 10 between the edges 40, 42 of the sidewalls 30, 32 is about 13 inches. An example height of the container 10 along edge 40 of the sidewalls 30, 32 is also about 13 inches, and a height of the container along edge 42 of the sidewalls is about 11 inches. The folded base panel 70 expands to about 3 inches when the container 10 is filled with the granular material 12. Based upon these dimensions, up to 25 pounds of granular material 12 may be held by the container.

Another aspect of the present invention is to directed to a combination of a container 10, as described above, and granular material 12 contained in the container for distributing therefrom. After the container 10 has been partially formed and the granular material 12 placed therein, the pair of flexible opposing sidewalls 30, 32, the folded perforated dispensing panel 50, and the folded base panel 70 are joined together via thermally welded seams.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is directed to a method for making a container 10 for holding granular material 12. The method comprises providing a pair of flexible opposing sidewalls 30, 32 joined together at opposite side edges 40, 42, and having a closed lower end 14, and connecting a folded perforated dispensing panel 50 to the pair of opposing sidewalls at upper ends thereof. The folded perforated dispensing panel 50 comprises first and second laterally adjacent portions 52, 20. The first portion 52 is joined to adjacent portions 30a, 32a of the pair of opposing sidewalls 30, 32, and has at least one opening 60 therein defining a carrier handle for the container 10. The method further comprises providing at least one seal 18 above the second portion 20 of the folded perforated dispensing panel 50.

The folded perforated dispensing panel 50 is inwardly folded, and preferably extends across the width of the container 10, i.e., between its side edges 40, 42. This simplifies the manufacturing process while also permitting the carrier handle to have increased support due to the first portion 52 of the folded perforated dispensing panel 50 being joined to the adjacent portions 30a, 32a of the pair of opposing sidewalls.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to the mind of one skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications and embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A container comprising:

a pair of flexible opposing sidewalls joined together at opposite side edges, and having a closed lower end;

a folded perforated dispensing panel connected to said pair of opposing sidewalls at upper ends thereof, and comprising first and second laterally adjacent portions, said first portion being joined to adjacent portions of said pair of opposing sidewalls and having at least one opening therein defining a carrier handle for the container; and

at least one seal above the second portion of said folded perforated dispensing panel.

2. A container according to claim 1 wherein said folded perforated dispensing panel comprises an inwardly folded perforated dispensing panel.

3. A container according to claim 1 wherein said folded perforated dispensing panel comprises a plurality of openings arranged in an array of rows and columns.

4. A container according to claim 3 wherein each opening has a diameter within a range of about 0.1 to 0.4 inches.

5. A container according to claim 1 wherein said pair of flexible opposing sidewalls and said folded perforated dispensing panel each comprises a thermo plastic material.

6. A container according to claim 5 wherein said thermo plastic material comprises polyester and polyethylene.

7. A container according to claim 1 wherein said at least one seal comprises a re-sealable seal.

8. A container according to claim 7 wherein said re-sealable seal comprises a tongue-and-groove closure arrangement.

9. A container according to claim 1 further comprising a tear-away closure above said at least one seal.

10. A container according to claim 1 wherein one edge of said pair of flexible opposing sidewalls comprises an integrally formed fold line.

11. A container according to claim 1 wherein said pair of flexible opposing sidewalls and said folded perforated dispensing panel are joined together via thermally welded seams.

12. A container according to claim 1 wherein said pair of flexible opposing sidewalls comprises a transparent material.

13. A container according to claim 1 wherein the closed lower end of said pair of flexible opposing sidewalls comprises a folded base panel connected to said pair of opposing sidewalls at lower ends thereof.

14. A container according to claim 14 wherein said folded base panel is joined to adjacent portions of said pair of opposing sidewalls, and defining a base for supporting the container in an up-right position.

15. A combination of a container and granular material contained in the container for distributing therefrom, the container comprising:

a pair of flexible opposing sidewalls joined together at opposite side edges, and having a closed lower end;

a folded perforated dispensing panel connected to said pair of opposing sidewalls at upper ends thereof, and comprising first and second laterally adjacent portions, said first portion being joined to adjacent portions of said pair of opposing sidewalls and having at least one opening therein defining a carrier handle for the container, and said second portion comprising a plurality of openings for distributing in a uniform manner the granular material from the container; and

at least one seal above the second portion of said folded perforated dispensing panel.

16. A combination according to claim 15 wherein the granular material comprises at least one of fertilizer and insecticide.

17. A combination according to claim 15 wherein said folded perforated dispensing panel comprises an inwardly folded perforated dispensing panel.

18. A combination according to claim 15 wherein said folded perforated dispensing panel comprises a plurality of openings arranged in an array of rows and columns.

19. A combination according to claim 15 wherein said pair of flexible opposing sidewalls and said folded perforated dispensing panel each comprises a thermo plastic material.

20. A combination according to claim 15 wherein said at least one seal comprises a re-sealable seal.

21. A combination according to claim 15 further comprising a tear-away closure above said at least one seal.

22. A combination according to claim 15 wherein one edge of said pair of flexible opposing sidewalls comprises an integrally formed fold line.

23. A combination according to claim 15 wherein said pair of flexible opposing sidewalls and said folded perforated dispensing panel are joined together via thermally welded seams.

24. A combination according to claim 15 wherein the closed lower end of said pair of flexible opposing sidewalls comprises a folded base panel connected to said pair of opposing sidewalls at lower ends thereof.

25. A combination according to claim 24 wherein said folded base panel is joined to adjacent portions of said pair of opposing sidewalls, and defining a base for supporting the container in an up-right position.

26. A method for making a container for holding granular material, the method comprising:

providing a pair of flexible opposing sidewalls joined together at opposite side edges, and having a closed lower end;

connecting a folded perforated dispensing panel to the pair of opposing sidewalls at upper ends thereof, and the folded perforated dispensing panel comprising first and second laterally adjacent portions, the first portion being joined to adjacent portions of the pair of opposing sidewalls and having at least one opening therein defining a carrier handle for the container; and

providing at least one seal above the second portion of the folded perforated dispensing panel.

27. A method according to claim 26 wherein the folded perforated dispensing panel comprises an inwardly folded perforated dispensing panel.

28. A method according to claim 26 wherein the folded perforated dispensing panel comprises a plurality of openings arranged in an array of rows and columns.

29. A method according to claim 26 wherein the pair of flexible opposing sidewalls and the folded perforated dispensing panel each comprises a thermo plastic material.

30. A method according to claim 26 wherein the at least one seal comprises a re-sealable seal.

31. A method according to claim 26 further comprising providing a tear-away closure above the at least one seal.

32. A method according to claim 26 wherein one edge of the pair of flexible opposing sidewalls comprises an integrally formed fold line.

33. A method according to claim 26 wherein the pair of flexible opposing sidewalls and the folded perforated dispensing panel are joined together via thermally welded seams.

34. A method according to claim 26 wherein the closed lower end of the pair of flexible opposing sidewalls comprises a folded base panel connected to the pair of opposing sidewalls at lower ends thereof.

35. A method according to claim 34 wherein the folded base panel is joined to adjacent portions of the pair of opposing sidewalls, and defining a base for supporting the container in an up-right position.