FLEXIBLE PACKAGE AND METHOD OF FORMING A CUFF

Abstract

A package having a foldable top region is provided. The package generally includes panel portions that at least partially define an interior cavity therebetween and accessible through an access opening. The top portion can provide a cuff member or cuff region that can be folded and unfolded to facilitate use of the package as a bowl or other cuffed container for material contents. The package can be adapted to hold its shape as a bowl or cuffed container.

Description

PRIORITY

This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/080,102, filed Jul. 11, 2008, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to flexible packaging and, more particularly, to packages having a cuff, and methods for forming a cuff or cuffed region, or using packages as a bowl.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Flexible packages used for items like food, liquid and other material content are meant to store, transport and serve as the consumption container. Namely, it is often desirable to have a package adapted for the end user to consume the contents directly from the package, rather than transferring the contents to a bowl, plate, or other container or device. Such conventional designs are often cumbersome and difficult to use. For instance, typical stand-up packages are not capable of use as a bowl or to drink out of because they are not generally stable, are not able to hold their shape, and present sharp points or edges that can cause injury.

As a result, there is a need for a flexible package that substantially solves the above-referenced problems with conventional package designs, use, configurations, and manufacturing methods.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

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 capable of forming a cuff, or to convert the package into a bowl. The package can include a front, back and bottom panel portion to define an interior accessible through an access opening. The bottom panel can be configured to provide a stand-up pouch configuration for the package, with the bottom panel defining a base measurably wider than the height of the package to create a stable stand-up configuration. The package can further include one or more side panel portions, gusseted or non-gusseted. The interior is capable of storing and dispensing product or other objects, including solids and liquids.

The package can include a top region proximate the access opening, the top region having a cuff member, such as an access device for one-time or re-closeable use. The access device can permit selective access into the internal cavity of the package through the access opening. The top region can be foldable about a fold area proximate the cuff member such that a cuff is presented. It is envisioned that various creases, or added structures such as rigid or semi-rigid members, can be provided along or proximate the fold area to facilitate folding along the fold area.

The above summary of the invention is not intended to describe each illustrated embodiment or every implementation of the invention. The figures in the detailed description that follow more particularly exemplify these embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments of the invention in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a package with a cuff member or cuff region in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the package of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the package of FIG. 2, containing package contents.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a package with a cuff member cuff region in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the package of FIG. 4, showing an end user folding the top region.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the package of FIG. 4, with the top region folded over or downward to create a cuff with the cuff member (e.g., zipper) or cuff region present on the outside of the package.

FIG. 7 is a front view of a package with the top region folded over or downward to create a cuff with the cuff member or cuff region present on the outside of the package.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the package of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a top view of the package of FIG. 7, containing package 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, hatching or shading in the figures is provided to demonstrate sealed portions and/or integrated devices for the package.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A purpose of the present invention is to form a package, such as a flexible package, to have a top region or portion capable of folding over to form a cuff. Such a cuff configuration facilitates using the package as a bowl or other like container for accessing or dispensing material contents. The various embodiments and teachings provided herein can also be employed with a semi-rigid package. References to “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” and the like are for illustrative purposes only and are not meant to limit the scope of the disclosed invention.

Referring generally to FIGS. 1-9, a flexible package 10 and components and configurations in accordance with embodiments of the present invention are shown. The package 10 can include a front panel portion 12, a back panel portion 14, a cuff member 24, and a top region or portion 20. In various embodiments, the top region or portion 20 of the package 10 can include a space or gap defined between the cuff member 24 and a top edge of the package 10. The distance of the gap or space can vary greatly depending on the particular formation and usage needs for the subject package 10.

In addition, the package 10 can include one or more side panel seals 16, 18 and a bottom panel portion 22. The bottom panel portion 22 can be gusseted to provide a stable base for the package 10, but other non-gusseted embodiments are envisioned as well. The side of the package can also include side panel portions (not shown), gusseted or non-gusseted. In the depicted embodiments, the joining and/or shaping of the above-referenced panels define the package 10 with an interior or internal cavity 25, generally having an adjustable internal volume capacity for holding material contents 11. The panel portions are often referred to as “webs” or films. Each panel can be formed from an individual web or, alternatively, each of the panels can be portions of a larger single web, wherein the large web is folded, cut and/or shaped to define the individual and distinctly defined panel portions and, ultimately, the shape and size of the package 10. Regardless of the formation techniques or the use of separate web panels, a distinct or distinguishable panel portion is defined for each panel. Further, one or more of the panel portions can be gusseted.

In an upright or stand-up flexible package 10 of one embodiment, the base or bottom panel portion 22 can be defined by a distance “B” measurably greater than the height distance “H” of the front and back panels 12, 14, as shown in FIG. 1. This configuration provides a stable base region to adapt the package 10 for use as a bowl or other standing container for material contents 11. Other dimensional and proportional configurations for the package and its respective panels are envisioned as well. For instance, the base or bottom panel portion 22 distance “B” can be greater than the depth “D” of the bottom panel, or the bottom panel expanded depth “D” from the front panel to the back panel (FIG. 5), to provide a stable stand-up package.

The package panel portions 12-22 are generally constructed of flexible sheet material such as polyethylene, polyester, metal foil, polypropylene, or polyethylenes or polypropylenes laminated with other materials such as nylon, polyester, and like films. To provide for increased barrier properties, embodiments can use composite layers of said materials and material of the like. Generally, in such composite 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.

In those package embodiments including an access device as the cuff member 24, the device 24 can be a re-closeable device that is disposed, attached or integrated to at least one of the front or back panel portions 12, 14, and capable of multiple re-closeable uses. In one embodiment, portions of the access device 24 are positioned on both the front panel portion 12 and the back panel portion 14 (e.g., interior surface of the panel portions) to facilitate opening and closing of the package 10 at the top region 20. For instance, one of the panel portions can include a male zipper profile and the opposing panel portion can include a female zipper profile to facilitate selective engagement and access into the package. Various 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 employment of various techniques, devices or machines for attaching access opening devices to flexible packaging sheets or webs are envisioned for use with the present invention. Alternative embodiments of the access device 24 can be single or minimal use access devices, folding flaps, spouts, holes, and the like. Additionally, a peel seal can be included, with or without an access device or zipper interlock feature. Further, the cuff member or access device can be disposed along any portion of the package 10, e.g., sides, bottom, and the like, without deviating from the present invention.

In other embodiments, the package 10 may not include an access device, but may instead include a crease, rigid member, semi-rigid member, film member, or other structures or configurations for the cuff member 24 to define a region proximate the top of the package to facilitate folding of the top to create the described and depicted cuff and hold the round shape of a bowl. In various embodiments, no cuff member or access device at all is required to facilitate formation of the cuff. Instead, the general proportions, materials and overall design and configuration of the package can alone, or in combination, enable folding of the top, or other regions of the package proximate an opening, to create the inventive cuff and to hold the round shape of a bowl. In certain embodiments, the top portion 20 can further include a slit, laser score, tear notch 28 or other known means of facilitating the opening of the sealed top portion of the package to allow access to the device or member 24, and/or the internal cavity 25.

In use, the package 10 can first be provided in an uncuffed configuration, such as those embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-3. The cuff member 24 can induce or provide a level of shape memory such that the cuff member 24 (e.g., access device) tends to move at least a distance back toward the opposing cuff member 24 when the package is opened. To provide a cuff, the user generally grabs the opened top portion of the package 10 and folds it down at least one time about or below the cuff member or access device 24, as shown in FIG. 5. This down-fold, or folds, creates a cuff 26 at the top (or the bottom or sides) of the package 10 that results in positioning the once internal member or access device 24 on the outside of the package 10, as shown in FIGS. 6-9. As such, the top of the package 10 is generally free of sharp or pointy edges. The shape memory of the cuff member 24 in certain embodiments can tend to form or urge the cuff 26 away from the inside of the package, which can assist in forming or holding a rounded bowl shape for the cuffed package (FIG. 9). The user can also fold the top inward at least once to form the cuff 26 inside the package 10.

The described and depicted cuff configurations provide a bowl-shaped package with a wide opening such that the user can selectively shape the bowl, with the bowl generally retaining the desired shape during use because of the additional structure and configuration of the cuff 26. With this bowl configuration, the package 10 can be used as a container vehicle for material contents, solids or liquids. For instance, animals can eat or drink directly from the package 10, reducing the chance of injury because of the rounded top edges. In addition, the bowl can be used by a human to hold, transport or consume food or liquids. After using the package 10, the end user can fold the cuff 26 back up, returning the package 10 to its original unfolded configuration and allowing the user to reuse the access device 24 to close the package 10 in those embodiments including a re-closeable access device 24.

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. 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.

Claims

1. A method of providing a flexible package as a bowl-like container, comprising:

providing a flexible package having at least first and second panels defining an inner cavity, the first and second panels each having respective interior surfaces, with a first cuff region defined along a portion of the interior surface of the first panel proximate a first edge portion and a second cuff region defined along a portion of the interior surface of the second panel proximate a second edge portion, and

manipulating the flexible package proximate the first and second cuff regions to fold the first and second edge portions over such that the first and second cuff regions are positioned on the outside of the package to form a cuff in the flexible package.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first cuff region includes a first cuff member, and the second cuff region includes a second cuff member.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first cuff member is a first zipper device portion and the second cuff member is a second zipper device portion.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the flexible package further includes providing a bottom panel such that at least the first, second and bottom panels define the inner cavity and the flexible package is configured as a stand-up package.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein providing the bottom panel includes providing a gusseted bottom panel.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second panels are each defined by a width dimension and a height dimension, with the width dimensions being greater than the respective height dimensions.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein the first and second panels are defined by a width dimension greater than a depth dimension of the bottom panel.

8. The method of claim 1, further including manually manipulating the flexible package proximate the first and second cuff regions to fold the first and second edge portions upward such that the first and second cuff regions are returned to within the inner cavity of the flexible package.

9. The method of claim 8, further including interlocking the first cuff region with the second cuff region.

10. A method of providing a flexible package as a cuffed container, comprising:

providing a flexible package having at least first, second and bottom panels defining an inner cavity, the first and second panels each having respective interior surfaces such that a first cuff member is disposed along a portion of the interior surface of the first panel proximate a first edge portion and a second cuff member is disposed along a portion of the interior surface of the second panel proximate a second edge portion; and

manipulating the flexible package proximate the first and second cuff members to fold the first and second edge portions downward to form a cuff in the flexible package.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the formed cuff provides a rounded edge portion proximate a top region of the flexible package.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the first and second panels are each defined by a width dimension and height dimension, with the width dimensions being greater than the respective height dimensions.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the first cuff member is a first zipper device portion and the second cuff member is a second zipper device portion.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the first zipper device portion is adapted to selectively interlock with the second zipper device portion to provide selective access into the inner cavity of the flexible package.

15. The method of claim 10, further including manually manipulating the flexible package proximate the first and second cuff members to fold the first and second edge portions upward.

16. The method of claim 15, further including interlocking the first cuff member with the second cuff member.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein folding the first and second edge portions downward includes folding the first and second edge portions such that the first cuff member and the second cuff member are positioned on the outside of the package to form the cuff in the flexible package.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein folding the first and second edge portions downward includes folding the first and second edge portions such that the first cuff member and the second cuff member are positioned on the inside of the package to form the cuff in the flexible package.

19. A method of providing a flexible package as a cuffed container, comprising:

providing a flexible package having at least first and second, with the first and second panels each having respective interior surfaces such that a first access device portion is disposed along a portion of the interior surface of the first panel proximate a first edge portion and a second access device portion is disposed along a portion of the interior surface of the second panel proximate a second edge portion; and

manipulating the flexible package proximate the first and second access device portions to fold the first and second edge portions downward to form a cuff in the flexible package.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein at least one of the first and second access device portions is a zipper device portion.